Labor Coaching FAQ
What does a Labor Coach do?
A Labor Coach provides personal support similar to what a close friend or relative, but with complete neutrality and no emotional attachment. With her experience as a registered nurse in Labor and Delivery, our Labor Coach is your source of information to enable you to understand your pregnancy and make informed decisions for yourself. She answers questions related to pregnancy, and queries that may arise after your doctors’ visits. A Labor Coach provides current information about pregnancy, prenatal care, postpartum care (breast feeding); she also provides you with follow-up visits after you deliver your baby to assess how you are doing with breast feeding, and adapting to your new role as a mother. A Labor Coach may give you appropriate referrals as needed.
What qualifications should I know about my Labor Coach?
Please see our Labor Coach’s bio.
When do I need a Labor Coach?
It really depends upon the birth support system by which you are surrounded. Strong support systems consist of:
- feeling you are getting your emotional needs met,
- receiving solid knowledge about the changes of pregnancy,
- being able to ask the right questions to your health care provider, and understand the answers,
- have a birth plan to follow to prepare for the event,
- feeling at ease and knowing what to expect.
You might consider a Labor Coach if:
- you feel you want to have a professional that understands and has Labor and Delivery knowledge to guide you through the process,
- someone who can make your pregnancy and childbirth less overwhelming if you have no support system, or no near relative, or because your close relatives or friends are not meeting your emotional needs,
- you have many unanswered questions regarding your pregnancy and childbirth.
A labor coach can be hired for childbirth only, the prenatal education, or just for the postpartum period — or a combination of all three.
What is the value of having a Labor Coach during childbirth?
Research has found that women who have continuous one-on-one support during labor tend to use pain medication less often, have slightly shorter labors, and are less likely to have a c-section, forceps, or vacuum-assisted delivery. Also women who really want to have a natural birth without any pharmacologic interventions for pain management, having a labor coach can make a difference in retaining their decision.
The anxiety or apprehension that arises when we initiate change in our lives can be overwhelming for some people. We are designed to bear children and care for them, but we do not have a specific manual that can tell as how to do it. It is impossible to predict or control how birth and labor will unfold. Many women are not prepared to react to the childbirth pain. Even a woman who has birthed before cannot determine if she will have an easy, uncomplicated delivery or a lengthy labor. During a time of physical and emotional exertion, how will you, your partner/husband, and your family react?
A Labor Coach can be of benefit. With a steady hand, years of experience, and reassuring attitude, a Labor Coach provides you with constant, knowledgeable support (i.e., helping you with different positions so that your baby can engage better, help you with breathing techniques through uterine contractions and positioning for managing pain, massaging you, and answering questions about your labor progress, as well as keeping you informed about the changes in plan of care during labor. During your 2nd stage of labor, when you are dilated to 10cm and feel pressure to bear down and push, the labor coach guides you by encouraging you to listen to what your body is telling you to do) during childbirth.
Pregnancy Nutrition FAQ
What type of Pre-natal vitamin should I take?
We recommend taking a pre-natal vitamin that is from whole food sources. The nutrients from whole foods are easily absorbed and are much more natural and bio-available for your system. For instance, most women trying to get pregnant have been advised that it’s important to take folic acid. However, in fertility studies it has been shown that folates, the natural form of folic acid found in leafy greens and other foods, increases fertility, whereas folic acid, made synthetically, does not. Look for high quality pre-natal vitamins made from organic whole food sources.
What kind of foods should I avoid?
It is best to start eliminating foods with dyes, toxins and chemicals, all of which are stored in your body for long periods of time and can be passed on to your baby during pregnancy. Choose organic fruits and vegetables to avoid ingesting pesticides, or at least choose organic for the most contaminated produce (current list available at: www.ewg.org). Avoid chemical sweeteners in beverages like diet sodas, and foods that are artificially colored. Before pregnancy it would also be a good idea to start to reduce or eliminate caffeine from your diet – your tiny baby will be very sensitive to large amounts of stimulants during pregnancy, and even afterwards through breast-milk.
Pregnancy Yoga FAQ
What do I wear to a yoga class?
Wear loose comfortable clothing that allow you to breathe, stretch, and move freely. It is also important to wear a sports bra that is not too tight so it does not constrict your breathing.
Is it safe to practice yoga while pregnant?
Yes, yoga is absolutely safe if practiced correctly and conscientiously. While pregnant, it is especially important to have the guidance of a teacher that can show you how to do the postures correctly so you do not injure or strain the body. Be sure to only attend pre-natal yoga classes, and not a regular yoga class. Thus you’ll know you are in the hands of a teacher who knows how to modify postures to your charging body.
When should I begin taking pre-natal classes?
