The 5 Phases of Labor

I know, I said 5. Most doctors and midwifes say there are 3 stages of labor, which there are. For me, It is easier to think that there are 5 because there are phases within the stages that equal to 5. The phases include early labor, active labor, transition, pushing, birth of baby, and birth of placenta.

Early Labor

Early labor begins when your cervix gradually starts to thin and open, you will be dilated to 4 centimeters by the end of early labor. Signs of early labor include, nesting, lightening of the baby or the baby dropping into your lower abdomen, bloody show, bag of waters rupturing, and labor pain. During this stage, you will not be in a lot of pain. You should not over work yourself, but continue everyday activity. Go on a walk, cook a meal, go see a movie or try to relax. If you cannot relax when you are having contractions, it is very important to relax in between contractions. Make sure you do not tire yourself out, because this is just the beginning and a woman needs a lot of energy to push out a beautiful little being. Do not start timing contractions at this stage. You are setting yourself up for a very long process that can take up to 24 hours, sometimes even more. I walked around three centimeters dilated for a week! So counting and timing at this stage is not important or necessary. Do not try labor techniques at this stage either, you will just exhaust yourself. Make sure you are eating and sleeping during early labor as well. If you are planning on having a medicated birth, you won’t be allowed to eat in the hospital, however, if you are having an unmediated birth, I would suggest packing birth snacks such as banana chips, Gatorade, vitamin water, or pretzel sticks, pretty much anything you would feel comfortable eating. At this stage, if you have not already, I would pack a birth bag. Make sure to bring extra pairs of clothes for both you and your spouse, clothes for baby, towels, washcloths (It helped me a lot to have a warm or cold washcloth on my head during labor), feminine pads, swim suit for spouse (for laboring in tub or water-birth), toothbrush (trust me, smells will bother you like crazy!) lip balm (my lips got so dry) camera, birth plan, batteries!!, massage oils, socks, blankets (you get hot then cold during labor) nursing bras, bathrobe, slippers, deodorant, shampoo, car seat, diapers, breast pump, breast pads, candles, music, and anything that you would like to bring with your to have during your birthing experience.

Active Labor

I have always told people when you are in active labor, you will not want to talk anymore and you won’t be able to distract yourself from the contractions. Most women will begin some type of repetition, rhythm and ritual at this point, she will repeat what she does during every contraction. During active labor, you will probably not be hungry as you were in early labor. Your body is not going to waste energy on non-laboring activities because it is preparing to push a baby out. Normal activity will subside at this point. Your contractions will be a lot more intense and closer together as well. Labor pains will probably be 5 minutes apart and 60 seconds long now and you will be much more focused on them. You will dilate from 4-8 centimeters during active labor. I would suggest having your spouse or doula call your midwife or doctor at this point.

Transition

In my opinion, transition is the hardest part of labor, because your contractions are longer and closer together. When you enter transition, you will want to give up, even though you only have 3 centimeters to go to get to full dilation. This is when most women ask for medical pain relief. You might vomit or get hot/cold flashes. You will be very sensitive to smells and might not want to be touched. You will not be able to relax at this point because your contractions are going to be 2 minutes apart and 90 seconds long. This is why relaxing and not overworking your body during early labor is crucial. You will need a lot of emotional support along with constant reassurance that you and your baby are fine. If you can get through transition, the rest is cake!

Pushing

This part was my favorite because I actually had control of something. I enjoyed knowing that I was helping push my baby out. Some women experience a rest stop after transition. This means that contractions stop for a while and wait for your uterus to catch up with your baby. Your baby will not be ready to come until he is snug against your uterus. Some women don’t enjoy the rest stop that others get, they immediately go into pushing, but good news is that your contractions are spread apart again. Some contractions you will feel the urge to push, other contractions you won’t. Women who push on their own will usually push for 6 seconds, rather than the 10 that they ask for in the hospital. I would not recommend directed pushing, because you will exhaust yourself if your body is pushing when you don’t feel the urge. Some women don’t feel the need to push, and that is fine. my advice is that you need to stand up and let gravity assist in pushing out your baby.
When your baby starts to crown, I would feel your baby’s head to give you some motivation to push. It helped me a lot. It will seem that the baby keeps going in and out while he is crowning, this is normal and don’t be discouraged! Some women describe crowning as a burning and stretching sensation, others find it to be pleasurable. Remember to breathe when the baby is crowning. Some women prepare for the crowning part of birth by perennial massage.

