The Power of Birth Affirmations: How to create a better birth with your words

Original Photo by Sophia Cook

The power of words is known on an instinctual level and has been taught by many wise teachers.  Despite this knowledge we unconsciously begin to align ourselves with them, even if they are negative. Words carry a weight of their own and they can be used to lift someone up or tear them down, the same is true for the words you use about yourself and your birth.

A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing.
She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination, prepared to be herself and only herself.
~ Maya Angelou

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. ~ Buddha

'Tis a strange mystery, the power of words!
Life is in them, and death. A word can send
The crimson colour hurrying to the cheek.
Hurrying with many meanings; or can turn
The current cold and deadly to the heart.
Anger and fear are in them; grief and joy
Are on their sound; yet slight, impalpable:—
A word is but a breath of passing air

~ Letitia Elizabeth Landon

        Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. ~ Proverbs 16:24 ESV


Choose to surround yourself with words, poems, and songs that lift your heart and fill you with joy when you visualize your birth. 

The Rose

My cervix is like a rosebud
Ready to Open
I am nurtured by those around me as the rose is nurtured by the soil
The rosebud gradually, ever so softly, opens and blossoms.
I open and blossom.
My cervix is soft and ripe like a rosebud.
I see the outer petals of the rose falling away
I see my cervix yielding like the outer petals of the rose.
Every contraction opens another petal of my rosebud cervix.
I welcome each contraction, which helps me open my rosebud cervix.
I welcome and receive all the nurturing around me, which helps me open.
Just like the warm sun opens the rose, the warmth I receive opens my cervix.

I yield and open.
The rose does not resist.
I open and blossom.

~ Barbara Harper“Gentle Birth Choices”

Making a list of positive birth affirmations is a technique used in Hypnobirthing and has become more common practice in women wanting to create a positive birth experience.  Birth affirmations should be short, positive, and based in the present.  Write them on pretty paper and hang them around your house or paint them into a picture to hang in your birthing space.  One mother that I was doulaing for made a book of birth affirmations using a ring of index cards that she read during her birth.  A banner is another creative way to display your birth affirmations, they can be hand made by you or bought from various crafters.  Some women include this in their blessing-way or baby shower and ask each guest to make an affirmation to add to their banner. 

This is a list of Birth Affirmations to choose from or take a few minutes to sit down in a quiet space and let them come to you. When creating your list remember that your birth journey is unique and will unfold on its own. Trust your intuition, love yourself and enjoy your birth, you were created to do this!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My body was created to birth

I am relaxed and open to each sensation

Each contraction is a wave, I let it wash through me and then I release it

I can do this, I am doing this

Birth is a safe and wonderful experience

I am aware and in control of my breathing

I am grounded, I am strong

I allow the rhythm of birth to flow through me

My body and baby know what to do, I surrender fully and completely

I am doing this exactly right

The pain is my power.  It opens me up like a flower in bloom, making room for my baby's entry into the world

My pelvis releases and opens as have those of countless women before me

I accept myself completely here and now

I now feel inner peace and serenity

I accept this labor as my labor and believe it is the right one for me and for my baby

I love and accept my body completely

I accept all my feelings as part of myself     

I feel the love of others around me

My baby knows all is well

The strength of my contractions are a sign of my feminine strength

How to potty train your BABY: What is Elimination Communication?

Photo Credit: Popsugar.com

If you were excited to see the words potty training and baby in the same sentence then you have come to the right place!  I want to share with you my experience with Elimination Communication (EC) or Early potty training. 

I first learned about EC while I was pregnant with my daughter Madelyn.  I was researching tips for my 1 ½ year old so he would be out of diapers by the time his little sister was born.  At this time his older brother was still not fully potty trained at 3 ½ and I was sick of smelly and expensive diapers! 

So what is Elimination Communication?

