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They say hindsight is 20/20, right? That has never been more true for me than with my pregnancies. There is much I wish I had known with my first that I now know.
In case you’re perhaps in a similar boat or on a similar journey for health, I wanted to share a few things I’ve done differently with round 2. If nothing else, you have a right to ask questions, you have a right to research and you have a right to decline ANYTHING you’re not comfortable with.
*I need to say: NONE of this is medical advice. I am sharing the decisions I have made for myself and why. Do your own research and seek the advice of trusted medical professionals.
Glucose Testing
With my first pregnancy, I drank the glucose drink, waited an hour and had my blood drawn. No big deal. Well…no big deal on the surface. Here are the 3 things that changed my mind:
- Ingredients: that glucose drink is full of toxic stuff that your body just doesn’t need – and neither does your baby’s. While I could go into depth on all of that, I simply encourage you to do your own research and make the decision that’s best for you. There are also many, many people who share the research, the specifics and more. I’ll keep it simple here.
- Sugar levels: the drink if full of sugar levels that most people would never consume in one sitting, which also leads me to believe that the level of sugar is not healthy. If we don’t have to process that much sugar on a regular basis, then why should we test our body’s ability to do so during pregnancy? I mean, think critically and ask the questions.
- Safer alternatives: THERE ARE SAFER ALTERNATIVES! If there was no alternative, I’d understand giving second glance at the standard glucose test used during pregnancy. But, mama, you need to know that there are other options – you only need to ask your provider. Some will let you drink juice an hour before having blood drawn. We agreed for me this round, to test my glucose levels with regular eating for a couple of weeks. Is that extra work? Yes. Is it fun to prick your finger half a dozen times throughout the day? Nope. Is it worth it to get more accurate data in a much safer way? Sure is.
Ultrasounds
Two for me this time. I had three with my first. Truthfully, from what all I could determine in my research (which again, I recommend that you do, too!) ultrasounds are mostly unnecessary especially if you’re not high risk. We also did not do a 3D/4D – those are especially important to avoid.
Along with this, I opt out of airport scanners. Yes, it’s a headache because it annoys the TSA, but y’all, they have to give you an alternative and it’s about protecting your baby.
Basically, don’t be afraid to stand up (respectfully) for yourself and your baby.
An article shared by one of my fav Instagram accounts (which I’ve linked below): https://chriskresser.com/natural-childbirth-iib-ultrasound-not-as-safe-as-commonly-thought/?ltclid=f5e85019-24e2-47af-b46a-081c4cfc92eb
Vaccines
Leaving all of the C 19 nuttiness aside, I did not react well to the two vaccines I was given (because I did not know better at the time) during my first pregnancy. Racing heart, trouble breathing, etc. I had to get in with my doc ASAP and have an EKG and all the works to make sure nothing more serious was going on. Not withstanding everything I’ve learned about vaccines since, I wouldn’t put myself through that again.
Cervical Checks & Similar
Nope. I was asked at my most recent appointment, “Do you want a cervical check?”
No thank you. Why? Because they’re not necessary (they’re literally only to tell you if/how much you’re dilated, effaced, etc. – baby will come when baby is ready, you could be dilated 3 cm. for a week with no change or be dilated 1 cm. one day and go into labor the next) and they can have an added risk of introducing bacteria, etc. to that area – not what we want.
Along with this, I don’t want membrane sweeps/artificial water breaking/etc. Let the birth happen the way it is supposed to.
GBS & Antibiotics
With my first, I tested positive for GBS (insert eye roll) and had no idea what that really meant or any options that exist with it. I was told I’d have antibiotics during labor (which hurt like a bugger, btw) and that was that.
Again, reading anecdotal evidence and doing some research has led me to be aware that antibiotics can have side effects, shall we say, that can affect baby and mom, including among other things, baby’s microbiome.
This pregnancy, turns out it’s not an issue because I tested negative (btw – did you know that you can test positive one day and retest a week later and have a negative result?). BUT! If I had tested positive, before blindly accepting antibiotics, I’d be looking at other risk factors before just accepting two doses of antibiotics. Again (broken record, but it’s important) – do your own research.
Induction/C-Section
Again. This is a no. I was told with my first that I would not be allowed to go a week past my due date without being induced. Looking back, that wording alone should have raised red flags, but, God was protecting, because she came on her own, a week late, without meds.
Here’s where I land on this: is there a place for these medical interventions? Sure. Are they waaaaaaaaay over-used (in my opinion)? Absolutely. (Um, $$$$$$ has nothing to do with it…).
Mamas, remember this: our bodies are DESIGNED for childbirth, we are amazing. “Big” baby? You got this. Late baby? Why are we interfering? Our bodies and babies KNOW when they’re ready to be birthed. Breech baby? You can have a natural breech birth, too! (Seriously, you can…ever see the FRIENDS episode where Rachel gives birth?…her baby was breech, no intervention).
