Uncertain about your role as a birth partner? Follow these eight easy guidelines.
1. Support is a key element to a woman having a positive birth and postpartum experience. As a birth partner, identify the resources you have for informational, emotional and physical backup early on.
2. As you learn more about the process of birth, you will discover your strengths in offering support, and you can decide how you want to contribute to the birth of this child. Will you be the primary support, work more with the other team members or be by the mother’s side with your full love and support while others do the hands-on work? A birth partner can serve in any manner that helps the laboring woman, so be comfortable, even joyful, in whatever role you both agree upon.
3. Whether you decide to actively work with the mother or just shower her with love, simply being present makes a difference. The birth partner is usually the one member of the team who best knows her desires and can interpret her cues and express her wishes to others. Your personal history with the laboring woman is something the rest of the team doesn’t have.
4. In order to care for a mother in labor, you must also care for yourself. Eating and drinking during labor will give you the energy you need. Wear comfortable clothes and let the doula or nurse care for your partner while you take an occasional break.
5. Ask questions. Unless you are birthing at home, you are in an unfamiliar setting surrounded by unfamiliar people. A doula can help you get the attention of the health-care provider so that you are heard.
6. Be prepared to experience some strong emotions. Often, a birth partner is so absorbed in supporting the mother and remaining strong that he or she is surprised by the powerful feelings of love and awe that accompany seeing this incredible woman go through birth.
7. You and the mother may have the most familiar voices to the infant. When you talk to the baby, he experiences a feeling of calmness that has a positive effect on his transition to the outside world. Stroking him will also reduce stress hormones and improve his breathing and temperature regulation.
8. The postpartum period is a mix of joyous and difficult moments. The unpredictability of each day and getting to know your baby can sometimes make for a challenging situation.
Most importantly, after the excitement of birth dies down a bit, enjoy quiet time with the mother and baby, and delight in the miracle of birth and the part you played. This article reproduced from fitpregnancy.com (original article here)
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Preparing Siblings for a New Baby
A new baby can be just as stressful for the baby's sibling as it is for his parents. Here are some helpful tips if you're preparing your soon-to-be big brother or big sister for a new baby. *Read books about babies and talk about what babies are like. *Get a baby doll and role play "how to take care of a baby". This will empower your older one and help him feel that his contributions to caring for the baby really matter. When the baby is at home, allow your older one to help as much as possible. *If there are space or other major changes (such as bedrooms) at home, be sure to make these changes as soon in the pregnancy in possible so your older one doesn't feel displaced when the baby arrives. *Spend time with friends who have babies so the older one learns what babies do, that they may cry a lot and that they need lots of attention. *Plan a special time each day to spend with your older child to have fun and talk. Having one-on-one time will really help your older one feel special as she discovers her new role in the family.
Birth Plans
Birth Plans are a wonderful and empowering tool that can assist with the planning of labor and birth. These are also a powerful tool for husbands, doctors, sisters and other supporters during your birth to know what they can do to help you at each phase of your labor, and to know your medical preferences.
Designing this scenario will bring a calm sense of confidence to you as the days count down to when you'll bring a new life into this world. Please call me so we can talk about designing a Birth Plan that's right for you.
Designing this scenario will bring a calm sense of confidence to you as the days count down to when you'll bring a new life into this world. Please call me so we can talk about designing a Birth Plan that's right for you.
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