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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
Waiting For Baby
Posted on May 27, 2016 at 8:54 AM |
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So
your estimated due date is approaching...or maybe it has passed. Those
little ones we are carrying are happily ensconced in their warm, loving
homes. To us “carriers”, it feels like we have been pregnant forever!! I
remember that feeling very well. We have always had the good fortune
of having our babies before our due date. I am mentally preparing for
this baby to be the one that teaches us how to wait...and since we are
not planning to have any more children after this, reminding myself to
treasure every moment of the pregnancy...I’ll get back to you on that
after our baby is born. (Our youngest was born at 38 weeks - got lucky again!) As
a reminder, if you are a first-time mom, there was a Harvard study
published in the June 1990 edition of the medical journal Obstetrics
& Gynecology that demonstrated that we are probably not allowing
enough time when estimating due dates (read more). We give a copy of
this article to our students on the first evening of class. It is a
retrospective evaluation of pregnancies between April 1, 1983 and March
31, 1984. The
conclusion of that study was that the median estimated due date for
primiparas (first-time mothers) should be 8 days later than Naegele’s
rule (the 40 week date used to estimate due dates - it’s been around
since 1830), and that multiparas should have an estimated due date that
was 3 days later than Naegele’s rule. Per their study, if you are 41
weeks as a first-time mother, your baby might just be arriving to the
point when he or she is ready to be born. For
some of us, it is hard to be in the last two weeks before your due
date, wondering when labor is going to start. If you are personally
tired of being pregnant, it is hard to remember that every day your baby
is inside your womb is a day he or she needs to finish their
preparation for “life on the outside”. Because you are big, hot and
uncomfortable, and you are ready to be done!! I cannot even imagine
what it’s like to go past your estimated due date and then have people
you know constantly asking, “Is the baby here yet?” or, “Have you had
that baby yet?” At
that point, you might as well get a t-shirt made that says “Obviously
STILL Pregnant”. If your family and friends are constantly calling to
check on you, you could screen your calls. Change your phone message to
say “Still pregnant - don’t call me, I’ll call you! Leave me a message
if you are calling about something else.” All
kidding aside, here are some ideas that have been shared on our Facebook page that I hope
will help you pass the time as you wait for your baby to arrive safely
into your loving arms. From a Series 2 Coach: “[We] Reviewed Bradley® material,
continued to think about our own birth plan and contingencies,
continued to exercise (Kegel), and practiced relaxation techniques. Bags
packed, gas tank filled, friends/family/support group info programmed
into phone, phone charger? We also enjoyed the peaceful time we shared
as a couple and thought about our soon to be family of 3. Slept a bunch
too. Ahhhhh..... sleep.” From a reader in Phoenix, AZ: “My
confession: I had gathered supplies to bake birth-day cupcakes during
early labor. At about 10 days past ''due date,'' I caved in, baked the
cupcakes, and ate them! Our son arrived two days later. Despite our
Bradley® training, I was a bit impatient and I definitely learned my lesson!” From one of our Bradley® teachers: “The other kids kept me busy. Eating out is always a help.” From moms in our Series 2 and Series 4: “Retail therapy!” I
know one of our students from our Spring Series 5 is busy quilting a
blanket while she waits for her labor to start - they are already “past
due” their estimated due date by seven days. To
piggyback on the advice from our Series 2 Coach, it is vitally
important that you keep up with your exercise and relaxation practice.
