About GBS

GBS does not generally cause problems for the mother, however, during childbirth, GBS can be transmitted to the baby. Between 40-70% of colonized mothers pass the bacteria on to their babies during the birth process. While most babies are not affected by the bacteria, a very small number (1-2%) (SOGC) will become ill. Newborns exposed to GBS may develop mild to severe infections, which include pneumonia, sepsis (infection of the blood) or meningitis (infection of fluid lining the brain.) A small percentage of infants with GBS infection may be at risk for permanent handicaps or even death.

Without knowledge of the mothers GBS status, (women who have not been tested) pregnant women in the general population have a 0.06% to 0.56% chance of having a baby develop GBS infection.
Women who tested positive for GBS have a 0.4% to 1.4% chance of having a baby develop GBS infection.

Your Choices: To Test o Not to Test

There are two accepted options for screening from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC)

• Cultures for GBS are taken from all pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy, by performing a low vaginal/rectal swab. Those mothers who are positive are offered antibiotic treatment in labour.

• Not routinely test all women and treat only those mothers who present with risk factors for GBS infection in the baby.

Risk Factor’s for GBS Infection

Women are at higher risk to pass GBS on to their babies if they

1. Start labour before they reach 37 weeks gestation.

1. Rupture their membranes (water breaks) and it seems as though the labour will last more than 18 hours.

1. If they have an unexplained fever during labour (380C or higher)

1. If they already had a baby who had a GBS infection

1. If they have (or had) a bladder or kidney infection during pregnancy, which was caused by the GBS bacteria

1. Note: up to 50% of cases develops in infants of mothers without risk factors. (Factor SH 1998, Lieu TA 1998)Your Choices: To Treat or Not to treat

It is recommended that women who test positive for GBS or present with risk factors for GBS infection be offered intravenous antibiotics in active labour (usually Penicillin; – Erythromycin or Clindamycin are used if you are allergic to Penicillin) These antibiotics are most effective if they are in your system for at least 4 hours after the baby is born. Some women who test positive for GBS may choose not to be treated unless they develop one or more of theriskfactors.

Summary

Research has shown that giving GBS positive mothers and mothers that present with risk factors, intravenous antibiotics during labour, can significantly reduce the frequency of GBS infection in the baby. Both screening options will treat many women and babies unnecessarily and will miss some babies who really do need treatment. The increasing number of antibiotic resistant bacteria due to overuse of antibiotics is a global issue. Antibiotics can also cause other side effects such as diarrhea, yeast infections, and allergic reactions. The problem of GBS is one that has no easy solution. We encourage you to read more about this topic and discuss any questions you have with us.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful gift to your baby. Breast milk is not only perfect food for your little one, it also serves her as a protection, as it is full of antibodies to protect her from infection and disease. It is also her first relationship with you, her means of comfort and reassuarence.

Although breastfeeding is a natural process it may present some chalenges in the begining. Do not get descouraged. fight for it, get some help, do not give it up.

As you and your baby grow more experienced, nursing will become easy, convenient and pleasurable.

In celebration of The Breastfeeding Week I wrote a poem, dedicated to my son and to many others breastfed babies and their moms.

My Sweetness lies in a cradle of my arms

My Tenderness smells like roses, smells like sun

I look into your eyes and you gaze into mine

I know I never felt so in love, so high

You look so peaceful and so content

You swallow and I listen

It is so quite…  so perfect

Trees are waving at me in the window

A flock of white clouds are passing by

A small sunbeam is playing on the wall

I love these moments most of all…

My baby, your warmth is so cozy, so inviting

Your skin is soft and tender as if I touch a cloud,

I stroke your head, your hair is like a fine silk

My fingers are playing with your little toes…

I’m full of adoration, full of dreams,

Milky rivers flow through my body,

They give you sweet nectar of my affection

I’m so loved, so needed, so yours…

This nectar is nowhere else to be found,

It is made in hidden depths of my body

It is made just for you from the finest ingredients

So you can flourish and grow…

My Sweetness lies in a cradle of my arms…

When I was 2 days before my ” official” due date, my OB sugested me an induction. Among his reasons were: he was on duty that night, so he will deliver my baby,; hospital was not very busy; it was before a weekend…. We stood our grounds and refused, in spite of numerouse suggestions and even pressure.

I’m so glad to see that there are some studies to confirm that kind of practice may present real risks. Please, check this study out.

Among many safe and fun activities are walking, watching nice movie, plying games, sorting old pictures and, of course, cooking!

Here is a link to a wonderful recipe of a groaning cake

Try it, it sure tastes great!

Not all of them are considered safe during pregnancy. here is the list of most common essential oils TO AVOID during pregnancy.

Anise, Bay, Basil, Camphor, Caraway, Carrot, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Comfrey, Cypress, Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Mugwort, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Oregano, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Sassafras, Tansy, Thuja, Thyme, Wintergreen, Wormwood, Yarrow

Oils to avoid in the first trimester:

Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium, Melissa, Rose

This experience builds a foundation for his/her future perseption of the world.

Will it be trusting? Fulfilling? Rushed through? Cut off?

Extended breastfeeding is nature’s way of filling your baby’s need for intimacy and appropriate dependency on other people. If these needs are met early on, your child will grow up to be a sensitive and independent adult. On the other hand cutting corners now will only create problems in the future.

Former Surgeon General, Dr. Antonia Novello, proclaimed: “It’s the lucky baby, I feel, who continues to nurse until he’s two.” A baby’s sucking need lessens sometime between nine months and three years. The age at which this need lessens is individual, yet very few babies are emotionally filled and ready to wean before their first year.

