Valerie Rohde Birth Services

08/05/2017

Dilation is certainly no crystal ball!

I have someone at 7+ centimeters right now.
Not.in.labor.

Dilation may reassure you that your body works, but it does not tell you when you are going into labor.

06/14/2017

Did you wait to have your babies bathed? Vernix is good stuff, read about it here! We also enjoyed being the ones to give our babies their first baths together. 😉

Advocate Sherman Hospital Nurse Courtney Buss, like many first-time mothers, wanted all the white, goopy film washed off her baby immediately after delivery.

06/11/2017

I feel it is important to share this information so parents can make informed decisions about this once in a lifetime decision for their little boys. I'd also like to add to this list of reasons that circumcision is not a requirement by the Christian faith either. Yes, circumcision was mentioned in the Bible as a covenant between God and Abraham's descendants; however, Jesus' death and resurrection and grace covered the need to circumcise as an act of obedience to the law. The book of Galatians speaks to this as the religious leaders were using the act of circumcision as another check list item to prove how great THEY were, NOT to point to their covenant or truly glorify God with this action.

I am absolutely open to discussion on this issue because I think our culture can definitely benefit from education on this issue, but I will tell you now I have made my own decision on this for my boys and I have NO judgment for anyone no matter what your decisions, I just want to encourage true informed decision-making surrounding birth and parenting choices. Please do your research into every aspect of your care and the care of your children, as I know you are doing the best you can with the knowledge you have. I'm choosing to share about this sensitive topic because I recently had three separate clients ask me for information about this and told me they wish someone would have taken the time to discuss it with them thoroughly before the birth of their sons.

http://circumcision.org/information.htm

Please read these facts about pain, behavioral response, risks, fo****in function, male dissatisfaction, and more before making a circumcision decision.

06/08/2017

I think I've shared something like this before, but I can't share enough how much delaying that newborn bath can benefit both mom and baby. It's biology that plays into the hormones and sensations and smells of mom and baby and it is so very beautiful and helps so much with bonding. Why wash away all of that good, protective vernix and baby's smell and cover it with fragrance right away?! If you can delay it, great!

My newborn daughter was screaming during her first bath as I watched helplessly from my bed. She was only about an hour old.  I was trying to breastfeed her when the nurse took her from my arms, telling me that the baby had to be bathed before I was transferred to a different room. We… READ MORE

02/28/2017

"Should I or can I eat during labor?" Great question. See a few more links in the comments so you can see for yourself. I usually encourage my clients to follow their body's lead on how they're feeling and what they're feeling like eating. And I usually suggest labor snacks like honey sticks as a natural form of sugar for energy boost as needed but obviously easily digested. Fruit/veggie juice boxes or pouches, nut butters assuming no allergy, crackers, and the like.

"Most healthy women can skip the fasting and, in fact, would benefit from eating a light meal during labor, suggests research being presented at theANESTHESIOLOGY® 2015 annual meeting. Improvements in anesthesia care have made pain control during labor safer, reducing risks related to eating, researchers note."

The American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific association of physicians organized to raise the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and to improve patient care.

02/26/2017

Some very good reasons to consider indeed.

Every woman who is planning a birth expects vaginal exams. What if they aren't as important as we've been led to believe? Are you allowed to say no?

08/06/2016

Hanging out waiting to get in at the Big Latch On this morning to show our support during world breastfeeding week! :)

08/04/2016

Milkin' mamas...these things are the BEST reusable nursing pads I've come across! They're what I recommend to all my clients and friends. And right now they're giving some away! Take advantage!! Bamboobies for the win! (Plus, it's really fun to say bamboobies, right?) Happy world breastfeeding week from me and from Bamboobies! (No, I'm not in any way affiliated either, just wanted to share a good find!)

It's true. We're here for you! Get a FREE pair of Washable Nursing Pads & save up to 40% off on our whole site now until August 10th.

Freebies: buybamboobies.com/products/freebies

06/26/2016

Adopting variety of upright birth positions can make your labour significantly shorter

06/03/2016

Definitely things to take into consideration during pregnancy and birth.

Consumer Reports describes 10 childbirth procedures often overused when you're expecting. Find out what you should reject.

04/25/2016

I loved yoga during pregnancy (and after!) for its physical benefits but also for the quiet space it gave me for reflection, prayer, and connection to my growing baby.

Pregnancy can be a beautiful and wonderful time, but it can also come with many aches and pains.