Earth Babies Blog

Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

Some bump love.

February is the month of love. Making a belly cast is a great way to spend time together celebrating the wonderful miracle of your baby growing inside you.

I am about to have my 3rd baby and we made a belly cast last week it was really special and fun to do together. Read all about it here

We used it for all our guests to sign at our baby celebration.

Enter our competition to win a belly cast

**HOW TO ENTER**

Each of the following will get you an entry.
- comment below
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- double entry if you enter on Valentine day

Random draw will take place on 28 February.

*SA only

Get your hot-off-the-press, limited edition of Spirit in Pregnancy and Birth: Practical and spiritual care, ceremonies and celebrations – available on pre-order!

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Red signifies the highest level of threat.

Sally recently wrote a trio of articles related to this subject for Parent 24

Bleeding in Pregnancy

Bleeding in Late Pregnancy

When the bleeding does not stop

This is always a concern for parents 2nd time around – how will the older child take to the new baby. Are they going to feel jealous, neglected, like you no longer love them? Are you going to be able to love more than one child?

To the last question – YES you are, there is no deep explanation other than love has no limits there is always enough to go around … now time is another matter

Preparing for a new baby:
Read the rest of this entry »

This is the newest baby to join the ranks of the Earth Babies family is my number 3, all of 11weeks and 6 days old this is the first camera apperance.

These poor kids get to be the test guinea pigs to all our new products and ideas. I wonder what I will try out this time? I know we have a few new nappies to try and I am looking forward to a new kikio sling or wrap.

For the birth I am thinking of doing a hypnobirthing course, the idea of a more calm and less painful birth appeals to me. I know my 2nd was better than the first, you know what to expect but still think I could be more relaxed and centered. Oh well a few weeks/months to plan that yet.

SHOP LINK: an Earth Babies product

This makes a lovely baby shower gift.

♥ this one from www.creative-baby-nursery-rooms.com

What is a belly cast?

A belly cast is a plaster of paris moulding of your pregnant belly. A 3d memory of how it was.

What comes in the kit:

Plaster of paris bandages, tub of Vaseline, Disposable gloves, Tealight candles and relaxing organic Tea (for the ambience) and instructions

How is it made:

Read the rest of this entry »

My role is not central to the birth but more as a background support to the key players so that they can each focus their energies where they are most needed at any given time.

1. What is a doula?
A doula is a trained, non-medical, birth support person (labour companion). Her function is to provide emotional and informed-choice support to the parents before, during and after the birth. The focus of the doula falls on the mother’s emotional and physical needs, wants and best interests. Her aim is to help the mother (as far as possible) achieve her ‘ideal birth’ as opposed to the ideas held by those present (doula included).
The doula’s support complements the medical care-giver and assists a birth partner in participating with confidence.

2. Why would you need a midwife/doctor and a doula?

says gail J Dahl. “Many women think their doctor will be there for them throughout labor only to discover it’s just them and their partner in the room for most of the time.”

Though a midwife’s approach is holistic care, their main function at a birth is as your medical caregiver and as such there is always a stage in a birth where their focus out of necessity becomes clinical in nature and the emotional needs of the mother become secondary. The doula’s function does not change – her focus remains the mother’s needs and through assisting the birth partner in how best to support the mother, allows the mother to focus on birthing her baby.

3. Does it really help having a doula?
It has been observed that the support of a doula has a positive impact on a woman’s ability to cope in labour as well as her feelings about the birth experience afterwards. Mothers with doula support are less inclined to feel overwhelmed and panicked. This reduces the requests for medicated pain relief, epidurals and the number of caesareans.
Results from 6 different studies of doula assisted births have been observed that due to better birthing positions and less stress hormones produced by calmer women in labour, there is a:

• 50% reduction in the caesarean rate
• 25% shorter labour (due to better birthing positions and less stress hormones produced by calmer women in labour)
• 60% reduction in epidural requests
• 40% reduction in oxytocin use
• 30% reduction in analgesia use
• 40% reduction in forceps delivery
Information was obtained from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1993).

4. How do doulas practice?
In South Africa doulas practice privately and are hired by the birth parents.
Depending on how they structure their package and what extras are provided their costs range from R1500 to R3000 (this will invariably cover 1-2 visits prior to the birth, the birth itself, the settling period after the birth and 1-2 post natal visit).

5. Does a doula replace nursing staff?
No. As indicated the doula’s function is non-medical, though they do assist the staff in terms of taking care of the mothers needs as the doula’s presence at the birth is consistent throughout the birth and they only have one person to care for -whereas medical staff are not present the entire duration, their attention is shared by others on the ward and staff is subject to shift changes.

