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Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
Blog
Doula Services
| Posted on February 21, 2017 at 9:55 AM |
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 More and more people are thinking about using doulas or making space in their birth budget for doula care. Doulas are a great resource and can be a huge asset when it comes to preparing for the birth journey. My favorite analogy is that they are tour guides - they have been on the birth journey before and can point out the major landmarks and the subtle nuances. It's up to you to decide how to use that information to have your best possible birth given the circumstances.Here are some things we share with our students when they are thinking about hiring a doula: ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL Doulas comes in a huge variety - there is no one right way to be a good doula. Be sure to interview at least 2-3 so you can get a feel for their personality. Most are happy to do a preliminary phone interview. If that goes well, schedule an in-person meet and greet. We ask our students to consider if they can see themselves naked in front of the person they hire...because it may just happen and if it does, you don't want to have to think about it - you just want to be able to do whatever you need to do to birth your sweet pea. BASIC SERVICES Standard doula care typically includes 2-3 prenatal visits, assistance through your birth, and 1-2 postpartum visits. Prenatal visits last anywhere from 1-2 hours, give or take. They are intended to help you and your doula get on the same page about your birth wishes, offer some time for childbirth preparation, and also have time to talk through what your wishes are if things start to move away from your plan. Birth support typically includes being on call for you 24/7 from 2 weeks before to two weeks after your due date. Doulas will not typically take on clients if they have a vacation planned within that window - they want to be there for you and that four-week window is a commitment they make to be available when you need them. You will decide during your pre-natal visits when you will be calling them. Some families want support while they labor at home, others only want labor support at the birth place. If you are having a home birth, then you will want to talk to your doula about their communication with the rest of the birth team. Again, there is no right or wrong way to use a doula - you hire them to support you in the way that you want to be supported. A doula will be with you when you are ready for labor support and will stay with you until your baby is born. Typically they stay for 2-3 hours after the birth to make sure you are settled in your recovery space at home or at the hospital, to make sure you eat something and that breastfeeding is off to a good start. Doulas are not necessarily lactation consultants; most do have basic training to help a MotherBaby get a good latch for the first feeding. Postpartum visits typically happen within a day or two of your sweet pea's birth, and then maybe one more at a week or two weeks postpartum to review your birth story and answer any questions you may have about your birth. While birth doulas have a different scope of practice than postpartum doulas, some may offer to prepare food or do a load of laundry or clean a bathroom, etc., while they are there. ADD-ON SERVICES In this day and age, many doulas offer more than birth preparation and support. Here are some of the different services doulas may also offer: Prenatal massage Reiki Maternity photography Birth Photography Newborn Photography Placenta Encapsulation Belly Binding Postpartum Care Packages Herbal Teas + Tinctures IBCLC Lactation Services PRICING Doulas have a lot to consider when they set the fee for their service. They have spent hours and money on training. Some continue to take classes every year to stay sharp and hone their skills. If they have children, they have to arrange and sometimes pay for childcare. Some carry liability insurance and have fees associated with maintaining a personal website. If they also offer childbirth education there are yearly dues with their certifying organization. If they are an accredited doula, they also have their yearly dues with their doula organization. In other words, it isn't free to be a doula! Doula services start around $400 and in some areas of the country range up to $2000 for their basic packages (prenatal visits, birth support, postpartum visits). Fees may vary based on their experience and added services that can be factored into their fee for a "one-stop shop" experience. Even if you don't think you can afford a doula, think about what you can offer. They can work for trade, barter, or exchange of other services. Some do offer a sliding scale or scholarship when they can - it never hurts to ask. Those of us who love birth work and believe in supporting families so that all mothers and babies have the opportunity to birth peacefully will work with you. Do not ask a doula to work for free - as I outlined above, doulas really can't if they are working to support their family. Even if a doula is new and "training" she has already invested in her skills in order to better support you. THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER Hiring a doula is a personal decision. The person that your sister or best friend loved may be