Chandler, Arizona
Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
Blog
Birth Centers in Phoenix
Posted on September 30, 2016 at 1:37 PM |
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Did you know that there are six birth centers to choose from if you are a birthing family in the metro-Phoenix area in Arizona? Several of them offer Bradley Method classes on their calendar. We will be offering a series at Willow Midwife Center for Birth and Midwifery that starts in October. Please contact us if you would like to enroll. Here is a quick run-down of the options, listed in alphabetical order. Babymoon Inn 202 E. Morris Drive Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 314-7755
The Birth Haven
The Birth Nest at Caitlin Court 5622 W. Palmaire Ave Glendale, AZ 85301 623.748.7655
Blossom Birth and Wellness Center http://www.blossombirthcenter.com/ 2928 N. 18th Place Phoenix AZ 85016 (602) 256-7766 "Blossom Birth Center is a special place created to cultivate peace, love and healthy families. Blossom is an accredited birth center in Phoenix, Arizona where low risk, healthy pregnant women give birth naturally with midwives and a special Ob/Gyn with the heart of a midwife. Blossom is Licensed by the state of Arizona and accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC), as well as a member of the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC)." Willow Midwife Center for Birth andWellness
Women's Birth & Wellness Center http://www.yourazbirthcenter.com/ 504 W University Dr Mesa, AZ 85201 480-833-6582
Disclaimer: The material included in this blog post and on our website is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson |
Q&A with SPB: When is it time to go to our birth place?
Posted on September 21, 2016 at 7:47 PM |
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UPDATE: Fundraising for Willow WIsh
Posted on September 16, 2016 at 3:49 PM |
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Please join us to celebrate the GRAND OPENING Willow Midwife Center for Birth+Wellness Saturday, September 17, 2016 10:30 am - 3:00 pm Suite 136 Mesa, AZ 85210 Here is a preview of the silent auction: Little Boy Blue Basket: $300 Starting Bid: $50
Sugar+Spice Basket: $300.00 Starting Bid: $75.00
Modern Mommy Boutique Gift Basket - $150 Value Starting Bid: $40.00
Starting Bid: $40 Offered by
Lindsay Lutes
Birthing From Within Mentors Gift Basket -
$60.00 Starting Bid - $25.00
The Bradley Method® Instructors of AZ Gift
Basket $65.00 Starting Bid - $25.00
Babies R’Us Gift Basket - $65.00 Starting Bid - $25.00
Sweet Pea Births Gift Basket– $80.00 Starting Bid - $25.00
Golf Weekend - $500 Value Starting Bid: $125
Lactation Support Package - $180 Starting Bid: $45 Offered by Sarah Kankiewicz, CLE (Firefly Lactation Services)
Birth Journey Class - $200 Starting Bid: $50 Offered by Dianne Hamre (Doula Dianne) This
intensive one-day workshop will equip you with knowledge and skills that will
enhance your birth experience while making lasting memories. The ideal
time to take this workshop is in your 7th or 8th month of
pregnancy. CLASS
BENEFITS
Birth Doula Services - $500 Starting Bid: $125 Offered by Ashlee Witham (Essence Doula) Essence: the most significant element, quality or aspect of a
thing or a person. SUPPORT*RESPECT*EMPOWERMENT Ashlee Witham *Doula Services in PHX valley As your doula, I will support you during pregnancy and assist
you during childbirth and provide support to you and your family after birth of
your baby. Postpartum Doula Services - $240 Starting Bid: $60 8 Hours – Offered by Ashley Anders A postpartum doula provides evidenced based
information on things such as infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery
from birth, mother–baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care. A postpartum doula is there to help a new
family in those first days and weeks after bringing home a new baby. Research
shows that moms, dads and babies have an easier time with this transition if a
good support team is in place. In-Home Breastfeeding Consultation - $60 Starting Bid: $15 Offered by Sarah Kankiewicz, CLE (Firefly
Lactation Services) Labor+Birth Photography - $400
Starting Bid: $100 Offered by Rebecca Turrigiano (Loving Touch
Doulas) Being
passionate about all things birth related, I am excited to be able to
offer this service to both my doula clients and also families simply wanting to
capture this special time on film. I pride myself in knowing when to capture
these moments, and am happiest when my clients haven’t even realized that I was
even taking the shots I did! Having a background in fashion, film and T.V, I
bring a very unique prospective to your photos. The shots I capture also
respect the birthing Mom’s dignity and doesn’t feel intrusive during private
moments between partners. I am always honored to be invited into such a private
