3 Doulas

Group Beta Strep

Just a quick little "Tip of the Day" regarding Group Beta Strep and the use of penicillin during labor and delivery.

http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp105.cfm

I was recently supporting a woman in labor whose GBS test (a swab taken week 37 of your pregnancy) came back positive.  She was told by her obstetrician that during labor, she would have to be administered Penicillin every four hours via an IV to protect her newborn.  Mom and her husband were perfectly ok with this, and were aware that she would have an IV fairly soon after being admitted to Labor and Delivery.  They were also told that if her membranes ruptured at home, the penicillin would be started right away.

Mom's labor began in th wee hours of a wednesday morning.  She labored at home for most of Wednesday, and by early evening wednesday night, her labor had progressed and she decided it was time to go to the hospital. 

9:30 pm: We arrived at the hospital.  Mom went through the hospital protocol and was admitted. She was 6-7 cm dilated, we were thrilled! 

11:00 pm: She was laboring beautifully, out of the bed, able to move, we massaged her back, whispered in her ear, swayed to gentle music.

11:30 pm: The nurse cam in with an IV pole and two bags, one of saline solution, and one of Penicillin (for the GBS).  She waited patiently for mom to be ready for her IV.  Everything went smoothly, but as she started the infusion, I looked at mom's face, and she was wide eyed and looking very upset.  She then told us her arm was on fire, it seems as though the substance in the IV was creating this very strong burning sensation.  She was not allergic to Penicillin, but the burning was as she put it :"way worse than my contractions are, I can't stand this".  We asked the nurse whether we could stop the IV and not receive the Penicillin.  She said she would check mom's OB.  She came back moments later and said that the Penicillin was a must.  Mom was crying, she was stressed, and could not cope anymore. We tried soothing her, caressing her tear stained face, we placed a cold washcloth on her arm covering the IV.  Nothing helped. 

The nurse was very concerned, and told us that the infusion would take about 25-30 minutes.  Then all of a sudden, her face lit up, and she mentioned that maybe she could slow the infusion, the Penicillin would take longer to infuse, but maybe that way, mom would be able to cope better.  By the time the infusion had slowed a little, probably 15 minutes into it, mom was feeling a little better.  The burning sensation had abated somewhat, and she was able to focus better on her labor, and calm down.

4:00 am: Mom was still laboring, the effect of the first dose of Penicillin had worn off, but the nurse came in with bag #2.  This time, she strated the infusion much more slowly, and it didn't feel as painful.  The burning sensation was still there, but it was much less painful.

In conclusion, if your GBS test comes back positive, check with your caregiver and find out if he/she is ok with slowing the infusion to lessen the effect of the substance in the IV.

By,

Jenny Gillespie, ICCE, CD(DONA)

 

Why Water Birth?

 

By: Mandy Schutt

Many people know that water birth provides a peaceful, familiar environment for a baby to be born into. For over nine months a baby has been living in water (amniotic fluid), so being born into more water is a little less jarring; it’s not as noisy, the lights are lower, and the water provides a “cushion” from the air as the baby is coming into the world body part by body part.

What many may not realize is that water birth is also extremely beneficial to the birthing mother. In fact, many women find that the water works just as well as an epidural-if not better- for eliminating pain. Here’s a bunch of really cool facts about how water benefits moms while they are birthing:

-Despite loose and sometimes achy joints, being submerged in water makes a mama buoyant! She can squat, lay, sit, or be on all fours without any pressure on her her knees, hips, or other body parts. She is able to move easily into the positions that are most comfortable for her and not have to endure the discomfort of joint pain or pressure.

-The buoyancy mentioned above also promotes better blood circulation to the uterus, allowing it to work optimally and move the baby down and out!

-Water and buoyancy promotes relaxation and relaxation promotes a shorter labor and pushing stage.

-Those familiar with the Gate Theory, know that when other parts of the body are touched and stimulated- say for instance by water in a birthing pool!- the brain has a more difficult time registering pain sensations.

-Water assists in softening and stretching the entire vaginal area- including the perineum, which results in less tearing during delivery.

-Immersion in water helps reduce high blood pressure and enhances deep breathing allowing for a calmer and more relaxed baby and mama!

-For a mother who may be a little inhibited or very private, the water offers a sort of “protection” and a sense of being covered instead of fully exposed.

