Why would you want or need to be induced? We’re going to talk about ALL the reasons so you can be prepared for your upcoming birth!

This episode was inspired by my post on the WHY’s of induction, lots more info in there if you are looking for more!

Big thanks to our sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. It goes into ALL of these reasons in depth and more — you do NOT want to miss it.

I also have a free beginning class, like I mentioned in the episode that you can check out first:

Induction Reasons Podcast

Mentioned In Induction Episode

• LGA (Large for Gestational age — means “big baby”)
• Diabetes
• Preeclampsia — check out my full post on preeclampsia
• Fluid levels in your uterus (I talk about fluid levels in my free prenatal class)
• Elective Inductions — I am a fan of going the full 40
• I also answer people’s questions about inductions
  • How much pitocin is needed to put you in labor (Pitocin is one of my labor vocab)
  • If you can eat when you’re being induced
  • Are you more likely to get a C-section if you are induced
  • VBAC inductions (I have a whole post on VBAC’s here)
  • The study showing it is safer to get induced at 39 weeks.

**These are not ALL the reasons you might be induced, but they are the most common ones.

Other things that might interest you on Inductions

How to go into labor podcast (where we talk about “how long” you’re in labor)

How to say no podcast

My Pregnancy Nurse post on Inductions at 37 weeks

Vaginal Exams (if you’re wondering what the HECK I’m talking about with all the exam numbers, this post explains them)

Producer: Drew Erickson

Check out my other pregnancy podcasts:

Check out all my podcasts:

Hilary Erickson 0:00
Hey guys, welcome back to the pulling curls podcast today on episode 49. We are talking about inductions, Get the baby out of me. Interestingly enough in one of my Facebook groups somebody just asked recently Why on earth would someone want to get induced Of course you want the baby to stay in now that person was less than 35 weeks and I think we all think early on of course I won’t get induced that doesn’t seem smart. But I think as we get closer to 40 weeks, it’s so darn miserable. We start to think maybe that’s not such a bad option. So let’s untangle it.

Welcome to the pulling curls podcast where we untangle everything from pregnancy parenting Homer, teens, even some family travel because heavens knows our lives are tangled. I’m your host Hilary Erickson. This is the part of the episode where I beg you to leave a review. The problem with creating a podcast that’s for busy moms is that you’re busy moms and nobody has time for review which I 100% Get but I only need a few words, please leave me a review.

Thank you so much. Okay guys, before we jump in, I wanted to remind you about my free online prenatal class, it talks about all the reasons why you might well not all of them, because you know, I can’t mention everything, but it talks about the reasons you’d want to head into labor and delivery or call your doctor.

It’s super, super helpful also talks about common third trimester testing, which is actually what might lead you to end up being induced with some of these reasons we’re going to talk about so definitely jump inside. You can find it in the show notes, and this is episode 49. At pullingcurls.com.

This episode of The pulling curls podcast is sponsored by the online prenatal class. for couples. It simplifies understanding labor so you can have a more relaxed pregnancy and birth taught by a highly experienced labor and delivery nurse and can be done wherever you are whenever you want. No more arranging busy schedules to fit in a prenatal class, say 15%. With the coupon code untangled You can find out more at pulling curls calm and the menu under courses or in this episode show notes.

Okay, so today, we’re first going to talk about The five most common reasons that women get induced and then I’m going to answer some of your most burning questions about induction. So let’s talk about why you might get induced. Okay, so the first reason is that your baby is too big. It’s also known as LGA or large for gestational age. It’s usually done via ultrasound, although some doctors just measure you with our tape measure.

You know, when you go to your prenatal checkups, and they measure from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus, they can tell that as well as also we do a thing called Leopold’s maneuvers, which is where we just feel your belly and really skilled practitioners can really know how big a baby is without as well. So if your baby’s too big, and it just keeps getting bigger, it may not come out of your pelvis. And so that’s why we would induce you early diabetes is becoming a very frequent reason that women are getting induced, most often the lower you go at least till 39 weeks, often 40 weeks even if you’re a well controlled diabetic.

It’s basically the same reason as large for gestational age when you are diabetic, it is likely that you are growing a larger baby because of the sugar levels in your blood and so It’s just better to get the baby out. Also, there are more risks with a gestational diabetic baby.

So they just want to get them out a little bit earlier, they very rarely would let you go past 40 weeks, as far as I’ve seen with gestational diabetes or type one or type two, honestly type one, they probably go early because that has even more complications and something that you’ll be dealing with your whole life. As you will know if you’re a type one diabetic preeclampsia is a reason that we see a lot of people get induced preeclampsia is a disorder where the smooth muscle in your body relaxes.

And so we see that as protein in the urine, you swell you get headaches, that is kind of the main reason that your doctor is checking your blood pressure and your urine when you go in for a checkup. So if you end up having preeclampsia, that would be a reason to be induced.

Usually preeclampsia is diagnosed though with a blood test and we bring you into the hospital and monitor you before we decide it’s preeclampsia. If you’re interested on more information about preeclampsia, I have a whole article about it that’s really helpful and useful, but I would not worry about it if you haven’t been discussing it with your doctor previous to now.

Okay, low fluid. If your doctor thinks that you might have a low flow level, they will send you the hospital for a test called an EFI. FYI, we talk about all these types of tests in that free prenatal class that I had mentioned. And so the EFI measures how much fluid is in your belly around the baby, if there’s too much fluid, it can be a problem. And if there’s too low of fluid, it can be a problem as well.

So we just like to have a good amount of fluid around the baby to cushion the cord and make sure baby is healthy and doing well. So getting an asi that is too low could be a reason for you to get induced and too high. It’s you know, it goes both ways. Finally, the reason that most women end up getting induced is an elective induction.

Now it can be elective on your side, it can be elective on the doctor side, it just means that you have decided that it would be better to get the baby out with no medical indication, it can be because your mom’s in town or your husband’s leaving town or your doctors leaving town or you’re just tired of being pregnant.

If any reason just an FYI, on an elective induction, you do fall behind anyone who has a medical reason to be induced, of course, we are a hospital and we do need to treat those who have a medical condition before people who just kind of want to be treated if that makes sense. And so if your hospital is busy, sometimes you end up getting put off Pause or hold for a little bit until we’re able to find a room for you. But an elective induction happens very frequently.

I, of course, do recommend avoiding electrical induction if at all possible, but sometimes it just isn’t. And people get induced and it is not unusual. And I’ve started a bajillion elective inductions in my time. So those are the five reasons that you might get induced. Of course, there are other reasons why you might get induced, I go into all of those in the full online prenatal class for couples, but I just wanted to give you an idea of the top five and what is most commonly seen.

Okay, let’s talk about your induction burning questions. Okay, are there different degrees of pain with pitocin if you only need a small dose versus a large dose, so pitocin reacts very differently on every single patient. Some people only need a very small dose and some people need a giant dose and of course, it varies. If you are getting induced for specific reason and your cervix is closed, they can high it is probably going to take more pitocin to get the baby going through that cervix versus someone who’s already four centimeters and the baby is low and all those kinds of things as far as the pain early in labor when the pitocin is low as we increase it just a tiny bit.

Every 30 minutes, it does get harder the higher that amount of pitocin goes for some people, some people, it doesn’t get painful. And that isn’t a great sign because it does require a little bit of pain for your cervix to open because pitocin is putting you into labor, we do need to have some pain in order to have a baby. So as we increase the level of pitocin.

Yes, it does get more painful. Okay, next burning question. Does it make labor longer if you have an induction? Now that’s hard to say? Because we’re actually we’re supposed to fill out how long the labor lasted.

And a lot of times, I’m like, I have no idea because when does labor actually start? If you listen to a podcast with my friend Mandy, she always says that labor starts in hindsight, which I totally agree. If you labor at home, a lot of times you just won’t feel well, but you’re still going about the things that you’re doing. You’re making dinner, you’re cleaning your house, you’re going to work all those kind of things and then suddenly you start to be like, Oh, I think I’m in labor.

I think I just wasn’t feeling like crap versus while you’re at the hospital you’re laying in bed, you have absolutely nothing else to focus on other than feeling like crap and so it starts like from minute one for you for You know all that time that you were feeling not so well and didn’t know you were in labor but now you are. So in general though, and deduction does take longer because Mother Nature is not on your side, but not always. So there’s my super vague answer for you.

You’re welcome. Okay, can you eat once you’re in the hospital? Oh, if you are getting a deuce it depends on how you are getting induced in general once you’re on pitocin you cannot eat although I do provide my patients I ships and juice sometimes I give them ice or popsicles or those types of things. You can have clear liquids but they do prefer that you not eat.

Of course I always just it’s your own body. You can decide what the heck you want to do. But you might see the food again and a lot of people honestly once you get into hard labor are just not interested in eating. So that’s something to consider. Well, sometimes if Potosi has been going for a while we will give you a pitocin break we’ll let you get up and shower and eat and sometimes I feel like that really helps your body just get all the pitocin out of its system and do a fresh start and you just feel so much better once you’ve eaten.

So sometimes that happens if you’ve had a longer induction Are you more likely to need a C section if you are induced This is a two fold question. People that are induced have higher risk because people who have medical problems are often induced and so you have to take that into account plus the elective people who just made the choice to be induced.

Yes, getting induced does have a higher c section rate. Yes, higher risk pregnancies have a higher c section rate, but it does go against your body’s natural course. So sometimes it does end up having a higher c section rate, which is why we encourage people to not have a C section it is a more natural way for your body to have a baby.

I have to be fully honest in the fact that I was 12 days overdue with my last baby. I am a big believer in waiting until Mother Nature says it’s go time but my doctor really convinced me to go ahead and be induced I wasn’t doing I was reticent to have them break my water which is one way that they can do shoe and once they did, I had the baby like two hours later, I was walking around at like five centimeters so I just my uterus is done. It’s pieced out.

Okay, we had a question about VBAC inductions, which is a little bit different than regular inductions. The main difference is that your doctor needs to be in hospital hold time and it’s a little bit more high risk. So a lot of times we’ll insert a monitor called a UPC that gives us a direct idea of how firm your contractions are and kind of how the baby is tolerating it depending on how hard the contractions are.

The main thing though, is that your doctor has to be there the whole time. And so a lot of doctors are more reticent to do a VBAC induction because it is hard for them to be there the whole time that you’re getting induced. If your doctor has an office on the hospital premises or near the campus, then a lot of times they can let you labor while they’re at the office. And so that works out well for them. If you are considering a VBAC, I would talk to your doctor about if they will induce you ahead of time just to find out and have your expectations at a certain point.

They may induce you with certain things like they might be willing to break your water but they wouldn’t be willing to do pitocin or something like that. So talk with your doctor about what they’re wanting to do early in your pregnancy if you’re hoping for a VBAC, and if you find that your provider isn’t willing to do what you’re hoping for, there’s no reason especially before 20 to 25 weeks that you can’t shop around with a provider who does seem a little more willing to work with you. Okay, final question is there is a study out there which of course, I’ve heard all about that it is safer to induce people at 39 weeks.

It is one study, the peer review Wasn’t that awesome. It doesn’t have a huge sample size. As far as my 20 year career in labor and delivery, it goes against things that I know to be true just in watching people. So I disagree with it.

A cog, which is our physicians group in the United States does not agree with the study, they still recommend that patients go towards 40 weeks and we only induce if medically necessary before then, if possible, so that study is all the rage and I’m sure anyone can find a study to support whatever they want to do with their body.

So there you go. I mean, if you really want to get a noose before 39 weeks talk with your doctor about it, there’s absolutely no reason not to. It really depends on what your cervix is. If your body is showing you that it’s not ready your cervix is closed thick and high. You know, your cervix is firm, that is not a great sign that your body is anywhere near going into labor.

But if you’re four centimeters and the baby is low, The service is soft, then that shows that maybe your body is ready and it could just use a little shove and then you’ll go into labor. So it really depends on what your body is showing you and your particular circumstances.

So I would encourage you to talk with your doctor. Also if you are miserable at whatever stage of pregnancy you are at talk with your doctor about that they might have recommendations that they can help you with final word. When you are heading to 40 weeks your main job in life is just stating Yes, your other kids might watch a lot of TV Yes, you might feel like a slob just kind of sitting on the couch all the time, but it is hard to grow a full sized human inside your own body.

So give yourself credit for that. You don’t need to be induced because you can lay around and just just stayed if that’s possible. So hang in there lots of reasons you need to be a noose lots of reasons you don’t need to be induced Big thanks to today’s sponsor, the online prenatal class for couples if you guys have any questions about that, I would love to answer it.

If you go to the page about it. There is a question mark down on the side where you can ask questions and you can directly email me through that link as well. I go all into inductions how they happen what’s Expect all those kinds of things so if you have any questions, it is a great time to get started. That course is newly updated and has awesome videos and outside materials if you have specific concerns that you can read through as well and I have to say the biggest lover of that course is the partners they are loving how engaging it is how quick it is how I do not waste your time because I am not a time waster here

people. If you like today’s episode, we’d love it if you would share, subscribe and review it really makes a difference. We drop an episode every Monday and until then I hope you have a tangle free day!

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

The post Induction: 5 Reasons Why — PCP 049 appeared first on Pulling Curls.

Anxiety is something a lot of pregnant moms experience all of the time, but especially right now. Let’s talk about how normal it is and how to deal with it — especially if you’re parenting other humans.

Today’s guest, Cami Moss, is the hostess of The Real Connections Podcast — a podcast that helps YOU learn how to connect with your family, friends, and everyone in between. I’ve also seen a ton of great tips on her Instagram

Big thanks to our sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples, one of the MOST important things you can do to get less anxious is to get prepared. Jump inside today (be sure to use the coupon code mentioned in the episode).

As mentioned in the podcast, I do have a free prenatal class that will get you started to learn about your upcoming delivery.

We’re talking about

• Anxiety is normal during pregnancy
• Extra anxiety during the Corona/Covid mess
• The things that are different during Corona/Covid with prenatal care
• How masks affect you/your care
• Ways to calm yourself down with your anxiety (without medication)
• How we can adapt

Other things that might interest you:

• What to do when you’re first pregnant (don’t delay prenatal care!)
• Hope during pregnancy
• Reasons to call labor and delivery
• Second Baby Checklist (just because it’s not your first, doesn’t mean that you can’t be anxious.
• Natural remedies for anxiety during pregnancy\
• My podcast on labor fears

Producer: Drew Erickson

Check out my other pregnancy podcasts:

Check out all my podcasts:

Hilary Erickson 0:00
Hey guys welcome back to the pulling curls podcast. Today we are talking about something that a lot of pregnant women are suffering with right now. And we’re going to talk about some ways to help it that do not involve liquor or pills. Let’s untangle it. Welcome to the pulling girls podcast where we untangle everything from pregnancy parenting, home routines, even some family travel because heavens knows our lives are tangled I’m your host Hilary Erickson. Okay guys, before we jump in the episode, let me remind you to leave me a review on your favorite podcast platform, jump into it, leave some stars leave some words, it really makes a difference and I appreciate that. Okay, so today’s guest is actually my cousin. She is the host of- or hostess- of the real connections podcast. She is actually a newly pregnant mama and I can’t be more happy to welcome Cami Moss. This episode of The pulling curls podcast is sponsored by the online prenatal class for couples. It simplifies understanding Labor so you can have a more relaxed pregnancy and birth taught by a highly experienced labor and delivery nurse and can be done wherever you are whenever you want. No more arranging busy schedules to fit in a prenatal class. Save 15% with a coupon code untangled. You can find out more at pulling curls calm and the menu under courses or in this episode show notes.

Hey Cami Welcome to the pulling curls podcast.

Cami Moss 1:23
Hi, Hilary. Thanks so much for having me on.

Hilary Erickson 1:26
Yeah, this is fun. So Cami and I are cousins. It’s fun to have family on.

Cami Moss 1:31
I know…

Hilary Erickson 1:32
Besides you, I think you’re my first family member. Okay, so Cami’s pregnant.

Cami Moss 1:38
Yeah.

Hilary Erickson 1:39
And so tell us a little bit. This is your fourth right? Yes. Tell us a little bit about like all your pregnancy journeys. Did you have like infertility or

Cami Moss 1:47
Yeah, so with my first pregnancy we did. We struggled with infertility for two and a half years. And so we were so excited to get our first and then every other the last two pregnancies and we’re just Really pretty easy to get pregnant, which surprised us. And then this one took a couple months but nothing crazy. So we honestly just feel really, really blessed that you just had the one thing I just couldn’t figure it out for a while.

Hilary Erickson 2:11
Yeah, it just needs a jumpstart. Yeah. Or it needed the right timing, right. Oh, yeah. I feel like life is like that. So if you’re in an infertility zone, take heart. Yep. Yeah. Okay, so what’s different about this one, you think as far as

Cami Moss 2:28
are you talking about? Like symptoms? Or like,

Hilary Erickson 2:31
are you more nervous?

Cami Moss 2:32
I am definitely more nervous COVID loop. My other pregnancies I definitely experienced anxiety like not crazy anxiety. Just I don’t know what is normal to what extent but I would lay in bed at night with every pregnancy and just be like, something’s gonna be wrong with this baby. I just know it. I really feel like something’s gonna go wrong with this baby. And there’s nothing I can do about it. And I know that worrying about it makes it worse. I’m trying not to worry, but it’s pretty coming out, but with this one, I usually experienced that later in my pregnancies like, after like the

Yeah, this is so exciting has kind of worn off and I’m just more like, oh man, the reality is like all the things that could go wrong. So but this time we got pregnant and then we were so excited. And it was like perfect. Like we talked about the timing, it was just perfect timing. And then about a week and a half, two weeks later, is when we found out about like the COVID like locked down and everything and I hadn’t really thought about it too much. Because before then I was like, Oh, I mean it sounds kind of scary, but I’m not really that concerned. But then when I put two and two together that like it’s COVID and I’m now in a high risk category that really just threw me because once we went into like lockdown, all I could think about for the next 14 days was was I exposed to something that like I’m just gonna get sick. So those first two weeks I just kind of get off my mind. I was going crazy, and even since then I just had I haven’t been nearly as anxious since then.

Because literally we don’t leave our house. So it’s like, I’m not super concerned. But when I knew I needed to go to my first appointment, which really should have been a long time ago, I just kept canceling my appointments. So I’d make an appointment. And then I’d freak out and cancel it because I was like, I can’t go to a doctor’s office right now. And so I think that kind of contributed. It just made it worse because then I was like, Well, I don’t even know if like, my baby has a heartbeat. And so I make another appointment and get kind of freaked out. But then I I finally pushed through and went to an appointment. And I think that really helped come in anxiety because I heard a heartbeat. I saw movement. And so and I was doing everything I could to be cautious, but yeah, it’s it’s definitely not gone. But I feel like it’s less than

Hilary Erickson 4:44
that. So good. Now, Could your husband go to your appointment? No. Yeah, so I have to say it is crazy because I definitely have lots of people messaging me and emailing me just about all the things that are different. It’s horrible like ultrasounds. They can’t come to You know, appointments? Yes, the good news is most hospitals are letting them in for delivery. And I think we’re getting to know more and more. So I think labor and delivery units are going to adjust is the good news. But that is hard. My heart breaks for those kind of missed opportunities. Well, yeah. And I think it was just too, it was the worry, right that I wasn’t going to hear a heartbeat and then I was going to be alone.

And like a stale doctor’s office and you already feel like you’re going into like a labyrinth because they have like three people check pointing you all along the way to like, are you sure you have an appointment? Have you been felt like sniffily or anything? I don’t think so. Like, I think I’m fine. But everyone’s massive being they’re all trying to keep our distance. But yeah, it’s just been a totally different experience. For sure. Yeah. And I think I bet there’s a lot of people out there saying, Yeah, me too, because I think a lot of people got pregnant before they thought this was gonna be a thing. And now it’s a thing and they aren’t sure how long it’s gonna last and they don’t know. Yeah, what’s going No.

Cami Moss 6:00
And I think that was part that’s part of the anxiety to at the very beginning was the unknown of how long is this going to go on for and if I have to be like quarantine through like June or July, and then I’m do like in October, like I have like two months and then I basically have to go back and hunker down for the winter. So it is not like, Oh, my whole life for like a year is kind of like getting to be in my house. And so I just really had, I’ve had to really deal with those thoughts and be like, no, we’re not going to kill. They’re just gonna take it one day at a time. We don’t know. Like, it could be way better than that. We just don’t know.

Hilary Erickson 6:34
Yeah. I love that because it has to be one day at a time right now, right? Yes. I was complaining about things being canceled at the end of the school year and my friend who has cancer came on and she was like, once I had my cancer diagnosis, I realized how little calendars meant anymore. Everything got wiped off of my calendar. And every day I had just grateful that I can do the one thing that day I was like, Well, now I feel bad. Yeah, like it’s just such a reminder of that, but who knows what Mike I’m sorry. into my calendar to

Cami Moss 7:01
yeah well I think I was too i mean i right before everything happened like I was getting ready to launch our products for business I was in the middle of my podcast I was just in the middle of a lot of things where I was just go go go getting my business license and everything and then it just stopped and I think that threw me for a huge loop for sure just like everybody else but I think with the whole pregnancy thing and like worrying about another person’s life I think that that has weighed on where it’s like fine if I get sick but like all the question marks around well we really don’t know we don’t have research for what it does long term to a baby has just been like so heavy on me that I feel like I’m not just responsible for this little baby like I normally am Miss pregnant but now I’m responsible for like, if I get sick,

Hilary Erickson 7:48
I could totally like really mess up their whole life. I don’t know your mind just goes down the rabbit hole. For sure. Plus cameo is a nurse so we love to wrap a whole nurses love to think of it Everything we’ve ever found that was mildly bad. Yeah. I don’t know that it’s helpful that I helped people die. The doors, you know, but yeah, well, okay, just to assuage some people’s fears, having a high fever, especially early in pregnancy is an awesome so you’d want to make sure that you’re hydrated and Tylenol, but kind of second trimester you’re kind of in a good zone where they aren’t finding that people will get super sick or that they’re really high risk. And then you know, as you get closer to delivery, then we just pull the baby out. So there you go. Yeah.

Cami Moss 8:35
I do think that that is good. It’s like, I think that that is the killer for someone who’s pregnant. It’s like, you know, enough but you to freak you out, but you don’t know enough to like calm your fears. So you’re just in this like, crazy place. So it’s like good to talk to a nurse or no, because a lot of people think just because I’m a nurse, you get it, but it’s like I’m a nurse in a totally different area than Hillary’s in person. And so it’s totally different. And again, I think it can put you in that creeped out zone.

Hilary Erickson 9:03
Yeah. Well, I will say that even in labor and delivery stuff is changing all the time. They’re changing how they’re treating it. They’re changing what we look for all those kinds of things. So, you know, we have lots of research and things that we’re seeing. And so, you know, the good news is that by the time you have your baby, we’re going to have a lot of research and experience with this. So that’s the good news right now. So yeah, right, for sure. Yeah. So what have you done anything that’s helped make it better?

Cami Moss 9:29
Yeah. So I’ve been finding things that have really been helpful. And I think the number one thing on my list has been talking to women that have been pregnant, and understand and can validate because I think as much as your husband, or at least my husband wants to validate and be there, like he doesn’t understand just even like normal pregnancy worries or anxiety, it’s like, well, that’s probably not going to happen. So are you worrying about it, but at the end of the day, they don’t have the baby inside of them. They’re not the one that’s like eating the certain things or worrying and worrying about their stress levels and All those things. And so I found that when I talk to women who’ve been pregnant and that are close to me that they’re like, Oh my gosh, I totally really like I would do the exact same way I would be totally freaked out. And so I think just knowing that you’re not a crazy person is really nice to know. So talking has been helpful.

