Birth is beautiful, powerful and full of choices. Parenting is rewarding, challenging and also full of choices. Mother's Nest brings you useful information for pregnancy, birth and while parenting young children.
In March of 2014, ACOG released a consensus statement:
Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery
In this consensus statement, which was released in effort to lower the United State's Cesarean Rate, ACOG redefined "normal" labor progress. In a stunning realization ACOG announced that dilation from 4 cm to 6 cm could take 4-6 hours longer than Friedman's Curve suggested.
ACOG defined 6 cm as the threshold for the active phase of labor. It's important to understand this new threshold strictly applies to the clinical management of labor and not the timing of admission to hospital or the frequency and intensity of contractions.
cesarean deliveries for failed induction of labor in the latent phase can be avoided by allowing longer durations of the latent phase (up to 24 hours or longer)
Emphasis added: I digress to urge you, all of you, to rethink this concept of "allowing" women in labor.
It means that the average labor and second stage (pushing) may take a lot longer than doctors and hospitals have been anticipating.
It means that
Cesarean delivery for active phase arrest in the first stage of labor should be reserved for women at or beyond 6 cm of dilation with ruptured membranes who fail to progress despite 4 hours of adequate uterine activity, or at least 6 hours of oxytocin administration with inadequate uterine activity and no cervical change.
It requires that care providers have advanced practical skills and suggests that
Amnioinfusion for repetitive variable fetal heart rate decelerations may safely reduce the rate of cesarean delivery.
It means that
Before 41 0/7 weeks of gestation, induction of labor generally should be performed based on maternal and fetal medical indications.
Keep up to date with YC Birth Circle to join us for other great topics and visit my website to find a childbirth preparation course near you for a more in depth understanding of what we covered!
Believe it or not, you can actually make a positive impact on your labor prenatally by practicing healthy eating habits and proper posture. There are also a few other things you can do prenatally that promote faster, easier labor!
Regular chiropractic care is beneficial for pregnancy and labor! I recommend at least once in the first and second trimester, and twice during the third trimester; additionally, if you can find a provider skilled in the Webster Technique, chiropractic care can help encourage a breech baby into a vertex presentation.
Acupuncture can also facilitate rotating a breech baby, although you may consider breech a variation of normal! Regular balancing treatments throughout your pregnancy can enhance your health and positively influence the development of your baby. Acupuncture can also help with nausea, fatigue, anxiety, back pain and more!
Along the lines of all this information regarding fetal positioning, you might like to check out The Miles Circuit. Many people falsely believe that fetal positioning can prevent, or rather delay labor from starting and this is simply not true, however, having optimal fetal positioning can certainly facilitate a more comfortable labor!
Don't forget, in labor, your body is working and it's working hard!! To help it out, be sure to rest as much as possible in early labor! The best early labor advice I can give you - is go to sleep. Or if it's the middle of the day or you can't sleep, simply go about your day as normal. Pretend it's not even happening! Nourish your body with healthy foods and drinks and relax.
There was a study done that eating 6 dates a day for the last 4 weeks of your pregnancy can shorten the duration of your labor. Of course dates are also great to ease the symptoms of constipation.
And while we're on the topic of nutrition, throughout the Birth Boot Camp course we'll go over tips to boost your nutrition.
And now... for what you've been waiting for.. Comfort measures for labor.
2) Positioning. Walking and other upright positions help increase the downward compression on your cervix to aid in dilation. Many women find hands and knees to be very comfortable during labor. Birth balls can be wonderful tools to utilize. Lean in to your partner; Bradley classes teach "slow dancing" for labor. Squatting, which is also beneficial prenatally, can relieve back pressure during surges. Lie semi-prone. Generally, lying on your back or being in a reclined sitting position are the most uncomfortable positions for labor.
5) Birth at home! By not transferring, you maintain the highest level of endorphins and other "happy hormones" that have been triggered by an uninterrupted flow of oxytocin. By staying at home you can maintain your privacy, continue laboring in a dark, peaceful and comfortable environment. Staying at home eliminates the first of all birth interventions.
Most women today are expected, even pressured, to have an epidural in labor, because they and the influential people in their lives equate labor pain with suffering. While an epidural eliminates almost all sensation, including pain, it does not address fear, worry, loneliness, helplessness, or other emotions that lead to distress, dissatisfaction, or even suffering. To prevent suffering, women need more than relief of pain; they need to recognize that labor pain is a side effect of a normal process, not a sign of damage or injury. They need a sense of mastery and well-being as they respond to their pain, but they also need humane, caring, confident people giving continuous support throughout labor.
