My 2 month old, Jayden, inspired me to teach a postpartum yoga class, so I could get back into my body and take care of myself in a community of conscious moms.  I had never considered possibility of a yoga class like this until I had my own baby, but it became obvious that this was one of the most important times for women to have body consciousness and tools to nurture themselves.  The members of my prenatal classes were thrilled to come back with their babies to this "mommy 'n me" yoga class.

     Over the last seven years, the class has evolved to include songs, colorful scarves, sounds, and brain gym development exercises for the babies.  They have a great time while the mamas are learning about core strength, stretching incredibly tight muscles and playing with their babies in the supportive environment of the yoga class.  I have learned so much about what the mothers need and how to keep the babies entertained and engaged.  My daughter went through the class with me as well, about five years ago, and she taught me about dancing with babies.  It has become an integral part of the class, dancing with scarves, bouncing babies on the knees in warrior poses, and a dance party atmosphere for a few minutes near the end of class.

        I allow the babies to guide the flow of the class, and am amazed at the way they tune in to each other.  They love the sounds we make, the rhythms which stimulate the musical and mathematical parts of the brain, tongue rolling and humming sounds which they can learn to mimic, and simply breathing out with a relaxed sigh, which calms them.   When there is restlessness and the babies are crying,  I gather and focus the class with more movement, or sound.   The babies can lie on the floor and watch their mommies move, or move in their mommies' arms through sun salutation and triangle pose.  At times,  I have have looked around to notice 10 moms in circle all nursing together.  The babies can hear the sounds and sense that nursing is happening, and they want some too! 

     I focus on letting go of the structure of a formal yoga class, and encourage the moms to nurse or bounce or sing when they need to.  This is about listening to your baby, while learning to stay tuned in to your own body.  I teach invaluable exercises to bring them back into healthy posture and strength.   "This feels great!  My body has been so tight, I feel like its been months since I've moved!"  one woman remarked after her first Baby Yoga class with me this morning.  Another woman said to me, "Wow!  He loved that!  So much stimulation!  He is really blissed out!"   I often hear that babies will sleep peacefully for hours after class.

    This class, full of joyful giggles and wonderful new moms, is my favorite class to teach, by far.  It challenges me to keep the flow and stay with the energy of the class.  I get to hold the babies, bouncing them to sleep and dancing with them while the mothers enjoy a deep shoulder stretch.  I feel the satisfaction of offering a service that can have a truly positive effect on someone's life.  It has been an ongoing creative outlet for me as well.   I love Baby Yoga!

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 VBAC is an incredibly political topic in the birth world.  Doctors in the United States are telling women who have previously had ceasarean section births that baby number two will have to be born the same way.  The driving factor in this situation is medical  malpractice insurance companies, who are faced with a growing number of  lawsuits from people claiming that an emergency ceasarean was not available quickly enough.

  One of the effects of the rise in malpractice suits, is that these insurance companies are targeting a procedure that research shows is reasonable and safe.  Many insurance companies are instituting strict standards of procedure for planned VBAC births, which can cost hospitals thousands more dollars to provide.  Many companies are excluding coverage altogether for doctors to allow women with a history of C-Section to attempt a Trial of Labor (TOL). If the doctors and hospital have no insurance coverage, they will not allow the procedure.

What are the risks of a ceasarean section?

Risks of this major abdominal surgery include hemorrhage, bowel obstruction, pain, infection, and tissue scarring and adhesions.  Bonding and nursing are challenged, and babies are more likely to be cut, born early, have breathing problems or weigh less.

What are the risks of VBAC?

Research shows that less than 1% of VBAC births result in uterine rupture  (1.6 per thousand.)  These studies have  included women whose labors were induced.  Pitocin and cytotec, labor induction and augmentation drugs,  create artificially strong contractions, so it is likely that  a study done with women experiencing spontaneous labor would have even lower chances of uterine rupture occuring.   Cytotec is not used any longer in cases of previous ceasarean, and pitocin is monitered closely to keep the dose under control. The risks  of the scar giving way were also greater when incisions were made vertically and higher, but the way the incision is made now, low and vertical, has much better results. 

