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Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
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Stay Safe and Cool Through Your Summer Pregnancy - Part 1
| Posted on June 7, 2016 at 9:31 PM |
comments (54)
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 Ideas to Have a Safe Pregnancy During the Summer Months - Hello, Mr. Sun!My friend and colleague Tina Lebedies suggested this topic. As it turns out, there is a lot to write about when it comes to coping with
the heat while you are pregnant! So this is how I am going to organize this topic: I am going to split in two parts. Today I am going to share
why it is so important that you take extra care – be a Drama Queen when it comes
to taking care of yourself if you are pregnant in the summer. Then I am going to list the concerns with
their symptoms and suggestions to ease the symptoms. Check back on Friday for Part 2 of this post. I am going to share some ideas
and give you some tips to stay cool and live smart through the summer months. We are lucky in Arizona – to stay cool we head indoors or
get wet and then let our skin air dry.
In humid climates, the added moisture makes it harder to stay cool – I
am glad we live in a dry heat! I had three summer pregnancies that lasted through July, and two went through September!! We are not good planners in that department - LOL. At least, now I am well-versed in finding to cool off and stay cool – for that I will count my blessings. It comes in handy now that I am toting four Sweet Peas through the hot summer months :) The first thing I am going to point out as a Bradley Method®
instructor is that keeping track of your diet and fluid intake is of utmost
importance, even more so in the summer. Eat between 80 – 100 grams of protein per day, and include
salt in that equation to keep a balanced diet. I cringe when I read pregnancy articles that
suggest a pregnant woman should reduce her salt intake if she is swelling. Cutting back on salt can cause a decrease in the amount of
blood circulating through your body and placenta (a condition called “hypovolemia”),
thus reducing the supply of nutrients passing to your baby. How will you know if you are not getting
enough salt? Too little salt in the diet
leads to leg cramps and fatigue, so if you are experiencing these symptoms
exclusive of the heat factors I am going to write about below, try salting your
food to taste and see if those symptoms are minimized or go away altogether.  BE A DRAMA QUEENI assure you that you are not the only pregnant person who
is feeling just a tad hotter than usual this summer. It doesn’t matter if you are still in your
first trimester – you will be a little hotter even though your body doesn’t
show your pregnancy yet. In some ways
it’s even more important that you protect yourself because it is a time of
crucial development where overheating can have devastating effects on the baby. If you have already been making your coach
take care of you and he or she thinks you are being over-dramatic, then have
them read this post, or any of the “official” articles I reference at the end
of the post. Why You Feel Hotter There are several reasons why your core body temperature is
elevated: 1. Your body is
undergoing hormonal fluctuations. 2. You are carrying
the extra weight of your baby, and if you are like me, you have extra padding your
body insists on adding on, no matter how well you eat and how often you exercise. 3. Your body is
working to cool your body, plus the body of your growing baby. 4. Your increased
metabolism also increases your body temperature, and it works harder as your
baby demands more from your body. Why You Need To Insulate Baby Your baby’s body temperature is 1°C (almost 2°F) warmer than
your body temperature, and they cannot sweat to cool themselves down. The only thing cooling your baby is your
body’s knowledge of how to grow your baby.
If your body starts to heat up and it can no longer work to keep your
baby’s temperature down, there are many things that could happen. Whatever the trimester, your baby’s heart rate could start
to go up. In regards to the first
trimester specifically, studies have shown that babies are especially susceptible
to heat stress in the first trimester of pregnancy when the major body systems
are developing. An elevation in the
pregnant mothers body temperature above a safe range has been associated with
birth defects such as heart problems, abdominal wall defects, nervous system
malformation and neural tube defects.
