Birth options are the choices women have during their labor and delivery as well as throughout prenatal care. There are an overwhelming amount of choices. Of course there are many more, but the basics are your birth philosophy, education, caregiver, labor support, and birthplace.
I encourage you to start asking yourself how you feel about birth in general. What do you associate with birth? Do you view it as natural or requiring interventions? Is it scary or do you feel confident in the process? What does birth represent to you?
Next, begin to imagine your birth. Explore the feelings you hope to experience. Write it down. This will help you determine your birth philosophy (more about that next time).
Finally, the importance of knowing your birth options is so that you can make empowered, informed decisions that will give you the confidence to take an active role in your care and make the best choices for you and your baby. Ultimately, knowing your birth options will significantly lessen your chances for receiving medical interventions and achieving your desired birth experience.
As you know, parenting your newborn begins at conception. The choices for your child’s health and wellbeing are numerous while in utero and increase exponentially at birth! One of the choices you get to make immediately after birth is whether or not to delay the clamping your newborns’ umbilical cord?
The placenta miraculously oversees all of baby’s needs in utero until it detaches from the uterus after baby is born. Up until the placenta detaches the umbilical cord carries all of the messages to and from baby’s body. I consider there to be an ongoing conversation between the placenta and baby’s body – the umbilical cord keeps the conversation going. Clamping and cutting the cord at birth before the placenta detaches i.e. without waiting for the conversation to be completed, may deprive baby of blood, nutrients, hormones and much more. Several studies support delaying cord clamping for at least 3…
Enjoy the newly recorded webcast show “Natural Childbirth….Really?” on Newborn Family TV. I Co-Hosted Tuesday, October 23rd alongside the Newborn Family Coach, Kim Martino-Sexton to discuss why we choose natural childbirth and how you can too!
Here’s what we discussed:
How to manage pain or pressure during childbirth
How to prepare for childbirth
Why childbirth education is important and what it offers
I believe I have delayed posting an attachment post long enough. As many of you know, I am a self-proclaimed “attachment junkie”. I have spent the majority of my academic and professional life learning about Attachment Theory, pouring into the possible implications of this theory and teaching students the basic premises of this theory and, yet, despite my love and commitment to attachment….many are surprised to hear that I would not consider myself to be a true “attachment parent”. I figured that I might as well take some time to explain.
First, we must distinguish between the theoretical tenants of Attachment Theory (developed by John Bowlby) vs the current movement of Attachment Parenting (led by Dr. William Sears). Attachment theory is a well-developed, well documented and researched developmental psychology theory that addresses the importance of an attuned caregiver, who understands and meets a…
This is the initial advice I offer any expectant Mama wanting to experience a natural childbirth. Allow this to get you started on your journey to an empowered birth!
Me: Hey Melissa! Congrats on your pregnancy. I saw that you were reading about natural childbirth and wanted to offer any resources I have on the subject. I’m not sure if you know, but I had an amazing natural birth with Mateo. I also spoke with Kiley quite a bit before she had Landon and she too was able to have a natural birth. Birth is my most favorite topic to chat about and I love sharing all the info I’ve learned (which is a ton since I’m an information junkie). If you ever wanna talk, I’m happy to answer any of your natural birthing questions! Best wishes!
Melissa Heilmann Kuster: Thank you. Yes I am reading all about it and plan on going natural for this one. I read the bradley method book and completely convinced. I have had 2 hour long conversations with my doctor and he is on board. So i am really excited about it.
Yes thank you for the offer I had planned on reaching out to you to talk about it. When I have time and get closer I would love to get together with you and just chat. I have not heard from a live person about their experience so it would be awesome to hear your story.
Me: How amazing! That is fantastic! I am excited for you!!!! You can totally do it. In fact, it is what you were meant to do and you already know how.
I am honored that you had already considered reaching out to me. It makes me VERY happy to share my experiences with other moms.
I look forward to getting together and chatting. In the mean time, I would encourage you to talk to as many “live” women who have had natural births. It is very important to hear those positive stories. Especially since our society is so fearful around the subject of childbirth. If you don’t know of many, I am happy to put you in touch with a few who, like me, love talking about birth.
I would even caution you to limit who you tell about you choice to go natural and share your choice with those who you think will be supportive. It eliminates the fear factor.
I have to ask….are you taking a Natural Childbirth class this time around? Again, I would encourage you to do so. I took a hospital birthing class with Mekhi and ended up with a c-section. 😦 But with Mateo, we took a different class geared for Natural Birth and voila, we had a natural birth! It was totally worth the time commitment and the money! If you are interested in Bradley, I have an amazing childbirth educator that I recommend: Kim Martino-Sexton, Newborn Family Coach, www.newbornfamilycoach.com She has like 12 years experience in teaching Bradley and has recently went independent to incorporated her personal doula expereinces as well. We used her and I feel like I learned so much invaluable information. In fact, I still call her when I have questions about Mateo or Mekhi. She’s awesome! However, I encourage you to interview a few and see who is a fit for you and Brian.
Okay, I’m sorry for the book, but I want you to be successful probably as much as you do! I’m all giddy like a little kid. Here are a few more natural birth resources that I feel are crucial to any woman’s success at natural birthing in our country. I own many of these books and dvds and am happy to lend them to you. You may also be able to get them from the library or if you’re like me and like to own them, Amazon has the best prices I’ve found.
Standing up for maternal healthcare reform this Labor Day in front of Mercy Hospital will be the first annual “National Rally for Change” in St Louis. Birth professionals and mothers unite to bring awareness of the all too high c-section rate in America. These rally supporters hope to effect change by declaring what they want from local hospitals in regards to evidence-based maternal care. Similar rallies will be held all over the nation this Labor Day. To participate in this year’s rally RSVP through their FaceBook invite or for more information visit www.improvingbirth.org
National Rally for Change-St Louis, MO
Monday, September 3, 2012
10:00am – 12:00pm
Mercy Hospital
615 S. New Ballas Road
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141
There is no right or wrong way to make your birth plan. The key ingredients are knowing what your options are and discussing them with your care provider prior to the birth.
For those planning a home birth, here is a sample of our birth plan, including hospital transfer terms. Additionally, we always include a letter and list of responsibilities to our birth team: family and friends attending the birth. It makes for a very smooth process as everyone knows their role and our expectations of them. Feel free to copy and make it your own or share with others!
Birth Plan
Labor Induction
Spontaneous, no artificial induction
Monitoring Labor
No cervical checks throughout labor unless requested
Intermittent fetal monitoring with doplar
Hydration & Eating
Any liquids or foods desired
Pain Relief
Warm rice sock, massage. relaxation techniques, breathing, vocalization, imagery/visualization, water
Comfort Items & Techniques
Shower/Birth pool
Keep question to Cara to a minimum while in labor
Dim lights preferred
Incense or essential oils may be used
Mantras and affirmations to be used and reminded by birth team
Birth music to be playing softly in room
All those in labor room should maintain fresh breath, clean smelling hands/clothes, etc. No cigarette, coffee smells, etc.
Females ONLY to enter labor and birth space
Any person(s) overwhelmed or fearful of happenings are asked to leave the labor/birth space
Use a quiet voice while in the labor space
Laboring Positions
Any desired positions: birth ball, hands & knees, on bed, walking, shower, birth pool, etc.
Pushing
Spontaneous pushing. Allow body to push on its own, unless time is of the essence
Deliver baby in birth pool
Squatting or reclining or as desired
Perineal massage, support, or compress to prevent tearing
Baby Care
Nurse baby immediately after birth
No Vitamin K shot for baby
No antibiotic eye ointment in baby’s eyes
Delay cord clamping and cutting until after cord has stopped pulsing
Baby to be placed on mother’s stomach or skin-to-skin immediately upon delivery
No vaccinations of any kind
No circumcision
No pacifier/bottle
Afterbirth
Deliver placenta in birth pool, unless not desired at time
After Midwife has inspected, preserve placenta with zip lock and place in refrigerator for encapsulation. Call Lisa VanDyne 636.699.2217 to arrange for placenta pick up
IV after delivery, if necessary
Suture of any tears, if necessary
Hospital Transfer Terms (Missouri Baptist)
Ob/Gyn Requested
Dr Jeffery Mormol (314) 842-0340
Dr Claudia Krasnoff (314) 569-2424
Labor Induction
Spontaneous, no artificial induction
Monitoring Labor
Limited cervical checks throughout labor, upon my approval
Intermittent fetal monitoring only
Midwife, Jenna Churnock, to attend transfer and act as doula
No intravenous antibiotics
Hydration & Eating
Any liquids or foods desired
Pain Relief
Warm rice sock, massage. relaxation techniques, breathing, vocalization, imagery/visualization, water
Comfort Items & Techniques
Shower/Birth pool
Keep question to Cara to a minimum while in labor
Dim lights preferred
Mantras and affirmations to be used and reminded by birth team
Birth music to be playing softly in room
All those in labor room should maintain fresh breath, clean smelling hands/clothes, etc. No cigarette, coffee smells, etc.