"Elimination communication (EC) is a practice in which a caregiver uses timing, signals, cues, and intuition to address an infant's need to eliminate waste. Caregivers try to recognize and respond to babies' bodily needs and enable them to urinate and defecate in an appropriate place (e.g. a toilet). Caregivers may use diapers (nappies) as a back-up in case of "misses" some or all of the time, or not at all. EC emphasizes communication between the caregiver and child, helping them both become more attuned to the child's innate rhythms and control of urination and defecation. The term "elimination communication" was inspired by traditional practices of diaper-less baby care in less industrialized countries and hunter-gatherer cultures. Some practitioners of EC begin soon after birth, the optimum window being zero to four months in terms of helping the baby get in tune with their elimination needs, although it can be started with babies of any age. The practice can be done full time, part time, or just occasionally." ~ Wikepedia

Elimination communication sounds complicated right?  I'm going to surprise you here by telling you that it is Absolutely not!  Imagine you could avoid, or at least reduce the need and use of diapers, imagine being in-tune with your baby and creating a communication with this tiny person so that their need for elimination is heard and heeded.  Imagine a toddler who has learned to hold his bladder and is willing to use the potty without the struggle of un-diaper training.
I have promised that this is not complicated but I will warn you, it is not an overnight process. 
But lets face it, neither is potty training an older child!

Before Madelyn was born I bought a movie on Amazon called Potty Whispering: The Gentle Art of Infant Potty Training.  It is a documentary about the use and benefits of infant potty training.  In this movie I got to see what EC would be like in real life, not just on paper.  I learned techniques for making the process easier and more successful.  I also learned that their are wonderful benefits, not just to mother and child but also to the environment. 

According to Ingrid Bauer, author of Diaper Free- Gentle Natural Hygiene by Ingrid Bauer "It’s possible—even practical—to raise your kids without diapers."  Based on research, case studies, and her own experience she shows how you can:

• Save thousands of dollars
• Reduce landfill waste (single-use disposable diapers are responsible for one third of the non- biodegradable waste in landfills)
• Avoid diaper rash
• Use the “Four Tools for Diaper Freedom” to enhance your relationship with your baby and deepen communication. 



If you are sitting there thinking that this could not possibly work, I want you to think about mothers in other countries who do not have access to disposable diapers. 

In China they still use little crotchless pants that allow babies to squat pretty much anywhere when they are potty training and children who learn this way are potty trained at a much younger age than those who use diapers.  In fact, according to Pediatrics Magazine Half of the babies around the world are potty trained by 12 months old" 



For the first 6 months I used a combination of cloth diapers and EC with Madelyn. During the day I left her without a diaper and used little leg warmers to keep her covered and comfy, at night and when I went out of the house I used cloth diapers. By watching her little body signals and listening to the noises she would make, I learned what her own bodily rhythm was.  When she was really tiny, she always needed to eliminate while she was nursing so I would just hold the little potty bowl under her bum and make a "psssst pssst pssst" sound, this is the technique of cueing which consists of making a particular sound when the baby is eliminating.   This helped her associate the noise with the action and when she got older I could make the sound and she would know it was time to go potty. When she got a little older I stopped using the cloth diapers and transitioned her to tiny underwear.   At around 6 months Madelyn was able to sleep without wetting herself for almost the entire night and she was completely potty trained by two years old.  The process of early potty training Madelyn was no more challenging than it was with my older boys.  She suffered less diaper rashes and we never had the bed wetting that her brothers went through.  I am a true believer that with a little patience and dedication EC can be fit into any lifestyle.

As with regular potty training it is important to remember that there is no rush for baby to get it, they will learn and develop at their own pace.  EC is not about unrealistic goals, it is about working with your baby to help them be aware of their body and develop healthy bathroom habits. Their success will rely on your ability to read their cues, so remember to stay relaxed, be patient, and have fun!

If you would like to learn more about Elimination Communication or Early potty training you can check out these resources:

• http://diaperfreebaby.org/
• http://ecsimplified.com/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication

Our Star Ziggy

  I want to tell you about my first pregnancy, but I find it necessary to give you a little bit of background about myself. I met the man to be my husband at age 16. He actually lived 2 states away in Alabama and was in my neck of the woods visiting hometown family. I was his aunt's nanny and we would hang out when he was in town since none of his cousins were the same age and he had not kept in contact with his childhood friends here. When I was 18 in 2005 he moved here and, after 3 short months, the rest was history. I was also diagnosed with hereditary high blood pressure at age 18. We got married in 2008 when I was 23. We knew we wanted kids but we wanted to wait and give our marriage time to grow and mature. Until then I took birth control pills. I had taken birth control since I was 16 so we knew I should come off of it for at least a year before we were to start trying.

