Have you been told your Crunch? Well if you agree with more
than half of this you maybe a Crunchy Mom to be. There is no shame in it. Natural
is great and if your borderline to not at all Crunchy I know you will still
benefit from this post. Enjoy …
Throughout my life I have heard the phrase “It takes a
village to raise a child”. In fact it does; but what about preparing for the
conception and delivery of the child? You need to work on putting a great pregnancy,
labor and delivery support team.
Far too many times I
have spoken with families that are not sure about their confidence in their
provider for their wishes in their laboring or delivery. Most families haven’t
considered what their idea of birth is. This can pose a bit of confusion when you’re
intending to communicate with a provider.
Whether you are considering having a baby or already
pregnant there are a few things that should be addressed. Start to build your
village (Support team). Conception can be a fun time or a daunting task that
can be stressful depending on who you have in your village.
Most women would use their Obstetrician that has been treating them
prior to considering conceiving. There is nothing to consider when just doing
an annual pap smear. However there are
several things to consider when preparing for your new addition.
Most would think it all start with the easy part. The great
part. The practice sessions. Great right? Now you’re using your Obstetrician through
your prenatal. No one ever ask the Obstetrician the big and hard questions.
List below are a few questions to spark up conversation with
your provider. These are also question you and your partner need to consider.
1.
Is this the Obstetrician for me during pregnancy and delivery?
2.
How do you know if this is the provider for you?
(a) You will need to consider whether their
open to fewer interventions and more alternatives unless you’re okay with them.
(Such as: epidural, cervidil, cytotec,
narcotics, vacuum, forceps and cesarean)
3.
Will they support me in my birth plan?
4.
Do they have midwives?
5.
What choices do I have in delivery?
6.
What
hospital do they do deliveries?
7.
What is their cesarean rate?
8.
What’s their procedure on episiotomies?
9.
What’s the procedure for pregnancy past due
date?
10.
What’s the procedure for if your water break
while at home?
All these questions are valid questions and your provider
should have an answer to and be willing to have a conversation with you about.
I am a firm believer of not waiting till you’re pregnant.
Build your Birthing Team/ Village now. You are a customer your Obstetrician should be
someone you trust and they respect your wishes long as they are within reason.
Who should your birthing Team/ village consist of you ask?
I’m glad you asked.
1.
Obstetrician /Midwife- ensures that you have a healthy
birth. They are there to make sure that you and baby are experiencing a safe
delivery.
2.
Doula (Doula options Antepartum doula, Labor doula and
postpartum doulas)
3.
Chiropractor
5.
Women’s health physical therapist
6.
Pediatrician
Each of those listed are helpful in many ways before, during
and after pregnancy.
Your Obstetrician / Midwife will provide the best care for you and
your precious baby during pregnancy and delivery. They are there to ensure your
prenatal care create a healthy environment for you and baby.
The Midwife is more
natural in many areas unless you are fortunate enough to find an O.B. that practices
are similar to a midwife.
A doula is there to
create a safe environment one that the mother feels safe and comfortable being
her natural self during labor and delivery. The labor Doula is there to make
sure that the family has the information needed to make sound decisions as well
as laboring effectively and safely.
Your Chiropractor is there to make sure your
spine is healthy. They make sure your structure is healthy and sound. Chiropractors
have many practices that can help you for comfort throughout pregnancy especially
if baby is malposition they have a technique named Webster and Logan technique
that can help with either breached or posteriorly positioned which can cause additional
discomfort during labor and can also cause longer laboring experience.
Your massage therapist can help provide relaxation, stress
reduction, loose musculature and if needed there are massage techniques that
can assist in natural labor induction.
A women health physical therapist can work with you before
during and after child birth. They help you to make sure your pelvic floor is
healthily functioning, this comes in handing especially after delivery for
women or men that have incontinence issues, chronic hip pain and core stability
issues.
And, last but not lest the pediatrician. Pediatrician should
the first thing on your mind when you are considering conceiving. Please speak
with your insurance, speak with mom’s in your area and take to social media to ask
around. There are a host of questions to ask your possible pediatrician. This
is not for just the Crunchy Mom.
1.
What is your overall philosophy?
2.
How do you feel about alternative care over
medications if it’s a minor issue?
3.
What are your views on vaccines and adjusted scheduling?
If you would like to add me to your Team/Village please feel
free to go to www.peacefulbirthingdoula.com
and if you would like to see about
others to add to your team/village go to my resources page and you will find plenty
of wonderful people who will be more than happy to join your team. Remember it takes a Village please build your
village early.
Tunisia Macklin
Peaceful Birthing Doula
Educate, Encourage, Empower and Serving Women
http://www.peacefulbirthingdoula.com
peacefulbirthingdoula@gmail.com
(630)481-6079
