Birthing News
FREE INTRODUCTORY EVENING ON HYPNOBIRTHING®
6/19/2010 12:00:00 AM
Imagine birthing your baby with grace and ease, in a calm and peaceful environment
Imagine birthing without fear and anxiety
Imagine being in total control of your birthing experience
Want to know more? Then come and hear from an experienced HypnoBirthing® Practitioner
Susan Ross is also a midwife, doula, trainer, educator, author, mother and owner of Birth Right
When: Monday 28th June, 2010
Time: 6.30 – 7.30p.m.
Bookings essential as limited spaces available
To reserve your seat please
Ph: 0419 606 171e: susan@birthright.com.au
Doula training
6/4/2010 12:00:00 AM
The 8 new trainee doula’s arrived early on their first day of training, with a mixture of excitement and nerves. What an interesting group of women from all ages and backgrounds. Our introductions were long with everyone interested in exploring each one’s different life and professional experiences. This training seems to attract women with such varied skills. Bringing all this into their doula work is what makes a wonderful doula.
It was very clear from the beginning that this group had the necessary core beliefs and philosophy that makes a great doula. Passion, generosity and warmth quickly filled the room. They were enthusiastic to learn and understand about birthing, the system and how they could best support a woman and her partner through this amazing journey.
Over the next 9 days the trainees explored all aspects of pregnancy, labour, birthing and new babies. They were presented with many challenges. There was laughter, crying, debating, researching, observing, learning, listening and most of all a growing appreciation of what a difference a doula can make.
The trainees had the opportunity to meet and learn from experts in their field. What was the pregnancy chiropractor going to do with that jar of jellybeans? Why was the pregnancy acupuncturist using a marker pen to draw on our bodies? Why should a pregnant woman see a naturopath? Understanding kinesiology and its benefits during pregnancy, was a challenge at first, but after a fun presentation it all became clear. Looking at some mental health issues, through the eyes of a very experienced psychologist gave an amazing insight into some of the challenges that a lot of women face.
Some comments from the trainees: The role plays were a great learning tool, and lots of fun. Listening to all the birthing stories from experienced Midwives and doula’s was engrossing. Then to have the opportunity to meet a couple with their brand new baby, hear their powerful story about how their doula encouraged, supported, negotiated with hospital staff, so that they could have their beautiful birth, was a highlight of the training.
A group comment: “We have learned so much during this training and leave feeling empowered to trust in birth and birthing women and can’t wait to become a Birth Right doula with all the ongoing support and education from Birth Right.”
A Doula Story
5/25/2010 12:00:00 AM
It was their 2nd baby. Simon phoned me about 7am. Sarah’s waters released about 4am and she had been experiencing regular contractions and managing well. Now they were very regular and intense and could I please come. What would normally be a 15-20 min trip for me took almost an hour – peak hour traffic and negotiating that bridge at 8am on a weekday morning. Finally arrived to find Sarah upstairs leaning over a fit ball having some intense contractions. There was some chatter between contractions for the first half hour and then all that stopped as she went deep within to her birthing body.
About 10am Sarah decided she needed to get to hospital. Just the walk downstairs changed her labour dramatically. As Simon was busy putting bags in the car, I found Sarah on all-fours on her bed. “I can’t make it to the hospital, the baby is coming”. Sarah had a big ‘show’, on her crisp, white doona cover, which was dripping down onto the beautiful pale cream carpet. Next thing I knew, Simon was in there with a bowl of water and cleaning products. Noticing the shocked and questioning look on my face, he whispered that he’d be in a lot of trouble if he did not clean it up immediately. Meanwhile Sarah appeared to be doing some involuntary pushing. I could not see baby’s head when she was bearing down, which is a good sign, and given that the hospital was only 10 mins away I reassured her she had time to get there and could stay in the all-fours position on the back seat. This took some convincing! Simon announced they wouldn’t be able to go in either of their cars due to toddler seats and capsules in both cars. “We’ll take Susan’s car,” says Simon! Strange time, I know, to have this thought, but my car had never been so dirty – a short embarrassing moment, but not the time to be apologising for dirty windscreens! Simon drove, I got in the back seat, Sarah was on all-fours with her head in my lap and her bum hard up against the window. Simon, who is a very laid-back guy, turned and whispered, “you’ve got no petrol”. This is true. The light had been flashing for 4 or 5 days now. It is one of those tedious tasks that I just keep putting off. I reassuringly whispered back that we had plenty of petrol to get to the hospital?
Sarah was very vocal as she was bearing down. By now it was about 10.30am, lots of traffic. ‘Laid-back Simon’ casually leaned over when we were stopped at a red light and started taking photos on his mobile phone – flashing me a big smile and a wink in the rear vision mirror, we both got the giggles. Sarah said after the birth that she was aware we were giggling but could not imagine why? Here we were, in the middle of a busy little shopping strip, Sarah’s bum pressed up against the window, Simon casually taking photos, Sarah roaring like a lioness, and clearly marked on each side and rear of my car is our advertising details - website, phone details. I was vaguely aware of the shocked looks from passers by, while pondering this very comical scenario!
Arriving at the hospital was another challenge. Convincing Sarah she had time to get out of the car, up in the lift and into Delivery Suite, with any number of staff arriving to ‘help’! She didn’t need all this attention. She just needed to quietly and calmly get up to the Delivery Suite. Simon and I were very good at fending them off. Finally in the lift, but it was not an empty lift. There were 3 other patients, including a very elderly lady in a wheelchair, facing away from the doors – 2 convenient handles for Sarah to grab. As the elderly lady could not see behind her, she also was very shocked as her wheelchair began to vibrate, with the power of Sarah’s pushing, along with the accompanying noises. No-one in the lift moved or spoke. Finally into Delivery Suite, onto a mat, leaning over a chair she birthed her baby beautifully. The relief of being able to now release and let go was wonderful for Sarah.
What a privilege to provide support for this amazing birthing woman. The scenario was similar for their first birth, also arriving at the hospital fully dilated but in the middle of the night! Sarah also had faced the same opposition from the Obstetrician with suggestions of induction and caesarean as she was a few days over 40wks! She was strong, powerful, focused and determined to birth her baby in her own time and in her own way. She did that beautifully.
Chiropractic in Pregnancy
12/8/2009 12:00:00 AM
As a midwife working in hospitals some years ago I had a distinct sense that the medicalisation of birth had become so evident over the last few decades has been a huge factor in the long term health of our children. As much as I loved working with pregnant and birthing women and their babies, I progressively found it more difficult to work within the medical paradigm, as it was not aligned with my philosophy around health, pregnancy and birth.
That philosophy being, we have an amazing ability to function perfectly as long as there is no interference in the form of chemical , emotional or physical stress on our bodies. Of course there is a place for medicine in birth. I have experienced that first hand and was very relieved that medical care was available to me. However, I believe, it should be reserved for true emergencies.
The fact that pregnancy is a normal physiological process I don’t think can be disputed. The question I asked myself 15 years ago was why has the intervention rate during pregnancy and birth increased at an alarming rate? Without an improvement in health outcomes for mother and baby (according to the statistics).
Having spent some time working as a chiropractic assistant while also working as a midwife, I was able to see for myself the amazing changes that occurred in people’s bodies, both emotionally and physically. As a midwife I was particularly interested in the chiropractic care of pregnant women and children. I watched babies and children come in for chiropractic care, some with symptoms, others simply to have their spine checked. They gradually and at times, suddenly improved in either presenting symptoms or in their general health. My observation was that many of the pregnant women under care had easier pregnancies and births with less intervention and certainly more satisfaction.
So my journey to become a chiropractor began. I had two young daughters at the time, so decided to undertake part time study whilst still working as a midwife, primarily in education and postnatal care. Chiropractic fulltime is a 5 year Masters degree.
Although I now work as a chiropractor, my midwifery skills have enabled me to better serve the clients that I have a special interest in. It has been inspiring to witness the growth of so many pregnant women knowing that, regardless of their birth outcome they are in better balance than they would have otherwise been. There has also been great joy in checking their newborns for subluxations knowing they will experience a healthier life.
How can chiropractic help in Pregnancy?
Chiropractors assess the body for ‘Subluxations’. You may find varying definitions of this term which can make it confusing. I like to describe the subluxation as an interruption to the normal flow of information from the brain and spinal cord to all your body cells. The brain and spinal cord are the master controllers and nothing happens in your body without information from them.
Ideally we like to see women before they are pregnant, so there is better information going to the areas that affect fertilization, implantation and growth of the baby. Chiropractic works with enhancing the nervous system function providing greater health potential for mother and baby.
The wonderful pregnancy hormones that are all necessary in a perfect balance for the progress of the pregnancy and the birth, create changes in the mothers spine as her body adapts to compensate for the growing baby. This can, at times affect the spinal balance, particularly in the area of the pelvis. Research shows 70% of women experience back pain during pregnancy. It is likely that spinal imbalance is present before pregnancy, due to a lifetime of traumas and stress on the spine and this is exacerbated during pregnancy.
Apart from the discomfort that may or may not be felt when there is a spinal imbalance, the alignment of the pelvis is essential for the baby to move down the birth canal in the most unimpeded way possible, and to be comfortable in utero.
The woman’s pelvis supports the growing uterus with specific ligaments. When the pelvic bones and sacrum are balanced the uterus is able to enlarge symmetrically with the growing baby. If the spine or pelvis is misaligned or subluxated, this will directly affect the way the uterus is supported. Unequal ligament support of the uterus will torque the uterus reducing the maximum amount of room for the developing baby. This may limit the babies movement in utero and prevent the baby getting in the best possible position for birth. Thus women who are adjusted by a chiropractor have a better chance of a more comfortable birth with less intervention and a baby in a more conducive position for a vaginal delivery. ( www.icpa4kids.org/research) for references.
The Webster technique was developed by a chiropractor Larry Webster founder of the International Chiropractic Paediatric Association. It is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment for pregnant women. Working to correct sacral subluxations, this allows the baby to position itself in an optimal way. Julie and Mark Uren at Lane Cove Chiropractic are both accredited in Webster technique.
How can chiropractic help with babies and children
New research from the International Chiropractic Paediatric Association’s (ICPA) study ‘The safety and Effectiveness of Paediatric Chiropractic’ was published in Explore: The journal of science and healing, Sept 2009. The objective of this study was to describe the practice of paediatric chiropractic, including its safety and effectiveness.
The results of the study determined that the indicated primary reason for chiropractic care of children was “wellness care.” The most common reason for parents seeking symptom relief care for their child were ear, nose, throat, respiratory and digestive disorders. Both chiropractors and parents reported a high rate of improvement with respect to the children’s presenting complaints. In addition to these improvements, respondents reported better sleeping patterns, improvements in behaviour and, improved immune system function while under chiropractic care. For the full paper go to www.icpa4kids.org
The information from the nervous system needs to be clear for the child to develop in a way that gives them the greatest potential. Many parents seek chiropractic care for their children simply to keep them functioning at their best. Although chiropractic does not claim to ‘treat’ or ‘fix’ conditions it is apparent that when the information co-ordinating all body function (nervous system) is functioning well symptoms frequently resolve and better health results.
Following birth, we offer to check the newborn for subluxations as soon as possible. Regardless of the birth outcome the baby has the potential to become subluxated prior or during the birth process, the more intervention used the greater potential for stress on the baby’s spine and nervous system.
By assessing the newborn and removing nerve interference early the chances of feeding issues, unsettled behaviour and gut irritations, risk of colds and flu’s are less likely to occur.
‘Adjustment ‘is the term given for the action of removing subluxations, as there are over 100 different types of adjustments there are differences in how this is done. When adjusting a baby or child the input is a very low force often barely discernable. The adjustments are safe and effective and there are techniques specifically designed for babies and children.
We currently live in a society where understanding what the cause of disease is and curing disease is the focus with many dollars put into research around this. As opposed to trying to understand what causes good health in humans. Michel Odent author of ‘primal health’ discusses the need to look at the period around pregnancy , birth and the first year of life as a determinant for future health. In light of this information chiropractic is an obvious choice for assisting the body to be all that it can be. In pregnancy, birth and life.
Julie Uren, Chiropractor and midwife cares for families with her husband Mark and their dedicated team in their office in Lane Cove Sydney. For further information please refer to our website.
Streptococcus B in Pregnancy
10/12/2009 12:00:00 AM
Our feature writer this month is: Jane Ainsworth, Natural Therapist
Strep. B is a bacteria which can be found in many parts of the body. If the bacteria travel to a woman’s bladder, kidney or uterus, an infection can occur which causes inflammation and painful symptoms. However, a woman can have this bacteria in her vagina and rectum and show no symptoms of infection.
This should not be presented as a ‘routine’ test, but be offered to women, who can then do some research and discuss with their Naturopath, and make an informed choice about the test. It is generally discussed around the 34-36wk. mark, but some hospitals offer the test as early as 28wks.
It is estimated that 15-40% of all pregnant women have a Strep. B. However, only 1-2% of babies will actually be infected by the bacteria. A baby infected by Strep. B may have mild to severe problems which usually affect the blood, brain, lungs and the spinal cord. There are risk factors which increase the chances of the baby being infected such as preterm labour, prolonged rupture of membranes, maternal fever or history of Strep. B kidney infections, which are all extremely rare.