Another thing that I found I really enjoy doing is meditating, especially because the anxiety has gotten to a point where I don’t know if it’s pregnancy symptoms and anxiety probably a little bit, but I have had such crazy insomnia and my mind just races about all the things that could go wrong. So I really especially like to meditate at night to be able to go to sleep and just listen to like a five or 10 minute guided meditation, which is really, really helpful. Just be quiet, because I think it puts you in the present and anxieties all about the future. And so that’s been helpful. Another thing that I found is music. When I find myself spiraling out and going to a place of anxiety I found that music especially interestingly enough, like isn’t nostalgic music from like movies. These that I’ve loved is like a kid or watching with my family like really brings back like a flood of emotion that’s positive.

And so I think in those moments, I really am just like I need to escape what I feel is impending doom. And it does it really quickly until I can kind of calm my mind and get to a place where I can either meditate or just calm myself down. And then another thing that oh, I think funny movie clips or just something funny, that can just kind of relieve the tension. So I have like some go to movies, things that kind of constantly play in my mind as my go twos that are kind of there for me to pull from. And for me, that’s just really helpful to lighten the gravity of the situation because sometimes I think it does feel so serious like you do this or like your baby is going to have all these problems or you’re going to get this or like the news is just so fear based. And so to get your head out of that I think is helpful. I’ve also been trying to be very active About what I take in from the news until I check it all the time, or like I needed to, I’m just more conscious of the media, I’m trying to consume being aware but not like so aware that I’m more afraid. And then the last thing is that work. I work a lot with like a life coach.

And so I just really had to wrap my mind around new thoughts, like some of my go twos are, things are going to turn out the exact way that they’re supposed to, whatever that means. I’m doing my part. And However, those is how it’s supposed to go. The other one I go to is I can handle whatever comes. So whatever is gonna happen and whatever does happen, I can handle it, and I’ll be fine. And my baby will be fine. Whatever the outcome, it will be. Okay, so I think just running those and having just a bunch of things in my toolbox that I’ve realized are helpful and that help at different moments has just really been good.

Hilary Erickson 12:51
Yeah, that’s awesome. So I will say that most of my patients are super anxious in the hospital. I just think people come in with ECT, more anxious than they would be Normally, I mean, most of them are a little bit anxious either way. Yeah. But they’re just more anxious. It’s weird to have people at Mass. That’s not how you envisioned it. And I personally, like try to pull down my mask and be like, this is what my face looks like, because I think we’re in such an intimate, like relationship and they have no idea what I look like. It’s just weird. I do see them because they pull their mask down to eat or kiss the baby or whatever, but they never they would never see otherwise. So

Cami Moss 13:23
yeah, yeah. And I, I’m so glad that you pointed that out, because I think it has, like, I noticed that when I went into the clinic, it’s interesting how it is affecting everybody. I think that so many people are stressed out about it, the master super uncomfortable, clearly, like you can’t even breathe, you feel like you can’t. And so like, the front desk was way more snippy with me than like they ever have been. But I think it’s like the, it’s the stress levels, and it’s the impersonal ness like we can’t even see each other’s faces. And so I’ve just noticed, like, I need to be able to like give them grace and I need to be able to give myself grace, and just really We’re all like we’re all stressed out about stress.

Hilary Erickson 14:04
Yeah, I think that’s important too, because especially in the first few weeks, I feel like it’s gotten started to get better in the hospital. But those first few weeks, it was just pure torture the whole 12 hours, because you just didn’t know what to expect. You didn’t know what people were bringing in. So nerve wracking? Yeah, I think I was thinking is you can’t take pills when you’re pregnant. And I’ve definitely had a lot of patients who took anxiety pills up until pregnancy. And then yeah, so I love that you’re doing affirmations and meditations, I think that’s so important. And then you can even bring those to labor. You know, when you’re in pain and stuff like that. Those are just good skills and resources to have for sure.

Cami Moss 14:38
Yeah, because I think all of those things are not something that I’m taking internally, because there have been times that I do want to but again, I think for me, it’s increasing anxiety because my friends are like, Oh, you can take these sleeping pills, but for me, I’m just like, I’ve got enough crazy going on. I don’t want to introduce anything else like make me anxious. So it is nice to just be like I don’t need to rely on something. I I just can have all these tools that I need with me whenever I need them.

Hilary Erickson 15:03
Yeah, that’s awesome. Well, Cami things are gonna turn out fine.

Cami Moss 15:08
Yes and I’m finally I think seeing I’m seeing that bright side and seeing like that light like it really is going to be okay. Whatever the outcome I think too I’ve been able to see my adaptability to the situation and just like humans ability to adapt to the situation like it’s uncomfortable and it’s weird, but we adapt. And so whatever the outcome whatever happens, like we as humans can adapt to those situations and it’s okay.

Hilary Erickson 15:32
Yeah, it’s not just okay. It’s amazing how we’re able to adapt, right? Yes, like what if we stuck mass on all the animals? Would they adapt? Probably not as true right? I mean, even at work I keep shoving my straw into my mask thinking I’ll just drink because I forget it’s on. That’s I’m adapt better than others. That’s true. I don’t know that I can imagine myself getting used to the mass but get free. hours in and you’re tired and hungry. You just like it. Your mask. Well, thanks for coming on Cammy I’m so grateful you came in and talked with us because I think it’s important for people to realize that other people are in this boat too. And I think that helps everyone else feel a little more comfortable in the anxieties that their normal, normal, normal anxieties that they’re feeling. Yeah.

Cami Moss 16:18
Well, thank you so much for having me on it. I think it is really important for people to know that they’re not alone.

Hilary Erickson 16:22
No, you are not alone. Yeah. All right. Thanks, Cami. Thanks so much. Okay, guys, I hope you really liked that episode. I mostly wanted to have her on because she’s so open about feelings and things that she has had in her life. And I love that about her. And I think a lot of people are afraid to say how anxious they are at this point in time because they want to act like they’re strong and capable. But it is a very anxious time I see it in your eyes in the hospital. I read it in your emails or your direct messages. So I’m just excited that we were able to talk about it today. If you’re interested in something that might help you out. I do have a free beginning prenatal class that I will leave the link to in the show notes. It can really help you out. It talks about third trimester testing things to come into the hospital for we even talked about postpartum so it’s just a great way to kind of get your feet wet in your pregnancy learning.

If you’d like to know more about anxiety in pregnancy I actually have a post about how hope will pave the way is the name of the post and I will drop a link in the show notes. It kind of inspired today’s episode Big thanks to our sponsor, the online prenatal class for couples. If you are looking for a less anxious delivery, it is your touch point for sure. We’re going to talk about everything you’re going to need to know about being in the hospital. You can ask me questions in it. It is awesome. And of course Big thanks to my cousin Cami moss for coming on. You guys definitely need to check out her podcast real connection. She just has a way of talking with guests about the things that they’re feeling and maintaining connections with the people that are in your life, which I think we are all realizing is so important as I’m recording this in the middle of COVID crisis Miss. If you like today’s episode, we’d love it. If you would share, subscribe and review. It really makes a difference. We drop an episode every Monday and until then I hope you have a tangle free day!

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

The post Anxiety during Pregnancy with Cami Moss from Real Connections — PCP 044 appeared first on Pulling Curls.

I asked for questions on my social media, and got some great ones to answer for you today!

Be sure to find out the answer to my #1 question on epidurals:

[thrive_leads id=’28896′]

Big thanks to today’s sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples — if you’re looking for more information on all aspects of pregnancy, do NOT miss it! Be sure to use the coupon code mentioned in the episode!

Questions Most Often Asked:

• How often does an epidural not work?
• What are the consequences of an epidural?
• How does recovery compare with/without an epidural?
• What are the complications of an epidural?
• Does the epidural increase your risks for tearing?
• How much pain does an epidural take away?

Items Mentioned:

• My post on Does labor hurt with an epidural?
• Informed consent post

Other things you might find helpful:

• Tearing at delivery
• Does getting an epidural hurt?
• Labor Epidural placement
• Pain Management in Labor

Producer: Drew Erickson

Check out my other pregnancy podcasts:

Check out all my podcasts:

Transcript:

Hilary Erickson 0:00
Hey guys, welcome back to the pulling curls podcast. Today on Episode 40, we’re talking about the happy-dural. Yeah, that’s what we used to call it at one of my hospitals. We’re talking all about the epidural and I can’t wait to answer some of your most burning questions. Let’s untangle it. Welcome to the polling girls podcast where we untangle everything from pregnancy parenting, home routines, even some family travel because heavens knows our lives are tangled. I’m your host, Hilary Erickson.

Okay, you guys are just sitting there on your favorite podcast platform. Now’s the time to leave a review. We’d really appreciate it. Thank you.

This episode of The pulling curls podcast is sponsored by the online prenatal class. for couples. It simplifies understanding labor so you can have a more relaxed pregnancy and birth taught by a highly experienced labor and delivery nurse and can be done wherever you are whenever you want. No more arranging busy schedules to fit in a prenatal class, say 15% With a coupon code untangled, you can find out more at pulling curls calm and the menu under courses or in this episode show notes.

Okay, question number one about epidurals, how far long should I be before I get an epidural? Now there’s a reason this is question number one because it’s the question people ask me in the hospital, in my groups all over the places and in fact, I have a whole thing that I can send you. That’s all about when the best time to get the epidural is so jump on over to pulling curls. This is Episode 40. Check it out in the show notes. Find out it’s all in there. Okay, next question. How often does an epidural not work? Now some people think

their epidural isn’t working if they feel anything at all, and I have a whole post on how much you should feel if even if the epidural is working. So don’t feel like if you get an epidural, you’re going to be completely numb. That’s not the plan because I need you to help me help you move and all those kind of thing. So that type of thing happens sometimes that you’re well it should happen a good amount of the time. You should feel something with the epidural It should take about 80% of the pain away now people that are getting less than 80% How often does that happen? I would say not super frequently. I will say that as you get further into labor, sometimes we need to increase the dosage or the anesthesiologist needs to come take a peek at you.

Some anesthesiologists are better at that than others. And so just make sure that you let your nurse know if it isn’t working. Sometimes you have to be a little bit insistent. Sometimes the only thing they can do is replace the epidural so you need to be open to that the procedure of the epidural placement again, sometimes that’s the only thing that can fix it because if you’re if the little tube that gives you epidural medicine moves out of the place where they put it then it can’t work. So just something to think about. It doesn’t happen all that often most people get good relief with their epidural because these are highly trained anesthesiologists that you are paying a lot of money to so other tip you are paying them a lot of money. So if they are unwilling to come into your room, I would make dang well sure that they just come into your room. So yeah, that’s my tip for episode.

Okay, next question is what are the consequences from the epidural? And how often do I see them. So when your anesthesiologist comes in, they’re going to provide informed consent and they’re going to give you all the risks and benefits including the most often consequence is a spinal headache, which is where they go a little bit too far and a little bit of spinal fluid leaks out and that makes it so that you have a headache, there is something that they can do called a blood patch that can fix it that sounds a lot worse than it actually is. They just take a little bit of your blood and they kind of just stick it there so that you aren’t leaking spinal fluid. That happens somewhat frequently. I think the number is around 1% of the time. The most important part with all that is to try and stay as still as you possibly can while they’re putting in the epidural but it is something that can be fixed and isn’t really a huge deal once the blood patch takes effect.

