Know the Facts About EPIDURALS

When talking with other moms, it is becoming very common to hear about epidurals being used during the birth process.  Mothers are being convinced that pain during labor is unnatural and that they should turn to drugs to help them during labor and delivery, instead of LISTENING to their bodies' own natural capabilities.  During a recent poll, 64% of nurse midwives and 53% of certified nurse-midwives reported concern over the increased use of epidurals. Unfortunately, mothers are led to believe that a "natural" birth is one where she delivers the baby vaginally and remains conscious during the entire process. That is not the case! A natural birth is one where no drugs are used, only the mother's inborn intuition to listen to her body!

Know the facts about epidurals before you go into labor and outline your thoughts about drugs in your birth plan. Parents are not being told of the consequences of epidurals such as their ability to quickly cross the placenta and potentially cause toxicity in both the mother and baby.  Side effects of such toxicity include: low blood pressure, incontinence, headache, paralysis of lower limb, numbness in extremities, SLOWING OF LABOR, allergic reactions and many more. 

Birth in itself is a traumatic process for the baby but chiropractic care can help minimize structural obstacles and allow the baby to get into the best possible position for birth. By restoring proper alignment to the mother's pelvis, the baby can more easily pass through the birth canal. Mothers that utilize chiropractic care throughout pregnancy experience SHORTER labor times and DECREASED pain during labor in 84% of moms. These moms also show a decreased incidence for the use of external forces to "help" the baby.

Other important facts to consider about the use of epidurals:

•  They cause longer labors with slower progress
•  They may cause fevers in the mother during childbirth
•  They increase the use of Pitocin by about 3.5 times, causing slow and irregular contractions
•  They increase the use of antibiotics in your baby fourfold
•  They increase the use of forceps by about 4.5 - 20 times
•  They cause neonatal jaundice due to its alteration of red blood cells
•  They increase the incidence of birth trauma due to the increased use of mechanical assistance
•  They cause adverse behavioral effects on the baby

A recent study comparing 100 babies delivered either vaginally or by c-section with NO DRUGS to 100 babies delivered using epidurals and/or Pitocin. Immediately after birth, all babies were placed on their mothers' bare abdomen. Within 30 minutes, ALL babies that were delivered without the use of drugs moved up towards their mother's breast, latched on and began breastfeeding ON THEIR OWN. After the same 30 minutes, ALL babies that were born with the use of epidurals and/or Pitocin, were still resting on their mothers abdomens.

If you wouldn't inject your baby with these drugs after birth, then doesn't it make sense to not inject your baby during the birthing process when you are still sharing a blood supply?? 

Establishing a Birth Plan

Congratulations! You are now embarking on the wonderful journey of pregnancy! Throughout the process, you will be asked often what your birth plans are: When? Where? How? BE PREPARED!!! Establishing a written birth plan ahead of time will greatly simplify the birth process and will ensure that everyone will be on the same page in your ideal birth situation. The purpose of the birth plan is to provide additional clarity to your caregivers and birth supporters so that your wishes can be followed though. Below is a sample Birth Plan to guide you along the way:

1. Who are the caregivers?
2. What do you expect from your caregivers?
3. Place/Location of birth?
4. What position do you want to give birth in (squatting, lying down, birthing chair)?
5. Which tests do you want performed (ultrasound, fetal monitoring, amiocentesis)?
6. Which surgical procedures do you/or don't you want (induction, episiotomy, c-section, scraping of membranes)?
7. Which drugs, if any?
8. Which drugs do you want/or not want administered to your baby (Hep-B vaccine, antibiotic cream)?
9. If additional blood is needed, do you want it from a blood bank or do you have a donor?
10. What testing/procedures do you want or refuse for your baby (PKU, platelet count, Vit K shot, circumcision)?
11. Who will be with you at your birth?
12. Who will be with your other children, or will they be with you at the birth?
13. Do you want video-taping or pictures?
14. Specify any wishes if complications arise:
15. Do you want the baby lain on your chest immediately?
16. Do you want to wait for the cord to stop pulsating before it is cut?
17. Will you breastfeed? Do you need support?
18. Names of people you want contacted after the birth (names and phone #s)
19. Addtional comments:

Make this plan available to your birth provider and supporters prior to the birth so that confusion can be minimized and your wishes can be honored. Listen to your body and have the type of birth you want!!

VBAC: What is it? Is it available in Bozeman, Montana?

The idea of having a Vaginal Birth After a previous Cesarean (VBAC) is one that seems to be controversial among many health care providers. Some midwives will allow their clients to opt out of getting a second c-section if certain precautions are taken, whereas many medical doctors and OB/GYNs prefer for their patient to have a second cesarean.

If you have had a previous c-section and are interested in the possibility of having a VBAC, ASK QUESTIONS! Learn the facts before letting your medical provider dissuade you from having the birth you want (as long as precautions are taken, and your are at low risk).

 Here are some common guidelines to keep in mind when considering VBACs.

