A woman thought she had chosen her care provider carefully. One whom she thought would facilitate the peaceful, calm, beautiful birth that she envisioned for her first baby. She was comfortable with her care provider, confident that she would have the type of birth that she was dreaming about.
Then, at the end of pregnancy she is bombarded with stress from her care provider. Pressure to undergo tests that weren't based on evidence of anything going awry. A strict dietary change, which she needed to report to her care provider. When her water breaks and there is no labor yet, her care provider is unable to follow evidence based research, and have patience as long as mother and baby are doing well. Care provider talks heavily and often of intervention. Begins forcing induction techniques on the mother. The care provider's nervousness exudes from every action, in turn causing stress on the family. Soon the mother is able to force-start her labor, even though her intuition tells her that everything was fine. Her care provider ordered the birthing woman's mother to get out. When it came to pushing, she wasn't given an option of birthing anywhere but on her back. Her care provider instructed people to hold and pull her legs all the way back, while roughly hooking fingers into the mother's vagina to stretch and pull. Stretch and pull. Mom kicks at her care provider's hands, and says, “This hurts. Please stop.” Her care provider continues, saying that if mom doesn't want to tear, this is what needs to occur. Baby is born. Yet, it isn't the calm and beautiful meeting that either parent had hoped for. Within minutes, the care provider was pulling roughly on the umbilical cord, even though the mother said it hurt. Pulling tore the placenta off of the uterine wall, and heavy bleeding began. Before the family knew it, the care provider was gone, citing fatigue. The husband was left to worry about his wife's bleeding, and his child's breathing, without the professional that they had paid for.
For those of you who know the difference between home and hospital birth, this sounds like a hospital birth. It wasn't. This was birth at home. With a Midwife. Unfortunately, just hiring a Midwife to attend a home birth does not guarantee you a peaceful, safe, calm birthing experience. And there are things you can look for in the interview, and in the prenatal process. The problem for most families is that they blindly trust in their care provider. They don't question, and they don't do independent research. And the Midwives that I know of that have caused these kinds of birthing scenarios are extremely smooth with how they present things. It is almost a grooming technique. They tell you exactly what you want to hear. If you question things, they have a well-thought-out reason for why they will intervene in an otherwise healthy pregnancy, labor, or birth.
Red Flags in a Midwife:
*She has strict requirements for what you can and cannot do for your own birth. For example, she has the rule that you cannot birth on your own bed. You must birth in water (if she “lets” you actually birth in water – does not pull you out when you start pushing), or on the floor. This is controlling, not evidence based, and quite frankly – disturbing. There is nothing evidence based about not allowing a woman to birth in her own bed. A birthing woman should be able to birth wherever and however she chooses. Period.
*She becomes visibly nervous over things that are within normal or normal variation. A professional, experienced, and competent Midwife will make the family feel at ease, even if she internally feels nervous about something. This is the time for her to do research, collaborate with a peer, and then make a calm recommendation if evidence shows a reason to step in.
*She starts doing or wanting to do vaginal exams in the end of your pregnancy. Whatever reason she may give you, this is NOT evidence based. It holds no purpose whatsoever. It will not tell you when you will give birth, how well your labor will progress, or how baby is doing.
*You begin to feel like less of a peer with your Midwife, and more of a submissive party. You view your Midwife as an absolute authority figure who shouldn't be questioned, or one who will “disallow” you to do something. Your Midwife is your SUPPORT during a physiologic event in your life. Not your authority.
*She begins to come up with reasons why the things you may desire, or have planned for your birth, are not going to work out. For example – birthing in water. If she mentions that she “may have to pull you out” of the water for pushing, HUGE red flag. If she mentions that your partner or the person whom you have chosen to catch your baby can do so only with her help, huge red flag. There is nothing special about a Midwife's hands. She can sit back and carefully watch, and step in if there are any issues. Otherwise, she doesn't need to be involved.
*She answers, “We'll have to see how things are going...” in response to your desires for your birth.
And finally, for those of you who may be questioning what the heck happened during your birth...if your Midwife:
*Had you begin techniques to soften and prepare your cervix.
*Pressured you to begin intervention in your otherwise normal, healthy pregnancy.