6. Does a doula make decisions on my behalf?
No – she purely carries out your wishes.

7. Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary?
No, as said she assists your birth partner in being actively and effectively involved, so on the contrary most birth partners feel that the doula made them feel more comfortable and attending the birth.

8. What do Doula’s do?
• A doula is the only carer who is with the mother consistently for the duration of labour, the birth and till everyone is settled and resting after the birth

• Gives both emotional and physical support and comfort in coping with each contraction through various means such as: words of encouragement, keeping those present quiet through the contractions, touch, massage, aromatherapy, counterpressure, movement, praise and reassurance.

• She guides on position changes, how to relax, prepares and guides the mother through the different phases of labour by keeping her informed of what is happening.

• The doula can assist and guide in the writing of a birth plan, explain procedures and help parents to make informed decisions and assist in realising the birth plan as far as possible – with this as a guide she acts as the voice for the parents with the medical staff and advocates their birth requirements.

• Doulas are informed on all phases of labour and birth and are able to prepare parents through explaining what to expect.

• Doulas assists the birth partner in how to be supportive to the mother and by taking care of more trivial things can free the partner up to concentrate on the birth mother (or by being there to support the mother can give the partner a breather).

• She is able to take pictures at the labour and birth (though it is not practical for the doula to be both the carer and the official photographer).

• The doula is trained to assist with post natal care for the mother and child and provide basic support in the successful initiation of breastfeeding.

9. What is most important to consider when choosing a doula?

Regardless of whether you’re choosing a doctor or midwife, you need to look at personality. “If you feel you’re not being respected by your caregiver, then that is not the caregiver for you,” says Gail L Dahl. “And you can switch to someone new right up to the time you give birth.”

You need to feel that she respects your wants and needs for the birth and does not try to instil her own on you. She is not your medical caregiver (you have chosen that person in the role of your obstetrician or midwife) and will not be attending the birth on her own or making medical decisions on your behalf– above all else you need to feel able to rely on her for support, so connecting with her as a person is important.

10. How can I find a doula in my area?
There are various listing services on the net.
DOSA www.doula.org.za
The Village www.doulas.co.za
Sacred Space www.doulatraining.co.za
WOMBS www.wombs.org.za

Birth Plan Generator

other posts on this topic
Birth Story Friday – Gabriel’s Birth – doula perspective
Women who birth

I have recently, due to a few blog posts, been thinking about the vivid dreams women have when pregnant (it is very common – like morning sickness).

Acidicice’s … Do Dream catchers really work? and
Louisa – 123blogmyself’s … Week 21 – She’s a Carrot

They got me wondering and reading as to why we have such vivid dreams when pg – there must be a reason as every pregnant woman I know has spoken of the dreams – happy, sad, nightmares, disturbing, erotic does not matter what it is they are generally very detailed and you do remember them when you wake.

This stunning picture is from Lauri’s blog where she also discusses/interprets common pregnancy dreams.

Other common dreams that reflect the first time mom’s impatience are:
*Dreaming the baby is born with teeth
*Dreaming the baby can talk
*Dreaming of giving birth to a toddler or child
*Dreaming you can see inside your belly

Pregnancy-info.net had an interesting read on the whats, why’s hows and how not to’s of pregnancy dreams

Are Pregnancy Dreams Normal?

Though these vivid dreams can often be confusing and even frightening, it is entirely normal to experience a large number of dreams during pregnancy. There are a variety of reasons that can help explain this dramatic increase in dreams:

* Pregnancy Hormones:
Throughout your pregnancy, your body pumps out a variety of different hormones, including progesterone and estrogen. It is thought that these hormones affect the way we sleep at night, causing us to experience longer periods of REM sleep. It is during REM sleep that our minds begin to dream.

*Increased Waking:
Pregnant women are much more likely to wake up during the night than women who aren’t pregnant. Whether you have a leg cramp or a backache, you may find that you wake up several times every night. When your body wakes up from a deep sleep, it has better dream recall than it would had you slept through the night. This means that you may be experiencing more vivid dreams simply because your body is better at recalling them.

* Pregnancy Anxiety:
Pregnancy is a time of distinct changes, many of which are scary and overwhelming. You probably have a number of anxieties over becoming a parent: for instance, you may worry how you will handle having a baby and if you will be a capable mother. Our subconscious mind often works through these anxieties while we are sleeping, in the form of dreams.

