It’s the 2016 Colorado Snowpocalypse
The highways are all closed
The t.v. is nothing but politics,
Snuggle up with your betrothed
We’ll see you in December
when the hospital admits!
Southern CO Blizzard 2016
Leave a reply
Category Archives: born in a hospital
Meeting Greyson-Overcoming Birth Trauma Part 1
So many women silently suffer from birth related trauma and don’t know where to turn for help. Each experience is unique but that doesn’t mean we are alone. I’m starting a new series on my website to raise awareness and hopefully help a few women in their journey to overcome their trauma and not let it define them.
Go HERE to read Part 1!
Interview With ICAN President LaQuitha Glass
In the last week of #Cesareanawarenessmonth I took some time to chat with LaQuitha Glass, current President of the International Cesarean Awareness Network via email about ICAN, and its importance in an ever changing birth environment.
The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to:
Improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC).
ICAN was formed in 1982 by Elizabeth Handler and Esther Zorn. Through hundreds of local programs, ICAN helps thousands of women each year by providing education and support for issues surrounding cesarean and post cesarean options. They also advocate for women who find themselves gestating and giving birth in hostile birthing environments.
ICAN specializes in providing information on family-centered cesarean, cesarean recovery, cesarean prevention, VBAC planning, VBAC recovery, postpartum support, and emotional support. We provide a number of in-person and virtual resources for all mothers seeking information on pre and post cesarean options.
Thanks so much for chatting with me, LaQuitha, we are very happy to have you speak to us about such an important topic.
LaQuitha, if you could tell every family one thing about birth, what would it be?
If I could offer one piece of advice to all families, it would be to find a provider who is completely supportive of your family’s birth wishes. This can have a major impact on the birth experience of the mother, and subsequently, the family.
What is your best piece of advice for a family facing a Cesarean birth, or a repeat Cesarean birth?
If possible, try to have a plan in the event of a cesarean. Think of one or two things that you value and have a discussion with your provider and family about the logistics of making those things happen. Don’t be afraid to enlist additional professional support if you are able to do so!
With the demands of motherhood and a new baby, it is easy to forget that a cesarean is major abdominal surgery and that women need adequate time to fully recover physically.
How can our clients and birth workers in Colorado Springs get involved in ICAN?
As a nonprofit organization powered by volunteers, we are always on the lookout for new volunteers who can identify with our mission. One of the easiest ways to get involved is to contact your local program and ask what type of support they need. Additionally, you can contact ICAN National for information on volunteering in a national position. If you would like to support ICAN but are short on time, you can also consider becoming a supporting member. Each membership goes towards the fulfillment of our mission.
How does someone start an ICAN chapter in their area? It looks like the closest to us is in Denver.
If you would like to start a chapter, please visit http://www.ican-online.org/starting-a-chapter/ to learn about the requirements and to fill out an application. A volunteer will then contact you to let you know the next steps to getting your chapter going!
In honor of Cesarean Awareness Month, ICAN is offering two webinars free to the public. The first, “Is Your Provider VBAC Friendly or VBAC Tolerant?” is hosted by Melek Speros and discusses the nuances between providers who are likely to be truly VBAC supportive and those who may be on the fence for a variety of reasons.
The second, “Who’s Birth is it Anyway? Rights and Protections During Labor and Birth” is hosted by Farah Diaz-Tello, Staff Attorney for National Advocates for Pregnant Women. This webinar discusses informed consent and refusal. Additionally, they have a number of new brochures available in our online bookstore, which offer valuable tips for all birthing mothers, including first time moms.
They will also be giving away C-Panties from UpSpring Baby throughout the month of April. Tomorrow is the last day, Register to win!
For daily information, support and inspiration, follow ICAN on Facebook.
Breastfeeding Sabotage in Immediate Postpartum (Part 4)
As mentioned in my previous posts in this series, breastfeeding sabotage can happen any time. It can begin in the womb, or during labor. Most often, it begins in immediate postpartum, right after baby is born.
No matter where you have your baby, whether you have a home birth or a hospital birth, the immediate postpartum period is important to get you on the right track.
Immediate postpartum is also when bad habits can be formed and small issues can become large issues, preventing you from having the breastfeeding relationship you desire.
If you have had a Cesarean Birth, several factors have can quickly take you off course. Knowing how to avoid breastfeeding sabotage immediately after the birth of your baby can be very important to your long term breastfeeding relationship. According to the “High Five” initiative and the Baby Friendly Initiative there are five primary practices to get breastfeeding off to the right start.
