That’s because giving birth means facing your fear of the unknown.

I’m telling you mama, whether this is your first or your fourth pregnancy, the anxiety you feel about what will happen during birth never passes you by.

Let’s face it you know your birth is going to be hard work.

We’ve all heard the horror stories of the ‘ring of fire’, and doesn’t that just sound like literal hell.

The good news is that you can prep so you have some tricks up your sleeve to make your labour a lot easier.

This guide will focus on tips to help you survive the second stage of labor.

That’s the part when you reach 10cm dilation and you’re ready to start pushing your baby out.

You know the dramatic part that movies and TV shows love.

But let’s forget the drama. I find most moms like the second stage better than the first stage contractions as you feel like you’re actually ‘doing something’.

If you’re not quite ready for stage two click here to find tips on surviving the first stage of labor (that’s the slower part with all the contraction).

This article is great for your partner to read too as it can give them a better idea of what to expect during this part of labor and how they can help you out.

Ok, let’s get started.

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14 Ways to survive the second stage of labor

1. Take raspberry leaf tea

The good thing about you reading this tip now is that you’re hopefully not already labor.

Or at least not pushing yet! I’d be super impressed if you were.

If you’re around 32-36 weeks pregnant I’d recommend you start drinking raspberry leaf tea every day.

If your pregnancy is high risk check this with your obstetrician first.

Raspberry leaf tea has been used for centuries to help with women’s issues and one of the benefits is to speed up the second stage of labor.

It works by stimulating the muscles around the uterus, so it’s best to hold off using it until the last few weeks of pregnancy.

Ideally, you’d start by drinking one cup a day until you build up to 3 cups a day.

I was really sceptical of using raspberry leaf tea with my first pregnancy but of all three of my labors the hardest one was the only one which I didn’t drink the raspberry leaf tea.

Perhaps that was just luck, but I know if I have another baby I’ll be sipping that tea as soon as I hit those 32 weeks.

2. learn to breath

This tip sounds so simple but honestly if you take one piece of advice from this guide, make it this one.

One of the things I’m constantly telling labouring mom is ‘remember to breath’.

Think about it, imagine you’re walking around the house barefooted and you bang your toes against a piece of furniture. What’s the first thing you do?

That’s right you inhale in and hold your breath. It’s an instinct.

When you feel the pain of contractions you tense up because you know the pain is coming and then you hold your breath.

Holding your breath actually raises your blood pressure and can make the contractions feel worse.

Once your baby’s head starts to emerge you want to slow down.

The best advice I’ve heard is to do small controlled breathes as I’ve your blowing out a candle.

Imagine it as if you’re blowing out the candles on your baby’s birthday cake.

It sounds silly but this controlled breathing during the second stage will relax your internal muscles and make it easier for baby to pass through your pelvis.

3. don’t be scared to poop

One of the biggest fear I hear from labour moms is that they will poop as they push.

I know it’s probably played on your mind since you found it was even a ‘thing’.

Let’s face it, no one wants to do a poo in front of a room of other people.

The reason you’re afraid of pooping as you push is you expressing that you’re afraid of losing control during birth.

Don’t listen to those people that say ‘your dignity will go out the door in labor’, because it absolutely doesn’t have to.

I will reassure you by saying that:

1. Your medical professional will not care. It’s fairly common and they’ll be super discreet about cleaning it up quickly.
2. Passing stools in labour actually means your pushing in the right place and freeing up room for your baby’s head to come out.

If the thought still scares the living daylights out of you then you can check out my guide on how to prevent pooping during birth.

4. get yourself in a good position

Birth positions have been a highly debated topic in birth circles for years.

There are benefits and drawback to all different types of positions during the pushing stage.

What we do know is that when women give birth without any interference they will instinctively stay in an upright position as they push their baby out.

I’d recommend an upright position if you don’t have an epidural as this can slightly reduce your second stage. This is usually standing, kneeling, squatting or sitting upright.

Any position that encourages gravity to help your baby out will make it easier for baby to get around the boney turns in your pelvis.

When you’re lying on your back or with feet in stirrups your working against gravity which is hard work for you and baby.

If you need to have an epidural the best position is lying on your side with your leg supported open. This will open up your pelvis and make room for baby.

Ask your birth centre what options they have for moms with an epidural as modern equipment like birth bars can help you to mobile but with support.

5. use a warm compress

When your baby’s head starts to emerge that’s called crowning.

Most moms will describe this as the ‘ring of fire’ because of the intense burning sensation you’ll feel down below.

This feeling is caused by your baby’s head stretching the skin around your vagina and perineum (that flat but of skin between your vagina and butt).

You may find that a warm face cloth or a compress held onto the perineum as you push will help to ease this pain.

Another great side effect of using a warm compress is that you reduce your risk of having any vaginal tearing as your baby is born.

If you buy the reusable perineal compresses you can use then for your postpartum recovery too.

6. make some noise

Giving birth is an extreme workout.

The thought of making weird noises in front of others may make you feel uncomfortable.

The good news is that making noise during labor can help relieve your pain. However, it has to be the right type of noise.

It may sound weird that there is a right and wrong type of noise to make, so let me explain.

Low, deep almost animalistic moans and grunts will keep your jaw loose which helps your body to relax, including your perineal muscles.

If you go full-on high pitched wailing, your body is going to go into fight or flight mode and tense your muscles.

You’ll find yourself making incontrollable grunting noises as you push your baby out.

Try to make sure these grunts are directed toward your bottom and not into your throat otherwise you’re gonna wonder why you’ve lost your voice the next day.

7. Avoid Directed Pushing

When your baby is ready to be born, you’re going to experience how amazing your body really is.

That means you won’t need to be told when to push because your body is going to do it automatically.

That’s right you’ll start to push uncontrollably and won’t be able to stop the sensation.

Some medical practitioners still like to give ‘directed pushing’ instructions. That means telling you to hold your breath and push for a certain period of time.

Although direct pushing isn’t all bad, it can really help if you have no sensation from an epidural.

If you haven’t had an epidural it’s best to follow your instinct and push when your body tells you to.

Carry on with instinctive pushing until your baby’s head begins to crown and then with supported pushing.

This means your birth attendant following your lead when you are pushing, but talking you through to keep you focused and in control.

That’s where you’ll need to use your candle breaths we discussed above along with little pushes.

It may be tempting to give one almighty push to get the birth over and done with. However, encouraging small controlled pushes will help your baby’s head to slowly stretch up your skin and reduce the risk they tear you a new one.

8. don’t clock watch

Giving birth can take a long time, especially if it’s your first baby.

I blame the media who make out that your water break and your baby arrives 5 minutes later.

During the first stage, you’re counting down the hours until you finally get told you are 10 cm.

That means you’re ready to push right?

Well not quite.

Everyone focused on their contraction getting them to 10cm, however you contracts also need to make sure you baby’s head is far into your pelvis.

If your baby’s head is still high up in your pelvis when you get to 10cm you’re going to exhaust yourself trying to push your baby out.

If this happens you’ll probably be giving time for your baby’s head to ‘labour down’. This is usually around 1 hour.

When you do start to push you’ll have less distance to push your baby down, but this can still take up to another 1-2 hours.

And so, even once you get to fully dilated you baby can still be another couple of hours away.

So don’t watch the clock, it will only stress you out.

9. let the epidural run low

Should you opt for an epidural, you need to remember that this will numb you from the waist down.

That means when it comes time to push you might feel nothing and have no idea if you’re pushing well.

Your birth attendant may let you do some practice pushes to see or feel if your baby’s head is moving lower as you push.

If they can’t see anything, feeling your baby’s head requires a vaginal examination which you may find too invasive.

Depending on the type of epidural you have it may be possible to let the medication run low without topping up before you push.

This can help you gain back some sensation so you to feel a little more and feel more in control and push better.

It’s best to discuss this with your caregivers as going too long between top-ups can you’re your epidural wear off completely meaning you’ll have little to no relief as you push.

10. No Routine Cuts

You probably already know that a vaginal birth means there is a risk that you may tear as baby’s head is born.

Some hospital will perform a routine vaginal cut (episiotomy) to try and prevent a severe tear happing.

This practice is outdated and studies have shown that a routine episiotomy can cause a larger tear. Plus you’ll need to have vaginal stitches, which you may never have needed.

Your birth attendant should be skilled at supporting you and your baby’s head to minimise your risk of tearing.

If you’re geeking out on labor tips you can check out my guide on how to prevent tearing during birth.

11. Try perineal massage

I like to think of labor as a marathon. Its intense work for a couple of hours and you do best by training first.

One area that gets a lot of attention in labour is the perineum. That small area holds a lot of muscles, skin and tissue that work hard during pregnancy and birth.

Perineal massage is a great way to prep this area for labor. In fact, it is known to reduce the risk of you tearing, bruising or needing an episiotomy during labour.

Your postpartum recovery will be so much better if you don’t have vaginal stitches, pain or more worryingly incontinence.

You can use natural massage oils to manipulate the skin and tissue around you perineum from around 34 weeks of pregnancy.

The idea is to use your thumbs to work in a U shape to soften and stretch the tissue. This should be done once or twice a week for up to 5 minutes per massage.

12. get your baby in a good position

We’ve considered your position for pushing but you need to think about how to get your baby in the best position for pushing.

Ideally when you begin to push you want your baby to be head down with their back facing toward your tummy.

The best way to encourage this position id by using optimal fetal positioning techniques in pregnancy and during labor.

The queen of these techniques is Gail Tully over at Spinning Babies.

Gail encourages you to keep positions that allow your baby to hammock in your tummy. This is done by keeping your bump forward most of the day and not lounging backwards.

Following Gail’s birth techniques can help you and baby to keep your baby in the ideal position which makes the second stage a lot easier for you an baby.

13. sort out your birth room

Have you given much thought to your birth room environment? Does it make you feel like your somewhere clinical or does it feel homely?

A birth room which appeals to your sense and makes you feel calm and relaxed will help boost your natural oxytocin levels for you to labor better.

You’ll have a better birth if your room is

• Warm
• Private
• Quiet
• Dark
• Safe

Ideally, you’ll have a birth partner who makes you feel safe and secure. You can add little touches such as essential oils, wearing our own clothes and using your own pillows.

Try to keep chat to a minimum and make sure the door and curtains are closed.

Your birth provider should make the room warm for baby arriving.  Make sure they don’t turn up the room lights full whack. If they need lighting a lamp can direct light where needed whilst offering you a warm glow.

14. Get hands on

Once you baby’s head begins to crown you may instinctively want to feel what’s going on down there.

Feeling your baby’s head moving down can give you a boost that things are moving along.

If they thought of feeling your baby’s head is grossing you out, you can ask your care provider to be ‘hands-on’ during the delivery.

This usually means your Doctor or midwife will hold and guide your baby’s head to keep the speed of the delivery well controlled.

This is best used if you’re pushing too hard or your baby is simply coming too quickly and potentially causing a tear.

Studies have shown that hands-on alone doesn’t rescue your risk of tearing, however when using together with supported pushing a slow and steady delivery will reduce your risk of tearing.

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I hope you found this guide useful and I’d appreciate it if you can share with any pregnant moms who would like it too.

If you have any tips you found got you though the second stage of labor please feel free to share them below and I’ll add them to the guide.

I wish you all the best for your labor.

The post 14 Tips to Survive the Second Stage of Labor appeared first on Stork Mama.

You want to make sure you know your options for giving birth but have you thought about what choices you have after birth?

You’re probably so focused on just getting through the labor and meeting your little one, that you haven’t given it much thought.

