View Barbara's entire interview on Good Morning America

any women are still under-informed about the process of giving birth. Here are some common myths and misconceptions about childbirth.

 [Many people] thought that if you got it too early, that it would stop your labor and then you’d end up with a c-section. What we know now is that it’s kind of like Goldilocks; it can’t be too early, it can’t be too late... it has to be just right. So, if you are already in the process of labor and your contractions are well established, [an epidural] helps decrease all those stress hormones and then it helps a woman relax, and actually give birth a little bit faster. I think as soon as it’s offered (if they say it’s safe for you to have it), go ahead and have it. Don’t wait until you can’t stand another minute. There is no reason [to wait] because it really does help you manage your pain.

It’s better to take classes beforehand. It’s a new skill for mom and baby, and if you take classes beforehand, you’ll get to know all the in’s and out’s, and what works and what doesn’t. 

A lot of times what we do is we work on positioning. Positioning is key. One of the things that works is to use a pillow. I brought this Go Pillow. This pillow was designed by a mom. It helps you put the baby where it’s supposed to go and if you are uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public, you can put this [shawl] over your shoulder for some discretion. I love this because it’s all about positioning and if the baby is positioned well, breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt.

This information is old and outdated. What we used to know is very different than what we know today. There are current studies going on right now exploring the use of using a baby’s own cord blood stem cells to treat things such as diabetes, heart disease, brain injury, and even cerebral palsy. All you need to do is go to cordblood.com or you can call [them] and arrange to have it taken care of. Your doctor may have some kits in their office for you, but it’s a very, very important thing to consider in light of all of the new discoveries of what these stem cells and cord blood can do. Every day, we are finding out something new about what they can do. The other thing I like about cord blood banking is that you can have a designated transplant program. If there is a family member with sickle cell anemia or certain leukemias, cord blood can be banked free of charge regardless of the financial situation of the family and I have even signed up some of my patients. 

We never like to do it unless it’s necessary. But sometimes a baby is born and they’re in distress. So if we can make the opening a little wider, we can get the baby out a lot faster. And if that happens, ice packs are the way to go - ice, ice, and more ice. I think you want to talk to your doctor [about] under what circumstances they would perform an episiotomy. Ask them their policy. Most OBGYNS now are really listening to their patients and saying, “What is it you’d like to have happen?” 

That’s another old myth. You can wait 72 hours as long as there is no fever or temperature. That’s 3 days. God forbid it should take that long to have a baby!

You will have pain once in a while with a little bit of a break in between. Use those breaks to get ice chips, some Popsicles, or to talk to your partner.

And some further information...

Prenatal Vitamins
A lot of women feel that after they have their baby, they can stop taking their prenatal vitamins, but that’s the time when you need those nutrients and vitamins. I like this new One a Day Women’s Prenatal. You don’t need a prescription for it. You can get it over the counter and it has both DHA, which is an Omega 3 essential fatty acid and folic acid. So this is great for mom as she’s recovering and also great if you are breastfeeding because you give those essential nutrients to the baby. So this is a very good brand. It’s hard to remember especially if you are sleep deprived, but it’s great to keep taking your vitamin once each day.

Got more myths on your mind?