Re: [ozmidwifery] Afterbirth pains

[Jo Slamen]

Hi Tina,   Can't help you with the afterpains and herbs, but as far as your children at the birth go, I think some of how they react will depend on their age, their expectations of the birth/baby and how those expectations compare with the reality of the birth, of you birthing and the baby.    I think you need to prepare them in a realistic and age appropriate manner, and as importantly you need to be prepared for their reactions - they may not wish to be too physically involved.  Or it is possible they may wish to be beforehand, but react differently at the time.   They will be reacting to your emotional state during labour and birth, and the physical state of the baby as he/she is born - the sights/sounds/smells/textures etc.  I know my cousin's small children on a dairy farm have all seen calves born etc., and would probably barely blink at the sight of their own Mum having a bub - but for other kids whose lives are very sanitised it may come as a shock.  Some preparatory videos might be in order?   I think it's a marvellous idea to welcome children into the process of birth as much as the children want to be involved - to have them on hand with the right amount of emotional and practical support from someone other than you as you will obviously be quite busy in the thick of things.   I have read that children at births need to have their own support persons (each).  Something to bear in mind given the space available etc.   Ignore the detractors, and enjoy your enthusiastic plans to have your kids there - this is a normal, everyday part of the human condition after all.  Just make sure that you are prepared to accept their reactions - positive and negative.   Jo   ----- Original Message ----- From: Marty & Tina To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 9:57 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Afterbirth pains Dear All,   I am hoping you may be able to help.  I am expecting my fourth baby in approx. 2 weeks & need some advise.  I usually experience killer afterbirth pains that often seem worse than the labour.  For this birth I am attending the Birth Centre here in Brisbane & am planning to birth in the water & birth my placenta physiologically.  I have not had a physiological third stage in the past (nor a water birth) & I was hoping that this will make a difference to the afterbirth pains.  The acupuncturist I have been visiting has also suggested Chinese herbs (usually used in labour) to assist with this pain also... have any of you used Chinese herbs for something like this & if so, are they safe for breastfeeding?   Also, my husband & I are planning on having our 3 other children at our birth & I was thinking that if all goes to plan that they may like to touch the baby as he/she crowns & is born.  Do any of you experienced with siblings being present find that siblings want to be this involved?  I want my children to find this experience as wonderful & totally natural as I do.  I cannot put into words the way I feel about birth (as a woman, mother & midwife)... but would somehow like to share these overwhelming feelings with my children.  Do many of the children want to get into the birth pool / tub during the labour &/or birth?  I know all children are individual (my three certainly are)... but would not like to limit them & the way they would like to participate just because I have no idea about the normal reactions of children  I have never met anybody who has had their other children present at their births & I have never cared for any woman in that situation  (in fact almost everyone I tell of our plans look at me as though I've stepped from another planet).   Any suggestions welcome.... (I hope my questions make sense.... brains getting a bit foggy in the lead up to birth).   Tina H.