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]]>Best Labor And Birthing Positions:
Best Labor And Birthing Positions By Miri Sais (Traditional Birth Attendant ).
Generally, there are many ways to give birth. From squatting to standing, since the beginning of time women have been giving birth in almost any position you can imagine. However, this isn’t an exemplar in the delivery room.
For instance, according to the Third National U.S. Survey of Women’s Childbearing Experiences, 90% of American women who give birth, do so, either laying down or in some state of refinement, often with their legs propped up. In Australia only 78% of women give birth laying down, a 12% difference, even still that’s far too much.
Particularly, multiple studies have proven birthing laying down leads to an increase in pain, longer labor, and tearing. Also, it is the most likely of all positions to lead to the use of forceps/vacuum and epitomizes. Moreover, the same is true for the supine (lying face upward), or reclining positions.
Birth Vlog: “SHE MADE ME REALIZE HOW MUCH OF A STRONG WOMAN I AM”
Still, the numbers are slow to improve. The reason being, many women don’t know of any other birthing positions. Further, it is the primary position we see in regards to birth. Be it TV or literature of the women who do know of other birthing positions, a majority view them as risky “alternatives” and aren’t willing to attempt for fear of harming themselves and their baby, this is not true.
Every birthing position has it’s pros and cons, but each and every one has its needed purposes. And it is vital for mothers to know of them, so when the great laboring day comes she is well aware of all her options.
Birthing Position:
Squatting
In general, this position is done with some form of back support, to keep the mother steady and give her a place to shift weight to. Many choose the aid of another person, or two. You can also use a birthing bar.
Pros
• Good advantage of gravity encouraging faster descent
• Opens pelvis giving baby room to maneuver
• Also allows mobility and betters freedom to shift weight and comfort
Cons
• Can be tiring
• Requires some form of support.
Standing
For support in this position, many use a birthing bar to hold on to, or another person to lean against.
Pros
• Strong advantage of gravity, pushing the baby down
• Reduces backache
• Baby is well aligned in the pelvis
• Helps create a pushing urge
Cons
• Harder for birth attendants to monitor baby.
• May require some form of support.
Hand and Knees
Generally, outside of laying down and reclined, the hands and knees position is the next frequently used.
In this position, the mother’s arms are propped up to reduce tiredness.
Pros
• Can help shift or rotate baby if needed
• Baby is well aligned in the pelvis
• Takes pressure off spine thus relieving back pain
• Can help boost baby’s oxygen level
Cons
• Harder for Mother to view what’s happening
• Arms may get tired
Laying Down Or Reclined
There are two variations of laying down, during labor and delivery, you can lay flat down on your back with or without a stirrup. As well as you can recline with legs down, or with stirrups. While these can be the most complicated of the birthing and laboring positions, there are times when these positions are needed.
Pros
• Comfortable for the laboring mother
• Great resting position
• Easier for the birth team to monitor baby
Cons
• Tearing
• Works against gravity
• Very restricted of Mother’s movements
• Compresses all major vessels which reduce blood flow to the baby
• Can lead to more painful and less effective contractions
Birth Position And Laboring Tools:
These are some tools made to help you in laboring and delivery.
Birth Stool And Chair
Supports birthing positions: sitting, squatting
It may not look like much, but this tool does the most. It’s best to support is in the sitting position, but it’s also helpful to hold on to when squatting, especially if it has handled.
Birthing Bar
Supports birthing positions: squatting, standing
Also called the squat bar, this tool is most commonly used for mothers to hold while squatting or standing.
Birthing Ball
Supports laboring positions: squatting, sitting
There’s nothing particularly fancy about the birthing ball, in fact, many people just use an exercise ball. If you chose to use an exercise ball it’s vital to assure that it’s the right size. Unlike the previous two tools, it’s not a good idea to birth while using the birthing ball, but it is good for laboring.
Preparation
Now that you know a little bit about the different birth and laboring positions and the tools that support them, there’s still some preparation work to be done.
As for the acquiring of birth and laboring tools, many should be available at most hospitals. Make sure in your birth plan you check your hospital for the tools you desire.
As for the positions themselves, for the past two centuries laying down has been the position for birthing. It’s the primary position most doctors know and trust. And for fear of complications, doctors may advise against uncommon birth positions. As I said earlier, there are pros and cons to every position. Each opens up the pelvis a different way and has a different relation to the pull of gravity. No position is the absolute best. There’s no position that you should solely rely on, be it hands and knees, squatting, or laying down. Always keep in mind when choosing your delivery position, the positioning of the baby.
Along with knowing positions and the tools available, always stand firm, and trust your instincts. The best position is choosing your birth team wisely, and your greatest tool.
BREASTFEEDING MOM WHO LOST HER SON TO BREASTFEEDING ADVOCATES BOTTLE FEEDING
About the Author: Best Labor And Birthing Positions
Miri Sais is a Traditional Birth Attendant, Prodigy Entrepreneur, and a Certified Market Garden Trainer. She is 2nd generation home birthing babies.
Miri has helped hundreds of families in her 20+ years as a birth attendant and doula and has personally ushered the births of hundreds of healthy babies into the world. She has also guided countless human beings to heal from emotional pain, grief, miscarriage, inner stress, and trauma, tap into their strength and power, live fully and live vibrantly, and reclaim their radiance, joyfulness, calm and overall sense of well-being. She teaches empowered birth which has the ability to heal the soul and awaken the most enlightened version of ourselves. Find more of her on www.Mirisais.com, on her Facebook page, and on her Instagram page.
