I just attended the Trust Birth Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. It was an amazing, mind-blowing and Oxytocin-filled adventure. I got to meet some of my heroines and I learned so much!
STOP HATTING
Something new that I learned from Carla Hartley at the closing of the conference, was why we should stop putting little hats on new borns. What? Seems like a necessary thing no? Let’s keep that widdle head warm no? NO! A Mother’s body is all that healthy baby needs. According to Boba’s site;
Guilty of Hatting my Own Wee One :0
“A mother has actual “thermal synchrony” with her infant. When a baby is placed in the kangaroo position, skin to skin with his mother, the temperature of the mother’s breasts actually change so that her baby can better maintain his own temperature. If the baby gets too cold the mother’s body temperature will actually warm up one degree to help warm the baby. If the baby gets too hot, the mother’s body temperature will decrease one degree to cool the baby. This even works when twins are kangarooed (Ludington-Hoe, 2004). Furthermore, the flexed position that the baby assumes on his mother’s chest as opposed to lying on his back in an incubator is a more efficient position for conserving heat.”
The Brain Limbic System (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Okay, okay, so maybe the baby doesn’t NEED a little hat, what’s wrong with putting it on anyway? A mothers limbic system is set up to receive the smell of her baby.
This can be disturbed by the very presence of this seemingly innocent cap. Human emotions are needed for a baby’s survival since needy infants are completely helpless and dependent on their parents for protecting, caring for and feeding them. Dr. Arthur Janov says:
What transpires between mother and child is a conversation between their right-side limbic systems.
When the mother is attuned to the baby’s feelings, her right limbic system is in tune, and she can feel what the baby is feeling and respond appropriately.
The more parental love there is, the more dopamine neurons in the right brain activate, giving the child a feeling of wellbeing.
The better the baby feels about its environment, the more optimum the dopamine activation in the right brain.
What happens when we receive mother’s love is that we feel good physiologically.
So you say, alright, no hatting. What else?
STOP chatting. The “Huh” you say? Yep. I learned that this time of bonding belongs to the parents. Baby has been hearing their voices almost exclusively. Baby is waiting to hear THOSE voices, not yours. Now is not the time to start processing, this moment belongs to the family. You will have plenty of time to talk about the birth or your feelings about the event that just transpired. When I thought about my role as a doula it seemed right that I smile and beam and wait to talk till I was invited to do so and even then keep a respectful distance. STOP patting. What? Not touch the baby? Um, no. That baby does not need to be touched by anyone but mama and her partner. The immune system of a newborn is not as strong as an older infant or child. The antibodies that it is born with comes from the mother. The mother can only pass along antibodies against germs which she has built up and immunity to. So hands off, I know that newborn skin is SO TEMPTING! But you must RESIST!
So, yeah. Like Carla says; “STOP HATTING STOP CHATTING STOP PATTING. I read this today and I think it pertains to this topic of not pushing your self on this miraculous event: “
Let’s respect this family that has just been born. Let us be reminded that their bodies knew how to birth/be born with little assistance (if any) why would they now suddenly need us? Give it a thought and let me know what you think…
Had a blast teaching in Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Albany California.Can’t wait to get back to those coastal breezes, bright sunny days and foggy mornings!
My guest on tonights show will be Kaitlin Rose Parmenter of Bring Birth Home. BBH is a great resource for parents wanting to learn more about their options outside a hospital or birth center. Hospital birth is fairly new to us, as far as the history of man is concerned. To put this in perspective name the first US president who was born in a hospital. More and more women are choosing to have their babies at home.
For centuries giving birth at home was the normal thing to do, but by the 1900′s women slowly began changing their birth setting by going to hospitals. As our understanding of anatomy, modern medicine, the mechanics’ of childbirth, and technology have significantly increased, more and more women are exploring the idea of a home birth with trained midwives or nurse-midwives for low-risk, healthy pregnancies. As the desire for home birth grows, the number of studies and statistical data will continue to grow and give us a greater understanding of the risks and benefits.
Do you HAVE to be a radical hippie to consider this? Is it safe? We will tackle all these questions and more on the show tonight. Is homebirth becoming mainstream? Watch this commercial from Pampers and tell us…
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“Recognizing the evidence that births to healthy mothers, who are not considered at medi- cal risk after comprehensive screening by trained professionals, can occur safely in various settings, including out-of-hospital birth centers and homes …Therefore, APHA Supports efforts to increase access to out-of-hospital maternity care services…”
American Public Health Association, “Increasing Access to Out-of-Hospital Maternity Care Services through State-Regulated and Nationally-Certified Direct-Entry Midwives (Policy Statement)”. American Journal of Public Health, Vol 92, No. 3, March 2002.
In the five European countries with the lowest infant mortality rates, midwives preside at more than 70% all births. More than half of all Dutch babies are born at home with midwives in attendance, and Holland’s maternal and infant mortality rates are far lower than in the United States… (Midwives Still Hassled by Medical Establishment, Caroline Hall Otis, Utne Reader, Nov./Dec. 1990, pages 32-34)
Mothering Magazine has calculated that using midwifery care for 75% the births in the U.S. would save an estimated $8.5 billion per year. (Madrona, Lewis & Morgaine, The Future of Midwifery in the United States, NAPSAC News, Fall-Winter, 1993, page 15)
“Excellent outcomes with much lower intervention rates are achieved at home births. This may be because the overuse of interventions in hospital births introduces risks or the home environment promotes problem-free labors.”
Henci Goer, Obstetric Myths versus Research Realities: A Guide to the Medical Literature. Bergin & Garvey, 1995.
You Already Have the Basics My mentor used to say moms already have all they need. Arms to hold the baby, breasts to feed her and a heart to lover her. True, true, but there are a few more things I would add.
Can’t Do without #1 Diapers:
It’s a dirty job and it’s now yours. The first thing a little one get’s donned with beside the baby blanket is a diaper. Whether you decide to go with cloth diapers or ecologically friendly disposable ones, you’ll need something to catch number one and his evil brother, number two – even if you’re doing elimination communication you are going to need the occasional diaper or 24.
I recommend Nature Baby Care Diapersif you are going the eco friendly route. I used (use them) because you wont find any of the chemicals you find in the other brand name diapers.
According to them:”
When it comes to your baby’s wellbeing you have a choice. A choice between environmentally friendly diapers based on natural materials that provide superior performance and are gentle on your baby, or your everyday run-of-the-mill diaper so often based on petrochemicals.
That’s why our diapers are:
100% chlorine free
Based on biodegradable materials with a biodegradable back sheet and high loft
100% GM free
They also make nursing pads and sanitary pads!
If you are going the cloth Diaper Route Bum Geniusis an easy way to get started. There is no consensus on which cloth diapers are the best, in my experience (I used to own a maternity store) many of my clients used and raved about this diaper. I found them easy to use. Of course if we are going to talk about cloth diapers then you Must talk about soap to wash them with. You should not use your regular detergent to wash cloth diapers. The hands down winner for me is Rockin’ Green.
Here’s what they say about themselves: “Rockin’ Green is an award-winning manufacturer of eco-friendly cleaning products designed to make cleaning easier and greener. Most well-known for their clean-rinsing laundry detergent formulated for use on all fabrics and especially useful on cloth diapers, Rockin’ Green produces detergents for hard, soft and normal water conditions (known as Hard, Soft and Classic Rock varieties).Rockin’ Green also carries Funk Rock, a first-of-its kind natural ammonia bouncer, and Melody, an odor-neutralizer and air freshener home spray.”
I love their story, their customer service and their sense of humor:
A Ring Sling is a great carrier if you only plan on buying one carrier. I personally adore Sakura Bloom. They make their slings out of linen. On their site they describe why this is an important factor: “Linen is naturally antibacterial with a built-in wicking property to it, so is fantastic for hot climates where baby might be sweating. It will wick moisture away from the baby and then dry quickly on it own keeping you both comfortable. Linen is made from Flax which is one of the world’s strongest natural fibers. Flax is 5 times stronger than cotton! Sakura Bloom linen slings breathe beautifully, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.” I have had the pleasure of using their slings over the last 6 years.
