Birth Boot Camp: Class 4

We had our 4th class of Birth Boot Camp last week.

It was about the final prep for birth.

D-Day: noun – the day on which an important operation is to begin or a change to take effect. The last few weeks of pregnancy can be overwhelming – physically and emotionally. Know and understand various testing and procedures often done in the final weeks of pregnancy. Also included in the Countdown is planning your postpartum period, including breastfeeding support and finding a pediatrician. Understanding your options, you will be able to face the last few weeks of pregnancy with confidence and excitement.

The notes from our instructor really cover everything we talked about, but I do have to say that my favorite part was Bobby learning how to give a prenatal message! It was glorious! He has yet to give me another one though.

In order to prepare I have been trying to get my exercises done and our Doula said I should take a bath 3 times a week with music and try to focus on each muscle and relaxing it. The baby loves music and does not stop moving when it plays, so I'm not sure if we will be able to play music while I'm in labor, but the dark really helps relax.

Notes from our instructor:

"Final preparations! This is an exciting time but also a time often filled with many tests and sometimes results we may not be prepared for. Learning what these tests tell you and your options depending on the results is best to do now rather than later.

The GBS (also called Group B Strep or Beta Strep) test is a swab that tests for bacteria that is commonly present in the body. Treatment approaches vary and may range from IV antibiotics in labor to doing nothing at all and everything in between.

Sarah Buckley’s book Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering has lots of good information, including some pertinent information regarding GBS and ultrasound. She is a doctor but very natural oriented and also points out how differently GBS is treated in different countries.

This article has some information about ultrasound and some of the benefits of keeping it to a minimum, including possible emotional benefits of avoiding it. (i.e. avoiding big baby scares, induction dates based on that, etc.) 

Vaginal exams in pregnancy are often NOT done in other countries. This post shares two stories of women and their emotional experience with the pregnancy vaginal exam.

Induction and induction agents are very common today in many hospitals, not just for women NOT in labor, but also for women who are already in labor to speed the process. This article by a midwife discusses the common happenings in a typical induction. You should know what will likely happen if you choose to go the induction route.

Discussed here are some of the risks and benefits of inducing labor. Keep in mind that there are always risks and benefits to every choice. Make choices that you feel most comfortable with and that you will feel best about in the future.

What is Pitocin? It is commonly used in labor and delivery both to begin or speed labor.

Here you can find the package insert for Cytotec, another common induction agent. (Note that it is approved for uses that DO NOT include induction).

ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) points out that a pregnancy isn’t considered overdue until after 42 weeks.

“What is post-term pregnancy? A post-term pregnancy is one that lasts 42 weeks or longer. Women who are having a baby for the first time or who have had post-term pregnancies before may give birth later than expected. 

However, the most common cause of postterm pregnancy is an error in calculating the due date. When a post-term pregnancy truly exists, the cause usually is unknown.”  Source found here.

Relaxation Exercise: Progressive Relaxation

Dads, you have learned a few massage techniques from Birth Boot Camp Massage Therapist Hannah Reasoner this week. Try using them as you read through this exercise. As you mention the various parts of the body, gently massage the tension away in those areas.

Here is the link to that article I mentioned that explains how the baby is the one who initiates labor:

http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/news-releases/year-2004/fetal-lungs-provide-a-signal-initiating-labor-ut-southwestern-researchers-find.html

This is the link to the article with more information about the Biophysical Profile and Non-stress test:

http://www.webmd.com/baby/biophysical-profile-bpp 

And finally, here is a long, detailed article about GBS:

http://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/"

*Disclaimer: This post in no way replaces the Birth Boot Camp class. All things in this post either came from the Birth Boot Camp website, are my insights or my instructors insights from class which have been appropriately cited. I am writing this post in order to help with future pregnancies, labors and deliveries. 

30 Weeks Pregnant and Midwife Appointment!

I was 30 weeks pregnant on May 18th.

According to thebump.com, the Traffic Cone is the size/length of a cucumber.

The Baby

Her skin is getting smoother and her brain is getting wrinklier to make way for brain tissue. 

She is now strong enough to grasp a finger!

She is around 16 in long and 3 lbs. I think she is probably longer than this though. 

She moves a lot, and really loves music although Bobby's music is her favorite. 

