Chandler, Arizona
Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
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Info Sheet: Vaginal Exams
Posted on March 4, 2016 at 2:01 PM |
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Pelvic or Vaginal Exam during Pregnancy (3rd Trimester) According to Mayo Clinic, “as your due date approaches, your prenatal visits might include pelvic exams. These exams help your health care provider check the baby's position and detect cervical changes.” *History Pelvic examination during pregnancy is used to detect a number of clinical conditions such as anatomical abnormalities and sexually transmitted infections, to evaluate the size of a woman’s pelvis (pelvimetry) and to assess the uterine cervix so as to be able to detect signs of cervical incompetence (associated with recurrent mid-trimester miscarriages) or to predict preterm labour (see Section 11.3). In an RCT that assessed the relationship between antenatal pelvic examinations and preterm rupture of the membranes (PROM), 175 women were assigned to no examinations and 174 women were assigned to routine digital pelvic examinations commencing at 37 weeks and continuing until delivery.233 In the group of women who had no pelvic examination, ten women developed PROM (6%) compared with 32 women (18%) from the group of women who were examined weekly. This three-fold increase in the occurrence of PROM among women who had pelvic examinations was significant. Based on the above study the NCBI concluded, “Routine antenatal pelvic examination does not accurately assess gestational age, nor does it accurately predict preterm birth or cephalopelvic disproportion. It is not recommended.” Another study completed by the NCBI concluded, “In patients with a US-documented viable pregnancy, the pelvic examination did not contribute to the patient's immediate obstetric treatment. Occult cervical pathogens may be present in these patients.”
*PROS Vaginal Exams can possibly measure:
*CONS
*Links to explore Pelvic Exams Near Term: Benefit or Risk? Talking to Mothers About Informed Consent and Refusal Did you have vaginal exams in your third trimester before your labor started? Thoughts? Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and
posted. Disclaimer: The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
To Test or Not to Test: 5 Need-To-Know Questions to choose for YOU
Posted on July 23, 2015 at 8:11 PM |
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I saw the question come up again in a chat group: Should I get "X" test? Should I decline "X" medication? You could also substitute the words "procedure" or "intervention" in those phrases. As childbirth educators, we make every effort to keep our opinion out of the equation whether that question comes up in a live class, or when we see it on message boards and chat groups. The bottom line is that YOU are the only one that can make decisions about your body and your baby. As the natural childbirth movement has grown, families are becoming aware that a lot about birth works. After all, we have survived as a species long before birth became a medical event. Along with raising awareness of how physiological birth proceeds without any medical intervention in most cases, the birth movement has also encouraged patients to advocate for themselves: question everything. To be fair, there are tests for many of the things that used to be devastating to mothers and infants: gestational diabetes, Group B Strep, Rh factor to name a few. There are newborn screens that can be done so that any genetic diseases can be caught and treated early before they take full effect and harm the child. The challenge is as it usually is: the blanket treatment, "If it works for one, then it works for all." Which then leads to over-treatment and over-medicalization, and sometimes more complications than if we had left Mother Nature alone to begin with. As patient advocates, we encourage our students to insist on beineg treated as individuals - we are all unique. Somehow, somewhere, there is a growing thread that is saying: "Deny Everything". I find this concerning because despite some negatives, there are some positives to today's birth climate. So I decided to share the list of questions that I share with our students. Ask these questions of your care provider so that you can make an informed decision about personalized care for YOU in your unique situation. 1.) Why was this test/intervention/medication/procedure ("TIMP") developed in the first place? 2.) Has this TIMP been effective in affectng the problem it was designed to solve? 3.) What is the treatment plan if I say yes to the TIMP? What is the treatment plan if I say no to the TIMP? 4.) If something happens in spite of saying yes to the TIMP, will the treatment be any different than if I didn't have the TIMP? 5.) How do my personal lifestyle/career choices affect my chances of needing this TIMP? If I want to decline it, is there anything I can do to improve my chances of not needing it? There are usually several alternative to consider instead of a flat "no". We have several Pros/Cons/Alternatives listed in our Info Sheets. You can find a complete listing to them HERE, or click on the "Info Sheet" category on the left side of this blog. I wish you all the best for a safe and healthy pregnancy. Also remember that these 5 questions can also be applied to options for newborn care, postpartum care, and really any care you or your children may need in the future! Disclaimer: |
Info Sheet: Oral Glucose Challenge Test
Posted on July 17, 2015 at 7:42 AM |
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Please note that today’s info sheet is about the 1-hour screening procedure, not the 3-hour test used to determine whether or not a patient has gestational diabetes. Image Source: http://babybearbulletin.com/2013/01/28/one-hour-glucose-test/ *Definition "The oral glucose challenge test is performed to screen for gestational diabetes. This test involves quickly (within five minutes) drinking a sweetened liquid (called Glucola), which contains 50 grams of glucose. A blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm about 60 minutes after drinking the solution. The blood test measures how the glucose solution was processed by the body."
