Mother Health International

A much anticipated journey has begun.  Although I am physically in Toronto tonight - my heart and spirit seem to be somewhere in-between here and there.   I am leaving for Uganda on Tuesday, Nov 4th and could not be more excited.  Making this trip as a Certified Professional Midwife to work in an international setting has been a dream, a mission, and a vision that I have been working towards for a number of years.

I will be working with an NGO called Mother Health International in a small rural village called Atiak, Uganda.   From the beginning of my amazing conversations with MHI, it has been clear that my role at the Birth Center is to be in support of the Traditional Midwives.  Meaning, I am not there to elbow anyone out of the way and to think that because I was educated in the western world that I would be the expert in the room.  This is important because the model of care that is being created by MHI in Uganda is successful - and the Birth Center is flourishing with the Traditional Midwives being supported to take on their important role within their community.  Having the opportunity to be a part of such a dynamic community of midwives, with so much experience is going to be humbling and deeply rewarding.  Below,  is a picture taken at the end of a monthly Traditional Midwife meeting, where there were over 40 attendees including eight new apprentice midwives. 

Midwifery knowledge literally overflowing from the birth center doors 

It brings to light for me the idea of empowerment, and how when a group of people or an individual feels empowered - anything is possible.  By definition, the word empowerment means; to equip or supply with an ability, enable.   At the moment, this is how I feel - empowered, and I am thankful for that.  The conversations, gatherings, and contributions towards my trip have been the backbone to me feeling like I can do this!!   It is my intention to take this strength and support with me on my journey and will definitely call upon it in the wee hours of the night

I will be keeping my blog active and am looking forward to writing while I am there. My next post will likely be from Kampala, Uganda where  I will be spending a couple of days before heading north.

Peace, Danielle

Herbs for a Healthy Pregnancy: Women's Herbal Tea Blend

"The food we eat, the processes of our bodies, the air we breathe, and the water we drink become the building block for a soul unfolding.  Perhaps more than at any other time, it is wise to have a knowledge of the healing herbs and a trust in the rhythmic nature of the universe"  Rosemary Gladstar

For generations, women have been using herbs to aid in pregnancy and childbirth.  Herbal remedies are effective because of their high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and other chemical constituents.  They provide nourishment, vitality and balance to the mother and unborn child, and help to tone the reproductive system.   

The Women's Herbal Tea Blend is made from all organic ingredients: Red Raspberry Leaf, Red Clover Blossoms, Stinging Nettle, Oatstraw, and Spearmint.  The act of brewing and drinking herbal tea is a ritual in itself which gives women time to reflect, and to nourish her body and inner self.  

RED RASPBERRY LEAF:  Best known for its tonifying and nourishing effect on the uterine muscles.  It is rich in vitamins and minerals, and is high in chelated iron which is easily assimilated by the body.  Red Raspberry Leaf is also effective in helping to restore the body postpartum, and helps to enrich and increase the flow of breastmilk.

RED CLOVER BLOSSOMS:  A highly nutritious plant that provides a dependable source or many vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals.  It is also a tonic for nerves, helping the body restore from nervous exhaustion.

STINGING NETTLE:  Helps to provide important minerals and vitamins for anemia.  It is rich in calcium, iron and is an excellent nourishing herb for the pregnant women.  Highly recommended for women who suffer from chronic fatigue and low energy.  It also helps to increase the flow of breastmilk, and helps to restore vitality and energy following birth.  Nettles are also high in Vitamin K.

OATSTRAW:  This herb is an excellent toner for the whole system.  It is useful for physical and nervous fatigue, and can be helpful with depression.  Oatstraw is rich in both calcium and magnesium, and is highly recommended in pregnancy to help calm and strengthen the nervous system.

SPEARMINT:  A calming and soothing herb to the stomach and intestines.  It helps to settle the stomach in cases of morning sickness,  and mild nausea.   It also tastes delicious, and adds a wonderful flavor to the tea blend.

Brewing herbal tea:  Use 4-6 tablespoons per quart of water.  Place herbs in cold water, bring water to a simmer over low heat.  As soon as the water is simmering, remove from heat - you do not want leafy herbs to boil.  Keeping the pot covered, let the herbs infused for a minimum of 20 min or longer and strain.  You can alternatively, pour hot water over herbs in a tea pot/mug and let them infuse.