Aromatherapy has been found to be beneficial in labour to reduce to reduce anxiety and pain – most commonly used oils are lavender, frankinsence and rose though there are others (see article below). It is important to use a scent you enjoy and to use in moderation as your senses are heightened in labour.

I liked the suggestions in this article by Nancy Eggleston because they give a lighter application and alternatives to the direct applying to the skin in the form of oils which can be limiting – I am careful about using oils specifically for women wanting to birth in water. Women in labour have heightened senses so what was pleasant can suddenly bother them as labour progresses – having a scent or oil on your skin that you cannot easily wash off can be very distracting and cause discomfort and even nausea.

(parts taken from Creative Uses for Aromatherapy During Labor – by Nancy Eggleston)

If you have never used aromatherapy before, begin slowly and test some of the many aromatic scents ahead of time. Remember, your senses may be heightened during labor.

Soothing and healing properties to choose from:
– Geranium, rosemary, lavender and chamomile have pain relieving and relaxant effects.

– Lavender is very balancing and calming. It is also very good for headaches.

– Geranium supports circulation and breathing, and boasts antidepressant effects.

– Neroli is a very good anti-depressant, but it also helps with anxiety, fear and apprehension.

– Rose is considered a very feminine oil and is used as a uterine tonic which supports labor.

– Jasmine is uplifting and yet balancing.
– Bergamot is calming and relaxing.

– Ylang Ylang is a strong scent – be certain that you find it pleasing ahead of time. I happen to love it, but may not have during labor. If you do enjoy this scent, it is a good choice for helping to lower blood pressure. It can be soothing and relaxing.

Suggestions on how to use aromatherapy in labour:

o Make a spritzer by combining one or two drops of an essential oil listed above and 120ml of water. Pour into a clean, small spray bottle and shake well. Store in the refrigerator until labor day. You can adjust the amount of oil later if you find that you want a drop or two more.

o If you are allowed to bathe during labor, spritz into the water for a soothing and relaxing soak.

o Spritz on a pretty handkerchief and pamper yourself – how special is that?! You can hold it, twist it, wipe yourself with it, and share with your birthing partner when you’ve had enough.

o Spray into the birthing room gently to soften and freshen the air around you.

o Spritz on your feet for a clean, fresh feeling. Peppermint is a good choice for your feet as it is cooling and refreshing. Your feet are far enough away from your nose that the smell may be ignored if it bothers you later. Chances are, the scent will be gone quickly.

o Choose a soft, pure cotton handkerchief or washcloth. Fold it over, sew up three sides and fill halfway with a mixture of rice and one tablespoon of dried lavender. Sew up the third side. Place in the freezer or in an air-tight plastic bag and set in an ice chest. This can be placed over your eyes for relaxation. (See Aromatherapy for Labor & Childbirth for chakra centers and place over each one during labor stages.) Other herbs to choose from are: dried orange or grapefruit peel, dried and crumbled rose petals, dried chamomile or raspberry leaves. Make several of these and keep a few ready to microwave in case you feel chilled.

o Fill a new, soft, cotton tube sock with approximately 1/2 cup of rice and one or two tablespoons of dried lavender so that the amount fits neatly into the palm of your hand like a round ball. (Lavender is antiseptic and it is very soothing for aching backs and limbs.) Cut, and sew up the open end. Your birth partner can use this to rub the small of your back if you have back labor. This item can also be made by sewing about a half inch above the filled rice, then tying a knot at the top of the sock. Hold the sock in the palm of your hand, with the knotted end coming up between your thumb and first finger. It makes a nice “handle.”

o Fill a square piece of muslin fabric with a mixture of rolled oats and lavender or other dried herb. Pull corners up and tie tightly with a ribbon or string. Rub gently on your tummy, legs, back or neck. The oats are calming and soothing, as are the dried herbs.

o Fill a small bowl with hot water and a few drops of your choice of essential oils above. Set somewhere in the room where it can be enjoyed, yet easily removed.

o Add a drop or two of essential oil to a very natural, unscented body lotion. Some bath shops carry these, or you can make your own easily using recipes from Janice Cox’s Natural Beauty books. Keep handy and ask your birthing partner to rub on your feet, back or legs during labor.

Essential Oils to stay clear of during pregnancy (note some may be used during labour though) :
Basil, clary sage, cedarwood, cypress, fennel, jasmine, juniper, lemongrass, marjoram, myrrh, origanum, parsley, peppermint, rose, rosemary and thyme