Pregnant and I know it

 

Ha ha ha!

Avoiding Preeclampsia

The Bradley Method® encourages pregnant moms to follow the Brewer Pregnancy Diet, for MANY reasons, one of which is avoiding preeclampsia, as we learn in class. When you have to pee in a cup at essentially every appointment, one of the things they are looking for is protein in your urine (a symptom involving malnutrition and/or preeclampsia).


Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. Affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies, it is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. It can lead to eclampsia, which can cause convulsions and is potentially fatal (2% of cases).


Although it is not a well-understood disease, it is very serious and incurable, generally needing to induce or deliver the baby to avoid further complications. Amazingly, Dr. Brewer discovered a well-balance and high protein diet essentially eradicated this previously unknown disease from a susceptible population of women, repeated through many years. Unfortunately, possibly because it was not a randomized, double-blind trial which would have included the purposeful malnourishment of pregnant mothers to show the non-placebo effect of the diet, the Brewer Pregnancy Diet has not been as widely taught to OB/GYN and therefore as many pregnant moms as you might think.


Remember that eating well for your baby is the single most important thing you can do while he/she is growing inside of you. You might ask your doctor or midwife about their knowledge/recommendation about the Brewer Pregnancy diet and see what they say... let me know!

Try a date

source

Here's a news link a study showing how pregnant women consuming date fruit during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy helped their labor and birth outcomes! Amazing. I don't love dates, but I think it would be worth trying for a few weeks to impact my labor and birth positively. And it is just fruit! No side effects or possible harm to the baby! :) Let me know if you try it!

The waiting game

As we learn in class, the average non-induced, first time mom gestates 41 weeks and 1 day, or "8 days past your EDD," in terms of what your doc at a routine OB visit will inform you. That means that a high percentage of women go into labor naturally days to weeks even after this average of "8 days late," which is normal for her and is the exact right timing for when her baby is ready. But it is SOOOOOOOOO hard to wait once you hit that magical EDD. Each passing day seems like an eternity. So you may become very open to suggestion, when the doctor brings up induction and sort of pads the issue with comforts such as your husband/mom/family/etc. can plan accordingly, you will be DONE being pregnant, and it is "safe."

Your baby is worth the wait

We learn in The Bradley Method about the cascade effect of interventions that frequently begins with induction. Each intervention has it's own risks which are compiled with subsequent interventions that may become necessary. We also know that if mom is not feeling supported to continue on, carrying the baby until the baby is ultimately ready, she can be more likely to be induced even if it is for convenience, rather than an actual medical indication.


That is where you coaches come in. I sent a brief list of reminders to the coach of a couple who is currently several days past that elusive EDD and waiting for their bundle of joy to arrive, and I wanted to share the suggestions with you all.

• Stay hydrated. It is your job to bring her water/juice. Use a straw, she'll probably drink more. This is good practice for you as a coach to try to remember during labor!
• Keep well-nourished and well-rested. Ask her to take naps. You never know when labor will begin and how long it will go, but once it starts, these can be a little difficult to maintain.
• Distract her with non-baby stuff while you're waiting for labor to begin. Bring out some old pictures, talk to her about how you met/fell in love, watch a favorite movie.
• Talk about the baby. But if she does want to talk about the baby, discuss the name if you haven't decided. Talk about who you think he/she will look like. What personality traits you hope he/she does or does not have. Read baby books to baby.
• Go on walks. Multiple per day is good. While she needs to get lots of rest, she also needs to be upright, especially on her feet to help bring the baby down.
• Go over a "stress" list. Ask her to answer, "What if anything is weighing on your mind?" Write them down, and address them one by one as to how you are dealing with them together.
• Think welcoming thoughts. Talk to baby. Let her hear you beckon the baby come on down. Remind her of her own psychosomatic connection with her physical body.
• Help her relax physically with massage. Think about all the stuff that you're planning on doing for her in labor and do that stuff now! You maybe able to fine-tune your skills to what she really prefers.
• Make her laugh. You're good at that. She loves to laugh with you. Just commentary about stuff on tv may work. It releases endorphins when she smiles.
• Go over your Bradley book. If she doesn't want to, do it by yourself. You'll refresh your memory by reading the B.E.S.T. pg 93-96 (or highlights on pg 97-98), first stage  pg 74-75, transition/second stage, pg 86-87.
• Check off as much as you can on the list to bring to the hospital and put it in the car. Make sure you know what few key things need to go when it is time.
• Encourage her. Most importantly, tell her how she is doing a great job, already caring for your baby so well. Tell her how she is going to do great, when it is just the right time. And that she doesn't need to worry about when that right time is - the baby knows and her body is capable.

