Intravenous fluid can be a common medical tool used during labor. The most common reason for it is to prevent dehydration. IVs can also be placed as a way to administer medicine when needed.
Did you know you have options?
First off every birth place is different, and every provider is different. One way to know what IV policies are for where you plan on giving birth is to ask! Start by asking your doctor or midwife, and you can also call down to the labor and delivery department of the hospital you are planning to birth at. You can simply ask “what does it look like to receive IV fluids?” Follow up with “what are my options?” This may even lead to a further conversation with your care provider that really paints a picture of what you may expect when it comes to IV fluids at your birth.
What are your options?
There are usually a few different choices surrounding IV fluids. Due to medical necessity you may be limited. You also may realize when examining your options that you already know what you feel most comfortable with or what makes the most sense for you.
Standard IV- In this circumstance as you get settled into your birth room, or sometimes in triage, a standard IV will be placed and fluids will be dripped. This involves a little poke with a needle to place the tubing into your hand or arm, and you will be connected to the fluid bags throughout the entirety of your labor.
DOULA TIP: Ask that the IV or saline lock to be placed on the forearm instead of the wrist or hand when possible. This helps from anything interfering with your range of motion or any bother when you are using your hands throughout labor and after birth.
Saline Lock (also sometimes known as a Hep-lock) – Tubing is placed just like in an IV but it is sealed off and serving as a place to quickly connect fluid or medicines. When fluids or medicine are not needed you have freedom from being connected to anything.
Request for neither an IV or Saline Lock- In this instance the choice would be the request for nothing to be placed.
With all these options there are of course pros and cons. And depending on the medical needs of your pregnancy and situation your choices may be limited. Walk through BRAIN with your doctor or midwife as you decide what makes the most sense for your situation.
It is common at hospital births for some sort of IV to be placed. Saline locks may be a good choice if you find yourself hoping to not be connected to bags of fluid your entire labor, but if at anytime anything is needed the port is already there. Also as labor progresses some people would rather not have to mess with a nurse placing an IV if it is deemed medically necessary later in the labor process. So by having a saline lock it is already there just in case.
You know yourself and your veins too.
If drawing blood or getting an IV placed has been troublesome for you in the past, getting the saline lock upon arrival to the hospital may be a good choice as well. Placing it early on can get that piece of the way. As it may not be fun to be coping through intense labor and having someone spend a lot of time placing an IV.
Free standing birthing centers and homebirths may have different availability of these options. It will be determined by the midwife’s certification and what is deemed appropriate for them to do medically.
Don’t forget hydration can come from drinking water and other fluids too. Some providers rely on that, and some birthing people may still need more than what they are able to drink by mouth.
Times an IV is absolutely needed:
-Intravenous medical pain relief is requested
-Intravenous medicine is needed
-The care provider deems fluids are medically necessary
Take some time to explore with your care provider what options are a good fit for you! It is good to know what choices you might have as you plan and prepare for your birthing experience.
We all want to be happy. Happiness is something we all strive for. I mean I’m super into it. I also feel like lately we are all understanding more that caring for ourselves matters. Especially for our happiness. The phrase “self-care” certainly is thrown around a bunch lately. It is not just bubble baths and manicures though. (While I do love a nice deep soak.) Self-care is many things. Recently I learned something. Being kind to others actually increases our happiness. Kindness is really the best self-care.
Let me begin with my personal journey to happiness and being kind.
So no big deal but I am a Yale grad. Well a one course grad. Well I took a free online course from a Yale Professor, Laurie Santos, on Coursea called The Science of Well Being. So now my alma mater is the same as Rory Gilmore’s and I use the phrase Yale grad liberally. 😉 But it seriously is an amazing course.
At the beginning of quarantine time Coursea began offering this course at no cost! I was intrigued because a) I dig happiness and b) I love science! I’m not one to read too many self-helpy things (Because ain’t no one gonna tell me what to do lol) but this attracted me. Also I figured it was a good time to work on improving my life’s happiness. I highly recommend this course. I learned the reasoning behind why our brains function the way they do and also what to do to cultivate happiness on a daily basis.
Simply learning why our brains think they way they do will not make us happy. It’s the doing. There are many things we can do to help us be happier folk. Course spoiler alert! From gratitude, to meditation, sleep, and simply being kind.
Being kind to others and doing kind things literally makes us happier!
This one really struck a cord for me. Self help actually doesn’t have to be about you! HELP SOMEONE ELSE! In return you will be rewarded with your own increase in happiness.
There is research to back this up so you don’t have to take it from me.
