Austin Baby Guru, your overnight specialist - Baby Face Blog

The Postpartum Plan

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:23:47 GMT

The time right after you bring your new baby home can be very overwhelming. Planning ahead for this time can make your transition much smoother.
During pregnancy most parents learn about birth plans and the benefit of sharing your plan with those involved in supporting you during birth. Have you though about who is on your support team for after the birth? Hiring a Postpartum Doula, talking to friends and family about how they can help, getting meals arranged...all of these things will help. Working through a written postpartum plan will enable you to get all of your resources lined up before the baby arrives!

I encourage all expectant parents to be able to answer the questions below, and be clear in advance who you will ask for help postpartum.

Positive Postpartum Plan

Our family's plan is to have a smooth postpartum period. We know that we will be tired even when things go well, and we will need some additional support.

Our village (support people) with phone numbers (friends, family, neighbors, religious community, babysitters, and professionals):


People who will cook or coordinate healthy food (such as getting takeout gift cards, coordinating Mealtrain or Lotsa Helping Hands). Don't forget to have a couple of grocery lists available for people who want to shop, as well as round-trip printed directions from your house to grocery stores available for those who ask!


People who will specifically support the new mother (including times of day available) for rests, showers, walking partners, visits, phone/Skype chats, positive parenting support/advice, and anything else she needs. Great to organize at the shower or religious birth ritual.


People who will specifically support the partner/spouse/husband (including times of day available) for rests, showers, walking partners, visits, phone/Skype chats, positive parenting support/advice, and anything else he/she needs. Great to organize at the shower or religious birth ritual.


People who will specifically support other child/ren.

Mom's self-care plan (if you love to do it and it makes you happy, make time for it!)


Partner/spouse/husband's self-care plan (if you love to do it and it makes you happy, make time for it!)


This form was created by Mara Acel-Green, a psychotherapist specializing in postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders and posted on Amanda Lowe's blog The doula Guide. Please see her blog for the complete article.
A few other great resources are the postpartum plan at Dona.org and the tips for a great baby-moon at Molly Reamer's blog The Attached Family.

Top Ten Signs Your Doctor Is Planning To Perform an Unnecessary Cesarean Section on You

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 18:11:57 GMT

So, you are pregnant and fast approaching your due date. What are the chances of your having a c-section? I think most of us assume it will not happen. Why should it? Our bodies are made to birth babies, right? While this is true, another truth is that the national c-section rate hovers around thirty percent. If all of those surgeries were necessary it would mean that one third of women are unable to birth a baby vaginally. This is just not true!
C-sections happen for many reasons...sometimes there is a medical reason requiring it, other times it may be scheduled for either the doctor or parents convince Many times it is the end of a laboring process that it not moving along in the way that the doctor is expecting or used to seeing. I recently ran across a great post from a doctor in Texas who is concerned at the number of c-sections he sees. I am copying the body of the article below. for the full thing please click here.

Top Ten Signs Your Doctor Is Planning To Perform an Unnecessary Cesarean Section on You

1. Arrives to L&D immediately after office hours and says, “I just don’t think this baby is going to fit.”

2. Third Trimester, Routine Office Visit, “I think this is going to be a big baby. You should just have a C/S”– Did you know? ACOG has very specific guidelines for when it is appropriate to offer a patient an elective C/S for MACROSOMIA (fancy word for large baby). ‘Prophylactic (elective) cesarean delivery may be considered for suspected fetal macrosomia with estimated fetal weights greater than 5,000 gms (11 pounds) in women without diabetes and greater than 4,500 gms (9.9 pounds) in women with diabetes.

3. “We should induce at 39 weeks because your baby is getting too big” – Did you know that, according to ACOG:

‘Induction of labor at least doubles the risk of cesarean delivery without reducing shoulder dystocia (rare situation where baby’s shoulder can get stuck at delivery) or newborn morbidity(complications). Suspected fetal macrosomia is not an indication for induction of labor, because induction does not improve maternal or fetal outcomes.’

4. Performs routine ultrasounds at end of pregnancy to see how big your baby is. Did you know that ultrasounds at the end of the pregnancy can be 1-2 pounds off? Ask some VBAC patients who were talked into a C/S for this, then had a vaginal delivery of a bigger baby the next time.

5. “You have a positive herpes titer (or history of herpes); the baby will get it if you deliver vaginally.”Try some Valtrex for the last month of the pregnancy that is pretty much standard of care now. It prevents outbreaks and allows for a normal vaginal delivery.

