It is becoming routine for doctors to induce patients at 41.5 weeks in this area. Inductions have not increased favorable outcomes for women in the US. Is is possibly because 41.5 weeks isn't really 41.5 weeks? Read this article before you accept that you are "overdue."
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1047180/the_lie_of_the_edd_why_your_due_date.html
Monday, June 8, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Meliea's recommended reading.........
I am often asked what books I would recommend for expecting and/or new moms. I thought this would be a great place to put my reading list!
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
*This book is filled with beautiful birth stories. I have gleaned many tips for helping with different issues in labor from this book. I also like the chapter on episiotomy.
The Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
* All of her books are incredible but this one has very factual and statistical information to make moms to be feel more confident when talking to their doctors about electronic fetal monitoring, induction of labor for a postdate pregnancy, ultrasound technology and many other common issues that come up at dr. visits. There are also WONDERFUL photographs of positions for labor and the developing pregnancy. I carry this book in my birth bag.
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
* This book is exactly what the title implies. It empowers moms to be to think carefully about all options and make informed decisions.
Birthing From Within
* This is a wonderful book for everyone, but especially for the mom who has had a traumatic physical event in her life(abuse, surgery, etc) or a previous traumatic or unsatisfying birth experience.
Gentle Birth Choices
* This book usually comes with a DVD with BEAUTIFUL births on it. Contains a lot of facts and figures as well as encouragement and comfort.
The Happiest Baby on the Block
* Read this BEFORE the baby comes and save yourself MUCH grief! This book helps parents understand their baby's behavior and learn to cope in positive ways. Also gives the famous 5 things to soothe your crying baby! This book helped me finally get my baby to nap.....two words....white noise!
The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears(the son)
*Middle of the road, not to one extreme or the other facts and information about vaccines. Each vaccine is reviewed individually for it's purpose, side effects, efficacy, necessity and so forth. There is also a recommended alternative schedule for parent's who want to vaccinate, but not in keeping with the current guidlines.
The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley
*For mom's like me who couldn't have done the cry it out thing if you had paid me. Great information on all aspects of sleeping. This book saved my sanity....for real..... Again, recommended reading BEFORE the baby comes!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Feel the love, give the love....
February is love month. Many a October/November births will be made this month! :)
When I had my first 2 children in 1990 and in 1997, the process of caring for a newborn still included warnings about "spoiling" a baby. I have since done my research and realized that this is not possible. During the newborn phase, you are all that your baby knows. Transition to the world is not easy. If you've ever moved to a new city or state, or even a new neighborhood, remember how long it took to "get used" to your new environment. Your baby feels the same way.
Many a mom becomes overwhelmed when babies enter this transition phase. I hear many things like, "The baby will only sleep if he is being held." or "Unless I'm holding her or nursing her, she is crying." The babies on the commercials who sit in swings and bouncy seats cooing and watching their mom from afar are adopted alien babies! Your baby may do this when they are a little older, but not as a wee one.
Enter babywearing. Babywearing is strongly supported by the Attachment Parenting community. See a link from Dr. Sears: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/T130300.asp
Babywearing enables you to keep your baby close and secure while having 2 hands free! It produces a bond and a feeling of security for your baby. A more secure baby will usually equate to a less fussy baby. There are many different ways to wear your baby. Check out this site for an overview and parent reviews: http://www.thebabywearer.com/
My son is over a year old and I still wear him around the house. I don't know how I would get anything done if I didn't. I tell people my humorous story of having to take my older son to the doctor with baby in tow. I enjoyed tucking Jude into the sling(he was about 4 months old at the time) and keeping him unexposed to all the sick kids running around the waiting room. Upon leaving, I really needed to use the restroom. Thanks to my sling, I could use the restroom without having to worry about where to put the baby, or guiding a giant stroller into a small space. LOL It seems funny but at the moment, I couldn't have been more grateful for that sling!
For more information on babywearing and attachment parenting, see these websites:
http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sling.html
http://babywearinginternational.org/
http://www.babycenter.com/2_baby-wearing-how-carriers-help-you-and-your-baby_1486841.bc
Let your baby be your most beautiful accessory!
When I had my first 2 children in 1990 and in 1997, the process of caring for a newborn still included warnings about "spoiling" a baby. I have since done my research and realized that this is not possible. During the newborn phase, you are all that your baby knows. Transition to the world is not easy. If you've ever moved to a new city or state, or even a new neighborhood, remember how long it took to "get used" to your new environment. Your baby feels the same way.
Many a mom becomes overwhelmed when babies enter this transition phase. I hear many things like, "The baby will only sleep if he is being held." or "Unless I'm holding her or nursing her, she is crying." The babies on the commercials who sit in swings and bouncy seats cooing and watching their mom from afar are adopted alien babies! Your baby may do this when they are a little older, but not as a wee one.