Use a quiet voice while in the labor space
Laboring Positions
Any desired positions: birth ball, hands & knees, on bed, walking, shower, birth pool, etc.
Pushing
Spontaneous pushing. Allow body to push on its own, unless time is of the essence
Deliver baby in birth pool
Squatting or reclining or as desired
Perineal massage, support, or compress to prevent tearing
No episiotomy
Baby Care
Nurse baby immediately after birth
No Vitamin K shot for baby
No antibiotic eye ointment in baby’s eyes
Delay cord clamping and cutting until after cord has stopped pulsing
Baby to be placed on mother’s stomach or skin-to-skin immediately upon delivery
No vaccinations of any kind, including Hepatitis B
No circumcision
No pacifier/bottle
Afterbirth
Deliver placenta in birth pool, unless not desired at time
Preserve placenta with zip lock and refrigerate for encapsulation. Call Lisa VanDyne 636.699.2217 to arrange for pick up
IV fluids after delivery, if necessary
Suture of any tears, if necessary
No pitocin after delivery, unless hemorrhage is apparent
Cesarean
Spinal block for required cesarean section
Birth Team Responsibilities
We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for your support in our birthing choice. Your decision to be present for Mauricio’s birth is a great pleasure for our family. You play a significant role in supporting our growing family’s transition from 4-5. See below as we have outlined the roles for you:
Childcare
Lisa Schneider
Rick
Fidela & Alfredo
Primary Care of Cara & Baby
Jenna (Midwife)
Jennifer (Midwife Assistant)
Eddie
Labor Support
Eddie
Jenna/Jennifer
Vicky
Chrissy
Abby
Birth Pool Set Up & Water Boiling
Eddie
Vicky
Chrissy
Abby
Jennifer
Camera & Video(with Cara & Eddie’s cameras)
Vicky
Chrissy
Meals
Rick
Vicky
Fidela
Post Birth Clean Up
Whoever is available
Miscellaneous: Placenta Preservation, etc
Rick
Abby
Hospital Transfer
Eddie
Jenna
Vicky
Chrissy
Trust that there will be plenty for everyone to do. Please feel free to collaborate and assist each other in any way you best see fit.
We invite you to visit us during our labor, however, please know that there may be times when we need our privacy. Additionally, there will be a note on the door as to our expectations of how to enter the labor and birth space. After much research, we have learned that the energy surrounding the laboring and birthing women is critical to her birthing process.
This is an extremely important event for our family. Childbirth is the most transformative, empowering event we have the pleasure of experiencing. We are putting all our faith and trust in the mind, body, and spirit to bring this baby into the world naturally. Your presence at Mauricio’s birth means that we have entrusted that same faith in you to support our family.
We understand that you may become overwhelmed, anxious, or fearful of the circumstances. We ask that you excuse yourself from the space to shift your energy. Please feel free to leave if you cannot shift your energy to a calmer more trusting space as this energy can be transferred to others and have a negative effect on our birthing experience.
Our intentions for you at Mauricio’s birth are that you enjoy yourself and feel appreciated for your efforts. May Mauricio’s birth be surrounded with Love, Faith, Peace & Safety!
What a huge win for the breastfeeding culture in America. Now hopefully we as a nation can take this and implement a plan of action to make progressive change in our society.
Birth options are the choices women have during their labor and delivery as well as throughout prenatal care. There are an overwhelming amount of choices. Of course there are many more, but the basics are your birth philosophy, education, caregiver, labor support, and birthplace.
Birthing 411 
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