Date post: | 17-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | dorcas-wade |
View: | 220 times |
Download: | 0 times |
You have to make the best hand with what you get!
Sometimes you get dealt a great hand, sometimes you have to look at what else is available, and sometimes you just get dealt stinky cards!
When life gives you lemons – make lemonade!
You may be able to discard some cards you get dealt.
Always ask about your options!Hire a doula to help you in this
process.
You can’t know what cards you will be dealt before the game
starts.
Birth plans should not be written in stone.
Flexibility and a good attitude go a long way!
The people you choose to play cards with, will often determine how much fun you have playing
the game.
Choose your support team wisely.Consider a doula.Do NOT let anyone in to view the
birth that you do not honestly want there deep in your heart!
It is a good idea to know the rules of the game before you
start playing.
Read about your options.Educate yourself and your
husband/wife.Attend a good childbirth class that
meets your needs.
Narcotics/Analgesics
Commonly used in early-active labor.
If given late in labor, the baby must be given an antidote called Narcan.
Narcotic Advantages:
Help relax motherTakes the edge offCan speed labor if mother is
“fighting it”When her head’s in the way, her
cervix can’t dilate.
Narcotic Disadvantages:
Itching Allergic reaction Vomitting Do enter the blood stream and baby may
be lethargic at birth Can produce very sleepy or high feeling Can slow labor Breastfeeding may be adversely affected May require additional intervention
Epidural Advantages:
Mother remains awake and the epidural does not affect her state of mind
Usually takes away the pain of laborVery little of the medication enters
the baby’s blood stream.
Epidural Disadvantages:
Mother and baby must be constantly monitored
Can slow labor Pushing stage may be prolonged Increased risk for instrumental delivery
(forceps or suction) May cause maternal fever, requiring
possible separation of mother and baby and additional testing on baby
Must have IV fluids before epidural
Epidural Disadvantages Cont.
Must be in bed for remainder of laborNo use of gravityPitocin may be needed to speed
laborMother must be catheterizedIncreased risk of additional
interventions and cesarean sectionMay cause itching and shakingRisk of severe headache
Reasons for Cesarean
Failure to progress CPD (cephalo-pelvic disproportion) Fetal Distress Placenta Previa Placental Abruption Maternal or Fetal Medical Condition Multiple Births Cord Prolapse Previous Cesarean Fetal Malpresentation
How to Avoid Cesarean
Go to a childbirth class Hire a labor doula Consider a midwife Avoid medication Move around in labor Avoid unnecessary inductions Avoid continuous fetal monitoring Avoid unnecessary interventions Be an informed consumer Stay at home early in labor Limit medications in early labor
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Focus on good
nutrition and exercise Take a refresher birth
class that supports VBAC
Find caregiver/hospital who believes in VBACS ~ know their policies!
Hire a doula Practice relaxation,
visualization, and affirmations
Write a birth plan Establish safe
supportive environment
Work on left-over negative emotions
Learn to trust, cooperate with and listen y9ou your body and baby
Try variety of positions Continue calorie and
fluid intake Avoid medical
intervention Avoid artificial
induction Avoid an epidural – try
natural pain relief
BRAIN
When making a decision, we need to ask the right questions so that we can see our options clearly. This is a little acronym to remind you to use your brain when making decisions. It is useful in labor, but can be used for making all kinds of decisions along life's journey!
Benefits-- what are the benefits of doing this? Risks-- what are the risks involved in doing this? Alternatives-- what are the alternatives to doing
this? Are there other options? Instinct or intuition-- what is my intuition telling
me to do? Now what will happen?-- what will change if I do
this?