For additional information on the amazing benefits of birthing in water, see these sites:

 Waterbirth International

 Waterbirth Website

See Mandy's website for information on birth tub rental in the LA and Orange County areas.

Cervical scar tissue and slow dilation. By Jenny Gillespie

Every birth is unpredictable, and with every birth that I attend, I learn something new...

I recently had a client who was due around the middle of April...We met several times prenatally and along with her partner, the three of us came up with the perfect scenario:  She would go into labor at home, they would listen to the relaxing CD that I burned for them, she would use the birth ball, they would labor in the  shower, we would go on walks and we would leave for the hospital in the middle of the night when her contractions would be  3 minutes apart... we would pull up to the hospital, and she would just about have enough time to go past the sleepy night guard, get into the elevator, breeze into labor and delivery and have her baby...

well, not so fast...Labor began in the middle of the night, around 2:30 am, and right from the start, the contractions were every 5 minutes.  I told her to try and rest, drink some water, go to the bathroom, and that I would be there as soon as I could.  By 6:30 in the morning, her surges had become longer, stronger and now were about every 3 minutes apart.  She was able to breathe during the surges, but was unsure of how much longer she could remain comfortably at home.  We left for the hospital, parked in the valet parking went up in the elevator to labor and delivery, and after the nurse checked her cervix we were told that she was barely a fingertip dilated, and that we should go home and labor there. "what?" she gasped "you're kidding?".  She bravely opted to go home, contracting about every 3 minutes still.

.... This went on for hours, and hours and hours, we walked, we listened to the CD, she and her husband took a long hot shower, we walked some more, she rested, she ate some pasta, her contractions remained the same... every 3 minutes.  At 3:00 pm she was crying and we decided to go back to the hospital, I was convinced her labor had progressed, she had to be in transition (I thought), she was nauseous, burping, a little shaky....We got to the hospital... Everything was eerily the same: the drive there, the valet parking, the elevator, the nurse who checked her cervix said: "Oh, hi, I was told you came in this morning... hm... let me see, well, I think, I would say you are pretty much the same, 1 cm..." "No way, no way..." "ok, so now what? what do we do?" she hiccuped "I can't do this anymore" Her husband and I  hugged her... What were we going to do?.  A surprising thing happened, the OB on call checked her also and said she was 1 cm dilated.  She and offered some Vicodin, and told us to go home, and rest... We did, we went back home for the second time.  Our dream labor was fast becoming a nightmare.

.....6:00 pm to 1:00 am we labored at home, a doula friend of mine came over and we both supported her, we both told her how strong she was, we both told her she could do this, that she was doing it, that she would get through this... at 1:30 am, with contractions that had been consistently every 3 minutes, we went back to the hospital... same deja vu... same parking, elevator, nurses, nothing... she was still 1 cm.  This time a midwife checked her cervix, and remarked that there might be some scar tissue on her cervix that was making dilation difficult.  Scar tissue? a knot of scar tissue? Scar tissue on her cervix? How come no-one had mentioned this before?  Mom was sad, upset, increasingly despondent, and asked for the epidural, her husband was surprised and puzzled, scar tissue?.  She said she needed a break, she needed to rest.  We agreed.  After the epidural was placed, the midwife massaged her cervix.  This massaging did in fact help break up the scar tissue, and about an hour later, the mom's water broke, and she dilated from 1 cm to 9 cm in a matter of minutes.... A few hours later, she delivered a healthy baby boy!

... Every time I support a woman in labor, I come away with more knowledge and more information.  I researched cervical scar tissue, and found out that some routine interventions do cause scarring on the cervix that can slow down cervical dilation during labor.  Massaging the cervix does help to break up the scar tissue and helps the cervix dilate. 

How to Sleep When your Expecting

By: Aimee Oswald, CD (DONA), HCHI

www.sweetpeabirth.com

  

Sleep. We all know we won't get much of after the baby arrives but how come nobody talks about how difficult it is to obtain while you are expecting?   Now I know that there is that first trimester haze when you feel you still haven't gotten a full night even after 20 hours.  What I'm talking about is that middle place after the fatigue and nausea but before the "Oh my word where are my toes?"  The yummy space where all is right, you feel great, and you're little bump is leading the way yet sleep has become uncomfortable, a chore, fleeting.....Yeah that place.

