Tag: prenatal health

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Postpartum Anxiety

Postpartum anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects many new mothers. It is characterized by excessive worry and fear that can interfere with daily activities and make it difficult to care for yourself and your newborn. While some degree of worry is normal for new parents, postpartum anxiety can cause a level of distress that is not typical and can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation.

 

It is characterized by excessive worry and fear that can interfere with daily activities and make it difficult to care for yourself and your newborn.

Unlike postpartum depression, which is well-known and discussed, postpartum anxiety is often overlooked and misunderstood.

 

The symptoms of postpartum anxiety can vary from person to person, but may include:

  • Constant worry and fear about your baby’s health and safety
  • Difficulty sleeping, even when your baby is sleeping
  • Racing thoughts or an inability to turn off your thoughts
  • Physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling
  • Panic attacks
  • Obsessive-compulsive behaviors, such as excessive cleaning or checking on your baby
  • Avoidance of social situations or fear of leaving the house

 

There are several treatment options available for postpartum anxiety, including:

  1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating postpartum anxiety. CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors to reduce anxiety.
  2. Certain herbs, supplements and medications can also help manage symptoms. It’s important to work with your healthcare provider to find the right treatment and dosage for you.
  3. Self-care is an important part of managing postpartum anxiety and often overlooked. This can include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.
  4. Joining a postpartum support group can be a helpful way to connect with other new mothers who are experiencing similar challenges.

If you or someone you know is experiencing postpartum anxiety, don’t hesitate to seek help.

 

It’s important to remember that postpartum anxiety is a treatable condition. With the right support and treatment, most women with postpartum anxiety can overcome their symptoms and enjoy their new role as a mother. If you or someone you know is experiencing postpartum anxiety, don’t hesitate to seek help. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider right away, and they can help you determine if you have postpartum anxiety and recommend appropriate management options.

Are you preparing for your best possible birth? 

Keep up to date on all things pregnancy, birth and baby! Sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Breastfeeding and Caesarian births

by Dr. Melanie Jacobson, NC IBCLC

Did you know a c-section birth can affect your breastfeeding experience? 

Caesarian births are associated with delayed lactogenesis II, meaning, a delayed transition of colostrum to breast milk or breast milk ‘coming in’.  Also, it can often lead to a delayed initiation of breastfeeding, due to the birthing parent’s recovery, comfort, and stress levels.  Under these circumstances, a parent’s commitment to breastfeeding plays a major role in its duration. And let us not forget, a caesarean birth is major surgery, and therefore the parent’s post surgery recovery and mobility must also play a role in the breastfeeding experience.  These challenges can be even more impactful if the caesarian birth came after a long exhausting labour.

But the good news is, there are ways to prepare for a c-section birth that can support your breastfeeding journey, as well as steps you can take after the birth!

Below are a few recommendations that parents can use when prepping for their caesarian birth and actions to take afterwards.

Before the birth:

 

1-Get educated on how breastfeeding works and the steps that you can take to support your experience.

Because of the potential challenges in breastfeeding after a c-section birth, it is so important for new parents to get educated before the birth and understand breastfeeding specifics so that they can pick up where the birth left off, no matter what kind of birth they have.  This detailed prenatal breastfeeding education can ideally be done in the third trimester.  Regardless of the kind of birth you have, breastfeeding education is invaluable for first-time parents.

Click here to learn more about our Prenatal Lactation course or book in for a prenatal visit with a Lactation Consultant.

2- Have your supports ready to help!

Regardless of the type of birth you have, you will need help.  Keeping your supports up to speed with your breastfeeding intentions, will also help them understand where your priorities lie once the baby arrives.  They will understand the importance of supporting the parent during the first 2 weeks postpartum as breastfeeding is being initiated. Remind them that you will need extra support with meals, everyday household chores as well as changing, diapering and bathing baby while you rest and work on breastfeeding.

3- Rest, eat and drink healthily and enjoy the days leading up to the birth.

Going into the experience feeling calm and rested may set the tone for your birth experience and certainly help with recovery. If you are having a planned c-section, speak to a birth professional to find out how your recovery can be best supported.

4- For planned caesarians, consider speaking to your OB and local IBCLC about colostrum harvesting.

Colostrum harvesting is when you hand express and freeze colostrum before the birth.  This may allow you to use the harvested colostrum at the hospital after the birth to feed baby, along with breastfeeding.  Colostrum harvesting must only be done after 37 weeks gestation and must be done under the guidance of your birthing team.

