Prenatal Yoga in Church Hill

Come one, come all! Join together with other mothers-to-be (or send your clients) to prepare your body for labor and birth. Donations will be graciously accepted! 

The Baby Led Latch

This past weekend, I attended a breastfeeding workshop led by DONA trainer, Sally Riley of the Academy of Certified Birth Educators.  She showed us some great videos and techniques for supporting our clients during the immediate post-partum period.  I came away from the workshop really believing that if we allow babies to lead in breastfeeding, we may see more successful feeding, which leads to happier, more confident babies and mothers.

It is interesting to see how instinctively the babies will crawl and nuzzle at the breast, and how once they are close to the nipple, with a little guidance from their mothers, may instinctively latch. I'm not saying that every mother and baby are destined to have a magical time breastfeeding.  The experience is different for every woman and child. However, I think that if we give mother and baby that skin-to-skin for the first hour or so after birth, we are setting them up to have the best relationship with breastfeeding possible.

Here is a clip I found that shows the beauty of the breast crawl and baby led latch:

 

URL:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEjM2TkVmK8&feature=share&list=PLcJcnxkZNqPrJfupk36Ll7VOoDyuzOVfN

So You're Meeting With a Potential Client...

In the early days of doulahood, meeting with new clients can be nerve-wracking! You have to take all the things you've learned and articulate professionally to a mother-to-be (and potentially a dad-to-be) why having a skilled labor companion is of value to them during labor and birth. So, I thought it might be helpful to share some of the guidelines I found work for me.

• Listen.  When meeting with a client, it is more important to listen than to fill the space asking questions. More than likely they will answer the questions you would ask anyway in natural conversation.  If you are doing most of the talking, you won't be able to sense how they feel, after all, the meeting serves for you both to become more acquainted with each other and for you to learn how you can be of service to her during a very vulnerable but beautiful process of her life.
• Be present for the meeting. This seems like an obvious one, but you would be surprised how many mothers-to-be have brought up the fact that a potential doula's use of technology (texting, etc.) changed their mind about hiring said doula.  If you aren't present during the meeting, how can they expect you to be fully present during birth?
• Ask key questions.  Asking key questions works to facilitate conversation.  Remember, even though some things seem obvious, it is better to ask and talk about them so everyone is on the same page.  It is better than being blindsided during labor!  A few questions I return to are:

Who are you delivering with and what is your estimated due date?

How do you envision your birth?

What are you most afraid of in terms of your birth?

How do you feel about interventions, and how strong are those feelings?

When you are feeling sick/anxious/tired what helps you feel better?

What are your pet peeves?

What do you think I can do to help you have your best birth?



• And remember, these questions are points of conversation.  Sometimes moms are still figuring out exactly what their hopes and wishes are for labor and birth. Some moms work out the details of their birth best by talking through different options with their doula and partner.
• Include her partner. When asking questions, it is really important to include her partner in on the conversation since they will be able to offer a different perspective.  Remember, a father's fears during labor can transfer to the mother, so it is vital to understand what everyone's fears and hopes are for their baby's entrance to the world.

I hope this helps other doulas work out their client meeting process!  I find that it works well for me to have two meetings prior to birth.  One to get to know one another and become familiar with their birth hopes and another to talk more specific comfort measures and how her partner and I can be of service throughout the different stages of labor.  If this first meeting is also serving as an informal interview, I find it handy to keep a copy of my birth agreement tucked away so that if they ask for details on fees and services they are able to see exactly what I am able to provide for them, and sometimes if you're lucky they want to sign right away to block off the space in your calendar!



What's in My Doula Bag?

A while ago I began gathering supplies for my doula bag, and I thought it would be nice to share its contents for other new doulas.  A few of these might even be nice for dads to bring along in the birth bag to help keep mom comfy.

