Ask a Groovy Gal (Bump Watch)

ASK A GROOVY GAL
TFG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JILLIAN SWARTZ ANSWERS YOUR PREGNANCY QUESTIONS

I am looking for a really cute changing pad. The one I have is so boring and since I use it all time, I'd like a better one.—Marcia, Pompano Beach, Fl

There's a company called Ah Goo Baby (www.ahgoobaby.com) that is making fabulous ones—and I don't use that superlative lightly. Their Plush Pads are cool, ultra-soft and very high design. The pad has a special body-contouring memory foam insert that presses against the baby's pressure points for maximum comfort—it's so comfy, you're going to wish they'd make a pad for you, too. Despite the plush factor, it compresses to just three inches in diameter rolled, so it won't take up much space in our diaper bag. And the best part is that they make six different styles, all of which are really, truly adorable. Honestly, you'll want more than one and at $47, you actually can.

I just found out that I am pregnant. What's the deal with a doula? Do I need one?—Katie, Huntington Valley, PA

I thought about getting a doula for my delivery, too. I didn't work with one simply because I was too busy (lame excuse) to find one. To answer your question, I reached out to the expert who could: Tara Brooke, founder of Power of Birth (www.powerofbirth.com) in NYC. Here's what she told me about doulas:

“There are two types of doulas: labor support doulas and postpartum aupport doulas. The word doula has come to mean 'mothering the mother.'

deliverence

A labor support doula is a trained (and often certified) labor assistant. The doula assists women and their partners before, during and immediately after labor. Doulas offer continuous emotional support to the mother. A doula often provides one to two prenatal visits with the pregnant woman and her partner to discuss birthing options, get a better sense of what their birth preferences are and to find out any anxieties or fears that she or her partner may have surrounding labor or birth. These meetings are a time for the doula to get to know the couple and ascertain how she may best support them. Most doulas also offer 24/7 phone and email support with any questions that may arise for the couple. Once a woman goes into labor, she will call her doula and stay in phone contact with her during early labor. Once the couple is ready for the doula to join them (this varies depending on a couple's birth preferences), she will. Often the doula is in the client's home laboring for several hours before heading to the hospital. The doula helps transition from home to hospital. During the labor, doulas often answer a lot of questions about normal labor progression and explaining what is going on when and why. Often doulas spend lots of time helping the laboring woman be as comfortable and safe as possible. The doula may do this by administering counter pressure massage, helping with position changes or making suggestions to the partner on what he/she may do to be helpful to the laboring woman. Once the baby is birthed, the doula is able to help establish a successful latch for breastfeeding within the first hour of life. One postpartum visit is also included in the labor support doulas role to follow up with the family and to assist with breastfeeding.

A postpartum support doula is a trained (and often certified) newborn care specialist who is also very knowledgeable about breastfeeding. The postpartum support doula's role is to assist the family during the early postpartum period. This period does not often last longer than three months but can be as short as one week for some families. Most doulas sell hourly packages and will visit a family in their home for several hours a day. The postpartum support doulas role is very flexible in that the needs of the baby and parent(s) change everyday and so must the doula's role. It is typical that in the first few days or weeks the family needs lots of questions answered (how to give the baby a bath, how to position the baby at the breast, how to know when and how to feed, what to do about sore nipples, what is normal and what isn't). Doulas are there to answer questions and to also educate parents in their options. Doulas believe that there are many different ways to parent and the goal is to assist the parents in finding which way will be the best way for their family. Doulas will also hold, change and take care of the baby so that the parents can have time to rest. Some doulas will even stay overnight to help parents get a bit more rest. Often doulas will help the parents prepare meals or do laundry, if that will make the day a bit more smooth in the beginning. The postpartum support doula's ultimate goal is to help the family feel empowered and capable of caring for their child and one another.”

Brooke also told me that doulas support women through unmedicated and medicated births and to check out www.dona.org to find out more information on how effective doula support is for families.

Clinical trials have shown that the presence of a doula is also associated with:

Reduction of cesarean rates
Reduction in use of forceps
Less requests for epidurals
Shorter labor
Reduction in oxytocin augmentation
Lower rates of newborn complications
Reduction of maternal bleeding after birth
Increased success with breastfeeding

Reduction in postpartum depression

Increased maternal satisfaction

Brooke added that “With a doula present, you have an expert who you have chosen to be with you at your birth, who will never leave your side. This gives many parents great comfort, knowing that the doula is hired by them, working for them and actively understanding their needs and desires. The doula will do whatever it takes to support the parents and to make the birth a sacred experience.” Well, I am sold.

If you're in the NYC area, Brooke's Power of Birth Studio is located at 580 Broadway and the phone number is 212.226.2656.

Are there any products that I can use during my labor to help me get through it?—Christina, McDonough, GA

Yes, it's called an epidural—just kidding! There's a cool gift set that was created by an OB/GYN nurse practitioner called the Lighten My Labor Comfort Collection ($62, www.innovativebaby.com). It has gear (massage gel, cooling body mist, room spray, sitz bath tea) that is designed to ease you through all the stages of giving birth. I can't vouch for it personally, but I'd say it's worth a try.

You should also check out the story we did on what to pack for the hospital called Leader of the Pack. It's got many useful gizmos and gadgets that should (“should” being the operative word) help you push through.

Click here to read about Jillian's life in the 'hood—motherhood.

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