The wonder of it all........

I believe birth really is more art than science. If you gather a group of 25 women and ask them what a contraction feels like, you will get 25 different explanations. If you ask them about their birth experience, you will get 25 very different impressions.

I think what is missing today in modern obstetrics is the recognition that women want a birth experience. Some women want an unmedicated birth and some want the epidural when they walk through the door, but they all want their experience to be miraculous and sacred. Sometimes a woman doesn't even realize how important this is to her until she has a birth that is less than satisfying.

A woman in labor is a masterpiece. Left to her own, she will usually find her "groove". I love the moment when a woman finds that. At a recent birth I attended, I walked in to hear mom singing a song about Greek letters and such. I later found out this was her sorority song. When the contractions were difficult, her "groove" was to sing that song and it worked to move her through the process. Another client quietly rocked and chanted, "Good things are happening down there" over and over again. It is beautiful. It is art. Mom is painting her birth experience. We need to respect her canvas.....her space. Let her create.

Labor calls a woman to reach deep within herself and be completely strong and completely vulnerable all at the same time. When a woman's labor stalls for a bit and technology is rushed to her side to "make things happen", then we diminish her work. We, in essence, tell her that what she is doing just isn't enough. Her masterpiece doesn't meet the expectations.

Pregnancy is not a disease and labor is not a condition to be managed. It is a process.....a journey. As long as we continue to "manage" birth instead of allowing a life to enter the world in the same miraculous way that it is created, then women will continue to feel dissatisfied with themselves and their birth. They may not be able to tell you exactly why they feel this "void", after all, they have a healthy baby and that's the goal....right? We must recognize that it is so much more than that. It is an image, a work of art, that will linger in a woman's mind for the rest of her life. She will look at it many times. She will attempt to interpret it. She will ask others to look at it and give their opinion. She will either see it as her most beautiful work, or she will consider it to be lacking.

What is a doula?

I get this question all the time. It's a funny word, really(prounouced doo-luh). This is quoted from the DONA website(www.dona.org):

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

People ask me, "Do you deliver the baby?" I say, "No, I'm just along for the ride." It sounds trite, but really I am.

Mom is on a journey that she has been traveling for 9 months. She has read books, she has talked to countless friends who have explained their births in detail(for better or worse)and she has poured over her gift registry trying to decide which of the 300 stroller models is the safest, best and cutest. She is driving this ride!!!

Along comes labor. It starts slow and builds. Mom and dad call me. I come over and watch mom's demeanor. I give her a reassuring smile every time she looks at me so that she will know she is doing everything right. I chat with dad, assure him that he is going to do fine also. And we all let the process unfold. I step in with a suggestion or a back rub if needed. Sometimes I remind mom to breathe or to relax. I reassure mom and dad at each stage that what she is feeling is normal and that she can do this. I provide a constant presence so dad can update family, grab a bite to eat, or just go to the bathroom! I help parents navigate the decisions about interventions and procedures so that they feel they can make informed decisions. And, of course, I fetch ice and sprite and coffee for dad at 2am and all those "practical" things.

At the end of the day, my goal is not that my clients feel they couldn't have done it without me. Rather, I hope they feel like THEY did it, and I just made the ride a little easier.

Chirpractic Care During Pregnancy

This was an article posted by a chiropractor from Asheville, NC who was a speaker at my doula training. I know and trust a local chiropractor, www.beyondwellnesscc.com , for my clients and friends. Check it out!


Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy

One of the most exciting times in a woman’s life is when she finds out that she is expecting a baby. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can be a valuable addition to a Mom’s prenatal care. A properly functioning spine and nervous system is an important part of a wellness pregnancy. In addition to the noticeable changes your pregnancy will cause your body, pregnancy can cause subtle changes in the musculoskeletal system—changes your Chiropractor is able to detect and correct.

The position of your growing baby will cause your center of gravity to shift, and your spine will naturally alter itself to accommodate this change. As a result, you may experience low back and pelvic pain. The increase in hormones during pregnancy can also cause ligaments, cartilage, and even bones to soften and become more pliable. Pelvic bones may even become displaced or fixated. Since your hips will need to spread to accommodate the delivery of your baby, fixated pelvic bones can lead to complications during delivery.

A bone or vertebra that is slightly out-of-place can create nerve irritation, which can and will interfere with your body’s communication system. By using special or modified techniques during your pregnancy, your Family Wellness Chiropractor can restore the function of your nervous system, improve your overall wellness, and increase your comfort during your pregnancy and delivery.
In fact, research has shown that:

84% of pregnant women treated by Chiropractors received profound relief from low back pain

Women who received Chiropractic care had nearly a 25% reduction in the average labor time and a 33% reduction for women carrying multiples

Postpartum pain was relieved in 90 of 120 moms that had been under regular Chiropractic care

During your pregnancy, your Doctor of Chiropractic can do the following:

Correct vertebral misalignment and relieve nerve interference with gentle adjustments.
Help ensure that pelvic bones are properly aligned, contributing to a shorter and easier delivery.
Re-establish the natural position and mobility of the joints.
Provide freedom from interference of normal nerve energy.
Decrease the likelihood of your fetus being in the wrong position during the last trimester.

Many Mothers have come to understand the vital role that Chiropractic care plays in a healthy pregnancy. The benefits of a Chiropractic adjustment offer more than just low back pain relief. The spinal adjustments have also helped them feel healthier during the pregnancy, decreased morning sickness, facilitated in shorter labor and delivery times, and increased overall sense of well being. Dr. Alisha Davis is dedicated to providing you with the absolute best in family wellness care. So take a moment today to discuss any concerns you may have regarding a wellness pregnancy and delivery and learn about the many benefits of Chiropractic care for you and your baby.

Dr. Alisha Davis, DC, DACCP