Elizabeth Dunn, from the University of British Columbia studied this and published her work. She specifically looked at spending money on others and the happiness we receive. I’ll simplify one of her experiments to explain. So in one of her research studies subjects were given envelopes of money that ranged from $5 to $20. Some participants were instructed to spend the money on themselves and the other participants were to spend the entire amount on other people all by 5pm. After 5 they were called and their happiness was rated. The group that spent that money on others was HAPPIER!!! If you dig that you can check out her book too.
That is just one example of kindness and how it creates happiness. You can take this course yourself and learn even more how our brains react to being kind and how this correlates to increasing our happiness.
When it comes to giving money away I have also learned we appreciate it more if we know exactly where our dollars are going and how it will be used. So while donating to a big non-profit feels good…. we may get a bigger burst of happiness if we know exactly the way our money is being used. For instance if we know our dollars are going towards new equipment for research we may get a bigger uptick in feeling good than simply donating. Picturing our dollars in action helps our brains feel better about the donation.
Donating money isn’t the only way to be kind of course!
Set aside 10 minutes of your day and call an old friend. Or maybe your mother! Moms love hearing from their children! Do something genuine without expecting anything in return. Send a note or a letter to someone. Give extra compliments today! Take a moment and brainstorm where you can be intentionally kind to someone else.
So yes, while you are absolutely amazing and deserve “me time,” you may find that happiness boost you are longing for simply by helping someone else today.
If you want more guidance and information on happiness you can also check out Yale Professor, Laurie Santos, on her podcast appropriately named The Happiness Lab.
In a world that can feel awfully heavy currently, I hope you are inspired to be kind today! Not only for the ones you help but for yourself.
You’re pregnant?! A big congratulations to you and your family! The next nine months will be filled with all sorts of newness and excitement as you await the arrival of your baby!
Obviously, your body will change as you grow that precious little baby (hello cute bump!), your spare bedroom will transition to the baby’s room, you start thinking about what the baby will need, and you begin planning all the things – when do I go to my first doctor appointment, when is the first ultrasound, how should we announce the pregnancy to family and friends, is it a boy or girl?!, picking a name for the baby, where should I buy maternity clothes from, and what about a newborn photo session (shameless plug!). All of this is beyond exciting, and let me reassure you, you have plenty of time to get it all in order.
Let me introduce myself before we continue. I’m Chelsie Maurer – a thirty-something year old living in Metro Detroit. I’m married to my college sweetheart and we have two awesome daughters who are both sweet and spicy! I’ve recently become addicted to Diet Coke and reading fiction novels as we navigate through this COVID19 quarantine. I am a professional newborn and family photographer with a boutique studio Downtown Utica, Michigan and I travel throughout Detroit. I absolutely love to serve my clients, and I genuinely enjoy giving them the best experience and photos.
Speaking of serving my clients…
I want to help ya’ll figure out what type of newborn pictures you want of your babe. There are three different types of photo sessions that parents can choose from: Fresh 48 Hospital, Posed Newborn Baby, In-home (or in-studio) Lifestyle Session. Lets break down what each is and give you a sample of all the options, shall we?
Fresh 48
These sessions are for those mamas who want to capture the raw, fresh (literally) photos of your baby, as the photo session is done within 48 hours of birth in your hospital room. I hear you in the back, “but I don’t want photos when I’m recovering from birth and look like a hot mess.” Don’t disregard these sessions juuust yet. Throw on your new black nursing tank top, your cute lululemon black leggings, and a comfy grey, long cardigan. Freshie sessions are supposed to be casual and relaxed. Some mamas even wear just a pretty robe from Etsy and they look amazing. As you are in awe of your baby, I capture all the emotion and connection between your newly expanded family, as well as some of just baby and all the tiny details of their sweet little selves!
In-studio Posed Baby
Before baby was even born, we met at the studio for a Session Consultation so you could see the environment, all the props and wraps and tiebacks and everything available to use for your new little bundle’s session. You told me your favorite colors you’d like used for the session and oh my goodness! that adorable newborn bed prop that you reeeaalllly want used for the pictures. I’ve got all your favorites noted and the session is planned!
After your baby is born, you send me a quick text or email letting me know the exciting news (and of course I want to see a picture of baby!). We will schedule a date for your in-studio newborn photo session while baby is 6-14 days old ideally.
The session itself is suuuper relaxing and easy for you, Mama and Daddy.
Feed baby and then I take over with a stress-free session while you brew a Keurig in the studio and relax on the couch. Check out Instagram and Facebook, read all the comments congratulating you, and you occasionally look up to watch how adorable your infant looks while I pose them and get the most adorable pictures.
During these sessions, I get a variety of safe poses with baby and of COURSE we need to do parent pictures, mom and baby pictures, dad and baby pictures and sibling pictures.
My goal is for you to have a dreamy experience, truly, while you get the most beautiful photos to celebrate the expansion of your family.