If you tested positive to Strep. B, the hospital generally will encourage you to have intravenous antibiotics in labour. If you are free from the risk factors, above, you may be subjecting yourself and your baby to unnecessary antibiotics.
The good news is that there are some powerful nutrients and herbal remedies that you can safely take during pregnancy to help fight Strep. B. If you do get a positive result, start supplementing with the following, and request a re-test in 2 weeks. It is important to take the following in supplement form to obtain quick, effective results.
- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant required for your immune system to function optimally
- Zinc is amazing at stimulating the immune system while being an anti-bacterial agent
- Garlic is a potent, natural antibiotic
- Withania is a fabulous pregnancy tonic as it boosts your immune system and energy levels
- Echinacea is our number one immune boosting herb
I see many pregnant women in my clinic and they all take a ‘partus preparator’ herbal tonic from 34wks. – I call it the labour elixir!
It contains Raspberry leaf, Withania and a number of other herbs which help the uterus prepare for labour. The remedy also is wonderful for keeping up energy levels in the last few weeks of pregnancy and then helps with recovery after labour and to establish breastfeeding.
Jane Ainsworth is a Natural Therapist passionate about pre-conception and pregnancy care. Jane uses herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, and dietary advice to help you have a wonderful pregnancy.
Trinity Health & Fitness,
14 Kenilworth Street,
Croydon
p: 9716 9960
m: 0418 450 921
HypnoBirthing® Story
9/11/2009 12:00:00 AM
This is an amazing HypnoBirthing® story of a birth I was privileged to provide support for. Heidi’s first birth, in London, was very long and ended up with a lot of medical intervention, leaving her feeling very disappointed and let down by the system.
Now, back in Australia and pregnant for the second time, Heidi was determined to have the birth experience she wanted. Having shopped around, she found Birth Right and enrolled in our HypnoBirthing® course. They did this early enough in their pregnancy to allow lots of time for practising, the relaxation, visualisations and breathing. She was very committed.
At 40wks. + 11 days, she phoned me at about 5a.m. Her surges had commenced overnight but she had managed to get some sleep. When I arrived at their house at about 7.30a.m. she was in the bath, very relaxed, breathing deeply and calmly. Heidi decided it was time to go to the Birth Centre about 10a.m. On arrival she got into the bath again. Her surges were strong and regular and she remained in a calm, trance-like state. Her membranes released shortly after, and usually baby’s head comes down quickly, following the release. Many hours later Heidi still appeared to be at the same ‘stage’ in labour. I wondered if the baby was in an awkward position. I also knew that the Midwife was getting nervous about the time it was taking and that she felt we needed to ‘speed’ things up! I suggested Heidi get out of the bath, which she was happy to do. She spent some time on a bean bag, mat, used different positions, but still nothing changed. The Midwife was wanting to intervene, but her partner and I supported Heidi’s beautiful, calm space. Next suggestion was using the birthing stool. I have found in the past that this position can be very useful in helping babies who are in an unfavourable position. Finally the baby’s head was on view. Heidi did no pushing. Her partner and I made sure there was NO ‘directed’ pushing. She maintained her calm breathing, remaining very serene. Her peaceful space was not interrupted. She wanted to birth in water, so once the baby’s head was well down the birth path, we calmly got her back into the bath, where she proceeded to breathe all her love and energy down to her baby who emerged in a direct O.P. position! This is virtually unheard of in birth, as it is the widest diameter to fit through the pelvis and so it is believed in medical circles that women are unable to birth a baby in this position. It is called a ‘face to pubes’ presentation! Heidi birthed her 4.4kg. baby girl, in water, using all her well-practised HypnoBirthing® skills. She feels very proud of herself, and knows that she would never have had this amazing birth, had it not been for HypnoBirthing® and the support of her partner and a doula who made sure her space was protected and respected.
Medical Student Experience
6/17/2009 12:00:00 AM
Medical students learning about normal birth! What a novel concept! I have just had the opportunity to discuss normal birth with 2nd yr. medical students, in a small group situation. This was 2hrs. per day over 2 weeks, so we got to speak to lots of students. Each session involved also a pregnant and/or breastfeeding woman, discussing her birth, breastfeeding and parenting experiences.
What struck me about these, mainly 19yr.old students, was their obvious shock in meeting women who had had not only normal births, but enjoyable, even orgasmic births, and were very open and proud to discuss this. Normal birth had clearly never been on their agenda. Nor, did it seem, they had known anyone in their family or social circle who had ever had or discussed the beauty of birth. They were supposed to be practising taking a history from a pregnant woman and practising communication skills. In our first small group, and after some moments of stunned silence, one lonely male student ventured forth a question: How old are you? And what does your husband do for a living? While the very pregnant Mum was picking her mouth up from the floor, I gently suggested it might be worth noting that referring to a ‘partner’ may be more politically correct in the future.
The questions went on from there – referring to a pregnant woman as a ‘patient’, asking ‘what problems did you have in pregnancy’ – and then, not quite believing that none of the women had any medical problems, honing in a bit more closely and enquiring about high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormalities with the foetus etc. etc. Moving on to labour questions – ‘what pain relief did you use, how many drugs did you take, did you have a caesarean. One student asked a Mum of 4, why she didn’t have a caesarean as he had heard it was much easier and safer.
So, already, only just into their 2nd year of medicine, and very, very ‘green’ they are focused on pain and suffering. A pregnant woman is a ‘patient’ who needs ‘fixing’. I wonder where this all comes from. What is happening in training these young men and women who are going to grow up and become doctors. If there was no other message the students got from these sessions, my hope is that they learned about respecting birthing women and that birth is most definitely not a medical event and if they are ever in doubt about anything related to the pregnancy then their best resource is to ask the pregnant woman. They know, and if you learn to listen and show respect, they will tell you.
Homebirth is Safe
4/21/2009 12:00:00 AM
I hope that most can ignore the irresponsible front page headline, about homebirth, in one of the newspapers recently. If you did read it, and got to the fine print, you would have realised they were discussing ‘free births’ NOT Midwife attended homebirths.
The publication of the world’s largest study of planned, Midwife attended homebirths, has just been released. Published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (April 15th, 2009), included over half a million, low risk, planned home and hospital births in the Netherlands over seven years and compared numbers of babies dying and being harmed during the births. The Netherlands currently has the highest homebirth rate in the western world (30%) and a Caesarean Section rate that is more than half Australia’s (14% vs 31%).
Since the second half of the 20th century, the majority of births in the western world have taken place in a hospital. This move, from home to hospital, was not based on evidence.
