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]]>How to Swaddle a Newborn Baby Safely | Easy Technique | Video
What is Swaddling? How do I swaddle a newborn baby safely? Swaddling is an ancient practice of wrapping a newborn/ baby snugly and gently in a blanket or sheet to help them feel calm, relax and eventually fall asleep. Being swaddled reminds babies of the womb’s embrace and it is a similar experience to being cuddled skin-to-skin, which may make them sleep more deeply. ( See Video for how to swaddle safely at the bottom of this page).
Most importantly, swaddling promotes safe sleeping in infants and improve the quality of sleep in young babies If you are going to swaddle, evidence suggests it is safest to do it from birth.
Swaddling prevents:
- Your newborn baby from startling herself and disrupting sleep.
- Your baby from scratching or rubbing as they go to sleep, lots of babies scratch or rub as they fall asleep.
- Babies from turning from their back to a face-down position, potentially protecting them from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
RELATED: What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
Safe Sleeping Swaddling Guidance
If you decide to adopt swaddling, please follow the safe sleeping swaddling guidance for babies.
- Use thin materials
- Do not swaddle above the shoulders
- Never put a baby to sleep on their front
- Do not swaddle too tight
- Check the baby’s temperature to ensure they do not get too hot
- Not a good idea to swaddle a baby when bed-sharing. A swaddled baby is not able to effectively move covers from the face or use arms and legs to alert an adult who is too close
- Stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows any signs of trying to roll over.
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]]>Giving Birth to your Baby: The Second Stage of Labor
(Scroll down for video of a mother pushing out her baby)
The second stage of labor also known as the pushing stage begins when the cervix is completely open (dilated) and lasts until you have pushed out your baby.
This stage of labor is also commonly referred to as the stage of expulsion. At this stage, your cervix is 10 centimeters open and fully dilated.
The pushing stage can take from a few minutes up to a few hours to birth your baby into the world. In most cases, it might take longer for first-time moms than women who have had a baby before.
A small number of women will require assistance with their births, either by forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction). The obstetrician will choose which is best for your situation.
Forceps are smooth metal instruments that are shaped like large spoons or tongs. They’re curved to fit around the baby’s head. A forceps might be recommended if labor isn’t progressing or the baby’s safety depends on an immediate delivery.
With a ventouse(vacuum extractor), the obstetrician uses suction to attach a soft or hard plastic or metal cup onto your baby’s head.
Pushing
Your midwife may encourage you to follow your instincts when your body’s telling you to push, if you don’t want to do this, your midwife will guide you.
Only start to push when you feel the need to and during contractions. If you’ve had an epidural for pain relief, you might not feel the urge to bear down as strongly, so your midwife will tell you when to push.
Make sure to take relaxing breaths and read up on positions that are more effective for giving birth.
Related: Best labor and Birthing Position
Crowning is the moment when your baby’s head moves down the vagina can be seen completely at your vulva.
Once your baby’s head is born, most of the hard work is over. Your baby may be born covered with a white, greasy substance known as ‘vernix’, which has acted as protection in the uterus. We would then recommend placing the baby in skin contact and allow you to have time together with your new baby.
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]]>Early Labor Signs:
Early Labor Signs – What to Look Out For?
Is the baby coming? Am I in labor? The truth is, every labor story is different and a woman’s body will almost always give her the signals she needs to recognize that she is in the early stages of labor.
For most pregnant women, the first of the three stages of labor is usually the longest. During this period, strong contractions help your cervix to thin and begin to open. This is called effacement and dilation.
Here are four things to watch for:
- Lightening
Your baby drops lower into your pelvis and relieving some of the pressure on your diaphragm. You may feel lighter and find breathing a little easier.
- Bloody Show
You pass your mucus plug – a thick, pinkish or blood-streaked discharge that has sealed off your cervical canal for the last nine months.
- Rupture of Membranes/Water Breaking
When the fluid-filled amniotic sac surrounding your baby ruptures, fluid leaks from your vagina. This is commonly called the water breaking. The discharge can be a sudden gush of water or just a trickle. If your water breaks, immediately notify your doctor or midwife.
