Preparing A Way

A couple of days ago I realized that I am going to have a baby! That may sound crazy considering I am 30 weeks pregnant, but it hit me...I will be giving birth to this growing being inside of me.

I am not sure how much all the things I am doing leading up to birth will actually prepare me for what I will experience, but I am preparing none the less.

Some people assume that because I am a birth doula, I will be more prepared than most. Maybe. But, although I have attended many births and advised many pregnant women, nothing can compare to my own experiences during this pregnancy. It is so different actually experiencing it yourself. I am sure this all will make me a better doula as well.

So what am I doing to prepare you ask?

Here are a few things....

Reading Up On....

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg and Erick Ingraham

Birthing From Within
by Pam England and Rob Horowitz

The Thinking Women's Guide to a Better Birth
by Henci Goer

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn
by Penny Simpkin, Janet Whalley, and Ann Keppler

The Parent's Concise Guide to Childhood Vaccinations
by Lauren Feder

Watching...

The Business of Being Born
Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein

Orgasmic Birth: The Best Kept Secret
Debra Pascali-Bonaro

In and On My Body...

Organic Food Based Prenatal Vitamins

Olympic Labs Pea Protein
added to my fruit smoothie in the mornings....YUMMY!

Lots of WATER....Obviously!

Organic Coconut Oil for lathering up my belly and skin

Earth Mama Angel Baby Products
I love them all, but I have been using the Stretch Mark Oil, Happy Feet, and Mint Herbal Lip Balm!

We are also taking Bradley Method Childbirth Classes with my friend Donna. And, I am getting weekly chiropractic adjustments from my friend Rachel.

My Body, My Baby, My Birth

Pregnancy and birth has become so high tech. Makes you wonder what they did all those years ago when women just got pregnant and nine months later had their baby.

Here are some of my thoughts and views regarding my pregnancy and birth.

My First Prenatal Appointment: Although I was having regular blood testing in the beginning of this pregnancy for low progesterone levels, I did not have the first prenatal appointment until 17 weeks. The group of midwives we chose were eager to help me over the phone before hand as I needed though. I love the attention that I get from such nurturing care. I spend 5 minutes in the waiting room and 45 minutes in my appointment....not the other way around.

Routine Testing and Procedures During Pregnancy: So many tests are dne while you are pregnant - many of which have declined! I give a urine sample at each appointment which is very inevasive. I plan to have an iron test done which involved a stick and is fairly inevasive. I have opted out of taking tests like glucose and many of the other unnecessary (in my opinion) blood testing and other screenings. And, I definitely steered clear of the flu and swine flu vaccines.

Ultrasounds: Before I was pregnant, I vowed not to have an ultrasound. But, when I began spotting at 5 weeks and it continued until week 12, I felt it best to ensure the safety of the baby and pregnancy. However, I am not a fan of ultrasounds. There is too much evidence out there that shows ultrasounds to be very dangerous to the health of the baby. Have you ever had an ultrasound and your baby was moving and kicking around a lot? The technician may have even joked about how much your baby was moving. Did you know that the ultrasound waves sound like a freight train to your poor, innocent little baby. Their tiny ears are just trying to acclimate to normal noises like the voice of Mommy and Daddy. Imagine how harsh those loud sound waves must be like.

Because we have not an ultrasound with this pregnancy since the bleeding at 12 weeks, we will not find out the gender of our little one. People's reactions are very interesting. Some say, "Oh, that is wonderful. There are so few surprises in the world." Others say, "I am too much of a planner to not find out." I find the latter response amusing. You see, I am a first born and a Virgo. I plan, organize, and research to the max. But, when it comes to having a baby, I prefer taking a simpler approach.

Childbirth Classes: Whether you birth at home, birth center, or hospital, I highly recommend taking a childbirth class to prepare you for the birth. We are taking The Bradley Method with my friend Donna. Bradley encourages the father to play a large role in labor and birth of the baby. It teaches many techniques to support a natural birth and avoid unnecessary interventions. ABC News did a recent report on the best childbirth classes to take. Check it out here.

