Mama PSA: Stay Hydrated!

"Thirsty? Then your body is on its way to becoming dehydrated. For the average adult, water accounts for 60 percent of body weight. That water plays a critical role in nearly every bodily process. And being a quart or two low can affect how you feel. Water is key in body temperature regulation." (URMC)


It's all too easy to let the day go by without drinking enough water until your thirsty. As a pregnant mom, or if you're breast feeding staying hydrated is so important! You are your baby's source of hydration.

During pregnancy dehydration can worsen morning sickness, cause preterm contractions, swelling and more. Hydration contributes to fetal blood circulation,cell development and amniotic fluid. In "Raising Baby Green," Alan Greene, M.D., asks pregnant women to remember that their placenta is “providing approximately one cup of water each hour” just to replenish amniotic fluid in the womb.

Drinking water can be a tough habit to start, especially if you're accustomed to drinking sugary juice, sodas or coffee throughout your day. Cutting back on these beverages is the first step.

You can make staying hydrated more enjoyable by dressing up your water. Iced herbal teas are a yummy alternative, my favorite is peppermint!

Add fresh herbs and fruit to your water for a change of pace, here's a terrific recipe for Homemade Vitamin Water.

Doulas and midwives often make, or suggest making "laborade" a homemade hydrating Gatorade type drink. All natural and delicious, you can also use this during pregnancy and after birth while nursing to stay hydrated.
Simply stir together the following ingredients in a quart jar:
Water! ;)
1/3 cup of honey
1/3 cup of lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda

If you're pregnant during the hottest summer months, it's worth it to find a maternity swimsuit or a suit that works for you. Swimming is great for your hardworking pregnant body, and a terrific way to cool down. It seems obvious, but remember to keep drinking while swimming, cooling down can make us forget we're thirsty!

Have you found some delicious and fun ways to stay hydrated and cool during the summer?

Beautiful Birth Plan

 
Bella means beautiful and birth is exactly that. 
What makes a birth beautiful? 
You. 
No matter if it’s a natural quick birth, or an extended tough labor, or a cesarean section,  your birth can be beautiful. An experience to treasure, a story to tell.  Women who have good support are empowered to make informed decisions, feel in control and have beautiful birth..
Use the links on my website to your advantage, an educated mother is an empowered mother.
 
Whether this is your first baby or your family is growing,  visualize what your Bellabirth would be. Take a few minutes to ask yourself the following questions and maybe discuss them with your partner.
 
For me the ideal place to give birth would be……..
My top three priorities for this birth are……
I want the following people to be there to support me…….
And I want to be sure the following things are there…..
For me, I would like the following clinical/medical personnel there ……
For me, the best approach to pain management would be…..
What else is very important to you?
Use these questions as a jumping off point to creating a 
BIRTH PLAN.

As a doula Inhelp many couple write their birth plan. Informational support is definitely a priority in my practice. I want to help childbearing families get the info they need to make truly informed decisions.
It is true that we cannot plan birth! There are so many variations of normal that you cannot pin point exactly how it will go. However a birth plan is a terrific outline for discussion. Discussion between you and your support people, care providers and spouse. Having your desires known can help streamline any conversations and decisions you are faced with during labor. I like to help my clients explore and have conversations that might. One up during birth, before labor ever begins. This can also help dispel fears, and labor is usually easier to cope with in the absence of fear.

Check out my website for some great links to help you write your own birth plan!