7) Breathe. Rythmic breathing is taught in Lamaze and other childbirth preparation courses.
8) Rythm - find yourself in a pattern. That may be rocking, swaying, groaning, or whatever best suits you.
9) Low, deep sounds. Work with your body and "moan out" your surges.
10) Massage and other touches. I enjoy massaging my clients with a 1% dilution of lavender essential oil in grapeseed or fractionated coconut oil.
11) Hot and cold compresses.
12) Counterpressure and double hip squeeze; especially useful for back labor.
13) Many people find positive mantras and music to be helpful during labor. Guided mediation, as taught by hypnobirthing, is amazing!!
14) Surrender
15) TENS Unit or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, can act as a "gatekeeper" to block pain messages to the brain and cause the body to release natural endorphins.
Understand that there may be times when intervention is very appropriate, such as in a very long labor, or perhaps your body needs some relaxation. At these times, women may consider an epidural or IV narcotics. Hopefully someday a combination of gas and air may be available in the United States.
Below you'll see a video on how an epidural is administered and I encourage you to take the time and read The Big Bad Epidural that has links to risks of the epidural but also talks about when an epidural can be a blessing to the mother! And more information at Childbirth Connection.
As mentioned, IV narcotics are another option. Some women describe these as taking the edge off, others dislike them due to the neurological effects.
Keep up to date with YC Birth Circle to join us the next time we cover this and other great topics or find a childbirth preparation course near you to practice some of the comfort measures we covered!
A lot of parents are nervous for the arrival of a new baby. They wonder how their toddlers will adjust and how they will adjust. One option is to hire a postpartum doula; she comes in to "mother the mother". A postpartum doula brings the support you need to cherish your children, nurture yourself, and perhaps allow you 40 days of rest. She helps with small tasks around the home, assists with older siblings, family bonding, and more, all while helping your incorporate the parenting style you desire into your growing family.
Sibling bonding is an essential part of introducing a new baby into your home. So how can we best facilitate a stronger bond between our toddlers and newborn?
Introducing a new baby into the family begins with pregnancy and is carried on after the birth with language - "Our Baby". Using terminology that includes your toddler, even giving him some stake, creates a bond of caring and protectiveness and can subdue the jealousy factor immensely.
Including your toddler while nursing is also a great way to form bonding, including using sticker charts - let them give you a star each time your nurse! Or change the baby's socks. I loved to place a pair of socks at the other end of the room and play Red Light, Green Light with my tyke while I nursed; and when he got to the socks, he brought them over, played This Little Piggy on his brother, and put the socks on him.
Don't forget to address factors such as how long/if your toddler is weaned. If your toddler has not been away from the breast for long, she may desire to reestablish that connection with you once the baby is born. The La Leche League can offer great support for tandem nursing and is also a great place to allow your toddler to see babies nursing. This is helpful for all toddlers, whether they need to see it and gain understanding of what to expect or whether the experience may allow them to understand that your breasts are not only for them but that 'all' babies nurse.
Guest speaker Margo Blackstone, Indie Birth educator and birth activist, talked to us about Natural Family Planning. She introduced us to the importance of understanding our bodies and shared with us some wonderful insights, personal experiences, and evidence-based information on fertility awareness.
4 Reasons to Chart Your Fertility
1. Because it is a super interesting science project. In all seriousness, charting your cycle is usually interesting and empowering (and sometimes exciting!), whether you have normal cycles or are trying to change problematic aspects of your cycles and overall health. Sometimes I like to guess what my temperature will be while I’m taking it, and I always feel really cool when I’m right, like a fertility ninja or something. Charting can also be a great science experiment. Observing our cycles when taking different herbs, using different night lighting, and when we are stressed gives us really amazing proof that how we treat ourselves daily changes what we see on paper, which reflects a change in our overall health and wellbeing. Obviously there are other “proofs” that don’t include numbers on paper, but sometimes this science-y version of proof helps keep us on track with our commitment to healthy living.
