Dear Friends,

I have been training with the Healthy Mamas team members at Byrd Park, in preparation for the Monument Avenue 10k. We did 5 miles on Saturday, some walking, some running, some a combination of the two. It was inspiring to see pregnant moms out improving their health, to see a postpartum mom pushing herself to finish her 5 mile run (to the applause of her husband and 18 month old son, who came out to cheer her on). As I walked along the trail, I was reminded that the process of becoming mothers transforms not only our bodies but also our hearts and minds, enlarging our capacities, providing multiple openings for growth. So much change occurs during pregnancy and early parenting: it’s like being in a boat that’s floating leisurely down a lazy river, and then suddenly hitting rapids. You have to bring everything you’ve got to tend to the moment at hand because all of it is so precious, fleeting, and important. What an opportunity for transformation! What a powerful way to wake up to life!

We have a bumper crop of birth stories in this issue; many thanks to all the mothers who shared their stories, which speak to the transformation inherent in birth. Our prenatal article addresses ways to create a loving birth environment, while our postnatal article offers suggestions for dealing with colic. Also in this issue, Yoga Source is offering a special discount on regular yoga classes for former prenatal students. If you’ve been thinking about taking a class just for you, this is a great opportunity to step back into your practice.

In April, master teacher Elise Browning Miller will be coming to the studio. Elise specializes in yoga for back care and scoliosis, and I have found her work to be extremely useful for the back problems that often accompany pregnancy and postpartum. I have been in touch with Elise and she will welcome pregnant moms into her back care workshop. If you are experiencing back issues, or simply wish to expand your knowledge of yoga, this is an outstanding opportunity to study with a world-class teacher.

Many thanks to those of you who filled out our Childbirth Education Curriculum Survey! We have had nearly 300 responses, with many insightful comments and wonderful suggestions. We will report on our findings in a future issue of the Pregnancy Pipeline.

The weather is brightening and the crocuses are blooming. My best wishes for a joyous and transformative spring!

Namaste,

Leslie

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Recent Arrivals!

Congratulations to:

• Lisa R and son Riggs Schuyler (1/27/08)
• Turia P and son Elian Tait (1/29/08)
• Marjorie B and son Sean Patrick (2/5/08)
• Heather M and son William John (2/6/08)
• Catherine James and son Collin (2/26/08)
• Kate D and son Jonah Lester (3/3/08)
  

Submit your birth announcements and stories on ommama.com!

What's New

• Sign up now for Conscious Birthing: A Workshop for Couples, March 15 or April 5.
• Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Newborns, Infants, and Tots. New 5-week series start April 9 and 10.
• Elise Miller: Yoga for Backcare April 25 -26.

Birth Story

Elian (ee LYE un) Tait P

I had a boy.  A beautiful baby boy.  And this is how it happened.

Tuesday morning I woke up for my usual 2 a.m. pee.  I’d been having Braxton Hicks since the evening before, and I expected they’d ease slightly with an empty bladder.  After I returned to bed, however, the contractions got a little tighter, a bit more uncomfortable.  I kept changing positions, hoping to get back to sleep, but pretty soon I was gripping my husband’s arm and breathing somewhat deeply.

He opened one eye and asked, “Are these real?”

“I don’t know,” I said.  “They’re kind of strong.”

“How far apart are they?” he asked. . .

Read Full Birth Story

Prenatal Article

Create a Loving Environment for Birth
By Leslie Lytle

A number of years ago I visited the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle with my young son. When we arrived at the elephant exhibit, we found the area roped off and a curtain blocking the viewing area. I asked a guide what was going on, and was told there was an elephant in labor. Elephants were very shy and withdrawing in labor, he told me: when in labor they were protected from public view, and only the elephant’s trainer, with whom she had a close relationship, was allowed in the area. Lack of privacy, interruptions, and exposure to strangers posed a risk to the labor process, so the mother elephant was protected from these potential disruptions. I left with the impression that this elephant was well-loved by her stewards.

