Finally! I am a certified birth doula(DONA International)
I am so excited that my certification is complete. It took just over a year to finish my certification process and I couldn't be happier. The only sad thing is that I'm not practicing at the moment. Hopefully I will be practicing again soon!
Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. Especially Celeste R., Aya K., Genelee and Cody S., The PATH Clinic of Honolulu, Tara, Mike and Dylan B., Annie R., Suzette L., Herbert and Akeem H., Dr. S. Hartman, Rina C., Uta M., and all of my family and friends for the support!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Medicalization of Childbirth
Over the past 100 years, birth in the United States has changed drastically. Some argue that birthing today is better than ever because we are taking advantage of technological advances to make birth safer for women and babies. However, we must also examine and recognize the affect that these changes have on women and their birth experiences. Is our “improved” way of birthing really a change for the better? Feminist theory explores the many existing challenges American women face when they birth in the United States.
In the 1700s, 1800s and early 1900s, women all over the world gave birth at home. Although it was not exactly their choice to do so, women gave birth in their own homes, barns, sheds, and even on street corners with friends and family by their sides. One midwife, Martha Ballard, kept records of her experiences while attending births. She noted that of 814 births she attended from 1785 to 1812, no mothers died during childbirth, only 5 died in days after birth, 14 babies were stillborns, and 5 babies died shortly after birth (Chase & Rogers) This may seem like too many deaths but we must take into consideration the high likelihood of this midwife’s lack of medical training, and access to technology and equipment.
In the early 1900s, male doctors suddenly became a part of the womanly process of giving birth. It was seen as an improvement in one area of birth, as doctors provided a “safer” environment if anything were to go wrong. Along with this came the struggle for women to birth in their own ways, the ways they had been for so many years. The power was swiftly shifted from women to men.
One example of this power shift is birthing positions. For hundreds of years, women had birthed in any way they were comfortable, including squatting, sitting, laying, standing, and even on their hands and knees. As soon as men entered the delivery room, women were told to lay flat on their backs with their legs up and open. The flat on the back position of giving birth became standard. Women were ultimately brainwashed into thinking that this was the best and only way to birth. This new standard birth position often caused more pain for women and led to slower progression of the baby down the birth canal.
By the 1940’s hospitals became the hot spot for childbirth. Half of all births took place in a hospital because taking advantage of a clean, safe facility filled with doctors seemed like the most logical thing to do. However, often times, the doctors who were in charge of caring for laboring women were unfamiliar with the normalcy of live birth as they had little or no hands on experience taking care of women in labor and delivering babies. This resulted in very poor care for laboring women. By 1960, the hospital birth rate was almost 100%.
One major problem with this drastic shift from homebirth to hospital birth was the weeding out of midwives. In many other countries, when birth moved into the hospital, with the women went the midwives. However, this did not happen in the United States. Many doctors did not support the attendance of midwives at birth as it was often seen as unnecessary seeing as the doctor would be available when needed. To understand the problem with this, one must recognize the major difference in care provided by the two.
Lay midwives were women who attended birth to oversee the progression of the laboring woman and her baby. Although these women were not trained properly, medically speaking, they had perfected the effective ways to comfort a women giving birth by witnessing many births and hands on experience. A person who properly comforts a woman during labor and delivery can make all the difference in the outcome of a birth experience. This is what was lost when hospitals and male physicians became the main place and method of delivery.
Another result of medicalized birth is a high rate of intervention, which often times leads to more intervention and is usually unnecessary in the first place. Interventions such as twilight sleep (in the early 1900s), inductions, episiotomies and cesarean sections (C-sections) are some of the common happenings at hospitals. Normal, natural and usually perfectly healthy events such as slow progression of labor and trouble pushing the baby through the vagina are excuses frequently used by doctors to step in and intervene.