In-home Newborn Lifestyle
In-home newborn sessions have taken off in the past few years! These sessions are exactly as they sound – I come to your home to photograph your brand new baby and you while in the comfort of your own home. I give gentle prompts and cuddly posing and capture all the magic of your newly expanded family. They’re pretty amazing sessions, and having it in your own home with your favorite cognac couch, your furry pet, and that blanket grandma made for baby make it all that much more sentimental. It is literally capturing your family and home at this moment in time.
For these sessions I like to still do a set of posed newborn photos for the parents. I bring along a prop and a couple of wraps, bonnets and tiebacks for baby. It is the best of both worlds!
I realize not everyone may have the right light or a home they’d like their photos done at, but they still love the look of the in-home session. These sessions can also easily be done in my studio. The below pictures are an example of this.
So which type of newborn session seems to fit what you’re looking for? Or what type of session did you do for your baby when they were born? I’d love to hear back from you!
Nudge your husband by sending him this information about push presents!
Chelsie Maurer is a professional photographer specializing in Maternity, Newborn and Family sessions in Metro Detroit and surrounding areas. Her photography studio is located Downtown Utica, Michigan.
Times are interesting and ever changing. It is easy to accumulate worry and anxiety as we navigate these uncharted territories. You may be wondering yourself how to keep the calm amid COVID-19.
Below we compiled various ways to help reduce the fear, fret, and anxious feelings. It is normal and OK to have these, but we don’t want them to consume you. Some are immediate things you can do and others daily things to add into your life.
Breathing
Like we tell those preparing for birth in our childbirth education classes you always have your breath. So lets use it! There are various techniques you can use to help calm you.
A favorite is Box Breathing. The simple breakdown of box breathing is as follows:
-Focus on your breath.
Exhale emptying your lungs.
Then breathe in through your nose long and slow for the count of 4. 1, 2, 3….4.
Then exhale through your mouth for that same long, slow count of 4. 1, 2, 3, ….4.
Pause here and count to 4 before inhaling again.
Breathe with a relaxed body.
We always come back to slow deep breaths. These carry people through a labor as well as through anxious times. Simply find yourself in a comfortable position sitting upright with your shoulders relaxed and do slow deep breaths breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Check out some more tips here.
Yoga breathing.
Pranayama breathing in yoga practice is a great way to quiet the mind and bring focus to our breath. To practice it you may want to lay down flat on your back. Now begin to focus on your breathing as your belly raises then falls. Drown out other thoughts with the focus of what your breath is doing. Then take a deep breath in through your nose filling your lungs. On the exhale breathe out like you are fogging a mirror. Continue in this fashion.
Moment by moment
We are in a place where uncertainty lies ahead and all we can really know or control is this exact moment. This is one of our most used doula phrases and it couldn’t be more appropriate for handling the onslaught of information and changes happening.
All we can do is take things one. moment. at. a. time. If you find yourself getting ahead of yourself, pause. What is happening in this very moment? Does anything actually need to be done, or decided? Pause and do some of the other techniques here.
Always come back to the present moment.
Journaling
For everyone’s mental health taking time to jot down feelings and thoughts is always recommended. There are no rules. Just write! Perhaps keep a journal next to your bed and upon waking take 15 minutes to right down whatever comes to your mind. Yes you can pause to get that morning pee out, then come back at it. Sometimes we just need to process and get it out!
Meditating
Some may find this word intimidating but it can be really simple. Some of the breathing exercises mentioned above can be your meditation practice. A whole yoga session can be a meditation practice. It can last for seconds or minutes and you can gradually increase the time spent doing it. If you find yourself in an anxious state often it may not hurt to add this into your daily life routine. For more meditation guidance check out this resource.
Visualizations can be a source of meditation. Craft a story. It doesn’t have to be long. We tell our pregnant clients to come up with one that lasts about 30 seconds to a minute as that’s the length of contractions at time. Feel stumped on where to begin? Simply think of something you do on an average basis. For example I am a runner. So my story may look like this:
I reach down to grab my running shoes and slide them on. I lace the left shoe. I lace the right shoe. Look! Penny is wagging ready to go. I hook her leash on her collar and grab her poopy bags. We head out the front door. I hit run on my Garmin. I pick up my knees and begin my run……..
Wherever your story takes you can follow it then repeat it.
Take a moment to accept your feelings
Feelings of worry and nervousness are valid feelings. Take a moment to acknowledge you feel them. Pretending they aren’t there and shoving them down will not serve you. Once you are aware of your feelings you can then decide how to next take action. What can bring some calm and some peace? Perhaps start with something mentioned in this blog.