a lovely person. However, that does not necessarily make them the best person to help you along on your birth journey. Take a minute to think about what you think your ideal labor support person is going to be: hands-on, hands-off? In charge? More of a guide? Involve the husband as a partner? Keep in mind that although The Bradley Method® places the wife and husband as equal partners in the birth process, not all birth partners want that mantle of responsibility. If your birth partner is saying they are not sure or they absolutely do not want to be in the middle of the action, explore how that works for you. Your doula will help you create a space that welcomes your sweet pea. Trust your instinct about what is right for your family and make the best of the birth journey that you and your baby need. What do you look for in a doula? Disclaimer:
Birthing From Within and Bradley
Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler,
Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale
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Meet the Doula: Ashley Anders
| Posted on October 7, 2016 at 10:36 AM |
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 Welcome to this month's installment of "Meet the Doula". This month I have the pleasure of introducing you to one of the Valley's postpartum doulas, Ashley Anders. I had the pleasure of meeting Ashley at an ICAN meeting last year, and I am happy to say we have kept in touch. She is honored to serve her families, and as such, Ashley is dedicated to furthering her own education so that she can better serve her clients. I hope you enjoy our feature with our October 2016 doula: Ashley! When was the first
time you heard the word, “doula”? I first heard the word doula years ago when I was talking
with a friend about supporting women in childbirth. How did you decide
that becoming a doula was part of your journey? Since I was little I wanted to be a Labor and Delivery
nurse, I loved supporting women and their families through one of the most
intimate times of their life, and watching them bring new lives into this
world, but quickly realized I didn't like the idea of having to leave my
patients to go to another patient, or leaving a shift before a baby was
born after being there her entire labor, or having to do all of the clinical
things. That is when I started researching to see if there was this
dream job out there of giving non-judgmental support to women and their
families before, during and after childbirth, and I came across birth and
postpartum doula! Are you a birth
and/or a postpartum doula? I am both a birth and postpartum doula, breastfeeding counselor
and newborn care specialist. Focusing most of my time
currently postpartum, breastfeeding and newborn care. How long have you
been a doula? I have been a doula just about 3 years. I am trained with
Childbirth International for birth, breastfeeding. I have also received
postpartum training, and trained with Newborn Care Solutions for my newborn
care specialist certification. I have supported single moms, moms on bed
rest, families that have a scheduled cesarean birth, unplanned cesarean
birth, teens, high risk, expected stillbirth, prematurity, twins and
triplets. What do you enjoy the
most about being a doula? For birth, I love that I am invited into the lives of
families expecting a baby. I love that I can build confidence in women
and their partners. Help them feel safe, protected and informed about the
birth experience and provide non judgmental support throughout their journey
into parenthood. For postpartum, I find that we often focus so much time
on pregnancy, and childbirth and forget that there is in fact a 4th
trimester. I enjoy helping everyone in the family transition into having
a new baby at home, if its baby #1 or baby #3. An extra set of hands to
help siblings adjust, help mom get a shower or a nap in, breastfeeding/bottle
feeding assistance, meal prep, and helping with all of the "is this
normal" questions I often get. Newborn care, infant brain
development, feeding, bathing, sleep conditioning, etc., are all things I love
to give information on to help clients make the best decisions for their
family! How do you work with
and involve the Coach? I make sure that we are working as a team. My job is never
to take the place of a partner or coach. I like to show and guide the
partners on things that they can do throughout labor to assist in the comfort
of the laboring mom, but also make them feel comfortable enough that they can
take a break, take a quick nap or grab something to eat and she will be
supported and never be left alone. What is the toughest
situation you have ever dealt with? How did you handle it? I would have to say that supporting a family through an
expected stillbirth was the toughest. She still had to give birth just
like any other laboring mother, but unfortunately had to say goodbye shortly
after her baby was born. It was hard! I cried alongside with them,
made sure that they had everything they needed and was just there for
them. The hospital was wonderful and provided the family with photos and
a box to remember him with. I joined them on the annual walk for infant
loss and continue to keep in touch with them. They were blessed with
their rainbow baby a year ago and I was honored to be by their side through the
birth of their second son. What keeps you
working as a doula? My family and my clients! I have the best :).
