Hi! Remember me? I think there are a couple of you that check in here.
It has been too long since I have posted to this blog, and I am back to remedy my ways. Over the past few months I have had several posts nearly completely written in my head, and then didn't have the guts (or the time) to fully translate it to type. I have missed this place, and plan on renewing my commitment to take the time to express my thoughts on pregnancy, birth, mothering and breastfeeding. This is an exciting time in the birth world.
The summer is fast approaching and my baby is nearly one. I am amazed at all that has happened this past year -- it has been a good one. I love being a doula! It is an honor to be a part of such an important time in a couple's life, and I look forward to supporting more mothers this year on their childbirth journey.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, October 17, 2008
Cost Versus Benefit
From a recent article in USA Today:
"Childbirth is the leading reason for hospitalization in the USA and one of the top reasons for outpatient visits, yet much maternity care consists of high-tech procedures that lack scientific evidence of benefit for most women, a report says today."
Currently, one-third of births in the United States is a c-section (the cesarean rate at our local hospital is currently just over 40%), and I would venture to say that nearly 50% of hospital births are started by induction. Interventions in childbirth seem to increase every year, and it is important to ask -- Are births getting safer?
To read the full text of the quoted article, follow this link.
"Childbirth is the leading reason for hospitalization in the USA and one of the top reasons for outpatient visits, yet much maternity care consists of high-tech procedures that lack scientific evidence of benefit for most women, a report says today."
Currently, one-third of births in the United States is a c-section (the cesarean rate at our local hospital is currently just over 40%), and I would venture to say that nearly 50% of hospital births are started by induction. Interventions in childbirth seem to increase every year, and it is important to ask -- Are births getting safer?
To read the full text of the quoted article, follow this link.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Ring Sling Giveaway
I recently purchased some beautiful, natural colored, linen/rayon fabric with the intention of sewing myself a sling. Since I can easily make two slings with the fabric I have (each will be 30 inches wide), I thought it would be fun to make another to give away.
Leave me a comment to enter yourself into this giveaway, and I will randomly select the winner next Sunday evening.
The winner will get to choose the color of the rings and thread (the fabric is a neutral light tan/khaki color), and should receive their sling within a week of being chosen. You also don't have to live locally to enter -- I'll just put it in the mail.
Good luck!
PS: This type of sling could be used with a child up to about 35 pounds, so you don't have to have a tiny baby to enter.
Leave me a comment to enter yourself into this giveaway, and I will randomly select the winner next Sunday evening.
The winner will get to choose the color of the rings and thread (the fabric is a neutral light tan/khaki color), and should receive their sling within a week of being chosen. You also don't have to live locally to enter -- I'll just put it in the mail.
Good luck!
PS: This type of sling could be used with a child up to about 35 pounds, so you don't have to have a tiny baby to enter.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Things to Ponder
I just got done watching the trailer for The Other Side of the Glass, a movie that is geared towards empowering fathers to preserve their baby's space after birth. It was pretty mind blowing.
I think sometimes we are geared to think that things are a certain way, just because that is how it has always been. If we have a baby in the hospital, such and such will happen. If we have a baby at home, so and so will happen. We forget, sometimes, that just as we have rights that should be honored, our newborn babies also deserve those same protections.
It is difficult at the very end of birth for the mother to be able to totally advocate for herself and her child. Sometimes she is experiencing her own interventions that can take away her ability to totally focus on her baby (placental delivery, stitches, c-section, anesthesia, etc.), and this is why she totally and completely depends on her birth partner to watch over her newborn's safe-keeping. I don't think that most fathers are equipped to advocate for their child. It can be intimidating to stand up to or question those we consider professionals.
I know some people will watch the trailer and think of their own birth experiences (I know I did). You may feel that the interventions that your baby experienced after birth were necessary or that they caused no ill effects. Watching the video may cause you to relive your own and your baby's birth trauma. For me, the trailer reminded me that babies, in utero and freshly birthed, are sentient. They are individuals with a brain and a heart and a soul. They have awareness and memory. They should be treated with tender hands, soft voices, and with respect.
Now go watch the trailer and tell me what you think.
I think sometimes we are geared to think that things are a certain way, just because that is how it has always been. If we have a baby in the hospital, such and such will happen. If we have a baby at home, so and so will happen. We forget, sometimes, that just as we have rights that should be honored, our newborn babies also deserve those same protections.
It is difficult at the very end of birth for the mother to be able to totally advocate for herself and her child. Sometimes she is experiencing her own interventions that can take away her ability to totally focus on her baby (placental delivery, stitches, c-section, anesthesia, etc.), and this is why she totally and completely depends on her birth partner to watch over her newborn's safe-keeping. I don't think that most fathers are equipped to advocate for their child. It can be intimidating to stand up to or question those we consider professionals.
I know some people will watch the trailer and think of their own birth experiences (I know I did). You may feel that the interventions that your baby experienced after birth were necessary or that they caused no ill effects. Watching the video may cause you to relive your own and your baby's birth trauma. For me, the trailer reminded me that babies, in utero and freshly birthed, are sentient. They are individuals with a brain and a heart and a soul. They have awareness and memory. They should be treated with tender hands, soft voices, and with respect.
Now go watch the trailer and tell me what you think.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Due Before December?
I am trying to achieve DONA certification before the beginning of the year and would love to attend two births in November/December. If you are due during that time, and would like to have support of a doula, please email me for information. I am offering my services for FREE!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Worried About a Big Baby?
Like many women, I've watched my share of pregnancy/birth shows (like A Baby Story), and recently I've noticed that many of the moms are told at some point towards the end of their pregnancy that they could possibly have a "big" baby and should consider induction. Having a larger than normal baby can be some women's biggest fears when it comes to childbirth.
The difficulty lies in the idea that there is no way of truly knowing how big a baby will be at birth. Fundal height measurements are affected by amniotic fluid levels, baby's position and mother's body. Ultrasounds have not proven completely accurate in measuring how big a baby actually is. Even a skilled practitioner cannot be totally sure of a baby's size by palpitation (although some really like to try and guess).
I think the key to a healthy and happy birth is truly accepting the idea that women's bodies are designed to give birth. We will grow a baby that is the perfect size for us. The greatest majority of the time, all will be well with our labor and delivery if we trust our bodies to do what they are made to do without interference.
If you would like to do further reading on the subject, check out this wonderful article by a very experienced birth doula.
The difficulty lies in the idea that there is no way of truly knowing how big a baby will be at birth. Fundal height measurements are affected by amniotic fluid levels, baby's position and mother's body. Ultrasounds have not proven completely accurate in measuring how big a baby actually is. Even a skilled practitioner cannot be totally sure of a baby's size by palpitation (although some really like to try and guess).
I think the key to a healthy and happy birth is truly accepting the idea that women's bodies are designed to give birth. We will grow a baby that is the perfect size for us. The greatest majority of the time, all will be well with our labor and delivery if we trust our bodies to do what they are made to do without interference.
If you would like to do further reading on the subject, check out this wonderful article by a very experienced birth doula.
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