Our goal is to prepare families to have a natural birth by teaching a mom and her loving coach to labor together.  The reality is that even with the best preparation, birth is unique, fluid and unpredictable.  Our experience as natural childbirth educators is that even if your birth does not go according to your plan, a comprehensive education like The Bradley Method® will pave the way for you to have your best possible birth with a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome.

 Link to video: http://youtu.be/PmlPITHsFio

• They did their work throughout and after Class 7 when we talk about writing the Birth Plan. 
• They got great ideas, and then took it to their care provider and asked her, “Is everything realistic on here?”  She went through it line by line and said it was all in-line with what was possible in a hospital setting. 
• Care provider signed off on plan, put it in file, sent it to hospital to give the staff their a heads up on their desires for their birth. 
• When it was “go time”, they arrived at hospital with several copies of plan and 3 dozen cookies.
• Everyone who walked into the room was offered cookies and a birth plan

• “Going in, we knew there might be a possibility that things were not going to go to plan.”
• Came to terms with making an adjustment
• Once the bag of waters was broken, contractions completely changed and things progressed quickly
• Christine reasoned with herself, “This isn’t going to be how I planned it, but if I give up one thing, the birth can still happen unmedicated like I want it to”

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®.

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.

Couples struggling with infertility often turn to assisted reproductive therapy in an effort to start the family of their dreams. A study out of the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Institute found that pregnancies conceived with assistance such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) are more likely to end in stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, or neonatal death, compared with natural pregnancies.

"More research is now urgently needed into longer term follow-up of those who have experienced comprehensive perinatal disadvantage," said lead researcher Professor Michael Davies from the University of Adelaide's Robinson Institute. "Our studies also need to be expanded to include more recent years of treatment, as the technology has been undergoing continual innovation, which may influence the associated risks."

Pregnant women who are vaccinated against the flu are significantly less likely to deliver premature or low-birth-weight babies compared to unvaccinated expectant mothers, new Canadian research finds.

Based on more than 12,000 women in Nova Scotia who gave birth in the immediate aftermath of the H1N1 flu pandemic, the study adds to mounting evidence that the flu can have “really detrimental effects for both mothers and their babies,” said first author Alexandra Legge, a fourth-year medical student at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

High levels of bacteria are associated with water breaking 

prematurely in pregnant women, a new study indicates.

Researchers arrived at their findings by analyzing samples of amniotic sacs (fetal membranes) from 48 women after they gave birth. The report is published in the Jan. 8 online issue of the journal PLoS One.

Nearly one-third of early deliveries are associated with premature rupture of fetal membranes, and it's important to learn more about why this happens, the researchers noted.

It's a sad reality that a lot of moms are familiar with postpartum depression. For anyone that has suffered from this type of clinical depression, you know the impact it can have on both the lives of the individual suffering, and those around her. There have been studies upon studies to find a way to eradicate the symptoms; some have been proven helpful and others not so much. But what if you knew of something that could eradicate all the above? Something so simple, natural and readily available. Would you give it a try? What if that particular “something” just happened to be encapsulating your placenta and eating it? Ew. But what if it really worked?

Not only does it work, but it does much more than combat the “baby blues.” January Jones, Kim Kardashian, Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Tamara Mowry-Housely all rave about their experiences with encapsulation. Before you allow your stomach to churn, put down your lunch for a few moments and take a few moments to learn more about placenta encapsulation and postpartum depression.

Scientists have found two new genetic causes of neonatal diabetes - a form of diabetes that occurs in the first 6 months of life. 

The research by the University of Exeter Medical School provides further insights on how the insulin-producing beta cells are formed in the pancreas. 

The team discovered that mutations in two specific genes which are important for development of the pancreas can cause the disease. 

At age 10, the children who had received maternal contact as infants slept better, showed better hormonal response to stress, had a more mature functioning of their nervous system and displayed better thinking skills.

Premature babies who cry a lot may be more likely than other preemies to have behaviour problems by the time they reach preschool, a new study suggests.

Experts said the reasons for the finding are not certain, and no one knows whether "interventions" to soothe preemies' crying would ward off behaviour issues later.

"In many ways, this study raises more questions than it answers," said Dr Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioural paediatrics at Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Centre in New Hyde Park, New York.

For older children and adults, RSV is usually like a cold. Since there isn't a good vaccine against it, Dr. Starke says parents of babies should act fast if their baby has trouble breathing.

"You notice their chest going in and out, they're breathing rapidly, those kids need to be seen right away," he said.

Dr. Starke says there's no treatment for RSV, so parents may want to be extra cautious about taking their babies out in public during this RSV epidemic.

