Birth With Benni

PHASES OF BREASTMILK

Colostrum is milk ! It is concentrated milk that is full of nutrients and disease fighting antibodies, it provides everything your baby needs in the early days after birth.
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Baby’s stomach is small at birth so the small amounts of colostrum you have available is perfect for baby’s needs.
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Milk “coming in” refers to the time when the mother notices increased breast fullness(and other signs) as milk production begins to kick in full force. This is usually 2-3 after birth(transitional phase). For some mothers it may take longer than 3 days.
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Milk production will begin to slow down if milk is not being removed. So if breastfeeding is the plan it’s best to nurse on demand.
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Breastfeeding on demand for the first 6 weeks allows the breastmilk to regulate the exact amount that is needed for baby as well as the nutritional needs.
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Meeting with a lactation consultant after birth is always recommended.

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INDUCTION

Induction means your doctor or midwife causes your labor to start instead of it happening spontaneously.
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Unless there is a medical reason to rush the birth, waiting for labor to start is best option for you and your baby.
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There is always an option to deny an induction if there is no medical reason. Ask the doctor for more time and come up with a plan for more prenatal appointments so baby can be monitored.
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Questions to ask if induction is offered:
1. What is the medical reason for an induction?
2. What are the benefit & Rick of the induction?
3. What would happen if we decide not to induce?
Remember to use your BRAIN and know exactly why an induction is being offered before making a decision.
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Keep in mind natural induction methods are not going to work overnight, some should be done starting around the 36-37 weeks. Castor oil comes with side effects so that should be a last resort, one time option. Do your research and when in doubt contact a professional.

If you were induced what was the reasoning? I got induced because of high blood pressure.

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B.R.A.I.N.

BRAIN is an acronym you can use to make an informed, conscious decision during labor & birth.
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It is important that when something is suggested to you- procedure/surgery/intervention- that you ask questions and take a moment to think it over.

B- Benefits
R-Risks
A- Alternatives
I- Intuition
N- Nothing
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Benefits- what are the pros of following through with the recommended?

Risks- What are the cons? What can go wrong? What are the side effects?

Alternative- what are my other options?

Intuition- listening to your gut or the little voice in your head that tells you whether something feels right for you.

Nothing- what happened if we do nothing ? Remember you have the choice to decline if it is not a medical emergency.

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