Helpful Tips
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RED-FLAG RESPONSES FROM YOUR CARE PROVIDER

These behaviors will tell you that you have the wrong person, someone who wants to coerce rather than convince you. All the examples are statements made by real doctors. I don’t want to stereotype caregivers, but the fact is that these tactics are common among obstetricians, occasionally found in the family practitioners, and almost unheard of in midwives.

1. Scare tactics. “We can do that- if you don’t care what happens to the baby.”  “If you don’t do this your baby could die.”  “Which would you rather have: a nice birth experience or a healthy baby?” You can have both. In fact, the things that make a nice experience also make for a healthy baby.

2. Anger. “And where did you go to medical school?” “I can’t take care of you if you don’t trust me.” Of course you should trust your caregiver, but that trust must be earned.

3. Ridiculing your concerns, desires, opinions, or competency to participate in decisions about your care. “I see you’ve been reading those women’s magazines.” “You want a natural childbirth? I think that makes about as much sense as natural dentistry.”

4. Patronizing you. “Don’t worry about a thing;  just leave everything to me.”

5. Vagueness. It’s a bad sign when you can’t pin a caregiver down enough to get at least ballpark estimates of personal statistics such as cesarean rates or percentages of women who give birth without an episiotomy. It is also bad when the caregiver says you can do anything you want during labor and won’t specify what situations might preclude that.

6. Attempts to co-opt your partner. This usually occurs with male doctors and male partners.  You’ll know it’s happening if the doctor addresses himself to your male partner and ignores you. The hidden message amounts to “You and I together will take care of the Little Woman,” and it can be seductive to caring, protective, expectant fathers. Conversely, acting as if your partner is a fifth wheel isn’t good either.

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Ten Useful Tips For Your Pregnancy

This is only some of the things that your doctor may not tell you, but the doula will.

1. Always keep a bag of nutritional snacks in your desk drawer, your car's glove compartment and your handbag - hunger strikes without warning.

2. When you're not feeling irritable and cranky, be extra nice to your husband - he has to be around you those times when you are!

3. Make sure your bedroom floor is clear so you don't trip during bleary-eyed nighttime bathroom visits.

4. Pack lollipops in your hospital bag - in every flavor and brand imaginable. It's a wonderful source of energy and you can have them even if you are not up to eating.

5. If you have heartburn…
  *Eat small meals but often.
  *Avoid fatty and spicy foods.
  *Don't drink, when you eat and don't eat when you drink - wait  at least 30 minute.
  *Herbal teas with chamomile, fennel or peppermint can be helpful.
  *Never lay down after you eat
  *Cucumbers, almonds and milk can help to reduce burning while giving your some important nutrients.
  *Try chewable calcium instead of antacids...they not only help with heartburn but with leg cramps and  insomnia.

6. Try to sleep on your left side. This helps baby to take a best position for the birth, improve your circulation and sometimes even lower your blood pressure.

7. Eat a protein reach diet, drink plenty of fluids and salt to taste - this may help you to prevent     pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Check the  www.blueribbonbaby.org for more details.

8. Towards the end of your pregnancy double sheet your bed. Put one clean sheet then a plastic     layer (the old shower curtain works just fine) and then another clean sheet. This will protect       your mattress if your water breaks while you are sleeping.

9. Before your labor starts try to have a 2-week supply of nutritional foods, that take no more        then 5 - 10 min to prepare. Keep it for the time after the baby is born. It will save you time on cooking and allow spend more time with your baby or resting.

10. Try to stay well rested in the last couple weeks of your pregnancy.  Save your energy for the labor - you will certainly need it. 
From Belly To Baby...

Helpful Tips

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