Your Questions About Natural Pregnancy Book

Carol asks…

I am 11 weeks pregnant and just wondering…?

I was wondering if I am the only woman on the planet who got pregnant doing the “NFP” Rhythm method? I mean I know that there are risks in doing natural forms of birth control but everyone if my family did it and only had planned pregnancies. I did it exactly by the book and even added an extra day of abstinence on both sides….I am excited even though it was a shock but everyone acts like I didn’t do my research. Is it possible that the method just wont work for me? Please tell me I am not alone! 🙂

Michelle answers:

Sometimes women can ovulate more than once in a month and then you can def get pregnant

James asks…

Questions to ask potential midwife?

I’m 31 weeks pregnant with my first son, and I am switching from typical obstetrical care to the care of a midwife (I plan to give birth in a birth center.) I have a consultation with the midwife my cousin used for her homebirth this Friday, and I have compiled a rather long list of questions (which the midwife told me she’d be more than happy to answer any and all questions I have for her.) Are there any questions you would add to this list?

Thanks!

1) How can I be sure that a midwife attended birth is safe?
2) What is your education and training?
3) Why did you decide to become a midwife?
4) What is your general philosophy about pregnancy and childbirth?
5) How many years have you been practicing?
6) How many babies have you delivered?
7) How often will I see you and what do your check ups consist of?
8) What are your guidelines concerning exercise, weight gain, prenatal vitamins, etc?
9) Do you work alone or with a partner or assistant? If you work with someone, what is their experience?
10) If you get sick, who takes over for you?
11) Do you associate with a particular pediatrician or do you know of any pediatricians that practice holistic/homeopathic medicine?
12) How many clients do you have due in any 4 week period, and what is the plan if I go into labor while you’re with another laboring client?
13) Are you available 24 hours a day at all times?
14) Are there any items I need to bring to the birth center with me (pool, birth ball, aromatherapy tools, etc)
15) Are there any books, documentaries, classes, etc. that you suggest?
16) What kind of equipment do you bring to a birth?
17) What pain relief methods do you use?
18) In a typical labor, how often do you do vaginal exams?
19) Do you ever use an IV during a birth?
20) Am I allowed to labor in whatever position is comfortable for me?
21) Can I eat and drink as I please during labor?
22) Is my partner allowed to be as active at the birth as he would like to be?
23) What is your usual approach to a labor that is progressing slowly?
24) How do you handle the pushing stage?
25) How long are you willing to let a client push, or do you base it solely on the baby’s stress level
26) How often do you listen to baby during labor?
27) What is your cut-off for considering a baby to be premature and requiring a hospital birth?
28) What happens if my pregnancy goes past 42 weeks?
29) Do you do natural inductions (nipple stimulation, castor oil, cohosh, etc?)
30) Do you ever do a membrane sweep or artificially rupture membranes to get labor going
31) How effective are natural induction methods? What are the risks?
32) If my water breaks before labor starts, how long do you wait before trying to start labor or transferring to a hospital?
33) What happens if the umbilical cord is prolapsed?
34) How do you handle shoulder dystocia?
35) How do you handle a posterior baby?
35) What is your c-section rate?
36) Do you ever perform episiotomies? If so, how often?
37) What percentage of your clients tear?
38) How do you prevent tearing?
39) What can I do now to prevent tearing?
40) What happens if my perineum needs stitching/suturing?
41) What is your hospital transfer rate?
42) What is your typical transfer, one that requires intervention, or one where the mother desires it?
43) In the case transport is required, how is the mother transported?
44) Where is the closest hospital to the birth center?
45) In what cases would a woman require transport to a hospital?
46) If for any reason I needed transport, would you stay in the hospital with me?
47) If the baby were to move into a breech position, what could be done?
48) What procedures are done to the baby after birth?
49) Can all procedures be performed with baby in my arms?
50) Do you do PKU testing, or is this done after being discharged from the birth center?
51) If the baby needs resuscitation, how is this handled?
52) What life saving measures are you certified in?
53) Have you ever had any bad outcomes for mother or baby?
54) How do you feel about delayed cord clamping?
55) Can I opt for an oral dose of vitamin K?
56) Do you administer eye drops, or can I choose to administer colostrum to baby’s eyes?
57) I do not want vaccines administered to my son. How do you feel about this?
58) If I hemorrhage or experience excessive bleeding after birth, how is this handled?
59) Are there any procedures done to the mother after the birth?
60) Are you experienced in breastfeeding and can you help me should I come across a problem?
61) Do you provide postpartum visits, and if so, when and how many?

Michelle answers:

That is quite the list, and it is very complete.
The only other item you need to ask, is to see their certification paperwork.
And ask what they would recommend for you.
Best wishes,
NMP

Paul asks…

37 weeks pregnant + Ultrasound….?

I am nearly 37 weeks pregnant and I have been having a lot of problems at this late stage of my pregnancy. ( My kidney infection has returned, and my baby has a high heart rate of about 180bpm )..

My doctor booked an ultrasound for me Monday ( if I last that long ) and said that they need to check the fluid levels ( they were very low last ultrasound a week ago ) and the heart rate of the baby..

This worries me.. Has anyone else had any problems this late in pregnancy? If my fluid levels are dangerously low they are going to induce me Monday.. But I wanted to go natural this time..

Argh, frustrating.. =/
For my first baby I was induced ( due to kidney infection ).. I was HOPING for a natural, but for the safety of my second son, of course I would consent to being induced.. It is not selfish to hope for something that may not happen is it?

Michelle answers:

Depending on how low… They may induce. But they may also just send you home, have you drink lots of fluids and come back again.

In the mean time… Make sure you are drinking TONS of water. That really helps up the fluid level. I had low amniotic fluid my last pregnancy and that REALLY helped. And a friend of mine had the same problem… They monitored her fluids every few days and she drank TONS of water constantly. They were considering inducing her, but once her fluids came up she was able to just go into labor naturally.

Mary asks…

bacterial infection concern?

Our very first doctor visit was a couple weeks ago, and routine lab work was done. My nurse contacted me several days later to tell me that Bacterial Vaginosis (Gardnerella) was found in my urine sample, and that she recommended taking Metronidazole. I’m very concerned in taking this so early in my pregnancy, and just anytime in pregnancy really. She mentioned that it can cause pre term labor and low birth weight and said that the only known cure is to take the antibiotic.

I have been reading books about the topic and also searching online for any help I can find. I really wish there was a natural way of helping clear the issue up rather than an antibiotic. I have read that taking the medication in the first and third trimester is generally not recommended, because it could cause adverse affects to my baby. When my nurse talked to me about taking this medication, she said I should begin taking it now. I am only 10 weeks pregnant, and at the time was 8 weeks. I mentioned that I have been feeling nausea and wondered if I could wait until that went away to take the medication. If I hadn’t mentioned this, she would have allowed me to take it, and I’ve read it’s not safe.

Mostly I’m just a little concerned! I really don’t want to take medication if I can avoid it, but do not want to seriously cause a problem for myself or the baby by not taking it. I need a little advice! Have you had personal experience with this? If I decide to take the medication, what side effects will it cause, and is there any alternative other than antibiotics?

Michelle answers:

More than likely she wants you to use metro-gel.. Its like an OTC yeast med that you put in your vagina… BV is very common, and leaving it untreated can cause serious adverse effects as well…
When using the gel, only insert the applicator 1/2 way in…
Waiting until your 2nd trimester (or 2 weeks) wouldnt really harm anything.. However you should get it treated.
We allow our pts. To use the gel not the pill when they are preg. But it does need to be taken of

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