I was a life long back sleeper.  Ever since I could remember I'd climb into bed pull the blankets up to my chin and laying flat on my back go to sleep.  This all changed even before I got the positive pregnancy test results. One night my back just felt wrong and for some crazy reason I rolled over and found peace on my stomach.  This was great I couldn't believe I had poo-poo'd tummy sleepers for so long! Then the two pink lines informed that this would not work for long. Could I go back to a supine position? Perhaps, but then that too was taken away, Gasp!! What was I to do? Stay awake for the next 6 months?

So how are you supposed to sleep while pregnant?  The most commonly recommended position is on your left side with one leg crossed over the other and a pillow between them. Why on your left side?  Because our hearts are on the left side.This allows for the maximum flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta but still enhances kidney function which means a better elimination of waste and fluids and less swelling of hands and feet.  The right side is also good for this. You may also find it comfortable to place a small pillow or wedge under your tummy in the later months to prop up your abdomen and support the uterus.  Now I've spoken with quite a few women who have sworn to me that they slept on their bellies until the day the baby was born, I still don't know how they did but....

What about the back?  Why is this position such a no no?  Here are the facts; There is a large abdominal vein (the inferior vena cava) located between the spine and the uterus.  This large vein carries blood from your legs to your heart but with the weight of the baby, your uterus and everything else in there this vein gets pinched off causing a drop your blood pressure.  The drop in your blood pressure may cause you to feel dizzy, short of breath and experience light headedness but this drop also cuts off oxygen to your baby. If you must lay on your back here are a few tips to make it more comfortable for you and baby:

• Tilt to one side, the left side if you can
• place pillows or a rolled up towel under one shoulder, hip and leg
• bend your knees so that they are "side laying" but your torso is almost flat

What if you try all these positions and keep waking up on your back?  Simply move to one of the above positions. Don't worry- as a rule our bodies take really good care of us and they wont let us sleep too long in an unfavorable position.

As for me I've turned into a side sleeper!  Fully on my side with a pillow under my head and one in my arms...I've found this a the optimal spot for leaping out of bed at the sound of crying or vomiting, something a mother deals with long after the pregnancy is over!

The last great secret-Finding out if it's Pink or Blue

 
 

By Aimee Oswald, CD (DONA), HCHI

www.sweetpeabirth.com

I was 16 when my mom's youngest sister got pregnant.  She had always been my favorite aunt, she was young. Listened to Rock music, took me to the zoo and bought me my very first burrito from Tito's-the best local taco joint in our neighborhood.  She was the first pregnant lady I ever saw close up.  I really got to look at her tummy, feel the baby kick and listen in awe to her stories of the hospitals new "ABC Room" where she was going to have a natural childbirth.  She had taken Lamaze and my uncle was going to coach her.  She had a plan and knew what she was going to do.  The only two things she didn't know were what day this birth would occur and what sex the baby would be.  At her baby shower the women had her lay down on the floor and take off her wedding ring. The ring was put on a chain and this was hung over her belly- if the ring swung side to side the baby would be a girl and if it moved in a circle then the baby would be a boy.  I can't remember what the "test" showed but boy do I remember all the laughter in the room.  Some of the older women wanted to see how she was carrying, out in front=boy while all over meant a girl.

When I got pregnant years later and was asked if I wanted to find out the sex of the baby by the doctor I thought, "wow is he really going to do the ring thing?" of course not. He would have the ultrasound technician look for me.  I immediately said I didn't want to know.  This I found out annoyed many, many people.  But my thought was and still is- "How many TRUE surprises do we get in life?"

The way the world is now we can find out news the second it happens. We rarely get anything "good" in the mail and you can instantly reach anyone anyplace by text.  So whats left?  Babies' birth dates and their gender.

With many women scheduling the birth of their babies (that's a whole other argument that I'll save for another day) truly their baby's sex is the last great mystery.  I know I'm old fashioned and some would say I have no curiosity.  But I am curious I just loved loving my baby without putting a name or gender on them. This was just our baby.  Our nameless, faceless bundle of joy.  I loved picking out names for boys and girls and trying to design a gender neutral bedroom.  I know I may be the cheese standing alone in this world of instant information so here is some information if the suspense is just too much for you to bear.