- Early Contractions
One sure sign of labor is consistent contraction. Unlike Braxton Hicks which are infrequent, irregular and painless, early contractions can feel like menstrual cramps or like a lower backache that comes and goes. They usually follow a progressive pattern and become progressive closer, stronger and last longer.
When the contractions occur every three to five minutes, you’re in active labor. Time your contractions, or have someone time them for you.
When to call your doctor
The general rule of thumb is the 5-1-1 rule. Your contractions should be 5 minutes apart and lasting for 1 minute each and continue in that pattern for 1 hour. Once this happens ,you have progressed to true labor and it is now time to head to the hospital.
Definitely call your doctor if you notice any of these:
- Over a tablespoon of bright red bleeding (not pale pink or dark brown).
- If your water breaks, especially if the fluid is green or brown or has a foul odor, it may be a sign that your baby is in distress.
- Your baby is less active, or you have a headache or vision problems.
- And/ or you experience rapid weight gain, this could be a sign of preeclampsia
READ MORE: BAD PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE
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]]>How To Prepare For Birth:
How To Prepare For Birth: 10 Tips From A Doula, By Olivyah Bowens.
If you are in your third trimester and are nervous about labor and delivery, Olivyah Bowens a certified doula provides ten tips on how to prepare for the birth of your little one.
So you’re pregnant. You’ve bought the crib, planned the baby shower, and picked the perfect name for your new addition, but are you ready for birth? Many women will go through the life-changing experience of birthing a baby but few will be equipped with the knowledge and wisdom to make that experience enjoyable. Yes, enjoyable! After two natural births of my own I can promise you that these 10 tips will make childbirth so much better:
Labor Support
1 Get a doula! The most successful people in this world have one thing in common, they all had mentors. Mentors are great because they can help you avoid mistakes, and give you knowledge that you may have otherwise learned the hard way. Consider a doula your birth mentor! Not only can they answer your questions about childbirth but they will also support you through your entire labor. Studies show that continuous labor support from a doula lowers the possibility of getting a c-section, decreases requests for pain medication, and can shorten labor.
2 Educate yourself! You wouldn’t attempt to go on a road trip if you didn’t know how to drive. Don’t allow yourself to go into childbirth without first learning about it. You’ve got nine months to immerse yourself in all things birth. Even if you are unable to get a doula you can sign up for a childbirth class and read a few books! One of my favorites is “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth”.
3 Stretch! Today most people are sitting too much and this is not good for the muscles that are used in giving birth. Tight and weak muscles in the pelvis and abdomen can make giving birth more difficult. Try stretching your hips and hamstrings every day and make squatting your best friend. (squatting is especially useful in the pushing stage because it opens up the inlet of the pelvis to allow the baby’s head to more easily pass through.)
Tone the Uterus
4 Add RRLT + Dates to your diet! Now this one is fairly easy. Drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea helps tone the uterus (make it stronger) and can help to shorten labor. While dates have been shown to raise the production of oxytocin in the body which is the main hormone responsible for having a spontaneous vaginal delivery. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea should be consumed only after the first trimester as it can cause mild uterine contractions. Dates can be consumed at 36 weeks.
5 Affirmations! Many women have a pre-existing fear of the pain of childbirth. This can increase stress levels and produce more cortisol in the body. Cortisol is not good for laboring women because it can impede the very important production of oxytocin. Re-wiring the way you think about birth can reduce stress and help your body to release the hormones necessary for a less difficult birth. Some women have such positive outlooks on childbirth that they actually have an orgasmic birth. Don’t believe me? Google it!
6 Visualization! Along with affirmations creating a mental picture of what you want your birth experience to look like is a great way of calming those anxieties about birth. I envisioned having quick labor throughout my pregnancy and let’s just say I barely made it into the hospital before the baby came out.
Keep your mouth open
7 Practice opening your mouth! There is a connection between the muscles in the vagina and the muscles in the mouth. Women who keep their mouth open and relaxed during the pushing stage have less tendency to tear. The best time to practice this is, you guessed it when you’re taking a number two!
8 Create a Birth Plan! Do you want continuous fetal monitoring? Should Pitocin be administered in the case of a stalled labor? Would you like delay cord clamping? These are just a few of the questions you have to be prepared to answer during or after birth. Of course, labor is not the best time to be thinking about these things so do yourself a huge favor and answer these questions before going into labor.
