Placenta encapsulation. It may be something you're very familiar with, or something that sounds very....crunchy ;) Whatever your comfort level, there are many mothers out there that swear by this process and the ways it has helped them through this hard initial after-birth period of time.
Placenta's are handled according to updated food handling laws if you have a specialist do it. They're ground up into pills and handed back to you in a cute jar with instructions.
Some benefits of encapsulating your placenta after birth may be:
- Increased iron levels in the mother (which can lead to more energy and feeling better)
- Increased milk supply (which means happy baby AND mom)
- Increased release of oxytocin (a hormone that usually is on the rise after birth) which helps the uterus return to pre-pregnancy size more quickly and encourages bonding with baby.
- Decrease in post-partum depression levels
- Increase in CRH (a hormone that reduces stress)
With all those benefits, it's a least worth a shot!
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Inducing - Some Things to Consider
**DISCLAIMER - YES! There are absolutely medically necessary reasons to be induced. These are few and far between. If you are being induced for medical reasons (NOT a "big" baby!!!) these things will still apply but will likely not weigh in comparison to the risks of not being induced, for all others read and avoid Pitocin when not necessary and Cyotec always during a healthy pregnancy :) **
This post has been in the works for over 2 years! I was induced with my son at 39 weeks. I was "softening" and not even a one. My dr. told me nothing of the possible outcomes. She led me to believe that I'd be induced, the baby would come out no problems and we would all be happy and move on. It's a LIE! Yes, it works out this way for some. I have a dear friend that was induced for her 3 children (2 births) and everything went beautifully! But for that one friend I have that things worked out for, I have 5 that it didn't. Here are some things to think about before you consider inducing.
*God made our babies and our bodies to work together and signal when they are both ready for baby to come into the world. This allows time for our bodies to ready themselves and prepare for a quicker and less painful birth and also allows babies brains and lungs to fully develop so they are ready for life on the outside.
* Inductions where Pitocin and/or Cyotec are used are births that are more likely to -
* If you are still considering being induced, do your homework. There's something called a Bishop Score. It will help your provider decide if you would be a more or less successful induction. I wish I had known about this with L! I could've taken one look at it and realized that I was on the very bottom end of the scale and was in the most likely category to end up with an unnecessary C-section.
Always do your research and weigh your options with your healthcare provider. If you are told you must be induced ask why. Talk about the risks and benefits of both sides and decide what is right for you!!
This post has been in the works for over 2 years! I was induced with my son at 39 weeks. I was "softening" and not even a one. My dr. told me nothing of the possible outcomes. She led me to believe that I'd be induced, the baby would come out no problems and we would all be happy and move on. It's a LIE! Yes, it works out this way for some. I have a dear friend that was induced for her 3 children (2 births) and everything went beautifully! But for that one friend I have that things worked out for, I have 5 that it didn't. Here are some things to think about before you consider inducing.
*God made our babies and our bodies to work together and signal when they are both ready for baby to come into the world. This allows time for our bodies to ready themselves and prepare for a quicker and less painful birth and also allows babies brains and lungs to fully develop so they are ready for life on the outside.
* Inductions where Pitocin and/or Cyotec are used are births that are more likely to -
- have issues with the baby's health during labor or birth (increased heart rate, shoulder dystocia, unfavorable positioning, fetal distress).
- have forceps/vacuum use during the pushing stage
- have baby admitted to the NICU since their bodies have not yet signaled to Mom's body that they are ready to be here.
- have jaundice or be premature
- end in a C-section.
* If you are still considering being induced, do your homework. There's something called a Bishop Score. It will help your provider decide if you would be a more or less successful induction. I wish I had known about this with L! I could've taken one look at it and realized that I was on the very bottom end of the scale and was in the most likely category to end up with an unnecessary C-section.
Always do your research and weigh your options with your healthcare provider. If you are told you must be induced ask why. Talk about the risks and benefits of both sides and decide what is right for you!!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Things Society Would Like Us to Believe
I was thinking. There are some huge misconceptions about labor/birth/breastfeeding. I figured I'd start with just a post about labor misconceptions.
* It's only normal to have an OB deliver your baby. Honestly, I don't understand why OBs are so popular. I've attended many OB births and births with a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife). The difference is incredible. The CNM believes in your body and in birth. They understand how it works and have enough faith in the natural process to allow for each and every birth to be as different as they are supposed to be.
* If you are past your due date you can just be induced and everything will be great, you aren't supposed to go past it you know. False. Some women are just long gestators. Some babies are small and need the extra time. Some women's bodies simply aren't ready to birth until 41 weeks, sometimes even longer. Your estimated due date is just that. An estimated arrival date for baby. There's nothing binding about that date. It's not an eviction date. There are many benefits to letting baby pick their birthday!
