Do Doulas and epidurals mix?
One of our most frequently asked questions is “I really want to hire a doula, but I’m thinking about getting an epidural. Is that okay?” Today, we want to break the stigma and tell you that it’s more than okay. There is a myth in the birth world that doulas only exist to support clients who want to birth without pain medication. This is absolutely false. Doulas primarily serve as support people, and no matter how a client births there is so much we can do to help your experience be a better one. The truth is, professional doulas will never talk a client out of getting an epidural or tell the client when to get one. The decisions about your birth will remain exactly where we want them to remain: between you and your provider. Epidural administered…Now what? So you decided you wanted an epidural. Having a doula around can still be very helpful. Doulas are trained in supporting all types of births, so we can easily answer questions about the epidural and even help you formulate your own if you are wanting to talk to your care provider or anesthesiologist. We can also talk to your partner and help to support them. Upon getting the epidural, oftentimes you are confined to the bed as you will not be able to feel your legs. While many assume and epidural will mean instant comfort, this is often not the case. We can sit with you and help with comfort measures until you are feeling okay enough to rest. We can also support you if side effects such as nausea come about. The Bottom Line The biggest takeaway is that no matter what type of birth you choose, we as your doulas will attune and hold space for you. We will make sure you feel as safe and in control as possible and will be your right hand line of support to answer any questions and bring any comforts that may be able to help. We will also make sure your partner is doing the same. A professional doula understands that clients are in control of their own birthing choices. We completely trust you to make decisions that are best for you and your baby. You will never be locked into a birth plan with us, and we understand that your needs will change from minute to minute. No matter what you need, you can put your trust entirely in us.
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Have you seen those videos circulating of women dancing through labor? We just love them! Not only can the movements of dancing be a great comfort measure and distraction from pain, but it’s just plain fun! As your doulas, we want to support you in your decision to dance, so today we have comprised a list of our top twenty jams to dance to in labor that are just perfect for the occasion. Have a look!
Of course, aside from songs with appropriate titles, It’s important to dance to whatever will make us feel comfortable, and know that no choice is wrong. As your doulas, we will always support your choices, even in music!
Did you dance in pregnancy or labor? What was your music of choice? They are one of the biggest unknowns of a first pregnancy. What does a contraction feel like? Our family and friends can horrify us, yet among them are some who say contractions aren’t such a big deal. Interpretations range across the board, but when it comes to vaginal birth, one thing is for sure: it’s going to happen.
A contraction is a tightening and relaxing of the uterine muscle during labor. This causes the cervix to dilate and efface, progressing to ten centimeters, when the baby will eventually be able to come into the birth canal and be born. Contractions can be felt in the abdomen, low back, buttocks and legs. Some people describe them as feeling like a menstrual cramp, whereas others feel more back pain. Some contractions, known as Braxton hicks, are not considered a part of labor, but are rather practice contractions and are usually less intense. Contractions in active labor typically become longer, stronger and closer together. However, each birthing person will have their own pattern and intensity. This makes it increasingly hard to truly know what we will face before the big day. However, many childbirth education classes can teach coping mechanisms to assist in managing discomfort. These techniques can be practiced and learned so they are second nature by the time labor starts. Some people may feel that they don’t need many techniques in their toolbox, and others draw upon them before labor even starts. Clients planning to request medication for pain relief often don’t want to put much emphasis into learning these techniques, however it is always good to have handy, as hospital floors may become busy, labor may be too quick or medication may not work as we hoped it would. Often times, the uncertainty of how contractions will feel can become one of our biggest fears. However, nature is funny, as often times once birth is over we will remember how we felt during the contractions, but cannot describe the sensation itself. Have you already had contractions? Can you describe what they felt like? What is a babymoon? A baby moon is a relatively new trend, similar to a honeymoon where a couple takes a trip to enjoy some time together before a new baby join their family. This idea is catching on fast, and of course! Why not? A fun trip to take care of yourself before you’re taking care of someone else sounds not only logical, but healthy! As far as where to go and what to do, the limit does not exist! We have compiled a list of the five most ideal places in the Northeast to inspire some ideas for your perfect babymoon! Here goes nothing…
2) New York City, New York Start spreading the news, this city has so much to offer personalities of all kinds. Go to the top of the empire state building, see the statue of liberty, catch a Broadway show or walk through central park. This destination is relatively close and an easy train ride away! Pro-tip: Pack comfortable shoes! 3) Newport, Rhode Island Take a beautiful stroll on the cliff walk, visit the famous mansions and have a few beach days. Don’t forget to indulge in some New England clam chowder and grab a cute onesie from one of the many shops on Thames Street.