Join us at the PB Moms Exclusive Circle, where we healthcare experts prepare you for life after childbirth and motherhood. Go to: pregnancybeyond.com/exclusive-circle.
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The High Heart Rate Pregnancy – Know The Risks, By Sandy Charles, MD.
High Heart Rate Pregnancy – Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman’s life. There are many changes involving the heart and the circulatory system. That may occur to allow for the development of a healthy baby.
Early in the first trimester, a woman’s body does three important things in order to create an adequate blood supply for the baby:
1) There is an increase in the total amount of blood within the body.
2) blood pressure decreases to help the heart pump more effectively.
3) The heart starts beating faster.
If you have ever had any issues with your heart prior to pregnancy, like abnormal heart valves. These three changes early in pregnancy can sometimes cause major problems later in pregnancy.
If you experience difficulty breathing or significant leg swelling, it is important that you see your doctor immediately. It is also essential that pregnant women get enough rest. Also, avoid intense physical activity since the heart is already working overtime to keep up with your growing baby!
SIGNS OF LABOR TO WATCH OUT FOR
Because of how blood circulates in our body, the way you sleep can affect how much blood your baby receives during pregnancy.
The best position to ensure that your baby gets the most blood flow as your uterus grows is lying on your left side. On the other hand, lying on your back can significantly decrease the amount of blood flow your baby gets. Because as the uterus grows it can compress on critical vessels in your body.
The fact that blood pressure decreases during pregnancy may cause some pregnant women to feel lightheaded or may even cause some women to faint. In order to avoid this, it is important that you drink plenty of water, avoid long periods of time without eating, and avoid prolonged standing. Always be sure to sit or lie down if you are feeling lightheaded to help prevent you from fainting. Compression socks, which are special socks that help maintain good blood circulation, may also prevent lightheadedness and fainting during pregnancy.
Instead of having a drop in blood pressure during pregnancy, some women develop an abnormally elevated blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Elevated blood pressures later in pregnancy along with signs of organ injury may be caused by preeclampsia, which can place both you and your baby at significant risk and can sometimes be fatal. Preeclampsia sometimes develops without any symptoms, so it is important that you have your blood pressure routinely checked during pregnancy to help avoid any complications.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PREECLAMPSIA
Arrhythmias, which are abnormal heartbeats, are the most common heart abnormality affecting pregnant women. Arrhythmias can cause many women to feel like their heart is racing and they can also cause some pregnant women to feel lightheaded or faint. Always go to your doctor for an evaluation if you feel like you may have an arrhythmia. Your doctor will likely ask you to wear a heart monitor for a day or two in order to assess your heartbeats.
It is also important to limit caffeine intake since increased caffeine intake may sometimes trigger arrhythmias.
Sometimes pregnancy can cause the heart muscle to weaken and the heart’s pumping ability to malfunction, a condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy. Common symptoms of this heart condition include significant difficulty breathing, leg swelling, persistent cough and severe fatigue. The symptoms usually arise toward the end of pregnancy and can sometimes occur up to 5 months after delivery. Thankfully, with the right treatment and medications, a large percentage of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy get better and fully recover.
Tell your provider immediately if you experience these symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or include chest pain, seek immediate medical attention.
Author:
Dr. Sandy Charles is a cardiologist who specializes in women’s heart health. She attended college at Princeton University. She completed medical school and training in Internal Medicine at Columbia University. Also, she completed a fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease at New York University. She works at Novant Health Heart and Vascular Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can follow her on Instagram @drsandycharles
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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]]>Anesthesia During Pregnancy:
Anesthesia During Pregnancy – Is it Safe? Dionne C. Okafor, MD.
Oh No! I’m pregnant and I need to have surgery!!
Pregnancy is a very exciting time but it can also be a time of constant anxiety. Why wouldn’t it be, you have your little angel growing inside of you. Also, you want to do everything to make sure they are nice and healthy. So when a doctor tells you that you need surgery while you are pregnant, that anxiety gets multiplied 10 fold. An aspect of surgery that creates a lot of fear for most patients, pregnant or not, is going under anesthesia. For pregnant patients, anesthesia can be a bit more challenging, after all, there are two patients to care for.
So what exactly makes anesthesia during pregnancy different?
Well for one thing, during pregnancy, women go through a whole host of anatomic and physiologic changes. The anesthesiologist has to be knowledgeable of these changes to provide proper care.
So what are the changes and how do they affect you?
An important step in the anesthesiologist’s physical evaluation is looking in the patient’s mouth to evaluate their airway before surgery. The assessment is rated with a classification called the Mallampati Score.
This score ranging from I to IV helps us to predict the possible ease or difficulty in placing an endotracheal tube aka the breathing tube, required to give you oxygen as you sleep during surgery. In pregnancy, because of soft tissue changes, a woman who prior to pregnancy, had what appeared to be an easy airway (Mallampati I or II) can transform to a possibly more challenging one (Mallampati III or IV). What does this mean? For us, it means that if an airway is predicted to be difficult, we prepare tools and equipment to work around it. However, a challenging airway does place a patient at risk for a missed airway and respiratory complications.
