Hello! and welcome to my page. I'm a mother to two beautiful children. I'm also an RN and currently work with adults on an acute medical floor. In the past I've taught breast feeding basics for new mothers. I'm simply a mom with a medical background. This page contains information about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and baby care that i have found to be useful during my pregnancy and the time so far that I have been a mom. My personal experience of motherhood has been influenced from my midwives, family and friends- my mentors and field experts. I learned a lot of things the hard way, so I really hope this can help you too!

Some things that helped me while pregnant:

"Ina May's Guide to Childbirth." By Ina May Gaskin. This by far was the most helpful book I read while pregnant. Ina May is THE leading midwife in the US and has delivered thousands of babies safely into the world. Her book is filled with techniques to help you give birth naturally and safely. The book also explains the history of the birthing process and why it is supposed to be a natural process- not a medicated experience. After reading her book I was excited to give birth and while I was in labour, her imagery and blowing techniques helped me to relax and dilate fast. As a result, I likened my labour experience to feeling amazing- I was a powerful woman, designed to birth the child I was carrying. My friends who read this book also found it very helpful and considering we were all first time moms, we all dilated fast and easily.

This is a link to a publication put out by our public health offiice in British Columbia. Pretty much it covers the baiscs to pregnancy, labour and postnatal care- it's downloadable and free!

http://health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2005/babybestchance.pdf

Choosing a practitioner:

I had a midwife for my pregnancy in 2007 and again for this pregnancy. I wanted one practitioner who would know me and my care. I have never had complications during my pregnancies and so have no need for "sick" care- or care that is provided by a physician. Midwives are trained birth professionals and provide care for healthy pregnancies. They are fully capable of delivering a child and I know living here, will refer me to a physician, obstetritian or pediatrition (and did)- if I require their services. Doctors are trained professinals as well, but keep in mind that they are specifically trained to handle the "sick." They also get paid extra to perform tasks- c/s cost money. Ultrasounds cost money- and they can charge either the government (in Canada) or the patient (in the USA) for those services.

One of the best parts about being taken care of by a midwife is the extra attention. A midwife will come to you to provide care. Mine even drove me to the hospital! She replaces the need for an RN and so I had continuous care provided to me while in hospital- no shift change to worry about in the 9th hour! After the baby was born, she gave me continuous support while learning to breastfeed and after going home, came to OUR HOUSE to check on us.

Doula care: If you have choosen a doctor to care for you (or a midwife for that matter), you might like the extra additional care of a doula. Doula's are birth attendants. They do not replace the care that a doctor or midwife would provide, but do provide additional support to you and your birth partner. You are in charge of hiring and paying a doula for their services. In return, you get a qualified birth coach that will be there for you through all stages of labour. For example, the one my friend hired came to her house and stayed with her during the labour there, went to the hospital and took care of her for several weeks afterwards, even helping with cooking, cleaning and laundry. My friend loved her doula and would not do a birth without this kind of care.

Physician care while in labour: The doctor will come in once you have reached 10 cm or nearly that and stay with you. Prior to this 2nd stage of labour, you will have an RN or several different ones who will follow your care if you are labor for a long period of time (more than 8-12 hours which is the length of a typical shift). A nurse can be great or not so great and as you progress further in your labour, it will become harder and more difficult for you to make choices and communicate effectively. If you do not have a doula, you need to stay on top of your care and have your partner or labor team be your advocate and make choices for you. You need to be very good at understanding what will happen to you during labour, understand that medications will be offered to you. Know the pros and cons of these medications are for- DO NOT think that the doctor is always making the best decision for you. Know what medications are for and the side effects of them. Know also that when a doctor explains things, they may do things very rushed as they believe that you have some understanding of whats going on. They may not also explain everything because they don't have a very good bedside nature or be busy.

Other things that can help you feel better while you are pregnant:

A Good Massage therapist: Can help relieve swelling and provide pain relief for your back and hips. The hormone relaxin starts hitting your system around 16 weeks and will cause your joints to stretch to accomodate your growing baby which can be very painful.

