Preparing for Childbirth

Show notes:

In this episode, I talk about preparing for childbirth during the second trimester. Many of the same things from the 1st trimester carry over.

·       Eat well and exercise

·       Continue to evaluate your care provider

·       Get some maternity clothes

·       Consider hiring a doula

·       Nail down childbirth classes

·       Prepare your heart (spend time in God's word)

·       Begin deciding what you need for baby and collecting those things.

Here's an article with more info about what symptoms are normal and what might be concerning:

Lcce, C. T. (2018, December 27). Your second trimester. Lamaze International. https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/Your-Second-Trimester

For more information on the Facebook pop-up group I'll be hosting in October, check out this link.

Connect with me:

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Show notes:

In this episode, I talk about preparing for childbirth during the first trimester. I touch on things like handling emotions, dealing with morning sickness, finding a care provider, nutrition & exercise, as well as a few fun ideas like downloading a pregnancy app and taking baby bump photos. Oh, and don't forget to start looking for a good childbirth class to attend around the beginning of your third trimester.

Find more info on dealing with morning sickness in Episode #7: How to Survive HG & Morning Sickness with Charity Person.

Find more info on choosing a care provider & birthplace in Episode #5: Choosing a Care Provider.

Freebie: Things to think about and do in early pregnancy

Freebie: Journal page

For more information on the Facebook pop-up group I'll be hosting in October, check out this link.

Connect with me:

Instagram         Facebook         Website         Video Coaching

Show notes:

In this episode, I talk about the importance of preparing both physically and non-physically for childbirth and what I mean in both categories. I also share about what you can expect in my classes and talk about a new Facebook pop-up group I'll be hosting in October. For more information on that check out this link.

Connect with me:

Instagram         Facebook         Website         Video Coaching

Show notes:

In this episode we take a look at 2 Peter 1:5-9 remembering the gospel promises that Peter has already talked about in previous verses and we'll consider how those truths can and should affect our lives as expectant or young or even older mamas.

Connect with me:

Instagram         Facebook         Website         Video Coaching

Show notes:

In today's show we talk about the benefits and risks involved in planning a repeat c-section and why trying for a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean may be a good alternative.

Links mentioned in this episode:

B.R.A.I.N.

https://vbac.com/ Scroll to the bottom of the page to access the free learning modules.

Connect with me:

Instagram         Facebook         Website         Video Coaching

Resources used to prepare this episode:

Kamel, J. (2021, May 6). Myth: VBACs should never be induced - VBAC Facts®. VBAC Facts®. https://vbacfacts.com/2012/05/27/myth-vbacs-should-never-be-induced/

Lamaze International. (2019, September 23). A Woman's Guide to VBAC. Lamaze International. https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/A-Womans-Guide-to-VBAC

Lcce, C. T. (2018, December 19). Birth Planning and VBAC. Lamaze International. https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/Birth-Planning-and-VBAC

VBAC. (2023, April 9). Home. https://vbac.com/

Show notes:

April is Cesarean Awareness Month. Statistics indicate that cesarean sections account for more than 1 in 5 of all childbirths worldwide. In this episode we talk about reasons you might need a cesarean, ways to reduce preventable c-sections, how to determine which is which, what to do if you do find yourself needing to head to the OR during childbirth and what to expect during the time of recovery.

Links mentioned in this episode:

B.R.A.I.N.

Bwana Ni Mchunganji Wangu

Resources used to prepare this episode:

International Cesarean Awareness Network. (2020, January 14). FAQs about Cesareans - International Cesarean Awareness Network. International Cesarean Awareness Network - Education, Support, & Advocacy for Birth Justice & Healing. https://www.ican-online.org/faqs-about-cesareans/

World Health Organization: WHO. (2021, June 16). Caesarean section rates continue to rise, amid growing inequalities in access. who.int. https://www.who.int/news/item/16-06-2021-caesarean-section-rates-continue-to-rise-amid-growing-inequalities-in-access

Show notes:

Today on the show we dive into 2 Peter 1:3-4 and see again the importance of knowing Christ. In episode 6 we saw in verses 1-2 how peace comes from knowing Jesus. In these next two verses Peter tells us that we can have everything we need for life and godliness through that some relationship.

Show Notes:

Joy Bylsma, a pelvic floor therapist, joins me today on the show to talk about:

•           ways to prepare your pelvic floor muscles for childbirth, including perineal massage
•           positions that can be used in childbirth to work with the pelvic floor muscles
•           ways to care for yourself and things to watch out for postpartum

We mention an exercise called the pelvic rock. Here is a video.

I also like this video that teaches pelvic floor awareness in preparation for pushing during labor.

Show Notes:

Benefits of walking, moving around and changing positions throughout labor:

1.        Helps your uterus work more efficiently.

2.       Allows gravity to help pull baby down and wiggle through the pelvis.

3.      Helps mama feel more confident and in control.

4.      Shortens labor by up to an hour or more.

5.      Reduces the need for an epidural.

6.      Reduces the risk of a cesarean section.

Tips to move during labor:

1.        Labor at home as long as possible. (Listen to episode 4 starting at minute 3:30 to hear me talk about how to know when to go to the hospital.)

2.       Choose a birthplace that encourages movement. (Listen to episode 5 for more information on choosing a care provider and birthplace.)

3.      Plan ahead.

a.      Learn and practice different movements and positions prior to labor. (Check out this article from lamaze.org.)

b.      Plan to have someone with you for continuous support.

c.       Taking a childbirth education class can help you and your support person better prepare and be ready for the birth. (If you don't have local options, check out my personalized third trimester coaching bundle.)

There are still ways you can move, even if you find yourself confined to a bed.

1.        Ask if you can sit on a ball or in a rocking chair.

2.       Get up and go to the bathroom frequently.

3.      Raise the head of the bed so you are in more of an upright position.

4.      Use peanut balls. (Check out this short video or this longer one to see what I'm talking about.)

I used the following resources as I put this podcast together:

Lamaze International. (2021, April 14). Make Sure Movement is Part of Your Labor. https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/Make-Sure-Movement-is-Part-of-Your-Labor

Lawrence, A., Lewis, L., Hofmeyr, G. J., & Styles, C. (2013). Maternal positions and mobility during first stage labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd003934.pub4

Movement Restrictions. (n.d.). https://www.lamaze.org/natural-birthing

Terreri, C. (2021, May 18). Walking During Labor: When, Why, and Where? Lamaze International. https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/TitleLink/Walking-During-Labor-When-Why-and-Where

Infographics from lamaze.org:

6 Simple Steps for a Safe and Healthy Birth

We Like to Move It, Move It!

Show Notes:

Charity Person joins me on this episode to talk about Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a pregnancy disease that may cause weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and debility due to severe nausea and/or vomiting. Charity experienced HG with all three of her pregnancies and shares what she learned about how to cope with this debilitating condition. We also talk about morning sickness and how some of the coping techniques that helped her with HG can also help women who struggle with any amount of nausea in pregnancy.

For more information check out the following links:

https://www.hyperemesis.org/

https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/morning-sickness-during-pregnancy/