**We've moved!!**
Please visit our new site, ModernAlternativeMama.com.
Comments on this post have been locked and updates are no longer being made to this page. Please click here to view this article on the new site.
If you are seeking a natural, drug-free birth (no matter where you want to give birth), midwives and doulas can help you to achieve your goal by supporting you and attending your birth. Midwives and doulas receive special training in what natural birth should be like, while OBs are trained surgeons. If something's wrong, you want an OB. But if you're a healthy, normal woman seeking a drug-free experience, a midwife and/or doula is the way to go.
First, let's look at the different types of midwives and doulas.
Doula -- A doula is a labor coach or support. They are women (I've never heard of a man being a doula; the idea is that a woman who has a particular interest in birthing and often experience birthing naturally supports another woman) and they are hired to attend a woman's birth. There are actually different types of doulas, and different services that they can provide. They do not replace a husband's role in the birth if the woman has a husband, but can be a sole labor coach/support if a woman does not have a husband or other partner (mother, sister, friend, etc.). Doulas are NOT trained to actually deliver babies and do not have any type of medical training. They function as a support. At a hospital, a doula can function as an advocate for the laboring woman in discussing any interventions with hospital staff and guiding the woman as to what is necessary.
Prenatal doula -- This is a doula who meets with a woman prior to her birth, and may provide supplementary prenatal care (I don't think this is common, but sometimes midwives-in-training will do this; we have the option locally). She will also meet with a woman during her labor and support her then, and may even meet with her once or twice after the baby comes just to make sure everything is going well (breastfeeding, emotional stability, etc.).
Birth doula -- This is the most common. This doula will meet with a woman or couple once or twice before the birth to learn the couple's wishes. Then, the doula will either meet the couple at home or at the hospital (some doulas will come to your home even if you are planning a hospital birth, to support you in early labor) and stay throughout labor. This doula may or may not visit the new mom postpartum.
Postpartum doula -- This doula can help a mom after her baby comes with breastfeeding questions, light housework, watching children (new baby while mom showers, or older children) and generally makes mom's life a bit easier in the early days.
There are doulas which combine the above services. Every doula is different. The least expensive options are usually doulas who meet with you once prior to birth, and meet you in active labor and stay through birth, and don't visit after. The more expansive the doula's services (more prenatal visits, coming earlier in your labor, visiting and providing support after birth), the more expensive she will be. Doulas can range from $200 - $1000 depending on area and services provided.
There are several places to find doulas: asking neighbors/friends, checking with local OBs (not all will be supportive of doulas, but some will have names), asking local midwives (many of whom may also work as doulas), looking on Craig's list, or checking DONA or Childbirth International. There are several other websites, as well, if you search the internet. Make sure that your doula is certified and/or experienced, and don't hesitate to call her references.
There are also several types of midwives out there.
Certified Nurse-Midwife: This can be a man or woman (though more commonly a woman), and it is a person who was first an RN, and then became certified as a midwife. This type of midwife frequently attends hospital births, and in certain areas will also attend home or birth center births (unfortunately there aren't a lot of birth centers). CNMs typically work closely with OBs, seeing patients who are low-risk but can transfer to their OBs if necessary at any point in time. CNMs are a great option for women who want or need a hospital birth but would like a natural approach if at all possible (knowing there's a back-up OB right there if necessary).
Certified Professional Midwife: This type of midwife is also called a direct-entry midwife, because she (and rarely, he) learns midwifery primarily through an apprenticeship. That is, she attends and observes births, then works under trained, experienced midwives. She learns to use a doppler, feel for the baby's position, checking maternal and fetal heart tones (with a fetoscope), check the mother's progress internally, etc. In states where CPMs are legal and monitored, they can attend hospital or home births. In states where they are not legal (including Ohio, where I live), CPMs attend only home births. CPMs tend to be a great option if you are looking for a totally natural, medical-free birth, because their perspective tends to be different than a CNM who works in a hospital and with OBs. Most CPMs, though, do know OBs and have preferred back-up doctors and hospitals. It depends on what you are comfortable with.
For a list of questions to ask when selecting a midwife or a doula, read my post on home birth.
In the U.S., there is sometimes a legal issue surrounding birth. There are states in which home birth is technically illegal. That is, a woman is allowed to birth anywhere she chooses, with anyone she wants in attendance, but midwives can be prosecuted for attending intentional home births, and brought up on charges of "practicing medicine without a license." This doesn't occur in states where midwives are legal and regulated.
The problem with midwives being unregulated is that women who want home births will usually find a midwife anyway, but there is no accountability. This means that midwives who are not certified and may have had negative birth outcomes can continue to practice. It also means that reputable, safe midwives can be arrested and taken to trial simply for helping women give birth. It also, unfortunately, means that in extreme cases, families can be prosecuted even after a SAFE home birth! This seemed impossible even a few months ago, until the Levier family was brought up on charges following their child's safe home birth (the mother was having minor issues after birth and the midwives took her to the hospital to be safe, and she was later prosecuted even though she is now fine and the baby never had issues).
Small aside: It makes me angry, that in a world where alcohol, cigarettes, and other "vices" are legal, and abortion is legal, that women can't choose to birth their babies where they want. Women don't HAVE to choose home birth, obviously, but it should be an option that is free and open to them, and even supported and encouraged! It is so very backwards that a woman can end her pregnancy, and her baby's life, but she cannot give birth to a healthy, normal baby in her own home.
Please support a woman's right to birth where SHE chooses by ensuring that trained support people (midwives and doulas) are available.
More Links:
Mother's Choice
National Association of Certified Professional Midwives
North American Registry of Midwives
Midwives Alliance of North America
Doula Network
Adventures of a Midwifery Advocate
The Big Push for Midwives
Have you ever used a midwife or doula? Is this issue important to you? Please share your thoughts!
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Showing posts with label Pregnancy and birth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pregnancy and birth. Show all posts
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Home Birth
**We've moved!!**
Please visit our new site, ModernAlternativeMama.com.
Comments on this post have been locked and updates are no longer being made to this page. Please click here to view this article on the new site.
**Note: Homebirth is a beautiful and SAFE experience for babies everywhere. Babies used to be born at home and still should be. The U.S. has the highest rate of interventions of any developed country -- AND the highest infant mortality rate. Parenting is all about choosing what is best for your baby and home birth, for many moms, is it. Even if you would not be comfortable at home, and would not choose home birth, please don't insult the moms who do. They have carefully studied their options (no matter what their age) and have chosen what is absolutely best for them. Please be respectful in your comments even if you disagree. **
If you've read Daniel's birth story at the beginning of this blog, you already know he was born at home. So, clearly, I am pro-home birth. But why? Why would someone choose to have a home birth? Is it safe? Where would you find attendants? There is a lot to consider when you are thinking about having a home birth.
First of all, you should birth where you are most comfortable. For some people, that truly is the hospital, because they feel too nervous about the "what ifs" involved in childbirth and/or they like an environment where they really don't have to worry about anything, they are taken care of. But for a lot of people, home is the most comfortable environment, because home is what is familiar. For those women, they should be able to birth at home, and should have access to midwives so they can do so safely (I'll be discussing the issues surrounding midwives and home births from a legal standpoint in another post).
If you are considering a home birth, the first thing you should do is find a qualified midwife. This does NOT necessarily mean a nurse-midwife; there are also certified professional midwives. In some states CPMs are legal, and in others (including here), they aren't. If you ask around, you'll probably find the same few names coming up over and over. There's a community of "natural" parents, including home-birthers, in every major area. Some are luckier than others though! You can also look at DONA or NACPM (National Association of Certified Professional Midwives), or NARM (North American Registry of Midwives).
Sit down with the midwife you've chosen and ask LOTS of questions. Here is a brief of things you really must ask, but add to this list anything you're wondering about, including your attitudes towards birth, fears, desires, etc.
1) How much training have you had? Do you have any certifications? Which?
2) How long have you been a midwife?
3) How many babies have you delivered?
4) What are your birth statistics (inc. hospital transfers and reasons why, any maternal/neonatal deaths and causes, average birth weight, c-sections, etc.)?
5) Have you ever had any unusual birth situations (cord prolapse, unknown breech, etc.)? How did you handle them?
6) How and why do you recommend a woman to go the hospital? What happens if I need to go?
7) What happens if you are unavailable for my birth? Do you have a back up?
8) What is your philosophy on birth?
9) What is your role in my birth? How much control will I have? What about writing a birth plan?
10) Do you do water births? Hypnobirths? (Or any other type you want)
11) What happens in an emergency, if we can't drive to the hospital? Are you trained in CPR or other resuscitation? Do you bring any equipment with you?
12) What do I need to supply for the birth?
13) Do you have any reference families I can contact?