Many women in the 60s, 70s, and 80s lived through traumatizing events during their births. One woman shared her birth experience from 1972, “Upon arrival, I was taken to a small, barren room to be “prepped,” meaning my pubic hair was shaved and I was given an enema. I didn’t get a vote in this process; it was standard procedure for al laboring women…from this moment forward, I couldn’t leave the bed, sit, stand, roll over, or leave the room” (Seelhoff, 42). This type of practice is an example of birthing protocol in many hospitals during this time.
In the 1970s, after too many women went through experiences similar or equivalent to the latter, they joined forces and initiated the Women’s Health Movement and the Natural Childbirth Movement. Women began to take control of their bodies, and their births. Homebirth and midwives made a come back and birthing centers were established as an alternative to hospitals and provided a safe, comfortable, homelike place for women to give birth. Women attended each other’s births to provide emotional support and physical comfort for one another.
While a small percentage supported the Natural Childbirth Movement, the majority women stayed where they thought they belonged, in the hospital. The C-section rate was climbing and the quality of care of declining. By 1990, the C-section rate was 23.5% and many of these were elective. Many people began to see the C-section option as a safe alternative to going through the pains of childbirth. What many people did not realize was the amount of risks associated with an elective C-section, such as infection, injury to mother’s internal organs, heavy blood loss, a painful recovery and the recurrence of C-section. These risks are often hidden or kept “hush hush” to keep up the façade that hospitals and doctors are the safest best.
Today, we see the vast majority of women in America give birth in a hospital. Less than 1% of women give birth at home, and midwives attend only 8% of births. Feminist views of birth in the United States include the theory that birth has become medicalized and is illogically seen as risky. Within this theory is idea that women have lost control of power when it comes to giving birth since male doctors began attending birth in the early 1900s. Birth can be a natural, beautiful process if we let it be. Unfortunately for our women and babies, today this is not the norm.
Media is also very fond of portraying birth as a dangerous process, one that needs to be handled by doctors, and doctors only. We often see dramatic births on TV in shows like ER, and Grey’s Anatomy. This gives us a distorted view of the way birth really is. Another problem is the celebrity trends regarding birth. Many celebrity icons including Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie and Madonna have given birth via elective C-section and are very publicly honest about it. This has created the false thinking that an elective C-section is the best, safest, and pain free way to go. This is a major problem because it means more women surrendering power to their doctors and not taking initiative to make informed decisions about their births.
Many people believe there are no choices about giving birth. We have seen a lack of education among the American people about the benefits of using a midwife and/or having a homebirth. We do, however, see the hospital birth represented as the best way for every woman to give birth. Although many people do not know this, today midwives are medically trained to handle most instances in which something has gone wrong in the birthing process or with the baby or mother. The rare cases when something occurs that a midwife cannot handle are few and far between. When this does occur, midwives have a back up hospital and doctor available and can transfer the woman to ensure she has the best medical care.
The unfortunate truth is that birth in the United States has become extremely medicalized. We must see that it is very important for women to have the information that allows them to make the choices for how they want to give birth. It is a right that every woman deserves and through educational support, we can work toward providing these empowering choices for women in the United States.
In the 1700s, 1800s and early 1900s, women all over the world gave birth at home. Although it was not exactly their choice to do so, women gave birth in their own homes, barns, sheds, and even on street corners with friends and family by their sides. One midwife, Martha Ballard, kept records of her experiences while attending births. She noted that of 814 births she attended from 1785 to 1812, no mothers died during childbirth, only 5 died in days after birth, 14 babies were stillborns, and 5 babies died shortly after birth (Chase & Rogers) This may seem like too many deaths but we must take into consideration the high likelihood of this midwife’s lack of medical training, and access to technology and equipment.
In the early 1900s, male doctors suddenly became a part of the womanly process of giving birth. It was seen as an improvement in one area of birth, as doctors provided a “safer” environment if anything were to go wrong. Along with this came the struggle for women to birth in their own ways, the ways they had been for so many years. The power was swiftly shifted from women to men.
One example of this power shift is birthing positions. For hundreds of years, women had birthed in any way they were comfortable, including squatting, sitting, laying, standing, and even on their hands and knees. As soon as men entered the delivery room, women were told to lay flat on their backs with their legs up and open. The flat on the back position of giving birth became standard. Women were ultimately brainwashed into thinking that this was the best and only way to birth. This new standard birth position often caused more pain for women and led to slower progression of the baby down the birth canal.
By the 1940’s hospitals became the hot spot for childbirth. Half of all births took place in a hospital because taking advantage of a clean, safe facility filled with doctors seemed like the most logical thing to do. However, often times, the doctors who were in charge of caring for laboring women were unfamiliar with the normalcy of live birth as they had little or no hands on experience taking care of women in labor and delivering babies. This resulted in very poor care for laboring women. By 1960, the hospital birth rate was almost 100%.
One major problem with this drastic shift from homebirth to hospital birth was the weeding out of midwives. In many other countries, when birth moved into the hospital, with the women went the midwives. However, this did not happen in the United States. Many doctors did not support the attendance of midwives at birth as it was often seen as unnecessary seeing as the doctor would be available when needed. To understand the problem with this, one must recognize the major difference in care provided by the two.
Lay midwives were women who attended birth to oversee the progression of the laboring woman and her baby. Although these women were not trained properly, medically speaking, they had perfected the effective ways to comfort a women giving birth by witnessing many births and hands on experience. A person who properly comforts a woman during labor and delivery can make all the difference in the outcome of a birth experience. This is what was lost when hospitals and male physicians became the main place and method of delivery.
Another result of medicalized birth is a high rate of intervention, which often times leads to more intervention and is usually unnecessary in the first place. Interventions such as twilight sleep (in the early 1900s), inductions, episiotomies and cesarean sections (C-sections) are some of the common happenings at hospitals. Normal, natural and usually perfectly healthy events such as slow progression of labor and trouble pushing the baby through the vagina are excuses frequently used by doctors to step in and intervene.
Many women in the 60s, 70s, and 80s lived through traumatizing events during their births. One woman shared her birth experience from 1972, “Upon arrival, I was taken to a small, barren room to be “prepped,” meaning my pubic hair was shaved and I was given an enema. I didn’t get a vote in this process; it was standard procedure for al laboring women…from this moment forward, I couldn’t leave the bed, sit, stand, roll over, or leave the room” (Seelhoff, 42). This type of practice is an example of birthing protocol in many hospitals during this time.
In the 1970s, after too many women went through experiences similar or equivalent to the latter, they joined forces and initiated the Women’s Health Movement and the Natural Childbirth Movement. Women began to take control of their bodies, and their births. Homebirth and midwives made a come back and birthing centers were established as an alternative to hospitals and provided a safe, comfortable, homelike place for women to give birth. Women attended each other’s births to provide emotional support and physical comfort for one another.
While a small percentage supported the Natural Childbirth Movement, the majority women stayed where they thought they belonged, in the hospital. The C-section rate was climbing and the quality of care of declining. By 1990, the C-section rate was 23.5% and many of these were elective. Many people began to see the C-section option as a safe alternative to going through the pains of childbirth. What many people did not realize was the amount of risks associated with an elective C-section, such as infection, injury to mother’s internal organs, heavy blood loss, a painful recovery and the recurrence of C-section. These risks are often hidden or kept “hush hush” to keep up the façade that hospitals and doctors are the safest best.
Today, we see the vast majority of women in America give birth in a hospital. Less than 1% of women give birth at home, and midwives attend only 8% of births. Feminist views of birth in the United States include the theory that birth has become medicalized and is illogically seen as risky. Within this theory is idea that women have lost control of power when it comes to giving birth since male doctors began attending birth in the early 1900s. Birth can be a natural, beautiful process if we let it be. Unfortunately for our women and babies, today this is not the norm.
Media is also very fond of portraying birth as a dangerous process, one that needs to be handled by doctors, and doctors only. We often see dramatic births on TV in shows like ER, and Grey’s Anatomy. This gives us a distorted view of the way birth really is. Another problem is the celebrity trends regarding birth. Many celebrity icons including Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie and Madonna have given birth via elective C-section and are very publicly honest about it. This has created the false thinking that an elective C-section is the best, safest, and pain free way to go. This is a major problem because it means more women surrendering power to their doctors and not taking initiative to make informed decisions about their births.
Many people believe there are no choices about giving birth. We have seen a lack of education among the American people about the benefits of using a midwife and/or having a homebirth. We do, however, see the hospital birth represented as the best way for every woman to give birth. Although many people do not know this, today midwives are medically trained to handle most instances in which something has gone wrong in the birthing process or with the baby or mother. The rare cases when something occurs that a midwife cannot handle are few and far between. When this does occur, midwives have a back up hospital and doctor available and can transfer the woman to ensure she has the best medical care.
The unfortunate truth is that birth in the United States has become extremely medicalized. We must see that it is very important for women to have the information that allows them to make the choices for how they want to give birth. It is a right that every woman deserves and through educational support, we can work toward providing these empowering choices for women in the United States.
The Purpose and Value of (Labor) Support
The Purpose and Value of (Labor) Support
Often times the littlest things can have the biggest impact. Emotional, physical and educational labor support is something that is too frequently overlooked and sometimes even seen as unnecessary. However, doulas, and most childbirth educators, midwives, nurses, and obstetricians know that effective labor support can make the difference between an ordinary birth experience and one that is extraordinary and often times empowering and life-changing for the mother and father. In my work as a birth doula I have had the opportunity to see the tremendous benefit that this type of support provides women and families.
The only thing I have to compare birth to is my small (relatively speaking) accomplishment on December 20, 2008. Although it is not exactly comparable, I feel that this experience could not have been completed without the amazing support that I received and for that reason, I feel it was similar to the journey of childbirth.
When I decided to run the Honolulu Marathon I was excited, but definitely nervous. I knew I could do it but was scared nonetheless of the long 26.2 mile journey ahead of me. Before I began my training, I knew I needed to find a reliable, supportive, and determined team to train with. I found a friend, Abby, who had run a marathon before and asked her if she wanted to be my training partner. She agreed and so the preparing began. Another friend, Jen, joined in the beginning stages of our training program even though she wasn’t planning on running in the big race. A few weeks into it, we managed to convince Jen to sign up and officially join our training team. Training was a journey in and of itself. We spent countless hours together, running around the city of Honolulu, hoping it would pay off. Some days I was completely unmotivated to run but my two partners kept me positive and enthusiastic. A week before the big day, we set out of our longest and second to last run. It was tough but exhilarating and got me excited for the marathon.
The morning of the marathon, I woke up at 3 am. Feelings of excitement came over me, as I realized it was the day I had been waiting and training for. I also felt scared and uncertain about what the next 7 or 10 hours might bring. When my boyfriend and I got into the car to head to the marathon start line, I started to get really nervous and had butterflies flying about my stomach. When we arrived at Jen’s house, she and Abby got into the car. I immediately felt a sense of comfort and relief, knowing that these two strong ladies would be there to accompany me on my 26.2 mile run. I was entering an unfamiliar world, one that I was beginning to wish I had never signed up for, until I saw their smiling faces.
When we arrived at the starting line I felt ready, even though I was still a little anxious. Abby looked at Jen and I and said “don’t worry, you can do it”. That was all I needed to hear. When the gun went off, we took off. Within minutes, Abby was gone, as she was a much stronger racer than both Jen and I. We stayed together for almost 14 miles, encouraging one another and keeping the energy between us strong and positive. After I lost Jen, I had a hard time. I hit “the wall” and I was all alone. My legs were burning and I was just plain tired of running. Just when I was on the brink of giving up, I found comfort in the faces and words of the locals who sat outside their homes on this rainy Honolulu morning just to cheer us on. The support made all the difference. I finished after 5 hours with a smile on my face even though my body was in pain. When I found Jen after the race, we hugged and congratulated each other on our big accomplishment.