  I would highly suggest a check up with your healthcare provider before becoming pregnant.
I went to my doctor just before I turned 24. This is when we were able to give our medical background information and address any other health concerns we may have. At the time my preexisting health issues were my low potassium, IBS, and most importantly my heart murmur and high blood pressure. These issues put me in the high risk category. My doctor instructed me to come off my birth control for at least 3 months to a year. He changed my high blood pressure med to something “safe” as well as suggested taking a prenatal vitamin or a multivitamin to prepare my body. He also suggested that I get plenty of exercise.
I did all of the suggested things and even reached out to Erica, a local doula. She was customer at the local library where I worked before I was pregnant. I had always believed that a woman's body was built to give birth to a child naturally but since I was high risk a natural birth at home with a midwife wasn’t an option for me. Sometimes interventions are necessary to save the mother or the baby’s life. The next best thing was to seek services from a doula. Erica would help guide me through the interventions that were headed my way.

  For a year I kept track of my cycle and temperature to figure out when I was ovulating. We actively started trying to become pregnant 3 months before I turned 25. We were actually visiting his relatives for Thanksgiving and my birthday hoping to find out while with family. It wasn't until about a month later that we finally got a positive pregnancy test. We were ecstatic and like most first time parents we told everyone right away because our friends and family were always pestering us to have kids after a year of dating. I called and scheduled an appointment right away!

  My doctor and I clicked really well and he sent me for a blood test the next day to confirm the pregnancy. My HCG levels were low so I needed another blood test right before he saw me at 4 weeks. I was still a little low the second time around so he did an ultrasound to confirm how far along I was. He told me not to worry HCG levels can vary early on. I was 4 weeks or so. He scheduled an appointment with a perinatal neonatologist or a high risk OB, who I was to see around 12 weeks. This wasn’t shocking to me, we had discussed it prior to me becoming pregnant.
Up until this very appointment I had never been to an OB/GYN appointment alone. It made me nervous that my husband couldn't go with me so I asked a friend to come with me. I didn't know what to expect.
It went like a normal first time OB appointment, height, weight, blood pressure, medical history. Then they did a vaginal ultrasound, this was new and I didn’t understand why so I asked. I was informed that a vaginal ultrasound can give a better view of the the baby in early stages of pregnancy. The equipment used to do one of those is essentially shaped like a sex toy, they even put a condom on it. It's not very comfortable but I could bear through it if it needed to be done. The tech who performed the ultrasound did not answer any of my questions. I was told that I would have to wait to hear the results from my doctor. I remember how nervous I was when she left to get the physician. I tried to calm myself by listening to the ultra sound noises which she had turned down pretty low about midway through.

  The doctor finally came in to the exam room after 10 minutes of horrible anticipation. She began operating the ultrasound machine, turning the volume back up. I began asking the same types of questions hoping to ease my anxiety.

Then I asked about the heartbeat. 

  She then told me the heartbeat I was hearing was my own. She began to explain that I had lost my baby somewhere between 6 to 8 weeks along according to its size.
My baby didn’t have a heart beat any longer. I was crushed and heartbroken. I cried. I was there in the exam alone and scared.

  The doctor explained that miscarriages, for a first time pregnancy, were not uncommon. Statistically 25% of women experienced a miscarriage within the first trimester. She asked me if there was anyone she could call for me. I was utterly a mess. I tried several times to reach his cell but he was out of range and was on a delivery for work. I tried my mom too, but she was at work and couldn't be reached. The office called my OB and scheduled my DNC which couldn't be done until the following week.

  Telling my husband was horrible for me and heart breaking for him. He took me into his arms and embraced me with his strength and just let me cry and snot up his shirt. He took the rest of the day off and arranged to be off for the DNC and the day after.
The weekend was very slow to go by. I didn't sleep much and I would cry myself to sleep at night. I felt like it was something I had done even though deep down I knew it wasn’t. I thought things like did my husband still love me? Would I be able to give him kids at all? 
I managed to go to a birthday engagement although I didn’t really want to go, I felt like I would ruin everyone's time. Several friends assured me that I need to go and that they wanted me there. Once we were there I still ordered a Shirley Temple. My friends made sure to keep me engaged in their antics . Privately a few of them asked me if I was OK and let me know that I had their support. I said thank you, but none of them had ever gone through what I/we were about to go through. How could they even possibly understand? Though they could not relate, the fact that they were able to make sure I didn’t slip into something terrible, that touched me.

