What’s in Your Birthing Bag?

You’re never really sure when your bag of water will break and when you’ll become fully dilated. Even before you hit the 37th week, you should be ready to rush to the birthing center. Your birthing bag should contain everything that you need during and after your childbirth so that when true labor comes, you’ll be all set and organized.

For the Mother

There’s a lot on the list and sometimes it depends on how meticulous you are with your hygiene and other personal preferences. But here’s a quick run-through of the essentials: for proper breast support, pack nursing bras, nursing pillows, and breast pads. These items will cater to your tender breasts and will help you to breastfeed with ease. Bring a robe, socks, hair clips, slippers, and a going home outfit. These clothing items will keep you comfortable. Toiletries are a given and you must not forget to bring sanitary pads as you might still have blood flow. Lastly, bring all the documents, health cards, baby books, and other files that you will need.

For the Baby

There’s no doubt that you already have a closet full of new clothes for your newborn, but not everything should be in your birthing bag. Remember to bring only the essentials: hat, socks, mittens, receiving blankets, diapers, and a going home outfit. Also, you have to be ready with lots of wipes and an infant car seat and head support because you won’t be discharged from the hospital if you don’t have one.

You partner and your older children might also want to stay with you in the birthing center. You can also pack a separate bag for them. It’s very important to be ready so that your birthing experience will be smooth and convenient. If you need more help with your preparations, you can visit our Spartanburg Birth Center.

The Wonders of Hiring a Doula

Being a mother is an experience that is incomparable to anything in a person’s lifetime. To be a person who brings life and new beginnings in this world. As a mother, you want to make this journey to be as safe, fun, enjoyable, and memorable to you and to the people around you. Luckily, there are services and institutions that can give you assistance and help while going through the motherhood journey. One of these is a doula.

The Concept of a Doula

A doula by definition is a trained labor coach who give assistance throughout your pregnancy, giving birth, and even after giving birth. Emotional support and assistance on other non-medical aspects of caring for you and your child is what a doula is all about.

Doulas should not be mistaken as the same as midwives because unlike midwives, doulas are not medical professionals and do not deliver babies. The only thing that they do is to give emotional and physical support to women.

 

What You Can Get from Hiring a Doula

Having a doula with you all throughout your pregnancy journey can be very beneficial in many ways. One of them is that your doctor might be grateful for the doula’s help. Not only does the doula assist you in your pregnancy, it also helps the doctor in keeping you healthy from being pregnant to giving labor. Another one is that you can have your doula as an information source. Asking a doctor about pregnancy may be difficult from some mothers. Doulas give emotional support and that’s why mothers can feel more comfortable in asking the doulas about advices and questions about pregnancy and giving birth.

What Natural Childbirth is All About

Giving birth the natural way is something that all expecting mothers are either excited and curious about or afraid to even think about. Due to the development in the field of medicine, women are now given the chance to choose if they will give labor through natural birth or through caesarian operation. Through this blog post, we will give you an overview on what natural childbirth is all about.

Natural Birth: Why Do it?

Natural birth in the strictest sense is child labor without receiving any medication or medical procedures. Some mothers would say that giving birth naturally is like adding up to a woman’s burden. The pain will always be there and the procedure will sometimes be longer than usual. However, we should see natural childbirth in a different light. Child birth gives women the chance to feel more as a mother. You will feel more connected to your child as you bring him out into the world.

Keeping the Fear At Bay

Fear is the most common notion that comes first in the minds of many when it comes to natural childbirth. If ever you encounter people who pushes you to not go to natural childbirth because of the pain, do not listen to them. Prepare yourself in giving birth. Labor will be painful but your body is biologically designed to overcome that pain. Do exercise, have a walk, jog, keep moving. This will help you prepare your body for the upcoming labor. Just focus on what is going to be at the end of this journey and that is your child.

If you have any questions regarding natural childbirth, don’t hesitate to address your concerns to the committed midwives at the Spartanburg birth center.

Comfort Measures for Labor

Pain is perhaps one of the most frightening things about natural labor and childbirth. You simply can’t escape it. Using different comfort measures during the labor phase is a must. These measures may not be enough to take all the pain away, but they can help manage and minimize it so you can carry on with the whole childbirth process without medication. 

Types of Comfort Measures

First, gather tools that will make you comfortable. Put them together in a small bag for easy access. For instance, take with you a tea that you enjoy most, your favorite pillow or book, or maybe a scented candle that will make you feel at ease. Bring with you these things to help you relax during labor. Secondly, learn labor positions. Combine them and also be flexible because your baby also changes position as time goes by. Be familiar with the different positions as particular movements can be used to ease particular pains. Lastly, find an effective support group. Find a dedicated birthing center with a team that understands the beauty and challenges of natural childbirth. Orient your husband and learn about natural birthing comfort measures together. Nothing is as effective as a tight grasp and encouraging and loving words from your husband.

Natural childbirth will hurt. Labor will be tough. But as your pain level goes up a notch higher as your baby comes, you will surely see the beauty of it all. There must be a good reason why pain is a given element in this phenomenon. There are more comfort measures that are available. If you need to know more about them, you can simply ask for suggestions from the committed midwives at the Spartanburg birth center. Just as our name stands, we encourage you to acknowledge this labor of love, but rest assured that we are all in this together.

Do’s and Don’ts in Natural Childbirth

It may have taken a long time before you finally came to the decision of birthing naturally. There are lots of medical interventions available for labor and delivery to be pain-free and more convenient for both the mother and the baby and choosing to give birth without medical intervention is truly a brave decision. Pregnancy and childbirth are two most wonderful events in a woman’s life. Though it may be difficult, it remains to be beautiful. Here are some helpful guidelines on how to go through natural childbirth smoothly. 

 

The Do’s in Childbirth

Do find a sympathetic practitioner and a supportive birthing environment. You will inevitably experience lots of nuances in natural birthing. Look for a practitioner who will be as dedicated as you in your journey of natural birth. A midwife manages the entire birth and so finding one who is committed to your natural childbirth is important for it to be successful. Do expect that you would want to quit because all women reach that point. This is why it is important for you to learn physical and mental coping techniques to attain your goal of succeeding in giving birth naturally. 

 

The Don’ts in Childbirth

Don’t listen to unsuccessful stories. The last thing you want to have is a negative mindset that it will all turn out wrong. Trust your birthing center and support group. Fill yourself up with positivity just as other people around you do. Focus on making the whole birthing experience positive. Be optimistic that it will be a success. Don’t forget your partner’s needs. Your husband is experiencing as much pressure as you do. They also get worn out during the process so it is important that you also give him the reassurance. After all, you’re both in this together.

If you need more information and tips on natural childbirth, the Spartanburg midwifery team is very open and enthusiastic to address your concerns. Natural Childbirth is not easy, but every bit of pain is going to be worth it.

What to Eat During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the best time to eat right and adopt better eating habits. The best foods for pregnant women are the best foods for everyone. But there are certain foods that provide the nutrients you need to give birth to the healthiest baby.

Eat just enough. If you start your pregnancy with a healthy weight, you need to add only 300 extra calories per day to your diet. The ideal weight to gain during pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds, unless you’re carrying multiples.

 

Pregnancy Essentials

Protein is the foundation of any healthy diet. It keeps your blood sugar stable and your hunger at bay. Some of the best proteins for pregnant women are eggs, lean meat, fish, low-fat dairy products, beans and nuts. In addition, flaxseeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. They help metabolize fat-soluble vitamins like A and E, which are critical for the development of your baby’s eyes and brain.

Iron found in lean beef is an important component of blood cells to add iron to your and your baby’s blood volume. Iron builds up the brain by strengthening nerve connections. Dark, leafy greens, beans, lentils and tofu are also good sources of iron. 

Eating colorful fruits and vegetables ensures that you and your baby get a variety of nutrients. If you expose your baby to nutrients from a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables in the womb, you’ll increase the chance that it will recognize and accept those flavors later on.

While you are improving your ways of healthy eating, your efforts to have the birth experience you desire will bear fruit naturally.

Preparing your Body for Childbirth

As your body changes during pregnancy, you become more cautious with your movements to avoid hurting yourself or your baby. If you’re a first-time mother and wondering if exercise is permitted during pregnancy, the answer is yes. Exercise does wonders during pregnancy; it boosts mood, improves sleep and reduces preeclampsia. Unless your pregnancy is high-risk, it is best to moderate movements.

Benefits of exercise during pregnancy

Exercise prepares your body by strengthening the muscles and building endurance. The ideal workout gets your heart pumping, keeps you limber, and prepares your muscles without causing undue physical stress on you or the baby. Make sure you consult your healthcare provider before adopting an exercise regimen.

Cardiovascular, Flexibility and Strength

Walking is one of the best exercises for pregnant women. It keeps you fit without straining your legs, knees and ankles.

Walking at least 20 minutes a day is safe throughout the duration of pregnancy.

Swimming is an ideal exercise for pregnant women because it exercises both large muscle groups, provides cardiovascular benefits, and provides a low-weight, low impact environment in water.

Low-impact aerobics and dancing strengthen your heart and tones your body. Joining a class with other pregnant women ensures that each movement is safe for you and your baby.

 
Yoga helps in keeping your joints flexible and it can also strengthen your heart.

Stretching keeps your body limber and relaxed to prevent muscle strain and cramping. Add stretching to your cardiovascular exercises to get a complete workout.

If you take the necessary precautions and use good technique with slow and controlled movements, these exercises will help you handle your pregnancy with ease and comfort.