You’ll be trying to soak up every last detail of your child’s birth while being flat out exhausted. It’s unlikely you’ll notice the buzz of your nurse or midwife as they try to get all their post-birth tasks done.

One of those jobs will be to give your baby their first baby.

But, what appears to be a simple offer, can change postpartum outcomes for you and your baby.

What? A Bath?

Yes, really.

I’ve created this guide on delayed bathing for newborns to help you make the best decision for you and your family.

If you’re not quite at the stage of writing your birth plan yet, then pin this page so you can come back to it later, when you’re ready.

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10 Benefits of Delaying Your Baby’s First Bath

1. Reduced infection

Did you know that your skin is the body’s biggest defence barrier against disease and infection? Newborns skin are epically vulnerable to our world as their immune system is so immature. Combine this with the fact that their skin is extremely delicate and you’re creating the perfect storm.

You’ve probably noticed new babies are often covered in a white substance. This is what we call vernix; it’s pretty much nature’s protective barrier for your baby. When you wash your baby, you’re taking away that protection, when you should try to leave it on as long as possible.   

Also, any baby wash will be made up of chemicals make up can disturb the natural balance of your baby’s skin. This can and make your baby more susceptible to skin infection or irritation.

And yes I’m talking about the ‘natural’ baby washes too.

2. Prevent dry skin

We’ve already discussed how amazing vernix is at preventing infection, but it’s also an amazing moisturizer for your baby’s skin. Once you feel it, you’ll realize it’s very similar to a thick skin moisturizer, except without the dollar dollar price tag.

Babies are often born with dry skin, especially when they are overdue. If you hold on the baby bath, you can simply moisturize the vernix into your baby’s skin to prevent their skin drying out.  Your baby’s skin will be so peachy and soft you’ll just want to gobble them up!

Also, this total isn’t scientific and just a nurse-midwife observation, but I find that if you delay your baby’s first bath, they will hold on to that new baby smell for much longer. So if you’re a baby smell addict like me, you can thank me later.

3. Less Crying

So this vernix stuff seems to be getting all the credit for awesome baby things. But bathing your baby too soon will also remove amniotic fluid which has benefits too. This liquid, which is pretty much made up of your baby’s pee, has provided a cushion for your baby in the womb. However, it’s also packed full of proteins and cells that are vital to mom and baby.

In fact, studies have shown that when a baby smells moms amniotic fluid, it provides amazing comfort for the baby and reduces the amount they cry.

Trust me, if you find anything that soothes your baby’s transition in the world then utilize it. Plus if you and your baby have had a tough labor, a calm and settled baby makes the transition to motherhood much easier.

4. Improves breastfeeding

From what we’ve already discussed, you’ll know that it’s beneficial for your baby to keep those natural bodily fluids in place as long as possible. If you intend to breastfeed, you are nearly 10% more likely to succeed if you delay your baby’s first bath.

A big reason for that will be due to how responsive your baby is to these smells. They will help your baby to instinctively react to their surroundings and display reflexes such as rooting and suckling which will kick-start your breastfeeding journey.

5. Improve bonding

Have you heard of the golden hour after birth? This is the most magical time in a mom and babies life when you can connect through skin to skin, feeding your baby and explore each other through your senses.

This time is really about taking it all in for mom and baby, so you start to stimulate all those vital hormones in the brain that are the foundation for loving and warm relationships. This time should be spent cradled in the comfort of moms (or dads) arms and not being subjected to an unnecessary bath by a health professional.

In fact, the longer to can continue skin to skin care within the first 24hours without the disruption of a bath can provide a lot of benefits for your baby.

Related: Best Baby Wash for Newborns

6. Stabilizes blood sugar

Your baby has to make huge changes in their body to adjust to life outside your body. One of the major impacts is that they have to survive without a constant source of food from the placenta. Because of this, your baby’s blood sugars can drop quickly in some situations.

Your baby has already used up a lot of energy from birth, but bathing them can be cause them to cry and use up more energy. A loss of energy results in sleepy babies who are reluctant to feed, which makes the problem worse.

Once you combine this loss of energy with disrupted skin to skin and washing away reflex stimulating fluids, it’s no wonder your baby might not want to feed.

That then means going down a slippery road of painful baby blood sugar assessment; longer hospital stays, supplementation and disruptions to your breastfeeding journey. It seems dramatic, but a simple task like bathing your baby too soon can result in this cascade of intervention. Simply holding off on the bath for a few hours at least can prevent this, or at least it won’t contribute.

7. Regulate temperature

Inside your womb, your baby is very warm at around 34F (1C) warmer than your body temperature. Helping them to maintain their temperature when born is easy with lots of skin to skin.

If fact, keeping your baby warm is important for newborns as they lose a lot of heat from their large head, especially when it’s wet. Plus your baby can’t shiver, tell you that they are cold or move to a warm place. They will simply start to use up vital fat stores.

Bathing a baby too soon will lower their temperature from undressing, and loss of heat through evaporation. Just think of how you when you’re exposed to the room temperature when getting out of the bath or shower. That’s why you don’t want your baby to get a bath too soon.  

8. Decreased weight loss

Now that we’ve discussed the regulation of blood sugars and maintaining your baby’s temperature, we can talk about weight loss. It’s normal for your baby to lose around 10% of their birth weight in the first few days, but any more than this can be an issue.

Baby’s that have uncontrolled blood sugars disrupted breastfeeding or are unable to control their temperature are at higher risk of losing more weight. Again this may result in you needing to supplement or try adopt some exhausting pump schedule to up your milk supply to help your baby.

This may happen regardless of when your baby has their first bath. However, an early bath certainly causes interruption to baby’s instinctive feeding behaviors and can have a huge ripple effect on their development in those first critical days.

9. Less stressful for You

You may be lucky and have a baby who loves a bath, but otherwise, the first bath can be really stressful for you and your baby.

It can be really difficult to watch your little baby screaming their head off if the bath is stressing them out. You’ll want to comfort them as much as possible but probably won’t be able to until the bath is over.

Even worse ? Some hospitals need to bath your baby in a different room, this separation can be quite distressing for you both.

The experience may also depend on your nurse’s attitude to bathing your baby. Nurses are well aware that baths cause baby’s temperatures to drop, so they are super-efficient at handling the bath, but they may be hurried with your baby to get things done swiftly.

If you prefer to have the bathing experience when you are all as relaxed as possible and can take your time, then hold off until you are both relaxed.

10. Improved postpartum healing

Delaying your baby’s first bath can allow you to have lots of skin to skin at the most vital time. This close contact helps you release the hormone oxytocin. This is what causes the awesome bonding we discussed above.

Natural oxytocin release also helps improve your milk supply, boost your mood, reduces your postpartum bleeding and return you uterus to its pre-pregnancy size. All of these can contribute to a quick postpartum recovery for you.

RELATED: How To Bath Your Newborn Baby at Home

5 reasons you don’t want to delay baby’s first bath

This guide is here to inform you about delayed baby bathing, but that doesn’t mean you need to feel pressured into holding off on your baby’s bath. Let’s look at some reasons you may not want to delay your baby’s first bath.

1. Body Fluids

We’ve discussed the benefits of body fluid for your baby, but that doesn’t mean you will be able to cope with them especially if it weirds you out. It’s ok if you want your baby cleaned down a bit before you hold them.

 I find that if the body fluids are an issue for you, then its best to as your nurse to clean baby up as soon as possible so you can hold your sweet little baby without feeling grossed out.

Even if you are super keen on delaying your baby’s first bath, there may be some unexpected material such as meconium (baby’s first poo) that may make you change your mind.

2. Faith reasons

Your religion may have birth ceremonies after birth with including a ritual wash. Washing your baby of bodily fluids may be required as part of your faith.

 It’s best to put your plans for baby bathing into your birth plan, so your health professionals are aware of any special circumstances for your family.

3. You want a demo

Bathing a baby can be really scary because tiny babies are wriggly and even harder to control when wet. Bathing a baby as a new parent can be petrifying.

If you have a short hospital stay, it’s only natural to have your nurse show you their technique before you go home. They may even give you their favorite tips for making the process easier. You can check out my method to bathing newborns here.

4. Pressure from family

Even if you are your partner are ok with holding off on the bath, a lot of new parents feel pressured to have their baby nice and clean for their first visitors.

I totally understand that you might want to show off your baby’s full head of silky hair and not have it caked in blood from your delivery.

In this case, instead of a full bath, your baby may benefit from a simple wipe down to remove the majority of the offending materials, and then it’s a win-win.

5. Tradition

Family tradition can play a big part in what you do after birth. You may have a family tradition of taking a photo of the nurse bathing your baby. Just remember you can still get this photo even if you delay the bath. However, it may be more important if you intend to have a short hospital stay.

Related: Best Baby Tub for Newborns

3 Reasons Your Nurse doesn’t want to delay your baby’s first bath

Delayed baby bathing is becoming more common in the hospital. However, some continue with the practice of bathing your baby soon after delivery. These are some reasons your nurse may not want to delay giving your baby a bath.

1. Risk of disease

The reason most hospitals started bathing babies was a universal precaution against disease for your baby. If you delay bathing your baby, and it may be hospital policy for your nurse to wear gloves while handling your baby until they have a bath.

2. They like bathing babies

Most nurses love bathing babies because it feels great to be able to teach new parents baby care skills. Plus I have to admit that once all the gunk is gone from their hair and it all fuzzes up, it is pretty darn cute.

3. Work pressures

It’s likely that your nurse may have other families they are caring for at the same time as you. This means there time is limited, and unfortunately, it may be more convenient to give a bath after birth than later.

Don’t be annoyed if you ask your nurse to bathe your baby later and she’s caught up doing something else.

Your nurse may need to prioritize their workload, and a baby bath will probably be pushed down the list of things to do when they are busy.

How long to delay baby’s first bath

Most hospitals are recognizing the benefits of delayed baby bathing and will wait at least 12 hours before bathing your baby. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend waiting at least 24-48 hours until your first bath your baby.

Ultimately the choice is up to you, just remember to weight up the pros and cons to make a decision that is right for you and your family and let your caregivers know what you want.

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The post Delay Baby’s First Bath? 10 Important Reasons You Should appeared first on Stork Mama.

Or perhaps you had a very quick delivery with your last baby.

Have you thought about what to do if you don’t make it to your birth center in time?

Yes, I’m talking about laboring so fast that you accidentally deliver at home, also known as a BBA (born before arrival).

Fast or precipitous labor is uncommon, but they still happen. In fact, 1 in 200 babies are born before they arrive at the hospital.

You’re much more likely to experience this if you’ve already given birth. But even first-time moms experience it too.

Timing the trip to the hospital or a premature baby may take you by surprise.

Some babies hang around for no-one. They are born at home, in the car, in the ambulance or even at the side of the highway in rush hour traffic. You’ve seen the online videos right?

This guide is gonna tell you just what to do in case you don’t quite make it to the hospital n time. You might even want to print it out and keep a copy for your partner in case it happens.

There is a lot of information in this guide, so pin it to your baby or labor board, and you can come back to it later.

NOTE –  This guide is for women who are laboring outside of their planned place of birth. It is not for women who intend to free birth at home purposely without a trained professional to help.

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How to Handle An Unassisted Birth

1. Assess what’s Going on

Although this situation seems scary, the best thing to do is try and stay as calm as possible. Knowing how to handle the situation will get the best outcome if the medical staff are not around.

Are your contractions are coming every 3-4 minutes and lasting for around 1 minute? Then you’re in active labor. You may still have time to get to your birth center, especially if it’s your first baby.

