Documenting motherhood is empowering

Changes in a woman's body during pregnancy can be overwhelming. Especially in today's body-conscious society, the growing belly and changing body brought on by pregnancy sometimes evoke feelings of ambivalence in expectant mothers. Even a woman who celebrates her pregnancy can occasionally be plagued by "feeling fat" or just not herself.

Many women find it very empowering to document the growing life within. One easy way to do this is by taking pictures as the baby grows inside at various times throughout the pregnancy. Many professional photographers offer prenatal packages that celebrate the unparalleled beauty of a pregnant woman, perhaps with her spouse and have the experience to help even the most reticent woman feel beautiful and sexy during this very special time. Belly casting is also becoming a popular way for a woman to document and cherish her changing body.

Staying active during pregnancy not only helps women have easier childbirth and recovery, but also can help a woman feel more positive about her body as it changes.

Postpartum help makes a difference

I wanted to share a story from one of my new mothers. During one of my postpartum visits, we worked on nursing and some of the baby calming techniques.

Jeannie, I just wanted to tell you how wonderful it has been tonight already just using our new skills. She slept for about 2.5 hours after you left. She woke up gently ready to nurse. I did a quick precautionary burp then she quickly gobbled down the .5 oz of milk we had in the bottle with no problem. She nursed for about 15 min max on both sides. We did a few burps in b/w all of that. She had poopy diaper. We had only a small spit up when she burped once. I changed her diaper after she finished nursing. She had some awake alert time in the bouncy seat talking to daddy. She had a little "eh" cry so we burped her 3 different positions. I think she got some air out. She still cried a little, could have been "heh". I swaddled her with your technique because her new blankets are in the wash. We jiggled and she quickly quit crying. I wanted to cry because I was so happy. We just put her down and she is out. I'm having another meal now, how exciting! I don't feel nearly as tired as I have been feeling because it didn't take so long to nurse. I can't wait to tell my friend Shelby down the street.

It is so incredibly important for new mothers to have support and encouragement, especially from someone with experience. With mothers and grandmothers often living in another city or state, arranging for postpartum support can make a real difference for a family with a new baby.

Easier Chilbirth Within Your Grasp

Doulas, Labor coaches, provide physical and emotional support to women and their husbands before, during labor and after the birth. Their popularity is skyrocketing, some ways a doula can help you. As Maury and Mark prepared for the birth of their first child, the opted to take an out of hospital birthing class just for those wanting natural childbirth. They found the Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth class was just the class for them with only seven couples. The fun and relaxed environment sitting comfortably on pillow and looking a large colorful charts and pictures made it easy to learn everything they needed to know for labor.

They made friends with the like-minded couples planning natural births. For 12 weeks on Monday nights Mark practiced the techniques learned in class each week on Maury during the relaxation section at the end of each night. He practiced all kinds of relaxation techniques that he put in what is called the "Bradley tool box." Mark says this made him feel safe and trained for labor because he had many tool and techniques to use depending on what Maury needed. Maury remarked her favorite part of class was the full body massage, stocking and knowledge of natural ways to speed labor made her feel empowered to have a natural birth.

They hired a doula to work with them. She came over for dinner and in a casual and comfortable way they discussed what Maury and Mark's labor and birth wishes were. They made a 5-point birth plan and baby plan. They knew they could call her 24 hrs a day with any issues that might come up. They talked after doctor appointments and discussed ways to made labor easy. Maury's' doctor reinforced for those wanting to have natural childbirth stay home in early labor.

When the big day came Mark was excited to call Jeannie their doula and have her come over to join them. Maury was on the bed on her side and her doula suggested getting into the shower and sitting on the birth ball. That helped her and gave her relief. She loved the water and felt very relaxed. Mark enjoyed the process knowing any questions he had could be answered by the doula. She also timed expansions/contraction.

Maury's plan was to go to the hospital when the contractions were 70-90 second long. When she arrived at triage she was dilated to 9 cementers. Once in their labor room the doula helped them get comfortable and focused for pushing. The doula helped her get in her squatting birth position and get the bed adjusted to make that easy. Mark and the doula held her legs while pushing, in just a few minutes Maury gave birth naturally to a beautiful baby girl.

When the baby was immediately put on her chest, Maury yelled out "We did it! We did it!" and Mark said "No, You did it Maury." They both felt empowered and elated over the natural birth that just occurred .The baby was breastfeeding in minutes and skin to skin bonding was in process. Their celebration with family and their doula began with a sip of champagne.

The doula came over once to Maury's house and helped her with breastfeeding, adjusting the baby's latch and relieving engorgement. The family and the doula keep in touch for six weeks. She answered all Maury's questions about how to help the baby cry less and sleep more, newborn care and postpartum adjustment. Maury says from the Bradley Childbirth class the first night until that night the baby was put on her chest she felt having birth support from was what made it easy for her.