In this study in the Netherlands, they identified all low-risk women who gave birth between 1st Jan. 2000 and 31st Dec. 2006, and who were in primary Midwife-led care at the onset of labour. These women could therefore plan to give birth at home or in hospital. In either case, they were assisted by their independent primary care Midwife. Over 300,000 women had planned homebirths. No significant differences were found in numbers of babies dying during labour, or up to 7 days after birth between a planned low risk birth at home with a Midwife, and those who planned to give birth in hospital.
It has been well known for a long time that women have lower intervention rates and much higher satisfaction rates when giving birth at home. Previous studies have been too small to look at the impact on babies. This large study confirms that homebirth is also very safe for babies.
In the Netherlands, maternity care is divided into primary care for low-risk women and secondary care for women at an increased risk of complications. Independent Midwives provide the primary care, and Obstetricians provide secondary care.
This is exactly how it should be. This is absolutely a ‘no-brainer’!! A Midwife is trained and specialises in looking after the ‘normal’ and an Obstetrician, by their very nature of training, is a Doctor who specialises in medical intervention.
Nicola Roxon, Federal Health Minister, has a responsibility to speak up about homebirth and work with health professionals to provide this safe choice for women. It is about offering choice. It is very important for women to understand and learn that homebirth should be a safe, supported choice for all low-risk women.
Birth Choices
3/3/2009 12:00:00 AM
I meet, all too often, women who are pregnant with their first baby and are not happy with their caregiver. Some women who are up to second or third baby, and are wanting, some are desperately seeking, a different birthing experience. I still find it amazing that these women are not aware of their choices, and yet, how can they be, when most find themselves at the G.P. to confirm their pregnancy and are relying on that person to direct them to the best care.
Claire and Jonathon came to me at 20/40 pregnant with their first baby. Her G.P. had told her she must go to an Obstetrician, and gave her one name, announcing it was the Obstetrician she used for her 2 births and therefore came highly recommended. Claire realised that her increasing anxiety, was not necessarily to do with her pregnancy or birthing, but how uncomfortable she felt with her Obstetrician. Whilst having a routine visit with her Obstetrician, he was complaining to her that he had been up all night, and was very tired! He told her that he had to wait around, for a long time, because the woman who was birthing, did not want to have a medical 3rd stage of labour. That is, she did not want to have a syntocinon injection, and wanted to let nature take its course, and birth her placenta naturally. He announced to Claire and Jonathon, that this woman was very stupid. Claire advised him that she, also, would like to follow this same path. He then told her it was a very stupid thing to do, and he would not have any part of it. Luckily for Claire, she had already booked herself into a Birth Centre. She did not realise that all her care could be done at the Birth Centre, by the Midwives. Following a long discussion, exploring all their options, they are now with the Midwives, and have 'sacked' the Obstetrician. Jonathon made the phone call to advise th receptionist at the Doctor's about their decision. The receptionist was loud and abusive about the decision. Claire and Jonathon feel that the decision they have made feels like the 'right' one, and Claire says she feels much more supported.
What right does a G.P. have to NOT offer women choice? What right does a G.P. have to offer only a referral to a private Obstetrician, purely based on the couple's health insurance status? What right does a G.P. have to offer a 'personal' view? Absolutely none! If a G.P. is uninformed, and most are, about all the choices available for women during pregnancy and birthing, then they have a duty of care to say so! and refer to someone who can offer choice. All women should be exploring all their choices, from homebirthing to birth centres, to delivery suites, to midwifery care etc.
On 21st Feb., 2009, Nicola Roxon released the National Maternity Review. Whilst it is fantastic that we now have a Government who is listening to women and health professionals, there were a number of concerning issues in the review. In particular, the review states:
"Information and support for women assists them in making decisions at all stages of their pregnancy, prior to becoming pregnant, during pregnancy, birthing and in the post-natal period. these decisions can have short and long-term impacts on health outcomes for mothers and babies alike. Some women have difficulty accessing evidence-based information about pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period. Furthermore, another important aspect of informed decision making is that perceptions of risk are different for each woman and for each maternity care provider. This adds complexity to the provision of information and support for women."
Well, it is very often that G.P.'s are steering women in a particular direction. This lack of choice and the resultant high medical intervention rates, clearly has an impact on the long term health budget for the country. If we want to reduce the health budget then we need to get birth right, and that means women being able to access and understand their rights and choices. It also means for us culturally, focusing on birth being a normal event.
HypnoBirthing Power
1/21/2009 12:00:00 AM
Robyn had been in pre-labour for over a week. She had a show a week ago, and in and out of labour, mainly at night, for the remainder of that week.Very frustrating. There was a number of nights when she phoned me, her doula, stating that the surges were now regular and she felt like this was it! As the dawn arrived, surges would slow, she would get some sleep and have a relatively normal day. I could sense that Derek, her partner, was getting tired as well. I gave them lots of reassurance over the phone, which was all they were wanting. There were a couple of nights that I suggested I come over but they wanted to wait and see. Exactly one week later it was decided that they go into the Birth Centre, as her membranes had released about 36hrs. prior, and there was a small amount of meconium. Some surges were evident, but not regular. Following an assessment at the Birth Centre Robyn was transferred to Delivery Suite, due to the presence of meconium. It was suggested that she should have Syntocinon to regulate contractions. This was certainly not on their birth agenda. Robyn understood that Syntocinon can lead to other medical interventions, and whilst she was disappointed, she accepted that this was the best course of action, given that she had been pre-labouring for a week, membranes had released 36hrs. ago, there was quite a lot of meconium and not many surges. This is a challenging time for women in this situation. Robyn was amazing. She continued to use her HypnoBirthing breathing, remaining incredibly calm and relaxed. The Syntocinon drip was started, which also includes continuous foetal monitoring. So having a drip in and attached to a monitor can be enough of a distraction for a woman to lose focus. Various Midwives were continuously fidgeting with the two monitor belts around her belly (which can be very irritating). Even with the so-called 'mobile' monitoring, it still seems difficult to maintain a good connection and therefore, from the medical point of view, get an accurate picture about how the baby is managing with the Syntocinon - because many babies don't like Syntocinon. Robyn was able to separate her mind from this medical distraction, and truly go into her birthing body, and focus on her HypnoBirthing breathing.