14) How often will I see you? Will you do prenatal care for me?
15) Do you use a back-up doctor or do you recommend I see one? If so, who?
16) If I need to go to the hospital, do you recommend a particular one?
17) Do you do any routine testing or exams? What type?
18) Do you have any limits on who can attend my birth? If so, why?
19) At what point do you consider me full term? What if I go into labor early?
20) Is there anything else I need to know about home birth or you?
Make sure that you get a sense of your midwife's attitude towards birth. Hopefully, you will find one who is very open to your ideas and wishes in birthing, is well-trained in CPR and resuscitations, can do basic prenatal care, is cautious and willing to refer you to a doctor at any point if you become high-risk or if there are any problems or concerns at all (from either of you). The midwife should be willing to allow whoever you want at the birth, be certified and well-trained (having attended no fewer than 30 births, which should occur during training). The midwife should carry equipment with her in case of emergency (oxygen) and be familiar with what to do for cord prolapse, hemmorhage, etc. She should do routine testing for hemoglobin levels, and for protein/sugar in your urine, but most other testing is unnecessary. Although, she should know where to go in case you would prefer to do other testing and be willing to work with you on that. She should not perform internal exams up until labor unless there is a problem, in which case she should probably refer you to a doctor. She should recommend a particular doctor(s) and hospital in case of emergency, and officially say a back up doctor is fine, even if she does not require you to have one. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with her, and feel that she is trained, can handle your birth and any complications (hoping for none) and that her attitude and philosophy meshes well with yours.
In some states, if the midwives are legal, they will be able to actually attend your birth in a hospital, if you require transfer. In others, where midwives are NOT legal, they will function as a doula or labor coach in the event of a transfer. This is still desirable because midwives can discuss options with the doctors and advocate for you. This way if the doctor says "You really need..." your midwife, who is experienced, can advise you on whether that treatment is really necessary (in many cases it will be, because you don't go to the hospital from a planned homebirth for no reason, but still, it's good to have a midwife to help you sort through your options). It is also important to note that some midwives consider you full term at 36 weeks; others at 37. Most will not attend a birth prior to whatever they consider full term, and will send you straight to the hospital for any premature labor.
You should see a midwife as often as you would otherwise see a doctor. That is, monthly from 8 - 28 weeks, bi-weekly from 28 - 36 weeks, and weekly from 36 weeks - birth. You should also have a home visit from your midwife around 36 or 37 weeks, so that she knows how to get to you, and so that she can verify that you have all your homebirth supplies and that you are ready. Because after this point, you could go into labor at any time!
At each midwife appointment, you should meet for a full hour, or at least a half hour. The appointments shouldn't be 5 - 10 minutes like a doctor's, because your midwife should spend time getting to know you, your husband, your children (if any), and to learn as much as she can about what you are looking for in your pregnancy and birth experience. Early in your care, your midwife should take a detailed history on you. If you have any previous obstetrical history, your midwife should ask you about it in detail. She should also ask about your mother and sisters. If you have had any previous complications, your midwife will want to know what, and why. For example, if you've had a previous c-section for a breech baby, this is unlikely to occur again and is not a concern. But if you've had preeclampsia in the past, this is a concern and could disqualify you from home birth. In general, your midwife should screen you early in your pregnancy to see if you are a good candidate for home birth. The following may disqualify you:
*A complicated gynecological history (frequently missed periods for no reason, PCOS, etc.)
*Multiple miscarriages
*History pre-term labor
*History of pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome
*Uncontrolled or difficult diabetes
*History of gestational diabetes
*History of c-sections for circumstances likely to repeat
*Previous hemorrhage
*History of neonatal complications
*Any indications of high-risk pregnancy (multiple miscarriage scares, bleeding, unusual cramping, threatened pre-term labor, etc.)
*Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
Some midwives will disqualify you just for having diabetes, including gestational, or any c-sections (they don't want to attend a VBAC). You may also get disqualified late in pregnancy due to a breech baby (though some will keep seeing you in case the baby turns). Some will attempt a twin birth at home, but it depends on the position of the twins near term; most won't attempt higher multiples at home. It's possible that, if you have a history with this midwife, she will care for you even with some problems because she knows your history, whereas she would not take you on as a new client. If you are potentially high-risk, the midwife should recommend that you see a doctor in addition, so that you can transfer your care if necessary.
At each appointment, you should discuss any problems, questions, or concerns that you have. Your midwife should weigh you, or at least ask if you've weighed yourself (this is more important towards the end of your pregnancy, because a rapid weight gain can signal the beginning of pre-eclampsia. Some women do not want to be weighed in the first half of their pregnancy, and in healthy women, this can be okay -- ask). Your midwife should also take a look at your diet and advise you on how you can eat better for your baby (she should recommend 80 - 100 grams of protein per day, among other things). Your midwife may recommend a particular "pregnancy tea" (containing oatstraw, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa, and other herbs) and possibly a prenatal vitamin. If your hemoglobin is low (below 12), she may recommend spirulina to bring it up. Your midwife should also do prenatal care: listen for baby's heart tones (with a doppler or fetoscope), feel for baby's position, and after 20 weeks, measure fundal height. Your midwife should also have you check for any protein or sugar in your urine, and if any is found, follow up with further testing (it can be a sign of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia). Some midwives will also have you test your blood sugar at home for a week while eating normal meals (and will advise you on the proper way to do this testing) to determine if you are at risk or showing signs of gestational diabetes, and will recommend follow-up testing if necessary, or perhaps a diet change. The ACOG now says that for women with no history of diabetes who are under 25, no glucose testing is necessary anyway.
Your midwife will also attempt to assess your ideas, thoughts, and feelings about birth and all related issues. This means if you are a victim of abuse (sexual or otherwise), your midwife will attempt to discuss this, work through it with you, and refer you to a counselor if necessary. If there are family members or friends putting pressure on you because they do not agree with your choices, she will discuss this with you too.
Your midwife should also give you her immediate contact information: phone number and email (preferably cell phone) so that if you have an emergency, or if the baby is coming, you can call her and reach her immediately. This is IMPORTANT. I have heard many stories of people I know personally, just in the last few months, of having their babies in 15 min. - 2 hours after the first contraction, and in many cases, the midwife didn't even make it! For this reason, you and your husband should also attend a birthing class (your midwife should recommend one, and/or teach you this information) to learn how to deliver a baby, just in case you are alone when the baby comes.
You will also need to buy birthing supplies. Many midwives will put together birthing kits that you can buy directly from them, or from a source they will provide you. You are also able to go and buy your own supplies. A basic list includes:
*Chux pads, large and small (20 - 30)
*Latex gloves
*A birthing pool with liner (if desired)
*Several towels, sterilized (your midwife should tell you how, but seal them in a paper bag and bake for 2 - 3 hours at 200 degrees)
*Baby hat
*Nasal aspirator
*Peri bottle(s)
*Sterilized washcloths and hot water in a crockpot (for perineum compresses)
*Ice packs (for after)
*Mattress pads
*Large trash bags
*Cord tape
*Straws
*Juice/cereal to snack on
*Large bowls (for placenta, and in case you get sick)
*Pads for after the birth (like menstrual pads, but big)
Your midwife may have a different list of supplies. She may also require additional items that you already have around the home (extra sheets for your bed, blankets to wrap the baby in, etc.). It is important to gather ALL the supplies that your midwife requests, organize and label them, and have them in the room you intend to birth at least 4 weeks before your due date. You may also choose to have additional supplies that you want: camera or video camera, special outfit/diaper for after birth, music to play, candles to light, massage oil, birthing ball, special outfit for you, etc. Select all these in advance and put them near your birthing supplies. If you want certain pictures, make sure you have someone who is NOT coaching you who can take them, and that they understand what you do -- and DON'T -- want pictures of (i.e. "don't take a picture of me naked!" or "don't get the head crowning!" etc.). It may be a good idea to invite someone you trust just to take pictures, if this is important to you.
If you want a birthing tub, you can rent one (usually around $200). This is fine...but you can also buy one. There are pools from $30 - $1200. We bought a kiddie pool called the Aquarium pool for $30 and it was just fine. It was strong, had 3 separate inflatable rings (important, so you can adjust the height as necessary) and the sides were strong enough to lean/lay on. The pool should be 22 - 28" deep, and it depends on your height. The size of the pool matters, too, depending on whether you want your husband in with you. 6 ft. in diameter should be big enough for a second person, but talk to your midwife about specific recommendations or ask others who've had water births.
