What to do with your placenta?

So you’ve got your birth plan, you’ve hired the doula, the car seat is installed, now it’s just a waiting game. You’re posting statuses about how excited you are to meet your new baby and, suddenly, someone asks a questions you’ve never heard before: Are you going to eat your placenta?  WHAT?!?  Why would I eat my placenta?  Don’t worry, it’s not as weird as it sounds! Placentophagy, the act of consuming one’s own placenta, has been used in Chinese medicine for years and something most placental mammals already do.  The benefits include increased breast milk production, lowered risk of hemorrhage, and lowered risk of postpartum depression.  There are several options for consuming your placenta, from smoothies to encapsulation.  Click here to learn more about the benefits of Placentophagy.

Still unsure of whether or not Placentophagy is the right choice for you?  Don’t worry, there are more options!  Take a look at the following list for some unique ideas.

Placenta Prints:  A print of your placenta is a great way to commemorate baby’s birth!  Each placenta is unique and a print is made by ‘stamping’ the placenta to a canvas or whatever you prefer.  These prints can be dressed up with paint or not.  Either way, they show the tree of life that has been feeding and nourishing your baby and they make a beautiful picture.             

Lotus birth:  “Lotus birth is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut after childbirth so that the baby is left attached to the placenta until the cord naturally separates at the umbilicus, usually a few days after birth.” A quick etsy search will turn up choices for a lotus birth placenta bag to carry around the placenta while baby transitions.

Image from: https://www.etsy.com

Placenta Jewelry: Etsy also brings us this gem!  For $25, you can send some of your crushed placenta to this company and they will make you a pendant.  Each pendant is made to order with our own placenta and they come in a variety of shapes and colors.  What a beautiful way to carry around a piece of that special time!

Image from: https://www.etsy.com

Placenta Teddy Bear:  This option offers a “crafty alternative for those who don’t necessarily want to eat their baby’s placenta, but want to pay their respects to the life sustaining organ by turning it into a one-of-a-kind teddy bear”.  The placenta is cured with sea salt and treated with an emulsifying mixture to make it soft and pliable.  Then, it is crafted into a teddy bear (or any other shape you like).  This is certainly a unique option!

Image from: http://www.inhabitots.com/

Plant something:  Another option is to plant something.  You can plant your placenta after birth and then, on baby’s first birthday, commemorate by planting a tree or a bush.  You and your baby can nourish your plant and watch it grow over the years.

Image from: https://motherhoodsupermum.wordpress.com/

Store it: If there are just too many options and you’re feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to make a decision right away.  You can store your placenta in a small plastic container in your freezer until you decide.  Click here to learn more about storing your placenta.  Just make sure to label it well!

Battle of the Bulge

Now that you have your positive pregnancy test, one of the biggest perks of pregnancy is the new wardrobe!  It might seem silly to buy new clothes for you to wear for such a short time but trust me, you'll want the comfort that comes with clothing designed specifically for your growing belly.  So what are the must haves?  Typically they will vary from person to person, but there are a few staples I would recommend for any pregnant woman's closet.
It's important to look at your body type when you are buying any new clothes, but there are several options that will be perfect for any body type.  However, don't let your body type stop you from buying something.  If you like it and feel comfortable in it, get it!  Rock whatever look makes you feel best!

Things That Work Anywhere, Anytime 

Leggings:  If anyone ever tells you leggings aren't real pants, you should stop talking to them.  You don't need that kind of negativity in your pregnancy!  Leggings are one of the most comfortable things you can wear, anytime,  Maternity leggings are even better!  These will have a soft waistline, they're super stretchy, and you can pair them with anything.  Wear them with a cute top or a dress and you'll always look put together while being comfortable!

Jeans:  A good pair of jeans is something I think is necessary for any wardrobe, maternity or otherwise.  Jeans are sturdy, easy to pair with any top, and they can be really comfortable. Just for your preferred style with a maternity band and you won't have an uncomfortable waistband pressing on your growing baby.

Summer dresses:  Living in Louisiana means we get to wear summer dresses a lot more than most.  Take advantage of the warm weather!  Summer dresses are flowy, comfortable, and easy to put on.  Anyone who has been pregnant knows that getting dressed can be a chore!  With a comfortable summer dress, you can easily slip it on and you're ready for the day.  If you're not comfortable with just a dress, pair it with those leggings!

Comfortable shoes:  I cannot stress this enough!  We all love our cute shoes, but pregnancy makes comfort the most important thing.  I love a good pair of sketchers with memory foam, but you can't beat a good pair of flip flops!  Flip flops are easy to get on and off when you can't see your swollen feet.  Plus, we can wear them most of the year in Louisiana!

Depending on your body type, if you are carrying high or low, if you're gaining weight all over or remaining petite everywhere, you may want a certain type of top or a certain fit in you dress.  Tops that tie under the bust are very popular and accentuate your growing baby bump without being too tight.  Maternity wear is about what makes you feel most comfortable.  You are growing a person so that gives you license to rock whatever look makes you feel like the bad-ass goddess you are!

Check out these great places for your maternity needs:
http://www.motherhood.com/
http://www.oldnavy.com/products/maternity-clothes.jsp
http://www.loft.com/sale-maternity/catl000062
http://www.jcpenney.com/women/maternity/cat.jump?id=cat100250032
http://www.gap.com/products/maternity-clothes-sale.jsp
http://www.kohls.com/sale-event/oh-baby-by-motherhood-clothing.jsp
http://www.target.com/c/maternity-women-s-clothing/-/N-5ouvi

The Birth of a Doula

Having my first child was an experience that I both looked forward to and dreaded. It also turned out to be the first in a series of events that would lead me down the path to becoming a birth doula.  I knew very little about childbirth and I had always been someone who insisted I wanted any and all drugs to get through childbirth.  I had a birth plan, I did some research, and I had a general idea of what I wanted for my birth.  Up until 39 weeks, I was pretty happy with my choice in doctors.  To be honest, it never occurred to me to interview doctors and see what else was available.  I went with the OB-GYN who I had seen sporadically for years. I was given a due date of May 1st, which lined up with what I figured, though this was to change several times. My husband worked offshore at the time and was home for three weeks and gone for three weeks.  This made me nervous, but I was determined that he would be there for the birth of our child and I wouldn’t accept any other ideas.  I was scared and nervous about being in the hospital and giving birth, but I was so excited to meet our baby.

At 39 weeks, I went for my regular checkup and it went as most appointments had up to this point. I noticed the exam was painful, but I didn’t think much of it at the time and the doctor didn’t seem to be concerned.  After he completed my exam and I was dressed, the doctor told me we needed to start talking about induction. With the limited research I had done at this point, I was shocked.  I knew that we weren’t even at my due date, yet, and it was too early.  My driving force was my desire to not have a c-section.  I have never broken a bone and the thought of a c-section was terrifying.  I threw everything I could think of at the doctor.  I bombarded him with questions about procedures and tests about which I had read.  I asked for a biophysical profile, the doctor agreed.  I refused to schedule an induction, even for after my due date. Finally, I asked the doctor if he planned to try stripping my membranes.  The doctor replied, “Oh, I already did that during your exam today.”  I felt betrayed by this, then I felt silly for feeling betrayed.  This seemed like such a small thing, but it upset me that it was done without my knowledge or consent.  I didn’t even know if I was allowed to be upset. I scheduled a biophysical profile for the next week and left the office feeling violated.

The next two weeks I walked and kept busy, trying to get labor started naturally, to no avail.  I had the biophysical profile done and made another appointment.  I didn’t see the doctor this time, at all. The following Friday, I saw the doctor for another exam and the results of the biophysical profile. Once again my membranes were stripped, without my consent.  Alice was measuring 8+ pounds and I was told my fluid was low.  The doctor insisted we schedule an induction for the following Tuesday. I allowed the induction to be scheduled, intending to not show up.

I started having contractions that evening and I told my husband it was time to come home. He would get off the rig the next morning and be home by Saturday afternoon.  I called the doctor and they told me to wait until my contractions were 3-5 minutes apart before going to the hospital.  On Saturday evening, my husband and I went to town and got dinner and ran some errands.  I was still having regular contractions, but they were too far apart and my water hadn’t broken.  That night, things intensified.  I slept fitfully, for the second night.  Around 2 am, my contractions were 5 minutes apart and I was exhausted.  I woke my husband to go to the hospital. He was nervous and rushed us to the hospital.

At the hospital, I was in triage briefly and then wheeled up to the maternity ward.  I was asked to give a urine sample and change into a hospital gown so they could start my iv of pitocin.  I immediately tried to decline the pitocin.  I had been told how much pain I would be in if I allowed them to use this drug.  The nurse told me that I had to take pitocin.  If I didn’t, they were going to send me home because I had at least 20 to 30 more hours of labor.  I felt beat down.  I hadn’t slept well since my contractions started on Friday and I was just ready to have my baby.  I agreed to pitocin and changed to get in the hospital bed. Within 15 minutes of having the iv hooked up, I was in agony.  My water broke and the nurses came in to clean me up saying, “That’s good, the doctor won’t have to break it for you.”  I held out about 30 minutes, but the pain was unbearable and I finally begged for an epidural.  There were several moms ahead of me, so I still didn’t see the anesthesiologist for over an hour.

While the epidural was administered, the anesthesiologist lectured me on several different things. I was in no position to chat and had to just listen to his rude comments while trying to hold still.  Once he was finished, the nurse helped me to lie back so they could administer a catheter. My husband was allowed back in the room and all the nurses left.  I laid on the bed, idly flipping through the channels on the television, feeling wholly disconnected.  Finally, about noon or a little after, a nurse came in to check me and told me it was time to push.  I asked about the doctor and they said he would be there when I had been pushing for a while.  I pushed for over an hour while my baby’s heart rate dropped and I almost got sick at the height of every push.  I don’t doubt at all that if I had signed the consent forms I was asked to sign when I checked in, I would have been pushed into have a c-section.

About 2:40, the doctor came into the room.  He checked me, instructed me to push, tried to suction the baby, and finally gave me an episiotomy, something I was not aware of until later.  It all felt very rushed all of the sudden.  I don’t recall actually pushing as my baby was born, there was little to do with the doctor pulling her out.  My husband cut the umbilical cord and Alice was weighed and handed to me while the doctor told me he was going to stitch me up.  I still wasn’t aware of the episiotomy at this point.

Alice Jane was born at 3:04 pm, weighing 7 lbs 10.7 oz and she was healthy as could be.  She took to breastfeeding right away and was almost back to birth weight before we even left the hospital.  I did not walk away from the experience quite as healthy. In addition to the episiotomy, that I found out about the next day and from my husband, I had broken my tailbone because the nurses and doctor didn’t notice that I was positioned on the hard plastic of the hospital bed while I pushed.  I couldn’t feel a thing until the epidural wore off.  I passed out at one point after giving birth because the nurses rushed to get me up and into an overnight room so they could get the delivery room ready for the next birth.  I did not see my doctor again until my postpartum visit to his office, despite the fact that his office was across the street from the hospital. After two days in the hospital, the nurses told me I was being discharged and that was it.  I went home with my baby and a ‘breastfeeding’ kit that contained a bottle and a can of formula.

I left this experience thinking this was normal.  I was under the impression that this is how things were done and I had a healthy baby, so it couldn’t have been that big of a deal.  It wasn’t until a little over two years later when we started to plan our next pregnancy that I found a doula and learned the true nature of birth.  What I went through was a fairly typical birth, but it doesn’t have to be.  It isn’t the norm in most places.  As women and mothers, we should be taking back our births.  We must acknowledge that birth trauma is real and valid and things don’t have to be this way.  It is possible to have the birth you want, in most cases, and when we realize this, we can celebrate birth as the beautiful event it is.