After a c-section birth:

 

1-Place the baby skin-to-skin with you in the operation room and in the recovery room whenever possible.

If you are feeling drowsy, be sure to have someone with you to help. Otherwise, the baby can be skin-to-skin with the other parent or closest support. Skin-to-skin offers both physical and emotional benefit to both the baby and the birthing parent.

2-Don’t rush your recovery.

The hospital staff will be monitoring your level of comfort and awareness until you feel confident in holding your baby on your own.  You may need some time to sit up comfortably to hold your baby.  Take your time.  Do not rush your progress.  You will be able to hold your baby comfortably, in several breastfeeding positions in a couple of days.

3-Allow baby full access to your breasts.

Along with skin-to skin, the suckling, bonding and oxytocin released by having baby latched will help to initiate your breastfeeding journey and feel calmer.

4- Support milk transition and your breast milk supply by:

  • Frequently stimulating your breasts via breastfeeding.
  • The football hold may be your best position for the first couple of days if the other holds (cross-cradle, cradle or laid back) hurt your incision. But not to worry, you will be able to try these new positions in a few days.
  • Be well versed in hand expressing. You can express colostrum even after baby has breastfed and especially if baby was not very active at the breast. A baby born via a surgical birth may be more lethargic, especially if the birth followed a long labour, so expressing your milk might be necessary in the early days.
  • Skin-to-skin is especially important in the early days so maintain this whenever possible

5- Be gentle and kind with yourself.

You just went through major surgery.  Your body will have an easier time to pick up where the birth left off by:

 

  • Resting
  • Nourishing yourself with healthy food
  • Hydrating with water and warm drinks
  • Most importantly, having your little one close by to snuggle

Lactation 101-The BEST thing you can do to prepare for Breastfeeding

An online prenatal breastfeeding course that gives you all the tools you need so you can nurse your baby confidently from birth to weaning.

Do you have a Health Benefits Plan? This course may be covered.

Click HERE to book a 15 minute call with me to find out more

 

DR. MELANIE JACOBSON, ND IBCLC Hi! I’m Melanie Jacobson. Professionally I am a naturopathic doctor and lactation consultant. Personally, I am a wife and mother of 2 amazing girls. I believe that prenatal education and early hands-on support can help new parents feel confident, connected, and empowered through their postnatal and breastfeeding journey. Background and Experience After studying at the University of Toronto and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine to become at naturopathic doctor, I gained valuable international experience in the United Kingdom and Australia. The knowledge and experience acquired from working and living abroad has been indispensable to me as a practitioner and mother. Upon my return to Toronto, I practiced for many years as a Naturopathic Doctor. After having my own children, I received my IBCLC designation to provide lactation consultations and expanded my clinical practice to focus on postnatal wellness and lactation support to families in the west end of Toronto.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Getting a Handle on Prenatal Health

by Dr. Yasmin Amini, ND

Pregnancy is a time of anticipation, preparation and excitement about many things to come! Nine months worth of questions and answers is what we, at Your Downtown Doula, are here for.

The prenatal period is unique for every family!


As Naturopathic Doctors and doulas, not only do we provide education and information, we also provide therapies and treatments. The prenatal period is unique for every family, and the challenges and milestones are experienced differently. Some common areas of service during the prenatal period include and are not limited to:

  • Proper supplements: doses and brands
  • Nutritional guidance: what to eat and what to avoid
  • Exercise: beneficial positions for mom and baby, healthy movement
  • Symptom management of all things pregnancy
  • Physical therapies with acupuncture, cupping, massage

As pregnancy progresses, you may be confronted with an overwhelming amount of decision making, from labour and delivery, to baby products, physician referrals, and the list goes on! At Your Downtown Doula, we are here to help you sift through the noise of decision making and give you the information you need to feel prepared and confident heading into the next steps of your journey.

We can help you prepare with the following individualized prenatal services offered at Your Downtown Doula:

(Click the links above to get connected with support today!)

Want to get prepared for pregnancy, birth and postpartum? Grab our free Bump to Baby Checklist! This clear and thorough guide walks you through everything to expect from your first trimester to past your 6 week postpartum check up.

  • What tests and screenings will be offered and when
  • When to sign up for prenatal education and what types to consider
  • Things you should think about that your care provider may not mention
  • Links to helpful resources
Dr. Yasmin Amini ND
Dr. Yasmin offers naturopathic and doula care in English, French, Farsi and Spanish. She also has a focus in postpartum care.