*History From Diapedia: “The first documented evidence of the effects of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy in the modern era was in 1824, when Bennewitz recorded a case of severe fetal macrosomia [large baby] and stillbirth in a 22 year old multigravida woman in Berlin. She had symptoms of severe hyperglycaemia, but he was only able to estimate this by boiling the urine to dryness[1]. The symptoms disappeared after the delivery. Until the discovery of insulin in 1923 there was no effective treatment for this condition, and the outcome of pregnancy for both mother and fetus was usually disastrous. These adverse effects have been gradually but not completely alleviated by intensive multidisciplinary care from both diabetologist and obstetrician, but complete normalisation of maternal glucose metabolism has not yet been achieved. By the 1940’s it was becoming recognised that lesser degrees of maternal hyperglycaemia were also a risk to pregnancy outcomes, with retrospective studies showing increases perinatal mortality some years before the diagnosis of overt diabetes mellitus. This led to the term ‘prediabetes in pregnancy’, and to poorly defined concepts of ‘temporary’ or ‘latent’ diabetes.” From Evidence-Based Birth: “In 1964, O’Sullivan and Mahan proposed that pregnancy changes the metabolism of carbohydrate, and that these changes are different than what happens outside of pregnancy. They published a study with 752 women who took a 100-gram 3-hour glucose test in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. In this study, the researchers tried out different cut-offs for GDM.” [1] “Now the most common method of screening for gestational diabetes in the United States is the 50-gram, 1-hour glucola test, also called the glucose challenge test. This test was first introduced in 1973. To take glucola test, you eat a normal diet beforehand. Then you drink 50 grams of a glucose polymer solution. One hour later, your blood is drawn to measure the glucose level (O’Sullivan, Mahan et al. 1973). If your blood glucose is 130-140 mg/dL or higher, then you have screened positive for gestational diabetes, and you qualify for a follow-up 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to officially diagnose the condition. The 75-gram and 100-gram OGTTs are the gold-standard for diagnosis of gestational diabetes.” [2] Quote from American Family Physician: “Gestational diabetes (GDM) occurs in 5 to 9 percent of pregnancies in the United States and is growing in prevalence. It is a controversial entity, with conflicting guidelines and treatment protocols. Recent studies show that diagnosis and management of this disorder have beneficial effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes, including reduced rates of shoulder dystocia, fractures, nerve palsies, and neonatal hypoglycemia. Diagnosis is made using a sequential model of universal screening with a 50-g one-hour glucose challenge test, followed by a diagnostic 100-g three-hour oral glucose tolerance test for women with a positive screening test.”
*PROS
*CONS
*Links for more reading From Cochrane Review: Screening for gestational diabetes and subsequent management for improving maternal and infant healthFrom PubMed: Glucose challenge test for detecting gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review. From the American Diabetes Association: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus From Aviva Romm: Glucose Tolerance Testing in Pregnancy: What you should know From Birth Without Fear: Gestational Diabetes - To Test or Not To Test From Birth Without Fear: The Truth About Gestational Diabetes and Why It's Not Your Fault From Modern Alternative Mama: Healthy Pregnancy Series: Gestational Diabetes Test *Alternatives to Glucola, aka The Orange Drink Women who are striving to avoid harmful substances are starting to seek alternatives to the ingredients in Glucola: Image Source: www.foodbabe.com From Pub Med: Jelly Beans offered as an alternative to a fifty-gram glucose beverage for gestational diabetes screening. Note: a mama seeking to avoid harmful substances could opt for jelly beans with natural ingredients and food-based coloring From Today's Mama ~ Boston Combine the following foods to make 50 g of glucose:
From My Green and Natural Pregnancy: Alternative beverages
Krystyna’s Note: Maple Syrup This is one that I have heard talked about in the green living community. Below is the nutrition information for 1 Tablespoon of maple syrup from nutritiondata.com so you can get a general idea. You would have to talk to your care provider about figuring out how “sugars” translate into “glucose” to determine how much you would need to consume in order to substitute maple syrup for the orange drink. Disclaimer: |
Info Sheet: Amniotomy
Posted on February 6, 2015 at 9:23 AM |
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*Definition Amniotomy, also known as Artificial Rupture of the Membranes
(AROM) is the surgical rupture of fetal membranes to induce or expedite labor. Source: *History Amniotomy is used to start or speed up contractions and,
as a result, shorten the length of labour.
