Number 6 never let someone else's opinion change the way you want to feed your baby. I was at work the other day and a woman who had come to me post Elective CS had a baby in the cot with a bottle of formula next to her because the *surgeon* (Who has ZERO lactation training!!) said "Oh that's a big baby, don't even bother trying to feed her yourself". Baby was 4.5kg and yes was a lovely lil chunker but mum wanted to breastfeed. So when the second feed came around I helped her latch the babe and she fed like a PRO! mom had breastfed her first child she knew wtf she was doing so why the hell would anyone think it was ok for them to tell her "not to bother even trying to feed" the newest one?!!! She left the hospital breastfeeding baby like an absolute champ. Same goes for formula feeding, and I shouldn't have to say it but I know someone will take personal offence if I don't put this as a disclaimer, but if you want to feed your baby formula don't let anybody try to convince you otherwise! It's your choice and that's the end of the matter!

Going unmedicated with my first baby was easily one of the greatest feats of my life, but never have I ever thought to put another woman down for getting an epidural. Moms get shamed enough. Let's stick together and show support ❤

I went unmedicated and had a water birth with a midwife. I was SHAMED for it and shamed for not getting an epidural. It does not matter what you do you will be shamed

I try to be understanding of people not getting things on the registry because I know sometimes it's just hard to get stuff online. But the thing is, for me at least, I thoroughly researched and found the EXACT things I wanted. I didn't want just something similar, or whatever people felt like getting, because I took the time to read reviews and compare brands and prices and put what I felt was the best option on the registry. If you're in doubt about what to get and for whatever reason don't want to or can't get anything on the registry, JUST GET DIAPERS AND/OR WIPES!

I am against opiates for pain relief but whenever I have my c-sections I always take them. Why? Because I'm responsible for caring for a baby and also my older kids. I need to be able to be there for them without them seeing how miserable I am and them feeling miserable because of my own issues. Kids deserve to be kids and not worry about things like that. 💜

This is such simple, heartfelt, PRACTICAL advice and delivered in a warm and embracing nature. So lad there are women like you who have dedicated their time to the Nursing Field - especially with women in Labor who are going through such a trying and at times terrifying event. Having someone in their court telling them that they know what they want and need and you'll make sure they get it is tantamount to a sense of safety.

Yes on postpartum pain meds! I had homebirths and still took ibuprofen then arnica. Even in "simplest" delivery it's still a lot on your body and it can help any swelling too. You'd pop a Tylenol after a rough workout, why the hell not birth!?! And especially if a c section! If someone didn't take pain meds after a appendectomy, we'd think it was crazy. But somehow surgical births aren't recognized as a major abdominal operation! Unless there's other concerns like a history of misuse, enjoy those Percocets (responsibly)!

I've done epidural, I've done natural, I can tell you which one let me literally take a nap through hours of intense contractions 🤣 But if doing a natural childbirth is important to you, then do it! If you, like me, don't want to do it without pain relief--sometimes you may not have a choice. In that situation, all I can say is, you can do this. Deep breaths, you can do it!

I saw a documentary a number of years ago where a second time mum was expecting twins (this was a US hospital), she really wanted to try for a natural vaginal birth, & the Dr kept saying ‘you won’t do that, don’t be silly, want me to get you ready for theatre? You don’t need to do this. Say the word & I’ll hook you up & get that epi in!’ - she was clearly in established labour, puffing / panting through contractions, & he was PERSISTENT, this wasn’t just one off the cuff remark, it was every 10-15 minutes. That poor woman needed love, encouragement, & support, instead she was repeatedly told she couldn’t / wouldn’t do it, & he was filmed waltzing out of the room saying to the nursing staff ‘watch for her buzzer, she’ll be ready for a c section any minute, she won’t deliver naturally’ & LAUGHING. Needless to say that poor woman lost confidence & gave in after hours & hours of pessimistic, negative comments from this Dr. I *wish* I knew the name of this documentary but I just stumbled upon it years ago on my UK TV when channel hopping. My point is.. your support of labouring women is more appreciative than you’ll ever know. Doesn’t matter if they have a c section, natural, water, or fully medicated birth, the point still stands that positive support really goes such a long way for women when they’re at their most vulnerable! We don’t have registries here, we just ask what they’d like or rock up with something, but if in doubt, we always buy clothes for when they’re much bigger, or gift cards so they can put it towards something they need! Fab advice on all 5 points! 💗

I've had so many women kinda shit on those of us that get epidurals. I had my third in March and my MIL tried convincing me not to get it. "Well I had a nurse friend that was a tiny Filipina and all her kids were 11lbs and she never had one. (SIL) didn't have it with her kids. (Random cousin) didn't have it with her 3 kids and she's petite." My answer back is, "who has had an unexpected home birth?" I did.

OMG i will never forget this patient that came in with no prenatal care (at all, like no dr had ever seen her during pregnancy) and she came in with baby already crowning, we literally just put her on the bed as fast as we could and baby was born within 3 minutes... and surprise!!! Once baby came out, do you know what "sneaked a peek" out of her after? An arm! It was twins!!

