 Water immersion in labor has many benefits You can use water in labor, even if you don't plan on a having a water birth!Water is one of my favorite pain management tools in labor. Whether you give birth at home or in the hospital, at some point my clients end up in the tub or in the shower. Here’s why hydrotherapy can be a wonderful option in labor: You can relax! Even for those who aren’t pregnant, a nice, warm bath after a long day of work can make you feel more relaxed and calm. Immersion in water can lessen anxiety and promote relaxation. These same benefits apply when you are in labor. The calming effects of water can actually help with labor progression. When you are feeling relaxed and calm, your body releases endorphins, which promote the production of another hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin plays an important role in labor, stimulating contractions. (Known as the "love hormone," oxytocin is also involved in attachment and breastfeeding). When the oxytocin is flowing, your labor can progress. Conversely, when you are feeling stressed and anxious, adrenaline is produced, which can interfere with oxytocin production. So taking a warm bath, combined with other relaxation tools such as music, meditation, dim lighting, massage, and self-hypnosis, can help your labor keep a nice, active pattern. Note: In early labor, taking a bath can slow down contractions. This is just fine-- early labor should be a time of rest, since it can take hours or even days to turn into active labor. If active labor is imminent, taking a bath won’t stop it!  It provides pain relief. Water is sometimes referred to as a “liquid epidural.” While water doesn’t take away all sense of pain (although some clients report that at times it comes pretty close), it definitely helps to make the pain of labor more manageable. The website Evidence Based Birth gives a review of the evidence behind water immersion as pain relief in labor. In a meta-analysis of several studies, it was reported that people who labored in water were less likely to use epidurals or spinal anesthesia for pain relief. Submerging your body in water isn’t always necessary. Standing in the shower, with the hot water pointed at the part of your body where you are feeling the most pain or discomfort, is also very effective for pain relief. You can move. While submerged in water, it may be easier to move your body into positions that may be more difficult or uncomfortable "on land," like hands and knees, or in a squat. Being in water can help take pressure off of areas of your body that ache. You may feel more buoyant and lighter, contributing to feelings of relaxation.  It’s accessible. If you are laboring at home, you can use your own bathtub or shower. (In early labor, I encourage my clients to take a bath and then try to sleep for a while, to reserve their energy for active labor.) At the birth center, there are tubs and sometimes showers for your use. And more and more hospitals are offering tubs to labor in (although most hospitals still don’t allow pushing or giving birth in the water). Fortunately for those in the Treasure Valley, both St. Lukes and St. Alphonsus offer labor tubs, either in each room or in a single-use shared space on the labor and floor. Some tubs sport jacuzzi-style vents for additional comfort. For low-risk pregnancies, you can labor in the tub at just about any time, including after your bag of waters has broken, or if you have been induced. When laboring in the hospital tub, the nurses can monitor you intermittently without you having to get out of the water; if you consent to cervical exams, these can often be done in the water as well. (Note that with narcotic pain medications and epidurals, you won’t be allowed to labor in the tub for safety reasons.) You can try it again. At some point, if my clients aren’t planning a water birth, they decide to get out of the tub, either to push out their baby or to continue laboring on land. At this point, I can help them maneuver out of the water and wrap them up in a nice, warm towel so we can try some other comfort measures. Sometimes, my clients decide to try the tub or shower again, and they easily can. With some pain medications, you can have only a certain number of doses, and your mobility may be decreased for a while. With hydrotherapy, you can return to the tub or shower at just about any time during labor. If you are worried about an accidental water birth, your doula and care providers can often get a sense of how close you may be to pushing based on your behavior and sensations you are reporting. We can recommend getting out of the tub to give you enough time to get to the place where you intend to birth your baby. I am a certified labor (birth) doula and postpartum doula serving clients in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and the Greater Treasure Valley. Do you have questions about using water in your upcoming birth? elevated birth