2. Charting is a way to create or enhance your practice of listening to your body and keep track of your emotional and physical experiences. Although I started out just taking my temperature and checking my cervical fluid, I quickly began using my 5 minutes of charting time to include information about my exercise for the day, noting when I got headaches, when I felt ovulation pain, when I was feeling irritable or sensitive, or when I felt creative, social, shy, etc. Because I took just a few minutes to write down these notable things, I now essentially have a journal that I can use to help solve some of my personal health mysteries. This is a wealth of information to have. Even if you don’t have anything interesting or notable going on now, it can be useful to you in the future if you start experiencing something new or strange, since then you can look back and know for certain that it hasn’t happened before, and you can note when it started or changed for you. There are so many applications of this, and authors like Kate Singer hold the vision that all health care workers will become skilled chart readers, so that charts and symptom journals can become another tool for them to use when helping you with your unique situation.
3. Whether you are using fertility awareness for trying to achieve pregnancy, avoid pregnancy, for other health reasons, or just for fun, you will likely gain a new appreciation for how your fertility cycles influence and are intertwined with your sex life (which you can make notes about on any fertility charting software or paper version I’ve seen). Many women note that they are most interested in sex during their fertile time, regardless of sexual orientation or their intentions of avoiding or achieving pregnancy. On the other hand, just as many women have different cyclical variations in sexual interest, or interest levels that depend more on other variables. It can be really powerful to honor our own changes in levels of sexual interest, rather than subjecting ourselves to the male-centric cultural notion that sex is something we can be interested in every day. In any case, charting is another way to become more mindful about these aspects of ourselves and our relationships.
4. There are 3.2 million unintended pregnancies in the US each year. We spend over 3 billion dollars a year on fertility treatments, and about $200 million a year on contraceptives. Charting means taking your reproductive health into your own hands and making your own conscious decisions about fertility and pregnancy. That doesn’t mean that we never need medical consultation or assistance, just that we are shifting the balance of power back to ourselves. Charting is a non-invasive, low tech way of gathering more information that can be used for many purposes. It is a first tool to use in many different situations where mainstream medicine usually skips to heavy pharmaceuticals and much more invasive testing. Charting (for whatever reason) helps us become more autonomous, more free, and more empowered – whether it is to help us time IUI treatments with donor sperm, help us avoid pregnancy without the use of synthetic hormones, or learn more about the way our hormones effect a particular aspect of our health we may be struggling with. When we become the experts of our own bodies, when we gain confidence and respect for the way our unique bodies work, when we are able to use our knowledge to help us reach our own health and reproductive goals, we change the world, if only a little bit. Charting takes the power away from insurance companies, impersonal specialists, pharmaceutical companies, and other institutions which prefer that we stay in the same place of disempowerment, of looking to experts for the answers, and looking to buy the life we want rather than making it ourselves.
So when you pick up your basal body thermometer when you wake up tomorrow, remember that it is a revolutionary act. We are helping to create the world as we want it to be each and every morning!
This December YC Birth Circle featured local photographers - just in time for Christmas, they had gift certificates available. This event allowed moms to see the work of our local talent, get to know the photographers a bit more, to fall in love with birth photography, nursing sessions, maternity and more, and find a photographer whom they could trust to capture that moment. Verde Valley featured Chance Pedersen of Perfect Chance Photography and Crystal Billington of Aniron Photography. Enjoy a glimpse into what they shared...
Meet Perfect Chance Photography! Chance specializes in birth photography but also has a passion for capturing the beautiful moments between a nursing baby and mother! With beautiful packaging and creativity, she is a gem true gem.
Meet Aniron Photography! Crystal has a magical way of capturing stunning and unique maternity photos. She is also quite talented in creating wonderful family photos and who can resist the adorable newborn moments that she'll freeze in time for you, forever.
This November, we are sharing birth stories at the YC Birth Circle meet ups! I just couldn't wait to share this beautiful story with you, so here it is. And be sure to check out the birth video of
He was “due” only the day before, but since all the others
were a bit early, it was the longest I have waited! Typical 6th baby; nights of
contractions leading up, but they’d quit by morning and I’d wake up pregnant. I
got the feeling time and time again that it would be a slow build up to labor,
and even though I “wanted” a super, quick and easy birth, I wasn’t so sure I
would get it.
Went to bed on May 18th with the typical run of
contractions, although more pressure than normal. Stopped somewhere through the
night, and started up again at 5:30 am on May 19th. Somewhere in me I knew this
was the beginning of “it”-but I had no idea how long it would last and if this
babe would come today or even tomorrow. It just had that “different” feeling,
even though the contractions were totally irregular and would even stop for
15-20 minutes at a time. Kind of how my fifth labor started out, but even less
predictable. Still no mucous or blood or anything to reassure me, so I just
went about my day as best as I could.