Let's talk about SEX, baby!

At the end of pregnancy, sex becomes uncomfortable for some women. With your growing belly, hormone changes, difficulty sleeping, and baby's position, you may not have felt your most sexy. This is perfectly normal, and won't last. But what happens after baby? The idea of postpartum sex can be worrying for some. Your body has been through a monumental change and things feel different. Let's go over a few things to remember before engaging in postpartum sex:

1. Make sure YOU are ready! With most births, you will be cleared for sex at your postpartum appointment. This means that your cervix is closed, usually postpartum bleeding has stopped, and your stitches/tears are healed. This does not mean you will be ready. Pregnancy and birth are hard on a woman's body and every woman is different. While some women may feel great at 3 weeks postpartum, others may take longer to get back to normal. Listen to your body, above all else, and let it guide you. You will know when the time is right.

2. Things will probably feel different. Let's be honest here, you've just had a tiny human come barreling out of your vagina, that's bound to change things! If you've had a cesarean section, your vagina has still gone through changes, not to mention your abdominal muscles are still healing. Don't be concerned that things won't go back to normal! Things will be different, yes, but that's ok. Embrace the change that this new chapter in your life will bring.

3. Lube, lube, lube! The hormonal changes associated with giving birth can wreak havoc on your natural lubrication. In my experience, this is one thing that takes the longest to regulate. Fortunately, this is something that can easily be remedied. Stock up on a natural lube, like coconut oil, and use a ton of it! Bonus: coconut oil is wonderful for the skin!

4. Go slow! Foreplay is your friend now more than ever. Don't rush things, let you and your partner take time getting to know your body again. Rushing things can be uncomfortable besides, who complains when sex takes longer??

5. Do you need birth control? Your body needs some rest between pregnancies so be sure to use some sort of birth control. Natural family planning, breastfeeding (following certain guidelines), a diaphragm, and the mini pill are a few options that shouldn't effect your supply.

These are just a few things to remember as you and your partner get back into the swing of things. It all comes down to listening to your body. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor/midwife/doula if you have any questions!

From parties to photo ops: Ways to reveal your babies gender!

As your second trimester nears, you will probably start to enjoy your pregnancy more and more. You'll start to feel baby's movements, your morning sickness may come to an end, and you will probably develop the glow pregnant women are known for having.  You'll have a lot of decisions to make: how to announce the pregnancy, which tests to have done, what your birth plan will look like.   You'll also be deciding if you want to know the baby's gender and, if so, how you'll want to tell people.  There are many fun ways to do a gender reveal.  Let's look at a few ideas.


A cute photo op:

A lot of people are leaning toward a special photo these days.  These are great because you can post them online or just mail them out and wait for the calls to start coming in.  There are many options to chose from, like these great ideas.

A glitter filled balloon makes a great photo op!

Colored paint is another great idea!

A box filled with balloons of the appropriate color can be a great way to announce.

A gender reveal party:

One of the best things about a photo op is that you can invite friends and family and turn it into a party.  Then you just share the photo with everyone who was unable to attend.  A gender reveal party can be a fun way to get friends and family involved.  A party may start out with having your guests decide whether they vote boy or girl.  You can include games, similar to ones you would play at a baby shower, and end with cutting a gender reveal cake or doing any of the activities mentioned above.

Gender reveal cakes are a great way to announce the gender of your baby.  Have the ultrasonographer write the gender on a piece of paper and put it in an envelop,  Then take the envelop to a baker and have them bake a cake dyed the coordinating color, with a neutral icing.  No one will know until you cut the cake!