 

 

So, here is the break down:

 

A few things I include for myself

•  lip balm (it is nice to bring an additional sealed one for mom)
• deodorant
• a business card or two to give to the midwife or OB if we are meeting for the first time

 

 

 

For mom it is nice to have

• mints
• travel size mouthwash to freshen up if she is nauseated  (I always bring a few extra for myself and dad in case of a long birth)

 

• bendy straws help to keep mom drink in various laboring positions
• energy bars are a great, compact snack for mom (if she is allowed to eat) and it helps doula and dad keep their energy up without leaving mom alone
• (not pictured) honey straws are a quick energy boost for when mom is getting tired

 

 

• Dr. Bronner's Magic Castille Soap in lavender and peppermint are great for drawing up a bath and for scenting cool compress towels for mom's forehead during harder parts of labor.  Lavender is really calming and peppermint is great to bring energy.
• Weleda body oils are awesome for massage.  I especially love the Arnica one since it is helpful to soothe mama's working muscles.
• Jojoba oil is a lovely for massage and is unscented incase mom is sensitive to scents. 

 

 

• combs are helpful for mom to squeeze with the teeth facing her palms during difficult contractions.
• rebozo is great tool for relaxing during labor.  I always refer to www.spinningbabies.com.
• hot pack or rice sacks are perfect for using heat therapy during labor.
• (not pictured) hand held fan to keep mom refreshed and cool.

 

 

 

extra references/guides

• birth plan which I usually keep on my phone, but it is handy to have a hard copy
• birth partner comfort guide which I like to print out in case dad forgets his copy
• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
• Spinning Babies readily on hand through my phone
• contraction timer app really helpful rather than writing everything down since you only have to press the start/stop button so you can focus more on the laboring mother-to-be.

 

My doula bag contents all in one place!  I keep all the snack type things in a gallon sized plastic bag and the massage oils and soaps in another so that they don't leak and cause a huge mess!  It is also nice to bring a peanut ball and birth/exercise ball if the hospital doesn't provide them. 
 

 

 

 

 

 All packed and ready!

 

Birth Partner Comfort Guide

In a recent client meeting, the husband expressed his desire to help the mama through her labor, but said that he was nervous because of his lack of experience since this is their first child.  Basically, he wanted to help at his comfort level but didn't know what to expect or how he could be of service.  I made this chart because I wanted to give him something simple that he could keep with the birth plan to refer back to during the big event!  I referred to Ina May's Guide to Childbirth,  Penny Simkin's The Birth Partner, and various Bradley Method handouts as a guide.


Birth Partner and Comfort Guide

Early First Stage
• Emotionally exciting.
• Contractions are generally 10 minutes apart and last 45-60 seconds. They become progressively stronger and closer together. Strong contractions peak at 30 seconds.
• Help keep mom busy.
• Walk together to help open the pelvis.
• Eat if hungry, drink often, rest!

First Stage
• Confident and committed, acceptance of labor.
• This is a great time to have labor stations at home so that mom can be in different positions.
• Walking is still very important.
• Many changes are happening, but her body is settling into a pattern.
• Contractions are becoming stronger, generally 5 minutes apart and lasting around 60 seconds.
• Increased pressure, fullness in pelvis, backache, cramping.
• Pelvic rock, double hip squeeze, back massage are key!

Late First Stage (Hard Labor)
• Somber stage.
• Lying down may help (stack pillows or a peanut ball between knees to help open pelvis).
• May like privacy.
• Intense contractions that generally follow a pattern and last 60 seconds or more.
• Help mom relax completely between contractions with visualization, massage, cool towels, etc.
• Dim the lights and create a peaceful environment to allow her to let the labor take over.
• If anything, help mom relax through this stage.

Transition
• This is the most challenging part! Help her break it down one contraction at a time.
• Validate her feelings.
• Contractions may become irregular or may come on top of each other.
• Baby is shifting into alignment, which can cause a lot of pressure.
• Reassure her—the hard part is almost over.
• Whenever things get difficult, change something.

Second Stage
• Renewed energy, calm, determined.
• Urge to push.
• Might sleep between contractions, and there is usually more time between them to allow rest.
• Burning feeling that releases as the baby is born.
• Encourage her and allow her to choose the best position. Do as she asks!

Please feel free to use and share this with any doulas, dads and any other birth partners.