Exposure to extreme heat could also increase the risk factor for
experiencing a miscarriage or pre-term labor. CONCERNS DURING PREGNANCY DEHYDRATION Dehydration – a condition in which your body does not have
the fluid it needs to maintain healthy body function. When you are living for two, staying hydrated
is even more important. If you are
dehydrated, it could cause the baby’s heart to beat too quickly. It can also increase your risk of pre-term
labor. The decrease in blood volume
causes an increase in the concentration of oxytocin. Oxytocin the hormone that causes contractions
to begin and intensify, and an excess of oxytocin is not a good thing unless
you are supposed to be in labor. One of the first signs that you are dehydrated is feeling
thirsty. If you are feeling like you
really could use a drink, then you are already dehydrated – find a
non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage ASAP and drink it! Other signs of dehydration are dry or chapped lips, dry
skin, fatigue, constipation or decreased movement from your baby. If you are experiencing these symptoms, get
yourself to a place with cooler temperature, have a seat and drink some water
or fruit juice. If your symptoms don’t
improve, or your baby doesn’t start increasing their movements within the next
hour, call your care provider and ask for further instructions and/or head to a
hospital emergency room. Fluid Retention and Dehydration A pregnant woman carries an average of 15 pounds of extra
fluid to support the physiological changes during pregnancy. This is considered to be a normal amount of
fluid increase, sometimes called physiological edema. A little more than half of that fluid is used
to replace the amniotic fluid (it is replaced every hour by using about a cup
of water that is stored in the body), it helps to hydrate and nurture the cells
of the baby and the placenta. The rest
of it is used in the bloodstream to carry more oxygen and nutrients to the mom
and the baby, and to remove waste products from the mom and the baby. Interestingly, fluid retention, as opposed to the fluid
increase I described above, may contribute to dehydration. If you are retaining fluids, the fluid is
absent within the cells where it is needed.
Instead, the fluid is retained in the space around the cells, causing
the pregnant mom to look puffy and swollen. Whether it’s normal physiological edema or fluid retention,
you may notice that your feet and ankles are uncomfortably swollen. This happens since your legs are lower than
the level of your heart. It’s harder for
blood to work against gravity even when you are not pregnant, so add pregnancy on
top of that and you start to swell. Add in
the fact that your growing uterus puts pressure on the veins traveling up
towards the heart, and voila, you have swollen feet and ankles. You can relieve this swelling by making sure you are
drinking enough water. Believe it or
not, drinking water can reduce your swelling!
While it doesn't seem like it makes sense to get rid of fluids by taking
in more, the extra fluids will help flush out your system of waste products
which may have increased the swelling in the first place. On the flip side, I should also tell you that it’s possible
to get too much water, also known as water intoxication. In this case, the extreme saturation of water
in your body dilutes the necessary electrolytes too much. This can cause fatigued muscles, muscle
cramps and even unconsciousness in the extreme cases. Use good judgment when it comes to your fluid intake – at
least 8 – 10 glasses of water a day if you are moderately active, and more if
you are more active. As I mentioned
above, if you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Have that drink of water even if it means
it’s the 12th or 13th drink you have had that day. If your thirst persists, it may be time to
call your care provider. Here are some other things to do to decrease swelling and
its discomforts: take rings off swollen
fingers, use flat and/or open toed shoes, and avoid prolonged sitting or
standing positions that allow your blood to pool. If your activity or job requires you to stay
in a standing position for an extended period of time, you can get up and take
a five-minute walk or march in place to encourage circulation. If you must sit,
do it in such a way that shortens the distance between your heart and your
feet, such as propping your feet up on a bench or footstool. The best sitting
position for circulation is tailor sitting, so sit on the floor when possible,
or armless chair if you are at a desk or table.
No matter what the activity, you can also try a maternity belt to lift
your uterus up and allow for better circulation. My favorite way to reduce pregnancy swelling is resting in a
side-lying position for 20 – 30 minutes at a time, at least twice a day. When you lay down, elevate your feet. You can do this by putting a rolled up
blanket or towel underneath your mattress, or propping your feet up on
pillows. It is easier to find time for this
if you are expecting your first child – use the time to meditate about the
upcoming birth and fill your mind with positive thoughts and affirmations. Even if you are mom of other children, find the time to lie
down twice a day and invite them to join you.