To purchase, please visit Earth and Water Designs Etsy account on the main Sacred Whisper Toronto main page.

Birthing in Water: A Natural Element



According to Greek and Indian legends, shallow water birthing has been used for birthing since the beginning of time.  The first medically recorded in the modern Western world waterbirth was in France in 1803 after 48 hours of prolonged labor.  The midwife suggested a warm bath, and the baby was born soon after the mom was immersed in the water.  It is sometimes the simplest of things that can make a world of difference.  A change of environment and connection to a natural element can have a mesmerizing effect on birthing women.  

Birthing in water embodies a spiritual aspect of birth that is hard to define.   Seventy percent of the earth is water, 90% of a newborn’s body is water, 60% or an adult’s body is water.   I feel this has something to do with it.  

Being immersed in water is soothing on any day, taking a bath is associated with relaxation, self-care and even being sensual. The water provides a calming influence and a peaceful relaxed atmosphere. When laboring moms enter into the water, the affect tends to be a feeling of relief. It allows for spontaneous movement of the mother, giving her freedom to move as her body and the position of the baby dictate.  

The water creates a barrier to the world and the tub can become the woman’s cave, or nest. If the pool is large enough, partners can get into the water as well which can initiate a feeling of intimacy and the two can labor together.   Often partners feel as if they are more involved in the process.

When should the mother enter the bath?

There is physiological date that supports the rule of not entering the water until active labor is established, or the cervix is 5cm.  However, a bath in early labor can be useful for its calming effect and to determine if labor has actually started.  The water can sometimes flow or stop labor if used to early. 

On the other hand, some women can go from 1cm to complete dilation within one to two hours of immersion.  I have actually seen this happen with a first time mom!!  She came to the Birth Center in early labor and of course with our initial assessment we thought is was going to be a long night.  We decided to put her in the tub both because we knew it would feel good and we wanted to assess whether she was in true labor.  And sure enough, when I checked her dilation again 2 or so hours later, she was completely dilated.  Her beautiful baby was born in the water and it was not a long night after all.  Birth is amazing, and you just never know what the story will be until your baby is in your arms.

If contractions do space out after being in the water for an hour or become less effective, it important to get out of the water until contractions pick up again.  Your midwife or OB should be trained and experienced waterbirth and have the skills necessary to help guide you. 

 

Benefits of being in water:

• Provides significant pain relief
• Promotes relaxation
• Reduces the need for drugs and interventions
• Gives mother a private protected space
• Reduces perineal trauma
• Reduces blood pressure
• Reduces cesarean section rates
• Encourages an easier birth for mother and a gentler welcome for baby

A newborn's first breath:                          
 
How amazing is the thought of a newborn coming into the world and taking in its first breath.  The question of what happens when a baby is born under water is often asked when women considering waterbirth.  To keep it simple, when in the womb babies are water breathers as they are surrounded by amniotic fluid.  What initiates breath in the newborn is a change in environment from water into air after they are born.   This change in environment sets of a chain of chemical, hormonal and physical responses which initiates the baby's first breath.  And therefore, in the case of waterbirth newborns then initiate their first breath when their heads come up and out of the water.  

If you want to use water in your labor, the first step is to talk to your midwife or OB to see what resources are available and to discuss whether having a waterbirth is right for you.   Keep in mind that depending on where you are having your baby, home or in the hospital water can be utilized in many ways.   Some women labor in the tub and want to get out to deliver, showers are also very effective.   Remembering that water is a natural element, being submersed in it, drinking it, or just having a cold cloth drenched in it on your forehead can offer relief.  

Resources:

Michel Odent, The Science of Waterbirth. 
http://youtu.be/I2GVllNsZi8

www.waterbirth.org

Birth As We Know It
http://youtu.be/wVmlBVJQozM

 

 

   

 

After the Baby is Born: being at home with your newborn

Rest, love, hydrate, nourish

 

The days and weeks after your baby is born can be a mix of many emotions and physical changes.  It is important to allow yourself time to be with your newborn and to ask, and receive the care that both need and deserve.  Here are some guidelines and helpful hints. 