Functional Residual Capacity
Another change in pregnant women experience is a decrease in what we call FRC or Functional Residual Capacity. This means that the time it takes for oxygen levels to decrease in the body is shorter than non-pregnant patients. This, coupled with a potentially difficult airway, could be disastrous if the breathing tube is not placed in a timely manner. We try to combat this by making sure a pregnant patient pre-oxygenates by taking several breaths of oxygen through a mask. This prefills their lungs with oxygen before they go off to sleep allowing for the lungs to have a good reserve to pull from.
Pregnant women are also at higher risk for a complication called aspiration. Aspiration is when stomach content gets into the lungs, basically vomiting while you sleep. This can happen because during pregnancy there is a slowing of gastric motility or stomach. Also, gut motions required to propel food forward in the GI tract. There is also an upward displacement of the stomach as the baby grows and takes up more space.
If you are pregnant and suffer severe heartburn, these are big reasons why! As a result, anesthesiologists make sure you adhere to fasting guidelines ensuring decreased stomach content. Then to get you off to sleep we use a technique called rapid sequence induction. This technique skips steps in the normal process of placing the breathing tube. That, unfortunately, exacerbates the risk of aspiration. While also rapidly placing the breathing tube. This helps to reduce this risk significantly.
PROTEIN IN YOUR PREGNANCY DIET
An additional change that occurs due to the growing uterus is that blood flow can be obstructed. As the baby grows and the uterus gets bigger lying flat can be an issue. Because the uterus can compress the aorta and vena cava, which are major blood vessels in the body. The compression of these vessels can lead to the decreased blood supply to the placenta and therefore the baby. To alleviate this, we position the mother in such a way to prevent this compression. A position called left uterine displacement or left uterine tilt. We also give plenty of fluids and medications to help enhance blood flow as well.
So what about baby, after all, they are the patient too?
Surgery can place the baby at risk, the major risk being miscarriage and fetal demise. The changes listed above to the mother places her at higher risk of low oxygen levels and low blood flow to the uterus. How does this affect the baby? Well, the mother and baby share blood and oxygen supply. If there is less to share between the two, the baby receives less than what is necessary for their health and survival.
Additionally, with anesthetic medications, there is a concern for their possible teratogenic effects which are developmental issues and deformities. However, according to Rosen, data shows that women who have had surgery do not have a higher incidence of babies with congenital anomalies, than those who didn’t. Women who have undergone surgery are at increased risk, however, for abortions, growth restrictions, and low birth weight babies. These seem to be attributed more to the need for surgery rather than anesthetic medications. There is one medication we typically avoid. Because there is controversy about its link to cleft palate. Especially if used in the 1st trimester. Those are benzodiazepines such as valium or Ativan. However, this has not been substantiated to be the case.
HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST: WHAT TO PACK FOR LABOR AND DELIVERY
So with all of this information, your anxiety probably hasn’t settled. But no worries, you are in the hands of an anesthesiologist and anesthesia team who have trained for this.
How do we take care of you? What are the options? In addition to some of the maneuvers and steps mentioned above. When presented with a pregnant patient, before they get into the operating room, we plan. Here are some steps we take in planning to care for our pregnant patients:
Postpone:
First, we collaborate with the surgeons and discuss the need for the surgery. Our first objective is to see if the case can be postponed until after delivery to avoid the risks altogether.
Delay till optimal time:
If the surgery is required because unfortunately, you can still get a ruptured appendix. A bad gallstone, or worse, during pregnancy. We then try to at least delay the case until the 2nd to early 3rd trimester. This time frame has been shown to be the lowest risk time in pregnancy for complications to occur during surgery.
Alter the anesthetic technique:
Regardless of the timing, surgery and anesthesia are risky especially when the case requires general anesthesia with a breathing tube. Therefore, we try as much as possible to use other techniques to get you through the surgery. Some of those options include placing epidural or spinal anesthesia. Doing the case with local anesthesia, or performing a peripheral nerve block technique. These techniques carry their own risks. For example, the epidural and spinal anesthetic can still cause low blood pressure in a mom. Therefore affect the blood flow of the baby if care is not taken. However, minimizing the need for sedation and placing a breathing tube. If the procedure allows, is a helpful way to decrease risks to mom and baby.
Collaborate with Obstetrics and Neonatology:
Most importantly, when a woman requires surgery, the obstetrician or perinatologist and neonatologist are informed. Also, obstetrical nurses are involved. They assist with perioperative fetal monitoring as well as preoperative planning and postoperative care. This helps to make sure the experts are monitoring the baby and are available to intervene if need be.
Feeling a little better?
Well, the good news in all of this is that only about 1-2% of women require surgery during pregnancy. Additionally, the rate of complications or adverse outcomes in mom and baby are actually low. When surgery is recommended it usually is the best option to address an underlying condition. That can cause serious harm to you and your baby. With advances in medicine, teamwork, and good planning, many complications are avoided. I hope this answers some questions for you. Make sure to always be a self-advocate and ask important questions to all involved in your care.
TIPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR CHILDBIRTH AND LABOR
Author: 
Dionne C. Okafor, M.D. is a general anesthesiologist at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. Completed medical school at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and residency training at Harvard Brigham and Women’s Hospital. You can follow her on Instagram @dr_adaora
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.
Follow PregnancyBeyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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]]>ICP:
“My Story Could Have Ended in Tragedy” By Tenauh Lopez (ICP Care).
