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Ramblings & Musings

Breastfeeding: The "Un"Natural Instinct

6/22/2017

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Dearest Readers,

This was written by a fantastic local mom who experienced two very different breastfeeding relationships when her little ones were born. We wanted to share it with you to show the difference a supportive community and a little encouragement can make when a parent struggles to breastfeed. If you are experiencing similar struggles, please seek help! There may be some minor changes that can make monumental differences as you begin nursing your little one.

Beverly's Story...

AthensBorn Birth Services
Beverly with her precious littles, Monica (on the left) and Genevieve (on the right).

As a new mom in 2015, I pictured the first few days of being a breastfeeding mom as a perfect little clip straight out of a fairy tale: my little girl and I, snuggled up under blankets, her gently taking my breast, like a dainty little fawn, as I smile gently down at her, drinking up her cuteness, while the husband makes us a cup of nice tea, and all would be right with the world. 

Needless to say, this is NOT how nature makes it. And all those movies and fairy tales? LIES. All LIES. 

Breastfeeding is NOT easy. And being thrown into it, with a fussy baby who treated my nipples like they were a block of cheese dropped in front of a mouse hole, I was lost. I felt I didn't have the support I needed, and within a few short weeks, I found myself with no milk supply left and having to feel defeated, moving directly to formula. 

Fast forward to this year, getting ready to birth my second daughter in March. This time, I was DETERMINED to pull through and get through the pain and agony. But the one weapon I had this time, going in, was knowledge and support! I knew what to expect the first hours, days, and weeks going in. I set up my calendar with all the breastfeeding support groups I could find. I had my mothers milk tea all ready to use. I had also let my friends and family know my choices and gathered the support from them. And best of all, I had a good friend get me in contact with a personal Doula, that would come into my home and help me transition into the life of two young girls. 

Even with all the knowledge and expectancy I had with my second that I didn't have with my first, I still had bumps in the road. I would find bad pain during nursing, or find my supply dropping at certain times. It wasn't as easy as I thought, even with a more knowledgeable mindset. But the big difference is, I found that I could always reach out to my doula for any advice, words of wisdom, or just an ear to listen to me vent about my sleepless nights. And without fail, every time I reached out for support, I would see a very noticeable difference in whatever issue I was having within 24 hours. (I think these guys are magicians.) 

The best advice I can give? Always know that you are already doing your best by reaching out for support. Don't try and fight the battle of breastfeeding alone in your little cave of pain and torture, we mamas have ALL been there, and you are never alone! Athens is an awesome town for breastfeeding moms, and it is super easy to find support if you look for it! The doulas here are even more awesome because they don't try and take on everything by themselves, they will also help you out by letting you know about other groups and classes that are full of mamas having the exact same issues as you! ​
AthensBorn Birth Services
Genevieve and Monica - clearly enjoying some sister time.


​So, what do you think? If you've breastfed a baby, try to remember back to those early days... the schedule, the discomfort, the steep learning curve. What was helpful to you and helped you push through? What do you think would have been helpful? ​

Thanks for reading! Feel free to comment and share.

Love,
​Becca
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Rolfing...what is it and how can it help me?

6/1/2017

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How many of you have come across a topic on a pregnancy or postpartum website and had absolutely no idea what in the world they were discussing? Maybe you didn’t know who their Breast Friend was, why someone’s bum would be described as either Fuzzi or Genius, and you always thought a Boppy was that game people played at parties that lights up when you whack it. Well, you’re not alone in wondering about the mysterious products and practices that present themselves to soon-to-be parents. Today we’re getting to the bottom of another topic that comes up frequently for our clients, who would like to know how it might be helpful to them during their pregnancy or after their baby has arrived. We’re talking about…
 
Rolfing!
 
We know and don’t worry, we’re going to get you the explanation from a local expert. Leah McKellop is a Certified Rolfer™ who works out of Thrive Integrative Medicine, right here in Athens. She was kind enough to answer some questions for us so that our clients could better understand whether her services might be a good match for them... 
 
Ok, let’s start with a basic introduction to what Rolfing is...
 
Rolfing® Structural Integration is a form of manual therapy that realigns and retrains your posture. This is primarily achieved by working with the connective tissue in your body, known as fascia.  Fascia runs throughout our bodies, like a flexible matrix,  giving our cells, muscles, and organs their shape.  When this fascia network becomes stuck or rotated, it pulls our bodies out of alignment.  Rolfing sessions usually consist of long slow strokes that free up adhesions  and balance tension in the fascia. Often Rolfing sessions will also involve movement training, in which the receiver learns to move in ways that continue to improve posture and comfort.  
 