It is helpful to read this before labour, have your partner/support read it, and have it close by after the baby is born.

The first 24 hrs:

·         You should have someone with you for the first 24hrs.

·         Wake your partner to accompany you during trips to the bathroom.

·         If you shower - not too hot, not too long, and have someone either in the bathroom or in       close ear-shot.  It is easy to get dizzy in the shower. If you do get dizzy, sit down and tell someone.

·         Drink lots of water!   Always have a full glass of water beside you.

·         Eat well and often.

In terms of bleeding, you will bleed as if you have your period (or slightly more) in the first few days.    The blood will be heavy and red.  You may also pass clots as big as an egg when you stand up and after lying down for awhile – this is normal.

If you are soaking a pad an hour or less, call care provider immediately.   In order to slow down the bleeding, empty your bladder, nurse the baby, and massage your uterus until firm.

If you have tears or stitches:

·         Swelling is normal and fine in the first day.

·         Take warm sitz baths with healing herbs, or just salt water.

·         Ice packs.

·         Take homeopathic Arnica every few hours.

·         Keep the area dry.   When bleeding slows, try going bottomless – lying on a bottle or chux pad.  Sunlight, even through a window is a great healer.  Also, heat from a lamp can aid healing and feel good.

Breastfeeding:

·         The baby will need to nurse every 1 – 3 hours.  If the baby sleeps longer than 5 hours, wake him/her up to feed.

·         Nurse the baby on demand – this helps to establish good milk supply, flushes the baby’s system of meconium, and helps to relieve engorgement.

·         Assuring a good latch is the best way to ease pain and soreness.  Use your finger to break suction, and start over if the baby is not on correctly.

In order to prevent or reduce nipple soreness, make sure the baby is tummy to tummy with you while you are nursing, has his/her mouth wide open when latching on, and has most of your areola in his/her mouth.  Try different nursing positions to reduce pressure on any one area.  Expose your nipples to air after nursing until dry, and apply olive oil, sweet almond oil, or comfrey root ointment to your nipples.  Sore nipples usually improve over the first week or two postpartum.

 

 

Baby Care:

·         Take the baby’s temperature once every day for the first 3 days after birth.  The normal temperature in a baby’s armpit is 97.6 plus or minus a degree.  If the temp is too warm or too cool, bundle the baby up or remove some clothing accordingly and re-check the temperature.

·         The baby should urinate as least once in the first 24 hrs.  After the milk comes in the number of wet diapers will increase to a minimum of 6-8 wet diapers in a 24 hour period.

·         The baby will pass meconium for the first several days after birth.  This dark and tarry stool can be more easily wiped off if you put olive oil on the baby’s bottom at each diaper change.  As your mild comes in the color and consistency will change to a yellow, less-sticky stool. Olive oil is great, put it all over babies bottom - the meconium will not stick to babies skin.

·         If you choose to treat your baby’s cord stump, the cord will dry, turn brown, and fall off in about a week or so.  Keep it dry, clean and uncovered if possible.

·         The baby should sleep of his or her back or side with a rolled blanket for support.

Call a care provider if:

BABY

·         Temperature is outside the normal range after rechecking it.

·         Does not urinate in the first 24 hours.

·         Does not pass meconium.

·         Skin turns yellow in the first 24 hours.

·         The umbilical cord area becomes red, swollen or has a foul odour.

·         The baby has difficulty breathing or is breathing faster than 60 times per minute.

·         Anything seems troubling or unusual.

 

MOTHER                                    

·         Fever higher than 100.4 degrees F, six hours apart.

·         Flu symptoms present – fever/chills.

·         Persistent headache – not ameliorated by hydration

·         Breast problems – red, painful lumps, red streaks, pain in breast while nursing.

·         Uterine pain – pain in the uterus unrelated to after pains, feeling bruised.  After pains usually occur only in the first 3 days postpartum and increase with nursing, pumping or a full bladder.

·         Perineal problems – worsening or extreme pain, pus, increased swelling, redness or inflammation.

·         Bleeding – saturating one pad in an hour or less.