6. “Your baby is breech. You need to have a C/S” Ever heard of or performed an External Cephalic Version (process by which a breech baby is turned to the proper position)? It really does work.

7. “You have pushed for 2 hours” (with an epidural that prevents you from feeling anything so you are probably not pushing effectively; this is evident on exam because the baby’s head is still perfectly round, but you do not need to know that) “It’s just not going to come out”

8. “I scheduled you for an induction at 39 weeks. It is just soooo… much more convenient for you!” (and so much higher risk of ending in a C/S, especially if you are not dilated when you start the induction). At least 80% of my VBAC patients were induced the previous pregnancy. For whose convenience was the induction?

9. First Visit (7 weeks), “Congratulations you are having twins. I will go ahead and schedule your C/S at 38 weeks, but don’t worry if you go in to labor early I will cut you right away!” Translation, “I am scared out of my mind for you to deliver your babies vaginally because I am not trained on what to do when the second baby is coming, plus it pays more to cut you open. Oh yeah, I don’t have that great a rapport with you because I only spend 2 minutes (fundal height, heart beat and ‘I’ll see you next time’) with you each visit, so I am afraid I will be sued for trying to do the right thing.”

10. First Pelvic Exam in Office (7 weeks), “Hmm, your pelvis is pretty narrow”.

Bonus Tip:

11. 38-week visit, “Your blood pressure is a little high today. You are probably developing preeclampsia or toxemia. That can cause you to have a SEIZURE! The treatment is to deliver the baby. You need a Cesarean Section, as this is the quickest way to resolve it. Let’s get you up to L&D NOW!” Translation – Preeclampsia or Pregnancy Induced High Blood Pressure is a pain in the butt. If I induce you, it could take 24 hours or more and then I would have to manage your blood pressure, and put you on Magnesium. This is way too inconvenient. Do not worry you can try to have the baby vaginally next time. Yeah right!

Are you ready to keep baby safe?

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 17:01:37 GMT

I am now offering Infant safety classes. These have to be one of my favorite classes to teach new parents because I believe that they are so important.
Infant Safety classes last only about one and a half hours, but give you skills to keep your baby safe throughout the first year. Moms and dads as well as grandparents or caregivers are encouraged to attend. In this class you will learn life saving skills such as infant CPR and how to deal with choking. You will also leave with info on SIDs prevention and safe sleep, baby proofing, and car seat safety.

Classes are offered on
Saturday, Dec 1st at Heart of Tx Midwives office in central Austin at ten am
and
Wednesday Dec. 5h at Central Tx Birthing Center in Georgetown (just 1 one exit north of Round Rock) at seven pm.
The cost of the class is $30 per person.
Please RSVP 512.791.8749 or AustinBabyGuru@gmail.com

Happy Thanksgiving

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 16:14:50 GMT

Today is Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite holidays It is a day that I spend with friends and the family I created. We will gather at friends' homes and eat too much yummy food. We will spend time with loved ones who we only see a few times a year. We will remember today to express our gratitude for all of the wonderful things and people in our lives.
What will you do for thanksgiving today? Do you cook a traditional dinner? do you celebrate with friends or extended family? What is your favorite side dish?

Circumcision

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 19:42:04 GMT

I have to preface this with saying that I am not against circumcision. I am against blindly choosing to alter a baby's body. I work with many families who choose to have their boys circumcised for different reasons. I respect their choice as parents.
That being said, I ran across this great blog post about why parents may choose to leave it alone. I want to share it with you.
(warning some of the links are graphic)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
50 Reasons to Leave It Alone...
Your son's penis, that is.

Why am I calling "uncircumcised" penises "natural"? Most of the "intactivist" culture uses the word "Intact", which is also accurate, but really, an uncircumcised penis is exactly that - natural.

Just like women without breast implants have "natural" boobs, or a person has their "natural" nose before a nose job.   It's the way nature made it - therefore, a natural penis. Does that mean a circumcised penis is unnatural? Yes, it does.

So, here are 50 reasons to leave your son's penis alone and not let a doctor cut it up.

1.) It's his.

2.) I've never met a man who wanted "less" penis when he was old enough to care. Men tend to like their penises just the way they are.

3.) You can change your mind. It's not possible to "un-circumcise", although there are men who have chosen to restore their foreskin later in life. If you're not sure, don't decide at all.   It's a non-decision. :)

4.) There is no medical reason to do it routinely.

5.) Circumcision isn't the majority for newborns anymore. According to theNew York Times, the infant circumcision rate is down to 32%. That means 68% of your son's locker room will likely have natural penises. If you circumcise, he will probably ask you why he's different from his buddies.