Exercise is important to keep your stamina and your energy up, as well
as keep your circulation going. Some moms experience swelling in the
last weeks of pregnancy. Doing regular cardiovascular exercise will
make sure that things are circulating through your body as needed. The
pregnancy exercises will continue to keep you in good shape for your
athletic event, whether you have a “sprint” or a “marathon” birth. It
has been proven that exercise also produce endorphins. These “good
guys” will be a great asset to you if you are feeling a little cranky
about being uncomfortable. Anything you can do to stay positive will
help you have a better labor. Relaxation
practice is another key for coping with an approaching or passing due
date. It helps both mom and coach increase in their confidence to
manage their natural labor. If mom knows that coach knows what they are
doing, it will help her achieve deeper relaxation to manage the
discomforts of labor. If coach knows they know what they are doing,
they are confident and unwavering in their support. Relaxation
practice also helps keep mom’s blood pressure lower. If you go past
your due date, your blood pressure will be monitored every visit. The
better your reading, the less likely you are to be pressured to “do a
little something to speed things along” or schedule an induction. I
spent the last two weeks of our first pregnancy preparing Puma’s
pregnancy scrapbook. The attention to detail and the loving touches
made the time worthwhile. To date, she is the only one with a real book
- that was the last time I have made the time to work on one. The rest
of the kiddos have their items gathered and labeled...one of these days
there will be time again. If
you have older children, I find it’s important to spend one-on-one time
with them, too, wherever you are in respect to your due date. I do
have virtual albums made for each of the kiddos - they are a great help
as we prepare to welcome our fourth child. I use our special time to
look at their pictures with them, tell them their birth story, and
remind them that they were once babies, too. The
albums show their birth and their first year in our family. The
pictures show them how we took care of them, and we can relate how we
will be doing things for the new baby. You can also remind them that
you will always love them despite the fact it will seem like you are
spending most your time with the new baby. It may feel like the baby is
going to be a baby forever - showing them the pictures of their quick
progression may help demonstrate that this time will pass and soon they
will have more of your attention again. “Banking” some special time
with them now may help decrease the jealousy after baby arrives. I
would also suggest making time with your spouse. Create special date
nights for just the two of you, for it will be the last time you are
just the two of you, or “the parents of # children.” This is a time you
can spend talking about the plans for your birth, your hopes and dreams
for your children, and reminiscing about the days you fell in love.
Although it will feel like there is less “couple time” after your baby
is born, I hope that you will be as blessed as we are with the birth.
Inexplicably, we are more and more in love with each other after each
birth when it seems like we just couldn’t love each other any more than
the overabundance of love we felt already. Have you documented your pregnancy yet? Make time to have a belly-cast done, or have some pregnancy pictures taken. You can share some laughs with the person doing your belly cast. Find a fun place to take pregnancy photos - maybe a botanical garden, the zoo, a historical building. Not only will you have a good day trip, but your child will have some great stories to hear some day when you tell them about the pictures. If
you are artistic, you can dedicate some time to writing, painting or
drawing. You can dedicate your art to the new baby, or explore your
feelings about your pregnancy through your art. These pieces will
probably become treasured keepsakes to your children. If
you are so inclined, you can also sew, knit, or crochet a blanket or
baby clothes. Older siblings might enjoy having an item of clothing or
outfit made out of the same fabric or yarn to show that they are all
going to be part of the family now. Just wear your “STILL Pregnant”
t-shirt when you go to the fabric store! It has been my experience that
the ladies at the fabric counter love to chat up pregnant customers. Best wishes to you if you are near or past your due date. Please feel free to drop me a line at [email protected] if you would like us to pray for you. 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. 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®. Reference: Harvard Study: Obstetrics & Gynecology, Vol. 75, No. 6, June 1990, pgs 929-932 |
Uterine Rupture: Assessing the Risks
Posted on April 26, 2016 at 10:18 AM |
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Uterine rupture is a topic that came up when I was pregnant with
Otter that I was not ready to allow into my consciousness until she was
safely in our arms. After enough time
had passed and we have proven to ourselves that homebirth can be a safe option
when a person is healthy and low risk, I am ready to write about it.
I gave Stephanie Stanley, former facilitator of the East Valley
ICAN group, byline credit for this because I am using her research from a
uterine rupture presentation she did at a meeting for my post today. ICAN, the International Cesarean Awareness
Network, is a non-profit organization that strives to improve maternal-child
health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support
for cesarean recovery, as well as educate about Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
(VBAC) and options for what is called a "gentle cesarean" where the event is honored as a birth even though it's via a surgery. ICAN’s goal is to see a healthy
reduction of the cesarean rate that is patient-driven. By providing education and support, they hope
that more women making evidence based, risk appropriate childbirth decisions
will lead to an overall reduction in the rate of cesareans performed.
Uterine rupture seems to be the leading reason why care providers are
hesitant to allow a mother to have a trial of labor (TOL) after a previous
cesarean. In Arizona, a licensed midwife or certified professional midwife can attend a homebirth
with a mom who is striving to have a VBAC only if the mother meets certain criteria. Arizonana for Birth Options is leading a grassroots efforts to change this so
that as per the ICAN vision, women living here can make evidence based and risk
appropriate decisions. They want all
options to be available: for a hospital birth if mom feels that is the best
option, or a homebirth if both mom and midwife agree that they are a good
candidate for VBAC.
Uterine rupture is defined as an anatomic separation of the
uterine muscle with or without symptoms.
