Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:02:22 -0700WeeblyTue, 29 Oct 2024 02:50:00 GMThttp://themotherathome.com/blog-by-older-mom-offering-advice/bradley-method-summaryThis is a summary I typed up of The Bradley Method, with a few modifications. I used this for birthing two of my three children. And have since handed it to other pregnant women. I am not certified in birthing but I would recommend this method over Lamaze, after trying both ways.

​Bradley Method (outlined and modified)

Labor:
Relaxation:  Relax every muscle in the body.
-Coach is to remind woman in labor what muscles to relax
(head, face, arms, legs, hands, back, abdominal, shoulder, etc.)
-Coach is to massage back or abdominal where it hurts.
-Massages are to be steady paced, in same direction, and with
same strength applied during each application.

Breathing:  Is to be calm, steady, and normal.
-Normal breathing is a reflection of good relaxation.
-Normal breathing means mother and child are getting proper oxygen.
-Use abdominal breathing.
-Put the breath low in the abdominal, not in the chest.
-Coach is to remind her to breathe through the abdomen and to check to make sure she is doing so.
-Coach is to breathe with her when she panics. Keys to breathing:
-Listen to the sound of your breathing
-Hear the quiet, even, steady rhythm
-Think of putting the air way down low in the abdomen
-Relax the tummy extremely and let it just expand outward naturally as you breathe in Mental Imagery:
-Imagine what is physically happening in your body.
-Coach is to help remind the woman what is happening
(the uterus is contracting, the cervix expanding, the baby moving through, oxygen is being used to contract the uterus).

Floating:
-Relaxing the body and letting it float to the peak of the contraction's strength so you can slip over the top.
-Coach is to help remind woman to relax and float.

Six needs of the Laboring Woman:
1. Darkness and Solitude
2. Quiet
3. Physical Comfort
4. Physical Relaxation
5. Controlled Breathing
6. Appearance of Sleep and Closed Eyes Timing Contractions:
>To time how long they are time from its beginning to the peak of its strength.
>To time how far apart they are
time from beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next.

The Emotional Map of Labor:
1. Excitement:
Excitement and anxious she is still moving about and smiling.
In this stage coach is to encourage her to enjoy it and relax the tummy, with proper breathing and eyes closed during a contraction.
(this stage can be a few hours long so she doesn't need to rush to the hospital at this point; dilation 2 or so).

2. Serious:
Excitement gives way to concentration.
Feels a need to sit or lie down to get comfortable.
A total absorption in the work and the need to be undistracted.
Physical sensations are strong, lasting about 45-60 seconds.
Relax and go limp.

To Coach:
She may snap if you distract her, or if you don't rub her back
exactly right.
Take your cue from her and match her intensity
Primary goal is to get her to relax and breathe properly
(This stage can take hours; dilation is 2 to 7).

3. Self doubt:
Woman begins to wonder why she hasn't reached her destination or if she ever will.
She becomes uncertain and indecisive, common response is "I don't know."
She may panic, get hot and cold flashes, shake uncontrollably, burp a lot, get nauseous, vomit, etc.

To Coach:
This is the sign that it's almost time to push.
At this point Praise and, Encourage her, and remind her of her progress (that she is almost there).
It is not the time to be in doubt about anything, you are the one
she is depending on to meet her needs when she is in the state of
self-doubt or panic.
Remind her to relax and breath normally.
Do not back away, get scared, or leave at this stage.
Remind her her contractions are more of the same she has been
doing just longer and closer together.
Remember the hurdle here is an emotional one.
(Contractions may last 70-90 mins.; rest periods last 1-2 min. this sign post means it's almost over, dilation 7-10)

Birthing:
Breathing During Pushing:
As the contraction begins,
Take one deep breath, relax--don’t push
Take second deep breath-- don’t push
Take third deep breath get in pushing position (legs pull back, or squat), chin to chest, and PUSH, holding breath--body relaxed, focus on pushing from top of uterus down to opening vaginal canal (push down)
Lift head back exhale
Take fourth deep breath--hold (this is to be the one that moves the baby)--still in pushing position--concentrate on pushing down ward toward the pelvic
Exhale--contraction ends--relax (only if the contraction continues try for a fifth breath to push, but it is rare to happen).



