Archive for Pregnancy

The Needs of a Mother in Labor

September 17, 2008 at 12:59 pm · Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy ·Tagged , , , ,

I remember when I was at least 10 years old, my grandmother along with her pregnant dog was visiting us from North Carolina.  While we were away touring the city together, her dog gave birth to several cute, healthy puppies.  This is not surprising since most animals instinctively feel more comfortable in privacy as they labor and give birth.

The Bradley Methods® founder Dr. Robert Bradley questioned why animals give birth peacefully and joyfully unassisted, while human mothers seem to suffer tremendously through the labor and birth of their babies.  He found that if humans were trained and practiced what the animals do in labor they could be more successful at natural childbirth.  In addition, many veterinarians today prefer to “not interfere with nature” allowing the animals to give birth alone.

In the Hospitals today laboring mothers meet many challenges, including strangers, bright lights, often being hooked up to IV poles, different machines that may be beeping, being in an unfamiliar environment, being on a clear liquids only diet, and on top of all of these many women are constantly being interrupted.  In a hospital setting the mother’s concentration is disturbed possibly causing more pain and prolongation of labor.  This is why I choose a to have our first child at a Birth Center and our second at home.  Both of these environments were peaceful and relaxing which I believe helped me to have amazing natural births.

According to Husband Coached Childbirth there are 6 needs of the laboring mother.

1. The need for darkness and solitude.

2. The need for quiet.

3. The need for physical comfort during first-stage labor.

4. The need for physical relaxation – This is something that you learn how to do.  You need practice.  This is why I recommend that couples actually take the class.

5. The need for controlled breathing.  The Bradley Method® teaches natural abdominal breathing which will become deeper and more rapid as labor progresses.

6. The need for closed eyes and the appearance of sleep.  This will help the mother become totally concentrated on the task at hand.

If you chose not to have your baby at a Birth Center or at Home it is important that you write a birth plan which will help your birth team to know what type of birth experience that you hope for.

Animal vs. Human Birth, Beth Barbeau Excerpted from “Safer Birth in a Barn?” Midwifery Today, Issue 83 Husband Coached Childbirth, Robert A. Bradley, M.D., Fifth Edition

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Plastics & BPA

May 9, 2008 at 4:50 pm · Filed under Green, Health, Pregnancy ·Tagged , , , ,

Plastic polycarbonate bottles such as Nalgene bottles are still popular as drinking water bottles. I should know. I just bought 3 more – one of which is a pretty cool sippy bottle for my son. (Note: now Nalgene is phasing out those bottles & replacing them.) I recently learned that polycarbonates in those and other bottles release a chemical known as bisphenol A (BPA). Then, I learned that 90% of all baby bottles are polycarbonates, which includes the brand we own — Avent. So, what’s the big deal? They’re still selling them, so they can’t be that bad, right? Not exactly…

Even though the plastic industry safety studies find no significant health effects from typical daily doses of BPA, 90% of government studies found harmful health effects to children and expecting moms as well as male sexuality and reproduction, according to Dr. Colleen Huber. She goes on to state that BPA acts as a “xenoestrogen,” which mimics the female hormone estrogen with the exception of the following: 1) it’s foreign to the body (which is what “xeno” means) and 2) it is much more harmful than our natural estrogen for both males and females. Breast cancers are much more of a risk in women who carry a high amount of xenoestrogens and both sexes are subject to a huge range of other harmful health effects. The most far-reaching effects are birth defects and miscarriages. Another effect is a disruption of beta cell function in the pancreas, which creates a pre-diabetes type condition of high blood insulin and insulin resistance. So it seems that none of us are safe from the affects of BPA.

A recent Canadian news source had the following to say:

“Bisphenol A manufacturers have said the trace amount leaching into food and beverages isn’t dangerous to people because it’s quickly metabolized into a form that loses its ability to act like a female sex hormone.
While the authors of the new assessment agreed that people break down some of the bisphenol A they absorb, they said since so many plastics and other products containing it are in use that “virtually everybody” in developed countries has chronic, low-level exposure to the chemical and measurable amounts of its biologically active version.
Typical readings are about two parts per billion in blood. Although this is an extremely small amount, hormones are active at this level, and at even lower concentrations.
Based on the amounts being found in people and what is known about the metabolism of bisphenol A from animal experiments, it also appears that human exposures are above the current U.S. safety limit, according to the assessment.