What this means for baby is that the uterus ceases to function as a sealed protective container from the rest of the blood and organs surrounding the baby. The function of the placenta and umbilical
cord may also be compromised. Mom is
subject to blood loss and shock. A
decision also has to be made about repairing the uterus or performing a
hysterectomy.
Another term used when talking about uterine rupture is
“dehiscence”. A dehiscence is the
splitting or incomplete opening of the cesarean scar. It can happen without complication for mom or
baby and sometimes it is only discovered after the delivery. It is also called a “window” by some care
providers.
As it turns out, while uterine rupture is a consideration when you are preparing for a birth after a cesarean, it's not the only one your care provider should be having a conversation about. You can read THIS post to see where the risk for uterine rupture falls in comparison to other risks of pregnancy and labor. So what does the research say?
Here is the overarching conclusion: anyone can be at risk,
whether you have an unscarred or scarred uterus. At most, your risk rate is 2%. 2 percent!
Why then is it that this is such a big deal? I believe it lies with the potentially
devastating circumstance a family will find themselves in if the uterus does
rupture. While 98% of the population
may have a successful VBAC, the worst case scenario of a uterine rupture is
the loss of the baby and possibly a hysterectomy for mom which makes future
pregnancies impossible.
Another point to ponder is that the statistics listed below
are close to other statistics for labor emergencies, such as placenta accreta,
placental abruption, miscarriage; for a longer list click here.
Statistics for the risk of uterine rupture – see links at
the end of this post for references: VBAC: .5% - .7% VBA2C: 1.7% (vaginal
birth after 2 cesareans) VBAMC: 1.2% (vaginal
birth after multiple cesareans) Previous VBAC: .4% - .5%
(if you had a previous successful VBAC) VBAC + Augmented labor:
.9% (stats for first attempt) VBAC + Induced labor: 1%
(stats for first attempt)
Here is a link to the comparison of risk rates for VBAC,
CBAC (a cesarean birth after a trial of labor) and ERC (elective repeat
cesarean)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937808004213
The risk factors when considering whether or not to do a
trial of labor after a cesarean are: The type of scar you have: the most favorable is a low
transverse scar. Classical T-shaped
scars, vertical scars or high uterine scars are said to have a higher risk of
rupture.
Induction of labor using cervical ripening agents, i.e., Cytotec,
Cervidil: the prostaglandins that soften the cervix may also soften the scar
tissue. In addition, ripening agents can
cause uterine hyperstimulation, meaning contractions that are much more intense
and frequent than the uterus is designed to withstand in the course of an unmedicated
labor.
More than one cesarean: as you can see from the statistics
above, there is a slight increase of risk.
Among factors that are disputed in medical literature are: - Age of mother: if a mother is over 30 she may be considered
at higher risk for uterine rupture. - Obese women - Size of baby: more than 8 pounds, 14 ounces - Post-term baby: 40+ weeks gestation from last menses To compare, here are the stats and risk factors for an
unscarred uterus: “The normal, unscarred uterus is least
susceptible to rupture. Grand multiparity, neglected labor, malpresentation,
breech extraction, and uterine instrumentation are all predisposing factors for
uterine rupture. A 10-year Irish study by Gardeil et al showed that the overall
rate of unscarred uterine rupture during pregnancy was 1 per 30,764 deliveries
(0.0033%). No cases of uterine rupture occurred among 21,998 primigravidas, and
only 2 (0.0051%) occurred among 39,529 multigravidas with no uterine scar. A meta-analysis
of 8 large, modern (1975-2009) studies from industrialized countries revealed
174 uterine ruptures among 1,467,534 deliveries. This finding suggested that
the modern rate of unscarred uterine rupture during pregnancy is 0.012% (1 of
8,434). This rate of spontaneous uterine rupture has not changed appreciably
over the last 40 years, and most of these events occur at term and during
labor. An 8-fold increased incidence of uterine rupture of 0.11% (1 in 920) has
been noted in developing countries. This increased incidence of uterine rupture
has been attributed to a higher-than-average incidence of neglected and
obstructed labor due to inadequate access to medical care. When one assesses
the risk of uterine rupture, this baseline rate of pregnancy-related uterine
rupture is a benchmark that must be used as a point of reference.” If you choose to have a VBAC, or realistically for any woman
in labor since the statistics show she has a slight risk, here are the signs that may
help you recognize that a uterine rupture is occurring or may have occurred: - Excessive vaginal bleeding - Extreme pain between contractions – these may or may not
be felt through an epidural block, though due to severity of pain it’s possible
they may be felt - Contractions that slow down or become less intense - Abdominal pain or tenderness - Baby’s head moves back up the birth canal - Bulge in the abdomen, bulge under the pubic bone, or
pressure on the bladder where the baby’s head may be coming through the tear in
the uterus - Sharp onset of pain at the site of the previous scar - Uterus becomes soft - Shoulder pain - Heart decelerations in the baby - Maternal tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and hypotension
(low blood pressure)
If you have a true uterine rupture, then an emergency
cesarean will be required. A Chandler
doctor told the ICAN group that the care provider has 5 – 7 minutes to get the
baby out safely, although in reading for this post I saw some estimates as 10 –
37 minutes. According to a 2010 National Institutes of Health study,
there have been no maternal deaths in the US due to uterine rupture. Overall,
14 – 33% will need a hysterectomy. 6% of
uterine ruptures result in perinatal death, and for term babies this risk was
put at less than 3%. **
If you do have a uterine rupture, it will have an effect on
your future pregnancies. Each cesarean a
mother has increases the risk for future complications of cesarean
surgery. If you have a hysterectomy, you
will not be able to carry any more children.