Excercise
Physical activity is believed to enhance moods as it can increase endorphins. Most people report feeling better overall when they exercise regularly. Bad news is currently most gyms are closed for social isolation reasons. So its time to get creative at home if you do not have a home gym. Many gyms and yoga studios are now offering live classes!
Create your own workout! A simple 15 minute circuit could look as follows if your body is up for it!
-Spend 1 minute of doing each of these then repeat 5 times: (modifications for your own body always welcome)
Push-ups
Sit-ups
Hold a plank
Lunge with left leg forward
Lunge with right leg forward
If you have some funds to spend there are some apps and online programs available too. We recommend the MUTU system for moms looking for gentle and effective workouts. It builds your pelvic floor strength!
No matter what level of stress you may be feeling these can help. If you feel your stress and anxiety rise, especially in these times thinking about COVID-19, pause and reference this for ideas on what action to take! Deep breaths and we can all get through this!
From the moment you pee on a stick and get a positive indication staring back at you, you are filled with options and decisions ahead. One major decision is, who will be your care provider for this time? Will it be an OB or a midwife? What the heck is a doula? What is the difference between them all?
I will begin by saying that I am a doula. As a doula I am used to people not 100% grasping what I actually do. Often people *think* they know what a doula does and I get the response, “oh yeah, you catch babies in bathtubs in homes right?” So if I am getting that response from family and friends, that tells me a large amount of the public probably doesn’t know what all of these roles actually do. (By the way, doulas absolutely do not catch any babies, let alone ones in the tub, we will get to that!)
Let’s break this down. First with definitions:
Obstectrician (OBs):
OBs are specialized physicians and surgeons that care for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people. They are in charge of prenatal care, attend births, and care for the early postpartum time of their patients. They can work with low risk or high risk patients. OBs are the only providers that can care for high risk patients, can make use of medical tools (forceps/vacuum) applicable to the patient, and perform surgery (cesareans/extensive repair). Many times they are gynecologists as well, and may do women reproductive health care services. OBs practice in the hospital setting.
Midwife:
There are different certifications of expertise with midwives. They will be broken down further in just a moment. Overall the commonality is midwives care for pregnant, birthing, and early postpartum people. They work with low risk patients. Some midwives will also do reproductive health care for women as well. They may practice in or out of the hospital setting. Often times midwives in the hospital also work with OBs. Should a patient cross over to high-risk, they will transfer care and usually still follow along in supporting these families. Also, should surgery become necessary during delivery, the midwife is very likely to accompany the family in the OR and after.
Now for the break down of two of the types…
Certified Nurse Midwife:
These midwives have a nursing degree, and they complete graduate level midwifery education. They then must pass a national certification exam. Certified nurse midwives typically work in the hospital setting and may be a part of a practice with obstetricians as well.
Certified Professional Midwife:
This designation is given to midwives who complete the accredited certification process and pass an exam through NARM. Their studies include out of hospital care. They typically are practicing at home-birth or birth center settings. Please note changes are coming to Michigan for CPMs as licensure is on the horizon.
Doula:
Doulas are a non-medical support person for a family during pregnancy, birth, and in the early parenthood times. They bring support and comfort physically, emotionally, and educationally. They do not provide medical health care for families. Doulas work with low-risk and high-risk families. They can support completely un-medicated births to surgical births (and everything in between), and usually support in hospital. There are currently no national regulations of doulas. Different certifying organizations exist for doulas. Metro Detroit Doula Services aligns with ProDoula and the standards they set. All of our doulas are current with certification.
As you are doing your research and navigating what matters most to you in your experience you may want to learn a little bit more about what the models of care look like!
Models of care:
OBs and midwives all have their personal philosophies and also their model of care can vary. They all have the same goal of helping parents have a healthy, safe, and positive experience. Although how their practice functions, and their perspectives may vary greatly.
It doesn’t hurt to think about where you would like to give birth and the type of surroundings you want to birth in. Whether in a hospital, at home, birth center, or free-standing birth center, you can then move on to which provider may serve that type of birthing place.
OB model of care:
OBs’ philosophies are different practice to practice and doctor to doctor. OBs can be generalized to view birth more medically. But, some OBs may be willing to be hands off and let things go more naturally or some may practice a more expectant management type of care. Many OBs have very short windows of time for their patient visits as they may take on large client loads. It is not common to find a practice where there is only one doctor. Many times there is a minimum of two but often larger groups that rotate on-call time for attending births.
When meeting with them throughout pregnancy typically the appointments are shorter with the actual OB. Keep in mind everyone practices a little different as well and bedside manner will vary per individual. Finding out how the potential OB feels about birth and how they like to function as a practice is helpful knowledge before beginning care.
