Luvs Commercial

This is the first commercial I have seen on network TV with breastfeeding. Awesome!

Booby Traps

When you are a new parent, there is so much information that people give you. But sometimes the information is wrong...and from your doctor. This can be totally frustrating, especially when you are trying to breastfeed. There are so many old wives tales or non-evidence-based information. How do you navigate it all? First do your own homework. Read reputable breastfeeding books (written by organizations whose focus is breastfeeding, e.g. La Leche League) and attend a breastfeeding class. Also, find a pediatrician who is breastfeeding-friendly and who will support you and get you the help you need. When you are having trouble-- get help from a lactation consultant (have this person lined up before you need her help). Finally, compare all your information and question the outlying facts. Knowledge is power, especially when breastfeeding. You can do it!

Here are some breastfeeding myths to avoid: http://www.bestforbabes.org/booby-traps-series-six-breastfeeding-myths-you-might-hear-at-the-doctors-office

Eating for Twins and More

Recently, I have been reading an enlightening book by Elizabeth Noble called, "Having Twins and More". The most interesting facts I have found has been about nutrition. There are so many nutrients missing in the modern American diet, especially pregnant women, specifically for women carrying twins.

"Here is a list of essential nutrients and the amount required daily by expectant mothers of twins, compiled from tables in Having Twins (by Elizabeth Noble) and Make Room For Twins (by Terry Alexander), which also list food sources and sample menus. In keeping with our "better higher than lower" philosophy, we have chosen the higher figures where the two books did not agree. Even so, there are several cases, most notably Vitamin B and C, where many researchers would feel that these values are still too low."

Calories 4,000
Protein 145 grams
Vitamin A 5-8,000 IU
Vitamin C 100mg (milligrams)
Vitamin D 600 IU
Vitamin E 12 mg
Thiamin (B-1) 2 mg
Riboflavin (B-2) 2 mg
Niacin (B-3) 20 mg
Pyridoxine (B-6) 3.2 mg
Folic Acid 1.25 mg
Vitamin B-12 5 mcg (micrograms)
Calcium 1600 mg
Iron 100 mg
Magnesium 600 mg
Phosphorus 1600 mg
Potassium 3250 mg
Iodine 150 mcg
Zinc 25 mg

Reference: http://www.twinservices.org/articles/nutrition.html

So if you are pregnant with or without twins, please do your research and find good sources of nutrients. Eating healthy is important for women to carry twins to term, avoid development problems in babies, and avoid health problems like preeclampsia in mothers. Gain weight, but in a healthy way!

Snip Less, Please!

Episiotomies used to by a routine procedure when having a baby. In fact my mom used to say, about my birth, that they [doctors] cut her from "stem to sternum". That doesn't sound very pleasant! Not only is it not very pleasant, it most cases it is completely unnecessary. Studies show that tearing naturally is less painful, more easy to repair, and heals more quickly. So be very weary if your doctor or midwife routinely does episiotomies. The less "snipping" the better!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/22/episiotomy-childbirth-guidelines_n_1799394.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Pain in the Back

Many women experience the painful type of labor called back labor. It is thought to be a sign that the baby is Occiput Posterior (your doctor call this OP), which basically means that the baby is face up with the back of his/her head pressing right into mom's lower back. This can cause terrible pain and pressure in mom's back and buttocks area even with an epidural. I have read however that back labor doesn't always mean that the baby is OP. There are several other causes of back labor in women and some techniques that can help ease this pain. Check out this blog to read more about back labor and some things you and your doula can do to ease the pain in your back!

http://birthunplugged.blogspot.com/2011/05/theres-more-to-back-labor-than-fetal.html