Copyright 2019  Curious about nitrous oxide as pain relief in labor? If you are pregnant, sooner or later you will think about how to manage the pain of labor. Some clients know they want to get an epidural, and others would prefer to either forego pain medication entirely, or see how they feel in labor and make a decision in the moment. Pain management and comfort measures are topics I discuss at length with my clients in our prenatal meetings. When clients want to avoid or delay pain medication, we talk about natural pain relief methods like counter pressure, hydrotherapy, heat therapy, and position changes. When clients are open to pain medications, but want to avoid or delay an epidural or narcotic medication, nitrous oxide can be a great option. Nitrous oxide has been used by laboring people in the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada for decades. The ACNM (American College of Nurse-Midwives) supported its use in a 2011 position statement, affirming nitrous oxide as a pain relief option that fits into the midwifery model of care. While nitrous oxide was once frequently used in United States, in the 1970’s its use declined as epidural analgesia surged in popularity. As of 2017, one report stated that nitrous oxide was available in only around 150 hospitals and 50 birth centers nationwide. Fortunately for those in the Treasure Valley, both major hospital systems, St. Lukes and St. Alphonsus, offer nitrous oxide, also known simply as “nitrous,” in their labor and delivery rooms. With all interventions, there are benefits and risks. Here’s what you need to know if you are considering using nitrous oxide in your upcoming birth: The Benefits of Nitrous Oxide in Labor
The Risks, or Downsides of Nitrous Oxide in Labor
I am a certified labor doula (birth doula) and postpartum doula serving clients in Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, and the Greater Treasure Valley. Are you considering using nitrous oxide in labor? Would you like more information about it? elevated birth
Copyright 2018  Labor is often compared to a marathon. Both are lengthy tests of physical and mental endurance, with a payoff at the end. There are, of course, major differences. Like that payoff— the sense of exhilaration you feel as you are handed a finisher medal infinitely pales in comparison to meeting your child, who you created, grew in your body, and will love until the end of time. You also can’t just quit the race and try again next year. Your baby will be born someway, somehow, and no matter how your birth transpires, you will be an active participant. Your participation will continue for weeks, months, and years, as you grow into your role as parent to this child. One of the problems with the marathon metaphor is that unlike a 26.2 mile race, there is no real end to birth. Yes, you pushed out your baby, and the ring of fire is no longer, or your surgeon has made the final stitch and you are wheeled out of the O.R. to recovery. But in reality, your baby’s arrival is not the end game. There is the very real work of healing, and learning to breastfeed, and your hormones rebalancing, and your life looking like something very different than what it once was. Forever. There’s this new little human being already growing and changing at every moment. There is the eternal spring of elation, and surprise, and discovery that having kids opens to you. There is the change in you, unrecognizable at first because all you see is the bags under your eyes from lack of sleep, or the engorgement of your breasts, or your unwashed hair. But it’s there— a confidence and knowing that snakes its way into your being, until one day you are flipping pancakes one-handed, with a toddler on your hip while you field a business call, and realize you are capable and strong and a mother.  Labor, birth, postpartum, parenthood— it’s messy and hard and joyful and gratifying and exhausting and every single emotion you've ever felt amplified. Before this experience, there is really nothing to compare it to, which is why we grasp for metaphors, like the marathon, to describe what cannot be fully understood until we experience it ourselves. Birth is the beginning. You cross the finish line and never stop moving, you never stop learning and growing. You get to hold a little hand in your own and learn to walk together. That’s the real payoff. I am a certified labor doula and professional postpartum doula serving clients in Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, and the Greater Treasure Valley.
