MCU Before Birth FAQ - CHRISTUS Health

What Medications Can I Take While Being Pregnant?

**Most over-the-counter topical products are safe, but ask your physician if you are unsure.

Is It True Labor?

How Will I Know If My Water Has Broken?

If you think your water has broken, please call your doctor or call 575-443-7640.

What Supplies to Bring When You Are in Labor.

Clothes for mother and baby
Shower supplies – hygiene products
Favorite pillow
Nursing bra
Snacks (for after labor)
Receiving blankets
Car seat

When to Come to the Hospital.

If your think your water has broken
When you are experiencing vaginal bleeding
When you detect the baby is not moving as much
When you are having contractions

What Pain Options are Available For Me During Labor?

Natural (no medication)
Even if you chose to have a natural birth, there are many options you can try to help with discomfort.

Position change

Walking
Standing
Rocking
Shower

Relaxation

Rhythmic breathing
Paced breathing
Massage
Music
Imagery

Birthing ball: A device used to help support the woman’s body and enhance maternal comfort by:

Supporting pelvic rocking
promoting mobility and relaxation
supporting mother in an upright position

Heat or ice packs

Support person

The support a woman receives during labor influences her pain perception, may influence maternal or fetal outcome and satisfaction with the childbirth experience.
The support person is a very important part of labor if the woman chooses to have a natural birth.

Intravenous pain medication
This works well for those women who need a little something to get them through.

Cannot be given more often than every 1-2 hours
Cannot be given within 2 hours of birth
Does not take away the pain, it just dulls the pain and relaxes mom.

Epidural

This is the most effective for pain relief.

Because women have decreased sensation, interventions such as vaginal exams and position changes are less uncomfortable.
It avoids maternal and neonatal respiratory depression, which can be associated with IV or IM medications.

After Delivery FAQ’s

Do I want my infant to receive a Hepatitis B vaccine after birth? Read the Information for Parents published by the CDC.

Feeding Options For The Baby

Bottle feeding

WIC approved infant formula provided

Breastfeeding

You need to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth if possible!
The baby is in a state of quiet alertness the first 2 hours after birth

Guidelines and Technical Pointers

Most babies need and naturally request 8-12 feedings in a 24-hour period.
Approximately every 2-3 hours
They may cluster feed (feed every hour for several hours in a row)
Early sleepy days the baby tends to not request feeds often enough
Keep infant skin-to-skin between feeds
Feed on demand/Notice hunger cues
Wake the baby by 2 ½ hours from the beginning of last feed
Keep baby interested and awake during feeding

How do I know my baby is getting enough to eat?

Is the baby eating every 1-3 hours?
Sleeping no longer than 3 hours between feeds during the day
Should have no more than one 4-hour stretch at night the first week of life.

Other positive signs to be aware of

Audible swallowing – you will hear milk being swallowed
Breast feels less full
Baby is content between feedings
Expect initial weight loss of baby after delivery; weight gain of 4-7 oz per week once milk is in greater supply.
Your baby should be back to birth weight by day 10

Milk production is regulated by DEMAND and supply. The concept being:

The more milk that is removed, the more milk that is made.
The less milk that is removed, the less milk that is made.

Breastmilk

Colostrum

This is the first milk
Very high in protein
Easily digested
Provides protection by containing antibodies and passive immunities

Transitional Milk

This occurs after colostrum in approximately 48-72 hours
High levels of fat, lactose and water soluble vitamins
More calories and high protein

Mature milk

Your milk will change and increase in quantity in approximately 48-72 hours. It may take longer depending on when breastfeeding was initiated and breastfeeding frequency.

Breastmilk Storage

How Much Can My Baby’s Stomach Hold?

A newborn baby’s stomach is the size of a small marble.
It can hold 5-7 milliliters (which is equal to 1 teaspoon)
The walls of the stomach cannot stretch
Perfect for small amounts of colostrum
From 7-10 days, it increases to around the size of a ping pong or golf ball
It can hold 1.5-2 ounces

Engorgement: What Do I Do?

Three to four days postpartum, your breasts will feel heavy and become swollen
This is due to increased blood flow, swelling of surrounding tissue, and accumulation of milk

Some effective treatment measures for engorgement

Nurse frequently
Apply warm compresses or stand in shower to initiate let-down with breast massage
Manually express or pump out milk to soften the areola and nipple (the baby cannot latch on if it is too hard)
Apply cold compresses to breast after nursing to relieve the swelling and soothe discomfort
Wear a sleep bra even at night but make sure it is not too tight

Lactation Consults

Stool and Urine in the breastfed infant

Baby will be passing meconium for the first stools (thick black tarry stool)
Stool will change to a mustard color, runny and seedy in texture once your milk is in greater supply.
3-4 stools per day in the first month
May have a little stool after each feeding as well

Urine

Your infant should have 1 wet diaper in the first 24 hours after delivery
2 on the second day of life
3 on the third day of life
5-6 wet diapers of urine that is yellow in color once milk is in greater supply

Nutrition during pregnancy

On average, the increased demands of pregnancy require an additional 300 calories each day.
Women who are pregnant with twins or higher-order multiples need an additional 300 calories per fetus each day.
Recommended weight gain is 28-40 lbs for underweight women
25-35 lbs for normal weight women
15-25 lbs for overweight women

Nutrition During Breastfeeding

For every 20 calories of breast milk produced, the mother must consume an additional 30 calories. This results in a dietary increase of 500 to 1000 calories each day for women maintaining body weight.