Sources:
PROS
CONS
Sources:
*Link List For further exploration on your part
What do you think? Is this an option you would consider, or that you chose for during your birth? 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®. |
Info Sheet: Water Birth
Posted on January 2, 2015 at 4:02 AM |
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Perfect info sheet to share this month - if you are considering a water birth, you are not alone. Today's pictures are from Cassandra's first birth journey...wishing her and baby #2 all the best as they prepare to journey together this month. *Definition of Waterbirth: Immersion in water during labor and childbirth, giving birth immersed in water. Sources:
*History: Water or 'hydrotherapy' has been used in the form of hot springs and warm baths for centuries in an effort to heal the body and relax the mind. How long it has been used to help women in labour is unknown. Janet Balaskas, a writer on water births, describes legends of South Pacific Islanders giving birth in shallow seawater and of Egyptian pharaohs born in water. In some parts of the world today, such as Guyana, in South America, women go to a special place at the local river to give birth. The first documented water birth occurred in France in 1805, when a woman, exhausted after a 48 hour labour, climbed into a warm bath to relax, giving birth to her child into the water shortly afterwards. Before this and for the next 150 years afterwards there has been little written on water birth, although it has probably occurred unreported for women birthing at home. According to a 2012 Cochrane Review, "Water immersion during the first stage of labour significantly reduced epidural/spinal analgesia requirements, without adversely affecting labour duration, operative delivery rates, or neonatal wellbeing. One trial showed that immersion in water during the second stage of labour increased women's reported satisfaction with their birth experience. "Both the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives support labouring in water for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies. The evidence to support underwater birth is less clear but complications are seemingly rare. If good practice guidelines are followed in relation to infection control, management of cord rupture and strict adherence to eligibility criteria, these complications should be further reduced." Sources:
*PROS:
Sources:
*CONS
Sources:
*Links to explore:
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®. |
Info Sheet: Alcohol & Caffeine in Pregnancy
Posted on September 5, 2014 at 10:32 AM |
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Today we look at two of the substances many of us are concerned about using during pre-conception and pregnancy: Alcohol and Caffeine. If you are having a hard time giving up your caffeine, read more about consumption levels HERE Consuming Alcohol during Pregnancy ACOG (American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists) & the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control) position on alcohol is: “There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. There is also no safe time during pregnancy to drink. All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including all wines and beer. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her baby.” Sources:
Consuming Caffeine during Pregnancy "Moderate caffeine consumption (less than 200 mg per day) does not appear to be a major contributing factor in miscarriage or preterm birth. The relationship of caffeine to growth restriction remains undetermined. A final conclusion cannot be made at this time as to whether there is a correlation between high caffeine intake and miscarriage." Source: ACOG *HISTORY Alcohol: According to ACOG, federal government warnings about the need to abstain from alcohol use in pregnancy were first issued in 1984. ACOG has recommended screening for alcohol early in pregnancy since 1977. Drinking or smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of SIDS; also, infants exposed to secondhand smoke are at greater risk for SIDS.8 According to national data collected in 1999 by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a telephone survey of the noninstitutionalized U.S. population, 12.8 percent of pregnant women consumed at least one alcoholic drink during the past month, a decrease from 16.3 percent reported in 1995 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] 2002a). An intervention for women who drank heavily during their first pregnancy with the intention to reduce the women's drinking during their next pregnancies findings indicate that the brief intervention protected the next pregnancy by reducing alcohol consumption and improving infant outcomes. Sources:
Caffeine: Excerpt from ACOG Publication: "Because caffeine crosses the placenta (1) and increases maternal catecholamine levels, concerns have been raised about a potential relationship between caffeine exposure and the incidence of spontaneous miscarriage. Studies also have investigated whether caffeine contributes to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Two large studies have [also] been performed to assess the relationship between caffeine intake and preterm birth. A randomized double-blind controlled trial of caffeine reduction in 1,207 women evaluated birth data for 1,153 singleton live births (6). An average intake of 182 mg per day of caffeine did not affect length of gestation. Additionally, a prospective, population-based cohort study conducted by Clausson et al evaluated the effect of caffeine consumption on gestational age at delivery in 873 singleton births (7). Again, no association was found between caffeine and preterm birth. Consequently, it does not appear that moderate caffeine intake is a contributor to preterm birth." Source: *PROS and CONS Alcohol PROS of avoiding alcohol during pregnancy
Alcohol can put your child at risk of:
Sources:
CONS of avoiding alcohol during pregnancy
Source: Caffeine PROS of avoiding caffeine during pregnancy
Sources:
CONS of avoiding caffeine during pregnancy
*Links for more reading Alcohol
Caffeine
What are your thoughts about caffeine or alcohol use in pregnancy? Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and
posted. The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
The Dirt on Diaper Wipes
Posted on May 30, 2014 at 10:59 AM |
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Diaper Wipes – A closer look at what are you putting on your Sweet Pea's bum As a Bradley Method® instructor, we teach our students to avoid harmful substances in order to have a healthy, low-risk pregnancy. Our own green journey started when we were Bradley Method® students nine years ago...so naturally, we continued the effort to keep our environment healthy and low-risk once our Sweet Pea was earthside. Little did I know I was going to be in for a rude awakening when I read a Healthy Tips
List from Environmental Working Group that listed the top ingredients to avoid in
personal care products. On a whim, I
decided to check our products, because seriously, we weren’t at risk…we used
products labeled “natural” and “-free”. I was devastated to discover that labeling and product marketing
had duped us, the trusting consumer. I
learned to read every label…including the labels on products that were going to
touch any part of our children. Part of
our “going green” journey included a switch to reusable wipes and having a cleaning
solution in a bottle. If after reading through the ingredients you decide to make
the switch to reusable products like we did, there are many options. We have seen them in the “big box” stores,
however since we strive to shop local, we support a mama-preneur and buy our
reusable cloth goods from Shannon’s Cloth and More. You can see her on our blog HERE and HERE. So today I am sharing a list of what is in the “natural” line of the most
recognized names in diapers, Huggies™ and Pampers™, plus a big box brand.
If you want another motivation to switch, HERE is
an eye-opening article from WebMD about the little thought of ingredients in conventional
wipes – preservatives that are added to the product to minimize bacteria in a
perpetually moist environment. Children are breaking out in rashes due to
an allergic reaction in supposedly harmless ingredients. Ingredients to avoid from the Healthy Tips article. I take an in-depth look at what they are and
the motivation to avoid them HERE.
Also from the EWG database: I included a quick synopsis of each ingredient in the list
below, as well as the ingredient rating. Huggies™ Natural Care – Kimberly Clark Amodimethicone (0) - Amodimethicone is a silicon-based
polymer – used as a hair conditioning agent Polysorbate 20 (3) - a surfactant and emulsifier used in
cleaners and personal care products Other HIGH concerns: Contamination
concerns; Other LOW concerns:Data gaps, Organ system toxicity
(non-reproductive) Sodium Methylparaben (4) - Parabens mimic estrogen and can
act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors. Other HIGH
concerns: Endocrine
disruption; Other MODERATE concerns: Biochemical
or cellular level changes; Other LOW concerns:Data gaps Sodium Laurel Glucose Carboxylate (no rating available) – surfactant derived from
coconut or corn - More about this HERE Lauryl Glucoside (0) - Surfactant - Cleansing Agent - This
ingredient is a sugar- and lipid-based surfactant. Methylisothiazolinone (5) - It is a
widely-used preservative; has been associated with allergic reactions. Lab
studies on the brain cells of mammals also suggest that methylisothiazolinone
may be neurotoxic. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (1) - Aloe vera leaf extract
is produced from the succulent leaves of the aloe plant, Aloe barbadensis Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E in the form of tocopheryl
acetate) (3) - Skin-Conditioning Agent - Human skin toxicant or allergen
- strong evidence; One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high
doses Huggies™ Simply Clean – Kimberly-Clark Glycerin Polysorbate 20 (3) - a surfactant and emulsifier used in
cleaners and personal care products Other HIGH concerns: Contamination
concerns; Other LOW concerns: Data gaps, Organ system toxicity
(non-reproductive) Tetrasodium EDTA (2) - a chelating agent, used to sequester
and decrease the reactivity of metal ions that may be present in a product;
Other MODERATE concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) Methylparaben (4) - in the paraben family of preservatives
used by the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care product industries.