You can use this time to tell older siblings their birth stories, look
at pictures of their birth and talk about who came to visit them when they were
born. This can serve to open the lines
of communication and talk about their feelings about the new baby, whatever
they may be. Finding time to talk to
your children is something you will always treasure. HYPERTHERMIA  Hyperthermia, or over-heating, is one of the most dangerous
conditions of pregnancy. It can start
with something as seemingly benign as heat cramps; proceed to heat exhaustion,
and quickly progress to the life-threatening condition of heat stroke. May I remind you again? It’s okay to be a Drama Queen when it comes to
staying cool and comfortable during the summer months.These are the warning signs of hyperthermia. As with any sign that your pregnancy is
moving outside of normal, it is important to get rest and replenish your
fluids. It is imperative that you call
your care provider if you experience any of these symptoms and it’s not close
to your due date, and you know you been exposed to intense sun and/or heat. If these symptoms persist after rest and
fluid intake, ask yourself if you should be heading to the nearest hospital: 1. More than five
contractions or cramps per hour 2. Bright red vaginal
bleeding 3. Acute or
continuous vomiting 4. Low, dull backache 5. Intense pelvic
pressure 6. Swelling or
puffiness of the face or hands – this could be a sign of preeclampsia Heat Cramps Heat cramps are the earliest warning sign of hyperthermia. This typically follows after heavy
perspiration. The loss of electrolytes
leads to muscle spasms. If and when you
experience any cramping after a lot of perspiration, listen to your body. Take steps to reduce your body temperature
immediately and replenish the electrolytes in your body. If you can recognize and ward off a dangerous
rise in body temperature at the beginning, you may be able avoid the other
dangers and complications of hyperthermia. Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is caused by prolonged exposure to high
temperatures, a restricted fluid intake or the failure of the body’s mechanism
to regulate your temperature. Signs that
you might be experiencing heat exhaustion are: - Skin that may feel cool and moist and appear pale - Headache, nausea, weakness, dizziness, faintness,
light-headedness, fatigue, exhaustion, mental confusion, anxiety, muscle cramps - Rapid, weak pulse - Breathing may be fast and shallow or it may feel like you
have shortness of breath - Blood pressure may drop I will repeat, the best thing to do if you experience any of
these symptoms or warning signs is to take steps to reduce your body
temperature immediately and replenish the electrolytes in your body. These are more serious signs, so please don’t
hesitate to enlist the help of strangers to assist you to a cooler place and to
bring you water or other fluids, such as juice or an electrolyte drink. Heat Stroke Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires
immediate medical attention. When you
experience any of these symptoms due to prolonged exposure to high
temperatures, a restricted fluid intake or the failure of the body’s mechanism
to regulate your temperature, the impact on the body is much greater. As a Bradley Method® instructor we cannot
give you medical advice, what we can and always will tell you to do in these
situations is to call your care provider and get yourself to the nearest
hospital to ensure that both mother and baby are attended to as soon as
possible. Signs of heat stroke: - Body temperature reaches 104°F (40°C) or hotter - Mental confusion - Combative and bizarre behavior - Staggering - Faintness - Strong and rapid pulse (160-180 bpm) - Skin will become dry and flushed - Sweat very little - Quickly lose consciousness and have convulsions The two conditions I described today, dehydration and hyperthermia, can become medical complications that can compromise both you and your baby if you don't take simple steps to prevent them. It bears repeating that staying hydrated, getting rest, and staying out of the heat and direct sunlight as much as possible are some of the simple yet effective steps you can take to stay safe and cool through the summer months. Check back on Friday for a detailed list of ideas that you can use ranging from clothing to fluids and foods to sun safety. Many of the ways to stay cool take minimal effort and do not require you to spend a lot of money. Frugal is good in these interesting times! Disclaimer: References: http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/water-pregnancy.htm http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52172 http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51783 http://www.pregnancytoday.com/articles/healthy-safe-pregnancy/pregnant-during-the-summer-months-3185/ http://www.suite101.com/content/coping-with-the-heat-in-pregnancy-a129230
http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/pregnancy_health_fitness/hot_summer_safety.htm
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/jun/18/staying-cool-pregnant-women-face-greater-risks/ http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/pampering/summer-pregnancy-issues/?page=5 http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/pampering/summer-pregnancy-issues/?page=6 |
VBAC: The BIG picture of the risks
| Posted on April 24, 2015 at 9:58 AM |
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Uterine Rupture. If
you have had a previous cesarean, this is THE “drop” word for many care
providers when they have their “informed consent” talk with patients for
consequent pregnancies. Today I want to take a look at several other complications related to labor and delivery. If your care provider is expecting you to be influenced by risk factors for uterine rupture, I think it is fair to look at all the other risk factors of pregnancy and labor in order to create a bigger picture and put things into perspective. Pregnancy is generally considered a healthy time in a woman’s life. In order to make life, the woman’s body has to be able to support that life. In most cases, it is healthy women who become pregnant. What do we have to be afraid of? In most cases: nothing. However, as with many if not all things in life, there is a certain level of risk, and yes, sometimes things go wrong. So let’s start with the risk numbers for uterine rupture. Read THIS blog post for an in depth look at the numbers. Here is the summary of the incidence of uterine rupture, depending on what category you fall in:
So what are your risks of other complications of labor? 