Hearing that I have found my calling, and that it is obvious that I love my job
and what I do, is so great to hear. I couldn't do this if I didn't have
the continued support from my husband. From day one he has supported me,
and pushed me to fulfill my dreams and I cant thank him enough! What does your fee
cover – how many visits or hours? Is there a different charge for a
shorter labor or longer labor? My birth fee includes 2 prenatal appointments where we will
discuss birth plan options, discuss postpartum care/plans and go over early
labor comfort measures. Your labor and birth, and up to 2 hours after, to
get you settled into your postpartum room, get you your first meal and make
sure that baby has had his/her first feeding. I will also schedule a time
within the first week to come and do a postpartum visit to talk through your
birth and make sure that feeding is going well and to answer any additional
questions you may have. Since birth is unpredictable there is not a different
charge if your labor were to go long or if you were to have a shorter
labor. Postpartum/Newborn care fees are hourly and I do
daytime and overnight care. Each contract can be fit to each client and
their needs. Do you offer any
other services to your clients? I offer breastfeeding support, it is included in my doula
packages, but I offer it separate if needed. Just for fun, what do
you do when you are not doula-ing? When I'm not doula-ing I'm sleeping! haha! I'm
also spending time with my husband and 2 kiddos: our daughter Tyler (11)
and our son Bennett (4), plus our 2 dogs Maddie and Oddie. We enjoy riding
bikes; mornings at the park, watching our daughter ride her horse, and just
spending quality time together with family and friends.  Love what you read?? Would you like to contact Ashley? Read more about Ashley and schedule a visit via DoulaMatch Phone: 480-457-9151 Email: [email protected] 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®. Sweet Pea Births offers 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: How do I find a care provider that supports natural birth?
| Posted on October 4, 2016 at 5:14 PM |
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 A question that came up in our Friday night class was, "How do we know if our doctor supports natural birth?" Here are some questions to ask to find out: Here are the questions with a little more detail: 1) How do you feel about natural birth? If you ask, "Do you support natural birth?" you will probably get a "yes" answer because they want your business and/or they want to make you happy. Asking "how do you feel about" gets them to talk more about their beliefs and basic understanding of how a natural birth works in a hospital setting. 2) What has been your experience with couples who want a natural birth? If you hear rave reviews, yeah! I offer a follow up question, "How many of your couples who prepare for a natural birth end up with what they wanted?" A vaginal birth rate of around 85% is typical for a provider that supports hands-off birthing...how many of those are unmedicated versus medicated depends on the practice. Some providers may be "natural birth tolerant", so while they don't practice a "hands off" approach, they also don't interfere when a couple is following a natural birth plan. They may have a more middle-of-the road, "we'll see how it goes" attitude when you ask this question. If the care provider is skeptical or outright dismissive, that is your sign that you may need to "break up" with your care provider. Even if it is the doctor your family has been going to for years. Check-in and ask what their vaginal and cesarean birth rates are for a follow-up question. If the cesarean birth rate is higher than 30%, your chances are much higher of receiving interventions than if your provider takes a "Wait and see" approach to the birth journey. 3) What do you recommend for natural birth preparation? If they have had patients have natural births before and/or if they are in touch with the birth community (childbirth educators, doulas), they may have an idea about what their patients in the past have used to prepare. If they give you a blank stare...red flag!! They really don't know what the options are...which may lead back to the question, "How many of your patients have had intentional natural births?" Speaking of red flags, here are the two red flag statements I teach to all our students:
Those phrases indicate that your provider has rules about how you are going to birth. If you fall out of their range of normal, which may or may not be evidence-based, you are going to be forced to birth their way. I encourage you to find out more about what "their way" means. If they are going to set time limits or set expectations, do your own research to see if their parameters are evidence-based or practice-based, i.e., "How did you determine that rule for your patients?" And you can also check the links below for some reliable research sources for evidence-based information about birth. Ideally, your provider will not set time limits or rules AS LONG AS mom is okay and baby is okay. As long as both appear to be doing well via monitoring and observation, then birth is probably progressing as it meant to be *for them*. Each birth is unique. If, God forbid, your birth has an unexpected variation or complication, you want to be sure that you trust your care provider explicitly. If they are in a situation where they need to make a life-saving choice for you and/or your baby, you want to know that you are hiring a person that works in alignment with your beliefs and your wishes. In closing, don't be afraid to trust your instinct. Find the care provider that makes sense for your family - there are no "do-overs" in birth. As you prepare to meet your Sweet Pea on their Birth-Day, choose a care provider choice that you trust and that trusts you back. Links for more reading: Taking charge of your maternity care Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Consumer Reports: What to REJECT when you are expecting Consumer Reports: Your biggest [cesarean birth] risk may be your hospital 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®. 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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 We get this question a lot, and it came up again when we taught class on Friday evening. The most common answer uses the acronym "5-1-1".When you have this pattern established:
...then it is probable that a change in activity is not going to slow down your labor. There are other variations of this...some providers will say 4-1-! (four minutes apart, lasting a minute and in this pattern for an hour), and I have even known some hospital-based midwives say 3-1-1 (three minutes apart, lasting a minute, and in this pattern for an hour). However:
So hopefully that gives you a little better idea of what to plan for when it's time for your Sweet Pea's Birth-Day!! Here is another video from our archives that you might like...it offers some suggestions to make that transition from home to birth place as smooth as possible in order to continue the good work you have started at home.
