Claremont Midwifery

Vitamin K for newborns: What are the Options if My Baby is Born at Home?

Angela Burwick — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:26:06 +0000

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), also known as Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn, is a very serious (but luckily very rare) disorder that affects up to one in 10,000 full-term babies who do not receive prophylaxis with Vitamin K. It is a potentially life-threatening bleeding disorder that can result in permanent brain damage and, in come cases, death of the infant.

Pregnancy and Sushi: It’s a Raw Deal

Angela Burwick — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:04:56 +0000

The list foods you should and shouldn't eat during pregnancy goes on and on. . .and sushi lovers (and there are lots of us in Southern California!) may dismay at the prospect of nine long, sushi-less months. The FDA recommends that women avoid all raw meat, poultry, fish and eggs while pregnant, and for good reason. Uncooked or undercooked versions of these foods can be contaminated with bacteria such as Listeria, E. coli or Salmonella; parasites such as worms, or can contain Toxoplasma.

Home Birth or Birth Center: Which One’s Right for You?

Angela Burwick — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:31:28 +0000

Birthing couples often ask me what's the difference between having their baby in a birth center and choosing a home birth, or even "what's better?" The first question I can answer, but the second question really has be be answered by the parents, and my response is that it has to be what feels right for you and your baby. It's a very personal choice and one that should be well researched and carefully decided.

How to Help Your Posterior Baby Turn During Labor

Angela Burwick — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:15:26 +0000

Most babies are facing the mother's back (occiput anterior, or "OA") when labor starts, and this is the ideal position for the baby to descend in the pelvis because the dimensions of the baby's head fit more easily through the mother's pelvis.

Prenatal Vitamin Comparison

Angela Burwick — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:42:07 +0000

I thought it would be useful to do a side-by-side comparison of two of my favorite prenatal vitamin brands: Rainbow Light Prenatal One (one-a-day) and New Chapter Organics Prenatal Vitamin (three-a-day).

Medicate Your Baby for Spitting Up? (You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me!)

Angela Burwick — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 03:32:01 +0000

I was listening to NPR the other day and it turns out that (thanks to commercials for prescription medications), parents are now demanding medication for their babies who spit up. In fact, according to NPR, there has been an 11-fold increase in such prescriptions between 2002 and 2009.

Writing a Birth Plan for Home Birth

Angela Burwick — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:04:34 +0000

You can find dozens of online templates for writing a birth plan -- but most of these are meant to be used in the hospital and are a laundry list of "dos" and "don'ts" that you hope your doctors and nurses will pay attention to. When you are having a home birth with a midwife, you will have had time during your prenatal visits to discuss the birth that you envision and your midwife will have become familiar with your preferences. Your birth plan will be more of a "birth reminder."

50 Questions to Ask a Midwife

Angela Burwick — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:50:38 +0000

Choosing a midwife is not always easy – there are so many things to consider! Do you agree with her philosophy about birth? Do you feel confident in her training, experience and skills? Is she someone you feel comfortable partnering with to provide care during your pregnancy and trust to help you during your birth? [...]

Calcium in Labor: A Natural Method of Pain Relief?

Angela Burwick — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 05:05:42 +0000

I heard about this a couple of years ago and dismissed it, but recently I've read more and more about the link between calcium supplementation and easier, less painful labors.

Fetal-Size Office Supplies | Part 2

Angela Burwick — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 05:24:49 +0000

Continued from Fetal-Size Office Supplies | Part 1: Somebody decided that a fetus needs to be compared to fruits and vegetables so parents can get an idea of how much their baby grows from week to week. . .and it caught on.