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WOMAN TO WOMAN
A Publication of Family Nurse Midwife Associates
520 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 520
Jeannette, Pennsylvania 15644
724-527-9159
www.JDMH-midwives.com

now affiliated with

Mercy Jeannette Hospital
June 2003 Newsletter

Interested in Using a Midwife for your care?
For those interested in midwifery, our office offers at no charge an Orientation to Midwifery Care. For those interested a packet will be mailed in advance with fact sheets about midwifery and copies of our most recent newsletters. This will enable those interested to read about midwives and to jot down any specific questions they may have. A time will then be scheduled to meet with the nurse midwife to learn more about her philosophy of care and to discuss your particular birth concerns. A tour of the Family Birth Place will also be available

A note from the Pap Police
Before you get too busy with all of your summer activities, please take the time to schedule your yearly gynecological exam . Regular pap screenings are very important in the fight against cervical cancer.

To Lea Marie
This is the story of your birth, Lea Marie. You were actually "scheduled" to arrive at the end of November, but seemed not to be patient enough to wait so long and decided to slide deep down into your Mom's pelvis about a month early. That made your Mom waddle like a combination of John Wayne and Donald Duck! As we were counting the days to make sure you would be ok, all kinds of thoughts and emotions crossed our minds: happy anticipation, nervousness, curiosity, impatience, just like yours. And through all this: Gretchen and Sandy's experienced confidence that we would be just fine.

One late evening, as your Mom was practicing squatting (recommended by the midwives), while talking on the phone, there was a trickle of amniotic fluid and half an hour later some mild cramps. Didn't that get us all excited!! Sandy, who answered her page right away, advised us to stay calm, note the intensity and frequency of contractions (still more than 10 minutes apart and very faint) and then suggested to come in the next morning, if things did not progress. Which they didn't. Aunt Julie was a nervous wreck on the living room couch, but your Mom enjoyed some good and restful sleep. Gretchen saw us the next morning and her check confirmed, you were "knocking on the door" but you were not to come out yet. She told us to go home, rest, eat and relax. All day long friends of ours took care of your Mom. Cooking for her,propping her feet up, taking her on long walks to stimulate contractions. But in the evening, Gretchen just send us home again after she had checked on both your Mom and you. We were both doing great, the time was just not right yet. Apparently, you must of had a change of mind on your way and were not that much in a hurry at all any more, we thought.

Finally, the following morning, November 09, 2003, your Mom started to experience "real contractions", more regular, more rhythmical, stronger. Strong enough to stop talking in the midst of them. This was the real thing. The welcome at the Family Birth Center was warm and friendly, enough time and privacy to get set in the birthing room. Your Mom was still far from being dilated or effaced completely, so Gretchen recommended to take a hot shower and take some leisurely walks.

Two hours later not much had changed and we discussed our options. We agreed upon Gretchen breaking the amniotic sack, expecting this to intensify contractions and promote cervical dilation. Your Mom was really surprised to see how much fluid you had been floating in all this time!! The color of the amniotic fluid was of a disturbing green color, which can be an indicator for fetal distress. But monitoring your heartbeat and activity level showed no reason to be worried. You were hanging in and going strong. Contractions were getting stronger and longer now and your Mom frequently moved from the bed to the shower to the rocking chair, her favorite. Putting her feet up on the gymnastic ball while rocking in the chair helped in dealing with the new physical challenge. Her focus went inwards, calm like in a trance, and she became very quiet (which by now you know is unusual!!). It was a good time to leave her alone with her task. Gretchen and the nurses were always close by, encouraging and supporting without disturbing precious privacy of this special occassion.

It turned out to be really hard work to birth you, little girl!! By 1:00 in the afternoon your Mom's cervix was no further than 5 cm wide open-that was discouraging to hear!! Again, Gretchen sat down, offered and explained further options and allowed your Mom to make her own decision, to choose what was right for her and you. Your Mom selected to recieve labor stimulation with Pitocin, which was started at a slow drip rate. That gave your Mom the opportunity to adjust to new level of strain and breathe through what finally felt like "productive" contractions.

Aunt Julie's return from work was welcomed with relieve and tears to help your Mom ride the emotional roller coaster- it had been a long day already. She was dearly needed to hold hands, tolerate fingernails in the back of her arm, massage your Mom's aching back, hold a cool washcloth on her forehead, feed her little pieces of ice and simply be the wonderful friend she is. Gretchen was continously present now, monitoring both your Mom and you, supporting and enouraging when needed. She knew when to suggest medicinal pain management, which gave your Mom a chance to sleep a little bit in between contractions (by now only 3 minutes apart and quite overwhelming), at least for an hour before the medicine wore off again. She also knew to respect your Mom's solid decision not to have an epidural anesthesia. Your Mom wanted to be fully mobile through this most wonderful and strongest female expression: giving birth.

