AlaskaBirth

Posts Tagged ‘Breastfeeding Class’

1. Explore your options. Did you know that in Alaska you have the choice of using a midwife in the hospital, a free standing birth center, an O.B. in the hospital or even a home birth?  Did you know that Denali Kid Care (Medicaid) will pay for a birthing center or home birth?  Most people are surprised to hear that there are 7 free standing birthing centers in Alaska.  Some communities in Alaska have a wide variety of birth options while others have very limited care.  Are there doulas available where you are giving birth?  Take time to research all of your options!
2. Choose your provider wisely. Did you hand pick your provider or is it someone off of a list or a referral from the local clinic?   Did you know that your birth outcome and experience will largely depend on your specific provider and location?  If you choose a high intervention O.B. you are at much higher risk of a complicated or surgical birth.  If you hire a low intervention O.B., general practitioner or midwife, you will have a much better chance of having a normal birth.  Consider asking your provider our “10 Questions to Ask”.  Keep in mind that you can change providers at any time during your pregnancy if you are not happy with the answers they give you.
3. Take a class. If possible, take an independent childbirth class and a breastfeeding class as well.  If they are not offered in your community, look for some online childbirth classes or look for online videos.  If you are traveling away from your village or small town to give birth, consider taking a condensed childbirth class when you arrive to the city.
4. These memories will last a lifetime. Women remember their birth stories long into old age in vivid detail.  Don’t underestimate the importance of this event.  A healthy, empowering birth will give you confidence in mothering and give you and your baby a great start together.  A traumatic birth can wreck havoc on your marriage, your health and your confidence in parenting.   Drugs in labor make breastfeeding difficult and can lead to complications in future pregnancies.   It really matters, so take the time get the birth you and your baby deserve.
5. Hire a doula. Doctors, nurses and midwives don’t have the time to give you all the support you need in labor.  A doula is a labor support professional that gives you emotional, physical and informational support care throughout your labor, start to finish.   Women who hire doulas enjoy shorter labors, experience less pain, end up with less surgical births and have more success in early parenting and breastfeeding.   You usually have to pay out of pocket for their services, but most parents agree that having a professional stay by their side the entire time was “priceless”
6. Relax, and know that birth is a normal event. Our elder Native Alaskans know that birth is a normal event, not a medical emergency.  95% of births can happen spontaneously and safely without any drugs, machinery or interventions.  Things that will help your body get ready are good nutrition, plenty of rest and gentle exercise.  For your mind and spirit, many woman prepare by deep breathing, relaxation, praying, hypnosis or visualization.  Practice whatever works with your spiritual and cultural traditions.  Your body was made to give birth and yes, you can do it!

We encourage you to read and explore the site to find the providers and options that are best for you.  Please contact us for more detailed info or to ask any questions.  We are glad you found us!

Newborn immune systems are undeveloped and need antibodies from their mother’s milk to stay healthy. Studies have shown that artificially fed babies are up to 15 times more likely to be hospitalized in their first year. Breastfed babies receive a whole arsenal of immune components while formula fed babies receive none.  So how to do make sure that you will be able to breastfeed?  We commonly hear from mothers share that “I didn’t have enough milk” or “My baby liked  the bottle better”, etc.   Lacation experts say the one reason women have troubles breastfeeding is lack of support and education. Follow these steps to make sure you reach your breastfeeding goals:

1. Get good information: Go to a breastfeeding class and bring your partner, family members and other care givers. It’s important they learn the basics so they can help you and won’t unintentionally sabotage your efforts. Read a breastfeeding book like “Breastfeeding Made Simple” or “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding”. Check out www.breastfeeding.com for great articles and advice.
2. Connect with nursing moms: Spend time and befriend women who successfully breastfed. Don’t take advice from people who didn’t. (I know it sounds obvious, but I made that mistake!)  Look for a mother to mother support group or La Leche League meeting.  Make these connections before you have your baby.
3. Choose your birth location carefully: Deliver at a “Baby Friendly” hospital, birthing center or at home. Ask the hospital if they have lactation consultants to help you. Some staff nurses don’t have much lactation training and/or have never breastfed themselves. We were told by a mom recently that when she asked for help  at an Anchorage hospital they gave her a bottle instead. Not good.  And don’t keep any formula samples you get in the mail or from the hospital.  It’s too tempting to have it in the house.
4. Plan a drug free, normal birth: IVs, epidurals, c-sections and narcotic drugs in labor all make breastfeeding harder. The more drugs, fluids and painful incisions you have, the harder it will be for the baby to latch on and the longer it will take for you to produce milk. Choose midwife or obstetrician that supports natural birth. Learn about and practice mental and spiritual techniques like non-focused awareness, prayer, hypnobirthing, and visualization.  Take a childbirth education class that focuses on natural birth. Find out if you will have access to a birthing tub, shower, birthing ball, food during labor, etc.  Hire a doula.  If you do need pain medications, ask for the lowest dosage.
5. If you have concerns, get professional lactation support immediately: WIC offers free breastfeeding support for their clients. Some pediatric offices have lactation consultants on staff . You can call the hospital where you delivered and get phone help. Most home birth and birthing center midwives will visit you in your home. ANMC has a program where they will come to your house and help you as well. LLL leaders and members are another great resource. Don’t wait to get help if things aren’t going well. Pick up the phone instead of a bottle.
6. Pediatrician or nurse practitioner: Find a provider that not only supports breastfeeding but that can give you specific help and advice. Some medical schools offer ZERO lactation education. Other pediatricians have done extensive training and have breastfed their own children. Ask about their training, experience and philosophy.  Consider using a nurse practicioner or naturopathic physician.
7. Plan for pumping at work: Delay returning to work as long as possible.  Try to arrange for job sharing, part-time, work from home or creative scheduling.  Nurse your baby at night to make up for lost nursing and cuddle time. Make sure to find a place to pump before you take maternity leave. We know women who have left their jobs to go to others that were more breastfeeding friendly.
   Going back to work and maintaining milk supply is a major challenge for women.  Remember that even a little breastmilk is valuable and better than none at all.  With enough support, you can do it!