Written by Jeanette Albright on November 20th, 2009
My will shall shape the future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man’s doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny.
~ Elaine Maxwell
I was asked the other day by one of the coach’s in my natural childbirth class: “what did the women who took the class who weren’t successful at avoiding an epidural give for the reason?”. I did not have an answer. For one, I guess it’s not a question I would ask to a recovering mom who did decide to share her birth experience with me and two, I don’t know that they could even pinpoint it to a specific reason.
In generalities, the women I know who had the training and took an epidural experienced way longer that average labor (60 hours+). I also know some others who had pre-existing conditions that could add a complication to a “normal” birth and they felt an epidural perhaps would progress their labor so they could avoid the dreaded cesarean section.
Hopefully, no women who desired a natural birth feels disappointed in her birth. Again, in any case, healthy mother, healthy baby is the goal so it should not be looked at as a failure if you had the epidural.
If I had to cite some reasons that could perhaps answer my student’s question, I’d consider:
- did the mother and coach put in the dedicated time to learning and practicing the tools and techniques to relieve pain? Remember you get out of it what you put in.
- was the coach on board with all the mother’s desires? Was their relationship strong and filled with love and good communication?
- was there adequate research/learning on all the choices regarding labor and birth? Doctors don’t always tell you everything you need to know.
- did the mother have good nutrition and exercise? Strength, stamina and endurance are necessary.
- were the medical professionals and birth location conducive to natural birth?
Remember, we don’t know the states of minds of those involved at the time and even with all the preparation, you never know how you will respond or react to certain situations. I am never judgemental of anyone who doesn’t succeed at natural childbirth. I am aware how challenging it is and even having two drug free babies, I still think I could have made better choices or done something different to make it the birth experience of my dreams. We shall see what lies ahead for this baby in my belly…
There are two kinds of failures: those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought.
~ Laurence J. Peter
Posted in Natural Childbirth | 1 Response »
Written by Jeanette Albright on November 5th, 2009
September was Infant Mortality Awareness Month and finally here in November, is an article from the CDC about the latest infant mortality rates. It’s interesting to note in this day and age of technology, their latest information is from 2005.
Some of the statistics are alarming. The United States is ranked 30th in their infant mortality rates. 30th!
You can find the full article here.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Responses »
Written by Jeanette Albright on October 21st, 2009
This sign speaks for itself about the biases of natural childbirth, home births, etc. And what is it based on?
What I don’t get is how a medical center wants to deny a woman to exercise, get good nutrition, relax during labor, breathe normally and educate themselves? Those are the tools that a Bradley Method® delivery utilizes so what “method” don’t they want to be a part of?
Oh, hmm, maybe the education side of it? Do the doctors really want women in the dark about their own care? They don’t want us to be advocates for ourselves or our babies? Can’t we challenge what we are being told? I 100% support medical professionals and all the good they can do in emergency care and with the furthering of life and quality of life but we must remember pregnancy is not a disease, you are not sick and unless there are complications, your body does all the work, not a baby catcher.
Please show me a doctor who is not human, who doesn’t make mistakes, who has undivided attention and time for me and I will do whatever they tell me without question…
Additionally, if you ever see a sign like this (it was in a Utah office), run quickly out of there, do not pass go, do not let them “arrange for the transfer of your care” and tell everyone you know not to go their for medical care.
Posted in In the News, Newborn Care | 2 Responses »
Tags: Bradley Birth Method, doula
Written by Jeanette Albright on October 20th, 2009
This month is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as staggering as the statistics are, we all probably know someone who has been affected by breast cancer.
Breast cancer is still the second most lethal cancer in women, second to lung cancer and about 40,410 women in the United States will die from breast cancer this year. There have been some great medical strides and new treatments for those diagnosed which have improved survival rates. The 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with cancer is 80% and about 88% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive at least 10 years. Early detection is key.
So what can you do to help reduce the incidence of breast cancer? BREASTFEED YOUR BABY!
Breastfeeding your baby is not only a wonderful gift to him, but it can help to save your life. The benefits to mother and baby are innumerable but one of the latest discovered benefits is that breastfeeding can reduce your risk of breast cancer (by almost 60% if you have a family history). “Numerous studies have found that the longer women breastfeed, the more they’re protected against breast and ovarian cancer. For breast cancer, nursing for at least a year appears to have the most protective effect. It’s not entirely clear how breastfeeding helps, but structural changes in breast tissue caused by breastfeeding and the fact that lactation suppresses the amount of estrogen your body produces may play roles. Researchers think the effect on ovarian cancer may be related to estrogen suppression as well” (How breastfeeding benefits you and your child Babycenter.com).
Here are some additional ways to protect yourself and to remind others that early detection is key and that we can make a difference in the fight to end this second leading cause of death in women:
- do self breast exams (this is the most common way to detect breast cancer)
- have a mammogram
- wear a pink ribbon
- donate to breast cancer research
- educate your daughter/sister/granddaughter/another woman on the issue and early detection
- know your family history
- involve your public officials
Posted in Breastfeeding, In the News | No Responses »
Tags: Breast Cancer, Breastfeeding
Written by Jeanette Albright on October 12th, 2009
After two previous cesarean sections and a current scheduled one, my friend barely had time to make it to the hospital around the corner where she gave birth to her daughter vaginally and without medication! Wahoo! Way to go momma and congratulations on getting the birth you’ve wanted (well, maybe not in the way you wanted) and for thumbing your nose at those doctors who said it couldn’t/shouldn’t be done! Maybe once mom has time to record all the details, we can get her to add her birth story as well…
![8816_145054087477_531102477_2645804_6184512_n[1]](http://www.blogsmonroe.com/childbirth/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/8816_145054087477_531102477_2645804_6184512_n1.jpg "8816_145054087477_531102477_2645804_6184512_n[1]")
Posted in Birth Stories, Labor & Delivery, Natural Childbirth | No Responses »
Written by Jeanette Albright on October 7th, 2009
With the information highway expanding more and more everyday, we as consumers need to discern legitimate information sorted out from all the other “stuff” that’s presented.
With childbirth, everyone and their brother will tell you lovely tidbits of information that happened to their wife or whoever and even that, you need to take with a grain of salt. There are just too many stereotypes to pregnancy and every woman is different. With my first pregnancy, I loved being asked “are you learning how to breathe” in regards to childbirth classes. Now on my third pregnancy, I still get comments like “oh, you get to eat anything you want now”.
There are so many websites regarding childbirth and natural childbirth but as with choosing your own birth plan, you also have to choose which sources are presenting you correct information. Be a good consumer and do the necessary research. Educate yourself and then you won’t just have take someone else’s word on it. This includes, questioning doctors as to why they are suggesting a route for your care.
The similar goes to attending childbirth classes. Make sure (especially if you are paying) that the teacher for your class(es) is certified by an organization. This ensures that they have received some formal training other than perhaps their own first hand experience, however applicable it is. There are way too many quote on quote natural childbirth teachers who are just utilizing material from one method without receiving the training which is what ensures that they are current and up to date with the latest information. Always go to the organization’s website for teachers in your area, don’t trust posters or website that you just happen across.
Remember, you are the only one responsible for your medical care. You owe it to yourself and to your baby to find the best path for your birth.
Posted in In the News, Medical Consumerism, Natural Childbirth, Preparation & planning | No Responses »
Tags: untrained teachers
Written by Jeanette Albright on September 29th, 2009
As requested, here are some ways to incorporate wheat germ and flax into homemade baby foods. See also these additional posts: making baby food and baby cereals. If you would like some specific recipes, please contact me or refer to the resources in my additional posts.
Wheat Germ:
- Doctors recommend to wait until baby is 8-9 months old for wheat.
- Wheat germ is very healthy and contains many vitamins and minerals.
- Sprinkle it on anything you give to the baby.
- Good on baby cereals, yogurt, applesauce, in smoothies, in baked crackers or cookies.
Flax:
- Doctors recommend to wait until baby is 7-8 months old for flax.
- Flax contains omega 3 oils as well as and soluble and insoluble fiber.
- Start by using flax meal (finely ground flax seeds) or flax oil.
- Since flax is a natural laxative, it is suggested to keep flax to less than 1 Tablespoon a day.
- Add it to baby cereals, sprinkle on yogurt, mix it in fruit, veggie or meat purees, incorporate it into any recipe and baked goods.
- Make sure you are properly storing flax (ground or oil should be kept in the refrigerator, seeds can be kept for 2 years in a dry, sealed container).
Posted in Newborn Care | No Responses »
Tags: homemade baby food
Written by Jeanette Albright on September 21st, 2009
Stress. What pregnant woman ever experiences stress? Ha!
Extreme stress comes in examples like divorce, death in the family, loss of job, etc. but even day to day stressors can wreak havoc on a mom trying to grow a healthy, happy baby in her tummy. Did you know mothers in a two miles radius of 9/11 gave birth slightly earlier than usual and to lower birth weight babies? They contribute this to the stress from the tragedy.
Besides the emotional effects of stress, physically a mother can experience increased heart rate and increased stress hormones (cortisol). Some studies show a greater risk of late miscarriage in the first trimester and more birth defects if there has been severe stress in early pregnancy. Other findings indicate pre-term and low birth weight babies and lower IQ. The baby can also be effected later in life with things such as high blood pressure due to that increase in Cortisol while in the womb.
What can a mother do to avoid the effects of stress on her pregnancy?
- Talk to family and loved ones and make sure you have a supportive outreach.
- Use massage, meditation, yoga, etc. to reduce anxiety and manage stress.
- Eat healthy.
- Get plenty of exercise.
- Rest when you can.
- Don’t take unnecessary risks and postpone things that induce stress like a move or job change.
- Avoid stressful people and stressful situations.
- Maintain prenatal check-ups (relief that baby is doing well goes a long way to reduce stress).
Posted in Complications, Gestation | No Responses »
Written by Jeanette Albright on September 21st, 2009
A research psychologist, Jesse Bering, from Queen’s University Belfast studied the effects of not breastfeeding your baby and that action simulating to your body, a loss of the baby inducing mourning.
Here is the article as published in Scientific American Mind.
Posted in Breastfeeding | 1 Response »
Tags: Breastfeeding
Written by Jeanette Albright on September 7th, 2009
As you know, I’ve been posting some of my friends natural birth baby stories in correlation with the Labor Day holiday.
I’d like to share with you now, that I will be having my own upcoming Labor Day in early April as we are expecting our third baby. We are about 10 weeks along and mom and baby are doing great. Dad is super excited and couldn’t keep from telling people this time around! Here is a pic of my two older ones taking part in sharing the big news…
Posted in Birth Stories | 4 Responses »
Tags: birth story, Labor Day