Creating a birth plan helps your doctor or midwife know what you want in your birth without having to actually communicate it in the middle of having contractions! It also helps to keep you and whoever will be with you during birth to be on the same page.
9 No negativity. As your belly begins to grow more and more you will probably encounter other moms who are ready to tell you their very traumatic birthing story. Although this can be healing for them it is not at all helpful to an expectant mother. Learn to walk away from scary birth stories and not engage in conversations about traumatic birth experiences. Stay positive!
10 Accept the challenge! Every woman’s labor and delivery is unique but most of us can agree that it is a challenge. Accept the fact that labor can be a challenging process but with the right information and sufficient preparation, you can have an awesome experience.
Happy birthing!
ALSO SEE: HOW BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS YOU AND YOUR BABY
About the Author of How To Prepare For Birth:
Olivyah Bowens is a doula and mother of two from Baltimore, Maryland. She completed her degree in Dance and English while pregnant with her daughter Ozara and recently finished her doula training in Washington D.C while pregnant with her new baby girl Oniyah. Olivyah not only has a passion for natural birth and breastfeeding but is equally passionate about nutrition. As a health enthusiast, she promotes a holistic approach to well-being through her Youtube channel and Instagram page @herholisticpath. She aspires to one day become a midwife and open her own birthing center while continuing to spread knowledge about holistic well being.
Join us over the PB Moms Exclusive Circle, where we invite healthcare experts to prepare you for life after childbirth and motherhood. Go to: pregnancybeyond.com/exclusive-circle.
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Postpartum Psychosis:
Postpartum psychosis By Hanna Murray, Labor & Delivery Nurse.
Ahhh the birth of your baby, such an exciting and happy time! Women usually prepare a lot for the actual birth, but some don’t realize to prepare for postpartum. Do you know what happens in the first 24 hours after delivery? It’s a huge change for both you and your baby. So read on to find out more about Postpartum Psychosis.
All written by a seasoned labor and delivery nurse about Postpartum Psychosis. She has helped hundreds of women in the postpartum period. Plus, learn some helpful tips to deal with that first eventful day.
What Physiological Changes Happen to Your Baby?
Right after your baby comes out they take their first breath. Before they come out of your uterus, their lungs are filled with fluid. That first breath pushes most of the fluid out of the lungs and they can fill with air! This happens very fast, and although the baby has been practicing for a while, it’s a huge change for them.
Their whole world has changed at this point. Everything is brighter, louder, drier, and just plain strange!
That is why you will become a safe spot. When babies are close to their mothers, they feel safe. Don’t be surprised if your little baby doesn’t want to sleep alone in the bassinet. It’s just too foreign to them! They are used to being rocked to sleep in the warm, dark cave that your uterus was to them.
This doesn’t mean that you will spoil your baby. Hold them as much as you can in the beginning, and skin-to-skin is the ideal way to hold them.
Skin-to-Skin Should Start Right Away:
If your baby comes out crying and healthy, start skin-to-skin right from the start. This will help to maintain their temperature. It will also help to maintain their blood sugar and make it so they will breastfeed sooner and with more ease. The doctors or nurses might want to take your baby and get them examined, but please ask them to wait. Skin-to-skin is more important at this time.
As long as your baby is healthy, breathing well, and has normal vitals, tell your providers that you want to continue to do skin-to-skin for as long as possible and ideally for at least one hour after birth and until the baby has had its first full feed at the breast.
Ask Your Visitors to Stay at Home.
If you are breastfeeding, your baby will have its first feed in the first couple of hours after birth. After that, most babies have a nice long sleep, so this is when you (and your partner if you have one) need to rest as much as you can. You will probably be exhausted from birth and you need your rest! Please ask all visitors to come AFTER this important rest period. If you feel uncomfortable telling them to leave, your nurse will have no problem letting them know that now is the time to leave!
The first 24 hours, your baby will be more sleepy so this is prime time for you to catch up on sleep. Sleep is so important for your milk supply and for your healing after birth. Don’t skimp on sleep! After the first 24 hours, babies tend to wake up more and want to eat more, so it would be ideal if you have gotten more rest so that you can deal with this period of fussiness in your newborn.