When you’re unsure call your birth center, and they will triage you over the phone.

If you have a strong urge to push, stay put and use the following steps.

2. Call 911

If you think your baby is coming now, call 911 immediately. Don’t waste time by calling your hospital or midwifery unit; they’ll only tell you to call 911.

An ambulance will dispatch immediately. If you’re not at home, try to give as much detail of your location to make it easier for them to reach you, such as street signs.

They may ask a few questions such as ‘is this your first baby?’ or ‘how many weeks are you?’

If your baby’s head is appearing, they will be able to talk your partner through delivering your baby.

Unlock the door so that the EMT’s can access your home quickly.

3. Get a Helper

If you’re on your own, get someone who can help you out. At home, it’s best to try a female neighbor

Never get into a car and attempt to drive yourself to a birth center.

4. Heat the Home

Your baby needs a warm environment to be born into. At home turn the heating on if it’s cold or cool weather. If it’s hot weather, shut any windows and turn off the A/C or fans.

If you’re in a car turn the heating on and roll up the windows.

This is an important step, don’t skip it. One of the biggest risks to your baby is that they get too cold after delivery.

5. Gather a ‘Birth Kit’

Use items you have available to you in the home. If you are in the car try to take some of these items with you en-route to the birth center. That way you’ll be prepared if things change quickly.

A plastic sheet – trash bags, shower curtains or tablecloths can be used to protect your bed, carpet or car seats.

Lots of dry clean towels – Preferably warmed if possible, these are for drying your baby.

A warm blanket and hat – Again warmed if possible. These will be used to keep your baby warm after birth.

A large bowl or bag – You’ll need something to hold the placenta after it delivers. It’s very bloody so make sure your container doesn’t have holes.

6. Get comfortable

Use your plastic sheet, lay it down and sit on top. Don’t be tempted to go in the bath a sit can make it harder for the EMT to transfer you and can cause your baby to lose heat quicker.

Choose whatever position you feel most comfortable in. Lying on you left side is good to get the most oxygen to your baby.

7. Don’t push

Now I know you see all those movies where everyone is screaming ‘PUSH,’ but you need to resist.

Your body will give you an unbearable sensation to push. Rather than forcibly pushing down, try panting instead. Similar to how you would blow out candles on a cake.

Controlled breathing will allow your baby to delivery slowly to minimize your risk of tearing.

8. Delivering baby

Make sure your helper has clean hands. They should keep their hands close to your vagina ready to catch baby should they deliver very quickly.

Don’t worry if your baby’s head is delivered without the body. Don’t feel for cord and don’t pull on the head.

The body should be born with the next contraction. You or your helper should gently catch them.

9. When Your baby is out

As soon as your baby is born bring them up on to your tummy or your chest (depending on the cord length). Your baby will be wet and slippery and needs to dried quickly.

Give your baby a good, firm rub; this will help them to take their first breath and cry.

Your baby may be a little stunned, and you may need to do this for up to a minute. Most babies will cry before then.

There is a guide below on what to do if your baby doesn’t start to breathe after this time.

Put a hat on your baby, a blanket over you both and keep them warm with skin to skin.

10. The placenta

Now your baby is born you need to wait for the placenta to arrive. It can take anything from 10minutes to an hour. It’s also common for the placenta to become stuck after a quick labor.

Try putting your baby to your breast, if they managed to suck it will release hormones that help the placenta deliver.

Don’t tie off the cord or attempt to cut it. You’ll allow your baby to get as much vital blood and oxygen as possible. Cutting the corn can also leave your baby open to infection as your equipment won’t be sterile.

You’ll feel a few more contractions, and then the placenta will deliver.

Place it into the tub or plastic bag and keep it close as it will still be attached to your baby. The placenta needs to be inspected by a nurse or midwife to make sure it’s all out.

11. Once help arrives

You and baby will quickly be assessed to make sure there are no complications from birth. You’ll likely be transferred to hospital to assess if you need any vaginal stitches, deliver your placenta or to manage heavy bleeding.

Your baby is likely to be observed closely for signs of hypothermia. Keeping baby as dry and warm as possible will help prevent this.

The experience can be traumatic, and you or your partner may require a debrief session after the event. It’s best to talk about the events with trained staff.

If your baby doesn’t breathe

Remember to give your baby a good dry and rub for a minute to stimulate their breathing. Be firm like you would when you towel dry your hair.

The good news is your placenta is still attached, and your baby will get a flow of oxygen for around 5 minutes or when the cord stops pulsing.

If baby still appears blue, floppy and isn’t breathing:

1. Wrap them up and lie them on a firm flat surface. Try to keep them warm.
2. Tilt their chin slightly upwards, making sure that it’s not against their chest
3. Cover your baby’s mouth and nose with your open mouth. Try to seal your lips on their face. Breathe out and into your baby for 2-3 seconds. Repeat those breaths 5 times. Make sure the chest moves up and down as you do this.
4. Quickly check to see if your baby is breathing on their own. If they are then put baby back skin to skin, keep them warm.
5. If your baby still isn’t breathing repeat the breaths and check for breathing for up to a minute. Start chest compressions.
6. Place your first two fingers in the middle of your baby’s chest between the nipples. Press down quickly 3 times. Then do another breath.
7. Keep doing 3 compressions to one breath until you baby breathes themselves, or help arrives.

The Law

It’s not illegal to have an unassisted home birth in the USA. In some states, it is illegal for a midwife to attend a homebirth, unplanned or not.

That’s why it’s best to call 911 for assistance in the case of an unassisted birth.

Your state may require an immediate check by a trained professional to obtain your baby’s birth certificate.

Unassisted Birth Videos

Summary

Although the thought of an unassisted birth can be scary, your instincts will take over.

Your body is designed to have babies and is capable of doing it without help. The main aim of the game is to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. That means getting a check-up from a trained professional as soon as you can.

Follow this guide, and you’ll give you and your baby the best outcomes, should you accidentally deliver before you get to tour planned place of birth.

You got this mama.

The post How To Rock An Unassisted Birth Like a Pro appeared first on Stork Mama.

If you have or are about to, I bet you’ve put a lot of focus on coping with pain in labor.

Whether you’re a ‘give me all tha drugs!’ kinda gal or opting to go drug-free you know labor will be painful.

You’re focusing on what you want to prevent the pain, but have you thought about simple ways you could be making the pain worse?

It sounds really negative, however, it’s good to know what these things are. If you can avoid them, then you’ll cope better and require less pain relief.

I’ve created this guide to highlight the birthing pitfalls to avoid making during labor.

Let’s get started.

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9 Ways To Make Your Labor Pain Worse

1. Fear

It’s totally normal for you to be freaking petrified during birth.

I mean your whole life you’ve heard horror stories of moms pooping on the table or tearing from hole to hole, right?

Pretty much every birth on TV or movie has the mom screaming her head off.

The problem is that when you’re scared you become tense and breathe fast. Both of these reactions make the contractions feel a lot worse for you.

The fear also causes you to release stress hormones which can slow your labor and make you exhausted.

If your birth anxiety is severe, it’s best to speak to your doctor or a therapist beforehand. Cognitive therapy can help overcome your negative thoughts before labor starts.

Another option is to look into birthing classes in your area to teach you coping techniques. Hypnobirthing classes can be useful. I find mindfulness techniques are great for anxiety, and this book (I recommend the audio version) is a great read if this kind of techniques works for you.

This is a very powerful TED talk by world-renowned midwives Ina May Gaskin. It can be a bit hippyish in parts, but she makes some amazing points about modern birth culture.

2. Caregiver mistrust

Trusting your caregivers during labor is vital to help you release birth hormones (oxytocin).

If your nurse, midwife or doctor makes you feel uneasy, then your body will react and not labor well.

The mistrust creates an environment of fear and tension which heightens your pain.

Your nurse or midwife should be able to assess how well you are coping and help you through this.

Ask yourself if you feel comfortable with the policies and routine procedures of your chosen caregiver. Have they made comments that make you feel uneasy during pregnancy?

Then its best to find the right caregiver for you before your labor starts.

You may also consider hiring a doula to support you through your labor. A doula is familiar with the birth environment and stays with you all the time. This is especially important if you give birth where your nurse cannot provide one to one care in labor.

3. Birth environment

Have you considered your birth environment during labor?

You probably know who your birth partner will be, but what about the thing that makes you feel more comfortable?

Surprisingly you feel more relaxed and less tense when you’re in a homely environment.

The problem is that most hospitals are very clinical looking.

There are simple changes that you can make to your birth room, so you labor better.

First off, make sure that only people you want to be there are there. That includes your birth partner and medical staff.

If you don’t want a student in with you, let your caregiver know. Also, make sure that any staff knocks before they enter the room. Constant interruptions to you your room may slow it down.

Lack of privacy and bright lightening won’t help your labor progress. Ask your nurse to pull the curtains and dim the lights for a nice relaxed environment.

You might want to bring some home comforts such as pillows or essential oils you use in your house.

4. Pitocin

Unless there is a medical indication try to avoid suing artificial hormones to start or speed up your labor.

Using an artificial drip for labor is associated with an increased need for pain relief. That’s because your contractions are forced and don’t have the same slow built up of natural labor.

If your pregnancy is low risk and you’re heading toward being overdue, read up on natural ways to induce your labor. A good membrane sweep is a great ‘natural’ option for getting you into labor without the need for hormones.

If you do require Pitocin use during your labor, consider how this will affect your need for pain relief. Don’t feel like you’ve let yourself down if you need something strong like an epidural.

5. Posterior baby

A baby who is lying ‘back to back’ is known to cause more pain in labor.

The reason is that your baby is pressing against your spine causing back pain. In this position, your baby doesn’t open your cervix as well as a front facing position. That can make your labor a lot longer.

You can check out my tips for turning your posterior baby before your labor starts.

The idea is that you keep your bump as front facing a possible. Avoid lying on your back or position that recline your pelvis.

In labor its best to keep upright and avoid being on a bed. This may be an issue if you need to be constant monitoring during your labor. Your nurse or midwife will be able to assist you in helping your baby to turn.

Posterior babies need time to turn in labor which can make your labor longer. Your caregiver may even suggest Pitocin to speed the labor up. Of course, altogether that can lead to a much more painful experience.

My advice would be to try and prevent your baby from turning posterior before birth.

6. Dehydration

I always find it amazing how easy it is to forget simple solutions to birthing problems.

It’s common to forget to eat and drink during labor, especially when your contractions ramp up.

Dehydration is a big factor for increasing your pain levels.

Your body relies on water to make the cells work as best as they can. When your body is dehydrated, your energy and focus will suffer, making coping a lot harder.

In fact, if your body is severely dehydrated, it can actually stop your labor. That may then lead to you needing iv drips or Pitocin.

The best thing to do is to keep hydrated as soon as your contractions start. Tell your birth partner its one of their jobs to make sure you keep your fluids up when you forget.

You don’t need to drink liters during labor, but enough to prevent thirst. Your body is working really hard, so give it the fuel it needs.

Ice chips are a great way to keep your fluid levels up. Plus they will help to cool you down and make you feel more comfortable.

7. Your Breathing

I’m gonna give you a tip I give to all the laboring moms I care for.

Master your breathing, and your labor will completely change.

Think of the last time you were in pain. Did you automatically hold your breath?

I bet the answer was yes.

Holding your breath is a natural reaction to pain. However its bad news for labor.

When you hold your breath, you deprive your muscles of oxygen which heightens your pain levels.

The same is true when you breathe to fast during your contraction. Your body reacts by panicking and making your feel faint and out of control.