Parabens mimic estrogen and can act as potential hormone (endocrine) system
disruptors. HIGH concerns: Endocrine disruption; Other MODERATE
concerns: Biochemical or cellular level changes Malic acid (3-4) – Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) Methylisothiazolinone (5) - It is a
widely-used preservative; has been associated with allergic reactions. Lab
studies on the brain cells of mammals also suggest that methylisothiazolinone
may be neurotoxic. Aloe barbedensis leaf extract (1) - Aloe vera leaf extract
is produced from the succulent leaves of the aloe plant, Aloe barbadensis Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E in the form of tocopheryl
acetate) (3) - Skin-Conditioning Agent - Human skin toxicant or allergen
- strong evidence; One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high
doses Pampers™ Sensitive – Proctor & Gamble Claim: Alcohol Free – Hypoallergenic Glycerin Aloe barbadensis leaf juice (1) - Aloe vera leaf extract is
produced from the succulent leaves of the aloe plant, Aloe barbadensis Disodium EDTA (0) - is a chelating agent, used to sequester
and decrease the reactivity of metal ions that may be present in a product.
GRAS PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (3) - polyethylene glycol
derivative of castor oil; may be contaminated with potentially toxic impurities
such as 1,4-dioxane. Sodium Citrate (0) Cosmetic manufacturers use sodium citrate
to adjust the acidity of a product. Citrate, in the form of citric acid, is
also found in citric fruits and juices. Phenoxyethanol (4) – preservative – suspected neurotoxin - More about that HERE Ethylhexylglycerin (1) - Ethylhexylglycerin is a glyceryl
ether used as a weak preservative and skin conditioning agent. HIGH
concerns: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) Benzyl Alcohol (5) - Benzyl alcohol is a naturally ocurring
and synthetic ingredient used as solvent and preservative; has been associated
with contact allergy. Xantham gum (0) - Binder; Emulsion Stabilizer Sodium benzoate (3) – preservative – low concern:
non-reproductive organ system toxicity BIS-PEG/PPG-16 Dimethicone (3) - lubricant and conditioning
agent. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (1) - Fragrance Ingredient;
Skin-Conditioning Agent Bisabolol (0) - Fragrance Ingredient; Skin-Conditioning
Agent Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract (0) -
Fragrance Ingredient; Skin-Conditioning Agent Parent’s Choice Baby Wipes – Walmart Glycerin – generally considered non-toxic Phenoxyethanol (4) – preservative – suspected neurotoxin - More about that HERE Sodium benzoate (3) – preservative – low concern:
non-reproductive organ system toxicity Potassium sorbate (3) – preservative - low concern:
non-reproductive organ system toxicity Pentadecalactone (1) - Other MODERATE concerns: Organ
system toxicity (non-reproductive); Suspected to be an environmental toxin and be persistent or
bioaccumulative Aloe barbadensis leaf extract- (1) - Aloe vera leaf extract
is produced from the succulent leaves of the aloe plant, Aloe barbadensis Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract - (0) -
Fragrance Ingredient; Skin-Conditioning Agent Tocopheryl acetate (3) - Skin-Conditioning Agent -
Human skin toxicant or allergen - strong evidence; One or more animal studies
show tumor formation at high doses; Other HIGH concerns: Contamination
concerns; Other LOW concerns: Data gaps, Ecotoxicology Citric acid (2) – alpha hydroxyl acid - used in personal
care products to adjust the acidity or promote skin peeling and re-growth in
the case of anti-aging products Ology Bamboo Baby Wipes – Walgreen’s Purified Artesian Aquifer Water Polysorbate 20 (3) - a surfactant and emulsifier used in
cleaners and personal care products Other HIGH concerns: Contamination concerns; Other
LOW concerns: Data gaps, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) Vegetable glycerin (0) GRAS Lavandula angustifolia (lavender oil) (0) Aloe barbadensis (organic aloe vera) leaf extract (1) - Aloe
vera leaf extract is produced from the succulent leaves of the aloe plant, Aloe
barbadensis Calendula officinalis flower extract (1)
- Fragrance Ingredient Potassium sorbate (3) – preservative - low concern:
non-reproductive organ system toxicity Sodium benzoate (3) – preservative – low concern:
non-reproductive organ system toxicity Citric acid (2) –
alpha hydroxyl acid – used in personal care products to adjust the acidity or
promote skin peeling and re-growth in the case of anti-aging products Baby Bits Wipes Solution Coconut oil glycerin soap (0) organic plantain herb (0) chickweed herbs (0) virgin olive oil (1) – may cause irritation pure essential oil of tea tree (0) pure essential oil of lavender (0) I hope it goes without saying...just in case...please refer back to this post if you are going to share the information - thank you for respecting the time and effort it took to pull this information together. ~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®. |
Info Sheet: Choices in Childbirth Education
Posted on May 16, 2014 at 6:00 AM |
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What! A Bradley Method® teacher writing about other kinds of
childbirth education?? Yes, absolutely! Why would I do an information sheet on this topic and allow other educators to "brag on" their classes?? It is because I believe that there is no “one size fits all” childbirth education class. If one method were perfect, there wouldn’t be so many options out there. Each method speaks to the people who are attracted to the principles offered in that course. When we do presentations about natural childbirth and our classes, we offer an evaluation guide so that families can weigh any method against their own values and desires for their birth. Just like individuals are unique, they must find the education that fits their personality, timeline and budget. HISTORY: Once upon a time, birth was a community event. Children were born at home; families and neighbors experienced birth with all of it's beauty, goopiness, noise (or lack thereof) and rare complications (most complications of birth happen at a rate of 2% or less). Birth happened to us and around us - it was part of life and living. Then birth started to move to the hospital. Parents went away to have babies, and came back with siblings. Children were no longer privy to what happened during birth. And birth changed - it became medically managed because true, uncomplicated childbirth has a very hard time showing up when you take a mother to a place where she has to birth with an audience of strangers. We began to lose our knowledge and trust in birth - many of us have never experienced a live birth until it happened to us. Hence, the "birth" of childbirth education classes: to teach mothers and their partners how birth looks, sounds, and is likely to proceed if it is allowed to happen as nature intended. Little by little, hospitals and care providers in the hospital setting are open to the idea that interfering with birth is the problem, not the process of birth itself. PROS Most courses will cover provide some, if not all, of these benefits:
CONS
A closer look at the choices in childbirth education Note: this section will be updated as I receive first-hand descriptions of the courses from educators in our area who teach these classes. In our area (Phoenix, AZ), most childbirth education courses run between
$250 - $350, regardless of length. Most
courses are 3-6 weeks long. If you do
the math to figure out the cost per hour, that makes our 12-week Bradley™
course the best value for the money! However, budget is only one factor when
considering a childbirth education course.
Here are some questions you can ask when you are considering
which class is best for you:
To ensure the best quality
of instruction, it might be important to know if the childbirth educator you
are considering is a current affiliate with the certifying organization, or if
they were just trained and never completed their certification. For example, we must carry our most recent affiliation certificate with us when we teach. We are required to re-certify every year. Someone thinking about Bradley™ classes would want to know if the class is a Bradley Method®
class, providing the most current workbook and updated information (our
organization publishes updates to our course outline every year), or is it a
class “just like Bradley™” taught by a former instructor who no longer has
access to the most current information and might only be teaching their
favorite parts of what the method offered them? Here are descriptions of the most common childbirth education methods. Each of the websites listed below has links to find an
affiliated instructor in your area for that “brand” of childbirth instruction.
The bottom line is that there are several options in childbirth
education and preparation. Choose the
method that speaks to your heart – and get the information from the people that
are passionate about and currently affiliated with the method that they teach. We wish you all the best as you do the research to find the best method of education for your Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby Birth-Day. 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®. |
Info Sheet: Stripping Membranes
Posted on April 18, 2014 at 7:04 PM |
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The information below is paraphrased and/or quoted from the listed sources. *Definition of the procedure Stripping Membranes
Sources:
*History
Sources:
*PROS
Sources:
In a randomized trial of
274 women, the women who underwent membrane sweeping had:
*CONS
*Links with other options to explore
Was this intervention part of your birth story? What is your insight? Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and
posted. Disclaimer: It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. 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®. |
Info Sheet: External Cephalic Version
Posted on March 14, 2014 at 5:26 AM |
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External Cephalic Version for Breech Position *Definition of the procedure/test
Source ~ Quoted from: Scott & White Healthcare http://bit.ly/1eyZCgI *History
Source: Quoted from American Academy of Family Physicians WHO Health Education To Villages http://bit.ly/1eyZWfv *PROS
Sources ~ Quoted from:
*CONS Potential
Risks include:
Links with other options to explore
Alternatives
for turning breech babies
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