Now I should note that not all plastics contain BPA. We should mainly be concerned with plastics that come in contact with our food and water. You can learn more about plastics by reviewing the Smart Plastics Guide and matching the triangled number to what you currently own or are considering purchasing.

Here are a few items to consider for your baby. Oh, and be sure to read the San Francisco Chronicle’s article on the comeback of glass baby bottles.

1. Glass bottles. Evenflo makes them in two sizes — 4oz and 8oz. Siliskin is another brand that is totally hip. They come in 4 and 8 oz sizes as well and they have a silicone sheath that helps to prevent the bottle from breaking. WeeGo glass bottles are nice too. I believe they only come in 9oz sizes, but they are covered with a modern sleeve that will help protect the bottle from breaking.
2. Bio-plastic bottles. Born Free makes them in two sizes — 5oz and 9oz. Whole Foods and Amazon carry them as well as the company itself. Amazon even has their gift set with bottles and a sippy cup. Another option is the Green to Grow brand, which has a 5oz bottle and they’re so cute.
3. Snappies – Polypropylene breast milk storage bottles that enables moms to collect, store and feed from the same convenient container.
4. Medela breast pump storage containers and baby bottles are all made of Polypropylene, which is free of BPA.
5. Adiri Natural Nurser is made from 100% polycarbonate-free and bisphenol-a free materials that is warm to a child’s cheek, like a breast, when filled with warm milk. The nipple design helps alleviate nipple confusion for breastfeeding babies. Shaped like a breast, they encourage the same type of open-mouthed latching that is required for breastfeeding, making bottle feeding and breastfeeding more easily interchangeable. They come in three stages for three different flow rates. Each stage holds 8 oz. of fluid and is dishwasher safe.

Here are a few brands to consider for sippy cups:

1. Avent Naturally sippy cup (We currently use these and are happy with them)
2. Born Free sippy cup
3. Klean Kanteen water bottle with sippy adapter & spout
4. SIGG baby water bottles

If anyone has a suggestion on any of the above mentioned brands or any other brands not mentioned that you love, please leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you!

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FAQ: The Bradley Method®

April 29, 2008 at 10:32 pm · Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy ·Tagged , , ,

What is The Bradley Method®?

The Bradley Method® teaches husband-coached natural childbirth.

Why should I consider The Bradley Method®?

The Bradley Method® method teaches the risk and benefits involved in each intervention and medicine. It is important that the mother knows the risks and takes responsibility to make decisions that will have lasting effects on her and her baby. Many mothers who receive epidurals sometimes develop long term backaches, have adverse drug reactions, or in some rare cases are paralyzed. In 2007, Maryland alone lost 3 women due to complications from cesarean section – one at 5days postpartum, one at 7 days postpartum, and one in her recovery room immediately after surgery. In most cases, natural childbirth is the safest way to have a baby. Our creator created our bodies to give birth.

How long do the classes last and what do they cover?

These classes typically last 12 weeks. A couple should try to schedule to take this class during the last trimester of the pregnancy. Statistics show that 12 weeks of preparation result in more unmedicated births.

Our comprehensive Childbirth Classes cover the following:

- Prenatal Exercises to prepare your body for the birth of your baby and ease any discomfort you may feel during pregnancy.

- Nutrition, breastfeeding, postpartum care and newborn care.

- How to find the right birth attendent and birth place for you.

- How to write your own birth plan.

- About the birth process.

- How to avoid unnecessary pain during labor.

- Relaxation and massage techniques to reduce pain.

- About medical intervention and the risks and benefits of each.

- What questions to ask when the birth attendant is suggesting to intervene.

- How to avoid unnecessary episiotomies and cesarean sections.

- How husbands/doulas can become effective labor coaches.

How do I find out who teaches in my area?

Go to: www.bradleybirth.com Enter your location and there you will find an Instructor who will be excited to tell you more about her class.

How successful is the Bradley Method®?

86% of Bradley moms have vaginal childbirth with no medication.

The main goal of The Bradley Method® is that mother, baby, and family are healthy.

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Medication use During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

April 15, 2008 at 11:05 am · Filed under Breastfeeding, Health, Pregnancy ·Tagged , , ,

While avoiding medications when pregnant or breastfeeding is desirable, it is often not possible due to conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, or high blood pressure. Failure to treat such a condition may affect the health of both the mother and her infant.

