I’ve Moved

I’ve brought most of my blogs together under one umbrella. I’d love for you to visit me at my new site. I look forward to seeing you there.

I’ve Moved…my blog

Thanks for stopping by.

I invite you to join me at my new blog http://stephseclecticinterests.wordpress.com

I created Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests as a home for most of my blogging. Check out Welcome Baby…and any of the others that catch your interest.

You are also invited to http://casualtheology.wordpress.com (Who is God and who are we according to the Scriptures?) and Monday Motivation at http://www.christianeditingservices.com (tips and prompts for writers and those who want to be).

Hope to see you there soon…and often.

 

One World Birth Comes to North America

Here is a special invitation from Toni Harman of www.oneworldbirth.net…

Plus, check out the site for an abundance of information from some of the world’s leading experts on the subject of pregnancy and childbirth.

COME AND MEET US AT A SCREENING!

As we’re travelling around Canada and the US there are going to be a number of special screenings of the DOULA! film combined with exclusive One World Birth footage. We’ll be there as the guests of our wonderful and generous hosts and will take part in a Q&A after the screenings. So if you’re in the area please do come along as we’d love to meet you in person!

Dates and Venues:

Sat Nov 12th 18:30-21:30

Orangeville, Ontario

18:30-21:30

Westside Secondary School Theatre

300 Adler Street

(Tickets: $15 on the door)

Tues Nov 15th 19:00

Rockaway, New Jersey

AMC Rockaway Movie Theater

(Tickets $3 in advance RSVP to lisa@hackettstownmidwives.com)

Wed Nov 16th (Evening)

Richmond, Virginia

Location to be confirmed

For more info please contact: tolabor@gmail.com

Sat Nov 26th  19:00

Orlando, Florida

Sullivan Ranch Clubhouse

Sullivan Ranch Boulevard

Mount Dora, FL 32757

(Donations on the door)

Positions for Labouring

While it may be tempting to crawl into bed when in labour, there are many reasons this is not the best option. I’ve mentioned many of these positions and activities for labouring before, but it’s good to be reminded.

Walking

Climbing stairs

Slow dancing

Sitting on a birth ball (aka exercise ball) with a wide stance

Sitting on the toilet

Resting on hands and knees with your knees apart

Kneeling with head resting on the floor, bottom in the air, and knees apart

Kneeling while draped over a birth ball

Leaning forward against something or someone for support, while kneeling or sitting

Standing lunge with one foot on the floor and the other raised (on a chair, for example)

Kneeling lunge with one knee on the floor or bed and the opposite foot flat on the same surface

Sitting in a bath or shower

These are just of few of the suggestions of how Mom can progress through her labour. Frequently changing positions usually keeps things progressing well. Remaining in one position too long can compound an existing problem or slow things down.

There are many factors that influence what will work best for Mom and Baby. These are simply a few suggestions I’ve come across and/or seen implemented. It is important that Mom does her research and consults with her midwife or doctor.

All the best!

 

 

 

60 Second Experts

Once again, I’d like to invite you to visit www.oneworldbirth.net

Specifically, I ‘d like to direct you to the clips known as 60 Sec Experts. Three doulas answer a wide variety of questions. Eventually, there will be 100 clips posted. At this point, the following topics are covered:

Why Should You Wait for the Cord to Stop Pulsating?

How Can I Bring on Labour?

How to Find a Doula

What is Show?

What Happens with an Epidural?

How Painful is Childbirth?

Natural Pain Relief During Birth

I’m Terrified of Birth; What Can I Do?

How to Relax During Birth

What if I Pee or Poo Myself During Birth?

What’s the Best Place to Give Birth? Home or Hospital?

Is a Doula a Midwife?

What’s the Difference Between Braxton Hicks and Contractions?

Is it Better to Tear or Be Cut?

Will My Vagina be the Same Size after Birth?

There is a lot of wonderful information on this site. I recommend bookmarking it and visiting often.

To Baby with Love 2

Thank you so much to Heather Joyes for this beautiful letter to an unborn baby. (If you haven’t read the blog entry I posted earlier today, I invite you to do so after reading the letter below.)

To Baby…

May you receive the nourishment you need in your mother’s womb.

Grow strong and gain strength so you will be physically fit to enter this world.

I pray you will receive the love and care from others that will enable you to thrive.

May you have a mind for your Maker and learn to turn to Him in all circumstance of life.

There will be times of great joy as well as tribulation, but stay close to Him.

Life is a gift.

May you pass on the love you receive.

We look forward to your arrival.

With Love…

To Baby with Love

I was responsible to plan the exercise for my writers group this month. I created prompts inspired by the things I blog about.

