Natural Childbirth Birth Plan

We meant to post our birth plan in honor of Dalia's 1st birthday. We didn't quite make it in time, but still want to share it with our readers. This is a fairly typical birth plan for women planning to labor in a birth center or hospital with midwives. There are some doctors out there who would probably be OK with some of these items, but most (if not all) will not agree to this type of plan (especially since most hospitals have procedures, time lines, and other birth policies they must always follow--hello, Business of Being Born, ever see it? It is a MUST)!

How about the you must dilate one cm per hour once you hit active labor or BOOM pitocin (you know the drill, the all-to-familiar cascade of interventions.....)

Having a natural and gentle birth (calm environment, soft music and soft voices, and gentle language and movements) can lead to a more bonded relationship with your child, not to mention it gives you a head start on gentle discipline, if you are interested in that.

So here you all go! And, if you haven't read our very abbreviated birth story, read it here.

Sarah and Steven Horowitz, Birth Plan

Birth Goal

We are attempting to have a natural, unmedicated birth without unnecessary intervention. We understand that emergencies occur and alterations to this plan may be medically necessary, but we would like to discuss alternatives and consequences of any deviation privately.

Hospital Labor Goals

We ask that our Midwife and Doula (Aimee Clark) be present for the labor. We do not want mother and father to be separated at any time during labor or delivery. All other visitors, family, and unnecessary staff should be turned away until we have had time alone with our new baby.

We ask that lights be kept fully dim, noise and voices be kept to a minimum, and the door always be kept closed for privacy. We will bring our own music to aid in natural healing.

We ask that cervical exams be kept to an absolute minimum and that fetal monitoring be intermittent rather than continuous.

We ask that the hospital staff refrain from offering pain medication at all times.

We ask that no routine IV be administered. The mother will drink and eat as she wishes to maintain natural energy.

We ask that the bag of waters not be artificially broken at any time.

We prefer to labor in one of the hospital’s tubs, if available.

Induction (if medically necessary)

We ask that non-chemical induction methods be tried first. (nipple stimulation, sex, etc) If further help is needed, please try a cervical ripening agent (but not cytotec) rather than pitocin. No pitocin.

Delivery Goals

We prefer not to have an episiotomy unless determined to be medically necessary; we would first like to try perineal massage, support and warm compresses.

We ask that the mother be allowed to try different positions (hands and knees, squatting, birth stools, etc.), if labor or delivery seems stalled.

We ask that the mother be allowed to select her pushing position.

We would like to have the baby placed on the mother's chest immediately after the birth.

We would like to try to have the baby breastfeed as soon as possible, even if delivered by a medically necessary Cesarean.

Newborn Care Goals

Do not administer the eye medication. Do not administer the vitamin K shot until we have spent some time with the baby, preferably as long as possible before leaving the labor and delivery room.

Please delay the weighing and measuring of the baby until the first feeding is complete.

Please do not offer any bottles or pacifiers to the baby without parents' notification of a medical need.

Please discuss routine vaccinations with parents before administering them to the baby.

Do not administer the Hep B vaccination.

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So that is it. That was our plan and it went exactly as we wanted. Keep in mind my labor stalled for 3 hours at 9.5 cm (yeah, I go to the hospital at 9.5). MDs probably won't let you go that long--even my midwife was a bit up in arms. And in all honesty, I believe it was Dalia saying, "mommy and daddy, I am just not ready to leave this womb yet. I am not prepared to separate so please give me more time." I also believe it was my body telling everyone that it was not ready. I was not ready to become a mommy. It wasn't the right time.

In the end I did end up letting my midwife break my bag of waters. Funny enough Dalia was being born in the bag of waters (apparently a sign of good luck in Asia). At that moment, I caved, but no regrets there.

Birth is not just a physical task. It is mental, emotional, psychological, physiological, and personal. Your whole self has to be ready to have a baby, not just your cervix!

Research Released--Ear Infections

Dalia has had one ear infection since she was born. And I have to admit it was a pretty miserable few days. Of course her temp was 103 and she was really really super really cranky (did I make that point clear?). We took her to the doctor and the doctor prescribed antbx. Well, my mommy mind kicked in and I doubted filling the prescription. I doubted it the whole way home. I ended up filling it. Then we debated giving it to her at the table for 20 minutes. Something told me no, but then we decided yes. So we ended up giving it to her (I still feel this was the wrong decision. My friend shared an alternative remedy with me just hours later).

She, of course, developed hives, a sure sign on an allergic reaction. Hmmm... I did tell the doctor that I am allergic (and having a parent that is allergic makes it more likely that the child will be). Needless to say I was annoyed that the doctor didn't prescribe something else just because.

Oh well.

Check this out. I love when research that supports what we feel is correct is released! This has been researched for a long time with similar results, but I like when stuff continues to come out. From DOCTORS, too!

Obviously some infections require anbtx, so always check with you MD or ND :)

Now the alternatives:

Herbal Wellness for Kids (made by Rainbow Light)

Onions and garlic are known to have anti-bacterial properties. Warm onion juice can be used as an eardrop. You can also warm up two garlic cloves in a couple of teaspoons of mustard oil until the oil turns black. Once it is cool, this oil can then be used as a simple home remedy for ear infection.