* An epidural is just like getting Novocaine at the dentist. Birth is not like getting a route canal. This is SUCH an enormous misconception. There is a beauty in the natural birth process that gets lost when medicated. Every birth is beautiful and some mamas really need the medication to relax and cope. I support moms in their birthing rites and decisions. I just think it's only fair for women to know the other side. That raw, vulnerable pain of bringing a child into the world is a completely different pain than any other we've experienced. It's life-altering.
* Getting a doula is only for super earthy hippies who hate drugs and want nothing to do with them. The definition of a doula is a labor servant. We are here to support, love, inform, and encouraging laboring mothers. Many of us (myself included) are very normal people. We came to be doulas through our own difficult births, or our friends, family members, etc. Some are opposed to drugs and really aim to help mothers avoid them. But most of us love births and just want to help laboring mommas welcome their new little ones into the world.
* C-sections are always necessary. Society likes to believe that C-sections are only and always life-saving procedures. About 15% of the time (I believe even less in actuality) Cesareans are life-saving and completely needed. We are thankful to have skilled surgeons to perform these procedures when necessary. It is SO important to be informed so you don't end up one of the 15-20% of women having unnecessary C-sections in the US each year.
I hope some of these get people thinking and talking differently about birth and the truly wonderful thing that it is!
* It's only normal to have an OB deliver your baby. Honestly, I don't understand why OBs are so popular. I've attended many OB births and births with a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife). The difference is incredible. The CNM believes in your body and in birth. They understand how it works and have enough faith in the natural process to allow for each and every birth to be as different as they are supposed to be.
* If you are past your due date you can just be induced and everything will be great, you aren't supposed to go past it you know. False. Some women are just long gestators. Some babies are small and need the extra time. Some women's bodies simply aren't ready to birth until 41 weeks, sometimes even longer. Your estimated due date is just that. An estimated arrival date for baby. There's nothing binding about that date. It's not an eviction date. There are many benefits to letting baby pick their birthday!
* An epidural is just like getting Novocaine at the dentist. Birth is not like getting a route canal. This is SUCH an enormous misconception. There is a beauty in the natural birth process that gets lost when medicated. Every birth is beautiful and some mamas really need the medication to relax and cope. I support moms in their birthing rites and decisions. I just think it's only fair for women to know the other side. That raw, vulnerable pain of bringing a child into the world is a completely different pain than any other we've experienced. It's life-altering.
* Getting a doula is only for super earthy hippies who hate drugs and want nothing to do with them. The definition of a doula is a labor servant. We are here to support, love, inform, and encouraging laboring mothers. Many of us (myself included) are very normal people. We came to be doulas through our own difficult births, or our friends, family members, etc. Some are opposed to drugs and really aim to help mothers avoid them. But most of us love births and just want to help laboring mommas welcome their new little ones into the world.
* C-sections are always necessary. Society likes to believe that C-sections are only and always life-saving procedures. About 15% of the time (I believe even less in actuality) Cesareans are life-saving and completely needed. We are thankful to have skilled surgeons to perform these procedures when necessary. It is SO important to be informed so you don't end up one of the 15-20% of women having unnecessary C-sections in the US each year.
I hope some of these get people thinking and talking differently about birth and the truly wonderful thing that it is!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
My Very Own Empowering VBAC
I'm trying desperately to remember all the details. I truly do not want to forget one little thing!
First lets start with Landon's birth. I had a C-section with him. It was not the birth I wanted and I was left feeling kinda cheated and struggled with some postpartum depression after that I felt was mainly due to the birth and the hard recovery. My dr. with Landon told me at my first pelvic exam when I was 7 weeks pregnant that I could never deliver a baby bigger than 7 lbs vaginally. The seed of doubt about my body and it's capabilities was planted in that moment and then I just figured the Cesarean was because my body was a lemon. Soon after his birth I started reading and researching my face off and learned that Dr.s actually cannot tell if my pelvis is too small or not by feeling it. Not in labor, not before pregnancy, and not at 7 weeks pregnant. So then I began the pursuit of a VBAC.
Before we became pregnant with Delaney I knew we needed a game plan for who to see and how to make a VBAC possible. I started messaging our CNM here in town about it and she assured me that she could see us through the pregnancy and transfer our care at the end and we could deliver down in Phx. Perfect! We started seeing her and LOVED her (as many of you know). She assured me that my body was NOT a lemon and that we could do this. There was never doubt (at least none that I saw) that I wouldn't be able to VBAC or that I was somehow broken!