Humans are not terribly different from other mammals when it comes to labor. The complex biochemistry of labor and birth is enhanced when the laboring mother feels protected, supported, and uninterrupted. Being in a place where she feels safe, with attendants whom she trusts, facilitates the release of hormones that support birth and bonding. As the baby moves down the birth canal, bursts of oxytocin, the love hormone, and dopamine, the feel good hormone, are released, resulting in a state marked by non-rationality and euphoria. These are the same hormones released in both men and women during orgasm and falling in love. Oxytocin is also the primary hormone that stimulates contractions.

Stress and anxiety can inhibit the release of these hormones, potentially slowing down labor by shunting blood away from the uterus. Stressors may be easily discerned (as for example the presence of relative that you don’t feel comfortable with in the labor room), or less tangible (the antiseptic and unfamiliar smells of the hospital room). As a doula, I have often noticed that a woman’s labor may slow down upon arrival at the hospital, when her “monkey brain” is distracted by the new surroundings and the routine intake questioning of the staff. As she settles into her new surroundings – i.e. when her “monkey brain” has determined that this is a safe place to give birth, her labor usually picks up speed. All of this occurs below the level of conscious perception, mediated by the more primitive, non-rational parts of her brain.

Birth, like the love-making that precedes it, is an intimate act, mediated by the hormones of love. The birth of a baby unleashes a profound biochemical process that predisposes us to fall in love with the fruit of our passion. The same sort of environmental cues that enhance physical intimacy also facilitate the unfolding of birth. Oxytocin release is enhanced by positive emotional interactions, touch, gazing, and hugging. By creating a safe and loving environment around the laboring mother, we can actually increase the likelihood that her labor will progress in an efficient way.

Guardians of the birth space
As in the case of my elephant friend, the stewards of the birthing environment are the woman’s intimate partners and/or trusted birth attendants. In essence, they “hold the space” for the laboring mother. It can be helpful to have a designated “birth guardian”, most often the laboring mother’s intimate partner, a friend or relative, or a doula.

Here are some suggestions for creating a loving birth environment:

• Safeguard her privacy: women have an easier time coping with labor when they are uninterrupted and feel un-selfconsicous. Keep her labor space private and ask people to knock before entering. Honor the mother’s desires regarding who is allowed in the birthing room. Keep visitors to a minimum.
• Keep the lighting dim: this will help keep her “in the mood” for birthing.
• Encourage freedom of movement and expression: let her know that however she needs to move or express herself is acceptable.
• Offer physical support: massage, cuddling, and skin-to-skin contact enhance the release of endorphins and can facilitate labor if the laboring mother is receptive.
• Avoid questions and keep talk to a minimum: these stimulate the rational brain and may inhibit the non-rational part of the brain that controls labor.
• Bring familiar smells from home: an already slept-on pillow, or the scent of a favorite lotion or essential oil. I have found the essential oil of lavender to be very well received by most laboring women.
• Slow dancing: evokes the mood and tenderness of falling in love, while the upright swaying works with gravity to bring the baby down.
• Loving and kissing: think of this as an aphrodisiac for the birthing process. Renowned midwife Ina May Gaskin, whose approach has brought thousands of babies into the world with a minimum of interventions, says “The energy that gets the baby in is what gets the baby out.” If labor slows down, try kicking everybody out of the birthing room and smooching for a while.
• Stand by her: she needs your unconditional love and support, even if that means simply being near her, supporting her quietly with your undivided attention.
• Relax and enjoy the ride: remember that in an ideal world, the birth of a child is both the culmination and expression of love.
  

Postnatal Article

Colic – Does Your Baby Have it? What Can You Do About It?
By Elizabeth Pantley, author of Gentle Baby Care and The No-Cry Sleep Solution

You may have heard the term colic applied to any baby who cries a great deal. Not all crying babies have colic, but all colicky babies cry — and they cry hard. They may stiffen their little bodies, or curl up as if in pain. They may cry so hard that they don’t seem like they even know you are there. When babies cry like this, they take in a lot of air, which creates gas and more pain, which makes them cry even more.

