Nitrous Oxide, other wise know as "laughing gas" has been a staple in childbirth in other countries for decades. Over the last 8 years it has made a significant increase in appearance in the United States but what is it? What is it used for? And, why would I want it (or not want it)? Good questions! We're glad you asked! Nitrous Oxide is a mild analgesia (pain reliever) gas. It is administered through an oxygen mask typically in a ratio of 50% nitrous oxide to 50% oxygen. The gas has no odor and no taste and it works by promoting relaxation. If you were to choose to utilize nitrous oxide as part of your birth experience it would look something like this. You would be provided with an oxygen mask to hold on over your mouth and nose. Only you, the client receiving the nitrous oxide is allowed to hold the mask on your face. This gives you complete and total control over the dosage you are inhaling. As soon as you feel a contraction starting to build you put the mask over your mouth and nose and start breathing the nitrous oxide/oxygen combination until the end of that contraction when you will remove the mask until needed again. For many women it does tend to work more effectively if it preempts the contraction by about 30 seconds versus waiting to start part way through the building contraction. If for any reason you suddenly decide you want to be done with the nitrous oxide it will completely leave your system within 5 minutes of your last dose. If you didn't feel the need for it during labor but are requiring stitches, nitrous oxide may also be an option to help with pain management during that phase as well. Like all medicines it does have its risks and benefits and so let's take a look at them to help you decide if nitrous oxide sounds like an option that appeals to you. Risks of Nitrous Oxide: - Some women find that it is not a strong enough pain killer cope through contractions - May cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting or tiredness - Limits your other coping options to some degree as one hand must always be keeping the mask in place during contractions - Not recommended if you have B12 deficiency - Not recommended if you have recently had ear surgery (it changes the pressure in the inner ear) Benefits of Nitrous Oxide: - Helps take the edge off of labor pains if you need some additional coping tools but don't care to use an epidural - Leaves your body in less than five minutes - No known side affects to baby and does not leave baby groggy or sleepy from medication - No known negative affects on the body's natural physiology and hormones or the progress of labor - Provides you with complete control over the amount and frequency you are recieve - Safe if you intend to breastfeed immediately after the baby is born - You are still able to walk and move about as desired No pain relief method is going to be the right option for every woman, but the more you know about your options the more equipped you can feel going into labor and finding the tools that work best for you!
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Those last few weeks of pregnancy. They're tough. You are SO ready to meet your precious baby, but your baby seem to be in no hurry to enter the world. Plus, it's spring. In McCall. Which means mud, rain, slush and some teases of warm beautiful days tossed in the mix. To help you pass the time we have put together a list:
9 Things to do in McCall When You're 9 Months Pregnant - Spring Edition 1. Treat yourself to some Stacey Cakes (because, well, it's Stacey Cakes and therefore amazing) 2. Stock up on some easy to grab snacks for those early postpartum days. You will be ravenous. You will be exhausted. And you will be constantly attached to a newborn. Granola bars, fresh fruit, cheese sticks, Stock up on things that are easy to eat one handed and will nourish you. 3. Take a stroll along Legacy Beach. The tourist haven't flocked in yet, so take advantage of a sunny spring day to breath in some fresh mountain air and get your heart pumping. 4. Create a list of ways to people can help you when they stop by. New babies often mean lots of visitors. It also often means many people eager to help you out in anyway they can so take a few minutes to write up a list of things that would really help you out as you recover and adjust to life with a newborn. Tossing in a load of laundry, grabbing some milk at the store or walking the dog are some ideas that most people are more than happy to assist with and can really feel like a big relief to you. 5. If you already have kids, try to have some special one-on-one time with them before baby. Life will be busy for a while after baby is born so take advantage of the semi quiet now to plan a special date with your kids at home. It could be as simple as a park play date, building a fort together or going out for ice cream. 6. Call a girlfriend. Sometimes a good chat with an old friend is just the thing to brighten our day. 7. Book a Postpartum Placenta Specialist to encapsulate your placenta. Not sure what that is? You can learn more about it HERE. 8. Take 30 minutes to sit down and do some coloring. Put on some music, pull out your colored pencils, crayons or markers. Sound childish? Maybe, but it's also an incredibly relaxing way to unplug and put everything else aside for a while. 9. Make sure your hospital bag is packed and ready to go. If you're looking for idea of what to pack and what you don't really need you can check out our Hospital Packing List for the Minimalist So there you have it. And when you just can't take one more person asking if you've had the baby yet, you can always start sending them to www.haveyouhadthatbabyyet.com! That’s right folks. Placenta consumption isn’t just for the carnivores out there. In fact, almost every type of mammal on earth consumes their placenta. Crazy right? Deer, elk, zebras, lions, pandas, you name it, from ravenous meat eaters to grazers who have never consumed anything but plants. Science can’t yet pin down why they do it but what they are certain of is that it’s a biological norm in mammals. Something inside signals to them that there is value in doing this. It makes no difference if you’re talking about carnivores, herbivores or omnivores, placenta consumption is seen across the board. But you’re not a giraffe. You’re a human being. And perhaps also a vegetarian. And you aren’t sure if you should encapsulate your placenta as a vegetarian. While only you can make that decision, what we can tell you is that many vegetarians feel that it is acceptable for them and their values. The placenta was produced by their own body and after birth serves no additional purpose. It is consumed for a limited amount of time and for a specific reason. And, they know exactly where it came from and how it was treated (especially with in-home encapsulation). .If you are a vegetarian and you don’t feel that you should have your placenta encapsulated we support you 100%. It is a personal decision. If you’re a vegetarian and you do wish to consume your placenta, however, you can rest assured that what you are doing is something seen in herbivores throughout nature. Or if you're really not sure why you would even WANT to consume your placenta you can check on more info on that HERE. The day is fast approaching. Maybe you’re 32 weeks along in your pregnancy, maybe you’re 39 weeks and 6 days but either way you’ve decided it’s time to pack the hospital bag and be prepared for “the big day.” Great! But...what do you pack? We’re so glad you asked! The standard lists can be overwhelming for some of us due to the sheer amount of “basics” that are recommended. If you’re more of a minimalist at heart we’ve got you covered. Our list is broke down into the "essentials" and the "extras." We want you to be confident you've got what you NEED and suggest a few extra perks that some people like to have but aren't necessarily crucial. As you select what goes in your hospital bag here are a couple things to keep in mind. What’s going to make you comfortable? What’s going to make you feel at home and at ease? It could be a cozy pair of socks, your favorite pillow or a certain scent. Pack the basics, throw in a few cozy touches if that’s your thing and get ready to meet your precious new baby. Download our free printable minimalist packing list HERE |