So on Monday night (11/21) I was having some contractions right before bed. They were mild. But different. I told Matt and we both laughed it off and went to bed. Throughout the night I was woken by a few strong ones, but once I would pee they were much better, so I thought "just more braxton hicks...fun!". That morning when I woke up and they were still around I decided to get checked. I went and saw Stephanie and she said I was a good 3. That was progress. She said I was even close to a 4. I was happy with that. I went home and we planned to meet again in the afternoon. I went home and by about 11 I knew I was in labor. I was still in denial until that point. I asked Alex's parents to come pick him up relatively soon and started taking showers, eating healthy snacks, and trying to rest! At 230 I went back to see Steph and was more uncomfortable for sure. She checked me and said I was a good 4. A 4?! I've been laboring ALL day. I was pretty discouraged. But she assured me my cervix was changing and this was happening. Not sure when, but it was happening. So back home I went. Around 5 I was starting to really feel the contractions. They we actually painful and required my attention. So Grammy came to get Landon and I of course cried as they drove away. My sweet mother-in-law prayed with me and I felt ready! Soon after Stephanie came to our house to check me and said I was a good 5 and we were good to go to Phx. No rush. Just at our leisure. She went ahead down and met with a friend from the hospital down there and would be waiting. So I took another bath and finished eating and packing and we headed out.
I was petrified of the car ride. My biggest fear was hitting transition and being stuck in the flipping car! But I just laid on my side with a pillow and blankets and breathed through and did quite well. Then we got to Anthem. I HAD to pee and try to get rid of some of the pressure. So we stopped and while we were stopping and driving over bumps and turning I was miserable! I wanted to cry. But after a restroom stop and some drinks from Del Taco I was feeling like I could bear the last 30 min. And I did. Once we got to the hospital I was ready to be in a room and away from people b/c I was in pain. No such luck. We got there and filled out forms in the ER and got some vitals done. Then we were put in ER triage with a bunch of other people. They were talking to us and cussing and I was thoroughly annoyed. Finally the nurse came down to get us. Thank God. It took me forever to get to the room as I was stopping for contractions and breathing and swaying with Matt. But we got there. Guess what? More triage. I wanted to cry. But Stephanie was there waiting for us and that made my heart happy! So we did all the norm stuff there and they told me part of the VBAC policy was to get a weight ultra sound. Are you kidding me? I'm in so much pain and you are going to make my lie on my back so you can tell me what a giant baby I have?! Fantastic. So I complied and hurt so bad. He finished and determined that baby would be about 6 lbs 11 oz. That sounded reasonable. Landon was a boy and 7.7. So once that was over they allowed us to walk up to our room. Again, it took forever and I just could not wait to get there!
Once in the room, I was checked and found to be a 6. I cried. A 6?! I'm in SO much pain. How am I not in transition?! Afterward we got all hooked up to the monitors and stuff and then it was quiet. It was just Matt and Steph and I. There was relaxing music on and they would massage and rub me and help me keep my cool. After the inital strip I wanted the water. I'd talked the entire trip down about the labor tubs and how nice it would feel to crawl in one as soon as possible. We soon found out I was in the last open room and my room only had a shower. You have GOT to be kidding me. I was super disappointed. But Stephanie suggested that we go sit on the birthing ball in the shower and that water was glorious! I was feeling like I could do this. My family came in to visit real fast and I was still able to talk and laugh in between contractions and then they left. It was maybe 11 or so when Stephanie checked me again. I was a 6. STILL. Emotionally I began to lose it. This is what happened with Landon. I got stuck and then they took him. I started to panic. Everyone continued to reassure me that it was just going slowly and no one was pressuring me. There was no clock. I believe with that check they broke my water and there was not a whole lot of it because Laney was so low her head was like a cork. Every time I was checked Steph would say "her head is just SO low". That was very encouraging to me that my body was doing something! After that, it all gets soooo blurry. I took another shower at some point and peed and labored a lot. There was lots of rubbing and encouraging words. Then at some point I lost it. I started crying and begging for an epidural. I was fighting with everyone and felt SO out of control. It was transition. I knew it in my head but HOLY COW! It hurt. Like bad. The rest was history. I flew from a 7 to ready to push in what seemed like no time. I was in such an animalistic state I really could not even comprehend what was going on. I was trying to listen to Stephanie coach me through pushing and trying to soak in all the "you are doing great" and "you're a rockstar" compliments, but all I could think about was getting the baby out! So we started pushing. I could feel after just a few pushes what needed to happen and the way I needed to do it. So I did it. With all my might. It felt soooo much better to be pushing! So after 15 minutes or so we got to that ring of fire and that's when I knew it. I am doing this! I am going to deliver this little girl the way I wanted!!! Someone told me to feel her head and I did quickly but needed to focus. A few pushes and out she came. It was incredible. Feeling her little body slip through mine. It was the most incredible feeling ever. And then such relief! They put her on my chest and I just bawled. I couldn't believe I did it. I couldn't believe my little girl was actually finally here! While they were cleaning her off someone made a comment about her definitely not looking like a 6 lb baby. This made me excited because I'd been hoping all along she would be bigger than Landon and I'd be CERTAIN that my body was capable and did not have stupid limitations put on it. I could birth any baby I could make!