Midwifery model of care:
The midwifery model of care can often be viewed as having more patience & confidence in the birthing process. While also being more open to allowing/supporting things to unfold as naturally as possible. Midwife means “with woman” and their care strives to really make the birthing person the center of their care. Midwives may have longer appointment times with you and may be able to engage in longer conversations. Bedside manner, just like OBs, varies by individual. Midwives serve the lower risk pregnancy population which the CDC says accounts for approximately 85% of all birthing people. These days midwives are easier to find than before!
Midwives in the hospital setting tend to work in groups of 2 or more and rotate on-call time as well for attending births. CNMs typically have OBs they turn to, or may be part of an OB practice, for if their patient needs additional care. CPMs may have a partner, group, or may serve as individuals. Their client load may be smaller which allows more time to tend to patients and be available for their births. They may or may not have a referral source for care that is beyond their scope.
Now after defining all the the different roles and learning a little bit of how they function, how can you decipher which profession is a right choice for you and your care?
Midwife or OB?
In my experience I believe aligning with your health care provider can set you up for a more positive experience. So figuring out what your birth philosophies are and what matters to you most is a good place to start.
You then want to ask your potential or current care provider questions about their philosophies and approaches to birth. If there seems to be a lot of overlap of your thoughts or your provider understands your goals and encourages them, you probably have a good fit! If you don’t align, it doesn’t always mean it’s a bad fit, it may just mean someone will be compromising along the way. Will it be you or your care provider? How important is that compromise to you?
So where does a doula fit into all this?
Doula support would be something in addition to your medical care. Remember, they are non-medical. Doulas are the ones who are there to listen, process, and offer information when questions arise through pregnancy, during labor, and during those postpartum days, weeks, or months.
Labor doulas join families in pregnancy. They field phone calls, and help their clients process feelings and thoughts supporting them emotionally. They are always available to answer questions, promote understanding, and listen to what is going on in the pregnant person’s life.
Pre-natally doulas meet together with their client to form a birth plan and discuss anything and everything to help them feel more confident in the birth that lies ahead. They have loads of resources. Once in labor the doula joins the family and is a positive person there to support the laboring person and their partner moment by moment, contraction by contraction. Sometimes it’s emotional encouragement like reminding the birthing person that everything is normal and they are doing a fantastic job! There’s also lots of massage, counter pressure, positions, and whatever hands-on comfort the doula can provide. Educationally doulas can walk clients through the B.R.A.I.N. acronym providing information to help the client make their own decisions. They are an awesome addition to the birth team!
Postpartum & Infant Care Doulas join families as soon as the baby/babies are born if the families wish to begin care then. The doula attunes to the families’ needs and helps ease that transition of early parenthood. Just like Labor Doulas, Postpartum & Infant Care Doulas build confidence and provide guidance & comfort.
The first focus is the newly postpartum parent and partner if there is one. Making sure all their needs are met. This can look like discussing feelings regarding the birth and transition into parenthood. Or going over the how-to’s of newborn care. Even making sure the mother’s water glass is always full!
Then the new baby is the next focus. Sometimes care can look like tending to the newborn so the parents can rest. Sometimes it looks like we are all in it together with the doula supporting the set-up of systems, guiding on infant care tasks, and infant feeding. Postpartum & Infant Care Doulas can offer their care on a live-in basis, in the daytime, or perhaps the most popular – over the night! Sleep deprivation is real and often feared! The doula can assist in sleep shaping, help parents maintain normalcy at night and get more rest – a win-win for everyone!
Tips for selecting your care and support:
Envision your pregnancy and birth and what may be most important to you – if you are not sure your doula knows the questions to ask to help you figure this out.
Decide on where you desire to birth.
Discuss what matters to you most with your care provider or potential care provider that can catch babies at your birth place of choice.
Want help finding a provider and with all things pregnancy and baby?- A certified doula is the best place to start!
If a listening ear, comfort, and knowledge by your side the whole way sounds right, additional support from a doula is a great fit.
So now you can take a moment and sort out what makes sense for your family’s care. Use the tips mentioned for a little extra guidance on what to do next! If you know you want a doula already contact us today!
There are classes for everything. So why would a class about newborns help the new parent? Let me tell you the benefits!
Benefit #1: BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE!
It can be scary to have responsibility for the everyday needs of these little humans. No matter the exposure to actual day to day tasks of newborn care you have had, even with seasoned aunties and uncles, when it comes to your own it is normal to have some anxiety. One mission of Metro Detroit Doula Services is to instill strength and reduce any parenting fears our clients may have. We know you truly will know your baby the best and we want you to feel that way as well! After class many of our participants leave feeling a little lighter as they feel more confident that they really can handle this parenting gig! At least the newborn stage 😉
Benefit #2: TIPS & TRICKS FROM EXPERIENCED DOULAS!!!
