Spa and labour

Spa and Labour? I try to encourage couples to think outside the box. Think about what you would like your atmosphere to be like during labour. I suggest that women should and can have a spa like experience complete with massage, facial, warm bath, music. I am sure initially the idea of labour atmosphere conjures up the idea of obstetric machines, bright lights and sterile room but it doesn't have to be all like that. Most caregivers suggest first and foremost to try to labour at home as long a possible. Some experts have suggested that a labouring women should have a birth setting that is like the love making room.....low lights, romantic music, warm bath, candles (battery operated of course). Why? Because women respond better in an atmosphere of private, safe and undistured atmospheres.

Also, what would you like it to be like for your baby when he or she makes it's first appearance upon the outside world. Wouldn't you like the first few minutes to be warm, calm and welcoming? So take some time to think about what you want your labouring atmosphere to be like. Think about things you could bring to the hospital to create a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere. Now take that thought and put it into action. Start your "labour tool bag" today.

Birth the Universal holiday

We are now in the Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa season. I acknowledge all these holiday traditions. In an era that everyone is trying to be politically correct it is right and proper to a respect people's holiday traditions. Birth on the other hand is an everyday event but is extraordianary for the family. It's a miracle, a blessing and is often life changing. The birth of a baby is usually remembered annually which not only marks a passage of time but acknowledges this person is special, alive and worth remembering. Birth is universal and happens every minute somewhere in the world. After all the hard work of birthing the baby a mother deserve a little holiday. Birth of a Baby, Birth of a Mother. 

Entenox for labour

Entenox during labour can be very useful. What is Entenox you ask?

Dr. Mike Tunstall invented Entenox which revolutionized the control of labour pains for millions of women around the world. Entenox is also know as "Gas and Air" because it is 50% nitrous oxide and 50% air. It's relatively cheap form of pain relief and can be an effective way to reduce pain sensations during labour. It is also used by other health care professionals in acute trauma.

How is it administered during labour? The labouring women controls the use. She places a small mask over her mouth and nose or uses a mouth peice and inhales deeping just as she feels a contraction just starting to build. She continues breathing till the contraction is gone and then she will remove the mask or mouth piece. Sometimes it take a couple, three, four tries to get the hang of it. For some it may smell a bit strange and feel abit strange having something covering your nose but with proper support it can be very helpful.

Benefits: Entenox tanks are transportable so you can use it in the bath or shower or even down the hall if you go for a walk. Because it's short acting if you decide it's not for you then you could stop it and then breathe it right out of system. Effects on the baby? None because it is rapidly elminated out of the baby once the baby takes its first breath. It can be used for 1st and 2nd stage of labour. Entenox doesnn't affect labour.

Possible side effects for the mother: claustirophobia, nausea, dizziness, disorientation.

It's certainly worth trying especially if you are trying to avoid the more invasive forms of pain management.

Babies Benefit from Labour

You've had a long hard labour and much to your total disappointment you had to have an emergency c-section. Afterwards you think to yourself, what was the point of all that labouring and then I end up with a c-section. Actually there is a point, babies benefit from labour! Here's how:

• Labour helps baby breathe. The hormones released during labour increase important elements in the baby's lung which help the lungs stay expanded after birth, it also helps the baby clear the amniotic fluid out.
• Labour stress helps pump more blood to the baby's brain, hear and kidney.
• Labour sends increased energy supply to the baby to help the baby keep satisfied until the transitional milk comes in on day three.
• Labour increases the hormones that aid in bonding. Babies often arrive in the quiet alert state which helps babies be more responsive to their parents in the first hour or so. Hormones are directly responsible for that.
• Labour increases the white blood cells generated during labour which helps increase the baby's immunity