Maternity Belts: can help with back pain when you start getting really (really) big. They lift up your abdomen and provide support to your back.

How to get rid of swelling:

• A daily foot bath with bath salts or epsom salts for 20 min in cool water.
  

• Lift your feet above your heart for at least 30 min each day (talk to your doctor first if you have If you have congestive heart failure or heart problems)
  

• Drink plenty of water as well- even though you will have to go to the bathroom more often. Sodium binds with water and are needed to flush the excess fluids from your body. You can also try seeing a massage therapist to help improve your circulation or have your partner rub his hands lightly on your feet and move upward your legs. Avoid the ankle area until you are 38 weeks pregnant as ankle stimulation can stimulate labor.

Daily Exercise: If you think you don't need to exercise while pregnant, or someone tells you this, it is wrong. I was used to exercising at least 3 times a week and would go for walks. Exercise as much as possible. It will help keep your weight down, your sugars level and your pregnancy healthy. Labor is HARD WORK and being in shape will help you before and afterwards to recover quickly.

Supplements to take while pregnant to boost your immune system: ACIDOPHILOUS SUPPLEMENT- acidophilous is a healthy bacterium that is found in our bowel system and helps us to digest our food. It also prevents YEAST infections. IF you are given antibiotics or are under immune stress (being pregnant), then this supplement will help to improve your immune system. Continue to take this supplement while breastfeeding as new moms are prone to yeast infections. This good bacterium is also found in some yogurts that have been fortified by pro-biotics such as ACTIVIA brand.

Those last few weeks of pregnancy:

Braxton Hicks Contractions: These are something that can occur very early in pregnancy. Some women seem to have them their whole pregnancy (with my 2nd, I had them from week 13) or not at all. Towards the end of your pregnancy, they can be very strong and painful at times! They occur more when you are dehydrated as your uterus is actually irritated from the lack of water in your system and contracts in response. IF you have these very frequently, drink water and see if they go away. However, Braxton hicks contractions do train your uterus for labour and prepare baby for the upcoming show.

Dilation and Effaced: This can happen weeks before you are actually going to go into labour. My midwife never checked me during either pregnancy and I went into labour naturally. Getting a vaginal check is very uncomfortable. It also doesn't tell you when you are going to go into labour, it just causes stress- and stress isn't good for you.

Kick starting labour: If you are a first time mom, you might want to to try taking the supplement EVENING PRIMROSE OIL it is a natural prostiglandin. Prostiglandin is a hormone that is released in your body and responsible for allowing your cervix to soften and dilate. Prostiglandins are also found in sperm. EPO encourages this relaxation of your cervix. Start taking it around 37 weeks to help the softening process. Ingest 4 caps orally and insert 4 caps vaginally every night (100mg each).

Some important info on induction that you should be aware of: If you are living in the United states and your doctor wants to induce you, please be aware of the dangers of CYTOTEC. It is a pill that is inserted into your vagina and dissolves at your cervix, causing strong contractions to occur. This is a drug that has NOT been approved for use by the FDA for inductions and was designed for use with the treatment of stomach ulcers. Doctors seem to like to use it in the states as it is successful to start labour, however it is so potent a drug that the contractions it causes can rupture the uterus or force amniotic fluid into a woman's blood stream. While many women have had successful inductions with its use, it is also quite dangerous, harmful, even fatal in some cases. Please be aware that this drug exists in the US. I have not heard of its use in Canada. Also be aware to question drugs that your doctor plans to give you. You have a choice and can refuse treatment in exchange for one that is safer for you and your baby.

Labour time!

Managing contractions:

Some things used at home or brought to the hospital were:

• An exercise ball: to roll on or hold onto during contractions.
  
• A hot pack (for my back)- great for back labour
• A massage ball (or other massaging device). Great for back labour.
• IPOD with labour playlist. I liked very gentle music (no words) to keep me relaxed.
• A hot shower
• Walk walk, walk. After my first labour, I wished I had walked more. When I went into labour the 2nd time, after a few hours of every 10 min contractions (that weren't very painful), I wanted to get things going. I went for a walk for an hour and got the contractions up to every 2-3 min. I got to the hospital and was 7cm dilated.
• Eat and drink- especially in early labour. Your body will let you know what you need.
  
• Try to stay off your back as much as possible. Gravity is your friend. Your baby will provide pressure on your cervix to help you dilate faster.
  

If you are lying in bed, labour may take longer (and who wants that!). Keep in mind that once upon a time women gave birth standing up or on birthing chairs. Women started laying on their backs to labour only in the 1700's when it became popular for birth to be attended by doctors. Doctors needed a place to sit down and watch the action, and found it more comfortable to sit on a stool between a woman's legs and wait. Remember that you are the one doing all the work and if you feel like you want to stand, sit or give birth on all fours, you ultimately are the one giving birth and need to listen to your body and do what YOU need to do. Your body will guide you to how you need to get your baby out. If you relax and just let go, trusting your body, you will have an easier time dilating and easing your baby out.

Pain control:

• Breathing techniques: Again, a must read is Ina May's book "Ina May's guide to childbirth"
• Nitrous Oxide Gas: Made me feel really, really drunk. I used it during my first labour, but not during my 2nd (didn't need it).
• Epidurals! During my c/s (first pregnancy), It was extremely hard to maintain my posture during the procedure as contractions were very painful. I had a shot of morphine placed epidurally (during my c/s) and it took the pain away immediately. However, I had pain at the injection site for about 6 weeks afterwards.
  

What do contractions feel like? like extreme menstrual cramps. Contractions last anywhere from 45 seconds to 90 seconds and intensify, peak and fade. As you get towards 9-10 cm, the contractions pile together and the breaks between contractions become shorter.

For after birth pack:

• Nursing Bras: Purchase a few. They will get wet with milk.
• Menstrual Pads: You will bleed a fantastic amount for the first 2-3 days. Bring lots of favorite brand- but ones that will absorb a lot. I liked the Kotex brand. Another tip: I read on someone else's profile that your child's diapers also make excellent pads for you during those first few days of heavy bleeding.
• Gatorade: or another type of energy drink to help replenish your sodium and potassium stores.
• Arnica: Is a natural anti-inflammatory. It can be bought at an herbal or natural health food store. It comes in a cream (good for bruises) or pellets. You want to purchase the pellets and at least a 30ch dose. You may want 200ch if you are recovering from a lot of tearing or surgery. It helped me imensely to get over the pain from surgery and tearing.
• Lanolin cream: Had a few different uses for us. 1. Conditioning my nipples- I applied it after every nursing session. 2. Applied it to my baby's very dry skin and it healed it very fast. 3. Applied it to our noses which became very dry and bled after 4 days in an air-conditioned environment.

• Read the book "the happiest baby on the block" http://happiestbaby.com/
• Dunstan baby Language: http://dunstanbaby.com/ These are the essential components of a cry that you must listen for to understand your baby. Every baby cries, but cries can mean different things. Listen to the cry and hear what your baby is telling you. Attend to that need depending on what you hear. I'm tired: cry sounds like "OUWWW." I'm hungry: "NEH" or "Naaa" I'm tired and I want to suck: Neh and Ouww cry together. I've got gas- burp me! "EH EH." I want to cuddle, I'm too hot, too cold, wet diaper- "HEH, HEH." - Gas trapped in lower abdomen "EeeAire"
  

Tools:

• A good nursing book: "the womanly art of breastfeeding" by the La Leche league.
• Breast Pump: I have the Medela 'SWING." Its electric and good for occasional pumping. If you need to pump all the time- you may want a stronger pump. Several friends recommend the Pump in Style- also by Medela.
• A good pillow: After birth I used ' My Brest Friend' Pillow. Expensive ($75) but ergonomic supports you and babies head. Helps to improve latch and keep your back from hunching.
• Lanolin cream- use it to help condition nipples for the first few weeks.
• Receiving blankets- have at least 12-14 so you don't have to do wash every day. Some babies start to spit up lots after the first 10 days or so. My first baby threw up a lot since he was so fast nursing. He would soak 3 blankets a day! My second baby takes her time eating and thus only throws up small amounts at a time.

• When baby has upper gas pain, their cry sounds like this: "EH EH"
• Babies have tiny tummies!
  
• Make sure that between each side, you are burping your baby.
• If your baby starts to fuss during feeding (pulling off the breast, wiggling more) probably gas is to blame. take them off the breast, burp and keep going.
  

• Breasts only hold 1/3 of your milk supply. The rest is made when your baby starts sucking.
• Ever wonder why your areola's have bumps on them? They are there to communicate to your baby! When baby is sick or needs something, the bumps receive messages to produce the right antibodies or nutrition that your baby needs.

• http://healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile69c.stm
• www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/.../Toddlers_first_steps_2ed.pdf
• http://babyledweaning.com/
• http://wholesomebabyfood.com/babyledweaning.htm
  

• You don't need a high chair. Before you know it, your baby will be sitting at the table with you! We bought the fisher price compact travel feeding chair. It attaches to any regular table chair and is great for taking to restaurants and keeps him from licking the table.
• Spoons: Our favorite spoon is the MUNCHKIN spoon set- it turns white if the food is too hot. For the older baby- if it can be used as a weapon, it will be. Or it will be banged on your table and create dents. Think about getting a spoon set that is both easy to grip and cool enough that they will want to use it and not fling food with it.
  
• Bibs: Think washable. Wiping it is even better. Cloth bibs are better for collecting drool, but washing one is just frustrating. They wrinkle up, change size and stains never come out (especially carrots). I really really like our MALLY BIB! It's leather and can be wiped down easily. Easy to dry- just attach it to the fridge with its magnetic neck clasp (which is also adjustable!). Soo cool. www.mallybibs.com
• Sippy Cups: Which ones don't leak? and don't make a mess on the floor when they get dropped? I liked the one made by NUBY. After a few months of use, the silicone got bitten. It also got food poked through it. The silicone got destroyed and then leaks like crazy. I tried a 'froogo' and some other ones by playtex and avent and they all leak (when turned upside down) The easiest is to try to get your kid into using a cup ASAP. For on the go, I've been using a rubbermaid reusable drink container and it doesn't leak (unless squished). You can start using a sippy with your baby once they are starting to eat. Getting them off the bottle habit is much easier when they are younger.
  

• Freezer trays and Food Grinder: Great for making your own food, the freezer trays are made by KIDSCO bought at Babies R Us and have a lid. Fill it and save it for another day. The food grinder is from the same company. Its a bit slow to use but it works well at restaurants or while camping. I got a 'magic bullet' for at home. Otherwise a good food processor or blender also does the trick.
  

• http://vancouversun.com/health/Junk+food+diet+linked+lower+Study/4242720/story.html

• SWADDLE ME to wrap our babies. Babies are used to cramped living quarters and for my babies, they loved being wrapped up tight. My son liked it for weeks, my daughter for days. Every kid is different.
• After graduating out of their swaddle me, they moved to a SLEEP SACK. This is a great alternative to a blanket as they can't wiggle out of it and get cold and wake up.
• WHITE NOISE MACHINE: Babies are used to listening to you. And for first babies, they may like having something to soothe themselves to sleep with. We started using a sound machine with my son at 3 months and he still likes it to help him fall asleep. We had a portable machine for a long time, so we could use it at other people's houses as well.
  
• Babies may also like VIBRATION to help them fall asleep.
  
• Make the bed smaller. Picture a womb- tight and small. I used some rolled up blankets (placed below arm level) to make the bed seem smaller.
• CRIB BUMPERS: You do not need them at all. The only purpose of these are to make their crib cuter. They are hazardous. Kids can press their noses against them and suffocate. Or use them to climb on and fall out of the crib.

• Do not worry about scheduling your newborn: For the first two months, I had no schedule with either of them. I fed on demand and I also changed their diaper every three hours. He slept on his side/back, swaddled in the bassinet and I let him sleep whenever he wanted.
  
• My daughter fed a lot at night (until about 7 weeks old) and so she stayed in bed with us most of the night. When she fell asleep, I would wake up and gently transfer her back into her bed- a pack n play (Graco) that stays beside us. I don't really sleep well with a baby in our bed, so I'm not a fan of bed-sharing.
  

• WHITE NOISE: We started using a white noise generator from 2 weeks of age to help to know that when the sound comes on, its time to sleep. Now it calms him down (for the most part unless he's overly tired and mad at us for trying to make him go to bed).
• Try to cut out nursing at night (if your baby lets you). Baby isn't always hungry at night. I usually let them really wake up (and say Neh). It is soo easy to turn into a soother. I fully admit doing it with my first. It was so easy just to pick them up and offer breastmilk. Everyone was happy and it was back to sleep. But if this becomes routine- the question is, how long do you want to continue doing this? 1 year? 2? 3? Once a baby is 10 lbs or so, they do not need food overnight (unless going through a growth spurt). Think about it- you do not need to wake up for a snack in the middle of the night, neither does baby. A pat on the back or a little cuddle might be all they need. Don't forget that NEH just means that they want to suck. If they are used to falling asleep while breastfeeding, then they want to suck on you.
  
• Teach your baby to self soothe as early as you can. 3-4 months is plenty early. Already at 4 months, my kids were learning their routine. And they don't like it one bit when I try to change it.
• Finger sucking: If your baby has a natural tenancy to put their fingers in his/her mouth, let them. Let your kid find ways to soothe themselves!
• Routine. Kids thrive on them. Baby will recognize a routine already by the time they are 5-6 weeks old. We have a bedtime routine of a bath (or shower when they were newborn), a feed, song and bed. When teeth came in, the routine changed to include a teeth brushing before the song. When we deviate from routine, we get an earful from our children. Both of them like to have their bath right after dinner. They settle down right away and know that their bed is calling.
  
  *Tummy sleeping* Both of my children are tummy sleepers. With my first, I discovered he was a tummy sleeper when he was about 7 weeks old. Until that time, he would wake up every 20 minutes- usually because he would startle and wake up. My daughter did it too. I reviewed the SIDS risk factors and talked to my mom, mother in law- who all confirmed that all their kids liked to sleep on our tummies too. Once I started talking with my friends, many admitted to letting their child sleep on their tummy. I started with a nap and as I stayed beside him and read my book, I watched him sleep for 4 consecutive hours. He could lift his head up on his own and turn it to suit his comfort. When i discovered he was a tummy sleeper it was the turning point. When i was content with his ability to lift his head off the bed, on his tummy he went for night sleeps. Within 1 week of being on his tummy, he was sleeping 4-5-6 hours in a row and now he is sleeping for 8 hours at night. Talk to your doctor first before you consider this option and discuss your other SIDS risk factors.

Pooping and Peeing:

• For the first few days, babies pass a sticky black poop called meconium. It will come off easily if you use some lotion to get it off.
  
• Great bum care- 'baby bum better' by www.mother-earth.ca. This is a wonderful product as it is good for dry skin too and is not messy or sticky like zinc cream. Avoid using baby powder as it is bad for their lungs and can contribute to SIDS.
• For tough to beat rashes, ARBONNE makes a great product- Herbal diaper rash cream. It does contain zinc, but it is less sticky/ messy than some other brands that also contain zinc. It also absorbs and heals really quickly. I saw new skin forming within 12 hours of application.
  
• Many many generic baby products are for sale that contain toxic chemicals. Chemicals that have been linked to endocrine disruption, fertility issues and cancers. When purchasing a product for yourself, and your family ask yourself if its worth the future health risk. You should be informed about what you are putting on your precious baby and your skin. http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals