Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts
Friday, August 17, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Hidden Risk of Epidurals
I often hear my clients say that their doctors have told them there are no real risks associated with an epidural...which is just plain false.
Here is good article about some of the risks associated with epidural: The Hidden Risk of Epidurals
Know the facts!
Here is good article about some of the risks associated with epidural: The Hidden Risk of Epidurals
Know the facts!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Epidurals & the facts
Epidural! The on-going debate in obstetrics! Let's face it, most women who give birth in a hospital receive a planned epidural. I have heard women say things like "I wanted my epidural at 8 months!" or "I can't do it without an epidural". Unfortunately, many of the women make the decision to get an epidural long before they do any research about the subject. Often times, scary stories and a lack of support from friends, family, and their medical care providers reassure women's fear-based thoughts about childbirth.
I wish, I wish there were more positive birth stories. I wish women supported each other and helped one another realize how powerful they are. I wish care more providers REALLY were "open to anything" as they often times tell the mommies.
Do the research and find the facts! An epidural might be the right choice after all but you should know all of the pros and cons!
Here is an article by Henci Goer author of "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" about Gilbert Grant's new book, "Epidural Without Guilt, Childbirth Without Pain": http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=2215
If you decide you do not want an epidural, you are not alone.
And if you change your mind in labor, you are definitely not alone. Almost all women ask for some kind of pain relief during labor. This is why you surround yourself with positive people who believe in you and your ability to give birth the way you want! But ask yourself, how do I want my birth team to respond when I ask for drugs? Do you want them to help you through another 5 contractions? Do you want them to remind you of your plans? Do you want them to shut up and get you an epidural? It is YOUR BIRTH -- you decide!
I wish, I wish there were more positive birth stories. I wish women supported each other and helped one another realize how powerful they are. I wish care more providers REALLY were "open to anything" as they often times tell the mommies.
Do the research and find the facts! An epidural might be the right choice after all but you should know all of the pros and cons!
Here is an article by Henci Goer author of "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" about Gilbert Grant's new book, "Epidural Without Guilt, Childbirth Without Pain": http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=2215
If you decide you do not want an epidural, you are not alone.
And if you change your mind in labor, you are definitely not alone. Almost all women ask for some kind of pain relief during labor. This is why you surround yourself with positive people who believe in you and your ability to give birth the way you want! But ask yourself, how do I want my birth team to respond when I ask for drugs? Do you want them to help you through another 5 contractions? Do you want them to remind you of your plans? Do you want them to shut up and get you an epidural? It is YOUR BIRTH -- you decide!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
In a recent article about the rising c-section rate, I quite enjoyed this quote:
"Any woman having a baby should care about the cesarean rate,” says Desirre Andrews, president of the International Cesarean Awareness Network, an advocacy group that promotes vaginal birth. “They should be concerned about the likelihood of ending up in the OR because we know what is healthiest is unfettered birth. Women are starting to believe they can't have babies. It's becoming the cultural norm for women to believe they're broken.”
Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2010/12/20/c-sections-on-the-rise-especially-for-black-moms/#ixzz18ytPiTMX
"Any woman having a baby should care about the cesarean rate,” says Desirre Andrews, president of the International Cesarean Awareness Network, an advocacy group that promotes vaginal birth. “They should be concerned about the likelihood of ending up in the OR because we know what is healthiest is unfettered birth. Women are starting to believe they can't have babies. It's becoming the cultural norm for women to believe they're broken.”
Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2010/12/20/c-sections-on-the-rise-especially-for-black-moms/#ixzz18ytPiTMX
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Pregnancy & Nutrition
I think nutrition is one of the most underestimated ways you can help yourself and your baby during pregnancy. It is extremely important to eat well during pregnancy. Nutrition will effect how you feel, how your baby feels, your energy level, your health, your overall pregnancy and your BIRTH.
But what does eating right really mean?
Check out the Dr. Brewer Pregnancy diet: http://www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id96.html
This is a great diet to follow during pregnancy.
For what NOT to eat, read this article called 7 Foods So Unsafe Even Farmers Won't Eat Them
It is okay to give in to your cravings but try to stay eating as healthy has possible. As with any "diet" there can be challenges but it is all about self control. Try to remind yourself that everything you eat your baby is also eating...this can help you stay on track!
But what does eating right really mean?
Check out the Dr. Brewer Pregnancy diet: http://www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id96.html
This is a great diet to follow during pregnancy.
For what NOT to eat, read this article called 7 Foods So Unsafe Even Farmers Won't Eat Them
It is okay to give in to your cravings but try to stay eating as healthy has possible. As with any "diet" there can be challenges but it is all about self control. Try to remind yourself that everything you eat your baby is also eating...this can help you stay on track!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Bonding
In my doula world, mother baby bonding is very frequently talked about and discussed. But I think it is still am important topic to discuss with everyone, not only with moms, doulas, midwives, doctors and other birth professionals.
