Sweetbirth 101

 On this page, I’ve listed great informative books, support groups, and services that I think are just perfect for an expecting family.  I hope this will help you navigate your way through the overwhelming information out there.  

  I’ve also listed important documents that are related to the childbirth classes and doula services I provide.  Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to find these.  Here you can find the registration forms, childbirth questionnaire, HIPPA form, doula contract, and others.  You can print them off directly from the site, or copy and paste them in whatever format you prefer.

 

BOOKS:

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin,                                       

  This book is written by a seasoned midwife who payed a huge role in the natural birth movement in America.   Reading “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” is like cracking an ancient code etched in many women’s DNA.  As Ina May’s words unfold, they bring to modern consciousness information that is essential and visionary, articulating and applying the ancient wisdom of childbirth in the language and culture of the present time.  In this information age, this book is creating a “new” birth culture.  Like “Spiritual Midwifery” in its time, “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” is a pioneer and an instant classic, a significant and inspiring milestone in the evolution of human culture.  This book is intelligent and lovely.

 

 

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way  by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg, Erick Ingraham, and Robert A. Bradley 

  Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way is a wonderful resource on the Bradley Method.  Author, Susan McCutcheon introduces you to the Bradley Method, explains how it differs other birthing methods, like Lamaze, discusses ways to choose your childbirth educator and your doctor/ midwife, explains the extreme importance of nutrition and how to prepare yourself for this life transforming experience.

  Along with the general information she provides in helping you to prepare, Susan thoroughly walks you through the Bradley Method.  Through exercise, illustration, nutrition, and practice, McCutcheon completely covers how you should prepare and deal with both First and Second Stage of Childbirth.  Finally, she closes the book with a discussion of various childbirth controversies – episiotomies, cesarean sections and home birth.

 

 

 Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation  by CNM, MA, Pam England and PhD, Rob Horowitz                                         

  Mothers-to-be, this book will empower you with stories of birthing women all over the world and all through history.  It takes you through fun, artistic ways to open your creative doors; preparing not just your left brain, but also your fantastic feminine right brain for the big event!

 

 

 

 

The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers : The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solution Guide to Breastfeeding from the Foremost Expert in North America  by MD Jack Newman   

   Because of the lack of breastfeeding info in many hospitals and doctors’ offices, and the lack of baby-knowledge in general in our culture, it is such a relief to just get answers.  This book is divided into three sections – the first is a primer on breastfeeding – benifits, proper positioning, good and bad “advice” and how to deal with it, and the tactics used by formula companies to undermine breastfeeding. The second section deals with common problems and solutions, and the third deals with special situations like introducing solids, weaning, nursing toddlers, sleep, seperation, and troubleshooting.

  Check out his very helpful website for great videos of live breastfeeding!  www.drjacknewman.com

 

 

 

  The Le Leche League of America is a great way to meet other moms choosing to breastfeed their babies.  Go to a meeting in your area while you’re pregnant and get to know the leaders and other mothers.  They can become very helpful should you run into difficulty during your first few days of nursing your new baby. 

 Click here to find a group close to you.

 

 

 

For all kinds of information pertaining to well woman’s health, American Pregnancy Association has got you covered.  There you will find

 information about pregnancy, birth, and adoption just to name a few.  Click here to be directed to the website.

 

 

 

 

   Do you keep saying, “My back hurts!”,?  Maybe you should go see a pre-natal chiropractor!  I have had great experience with Dr. Ruth Durkee.  She is gentle, no jerking motions.  Ruth took the time to massage my back, shoulders, and neck to relieve any tension she felt in my body.  This is her information, give her a try; you won’t be disappointed! Dr. Ruth Durkee Dallas,TX  214.969.9330 or visit the on the web

here

 

 

  When I has my second son, Jason, I decided with my husband that it was time to check out cloth diapers.  Once we did some research we learned how much waste is created from disposable diapers.  It was astonishing!  No one knows how long it takes for a disposable diaper to decompose, but it is estimated to be about 250-500 years, long after your children, grandchildren and great, great, great grandchildren will be

gone.  We chose the best system of cloth diapers out there in my opinion. check out these bumGenius diapers.  You will be so surprised at how easy it is to treat Mother Earth well!

 

 

 

 

       1. What is your age?                         General health status?

 

      2.  Do you exercise regularly?                            What kind of activity?                        How often?

 

      3.  Are you having any discomfort sleeping, or in general? 

 

      4.  What are your expectations of your birth experience?

 

     5.  What are some of your fears or concerns about your birth?

 

    6.  How does your partner feel about attending an 8 week birth class?

 

    7.  What do you hope to achieve through attending this class?

 

    8.  How do you feel about your care provider?

 

    9.  How has he/she inspired confidence in you and your partner?

 

   10.  What do you know about breastfeeding?

 

   11.  What are your plans for pain management?

 

   12.  What are you views of labor induction?

 

   13.  What are your views of fetal monitoring? 

  painting by Liz Smith

 I commend you for wanting to breastfeed your baby!  You have probably heard that breastfeeding is healthier for your baby and even you. This is true, in so many ways you can’t even imagine, and with some effort (more or less) you can succeed!  But it can be challenging at times, and this is where it helps to have support (yes, this is from my own experience – having suffered from mastitis and latch problems among other things).  But I was able to work through my problems and continue to breastfeed which I am extremely thankful for now.

