BIRTH STORY FEATURE: Disclaimer & Terms

A few notes about Birth

In the upcoming month I have posts scheduled where 5 lovely stories of life will be shared. Each is unique and special. Each mother is to be appreciated for her journey and accomplishment of child birth. Though these stories are not graphic, they do depict actual stories of labor and delivery. You may see the word “vagina.” Don’t freak. You may also read about references to breast feeding.

Each story is very personal and intimate to each mother, yet she has chosen to share her experience here with all of us. Please use discretion when deciding to comment. Think about how you may feel if someone said such to you. Please do not condemn a particular birthing method. All negative/derogatory comments will be deleted immediately.


I'm very empowered by other women's birth stories and I'm so excited to have this feature this month! I have chosen my plan, but am still encouraged by all women!

Also, I realize that some terms may not be familiar to all of you so I’ve gathered their definitions here for you. I’m cool like that.

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Transition - 

The last part of active labor – when your cervix dilates from 8 to a full 10 centimeters – is called the transition period because it marks the shift to the second stage of labor. This is the most intense part of labor. Contractions are usually very strong, coming every two and a half to three minutes or so and lasting a minute or more, and you may start shaking and shivering. (source)

Ring of Fire - 

Open your mouth as wide as you can and hold it. Now, put your fingers in the corners of your mouth and pull your mouth wider until you feel stretching or burning. Now, imagine that at your vaginal opening. (source)

Bradley Method - 

www.bradleybirth.com

Preeclampsia - 

Preeclampsia is when a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure and protein in the urine after the 20th week (late 2nd or 3rd trimester) of pregnancy (source)

Mucus Plug-  

Throughout pregnancy, a mucus plug blocks the opening of the cervix to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus. Before labor, this mucus plug is expelled so that the cervix can open to allow the baby to pass through during labor and birth.(source)

Bag of Waters -

The water that surrounds baby

0 Station- 

when the top of the baby's head reaches the level of the ischial spine. Most examiners use centimeters above and below the spine as the units for station—from minus 3 which is when the baby is still just floating in the uterus, to 0 when the baby is said to be "engaged" in the pelvis, to plus 5 when the baby has come through the birth canal is "crowning."  (source)

Meconium-  

Baby's first poop.

Midwife- 

Midwifery is a health care profession in which providers offer care to childbearing women during pregnancy, labour and birth, and during the postpartum period. (source)

Pitocin-  

liquid medication that induces labor

Birthing Ball- 

yoga ball, medicine ball, exercise ball

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Stay tuned to hear Julie's C- Section story tomorrow!