If you have older children, you must decide whether or not they will attend the birth. If the birth occurs at night, a lot of people will let their children sleep; if you have children who are much older (7 or so), they may want to be woken for the birth. It is a good idea to have a helper for the child(ren) who can be present for the birth if the child(ren) wants to be, but is willing to leave if not. We called our friend, Lindsey, to come and watch Bekah during Daniel's birth, which worked out for the best. Next time we will probably allow her to watch -- if she wants to. Some children really just want to be with their mothers and observing the birth is in everyone's best interests; it can also foster a strong bond between siblings. However, some children are a distraction or cannot stand to see their mother in pain and do not want to witness the birth. Either way, children can come back as soon as the baby is born and meet their new sibling in the first moments of his/her life, which is equally special. This is an issue you should discuss thoroughly with your midwife, but remember to be flexible. We had assumed Bekah WOULD want to witness the birth because we thought if she were downstairs and knew I was nearby, she would throw a fit about not getting to be with me. But it turned out she was quite happy to play with friends, and much fussier and clingier when she was with me (which I didn't need right then!).
It's important to note that, in labor, you will probably have a point where you say "I can't do this anymore!" If you MEAN it, your support people should be willing to take you to the hospital, even if nothing is really wrong (you are just exhausted). But be aware that nearly every woman says this, and it means you are either in transition or right around the corner from it. Also, no matter how logical you think you are at this point, you are not. Trust your support people and if they try to convince you to stay home, and talk you through a few more contractions, give it a shot. It may be just what you need.
I said that -- "I can't do it!" I thought I was logical. I said "I'm not making any progress; if I were I could do it. But I'm not. So it is logical to want to go to the hospital and get help. I am nowhere near transition." My husband and midwives had a little pow-wow in another room that I learned about later, where he told them I didn't mean it (although I did, the idea of actually having to pack a bag, get in a car, and then be away from my home and my daughter for a day seemed overwhelming and wrong) and then he coaxed me into the pool we'd set up. It turned out I entered transition right after that and my son was born only an hour or so later. It is important to let people help you! And listen to them even if you don't really want to!
Finally, READ everything you can. Read birth stories. Talk to other people who've had home births. Talk to midwives (even if you aren't totally sold on the idea). Write down all your thoughts and fears (I did). Read books on natural child birth and relaxation techniques. Learn all you can about birthing naturally, and it may put your fears at ease. Honestly, having given birth both in a hospital with an epidural, and at home with no drugs, I would have a baby at home tomorrow (even though I am tired right now...I would STILL be happy to be in labor, to be in pain, to be exhausted again...because it is amazing!). I would be eager, and excited to do it. Really! But I would never want to do it in a hospital again. I can't wait until I have another baby, at home.
Here are a few resources for you:
In His Hands (birth supplies; we ordered mine from them)
Mama Goddess (birth supplies)
Your Water Birth (water birthing supplies)
Home Birth Forum (at mothering.com)
Johanna's Birth Story (at Keeper of the Home)
Home Birth Stories
Birth Stories
I have two more exciting things to tell you!
In the next few months, I'd love to post encouraging, natural birth stories. If you would like to submit yours (they don't have to be home births, but drug-free please), email it to me (leave a comment with your email, which will be hidden, and I'll send you my email then). I think we all need that encouragement!
Also, I am currently working on a cookbook that will feature Real Food recipes and cooking tips for cooks new to cooking and Real Foods. The sales from this book will benefit women who do not have the means to pay for midwives and doulas and other alternative birth care. Most of this will be going to CHOICE (these are the midwives I used). So, look for more details on this book and please consider buying one to support this worthy organization! The book will come in January, and there is a true need for money to support this type of organization right now. More on why in a couple weeks.
Where did you have your babies? Were you satisfied with your experience? Have you had a home birth or would you consider one?
Please visit our new site, ModernAlternativeMama.com.
Comments on this post have been locked and updates are no longer being made to this page. Please click here to view this article on the new site.
**Note: Homebirth is a beautiful and SAFE experience for babies everywhere. Babies used to be born at home and still should be. The U.S. has the highest rate of interventions of any developed country -- AND the highest infant mortality rate. Parenting is all about choosing what is best for your baby and home birth, for many moms, is it. Even if you would not be comfortable at home, and would not choose home birth, please don't insult the moms who do. They have carefully studied their options (no matter what their age) and have chosen what is absolutely best for them. Please be respectful in your comments even if you disagree. **
If you've read Daniel's birth story at the beginning of this blog, you already know he was born at home. So, clearly, I am pro-home birth. But why? Why would someone choose to have a home birth? Is it safe? Where would you find attendants? There is a lot to consider when you are thinking about having a home birth.
First of all, you should birth where you are most comfortable. For some people, that truly is the hospital, because they feel too nervous about the "what ifs" involved in childbirth and/or they like an environment where they really don't have to worry about anything, they are taken care of. But for a lot of people, home is the most comfortable environment, because home is what is familiar. For those women, they should be able to birth at home, and should have access to midwives so they can do so safely (I'll be discussing the issues surrounding midwives and home births from a legal standpoint in another post).
If you are considering a home birth, the first thing you should do is find a qualified midwife. This does NOT necessarily mean a nurse-midwife; there are also certified professional midwives. In some states CPMs are legal, and in others (including here), they aren't. If you ask around, you'll probably find the same few names coming up over and over. There's a community of "natural" parents, including home-birthers, in every major area. Some are luckier than others though! You can also look at DONA or NACPM (National Association of Certified Professional Midwives), or NARM (North American Registry of Midwives).
Sit down with the midwife you've chosen and ask LOTS of questions. Here is a brief of things you really must ask, but add to this list anything you're wondering about, including your attitudes towards birth, fears, desires, etc.
1) How much training have you had? Do you have any certifications? Which?
2) How long have you been a midwife?
3) How many babies have you delivered?
4) What are your birth statistics (inc. hospital transfers and reasons why, any maternal/neonatal deaths and causes, average birth weight, c-sections, etc.)?
5) Have you ever had any unusual birth situations (cord prolapse, unknown breech, etc.)? How did you handle them?
6) How and why do you recommend a woman to go the hospital? What happens if I need to go?
7) What happens if you are unavailable for my birth? Do you have a back up?
8) What is your philosophy on birth?
9) What is your role in my birth? How much control will I have? What about writing a birth plan?
10) Do you do water births? Hypnobirths? (Or any other type you want)
11) What happens in an emergency, if we can't drive to the hospital? Are you trained in CPR or other resuscitation? Do you bring any equipment with you?
12) What do I need to supply for the birth?
13) Do you have any reference families I can contact?
14) How often will I see you? Will you do prenatal care for me?
15) Do you use a back-up doctor or do you recommend I see one? If so, who?
16) If I need to go to the hospital, do you recommend a particular one?
17) Do you do any routine testing or exams? What type?
18) Do you have any limits on who can attend my birth? If so, why?
19) At what point do you consider me full term? What if I go into labor early?
20) Is there anything else I need to know about home birth or you?
Make sure that you get a sense of your midwife's attitude towards birth. Hopefully, you will find one who is very open to your ideas and wishes in birthing, is well-trained in CPR and resuscitations, can do basic prenatal care, is cautious and willing to refer you to a doctor at any point if you become high-risk or if there are any problems or concerns at all (from either of you). The midwife should be willing to allow whoever you want at the birth, be certified and well-trained (having attended no fewer than 30 births, which should occur during training). The midwife should carry equipment with her in case of emergency (oxygen) and be familiar with what to do for cord prolapse, hemmorhage, etc. She should do routine testing for hemoglobin levels, and for protein/sugar in your urine, but most other testing is unnecessary. Although, she should know where to go in case you would prefer to do other testing and be willing to work with you on that. She should not perform internal exams up until labor unless there is a problem, in which case she should probably refer you to a doctor. She should recommend a particular doctor(s) and hospital in case of emergency, and officially say a back up doctor is fine, even if she does not require you to have one. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with her, and feel that she is trained, can handle your birth and any complications (hoping for none) and that her attitude and philosophy meshes well with yours.
In some states, if the midwives are legal, they will be able to actually attend your birth in a hospital, if you require transfer. In others, where midwives are NOT legal, they will function as a doula or labor coach in the event of a transfer. This is still desirable because midwives can discuss options with the doctors and advocate for you. This way if the doctor says "You really need..." your midwife, who is experienced, can advise you on whether that treatment is really necessary (in many cases it will be, because you don't go to the hospital from a planned homebirth for no reason, but still, it's good to have a midwife to help you sort through your options). It is also important to note that some midwives consider you full term at 36 weeks; others at 37. Most will not attend a birth prior to whatever they consider full term, and will send you straight to the hospital for any premature labor.