moment. Description
of Services
Naturopath Visit - $200 Starting Bid: $50 Offered by True Harmony Wellness Center Spa Gift Certificate - $80 Starting Bid: $20 Offered by True Harmony Wellness Center Mini Maternity Session - $175 Starting Bid: $45 Offered by Aimee Sugar Photography Essential Oil Introductory Kit - $35 Starting Bid: $10 Offered
by Aimee Sugar Starting Bid: $45 Offered by The
Pampered Belly Placenta
Encapsulation Placenta
Print Raw Belly Cast - $75 Starting Bid: $20 Offered by The
Pampered Belly Magikarp Blanket - $75 Starting Bid: $20 Offered by
Hookin’ for Rent Some last minute additions - will have more info at tomorrow's event!! Photo Session – Starting Bid: Offered by
Rala Photography Nutrition Consultation – Starting Bid: Offered by
Baby Bloom Nutrition Therapy Session – Starting Bid: Offered by
OSS Physical Therapy I hope to see you at tomorrow's event. Come look for me upstairs - I will be at the silent auction sign-in table :) |
Coming Soon: Willow Midwife Center for Birth and Wellness
Posted on September 2, 2016 at 10:44 AM |
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Please join us to celebrate the GRAND OPENING of Willow Midwife Center for Birth and Wellness Saturday, September 17, 2016 10:30 am - 3:00 pm 2045 S. Vineyard Suite 136 Mesa, AZ 85210 The midwives who own Willow would like to be able to provide for families who cannot afford the fee for a birth center birth. To make that wish come true, they are starting a foundation called Willow Wish. Please come out to support the birth center and to bid on the items that have been donated for their fundraising efforts: IVF treatment (sans human parts) from IVF Phoenix Photography by Rebecca Turrigiano Photography by Amanda LaRussa Eyelash extensions by Erin Rudd Birth Doula services by Ashlee Witham Postpartum Doula services donated by three different doulas:
Placenta Encapsulation services by Michelle Ludwig Birth Journey class with Dianne Hamre Childbirth class series with Saundra Rozenboom Lactation package with Sarah Kankiewicz Pregnancy+Postpartum package with Stacy LePert: Belly cast (raw), placenta encapsulation, placenta print, and a gift certificate to use towards a crochet keepsake Mama Pampering Gift Basket from Arizona Birthing From Within instructors (will include one set of Amorini Silver Nipple Soothers) Mama Pampering Gift Basket from Arizona Bradley Method Instructors (will include one set of Amorini Silver Nipple Soothers) Mama Pampering Gift Basket from Arizona Doulas And of course... a Sweet Pea Births swag basket! We still have more donations coming in...so stay tuned! I hope to see you to celebrate and congratulate Belinda Hodder, CNM and Diane Ortega, CNM as they open their doors to provide another option for evidence-based, respectful pregnancy, postpartum and well-woman care in Arizona. Disclaimer: The material included in this blog is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional
medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider
to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own
situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and
Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the
consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain
information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is
not the official website of Birthing From Within or The Bradley Method®. The
views contained in this video and on our blog do not necessarily reflect those
of Birthing From Within, The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of
Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson |
Q&A with SPB: Mother's Milk Bank of CO Donation and Outreach Center in Phoenix, AZ
Posted on August 2, 2016 at 8:59 AM |
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I am happy to kick-off our 2016 Breastfeeding Edition of Q&A with SPB with a very special announcement from The Milk Spot, a local lactation support resource, located in Phoenix, Arizona:
Mothers will undergo a screening process, and once they are accepted, their milk can be received and transferred to regional NICUs. Learn more about milk donation at the INFO NIGHT at The Milk Spot, this Wednesday, August 3, 2016: We will be there live, broadcasting on Periscope. Be sure to follow our twitter handle, @sweetpeabirths, for exclusive access to this launch and info meeting. Michelle Hottya, IBCLC will be sharing information, answering questions, and facilitating a forum with area IBCLCs who work in the NICU. We will be able to hear the impact stories of babies fed with precious mother's milk. See you there or see you online! Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Inside Look: Babymoon Inn
Posted on August 2, 2016 at 7:31 AM |
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It is our pleasure to introduce you to the Babymoon Inn, one