They took her to be weighed while I got stitched up quickly. I was SO thankful to have a tiny tear that barely required any time at all to fix! They yelled over to me 8.1! I had an 8 lb baby!!! Later the nurse told us that because of the extra grams she was actually 8.2. Incredible. I still cannot believe I did it. I cannot believe I birthed my baby vaginally. And without an epidural. And without ripping to shreds. And without needing assistance. My body was able to get pregnant, carry a baby to term, know when and how to go into labor, push and deliver a baby, and then feed her completely once she was out! It is truly incredible. I have an entirely new view of my body and of my own capabilities.
Once everything settled a bit we nursed and it was blissful. She was so content to be with me. She has been so calm and cuddly and responsive to me especially. It has been a very special experience for me. I feel like it's healed some places within me and given me a very special bond with our little girl!
I must give credit now where credit is due. I could not have done this whole laboring thing without my incredible husband. Matt was there for me every second and step of the way. He was rubbing me, encouraging me, praying for me, reading me my birthing affirmations, and making sure that things went the way he knew I really wanted them to. I think he was the best labor partner ever! Next, Stephanie. She was just magnificent. She knew where to rub and where it hurt and what I needed. She kept everything calm and peaceful just like I needed. It was so special to have so much time with just her and Matt and I. She was just the person I needed and wanted to be there and to catch my little girl :) Finally, Lisa. Lisa is our Phx midwife and she was just awesome. It was incredible to be able to do what we did in a hospital that wasn't ours. She was so supportive and a great addition to our little team. We certainly could not have done it without her!
Life
since the birth has been great. We were discharged from the hospital early and were able to be a family at home on Thanksgiving :) We
are 4 days out now and I feel so human. So normal considering
everything that just happened. It's absolutely incredible. 4 days after
my C-section we had just gotten home and I could hardly walk and was
essentially useless other than to feed myself and Landon. I cannot
imagine coming home to a toddler and a newborn feeling like that!! The
recovery has been a complete 180. Even if the whole VBAC experience had
not been an emotional one for me, I cannot for the life of me understand
now why anyone would want a repeat cesarean unless it was medically
necessary. The pain level is so significantly lower and I feel so so so
much better physically and emotionally! It's just shocking to me how
different it's all been. Yay VBACs!!! Laney looks and seems like she is
doing fantastic! She is so sweet. And we are so blessed.
First lets start with Landon's birth. I had a C-section with him. It was not the birth I wanted and I was left feeling kinda cheated and struggled with some postpartum depression after that I felt was mainly due to the birth and the hard recovery. My dr. with Landon told me at my first pelvic exam when I was 7 weeks pregnant that I could never deliver a baby bigger than 7 lbs vaginally. The seed of doubt about my body and it's capabilities was planted in that moment and then I just figured the Cesarean was because my body was a lemon. Soon after his birth I started reading and researching my face off and learned that Dr.s actually cannot tell if my pelvis is too small or not by feeling it. Not in labor, not before pregnancy, and not at 7 weeks pregnant. So then I began the pursuit of a VBAC.
Before we became pregnant with Delaney I knew we needed a game plan for who to see and how to make a VBAC possible. I started messaging our CNM here in town about it and she assured me that she could see us through the pregnancy and transfer our care at the end and we could deliver down in Phx. Perfect! We started seeing her and LOVED her (as many of you know). She assured me that my body was NOT a lemon and that we could do this. There was never doubt (at least none that I saw) that I wouldn't be able to VBAC or that I was somehow broken!
So on Monday night (11/21) I was having some contractions right before bed. They were mild. But different. I told Matt and we both laughed it off and went to bed. Throughout the night I was woken by a few strong ones, but once I would pee they were much better, so I thought "just more braxton hicks...fun!". That morning when I woke up and they were still around I decided to get checked. I went and saw Stephanie and she said I was a good 3. That was progress. She said I was even close to a 4. I was happy with that. I went home and we planned to meet again in the afternoon. I went home and by about 11 I knew I was in labor. I was still in denial until that point. I asked Alex's parents to come pick him up relatively soon and started taking showers, eating healthy snacks, and trying to rest! At 230 I went back to see Steph and was more uncomfortable for sure. She checked me and said I was a good 4. A 4?! I've been laboring ALL day. I was pretty discouraged. But she assured me my cervix was changing and this was happening. Not sure when, but it was happening. So back home I went. Around 5 I was starting to really feel the contractions. They we actually painful and required my attention. So Grammy came to get Landon and I of course cried as they drove away. My sweet mother-in-law prayed with me and I felt ready! Soon after Stephanie came to our house to check me and said I was a good 5 and we were good to go to Phx. No rush. Just at our leisure. She went ahead down and met with a friend from the hospital down there and would be waiting. So I took another bath and finished eating and packing and we headed out.