You should see a midwife as often as you would otherwise see a doctor. That is, monthly from 8 - 28 weeks, bi-weekly from 28 - 36 weeks, and weekly from 36 weeks - birth. You should also have a home visit from your midwife around 36 or 37 weeks, so that she knows how to get to you, and so that she can verify that you have all your homebirth supplies and that you are ready. Because after this point, you could go into labor at any time!
At each midwife appointment, you should meet for a full hour, or at least a half hour. The appointments shouldn't be 5 - 10 minutes like a doctor's, because your midwife should spend time getting to know you, your husband, your children (if any), and to learn as much as she can about what you are looking for in your pregnancy and birth experience. Early in your care, your midwife should take a detailed history on you. If you have any previous obstetrical history, your midwife should ask you about it in detail. She should also ask about your mother and sisters. If you have had any previous complications, your midwife will want to know what, and why. For example, if you've had a previous c-section for a breech baby, this is unlikely to occur again and is not a concern. But if you've had preeclampsia in the past, this is a concern and could disqualify you from home birth. In general, your midwife should screen you early in your pregnancy to see if you are a good candidate for home birth. The following may disqualify you:
*A complicated gynecological history (frequently missed periods for no reason, PCOS, etc.)
*Multiple miscarriages
*History pre-term labor
*History of pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome
*Uncontrolled or difficult diabetes
*History of gestational diabetes
*History of c-sections for circumstances likely to repeat
*Previous hemorrhage
*History of neonatal complications
*Any indications of high-risk pregnancy (multiple miscarriage scares, bleeding, unusual cramping, threatened pre-term labor, etc.)
*Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
Some midwives will disqualify you just for having diabetes, including gestational, or any c-sections (they don't want to attend a VBAC). You may also get disqualified late in pregnancy due to a breech baby (though some will keep seeing you in case the baby turns). Some will attempt a twin birth at home, but it depends on the position of the twins near term; most won't attempt higher multiples at home. It's possible that, if you have a history with this midwife, she will care for you even with some problems because she knows your history, whereas she would not take you on as a new client. If you are potentially high-risk, the midwife should recommend that you see a doctor in addition, so that you can transfer your care if necessary.
At each appointment, you should discuss any problems, questions, or concerns that you have. Your midwife should weigh you, or at least ask if you've weighed yourself (this is more important towards the end of your pregnancy, because a rapid weight gain can signal the beginning of pre-eclampsia. Some women do not want to be weighed in the first half of their pregnancy, and in healthy women, this can be okay -- ask). Your midwife should also take a look at your diet and advise you on how you can eat better for your baby (she should recommend 80 - 100 grams of protein per day, among other things). Your midwife may recommend a particular "pregnancy tea" (containing oatstraw, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa, and other herbs) and possibly a prenatal vitamin. If your hemoglobin is low (below 12), she may recommend spirulina to bring it up. Your midwife should also do prenatal care: listen for baby's heart tones (with a doppler or fetoscope), feel for baby's position, and after 20 weeks, measure fundal height. Your midwife should also have you check for any protein or sugar in your urine, and if any is found, follow up with further testing (it can be a sign of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia). Some midwives will also have you test your blood sugar at home for a week while eating normal meals (and will advise you on the proper way to do this testing) to determine if you are at risk or showing signs of gestational diabetes, and will recommend follow-up testing if necessary, or perhaps a diet change. The ACOG now says that for women with no history of diabetes who are under 25, no glucose testing is necessary anyway.
Your midwife will also attempt to assess your ideas, thoughts, and feelings about birth and all related issues. This means if you are a victim of abuse (sexual or otherwise), your midwife will attempt to discuss this, work through it with you, and refer you to a counselor if necessary. If there are family members or friends putting pressure on you because they do not agree with your choices, she will discuss this with you too.
Your midwife should also give you her immediate contact information: phone number and email (preferably cell phone) so that if you have an emergency, or if the baby is coming, you can call her and reach her immediately. This is IMPORTANT. I have heard many stories of people I know personally, just in the last few months, of having their babies in 15 min. - 2 hours after the first contraction, and in many cases, the midwife didn't even make it! For this reason, you and your husband should also attend a birthing class (your midwife should recommend one, and/or teach you this information) to learn how to deliver a baby, just in case you are alone when the baby comes.
You will also need to buy birthing supplies. Many midwives will put together birthing kits that you can buy directly from them, or from a source they will provide you. You are also able to go and buy your own supplies. A basic list includes:
*Chux pads, large and small (20 - 30)
*Latex gloves
*A birthing pool with liner (if desired)
*Several towels, sterilized (your midwife should tell you how, but seal them in a paper bag and bake for 2 - 3 hours at 200 degrees)
*Baby hat
*Nasal aspirator
*Peri bottle(s)
*Sterilized washcloths and hot water in a crockpot (for perineum compresses)
*Ice packs (for after)
*Mattress pads
*Large trash bags
*Cord tape
*Straws
*Juice/cereal to snack on
*Large bowls (for placenta, and in case you get sick)
*Pads for after the birth (like menstrual pads, but big)
Your midwife may have a different list of supplies. She may also require additional items that you already have around the home (extra sheets for your bed, blankets to wrap the baby in, etc.). It is important to gather ALL the supplies that your midwife requests, organize and label them, and have them in the room you intend to birth at least 4 weeks before your due date. You may also choose to have additional supplies that you want: camera or video camera, special outfit/diaper for after birth, music to play, candles to light, massage oil, birthing ball, special outfit for you, etc. Select all these in advance and put them near your birthing supplies. If you want certain pictures, make sure you have someone who is NOT coaching you who can take them, and that they understand what you do -- and DON'T -- want pictures of (i.e. "don't take a picture of me naked!" or "don't get the head crowning!" etc.). It may be a good idea to invite someone you trust just to take pictures, if this is important to you.
If you want a birthing tub, you can rent one (usually around $200). This is fine...but you can also buy one. There are pools from $30 - $1200. We bought a kiddie pool called the Aquarium pool for $30 and it was just fine. It was strong, had 3 separate inflatable rings (important, so you can adjust the height as necessary) and the sides were strong enough to lean/lay on. The pool should be 22 - 28" deep, and it depends on your height. The size of the pool matters, too, depending on whether you want your husband in with you. 6 ft. in diameter should be big enough for a second person, but talk to your midwife about specific recommendations or ask others who've had water births.
If you have older children, you must decide whether or not they will attend the birth. If the birth occurs at night, a lot of people will let their children sleep; if you have children who are much older (7 or so), they may want to be woken for the birth. It is a good idea to have a helper for the child(ren) who can be present for the birth if the child(ren) wants to be, but is willing to leave if not. We called our friend, Lindsey, to come and watch Bekah during Daniel's birth, which worked out for the best. Next time we will probably allow her to watch -- if she wants to. Some children really just want to be with their mothers and observing the birth is in everyone's best interests; it can also foster a strong bond between siblings. However, some children are a distraction or cannot stand to see their mother in pain and do not want to witness the birth. Either way, children can come back as soon as the baby is born and meet their new sibling in the first moments of his/her life, which is equally special. This is an issue you should discuss thoroughly with your midwife, but remember to be flexible. We had assumed Bekah WOULD want to witness the birth because we thought if she were downstairs and knew I was nearby, she would throw a fit about not getting to be with me. But it turned out she was quite happy to play with friends, and much fussier and clingier when she was with me (which I didn't need right then!).
It's important to note that, in labor, you will probably have a point where you say "I can't do this anymore!" If you MEAN it, your support people should be willing to take you to the hospital, even if nothing is really wrong (you are just exhausted). But be aware that nearly every woman says this, and it means you are either in transition or right around the corner from it. Also, no matter how logical you think you are at this point, you are not. Trust your support people and if they try to convince you to stay home, and talk you through a few more contractions, give it a shot. It may be just what you need.
I said that -- "I can't do it!" I thought I was logical. I said "I'm not making any progress; if I were I could do it. But I'm not. So it is logical to want to go to the hospital and get help. I am nowhere near transition." My husband and midwives had a little pow-wow in another room that I learned about later, where he told them I didn't mean it (although I did, the idea of actually having to pack a bag, get in a car, and then be away from my home and my daughter for a day seemed overwhelming and wrong) and then he coaxed me into the pool we'd set up. It turned out I entered transition right after that and my son was born only an hour or so later. It is important to let people help you! And listen to them even if you don't really want to!
Finally, READ everything you can. Read birth stories. Talk to other people who've had home births. Talk to midwives (even if you aren't totally sold on the idea). Write down all your thoughts and fears (I did). Read books on natural child birth and relaxation techniques. Learn all you can about birthing naturally, and it may put your fears at ease. Honestly, having given birth both in a hospital with an epidural, and at home with no drugs, I would have a baby at home tomorrow (even though I am tired right now...I would STILL be happy to be in labor, to be in pain, to be exhausted again...because it is amazing!). I would be eager, and excited to do it. Really! But I would never want to do it in a hospital again. I can't wait until I have another baby, at home.
