More Women Choosing Home Birth

While the majority of childbirths take place in the hospital, there has been an increase in women choosing to birth their babies at home. Midwives who offer this service are finding themselves in higher demand than ever before. The New York Times did a story about this recently, focusing on the New York City area, and it's worth taking the time to read.

It's interesting to note that in New York City most people live in cramped apartments with thin walls, and they are still choosing home birth. Another interesting and somewhat surprising fact in the article is that the reports say that most of the women who are choosing home birth are highly-educated professional women. Hooray for informed decisions!

My Birth Options and Choices: Location, Location, Location!

I find myself in a situation where I have a lot of decisions to make. In the past I've birthed my babies in a hospital. I felt the need to be in place where all the medical stuff was ready "just in case". I realize now that just being in that setting can open a woman up to unnecessary and sometimes dangerous medical interventions. Obstetrics are designed for high-risk situations where intervention is needed in order to save the mother or baby from serious injury or death. More than 90% of pregnancies and births are not high-risk, so the majority of them do not require obstetric intervention. Henci Goer's book The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to know more about this.

I have had four healthy pregnancies, wonderful births and healthy babies. I no longer feel the need to have all the medical interventions in place nearby "just in case". I now want to create a birthing environment and experience that is uplifting, comforting, natural and peaceful. The hospital does not create that setting for me. Hospitals in the state I live in also have a policy against water birth.

Birthing Centers are a great option for those who want a more comfortable setting, but want the comfort of having some medical machinery and options on-hand for possible complications. If the birthing becomes high-risk, then the mother is transferred to a hospital. The problem I have is that in my state there is only one birthing center, and it's about an hour drive from our home if there's no traffic.

There are a couple of birthing locations closer to us that offer the comfort of home in a different place. These are set up like a home, with a large bed, bathroom with a large jetted tub, full kitchen, and even a play room with toys for the other kids. There is no medical apparatus or machinery at these places. The advantages and disadvantages are the same as a home birth, but provide a setting separate from home for those who want that.

I feel if I'm going to birth in a place with the same benefits and risks as home, I may as well be at home. I like the idea of not having to drive somewhere just to birth my baby, and not having to drive back home afterward. A birthing tub can be set up at home for the water birth I want to have. With a good midwife and doula the mother will be well taken care of at home. Generally after birth they clean everything up for her, including the birthing mess, but also the dishes and other household needs. By the time they leave, the mother and baby are clean and comfortably resting in bed. I have always gotten lonely recovering in the hospital because I miss my family, and the transition from the hospital to home has been difficult in some cases. I would feel more comfortable being home with my family and loves ones rather than in a sterile hospital for two days.

I plan for a low-risk, safe birth. However, should complications arise, I will have my midwife and doula to assist me and my husband in making the best decisions for me and my baby. Midwives generally have an obstetrician reserved on-call for emergency situations in case a transfer to the hospital is needed. There is a hospital about 15 minutes from our home, and another one about 20 minutes away.

I feel safe and peaceful about choosing a home birth. I've made the choice about the location, and now I need to find the right professionals to work with me in making this happen the way I wish it to.

Surprise, I'm pregnant!

My husband and I have been planning to have one more baby, but we never thought it would happen this soon! I got the confirmation last Tuesday and was in shock for a couple of days, but I'm really excited. My guess date is July 11.

I'm approaching this pregnancy differently than my other four. I feel I'm in a much more positive place mentally, emotionally and physically. Everything that I've been learning in the past several months in my doula preparations has changed me in wonderful ways, and I'm really excited to utilize what I've learned and continue to learn. I'm opening up and letting go of past expectations, and planning for the absolute best.

I never thought I would say this, but I'm seriously considering a home birth. I have always been intrigued about water birth and always felt it would be incredible and feel so great. I really want to try it.

At this point I'll be doing more research and seriously considering my options. I don't have anything against obstetrics or hospitals, and I still really like my OB and the hospital where I birthed my last 3 babies. But I'm at a point in my life that I feel so much peace, safety and so much more capable than ever. I'm ready to completely trust in the beauty and miracle of natural birth the way our bodies were made to do it. I've done natural childbirth without medication before, but this will be a big step even further than anything I've done before, and I'm so happy to be on this path!

DONA Certified Doula to Appear on The Today Show

Debbie Aglietti, a DONA certified doula was the doula for the producer at The TODAY Show and she will appear on the show in a conversation about the benefits of doulas as well as a statement from a hospital that has had trouble with doulas in the past. I look forward to seeing information about doulas on a major TV show! The segment will air on Thursday, November 20th. There will also be an online article at www.TODAYShow.com after the segment is broadcast, so please be sure to check it out!

Breastfeeding During Pregnancy

I did a little bit of research today about breastfeeding during pregnancy. I'm a huge advocate of breastfeeding. My goal with each of my children has been to nurse them exclusively for the first 6 months and to continue breastfeeding at least until the baby is 12 months old. So far I've been able to achieve that, and I'm very grateful to have been able to do it.

