My doula career started with a friend. For many years I struggled through miscarriages and infertility, and although very challenging for my spirit, I learned A LOT in the process about pregnancy and birth. Although I had never physically had a child, many of my friends turned to me when they had questions about labor. One particular friend is the one who sparked my doula career and encouraged me to follow my dreams. She went out on a limb and asked me to be her doula. I was very nervous, but I got trained and attended her marathon birth in July of 2012. She had a beautiful little boy, who now, calls me Aunt Annie (and sometimes even momma by mistake). I love that little guy!
So, when she got pregnant again, I was thrilled that she asked me to attend her birth again. This time it was much quicker and she gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl.
My friend was my first repeat client. I felt like my journey was coming full circle. If it wasn't for her asking me to be her doula, I probably never would have been. I am so grateful! On a funny note, at her first birth one of my other clients went into labor at the same time. I, unfortunately, couldn't attend since my friend's birth lasted SO long. During her second labor, another client was being induced the same day. This time I was able to attend both births in one day. Pretty awesome!
Many pregnant women are familiar with the classic "birth" ball (basically just a fitness ball) prenatally or during labor. It is great for opening the pelvic floor and getting the baby in a good position. Many women also think it is more comfortable during contractions and labor on it the whole time.
A new type of "ball" that is used in labor is the peanut ball. It is great for using in the bed to open the pelvis and make labor more comfortable. Since it is used in the bed, this ball is great for moms who choose an epidural, but still want to take advantage of effective position changes.
Ask your care provider if they have the peanut ball the birthing environment where they practice. For more information about the peanut ball, check out this video:
I recently represented Informed Birth Choices at the Birth, Baby and Family Expo in Catonsville located at Bay State Chiropractic. It was a beautiful day with tons of vendors ranging from Prenatal massage to the YMCA of Catonsville. After being there, I was delighted to realize that there is a great birth and baby community right here in the heart of Catosnville. There are many child birth classes, prenatal yoga, acupuncture, chiropractors, and doulas in our local area. Although this was the first expo of this kind in Catonsville and therefore not highly attended, my hope is that next year people will realize the resources that they have right in their backyard.
I recently stumbled on this short documentary done by the New Yorker on the rising C-section rate in the US. Following one woman's story, it identifies some causes of the soaring rate of C-sections, offers hope in VBAC, and shows the rewards of natural childbirth. This piece also promotes the use of a doula during labor and childbirth.
There are many techniques a doula can use to help you with the pain and discomfort of labor; like massage, counter pressure, heat and cold therapy, position changes, etc. However, recently I was introduced and trained in yet another great comfort measure for labor. The TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) has been used for years to help control pain and labor is a great place to see it in action.
So what exactly is a TENS?
It is a handheld, battery-operated device, which transmits mild electrical impulses through the skin to stimulate nerve fibers in the back that is controlled by the laboring client.
It reduces pain in labor while allowing the laboring woman freedom to move and walk.
It is especially useful for back labor.
Is there research about the TENS in labor?
Research findings on TENS (Carroll et al, 1997) have shown that laboring women using the device use less pain medication than women using a “sham” TENS device.
The majority of women surveyed (Chamberlain et al, 1993) rated it as moderately or very helpful in relieving pain, and would use it again in a future labor.
A study that investigated the use of TENS for back pain in labor found that “TENS has a specific beneficial effect on pain localized in the back.”
Why does is work?
Gate Control Theory of Pain: basically non-painful or pleasurable sensations travel to the brain faster than painful sensations, therefore reducing the amount of pain sensations felt.
The TENS actually stimulates your body to make its own natural pain relieving hormones called endorphins.
The laboring mother controls the TENS so she is able to take control, in a sense, of what is happening with her body.
Who should use it?
Any laboring mother who has received consent from their care provider who doesn't suffer from epilepsy or have a cardiac pacemaker.
The TENS is a safe and effective way to reduce the sensation of pain during labor. If you are interested in using a TENS during your labor, contact your doula or feel free to email me and I can give you more information.
For months Informed Birth Choices has been planning a great event to encourage car seat safety and raise money for the Fistula Foundation. Finally the day had arrived. The weather was perfect for IBC's New Moms Group to host this awesome outdoor event.
Chloe Chrysanthus, an IBC doula and car seat specialist, volunteered her time to check and properly install infant and toddler car seats for free. Since 8 out of 10 car seats are installed improperly, this was a great service to all the moms who came out.
In addition to the care seat check and installation, IBC also asked for donations for the Fistula Foundation, an organization which performs surgeries to correct obstetric fistulas for women in developing nations. People graciously donated baked goods and handmade crafts to sell to raise money.
Danielle Koontz, the director of IBC, was hoping to raise around $50 and to her great surprise the money collected totaled $250! That amount is over half the cost of a fistula repair. The IBC car seat check and Fistula Foundation event was a true success and showed that women all over the world can change each others' lives for the better. Truly this event was a win-win for everyone involved! A BIG thank you to everyone involved!
One of the most frequently asked questions that is asked when I am teaching a breastfeeding class is, "when should I introduce the bottle since I have to go back to work?" or "when do I start pumping when I have to go back to work?". Breastfeeding, pumping and working seems like it will be completely overwhelming to new moms, but it doesn't have to be. Learning how and when to pump can happen gradually and doesn't have to cause you anxiety.
Here are some of my tips for moms who will have to go back to work:
1. Establish the breastfeeding relationship with your baby first. It is more important to learn how to breastfeed and then worry about pumping.
2. Introduce the bottle after three good weeks of breastfeeding (if the first week sucks, then three weeks after you and baby got the hang of it).
3. When you do start pumping, try pumping in the morning when your milk supply is at its peak. Breastfeed the baby first and then pump the remaining milk. Add in pumping sessions throughout the day and eventually you will start making enough milk to store in the fridge and freezer.
4. Feed your baby from the bottle at least once a day so he/she gets used to bottle feeding.
5. Let the baby lead the feeding by holding baby more upright with the bottle at a 45 degree angle. Encourage her natural breastfeeding instincts (rooting, flanged lips, switching arms, etc.)
6. If your baby won't take the bottle from you (mom), allow someone else to offer him the bottle.
7. Pump when you can at work. It doesn't have to be when your baby would eat. Take advantage of your "pumportunities"!
How and when do all these things occur? Here is an action plan from the IBC Baby Basics class that I teach.
Are you interested in more information about breastfeeding and working?