The Mama

I have had a little bit of heartburn, but nothing major. My feet have been swollen for about two weeks now, but no pain which is good. It is getting hard to roll over in bed, I can't imagine how much harder it will be in a few weeks. 

When I do my exercises or just walk down the long hall at school, I lose my breath very easily. I am not sleeping well at all, the early morning hours are the worst. It makes for exhausting days. 

Midwife Appointment

I had my midwife appointment on May 19th. 

Some of the things we talked about:

When can I get the Tdap vaccine?
Between 28 and 36 weeks, so Bobby and I are going to go when school gets out. 

Anemia/Glucose test results?
I am not anemic and my glucose test came back at an 88, and anything below 130 is good.

My blood pressure has been high my past two appointments, so I have to start monitoring it at home. I'm pretty convinced that it is because of school and just being exhausted all the time, so I'm hoping once school is out in a couple of weeks it will go down. I am hoping it doesn't lead to preclampsia because that would lead to induction and a birth experience we just do not want. There was also trace protein in my urine and my feet/fingers are swollen which are all symptoms of preclampsia. Prayers please in that department.

I have been monitoring my blood pressure at home and it has been fine, way lower than what it was at the birth center and in the normal range. My appointments are always within 30 minutes of school being out so I really think that has something to do with it.

I forgot to take a picture this week, but I don't think she has grown all that much compared to last week. 

29 Weeks Pregnant!

I was 29 weeks pregnant on May 11th.

According to thebump.com, the Traffic Cone is the size of an Acorn Squash.

The Baby

She is around 16 in long and weighs around 3 lbs

She is growing really fast and could be getting cramped at this point. 

She is growing fat deposits under her skin, which is giving her a lot of energy.

I am pretty sure she has moved up, because movement is higher and not as strong now. I also, don't have to go to the bathroom as much, even though my water intake is the same. 

The Mama

I had my chiropractor appointment this week. It was a different doctor's office this time since I was in town when I went. I always feel so much better after these appointments and I sleep so much better as well. But in this case, my left hip now hurts. I have decided not to go back to this one and I have an appointment with a doctor who is certified in treating pregnant women on the 18th.

Last weekend I cleaned the whole house and I have been able to keep it that way the past week so I'm really hoping this is nesting. I would love for the house to stay as clean as it is. Last night I reminded Bobby to throw away some trash before he went to bed, which I have no idea why I reminded him of this, since he always throws it away, but it convinced him that I have hit the nesting stage, which I'm sure he is super happy about.

My energy level have been all over the place this week. Used to I would be in bed by 8:30 and have all of my energy in the morning. Early this week, I had most of my energy at night and haven't been going to bed until 10ish, but my mornings are dragging. The second half of the week it was the other way around.

Monday night Bobby and I were lying on the couch watching Criminal Minds and she kicked me so hard on my left side that I actually said "ow!" It was still sore several minutes later. That was the most active that she has been in a while. She continued to move on that side and Bobby put his cheek on that side and she pushed on his face for a while. It was a very cool feeling. She has been pretty quiet since then, just small movements, except for in the evening she has a lot of strong movements.

My stomach is sore around my belly button, it feels like it is bruised except it isn't. I wonder if it is because she will pushes on that spot a lot?

We got our new couches finally and I love them. One is a reclining sofa and I had an awesome 4 hour nap on it on Saturday! I also had my first baby shower on Saturday and it was so awesome to see all the people from our old church!

Birth Boot Camp: Class 3, Part 2

Part 2, of class 3 is all about who is in charge of your birth.

Chain of Command: noun – a series of ranks in which each has direct authority over the one immediately below. With so much birth lingo, it’s easy to get confused! Learn the difference between a doula and different types of midwives. How much influence does your insurance have in your birth? The people you choose to have present will affect your birth. The Chain of Command begins with you.

Of course the person who should be in charge of your birth is you and your partner, but a lot of times that isn't the case. It also depends on where you birth, going back to part 1, of class 3.

Hospital

If you birth in the hospital you are more likely to not be in charge of your birth. A lot of hospitals are not natural birth friendly which means they will require you to have an IV, have constant fetal and mother monitoring and make you stay in a bed. It is a lot harder to have a baby if you have to stay in bed, which can lead you to more likely get an epidural which give you a hire chance of have a cesarean. While this isn't the case for all deliveries, it is the case for a lot. 