The most common method to find out the sex of your baby is ultrasound or sonogram. This method is most accurate between 18-22 weeks. Earlier than that it is hard to tell and sometimes later there is simply too much crowding in there to get a good peek. There are still many factors in this method that prove it to be not 100% accurate; they include the mothers weight, The gestational age of the baby, The training of the technician and the equipment being used and of course the baby's position.

Other methods of sex prediction are more accurate but carry more risk to the pregnancy. The most commonly used methods are amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). These tests can be used earlier in pregnancy. They are also much more accurate than ultrasound, with results very close to 100%. 

Miscarriage is the primary risk related to amniocentesis. The risk of miscarriage ranges from 1 in 400 to 1 in 200. In facilities where amniocentesis is performed regularly, the rates are closer to 1 in 400. Miscarriages can occur because of infection in the uterus, the water breaks or labor is induced prematurely. Although extremely rare, it is possible for the needle to come in contact with the baby. Great precautions are taken by using a sonogram to guide the needle away from the baby. The mother may experience some pain or discomfort as the needle pierces the skin and following the procedure she may undergo cramping, leakage of fluid and minor irritation at the injection site.

Of course you can forgo all these modern methods, take off your wedding ring and tie it to some string or just go to any grocery store and people will freely offer their opinion on how you are carrying and what that means. It may be hard to wait all those months to find out if you'll be buying pink or blue curtains but the moment that baby is in your arms you will find you knew all along exactly which sex your baby was, you knew it in your heart.  ( Oh! And just a side note I did keep myself busy waiting on my bundle by sewing baskets of curtains....all yellow. My daughter just loved them!)

Nursing after breast Reduction

By Aimee Oswald, CD (DONA), HCHI

www.sweetpeabirth.com

 
Breasts are now one of my new obsessions! I've had them since I was about 12 years old and to be honest for a large portion of my life they were in my way, more of a hindrance than an asset. They were great for attracting men and once in a while I was able to get something at a discount, but beyond that they were not of much use to me...then I got pregnant.  For the first time in my life my tummy stuck out farther than the girls! I need to back track a little now. When I was 18 years old the doctor discovered a substantial lump in my left breast. It was determined to be benign but only after two surgeries which required that my left nipple be practically removed and then re-attached.  After the birth of my first daughter no milk flowed from this breast, not even a tiny drop.  The right one was not much better at producing and after many hours, countless sleepless nights, and pumping only bloody "milk" into bottles I labeled my breasts failures and picked up a bottle. 

About 8 years after the birth of my second daughter my girls had gotten totally out of control; I was now wearing a 36 I Bra, I as in after H!! The weight, headaches and constant strain of trying to find tops was enough and I decided to have a breast reduction.  I had no idea how very common this surgery was.  I knew lots of ladies that went up in size but since my surgery I've met many more who have chosen to down-size. Several of these woman are now venturing into mommyhood and have questions about how to be a successful nurser.  Here is what I've found out: 

Breast reduction surgery almost always compromises lactation potential to some extent, the good news is a woman can still breastfeed her baby. The question becomes not whether she can or can't breastfeed, but rather how much milk she will make.

Almost all post-breast reduction moms will produce some amount of milk, though some types of surgeries are less damaging to the mammary system than others. Some mothers will still have a full supply of milk after surgery, especially if their surgeon took care to preserve their mammary tissue, vital nerves, and ducts. Some women will find that even though they do produce milk they may need to add some supplemental milk supply.  There are options for this as well, one option is to use an at-breast supplementer such as the Medela SNS or the Lact-aid Nursing Trainer. These apparatus are basically a pouch or container filled with supplement that hangs around the mother's neck with a thin tube that is positioned alongside the nipple. When the baby takes the nipple and areola into his mouth, the tube goes in too, and the supplement flows along with any mother's milk that is being extracted from the breast at the same time. You can use expressed milk in the system. There are also several places to purchase donated breast milk that you can use in the supplementer. 