- Immediate and sustained skin to skin:
-Regulates baby’s body temperature, keeping them from being separated from you
-Prompts the release of oxytocin and prolactin, reducing stress and stimulating the production of colostrum
- Stabilized baby’s heart and breathing rate, keeping them with you
-Keeps baby’s blood sugar elevated, preventing the need for formula
-Colonizes baby with mother’s bacteria, promoting a healthy immune system and less likely that baby will have allergies, preventing another possible need for formula
-Baby instinctively searches for the breast, stimulating milk production and working together to learn how to breastfeed - Unless medically indicated, no food or drink for newborns other than breast milk:
- -Babies stomachs are very small at birth just a few drops of colostrum is all baby needs
-Babies have reserves from being in the womb and need very little until the milk comes in on day 3-4 of life
- Rooming in 24 hours:
-Promotes on demand feeding to stimulate milk production
-Makes skin to skin easier and more consistent
-Prevents missed feeding
-Promotes bonding - No artificial nipples, including pacifiers:
-Avoids confusion
-Gives baby plenty of time for comfort nursing, which stimulates milk production
-Promotes bonding
-Discourages a lazy latch
-Encourages learning only one skill at a time rather than learning two different ways of eating - Access to immediate breastfeeding support:
-Hospital staff trained in breastfeeding basics know what to look for and how to help with initial feeding
-Doulas trained in initial latch and breastfeeding support provide encouragement and know when more help is needed
-Lactation consultants in the hospital provide additional help if problems arise
-Access to local in person and online support systems encourage troubleshooting and encouragement
Part5
Brave, Strong, and Beautiful
A few days ago a friend and colleague wrote a heartfelt blog about cesarean mothers. In between trainings and life, I read it, and I was grateful for it.
In between business and family I saw it again and looked at the pictures just one more time.
I saw it pop up on group after group, all over facebook and I knew it had touched a cord.
My business partner mentioned it to me and I knew it was important.
Then, my cousin from California shared it. From half way across the country, this beautiful blog came around once again and we knew that we needed to hold space for it as well. Please enjoy and join us in supporting #ceareanawarenessmonth
http://www.cordmama.com/blog/2015/4/8/three-truths-about-c-section-mamas
The Beautiful Birth of Emma, a VBAC Birth Story
In honor of Cesarean Awareness month, we'd like to share a beautiful VBAC birth story, as written from the mother's point of view. This was the first hospital birth attended by both Lauren and myself. We are honored to have been a part of it.
We were so blessed to find out that we were going to add another little one to our family. I was so excited to have another baby and had hopes that this experience would go smoother than the last one. Our first child was delivered via cesarean due to HELLP syndrome. It was very scary but fortunately we ended up with a happy and healthy little boy. As our family found out we would be expecting a second child we were determined to have the birth experience that we had always wanted with our first. So my husband and I found a doctor that was very open to the possibilities of a VBAC.
As I approached the end of my first trimester my husband deployed to Afghanistan. This was one hurdle we had expected but anticipated his return before our sweet baby arrived. At 16 weeks I found myself very sick. Alone with my 2 year old son I called the ambulance as I thought I was losing the baby. Turned out to be an appendicitis and I underwent surgery immediately. The baby and I had a long recovery but had a seamless pregnancy from then on.
As time went on we found out that my husband would not return in time for Emma’s arrival and we were faced with the challenge of trying to schedule him to come home for two weeks leave in order to be present for the birth. I had decided that I would just have a scheduled C-section to ensure he would be here for the experience, but inside I knew that this was our last baby and I really wanted a VBAC. As time went on it became more clear that we would not be able to count on my husband being home and that we just had to cross our fingers he would make it. At that moment I decided I would find a doula and prepare myself to do this without him here.
I met two incredible doulas who were excited to take the rest of my journey with me. As I approached 39 weeks I kept thinking she would come early as my son was born at 37 weeks. Emma decided to make us all wait. It was a Monday and I started having contractions all day. They were intense right from the start but never really stayed consistent. I thought for sure she was coming at the beginning of that week but then they stopped and everything was normal. On Wednesday, my actual due date I went to the Chiropractor for one last adjustment. He assured me that she was low and ready. It was only a matter of time. That evening my contractions came back and once again were intense but inconsistent. I went to bed and tried to sleep as much as I could. I finally spoke to my husband on skype and called my doulas who arrived around 4am.
We spent the morning walking the neighborhood as the sun came up. I was still in early labor but with the emotions and anxiety that I carried from my husband not being there I believe it felt and seemed as though I was in active labor.
We went to my regularly scheduled prenatal appointment that day just out of curiosity to see how far I had dilated. I was fully prepared to stay at the hospital from that point on thinking I was at least at 5cm. To my surprise I was only 3cm. I felt so defeated thinking I was so much further along. I had a few options to be admitted and start some interventions to move things along but I decided to go home and take a nap. I snuggled in my bed and sent my doulas away for a break and rest themselves.
A few hours later I woke up and was so ready to give up. My contractions were still not closer together but felt more intense. As my doulas returned I got the motivation and confidence to continue. We went to the hospital that evening as I was eager to get settled there and have this baby. With my husband on skype, two amazing doulas and my aunt I continued to labor in the hospital.
