Jan Tritten, midwife and the founder and editor-in-chief of Midwifery Today, shares how she believes we can help prevent a Postpartum Haemorrhage – naturally.
It’s important to understand that birth is a natural hormonal process, Jan says.
“When we interfere with the birth process, we interfere with hormones. We create complications that might not exist in a natural setting.
When women give birth in a hospital, they might experience immediate separation as their baby is weighed and tested. They might be given a cleaned and swaddled baby, which has difficulty using its natural feeding instincts.
Their babies might be taken to the nursery for exams or to rest.
We know that both skin-to-skin and breastfeeding naturally trigger the release of oxytocin, which helps to prevent postpartum haemorrhage.
While some believe placing a quarter sized piece of placenta in your mouth can help stop a postpartum haemorrhage, there are also other things we can do to prevent bleeding.
When we let labour begin spontaneously, we reduce the risk of postpartum haemorrhage.
When we don’t try to interfere with labour by speeding it up or inducing unnecessarily, we reduce the risk of PPH.
When we choose not to accept unnecessary c-sections, we reduce the risk of PPH, for future births too. Not only is the risk reduced from having surgery, but retained placenta is a risk factor when a woman has had previous uterine surgery. This too can result in a PPH.
When women are able to follow their natural birthing instincts and give birth in quiet, dimly lit settings, when they are left to nurse and bond with their babies, when they have unrestricted skin-to-skin with their baby, we lower the risk of PPH.
Eating a balanced, nutritious diet during conception and pregnancy is important too.
Being mindful of your iron levels during pregnancy and before the birth can be very helpful. It’s common to be iron deficient particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. Take a quality iron supplement if you are low – speak to a naturopath so you can locate a practitioner strength and quality supplement, which is readily absorbed and gentle on your tummy.
By doing your research, avoiding an unnecessary induction of labour and enjoying skin to skin contact after the birth, you can help reduce your chances of a postpartum haemorrhage, says Jan.” Full article here.
I had a PPH with both my children. I was also induced with both, so possibly a link for me as to why I haemorrhaged.
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