of the Phoenix area local birth centers. We have enjoyed getting to know the
director, Julia Hall, through her support of The Bradley Method® events, as
well as other local events where we have been vendors together. We have had students from our classes birth
there, as well as receive postpartum support through Babymoon’s various
breastfeeding and family support meetings offered throughout the week. The
support meetings are open to all families in the community, regardless of
whether or not they birthed at Babymoon Inn.
We are so grateful to Julia’s commitment to create a community that
supports and enriches a family through pregnancy, birth, and into the
childbearing year. FYI: As of Spring
2016, one of our Bradley Method® colleagues is offering the Bradley™ 12-week
childbirth preparation series at Babymoon Inn.
I hope you enjoy this month’s exclusive INSIDE LOOK at the
Babymoon Inn. I want to offer huge
thanks to Julia for taking the time to give our readers a peek into the
beautiful birth center located in Central Phoenix. Babymoon Inn is a freestanding accredited birth center and full-scope midwifery practice, offering GYN and well-woman care in addition to prenatal care. Families who come to us can choose to birth in our birth center or at the hospital with a Babymoon Inn midwife. We also offer doula services, prenatal massage, in-house chiropractic care, and an original Lamaze childbirth preparation series. Who are the care providers at Babymoon Inn? Babymoon’s care providers are certified nurse-midwives. What kind of families does Babymoon Inn serve? Babymoon welcomes ALL families. We serve families from all areas and all backgrounds and all walks of life. The common element among all of our families is that they are well-researched, they are informed about their choices, and they want to be active participants in their care. What range of services does Babymoon Inn provide for the childbearing
year and beyond? Is there anything you do not provide for? Babymoon believes in holistic, patient-centered care and we aim to provide all of these services from the comfort of our office. We offer prenatal care with extended appointment times, chiropractic care, prenatal massage, doula support, Lamaze childbirth preparation classes, an orientation group led by our registered dietitian, and two group prenatal appointments. After baby arrives, we offer three weekly support groups for babies of various ages, lactation support, a postpartum group appointment complete with newborn photos, and two appointments with a midwife. We screen for postpartum depression twice within the first six weeks after birth and continue to follow up with our mamas through our weekly Inn Mommies support group. We offer a wide variety of community-building activities, such as weekly music classes, clothing swaps, crafting events for both moms and children, a monthly lecture series, and our famous annual cookie exchange every December! What makes Babymoon Inn unique? We are a team of healthcare consumers AND healthcare providers who are committed to listening to feedback from our clients to give the most well-rounded, patient-centered experience. We’ve grown our practice to offer a wide range of services based on what our families have requested, and we strive to meet each client wherever she is in her journey. What motivated you to start Babymoon Inn? My passion was ignited by my own experience as a mother receiving traditional obstetrical care in the medical model and then the stark contrast to the midwifery model of care, where I was an active participant in the process. Based on my own experiences and how I felt under each model of care, it became my life’s goal to make sure every woman who walks through our doors has a voice and leaves feeling empowered and supported. She will know her voice matters. Is there anything else our readers should know about Babymoon Inn or
the care providers? We don’t believe in one kind of birth experience. You can have your baby in the birth center, in the hospital, with an epidural, unmedicated, by yourself, or with your entire family present. We are not here to dictate your birth; we are here to facilitate it and be a partner in your care What inspires you? The families who allow us to be a part of their journey during such a beautiful and miraculous time of life inspire me every day. Would you like more information about a birth journey with
Babymoon Inn? You can also see the calendar of events available to the Phoenix community by visiting their website. Babymoon Inn PHONE: 602.314.7755 EMAIL: [email protected] Office (appointments and tours) 202 E. Morris Drive Phoenix, AZ 85012 The Nest (classes and activities) 220 E. Lexington Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85012 Disclaimer: The material included in this blog is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Inside Look: The Milk Spot