Here are a few resources for you:
In His Hands (birth supplies; we ordered mine from them)
Mama Goddess (birth supplies)
Your Water Birth (water birthing supplies)
Home Birth Forum (at mothering.com)
Johanna's Birth Story (at Keeper of the Home)
Home Birth Stories
Birth Stories
I have two more exciting things to tell you!
In the next few months, I'd love to post encouraging, natural birth stories. If you would like to submit yours (they don't have to be home births, but drug-free please), email it to me (leave a comment with your email, which will be hidden, and I'll send you my email then). I think we all need that encouragement!
Also, I am currently working on a cookbook that will feature Real Food recipes and cooking tips for cooks new to cooking and Real Foods. The sales from this book will benefit women who do not have the means to pay for midwives and doulas and other alternative birth care. Most of this will be going to CHOICE (these are the midwives I used). So, look for more details on this book and please consider buying one to support this worthy organization! The book will come in January, and there is a true need for money to support this type of organization right now. More on why in a couple weeks.
Where did you have your babies? Were you satisfied with your experience? Have you had a home birth or would you consider one?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Miracle Baby
**We've moved!!**
Please visit our new site, ModernAlternativeMama.com.
Comments on this post have been locked and updates are no longer being made to this page. Please click here to view this article on the new site.
A year ago, on November 2, 2008, I was sitting in church. Ben and I were trying for our second baby and I was eagerly paying attention to any signs that maybe, I was pregnant. That day, I was praying about it. I was asking God to let me know when the right time was, and to allow me to become pregnant in His time.
Suddenly I felt very light, and it seemed that God was talking to me. He was telling me that I was pregnant, that now was the time. I was absolutely sure of this.
When we left, I told Ben about this. I told him that either I was pregnant then, or I would be very soon. As it happened, that is the night I conceived Daniel. I took a test 10 days later, on November 12th, and it was positive! I was thrilled, but not really surprised.
Now Daniel is approaching 4 months old. How amazing he is! Maybe because of this prayer, he felt special to me through my whole pregnancy. My first ultrasound at 9 weeks, he was upright and facing the "camera," and his features were completely clear. This is really unusual for such an early ultrasound. I knew he was boy, even before a 20-week ultrasound on my birthday confirmed it. He is "Daniel" because it means "God is my judge," which I thought was a really great meaning for a first son.
God is awesome, isn't He?
Please visit our new site, ModernAlternativeMama.com.
Comments on this post have been locked and updates are no longer being made to this page. Please click here to view this article on the new site.
A year ago, on November 2, 2008, I was sitting in church. Ben and I were trying for our second baby and I was eagerly paying attention to any signs that maybe, I was pregnant. That day, I was praying about it. I was asking God to let me know when the right time was, and to allow me to become pregnant in His time.
Suddenly I felt very light, and it seemed that God was talking to me. He was telling me that I was pregnant, that now was the time. I was absolutely sure of this.
When we left, I told Ben about this. I told him that either I was pregnant then, or I would be very soon. As it happened, that is the night I conceived Daniel. I took a test 10 days later, on November 12th, and it was positive! I was thrilled, but not really surprised.
Now Daniel is approaching 4 months old. How amazing he is! Maybe because of this prayer, he felt special to me through my whole pregnancy. My first ultrasound at 9 weeks, he was upright and facing the "camera," and his features were completely clear. This is really unusual for such an early ultrasound. I knew he was boy, even before a 20-week ultrasound on my birthday confirmed it. He is "Daniel" because it means "God is my judge," which I thought was a really great meaning for a first son.
God is awesome, isn't He?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Health News: Swine flu emergency and Pitocin risks
**We've moved!!**
Please visit our new site, ModernAlternativeMama.com.
Comments on this post have been locked and updates are no longer being made to this page. Please click here to view this article on the new site.
Health News Tuesday!
New Study Demonstrates Harm from Just ONE Mercury-Containing Vaccine
If you're still considering vaccines, it's very important to read this article. It cites several studies, many conducted by the CDC itself or independent researchers, which show evidence of harm and a link to autism.
Labor Augmentation Depletes Glutathione Levels
This study finds that when women are given Pitocin during labor, their infants have lower levels of glutathione (which helps the body to detox). The study concludes that although this is a sign of oxidative stress, it is unimportant and labor augmentation is no big deal. I disagree, since I had Pitocin with Bekah and she now has chronically low glutathione!
Chelation Therapy Helps Cure Health Problems
Details about what chelation therapy is and its uses. This therapy is frequently used in kids with autism to rid the body of mercury, but can be used to rid the body of other metals as well.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Exposed
The truth behind breast cancer awareness, treatments, etc. Mammograms are dangerous and have only a 5% of providing any benefit to a woman. Read about this and more in this article.
Swine Flu National Emergency
New research on this "pandemic" suggests only 1 - 3% of "swine flu cases" were actually any flu at all, and more important information.
Please visit our new site, ModernAlternativeMama.com.
Comments on this post have been locked and updates are no longer being made to this page. Please click here to view this article on the new site.
Health News Tuesday!
New Study Demonstrates Harm from Just ONE Mercury-Containing Vaccine
If you're still considering vaccines, it's very important to read this article. It cites several studies, many conducted by the CDC itself or independent researchers, which show evidence of harm and a link to autism.
Labor Augmentation Depletes Glutathione Levels
This study finds that when women are given Pitocin during labor, their infants have lower levels of glutathione (which helps the body to detox). The study concludes that although this is a sign of oxidative stress, it is unimportant and labor augmentation is no big deal. I disagree, since I had Pitocin with Bekah and she now has chronically low glutathione!
Chelation Therapy Helps Cure Health Problems
Details about what chelation therapy is and its uses. This therapy is frequently used in kids with autism to rid the body of mercury, but can be used to rid the body of other metals as well.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Exposed
The truth behind breast cancer awareness, treatments, etc. Mammograms are dangerous and have only a 5% of providing any benefit to a woman. Read about this and more in this article.
Swine Flu National Emergency
New research on this "pandemic" suggests only 1 - 3% of "swine flu cases" were actually any flu at all, and more important information.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Natural Birth Control and Fertility
**We've moved!!**
Please visit our new site, ModernAlternativeMama.com.
Comments on this post have been locked and updates are no longer being made to this page. Please click here to view this article on the new site.
If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know that we believe in quiverfull. As such, we don't use any form of birth control, or any form of fertility enhancements (read: drugs). Such things are against our beliefs, but they are also unhealthy for everyone. Drugs that control your hormones can mess up your body's ability to self-regulate and can cause fertility problems and other issues down the line. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives.
Natural Family Planning is a method of fertility -- both avoiding pregnancy and attempting to get pregnant -- that uses no drugs or any alterations, but simply paying attention to your body's natural rhythms and working with them. I have gotten pregnant twice using this method! There are several signs to pay attention to, and I'll describe each briefly below:
Temperature -- Take your temperature each morning immediately upon waking and before rising. This works best if it is done at the same time each day. The day after ovulation, you will see a slight shift upwards, typically .2 or .3 degrees, and the shift will be sustained until you have your period. When your period is expected, it will drop back to pre-ovulation levels. Your temperature will confirm that you are ovulating, and can give you an idea of when to expect ovulation once you have charted at least three cycles. By knowing when you ovulate, you can choose to have sex around ovulation to conceive, or avoid the three to five days before and the day after in order to avoid conception.
Cervical Position -- Your cervix can vary from very low to very high, depending on the point you are at in your cycle. When your period starts (and just before/after), it is low and closed (opens slightly during your period, but closed before/after). As you near ovulation, your cervix will rise and open. You may notice your cervix starting to rise up to a week before ovulation, and it should be at its highest point the day or so before and the day of.
Cervical Mucus -- Mucus (cervical discharge) also varies by point in the cycle. After your period it should be basically dry, very little discharge. (During your period, it's just...your period.) After a few days, the discharge will turn sticky and be only small amounts, then turn creamy or lotiony and white or yellowish. As you approach ovulation, the discharge will thin out and turn clear and watery. Watery discharge is prior to ovulation, but means it is close, so it should be considered fertile. On the day of ovulation, you will notice clear, stretchy, jelly-like discharge. It is very much like raw egg whites, and will stretch very far between two fingers. This is the most fertile cervical mucus (and it's why some women use raw egg whites as lubrication when they're trying to conceive) and means ovulation is occurring or is about to occur.
