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!

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!

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.

doulas get some press

I found this article in published in local San Francisco publication. Press for doulas is always an exciting discovery!!

Happy Birthday to my late Grandmother

Although it might be a little off topic, I feel the need to post something about my Grandmother today. It's her birthday, she would have been 79 years old. I'm also thinking about her mom, my great-grandma who I never had the chance to meet. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl 79 years ago. Who knew that baby would have 8 babies of her own? One of those babies later had me 30 years later and for those 3 women, I am grateful. Happy Birthday Maggie!


My great grandmother and great grandfather

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!!

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.

"Nothing else in the world..."

By Danielle H.

My son was 21 Months old (Natural Hospital birth) and we were planning on a Home birth from day one of pregnancy #2 and so excited for the experience. I had everything ready for the birth for weeks since I had Braxton hicks so bad that I was convinced I would have my daughter early (Never count on having a baby early or on time even when your other children were early). 5 days over due On September 4th 2008 at 10:30 pm, my little Noah was sound asleep and My husband and I were watching television and just winding down for the night when I felt at cramp. I got so excited and I just knew it was time but not more excited then Adam, He was ready to call everyone! After telling him to relax and that I was not sure another one came. My contractions STARTED 4 Minutes apart. As Adam called my midwife and Mother (who has had 4 home births) I went onto my bed to wait for everyone to arrive.

My Mother, Father and sister came first at 11:00. My Mom asked me questions and was wondering how far apart my contractions were and she could tell without my answer that they were close enough where there would be no communicating on my part. My Dad got settled in my living room thinking he would spend the night and wake up to a granddaughter as my sister rubbed my feet to try to get my mind off the pain. My midwife arrived at 11:20 very surprised at my progress. The nurse started my tub with warm water and by 11:30 I had made my way only by the grace of God into that warm tub. Many of my contraction wound together never giving me a break at that ripping pain. My midwife not once checked to see how far I was dilated but knew somehow in her experience by watching my expressions that it would not be long. As I came up from taking a refreshing sip from a Gatorade (very recommended during labor) I asked how much longer because I knew I couldn't keep this up for long. My midwife's response was "You are very close to seeing your daughter". In hearing that I got a second wind and felt the pressure as my water broke. A different type of pain started and it was all pressure and I knew then that I was almost done. I started wanting to push at 11:45 and knowing that it is very crucial to pay attention your body during the pushing stage so you don't tear I slowly pushed out the head. It was so wonderful to see her and know that I was that much closer to meeting our new edition. I finally gave one last push as my daughter slid out and Adam caught her only to lie her on my chest feeling as if it were an Olympic trophy I had Won. Grace Lanee' was born at 11:57 and we finally got to meet our little girl. I walked to bed after 5 minutes and got settled in as comfortable as I could. She weighed in at 8 Lbs 8 Oz and 19 Inches long. Grace nursed after 10 minutes acting like it was what she was born to do. As the midwife and nurses did laundry, cleaned my tub, picked up their stuff and did paper work Noah had woke from his slumber to join in on greeting his new sister. After pictures and kisses everyone seemed to make there way to the door and into their own beds. Adam, Noah, Grace and I had just our family and nothing else in the world to worry about at that moment. It was the sweetest moment to fall asleep in my own bed next to my husband and know that I just birthed my healthy happy daughter and had a lifetime to cherish with her. My Birth ended up being an hour and a half and that included the 13 minute pushing stage.

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

BIRTHdays

I've had a totally different outlook on birthdays since I got involved in birth work. When its someone's birthday, I immediately think about the mommy and want to celebrate her and hear all about her experience. This year on my sister's birthday, my mom re-told me her birth story. She started reminiscing about the feeling she had that day - her first contractions, and all the excitement she felt. She was smiling and tearing up at the same time.

For your next birthday, celebrate and thank your mother - she gave you life! Ask about her experience giving birth to you.


Happy Birthday to my friends Liz and Don today! Many thanks to their mommys today!

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!"