One of the ladies chose, “Write a letter to an unborn baby.” Although, at first, she was reluctant to do so, the resulting letter was beautiful. I asked her to email it to me so I could post it here. Hopefully, she’ll be able to do so tomorrow.

Until then, why don’t you do the same?

Writing a letter to your unborn baby will help you bond. There’s lots of talk these days about the importance of pre-birth bonding.

The baby becomes more real to you if you write him or her a letter.

You can list your hopes and dreams, assure the wee one of your love, and/or express your concerns about what kind of a mom/dad/brother/sister/aunt/uncle…you’ll be. (Letter writing isn’t restricted to just the expectant mom.)

It doesn’t have to be a traditional letter. It can be a poem or a song. How about creating a one-of-a-kind picture book? Even if you can’t draw, go for it. It’s likely it will be a cherished treasure for years to come.

If you love to take pictures, create a special album – with or without words.

Love scrapbooking? Well, in that case, you’ve probably already begun to get a book together, but if not, make today the day.

The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination.

Have any other suggestions? I’d love to hear them. And you just might inspire someone who doesn’t consider him-/herself particularly creative.

Do-overs

Things I would change if I had it to do over…

1. Before and during pregnancy, I would learn more about my birthing options.

2. I would ask more questions of my doctors in order to make truly informed choices instead of allowing them to make the decisions for me.

3. I would change my position regularly during labour.

4. I would develop better habits – for example, eating well and exercising regularly. So many other things I’d like to change stemmed from poor choices in these areas.

5. I wouldn’t ask for an epidural so early. In fact, knowing how amazing I felt after giving birth without drugs, I’d do it that way for sure.

6. I would provide a more peaceful atmosphere so my husband could speak his mind without fearing I’d go ballistic. I made most of the decisions unilaterally, and though he’s a great guy and never seems to have resented that fact, I’d definitely do it differently if I could.

And after the children arrived…

1. I wouldn’t make empty threats when they were misbehaving.

2. I would get up and go to where my children were to speak with them instead of yelling.

3. I would spend more time playing with them and less time hassling them about things that didn’t really matter.

4. I would assign them regular chores we could do together.

5. I would leave the TV off far more often.

6. I would prepare healthy foods and find a physical activity we could all enjoy.

Caesareans

I agree 100 percent that the caesarean section rate is alarmingly high. There are, however, times when a caesarean might be the right way to deliver your baby.

My water broke before my firstborn’s head had engaged (head against cervix). This allowed the umbilical cord to prolapse (slide down beside his head). Therefore, every time I had a mild contraction, he was cutting off his blood and oxygen supply by pushing against the cord. The only solution available to me was a c-section. And thanks to the skilled medical team, mother and baby came through fine. The head nurse claims that 10 years were taken off her life by this 1:1,000 scenario, however.

And what about breech babies? Yes, there are doctors and midwives who are comfortable receiving a baby who has resisted attempts to encourage him or her to turn into the vertex (head down) position. But not all caregivers are comfortable with allowing a breech baby to be born vaginally. The mother who chooses to agree to a caesarean must be supported in her decision. As all would agree, a healthy mother and baby are the main goals of labour and delivery.

There are other reasons a caregiver might suggest a c-section. They include the following: bleeding from the placenta; shoulder presentation of the baby (the shoulder would be born first); maternal health issues such as an infection, diabetes, or high blood pressure; and fetal distress. (Thanks to the CAPPA Canada Labour Doula Training Manual for this information.)

It is important for an expectant mother to do her research and to select a caregiver who is supportive of her decision, whether it’s to go ahead with a caesarean section or attempt a vaginal birth.

Repositioning Breech Babies

There are a number of things women and their care providers can try to reposition a baby who is bottom or feet down. I have included four listed in Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn.

Before you try any of them, check with your midwife or doctor.

1. Lie comfortably on your back with your legs bent, feet flat on the floor. Place cushions under your lower back and bottom. Your hips should be 10 to 15 inches above your head. Remain this way for approximately 10 minutes three times per day.

2. If you are comfortable doing so, you can achieve the same results by getting on your hands and knees. Make sure your legs are a good distance apart. Carefully lower yourself onto your elbows. Again, try this for 10 minutes three times per day.

3. Babies do respond to sound. You may want to play music directed at the lower part of your abdomen. The baby may reposition himself to hear it better. An alternative is to have your partner talk while positioned close to the lower part of the your abdomen.

4. The baby may reposition herself if you hold a cold pack against the top of your baby bump and keep it there as long as possible. Theory being…the baby doesn’t like to be cold.

You might also want to check out the following site: http://spinningbabies.com/

AGAIN, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CHECK WITH YOUR MIDWIFE OR DOCTOR BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY OF THE ABOVE PROCEDURES – OR ANY OTHERS.