Let’s Talk About Your Bishop Score

What is my Bishop Score? When you are overdue and you healthcare provider is suggesting induction, this is one of the most important questions you should ask them before consenting. The current state of your cervix, coupled with other factors, will determine how soon the onset of labor may be. There are several ways to gauge how “ripe” your cervix is at any given time. The tallying of these factors is referred to as the Bishop Score. To see a simple chart to calculate your odds, go here: Bishop Score. The total score is achieved by assessing the following five … Continue reading →

The Let’s Talk Blog Top Ten – Ways to Achieve a Normal Birth

TEN: Allow labor to begin on its own. Getting induced with Pitocin tends to lead to further complications and more painful contractions. Inductions should be reserved for medical indications only. NINE: Allow yourself movement. You’ll be more comfortable if you are able to move freely during labor. Your labor will most likely progress quickly if you are able to keep active and respond to your labor pains by changing positions. EIGHT: Say no to routine interventions. Ask for intermittent, instead of constant, fetal monitoring. Having belts, cords or wires on your person can tie you down and won’t allow you … Continue reading →

What Kind of Birth Do You Want?

If you are pregnant, you may be thinking about writing a birth plan. You won’t be able to write an effective plan until you have decided the kind of birth you want. Do you want a natural birth in a relaxed setting, such as at home or in a birth center? Do you prefer the hospital setting with doctors and nurses close by to monitor your progress? Do you want pain relief or would you like a drug free birth? Where your baby is born will impact the kind of birth you have. Your baby can be born in the … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Having a Lotus Birth

If you’ve never heard of Lotus Birth before, you aren’t alone. But you may now come across the idea throughout your pregnancy. Lotus Birth is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut after the third stage of labour so that the baby remains attached to both cord and placenta until they naturally separate from the umbilicus. I learned a lot about Lotus Birth from Sam Pearson, and her article is linked at the bottom. With her permission I would like to quote a few paragraphs Ms. Pearson wrote on her own experiences with Lotus birth, to share why she … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Avoiding a Cesarean-Section

It’s commonly understood that cesareans are surgical procedures, and therefore come with an element of risk. In fact, risks of the surgery include things as serious as infection, uterine rupture, low birth weight for the baby, and even death for either mother or child. Here I will highlight ways to avoid a cesarean section. Throughout pregnancy: The easiest way to avoid a cesarean is to educate yourself and decide to birth naturally. Interview many care providers, and choose one that you feel is most concerned with your interests. Introduce them to you birth plan, and gauge their attitude towards it. … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Elective Cesareans

Could we assume for a moment that an elective cesarean is in the same category as a nose-job or a face lift? All three are typically unnecessary surgeries that nonetheless carry all the risk of any surgery, and yet the instance of c-sections is on the rise in America. In fact, between the years 1994 and 2001, it rose eight percent and then by 2004, it rose at least eight percent again! If we put elective c-section in the same category as cosmetic surgery, we would have to understand that many people do unnecessary things to their body. There is … Continue reading →

The Safety of Home Birth

As soon as you tell your family and friends that you plan to give birth at home, the issue of safety will come up. The people in your life mean well. They are concerned for your safety and your baby’s health. We have been conditioned to believe that a doctor attended birth in a hospital is the safest option for child birth. What we have to realize is that the birth industry is big business. Doctors have a lot to lose if women all decided to return to the home and the care of a midwife, as has been the … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Your Homebirth Supply List

So you’ve decided to have a homebirth, or maybe you are just curious as to what is needed to give birth at home. There are numerous things that you will be advised to get for a homebirth, but you may not use all of them. Your midwife will probably give you a list of things she requires you to have aside from what she will bring in her birth bag, and this can differ between midwives. Many of these things are right at home, all you have to do is get them all together in a box or basket and … Continue reading →

The Let’s Talk Blog Top Ten – Reasons for a Homebirth

In my opinion, there are way too many reasons to count. However, they can all more or less be included in these TEN reasons to have a homebirth: TEN: Feel safe – Being without fear is the #1 key to having a successful, drug-free delivery. I personally would be scared to death of a hospital birth, while some women may be scared to be without the medical umbrella of a hospital. NINE: Have it your way – When giving birth at a hospital, it’s hard not to let our doctors or midwives run the show. After all, you may be … Continue reading →