Friday, August 1, 2008
How to cope with pain relief
Many women are worried about how they will cope with labour. There are a number of choices available to women in Singapore - we can help you find your way through the maze.
Some women know that they want pain relief from the moment they discover they are pregnant. Some like to know what their options are and leave it open and others know that they don’t want pharmaceutical methods of pain relief (drugs) and choose natural methods to help them cope with childbirth.
Epidurals are the most common form of pharmaceutical pain relief used in childbirth today and to some women an epidural can be a blessing. However, there is no perfect option for coping with labour. Some of the risks that accompany epidurals are:
- Confinement to bed
- Continual monitoring
- Nausea
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Increased difficulty with breastfeeding
- Increased risk of assisted delivery with forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction)
- Increased risk of episiotomy (a cut to the skin surrounding the vagina when the baby is being born)
- Increased risk of having a caesarean
Whilst epidurals are popular, there are a number of other options available. What do you think is the right method for you? Are you familiar with the pros and cons that can accompany pain relief?
What is a cascade of intervention?
Good childbirth classes or discussions with your Doula can help you decide what is right for you. ParentLink's childbirth classes and Doulas are able to let you know what all of your options are in terms of pain relief so that you can make an informed decision. What might have been a "blessing" to some may not necessarily be the same for you. Learn how you can make the right choice for you.
Cited from Parentlink
Labels: advice, drugs, pain, parentlink
♥ fertile myrtle gave birth to this post at 8:10 AM
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Hypnobirthing
HypnoBirthing® uses self-hypnosis, guided imagery and special breathing techniques that can help to bring about a shorter, easier, and more joyful birth experience. Women can birth comfortably, awake, alert, and fully in control.
HypnoBirthing® was developed by Marie Mongan, a hypnotherapist from New Hampshire, USA, with more than 30 years experience. Marie's work was based on the teachings of Grantley Dick-Read, a British obstetrician who was a pioneer in his work on relaxation and childbirth.
When Dick-Read was practicing obstetrics in the 1920's women were routinely given chloroform during labour. One fateful night he attended a woman in labour at home who was surprised when Dick-Read commented on her seeming lack of pain. Her response, "It didn't hurt. It wasn't meant to, was it, doctor?" has become synonomous with Dick-Read's work.
Grantley Dick-Read went on to write the bestselling book Childbirth Without Fear, explaining the relationship between fear, tension and pain.
HypnoBirthing® strives to eliminate fear and tension by using self-hypnosis and positive imagery, and focuses on the use of deep relaxation leading to natural, comfortable birth. HypnoBirthing® is becoming popular as the results are so fantastic - fearless birth, confident parenting and very chilled out babies.
The benefits of HypnoBirthing® include:
- A safer birthing for mother and baby
- Shorter, more comfortable birthing
- A special, integral role for Birthing Companion
- Fewer incidences of need for medication
- Fewer breech presentations
- Fewer complications and easier resolution in the event of complication
- An awake, refreshed, and energized birthing mother
- A better outcome for mother and baby
- A calm, peaceful birthing environment
- Good natured babies who are better sleepers and eaters
- Happy parents who experience a serene, joyful birthing rather than a tense, stressful ordeal
Cited from Parentlink
Labels: birth, mental, method, parentlink
♥ fertile myrtle gave birth to this post at 2:36 PM
Monday, July 21, 2008
CHOOSING YOUR DOCTOR
Choosing your doctor is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your birth, but it can seem overwhelming. Other than having a sense of whether you get on well, how can you know whether your doctor is a good match for what you are looking for?
It is important to feel comfortable with your doctor, and to be able to place your trust in him or her. The birth of your baby will be one of the most memorable events of your life, and those that share your experience should be supportive of your goals.
What's important to you?
There is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing a doctor. Start out by taking the time to think about what you want for your birth. Whatever is important to you, these are the issues to discuss with prospective doctors. Different caregivers may have different opinions and perspectives on what is normal, what they are comfortable with, and how they practice.
You may have friends who have recently had a baby themselves and can give you recommendations. Before rushing off to book the first obstetrician recommended, remember to ask others what sort of birth they were looking for and whether their choice of doctor met their expectations. The obstetrician who was the right choice for a friend may not be right for you. Your childbirth educator or doula may be able to help you identify doctors who would be a good match for you.
It may be worth meeting several obstetricians so you can compare their different approaches. You can change doctors at any time in your pregnancy if you are not comfortable – even on your due date – but it is ideal if you have time to get to know your doctor before your birth. It can be helpful when meeting prospective obstetricians to have a list of questions or a draft birth plan prepared so you can understand their views on the things that are important to you. During your childbirth classes, and meetings with your doula, you will cover the sorts of questions that can be helpful and work together on preparing a birth plan.
Cited from Parentlink
Labels: advice, birth, doctors, method, parentlink
♥ fertile myrtle gave birth to this post at 5:15 PM
ALL ABOUT DOULAS
What is a doula?A labour supporter (doula) offers you and your partner reassurance, practical assistance, and information during pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood so that you feel cared for, informed, and confident.
A doula is a skilled professional who offers you a type of support no one else can.
- focuses completely on you and your needs,
- no shift changes or other commitments to attend to can support you at your home in the early stages of labour, as well as through your hospital stay
- after the birth supports your partner as well as you, giving him someone to rely on, and freeing his energies to be there for you knows plenty of tips for the journey through birth, including massage, positioning, use of heat and cold, and ways to soothe and restore the body
- provides an objective sounding board when you need to talk things over
- can help facilitate when you need to make a decision
- helps you cope with confusion and fear when dealing with any complications in pregnancy,
- assists you in investigating your options
A doula's role is defined by you. Different couples will want their doula to help them in different ways. You call the shots.A doula does not make decisions for you. She does not have an agenda she wants you to follow – this is your birth, not hers. A doula does not advocate on your behalf; instead she can help you find the information you want and serves as a facilitator, so you can communicate with your medical caregivers in the most effective way. She can help you develop strategies for putting your plans into action. But ultimately it is always you who is in charge of your birth!
Cited from Parentlink
Labels: birth, method, parentlink
♥ fertile myrtle gave birth to this post at 5:07 PM