Five Questions You Should Ask Your OBGYN When You Find Out You Are Pregnant

 

Pregnancy is one of the most precious times in a woman’s life. It’s also one of the most nerve-racking even for those who have done it before. Just as every woman is different, every pregnancy is as well, so it is important that everyone involved be prepared and on the same page. The OBGYN is going to be a large part of that process. Asking the following questions can help ensure that no matter what happens, everyone’s expectations will be met.

 

What is your ideology on the pregnancy and birthing process?

Knowing how the OBGYN handles the pregnancy and birthing process in advance will save on unwanted surprises throughout the entire experience. One thing to talk about is whether they prefer to use medical technology from the start or if they let things move along naturally unless there is a problem. Find out how often appointments are and if they will include teaching about parenting along with the prenatal care. The relationship between expecting mother and doctor should be open and bring comfort and trust to any situation that may arise.

 

How much and what kind of experience do you have?

The last thing a woman in labor wants to find out is that her doctor doesn’t have a whole lot of experience. Also, it is important to know what kinds of issues the OBGYN has dealt with in other pregnancies. Things to find out are the doctor’s induction rates and how many high-risk or special needs patients have been treated. Knowing the history of the doctor will allow the mother to be assured that no matter what arises during pregnancy or delivery she is in capable hands. For women with high-risk pregnancies, it’s important to work with a maternal-fetal specialist like Dr. Gilbert Webb.

 

How can I keep in contact with you?

Issues can come up during pregnancies that cannot wait until the next appointment to discuss. In these instances, women should know how and when they can speak to their doctor. Some are on call, others have someone to cover for them if they are unavailable and yet others use email to communicate between appointments. How contact will be made once labor begins should also be in place well beforehand.

 

What can I expect at delivery?

So many things will be happening at such a quick rate once the mother is in labor. Knowing what to expect beforehand can help take some of the stress out of an already stressful situation. Things to discuss include which hospital the OBGYN delivers at, if or when they will perform an episiotomy, will the doctor induce and at what point, and what pain management techniques can be expected.

 

What happens after the baby is here?

Once the baby is born, the relationship between mother and doctor is not over. Patients will remain in the hospital until released by the OBGYN. As the amount of time differs, it should be discussed with the doctor so that arrangements can be made. As most doctors will schedule at least one postpartum appointment to make sure the vaginal area is healing properly and that there are no complications, the mother should find out at what point she will be going back to her primary care doctor.

 

Every woman has their own idea on how they would like their pregnancy and delivery to go. Bringing a baby into the world is a team effort so communication becomes key in making the experience as pleasant as possible. Speaking to the doctor and making sure that everyone knows what to expect from each other can help mothers-to-be have a sense of control and comfort throughout the entire birthing process.

 

Categories: birthing process, doctor, health during pregnancy, high risk, mother, nbsp, obgyn, pregnancy

What Are the Options for Alternative Childbirth?

The recent royal arrival has sparked a new wave of women looking into alternative childbirth methods, after it was reported that the Duchess of Cambridge wanted to try for a natural birth – she even looked into hypnobirthing as a way of reducing the labour pains, instead of using conventional pain relief. Most women give birth in the NHS maternity units around the country, and just two percent of mothers give birth at home in England, but these are quite different from the clinical environments of decades before. A lot of hospitals have no removed the traditional hospital beds in favour of more relaxing and calming spaces where they can be surrounded by their personal possessions.

 

There is now an increasing trend for alternative births where the mother uses a doula – this is a non-medical birthing companion who is there to support the labour and help the mother deliver her baby, as well as being present for a short while afterwards. Her role is to literally be there as another mother who can offer guidance and support. An agency is available which offers a choice of over 500 qualified doulas, all but one of which are female. In the past, this role was one which was taken on by the pregnant woman’s mother or sister, but as nuclear families are no longer the norm, and geographical distances become more common, this isn’t always possible. Doulas can help to provide support in an understanding way, helping to offer an insight into the pregnancy as you go through it which can be reassuring if this is your first birth.

 

Aromatherapy is an option with childbirth, and there are a number of essential oils which are safe in pregnancy. These include lavender, rose, peppermint, lemon, chamomile and eucalyptus, all of which can reduce stress and anxiety, decrease pain levels and lift the spirits. This therapy isn’t for everyone and can cause irritation in some women, but it can be an option for some – it’s advised that you seek medical advice from your GP before using this form of therapy. You should steer clear of them entirely if you have a history of miscarriage, have diabetes, heart problems, epilepsy or have suffered with vaginal bleeding during the pregnancy.

 

Hypnobirthing, such as the form that Kate Middleton was tempted to use, is a technique which many women opt for. It can help to calm the mother and relieve anxiety, as well as calming the body and mind. During the pregnancy itself there will be a number of stages, including your after breaking and the initial contractions – this can be a daunting time, especially if you’re new to mothering and are unsure what to expect. Many women find that having someone with them to go through the process with and express their anxieties too helpful, which is why so many are now seeking the advice of a doula. The more common forms of pain relief include epidurals, gas and air, or morphine. However, for women who don’t want to bring their baby into the world in a drug-infused environment, these are less than desirable.

 

The desire for organic and natural remedies in everyday life are now seeping into more medical procedures, including pregnancy. The same can be said of the afterbirth, where you may need treatment for tears in the vagina or perineum – alternative therapies may be useful here too. Your GP will be able to offer advice on what your options are during your pregnancy so that you can prepare accordingly when you give birth.

Categories: alternative childbirth, birth, complementary, mother, Pain Relief, pregnancy, Women

How to Balance Parenting and Business

Raising children doesn’t always have its doom-and-gloom sides; in the efforts of putting those pattering feet beneath a quilt at night and having to nudge them up in the early mornings, there is something fulfilling when in-between those actions, you can see them flourish. This is why in modern days, parents are considered to the best students in the entrepreneurial sphere.

Raising a business as a “new-born” up until it is capable of running itself bears the same nature of late nights and early mornings, but the bonus of commitment, discipline and love can make its potential soar.

From the mothers that made it into entrepreneurs, they have offered some guidance for you to get you inspired and in the mood to make some magic:

 

• Think outside of the box – You don’t have to put everything into your business. Ask yourself, “why am I doing this?”. Some use family as the main motivation for getting their ideas ticking.


• Be yourself and know your strengths – Everyone is different. You know what you’re good at and there are a lot of resources out there to help you encourage those skills out.


• Keep it simple – You have a business going. Great! Now remember that you have something other than your business. Making a big shout-out is important, but giving elephants the sign to run at you will only cause a stampede. Embrace and enjoy the calmer sides of life, too. Remember the small, familial things – and overall, remember to relax every once in a while.


• Don’t sweat the small stuff – It’s perfectly natural to pick up and tidy away the things that are in the way. The same thing goes for the small bits-and-bobs in your business. There are some issues that are not worth the panic-button – stop for a few moments when you’re going through day-to-day office-chores and ask yourself what the big things actually are.


• Be the best that you can be and shrug off the judgement – You’re a parent and you’re going to do … what? There has been some scepticism that a parent can’t balance out raising a child with going out to work; whilst the demands of both a business and a child’s needs are both important, you know yourself better than what anyone else says. A business is an ambitious, but inspiring feat to achieve. Only you can put it there – and nobody’s criticism can overpower that passion.

Categories: business, Children, entrepreneur, father, mother, parent