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to this kind of work?
 
I have always been fascinated with human potential and that has taken me in some different directions. I studied psychology and art, worked in the social work non-profit sector, and practiced and taught yoga for years.
 
When I found Rolfing, I was really intrigued by the way it acknowledged people's adaptability and potential to change. I had injuries in my body that I thought would always be there, that I felt like I had no control over.  Then like *that* they were gone and I understood what was happening in my body and why they were there. It was like a whole new line of communication opened up. I knew how to better listen and that has helped me live in my body with so much more ease and trust.
 
My underlying hope with Rolfing, especially through pregnancy, is to build that internal line of communication. Pregnancy is a time of such rapid transition and adjustment, so it can be that much more challenging to listen to your body and trust it.  There is an ease that seems to come with being able to listen to your own rhythms and even your own pain.  When things aren't just happening to you, but rather you have a sense that you know what is going on, things are a lot less scary.  
 
What kinds of issues bring pregnant people to seek your services?  
 
Common complaints during pregnancy that might bring you in:
  • Low Back/Hip discomfort
  • Sacro Iliac Joint Discomfort /sciatica
  • Upper back/ Neck discomfort
  • Forearm/wrist/thumb discomfort
  • Leg cramping
  • Rib pressure
 
During pregnancy, the work is very gentle. Our main focus is on allowing the body to open up and trying to direct that opening into a balanced direction. Looking at the ribs for example, we want to get lots of flexibility between the individual ribs so the organs (for breath, food...) have somewhere to expand into. However, if just the front of the ribs are open, your belly might fall forward, putting a lot of pressure on the low back (SI joint, uterine ligaments, recti abdominis, etc). So, we would have to look at ways to open the back rib muscles, train the center of gravity back towards your pelvic bowl and so on.
 
Are there issues that might arise during the postpartum weeks and months that could be helped by Rolfing?

Common complaints during postpartum that might bring you in:
  • Low Back/Hip discomfort
  • Sacro Iliac Joint Discomfort /sciatica
  • Upper back/ Neck discomfort
  • Forearm/wrist/thumb discomfort
  • Diastasis Recti/Umbilical Hernia
  • Scar tissue remediation (wait 6 weeks)
  • Retraining core stability/lift (usually looking at the abdomen and pelvic floor)
  • Pelvic Floor function
 
A lot of the postpartum period is about recentering and reawakening your system of support.  It's a really rich time for work, because there is a big potential for change (with the hormone Relaxin flowing) and because on some level you are being reintroduced to your body.  The work is still gentle, but we are able to work on more internal stabilizing structures.
 
Are there any potentially adverse affects from having a Rolfing session while pregnant or soon after giving birth?
 
Always check with your doctor as a rule of thumb, but especially if you are having (or have had) any complications with your pregnancy. Though the work is gentle, it still takes energy for your body to process changes.  
 
After birth is a really wonderful window to receive work.  Your body is pliable and open to change.  It's a time when you are giving so much, that receiving is essential for balance.  However, a certain amount of healing does need to take place. The main reason for waiting is if you have scars that are healing up. Rolfing does work on scar tissue and help with healing, but you will want to wait about six weeks for the scar to heal.
 
Are there any common myths or misconceptions about Rolfing that you'd like to address?  
 
One  reputation that seems to go along with Rolfing is that it's painful.  While I will agree that there are times that it is uncomfortable, pain is not what we are looking for. Sessions are a constant dance of communication between the giver and receiver about the sensations being felt. We will definitely go to the source of troubles, and we won't ignore what needs to be looked at, but the work helps much more when the receiver is relaxed and receptive.
 
Is there anything else you'd like the Athens community to know about Rolfing or your services?
 
I'm just really grateful for the community I have found in Athens and for all the support I have received!  
 
Thanks!
Leah McKellop

www.leahmckelloprolfing.com
​
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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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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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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!

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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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Slow things down with Cord Burning

8/30/2016

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You’ve probably heard of delayed cord clamping, but what about cord burning? This is a beautiful, ancient process that’s not very well-known, but is a lovely way to savor the early moments of your child’s life.
AthensBorn Birth Services - Cord Burning by AppleBlossomFamilies
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Cord burning is the process of using heat (fire from a candle, usually) to sever the baby’s umbilical cord after birth, rather than the typical cutting. Basically, after the placenta has been delivered, the baby is snuggled skin-to-skin on mother’s chest with cord intact and still attached to the placenta. Then, a “burn box” (check out the beautiful ones here) or homemade “shield” made of aluminum foil-covered cardboard is placed around the cord with the aluminum foil facing the placenta. The cord is held over a candle flame and rotated for 10-15 minutes until it burns through and separates. After the end of the cord has cooled, the half of the cord that’s attached to the baby will be curled into a spiral or tied into a knot on the baby’s stomach and wrapped with gauze until the next day. When the gauze is removed, the cord spiral or knot will air-dry and is likely to fall off just a few days later.