Learning how to breathe throughout your contractions is a great skill for coping with labor. When you breathe properly, your muscles and your baby gets the vital oxygen they need.

Focus on your breathing to get through the contraction. It helps you be rhythmic and relaxed as your tummy tightens.

Using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is very effective at providing pain relief and helps you to focus on taking long deep breaths.

Your birth partner can help to focus you by doing the breathing with you. Your nurse or midwife will also help keep your breathing under control if you start to panic.

8. Not Using Coping techniques

I know you’ll already have a plan for what medical pain relief you’ll use, but what about natural pain relief.

It’s not surprising to know that if you don’t have any coping techniques to use then, you’ll ask for the painkillers sooner.

Yes, painkillers are great for taking the pain away, but they can add unnecessary risk to your labor. That includes restricting your mobility, increasing your risk of assisted delivery or requiring Pitocin to speed things up.

Check out my guide to 10 natural coping tools for labor.

If you have the option, consider having a water birth. It’s ideal for relaxing you and is well known to reduce the need for further pain relief in labor.

You may also love using heat pads or having your partner massage your back during your contractions.

These techniques can also help you stay at home as long as possible which allows your labor to progress better.

9. Birth Positions

Whatever you do, stay off your back during labor.

I know that most movies you see have women delivering on their back. It’s the worst position possible for you and your baby.

Lying on your back put lots of pressure on your back focusing the pain on the area.

When you lie down, your body is working against gravity that helps your baby to move downwards. Therefore lying on your back is likely to make your labor last longer.

If you need to stay in a bed, make sure you’re sitting as upright as possible. Otherwise get up and move around the room to help your labor.

Don’t feel scared to rest; you can lie on your side with a peanut ball to give your baby room to move.

Make use of birthing balls and bed bars to help your body work with gravity, regardless of your situation during labor. Any good nurse or midwife will be happy to help you do this.

Summary

As you plan for your birth, keep in mind the things that can increase your pain.

You want to use as many natural coping techniques as possible to prevent intervention and the chance to have a natural birth.

This guide has highlighted the things that can make your labor pain worse, and how to resolve it.

You can do this Mama, go get the birth you want.

The post 9 Agonizing Ways To Make Your Labor Pain Worse appeared first on Stork Mama.

You’re aiming for a natural birth, right? And, you know it’s gonna be painful, but you’d prefer to avoid having an epidural.

But niggling doubts are starting to creep in.

“Will I cope with the pain?”

“Is my pain tolerance as high as I think?”

“I’ve never been in severe pain; I’m scared.”

What you need right now is to learn how to cope with your labor pain.

As a midwife, I can’t sum it up better than advice by birth guru Penny Simkins. When you feel tense and anxious, labor is much more painful. The three ways you can cope with the consistent pain are with:

• Relaxation. Reducing the stress of labor.
• Ritual. Doing the same routine with each contraction
• Rhythm. Doing something in a familiar and repetitive pattern

I want to let you know my favorite labor tools to help you use these 3 coping techniques in labor. You see, when you’re coping, you’re less likely to need further pain relief.

You might find a midwife or doula can provide most of these. If not you should pack your own ‘coping bag’ and put it in your hospital bag.

Let’s look at each tool and how it will help you.

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10 Natural Labor Coping Tools

1. Tennis Balls

Ok, I’m sure you know what a tennis ball is. But why would you want to use one in labor?

Well, a tennis ball is perfect for creating counter pressure. That means you get pain relief when you push back against your contractions.

The best way to use a tennis ball is to apply steady, firm pressure on your lower back or hips. Your partner, midwife or doula can so this during your contraction.

You can even make a DIY massage tool with the tennis balls. Put two or three in a sock (a clean man’s sock is usually long enough) and tie the end. The sock can then be used to rhythmically run up and down your back during contractions.

Tennis balls are ideal to use as they are inexpensive and the right firmness. You can also use one of the massage balls with spikes, like these ones. They are good for targeting specific pressure points.

2. Massage Oil

Aromatherapy oils are great for use in labor. I mean who doesn’t love a good massage?

They help to promote relaxation. Plus I love that oils encourage a sense of touch during labor. Whether that’s from your partner, midwife/nurse or doula. Touch is a great way to release your oxytocin hormone. That’s what’s gonna stop your labor from stalling.

Did you know that frankincense and myrrh are two oils recommended for labor pains? Yep, three wise midwives would have known to bring them before the baby was born!

I think the most effective oils to use are lavender for relaxation, lemon for a pick me up and preventing nausea and the mighty clary sage that’s like Pitocin in a bottle, helping to strengthen your contractions.

If you use these oils for massage you need to mix them with a carrier oil. Don’t apply them directly to your skin. If you’re unsure, an electric aromatherapy diffuser may be a better option for you.

3. Hot Therapy Pack

You know when you get those dull crampy period pains? What’s one thing that makes it better for you? That’s right a nice hot water bottle.

A lot of hospitals won’t let you have a hot water bottle due to the risk of scalding. A hot therapy pack is much safer to use.

I can’t count how many times women have asked me if we have these available to use in labor. Seriously they’re pretty inexpensive, get one in your hospital bag.

Once the pack is heated, you can apply it to your lower back, tummy or hips during contractions. Plus a warm pack on the perineum can help it stretch up and prevent tears.

By the way that’s why I’d recommend using a gel pack over a rice pad. Labor is messy yo! At least a gel pack can be washed down after. Then you can use it for postpartum stiffness or muscle pains.

4. Squatty Potty

I’m gonna tell you something you’ll do during labor. How do I know? Because all women love doing it. So what is it?

You’ll love sitting on a toilet.

Why? Because it helps to open up your hips and gets you into a supported squatted position.

If the thought of spending most of your labor on a toilet seems unhygienic, you have other options. A birth stool has the same effect as a toilet. The CUB chair is a great modern option, but it’s pricey for a one-off.

My secret sauce to getting the same effect is using a squatty potty. Seriously, you’ll get one for under $30.

When you’re sitting upright with wide-open hips, you give your baby room to move. Plus the squatted position tones your pelvic floor, which helps your baby move into a good position.

Oh and don’t forget that it will also make it a lot easier for your first postpartum poop. Seriously, you won’t feel like you’re passing shards of glass.

5. Birth Ball

I’m crazy about big balls. You know those big exercise balls.

Now if you don’t have one already, get one now. They are comfortable and help you prepare for labor. Use it daily by sitting on it instead of your sofa.

Birthing balls are perfect in labor for:

• taking intense pressure off your spine
• applying counter pressure to your perineum
• opening your hips
• keeping you upright

All these benefits help you to cope better with your contractions. And when you’re coping, you’re less likely to reach for further pain relief.

You can bounce up and down, but circling your hips is better. Another great position is to lean over the ball as you kneel. I love that one for posterior labor as it relieves the intense back pain and helps your baby turn the right way.

Using the right size of birthing ball is important. Otherwise, you won’t get the best results. Check the brand sizing guide before you buy. The 65cm is the most common size unless you’re smaller, then go for the 55cm size.

Read: 7 Ways To Speed up Your Labor

6. Peanut Ball

Meet the exercise balls weird-shaped little sister. The peanut ball. It gets its name because, well, it looks like a peanut shell.

The idea behind a peanut ball is to help you ‘rest smart.’ You probably know that lying on your back is terrible for labor.  Well, a peanut ball helps you to lie down, but with your hips open to help your labor. That means it keeps your body in a great position as you rest.

Peanut balls are great if your movement is restricted during labor. For example, you’re on a CTG, have IV drips, or you’re simply exhausted.

Your peanut ball will reduce your risk of a longer and more painful back labor. Plus if you do get an epidural, the peanut ball can be used to stop your labor slowing down.

As with an exercise ball, check the sizing guide. If it’s too big, you’ll find it uncomfortable to use.

7. A comb

Have you ever been in pain and squeezed your fist? You know, so tight that your fingernails were digging in your palms? I bet it helped, right?

That’s known as a counter-irritant. It means you’re doing something annoying or uncomfortable to distract yourself from the pain. It helps you cope by giving you control. You know you can stop it at any time.

A great way to do this in labor is by squeezing a hair comb in your hand. Hold it, so the spikes dig into the crease where your fingers meet your palm. You can even use one for each hand.

Also, the spikes will hit lots of acupressure points to trigger your body’s natural painkillers.

Seems simple, but it works.

You can use a regular plastic comb, but make sure it won’t cut you if you squeeze too tight. Trust me; you’ll harness a death grip when you’re in labor.

8. Tens  Machine

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It’s a little machine that attaches to your skin with sticky pads and gives you a small electric pulse. It feels kinda tingly or like a buzzing sensation. There is a control panel where you can adjust how strong the pulses are.

A tens machine works by disrupting the pain signals so they don’t have a ‘full’ effect. Plus, it’s a great distraction technique.

To be honest, it’s something you’ll love or hate the sensation of. I find women who do use them require much less pain relief in labor.

For best results start using in early labor. Put the pads on your middle or lower back. Don’t put the pads on your tummy. Remember, you control the intensity, so switch it up as the contractions ramp up.

You shouldn’t use a TENS if you have epilepsy or a heart condition. As it’s electrical, you can’t use it in water. You’ll also need to take it off if your baby needs to be monitored on a CTG as it can interfere with the trace.

9. Rebozo

A rebozo is a traditional Mexican shawl used for birth. It’s another midwife and doula favorite to encourage movement.

A rebozo can be used in many ways during labor. Similar to the massage balls, it can apply counter pressure by squeezing your hips. It can also be used to sift your tummy between contractions. Not only does it help you rest and rest at the same time, but it provides comfort.

I’m no expert in using a rebozo, but I can point you in the right direction. Check out this guide to using a rebozo by Gail at Spinning Babies.

These ones by Del Mex are a great pick, plus they come in a range of beautiful colors. You can even use it for breastfeeding or tummy time once your baby arrives.

10. Birth Pool

Ok, you can’t put this one in your hospital bag. A birth pool is like a large tub or inflatable you can labor and birth in.

Birth pools are used by midwives as they provide relaxation and reduce the need for more pain relief.

Research what’s available in the birth units and hospitals in your area. Home birth may be an option to consider if there are no birth pools in your area.

I’m gonna hold my hands up and say I was always skeptical of water birth. I thought it wasn’t normal to give birth in water. That’s until my midwife persuaded me to labor in the pool with my third baby.

Having had two babies ‘on land,’ the sense of relief the water gives is fantastic. It makes you feel weightless. Unlike my previous births, it helped me through labor with only gas and air. And yes, my baby was born in the water.

If you can’t access a birth pool try using a bath or shower through your labor.

You can buy your own birth pool to use at home. This one is recommended by home birth mamas, and it’s not too expensive.  Hiring a professional birth pool will cost you between $200 and $600.

Conclusion

So now you know what tools can help you avoid labor, get them in your hospital bag.

Whether they help you relax or prevent a long, back labor you’re sure to find these items useful.

You can do this Mama. Go birth that baby like the queen you are.

The post 10 Natural Labor Coping Tools to Avoid an Epidural appeared first on Stork Mama.

Let’s face it; you don’t want to even think of having your vagina cut. Unfortunately, it’s something you need to know about before you go into labor.

An episiotomy isn’t something you can plan for. So you may be wondering why you need to learn about an episiotomy in pregnancy.

The reason is informed consent.

An episiotomy is a medical procedure that often has to be performed in emergency situations or at the height of labor.

Both of these are situations which leave you unable to think straight or take important information on board.

If you know about them beforehand, you are more likely to understand what is happening and the effect it may have on you.