At about 2 pm, I laid down in bed with Belgium to see if I
could rest. It was difficult to remain still during contractions, and I
thought, “Really? Already?” True always liked to hang out on my right side but
at this precise moment I felt him move forcefully to my left side. Literally
minutes later the contractions got more regular.
By 4 pm, I knew this was “it” but still not predictable.
However, the pressure was increasing. I knew I didn’t want a midwife there, but
I did want my friends in addition to my husband. I called my friend Margo to
come and also my friend Jenni who is a pro photographer. I hadn’t totally
decided if I was comfortable with pictures but I thought she could come for now
at least…with both of them I hated having to make the “phone calls” (even
though I love them both!) just from that element of feeling like people would
be here “waiting” for me. (And not that they felt that way at all, that’s my
own baggage!)
They arrived shortly and left me to my business of laboring.
I labored outside on at least 3 of our decks, downstairs, upstairs and was very
pace-y. I used the large tub in our bathroom, listened to music, listened to
hypnosis. A lot like how I live, actually. Always busy, never resting, always
on the move.
I wasn’t uncomfortable. In fact, several times, I thought it
really wasn’t painful or awful or unbearable at all. I just kept needing to
change my coping tactics, and even so, that was working fine. My midwife brain
would look down on myself, as much as I was trying to stay out of that
analytical brain-I couldn’t help it! The paranoid side of me felt like WHY was
this taking so long (even though it really wasn’t) even though I knew deep down
everything was normal and fine. There was nothing wrong at all, my baby and I
both were doing perfectly. The only problem was my expectation or hope that the
labor would be shorter, or needed to be for a 6th baby. My midwife brain assessed
the situation as normal too; I watched myself deal with longer and stronger
contractions, I never listened to baby but I felt him move and knew he was
doing fine.
By 6 pm, I knew there was no going back. I labored in the
bathroom (my sanctuary) quite a bit. Even brought my computer in so that I
could put on music. Lit a candle and filled up the jacuzzi tub to see if that
would help. It was getting a lot harder, but I remember thinking I wasn’t as
physically close as I would like; mostly because I wasn’t minding hearing the
music and I was still able to text on my phone! However it was getting rough
and I was still wrestling with this idea that things should be moving so much
more quickly than they were. My expectations were causing me undue fear. At one
point, I even asked my friend Jenni (the photographer, although she has birthed
2 babes) if this would be over soon. All I wanted to do was get this baby out
and hold him. It just felt like the longest time to wait and it wasn’t getting
anymore comfortable.
I was starting to feel a little grunty around 7 pm…but
definitely not full on pushy, in fact it came and went. My midwife brain just
told me it wasn’t time yet, no worries. I got this feeling of surrender and
just told the baby I was giving up all control; he could do what he needed to
do with no fight from me. I was laboring in my room alone, when at 7:30pm I
gave a tiny push and my water BROKE all over the wood floor. In all the births
I’ve attended, I have never seen that much water. It was clear, and it gave me
the courage to go on, knowing that it couldn’t be too long now. (I’ve never had
a labor where my waters opened this early. With all the others it has been as I
was pushing, and so this was new. I realized later that it definitely added to
the physical intensity that was to come. When it happened, all I could think
was, “Good! It shouldn’t be too long now!”) I was also able to see outside
myself a bit and recognize what’s “normal” for me at this point- I was feeling
shaky, and looking for reassurance that I could indeed do this. I’ve done this
with every baby I’ve had, and I saw the humor in it this time.
About 15 later, I started to push involuntarily, but again
not with every contraction. It would either feel really good or really not
good. I had “planned” (along with my hope for a quiet, fast and peaceful
birth!) that I would not push this time, but rather hope and pray for the fetal
ejection reflex. I had experienced that with my 4th and 5th births, and
although it was a scary sensation, it was so much less effort and trauma than
my previous births where I really, athletically pushed. But this baby was
asking me to push. I listened to this voice, and followed it. Lesson learned
(again); being stuck on a vision of exactly how you think your birth should go
generally isn’t helpful.