I was petrified of the car ride. My biggest fear was hitting transition and being stuck in the flipping car! But I just laid on my side with a pillow and blankets and breathed through and did quite well. Then we got to Anthem. I HAD to pee and try to get rid of some of the pressure. So we stopped and while we were stopping and driving over bumps and turning I was miserable! I wanted to cry. But after a restroom stop and some drinks from Del Taco I was feeling like I could bear the last 30 min. And I did. Once we got to the hospital I was ready to be in a room and away from people b/c I was in pain. No such luck. We got there and filled out forms in the ER and got some vitals done. Then we were put in ER triage with a bunch of other people. They were talking to us and cussing and I was thoroughly annoyed. Finally the nurse came down to get us. Thank God. It took me forever to get to the room as I was stopping for contractions and breathing and swaying with Matt. But we got there. Guess what? More triage. I wanted to cry. But Stephanie was there waiting for us and that made my heart happy! So we did all the norm stuff there and they told me part of the VBAC policy was to get a weight ultra sound. Are you kidding me? I'm in so much pain and you are going to make my lie on my back so you can tell me what a giant baby I have?! Fantastic. So I complied and hurt so bad. He finished and determined that baby would be about 6 lbs 11 oz. That sounded reasonable. Landon was a boy and 7.7. So once that was over they allowed us to walk up to our room. Again, it took forever and I just could not wait to get there!
Once in the room, I was checked and found to be a 6. I cried. A 6?! I'm in SO much pain. How am I not in transition?! Afterward we got all hooked up to the monitors and stuff and then it was quiet. It was just Matt and Steph and I. There was relaxing music on and they would massage and rub me and help me keep my cool. After the inital strip I wanted the water. I'd talked the entire trip down about the labor tubs and how nice it would feel to crawl in one as soon as possible. We soon found out I was in the last open room and my room only had a shower. You have GOT to be kidding me. I was super disappointed. But Stephanie suggested that we go sit on the birthing ball in the shower and that water was glorious! I was feeling like I could do this. My family came in to visit real fast and I was still able to talk and laugh in between contractions and then they left. It was maybe 11 or so when Stephanie checked me again. I was a 6. STILL. Emotionally I began to lose it. This is what happened with Landon. I got stuck and then they took him. I started to panic. Everyone continued to reassure me that it was just going slowly and no one was pressuring me. There was no clock. I believe with that check they broke my water and there was not a whole lot of it because Laney was so low her head was like a cork. Every time I was checked Steph would say "her head is just SO low". That was very encouraging to me that my body was doing something! After that, it all gets soooo blurry. I took another shower at some point and peed and labored a lot. There was lots of rubbing and encouraging words. Then at some point I lost it. I started crying and begging for an epidural. I was fighting with everyone and felt SO out of control. It was transition. I knew it in my head but HOLY COW! It hurt. Like bad. The rest was history. I flew from a 7 to ready to push in what seemed like no time. I was in such an animalistic state I really could not even comprehend what was going on. I was trying to listen to Stephanie coach me through pushing and trying to soak in all the "you are doing great" and "you're a rockstar" compliments, but all I could think about was getting the baby out! So we started pushing. I could feel after just a few pushes what needed to happen and the way I needed to do it. So I did it. With all my might. It felt soooo much better to be pushing! So after 15 minutes or so we got to that ring of fire and that's when I knew it. I am doing this! I am going to deliver this little girl the way I wanted!!! Someone told me to feel her head and I did quickly but needed to focus. A few pushes and out she came. It was incredible. Feeling her little body slip through mine. It was the most incredible feeling ever. And then such relief! They put her on my chest and I just bawled. I couldn't believe I did it. I couldn't believe my little girl was actually finally here! While they were cleaning her off someone made a comment about her definitely not looking like a 6 lb baby. This made me excited because I'd been hoping all along she would be bigger than Landon and I'd be CERTAIN that my body was capable and did not have stupid limitations put on it. I could birth any baby I could make!