  Finally the day rolled around my husband, mom, and dad came with me. It was a day surgery. They gave me one last ultrasound just to make sure and proceed to give me medicine to help me relax. I was scared and a nervous wreck. I don’t remember much except waking up and crying that I wasn’t leaving the hospital the way a new mother should with a baby her in arms.

Although it was just for a short time, I carried my baby. I was a mother. No one could take that away from me. 

  The doctor recommend that I take 4 weeks off to recover physically and emotionally. We sought concealing after as a couple to make are we were handling the grieving process appropriately. We were learning how to cope, yet would be quite some time before we would try for another baby. 

  One of my dearest friends thought that naming the baby would help us talk about it and continue the grieving process and she came up the the name Ziggy. First Trimester losses happen and a lot of the time women will never know what went wrong. With the creation of life there has to be an ending of life. Its how we were built and designed. We just have to stay strong and know that we are not alone.

The Anxious Mom

If I could describe myself in one word it would be determined. When I found out I was pregnant with my son Eli, I knew that after the shock of an unplanned pregnancy settled I was going to set my focus on becoming the best possible mother I could be.

I was in my third year of art school & the semester had just begun. Being a 23 year old student turned pregnant mom was a huge adjustment for me. The world of being a mother was something foreign to me at the time of Eli's conception.
So I began my intensive rerouting of the laissez faire college student attitude into an informed & prepared soon to be parent.

Spending 9 months hosting another human being in my womb was joyous for the most part. I did not want to let my anxiety disorder get in the way of me having an enjoyable pregnancy so I kept myself busy. I  became busy reading about pregnancy, googling everything pregnancy/baby related and occasionally binge watching Grey's Anatomy (it was the hormones I swear!). One way I knew how to deal with stress and anxiety is by having a sense of control over the situation. The more I became informed, the better I felt.

Breast feeding was a huge deal for me. It was one of the most looked forward to things after having my baby. I was determined to make it work. I learned a lot about the importance of breast milk, and how much the baby benefits from it. I visualized having a refrigerator stocked full of my supply. I obsessed over making sure I had my pump ready to go in the hospital bag. I tested it out, got excited that I was already making colostrum. I was going to be the best breastfeeding mama ever I told myself.

Eli's first taste of milk.

When Eli was born I demanded an uninterrupted first hour skin to skin contact. He initiated the breast crawl and was latched on in no time. "IT IS WORKING!" I remember thinking as he began to nurse for the very first time. I cried, so happy to know that my body was able to provide such wonderful sustenance to my baby.

He kept up with the nursing schedule the entire stay. The lactation consultant was impressed with how well things were going. I was so proud.

Several months went by and Eli was still doing well, and gaining weight. I knew that he was eating enough but still my breasts wouldn't respond to my breast pump. I would sit down, nearly engorged with milk, and ready to pump but nothing would come out. I could hand express (which took forever) and get more milk than when I used my pump.
Slowly my anxiety started to fixate on this problem. I could have reached out to someone. I could have asked for help or advice. Instead I started to self doubt. The doubt became even louder when family members would express doubt based on my pump supply.
It was a snow ball effect. The more anxious I got the less milk I made and more doubt was expressed. I fought it off at first, reminding myself and my family that Eli was satisfied!

"But what about emergencies? What if you are not here? Shouldn't you have him on formula?"

I became worn down after months of not being able to keep a steady pump supply on hand. I had a constant fear that my baby would starve if I wasn't within arms reach. My anxiety was on full blast and I was a mess. Postpartum depression came on subtly, attaching itself to me unannounced when I felt most vulnerable. I caved and started to transition Eli to organic formula. I had traded my dreams of extended breastfeeding for a powder & shake routine. I felt an irrational amount of guilt for this switch. I know that some might think it is not a big deal, but to me it was. Breastfeeding was a cherished part of my motherhood and I had let it slip between the cracks. 

I learned that postpartum depression doesn't have to be obvious for it to exist. I began to have panic attacks about Eli getting sick. I obsessed over cleaning his bottles over & over & over. I became neurotic about germs. I started to hate my post pregnancy body, turning myself into the enemy. I slowly started to feel like things where out of control and PPD was turning motherhood miserable. 

Fortunately I was able to gain awareness of my problems before they got to out of hand. I am still struggling with different aspects of PPD/anxiety but each day I am gaining a little more acceptance of the way things are. 