You may be asking what the benefits of cord burning are. After all, it requires some extra help, takes a lot longer than clamping and cutting, and adds a bit of additional work to the intense work already involved in birthing a baby. Allow me to pontificate…

If you’ve had a baby, think back to the first hour after your baby was born. It’s often called the “Golden Hour” - in which the new family is (supposedly) peaceful, calm, and falling in love with their newborn. However, it often seems like it’s all business - the business of clamping and cutting the cord, expelling the placenta, and basically rushing the separation of the baby from all it’s ever known into this new, cold, bright, loud world. I like to think of cord burning as a refreshing way to slow it all down. It’s a very intentional way to allow families to savor the connection of the baby to the mother’s body, rather than blindly running forward into this newness.

Also, consider your ‘village.” Cord burning can be a way for the partner, doula, midwife, and even the baby’s older siblings to be involved in the baby’s birth. What a beautiful way for a baby to be introduced to their community!

Medically speaking, cord burning can be a great way to separate the cord when there aren’t sterile medical supplies available - clamps and scissors. There are also known physical benefits to delayed cord clamping, which necessarily precedes cord burning.
​
Cord burning may not be for everyone. In fact, the way it stands, in Athens it’s just an option for homebirth babies since the hospitals don’t allow an open flame in the birth rooms (and for good reason!). But now you know there’s another option for you to consider as you plan out your ideal “Golden Hour.”

Love,
​Becca
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Give the gift of a doula...

8/9/2016

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Dear Friends and Family Members of Pregnant People,

Hello, and welcome to the AthensBorn blog! This post is for you, by virtue of whoever it is you know who is currently expecting a child. Did you know that it’s possible to gift someone a doula? Yes, it’s true! You can purchase our services as a gift!

“….but why, Becca, why would I do that??? And how, and what services? Tell me more!” you say? Well, let me tell you!​
​
First, let’s start with which services you can gift: ALL THE SERVICES!
Gift ALL THE SERVICES!
From prenatal services to birth to placenta and postpartum services, we do it all, and it can all be given as a gift to a pregnant woman. 

Why gift a Mother Blessing....
Because this is a beautiful way to honor a woman as she prepares for birth and motherhood. It’s not a baby shower… it’s a feminine, powerful, spiritual, and personal ushering into motherhood by an expectant mother’s own closest female friends and family. 

Why gift a birth doula….
Because people benefit from having doulas by their side in labor. A woman with a doula feels supported and informed, which helps her have a more satisfying birth experience… regardless of the outcome of her birth. 

Why gift placenta services…
Because placenta encapsulation is a great way to help a woman ease her transition from birth to having a newborn. Taking placenta pills can help ease her fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and give her back some of the nutrients she lost during birth.

Why gift a postpartum doula...
Because we don’t have the village around us - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins - that generations past had to help care for a newborn and a mama recovering from birth. It’s less common in our society for a family to be surrounded by available, helping hands than it ever has been, but there’s more pressure to strive for “perfection” than ever, and that’s hard on a postpartum mama. A postpartum doula can help bring some of that back into the early postpartum days.

Visit our website​ for more information about how to make a gift of our services (electronic or on paper) for someone you know. 

Whether you want to contribute a small amount toward a family’s services or purchase the whole shebang; whether it’s a surprise or something you’ve discussed with the parents, please consider this as an alternative to the traditional gifts. A family never forgets their pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum days - help them to cherish these moments by gifting them doula services to help them navigate resources, information, and options. We can answer any questions you have and even set up a consultation with you and/or the parents before you make your final choice. 

Happy Gifting!
Becca
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The Magical Placenta

8/2/2016

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Placenta Pills
Hi friends!

At Athensborn, we’re currently offering a new service:

Placenta Encapsulation. AKA, “after my baby’s birth, I’m going to eat my placenta.”

Now, before you react like my dad did when I explained to him exactly what that meant (“But that’s cannibalism!”) please hear me out.

