Birth With Hope

Hope for Women, Babies, and Birth

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Birth Info!
 
What are the signs of true labor?
*Contractions get longer, stronger, and closer together.   If you think you may be in labor, drink a large glass of water and lay on your left side. If it stops, you know your body is doing preparation "toning" contractions. Preparation contractions stop and start, while labor contractions get longer, stronger, and closer together.   
*Water breaks (rupture of membranes)
*Basal body temperature decreases when labor is pending
 
What are signs of labor coming soon?
*loss of mucus plug (clear mucus)
*bloody show which is mucus and blood (indicates cervix is dilating)
*diarrhea
*low back ache
*menstrual cramping
 
When am I overdue? 
***The average first time pregnancy lasts forty-one weeks and three days*** Prior to 37 weeks the pregnancy is considered pre-term.  Full term pregnancy is from 37 to 42 weeks.  Your estimated due date is at the 40 week mark.  Post-term or post-dates is when you are past 42 weeks. However, when you pass the estimated due date of 40 weeks, care is taken to evaluate for baby's size, amniotic fluid, and good kick counts.
 
Is labor pain beneficial?
Labor pain is from the uterine muscle contracting and pulling up the lower segment of the uterus to dilate the cervix. Natural labor pain is beneficial as it fuels the feedback mechanism:
*The feedback mechanism is very important to dilation. Pain at the dilating cervix tells the brain to make more oxytocin, which fuels labor, which increases dilation.
*Pain allows a woman to assume proper labor positions instinctively
*Pain raises the endorphin levels (natural pain killers), which releases more oxytocin, which fuels labor
*Stretching pain gives the urge to push 
 
How can I cope with the pain of labor?
*Birth is less painful if you feel safe in your birthing environment
*Take childbirth classes
*read Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper
*Read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
*Slow deep breathing
*Change positions during labor
*dance
*Listen to music
*Walk
*Nutrition- eat and drink as desired during labor 
*Emptying the bladder reduces pain and helps the baby move down
*Emptying the bowels allows more room for baby and thus shortens labors
*Make noise, groan, sing, moo
*Massage
*Laugh
*Hug
*Counterpressure on the lower back
*Place heating pad or rice sock on the back or abdominal areas
*Use birth tub or shower  
*Visualize your  body opening up and letting your baby be born
*Relaxation will allow a woman to "open up" and dilate
*Use candles, dim lights and aromatherapy to create a relaxing atmosphere
*Support-Love and encouragement is needed
  
What do I need to know about waterbirth?
The waterbirth tub I use is the only FDA approved waterbirth pool available on the market!  When born underwater, a baby does not breathe until its skin touches the air. Therefore it is safe for baby to be born in water as it won't breathe until it is pulled up out of the water (which is done immediately, and baby is placed in its mother's arms). 
 
Laboring in water is also beneficial as pain management therapy. The buoyancy of the water makes labor less painful when you have at least 22-26 inches of water to float in.  Laboring in water is safe, since dopplers can be used underwater to listen to fetal heart tones. 
 
Benefits of laboring in water:
*relaxation in warm deep bath
*free from gravity's pull
*reduced sensory stimulation
*decreased secretion of stress-related hormones
*decrease in noradrenaline/catecholamines=decrease in blood pressure
*increase in pain inhibitors called endorphins (less pain)
*analgesic effect of water (provides significant pain relief)
*reduction of fear
*reduction of stress
*woman is better able to focus inward on the birth process
*reduces perineal tearing
*eliminates episiotomies
*facilitates mobility to turn easily to hands/knees position
*gentle welcome for baby
*protects a mother's birth space
*conserves energy
*speeds up labor
*Is highly rated by mothers
*reduces C-section rate
*enables mother to assume any position, even floating
 
Info about birth tub:
External dimensions 76 x 55
Internal depth 26"
Holds 55 gallons
Spacious enough for two people
Built in seat
Eco-friendly (phthalate free)
FDA approved birth pool
handles for laboring mother to grip
bottom of pool is padded for your comfort
insulated liner used to maintain a warm water temperature
 
 
Is Homebirth safe?
 

 

How is Homebirth different from a hospital birth?
*Homebirth provides freedom of movement.  A laboring mom is not strapped to fetal monitors nor forced to stay in bed. She is able to move about as she desires. She can naturally assume the body positions she feels most comfortable in while laboring.  She can go outside and gaze at the stars and moon.  Freedom of movement does not mean neglect of fetal heart tones.  Midwives use doppers to monitor heart tones intermittently.  When it is time to push, upright postures are often used harnessing the power of gravity. 
*Homebirth provides continuity of care with a midwife.  No strangers are in the birth room. There is no change of shift. 
*Eating and drinking are encouraged

*Having a midwife reduces the number of internal vaginal exams
*Homebirth has less risk of infection (no hospital acquired infections)
*Having a midwife decreases chances of vaginal tears/episiotomy 
*Homebirth provides privacy and a peaceful environment
*Homebirth allows waterbirth
*Homebirth allows the choice to have family members be present, including children
*A mother is monitored for vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse)
*Fetal heart tones are monitored with a hand held doppler
*Midwives have portable oxygen and portable suction equipment
*We move with the mother as she labors.  We take our birth supplies to the room the mother chooses to birth in. We do not force her to stay in the bed or in one room for our convenience. 
*We do not separate the baby from its mother
*We do not use incubators; we use skin to skin contact, and warm heating pads
*Breastfeeding is promoted 
*Mother is tucked into her own bed after giving birth; she doesn't have to try to sleep in a hospital bed. 
*Midwives return to the home to check on the mother and baby