7 WAYS TO BOOST A NATURAL DELIVERY
1. Inform yourself. There are support groups for mothers who need help grieving about their previous cesarean and are adamant about doing everything within their power to avoid another one. Attend these meetings, and talk to other mothers who have delivered vaginally after a previous cesarean. Besides providing you with practical suggestions during your pregnancy and labor that will increase your chances of delivering vaginally, the information you obtain from this group can empower you to have an easier and more efficient labor.
2. Eat right. Overeating may cause you to gain too much weight and your blood sugar to be too high. Both of these factors increase your chances of having a baby too large to be delivered vaginally.
3. Exercise regularly. In-shape women have faster labors and lower weight gains than couch potatoes.
4. Employ a professional labor assistant. Studies show that mothers who use a professional labor assistant (PLA) are much less likely to have a surgical birth.
5. Be upright. Back lying is the position for surgical birth; the more time you spend on your back, the more likely you are to have one.
6. Get moving. Avoid spending most of your time lying in bed wired to monitors – like a surgical patient. When you get moving, your labor will, too.
7. Trust your body. Believe that your delivery system will work. Believe that your pelvic passages are designed to birth your baby. A fear that you can't go through with the delivery can be a self-fulfilling prophecy, since fear frightens the uterus into not working efficiently. Surround yourself with positive advisors. Even if your family tree or circle of friends is full of cesarean deliveries, know that you can beat these statistics.
From askdrsears.com
WHATZADOULA!
What is a Doula?
Birth Doula
Women have complex needs during childbirth. In addition to the safety of modern obstetrical care, and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences. The role of the birth doula encompasses the non-clinical aspects of care during childbirth.
The doula’s role is to provide physical and emotional support and assistance in gathering information for women and their partners during labor and birth. The doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. She also assists the woman and her partner to become informed about the course of their labor and their options. Perhaps the most crucial role of the doula is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort.
Postpartum Doula
Postpartum Doulas are trained in postpartum adjustment, new born characteristics, care feeding and development and promotion of parent-infant bonding. They are experienced in supporting families through their postpartum experience. Coming into the home during the fourth trimester (12 weeks following birth). The doula’s role is to provide education, non-judgmental support and companionship; and to assist with newborn care and family adjustment and household organization (including meal preparation, laundry and other light household tasks). Postpartum doulas offer evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills new parents and can make appropriate referrals and suggestions when necessary.
The Doula’s goal is to facilitate the transition to parenthood by supplying reliable and factual information, reassurance and hands-on support with children and household organization. The non-medical support of a doula meets the practical and psycho-social needs of the family and allows doula’s to make referrals to quality care providers such as lactation consultants, pediatricians, counselors and support groups when appropriate.
Excerpted and adapted from DONA International Position Papers. www.dona.org
Birth Doula
Women have complex needs during childbirth. In addition to the safety of modern obstetrical care, and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences. The role of the birth doula encompasses the non-clinical aspects of care during childbirth.
The doula’s role is to provide physical and emotional support and assistance in gathering information for women and their partners during labor and birth. The doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. She also assists the woman and her partner to become informed about the course of their labor and their options. Perhaps the most crucial role of the doula is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort.
Postpartum Doula
Postpartum Doulas are trained in postpartum adjustment, new born characteristics, care feeding and development and promotion of parent-infant bonding. They are experienced in supporting families through their postpartum experience. Coming into the home during the fourth trimester (12 weeks following birth). The doula’s role is to provide education, non-judgmental support and companionship; and to assist with newborn care and family adjustment and household organization (including meal preparation, laundry and other light household tasks). Postpartum doulas offer evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills new parents and can make appropriate referrals and suggestions when necessary.
The Doula’s goal is to facilitate the transition to parenthood by supplying reliable and factual information, reassurance and hands-on support with children and household organization. The non-medical support of a doula meets the practical and psycho-social needs of the family and allows doula’s to make referrals to quality care providers such as lactation consultants, pediatricians, counselors and support groups when appropriate.
Excerpted and adapted from DONA International Position Papers. www.dona.org
FAQ's
What does the word doula mean? The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek, meaning “Woman’s servant.”
What effect does a doula have on birth outcomes? Tends to… result in shorter labors and fewer complications, reduce negative feelings about childbirth experience, and reduce need for labor inducing drugs, forceps or vacuum extraction. Reduces requests for pain medication, epidurals and the incidence of cesarean sections.
What effect does a doula have on mother? Women reported greater satisfaction with their birth experience, more positive assessments of their babies, fewer cesareans and medical interventions, and less postpartum depression.
What effect does a doula have on baby? Studies have shown that babies born with doulas present have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in postpartum period.
Does a doula replace medical staff? NO. A doula does not replace the nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal exams or provide postpartum care. They are there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother, her support team and the medical professionals.
Will a doula make decisions on my behalf? No, a doula will not make decisions for clients or intervene with clinical care. She provides informational and emotional support, while respecting the families’ decisions.
Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary? No, a doula is there to support both the mother and her partner and plays a crucial role in helping the partner become involved in the birth and newborn care to the extent he/she feels comfortable.
What is the difference between a birth and postpartum doula? A birth doula is a woman trained in childbirth who provides physical and emotional support during labor birth and the immediate postpartum period. A postpartum doula is a woman trained to care for the new family in the first weeks after birth providing household help, advice with newborn care, infant feeding and emotional support.