The latest study documented in the journal Rheumatology, was conducted on more than 7,000 older Chinese women. It revealed that breastfeeding was strongly related to a reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Mothers who breastfed, their risk of rheumatoid arthritis came down by almost half compared to those who never breastfed.

There were studies conducted prior to this that focused on the association between breastfeeding and RA, but the results produced were mixed.  It is a well known fact that breastfeeding benefits infants. But there has been growing evidence that breastfeeding has a positive impact on the health of the mothers too. This latest cross sectional study examined the association between breastfeeding and RA and also on the intake of oral contraceptives.

Cervidil is contraindicated in:

"- Patients with known hypersensitivity to prostaglandins.

- Patients in whom there is clinical suspicion or definite evidence of fetal distress where delivery is not imminent.

- Patients with unexplained vaginal bleeding during this pregnancy.

- Patients in whom there is evidence or strong suspicion of marked cephalopelvic disproportion.

- Patients in whom oxytocic drugs are contraindicated or when prolonged contraction of the uterus may be detrimental to fetal safety or uterine integrity, such as previous cesarean section or major uterine surgery (see PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS).

- Patients already receiving intravenous oxytocic drugs.

- Multipara with 6 or more previous term pregnancies."

"Warnings

Women aged 30 years or older, those with complications during pregnancy and those with a gestational age over 40 weeks have been shown to have an increased risk of postpartum disseminated intravascular coagulation. In addition, these factors may further increase the risk associated with labor induction (See ADVERSE REACTIONS, Post-marketing surveillance). Therefore, in these women, use of dinoprostone should be undertaken with caution. Measures should be applied to detect as soon as possible an evolving fibrinolysis in the immediate post-partum period.

The Clinician should be alert that use of dinoprostone may result in inadvertent disruption and subsequent embolization of antigenic tissue causing in rare circumstances the development of Anaphylactoid Syndrome of Pregnancy (Amniotic Fluid Embolism)."

"Precautions

General: Since prostaglandins potentiate the effect of oxytocin, Cervidil must be removed before oxytocin administration is initiated and the patient's uterine activity carefully monitored for uterine hyperstimulation. If uterine hyperstimulation is encountered or if labor commences, the vaginal insert should be removed. Cervidil should also be removed prior to amniotomy.

Cervidil is contraindicated when prolonged contraction of the uterus may be detrimental to fetal safety and uterine integrity. Therefore, Cervidil should not be administered to patients with a history of previous cesarean section or uterine surgery given the potential risk for uterine rupture and associated obstetrical complications, including the need for hysterectomy and the occurrence of fetal or neonatal death.

2. Drug Interactions: Cervidil may augment the activity of oxytocic agents and their concomitant use is not recommended. A dosing interval of at least 30 minutes is recommended for the sequential use of oxytocin following the removal of the dinoprostone vaginal insert. No other drug interactions have been identified."

"Post-marketing surveillance:

Immune System Disorders: Hypersensitivity

Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (See WarningsSection)

Reproductive system: Reports of uterine rupture have been reported in association with use of Cervidil some required a hysterectomy and some resulted in subsequent fetal or neonatal death.

Vascular Disorders: Hypotension

Pregnancy, Puerperium and Perinatal Conditions: Amniotic fluid embolism"

"Contraindications:

Hypersensitivity to dinoprostone, prostaglandins, or any components of the product; patients in whom oxytocic drugs are contraindicated or when prolonged contractions of uterus are considered inappropriate; ruptured membranes; placenta previa; unexplained vaginal bleeding during current pregnancy; when vaginal delivery is not indicated; acute pelvic inflammatory disease; active cardiac, pulmonary, renal, or hepatic disease (suppository only)."

"General advice:

Carefully examine vagina to determine degree of effacement and appropriate length of endocervical catheter to be used for application of gel (10 mm if 50% effaced, 20 mm if no effacement).

Patient should be in dorsal position for administration and remain supine for 15 to 30 min after administration of cervical gel.

Following administration of vaginal suppository, the patient should remain in the supine position for 10 min.

Following administration of the vaginal insert, the patient should remain in a recumbent position for 2 h.

Inserts do not require warming prior to administration.

Suppositories and gel must be brought to room temperature. Do not use external sources of heat (eg, hot water bath, microwave oven) to decrease warming time.

Wait at least 6 to 12 h after administration of gel before using IV oxytocin; a dosing interval of at least 30 min is recommended after removal of insert.

Do not use dinoprostone vaginal suppository for extemporaneous preparation of any other dosage forms or for cervical ripening or other indications in the patient with term pregnancy."