When a mother fully bonds with her baby during pregnancy, she will gain a better understanding of what actually takes place during labor and birth and why it is important to be an active participant as much as she is able. To trust the natural process of birth, we must understand how strong a connection mother and baby have. Together, they know how to birth. When mom and baby are connected, mom has a strong intuitive knowledge of her body and her baby and what they are doing during labor. This can greatly effect her birth experience. She be able to make decisions for herself and her baby and will own her birth.
This bonding lasts forever, not just during pregnancy and birth. Mom and baby bonding lasts a lifetime and has a significant effect on both lives forever. If everyone could understand how important this bond is, there would be more respect and support for women, women's bodies, pregnancy, the natural birth process, babies, breastfeeding and parenting. After all, they are all naturally linked.
Here is another blogger post about bonding: The bond between mother and baby
When a mother fully bonds with her baby during pregnancy, she will gain a better understanding of what actually takes place during labor and birth and why it is important to be an active participant as much as she is able. To trust the natural process of birth, we must understand how strong a connection mother and baby have. Together, they know how to birth. When mom and baby are connected, mom has a strong intuitive knowledge of her body and her baby and what they are doing during labor. This can greatly effect her birth experience. She be able to make decisions for herself and her baby and will own her birth.
This bonding lasts forever, not just during pregnancy and birth. Mom and baby bonding lasts a lifetime and has a significant effect on both lives forever. If everyone could understand how important this bond is, there would be more respect and support for women, women's bodies, pregnancy, the natural birth process, babies, breastfeeding and parenting. After all, they are all naturally linked.
Here is another blogger post about bonding: The bond between mother and baby
Friday, April 30, 2010
How the Media Influences Us
Check out this article about how the media influences our perspective of birth
More and more articles about birth are being published which is good because like it or not, people listen to the media. Let's just hope they are telling the truth about birth. Because the truth is that BIRTH WORKS.
More and more articles about birth are being published which is good because like it or not, people listen to the media. Let's just hope they are telling the truth about birth. Because the truth is that BIRTH WORKS.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Some people may think doulas aren't unnecessary, but in today's society, there is a major lack of support for pregnant, laboring and new mothers. Doulas can provide this very important support to help make your experience the best it can be. Every woman deserves that.
Read an article about how doulas can provide this lost support.
Read an article about how doulas can provide this lost support.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Breastfeeding Media
A new film called Latching On explores (the lack of) breastfeeding in the US.
I also read this article today: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/05/breastfeeding.costs/index.html?hpt=T2
At some point we will realize that breastfeeding should be a public health issue but for now, we have to keep trying to educate people.
I also read this article today: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/05/breastfeeding.costs/index.html?hpt=T2
At some point we will realize that breastfeeding should be a public health issue but for now, we have to keep trying to educate people.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
US Maternity Care in crisis
Many articles about the Amnesty report stating that US maternity care is poor compared to other developed countries. Intestesting seeing as how we are supposed to have the most access to the latest and greatest technology.
Two of the articles:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/12/amnesty-us-maternal-mortality-rates
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100312/hl_time/08599197163300
Two of the articles:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/12/amnesty-us-maternal-mortality-rates
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100312/hl_time/08599197163300
Thursday, March 11, 2010
VBACs
An interesting article in the New York Times entitled Panel Urges New Look at Caesarean Guidelines addresses some of the issues surrounding VBACs. It talks about the need to further investigate the risks and benefits of VBACs to both mothers and babies.
There are both risks and benefits to choosing to attempt a VBAC. Instead of making the choice unavailable to women, we should work on informing them of the risk so they can make an educated decision. As with all topics related to pregnancy, labor, birth and parenting, providing information and options for each woman can help her make a decision that is right for her and her baby - after all, it is her body.
In the article called Lessons as Indian Hospital About Births New York Times examines the incidence of VBACs at a Navajo hospital in Arizona. Check it out, its interesting stuff!
There are both risks and benefits to choosing to attempt a VBAC. Instead of making the choice unavailable to women, we should work on informing them of the risk so they can make an educated decision. As with all topics related to pregnancy, labor, birth and parenting, providing information and options for each woman can help her make a decision that is right for her and her baby - after all, it is her body.
In the article called Lessons as Indian Hospital About Births New York Times examines the incidence of VBACs at a Navajo hospital in Arizona. Check it out, its interesting stuff!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Gisele's Birth in the news
This article is about Gisele's home, water birth and how she describes it as an amazing empowering experience. It "made headlines for its reported lack of pain." Interesting...
Read it here
Even though there are many amazing, empowering, homebirths, the celeb ones are usually the only ones that make the news. At least its good press about birth!
Read it here
Even though there are many amazing, empowering, homebirths, the celeb ones are usually the only ones that make the news. At least its good press about birth!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Delivery-Day Jitters?
"Delivery-Day Jitters? Let us put your mind at ease" - the headline on the cover of American Pregnancy magazine. I was disappointed at the way this magazine thinks they can ease your mind by addressing normal fears about labor and birth. The first fear was about pain. The woman quoted explains "I wanted an epidural when my pregnancy test came back positive." Fear? Yes. Informed? No. The ONLY way the magazine "eased" your mind was by talking about the epidural and how you shouldn't be worried that the epidural won't "work its magic" because the amazing-miracle-working doctor says "it's not a big deal to put in another one." Great.
As a doula, I'd ease delivery-day jitters by explaining where this pain comes from and provide natural suggestions for pain relief before jumping into an epidural. We must educate women so that they understand the importance of experiencing labor naturally for as long as they can. There is no need to be scared when you have support from all angles - family, partner, doula, nurse, midwife and doctor. Together we can all use our tricks to help women in labor.
As a doula, I'd ease delivery-day jitters by explaining where this pain comes from and provide natural suggestions for pain relief before jumping into an epidural. We must educate women so that they understand the importance of experiencing labor naturally for as long as they can. There is no need to be scared when you have support from all angles - family, partner, doula, nurse, midwife and doctor. Together we can all use our tricks to help women in labor.
doulas get some press
I found this article in published in local San Francisco publication. Press for doulas is always an exciting discovery!!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Sharing Articles - gross?
Most people I know think my doula-ing is cool job. And then there are the few who think its "weird" "gross" and just plain "crazy". My friend from high school had a bunch of us over for dinner a few nights ago and someone brought up my constant posting of childbirth related articles on facebook. I thought it was a good way to share these interesting articles with my friends but apparently some of my friends really aren't interested. For example, my friend Kevin commented "Gigs, can you stop posting articles about vaginaL stuff." I thought it was pretty funny but couldn't promise him I'd stop the postings. It's good information that should concern EVERYONE - not just pregnant women!!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Risk in not breastfeeding
Risk in not breastfeeding article
Of course everyone must know by now that breastfeeding is best for mom and baby. I guess the mystery now is why some women choose not to breastfeed. There are a number of reasons for women to not breastfeed their babies but even more reasons why she should. Hopefully one day more women in the United States will see the benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby. More education will help us realize that breast is best, no matter what! I just wish our American culture was more accepting and accommodating to breastfeeding mothers, this would make the whole situation easier on mothers. The fact that a working mom would feel burdened by breastfeeding is sad and unacceptable. We need to help women do whats best for her and her baby - not make it harder!
I recently became a fan of a facebook page called "If breastfeeding offends you, put a blanket over YOUR head." Pretty intense stuff coming from mothers, women, feminists and others. My stance on this issue is the same as it is with other feminist issues: choice. If you have the correct information and make an educated decision, more power to you. But please, don't put down others for their choices even if it's not what you would do. My goal as a doula is to help women get educated about these topics.
Of course everyone must know by now that breastfeeding is best for mom and baby. I guess the mystery now is why some women choose not to breastfeed. There are a number of reasons for women to not breastfeed their babies but even more reasons why she should. Hopefully one day more women in the United States will see the benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby. More education will help us realize that breast is best, no matter what! I just wish our American culture was more accepting and accommodating to breastfeeding mothers, this would make the whole situation easier on mothers. The fact that a working mom would feel burdened by breastfeeding is sad and unacceptable. We need to help women do whats best for her and her baby - not make it harder!
I recently became a fan of a facebook page called "If breastfeeding offends you, put a blanket over YOUR head." Pretty intense stuff coming from mothers, women, feminists and others. My stance on this issue is the same as it is with other feminist issues: choice. If you have the correct information and make an educated decision, more power to you. But please, don't put down others for their choices even if it's not what you would do. My goal as a doula is to help women get educated about these topics.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
VBACs in the news!
Retuers article about how VBACs are "okay" after c-section(s). Maybe people are catching on? Click here to check it out!
Click here to read Chicago Tribune's article about repeat C-Sections
Click here to read Chicago Tribune's article about repeat C-Sections
Friday, February 5, 2010
Rising C-Section Rates
Article about the rise in c-section rates in Westchester.
Click to read
I hope this issue becomes more public because it is a problem. Women need to be made aware of these statistics and find out the proper information about c-sections. They not fool proof.
When I posted this article on my facebook, one of my friends commented "I had 2 planned C-sections, the first was because he was already too big when i was 7 months and when born was 10lbs and the 2nd was because my obgyn didnt advise doing a VBAC, and he was only 7lbs 14oz...either way I wish I went natural, they did a toll on me!"
Click to read
I hope this issue becomes more public because it is a problem. Women need to be made aware of these statistics and find out the proper information about c-sections. They not fool proof.
When I posted this article on my facebook, one of my friends commented "I had 2 planned C-sections, the first was because he was already too big when i was 7 months and when born was 10lbs and the 2nd was because my obgyn didnt advise doing a VBAC, and he was only 7lbs 14oz...either way I wish I went natural, they did a toll on me!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