June is ICP (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy) Awareness Month, ICP is a medical condition where women experience a very severe itching during pregnancy. PregnancyBeyond has teamed up with ICP Care. To raise awareness of this liver disorder. That develops during pregnancy. In which bile flow is impaired within the liver itself. This condition has been shown to pose a serious risk to the unborn baby.
In today’s post, one mom emphasizes the importance of raising awareness of this pregnancy-specific liver disease.
.
My story began in 2012, I got married and we wanted kids as soon as possible. We started to try and conceive. I found out on the eve of my wedding that I was pregnant. We were super excited to start our new lives together and raise our future children. Unfortunately, the next day I woke up to heavy bleeding and took another pregnancy test which came back negative. My mother-in-law took me to the emergency room to verify that I had a miscarriage. We were deeply saddened that I had lost the baby. I knew it would happen at the right time. For the next couple of years, we consistently tried to get pregnant and failed. We visited many specialists and fertility doctors.
The test results showed that he had a lot of fertility problems and we would most likely need to do IVF in order for me to become pregnant. I also have Neurogenic Cardiac Syncope and was told I would not be able to have a child naturally. Ultimately, if I was able to conceive it would be a high-risk pregnancy that I would most likely be on bed rest my whole entire pregnancy.
At this time there was a lot of stress and we ended up getting divorced.
After my divorce, I became very depressed and thought I would never have the opportunity of becoming a mother and did not think it was possible due to previous miscarriages and my medical condition. After consistently trying for six years nothing happening you get very doubtful. In 2017, I decided if it doesn’t happen this year naturally I would save up for IVF. I wanted to try one round of it and if it failed my plan would be to adopt.
I was engulfed in my job and living life. Out of the left-field, I started feeling really nauseous. After so many negative pregnancy tests I thought I got a stomach bug. Then I remembered I was late on my period but only a day late and I really didn’t think much of it. Finally, it bothered me so much that I just went and bought a pregnancy test thinking it would be negative. Low and behold the test came back positive.
I was over the moon excited but worried that I would have a miscarriage again. I had my HCG test every week and I prayed that my numbers were rising and not falling. Further, I didn’t tell anyone that I was pregnant until I reached four months of pregnancy. My dad was the first one I told and he was in utter shock. Because he remembers the call we had a couple of months before. Telling him that I was really seriously considering doing one IVF treatment and adopting.
Around 4 months, I went to the doctor just for a general check-up because I started itching and sneezing. I thought it was just my seasonal allergies. I was taking Benadryl but it wasn’t helping. Also, I got bit by some ants at work and I am allergic too. I just thought it was just a reaction to that. It concerned me though since I was still itching 7 days after I got bit. I noticed that I started itching really bad at night to the point that it was keeping me awake.
My general doctor went on to tell me that during pregnancy this could be something serious with my liver. This scared me a lot and it concerned me knowing how it could affect my unborn baby. He drew blood and ran a blood test to check my bile acids. My OBGYN called me the same day and said to come in because he had drawn blood to do the wrong test. I was deeply
confused. She explained to me that there are two tests. One is to check your levels if you are not pregnant and the other checks your levels when you are pregnant because they vary.
At this point in time, I asked her what is the medical name for this condition that was going on with my liver. She told me Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy or ICP. I was on pins and needles while I waited for my test to come back so I googled ICP. The first thing that came up in my search was a music band that paints their faces like clowns. I knew instantly that cannot be the right abbreviation. So I researched the medical name Cholestasis and found a support group ICP Care with a lot of information about this high-risk pregnancy.
A couple of days later my doctor called me back to let me know that I had a diagnosable bile acid level and I would need to start the medicine to treat ICP called Ursodiol. I don’t know which was worse the itching or the medication. My daughter needed monitoring with weekly non-stress test and biophysical profile ultrasounds. Another important part of treatment is early induction. My levels were high enough requiring me to be induced at 36 weeks.
During her biophysical profile ultrasounds, it showed she was measuring two to three weeks smaller than she should be. She measured 4 lbs 2 oz at my last ultrasound. My doctors prepared me for the possibility of her being in NICU for an extended amount of time. Also, they were afraid that her lungs may not be mature enough for her to breathe on her own. Their plan was to give me two steroid shots for lung maturity before induction.
Even with this added stress, I continued to work all the way up until the day I was induced. I started my induction on 3/12/18 at 7:00 am in morning. Lilac May Walker arrived weighing 4 lbs 6 oz at 11:52 pm on 3/13/18. Lilac defied all odds and regulated her temperature, breathing, and blood sugars all by herself. This meant she did not need any NICU time.
After she arrived, I stopped itching momentarily enough to see the scars that were left on my body from itching. After 3 days postpartum the itching returned and is still prevalent which is likely cyclical even though my bile acids are within in range.
Since my experience with Cholestasis of Pregnancy, I will continue to advocate to spread awareness about this condition with high risks for the baby. Many women still go untreated and undiagnosed. Fortunately for me, I asked questions and went to the doctor. If my story in any way will help save lives and create awareness I will continue. My story could have ended in tragedy. But I was lucky enough to be surrounded by a team of physicians, who were educated about the high risks. (Find more info. on ICP here)
READ: HOW ICP CHANGES YOUR PREGNANCY
The ICP Care:
ICP Care is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit determined to help pregnant mothers who experience Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and to deliver healthy babies. ICP Care’s mission is to provide patient support and education. Raise public awareness, support the advancement of research, and improve health care practices. ICP Care helps to connect, support, educate, and empower those affected by ICP – Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.
