Labor is a lot of work. I’m hungry!
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Global Criteria, which all U.S. hospitals have read and signed off on, states: “Mother-friendly care includes allowing women to drink and eat light foods during labor if desired.” In this episode Carolyn once again speaks with childbirth educator and pregnancy consultant Linda Smith about the physicality of labor and how it affects the body.
"It’s a physical thing. The uterus is a muscle. Just like the muscles in your thighs, but actually more like the muscle in your heart. So, what we try to do for women in labor is help them relax the rest of their body so that the uterus can contract as uninhibited as possible."
About Our Guest
Linda J. Smith, MPH, FACCE, IBCLC, FILCA is a lactation consultant, childbirth educator, author, and internationally-known consultant on breastfeeding and birthing issues. Linda is ILCA’s liaison to the World Health Organization’s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and consultant to INFACT Canada/IBFAN North America. As a La Leche League Leader and Lamaze-certified Childbirth Educator, she provided education and clinical support to diverse families over 45 years in 9 cities in the USA and Canada. Linda has worked in a 3-hospital system in Texas, a public health agency in Virginia, and served as Breastfeeding coordinator for the Ohio Department of Health. Linda recently served on the Board of Directors of La Leche League International; was a founder of IBLCE, founder and past board member of ILCA, and is a delegate to the United States Breastfeeding Committee from the American Breastfeeding Institute. Linda holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health and is currently an adjunct Instructor at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and an affiliate faculty member of the Union Institute and University. She owns the Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre, on the Internet at www.BFLRC.com.
Resources
Baby Friendly USA Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices La Leche League International United States Breastfeeding Committee Healthy Children Project | The Magical Hour World Health Organization | Ten steps to successful breastfeeding World Health Organization | Intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding
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