1. Parents have discussed all of the pros and cons regarding having a VBAC with their doctor
2. The current pregnancy does not show any indications for necessitating a cesarean
3. In the previous cesarean, a low transverse incision was used
4. The mother is admitted to the hospital EARLY during labor and is carefully monitored throughout labor and delivery
5. Facilities are set up for an immediate c-section if needed 

Other issues to keep in mind:

a. Some doctors will not allow a VBAC is the previous cesarean was due to a small pelvic cavity
b. Some doctors won't use drugs to stimulate labor is a previous c-section was performed
c. Some doctors will not use a regional anesthesia during a VBAC since it may mask symptoms of rupture issues
d. Some doctors recommend using low forceps to decrease labor time

If a cesarean is inevitable, Cesarean Support Groups recommend the following:

* Allow the mother to refuse preoperative medications
* Allow the mother to receive regional anesthesia so that she can watch the baby being born
* Use an epidural, if an anesthesiologist is present
* Perform the operation with a low transverse incision, when possible
* Let the father be with the mother in the delivery room
* Let the mother have her arms free
* Let the mother view the birth without a screen, or with a mirror
* Encourage the doctor to encourage the parents and reassure them during the surgery
* Allow the mother, and or father, hold the baby immediately after birth
* Let the parents watch during the initial pediatric exam
* Allow for an initial bonding period before rushing to weigh, measure and administer eye drops
* Let the new family be together in the recovery room for the first hour after birth
* Let the mother nurse the baby as soon as the operation is complete

Some helpful websites:

Internation Cesarean Awareness Network

WebMD

Pro Chiropractic, Inc. Receives 2011 Best of Belgrade Award

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pro Chiropractic, Inc. Receives 2011 Best of Belgrade Award

U.S. Commerce Association's Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, November 9, 2011 -- Pro Chiropractic, Inc. has been selected for the 2011 Best of Belgrade Award in the Chiropractors category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

More information on ProChiropractic can be found at www.ProChiroMT.com

We Can Help Your Tennis Elbow!

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis or epicondylosis,  is a painful condition that occurs when tendons in your elbow are overworked, usually by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. Tennis elbow can result from poor technique in executing a tennis backhand. However, many occupations also feature repetitive wrist and arm motions that can cause tennis elbow.

The pain of tennis elbow occurs primarily where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony prominence on the outside of your elbow. Pain can also spread into your forearm and wrist

With a combination of Kinesiotaping, Graston soft tissue therapy, and specific elbow and wrist adjustments, Belgrade Chiropractor Dr Wilhelm uses his advanced sports medicine training to quickly resolve this painful condition for you! If you or someone you love in the Bozeman, MT area is affected by tennis elbow, schedule an appointment with us today!

Graston                                                                                    Kinesiotaping

To learn more about these treatments visit www.prochiromt.com 

Understanding Premature Labor

Understanding Premature Labor

Premature labor is medically defined as the onset of labor before 37 weeks. On average, 5-10% or births are premature. Some causes of the early onset of labor are: infection, trauma, injury, premature membrane rupture, hemorrhage, placenta previa (placenta grows in the lowest part of the uterus and covers the cervix) and abrutio placenta (placenta detaches from the uterine wall prior to delivery). In some cases, death of the infant will occur due to immaturity of the circulatory and/or respiratory systems or issues with thermoregulation. 

It is important to understand the signs and symptoms of premature labor and what to do when and if the situation arises. Some signs and symptoms include:

•  Dull, low back pain that is new, or different than previous pain
•  Menstrual-like cramps
•  Pressure in the pelvis
•  Intestinal cramping, with or without diarrhea
•  Change or increase in vaginal discharge
•  Ruptured membranes
•  Regular contractions that persist for an hour (either painful or painless)

If you suspect that you have gone into premature labor, 
ALWAYS alert your Birth Care Provider (OB/GYN, Midwife, etc. )

If premature labor does occur, here are a few suggestions that may help to prevent and slow the early onset of labor:

•  Avoid dehydration! As the amount of fluid in the mother's system decreases, the concentration of Oxytocin will increase and will stimulate contractions
•  If the membranes rupture, have the mother check for the presence of a prolapsed cord. If she can feel the cord, wrap it in a warm towel and CALL 911!
•  Allow the body to absorb more water, to decrease the concentration of Oxytocin by submerging the mother in a bath of water up to the neck
•  Have the mother lay down and invert her pelvis while applying gentle pressure to the cervix to reduce fetal pressure
•  TRY TO GET THE MOM TO RELAX AND MAKE CONTACT WITH BABY!
•  If drugs are administered, reassure the mother, try to alleviate her fears and encourage her to comfort the baby as well

False Labor	True Labor
Contractions stop	Contractions progress
Contractions are short	Contractions increase in duration
Contractions remain irregular	Contractions become regular
Walking has no effect on contractions	Walking increases the intensity of contractions
Contractions are not intense	Contractions increase with intensity
Contractions are felt in the lowest part of the uterus	Contractions are felt in the upper part of the uterus

Local Belgrade Montana Chiropractor Member of Chiropractic Sports Medicine Council

Belgrade, MT Sports Chiropractic Physician, Dr Jonathan Wilhelm, member of Elite American Chiropractic Association Sports Council (ACASC)

From the ACASC Website....

The ACA Council on Sports Injuries and Physical Fitness is a professional and educational non-profit organization with a growing membership of active chiropractors. The ACA Sports Council attracts doctors from across the U.S. and around the world, who desire to become more directly involved with developing and promoting the treatment of athletes.

Many professional athletic and sports organizations recognize the value of chiropractic care in correcting and preventing injuries:

• The Players Association of the National Football League has made chiropractic care an integral part of its sports medicine program.

• The United States Olympic Committee and several other nations selected chiropractors as attending physicians at the Olympic Games.

• Chiropractors have also been retained at many other sporting events including the Pan Am Games, Goodwill Games, National Sports Festivals, New York and Boston Marathon and Ironman Triathalon.

The Sports Council works closely with athletic organizations, as well as allied health professionals, to promote better understanding of the value of chiropractic care in athletic training and treatment. 

For the highest level treatment of sports injury conditions in Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Big Sky, Livingston, and Three Forks, MT, contact Dr Wilhelm atwww.prochiromt.com