I’ve created this guide to give you all the information you need to know before baby arrives. There is quite a lot to take in, especially if your head is spinning with birthing info.

Pin it now so you can refer to it later in your pregnancy. Also, remember to share with your pregnant friends who will find it useful.

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Episiotomy Guide For Birth

What is an episiotomy?

An episiotomy is a medical cut that made on the perineum or the area of skin and muscle between your vagina and anus.

This area of skin can often restrict the amount of space a baby has or can slow the delivery.

The cut is made during the pushing stage of labor as your baby’s head starts to crown. Ideally, the damage from an episiotomy should be equal to a second-degree tear (vaginal skin and muscle only).

Your caregiver repairs the wound with stitches after your baby is born.

Types of Episiotomy Cut

There are two types of episiotomy: midline and mediolateral. Each has its benefits and drawbacks.

Midline episiotomy

This type of cut is made straight down toward the anus (between 12 and 6 on a clock). This style of episiotomy is standard in the USA and Canada.

A midline episiotomy is often preferred as it is easier for doctors to perform and repair.  This type of cut results in less bleeding, pain, and pain during sex.

The main risk of a midline episiotomy is extended tearing. If you continue to tear even after this type of cut, it can reach into your anus. This damage can cause life-changing medical problems which may leave you unable to control your bowels.

Mediolateral episiotomy

Your caregiver makes this cut at a 45-degree angle towards the butt cheeks. This type of episiotomy is typical in Europe.

The main advantage of this type of cut is avoiding any cut or tearing to the anus.

The drawbacks of this type of episiotomy are that it takes greater skill to repair, which may make healing more uncomfortable.

Reasons for episiotomy

In the 70s and 80s, episiotomies were a routine part of a vaginal delivery. Fortunately, that practice has long gone. However, an episiotomy can provide some benefits during birth.

We’ve already discussed that the perineum can slow delivery or reduce the space baby has. These are situations where you may need either of these:

Delayed second stage

The second stage is when you dilate to 10cm, and your baby is ready to be born. This part is when you start to push with each contraction. The second stage can last a long time if your perineum is holding your baby back. This delay usually happens if your perineum is notably thick or muscular.

An episiotomy releases the resistance on babies head and provides more room for baby to be born. In this situation, to justify an episiotomy then your baby is distressed, or you have been pushing for at least an hour.

Distressed baby

Passing over the perineum naturally can slow down the delivery. Some babies can’t cope with this stage, and their heart rate drops dangerously low. An episiotomy can speed up the delivery, to prevent further distress to your baby. This intervention can prevent your baby requiring resuscitation if they have only suddenly become distressed.

Prevent Tearing

The perineum stretches a lot as your baby’s head moves down the vagina. If this stretching happens too quick, the perineum can’t cope and begins to tear. You can sometimes see this happening on the outside. An episiotomy may be performed to control how far this tear extends. Your doctor will do this if a tear is reaching up to the urethra (the hole you pee from).

Assisted delivery

If you need help to deliver your baby with forceps or a suction cup, your doctor will usually perform an episiotomy. The reason is that your perineum has less time to stretch and is more likely to tear. The doctor should assess your perineum to keep damage to a minimum.

Shoulder dystocia

This is an emergency situation where your baby’s head delivers but the shoulders stay stuck in the pelvis. An episiotomy won’t help deliver the shoulders, but it can make room to perform maneuvers that will.

Medical conditions

There are some medical conditions (often heart-related) that can limit how much pushing you can do in labor. Pushing puts a lot of strain on the body, especially if you are doing it for a long time. An episiotomy can speed up the delivery to help you achieve a vaginal birth.

Potential effects

The benefits of an episiotomy should be weighed up against to risk of tearing. An episiotomy should never be carried out for convenience sake as there are a lot of potential risks.

Severe Tearing

Although an episiotomy can be used to control the extent of a tear, it can make it worse. In fact, most 3^rd or 4th-degree tears are caused by an episiotomy that extends. This means that the episiotomy causes more damage than without one.

Physical health

An episiotomy means a wound that requires healing from an already tired postpartum body. The risks include increased risk of pain, bleeding, infection, nerve damage, immobility, and constipation. Severe health effects include anal fistulas or incontinence.

Mental Health

Having an episiotomy performed without consent can trigger mental trauma. This trauma can worsen if there are long-term health issues that have resulted from this procedure.

Future Pregnancy

Any vaginal damage will weaken that area for future births. That means you are at higher risk of tearing and requiring stitches. If an episiotomy extends to cause anal trauma, you may be advised to have a C-section for future babies.

Sex Life

It’s common for an episiotomy to result in reduced sensation or increased pain during sex. Reluctance and fear to have sex can lead to massive strain on relationships.

Financial

The cost of long-term health conditions which require lifelong treatment can cause a severe financial strain. Consider the cost of medical bills and therapy. Therefore make sure you have good health insurance in place before you have your baby.

Prenatal Discussion

You may have strong feelings about avoiding an unnecessary episiotomy or requesting one during delivery. It’s a procedure that is still carried out in around 12% of vaginal births in the USA.

I would highly recommend having a discussion about episiotomy with your caregiver.  Ask them how often they perform them and under what circumstances.

You may also want to know what they do to prevent tearing during delivery. Good perineal support and communication during crowning can reduce tears. Doctors are more likely to perform an episiotomy than a midwife.

A routine episiotomy (without justified need) is not an evidence-based practice. The ACOG and World Health Organization (WHO) advise against them.

There is also no benefit of a planned episiotomy if you had a tear or episiotomy during a previous birth. Although, as the skin is weaker in this area, you’re at higher risk of tearing again in the same place.

Episiotomy vs. Tearing

Most normal vaginal deliveries that are progressing well do not require an episiotomy.

Without an episiotomy, the risk is that you may naturally tear instead. Although, if you have an episiotomy you may still tear.

If there is no good reason for an episiotomy, then it’s likely you will have similar or lesser damage than an episiotomy would cause. Most tears don’t require any stitches at all.

A tear is much more likely to result in quicker healing and less blood loss. A ragged tear can be more difficult to repair the straight cut of an episiotomy.

Current evidence favors natural tearing over an episiotomy for healing, blood loss, and long-term damage unless there is a valid medical need.

Episiotomy Consent

The first step of an episiotomy should always to obtain consent from you. This is a legal requirement, not a guideline. The details of this may depend on the urgency of the situation. An episiotomy should never be performed without your knowledge or consent, regardless of the need.

Sometimes a birth situation can be hectic, and it can be difficult to take things on board. Discuss with your birthing partner that they should also be made aware if an episiotomy is to be performed. Let them be your advocate if one is about to be done without good reason.

Episiotomy procedure

An episiotomy is a quick procedure taking about a minute or two to complete. This is what will happen.

• Your caregiver obtains consent from you (with justification for need).
• You will have an epidural top up or a local anesthetic to numb your perineum. This takes a few minutes to work.
• Your caregiver inserts two fingers between your perineum and your baby’s head, preventing injury to your baby.
• The episiotomy is performed at the height of a contraction, so only skin and superficial muscles are cut.
• An incision is made in one firm cut about 4-5cm long.
• Your baby’s head will deliver, followed by the body
• After delivery, your cargiver will ask to carefully inspection your vagina further tearing.
• Your caregiver will then repair the episiotomy and any additional tearing with stitches.

Episiotomy Recovery

Your vagina will feel like its gone through the wars after delivery. It will fell bruised and swollen, and your stitches may feel sore and tight.

It can take anything from a week to a month for your perineum to heal. Any longer than this and it’s best to seek medical advice for a review.

Check out my guide to caring for your vaginal stitches. You find all you need to know about hygiene, pain management, comfort, intimate issues and seeking advice. Plus I’ve recommended some products you can use at home to provide relief and prevent infection.

Always report any concerns or signs of infection to your caregiver. These are your red signals:

• Excessive swelling
• hot to touch
• pus
• offensive smell
• increasing pain (even with pain relief)
• temperature
• fever symptoms

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek a medical review ASAP. Untreated postpartum infection will cause you to become very unwell and be admitted to hospital.

Related: Postpartum Recovery Essentials

Episiotomy FAQ

Can I prevent an episiotomy?

When your labor is progressing normally there is no indication to do an episiotomy. Good position and communication with your caregiver can reduce tearing. Check out my guide on vaginal tearing during labor for more tips on preventing cuts and tears.

Does and episiotomy cut hurt?

 Your caregiver requires two things before they do an epsiotomy: your consent and adequate pain relief. This may be from your epidural or local anesthetic. It’s a quick procedure your caregiver does at the point when your baby’s head is crowning. As the periniuem stretches is causes an intense burning snesation known as  the ‘ring of fire’.  You’ll probably be more focused on that sensation and be unaware of an  episiotomy.

When will I be able to exercise after an episiotomy?

It’s always best to wait for medical approval before starting postpartum exercise. Most doctors approve exercise, when are fit and well,  at 4-6 weeks after birth.

Exercise will help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. You should introduce Kegel exercises to target the muscles that have been weakened by pregnancy and birth.

Will need an episiotomy for my next birth?

A planned episiotomy is not necessary for past tearing or episiotomy. However, you are at higher risk of tearing again in these areas as they are weaker. It’s unlikely any tearing will extend beyond your scar tissue. This means if you do tear it’s likely to be equal to or less than a previous cut or tear.

If you had a previous 3^rd or 4th-degree tear with extensive damage, it’s advisable to consider a planned C-section.

Will I be left with a scar?

An episiotomy will leave a scar on your perineum. If repaired well it should heal well and become virtually unnoticeable. It’s important to contact your caregiver for a review if your scar has loss of sensation, constant pain or is painful during sex.

Looking for an awesome childbirth class?

As a pregnant Mama, you probably have a million and one question about giving birth. I highly recommend you check out this online prenatal class.

The class teacher, Hilary,  is a Labor and Delivery nurse with over 15 years’ experience. Trust me this woman has probably seen it all a thousand times before.

Hilary is a fantastic and engaging teacher. She tailors her class to couples, so your partner will benefit too. You’ll learn a lot, in the comfort of your own home (while eating a whole tub of Ben and Jerrys without being judged).

There is a free version if you don’t want to jump in for the full paid version just yet. What are you waiting for go get it now.

The post Episiotomy Cut – Make an Informed Choice During Delivery appeared first on Stork Mama.

Like most pregnant moms you’re hoping for a smooth and pain-free birth to welcome the arrival your little one.

However now you’ve heard tales of three-day labors, see a video of a baby crowning and read about episiotomies your anxiety is beginning to skyrocket.

How will it feel? When will it happen? Will you cope with the pain?

This fear of the unknown can leave you paralyzed and out of control.

Whether you are planning on a natural birth or having a planned cesarean, it’s normal to feel anxious as your due date nears.

The good news is that you can have a few tricks up your sleeve, to help you mentally prepare for whatever is thrown your way.

Focusing on right things will help you to take on labor and delivery like the bad ass Mama you are.

And who better to teach you these tricks than a few experts?

I’ve rounded up a few really awesome pregnancy and parenting bloggers who really know their stuff. Their expertise is made up of successful mothers, midwives, nurses, doulas and advocates for pregnant women, like you.

I asked them all to share their best labor and delivery survival tips.

Remember to pin this for later so you have it on hand. If you find it useful please share with your friends and family who will love this advice.

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What’s your best labor and delivery survival tip?

I received some great tips from twelve awesome pregnancy and parenting bloggers. If you are not already following them please check out their websites and social media pages for some great content.

