My Birth Story - Part 4

OK....about 6 weeks to go and this baby is head up! We got an ultrasound to confirm. The tech casually says, "Don't worry, you still have 6 weeks, plenty of time for it to flip". Yeah right, I'm thinking. There is barely room in there for the baby, let along room for it to move much. And it's growing by the day! All the beautiful, romantic thoughts of my perfect birth start to melt away. All I can now see in my mind is a big, red, ugly word: "C-Section".

Michelle re-assures us that there is still time, but we need to act quickly with our interventions. She gave us a list of things to try to turn a breech baby. Our shot-gun approach included: Chiropractic adjustments, Acupuncture, moxabustion, herbs, hypnosis, visualization, pelvis tilts, sifting, hanging up-side down, flips in the pool - even cold potatoes and flash lights! (theory is to put something cold by the baby's head and it will move away from it, and towards the light). Amazingly, when we did several of these techniques, especially the chiropractic, acupuncture and hypnosis, the baby DID move! It started to shift head down about half way around, but then stopped, and moved back to where it was. We later learned there could have been a number of factors preventing it from turning all the way, such as placenta or cord location.

(moxabustion) 

(sifting)                                                                                              

(chiropractic)                                 My new mission was to get this baby turned! It was on my mind all the time. And, unfortunately, that stressed me out. We continued all of our interventions, hoping that something would work. I was so discouraged when people told me they had a breech baby, did one pelvic tilt and the baby turned. Or a medical professional who said they had a 90% success rate, but no, not successful for me! I was glad we exhausted all our options, though. I would not be at peace knowing we did not try everything!



The last several weeks of my pregnancy were filled with worry. After discussing our situation with many professionals, and alot of thinking and praying, Avery and I decided to go for an elective C-Section if the baby did not turn. If a baby is breech, especially a Frank breech as our was (both legs up straight), there are chances for complications or even serious injury to the baby. Hip and shoulder dislocations, or even a broken collarbone. I would rather have a c-section, and have the baby breastfeeding immediately and get out of the hospital, then the baby stay in the hospital with an injury and miss out on bonding.

I know, I know, you all are thinking "Here she is promoting natural childbirth, saying that all women can do it, and she elects to have a c-section!" First, I always say "educate and empower". So, I educated myself on the pros and cons and all facets of a natural breech birth and a c-section. Secondly, I always tell mothers to trust their instincts, follow their heart and do what they feel is best for their family. I believe that if we were living 100 years ago, our baby might have be born fine, but he could also have been born with broken bones or serious injury, such as a breech baby's chin getting stuck on the pelvic ring as it descends. This can cause the baby serious neck and spinal cord compression, and suffocation and even death. I could have had many complications, including hemorrhaging, and even death. These events do not always happen, but they could. We are fortunate to have emergency care for when we need it. Not for normal, healthy births - which makes up 90% of births! But for that small 10% that need it. We choose to have 5 minutes of "emergency care" that would result in a lifetime of perfect health.

If you have a breech baby, or have another complication, and choose an elective c-section, you can still have a "natural" c-section, which I will explain below and in future blogs.

We insisted on waiting to go into labor before heading to the hospital. Why? When a women knows she has to, or chooses to, have an elective c-section, the OB will schedule it about 2 weeks BEFORE her due date. That way he can be sure that she will not be in labor. A contracting uterus makes his job a bit harder. However, due dates are estimates only. And the lungs are the last thing that develop, finally complete right before birth. So, if your due date is off by a week or two, and you go in 2 weeks early, your baby could be born 3-4 weeks early! Way too early, and not ready to face the world yet! That is why we insisted on waiting to go into labor. That way we would know baby was ready to come out. Also, many times, babies will turn with the contractions. It would be our last hope.

We met with the OB that Michele uses. Dr. Boulting was amazing! He understood our desire for a natural birth, and reassured us that if the baby turned while we were at the hospital, he would send us right back to the birth center. He knew our birth plan and would follow it as much as he could. That made both Avery and I feel much better. I never gave up on the thought that this baby would turn, but I finally started to come to terms with the reality of a c-section.

(my henna belly tattoo)

Breastfeeding Psychology

What's that?

"Breastfeeding psychology" is something I have discovered in my mothering experience. It is discussed very little, if at all, in all my reading. If more mothers were in-tune to their own "breastfeeding psychology", there might be less difficult and/or failed breastfeeding experiences.

The mind is a very powerful tool, sometimes more powerful then we think it is! It controls the entire body. Have you ever noticed that you start to let-down when thinking about your baby, seeing your baby, smelling their clothes or even hearing a baby's cry? That is your mind being so powerful that it controls the body's response without you even having to think about it.

Mothers that use "Attached Parenting" (see Attached Parenting) are very in-tune to their babies. They hold them constantly, especially as an infant, in a sling or baby carrier. They co-sleep (see Co-Sleeping, Our Experience) with their baby. They bathe together. Mom's and Baby's bodies work in synergy.

Mothers that are having breastfeeding problems, especially in milk production, milk quantity, let-down and latch, might need to get in-tune with their "breastfeeding psychology". Here are some tips...
1. You have to want to breastfeed. Not because you think your supposed to, but because you want to.
2. Relax! If your body is tense, baby will notice. He might not want to latch or get a poor latch.
3. Quite your mind...and only think of baby! If you are stressed out and thinking of other things then your baby, milk production can slow down, and latch can be difficult too. When you are breastfeeding, lay down, relax, and day-dream about you and your child. Turn off the phone and TV if you must.
4. If you are a working mom and are pumping, breastfeed as much as possible. No matter how good a pump you have, nothing compares to your baby. Besides, a pump won't gazes into your eyes and rub your back like your baby will! When you are pumping at work, try to eliminate all distractions, and think of baby. Bring a piece of clothing or blanket to smell, listen to soothing music, or look at a picture of baby. Our senses are so powerful!
5. If these tips don't work, contact a lactation consultant immediately.

My story...

Nolan and I have an excellent breastfeeding relationship (going on 18 months now!) We have not had any problems with latch or milk production, except for one time, which is when I discovered my "breastfeeding psychology". Nolan was about 3 months old. We had house guests and alot going on. There was a night that I had to work, and Avery was going to take Nolan to a dinner and I would meet them there. This does not seem like a big deal, but this was my first time away from him for such an extended time. I had to give Avery a pumped bottle - too much time would pass that Nolan would need a feeding. And as much as we loved our friends staying with us, it was out of our routine. I had to keep up with cooking, cleaning and social outings, as well as working. I fell into problem #3 - my mind was stressed! That morning, I started to pump and only got half a bottle. Nolan had sucked them dry during the night, and I still needed to feed him throughout the morning. All day I kept thinking about this "problem" and worrying that I would not have enough milk for him. Sure enough, my "problem" become my reality. Later that afternoon, I tried to pump again and only got a 1/4 more. Even more anxious, I just breastfed Nolan as much as I could until I had to leave. Of course, he was fine. He had enough milk in the bottle, but certainly wanted me when I arrived at the dinner!

The lesson learned, "breastfeeding psychology" is real. When you are pregnant, read as much as you can about breastfeeding, and watch other mothers nurse their children. Attend LLL meeting, get to know a lactation consultant before you have any issues, so if one does arise, you know who to call. And just RELAX! Enjoy every moment with your baby. Before you know it, they grow up!

Another common anxiety issue mothers have is breastfeeding in public. When baby wants to be fed, baby must be fed! Sometimes there is no subduing them. Many new mothers feel embarrassed, or awkward. Let me tell you, most people don't even know you are nursing. There have been several times that I was nursing Nolan in public, and people would come right up to me and start talking and not even know that he was under the blanket or in his sling! They would actually ask me where he was! When I told them, then they would figure it out and they would get embarrassed. I always just laughed and said "no worries, he's just having lunch!" Have a sling, and know how to use it. Always have an extra blanket ready. Sit somewhere comfortable. And don't ever let me hear that you fed your baby in the bathroom! No one else eats their meal in the bathroom - your baby shouldn't either!!

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (La Leche League International Book)

Family Yoga at the Library

Family Yoga is a great way to get out of the house, exercise and have fun...together as a family! I feel that too many times moms and dads leave their kids with a babysitter while they go to the gym and then watch their kids' baseball games from the bleachers. While parents need time to "escape" and do their own activity, as well as kids, it is not only fun but essential to the family unit to do things together. Family Yoga is for everyone in the family to get creative and move their body! Inspired by classic yoga poses, we sometimes change the name and/or style of the pose to build kids' imagination. An easy-to-follow flow of moves keeps you moving while we stretch and strength all the muscles in the body. This is a great start to the day or to release some energy after school.

Please contact me directly for more information on Family Yoga. 561-309-4543 or jenncohen79@yahoo.com

 

Mama&Baby Yoga at the Library

I recently taught "Mama&Baby Yoga" at the library. I originally designed this class when Nolan was just a few months old. Although it works best when Baby is old enough to hold their head up but young enough not to crawl away (approx 3-8 months), there are lots of alternatives for older babies. Now that Nolan is almost 17 months, it was quite interesting! The main focus of the class is for Mama and Baby to bond and have fun. Mama uses Baby as her yoga partner and "weight" by holding and lifting baby. We use a variety of yoga stretches, Pilates-base core moves and full-body exercises, which helps Mama postpartum. Baby loves the attention from Mama and moving around. We stretch and massage Baby, and use strengthening exercises to encourage head holding, crawling and eventually walking. As we sing songs and say Baby's name, this stimulates their auditory as well as visual and physical skills. As for the social aspect, babies love to look at other children and moms get to meet other mothers.

Please contact me directly for more information on when Mama&Baby Yoga classes will be held. 561-309-4543 or jenncohen79@yahoo.com.