Enter babywearing. Babywearing is strongly supported by the Attachment Parenting community. See a link from Dr. Sears: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/T130300.asp
Babywearing enables you to keep your baby close and secure while having 2 hands free! It produces a bond and a feeling of security for your baby. A more secure baby will usually equate to a less fussy baby. There are many different ways to wear your baby. Check out this site for an overview and parent reviews: http://www.thebabywearer.com/
My son is over a year old and I still wear him around the house. I don't know how I would get anything done if I didn't. I tell people my humorous story of having to take my older son to the doctor with baby in tow. I enjoyed tucking Jude into the sling(he was about 4 months old at the time) and keeping him unexposed to all the sick kids running around the waiting room. Upon leaving, I really needed to use the restroom. Thanks to my sling, I could use the restroom without having to worry about where to put the baby, or guiding a giant stroller into a small space. LOL It seems funny but at the moment, I couldn't have been more grateful for that sling!
For more information on babywearing and attachment parenting, see these websites:
http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sling.html
http://babywearinginternational.org/
http://www.babycenter.com/2_baby-wearing-how-carriers-help-you-and-your-baby_1486841.bc
Let your baby be your most beautiful accessory!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
A doula looks forward to a new year........
Being a doula means being in a constant state of learning. Every birth is different. Every woman is different. Just when you think you know something, you realize that there is so much more to learn.
This year, I plan to begin attending births as an apprentice with my midwife, in addition to continuing my doula practice. I am excited about this new chapter in my life. I want to serve the women in my community. This will mean more reading and studying.....which also means prioritizing my life.
Some wonder why I would choose such a path when Certified Professional Midwives are not legally recognized in NC. The answer is simple - someone has to do it. Right now, in the Charlotte area, the options for homebirth are limited to a few midwives who shoulder the load of this homebirth community. As the homebirth movement grows, so does the demand for qualified, competent midwives. Women deserve options. Women need options. I have a passion to give those options to them.
What does this mean for my doula practice? I don't intend to practice any differently. I will still continue to support women in the hospital setting. Standing for choice means I believe that a woman should be able to give birth in the place of her choosing, with the practitioner of her choosing.
I hope that somehow, in 2009, I can inspire women to embrace all of their choices. The only way the birth climate will ever change is if women refuse to allow it to remain as it is.......practitioner oriented. Women must demand that their needs be of the utmost importance, rather than the needs of the insurance company or a malpractice policy. I believe that this day is coming. I hope it is soon.
This year, I plan to begin attending births as an apprentice with my midwife, in addition to continuing my doula practice. I am excited about this new chapter in my life. I want to serve the women in my community. This will mean more reading and studying.....which also means prioritizing my life.
Some wonder why I would choose such a path when Certified Professional Midwives are not legally recognized in NC. The answer is simple - someone has to do it. Right now, in the Charlotte area, the options for homebirth are limited to a few midwives who shoulder the load of this homebirth community. As the homebirth movement grows, so does the demand for qualified, competent midwives. Women deserve options. Women need options. I have a passion to give those options to them.
What does this mean for my doula practice? I don't intend to practice any differently. I will still continue to support women in the hospital setting. Standing for choice means I believe that a woman should be able to give birth in the place of her choosing, with the practitioner of her choosing.
I hope that somehow, in 2009, I can inspire women to embrace all of their choices. The only way the birth climate will ever change is if women refuse to allow it to remain as it is.......practitioner oriented. Women must demand that their needs be of the utmost importance, rather than the needs of the insurance company or a malpractice policy. I believe that this day is coming. I hope it is soon.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Energy surrounds you....
There is something about the energy in a pregnant woman's body. Many people call it a "glow." It is an intense and incredible responsibility to provide shelter for another life and then to bring it into the world. Everywhere the laboring mother puts her feet becomes sacred ground, from the bathroom to the hallway.
It doesn't take much to disrupt this energy flow. You hear countless stories of women in active labor who get to the hospital and suddenly everything stops, or contractions slow down significantly. It's a powerful force and one that is best left to progress on it's own.
This is why it is so important to give great consideration to who is allowed to visit and attend you while you are in labor. Everyone who comes in contact with you needs to be on the same page as you are. If your desire is an unmedicated birth, a well meaning friend stopping by and saying, "I don't know why you are choosing to be miserable!" is not encouraging your process. The woman in labor is vulnerable and her words may very well ring in your brain later when you are facing your most difficult contractions. You may temporarily doubt your own choices.
In her book, Spiritual Midwifery, Ina May Gaskin has this to say about it: "The birthing energy flows smoothest when everyone present is part of the crew, helping the baby to its birth. If some of the other people present are spectators, or what we call "passengers," the birth can be slowed down by hours or can even be halted until some change takes place in the energy. This is because anyone whose presence is not an actual help is requiring the emotional support that should be going to the mother."