Vaginal birth itself has a greater risk of continuing perineal pain or incontinence, and a greater risk of baby suffering nerve damage in the shoulder area.

This is a topic that women need to continue doing their research about, as doctors may just tell them that a repeat ceasarean is the best option.  Ceasarean section can be a life saving operation, if necessary, but the c-section rate in America is almost 30%.   Many healthy women are facing unnecessary risks from this major abdominal surgery.  90% of women who have had previous ceasareans are having repeat surgeries.  It is clear that ceasarean section has complications and risks, and the research leans toward those risks outweighing the risk of VBAC.

more online resources:

http://childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10166#systematic
VBAC research statistics

http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/vbac_controversy
risks of c-section

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vbac/VB99999/PAGE=VB00009
The Mayo Clinic reports that VBAC is safer

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_3_40/ai_n11832004/
insurance companies set standards for VBAC procedures

http://pregnancy.about.com/od/vbac/a/deniedvbac.htm
What to do if you are denied access to medical care for a VBAC

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ERGO  

• carry your newborn (with infant insert) up to 40lbs.
•  small storage pocket (attachable accessory back pack and hip pouch  available)                   
• weight distributed mostly to parent's hips, with balanced shoulder support
• machine washable
• front, back and hip carry positions
• adjustable to fit different shapes and sizes of parent and baby
• basic carrier price $115                                                                                                                            

Bjorn   

• carry your baby from 7.7 lbs to 25 lbs.
• no storage
• weight of baby supported by parent's upper back and shoulders
• machine washable
• front carry only, facing in or out
• adjustable to fit different shapes and sizes of parent and baby
• basic price $80

Beco

• Carry newborn to toddler  7-45lbs.
• Discreet storage sleeve.
• Weight distribution shared between hips and shoulders for ultimate comfort.
• Front and back carry.
• Adjustable to fit different shape and size parents.
• Basic price $140 ( includes Organic everything, infant insert, and hood).
• Bulk Free, stream line design.
• machine washable 

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      At the Ashland Community Hospital's Birth Center, doula care is provided for any laboring woman who requests support, and the service is at no extra cost.  A doula is a woman, experienced with birth, who provides constant physical and emotional support for a laboring woman.   She can be there as a main support person, if the woman has no family or partner with her, or she can be there to assist the husband or mother.   She will make suggestions about position changes, offer massage, and share her knowledge of the birthing process. She is there as a guide, and her main purpose is to help the woman feel safe and relaxed, so that her body can drop into a rhythm and give birth.   The nurses at the Ashland Hospital provide excellent labor support, but are also responsible for taking blood pressure, checking cervical dilation, keeping records, and caring for other patients.   Since they  cannot always provide constant support,  they have  hired a team of skilled and compassionate women to stay present with their patients.  It is an incredible gift to women, and unique for a hospital to provide this service.

     This Oregon hospital's progressive program began in 1995, as a way to support Spanish speaking women.  Originally, the doulas were fluent Spanish speakers and were there to translate, in addition to offering labor support.  A couple of years ago, the program expanded to include support for all women, and now there are doulas on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.   Many of the current doulas speak Spanish, but not all are fluent. 

      Having a doula present greatly reduces the need for medical interventions and greatly increases the chances of a woman remembering her birth as a life transforming accomplishment.   You can see photos and read a little about the doulas, including myself,  on the Ashland Community Hospital website: http://www.ashlandhospital.org/Page.asp?NavID=175    

     

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   Pregnancy is a time to relax into your body and learn to truly care for yourself.  Regular massage therapy is an excellent way to tune in to your body and allow yourself to be nurtured, but it can be expensive to receive consistant bodywork.   That's why we've started a pregnancy massage clinic at Harmony Healing Arts.  For six hours a week we offer 60 minute massage sessions for pregnant women by donation.  Nobody is turned away.   This time in your life is unique and brief, and a time when there are endless shifts and changes physically and emotionally.  Massage can help relieve stress, soothe sore muscles, and fulfill our deep need to be taken care of. 

Going into labor and motherhood feeling relaxed and deeply connected with your body is ideal for a smooth transition through birth and into caring for your newborn.  This is an offering to our community of mothers, and we hope you'll take us up on the offer!

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