We do this by raising awareness of the condition, distributing educational materials for patients and medical professionals, and creating a supportive community for friends and families of anyone affected by ICP. We hope that one day, all medical professionals and staff will know the proper protocol for treating Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy, resulting in less suffering and healthier ICP babies. Find them on Facebook and at www.icpcare.org
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.
Follow PregnancyBeyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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]]>How ICP Changes Your Pregnancy?
How ICP Changes Your Pregnancy – Worth Every Itch, By Lyndsey Quist (ICP Care).
June is ICP (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy) Awareness Month. ICP is a medical condition where women experience very severe itching during pregnancy. PregnancyBeyond has teamed up with ICP Care to raise awareness of this liver disorder that develops during pregnancy. In which bile flow is impaired within the liver itself. This condition has been shown to pose a serious risk to the unborn baby.
In today’s post, one mom advises on the importance of early detection, diagnosis, and intervention.
.
Last June, during Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) Awareness Month. I was diagnosed with cholestasis during the third trimester of my second pregnancy. It started at the end of May with mild itching on the soles of my feet. After three nights of no sleep, I turned to Google for support. Assuming that itching on your feet was mild. I was shocked to find out that it was the number one symptom of ICP. A disorder that affects pregnant women and can be fatal to their unborn child. Frantic with worry, I called my midwives as soon as the sun came up. I was surprised when they suggested I come down to labor and delivery that Sunday morning. For some blood work and a non-stress test. I was lucky that my midwife immediately suspected ICP. Also, promised that we would continue testing and monitoring until we had a diagnosis. ICP affects only one in 1,000 pregnancies. Many doctors miss the symptoms or are uneducated about current recommended treatment.
After we confirmed that at 30 weeks my daughter was doing well, I was sent home to wait the several days it would take to get my blood work back. My labs showed elevated liver enzyme numbers but the true indicator of cholestasis is bile acids number above 10. Only a few labs in the country run this blood test and it can take days or even a full week to get results. Symptoms of ICP often start well before your bile acids number are at the diagnostic range. There are many pregnant women that endure weeks of testing and uncertainty before getting a conclusive diagnosis.
Three weeks later I was officially diagnosed with ICP. The diagnosis felt simultaneously like a blessing and a curse. After weeks of waiting and not knowing what will happen with your pregnancy, you now know that you have cholestasis. You can schedule an early induction to lower your risk of stillbirth which increases at 37 weeks gestation. Start the medication Ursodiol which helps to lower your bile acids levels, protecting your baby while in utero. You also start bi-weekly NSTs to make sure your baby is active and thriving. Your doctor appointments quadruple, but if you’re lucky enough to have a team that is knowledgeable about ICP, you feel some relief at having a plan to protect your baby.
The last four weeks of my pregnancy felt long and stressful. At a time when you should be happy and excited about your baby’s arrival, you feel constant anxiety and stress about the health of the baby. For many women like myself, the itching increases in severity. Some days I slept only one or two hours the entire night because I was so uncomfortable. I barely had the energy to care for my active little toddler. There was no energy to prepare my daughter’s room, wash baby clothes, or do ordinary nesting activities. I spent the little mental energy I had arranging care for my son during my endless doctor appointments and upcoming induction. Also, I remember once crying on the phone to his preschool who called to tell me he was upset and needed to be picked up. I was hooked up to a fetal monitor watching as my daughter failed an NST, fearing for my daughter’s life but feeling the guilt of not being there for my two-year-old son when he needed my comfort.
Finally, our induction date arrived. Although I was happy that the induction had finally arrived I was nervous. At 10 pm on a Monday evening, I was given my first dose of Cytotec. After three doses and 16 hours, my labor was not progressing. I was feeling very emotional and exhausted by the hours of unproductive contractions. As I took a break from the induction medication and asked for some time to be alone with my husband, suddenly my water broke naturally and labor progressed quickly. It wasn’t long before I held my beautiful, healthy daughter in my arms.
Two hours after her peaceful entry into this world, the nurses started weighing and measuring my daughter. As the nurses proudly announced each statistic, declaring her good health, my husband snapped photos. I remember that I couldn’t focus on anything they were saying and suddenly I was vomiting and losing consciousness. The nurses and midwives thought I was just responding to postpartum hormone fluctuations and told me not to worry. I continued to get sick and fade out when one of the nurses discovered I was losing a lot of blood. Suddenly everything was happening very quickly. They couldn’t get ahold of a midwife or doctor so my labor and delivery nurse made the lifesaving decision to start me on Pitocin immediately. Despite the Pitocin, I was hemorrhaging quickly and my midwife started to remove the placental pieces that were still inside of me. This procedure was one of the most painful things I had ever experienced but it was life-saving and eventually I was told I was stable. The beautiful moment of my daughter’s birth had been followed by a terrifying hour where I wondered if I survive.
