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I am going to go out on a limb and say: “I strongly believe the best breathing for labor is deep-belly breathing!” There, I said it. This may upset some, or contradict what others believe and what some childbirth educators are teaching. However, from my experience as a labor support doula, this is what I […]
Breathing for Labor, A Yogic Point of View Read More »
I often encourage my students and doula clients to take some time to figure out how they foresee their birth. This is, of course, with the understanding that nothing – especially birth – can ever truly follow a plan; however, at least one might hash out some preferences and desires toward the manner in which
Birth Plan vs Hospital Protocol Read More »
In the movies and on TV the onset of labor is often depicted with the expectant mother experiencing a big gush of water and immediately thrust into active labor. As exciting as it may be, that scenario very rarely happens. For 90% of women, the onset of contractions will happen first, and then at some
PROM: Premature Rupture of the Membranes Read More »
My very good friend, Liz, recently told me she is pregnant with her third child. I had the thrill and privilege to be her doula for the first two births and was so excited when she invited me back for the third (and final!) one. Liz’s story is really quite interesting. We met when Liz
Study: Home Birth With Midwife As Safe As Hospital Birth Read More »
I am often asked about the usefulness of perineal massage for expectant mothers. To be completely honest, I haven’t heard much feedback about it either way. I decided to investigate the question a bit more and see if there was any hard data on it. Let’s start at the very beginning to get everyone on
Many women think that the abdominal region is off limits during pregnancy, when in fact it is even more important to maintain strength and stability in the core to help support the exaggerated curves of the spine and the weight of the growing fetus. Also, proper abdominal strengthening will decrease the chances for the rectus
Your Abdominal Muscles Can Help You Push Your Baby Out Read More »
Take a moment to read this article about External Fetal Monitoring from yesterday’s New York Times. It has become a real issue and a routine practice in so many hospitals. July 7, 2009 New York Times By JANE E. BRODY Electronic fetal monitoring during labor and delivery was introduced into obstetrical practice in the early
Updating a Standard: Fetal Monitoring Read More »
One of my fellow chidlbirth advocates turned me onto an article about the correlation of pitocin usage and emergency cesareans. Interestingly, as the usage of pitocin increases (According to the authors of Williams Obstetrics, 81% of the women who gave birth in the hospital received pitocin during their labors.) as does the national cesarean rate.
Hospital’s Oxytocin Protocol Change Sharply Reduces Emergency C-Section Share Read More »
I just received my copy of New York Magazine yesterday and noticed that it was the “Best Doctors” issue. I eagerly opened it to see if I knew any of the featured doctors, since I have worked with quite a few over the past 6 years as a labor support doula. I found that I
Do We Over Value Technology to Personal Touch Read More »
FACT: The United States ranks 42nd in the WORLD for maternal mortality rates FACT: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that there has been no improvement in the maternal death rate in the United States since 1982. FACT: The CDC estimates that more than half of the reported maternal deaths in the United States
The US Has One Of The Worst Maternal Mortality Rates In The World. Why? Read More »
Last night I was teaching a refresher childbirth education class to a couple. The father is a physician and the mother is an occupational therapist – so when I started talking about non-pharmacological methods of pain relief, specifically those related to the Gate Control Theory, they knew exactly what I was referring to. They added
The Gate Control Theory of Pain Management in Childbirth and the Epidural Read More »
I love when childbirth related articles fall into mainstream media. The Sunday, LA Times published an article, “Childbirth: Can the U.S. improve?”. It highlights some of the biggest issues facing expectant parents now a days; high cesarean and induction rates, the growing strain on health care, and the refusal to allow for VBACs (Vaginal Births
Recent Artcile, Childbirth: Can the U.S. Improve? Read More »
I was really struck by a quote from Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer, authors of A Good Birth, A Safe Birth, who said: “If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any.” From what I have encountered in my years of teaching, many women really do not know how many choices they have with
Educate Yourself, Know Your Birth Options Read More »
A recent article from BBC News, Home Births “as safe as Hospital”, highlights the largest study of its kind, with over a half million participants. It indicates that for low-risk women, giving birth at home is as safe as doing so in hospital with a midwife. This study may dispel the negative stigma of home
Largest Study of it’s Kind States: Home births ‘as safe as hospital’ Read More »
Part of my job as a doula is to hold a prenatal meeting with the couple IÂm working with, then type up notes from that meeting and return them to the couple for review. Over the years I have established a format for the questions I ask, although I do change them each time according
Study Finds Benefits For Skin to Skin contact with Newborn Read More »
The pelvis is greatly affected during pregnancy, and it is not uncommon for the expectant mom to experience aches and pains in this area. Many times women just accept these pains as annoyances that will go away after the baby is born, which is most likely true, but there are some things that can be
Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy Read More »
Over the last week or so, many childbirth education blogs and articles have focused on Pamela Paul’s latest article in TIME magazine, The Trouble With Repeat Cesareans. It is so wonderful that this important subject is receiving some attention. Paul, who happens to be a third time student at the Prenatal Yoga Center, also expanded
The War Against VBACs Read More »
I wanted to share some questions with you that I am asked on a regular basis: “What is the difference between a midwife and a doula? “; “Does my doctor work with my midwife?”; “Why would I choose a midwife over a doctor?”; “Isn’t the nurse like a doula?” I figured the best way to
The Doctor, The Midwife, The Nurse and The Doula Read More »