Cervical Texture -- During and after your period, your cervix is hard, much like the tip of your nose, and rather tight. As you approach ovulation, it will open and spread and become soft and spongy, feeling more like the inside of your bottom lip. It will then firm up and drop down again, even if you are pregnant (initially). As it happens, it is also soft like this when pregnant, although it is closed. Some women suspect pregnancy if, at the end of their cycles, their cervixes remain high, soft, and closed instead of returning to the low and hard texture/position they should before their periods. However, this change happens at various points of pregnancy for different women (it could occur days or weeks after you miss your period), so a low, firm cervix after ovulation does not mean you cannot be pregnant.
Other Signs -- Some women find that they are bloated, sore, cramping on one side, emotional, or have other personal signs as they approach ovulation. Many women find that they simply "know" when they ovulate after spending time paying attention to their bodies.
By being in tune with your body, it is easy to either avoid a pregnancy, or get pregnant. Personally, it took us two months to get pregnant with Bekah (and I was very stressed the first month, which may have affected things) and only one month to get pregnant with Daniel, using these methods. It can also help you to know when something is wrong with your body, if you are intimately familiar with its rhythms. You can read even more about this method here.
To turn to another issue, WHY should you bother with this method when taking a pill or putting on a condom is so much easier? Nothing to chart, nothing to remember, nothing to pay (much) attention to. Pills and condoms also allow you to have sex whenever you feel like it, without the risk of pregnancy, while NFP requires you to abstain for a few days out of the month. However, by using hormonal birth control methods, you are putting yourself at serious risk.
This study found that birth control users can suffer from chronically low testosterone (which is needed for proper sex drive and helps conception), mental health issues (depression), and more. Long-term side effects from the pill have not been studied thoroughly, so this recent research, which hints at long-term issues, is even scarier.
The "pill" can cause many other issues, too. It works primarily by causing a woman's body to produce large amounts of estrogen. Dr. Carolyn Dean discusses the risks here. To summarize, estrogen can cause various forms of cancer, increased risk of heart attack or stroke, benign liver tumors, mood swings, weight gain, and more. These risks absolutely do not outweigh any benefit of taking these pills.
Any time we put chemicals in our bodies, we are taking a risk. Changing our body's chemistry or messing with it can have serious long-term consequences. Some women who take the pill, especially versions that actually suppress their periods (either entirely, like Depo Provera, an injectable hormonal method; or only temporarily, like Seasonale, which limits a woman's periods to 4 times per year) have fertility issues when they do decide they want to conceive. This leads to using further hormones, like Clomid, to fix the problem that shouldn't have been created in the first place. The solution is to just get away from all of these chemicals and to eat a healthy diet, which will regulate a woman's cycle and make her truly healthy. Weston A. Price has a pre-conception plan as well as a pregnancy and lactation diet that can increase chances of conception and a woman's health during reproduction.
There are even issues with using tampons and other chemical-filled disposable pads (same chemicals are in disposable diapers, which is why we don't use them), but that's for another blog post!
What do you do for birth control, if you use it? Does any of this information surprise you?
Please visit our new site, ModernAlternativeMama.com.
Comments on this post have been locked and updates are no longer being made to this page. Please click here to view this article on the new site.
If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know that we believe in quiverfull. As such, we don't use any form of birth control, or any form of fertility enhancements (read: drugs). Such things are against our beliefs, but they are also unhealthy for everyone. Drugs that control your hormones can mess up your body's ability to self-regulate and can cause fertility problems and other issues down the line. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives.
Natural Family Planning is a method of fertility -- both avoiding pregnancy and attempting to get pregnant -- that uses no drugs or any alterations, but simply paying attention to your body's natural rhythms and working with them. I have gotten pregnant twice using this method! There are several signs to pay attention to, and I'll describe each briefly below:
Temperature -- Take your temperature each morning immediately upon waking and before rising. This works best if it is done at the same time each day. The day after ovulation, you will see a slight shift upwards, typically .2 or .3 degrees, and the shift will be sustained until you have your period. When your period is expected, it will drop back to pre-ovulation levels. Your temperature will confirm that you are ovulating, and can give you an idea of when to expect ovulation once you have charted at least three cycles. By knowing when you ovulate, you can choose to have sex around ovulation to conceive, or avoid the three to five days before and the day after in order to avoid conception.
Cervical Position -- Your cervix can vary from very low to very high, depending on the point you are at in your cycle. When your period starts (and just before/after), it is low and closed (opens slightly during your period, but closed before/after). As you near ovulation, your cervix will rise and open. You may notice your cervix starting to rise up to a week before ovulation, and it should be at its highest point the day or so before and the day of.
Cervical Mucus -- Mucus (cervical discharge) also varies by point in the cycle. After your period it should be basically dry, very little discharge. (During your period, it's just...your period.) After a few days, the discharge will turn sticky and be only small amounts, then turn creamy or lotiony and white or yellowish. As you approach ovulation, the discharge will thin out and turn clear and watery. Watery discharge is prior to ovulation, but means it is close, so it should be considered fertile. On the day of ovulation, you will notice clear, stretchy, jelly-like discharge. It is very much like raw egg whites, and will stretch very far between two fingers. This is the most fertile cervical mucus (and it's why some women use raw egg whites as lubrication when they're trying to conceive) and means ovulation is occurring or is about to occur.
Cervical Texture -- During and after your period, your cervix is hard, much like the tip of your nose, and rather tight. As you approach ovulation, it will open and spread and become soft and spongy, feeling more like the inside of your bottom lip. It will then firm up and drop down again, even if you are pregnant (initially). As it happens, it is also soft like this when pregnant, although it is closed. Some women suspect pregnancy if, at the end of their cycles, their cervixes remain high, soft, and closed instead of returning to the low and hard texture/position they should before their periods. However, this change happens at various points of pregnancy for different women (it could occur days or weeks after you miss your period), so a low, firm cervix after ovulation does not mean you cannot be pregnant.
Other Signs -- Some women find that they are bloated, sore, cramping on one side, emotional, or have other personal signs as they approach ovulation. Many women find that they simply "know" when they ovulate after spending time paying attention to their bodies.
By being in tune with your body, it is easy to either avoid a pregnancy, or get pregnant. Personally, it took us two months to get pregnant with Bekah (and I was very stressed the first month, which may have affected things) and only one month to get pregnant with Daniel, using these methods. It can also help you to know when something is wrong with your body, if you are intimately familiar with its rhythms. You can read even more about this method here.
To turn to another issue, WHY should you bother with this method when taking a pill or putting on a condom is so much easier? Nothing to chart, nothing to remember, nothing to pay (much) attention to. Pills and condoms also allow you to have sex whenever you feel like it, without the risk of pregnancy, while NFP requires you to abstain for a few days out of the month. However, by using hormonal birth control methods, you are putting yourself at serious risk.
This study found that birth control users can suffer from chronically low testosterone (which is needed for proper sex drive and helps conception), mental health issues (depression), and more. Long-term side effects from the pill have not been studied thoroughly, so this recent research, which hints at long-term issues, is even scarier.
The "pill" can cause many other issues, too. It works primarily by causing a woman's body to produce large amounts of estrogen. Dr. Carolyn Dean discusses the risks here. To summarize, estrogen can cause various forms of cancer, increased risk of heart attack or stroke, benign liver tumors, mood swings, weight gain, and more. These risks absolutely do not outweigh any benefit of taking these pills.
Any time we put chemicals in our bodies, we are taking a risk. Changing our body's chemistry or messing with it can have serious long-term consequences. Some women who take the pill, especially versions that actually suppress their periods (either entirely, like Depo Provera, an injectable hormonal method; or only temporarily, like Seasonale, which limits a woman's periods to 4 times per year) have fertility issues when they do decide they want to conceive. This leads to using further hormones, like Clomid, to fix the problem that shouldn't have been created in the first place. The solution is to just get away from all of these chemicals and to eat a healthy diet, which will regulate a woman's cycle and make her truly healthy. Weston A. Price has a pre-conception plan as well as a pregnancy and lactation diet that can increase chances of conception and a woman's health during reproduction.
There are even issues with using tampons and other chemical-filled disposable pads (same chemicals are in disposable diapers, which is why we don't use them), but that's for another blog post!
What do you do for birth control, if you use it? Does any of this information surprise you?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Daniel's Birth Story
**We've moved!!**
Please visit our new site, ModernAlternativeMama.com.
A lot more people are becoming interested in home birthing these days. It is a great alternative for moms who want complete control over their birthing experience, with no interference from hospital policies or staff. It is also safer, to avoid medical mistakes and of course hospital-acquired infections. If you are considering home birth, please find a qualified midwife and discuss your particular situation with her. But, in order to help you in your decision, I'm posting Daniel's birth story!
Monday morning I woke up feeling crabby and sore, but nothing going on. Saw the chiropractor at night, hoping he’d do something to help me get started with labor. Nothing happened though.
