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Resources News from BirthLink

The following articles are reprinted from our newsletter. Use the sign-up form on the right to receive this e-mail publication, filled with news, events and classes, spotlights on providers and sponsors, plus a whole lot more. Great for parents as well as practitioners.

From the BirthLink Newsletter:

Consider Possible Birth Locations
Jo Anne Lindberg MEd ABT, President & Founder, BirthLink

Today most people give birth in the hospital. It is interesting to note that the majority of Americans gave birth at home until the early 1900’s. My father was born at home in 1919. By the time the sixth child came along my grandmother was told she was too old to give birth at home. My guess is that she was influenced by a trend to convenience parents that the hospital was the safest place. My research indicates that the main motivation was economic.

The most common place women give birth is the labor and delivery ward of the local hospital. A common myth is that you need to be as close as possible so you can get there on time. The average labor is twelve hours. Plenty of time to get there. Most parents go in too soon. Many people will travel great distances to get to a facility they have heard is best. They may travel out of state for a home birth midwife or free standing birth center which are not available in our state.

The term birth center can be misleading. The Family Birth Center may simply be a prettier labor and delivery ward. The important thing to focus on are routine practices and procedures. Understanding what is going to be done to you, during birth, is very important. Making decisions during labor is very difficult if not impossible. Another option is the Alternative Birth Center. These are usually two rooms on the labor floor of the hospital. The expectation is that you will have an unmediated birth if you choose this option. It is also possible to move from the center should you change your mind during labor. All staff should be encouraging you in every way they can to meet your goal. This is a big advantage. We have just two ABC’s in the Chicago area.

Free standing birth center’s are located in a building separate from the hospital. Until recently Illinois was the only state in the country to have a law against them. After many years an advocacy group over turned the law and is working on the rules and regulations that will enable practitioners to open a center. Many are interested and waiting for the next step. I am guessing that it will be several years before we see the first ones up and running.

What about home birth? Most people believe that home birth is not safe. This is not true for low risk pregnancy. The vast majority of births do not need any kind of medical assistance. Research has proven that with a trained practitioner home birth is as safe or safer than hospital birth. My guess is that most parents don’t carefully research this option. Holland has a thirty percent home birth rate and one of the best infant mortality rates in the world. You must be within thirty minutes of a hospital incase you need to transfer.

Where you choose to give birth will dictate what type of provider choice you will have. Facilities have a birth culture and can vary a great deal in how much flexibility you will have to labor the way your body and baby desire. Parents are encouraged to fully consider each option before making a decision.

Know All Your Birth Options for Better Birth

Acupuncture for Fertility
Jo Anne Lindberg - President & Founder - BirthLink

Many doctors used to tell their patients, who could not conceive, to take a two week vacation. It is reported that half of them would come back pregnant. Always try the least intervention oriented option first. When you hear about so many people choosing to do medical procedures they can become accepted as the norm and assumed safe. Just because a doctor is recommending a procedure does not mean it is safe or without risk. There are many less invasive actions that can be taken in the case of fertility challenges. I always return to nourishment, movement and rejuvenation for sound health. What are you putting in your body? Are you exercising regularly? How is your sleep? Are your spiritual needs being met? Can you slow down and relax? How do you manage stress?

An excellent book is Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler MPH. I tell my clients, “Have fun! How often do you get to make a baby? Don’t make a science project out of it. Create some special ritual that has meaning for both of you. This is a very special time. Invite the child into your lives with love and joy.” Often charting can create performance pressure. I have also heard that after parents give up they get pregnant.

Acupuncture relaxes and balances the body so your hormones can function the way nature intended. Our hormonal systems are very delicate and if one part of the system is out of balance it creates a domino effect. Our lifestyles are where we need to look to support balance. We have many options for health care now. Learn about all the options before you make a decision which ones to use.

There are many ethical issues involved in how treatment options are explained to consumers. Everyone wants to make informed decisions. The best way to do this is educate yourself about all your options.