Other consequences Some people say that they have back pain, you are going to have a little bit of pain there because they have stuck a needle and you just like you’ll have pain where your IV was and things like that. But a lot of new moms, regardless of an epidural have back pain because you’re carrying the car seat. you’re leaning down into the crib, you’re awkward angle trying to breastfeed all those kind of things and so back pain is kind of part of new motherhood as well. Most people don’t have real specific things related to the epidural as far as having it put in and those types of things. That’s what I’d say for consequences from the epidural. Okay, next question, how does recovery compare with the epidural and without the epidural so initial recovery is a little bit different. We turn off the epidural right after the doctor finishes their repair, which means if you need any stitches, the epidural is confusing for that portion of your recovery as well.

Getting up to the restroom can be a little bit more problematic the first couple of times with an epidural because your legs aren’t used to walking and sometimes they’re a little bit numb and so the nurse will stand by as you get up to the restroom. However, the nurse would stand by a couple of times before you get up to the restroom, even if you didn’t have an epidural. After the first 12 hours or so the recovery with an epidural versus not an epidural is pretty much the same. However, new moms without an epidural are probably more likely to be able to shower quicker and be up and take care of the baby a little bit more than a mom who had an epidural. But it really isn’t that much of a change a few hours into recovery, I did get asked what are the complications of an epidural, we kind of went over that the spinal headache. Obviously, when your anesthesiologist comes in, they’re gonna go through informed consent, which we’ve talked about before.

But if they do it correctly, one of the consequences could be death, however, you’re more likely to die driving to the hospital than you are from the epidural. So don’t let that freak you out. That’s just an important part of them saying the risks and the benefits of the procedure. Yeah, I mean, if we gave informed consent for turning on your oven, it would also end in or you could die every single time you turned it on and we still all bake. So yeah, we just hospital informed consent is just very thorough versus like oven big. Okay, somebody asked if it increases your risk for tearing. Now, this one’s complicated because it really depends on your person. But I actually find that the epidural decreases your risk for tearing just in my personal opinion, not in any studies, just the 20 years that I’ve done it. The reason behind that is as you push you Baby through the very end of your vagina, some women just want to push it out like a bowling ball and then that rips you a little bit more as the baby comes out. If you have an epidural, however, it makes it so you can listen to your doctor’s instructions give small pushes, so that your parents can stretch rather than tear as the baby comes out. So it just makes you a little bit more controlled because you don’t have that, quote, Ring of Fire as the baby is coming out.

Keep in mind that if you see studies about tearing versus not tearing, women with an epidural are usually a little bit more high risk in general than women without an epidural. They might have bigger babies, etc, etc. So that’s just something to keep an eye on with studies as well. studies are difficult to predict what will happen in your circumstance either way, and then the final question is how much pain do they take away? We kind of answered this it should take away about 80% of the pain. I do have posts where I share exactly what happens when the epidural goes in how much pain it should take away what exactly will happen when they put it in and What to watch for all those kinds of things.

So if you’re interested in more information on epidurals check out those posts, but if you want to have the whole Encyclopedia of epidurals definitely check out the online prenatal class. for couples. We have a whole section on pain management, there are other options besides an epidural, don’t think that you have to get an epidural. I think it really depends on the area of the country you’re in or the country you’re delivering in. If you’re not in the United States, when I delivered in San Jose, there was a much lower epidural rate just because of the cultural population that we served. So don’t think that epidurals is your only option in the online prenatal class for couples. I do review IV medications and nitrous oxide and we also talk about natural pain management. So there are other options and I think that you just need to be flexible and do what works for you. But I do think you also need to be informed about what the options are so that you can be prepared to make the choice as you confront labor.

All right, that’s today’s episode. Again, if you want to learn more about epidurals, I do have posts that I’ll link to in the show notes and I have that whole email that I will send you about when to get the epidural which I think will be super helpful. for you guys. If you like today’s episode we’d love it if you would share, subscribe and review it really makes a difference. We drop an episode every Monday and until then I hope you have a tangle free day!

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

The post Epidurals: Your Questions Answered — PCP 040 appeared first on Pulling Curls.

This episode is inspired by my VERY popular shaving during pregnancy post. Because the #1 question is what the medical staff “want” at delivery. Today I’ll share the answer!

Big thanks to our sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. If you’re looking for direct, honest and simple childbirth education, it’s for you! Be SURE to use the coupon code mentioned in the episode! Worried you won’t like it — check out the reviews!

Mentioned in the episode:

• Shaving Mirror
• C-section Tips

Other things you might find helpful:

• What your labor nurse knows
• Birth Plan Worksheet

Producer: Drew Erickson

Check out my other pregnancy podcasts:

Transcript:

Hilary Erickson 0:00
Hey guys, welcome back to the pulling curls podcast today on episode 31. We are talking about the weirdest topic I have ever talked about on this podcast. Although in real life we talk about weirder things more often. I must say even though I have teen boys at my house, I am a weird mom. Anyway, today we’re talking about shaving. Let’s untangle it.

Welcome to the pulling girls podcast where we untangle everything from pregnancy parenting Homer, teens, even some family travel because heavens knows our lives are tangled. I’m your host, Hilary Erickson.

First off, I want to give a big shout out to callmemom12345678910. she said on the apple podcast review, “practical parenting advice great easy listen to podcasts with practical parenting advice. I am a longtime fan of the blog and I am loving the new podcast.” Oh so sweet. Guys, I love a review. So go ahead and click on down give me some stars. Give me some words. I really appreciate it. This episode of The pulling curls podcast is sponsored by the online prenatal class for couples. It simplifies understanding labor so you can have a more relaxed pregnancy and birth taught by a highly experienced labor and delivery nurse and can be done wherever you are, whenever you want. No more arranging busy schedules to fit in a prenatal class. Save 15% with the coupon code UNTANGLED You can find out more at pullingcurls.com and the menu under courses or in this episode show notes. Okay, shaving during pregnancy, can you believe I’m doing a whole podcast on this but guys, I get asked this question so frequently. I just think it needed to be talked about because it also shares one of the most important things about being pregnant and stay tuned for that one. Okay, so when I talk shaving, I’m talking about all of our body parts. I’m talking about legs, the lady parts armpits, all those things, a lot of berries were shaving not so much legs, but a lot of them are really sensitive areas. So all this kind of goes for all the areas but you know what people are asking about… Okay, so I do get this question a lot and I kind of get it in a facebook I am from friends that are like, Hey, what do you normally see down there? And I think they’re afraid that they’re like gonna offend me or I don’t know they’re gonna offend their nurse or the people at the hospital by what’s growing in their downtown. I gotta say, this isn’t something you should be embarrassed about. nothing should you be embarrassed about asking a nurse or your health care provider. Okay, first I want to talk a little bit about the biology of pregnancy, you get increased blood flow to everywhere in your body. And that is because you are making more blood in order to feed the baby. So that just means you have more blood in your veins. Also, because of the hormones and that blood, your body can react differently than it used to. And probably you’ve noticed that while you’ve been pregnant, another thing to think of is that your range of motion like areas you can reach and all that kind of stuff. And also your balance. Those things are very different with pregnancy, you have a whole new center of balance, things are just different and also your hair growth may change, and that’s totally normal. Some people get on there. Some people get it on their belly, some people notice things that they just haven’t had before, and so on. That is a very normal I think people are afraid to ask those questions, but all that’s very normal. So here’s my pro tip before we begin A list, don’t start something new during pregnancy, if you’re all of a sudden, like, I’m gonna wax because I’m pregnant. That is a mistake. Just kind of keep up your regular routine while you’re pregnant. I just think that’s best, your body has been used to that it’s going to be used to that most likely as you’re pregnant. So that’s my pro tip for you. Okay, let’s first talk shaving. Usually, it’s pretty okay. Again, your body may react differently because of the hormones and its reaction to either the metal or the shaving cream or anything like that. You just have to watch if you think you might have had a problem, maybe just do a small spot and test to see if that area has an issue. But otherwise shaving should be okay. Some people like to use a mirror! I have one linked to in the post that this class is about. Again, I don’t think you need to but if you want to there is one out there. Okay, back to waxing. Your skin again may react differently and I would also double check with your waxer is that the word aesthetician I don’t know who does waxing clearly just ask them if they do pregnant people, if they have the equipment if you need to lay on your belly, depending on where they’re waxing all that kind of stuff, just ask them if they do it. Some have chosen not to because of the liabilities and stuff like that. So definitely check with them. You know, as you get bigger in your pregnancy, if that’s something that they do, again, I wouldn’t start doing this while you’re pregnant because of the increased blood flow and all that kind of stuff. It may hurt a little bit more, all those kinds of things. waxing Okay, let’s talk a little bit about creams like narr. Again, still wouldn’t recommend to start using them during your pregnancy if you’ve been using them before you were pregnant, and you found good luck with them. You might want to continue I would probably check with my doctor. I have no idea what’s in shaving creams like near so it’s just something to think about. Honestly, I don’t know that I would use them during pregnancy, your skin during pregnancy and all the fluctuation of hormones can really act differently. I just might stay away from during pregnancy but that’s me here is the final truth of shaving during pregnancy and the question that everyone wonders you know, is my labor team going to be so grossed out by what’s down there? No, no, they will not. You have no Idea all the different things that we have seen in the downtown I literally do not care one whit what’s going on down there now before a C section we shave you and I know a lot of ladies are like oh I should shave myself and I’m like why so much effort when I can just quickly do it with our hospital grave shaver that’s just sitting there before your surgery, there is no reason that you need to strain and stretch and try so hard to shave yourself when I can just quickly do it because we do need to do it before surgery just the top area that would be close to the incision site. We just want to make sure that that’s clear of hair so they don’t you know, get a hair put into the surgery site just cleaner, things like that. So we do shave before that but we do not shave you before vaginal delivery, we do not care what’s going down. We just want you comfortable and happy and I know a lot of women are more comfortable shaped. A lot of women don’t care that is 100%. Okay, it’s really just something that most people don’t think about until people are seeing your privates frequently which hopefully is only happening when you’re having a baby so that is shaving during pregnancy. It was kind of a high stress podcast. If you are looking for more information that’s honest and true and real and what really happens in the delivery room check out my online prenatal class. for couples. It really is information like this, but just there to benefit you. It is again, not very long just like this podcast and it’s really going to help you get prepared for your delivery. Thank you so much for joining me on today’s episode. Of course, just like I said, we would love a review. We would love it if you subscribe or share it on social media. This one may not be super shareable and I get that but there’s tons of other episodes, check one that you like and share it with your friends. We drop an episode every Monday and until then I hope you have a tangle free day!

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

The post Shaving During Pregnancy — PCP 031 appeared first on Pulling Curls.

HOW do you say no as a patient, when can you say no and how does it all work. We want to be sure that you UNDERSTAND that you can say no at any time and the hospital staff are just there to support you!

Today’s guest is Mandy Irby (second time Mandy is on, she was also on this episode on how to go into labor). She’s The Birth Nurse on Youtube and on Instagram and does trauma-sensitive nursing and childbirth education in the Roanoake, VA area (and also does Spinning Babies classes — which are super cool).

This episode is actually also a Youtube video on her channel, Mandy asks a few questions I don’t ask (but stay tuned for my lightning round question for her). Stay tuned til’ the VERY end for mine.

Big thanks to this week’s sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples — get informed so YOU can drive your own bus {figuratively, I do not teach how to drive busses}. Remember to use the coupon code mentioned in the episode. Have you seen the reviews?

This post was inspired by my 5 Labor Tips Webinar that talks a lot about informed consent.

Please remember that informed consent involves discussing:

• Risks
• Benefits
• Alternatives

You are entitled to that during ANY intervention, and it is 100% fine to ask for it.