Just the other day at the end of class several students were discussing their doctors’ recommendations for weight gain during pregnancy – a very hot topic among the pregnant mamas! Some women were saying that their doctors are very lenient while others have stricter guidelines, suggesting no more than 25 pounds. One woman commented that
How Much Is Too Much Weight To Gain When Pregnant? Read More »
I just recently came across a wonderfully informative article, Early C-Section Carries Risks, Study Finds by Keith Winstein in the Wall Street Journal about a study recently conducted and published in The New England Journal of Medicine about the risks of early elective cesarean births. This struck me as an important, immediate topic, as I
Early C-Section Carries Risks, Study Finds Read More »
Inspired by what I saw on my bike trip through Vietnam, since returning I have been obsessed with incorporating more squatting poses into my prenatal yoga classes. I have long been fascinated by the incredible ease with which many people from other cultures (particularly in Asian countries I have visited) can assume a squatting position,
Four years ago I was traveling through India when I came face to face (as it were) with the reality of the ‘Sphincter Law’. First allow me to describe my experience, as I think that it will illustrate why Ina May Gaskin has so termed this ‘law’. When I arrived at Amma’s ashram, I had
The Sphincter Law and Childbirth Read More »
I love when a study comes out that supports normal, healthy birth. This fall’s edition of The Journal of Perinatal Education features the article “Doula Care For Middle-Class Women With Male Partners Substantially Lowers Cesarean Rates”. The article describes a recent study that demonstrates some of the benefits of having a doula present. Of course,
New Study: Doula Care Lowers Cesarean Rate Read More »
A birth ball, that is! I often find myself teaching postnatal yoga while sitting on a birth ball, balancing two babies on my knees. I joke that the ball was the best piece of equipment I bought for the studio. Although I say this in jest, there is great truth to this statement! The birth
There was a flurry of e-mails in my inbox earlier this week as the teacher trainees were very excitedly passing on an article from the NY Times on home birth. The article, Baby, You’re Home, discusses the upward trend of home births, the practicality of it, the safety precautions, and the opposition. I find it
Choice and Safety of Home Birth: An Ongoing Discussion Read More »
Last weekend I was walking home from the gym when I ran into one of my students. She told me that she was in early labor – 4 cm – and was sent to go walk around to try to get things moving. She also told me that her doctor had informed her that since
Low Level of Amniotic Fluid – No Risk to Normal Birth Read More »
Please enjoy this list of 10 healthful hints for pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Much of this information is gathered from friends, students, hands-on experience, mentors and teachers. I strongly believe in learning from others, so please feel free to pass this along to all your friends! 1. Olive Oil on Baby’s Bottom to Prevent the
10 Helpful Hints for Pregnancy, Labor and Postpartum Read More »
For years I have been asked to substantiate with a clinical study the idea that prenatal yoga helps pregnant women during labor. So you can imagine my excitement when I was reading from the Journal of Perinatal Education and found this article doing just that. Please read and enjoy the article. This may help remind
Prenatal Yoga May Result in Less Labor Pain, Shorter Labor Read More »
Last week I stumbled upon the article “A Top Obstetrician On Why Men Should NEVER Be At the Birth Of Their Child” by a very renowned obstetrician, Michel Odent, about the father’s place in labor and birth. Odent is a father of three and a pioneer in water birth. At first I was very surprised
Where Does Dad Belong During Labor? Read More »
I finally sat down to go through the many books that are stockpiled on my bookcase to give away to Housing Works. As I was tossing several of my chick lit books into a paper bag, I came across a book I forgot I was given, Enjoy your labor: A new approach to pain relief
Hormonal Blueprint of Labor Read More »
As seen in Midwifery Today Issue 91, Autumn 2009 I am very excited that I can finally put my degree from the Boston Conservatory of Music to good use in my current career! Recently during class I have been focusing a lot on vocal toning and its benefits during labor and birth. So let me
Open Throat, Open Vagina Read More »
I attended Andrea’s birth almost 5 years ago. I think this was the third birth in which I took the role of a doula – I was just a doula in training. Andrea had given birth naturally to her first child (almost 10 pounds if I remember correctly) and was well on her way to
Birthing Positions: Don’t Just Take it Lying Down! Read More »
Over the last few weeks I have received so many inquiries about doulas. What is a doula? What does a doula do? How much do they cost? How do you interview a doula? So, I thought I would try to answer these questions to the best of my ability. The word ‘doula’ is derived from
On June 18th the American Medical Association (AMA) issued a resolution in support of the ACOG statement that “the safest setting for labor, delivery, and the immediate post-partum period is in the hospital, or a birthing center within a hospital complex, that meets standards jointly outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and ACOG,
Home Birth: Is This the Next ‘Right to Choose’?! Read More »
I have never been one to closely follow celebrity gossip. In fact, I am embarrassingly behind the times – stuck somewhere in the late 90’s when Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan and Friends were big. But I can’t deny the influence celebrities have on society. They are the American equivalent of the British Royal Family. Recently,
Celebrity Births. The Good. The Bad. The Influence. Read More »
Very few occasions in life have the expectations and anticipation that compare to those of pregnancy – the whole pregnancy is called ‘expecting’! So of course, the onset of labor is going to be a big deal – but maybe it shouldn’t. I am not saying that you shouldn’t be excited about finally meeting your
My Labor Has Started. Now What? Read More »
I was talking to one of the students yesterday about freedom of movement during labor. She was concerned that as soon as she arrived at the hospital she would be hooked up to the EFM and would not have the freedom to move about as she would like. She asked what I thought about that.
