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Your Questions Answered: Milk Supply

June 23, 2010 By rachel bohn Leave a Comment

Q

My baby and I seem to be off to a great start with breastfeeding- her latch is great! But my biggest concern is milk supply. How do I know my baby is getting enough to eat?

A

There are a few signs to look for to determine whether your baby is getting enough breast milk. First, your baby should have at least 6-8 wet diapers a day and the urine should be pale in color. Your baby should also have 3-6 bowl movements daily, which should look yellow, seedy, and loose (this is after your milk has come in — the first few bowel movements after birth will look black and like tar). Your baby should be breastfeeding about 8-12 times in a 24-hour period. During each feeding, offer both of your breasts, even if baby is sleepy. After feeding, your breasts should feel lighter and softer. Weight gain is also a sure-fire sign that baby is getting enough nutrition through your breast milk. Your pediatrician monitors weight gain closely in the first few weeks and months of your baby’s life.

Breastfeeding is a supply-in-demand process; the more you breastfeed, the more your body will make breast milk. Just because you can’t measure the amount of breast milk you are giving to your baby does not mean you can’t determine if she is getting adequate amounts of milk. It is very rare for moms not to produce enough milk. If you’re still concerned, contact your hospital’s lactation consultant or search for your local La Leche League support person.

Filed Under All Recent Articles, Breastfeeding, Newborn, Parenting, Q & A Tagged With milk supply

Your Questions Answered: What Is a Doula?

June 4, 2010 By rachel bohn Leave a Comment

Q

I’ve heard a lot about doulas, but I don’t really know what they do and how they can help me during birth — can you provide more information?

A

A doula is a care provider who understands and trusts the normal process of birth. She provides care from the prenatal period through to postpartum. She provides emotional support, such as encouragement, reassurance, and continuous presence for a mom and her partner. She also offers physical support during labor and birth, such as comfort and relaxation measures, and suggesting different positions to facilitate labor. A doula is also a great resource for helping mom and her partner to understand medical tasks, so mom and her partner can make informed decisions.

A doula can be very helpful for you and your partner during your birth experience. The power of labor may surprise you and your partner, so it is helpful to have a knowledgeable person like a doula to reassure you that what is happening is normal. A doula’s presence can relieve anxiety for you and your partner so you can stay home longer and transition easier to your birth place. A doula also can sense when a laboring you need to change positions or when you need a comforting touch. She may also sense when it is beneficial for you to take a walk or a relaxing shower. When you are comfortable and feels well supported by your birth team, your labor may progress more quickly and feel easier.

Doulas stay with you through the whole process of labor and birth and through early postpartum. She also helps guide you through your first breastfeeding. Doulas do not perform any medical tasks, but she will help you understand and be able to explain any medical interventions that may arise. Doulas are there for your continuous emotional and physical support.

Studies have found that with continuous support, like that offered by a doula, laboring women are less likely to have:

  • Cesarean surgery
  • Assisted delivery with vacuum or forceps
  • Epidural or need for other pain medication
  • Dissatisfaction or negative feelings about their childbirth experience

For more information or how to find a Doula for your birth, visit www.dona.org or www.childbirth.org.

Filed Under All Recent Articles, Birth, Coping with pain, Labor, Pregnancy, Q & A, Working with a doula Tagged With cesarean, changing positions, Coping with pain, doula, interventions, Labor, natural birth, Pregnancy, questions

Your Questions Answered: Real Labor vs. False Labor

May 28, 2010 By rachel bohn 4 Comments

Q:

I’m nearing the end of my third trimester (yay!) and I keep asking other moms how to know when I’m really in labor. They all tell me “Oh, you’ll know!” That’s great, but it’s not very helpful! What are some of the sure signs of labor?

A:

The best way to understand actual labor is to first know about “false” labor. In false labor, contractions are usually irregular, short and do not become closer together or stronger as time goes on. The intensity of contractions does not increase and they last between 15-45 seconds.

In false labor, changing activity or positions does not make contractions stronger and might even make them stop. The contractions may only tighten the top part of the uterus and women usually don’t experience any back pressure, but do feel groin pressure. The contractions also may soften the cervix, but cause no significant changes in dilation (opening) and effacement (thinning). There also are no significant changes in fetal position.

In actual labor, contractions may be irregular at first but gradually become regular, longer and closer together. The intensity progressively increases and the duration becomes longer – up to 60 seconds.

Changing activity or position does not make the contractions stop; it may help make them stronger. The contractions are usually felt in lower back and then radiate to the front. The cervix starts to soften while it starts to thin (efface) and opens (dilates). The baby begins to descend into the pelvis.

Read up on the pros and cons of different labor positions to help you know when you are “really” in labor.

 

Weigh In: What were your tell-tale signs that you were in labor?

 

Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator Rachel Bohn has been a doula for 9 years and has been teaching Lamaze classes for 3 years. She currently teaches private Lamaze classes in the comfort of clients’ homes. You can learn more about her services by e-mailing her at 1rbohn@optonline.net.

Filed Under All Recent Articles, Birth, Coping with pain, Q & A Tagged With changing positions, contractions, Coping with pain, false labor, Labor, questions, signs of labor, third trimester

Your Questions Answered: Care Providers

May 19, 2010 By rachel bohn Leave a Comment

Q:

I think I want to have a more natural labor and birth — or at the very least, I want the options available to me in my birth setting. What questions should I ask my care provider to make sure that they’re the right fit for my birth plan?

A:

Choosing the right care provider plays a big role in the health, happiness and safety of your birth experience. It’s a good idea to interview care providers before settling in on the one you want. If you’ve already chosen your care provider, make sure to talk to him/her about your intended birth plan. If they aren’t supportive of what you would like during birth, look into changing your care provider, even if you’re in the middle or late stages of your pregnancy. Here are a few questions to consider when talking to your care provider about their birth practices:

  • What can I expect at routine visits throughout my pregnancy?
  • Do you support natural labor and birth?
  • Can I expect you to attend my birth?
  • Who can be with me during labor and birth?
  • Do you support women who want to labor out of bed?
  • Will I be able to use comfort measures during labor and birth? (example: shower, birth ball, walking)
  • What positions do you recommend for labor and birth?
  • Will I be able to eat and drink when I am in labor?
  • What happens during a normal labor and birth in your care?
  • What do you normally do to help women in labor? Delivery?
  • What do you consider routine interventions for labor? (example: IV fluids, continuous fetal heart monitor, episiotomy, breaking my membranes)
  • Instead of drugs, what would you recommend for pain relief during labor?
  • How would you support me to breastfeed?

Learn more about the recommended Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices for a safe and healthy birth, as well as this tip sheet for considering a care provider.

Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator Rachel Bohn has been a doula for 9 years and has been teaching Lamaze classes for 3 years. She currently teaches private Lamaze classes in the comfort of clients’ homes. You can learn more about her services by e-mailing her at 1rbohn@optonline.net.

Filed Under All Recent Articles, Birth, Birth plans, Choosing a care provider, Health and well-being, Q & A Tagged With birth plan, care provider, Healthy Birth Practices, interventions, natural birth, Pregnancy, questions