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Ramblings & Musings

The Breastfeeding Check-In...

2/20/2017

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When clicking through the services that are offered at AthensBorn (we fancy ourselves that people do actually click through all the services), you may have noticed the “Breastfeeding Check-In”. You may have also noticed that it’s only available to AthensBorn Labor Doula clients. Why, you ask? Is this just a mildly clever marketing ploy to get people to register for more expensive services? Nope. And, we’re happy to explain the “why” of it all.

Assessing breastfeeding can sometimes be a tricky business and it’s difficult to do it well in just one visit. There are a lot of questions that lactation consultants are considering when deciding what suggestions to make to a breastfeeding parent...pertinent medical history, what was the birth experience like, are there deep feelings or wishes for the breastfeeding relationship, were there complications during pregnancy, is there a partner and/or is that partner supportive of breastfeeding? Those are just a few of the things that are running through my mind when I’m meeting a new breastfeeding family for the first time.

I have tried offering single appointments to breastfeeding families that I’ve never met before and I always come back to the same place...I simply don’t feel like I’m providing the best possible care. One assessment and some recommendations are a good start, but there really needs to be some kind of follow up. Did the suggestions help? A little or a lot? Do the parents still have lingering concerns? Does the baby’s pediatrician have concerns? Often times, the plan needs to be adjusted as the baby grows and we learn more about what’s happening with the breastfeeding couple. And, the lactation consultant is usually choosing words carefully in order to avoid overwhelming new parents with too much information. With the one appointment system, too many families are left feeling like they have unanswered questions and they’re hesitant to spend money on a second appointment or call with concerns. They don’t want to “bother” the lactation consultant when they don’t have an appointment scheduled. This is the crux of the issue.

But...if I have a relationship with a family because we’ve met several times for prenatal visits, they’ve already shared their wishes, their hopes, their history, and I’ve gotten to know them well.

And...they automatically have one postpartum visit already scheduled where my lovely partner or I will be able to lay eyes on them and see how things are going. I trust that they will reach out if they’re struggling because they feel comfortable with us. This makes it possible for me to offer a one-time Breastfeeding Check-In to these families. Because it’s not actually a one-time appointment...it’s part of a longer series.

For families that I haven’t had the privilege of getting to know through prenatal visits, we do offer a two-visit option. These families are invited to book our Early Days at Home Package. There is plenty of time to focus on breastfeeding in these two visits, which usually take place in the first 3-10 days after birth...plus, with this package, we usually manage to fit in some help around the house, assistance with infant care, babywearing, or cloth diapering.

At AthensBorn, we’re proud to offer something for everyone who needs breastfeeding support! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions or would like more information. We’re here to serve our families <3

Take care,
Kate
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Prodromal WHAT?!

2/11/2017

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Prodromal labor.

If you’ve ever experienced it, it’s like I just said a really nasty cuss word. If you’ve never experienced it, please… allow me to enlighten you.
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Don't you love the look on her face? That's the look of days of prodromal labor.
What is it?

Prodromal labor is a pattern of contractions that can begin anytime in the last few weeks of your pregnancy. It can hurt. It can feel like active labor. It can keep you up at night, it can last for days, it can totally exhaust you and your partner. Prodromal labor contractions may be far apart, close together, short, long, painful, or mild.

But here’s the kicker - these contractions are more annoying than they are productive. Prodromal labor contractions can start and stop at any time. It can be absolutely miserable, especially when you’re trying to plan your life around this labor that never seems to truly start, and worse… never seems to end. Active labor results in cervical change. That means your cervix (the opening of the uterus) gets soft (effacement) or open (dilation). Prodromal labor doesn’t cause any cervical change, though it can transition into active labor at any time - and only a cervical check can provide that particular information.

You may have heard the term “false labor,” which is a very bad, no-good term that we don’t use. I’m using it here so that you won’t have to. Just because prodromal labor contractions don’t immediately result in a baby doesn’t mean they’re false. Ask anyone who has experienced mind-numbing exhaustion from 3 solid days and nights of difficult contractions - that was not “false labor.” It’s very real and to call it “false” seems to imply that it wasn’t important or necessary. Prodromal labor does help with toning the muscles of the uterus and can lead to other physical preparation that your body goes through to have a baby. There is a meaning to all the madness.

Some other notable qualities of prodromal labor are that it can’t always be stopped, it is often painful, and sometimes occur at a particular time of day, like when you lay down to go to sleep at night. Prodromal labor contractions can seem like they’re occurring very quickly and for long periods of time, which is one reason it can feel like active labor is imminent.

So, how do I survive it?