6.) Natural penises are easier to take care of during the diaper-changing years. Just wipe it like a finger. No retracting, no mess or fuss. Compare that to having to care for an open wound in a diaper.

7.) You wouldn't cut your baby girl's genitals. In fact, it's illegal - even a "nick" is illegal. Male circumcision is a lot more involved than a nick!

8.) Many doctors and nurses refuse to perform the procedure because it violates the Hippocratic Oath - First, Do No Harm.

9.) It hurts. A lot. Really. Don't believe me?  Watch a video. With the sound up, please. If you can't watch the whole thing, can you really ask your newborn to go through it?

10.) Babies can't be properly anesthetized. An older child or adult would be given anesthesia and strong pain medication after any kind of operation, especially one on their genitals. Babies can't have the same level of anesthesia and after-care medicine that an older child or an adult would receive.

11.) Did you know?  Infant circumcision rates are less than 10% in the following counties: England, France, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, all of South and Central America, Japan, China, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Greece, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Australia and more.

Infant circumcision rates are higher than 10% in the following countries: USA, Israel, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of Congo, Eritrea, and Kenya.

12.) Men with natural penises are less likely to experience Erectile Dysfunction as they age. Translation - your son will be less likely to need Viagra when he's 55.

13.) Female sexual partners of men with natural penises are more likely to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse. They are also less likely to need lubricant.

14.) There are over 20,000 nerve endings in the foreskin. That's more than in the female clitoris.

15.) The foreskin protects the head of the penis.

16.) The foreskin provides lubrication during sexual intercourse. Men with natural penises are less likely to use lubrication during sex or masturbation.

17.) No major medical organization on earth recommends routine circumcision of infants.

18.) It's easy to clean when he's older.  Shower.   Besides, by the time his foreskin is retractable, (average age, 10.4 years old), you will no longer be cleaning his penis. I hope.

19.) Circumcision does not prevent AIDS, or any other STD. Condoms do. Having sex with one, monogamous partner and avoiding IV drug use prevents AIDS. Why would you assume your baby's going to be a man-whore anyway?

20.) We don't chop off ears to prevent ear infections. We don't remove baby toenails to prevent fungal infections. We don't cut off body parts anymore when a wound becomes infected. In the very unlikely event your son does develop an infection, we have antibiotics.

21.) Circumcision in the US began as a method to discourage masturbation, advocated by Kellogg, the cereal magnate, who also believed in the importance of daily cold enemas. Really - true story!! He stressed that circumcision should be done without anesthesia so boys would remember the pain every time they wanted to masturbate. How'd that work out?

22.) Natural penises only "look funny" to you if they are unfamiliar to you. Your son's generation will see them as normal.

23.) Women produce far more smegma than men, but we don't cut off their baby girl labia to keep things "clean."

24.) Your son will respect you for leaving the decision up to him, and for respecting his right to genital integrity.

25.) Complications of circumcision are NOT rare. Check out this thread on Babycenter.com (a mommy board, not a circumcision website) to read their stories.

26.) Most hospital circumcisions are performed by Obstetricians and Gynecologists, whose specialty is female reproduction, not male.

27.) Circumcision is not usually performed in a sterile operating room, but in adirty nursery or a side room in hospitals without nurseries.

28.) Circumcision makes money for doctors. A doctor who performs circumcisions makes an extra $20,000-160,000 per year on the operations. That's why they offer circumcision at hospitals - for cash. They'll ask you if you want your son circumcised multiple times at the hospital: they want the money.

29.) Less than 1% of men with foreskins will ever "need" to be circumcised, just as the vast majority of women will never need a hysterectomy or mastectomy. We don't remove tonsils or fingernails or anything else at birth "in case" it has a problem.

30.) Penile cancer causes 300 deaths a year, almost exclusively in men over the age of 70. Infant circumcision causes over 500 deaths a yearworldwide. Circumcision does not prevent penile cancer.

31.) Babies with foreskins are more likely to breastfeed successfully. Infant circumcision interferes with breastfeeding and hinders breastfeeding success. Isn't breastfeeding hard enough?

32.) Fathers don't spend time comparing penises with their sons. If your son does notice that his penis is different from Dad's (other than size and hair), you can simply explain that Daddy had an operation when he was a baby. My dad lost half of his ring finger in an accident, but I was never bothered by having all of my fingers.

33.) Your grandfather (or great-grandfather) probably wasn't circumcised, unless you are of Jewish or Muslim descent. It's a relatively new thing in the USA. Abe Lincoln and George Washington had foreskins.

