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NEWSLETTER
- APRIL 2006
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
CONTENTS
Ed's Note
Because I said so… your monthly column from the editor
Featured Article: Waterbirth: Risks, Realities & Triumphs, by Heather Pieterse
Quick Coffee Break: The Love Dress
Link up!
Giveaways! See what's on offer this month
April Events: See what's happening this month!
Noticeboard: Useful stuff!
In Closing...
Ed's Note
I am writing this with bleary eyes - from yet another night of very interupted sleep. Firstly, my jolly bladder wakes me at least five times, and if it's not that, it's my dear first born. She still - at age two and four months - has bottles at night. A major point of contention might I add. Something that needs to stop before baby arrives. But it's not just that. We had her so nicely trained to help herself to the bottle that we had left in her cot - as long as it's not waking Mommy, then hey drink the whole cow if you wish. But NOOOO, now she calls me for her bottle. I go in there, have a feel around the cot, and lo and behold there is the bottle - still full of milk. So why oh why does she wake me for it when it's right there??? Toddlers. I don't think I will ever understand their thinking. Anyway moving on...
This month we bring you an article on water birthing - a choice that is gaining in popularity, so read up about it if you think it might be something you wish to explore. I wish I had had the opportunity to experience natural birth - I am definitely going to try this time around if all goes according to plan. I know those of you who have had natural birth could tell me all sorts of horror stories - well same goes for c ae sars I suppose - we all have a story and I would love to hear some of yours. Email me at sally@mumstheword.co.za or post them on the forum! Speaking of having babies - I am officially due on the 23rd of July. I am trying to line up all my articles, giveaways, etc. before then so that when baby arrives I don't have too much to organise! So if you would like to contribute or know of someone who might, or if you have a topic that you would like me to cover, please let me know! A ny other comments, tips or suggestions would also be appreciated - and don't forget to send me your contributions for the coffee break section as well as pictures of your little ones for the gallery pages! And don't forget to post any questions or things that you would like to share on the forum at www.mumstheword.co.za - and let's keep the database growing so don't forget to send your copy of MTW on!
It's official. My name is Sally and I am the mother of a two year old groupie (nods of sympathy all around please). And no, not a Barney Groupie. Or even a Teletubby Groupie. Oh no, my daughter is a rock star groupie. And she hasn't even got her first pair of Docs yet (Doc Martins for those who weren't teenagers in the nineties). It must run in the genes. But I guess I am the only one to blame…
It all started when I was pregnant with her. I would crank up the volume on my car's stereo, listening to U2 singing Elevation at full blast, while Megan kicked in time with Larry Mullen Junior's drumbeat against the insides of my tummy. Forget Baby Mozart, my unborn child was going to listen to the good stuff. But of course when she was born, as many of you know, she had a bad case of colic and sensory issues to boot, so that was the end of her rock education… for the time being at least. Then it was CD's of heartbeats and whale sounds, but her favourite for many months was “DJ Radio Static” – probably the most annoying sound in the world but we learnt to live with it – anything for sleep.
And finally, one glorious day, the colic was over. Megan took her first big steps into the big wide world, and like any responsible parent we booked tickets for her first rock concert – a local band called Flat Stanley who were playing at Kirstenbosch. We were of course apprehensive about how she would handle the loud music and all the people, but she absolutely loved it. And this was only the beginning… A couple of months later she heard a few snippets of a song on the radio, and would sing “Do-Bee, Do-Bee” to me over and over again, and it took me a while to actually hear the whole song on the radio to figure out which band was singing it (Freshly Ground) – and of course I rushed out to buy the CD, thinking I must be mad to spend R120 on one song (and Afro Jazz at that, not even proper rock!). But needless to say after a few plays in the car she started singing along to every song on the album, which was a far sight better than “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes” over and over again! But after a while I got tired of Do-Bee-Doing and decided to try her on something new… and so began the Avril Lavigne fanclub for minors. To hear a two year old singing along to Avril from the backseat is priceless.