At first it felt really good to push-but after 20 minutes or
so I began to feel frustrated, like nothing was happening. My brain went into
fear mode again, and I panicked. I feared this baby wouldn’t come out-that
everything I believed about birth maybe WASN’T true and that I would need help
I couldn’t get. I was pushing and pushing, attempting to focus but feeling
utterly defeated. I had never, ever, in 5 births felt this way before. Sure,
pushing hadn’t always been pleasant (my second came out with his hand next to
his face-that makes for some painful pushing!) but this was downright
frustrating. My brain kept saying maybe this is not normal for a 6th baby- and
I was caught in the crux of my own issue. Because if I HAD had a midwife there,
it’s likely I would have felt from her that maybe this WASN’T normal. Then
where would I be? Instead, I cried and asked my husband to encourage me. I knew
at that moment that it was up to me. I wanted this baby out. But the only way
was for me to get him out. I felt my fear, very real. I am sure I looked it,
too, for at least a second. I took some deep breaths, some Rescue Remedy and
knew I must move on. This baby was coming out hell or high water.
After pushing in the tub, I hopped out quickly and I grabbed
my bed and went into a deep squat, pushing sort of wildly. Jason supported me
so wonderfully, just quietly whispering that I could do it, that I was almost
there. But still, no head. Not even a sliver.
The deep squat was killing my legs. I am not a squatter and
so I laughed later ay my choice of position. However, I made it into the squat
quite well at the moment and remembered instinctively that I must have needed
whatever extra space that afforded me. It was both terrifying and relieving-my
body felt out of control with these pushes, yet I was SO determined to hold
him. I don’t remember in previous births caring that much about the baby at
this point in labor, but in this one, it was what kept me going. With every
push I visualized his head moving down and I kept seeing and feeling what it
was going to feel like when he was out. It was either that intense
visualization or giving into my fear that I was not going to be able to do
this.
Still not feeling like I was making progress, the baby passed
my rectum (we all know what THAT means!) and I took it to be a good sign. Then
the slight burning up inside, good. With the next push I felt that inexplicable
feeling as the head starts to fill up that space, and then grows. I felt the
wrinkled part of his scalp as it rolled forward and was amazed. It was
happening. I pushed with the next push for a lot more of his head, and then
used all the patience I had left to just leave the rest to my body, all the
while standing and supporting my body and his head with my hands. I was almost
there, deep breath, I could taste it.
With the next contraction the rest of his head slipped out.
I asked for a mirror to check his color but mostly I wanted to see his precious
little face!! I leaned forward onto the bed, his head out, just waiting. I
remember Jason telling me something-I realized later he was just encouraging me
but at the time I thought he was wondering where the rest of the baby was. I
muttered something about needing to rest, and I felt the baby rest too as he
shifted and negotiated his next and final move out.
As I felt the next and last contraction surge, he rotated,
some fluid spurted out and I reached down to catch him even though I couldn’t
actually see what I was doing! As soon as he was out I bent with him to the
floor; placed him down for just a second before I picked him back up again and
smothered him with kisses. THE moment I live for and the reason I’ve birthed 5
times and love to watch other women experience the same! The smell and taste and
goo of vernix and fluid were everywhere-on my lips and nose and I kissed him
and talked to him. He had pooped on the way out, so I was covered with that
too, but he was alert and coming around really fast. It’s amazing how the
instinctual things a mother will do with her baby at birth are also exactly
what the baby needs!
I was so relieved. And
so proud and happy. And now so sure that following my heart was what I needed
to do-even though it was a challenge. I delivered my placenta within 5 minutes
or so, hardly bled at all, and was just generally in shock with the enormity of
the whole experience.
I see True’s birth as perfect-not because I didn’t have
anything to deal with, but because I did. Conquering my fears, my demons from
the whole entire last year was the theme of my life-of this birth. There was no
was of escaping it, or knowing how it would play out, exactly. But it was
there, and I am that much braver and more confident and trusting on the other
side. That I am truly powerful; that I can do anything. That I know what I
believe about birth.
True’s birth has given me a whole new confidence; after 5
kids I didn’t think myself unconfident, but I’ve been shown how much farther
there is to go. I am complete trust, in complete trust of this tiny person that
has shown me. Experiencing True’s labor and birth has been a profound teaching
gift for me. We needed to do it the way we did; and not a smidge different or a
moment sooner or later. It was the most PERFECT birth; in so many ways, much
more sophisticated with it’s teachings than anything else I have experienced.
With it came peace about the rest of my life right now; that I know who I am,
what I want and where I am going. I know what I believe and birth and the women
I serve. I know where I belong and where I do not belong. And for this, I thank
this babe.
Maryn Leister is the founder of Indie Birth Association, dedicated to serving mothers and babies and supporting empowering birth experiences. She is a Pastoral Medical Provider and author of Taking Back Birth, podcasts.
