Childbirth and Breastfeeding

During your final trimester, you will want to prepare yourself for the birth of your baby. This may mean childbirth classes, looking into your birthing options, and learning about breastfeeding.

CHILDBIRTH CLASSES

Taking childbirth classes is a good way to:

  • learn how to breathe during labor

  • how to control your contractions

  • how to use your pelvic muscles during labor

When looking for a childbirthing class, you should ask about the following:

  • Length of classes

  • How many people attend classes

  • Types of breathing exercise and other exercises will be taught

  • What you will need to bring with you to class

  • If you can sit in on a class before attending

  • If you can bring more than one person to the class

  • If instructors are trained and certified

  • The sponsor of these classes

  • What is the cost for classes

  • Types of health insurance that is accepted

The more questions you can ask, the more comfortable you will feel when attending classes. If, after starting a class, you do not feel comfortable, then you should find another class. Childbirthing classes are supposed to prepare you for when you go into labor. These classes should also include ways to breathe, relax your body, and teach you about medications that are offered at hospitals that will make labor less painful.

Childbirthing classes should only last a few weeks.

TYPES OF CHILDBIRTH

You should be aware of the types of childbirth that you should consider before going into labor.

Natural Childbirth

Natural childbirth refers to childbirth without the use of medications that could ease the pain associated with the birthing process. Some people fear that these medications will be passed on to the child during labor. While some of their fears are legitimate, many women take some medication during labor and have healthy babies.

If you are planning on a natural childbirth, there are ways to prepare in advance that will make the process a little easier when the time comes:

  • Educate yourself about the pros/cons of natural childbirth

  • Attend ‘natural childbirth’ birthing classes

  • Tell your care provider that you would like a natural childbirth

  • Find a coach that will be with you throughout the birth

  • Understand that there may be times when you will need medication

  • Prepare yourself physically by exercising

  • Understand that there will be pain involved

  • Many other people will not be supportive of your decision, but you need to do what is best for you and your baby

Natural childbirth can be a wonderful way for you to connect with your baby. You can have a natural childbirth in a hospital or birthing center. Just make sure you have someone who will help you when you are in pain. This will make the process a little easier.

Epidural Childbirth

An epidural is a shot of medication that will help educe the amount of pain that you will feel during labor. But getting an epidural is not a painless process.

At a certain point during labor, you will be given the option to have an epidural. You are under no obligation to have the epidural as there are other ways to cope with childbirth.

But if you want an epidural, you will have to endure two needles. One will numb an area on your spine, and the other will contain the medication.

Epidurals can cause your legs to become numb during and after the delivery of your baby.

Epidurals may affect your baby by causing your blood pressure to drop, repositioning of the baby during labor, which will increase your risks of having to have a cesarean birth.

There may be reasons why you cannot have an epidural during labor. These reasons include:

  • There is no anesthesiologist available while you are in labor

  • You are on other medications

  • Your blood work shows low platelet count

  • You have a back infection

  • You are experiencing heavy bleeding

  • There may be labor restrictions

For the most part, you may be able to have an epidural that will help ease the pain of childbirth.


Cesarean Section

Up to 27% of all births are done through cesarean section. This is when the baby is taken from the mother by cutting into her stomach and removing the baby. Cesarean sections are done when the mother is past her due date, if the baby is turned the wrong way, if the vaginal canal is not fully dilated, or if a vaginal birth will pose a risk to the mother.

You will have to stay in the hospital for a few days in order to heal from the surgery. You will have stitches and soreness after the birth of your baby. The success rate for cesarean sections is very high and not uncommon.

Vaginal Birth

A vaginal birth is considered natural childbirth and is how most babies are born. Having a successful vaginal birth will be easier if you take childbirthing classes so that you will learn how to push and relax your muscles so that you will be in the least amount of pain possible.

BONDING WITH YOUR NEWBORN

For many parents, bonding with their new baby is the most important part of parenting in the beginning. While you may or may not immediately bond with your baby, you will in the first few weeks of care. Bonding can begin simply by making eye contact. This can lead to other forms of bonding and eventually your baby will know who you are and want you do for them.

There are a few ways to make this process more meaningful for both of you.

  • Talk to your baby as often as possible. Singing to them will allow them to get to know your voice. This is a very comforting sound to a baby.

  • Massage your baby every day. Touching your new baby will create a sense of intimacy. You can take baby massage classes or learn more about it online.

  • Make eye contact with your baby. This will teach them to trust you.

  • Play simple games with your baby such as peek-a-boo and other games. Place them in your lap as you play.

  • Be in the room when your baby wakes up.

  • Get to know your baby. Learn what makes them happy, sad, or frightened. This will help you bond with them easily.

  • Kiss your baby often.

  • When feeding your baby, interact with them by looking at them and talking. This will create a trusting environment.

  • Carry your baby with you are you complete daily chores.

As you can see, bonding with your baby is a process that will take a few weeks. If you are suffering from postpartum depression and do not feel that you are bonding with your baby the way you should, understand that these feelings will pass and that you are not alone.

If your feelings of depression do not disappear after a few weeks, then you should consult your doctor. You may need medication temporarily. This will help you be able to provide for your baby and feel good about doing it.

Once you have bonded with your baby, you will begin to feel more relaxed. As the months and years pass, you will be teaching your child how to be independent. Having a strong bond while they are young will make discipline, sharing a home, and eventually letting them go to make their own way through life much easier.

BREASTFEEDING

One of the first decisions you will have to make as a parent is whether to breastfeed your baby or not. The debate still continues as to whether breast milk is actually better for babies or not. But if you are able and you want to try breastfeeding, then you should. If after a few times, you are unable to breastfeed, you should consult a lactating specialist or your doctor to see if you are positioning your baby correctly or if you body is not able to provide enough milk. If this is the case, then you will have to use formula instead. Formulas contain many of the nutrients found in breast milk.

HOW LONG TO BREASTFEED

Most doctors will say that you should breastfeed for at least one year. This can be altered to fit your needs, however. If you only want to breastfeed for six months, then you will have to wean your child off the breast milk gradually. If you want to breastfeed longer, then you will have to determine how long is enough. Many times, your child will do this for you.

HOW TO BREASTFEED YOUR BABY

Breastfeeding your baby will take some practice, but once you have learned, you should be able to breastfeed easily. These steps will give you an overview of how to breastfeed.

· Position your baby by touching your stomach with theirs. Hold your breast between your thumb and other fingers. Allow your baby to recognize what is going on by rubbing your breast on their lips until they are ready to feed.

· Make sure their mouth covers the entire nipple as this will allow the most milk to fall into their mouths.

· Allow your baby to feed from both breasts or until they are finished. They will let you know by letting go of your breast.

· You should rub some of the milk on your nipple to stop the milk.

· Use nursing pads or a nursing bra when breastfeeding. This will keep milk from leaking on your clothing.

WHEN TO FEED YOUR BABY

Babies will want to eat every two hours, so be prepared to breastfeed a few times during the day. You should not deny your baby food. This is an important bonding time as well as a time for your baby to get the nutrients they will need when growing. If you do not want to feed in public, you can express the milk by using a breast pump.

USING A BREAST PUMP

If you are a working parent or you do not want to breastfeed in public, you can use a beast pump to express milk when you need it. Using the pump may take a few tries, but after awhile you will be able to express as much milk as you will need.

You should store the milk in small containers that can be used throughout the day. This will make traveling with the milk or giving it to your day care provider much easier. You should label the breast milk with a date so that you will know how old it is. Most breast milk can last for a few days once it is refrigerated.

You can also freeze the breast milk for up to three months. When thawing it, you should:

  • Take it out of the freezer, but do not microwave it. Instead, run the container under cool water.

  • Do not let the breast milk thaw at room temperature.

  • After feeding, throw away unused breast milk. Do not refreeze it or refrigerate it once it has been at room temperature.

Using a breast pump is the best way to make sure your baby is eating properly even when you are not there.

REASONS YOU SHOULD NOT BREASTFEED

Not all mothers should breastfeed their babies as the breast milk they provide may not contain enough nutrients. There are reasons why the breast milk may not be healthy enough for the baby:

  • Age
  • Medications that you may be taking
  • Health issues
  • Weak or diluted breast milk
  • Ultra sensitive nipples
  • Not enough milk

You should consider other forms of feeding that will benefit your baby. Just because you cannot breastfeed does not mean that you are a bad mother or that you cannot provide for you baby in other ways. Making sure they are getting the nutrition they need to survive means that you are a good mother who is willing to do what it takes to raise a healthy baby.

Children who are not breastfed face the same challenges as other children. While breastfeeding is recommended, it is not required.