Thursday, January 19, 2017

10 STEPS to a Good Respected Birth in Central Florida

10 STEPS to a Good Respected Birth in Central Florida


This is one of the biggest questions I get asked constantly… this is also one of the biggest reasons why I get hired… is to have a respected choice in birth.

STEP 1: Eat Healthy.

Start your pregnancy out right. Eat healthy. Avoid complications later by starting as soon as you can, even if it’s the end of your pregnancy - It’s NEVER too late. Also, it is the best time for you and your family to transition into a healthier lifestyle that your child can model from you later.

Katinka Bencs, Health Coach and Culinary Nutritionist teach a NourishME series. It can help you not only with basic nutrition but she will also show you how to put it in practice. The classes are taught in her own kitchen. You get to enjoy a 3-course, wholesome, gluten, dairy free, and mostly organic meal. You get to take home the recipes. On top of all of this an arsenal of knowledge on how to build a strong foundation for the health of your baby, while having a healthy journey into motherhood. The information she shares is not typically shared by healthcare professionals Katinka can really help you with cutting back on research time.
The NourishME - Expecting Mommies (part of the series) is definitely a must for any new mom (and dad) who would like to get inspired to get in the kitchen. Learn to whip up nourishing meals while also expanding their lifestyle with nourishing choices she presents. It also doubles as a great date night!

NourishME – Expecting Mommies Covers:
- Essential nutrients,

- maintaining energy levels,

- stabilizing blood sugar,

- managing morning (or evening) sickness,

- making better choices to satisfy those (let’s be honest sometimes crazy) cravings

- holistic lifestyle adjustment




STEP 2: Stay Active


Studies show that active moms and adjusted moms (at the hands of a chiropractor) experience:

- Less discomfort during pregnancy
- Gain less weight

- Feel better and have a higher self-esteem
- With toned abs and a regular cardio workout moms will have more stamina.

-Moms that are physically fit are less likely to ask for pain medication.
-Less likely to be constipated
-Less likely to develop Gestational Diabetes and Pre-Eclampsia (with a good wholesome nutritional diet)
-Less likely to have a malpositioned baby.
-The best one of all these is… Labors tend to be shorter!

Inspirit's Prenatal Yoga is a good way to stay active. 




 STEP 3: Get Adjusted, regularly.

Why? 

Because if your pelvic bones or tendons are torqued or out of line the uterus can be misshapen, which can in turn make the baby sit awkwardly and maybe even in a breech position. Getting regular adjustments are an easy way to avoid malpositioned babies. During labor, getting adjusted can help keep your pelvis open and baby descend with more ease. 

Orlando is lucky to have a wide selection of very experienced (in pregnancy, birth, postpartum and babies) chiropractors. Best part is that there is likely to be one right around the corner of your neighborhood.

We have several great chiropractors here locally in Orlando, FL.

Some of our favorites include:




Christina Cueller at Revival Chiropractic, -Altamonte, FL.
Cynthia Gabaldon – Baldwin Park, FL.
Beyond Chiropractic –  Altamonte Springs, FL.
Spaulding Family Chiropractic –  Sanford, FL.
Long Family Chiropractic –  College Park, FL.
Life Connection Family Chiro- Avalon Park, FL.
Peak Chiropractic – Celebration, FL.
Body Healing Chiropractic – Kissimmee, FL.





STEP 4: Educate Yourself and Your Partner.


Education is Key. I cannot say this enough. The more educated you are the better and wider your options will be. You don’t know what you don’t know, right?

Start of by reading:
  • Ina May’s Guide to childbirth; 
  • A Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth, and 
  • Hypnobirthing, Morgan method



These are the basics we suggest every client read.

Find a good childbirth education class. The best bet is to find one OUTSIDE of a hospital, one from a birth center or an independent source.  Even if you are birthing at a hospital, find one that will teach you the tools you need to manage labor and navigate the LOCAL hospital system. Doulas of Orlando offers comprehensive childbirth education course. For more information please visit our website.


STEP 5: Choose a Good Provider.

Wait, you already have a health-care provider? 

Ok that’s good! 
Do you know the provider's C-section rate? 
What does the provider think about natural birth? 
Does the provider suggest you take childbirth education? 
What about Doulas? 
What about VBACs? Does the provider support them? 

These are basic questions you want to ask your provider.

Midwives are safe option here in Central Florida, especially for moms whom are experiencing a healthy uncomplicated pregnancy. Word of warning they are not all made the same. So shop around and pick one YOU feel safe and comfortable with.