·         Foul-smelling discharge – pus or discharge that smells infected (it is normal to have lochia that smells stronger than menstrual blood)

·         Depression – severe depression that affects daily functioning and/or leads to obsessive thoughts about harming the baby or yourself.

The days after birth are significant for the mother and child, as they adjust their subtle, emotional and physical energies.  Numerous family-oriented cultures around the globe honour and nurture them both during the first six weeks.  These sacred days set the tone for a comforting and caring relationship among the child and the family, and rejuvenate the mother for breast-feeding, and child care.

 

 

HELPFUL HEALERS:

Compresses can stimulated the flow of milk, preventing it from backing up and becoming infected.   Warm water may be used, but steamed fresh Cabbage leaves or strong Comfrey tea compresses may be helpful.  Keep compresses on for 20 minutes.

Simple teas or infusions of nourishing herbs such as Comfrey, Raspberry leaf, Nettles, Alfalfa or Red Clover encourage a plentiful supply of breast milk and relaxed healthy mother.  The mineral rich nourishing herbs also protect you from mineral loss during the stress of nursing and infant care. 

Comfrey leaf.  Drink in it and sit in it, especially if you have had a perineal tear.   Drinking a cup a day of its infusion builds new cells rapidly and helps alleviate pain.  A sitz bath soothes and heals, keeps the tissues flexible, and holds itching to a minimum.  Other herbs for sitz baths include Yarrow and Witch Hazel.

Breastfeeding is probably the best cure for postpartum depression.  The process helps moderate hormonal swings, increases the endorphin level and allows your body to regain normal hormonal balance slowly and evenly.

Clear-minded, non-drowsy relief from the tension and confusion of overwhelming emotion is the promise of the Motherwort tincture.  Use 5 drops in a glass of water, repeated as needed.   More than 4 doses a day for several weeks may cause you to be dependent on it.

Hops is an excellent herb for increasing and enriching breast milk.  It is also helpful in relieving after-pains.

Air and sunlight are potent healers and perfect infection preventers.  If weather prohibits outdoor sunning, lay your infant in a sunny window.   Call it a sunbath ... closed window sun moments are also effective if the weather is cold.  5-10 min periods!!  Babies skin is sensitive and only needs small amounts of time in direct sun.

Remember to drink lots of water, eat frequently, rest, communicate your needs, and enjoy these precious couple of weeks.

Evening Primrose Oil: Encouraging Cervical Ripening

 

Many midwives use Evening Primrose Oil towards the end of pregnancy to help soften the cervix, shorten labor and prevent the incidence of post-term pregnancies.

Evening primrose is a plant native to North America, it also grows in Europe and parts of the
Southern Hemisphere.  It has yellow flowers that bloom in the evening.  Evening primrose
oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA),  which is an essential fatty acid.   Oils which are rich in GLA help regulate and control the production of prostaglandins in the body.   Prostaglandins are necessary to ‘ripen’ or soften the cervix which is an important process for labor to begin.

Prostaglandins also play an important role in cell rejuvenation, regulation of blood pressure, reduction of cholesterol production, and an improvement in the activity of the immune system. In other words, a whole array of benefits!  GLA can also be found in borage oil, black current seed oil and mother’s breastmilk.

 

Dosage:

36-38 weeks   500-1000mg twice daily, orally

 

38-42 weeks   500-1000mg three times daily, orally

 

At 36 weeks until labor
Evening Primrose Oil is also recommended as a vaginal suppository: up to 2000mg capsules can be inserted vaginally close to the cervix before bedtime, larger capsules may be easier to use.  Use a clean pin to puncture a hole in the capsule and insert.  Be sure to wear panty liners.  **do not insert anything vaginally if your membranes have ruptured**


"Your spirit as a woman has all the knowledge and power you need to give birth and nurture your baby." Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa



Pre-Natal Yoga

PRANAYAMA   ASANA   MEDITATION

 

When a woman commits to a yoga practise, she gifts herself with time and an opportunity to listen inwardly.  This time and space allows her to her to deepen her connection with the changes she is going through and with her self and her baby.  This creates an opening for a relationship based on balance, clarity and inner stability.   