After my second child was born I was talking with my obstetrician about how long I should wait before getting pregnant again. There are two major points I remember he made.

• One was that there are health concerns for the mother if she has two babies (not twins) within 12 months of each other. This includes a higher risk of blood clots. He emphasized the need for the mother's body to recover after giving birth.
• The next point my doctor made was that if I were to get pregnant I should stop breastfeeding. His argument for weaning was that nutritionally it's too hard for the mother's body to provide the needs for 3 people: herself, her nursing baby and her developing baby growing inside of her.
  

Now, that second point really bothered me. I could understand the nutritional need, but I didn't feel that it was necessary to stop breastfeeding at the first confirmation of pregnancy. I have thought about it a lot since then, and I feel that a woman should be able to continue breastfeeding during pregnancy, as long as she is eating well and maintaining good health, and her nursing baby and fetus are thriving.

La Leche League has some really good articles about this, and it supports my own feelings on the subject. To sum up what I read, they say that any argument against breastfeeding during pregnancy is based on conjecture and not on fact. In fact, no reliable studies have been done to support the idea that pregnant mothers should wean their nursing babies. Some things that stood out to me in the articles are:

• In a normal pregnancy there is no evidence that continuing to breastfeed will deprive an unborn child of necessary nutrients.
• Breastmilk changes during pregnancy. The taste changes because the makeup of the milk changes in a similar way as it does when weaning. At around 4-5 months in pregnancy, the milk supply generally decreases. The milk may also turn to colostrum, and the milk returns within a few days after birth.
  
• Each child is different and some have a stronger need to nurse than others. Some children will naturally wean themselves because of the change in the flavor or consistency of the milk, while others won't care about the milk changing and will continue to nurse throughout pregnancy regardless of the changes. It's important to consider the child's needs and reasons for breastfeeding.
• Younger babies, particulary less than 12 months old, should be monitored closely for weight gain to ensure that they are thriving on the mother's milk during pregnancy. Older babies are more likely to wean themselves or the mother may decide it's a good time to wean if the child is already eating a good amount of solids.
• Hormone levels change during pregnancy (surprise!), and the higher levels of progesterone help relax and smooth the muscles in the uterus so that uterine contractions from nursing are generally not a risk during pregnancy. As the progesterone levels drop and estrogen levels increase just prior to birth and after, uterine contractions will be stronger.

I could go on about this subject, but the articles themselves offer comprehensive information. If you're interested in learning more about this, check out the LLLI website, and if you'd like me to post more about it, please indicate your response below!

Upcoming Doula Training: Learn to Support Mamas and Babies

Learn to Support Mamas and Babies During Labor and Birth

Join us for a Wonderful Doula Training Workshop!

• Date: February 19-21, 2009 
• Location: Springville, UT 
• No experience necessary 
• See dona.org for more information
• To register, contact Melissa: melissa@rawmelissa.com
• Discount available for prepayment

Staying Healthy and Low-Risk: Pregnancy/Prenatal Exercise & Fitness

Exercise during pregnancy:

• Tailor Sitting – on the floor, soles of the feet together, knees out to the sides. Gently lower the knees to the floor. Practice this 3 times daily.
• Squatting – back against the wall or against the birth partner. With feet shoulder-width apart, slowly lower yourself (keeping heels on the floor) into a squatting position, hold for 20 seconds and gently raise back up to a standing position. Practice several times per day, extending the hold time as you are able to.
• Pelvic Rocking – In hands and knees position, knees shoulder-width apart and hands below you, flatten your back, then tuck in your rear, then flatten your back again. Be careful not to let your back fall into a downward arch, but focus on a flat back and tuck in the rear. Do this 25 times, twice daily.
• Kegels – If you are new to this you can practice first when urinating with a full bladder. Stop the flow and then allow it to start again. This will help you find the muscles to use for this exercise. Take caution because this can lead to urinary tract infections, so do not do this if you are experienced with these exercises. Practice sets of 10, squeezing and releasing, up to a total of 50 to 150 per day. More information about Kegels.
  
• Perineal Massage - This helps to stretch the perineum (wall of tissue between the birth canal and rectum) and prevent tearing during birth. How to perform Perineum Massage.
  
• Birth Ball – forward leaning position is favorable to encourage the baby into a good position.
• In addition to the above, moderate exercise is recommended, about 30 to 60 minutes per day, including walking, swimming, prenatal yoga classes, and pregnancy exercise videos. With yoga it's important to follow prenatal guidelines, as some yoga holds and breathing methods are not recommended during pregnancy. More about Prenatal Yoga.
  

Staying Healthy and Low-Risk: Pregnancy/Prenatal Diet & Nutrition

These are some of my notes from the most recent Hypnobabies class I attended, covering pregnancy nutrition. I think it's worth sharing:

• Good health and diet during pregnancy will help the baby be strong and healthy and will help things go smoothly during birthing time.
• Low-risk mothers with healthy diets experience fewer complications and more options (like freedom of movement) during birthing time.
• During pregnancy the focus should be on what you are eating and not how much you are gaining. If you are eating healthy and getting good exercise you will gain the right amount of weight for you and your baby.
  
• The diet below is based on the Gerber Diet by Dr. Gerber.
  

Every-day diet during pregnancy:

• 4 servings of milk (calcium)
• 2 eggs
• 2 servings of protein
• 2 servings of dark green leafy vegetables
• 5 servings of whole grains (check labels for 100% whole grains, or make homemade bread)
  
• 2 servings of Vitamin C foods - Red berries, kiwi, red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, and juices made from guava, grapefruit, and orange.
• 5 servings of fats and oils, including butter and oil, but no margarine.
• 1 serving of Vitamin A - Milk, eggs, darkly colored orange or green vegetables (such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and kale), and orange fruits such as cantaloupe, apricots, peaches, papayas, and mangos.
• Plenty of fluids (about 6-8 glasses) - water is best. Fruit juice is good in moderation. Just be careful of sugar intake.
• Salt to taste. Salt helps maintain a healthy balance of fluid production in the body.

Important Things to Note:

• Folic Acid - Important for healthy development of the baby. Good sources are dark leafy greens, legumes such as lentils and chickpeas, and whole grain breads and cereals.
• Protein – 22 amino acids – the body's building blocks.
• A protein deficiency can lead to toximia and preeclampsia.
• 80 – 100 grams of protein per day can reverse toximia!
• Pack proteins into your snacks. Instead of eating a whole apple, eat half an apple and half a meat sandwich or fruit and some cheese to get a good balance of protein and Vitamin C and other nutrients.
• Calcium is important and best to get in foods, but can be taken in a supplement as well. Preferably at night to help avoid leg cramps while sleeping.
• Antacids are not recommended as a calcium supplement, as they can create a metabolic imbalance.
• Iron is important for healthy red blood cell production. It's found in meats, legumes and dark leafy greens like spinach. Iron can be taken in a supplement, best with Vitamin C to help absorption. Avoid taking it with Calcium, as it disrupts the iron absorption.
  
• Take Iron in the morning and Calcium at night.
• Amniotic fluid is replaced every 3 hours during pregnancy, so sufficient water intake is important in providing adequate fluid replacement.
  
• It's also interesting to note that the body retains water when it's not getting enough, because the body tries to hold onto what it's got to keep from getting dehydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent water retention!
• If water is tasteless or boring to you, try sweetening it or adding flavor. A really healthy way to flavor your water is to add fresh lemon juice to it (from real lemons, not concentrate) and sweeten it with a healthy sugar alternative (listed below). Lemons are the only truly alkaline food, so they also help lower the acidity in your body.
  
• Good sugar alternatives: agave, stevia, xylitol, honey.

Foods to Avoid:

• Soft cheese
• Fish high in mercury (deep water fish are safer, as well as tuna in moderation)
• Raw, uncooked meat
• Undercooked eggs, poultry or fish
• Harsh cleaning products (vinegar is a good safe cleaning option)
• Aerosol sprays
• Cat litter
• Soda
• Nutrasweet, Splenda and other artificial sweeteners. Watch out for "sugar-free" and "diet" foods and drinks, because they can contain harmful artificial sweeteners.
  

For more information about general healthy eating and for tips and recipes, see Healthy Families, Warm Hearts

Born Free Moby Wrap/Baby Sling from Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein

From Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein, the creators of the amazing documentary film The Business of Being Born comes the limited edition Born Free Moby Wrap. They've teamed up with Moby Wrap and artist Tracy Ginsberg to create this special wrap.

I have used a baby sling with my fourth baby, and I wish I had bought one for my first child! They are wonderful, and so natural and comfortable to carry the baby in. Much more comfortable than the hard harnesses with straps and buckles, which I will never go back to! I use the sling more than the stroller. My baby sling is from Maya Wrap and was a gift from some wonderful friends. If you know how to sew, Maya Wrap also has sewing instructions on their website that you can print and use to make your own wrap.

For more information about what Ricki and Abby have been up to, check out the latest Bobb newsletter. These ladies are doing some great things for women's health and childbirth education and awareness. If you've been unable to find a copy of their film, you can purchase it from their website, and coming soon you will also be able to rent it for a 24-hour period online.

Awesome Hypnobabies Childbirth Education Series

I just started observing a Hypnobabies training series that started yesterday. It was awesome, and I'm so excited to complete the 6-week series! I almost wish I were pregnant now so I could start using the techniques and taking advantage of the wonderful training and information. I would recommend Hypnobabies to any woman seeking a natural, pain-free birth alternative. It's amazing, and it's real!

My instructor is Littia Sellers, and she teaches classes in Orem, UT. Check out her website and read her own Hypnobabies birth story. This is the birth method I would love to use with my next pregnancy.