Im 22 days postpartum from and emergency C-section baby boy born at 24 weeks in the NICU I wasn’t given pain med after leaving the hospital because they said I had a high pain tolerance

Thank you for this! The birth plan is definitely true. From the beginning of pregnancy I planned on having a natural birth without any medications. However my baby girl is frank breeched and I’ll be having to have a c-section. I was so sad the week after because I was so set on my plan

Also, another thing just like with anything even though epidural is the safest form of anesthesia i have talked to some moms who didnt have such a great experience due to it not being placed correctly or waiting to have it placed. Just make sure to do your own research, ask questions and ultimately make your decision on whether it is right for you or not. I thankfully had a great experience with all 4 of mine. Just wanted to add that.

I definitely learn something new everyday from you, You are a Fantastic Nurse Anna. 😃

Hello! I dont know if you will see this, but i love watching you videos! Ive always inspired to be working in the medical field and helping those in need, and your videos show me different aspects of the medical field! it also inspired me to make my own channel to inspire others! (i havent posted any videos yet) but i plan to! thanks for putting a smile on peoples faces!

Yes your birth plan may not pan out the way you think!! Story time: Prior to having my first baby (turned 3 friday, 10 weeks with baby #2) I watched a video about women talking about their birth experience. One mentioned she got a sceduled c-section because she was scared of a vaginal delivery. I found that interesting because I felt the exact opposite. 😂 Turns out I got preeclampsia and ended up having an emergency c-section because my baby's head was by my ribs. Luckily we didn't try to turn him because the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck 3 times. To be clear NO ONE was judging me, no one was telling me not to take pain meds and I did for a day but by some miracle my pain was pretty much nonexistent by day two (which really conserned my nurses who were CONVINCED I was "trying to be a hero") I really only had pain when i walked or when my father in law made me laugh for 5 min with his stupid joke😂

All things I would expect of a l&d nurse. ❤ So, that is a compliment. Not wanting to sound like "it's the minimum". Just, I share your beliefs here. I am not a nurse or a mom. I'm just watching so many birth stories and channels around medicine here.. for some reason I don't even know 😂...and yours is always great

im 17 day’s postpartum and when i gave birth i said give me all the drugs. First thing i asked for was an epidural LOL. Any recommendations on helping with pelvic floor pain after birth ( already taking tylenol & advil)

That’s amazing how kinda you ate

I'm 100% non-negotiable on my birth plan, but all that it has is to do what is necessary for me and baby to be as happy and healthy as possible. ❤ that simplicity has saved me from disappointment time after time, as well as skipping the stress of making a detailed plan to start off with.

I commend women who do it with out an epidural - what warriors. But I am a baby and could never do that. But please never see it as weak …. We are pushing humans out of us. We’re not weak.

I avoided taking pain meds after my c-section because I was already pumped with so much meds during labor. I was afraid how much it would affect my daughter. My husband made me laugh which was the worst he could have done, I quickly started to cry from the pain and that just made it worse. I would want to know how much all these medicines affect baby.

Birth plans that are concrete are never a good idea. Life is not concrete, and you've likely had to change plans and compromise at some point in your life. Birthing a human being is no different. There have been many cases where not changing plans puts one or both at risk for life threatening injuries (hemmorage, blood pressure problems, lack of oxygen for too long, etc.) and it's better to have wiggle room to avoid these scenarios as best as possible.

Lovely advice. It's quite baffling to me that this is one of these more things in Americal of peopl just outrite going mad with misogyny in the open. Because over here in Germany, all we care about is that the birthgiving person and kid(s) are OK. And if they want painkillers they are to get that, if they need and want procedures they get that and who the bloody hell cares what works for them as long as it WORKS. The lack of emotional maturity that is very consistently reported in regards to America across the board is really really worrysome. Every time I see an amazing person (like yourself) over there, I just take a deep breath and remind myself, that ya normal people exist and not all is lost. I wish you didn't have to teach so many basics of courtesy though :'3 And deal with so much mess! Things like accessibility to pre-natal care and so on included!

What's wrong with getting an epidural? I seriously cannot understand the stigma around it

Never had a kid but I’m curious on how it all works and honestly I think I’d honest to god fight someone if they shamed me for my choices during a pregnancy😅. My family is very blunt and very protective when it comes to things like others hurting their loved ones in any capacity, my dad especially. He’s got anger issues a bit and I don’t think it’d be out of character for him to punch someone who shamed me if I ever got a epidural. Man literally once screamed at my brothers friend full volume for making a sexual comment at me when I was younger. It was honestly terrifying and sweet. I know not everyone has that support system though so I’ll try to support all the pregnant ladies and moms out there where I can.

😃

I went all natural twice and I was bullied and judged by the hospital staff both times for that. And other reasons but that was the main thing they were rude to me for. I was at two different hospitals in different states as well. So it wasn't just one place that did it it was two very separate places. The most natural thing on the planet (child bearing and birthing) has become just another "medical procedure" and frankly I am disgusted by it. Disgusted by the medical world.

There should be no ridiculing no matter the birth choices. I’ve had two unmedicated births and I have been told “you were only able to do it because you had a doula”, “girl births aren’t painful” and “ you don’t get a medal for doing it without meds”

Learn something new : p

I have never heard of a birth registery. Wtf the greed of americans is nuts

Baby registry are plain dumb. If a pregnant woman wants something specific they should buy it themselves. Not force people to get them expensive stuff. Stuff that will have no use at all within three months.