Party Planning!

When planning a big party (Bar Mitzvah, Quinceañera, wedding) people use consultants, wedding day coordinators, caterers, decorators and florists. They may even hire tables, chairs, linens and the like to make the event memorable for all.

The same can be said about pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period....it's a big event bringing a new person into this world and should be given the same attention, if not more, than a big party.

A birth and postpartum doula allows you the freedom to focus on what is important to you. A doula might guide and teach you in some areas. She may even take over the preparation of light meals, or the folding of laundry, so that you can snuggle your baby or take a much needed nap.

Who is helping you plan for your big birth day? And the days after the birth?

Contact Beverley via www.birth-newbornservices.com 

or Fredericksburg.doula@gmail,com

Placenta encapsulating. Ingestion of your what??

There is much anecdotal evidence that placenta encapsulation etc., can be beneficial to the health and wellbeing of a new mother.

There is now a group of scientists seeking to truly investigate the benefits of placenta ingestion.

What are your thoughts on placenta ingestion?

Thirty two years ago the USA Today published a piece by Mei Mei Chan, entitled "A Nanny is nice...if you can find one" about professional, fully trained Nannies in the USA. ( Ms Chan just retired,  having attained wonderful accomplishments in her chosen career).

The photo I shared yesterday was part of the photo shoot for the article.

In the years between then and now, I have added new roles and titles to my repertoire ...mummy or mommy, aunt, foster parent, grandparent and doula (birth and postpartum).

While my titles have changed my work has stayed the same - caring, loving, nurturing, encouraging, educating, helping and guiding new lives and new families.

I still enjoy my work.

www.birth-newbornservices.com

Interesting read from the Doctor. Some good thoughts and ideas here!



https://wkstafford.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/my-birth-plan/

My Birth Plan

I have been delivering babies now for 25 years.  Birth plans have been around for that whole time, but they are certainly presented by couples to their doctors more frequently today than they used to be.  The increase in birth plan development is a consequence of couples trying to influence what happens in a hospital where one frequently becomes swept along by events out of their control.
I certainly do not mind being presented with a birth plan and using it to review a couple’s expectations and preferences.  However, in my opinion, it is far more important that one find an accoucheur (birth attendant) whose default style is in line with your birth plan, than trying to get someone to change their style to match your preferences.  In light of this I decided to write down my birth plan from the perspective of the professional who is being entrusted with caring for an expectant couple.  Here are my goals and preferences:

1. Give the couple the type of birth that THEY want to experience.  While most overt birth plans are produced from those who are looking for a natural birth experience.  Not everyone is looking for this.  I have some moms who want no medications at all and I have some who want an epidural placed in the parking lot.  Whatever the preferences, I will do my best to accommodate them.
2. Explain all interventions and get the mother’s permission, before doing them.  One of the biggest complaints I hear about unpleasant birth experiences is that things were done to them without them knowing what was happening.  While it is easy for a doctor to go into automatic mode, I do my best to not let that happen.
3. Alleviate fear.  One of my frequent statements about pregnancy is that it is the permanent state of paranoia.  Couples are often plagued by the “what ifs”  and modern obstetrics often adds to this with the constant pursuit of worst case scenarios.  While it is certainly true that bad events can occur during pregnancy, thankfully this is the exception and not the rule.  My job is to be alert for  problems without turning every visit into a worry generating experience and to reassure moms when there is no reason to worry.
4. Avoid Inductions.  I hate inductions.  Sometimes, inductions cannot be avoided, but even then I still hate them and really try not to do them.  No one knows what actually triggers labor, but one thing I do know is that forcing a uterus not yet ready to labor to labor is asking for trouble.
5. Encourage mothers to stay out of bed and in motion.  The best way to reduce discomfort and to move labor along is to stay out of bed and move about and frequently change position.  One can also use birthing balls, whirlpool tubs, showers, hypnobabies.  Doulas are welcomed as part of the birthing team and a great help in keeping the labor moving along in a productive manner.
6. Prefer no epidural.  If women want to have an epidural, they may, but my preference is no epidural as this allows for the most physiologic beneficial labor possible.
7. Keep the stirrups stowed.  When someone is ready to have their baby, the nurse’s automatically reach for the stirrups.  I tell them to put them away.  In my opinion, the stirrups serve no useful purpose and they impede a mother’s ability to find the most comfortable position in which to give birth.  I deliver women in whatever position they are most comfortable and have delivered ladies on their side, hands and knees, leaning over bed, standing, squatting, whatever works.
8. No episiotomy.  I avoid episiotomies.  (Hint:  when a doctor says they only cut an episiotomy when it is needed, they probably cut episiotomies on most of their deliveries)
9. Put baby on mother’s chest as soon as baby is born.  The baby goes from me to the mom, not the nurse.
10. Delay cord clamping.  I cannot say, that this is something that I fully understand, but it is frequently requested so I have incorporated it into my routine.
11. View Cesarean section as a negative outcome.  Again sometimes cesarean sections are unavoidable, but I never view them as equivalent to vaginal birth for delivering a baby.  Whenever, I have a pregnancy ending with a cesarean section I review the various aspects of the pregnancy and labor to see if I could have done something different to have ended with a vaginal birth instead of a cesarean section.
12. Maintain a relaxed environment.  Sometimes things can get pretty tense in the birthing suite, but it is my job as the team leader to keep things relaxed and low key.  I have no use for all of the drapes and masks.  I do  not even wear scrub suits (though my wife wishes I would).  This is how I got my nickname “Dr. Polo Shirt.”  I work at calling everyone involved in the birth by their name and try to treat them the way I would want to be treated.  
13. Care for the baby I deliver.  I really like it when I get to take care of the baby that I have delivered.  This is one of the services that is unique to family physicians who do obstetrics. Keeping the pediatric care with the same doctor who one has gotten to know throughout the pregnancy provides a level of comfort not available with most other care providers.