In today’s medical climate, a uterine rupture will most likely result in
all future pregnancies being delivered via repeat cesarean.
There are a lot of points to ponder as a new mom or as a mom
considering a VBAC. Our Bradley® mantra
is: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby. We teach
that as long as you make all your decisions with those two goals in mind, you
are likely to make the choices that have a positive outcome for both Mom and
Baby. What are your thoughts on VBAC and/or uterine rupture?
**NOTE: Stephanie’s presentation called out these statistics
as inflated as the Landon study (2004) included women who had pre-labor
stillbirths included in the statistics.
IN other words, women whose babies had passed away before labor and
still delivered via VBAC rather than choosing a repeat cesarean were counted in
the perinatal death statistics. Please
read Henci Goer’s analysis for more information
For the resource list, click here. 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. 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®. |
Holiday Due Dates
Posted on December 11, 2015 at 3:55 AM |
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You are pregnant over the holidays. You
feel like you are as big as a house, or you are barely showing. No matter what trimester you are in – you feel it! The holidays are full of pressures…if you are working in or out of the home,
you may have goals to meet and/or year-end reports to finish. If you are entertaining, there is shopping to
be done and food to be prepared. If you
are gifting, there are presents to buy and wrap. This is a lot of "extra" on top of an already
full plate. To that pile, add the fact
that you are building another human being, in addition to everything else you
are trying to accomplish this season. Here are some ideas I want to share with you to help you keep
your sanity. 1. Work the “Pregnancy Pass” for all
that it is worth. Pregnancy is a very
sacred time in a woman’s life. Very few
of us take the time to honor it and reflect on it – it really is amazing to
have two souls living in one body! It is
okay that you are tired, and if you are like me, you have aches and pains that
settle in with the tiredness. If you are
feeling tired, or have a day when you can’t get past the pregnancy hormones to
wear a smile, that’s okay – you are still loved!! Let this be the year that you say, “No”, to
the extra activities, the invitations, maybe even pass the mantle for something
you have been hosting on to someone else in your circle. What you and your baby may need more than
anything else is rest. 2. Take time for reflection and
relaxation. Again, these are the
“somethings” we forget about in our Go-Go-Go mindset that sets in around the
holidays. Even if you only take five
deep “belly-breathing” breaths before you get out of bed in the morning, that
is extra oxygen for you and the baby to use that day. If you can, allow time for a meditation or
deep breathing to relaxing music. I
recorded my favorite meditations on my voice recorder, and would play them back
when I needed a moment to slow down before I entered the fray of daily life again. Doing a good relaxation practice is good for
mama and baby, and for your blood pressure, too! Elevated blood pressure is definitely not a
stress you want to add to a pregnancy, in any season. 3. Bring snacks and stay hydrated. Our holidays are defined by a constant rush
through the days – how about yours? Go
here, stop there, move on again. I
encourage you to use a gallon water bottle to serve yourself water throughout
the day. That way you can keep track if
you are drinking enough. (Read THIS post
for the ounces/day formula for your body weight, and for ideas to flavor your
water for variety.) I also carried
snacks with me, wherever we went, even if we thought we were only going out for
a minute. Sometimes, if everyone was
doing well after the first stop, we did more, and more. Some ideas for quick snacks: nut packs (we buy ours from Trader Joe’s), fruit
bars, nut-butter+jelly sandwiches, granola, dried fruits, or fresh fruits that travel
well. There was always something in the
car, or in my purse. Funny, because
nowadays that I am not pregnant or breastfeeding an infant nursling, there is
no more stash in the car, purse or diaper bag, and the kiddos are still raiding
my snack stash spots, and very upset that I no longer travel fully-equipped with food! "That" Question Lastly, I want to address that ever-asked question if your due date is around