She was able to walk outside on the balcony, be on all-fours on the mat, and generally walk around. She felt comfortable being upright. Unfortunately the staff were not happy about the trace as they did not know the baby's condition. They suggested she have a foetal scalp electrode - a small device which is clipped onto the top of baby's head, via a vaginal examination. This gives a more accurate reading of the baby's heart rate. It also very often breaks the skin on baby's head. Robyn and Derek refused this intervention, after some discussion among the three of us, we all felt that baby was absolutely fine, especially Robyn. I suggested a compromise, for Robyn to lie flat on the bed, in the one position for approximately 20 mins. so they could obtain an accurate picture of baby. All agreed. Robyn decided if she was going to have to lie very still for that time, she would listen to her HypnoBirthing relaxation C.D. Derek made himself comfortable in a chair, I found a comfortable chair, and next thing we were aware of was that the C.D. had finished, 30 mins. had passed, and we were all feeling very, very, relaxed. We had all drifted off to the beautiful relaxation. The energy in the room was very calm and serene. The staff were happy that baby was O.K. and they had a 'good trace'. I went out to make a cup of tea, came back into the room and Robyn was on the toilet, gently breathing her baby down. After about 15 mins. she moved to all-fours position on the mat, and 30mins. later, very gently nudged her baby out and into the world, being very conscious to nudge slowly, to avoid tearing.
What a privilege to be present at this beautiful birth. To witness a woman who chose, in her mind, not to get caught up with the drama of medical intervention, or to contemplate what that might lead to, but remained true in her belief that she would welcome her baby into the world in a gentle, calm and relaxed way. We arrived at hospital at 10.00a.m. and her baby was born at 5.30p.m. Syntocinon can be so rugged on the birthing body and so many of these births lead to an epidural - hence the beginning of a cascade of medical intervention.
Robyn and Derek had attended our HypnoBirthing course when they were about 28wks. pregnant, and she had practised the breathing techniques and relaxation religiously from that time on. HypnoBirthing is not something that you should 'give it a go', or 'maybe it will work', or 'something to try', you need to truly believe. Robyn did this, and I feel so honoured to have supported them.
Caesarean Rates
12/10/2008 12:00:00 AM
Caesarean Section rate is on the increase in Australia – again. Now up to about 32% of all births. The main reason listed is “psychosocial reasons” - what a multitude of things this covers! Generally this is put forward because it is a ‘convenience’ for either the Doctor or the woman. This also covers ‘vanity’, but mainly FEAR!
FEAR is the underlying reason that many women choose to discuss this option in the first place.
FEAR around childbirth, is what is portrayed in the media.
FEAR is what pregnant women are exposed to from the general community – all those horror labour stories.
FEAR is the basis of many books on childbirth.
FEAR should be addressed. How?
1. Choose your caregiver wisely. Shop around for a midwifery model of care. Midwives specialize in looking after normal pregnancies, labours and births. Midwives understand normal birth and support women’s rights to have the experience they want and to birth their babies without medical intervention. You need a Doctor if you are sick.
2. Choose your place of birth wisely. Investigate all your options. Book a tour at your local hospital. Check that they have both a Delivery Suite (Labour Ward) and a Birth Centre. In a Birth Centre you have the added option of labouring and birthing in water, in a non-medicalised environment. Meet with some Independent Midwives (homebirth Midwives). Too many women dismiss this option without discovering what it means to have a baby in your own home environment and understanding the benefits for Mum, baby and Dad.
3. Find some good pre-natal classes. Hospital classes are restricted to many boundaries around birth. With an Independent Educator you will be able to explore all your choices. Look for somewhere in your area that provides a range of classes. At Birth Right we offer the Active Birth, Early Parenting, calmbirth®, and HypnoBirthing®, so that women are able to choose what’s right for them.
4. Employ a Doula! – no doubt about it, this makes an enormous difference to your birthing experience. This invaluable support during pregnancy, labour, birth and post-natally, is the key to both of you enjoying this amazing journey of welcoming your baby into the world. Don’t rely on just Dad, your best friend, sister etc. – get the professional!
For women who feel safe and well supported they will labour and birth their baby beautifully and without FEAR.
Both calmbirth® and HypnoBirthing® classes will give you an understanding of the role FEAR plays in labour and birth and teaches methods of eliminating all FEAR, through relaxation, visualization and hypnosis. This is not only a valuable skill for labour but a life skill, that is certainly useful throughout your parenting career.
Placenta – What do you do with it?
11/4/2008 12:00:00 AM
Third stage of labour has been largely ignored or dismissed as unimportant. Obstetricians prefer women to have a syntocinon injection with the birth of baby’s shoulder, basically to speed up the third stage, presumably so they can leave and not have to ‘hang about’ and wait patiently, for the placenta to separate. Most women who birth in a Delivery Suite, will find the same attitude. They are busy places, beds are at a premium, baby is born, so who has ‘time’ to wait for the placenta. If you are birthing in a Birth Centre or having a homebirth, then these Midwives are more than happy to support women, if they want to have a normal third stage of labour. Many of you who are reading this will think that a ‘normal’ third stage is to have syntocinon. This method has been around for so long that it ‘becomes’ the norm!, like many medical procedures, without anyone questioning.
More and more women are questioning this medical procedure. They want to know what their choices are. It is your baby’s placenta, it has fed your baby for 40 wks., and they are amazing to look at and discover and see the membranes and the sac where your baby lived and to see how rich with blood the placenta is.
At the very least it is important that the clamping and cutting of the cord be delayed until after it stops pulsating. When the cord is prematurely cut, it abruptly cuts off the flow of blood to the baby, depriving him of that source of oxygen and many nutrients. Allowing the baby to take his first breaths with the continued benefit of oxygen from the placenta eases the task of taking air into his lungs once he is outside the womb. It is therefore, an easier and more comfortable introduction to breathing.
Some couples like to take the placenta home, put it in the deep freeze until they decide what they would like to do. No hospital should prevent you from keeping your placenta. It is yours. In many cultures it has a special place in rituals following birth. There is a Hawaiian tradition that the placenta should be planted with a tree, which would then grow alongside the child. In Malaysia it is common practice for the hospitals to give the placenta to Malay parents for them to bury. In New Zealand, Maori have a name for belonging to a place, they call it their Turangawaiwai, which is also their name for the placenta. It is an increasingly common practice for many New Zealanders of all ethnic origins to take the placenta home and plant a tree over it.
There is a long standing belief that eating the placenta can yield benefits. One suggestion is that it can reduce the incidence of post-natal depression. Whilst there is no scientific evidence, to date, there are many women who, anecdotally say they feel fantastic after having consumed the placenta. There are many recipes available and if cooking it does not appeal to you then the following may be a good compromise.
Recipe:
- Boil in water for 40 mins.
- Cool and slice
- Place in a cool oven (approx. 80°) for 4 hrs.
- Grind, eg. in a coffee grinder
- Purchase empty capsules from health food shop and fill
Many of the women who have birthed through Birth Right™ have followed the above, and apart from feeling exceptionally well, they positively glow.
Happy eating!