Learn more about how I can help you prepare for your "marathon."  What will you choose to "see" in labor?  Visualization is a proven tool commonly used by professional athletes, corporate leaders, speakers, and marathon runners that is free, effective, and powerful. It can also be used by anyone birthing a baby, in any setting, in any position, for any type of birth. It's one form of childbirth preparation you can do just about anywhere. Visualizing a specific action has been shown to activate nervous system responses that are similar to actually performing that action, impacting your heart rate, blood pressure, and hormones. Visualization can help you stay calm and focused in a challenging situation; it can reduce physical symptoms of stress and anxiety and promote feelings of relaxation. Consider this tool a “mental rehearsal” for your birth. You can visualize the entire process, from imagining yourself feeling the earliest labor signs, to arriving at your birth place, to pushing out your baby and bringing her to your chest. Or, you can focus on just one thing, like your cervix opening up or your baby descending. Whatever you choose to visualize, keep the following tips in mind: Practice throughout your pregnancy. You won’t get the benefits of visualization from trying it out once or twice. Make the time to practice your visualization often throughout your pregnancy, so when you are actually in labor, it is familiar to you and easy to go back to when you need it. Get creative. Some people find it helpful to imagine their actual uterus pushing baby down with each contraction, or to imagine their baby’s head pressing against their actual cervix, thin and ripe. Others prefer to imagine something more abstract or metaphorical, like a flower opening, or waves crashing. Some may find an image of themselves passing through a barrier representative of “moving through” contractions, and in turn they become an active participant in their labor rather than a passive onlooker. And some choose to visualize something completely unrelated, like their favorite vacation spot, or some other peaceful location. Personalize your visualization so that it works for you. Break it down into steps. Whatever you choose to visualize, break it down into small steps. For instance, if imagining a flower opening, you might visualize each petal of the flower slowly unfolding until you can see the center. If imagining ocean waves, visualize the wave building far from shore, gathering momentum until it crests and then falls against the rocks; see the ocean spray, the bubbling foam, maybe even sand crabs scurrying around as the water is pulled back into the sea. If your visualization can be broken down so it lasts roughly 60-90 seconds— the approximate length of a labor contraction— you will find yourself with a tool you can use to manage each surge. Write it down. Write down the steps of your visualization to help break it down, and to get a clearer picture in your mind’s eye of what you will “see.” Pay attention to detail; incorporate your other senses, imagining what you might smell or hear if you were actually at the ocean, or in a field, or even in your place of birth.  Incorporate affirmations. Think about how you want to feel as you visualize, and tie this into any birth affirmations you may utilize in labor. You might think of your affirmation, or even speak it aloud, as you work through your visualizations. As author and speaker Dr. Wayne Dyer says about the power of affirmations,“I use the inner mantra I am, seeing myself as already having arrived at what I’ve placed in my mind.” During your labor, you might think or say aloud, “I am strong,” “I am open,” “I am calm,” or any number of phrases, while you are actively using your visualization.  You can use visualizations to distract yourself from any pain or discomfort you may experience, even outside of labor. Afraid of needles and about to have blood drawn? Consenting to a cervical check or having your membranes swept? In the OR having your baby by Cesearean? Having an IUD placed? Go to your visualization to distract your mind from your physical discomfort, and bring you back to a more peaceful state. I am a certified labor doula and professional postpartum doula serving Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley. As a doula, I can remind my clients of their visualizations and affirmations and help them have a supportive, positive birth experience. elevated birth