the holidays. Those lovely people who
will ask, “You’re STILL pregnant?” In my
mind, I want to say, “You’re still tactless?” Seriously, though, it is so hard to hear that, especially if you are close to
or past your estimated due date. You can
answer with a smile, and tell them the doctor/midwife guessed wrong again! Only 4% of babies are born on their estimated
due date. Or you can be sassy – which
ever fits your personality best ;) Happy Holidays to you and yours!! Enjoy the sacredness - take care of you and your baby :) Tips from other mamas: I will be adding tips to this section as they trickle in from students and
readers. From C.J.: Do everything you would normally do, because a "due date"
is relative. I've had 2 holiday babies though (Christmas Day, and New Years
Eve). With the first I worked right up till I had her, went with my little
sister (7 yo at the time) & cut down the Xmas tree (a week before Xmas),
made Xmas dinner, and then had baby around 11pm. Second baby was
"due" Xmas day, and came New Year’s Eve. Still went about things as
normal, till it was time to call the midwife. Made sure there were sandwiches,
cheeses, meats, grapes, and other fruits available to those that came for the
birth. From O.C.: It can be hard because it's such a time for family and also an
important time to bond and keep your new little one away from germs. Don't plan
too much- Do enlist your husband to help- tell everyone you love them,
introduce them to the new member of the family, and then hands off- Don't be
too afraid to spend time with your family but do ask them to keep a little
distance if they are sick and let them know they'll get lots of snuggle time
when the baby is a little bigger and stronger. From K.R.: I was due with my 2nd on Dec 21st but also wanted to make sure my 1st (only a year old) would still have a special Christmas time no matter what happened. I made sure I had everything done early just in case...and then just relaxed. Baby #2 came two weeks early on Dec. 9th...and everything was already done. From F.H.: Lots of rest, it's easy to get caught in the "holiday spirit" I listened to my body and took it easy. Baby came a week early, two days before Christmas. Do you have tips to share? Please leave a comment; it will be moderated and published. Disclaimer: The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. 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®. |
A Letter To You, The New Mother
Posted on April 1, 2014 at 9:19 AM |
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April 2014: What You Wish You Knew Remember when you got your first positive pregnancy test? What do you wish that woman knew? Write a letter of love and encouragement to that awesome mama just starting her journey. Dear New Mama: Yes, you. I skipped
over the “mother-to-be”. You are already
growing life, and you are already aware of that life and protective of that
life…as I see it, there is no “to-be” in mothering. It is a state of being since you got your
BFP. Your mother’s instinct is no joke:
trust it always, even in the face of a “lack of evidence” or just “having a
feeling”. No mother has ever regretted
doing the best for her child from a place of love and concern…the only regret
is not listening to that voice. Your
mothering instinct will not fail you in pregnancy or parenting. At times, pregnancy may feel equally miraculous and
uncomfortable. First trimester: the
unquenchable excitement of being pregnant (it happened!!)…and nausea. Second trimester: interesting sounds and
smells, and maternity clothing as your waistline grows. Third trimester: the disappearance of your
feet beneath your belly, maybe nausea (again!), and the OMGosh moment: this
baby has to come out of me – through *there*!
Through it all, the miracle and awe of growing another human
being is constant. There are two hearts
beating, two minds working, two souls living in one body. The first time you feel your Sweet Pea stir
inside of you…their hiccups, the reaction to voices and touch…and those
sensations continue. I believe they
exist as a reminder that the sacred and divine is happening right now. You want to do the best for your baby. You want to have a perfect pregnancy that
leads into your perfect birth story.
While those are worthy ideals, you can only control finite amounts of
conception through the Birth-Day, and at some point you must surrender the rest
of it to the universe. I encourage you to learn as much as you can about birth,
breastfeeding and parenting!