*Began induction techniques because your waters released and labor didn't start yet, even though you and baby were not showing any signs or symptoms of infection.
*Was nervous during your labor – didn't seem like she was confident with what was occurring.
*Didn't allow you to birth anywhere but on the floor.
*Discouraged waterbirth, birth on your bed, or someone else from catching your baby. (including YOU!)
*Did multiple vaginal exams either without you asking, or because she had convinced you that they were necessary to assess progress and safety.
*Had you push before you felt the urge – your body will undeniably begin pushing on its own without any effort from you.
*Kept asking if you felt like pushing. A Midwife worth her salt knows that if you have to ask, mom definitely does not feel like pushing. Then mom wonders why she doesn't have to push yet. Is something wrong? When will I feel like pushing?
*Roughly applied perineal massage and stretching. If she told you that this is how to keep from tearing. If she told you that this was necessary. If she wouldn't stop when you mentioned how it hurt, was uncomfortable, or you didn't like it. Doing perineal stretching and massage is not evidence based. Research has shown that it does not reduce the risk of tearing, especially since the position that mom is in for this, is the LEAST optimal position for birth.
*Spoke to you in a controlling way. “Give me that baby!”, “You can either get down to business and REALLY push, and have this baby soon. Or you can keep going like this for hours.”
*Pulled on your placenta instead of waiting for the third stage to complete physiologically. By doing so, she put you at high risk for uterine and cervical prolapse, not to mention hemorrhage.
*Left shortly after your birth. A Midwife should remain in your home for a MINIMUM of two to three hours after birth. The first hour after birth is VITAL to mother-baby bonding, and should not be disrupted by newborn examination, birth certificate worksheets, or anything else if all has gone well. The time after birth is to assure that mom and baby are doing well, that they are snuggled into bed, that baby is nursing well, mom has eaten, and everything is cleaned up.
If she did any of the above, she did not practice in a safe, evidence based manner.
Overall, your Midwife should practice in a way that supports evidence based research and protocols. Not fear based, and definitely not control based. Women are perfectly capable of birthing out in the middle of the forest without anyone else around. They definitely do not need an overbearing, controlling Midwife to step in and make things unsafe.
Ask for the contact information of her last 3 clients. Ask them questions about their birth. Ask them about the demeanor of the Midwife during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Ask about her transfer rate. Does she end up taking a lot of her clients in to the hospital? Call the hospital. Talk to the nurses. What is the reputation of the Midwife there?
If you have seen any of these red flags and feel it is too late to switch, it's not. Call around. Explain your situation. Make other arrangements for your birth, instead of continuing with these red flags, and possibly putting yourself, your baby, and your birth experience at risk.
Be careful with your choice in care provider. There are no do-overs in birth, and you will always remember the way that you were made to feel during your birthing process. Always remember that YOU are the one in charge of your birth. You hire your care provider – they work for you....not the other way around.
Showing posts with label midwife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label midwife. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
FREE Waterbirth Information Night
*~*Join us for a FREE Waterbirth Information Night on
Saturday, April 30th from 5-9pm in St. George!*~*
Have you ever wondered about the science behind giving birth in water? Have you heard myths about baby not being able to breathe, or gravity not helping in water?
Come with any and all questions!
Free food, giveaways, information packets and more ...
Visit the Events page for more information. Hope to see you there!
Find additional information and RSVP on our Facebook Event Page
Date: Saturday, April 30th
Time: 5:00-9:00pm
Location: Sage Hills Yoga Studio in St. George
Cost: FREE
Saturday, April 30th from 5-9pm in St. George!*~*
Have you ever wondered about the science behind giving birth in water? Have you heard myths about baby not being able to breathe, or gravity not helping in water?
Come with any and all questions!
Free food, giveaways, information packets and more ...
Visit the Events page for more information. Hope to see you there!
Find additional information and RSVP on our Facebook Event Page
Date: Saturday, April 30th
Time: 5:00-9:00pm
Location: Sage Hills Yoga Studio in St. George
Cost: FREE
Thursday, May 20, 2010
What Happens in a Home Birth?
Many times I have people wonder what's so different about a Home Birth. How is it different than giving birth in the hospital? How is it better?
I have listed my 10 reasons for giving birth at home before (added below), but it doesn't walk you through what a Home Birth can really be like, step by step.
First of all, my prenatals usually last, on average, an hour long. I use the time to really get to know the family. Birth is such an intimate time in a family's life. If I am going to be a part of it, I want them to feel like they really know me, and vice-versa. We not only go over the clinical diagnostic that are done at an OB office (Blood pressure, fundal height, baby's heartbeat, check urine), but we also go over nutrition (which is vital in preventing things in pregnancy), as well as the emotional well being of mom. I want to make sure that any concerns or questions are fully addressed in each and every prenatal. As we get closer to 40 weeks, we will go over any specific birth wishes (candle light, waterbirth set up, music, etc) and make sure that all supplies have been gathered and are ready. We speak about when to call me in labor, and what the family wants my roll to be. Am I catching, or is dad or a sibling? I have absolutely no problems with someone else catching. And unlike some Midwives, I do not require a "three handed catch". I trust that dad will catch baby perfectly fine without my help. ;)
There are some Midwives in the area who do not "allow" clients to birth on their own bed, or "allow" clients to birth in the water. I see this as a gross violation of personal choice in birth. I am happy to catch baby (if I am even the one catching!) in whatever place mom chooses for her birth. My desire is to see women take charge of their births, and not ask me for "permission" with what they can do with their body and baby. I am simply there as a lifeguard of sorts - to make sure that labor and birth progress safely.
At the last birth I attended, I was called in the afternoon to be given a "heads up" that mom was in labor. She and her husband were going to try to go on about the day as normal, and call me when things really picked up. I got a call back at about 10pm, with a request to come soon. I gathered my supplies and headed out. When I arrived, the birthing room (in this case, the bathroom) was such a beautiful scene. Mom was laboring in her tub. Lights off, candles lit around the tub and bathroom. Dad was playing his guitar and singing to mom. It was such a sweet setting. Mom was smiling, excited for the day to have arrived. With her permission, I checked on baby's heartrate, and asked how she was doing. (In between contractions, of course.) When I knew everything was good, I retreated downstairs, telling them to call if they needed anything. They had it all under control, and wanted the intimacy of the two of them laboring alone. I only went back up every so often to check on baby, and retreated back downstairs. I don't do any vaginal exams unless I feel there is something going off that needs this tool. And it isn't often that I feel this way. ;)
At about 2am, mom decided to try to get some rest. Contractions were slowing down and she was tired. We all fell asleep for a bit, until I was woken up at about 2:50 with sounds of her starting to push. They called me back upstairs. From the time that mom's body got serious about pushing, to the time baby was born, was a mere 6 minutes. She did BEAUTIFULLY! She caught her breath, gathered up her baby, and snuggled her. I made sure baby's color and tone were good, and then didn't touch baby again for an hour. Because baby was breathing perfectly, crying quietly, and her tone was great ... I didn't need to interfere with touching baby. This was mom and dad's time, and didn't need to be interrupted. An hour after birth, I did the full newborn exam and checked mom for tears. Not ONE! :) I made sure mom and baby were nursing without any problems, cleaned up everything from the birth, and left the new family to snuggle up together and sleep.
It may not sound like I did much. I usually don't. When a mom is healthy and has had a healthy, low risk pregnancy, the best thing to do is as little as possible during labor and birth. Interrupting the process continually can hinder the birth. Vaginal exams are unnecessary the vast majority of time, and should be avoided. Unless mom and dad need the extra support, they should be given as much time as desired to be alone. They created the baby alone, they should be given the opportunity to labor alone. Now, I have had families that have wanted me more involved. I have kept mom company, rubbed many backs, and have even slow-danced in labor with mom. I am happy to fill whatever roll the family wants me in - even if that means doing nothing at all.
This is the difference of Home Birth. There aren't unknown people (nurses) walking in and out of your room without permission. There are not beeping machines or an uncomfortable bed. There aren't any IVs, or limited spaces in which dad is allowed to go. There aren't any restrictions to how/where mom births, or how many/little people in attendance. All newborn exams are done on the bed with mom, not across the room or in a separate area. Baby never leaves mom's site (unless dad is showing baby off to family that may be in another room).
Birth should be a beautiful, intimate time for a family.
Ten Reasons (and there are many, many more than ten!) To Birth At Home:
10. You remain an autonomous woman throughout labor and birth. You're not treated as a sick person, you don't have to put on a hospital gown, and you're not told what to do.
9. Your husband/partner can take breaks as needed, and he's in his own home. He doesn't have to wander the halls to look for a vending machine or a cafeteria. He can even play video games. ( The big plus to my husband )
8. You can eat and drink as you wish. You are not restricted to ice chips, you are actually encouraged to eat healthy, protein-filled snacks and meals.
7. You don't have an IV. In a home birth, you drink as your source of hydration. There is no IV placed in your hand, and you are free from that cumbersome IV pole.
6. There are fewer complications at home. This is from multiple studies done over multiple decades. At home, fewer ( next to zero ) episiotomies are done. In the hospital, some have a nearly 80% episiotomy rate. At home, fewer babies need help breathing at birth ( 17 times LOWER risk at home ). At home, shoulder dystocia is less likely, even for those HUGE babies. ( even though the HUGE babies are not the ones at more risk for this, despite the myths ) At home, fewer moms hemorrhage. At home, fewer moms tear.
5. There is never a risk of mixing up babies. There is only one brand new baby at home ( well, 2 if twins ), and you know he's yours.
4. There is never a risk of mixing up medications. There are no medications, but even if there were there would be no possibility of getting someone else's meds, and dying.
3. There are no drugs. Now, this may seem like a bad thing to some women, but it's a good thing for EVERY baby. A baby born without drugs, is a healthier baby. You don't put baby at risk for drug-related conditions at birth, when there are no drugs to begin with. And without an epidural, you're not at risk for the myriad complications to both mom AND baby that come with one.
2. As many, or as few people can be in the room with you when you birth. From children to grandparents and anyone in between. And, anyone you wish can catch the baby. It makes birth what it should be - a family event.
1. You are giving your baby the greatest gift of all - a non-interventive, drug-free, peaceful, safe birth...and on your terms, not a surgeon's. There are no birth do-overs, so why not give your baby the best birth possible?
I have listed my 10 reasons for giving birth at home before (added below), but it doesn't walk you through what a Home Birth can really be like, step by step.
First of all, my prenatals usually last, on average, an hour long. I use the time to really get to know the family. Birth is such an intimate time in a family's life. If I am going to be a part of it, I want them to feel like they really know me, and vice-versa. We not only go over the clinical diagnostic that are done at an OB office (Blood pressure, fundal height, baby's heartbeat, check urine), but we also go over nutrition (which is vital in preventing things in pregnancy), as well as the emotional well being of mom. I want to make sure that any concerns or questions are fully addressed in each and every prenatal. As we get closer to 40 weeks, we will go over any specific birth wishes (candle light, waterbirth set up, music, etc) and make sure that all supplies have been gathered and are ready. We speak about when to call me in labor, and what the family wants my roll to be. Am I catching, or is dad or a sibling? I have absolutely no problems with someone else catching. And unlike some Midwives, I do not require a "three handed catch". I trust that dad will catch baby perfectly fine without my help. ;)
There are some Midwives in the area who do not "allow" clients to birth on their own bed, or "allow" clients to birth in the water. I see this as a gross violation of personal choice in birth. I am happy to catch baby (if I am even the one catching!) in whatever place mom chooses for her birth. My desire is to see women take charge of their births, and not ask me for "permission" with what they can do with their body and baby. I am simply there as a lifeguard of sorts - to make sure that labor and birth progress safely.
At the last birth I attended, I was called in the afternoon to be given a "heads up" that mom was in labor. She and her husband were going to try to go on about the day as normal, and call me when things really picked up. I got a call back at about 10pm, with a request to come soon. I gathered my supplies and headed out. When I arrived, the birthing room (in this case, the bathroom) was such a beautiful scene. Mom was laboring in her tub. Lights off, candles lit around the tub and bathroom. Dad was playing his guitar and singing to mom. It was such a sweet setting. Mom was smiling, excited for the day to have arrived. With her permission, I checked on baby's heartrate, and asked how she was doing. (In between contractions, of course.) When I knew everything was good, I retreated downstairs, telling them to call if they needed anything. They had it all under control, and wanted the intimacy of the two of them laboring alone. I only went back up every so often to check on baby, and retreated back downstairs. I don't do any vaginal exams unless I feel there is something going off that needs this tool. And it isn't often that I feel this way. ;)
At about 2am, mom decided to try to get some rest. Contractions were slowing down and she was tired. We all fell asleep for a bit, until I was woken up at about 2:50 with sounds of her starting to push. They called me back upstairs. From the time that mom's body got serious about pushing, to the time baby was born, was a mere 6 minutes. She did BEAUTIFULLY! She caught her breath, gathered up her baby, and snuggled her. I made sure baby's color and tone were good, and then didn't touch baby again for an hour. Because baby was breathing perfectly, crying quietly, and her tone was great ... I didn't need to interfere with touching baby. This was mom and dad's time, and didn't need to be interrupted. An hour after birth, I did the full newborn exam and checked mom for tears. Not ONE! :) I made sure mom and baby were nursing without any problems, cleaned up everything from the birth, and left the new family to snuggle up together and sleep.
It may not sound like I did much. I usually don't. When a mom is healthy and has had a healthy, low risk pregnancy, the best thing to do is as little as possible during labor and birth. Interrupting the process continually can hinder the birth. Vaginal exams are unnecessary the vast majority of time, and should be avoided. Unless mom and dad need the extra support, they should be given as much time as desired to be alone. They created the baby alone, they should be given the opportunity to labor alone. Now, I have had families that have wanted me more involved. I have kept mom company, rubbed many backs, and have even slow-danced in labor with mom. I am happy to fill whatever roll the family wants me in - even if that means doing nothing at all.
This is the difference of Home Birth. There aren't unknown people (nurses) walking in and out of your room without permission. There are not beeping machines or an uncomfortable bed. There aren't any IVs, or limited spaces in which dad is allowed to go. There aren't any restrictions to how/where mom births, or how many/little people in attendance. All newborn exams are done on the bed with mom, not across the room or in a separate area. Baby never leaves mom's site (unless dad is showing baby off to family that may be in another room).
Birth should be a beautiful, intimate time for a family.
Ten Reasons (and there are many, many more than ten!) To Birth At Home:
10. You remain an autonomous woman throughout labor and birth. You're not treated as a sick person, you don't have to put on a hospital gown, and you're not told what to do.
9. Your husband/partner can take breaks as needed, and he's in his own home. He doesn't have to wander the halls to look for a vending machine or a cafeteria. He can even play video games. ( The big plus to my husband )
8. You can eat and drink as you wish. You are not restricted to ice chips, you are actually encouraged to eat healthy, protein-filled snacks and meals.
7. You don't have an IV. In a home birth, you drink as your source of hydration. There is no IV placed in your hand, and you are free from that cumbersome IV pole.
6. There are fewer complications at home. This is from multiple studies done over multiple decades. At home, fewer ( next to zero ) episiotomies are done. In the hospital, some have a nearly 80% episiotomy rate. At home, fewer babies need help breathing at birth ( 17 times LOWER risk at home ). At home, shoulder dystocia is less likely, even for those HUGE babies. ( even though the HUGE babies are not the ones at more risk for this, despite the myths ) At home, fewer moms hemorrhage. At home, fewer moms tear.
5. There is never a risk of mixing up babies. There is only one brand new baby at home ( well, 2 if twins ), and you know he's yours.
4. There is never a risk of mixing up medications. There are no medications, but even if there were there would be no possibility of getting someone else's meds, and dying.
3. There are no drugs. Now, this may seem like a bad thing to some women, but it's a good thing for EVERY baby. A baby born without drugs, is a healthier baby. You don't put baby at risk for drug-related conditions at birth, when there are no drugs to begin with. And without an epidural, you're not at risk for the myriad complications to both mom AND baby that come with one.
2. As many, or as few people can be in the room with you when you birth. From children to grandparents and anyone in between. And, anyone you wish can catch the baby. It makes birth what it should be - a family event.
1. You are giving your baby the greatest gift of all - a non-interventive, drug-free, peaceful, safe birth...and on your terms, not a surgeon's. There are no birth do-overs, so why not give your baby the best birth possible?
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