Birth Queen Rachel Nicks x FIT4MOM
Oh mama, you’re pregnant– congratulations!
What’s next? Well for a lot of mamas, this news brings about a lot of questions. Is it a boy or girl, perhaps twins? What will the baby’s name be? How will you design the nursery? How are you feeling? What should you eat? What size is the baby today?
Many pregnant women are excited about preparing for childbirth but might forget to dive into childbirth education. It happens—sometimes out of fear, sometimes because you didn't realize it's essential, and sometimes just feeling overwhelmed.
Here's the scoop: Birth is coming, and being informed is key to making good choices. The idea is for you to shape your birth plan actively.
Getting ready for childbirth can make a big impact. To help you kickstart this, we've gathered some common questions new moms often have about giving birth and asked Rachel Nicks of BirthQueen to answer. While it's not the full list, we hope it gets you thinking and encourages you to learn more.
An OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist) and a midwife are healthcare professionals who administer care for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond, but they have different scopes of practice and training.
An OB-GYN is a medical doctor who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. They are trained in the surgical and medical management of women's reproductive health. OB-GYNs can provide comprehensive care throughout pregnancy, perform medical interventions such as cesarean sections and other surgical procedures, manage high-risk pregnancies, and diagnose and treat various gynecological conditions. They often work in hospitals or medical centers and have the capability to address complex medical situations.
On the other hand, a midwife is a trained professional who provides care to low-risk pregnant individuals throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Midwives can be certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), who are registered nurses with specialized midwifery training, or certified professional midwives (CPMs), who have undergone training in out-of-hospital settings. Midwives tend to focus on natural childbirth and strongly emphasize providing personalized, holistic care that aligns with the individual's preferences and beliefs. They often work in various settings, including hospitals, birthing centers, and homes, depending on their certification and the specific healthcare regulations of the region.
While both OB-GYNs and midwives play crucial roles in women's reproductive health, the distinction lies in their training, approach to care, and scope of practice. OB-GYNs have a medical background and can handle a wide range of pregnancy and gynecological issues, including high-risk cases, while midwives often provide more individualized, low-intervention care for women with uncomplicated pregnancies.
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying birth experience possible. "What is great about a doula is that they accompany you throughout your pregnancy, your entire birth, and postpartum," shares Rachel. "Doulas are a wonderful resource to help provide you with resources for your decision-making. They do not make decisions for you, but they can help you navigate your choices during your birth, provide emotional support to your partner, and help you as a mother with pain management by providing a variety of relaxation techniques."
An epidural is a medical procedure commonly used to manage pain during labor and childbirth. It involves the administration of anesthetic medication into the epidural space, a fluid-filled area surrounding the spinal cord within the spinal column. The epidural effectively numbs the nerves in the lower part of the body, providing pain relief and allowing the person in labor to experience more comfort during contractions and delivery.
The process begins with the pregnant individual being positioned on their side or sitting up, and a local anesthetic is applied to numb the skin. A thin needle is then inserted between the bones of the spine into the epidural space. A small catheter is threaded through the needle and left in place to allow continuous administration of the anesthetic medication. Once the catheter is in place, the needle is removed, and the medication starts to take effect within about 10-20 minutes. The level of numbness can be adjusted by the healthcare provider based on the individual's comfort and needs. While epidurals provide effective pain relief, they can also have potential side effects and require careful monitoring by healthcare professionals.
Birth contractions, also known as uterine contractions or labor contractions, are rhythmic and involuntary muscular movements of the uterine wall that play a central role in childbirth. These contractions are responsible for opening the cervix, pushing the baby downward through the birth canal, and eventually leading to the baby's delivery. Contractions are initiated by releasing hormones, particularly oxytocin, which stimulates the uterine muscles to contract.
The onset of contractions marks the beginning of labor. At the start of labor, contractions may be irregular and spaced apart. As labor progresses, contractions become more frequent, regular, and intense. Contractions are typically described in terms of their frequency (how often they occur), duration (how long they last), and intensity (how strong they are). During a contraction, the uterine muscles tighten, causing the cervix to dilate (open) and efface (thin out). This process allows the baby's head to descend through the birth canal. Contractions are often accompanied by discomfort or pain, varying from mild to intense. As labor advances, the intervals between contractions shorten, and their intensity increases, indicating that the body is actively working to bring the baby closer to delivery.