34.) Most circumcised penises have scars. If you've ever seen a circumcised penis, you have probably seen circumcision scars and didn't know what they were. Curious? Click here for pictures (adult eyes please, extremely graphic).

35.) When erect, natural penises don't look very different from circumcised ones (adult eyes please)

36.) Babies have died following complications of circumcision.

37.) Babies have had the glans (head) of their penis accidentally amputated during circumcision.

38.) Female circumcision was legal in the United States until 1985. It waspracticed in the USA as recently as the 1979 to prevent masturbation.

39.) Your health insurance may not cover the procedure.  Medicaid does not cover it in 16 states, and many major insurance companies also do not reimburse for the surgery, since it is cosmetic. If your insurance doesn't cover it, it probably also does not cover any complications.

40.) Babies are strapped down on a circumstraint to have the procedure done. That is the most unnatural, terrifying position for a baby, who previously was all curled up and safe inside Mama's body.

41.) If you believe in evolution, why are men born with foreskins? If you believe in God, why did he give men foreskins? Did they screw up?

42.) If you are Christian, your religion actually *forbids* circumcision. Your son's body is a temple, and Jesus was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices - including the foreskin. See this link for more info.

43.) If you are Jewish, you should know that there is considerable debateabout the religious necessity of circumcision.

44.) If you do believe that your religion requires the sacrifice of the foreskin, your son can choose to sacrifice his foreskin in the name of religion when he is old enough to make the decision himself.

45.) The foreskin is fused to the head of an infant's penis, just like your fingernail is fused to your finger. Have you ever pulled back your fingernail all the way? Owwwwwwwwwwwww.

46.) Circumcision makes penises smaller. Who wants a smaller penis?

47.) "My partner should make the decision, he has a penis/she looks at penises" is a dumb reason to abdicate responsibility for a decision. You are your baby's parent, penis or not, and you have a responsibility to protect your child from harm. Victims of FGM (aka female circumcision) are the most vocal supporters and perpetrators of the abuse. Call on your inner Mama or Papa-bear and stand up for your baby's rights. Make your partner watch a video with the sound on and convince YOU why they want this done to their precious child.

48.) You have seen an uncircumcised penis, and you probably didn't even notice. Take a look at this (safe for kids) picture!

49.) He'll be in good company. Check out this (in my opinion, mouth-watering) gallery of famous intact men! From Elvis, James Dean, Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jude Law and sooo many others.

50.) It's his. I know, I said it already. but it's really the first and last reason - and perhaps the only one you really need. It's his body, and unless medically necessary, it should be his choice. You wouldn't give him a nose job without his permission, you wouldn't tattoo your infant. This is the same thing. If you really look at your motives, why would you want to take the risks? Leave the decision where it belongs - in your son's hands.

link to the original blog post... http://9davids.blogspot.com/2010/11/50-reasons-to-leave-it-alone.html

CPR Classes

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 05:28:54 GMT

I am setting up two CPR classes for basic heart saver cpr (adult, child,
infant) for next week (assuming both make - I need 3 people per class for
it to make).
this class is good for

teens who may be babysitting for the summer or hanging out near the pool
parents

anyone who wants to know how to help save a
life in an emergency :)

the class is $40
AHA certification, good for 2 years

held at ....
2100 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park TX, 78613 (in the shopping strip)
monday 6/11/12 9-1
friday 6/15/12 12-4

I am also working on a location for doing classes more south.

Classes can be held anywhere...all that is needed is floor space, a tv, dvd player w/remote and at least three students! I have even done classes in homes! Please, let me know if you and a group of familoy or friends w

http://www.austinbabyguru.com/cpr-classes.html

Teething. Ouch!

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:14:15 GMT

I often receive calls from parents of some of my older baby clients when their children start teething. Teething can cause sleep disturbances and crabby sad babies. It also makes for stress, tired parents. Teething is not something we can totally avoid (though some lucky babies have an easy time of it) but there are a few tricks to make is easier. Here are some Youtube videos I found that share some good ideas.

the first tells about a couple of homeopathic remedies to use for teething. The second is some great practical mom tips to try. The third has tips as well as moms talking about breastfeeding and teething.
Please comment below with you favorite teething tips!

Baby Expo!