What are the benefits of having a postpartum doula? Some of the benefits include: increased success with breastfeeding, less chance of postpartum depression, less maternal exhaustion and frustration, greater understanding of newborn emotional, physical needs and behaviors.
Is it possible to have a non-medicated birth in a hospital? Absolutely, your body is designed to give birth. While there are many medical advances in the area of pain control there are also many options for non-medicated pain control. Most hospitals and physicians are quite respectful of your wishes as long as there are no complications that could endanger you or your baby. If you have any questions as to what your hospital or physician will allow; call them and ask.
What if I am considering pain medications? A doula is there to support the laboring woman with any decisions she makes and to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth as she defines it. She still needs continuous support even with pain medications. The doula can give dad/partner a break to go get something to eat or to take a nap if it's been a particularly long labor. She can take pictures, get ice-chips, do hand massage or just sit quietly while the woman rests.
Are most doulas licensed? At this time no license is available. There are a couple of nationally recognized organizations that offer certifications. Doulas of North America www.dona.org and Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association www.cappa.net. Some doulas choose not to certify, I am currently working towards certification with DONA.
What does a doula cost? Cost varies from area to area and doula to doula. It is usually based on experience and the market. I am willing to barter, set up a sliding scale, and a payment plan. Do not allow money to keep you from looking into doula service.
When will I see a doula I have hired? You will see me at least twice for prenatal visits. As soon as labor begins I will meet you at your home and we will determine if it is time to transition to the hospital. I will stay with you through labor, delivery and up to two hours after the birth. You will see me again once in the hospital and for a minimum of 6 hours postpartum once you have gone home.
Are there any books that I should read? One of the most important parts of a successful birth and postpartum experience is being educated on what is happening to your body, your life and your baby. I suggest the following books:
Birthing From Within by Pam England
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
Ina May’s Guide to Child Birth by Ina May Gaskins
Mind Over Labor by Carl Jones, Marian Thomson, & emit Miller
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Simkin, Whalley and Keppler
The Baby Book by Drs. William and Martha Sears
The Breastfeeding Book by Drs. William and Martha Sears
Your Amazing Newborn by Klaus and Klaus
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Dr. Jack Newman
What effect does a doula have on birth outcomes? Tends to… result in shorter labors and fewer complications, reduce negative feelings about childbirth experience, and reduce need for labor inducing drugs, forceps or vacuum extraction. Reduces requests for pain medication, epidurals and the incidence of cesarean sections.
What effect does a doula have on mother? Women reported greater satisfaction with their birth experience, more positive assessments of their babies, fewer cesareans and medical interventions, and less postpartum depression.
What effect does a doula have on baby? Studies have shown that babies born with doulas present have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in postpartum period.
Does a doula replace medical staff? NO. A doula does not replace the nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal exams or provide postpartum care. They are there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother, her support team and the medical professionals.
Will a doula make decisions on my behalf? No, a doula will not make decisions for clients or intervene with clinical care. She provides informational and emotional support, while respecting the families’ decisions.
Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary? No, a doula is there to support both the mother and her partner and plays a crucial role in helping the partner become involved in the birth and newborn care to the extent he/she feels comfortable.
What is the difference between a birth and postpartum doula? A birth doula is a woman trained in childbirth who provides physical and emotional support during labor birth and the immediate postpartum period. A postpartum doula is a woman trained to care for the new family in the first weeks after birth providing household help, advice with newborn care, infant feeding and emotional support.
What are the benefits of having a postpartum doula? Some of the benefits include: increased success with breastfeeding, less chance of postpartum depression, less maternal exhaustion and frustration, greater understanding of newborn emotional, physical needs and behaviors.
Is it possible to have a non-medicated birth in a hospital? Absolutely, your body is designed to give birth. While there are many medical advances in the area of pain control there are also many options for non-medicated pain control. Most hospitals and physicians are quite respectful of your wishes as long as there are no complications that could endanger you or your baby. If you have any questions as to what your hospital or physician will allow; call them and ask.
What if I am considering pain medications? A doula is there to support the laboring woman with any decisions she makes and to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth as she defines it. She still needs continuous support even with pain medications. The doula can give dad/partner a break to go get something to eat or to take a nap if it's been a particularly long labor. She can take pictures, get ice-chips, do hand massage or just sit quietly while the woman rests.
Are most doulas licensed? At this time no license is available. There are a couple of nationally recognized organizations that offer certifications. Doulas of North America www.dona.org and Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association www.cappa.net. Some doulas choose not to certify, I am currently working towards certification with DONA.
What does a doula cost? Cost varies from area to area and doula to doula. It is usually based on experience and the market. I am willing to barter, set up a sliding scale, and a payment plan. Do not allow money to keep you from looking into doula service.
When will I see a doula I have hired? You will see me at least twice for prenatal visits. As soon as labor begins I will meet you at your home and we will determine if it is time to transition to the hospital. I will stay with you through labor, delivery and up to two hours after the birth. You will see me again once in the hospital and for a minimum of 6 hours postpartum once you have gone home.
Are there any books that I should read? One of the most important parts of a successful birth and postpartum experience is being educated on what is happening to your body, your life and your baby. I suggest the following books:
Birthing From Within by Pam England
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
Ina May’s Guide to Child Birth by Ina May Gaskins
Mind Over Labor by Carl Jones, Marian Thomson, & emit Miller
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Simkin, Whalley and Keppler
The Baby Book by Drs. William and Martha Sears
The Breastfeeding Book by Drs. William and Martha Sears
Your Amazing Newborn by Klaus and Klaus
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Dr. Jack Newman
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment