A woman may choose to drink for a variety of reasons. She may need to reduce stress in her life and feels a drink can help her relax. If she’s a teenager, she may also feel peer pressure to both drink and have sex. Unfortunately, some women are addicted to alcohol and that’s not a good thing when a woman finds out she’s expecting a child.

It’s unlikely a single alcoholic beverage is going to cause any birth defects in your unborn child, but that’s not the case when more alcohol is consumed. Binge drinking, which is relatively common among high school and college students, is drinking more than five drinks in one sitting. Frequent drinking is having seven or more drinks over the course of a week. Either of these instances could lead to a child developing birth defects.

What types of birth defects are possible if you choose to drink alcohol during pregnancy? Your unborn child basically has a glass of wine whenever you drink one. Alcohol passes through the placenta directly to the unborn child. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the result of a mother’s heavy drinking during pregnancy.

It is possible that your unborn child will not be affected by FAS if you drink before your child is born, but do you want to take the risk? Doctors may not readily diagnose FAS because some of the birth defects aren’t apparent until the child begins to develop intellectually and behaviorally.

Children with FAS typically have a mental/neurologic defect. They may also be diagnosed as failing to thrive because they grow slower than other children. Their heads may also be smaller and they may experience slowed intellectual development.

It is also more likely that woman will miscarry or have a premature birth if she consistently drinks alcohol during pregnancy. The child may also have low birth weight and there may be complications during the birth. Babies born with FAS may need to be placed in an intensive care unit especially for newborns, which is often referred to as a NICU.

The risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy will greatly affect the unborn child; however, it can also adversely affect the mother. She may develop cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, and the drinking may lead to brain damage.

Once you know the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, for both the baby and the mother, you may want to reconsider that next drink. We may want to relax and think a drink will help, but is it worth our health or that of our child?

Share and Enjoy:

The document begins with your name, caregiver, name of hospital or birth center, due date, coach (father or other); and name of baby. The document then proceeds with the following subtitles with questions relating to each, which you can check off accordingly. Labor; Labor Induction; Anesthesia/Pain Medication; Cesarean Section Delivery; Perineal Care; Delivery; After Birth; Newborn Care; Postpartum; Breastfeeding; Additional Notes which encompass picture taking; video-recording, and circumcision.

While there is a presumption that many hospitals may not deem this document necessary (keep in mind it has no legal standing), there are other hospitals you may find who are open to follow your wishes as much as they are able. This opens up another train of thought which is: researching and finding the right obstetrician and hospital that will conform to your requests.

You may agree that some hospitals do not have the greatest reputations or, for that matter, the best facilities. Creating this birth plan allows you to fully digest all of the possibilities you need to consider when choosing the proper hospital to deliver your child.
While we sometimes put doctors on pedestals, no one can know more about how you feel than you. Therefore, creating a birth plan can alleviate a great deal of unneeded stress as you prepare to become a mom. Why you should have a birth plan allows you to set down all of the details and choices beforehand.

Share and Enjoy:

A midwife is someone who provides support during the labor and delivery process. If there are complications, the midwife calls the hospital or doctor. Unlike midwifery in the earlier centuries, today it has become a field of practice among women who seek accreditation and formalized education. Midwives today lend support to the mom before during and after delivery. They do not administer drugs, but follow the normal birthing procedures, such as water births.

Interestingly, as midwifery is becoming more popular for home birthing, there are now three types of midwives: direct entry and nurse-midwives. What is the difference? Direct entry midwives receive certification after training, whereas nurse-midwives complete a set of requirements; graduate from a university which has a midwifery education program; and complete a national certification exam. In addition, they must also have a BA degree. The certified nurse=midwife must complete an accredited nursing program; become licensed as a registered nurse; and complete a program in nurse-midwifery from an accredited institution.

Do you need a midwife? That depends on how you want your child delivered. If you prefer a home birth, or a water birth, certainly a qualified midwife can assist you. However, when choosing a midwife, ensure she has the proper credentials; has been a midwife for a number of years; and ask many questions regarding her role and how she views midwifery. You can tell a lot about a person when you ask them about the field they are in and their experiences. In addition, you need to check with your insurance company to ascertain if they cover you for home births as well as a midwife.

Midwives today are more educated and more in tune with what a mom needs during the labor and delivery process. It is up to you to decide if this avenue is one you wish to explore further.

Share and Enjoy:

As you know, there are so many unnecessary cesarean sections being performed today; and you have to wonder if some doctors are in it for the money, rather than making the birth experience a memorable one for moms. Choosing the method of giving birth is not only empowering, but allows a woman to decide the best and most safe way to bring her newborn into the world. Certainly, for most women – the choices are easy; either giving birth in a hospital or at home, using a more soothing atmosphere. Water births have recently been touted as a more modern approach to childbirth, especially for today’s women who wish to escape traditional influences.

The ins and outs of water births encompass many factors: water births are usually accompanied by midwives. They involve less invasive actions such as episiotomies. You can easily make arrangements with your hospital in case there are any complications.
There are no hospital bills to worry about. The level of noise is greatly reduced. Mother and baby never separate during water births. The entire family can participate, not just the father.

On the flip side, check with your insurance company to ensure they cover home birth expenses, such as the cost of a water pool which usually runs around $375.00; as well as the cost of having a midwife present, if so chosen. A water birth at home will require the parents to file the birth certificate on their own. If there is no midwife present, and complications occur, there may be a delay in emergency services, such as transport to the hospital or reaching the doctor.

The ins and outs of water births include many factors which you should research, discuss with your doctor, and decide if it is right for you and your baby. While water births can be a surreal experience for you as a mom, as well as calming and peaceful for the child; you have to weight your options to ascertain if this is how you want your child to be born. Many women have raved about the benefits of water births and while giving birth in a hospital is just as safe, giving birth at home has become the norm these days, rather than the exception.

Share and Enjoy:

You should be prepared, in the event that your labour extends the length of an average labour. Use these tips for coping with a long labour.

Relax – The number one rule is to relax. You must be able to remain calm and collected during your labour. Although it is difficult becoming anxious or irritated will only make things worst. 

You are doing a lot of hard work throughout this process, so you need to be able to stay calm and relaxed. Bring along a small CD player and a CD with soothing music to play during your labour. Or have a back massager on hand for your spouse or birth partner to rub your back when you start to get achy. Whatever you need to help you relax, bring it with you to the hospital.

Surround Yourself with Love – The excitement of a baby tends to cause mothers to invite several people to be present for the birth. This may not a good idea. Naturally, you want to share this momentous occasion with many family and friends. But the labour room may not be a good time for a family reunion. Pick and choose your birth partners carefully. Be sure to surround yourself with people who can help keep you calm and focused during your labour.

Remember your Goal – Keep your goal in mind even through the pain. You are experiencing something wonderful, but it doesn’t come without lots of hard work. Your labour can become difficult and lengthy, so be ready for it. When you get tired, or feel like you just can’t take another minute, remind yourself that soon you’ll have a lovely little baby in your arms and it will all be forgotten.

Good luck!

Kerry

Share and Enjoy:

You can avoid gaining too much weight during your pregnancy if you eat smart.

Here are some tips for how much you should eat during your pregnancy:

300 Calories

If you are at a normal weight for your age and height when you become pregnant, you should only add about 300 calories per day to your intake. Be wise in the choices you make about where these 300 additional calories will come from.  Try to avoid empty calories like cookies and cakes, they have no real nutritional value and are high in calories.

Fruits and Veggies

Remember to stock up on lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Grapes, apples and bananas are wonderful substitutes for chocolate.  Fresh raw veggies, like baby carrots, celery and cucumbers can replace junk food. Keep your refrigerator stocked with these healthy snacks and eat at least five servings per day.

Fiber

You can never get too much fiber in your diet when you are pregnant. Fiber helps prevent constipation, which many pregnant women deal with during pregnancy. Foods like bran, raisins and whole grains can help.

Protein

Most doctors suggest that about ten percent of your caloric intake should consist of protein-rich foods. Protein is important during pregnancy and has a double effect as some foods that are high in protein are good sources of iron as well.

Share and Enjoy: