By admin, on January 22nd, 2012
A guest post byJessica Austin – Vancouver Doula
Feeling supported, safe, and taken care of is key to having a positive birth experience. The biggest enemies of birth are fear and anxiety, which decrease mom’s ability to cope with the pain or discomfort of contractions, and can actually slow or halt the birth process altogether. You can read more about why birth support is important in my article, How Good Birth Support Leads To Better Births.
As a birth doula here in Vancouver, I find it fascinating to watch the interaction between couples during childbirth. It is more intuitive for some men than others to fall smoothly into a supportive role during the intensity of birth. Birth is challenging, and it can be difficult for men to watch the mother of their unborn child working hard, sometimes feeling helpless to contribute. Furthermore, no one really teaches them how they can help.
Thankfully, in Vancouver at least, gone are the days when the father was not allowed into the hospital birth room at all. It is great that we are birthing in a time when men are being allowed and expected to participate in birth. (Note: This isn’t true everywhere in Canada. A recent study was released showing some hospitals in Canada had been decreasing their encouragement of men and other labour support people in hospitals).
The problem is, providing nurturing support during birth is a new role for men, and it can be difficult for them to know how to best fill this role. On top of that, our culture barely talks to women about birth, never mind men! In the more recent past, men were only involved in birth as medical authority figures. Now that men are able and often expected to be mom’s primary support during birth, it’s important to help them figure out how.
Dr. Michel Odent, a popular obstetrician who has done a lot of research on birth, is well known for his position on the presence of men at birth. His position is that men do not belong at birth at all. He believes that having men at birth increases mom’s anxiety and contributes to longer, more difficult labours. His article, A Top Obstetrician on Why Men Should Never Be At The Birth Of Their Child, stirred up a lot of controversy on the matter.
I do believe women are more intuitively able to provide positive, calming birth support to other women during labour than men are (this is why so many women, even if they have supportive partners, choose to have a professional doula support them during birth). And I also believe Dr. Odent makes some good points in his article about men sometimes contributing to higher stress levels and therefore more difficult births.
However, I think the problem lies in a lack of resources targeted to men about birth. A woman who has a solid, communicative and supportive relationship with her partner will often find great comfort in having him at her birth, especially if he has a basic understanding of what a woman’s needs are during birth and he wants to participate. In fact, a Canadian study was released recently which showed that the presence of partners (men) in the birth room resulted in better birth outcomes and more positive experiences for moms.
For men to participate in birth in a positive way, they need to understand and embrace two key points:
1. Birth is for women. Really, fellas, birth is the one area where only the woman matters. It’s simply a fact! When it comes to men and birth, you are important in the sense that you have the potential of being an amazing birth support person for mom and helping her have a more comfortable and positive birth experience. You are important in the sense that the journey into parenthood is one you are making together, and you will be important in your role as father once your child is born. But during the birth process, the choices, needs and desires belong to mom. If you embrace that and remember you are there to support her and her needs at all times, rather than wanting to contribute with your own well-intentioned desires and visions, mom will feel much more powerful. And she needs that power to birth your child with strength and confidence.
2. A calm birth is a good birth.As I mentioned above, stress is the enemy of labour. Mom needs to feel safe and calm at all times for birth to progress with its natural flow. The people in her birth space also need to exude calmness and confidence in her and the birth process. Men need to be able to really trust in birth, trust birth is normal and natural, and truly believe mom is capable of birthing your baby (she is!). Mom will feel it if you don’t, and it will contribute to increased stress and anxiety for her. Fears and anxiety about birth are normal, especially for men. It’s okay to ask for support, or bring on a doula to help make sure everyone feels calm and supported throughout the birth.
Our birth culture is shifting more to accepting the presence of men at birth as support people. As a result, men are needing explore ways to contribute to birth in a positive way, avoiding the potential negative impact attributed to them by Michel Odent.
There are limited resources available for men and birth. I think it is important to make resources and information available to men who plan to participate in birth. This means more than just having men tag along to prenatal classes and try to read a pregnancy book or two. This means providing access to information that speaks to men about birth in a way they can relate to, in a way that allows them to draw on their masculine traits to provide nurturing and trusting support to women during birth.
Birth Takes a Village offers a Prenatal Workshop for Dads once monthly in Vancouver, BC. The workshop focuses on how men can contribute to birth in practical and helpful ways. Men seem to like tasks, clear guidelines for “what to do”, “how to solve x problem”. Having a clear and concrete set of techniques to use during birth helps men stay confident and calm, and allows mom to feel supported and comforted during birth.
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Jessica Austin – Vancouver Doula. Promoting gentle and informed birth culture.
For more information on the Prenatal Workshop, contact Birth Takes a Village at 604-700-4115.
By admin, on January 9th, 2012
Happy New Year! For all the new visitors to our sites, I just wanted to let you know a little more about us.
HealthyBabyNetwork.com is a network of sites that include helpful articles about pregnancy, birth and newborn care. We like to share products that are environmentally friendly and healthier alternatives for mom and baby.  We also offer many free downloads and services for women trying to conceive or those preparing for labor and delivery.
Our Ovulation Calendar is easy to use and will provide personalized monthly calendars to let you know when you are most fertile — giving you the best chance of conception.
Print out our Birth Plan and hospital bag checklist to make sure you have a good start on planning for the big day.
If your business is related to birth, eco-products for mom and baby or you have a blog or book that you feel would be of interest to our visitors, please contact us. We are happy to help those with a similar mission as ours — “Helping moms have the best birth experience possible“
By admin, on February 16th, 2011
When you are pregnant with #3 you think about how you could possibly manage caring for THREE kids when two can be overwhelming. You try to imagine who this little person will be and if their personality, appearance, temperament will be like the others. 
Then you meet them.
You can’t imagine #3 being any more amazing than they are – and they are the perfect addition to your family and you can’t imagine life being any different. As you look forward to the next few years, as busy as they will be, keep this list in mind when life with three presents challenges.
Here are some reasons why #3 is easier and more fun
- You aren’t #3’s only source of learning and entertainment. #3 will spend considerable time watching older siblings and play in close proximity with them giving you a bit of a break.
- #3 has more family members to cheer for first steps, first birthdays and other milestones.
- #3 has learned to “brush” their teeth and other tasks at 12 months because they observe and do EVERYTHING their siblings do.
- You KNOW that #3 will eventually sleep through the night and actually appreciate the nighttime snuggles knowing that this special time passes too quickly.
- You have been through croup, colic, colds, vomit and mystery rashes and know that as sick as a baby can get, they recover quickly and are back to smiles and mischief in no time.
- You’re experience allows you relax a little with the rules – most behaviors are developmental phases and having been through it a couple of times lets you truly know that “this too shall pass”.
- You have little helpers who are eager to help grab diapers, entertain the baby and even comfort #3 when they wake up crying.
- Although you have the largest collection of educational toys, you know that your parents were right when they said “they’ll spend more time playing with cardboard boxes and pots and pans” so that’s what #3 gets.
- You take advantage of nap time. It’s not the time for cleaning or laundry, it’s time for mom to have a nap, catch up on a reality show or connect with a friend.
- With #1 you really felt you were too busy to shower. By the time #3 arrives you have learned that monitors, swings, and excersaucers are all there to HELP YOU take care of yourself. You know the importance of self-care to be the best mom you can and have learned creative ways to do it.
Obviously three kids are much more work than two – some say “exponentially more” – but three can be a ton of fun regardless of the age differences between siblings. The older ones are becoming more independent and need less hands-on care and a new baby is such a miracle. Try to find the time each day to give some undivided attention to each of your children. Life with three will be busy but there is always time to give a hug, look them in the eye and say “I love you” – even if they are driving you crazy.
By admin, on December 9th, 2010
When you are having a baby, educating yourself and keeping expectations realistic are very important as you plan the way your baby will enter the world and join your family. Start educating yourself with a birthing class. Try to avoid the sensationalized birth programs on television that often don’t provide enough information or select stories based on shock value. This only generates fear and does not help properly educate.
Hospitals and birthing centers will offer courses usually as a weekend session. If the cost is an issue, contact your doctor or public health office to find out what is offered in your area. In addition, a great online Childbirth Class has been prepared by Robin Weiss and is free through About.com (Robin Weiss Childbirth Classes). We also recommend a breastfeeding workshop even if you aren’t sure about your decision to breastfeed. If you want to explore your concerns in a less public forum, Best for Babes is a fabulous resource.
ALL moms deserve to make an informed feeding decision, & to be cheered on, coached and celebrated without pressure, judgment or guilt, whether they breastfeed for 2 days, 2 months 2 years, or not at all. -BestforBabes.org
Many feel birth is out of their control and just accept that they will follow the path that most do — wait for labor, go to the hospital, have their baby, go home after 48 hours. This mental preparation is all some women need or want. They focus on how they will care for a new baby and not as much on the event of the baby’s birth. Your birth experience will be a memory that stays with you for a lifetime. Mothers can recall each of their birth experiences with amazing details although more than 60 years have gone by.
In recent years more and more women are taking a proactive role in their prenatal care and enter in to their birth experience well-educated about all of their options. Women are choosing birthing centers and more specialized care. Doulas are rising in popularity and offer emotional and physical support during and after birth. Birth plans are written to express the preferences and wishes of the family so that they have the experience they want — not what is “standard practice.”
Some hospitals pay little attention to birth plans since birth can not really be “planned” and others fear they may reflect unrealistic expectations and set a mom up for disappointment. A good birth plan will provide specific information about labor preferences including interventions, medications, birthing positions and baby care following birth. If you choose to use a birth plan, share copies with your birthing team (partner, doula, Midwife, OB, etc) so you are all clear about your intentions going in to birth. Know that labor is unpredictable and birth plans are tools — they are not legally binding.
Realistic Expectations
Expectant moms all hope to have a healthy, happy, baby that sleeps well, eats well and thrives. However, complications occur, undetected illness may surface once the baby is born, problems occur as a result of interventions which may put mom and baby at risk. Whether you choose a hospital birth, home birth or birthing center, know the risks and benefits and make an informed choice. The most important thing an expectant mom can do is educate herself about labor and birth, decide what is best for her, and have a birth team that supports her choices and will advocate on her behalf.