When does learning begin?

Pop quiz: When does learning begin? Answer: Before we are born. Science writer Annie Murphy Paul talks through new research that shows how much we learn in the womb -- from the lilt of our native language to our soon-to-be-favorite foods. 


From the Bradley perspective, this video reaffirms The Bradley Method's emphasis on the importance of nutrition, relaxation (dealing with stress in a healthy way), as well as the importance of mom's physical presence immediately upon birth - the baby really does know you already!


Click here if you have about 17 minutes to watch this interesting bit.

Mathematician's rendering

Clink through the link below to see a sample of "From Conception to Birth," a really cool digital rendering of a developing baby as well as the baby being born, presented by Alexander Tsiaras, a mathematician, artist, and design theorist from Yale. It is amazing to see how the baby helps itself be born with the stepping reflex shown as he appears to push with his feet from the inside of mom, as mom is curving her back during the contractions to push him out.

Time for Coach to Relax

The tables are turned in Class 3 and instead of coaches focusing on helping their pregnant partners to relax, coaches get to appreciate the importance of relaxation and a good coach to help you get there. Pregnancy is such a wonderful time for both parents to soak up time with each other before the baby arrives. Make sure to enjoy this precious time with the one that you love.


Although it is not a good for pregnant women to lay on their backs for long periods of time, we have the coaches lay on their backs for this one. The pregnant partner tailor sits with the back of the coach's head on a pillow in her lap, his body extending straight away from her. She SLOWLY goes through the following head/neck/shoulder massage using slow and deliberate touch to help with physical relaxation. I've written it all out completely rather than using (3x, etc.) for ease of use if you do read it aloud.
...


Say "hello" to the face with a gentle touch of the fingertips over the face.


Neck and Shoulders
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head.
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head.
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head.
With fingertips bent, stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head, digging into the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
With fingertips bent, stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head, digging into the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
With fingertips bent, stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head, digging into the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head.


Face
Smooth across the forehead, massaging temples in circles with thumbs.
Smooth across the forehead, massaging temples in circles with fingertips.
Stroke across the eyebrows with thumbs, ending in circles at temples.
Stroke under the eyes with thumbs, ending in circles at temples.
Stroke down the nose and across the cheeks, ending in circles with fingertips.
Stroke across the mouth areas, ending in circles with fingertips.
Using your hands, deeply massage the jaw, chin and cheeks.
Feel around the ears with fingers.
Massage ears with palms.
Trace convolution (shape of ear), shut off sound, and retrace.
Massage area of head behind the ears.


Finishing strokes
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head.
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head, end by squeezing head gently between hands.
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head, ending with head cupped in hands, then...
Lift and lower head very slowly.
Lift and lower head very slowly.
Lift and lower head very slowly.
Rotate head side to side very slowly.
Rotate head side to side very slowly.
Rotate head side to side very slowly.
Lower head down to pillow very slowly.
Cover the eyes with fingers resting gently on eyelids for a few moments to allow meditation.
Slowly, place flat palms very close to the face without touching.
Lift hands very slowly, while you allow the person to re-enter at his own pace.


Adapted from The Bradley Method® Teacher's Manual material r246 (from Laurel Institute, Incorportated)

Relaxation Poem

We discuss mental relaxation in Class 4 as one of the three important ways to practice and learn to relax: physical, mental and emotional. I want to share the poem that we read during our relaxation practice in Class 4, as a sample of something to relaxing on which to focus your mind. 