Historically, midwives knew the placenta could be used to stop a postpartum hemorrhage when a small piece was cut off and placed in the mother's cheek, but the benefits of placentophagia, or consuming your placenta, extend far beyond that!
Encapsulation is on the rise with the placenta capsules giving you a consistent flow of oxytocin, making you feel good and encouraging your uterus to return to its normal size. Many studies have been published but for North America this is still a fairly new concept; that being said, with the many potential benefits and no negative side affects, why not?
Many mothers report a shorter period of lochia as well as increased energy. The placenta is rich in iron, which replenishes your blood, may regulate your hormones and along with B vitamins found in the placenta, boosts your energy, all of this preventing or lessening the risk of postpartum depression or 'baby blues'. Also found in the placenta are hormones made by you, for you, including cortisone, interferon, prostaglandins, hemoglobin, prolactin, Urokinate inhibiting factor and factor XIII, and of course, oxytocin.
As mentioned, oxytocin is a 'feel good' hormone- creating feelings of bonding, happiness and pain relief- but what are all of those other hormones?!
Cotrisone combats stress and unlocks energy stores in the body.
Interferon stimulates the immune system to fight off infections!
Prostaglandins act as an anti-inflammatory. Hemoglobin replenishes iron.
Urokinase inhibiting factor and factor XIII lessen bleeding and promote faster healing!
Proclactin stimulates milk production. The placenta also provides the mother with hPL hormone, Human Placental Lactogen, which helps establish early and healthy milk supply.
And for more about the placenta encapsulation and lactation, click below:
The placenta can be prepared via the raw method- meaning it is prepped and dehydrated to preserve the enzymes, it is then ground up and placed in capsules.
The Traditional Chinese Method- the placenta is steamed, often with complementing herbs, and then dehydrated, ground and encapsulated.
You can also make a piece of your placenta into a smoothie for immediate benefit or into a tincture for very long lasting benefits. Interested in placenta preparation for yourself? Click on the link and contact me for more info!
And share your experiences with placentophagia here!
We are researching Homeoprophylaxis (HP) as an alternative to the current vaccination practice. The goal of HP is to stimulate the immune system is such a way that it knows how to get sick and how to recover. HP does this using nosodes, which are the viruses and only the viruses in a very diluted form which is given as a pellet under the tongue.
The current vaccination schedule introduces 14 diseases in 36 doses in the first year of life and 16 diseases in 69 doses from birth to 18 years of age. MMR and DTaP introduce 3 diseases at one time.
We know that an infant under the age of 1 year has not developed an immune system capable of producing antibodies. In addition, the vaccines contain additives, adjuvants and use an attenuation process that further exposes this immature immune system to foreign substances and could set the stage for behavioral problems, auto-immune diseases, digestive disorders and chronic illnesses.
Our research goal is to demonstrate an effective immune response as is evidenced by an improvement in all parameters of health. I encourage every parent to read The Solution, Homeoprophylaxis: The Vaccine Alternative by Kate Birch and Cilla Whatcott.
The ISBN is 9781480001916 and it is available on Amazon.com.
If you are interested in being part of this study or learning more about Homeoprophylaxis,
please contact Dr. Kennedy or another accredited homeopathic supervisor.
Other Birth Circle Topics:
This month's birth circle was so exciting. I cannot begin to describe to you how much essential oils can benefit your family! From coughs and colds to sprains and morning sickness, there's an oil for your ailment, and even an oil to keep your family well. You've heard the phrase "an apple a day"? Well I bring you, an oil a day keeps the doctor away! Ana Hansen and Kara Peterson shared with our lovely mamas doTerra Essential Oils. They each shared a wonderful testimonial about how essential oils have impacted their lives and wonderful ideas for how you can use essential oils during your pregnancy, for your birth and for years to come; from infancy through aging adults, essential oils can benefit you!
Here's a sneak peak into what Ana presented at the Cottonwood birth circle for our lovely mamas to be:
Please, click on her picture to learn more about her!
3 Tsps of Organic Coconut Oil 5 drops of Lavender Optional: 5 drops of Frankincense Any small container
Awaken Energy Spritz: 6 oz Distilled or Purified Water 10 drops Wild Orange 10 drops Lemon 1 6 oz spray bottle
Good Stomach Roll-On: 4 oz Organic Sunflower Oil 10 drops of Peppermint 10 drops of DigestZen Blend Oil Any Roller Container
Kara Peterson presented our Prescott area mamas with some great homemade products for their sweet bundles of joy. Her pic & bio coming soon!
