Venust Births

03/18/2023

For those who are looking for an unmedicated hospital VBAC, here are some tips!

1- Hire a doula: We know, we say this all the time! But doulas are an invaluable part of a birth team and can make a big difference in your unmedicated birth experience.

2- Hiring a provider: If you are hoping for a low-intervention birth, it's important to hire a care provider who is used to assisting in low-intervention births. If the majority of your provider's patients choose a high intervention birth, it's likely your provider will want you to use interventions as well.

3- Laboring at home: If you go into the hospital too early, it's more likely that unnecessary interventions might be suggested or pushed on you.

4- Comfort measures: During labor, comfort measures are your pain management options. Create a list of lots of comfort measures you may want to use during labor. For example: counter pressure, hydrotheraphy, music, tv shows, massage, positive affirmations, etc.

5- Staying active: Use lots of movement during labor. Walk, sway, squat, etc. This will help baby descend and engage in your pelvis, helping your labor to progress naturally.

6- Different positions: Hands and knees, sitting on the birthing ball, leaning, lunging, etc. are all great positions to help baby engage and to help you manage contractions during labor.

7- Eating: Eating light, but nutritious food and staying hydrated during labor is key to keep your energy up. Hospitals usually ask you not to eat, but you can politely decline.

8- Creating a safe space: Dimming the lights and creating a safe space will help you feel safe and comfortable during labor. If you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, rushed, or self conscious you will likely create tension in your mind and body, making it harder to labor without medication.

Not everyone will want to use all of these tips and that's fine! You can still have a powerful, unmedicated birth experience even if you don't hire a doula or if you don't dim the lights. These are just some suggestions to get you started.

Which tip did you enjoy the most during your labor?

03/18/2023

This is another myth we hear time and time again: "It is unsafe to VBAC beyond 40 weeks."

Here's the truth: Going beyond 40 weeks gestation is not a contraindication to labor after cesarean.

While some studies have found lower VBAC odds after 40 weeks, we question the role of provider pressure and birthing parent stress on labor, spontaneous or otherwise.

What about the VBAC odds among those who feel supported during the last weeks of their pregnancy rather than facing the deadline of a repeat cesarean on the books?

As the American College of OB/GYNs says, "Gestational age greater than 40 weeks along should not preclude [planned VBAC.]"*

Want to dive into the research on this topic? We review it all in “The Truth About VBAC™ for Professionals,” one of the many continuing education trainings you can receive instant access to by joining VBAC Facts® professional membership.

If you want to demystify the VBAC evidence so you can give birthing families accurate information, membership is for you.

Register today: https://vbacfacts.com/membership

* We replaced "TOLAC" for "planned VBAC" in ACOG's quote.

03/18/2023

One question we get asked all the time is, "how can I prepare for a VBAC?" These are six of our suggestions for when you are starting on your VBAC journey.

1- Getting educated is one of the best things you can do for yourself as you are preparing for your VBAC. Your biggest advocate in your birth room is you! If you know the risks and benefits of some common interventions you will be able to decide what is in line with your birthing goals.

2- Hiring a supportive provider also plays a huge role in having a successful VBAC. Finding a supportive provider isn't always easy, so feel free to reach out to us if you need suggestions.

3- Choosing the right location will help you feel safe, confident, and empowered on your big day.

4- Doulas are incredible resources for VBAC parents. We have some amazing VBAC trained doulas who can help you on your journey! Check out our website to find a doula in your area.

5- Lots of women have trauma, fears, or doubts that are still hanging around from their previous birth experiences. Processing these feelings will really help you as you move forward on your VBAC journey.

6- Intuition is one of your greatest tools! Trust your gut when it comes to making decisions for you and your family.

Check out our blog for more tips and tricks for having a successful VBAC: https://www.thevbaclink.com/blog/

11/23/2022

You are enough 💜

Twitter user:

08/23/2022

Good news! ✨ If you've had two Cesareans, you can still be a great candidate for a VBAC! A lot of people think it's riskier to have a VBA2C, but here are some interesting facts you can consider while weighing your options.

See link for more details: thevbaclink.com/vba2c/

08/12/2022

08/10/2022

We did it!
We beat the record by 19!
255 moms showed up and made history.
We made a HUGE statement and that’s what we came out for.

The feeling I got after the photo was done and the overwhelming support of everyone surrounding the event tugged at my heart.
Hearing the moms cheer at the end made a huge lump in my throat and I think I speak the same for everyone standing behind me at the event and seeing this photo it brings a tear to our eyes.
All these mamas came out into 107 degrees to make a statement loud and clear for everyone around the world.

That statement is Normalize breastfeeding.There is absolutely NOTHING taboo about breastfeeding. And there is nothing taboo about breastfeeding in public.

Something new that I experienced this year was that I had asked a few moms if they were coming and their response was “No, I only pump.” Or “I wish I could come to the event but I’m pumping.”
Or “I get donated breast milk I don’t breastfeed”
Wait… WHAT? You are still BREASTfeeding your child. It doesn’t matter HOW you breastfeed your child you are still feeding your child with your (Or some one else) Breast. And THAT Is what we are normalizing.

We are not only normalizing all types of breastfeeding but we are normalizing doing it in public any time. Any where. And WAY you want to.

Breastfeed in public.
Breastfeed while you eat
Breastfeed at the table.
Breastfeed at the park.
Breastfeed at the mall.
Breastfeed at work.
Breastfeed at a party.
Breastfeed in line.
Breastfeed around people.

And yes… Breastfeeding in public means you can pump in public too.

Did you know that is 2018 it was officially legal to breastfeed in all 50 States?

That means you have the RIGHT to breastfeed in any public space, any where and any time you’d like!
Is it sad that it took that long to legalize breastfeeding? Yes. But it’s here and you have every right, and need to take advantage of that.

My heart was warmed and I got goosebumps at the amount of women at the event told me this was their first time breastfeeding in any public space. I’m so happy you felt safe enough to do that at this event and I truly hope you feel safe enough to do it at another public space when your baby is hungry.

To any woman seeing this photo…
These moms have your back and SO many more. These moms will stand up for you if they see you. They will support you. They will fight for you.
The breastfeeding community is strong around the world and this army of moms will fight for you to have a safe place to feed your baby when you need to.

Not all moms that are part of this community are in this photo. Some don’t live in AZ and some aren’t currently breastfeeding. But they will still fight for you and be there to support you in any way possible.
This community is around the world so don’t be scared. You are not alone.

We stand together to raise awareness. We stand here showing you a very very normal and miraculous thing our body does. It nourishes or babies, our kids, others kids.

Some of these moms sat together with their milk donor. Some pumped. Some nursed. Some nursed children over 1 and some nursed babies 53 hours old. Some bottle fed their child with donated milk, or their own milk. Some wet nursed. Some tandem nursed. And all together they are the same.
All with the same goal. To stand together as an army of moms raising awareness we are so very passionate about.

All nationalities.
All different beliefs.
All different types of moms.
All different types of parenting styles.
All different races.
All different breastfeeding styles.
All different personalities.
All different jobs.
All different walks of life.
One same goal.
Normalize all types of breastfeeding. And in public.

So if you see a breastfeeding mom give her some love. Ask her if she needs water or help pushing her shopping cart. You don’t need to stare or be awkward. Tell her she’s in a safe place. Shoot, give a a simple smile or thumbs up. It will mean the world to her. I promise.

Thank you to all the mamas that came out and endured the heat to make a stand. I know it was disgusting but look at what you did. Just wow!!
Thank you SO much to Medela USA for sending pumps for the mamas pumping in the photo and nursing and pumping bras for a ton of the moms in the photo as well and gifts in the gift bags!
Thank you so much to Momcozy for donating totes and bras for the moms and also hand free pumps for the moms in the photo as well!
Thank you to all the vendors that sent items for the gift bags and giving the moms an amazing treat for coming (tags to come with pics!)
Thank you to my volunteers for coming out and helping out just out of the kindness of your heart

08/04/2022

On we celebrate the many physical and emotional benefits of breastfeeding. But just because it's natural, doesn't mean it's easy.

We're here to support new mothers every step of the way. Jackson is the first health system in South Florida to earn the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation, with maternity programs and practices that empower mothers with the highest level of breastfeeding and bonding support.

Learn more about our lactation services and breastfeeding support groups: https://maternity.jacksonhealth.org/services/lactation-services/

07/20/2022

"I like using the term "nursing" sometimes instead of "breastfeeding," because sometimes it's not about hunger.

Sometimes, it's about baby wanting to cuddle with you, smell your sweet scent, and cozy up to your warmth.

Sometimes it's about feeling lonely or scared, and mouth to breast provides connection.

Sometimes it's about the pain of teething, or needing antibodies to get over a cold."

So remember, you are so much more than a food source - so. much. more.

Reposted from
Words:
Image:

07/19/2022