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Melissa Evans, AAHCC |
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Resources—Birth |
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Methods: I saw a video called “Delivery Self Attachment” where brand new babies were placed on mom’s chest. If baby wasn’t removed and mom wasn’t medicated during labor and birth, baby was able to crawl up mom’s tummy, find the breast, and start nursing on his own. I didn’t know humans could do that! If baby was removed or mom was medicated, then it was less likely; if baby was removed and mom was medicated it didn’t happen. I was amazed how much a medicated birth can affect baby and knew instantly I wanted a natural birth. Be picky about your childbirth classes, most teach “prepared” childbirth and that can sometimes be preparation for all the interventions that can happen in a hospital setting. Some teach distraction techniques, hoping that if you ignore the pain, it will just magically go away. That doesn’t happen for most women. I’m a bit biased as I’m a Bradley® teacher. Bradley® classes teach a lot about nutrition and staying low risk, ways to tune into your body so you can work with it, and the risks and benefits of the many interventions available. Most teachers (including myself) also have videos, which I loved as a student. Seeing other woman giving birth naturally, purely, gave me strength. Reading books with uplifting birth stories is really helpful too. Bradley may cost more and takes more time, but there’s so much more information (and that’s the best way I handle fear, to know about it) and confidence-building that I think it’s worth every penny. Labor Help: Doulas are labor helpers, women who’ve been there and can help you get through it too. They are amazing women. Having help for dad to help mom can keep dad relaxed and having a doula’s experience when working in a hospital setting can be a life saver. DONA, ALACE, and CAPPA are organizations that certify doulas. Some doulas are certified massage therapists too, like my friend Miranda. Colorado Doulas is a site where you can find doulas here in Colorado. Cesarean Information: International Cesarean Awareness (ICAN) is a group providing support and information about c/sections. I know some woman sign up for a c/section to avoid the pain of childbirth. Speaking from experience, cesareans are NOT painless. Instead of the traditional 12-14 (or even 30) hours of labor discomfort (coming in waves, slowly building, not constant pain, no sharp pains), before the baby arrives, you get a month of pain when you have a brand new baby to care for. Tools: I especially like the article on the “cascade of interventions” here. I had a birth ball (a.k.a yoga ball, balance ball, exercise ball, therapy ball...) that I found to be *very* helpful. I found one at Target in the sports department for $30; I noticed TJ Maxx and Ross have them for $10-$17. Bounce-a-Bye Baby balls are simply adorable and they even come with a stand! If you hire a doula, she may have one to borrow during labor; many hospitals have some for use also. I found it helpful throughout my later pregnancy and even after the baby came home, so it really is worth the investment. Another labor accessory is a labor skirt by Bisini. They are modest, but open-worlds better than the hospital gowns! (My students get a coupon for these great clothes too.) I heard a midwife say that labors tend to start with a change in the pressure, and this is a “weather map” for when labors tend to start. Induction: There is a drug called Cytotec that was originally approved for stomach ulcers, but is being used for labor induction/augmentation. Please, please, please, beware of this drug. It has been responsible for a great many maternal and fetal deaths and handicaps because of how severely it hyper-stimulates the uterus. The manufacturer explicitly states that it is not to be used in obstetrics, the FDA says it should not be used, but it still happens. Here is the package insert on the drug (page 1 and page 2). It is a pill that is inserted vaginally unlike Pitocin which is administered through and IV. There are many forms of natural induction; a great list is here. My chiropractor and acupuncturist, Dr. Tom Patterson, has a great track record for inducing (only babies who are ready will respond). Please feel free to email me to get his information.
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Bradley Method® Childbirth Educator |
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Families start here |