Supplement 4

Class 4 Supplement

Class 4 was all about interventions. I am always amazed by the information you are able to pull together about each intervention. Information that very few women have when making decisions. It seems simple enough to avoid unnecessary interventions, but then how do you know when it is necessary? This is where some knowledge and good communication with a trusted care provider can make the difference.
We also covered the pushing stage of labor.

When to clamp the Cord?

This is one of the many topics you need to discuss with your care provider while planning for your birth. This is a case o science catching up with what natural minded women have been asking about for years.

Overview of Cord Clamping: http://theconversation.com/are-we-cutting-umbilical-cords-too-soon-after-birth-15420

ACOGs Opinion on Cord Clamping
https://www.acog.org/

Demonstration on amount of blood in baby and in circulation

TED talk on cord clamping

Typical Hospital Birth

This video shows typical hospital pushing. The mother was induced, got an epidural and had three episiotomy cuts. The doctor has his hands on/in her vagina during all of the pushing. With the epidural, she is able to talk between contractions, but to me there is quite heartbreaking. Compared to the births I have seen, she is missing out on all the natural hormones of birth - the ones that make birth different than all the other joyous occasions of life.
Also of note, the baby's nose and mouth was suctioned before it's body was even delivered (an unnecessary intervention with a healthy baby). There was a bit of delay in clamping the cord. The baby was not put skin to skin with mom. And, at the very end, you catch a glimpse of the discovery of a knot in the cord.

Pushing

This video shows examples of pushing.

Get Upright and Follow Urges to Push

The 5th Healthy Birth Practice is to push when your body is pushing and do it in an upright position.

Avoid Unnecessary Interventions

The Lamaze Healthy Birth Practice is to Avoid Unnecessary Interventions. Birth is a natural process for the woman's body. Sometimes interventions are helpful, but that decision should be personalized to your specific situations. If it's not necessary, don't add the risk.