Birth of Baby

The reward of all your hard work during pregnancy and childbirth has finally arrived!! You see that precious little being with ten fingers and ten toes and what is your first initial feeling? Is it to put her in a lonely glass box? NO! it is to hold her and make skin to skin contact. This is so important for mothers, you must bond with your baby, not only for your benefit, but they have just entered this huge world and they don’t know why. All they know is that they are cozy in your womb and now they are in a big scary place with all these giants all around! Babies should breastfeed within the first hour after birth. One study indicated that breastfeeding your baby right after she was born can cut the infant mortality rate by 22%. Enjoy your baby!!

Birth of Placenta

Some women say this is really painful, for me I did not even know I was birthing my placenta because I was nursing Lizzie and I was told that breastfeeding would help shrink my uterus down to its normal size which was why I was feeling contractions. Some people do some interesting stuff with the placenta. Some people have a lotus birth, others cook the placenta and eat it, some bury it under a young tree, and others don’t want to look at it.

Definitions:

• Nesting-an urge to prepare the home for your newborn
• Dropping-your baby dropping deeper into your lower abdomen area, your
• Bloody show-discharge that is mucous like and tinged pink or brown.
• Bag of waters rupturing-sack of amniotic fluid around baby has broken.
• Labor pain-contractions, hormones are signaling to your uterus to open your cervix and push the baby out
• Repetition, Rhythm & Ritual- http://www.pennysimkin.com/acticles/Three_r%27s.pdf
• Perennial massage-massaging a pregnant woman’s perineum to avoid tearing during labor
• Lotus Birth-leaving the umbilical cord attached to the baby after the birth.

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Gabriella Cook
Childbirth Educator
Gabbynadine1@gmail.com
Atlanta, GA

How to have a safe and satisfying childbirth.

There are different options for women to have a satisfying birth. There are midwifes and doctors to assist in childbirth. There are doulas to guide you during your birthing experience. Women need to know their options before opting for the “normal medicated hospital birth” because not all women need a medicated birth. In fact, statistics show that only 10% of pregnant women are high risk and need a hospital birth. It is now recommended for low risk women to seek midwifery care. Sometimes medical intervention is not needed. Sometimes medical intervention is unwanted. Sometimes medical intervention is completely necessary. Women need to speak up if they don’t agree with what their doctors or midwifes are doing. Being informed is the only way a women can do so.

Do you want a doctor or a midwife?

A doctor’s philosophy regarding childbirth is that is a medical event. Doctors deal with high risk pregnancies and are used to the worst possible outcome. A doctor’s appointment will usually last 15-25 minutes. Most doctors won’t think twice about using forceps, a vacuum extractor, giving an episiotomy, or using medication to lessen the pain of childbirth. If you have a hospital birth, you will most likely be on your back to give labor. You will probably be given Pitocin (speeds up labor) through an IV drip and in some hospitals; you won’t see your baby right away. You will be in the hospital 2-3 days after you have given birth. If you feel like you will need medication or feel safer being accompanied by an educated doctor, this choice would be for you.

A midwife’s philosophy regarding childbirth is that it is a natural part of life and believes in a women's ability to give birth on its own. Midwifes deal with low risk pregnancies, which is 90% of pregnant women. A midwifes appointment is at least an hour long. Midwifes think medical intervention is unnecessary. You will be able to move around, try different birthing positions, such as a birthing stool or water-birth. In most cases, you will not be given an IV drip and you will be able to see your baby right after you push him/her out. You will be able to leave the birth center a few hours after you have given birth or you will already be at home! If you feel like you do not need medication and want to try different positions during labor with a loving and supporting midwife, this would be the right choice for you.

Where do you want to give birth?

One of the biggest things that you need to decide is where you would like to have your baby. This place needs to feel safe and comfortable for the mother. A mother can choose to have a hospital birth, a birth center birth, or a home-birth. Doctors attend hospital births, and midwifes attend birth center births and home-births. Some people choose to have a home birth without a midwife, this is known as free-birthing.

If you need to have a hospital birth, I would make sure the room is a labor, delivery and recovery room all in one. This makes it easier and more comfortable for the mother than moving through 3 rooms during labor and childbirth.

A birth center is a place that feels like home. Usually the birthing suites look like luxury bedrooms, they don’t look like hospital rooms. They usually have nice furnishings such as a sofa and love seat. There is usually a shower and a birthing tub in the suite as well.

Some women feel safer at home to have their baby, studies indicate that home-birth is just as safe is hospital birth if the women is low-risk. High risk means that you have gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, less than 36 weeks pregnant, more than 41 weeks pregnant, having multiples, heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, liver disease and anemia. Strep B is not a high-risk condition; you will just have to have an IV drip or a heparin lock. I would recommend a heparin lock because this does not limit mobility.

Build a labor team.