A couple of months later we heard that Freshly Ground was going to be playing at Kirstenbosch, so we got Megan all excited that we were going to “see Do-Bee”! That turned into a complete disaster – tickets were completely sold out and the traffic was horrendous. We ended up going for a picnic at Groot Constantia with a group of friends, but Megan wasn't too concerned as she had her two best boyfriends there to play with and terrorise (see? What did I say. Two boyfriends already. I'm going to have problems.) But before we knew it, it was that time of year again – Flat Stanley would be back at Kirstenbosch, so this time I got tickets way in advance and off we went. Being a year older, and wiser, and having had a year's worth of listening to the CD in the car, Megan was ready to roll. Once again she had a ball, dancing right in front of the stage, letting the main singer know she was his number one fan in no uncertain terms. I am sure she was nearly ready to throw her nappy onto the stage. For the next week Do-Bee didn't get a mention in the car – it was “no Mommy, more moozak” – which was her term for Flat Stanley.
And then we told her we had tickets for Freshly Ground – all the way out in Stellenbosch mind you but we were going to get there no matter what it took! So we packed up the car one Saturday afternoon and cranked up the volume, singing to all their songs on the way. Thank goodness my husband is a good negotiator and the security guys were sympathetic to my “condition” and allowed us to park really close so that we didn't have to walk miles – being pregnant does occasionally have its advantages! This allowed us to get a place right up front (although miles from the toilets – not a good thing with a baby on your bladder, but save that for another episode!) and so the night's events began! Megan had seen Freshly Ground on TV before so she knew what they looked like, and I just wish I could have captured the awe on her face when she saw the band come out, and start with a song she recognised! She sat quite still (quite a feat for a two year old) and just watched – for about two seconds before she dragged me to the divider fence at the front to dance with the rest of the underage groupies (and their mommies). By the time the show was coming to an end Megan was on her dad's shoulders, singing every word and clapping after every song, and instead of being ready to pass out after the concert (like any good groupie would) she chatted the whole (long) way home about Do-Bee – although she did redeem herself when she asked for a quick swig from her bottle – a girl's gotta keep her reputation, even if it is milk and not Jack! |
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Featured Article: Waterbirth: Risks, Realities and Triumphs
By Heather Pieterse - 2005, Birth Right - Private Midwife, RN, RM, Psych & Comm Health (Pr No: 8829195)
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BABY IS BORN?
The baby will be born with very little assistance i.e. hand on perineum. As the baby glides out into the water it will be gently, but immediately, lifted up onto the mother's chest.
Baby will gradually take a nice breath and start crying – this sometimes takes a few seconds. Remember all the while the cord is still pulsating and supplying Baby with all the necessary oxygen requirements.
Once baby is on mommy's chest, its face may be wiped if there is a lot of mucous.
The baby must be kept warm so it should either be submerged in the water (shoulders under) or a warm towel must be placed over baby to keep him/her warm.
(this is possibly the most important part of the birth – keeping baby warm)
The cord will continue to pulsate and only be cut once the mother asks or it stops pulsating. Baby can remain in the water with mommy as long as it is warm – this can be anything from 15 minutes to virtually an hour.
Once mommy or baby is ready to be taken out of the water, the baby will be taken by the back-up midwife who will wrap and dry baby and hand him/her over to daddy.
Once mommy has been helped out of the bath into a comfortable bed mom and baby will be reunited. The baby shouldn't leave the room or have any medical procedures performed such as weighing, injections etc until mom, dad and baby have had a chance to be together. (Unless medication intervention is necessary)
Having a waterbirth is becoming increasingly popular as women are reading more about it, hearing about it from friend's personal experience and – fantastically - it is becoming more available.
Question commonly asked by most is:
“Won't the baby drown?”
No. The baby only starts to breathe once it receives stimulation i.e. cool air on its skin. The baby is born into warm water (body temperature) and therefore doesn't receive any stimuli to encourage breathing.