Our class is taught by me, Andrea and/or Amy. We are the owners of Metro Detroit Doula Services and have been Certified Postpartum & Infant Care Doulas for years! Our experience has taught us some sweet swaddling skills, secrets to introducing a pacifier, and other little things we like to share with our clients. Having a few little extra tid-bits of knowledge and help make you feel more secure in your newborn skillset!
Benefit #3: LEAVE FEELING LIKE YOU CAN NAIL NEWBORN BABY BASICS LIKE A BOSS.
Sleeping, eating, and pooping, are a newborn’s favorite activities. A Newborn Care Class will walk you through what to expect for your newborn’s sleep, feeding, and how to change that dirty diaper! We walk you through what to expect from the moment you arrive home from the hospital and into those early parenthood weeks. We answer those questions of, “what does newborn poo actually look like anyway?” To understanding infant feeding options and what newborn sleep patterns look like. Walk away from this class with pride as you will have insight in how to tackle all these basic baby needs!
So take a moment and head on over to our classes page to see when our next Newborn Care Class is being offered! Click on the link there to register. Don’t see a date that matches your schedule? We even do private sessions in your home as well!
In labor a cervix dilates from completely closed to 10 centimeters. When the magic number of 10 is announced after a vaginal exam it means the body has moved into the second stage of labor, PUSHING. The pushing stage for a first time parent can last 30 minutes to 3 hours on average. When it comes to pushing what options do you have? What is the difference between coached pushing and passive descent?
Let’s find out……
COACHED PUSHING
What exactly is it?
This is when a nurse, midwife, doctor, or other support person helps guide the laboring person through the pushing stage. It is usually comprised of encouraging the birthing person to take a deep breath and hold it, then push for as long as they are able at the peak of the contraction. Then come back and do that 2 more times before the contraction is over. After the contraction passes the time before the next is for relaxing.
What are the positives to coached pushing?
Everyone takes a few pushes to get the hang of what muscles they are using and how to do it. Being coached through this may be ideal to know if you are being effective or not.
If you cannot feel a strong urge to push to due some medical pain relief, guidance may be helpful.
When you are exhausted.
If you like it and it’s working for you!
Holding your breath can help you guide your energy. What the heck do I mean? Well once a wonderful Labor & Delivery nurse gave me this visual and I think its an excellent example. Ever talk on the phone while going to the bathroom? (We all do it don’t feel bashful.) Well imagine your bowel movement is ready to make its exit while you are still on the phone. You would, quietly, bear down while holding your breath, heaven forbid you made a noise that was a giveaway to what you were doing! That’s the push that can be useful!
Holding your breath can push the diaphragm down on top of the uterus helping with the pushing.
The guidance can be gentle reminders of what to do or loud directions, whichever you find fits what you need in that moment.
What is not so cool about coached pushing?
Often times this pushing can begin the second it is realized the cervix reached 10cm without an urge to push. This may cause the laboring person to do more work to bring the baby down the birth canal since there is no help of the body giving that strong urge.
If the laboring person is feeling discouraged because they aren’t seeing or hearing progress.
If the laboring person feels it goes against what their body is telling them.
PASSIVE DESCENT
What is this all about?
Have you ever heard of “laboring down”? This refers to continuing to labor until the urge to push is felt, even if the cervix is already fully dilated to 10cm. Laboring down is allowing the labor to continue to do its work of moving the baby down the birth canal without the birthing person exerting themselves too. Once the urge presents itself the laboring person follows their instincts on when to push and when to rest.
What’s so great about passive descent?
This is one way to truly letting the body do its thing and let the labor unfold in its own time.
The laboring person may feel more in control.
If you are exhausted, listening to your body may allow for a little more rest.
Just like coached pushing if you hold your breath when you push you experience those same benefits!
If this speaks to you more and you like pushing this way.
Why would passive descent not be a good fit?
The laboring person isn’t effectively pushing without any suggestions.
The care provider deems there needs to be a change due to some sort of concern.
The laboring person feels lost and like they don’t feel secure in what they should be doing.
If after laboring down a bit there is still no urge to push.
BUT GUESS WHAT! There’s a third popular option! It is actually doing a COMBINATION OF THEM BOTH! Using both of these techniques can be just what is needed in the pushing stage. Maybe at first some coaching to get into the groove of things is fitting. Then as you get the hang of it you take over and do what feels right.
There is no right or wrong here, just options! You may have an idea of what you want and what speaks to you. If the day of birth you realize you need something else that is totally OK. You can change your plans. You can always speak up and say what your preferences are. Your doula can be a great resource for helping you navigate what feels right at this point too. Level of energy, sensation, and personality all play a role on what is the perfect fit for you.
Selecting a stroller is just one of the many baby item purchases we make as we prepare for a new baby. When thinking about what is the best stroller for your family you need to think about a few things.