"May augment effect of other oxytocic agents; avoid concomitant use. For the sequential use of oxytocin following dinoprostone cervical gel administration, a dosing interval of 6 to 12 h is recommended. A dosing interval of at least 30 min is recommended for the sequential use of oxytocin following the removal of the dinoprostone vaginal insert."

"Pregnancy Category C. Contraindicated if fetus in utero has reached viability stage except when cervical ripening is indicated."

"Lactation: Undetermined."

"Special Risk Patients

Use with caution in patients with asthma, glaucoma, or raised IOP, hypotension or hypertension, CV or renal or hepatic impairment, anemia, jaundice, diabetes, epilepsy, compromised uterus, infected endocervical lesions, acute vaginitis, in patients with cases of non-vertex or non-singleton presentation, and in patients with a history of previous uterine hypertony.

-Anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy Intracervical placement of dinoprostone may result in inadvertent disruption and subsequent embolization of antigenic tissue, and rarely leads to development of anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy (amniotic fluid embolism).

- Incomplete pregnancy termination If dinoprostone pregnancy termination is incomplete, take other measures to ensure complete abortion.

- Postpartum disseminated intravascular coagulation An increased risk has been described in patients whose labor was induced by physiologic means. Women who are 30 y and older, those with complications during pregnancy, and those with gestational age more than 40 wk are at risk.

- Pyrexia Transient pyrexia (temperature elevations in excess of 2°F), possibly due to the dinoprostone effect on hypothalamic regulation, was observed in 50% of patients receiving suppositories at the recommended dosage. Temperature returned to normal on discontinuation of therapy.

- Ruptured membranes Exercise caution when administering dinoprostone cervical gel or vaginal insert to patients with ruptured membranes.

- Uterine hyperstimulation Placement of dinoprostone cervical gel into the extra-amniotic space has been associated with uterine hyperstimulation. When using the vaginal insert, if uterine hyperstimulation is encountered or if labor starts, the vaginal insert should be removed."

"Generic Name: misoprostol (MYE-soe-PROST-ol) Brand Name: Cytotec Do not take Cytotec to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if you are pregnant. Cytotec may cause abortion, premature birth, or birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Life-threatening..."

(My note: yes - this is just how it appears - with the ellipsis there)

"Misoprostol has been assigned to pregnancy category X by the FDA. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of fetotoxicity and teratogenicity. In studies of women undergoing elective first trimester abortion, the administration of misoprostol 400 mcg for two doses caused increased uterine contractions and bleeding in 41% of cases, and partial or complete expulsion of uterine contents in 11% of cases." 

"Breastfeeding Warnings

Misoprostol is rapidly metabolized in the mother to misoprostol acid which is biologically active and is excreted in human breast milk. There are no published reports of adverse effects of misoprostol in breast-feeding infants of mothers taking misoprostol. The manufacturer recommends that caution should be exercised when misoprostol is administered to a nursing woman."

"What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Pitocin (oxytocin)?

You should not receive this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to oxytocin."

"To make sure oxytocin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

genital herpes;

diabetes;

• high blood pressure;
• a heart rhythm disorder;
• a history of cervical cancer;
• a history of severe infection in your uterus;
• a history of difficult labor because you have a small pelvis;
• if you have ever had surgery on your cervix or uterus (including a prior C-section);
• if your pregnancy is less than 37 weeks; or
• if you have had 5 or more pregnancies.’’

"Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;

excessive bleeding long after childbirth;

headache, confusion, slurred speech, hallucinations, severe vomiting, severe weakness, muscle cramps, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, seizure (convulsions), fainting, shallow breathing or breathing that stops; or dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure)."

"Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• runny nose, sinus pain or irritation;
• memory problems; or
• more intense or more frequent contractions (this is an expected effect of oxytocin)."

"For Health Professionals

Hepatic side effects have included neonatal jaundice."

Read more at HERE 

"Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included pelvic hematoma. Excessive doses have produced pelvic fracture, uterine hypertonicity, spasm, tetanic contraction and rupture."

"Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included postpartum hemorrhage and fatal afibrinogenemia."

Read more HERE 

"General side effects have include low Apgar scores at 5 minutes. Fetal death has been reported."

Read more HERE 

• Is Mom okay?
• Is Baby okay?
• What are the benefits of using this drug?
• What are the risks of using this drug? (You have the right to read the drug insert for yourself in the care facility)
• What else is going to happen if we say yes? (Additional procedures, time in bed, time being monitored, position for mom, etc.)
• What are the expected results?  What if we don’t see them? 
• What are the alternatives if we choose not to do this?
• What does our intuition tell us?
• What happens if we choose to do nothing?