Serving mothers all over the eastern area of the DFW metroplex including Rockwall, Mesquite, Garland, Forney, Royse City, Greenville, Wylie, Richardson and Rowlett. We looks forward to meeting you and your family!
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATIONNewborn Care and Health Topics
At your 36-week prenatal appointment we need to do our last set of laboratory tests to make sure you and the baby are both healthy.
One of the labs I need to do is called the GBS test. It is a vaginal swab test that will detect what microbes are growing in your birth canal. The goal is to determine if there is a particular strep bacterial growing in the birth canal that the baby could come in contact with.
The standard of care is to test for Group B Strep at your 36-week appointment. The results usually come back within the week. So, at the 37-week appointment we will discuss your results. If you happen to have Group B Strep growing, we will discuss the options we have for mitigating infection for baby.
In your 20-week follow-up link I sent you the Evidence Based Birth article about GBS. I am attaching it HERE again so you can read it again when you get your lab results next week.
Depending on the result of the blood sample taken at your 28 week appointment I may need to draw another sample to evaluate your blood levels.
Here’s a great video to watch about getting baby into the optimal position for birth.
I love chiropractic care . . .but there are also things you can do on your own. Check out Spinning Babies . . . Here’s a great video to get you started.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE78iHxnvjs
The Miles Circuit is also a great for optimal positioning of baby both before labor and during. Below is a link to a PDF that explains the positioning.
http://www.milescircuit.com/uploads/4/8/1/4/4814341/miles_circuit.pdf
Many women begin asking what they can do to help get labor started. Your baby is the decider of when he or she is ready to be born.
If you know you are someone who’s going to want to have a plan for getting labor going sooner rather than later, there are some safe and easy supplements you can buy that may help.
Eating Dates: There is some evidence that eating 6 medjool dates every day starting between 32-34 weeks may prevent you going over your due date. You can read more about it in this Evidence Based Birth article about Eating Dates.
Natural Delights brand has several flavors you may love!
Red Raspberry Tea Capsules or Tea: Red Raspberry Tea is a uterine tonic, meaning it helps strengthen the uterus and coordinate the uterine efforts. The capsules are significantly more concentrated than the tea. So, some women like to take red raspberry tea capsules daily when they are 36-weeks pregnant.
Soften Your Cervix: One important step toward labor is a softer, shorter cervix. The natural hormone that makes that thick muscular end of your uterus soften is called ‘prostaglandin’. Semen is a natural source of prostaglandin. You and your partner can take that little piece of information and “apply it” to help yourself get into labor.
Another option for prostaglandin is “plant based”. Borage Oil and Evening Primrose Oil are two supplements. You can pick up either one at Sprouts, Whole foods or Amazon. Insert one or two vaginally at night beginning at 34-36 weeks.
Hearing Screening: All babies born in Texas are supposed to have their hearing checked. The earlier hearing loss is identified the more options there are for supporting healthy development. Please read about Hearing Screening from the American Academy of Pediatricians to learn more: Hearing Screen Article.
Newborn Screening: The newborn screen is performed at approximately 48 hours and 2 weeks postpartum. This screening is very important as it screens your newborn for a multitude of disorders that can not be seen with the naked eye and some of which that can be life threatening. The screening involves taking a few drops of your babies blood placed on a collection card which is then sent to the Texas Department of Health in Austin where the sample will be evaluated.
Follow the link below to an informative video about the screening process.
https://vimeo.com/54698890?fbclid=IwAR1NEDv_12DqO1t4RTAYNemzx5nC7PtHUbDfPntpkT5hu6oFngy5djMXygs
Having a son? Learn about Circumcision: One of the most commonly performed surgeries in America is circumcision. There is a growing conversation about whether circumcision is a practice that has a place in the modern world. This article by Evidence Based Birth discusses all sides of the conversation. There’s also a GREAT video called “The Elephant in the Hospital”. You can watch it HERE. If you are expecting a son, please have a discussion with your partner to determine if this is a procedure you wanting to have done. I would love to answer your questions in an upcoming prenatal appointment. I have referrals for providers who perform circumcisions if you decide it is something you are considering.
Pick a Pediatrician: Choosing a pediatrician is a big decision. I have created a list of local pediatricians who support midwifery care and believe in true informed decision making with parents on my resource page.
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