Our Place of Birth: Home. For us, we could think of no better place than our home to welcome our little baby. It is a peaceful, quiet, safe place for my husband and I to have a calm and relaxing birth experience. And, our baby will be born into an environment free of bright florescent lighting, gloved and masked care givers, and cold, stark air. ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) states "Choosing to deliver a baby at home is to place the process of giving birth over the goal of having a healthy baby." All I can say to that is that those doctors have obviously never had the joyful experience of welcoming a baby into the world in a homebirth setting. They must often see babies born under severe distress due to the birth they highly intervened in with the use of drugs, induction, and/or cutting them open to get the babies out. I believe that my body and baby will be just fine at home. It is just pure, natural instincts for a woman to know how to have a baby. What kind of birth she decides to have is largely based on her ability to not be afraid of her own body's normal, natural function to give birth.

As a mother-to-be, I feel very strongly about the choices we have made about this pregnancy and the birth of our first born. I know this isn't for every mother and her baby, but it is right for us.

Teen Pregnancy

Recently, I have been doing research on teen pregnancy. In my work at The Gladney Center for Adoption, I mentor many teens who are preparing to place their baby for adoption. But, this is only a handful of girls who will become a teen pregnancy statistic. Many others will plan to parent or have an abortion.

With teen pregnancy on the rise, I feel it is important to provide support, education, and care to these young women and their support system. Many young girls may find themselves without the support they had hoped for during their pregnancy. A doula can help provide this support to the young teenagers and help get them started on the right track into parenthood.

Doulas can help with mentoring, in-home support, making healthy pregnancy choices, preparing for labor and birth, developing a birth plan, breastfeeding support, and newborn care and preparation for the postpartum period as the teen parent(s) and their families prepare for a new baby. In addition, the doula has a network of caregivers she can refer these young women to, such as, safe housing, drug and alcohol treatment centers, counceling, lactation support, parenting support groups, and programs to assist in completing education and furthering their education if desired.

If you are a teen or the parent of a teen and desire support, please contact me for further information. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to receive the support and help you need for little to no cost.

The following is an article I retreived from another website. Click here to connect directly to the site for more information on teen pregnancy.

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Teenage Pregnancy and Teen Abortions - Statistics and Facts

Teenage pregnancy is an issue that is rampant throughout the world and is a major concern due to the ill effects associated with teenagers bearing children. Here is an attempt to fathom all the possible reasons that lead to teenage pregnancy as well as the effects of teenage pregnancy and teen abortions. Teenage Pregnancy Statistics One of the surveys conducted by a leading international organization called Save the Children stated that annually 13 million children are born to women under the age of twenty, more that 90% in developing countries. It also said that the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the world was found in sub-Saharan Africa. The United States has the highest teenage birth rate and a very high teenage abortion rate as well. Until 2006, there had been a declining trend in the teenage pregnancy numbers, especially since the early nineties. The Guttmacher Institute conducted a research, which stated that the decline was owing to successful promotion of abstinence and effective use of contraceptives amongst teenagers. However, as of 2007 the teenage pregnancy rates have begun to rise again reversing the positive trends seen in the previous years. Causes of Teenage Pregnancy While discussing the issue of teenage pregnancy it is very important to think about the possible reasons that are responsible for this phenomenon. One of the most important reasons for teen pregnancies is the way in which adolescents are looking at sex. For a majority of teenagers, lack of appropriate sex education, and the portrayal of sex through the mass media results in an inappropriate and a rather careless approach about the phenomenon of sex in general which leads to the fact that teenagers look at sex very differently. Most of the teenagers lack the maturity and sound understanding about the phenomenon of sex and often get carried away in the moment. The practice of unprotected sex leads to teen pregnancies and further to teen abortions. Although some of the teens decide to give birth to the child, the process of raising a child at a teenage is extremely difficult and hampers many factors like the education of the teen, the financial concerns, and of course the psychological stress associated with the process. Teen pregnancies can also result from sexual abuse of teenage girls. Instances of teen pregnancies resulting from sexual abuse by sexual predators, or even date rapes have been on the rise. Dealing with a teenage pregnancy can be even more difficult in such cases, due to the emotional as well as physical trauma. The Internet might have been a great source of communication, but has emerged as an easy option for sexual predators to lure and victimize teenage girls. In some countries child marriage is practiced which leads to teenage girls being forced into motherhood at a very young age at which the girl is not ready for motherhood both physically and emotionally. Impact of Teenage Pregnancies and Teen Abortions Most of the people put a lot of thought and planning before they decide they want to have children, since raising a child is an extremely difficult task, which requires a lot of psychological, physical as well financial strength. The first and most important thing about teenage pregnancies is that teenage is a very tender age, and hence teenagers lack the physical as well as psychological maturity required for conceiving children. Teenage pregnancies can very extremely difficult to deal with not only for the teen, but the entire family and might have an effect on the younger siblings of the teenager. Continuing education becomes very difficult for teenage mothers, which again leads to an unstable future without education and proper employment opportunities. This affects the quality of living of both the mother as well as the child. The risks associated with childbirth are higher for girls under the age of fourteen years. An underdeveloped pelvis often leads to complications during childbirth. The Caesarean section option can be used for dealing with obstructed labor, however, in developing regions where medical services might be unavailable, it can lead to obstetric fistula, eclampsia, infant mortality, or even maternal death.