Rachel – The Analytical Mommy

Rachel is a  working mom of two boys and pregnant with baby number three. She runs The Analytical Mommy, a family blog full of tips, hacks, and reviews for parents.

My #1 tip is to be prepared for a long day and trust your gut! Okay, maybe that’s my #1 AND #2 tip!

Labor can go super fast or last an entire day or more so make sure that you have some entertainment. Also, try to mentally prepare yourself for the long day and you will have a much better experience.

I say trust your gut because you are the patient and you know your body and what you’re feeling. This doesn’t mean that you should second-guess the doctors – they are professionals, but you shouldn’t feel like you are just a spectator. Ask questions, ask for help and raise your concerns.

With my second I got extreme chills that lasted hours and I just thought that I was cold. Turned out that I should have told the nurses!

If I’m allowed a third tip, it would be to not over pack your hospital bag! See my post on what you really need to take with you so that you aren’t stressed by stuff in the hospital room and don’t need to worry about unpacking tons of unnecessary stuff when you get home.

Congratulations Mama and good luck!

Check Out Rachel’s website here: www.theanalyticalmommy.com

Follow with Rachel on Instagram:  The Analytical Mommy Instagram

Nina – The Baby Chick

Nina is The Baby Chick. Truly passionate about supporting Moms and babies as a baby planner, postpartum doula, massage therapist, prenatal and new baby teacher. She has also just welcomed a little baby boy into her family.

My best labor and delivery survival tip is to have a strong support team around you. Make sure that you and your healthcare provider are on the same page, that you feel supported by your nurse, your partner is feeling confident by your side, etc.

I personally have been to hundreds of births supporting laboring women and the best births are the ones where the laboring mother feels heard, respected and supported.

I knew that I wanted this for my own birth experience and that is why I chose to have a midwife, doula, my husband, my mother and a birth photographer there to support me. Everyone had an important role and I couldn’t have asked for a better birth for my son. That is why having good support is everything during labor and birth.

Check out Nina’s website here: www.baby-chick.com

Follow Nina on Facebook:  The Baby Chick Facebook

Lisa – Birth Eat Love

Lisa is a true southern Mama of four. She writes at Birth Eat Love, sharing her passion for natural pregnancy, homebirth, and health.

Think about what you want to do during early labor. This will be a time when you will feel excited anxious and ready to get the show on the road. But this time may last anywhere from a few hours to half a day or more. So be prepared!

Have a Birth ball to bounce on, baby clothes to fold, food to cook for after labor (this was my favorite activity!), birth affirmations to stay positive and music to inspire and keep calm. You want to create as calm an environment as possible as tension and nervousness may prolong labor.

Remember to snack and hydrate during the whole process! Have snacks made with dates like energy balls, granola bars, chia pudding, and trail mix. Have honey sticks on hand for a natural energy boost. Also yogurt and lots of red raspberry leaf and nettle tea available to sip on.

Check out Lisa’s website here: www.birtheatlove.com

Follow Lisa on Pinterest: Birth Eat Love Pinterest

Read: How to induce labor naturally

Deanna – Fit to Be Pregnant

Deanna is a mother to four and owner of Fit To Be Pregnant. She is passionate about helping moms have a fit and healthy pregnancy and postpartum.

Have a fit and healthy pregnancy! Staying active has been shown to lower risks for medical interventions, helps you develop the stamina and endurance you will need for labor, and will help you recover more quickly postpartum.

Eating plenty of vegetables and protein every day will also help you feel your best all the way up to delivery day.

Check out Deanna’s website here: www.fittobepregnant.com

Follow Deanna on Facebook: Fit to Be Pregnant Facebook

Related: Surprising Things To Prepare For After Birth

Holly – Kick Ass Birth

Holly is the boss lady at Kick Ass Birth. A mother of three, trained doula and childbirth educator, she doesn’t mess around. She’ll teach you how to transition into parenthood.

My best birth advice is to first: hire a provider who is respectful and kind, and whose approach to birth aligns with yours. And then during your labor, take each twist in the path as it comes. When your path takes a left turn, be present to it, ask yourself “What needs to be done next?” and do it.

Everyone says that birth is unpredictable, but there are ways to be ready for the unexpected and ways to practice that flexibility NOW. And of course I’m a HUGE fan of Birthing From Within classes, where this is taught!

Note from Stork Mama

I love this tip from Holly. As a student midwife, I discovered the Birthing from Within book, and it completely changed the way I thought about birth. It’s a great way to delve into how you really feel about birth. I love that the principals apply to all type of birth including cesarean.

Check out Holly’s website here: www.kickassbirth.com

Follow Holly on Facebook: Kick Ass Birth Facebook

Jenny – Midwife and Life

Jenny writes over at Midwife and Life. As a UK trained Midwife, and mother of three, She is passionate about giving great care to women and families.

My survival tip is to keep yourself educated and informed, don’t go along with unnecessary interventions, learn how to relax.

Don’t go into hospital too soon, the longer you can stay at home the better. Learn a simple relaxation method and practice practice practice. Keep hydrated.

Gather your support network.

Check out Jenny’s website here: www.midwifeandlife.com 

Follow Jenny on Facebook: Midwife and Life Facebook

Ana – Mommy’s Bundle

Ana is the creator of Mommy’s bundle. A busy mom of three boys, she writes about encouragement, support, and inspiration for both new and seasoned Mamas.

As a mom who had to undergo an emergency c-section with my first (and all babies, subsequently), my best labor and delivery survival tip is to just go with the flow when your birth plan doesn’t pan out. Because the truth is, you can’t predict with certainty how your baby will enter the world.

If you prepared for a natural birth but end up needing a c-section, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, if it means a healthy mom and baby, it’s the right choice to embrace with open arms.

Check out Ana’s website here: www.mommysbundle.com

Follow Ana on Facebook: Mommy’s Bundle Facebook

Carly – Mommy On Purpose

Carly is the Mommy over at Mommy on Purpose. A busy mom to one with another little one on the way. Her mommy posts are super relatable, down to earth and great at keeping it real.

TRUST THAT YOUR BODY CAN DO THIS (and, if anything DOES go wrong, trust that this is day-in and day-out to your healthcare providers).

I know it doesn’t sound like much, but our bodies were MADE to grow and deliver children. It might be uncomfortable, it might feel like you can’t do it, but it really isn’t something that you have to choose to do – your BODY will do it.

Try to remember that – let yourself relax (it’s hard when you’re in pain, but try) and trust that your body is doing the hard work for you.

Check out Carly’s Website here: www.mommyonpurpose.com

Follow Carly on Pinterest: Mommy On Purpose

Melissa – Mommy Status

Melissa is one half of the Mommy Status Blog she shares with her sister Ashley. They have 4 children between them, and love to write about everything motherhood related.

My #1 tip survival tip for labor and delivery is to be prepared mentally to have plans change. We all want our baby to arrive safely and, although we tediously write and study our birth plans, we need to be aware that things do not always go according to plan.

Once you have this open mind…go pack your hospital bag!  Make sure it is ready to go so that you are prepared for what’s to come.  And, as difficult as giving birth is, try to take a moment to appreciate how incredible your body is to grow a life.  It is a true gift.

Check out Melissa’s website here: www.mommystatus.com

Follow Melissa on Pinterest: Mommy Status Pinterest

Related: 14 Important Decisions You’ll Need to make For your Baby Straight After Birth

Sarah – My Natural Baby Birth

Sarah is the owner of My Natural Baby Birth and mom to three boys. Her blog is great inspiration for getting back to basics with pregnancy and birth and helping you reach your potential.

My best labor and delivery survival tip would be to master how to relax during your contractions.  You can put yourself into a meditative, fully supportive state that dramatically reduces pain, tension, and anxiety that is well worth it.

When you submit to your body’s strength and don’t fight against it, you will have a powerful experience that is unparalleled.

Check out Sarah’s website here: www.mynaturalbabybirth.com

Follow Sarah on Pinterest: My Natural Baby Birth Pinterest

Hilary – Pulling Curls

Hilary of Pulling Curls has been a labor and delivery nurse for over 16 years. She’s also a mom and childbirth educator.  This woman has pretty much seen it all when it comes to pregnancy and you’ll learn a lot from her experience.

My best tip is to not make any plans for your delivery.  There are so many variables to consider.  Having a doctor you trust is your best plan.  Trust your nurse and keep your options open.

Note from Stork Mama

Hilary is a practicing RN and has a totally awesome online Prenatal Class you can take to prepare for birth. It teaches you everything you need to know in the comfort of your own home.

Check out Hilary’s website here: www.pullingcurls.com

Follow Hilary on Pinterest: Pulling Curl Pinterest

Ros – Stress Free Mommies

Ros is a mom of three (including twins) and blogger at Stress Free Mommies. She passionately writes about pregnancy, baby, and all things motherhood, to make it less stressful for you.

My best labor and delivery survival tip would be to pray first (always calms me down) and then try to relax. Have an open mind and do not over think things. Stay positive!

Also, do not over pack your hospital bag, keep it simple! Make sure that you have all of your important documents at hand. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you will be welcoming your new baby and that’s good enough reason to ease most of your fears.

Check out Ros’ website here: www.stressfreemommies.com

Follow Ros on Pinterest: Stress Free Mommies Pinterest

Ray – Stork Mama

That’s me! I’m a mama of three and practicing Midwife from the UK. I believe in sharing unbiased knowledge to support and empower you through TTC, pregnancy, and motherhood.

Practice your distraction techniques. In early labor, this can be laughing, resting and relaxing. Use these to try and stay at home as long as possible.

As labor ramps up and those contractions get going, try to focus on your breathing. It’s so cliché but it really works. Repetitive chants or humming are a great way to zone out and focus through the contraction.

Keep mobile and change position often to help your baby move down your pelvis. This is possible even with an epidural.

Oh yeah, one more thing: don’t be afraid to poop. It’s such a huge fear most women have and can totally throw the whole labor. You can read my guide to prevent pooping during birth here.

Bookmark this website now: www.StorkMama.com

Follow Stork Mama on Social Media: Stork Mama Pinterest | Stork Mama Instagram | Stork Mama Facebook

I would like to say a huge thank you to all the pregnancy and parenting bloggers who featured in this post.

Let me know, in the comments below: What is your best labor and delivery survival tip? I would love to hear them.

Remember to share this post with your friends to help empower women through birth.

The post Labor and Delivery Survival Tips from 12 Pregnancy Pros appeared first on Stork Mama.

The subject of cord blood banking has put your brain into overdrive.

You’re considering it, but is it worth it?

It’s a subject which has a lot of info for you to have a good think about. A proper informed choice of all your options is the best way for you to make a decision.

This easy to follow guide is for you to explore all the options to help you pick the best route for your family. There is a lot to get through, so bookmark or pin this guide now to read later.

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What is cord blood banking?

Cord Blood Banking is a blood donation that you can collect from the umbilical cord at birth. Once collected the blood is then safely stored. This blood from your baby is known to be full of stem cells. Modern medicine can now use these stem cells to treat various diseases or improve recovery from intensive treatments.

Cord Blood Banking Process

Collecting the blood from the cord does not hurt your baby in any way. When your baby is born their cord will still be connected to your placenta. The cord is clamped and cut to separate baby. You can bank cord blood if you have a vaginal or a C-section birth. If you choose not to use a blood bank your placenta will be discarded after it delivers.

If you do opt to bank the cord blood the process starts straight away. A special collection kit is used to milk the cord of as much blood as possible. Around 1-5oz is usually collected from the cord.  A blood sample will also be collected from you to screen the blood for any disease or viruses.