Copyright 2018  Build a better birth team and have a better birth experience Who will be invited to your birth?This question can be a loaded one for expecting couples. The amount of stress and anxiety around who should be at your birth can be overwhelming. Can you relate to any of the following scenarios? You’re not sure if you want your mother in the room, but she’s your mother, so shouldn’t she be there? And if she’s going to see her grandchild’s birth, it’s only fair that your mother-in-law should be there, too, right? You really want one sister to be with you but your other sister will be loud and obnoxious while you’re trying to concentrate on labor. But how do you explain that you want just your one sister in the room? You don’t want anyone in the room except your care provider, your partner, and your doula. And both sides of the family are making you feel guilty. What should you do? Here are some things to consider to help you make a decision on who will be invited to your birth space: 1. Identify the most important person in the room. The person having the baby, the one whose usually-clothed body parts will be exposed, who is experiencing one of the most physically and emotionally challenging events of their lives, is the ultimate decision maker. Some couples will negotiate who will be allowed to visit during or after labor, and the partner’s need for emotional support can definitely be a part of that discussion. But if the laboring person has a strong desire to include or limit a particular person’s presence, it’s important for that to be respected. In birth, it’s imperative for the laboring person to feel safe and supported. The hormones involved in labor are directly affected by whether or not this is the case. When it’s not, it can impede labor progression. An unhealthy emotional state can have physical implications for both the pregnant person and the baby. We want oxytocin to flow in labor— this “love” hormone has a hand in contracting the uterus, breastfeeding, and in creating attachment with baby, and its production is supported when the person in labor feels safe and supported. Also keep in mind that some survivors of trauma, or those with severe anxiety, are managing more than just their contractions when they are in labor. Creating a birth space that puts their emotional and physical safety at the forefront is necessary for their own well being. 2. Build your birth team mindfully. Approach the decision from a standpoint of value instead of a “should.” A “should” comes from an external pressure or rule. Someone who brings value to your birth space is a true part of your birth team. Your care provider and assistants bring their medical expertise to ensure you and your baby are physically healthy. Your doula brings knowledge about birth, comfort measures, and continuous care, to ensure you are emotionally and physically supported in alignment with your goals and values. Think about the other people you and your partner are considering allowing into your birth space. What function will they serve? Will they bring joy, humor, welcome distraction, a shared bond? Or will their presence bring anxiety, discomfort, intrusion, negative energy, or doubt about your personal choices? Anyone who is making you feel guilty for not including them in your birth is not acting like a teammate; they are not adding value. They are imposing their “shoulds” on you. As I recently wrote in my blog The Should’s of Pregnancy, make sure you are acting on your own core values, and not someone else’s. 3. Know the why’s. When you have information, you can make informed decisions. Once you know that labor can be impeded by an unsafe or uncomfortable environment, because of the hormones at play, you can make a decision about keeping out people who make you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. If initiating breastfeeding is important to you, and you know that it can be a challenge to learn how to latch your new baby, you may limit visitors for a few hours after birth so you can get uninterrupted practice. If you know that you the wound inside your body after birth is roughly the size of a dinner plate, and you want to focus on resting after birth, then you may opt to limit the number of visitors you receive at home. 4. Consider timing. Sometimes, you welcome or can tolerate one person’s presence in early labor but you don’t necessarily want them there while you are pushing. Or, you may feel there are several people who would bring you positivity throughout your labor, but having them all there at once would be too distracting. It’s okay to require flexibility from those you may want to include in your birth. It’s okay to impose rules, and it’s okay for you to change your mind at any time during labor. 5. Practice setting boundaries now. Everyone has an opinion when it comes to pregnancy and parenting. Whether you are making decisions on breastfeeding, bottle feeding, medical decisions for your baby, bath products, types of diapers, who can hold baby, who can watch baby, who can visit you postpartum and when, where baby sleeps, etc. you will no doubt come across somebody close to you with a differing opinion. Sometimes those people can be outright disrespectful of your choices. Who you allow into your birth space can be a new parent’s first act of boundary setting, and it can be uncomfortable. But after your baby is here, there will be many more opportunities where setting boundaries is necessary, for the well being of you and your new family. Why not practice now, and take steps to ensure you have a more positive birth experience? Even when you set boundaries, not everyone will respect your decisions. So here are some tips to fend off unwelcome visitors during labor, or when you are home after the birth:
You are entitled to a birth environment that will allow you to feel loved, supported, and safe, and to include or exclude anyone who doesn't contribute to that environment. Think about how you want to feel in labor, what you need to recover postpartum, and surround yourself with those who will help make that happen. I am a certified labor doula and professional postpartum doula serving Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa and the greater Treasure Valley. Have you thought about who will bring value to your birth team? If that includes a doula, let's talk about how I can help you feel safe and supported as you birth your baby. elevated birth
Copyright 2018  Your version of childbirth prep might not look like someone else's! “The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.” William S. Burroughs I encourage my clients to take childbirth education classes as they prepare for the birth of their baby. The more you know about the physiology of birth, and what you can expect at each stage of labor, the less fear there is surrounding it. Where you have your baby can also affect what what you experience— the procedures, care routines, people you will interact with, and what decisions you may have to make, can vary depending on whether you give birth at home, at a birth center, or even at different hospitals. The amount of information you learn can be overwhelming. In the prenatal meetings with my clients, we sift through this information to find out what pertains to them specifically, based on their goals and how they want to feel during labor and birth. I help them identify what limitations may be present, and how to best work around them. I get to know my clients and their values, and what techniques, both physical and emotional, that will work best for them. This is where childbirth preparation goes beyond childbirth education. Preparation for your birth is unique to you. Sometimes, it’s unconventional and maybe even a little strange. I’ll use my own experience as an example: When preparing for the birth of my daughter, I watched every episode I could find of a show on A&E called “I Survived.” The show profiled people from all walks of life who had endured horrible events, like attempted murder, natural disasters, near-death experiences, and trauma, and how they survived those experiences. Their outlook on life was usually gratitude, and a newfound strength. My mindset was that if these people could survive those horrific events, and still have a positive attitude, then I could make it through labor! That might not be the best form of prep for everyone, and that’s kind of the point. What preparation for birth looks like for me, will likely look totally different for you! Here are ways others have prepared for their births:
What have you used to get through a physically or emotionally challenging time? Laughter? Visualization? Music? The deep breathing you learn in yoga or meditation? Do you value knowing the hard facts? You can tap into your own experiences, your own strengths, in labor. Use what has worked for you, or what speaks to you, to prepare in a way that is as unique as you are. I am a certified labor (birth) doula and postpartum doula serving Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley. How can I help you have a more positive birth experience, that is focused on you and your unique needs? elevated birth
Copyright 2018  Let's talk about poop, shall we? It’s one of the top sources of anxiety in pregnancy . . . . . . POOP. Whether it’s the constipation that arrives well before you have any sort of baby bump, or the fear some have about pooping in labor, there’s a lot of attention paid to poop when you are pregnant. So let’s talk about it! Here's what you need to know about poop in pregnancy and childbirth. 1. Constipation is common. The hormones released throughout pregnancy, especially progesterone, make food move more slowly through your intestinal tract. You are able to absorb more nutrients for your growing baby, which is a good thing. The downside of this slower digestion is constipation. It can start in the first trimester, when you’re not even showing, and last throughout your entire pregnancy. Constipation can be frustrating and uncomfortable. Straining to poop can in turn cause hemorrhoids, which can be downright painful. Some things that can relieve constipation include:
2. Diarrhea toward the end of pregnancy can be exciting! That’s because it is one of the signs of early labor. Up to several days before you feel your first crampy contraction, your body may clear itself out in preparation for birth. Be sure to stay hydrated if you experience diarrhea, and keep yourself nourished by continuing to eat. You will need your strength for labor. Note: If you have a fever or suspect that your diarrhea could be caused by food poisoning, then be sure to consult your care provider. 