When I began my training as a birth doula, I realized that the value of labor support is very necessary and actually quite invaluable, similar to the support I received when I was training and racing. When a pregnant or laboring woman has the unconditional support of another individual who has the passion and energy for the remarkable journey and process of pregnancy and childbirth, she feels safer and has more confidence in herself. When she has this confidence, she can find the inner strength to complete her amazing task of giving birth, whichever way is most satisfying for her. As long as we are there, to provide her with she needs and wants, whether it is a cool cloth, a back or foot rub, or just some kind words of encouragement, she will feel that she has been cared for. Too often these little but significant details are overlooked and not seen as an important part of caring for women in labor. We, as doulas, know better. We know the value of continuous, unconditional (labor) support.
Often times the littlest things can have the biggest impact. Emotional, physical and educational labor support is something that is too frequently overlooked and sometimes even seen as unnecessary. However, doulas, and most childbirth educators, midwives, nurses, and obstetricians know that effective labor support can make the difference between an ordinary birth experience and one that is extraordinary and often times empowering and life-changing for the mother and father. In my work as a birth doula I have had the opportunity to see the tremendous benefit that this type of support provides women and families.
The only thing I have to compare birth to is my small (relatively speaking) accomplishment on December 20, 2008. Although it is not exactly comparable, I feel that this experience could not have been completed without the amazing support that I received and for that reason, I feel it was similar to the journey of childbirth.
When I decided to run the Honolulu Marathon I was excited, but definitely nervous. I knew I could do it but was scared nonetheless of the long 26.2 mile journey ahead of me. Before I began my training, I knew I needed to find a reliable, supportive, and determined team to train with. I found a friend, Abby, who had run a marathon before and asked her if she wanted to be my training partner. She agreed and so the preparing began. Another friend, Jen, joined in the beginning stages of our training program even though she wasn’t planning on running in the big race. A few weeks into it, we managed to convince Jen to sign up and officially join our training team. Training was a journey in and of itself. We spent countless hours together, running around the city of Honolulu, hoping it would pay off. Some days I was completely unmotivated to run but my two partners kept me positive and enthusiastic. A week before the big day, we set out of our longest and second to last run. It was tough but exhilarating and got me excited for the marathon.
The morning of the marathon, I woke up at 3 am. Feelings of excitement came over me, as I realized it was the day I had been waiting and training for. I also felt scared and uncertain about what the next 7 or 10 hours might bring. When my boyfriend and I got into the car to head to the marathon start line, I started to get really nervous and had butterflies flying about my stomach. When we arrived at Jen’s house, she and Abby got into the car. I immediately felt a sense of comfort and relief, knowing that these two strong ladies would be there to accompany me on my 26.2 mile run. I was entering an unfamiliar world, one that I was beginning to wish I had never signed up for, until I saw their smiling faces.
When we arrived at the starting line I felt ready, even though I was still a little anxious. Abby looked at Jen and I and said “don’t worry, you can do it”. That was all I needed to hear. When the gun went off, we took off. Within minutes, Abby was gone, as she was a much stronger racer than both Jen and I. We stayed together for almost 14 miles, encouraging one another and keeping the energy between us strong and positive. After I lost Jen, I had a hard time. I hit “the wall” and I was all alone. My legs were burning and I was just plain tired of running. Just when I was on the brink of giving up, I found comfort in the faces and words of the locals who sat outside their homes on this rainy Honolulu morning just to cheer us on. The support made all the difference. I finished after 5 hours with a smile on my face even though my body was in pain. When I found Jen after the race, we hugged and congratulated each other on our big accomplishment.