If you drive a car, then you’ll need a good car seat. Check the following sites for information on car seat safety ratings, and be sure to have your seat installed properly and learn how to position your baby in it correctly: NHTSA Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings,NHTSA Child Safety, Car-Seat.org. Most parents have their car seats installed incorrectly. Make the investment, keep your baby safe. When I can afford one I want the Recaro seat. Yes, Recaro the same folks that make car seats for race car drivers.
Pump it Up #4 Brestfeeding Gear: For mamas returning to work, invest in a good pump and quality bottles or cups. You may need nursing pads while your baby establishes a good milk supply – try cloth ones instead of disposable to lessen the amount of packaging and waste, plus the disposables can stick to sore nipples (ouch!).
Manicured Baby #6 Baby nail clippers: Baby finger nails are tiny. You need specialized equipment. Even at 5 my Uma’s nails are too tiny for big people clippers.
Clearing a Path #7 Nasal Aspirator: In our house we call it the booger sucker. Using it is easy (if you are nursing substitute Breast milk for saline. Usually, just a tad of breast milk will clear away the mucus.) If saline or breastmilk don’t do the job use an aspirator. This one LOOKS crazy but it works;
Suit Up #8 Baby Clothes It’s tempting to go out and buy cute little outfits for your adorable baby. Bear in mind however, that you will be changing diapers all day long. Do yourself a solid (considering all the soft poo you have to deal with) and get baby gowns. They make diaper changing easier no pants to pull off and if baby is bigger than expected it’s o.k. Gowns are forgiving and last a while.
Where Will Baby Sleep? #9 The Decision: When my mother was born, the story goes, my grandparents put her in a cot near their cot, they were migrant farm workers. They didn’t have a house so a crib was out of the question. Turns out they were doing my mom a favor. Studies show that infants who sleep near to parents have more stable temperatures, regular heart rhythms, and fewer long pauses in breathing compared to babies who sleep alone . This means baby sleeps physiologically safer. Read more about this at the Attachment Parenting International site. You don’t necessarily NEED a big fancy crib. Co-Sleepers like the Arms Reach sell for $150 and make life easy by keeping baby, well, at arms reach. If you chose to share your bed with your baby (if you are nursing) all you need are safety guidelines. If you are concerned about your S.O. rolling over here’s a wonderful product, the Humanity Family Bed! It prevents roll-offs and allows for relaxed sleep. It’s a large pad for Mom and baby handcrafted from soft pure organic cotton flannel fabric to absorb leaks and comfort baby. It even has a Detachable Sleeping Bean body pillow essential comfort for pregnant moms. The pad stays in place by body weight and it’s Doctor recommended and endorsed! Read more about bed-sharing here.
A Bag by Any Other Name #10 The Diaper Bag
With my first child I actually owned a diaper bag that cost over $100. We all do silly things in our youth. By the time I was 36 and gave birth to my third child what (little) I carried when we went on outings, fit in a backpack I already owned! No fancy bag needed. Plus I’m not a big purse person as I have practically no shoulders to speak of. Instead of dealing with a slipping bag strap I just slipped my backpack on and go.
The Necessary Evil #11 Strollers Strollers are neither necessary nor are they evil. However, many folks live lifestyles that may call for the help a trusty stroller can lend. I know we have employed the help of one at Jazz concerts and fairs. Look, if you are going to be outside of your home for hours alone or with a partner, there is going to be a time when you both will crave a few minutes when you are NOT HOLDING THE BABY FOR FIVE MINUTES! So, if you are sure your life will be full of enough circumstances where you will be traversing many miles or are planning on having more than one child, here is my stroller suggestion: Stroller Prologue: Back when we used to own a Maternity/Baby store we sold strollers. I have heard tons of feedback from customers and between their experience and my own I always suggest when asked, the Quinny. It’s nice to look at, but more importantly it folds easily (seriously, this is important!) and for an AP mom like me I love that the seat can face you. If I am going to push my babe out in front of me I at least want eye contact. Not to be THAT mom, have you all seen the film Away We Go!? LOL! Please watch the trailer, the scene is at 1:34 sec into the trailer. So, back to the Quinny. The price point will not kill you and if we are talking registry maybe grandma our your great Aunt Edna will spring for it for you. There are other strollers, and for some folks a $20 Umbrella stroller is all you need. Take a peak at the Quinny then do your own research. But I think when you take a glimpse you will know why I like it.
