Educating someone...

[grace's voice]

My sister has just accepted my invitation to have her in attendance at our birth to assist my 3 year old. She's attended one birth before, but it was a planned c/s and we're planning a Bradley birth either at home or at my midwife's birth center. She doesn't have a ton of time, otherwise I'd ask her to come to Bradley classes with us. Are there any websites with easy to read info that might be helpful to her? Basically, I just want her to know about natural birth, labor stages, and so forth incase my 3 year old needs some reassurance (though she is well prepared and educated).

Also, is there anything she might need to bring with her to the birth?

Thanks!

[USAmma]

The Ina May books were great to help me prepare to assist in labor of friends. Esp the Guide to Childbirth's main section. I took notes because it suggests many things to bring.

For your sister, she needs to pack a bag for herself so she doesn't get tired during the birth. She should dress in comfortable clothing that can be lightly layered, and bring a change of clothing. She needs to bring some food and drink for herself (some iced coffee drinks or Coke to help stay alert through the night), hand lotion, shoes that can be removed easily and washed, breath mints (Listerine strips work well), swim suit if it's a waterbirth, note cards with notes from the books, and whatever else she might be comfortable with. Have her back this ahead of time so she can grab it and come ASAP.

[grace's voice]

Those are some really good suggestions, thank you so much. I'm trying to stress to her how important readiness and speed will be... she's one of those ppl who are very late for everything! And, considering my last birth was only 3 hours, I need her to know how important this is. I hadn't really thought of any of these things, so I so much appreciate it. Although, we don't drink caffeine (we're Mormon) do you happen to know of anything natural that can give a person a pick me up (other than tea)? I know my last Doula kept honey with her for the birthing mother, but I don't know how good honey would work to keep a person awake.

[Thmom]

I'm not sure that there is anything naturally stimulating that is acceptable to Mormones. Honey is good for energy boosts but not the same thing as caffiene kwim... but if she's used to doing without caffiene she'll probably be fine. I would add protien bars in there and if she's to be responsible for the 3yr a new book or two and maybe a new toy something that can be used to occupy her and take her mind off things if necessary.

There is a book "Husband Coached Childbirth" which is written by Bradley that she could read. But I think the best education she can get, quickly would be watching a couple birth videos, ones that are graphic so she knows what to expect and therefore can help your dd be comfortable with it.

[grace's voice]

Birth videos are a really good idea. I though about Husband Coached Childbirth (I'm very big on Bradley) but I worry she doesn't have time to read that much... though my copy comes equipped with the strong points highlighted I think we're going with a homebirth, so Juels will have her room to go to if she wants and all her books and toys and whatnot. She's got a longer attention span that I do, but I assume she'll get bored or tired at some point... unless I have another super fast labor. I also like the protein bar idea. That would be a good thing to have in the house for all of us. Fresh strawberries were my lifesaver last time mmmmm

[sapphire_chan]

Keep in mind, if your labor goes long, your dd will also get tired and your sister will be able to lay down with her for a nap. As far as the fast labor thing, are you talking 3 hrs from *any* contractions or 3 hours from the start of active labor? Because if it's the later, you can compensate for your sister's tardiness by calling her in sooner.

[grace's voice]

I'm not really sure when my labor began, or when my first *real* contraction was. I had been having contractions for about 3 months, some times several hours a day, which were almost always 5 minutes apart. I was having them that day and then I suddenly went through this crazy emotional thing where I got really mad and yelled at my husband because I was HUNGRY and then I went and laid down and cried. Once I got that out I ate an obscene amout of food and called my doula, at that point I was having contractions 3 minutes apart, but they still weren't really painful. If I count from the point I had the crazy emotional issue it was about 7 hours total. There were 2 hours of active labor that took off right when my water broke, and one hour of pushing. I think if I can work through my fear of pushing it will (would have been) about half that time.

So I'm kinda thinking maybe I should call my birth team earlier this time. My doula got there about 30 minutes after my water broke and my midwife took about 50 minutes. My sister lives about 40 minutes away, without traffic. Assuming she's at home, which she very rarely is.