A women needs all the support she can get during labor, after all they call it labor for a reason. I would recommend using a doula. (labor assistant) Doulas are trained on childbirth and pregnancy; they do not deliver the baby. They educate the mother on childbirth and pregnancy, bring her what she needs during labor and helps dad find suitable positions to help her deal with contractions. A doula does not take place of the father. A doula lets the father do what he does best, love his wife. It is much easier on dad to have another person helping his wife deal with contractions when he is exhausted. If labor goes 25 hours, he can take a shower, a nap or go get a bite to eat without feeling guilty leaving the mother alone. Not only is it easier on mom and dad, having a doula greatly reduces the need for cesarean section and other medical intervention. Your midwife or doctor cannot be with you constantly for 25 hours, they have other clients and most likely a family just as you do. If you are interested in finding a doula, please visit http://www.dona.org

Educate yourself on pain relief and medical technology.

Continuous Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) (which is a belt that is wrapped around the mother’s stomach from the start of labor until the baby is pushed out) is no longer necessary or recommended for low-risk mothers. Instead, a midwife or doctor should use intermittent monitoring (a device used to check the heart rate of baby) periodically. Continuous EFM increases the chance of unneeded cesarean section.

If intravenous fluid is needed, the mother should request a heparin lock. This does the same thing as an IV drip, but does not limit mobility and ability to change position if desired.

Medical pain relief is no substitute for natural pain relief. Epidurals and other medical pain relief does not always work. 10% of the time, epidurals do not work the way they should. Epidurals may decrease the mother’s attachment to the newborn and interfere with breastfeeding. An epidural may also cause baby’s heart rate to change or to have difficulty breathing leading to an oxygen mask on mom. Epidurals also can cause a slight fever in mother and baby resulting in unneeded antibiotics for both mother and child. Mothers should not overuse medical pain relief, the more medical intervention the more likely for a caesarean section and other complications with mom and baby. Medical pain relief can also lead to a longer and tiring labor. If you want some type of pain relief, look for something that does not limit your mobility.

Do what your body tells you.

If you need to be on your hands and knees during labor, get on your hands and knees, if you want to be in water, get in the tub! Listen to your bodies cues during labor. Your body knows how to deliver a baby, your mind just doesn’t think so. Experiment with a birth sling, a birth ball, a birth stool, hanging on your partner or doula. Do not limit yourself to be on your back, a baby comes down, and lying on your back is not going to help the baby come. Let gravity play a role in delivering your baby!

Create a birth plan.

A birth plan is a wonderful way to prepare for labor and childbirth. A birth plan is a letter to your caregivers telling them how you want to have your baby. You need to tell them if you want pain relief and share your requests if things get medically dangerous. There is a formatted birth plan in the book The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin. Here was my birth plan when I had Elizabeth.

Objection: To have a safe and satisfying birth.

IDEALISTICALLY: I want my husband and doula in the room when I deliver. I do not want my mother, mother-in law father, or father-in law in the room when I am contracting or delivering. I will call them in after she is born. Send them to get obscure herbs if they try to come in. I would prefer CPM Valerie to attend the birth. I would like to avoid medical pain relief if at all possible. My goal is to at least labor in the tub, but I would really like to give birth in water. I want to breastfeed right after she is born. I want to give her first bath; I do not want my midwife, husband or doula to. I would like my husband to cut Elizabeth’s umbilical cord, if he is still up for it. If not, my doula is more than welcome. I want my husband to catch Elizabeth if we have her in the tub. I want him to be in there with me. I want to walk around a lot, and I want to use the shower while sitting on my birthing ball. I want to stay at home as much as possible during early labor.

EMERGENCY: Thank you for taking us hospital staff, I would like to let you know that I was trying to have a natural childbirth, although some complication has stifled that. If you have to give me an IV drip, please use a heparin lock if at all possible; do not give me an epidural unless I have a C-section. If I request medical pain relief, do not give it to me unless I have been in labor for over 25 hours. If I am in transition, please don’t give it to me. If I am pushing, don’t give me medical pain relief. Please do not use forceps or a vacuum extractor. I do not want an episiotomy, I repeat I do not want an episiotomy. Do not let my in-laws in. They are welcome in after the birth of Elizabeth. My doula and husband will be present during this childbirth. If I have a c-section I want my husband present.

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I truly hope you have a wonderful birthing experience, you can prepare and prepare for a baby but no one is ever ready until it happens. I hope I have helped you think about what you want out of your birth.

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Gabriella Cook
Childbirth Educator
Gabbynadine1@gmail.com
Atlanta, GA

Vaccinations, The Truth will Surprise both Arguments

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, that is the controversial question. Sure, an immunization record makes it easier to enroll your child in school and obtain a social security card, but what is the real fuss about these vaccinations.