Contraction Monitor Apps!

I've discovered that the App Store on iPhone has a few different apps to help monitor contractions in labor.

I downloaded the one called "Contraction Master" - it was only $.99

There are a few others:

Labor Mate
Labor and Contraction Timer
Contraction Tracker

Can't wait to use this! My client used it and said it was quite helpful and an easy way to keep track of the frequency and duration of her contractions.

What is a Doula? - Free informational evening

What is a Doula, anyway?

I am having a free information "What is a doula" night at Full Circle with a couple other doulas. Please join us!

Tuesday Feb 23rd @ 7pm
Full Circle Family Care
1241 Mamaroneck Ave
White Plains NY

WW birth

Our January client gave birth last week to a healthy baby boy. Mom did GREAT work at home, laboring for 5 hours with her husband by her side. She felt contractions starting to pick up and thought she should get to the hospital. Doula joined the couple at the hospital and 20 mins later, baby was born! Mom expressed how grateful she was to have the doula there with her to get through the last part of the labor and delivery. She was happy to have support postpartum as well, as her doula was helpful during the first bonding experience - a crucial moment! Doula report: "Dad is excited, and Mom is in heaven" - exactly what we want!

We are so happy for this couple and wish them all the best.

Happy Birthday Gloria!

My most recent birth was an interesting one. I met Charice when she was 37 weeks pregnant after her doctor suggested that she might be interested in having a doula at her birth. Myself and a fellow doula went to her house to meet with her. We met her and her lovely husband and had a wonderful talk about what it means to have a doula and how we might be able to help her get the birth she wanted. Problem was, she didn't really know what type of birth she wanted. Together we gave her a mini childbirth education lesson and by the end of the visit, she seemed more confident in her birth plans, and excited about the thought of giving birth with a doula by her side. My doula partner and I agreed to work with her and went on our way.

A couple of weeks later, Charice started having contractions. My partner, Silvie, went to her house to help her through the early labor contractions. Silvie said Charice managed them very well which was very good news considering one of her biggest concerns was that she would have an anxiety attack during labor because she was very prone to anxiety. Her contractions started and stopped and ended up being a case of a false alarm. When her due date came and went, the doctor said he would have to induce Charice a week after her estimated due date. That day came and I was on-call. So I met Charice and her husband at the hospital 16 hours after they started her induction.

At this point, Charice had been induced with cervidil (a synthetic prostaglandin tampon inserted to help soften and hopefully dilate the cervix), a folly catheter, and pitocin. Her contractions were about 4 minutes apart and she was handling them beautifully, breathing deep and staying calm. I encouraged her to continue doing this as it seemed to be working for her. She was 1 cm dilated, a slow start to a long labor. I stayed by her side, helping her to remember what she was doing and that she would soon get to meet her baby. Every single person who walked in the room said "have you gotten your epidural yet?" and she just shook her head and kept breathing. At one point, one of the doctors tried so hard to convince her to get an epidural, he said "You know, these contractions are NOTHING, you just wait and you will see how painful it is. I don't know why you're doing this without pain medication." Charice just told him that she was doing fine and kept trucking. I was so proud of her for sticking up for herself! Charice's husband supported her decision to try to go as long as she could without an epidural and held her hand through the intense contractions.

15 hours later, Charice was only 4 cm and not feeling great. She hadn't slept since the induction began and was just exhausted from managing the tough pitocin contractions. The doctors were being patient but things weren't looking like they were going to change. They finally convinced her to get an epidural, hoping that she would get some rest. 30 minutes after the epidural was placed, she had an exam which helped the doctors determine that Charice's baby was presenting ear first, which meant C-section.

A half hour later, Charice's baby girl was born, weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce. Charice was overjoyed to finally meet her daughter. The new family fell in love right away and are doing great. Charice said she was a bit disappointed that her birth ended in C-section but happy to have a healthy baby. Doctors promised her that a VBAC for her next baby would be a possibility, and I think that put Charice at ease.

Always a learning experience...