They took her to be weighed while I got stitched up quickly. I was SO thankful to have a tiny tear that barely required any time at all to fix! They yelled over to me 8.1! I had an 8 lb baby!!! Later the nurse told us that because of the extra grams she was actually 8.2. Incredible. I still cannot believe I did it. I cannot believe I birthed my baby vaginally. And without an epidural. And without ripping to shreds. And without needing assistance. My body was able to get pregnant, carry a baby to term, know when and how to go into labor, push and deliver a baby, and then feed her completely once she was out! It is truly incredible. I have an entirely new view of my body and of my own capabilities.
Once everything settled a bit we nursed and it was blissful. She was so content to be with me. She has been so calm and cuddly and responsive to me especially. It has been a very special experience for me. I feel like it's healed some places within me and given me a very special bond with our little girl!
I must give credit now where credit is due. I could not have done this whole laboring thing without my incredible husband. Matt was there for me every second and step of the way. He was rubbing me, encouraging me, praying for me, reading me my birthing affirmations, and making sure that things went the way he knew I really wanted them to. I think he was the best labor partner ever! Next, Stephanie. She was just magnificent. She knew where to rub and where it hurt and what I needed. She kept everything calm and peaceful just like I needed. It was so special to have so much time with just her and Matt and I. She was just the person I needed and wanted to be there and to catch my little girl :) Finally, Lisa. Lisa is our Phx midwife and she was just awesome. It was incredible to be able to do what we did in a hospital that wasn't ours. She was so supportive and a great addition to our little team. We certainly could not have done it without her!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
1st birth
There were many things I learned from attending my first birth as a doula. I wanted to write them down so as not to forget them. What an incredible, fun, exhilarating, and beautiful experience it was!
The mama at my first birth ROCKED!! Baby was posterior and she had a rough labor. She was sick and in pain from the start (most likely from that posterior position) and was doing everything she could while running on low energy from being up all night. Her goal was to make it to 5 without an epidural. She did great!! She made it to a stretchy 6 and got the epi after being in labor for 15 hours. What a trooper!! After the epi she was able to relax a bit more and get minutes of sleep in between all the beeps of the monitors and interruptions that come with being monitored at the hospital. We were told the mom next door had a C-section after pushing for hours because she had a posterior baby. I think that the mama was a bit worried at first, but she did so awesome! She pushed for not even two hours and birthed her perfectly healthy posterior little boy after less than 24 hrs of labor and no pitocin. What an awesome experience. :)
So what I learned from this specific experience -
* Being a doula is more about the consistent presence and support than it is bringing something special to the table every moment of labor. I kept worrying about proving myself. I wanted the family to think I was worth having. I kept trying to think of great things that no one else could think of and was getting discouraged because between the nursing staff, a mom that's birthed 8 children, and a husband studying to be a nurse...I didn't have very many other "special skills" to offer. But when everyone was exhausted, I think it was just positive words and continuous support while she was awake that probably mattered the most.
* Taking turns is hard to do. It's so difficult to know when to back off and allow the other support people have their special moments being there for mom. I wanted to give them a break, but it was hard to know when they wanted one and if they wanted to be there the whole time or not. You really have to pay attention and try to pick up on cues. I desperately wanted to not overstep bounds and also not leave mom feeling abandoned. I realized I just have to do the best I can to watch everyone and use my intuition.
* Knowing what to do and how much of it is not easy. Mom is in p-a-i-n. She is hurting and her communication is limited. She is good at telling family when she's not enjoying something, but does she feel comfortable enough to tell me that? I was very worried that I was not helping but hindering a few times and never knew how long to do something for. It's a funny place to be in. Future labors I will definitely be telling moms to make sure they feel free to yell or grunt or do whatever they need to if they are not wanting that kind of specific massage or whatever at that moment.
* Birth is the most beautiful and awe-inspiring human event I've ever witnessed. It was an incredibly powerful thing to watch that little baby make his way into the world! I wonder if I will cry during every birth. :)
I know I have so much more to learn and am really looking forward to my next birth that is coming in the next week or so! I will hopefully continue to write what I'm learning so I don't forget it and can share with other doulas that are learning too.
In closing, I think the thing that I learned the most is that this is a difficult and incredibly rewarding job. Difficult because you will never know how valuable or invaluable you really were. You may never know what things really were helpful and what things were completely useless. Every mom and every birth is completely different and you will likely be effective at differing levels for each different birth. But all of them are beautiful. All of them are life-giving. And being apart of every single one will be a blessing.