In the ICP community, we have a common saying which is “worth every itch.” There is no better way to explain an ICP pregnancy. So quickly your pregnancy can go from healthy, normal, and exciting to scary. After weeks or months of stress, anxiety, and endless itching, you finally get to hold your sweet baby in your arms and you know without a doubt that every single moment of discomfort and fear was worth it to have this sweet little love in your life. Unfortunately for some families, ICP is not caught in time and they lose their sweet unborn child to a disorder that is very rare. After my own experience, I am so thankful to have had a medical team that was knowledgeable about ICP and to the ICP Care community that provided me with support and information throughout my pregnancy. (Find more info. on ICP here)
ALSO SEE: THE ITCH I FELT WAS LIKE ANTS CRAWLING UNDER MY SKIN
The ICP Care:
ICP Care is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit determined to help pregnant mothers who experience Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and to deliver healthy babies. ICP Care’s mission is to provide patient support and education. Raise public awareness, support the advancement of research. Improve health care practices. ICP Care helps to connect, support, educate, and empower those affected by ICP – Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.
We do this by raising awareness of the condition, distributing educational materials for patients and medical professionals. Also, creating a supportive community for friends and families of anyone affected by ICP. We hope that one day, all medical professionals and staff will know the proper protocol for treating Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy. Resulting in less suffering and healthier ICP babies. Find them on Facebook and at www.icpcare.org
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.
Follow PregnancyBeyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
The post How ICP Changes Your Pregnancy – Worth Every Itch appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>The post My ICP Story – Ants Crawling Under My Skin appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>ICP Story:
My ICP Story: ‘The Itch I felt Was Like Ants Crawling Under My Skin’, By Lia McKernan ( ICP Care),
Generally, June is ICP (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy) Awareness Month. ICP is a medical condition where women experience very severe itching during pregnancy. For instance, PregnancyBeyond has teamed up with ICP Care to raise awareness of this liver disorder. That develops during pregnancy. Generally, in which bile flow is impaired within the liver itself. This condition has been shown to pose a serious risk to the unborn baby.
In today’s post, one mom warns about the dangers of itching during pregnancy.
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September 20, 2016, I had the most terrifying and wondrous day of my life. That day, my son Maximilian was born. Max joining us earthside went absolutely nothing as we’d anticipated. A rare and sometimes dangerous diagnosis. Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy, at 35 weeks gestation landed me an induction 4 weeks before my due date. I started presenting symptoms about a week before my diagnosis. My main symptom is extreme itchiness all over my body, hands, and feet. I had no accompanying rash.
Don’t Miss: ONE HEARTBROKEN MOM SHARES HER ICP STORY
The best way I can describe the itch I felt was like ants crawling under my skin. After a bit of research and I knew in my gut this was ICP, even before my confirmed diagnosis. Untreated ICP pregnancies have a host of risks. Including meconium staining, preterm labor and delivery. Also, fetal distress, maternal hemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome, and the risk of stillbirth skyrockets to 15%. My husband and I went from hope, joyful anticipation, and relative calm, to fear, worry, and panic. We needed to get this baby out safely, and we needed to do it immediately. All the natural birthing classes, breathing exercises. Even working with our supportive doula could never come close to preparing us for this.
We checked into the hospital on the evening of September 18, 2016. I remember feeling so incredibly relieved to arrive. Because that meant I’d be hooked up to a fetal heart rate monitor until our baby was born. From the moment I suspected my symptoms were from cholestasis to my confirmed diagnosis. To the second before I was hooked up to that monitor. I was a wreck. I would obsess over every movement, every kick I felt or didn’t feel. Also, I was terrified to go to sleep each night. Fearing if I wasn’t awake to constantly monitor movements, our baby may not make it to the morning. But here we were, finally, after what seemed like a lifetime from hearing the word ‘cholestasis’. 40 hours of labor later, with several interventions and little progress, we made the call. Get. this. baby. out. now.
Maximilian William was born via cesarean section Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at 1:51 pm. 7 pounds, 10 ounces – at 36 weeks! Can you believe it? We did it. We made it. And here we are, almost two gorgeous, exhausting, perfect years later. I love you wholly, unconditionally, and ever so fiercely, my miraculous Max. (Find more info. on ICP here)
The ICP Care:
ICP Care is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit determined to help pregnant mothers who experience Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and to deliver healthy babies. ICP Care’s mission is to provide patient support and education. Raise public awareness, support the advancement of research, and improve health care practices. ICP Care helps to connect, support, educate, and empower those affected by ICP – Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.
We do this by raising awareness of the condition. Distributing educational materials for patients and medical professionals. Also, creating a supportive community for friends and families of anyone affected by ICP. We hope that one day, all medical professionals and staff will know the proper protocol for treating Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy. Resulting in less suffering and healthier ICP babies. Find them on Facebook and at www.icpcare.org
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.
Follow PregnancyBeyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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]]>ICP Story:
My ICP Story: ‘A Very Serious and Potentially A Deadly Condition’, By Crystal Abram (ICP Care).
In general, June is ICP (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy) Awareness Month. ICP is a medical condition where women experience very severe itching during pregnancy. For instance, PregnancyBeyond has teamed up with ICP Care to raise awareness of this liver disorder. That develops during pregnancy. Particularly, in which bile flow is impaired within the liver itself. Also, this condition has been shown to pose a serious risk to the unborn baby.
In today’s post, one heartbroken mom shares her story.
Oh, that infamous ‘itch’ that some proclaimed to be normal while pregnant. 2016 was a very exciting time for my husband and me. As we found out we were going to have a precious baby girl. Around 15 weeks, I had very intense itching that went on for weeks, and all I was told, was ‘oh it’s part of pregnancy’. Weeks went on and I continued to believe it was part of pregnancy.