Unfortunately for me, I have asthma, seasonal allergies, and severe food allergies. While I can “rough it” by eliminating my allergy medication in certain seasons (even though it is technically safe), I cannot chose to ignore anaphylactic shock after eating something cross-contaminated with peanuts. I have to take a Benadryl (or in worse cases, my Epi-Pen). Without it, I will eventually be hospitalized or dead. Now, I should say this. When pregnant especially, I am extremely careful about what I eat. Epinephrine crosses the placenta and may lead to a decrease in uterine blood flow, not to mention that congenital defects are associated with first trimester exposure. (source) Obviously, using my Epi-Pen is not desirable.

If you’re like me, you want to know what is absolutely fine, what is safe if you really need it, and what you have to stay away from no matter what. Well, here you go…The following are resources put forth by health professionals. Just be sure to access the correct list — what may be okay in nursing may not be true for pregnancy.

* The Safe Fetus website is database of worldwide medications (generic & trade) that provides information on the drugs’ indications, fetal risk, breastfeeding risk, and risk during pregnancy, according to the FDA.
SafeFetus

* The American Academy of Pediatrics maintains a list of drugs that are transferred into breastmilk.
AAP list

* FAQs on medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC FAQs

* Dr. Sears’ answers on taking medication while breastfeeding
Dr. Sears

* Drug and breastmilk interaction chart from Babycenter
Babycenter chart

* La Leche Leagure article titled “Medications and Breastfeeding”
LLLI article 1

* La Leche League article titled “Maternal Medications and Breastfeeding”
LLLI article 2

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Childbirth Options

March 26, 2008 at 2:31 pm · Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy ·Tagged , , ,

Care Providers

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): a registered nurse who has completed an advanced course of study and is certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. A midwife is trained to care for women during pregnancy, labor and the postnatal period; conduct normal deliveries, and care for newborn babies under normal circumstances. (source)

Certified Professional Midwife (CPM): A CPM is a direct-entry practitioner who has met all the certification standards set by the North American Registry of Midwives. What distinguishes a CPM from other nationally certified midwives is that CPMs primarily attend to out-of-hospital births and are trained via a competency-based model of education. (source)

Obstetrician: a physician that specializes in caring for pregnant women through childbirth. Women with complicated or difficult pregnancies make up a majority of their work. Many obstetricians also train as gynecologists so they are able to give medical advice and treatment concerning a woman’s reproductive system. (source)

*Obstetrics is the surgical specialty dealing with the care of a woman and her offspring during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (period shortly after birth). Midwifery is the equivalent non-surgical specialty. (source)*

Doula: one who accompanies a woman in labor, taking care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth. A doula also provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance their experiences of birth. A doula does not deliver the baby or have a clinical role at the birth. (source)

Birthing Locations

Hospital Birth: Traditional hospital births (in which the mother-to-be moves from a labor room to a delivery room and then, after the birth, to a semi-private room) are still the most common option. In a traditional hospital birth, doctors “manage” the delivery with their patients. In many cases, women in labor are not allowed to eat or drink (possibly due to anesthesia or for other medical reasons), and they may be required to deliver in a certain position. Pain medications are available during labor and delivery; labor may be induced, if necessary; and the fetus is usually electronically monitored throughout the labor. (source)

Birth Center: a homelike setting where natural childbirth is the focus. Since epidural anesthesia is not typically offered, women are free to move around in labor, get in positions that are most comfortable to them, spend time in the jacuzzi; or otherwise deal with the labor in a proactive manner. The baby is monitored frequently in labor typically with a handheld Doppler. Comfort measures such as hydrotherapy, massage, warm and cold compresses, and visualization and relaxation techniques are often used. The woman is free to eat and drink as she chooses. (source)

Home birth: childbirth that occurs outside a hospital or birthing center setting, usually in the home of the mother. Home births are usually attended by a midwife (or other attending medical professional) but there are some occasions when this does not happen. If labor progresses rapidly the midwife may not have arrived in time to catch the baby, but would then give immediate postnatal care. In rare cases the decision may be made to give birth without any medical professional present – this is sometimes known as an “unassisted home birth”. (source)

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