A V.B.A.C. story
9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM
Alison and Craig have 3 yr. old twins born by caesarean. She is determined that this singleton pregnancy will be a normal vaginal birth. I first met them early in the pregnancy when Alison was unsure about whether to have a homebirth or book into a birth centre with a doula. After lots of research and discussion she decided to book the birth centre option. Alison had a normal healthy pregnancy, apart from being Strep. B pos. She did not want to have antibiotics during labour so spent the last few weeks of pregnancy talking to her baby and suggesting that he stay in that sac until birth, so that they could avoid the antibiotics. They had organised a friend to film the birth, and had consented to a student midwife being at the birth. The student had been at most of the ante-natal visits and appeared sympathetic to Alison's requests about what she did and did not want during labour.
Alison's labour began with contractions about 3.a.m. She phoned me about 5.30a.m. and we met at the Birth Centre about 6.30a.m. as Alison felt that her contractions were reasonably strong and very close together and she was looking forward to the big bath at the Birth Centre. After an initial settling in period, Alisons labour continued with strong contractions. She used the bath, on all-fours on the mat, and the birthing stool. The filming person set up, quietly! and did not seem too distracting. The student arrived about an hour later. Alison and I had discussed what role the student would have. She felt it was a public teaching hospital and important for students to have the opportunity to learn about V.B.A.C.'s. Something very interesting happened when the student arrived.
She came into the room and appeared very excited to be there, talking inappropriately and loudly. There is just so much research around not having too many people present at a birth, and choosing the right people. The research shows that this can have a profound impact on the progress and outcome of a labour. It can slow labour, it can stop labour and it can upset women - all impacting on the natural release of the wonderful cocktail of hormones. The student showed no respect for what was, not only written on Alison's birth plan, but had been discussed at length during her ante-natal visits. The student asked, at least 3 or 4 times would she like to reconsider having the antibiotics for Strep. B, despite the fact that the membranes were still intact. She also suggested vaginal examinations - to determine what was happening! Alison had requested no examinations unless there were signs of foetal distress or she requested them. Alison was having a break from being in the bath and was sitting on the birthstool in 2nd stage, breathing her baby's head down with each contraction - doing beautifully.
Every time the student appeared, Alison would stop pushing/breathing, and there was no sign of baby's head with the contractions. At this point I knew that Alison was becoming very annoyed and irritated with the student and she was able to ask her to give her some space. She wanted to be alone with her husband and myself. Once out of the room, Alison focused and started to breathe the baby's head down, once again. She felt reassured and comfortable to be able to do, what she needed to! The one midwife on duty was busy with a birth in the next room, so we requested the student just come in when necessary to check baby's heart rate. Alison moved to the shower, sitting on the birth stool and with each contraction one could see a beautiful sac appear, with what looked like some black hair behind. With her husband using the shower on her back, me in front providing lots of drinks and mopping of the forehead, she settled into a focused and calm pattern of breathing her baby's head down and down. The head was almost crowning when the student appeared once more and without even noticing what was happening with Alison, announced that she had now been in 2nd stage for 2 hrs. and it was hospital policy that she do a vaginal examination to see what position the baby was in! I quietly pointed out to her that Alison was about to give birth.
A few contractions later, she birthed magnificently, a 5kg. baby boy, in the caul (born in the membranous sac). What an amazing birth this was, and what a privilege to be able to provide some support for a truly incredible woman. This baby had indeed listened and stayed in the sac, and therefore avoided them both having antibiotics. Alison's thoughts about the student: she wished she had clarified exactly her role, felt her presence slowed labour and found her constant negative words interfered with her focus. My thoughts about the student: I agree with all of the above. Throughout labour the student would say 'supposed' words of encouragement, like "come on, you can do it", and "trust your body" etc. etc. Unfortunately these were not directed genuinely in response to Alison's need, but merely to the 'air' whilst walking around the room attending to 'other things'.
Alison feels very proud of her (VBAC- vaginal birth after caesarean. To birth a 5kg. baby in the sac is no mean feat and she was amazing.
Think very carefully about who you have at your birth, shop around and choose your support wisely. Tips for how to find the right person can be found in my book 'Birth Right™' available on the website.
Labour Language
8/14/2008 12:00:00 AM
If only we could get the message across to everyone involved in birthing, about the ‘power of language’. If you think women are sensitive to what you say to them during pregnancy, then they are certainly ‘super-sensitive’ during labour and birth. A good rule is:- if in doubt about how or what to say during labour then keep your mouth shut! This should apply to all: from midwife, partner, doula, family, obstetrician, anaesthetist and anyone else involved. I recently supported a woman who was attending a private obstetrician and booked into a small private hospital. She had her first baby at this particular hospital and was not happy with their care. She states a midwife told her to ‘shut-up’ during labour because she was making too much noise! The midwife also insisted on monitoring the baby with the CTG, on a regular basis. This, of course, meant that she had to be in bed, which she found very uncomfortable. She also had a number of vaginal examinations which, for her, were very painful. She did not want any of this for her second birth.
Despite this experience, she booked the same private obstetrician and same private hospital for her second birth. The difference was to have an experienced doula/midwife for this birth, mainly to protect her from all the policies, protocols and politics of the hospital, but also to protect her from the staff!
Labour began around 3.00a.m. and she arrived in hospital at about 5.30a.m. I arrived about 6.00a.m. to find her having a CTG. Debbie had requested to get off the bed, as it was too uncomfortable and was sitting on a fit ball. She was still uncomfortable. Given that baby was fine and this was an unnecessary intervention that Debbie did not want, we were able to persuade the midwife to detach the CTG, so that she could get up and move around, which is what Debbie wanted to do. This very young looking midwife (graduated last year), suggested a vaginal examination as she did not think Debbie was in labour and perhaps she might like to go home. Now, on Debbie’s birth plan, there was a very clear request for NO vaginal examinations, unless medically necessary or at her request. It was also devastating to be told she was not in labour and should seriously think about going home. This was Debbie’s second labour, she felt she was in labour and definitely did not want to go home. Following this discussion, Debbie’s labour slowed considerably. The power of language!
She continued to labour slowly, throughout the day. We walked around the block a few times, she tried the bath, the shower, leaning over a bean bag. The hospital midwife again told Debbie that there was not much progress and she should consider going home. This was her assessment, following some brief appearances over the day to take her blood pressure and listen to baby’s heart rate. Not from a vaginal examination. Debbie’s labour slowed even further. Her contractions became erratic and she described them as being ‘very mild’ Debbie was upset because she felt she was in good labour when she arrived, early in the morning.
