Om Gentle Birth

03/29/2022

How much did your baby weigh??
5 tips to getting that big baby out without a

1. Know the Facts About Macrosomia (big baby) Less than 10% of babies worldwide are born weighing more than 8 lbs 13 oz

2. Hire a Doula. Studies show that having a doula improves just about every aspect of your birth, and delivering a large baby is no exception.

3. Move, Move, Move! Being on your back can close your pelvic opening up to 30%.

4. Ditch the Epidural to allow you to labor and birth in upright positions

5. Believe in Your Body!

01/12/2022

Wow take a look at this ! Position matters . Instead of being on you back, let your body work with you to get the baby out easier .

10/30/2021

Making vegan beet Sloppy Joe’s for a client ! Beets are an excellent source of iron that your body needs to replace after childbirth. This meal also contains ingredients that are good for healing and recovery of the body after childbirth.

07/16/2021

Another amazing birth 😍 from arriving at the birthing center to the placenta encapsulation. I love what I do!

05/19/2021

Calming and healing ni**le salve.
Ingredients like chamomile, marshmallow root and calendula. This salve is perfect to help with cracked painful ni**les that can be caused by breastfeeding.

04/30/2021

You read that right.

Per the American College of OB/GYN's 2019 VBAC guidelines, the risk of maternal death during a planned vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is 0.0019%.

Expressed another way, that is a risk of 1 in 52,600.

Did you have any idea the risk was that low?

Whereas the risk of maternal death with an elective repeat cesarean after one cesarean is 0.0096% or 1 in 10,000.

Again, both really small numbers but the risk of maternal death is five times higher in a repeat cesarean.

This is why when pregnant people are threatened with "you could die if you plan a VBAC," it falls flat.

But it is often really successful in coercing someone into a repeat cesarean... as well as eroding patient autonomy and any trust when the birthing person learns the facts.

As a L&D nurse told us, "There is no real informed consent anymore."

This is just yet another example.

ETA: Some people asked in the comments about the risk of fetal death. We discuss that here: https://vbacfacts.com/2012/04/03/confusing-fact-only-6-of-uterine-ruptures-are-catastrophic/

Others have asked about vaginal birth after classical cesarean: https://vbacfacts.com/2021/08/10/vbac-after-classical-t-j-incision/

… or after two cesareans: https://vbacfacts.com/vba2c

… or after three or more cesareans: https://vbacfacts.com/vba3c

Also, you can download our free resources including:

- a report debunking the top 5 uterine rupture myths: https://vbacfacts.com/report

- a handout busting the top 3 VBAC myths using national guidelines: https://vbacfacts.com/acogmyths

- and a VBAC planning checklist: https://vbacfacts.com/checklist

04/20/2021

04/14/2021

One thing you can prepare for before you go into labor is birthing positions !
👶🏽 on the toilet: did you know before labor , your body starts to clean itself out including bowel movements . This is why we always say to make sure you are not constipated. Sitting on the toilet puts you in a natural position for labor. Many times when you feel like you have to p**p, baby is almost out !
👶🏼double hip squeeze: this is done during labor to alleviate pain in the pelvis or back. Using a birth ball for support , the mom can sway back and forth during the hip squeeze creating a rhythmic motion that can help self soothe mom.
👶🏾birthing ball: if you don’t already own one, go get one now! You can use it while you are pregnant by setting it in front of the tv instead of on the couch so you can practice being in an ideal position of sitting upright instead of slouching which can put baby in a not so optimal position. You can even make figure 8’s with the birthing ball and practice meditating and breathing for the labor. Also you can use it for exercise during pregnancy under the care of your physician . During labor , there are so many positions and uses for the birth ball. It can also be used for helping to open up your pelvis and hips. Six weeks after baby is born, you can use it for postnatal light exercises to help strengthen your core muscles. The birthing ball can also be used to settle a colicky baby by gently bouncing or rocking.
👶🏿squatting on chair: leaning against your partner and being supported into a squat position . In this position you are opening up your hips and pelvis and using gravity to help bring baby down.

These are just four positions but there are so many more you can practice and go over with your doula and support person.

03/27/2021

‼️‼️important info you need to know if you are doing a VBAC🚨🚨

03/26/2021

Happy World Doula Week! This week I took care of a postpartum mom and some of the meals I prepared for her and her family were butternut squash dal and dal palak with spinach. Butternut squash dal not only contains this powerhouse antioxidant veggie, but also has chickpeas which are a galactagogue, or a breast milk increaser. The dal palak contains lentils which is excellent for iron levels, energy and very high in protein.

I believe in nourishing and nurturing the mom and her family while they navigate their fist days of parenthood . One way to do this is through tasty and healthy meals.