You can start taking pre-natal classes as early as you get the good news. Unless morning sickness is really preventing you from yoga, you will benefit from yoga’s regulation of hormonal fluctuations associated with pregnancy. You may join a regular yoga class in your first 90 days, however, please avoid Breath of FIre, and inversions. After your first trimester, it’s advised you attend pre-natal classes.
What if I have injuries?
You can still practice pre-natal yoga if you have injuries. In fact it will most likely make these injuries more tolerable if you practice correctly and are conscious of the way your body is feeling. The only person who can judge if a posture is right for you is yourself! No one else can feel your pain/discomfort. A rule of thumb is that if you are experiencing a sharp pain or the area is feeling worse than before the exercise you should not continue that posture. If you are experiencing a burning sensation that is usually just the strengthening of the muscles and if the area feels better or relieved when you get out of the posture this is a good thing.
What if I’m really hungry before class starts?
Allow at least one hour after eating a moderate meal; two hours, if you ate heavily. If you are really hungry, a good way to curb the appetite and gain energy is by eating fruit. Do not eat protein less than an hour before class, as it is difficult to digest and you may get stomach cramps while practicing.
What if I have never practiced yoga before?
We welcome beginners and will guide you step-by-step! Let your teacher know it is your first time so they will give you modifications and pay extra attention to your physical limitation or injuries. Be sure to arrive early so you can get settled and explain your needs to the teacher.
Thai Yoga Massage FAQ
What is Traditional Thai Yoga Massage?
Developed by Dr. Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, physician and devoted follower of the Buddha, over 2500 years ago in India, this unique form of bodywork has deep Ayurvedic roots, fusing yoga, medicinal practice, meditation, Buddhist philosophy, breathing, and energy work. This therapeutic modality travelled from India to Thailand.
What is the difference between Thai Yoga Massage and Thai Massage?
“Nuad Boran” is the Thai word for what we now know in the West as Thai Yoga Massage or Thai Massage. There are different styles of Thai Massage, however. As the modality travelled down Thailand, it lost some of its yogic roots, and focused more upon acupressure, and (when necessary) herbs, poultices, or essential oils. At Melt Therapy, we practice the northern version of Nuad Boran; the northern style retains its yogic roots, which is why we like to incorporate dynamic, progressive stretches.
What do I wear to a session?
Please dress in comfortable, breathable, stretchable clothing. You will be treated on a comfortable futon mat. No messy oils are used on the body, but may be used in an aromatherapy sense. Please also refrain from eating a large meal at least one hour in advance, and avoid wearing perfume or cologne.
Does Thai Yoga Massage help with postpartum recovery?
Thai Yoga Massage helps with all kinds of physical recovery, and in particular, after childbirth. In a time that is usually full of excitement, sleeplessness, and stress over a newborn, the mother’s body is typically neglected for the sake of her child’s needs. And yet, she is expected to perform her very best at being a mom. We believe in helping you feel and move at your very best, so that you have the energy to properly look after your child. While we cannot increase the amount of time you sleep, Thai Yoga Massage will deepen the quality of your rest. Thai Yoga Massage for Postpartum Recovery focuses on opening the chest and loosening the neck and shoulders, in anticipation for many hours of breastfeeding and cradling your infant. We work with women who’ve birthed naturally and via C-section. And your baby can be right beside you, during the massage.
What kind of general programs do you offer?
All general new clients start with an Initial Consultation, so that we understand your health history, your health goals, and range of movement. We offer a couple kinds of programs: an Intensive 10 week program, and a 6 month program for Flexibility Training. Please see our Services page for further explanation.
How often are your sessions?
For consistent therapeutic progress, we generally advise a session per week. It depends upon the program you’ve selected, your health goals, the stress level in your life, and the physical limitations of your body.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, check, and credit card.
What if I miss my appointment time?
We require 24 hour notification if you cannot make your appointment time or need to reschedule. Otherwise, you will be charged the full fee.
Yoga for Kids FAQ
At what age can children begin yoga classes?
In my experience, children as young as 2 ½ can enjoy yoga classes by themselves. Younger children do well in a Mommy/Daddy and Me setting. And of course there is even Pre-Natal Yoga!
Can young children really “do” yoga?
Yes! We can all do yoga poses, and they come quite naturally to children. Infants, for example, do Cat-Cow pose while learning to crawl. Learning to stand involves mastering Down-Dog, and tummy-time teaches Cobra Pose. When trying to balance on one foot to put on their shoes or pants, children are working on Tree Pose.
My child is very active. I’m not sure they can sit still for yoga!
Yoga for little ones is not a pared down adult class. Classes are fast-paced and interactive. Meditation is also interactive and done for a shorter period of time to accommodate the attention span of young children.
How does my child benefit from taking yoga?
Yoga helps children learn/improve balance and coordination, as well as aiding posture. Partner poses instill a sense of cooperation and help little yogis work with others in a trusting manner. Yogic breathing techniques help children relax, focus and concentrate, as well as feel peaceful, calm and happy.