I am so excited, after a self-imposed 6 month break from doulaing, I have 2 and maybe soon 3 clients. 1 was one of my Hypnobabies students and she is having a homebirth. I am SO excited for that. I love being a doula at homebirths. There is such a neat feeling at them. 1 […]
It is amazing to me that women are not free to choose how they birth. Many women are told they MUST have a cesarean, because their care providers or hospitals refuse to allow them to have a vaginal birth. Seems absurd that women are not allowed the choice. Here is an article about how women in
I love to see moms pushing for change in the birthing world. There is a group in Ventura who are hoping to change the VBAC rules in some of the hospitals there. I have a good friend from Ventrura who had an emergency cesarean with her first baby, had no problems having VBACs with her
VBACtivists in Ventura Read More »
I have had 2 VBAC’s at Saddleback Hospital and encourage mom’s who contact me wanting a hospital VBAC to look into Saddleback. They hold a VBAC class for parents interested in learning more. Here is what one of their Doctors has said. “For many years, the rule of thumb was ‘once a Cesarean, always
VBAC support at Saddleback Memorial Read More »
I learned about this way to help moms process their cesareans from the Birth after Cesaren Blog Listing 10 positive things, not including Devon, that came about from my cesarean. I think it is sometimes hard to see beyond the baby you get. It has been 10 years and a long journey to get where
10 positive things about my Cesarean Read More »
My Hypnobabies VBAC success story I had been having contractions almost every night while working at the computer, but any time I laid down they would stop. On Friday, Nov 16, it was the same thing, contractions every 5 minutes but if I laid on the couch they would stop. So finally at 11pm I
Jake's Birth Story: A Hypnobabies VBAC Read More »
This is a question my husband had when I wanted to hire a doula for Bryson’s birth. I reassured him they didn’t. When we met with Alison and talked with her about her role, he felt much better about it. Then after the birth he wondered why we didn’t have one for each birth? He
Do Doulas replace Dads? Read More »
Great VBAC HypnoBirthing Story A hospital had it’s first waterbirth and it happened to be a VBAC mom!
This mom had to fight for her right to birth vaginally in her hospital. It is unfortunate that she had to litterally fight, but I am so proud of her. It shows how some care providers try to emotionally manipulate their patients to do what they want. It also shows how in the end it is
I have had a cesarean with my first baby. It was a medical emergency and I feel that it saved my baby’s life. Baby was not OK and needed to be born NOW. I am grateful for living today when this medical intervention is possible. I have had 2 VBACs. They were normal births, baby
April is Cesarean Awareness Month Read More »
I have had 2 moms who were going to have their babies at any time for the past few weeks. They also happen to be good friends, so I really wanted to make sure I made it to both births! Birth 1 – hospital birth S. was having her 4th baby. She had never gone past
I Cut 2 Cords in 6 Hours OR a Crazy Day in the Life of a Doula Read More »
It was amazing and wonderful and fun! I probably have 10 blog entries worth of things to talk about. So this will just be an overview. I got to room with Michelle and Celesta, midwives from San Diego. They were so great! I am so looking forward to Alison’s birth, Michelle is her midwife and
Home from the Trust Birth Conference Read More »
Here is the article. Here is my response. This is really a shame that this mom had a negative experiences with her doula. My role as a doula is to support the mom in whatever SHE wants. This isn’t MY birth, it is HERS! I would NEVER leave a mother during her birthing time, no
Sad article about doulas in the New York Times Read More »
Alison’s homebirth midwife and assistant came over today. The whole birth team gathered together, so Dan, Grandma (who will be watching Abby) and I (as doula) was there too. It was lovely. I am so looking forward to this birth. It will be the first homebirth I attend! The midwife, Michelle was great. She really
Homebirth Preparation Visit Read More »