We wrote a blog post a while back on ignoring early labor, and one of the big reasons we constantly urge our clients to ignore, distract, and rest during early labor is because of this… it may be prodromal. Seriously, people. If you think you’re in labor, that’s great! Contact your healthcare provider, contact your doula. But then… pull an Elsa and let it go. If you need to sit on your birth ball or relax in the bath, that’s ok - do what you need to do. But don’t jump in the car and head to the hospital just yet. You want to look for the sign that your contractions are getting longer, stronger, and closer together.

First, try drinking a big glass of water, changing your position (get up if you’ve been laying down, or vice versa), taking a nap, or laying in a relaxing bath. Sometimes, these minor changes can alter the trajectory of prodromal labor.

If you’re a do-er, find something to DO. Make food. Clean your house. Go shopping, go to a movie. Distract yourself. Don't time your contractions!

If you’re a worker, and you need to feel like you’re doing something to help yourself and your baby, check out The Miles Circuit. There has been some speculation in the birth world that prodromal labor may be related to a less-than-optimally positioned baby, and the Miles Circuit is a healthy, physical set of moves that gives you a job to do.

Otherwise...hang in there! Prodromal labor is tough, but it has a silver lining or two (I’m all about the silver lining!). It’s great practice for labor - you can test-drive positions that feel good, find comfortable places in your home to do contractions, work with your partner to find some massage techniques that feel good. It does bring baby closer through uterine muscle toning. And… it’s a time to truly find your strength and use the power within your body to do the work that needs to be done. And trust us… that’s also great training for parenthood <3

Love,
Becca

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Breastfeeding & Alphabet Soup

2/3/2017

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The different credentials of breastfeeding supporters can often be confusing to parents. So here at AthensBorn, we wanted to offer some guidelines on deciphering the alphabet soup of lactation. Ok, really we just have one guideline to offer...

ASK.

That’s it! That’s our gem of wisdom. Ask what an individual's accreditation means and what kind of education and training it took to achieve. The reason this is necessary is because the field of lactation support is almost completely unregulated. Any person who wants to can hang up a shingle outside their door and start offering to help breastfeeding parents. New certifying organizations are coming out and each brings their own new credential. It’s great that access to breastfeeding support is increasing, but it can be really confusing for the parent/consumer who’s trying to figure it all out.

It's important to know which support person is the best match for your needs. Here’s a summary to break down the basics of the different types of support, including peer-to-peer, community supporters, and IBCLCs.

Peer to Peer Groups
This is truly the oldest, longest-running kind of support. From the beginning of time, women have supported other women in breastfeeding. Leaders in these groups have personal breastfeeding experience and have spent time with others in their communities, in addition to receiving specialized education and training. These groups are invaluable to new parents and are definitely a great starting point for anyone, regardless of whether or not they’re experiencing problems. Simply being around other new parents can make a world of difference. Great examples of peer to peer support can be found through…

La Leche League
Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association
Breastfeeding USA
WIC Peer Counselors
Milk Junkies

Community Supporters
This is the trickiest group to navigate (as a consumer) since there are so many organizations that hand out their own letters. Some examples you might see are CBS, CLC, CLS. Typically these credentials are earned through a course on lactation-specific topics, consisting of somewhere in the neighborhood of 45 hours. Some are less, some are more. Most of these courses require no personal experience or hands-on training alongside an experienced professional, though some individuals do seek out extra mentoring on their own. Some community supporters may have no letters next to their name, but have gained wisdom and experience through years of hands-on support for others in their communities or through an apprentice model of learning. The bottom line here is there’s really no way to know how much education and training someone in the role of community supporter has without researching the specific organization they trained with. or asking questions. So just ask! Most individuals are happy to share their background, education and training with you! And, if they're not....well, that's sketchy.

IBCLC (Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant)
This is the only international accreditation offered in the field of lactation support on a professional/clinical level. What does this mean for parents? It means....if you are seeing an IBCLC, you can be certain that their education and training included the following:

*Completing 14 specific college/university courses in Health Sciences (from IBLCE.org)
  • Biology
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Infant and Child Growth and Development
  • Nutrition
  • Psychology/Counseling/Communication Skills
  • Introduction to Research
  • Sociology/Cultural Sensitivity/Anthropology
  • Basic life support
  • Medical documentation
  • Medical terminology
  • Occupational safety and security for health professionals
  • Professional ethics for health professionals  
  • Universal safety precautions and infection control

*Completing a minimum of 90 hours of lactation-specific education
*Working between 300-1000 clinical hours (hands-on experience)
*Successfully passing the IBCLC exam

They will also probably have totally buff arm muscles from carrying around approximately 3-5 lbs of study materials everywhere they went for over two years. And, it’s possible they could heat their homes for a full winter by burning old note cards from school. No? Was that just me?
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Bottom line is,  IBCLC is one credential where you have a baseline understanding of the depth and breadth of the professional’s education and training, no matter where in the world they practice. This is the person you can seek out for any breastfeeding issue, but certainly the one you should seek out for issues that persist, involve complications or concerns about weight gain, or anything that requires close monitoring of your baby. 