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:21:19 GMT

One more reason...Austin Baby Guru will have a booth there!
(from ame @ Get Babied )
Top 10 reasons you need to come to the ParentU Baby Expo on January 21st from 1-5pm:

10. Everybody who RSVPs online before January 21st receives a free $10 gift card. RSVP here: www.getbabied.com/babyexpo

9. We will be raffling off free doula services – the “Get Doula’d” package – valued at $409 – tickets are $1 each and go towards the Get Babied Scholarship Fund (doula services for low income families in Austin). Use your $10 gift card for 10 chances to win. This applies to existing and new clients – so just come by and you might get your doula fees covered!

8. Chat it up with kick-butt exhibitors, all of which have free treats at their tables for you to discover. Austin’s best maternity and parenting pros all under one roof.

7. Killer silent auction with massage, acupuncture, babyproofing gifts, baby clothes gift certificates, and other goodies (all proceeds going to the Get Babied Scholarship Fund)

6. Free Belly Shots! Get your belly photographed and download the digital print at home. Free infant portraits! Bring your kiddo and get a cute photo taken for you to download at home.

5. Free schwag bags filled with treats and valuable coupons for our exhibitors for the first 50 guests

4. Free seminars - on the half hour from 1-5 pm with talks on hot prenatal and postpartum topics.

3. Free Henna! Get your belly or hands decorated with mendhi art

2. Free Car seat inspections – Austin Safe Kids will be onsite with info on safe car seat installation and will be taking appointments for free car seat checks

1. Each guest will receive a free pass to any ParentU class on the 2012 calendar. Free learning! Yes!

How can you not share this with your favorite new and future parents. It’s wrong of you to not forward this message to all of your friends and family. :)

We look forward to seeing you at the ParentU Baby Expo!

A New Year

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:26:46 GMT

I started my new year working overnight with one of my older babies so that his parents could get a night out. He is past the stage where sleep is a big issue. His parents are past the stage where they are still trying to get on top of this whole baby thing. They do not "need" me the way parents of a newborn does. I still love occasionally working with this baby (as well as a several other older babies who were clients at one time). It is nice to see how much families grow and change with their babies growth. I spent new years reflecting on how wonderful and blessed I feel that I am able to have a job I love...doing something I am good at and enjoy so much!
Thank you so much to my clients...future, current, and former for including me in your lives.

And the Winner is......

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:51:02 GMT

Last night was the Awards celebration for the first ever “Austin Birth Awards” hosted this summer by the Central Texas Doula Association in partnership with the Get Babied Doula Collective. Over 4000 votes were collected online during July and August to determine the winners in thirty-seven categories related to pregnancy, birth, and new parenting. It was a lovely event with awards and gifts given out as well as a wine and snacks spread for all of the attendees.
I am very proud (and grateful to my supporters) to be voted as the top Postpartum Doulas in Austin. The competition in all of the categories was tough as every one of the nominees are wonderful providers serving growing families in our community!

The winners are.....

Best midwife.... tie between Mary Barnett and Brielle Epstein
Best OBGYN... Christina Sebestyen
Best hospital maternity care... NAMC
Best birth center... Austin area birth center
Best birth doula... tie between Shelley Scotka and Emily Bessey
Best postpartum doula...ME! Allison coleman
Best childbirth prep class... Lanell Coultas
Best infant care class... Carey Contey
Best breastfeeding class... Amy Nyland and Amanda Wyszkowski
Best lactation consultant... Dawn Martin
Best chiropractor... Ron Burnett
Best Chiropractic clinic... Austin Chiropractic Health
Best Acupuncturist... Melissa Light
Best acupuncture clinic...Central family practice
Best massage therapist... Summer Greenlees
Best massage studio... Milk & Honey
Best maternity clothing store... Special Addition
Best maternity consignment... Pumpkin patch
Best baby registry.... Baby Earth
Best yoga instructor... Meg O'Connell
Best yoga studio... Yoga Yoga
Best infant consignment... Once upon a child
Best prenatal photographer... Teri Mason
Best Birth photographer... Jackie Willome
Best infant photographer... Mollie Kendall
Best new moms group... AustinMamas
Best Nutritionist... Ros Haney
Best pediatrician... Elliot Trester
Best fertility expert... Liz Belile
Best infant therapist... Nina Davis
Best local parenting magazine... Parent Wise
Best pregnancy blog... Get babied Doula Collective
Best cloth diapering resourse... Tiny Birds
Best hand-made baby gift... Rootin' Ridge Toymakers
Best local toy store... Terra Toys
Best belly caster/Belly artist... Liane Miller
Best placenta encapsulation... Lindsey Roberts

Congratulations to all of the winners!

for more information on any of the winners please visitThe Austin Birth Awards page