A Doula for Death?

This morning I read an article about death doulas. I had it open on my computer for days before I actually read the article. The idea seemed a bit macabre. Although, I have helped families when their baby was born still. I have taken a Still Birth Day Workshop and plan to take the full 8 week course in January 2016, but seeing those words was a bit off putting.

However, once I read the whole article, it all made sense and resonates so well with me. Just as I wait on the transformation of pregnancy and life earthside (birth), I can also support and love in the transition from life to eternal life (death) in the prenatal and perinatal times.

I am forever grateful for the close friends, and Hospice volunteers, who sat with us as Ledya, at 6 years old, made her journey from life on earth to life eternal.

TENS, what is it?

Transcutaneous Electronic Nerve Stimulation, or TENS is being used in birth. They are most often used for back pain which doesn't respond well to other pain relief modalities. 

In Europe they are popular, but are becoming more so in the USA and the birth 
world. Quite intriguing to me, so in June, I shall take a class to learn all about TENS. Maybe I will have a new tool in my doula bag for my fall births!!

Have you used a TENS in birth or for other pain that doesn't respond well to the usual painkillers? What was your experience? Would you like to have a TENS available at your birth?

You haven't given birth!?

Yes, it's true. I have not had a natural birth. I have not had a vaginal birth. Neither have I had an induction,  or forceps or vacuum birth. But, I do have 5 children.

I have had a caesarean section, a medical  or surgical birth. Or, as I prefer, I have had a caesarean birth. Three times actually. And, for full disclosure, I have 2 children by adoption. And about 100 foster babies, toddlers and children.

The Oxford English Dictionary describes birth this way: "The emergence of a baby from the body of its mother; the start of life as a separate being". No matter which exact route is taken, it is birth.

There were clear medical needs for my surgeries and I do not feel guilty, or ashamed, or even less of a woman because I have never had a vaginal birth. My children's lives were at risk and my Dr's saved their lives and on one occasion, saved mine too. So, you see, my births were not without trepidation and chaos.

My first son was born thirty years ago, before there were routine ultrasounds. I had laboured many hours and wasn't progressing, so an epidural was suggested so that I could rest and perhaps once my body relaxed I would dilate. Well I certainly dilate quickly from barely 4 to a good 7. My water was broken to help speed the process, and, it also told us our son was in distress - there was meconium staining! AND, he was breech! As I was only 7cms, we leisurely made our way to the OR.  Baby boy was fine, nursed well and we enjoy his company to this day.

With baby number 2 I used the same practise, but saw their midwife. Again it was a long labour and we tried all kinds of positions to get baby to descend without compressing his cord.  After 16 hours I was tiring, his heart rate kept dipping and taking longer and longer to return. Ultimately, the heart rate stayed down. I was whisked off for emergency surgery. I didn't have an epidural and because it was so emergent they didn't go slowly through the layers of my tissues, they cut right through my (full) bladder, which had adhered to my healing uterus 18 mths earlier. I will let you imagine the repair and healing there! However, I must admit, I was able to put a good spin on the required 7 days in the hospital, because, we had a three year old foster child and our own 18mth old, so I was happy to take all the rest I could get before going home to love on 3 little boys!

Baby number 3, well, in all honesty I had been in labour close to 24 hours two times before, so just said "unzip me" !

I was very happy to read the article recently posted about the new Dillard parents about  no shame in c section births . Sometimes we have caesarean births because there is a grave medical necessity, sometimes it is pressure applied by those we employed to assist us in birth. Either way, there is no shame. You may feel sad, depressed and perhaps have been traumatised, it is ok to grieve the loss of your dream birth. Do please reach out to professionals or trusted family members if your feel that you are hampered by your birth memories, or perhaps have PPD (postpartum depression).

There is no reason for shame! No reason for guilt, no reason to see myself as less of a woman because I didn't have a vaginal birth. I birthed 3 children. They are healthy and now they are giving me grandchildren....so far, born vaginally and one was born at home!