enhances the baby’s circulatory system, gently presses impurities out of the body through elimination, increases immunity, supports digestion, and releases stress and tension that may have occurred during the birth process.  It’s also very beneficial for the new little-one’s developing nervous system and tissues.  This massage time is also a great way for parents to bond and communicate with their baby.  Touch is one of the most fundamental ways of communication for babies and their caregivers. ……….

So Excited to be providing this new service!

~ Jacques Attali

~Monday Morning Sunshine~

A complete database of worldwide medication (trade and generic) providing information on their use, fetal risk during pregnancy and breastfeeding risk, according to the FDA

]]> http://ujalamama.com/2013/01/14/monday-morning-sunshine-the-extent-to-which-we-as-parents-know-ourselves-is-the-extent-to-which-our-children-will-shefali-tsabary-ph-d/feed/ 0 ujalamama http://ujalamama.com/2013/01/09/wednesdays-word-19/ http://ujalamama.com/2013/01/09/wednesdays-word-19/#comments Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:30:43 +0000 ujalamama http://ujalamama.com/?p=875 ]]> Regional Anesthetics: “Medications that only affect one portion of the body”

Can be used in Stage I and Sate II

* Epidural

* Intrathecal Narcotics (within spinal canal)

* Local

* Pudendal Block

Spinal/Saddle

Can you experience labor pain without actually suffering during childbirth???  How can your birth partner support you during childbirth so you can achieve your desired birth and prevent suffering???  Can labor pains really be compared to the pains of working out?

First lets talk about the difference between pain and suffering.  Pain is an unpleasant physical feeling.  Suffering is not only pain but  includes a distressing psychological state and could possibly not even be associated with physical pain.   The pain people feel when working out or hiking  is not suffering but a discomfort that is felt to accomplish something more and even considered fun.  Injuring a part of the body is painful but for many does not simply imply that the individual is continuously suffering.  However, feelings of helpless, remorse, fear, anguish, or loss of control is considered suffering and could be felt by a loss of a family member, experiencing physical or emotional abuse, or going through depression.

Many people today, especially in the USA, consider a woman experiencing pain in childbirth as suffering.  However, when mother’s are surveyed after childbirth and even many years down the road, women recall happenings of how they were treated, were they included and have power during childbirth, were they treated with respect, among many other similar things.  Often times women are pressured or filled with ideas that pain medication (i.e. an epidural)  will prevent all suffering during childbirth.

However, this is just not true.  Women need to have an understanding that pain in childbirth is not like other pains that are associated with an injury or a problem in one’s health, but instead a very natural process that is designed to safely and healthfully bring their baby into this world,  similar to the discomforts of pregnancy are changes in the body that are making room for a healthy home for the new baby in mother’s womb.

An epidural may eliminate pain from the mother’s lower body but it will not create a sense of power during childbirth or provide the mother with a nurturing environment with continuous support.  This continuous support, respect, and honor will provide a woman with confidence and peace while going through her birth and becoming a new mother.

Having the following:

an environment that is supportive

having a supportive provider and birth partner

understanding the process of childbirth

discussing and dealing with fears

and using strategic comfort measures

are all great ways of coping with the pain of childbirth and providing mom with proper support and care.

There are times when pain medication and other technologies would benefit the mother and baby.  Instances of an emergency or of actual physical suffering are good examples.  Having mom list what her goals are during childbirth and explain what she wants to her physician, nurses, and birth support are good ways in letting these individuals know how to properly support her while she labors.  Also having a very specific code word that tells dad or another birth partner that what mom is experiencing is more than just pain but has crossed over to suffering is also very helpful.  An example word or phrase could be “banana split”  or “I need to speak to Ray Charles Right now.”  These two examples are very unlikely to come up in normal conversation during childbirth and would need to be practiced, discussed, and memorized.

The ultimate goal for a birth experience should be that mom would not only come out healthy but also feeling confident, supported, and ready to embrace her new life as a mother.  With this, we as birth support can be happy.

Trusting Birth and Life,

RB

~ Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer (A Good Birth, a Safe Birth)

Monday Morning Sunshine

These can be given during 1st stage of labor

* Barbiturates

 * Analgesics/Narcotics

* Tranquilizers

* Inhalation Anesthesia

We discussed before that Pain in Childbirth is: Purposeful, Anticipated, Intermittent, and Normal.  With that knowledge we can go into labor confidently and prepared! So what can a woman and her partner do to properly prepare for labor and childbirth so that she can not only cope with the pain of childbirth but also triumph over it????

Below is a list of things that will help you achieve the birth of your dreams:

• Think Positively! Meditate on your baby:) Overcome your fears; realize you are a strong, fierce woman able to birth her baby.  Listen to stories that encourage you and that show the blessings of birth.  Ignore those negative comments or insecure comments.  Get the right facts; research; ask questions and express your concerns.
• Surround your self with people who support you.  This may be your partner, family, friends, a doula.  Don’t labor alone!
• Find a supportive birth location.  One that allows you to move with your own urges, move, get off your back, and that support natural comfort measures.
• Practice Natural Comfort Measures (pain-management techniques).  Massage, aromatherapy, relaxation, and rhythmic breathing are all helpful.  There are tons more!
• Eat well and Rest!  This is for during pregnancy, childbirth, and after childbirth.  Fatigue is one of the most complained about things during childbirth, even more than the pain.
• Create a comfortable environment to birth in.  This may mean birthing at home or at a birthing center that looks more homey than a hospital room.  Or it may mean bringing your own pillows, music and scents to your birthing location.  It may also include darkened lights, a warm tub, or shower.
• Use informed decision making; know your options for all medications and medical procedures.  Ask questions and talk openly with your care provider about your desires and their policies as well as the birth location’s policies.  All decisions during childbirth, whether to use no medications or the use of any intervention, is your choice and your should information about receive all the risks and benefits so you can choose.
• Plan for birth with your birth partner.  Trust your partner to encourage you and suggest comfort measures.  Plan also things like a code word if labor pain is unmanageable
• Always, always remember that PAIN in labor is not just an unimportant occurrence but is there to bring your baby into the world and that this is a very joyous thing!!!  Pain has a Purpose, is Anticipated, is Intermittent (gives your rest), and is Normal.