Talk to your labor attendant about how to handle keeping your birth space sacred in the home and in the hospital. Incorporate some boundaries into your birth plan. Talk to your care provider about laboring at home as long as possible to avoid unnecessary people coming in and out of your space while you labor. It may feel selfish to you to allow only your husband to be in the room. But remember that you are ultimately creating an environment for your baby's birth, not just for yourself.
I recommend reading Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth if you want to find out more about birth energy. It contains wonderful birth stories and great information for the empowered woman.
It doesn't take much to disrupt this energy flow. You hear countless stories of women in active labor who get to the hospital and suddenly everything stops, or contractions slow down significantly. It's a powerful force and one that is best left to progress on it's own.
This is why it is so important to give great consideration to who is allowed to visit and attend you while you are in labor. Everyone who comes in contact with you needs to be on the same page as you are. If your desire is an unmedicated birth, a well meaning friend stopping by and saying, "I don't know why you are choosing to be miserable!" is not encouraging your process. The woman in labor is vulnerable and her words may very well ring in your brain later when you are facing your most difficult contractions. You may temporarily doubt your own choices.
In her book, Spiritual Midwifery, Ina May Gaskin has this to say about it: "The birthing energy flows smoothest when everyone present is part of the crew, helping the baby to its birth. If some of the other people present are spectators, or what we call "passengers," the birth can be slowed down by hours or can even be halted until some change takes place in the energy. This is because anyone whose presence is not an actual help is requiring the emotional support that should be going to the mother."
Talk to your labor attendant about how to handle keeping your birth space sacred in the home and in the hospital. Incorporate some boundaries into your birth plan. Talk to your care provider about laboring at home as long as possible to avoid unnecessary people coming in and out of your space while you labor. It may feel selfish to you to allow only your husband to be in the room. But remember that you are ultimately creating an environment for your baby's birth, not just for yourself.
I recommend reading Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth if you want to find out more about birth energy. It contains wonderful birth stories and great information for the empowered woman.
Friday, October 10, 2008
The truth is out there.......
I encourage everyone who is having a baby, thinking about having a baby, or knows someone who is having or thinking of having a baby(did I get everyone?) to watch The Business of Being Born. This is a very provocative documentary that has caused quite a stir in the medical and natural birth community. It is factual, moving and inspiring. As a woman, if you ever doubted your ability to birth, this movie will revive your confidence.
http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/
You can also take this great quiz to see how many of these "facts" that have probably been shared with you by someone are true or false.....
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/medical-conditions-treatments/pregnancy-childbirth/maternity-care/maternity-care-quiz/maternity-care-quiz.htm
http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/
You can also take this great quiz to see how many of these "facts" that have probably been shared with you by someone are true or false.....
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/medical-conditions-treatments/pregnancy-childbirth/maternity-care/maternity-care-quiz/maternity-care-quiz.htm
Monday, September 8, 2008
On being BOLD....
I saw the BOLD play TWICE this weekend....and loved it both times. I laughed and cried. I don't think there was a woman in the theatre that couldn't identify in some way with one or more of the characters. The message of the play was this: Women deserve birth on their terms.
The play was about women....real women's stories of birth. Some of the stories were joyous and some were filled with regret. Some were hilarious and some were deeply moving. I have heard those stories represented among my friends. So many, including myself in my second birth, went in with an expectation and came home wondering, "what happened?" Somewhere along the way, we felt that we lost control of our birth and we agreed to interventions or procedures that we weren't sure of. Labor is such a vulnerable place. For a woman to try to make an informed decision between 75 second contractions is nearly impossible. Aren't we taught to never make major decisions under stress?
I hope as a doula to be there during these moments to help mom and partner feel less pressured and more informed. I want to be sure that a mom in my care can walk away knowing that every decision she made was the right decision for her.
Birth is normal and natural. Most moms know instinctually what to do and a good birth attendant will encourage those instincts. Labor doesn't have a time limit and babies don't follow schedules. Not every labor will follow the "roadmap" that the books talk about. It's ok.
Women deserve to be heard. Women deserve good support. And yes, women deserve birth on their terms.
The play was about women....real women's stories of birth. Some of the stories were joyous and some were filled with regret. Some were hilarious and some were deeply moving. I have heard those stories represented among my friends. So many, including myself in my second birth, went in with an expectation and came home wondering, "what happened?" Somewhere along the way, we felt that we lost control of our birth and we agreed to interventions or procedures that we weren't sure of. Labor is such a vulnerable place. For a woman to try to make an informed decision between 75 second contractions is nearly impossible. Aren't we taught to never make major decisions under stress?
I hope as a doula to be there during these moments to help mom and partner feel less pressured and more informed. I want to be sure that a mom in my care can walk away knowing that every decision she made was the right decision for her.
Birth is normal and natural. Most moms know instinctually what to do and a good birth attendant will encourage those instincts. Labor doesn't have a time limit and babies don't follow schedules. Not every labor will follow the "roadmap" that the books talk about. It's ok.
Women deserve to be heard. Women deserve good support. And yes, women deserve birth on their terms.
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