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Evidence-based care
Breastfeeding
Beyond pregnancy
Placenta Encapsulation
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What is evidence-based care?
It is very important to understand the human side of healthcare and how it plays a crucial role in healing - this is where evidence-based care comes in. Evidence-based practice is a conscientious, problem-solving approach to clinical practice that incorporates the best evidence from well-designed studies, the patient's values and preferences, and a clinician's expertise in making decisions about a patient's care. Really, it's an emphasis on the practices that increase safety for mother and baby.
Evidencebasedbirth.com is a wonderful resource with a slogan of Evidence that Empowers as they strive to bring information and evidence to birthing people and families.
The American Pregnancy Association explains the ins and outs of having a doula here.
The FSA explains what a doula is and why to hire one here.
Evidence-based care
Breastfeeding
You and your baby are unique and the decision to breastfeed lies solely with you. There are many benefits to breastfeeding including the perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat to help your little one thrive. Breast milk also contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. What's more, the physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby bond with you and feel secure.
Breastfeeding burns extra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster. It releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth. Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It may lower your risk of osteoporosis, too.
It sounds so great, right? Well, sometimes it's easier said than done. Breastfeeding can sometimes be challenging and we recommend these books if you feel you need some help:
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Breastfeeding 101 by Sue Tiller, RN
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Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mahrbaher
You can also find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at the United States Lactation Consultant Agency to get further information from here.
For more information about breastfeeding, we like the tips and tricks at healthywomen.org here.
Breasfeeding
Beyond pregnancy | postpartum
As parents, we already know that we live riding on an emotional roller coaster, and pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum certainly make our ride more fun! Your body and mind go through many changes during and after pregnancy and taking home baby.
Postpartum means the time after childbirth and it is very common for some parents to get the “baby blues,” or feel sad or empty, within a few days of bringing baby home. For many parents, the baby blues go away within 2 weeks. If your baby blues don’t go away or you feel sad, hopeless, or empty for longer than 2 weeks, you may have postpartum depression. The good thing is, you are not alone. There are numerous resources available to help you to get back onto your normal roller coaster ride.
Johns Hopkins Medicine shares some knowledge about postpartum mood disorder here.
Mental Health America also has some great resources here.
BeYond
Placenta encapsulation
The placenta is your body’s (incredible!) temporary organ that delivers nutrients and oxygen to the baby during pregnancy, and it also removes waste for the baby. It does such amazing things for your unborn child and is shown to have many benefits to mom after delivery too. Placenta encapsulation is the practice of ingesting the placenta after it has been steamed, dehydrated, ground, and placed into pills. Benefits can include increased postpartum energy and milk supply, a reduction in postpartum bleeding, evening out hormones and mood, a good source of iron for you and your breastfeeding baby, and less of a risk for postpartum depression.
The American Pregnancy Association shares more knowledge about placenta encapsulation here.
Placeta encpsulation
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