You are never alone on this journey. Birth and parenting have happened for
eons. There is so much wisdom available
to you, and so many people to walk and learn with as a new parent. Read, connect, be willing to say hello to the
person sitting next to you in your childbirth or breastfeeding group. Once your Sweet Pea is earthside, get out and
about. Say hello at the breastfeeding or
postpartum support group, story time or playgroup. A simple hello can lead to a beautiful
friendship for you and your Sweet Pea. Since this is a birth blog, here are some more details about
preparing for the Birth-Day…
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. You are already an amazing parent – you have
chosen to carry this life, and by doing that, you have undertaken the essence
of mothering: living outside of yourself and considering the needs of
another. Best wishes to you as you
continue to grow in love. Blessings, Krystyna 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®. |
Redefining Pregnancy and Term Limits
Posted on October 28, 2013 at 12:06 PM |
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Maybe you heard the news last week that ACOG, “redefined ‘term pregnancy’ to improve newborn outcomes and expand efforts to prevent nonmedically indicated deliveries before 39 weeks of gestation.” Read the News Release HERE While many people around me whooped for joy, I am reserving judgment. I do think it is a move in the right direction to define full term as 39 weeks to prevent an elective cesarean mother from scheduling a cesarean two weeks sooner than the baby is estimated to be ready to live outside the uterus. However, I see a lot of challenges. I suspect that we are going to find that term limits are better saved for politicians, and not healthy mothers and healthy babies. While it doesn’t define ‘early term’ as premature, I am going to wonder
if, in our liability-driven society; if this won’t mean that any infants born
between 37 weeks and 38 weeks, 6 days are going to be under more scrutiny. I wonder if those parents are going to be
pressured to “do” things like we have seen preemie parents of otherwise healthy
babies pressured to “do” things that were against their better judgment. I also wonder if simply renaming the time period between 41 weeks and 41 weeks, 6 days as ‘late term’ is going to be enough. Will a name change suffice to calm down the fears of malpractice, and allow mamas and babies the time they need to get labor started on their own? I would like to think that mothers and babies with healthy, low-risk pregnancies will be allowed to be pregnant as long as the Mother is okay and the Baby is okay. If a family has healthy and low-risk delivery, and a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome, I can hope that no matter when that baby is born in relation to their estimated due date, that the MotherBaby pair will be left alone to meet, greet and bond without the baby being poked, jabbed, weighed, measured and otherwise. Here’s to hope – I hope that this will mean better outcomes, evidence-based care and an increase in the number of Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby birth stories. 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®. |
Warning Labels: Induction Drugs
Posted on June 7, 2013 at 4:20 PM |
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This is the second post in the series that looks at the small print on the drug information sheet for consumers. In our first post, we looked at the details of drugs used in epidurals. Here is the fine print for the drugs used by hospital practitioners to induce labor. This may be offered for a variety of reasons. Whenever a drug or procedure is offered, we encourage our students to look at the benefits and the risks. There are circumstances where the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. It is up to each family to individually decide what works best for them and their baby. In the spirit of informed consent, here is the fine print and FDA Pregnancy Category for Cervadil (Brand Name for a form of Dinoprostone), Dinoprostone, Cytotec (Misoprostol) and Pitocin. To be clear – we are not anti-care provider or anti-drug. We are grateful for modern medicine that saves lives in circumstances when Mother Nature needs help. It exists for a reason, and we are thankful for the opportunity to meet all the Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies when we hold a class reunion. Please read and consider this information as you prepare for the birth of your baby. I included the link to find the complete drug label on-line. As with last week, everything is in direct quotes because the information is pulled from the drug information made available by the Federal Drug Administration (USA).
As you can see from the insert information and the pregnancy categories assigned by the FDA, these are not inherently safe just because they are commonly used. Any parent who is being asked to use these should do so after careful consideration of the risks and the benefits. You can use this series of questions to help you determine if the benefits outweigh the risks:
Any advice to offer about being induced? 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®. |
10 Good Things
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:09 AM |
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All I could think, was, "WOW!" and how grateful I was that our care providers did not have that belief. 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®. |
In Their Own Words: Hanson Birth Story
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:21 PM |
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Jennifer
was also kind enough to share some thoughts about Bradley Method® classes, care providers and life as a momma
of twins. Read our “virtual interview”
below the links to her birth story. The story of the Hanson twins begins with a momma of twins who wanted a natural birth and was ready to
do whatever it took to avoid an induction.