Do you have any "going to the hospital" tips to share? Please leave us a comment below! 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®. Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson |
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
 Postpartum Gift Basket – $150Starting 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 :) |
To Eat or Not To Eat…
| Posted on November 5, 2015 at 8:07 AM |
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 To eat or not to eat…That was the question for families planning a hospital birth. When you are laboring at home or a birth center, you have the freedom to eat as your appetite dictates. If you choose to have a hospital birth, you are at the mercy of your doctor’s orders and the nurse’s interpretation of the hospital protocol. 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!!
 - Honey sticks. According to honey.com, “Honey is also a rich source of carbohydrates, providing 17 grams per tablespoon, which makes it ideal for your working muscles since carbohydrates are the primary fuel the body uses for energy. Carbohydrates are necessary in the diet to help maintain muscle glycogen, also known as stored carbohydrates, which are the most important fuel source for athletes to help them keep going.” [2] - Trail mix. You get the nice variety of nuts, dried fruits and if you want, candy, in one bag. I found myself picking out my favorite nuts and fruits and snacking on them – literally one or two at a time – as we got into the active phase of first stage labor. - Protein bars or chews. Look for bars that are low in carbs and added sugars –the key is to provide an energy boost without an energy crash afterwards. We have had students that use the “PowerBar” brand Energy Bites, as well as Gel Blasts that are bite size energy foods.- 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.  - Popsicles. While working hard in labor, a popsicle can be refreshing. To prevent an energy crash, look for a brand that uses natural fruit as a sweetener instead of added sugars. Added bonus: you can also push it against the top of your palate to stimulate oxytocin production. - Applesauce cups. Provide potassium along with a little protein. The nice thing about applesauce is that while some people prefer them cold, they don’t need to be refrigerated. Again, look for naturally rather than artificially sweetened sauces.- 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.  - Soup or clear broth. Campbell’s came out with the “Soup at Hand Cups” that are single serve, portable and microwaveable. They were a God-send during our third birth. The nurse didn’t want me to eat “just in case”, but she was okay with me drinking – hence, I could drink my meal and stay nourished through our 34 hours at the hospital.- 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/ |
Natural Oxytocin Boosters
| Posted on October 23, 2015 at 9:27 AM |
comments (0)
|
 I am going to direct you to THIS article about how oxytocin helps to reduce stress and
promote peace. It's no surprise that oxytocin is
the same hormone that is released when we make love, arguably a great stress
reliever and a promoter of peace for couples. A lovely consequence of making love when the timing is right: welcome, baby, some 36+ weeks later!
In addition to being the “love” hormome, oxytocin is also produced in great
quantity when a woman is in labor. The
hard contractions can only happen if the woman’s body is producing ample
oxytocin. I find it so ironic that the physical
pain and the emotion of love are happening at the same time. That must be the combination
that makes natural birth possible, that helps bond us to our Sweet Peas, and why people sign up for the experience
more than once. I can honestly say that
I am really going to miss being in labor. Call me crazy! Anyway.
I wanted to call out their suggestions for non-medical ways to boost oxytocin
production and talk about how they may be options to consider while you are in
labor since the article was not birth specific.  Breastfeeding: If you have an older sibling who is nursing, you can nurse them during
labor. Nursing stimulates the
production of oxytocin, so I encourage you to be mindful of any contractions it
stimulates. You do not want to trigger
an early labor, so pay attention if you feel a pattern developing and it’s not
time for baby to make an appearance just yet. Touch: one of the cornerstones of The Bradley Method® is relaxation. Among the 11 specific relaxation techniques
that we teach during the course, two of them are massage and stroking. Even if a mother does not want to be spoken
to, a Coach can use those techniques. If
she doesn’t want that either, the simple act of holding her hand is listed as a
way to boost oxytocin. Daydream: Another relaxation technique
we teach is related to daydreaming. We
ask coaches to recount a past experience or a future dream that makes mother
feel like she is in her “happy place”. It might be a trip, an experience, dreams you have about your life as a family together...anything that is calming, encouraging and would elicit a smile.Oxytocin production in labor suggestions offered by Sweet Pea Births, instructor in the Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, PaysonPet you furry friend: One of the many
benefits of laboring at home. Do you
have a four-legged friend that wants to cuddle? Go for it! Love on them, speak in
gentle tones…it will be calming for both of you.  Pleasant smells: This one has the added
benefit of paying dividends at your birthplace. One of the suggestions we make in Bradley™ class is to eat your favorite
meal when you think you might be in labor. The other one is baking some yummy treats to share with your care
providers. Hopefully both of those
things will generate smells that you welcome in labor. Either way: you are producing oxytocin, mama
is well fed if it’s the beginning to have energy for the duration of labor, and
your care providers get treats. We found
that feeding them kept them happy and that always made for positive birth
experiences for us. Music: Mamas or Coaches can take the
time to generate a play list to use in their birth space. I have seen couples use a music app to
choose the music for them in labor – it saved them from the planning/organizing time at
the outset while still providing the music that was soothing to mama. Find something that works for you and
remember to put it on your packing list so the music makes it to your birth
space.