The cord blood is sent to a specialist blood bank laboratory. The blood is then screened and processed. The processing procedure involves removing all the red blood cells and plasma so you left with just the stem cells. What’s left of the sample is frozen for future use.

You can either opt for a public or private cord blood bank.

Public Cord Blood Banks

I like to think of this as a baby blood drive. Once the blood is received and processed it’s put into a national database for public use by any potential matches.

The great thing about public blood banks is that it’s free. With each donation, you are increasing the availability of stem cell therapy to really ill people who desperately need. Clinical trials and research use cord blood to improve future medical treatments. It’s a great feeling to know you’re doing your bit for others without having to do anything.

The downside of public banking its extremely unlikely you will get that blood back if you need it in the future. Either it will be used by some else, for research or possibly discarded if it doesn’t meet processing criteria.

It’s important to remember that even if you donate cord blood, you will be charged medical fees should you need a public donation in the future. The current cost is around $40,000 per unit of cord blood. You may want to check if your medical insurance covers these costs.

If you opt to go down this route, you need to let your caregiver know before the birth. They will give you more information on the process. Not all hospitals participate in public cord blood donation.  Ask if they can arrange a company to come and take the donation.

Private Blood Banks

A private cord bank will take care of retrieving the cord blood and storing it for you. You’ll have full rights over the donation. It will also be available for you to use at any time your family needs it. You can even use the donation for any siblings or close family members. This makes private cord blood banking very appealing, almost like a health insurance for your kids.

Private cord blood banking is a great option for ethnic minorities or rare blood types. The reason is that you have the security of a known match. It can be difficult to find a match from public databases if you need a very specific match.

There are lots of private cord blood banking centers in the USA. You may even receive some marketing information during pregnancy. They will take care of the collection process and will be able to attend anywhere you choose to give birth.

This may give you a better idea of what is available in your area. The most established companies are:

• Viacord
• Americord
• Cryo-Cell
• Stem-Cyte

The biggest downside is that private cord banking will make a big dent in your purse. The initial collection process will cost around $2000, plus anything from $100-$200 yearly fees for storage.

Related: 14 Important Decisions To Make for Your Newborn

Cord Blood Uses

Docotors use stem cells from cord blood replace damaged blood cells with healthy ones. This can be done at any age.

The transplant process involves destroying the damaged blood cells first then replacing them with the stem cells.

Like building blocks, Stem cells are used to change into any cell your body needs them to. That means they can be used to build and repair any area of the body affected by a disease. The stem cells are immature and haven’t yet learned to reject foreign material. This makes them a better option for recovery as the body is less likely to react or reject the cells.

Stem cells often work best for diseases like cancer, where cells are destroyed by treatment.

Currently, cord blood can be used for treatment in over 80 diseases related to:

• Leukaemia
• Lymphoma
• Anaemia
• Immune disease
• Metabolic disease
• Blood disorders

As a fairly modern technique, the full potential of what cord blood cells can treat is unknown.  More clinical trials are developed everyday.

Current studies include treatment for:

• Autism
• Cerebral palsy
• Diabetes
• Heart defects
• Brain injury

Donor Stem cells

For some treatments, it’s best to use your own cells, especially if there is a risk of rejection by the body. However, some treatments are better to use donor stem cells. This includes diseases which are related to defects in DNA or blood. The problem with your own stem cells is that they will still contain these defects. Placing the stem cells into your body wouldn’t help to the problem. In this case, donor stem cells must be used for treatment.

Other Stem Cell Options

Cord blood banking is one of the easiest methods to get a lot of stem cells quickly and easily. However, Stem cells are not only found in cord blood. They can be gathered from other areas of the body.  There are a few other options other than cord blood banking.

Bone marrow

Stem cells are mad in tehis is a spongy material inside your bones. You can undergo a bone marrow transplant if needed. It’s physically very tough, including lots of investigations and a surgical procedure to donate the cells. The procedure itself is painless due to a pain block, but recovery may take around a month.

The current cost for bone marrow transplants in the USA are:

• Donor transplant – $800,000
• Own cell transplant – $350,000
• Children – $75,000 – $200,000

Cord tissue banking

This process is similar to cord blood banking but they store the actual cord tissue. Again, cord tissue produces stem cells for extraction. You can even combine banking both cord blood and cord tissue to give a full range of therapy use.

The research on this is further behind than cord blood therapy, so it’s still unknown the full extent of possible treatment.

The tissue can be used to generate actual tissue rather than just stem cells. This is promising for the treatment of degenerative diseases or trauma. The hope is it can be used for Parkinson’s disease, stroke, arthritis or bone and cartridge injuries.

Issues with Cord Blood Banking

Delayed cord clamping

Your baby remains attached to your placenta by their umbilical cord after they are born. Usually, this is clamped and cut as soon as they are born. Delayed cord clamping means this procedure isn’t performed until the cord stops pulsing. This allows more blood to flow from the placenta into babies system. Delayed cord clamping prevents baby anemia and can help with placenta delivery.

The dilemma is that the more blood baby gets, the less blood there is to donate for stem cells.

You may feel isn’t more important for your baby to receive as much cord blood as possible straight away. In that case, you are much more likely to get a small stem cell donation. This doesn’t mean you won’t get anything. It’s just more likely the volume is only suitable for a child treatment rather than an adult.

Clamp the cord sooner rather than later if you want to do both cord blood banking and delayed clamping. The optimum time to wait is 2 minutes. This way your baby gets more blood without it starting to clot and prevent a donation.

Retained Placenta

Sometimes the placenta does not deliver after birth. If there is little bleeding medical staff may wait a few hours before removing the placenta. In this situation, it is unlikely you will get any blood from the cord to donate. It may be possible to cut a piece of cord and take the donation, but the sample is likely to be very small.

You may even want to consider cord tissue donation instead.

Physiological Third Stage

The third stage is the time from when your baby is born to when the placenta delivers. Most women opt to have in injection to speed up the placenta delivery, with the caregiver assisting the placenta out. Another method is to let the placenta deliver without any interfering, known as a physiological third stage.

This is the same debate as delayed cord clamping, but what happens when you wait longer. Again it’s not impossible to get a sample, just a little trickier to get a large donation.

Some collection companies may be able to use anti-clotting drugs and special techniques to still get a good sample. It’s best to discuss your preferences with any cord blood bank to know if their company can do this.

Twins or Multiples

Public cord banks are usually unwilling to accept donations from twins. Private cord banks will take a twin or multiple donations without issue. Although the cost will be higher, companies usually give a discount from the cost of doubling a single donation.

Is Cord blood banking worth it?

To sum up this guide, we’ll go over what you need to consider before you decide

Cost

The upfront fees of private cord blood banking make it out of reach for a lot of families. The total cost over 18 years totals to around $6000. Although public cord blood banking is free to donate, it cost around $40,000 to receive a unit for treatment.

Need

If your family has a strong genetic history of a certain disease or your baby was born with complication, you may want to consider using a private bank. If your family is generally healthy and your baby born well, the chances you’ll need to use stem cells are very slim. In fact, don’t let private company’s guilt trip you into a sale. They may try to make you fear that you are putting your baby at risk or not looking out for their health.

To put in into perspective the current need for stem cell therapy is:

• Age 0-21: 1 in 2,700
• Age 0-70: 1 in 217

This simply means that as people age they are more likely to need treatment for various diseases. Stem cell therapy is not the first port of call. You can use stem cell therapy when other treatments have not worked.

Rarity

Cord blood banking is ideal for rare blood types as it guarantees a quick match. Donor stem cells donation for rare blood types can rack up thousands of dollars in medical bills to find a suitable match. Ultimately it will save a lot of money from various testing procedures to find a suitable donor.

You who will benefit most from private cord blood banking if you

• Can easily fund the cost
• Have a family history of certain disease
• Have rare blood types
• Know baby will be born with a certain condition
• Need the reassurance of ‘health insurance’
• Want more children

How to Arrange Cord Blood Banking

It’s best to start arranging a cord blood donation at the beginning of your third trimester. First, you should decide whether a public or private donation is best for your family. To get the ball rolling

Public Donations – Contact cord blood banks in your area, you can find a list of participating hospitals here.

Private Donations – Contact the blood bank company you wish to use they will give you exact details of their process and pricing.

There will be a few bits of paperwork and consent form to fill out before the birth. Do this as soon as possible just in case your baby makes an early appearance.

Let your nurse know you are donating cord blood when you are in labor.  Your nurse can prepare for a collection after delivery, and arrange for collection from the cord blood bank.

After birth, the collection procedure will begin.

The post Cord Blood Banking Prep in Pregnancy appeared first on Stork Mama.

As a labor and delivery nurse, it’s one of the first concerns women will mention to me in early labor. It’s a physical action that sums up your lack of control during birth. Or at least the fear of it. As an activity we normally do in private, it can be petrifying to think you’ll do it in front of an audience.

People tell you your dignity will go out the door during birth. However, it doesn’t need to. This article is for you to follow some simple steps in last few weeks of pregnancy and early labor. They will all help to keep you regular and minimize the risk of a loaded bowel during labor.

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8 Ways to Prevent Pooping During Birth

1. Increase Fluids and Fibre

We all know that what goes in must come out. That’s why your diet in pregnancy will have an impact on what happens during labor. The pregnancy hormone, progesterone, will slow down your digestion. Combat the effect by drinking at least 2L water per day. Adding high

Combat the effect by drinking at least 2L water per day. Adding high fiber foods such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains will keep you regular. The sooner you do this in pregnancy, the quicker your body gets into a routine. This makes it easier to know when you are due to poop or if you are getting a bit bunged up and need a little help.

2. Avoid Certain Foods

Just like we know what foods keep us regular, there are foods which can slow things down. It is well known that dairy products, red meats, and greasy or fatty foods take a long time to digest. I highly recommend avoiding these types of foods as you near your due date. The slower it takes your bowels to open, the more likely you are to have poop in

The slower it takes your bowels to open, the more likely you are to have poop in your rectum during birth. This gives you a greater chance of pooping during birth.

3. Exercise

Once you are on maternity leave it’s common to slow down your pace. You’ll get advice to put your feet up and rest as much as possible. Whilst this is true, try to keep at least one period of activity in your daily routine. A nice walk, yoga or a swim, for 30 minutes every day will help your digestive system from slowing down. This is particularly important in the last few weeks

A nice walk, yoga or a swim, for 30 minutes every day will help your digestive system from slowing down. This is particularly important in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Plus, keeping active will help to prepare your endurance for labor.

4. Don’t stop the urge

In the days leading up to labor, your body may decide to have a natural ‘clear out’. You may get a little diarrhea as a way to prepare for baby. As long as you are otherwise well, it’s normal. Keep your fluid levels up, to stop dehydration. Although it’s not convenient, try not to take any medication that will stop the

Keep your fluid levels up, to stop dehydration. Although it’s not convenient, try not to take any medication that will stop the diarrhea. This medication will slow down your gut flow and bind up your poop. You’ll reverse the effect your body is trying to have. In early

In early labor don’t fight the urge to open your bowels. If you get it all out at this stage, you’re less likely to poo when you are pushing.

5. Stop Stressing

I’m not talking about the ‘sh*t happens, deal with it’ response to your anxiety. What I mean is that you need to find ways deal with your anxiety and stress. That’s because stress can actually cause your digestion to slow down and cause constipation. Once you are on maternity leave, take the opportunity to pamper yourself. Whether that’s going for a massage, having a laugh with friends and family or a nice warm bath. Do what makes you feel relaxed and takes your mind off worrying about what will happen during birth.