Autism

The first most common thing I have heard people say is
"I have heard that vaccination results in autism"

Is it true?
One England researcher says it is possibly true. This researcher observed many kids with autism and noticed they had the measles virus in the lining of their intestines. He concluded that the MMR vaccine may be linked with autism.

Is it false?
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Advisory committee on Immunization Practices and the FDA claim to have never found any conclusive evidence that the MMR vaccine is somehow related with autism. Clearly, this matter needs to be studied more for a solid answer.

Should I vaccinate?
If you are worried about autism, or it runs in your family, I would advise you to consult your doctor and discuss risk factors regarding the MMR immunization.

View this site for more information regarding autism
http://www.whale.to/v/wakefield23.html#MMR_

Mercury

The second most common thing I have heard people say is
"There is too much mercury in baby shots"

Is it true?
This is partially true. Since 2001, the FDA have advised that the amount of mercury babies receive from vaccines during the first two years of life may be too much. Some studies show that too much heavy metal intake may possibly be linked with autism.

Is it false?
Although there are a few shot brands that still contain mercury, you can request mercury-free vaccinations for your child.

Should I Vaccinate?
Mercury is not a big concern anymore since you can request mercury-free immunizations for your baby. Make sure to limit any heavy metal intake.

View this site for more information regarding mercury
http://www.thenhf.com/vaccinations_84.htm

Polio

The third most common thing I have heard people say is
"Me and my child will get paralytic polio from the polio vaccination"

Is it true?
Yes, this is true, with the oral polio vaccine. In the late 1990's doctors realized that the oral polio vaccination caused paralysis in approximately 9 infants in the United States per year. It is also possible to contract polio from the infants stool after they receive the oral polio immunization.

Is it false?
The oral polio vaccination is no longer routinely used in the United States. The injectable polio vaccine does not have the risk factors that the oral polio vaccine does.

Should I vaccinate?
I would not recommend using the oral polio immunization, as for the injectable polio vaccine it's up to you. There is still a big debate about the two and if the injectable polio vaccine even works.

View this site for more information regarding polio
http://www.teachspace.org/personal/research/poliostory/poliotoday.html

Brain Damage

The fourth most common thing I have heard people say is
"My child will get brain damage from immunization"

Is it true?
I would not recommend vaccination with DTP. DTP is suspected of causing brain damage.

Is it false?
There is an alternative called DTaP that does not have the risk factors associated with DTP.

Should I vaccinate?
Although there has been no conclusive evidence suggesting DTP has caused brain damage, seizures or shock, the U.S. still stopped using DTP and switched to DTaP for safety regulations.

View this site for more information on DTaP
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-dtap.pdf

For Your Information

• If you are traveling outside the United States contact the Center for Disease Control Traveler's line 877-FYI-TRIP or visit online at http://www.cdc.gov/travel
• If your child contracts chicken pox, rabies, or measles you can lessen or prevent the illness by vaccinating after your child contracts the disease.
• If you child receives a MMR immunization, two weeks later they may experience rash, fever, swollen glands, joint pain and/or stiffness. Your child is not contagious and these side effects from the MMR shot will go away on their own.
• If your child receives the chicken pox vaccination they may experience flu-like symptoms or come down with a mild form of chicken pox.
• I would not recommend getting the Hep B vaccination in the hospital when your child is born due to the side effects of the Hep B immunization. (Unless the mother is Hep B positive) If you are planning on having your child receive this shot, I would wait until he/she is 1-2 months of age. The side effects include fever, lethargy, and difficulty feeding.
• Some kids do not need boosters, I would ask your child's pediatrician to check their blood immunity level before administering booster shots, some kids still have their immunity from baby shots.
• If you do not like how many vaccines your baby receives at once, talk to your doctor about an alternative schedule for his/her immunizations.
• Keep your child's immune system healthy by breastfeeding and feeding them a nutritious diet.
• Most flu shots contain mercury.
If you would like to see a complete 2009 immunization schedule, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines

If there is a topic you have questions about, please shoot me a comment.

If you would like an abundant information on vaccines, please buy Dr Sear's book, The Vaccine Book




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Gabriella Cook
Childbirth Educator
Gabbynadine1@gmail.com
Atlanta, GA

The Breast is Best!

