Enhancingyourbirth Doula Services

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Take advantage of my free consultation. It is important to feel comfortable with the doula you choose, and to trust that this is the person you can rely on for prenatal info, labor support, and postpartum care.

FEMINITY

Birth Without Fear

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A true birth story that we can learn from. Excerpt taken from Labor Among Primitive Peoples, by Geo.J.Engelmann A.M.,M.D., 1883 " ...An Indian party of Flat Heads, and Kootenais, men, women, and children, set out for a hunting trip: on a severely cold winter's day, one of the women allowing the party to proceed, dismounted from her horse, spread an old buffalo robe upon the snow, and gave birth to a child which was immediately followed by the placenta." (Now for the most amazing part...) " Having attended to everything as well as the circumstances permitted, she wrapped up the young one in a blanket, mounted her horse, and overtook the party before they had noticed her absence." Do send me your thoughts.

Worries About Foremilk and Hindmilk

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The birth plan, a simple written document that lists the desires and hopes of the mother during labor, has a few beneficial uses.. First, I believe, it provides the nurses with information about what that mother thought through and informed herself about concerning labour. Medical staff will acknowledge the fact that that expectant mom has some knowledge and concerns about the birth, and understand what her real needs are. I was told once that nurses like it that some education went into a birth. Secondly, since birth plans always state that the mom would like to have informed consent, or refusal. the support team will be reminded of that important protocol for all meds, procedures, and interventions. Thirdly, a plan helps moms develop convictions of their own, hence giving them more confidence and trust in birthing a baby. The plan is a guide as well. Deviating from the plan may have to happen due to the unexpected changes in labor. And here I would emphasize this....making sure that the nurse(s) actually read the plan,That has usually been my job since the new parents-to-be are quite involved with the onset of labor, and the hospital setting. As a birth doula I believe it is important to remind the medical team about the desires in a woman's birth plan, so that the best teamwork is happening for that laboring mom.

Having a Doula: Their Benefits and Purpose

http://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/having-a-doula/

Enhancingyourbirth Doula Services

There was a mom in need of this info so I thought I would share with everyone. Going Back to Work WHY BREASTFEED AFTER GOING BACK TO WORK? Because it’s so good for you and your baby! Health Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society recommend nothing but breast milk for six months, then continuing to breastfeed for “up to two years and beyond”. It’s not always possible to breastfeed as long as you would like, but keep going as long as you can! The Ontario Human Rights Commission protects your right to breastfeed after you go back to work. You and your baby will miss each other when you return to work, so why not maintain your special nursing relationship when you are together? TALKING TO YOUR EMPLOYER: • Talk to your employer ahead of time about your plans. Discuss how you will manage breastfeeding your baby or pumping while doing your job. • Could you work part-time, job-share, or do some of your work at home? • If you return to work in the middle of the week, your first week will be easier. CHOOSING YOUR CAREGIVER: • Choosing a caregiver close to work may make it possible to nurse your baby during the workday. • A caregiver experienced with and supportive of breastfeeding would be ideal. • Discourage your caregiver from overfeeding your milk. Studies show that breastfed babies need less milk to grow well than formula fed babies. • Ask your caregiver not to feed your baby just before you arrive since you may want to breastfeed right after work. YOUR DAILY ROUTINE: • Try a “practice day” before you go back to work. • Pack everything you will need the night before including the diaper bag, your lunch and snacks, your cleaned pump (with all the parts), and containers for the milk. Remember to freeze ice packs if needed and pack them in the morning. • Choose clothes that allow you to breastfeed or pump easily, and that will hide any leaks. • When home, breastfeed as often as possible. Leave the bottles for the caregiver. Try breastfeeding twice in the morning: bring the baby into bed for a very early feeding, then feed once again, possibly at the caregiver’s when you drop the baby off. • Breastfeed all weekend to help maintain your milk supply. • Connect with other working, nursing moms to help you remember what a great thing you’re doing! BREASTFEEDING: Going Back to Work PUMPING AND EXPRESSING: • Do you really need to pump? Could baby be brought to work, or could you go to the baby? • If your baby is over a year old, breastfeeding when you’re home may be enough (with foods and cow’s milk given during the workday). If your baby is younger, and pumping is not an option, you may need to use some formula. • Where could you pump at work? If you don’t have a private office, ask your employer to provide a private, clean place for you to pump. • Be able to express or pump your milk manually for emergencies such as a power outage or forgetting a pump part. • Think about which pump you need. For pumping every day for a baby under six months, you should have a good quality, double setup, electric (not battery) pump. When less pumping is needed, a less expensive pump may be fine. • A pump which you can use hands-free will allow you to continue working while you pump. Or you may prefer to relax and take a break during pumping sessions. • Try pumping at home before you have to return to work. Massage your breasts gently before pumping. Try thinking of your baby, looking at a picture, or smelling baby’s clothing or blanket. • Pump for about 5 to 7 minutes, massage again, then pump for 5 to 7 more minutes. You may not get much milk at first. Pumping improves with practice! STORING YOUR MILK: • Store your milk in glass or hard plastic containers labeled with name and date. You may also use plastic bags designed for storing breast milk. If possible, pump or express directly into the storage containers. • Fresh (not frozen) breast milk is better for your baby. The milk pumped one day can be given to the baby the next day. Fresh milk (not previously frozen) can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 8 days. A cooler could be used to transport it home or to the caregiver. • If you want to freeze some milk, use small amounts so that leftover milk will not have to be thrown away. (Thawed breast milk should be thrown away after about an hour.) Thaw frozen milk quickly by putting the container in cold then warm water. (Don’t thaw at room temperature or in the fridge.) • Some women have a problem with enzymes in their milk causing fat break- down during freezing. The milk appears spoiled and smells bad (although it will not harm the baby). “Scalding” the milk before freezing will prevent the problem. Or, use fresh milk instead. • Try to save frozen milk for emergencies. Plan to pump enough fresh milk each day for the next day. NEED MORE INFORMATION? Try these Web sites for great information: • workandpump.com • lalecheleague.org • kellymom.com • breastfeeding.com • healthcanada.ca/nutrition • ohrc.on.ca (Ontario Human Rights Commission) For more information call the Hastings & Prince Edward Counties Health Unit 613-966-5513 ext. 223, for long distance 1-800-267-2803. Log on to our Web site @ www.hpechu.on.ca. CH-91 08/22/06hm

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Squatting before labour and during second stage of labour provides an amazing amount of extra room in the pelvic area.."X-ray studies have confirmed that a woman in squatting position actually achieves a widening of her interspinous diameter by nearly a full centimeter, and an increase in the surface area of the pelvic outlet of 30%..It appears to be a position in which there is much mechanical advantage as well as a high degree of comfort and control. " ( David Priver M.D,) So often I will suggest the squat to my client : to help the baby have more room, to encourage the descent of the head , and to let the incredible use of gravity do its work, It has been time and time again useful and effective for so many women. Again, as Dr. Priver puts it, " ...there can be no argument with its often astonishing effectiveness in resolving a difficult second stage and preserving the woman's strength for controlling the expulsion of the head."

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FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LIKE APPS http://www.fulltermapp.com/

Full Term - Contraction Timer & Pregnancy Toolkit

http://www.fulltermapp.com/