Whether you have or have not had a reduction surgery I strongly recommend that you attend a breastfeeding class prior to your birth. Not only will you learn about nursing but you will learn about the anatomy of the breast and this is very beneficial when trying to work your way to nursing your baby.  I also urge you to meet with the hospital or birth center provided lactation consultant, even if you are off to a wonderful start this highly trained professional can save you hours of crying (both you and the baby!) and sore nipples by just making simple adjustments to holds. If you get home and then discover you have run into a snag your doula, doctor,nurse, or childbirth educator can refer you to a home lactation consultant who will visit you or you can go to your local nursing support center and the amazing volunteers from La Leche League are always eager to assist.

Okay say you've done all of the above, took a class, pumped worked with a professional but for one reason or another you choose not to nurse. Are you a terrible parent? Will you have no bond with your baby?  Absolutely not!  You can still have wonderful bonding time with your baby during feedings and here are some hints to help with that:

First explore the possibility of either using your own pumped breast milk or donated milk in the bottle. Breast milk really is the perfect food for baby and should be used whenever possible.

Second when you bottle feed your baby go ahead and take off your shirt, hold baby skin to skin  and right next to your breast. This is the perfect distance for baby to see you and the closeness you both feel will be pleasing to both of you.

Lastly do not blame or become angry with yourself. Your baby loves you and just wants to spend loving quite time with you.

Best Laid Plans of Mom's and Dad's-What to include in your birth plan

By Aimee Oswald, CD (DONA), HCHI                                

www.sweetpeabirth.com

I am sure you've heard the saying; "If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans", Sometimes I think this also goes for Caregivers, Family members and well meaning friends when you bring up the topic of a birth plan.  Those previously mentioned will often look at the expectant women and try to nod in a supportive all the while trying to hide a look that says; "Poor thing. She thinks she can plan this".  Can she plan this?

Having a baby is a life changing, momentous event.  I often tell my clients that unlike planning your wedding, dream vacation or extravagant party with this event you have no idea what time it will start, what day it will be and sometimes you don't even know the sex of the guest of honor! Despite what you may assume it is actually very productive to prepare a birth plan for your labor and delivery. The tricky part is knowing what to include and what to leave out. Here is what I advise the couples I work with to cover in their birth wish list;

You should begin your birth plan with a short introduction of you and your partner, just a few sentences stating who you are and how excited you are about meeting your little bundle. Next include any very specific issues or concerns you may have, this would be a fine place to inform the staff of a back or any other prior injury. The final sentence of your introduction should include the members of your support or birth team, just their names and what their function is on your team. For example; Mary is Sue's mom she will be in the labor room until delivery, Nancy is our doula and will remain with us throughout labor, delivery and for about an hour into our postpartum time.

The second thing to do is to break your birth down into stages and state your desires for each stage.

First Stage of Labor: declare your wishes for the environment; things such as lighting, your mobility, if you would like to eat or drink, how much fetal monitoring you are comfortable with, what you would like to wear during this time, would you like to be offered pain medications or alternative options, if you need any augmentation with your labor would like it to be medical or would you rather try things like nipple stimulation first, do you want to have a routine IV, in the event of a C-section who would you like to accompany you, who will then cut the cord.  Cover all possible scenarios of this first stage of labor.

Second Stage-Pushing: What position would you like to push in, would you like the nurse to direct this pushing by counting to 10 or would you rather try spontaneous bearing down, who would you like to help you hold your legs or would you prefer stirrups, What type of care would you like to your perineum, would you prefer to tear or have an episiotomy?

Third Stage- Delivery of the Placenta: Would you like to exam your placenta, would you like to keep it or take it home (please note that if you are interested in taking it home you must make arrangements to have it removed from the hospital premises very shortly after your birth), Do you wish to deliver the placenta spontaneously, would you like your baby placed directly on your chest for skin to skin contact.

Finally you will want to include a section on newborn care, this can also be a separate "newborn plan" In this section you will address things like who will cut the cord, are you banking cord blood, do you want delayed cord clamping, are you inclined to delay the routine newborn procedures such as the vitamin k shot, antibiotics drops to the baby's eyes, any other injections and weight, head measurements and length of the baby. This section is also the place to state weather or not you'd like the baby to have a bottle, pacifier, be separated from you or have a bath.

Once you have made all these choices and done your research on any you are not familiar with you are going to type them all up on a single sheet of brightly colored paper.  Give a copy to your doctor or midwife, a copy to your doula and keep about half a dozen in your hospital bag.  This will become your birth plan. Embrace your plan, visualize it, speak it out loud, draw a picture of it and then be prepared to change it at a moments notice.  Birth is a completely unpredictable event and for you to enjoy your Birth Day you will need to wrap your arms and heart around flexibility. Being flexible is the most important component of every birth plan.