Krishnamacharya believed that Yoga was more important to women than men, because it enhanced their health in pregnancy and in giving birth to a healthy child.  The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, meaning to join, to unite.   It means “arriving at a place we have not been before".  In pregnancy, women have the opportunity to experience this in its most true and pure form. 

On a physical level yoga:

• Helps to dissolve fatigue, and boost energy levels.
• Increases endurance, muscle tone and strength
• Promotes circulation and elimination
• Beneficial for posture and alignment
• Helps to balance hormones which can reduce systems like morning sickness and allows for better nutritional absorption
• Breathing techniques and improved nervous system calms the mind and allows for better focus, endurance and pain management

There is a particular type of yoga that I would like to mention because tit is where my roots in Pre-Natal Yoga and Meditation are.   Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, a kundalini practitioner of over 20 years has developed a Pre-Natal Kundalini Yoga and Meditation system called The Khalsa Way.   Kundalini Yoga is the Yoga of Awareness and in Pre-Natal Kundalini Yoga and Meditation classes, a mother is led to the awareness that she truly knows within herself exactly how to bring her baby forth.  She has time for contemplation and exercises that give her strength and clarity and with the idea that the only thing that stands between her and her knowingness is fear, doubt and social, historical conditioning.  The Khalsa Way integrates thousands of years of technology with the latest and most innovative birthing techniques. The effect is an improvement in physical stature, stamina and a heightened mental capacity that can benefit women choosing to birth at home, a birth center or in the hospital.  www.goldenbridgeyoga.com

"The essence of a women is beautiful, bountiful, and blissful.  This pregnancy is a gift to free you in the largest sense by revealing your true nature.  The teaching of Kundalini Yoga is that a woman comes to know, and love herself, radiance shines through to the outside, and we call her beautiful. As she grows to be compassionate, not only of others but to herself, we call her bountiful.  Finally, as she comes to experience the vastness of who she is and what she is capable, we call her blissfull." Gurmuhk Kaur Khalsa, Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful.

One of the most exciting benefits of the practise of yoga is breath awareness.   A good thing to connect with before labor!  Breath is an intrinsic aspect of prana, which is our principle life force.  Prana controls the quality of our life and longevity.   It is the breath of the soul, a bridge between body and mind.  Conscious breathing practises can nourish our spirit and heal even our most spiritual and emotional wounds.  Pranayama encompasses a variety of practices, all of them designed to re-establish the flow of breath and harmony with the rhythms of the universe.  See alternate-nostril breathing exercise.

“She who has control over her breath also has control over her mind.”  From the Chanandogya Upanisha

Yoga and Meditation requires a commitment to the present moment.  Each moment is an opportunity to breath, listen and move into balance.  This enhances mindfulness of the body’s limits and personal responsibility for maintaining comfort. When we are in a yogic state, we are in a state of receptivity from which we can make lasting changes.  In this state of receptivity we can also become in tune from a highly intuitive place.  Our innate knowingness is awakened.  The trust in the birth process is in alignment with the truth that every person on this earth is the manifestation of eons of successful birthing.  The ancient healing art that originated in India is a doorway to self-understanding and a vehicle to unify the mind, body and spirit in the sacred heartbeat of center.  This unification is beyond words; it is the essence that creates the foundation to our core and the path to center.

 

Always a good idea to have music, mantra and chanting on board for your yoga practise and birth!

Snatam Kaur http://youtu.be/XCrl1dKyMB8
Jai Uttal http://youtu.be/Fw8NiEV6qmA
Deval Premal http://youtu.be/ez-slRvBskU

Pre-cautions

• Avoid breath of fire, abdominal strengtheners, jumping.
• Inversions are o.k. if they are already part of your practise.  When breathing becomes heavy they should be stopped.
• A woman in the state of advanced pregnancy is the best judge.  She can assess that certain asanas are not possible due to heaviness in the pelvis and abdomen and consequently the heart.
• Do not hold your breath.
• Watch your blood pressure.
• Drink lots of water

Resources and books:

Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful.  Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa
Inner Beauty, Inner Light.  Frederick Leboyer
Health, Healing and Beyond. Yoga and the Living Tradition of Krishnamacharya.  T.K.V Desikachar