The post Expansion of Midwifery Program at Bon Secours St. Francis appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

The post Bon Secours Now Offers Ambulatory Fetal Monitors for Low-Intervention Births appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

A few months ago we posted a Q&A with Dr. Alice Hirata about nitrous oxide as a form of pain management during labor. At the time, St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center were the only two facilities in Virginia to offer it. This past November, Bon Secours Richmond Health System sent out a press release detailing the expansion of nitrous oxide as well as a testimonial from a patient who successfully used it during labor.

The post Nitrous Oxide Program Expansion appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

Dr. David Chelmow, Chair of Ob-Gyn; Bridgid Maher, Director of The Mama Sherpas; Leslie Fehan, Certified Nurse-Midwife; Dr. Christine Isaacs, Ob-Gyn

It had been a while since I sat in a VCU lecture hall.  But on a Thursday night, I found myself sitting in a lecture space once again, this time with midwives, doctors and doulas, along with filmmaker Brigid Maher to watch The Mama Sherpas, a documentary aiming to bust myths about midwifery in America.

The film focuses on midwives working in hospitals as a part of a “collaborative care” model, meaning they work in conjunction with doctors to provide a safe, low-intervention birth with healthier outcomes for both mom and baby.

The screening at VCU felt a little bit like preaching to the choir. VCU midwives attended 386 births in 2014 alone; and over 1,000 Richmond mothers have gone through the CenteringPregnancy program at VCU since it began in 2005.  It appears that the collaborative care program has been working; VCU’s c-section rate is far below the national average. To take it a step further, VCU, among the midwives, boasts a low epidural rate as well.

Despite preaching to the choir however, The Mama Sherpas is a lovely film for anyone interested in the birth industry.  The film features many birth stories, including VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarian) and breech births, highlighting that the doctors and midwives worked together to provide the best outcomes.  There were beautiful moments and even some tears while watching the film (yes even among this group).  Even after 4 kids, I felt slightly wistful watching brand new babies being slipped into the arms of tired, but elated mothers.

If you’d like to learn more about delivering at VCU, visit vcumom.com

To learn more about The Mama Sherpas or to watch the movie online, visit TheMamaSherpas.com

The post VCU Hosts Richmond Premiere of The Mama Sherpas appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

You might have heard a lot about the epidural as a form of pain relief… but you may not have heard as much about the return of a different kind of pain relief -nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.

Commonly used in the UK and throughout the rest of Europe, nitrous oxide is self administered and is made of a 50/50 blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Surprised it wasn’t offered to you before? That’s because St. Mary’s and St. Francis are one of the few hospitals, nationwide, and the only ones in Virginia to offer nitrous oxide as a form of pain management to birthing women.

Richmond Top Doc, Dr. Alice Hirata took some time out of her busy schedule at Virginia Women’s Center to answer our questions about nitrous oxide and it’s use during labor.

Rmom: Nitrous oxide for labor has been around for quite a long time (over 50 years) why has it recently gained popularity?

Dr. Hirata: I think nitrous got overlooked in the United States for years because births became hospital-based procedures and stronger alternatives, like epidurals and twilight sleep, became available. More recently, couples are realizing the risks associated with over medicated, highly procedural deliveries. Allowing space, time and more natural support for the birth process frequently leads to beautiful, safe vaginal births. Simpler can be better. This movement includes nitrous oxide or laughing gas as another tool to offer aid in the natural birth process.

Rmom: Does the use of nitrous oxide prohibit me from walking, using the tub, or using other labor positions?

Dr. Hirata: Nitrous oxide is quick acting and very simple to use. The laboring woman has full control of how much gas she’d like to use as she holds a mask to her face and only breaths as much gas as benefits her. The gas can be used intermittently or regularly over a short span of time or several hours. The gas is cleared by a tube attached to the wall so it limits use to about 10 feet. That’s why it can’t be used in tub or shower. The woman can use it in bed, standing, on a birthing ball and right up to the time of birthing or getting an epidural. It’s use is very flexible especially because it clears from her body very rapidly.