Adapted from a great book "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" By Susan McCutcheon.(Penguin Group,1996) ​]]>Tue, 29 Oct 2024 02:47:40 GMThttp://themotherathome.com/blog-by-older-mom-offering-advice/birth-plan-exampleThis Birth plan has help me and so many others... so help yourself.
Rewrite it to suit yourself, but be sure to make copies to hand to your Dr., Hospital, and all coaches.

FAMILY BIRTH PLANWHAT I WOULD LIKE:
During labor:
-the birth and labor to be as natural as possible
-for Dr. to check on me regularly
-to be able to shower, if desired
-to be able to walk around (the room and the hospital), if desired
-to eat or drink, if desired, things like fruit, popsicles, fruit shakes, etc...
-to use a battery operated radio/cassette player
-to use a camera (still or video) during labor, birth, and recovery
-to use the fetal monitor for 10 mins., or less, every hour to an hour & a half
-to have visitors before and after the birth (if everything is going normal)
-to be reminded to use the restroom every hour
-to keep my underwear on
-to sit on a portipotty or toilet ring in the labor room, instead of the chairs
-to maybe have an I.V. if I get too dehydrated, a half bag or less.

​During and after birth:
-For Dr. to be at the Pushing stage and after
-to use a warm towel on my vaginal area
-to try to stand/squat while delivering
-to have a mirror so I can see the baby coming out
- my husband, to cut the umbilical cord
-For husband to help finish delivering the baby
-for me and husband to hold the baby first
-to have a Gatorade or juice drink immediately after birth of baby
-to be reminded to take pictures of event--no crotch shoots
-to breast feed the baby before it's bathed and measured
-for me and/or husband to be present when measuring the baby
-for me to bathe the baby with assistants
-for the baby to be with me or husband at ALL times
-for me and husband to witness the baby's name band being put on
-for the baby to be in the room with me (NOT IN THE NURSERY)
-to print footprint on baby book when doing the birth certificate
-for my two children, to come and stay with me, husband,
and the baby as soon as I am in the recovery room.

WHAT I DO NOT WANT:
During labor:
-to be on the fetal monitor the whole time
-my under wear to be off
-to have medication

During and after birth:
-I do not want the baby taken out of the room without me or husband
(even in an emergency)
-I do not want the baby bottle fed
-I do not want the baby staying in the nursery
-I do not want the baby bathed within the first few hours after birth
**All the instructions here are not in any way to tell the hospital staff or
doctors how to do their jobs, but rather so they know what kind of birth I
am hoping for, because once I'm in labor I may be to unfocused to convey
my desires for this birth.
These instructions I wish could be set in stone and followed to the tee, but this is based
on a normal birth and a normal baby; if an emergency, or something unexpected, should
arise a review and adjustments will be made by the consensus of me (name),

Name_______________ (my husband/coach), and Dr.________________.
Thank you for cooperation and time.

Thank you.
MR. & MRS. _________________
January 2001/Birth Plan
Please sign if you have read this birth plan:
__________________ _________________ ____________________
__________________ _________________ ____________________
__________________ _________________ ____________________
__________________ _________________ ____________________
FOR MY COACHES:
-don't always ask if I'm okay, or how I'm doing. If something is wrong I'll tell you.
-make sure you enforce the birth plan
-remind me to breathe by breathing the rhythm with me or calling what to
do, rather than telling me to breathe
-encourage me that the harder the contractions the better and faster the birth
-encourage me, if I wavier, not to use drugs, otherwise don't let anyone bring it up
-remind me it's okay to grunt and make noise, but do not let me get out of
control, with words, or noises
-remind me to relax and what to relax
-make sure someone is taking pictures of everything but my crotch
-remind me to go to the bathroom every hour
-try to read my body language if I need a distraction or if I need quiet concentration
-watch and listen if I become panicked or unfocused
-everyone of us is to use breath mints, or mouth wash, frequently
-give me ice chips regularly

____________: My husband, coach, and baby's advocate:
-finish delivering baby, if possible
-cut the umbilical cord
-watch them put on it's name bracelet and read it to make sure it's correct
-stay with the baby at all times unless it's with me, or I'm dying
-during labor stay with me
-please pray for all of us silently and out loud
-make most of the phone calls for us in the hospital room with me near
-massage my back like the Bradley Method, if needed
-make sure no one is getting in my way or on my nerves while in labor
-help me to walk around if labor is too slow, or slows down