Talc-Free Baby Powder: 1/2 cup corn starch 1/2 cup Arrowroot powder 1 drop of Roman Chamomile 1-2 drops of Lavender 1/4 cup finely ground oats Directions: mix well and put in a shaker style bottle.
Diaper Cream (Cloth diaper friendly): 1/2 oz beeswax 3.5 ounces Fractionated Coconut Oil 2 drops of lavender 2 drops of tea tree oil Small jar Directions: Melt beeswax in a double broiler, stirring until smooth. Slowly add the oil. Remove from heat and add essential oils. If too firm, re-melt and add more coconut oil.
Baby Wipes: 1 roll of paper towels (cut in half) 2 cups warm water 2 tbsp of fractionated coconut oil 3 drops of lavender essential oil 3 drops of tea tree oil Airtight storage container. Check out this guide for "how to" or try Kara's personal recommendation using cloth wipes. Put the ingredients in a spray bottle; she likes to add lemon essential oil and peppermint! Other Birth Circle Topics:
Nutrition is arguably the most important element of prenatal care. So why is nutrition so important? Because you're growing a human- cells, bones, muscle, fat, brain. To grow a baby you need adequate blood supply to support your body's added effort, to be physically prepared for birth and to support the placenta that is responsible for nourishing the baby.
The Brewer Diet is based off of the concept of supporting this extra blood supply that begins to double at 8weeks and has increased by 50-60% around week 30. Dr. Brewer recommended an average of 2700 calories per day, a well balanced diet inclusive of each food group, as well as 75-100grams of protein. The protein is what builds and supports the necessary blood supply. The key to achieving this intake of protein is not supplements, rather whole foods. Eggs, lentils, beans, milk, meats, cheese ~ all of these are excellent sources of protein.
Calories are subjective; each person is different. If you don't count calories in your every day life, how are you to know what the extra 200-300 calories, recommended by mainstream sources like APA, really means? Instead of focusing of quantity- how much weight you're gaining, how many more calories you're eating- focus on quality. Eat more whole foods, being sure to include all of the food groups according to your personal dietary preferences, avoiding food additives, pesticides and excessive sugar. If counting calories is your thing, consider your lifestyle and what number pregnancy this is. Eat well to be well. The important factor is balance. [Quite often a sugar craving is related to dehydration or a lack of protein.] So let's talk about the importance in each food group.
Protein is essential not only in maintaining a healthy blood supply but in the strength of your uterus as well. Adequate protein in your diet is to an easier labor as training is to an efficient marathon run.
Fats support the growth of the baby's brain and promote a good start for breastfeeding. Indulge in full fats when pregnant; cook vegetables with butter to best absorb their nutrients. Enjoy peanut butter, avocados, full fat milk and yogurt. Raw milk has even more fat that homogenized whole milk but of course it is important to know your source. Full fat yogurts are great for vaginal health as well.
Probiotics and fermented foods support good gut flora and prevent infections such as bacterial vaginosis, yeast and group b strep. Some examples of fermented foods are kefir, kombucha and yogurt.
Too much sugar can contribute to unhealthy bacteria levels as well as stress the fetus; sugar is best in moderation. Try and focus of healthy sugars when you do consume and more organic and balanced options, such as fruits or coconut ice cream with nuts. Cutting out white sugar and white flour in your third trimester may decrease your risk of tearing. Minerals are essential in your diet, even if you're taking a prenatal vitamin. Sea salt is an excellent source of these minerals, including iron which your baby stores up during the third trimester. Good salt levels from natural, unprocessed salt also keeps your fluid levels and blood pressure under control.
Calcium, whole grains and vitamins are essential to a balanced diet. Eat well to be well. Eat small portions often; this can also maintain a healthy blood sugar level without extreme highs or lows. Avoid artificial ingredients.
Other helpful foods
include papaya for heartburn and ginger for morning sickness. Indulge in red raspberry leaf tea and dates in
your third trimester, which may be beneficial for your labor.
For more in-depth information, enjoy this --> podcast <--
The usual suspects
AAP recommends avoiding certain fish due to mercury levels; sushi, soft cheeses, raw eggs/meat and lunch meat due to bacteria.
Pregnancy can be a wonderful part of theJourney of Life. Did your care provider mention the importance of nutrition to you? What changes did you make to your diet?