Celebrating bonding with a bottle.

I am learning how to let go little by little. I am starting to feel okay about not having to wipe down the shopping cart 3 times before setting my son in it. I am starting to look in the mirror and think positive instead of negative.I have started to reach out to other moms for support. I am staying active to keep my spirits high, lifting myself up piece by piece. 

When I am rocking Eli to sleep and his little hands are gripping the bottle tight my heart melts. These moments are just a sweet as when he was nursing. My formula baby is strong and healthy and I have nothing to feel guilty about.

A lot of mothers are struggling day to day with postpartum depression or anxiety. They need to be lifted up. The unspoken/ unrealistic expectations that mothers hold themselves to can become crippling. PPD is real, and it effects millions of women in a variety of ways. 

What Helped Me

The first step to my healing was acceptance. Coming to terms with all of my issues and feelings took time. Acknowledgement is what helped me start to gain perspective. When I started to have negative thoughts I became aware of them. I am learning how to sort them from my true feelings, and let them go. 

I started to go for daily walks. I am a stay at home mom and being in the house all day can create a sense of restlessness which can start to make me feel anxious. I take long afternoon walks where I spend my time honoring the present moment. It is a mediation in mindfulness.

Reaching out to other moms, asking for help and advice and finding a community where I did not feel judged was very beneficial for me.

I  started to eat better. (This is one I am still working on). My PPD had gotten to the point where I skipped lots of meals. I still feel guilt for eating meals that I would have skipped otherwise, even if I am hungry & need to eat! I try to eat a balanced clean diet which makes me feel good from the inside out. 

I take time for myself. Some days it's just a long bubble bath. A moment of peace is enough to center me and keep me going.

Lastly I let go.... I try to let go... of every unnecessary worry that keeps me bound up in anxiety. Somethings are going to be out of my control! If I find myself on the verge of an anxiety attack I remind myself of how trivial my situation is by looking at the grand scheme of things.

Sometimes I even make myself laugh. 

My son is only 10 months old, we have a long road to hoe!!!

-Hope

Baby Wearing~ Ancient Tradition With Modern Benefits

Photo credit Lori Brian Photography

Women throughout history have traditionally practiced babywearing for many reasons. In today's society of busy lifestyles the benefits are still relevant.  

Benefits of Babywearing

• Hands are free to do daily tasks while still keeping baby close.

A common complaint for parents of infants is that mom is not able to go about her daily chores or get anything done because baby always wants to be held or is unhappy being left alone for long.  Mom is left with the option to either stop what she is doing and pick baby up or leave him to cry, hoping that he will eventually learn that this will not get him anywhere and he will learn to be content alone.  In both scenarios someone is left feeling resentful or disappointed.  Babywearing can solve this problem reducing stress and allowing everyone to get what they need.

• Babies cry less and are more content.

When a baby or child is in direct contact with their caregiver the non-verbal and verbal communication between both is strengthened, a baby's subtle cues are more easily read leading to less crying and a happier baby. 

"In a study published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found that baby wearing for three hours a day reduced infant crying by 43 percent overall and 54 percent during evening hours. " Hunziker UA, Garr RG. (1986) Increased carrying reduces infant crying: A random-ized controlled trial. Pediatrics 77:641-648

• Promotes bonding between dad & baby!
  Nothing is more heart melting than seeing an involved father wearing his child! Dads like to feel included when it comes to taking care of the baby. Letting dad wear the little one from time to time will help promote bonding. Babywearing is not gender specific so  take a load off and let dad have a try!
  
  

  

  Eli sleeping contently on his dad's chest

  
   

• Contributes to breastfeeding, making it more convenient and successful.

Breast feeding can be full of challenges and rewards, weather you have chosen to breast feed or bottle feed babywearing can greatly improve the closeness and ease of feeding.  While babywearing you are already in an ideal position for baby to latch and be supported during feeding time.  I am constantly seeing parents prop bottles up in front of their infant (no judgment here, I was guilty of the same thing) because hands-free is something moms have a need for sometimes.  This situation increases the distance and disconnect between a mother and her child, the nurturing that comes with the closeness of feeding time is gone.

• Helps parents of special needs children.

“Babywearing is holding or carrying a baby/young child using a cloth baby carrier.”¹ At the very basic level, babywearing has the potential to fulfill a child’s need for touch. Meeting this need allows the child to actively take on stressful challenges with greater ease, as often occurs for children with special needs. Babywearing provides correct physical alignment of the hip and spine for optimal development. It improves vestibular system activation and body awareness due to continual motion of the caregiver. It allows for positioning free of pressure on the soft cranium.  Babywearing is helpful in promoting general wellness by allowing the child to be in an upright position with improved respiration. Moreover, babywearing allows children with decreased immunity to remain within the caregiver’s personal space and away from harmful germs. Lastly, babywearing offers appropriate positioning for socialization and learning communicative cues. ~ Lift Me Up 

 Lift Me Up is a non-profit program dedicated to providing ergonomic babywearing carriers to families who have children with special needs. http://www.babywearingtothrive.org/

There are a lot of amazing benefits to babywearing that I haven't touched on, these are just a few!  For more information and support you can visit Babywearing International , this is a wonderful resource for families new to babywearing.  They even have a forum full of questions and answers where you can connect with others in your community.

If you have decided to give babywearing a try, there are many carrier options for every budget and style!

Here are some of our favorites~

• The Nuroo short sleeve babywearing top, perfect for newborns who still need skin-to-skin contact.

Nuroo

• The Moby wrap which is versatile and comes in several options.

• Woven wraps, these are long strips of woven fabric that are wrapped and then secured with knots- you can find these handmade on various sites.  Emmeline Textiles has beautiful hand woven wraps.

Emmeline Textiles

• The Je port mon bebe, French design cotton-spandex baby carriers that come in several styles perfect for front, side, or back wearing.

• The Baby Hawk Mei Tai's (Asian Baby Carriers) which are adopted from a Chinese-inspired idea that makes holding your little one on your front, back or hip safe and comfortable. This sling is easy and quick to put on or take off.

• Ring slings or double pouch slings can come in cotton or linen and are used without the need to tie, these slings are better for front carrying infants up to 35lbs.

 A few of our Doulas rocking their favorite baby carriers



Kristin



Erica

Amanda

In the end, all mothers want to nurture and raise up their child to the best of their ability.  We all have to find our way and what parenting style is best for us.  I end this blog taking a moment to send my love to all the mommas out their who are searching for wise and gentile ways to bring up their little ones.  You are beautiful and so are your children.

~Sophia



Resources:
• http://babywearinginternational.org/what-is-babywearing/babywearing-resources/benefits-of-babywearing-2/
• https://nuroobaby.com/product/nuroo-pocket/
• http://www.momsmilkboutique.com/baby-carrier-Moby-Wraps-Originals.html
• http://emmelinetextiles.com

Ready To Meet Baby? -Tips on Activating Your Labor-

One of the most frequently asked questions for a pregnant mother in her last trimester is how to get things moving quickly so she can meet her baby. It can be easy to fixate on when you will go in to labor, especially after sharing your body for 9 long months. Try not to obsess on the estimated due date that your caregiver gives you.  Instead relax and feel comfortable knowing that your body and baby are finishing up the important details. Keep in mind that it is normal for pregnancy to last 42 weeks and it is not uncommon to carry beyond that. "Critical fetal development continues to take place even in the final weeks of gestation....moms-to-be are advised to wait until after 39 weeks pregnant before considering any induction methods (including pharmacological) unless an induction is medically indicated." -Hill- Karbowski (via http://www.fitpregnancy.com/)

There is no harm in trying to get things moving along once you hit 39 weeks, though it is advised that you talk to your care provider in regards to how ready you are for labor. If everything is going smooth there are some natural solutions to help speed things up! If all else fails, it will get your mind of the anticipation of meeting your new love! 

start your day off right with a smoothie packed with Dates. 

According to a  study  published by the US Library of Medicine, dates can significantly reduce the time it take for you to dilate in labor. Spontaneous labour occurred in 96% of those who consumed dates, compared with 79% women in the non-date fruit consumers. Use of prostin/oxytocin was significantly lower in women who consumed dates (28%), compared with the non-date fruit consumers (47%). 

Try our delicious recipe for a creamy breakfast smoothie packed with dates! It tastes to good to pass up. 