Rmom: Do I have to choose between using nitrous oxide or an epidural?

Dr. Hirata: Nitrous can be used along with numerous support measures and doesn’t preclude a woman getting an epidural.

Rmom: Do I need to tell my doctor before I go into labor that I plan on using nitrous oxide for pain relief? At what stage of labor can nitrous oxide be used?

Dr. Hirata: It’s helpful if a laboring couple share with their caregivers their interest in possibly using nitrous. That way an easy consent can be reviewed early in labor and there be no delay in the woman receiving this option should it become desired as a labor progresses. Typically it’s best to hold off on use of nitrous until the woman is finding that other comfort measures are no longer helping her cope adequately. Nitrous can buffer the tricky transitions of labor; it doesn’t remove discomfort but can decrease fear and anxiety. It can help keep discomfort under her control.

Rmom: Are there any side effects from nitrous oxide for me or my baby?

Dr. Hirata: Nitrous is thought to be quite safe for mom and baby. In some women, it can cause lightheadedness or nausea. These sensations clear quickly after stopping use of the gas. The baby is not affected. However, anyone with celiac disease or problems with vitamin b12 should not use nitrous.

The post Nitrous Oxide During Labor: Richmond Top Doc Answers Our Questions appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

Richmond is one of the coolest cities to call home right now for all kinds of reasons, but especially for young and expectant families. From prenatal yoga, massage, and acupuncture, to birthing options from hospital to home, and postpartum support circles, baby-wearing and breastfeeding groups, there is much to love about our progressive birth scene and mothering community.

Now for the first time outside a hospital setting expectant parents can learn about breastfeeding, childbirth, VBAC support, and nutrition all under one roof through a new birth services model called MyBirth.

With a cozy office in The Fan and a comprehensive offering of birth, breastfeeding, and nutrition classes, MyBirth prepares parents for the highs and lows of having a baby, offering mothers what’s tried and true to make it through the toughest parts so they can realize the long term benefits of a healthy and well supported pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

From Left to Right: MyBirth partner Lynn English, and cofounders Amy Lavelle , Jenny Fisher, and Emily Bruno.

A powerhouse of amazing women, Emily, Amy, Jenny, and Lynn—all professional birth doulas—are transforming the way that Richmond families get their start by placing the power of information and choice back in the hands of local mothers while making it easier and more convenient for expectant parents to connect with the resources they need most.

I sat down with Emily Bruno, cofounder of MyBirth, VBAC support group leader, and sage doula to get to the heart of MyBirth and learn more about how these mama-entrepreneurs are elevating the craft of supporting women in Richmond.

Tell me about MyBirth and the niche it fills for women and families here in RVA.

MyBirth is a one-stop shop for birth services. We are the only full-service practice with guaranteed 24-7 doula back-up offering multiple opportunities to meet and get to know your doula and her back-up prior to labor. Any time you read advice on hiring a doula it is recommended that you interview multiple doulas to find one you “click” with. With us, one interview connects you with four experienced doulas that have an established working relationship with each other and with area hospitals.

Our classes are independent, evidence-based, and non-biased, developed in collaboration with local experts, and taught by us in-house. We offer a variety of class times and formats to fit into anyone’s schedule.

Our doula services include two prenatal appointments, full labor support, and two postpartum appointments. We offer an initial group prenatal that encourages families to build community, make connections, and become confident in their birth.

Your slogan reads: “At the end you will confidently say, ‘This was My Birth.’” Tell me more about what this means to you and what your hopes and goals are for your clients.

Our first goal is to have clients who are fully educated and therefore making the most informed decisions. Our second goal is to be sure that we honor our clients’ decisions.

As doulas we have no specific outcome in mind other than your feeling honored and well supported through your birth. Our job is to offer multiple educational opportunities so that you can make the best decision for your birth and your family.