Keep it a surprise:

You could also chose to keep the gender of your baby a secret, from you or just everyone else.  If you want to be surprised on the day the baby is born, just ask not to be told when you see the ultrasonographer.  After the baby is born, you can do a fun gender reveal photo shoot to introduce baby!

Your second trimester is going to be a busy time, full of lots of decisions.  Finding out the gender can be a fun way to celebrate and get family and friends involved.  No matter what you decide, your second trimester is going to be a wonderful part of your pregnancy!

Breastfeeding: the good, the bad, and the ugly!

During pregnancy you will probably be asked if you are going to breast or bottle feed.  There's no doubt that breast is best, it's what's natural.  The vast majority of women are capable of breastfeeding, in fact, less than 4% are actually unable.  This doesn't mean that every woman will choose to breastfeed and choosing bottles certainly doesn't make you any less of a mother.  I will always strive to help women nurse their babies, if that is the path they choose, but at the end of the day, if our children are happy, healthy, and well taken care of, that's all that matters.

Now for a little truth: Breastfeeding is hard.  Not forever and not impossibly so, but it is hard.  I have been nursing for four years now and I don't regret a minute of it, but there were times when I have wished to have my body back.

You will probably have a lot of women tell you how wonderful nursing your children is, what an amazing way to bond it is, and that is so true.  Breastfeeding feels like one of my greatest accomplishments.  My children are happy, healthy, and secure and I know that it is in part due to my nursing them.  All of this doesn't take away from the fact that is is hard at times, especially in the beginning.

The first six weeks mark the most difficult time in your breastfeeding relationship.  Those are the weeks you'll be recovering from giving birth, baby will be cluster nursing sometimes, and you'll be adjusting to having less sleep.  There were times I thought I would never leave my couch.  I was just going to be sitting there, nursing a baby, for the rest of my life.

Then those weeks passed and it was like the sun came out.  This was what all those other moms had been talking about when I was pregnant.  Here was the bonding, how much easier it was to go into public, the satisfaction that came from knowing I was nourishing my child all on my own.  Those quiet times when your child falls asleep at the breast are some of the best.

I nursed my first child four years, almost to the day, and my second child is still nursing at just over a year.  I have tandem fed, had the talk about sharing my breasts, I've hand expressed for cuts and scrapes, and I wouldn't change a moment of it.

I tell you all of this to say, don't give up.  Yes, it will be hard, but it will be worth it.  Yes, there will be times when you want to scream or cry, but the times when you are so overwhelmed with the love you feel will make everything worthwhile.

Throughout your breastfeeding journey, you will run across a multitude of advice.  Here are a few of my best tips that have helped me along the way:

1. Drink tons of water.  Breast milk is mostly water and it is very easy to get dehydrated.  Breast feeding also makes you very thirsty.  Get a cute water bottle and keep it full and close at all times.

2. Never let your self run out of coconut oil.  It's great for cracked nipples and safe for baby.  As a bonus, its great for everything from diaper rash to dry skin.

3. Keep high protein, light snacks close by for nursing sessions.  A nursing mom will burn around 800 calories a day, just from nursing.  You will probably find you are more hungry and need to eat more often.  High protein snacks will help keep your blood sugar level and get you through until you can sit down for a meal.

4. Have a book, your phone, something handy for those cluster feeding sessions where you are tied to your couch for hours on end.  There is something beautiful about watching our nursing children, but lets be honest, nobody is staring at their child for several hours.  There's nothing wrong with having something to keep your mind busy.

5. Don't worry about how often baby wants to nurse.  As long as your baby is having plenty of wet/dirty diapers and is gaining weight, your milk production is fine.  They will go through growth spurts, wonder weeks, and other times when it seems like they just nurse and nurse and nurse.  That's ok and it doesn't mean you aren't giving them enough.

These are just a few tips to help your nursing relationship along.  A doula and a lactation consultant can also be invaluable tools when it comes time to nurse.  Good luck and enjoy this time while your babies are so little.  It will be gone before you know it.