We, doulas, cover and go over our favorite OB-GYNs and Midwives with our clients. Go ahead ask us.

STEP 6: Choose a Good Birth Location.

In Orlando you have the choice between: Birth centers, Home Birth, and Hospitals. It is important to keep an open mind and explore your options. It’s not one shoe fits all.


So, how do you know if you choose a good location? Give me the 411! The numbers, it’s all about the numbers! Remember, you want clear and straightforward answers and those come in percentages! According to The World Health Organization C-section rates should be 8-15%, these are NEEDED C-sections. 


We have a problem with our C-section rates in Florida. Florida is the 4th most C-section happy state of the good old US of A, with some hospitals reporting 70% C-section rates. Locally here in Orlando and the outskirts it’s around 40%. WHICH IS FAR TOO HIGH. There are times when a C-section is the best for both mom and baby, and we completely respect that. It is your choice and we support YOUR choice 100%

So let’s say you want to stick with your current provider and this provider only works out of a certain location… Then the next step is crucial.

STEP 7: Hire a Certified Doula. No I’m Not Kidding.

Hiring a good experienced certified doula comes with a price and yes it is totally worth it! We can help you navigate any hiccup that can happen before, during and even after birth. A good doula should be unbiased to the type of birth you want to have. 

No, doulas are NOT just for women wanting a natural birth. A mom who chooses to get an epidural will need support changing positions to keep labor going, will need support during pushing and more. Moms whom have a medically necessary or elective procedures like a c-section will need support just like a mom having a vaginal birth. They are giving birth too. Things can change during labor and having a professional who has been in similar situations can be a priceless tool to keep you and your partner calm and in the loop.


A doula is there to support your choices in an unbiased manner and provide comfort measures. She is also there to make sure you understand everything that is going on and that the providers take the time to explain everything fully. Translating medical jargon is part of the doula's job too.

 Average investment for a certified experienced doula here in Central Florida is 750 and can be up to 1800+. Book us early because we get booked quickly

STEP 8: Make a Birth Plan.

Saying you are 100% sure you are not having a C-section is unrealistic but a healthy 10-15% chance is. You want to make sure you stay positive and flexible. Try to keep your plan limited to ONE page even if its back and front. Make sure you include any traditions or special request. Most hospitals especially here locally will go over it with you. I would love to say that “Gone are the days that they made fun of moms for bringing in birth plans”… not entirely. You still get a few stragglers but make sure you make your wishes clear. YOU are the boss; it is YOUR choice what ultimately happens to you and your baby. Not the doctor’s, nurse’s and NO not your doula’s choice either.

Make sure to ask a lot of questions.

STEP 9: Wait for Labor to start on its own.

I can almost hear the groans. Yes, I feel you. I know it’s hard when it’s the last few weeks/days(or you flew by your due date, SORRY!) of pregnancy and you feel huge and uncomfortable. 


This is a big one. According to American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology elective inductions increase your chances of having a C-section rate by 50%. With our local C-section rates at about 40% you can be looking at an overall 60% risk with just the intervention of inducing your labor, add other interventions and well it goes up. 


Your baby also benefits from the hormones of labor. Baby is the one that starts the process of labor, signaling that he or she is ready to be born. 


Remember to follow the steps and it will keep your chances of a good respected birth high, even if you choose to be induced, get an epidural or have a c-section. Which is ok! Remember it is YOUR choice.


 STEP 10: Stay Home as Long As Possible!

Laboring at home is tough but the most comfortable. As a first time mom it’s easy to get excited and we are very influenced by the media’s portrayal of birth. Birth, on TV, is immediate; that kinda goes like this: BAM! Water breaks, contractions start and now comes the baby! Total of what 3-5 minutes? NOP! Totally not how it goes. Average first-time mom can labor 12-24hours, which is believe it or not NORMAL.

Staying home will also help you dilate. So dance, move, walk, bathe and love on your partner to get your baby down and out! This is better than rushing to the hospital, waiting hours in a triage waiting room, be taken back to more waiting and then to be discharged because you’re only 2-3 centimeters dilated. Most hospitals now will only admit you once you're 6cm or close to.


Your certified experienced central Florida doula will have a good idea when it’s time to head to your place of birth or call your midwife. Of course if you feel it’s time, it’s time! You know your body better than anyone else, trust your gut.

 Doulas of Orlando is, of course, the place to go to find a certified experienced doula. 
Doulas of Orlando teaches in private and group childbirth education courses, which are based on birthing here in Central Florida. Call us at 321-804-2969 to schedule a free consultation or visit our website www.doulasoforlando.com