Things mentioned in this podcast:

• Painful Vaginal Exams (yes, you can say no to those as well)
• What does your labor nurse know you don’t know
• Choosing your Doctor
• Talking to your doctor at your first appointment

Other things you might find interesting:

• Pain Management in Labor
• 5 Things that happen to your Baby After Delivery
• Nervous About Labor
• Who should be in the room at delivery?
• Basic Delivery Vocabulary
• Delivery Room Rules
• A Peek Inside the Nurse Brain
• Pregnancy Emergencies

Podcast Producer: Drew Erickson

Check out my other pregnancy podcasts:

Listen to all my podcasts:

Transcription:

Hilary Erickson 0:00
Hey guys! Welcome back to the Pulling Curls Podcast. Today, on Episode 27, we’re talking about saying no. This is a Nancy Reagan and the fight against drugs back in 1984. We’re talking about saying no as a pregnant patient. When can you say no? How do you say no? What do you say no to? I have one of my favorite nurse friends coming on. This is her second time on the podcast. Let’s untangle it.

Welcome to the Pulling Curls Podcast, where we untangle everything from pregnancy, parenting, home routines, even some family travel because, heavens knows! Our lives are tangled. I’m your host, Hilary Erickson.

Before we get started, I kind of want to share one of our reviews! SeaMoss36 came on to Apple podcasts and said, “fun and practical. I love listening to Hilary she’s always so real and funny. At the same time, her show is really informative and she breaks things down into things you can actually do in your life.” I hope today’s podcast is definitely one of those for my pregnant friends. That was me talking, not SeaMoss. “Episodes are usually pretty short, always. As she is great about getting to the point. Definitely worth the listen.” Although, today’s episode isn’t probably super short, but I’m excited for it anyway! I hope you are too. Okay guys, and I have an awesome easter egg at the end of this episode. The very end. So, stay tuned.

This episode of The Pulling Curls Podcast is sponsored by the Online Prenatal Class for Couples. It simplifies understanding labor so you can have a more relaxed pregnancy and birth taught by a highly experienced labor and delivery nurse. And can be done wherever you are whenever you want. No more arranging busy schedules to fit in a prenatal class. Save 15% with the coupon code UNTANGLED. You can find out more at pullingcurls.com in the menu under COURSES or in this episode’s show notes.

Okay, guys, I think this is a real issue. I get friends who asked me. I get… people who are pushed into things they don’t want to do. I have patients who are pushed into things they don’t want to do by doctors. And we’re a little bit limited on what we can say as a nurse in the room. So today I’m having my friend Mandy Irby on. She is the birth nurse from the YouTubes and the internets and all the good places. She is informed on trauma sensitive care. For patients. And that means we want you to have the best birth possible. It’s not all about healthy mom, healthy baby. It’s also you feeling empowered and excited for your parenting journey through your birth. So today I want to welcome my friend, Mandy Irby. Okay, so how do patients know when they can say no? What do you think, Mandy?

Mandy Irby 2:21
How do they know when they can say no? Because they’ve listened to all your podcasts. And they know that you can always say no.

Hilary Erickson 2:28
Right. I think people are like, “Can I say no to that?” I think they’re thinking, “Can I say no to that? Or will they take my baby away?” But, literally, we- there are very few things we’re going to take your baby away for. Unless you were like, I don’t know don’t resuscitate it, even though it’s crying. I don’t know.

Mandy Irby 2:42
And labor staff don’t take your baby.

Hilary Erickson 2:46
No. So take your baby if we ever saw anything weird. But I mean, even if you decide to do marijuana in your labor room, you could still do that. But we would probably call CBS.

Mandy Irby 2:57
Right. Totally not up to us at that point. But yeah, yeah, following the law is still important. But, is that what you think? I think people and patients, and parents, us being part of that community. Having children wonder, like the consequences and the results of, what if I don’t do this? Because obviously, it’s being asked of me. So, someone thinks that it’s the right answer. And that’s not really the case.

Hilary Erickson 3:23
Right. I think a lot of people don’t realize how many people come into labor with literally no idea what they want about anything.

Mandy Irby 3:29
Yeah.

Hilary Erickson 3:30
And that is at least 75% of my patients. Are just like, whatever, I’ll just do whatever. And so they sort of need guidance towards what most people do.

Mandy Irby 3:38
Mmm-Hmm.

Hilary Erickson 3:39
And so we kind of were like, “Do you want to sign up for immunizations? You can say yes or no.” But then they go, Oh, what do most people do? And I say, well, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it, you know, but you can also say, “No, we’ve done it. We’ve done our research, and we don’t want to do that.”

Mandy Irby 3:52
Yeah, yeah. So you’re already clued into or cluing- cluing your listeners into… More information is usually better.

Hilary Erickson 4:04
Right.

Mandy Irby 4:04
Before you get there.

Hilary Erickson 4:05
Yeah. To, to, uh, to not an excess. Because some people have researched like, that we implant transmitters in babies when we do the immunization and I have yet to implant a transmitter.

Mandy Irby 4:17
Oh, wow. Yeah, yeah, it definitely makes a difference where you’re getting the information. That you’re researching. So, I always say though, I always say. The, pregnant person, the woman or the birthing person is the driver. They are the decision maker ultimately. So of course, they, or, your listeners, you can always say no. And then have the discussion. Or at least have the discussion of what would know me.

Hilary Erickson 4:44
Right. Well, some people need to know that- that it’s actually the mom’s choice. So sometimes, you know, if they’re younger, their mom will say, “No, she doesn’t want an epidural.” But it’s really that- the patient’s choice, right?

Mandy Irby 4:56
Yes, the person giving birth.

Hilary Erickson 5:00
Yeah.

Mandy Irby 5:00
Is the driver. and yes for some people, they’ve not been the driver in their lives very much.

Hilary Erickson 5:06
Right.

Mandy Irby 5:07
Yeah, that’s a new role.

Hilary Erickson 5:08
They are backstage passenger.

Mandy Irby 5:11
So…

Hilary Erickson 5:11
Are you just emancipated minors where you live. Yeah, if they’re pregnant we’re not so it’s weird.

Mandy Irby 5:15
Oh, well crap. I don’t I might have misspoke. I’ve looked up the law governing I don’t know what you mean necessarily by that. The law governing the body. So, if a 16 year old is pregnant during her pregnancy and birth and all of her care for herself and for her baby or is up to her. She is the sole person. She is not- does- does not need a guardian to make those decisions, but I’m not sure about beyond that.

Hilary Erickson 5:42
Yeah. No, her mom would sign her consents for her at our hospital.

Mandy Irby 5:46
Oh my goodness.

Hilary Erickson 5:47
Yeah.

Mandy Irby 5:47
Oh,

Hilary Erickson 5:47
It’s weird.

Mandy Irby 5:48
Oh.

Hilary Erickson 5:49
So, essentially the mom will make the choice, but.

Mandy Irby 5:52
A grandmother.

Hilary Erickson 5:53
Yeah. Anyway, just a little tidbit probably not relevant to most of you, but.

Mandy Irby 5:58
But, could you, could that 16 year old be emancipated legally prior to going into the hospital?

Hilary Erickson 6:04
It… I’ve never had that happen.

Mandy Irby 6:06
Possibility.

Hilary Erickson 6:07
Some do have a separate Guardian. Instead of their parents. But there usually is a guardian that I’ve had, although I’m sure they could emancipate themselves. Or I think also if they get married.

Mandy Irby 6:18
Yeah.

Hilary Erickson 6:19
Gosh. So it’s such a tangent. You’re welcome, readers.

Mandy Irby 6:24
This is totally a thing, though. Different states. Yeah, I just teach that. It’s the birthing person. But if you’re a minor, gosh, I hope every single pregnant minor is listening to this because this is this is a big deal.

Hilary Erickson 6:37
Yeah, I would think in our state, I’m sure our providers let them know because also, their parent would have to sign in the office for them like, yeah, it would have happened during their pregnancy for us.

Mandy Irby 6:46
Oh, sure.

Hilary Erickson 6:46
Yeah.

Mandy Irby 6:47
So, what would make saying no hard in labor?

Hilary Erickson 6:52
It’s probably just so we’re kind of intimidating, right? Like, they think we’re in the driver’s seat, but we’re not.

Mandy Irby 6:57
Well, I mean, we’re wearing scrubs or a white coat. We’re standing up. We work there. We’re there every day. We know the rules.

Hilary Erickson 7:05
Right.

Mandy Irby 7:06
Which is funny, because there’s not that many rules. It seems like there’s a lot of rules. But we’re actually really flexible. Heh.

Hilary Erickson 7:14
I mean, on some things, there are some rules that we start to… stand our ground on.

Mandy Irby 7:18
Yeah.

Hilary Erickson 7:18
It’s almost like we’re more like, the bus driver of public transportation. So we go where we normally go, unless you decide to get off that bus. Kind of, right?

Mandy Irby 7:27
Oh, I like that. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah. Just because, you know, like routinely for everybody does not mean that it’s the best decision for that individual. Right. Yeah, that’s a good way to put it. Because hospitals like, they have to have policies and procedures. To help keep people safe and help them take care of thousands and thousands of people.

Hilary Erickson 7:48
Right. And again, the vast majority who have no idea what they want, and have done no research.

Mandy Irby 7:55
Hmm, that’s a really great way to put it. I also think, um, that We’ve been taught by repetition so I know you’re not in the south, but I live in the south, technically. I was not raised in the south, but I was raised female in the US. And I was raised, that by just my repetition like, as female, it’s, life is smoother if, you’re agreeable. You know, life is smoother if, everyone’s happy and, and there are like a lot of reasons why I wouldn’t want to ruffle feathers. You don’t know the consequences. You don’t know what people might think of you. If you even asked like, what if I don’t do that? Because, saying the worst case scenario is not actually the worst case scenario happening. Yeah, saying like, you- you could die. Okay, well, good thing we got that on the table. Like, no one wants that. So what do we do it? What’s the where’s the in between of not this answer, but not dying?

Hilary Erickson 8:52
Right. Well, I think informed consent can be an intimidating. Of itself. Because they’re required to say, “With an epidural,” or they should say, “Or you could die.” Because it is possible that anyone at the hospital could die at any time. It is also possible while you’re at home, that you could die at any time, so.

Mandy Irby 9:11
Yeah, you just don’t have to sign a consent every time you turn on your stove.

Hilary Erickson 9:15
And so, when the doctor or the anesthesiologist comes in and says, you know, “You or your baby could die from this.” That is intimidating, whereas to us, we’re like, we hear that every day, you could die from anything. You’re more likely to die on your car ride to the hospital.

Mandy Irby 9:31
Yeah! But, to hear it five times, while you’re there, you’re like, I’m pretty much gonna die.

Hilary Erickson 9:36
Right. And some people give an informed consent, like, and kind of emphasize that part.

Mandy Irby 9:41
Yeah, yeah. Because, you are signing that you understand the actual risks. Not that, anyone thinks that you’re going to die, but there are actual risks to every intervention that could happen. And true and for so I want to know if the, if the listeners, you’re pregnant people, your followers understand that or have ever heard the risk is death. Like, either buy your baby or of you. And, when you go into surgery, like you expect to sign something that says that. But when someone breaks your water, like you may not be expecting to hear, “or your baby could die.” But, truly with either option. We don’t normally say, “Oh, if we do nothing your baby could die too.” Like, really?

Hilary Erickson 10:29
Right. Well, but that isn’t a truly informed consent. You could say, you know, both options have. And I’ve never heard a doctor given form consent for breaking water ending that. Have you?

Mandy Irby 10:39
Yeah.

Hilary Erickson 10:39
Oh. I’ve heard them say. Well, some doctors, I feel like, bring out death real easily. You know, the fetal monitor strip looks meh, and they’ll be like, “I think your baby could die.” Again, your baby could die at any time. We all could die at any time. And so, it’s hard to know. When, you know. But I have also been in situations where I do think their baby is going to die. And then it’s almost the same spiel. How do they know? So.