It's hard to raise a child when you're still a child ~ Anonymous

Do You Need a Doula?

Even with a caring partner, family support, and the care of a doctor or midwife, will he or she:

• Come to your home and labor with you until it's time to go to the hospital or birthing center and then stay with you continuously until the baby is born?
• Provide advanced labor techniques such as massage or acupressure?
• Provide several prenatal visits in your home?
• Help you develop a "birth plan"?
• Provide the encouragement you need while you are in transition and when the baby is being born?
• Take notes during labor and provide you with a written record of birth?
• Take photographs of you and your support person(s) during the labor and with your new baby?
• Help you with breastfeeding?

Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy

There are many things you can and should do to prepare your body to have a healthy pregnancy. This can and should start several months or even years before trying to conceive. Some of these sound like no-brainers, but you would be surprised at what I see pregnant women do because of the lack of knowledge they have about having a healthy pregnancy for both mom and baby.

#1 - Quit Smoking....and never smoke again.
Smoking cigarettes is probably the number one cause of adverse outcomes of babies. These include: low birth weight babies, underdeveloped bodies, and adverse effects to the lungs, brain, and other organs. Even just one cigarette a day can have significant effects on the baby's blood vessels, causing lifelong traumatic effects on him.


# 2 - Stop Drinking Alcohol
Some alcohols that contain yeast can provide an environment on the body that breeds bacterial and fungal infections. As you prepare your body to conceive, understand that these infections can be passed to your baby if not taken care of properly. When you drink alcohol while pregnant, so does your baby. Alcohol has been shown to be harmful to the baby's development. If you drink during pregnancy, you are putting your baby at risk for irreversible Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

#3 - Check Out Medications and Supplements
Before becoming pregnant, check with your health care provider about the affects your medications may be having on your ability to conceive and carry a baby safely. In addition, some medications and supplements are not recommended for pregnant or lactating mothers.


#4 - Cut Out The Junk food and Soda
It is important to develop healthy eating habits before your baby is conceived. Being at an ideal weight and eating well will significantly increase you and your baby's health. Eating foods that are empty in calories is not a good habit to have. When pregnant, it is important to choose foods wisely. Having a balanced diet of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and fiber is important to develop and strong and healthy baby. Reach for the apple instead of the candy bar next time you have a pre-pregnancy craving. The sooner you start, the better off you will be once you are pregnant! Here are just a few ideas of some healthy foods for pregnancy:

• Whole Grains - buckwheat, spelt, rice, millet, quinoa, barley, and rye
• Leafy Greens - spinach, kale, arugula, collard greens, and broccoli
• Protein - wild caught fish, chicken, legumes, tofu, nuts, eggs, and cheese

#5 - Become Active
If you aren't already involved in doing some kind of physical activity, it is going to be important to get your body physically in shape to carry a baby. Try exercises such as yoga or Pilates. This will help minimize the muscle aches and pains that come along with being pregnant when you get there. If the season is right, get outside and walk in the park or around the block each day. Plus, the fresh air is good for you! *I do not recommend starting a rigorous exercise program when pregnant. And, don't start doing anything when you become pregnant that you hadn't preciously done, like jogging or running.