Tuesday morning went back to the chiropractor. I was feeling even more crabby and sore, it was very difficult to do anything. But still nothing.
Wednesday morning I woke up around 4 am, having a few contractions. This continued every 20 – 30 minutes until around 8 am (I made Ben stay home from work) and I didn’t really get any sleep in here. I went back to sleep around 8 until 10. Then I got up for the day, feeling still sore and cramping and having occasional contractions but nothing serious or consistent. I wanted to get things moving though!
We saw the midwives that night at 6:30. Audra assured me that it could be something – or not – and the baby would come when he was ready. We left and I was still hoping something would get started. Bekah was being a bit fussy, so we played with her, and fed her, and got her ready for bed. Around 8:30 (right before Bekah went to bed), the contractions started again. They were every 8 – 10 minutes and lasting only 20 seconds or so. But, it was something!
This time the contractions continued and grew closer together. By 11:30 they were only 4 – 5 minutes apart, lasting 40 sec. I called Audra and let her know we were probably going to have a baby tonight, and that I was going to go and try to sleep. I sat up and talked to some people online and watched movies (all the Austin Powers movies) to take my mind off the contractions. At 12:30 I laid down to try to sleep.
At 2:30 I had a really strong, long contraction woke me up. I knew I would not be able to sleep anymore. At this point the contractions were coming every 2 – 3 min. and lasting 40 sec. and were fairly strong. I finally had to DO something to get through them. I breathed, leaned, moved around a little. I woke up Ben and told him it was time to fill the birthing pool, then I called Audra and asked her to come.
I sat in a rocking chair for awhile, closing my eyes and gently breathing through the contractions. Audra arrived around 3 while I was just relaxing there. After awhile I got on the birthing ball. I walked up and down the hall some, frequently stopping in the bathroom. Every time I walked around though, or sat on the toilet, the contractions came on stronger and longer, so I tended not to do that too much.
I held onto Ben during some contractions, if he was close by, putting all my tension into gripping his hands or leaning on him. Sometimes I stared into his eyes. This did not take away all the pain but it did make it more bearable. I spent a lot of time sitting on the birthing ball at first. Abby arrived around 3:30. Audra checked me around 4 and said I was about 4 cm and mostly effaced.
I wandered up and down the hall for awhile. Everyone else fell asleep. I sat in bed, rocking and breathing through contractions, occasionally trying to sleep. Every time I did, though, I would have a super strong, super long contraction and I would wake up.
Audra checked me again at 6:30 – no progress. Any walking made the contractions and pain basically continuous so I did not want to do that. I was beginning to feel exhausted and like I couldn’t do it. Not having made any progress in three hours (or longer as I was pretty sure I was 4 cm by 2:30 when the contractions got rough) was really getting me down.
Bekah woke up at 7:30 and wanted to nurse. I sat on the birthing ball and had her sit on Ben’s lap, facing me, and I let her nurse. It was not easy to do through the contractions but I managed. She kept fussing though, wanting me to hold her and not wanting to go anywhere else. Different people kept taking her out of the room but I could hear her crying. I left the room with all my birthing supplies and went back into my room. I said I needed to call someone to watch Bekah so I could focus. We called Lindsay, who came a little after 8.
I sat on the bed and said I was too tired and in too much pain. The contractions were still every couple minutes and strong. I told them I couldn’t do it. Ben told me I could and I wasn’t going to the hospital. I was crying a little and saying that I wasn’t making any progress so how could I do it? If I was only making SOME progress it would be bearable, but nothing was insane.
Abby said maybe it wasn’t real labor and the baby wasn’t ready…and I didn’t want to have him before I was ready. They told me that the hospital would not help me yet, they would probably either induce or send me home, but probably send me home (I learned later that they all went downstairs and talked without me and decided they had to get me to relax). Abby said from the outside my contractions just didn’t seem strong enough, and as they were still only lasting 40 sec., not long enough either.
I cried and I said I couldn’t, I was too tired, so they started to think of ways to help slow my labor so I could rest some between contractions. This was around 8;30. They decided I should get into the birthing pool to try to slow it down. I said no, I did not want to move and I did not think the water would feel good to me. Finally Ben pulled me up and said “You’re going” and pulled me down the hall. He took off my underwear and basically put me in the water. He stayed with me and held onto my hands for a few contractions, then wandered off (apparently they were talking about me somewhere else).
I felt like the baby had moved down more and that I was completely effaced and slightly more dialated. The water was a little cool but it did feel good…especially once Abby coached me to relax and stop fighting the contractions. Audra made me get out to check – I was about 5 cm, stretching to 6. Some progress!
Around 9 they decided the water was too cool and added more hot water to it. The cool water was making me feel more crampy and sore and the hotter water helped me relax. I laid back against the side of the birthing pool, letting the pool and the water hold my weight. I breathed and softly moaned through contractions at this point and it was incredibly difficult to relax, but I did. I still felt mostly like I couldn’t do it, but I had glimmers of hope that maybe I could. A little while later I felt like I was about at 7. The baby’s head was nearly crowning but I had a lip of cervix left.
I still did not believe it was really happening and the hospital was in the back of my head. I had decided that I would try until 10:30, and then if it wasn’t happening I was going to transfer (my first labor was 14 hours so I figured I could last about that long this time, counting from the time of the first really consistent contractions and not prelabor). Even when I was thinking of transferring, I only wanted some pain relief so I could rest. I did not actually want to deliver at the hospital, or stay there after delivery, or deal with the hospital staff. I REALLY did not want to get into a car or pack a bag or even walk downstairs. So despite thinking about the hospital, I was pretty sure I didn’t really want to go.
At about 9:30 I was 7 cm or so and I started to feel the urge to push – strongly. I was also starting to bleed. Audra checked with the Doppler several times and the baby was doing fine, so they left me in the tub. Abby was out getting breakfast. Audra and Ben started to coach me to blow through the contractions as I was having serious trouble not pushing with them. I knew I wasn’t fully dialated but I could not stop.
I kept bleeding so they pulled me out of the tub to check. The bleeding didn’t look too bad but I was 8 cm and the lip was still there. Audra couldn’t move it. She called Abby and said the baby was coming soon and she better get back. That was when I realized this WAS happening and it was almost over!
Abby got back and checked me. Audra told me to get on my side. I said no because it hurt more. She said it didn’t matter, they had to get the lip off. I was trying not to push but it was still impossible, and Audra and Ben were yelling at me to blow and Ben was trying to breathe with me. I turned on my side, and Abby almost immediately pushed the lip beyond the baby’s head and told me I could push. And push I did! That’s when my water broke, right when I started pushing. I felt it go everywhere.
As I was pushing I flipped onto my back to have more control. I pushed hard, whenever I felt like it, taking a breath in the middle of a contraction. Audra cautioned me not to go too fast. I pushed a little more gently, but mostly went with my body. It burned but I knew that the baby was coming and pushing would make it over faster. With a third push, the baby’s head was out. I breathed for a minute, then pushed again, as the shoulders were born, and then my baby was here! The cord was wrapped tightly around his neck, but Abby carefully pushed his head into my thigh and somersaulted him to unwrap it. I pushed for only 2 minutes total before he was born.
Daniel was lifted up and laid on my chest. He was a bit blue, and Abby rubbed him and gave him oxygen for a few minutes. But, he was crying a little and he was fine. I stayed there, holding him, for a few minutes. Ben went and got Bekah, who climbed up on the bed and seemed fascinated by her new little brother. She smiled and poked him a few times.
Then I moved so I was sitting up, reclining against pillows. I had a small scratch but no real tear. Daniel began to nurse almost immediately and nursed for 40 minutes straight. My parents showed up about 20 minutes after the birth and my mom came upstairs to see us (she was also taking care of Bekah at this point) and just could not believe I had really done it…we were both crying.
Then I had to give him up for his newborn exam (his cord was cut just over an hour after birth) and I had to go take a bath. I was bleeding everywhere, feeling a little lightheaded from not eating and the birth itself, but generally feeling good! I sat in the bath for a little while, then got out and was moved into bed. Daniel was perfect, 7 lb. 5 oz. and 20 inches, and slept for the next 11 hours straight! I rested and people brought me food and I reveled in the fact that even when it had seemed impossible, I had stuck with it and I HAD done it!
Now Daniel is 5 days old, nursing like a champ, sleeping through the night (5 – 6 hours) and generally just a calm baby. Very easy! Bekah is still thrilled with her new sibling – most of the time. We haven’t had any tantrums or meltdowns over him, though, that is good! We are all very happy, feeling SO good, and plan to have homebirths with all the rest of our children.
Monday morning I woke up feeling crabby and sore, but nothing going on. Saw the chiropractor at night, hoping he’d do something to help me get started with labor. Nothing happened though.
Tuesday morning went back to the chiropractor. I was feeling even more crabby and sore, it was very difficult to do anything. But still nothing.
Wednesday morning I woke up around 4 am, having a few contractions. This continued every 20 – 30 minutes until around 8 am (I made Ben stay home from work) and I didn’t really get any sleep in here. I went back to sleep around 8 until 10. Then I got up for the day, feeling still sore and cramping and having occasional contractions but nothing serious or consistent. I wanted to get things moving though!
We saw the midwives that night at 6:30. Audra assured me that it could be something – or not – and the baby would come when he was ready. We left and I was still hoping something would get started. Bekah was being a bit fussy, so we played with her, and fed her, and got her ready for bed. Around 8:30 (right before Bekah went to bed), the contractions started again. They were every 8 – 10 minutes and lasting only 20 seconds or so. But, it was something!
This time the contractions continued and grew closer together. By 11:30 they were only 4 – 5 minutes apart, lasting 40 sec. I called Audra and let her know we were probably going to have a baby tonight, and that I was going to go and try to sleep. I sat up and talked to some people online and watched movies (all the Austin Powers movies) to take my mind off the contractions. At 12:30 I laid down to try to sleep.
At 2:30 I had a really strong, long contraction woke me up. I knew I would not be able to sleep anymore. At this point the contractions were coming every 2 – 3 min. and lasting 40 sec. and were fairly strong. I finally had to DO something to get through them. I breathed, leaned, moved around a little. I woke up Ben and told him it was time to fill the birthing pool, then I called Audra and asked her to come.
I sat in a rocking chair for awhile, closing my eyes and gently breathing through the contractions. Audra arrived around 3 while I was just relaxing there. After awhile I got on the birthing ball. I walked up and down the hall some, frequently stopping in the bathroom. Every time I walked around though, or sat on the toilet, the contractions came on stronger and longer, so I tended not to do that too much.
I held onto Ben during some contractions, if he was close by, putting all my tension into gripping his hands or leaning on him. Sometimes I stared into his eyes. This did not take away all the pain but it did make it more bearable. I spent a lot of time sitting on the birthing ball at first. Abby arrived around 3:30. Audra checked me around 4 and said I was about 4 cm and mostly effaced.
I wandered up and down the hall for awhile. Everyone else fell asleep. I sat in bed, rocking and breathing through contractions, occasionally trying to sleep. Every time I did, though, I would have a super strong, super long contraction and I would wake up.
Audra checked me again at 6:30 – no progress. Any walking made the contractions and pain basically continuous so I did not want to do that. I was beginning to feel exhausted and like I couldn’t do it. Not having made any progress in three hours (or longer as I was pretty sure I was 4 cm by 2:30 when the contractions got rough) was really getting me down.
Bekah woke up at 7:30 and wanted to nurse. I sat on the birthing ball and had her sit on Ben’s lap, facing me, and I let her nurse. It was not easy to do through the contractions but I managed. She kept fussing though, wanting me to hold her and not wanting to go anywhere else. Different people kept taking her out of the room but I could hear her crying. I left the room with all my birthing supplies and went back into my room. I said I needed to call someone to watch Bekah so I could focus. We called Lindsay, who came a little after 8.
I sat on the bed and said I was too tired and in too much pain. The contractions were still every couple minutes and strong. I told them I couldn’t do it. Ben told me I could and I wasn’t going to the hospital. I was crying a little and saying that I wasn’t making any progress so how could I do it? If I was only making SOME progress it would be bearable, but nothing was insane.
Abby said maybe it wasn’t real labor and the baby wasn’t ready…and I didn’t want to have him before I was ready. They told me that the hospital would not help me yet, they would probably either induce or send me home, but probably send me home (I learned later that they all went downstairs and talked without me and decided they had to get me to relax). Abby said from the outside my contractions just didn’t seem strong enough, and as they were still only lasting 40 sec., not long enough either.
I cried and I said I couldn’t, I was too tired, so they started to think of ways to help slow my labor so I could rest some between contractions. This was around 8;30. They decided I should get into the birthing pool to try to slow it down. I said no, I did not want to move and I did not think the water would feel good to me. Finally Ben pulled me up and said “You’re going” and pulled me down the hall. He took off my underwear and basically put me in the water. He stayed with me and held onto my hands for a few contractions, then wandered off (apparently they were talking about me somewhere else).
I felt like the baby had moved down more and that I was completely effaced and slightly more dialated. The water was a little cool but it did feel good…especially once Abby coached me to relax and stop fighting the contractions. Audra made me get out to check – I was about 5 cm, stretching to 6. Some progress!
Around 9 they decided the water was too cool and added more hot water to it. The cool water was making me feel more crampy and sore and the hotter water helped me relax. I laid back against the side of the birthing pool, letting the pool and the water hold my weight. I breathed and softly moaned through contractions at this point and it was incredibly difficult to relax, but I did. I still felt mostly like I couldn’t do it, but I had glimmers of hope that maybe I could. A little while later I felt like I was about at 7. The baby’s head was nearly crowning but I had a lip of cervix left.
I still did not believe it was really happening and the hospital was in the back of my head. I had decided that I would try until 10:30, and then if it wasn’t happening I was going to transfer (my first labor was 14 hours so I figured I could last about that long this time, counting from the time of the first really consistent contractions and not prelabor). Even when I was thinking of transferring, I only wanted some pain relief so I could rest. I did not actually want to deliver at the hospital, or stay there after delivery, or deal with the hospital staff. I REALLY did not want to get into a car or pack a bag or even walk downstairs. So despite thinking about the hospital, I was pretty sure I didn’t really want to go.
At about 9:30 I was 7 cm or so and I started to feel the urge to push – strongly. I was also starting to bleed. Audra checked with the Doppler several times and the baby was doing fine, so they left me in the tub. Abby was out getting breakfast. Audra and Ben started to coach me to blow through the contractions as I was having serious trouble not pushing with them. I knew I wasn’t fully dialated but I could not stop.
I kept bleeding so they pulled me out of the tub to check. The bleeding didn’t look too bad but I was 8 cm and the lip was still there. Audra couldn’t move it. She called Abby and said the baby was coming soon and she better get back. That was when I realized this WAS happening and it was almost over!
Abby got back and checked me. Audra told me to get on my side. I said no because it hurt more. She said it didn’t matter, they had to get the lip off. I was trying not to push but it was still impossible, and Audra and Ben were yelling at me to blow and Ben was trying to breathe with me. I turned on my side, and Abby almost immediately pushed the lip beyond the baby’s head and told me I could push. And push I did! That’s when my water broke, right when I started pushing. I felt it go everywhere.
As I was pushing I flipped onto my back to have more control. I pushed hard, whenever I felt like it, taking a breath in the middle of a contraction. Audra cautioned me not to go too fast. I pushed a little more gently, but mostly went with my body. It burned but I knew that the baby was coming and pushing would make it over faster. With a third push, the baby’s head was out. I breathed for a minute, then pushed again, as the shoulders were born, and then my baby was here! The cord was wrapped tightly around his neck, but Abby carefully pushed his head into my thigh and somersaulted him to unwrap it. I pushed for only 2 minutes total before he was born.
Daniel was lifted up and laid on my chest. He was a bit blue, and Abby rubbed him and gave him oxygen for a few minutes. But, he was crying a little and he was fine. I stayed there, holding him, for a few minutes. Ben went and got Bekah, who climbed up on the bed and seemed fascinated by her new little brother. She smiled and poked him a few times.
Then I moved so I was sitting up, reclining against pillows. I had a small scratch but no real tear. Daniel began to nurse almost immediately and nursed for 40 minutes straight. My parents showed up about 20 minutes after the birth and my mom came upstairs to see us (she was also taking care of Bekah at this point) and just could not believe I had really done it…we were both crying.
Then I had to give him up for his newborn exam (his cord was cut just over an hour after birth) and I had to go take a bath. I was bleeding everywhere, feeling a little lightheaded from not eating and the birth itself, but generally feeling good! I sat in the bath for a little while, then got out and was moved into bed. Daniel was perfect, 7 lb. 5 oz. and 20 inches, and slept for the next 11 hours straight! I rested and people brought me food and I reveled in the fact that even when it had seemed impossible, I had stuck with it and I HAD done it!
Now Daniel is 5 days old, nursing like a champ, sleeping through the night (5 – 6 hours) and generally just a calm baby. Very easy! Bekah is still thrilled with her new sibling – most of the time. We haven’t had any tantrums or meltdowns over him, though, that is good! We are all very happy, feeling SO good, and plan to have homebirths with all the rest of our children.
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