True statisticians are going to take issue with this oversimplification of
comparisons. In recognition that a
percentage is more than its face value, here are the ratios and the sources for
my information: Postpartum Hemorrhage: 1/5 – .2000 – 20% Definition: “Postpartum
hemorrhage is traditionally defined as blood loss greater than 500 mL during a
vaginal delivery or greater than 1,000 mL with a cesarean delivery. However,
significant blood loss can be well tolerated by most young healthy females, and
an uncomplicated delivery often results in blood loss of more than 500 mL
without any compromise of the mother's condition.” Quoted from Medscape “The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage is about 1 in 5 pregnancies, but this figure varies widely due to differential definitions for postpartum hemorrhage.” Stat SOURCE Preterm labor and preterm delivery: 1/9 – .1111 – 11.11% Definition: Baby born before 37 weeks Stat SOURCE Post-Maturity: 3-6% Definition: pregnancy past 42 weeks in which the placenta cannot provide the
nourishment to maintain a healthy fetus
Definitions of the types of breech:
Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes before 37 weeks: 3% 3% of all pregnancies and occurs in approximately 150,000 pregnancies yearly in the United States Definition: a condition of pregnancy in which the mother’s blood pressure
starts to rise to dangerously high levels, the indicator for possibility of
more complications that are potentially fatal to mother and/or baby; 2% to 6% in healthy, nulliparous women (women who have never given birth yet) Stat SOURCE Placenta Abruptio: 1.0% Definition: the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery
of the baby
Stat & Quote SOURCE UTERINE RUPTURE STATS FALL HERE Umbilical cord prolapse: 1/300 – .0033 – 0.33% Definition: the umbilical cord precedes the baby in the birth canal Definition: the placenta grows too deeply through the uterine wall July 2012 study publication Stat SOURCE What do you think now that you have seen a wide array of complications and risks? 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. For more reading: Uterine Rupture in Pregnancy: Article dated July 31, 2012  http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/275854-overviewUnderstanding Labor and Delivery Complications – The Basics from WebMD http://www.webmd.com/baby/understanding-labor-delivery-complications-basics The Risks of Cesarean Section http://www.motherfriendly.org/Resources/Documents/TheRisksofCesareanSectionFebruary2010.pdf 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®. |
Birth News
| Posted on January 10, 2014 at 6:31 PM |
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 Happy New Year!! Wishing all of our readers many blessings as you welcome the new year. I trust your holidays were wonderful and that you are looking forward to all the promise of a fresh slate.These are probably going to keep being evening editions - thank you for your patience as we ramp up posting again in the New Year. I am really placing a high value on being Peaceful Mama for my kiddos, which means that being on the computer is taking a back seat to homeschooling and teaching classes this season. I will be back in full swing soon - until then, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (krystyna{at}sweetpeabirths{dot}com) if you have any pressing questions about pregnancy, natural birth or breastfeeding! Birth News FERTILITY NOTE: Please read this with a grain of salt - we have had students have beautiful, term babies even though they used IVF to attain pregnancy. Simply shared as a tool for discussion with your care providers as you weigh the benefits and the risks. IVF Pregnancies Are More Likely To Result In Stillbirth, Preterm Birth, Low
Birthweight, Or Neonatal Death
Medical Daily http://bit.ly/19V24Sc PREGNANCY NOTE:I am by no means suggesting that you *should* go get a flu shot – again, I am simply offering this as information to discuss with your care provider. See what Dr. Sears has to say about the flu shot during pregnancy HERE and HERE Flu shots in pregnancy protect babies from being born too soon, Canadian studies show
Ottowa Citizen http://bit.ly/1gqKeoL BIRTH Premature 'Water Breaking' During Pregnancy Linked to Bacteria
WebMD http://bit.ly/1d31rF3 POSTPARTUM Is Placenta Encapsulation the Answer to Postpartum Depression?
Health24 http://bit.ly/1iWKgZG Doctors report uptick in number of babies with RSV, a respiratory virus, this flu season
abc13.com http://bit.ly/1gqJ8cC BREASTFEEDING Study Links Breastfeeding to Lower Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Science World Report http://bit.ly/1iWMTKQ 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®. |
10 Good Things
| Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:09 AM |
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 I got a desperate text this week from an alumni mom. A mama in her circle heard these words from
her OB, “Nothing good happens after 40 weeks,” as a reason for her to schedule
an induction.All I could think, was, "WOW!" and how grateful I was that our care providers did not have that belief.  I want to preface this post by clearly stating that this is not medical information,
nor am I medical professional. What follows are consideration and discussion points for a
couple who is thoughtfully weighing their options. Here are two sites that do offer reputable information:
As we say in class, your due date is not an expiration date. So what might be going on with your baby and your body when your due date comes and there is still no sign of labor? If you are having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, there could be a variety of things happening that are still within the “range of normal”. If you believe that your body and your baby have their own timeline, here are some points to ponder as you decide whether or not to have an induction at 40 weeks, or realistically, whenever it is offered in a healthy, low-risk pregnancy.
#2. Softening of the cartilage in the mother’s pelvis. It is a moving part that can stretch to allow the passage for the baby inside of you. #3. Increasing the flexibility of the ligaments and tendons around the pelvis. They can also stretch to help ease baby through the birth canal. #4. Cartilage is softening and/or molding of the baby’s head to allow for passage through the birth canal. The baby may also be undergoing some adjustments for their passage into the world. #5. Colostrum is being made just for your baby. The time is being used for the breasts to form all the immunities necessary to protect the baby after they are born. #6. Baby may need more contractions to massage and stimulate the baby’s systems on-line. In pre-labor, Braxton-Hicks contractions are the “test drive” as mom and baby prepare for labor. During labor, one of benefits of contractions is to help “wake up” all the baby’s systems in preparation for life outside the womb. #7. Lungs are preparing for breath of air by being coated in surfactant. Without enough surfactant, the baby cannot breath. HERE is a study that found a link between lung readiness and stimulating factors for labor to start naturally. #8. Psychological changes for the mom. Has mom accepted the responsibility and dependence of this new life? Is she in her safe place for labor to start and/or progress? #9. Psychological changes for the baby. Has the baby accepted that they will be an independent being outside of their mother’s body? Do they feel like they are a part of your family? #10. Baby is growing. This one does not apply so much in labor. However, Dr. Bradley gives a great reminder in his book, Husband-Coached Childbirth. He reminds us that baby’s do not know about hard and fast rules. He uses the analogy of an apple tree. A few apples are going to ripen early and fall off early. The majority of the apples will ripen together at the expected time during the harvest. Finally, there will be several apples that for whatever unknown reason, ripen at the end of the harvest season, the bumper crop. As in nature, babies arrive in a range. Remember that the numbers, averages, are a collection of data that is analyzed to arrive at one “easy” number for planning purposes. There is a real danger of "harvesting our apples" to soon, to the detriment of the baby’s health. The March of Dimes has focused an entire campaign to discourage elective induction before 39 weeks since there were so many complications from inducing labor before babies were ready. Get more information HERE If your ovulation or conception dates are off, you might be inducing a baby to come who is before their gestational 39 weeks. Then that child has been forced to arrive before they are ready, adding a host of complications to what might have been an uncomplicated process if it had been allowed to happen in nature’s time. I will end this post by asking you to consider two things:
You have an instinct to help guide you to a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome. That is what your care provider wants for you, too. Whatever your path, making an informed decision and choosing a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome is a win-win every time. When was your child(ren) born? If you want to have fun and participate in a VERY INFORMAL poll, please put your baby’s gestational arrival dates in the comments section. Here are our babies: Puma ~ 39 weeks, 4 days Night Owl ~ 40 weeks – yes, right on his date! Charger ~ 38 weeks Otter ~ 38 weeks LINK LIST: Harvard Study Abstract:
Childbirth Connection Induction Pages
Lung Protein as Labor Signal
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®. |