Labor is probably not the time you will be requesting a huge steak dinner, but it is a good idea to continue to nourish your body. Not eating during labor may reduce your energy, increase your fatigue and decrease your ability to deal with stress during labor. Can you imagine laboring for 15 hours and
Eating During Labor Read More »
I have just finished reading ‘And the Doula Makes Four’, an article on doulas and lactation consultants in last week’s New York Times. The article certainly does not paint a pretty picture of either vocation. In any field there is a range of professionals and an equally wide range of beliefs and practices to which
Debunking the Difficult Doula Read More »
The other day I was channel surfing and landed on “A Baby Story”. I hear students speak often about this show as well as other baby/birthing shows, so I figured I should see what all the fuss is about. Also, I’m aware that the images shown in these programs significantly influence how people perceive birth.
Step Away From the DRAMA! Read More »
Last weekend I did a private in-home childbirth education class with one of my students and her husband. It was really more of a refresher class, since she has already given birth to two beautiful children. I asked her a bit about her past birth experiences to get an idea of what we needed to
Massage is one of the most useful tools for non-medicated pain relief I can bring to a birth. It has been credited with helping to reduce pain, anxiety, and fear by increasing endorphin levels in the body. A study reported in ‘Mental Health Update’ that “the women in a group that received physical touch (light
Paging Dr. Feel Good Read More »
About a year ago I was attending my friend Valerie’s birth. She labored well, and after a number of hours it was time to push her baby out. When she started to push, her contractions were spaced out to about 8 minutes apart. Most women’s contractions do space out once the cervix is fully dilated
Whose Schedule Are We On Anyway?! Read More »
Several months ago, I constructed a list of 5 questions to ask your doctor before your birth. Asking questions can help you begin to decide which caregiver would best align with your ideas of birthing. It’s definitely a good jumping-off point to begin the conversation about your journey into motherhood, but the responsibility to do
Know the Statistics; Don’t Be One Read More »
Ina May Gaskin writes in her book, Ina MayÂs Guide to Childbirth, ÂLet your monkey do it (pg 243). By this, she goes on to explain, she means that ÂLetting the primate in you do the work of labor is a short way of saying not to let your over-busy mind interfere with the ancient
Let Your Monkey Do It Read More »
Last Saturday night, my husband and I went out with some friend who had just purchased a new car. I commented that it seemed rather spacious as the 4 of enjoyed moving through the city in our own transportation escaping our usual mass transit experience. Franny remarked back, that when they have both the car
Anyone Over 30 Should Be Dead Read More »
I was just looking over my pages of notes from my trip to The Farm Midwifery Center in Summertown, Tennessee, and I got caught up in my notes about the Amish births. Near Summertown is a very large Amish community. Many of the Amish births are attended by The Farm’s midwives. The midwives shared some
An Ode to the Amish: Childbirth Without Pain Read More »
Over the last 4 years I have gathered quite a bag of tricks that I bring along to births that I attend as a labor support doula. Some of what is inside my bags was passed on to me from other doulas, some of the things I picked up at my recent Midwifery Assistant class
Comfort Measures for Mom: The Inside of My Doula Bag! Read More »
Recently I have been feeling uninspired and tired. As much as I love what I do (and I consider myself fortunate that I really do love my career!) I feel like I have not been putting my full passion into it the way I usually do. I come home complaining that I want to Âget
Sometimes You Need to Just Get Away Read More »
Three weeks ago I received a phone call from Pamela Hunt at the Farm Midwifery Center informing me that a space became available in the Midwifery Assistant Workshop. At first I hesitated. The class was to start in less then 2 weeks and if I went, I had a lot of preparations to take care