What will you use it for?
If you are living in the city and plan to use it all over town you may want certain features like wheels that are made to go over a variety of terrain. If you know you will be driving places and taking the stroller in and out of your vehicle you will likely place some importance on if the stroller can fold and how much space it will take up in your car. So think about when and how you will likely use your stroller to know if the features offered make sense for your lifestyle.
Recently Amy (MDDS co-owner) and I attended a presentation with Jamie Grayson the Baby Guy Gear Guide. Aside from being hilarious and knowledgable he gave great pointers on picking out strollers and we couldn’t have agreed more. Here are the top 3 things to look for when stroller shopping.
THE TOP 3 STROLLER SELECTION TIPS
HANDLE BAR– Look, parents hold a lot of things in their hands. Diaper bags, babies, toys, shopping bags, lattes…….. so picking a stroller that is easy to use with ONE HAND is a great idea. Being able to maneuver easily while carrying all the things is simply lovely.
BRAKES- All strollers will have brakes for locking it into position when you are not looking to roll. In summer season we may use our strollers more often as well as we tend to wear lots of flip flops and sandals. So practice using the brakes on the potential stroller you love. You will want a stroller with brakes that are easy to use even while wearing a flimsy flip flop. This may sound silly but your toes and patience will thank you!
BACK WHEELS- The main thing here is when you may want a bigger back wheel. If you are a regular walker or have lots of steps to go up down you will want wheels that are bigger in the back. They can handle a bit more rough and tumble.
There are so many great brands out there to choose from. Go check some out in a local baby store like Modern Natural Baby. Take a moment to really consider what uses your stroller will primarily serve. Cross reference that with the features available, your price-point, and of course the top 3 tips listed here. Happy shopping!
This week an event rolled through the Metro Detroit area. It was the Gearapalooza! This event is held by Bump Club & Beyond. I had never been before. Amy Hammer and I were invited to check it out and we seriously loved it!
So what exactly is this event? Is it an expo? What type of gear is there?
The way this event breaks down is simple.
Mingle and eat some food.
Check out the vendors and their super sweet stuff. Types of gear to check out included strollers, breast pumps, carriers, unique high chairs, swaddles, food mats, car seats, and more!
Be a part of an engaging presentation by the The Baby Guy.
Amy with the Skip Hop Backpack Diaper bag. One of their most popular products.
3 things we loved about the event:
It wasn’t overwhelming to navigate.
The vendors and what they offered were legit awesome. The brands represented, the local businesses, and the gear was cool stuff. From Ergo, Love to Dream, to Honey Space for Moms, and Modern Natural Baby.
JAMIE THE BABY GUY. He broke down what to look for in car seats, strollers, mattresses, and breast pumps. All with commonsense no non-sense talk. He is charming and easy to learn from!
OK I guess there’s 4 things…. THE RAFFLES AND SWAG were phenomenal. They gave away high quality higher end car seats, strollers, and more. There were quite a few winners. And what you received as you walked out the door did not disappoint.
I know, I know, I am telling you about an event that already past. But it was so darn enjoyable I wanted to make sure you marked your calendars for when it swings through again! It won’t be happening in Detroit again this year but there is a Chicago date ahead!
If you were ever curious about what in the world this event is and “Should I go?” well now you know that it just may be right up your alley and a totally fun way to spend an evening! Perhaps you will even win something cool!
September is a time to think about and bring awareness to NICU parents, babies in the NICU, and the medical teams that work so hard to care for these babies. The National Perinatal Association even breaks down this week of September to recognize and honor all of those involved in NICU care. You can check out their website to learn more. (For this week September 26 is NICU Remembrance Day, September 27 is NICU Giving Day, September 28 is NICU Staff Recognition Day, September 29 is Sibling Support Day, and September 30 Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Day.)
Some of us may know someone with an experience in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Our hearts are there for our friends, neighbors, or families, but we don’t always know what they are going through exactly or how to support them. In honor of September’s NICU Awareness, I reached out and asked a few parents some questions about their experiences in the NICU. Their answers are real and raw, and sometimes gut-wrenching. You can feel the emotions in their words. Their answers are their truths and hopefully we all better understand what these experiences are like and maybe even how to better support those we love if or when they are experiencing a NICU stay.
What surprised you as the most challenging part of having a child in the NICU?
“Recovering from birth and not having a comfortable place to be near my baby.”
“Being separated from your newborn. I felt it whether I was physically not in the room with her or even physically in the room with her. I just felt separated from her and as my first, it was the hardest thing feeling like I couldn’t just be with her after her birth which was all I wanted.”
