New Beginnings Doula Training

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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

H1N1 and hospital safety

I am doing my own independent research. The CDC is now recommending that infants be removed from their mothers who after birth whose mothers are showing symptoms of H1N1. See link here:http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/obstetric.htm"Place the ill mother in isolation after delivery (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control.htm). The mother who has influenza-like-illness (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/casedef.htm) at delivery should consider avoiding close contact with her infant until the following conditions have been met: she has received antiviral medications for 48 hours, her fever has fully resolved, and she can control coughs and secretions. Meeting these conditions may reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of transmitting influenza to the baby. Before these conditions are met, the newborn should be cared for in a separate room by another person who is well, and the mother should be encouraged and assisted to express her milk. Breast milk is not thought to be a potential source of influenza virus infections. As soon as all conditions are met, the mother should be encouraged to wear a facemask, change to a clean gown or clothing, adhere to strict hand hygiene and cough etiquette when in contact with her infant, and begin breastfeeding (or if not able to breastfeed, bottle feeding). She should continue these protective measures, both in the hospital setting and at home, for at least 7 days after the onset of influenza symptoms (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm#c). If symptoms last more than 7 days, she should discuss the symptoms with her doctor. Protective measures might need to be continued until she is symptom-free for 24 hours. People who are once again well 7 days after getting sick are thought to be at low risk for transmitting the virus to others."
I am wanting to know if this is really necessary. I would like to look at three groups of women 1)those who have symptoms and have been isolated from their baby but cont. to feed breast milk 2) those who have had no symptoms, were given baby within 2 hours after birth and breastfed 3) those who have no symptoms, but were not with baby within 2 hours after birth and breastfed or expressed milk for infants. All of these should be full terms infants (37-42 weeks) . They can be born at the hospital, or alternative birthing area.
I am hoping to follow these babies for six months to see if who is getting sick. In order for this to be a valid study, I need as many moms as possible to participate, so please e-mail this to friends and family. I will be reposting this every month, just to see if their are new people who are interested. I will also be doing this until the flu season is over. Thanks, Rachelwww.thebeginningofmotherhood.blogspot.comrachel.leavitt@gmail.com

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Birth is a Journey: Does it have to be life changing?


  • One woman might have to climb on an overfilled boat, risking her life and nearly dying as she escapes over the ocean to come to this land. This experience could certainly be life altering. It may very well color the rest of her life, positively or negatively. (I overcame this amazing struggle and here I am triumphant! OR Holy crap, that was SO hard I don’t know if I can go on! By the way, neither response is “right”. No one would judge the woman with the 2nd response.)
  • One woman may buy an airplane ticket, sit on a comfortable 747 and fly to America with a nice smooth flight and landing. She is happy to be in America. Those welcoming her are glad she is here safe and sound. She may only travel by plane 2-4 times in her life, so it is pretty memorable. But the journey itself probably wouldn’t be life changing; it would simply be a journey.
  • One woman may learn to fly an ultra-light plane to lead a flock of geese into America teaching them to migrate. This experience could certainly be empowering and life altering.