3. You will probably poop a little while you push. This is a big concern for some people. They get really anxious about the thought about pooping while they are pushing, and having their partner and birth attendants see it happen. First of all, yes, it happens. It happens all the time. Your friends and relatives, celebrities, that put-together mom at school drop-off, your great grandma-- they probably pooped while they pushed out their babies, too. And trust me, nobody in the room cares. The birth workers have seen it many, many, many, many, many times before. It is a total non-issue. They will just discreetly wipe away any poop, replace the Chux pad if necessary, and continue on. In my experience, your partner doesn’t care, either. At this point, you are actively pushing out your baby, and your partner will be laser-focused on the baby, and on supporting you. They will be concerned, and excited, and hopeful, and probably won’t notice there is any poop at all, especially amidst what is infinitely more attention-worthy at that time-- like your baby being born. And when that baby is laid upon your chest and you hear those first cries, the last thing on anybody's mind will be whether or not you pooped a little. Second, pooping during pushing is a sign that you are pushing effectively. You often hear birth attendants tell their patients to “push like you’re taking a huge poop.” Those are the muscles you need to engage to push out your baby. It’s a positive thing when you poop! Third, if you are still really, really, stressed about pooping in labor, talk to your care provider about administering an enema in early labor. For some people, this gives them peace of mind about not having to think about poop at all. 4. Postpartum Poop. The first poop after birth can also be anxiety-producing for many. Your vagina has gone through a lot, and your perineum can feel sore as well. You may still have hemorrhoids, you may have minor tearing, or perhaps stitches. If you had a Cesarean birth, pooping for the first time can also be uncomfortable. After a Cesarean, your first poop might take longer to arrive than with a vaginal birth. The muscles in your abdomen will be sore after surgery, which can make that first poop a not-so-fun experience. Some care providers will prescribe a stool softener after delivery to make those first few bowel movements easier. Some will require you to have a bowel movement before you can go home, especially if you’ve had a Cesarean (true with any major surgery). Staying hydrated after birth can help keep your stools loose. Waiting until you really have to go, and avoiding straining ,can be helpful as well. 5. Your poop situation will improve! The more you are able to rest and heal postpartum, the better you will be able to recover from birth. Eventually your poop won’t be such a source of tension in your life. Your focus will shift to your baby’s poop, which will provide months (and years) of interest, antics, and discussion. If you don't talk much about poop now, just wait until you have a toddler. It's one of their favorite subjects. I am a certified labor (birth) doula and professional postpartum doula serving Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa and the greater Treasure Valley. Do you have anxiety about anything in pregnancy or labor? Having a doula might help! elevated birth
Copyright 2018  Photo by AZGAN MjESHTRI via Unsplash Today we're going to back to the basics! Doula 101 - The What and the WhyPreparing for a new baby can be an overwhelming task— there are numerous baby gear items to acquire, frequent care provider visits, increasing demands on your body as your baby grows and your body changes, classes to take, postpartum work arrangements to be made . . . . it’s no wonder that many people postpone thinking about how they will approach labor and birth until later into their pregnancy. Sometimes it’s during a childbirth education class, or when you feel your baby’s rigorous kicks, or you can no longer see your toes underneath your growing belly, that you start to think, “This baby’s really going to come out soon!” You might panic, as you think about all the books you wanted to read, or that birth plan you need to write. And how in the world will your partner know what to do when you are in labor?! Step in your doula. But what’s a doula? A doula is your continuous support during labor and birth, a knowledgeable birth guide who works for you, giving you the information, encouragement, and hands-on help you need to give birth in a way that feels right to you. She works with you and your partner in pregnancy, educating you about your options, and answering whatever questions you may have along the way. She knows all about birth. She helps your partner effectively help you by making suggestions on how to support you in labor. Your doula helps you both feel confident and prepared for birth, instead of fearful or anxious. But isn’t that what your doctor or midwife is for? Or your nurses? Actually, no. Your doctor and midwife, and the hospital nursing staff, are primarily focused on the physical health and safety of you and your baby during labor. They are monitoring your blood pressure, checking fetal heart rates, administering medications, and watching for signs outside of a normal birth pattern. In a hospital setting, you may not even see your doctor or midwife until you have already starting pushing. The nursing staff you may see more often, as they are the front line of patient care, but they usually have several other patients to care for besides you. They don’t have the time or the resources to continuously stay by your side, helping you breathe, or massaging you, or suggesting position changes. If you are in labor during a