Make your plan, let them laugh because you know the truth...Plans, like rules are made to be broken.

Lets talk about S.E.X!

By: Aimee Oswald

www.sweetpeabirth.com

We're all friends here, correct? I mean I can talk openly.  As you may have already guessed I am shy about few things, well....actually I'm not really shy at all.  I can say vagina with a straight face.  I don't grimace at all when I say things like rectum or perineum and breast is a no brainer for me, But I'll admit there was something I rarely spoke about when pregnant.....SEX. Now don't get me wrong I am big fan of sex I just didn't love it like some pregnant women I've met.  I'd heard these gals speak of this crazy sexual desire they felt when pregnant and I kept waiting for this craving of sex to hit me and well.....it just never hit.

But as you know I'm here to serve and as a doula, the topic of sex during pregnancy is something I hear about all the time; so lets go for it...Let's talk about SEX!

First and foremost sex during pregnancy is perfectly safe and enjoyable. The only time when intercourse may be prohibited is in the case of preterm labor,any time your membranes have ruptured, or if you are in your third trimester and have been diagnosed with Placenta Previa. Also women who have a history of miscarriage or premature birth should consult their doctor prior to any sexual stimulation. For the rest of pregnant women,  sex is still very much an option -in fact it may even facilitate you going into labor if you are near your due date. 

How does sex help labor start? Human semen contains the most concentrated source of prostaglandins which soften and the the cervix in preparation for labor. (Induction drugs like Cervidil try to mimic prostaglandins.)  In Ina May Gaskin's book- Ina May's Guide to Childbirth she says that in her observation, women who regularly engage  in sex during pregnancy were  more likely to go into labor at around forty weeks. But don't worry- if you have a normal, healthy pregnancy, sex will not cause you to go into labor before your baby is ready.

Let's talk about positions; There are not any positions that are off limits.  As long as you can get into it go for it.  Some positions may be more comfortable than others, Woman on top or spooning are great options and usually very comfortable for both of you.  Generally , Sex doesn't hurt the baby. The cervix is toward the rear (posterior) and even the deepest penetration will not cause harm. Some doctors may ask you to stop having intercourse at thirty-six weeks if this is the case ask the doctor why they are recommending you stop, since as I mentioned above Sex can aid in the start of labor.

Why have Sex?  Well, why not?  let's face it feels great! Besides all that it's a wonderful way to get close to your partner.  If this is your first baby the birth marks the beginning of your life as a family but it also signals the end of your life as a childless couple, so take this time to really connect and cherish your couple time.

So stop reading, go find your lover and get busy!!

 

Slings Are Getting a "Bad Wrap"- Are They Really Dangerous?

By Mandy Schutt

My husband and I were walking through IKEA yesterday when a stranger came up to us with a frantic look on his face, pointed to the sling I was carrying my daughter in, then stopped dead in his tracks and said, “Did you guys hear about the safety warning for those things!?”

My husband and I eeked out a smile and thanked him for his concern but assured him that making a baby safe in a sling simply involved engaging the ol’ cerebellum- something we do on a daily basis- and thus, do not fear for our baby’s life.

Later that day…

We got home from IKEA and my husband got a phone call from a family member who let him know that she was sending us a newspaper article on the dangers of slings. She was deeply concerned, knowing that we often carry our baby in a sling.

 

Here’s the scoop on slings:

In Canada, there have been nine “incidents” involving soft infant carriers since 1995- two of these incidents were deaths. That’s soft carriers- not just slings. A soft carrier can be anything from a Baby Bjorn to an Ergo Baby to a piece of fabric wrapped around a child and any other back or front baby carrier- NOT just slings. 

There have been 14 suffocation deaths in the U.S. in the past two decades that have been related to soft carriers- again that’s ALL soft carriers.

 

Here's the scoop on cars:

According to the US Department of Transportation, during 2005, 1,335 children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and approximately 184,000 were injured. That’s an average of 4 deaths and 504 injuries each day.

