What Every Pregnant Women Should Know Before Delivery

Last night, I was invited to speak at the Macomb BirthNetwork meeting about comfort measures after you give birth.  The meeting also focused on comfort measures during labor.  During the meeting one of the chapter leaders, chiropractor, Sandie McCuiston said, "I wish we could talk to every mother in the area about these things!"  I feel the same way.  It is my feeling, that the majority of pregnant mothers do not have a basic understanding of birth, only a fear of it.  We can do better ladies.  The point of education is not so that every birth is the same.  The point is that when you know more about your choices you can make the best choices for you.  We do this for so many other decisions, we ask where people bought their phone, what features and plans they like, how they use it, etc.  I advocate for the same level of understanding of birth.

Birth Network is a great place to start your education.  There are four local chapters in Michigan.  We are lucky to have two chapters in Metro Detroit, one in Macomb, and one in Oakland. 

BirthNetwork Misson
"The mission of BirthNetwork National is to promote the awareness and availability of Mother-Friendly maternity care.

BirthNetwork National is leading a grassroots movement based on the belief that birth can profoundly affect our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. BirthNetwork National advocates Mother-Friendly care, as defined by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services' Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI).  By making informed choices and having confidence in the process, families can experience safe and satisfying childbirth."

I'd like to suggest that as you prepare your nursery and enjoy baby showers you also devote time to study birth and the postpartum period.  Attending a Birth Network meeting is an amazing place to begin to learn more about birth.  The women who are chapter leaders seek to inform women so they can advocate for themselves during birth.  It's wonderful to be in a room full of mothers and fathers who want to help you have the most informed birth you can. 

Here are some of the highlights from the meeting last night.  Amanda Willis, another chapter leader, discussed comfort measures during birth. 

• Consider different positions to labor in, you may try sitting on a birth ball, using a squat bar, or walking around.   Talk to your midwife or ob/gyn to find out which positions they recommend or have found helpful to laboring women.  Chapter leader, Brady Grutter did a great demonstration for how to use a birthing ball.
• We also discussed support people.  Your husband/partner is clearly your most important support person.  Having a person who you feel knows, you and who you can spend months discussing how you would like to be cared for during birth is invaluable.  You may also consider hiring a doula.  A doula will support you and your spouse.
• Some women like to be touched during labor and if that is the case your support person can massage your legs, or arms, they can rub your back or use counter-pressure on your hips.  Holly Eason, a local massage therapist shared ideas for massage before, and after birth.  Some women don't like to be touched, so having a look or word to tell everyone to back off can be helpful.
•  Water can be wonderful during labor.  You may have heard of water births, but even if you don't want to birth in water, laboring in water may be a great option for you. 
•  Use a birthing method like Hynobirthing, Hynobabies, Bradley, Lamaze, etc.  We have many wonderful options to take classes using these methods in our area.   

Above, I briefly mentioned hiring a doula.  I think doulas are the most important comfort measure during birth.  Research has shown that having a doula at your birth will result in better outcomes.  The most important aspect about having a doula is that she provides continuous support during birth.  Many women think their OB/GYNs, Midwives, or Labor and Delivery nurses provide continuous care.  But they have many other important duties and can't be there with you at every minute of labor. 

A birth doula is a women who is extremely knowledgeable about birth and she is there to support you throughout your birth.  Katie Inman, a BirthNetwork chapter leader shared how much she appreicated her doula.  We have many wonderful doulas in our area, and I suggest meeting several birth doulas to find the one who you feel the most comfortable.  You can hold interviews with doulas, or attend a Meet the Doulas Event.  You can attend such an event at Providence Hospital in Southfield, even if you don't plan to deliver at Providence and/or at The Authentic Living Center in Troy, where Beautiful Beginnings Birth Services hosts a Meet the Doulas event.  I've linked more information, so click on the name to find more information or contact me directly. 

If you aren't sure if a birth doula is a good fit for your birth, talk to one and find out.  Interviewing and meeting a doula does not mean you must hire one.  There are birth doulas for every situation and at every price point. 

We also discussed how to take care of yourself after you have a baby.  This is called the postpartum period.  I'm a postpartum doula and support families after they have a baby.  I was honored to be asked to add my thoughts about this time period, at the meeting. 

There are both emotional and physical considerations to take into account when planning for the postpartum time period.  In the days after birth, your hormones change dramatically going from the highest amount to a much lower amount in a very short period of time.  This leads to 80% of women experiencing the "baby blues" three to fourteen days after they give birth.   How can you best cope with this dramatic hormone shift?  Support!  I recommend following the link to the Doulas of North America (DONA) website where they have a PDF file about making a planning for postpartum time.  Filling out this form will help you prepare for the days after you have a baby,  and doing this before your baby is born will help you think through the support you need. 

Physical considerations after giving birth are also important.  There are many variations of birth, from natural to c-section, and each has its own unique options for healing.  No matter how you birth, you will need to focus on healing by letting others take care of you.   Have food available that is healthy, quick, and easy to eat after birth.  Strawberries are my favorite quick snack to eat in the days after birth.  Consider the supplies you will want to deal with bleeding after birth.   The vaginal bleeding after birth is called lochia, and it continues for 3-6 weeks.  Personally, I like to have my own pads, and underwear available.  Herbal baths and teas are also very restorative after birth.  Ask your care provider for suggestions when using any herbal remedies.  Cold compresses can feel marvelous on your possibly swollen, tender labia, and perineum.  Also consider how your breasts will change after birth.  Have the phone number for Le Leche League, or an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), postpartum doula, or other capable Lactation Consultant available so at any sign of difficulty you can call for more information and support.  Colostrum or breast milk itself is very healing and can be hand expressed onto the nipples after breastfeeding to help soothe tender tissue.  Engorgement sometimes occurs when your milk comes in and can be uncomfortable.  Some women like a warm shower, and hand expression to relieve some pressure, others like cool compress to relieve pressure. 

The most important thing to consider with birth and the postpartum period is flexibility.  Have a plan but remain open to what happens.  Make informed, careful decisions so looking back you will be satisifed with your experience.

Read my last blog post about evidence based care for your newborn

You can e-mail me with questions/comments at theafterbabylady@gmail.com

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