Birth Center/Home Birth

In these two places you are much more in charge. You can be in charge in a hospital, but if your hospital and care provider aren't natural birth friendly you will most likely be fighting for what you want the whole time. If you are at one of these two locations you have a midwife who is all for natural birth and will do everything in their power to give you the birth you want, within the limits of safety. 

Who Should Be Present At Your Birth

A lot of people don't really think about this in depth like they probably should. Of course you will have your care provider and nurses, depending on where you birth, a Doula and Birth Photographer if you choose to hire them, but what about family members?

What about mom, mother-in-law, grandmothers and sisters? A lot of people will let all these people into their birth, which can actually make their labor longer and more stressful. If you see someone in pain, especially someone you really love, don't you want to do everything in your power to make them feel better? Wouldn't you get anxious when you realize you can't make them feel better? This is what tends to happen when you have the women listed above in your delivery. There have been studies that have shown the anxiety that these women have can actually effect your labor because you start to worry about them instead of birthing your baby. Of course some people have no problem with their family members being in there, but it is something you should really think about and talk to your partner about before you decide. 

Our decision was set from the beginning, Bobby and I were both on same page, thankfully. The only people allowed in our birth are our midwives, doula and us. We aren't even letting our family come to the birth center to see the baby. They have to wait until we get home, which will be around six hours after delivery. 

Post Delivery Family Visits

Most of the time you deliver the baby and an hour later you have your closest family and friends there to meet her. They pass her around and take a lot of pictures. This probably is not the healthiest thing for a new family if you want to start off on the right foot. Studies have shown that the first several hours after birth are the most important for bonding and establishing good breastfeeding. So, if you have those goals you might want to wait a few hours before introducing the baby to family. Because these are my goals, after she is born it will just be us at the birth center. We will do as much skin to skin as possible and really establish breastfeeding. That way she bonds with Bobby and I before others meet her. Assuming everything goes well, we will be able to go home around six hours after birth and family and friends can come to the house to meet her. 

A Doula

I mentioned a doula several times above, for those not familiar with doula they are someone you hire to support mom and dad and be their advocates during the birth process. They are especially important to have if you want a natural birth. While they are most important if you are having your baby in a hospital, they are very beneficial no matter where you decide to birth. They will help you navigate labor and help you get through the pain. They present you with all your options if there are complications and they are also available after birth to help with baby and postpartum care. 

We are so thankful we found our doula, Lindsay. Our personalities really clicked and I know she will help make our birth experience great!

Notes from our Instructor

"Having your body prepared for birth is incredibly helpful in getting the birth you want. Many midwives recommend chiropractic care and notice the difference it makes in speed of labor and positioning of the baby. You will find chiropractors certified to work with pregnant women here at the ICPA website. If there is not a chiropractor listed near you, a doctor that is familiar with or trained in the Webster Technique can be wonderful. Webster is a noninvasive technique that simply involves adjusting the pelvis and then doing muscle work on some of the ligaments that are near the uterus.

A doula can also be a fantastic tool. Many organizations offer certification, and your instructor may even be a working doula.

Prenatal Massage Therapy has become a highly sought after form of relief for common pregnancy related aches and pains.

Remember, in the end, you and only you are in charge of your birth!

Relaxation Exercise: The Waterfall

Both partners will participate in the Waterfall exercise. The side-lying position, or sleeping position, is still preferred as you are learning to deeply relax. Dads, listen for the slow pace of the exercise, allowing time to conjure up the image of the warm, relaxing waterfall. Remember to trade off during the week so you can hear how she wants you to read it."

If I wasn't such a researcher I know I would have been surprised by learning the above at our class. I could tell a lot of the other couples had never thought about these things. Just one of the many reasons an in-depth birth class is the way to go, especially for first time parents. 

*Disclaimer: This post in no way replaces the Birth Boot Camp class. All things in this post either came from the Birth Boot Camp website, are my insights or my instructors insights from class which have been appropriately cited. I am writing this post in order to help with future pregnancies, labors and deliveries. 

Birth Boot Camp: Class 3, Part 1

Birth Boot Camp Class 3 is divided up into two parts so I am also going to divide it up into two posts.

Part one is about choosing where to have the baby.