Get that baby m o v i n g! Exercise is a great way to naturally invite labor. Going for walks every day will help you stay flexible and as well as help baby move in to a better position. Take breaks frequently and make sure to drink plenty of water. Think about joining a prenatal yoga class! It is a great way to meet other pregnant moms who are going through the same waiting game as you. If you live in the Central LA area there is a great slow paced yoga class offered at Yoga Ya Ya. 

http://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/preparing-your-pelvis-for-labor/

On bed rest? That is okay! A great exercise for moms (especially those on bed rest) is the pelvic tilt! This is a pretty simple floor exercise that can be done at home. Watch this video for a great example. 

Another great exercise to help with kick starting labor is sex! Sex is exercise right? Semen is highly concentrated with prostaglandins, which are hormones that tend to cause uterine muscles to contract. Make sure that the semen remains inside you for the best results. 
S t i m u l a t i o n - Nipple stimulation is known to contract the uterus. Rolling the nipples or using a breast pump is an effective way to get things on track. 
Drink Up!
A great way to stay hydrated while trying to go into labor is by drinking raspberry leaf tea. This herbal tea helps strengthen the uterus muscles while balancing your hormones. If you do not like the taste of the tea you can also find it in capsules. Buy some local supplied by Eden, Natural Living Boutique, who offers all natural loose leaf tea with no unnecessary ingredients.  

Just Don't Stress! 
Try to relax and enjoy these precious weeks before your baby arrives. Anticipation on when that might be will only create anxiety. Pamper yourself and let your body do the work! 

-Hope

Skin-to-Skin: 10 Benefits of Kangaroo Care

Photo credit to James Theophane
https://m.flickr.com/photos/_theo_/ 

There is an increasing awareness in the birth community of the sacredness of a mothers first contact with her newborn.  Long gone are the days when infants were lifted by one leg and soundly smacked on their tender bottom.  Women are owning the rite to catch their baby the minute they are birthed into this world and taking back that special time. 

"Mothers, reach down and let your hands be first thing they feel. Take them from the cold air into your warm breast and surround them with your smell and rhythm."  S.Wolf

Skin-to-skin care is nothing more than delaying the swaddling or clothing of baby immediately after birth and placing them to your chest, covered in a warm blanket, then enjoying the amazing bonding time you worked so hard for.

10 Benefits of Skin-to-skin or Kangaroo care:

• Calms and sooths
• Reduces crying
• Improves quality of sleep
• Accelerated brain development
• Regulates body temperature 
• Enhances immune system
• Reduces risks of postpartum
• Promotes psychological wellbeing in mom
• Speeds recovery 
• Improves Breastfeeding duration and success, increase milk supply

Are you planning to BREASTFEED?  Amazing research proves that skin-to-skin contact can actually increase the time a baby nurses!

In one study on UNICEF's website The Baby Friendly Initiative, a group of 1250 Polish children were followed for 3 years from birth in order to study the influence on breastfeeding of skin-to-skin contact after birth.  "The authors conclude that mother-infant skin-to-skin contact lasting for LONGER than 20 minutes after birth increases the duration of exclusive breastfeeding."  The infants that were kept with their mothers for at least 20 minutes were exclusively breastfed for 1.35 months longer and weaned 2.10 months later than those who had no skin-to-skin contact after delivery. 

"Fathers will be empowered to care for their baby and not feel helpless or useless, becoming central to the caring team" 

- Kangaroo Mother Care

Fathers should be included in this wonderful bonding time.  When mom is unavailable or ready for some self care time, this is the perfect opportunity for dad to step in.  In pre-term birth or birth to twins or triplets fathers care is absolutely invaluable to mom and this time together can help strengthen the connection.

Benefits of skin-to-skin contact for Dad:

• Better bonding
• Emotional healing
• Calmness
• Able to read baby’s unique cues for hunger or stress
• Improved sleeping

Kangaroo care can extend past the first few hours after birth and is actually encouraged.  There are may ways to take advantage of this, including slings and wraps that will keep baby close and mothers hands free.

For more information on Kangaroo care and the benefits of Skin-to-skin contact please check out these resources:

http://www.unicef.org.uk/BabyFriendly/News-and-Research/Research/Skin-to-skin-contact/

http://www.kangaroomothercare.com/fathers-skin-to-skin.aspx

http://www.kangaroomothercare.com/

http://www.unicef.org.uk/BabyFriendly/News-and-Research/Research/Skin-to-skin-contact/Skin-to-skin-contact-at-birth-increases-the-duration-of-exclusive-breastfeeding/