Although their due date was October 10, 2011, since she was carrying
twins, she was told they would be considered term on September 20, 2011. I have great respect for her midwives at
Valley Women for Women who allowed her to go “past due"...twice. What would
you do if you were 40 weeks plus four days pregnant? You may have seen this already…if not, try
this if you can…I know I would have a hard time accomplishing this not
pregnant! Momma went
into labor naturally two days after their labor dance, and here are links to her birth
story. Link to Part 1 The story of their twin sons' birth starts with the account of her labor at home and then at the hospital… "After many months
of preparing and learning (using mainly the Bradley Method®), we were able to
achieve the natural, unmediated childbirth that we had hoped for. We had a
beautiful, peaceful labor and a delivery that can only be described as
"dramatic" but one which God's hand of protection was completely
involved in every step of the way. We also have to thank our incredible team of
nurse-midwifes who took such wonderful care of us during the pregnancy and
allowed us to let the twins come when they were ready (which happened to be 6
days past their estimated due date) and encouraged us to still go for a natural
birth, even though Isaac was breech until around 38 weeks (when he turned on
his own). Truly, I can not say enough positive things about midwife care -
personal, encouraging, sensitive, relaxed and fun. I've honestly missed those
ladies since we've had the twins - something I would never say about any other
health care provider I've ever had. " Link to Part 2 Their birth
story continues with the account of her natural delivery despite a trying second stage: "While my labor was
calm and peaceful, with me being completely in-tune with my body and in-control
of what was happening to me, the delivery was chaotic and stressful, with me
being so distracted that I couldn't even tell when contractions were happening.
I felt out-of-control to the point of panic at times. It was not at all what I
had envisioned when I pictured the delivery of my sons, however I believe it
would have been far worse had our midwife Belinda not stepped in to fight for
us amidst the chaos of doctors and hospital politics. (I should mention here
that the OB practice we went with offered something called "collaborative
care" with twins. We were to be cared for and delivered by midwives, but a
doctor would be available should an emergency arise.)" SPB: What did you take away from The Bradley Method® classes
that helped you in your birth? JH: I think what I took away from the Bradley® classes was confidence that what I believed (that my body was designed to birth children) could line up with reality, even in a hospital birth. And that I had the right to advocate for the kind of birth I felt was best for me, my husband and our twins. SPB: What did your husband-coach feel was the most important
lesson he learned? JH: Devin read a number of chapters in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, which he felt was very helpful. The Bradley® classes reiterated what he had learned from the book. However, I felt going to the classes together helped me feel more confident in him as a coach and helped bring up some good conversations about "How will we handle ______ during the labor/birth/recovery." SPB: Based on your experience, what advice would you give to
pregnant women who are looking for a care provider? JH: I would encourage women to find a midwife or a care provider that has CNMs working for them. We were so encouraged and supported by our midwives. They helped to build our confidence and helped us navigate the "politics" we dealt with because we were expecting twins and wanted a 100% natural birth. Now that the medical bills are rolling in from the hospital, I would also recommend hiring a midwife out-of-pocket and birthing at home or at a birthing center, it is very likely to be cheaper (and less stressful than the hospital!!) This is what we plan to do next time around. SPB: How is life with the twins? JH: Life with twins is... a lot of work, but also a lot of
fun. Weston and Isaac are adorable and I love being their mom. We get lots of
attention when we go out, which took some getting used to. But now I've learned
to be gracious, patient and polite to all their admirers and can enjoy it when
people stop us. What's funny is that when I'm out with just one of the twins I
get zero attention and now that feels weird. They are such sweet babies.
In fact, as I'm typing this I can hear Weston waking up and laughing/cooing to
himself - he is a big time morning person and it brightens my day so much to
start the morning with his cooing and smiling. Isaac kinda hates waking up, but
once he's awake he showers me with morning smiles too. Many thanks to the Hanson family for making their inspiring story available to breech mommas, twin mommas and natural birth mommas across the world wide web and for allowing is to link to it. We wish the Hansons all the best as they continue their journey together as a family. Weston and Isaac, you are very blessed young men. To read more of Jennifer's writing, you can visit her blog: Do you have a birth story you would like to share? Please contact me at [email protected] if you would like to share your recollections for our Birth Story Archive. 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. 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®. March 5,
2012 to May 21, 2012 For more
information or to register, please call us at 602-684-6567 or email us at
[email protected] |
In Their Own Words - Chelsey and Bryce
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 5:54 AM |
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We
had the pleasure of hosting a class reunion at the beginning of August for the
families that we taught in the Spring of 2011. Here is first installment of one of the birth stories we heard that
day. Chelsey and Bryce share their
experience in today’s video segments. Below you will find an explanation from Chelsey about what they liked
about the classes and the class information that they found useful during their
labor and delivery. We were so happy to
meet their healthy young man, Brody! They made the best of their scheduled induction and ended up with the