Local hospitals are often a great place to find skilled IBCLCs and our community is no exception. Of course, we have an IBCLC right here at AthensBorn Birth Services, but we’re also proud to work alongside and learn from other amazing professionals in our community. 

See that? A breastfeeding support person to fit every need! Aren’t we lucky to be living here in Athens, GA? 

Take care,
Kate
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Postpartum Care in Postmodern Times

2/2/2017

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There are two common questions that postpartum doulas hear in regards to their work…

Question 1: What exactly do you do?
A professional postpartum doula can help ease the anxiety and workload that comes along with the transition following a birth. Doulas provide both emotional support and hands-on help to a family, allowing parents time to bond with baby, snuggle older siblings, and take a refreshing shower or much needed nap. Every family has different needs, but typical duties might include helping a mother with breastfeeding, providing guidance on infant care and postpartum recovery, preparing meals, doing laundry, washing dishes or bottles, running errands and helping care for siblings. A professional doula is knowledgeable about other local services a family may need (support groups, mental health care providers, lactation consultants, chiropractors, massage therapists, etc) and can help with referrals. A doula may come for a few hours during the day or help the family overnight, when needed. She may also spend time with the parents helping them process feelings about their birth, answering questions about physical and emotional changes, and providing encouragement and reassurance that they can handle the new adventures to come.

Question 2: Do people really need that?
Yes. Because times have changed.

Most of the time, I’m grateful to live in this day and age. I like my car, I like my smart phone. I’m a big fan of central heating and cooling. These are all good things. However, postpartum care is one area where a modern attitude may be causing women more harm than good. The days and weeks after the birth of a baby used to be a time of turning inward for a woman. She and her little one would be sheltered by family and friends, safe and warm in a haven away from the outside world, as she settled into parenting and the baby became accustomed to life on the outside. The new parent’s job was to rest, recover, and care for her little one while others tended to siblings and managed other tasks and needs.

But, like many traditions in our society, this one has faded away over time. The postpartum period has now become a time where women are expected to turn outward rather than inward, and they’re expected to do it quickly. Rather than being allowed to focus on baby within the intimate circle of loved ones, society tells new parents to get up, get moving, and get on with life. Friends and family are clamoring for social media updates and photos from the first minutes after baby arrives. The clock starts ticking and the family is sent home just 48 hours after birth…and while baby sees a pediatrician within the first week, the woman doesn’t usually see her healthcare provider for six weeks. Spouses or partners are rarely given more than a couple of days off work and most birthing parents are considered very lucky if given six weeks of unpaid maternity leave.

Parents are expected to do it all on their own these days. Adjust to a completely new life, care for a newborn, master breastfeeding, cook, clean, run errands, walk the dog, entertain visiting family, and do it all while sleep-deprived. And, because we live in a society that loudly praises independence and self-sufficiency, most parents feel like they should be able to do it all.

Sadly, many of them end up enjoying their first few weeks and months as parents much less than they could have, if they’d just had one important thing: Support.

Many people don’t have support systems in place to help them through this time. These days, more and more families are spread across the country or even across the world. Friends may live far away or have demanding jobs and families of their own that prevent them from lending a hand as often as they’d like. So, in these postmodern times, who is caring for a woman as she cares for a baby? It’s a pretty tall order for one partner, not to mention those who are single-parenting, welcoming multiples or premature babies, or recovering from a traumatic or complicated birth. This is why a postpartum doula can be of valuable service to a family. To offer support in a seamless, unobtrusive, non-judgmental way.

All families deserve a gentle transition into their new way of life and a little help as they get their collective feet under them. Hiring a postpartum doula is a gift to a family…the gift of knowledgeable and experienced support, of time, and of peace of mind.

Take care,
​
Kate

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    Kate & ​Becca

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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • KIND WORDS
    • DOULA APPRENTICESHIPS
    • FAQ
    • BLOG
  • SERVICES
    • BIRTH DOULA PACKAGES >
      • LABOR DOULA PACKAGE
      • APPRENTICE LABOR DOULA PACKAGE
      • CESAREAN BIRTH PLANNING PACKAGE
      • LAST MINUTE DOULA SERVICES
    • PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION
    • LACTATION SUPPORT >
      • Lactation Consultations
      • Pregnant & Planning Ahead
      • Lactation Education & Classes
      • Lactation & Insurance
    • POSTPARTUM SUPPORT
    • GIFT CERTIFICATES
  • CLIENTS
    • Online Forms
    • Local Resources
    • FAQs
    • Community Connections
    • Insurance Reimbursement
  • CONTACT
  • EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS
    • Movement & Positioning Workshop
  • AthensBorn Shop
    • Shop Birth Doula Services
    • Shop Lactation Services
    • Shop Postpartum Services
    • Shop Placenta Services