Epidurals: The Tip of the Iceberg

Recently in my reading, I have come across many alarming statistics, but one in particular stuck out.

From Birthing from Within
by Pam England and Rob Horowitz

"It is a popular myth that epidural medication doesn't get to the baby. Epidural anesthetics do cross the placental barrier. Anesthetic levels in the baby's blood have been found to be as high as one-third of the maternal blood levels. As a result, compared to unmedicated babies, babies in the epidural or pitocin-epidural groups showed "drugged behavior" (trembling, irritability, and immature motor activity) on the first day, with behavior recovery by the fifth day. It takes 48 hours for a newborn to eliminate the epidural anesthetic from its system."

I am going to try and not to step on anyone's toes too much here, but I find it interesting to hear a variety of birth stories. (I am more fascinated by watching all kinds of births, but that is for another post.) What I hear often in medicated births is "the epidural was amazing" or "I don't know what I would have done without it." Some women will bend over backwards to take extreme care during pregnancy by eating well, making every visit with the doctor to see how the baby is developing, exercising, taking prenatal vitamins and other supplements, getting enough rest, and staying hydrated. Parents buy safety locks, outlet plugs, and put all breakable and sharp objects out of reach before baby is even born. But, when it comes to the birth, they seem unphased by the paramount risks the epidural poses to their baby.

Having an unmedicated birth is something you need to decide before you get to the hospital. Often times nurses will try and talk you in or out of having an epidural. The time of birth is not the time to decide to have a natural birth. The anesthesiologist may arrive at a point where all you can think about is "getting drugs!" Can a woman honestly weigh the risks and benefits of an epidural at that stage in labor? Education before the birth is key.

Natural birth takes preparation in a different way then medicated births. I tell anyone who is having a natural birth to take The Bradley Method childbirth class. (FYI: Donna is teaching a Bradley class June-August for those of you expecting in the DFW area).

If you choose to have an unmedicated birth, there are many ways a doula can support you and your partner. As a doula, I provide comfort measures and relaxation techniques to help mothers in labor. I also help dads learn how to provide support to their partner as well. I meet with couples prenatally 2-4 times or more to discuss the birth and needs of the family during birth, as well as provide pregnancy support with nutritional consultations, massage, and acupressure.

Parents, I encourage you to do your research and educate yourself before the birth day. That way, when you decide on your choices for birth, you can have all the facts and support you need to make the decisions that are best for you and your baby!

A Question for the Doc

In recently attending two births with whom my clients had the same doctor, neither one delivered while their doctor was on call. This means that they each got the doctor in that group of four in the practice that was on call that evening/weekend. I was able to see first hand the practices of each. One of which I was greatly disturbed by his technique, the other, I felt had practices more in line with my beliefs.

Attention all ladies who are hiring an OB/GYN! Please ask your doctor about the practices of his colleagues. You may love your doctor and he/she may be in total agreement with your birth plan and desires for your birth, but the instant you end up with the doc on call, you are just any other patient having a baby that day.

If this in any way disturbs you, consider having a home birth or birthing center birth where most likely you will be seen prenatally by the same caregiver that will labor with you and deliver your baby no matter the day or how long it takes.

Prenatal Vitamins

I recommend a prenatal vitamin from New Chapter called Perfect Prenatal. They make an organic line of products that I use and enjoy. The supplements are derived from whole, organic foods. You can purchase these at stores like The Vitamin Shoppe, Veria Wellness Center, Central Market, or online.

Check out the website at: http://www.newchapter.com/