Home Births, C-Section, and 4 Reasons To Hire A Doula

Save $2,541 With A Planned Home Birth

A home birth isn’t for everyone. Some mothers want a crew of medical staff around…just in case. But if the thought of a monochrome hospital room and rotating nurses makes you long for your own cozy and familiar belongings — consider having your baby at home.

According to a recently published study, it’s a safe option for low-risk births. And it will save you a few dollars — roughly 2,541.

It’s important to add that researchers at the University of British Colombia haven’t found any “hidden” health risked linked to planned home births. Because they’re just not there.

Authors of the paper urge policy makers to encourage a planned home birth as a one option for healthy mamas-to-be.

Can A Cesarean Section Impact Your Baby’s Focus?

Recently — and for the first time — a scientist from York University followed 3 month-old babies and tracked their eye movement around specific objects.

They found that babies born via cesarean section have a fraction of a second delay in their eye movements—suggesting that the birth experience helps to shape brain development.

The real question — are the effects of c-section delivery on brain development fleeting…a little hiccup that shows up in infancy? Or is it something that has a lifelong impact?

4 Reasons To Hire A Doula

A doula offers ongoing support as you move through your pregnancy, labor, and into the postpartum period.

And a recent review culls through the research surrounding doula-assisted births, highlighting the advantages of hiring a doula:

1. Information. A doula will share her personal experience and knowledge about childbirth with you, your family, and to other practitioners that are involved in your baby’s birth. This includes pain management techniques as well as the pros / cons of the chosen birth setting (home, birth center, or hospital).
2. Physical Support. A doula offers massage, guidance for the best birthing position, and light touch. She also might use trigger points for pain management and other non-invasive techniques, like aromatherapy.
3. Empowerment. A doula translates medical jargon. She makes sure that you feel heard during labor and delivery—protecting the birth space from unwanted interruptions while complementing your midwife or obstetrician.
4. Emotional Support. In a non-judgemental way, a doula affirms the choices you make about your baby’s birth. A doula also bolsters your confidence if you feel uncertain about the birthing process or nervous about an unfamiliar birthing environment.

Mothers who are assisted by a doula see fewer interventions during the birthing process. By some estimates, this can also mean saving $424 – $530 per birth, because of reduced rate of cesarean section.

Doula-supported mothers are also more likely to begin breastfeeding—and continue breastfeeding.

When hiring a doula, look for someone who is certified through DONA International (USA / Canada), Doula UK (United Kingdom), or the Swiss Association of Doulas (Switzerland).

Pregnancy Loss In The First Trimester

According to a recent review, researchers found that a single pregnancy loss in the first trimester can mean a greater risk for problems during following pregnancies. For example:

• Vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy
• Premature birth
• Low baby birth weight
• Placenta-related complications

That said, it’s important to highlight other findings, which show that stress management — like yoga, massage, and cognitive behavioral therapy—can reduce the risk things like low birth weight and premature birth.

There’s also evidence that acupuncture may lower the risk of c-section or the need for induction.

While these studies do not consider pregnancy history, they back the idea that stress management techniques might help you carry your baby full term and have an intervention-free delivery.

Baby Cells That Stick Around After Pregnancy

During pregnancy, baby cells migrate through the placenta. After your baby is born, some of these little baby cells continue to hang out in your body. This is known as fetal microchimerism.

Sometimes a good thing. Sometimes not.

For example, baby cells can speed up your recovery from c-section delivery. And low milk supply may be linked with low fetal cell levels in breast tissue. However, lingering fetal cells might also be linked to autoimmune disease.

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