2012 is ending with a bang. I attended my 6th birth on December 18th. My client wasn't due until early January, but labor came on fast and furious. This was my first truly precipitous labor. By the time we met at the hospital, she was ready to push. I didn't do much as a doula, but my client said she found what I said to her during pushing very helpful. I learned that words can be as powerful as touch!
On a personal note, this birth was very meaningful to me. Last year on December 18th, I suffered my 5th miscarriage and this year I was able to witness my 5th birth (since one I attended was a c-section). Also, baby's name means "blessed". I feel really blessed and redeemed!
I am looking forward to what is in store for me in 2013. Stay tuned...
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Come on! Get Homebirth Happy
I attended my first natural and homebirth on Sunday. One word--AWESOME! Attending a homebirth is so much different than a hospital birth. It feels peaceful and relaxing and mom was able to labor wherever she wanted. This is the first time that I was super hands-on as a doula. I did massage, position changes, and other comfort measures. At one point when labor stalled, I was actually napping with mom on the same bed. It was very rewarding when she really needed me. The midwives were great. We really had a great team. Mom was such a trooper. She overcame many obstacles and achieved her goal beautifully. It was worth every hour!
I highly recommend homebirth if the circumstances are safe for you!
I highly recommend homebirth if the circumstances are safe for you!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Free Breastpumps??
Pretty cool article that describes how to get a free breastpump!
http://www.hellobee.com/2012/11/08/dont-pay-for-a-breast-pump-until-you-read-this/
http://www.hellobee.com/2012/11/08/dont-pay-for-a-breast-pump-until-you-read-this/
A Little Catch Up
Well...it has been a while since my last post! And boy has a lot happened...
October 1st: Attended my third and final certifying birth. It was about a 12 hour labor with a vaginal birth and my client had a girl. Since my client had an epidural very early on in her labor, I learned that a doula is as much an emotional support as physical one.
October 8th: I started accepting clients through a doula group called Informed Birth Choices. This group will allow us to provide a continuum of care since the founder of the group also teaches childbirth classes, so she has lots of prospective parents seeking out doula, which allows for them to have a doula with the same philosophy that Danielle offers in her classes. I am very excited about this new group!
October 26th: Baltimore Bike Party. My husband and I dressed like the "Birds and the Bees"...just something fun to throw in there :)
November 1st: I signed up for a Certified Lactation Counselor course through the Healthy Children's Project. I am very excited for this 5 day class, and the best thing is, that it's in Gettysburg. Part of my family lives there...can you stay "free lodging"?!
November 9th: I had the privilege of attending the birth of another friend, which was my fourth birth. My friend's water broke sometime on the evening of Nov. 7th. So the next morning she went into the hospital and started on pitocin. She labored for 12 hours on pitocin, but after failure to progress and approaching the 36 hour mark of her water being broken, she had a c-section. She gave birth to a baby girl! I learned that it is good to have a plan and be very prepared for labor (while on pitocin I got to see her get into her labor groove), but sometimes things don't go your way and can be disappointing. I am so happy that they have a very healthy and beautiful baby! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of a very special time in your lives!
Now: I am preparing to attend my fifth birth and my first home birth. My next client's due date is November 19th. I am very excited and a little nervous. I am really looking forward to working with home birth midwives and experiencing a home birth.
October 1st: Attended my third and final certifying birth. It was about a 12 hour labor with a vaginal birth and my client had a girl. Since my client had an epidural very early on in her labor, I learned that a doula is as much an emotional support as physical one.
October 8th: I started accepting clients through a doula group called Informed Birth Choices. This group will allow us to provide a continuum of care since the founder of the group also teaches childbirth classes, so she has lots of prospective parents seeking out doula, which allows for them to have a doula with the same philosophy that Danielle offers in her classes. I am very excited about this new group!
October 26th: Baltimore Bike Party. My husband and I dressed like the "Birds and the Bees"...just something fun to throw in there :)
November 1st: I signed up for a Certified Lactation Counselor course through the Healthy Children's Project. I am very excited for this 5 day class, and the best thing is, that it's in Gettysburg. Part of my family lives there...can you stay "free lodging"?!
November 9th: I had the privilege of attending the birth of another friend, which was my fourth birth. My friend's water broke sometime on the evening of Nov. 7th. So the next morning she went into the hospital and started on pitocin. She labored for 12 hours on pitocin, but after failure to progress and approaching the 36 hour mark of her water being broken, she had a c-section. She gave birth to a baby girl! I learned that it is good to have a plan and be very prepared for labor (while on pitocin I got to see her get into her labor groove), but sometimes things don't go your way and can be disappointing. I am so happy that they have a very healthy and beautiful baby! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of a very special time in your lives!
(permission to post from parents)
Now: I am preparing to attend my fifth birth and my first home birth. My next client's due date is November 19th. I am very excited and a little nervous. I am really looking forward to working with home birth midwives and experiencing a home birth.
Monday, October 15, 2012
International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day: October 15
Today is International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day. It is a day to remember babies and pregnancies that were lost in miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. I can't tell you how important this day is to me and to many people I know. I personally have experienced loss in this way and I have supported and loved people through these types of devestating loss. Losing a baby is life altering. My role as a doula has been a very joyful one, but I will always remember that my joy was born out of deep sorrow. Consider lighting a candle today in rememberence of babies lost. Join families all over the world in honoring their precious children.