The placenta is an organ that is created during your pregnancy, and grows alongside your little one until birth. It attaches to the wall of the uterus and is responsible for providing baby all of his/her nutrients and oxygen. Placentas are thought to be full of hormones and nutrients that can contribute to postpartum healing, mood stabilization, healthy milk supply, and energy levels. Now, full disclosure: the bulk of the current evidence pointing to these benefits is anecdotal, meaning women who took placenta pills commonly report these things. There simply haven't been enough peer-reviewed studies done on these specific benefits, which means that there is not yet scientific backing for it. We encourage each of our clients to talk to their healthcare provider, talk to anyone they know who has experienced this, and read the research that is out there and decide for themselves if this is right for them.

There’s more great information about the placenta here, and you can also learn about the placenta services we offer. But before you do that, I’d like to share some of my personal thoughts about placentophagy (ingestion of the placenta).

The first thing I’d like to share is that I’ve never eaten my own placenta. I have no first-hand evidence of any of this, I can’t tell you what it tastes like, I can’t tell you how it made me feel. But I feel like that’s really not important, because my body is different from yours. My births were different than yours, and my postpartum experience was different than yours - every woman experiences each of these monumental life events in a unique way, and owns her own experience. No one can tell you with certainty how taking placenta pills is going to make you feel, nor should they.

The second thing I want to share is that before I began my research into placenta encapsulation and took my training course through IPPA (International Placenta and Postpartum Association) I was not interested in eating my placenta. It didn’t weird me out if someone else wanted to eat theirs, but I didn’t feel like I needed to eat mine. And that’s totally cool. No one should tell you that you have to eat your placenta. Again, this is an experience that each woman has to own and decide for herself.

My third and final thought to share is that if I have another baby, I’m absolutely going to encapsulate my placenta. I’m going to see if it keeps me from feeling like I’m losing my mind in my early postpartum days, because I know what that feels like and I’m willing to do almost anything to avoid it. I’m going to make myself a placenta tincture to see if it will do anything to alleviate the menstrual-related migraines I’ve gotten nearly every month for decades. I’m going to carry that tincture with me into menopause and see how it treats me as I enter that vulnerable and powerful time of my life.

Y’all, I don’t see myself as a hippie. I really don’t (please ignore the fact that I cloth diapered my babies and make my own soap and deodorant. Those were totally financial decisions. Oh, and I recycle anything with a triangle on it. And, I compost and plant a garden every spring. You know what, I’m ruining my “I’m not a hippie!” case, nevermind.) The point is, I’ve read the research. I’ve looked into it, I’ve explored the possibilities, I’ve learned about the process, and I’m on board with it.

Please, please know that I would never presume to tell anyone else what to do. Just as with all of our labor and postpartum clients, I will tell anyone interested in our placenta services what their options and choices are, and leave it up to them to decide. That’s how we operate here at AthensBorn. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Lots of love and a little bit of placenta dust,
Becca
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Can I afford a postpartum doula?

7/20/2016

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AthensBorn Birth Services: The First 40 Years
Hiring a postpartum doula is something that’s sometimes looked at as a luxury. But, ask most parents a little farther down the road and they’ll tell you about the things they wished for most in those earliest newborn days. Support and sleep. Two things that an experienced postpartum doula can offer!

How can I make it happen?

At AthensBorn, most of our clients hire a postpartum doula in one of two ways.

#1- When friends and family members ask what gifts or what kinds of help would be welcomed, these parents express how grateful they would be to receive a contribution to postpartum doula care. If you were to put a postpartum doula package right there on the gift registry for a baby shower, chances are it would not be the most expensive thing on the list and people generally love to contribute to these kinds of services! Becca and I have gone a step further to make this as easy as possible by offering the option to gift services through our website. Friends and family members can choose the services they’d like to gift in whatever amount they prefer and pay directly online. Done! We also provide the option to have a pretty, paper gift certificate mailed for those who wish to have something more personal in hand to give. Everyone likes a little glitter and ribbon from time to time, right? So, having the name and website for a postpartum doula you’d like to work with at the ready when people ask is a great way to start.

#2- Prioritize. Many of our clients simply make postpartum doula care a priority and set aside a small amount of money every month toward their services. It’s important to them to feel supported and cared for in those early days, so they plan ahead and make adjustments where needed. It’s usually not as hard as it might seem. If a family sets aside $15 every month of their pregnancy, they’ll have enough for a helpful postpartum package. Many businesses (including AthensBorn) also offer payment plans.

If you’re not sure if a postpartum doula is the right option for you, ask around among friends and parents in your community. Talk to someone who hired a postpartum doula and find out about their experience. And, as always, we’re happy to answer any questions you have!

Take care,
Kate
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