Breastfeeding is a learned art.  It used to be that mothers and other women in the community passed advise along to their daughters, but nowadays many of our mothers did not breastfeed, and in worst case they are negative about breastfeeding.  For others, they have no family and are on their own.  There are lactation consultants, but many new mothers do not have the means or resources to hire one.  Most hospitals offer breastfeeding education and advice.  Lactation consultants visit new mothers and help them get off to the right start.  On the contrary, some of these hospitals insist on feeding the infants sugar water and pacifiers, and keep them in the nursery which does not help the new mother get off to the right start!  Every hospital in the state of TX gives this new mother a “gift bag” filled with formula marketing devices.  These formula companies even give out pens and badge clips to the post-partum nurses so they can get free advertising from them.  So what do you do?

To start, begin surrounding yourself with other moms who breastfeed.  If you don’t have friends who do (although breastfeeding is becoming increasingly more common), join a La Leche League group.  They have classes which offer support and information for breastfeeding moms.  I would also recommend considering a birth center- or even home birth.  If you have a midwife, she would be knowledgeable in breastfeeding and able to give advise.  A gentle and positive birth sets the stage for a good start in breastfeeding.  Babies who are born naturally are more alert and ready to breastfeed.  Moms who have had medications often report that their babies are drowsy as a direct effect of the drugs and are not as interested in breastfeeding.  Their sucking ability is reduced.  In fact, American Acadmey of Pediatrics says that babies that are birthed naturally have 35%  better chance to successfully breastfeed within the first 3 hours.

Nurse your baby soon after the birth. Here  is a link to the amazing unassisted breast crawl video.  Babies are more responsive the first hour, so take advantage of that. 

  If you give birth in a hospital, have your baby with you at all times.  There is no reason for a healthy baby to be in the hospital nursery, but by your side.  Do not supplement with sugar water or pacifiers.  Your baby needs colostrum those first few days of life to build up healthy bacteria in the intestines.  Colostrum is also rich with antibodies, vitamin K, B-vitamins, and has a slight laxative effect which helps get rid of the meconium in the babies bowels.  If your baby is taking sugar water, he or she will be satisfied and not as interested in eating more.  Water should not be given to breastfeeding infants as it will cause an electrolyte imbalance.

 

 

If an infant is supplemented with bottles regularly, he/she will likely develop nipple confusion.  Sucking from a bottle is much different than sucking from the breast.  If given a bottle, the baby will eventually forget how to suckle the breast, and get frustrated because it takes longer for the milk to start flowing.  Contrary to what many believe, nipple confusion can also happen to older babies probably up to about 8 months or so.

  Nurse every time the baby is hungry.  Studies have shown that feeding on a schedule decreases breastfeeding success rates.  It is my belief that babies need the extra suckling for comfort, and mothers need it also to keep an ample milk supply.  Don’t overuse pacifiers.  Put the baby to the breast instead.  This extra suckling is what builds the milk supply, it’s sort of like putting in an order.  When babies go through growth spurts they need to be at the breast more often to increase the supply of milk.  Mothers often complain about not having enough milk, and I think this could be solved by having the baby at breast more often, co-sleeping, and of course making sure the mother has enough to drink and nutritious food. (Although mothers who have less than perfect nutrition have good milk also.)  Just be patient and let you milk catch up to your baby’s new demands.

At night it is a good idea to have your baby next to you.  Mothers who nurse often wake up a few minutes before baby begins to whimper, it’s like a 6th sense.  Mothers and babies are very much connected.  Mothers who have their babies in bed with them get more sleep as they can doze while nursing, and the hormones created by breastfeeding help mom and baby sleep.

If you experience complications, such as a painful lump accompanied with a hot red blotch or streaks, chapped, cracked, or bleeding nipples, or anything that doesn’t feel normal please call your Doula, lactation consultant, or midwife immediately.  Remember, breastfeeding should not hurt you.  For a list of some local lactation consultants please just call me or you La Leche

 leader.  For information on safe medication for breastfeeding go to this reliable website. Moms, always check with your care provider before taking medication.

This is a very special time and it only lasts of a tiny portion of your little ones life.  Enjoy the closeness you will share with each other.  As you gaze in each others eyes just remember how lucky you are that you have the ability to breastfeed at all!