shift change, the nurse whose care you have been under will leave, and a new person will take their place. That leaves just your partner and maybe another family member or friend to offer the continuous support that can make or break a birth experience. And although members of your support team may have given birth before, they aren’t necessarily familiar with birth in general, or the specific needs of your birth. They may not know what to suggest if certain challenges arise during labor. They may not have the information you need to make a decision about the course of your care. Doulas bring a calming presence, knowledge about the birth process, and personalized care to your birth space. They attend all types of birth, from unmedicated home births, to Cesarean births, to inductions, and everything in between. Doulas get to know their clients during pregnancy, and support them in whatever decisions they make for themselves. They follow up postpartum, checking in on their clients’ well being, helping with breastfeeding, and referring them to additional resources they may need. There are Postpartum Doulas, who work with families in their home, helping them adjust to life with a new baby. They help with newborn care, household organization, light housekeeping and cooking, and they help take care of baby so the new parents can get what every new parent needs— more sleep! The Treasure Valley is a great place to have a baby, and one of the reasons is that there is a doula for everyone, in all price ranges, offering a different mix of services that work for your situation. When you have the right support, your birth and postpartum experiences are more likely to be positive, benefiting you, your partner, and your baby. I am a certified labor doula and professional postpartum doula serving clients in Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa and the greater Treasure Valley. Do you have questions about how a doula can help you have a more positive birth experience? elevated birth
Copyright 2018   Apparently I was partial to blue sports bras in labor Maybe it was a friend or family member, maybe it was you— that snapshot taken right after baby was born, mom’s long hair flowing over her breast, cheeks pink, eyes bright, lashes tinted with mascara. A gorgeous photo of a mother with her new baby. Sometimes the look is staged a bit, sometimes a mother’s natural beauty is shining through. Whether makeup is on your list of what to pack to the hospital, or you just can’t take a bad picture, I don’t fault anyone for taking a gorgeous photo on one of the most momentous days of their lives. I just know that that person isn’t me. And it might not be you, either. Labor is hard work. It’s often compared to a marathon, but it’s way more intense than a marathon. Marathons take place during the day; the previous night you’ve eaten a solid meal, and you go to bed early to rest up for the strenuous activity ahead. You don’t always get that luxury in labor. It can creep up on you after a long day on your feet, in the middle of the night and last well into the next day— or for several days. You can’t just take a break and walk for a while in labor. You can’t quit, walk on over to the nearest pub, and try again next race. You are in it, fully committed, until you reach the ultimate finish line— the birth of your baby. So it’s not a surprise that not everyone can pull off the perfectly coifed after-birth look. Nor does everyone want to. I’m not particularly adept at beauty routines. I didn’t start wearing makeup until late into my twenties. Most days my hair air-dries into frizzy waves, n’er a blow dryer in sight, unless it’s below freezing outside. So, after my 18-hour and 12-hour labors, after nights without sleep, face puffy and dotted with wonderful pregnancy-induced melasma, my after-birth pics aren’t very pretty. But when I look at them, I see power. I see joy. I see a woman who, despite feeling afraid and vulnerable and more exhausted than I had ever been before, persevered and freakin’ birthed a baby. I am proud of myself when I look at those pictures. I am glad I have them— ALL of them, even the ones that few will ever see— because they show what I did, what I endured, what I rocked. They aren’t necessarily pretty, but they are pretty powerful. I am a certified labor doula and profesional postpartum doula serving clients in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley. How can I help you feel powerful during your birth? elevated birth