Posted on July 21, 2016 at 8:30 AM |
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This month, I would like to introduce you to The Milk Spot, a
growing lactation clinic conveniently located in Central Phoenix. The Milk Spot offers support groups and
breastfeeding classes, as well as private consultations with the gold standard
in lactation care, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
(“IBCLC”). Big thanks to Michelle Hottya, IBCLC, for taking the time to
do our interview so we can give you the INSIDE LOOK into The Milk Spot! Who
are The Milk Spot care providers? Michelle Hottya, IBCLC, RLC, CD(DONA) Nichelle Whitehead, MD FACOG Jacqueline Norris, CBC, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA) What
kind of families does The Milk Spot serve? We serve the diverse community of the metro
Phoenix area. Families come from all over Central Arizona to get help with
breastfeeding in our convenient, central location. We work with first-time
parents, growing families, clients with history of breast surgery and fertility
treatments, low-supply, oversupply, tongue and lip ties among other concerns.
Our practice is LGBT-friendly. What
range of services does The Milk Spot provide? Is there anything you do not
provide for? The Milk Spot provides private, in-person
lactation consultations with an IBCLC, monthly breastfeeding classes, weekly
support group and free weight checks. The Milk Spot does not yet offer pump
rentals or sales, but stay tuned for future announcements of added services! What
makes The Milk Spot unique? The Milk Spot is a warm, welcoming environment
for new families to get needed support in the postpartum period. Parents love
our weekly support group where lasting friendships have bloomed into toddler
playgroups and Parents' Nights Out. We are located adjacent to Blossom Birth
Center, so we enjoy a close relationship with the midwives, but we welcome
clients from any practice and birth location, and respect their
provider/patient relationships. What
motivated you to start The Milk Spot? The Milk Spot has been offering breastfeeding
classes and support groups since 2011. To complement those services, we wanted
to provide a lactation clinic in central Phoenix, with the added benefits of
insurance billing and affordable rates. The potential for the clinic will grow
from there! Is
there anything else our readers should know about this you or The Milk Spot? We welcome your questions and we are happy to
discuss your options over the phone! What
inspires you? I am inspired by the happy smiles and look of
relief on the clients' faces when they get the help they needed to give them a plan
and a method to improve their breastfeeding relationship. Breastfeeding is
important to them, and I will do whatever I can to help them get to their
goals! Monthly Calendar HERE Contact The Milk Spot: (602) 529-5159 Office: 2922 N 18
Place, Phoenix, AZ Have you had a great experience with Michelle and/or The Milk Spot? Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and
posted. Disclaimer: The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
To Eat or Not To Eat…
Posted on November 5, 2015 at 8:07 AM |
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We love it when science catches up to Dr. Bradley. Anecdotally, we could tell students that it was safer to eat before/during labor since anesthesia has changed from the days of "knock'em out, drag 'em out" birth, as Dr. Bradley called it. Women used to be under general anesthesia, which is administered differently than today's spinal or epidural blocks. We are so excited to update this post (and our class info!) with a press release from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA):
Now...how long will it take for hospital protocols to change and reflect these recommendations from ASA? As we found out the hard way, sometimes the doctor approves something but if it is not in writing and signed off on the birth plan, it probably isn't going to happen in the hospital setting. The nurse will follow the hospital protocol or they may invent their own interpretation if none exists to cover their liability. If you are going to have a hospital birth, I have a strong opinion about getting your wish list signed so that the nursing staff has “permission” to “break the rules” if they feel that something you are requesting is out of the ordinary. Maybe you could ask for a copy of the ASA press release to be included in your chart that goes to the hospital. Dr. Bradley always advocated that a healthy mom should eat if she is hungry and drink if she is thirsty. As he said, “Birthing is like playing a full game of football without any substitutions.” He recognized that labor is an athletic event, and that a well-nourished athlete would perform better than a hungry one.