“Isn't it very dirty?”
Absolutely not, in my opinion it is a far cleaner birth that a dry or land birth. With little intervention and unnecessary procedures there is very little vaginal discharge/bleeding etc prior to the birth. If tearing occurs (which I must add is very seldom), there is a little blood discharged. Once the placenta detaches after the birth there is a gush of blood.
“Does the midwife have to be in the water too?”
Definitely not! We work from the side of the pool. Your partner may enter the water if he chooses though.
“Is it true that waterbirth babies are more intelligent?”
I don't believe so and I personally haven't read any documented proof of such findings.
RISKS AND REALITIES
Benefits of using water in labour and waterbirth:
· Helps relax a tense stressed mom in labour
· Helps speed up the labour process due to the above reason
· Decreases the need for medical intervention and augmentation of labour.
· Makes the labour more personal and private (it is easier to create a quiet space around you) – a dimly lit quiet room/water vs. bright noisy labour ward.
· Research has shown that a woman using water in labour feels more in control of her labour and more satisfied with her birthing experience.
· It is far easier to move around in water than out of it – good for active birth.
· Fewer incidents of needing episiotomies and fewer serious tears occur when using water.
· Babies tend to experience less stress and have a better oxygen supply if the mom is less stressed.
· The use of warm water in labour helps reduce the need for synthetic pain relief in labour which ultimately is better for baby.
· Baby is left with the mom immediately after the birth – no unnecessary intervention – this enhances the bonding process.
Other Tips:
· Your midwife will:
o know You (through monthly check-ups),
o observe everything carefully for signs
o and listen to gut feelings
· Rather be safe than sorry – listen to your midwife - if she is concerned get out!
· Your midwife should always carry all necessary emergency equipment with her / set up / check emergency equipment on arrival to home/labour ward. (Suction, oxygen, drugs to stop bleeding, IV equipment)
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE A VERY GOOD TRUST RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MIDWIFE!
Foetal Heart monitoring :
It is recommended that your midwife should follow the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology guidelines:
Listen to the baby's heart for:
1. 1 full minute every 15 - 30 minutes in active 1 st stage
2. Every 5 minutes in 2 nd stage (or after every /every alternate contraction)
She will listen after contractions for decelerations and from time to time during contractions.
A Waterproof foetal Doppler will be used for this purpose as the heart can be listened to in the water and the woman doesn't have to change position or leave the bath.
It is very encouraging/motivating for woman in labour to hear the heart beat
Vaginal examination :
· This can be easily performed in water – no need for woman to get out
· Kept to minimal ideally. Your midwife will use other observations to monitor progress - body language, breathing, contractions etc
· If labour is progressing well it is not necessary to do routine vaginal examinations.
(Being submerged in water is actually a very good deterrent against internal examination and other interference)
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Informed decision by parents :
- Discuss pros and con's of waterbirth with your caregiver.
- Ensure you involve your partner in the decision making process.
- Be flexible– being too rigid about birth preference can lead to great disappointment – allow your body to naturally find its own pace and place (you may not feel like water in the end?).
- The midwife should also be flexible!!
Questions to ask / consider :
- Why do you want a waterbirth?
- What have you heard about waterbirth?
- Has your desired birth venue got facilities for waterbirth and do they actually do waterbirths?
(Some hospitals in Pretoria openly tell their patients wanting waterbirths that the bath is used for pain relief before the epidural????)
- Bath availability-what if someone is using the bath when you are admitted?
Who can have a waterbirth :
- If you are 37 weeks gestation or more.
- If your pregnancy is considered low risk pregnancy.
- Normal progressing labour with no contra-indications - such as a baby in distress etc
Who is going to assist with the waterbirth? .
(RCOG recommends the attendant should be experienced in doing waterbirths).
- Good idea to have 2 midwives at the birth – 1 for baby, 1 for mother.
- Aim: not just to give birth in water but rather to experience the comfort/pain relief/trust relationship with attendant/environment.