I find it funny that no one has ever stopped me in a parking lot as I was putting my baby in the car, and said, “Did you hear about the safety warning for those things?” Additionally, not a single family member has shown the slightest tinge of concern that I drive with my child on LA freeways on a daily basis.

 

My point:

Babies have been worn by billions of mothers for millions of years. Let’s put all the figures into perspective here instead of sounding off an alarm that makes new moms nervous and paranoid about carrying their babies. Yes, babies could suffocate while being carried in a sling so when we wear slings, we need to be aware of how we are using them- in the same way we would be cautious laying our babies on a bed by moving fluffy blankets and pillows away from their faces.

 

The slings that have caused most of the problems have been the less popular, “bag slings”. Bag slings are the westernized version of a standard cloth sling. They are typically made from thick, synthetic material and have a bungee-like draw sting along the rim. These slings are deep and the wearer is not able to easily tighten or loosen the material to create a shallower “cradle area” for the baby to lie in. Additionally, the infants that have died in slings have primarily been a low-birth weight twin, premature, or had a cold. While babywearing can greatly benefit premature and lower weight babies, these little people require special needs while being worn. Kangaroo Mother Care includes  a special method of babywearing that is appropriate for these situations.

There are dangers lurking around every corner for our babies and it is really, really sad when babies die. I’m not lessoning the devastating deaths of the infants involved but I am hoping that we don’t all rise up against the ancient and ever-useful art of baby wearing. The media is having a hay day with this topic and is doing a poor job at informing the public. How so? By: a) not giving all the facts and statistics in their reports b) clumping all “soft carriers” into the same category c) over exaggerating the danger and not taking into account any of the benefits slings provide.

In my opinion, there are far more important issues for the government and media to cause a frenzy over; issues that take the lives of significantly more children on a daily basis. For example, the use of fire retardants (chemicals) in baby mattresses and clothing has the government’s stamp of approval despite its links to SIDS and poor brain development. How about addressing the drastic increase of premature births in this country due to labor induction?  These premature babies have a high chance of death in the first few months of life and if they live, can suffer brain damage yet there is no 5 o’clock media coverage on this issue.

While carrying a baby in a sling is truly not a difficult task, the internet is loaded with instructional videos, step by step instructions, and a plethora of information on proper babywearing techniques . If parents need a little guidance, postpartum doulas are also trained in how to use slings properly and can easily model and guide moms and dads in safe baby-wearing practices. Here in LA, there are baby-wearing workshops all over the city and you can drop into the Pump Station at any time and ask for a soft-carrier consult for free. The information on sling safety is abundant.

For many, including me, the benefits of proper babywearing far outweighs any danger posed by improper sling usage. It’s been statistically proven that worn babies cry less (one study found babies to cry 43% less when they were worn!) and because of this heightened alert, non-crying state they actually learn more throughout the day than their crying counterparts- literally making them smarter. Parents with infants who cry less are in turn less stressed and happier people. Dr. Sears outlines some of the benefits to baby wearing as well as how to safely do so, in his article entitled, “Babywearing”. Additional benefits of babywearing include: colic cure, assisting with breastfeeding issues, contributing to faster weight gain of underweight infants, regulating baby’s body temperature, increasing baby’s sense of security, allowing for vital skin to skin contact, making public breastfeeding easier as well as more discrete, and much, much more.

So- before you trade in your $40 sling for that $140 infant stroller- do your homework! Go to a baby-wearing workshop, check out what Dr. Sears- a babywearing expert (in fact, his wife and he coined the phrase) has to say on the matter, hire a postpartum doula for a consult, research the statistics, or contact one of the 3 Doulas for more information. Babywearing is not only extremely convenient; if done properly, it has proven physiological benefits to both baby and mom.

I found these beautiful photos of babywearing across the globe at this wonderful blog site.

Dispelling Breast Milk Myths

By Mandy Schutt,CBD, CPD, HCHI

Mothers can sometimes become discouraged when they begin pumping. Despite their baby’s growth, actually seeing their milk in a container can bring up a lot of questions and doubt. This doubt can lead to formula supplementation and lower a new mom’s confidence in her ability to exclusively breastfeed her child. I’ve personally gone through some great difficulties with breastfeeding my daughter and understand how a little doubt can creep in and really deflate a new mom. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about what your breast milk should and should not be.

