Beautiful photo of Christina by Joe Hunt

So you don’t have prenatal care either?

Lack of prenatal care is a common misconception about unassisted birthers. Some woman opt to get prenatal care from a doctor or midwife, but a vast majority do it themselves realizing that prenatal care goes beyond tests and blood work. Prenatal care is something you do everyday.

Many women who wish to birth unassisted also have unassisted pregnancies. This means different things for different people but in general a woman who does her own prenatal care trusts in her ability to grow a healthy baby by eating well, staying positive, and listening to her instincts.

Many of the prenatal tests that are done have high false positive rates requiring more tests and ultrasounds. They cause a lot of extra stress and worry on the expectant mother as well as rack up medical bills.

For me I took a whole food prenatal vitamin, ate well, drank plenty of water and herbal teas, and meditated. I knew my family history which didn’t include any pregnancy or birth problems. I had a stethoscope and listened to the babies heart beat occasionally, but that was mostly for fun. Some people have no luck picking up fetal heartbeat with a stethoscope so don’t worry if you can’t, especially before 27 weeks. I never found a heartbeat with my second unassisted birth (Layla Sunday).

I did some measuring of the belly with two out of three of my unassisted pregnancies. During the last trimester of my unassisted pregnancies I went to the local drug store and took my blood pressure once or twice. My prenatal care included a lot of meditation as well as positive reflection/affirmation to prepare for labor and birth. This is what I believe led me to have wonderful births.

Keeping a log or journal is a good idea. I logged dreams I had, health related updates, and birth intentions/plans. This is a good keepsake but also good to have on hand in case you need to seek medical assistance. If nothing else it's good to have it so if you are questioned about your intentions it's clear you are educated and choosing to care for yourself and not just being reckless. In our society birth is not considered to be a natural life process, but a medical condition that needs to be handled.

Pregnancy Herbs to know

Nettle: High in iron and calcium, as well as an excellent source of folic acid. Strengthens the kidneys and adrenals.  Increases breast milk.

Alfalfa: Contains many nutrients such as trace minerals, chlorophyll and vitamin K. Vitamin K is a nutrient necessary for blood clotting. Newborns in hospitals are given a vit K shot. I prefer to make sure I have enough vit K to pass on to my infant for it not to be a concern. Taken in the last trimester of pregnancy it can decrease postpartum bleeding. Alfalfa also increases breast milk in all mammals.

Raspberry leaf: Strengthens uterine muscles. Drink raspberry leaf tea throughout pregnancy, has easily assimilated calcium and magnesium. Also high in iron. After birth it can slow bleeding and is great for breastmilk.

 

Links about specific prenatal topics and pregnancy

 these may or may not be directly UC related

Onsite ultrasound Article:

Ultrasound Articles Section

Offsite ultrasound articles:

Weighing the Risks: What You Should Know about Ultrasound By Sarah Buckley  

 

 

 

 

Ultrasound Scans May Harm Unborn Babies By Robert Uhlig, Technology Correspondent

Gestational Diabetes:

Gestational diabetes by Henci Goer

 

More to be added as time allows me...