Article I enjoyed for its thoroughness in listing remedies for "as needed" in labor & childbirth & even for benefits to baby. As a birth doula, I cannot recommend any form of medicine, including homeopathy. Suggestions? Maybe, but cannot dispense it. We have to be careful how we mention these things.
Alternative Medicine

Homeopathy for Labor and Childbirth

By: Melanie Grimes

Homeopathy provides many remedies for pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Homeopathic remedies can provide great healing for both mothers and newborns. In 1900, James Tyler Kent wrote, “No woman at the present day is well enough to go through labor without some symptoms calling for a remedy.” This same sentiment is true today.



Kelly K, CD (CBI)

Continuous Support During Childbirth

Benefits of Continuous Support During Childbirth & Author's Conclusion on the matter:
"Continuous support in labour increased the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth, had no identified adverse effects and women were more satisfied." Read more in link above.

Judging Progress in Labor

Dilation is not the only thing happening when a mother is laboring to deliver her child.
She can take weeks to dilate or hours. So, that is not always a good marker.
More importantly is the position of the baby in relation to the cervix (the stations) & how "ripe" the cervix actually is. (effacement)
Even more important is the emotional "map" of labor.
Follow this link at the Birthing Naturally website to see what emotional checkpoints that a support person can learn to recognize, as to how labor is progressing through each of the stages of labor.

• Pre-Labor
• Early Labor
• Active Labor
• Transition
• Pushing

"Epidurals Can Stall Labor" Study

New Danish Study says:
"The vaginal examinations at the woman's admission to the labour ward provided several prognostic indicators of dystocia later in labour. Expecting a child with a high birth weight and the use of epidural analgesia were also associated with the risk of (labor) dystocia, the latter association being particularly strong."

We know labor dystocia is a risk of epidurals, but to see yet another study on it keeps us confident in the-less-interference-the better policy.

Early Labor Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes made in "EARLY LABOR" of a pregnant woman. This is referring to when it is safe for the mother to deliver:

• Paying attention too soon.
• Not sleeping
• Not eating
• Stopping regular activity
• Going to the hospital too soon

One of the hardest lessons for first time mothers to learn is that you should really try to ignore your contractions until they demand your attention. It seems one of the most common mistakes women make is to pay attention to labor too soon. If you cannot ignore them, then it is time to pay attention, I assume.

Preparing for Labor: Exercises you can do

Preparing for labor
During the final months of pregnancy,
a few simple exercises can help prepare your muscles for labor.

Kegels
For example, Kegel exercises help tone your pelvic floor muscles. Simply tighten your pelvic muscles as if you're stopping your stream of urine. Try it for five seconds at a time, four or five times in a row. Repeat throughout the day.
Various other exercises target the muscles that will receive the most stress during labor and delivery.

Tailor sitting
The tailor sitting position stretches the muscles in your thighs and pelvis. It also improves your posture, keeps your pelvic joints flexible and increases blood flow to your lower body.
Sit on the floor with your back straight. Bring the bottoms of your feet together, pull your heels toward your groin and gently drop your knees. You'll feel a stretch in your inner thighs. Try tailor sitting anytime you're able to sit on the floor.
If it's difficult to sit in this position, use a wall to support your back or place cushions under each thigh. Remember to keep your back straight.

Pelvic rock
The pelvic rock stretches the muscles in the lower back, which helps relieve backaches.
Rest on your hands and knees with your head in line with your back. Pull in your stomach, rounding your back slightly. Hold the position for several seconds. Then relax your stomach and back, keeping your back as flat as possible. Repeat several times. Gradually work up to 10 repetitions.
You can do a similar exercise leaning against a wall. Simply stand up straight and push the small of your back against a wall.

Wall slide
Squatting during labor can help open the pelvic outlet, which gives your baby more room to descend through the birth canal. But squatting is tiring. It may help to practice ahead of time.
Try the wall slide. Stand with your back against a wall, your feet shoulder-width apart. Slide down the wall until you're in a sitting position. Hold the position for a few seconds and then slide back up. Repeat several times. Gradually work up to 10 repetitions.
For less stress on your knees, try the wall slide with an exercise ball behind your back. You can also squat without the wall. Keep your back straight and your feet shoulder-width apart.

May is International DOULA Month!

The month of the Doula has arrived! May is International Doula Month!

Doulas provide much support for women in pregnancy, in labor & afterwards.

Emotional, physical & informational support is their focus, for ALL mothers & their families.

Here are some questions to ask when choosing a Labor Doula for your birth:

Choosing a labor doula: Answers to your most-asked questions

Midwives' Model of Care

The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes.

The Midwives Model of Care:
*Monitors the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
*Provides the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
*Minimizes technological interventions
*Identifies and refers women who require obstetrical attention

The Big Push for Midwives Campaign

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

Making Nursing Work, while Working

Women have always combined work and breastfeeding. You can too. Take at least 6 weeks to focus on your baby and breastfeeding, if you can. The longer you delay going back, the easier it will be for both of you!

Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC talks about Combining the two, for a smooth transition & a continued relationship. She discusses Timing, Equipment, Childcare, Expression of your Milk, Storing of the milk, Supplements, Bottles & a Working Mother's Rights. You have a recognized right to breastfeed your baby. If you need help protecting that right, contact your physician, La Leche League, or a certified lactation consultant. Read the full article here:

http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/older/work.html

Benefits of Kegels in Pregnancy & Afterwards

Ahh, Kegels... the exercise of perineum champions!!!

Kegel exercises can help prevent incontinence, & abdominal, pelvic, vaginal & urethral pain during pregnancy. Doing Kegels regularly can also lessen the risk of vaginal tearing during childbirth.

Following the birth of your child, they can help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, increase nerve activity & blood circulation in the sexual organs & preven postpartum incontinence.

*Do 6 Kegels each time you empty your bladder, while pregnant, for best results.
Hold them for up to 10 seconds each.

*Do Kegels every day in either a seated or standing position during pregnancy & on into the rest of your life!!!

Reference: Holistic Pregnancy & Childbirth by James Marti w/ Heather Burton