Coaches - It is a great idea to gather some poems, verses, and/or book passages that your wife/parter would enjoy hearing you read both during relaxation practice throughout pregnancy as well as during early labor. Another wonderful idea is to write a letter together (or two letters separately) to your unborn baby about how excited you are to welcome him/her to the outside world. This could be a wonderful encouragement and relaxation for a mom to hear her coach read this aloud to remind her of the beautiful work and important purpose of what her body is doing to bring your baby from life on the inside of her womb to life in your arms together.


P.S. The poem was written to be read during class to the couple, but I've included a few words to exchange when the coach is reading to his partner in [brackets]. And remember to read VERY SLOWLY, pausing frequently, softly, and in a low voice.
...


Let your whole being
sink slowly, slowly, slowly,
Feel your muscles
becoming limp and loose and comfortable.
Drifting or floating,
relaxed and comfortable,
warmth and heaviness spread through your body.
The baby in your uterus
is warm and heavy.
Feel warmth and heaviness
spreading from the baby to your abdomen, hips
thighs, knees, lower legs, ankles,
feet and toes.
Slowly, the lower half of you is
loose and limp,
warm and heavy.


The upper half of you awaits its turn.
Slowly release, let go,
warm and heavy,
limp and loose.
Let every cell absorb and enjoy,
spreading up back and front,
chest and shoulders.
Arms and hands and fingers let go.


As your neck releases tension,
your head slowly shifts and becomes
more and more relaxed.
Nearer and nearer that comfortable state of
relaxation.


Erase the worries from your brow,
eyes loose but closed.
Eyes and all around the eyes
limp and loose.
Cheeks loosen and droop,
jaw drops.
Tongue is loose in your mouth,
lips part slightly.
Warm, heavy, and comfortable.


Deep slow, heavy breathing.
Breathe in and out slowly,
abdomen up an down slowly.
Limp and loose,
warm and heavy,
comfortably relaxed.


In your mind's eye...
hold a softly purring kitten in your lap
while sunshine warms you [us] both.
Listen to the laughter of children
sledding on a crisp sparkly snowy hill.
Ride a bicycle on a lazy autumn afternoon,
hair blowing in the wind.
Sit before a roaring, snapping fire
with a red shiny apple ready to eat.
Watch a robin build her nest,
weaving string and straw with precision.
Lie on the warm sand, you and your love [me],
while the waves roll up on the beach.


Limp and loose,
warm and heavy,
comfortable and relaxed.


by Rhondda Evans Hartman
© AAHCC

It's getting hard to get "comfy"

In addition to the many great comfort suggestions given in "Being Comfortable in Pregnancy" in the Bradley Method workbook in Class 3, I have a few things that I'd like to add that worked for me personally during my pregnancies. Please feel free to chime in with a comment if you have something to add that has worked for you!

• Heartburn
• Avoiding spicy foods helped, but I sometimes ate it knowingly because it wasn't too uncomfortable or a health issue :)
• When I did have some heartburn, I'd prop my head up at night with extra pillows. Yes, my hubby had very little room in bed with me, the baby belly, and all the pillows.
• Varicose Veins
• I put a small box under my desk at work so I could uncross my legs and keep them slightly elevated
• Leg Cramps
• Eat more potassium-rich bananas
• Hemorrhoids/Constipation
• Prophylactically increase fiber (you do not want hemorrhoids!!!)
• Try to "go" at the same time every day to key into your body's signals
• Eat pears (not as strong as prunes and taste much better to me!
• Backache
• I made a small a small pillow and would bring it everywhere for lumbar support
• In a pinch, I used a book or folded towel behind my back 
• Sleeping Problems
• I drank more fluids during the day and slightly less in the evening to avoid having to urinate as often at night, which helped me wake a little less often (like 2 times, instead of 3 - at least it was one less time having to fall asleep again!)
• Hip pain - this one isn't listed in the book, but I had pain in my hips with my first pregnancy especially!
• I would have my hubby (Andy) squeeze my hips while I was on all fours (usually after pelvic rocking) - called the Double Hip Squeeze, which can also be used during labor
• I'd ask Andy to put firm constant pressure on my pelvis/low back (very low) with one palm while I was on all fours - called counter pressure, which can also be used during labor

Pelvic rocking and relaxation are two of the best things to help keep you comfortable! Make sure to try those, no matter what ails you!