This is it for the traditional registry list. However there are things that I WISH mamas would register for…
Be Supported, #12 Get a Doula:
Register for a doula. Ask for help to pay for a birth doula AND a postpartum doula.
Don’t Clean or Feed Your New Family #13 Frozen Food and Clean Up
You just gave birth. You, your baby and your partner are spent. This is a time to settle in together and get to know each other in your new dynamic. That doesn’t leave a lot of time to cook and clean does it? You have by now heard from friends and family, “Is there anything I can do for you?” Yes. Yes there is. At my last shower I insisted on no gifts, instead when everyone showed up they saw that I had a huge poster board up as a giant sign up sheet. I asked folks to sign up to:
1) Bring over a Frozen dinner day one after I had given birth and so on for 2 weeks out.
2) Come over to either a] Vacuum, b]do laundry, c] wash dishes etc
3) watch our other kids.
I made sure that our first two weeks in this new dynamic was respected and treated with reverence. My close friends and family were more than happy to do it and they saved money. My busy pals that couldn’t do these things bought frozen food or sent us take out on them or just bought us gift certificates or paid for a maid service. Thinking outside the box paid off in rest and relaxation after the hard work of gestation and labor!
I hope this has helped! Veteran mamas…anything I left out? Let me know in the comments!
*Hunziker, U.A. and R.G. Barr (1986). “Increased carrying reduces infant crying: A randomized controlled trial”. Pediatrics. 7:641-648
So you’re having a baby! Whether you are ecstatic, scared, jumping for joy or all three, you need to work out when & where you will give birth.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
So you checked the expiration date on the home pregnancy test and waited ten minutes, and all signs pointed to yes. Next question is, when is the baby getting here? I cringe at the word DUE date. When you are told the baby is due on a certain date and the baby isn’t born on that date, the parents become concerned, anxious and sometimes disheartened. These emotions are not helpful if a stress-free birth is part of your birth plan. In the ‘olden days’ you knew you were due sometime in May or Dec, ah, now wouldn’t that be easier? You could circle a whole month on the calendar like Jim Dear does (5 mins and 50 seconds into this YOU TUBE CLIP from Disney’s LADY AND THE TRAMP. [ They also discuss how no one ever knows for certain what the sex of the baby will be. (Darling has a home birth by the way).]
Health care professionals use a standard calculation to ascertain a baby’s birth date. Known as the estimated delivery date(EDD in medical speak), it is based on the premise that conception takes place two weeks after the first day after the first day of a womans last menstrual period (LMP). As Pregnancy lasts around 266 days, this is added to the two weeks to make a total of 280 days, or 40 weeks, from the first day of your LMP.
The flaw in calculating an EDD is that not ALL women have 28-day cycles, and they may conceive in months consisting of up to 31 days. In fact, only about 5% of babies arrive on their EDD:seven out of ten are born AFTER it. Going g past your EDD in the US can be problematic. This is because the placenta ages and may not be functioning optimaly beyond 40 weeks-possibly depriving baby of oxygen and nutrients. For this reason most hospitals advise women to be induced when they are ten days beyond their EDD.
According to Online Athens; ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)recently issued guidelines for doctors to help determine when inducing labor is appropriate. In response to media inquiries, the group warned women not to try to induce delivery on Jan. 1, 2000.
“Inducing labor to meet some arbitrary millennial timeline is frivolous,” said Dr. Charles Lockwood of the group’s Committee on Obstetric Practice.
LETTING EVERYONE KNOW
Most of us are bursting to spread the news, but it may be best to wait a while before alerting the neighborhood. Unfortunately the reason is as follows; one in five pregnancies can end in miscarriage or ‘spontaneous abortion’ – in three out of four cases, before the tenth week, sometimes even before the woman has realized she is pregnant(in which case it seems like a very late, very heavy period).
