Author: Birthing Center of New York

Green Water?

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Broken Water birthing center of ny

You broke your water and the color of the water is noted to be a light green.  Which of the following statements are true?

  • You should take a moment and note if you have fetal movement, call your provider immediately and let them know the time of seeing fluid, amount and color.
  • This is normal and indicates you will probably deliver within the next 24 hrs.
  • This is an indication that the baby may be experiencing some level of stress.
  • Take a tub bath and then go to the hospital.

It’s important to be able to distinguish normal process of labor. Take my class! The need to know is real as well as important.

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Cut the cord!

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cutting the cord birthing center of ny

You have planned a very special delivery however your significant other feels light headed and feels faint, but they are otherwise fine.  Can you identify some of the procedures you can do to still have a very special birth.

  • Request the provider cut the cord
  • Raise your bed slightly and cut your own cord
  • Request delayed cord cutting to allow the rich nutritional blood supply in the cord to return back to the baby, assuming the baby is okay.
  • Insist your significant other take part in cutting the cord.

*This birth is special and you cannot do it again. Take my class and learn different techniques you can do if special circumstances arise.

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Lets Talk………

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birthing center of ny lets talk

Can we talk for a minute!

I heard through the grapevine that parents are scared to death of hospitals. They are scary and dangerous. Did you know there is no guarantee that you will be able to deliver at home or in a birthing center just because you are planning your labor there –  you may have to be transferred to a hospital.  Now you are scared to death.

Providers are talking to you, you may be listening but not hearing. Your anxiety level is too high and you are too scared.  Once you become pregnant you are responsible for this child’s whole life. This child is counting on you to take care of it, make responsible decisions.

In my class we discuss what hospital procedures consist of and why. I will give you vital information below, can you pick out the incorrect statement 

  • You are told you need an IV- fluid replacement is important You will lose fluid from sweating, breathing, and your body’s temperature trying to regulate itself, blood loss from delivery and breastfeeding. Loss of fluid after delivery, potentially in a few hours, you may feel weak, light headed, dizzy, your blood pressure may drop, pulse will go up, may have a fever- sips of fruit juice and coconut water are not sufficient. You need an IV or 8 full glasses of water every hour.
  • Vaginal exam needed  Leopold maneuver is not a definitive way to determine baby position. A contraction causes a temporary decrease in the baby’s and your blood supply and consequently oxygen level. Now you are contracting, taxing the uterus and unable to deliver vaginally.  What condition will this baby be in upon delivery? Vaginal exam is more than just putting 2 fingers inside of you – the examiner also feels the baby’s  suture lines in the head to determine the head is in the proper position, feel if water bag is in place (can have  a little fluid and not know your water broke) , where is the baby head, if the head is high and not in the pelvis, if your bag of water has broken the cord can fall through the vagina (true emergency c/section or immediate fetal death can result due to cord compression). Generally pelvic examinations may be every 4 hours in the early part of labor, but will increase in frequency when close to delivery.
  • It’s great to have companion able to assist with your labor. You will need that comfort and guidance, each person is different and each person’s body is different and each delivery is different.  Past experience does not predict your present delivery circumstance. Your assistants do not have access to your records and may not have vital information needed to make a medical decision. Every team member has a specific role and different levels of education and experience in the field of obstetrics.
  • you must be in the monitored while in labor – sometimes there is flexibility in this, but if there is high risk situation – continuous monitoring may be required due to hospital policy or Department of Health policy. If you are in early labor – without oxytocin – you may be eligible for intermittent monitoring with ambulation (walking) – it never hurts to ask.

Take my class – “The need to know is so important “ 

Know what questions to ask and what you options are!

Your Nurse is a Nurse as well as an educator , medical assistance will help with your comfort – Its all about team work!!

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Every persons body is different!

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when to goto the birthign center

You are full term, 40 weeks gestation and in active labor (more than 4 cm cervical dilation, cervix is soft and thinning (effacement) and the baby’s head is low in the pelvis. Less than 5 cm usually means you are still in the “latent” or early stage of labor and this can take 1-2 days sometimes.  However if you are contracting consistently every 2-3 minutes, 60 seconds is the length of time the contraction lasts and this is going on for hours – it is possible there is something not average going on even at this stage (like the head is not dropping or positioned correctly or sometimes the head just isn’t fitting).

Remember every person’s body is different and every labor is different. The GENERAL progression of labor is you move approximately 1cm per hour (if this is not your first labor), but possibly every 2 hours (if this is your first time in active labor) can be within average range as well. A rate slower than 1cm per hour could be effected by which of the following?

  • An epidural was placed
  • Inadequate contractions 
  • Advanced maternal age
  • History of previous births 
  • Obesity
  • Position of the baby, example Occiput Posterior (OP) (some refer to this as “sunnyside up” or baby’s looking up at the ceiling so the baby’s back is facing the maternal back
  • Lack of pain control (not relaxing which causes the baby’s head to fail to descend “drop”)

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Babies are overwhelming!

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birhting center of ny how to handle a new born baby

You find yourself overwhelmed. You feel you can no longer give emotional, physical, spiritual and loving care to your newborn. Which statement below is correct? 

  1. In year 2000 the Abandoned infant Protection Act was formed
  2. Abandoned Infant Protection is also known as Safe Haven Law
  3. Safe Haven Law covers from baby’s birth until 30 days of life
  4. Safe Haven locations include of any place able to care for the newborn such as hospitals, police stations, etc. 
  5. You can leave a child as long as the parent immediately notifies a person of the infant’s location.
  6. If you follow any of the above you do not have to leave your name or identity  you are protected from any wrongful act.
  7. You have from day of baby birth to 60 days of baby’s life to be protected under the Safe Haven Law.

Let’s keep our newborn safe and protected.  You can start by taking a complete 5 hr class at The Birthing Center of NY!  Yes- doing the class we teach Newborn Safety, it’s just that important!

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Your delivery is precious

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changing diapers

This week’s Nurse Jackie Hint is a learning experience. Your delivery is very precious. You would like nothing more than having a video of your birth. Majority of hospitals only allow pics and no video. Video can  be misleading without an explanation or you can eliminate scenes that are crucial and in need or explanation .Watch this video of me bowling, how confident I am, how I bowl so well. I hit a strike. I’m so good. What you fail to see is I only hit 2 strikes the whole game and a whole lot gutters .  This is not shown in the video. The video is actually misleading.  Hence this is why videos are not allowed in a delivery room. This is and example hoping to enlighten your understanding. Wishing you all the best!

Click to download

He “feels” pregnant?

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birthing center of ny - we are pregnant

Congratulations! You have confirmed your wanted pregnancy. You and your significant other could not be happier. During your first trimester you experience a little morning sickness. You notice your partner has similar symptoms – increased appetite, can’t keep any foods down, feels bloated, has  weight gain, heartburn and is always tired. From the choices below what is the one thing you should not do.

  • -Take prenatal/ childbirth classes 
  • Talk about the pregnancy and baby.
  • -Gently let them know this is unfair to you.  You should be the main concern . You are the one who should be getting the attention.
  • -Let them know this is real and it is called “couvade”. It will go away once your beautiful baby is born.

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Protecting your baby from the hot weather!

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protecting your baby from the hot weather

Hot weather!! How should you dress your newborn for the outside weather that is greater than 75 degrees? Which answer is incorrect?

1- Do not cover the baby’s head with a light hat. The baby’s head does not need to be protected from sunlight.

2- Keep the baby’s genital area covered.

3- The newborn only needs one layer of clothing with temperatures over 90 degrees 

4 -Avoid taking your newborn outside for a long period of time if the temperature is over 90 degrees.

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Pregnancy Diet – do’s and dont’s

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Pregnancy diet birthing center of ny

During your pregnancy, the best thing you can do to have a healthy mommy and baby is to have and maintain a good nutritious diet. This will help you with the extra demands that the body will require as your pregnancy progresses.  Do you know which Vitamins can be found in which foods and  how do these vitamins affect your pregnancy? Let’s see if you can match the vitamins with the statements?

  1. Choline 
  2. Vitamin D
  3. Iron
  4. Vitamin C

A- Helps with fetal bones, teeth, skin and eyesight. Foods are fortified milk, breakfast cereal,fatty fish (Salmon)

B- Cannot be found in prenatal vitamins- you get it from your diet. Chicken, beets, eggs, milk, soy products and peanuts.

C- Helps with immune system, strong bones and muscles. Foods are Citrus fruits, prenatal vitamins, strawberries, broccoli and tomatoes.

D-Used by your body to make extra blood for you and your fetus. Found in prenatal vitamins, eat foods rich in iron, beans, lentils, beef, turkey, liver, oranges, grapefruit, broccoli.

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

That Damned Dirty Diaper!

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changing diapers

Do you know how to change a baby’s diaper? Take my class!

  • Using one hand , hold the feet together and lift the baby’s bottom up. Clean from front to back!
  • Put your hand on the baby’s chest and turn the baby to one side, clean and repeat and do the other bottom side.
  • Lift the legs and hips after 6 months when the child knows how to crawl to prevent hip dystocia.
  • Putting the feet together and lifting the baby’s hip can cause hip dystocia.

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!