Debbie’s obstetrician, whom she liked and trusted, was away on holidays. Debbie did not like the relieving obstetrician and had already had a few altercations with him during both her pregnancies, when she had visits with him, due to her obstetrician being on holidays. In fact, he had booked her in for a Caesarean section due to a low lying placenta (noted on the 20 wk. ultrasound) – very common, and women should be reassured that most placenta’s move. When Debbie’s obstetrician returned from holidays, she cancelled the booked caesarean. Debbie had been very distressed about this.
Now mid afternoon and Debbie’s contractions were still mild and erratic. This relieving obstetrician sent a phone message via the midwife that he wanted Debbie to have a canula and intravenous antibiotics, in place, by the time he arrived, for Strep. B. He was revoking a specific order on her ante-natal card, from her own obstetrician, that read ‘no antibiotics in labour’. Debbie was very upset and wanted to discuss this with me and her partner. Debbie had discussed this at length with her own obstetrician. She had been Strep. B positive with her first pregnancy and negative with this pregnancy and they had both agreed that there was no need for antibiotics in labour. The midwife came back, after having spoken to the relieving obstetrician again, and her tone had changed. She announced that he was very, very, angry with Debbie, he demanded the antibiotics be commenced. Debbie was now in tears, and her labour stopped. It took a long time and a lot of reassurance and persuasion from her support team for labour to ‘get-going’ again. A message had been sent to the obstetrician, stating that Debbie and her partner did not want antibiotics.
At 8.00p.m. Debbie decided, after much discussion with her partner and myself, that she would have a vaginal examination. She was becoming very tired and still had the ‘obstetricians anger’ in her head. She was 6cms. Dilated with a bag of forewaters presenting. The midwife asked Debbie if she would like her to break the waters, explaining it might ‘speed up the labour’. Debbie decided this would be a good idea. Following this examination Debbie got off the bed and as she stood, leaning over the bed, began to have one very strong contraction after the other. One hour later she had her baby in her arms. This was a very intense hour for Debbie and for her baby, as she went from 6cms. To a baby in an hour! She also had a large perineal tear, due to the intensity of the contractions and a feeling of no control.
Debbie had a beautiful baby boy, weighing 2.9kgs. The obstetrician did not make it to the hospital and Debbie birthed and caught her own baby with the help of the midwife.
Debbie found the whole experience intense, frustrating and not what she had hoped for. She was wanting to labour in the water, with no interventions and birth calmly.
My Interpretations: If you have not been happy with your first birthing experience then you need to make some changes. Firstly change your caregiver. In this case, the 2 obstetricians, who were partners, clearly did not respect or trust each others expertise. Find a continuity model of care, which can only truly be found with a midwifery model of care. Secondly, change the place where you are going to birth. Use that knowledge gained from your first birth, understand what you don’t want and shop around until you find a place to give birth that will support you in what you want. Thirdly, everyone deserves a doula BUT it is very difficult for the doula to facilitate a positive and encouraging energy when faced with the wrath of an obstetrician, who wields so much power and control in a private facility, without even showing his face. No birthing woman should have to face the issues that Debbie did. Midwives who work in private facilities are merely following doctors orders. They most certainly do not practice midwifery.
I present this story in the hope that it highlights the necessity for some diligent ‘shopping around’ for caregivers and places of birth. Find support from those who understand normal birth and who respect birthing women.
Water Birth
6/23/2008 12:00:00 AM
I have just had the privilege of supporting Ruth and David at the birth of their second daughter. We met during Ruth’s first pregnancy for some pre-natal education. Ruth was always focused on a ‘normal’ birth, with no medical intervention. She was attending a Birth Centre and as I was working with a film maker, filming as many births as we were able to, I offered this to Ruth, who had a typical ‘first-time’ reaction – I definitely don’t want to be filmed whilst giving birth!! She phoned me during her second pregnancy to REQUEST being filmed. Her reaction was very different. “I want to show women how beautiful this is, how empowering and what a difference it makes having the support of a doula, who is also a Midwife.”
Ruth had a healthy, normal and happy pregnancy. She phoned me at about 5.30a.m. – really a very civilized time! Stating she was having some regular contractions that were becoming stronger, and lasting longer and could I come over to their place. On my way over David phoned. They were on their way in to the Birth Centre and fortunately we arrived at the same time. She was labouring beautifully, clearly having strong contractions, breathing deeply throughout and very relaxed inbetween. Ruth started out on a mat on the floor, over the bean bag whilst we filled the bath. She was feeling her contractions as intense but once in the big deep bath, immediately relaxed into her labour. It was quiet, apart from some very soft music in the background, David kneeling beside the bath and holding her hand, me taking up position at the end of the bath with cool facecloth to mop her hot brow.
The Birth Centre was very busy that morning. When the Midwife appeared, Ruth, very calmly, advised her that she had done her own vaginal examination, could feel her baby’s head coming down and that it would not be much longer. It is always such a privilege to be in the presence of a woman, so powerfully birthing in her own way. There was indeed no need for any medical intervention. Ruth was in charge and felt well supported to be able to do her own thing. Over the next hour Ruth gave regular updates about the progress of baby’s head descending down the birth canal. She began to roar like a lioness as she went with the power of her contractions and gave birth to her second daughter, in water, scooping her into her arms and up near her breast for that all important skin to skin contact. Her baby was wide-eyed, very alert and gazing directly at her Mum’s face. If I could be so bold as to predict what this little person was thinking it would be ‘ so that’s what you look like!- I know what you sound like, I know taste and smell but it is wonderful to finally be in your arms’.
Ruth’s main concern about being filmed was that she did not want to be conscious of having a camera ‘in her face’ – or other places! On the day, she was not even aware of Liz and her camera. She had chosen her place of birth, she had chosen her ‘support’, she had discussed what she did and did not want for her labour and birth, so she felt safe, respected and well supported to do whatever she needed to do, to birth her baby. What a wonderful welcome into the world for this little person.
Pregnant? You Deserve a Doula
6/23/2008 12:00:00 AM
Pregnant? You Deserve a Doula
A doula is a professional support for labour and birth. The doula profession is huge in the U.S.A. I attended an International Doula Conference, in St. Louis last year and was overwhelmed by the delegates – all 450 of them, from all over the world – but also the speakers and the research. So why do Australian women need a doula? Because the way women are cared for during pregnancy, labour and birth has changed over the last 3 decades. There is overwhelming research to show that for women to have a ‘normal’ birth and enjoy the birthing experience that is unique for them, one of the most important facts is they need ‘continuity of care’. Whilst many Public Hospitals do provide a number of different models of ‘continuity’ Midwifery care, this does not necessarily mean that the same Midwife will be on duty for your labour and birth. With some models of care, e.g. Team Midwifery, a woman will meet, throughout her pregnancy, a small team of Midwives. Some you will like, some you may not. Many women say ‘all the Midwives are great, but I do hope on the day I don’t get Midwife “c”, because I just don’t think we are on the same page’. Unfortunately, on the day, women don’t get a choice. Women think about this, worry about this prospect, throughout their pregnancy. This will affect your labour. The Midwife – no matter which model of care you choose - is not with you the WHOLE time.
So this leads to the question of Dad’s. What is their role exactly? What was their role, in the not so distant past? And What should it be?
There is an enormous pressure put on men these days. Most couples don’t even have a discussion around what role he would like to play. It seems to be ‘assumed’ he will be there, no matter what, he will attend pre-natal classes, he will read many books and he will embrace this pregnancy, labour and birth with the same enthusiasm as his partner. It’s not that long ago that men were ‘not allowed’ into the labour room. In the early 1970’s men were starting to infiltrate the labour rooms, at the request of women, mainly. They were unprepared, and their were many stories of men fainting, not lasting the distance and leaving before the birth. They also needed written permission from their wife’s Dr. to be present at the birth, presenting this piece of paper, on the big day, to the in-charge Midwife! Many of these Midwives did not want men in their labour rooms and felt very strongly that this was ‘women’s business’ and that men had no role to play. Over the ensuing decades it has come to be expected that men will be there and will play the role of ‘support’. I think that expectation is totally unrealistic. Of course men should be there, but only if that couple have an open discussion throughout pregnancy and explored their feelings about his role – and it does change throughout pregnancy. Dad’s should be able to enjoy the labour and birth of their baby and they also need to feel well supported.
What do Doula’s do that is different? - They provide physical, emotional and spiritual support during pregnancy, labour and birth. Women need to ‘shop around’ for a doula and employ the right person for them. This is someone who will get to know you on a different level than your caregiver. She will understand what you want during labour and birth and make sure that those wishes are respected, so that you don’t have to worry about which Midwife will be there on the day, and will you be able to explain what you want when you are in labour, will your partner be able to? If you feel safe and well supported then you will enjoy your labour and birth and welcoming your baby into the world. Dad’s also need to feel safe, to be reassured that what his partner is ‘doing’ and ‘being’ and ‘saying’ is normal. They need to be fed and watered and maybe have a ‘break/rest’, especially in a long labour. The Doula will support you at home and in hospital. Employing a Doula is the best investment you will ever make. A Doula provides space for a couple to enjoy their labour and birth, whatever role he wants to take on the day.
As a Midwife, of over 30 years experience, and a Doula I can offer a unique service. Birth Right™ is also a training school for doula’s – for those women who feel passionate about the importance of supporting women on this amazing journey. For the right person, this is a fantastic career move.
A breastfeeding story..
3/31/2008 12:00:00 AM
A breastfeeding story: pregnant for the second time, Emily is very anxious. She had a very long labour at a Birth Centre with her last baby, transferred to Delivery Suite, had an epidural and much deserved rest and felt very pleased to push her baby out, unassisted. Was not happy with the care on the post-natal ward. They were very busy and no-one sat with her and helped with a breastfeed. Baby was not passing good amounts of urine and it was suggested that he be given a top-up of formula. Emily did not want her baby to have formula, but agreed because she was told that he was dehydrated. She asked to see a Lactation consultant, and had a brief meeting with her, at the lift, as she was being discharged.
Emily says the Lactation consultant handed her some leaflets and information about ‘attachment’ as she was getting in the lift. Emily found breastfeeding very painful and 3 days later was concerned because her baby was very floppy, difficult to wake and not sucking for very long. She went to her G.P. who told her it was normal for newborns to be sleepy. 24hrs. later, Emily was very concerned and went back to the hospital of birth. Her baby was very dehydrated and was admitted to an Intensive Care Unit, and given intravenous therapy. Once re-hydrated Emily took her baby home and persevered with breastfeeding. The Early Childhood Health Centre continued to be concerned that there was not sufficient weight gain. It was still very painful to breastfeed, the only comfortable position was lying down to feed. He did not seem to tolerate solid food very well, and did lots of spitting it out!
When her baby was 13 months old, Emily was visiting her Aunt, who was a Speech Pathologist. Her little boy happened to be eating a banana, which is when her Aunt discovered the problem. He had a severe tongue tie. 48 hrs. later this was corrected with Laser surgery – and changed their lives. Breastfeeding was no longer painful. He could chew and swallow solid food very well. His speech developed rapidly. Everyone was much happier. The fact that this took 13mths. To diagnose (by accident) after having been seen by so many health professionals and no-one had bothered to look in his mouth, is extraordinary. Whilst tongue tie is rare, all newborns should have a thorough examination, before discharge from hospital. Emily and her baby should not have had to go through 13mths. Of anguish. Now with her second pregnancy she has changed hospitals and caregivers and Birth Right™ will provide doula support. I am sure Emily will be making sure this baby has his mouth checked before leaving hospital.
A birth story..
3/18/2008 12:00:00 AM
Sharon, pregnant with her 4th baby and booked into the same Birth Centre she had used for her 3 previous births. One of those babies had been a waterbirth and the other 2 were on all fours on a mat. She had no medical intervention and no perineal trauma – no stitches with her 3 previous births. The expectation was that 4th baby should be a ‘very easy’ and enjoyable birth. On her arrival at the hospital she was 8cms. Dilated and got into the deep bath which she found very relaxing.
She quickly got to fully dilated and was pushing with her contractions. She knew the midwife on duty and liked her calm support. She had been pushing for over an hour when the midwife’s shift finished and she went off duty. Sharon had not met the next midwife, who was relatively new to the Birth Centre. Sharon feels, in retrospect, that the new midwife panicked. She stated she was not happy and requested Sharon get out of the bath. The midwife felt the baby was in a posterior position and that Sharon should have pushed the baby out by now. She then was transferred to Delivery Suite and was seen by a Registrar Dr. who used the ventouse (suction cap), unsuccessfully. Sharon found this very painful. Forceps were then applied to the baby’s head, without pain relief for Sharon.
Visiting Sharon post-natally, she feels very traumatized and confused by this experience. She did not expect her 4th birth to be this traumatic. After much discussion, Sharon feels that had she not had a change of midwife, this scenario may not have occurred.
It is very difficult when there is a staff change at that point in labour. This is where having a doula and that continuity of support may well have made a difference to the outcome of Sharon’s birth. It is impossible for a woman to be assertive at this point in labour. Sharon can’t believe she didn’t stand up for what she believed to be right – that is to have stayed in the bath in the Birth Centre. All women deserve to have the right support for their labours, no matter what number baby it is. Sharon wants to have more children, and will certainly consider a doula next time, which she says will not be for quite some time.