- Encourage partner participation – he can assist you in a squatting position, he can enter the water if he desires, he can assist with the actual birth/lifting baby out of the water.
Other tips when planning a waterbirth:
- Choose your caregiver very carefully as we sometimes see cases where a waterbirth is promised by a caregiver who really has no intention of doing it and this can be very traumatic for you - to suddenly be faced with this knowledge only a week before your due date.
Questions to ask to ascertain whether your caregiver is really the one you want to do your birth:
- How often do they do waterbirths?
- Who assists through labour ( back-up midwife ) and are they supportive of water for pain relief?
- How often are waterbirths done in your facility of choice?
- What is the procedure after the baby is born?
o Is baby left with you or taken out immediately?
o Is the cord left to pulsate?
o Where is the placenta delivered?
o How is the baby's heart monitored in labour?
o When would you be asked to leave the water?
o When can you enter the water?
(All these questions will help you establish whether you feel you have the right caregiver for the birth you plan).
When to get out of water :
- If there are any concerns about mother - hypotension/ dehydrated/ decreased energy/fainting/bleeding.
- Changes in foetal heart rate or sudden meconium stained liquor.
- If your midwife suggests you get out due to:
o ‘Large for date' babies where she is concerned about shoulders being to big or possibly becoming stuck
o If water becomes too soiled – need clean water for baby.
o Maternal request - for sedation/epidural.
o For instrument births!!!!!
o Midwifes gut feeling
LAST NOTE FROM THE MIDWIFE:
To see a mother's face as she holds her newborn on her chest and slowly absorbs “I've done it!”
At the end of the day we want to know that we have assisted a woman to have a satisfying, safe birth experience . It is the ultimate satisfaction to know that she got the birth she dreamed of!
Good luck in the planning of your birth – I hope this info is of value to you!
For more information about Natural Birth see www.earthbabies.co.za.
Quick Coffee Break: The Love Dress
I found this one on the net:
A mother-in-law stopped unexpectedly by the recently married couple's house. She rang the doorbell and stepped into the house. She saw her daughter-in-law standing naked by the door. "What are you doing?" she asked. "I'm waiting for my husband to come home from work," the daughter-in-law answered.
"But you're naked!" the mother-in-law exclaimed.
"This is my love dress," the daughter-in-law explained.
"Love dress? But you're naked!"
"My husband loves me to wear this dress! It makes him happy and it makes me happy. I would appreciate it if you would leave because he will be home from work any minute."
The mother-in-law was tired of all this romantic talk and left. On the way home she thought about the love dress. When she got home she got undressed, showered, put on her best perfume and waited by the front door.
Finally her husband came home. He walked in and saw her standing naked by the door.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"This is my love dress," she replied.
Husband: "Needs ironing!"
For more quick funnies, prose and pictures, see the Coffee Break on www.mumstheword.co.za - and keep them coming to sally@mumstheword.co.za!
Link up! www.earthbabies.co.za
If you want to find out more information about the natural approach to birth and parenting, have a look at this proudly South African website. Earth Babies aims to provide information on natural birthing, as well as offering products to assist with an instinctive parenting style. The site offers a range of articles on the subject, as well as an online shop selling everything from tshirts and slings to aromatherapy oils and vitamins - those currently expecting might be interested in the labour kit, which includes arnica massage oil, Rescue Remedy, face clothes, candles and more. Read up also on the personal stories of women who have chosed to have natural births - I particularly enjoyed the one on VBAC (Vaginal Delivery After Caesar) - it gave me encouragement on an issue that is close to my heart as I had a very bad emergency caesar for breech first time around and am hoping to try for a natural delivery this time around! See www.earthbabies.co.za for more information.
P.S.: Don't forget to add your views on anything and everything to the forum on www.mumstheword.co.za!
Back to contents
WINWINWIN! This Month's Giveaway - Belly Cast Kit!