Mandy Irby 11:09
Right. This is sticky, because there’s kind of like a lot I want to say about that. But I won’t go into the tangent of, is all that really, like, crying wolf. Is it really necessary to go into all of it? Maybe is it hella scary and confusing for the patient or the client? Yes. Yes. And they are they, the client, you, I’m speaking to the patient, the pregnant people. If you’re in a position of inherent vulnerability, like you are being taken care of the nurse’s role, we state we’re taking care of you. That’s… You’re so vulnerable, like we take care of babies and people can’t take care of themselves. You’re an adult who can absolutely take care of yourself. But, but the language and the positions like you’re on your back, you’re in a bed. For crying out loud, like, of course, you need to be taken care of if you need to be in bed. Well, you don’t necessarily need to be in the bed. But that’s the part of the inherent vulnerability, you’re in a place that you don’t, that’s not familiar to you, you’re wearing a gown. You don’t even have underwear on, you don’t have your bra on. You’re not with your people. You’re not with your smells. You’re not with your food. It seems like everyone else has the upper hand. When really, the staff are kind of looking to you. To drive a ship that you’ve never driven before. In a place you’ve never driven it. And like you said, a lot of times you- you don’t have the education behind every single intervention and every single possibility. So are you going to drive blind and just be like, guessed everything except this one thing? That seems kind of random, but I feel like I need to make a decision. What a crazy spot to be in.

Hilary Erickson 12:46
Yeah. Well, how do you think people know when, maybe they’re really making a poor choice?

Mandy Irby 12:54
I would so love to hear what you say about this.

Hilary Erickson 12:56
So like, I wouldn’t say that we make you sign something. If you were- we will make you sign something that says you are going against medical advice. Now that not sometimes that happens with like the vitamin K shot, or the, I think we have to have them decline the vitamin K shot at our hospital. But you can always ask the nurse, is it routine to have someone sign this? How many of you signed before?

Mandy Irby 13:18
Mmm-hmm. That’s a really good question

Hilary Erickson 13:20
Get in a really sticky situation where we feel like the doctor has said repeatedly, this is going to be a problem. I really need you to think this through. That’s the other thing if the doctor and we’re- and the staff are continuously checking with your choice, and seeing if you want to change your mind. Because as a nurse, we are seeing an outcome. You know, I’m a professional, I’ve done this forever. And so I kind of check in, you know, how do you still feel about the situation, the choice you’ve made? Is there anything you want to change about it? Stuff like that. So I would say signing and then people constantly checking. That’s still your choice.

Mandy Irby 13:54
That’s a good- That’s a good point. and reading the room when you’re in labor. That’s really tough to do so taking people that you trust. With you to kind of, see the facial expressions and things like that. But I also don’t think that the staff make the right choices for each individual. So in, my like, trauma informed lens, I’m like, stop asking the same question you already got the dang answer for. Like was- were they not clear.

Hilary Erickson 14:25
I would say that I have redone that one, maybe two or three times in my whole career though. Remember, like, I see a horrible fetal monitoring strip and they are consistently like, I’m refusing the C section. I’m refusing the C section. Sure. So I feel like at that point, it’s my professional duty to be like, “Just checking in!”

Mandy Irby 14:44
Yeah, and- and I actually check in a lot more often maybe then regular. I don’t know right. Than a lot of people. Just because I just want to make sure we’re on the same page still. Like, because I don’t know this person that well. Like, I see by your face that you’re uncomfortable. I want to make sure it’s the right kind of uncomfortable. Or there’s some tension in the room and I kind of want to like air it out. But I’ve also seen, providers and nurses asked multiple times just to break water. Just because, that is what they normally do. It’s the end of the shift. Things need to be changing. For the next shift, for report, and that, yes, happens. And they want to give. I’m going to I’ve heard of multiple hospital situations, I’m not sure about birth centers, but hospital situations where they change shifts. And the next shift is going to be like, well, WTF, like what happened in your whole shift? And so there’s a pressure to, do something. And so I’ve heard, I’ve heard multiple times when it’s not medically necessary. It’s about Yeah, is this a good idea or not? It’s just as the choice that you want to make and so it kind of seems, pressurey. When it’s really like, we’re not an emergency. Like, be c-. Be clear about an emergency. Like, I feel like you would be like, “So I’ll tell you if I think it’s a big deal. And right now, I kind of think it’s a big deal.” But also I teach like, electronic field monitoring is not diagnostic, we can see a lot of things, that we don’t know about. You know, like, I don’t know if this is going to be a bad outcome. However, if you say, girl, if you were my sister, I would be like, Hey, I cannot tell you this is not going to be a bad outcome. I just want to make sure that we’re clear on this. That’s a good indication. If your nurse is like, uh, if you are my sister, you know, I don’t want to tell people like what I would do. And I- even if they ask them, I’m never like, “Oh, yeah, I totally know.” Because I have no idea. But, to be very clear, and just be like, I want to make sure you really understand in between contractions. And then, I’ll tell you if there’s a change from what I see. And you might see we’re seeing changes which is important for the decision making.

Hilary Erickson 16:56
Yeah, it’s hard to know when you can refuse it. My friend Katie, that I’ve had on the podcast before, she, they were doing all these blood sugars and their machine was so off from the hospital machine, like 10 points, which is a lot on a newborn.

Mandy Irby 17:08
Uh huh.

Hilary Erickson 17:09
And so she was like, “When can I refuse it?” And I was like, “Well, at any time, you can say, I’m done. I’m not going by the policy. I want you to look for symptoms.” Because there’s other things we can look for. It’s just a number. But she was so intimidated by the nurses, which I get. Yeah, you know, she was smart, and they were kind of starting to push formula. She wanted to breastfeed. So it can be really difficult and even trying to give her the words to like how to refuse and not look like a total jerk. Because I don’t want to offend people or you know, they want that nurse on their side later on too. So.

Mandy Irby 17:42
you have a lot to lose, like you’re thinking, “Okay, well if I’m wrong, I’m hurting my baby, my family, my possible future. Fertility, my life.” Like you- you have everything to lose. Oh, yeah, it’s it’s truly sticky. So When you get when you like talk about who do you bring in the hospital or like having a person that you call like people, like your friends can call you. What can your family do? Or, what can your friends do that are with you?

Hilary Erickson 18:11
Yeah, I mean we educated and also if you’re thinking about bringing people, make sure that they can kind of read a room, read a doctor, read a nurse, sometimes the doctor will make a choice and you’ll see the nurse over in the corner. I’ll roll my eyes, you know, over in the corner like a teenager sometimes. Because what they just said was like, You clearly have a golf game.

Mandy Irby 18:33
Oh, gosh.

Hilary Erickson 18:36
We don’t have any doctors now but I have worked with doctors before that had tickets to a sporting event, or whatever.

Mandy Irby 18:41
I hear it all the time. I hear it all the time. That’s like 50 years ago, hundred years ago, but I hear it all the time. Now that you just don’t know. Are we on the same page about. Yes, our goal’s healthy mom, healthy baby. But I also think that’s kind of a lot of BS because there’s so much more to it. And we’re not talking about emotional health at that point because we’re not worried about the babies emotional health. But you’re worried about the birthing person. But like, where are these decisions coming from? Where is your recommendation coming from? Because the birthing person, we can ask what their’s are, but like they don’t know ours. As the staff.

Hilary Erickson 19:16
Well, and if you were like in regular life, and you had a doctor who asked for surgery and you were kind of reticent, you would ask for a second opinion. Yeah. And it is sort of possible to do that in the hospital. I officially really am not allowed to give an opinion. I can kind of give a mehmrrhmehh…

Mandy Irby 19:35
These are your options. What I’ve seen in the past Yeah, we don’t give

Hilary Erickson 19:40
Yeah. And I can call the doctor back for informed consent. So I have a posted I actually have a webinar on informed consent. What your doctor should be offering. Because informed consent includes the risks, the benefits, and the alternatives. And they should go through all of those when they’re doing anything major, apparently breaking water, but mine very rarely do that. They just say we’re gonna break your water.

Mandy Irby 19:59
Sending intervention.

Hilary Erickson 20:01
Yeah. And so, you know, I don’t do it before I put in the IV, do you? Yeah. You say the risks of the benefits of the IV, you are a better nurse than me.

Mandy Irby 20:09
I do. It takes me so long to do in a mission. I do. I do. And I teach nurses and trauma informed care. I teach nurses. Like whole units, of nurses. And I’m like, trauma informed care is consent for touch and consent for intervention every single time. So I, ask if I can do a blood pressure. I don’t do like informed consent for blood pressure, but I do for an IV. Totally.

Hilary Erickson 20:31
I usually just say, Are we good with this? Do you have any questions? But I don’t go the risks and benefits because Mandy is a better nurse than I am.

Mandy Irby 20:37
No, not necessarily. I just, I, as you said, people come in and they don’t know their options. And so I start with that stuff. And this is what I teach when I talk with nurses. When a family is vulnerable, and they’re in the situation and they are like, I don’t know what that heck is up and down. Like it all is so foreign to me and now that I’m in the hospital, It’s like really confusing, practicing making choices. Because I can say, Oh, it’s all it’s your choice. And everyone’s gonna say, like, I could offer two opposing choices. And I’ve had people say yes to both. Or, you know, like, the provider is like, Okay, what do you want to do? They’re like, go ahead. And they’re like, you didn’t, you didn’t say what you wanted to do. And they’re like, whatever. Like, that’s not a choice. That is, like shutting down, or that’s, that’s totally something different. And I help them. Practice making choices. So yes.

Hilary Erickson 21:31
I like that.

Mandy Irby 21:32
I give them a choice on position. And I’m not like, do you want to do this? I’m like, these are two things that you can do. Which one sounds good, or do you want to do none? Yeah, I like that. And, like, I don’t like your stupid peanut ball. I’m like, “Yay, good. You just told me no,” because how is someone going to say no to a provider if they can’t say no to their nurse?

Hilary Erickson 21:52
Well, and I feel like that just extends into parenthood. Right? Like you’re kind of at school with their kid and they’re just like, I don’t know.

Mandy Irby 21:58
I yeah, there’s so many I don’t know. And they’re like, well, they’re looking at me like I’m supposed to figure it out. Like I’m a brand new parent, just tell me what to do. But truly, I don’t want people to tell me what to do. I want them to just give me more information.

Hilary Erickson 22:11
Yeah. Well, I don’t know, when I’m at a store, I want them to be like, that’s the shirt. And I’ll be like, Thank you. Appreciate that.

Mandy Irby 22:17
You and I do the exact same thing. I’m like, I’m going to be on the news in a day. What can I wear a mid-30s make it appropriate? And I’m going to be walking. But in healthcare, no. And in parenthood? No, I mean, I’ll go to my friends and be like, just tell me but not my do-. I don’t want my doctor or my midwife to just give me one choice because they think that’s the best. I don’t want that. We don’t want to get down that rabbit hole. So yeah.

Hilary Erickson 22:40
Well you’re paying them to tell you options, right? I mean, that’s what you would as a general contractor at your house for, right? Like this one’s gonna scratch but it’s prettier. But this wood will withstand the world.