5) Waterbury, Vermont Many ski resorts remain open for the summer, which could mean a cheaper stay going in the off season. There is surprisingly so much to do in this area. For the foodies: tour the Ben and Jerry’s and Cabot cheese factory, and don’t forget that you can take two samples! For the adventurers, enjoy fishing, hiking, kayaking and paddle boarding. For the sentimentals, take a stop in the teddy bear factor and make your baby’s first lovie together. And if you’re wanting for some beautiful scenery, take the trek up to Lake Champlain. Already took your babymoon? Where did you go? Tell us all about it in the comments!
What is attunement? Attunement is the ability to get inside the mind of another person. It’s about anticipating their wants and needs and knowing how they may react to certain situations without even having to ask them. There are many times we attune in our everyday lives without even realizing it. Think about a friend who is having a hard time, a child and parent relationship or career fields such as psychology, education or medicine. No matter what walk of life we are from, it’s likely that we all have at least tried to attune to someone at some point in our lives. Attunement is everywhere, and when done well, can be a powerful gift for the giver and recipient.
Doulas can attune too! Did you know that a huge part of the training our doulas go through involves learning to attune to another person? It’s actually pretty important, and tends to be why our clients love us. The birth and postpartum periods can be vulnerable and exhausting, even for the seasoned parent. It can often be difficult for our clients to verbalize exactly what it is they need in terms of support. Hiring a professional doula takes the guess work out of figuring out wants and needs, and in turn gets them met in a way that the entire family can function in harmony as a unit. This attunement can appear in many different ways, but allow us to name just a few.
Attunement feels GREAT! Having someone around who can attune to us can be one of the most amazing feelings in the world. During the birth and postpartum period, our needs can change in the blink of an eye. Having a professional to anticipate these needs changing and adjust to the family’s needs can make all the difference between surviving and thriving. As your doulas, we want to make your experience the best it can possibly be, and while you’re always free to tell us what is on your mind or what you need, you can rest assured that if this is a difficult task for you, we will always be working very hard to figure it out and then support you in a way that will make sense to your individual journey. Want an attunement expert in your birth and postpartum experience? Give the NY Baby Co. a call today at 518-712-9767 to schedule your free consultation! You’re six weeks postpartum! You may be feeling back to normal, or may still be wondering how you will ever get there. You might be ready to exercise and have sex, or you may be wondering how you will ever manage to do these things again. Regardless, six weeks is the perfect time to be having these thoughts, as you will be checking in with your provider for your six week postpartum visit.
What happens at the six week postpartum checkup? This checkup will start normally with the typical weight and vital signs being taken. There will then be a pelvic exam to make sure the uterus is back to its normal size and that there is no sign of infection. For women who have had incisions due to cesareans or episiotomies, these will be checked as well. Since this appointment can count as your annual well woman exam, your provider will often times do a pap smear. A breast exam will also be done to feel for any abnormal lumps. This is a great time to bring up any discomforts and ask questions about anything that may feel not quite right. Other important matters addressed in this checkup include mental health and birth control. Usually, there will be a screening for postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders. The screening can vary in detail from provider to provider, so it is important to remember to speak up if you feel anything is not quite right with your mental state. Perinatal mood disorders are more easily managed when addressed and treated earlier on. Your provider will also start to talk to you about birth control, and see which option you may want to pursue. Some changes may need to take place from methods you previously used. For women wanting to continue taking the pill who are breastfeeding, a progesterone only pill will be prescribed, because the pills with estrogen can lower milk supply. Also, women who were using the diaphragm will need to be fitted for a new one. It is important to pick a birth control method you are comfortable with, which you feel will be most effective with your new pace of life. When can I have sex again? At your six week appointment, your provider will give you the all clear to start having sex again if everything checks out normal. If your lochia (postpartum bleeding) has stopped, this is a great sign that the lining of your uterus has healed. It is important to wait until you are healed before engaging in sex, and know that if you had a tear or episiotomy, it may take a little longer for you to feel ready. Does sex hurt after childbirth? It is common for women to have discomfort the first few times they have sex after having a baby. Often times, a water based lubricant can be helpful in easing this discomfort. For couples using condoms, be sure to avoid oil based lubricants. For longer term issues with pain, there may be a pelvic floor issue. A call to your provider and/or referral to a physical therapist can help with this. Above all... remember this: It is most important when getting back to your normal routine, that you listen to your body and don’t push it further than it wants to go. Remember that the six week recommendation is a guideline, not a must. If anything is particularly bothersome, reach out to your provider at any time. |