IBC and the Fistula Foundation

For months Informed Birth Choices has been planning a great event to encourage car seat safety and raise money for the Fistula Foundation. Finally the day had arrived. The weather was perfect for IBC's New Moms Group to host this awesome outdoor event.

Chloe Chrysanthus, an IBC doula and car seat specialist, volunteered her time to check and properly install infant and toddler car seats for free. Since 8 out of 10 car seats are installed improperly, this was a great service to all the moms who came out.

In addition to the care seat check and installation, IBC also asked for donations for the Fistula Foundation, an organization which performs surgeries to correct obstetric fistulas for women in developing nations. People graciously donated baked goods and handmade crafts to sell to raise money.

Danielle Koontz, the director of IBC, was hoping to raise around $50 and to her great surprise the money collected totaled $250! That amount is over half the cost of a fistula repair. The IBC car seat check and Fistula Foundation event was a true success and showed that women all over the world can change each others' lives for the better. Truly this event was a win-win for everyone involved! A BIG thank you to everyone involved!

Breastfeeding and Working

One of the most frequently asked questions that is asked when I am teaching a breastfeeding class is, "when should I introduce the bottle since I have to go back to work?" or "when do I start pumping when I have to go back to work?". Breastfeeding, pumping and working seems like it will be completely overwhelming to new moms, but it doesn't have to be. Learning how and when to pump can happen gradually and doesn't have to cause you anxiety.

Here are some of my tips for moms who will have to go back to work:

1. Establish the breastfeeding relationship with your baby first. It is more important to learn how to breastfeed and then worry about pumping.

2. Introduce the bottle after three good weeks of breastfeeding (if the first week sucks, then three weeks after you and baby got the hang of it).

3. When you do start pumping, try pumping in the morning when your milk supply is at its peak. Breastfeed the baby first and then pump the remaining milk. Add in pumping sessions throughout the day and eventually you will start making enough milk to store in the fridge and freezer.

4. Feed your baby from the bottle at least once a day so he/she gets used to bottle feeding.

5. Let the baby lead the feeding by holding baby more upright with the bottle at a 45 degree angle. Encourage her natural breastfeeding instincts (rooting, flanged lips, switching arms, etc.)

6. If your baby won't take the bottle from you (mom), allow someone else to offer him the bottle.

7. Pump when you can at work. It doesn't have to be when your baby would eat. Take advantage of your "pumportunities"!


How and when do all these things occur? Here is an action plan from the IBC Baby Basics class that I teach.

Are you interested in more information about breastfeeding and working? 

Kellymom.com

Webinar on breastfeeding and working:

From One to Two: Preparing Older Children and You for a 2nd Child

The sibling relationship is likely to be the longest lasting relationship that your child will have, but making that transition from one child to two, isn't always easy. Not only can it be challenging for the older child, but having another baby can also put stress on the parental relationship. Preparing yourselves and your child for the next baby can be very helpful in easing the transition.

Normal things to expect are parental conflicts, increase in stress and workload, ambivalence and/or hostility from the first child. Not all effects of a second child are negative, but the negative aspects are usually the hardest to deal with, so below are some strategies in preparing you and your child for what may come.

Preparing the Parents:
The birth of a second child can sometimes begin the most difficult year in a couple's relationship, therefore working on the parental relationship can have a positive results on parenting. Communication is the key to avoiding conflict.

Here are some questions to ask each other before your second baby is born:

• What is your vision of the division of labor?
• How should we handle it if our expectations aren't met?
• What has worked well for us, as parents, so far?
• What has been stressful about our teamwork?
• How can we prepare for a new baby?
• What causes you stress with our first child?

Every change requires a loss. Think about what you might lose and talk to your partner about your concerns (time together, sex, sleep, personal time, etc.)

Preparing the Child:

Although there are many things that you can do to prepare the older child for a sibling, the child's personality has the greatest effect on the reaction to the new baby. Also, his/her developmental stage can really effect how he/she reacts to the baby sister/brother.

Here are some things to try that may ease the transistion:

• Read sibling books together
• Play baby doll games
• Teach older child the do's and don'ts with the new baby
• Maintain scheduling consistency as much as possible
• Encourage questions
• Describe where they will go and who will watch them during the birth
• Encourage involvement in preparations
• Embrace resistance and regression
• Carve out along time
• Don't make promises that you can't keep.

When children are making the transition into the role of big brother/sister, they need to know that their emotional needs are taken care of. They need to feel included, respected, important, accepted, and secure.  Also, avoid overt favortism, treat each fairly, honor the children's difference, avoid comparrisons and labeling them, and don't assume that all conflict is bad.

Having a second child can be very stressful on the family during which a lot of adjustments occur, but it also a very joyous time. So, prepare yourselves and your child for the wonderful addition to your family.

For more on sibling adjustment you can listen to the is free webinar.

Books:  Beyond One, Jennifer Bingham and How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children, Gerald Newmark

Easter Surprise!

So the week before Easter was super crazy. I won't bore you with details but it involved an overnight postpartum visit, my parents spending one night, hosting a neighborhood Easter egg hunt, preparing for in-laws coming into town for a 3 day visit, my 31st birthday, and oh yeah, did I mention it was spring break so both kids were home. It was a bit stressful, but totally do-able.

A midst all the hoopla, I remembered that I had a client that was 7 days overdue. So I checked in with her via text. Everything was the same (i.e. no contractions or signs of labor) and she told me that she was nervous about the possible looming induction. So I said not to worry and gave her a list of natural labor starters and with a focus on nipple stimulation 2-3 times a day with a breastpump on low. And I thought, "Ok, great, I'll be able to get through the holiday weekend with no baby."

As I am laying down to sleep after an exhausting Saturday of running around and hosting my in-laws, I get a text that my overdue client is in labor. "Ahhhh!", I think, "not now!" After a couple of hours of phone doula-ing, I knew it is time to go. We met at the hospital. Everything went great and a healthy baby was born bright and early Easter morning.

Despite my original lack of enthusiasm, I was so excited for the parents and they seemed over-joyed with the whole birth experience.  I think the lesson learned there is that you never know how the day will turn out and as a doula we have to always be ready to serve and put our best foot forward for moms (and dads) who really need you.

Happy Easter!

Baby Blues or More?

Are you wondering if you have the "baby blues" or if it's something more?

The baby blues occur right after birth and resolve on it's own in 3-5 weeks. They symptoms of the baby blues are tearfulness, irritability, sadness, sleeplessness, anxiety, exhaustion. But what if those symptoms don't clear up on their own in about a month? You may be suffering from Postpartum Depression or Anxiety (Postpartum Mood Disorder-PPMD). PPMD is not uncommon. Up to 20% of all women suffer from PPMD across cultural and socioeconomic lines. PPMD can occur up to a year (or longer) after the birth of a child and may have begun while you were pregnant.

Early intervention is key if you think you might be suffering with PPMD. There are many sources of help available online and in person, whether you need medical, therapeutic, or social support. Reaching out or having someone reach out for you is the most important thing to getting help.

Ok, so what if you haven't had your baby yet, but you are looking into PPMD as a precautionary measure. Here are some risk factors and stressors that can increase your chance of suffering with PPMD.

Risk Factors:

• Depression or anxiety before or during pregnancy
• Previous cases of PPMD
• Intense fear of child birth
• History of mental illness and/or substance abuse
• Poor support system
• Abuse
• Loss of pregnancy or child
• Loss of one's own mother
• Medical complications in mother or baby
• Social Isolation
• Abrupt weaning
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Multiples (twins, triplets, etc.)

Stressors:

• Environment (home, work, finances, safety)
• Biological (history of infertility, hormones, thyroid issue)
• Relational (partner issues, family issues)
• Genetics (predisposition for PPMD)

Dads (or partners) can also be at risk for depression or anxiety after a baby is born. It is important that they get help too!

If you are suffering with PPMD or think you are at an increased risk, talk to your care provider, your doula, your lactation professional, your child's pediatrician or anyone who can help you reach out. There are also great online resources. Postpartum Support International helps women across the world be well.

It is ok to not be ok... it is not ok to stay not ok. 

There are people who can help!

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

I attended my first successful VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) a couple of days ago. It was long and hard, but my client was able to have a vaginal birth, although she had to let go of a few things that she really wanted in her birth plan. It is so hard to let go of the things you planned on, but otherwise she wouldn't have been able to achieve her main goal of a vaginal birth.

If you've had a previous cesarean section and are now are trying to decide which is the best option, here is some information that might help you make your choice. The International Cesarean Awareness Network has a great website that help you understand the risks and benefits of a VBAC.

VBACs have been popular for years within the natural birthing community, but are just now becoming more mainstream within the medical obstetric community. Research is now showing that VBACs, in most cases, are safer for both mom and baby. Check out this video on a national morning show that talks more about the concept of VBAC and safety.

As always, discuss VBAC with your care provider to make sure it is the best and safest choice for you and your baby.

Some Postpartum Tips

I have been on hiatus, well, kind of. I have taken off the month of January for birth doula-ing, but for the months of December through February, I have had the shear pleasure to work with a great family as a postpartum doula. This "time off" was refreshing and renewing for me. It allowed me to have a more predictable schedule and not be as exhausted. Working with a lovely family has really renewed my passion as a postpartum doula. I was feeling a bit down, after some difficult experiences, but this one really lifted my spirits and reminded me of some great knowledge about the postpartum period that I want to pass along.

1. Breastfeeding. If you are nervous about breastfeeding or are having difficulty, it is so important to get support through it. Whether you visit your local la leche league, use a postpartum doula, or see a lactation consultant, it is just important to have support and correct information. Another important point about breastfeeding is that your newborn (up to around 2 months) needs to eat 10-12 times a day. I know that it seems like a lot, but this is what your baby will require. Sleepy babies do not gain the weight the way they should. Here are some ways to wake your sleepy baby.

2. Get out and about when you can. Or have people to your home so you don't feel isolated. Knowing that you have a break from the "normal" routine may lift your spirits and help you avoid baby blues or postpartum mood disorders. Consult your doctor as to when is a good time to take your baby in large crowds.

3. Wear your baby! This is the number one thing I can recommend to new parents. Babies love to be worn and you can get household chores done at the same time. Baby wearing also counts as tummy time for your newborn. There are so many benefits of baby wearing and you can check them out here. There are great places to check out all the different options for baby wearing. If you are local to the Baltimore area, Greenberries or Soft and Cozy Baby have baby wearing experts.

I wish you all the best in your postpartum period with your family and new baby!

Yup, that's me baby wearing just after putting on a duvet cover on a duvet. Love it!