5 Facts About Doulas

In years past, women gave birth with other women at their side. These other women were fundamental in providing the laboring mother with support and love and understanding in the hopes of making her birth experience one of spiritual importance and bonding. They also helped to guide her to find comfort to let her body do the work of birth.

As the years have flown by and we have come to rely on hospitals for birth, the landscape of our birthing experiences have changed tremendously. So much so, that some women want to trek backwards a bit and look into hiring doulas and midwives, and planning home births to mark the grand arrival of their baby.

Considering hiring a doula to support you in labor and birth is definitely a personal decision. While some women cannot say enough for the experiences they have had with a doula (or midwife), other women are completely happy with their hospital birth. Remember, each of us is different and what works for one may not be right for another. But if you haven’t considered a doula, check out these 5 facts about doulas that you may not have known.

1. Doulas are NOT medical professionals. Unlike midwives who are trained to help women give birth medically, doulas are there to provide emotional and physical support to birthing mothers during the end of their labor and birth. They are trained and certified like other health professionals, but are interested in your spiritual journey to motherhood. They are there to be WITH you for the duration of your labor and delivery. In fact their job is to keep you as comfortable as possible and they will do everything from provide you warm compresses or massage your feet to getting your partner a cup of coffee.

2. Doulas will come to your home, which means you can get through the initial parts of labor in the peace and quiet of your own home, if you wish. If you are planning a home birth, a doula will be there with you before the midwife, and will do everything possible to assist you. They are trained to know about the birthing process, and are essentially there to support you and your family members. Their total focus is on YOU. Whereas doctors and midwives may have other patients, may be on call, and may be in and out – a doula will stay with you, by your side, the entire time.

3. Doulas are an awesome source of comfort in the weeks leading up to your birth. As you try to find a doula, you will interview her in the hopes of making a personal connection. From there, she can be an amazing liaison to call when you are feeling anxious or not sure what is going on with your body. Women choose doulas who they feel connected to, and the doula becomes available to you even prior to birth. And, while you may not get your personal doctor in the delivery room as you had hoped, doulas guarantee that they will be there by your side. This can go miles to make you feel more comfortable, even during a hospital birth – having someone you know and trust by your side.

4. Doulas are certified. They learn about the normal course of labor, comfort measures, how to help a mom if something goes wrong, and more. They also red to have practical experience supporting women through births before becoming certified, meaning they have some experience once they get their credential. To find a certified doula near you, check out DONA.

5. Perhaps one of the greatest ways a doula can help is by providing post-labor doula hours. Many doulas offer postpartum hours where they will come to your home and help care for you, and help you care for your baby after delivery. For first time moms, and people who don’t have a lot of family members close by – a post labor doula can be a lifesaver.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

5 Tips for Bonding with Baby

Many people talk about the all-important mother baby bonding that takes place after childbirth. Some describe this time as an “Ah-Ha” moment, when they experienced such joy and love that they were overwhelmed like nothing before. Other women feel the process of bonding with baby took time and didn’t happen immediately.  The reality is that your individual circumstances and your experiences during labor and delivery can have an impact on how well you feel you bonded with baby.

The best advice about bonding with your baby, is to allow it to happen in its own time. Don’t feel pressured to make something magical happen, and realize that you have spent the entirety of your pregnancy bonding with your baby.

Additionally, the following 5 tips will help you feel even more connected to your baby!

1.  Give yourself time to heal! Those precious moments when you first see your baby are magical, indeed. In the hospital setting, however, when the doctors are poking and prodding you and your baby, you are exhausted, and inundated with visitors – you can feel a little detached.

2. Make sure you have time for just you and your baby! Seriously – kick well wishers out, or ask that they only visit during visiting hours. Just like your baby is adjusting to breathing air, you are adjusting to motherhood. You need time to BE with your baby, by yourself – or with just you and your significant other. If others find it rude, then so be it. Be very clear that you would like some private time.

3. Keep your baby in your room with you rather than sending him or her to the nursery. Having your baby with you, in skin-to-skin contact, not only helps with lactation, but also helps with the mother baby bonding experience. Plus, you will adjust to the noises that he or she makes, and your baby will feel safe and secure knowing that you are there.

4.  Keep a camera handy and take lots of pictures. You cannot recreate these first moments and before you know it you will be home and your baby will be crawling. Having the pictures to look back on helps you to remember those feelings in the first hours and days, and helps you to realize just how much you and your baby DID bond after delivery.
You can also use our Baby+ App for iPhone / iPad or Android to record your baby’s milestones and unforgettable moments, or use the App to create a time-lapse video by taking a picture of your baby every day. The App will then automatically produce a beautiful video.

5. Give yourself time. Adjusting to motherhood, in addition to dealing with a multitude of hormonal fluctuations is not always an easy transition. If you don’t have that “Ah-Ha” moment that people talk about, give yourself a break and try not to worry about it. Sometimes – likely in most cases – this bonding is built around time and togetherness.

What YOU will realize, is that although the individual mother baby bonding experience is different for everyone, YOU WILL BOND WITH YOUR NEW LITTLE ONE!

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

3 Questions about Labor and Delivery

As you approach labor and delivery, you will be trying to put together everything you know about childbirth and wondering how it will be for you. Many people have labor and delivery concerns. In fact, even moms who have been there and done that, have worries about what labor and delivery will hold for them.

The following are the 3 common questions about labor and delivery that most women worry or wonder about.

1.  What if I cannot handle the pain? Sure, labor and delivery is painful. You have heard the stories. You have also likely heard that most women forget about it as soon as it is over. The good news is that today, pain management is available and you as the patient have the right to choose just how much you want to feel and how much you don’t. Taking pain medicine is a private choice, and if you are terrified of pain – then an epidural or spinal is the best way for you to go. The reality is, that although labor and delivery is painful, it is not altogether unpleasant. Keep in mind that women have been giving birth forever – and that you too, will be able to get through it. For most women, the worries about the pain are worse than the pain itself.

2.  Will I poop on the doctor? Chances are you will. And chances are, the doctor won’t mind a bit. And chances are, you won’t even know you did it. The pressure and pushing that go hand in hand with labor and delivery do often produce a bowel movement.  But believe us when we say that there is NOT a labor and delivery doctor that will be offended. In fact, you just focus on having a baby and let the doctors – and nurses – deal with the rest.

3. Will I embarrass myself by hollering or screaming during labor? When women give birth, they make many sounds. From winces of pains, to yelps, to moans to whines. In the throes of labor and delivery, you will not even notice you are making a sound at all. And, you will likely not worry about who is around to hear you. Some women don’t make any noises during labor, while others cry and scream. Regardless of what you do during labor – no one will be making fun of you, and you will not embarrass yourself. Midwives and those who attend birth are completely aware of what to expect, and they won’t hold it against you. After all, you are delivering a tiny human – which entitles you to any noises that you deem suitable.

Fears and worries about labor can impact the progress of the birth – even to the point of slowing things down to a stop. Dealing with your fears before the childbirth process starts can help you have the birth you want.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

3 Tips For a Christmas Due Date

Oh, ring in the holidays! Bring on the tinsel, the family gatherings and the decorations. For many women, finding themselves due in the month of December and possibly even close to Christmas, the holidays can take on a whole new level of stress and anxiety.

What happens if you wake up on Christmas Eve and find yourself in labor? Especially if you already have kids at home who are expecting a visit from the ‘Big Guy.’ What will THEY do if mom and dad are at the hospital? What about the big family dinner that is planned? What happens if you don’t want your child to be born on Christmas living a lifetime of sharing a birthday with one of the biggest holidays of the year? Ask most people who are born on or near Christmas and they will tell you that it sort of takes the ‘special’ out of birthday celebrations. Even worse, how will you feel comfortable enough to travel, and make get togethers with family when you could literally go into labor at any moment?

Take it from a mother who has twins born on December 23rd, and another child who was due on December 24th – a holiday due date DOES make things a little stressful. Hopefully, the following tips can help.

1. Talk to your healthcare provider about an induction. For one thing, it’s possible that on a holiday doctor may not be working and you will be ‘stuck’ with the “on-call” provider for the day. Here you have trusted your pregnancy in the hands of one physician for 9 months and then end up on Christmas experiencing labor and delivery with a total stranger? Some doctors, especially if your pregnancy is doing well and the baby is considered full term, may consider an induction. If you are already scheduled to have a Cesarean birth, see if your doctor can move it up a few days so that you will be mobile for the holidays and will be able to enjoy your newest family member.

2. Have a back up plan. If your baby decides to come during a holiday, there isn’t much you can do about it. But you can have a back up plan that enlists the help of family members to make sure all the loose ends are tied up, that the kids at home still have fun, and so that everyone in your family can enjoy the birth as well as the holiday. The reality is that a healthy mom and baby are the best gifts  you can get – and as long as that happens, the season will be merry. Perhaps a little hectic, but still merry. (And definitely unforgettable!) Plus, hospitals and birthing centers tend to be very understanding during the holidays- often stretching visiting hours and making allowances  they don’t normally make during other times of the year. Think of it this way: you can recreate a holiday meal and a Christmas morning, but you will never be able to recreate your birth. And there are no rules that say you cannot celebrate a holiday in the hospital.

3. Take it easy! If you don’t want to give birth on a specific holiday, then make sure you aren’t running around like crazy, walking too much, putting yourself under an immense amount of stress, or skipping meals. Stay hydrated. Keep your feet up. In other words, do the exact opposite of everything you would do if you were past your due date and hoping to quick start labor. This may not ‘hold the baby in,’ but it may buy you a few days and turn your Christmas baby into a New Years one.

When its all said and done, your baby will make the ultimate decision of when exactly he or she wants to be born. Go with the flow. Everything will work out just fine in the long run.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Electronic Fetal Monitoring During Labor

As you get closer to labor and delivery, chances are you have heard a bunch of stories from other moms. Some of these stories include the horrific details of their births, or advice on things that these women think you should avoid at all costs. You will have some people who suggest you don’t take pain medications, and others that warn you about things during labor and delivery that will likely NEVER happen.

Many women hear about electronic fetal monitoring during labor and wonder if there might be pros and cons to the intervention.

Electronic fetal monitoring during labor is designed to monitor your baby’s heart rate and the frequency of your contractions. Most often, the heartbeat and contraction monitors are placed externally on your belly, and while you are in labor you will be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat and see your contractions on a monitor.Your healthcare providers will use this information to help monitor your progress and to make sure that the baby is not in any distress during labor. This monitoring is typically intermittent – occasionally during labor, your provider will suggest a brief period of monitoring to see how things are progressing. If any unusual events occur, continuous monitoring may be suggested.

While generally safe, some people feel that this constant monitoring can cause stress to the mother and worry on behalf of the doctors, especially if they notice the baby’s heart rate decreases significantly after contractions. At that point, it can be difficult for doctors to know if the decreased heart rate is due to the normal drop in oxygen (from the contraction) or if it is a sign of fetal distress. Since doctors cannot tell for sure, experts believe fetal monitoring leads to a higher level of cesarean births because doctors ‘jump the gun.’

Another downside to electronic fetal monitoring is that it decreases a mom’s mobility during labor. Unless your facility has wireless machines, you will only be able to walk as far away from the machine as the cords will let you go. The leads from your belly to the machine can make changing position difficult, and can cause the nurses to suggest you just lay in bed to keep them from moving. Staying flat on your back and immobile in a hospital bed can slow the progress of your labor and make you uncomfortable.

Occasionally, the external monitors are not able to accurately track your baby’s heart rate, or your contractions. In this situation, your provider may suggest internal monitoring – a much more invasive procedure. If your bag of waters is still intact, it will be ruptured artificially so that the heart rate monitor can be attached to baby’s scalp. The contraction monitor is a thin catheter that will be inserted into the uterus. It is typically taped to the inside of your thigh so that it doesn’t become dislodged. Once these leads are placed, you will be monitored continuously throughout the remainder of your labor.

Some people believe the benefits of having this technology are well worth the downsides. Years ago, midwives and doctors had no idea what was going on with the baby, and oftentimes when a baby WAS in distress, doctors couldn’t help the baby. Also, there are many women who feel comforted by hearing the constant heartbeat of their baby when they are in labor. Hearing your baby’s heartbeat while you are in labor may help you truly connect to the experience that there is a beautiful and live little baby inside of you just waiting to come out.

The best rule of thumb when it comes to your healthcare during pregnancy and labor and delivery, is to ask your providers questions about the pros and cons of any procedure, and to learn more about the impact on your labor, as well as your and your baby’s health. The ultimate goal for YOU and for them is to delivery a healthy baby and to keep you healthy as well. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational, with editorial content from Michelle

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Choosing a Birth Partner

Research shows that women who receive continuous emotional and physical encouragement during labor are less likely to need pain relief, medical intervention, assisted delivery, or cesarean surgery, and generally experience shorter labors. Additionally, after the fact, women who had supportive birth partners tend to view their birth experience in a more positive light, and some research even shows that they have less post-partum depression, and breastfeed easier.

Wow, right? That all sounds great. So how do you choose? Choosing a birth partner is not as easy as it may sound. Is your partner automatically the right choice? Would a female friend or family member, or someone who has been through labor and delivery before be a better choice? What about your mom? Are you worried about offending someone by not inviting them into the room with you?

The truth is that labor and delivery is typically a long event. Your partner, who may be just as nervous and anxious as you – and may not do very well in the face of blood and guts – may not be the best person to have at your side. This doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t be allowed or invited in the room, but perhaps having a good friend or trusted loved one by your side AS WELL, is a good option. In fact, there are many people who hire a doula for just this purpose – to help keep them calm, talk them through the labor and make the experience as beautiful as possible.

The last person you want to choose as your birth partner is someone who is overly anxious, or worried, or who would react badly in rough situations. And yet, you also want someone who knows what YOU want, and who will advocate for you. You want someone who is not afraid to ask questions of the medical staff, who isn’t afraid to intervene, and who pays attention to everything that goes on around you. Remember, you will have enough going on and you will need someone else there to help with the minor details. You should also choose a birth partner who is not afraid to baby you a little bit, and who is truly and earnestly concerned with your wellbeing. No woman wants a birth partner to stand beside her and tell her to ‘suck it up,’ or ‘calm down.’ You need compassion and assistance that is positive during this time in your life.

Many women prefer to have another female, especially one who has already had a baby, by their side when they give birth. Having someone who will make you laugh and will help you pass the time is a good way to stay distracted (or at least as distracted as possible during this difficult time).

If you are really lucky, your partner will be the perfect match. But if not, don’t fret. And don’t be afraid to ask a friend, loved one or family member to sit by your side and literally and metaphorically hold your hand. Do this ahead of time, and make sure that they are aware of your birth plan, and anything that you do or don’t want during pregnancy. Chances are, they will be delighted that you chose them. And, they may be of great help to the baby’s father as well.

Essentially, having someone with you who can remain calm and supportive is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. This is your birth, and you want to be able to look back on it and remember how special it was.  The perfect birth partner can help you do just that. If you don’t know anyone, consider talking with doulas in your area.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Photographing Birth? Should You Do it?

We live in technological world. Today, it is nearly impossible to take a trip to the store without the viable concern that you may be videotaped by some stranger with a smartphone. We take more pictures and videos today than any other generation has. Ever. And this ease of technology that makes it simple to capture life’s moments one by one, and post them online for friends and family to see within minutes, has definitely made its appearance in the delivery room.

Most women log their pregnancy through pictures that show the beautiful and sometimes subtle transitions of the female body. It is also becoming increasingly popular for to-be parents to hire fancy birth photographers to show up during labor and delivery to document birth from beginning to end.  (Of course, all the photography will be edited with soft filters afterwards so no one sees your wincing and “ugly birth face.” But is it birth photography for you?

Today, there is a whole new breed of birth photographers who require hefty deposits, and who are willing to trek into the delivery room with you to record your experiences there for all posterity. They will catch every sound, every beautiful movement of your body, every expression of your loved ones as they wait for their lives to change with the birth of your baby. And then, they will edit these moments providing you with a beautiful keepsake. One of the nice results, is that often life is moving so fast while you are giving birth that YOU miss out on many things that are going on. The expression on your partner’s face. Hearing the first sound of your baby. Watching them get their first bath that will make them smell so shiny and new. The cutting of the umbilical cord. If you want to be able to see these things, then you should consider labor and delivery birth photography.

Or, you can be more traditional and have some family members snap a few shots, and hope that your memory of the day will suffice for the rest of your life. For some people, having strangers and extras in the delivery room is not something they want. After all, you never know how it is going to go, and having your legs up in stirrups while your baby crowns doesn’t always make for the perfect wall art for the family room.

Truth is, only you can decide what is right for you.  If you want to go the full route and hire a birth photographer, you need to start planning before your third trimester. These folks live off a beeper, and can only be in one place at one time. If you want to preserve memories with pictures and videos, but prefer a more private setting – then ask a loved one or a good friend (a very good friend) to handle the pictures and videography for you.

One thing that I, as an experienced mother, would advise is to bring some make-up and hair accessories to the hospital, along with an attractive shirt so that you can get some stunning shots of you and your baby in the hours and days that follow your first physical meeting. These will definitely be pictures and moments that you will treasure for the rest of your life. And, you only have one chance to make this happen.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.