You Have Control Over Your Birth Experience

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I have given birth to four children, in three different states. Each hospital had different policies and procedures, and each birth experience was unique.

My last delivery, just a few months ago, was to boy/girl twins.

I started my pregnancy with a new-to-me doctor I disliked, who was ready to schedule a cesarean in my first trimester. About halfway through the pregnancy, we moved, and I found an absolutely wonderful doctor. I expressed to him my desire to do everything humanly possible to deliver these twins vaginally. I had never had a c-section before, and really didn’t want to have one.

He respected my decision, and agreed to only mention a c-section if an emergency situation occurred.

At the start of my third trimester, I had the opportunity to tour the hospital I was to deliver in. While on the tour, I asked if twin deliveries were required to be in the operating room, which is standard in most hospitals, and the touring nurse said to me, “How else would you have a c-section?” She seemed shocked that I would even consider giving birth to twins in any other way.

On the delivery day, I was able to labor in a birthing room and was transferred to the OR for the delivery only.

I had a normal labor, and they finally wheeled me into the OR. There were about six medical personnel in the room, busy preparing for the delivery and awaiting the doctor. I was concerned that the first baby was on his way out, and kept saying to the nurses “I think the baby is coming”, but for the most part, they ignored me. I said this maybe five times. Finally, one nurse told me not to worry, that they would catch him should he decide to make an appearance.

Amidst all this activity, I suddenly had a thought, and announced, “Oh, by the way, under no circumstances whatsoever do I want an episiotomy.”

Immediately, the six people in the room froze, and dropped everything they were working on to turn and look at me. So I repeated myself. They looked at me as though I was growing horns out of my head. Finally one nurse told me that she would make sure that the doctor knew.

The delivery went well. The second twin decided to turn breech at the last moment, but my doctor, respecting my decision to do everything possible to avoid a c-section was able to manually turn her. I avoided the episiotomy as well, which proved to be completely unnecessary.

The next morning, as I was walking around trying to regain my strength, I saw several other new mothers sitting on ice packs, moaning and groaning. They had not realized the episiotomy was a choice.

All the nurses who cared for me after the delivery treated me oddly. It was as though I were some sort of celebrity. Finally, one nurse spilled the beans. It seemed that I was the first mother to deliver twins vaginally in that hospital in over ten years.

Ten years.

It amazes me how much hospitals and doctors take certain situations for granted. No vaginal twin deliveries in a decade? How many of those mothers were lead to believe their bodies wouldn’t do what came naturally to them? How many of them had unnecessary surgeries, higher risk of infections, and major recover for nothing?

You have a lot more control over the birth of your child in a hospital setting than you are aware of.

–An episiotomy is optional, but if you do not speak up and vocalize your desire not to have one, it may happen to you.

–A c-section is optional in some cases. There are circumstances where it is necessary, but many are done for convenience when other options are available.

–Pain medications and even IVs are optional. If you chose not to have any pain medications, then you do not need to be hooked up to an IV at all.

–Lying flat on your back in a bed is optional. If you do not have an epidural, you do not need to remain in bed through labor and delivery. Feel free to move about, take a shower, and try different labor positions that you would like to get more comfortable.

The birth of your baby should be a happy experience. It should not be one of fear and disappointment. Simply talk with your doctor and hospital staff about your desires. Do this early in the pregnancy. If it seems like your doctor does not take your concerns seriously, find a new doctor.

Rayven Perkins has spent 7 years implementing cost-cutting tips that allow her family to live comfortably on one-income. Her site http://www.stay-a-stay-at-home-mom.com examines resources and tips on Reducing Expenses, Stretching Your Dollar, and Supplementing Income in order to stay a SAHM.

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Modern Birth Control Methods

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How To Talk About Birth Control

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You may be excited about having sex with a new love interest and in your excitement you should be sure that you don’t forget to talk about birth control as well as efforts to protect yourself from sexually transmitted disease. This is not something that you can ignore and deal with later. You need to talk to your love interest about birth control and protection from sexually transmitted diseases before you get involved physically.

The best thing you can do is just be upfront and honest about it. Let your partner know that you don’t have sex without protection. Tell them that if they are uncomfortable buying it that you will happily provide condoms and anything else that either of you feels is necessary. Just being open and honest about protection will allow you both to put all of your cards on the table and get this issue out of the way.

Being upfront and honest about it will allow you to come to the first sexual experience knowing what to expect so there will not be any uncomfortable moments where you both look at the other hoping that they have protection. When you talk about this before hand you can make sure that one or both of you has what you need to protect both of you from sexually transmitted disease as well as pregnancy. If you are comfortable enough to be having sex with a person you should definitely be comfortable enough to talk about protection.

When you bring up the topic you may find that your mate gets a little bit uncomfortable. Tell them that you don’t want to make them uncomfortable but you want to get the information out of the way and make sure that you are on the same page. You can make it a very light conversation, and it doesn’t have to be long and drawn out, just make sure that they understand what you are and are not willing to do when it comes to birth control and protection from sexually transmitted disease.

If your partner expresses displeasure in your requiring birth control and protection you should let them know that the way you feel is not negotiable. Tell them that you don’t want to put a wedge between you and you are looking forward to getting closer to them physically but that you don’t want to put yourself or them at risk and this is the only way to be sure that you will not do that.

If they do not agree, let them know in no uncertain terms that until they agree to use protection that there will not be any physical relationship between the two of you. It’s better to protect yourself than to take the risk of sleeping with someone who could unknowingly give you a sexually transmitted disease that could change your life.

Rodrigo Rehn is a Relationships Expert, Linux Systems Administrator, Web Programmer, PHP Developer and CEO of FaceRomance online dating for singles.

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Breast Feeding And Birth Control - There Is A Strong Correlation Here

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For those who believe in natural cures, breast feeding and birth control provides good news. There is a proven correlation between these two factors. For at least the first six months, breastfeeding can ensure that there is no pregnancy for at least the first six months.

Breast Feeding And Birth Control - There Are Other Benefits As Well

Breastfeeding is one of the best gifts you can give your baby. There is nothing more nutritious than milk for an infant. The first milk produced, known as colostrums, boosts the immune system of the baby against most common diseases. Babies who have been deprived of colostrums were found in many cases to be weaker and slower to develop.

Nature provides respite to the woman who breastfeeds by ensuring that the next baby does not come before the present baby is grown up enough. However, in order to have the Nature help you, you should accept and follow her rules, i.e. the baby should be breastfed. While breast feeding, the body gets the message that this is not the time to ovulate and hence, you do not become pregnant.

Breast feeding and birth control is most efficient when the baby is properly and regularly breastfed. This means that the baby will be fed every three to four hours and for its full capacity. In this way, you would signal your body that you are ‘occupied’ with the present infant and this is not the right time for another one.

Breast feeding and birth control will reduce in effectiveness significantly, as soon as the baby is weaned with other foods and starts depending on breastfeeding less. The body takes this as a signal to move on and restarts the ovulation circle. Hence, making it possible for the woman to become pregnant again. You should be very careful, once you start weaning your baby - which more or less will coincide with the completion of the baby’s sixth month.

Breast feeding and birth control is Nature’s way to ensure that babies have a chance to survive and the mother has the strength to feed them while recovering her own health. You should be careful though, after the baby starts feeding on other foods and reduces milk intake, the mother should take a breastfeeding-safe contraceptive to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

To be safe, as soon as the baby turns four months, you should consult your doctor so he/she can advice you on the best course of action.

Eddie Lamb provides an abundance of information on a range of topical subjects. This article Breast Feeding And Birth Control - There Is A Strong Correlation Here, is just one of a host of useful articles about Breast Feeding listed on our site map at Breast Feeding Awareness.

Article Source: ArticleSpan

Birth Control Methods - Know Your Options

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Men and women are constantly facing the problem of what to do about birth control, they readily agree that they are not prepared to become parents and they need to make a choice about what method they should use. They know there are many options available, however most people are confused about what they are. Having a working knowledge will make you feel confident about the choice you make about birth control methods.

Making informed decisions about birth control will come after you have thoroughly researched the facts and discussed them with your medical care professional, as well as recruiting you partner or spouse to help you with the final decision process. While no method is 100% effective, some are very close to that number while others are not quite as effective, you should know which will offer you the maximum protection.

Before making your choice of contraceptive, you will need to consider certain factors. These factors include your general health, the number of partners you have, if you plan on bearing children in the future, how well your birth control method of choice works, and the possible side effects. Most types are safe but you should discuss side effects with your health professional so that you can avoid any future problems associated with the side effects of you method. Another important thing to remember is that most birth control methods do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STD), so it is recommended that you take that into consideration when choosing.

The most effective way to avoid STDs or pregnancy is abstinence (no sexual intercourse), it is the only form of birth control methods that is 100% effective against both pregnancies and STDs, however most people do not practice abstinence, so the use of other forms as a necessity.

One of the most effective forms of birth control methods available on the market today is the latex male condom. It offers the best protection from STDs and used correctly is also the best protection from pregnancy. It can be bought over the counter in pharmacies and is given away free in most clinics and family planning centers all over the country.

Oral Contraceptives (the Pill) are taken on a daily basis and block the ovaries from releasing eggs. This option is between 95% and 99% effective; however they will not protect you from STDs. The most common forms of this contraceptive are the Ovcon35 and Seasonale. There is also a miniature version of the medication called the Mini Pill which thickens the cervical mucus to prevent the sperm from reaching the egg. This method is about 92% to 99.99% effective. It may cause "birth control pill acne” birth control on your back and face.

Copper T IUD (intrauterine devices) are small devices that are shaped like the lowercase letter t and is placed in your uterus by your doctor. It stops the sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. This form of birth control does not protect against STD’s and is about 99% effective.

Mirena (IUS) is another T shaped device placed in the uterus by the doctor. Mirena releases a hormone called Levonorgestrel every day. The hormone causes the cervical mucus to thicken and block sperm from fertilizing the egg. It is 99% effective and lasts in the system for 5 years.

Depo Provera is an injection of the hormone Progestin every three months. It does not protect against STDs and is 97% effective.

Less effective forms of birth control include female condoms, the diaphragm, contraceptive sponge, the patch, and the NUVA ring. While they do offer some measure of protection there is still a higher chance of pregnancy.

In conclusion, if you do not want to get pregnant, you should go ASAP to see your health professional to discuss the form of birth control method that is the best for you and know what you birth control options are.

Tess Barksdale is your average new century woman, author, mother, daughter, friend, and businesswoman. Tess writes on many topics but loves discussing all things women. Find out more about birth control methods by visiting Tess at her website at http://womenshealthreport.org or her blog at http://womenshealthreport.org/blog

Article Source: ArticleSpan

Breast Feeding And Birth Control - There Is A Strong Correlation Here - 3rd Edition

General No Comments »


For those who believe in natural cures, breast feeding and birth control provides good news. There is a proven correlation between these two factors. For at least the first six months, breastfeeding can ensure that there is no pregnancy for at least the first six months.

Breast Feeding And Birth Control - There Are Other Benefits As Well

Breastfeeding is one of the best gifts you can give your baby. There is nothing more nutritious than milk for an infant. The first milk produced, known as colostrums, boosts the immune system of the baby against most common diseases. Babies who have been deprived of colostrums were found in many cases to be weaker and slower to develop.

Nature provides respite to the woman who breastfeeds by ensuring that the next baby does not come before the present baby is grown up enough. However, in order to have the Nature help you, you should accept and follow her rules, i.e. the baby should be breastfed. While breast feeding, the body gets the message that this is not the time to ovulate and hence, you do not become pregnant.

Breast feeding and birth control is most efficient when the baby is properly and regularly breastfed. This means that the baby will be fed every three to four hours and for its full capacity. In this way, you would signal your body that you are ‘occupied’ with the present infant and this is not the right time for another one.

Breast feeding and birth control will reduce in effectiveness significantly, as soon as the baby is weaned with other foods and starts depending on breastfeeding less. The body takes this as a signal to move on and restarts the ovulation circle. Hence, making it possible for the woman to become pregnant again. You should be very careful, once you start weaning your baby - which more or less will coincide with the completion of the baby’s sixth month.

Breast feeding and birth control is Nature’s way to ensure that babies have a chance to survive and the mother has the strength to feed them while recovering her own health. You should be careful though, after the baby starts feeding on other foods and reduces milk intake, the mother should take a breastfeeding-safe contraceptive to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

To be safe, as soon as the baby turns four months, you should consult your doctor so he/she can advice you on the best course of action.

Eddie Lamb provides an abundance of information on a range of topical subjects. This articleBreast Feeding And Birth Control - There Is A Strong Correlation Here, is just one of a host of useful articles about Breast Feeding listed on our site map atBreast Feeding Awareness.

Article Source:ArticleSpan


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