Pregnancy can be a joyful event and yet a bit scary

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Birthing center o fny pregnancy is happy and scary

In pregnancy you have two types of situations that can occur.  One is an emergency, this is considered a threat to the life or health of you and/or your unborn.  Then you have urgency. This is not an immediate threat but it needs to be addressed quickly. You have discussed your plan of delivery with your provider or midwife.

Choosing below, can you pick out what is an emergency and what is an urgency. Emergency you go to the closest facility and urgency you call your provider to find out the next steps – urgency can turn into emergency quickly in some cases. (always check with your provider).

You need to know the difference, you need to take my class!!

  • You have eaten and have been walking around and yet you have not felt the baby move in the last 2 hours or more.
  • A gush of water from your vagina- the color is very light green
  • A large amount of bright red blood from you vagina and your stomach is hard like a board and you are experiencing pain in the abdomen.
  • You have clear water and good amount of mucus mixed with blood and a unbearable urge to pass stool.
  • Baby is moving fine. You are 32 weeks pregnant, you have contractions that are strong every 4-5 minutes regularly.

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Can you do self-perineal care?

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Now that you have had your baby – self perineal care is needed. Do you know what to expect? Which answer is incorrect, or do you need to take my class?

  • You will bleed for approximately 6 weeks. The blood will be dark red in color.
  • You will have bleeding for approximately 6 weeks, the blood is called Lochia and is bright red in the beginning.
  • You should not see any blood clots.
  • You may see some small clots this is normal 
  • It is normal to have a moderate/amount of bleeding when you go from a lying to a standing position.
  • If you have a constant heavy blood flow that saturates your pad, seek medical assistance 

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Breastfeeding Do’s

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Congratulations on your birth. You decided to breastfeed- good choice. Question? Do you need to wash your breast prior to breastfeeding your new one?

  • You want to introduce as little bacteria to this newborn as possible- wash each breast prior to each feeding
  • The bacteria from the breast can help develop your baby’s immune system, no need to wash
  • You should wash your breast in-between feeding, in the morning and at night using warm water no soap or fragrance soaps or by-products, air or pat dry.  May express breast milk place on or around the nipple to toughen as well as provide comfort.
  • Use your body’s instincts, if you were in contact with a dirty or unclean environment (for example, sewage or construction work area) good idea to clean your body and breasts prior to breastfeeding.

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

My Aching Back…………

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Many pregnant women have backaches as their bellies grow bigger and their muscles and spine strain to carry the extra weight due to the forward shifting of their center of gravity.  During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin, causes the loosening of ligaments throughout the body which is great for childbirth but in the months leading to that, it makes pregnant women less stable and more prone to injury. 

Here are some ways to help ease your back pain:

  • Try not to lift anything that weighs more than a few pounds. If you have to pick up something heavy (or a small someone), make sure to lift correctly. Don’t bend down at the waist — instead, bend at your knees, squat down, and lift with your legs, not your back.
  • Don’t sit or stand for long periods, use a box or stool to prop up one foot when standing or both feet when sitting. If you must stand for a long time, make sure to take frequent breaks.
  • Sit in chairs with supportive backs or put a small pillow at the small of your back. And try to sit up straight.
  • Stand up straight. Resist the urge to push your belly far forward. Good posture is important.
  • Apply a warm towel, warm water bottle, or heating pad on the lowest setting to your lower back.
  • Wear an abdominal support garment or maternity pants with wide elastic bands that fit under the belly.
  • Don’t wear high heels. Shoes with low heels and good arch support are the way to go.
  • Sleep on your side, with at least one knee bent. Try using a pregnancy pillow or a peanut ball  to make sleeping more comfortable. Or put a pillow between your knees and another under your belly.
  • A firm mattress is best. If you don’t have one, you can try putting a board between your mattress and box spring.
  • If your provider gives you permission stretching exercises and if any low-impact exercises are good for you — safe regular exercise can help with back pain.
  • Get a gentle pregnancy massage if your provider approves it.
  • Avoid crossing your feet and or legs . With will decrease your circulation 
  • Do not take any medicines without checking with your provider.
  • Back pain maybe sign of something else going on, like labor starting or a urinary tract infection (UTI). If you have any questions or concerns, severe pain, pain that isn’t getting better, or other symptoms, get medical assistance.

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Pregnancy and the COVID Vaccine

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There is still Covid-19 risk!  You are presently breastfeeding and your good friend is confirmed to be pregnant.  Should you both take the Covid vaccine or is it too risky?  Do you know what the recommendations from CDC are? What is the correct answer?

  • The vaccine can pass to your breastmilk some passive immunity and can be unsafe for the newborn .
  • COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people aged 5 and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future.
  • Studies are limited and  you should not take the vaccine at the time of pregnancy or breastfeeding 
  •  You should only get the vaccination with your provider’s  approval  if you are pregnant or  breastfeeding.

It’s time, you are in the process of having your baby – now what?

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It’s time, you are in the process of having your baby. Your provider tells you to experience something known as “The Ring of Fire.”  Do you know what she is referring too? Can you pick out the incorrect statement below?

  • Once your baby has been delivered you will feel a strong burning sensation to your vaginal area.
  • It’s a feeling created when the baby is crowning –when the head is pushing and stretching the vaginal opening.
  • The burning feeling that you get in your vagina as it starts to stretch in order to allow your baby to exit the birth canal.
  • Perineal massage during your antepartum can help reduce the pain from “The Ring Of Fire” during birth possibly

If you have taken my class you would this answer.  Sign up take my class and be prepared! 

Once you have delivered

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Once you have delivered your newborn, discharge to home from a hospital usually will be >24 hours to 3 days postpartum depending on how you delivered and if there were any ongoing medical concerns.  You must have a car seat in order to be discharged.  Assembling a car seat  can be challenging. Which statement below is accurate.

  • You can go to your neighborhood fire department station and they will assist you
  • The fire departments are no longer trained to help you with the car seat
  • The facility you gave birth at will help you assemble the car seat and help you put your baby in the car seat. 
  • Related to liability and risk factors staff members are not allowed to assist you with the car assembly or putting the newborn in the car seat.

At the Birthing Center Of NY classes we help you be prepared for labor, delivery and postpartum. How to care for yourself and your newborn, practical tips. We provide you with information you need to know. Take my class and be prepared!

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

You have a lot of things to think about

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Congratulations on your pregnancy.  You have a lot of things to think about!  Do you know how to prepare yourself for breastfeeding?  Which statement is incorrect?

  • Get your breast pump and learn how to operate it.
  • Choose a Lactation Consultant. 
  • Wash your breasts daily using soap, lifting up the breast and wash underneath it.
  • Never use soap on the breast it causes the skin to dry and crack .  Only use water and air dry.
  •  Take lactation classes to better prepare yourself. 

Yes!  Breast milk is best – but what do you do if you are unable or having difficulty?  Take my class and learn more about feeding your newborn!

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

How to calm a fussy baby.

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The best way to calm a fussy baby is to give it a cozy, cuddle hug.  This is the same effect of swaddling your little one.  Do you know which statement is inaccurate?  I provided the answers below because it’s truly important to know. Why? Because we do care. Everyone including hospitals, facilities and basically every person in care of child swaddles an infant using several methods. It is important to know how to do it right – ah, take my class!!

  • Swaddling should end when the infant is about 2 months old
  • Swaddling a baby after 2 months outweighs the benefits once a baby learns to roll over
  • Keeping the baby swaddled all the time can hinder motor development and mobility as well as limit the opportunity to use and explore the hands and legs when awake
  • Baby swaddle too tightly may develop a problem with their hips- ( tightly wrapping a baby legs can lead to hip dislocation or hip dysplasia. Dysplasia is formation of the hip joint  where the top of the thigh bone is not firmly in the socket hip.
  • After the 1st month try to swaddle your baby only during naps and nighttime sleeping. 
  • You should swaddle your baby with the arms down and to the side . Not across the chest . Swaddling with the arms down reduces the risk that you child will wiggle out of the swaddle and bunch the blankets up to his face. 

Answer – All are correct, there is no wrong answer.  Sign up for my class and get prepared & ready to bring your newborn home.  

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!

Your baby has fed and is still on the breast, he is comfortable and content . What should you do?

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You are successfully breastfeeding.  Your baby has fed and is still on the breast, he is comfortable and content .  What should you do?

  • Let the child remain on the breast, he is quiet and comfortable.
  • Do not allow the child to use you as a pacifier 
  • Release the child immediately when he is finished, even if he cries
  • Give him a pacifier,  just don’t encourage a pacifier if it’s not needed 

Babies DO come with Instructions

Click HERE to Register Today for your Birthing Class!