Past Articles

Hypnobirthing Reunion

by May Pat Mulholland

BirthLink Parent Member
Reprinted from BirthLink Community News

I recently attended a reunion for the parents in the hypnobirthing group and it just reaffirmed our belief in the hypnosis process. It was a group of parents and babies that were so calm and happy about their birthing experience. There were stories about difficult births but none of the usual "sharing of horror stories". My husband and I met Elly Laser after watching a Dateline special on birthing and hypnosis and we were very skeptical but wanted to give it our best shot. Needless to say it worked like a charm and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is pregnant. Through Elly's graceful and patient guidance, we were able to learn the techniques which enabled us to stay PERFECTLY calm during our entire experience.

After my water broke, I didn't go into labor and was admitted into the hospital about 18 hours later to be induced. I was nervous about being induced but as soon as I got into "the hypnosis zone" it was as if I was somewhere on vacation. The doctors and nurses were amazed at how calm, coherent and relaxed I was throughout my labor and apparently I hardly even uttered a word. I wasn't without pain but it was just completely manageable. I remember that everyone wanted to come in and relax in our labor/delivery room because the atmosphere was so serene. More importantly, I had very serious complications after the birth which involved surgery. Once I started to get back into the "hypnosis zone", I was able to relax and focus on my recovery. Without Elly's training, I would have spent a lot more time in the hospital. It was amazing!


Hormones of Attachment

by Penny Shelton MD

BirthLink Board Member

Awe, mystery, and respect. These words express what I have felt during the life experiences that have allowed for a close-up view of pregnancy, labor, birth and breastfeeding, both with family members and with others who have invited me to participate in their process. Read more...

 

Birth Place and Practitioner Review on Web Sites

By Jo Anne Lindberg MEd ABT

President & Founder, BirthLink

It has come to my attention that some doctors have been asking patients to sign a paper stating that they would not say anything or post any negative information about them to web sites. Read more...

This is not legal and you can not be forced to sign such a document. It may be an indication that you should consider changing practitioners. Perhaps consider a midwife who practices in hospital or out-of -hospital.

The internet is now considered a major source of information. Many parents make the decision about who to birth with and where based on what others do. They don't do any research to determine what might be best for them. They just follow the crowd. I can't tell you how many times I have heard, "I wish I had known then what I know now."

It takes time to learn about all of your birth options. It takes courage to make choices that fewer people choose. If parents don't educate themselves they may not know that they are putting themselves at risk. Parents need to base their decisions on research rather than here say.

Practitioners personalities and practices and procedures are not to be confused. Consumer beware—educate and make informed decisions with all things medical.


Benefits of Herbs During the Childbearing Years

by Catherine Willows RN
Reprinted from BirthLink Community News

Herbs are plants. They are not drugs. In appropriate dosages, they can have medicinal effects. Drugs are chemical compounds produced in concentrated forms. Although pharmaceutical drugs can be warranted in many situations, there are much gentler means of bringing our bodies back to a healthy balanced state without the harsh side effects that many drugs produce. Herbs are whole plant substances. The federal government classifies herbs as nutritional supplements. Herbs do play a role in enhancing our nutritional status.

Prior to the past century, our ancestors used plants as the primary means to maintain health. During the 1900's, the pharmaceutical industry boomed into multi-billion dollar companies. They brought forth an entirely new level of technology with regard to medicine. Now we are coming full circle and beginning to see the benefits of both worlds.

Women need to be very cautious about the substances they take into their bodies during pregnancy and with good reason. Herbs can be very useful in supporting women through the childbearing process. They can address a number of issues that women might normally think they have to suffer through. Herbs can add to the overall health and nutritional status of the woman and her fetus, laying the foundation for the development of a healthy baby and successful delivery. It is important to make educated and appropriate choices in selecting herbs as some are contraindicated during pregnancy. Consulting a knowledgeable herbalist can be very valuable in the application of safe remedies.

The same is true with flower essences. These remedies are growing in popularity around the world. Because of their vibratory quality, they are very safe for pregnancy, children, plants and pets. Flower essences have an affinity for our mental and emotional states. The can help us with the stresses in our daily lives. They can be subtle or very apparent in their effects. They can be especially useful to new parents as they adapt to the challenges of caring for an infant or dealing with the demands of parenthood.

 
Life Seasons Wellness