Even though our western culture is accustomed to viewing breastfeeding in terms of months, in many cultures a baby is breastfed for two or three years.

This is not the norm the world over.

While weaning is a personal decision, nutritionists and physicians advise breastfeeding for at least one year because by that time most infants have outgrown most of their food allergies and will thrive on alternative nourishment.

Dear mothers, please, think in terms of years, not months, when contemplating how long to nurse.

Weaning is not something that you do to a child. Weaning is a journey from one relationship to another.

The Hebrew word for wean is “gamal”, meaning “to ripen.”

When a child is weaned at the age of 2 or 3 years old, by that time a child is filled with the basic tools of the earlier stages of development, he is secure and ready to enter the next stage of development. A child who is weaned before his time may show anger, aggression, habitual tantrum-like behavior, anxious attachment to caregivers, and an inability to form deep and intimate relationships.

Healthy weaning needs to be done gradually; you are helping your child to a new stage of development, not forcing him into it.

• Start with skipping the least favorite feeding. (Night time feeding is usually most loved one, so it will be last to go)
• Do not put yourself in the situation (or place) which will remind your baby of nursing. (rocking chair, holding baby in a “breastfeeding” position etc).
• Kip him busy, engage him in some fun activities, may be read a book or play a game, go for a walk, boredom will trigger a desire to be breastfed.
• Become a moving target, but do not reject your baby, if your child persists, or her behavior deteriorates, this may indicate that breastfeeding is still a need rather than a want. Watch your child and trust your intuition.
• Do not wean from person to an object (such as a blanket or a stuffed animal). Introduce other comfort measures such as sitting on your lap, singing a song to a child, letting dads to comfort and reassure a child.
• Breastfeeding will increase again during time of illness as your child needs not only comfort, but an immune boost as well.

Breastfeeding is meant to be a pleasurable experience. When one or both members of the mother-infant pair aren’t enjoying it anymore, it’s time to wean. After all, all good things must come to a timely end.

But, please, do it respectfully to your child feelings, weaning by desertion is very traumatic to a child.

Life is a series of “weanings” for a child: weaning from your womb, your breast, your bed, and your home.

The most secure, independent, and happy children are those who have not been weaned before their time.

Let them “Ripe” in their own time, make their journey as pleasant as possible so they grow into sensitive and independent adults.

makes approximately 12 regular or 36 mini muffins

• 1 3/4 cups spelt flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium or 3 large)
• 2/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup softened non-hydrogenated coconut oil, or sunflower or olive oil (plus extra if using to coat pan)
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup non-dairy chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (for a protein boost)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Prepare muffin tray(s) with paper liners or a light coating of oil.

In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.  In a large bowl, mash up bananas (a potato masher works awesome for this), syrup, and oil.  Add dry ingredients and stir just until all flour is absorbed.  Fold in chips and nuts, if using.

Portion the batter into muffin tray(s), about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full, and bake – 25 minutes for regular sized, 12-15 minutes for minis, until the tops are domed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

ENJOY!

 Nothing in life is to be feared.  It is only to be understood.  ~Marie Curie

I once heard a story about two kids who were trying to help a new butterfly to emerge from its cocoon. The result was devastating, as when the butterfly was delivered from its cocoon, it did not have those beautiful full wings.

What had happened? Apparently this is a part of the struggle the caterpillar goes through when it is emerging from its cocoon… The struggle helps to develop strong, beautiful wings….

Could it be that as women we also need a struggle during labour to become beautiful, strong mothers, who are able to meet the challenges of motherhood?

Could it be that we need labour to birth our children, not to be delivered from them.

Could it be that we need labour  to learn to love ourselves and to learn to trust our bodies, to learn to listen to our instincts…

 There is so much fear in our society associated with childbirth, and yet it is the most ancient and proven-to-succeed “technology” of our bodies.

I always wonder where those fears come from. What is their origin? While I’m searching for answers to these questions it looks like those fears and superstitions around childbirth are definitely well maintained by the media, Hollywood and medical authorities.

 Fear plays a huge role in our ability (or actually inability) to birth peacefully, drug free and joyfully.

When we are fearful or anxious our body produces certain hormones, which have a tensing affect on our muscles, blood is drawn away from internal organs to extremities, as body enters “fight or flight” mode.

On the contrarily when labour begins a woman needs to be as open as possible and as relaxed as possible.

Easier said than done, you might think.

 Well, the first step in conquering that fear of childbirth is to understand the process.

The more you and your partner know about labour, what is happening and why, the more confident you will be with your body functions and the process itself.

Part of that knowledge is to understand medical procedures, their pros and cons, and to know your options as an educated consumer.

The next step is to learn what you can do to stay healthy and low risk during pregnancy, how you can prepare your body for the physical challenge of labour.

Last, but definitely not least, is how your partner can get ready to be involved during labour, how he can support you and become your labour coach, not just an observer with no control over the situation.

Fear can survive only in the midst of uncertainty…

The more you do as a couple to build up confidence in each other and in the birth process itself, the less you will feel the grip of fear, the less you will succumb to its debilitating power.

You will face the challenges of childbirth with delight and understanding how valuable it is for you and your child.

You will bring out the best in yourself, the best in each other and the best in your care provider so you can give birth with confidence and joy.

You will develop those strong, big and beautiful wings which will help you to fly over the challenges of parenthood.

I was invited to do an episode on Breakfast TV. I’m so exited about it.

Please, tune in on June 15!  Enjoy your Breakfast with Birth 2 Enjoy!