If you are a midwife, doula, childbirth educator, nurse, etc Do you ever give gifts to your clients? How much would you be willing to spend on a cute gift? [polldaddy poll=1998848]
Gift Giving Poll for Birth Care Workers Read More »
Here is the birth story from this post. First time mom being induced for low fluid at 41 weeks. I am going to break it into 2 posts. First the simple birth story, without my doula input. Then I will do a follow up with some doula details. Hannah and Doug called me Monday afternoon
Hannah's Induction Read More »
It is interesting that on the same day ACOG (via help from NBC) tries to use fear to motivate moms to birth in hospitals they admit that fear of litigation motivates them to make decisions, rather than evidence based choices. Using Fear to Motivate Moms: NBC Today show and MSNBC showed a segment on Extreme
ACOG: Fear and Litigation Motivation Read More »
Well, this is disconcerting. I wonder how many unneccessary cesareans these machines caused. How many more will they cause if hospitals don’t get these models replaced or fixed? September 7, 2009 — Fetal monitors made by Philips Healthcare, Avalon Models FM20, FM30, FM40, and FM50 and ultrasound transducer, may produce inaccurate readings, the US Food
Fetal Monitors Produce Inaccurate Results – FDA warning Read More »
I remember the post by Rixa about a year ago about Birth Track. I was appalled that the medical community would think this was “better”. It didn’t really surprise me. Then Nursing Birth just posted about another option Labor Pro. So soon hospitals will have 2 machines to choose from. The crazy thing is they
The Future Looks SCARY unless we fight now for change! Read More »
I came across 5 blog posts lately that really hit home the importance of choosing your careprovider carefully! What does your care provider really think about informed consent? Do you think this could effect your choices? This is a scary post showing what many care providers think about your ability to gather information and make
Why does your OB matter? Read More »
It is sad to me how many OBs will scare their patients into repeat cesareans. They are not honest with the real risks of VBAC. I want OBs to be honest about the risks and then let the mom choose what is best for her. They should also be honest if the real reason they
Real Risks of VBAC Read More »
I had a nurse tell one of my Hypnobabies students this, during a hospital tour. You can bring a birth ball, but you may not want to sit on one during your birth it can cause your cervice to swell. Really? What is she basing this judgement on? A birth where a mom had a
ACOG came out with an amazing statement, admitting it is safe to drink clear liquids during labor. Apparently it took many years to realize that ice chips actually turn into liquid when ingested. ACOG says that women with uncomplicated labor, as well as uncomplicated patients undergoing a planned cesarean, may drink modest amounts of clear
Holy Cow, ACOG realizes it is safe to drink! Read More »
A fellow doula, Tabaré Depaep, J.D., Esq., CLD (CAPPA), wrote up this response and said that I could share it with the world! As most of you already know, ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) is collecting data on elective home deliveries, even if there were no adverse outcomes (see their data collection form
Response to ACOG Homebirth Survey Read More »
Most OBs allow the fear of liability to motivate their decisions, often not providing true informed consent. Think of a mom with a breech baby. Is she even given vaginal birth as an option. 99% of the time NO. Rather she is told a cesarean is her only choice. This is because that is the
Support OB who supports VBAC and vaginal breech births. Read More »
I wonder how many other doulas think and do these things… Preparedness or the lack thereof can prevent or cause births If I am going somewhere I don’t want to have to leave for a birth, I make sure I have my doula bag, a change of clothes, an extra car. Basically I am completely
Life As A Doula – Silly things I think and do. Read More »
I finished reading Your Best Birth: Know All Your Options by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein. I mostly really loved the book. (I will put the only drawback I found at the end.) Through most of the book I was thinking, this is exactly what I would say if I wrote a birth book! I love
Your Best Birth – Review Read More »
This is the most challenging part of being a doula for me. I can’t commit to anything except my expecting moms. A friend calls and asks, “I have a dentist appointment on Wednesday. Can you watch Logan?” I respond, “Sure. Unless I am at a birth.” This leaves my friend in a quandry. Does she
Life as a Doula – Being on Call AKA JICIAAAB Read More »
I love this part of the quote from my Restaurant Wars and Birth Wars post. At home, you or the person doing the cooking is most likely preparing only one meal at a time. That is the huge difference between hospital and home birth. At home, you are the only one birthing. You are getting
One Meal at a Time Read More »