Many women do not know why breastfeeding is the right choice for their baby. Breastfeeding is the smartest and easiest thing a mother can do for their child. A mother's milk is uniquely designed for their growing baby, whereas formula is not. As a baby grows, the mother's milk changes to meet the needs of their developing child. In addition, all of the mother's immunities are given to the child, which in turn makes breastfed babies alot less likely to get sick than their formula fed friends. Not only does breast milk make your child healthier, breast milk also makes your child brighter. A study in England observed three hundred premature infants. Both groups were fed by tube, one with formula and one with their mother's milk. The group of premature infants that received their mother's milk during the first five weeks of life scored an average of 8.3 points higher on an IQ test when they reached 8 years of age; the more breast milk the children received in infancy, the IQ scores increased.

Nursing is also beneficial to the mother. A suckling infant stimulates oxytocin which contracts the uterus nearly to its pre-pregnancy size. Oxytocin is also the hormone that stimulates the "mother's intuition." Below is a list that summarizes the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child.

"The most Important Health Benefits of Breastfeeding"
The Baby Book
Sears & Sears

Breastfed babies enjoy:

• brighter brains
• better vision
• fewer ear infection
• better dental alignment
• healthier hearts
• fewer respiratory infection
• less constipation
• less diabetes
• leaner bodies
• increased immunity
• healthier grown

Breastfed mothers enjoy:

• relaxation
• less depression
• natural child spacing
• less breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer
• faster postpartum weight loss (which is incredibly true, i am currently breastfeeding and i lost my baby fat in less than 6 months

Drugs to use caution with while breastfeeding.

• alochol
• antidepressant
• aspirin
• codeine
• Demerol
• general anesthetics
• indomethacin
• isoniazid
• lithium
• metoclopraimide
• metronidazole
• morphine
• birth control (only use progestin only pills, or the mini-pill)
• paxil
• phenobarbita
• prozac
• valium

Drugs to NEVER take while breastfeeding.

• amphetamines
• anticancer drugs
• cocaine
• cycoloporine
• heroin
• lindaine
• marijuana
• methotrexate
• mysoline
• parlodel
• PCP

Please use caution with sulfa in the newborn period.
Do not take tetracycline for longer than three weeks.
It is safe to breastfeed 6-12 hours after general anesthetics.

For Your Information

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months. and to start solids when the baby either reaches 6 months of age or has doubled their birth weight. Babies need breast milk of formula for the first year of life.

Prenatal nipple preparation is unnecessary.

Infants feed from the breast, not just the nipple, to prevent nipple soreness learn the correct way the baby should latch on. If you are having issues, please consult a lactation consultant or your local le leche league and seek support before giving up.
http://www.llli.org/

Avoid using soap on nipples. Soap will dry the nipples out and make them crack, if cracking occurs, i suggest using pure lanolin, it is completely safe for baby.

Ladies, don't wear under wire bras while breastfeeding. Not only is it completely unpractical to nurse in, they can plug your ducts!!

Contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding does not misshape your breasts, pregnancy does!

Most over the counter medication is safe to take during nursing. Even some seizure medications are fine.

For more extensive knowledge on breastfeeding, please visit sites such as:

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3B100/6/1035
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=home
http://www.babycenter.com

And go out and buy The Baby Book! It is my baby bible!


Remember your breast pads too!



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Gabriella Cook
Childbirth Educator
Gabbynadine1@gmail.com
Atlanta, GA

Introuduction to M.A.M

Hello and Welcome!

My name is Gabriella Nadine Cook and I am the founder of M.A.M. (Mothers Against Misinformation) I am a proud mother and wife who has a passion for childbirth and early childhood education. I have an eleven month old daughter, Elizabeth, I am an advocate of natural childbirth and am here to inform you and to help you make educated and accurate decisions regarding your pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.

I completely respect a woman's decision to chose whether or not to have a hospital birth, home birth, or birth center birth. I understand the importance of all three, and I understand why someone would chose either one. I know most of the pros and cons of each one, as well as the states that allow freestanding birth centers and midwifery.

I started this blog to help educate mother's about the misinformation that is all over, such as the "dangers" co-sleeping, natural childbirth, home birth, free-standing birth centers, hospital birth, vaccinations and to answer any questions regarding pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

As a doula in training, aspiring midwife, and childbirth educator, I frequently get asked questions like, "Is co sleeping with my baby safe?" and "What are the differences between a homebirth and a hospital birth?" and "Why breastfeed?" I have heard people say things like, you are crazy to not be in a hospital to give birth to a child. My purpose with this blog is to filter out the misinformation about these topics and more, and to hopefully give a clearer idea about what is fact and what is not.

Welcome to my blog, M.A.M. I hope that I can be of assistance to all of you looking for information regarding childbirth and early childhood education, and, I hope that I can help you answer any questions you may have.

Gabriella Nadine Cook
Childbirth Educator
GabbyNadine1@gmail.com
Atlanta, GA