Copyright 2018  "Give me all the drugs!" This is a humorous way some people inform others that they don’t want an unmedicated birth. You or someone you know may have used those exact same words during your pregnancy. As a doula, I’ve heard it from clients, too. There is a misconception that people hire doulas only for unmedicated births. While I definitely have had clients who value “natural” labor, and give birth without pain medication or other medical interventions, I also serve clients who know ahead of time that they will get an epidural, or will utilize some other form of pain medication. Why would you want a doula if you know you will opt for drugs in birth? 1. You want to wait as long as possible before opting for drugs. Some clients want to see how far they can get without pain medication, for a variety of reasons. Some are concerned about the side effects of certain medications, or the interventions required with their use, like continuous fetal monitoring, I.V. fluids, catheterization, etc. Some have concerns about slowing down labor, or taking medication too soon and being left with fewer options for pain relief later on. Others want pain medication as an option, but are okay with using it only if needed. Until the client decides to utilize medication, they may need help with natural pain management, coping with contractions, and emotional support. As a doula, I can offer suggestions and provide whatever support is needed to get my clients to the point at which they feel they are ready to accept pain medication. 2. You want more information about the pain medication available to you. During pregnancy, we discuss your goals and intentions regarding pain management, and your options at your particular place of birth. You may know that nitrous oxide is offered at St. Alphonsus and St. Lukes hospitals, but you may not know how administration of the nitrous actually works. You may consider a narcotic for pain relief, but want to know the potential side effects before deciding. You may want an epidural, but be unaware of what positions you are likely to push in after getting one. There are risks and benefits to every intervention, and knowing these before you are in labor can help you determine which medications you want to prioritize, and which you want to avoid. You can learn some of this information during a childbirth education class, or by doing your own reading, but having an in-depth discussion about your options with your doula brings the conversation to a more personal level. We discuss what support you may need for various pain relief options, and what you can expect to follow. The information is tailored to your individual needs, your personality, and your specific goals and values. 3. Sometimes medications don’t work as you expect. You may have heard stories of an epidural “not working,” or working only on one side. You may experience an unpleasant side effect from a certain medication, like nausea and vomiting, loss of sensation, or severe itchiness. A doula’s calm, comforting support and encouragement can help to get you through unexpected pain or discomfort. I have utilized coached breathing, visualization, light massage, and other techniques to get clients through a difficult episode. When things take an unexpected turn, being able to turn to your doula for reassurance is sometimes all a laboring client needs. 4. Some births involve medication from the start. You may need or opt for an induction or Cesarean birth, or you have a high-risk pregnancy that requires medicalized care. Just these circumstances alone can bring up fear and anxiety that a doula can help you work through. Even when a birth doesn’t go as planned, there are often options that may be available to you that you hadn’t considered or known about. For instance, there are different ways to induce labor-- pharmacological, mechanical, or low-tech options like trying an in-office membrane sweep. Your doula can inform you of these options, so you can discuss them with your doctor or midwife and see if they can be incorporated into your birth. 5. Continuous care is continuous care. No matter how you choose to birth, or how your birth unfolds, having continuous support can make all the difference in how you feel about your birth. It’s not always feasible to rely solely on your partner to provide this support; they may not feel knowledgable enough to support you, they may be nervous and require their own support, or they may need periodic breaks to best serve you in labor. It isn’t common or the norm for your doctor or midwife, or even your nurses, to be able to be with you at all times during labor. And often the on-call staff can be strangers, whom you’ve just met. As your doula, I am a familiar face. During our prenatal visits, we've gotten to know each other. I am at your side, as long as you need, to help you get through whatever your labor brings. After the baby is here, I can help with breastfeeding, check on you at home postpartum, and serve as a resource for questions and referrals. As a postpartum doula, I can provide in-home care to make the transition to life with your new baby easier. The continuity that doula care provides is reassuring, convenient, and maximizes the chances of a positive birth experience. I am a certified labor doula and professional postpartum doula serving clients in Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley. Are you planning on utilizing pain medications in your labor? Do you want to know more about what options are available at your birth place? Let's talk! elevated birth
Copyright 2018 |
Doula RaquelI've worked in the forest, in the lab, and in an office cubicle. My favorite and most passionate work has been alongside clients as they reach inside to find their innermost strength, and give birth to their babies. Each birth is an honor to witness.
Archives
January 2019
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
Location |
|