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The Breastfeeding Check-In...

2/20/2017

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.

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?

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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Legacy... and the New Year

1/1/2017

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Happy New Year, loyal AthensBorn readers!

To kick off our exciting year, let’s jump right in with a Birthday Party!

AthensBorn Birth Services - Birthday Party Invitation

Yes, our beloved doula business is turning one, and we want to celebrate with you! We’re inviting our former and current clients, our fellow doulas in town who’ve been so influential in the building of our business, our friends, family, and anyone else who has supported us in our journey. Please come hang out with us at The Natural Baby, on the day we deemed our Birthday - January 11.

There is one primary reason that January 11 became our birthday: that was the day we officially settled on the name of our business, AthensBorn. We went through countless business names, some were pretty good, some were plain-old terrible (I think my favorite reject name was “Save the Empire Birth Services”). We just couldn’t settle on the perfect name that fit our personalities, our business style, and didn’t make us feel totally cheesy. When we finally came to AthensBorn, it felt like we had come home to ourselves. We said it out loud. We tested it on our hapless, unsuspecting family members. We wrote it down, typed it out, obsessed over it, and finally we deleted all of our other potential business names - on January 11, 2016.

Another day that makes this particular day feel special to me is that it’s my mother’s birthday - my strong, sensitive, hard-working mother turns 60 the day AthensBorn turns 1. My mother gave birth to my twin sister and me… precipitously… without medication…. both of us breech. She breastfed us and lost countless hours of sleep over the years of our youth, and probably still does. My mother attended the births of both of my children, and was the person who said “Yes, you can do this. You are doing it.” I’ll never forget her strength over those long hours of my labors… and all the years of my life. So part of why I love the idea of celebrating the birth of AthensBorn on January 11 is because my life and motherhood are so firmly tied up in my mother, and loving and serving our clients is a small, precious way that I can honor her.

So I want to dedicate our first birthday to our mothers - mine and Kate’s. Kate lost her mother many years ago, and I know she still misses her with every fiber of her being. Do our mothers ever truly leave us? Our mothers live in us. They shape us, they grow us, they love us. They teach us to love and make us into the people we become. Our mothers have shaped us and, in turn, have shaped AthensBorn. We have poured our lives into it and over the last year have learned so much about love and service to others. Our mothers' legacies are a very real and present thing at AthensBorn.

So here’s to the mothers of AthensBorn. Thank you for your legacy, and for helping bring us to this place. Friends, please come celebrate our first birthday on January 11, so that we can thank you for everything you’ve done to bring us here, too <3

Love,
Becca

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So Long, Farewell 2016

12/31/2016

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Dear Readers,

We know that 2016 has been a hard year in a lot of ways and that a lot of people are happy to see it go. But before we say “auf wiedersehen” to 2016 and gladly welcome 2017 in, we want to spend a little time remembering the last year and celebrating all the great things we’ve experienced in our first year of business.

Cue the Wayne’s World “doodly doo doodly doo” wavy-hands transition….

AthensBorn Birth Services - So Long, Farewell

We worked with 22 beautiful families and provided them services, including prenatal information, birth support, postpartum care, bereavement support, breastfeeding support, and placenta encapsulation.
We attended 2 Doula Speed Dating events with The Natural Baby (the first Doula Speed Dating events to ever exist in Athens!)
We talked with 1 group of high school students about self-care in their immediate postpartum period (in collaboration with Two Bee Birth Services).
We began a partnership with Better Breastfeeding, LLC to make sure our clients get the best breastfeeding support possible, and another partnership with The Mother-Daughter Nest to honor women as they become mothers through our Mother Blessing Ceremonies.
We published 24 blog posts and about a zillion Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter posts.
We spoke with 1 local group of pregnant women about comfort measures during labor.
We had more “super serious business meetings” than we can remember where we discussed everything from actual business stuff to our personal lives to our clients … and everything in between.
We met with multiple professionals around town, including a NICU nurse, a midwife and a professional dog trainer, to further expand our resources and knowledge. We even met with a college student with hopes of someday becoming a midwife!
We added 3 official certifications, each of us being fully certified CAPPA labor doulas and Kate earning her IBCLC credentials (HUGE congratulations on that major accomplishment, Kate!!!).
We had our first giveaway, featuring coffee from 1000 Faces and a costume contest.
Between the 2 of us, we listened to (and re-listened to) countless podcasts about birth and pregnancy and postpartum care.
We drove our husbands and kids crazy about 3 thousand total times whenever our phones dinged and we ran to it, saying “It’s Kate/Becca!” or “It’s my client!” … and then, the inevitable, “I’m heading in… I’ll be home after the baby is born!”
We did a LOT of bragging to each other about our amazing clients …. “You should have seen that mama, she was so incredible” and “He was the most attentive partner I’ve ever seen” and “That was seriously the cutest baby ever” and “Wow, what an incredible experience.”