Mandy Irby 22:51
Yes, totally. Um, I looked up so I’m doing a new, like online education for nurses. In 2020, I’m really excited about and I was, I know. I was looking up a few hospital mission statements like labor and delivery. So one in Philadelph- I know. One in Philadelphia says and they want to ensure that your you deliver your children in the manner you wish. And then later they in a video they say patient centered care. So individual and then the next one in Washington State, Labor and delivery unit says individualized care for every pregnancy. So, when people are making decisions and saying no about choices, you’re not necessarily saying no, you’re just saying, “Thanks for your opinion,” or… not even opinion. I understand my options and I’m going to go with this other option or this one option, which is sometimes doing nothing or sometimes declining what is offered but it’s- it’s just a choice. It’s not like refusing or being a bad patient and it’s just making a choice, but when making a choice, that’s you’re telling the hospital you’re telling your center. Exactly how they can give you patient centered care. You’re just giving them tools you’re giving your nurses and you’re giving your provider answers for how you want your deliver your children in the manner you wish. So we’re giving options for what kind of hardwood floors you want, but we don’t know your lifestyle. We don’t know your history, what you’ve been through, what triggers you, what you’re nervous about, like, I don’t know if you’re saying yes, because, you know, you want to be done because your partner’s here from the military, because you don’t want to have a baby on the Friday the 13th, or because you’re afraid you’re gonna hurt somebody’s feelings and you’re actually really terrified to speak. Like, I have no idea that any of that so when you say yes, I’m like, cool, but Well, I mean, we don’t dig into it. Just like your hardwood floor guy’s not gonna be like, “I saw a dog in your backyard. Are you sure?” Right? They don’t know what you’re basing your decision on. So giving answers that are actually factual or asking for more information so that you can make factual decisions, or exactly what your team wants to know. So they can do their mission, give you patient centered care. Otherwise, it’s just Mandy centered care.

Hilary Erickson 25:10
Right. It’s what you would do. And so, and you do sort of go along with like, what most people do, or what, what you think is best, you know, as you go along. So.

Mandy Irby 25:21
What’s recommended? Yeah, by studies of a bunch of different people, and we go with the average. So if you fall outside of the average, or you just want a little more information about it, that’s when, yeah, bringing your friend along, who can be like, maybe we need to ask the nurse a little more information, because they have a different perspective in the room than you. They can get more information that way. You’re bringing the friend that’s like always going to send your plate back. If they get it wrong in the restaurant. And you’re like, I could never do that. But I know. Like my friend Sassy, would be like, just ask them to take off the onions. You bought it, you paid for it. Just ask them. Like bringing that friend who’s like, “Oh, they’re gonna know, you know, when to speak up. That’s a- that’s an awesome team member to have. Just more information. You’re not like fussing.

Hilary Erickson 26:07
Right. So what, I guess like we should go into like, how do you say no? So, at any point in time at any intervention at any, you know, at any point in the road, you can say no. Essentially. Although I was thinking, we’ve had some people refuse to go home. And that is not really something you can say no to because you have to have a doctor’s order to be at the hospital. So, just FYI.

Mandy Irby 26:31
Otherwise you’re like squatting.

Hilary Erickson 26:33
Yeah, we can’t just like, leave you at the hospital. I’ve had some people say, they’ll just pay cash. I’m like, I have no idea how that works. Anyway, I just can’t do anything without a doctor’s order. So, that was the only thing I was thinking of that you really couldn’t say no, you can’t say no to real. That’s a good one. We call security for. But at any point in the line, you can say no. And, so what are some of the good ways for people to to like broach that subject be like, I think You can say I’m uncomfortable with this, you know, if the nurse isn’t, you know, giving you options, you can say I’m uncomfortable with this. Or, you know, when when they go to check you and you see them pulling out the amnihook to break your water, you can say, I don’t want my water broken, and all of that is fine. And I just don’t think people know that they can.

Mandy Irby 27:18
Yeah, I think understanding like the what if, and it’s just getting more information, you’re not necessarily refusing or declining at that point, you’re just like, okay, so if I have an IV, what if I want to go in the water? You know, because if someone says, No, I don’t want an IV, but really, they don’t want an IV placed postpartum when they’re bleeding and their veins are smaller, and they’re holding their baby. Like, there are some situations where I’m like,” Yo, if you’re just going to get it, like there’s an easier time, I can just give me more information about it.” But if they’re just not, if someone’s just like, I don’t want an IV because I want to get in the water. Whoa, you can have both, like this is how we’re going to do that. Hey, I want to check you to see what you’re dilated. So if you don’t want to be checked, or you’re not quite sure it’s warranted, that actually is not enough information to do an intervention, in my opinion. So if someone says hey, I want to check you to see what you’re dilated, but getting more information like, “Okay, so what would be if what would be next if I’m not dilated?” “Oh nothing we would just keep going doing the same thing.” “Okay, well what would be next if I was dilated?” “Oh, nothing we just keep going and doing the same thing.” Okay, so do I want what happens when I have an exam joy when experience that right now because last time you know you’re going through your history of your of your own life. Last time, it made me cramp. Last time, I hallucinated. Last time, I threw up. Last time I, had to get back in the bed, then you actually can weigh your choice. And if someone is super pushy, Adrionno lozado. Put this in clearly and a lot of nurses that I work with. And I have been doing this for a long, long time, just like under the radar. Like if you’re ever concerned about making a decision immediately, you can always just be like, okay, so like for more information. I’m not quite sure what the hospital does. But like. Are we having an emergency situation?

Hilary Erickson 29:01
Hmm.

Mandy Irby 29:02
And if the answer’s no, you could always pee. So go to the bathroom. The cave.

Hilary Erickson 29:07
Yeah, so that gives you the chance to…

Mandy Irby 29:09
Yeah, the cave and your space is shutting the bathroom door. And-

Hilary Erickson 29:13
But I have had doctors who get really ticked off when the patient goes I need to pee and I’m like, “Dude, you- they are paying you a lot of money to wait five minutes.”

Mandy Irby 29:22
Yeah, they get real- Yeah, some people get really ticked off. Because that is like, that does make a lot of things harder. But, worst case scenario, the nurse knows that they’re ticked off the the the birthing person’s already in the bathroom closing the door they’re- They’re like blocking all that ticked off-ness.

Hilary Erickson 29:39
I hope so.

Mandy Irby 29:40
Yeah, we hope so, that they don’t even know. And it’s totally inappropriate to barge in in someone’s bathroom, even though that’s a great place to labor and you may not be peeing or you may have even more clothes on than you did when you were in your bed. It’s just like a social thing.

Hilary Erickson 29:53
Yeah.

Mandy Irby 29:54
Don’t go in the bathroom. So then you get a space. And then, whoever’s ticked off, can cool off. Just go take a walk. If you, if you take forever in the bathroom, like you’re paying for your bathroom time, like come on, get what you need out of your bathroom time. Pee, talk to your partner, invite your nurse in because you’re having like, I need help. Talk in there. Where you feel more comfortable to like get more information in the bathroom rather than in the bed where it’s more vulnerable.

I love that.

Hilary Erickson 30:19
Yeah, nurses go in the bathroom. Doctors don’t go in the bathroom. But you could be like, nurse my IV looks a little funny and then have a conversation. You know, because a lot of people are very intimidated by doctors, but they find nurses less intimidating. And that’s okay, too. We understand that. Yeah, me at one point in my time I found doctors intimidating as well, but that’s over right now. I think if someone’s going to get upset about someone going to the bathroom, I find that intimidating as well. And also like completely inappropriate. So if that were my sister or my friend and someone like had a little fit about an actual human who is holding another baby on top of their bladder holding another human on top of their butter needing to void. If someone has a fit about that, like, my mind is the decision is well, what are my options for having someone else who’s maybe not so upset with me doing a human act? Yeah, needing to pee. And I would just, you know that the conversation might change in the bathroom, if that’s discovered, but you might as well discover it, you know, during an easy question, like an exam question versus, you know, they get angry about something like, that’s, that’s inappropriate, but you get to find out that information and then you get to distance yourself from that.

Mandy Irby 31:36
Yeah, situation.

Hilary Erickson 31:37
And clearly, all of this goes back to finding a doctor that you’re comfortable with, but it’s getting harder and harder. Insurances like I our hospital insurance has such a narrow window of providers, even hospital one. Yeah, so it’s just shocking. It’s hard. We get that. Might not have been able to pick your dream doctor because you didn’t want to pay fifteen bajillion dollars,

Mandy Irby 31:57
Right, because who can do that? Yeah, so do it early I say asking questions is you’re never too early even if you’re not pregnant you’re thinking about you know, having a baby in the future. Go to the mommy groups and and search the doctors because yeah, I think more parents and doulas are like, WTF like this is a service like we leave Amazon reviews we leave restaurant reviews like why not be honest about the person that’s going to be inside your body? And I think more and more people are doing that and and the reviews on websites are going to be different. And you and I both have reviews that are honest and actually come from actual people and we know that but sometimes not all reviews are. So talking to consumers directly right after their experience asking questions like, What did you think about this person? Some things that are great for them but bad for you might come up that a review or just like asking your your provider’s nurse is not- you’re not going to get that information. I think we can help each other.

Hilary Erickson 32:59
And asking a lot Questions of your doctor. And there’s pros first visits because those first visits aren’t quite as important. But you can sure pepper them with questions. Because, you know, then when you know later down the line you have questions about actually things that matter. You’re going to know that they have the temperament to teach, because you want a teacher, you don’t want to tell her.

Mandy Irby 33:20
And you get the practice of, oh, really, you would do? You wouldn’t do that? You would do it. I heard someone else did that. Like, you can practice, your provider being just like your car salesman, like it’s a conversation. And it’s a service, and they want more information from you to help you in your decision making. And it should feel like that even if it’s not important. And early on, you’ll get that vibe. Yeah, or the what if.

Hilary Erickson 33:48
Yeah, well, and I think it’s really important. Insurance has kind of taken away the fact that you are paying these people a good sum of money to deliver your baby. And so they just pay them and so you aren’t handing over a check whereas if You handed them $3,000 up to your delivery, maybe they would realize that Jane is paying me to do this versus they’re just working with insurance companies and fighting the man.

Mandy Irby 34:10
Right? Yeah. And even if you’re not writing a check, you’re still consumer. And it is hard to think about that. I just try to relate it in the same way because it It truly is. But I think I don’t know, I think parents are kind of getting more vocal about it. They’re like, No, I do need to leave a review. No, I do need to, you know, spread this on social media so that even if you’re not friends with them, or you’re not on their Twitter, you can search it later. And it is helpful because, people do have really horrible birth traumatic experiences that they share. Luckily, Whereas before.

Hilary Erickson 34:47
Right, and sometimes deliveries aren’t. What a doctor is great at. We’ve had some doctors who switch they only do surgery and they’re great at surgery and that’s awesome. And and I would pick a different doctor to deliver my baby than to do like take out my uterus? Yeah, yeah, cuz it’s just different. It’s cool that they can do all these different things. But it’s a different thing. You want something different in a natural birth.

Mandy Irby 35:09
Yeah. Then in a you personally that works for you than in a surgery. Yeah,

that makes total sense. Alright guys, I hope this gave Did you have anything else to add Mandy? No, no. Just we talked about when Can people change their mind anytime? What about if you’re in the middle of something?

Hilary Erickson 35:25
You can change your mind at any time and you can if you’ve decided to say no and then all of a sudden you rethink it. Don’t be afraid to be like, you know, I really rethought that vitamin K shot and I think I would like to do it. That’s fine, too. We’re not going to be like Oh, she changed her mind. Hello, we’re nurses we take we can’t even decide where to go to lunch know

Mandy Irby 35:42
what to wear on a podcast video.

Oh, no. What else sick works with Nope, nope. All human.

Hilary Erickson 35:51
Yeah, that’s why they make us just wear Navy scrubs at our hospital. So I just pull them out and stick them on.

Mandy Irby 35:55
So great. Yes, you can change your mind.

Some people might talk about it, but Who cares? Right? Let’s practice getting over like what people think.

Hilary Erickson 36:03
Honestly, I don’t think I would ever think nurse. I mean, they would tell whoever is going to give the shot. Oh, she changed her mind on the vitamin K, we’re going to rip up the Declaration was signed a positive one. So you might have to do a little bit of paperwork. But always realize that you can say no. And then you can change your mind later and say yes, you you are in the driver’s seat. Were just the bus driver on public transit. I like

Mandy Irby 36:25
that. You’re like, Oh, I’m getting off here. This

thing’s getting Cray.