A great baby shower gift - this kit comes with everything you will need to make a lasting memory of this very special time in your life. Included in the kit is plaster gauze, latex gloves and vaseline - as well as candles and chamomile tea to create the atmosphere - all in a useful reusable calico drawstring bag - all worth R210! For more information or to order see www.earthbabies.co.za . To win this fantastic and unusual prize, send an email (with all your contact details) with "Belly Giveaway" in the subject line to sally@mumstheword.co.za. Closing date 20 April 2006.
April Events:
Keep up to date with what's happening in April - send your submissions to sally@mumstheword.co.za!
Monday 3rd |
Beginners belly dance evening classes in Tokai starting |
Tuesday 4th |
Pasta Demonstrations at The Pasta Factory in Gardens |
Wednesday 5th |
The Parent Centre – Art Activity in Rosebank, 9:30 – 11:30, R30 |
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Scallywags, Claremont Talk |
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FACETS, Century City Workshop\ Topic: Pregnancy and Nutrition, 11am |
Thursday 6th |
Mama Bamba, Constantia Talk |
Saturday 8th |
Thula Baby Centre Sleep Workshop at The President Hotel, Sea Point, 9 - 12:30, R300 |
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Woolworths Talk on nutrition for toddlers |
Wednesday 12th |
The Parent Centre, Rosebank Talk |
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Sugar & Spice Educare, Claremont Workshop |
Thursday 13th |
The Parent Centre, Claremont Talk |
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Mama Bamba, Constantia Talk |
Thursday 20th |
Groote Schuur Primary School Rondebosch, Open Day, 10 – 11 |
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The Parent Centre, Claremont Talk |
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Mama Bamba, Constantia Talk |
Wednesday 26th |
The Parent Centre, Rosebank Talk |
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Noordhoek Farm Village Craft Market, 10 – 4pm |
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Thula Baby Centre Workshop |
Thursday 27th |
Mama Bamba, Constantia Talk |
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Free Introduction to Belly Dance Workshop, Cape Town , 5:45 – 7pm |
Friday 28th |
SA Cheese Festival on until 1 May, Franschoek |
Noticeboard: This is your space! Submit your comments, ideas or suggestions on anything you have seen or want to see in Mum's the Word. This is also a space to advertise child related products or services, be they your own or something interesting that you have seen or heard about. Email me your contributions and if I deem them suitable I will happily put them up!
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We have a winner! Congrats to Cara Whitehead who won last month's SMILE giveaway! For more info on SMILE contact Heidi on (021) 683 9216! |
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Dizzy Dots now have stock of their winter bababags - so why not get one now for your little one before the cold weather hits! For more information contact them on(021) 790955 or email dizzydots@tiscali.co.za . Bababags also available at www.kidsemporium.co.za. |
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Please note that I will be on leave from the 18th until the 30th of April - so your next edition will arrive a bit late! Sorry but my bum will be far too firmly placed in the sand to take a laptop with - the last holiday for some time! :-) |
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Next issue: We will be talking a bit about water births - an interesting choice that is gaining in popularity ! Post any questions or issues that you feel need to be discussed on the message board at www.mumstheword.co.za - whatever grabs you! Your comments on MTW would also be hugely appreciated! |
In Closing…
I remember as a little kid packing up the car for a long journey with my family chanting a refrain with my brothers that comes to me now... "We're going on holiday, we're going on holiday!" At last April is here which means that ten whole nights of not having to cook, wash or clean is around the corner - not to mention days spent in the tropical sun and island boys bringing me everything my pregnant tummy craves (like pizza on the beach - bliss!). I will be sure to take lots of pics and put them up on my site, so that you can all envy the golden tan surrounding my enormous bump ! And while your next issue of MTW might be late, it will be worth it because we have two fantastic prizes lined up for May for mother's day - so watch this space and when I come back I expect lots of lovely letters in my inbox from all of you! But until then - Au revois - here I go... we're going on holiday, we're going on holiday...
Until next time…
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