Researchers are still unsure of colic’s exact cause. Some experts believe that colic is related to the immaturity of a baby’s digestive system. Others theorize that a baby’s immature nervous system and inability to handle the constant sensory stimulation that surrounds her cause a breakdown by the end of the day, when colic most often occurs.

Dr. Harvey Karp, in his book The Happiest Baby on the Block (Bantam Books, 2002) introduced a new theory. He believes that babies are born three months too early, and that some babies find their new world too difficult to handle. They yearn for the comforting conditions that occurred in the womb.

Whatever the cause, and it may be a combination of all the theories; colic is among the most exasperating conditions that parents of new babies face. Colic occurs only to newborn babies, up to about four to five months of age. Symptoms include:

• A regular period of nonstop, inconsolable crying, typically late in the day
• Crying bouts that last one to three hours or more
• A healthy and happy disposition at all other times of the day
  

Can colic be prevented?
Given that we aren’t sure what causes colic, we don’t know if it can be prevented. Even if you do everything “right” and take all the steps to discourage colic, it still may happen. If you think your baby has colic, talk with your pediatrician and take your baby in for a checkup to rule out any medical cause for your baby’s crying. If your baby is given a clean bill of health, then you’ll know colic is the culprit in the daily crying bouts.

Since colic occurs in newborns, parents often feel that they are doing something wrong to create the situation. Their vulnerability and lack of experience puts them in the position of questioning their own ability to take care of their baby. Hearing your baby cry with colic, and not knowing why it’s happening or what to do about it is painful for you; I know this because one of my four children suffered with colic. Although many years have passed since then (Angela is now 15), I remember it vividly. Hearing my baby cry night after night and not knowing how to help her was gut wrenching, heartbreaking, and frustrating. The most important piece of research I discovered was this: It’s not your fault. Any baby can have colic.

Things that may help your baby
Remember that nothing you do will eliminate colic completely until your baby’s system is mature and able to settle on its own. That said, experienced parents and professionals can offer ways to help your baby though this time — ask around! I did, and from what I uncovered, I compiled the following suggestions for helping your baby feel better. Look for patterns to your baby’s crying; these can provide clues as to which suggestions are most likely to help. Stick with an idea for a few days to see if it helps. Watch for any signs of improvement (not necessarily complete quiet). If the particular course of action doesn’t seem to change anything, don’t get discouraged — just try something else:

• If breastfeeding, feed on demand (cue feeding), for nutrition as well as comfort, as often as your baby needs a calming influence.
• If breastfeeding, try avoiding foods that may cause gas in your baby. Eliminate one possible cause for a few days and see if it makes a difference. The most common baby tummy offenders are dairy products, caffeine, cabbage, broccoli and other gassy vegetables. But don’t assume the culprit, if there is one, will be obvious: I know one mother whose baby reacted loudly and consistently after any meal that included eggplant, asparagus or onions.
• If bottlefeeding, offer more frequent but smaller meals; experiment with different formulas with your doctor’s approval.
• If bottlefeeding, try different types of bottles and nipples that prevent air from entering your baby as he drinks, such as those with curved bottles or collapsible liners.
• Hold your baby in a more upright position for feeding and directly afterwards.
• Experiment with how often and when you burp your baby.
• Offer meals in a quiet setting.
• If baby likes a pacifier, offer him one.
• Invest in a baby sling or carrier and use it during colicky periods.
• If the weather’s too unpleasant for an outside stroll, bring your stroller in the house and walk your baby around.
• Give your baby a warm bath.
• Place a warm towel or wrapped water bottle on baby’s tummy (taking caution that the temperature is warm but not hot).
• Hold your baby with her legs curled up toward her belly.
• Massage your baby’s tummy, or give him a full massage.
• Swaddle your baby in a warm blanket.
• Lay your baby tummy down across your lap and massage or pat her back.
• Hold your baby in a rocking chair, or put him in a swing.
• Walk with Baby in a quiet, dark room while you hum or sing.
• Try keeping your baby away from highly stimulating situations during the day when possible to prevent sensory overload, and understand that a particularly busy day may mean a fussier evening.
• Lie on your back and lay your baby on top of your tummy down while massaging his back. (Transfer your baby to his bed if he falls asleep.)
• Take Baby for a ride in the car.
• Play soothing music or turn on white noise such as a vacuum cleaner or running water, or play a CD of nature sounds.
• As a last resort, ask your doctor about medications available for colic and gas.

Tips for coping
As difficult as colic is for a baby, it is just as challenging for the parents. This can be especially hard for a mother who has other children to care for, who has returned to work, or who is suffering from the baby blues or postpartum depression. Even if everything else in life is perfect, colic is taxing. Here are a few things you can do to take some of the stress out of these colicky times:

• Know that your baby will cry during his colicky time, and while you can do things to make your baby more comfortable, nothing you can do will totally stop the crying. This is not a result of anything you’ve done or not done.
• Plan outings for the times of day when baby is usually happy, or if outings keep your baby happy, plan them for the colicky times.
• Take advantage of another person’s offer to take a turn with the baby, even if it’s just so that you can take a quiet bath or shower.
• Keep reminding yourself that this is only temporary; it will pass.
• Avoid keeping a long to-do list right now; only do what’s most important.
• Talk to other parents of colicky babies so you can share ideas and comfort each other.
• If the crying is getting to you and making you tense or angry, put your baby in his crib, or give him to someone else to hold for a while so that you don’t accidentally shake or harm your baby. (Shaking a baby can cause permanent brain damage, so if you feel angry, and colic can do that to you, put your baby down.)
• Know that babies do not suffer long-term harm from having colic.

When should I call the doctor?
Anytime you are concerned about your baby, call your doctor. That goes for anything concerning your precious little one. In the case of colic, be sure to make that call if you notice any of the following:

• Your baby’s crying is accompanied by vomiting.
• Your baby is not gaining weight.
• The colicky behavior lasts longer than four months.
• Your baby seems to be in pain.
• Your baby has a fever.
• Your baby doesn’t want to be held or handled.
• The crying spree isn’t limited to one bout in the evening.
• Your baby does not have regular bowel movements or wet diapers.
• You notice other problems that don’t appear on the previous list of symptoms.
• Your baby’s crying is making you angry or depressed.

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

Ask the Teachers

So many students have been asking about heartburn remedies in the last month we decided to re-run this question from a past issue:

Q: I have had heartburn since shortly after becoming pregnant and it’s driving me crazy. Is there any way to avoid this? —Sarah P.

A: Heartburn is a common occurrence during pregnancy, because the hormones that relax the soft tissues in preparation for birth also cause the muscle that normally closes off the esophagus from the stomach to relax as well. This is why some women experience heartburn early in pregnancy, before the enlarging uterus begins to add upward pressure to the mix. Anne Frye, author of Holistic Midwifery Volume I: Care During Pregnancy, advises taking commercial antacids only as a last resort, as these interfere with digestion and may cause a rebound of stomach acid later.

Here are some other common measures Frye suggests to relieve or minimize heartburn include:

• Avoiding spicy foods
• Easy walks after eating to get digestion going
• Avoiding large meals late at night (or any time for that matter)
• Papaya juice, fruit, or enzymes
• Slippery elm bark in capsules
• Tablets of comfrey with pepsin
• Thoroughly chewed raw almonds, cashews or hazelnuts
• Avoiding eating and drinking at the same time

Yoga wise, our favorite remedy for heartburn is Supta Baddha Konasana. This pose can safely be done right after eating – it’s a great position for a little 10-minute post-prandial relaxation. For instructions on this restorative pose, click here.

Send in your questions to info@ommama.com and we will try to answer them in the next newsletter.

Prenatal & Postnatal Resources

OmMama’s website features one of the best compilation of local and national resources for expecting and new families. Click here to view our online resource list.

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