There is no “right way” to have your baby – just what is right for you, and we support this.

Emily Bruno, Jenny Fisher, Amy Lavelle and just a few of their happy clients.

Emily, you are passionate about cesarean prevention and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), and you recently started an International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) chapter here in Richmond. Why would you recommend that every pregnant woman attend at least one ICAN meeting?

To become educated and make the best decision for their birth. In short: to learn about the unnecessary cesarean, the long term risks and complications of C-section births and to know that if they have a C-section—whether by choice or necessity—to also learn about and understand they can request a family-centered or “gentle” cesarean, and later pursue a VBAC if they so choose.

Cesarean birth is a risk to every pregnancy, as 1 in 3 women are birthing via c-section. It behooves families to know and fully understand the risks of surgical birth, and how to avoid one if possible.

I love how comprehensive MyBirth’s list of services are, please share some about your class offerings and what makes choosing a MyBirth doula stand out as a unique choice for families in Richmond. 

Our curriculum is written based on our experiences in Richmond hospitals with Richmond providers so that we can best serve Richmond families. We don’t teach a particular “method” but have instead designed a class that uses techniques and practices that we know to reliably help mothers best prepare for their births. We wrote and now teach an original evidence-based curriculum focused on preparing for a healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. The information is accessible, interactive, easy to remember and fun, with multiple approaches to learning that are directed at both mama and partner. Our classes include a four week, 12-hour, full childbirth education series, a refresher course for those on their second, third, even sixth baby, and a breastfeeding class. We also have a VBAC success class and a nutrition class for the childbearing year, which is not offered anywhere else.

What are three essential elements that expectant parents should seek out for their birth?

1. Education. This is key. You can’t make an informed decision if you don’t know your options.
2. Preparation. Educate, research, discuss. Just because you envision your birth a certain way doesn’t mean it will automatically happen that way. You have to prepare for the birth you want. What if you desire an unmedicated birth but require the use of medical interventions? What if you prepare for an epidural, but labor too fast to receive one, or have one that doesn’t fully manage your labor sensations?
3. Support and a strong team. This includes your partner, your care provider, your doula and your community. After educating yourself on your options and learning how best to pursue the birth you want, you deserve to have your choices honored.

What is the back story of MyBirth, how did it all begin and how did the stars align to make your business concept a reality? 

Everything really got started in the fall of 2013. After working together for a couple of years on the board of Richmond Doulas, we knew that we shared a similar philosophy regarding birth work, and a clear idea of what kind of preparation and classes that we wished were available to our clients.

We had a vision of an office to meet clients, a classroom to share our knowledge and experiences about pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding, and a welcoming environment to host support groups and other birth related events. We wanted our clients to develop relationships with other families and build community because parenthood can sometimes be an isolating experience. We also wanted to provide a continuum of support throughout the childbearing year, where everything you need is in one familiar location—it got old sending our clients all over town to search out different resources!

It’s been a slow process but we’ve been very thorough. We’re laying the foundation of a longterm presence in the Richmond birth community. To say that this has been a challenge is a serious understatement but we know that it’s an incredible opportunity to positively impact so many women and their families by offering more choices and easier access to education and support.

We are women and moms that have a passion for birth and supporting families—and for supporting our own families with our work. This is our job, our profession, our calling. We care deeply about the work we do and our commitment shows in our decision to move birth work and education in a whole new direction for Richmond.

To learn more about MyBirth doulas, services, and course offerings.

For information about ICAN Richmond.

The post A New Model for Birth Services, RVA Welcomes MyBirth appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

Women entering pregnancy can now benefit from an expanded, multifaceted group approach to prenatal care offered at Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center.

CenteringPregnancy® is a nationally recognized program led by certified providers usually nurse midwives; it augments individual prenatal visits with group sessions and gives expectant women better control of their pre-natal care, through a group setting.

“Expectant women are more empowered today than 10 or 20 years ago in making their own health care decisions, and CenteringPregnancy helps them achieve this by bringing women out of isolated exam rooms and into groups for their care,” said Mary Anne Graf, vice president of women’s services, Bon Secours Virginia Health System. “CenteringPregnancy has a proven track record of ensuring healthier babies and healthier, well-informed new mothers. While moms often desire to be in the driver’s seat of their pregnancy, labor and delivery by making their own choices, they also can find pregnancy to be isolating and intimidating at times. CenteringPregnancy provides a supportive setting of women who often share the same ‘pains and passions’ of pregnancy.”

After completing their first obstetrics appointment at a Bon Secours-affiliated practice or clinic, women receive information on CenteringPregnancy and are offered the choice to participate in the program. Women are grouped by similar due dates. In each weekly session, they receive a private, prenatal check up by a certified nurse-midwife, including weight and blood pressure monitoring. This is followed by a two-hour group educational session led by a certified nurse-midwife. The weekly sessions enable the women to discuss health concerns and expectations in a supportive setting. Weekly topics including nutrition and healthy lifestyles, labor and childbirth options, breastfeeding, pregnancy discomforts, newborn care, child development and more.

Through this unique model of care, women become empowered and feel confident to play a more active role in their pregnancy and overall health. They have access to all their charts, ultrasounds and lab work, and they are acutely aware of how their pregnancy is progressing. Each woman is supported physically, spiritually, psychologically and socially, through bonds that develop within the group.

Initiated in the early 1990s by a nurse-midwife in Connecticut, and today with sites nationwide, the CenteringPregnancy model has resulted in positive health outcomes for pregnancies, specifically increased birth weight, fewer preterm births, shorter postpartum hospitalizations, and fewer unnecessary visits to the emergency room. The satisfaction expressed by both the women and their providers support the effectiveness of this model for the delivery of care.

“Women often are each other’s best teachers, and groups enable them to share a wealth of information with one another,” said Jean Curtacci, RN, a certified nurse-midwife and a group leader of CenteringPregnancy at St. Francis Medical Center. “The women in my groups are more willing to express what they’re really feeling, and they feed off of each other. The experience also is enhancing the way I provide prenatal care in a traditional setting, because I am learning more about what these women are going through in any given week of their pregnancy.”

“CenteringPregnancy has proven to be a really powerful process for a woman’s pregnancy, and it’s changing the way women are receiving their prenatal care,” said Graf. “New mothers especially are seeing this group approach as what prenatal care is, and will be in the future. The support setting will enrich their prenatal health, and the bonds they form will play an important role in each other’s lives. We see this as a new paradigm in the way prenatal care is delivered in the future.”

CenteringPregnancy comes to Bon Secours as a result of its 12-month qualitative and quantitative research, revealing how women today are more empowered than the previous generation of women to seek options and resources to pursue their own health needs. To support this, Bon Secours also is introducing other new programs this year, including Moms in Motion®, a nationally recognized fitness program.

Bon Secours is an advertiser with Richmondmom.com

The post Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center Expands CenteringPregnancy® appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

I wanted to share some of the unique features with you!

Top-notch medical care 

– They are the only Level III NICU with private rooms, should a baby need additional, specialized care.

Group prenatal care: Centering Pregnancy

The post New Discoveries in Childbirth Experiences at VCU Medical Center appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center will host two open houses to showcase its renovated Labor and Delivery Unit, which offers unique accommodations and childbirth options to expectant mothers.

The new unit features spacious rooms with private labor tubs and showers, a 24-hour visitation policy for family and friends, á la carte room service and wireless fetal monitoring, allowing women to move freely during labor. The unit will support VCU Medical Center’s comprehensive labor and delivery team, including obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, certified nurse-midwives and nurses. For more information, visit VCUmom.com.

The post Open House at VCU Medical Center’s New Labor & Delivery Unit appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

The post A Brighter Birth: Childbirth Education Series appeared first on RichmondMom.com.