I’ve had several well-meaning friends suggest supplementing with formula, after I’ve told them about my breast pumping woes, because I might not be providing my baby with all of her nutritional needs. Nonsense! While there are special, rare circumstances when a mother cannot or should not breastfeed her children, I do not fall under any of these categories. Thank goodness I possessed a lot of knowledge that I’d gleaned from my birth and postpartum studies, or I might have actually believed these friends and began supplementation or given up altogether!

Below I address some of the common myths moms hear regarding the appearance of expressed breast milk. If you are pregnant and considering breastfeeding, I encourage you to set up a consult with a lactation specialist for a couple days after you’ve delivered, and do it before you are holding your little one in your arms (i.e. now!). Set yourself up for success! If you are already nursing and feeling like you would like a little guidance please don’t hesitate to call a lactation consultant and/or find a breastfeeding support group in your area.  La Leche League has them for free nation-wide, you can also check out your local hospitals, breastfeeding supply stores, or attachment parenting groups for more information.

 

MYTH #1: My milk is too thin. It can’t possibly be providing my baby with everything she needs.

Mature breast milk does look much thinner that what we normally visualize milk to look like. Cow’s milk is much thicker in appearance than human milk. A woman’s breasts releases two forms of their milk; foremilk and hindmilk. Foremilk is what the breast first releases during a feed or pump. It is thinner in appearance, is high in sugar, lactose, vitamins, proteins, minerals, and water. Infants don’t drink water as adults do, so they need this thinner, hydrating milk. Hindmilk flows from the breast after the foremilk and is higher in fat content.  When you pump for only a short time, you may just be expressing this foremilk, so it is a good idea to pump for longer periods of time. However, women often pump for 20-30 minutes and complain that their milk still looks much to thin to be of any nutritional value. If this is you, I’d like to make a suggestion:

Instead of freezing your milk right away, put it in the fridge overnight. When you come back to it in the morning, you should see a thicker layer of milk on top and the thinner, more transparent milk on the bottom. The creamy layer on top should visually prove to you that your baby is getting enough sustenance to fill their tummy and keep them full.

Remember that human milk is much thinner looking that the cow’s milk we are used to seeing. On the rare chance that you are not pumping enough of the thick foremilk, there are several tricks to remedy the situation. Don’t throw in the towel and declare, “I can’t do it!” instead, call in a professional lactation consultant to assist you in finding a pumping technique that works with your body’s needs.

 

 MYTH #2: My milk has a weird colored tint to it- it must be bad or soured.

Breast milk often has a blue or yellow tinge to it but can also appear green, orange, or other colors depending on what the mother has been eating. Sometimes it has a pink tinge if there is a broken capillary on the mother’s breast. None of this is a problem and the milk is perfectly safe for the baby to consume. While in the breast, breast milk simply cannot spoil.

 

MYTH #3: I pump for a long time and hardly get any milk. That must mean my baby isn’t getting enough either.

Babies have been around for far longer than breast pumps have! Infants have perfected the art of nursing so well that regardless of how technologically advanced pumps are, they simply don’t come close to extracting milk like our babies do!  On a personal level, I have gone through times when I would pump both breasts for a total of 45 minutes and not even get enough milk to cover the bottom of the bottle- I’m talking drips-yet, my baby thrives! Some women simply don’t respond well to pumping but this certainly doesn’t mean that our babies are nutritionally depleted or aren’t getting enough milk. It’s important that we place more trust in our babies than we do in our machines…especially is our child is showing no signs of stunted growth or discontent from hunger!

 

MYTH #4: My breast milk looks different now than it did a few months ago. My breasts must not be able to keep up with the baby’s needs.

The appearance of breast milk does change which is actually a sign that your child is getting exactly what she needs! As a baby grows and changes, their nutritional needs change as well.  A mother’s body is designed to work in perfect harmony with her baby’s and provides for the baby precisely what it needs during any specific stage of development- how cool is that?! This change in a mom’s milk can sometimes alter its appearance.

 

All of a baby's nutritional needs are met by drinking breastmilk and a mom's body is created to meet these needs. If you are struggling with breastfeeding, I totally relate- my journey was not an easy one. I understand why moms give up! But I'd encrouage you as a doula and as a mother who has faught to be a successful nurser to keep at it and get professional help to support you in your fight! The pay-off is definitely worth it for both you and your little one!