________________: My advocate, transition and birth co-coach:
-stay with me at home and hospital through the placenta delivery and stitches I may need
-take care of any unsightly things on me
-encourage me when I am in doubt that this will pass
-keep track, and names of the nurses who help me (write it down)
-look at clock when it's born
-make sure husband is with the baby at all times
-take pictures during and after labor: no crotch shots
-take pictures as soon as baby is out
-remind me to breath naturally, and then breath with me
-stay by my side when pushing and call encouragement’s, because I'll
probably be focusing on your voice
-get me a drink as soon as the baby is getting weighed
-watch for wavering or becoming discouraged; try to encourage or if need be take over
-call whoever needs to be told
Give Name: ___________  Numbers_________________
        Name: ___________  Numbers_________________
​        Name: ___________  Numbers_________________
​]]>Tue, 29 Oct 2024 02:42:48 GMThttp://themotherathome.com/blog-by-older-mom-offering-advice/what-baby-might-needWhen I was first pregnant, 1996,  I had made a list of all the things I thought I would need or want.
Here are some ideas if you are a first time mother of things you may want.

I also had made a list of things I did not need or want.
I suggest that you modify the list to suit your needs. You can then use it for your baby shower or when you go to yard sales and thrift stores you can check off what you had on your list. Or you can arrange to have the some of the items loaned to you; for instance, I wasn't sure I wanted a swing and had arranged for a friend to loan me one--to see if I wanted to purchase one. By the end of the second week I learned I didn't want one.

I found making the list into three parts of Need/Want; Maybe Want; and Do Not Want/Need to be very helpful. With my first child I felt very comfortable when the due date came and I had all of my items taken care of. When I had my second child I found that the list and my needs had changed, I didn't need so much stuff.
Again, this list is just to help you focus on what you are aiming for--getting prepared before your new arrival comes.
Do not feel that you need all of these items on the list.

Honestly, the only thing you have to have is a carseat, it's the law.
Otherwise, I would say a crib/bassinet, or playpen would be the other essential, because you need a place to confine the child, where you know it's safe, should you have to leave the room. (Not to mention a few outfits and blankets as essentials). Everything else just helps make child-rearing more convenient.

So, go through the list, make your own, relax (because now you know what you want), and go get :)
Big things (About $30 or more)
Bassinet
Baby Backpack
Baby Bouncer w/toys
Baby Monitor
Car seat
Changing table
Crib
Exersaucer
High Chair
Play pen w/ padding everywhere
Port-a-crib
Safety Gate (4-5 ft. Cloth mesh)
Snuggley: holds baby near chest
Stroller w/shade canopy & storage
Step-Lock Gate (Safety gate w/door)
Swing Walker

Not so big things--but they add up
Babybook or Calendar
Pacifiers
Learning toys
Music cassettes for kids:
Bible songs
Musical crib toys
Musical crib mobil w/ animals
Play blanket
Stuffed animals
Teething toys

Clothes things
Cotton Clothes: For 0-18 months
Pants/shorts/socks
Dreft Baby Detergent
Infant Shoes
Infant Sleepers(sweet Peas):
Cotton Receiving Blankets
Quilt/Comforter Blanket:
Cotton Thermal Blanket

Medical/Grooming stuff
Baby bath
Baby Bath thermometer
Grooming Kit: i.e. nail clippers/comb/brush/toothbrush, etc.
Humidifier
Johnson's baby kit: i.e. shampoo
Safety kit: For child proofing the house
Towels & washcloths for Baby (Cotton)
Medical emergency care book for children
Medicine Kit Infant Tylenol, infant mylacon, nose sucker, medicine spoon, Bag balm, Desitin, etc.
Vaporizer

Diaper stuff
Disposable
But if you are doing cloth: Cloth and Gauze (cotton)Diapers & Pins Diaper service (cotton) Diaper Hamper Velcro Rubber Pants any & all sizes

Food stuff
Baby food Cookbook "Feed me I'm yours" by V. Lansky
Baby bottles & nipples
Bibs
Book on Child Nutrition: written by a Dr.
Juicy/Sippy cups
Mini food processer
4qt. steamer: Stainless steel]]>