What happens to you physiologically right after birth?
Once your baby is out your uterus keeps contracting. Eventually, you will birth the placenta as well. Once the placenta is out, your providers will press on your belly to make sure that your uterus is contracting, it’ll feel like a hardball. We want it to be contracting because then you will bleed less. It should contract so that it goes back down to the size it was before you were pregnant. You will bleed a lot right in the beginning, but your doctor and nurses are keeping an eye on the bleeding and making sure it isn’t too much!
If you had a tear or episiotomy, your provider will stitch you up at this time. Once that is all done your nurses will clean you up and watch you and your baby for about an hour or two. This is the ideal time to do skin-to-skin.
You Will Keep Having Contractions!
The contractions can be painful while you are holding your baby or breastfeeding your baby because your body will be releasing oxytocin and this is the hormone that makes your uterus contract. The contractions are good and will prevent you from bleeding too much.
If your uterus doesn’t firm up and you are bleeding too much your providers might give you some extra meds to help with the bleeding. You are in good hands!
Once your baby is out. Put a hand just below your belly button and press firmly. You will feel a hardball, this is your uterus! It’ll keep getting smaller and smaller until your uterus is about the size of your fist and way down in your pelvis. This happens at about 6 weeks postpartum.
The contractions are supposed to happen and are absolutely normal! In fact, after each baby, the post-birth contractions will be more and more painful. Some women are surprised because they think the contractions stop once the baby is out!
Take Your Pain Meds.
This leads me to the next point. Don’t hesitate to take the pain meds that your nurse will offer. It’s much better to stay comfortable in these early hours after your baby is born than to be miserable!
You will only need the pain meds for the first few days after delivery and they will help a lot with painful contractions
Bleeding will continue for up to 6 weeks
You are bleeding from the spot where your placenta was. There is basically a huge sore where your placenta was attached to your uterus on the inside. You will be bleeding a lot in the first 24 hours so invest in some nice big pads. Your hospital will most likely give you some big pads and some great mesh undies. Use them!
The first 2-3 days are the worst for the bleeding. It will taper off, but be prepared to have bled off and on for up to 6 weeks, it can be totally normal!
That’s about Postpartum Psychosis for the first 24 hours postpartum. I really hope this helps you prepare and that you have a healthy and happy birth.
Postpartum – What to expect in Postpartum?
About the Author
My name is Hanna, founder of Babytalk. I am a labor and delivery nurse and doula. Moreover, I love educating new and expectant moms. I believe that birth is the most powerful event any woman will go through in her life. It’s important to be prepared. That’s why I started my blog, Babytalk. So I can educate as many women as possible, far and wide! Please check it out at www.babytalk.life and I’m also over on Instagram educating women far and wide, I’m @babytalk.birthnurse on there and would love it if you’d follow me! I promise you’ll learn a lot!
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]]>Successful VBAC Tips:
Successful VBAC Tips By Delia Muhammed.
VBAC = Vaginal Birth After C-Section
In this blog post, I lay out tips on what you can do now in your pregnancy to prepare you for successful childbirth. Find part 1 of this article here.
Perhaps, memories of the last birth experience were traumatic and entwined with fear. However, with this birth experience, having good emotional support coupled with good information will help you build confidence and self-esteem.
The key is to believe you CAN do this. Be sure to use the principles shared here and be absolutely sure to do your best. It is all about BELIEVING.
PSYCHOLOGICAL/MENTAL PREPARATION
POSITIVE THINKING – Have a positive mental attitude! “This time, it has to be right”. “My body WILL do the work needed to a birth baby vaginally”.
The father-to-be has to think positively, too. “I want to be more involved this time” “We will take things step-by-step.” “We will decide together when to go into the hospital.”
Both you and the father-to-be have so much to share in relation to how you both see things.
Being on the same page strengthens your determination. Make sure you talk about your worries and fears with each other.
The information you have researched will empower you both to understand childbirth better. The information you get from the doctor would also make things clearer. The fear WILL be there, but you need to BELIEVE in the labor process.