Finally, around 10:30 PM that urge to push, we had been reading and hearing about in the birthing books and crash course, became stronger and stronger. Gretchen checked one last time to make sure that your Mom's body was ready at last and that you were turned right, and then gave us the green light. What a feeling!!!! Giving it the full "uuumpfhh", being active instead of enduring the contractions, pushing you into this world bit by bit. It was the most incredible experience and feeling for your Mom to touch the tip of your head, moist and warm and full of hair, when you had worked your way into the birth canal without slipping back anymore. It still took a couple of good pushes to bring you out all the way, but at 11:18PM. your Mom held you in her arms, on her belly, and the two of you made first eye contact. And as your Mom promised, you were welcomed in German "Gria di, mei Klans"

What a beautiful baby you were!! You did not look too stressed at all. Pink and smooth all over, with a head full of brown hair and the darkest blue eyes we have ever seen. You protested just a little bit when the nurse suctioned the mucos out of your airways, before they returned you to your Mom's arms, who couldn't wait to get you back. Nine pounds and 21 inches, as the measuring and weighing revealed later, no wonder it had taken so long!!. We were all glad to see you and even happier to take you home two days later.

The birthing experience with the midwives was thoroughly positive. Gretchen's coaching was very sovereign, warm and respectful at the same time. We can only say "Thank you so much, you ladies are wonderful"

Alexandra, Lea Marie,John and John
Apollo, Pa

Mind Over Labor Books
We still have several copies of these books that have not yet been returned, therefore we are unable to share them with those who currently would like to read them. Please return ASAP. If you would like to maintain copies of these books, a 15.00 charge will be assessed.

A WORD TO FATHERS
As a father, you play a vital role in pregnancy and birth. Since you are responsible for creating this child, you are also responsible for this child at the time of birth. It is important that women feel comfortable when having their baby. Your presence,love and support are important in creating a positive birth experience. In the past, men were usually excluded from the birthing process, making them feel unneeded and unwanted. Now time has changed and men are encouraged to become more involved and are important in creating a better,less interventive birth experience. It is because a woman needs you. Not only are you her partner but her best friend and confident. This powerful connection promotes security and trust, and these are important for a successful pregnancy.

When a woman is in her early months of pregnancy,it may be difficult to relate to how much her body, mind and spirit are changing. Patience and understanding are key to maintaining good relations. As her belly swells and your baby kicks, you can feel the movement and hear the heartbeat. Now it is easier to relate to what is going on. As the pregnancy evolves and birth becomes more imminent,your woman will lean on you. Her needs and wants will become your guide to how to be. This process is natural. You will also start to learn what your own role and needs are. With good communication, everything will begin to fall into place. Mother Nature provides learning tools about parenting for both of you.

Birth is a woman's time. The power which her body follows in order to open and let the baby emerge is a primal force of nature. A woman will ask for what she needs. Even the most quiet woman will become unabashedly direct during the forces of labor. She will tell you what and what she does not want. You will be proud of the strength that she displays. Your role is to love her through this magnificent process. Although it may be difficult to watch your partner in discomfort, remembering that your baby will soon arrive and that this is a natural and good thing, helps to meet the greater goal. Birth becomes not so difficult and in fact is fun. And remember,you are vital to the process.

However,it is also important for you to find what is comfortable for you. How involved you are is your choice. In this culture we have progressed from complete exclusion of men in the birth to demanding their presence. It is between you and your partner to find out what works best for you, and there is plenty of middle ground. You and your partner will only be pregnant and birthing a few precious times in this life. Enjoy and cherish these experiences. Fathering a child makes you part of a continuing evolutionary process,involving you in the production not only of your children, but your grandchildren and all generations to come

Infant and Child CPR Classes
Norwin Hills Health Smart Center will host Family and Friends Infant/Child CPR for expectant parents and parents of children or infants. You will learn ways to perform CPR on infants and children and how to handle chocking emergencies. Class is taught by an American Heart Association instructor. A participation card is awarded upon completion. No testing or certification is provided. Class fee is 15.00. To register, call 724-527-8023. Next class is July 10th 6-8PM. Classes are held every other month. Please call for future dates.
Mercy Jeannette Hospital now participates with Community Blue

We are very pleased to announce that Mercy Jeannette Hospital is now a Community Blue Provider. This is the first of many positive changes that has been occurring here since Jeannette District Memorial Hospital became Mercy Jeannette Hospital. Participation became effective June 01, 2003

Many Thanks to Alex and Julie
Our office would like to express our appreciation for the wonderful donation made by the Cameron Family to our library. They have donated brand new copies of the following books: Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother's Soul, Your Child's Self-Esteem and 35,000 Baby Names. They also donated new toys to our play area, a Bat N Wobble Ball and an Activity Stacker.

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