Also, as well as wanting to make sure your pregnancy is continuing, you may need time to adjust emotionally. Even if you were hoping for a baby, finding out you are pregnant can bring on a flood of conflicting feelings such as excitement, shock and fear-about the impending birth, your ability to cope, how it will affect your work, income and your relationship. Even though your partners body isn’t changing like yours, they can be profoundly affected by the prospect of parenthood. They may have just as many conflicting emotions as you, ranging from joy, shock , pride anxiety and wonder about shared responsibilities and your health and happiness. Now is the time to talk things through, discuss honestly and openly how you feel about all the aspects of your pregnancy labor and impending parenthood. Give yourselves the time and space you need to share your feelings with each other now and though the rest of your pregnancy, this will give you the time necessary to bond as a couple and as parents.
It my be helpful to get the help of a L.M.F.T. (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)at this time. Or seek counseling through your local Church, Synagogue or Mosque or other place of worship. Regardless, seek help and counseling and support.
WHO WILL PROVIDE YOUR CARE & WHERE WILL YOU DELIVER?
After you discover you are pregnant get thee to a healthcare provider. First you need to decide whether you would prefer a midwife or a doctor, pregnancy-info.net has excellent information regarding midwives if you are unfamiliar with the term/profession.
So, where to have the baby? Well, your birth choices may be limited by where you live. For example, as I write this I am in Fresno, Ca. Choices for women here include; the hospital or a home birth. A local group is trying to open a birth center here, but until then Fresnans are left with only two choices. If your pregnancy is complicated or “high-risk” you will be directed to give birth in a hospital.
Your ultimate choice will come from the style of birth you would like. If you hope to avoid interventions and medical (Pharmacological) birth, then a homebirth may be your choice. If on the other hand you are more comfortable with technology high-tech equipment and the closeness of an operating room than the hospital may be your best bet.
CHECK IT OUT
Find out first hand, interview midwives, take a hospital tour. Find out the hospitals induction and c-section rates, this information can be very telling. Will they let you have a Doula, can you get alternative care (acupuncture etc..). Will the anesthesiologist be on call 24/7? When talking to your midwife make sure you click, it’s important that she makes you feel safe and confident.
HOME BIRTH
According to ABC NEWS /Health; “While less than 1 percent of all births in the United States take place outside the hospital, the number of those births taking place at home has increased by 3.5 percent between 2003-04 and 2005-06, according to the new report. The stats say there were 46,371 home births in 2003-04, and 49,438 home births in 2005-06. “They’re still not that common, but we did see some increase,” said Marian MacDorman, a statistician at the CDC’s Nation Center for Health Statistics and one of the study’s authors.
The new numbers came after a period in which births outside the hospital, which can include births at a birthing center or in a doctor’s office, as well as home births, had been decreasing since 1990.
Some of the breakdowns behind the new numbers suggest that the most recent trend might be a negative reaction to a hospital birth experience, since the majority of mothers choosing a home birth have had children before.
“The fact that it’s primarily women who had kids before and had birth in hospitals before, certainly suggests it’s a reaction to their prior birth,” said Eugene Declercq, a professor of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health, and a author of the study. “It certainly suggests it’s an experience they don’t want to repeat.”
The advanatges to homebirth include feeling more relaxed, with limited restrictions on what you can eat or how often or where you can move and who can attend the birth. However, pain relief is limited to self-help methods. If complications arise you will be transfered to a hospital.
If you were to ask me before I saw this video about a Natural C-Section, I would have told you that a natural c-section was an oxymoron. How could major surgery be natural. The only way I would use those words in a sentence would be, “She was given intervention after intervention; induced, laid flat on her back throughout and was not allowed food or drink, naturally she had a c-section. This video however has given me pause. Not every woman can or will have a normal birth. Sometimes there truly are reasons that a woman needs to have this operation, here is a list of reasons according to health pages:
Cesarean births are most often performed for two main reasons:
the danger to the mother or baby would be greater with a vaginal birth
things go unexpectedly wrong during a vaginal delivery
The following reasons fall under these two main reasons:
Dystocia. The number one reason for cesarean birth is ‘dystocia.’ Dystocia refers to any difficulty in labor. The difficulty can be caused by:
The fetus is not be able to progress down the birth canal. Failure of labor to progress can be caused by contractions that aren’t vigorous enough to open the cervix (dilate) enough for the baby to move through the vagina or the baby presents other than crown first that prevents progress through the birth canal. Failure to progress accounts for about 1/3 of all cesarean births.