As I leave you with these ideas, I want to remind mamas and coaches that even if you are doing all of these things, labor cannot progress by oxytocin levels alone. One of the key components of birth is surrender. Do the things that boost your oxytocin and then let go, give in, and open up to the whole experience of labor and the birth journey. The best gift is at the end when you meet your baby – it is SO worth it!
Best wishes for your upcoming birth – we hope some of these natural oxytocin
boosters will help you stay on course with your wish list! Which one of these do you like and/or have you used? Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and posted. *I think* that the amount of traffic you so generously
generate has led to a lot of spam posting. In an effort to keep the spam
to a minimum, I am taking the time to moderate comments now.
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®. |
Patient Rights
| Posted on September 25, 2015 at 9:39 AM |
comments (3)
|
 Thank you to one of my colleagues, Rachel Davis, for
suggesting this topic. I originally shared this after one of our couples had an unplanned unassisted birth couple encountered in the
hospital, and they were not treated very kindly upon arriving or throughout their hospital stay. Most people would not expect their baby to be born at 35
weeks. In addition, they had not counted
on dealing with hospital protocols since they had planned a homebirth. The other situation they hadn’t planned on
was giving birth away from their community. They were familiar with their local hospital in northern Arizona - it was beyond their imagination that they would spend their first week of their child's life having to deal with a major hospital in central Phoenix.  Their situation underscores the importance of having a
well-thought out and written birth plan no matter what kind of birthplace you
have chosen. Wherever you are
planning to give birth, Bruss and I suggest that you think about writing two birth
plans. Write one for a normal, uncomplicated birth at your chosen birth place. Also consider writing one that has your wishes written down in the event of complications, and that
factors in hospital care if you are planning to birth at home or birth center.. Once you have
talked these out between yourselves and your care providers, write them down and have a copy handy at all times.You just never know how the birth journey will unfold…in the event of
unforeseen circumstances, your birth plan can act as a compass for your
decisions. It can also remind you of the
decisions you made when you took the time to research your options and when you
were not under pressure. You can then
evaluate the current situation with a little less emotion and a little more
reason. There are two sections to this post. First, I highlight the main points of your rights as a patient in the hospital. I encourage you to remember that you are the CONSUMER of health care, not a helpless being at the mercy of the staff. The second section reviews some basics of informed consent so that you have an idea of how to receive the right care for you after asking questions that other people have found helpful to gather complete information before accepting or declining treatment. PATIENT RIGHTS For a full Pregnant Patient and Obstetric Patient Bill of
Rights, I am going to refer you to a link on Doris Haire’s Alliance for the
Improvement of Maternity Services (AIMS): http://www.aimsusa.org/ppbr.htm One of the reasons so many of us feel pressured to make choices
against our instinct or desire for as natural experience as possible is that
sometimes information is relayed in such a way that implies that you are a bad
parent if you deny treatment to your child, or they imply that by not choosing
something you could harm your child. How
many parents are strong enough to follow their instinct with pressures like
time, fatigue and shock also factoring into the situation? Whether you are planning to give birth at home, in a birth
center, or a hospital, I encourage all pregnant mothers and their coaches to
become familiar with the AIMS Pregnant Patient Bill of Rights in the event that
you end up in a hospital for whatever reason.