I also suggest that you research Pitocin. But according to the insert for it, it’s a synthetic form of Oxytocin. The only way to know whether Pitocin is working is to have a fetal scalp electrode. NO. (source from this post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CG3rSSzniRk/?utm_medium=copy_link). Basically, there are lots of risks and lots of questions. My conclusion is AVOID.
There are risk factors to C-Sections, not to mention, that they remove the ability for our bodies to do what they’re designed to do in birth and after, like release hormones that help us to feel happy and bond with baby. They negatively affect the microbiome. They can lead to increased risk of postpartum depression and anxiety (I had these pretty severely with my first). They’re upped in use (again, in my opinion) because they have a higher revenue and allow for doctors to create their schedules and fill gaps. Uh, no – not how this works, sis.
I could probably go on and on about this topic in particular, but I do want to keep this more of an overview. Basically, I’m anti-intervention unless you can give me a life-saving reason for it being necessary. Interventions lead to more interventions, which lead to more health and postpartum issues. The whole point is to avoid those things.
Epidural
Two quick things on this guy.
First, I did not react well to it with my first – blood pressure dropped SIGNIFICANTLY, and it took not 10cc of epinephrin, but 15cc. The alarms going off freaked this mama out and that’s the last thing you need when giving birth. Thank goodness, once again, God was protecting us and we had no issues afterwards. But again, having my room flooded with nurses, doctors, etc. because of the alarms was enough to send me into a panic.
Second, come to find out, epidurals can contribute to PPD/PPA. The hardest 9-10 months of my life started after giving birth to my first – I battled PPD/PPA and I was a miserable mess. Anything I can do to support the opposite this time, I’m doing. (Curious, would you like a post/series on what I’ve learned in my journey and how I am finding my way back to true health?).
Epidurals numb you. Completely. While that may sound great given that we know birth is painful, it also leads to us not getting any or all of the hormone releases post birth that help us to bond with our baby and what we just did. There’s much more to this, but basically, I’m eliminating the epidural with this baby because of these two things.
Post-Partum Plans
This post is already longer than I intended, so if you’re perhaps curious about my thoughts/choices for my baby after she’s born, let me know and I’ll do a whole separate post on it! But here’s a quick thought on each of the topics below.
Erythromycin (aka, eye goop) – This is another thing that affects baby’s microbiome, so unless there are specific reasons to use (such as mom having an STD, or baby being born through meconium), I don’t think it’s necessary and I will opt out. Some of my research also indicates that it can affect mom/baby bonding.
Delayed Cord Clamping – Let baby get all those good nutrients, etc. from the umbilical cord! Not to mention, I’ve learned there is a transition period after birth wherein baby transitions from breathing, eating, etc. via the umbilical cord to doing so outside of the womb. Taking away their source too soon is traumatic.
Bathing Baby – Nope. Not in the hospital for sure (leave the vernix on – it’s a crucial part to the microbiome). After that, I’d say don’t be in a hurry – and when baby is newborn/infant, I don’t believe you need soap.
Vitamin K – Like the erythromycin, this is more of a risk-based decision for me. The main reason I’m heavy in the “no thank you” camp is because of the HIGH levels of aluminum (toxic!!!!!!) in the shot. There are also alternatives.
Vaccines – Common sense tells me this: a newborn does not need that system overload. If nothing else, a delayed plan is the way to go and you better believe I am very cautious at best with the administration of ANY vax. The main reasons being: a. many are unnecessary; and b. they are fully of toxic ingredients that do more harm than good.
Formula – I struggled with breastfeeding and did not continue past 4 months with my first. I have since found out that US made formula contains many toxic ingredients that churn my stomach at the thought of having given them to my daughter. Praise God that He is CONSTANTLY protecting me from myself. I’ve learned that breastfeeding (or pumped milk) is best and that is my goal. Should there be struggles, I will invest in European made formula.
A few of my Favorite Instagram Accounts
It’s been about 12-18 months of learning new things, and I’ve spent my entire pregnancy going deeper on these specific topics (and yet, I KNOW I’ve only scratched the surface), but I wanted to share a few Instagram accounts that have inspired further research and helped in my educational journey on these topics.
Empowered Mama Movement – Click HERE for her Instagram account.
The Holistic Mother – Click HERE for her Instagram account.
Dr. Green Mom – Click HERE for her Instagram account.
Hello Mama Nutrition – Click HERE for her Instagram account.
Rose Uncharted – Click HERE for her Instagram account.
I often share to my stories information that I find helpful, pertinent or interesting – if you’re not following me on Instagram, you can do so here!
Conclusion
If I had to sum it up in one or two sentences, here it is:
Reduce the intervening to zero if at all possible because our bodies are amazing and capable, mamas. Do you research, make your decisions and do not be afraid to speak up and stand up for yourself.
I don’t want drugs. I don’t want tugging. I don’t want invasive procedures. Support me, encourage me and help me grow and deliver this baby the way God intended. Amen?
Until next time,
Sharon
