Announcements

Another popular feature of the Print Edition of "The Birth Vine" was our announcements page- birth announcements, birthday announcements, Thank-you's to Doulas, midwives, etc. ...

So here is our very first Blog "Announcements" page :)

Happy First Birthday, Jeremy! I can't believe a whole year has gone by!!! We love you so very much!

Love, mommy, daddy and Zach

Reflecting back - one year later

A reflection...

I had a wonderful homebirth with my first son, arguably the best experience of my whole entire life. I felt so strong, so powerful ... I did it!

Like most people planning a home birth, I had many nay-sayers. "It isn't safe", "You're putting your son in danger ... why would you risk his life like that?" "Really?" I thought, "do they not know me?" I would never put my child's life in danger! Plus, I believed (and still do believe) that in a normal healthy pregnancy, the best place to give birth, for me, is out of the hospital. He was healthy and strong, there were no complications, and man did I feel happy (& gratified!) when everything went pretty much exactly as planned.

When I got pregnant with my 2nd child, naturally I called the midwives right away and wanted everything to be as close to my first labour as possible. Deep down, however, I knew it wouldn't be. I have been to enough births as a Doula to not be ignorant and I know just how things can change. I still trust birth and believe it to be safe. However, I had this feeling in the pit of my stomach that just wouldn't go away.

Everyone told me I was being crazy; everything went so well the first time, so it will again.

This was agreed to be our last baby so I focussed on enjoying the pregnancy as much as I could. I went to Babymoon Ultrasound and got a dvd of my baby. I had a blessingway, and bought all the baby stuff I wanted!! I was 41 +5 when I had my first baby so nobody was really shocked when I went post dates again. I was as fine as you can be with being overdue, and trusted my body would do just as it did the 1st time. I went to acupuncture with my first pregnancy, to avoid being induced, and it worked. This time I tried it twice and nothing. I tried walking, aquacise, evening primrose oil, rubbing castor oil on my belly ... the list goes on. This baby was NOT ready. I had an ultrasound when I was 10 days overdue with my first baby and so I wasn't too nervous about having one again ...

My fetal assessment however changed the course of my labour/birth with no option of turning back. The amniotic fluid was so low, there was almost none. The Doctor actually said he had never seen fluid so low "without a baby not being alive". He then concluded I would have to go upstairs and be induced. I immediately burst into tears. The Doctor looked down at me, and realised what he had said. He then said everything would be just fine, baby's heartrate is fine, etc.  He then rubbed my leg and said he was so sorry. He said "I'll look again" and he tried to desperately to find some fluid, "a Christmas gift" he'd said, but all he found was a small pocket of amniotic fluid. He said it was fortunate we came in today and that within the hour I would have to be induced and he would phone my midwives for me.

I went home to pack my bags. I was an absolute mess. I tried so hard to fight back the tears, knowing this baby wouldn't be born where planned, at home in my warm comfy bed.  I was a mess, but my midwife Lisa came and sat by my side. She walked me through triage and even gave me a pink stone to hold and to keep to make it through the labour. I cannot thank her enough and I still have the stone today.

As we all know (or should know), the introduction of one intervention usually involves another. I knew that having my induction would be no exception but deep down I honestly knew that I would have a Caesearan birth.

I can't explain it, but I really did. My sister picked up on my anxiety prenatally, and around the 41 week mark she had me write down my fears and burn them in a cup. Once they have burned, you are to let them go ... gone! I lit the cupful of fears on fire let them burn a bit and then threw them in the snow.

The induction took hours to work and someone else was in labour and so Lisa had to leave, but would be back. I was not alone, still supported by my wonderful sister and husband. The induction picked up and my baby was not tolerating the labour, not one bit. I couldn't move around at all, as when I did his heartrate would get worse. As it was, I was on my side and things were bad, but they got worse when I moved. They placed a scalp clip on the baby's head, but even with that my baby's heartrate was dropping to the 20-30 beats per minute mark ... and with each contraction I got really anxious. So much so that my sister and husband ended up turning the monitior so I coudn't see it. Instead I  concentrated on a handmade card from my four year old, it gave me hope that all would be well and I found the courage to carry on.

Apparently there were times that my baby's heart rate went down to 0 on the monitor and it wasn't being picked up. I had no idea that this was happening, however, as I couldn't see the monitor. With each contraction, I asked "What was it this time?" "How low did it go?" and they would make up some random number, such as "60" or "90", so I could carry on. I didn't really know how bad it was, my midwife, Kelly (Lisa couldn't make it back) was behind me rocking me through each contraction ... it was a godsend. My sister was also behind me, trying to fight back the tears (so I couldn't see her). My husband stood in front of me, holding my hand and was as strong as a rock, so I had no idea things were as bad as they were. They all protected me, so thank-you!

I ended up in so much pain from the induction and not being able to move that I did say I wanted an epidural. But when Dr.Robison came in, I asked her for a Caesarean, instead. She agreed it was necessary and pulled me off the monitor and stopped the induction and we were quickly moved towards the operating room.

On the way to my Caesarean I was scared, but I also knew deep down my baby would be ok. I remember clearly saying to Ryan " I can't go through this for him not to be ok".  It felt like I was in the O.R. forever without my husband. When they put the spinal in, I leaned over Kelly (she didn't give them an option, she was coming into the O.R., and I thank her for that, too). As I leaned over her, she said positive affirmations and told me how strong I was. I've heard horror stories of Caeasarans where Docotors are insensitive and talk about golf games...etc. This wasn't the case. Dr. Robinson played Christmas music and nobody talked unless it directly pertained to the procedure.  I can't thank her enough for my Caesaran, it saved my baby's life. After the procedure Dr. Robinson left, and I haven't seen her since. 

This was one year ago tomorrow. I hope Dr. Robinson somehow reads this someday, as I am eternally grateful that she saved my baby's life and could never thank her enough. Kelly wasn't one of my midwives, but mine couldn't make it back and she stayed with me and supported me when she really didn't have to be there and for that I am also grateful. I am also grateful that my wonderful husband and Doula sister were there and protected me as best as they could. I am so lucky to have had such a supportive birth team!!!

I don't have any hard feelings when it comes to my Caesarean birth. Everyone that knows me thought I would have a hard time with it. Perhaps the fact that I have had the "perfect birth" helps. And/or the fact that it was an emergency Caesarean. I don't know for certain, but I am ever so grateful that I live in Canada and that we have skilled surgeons to perform these surgeries when necessary. 

A year later, as I type this reflection, tears are running down my face, but they really aren't tears of sadness.

Upon birth, my baby was perfectly fine. In fact, he was thriving; he was never taken away from me. Instead of seeing my birth as a failure or feeling sorry for myself, I know that it could have gone much worse. My baby was alive and healthy which was all I ever could have asked for. A year later, when I look down at my tummy,  I can see the remains of the scar, but it is really faded and small. It will forever be there but will always remind me of just how lucky I am!  (as cheesy as that might sound).

The day I got home from the hospital I checked my e-mail to find an e-mail from ICAN (International Cesarean awareness network) asking me if I would like to run the Winnipeg/Manitoba Chapter. Of course, they knew nothing of my caesarean birth, so I took this as a sign and said yes. Having had a baby to look after over the course of this past year, I haven't had the time to devote towards it as I would like but I thought that was a strange coincidence. Later on I came across the mug of fears that I burnt and threw in the snow, only to find that the Caesarean fear was the only fear that didn't burn away. Coincidence?

I'll end with huge "Thank-you"s to all of those people who supported me through my difficult recovery post-Casearan. There are too many people to thank! Thank-you! Thank-You! Thank-You! You certainly learn who your friends are during a hard time.

My intention with this post is simply to self-relflect and to thank anyone who touched my life during such a difficult time. It was not my intention to take away from anyone else's feelings on their own caesareans as there are countless caesareans that happen that don't need to (but that's another rant).

I am living my life grateful for my birth by Caesarean and I am at peace with the fact that it happened. A year ago today, I faced my biggest fears (birth-wise) and came out stronger. I feel I am a better Doula & Instructor for it. Plus I received the most precious gift anyone could have hoped for, my baby, who will turn 1 tomorrow!!

If anyone ever wants to talk about their caesarean or birth experience I would be happy to.  I can be reached at birthvine@gmail.com.

Abbey

Wisdom Question- Farewell to Print

The Birth Vine going green and turning into a blog is definitely a bittersweet moment. For me, anyhow.

I have to say there was something nice about getting getting your paper copy in the mail and flipping through it, page by page. I loved the creativity and thought that went into each editorial and cover and definitely into all the articles! However, we are saving our planet, one issue at a time. We're also "getting with the times". Heck, everyone I know has a computer, iPhone or iPad now.

We at MACFE would love to see the Birth Vine stay around and with your help (and submissions!), we can. Please send in your articles, poems, thoughts, etc. ... To birthvine@gmail.com. We still plan on doing "Rants" and wisdom questions to keep the original Birth Vine spirit alive in the blog!

And with that we ask our very first blog-style wisdom question; What will you miss most about the print edition of the Birth Vine, or what do you like best about the blog edition of The Birth Vine? Please send submissions to birthvine@gmail.com by December 16th. Don't forget to check back to see everyone's responses!


Abbey

Poem: "For a Little While"

For a Little While

For a little while, I’d like to capture you in this moment

For a little while, I’d like to pretend you’ll always be four

For a little while, I’d like to ignore that your favourite shirt is getting too small

For a little while

I don’t want to hold you back-

I love seeing the person you are becoming

I am excited when you discover new things about your world

And I love hearing you spell your own name

But for a little while,

I’d like to freeze time

I want to capture the warmth of your smile forever

I want to feel your little hands in mine always

I love hugging and kissing you goodnight after a story

For a little while ...

You’re still my baby boy.

© 2007 b milljour

Skin-to-skin

I am a big champion for immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact between Mama and baby, having not only read many articles on the subject, but having also attended workshops in which an emphasis was placed on the importance of this seemingly simplistic idea. With this knowledge in-hand, I consistently share the concept and its benefits to both my Doula clients and my prenatal class students, encouraging them to consider integrating the idea into their birth plan and/or early parenting.



I do this hopefully, that it may eventually become the norm for all births. I am encouraged by relatively recent policy changes at the two Winnipeg maternity hospitals; they both boast having a "skin-to-skin policy" for all babies whenever possible.



It all sounds great, right?



Sadly, my experience of the difference between policy and implementation is, to say the least, frustrating. While I know that the hospitals really do want to make this important change (which is, by the way, part of the "Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative" as developed by UNICEF), the application of this policy remains inconsistent.



Most of the nurses now at least give lip service to the idea, but some do not appear to fully understand the concept- it's not simply a matter of putting baby on Mum's chest for 10 to 20 minutes while the nurse catches up with charting, then remove baby for bathing and measurements and carry on. It is about leaving the mother and baby *undisturbed* for at LEAST two hours (or more).



Don't get me wrong, I understand why the medical staff wish to get weights and measurements as soon as possible after the birth, but are those few grams he or she might gain from that initial breastfeeding *really* going to make such a huge difference that baby HAS to be weighed prior to that? Is there a more baby-friendly approach that we can take?



Let me explain to you some of the benefits of immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact for both Mama and babe ...


When baby is lying skin-to-skin on his Mama's chest, he can hear her breathing, as well as her heartbeat and her voice. These are already familiar to him from his time in-utero (athough they do sound a bit different to him now that he is no longer surrounded by water), this familiarity is reassuring and helps him calm himself as he adjusts to the outside world. Studies have shown that babies' breathing, temperature and heartrate all even out when kept in constant skin-to-skin contact with their mothers. Other studies have shown that the skin temperature of the mother's chest will either increase or decrease, by as much as 1°C, in order to either warm or cool the baby, in response to the baby’s as well as the ambient, temperature.



The mere presence of the baby on his mother’s chest stimulates the hypothalamus to release oxytocin, which in turn stimulates the letdown response, or milk-ejection reflex, as well as promoting uterine contractions in the mother. This is good news for new mums who are anxious about improving their breastfeeding success; by snuggling their babies skin-to skin, they are stimulating milk production even without the baby latching onto the breast!

Immediate skin-to-skin contact enables the baby to be colonized by the same bacteria as his mother, which is believed to improve the overall immune response.



As for bathing, were you aware that the main reason the baby "needs" to be bathed isn't about the baby, but about protecting the hospital staff from potential infection from the bodily fluids that often cover a newborn? A nurse once told me, "We have to wear gloves whenever we handle a baby until he or she has had a bath." As a parent, in that case, you might well consider delaying that first bath as a means of protecting your baby!



Recent studies have shown the benefits of vernix to go beyond keeping the skin from drying out in-utero. In fact, vernix has been shown to have the same anti-biotic properties as colostrum - that's a pretty powerful layer of protection. So by not immediately washing our babies, we are not only minimizing their stress as they transition to life outside of the womb, we are also giving them an added natural immune boost, and a secondary benefit is that all staff who handle our babies will wear gloves while doing so- which could, in theory, greatly reduce our babies' risks for developing iatrogenic infections.



So, now that you know just a few of the amazing benefits of skin-to-skin contact, here are some guidelines:

1)      Place baby skin-to-skin as soon after birth as is possible

2)      Baby should be naked, except, perhaps, for a diaper

3)      Ideally, Mum should be inclined at a 30° angle

4)      Baby should be placed between the breasts, lying vertically, head pointing towards Mum’s head, bum towards Mum’s legs

5)      Blankets to be placed over both Mom and baby together, with nothing between them

6)      Measurements such as length and head circumference can be performed while baby is skin to skin, with a mind to minimizing interference during this important time

7)      APGAR scores can easily be obtained while baby is skin-to-skin

8)      Baby’s first bath should be delayed, if at all possible, for the first few hours after birth

9)      Dads can also snuggle skin-to-skin with baby! (click here for more info)

Food for thought ...

Poem: Wean Me Gently

This post first appeared in an issue of the Birthvine over five years ago. I'm posting it here because it has always struck a chord with me, and I wanted to share it with everyone.

The dance of weaning is an intricate one; Sometimes it's two steps forward, one step back, other days it's one step forward, two steps back.

It seemed fitting to use this poem for our inagural post, I hope you enjoy it.

Wean Me Gently
by Cathy Cardall

I know I look so big to you,

Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have.
But no matter how big we get,
We still have needs that are important to us.
I know that our relationship is growing and changing,

But I still need you. I need your warmth and closeness,
Especially at the end of the day
When we snuggle up in bed.
Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.

I know you think I can be patient,
Or find something to take the place of a nursing;
A book, a glass of something,
But nothing can take your place when I need you.

Sometimes just cuddling with you,
Having you near me is enough.
I guess I am growing and becoming independent,

But please be there.
This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,
Please don't break it abruptly.

Wean me gently,
Because I am your mother,
And my heart is tender.




Thanks to Elizabeth Holt for finding this great poem