Why would a father NOT want to be at the birth of their child? This article is not to judge, just to explore the decisions...
I assume it could be for different reasons;
maybe he is squeamish- in this case, could he at least "try" to hang in there? I have seen a father practically pass out when the baby was delivered, but he made it through!
maybe he is "old school"- from a day & time when fathers waited outside in the hall... are there fathers this old much though?
maybe he is out-of-town or deployed- he wants to be there, but physically cannot. Webcam, maybe?
What are some other reasons a father may choose to not be in the home/room when their child is born? Seemingly, they will all be 'legitimate' reasons, as NO feelings are wrong! Feedback, please...
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 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.
What if there was no pelvis? What if it were as insignificant to how a child is born as how big the nose is on the mother’s face? After thirty years of watching human birth, this is what I have come to. Pelvises open at three stretch points—the symphisis pubis and the two sacroiliac joints.
These points are full of relaxin hormones—the pelvis literally begins falling apart at about thirty-four weeks of pregnancy. In addition to this mobile, loose, stretchy pelvis, nature has given human beings the added bonus of having a moldable, pliable, shrinkable baby head.
Like a steamer tray for a cooking pot has folding plates that adjust it to any size pot, so do these four overlapping plates that form the infant’s skull adjust to fit the mother’s body. Every woman who is alive today is the result of millions of years of natural selection.
Read the rest of this article at Gloria Lemay's blog: http://www.glorialemay.com/blog/?p=111 Kelly K, CD (CBI)
Breastmilk is studied once again & shown to have stem cells. The placenta provides them, then mammary glands take over the job, when the child is born! Cool! Read the rest of the article here at the Science Alert site.
The Birth Survey results are in! Visit the page for detailed info on our area & other areas in the U.S. on Birth Statistics, such as Maternal welfare, c-sections, interventions, hospital rates, etc.
Benefits of giving birth on a Birth Stool / Birthing Chair
Benefits: Excellent use of gravity, easy for attendant to see birth, opens pelvis, takes pressure off back, known as one of the best positions to facilitate a difficult birth, helps mother to focus pushing efforts.
Drawbacks: Legs and bottom may fall asleep, can cause a quick birth and tearing, requires midwife or doctor to provide a birth stool. (unless you make or buy your own! See link below!
I am pooling my resources with a Childbirth Educator in Waynesboro & we are combining our Birth Circles starting this month! It will be held at the Yoga Center in Downtown Waynesboro, VA on the 1st Monday of each month, at 7 p.m. Please come, get information or help support other moms who need it...
The Middle Wife By an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher:
I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself,but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second-grade Classroom a few years back. When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell..... So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, Show-and-tell is pretty tame Kids bring in pet turtles, model Airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome. Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid,takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater. She holds up a snapshot of an infant. 'This is Luke , my baby brother and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.' 'First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord..'
She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to Laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement. 'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans.
'She walked Around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning. 'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie Down in bed like this.' Then Erica lies down with her back against the Wall. 'And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in Case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled
all over the bed, Like psshhheew!' This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much! 'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, Breathe. They started counting, but never even got past ten.
Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-center, so there must be a lot of toys inside there.' Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat.
I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's Show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case
another 'Middle Wife' comes along.
We had a great time at the Birth Circle last night. Mothers that were pregnant, had a newborn & are veteran moms attended. We discussed nursing in public, how to "wear" your baby with demonstrations & talked about the new book: "Homebirth in the Hospital" that will soon be added to my lending library! Read a great review of it here at the Stand & Deliver blog.
I also found out that a NEW Birth Circle is forming in Waynesboro on Tue, April 7th! Call Jenny for more info at: 540-221-4090 ! How exciting!
Despite growing evidence of harm, many obstetricians and maternity hospitals still overuse high-tech procedures that can mean poorer outcomes for baby and Mom. Test your knowledge with our quiz below, and then learn more in our report.
Many mothers worry that their newborn is not getting enough breastmilk. This may reassure that mother.... On the 1st day of life, the baby's tummy is the size of a marble! On the 3rd day, a ping pong ball & on the 10th day, the size of an egg!
Does this combo work ? Over half of the mothers I have attended to have had midwives & the midwives have always spoke positively of the support given. The parents, too.
I would like to hear from mothers who have had both, or who chose NOT to have a doula because they HAD a midwife attending- my curiosity was piqued from this blog post at a Doula Speaks.
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.
Free Informational Breastfeeding Clips by http://www.breastfeeding.com/ , a reputable site for all things breastfeeding, all the time.
Many subjects covered, 57 clips on 10 different subjects. I think any nursing mother or pregnant mom preparing to breastfeed will find this site very useful.
This mom KNEW exactly how to birth her baby. She rocked & swayed with each contraction, walked the halls, kept her bladder empty, all which helps the baby move down….stayed hydrated (ice chips, water, fluids) stayed vocal & worked with her body’s signals beautifully. She was successful in letting others know when she wanted something, either by mouth or gesture. She was adamant about getting her baby to latch on & they have had a great start to a successful breastfeeding relationship.
Dad was such a great support to Mom during this experience. He rubbed, spoke soothingly, wiped with a cloth, fed ice chips, set up the c.d. player with Enya, put lavender oil in, turned off his phone, and paid strict attention to his wife lovingly, the entire time.
I (Kelly) think this couple is so cute together & work very well, as a team. The communication is great between them & Cole has two fantastic, adoring parents. I am honored to have attended such a powerful, confident birth process.
This is one of the most thourough articles I have found about new mothers, after they give birth to their baby, whether it is a home birth or a hospital birth, this protocol should be followed for maximum success in breastfeeding the baby.
I am not attached to outcomes. I want to support families in whatever decisions they make, as long as they are making fully informed decisions.
That being said, I also believe in the wisdom of women's bodies and the birth process. As a doula, I am there to be a continuous, calm, and supportive presence who can remind parents of their knowledge, their wisdom, and their preferences- no matter how they are being defined. I can also give massages, be a gopher, a photographer and an all around useful extra set of hands. When hiring a doula it has a lot to do with the chemistry of the mom and the support person... if you are interested in my services, drop me an email and we can set up a time to talk and to see if we mesh well.
I can offer you Support while you are feeding your child THE BEST food possible for them!
Please check with your caregiver if you have any questions about your baby. I am not a medical professional. I have chosen to become an informed parent & my intention is to share this with others, if they choose to be informed, also.
The Business of Being Born
Documentary that shows the TRUTH about BIRTH in the U.S.
Birth
"Giving Birth"
Followers
With the right support, Breastfeeding will be successful!
Posts
.jpg)