Once you are on maternity leave, take the opportunity to pamper yourself. Whether that’s going for a massage, having a laugh with friends and family or a nice warm bath. Do what makes you feel relaxed and takes your mind off worrying about what will happen during birth.

6. Have A Clear-Out

If you feel bunged up or want to help things along you can take some medication. The safest option is to use a glycerine suppository like these ones. Another safe alternative is a home saline enema such as this one. Take them in early labor and you’re likely to empty your bowels before your contractions get too strong.

These medicines were given routinely by doctors many years ago. The trend stopped as they don’t aid your labor. However, doctors still recommend them if you’re extremely anxious about pooping during pushing.

I would absolutely avoid taking a laxative or castor oil to help you poo. They are both extreme methods and are more likely to leave you feeling very unwell. They can also leave you quite dehydrated, which is not good for you or baby.

Related: How To Relieve Constipation In Pregnancy

7. Labor Diet

When your contractions start it’s best to change to a light diet. Eating little and often is the best way to keep up your energy levels to cope with labor. Toast, crackers and granola bars are popular options. You might even want to switch to a

You might even want to switch to a liquid-only diet, eating soups, broths or smoothies and drinking sports drinks. Sucking on candy or glucose tablets is a great way to keep your sugar levels up without having heavy carbs in your stomach.

8. Consider Position

It’s tricky to suggest this as a tip because your position is labor is really important. Upright positions such as kneeling, squatting or all-fours makes it easier for you to deliver your baby. Unfortunately, it also makes it easier for you to poop, or to make it easier to see if you do poop. If you find these positions most comfortable, I suggest choosing a swift delivery over preventing the poo. Try to avoid lying on your back as much as possible as it can slow labor.

A good alternative position is lying on your side with a supporting leg. This position puts less pressure on your rectum and makes you less likely to poo.

Read More Stork Mama: 7 Natural Ways to speed up labor

5 Reasons Why you shouldn’t worry about it

Although these steps above will reduce the chances you’ll poop in labor, they won’t work for everyone. It may still happen regardless of what steps you take. These are some facts about pooping in labor that may actually help with your anxiety about it all before the big day.

1. It’s common

I’ll be honest with you, around half (if not more) of the deliveries I attend, involve the woman pooping as baby deliveries. That means the odds are probably stacked against you. The good news is that your doctor, nurse or midwife all know you’re scared about this. Taking us right to the next point.

2. They will clear up quickly

Your care providers will be very swift at clearing things up. This is not only to make you feel more comfortable and discreet but so that the area is as clean as possible for delivery. Remember, your baby’s head is being born in the same area. You’ll probably have a sanitary pad placed over your butt for quick clean ups. As soon as any poop comes out, it’s pretty much in the bin.

If you are having a water birth, midwives have a little scoop that catches any poo that comes out. That way you won’t need to get out the pool and have it refilled.

3. You are pushing right

The good thing about pooping during labor is that you’ll know you are pushing right. The muscles you use to poo are the ones you need to target when pushing the head out. You’ll feel like you are doing a big poo, even if you are not. You may even be told to push like you are doing a poo.

It’s important you don’t hold back for fear that you will open your bowels. This can often lead to baby becoming distressed or you needing help from a suction cup or forceps.

4. Creates room for baby

If you do a poo, it can help your baby deliver quicker. The poop in your rectum is taking up vital space that baby can be using to get through your pelvis. Once this is out it helps to clear space for baby to deliver quicker. This is particularly true if your bowels are ‘impacted’ i.e. you’ve not pooed in a long time and you have a good bit of hard build-up.

5. Birth partners won’t care

Trust me, your birth partners will be caught up in the moment. When it comes to the pushing your Doctor, Nurse or Midwife will be at the action end. Your birth partner will be beside you from the waist up. If they are a bit squeamish they will be thankful, as birth is messy with or without poop.

They will still be able to get a bird’s eyes view of your baby being born. Actually, your baby’s head will block their view of any poop. They will be in such awe that you’ve just pushed a baby out, they won’t care less about a little poop.

The post How to Prevent Pooping During Birth appeared first on Stork Mama.

Unlike most labors you see on TV or in movies, they can take a long time. The average first labor lasts between 12-18 hours. After your first baby, your labors are normally quicker.  A long labor can lead to both you and baby becoming exhausted and needing medical help for delivery. The official term for speeding up is ‘augmentation’, and usually involves iv drips or medical instruments. However, you can avoid all that.

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You want to aim for somewhere between so quick that you’re delivering in the seat of your car and too slow that you and baby are exhausted. These are my top tips to naturally speed up labor and delivery, without medical help. It all begins in pregnancy, so let’s get started.

Related: How to Naturally Induce Labor When You are Overdue

7 Natural Ways To Speed Up Labor

1. Baby’s Position

When: Start around 32 Weeks

You can start to influence your labor before your contractions even start. The trick is getting your baby into to best position to fit through your pelvis.

Movement techniques known as optimal fetal positioning are the best way to do this. The best position to get baby into is known as LOA or Left Occiput Anterior. That means your baby’s back is facing your front and slightly to the left.

This position makes it easier for your baby’s head to fit into the pelvis. A nice fitting head means your cervix dilates up quickly and evenly with regular contractions.

The best way to encourage baby into this position is using forward leaning. You want to encourage your bays back to use the front of your tummy as a ‘hammock’. That means no slouching back on sofas or lifting your knees higher than your hips.

Try these positions in the last trimester:

• Sitting on a backward chair, leaning forward
• Sit on a birthing ball rather than a sofa.
• Sit on the floor and lean your upper body onto a birthing ball
• Sleep on your left side or slightly onto your tummy
• Use a tilt cushion (like this one) when driving or in an office chair

For more information on optimal fetal positioning check out the Spinning Babies website.

2. Birth Partner

When: Around 36 Weeks

You’ve already settled on your perfect caregiver for pregnancy but what about who will be with you during birth? This is a really important part of your birth plan.

Your first thought will probably be your partner. Other popular birth partners are your own mom or sister.

After seeing hundreds of births, I can tell you that your birth partner will without a doubt affect how you cope during labor.

It’s very difficult to see someone you love in pain. This can leave your birth partner feeling helpless or panicked, even if they have given birth themselves. However, they can help you get through by coaching your breathing or offering massage.

A good birth partner is someone who can read you the best. That means they know when to offer you support or when to leave you alone. Also preferably they are not squeamish, as it can sometimes get little messy.

It’s best to have a conversation with your intended birth partner, so they know what you expect from them. You may even decide to have more than one for extra back up.

It’s also important to put your foot down if someone you know is insisting on being at the delivery. If you know this person will make you feel tense or anxious, they need to stay out of the room. The stress and tension having them there will more than likely stall your labor.

3. Raspberry Leaf

When: Start After 37 Weeks

Raspberry leaf tea is an age-old home remedy for women’s health issues, including pregnancy. It’s used by herbalists to prepare your body for labor and delivery. The evidence from a few small studies shows that it can speed up the pushing stage of labor (second stage).

It works by softening up the cervix and aiding contractions. It’s not safe for everyone, so it’s best to take it if you’ve had a straightforward pregnancy with no complications. As always, discuss it with your caregiver if you’re not sure.

The most common way to take it is by drinking raspberry leaf tea (loose leaf or teabags), but you can take capsules if you dislike the taste.

You should gradually build up to taking it 3 times per day. There is a variety of advice to when you should start taking it. Some women start at 32 weeks. However, you should probably wait until around 37 weeks in case it stimulates you to go into pre-term labor.

Related: Labor and Delivery Survival Tips from the Pros

4. Eat and Drink

When: Start in early Labour

Eating and drinking in the early stages of labor are essential. It’s important to know that during this stage, it offers your body the energy to cope with labor.

You won’t want to eat a lot, so try little and often. Energy packed proteins or carbohydrates are great for a great boost without filling your stomach. Bread, cereals, soup, and crackers are good options.

When you are in active labor, you’ll probably lose interest in food. A great way to keep up your energy is sucking on candy or using glucose tablets. For fluids; plain water, ice chips or sports drinks are great ways to keep hydrated.

Lack of food can slow down your labor. That’s because your body is using energy to break down your fat stores instead of food.

Before you go into labor ask your caregiver what their policy is on eating and drinking in labor. If you have any narcotics for pain relief, you’ll more than likely be restricted to water sips only.

5. Bladder Care

When: During Labour

The toilet will probably become your best friend in early labor. It’s really important to keep emptying your bladder as often as possible in labor. It’s probably easier to do this in the early stages when you are not in as much pain.

Once baby’s head is deep in your pelvis it can cause a few issues trying to pee. Often the head can block the urine coming out. This means your bladder gets more and full of urine. If your bladder is too full of urine it becomes painful and stops your baby’s head from moving down easily.

Aim to empty your bladder at least every four hours. Your care provider should be monitoring your bladder care, but tell your partner this is their job if you are still at home.

Even if you don’t feel the urge sit on the toilet or bedpan anyway. Make sure you have privacy for this otherwise you’ll get stage fright. If you are still struggling try a running tap.

If you’re still unable to pass urine, your caregiver can feel if your bladder is too full. They will most likely recommend passing a catheter to empty it. An in/out catheter is the best option as it doesn’t need to stay in.

6. Keep Mobile

When: During Labour

When you think of a woman in labor it’s usually her sitting on a bed. It’s such a common image we see in the media and movies, that most women think it’s to only way to labor.

You probably didn’t know that keeping upright is the best way to help your labor progress. Studies have shown walking in labor reduces the need for pain relief, speeds up the first stage.

It’s all to do with helping your baby move down your pelvis, and gravity certain helps. It also helps to take the pressure off your lower body, especially when your baby is posterior or a ‘back labor’.

Giving your pelvis as much space as possible to ‘open up’ is key. Your baby will move down quicker and you’re less likely to need an instrumental delivery or episiotomy.

Use of CTG monitors and IV’s and epidurals can affect your range of motion. That doesn’t mean you’re destined to be stuck in the bed, but you’ll need support to adopt different positions.

The most important thing is to choose positions that are comfortable for you. Feeling as relaxed as possible during labor is a sure fire way to speed things up.

7. Birth Environment

When: During Labour

The environment you give birth in can help or hinder your labor. It’s really important for a good labor that you feel safe and relaxed.

Take this into consideration when you choose where you want to give birth. Would you feel better in hospital, a birth unit or at home?

Most doctors and midwives will encourage you to stay at home as long as possible in early labor. That’s because a homely environment is known to encourage regular, strong contractions.

Depending on your pregnancy or medical history, you may not have much of a choice of where to birth. That doesn’t mean you can’t make small changes to your environment to make it more comfortable to you.

A few simple options are to bring in your own pillows, music or aromatherapy oils such as a relaxing lavender. Check with your hospital beforehand that these are allowed.

Dark, quiet environments are well known to speed up labor. Your sleep hormone (melatonin) detects the light and can speed up or slow down your contractions. If you are in a brightly lit room, ask to turn down the lights, and see the difference.

Looking for an awesome childbirth class?

I highly recommend you check out this online prenatal class. Hilary is a Labor and Delivery nurse with over 15 years’ experience. Trust me this woman has probably seen it all a thousand times over.

Hilary is an fantastic and engaging teacher. She tailors her class to couples, so your partner will benefit too. Not only will you learn a lot but you can do it in the comfort of your own home (whilst eating a whole tub of Ben and Jerrys without being judged). What are you waiting for go get it now.

The post 7 Natural Ways To Speed Up Labor And Delivery appeared first on Stork Mama.