For more information: http://www.october15th.com/
For more information: http://www.october15th.com/
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Guest Post: Pelvic Organ Prolapse
The Basics of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
There was a time when women wouldn't think of discussing reproductive issues. The subject was taboo and even doctor visits, pregnancies and childbirth stories were considered hush-hush. Unfortunately, this cultural aversion has led to a generation of women who are largely uneducated about the anatomy and physiology of pelvic tissues and organs. As a result, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) — a condition that can largely be avoided and or mediated using conservative measures — is diagnosed in as many as 50 percent of women between the ages of 50 and 79. Preventing the onset or severity of POP symptoms can eliminate the need for risky surgical intervention. Women who learn about the condition can help spread the word to other women regarding how it can be prevented and/or treated.
What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
A woman's pelvis, as well as pelvic organs and tissues, are unique. It is designed to accommodate the growth of a baby during pregnancy and to help the baby emerge naturally when it is time to be born. However, this design is not without potential weakness. Pregnancy and childbirth do take a toll on these tissues, stretching and contracting to house and deliver a baby. Even the healthiest of women might find that their abdominal muscles, and pelvic tissues, are never quite the same after childbirth. If women, do not continue to focus on pelvic health through the postpartum period and beyond, or if they have other contributing factors such as obesity, smoking, pelvic injury and/or a family history of POP, these muscles can grow continually weaker and allow pelvic organ prolapse to develop. As women age, estrogen levels decrease, which causes further weakening of pelvic tissues. This is why OP is usually diagnosed when women are closer to menopause. As the connective tissues eaken, elvic organs can start to shift out of place and descend toward the pelvic floor. In some cases, there re no symptoms and women can use non-invasive methods to restore and maintain pelvic floor trength. In other cases, the prolapse is so severe that organs will begin to collapse on the vagina, and/or tissue may even drop into the vaginal canal.
Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include:
Treatment for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Unfortunately, one of the most common treatments for POP is a surgical procedure using transvaginal mesh implants. Bladder slings have been linked to significant numbers of health complications, some of which are irreversible. Any woman diagnosed with POP should discuss non-invasive treatments or alternative surgical procedures with her doctor. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that unless a case of POP is severe, doctors should always use conservative treatment methods before suggesting surgical intervention.
Conservative treatments include:
Elizabeth Carrollton writes to inform the general public about defective medical devices and dangerous drugs for http://www.drugwatch.com/.
There was a time when women wouldn't think of discussing reproductive issues. The subject was taboo and even doctor visits, pregnancies and childbirth stories were considered hush-hush. Unfortunately, this cultural aversion has led to a generation of women who are largely uneducated about the anatomy and physiology of pelvic tissues and organs. As a result, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) — a condition that can largely be avoided and or mediated using conservative measures — is diagnosed in as many as 50 percent of women between the ages of 50 and 79. Preventing the onset or severity of POP symptoms can eliminate the need for risky surgical intervention. Women who learn about the condition can help spread the word to other women regarding how it can be prevented and/or treated.
What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
A woman's pelvis, as well as pelvic organs and tissues, are unique. It is designed to accommodate the growth of a baby during pregnancy and to help the baby emerge naturally when it is time to be born. However, this design is not without potential weakness. Pregnancy and childbirth do take a toll on these tissues, stretching and contracting to house and deliver a baby. Even the healthiest of women might find that their abdominal muscles, and pelvic tissues, are never quite the same after childbirth. If women, do not continue to focus on pelvic health through the postpartum period and beyond, or if they have other contributing factors such as obesity, smoking, pelvic injury and/or a family history of POP, these muscles can grow continually weaker and allow pelvic organ prolapse to develop. As women age, estrogen levels decrease, which causes further weakening of pelvic tissues. This is why OP is usually diagnosed when women are closer to menopause. As the connective tissues eaken, elvic organs can start to shift out of place and descend toward the pelvic floor. In some cases, there re no symptoms and women can use non-invasive methods to restore and maintain pelvic floor trength. In other cases, the prolapse is so severe that organs will begin to collapse on the vagina, and/or tissue may even drop into the vaginal canal.
Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include:
- The inability to insert, or retain, a tampon
- A pulling or heavy sensation in the pelvis and/or lower back
- Unusual spotting or bleeding
- Incontinence and/or constipation
- Pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse
Treatment for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Unfortunately, one of the most common treatments for POP is a surgical procedure using transvaginal mesh implants. Bladder slings have been linked to significant numbers of health complications, some of which are irreversible. Any woman diagnosed with POP should discuss non-invasive treatments or alternative surgical procedures with her doctor. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that unless a case of POP is severe, doctors should always use conservative treatment methods before suggesting surgical intervention.
Conservative treatments include:
- Healthy lifestyle choices
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Electrical stimulation
- Pelvic physical therapy
- Pelvic massage
- Vaginal pessary (a device that is inserted into the vagina to support pelvic organs)
Elizabeth Carrollton writes to inform the general public about defective medical devices and dangerous drugs for http://www.drugwatch.com/.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
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