The size of the baby compared to the size of the mother’s pelvis—if the baby’s head is too big to pass through the mothers pelvis it can cause a very difficult vaginal delivery and even stop the cervix from completely dilating. In some cases, the pelvis may be misshapen or the baby presents the largest part of the head instead of the crown and it’s too large for the pelvis. Some babies are just too big to be born vaginally; large babies are common with gestational diabetes.
Weak contractions in the mother’s uterus; strong contractions are needed to push the baby out from mother’s womb. Extended labor can be a risk to both the mother and the baby, more so to the baby.
Your baby’s head is in the wrong position or presentation—the normal position at birth would be head down with the back (crown) of the head leading the way—called the cephalic presentation. This presentation makes your baby the “smallest.” If your baby presents face first or forehead first, your pelvis may not be large enough for your baby to get through.
Obstruction or severe distortion of the birth canal (caused by pelvic tumor or fibroid tumors)
Previous cesarean birth. There is a common saying “once a cesarean, always a cesarean.” This thinking led to an large increase in cesarean birth rates. This used to be true since most surgeons used the classical cesarean incision that had more blood loss and left weak incision sites. Weak incision sites made ruptures more common in later pregnancies. Recently, the low transverse uterine incision has become more common reducing the risk of rupture and enables a mother to try a vaginal delivery after cesarean (VBAC).
Position of the fetus within the uterus. The normal position just before the delivery is a head-down (cephalic) position. If the baby presents in one of the positions listed below, vaginal delivery could lead to the trauma or death of the fetus. Sometimes the baby can be turned to allow vaginal delivery. Problems can also arise when the umbilical cord is “born” before the baby, cutting off the baby’s blood supply.
Breech presentation. When the fetus is in a head-up, feet-first or rump-first position it’s called a breech presentation. The breech position can be further classified as frank (hips are bent and knees are straight), complete (knees and hips are bent), footling (knees and hips of one or both legs straight) or incomplete (one or both hips bent and one or both feet or knees lying below the breech).
Shoulder. There are many shoulder presentations, however, all transverse positions (sideways) are called shoulder presentations.
Compound. When two body parts appear at the pelvis at the same time, such as a hand beside the head, it’s called a compound presentation.
Fetal distress is used to describe any complications with the fetus—such as abnormal heart rate from poor oxygen supply—and usually does not allow vaginal delivery. In most cases, fetal distress is lack of oxygen to the brain of the fetus (oxygen deprivation). Lack of oxygen can be caused by the umbilical cord is compressed or there are problems with the placenta, cutting off the blood supply to the fetus. Lack of oxygen can be diagnosed by monitoring the fetal heart rate. Lack of oxygen can cause very serious complications if the fetus is not delivered right away. Cesareans can also be necessary in cases of congenital (at birth) abnormalities of the fetus.
Multiple births. When there is more than one fetus most surgeons deliver by cesarean births. Cesarean birth is a much safer method to deliver multiple babies. About half of all mothers who have twins, have a c-section, while 90% of triplets are born by c-section.
Very premature fetus.
Problems with the Umbilical When the umbilical cord is delivered ahead of the fetus, called cord prolapse, it causes the cord to get compressed by the baby and oxygen and the blood supply to the baby is cut off. This is an emergency that requires cesarean birth. Sometimes, the cord can be completely delivered and if the baby is coming right behind it, you may be able to have a vaginal birth. If the cord is around the baby’s neck, contractions can compress the cord causing the blood flow—and therefore oxygen—to your baby to slow down.
Problems with the Placenta. The placenta can detach from the uterine wall (abruptio placentae) before labor begins and be life threatening for both you and your baby. Placenta previa is when the placenta partially or completely blocks the opening of the cervix. In this case, the placenta would have to be born first, leaving the fetus without oxygen. In addition, blood loss for the mother could be fatal.