The mama at my first birth ROCKED!! Baby was posterior and she had a rough labor. She was sick and in pain from the start (most likely from that posterior position) and was doing everything she could while running on low energy from being up all night. Her goal was to make it to 5 without an epidural. She did great!! She made it to a stretchy 6 and got the epi after being in labor for 15 hours. What a trooper!! After the epi she was able to relax a bit more and get minutes of sleep in between all the beeps of the monitors and interruptions that come with being monitored at the hospital. We were told the mom next door had a C-section after pushing for hours because she had a posterior baby. I think that the mama was a bit worried at first, but she did so awesome! She pushed for not even two hours and birthed her perfectly healthy posterior little boy after less than 24 hrs of labor and no pitocin. What an awesome experience. :)
So what I learned from this specific experience -
* Being a doula is more about the consistent presence and support than it is bringing something special to the table every moment of labor. I kept worrying about proving myself. I wanted the family to think I was worth having. I kept trying to think of great things that no one else could think of and was getting discouraged because between the nursing staff, a mom that's birthed 8 children, and a husband studying to be a nurse...I didn't have very many other "special skills" to offer. But when everyone was exhausted, I think it was just positive words and continuous support while she was awake that probably mattered the most.
* Taking turns is hard to do. It's so difficult to know when to back off and allow the other support people have their special moments being there for mom. I wanted to give them a break, but it was hard to know when they wanted one and if they wanted to be there the whole time or not. You really have to pay attention and try to pick up on cues. I desperately wanted to not overstep bounds and also not leave mom feeling abandoned. I realized I just have to do the best I can to watch everyone and use my intuition.
* Knowing what to do and how much of it is not easy. Mom is in p-a-i-n. She is hurting and her communication is limited. She is good at telling family when she's not enjoying something, but does she feel comfortable enough to tell me that? I was very worried that I was not helping but hindering a few times and never knew how long to do something for. It's a funny place to be in. Future labors I will definitely be telling moms to make sure they feel free to yell or grunt or do whatever they need to if they are not wanting that kind of specific massage or whatever at that moment.
* Birth is the most beautiful and awe-inspiring human event I've ever witnessed. It was an incredibly powerful thing to watch that little baby make his way into the world! I wonder if I will cry during every birth. :)
I know I have so much more to learn and am really looking forward to my next birth that is coming in the next week or so! I will hopefully continue to write what I'm learning so I don't forget it and can share with other doulas that are learning too.
In closing, I think the thing that I learned the most is that this is a difficult and incredibly rewarding job. Difficult because you will never know how valuable or invaluable you really were. You may never know what things really were helpful and what things were completely useless. Every mom and every birth is completely different and you will likely be effective at differing levels for each different birth. But all of them are beautiful. All of them are life-giving. And being apart of every single one will be a blessing.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Why a Midwife?
So, what is a midwife? - A midwife is a health care provider that provides a wide array of services. These can include but are not limited to: gynecological exams, prescriptions, prenatal care, labor and delivery, preconception counseling,the list goes on and on!
Deciding on a provider is a difficult choice to make. Many women do not even understand what a midwife does or why they would choose one over an OB. Here are some wonderful reasons why most regular and low-risk mommas should choose a midwife -
* Total care - A midwife focuses on her patient as a whole person. They focus on the patient emotionally as well as physically. They are ready to not only deliver your baby safely, but also to reassure you that your body is capable and was made to do this! A midwife believes in the natural birthing process and wants to support you!!
* Informed Decisions - Midwives promote and encourage informed decisions. Most will not simply follow a routine and hope that it fits you and your birth. They will encourage you to research and know what you want. Do you want medication, the cord cut immediately, etc. This sounds like more work (and it is, but a doula and your midwife can help make this process easier!) but, the work reaps multiple benefits. You will be sure that you know every risk and benefit that's attached to each procedure/intervention. This = a happy and healthy mom and baby.
*Midwives reduce the use of interventions like epidurals, episiotomies, forceps, and vacuum extraction. This is mostly proven to be true due to the fact that Midwives have many different pain options to try (TENS machines, hot water, birthing positions, etc) and believe in the natural birthing process. Most believe in having a mother push when SHE feels ready and in the position she feels is most effective. Pushing while lying down in a bed is not the most effective way to push for many, yet is considered routine almost everywhere in America. They also rarely put the strict timetables on the pushing stage (or the entire labor process in general) that others may, which leads to more natural deliveries.
* Your chance of cesarean drops significantly when you chose a midwife as your provider. It has been proven over and over that most midwives have a much lower cesarean rate than most OBs. Midwives are trained to help deliver babies vaginally! As mentioned before, they also can be much more patient and supportive to the natural birthing process.
* You can trust your midwife. You can trust her to have your best interest as well as your baby's at heart and in the forefront of her mind. You can also trust her to refer your care to an OB if something is concerning during pregnancy or delivery that she feels would need their care. Some midwives care so fully for their patients, that they will even stay for the entire labor and delivery to support them and ensure that they are comfortable and do not feel abandoned if this were to happen!