Write down the questions you have for your pediatrician, midwife or obstetrician
Trust your gut; ask about the things that worry you on a day to day basis
You feel comfortable and cared for
Excellent! So you think you're ready to get the most out of your provider? But wait! There must be more. That was for the month of May at the Yavapai County Birth Circle- those frequently un-asked questions. Keep reading to get the scoop..
A Birth Circle is a place for expectant and newly postpartum mothers to connect with birth professionals and other families in the community. We provide a safe, non-judgmental place to share your stories and explore the desires you have for your birth experience. Our goal is to provide you with information to make informed decisions regarding your maternity care and newborn. We know that every birth is beautiful and hope to enhance your bonding and breastfeeding experiences. The journey into parenthood and growing your family is one filled with decisions
-- we are there to support you on this beautiful Journey of Life.
Our topics change each month and will include trouble shooting in breastfeeding and the benefits of extended nursing, choices involving newborn procedures, GBS, babywearing and attachment parenting, questions for your health care provider and pediatrician, pain management in labor (natural, medicated and alternative options), positive/negative thought and how it affects your labor, natural family planning, infant massage, prenatal fitness and nutrition, tantrum tamers and parenting with love, benefits of placenta, choices for your birth place, childbirth in pop culture, meet the doula, meet the photographer and much, much more! We hope to see you there!
From stethoscopes to dopplers to continuous fetal monitoring, we've come a long way in childbirth but we're still hearing the same thing. The media distorts childbirth, painting images of fear and chaos that are being forever imprinted on impressionable young girls. I implore you, to more closely examine what you believe about birth and where you get your notions from; take a look at what you're daughters are learning about childbirth and where they are learning it. Birth should not be something we fear, rather something we trust. Yes, labor is hard work but it doesn't have to be excruciating. Most low-risk labors would progress normally and without complications if women were left to natural progression, contrary to what some Hollywood films would have us to believe.
In sci-fi and horror films women are victimized into their pregnancy and throughout the birth. In comedies panic ensues and women are unqualified. The biggest fear expressed by expectant mothers is pain; it's no wonder why when that's what Hollywood wants us to see; the drama sells. Twilight offers a horrific scene of a disfiguring, painful childbirth. Real childbirth seems to be Hollywood's last taboo, as Dr.'s hand over perfectly clean and swaddled babies from under the blue sheet to their mothers. In our pop culture births like this will be hard to come by.
Historically Speaking
In the 1950's CBS would not allow the word pregnant to be said on the popular sitcom I Love Lucy today a model faces controversy while keeping her pregnancy secret for the first four months. Whatever happened to having the freedom of choice? The biggest assault of choices for pregnant women is with whom and where they'll birth. Women are assaulted as to exactly how they should birth, much of this assault stemming from the media. In America, when childbirth moved into the hospital, adds came out slandering midwives, depicting them as decrepit and for the poor. Historically speaking we've gone through our fair share of childbirth fads- with hospital births came the option of "pain free" childbirth. Moving birth out of the home created the mystery surrounding birth as each generation no longer saw birth as a normal part of life. Twilight sleep induced an even bigger mystery as mothers had no memory from the experience and fathers weren't permitted. All we knew now was what we heard- birth hurts, be pain free. It got to the point where it was thought that wealthy women couldn't birth naturally because they were too pampered. In the 40's and 50's Lamaze became popular after Marjorie Karmel smuggled in the "pornographic" video of natural childbirth. This wave of natural childbirth, where mothers longed to be an active part of their birth experience, lasted into the 90's. In the popular culture of today we most commonly see women asking or should I say screaming, for their epidurals. Again we're seeing a repeat of "too posh to push" with scheduled c-section/tummy tuck combos flashed about by Hollywood.
So take the time to re-think your views on birth and trust this beautiful part of your Journey of Life. Birth can surprise you and not all birth plans go accordingly but that's ok. Read and watch positive birth stories and videos. Enjoy browsing through the folios of birth photographers. Take a childbirth preparation course! Watching Birth Day, One Born Every Minute or Call the Midwife does not count. Find a Bradley Method, Lamaze, HypnoBabies or Hypnobirthinginstructor near you. Ask your care provider what they recommend. Check with your doula; some offer childbirth education. Another great resource is http://www.icea.org/. Check out what your local hospital has to offer. Read empowering books like Birthing From Within, by Pam England and Birth Reborn, by Michele Odent. Don't believe everything you see on T.V. Take the time to share with your daughter what birth really can be like; perhaps you can be part of bringing birth back into the home as the intimate experience it is. Other Birth Circle Topics:
