May Baby Rush 2012 – Second Arrival!

Posted on May 19, 2012 by heidi

This little one was actually fifth in the line-up but decided it was her turn and she wanted to come second. The first birth this week I was heading to the hospital at 2am and was home just after 5am – I know, fast! This time I hit the hospital at 3am and was home just after 6am. Same room even, beautiful births both times! Despite her earlier than anticipated arrival this sweet girl was adorably chubby with a head of thick, wavy dark hair. Her parents’ joy at first seeing her face brought tears to my eye – and her big sister was eager to race over and meet her despite the early hour! Welcome to the world, Little One!!

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Baby’s Second Night

Posted on May 18, 2012 by heidi

This is a sweet & simple explanation for why your baby seems to wake up the second day and want to stay on your breast continuously! This would be excellent to include in your doula client paperwork, and something expectant parents would benefit from reading in advance (and probably re-reading that second day!)

Baby’s Second Night

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May Baby Rush 2012 – First Arrival!

Posted on May 17, 2012 by heidi

I think this moment, the first time you hold your baby snuggled against your chest, is forever captured in our memories as mothers. Whether it’s immediately after birth or a bit later (as it sometimes necessary due to circumstances) we treasure that moment.


This little one had us all guessing for weeks about when he would decide to arrive. He took his sweet time but when it was time, he came in a rush! Thankfully the roads are empty at 2am and I made it before he did. :) The doctor, on the other hand, almost didn’t make it!

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Story Behind the Photo

Posted on May 16, 2012 by heidi

This little girl was welcomed into the world absolutely surrounded by loving family – grandmothers, aunts, grandpa, dad, and a fantastic care team. I most remember from this birth the laughter and smiles as the mom heroically pushed her beautiful baby out – amidst much cheering! This image is the new baby clutching tightly to her grandmother’s finger just before she received her first bath from grandmom, while mom and dad watched and rested.

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Birth Support After Trauma (Tips for Doulas)

Posted on May 14, 2012 by heidi

Originally posted May 2011:

Update: I’m reading When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Early Sexual Abuse on Childbearing Women and it’s fantastic – I think every childbirth professional (educator, doula, etc) should read this!! It’s very, very well done.

When a woman has experienced trauma in her past it’s important for all of her care team (OB, midwife, doula, partner) to be aware of and sensitive to this issue. Trauma can include a history with domestic or sexual abuse, assaults, prior traumatic births, a miscarriage or loss of an infant, etc. These are issues that ideally a woman will be comfortable telling her care team about but she may NOT be comfortable sharing (and probably not something she’ll want to share with the variety of medical staff members that may come into her room and/or want to examine her.) Those aware of her previous traumas (doula, partner) will need to respect her privacy while also advocating for her – if she is not comfortable with vaginal exams from anyone besides her primary care provider, this needs to be shared with the L&D nurses or on call doctors, for example. If she’s not able to express that need, her partner and/or doula need to make sure her wishes are respected. (If there are extenuating/emergency circumstances that necessitate things like immediate exams then the partner/doula need to turn their attention to helping her cope with the unexpected.) Continue reading →

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Inspiration

Posted on May 13, 2012 by heidi

It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.
— Mother Theresa

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Consumer Report on Birth!

Posted on May 11, 2012 by heidi

Here’s their report on the ten things to avoid and the ten things to get during your birth. I love it! Especially this part:

“Get labor support. Women who receive continuous support are in labor for shorter periods and are less likely to need intervention. The most effective support comes from someone who is not a member of the hospital staff and is not in your social network—a doula, or trained birth assistant, for example—according to a systematic review of 21 studies involving more than 15,000 women in a range of circumstances and settings. Ask your provider for a referral, and see if your insurance company will cover doula care.”

WHAT TO REJECT:
1. Cesareans for low risk births.
2. Repeat cesareans (explore VBAC option)
3. Elective early delivery (medicaid will not pay for inductions before 39 weeks without medical cause.)
4. Induction without medical reason (dramatically increases your risk of cesarean.)
5. Ultrasounds after 24 weeks without medical reason.
6. Continuos electronic fetal monitoring.
7. Early epidurals.
8. Breaking your water.
9. Episiotomies.
10. Sending baby to the nursery.

WHAT TO SEEK OUT:
1. Confirm your due date early (to avoid early inductions/unnecessary interventions at the end of pregnancy.)
2. Make a birth plan – and a back up for alternate scenarios.
3. Use a midwife.
4. If you are at risk considering 17-P shots (for former preemie moms.)
5. Consider an external version to turn breech babies (but first try chiropractic care and Spinning Babies!! That addition is from me.)
6. Stay at home in early labor.
7. Be patient – labor takes time!
8. Hire a doula.
9. Listen to your body, and seek out comfort techniques.
10. Skin-to-skin with your newborn as much as possible (not just immediately after birth.)

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Cesarean Rates for Texas

Posted on May 11, 2012 by heidi

2010 rates here.

As you can see here in the metroplex the hospitals with the highest cesarean rates are:

Presby Plano – 49.3%
Las Colinas 45.3%
Medical City Dallas 44.6%
Presby Dallas 43.8%
Presby Allen 42%
Baylor Grapevine 41.8%
Baylor Frisco 39.1%

Sadly I am not surprised at any of those, as they are known for being quick to induced, get moms on pitocin if they are “taking too long” and only one of those has a doctor on staff known for being VBAC supportive (the last one.)

The cesarean rates for the three hospitals I hear most often listed as being natural birth friendly in the metroplex:

Harris Methodist in Fort Worth – 36%
Presby Denton 33.9%
Baylor University Medical Center – not listed, oddly enough! I see University Medical Centers and that may be them, in which case the rate is 21.3%.

Interesting enough Harris and Baylor both have incredibly high risk cases with perinatologists on staff and large level III NICUs (Harris works with Cook Children’s for their NICU care.) And yet even as they are fantastic with those high risk cases, both hospitals also have midwives on staff and allow waterbirths for those moms wanting low intervention births. Denton also has a level III NICU but it’s much smaller, and they allow a tub for labor but not birth.

For those situations in which a cesarean is necessary then of course you want to be at a care facility with a really wonderful surgeon and excellent anesthesiologist. But if you are anticipating a vaginal birth then look closely at all of your options. A hospital with a cesarean rate near 50% is beyond concerning – it’s frightening.

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Peanut Ball and Epidurals (Tips for Doulas)

Posted on May 10, 2012 by heidi

You’ve probably seen a yoga or “birth ball” – they come in a variety of sizes (usually 55cm up through 75cms) and can be purchased at Target for under $10. They’re fantastic for assisting in various positions in pregnancy and labor. A peanut ball is similar but instead of being round it’s squished flat and longer – like a peanut!

One study found that putting a peanut ball between a mother’s legs when she had an epidural opened up her pelvis and had significant results:

The results were compelling. Those who used the ball decreased the first stage of labor by nearly 90 minutes and the second stage by 23 minutes compared with a control group that did not use the ball.

The real payoff came through lower C-section rates. The C-section rate for the group of women who used the ball was 13 percentage points less than for the group that did not use the peanut ball.

Your hospital may not have a peanut ball but it’s something I plan to invest in and keep in my car just in case. Moms, if you know you plan to have an epidural then go order a peanut ball! Here are some options Isokinetics Inc. Brand Peanut Exercise Balls – Anti-Burst – 4 Sizes

Read more: Article here.

This is the side lying position demonstrated:

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Bloggers for Birth Kits

Posted on May 9, 2012 by heidi

The Mommyhood Memos Bloggers for Birth KitsBloggers for Birth Kits is a charity program creating birth kits for women in rural Papua New Guinea, where the rate of maternal death is 1 in 7.

Puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?

You can donate online here (charges are in Australian dollars, don’t worry – your credit card will convert it for you!)

What other charities have you supported to support mother-child health? Last year we donated to Every Mother Counts – another great one!

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