Three weeks went by and the itch was worse. I looked up online intense itching while pregnant, and that’s when I learned about Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP). This was foreign to me, I had never heard of this. I had a 2-year son at home, and I never had this condition with him. That same day I called my doctor’s office and begged to get tested. Because based on what I read about this high-risk pregnancy condition. It was a very serious and potentially deadly condition for my unborn daughter.
I went in for labs, and two days later I received my blood test results confirming the diagnosis of ICP. My bile acid blood test results were 72, and I prescribed the medicine to help reduce the bile acids. I started taking 500 mg of Ursodiol one time a day. I went in for follow up appointments over the next few weeks and for a routine ultrasound at 28 weeks. Unfortunately, that’s when it was discovered my precious daughter, Victoria didn’t have a heartbeat. I felt like I was in a dream, and that I was desperately wanting to wake up from. As I sat in the doctor’s office, I was avoiding the phone call I had to make to my husband while he 
was at work that morning. I called my sister-in-law first with the bad news, and once she arrived, we called my husband and told him. I waited there at the doctor’s office until my husband arrived. On Friday, May 13th, 2016, we went in to have our daughter. I never thought in a million years, that instead of leaving the hospital with our daughter in a car seat, I left with a box of pictures of her being stillborn.
The doctors initially didn’t want to test me for this because based on the statics this condition is typically seen or diagnosed during the last trimester. I was told that the next time I get pregnant they will test me for ICP asap and not wait. In August 2017, we found out we were expecting again, and at the doctor’s office, I was immediately tested for ICP at 6 weeks pregnant. My bile acids were already at 14. I was immediately started on the correct dosage of Ursodiol, at 900 mg a day, and referred to Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
These high-risk pregnancy specialists have experience in the proper treatment and management of Cholestasis of Pregnancy. With this pregnancy, there was a much better game plan set. I had scheduled Non-Stress Tests- (NST) and Bio Physical Profiles (BPP) done throughout the pregnancy, and the plan delivers by 37 weeks, due to my previous stillborn daughter. The highest my bile acid got with this pregnancy was 20, and my medication was increased to 1200 mg a day. The doctors continued to monitor and watch our son, and I delivered a healthy baby boy Aydan at 36 weeks and 3 days weighing 5 pounds and 1 ounce.
My hopes are with more research there will be a cure in the future for ICP. My experience is one that no Mother wants to only have pictures of a memory of their child. I would advise any expectant mom to continue to fight to be tested, and don’t let anyone say ‘Oh it’s normal to itch intensely while you’re pregnant’. Please always advocate for yourself and your unborn child! (Find more info. on ICP here)
About The ICP Care:
ICP Care is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit determined to help pregnant mothers who experience Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and to deliver healthy babies. ICP Care’s mission is to provide patient support and education. Raise public awareness, support the advancement of research, and improve health care practices. ICP Care helps to connect, support, educate, and empower those affected by ICP – Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.
We do this by raising awareness of the condition, distributing educational materials for patients and medical professionals, and creating a supportive community for friends and families of anyone affected by ICP. We hope that one day, all medical professionals and staff will know the proper protocol for treating Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy, resulting in less suffering and healthier ICP babies. Find them on Facebook and at www.icpcare.org
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.
Follow PregnancyBeyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
The post My ICP Story: ‘A Very Serious and A Deadly Condition’ appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>The post Emotional Letter – Mom of Triplets Pens To Infertility appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>Emotional Letter:
Emotional Letter – Mom of Triplets Pens To Infertility.
Dear Infertility,
I hated you.
You steal dreams. You break hearts. You bring grief. You consume lives. You are the reason I couldn’t get pregnant on my own. You drowned my heart in deep misery from the inability to become a Mother how most women do. You told me that my body wasn’t good enough. You may have been a huge part of my story, but you never defined me. And on this day, two years ago, I kicked your ass. I defeated you. I showed you that there is a victory in infertility and God finally planted life in my womb.
Infertility, there are so many things you brought with you when you entered my life. It wasn’t just that I couldn’t get pregnant. You brought me more tears than I ever thought I could shed. Because of you, I laid on my bathroom floor in complete emptiness after countless negative pregnancy tests time and time again. I had to endure shots, bruises, and all kinds of meds because when you are infertile and you seek fertility treatment for help, that is what you are in for. You are expensive and exhausting physically, emotionally, and mentally. Infertility, you drowned my heart in disappointment and agony. And truthfully, it was pretty painful every time I heard the words “I’m pregnant” from someone other than myself. And yet, in the midst of all of that-you brought me hope.
As much as I hated you, Infertility, I am also so thankful that you were my story. You made me strong. Even before I got pregnant, my strength was rising. Not only did I feel like Superwoman after all of those injections, meds, blood draws, doctor visits, etc. but I found strength emotionally, as well. I learned how to be brave and walk our story with faith trusting that God knew every single detail better than I did. I learned how to be courageous as my husband gave me a progesterone shot that hurt like you wouldn’t believe every single night for 2 months so I could get and stay pregnant. Infertility, you taught me that I am never alone in my darkest days.
Never did I imagine I would be labeled as infertile. Nor did I imagine that we would seek fertility treatment. However, infertility, it is because of you that I get to be a Mom to my Hope Triplets. This love that I get to experience with them is absolutely undeniable. It is the greatest feeling in the world and if you weren’t apart of my story, I would be missing out on a truly honorable role as their Mommy. It is because of you that two years ago I found myself lying on a doctor bed waiting for two precious and perfectly made embryos to be transferred to my womb.