Unknown Speaker 36:28
Right just pull the cord.

Mandy Irby 36:30
I need to stop. I like that a lot. Oh, this has been awesome, Hillary.

Hilary Erickson 36:34
Yeah, I think this was really great. So hopefully guys enjoyed it. Okay, guys, I hope you really liked this episode. Side note, we actually recorded this episode anyway. So if you want to see the video, plus Manny has a couple lightning round questions just about us that you guys might be interested in. I will include those in the show notes. If you want to find those show notes. You can go to pulling curls. com backslash podcast. This is Episode 27. I’m also going to put the links for that informed consent webinar with that is really awesome. He’s going to tell you about kind of how you can talk with your doctor and when you should get informed consent and what it includes. It’s really helpful in this type of situation. Big thanks to our sponsor, the online prenatal class for couples. If you guys are looking for good quality prenatal education, be sure and check it out, because I’m going to share with you how to make good choices. That’s one of the objectives in that class. And so you could make the choice to say no, and you’re going to feel informed and excited about making your own choices driving your own best, right? Of course, Big thanks to Mandy for this talk today. I love talking to her. I always learn and I think about things in a different way. I end up being a different kind of nurse when I come back from these conversations. So I hope you guys enjoyed it too. And you will check her out as well. And of course if you like today’s episode, we’d love a review. We always love a review, but you can also subscribe all those things, share it with your friends on social media. We really appreciate it we drop an episode every Monday and until then I hope you have a tangle free day. Okay, are you ready? Which is your least favorite bodily fluid go

Mandy Irby 37:59
Oh, Not

Hilary Erickson 38:00
Yeah, you kisses 100% mine. Yeah, it is.

Mandy Irby 38:03
Oh yeah. Oh, that’s so funny. There’s so many nurses that are like we could do vomit. No, or whatever.

Hilary Erickson 38:09
All day long. I could do vomit all day long but you asked me to Section A trick. It’s over. Yeah.

Mandy Irby 38:17
Why we’re labor nurse.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

The post How to Say No in Labor with Mandy Irby — PCP 027 appeared first on Pulling Curls.

Why ARE kick counts so important, and what can they do for you? Today I’m talking about how to do kick counts, when to do them, and the benefits you’ll find from them (not the least of those benefits being getting out of cleaning up dinner dishes). Let’s untangle this one.

This episode is inspired by my decreased fetal movement post.

Big thanks to our sponsor, The Online Prenatal Class for Couples — if you like things simplified, just like I did kick counts today, this is the course for you. Don’t forget the coupon code mentioned in the episode.

Other information:

• Great app for kick counts.
• Weeks of Pregnancy

Producer: Drew Erickson

Check out my other pregnancy podcasts:

Transcription:

Hilary Erickson 0:00
Welcome back to The Pulling Curls Podcast. Today on Episode 23 we’re talking about fetal movement. That’s right, your baby moving inside your body because you are creating a human inside of you. Isn’t that insane? Did you guys know that sometimes when you go to check somebody, the hand comes out and grabs you? So, like, I’m checking your cervix and I feel something come out and grab me. The first time I did it, I was like, “Oh my gosh! Something’s alive in there!” But, turns out something is alive in there. Today we’re going to talk about a way to get out of cooking dinner and we’re going to talk about something that can save one in four stillbirths. Let’s untangle it.

Welcome to the Pulling Curls Podcast. Where we untangle everything from pregnancy, parenting, home routines, even some family travel because, heavens knows, our lives are tangled. I’m your host, Hilary Erickson.

Yes, we have tons of tests in the hospital. There’s all these sorts of different kinds of ultrasounds. But did you guys know that the main indicator of fetal well being is fetal movement? My manager a few years ago (shout out to my friend Lottie) sent me to a place that shared that one in four stillborn babies can be saved by doing kick counts. There was a state that really made a push towards kick counts. And you know, after a period of time, they noticed that 25% less stillborns by really pushing moms to do kick counts, and ever since I read that, I pushed it. If you’re on my newsletter, I push kick counts constantly. They are such an easy thing to do, such an important thing, and and I’m surprised by how many doctors don’t even talk about them. So today, we’re going to talk about kick counts and I’m super excited to share this information with you.

This episode of The Pulling Curls Podcast is sponsored by the Online Prenatal Class for Couples. It simplifies understanding labor so you can have a more relaxed pregnancy and birth, taught by a highly experienced labor and delivery nurse, and can be done wherever you are, whenever you want. No more arranging busy schedules to fit in a prenatal class. Save 15% with the coupon code UNTANGLED. You can find out more at pullingcurls.com and the menu under ”Courses” or in this episode’s show notes.

As a reminder, I am a nurse, but I’m not your nurse. So please talk with your physician about kick counts. Find out how they’re important to you, anything extra you should be watching for. It’s also such a great time to bond with your baby. Okay, so kick counts and fetal movement, actually in general, is different for everyone. Now, there are a few reasons why it is different. If your placenta is in the area where your baby most often kicks, which isn’t a problem. It sounds like it could be bad right? But you will feel the baby move less because the placenta is kind of shielding your body from feeling those movements and so sometimes that happens.

How the baby is lying can often affect how you feel kick counts. And also, your musculature in your abdominal area can also affect kick counts. So, often overweight women (like myself) often feel baby move a little bit less than skinny women. But also if you’re skinny and your placenta is in the wrong spot, then (not the wrong spot but in the spot that’s blocking the kicks from you), then you will also feel fetal movement less. So, all that is normal. I know a lot of people get really nervous when they’re at 20 weeks and they haven’t felt baby move and all their friends said that they felt their baby move at 16 weeks. Yeah, it can be disconcerting. And of course, you want to feel that, that’s such an exciting part of pregnancy, but just hold on. It’ll come.

So starting in about 28 weeks, that’s your third trimester, you’re going to want to start to do kick counts. Now, they’re pretty simple, but there are some procedures that you need to go through. So first off, you want to have just eaten and hydrated yourself. So for me, that was always done right after dinner, which had the added benefit of my husband cleaning up dinner because you have to just kind of lay around and see what happens. You’re just going to lay there and you’re going to feel for fetal movement. Now this is any fetal movement except for hiccups. Hiccups do not count towards kick counts. Hiccups are, you’ll feel it you know, every second just kind of a little bounce in your uterus. That’s a hiccup. You can ask your doctor if you have questions because we can… we can actually hear it on the fetal monitor because the baby’s moving with the hiccups but you’re just feeling for any fetal movement.

Now when you start at 28 weeks your baby is like a karate ninja in your womb. Right? They’re all over the place. It’s like War of the Worlds. But as you progress in your pregnancy, those fetal movements are going to get smaller because they simply don’t have as much room to be a ninja anymore. And so you’re going to notice as you do kick counts that those movements change, and that’s okay. It’s just any fetal movement. You’re going to count how long it takes to feel 10 movements. So when I was like old school, I just used my fingers. So I would just, like, put down a finger every time I felt fetal movement. I’d note what time I started, and then I’d note what time I finished and I would just see how long it took me to do it. It’s great if you can do it at a similar time of day, every day. But if you miss that time, it’s still important that you get it done.

So for me again, I did it right after dinner just because I didn’t want to clean up, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. And then I would recommend writing it down. Now I had my last babies at Kaiser and they had like, a fancy book for you to write everything in which is awesome because they really push kick counts again because it saves them money. That’s why Kaiser does everything. To have you do kick counts. So, most doctors don’t do that anymore. You can just write it on an app in your phone. There are fetal movement apps that you can do. I have some of those noted in the post that goes with this. So you can check those out as well.

Now, it is normal for that amount of time, so let’s say it takes you 20 minutes, normally, for the baby to move 10 times. It is normal for that to, you know, vary by 10 to 20 minutes. So if some days, it only takes 10 minutes and some days it takes 30, 35 minutes, that’s okay. You know, baby may be going through a sleep cycle, although usually right after you’ve eaten and drank, they’re less likely to be in a sleep cycle. That’s why it’s awesome to do it then. But those kind of things are normal.

And, as you get further in your pregnancy, you may not notice those tiny little movements as much because the baby doesn’t have much room to move. So, it may take a little bit longer as you get further in your pregnancy, but you’re going to want to see gradual changes. Now, if it’s been 20 minutes fairly consistently, and then all the sudden, you’re into 90 minutes and you’re still not feeling it, you want to call your doctor. And, just let them know that the kick counts are really off. They’re very different. See what they want to do. Most doctors have someone on call for them 24 hours a day, if your doctor doesn’t and you’re really not feeling baby move that would be a reason to go into labor and delivery. And we actually see decreased fetal movement quite a lot in labor and delivery. And it’s awesome if you’re saying, “I do kick counts daily, and normally it’s done in 20 minutes, and I’m in an hour and a half right now, and I’m still not feeling baby move.”That helps us know that you are really in tune with how your baby is moving and growing. And so that’s awesome.

But, usually, I would call your doctor first to let them know, and then, you know, if they don’t call you back or nobody’s on then you could just go into labor and delivery. So that’s the procedure. It really doesn’t take that long. But you do kind of just need to lay there and feel for the baby. You of course, could listen to your favorite podcast… If you’re not too distracted by a TV show, you could probably watch something like that. You can’t really play with your kids. It’s just kind of just laying there and loving and feeling for your baby. It can also be a really great time to bond with your baby. They’re really just such a beautiful thing to do, but they do take time.

So, kick counts, what’s the biggest deal about all of them, you need to do them. So many people get distracted and they don’t end up doing it, they think it’s a great idea, They read Hilary’s article or they listen to her podcast, and they think, “Yes, I am going to do these.” I want you to sit down right now on your phone and set a reminder to do them every day at whatever time works for you. So if it’s after work, if it’s before work, if it is, after you eat breakfast, if it’s after you eat dinner, if it’s after you put the kids to bed. Again, I would recommend having eaten something and make sure you drink some water. A great way to make kick counts take less time is to have some ice water with you because, as your stomach gets cold, it’s right next to the uterus, and it kind of wakes the baby up and they move. And that’s something we actually use in labor and delivery with NST’s which I talk about in my free prenatal class (if you guys haven’t taken it.) So an NST is obvious… is actually very similar to kick counts when I do them in the hospital. So just something to think about. Your kick counts are free. My NST is not so. Kick counts, so important! Please, do them. Please, set a reminder in your phone, get an app, I think the apps will remind you also, so it’s just awesome. Do them, do them, do them. That’s all I have to say about that.

Thank you so much for joining me on today’s episode. Kick counts aren’t really the most glamorous part of pregnancy, but I’m telling you, they are just so important. I push it on all my patients, I push it in my blog, and now I’m pushing it in the podcast. Please, do kick counts.

If you’d like to learn more about kick counts, why they work, what you’re learning about them, I have some awesome links in the post that inspired this podcast and that’s going to be in today’s show notes. You can also find them at pullingcurls.com/podcast. Today’s episode is number 23.

Big thanks to our sponsor, the Online Prenatal Class for Couples. I bet kick counts might have mystified you or somebody just said, “Do kick counts.” And you were like, “Okay, I’ll feel for the baby to move.” And honestly guys, that’s how I did kick counts when I was pregnant. I didn’t think they were that important. But as I’ve read all the information and all these kind of things, they are important. Do them. Anyway, if you feel like other parts of pregnancy are kind of mystifying, come join me in the Online Prenatal Class for Couples. I think I can really help simplify it, make things easier, make it easy to understand. I’d love to have you in there. Remember, you can save 15% with coupon code UNTANGLED.

And of course, if you like today’s episode, I would love it if you would review it. It really means a lot to me and those reviews help me get seen by more people and hopefully I can share kick counts with more people like you. We drop an episode every Monday and until then, I hope you have a tangle-free day!

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

The post Fetal Movement & Kick Counts — PCP 023 appeared first on Pulling Curls.