Health of the Mother. Certain health conditions of the mother can require a cesarean birth:
Repeat Miscarriages: Mothers who have had repeat miscarriages in the past usually have weak uterus may need a medical procedure to stitch the cervix closed. If the stitches are in at the time of labor, the only way of delivering the baby is by cesarean.
Rh Factor: In erythroblastosis fetalis (difference in the Rh factor of the mother and the fetus), there is a risk of fetal anemia.
Health of the Baby. If your baby has been diagnosed with health problems, it may be better for your baby to be born by cesarean birth. Also, monitoring during labor will tell how well your baby is handling labor and how well the placenta and umbilical cord are working
Many of these complications happen in a very small number of births. And the decision for cesarean birth is decided by balancing the risks and benefits to mother and baby.
If you are someone who falls into the category of having to have a planned cesarean consider this type of surgery. It is woman centered and conscience of the needs of the infant. Do I think that this birth is preferable to the usual cut ‘em out drag ‘em out every-day-occurrence c-section? Yes, yes I do. When women and children are taken into consideration it can be a beautiful thing.
I just finished reading Rachel Reeds blog post on Nuchal cords and had to share with other Doulas. I think when many of us (Doulas) start out, most of us just know that we want to help women and babies. At a MANA conference in Mexico, I sat in on a class taught byWhapio Diane Bartlett, she said two things that really stuck with me, one was you don’t need to be a mother to help a woman in labor. This was important to me as many new Doulas have come to me expressing their lack of experience made them feel unsuitable as a Doula. I love to share with them that all they need is to come to the birth with humility, love and respect for the new family being born. Later in her talk though she said that it was the UTMOST importance to know your physiology if only to what is NORMAL during labor and what is not. Now, I am not a Midwife (someday…~sigh), but I do believe that it’s important for Doulas to have a strong working knowledge of the female body and of what is normal and not normal about birth. So as you are learning your craft, do make time to learn more about what is normal and what is not. I remember one of the first births I attended my heart skipped a beat as I watched the baby emerging and I spied a thick cord wrapped not once but twice around his neck. I felt panicked and as the father looked at me I flashed him the hardest attempt at a look of reassurance. But that look was forced and came from a place in my mind that said if there is something wrong we’ll discover it soon enough and if there isn’t, then great! Everything was fine of course but I felt terrible afterwards that my knowledge about what is normal or not was so limited.
So what’s a nuchal cord? It’s an umbilical cord around the neck, it is a common occurrence during birth. Around a third of all babies are born with the cord around their neck (please be sure to read her blog post in its entirety). According to Rachels post;
When a c-section is done for fetal distress or ‘lack of progress’ the presence of a nuchal cord is often used as the reason… “ah, look – your baby was stressed because the cord was around his neck”. The cord is unlikely to have had anything to do with the stress or ‘lack of progress’. Most likely other interventions carried our during labour led to the end scenario (eg. syntocinon). Not surprisingly fear about nuchal cords is embedded within our culture.
I really do believe that even within birth word, there is a pervasive fear of many things surrounding birth. As a midwifery assistant at a home birth, I had started oxygen and pulled out the resuscitation board and had dialed 9-1 on my cell after 1 minute had passed (it seemed like forever compared to other births I had assisted at before) and sweet little baby was still blue. The midwife instructed the couple to call to their baby and as soon as they did, she began to pink from her chest out. The couple had not seemed phased but I was terrified. I only later shared my earlier terror with the midwife hours after the birth. She assured me that my fear was normal for someone who had seen so few births at that time.
My point in sharing this is, it’s imperative that as Doulas we understand as much as possible about what is normal and what is not concerning birth. We should not be complacent in our work and should always be striving to learn as much as we can. I have included some sites that I visit often in our links category under DOULA SCHOOL.
Please Join us for a Special Screening of the BUSINESS OF BEING BORN
Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business.
Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies.
The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal.
Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?
Learn about the ins and outs and truths about giving birth in America, followed by an expert panel discussion regarding the film