You can put together two drops of lavender oil, two of chamomile oil, and three drops of tea tree oil in an almond oil solution. Use this mixture, slightly warmed up, as an eardrop three times a day. Chamomile is also known to sooth inflammation, and tea tree oil has well documented anti-microbial properties.

Warm washcloths over the ear can help with pain as well

There are so many ways to deal with ear infections. Do you have any other natural remedies?

Natural Healing

With the recent recall of my favorite teething tablets, it truly is the case that nothing (not even the natural stuff) is always 100% safe. Of course the moment the recall happened, thousands and thousands of parents went on-line and to brick and mortars to buy up each and every single container of these miracle pills (natural parenting people, go figure). In fact, many natural parenting parents view the recall as nothing more than the FDA trying to come down on natural remedies for the sake of big pharmas. The "problem" with the pills, according to some, is the inconsistent amounts of belladonna--many docs believe this is nothing to be concerned about.

Side note: Eating 6 bottles may cause a problem. Imagine 1 bottle of Tylenol.

Still I have to admit that I have used them less, if only because Dalia seems less upset by her teething pains. Oh, and because of my recent purchase!

After reading, researching, talking, debating, and doing some general thinking about other teething/discomfort remedies, we decided to purchase a baltic amber teething necklace for Dalia. The jeweler, Inspired by Finn, is an entrepreneur who showcases her products at HyenaCart, one of my favorite on-line shopping destinations.

Read up on amber as a natural healing remedy:

http://hyenacart.com/inspiredbyfinn/index.php?c=63&p=14913

http://www.viewpoints.com/No-Brand-Amber-teething-necklace-review-00b92

http://www.mamapedia.com/article/amber-teething-necklaces

Side note number 2: the above is a quick google search and not my serious research!

Does it work? Who knows.

I will have to let you know, though it may be the placebos talking :)

Overcoming Over-medication

A recent blog post by my friend (her blog is amazing check it out-amomwriting.blogspot.com) about the recent infant/children's Tylenol recall inspired me to write a little something about our kiddos and medication. So I want to offer up some more natural approaches to dealing with some baby issues. We do not condone the use of standard medicines on babies-we have used them before. But, we are also into the more natural, homeopathic ways of dealing with "baby issues" and we hope you all find some of this helpful!

I am no expert and I don't plan on going back to school to be a doctor (well medical doctor, that is) any time soon, but I truly believe that our society is over-medicated (if you really want to argue with me and debate, send a personal note and I will tell you some of my thoughts).

This has trickled down to our little ones and now we find ourselves administering Tylenol, among other things, for very minor fevers, as well as for the expected aches and pains of the sometimes debatable first-year inoculations ("vaccines"-have you read Dr. Sears' The Vaccine Book?).

What ever happened to waiting until after the selected vaccines are administered to see if the baby really needs the medication?

Watch your baby!

Read your baby's signs!

Listen to your baby!

Also, a snuggle from mommy or daddy can really do wonders for a precious little one. Do not underestimate your child's need for love and affection. The physiological affects of touch, scent, and tone can impact a baby.

So here are some things we use that are more natural remedies (some are based on our pediatrician's recommendations-yes a medical doctor that believes in natural remedies-and others are from our own research, including an aromatherapy workshop at Whole Foods). Please speak with your doctor before trying any of this if you are worried or unsure.

Excess Gas and Gas Pains-brew chamomile tea and cool it to room temperature, administer a couple of teaspoons if less than 15 pounds, give up to four for a larger baby; bath with your baby and nurse in the tub; put baby in a non-soap, warm bath and massage between the belly button and the hips; do bicycle motions with your baby's legs to move trapped gas bubbles downward; take baby's legs together and gently move the knees toward the tummy, apply more pressure and repeat; Colic Calm is another useful thing to try (despite its name being "Colic Calm" is not not only for "colicky babies")

Fever-make sure your baby is getting plenty of fluids, put a cool, wet cloth on your baby's forehead, if the fever is less than 101 degrees (please follow your own doc's advice), let the fever run its course-the body is fighting off infection and eliminating toxins (important for vaccines! don't interrupt this process!); for nursing little ones, make an herbal tea and drink it so the baby can get small amounts through momma's milk, use lemon balm leaf and elder flower as well as peppermint

Sleeping Trouble-HA, US GIVE SLEEP ADVICE?

aromatherapy; administer a lavender oil bath and do infant massage, place a few drops of lavender or bergamot oil on a cotton ball and place in baby's room (not within reach! the scent will permeate the room so use just a few drops); more naps during the day, co-sleep if you are nursing so the baby can eat when he or she pleases and drift off to sleep

Postpartum-Earth Mama Angel Baby Happy Momma Spray; aromatherapy using eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, and lemon essential oils; crying always helps release stress and anxiety; making love; new parent groups (try meetup.com); hot baths or showers

Teething-wet a wash cloth and freeze a corner and give it to baby; make mommy ice for baby (another tip from "amomwriting"); frozen bananas!; Hyland's Homeopathic Teething Tablets and Teething Gel; Sophie le Giraffe and other teething toys; snuggle with baby; rub baby's gums with firm pressure; spend lots of time interacting with baby

If you have questions about other issues let me know! We value the use of standard medications and know that there is a time and place for them. We also feel there is a time and place for the more natural remedies.

Bottom line=do what is best and most comfortable for you and your family