(All of this information is from the WHO and Childbirth international and is research-based information)
Did you know??
*The World Health Organization states that a Cesarean level above 15% cannot be justified. The rate in the US is 30% + and steadily climbing
* The US alone performs between 400,00 and 500,000 unnecessary cesareans each year.
* True CPD ( a mismatch in size between the baby's size and mother's pelvis) is incredibly rare. Generally only occurring in women with a previously shattered pelvis or rickets disease.
* As many as 44% of inductions fail and result in C-sections.
* Infants are FIVE times more likely to need help breathing and or be admitted to the NICU.
* Mothers are 27 times more likely to need a hysterectomy after 1 c-section than women who delivered vaginally....27!
* Chances of Placenta Previa increase by 25% for EACH cesarean a mother has. Placenta previa doubles the chances of infant death and increases the premature birth rate by up to 6 times.
* If the cesarean rate in the US were to decrease by just 1% that would be a savings of $900,000 each year! Imagine what would happen is it decreased 15%+ to fit into the national WHO guidelines!
*** Cesareans can be a life-saving procedure for both mother and baby when medically necessary! They are also often a down-played surgery made by mom's who are un- or misinformed about the truths and dangers it possesses, especially when used unnecessarily.***
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Doula = more successful births?
When I was pregnant, a woman from my church called and offered to be our doula for FREE. I turned her down because I thought that doula's were only for women who wanted to have a natural birth (SO not true) and I thought it would be weird to have someone I knew in the room with me (looking back I wouldn't have cared and I ended up knowing my nurse that was there!). I didn't understand what a doula did or why I would need to have one. Currently doulas attend 3% of births in the United States and 1 out of every 3 births results in a C-Section. Here are some stats I wish I would've known before birth!
Numerous clinical studies have proven that when a laboring mother has a doula by her side:
- tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
- reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
- reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
- reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals
(From the DONA website)
Stats were taken from Childbirth.org. Having a doula present results in:
- 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduction in oxytocin use
- 30% reduction in analgesia use
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Helpful things to bring...
I'm making a list of things to bring to the hospital/birthing center or to have readily available if you are having a home birth as well as my list of things to bring for you! This is not the typical "to pack" list with clothing and toiletries etc. This is a list to make you comfortable while in labor (which, for most, is a longer period of time than the time they spend there postpartum!)
Things for you to have ready:
Your favorite pillow from home if you have one
A robe and comfy slippers for walking the halls. Hospital gowns are open in the back and those floors are cold!!
An ipod with a few different playlists for labor and birth. I suggest a soothing one, one with favorites that's mixed (both upbeat and low), and then an energetic and inspiring one for pushing, bouncing on the birthing ball, etc.
Some things I will try to have readily available for you in labor:
Calming mist scents - like essential oils to help make your birthing room a calm and tranquil place
Lotions and oils - for massages and acupressure techniques
Massage items - such as (wooden rollers, textured massage balls, cold cans of soda/frozen water bottle)
Hard sucking candy like suckers and honey sticks - they really help stabilize blood sugar and give a kick of energy They really can help with nausea too.
Gum and protein bars - for birth partners present and mom if she decides that she needs to eat too
Straws - it's so much easier to stay well hydrated during labor to just be able to take a quick sip, especially if you are in an odd position that is finally providing relief
A small notebook - so that we can write down details for the birth story later
A rice sock - the heat can be a great break and help ease discomfort with back pain and contractions
A change of cloths - for me since birth is messy!
A toothbrush and toothpaste - since births can easily go many many hours!
Hair ties - they can be tricky to find in your bag and easy to forget
Emergen- C packets - for an energizing and electrolyte-filled drink
Ipod speaker - I will always keep these and extra batteries to keep those playlists flowing (I can bring my ipod with my own generic playlists too if you don't have one or don't have time to make the lists)
Camera - Just in case yours is lost or forgotten or runs out of batteries.
These are items that I think will help in a pinch and really better prepare everyone in the birthing room for the long-haul.
Are there items that you loved having at your birth??
Things for you to have ready:
Your favorite pillow from home if you have one
A robe and comfy slippers for walking the halls. Hospital gowns are open in the back and those floors are cold!!
An ipod with a few different playlists for labor and birth. I suggest a soothing one, one with favorites that's mixed (both upbeat and low), and then an energetic and inspiring one for pushing, bouncing on the birthing ball, etc.
Some things I will try to have readily available for you in labor:
Calming mist scents - like essential oils to help make your birthing room a calm and tranquil place
Lotions and oils - for massages and acupressure techniques
Massage items - such as (wooden rollers, textured massage balls, cold cans of soda/frozen water bottle)
Hard sucking candy like suckers and honey sticks - they really help stabilize blood sugar and give a kick of energy They really can help with nausea too.
Gum and protein bars - for birth partners present and mom if she decides that she needs to eat too
Straws - it's so much easier to stay well hydrated during labor to just be able to take a quick sip, especially if you are in an odd position that is finally providing relief
A small notebook - so that we can write down details for the birth story later
A rice sock - the heat can be a great break and help ease discomfort with back pain and contractions
A change of cloths - for me since birth is messy!
A toothbrush and toothpaste - since births can easily go many many hours!
Hair ties - they can be tricky to find in your bag and easy to forget
Emergen- C packets - for an energizing and electrolyte-filled drink
Ipod speaker - I will always keep these and extra batteries to keep those playlists flowing (I can bring my ipod with my own generic playlists too if you don't have one or don't have time to make the lists)
Camera - Just in case yours is lost or forgotten or runs out of batteries.
These are items that I think will help in a pinch and really better prepare everyone in the birthing room for the long-haul.