goal we emphasize throughout the class series: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby. Our
Bradley Method® Class Experience ~ By
Chelsey Bloomfield The
Bradley® classes really laid the foundation for a positive birth experience for
us! We started out not knowing the slightest thing about the whole birthing
process... In fact I tried to avoid thinking about what would inevitably come
so that I wouldn't be scared or freaked out by it. We were looking into getting
a doula because I was terrified of the whole doctor and medical aspect of it,
and I was scared that I would get pushed into doing something that I REALLY
didn't want. I started looking into which birthing classes I wanted to take
because I am a very education oriented person and we figured that it would help
put some of my fears to rest. When we were comparing prices we realized we
could only afford one thing, a doula vs childbirth classes... and when we signed
up for the Bradley Method® classes I knew we had made the right choice for us! The
Bradley Method® outlines from the very beginning how to prepare your body for
natural childbirth. I loved that the nutrition and exercises were a central
aspect of the classes. Other classes merely focus on teaching you breathing
techniques or ways to relax during labor, rather than preparing your body and
mind for the entire process ahead of you. I
also loved the background information on what is happening to your body
throughout pregnancy and the different stages of labor!!! By understanding what
to expect, and how the entire process worked; that information really put my
mind at ease. I felt calm and prepared
when I was in the hospital because I knew how the natural process worked and
everything my body was going through. During Labor we really used all of the relaxation techniques. I specifically found massage, deep breathing,
and mental relaxation the most helpful. The abdominal breathing was the most useful because it gave me something
else to focus on instead of the pain or pressure, and it really put me in this
state of total relaxation that is quintessential for natural labor. Also during labor, we relied heavily on the things we covered in Class 8 when
we discussed variations and complications. Since we ended up being induced and having other complications due to my
high blood pressure, it was nice to have the tools and understanding to make
the right decisions for us, so that we could end up with a healthy mom and a
healthy baby. In the end it all turned out well! The Bradley Method® gave us all the tools we
needed to be able to communicate and work together as a team to bring our baby
into the world. My notes on Chelsey & Bryce's Birth Story I want to thank Chelsey & Bryce for agreeing to share their birth story out on the internet. I was especially touched by her praise of her husband when she talked about how she couldn't have done it without him. That is the true testament to their teamwork and we are overjoyed when we see a couple bond over such a moving life experience. A comment about inductions...and I will state, as per the disclaimer below: I am not a medical professional, this is NOT medical advice. What follows below is simply my anecdotal observation about inductions after teaching several couples. As I have written in a previous post, there are many factors that go into determining your estimated due date. So far, three of our couples have been induced. Of those three, one ended up in a cesarean birth, while the other two did have a vaginal birth. In listening to their birth stories, I am starting to think that inductions only progress to a vaginal birth when the body is already SO close to starting labor, that the medical intervention serves to "push" mom into a process that was almost ready to start. In reading other internet sources on the subject, it seems that other natural childbirth bloggers and/or websites have come to the same conclusion. As we teach our students: research, research, research and ask questions when your care provider suggests that you interfere with the natural process. There are no guarantees that what they are asking you to do will work, so if you do decide to go forward with an intervention or procedure, make sure you do so with true informed consent. Your care provider is not a "mean" or "evil" person - they want a healthy baby for you, too. It is understandable that their practice history or medical malpractice insurance may skew their approach, however, give them the benefit of the doubt and work together to have the outcome everyone wants: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby. Onto another part of their story, this couple did a couple of things that were key to their mostly-natural labor...First of all, Chelsey slept! Never underestimate the power of sleep in aiding you to physically, mentally and emotionally navigate your labor. The first thing she did after they induced her was get a good night's sleep - they didn't pay attention too soon. Yeah!! The second thing they did well: they handled the "failure to progress diagnosis" brilliantly. As you will hear in part two of the video, Chelsey's cervix held
steady at a "4" for most of the time after their induction although her
contractions kept increasing in intensity. Once she passed the "5" mark
(cervix is half-way to the point of being open enough to push), she
progressed from a "7" to a "10" in less than two hours, and they were
happily holding their baby in their arms 25 hours
and 44 minutes after their induction started. I was very impressed with this couple's ability to communicate with each other. Their knowledge and confidence in the natural process allowed them to progress to their epidural-free birth because they were successful in getting their birth team behind their choices and supportive of minimal interventions and vaginal exams. They also invited Chelsey's mom to be their assistant coach, and she was able to reassure them that based on her own birth experiences, Chelsey's body was working and that they would be meeting their baby sooner than later despite the staff's concern that Chelsey was not progressing. Great job, team!! 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. 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®. |
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