Setting Up Camp: verb – establishing your post. What should a couple look for when choosing a birth place? Whether you are planning to birth at home, at a birth center, or at a hospital, this class will empower you to know what questions to ask your care provider. Hear first hand some of the differences in various birth places. 

There are three options, hospital, birth center or at home. There are pros and cons to each and we actually made a list of the pros and cons. I'm not sure if I remembered all of them, but I tried my best.

I know there a lot of other pros and cons, but this what I can remember that we came up with. We chose a Birth Center at about 16 weeks along and we have really loved our midwives and the center.

Notes from our instructor:
"As you learned in class, where you choose to birth will impact how everything plays out.

If you choose to birth in the hospital, here is an article with some tips on how to do so successfully. Remember that choosing to birth in a hospital does not mean you can’t choose midwifery care. Many CNMs (certified nurse midwives) work in hospitals and may offer a more natural approach to your birthing care.

This link on finding a midwife has information on the legality of midwives in each state.

This article has information on the different types of midwives and how they vary.

Knowing the C-section rate of your hospital is excellent information. We would highly recommend not only checking on the rate of your hospital but also of your care provider. Be sure to ask them direct (but kind) questions relating to information you need for your birth. The Unnecessarean has a comprehensive list here of C-section rates by hospital throughout the country.

New Evidence confirms birth centers provide top-notch care!

This website has lists of birth centers by state, which are a great option also. Birth centers tend to be close to hospitals in case of transfer and sometimes work better for insurance reimbursement. Though often similar in safety to home birthing, a birth center may feel like a safe option for many couples."

*Disclaimer: This post in no way replaces the Birth Boot Camp class. All things in this post either came from the Birth Boot Camp website, are my insights or my instructors insights from class which have been appropriately cited. I am writing this post in order to help with future pregnancies, labors and deliveries. 

Birth Boot Camp: Class 2

We had our 2nd Birth Boot Camp class on May 7th. It was all about physical training and nutrition. 

P.T. & Chow: noun – physical training and food. Preparing your body – both inside and out — for the challenge of labor is exciting. Learn from a personal trainer how to properly tone the muscles you’ll need to birth your baby. Proper nutrition will help ensure a healthy baby and pregnancy. Following the nutritional program Birth Boot Camp teaches will give you a solid foundation in remaining healthy, strong, and low-risk. Finally, part of your Physical Training is the preparation of the mind, body, and spirit through relaxation practice in each class. Partners will learn helpful hints about the process of practicing relaxation at home. Taking P.T. & Chow seriously will pay off in the natural birth of your baby.

The first half of the class focused on nutrition. In summary you should aim to eat as much clean, unprocessed food as possible, with 80 grams of protein a day. This is easier said than done. It requires a lot of cooking because you can only prepare it in advance for a couple days before it starts tasting old. In the summer this will totally be possible for me, and is a possibility on the weekends, but during the work week it is a struggle. I have to track what I eat for 3 days this week with either the chart they provide in the workbook or using an app like My Fitness Pal, which I have used before. They also want to you to eat the rainbow as they call it, meaning lots of fruits and vegetables of all different colors. We even had to color a balanced meal for the day. This is what Bobby and I came up with, while its not labeled you can see all the different colors. 

The second half of the class we talked about physical training and even did some exercises to help with labor and delivery. They are all very simple and we are supposed to do them daily. We also did a relaxation exercise, but I didn't find it all the relaxing. The relaxing exercises I did in my high school theatre classes were better in my opinion. 

Here are some examples of the exercises we did, it explains how to do them and has pictures. I have done them every night, except 1, so far and I can already tell a difference in my muscle strength. 

Notes from our instructor:

"Labor and birth are endurance sports! This is not a sprint; it is a marathon. Preparing your body physically is often just as important as preparing your head and your emotions and your partner. Our modern and sometimes sedentary lifestyle means that many women have out of shape birthing muscles. This link has some tips and exercises that are safe for the pregnant woman. Remember to consult with your health care provider before beginning.

Many women are wondering, should I Kegel?  This article discusses the function of the pelvic floor, how to properly incorporate Kegels into your lifestyle and alternatives, if Kegels are inappropriate for you.