“My baby being in the NICU was a shock to me. Both my husband and I are very healthy. I had a normal healthy pregnancy and my baby was full term. I just never thought that I would have a baby with complications. “
One of the most challenging things, to this day, is that I don’t feel like my baby and I ever got that snuggling, in our own world, feeling. I only got to hold him a few seconds after birth. I definitely had to grieve the loss of the birth/postpartum I thought I’d have.
What positives did you feel about the NICU and its staff?
“Their willingness to help me with breastfeeding/pumping. They went as far as to get all the supplies and try to make a private spot for me to pump near my baby to help stimulate milk production despite sharing a room with 5 other babies.”
“The nurses were amazing! They taught my husband and I so much about caring for a newborn (taking her temperature, giving her a bath, swaddling, etc.). Although our mom/baby nurses were great, the NICU nurses were so supportive and went about teaching us so many things about newborn care that I felt so much more prepared.”
“That they saved my child’s life. He’s a thriving toddler now and without a doubt it’s thanks to the doctors and nurses who took care of him. Also, the NICU staff was very supportive of our breastfeeding relationship. They also taught us how to care for a newborn. Sometimes my husband and I refer to our time there as “baby boot camp”. They taught us how to change diapers, breastfeed, bottle feed, and bathe the baby. Babies in the NICU are also on a very strict schedule and we just kept that schedule even when we got home. It helped us feel like we knew what we were doing.”
What did you feel was negative during your baby’s NICU experience?
“In retrospect the doctors and nurses were trying to help my baby. But due to all those post birth hormones and the fact that I was also very sick, I literally thought the doctors took my baby from me. It was very traumatic.”
” I wished there had been more private spaces at our hospital where I could have been more comfortable while holding our baby and recovering. Also, although I loved the nursing staff for the care they were providing and newborn care aspects, I felt it was lacking in support of breastfeeding.”
Driving away from the hospital without your baby was almost a physical pain for me, like I was leaving half of me there, and just a shell was heading home.
If you knew someone whose baby was getting admitted to the NICU what would be your best advice? Tips?
“To check in with them!!! To offer to bring them a meal if they are still at the hospital. And if they are home and their baby is in the hospital give them support. Even if they don’t come right out and ask, just a text is great. Even just popping over for some company to help keep their mind off things.”
“Tips- take lots of pictures because you don’t always know what the outcome could be.”
“Speak up for your needs and for your baby’s! Do not hesitate to advocate for your needs. I wish I would have asked for more comfortable areas to sit, I’m sure they would have been able to figure something out but I didn’t want to be a burden. I felt like I would have been able to be there more had I done that.”
I think it’s really cute how they call the babies “NICU graduates” when they leave the NICU.
What do you think the general public doesn’t understand about parents with babies in the NICU?
“That PTSD can occur after their stay. The beeping of the monitors, the urgency of the doctors, the critical decisions that can be life altering for your child/family. Even if parents end up leaving with a baby in their arms, their stay in the NICU changes them.”
“It’s not all premature babies who are in there – Evelyn was full-term and a large baby! I never even thought we’d have a baby in the NICU because she was full-term. But with jaundice that wasn’t going away as fast as it should have, it was definitely the place she needed to be.”
“That even if the baby is the NICU for something seemingly minor, to a new mom and her partner it’s life altering and the scariest! Unless you have been there it’s hard to understand, I think. But check in and don’t just assume everything is fine.”
What would have or did help you feel supported during your baby’s stay?
“Since we didn’t plan for the NICU we didn’t really pack or have anything for a long hospital stay. I ran out of clean clothes and toiletries. My mom had to bring us more clothes. Bringing us food, clothes, and coffee meant the world. Also just visiting so I could have someone to sit with meant the world.”
“The nurses helping me to order meals since I was a breastfeeding mother. Even though my baby was in no position to eat (sedated/ventilation) they helped get me breastfeeding supplies, helped me store my milk with my child’s name on it in the fridge and made sure I was getting enough to eat and drink.”
” A more private space to recover. The hospital did let us stay in our room one night longer (allowing us to have to leave her for just one night), but the hospital was full. I was so thankful that we could stay that first extra night, but it would have been so much better to have some space to be comfortable after I had been released. Also – (sorry for the TMI) – it was the worst to change pads in a hospital public bathroom. It was a little thing but on top of everything else it was just so hard!”
The care and love the nurses had for those babies. You could feel the support and care that the nurses had.
A big thank you to the parents who shared their stories here. Overwhelmingly we can feel how the medical staff is caring and how grateful these parents are to the team that supported their babies. You can also hear in their words how difficult it is as a parent to navigate it all.
Reach out to these people. So bring a new parent a coffee and offer a hug! High five a nurse and thank her for her work! Write that neonatal physician a note reminding them of how many families are grateful for all they do!
