For Parents: How to Write a Birth Plan

If you have been to a childbirth education class, more than likely you have heard talk of the importance of writing your birth plan.  You've probably learned the pros and cons of various interventions and spent time thinking about what's right for you.  The place where you sum it all up is your birth plan, or on a document more softly titled, Birth Wishes, which I prefer because it acknowledges that everything may not go according to plan.

It should be simple.  This is the document for the busy nursing staff and care providers that describes how you would like to be cared for during labor and birth, and subsequently how you would like your baby to be cared for after he or she is born. 

When helping my clients structure their birth preferences, I encourage them to think of it in three parts:

1.  Introduction
This part sets the tone of your birth preferences.  It is important to introduce yourself and state the general feel of how you would like your birth. For example, it could start something like this:

Hello, we are Jess and John Doe and are so happy to be giving birth today at XYZ Birth Place.  We understand that our birth wishes may not go according to plan, however, we appreciate your support to help us achieve a positive and happy birth experience.

2.  State your wishes
I suggest using bullet points because they are simple, clear and effective for communicating your desires.

• I would like to labor naturally.
• We would like to delay cord clamping.
• We wish to have immediate skin-to-skin with baby.

The list can go on and on!  Get to know your provider's and birth place's policies to that you aren't listing things they will already be doing, which will help your birth wish list be short and sweet.  It is important for the staff to know how you'd like to be cared for, but if the document is five pages long, you run the risk of the staff not remembering or not reading it.  I suggest keeping your wishes to one page for simplicity.

3.  Thank the staff for caring for you and your loved ones
An awesome birth team is an essential part of having a positive birth experience, so thank them in advance for supporting your wishes.   It also helps to remind them of the mood you'd like to have in your birthing room:

We hope to have a peaceful, quiet birth and are thankful for your kindness and support.

Ending with a thank you helps create a positive tone to your preferences so that they will be more willing to support you in having the birth that you desire.

Lastly, talk over you birth preferences with your provider to make sure he or she is on board!

For Parents: A Guide to Interviewing Doulas

Finding, interviewing and choosing the perfect doula can be time consuming and tricky!  To all parents, and especially first-time parents, the process can seem overwhelming because who you choose to be present at your child's birth can literally make-or-break the situation.  Having the perfect team: a loving partner, a midwife or doctor you trust, and a doula who provides unconditional comfort and support is key to having a satisfying birth experience.

If you decide to go the doula route (and I might be biased, but everyone should!) you have find, interview and hire a stranger to provide you comfort during a beautiful but vulnerable period of you and your partner's lives.  Finding the right person is paramount, and during a short interview, it can be hard to get to know someone well enough to make an informed decision.  Here are a few talking points  and tips to help open conversation so that you can really get to know your potential doulas and find your perfect doula match!

1. Describe your birth doula philosophy.

Understanding a doula's birth philosophy will help you understand how she will care for you.  A good doula understands it is her job to support you and your partner's decisions whether they are in line with the decisions she would make herself.  

 

2.  How would you describe your relationship with local providers?

This cues you in on how she sees her role as a doula.  If a doula has positive relationships with care providers, then the chances of having a peaceful birthing room are greater.  A good doula has mastered the art of facilitating communication between you, your partner and your provider, and should add ease to the situation, not tension.  

 

4.  Tell me about a challenging birth you have experienced and what you did to better the situation?

As a doula, challenging births have been points of professional growth.  Knowing how she has supported families through challenging situations may inform you how she will support you and your partner if something complicated or unexpected arises.

5.  How long have you been a doula and what certifications do you hold?

This one is pretty straight forward.  Many doulas base their fees on experience, and it is helpful to know how long someone has been in the industry.

6.  What special services set you apart from other doulas?

Every doula has a unique outlook and skill set to offer her families.  Some offer Reiki, yoga, birth photography and other services, so find out what is included or can be added on to their birth doula services.

Facts aside, it is most important to find the doula you love.  Kind of cheesy, I know, but with every one of my clients, I have felt a genuine sense of comfort and natural ease.  We just worked well together. I truly believe that there is the right doula for every mother and father-to-be, and that you just have to interview a good number of candidates and trust your intuition to find your perfect doula match.

To find doulas in your area check out www.dona.org, www.doulamatch.net, or search for local doula groups.

Looking for a doula?

Prenatal Yoga in Richmond, Virginia

In this class, mothers will join together for a 90 minute practice to prepare them for labor and birth.  The class focuses on strengthening and stretching key muscles, relaxation techniques that are helpful during labor, and yoga poses that promote optimal fetal positioning. We will also focus on poses to alleviate common ailments during pregnancy for healthier, happier mamas and babies.
Fridays from 6-730 pm
(October 11, 18 & 25)
Restore PT, 411 N. 23rd Street

Email reservation is suggested & donations warmly accepted.

 

Email for artwork credit. 

 

Five Benefits of Family Yoga

The benefits of practicing yoga seem endless, whether you have a relaxed home practice, a regular class you enjoy attending, or pop into class once in a while to strengthen and relieve stress. Introducing your children to yoga at an early age will help them to develop many positive skills while everyone has a little fun together.

from Parenting Magazine

Five  Benefits of Practicing Family Yoga

Stress relieving. 
Children face an untold amount of stress in their daily lives.  Sure, they don't have to worry about a mortgage or government shut down, but their small worlds are filled with school politics and stress from change.  Yoga gives them a foundation for finding peace within themselves.

Teaches focus.
Daily life contains so much distracting technology that putting aside an hour for your child to practice fun yoga poses like lion or to grow their branches in tree pose will help them build better study and testing skills for school.

Increases self-esteem.
Yoga gives growing children a chance to learn to navigate their constantly changing bodies. It also helps them grow up fit and strong in a world where childhood obesity is on the rise.

Makes bedtime easier.
Enough said.

Grows bonds between family members.
Yoga is a fun activity that encourages positive relationships between you and your children.  I don't know anyone who has left a yoga class more stressed than they came, and sharing the feeling of contentment amongst family is one of the best things you can do together.

The Long Prodromal Labor

Supporting a mother through a long early labor can be tricky and challenging.  It may be especially frustrating for first time mamas because it makes them begin to wonder if their bodies can really are capable of birthing their babies.  As a doula, it is our job to remind them what deep down they probably already know, yes, they can.

Although birth may be a long way out, to a first time mama, prodromal labor may feel like the real thing. And in a way, it is the real thing because her body is working to prepare for the birth of her baby.  

I find the 5 Rs helpful in reminding me how to best help during a long early labor:

• Remind her of reasons why early labor may be so long (positioning problems, braxton hicks, baby isn't quite engaged).
• Redefine progress: sometimes it is difficult to think of progress outside of dilation, but I find it is helpful to get mama's mind off of her "number" and to break labor down contraction by contraction.  Focusing on the smaller victories helps her realize she really can do it.
• Rest: assure her that she will hold her baby soon, and that she should use now to rest as much as possible to prepare for her later labor and birth.  If her labor plateaus or stops, which can sometimes happen, assure her that her body is giving her time to rest, and that can be just the thing she needs.  
• Reposition: lots of long early labors happen because the body is working to reposition a poorly positioned baby.  I always consult Spinning Babies for positioning ideas and tips.
• Reset: sometimes a nice bath will help reset mama so she can relax and gain perspective on her labor as a whole. Eventually she will have that baby!

This is one of my favorite resources (again, Spinning Babies) for prodromal labor and I encourage you to read and share: Is This Labor or Not?

Also, remember this is your time to rest, too.  Doula support is most important during the active phases of labor, but it is still necessary for you to emotionally support during this early time, especially if she is frustrated and disappointed if her labor isn't progressing as quickly as she'd hoped.

NO PRENATAL CLASS TONIGHT

Sorry for any inconvenience, but Prenatal I is canceled tonight due to unexpected (but lovely) birth work.  We hope to see you next Friday for the next session!