* Cost efficiency. This is last because I believe it is least important, but worth noting. Under the care of a midwife you will spend *about* a third of what an OB's care would cost. Remember, OBs are trained surgeons qualified and ready to perform the most common surgery in our country at a moment's notice. Midwives are trained delivery assistants with a passion for birth.
So, now you've decided, right? :) If a midwife is what you want, how do you go about finding one?
- First, you need to decide what kind of midwife you would like. There are many types and you will need to research and decide what is best for you. There are two main types of midwives in the states. There are Certified Nurse Midwives (more likely to work in a hospital-type setting) and Certified Professional Midwives (most likely midwives that specialize in home-birth settings). You will need to look closely and decide which you are most comfortable with. Here's a great article that may help you decide what type of birth setting is best for you and your family.
- Once you've decided what type of midwife you want and need, you can find the perfect midwife for you a few different ways. You can look through some websites to search for one in your area, you can talk to other women in your area to find one they would recommend, or if you live in Cottonwood (or in the surrounding areas) you can just go meet mine!
Stephanie Purinton (CNM)
Stephanie works in Dr. French's office and has privileges at VVMC here in town! You can find out more about her through her facebook page "Stephanie Purinton Certified Nurse Midwife" or by emailing her at stephanie@myazmidwife.com. You really should check her out, she's fabulous!
Deciding on a provider is a difficult choice to make. Many women do not even understand what a midwife does or why they would choose one over an OB. Here are some wonderful reasons why most regular and low-risk mommas should choose a midwife -
* Total care - A midwife focuses on her patient as a whole person. They focus on the patient emotionally as well as physically. They are ready to not only deliver your baby safely, but also to reassure you that your body is capable and was made to do this! A midwife believes in the natural birthing process and wants to support you!!
* Informed Decisions - Midwives promote and encourage informed decisions. Most will not simply follow a routine and hope that it fits you and your birth. They will encourage you to research and know what you want. Do you want medication, the cord cut immediately, etc. This sounds like more work (and it is, but a doula and your midwife can help make this process easier!) but, the work reaps multiple benefits. You will be sure that you know every risk and benefit that's attached to each procedure/intervention. This = a happy and healthy mom and baby.
*Midwives reduce the use of interventions like epidurals, episiotomies, forceps, and vacuum extraction. This is mostly proven to be true due to the fact that Midwives have many different pain options to try (TENS machines, hot water, birthing positions, etc) and believe in the natural birthing process. Most believe in having a mother push when SHE feels ready and in the position she feels is most effective. Pushing while lying down in a bed is not the most effective way to push for many, yet is considered routine almost everywhere in America. They also rarely put the strict timetables on the pushing stage (or the entire labor process in general) that others may, which leads to more natural deliveries.
* Your chance of cesarean drops significantly when you chose a midwife as your provider. It has been proven over and over that most midwives have a much lower cesarean rate than most OBs. Midwives are trained to help deliver babies vaginally! As mentioned before, they also can be much more patient and supportive to the natural birthing process.
* You can trust your midwife. You can trust her to have your best interest as well as your baby's at heart and in the forefront of her mind. You can also trust her to refer your care to an OB if something is concerning during pregnancy or delivery that she feels would need their care. Some midwives care so fully for their patients, that they will even stay for the entire labor and delivery to support them and ensure that they are comfortable and do not feel abandoned if this were to happen!
* Cost efficiency. This is last because I believe it is least important, but worth noting. Under the care of a midwife you will spend *about* a third of what an OB's care would cost. Remember, OBs are trained surgeons qualified and ready to perform the most common surgery in our country at a moment's notice. Midwives are trained delivery assistants with a passion for birth.
So, now you've decided, right? :) If a midwife is what you want, how do you go about finding one?
- First, you need to decide what kind of midwife you would like. There are many types and you will need to research and decide what is best for you. There are two main types of midwives in the states. There are Certified Nurse Midwives (more likely to work in a hospital-type setting) and Certified Professional Midwives (most likely midwives that specialize in home-birth settings). You will need to look closely and decide which you are most comfortable with. Here's a great article that may help you decide what type of birth setting is best for you and your family.
- Once you've decided what type of midwife you want and need, you can find the perfect midwife for you a few different ways. You can look through some websites to search for one in your area, you can talk to other women in your area to find one they would recommend, or if you live in Cottonwood (or in the surrounding areas) you can just go meet mine!
Stephanie Purinton (CNM)
Stephanie works in Dr. French's office and has privileges at VVMC here in town! You can find out more about her through her facebook page "Stephanie Purinton Certified Nurse Midwife" or by emailing her at stephanie@myazmidwife.com. You really should check her out, she's fabulous!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
C-sections
(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.***
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.***
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