The hospital staff was great. They pretty much honored what I wanted and just checked in on me. After several hours of slow progression I started considering the different options that were presented to me. Having been up for more than 24 hours the exhaustion was really taking a toll.
I took a minute alone with my husband via skype to decide what to do next. I knew that mentally I was done and the ultimate goal was to have a healthy baby with a successful VBAC. We chose to break my water, start Pitocin and an epidural. As the feeling of the contractions eased up, I looked around the room and felt blessed to have the support of those around me. My doulas, my aunt and my photographer all scrunched on the little hospital sofa in attempts to get a little rest and most of all my husband who had been on skype almost the entire time looking just as exhausted as myself. This was a good moment. After a much needed nap the nurse came in and said “are you ready to have a baby?”
I couldn’t have been more ready. I pushed for about an hour during which my Dr. mentioned needing to use the vacuum and I was determined not to let that be the case. I focused on my husband’s voice and those encouraging alongside me and finally pushed her out.
The Dr. guided her out and placed her on my chest. It was such a special moment that we did not get to experience with our first. When the time came I was able to cut her cord in place of my husband. It was such a bittersweet day without him physically there. However, we had this beautiful, healthy girl and I had had the successful VBAC that I wanted. Now all we had to do was focus on the homecoming of her daddy.
Birth photography provided by: http://brandibullard.wix.com/bbphotography
Planning For Your Special Day-Budgeting 101
The day is almost here! You’ve been planning and preparing for months on end. You’ve checked and re-checked your lists, talked endlessly to your friends and family about the big day and dreamed about every detail from start to finish.
Is your budget in order? This special day will never be here again. I mean, technically, sure it could happen again, statistics are in your favor, but THIS day, with these people, in this time and space….you only get one shot. Let’s make sure you’re prepared.
| Attire & Accessories | $0-$100 |
| Beauty & Spa | $0-$50 |
| Entertainment | $0-50 |
| Flowers & Decorations | $20-$200 |
| Gifts & Favors | $50-$200 |
| Invitations | $0-$200 |
| Jewelry | $0-$200 |
| Photography & Video | $0-$1295 |
| Planner, Consultant | $0-$800 |
| Venue, Catering & Rentals | $300-$25,671 (depending on insurance and unexpected events) |
Wait, what? Insurance?
Well yeah, this is a Doula blog. You didn’t think we were talking about weddings did you?
Now look at the chart again. Do those numbers seem strange to you? Why is that?
$370-$28,095 seemed on the low end for what we know of wedding costs right?
According to the website, Cost of Wedding.com, the average cost of a wedding here in El Paso County is actually $26,840. In Douglas County it’s 37,932….. Higher than the chart above, except that this chart is actually the cost for an even MORE special day….the day your baby arrives.
Have a another glance at the chart. What do you think about those costs to give life to your child?
These are extreme numbers, with one being a homebirth with insurance, no bells and whistles, all the way up to a hospital cesarean with complications. (2010 numbers, sure to have increased in five years)
What do these two days have in common?
For one, it can never be repeated. Sure, you can have other children, you may get divorced and re-married, but THIS day, THIS wedding, THIS birth, will never come again. Both events should get the extra special attention they need to make them unforgettable.
What has happened to our culture that a momentous occasion such as the birth of a baby has less value than a wedding? Bringing forth new life, expanding a family, a new soul emerging into humanity should bring about more joy, more expectation, and more celebration than any other day in our lives.
Let’s take a look at that chart again, this time with different labels and look at it with fresh eyes, while comparing it to the price of a wedding.
| Comfy nightgown, yoga pants to go home in | $2,000 |
| Toiletries, makeup, Don’t forget your brush | $134 |
| IPod, headphones, DVDs maybe | $1,000 |
| Candles and aromatherapy | $1,500 |
| Birthday cake? Celebration cigars? | $700 |
| Birth announcements | $900 |
| Maybe a little something special from your significant other? | $4,000 |
| Photography & Video | $3,000 |
| Birth Doula | $1,500 |
| Birth Location | $12,000 |
Does this chart seem a little extravagant? Seems silly to compare the two side by side and realize that as a society, here in Colorado we are placing SO MUCH MORE value on a one day (albeit important and fabulous) party and so very little on our birth experiences, which can have a long lasting, physical, emotional and mental effects on our entire lives.
A few things I’d like to point out…….
The true cost in Colorado Springs for well trained, educated and experienced Birth Doula = $850 Wedding planner =$4,000
Interesting.
Evidence for having a Doula at your birth:
- 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin*
- 28% decrease in the risk of C-section*
- 12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth*
- 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
- 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
- 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience*
Decrease in overall cost associated with low risk birth = $530.89 per low-risk delivery, or $28,997,754.80 annually in one state alone.
Increase in satisfaction of birth experience with a Doula= Priceless!