Infertility, God used you in my life to make a platform for my story and reach the hearts of people walking the same pain I was in. And it is because of you that I have a greater understanding of what hope really is.
Infertility, I don’t hate you, not anymore. God makes beauty out of ashes. You were my ashes, but God made you beautiful. If it wasn’t for you-for the extreme heartache you caused me, the lies you told me, the grief you brought my heart over and over again- not only would I not be a Mom to my darling hope triplets, but I can now truly grasp on to how powerful and remarkable it means to have hope in Jesus Christ.
Hope anchors the soul. Hope does not disappoint. Hope is having faith for what seems impossible. It is trusting God when it feels hopeless. My journey to parenthood was nothing short of hope. God had every single detail orchestrated from the second He planted the seed of Motherhood in my heart. Infertility, today, when I really reflect on those years when you were apart of my life, I can only say, Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mama of Hope
Desiree and her husband have now been blessed with a set of triplets -two boys and one girl- Charlize, Sawyer, and Jax.
Speaking to PregnancyBeyond.com, the triplet mom said “I think this letter really captures the heartache of infertility-and the beauty of it, as well”
Thank you for sharing for sharing this raw open letter. Find more of Desiree and her family on Instagram
RELATED: I AM 36 WEEKS PREGNANT AND I HAVE TWO-MONTH-OLD TWINS
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.
Follow PregnancyBeyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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]]>The Safest Way To Sleep During Pregnancy:
Sleep On Side: The Safest Way To Sleep During Pregnancy.
Wondering about the safest way to sleep during pregnancy? New research by NHS England and Tommy’s, the baby charity has shown that you should sleep on your side during pregnancy #SleepOnSide.
The campaign #SleepOnSide was launched in a bid to reduce the rate of stillbirth and aims to educate women on how sleeping positions especially during the third trimester could increase the risk of stillbirth.
The research confirmed that the risk of stillbirth is doubled if women go to sleep on their backs in the third trimester and highlight the importance of sleeping on your side especially at the end of pregnancy.
Check out the video for more information and read more about the campaign here.
We’re supporting Tommy’s important #SleepOnSide campaign and we are happy to be able to contribute in spreading awareness for #SleepOnSide.
ALSO SEE: BAD PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE
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About Tommy’s: The largest charity funding research into the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth. They also provide information for parents-to-be to help them have a healthy pregnancy and baby.
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.
Follow PregnancyBeyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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]]>Bertrand Mukendi’s Babymoon: The Incredibly Beautiful Italian Island of Sardinia
Bertrand Mukendi’s Babymoon – Beautiful expecting mama, Bertrand Mukendi and husband recently went on a babymoon vacation to Sardinia, a large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. She some of her babymoon adventures with us!
Enjoy!
At what week of pregnancy did you take this trip?
I was between 28 to 30 weeks
Your babymoon destination and why?
We travelled to Sardinia, a large Italian island in Mediterranean Sea, because its great weather and its gorgeous beaches
How long was the plane trip and how did you cope with flying during pregnancy?
The trip took two hours and 45mins, I slept most of the journey as the flight was little uncomfortable.
How long was your babymoon vacation?
We were at Sardinia for 7 days.
How would you describe your babymoon experience?
As we have two other children, we wanted to go somewhere to chill relax, and have romantic time to reconnect and Sardina was just the perfect destination!
Fun things to do at this destination
There is so much to explore on this italian Island, mountain views, walking, massages and of course swimming. The sweeping views of the sea and the coast are certainly impressive.
Which of these activities did you enjoy more?
We most enjoyed doing nothing (LOL) but chilling by the pool and going to the beach!
Things to know about this destination
Sardinia is gorgeous island, full of overwhelming hospitality, outrageously good food, awesome white beaches and clear blue sea. It is certainly a beautiful place to visit, lovely people and awesome weather.
Funniest thing that happened to you during your babymoon?
The funniest thing to happen on this trip was that we found out our hotel was four hours drive from the airport, so we decided to get the train there but as we didn’t know the area, we ended up going the wrong direction. We rod around a few trains till the train service ended and we were back at where we started! ( Lol! ) . We had to abandon our plans of getting to our hotel and checking in to another hotel till the morning, we laughed about it and surprisingly no one wanted to kill the other person so it was all good fun and we got to explore Sardinia further. My belly and I did a lot of running and walking that day (Lol!)
5 essentials to pack for your babymoon and why?
– – Pregnancy pillow- you want to have a good night’s sleep
– – Maternity swimwear you want to be comfortable and show off your bump
– – Comfortable footwear always a good idea
– – Sunscreen to protect you and your growing bump
– – Compression stockings to avoid swelling of the feet during the flight
5 keys to a fantastic babymoon?
– – Agree on a destination
– – Plan your days
– -Chill out loads
– -Make it romantic
– -And enjoy every second
On a scale of 1 – 10 with 10 being the most positive, would you recommend this destination to other expectant mamas?
Are you looking for a brilliant Italian break without the noise and stress of the mainland? Sardinia has some of the Mediterranean’s most seductive beaches, yet within tootling distance of some great restaurants, agreeable bars and the soothing evening, it’s just an amazing place to visit.
Congratulations mama and thank you for sharing your babymoon experience with us! Find more of Bertrand on her Instagram page
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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.
Follow PregnancyBeyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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