I suggest that you print out the American Hospital Association's
"Patient's Bill of Rights," (http://www.patienttalk.info/AHA-Patient_Bill_of_Rights.htm) as well as the AIMS Pregnant Patient Bill
of Rights and bring them both with you in the event of a hospital visit during
your pregnancy and labor. I will summarize some of the points here and encourage
parents everywhere, that pregnant or not, if you are in a hospital, there is very little that you can be forced to do or take for yourself or your child. You have every right to ask and be told the
benefits and the risk of EVERYTHING they recommend as treatment, and you have
the right to refuse. These are what I chose to pull our from both of the Bill of Rights documents as your rights as a pregnant and an obstetric patient:
INFORMED CONSENT What is informed consent?
According to Doris Haire: "Most courts consider that the patient is
'informed' if the following information is given:
You can ascertain this information by asking questions. For a more comprehensive look at positive
communications and informed consent, refer to page 55 of The Bradley Method®
Student Workbook. I suggest that you start with questions that establish how
the mother and the baby are doing.
Always use names to remind the care providers that they are making
recommendations for another human being, not an ambiguous test case:
If both are well enough and there is time, then you can
continue with questions such as:
If the care provider agrees that Mother and Baby are well
enough to let labor proceed and let nature take her course, continue to trust
that Mother and Baby are working together and that you will be meeting your
baby in due course. You can address
other probable causes – is mom hydrated?
Is she emotionally ready and relaxed enough to accept her labor? Are you using the best positions in the
appropriate stage of labor to allow gravity and physiology to move things
along? If after asking this series of questions Mother and Coach
decide that further action is worth exploring, then you can continue with these
questions:
One of the reasons it is so important to take care when
choosing your care providers and medical facilities is that sometimes there
isn’t time to ask all these questions.
If Mother and Baby are already compromised and there is no time to ask
questions, you must trust that the care providers and the birthplace will do
the best for your family. Do you have
this level of trust with your care provider?
Do you have this level or trust with the birthplace? If you answered “no” to either of these
questions, it’s time to seriously consider making a change. Although true complications are rare, if you
are part of the small percentage, you want to ensure that you have the best chance
for a good outcome despite any complications that may arise. You have a couple of
options in a hospital setting in the event that you want to choose differently than your care
providers are recommending and/or if you feel like your concerns are not being
heard by your care provider.
There is no decision, big or small, that you will regret
making as long as you keep in mind Dr. Bradley’s ultimate outcome: Healthy Mom,
Healthy Baby. As long as your decisions
are made with the best results for these two people in mind, then you can find
peace of mind that you are making the right decision for you and your family. 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. 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®. |
What is natural birth?
| Posted on September 4, 2015 at 9:37 AM |
comments (2)
|
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?  The class went well, and we got a question that we have
never gotten before: “What is natural birth – is it anything that doesn’t end
in a C-section?”
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 |
Info Sheets: Gowning
| Posted on January 31, 2014 at 7:17 AM |
comments (0)
|
 *History Definition from MedTerms~
They can be used to cover the surgical patients and the bedridden. By design, hospital gowns are designed for easy access and
durability.
None of the sources I read mentioned using them for a
sanitary purpose in a modern hospital, as one might expect. The big emphasis was on the ease of access to
the patient by the care provider for treatment or cleaning, washability, and
durability. Especially in childbirth, why on earth would a laboring woman want to wear a gown used for something else by someone else, and that doesn’t come with a use history?? This list of pros and cons is a little different – it is one
of my own creation based on our knowledge as childbirth educators. No reference links this time! *PROS
*CONS
*Links for More Research I encourage you to question if you really want to wear the
hospital gown when you go to your birth place, if you are birthing outside your
home. Here is something to think about: What
kind of energy is caught in the weave of the garment that can’t be washed away
with hot water? If you are birthing in the hospital, you are among the
population there that is checking in healthy, and you are expecting to check
two (or more!) healthy people out. You
are unique individuals. You are well and
will continue to be well. As a patient,
you have the right to be treated with dignity.
And to you, that may mean refusing to wear the hospital gown. Options have come a long way since the "labor skirts" that were around ten years ago. If you would like to explore other ideas for
labor clothes besides the hospital gown, here are some companies that offer
lovely alternatives. As you look at
them, consider if they would allow you to start labor to your level of modesty
and if they would be easy to breastfeed in (again, to your level of modesty): Dressed to Deliver www.dressedtodeliver.com   milk & baby  Labor of Love  Pretty Pushers  You can also see what Robin Elise Brown has to say about "BYOG" (Bring Your Own Gown) in THIS about.com article. Did you wear the hospital gown - will you do it again if you have another hospital birth? OR Did you wear your own clothes or a specialty LDR gown like these - what worked for you? Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and
posted. 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®. |