Rachel Nicks shares, "It is important to move throughout your labor to help your baby travel down the birth canal, as well as to help you deal with the discomfort of contractions. Contractions are like a wave: they start low, peak, and then bring you back to shore. Try to ride the wave of each contraction and know that it will end. There is always a beginning, middle, and end.
My advice: throw away clocks! While initially, timing contractions can be important to know if the labor is beginning, in the grand scheme of the birthing process, time is not useful to you. Trying to keep track of time can become frustrating and discouraging. Every birth process is different. Dilation is not some perfect formula. For instance, after 10 hours of labor, you can be only 1 cm dilated, get to 6cm in 2 hours, and be fully dilated in another 4 hours.
This is why I suggest that you birth with your body and not your brain. Your brain will try to make sense of things which can cause you to get anxious or attempt to control the uncontrollable. The most difficult aspect of birth is the unknown. Find tools, relaxation techniques, and breathing techniques that help you calm your mind. Some examples: dim the lights, play your favorite music, get electric tea lights, pray or meditate, wear your favorite bra or gown, or even be fully nude (comfort is key!). Try to rest between contractions and save your energy to push.
When the time comes to push, be encouraged to try various pushing positions. If you have not had an epidural, you will have better use of your legs and can get more creative, but avoid just pushing on your back if possible. Try pushing on your side with one leg up, squatting, or request the squat bar on your bed, which will allow you to pull down on the bar while you squat and push. Pulling helps you activate your core and makes your pushing more effective. Squatting is typically preferred because your pelvic outlet is the widest, and you’re also working with the force of gravity."
It is important to understand which muscles are needed and which are not in order to push successfully. Rachel suggests getting in touch with your pelvic floor muscles.
The floor of the pelvis is made up of layers of muscle and tissue. These layers stretch like a hammock from the tailbone at the back to the pubic bone in front. During a birthing push, you want to relax your pelvic floor completely, the muscles of the anus, and vaginal muscles, while fully engaging the core muscles.
Rachel shares, "To get real: the closest thing to a push in labor is like pushing to poop. For many mamas, visualizing yourself pooping as you push can be very helpful. And if you’re a first-time mama, please know this: poop happens! You want your colon and bladder empty anyway, which will create space for the baby to drop down and enter the world."
Skin-to-skin contact, or kangaroo care, is where a newborn baby is placed directly on the mother's or parent's bare chest immediately after birth. This physical closeness provides numerous benefits for both the baby and the parent and is often encouraged by healthcare professionals as a part of postpartum care.
Skin-to-skin contact has several advantages for the baby. It helps regulate the baby's body temperature, heart rate, and breathing, as the parent's body warmth is a natural heat source. The close proximity also allows the baby to hear the parent's heartbeat and breathing, reminiscent of the womb environment, which can be comforting and soothing. In addition, skin-to-skin contact supports the baby's natural instinct for breastfeeding by encouraging the baby to root and latch onto the breast, promoting successful breastfeeding initiation.
For the parent, skin-to-skin contact enhances bonding and emotional attachment with the newborn. The tactile sensations, eye contact, and hormonal responses triggered by this intimate contact contribute to feelings of closeness and affection.
Delayed cord clamping is a practice in which the cutting of the umbilical cord is intentionally delayed for a brief period after the birth of the baby. Instead of immediately clamping and cutting the cord, healthcare providers allow the cord to continue pulsating and transferring blood from the placenta to the baby for a certain duration, typically 30 seconds to a few minutes.
This practice has gained attention for its potential benefits. Delayed cord clamping allows the baby to receive an additional supply of oxygen-rich blood and essential nutrients from the placenta, which can be particularly beneficial for the baby's iron levels and overall health. Research suggests that this practice may reduce the risk of anemia, improve immune system function, and support neurodevelopment in the early stages of life. It's worth noting that the decision to delay cord clamping depends on individual circumstances, such as the baby's health and any potential complications during childbirth. Healthcare providers will assess whether delayed cord clamping suits each case, considering factors such as preterm birth, the baby's condition, and the overall labor process.
As a certified Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness professional, you'll enhance your career and profoundly impact the lives of expectant and new mothers. Elevate your skills, transform lives, and embark on a fulfilling career where you can merge your passion for fitness with the joy of supporting women through one of life's most remarkable experiences.
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