Incredible.

Incredible is a great way to describe 2016 for AthensBorn. We’re endlessly thankful for all the support of our friends, mentors, family, and especially our clients - without you guys, we wouldn’t be here. So to each of you who trusted us to enter your sacred space in this incredible time of your lives, thank you. We told you that we were honored that you allowed us to be a part of your lives, and it’s absolutely true. We will never forget the nervousness of meeting you all for the first time, and the excitement we felt each time you chose us to serve you. We’ll never forget the beauty of seeing your baby in your arms after long hours of hard labor, or watching as you began an incredible breastfeeding relationship. We’ll hold these memories close to our hearts as AthensBorn grows, because you guys were here with us in the beginning. So, again, thank you from the very deepest part of us, and as always… take care <3

Love,
Becca

P.S. Special mention to Charles and Chad, our endlessly patient and supportive husbands, who have helped us realize this dream. We couldn’t have done this without you. And to our precious children, Jack, Anna, Ada, and Lola… we love each of you deeply, and it’s for you that we work so hard to serve each of these families.

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Postpartum Exercise and Self-Care

12/9/2016

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Dear Readers,

We have an exciting surprise this week... a guest blogger, Athens' own Hannah Gay of Baby Boot Camp! We know many of you already love Hannah and Baby Boot Camp, but here's a short intro to clue the rest of you in: Baby Boot Camp is an innovative stroller fitness program that helps moms regain or enhance pre-pregnancy fitness levels and meet the physical challenges of parenting by emphasizing strength training in a supportive environment. Hannah has been serving Athens families for years, and we're so thankful that she was willing to contribute her knowledge and expertise to us. Please check out her contact info (below) and get in touch with her if you'd like any further iformation about her programs. We hope you enjoy the information she has to offer postpartum mamas as they safely get back into the swing of exercise!

By Hannah Gay:

Just because you can doesn't mean that you should. This is my mantra for prenatal and postpartum fitness thanks to Kristen Horler, Founder and CEO of Baby Boot Camp. Over the past few years we’ve been seeing trends of women lifting heavy barbells over their head at 8 months pregnant and running marathons at 8 weeks postpartum. Don’t get me wrong- I think these women are amazing. They have unbelievable strength, endurance and dedication. They’re breaking away from the norm and demonstrating just how incredible a woman’s body is. But every time I see these photos I wince a little knowing that their pelvic floor is being negatively impacted. Not to mention that these “super moms” are setting the bar slightly out of reach for the rest of us who are doing good just to be waddling through Target. So today I’m going to share with you how to exercise safely and when to know to modify your routine.

   An obstetrician’s typical recommendation for prenatal exercise is to keep up with your current routine. This is great but for most of us it becomes unrealistic at some point in our pregnancy and we can get frustrated or discouraged. So when should you start modifying your exercise program? Any pain at all is a red flag. Your body is facing some major changes… You’re growing a human! Your hips can widen, your rib cage will expand. The hormone Relaxin begins running through your body which can cause us to overstretch/ pull muscles. It’s also the contribotor to your growing feet. Awesome, right!? All that to say; if you’re a runner or a lifter and your feet or hips start to hurt then it’s time to back off. We’ve started to dangerously classify pain is normal but it’s not. It’s common, not normal.

   Another red flag: leakage. *gasp*. Most of us have been there. You’re doing something as part of your daily routine and a little pee comes out (insert embarrassed face emoji). This is a sign of the stress that your pelvic floor is under. So again, common but not normal. The bottom line is if you're experiencing pain or leakage during your typical workout then it’s time to listen to your body and give yourself a break. It’s ok to take a nice walk instead of running. Shorten your range of motion during strength exercises. Chose the light weights or just use your body weight. And please don’t ever compromise your form during an exercise. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone! And if you’re experiencing leaking from coughing or sneezing you might want to try a pregnancy support belt just to lighten the pressure on your pelvic floor.

   Let’s fast forward to postpartum exercise. I don’t let new moms attend my classes until they are 6 weeks post vaginal delivery and 8 weeks post cesarean. No exceptions. Here’s where the mantra comes in. Let’s all say it: just because you can doesn't mean that you should. You might feel like you’re back to semi-normal around 4 weeks or so. This is where it’s important to enjoy those walks with your new baby. Internally your organs are still finding their place, your pelvic floor is still very weak, and you may have an abdominal separation known as Diastasis Recti. But once you reach that 6/8 week mark it doesn’t mean it’s time to go full beast mode. You’re going to start back slowly with walking and low impact movement. Think: no jumping, light weights, knee push-ups and planks.

   I have another magic number for you and that is to follow Baby Boot Camp’s 16 Week Rule. Yes, you read that right. 16 weeks, a.k.a. 4 months!! Once you reach 4 months postpartum you can finally begin running by following a few guidelines. Start with running/walking intervals and keep your runs to short distances. Any leakage? If yes then listen to your body and go back to walking. Can you jump from a curb with two feet, landing on two feet? Any pain in your pelvis or trunk? Any leakage? If yes then you’ve got some work to do before getting into high impact movements.

   So here’s what I suggest if you’ve reached 16 weeks postpartum and you’re still experiencing some abnormalities. Make an appointment with your OBGYN to discuss your concerns. Try getting in with the ARMC pelvic floor physical therapists. Sign up for the Core9 Diastasis Repair workshop at Thrive Integrative Medicine. Please just don’t ignore it. Pelvic floor pain and leakage are common but they’re not normal and my hope is that every mother can will be able to exercise at their desired level without feeling worried or embarrassed. Also, remember that taking care of yourself postpartum is just as important as taking care of your baby. Make a self-care plan, discuss it with your partner and find some time to do what you love!

Hannah Gay is the owner and lead instructor at Baby Boot Camp Athens, the area’s first stroller fitness program. She has a group fitness certification through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She has perinatal fitness training through Baby Boot Camp and is a licensed Core9 Birth Recovery and Diastasis Repair provider. She has two sons, Henry (3 yrs.) and Cullen (16 mos.). She enjoys a good Netflix binge session with some wine and dark chocolate!

Ways to contact Hannah:
706-614-1814 (text or call)
hannah.gay@babybootcamp.com
facebook.com/babybootcampathens
https://www.babybootcamp.com
Instagram: babybootcampath

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The unBossy Doulas

11/16/2016

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Hi, loyal readers! Here’s a topic that all three of you can get on board with - we will NOT tell you what to do in pregnancy or in birth. Of all the things Kate and I are (Funny? Smart? Maybe. A little weird, definitely), we’re certainly not bossy (though our spouses and kids may beg to differ. Good thing they don’t read our blog!) Particularly to our clients.
No one likes being bossed around, especially in a vulnerable situation such as pregnancy and birth. So I wanted to tell you a little about the AthensBorn ‘birth philosophy’ … get ready, this is big.
We will NOT boss you around. We will NOT tell you what to do. We don’t make decisions for our clients, we don’t tell them what’s best for them, we don’t even give out our personal opinions if we can avoid it. We want each client to own their decisions, from which pediatrician to choose to where they give birth to what they wear while in labor. We offer helpful tips, we share our experience and what we’ve learned, and we try to stay on top of evidence-based information so we can share that too. But, we will not decide what each client should do!
“Why???” you ask. WHY?
Because it’s not OUR birth! It’s not our baby, it’s not our body, and we don’t get to make the decisions that affect those things. We support parents in the way they need, in the way that’s right for them. We don’t draw a lot of lines in the sand, because it’s not our job to police your choices.
Another thing I want to point out - other doulas may practice differently, and it’s not our job to police them, either! There’s a doula out there for every couple who wants one, and each couple deserves to find one who fits in with their own philosophy and needs. We just wanted you to know how we practice.
And, you know what? You don’t even have to believe me just because I wrote this. You’re welcome to contact us and see what we’re all about. Or not. It’s your choice <3

Love,
Becca

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Howdy, Partner.

11/5/2016

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Our words matter. They communicate our needs, express our feelings, and set expectations for things to come. As doulas, we often find ourselves choosing words carefully because of the power they hold in emotional situations. There’s one certain word that we often hear in birth communities that has always rubbed me the wrong way. I’ve never really cared for the word “coach” when talking about a partner’s role during labor and birth. I’m not sure how the term came about, but I suspect it was an attempt to give fathers a “gender-appropriate” role as society allowed them to start coming into the delivery room to witness the births of their children. What can I say? The history of childbirth is fraught with both strange and sexist ideas. Regardless of its origins, Becca and I don’t find ourselves using it when talking to clients.

The term “coach” is most often used to describe a person who has experience and expertise in a certain area and uses their skills to improve another person’s technique. Does this sound like a fair and reasonable label for a newly expecting parent? I think not.

There certainly are times when a significant other has seen labor before and may have even given birth, themselves...but, even these individuals are unlikely to claim expertise. And, what about those who have zero experience? “Hey, I know you’ve never been to a game before, but it’s time to get in there and tell her how to do this thing right!” Yikes. Talk about pressure to perform. Words are important, so let’s choose a word that doesn’t totally freak people out by asking them to coach a high-stakes game in a sport they’ve never played before.

At AthensBorn, we prefer to use the term “partner”...and not just because we’re in the south and it sounds great with the accent. (It does.) But, because two people moving through a labor and birth are, in fact, partners. And, there is no one right way to be a partner. Some partners want to be right in the midst of labor, holding their loved one up, massaging her back, reminding her to breathe. Some partners are a little nervous...they are present and loving but also need support, guidance, and reassurance themselves from time to time. Some partners are deeply anxious and fearful in these types of situations and are not able to provide hands-on, physical support during labor but they still want to be present for that miracle moment of their child entering the world. A doula can help facilitate any one of these situations...and she’ll do it judgment-free.

Whatever kind of partner you see yourself being, your thoughts, hopes, and wishes for the birth matter. As doulas, we want to get to know you during the pregnancy, too. We want to know what you’re looking forward to, what you’re worried about, and understand how we can best support you. You don’t need an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of birth to be a great partner (hey, that’s why you hired a doula, right?). You don’t need coaching skills, you simply need love and compassion. No one knows your partner better than you and that's irreplaceable during labor. We’ve been to many births with many devoted partners who each found a way to support their loved ones during birth.

Trust us...you’ll find your own best way, too.

Take care,
Kate

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Counter Pressure: Why does it rock so hard?

10/11/2016

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People who have given birth: If you’ve experienced contractions, you may have been one of the blessed ones who also received this magical thing we call counter pressure. That basically means that you have someone in your life who loves you enough to push on your lower back during each contraction. You may not remember (or care) who was doing it or exactly how, but you know it was one of the things that helped you survive that moment and conquer each contraction as it came.

The rest of this blog post is for everyone else: partners, doulas, friends, anyone who might be assisting someone as they give birth. If you have provided counter pressure to a laboring person, you are a saint. You will forever be remembered as part of their labor survival kit and they will refuse to do labor in the future without it.

There are a few things to note about it, though, especially for anyone who has never used counter pressure as a tool. So let’s go over some basics:

How does it work? See this picture below? Look in the middle of that person’s back - that’s their sacrum. Sometimes laboring women feel pain in that place as their baby’s head passes by it on the way down - and yes, it’s generally more uncomfortable when the baby’s head is in the posterior position, meaning the bony back of the baby’s head is pushing against the sacrum. However, even anterior-positioned babies can cause discomfort - so counter pressure helps by pressing back against the baby’s head and lessening the sensation of pain. It doesn’t necessarily fix the problem, but it can be a great coping strategy for the laboring woman in that moment. If it works, do it!

AthensBorn Birth Services - Counter Pressure Anatomy

Communicate. You have to communicate with the owner of the back you’re providing counter pressure to. If you don’t know exactly how to do that, here’s a little labor role play you can practice:

Partner: Can I try some counter pressure on your lower back during the next contraction?
Pregnant person: Uuuuuuggggghhhhhh. [Assume that’s a yes.]
<Attempt counter pressure throughout entire contraction.>
Partner: How did that feel?
Pregnant person: OMG, do that forever.

If they LOVED it, do it again! If they hated it or want you to try again, but in a different spot, try again but in a different spot. If they hated it and never want you to touch their lower back again, that’s ok! Try not to let your feelings get hurt. She’s not trying to make you feel bad, she’s just in an intense place in her life. Laboring women don’t always know what they want, so it’s important for her birth team to be flexible and not take thing personally.

Keep communicating. Sometimes as the baby’s head moves down, the perfect spot for counter pressure moves down, so keep communicating with your laboring person! What works in early labor might not work later, and that’s ok. Counter pressure might work against the lower part of the person’s spine, or further down towards their tailbone - you just have to try it and find out.

AthensBorn Birth Services - Counter Pressure Demo

The Method. As this person in the picture is doing, use the palm of your hand - it provides an even, steady pressure. You can even use both hands, one on top of the other, to provide MORE pressure and to lessen the physical impact to your arms. Aim for the center of her back, right on her sacrum.

Some laboring women like the pressure to be steady and unmoving. Some women find that they like to feel some movement, so you can try a firm circular or stroking pattern and see what she likes better. (Remember to communicate!)

Positions, anyone? The laboring woman can be in lots of different positions to receive counter pressure: on her hands and knees on the floor or bed or couch, sitting on a birth ball, laying on the birth ball, sitting on the toilet, leaning over a kitchen counter, laying on her side, standing up, in the tub, in the shower. Anywhere she is comfortable where you have access to her back is a good place.

Test drive during pregnancy. There’s no need to wait until the contractions get intense before you try counter pressure. It can provide relief throughout pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, and give pregnant women and their partners something to do while they wait for the big day. This kind of labor preparation also provides couples a sense of partnership and togetherness, which is always a positive thing as parenthood approaches.

So, what do you think? If you’ve had a baby, did you enjoy counter pressure? What made it work or not work for you? If you’ve assisted as someone had a baby, do you have any tips to give to other birth partners? Feel free to share your experience with us! We love your stories!

Take care,
Becca

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Counter Pressure: Why does it rock so hard?

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