Deciding what to pack in your hospital bag can be a daunting thought for many parents. Here is our list to get you started! Check here for the printable file.
FREE Printable Hospital Packing List
Fear and Birth
Fear can have detrimental effects in labor. In some ways, labor requires the mother to let go, both mentally and physically. The mother must allow the body to take over and do what is needed to dilate and help get the baby out. Fear can block this necessary and instinctual action. Fear can cause the mother to experience “psychological dystocia” which is a term used when labor slows or is inhibited by a non-physical issue. Fear can cause the mother to clench and fight contractions, which can affect the speed and ease of dilation. Many mothers have reported that contractions are more painful if the mother tries to clench or fight them. Thankfully, women have multiple ways to deal with this fear response.
Postpartum Realities
Experiences and expectations of the postpartum period can be completely different from one person to another. Because of this, new mothers can become confused when their experiences do not align with what their friends or family members described. The postpartum period vary greatly from the beginning, especially depending on the type of birth there was.
5 Birth Myths You Should Know About
Birth can be an amazing, yet intimidating process for many people. Everyone has different views on birth, and everyone who's had a child has different thought and memories about their experiences. With so many different views and with policies and protocols changing through the years, it is not a surprise that sometimes popular information is actually myth. Don't believe me? Here are 5birth myths that you should know about!
A Beginner's Guide to Labor
Labor
One word can stir up so many emotions. Excitement. Fear. Dread. Joy. Maybe even a combination of all of the above.
The start of labor can be a scary prospect for a new family. How will you know for sure when it's really time? Will it hurt? How long will it take?
Even if you've had a baby before, each labor is different.
So how can you quell some of the fear?
Recognizing Postpartum Depression
The days, weeks, and months after having a baby can be stressful. Is baby eating enough? Is she sleeping enough? WHY WON'T HE SLEEP?? Many new mothers have another fear: what happens if she develops postpartum depression?
Perceived mental illness of any kind has been a stigma in our society. But why? up to 85% of women have some form of postpartum mood disorder in the year after having a baby. In addition to this, around 400,000 babies are born each year to mothers already diagnosed with depression. So really, why is postpartum mood health still viewed often as a taboo topic? Why don't we talk about how common it is to go through these mood changes after having a baby? Women need to understand that mood disorders are not a sign of weakness. They are not defects. They are common and completely treatable. But in order to be treated, they have to be recognized.
ACOG Recommends to Limit Intervention
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently updated their recommendations about monitoring and care for women in labor. With the new recommendations, the common picture of a laboring mother stuck on her back with continuous monitors will hopefully change.
Placenta Encapsulation: What Makes Us Different
Little Orchids Childbirth Services, LLC is proud to offer placenta encapsulation to our wonderful clients. Consuming one's placenta is becoming a popular choice in this area, and there are numerous reported benefits. Choosing a qualified person to prepare your placenta for you to ingest is an important decision. It is important for the person you choose to follow proper safety protocols that keep the placenta safe to consume.
The fact is that placenta encapsulation is a completely unregulated industry. Anyone can decide to offer placenta encapsulation; there are no legal requirements to certify or even have any training to handle and process placentas.
So what makes us different?
Delayed Cord Clamping: The New Recommendations
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently updated their recommendations concerning the timing of clamping and cutting the umbilical cord after birth. While their previous recommendations had included delaying cord clamping for preterm infants, newer research has highlighted the benefits gained by term infants as well.
ACOG now recommends that cord clamping be delayed for at least 30-60 seconds after the birth in all healthy term and preterm infants.