Tell yourself that you will harmonize with the rhythm of your body when things start because your body KNOWS what to do. Hypno birth, affirmations, meditation are ways to help alleviate any fears you may have.
LABOUR STARTS IN THE BRAIN FIRST
The brain conducts the orchestra of organs that produce the labor hormones, ready to take you on your ‘labor walk’.
The key thing is accepting that labor is your friend and not your enemy. Be in harmony with your body. Be aware of how you feel and think.
PHYSICAL WELLBEING
Scar rupture is the greatest concern in VBAC. It is a good time to mention that this condition is rare and affects 1 in 200 – 0.5% of mothers who had a VBAC.
It is also important to AVOID constipation in pregnancy. Keeping hydrated is essential in pregnancy AND labor. Prune juice, dried fruits, and water may be effective at managing constipation.
When labor starts, KEEP BELIEVING and have PATIENCE with what is happening.
It is significant to note that your emotional and physical well being is very important both for now and for AFTER birth.
VBAC mothers you CAN do this. Once a cesarean is NOT always a cesarean.
Read:
• When To Call The Doctor For Your Newborn.
• Birth Control After Baby: Popular Methods And Options
Image: @penciledcelebrities
About the Author:
Delia Muhammad is a Birth Educator, Counsellor, and VBAC specialist from the UK. Delia has been supporting expectant women/ mothers since 1993. She is an international supporter of VBAC mothers due to the high cesarean rate around the world.
Delia can be contacted for birth preparation advice and counseling at:
delia@deliamuhammad.com
deliamuhammad@hotmail.com
Instagram – @yourcomforter / @iwillvbac
Facebook – Delia Muhammad
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]]>Cord Blood Facts:
Cord Blood Facts: It is taken from a newborn’s umbilical cord shortly after birth. It is a rich source of stem cells that can be used to treat many diseases. Including several forms of leukemia, lymphoma, and anemia, as well as sickle cell disease.
Parents have the option to discard the cord blood, donate it to a public bank, or store it in a private family cord blood bank.
In a four-part series of brief articles, representatives of the nonprofit Cord Blood Association explain how cord blood is collected and banked. How it is used to treat disease. What parents, especially those who are not of Northern European ancestry, should know to make an informed decision.
Why Is Cord Blood Important?
By Karen Ballen, MD, and Arthur Flatau, Ph.D.
Consider these interesting facts:
For a blood or marrow transplant, the likelihood that a sibling is a complete biological match and can be a donor is 25%. If a patient does not have a sibling who is a compatible match, a donor outside of the family must be found. This is done through national and international donor registries.
If the patient is native to Pakistan, there are more chances of a complete match in the family. The likelihood of there being a complete match within his or her family is about 80%. This high likelihood is because of the relatively large families and a high frequency of intermarriage among cousins. But in the United States, the likelihood of a biological match within the family is much lower. Given the size of most U.S.families, the chance of a complete match within the family is about 30%. About 70% of patients of Northern European ancestry will find a fully matched donor in the international Be The Match registry. But only about 25% of Black/African–American patients will find a fully matched donor in the international registry. The best match for many African-Americans is in an umbilical cord blood bank. Consequently, cord blood is the cell source for about 34% of African-American unrelated transplant patients, compared to 10% of white patients. The take-away from the above facts is that African-Americans needing a blood or marrow transplant more frequently must rely on banked umbilical cord blood. This makes it all the more important that African-American parents expecting the birth of a child knows their options for saving or discarding cord blood.
What Exactly is Cord Blood?
Cord blood is the blood left over in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. Throughout history, the umbilical cord and placenta have been discarded as waste when a child is born.
In fact, still today, these tissues are discarded in the majority of births. But over the past 30 years, medical scientists and physicians have researched on it. They learned about the rich source of stem cells in cord blood. More and more parents are donating or saving this blood.
Instead of discarding it as medical waste, parents have other options. They can:
Donate to a public cord blood bank for use by anyone with a medical need
Pay to store in a private family cord blood bank for possible future use by your family
If you are an expectant parent, talk with your obstetrician or other health care provider about the options that may be available to you.
Donating cord blood for public use or storing it for your family’s exclusive use is a personal decision, but your health care provider can advise you.