This post also has tips on healthy pregnancy snacks. Eating healthy snacks is key, and it is often where people make less healthy choices.  Rather than reaching for celery and peanut butter, they grab a bag of chips. Changing those habits is imperative to maximizing nutrients and healthy proteins.

Here is another link with healthy snacks.

This one has an entire day mapped out with non-meat protein for those who are vegetarian or just having a difficult time with meats.

This link from “Midwifery Today” has numerous articles on the importance of healthy eating during pregnancy.

Prepare now so that you can end your pregnancy healthy.

Relaxation Exercise: Tense/Release

Both partners will be practicing this exercise. You will each need two pillows — one for your head and the other for between your knees. If you have been receiving chiropractic adjustments, putting the pillow between your knees (not throwing your top leg over the pillow) will help “hold” the adjustment longer. Regardless, you will likely find this position to be quite comfortable. Choose a position that closely resembles your sleeping position, at least when you are starting to learn how to achieve deep relaxation.

The more you practice this Tense/Release exercise, the easier it will become. Quietly use this exercise at the beginning of each relaxation practice, quickly relaxing the muscle groups where you hold the most tension. This is the most basic of the relaxation exercises. Dads, practice and become comfortable with taking her through the exercise. Enjoy this special time together."

*Disclaimer: This post in no way replaces the Birth Boot Camp class. All things in this post either came from the Birth Boot Camp website, are my insights or my instructors insights from class which have been appropriately cited. I am writing this post in order to help with future pregnancies, labors and deliveries. 

28 Weeks Pregnant and Midwife Appointment

  

I was 28 weeks pregnant on May 4th.

According to thebump.com, the Traffic Cone is the size of an eggplant.

The Baby

She is starting to develop more fat, so her skin is getting smoother.

Her lungs are mature enough that she would probably survive if she was born, but would probably need the help of a machine. 

She weighs around 2 lbs and is around 14 in long. She is actually probably longer because of her legs. 

The Mama

Well, I still have a numbing sensation in my left hand and right thigh. My back aches and back pain are back, and I cannot wait for my chiropractor appointment on Monday. 

I'm having some trouble staying asleep and breathing is hard sometimes. I woke up Monday morning and felt like I had done a really intense inner thigh/groin workout the day before. I was so sore. Here it is Wednesday and I still have some soreness, although I didn't do anything that would cause that on Sunday.

Other than the list above I have felt pretty good. I have some slight heartburn every now and then, but apples seem to get rid of it pretty quickly.

I am still really tired by Fridays, but we only have 4 weeks of school left, so I'm counting down. This week will be the last Mother's Day that I won't celebrate as a mom.

I am having really weird dreams but I can never remember them. Bobby and I have been on Criminal Minds Netflix kick and one night I guess some of the episodes really got to me because I was already in bed and asleep when Bobby walked in to go to the bathroom and I literally jumped out of the bed. I think it was a combo of what I was dreaming/the show/a noise he made on his way in the room. I have been ok since then though.

I have been the worst housewife over the past few weeks. I am having a lot of trouble keeping up with the housework, even though I try to do a little bit each day, it doesn't take much for it to get away from me. Finally, on Sunday I had enough energy to clean and our house looks amazing! Now, I just need to keep it that way.

I started doing the exercises we learned at Birth Boot Camp: Class 2 this week. I'm am a little bit sore from them, but I was able to do them two out of the three days since we learned them. The squats are the hardest because of the balance issue. Having a basketball out in front of you makes it hard sometimes, so Bobby has to do them with me or I will fall over. 

We found a Doula! We love her, and have so much in common. She was born in a town about 20 minutes from where we grew up and is involved in her church worship band like Bobby and I were and is a strong Christian. We are excited to work with her!

The Midwife Appointment

This is the appointment where they tested for Gestational Diabetes. I had to drink the glucose drink, which was orange and tasted like Sunkist. It was a lot of sugar though so I felt sick for several hours afterward. They also tested for anemia, and we should get both of the results back in a couple days. 

I finally met the last midwife in the practice and she was great! My blood pressure was a little higher than normal, but still in a normal range. She had a hard time find the a baby's heartbeat because she was moving so much. She would find it and then immediately the baby would move and she would lose it, but she finally got it and it was in the 140s which is great. The baby has moved up, which explains why I have felt less movement lately. I really only feel it now if I have eaten recently, or when I am in bed. 

Everything is looking good and we are now on the every two week appointment schedule. 

I am really looking forward to next week, I have another Chiropractor appointment, we are finally getting our new couches that we ordered about a month ago and my first baby shower is Saturday! I am really looking forward to spending time with people over the age of 14!

27 Weeks Pregnant

I was 27 weeks pregnant on April 17th. We are officially in the 3rd trimester and exactly 3 months from our due date.

According to thebump.com, the traffic cone is the size of a rutabaga.

The Baby

She is practicing breathing, and her lungs are developing fast. 

Her brain is showing activity and will keep getting more advanced. 

She is around 14 in in length and around 2 lbs, but is growing every day.

The Mama

My feet are officially swollen and I'm pretty much down to flip flops, good thing it is about to be summer. I am trying to stay really hydrated to keep from being in pain like I was last week, but I am finding it hard when I am at work. When I sit down, I notice that my left pinking and ring finger go numb, and it doesn't seem to matter how I sit. 

Apparently a symptom of the 3rd trimester is "snissing," which is when you pee while you sneeze. I haven't experienced this yet, and I hope this is a symptom I avoid. She does love to kick and bounce on my bladder, her personal trampoline, so I do find myself being fine one second and then running for the bathroom the next. 

I saw the chiropractor on the 27th, which helped a lot, but she said I would be sore. Here it is two days later and I am definitely sore. Apparently, I was all out of whack, from the neck down.  She said it probably has to do with the fact that I fell and hurt my tailbone about a year ago. She said to go every two weeks so I can stay aligned, otherwise the delivery could be way more difficult than needed. Needless to say, I will be going every two weeks from here on out. My back started hurting again about 5 or 6 days after my appointment, so I'm assuming things are moving back to where they were before. 

I finally started to go through all the baby stuff we were given from family members from my niece, and, boy will our little girl be set on clothes. It is a lot to go through though, so I have only gotten through about half of it. Luckily they were/will both (be) born in the summer, or the sizes and seasons would be all wrong. Although, with our baby's legs, long like her daddy's, I'm not sure a lot of the pants will fit for long, if at all. 

I am so glad we are in the final 3 months, I love feeling her kick, but I am really ready for her just to be here. Bobby finally felt her a few days ago and announced that she is now officially real, since he was able to feel her.  He still listens to her swim around as well.  

We start our 10 week birthing class on the 30th, but those will be posts all on their own. 

The countdown has begun. 

Birth Boot Camp: Class #1

On April 30th we had our first class of our ten class Birth Boot Camp. 

According to the Birth Boot Camp website class one  is all about defining the mission of natural childbirth. 

"Birth Boot Camp is about natural, unmedicated birth. You’ll learn why natural birth is best for baby, best for mom, and even best for dad. You’ll discover how the history of childbirth in America has set us on this course of medicated and surgical birth. Take part in an in-depth discussion on how drugs interfere with the natural process. You will walk away from the first class with a clear vision of your mission and its importance."

We didn't do a whole lot on the first class. We talked about the different drugs used and the benefits and the drawbacks, along with the history of birth. Bobby was wondering when doctors became so obsessed with epidurals, because man there are a lot of drawbacks and side effects when using one. While sometimes they are necessary, for the most part the drawbacks overwhelm the benefits. I tried to do some research to find the answer, but I didn't have much luck. 

Here are some notes from our first class from our instructor:

"One thing we talk about in class one is the “Cascade of Interventions.” This brief article describes in depth some of the common interventions and how they can lead to unnecessary cesarean section when used without need.

Natural birth has also been shown to have a clear and measurable impact on breastfeeding success.  For those women planning on breastfeeding, preparing for a natural birth is an excellent way to increase their chances of success.

The next nine weeks will help prepare you for a natural birth. This article discusses some of the things you will learn and help you achieve your goal.

Demerol, Stadol, Nubain, and Fentanyl are all drugs commonly used for pain relief in labor.  They all have potential negative side effects.  Reading package inserts is a great way to familiarize yourself with common side effects of drugs used in labor before the birth."

*Disclaimer: This post in no way replaces the Birth Boot Camp class. All things in this post either came from the Birth Boot Camp website, are my insights or my instructors insights from class which have been appropriately cited. I am writing this post in order to help with future pregnancies, labors and deliveries.