Birth Options

Scroll down for all topics:  Why is labor painful? * Common Side Effects of Epidurals * Cascade of Interventions * Birth Location Comparisons * Placenta Encapsulation

Why is labor painful?  Here is a helpful video on the fear, tension, pain cycle.
http://www.icyou.com/topics/diseases-conditions/isis-parenting-fear-tension-pain-cycle-during-labor+-2

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Common Side Effects of Epidurals
Minimizing the Risks
by Janelle Durham 2004
http://www.transitiontoparenthood.com/ttp/parented/pain/epiduralfx.htm

If you are considering Epidural Anesthesia as a possibility for your labor - this is what you really need to know.  Discussing these issues with your care provider will help you better understand his or her philosophy of childbirth.  Click on the link above to view the full table chart with references.  Here is the summary of this chart, click the link for documented occurrence statistics.  Keep in mind, these are the 14 most common side effects.  There are additional complications and consequences that are more rare, but equally concerning.

Side Effect

On
1. Limited MobilityMom
2. Low Blood PressureMom
3. FeverMom
4. Urinary retention in laborMom
5. Postpartum urinary incontinenceMom
6. Shivering/ Nausea/ Vomiting/ ItchingMom
7. Backache after birthMom
8. Incomplete Pain ReliefMom
9. Slower first st labor (dilation and effacement of cervix)Mom
Baby
10. Longer second stage labor (pushing)Mom
Baby
11. FeverBaby
12. Fetal distress (due to pitocin, mom’s low BP, maternal fever, or other causes)Baby
13. Baby in posterior position /other malpresentationMom
Baby
14. Cesarean BirthMom
Baby


Here is another link for information, and the following quote from this website:
http://www.natural-pregnancy-mentor.com/epidural-side-effects.html
"Epidural Side Effects and Risks: Your Labor Hormones
"Epidural analgesia is one of the most striking examples of the medicalization of normal birth, transforming a physiological event into a medical procedure."

     World Health Organization
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Cascade of Interventions
   Obstetric interventions can be life-saving procedures for women and babies. Technological advances, improved surgical techniques and better anesthetics have ensured that the small percentage of women who need this kind of help receive the best possible care.
   Once the natural process of labor and birth has been disturbed, especially if there is no actual medical emergency, there is a significant risk that the unwelcome side effects of the treatment will make further intervention necessary to remedy the problem. This phenomenon is known as the cascade of intervention and is illustrated in the diagram http://www.preciouspassage.com/Cascade%20of%20Interventions.htm
   It's true - most of us are miserable toward the end of pregnancy and begin considering the possibility of 'getting started.'  Scheduling your delivery is, after all, a convenient thought.  But interfering with nature always brings consequences.  Remind yourself:
Your body is amazing... and
    Strong... and most importantly;
         knows exactly how to have a baby.
Trust yourself; trust your body; trust heaven's help in bringing another miracle into this world.  Faith is the opposite of fear.


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Birth Location Comparison
  Many people still hold the misconception that home or birth center birthing is dangerous.  There is, in fact, no added danger to either mother or baby or outcome of birth from a professionally attended home or birth center birth.  Hospital births are attended only by Doctors, Nurse Practioners or Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM), and Birth Center or Home births are attended professionally by Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) and some Natropathic Doctors.  Click this link for more details on your available location choices:  http://itsmybodymybabymybirth.com/Choices.html
  Here are the true issues - pros and cons - of birth location choices.
    Hospital                            Birth Center                           Home
Immediate Emergency Care                            Must transfer for Emergency Care
Pain medication                                                     No access to anesthesia
High risk health support                                           High risk not accepted
Lack of Privacy                                  Greater privacy                             Complete Privacy
High stress Environment                                           Low stress environment
Labor will be attended by                            Labor attended only by known care team
     several professional strangers
Restrictions on eating & drinking                        Eating & drinking encouraged
Labor is 'on the clock'                                             No time limit on Labor
Highest c-section rate                      Very low c-section rate                   Lowest c-section rate
Positioning restrictions                                               Positioning freedom
Family Birth Attendees    Family & Children welcome/perhaps limited    Complete control of Attendees
     limited to Hospital Rules

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Placenta Encapsulation
For Placenta encapsulation you can learn to do it yourself by google/youtube or hire a professional.  PBi website also sells the containers and capsules.  The most common benefits of using placenta capsules postpartum seem to be:
          Improved Mood                             *Recommended to help combat Postpartum Depression,
          Increased Milk production           balance hormones (by using your own!), and speed healing.
          Increased energy                             Capsules can also be frozen and saved for the transition
          A feeling of well being                                time of menopause.
PBi - placentabenefits.info

Pocatello Area
Angela Geurts, NCTMB, LM, CPM
(208) or (801) 637-1343, geurtsang@gmail.com, angela@generationshomebirth.com service completed 24-48 hours from acquisition of placenta, average cost (limited delivery area) $200.00.

Treasure Valley Area (Boise & Twin Falls)
Gretchen Vetter, CPES (Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist)
http://www.synergybirthservices.com/    208-968-3616

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