Why should I consider saving my baby’s cord blood?
In the upcoming installments in this four-part series, we will answer that question. Also others, such as how cord blood is collected. The diseases that cord blood can treat, and the relative benefits of public and private family banking.
NEXT ARTICLE: SHOULD I BANK MY BABY’S CORD BLOOD
About the Author: 
Karen Ballen, MD, a hematologist/oncologist at the University of Virginia Health System. Moreover, he does cord blood research. Also, his articles about cord blood therapies frequently appear in medical journals.
Arthur Flatau, Ph.D. Who is a leukemia survivor. Also, he is chair of the Cord Blood Association Public Education Committee.
Join us over at the PB Moms Exclusive Circle. Where we invite healthcare experts to prepare us for life after childbirth and motherhood. Go to: pregnancybeyond.com/exclusive-circle
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]]>Private Cord Blood Banking:
The Private Cord Blood Banking By Karen Ballen, MD, and Arthur Flatau, Ph.D.
Private Cord Blood Banking: How do I save my baby’s cord blood for my family’s own use?
As earlier explained in previous installments in this series, a newborn’s umbilical cord blood can be donated to a public bank. So, there it is available to any biologically matched individual who needs it for the treatment of a serious disease. Also, it can be stored privately for use by your family.
For private storage, there are two options:
Private Cord Blood Banking: Firstly, You can store your baby’s cord blood in a private or family cord blood bank for your family’s future use, should the need arise. Using For Family Member: Secondly, if your baby currently has a family member with a disease that can be treated with a cord blood transplant, you may be able to collect your baby’s cord blood for that family member.Typically, private cord blood banks are not associated with a particular hospital. Consequently, the mother is sent a collection kit to give to her doctor or other health care provider. The collection is then performed at the time of delivery.
Is donating cord blood safe?
Cord blood donation is completely safe for the mother and her baby. No blood is taken from the baby. It’s only taken from the umbilical cord itself. After the baby is born and after the cord is clamped and cut. The mother’s labor and delivery are not affected.
Is there a fee for saving cord blood in a private family bank?
Yes. Private banks charge a fee for the collection, transportation, processing, and storage of cord blood. The amount of those fees varies from bank to bank and country to country.
How do I find a reputable private family cord blood banking?
You can contact one of the private cord blood banks affiliated with the Cord Blood Association at www.cb-association.org/member-banks. Additional banks can be found on the Parent’s Guide To Cord Blood Foundation website at https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en.
Be sure the cord blood bank is accredited by AABB or the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. These organizations have standards and gather data from banks. They conduct on-site inspections to ensure that the cord blood is collected safely. Also, whether it is handled in a way that protects the quality of the cells.
What is the likelihood that someday my baby will need the stored cord blood?
The chance of your baby ever needing his or her own cord blood cells is low, but not zero.
For instance, if your child develops a blood cancer like leukemia and needs a stem cell transplant. Your child’s own cord blood cells would not be used. Because the cells that caused the disease might be in the child’s cord blood.
Donor cells, or sibling cells, would do a better job fighting the disease.
However, research is underway about cord blood cells. To determine whether, in the future, cord blood stem cells can cure or help in other medical problems. That are not currently treated by a cord blood transplant. Such as birth asphyxia (brain damage from lack of oxygen), cerebral palsy, and autism.
Although these therapies are not yet available as part of standard medical practice. They are being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials and may prove useful in the future.
How likely is it that another family member can use my baby’s stored cord blood?
Currently, the likelihood that a family member will use your baby’s stored cord blood is quite small. Whether your baby’s cord blood can help a family member who needs a transplant depends on several factors.
First, the number of cells in a single collection or “unit” of cord blood must be sufficient for transplant. Adult patients typically require more cells than are contained in a single unit. However, techniques are now under investigation that could expand the number of cells in a cord blood unit. Which would increase the number of cells available for a transplant patient.
Second, cord blood cells have genetic markers called human leukocyte antigens (HLA). They need to closely match those of the patient. Brothers and sisters with the same biological parents have a 25% chance of being a perfect match. 50 percent chance of being a partial match. Other family members are much less likely to be a match.
If there is a child in your family who has a blood cancer like leukemia or an inherited blood disease. Like thalassemia or sickle cell anemia. Then consider saving your baby’s cord blood for that child’s future use. Many public and private family banks offer this service through a directed-donation program. More information is available at https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/node/18267.
You can also consider this option if you’re at risk of conceiving a child with a genetic disorder. Like sickle cell disease, that can be treated with a cord blood transplant.
Where can I find more information about cord blood?
The more questions you ask, the better informed you will be to decide. For what do to with your baby’s umbilical cord blood. Your obstetrician or other health care provider can advise you on options. Those are available where you plan to deliver your baby.
A wealth of information about cord blood banking and cord blood therapies can be found on the website of the Cord Blood Association at http://www.cb-association.org. Look under the “Resources” tab for a summary of current uses of cord blood. Moreover, the diseases in which cord blood is being used. Also, recent research advances, and a list of CBA-member public and family banks.
Further read: Cord Blood Facts – Every Parent Should Know
Further authoritative and useful websites are:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation
U.S. Health Services & Resources Administration
About the Author:
Karen Ballen, MD, a hematologist/oncologist at the University of Virginia Health System. Moreover, he does cord blood research. Also, his articles about cord blood therapies frequently appear in medical journals.
Arthur Flatau, Ph.D. He is a leukemia survivor. Also, chair of the Cord Blood Association Public Education Committee.
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]]>VBAC Tips:
Successful VBAC Tips By Delia Muhammad.
VBAC = Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
The maxim, “once a cesarean, always a cesarean” from Dr. Edwin Cragin in 1916, no longer holds true.
This maxim which held mothers, hostage, for over 100 years is misleading at best. Mothers who have had two or more caesareans can and have birthed vaginally.
The RCOG (Royal College of Gynaecologists) states:
“Women who have had two or more caesareans may be offered Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC). After counseling them by a senior obstetrician”.
What happens to a woman’s body in childbirth can have a profound impact on her mental and physical well-being. Counseling, therefore, empowers the mother. So she doesn’t rule out the possibility of vaginal birth for her next delivery.
Read: Breastfeeding Your Newborn, What to Expect
Counseling makes the mother more mentally and physically prepared. Also, puts her in a position where she is able to manage expectations for her next delivery.
If her first birth experience brought about anguish, fear, and pain. This bad experience may influence subsequent pregnancies. For this reason, some mothers will decide not to conceive again. And others, if they do conceive, may decide to go straight to the theatre. Without considering the possibility of a vaginal delivery.
You need to know that as a VBAC mother your previous cesarean birth experience may replay itself. Know that you can do this and that your body did not fail you.
To achieve a successful VBAC, the mother must know that her body was and is not dysfunctional. She must minimize the guilt/regret carried prior to this pregnancy.
Your obstetric history is paramount to a consultant obstetrician.
Discussing your obstetric history with an obstetrician will help you understand how your body functions. Also, what you can do better this time to achieve vaginal delivery. This clarification lightens the mental load and keeps your dream alive.
The obstetrician will speak to you about the possibility of the uterine scar rupturing (I in 200 -0.5%). Also, she will give you as much information as possible. Through research and investigation to minimize any fears that you may have.
Still Have Fear of VBAC?
So whether or not you still have fear of VBAC. It is now a case of fear WITH knowledge, as you have now built up confidence.
The hospital also supports VBAC mothers. So be sure to speak with your obstetrician about your rights, options, and choices. Supporting each other is so foundational to this journey. It would be great for both of you to write out your expectations.
You may also consider getting a doula, her role can not be overemphasized. You will get to know all the how’s, why’s, where’s. Also, what’s of your pregnancy, so you can start planning for delivery. Be sure to sit, discuss, and map out your day with your doula.
It is key to be patient, with the months ahead. ENJOY your pregnancy as much as you can. Connect with baby, as often as possible.
VBAC TIPS: YOU ARE THE BABY’S ENVIRONMENT!
The baby feels whatever you feel. TRY to be the BEST environment, so the baby is developed in the best way. We cannot avoid negativity, but we can minimize it where possible. Don’t allow your scar to hold you hostage.
Plan a weekly pamper day. It can be a facial, pedicure, manicure, hairdresser, massage or reflexology. Also, any other activity where you can spend the day being pampered. The more you feel good, the more you create a positive environment. Feel angry, upset, worried, anxious? You become that.
Accept that trials may come in all forms, it could be in the first trimester, second or third. Moreover, when it does come, you better prepared and are ready with solutions and/or answers.
In part 2, I answer how to produce the best environment to mentally and physically prepare you for your pregnancy.
Read:
• When To Call The Doctor For Your Newborn.
• Birth Control After Baby: Popular Methods And Options
Image: @penciledcelebrities
About the Author of VBAC Tips:
Delia Muhammad is a Birth Educator, Counsellor, and VBAC specialist from the UK. Delia has been supporting expectant women/ mothers since 1993. She is an international supporter of VBAC mothers due to the high cesarean rate around the world.
Delia can be contacted for advice, counseling, and birth preparation at:
delia@deliamuhammad.com
deliamuhammad@hotmail.com
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Should I Bank My Baby’s Cord Blood? By Karen Ballen, MD, and Arthur Flatau, Ph.D.
Why should I consider saving my baby’s cord blood?
Generally, umbilical cord blood contains blood-forming stem cells. That, when transplanted, can rebuild the bone marrow and immune system. Moreover, save the life of a patient with a serious blood disorder such as leukemia, lymphoma, or sickle cell disease. Infusions of these cells can also treat patients with inherited genetic disorders. Also, bone marrow failure, and immune deficiency diseases.
Cord blood transplantation is not only accepted treatment for many blood diseases. Also, research is underway to determine whether components of cord blood can treat other medical conditions. Such as birth asphyxia (brain damage from lack of oxygen), cerebral palsy, and autism. However, cord blood therapies for these brain injuries and diseases are not a standard medical practices. But, are being evaluated in ongoing studies and may prove useful in the future.
Cord blood is one of three sources of blood-forming stem cells used in a transplant. The other two sources are bone marrow and the blood that circulates throughout the body (called peripheral blood).
Finding a compatible match can be difficult for African-Americans and other minorities. Because they have a lower rate of registration in national and international registries. This means that patients more frequently have to rely on umbilical cord blood registries.
What are the alternatives to discarding cord blood?
It’s important that expecting parents know their options for saving cord blood. Instead of discarding cord blood as waste, other options might be:
Donate the cord blood to a public cord blood bank for use by anyone with a medical need.
Pay to store the cord blood in a private family cord blood bank. For a possible future use by your family.
How is cord blood collected?
After your baby is delivered, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Blood from the umbilical cord and placenta are put into a sterile bag. Also, with a blood thinner to prevent it from clotting. No blood is taken from your baby.
Cord blood collection can be performed after a vaginal or a Caesarian delivery (often called a C-section). The collection procedure has no pain and poses no risk to the mother or baby. And does not interfere in any way with your labor or the baby’s delivery.
What are the current recommendations for delayed clamping?
You may have seen or heard recent discussions about “delayed clamping” of the umbilical cord. Several obstetric organizations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada have recommended a delay of 30-60 seconds. Between delivery and umbilical cord clamping in healthy, full-term babies. It is believed that delayed clamping may have a beneficial effect on the newborn.
Delayed clamping can reduce the volume of stem cells remaining in the umbilical cord. But that does not necessarily make the volume unsuitable for storage or donation. On the other hand, if the baby’s cord blood is being stored for a known use. Such as the transplant of another family member with leukemia. Delayed clamping may not be advised.
Expectant parents should discuss options for delayed clamping with their obstetrics provider.
In the final two installments of this series of articles, we will look specifically at donations to public banks. And also storage in a family bank. Either is a viable option, and only you can know what is the best option for you.
NEXT ARTICLE: DONATING CORD BLOOD: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
About the Author:
Karen Ballen, MD, a hematologist/oncologist at the University of Virginia Health System. Who does cord blood research and whose articles about cord blood therapies frequently appear in medical journals. Also, Arthur Flatau, Ph.D., is a leukemia survivor. Also, chair of the Cord Blood Association Public Education Committee.
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image Credit: Destiny Boney
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