A Note About Hospitals and Nourishment If you are having a hospital birth, you need to find out how your care provider feels about nourishment during labor, even with this announcement by the ASA. If your care provider is on board with mom eating and drinking as her body directs, great! Get it into your birth plan, aka "wish list", that you have permission to eat and drink. If they restrict intake, you need to think about your options. You may question whether or not your care provider is truly supportive of your plans for a natural birth. You should also ask what the hospital policy is on food and drink during labor when you do your hospital tour. It helps to know what kind of potential situations you may be facing so you can avoid stress-inducing encounters during labor. The potential conflict between a laboring mother’s needs for nourishment and her care provider or hospital protocol comes from the days when general anesthesia was standard for hospital births. There was a very real danger of a mom “aspirating”, meaning that food or drink the mom had consumed before labor would be regurgitated and accidently enter the trachea and lungs, creating a life-threatening condition to mother and baby. [See reference 1]
Although very few women have births under general anesthesia nowadays, the practice of restricting food and drink still persists. You may hear it called “NPO”, which stands for the Latin, “non per os”, meaning nothing by mouth. With the press release from the ASA, we can keep our fingers crossed that hospitals will start to change their practice protocols. In the past, it was likely that you would only be allowed ice chips if you opted for an epidural. The chance of needing general anesthesia was within the realm of possibility since some moms and babies “crash” after the epidural dose is dispensed. As with all labor interventions, you don’t know how you will react until it’s administered. Although it’s a small percentage of women that have life-threatening complications, the prospect of the drugs dropping your heart rate, blood pressure or respiration to dangerously low levels exists once they are in your bloodstream. In the instance of a “crash”, you would need general anesthesia to perform an emergency cesarean to save your or your baby’s life, thus your nourishment options become limited to ice. Eating and Drinking During Labor Have your refrigerator stocked with your favorite healthful foods and/or meals as you near your estimated due date. Labor is a funny thing – you never know what your body is going to like. If you think you are in labor, you can go through Dr. Bradley’s list of things to do to see if you are in pre-labor (contractions slow down or stop) or actual labor (contractions continue at same pace or get closer and harder despite the change in position or activity). To "test" for labor, he suggests that a woman should eat, drink, go for a walk, shower and nap – in that order. When you start with the “eat” part of the list, it will be more satisfying to eat something you really enjoy. If you are not in labor, at least you ate something you like and you can move on with your day with a tummy-full of your particular “comfort food”. If you are in labor, then you have eaten something that is fueling your body for the labor. It will put you in a good frame of mind if you ate something that is a favorite and you create a positive emotional state. The best drink during labor is water. Water is a key to staying hydrated and avoiding the slippery slope of interventions. A hydrated body has the energy for the work of labor. Ample water also allows for effective hormone distribution throughout the body: the chemicals and hormones being made to stimulate and progress labor are able to circulate freely. If you have a longer labor, consider an electrolyte replacement: trace minerals added to the water you are drinking, Emergen-C makes a powder, or coconut milk is a "natural" version of sports drinks. Dehydration causes a spike in temperature and blood pressure, while at the same time depleting your energy by as much as 30%. Can you see that simple dehydration can also be interpreted as the mom being “in distress”? Your care team will not want to take a chance of making the wrong call, so they are likely to intervene or suggest drastic measures to “save” mom and baby. Whether you are laboring at home, a hospital or birth center, small-portioned, protein rich snacks are nice to have on hand. As your labor progresses, a laboring woman’s appetite will naturally decrease as the body shuts down other functions such as digestion to allow for full focus on the progression of labor and birth. Here are some foods that we and other students have found useful for quick energy boosts when mom doesn’t have the desire to eat a full meal. These snacks are also handy for the coach to get the energy boost he needs to be a great support person for mom. We don’t want hungry, cranky coaches during labor!!
- Handful of nuts. If you have a favorite nut (besides your coach-lol), bring some with you. You can eat 1 or 10, whatever you are in the mood for. I like nuts because you get the energy boost in whatever quantity you are in the mood to chew and swallow. Trader Joe’s sells packages nuts in handy single serve packets. I usually eat 2 or 3 pieces, and Bruss would finish off the bag for his energy boost. - Banana. Another source of potassium that is portable and easy to eat. To prevent a sugar burst, pair this with a cheese stick to balance out the carbs. - Single serve smoothies or juice drinks. I am thinking along the lines of Stonyfield Farm Smoothies or Drinkable Yogurts for a liquid protein boost, or the Odwalla line of Protein Beverages. It’s a little sip of something sweet with carbs that still offers a protein source for energy. As you noticed from the list, some of these foods need refrigeration or a heating source. These are considerations if you are having a hospital birth. It stands to reason that if you will not have access to a refrigerator or microwave, the items that won’t stay cool with an ice pack or the foods that need to be heated need to left out of the cooler. The bottom line: eat to appetite and drink to thirst for the best labor possible! I hope this list gives some ideas with which you can fill your refrigerator or cooler. What did you eat during your labor? Disclaimer: It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. References: [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_aspiration [2] http://www.honey.com/nhb/benefits/natural-energy/ |
Patient Rights
Posted on September 25, 2015 at 9:39 AM |
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What is natural birth?
Posted on September 4, 2015 at 9:37 AM |
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The night we started our seventh Bradley Method®
class series in December 2011 played out like all other "first nights" of class. I am on edge all day long. I get nervous before our students
arrive: What if I forget anything? Will they like our class? Will our class run smoothly? What if I leave something I need for class at home? It made me pause and think for a moment. My short answer in class was, “Well, I guess
that depends on the person and their definition of natural birth.”
I pondered that question all night. Up until three months before that class, I would have said
that we had three natural births and were preparing for our fourth. And then we had our home birth experience,
which re-defined “natural birth” for me.
It turned out to be the most natural birth experience we had.
I can’t say our hospital births were completely intervention
free since we were always poked and prodded by something or someone. Heck, they weren’t even “un-medicated” – I
was administered some kind of medication with each one. With Puma, I had penicillin, Pitocin and an
episiotomy; I had penicillin with Night Owl; and penicillin and Pitocin with Charger. We did achieve three epidural-free vaginal births
with a very supportive OB, though, and for that I am grateful.
Otter’s birth gave us a new definition of “natural”. Here are all the things we DID NOT experience
during our low-risk home birth: - A transfer from our home to another location during active
labor - Forms to fill out - A wait in the triage area with other families in varying
states of apprehension - Vaginal exams to check the progress of labor - Heparin lock for access to veins “just in case” - Electronic fetal monitoring - Mommy-monitoring
Nurse coming in to check vitals - Calls to the doctor to report on my “progress” - Restriction of food or drink - Beeping sounds and hospital smells that inhibit rest or
sleep - Time on back for the convenience of the hospital staff - Episiotomy
Our midwives were called when my water broke and they came
to see how we were doing. The baby was
low and things seemed to be progressing, so they stayed. To this day I do not know what the deciding
factor in their staying was when our labor hit the start-stop mode…I do know I
am grateful that they didn’t leave us. I
would have felt like another “failure to progress” and who knows what that
would have done to my emotional state and our labor. (Click here for our homebirth story.)
At first, they checked on us every thirty minutes. They would monitor the baby with a Doptone to
assess her heart rate, and they would check my blood pressure to see how I was
doing. When it was clear that we were
both handling the labor well, they checked on us with less frequency while
still maintaining a trained eye on us to judge our fitness and make sure we
were still low-risk and doing well.
They asked questions.
They let me eat. They made sure I
was drinking. They checked in with Bruss
to see how he was doing and how he thought I was doing. They offered moral support and encouragement
that everything was fine although we were clearly not going to be one of those families
who can say their homebirth was their shortest labor. In an ironic twist of fate – this happened to
be our longest labor, and we were so grateful to be at home with trained care
providers who allowed my body and our baby the time they needed to figure out
the process and have a healthy mom, healthy baby outcome.
So now we know what all the possibilities are when a person
imagines “natural birth”. A woman and
her partner work together to welcome their child, free of interference or
invasive probing, supported by a team that completely believes in your
abilities and will help you welcome your baby gently and lovingly into the
world. It makes me wish that there were
no pregnancy complications so that every woman could have a gentle birth.
The reality is that the majority of our students coming
through class are just like we were with our first baby. They believe that a hospital is the safest
place to give birth and that an OB is the only person qualified to safely
deliver your baby. It would be irresponsible
to have a baby at home, outside of the “safety net” if something were to go
wrong.
I am so grateful that now there are many more Certified
Nurse Midwives ("CNM") working in hospitals.
They provide the level of belief in the natural process that we found at
our home birth, while still working at the hospital setting in which most people
feel comfortable.
If a student’s care practice does not offer midwifery care,
I hope that like us, they will find a supportive OB who respects their
proactive approach to achieving a natural birth and helps them find a way to
have the birth experience they want in the hospital. We have a very tender spot in our hearts for
our OB. Not only did she deliver our
biggest baby without an episiotomy, she also helped us have our most natural
hospital birth because she believed in our ability to birth.
There is also another option available to families in the Phoenix area. We now have several birth centers. Birth centers strive to be the happy medium between home and hospital for families that want to have the "compromise option". They can offer a more relaxed atmosphere similar to the home environment, and some provide medical options at the center that would not be present in a home birth. I feel it is our role as Bradley Method® instructors to help
every couple achieve the best birth possible for their children with a healthy
mom, healthy baby outcome. “Natural
birth” will be different for each of them based on their pregnancy and their
choices. What can you "control" in the childbearing year? A couple will probably have more options availabel to them in labor if the mother has good nutrition, maintains a daily exercise regimen to tone their back, belly and
bottom, and does some form of exercise for stamina. By attending classes every week they learn a
new relaxation technique that they can put in their labor toolbox. We explore many, many options available to
birthing couples today. What can you influence during the childbearing year? We work on
communication every class so that the couple is prepared to respectfully ask questions of their care
provider if they feel something they recommend goes against their dream of a natural birth, or to better understand their recommendations so that
they can make an informed decision. The choice of care provider will also play a role in the way to birth plays out - are you getting red flags during your prenatal visits? Do not ignore them - ask around and find the provider that respects your rights and your knowledge as a birthing parent of *your* child. They may be the expert in birth; you are the only one that knows your baby. Beyond that, the rest is up to what we would call God, or a Higher Power; some people call it Fate...whatever the belief system, we encourage our students to focus beyond the "how" of their birth story: - What will you learn from this birth journey? - Where will the transformation from Maiden to Mother happen for the woman? Where will the transformation from Stag to Father happen for the partner? - How will your partner disappoing you? How will they rise to the occassion, and maybe even surprise you? - What was your most brilliant moment? We look forward to sharing the information taught in Bradley
Method® classes with our students. We strive
to equip them with the tools they need to assess situations that present
themselves in pregnancy and labor. When we hear that a baby is born and nurses
readily at the breast, we know those parents worked together to achieve the
ultimate Bradley Method® outcome: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby. What does "natural birth" mean to you? Disclaimer: The
material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
We are now enrolling for our Spring 2016 Series For more information or to register, please call us at 602-684-6567 or email us at |
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