This week I had an article featured in WRAL Go Ask Mom. I shared my thoughts about building the birth team you deserve with the help of a doula and the benefits of continuity of care. Check it out and please share!
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It's Black Maternal/Perinatal Health Week and today I am sharing some tips and suggestions to help Black mothers and families thrive during pregnancy, birth and the fourth trimester.
We all know the gut-wrenching stats and realities regarding Black women and health disparities rooted in racism, ignorance and outdated healthcare methods & models. Despite the health industrial complex's somewhat acknowledgment of this in recent years, not much has changed for Black mothers or their families. In fact, the rates of Black maternal mortality have increased since the pandemic began. And while there are so many reasons why this matter in itself is an unnecessary yet ongoing plight, Black women still have a long way to go when it comes birth & health equity. So what can you do to make sure you are protected and have the birth experience you desire? Below are some suggested things you can do to better prepare for pregnancy & birth.
Remember, when it comes to your body, your baby and your health, YOU are in control. Preparation and the right support can make all the difference. Happy New Year! How is 2022 going for you so far? True to human nature, the new year is a time of resolution and planning. We commit to making changes, ditching old habits and shy away from what is no longer serving us. One of the biggest bandwagons of the new year (aside from the health & fitness fads) is reconsidering your job or a major career change. So many people think and talk about changing, but don't actually take the steps to leave behind the old for new beginnings. When we make room for new things and opportunities, we are asking for growth. We want better for ourselves and we seek to make that happen. While I don't usually go around giving out advice, I will say this: If you aren't where you want to be in life, make a change. Take a class. Get involved in the community. Become a mentor. Any positive change made with intention will most certain lead to something greater. And no, it doesn't have to be big. I am not telling you to quit your job tomorrow with no prospects, okay. Start small, write down goals and begin to plan your next move. Little things can make a big impact. So, what new things are you planing for 2022? Are you planning to take a leap of faith? Maybe you are called to birth work... If so, I want to you to consider the Best of Both Worlds Doula Services Mentorship Program. Birth work is not your average job or career. You may hear a lot of doulas, including myself, refer to their work as their "calling" and it is very true. This work requires the very best of yourself... your whole, authentic self. You have to trust our instincts and the depths of your soul because that is what will guide you above experience and education. I say all the time that birth work ain't for the faint of heart and as each year passes, it couldn't be more true. So before you dip your toe into this work, you need to really know that you are called. It could be one transformative moment in your life or a series of events that led to your calling. But you will know. And if you don't, you will be "driven" or guided to it one way or another. The BOBWDS Mentorship Program is unique in that it is a 'mentee-led' program focused on business development specific to birth workers. I will provide simple, yet effective guidance that will assist others in determining what type of doula or birth worker they want to be and how they want to market and run their business. This rigorous 8 week program will consist of
▫️Weekly birth work & business classes held on Zoom/Google Meet ▫️Weekly homework assignments to develop each part of your business plan ▫️Researching your local community, health care system and ideal clientele ▫️A summary/overview of what you learned during the course, an outline of your business plan, a community referral list and a business resource list for networking BOBWDS Mentorship Options: ▫️Business consultations are available to those interested in a career in birth work (recent college graduates, newly trained doulas or doulas new to the area) who may be seeking general advice or guidance. One-time 30 minute consultations are $35. One-time 90 minute consultations are $75. ▫️The BOBWDS 8-week program will explore birth work and business and help each program participant develop a unique business plan based on their interests, personalities and passions. Modules will include:
Cost for the 8-week program is $350. ▫️Ongoing mentorship is provided to mentees who have completed the 8-week program. You will receive monthly business development check ins via phone or Zoom and access to additional educational tools and business opportunities in my private Facebook group. Ongoing mentorship is $60/month. How to apply: ▫️Fill out the application here. (Applications are now closed) ▫️Application deadline for the Spring 2022 session is January 31st, 2022. ▫️Applicants chosen for interviews will be notified in February. Each program participant will receive a syllabus & program guide as well as a certificate of completion once the program requirements are fulfilled. Limited spaces are available for my 8-week Spring 2022 session. Classes begin in March. Please email me at bestofbothworldsnc@gmail.com with any questions. Personal Note: I became a mentor to fill a need. I have learned that while fulfilling, birth work isn't for the faint of heart and I want to guide those who have a true interest in supporting families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum and how to best serve each one. I will provide the foundation to build a sustainable business, your way, while supporting families with purpose & passion. What is preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia (previously referred to as toxemia) is a pregnancy complication often pinpointed by high blood pressure. When a pregnant person has high blood pressure and signs that some of their organs (the kidneys and liver) may not be working normally, more than likely, they have preeclampsia. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when the force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels is too high. It can stress the heart and cause problems during pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a person whose blood pressure had been normal. It can lead to serious, even fatal, complications for both parent and baby. Other terms associated with preeclampsia:
Symptoms:
Facts:
Risk Factors:
Treatment: Treatment depends on how close you are to your due date. If you are close to your due date, and the baby is developed enough, your health care provider will probably want to deliver your baby as soon as possible. If you have a mild case and your baby has not reached full development, your doctor will likely suggest the following: rest (lying on your left side to take the weight of the baby off your major blood vessels), increased prenatal visits, consuming less salt, drinking a minimum of at least 8 glasses of water a day and increasing the protein in your diet. During visits, your provider will check your urine and blood pressure and ask about baby's movement (kick count.) If you have severe preeclampsia, your doctor may prescribe medication for you. Most likely, the birthing person will stay in the hospital so your provider can closely monitor you and your baby. Your provider may treat you with medicines called antenatal corticosteroids (also called ACS). These medicines help speed up your baby’s lung development. You also may get medicine to control your blood pressure and medicine to prevent seizures (called magnesium sulfate). If you are at least 34 weeks pregnant, your provider may recommend that you have your baby as soon as your condition is stable. Your provider may induce your labor and/or you may have a cesarean birth. If you’re not yet 34 weeks pregnant but you and your baby are stable, you may be able to wait to have your baby. Prevention: Because the exact cause of preeclampsia is unknown, there is currently no cure. Even so, there are things you can do to control or limit the risk factors such as:
I have had a few birth clients who have experienced preeclampsia as well as postpartum preeclampsia, so I am quite familiar with the care and support surrounding it. Early identification is key for the health & safety of both parent and baby. To learn more, please visit the Preeclampsia Foundation or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. A cesarean birth is defined as the surgical delivery of a baby or babies. An incision is made in the abdominal wall and uterus and baby is guided out by the hands of doctors. Cesarean deliveries occur if a vaginal delivery is not possible or is unwanted by the birthing person. Cesarean sections are often referred to as a c-section, but it also called cesarean delivery. About one third of babies are born by way of c-section. History "Did you know that modern c sections were invented by African women— centuries before they were standard elsewhere? Midwives and surgeons living around Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria perfected the procedure hundreds of years ago. When a baby couldn’t be delivered vaginally, these healers sedated the laboring mother using large amounts of banana wine. They tied the mother to the bed for safety, sterilized a knife using heat, and made the incision, acting quickly as a team to prevent excessive blood loss or the accidental cutting of other organs. The combination of sterile, sharp equipment and sedation made the procedure surprisingly calm and comfortable for the mother. After the baby was delivered, antiseptic tinctures and salves were used to clean the area and stitches were applied. Women rarely developed infections, shock, or excessive blood loss after a cesarean section and the most common problem reported was that it took longer for the mother’s milk to come in (an issue that was solved with friends and relatives who would nurse the baby instead). In Uganda, C sections were normally performed by a team of male healers, but in Tanzania and DRC, they were typically done by female midwives. The majority of women and babies survived this, and when questioned about it by European colonists in the mid-1800s, many people in Uganda and Tanzania indicated that the procedure had been performed routinely since time immemorial. This was at a time when Europeans had only barely started to figure out that they should wash their hands before performing surgery, when nearly half of European and US women died in childbirth, and when nearly 100% of European women died if a C section was performed. Detailed explanations of Ugandan C-sections were published globally in scholarly journals by the 1880s and helped the rest of the world learn how to save mothers and babies with minimal complications. So if you’re one of the people who wouldn’t be alive today without a C-section, you have Ugandan surgeons and Tanzanian and Congolese midwives to thank for their contributions to medical science." Juniper Russo Reasons for a c-section:
Expectations: Your provider will explain the medical process of a cesarean to you so that you know what to expect during and after surgery. As your doula, I will prepare you for various birthing scenarios including emergency situations that could possibly lead to a cesarean delivery. If you want a planned c-section for whatever reason, we can still plan certain elements of your birth even though you will be in the operating room (sounds and music, lighting, doula and/or partner support, gentle c-section options, overall atmosphere, etc.) so that you can have the birth experience you desire. You can request that your birth doula join you in the OR during your surgery for extra support. Some hospitals and providers do not allow this and some have stipulations so be sure to talk to your provider, doula and the hospital or birthing center you where you will deliver. I also recommend watching a cesarean delivery video to help prepare you for your c-section as well. Your hospital stay will be longer due to your surgery (this is normally one extra day unless there were complications during your surgery). Again, because this is major surgery, you will want to plan you postpartum time accordingly to ensure a smooth and favorable recovery. You will also likely see your provider before a routine 6 week postpartum visit (could be as early as two weeks postpartum) to be sure you are doing okay physically and emotionally. Risks: With any surgery, there will be risks. Infection (of the incision, uterus or other organs) and postpartum hemorrhage (blood loss) are the biggest risks regarding a c-section. Other risks include injury to other organs, side effects from the anesthesia, adhesions or scar tissue, maternal mortality and intense emotional responses or negative feelings about the birth experience. Birthing people who deliver by cesarean can have an increased risk for postpartum mood disorders. Risks for babies would include breathing problems, low APGAR scores and fetal injury. Be sure to discuss all possible risks with you medical provider especially is you are considered high risk, have certain medical conditions or you are a first time parent. Recovery tips dos & donts:
VBACs: Having a vaginal birth after a c-section is very possible despite what most medical providers advise. Many factors including how long ago the surgery was performed and the state of your current pregnancy and overall health, may determine whether or not one can have a successful VBAC. The first priority is to find a provider that will be open to letting you try for a VBAC. Once you do that, hire a doula and map out two birth plans: one for VBAC and one for a c-section just in case. The right birth team, prenatal and managing expectations throughout pregnancy will be key Repeat C-sections: If you have a repeat c-section then you likely know what to expect when it comes to delivery and postpartum recovery. However, if it has been more than 3 years since since you last gave birth and/or you have changed providers, make sure that your full medical history is noted (have your medical files transferred if possible) and definitely make sure they are a good fit it you want to try for a VBAC. Postpartum Support: Having physical, emotional and mental support after having a baby is important, but more so when you have a c-section. Your movement will be limited. You core will be sore beyond belief and you may need help standing and walking for the. first couple of weeks. Normal things like laundry, cooking, cleaning and exercising will be put on hold so having an extra set of hands (or two) around would aid in your recovery and ensure you can focus on healing and bonding with baby. I recommend hiring a postpartum doula for continuity of care. At the end of the day, yes, a cesarean section is major surgery. It is very beneficial to be prepared for one just in case because birth is so unpredictable. But, having a cesarean section is indeed birth and any birthing person who has had one will tell you that without a doubt. |
About the AuthorKelly Collins Archives
April 2024
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