A Healthy Baby and Your Birth Experience
You may be thinking, or even said to a friend when offering support, that “a healthy baby is all that matters”. While we understand this statement has value and may be reassuring to a new mom, it is only a part of the whole experience. How mom is treated matters and her emotional and physical experience matters. I have read countless stories about women being mistreated and disrespected during birth. This should NEVER happen. Interview doctors and midwifes and get recommendations from friends.
If your birth experience isn’t what you hoped, if you feel angry, traumatized or mistreated, talk to a professional about your feelings or join a support group. Friends and  family may try to be supportive but often finding women who have gone through a similar situation or can listen with empathy and compassion will help you heal.
The people who surround you contribute to your positive (or negative) experience. When you are going through what could be the most anticipated, most intimate and beautiful experience of having a baby for the first time (or 4th time), you should be surrounded by people who genuinely care about you and the experience you are having. Doulas will support and advocate for YOU. Labor can be overwhelming and having a person who has experience, compassion and a genuine passion for positive birth experiences can really help you through labor and delivery and keep it positive.
Birth should be an empowering and intensely joyful, beautiful experience. Being prepared and informed will help shape the experience to be a happy one and allow you to address concerns as they arise with confidence.
Some helpful links
Giving Birth With Confidence at http://givingbirthwithconfidence.org/
VBAC and Cesarean Support at http://www.ican-online.org/
My Best Birth http://www.mybestbirth.com/
By admin, on November 18th, 2010
 From birth to six months both Health Canada and The World Health Organization agree that exclusively breastfeeding your baby is optimum. Breast milk is nutrient dense and will provide everything your baby needs for growth, development, health and wellness. If you have chosen to formula feed, your baby should only be feed formula during the first six months. At six months you can begin to introduce your baby to the wonderful world of food. This is a very exciting time but it is also a time filled with questions, concerns and lots of conflicting advice. So before your begin tickling those tiny taste buds let me help you decipher all the information you have read and heard and make the process a little less overwhelming.
What Foods First?
There are many schools of thought on which foods to begin introducing your baby too, I believe the best first foods are real foods, foods that have not been processed, foods that have not been packaged – food that your grandmother would recognize and food that helps support the growth, development, health and well being of your baby. This real food is of course fruits and vegetables!
Fruits and vegetables offer your baby a wide variety of nutrients including minerals, vitamins, fibre, carbohydrates, fats, protein and phytochemicals to support the amazing amounts of growth occurring at this time, and to support the overall health and well being of your baby.
Here are the foods I considered to be great first foods:
Bananas (easy to digest and sweet like breast milk – tastes particularly wonderful roasted then pureed)
Pears (choose organic, pesticide residues are extremely high)
Apples (choose organic, pesticide residues are extremely high)
Butternut squash
Sweet potatoes
Avocado (no need to cook first, just peel and mash well)
Apricots (choose sulfite free dried fruits)
Prunes (choose sulfite free dried fruits)
Figs (choose sulfite free dried fruits)
Raisins (choose sulfite free dried fruits)
Blueberries (organic best, pesticide residues are extremely high)
Carrots
Yams
Parsnips
Green peas
Broccoli (organic best, pesticide residues are extremely high)
Cauliflower (organic best, pesticide residues are extremely high)
Turnip
Green beans
Beets
All of the above foods should be washed well, peeled, cored and steam or roasted until fork tender and then pureed to desired consistency for your baby. At first the consistency should be very runny, but as your baby gets used to the food you can begin to thicken it up.
Introduce one food at a time waiting 3 to 4 days before adding another food. This will allow you to see if there are any sensitivities or allergies to the food being introduced. It can take up to 72 hours for a reaction to a food to show up. The most common signs are rashes, changes in bowel movement, increased gas and spitting up. If you suspect a problem with a food wait a few weeks and try introducing it again. If you experience a negative reaction again, wait three months before reintroducing.
Once you know that a food is okay, you can begin to use that food to create wonderful combinations of food. For example if you have introduce apples and all is okay, when it comes time to introduce beets you can create a tasty apple and beet puree; or if raisins were a big hit with your little one how about a carrot and raisin puree, and pear and parsnip works well too! This makes introducing foods with a stronger taste a little easier and also opens your baby’s taste buds to many different tastes.
Keep in mind food introduction is not meant to meet your baby’s nutritional demands – breast milk or formula will do this until your baby’s first birthday. Food introduction at this time is a chance for your baby to get used to eating, to develop a taste for different foods and to gain acceptance of different textures. This is not the time to force feed your baby, follow your baby’s lead, when they have had enough stop. Don’t stress or panic if they don’t want to eat, it just might not be a good day, put it away and try again later or tomorrow.
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Kim Corrigan-Oliver is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner and a Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner. Her practice Your Green Baby specializes in nutrition for mom, baby and toddler – preconception to preschool. For more information please check out her website at www.yourgreenbaby.ca
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