Are there items that you loved having at your birth??
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Doula/Dad Relationship
One of the most frequently asked questions is - does a doula replace the Dad's position in labor?
My answer - Absolutely not! So I wanted to take a moment to explain the differing roles of a dad and a doula.
1. Doula's have experience and training that tells them what the mom needs. They will recognize when it's time for a new position or time for new breathing techniques. Rather than taking over and butting dad out, the doula shows dad what and to do and ensures that he is doing it effectively.If dad is uncomfortable, then doula is more than happy to take over that specific aspect (like the hip squeeze) just when mom wants that move.
2. Doula's provide relief for a Dad who is helping the mom progress. When dad's hands get tired, doula is right there to step in. She understands that closeness is vital for most women in labor and preserves that relationship with dad above all else, and is quietly there to support during that time. Then, if dad needs a break, doula is there to fill in the gaps. Let dad sleep a bit or grab a bit to eat and then come back refreshed and ready for the long-haul.
3. Doula's know many massage/acupressure/relaxation techniques that she can teach dad so that he can not only be there, but be effective while he is in that support role. Or if dad would rather, he can be talking to and with mom and supporting her other ways while the doula supports mom physically.
I see a doula as a support of the birthing couple, not just the mother. If she is good, she will only empower the couple and encourage them together!
I found this blog post incredibly informative. It is a dad writing about his birth experience with their doula. Check it out! http://bringbirthhome.com/bbh-dad/dad-doula-relationship/
My answer - Absolutely not! So I wanted to take a moment to explain the differing roles of a dad and a doula.
1. Doula's have experience and training that tells them what the mom needs. They will recognize when it's time for a new position or time for new breathing techniques. Rather than taking over and butting dad out, the doula shows dad what and to do and ensures that he is doing it effectively.If dad is uncomfortable, then doula is more than happy to take over that specific aspect (like the hip squeeze) just when mom wants that move.
2. Doula's provide relief for a Dad who is helping the mom progress. When dad's hands get tired, doula is right there to step in. She understands that closeness is vital for most women in labor and preserves that relationship with dad above all else, and is quietly there to support during that time. Then, if dad needs a break, doula is there to fill in the gaps. Let dad sleep a bit or grab a bit to eat and then come back refreshed and ready for the long-haul.
3. Doula's know many massage/acupressure/relaxation techniques that she can teach dad so that he can not only be there, but be effective while he is in that support role. Or if dad would rather, he can be talking to and with mom and supporting her other ways while the doula supports mom physically.
I see a doula as a support of the birthing couple, not just the mother. If she is good, she will only empower the couple and encourage them together!
I found this blog post incredibly informative. It is a dad writing about his birth experience with their doula. Check it out! http://bringbirthhome.com/bbh-dad/dad-doula-relationship/
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Why I chose to be a doula
SOOOO I'm going to become a CBI certified Doula this year! I am so so excited! This may seem random to some of you so I'm going to explain why I want to become a Doula and what it is exactly. :)
The moment I was being rolled down the hall to the OR for my C-Section I was praying and crying and promised God that I would do things HIS way next time. No inductions, no scare tactics, just a firm and calm belief that my body really can do what it was created to. So my VBAC journey began. A VBAC is a vaginal birth after cesarean. I began to look into it mostly because my doctor told me that our family could be medically limited to 2-3 babies if things did not go absolutely perfect each time. That terrified me. How can someone else decide that for us?! So I knew that I needed to do things differently. I cannot have a VBAC in Cottonwood, so I have to travel to Phx in order to do this. As I looked further and further I found that I have about a 75-80% chance of success at Phoenix Baptist in Phx!! I also found that studies have overwhelmingly proved that having a doula present decreases your need for c-sections, pain medication, an episiotomy, vacuum/forcep extraction, etc. That sounded fantastic to me! I also LOVE that if I want an epidural, that's totally OK! My doula is there as I will be there for others to support them in whatever decision they make!!
So what is a doula?? * this information is from the DONA international web page*
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
A Birth Doula
* Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
* Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
* Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
* Stays with the woman throughout the labor
* Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
* Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
* Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
* Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level
Research evidence shows that the quality services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders.
I am so passionate now about empowering women to make informed decisions about their births and help them avoid any intervention that they are not open or welcoming to. I cannot wait to get started! I have 2 births lined up currently and hope to have many many more!! :)
The moment I was being rolled down the hall to the OR for my C-Section I was praying and crying and promised God that I would do things HIS way next time. No inductions, no scare tactics, just a firm and calm belief that my body really can do what it was created to. So my VBAC journey began. A VBAC is a vaginal birth after cesarean. I began to look into it mostly because my doctor told me that our family could be medically limited to 2-3 babies if things did not go absolutely perfect each time. That terrified me. How can someone else decide that for us?! So I knew that I needed to do things differently. I cannot have a VBAC in Cottonwood, so I have to travel to Phx in order to do this. As I looked further and further I found that I have about a 75-80% chance of success at Phoenix Baptist in Phx!! I also found that studies have overwhelmingly proved that having a doula present decreases your need for c-sections, pain medication, an episiotomy, vacuum/forcep extraction, etc. That sounded fantastic to me! I also LOVE that if I want an epidural, that's totally OK! My doula is there as I will be there for others to support them in whatever decision they make!!
So what is a doula?? * this information is from the DONA international web page*
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
A Birth Doula
* Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
* Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
* Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
* Stays with the woman throughout the labor
* Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
* Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
* Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
* Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level
Research evidence shows that the quality services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders.
I am so passionate now about empowering women to make informed decisions about their births and help them avoid any intervention that they are not open or welcoming to. I cannot wait to get started! I have 2 births lined up currently and hope to have many many more!! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)