When I began my training as a birth doula, I realized that the value of labor support is very necessary and actually quite invaluable, similar to the support I received when I was training and racing. When a pregnant or laboring woman has the unconditional support of another individual who has the passion and energy for the remarkable journey and process of pregnancy and childbirth, she feels safer and has more confidence in herself. When she has this confidence, she can find the inner strength to complete her amazing task of giving birth, whichever way is most satisfying for her. As long as we are there, to provide her with she needs and wants, whether it is a cool cloth, a back or foot rub, or just some kind words of encouragement, she will feel that she has been cared for. Too often these little but significant details are overlooked and not seen as an important part of caring for women in labor. We, as doulas, know better. We know the value of continuous, unconditional (labor) support.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
doula-ing on hold
Unfortunately, I have made the decision to put doula-ing on hold as I have accepted a job at a property management company in CT. I'm excited about the job but very sad to be taking a break from doing what I love - supporting women and families through labor and delivery. I hope to pick it up again soon...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Postpartum visit with Stephanie and Sean
I had a wonderful visit with new mom Stephanie and her baby boy, Sean. We chatted for over two hours about her birth and just life. I held baby Sean and mom seemed to be doing very well. When I got there, I parked in a spot that I would have to move my car in 1 hour 45 mins because I thought I would be leaving by then but time just flew by because we were chit-chatting away. It was fun and so good to see Stephanie and her son.
Friday, June 26, 2009
A Birth Story
By K.F.
As I am writing the memories of that special day come back to me when my first born was finally handed to me. After having lost my first child due to a miscarriage I was extremely excited but also nervous about this delivery. I will say that I was unprepared for what was to come that day. My Mom, being very old-fashioned, did not exactly explain what was or could happen to me. I was only twenty two years old at the time and my husband was a policeman in the Bronx. He was at work when I went into labor and unfortunately in Court when we tried to contact him. My parents ended up having to take me to the hospital. I must also say that I was, by this time, a little more than two weeks overdue and very big. After getting to the hospital and being examined by my doctor he said he was giving me something to relax me but in actuality it was something to slow down my contractions so that he would be able to go to his office for his office hours.
Well it backfired on me, making me very ill. I began throwing up and feeling miserable. My poor husband arrived and I ended up getting sick all over him. He was a trooper even though neither of us knew what to do or really what was happening. When my doctor finally returned to the hospital he examined me and now wanted to speed things up. Well, my baby had other plans; he was lying sideways and therefore not ready to be delivered. While in the delivery room, the staff hooked me up to the vacuum, not a very nice feeling. I remember sitting at the edge of the delivery table, in excruciating pain, with no pain medication, and trying to help push him out. The doctor also had to use forceps which were extremely painful. I truthfully thought I was going to die. One of the people, and there were many since it was a teaching hospital, was lying across my stomach trying to help. I later found out she also was a doctor, a little more compassionate than my own doctor.
By the time I finally delivered, I had been in labor for a total of about 35 hours. I was all torn up needing many stitches. Our son, William, was born weighing in at 9 lbs. 8 oz. and was pretty marked up. I was initially very concerned since they did not bring him to me for 1 1/2 days but later found out they were very concerned about me. I was not able to get out of bed for the first two days because of the terrible tear and the many stitches. I really do not think I could have stood up on my own anyway. Billy, as we called him, came out of it miraculously well except for some bruising and the marks from the forceps. We were all grateful for the outcome. As I healed I decided not to return to the same doctor since he put me through such hell. He actually did not even step inside my room after Billy was born. I was seen by my roommate’s doctor who was very concerned about me having heard from other doctors what had gone on. I felt it was like a big “show” when I was delivering. There were so many interns and other doctors watching on and I guess learning.
After I healed and time passed I decided I wanted another baby only to find out I was going to have problems. When the delivery doctor stitched me he sewed me all wrong which resulted in a couple of surgeries. Well seven and a half years later I finally had another baby, a girl, with absolutely no problems. I feel my doctors who delivered and saw me all through my ordeal, after Billy and throughout my pregnancy, understood me and helped me to have a smooth delivery. It lasted only twenty minutes, start to finish. I feel with the right care anyone should be able to have a beautiful pregnancy and delivery.
As I am writing the memories of that special day come back to me when my first born was finally handed to me. After having lost my first child due to a miscarriage I was extremely excited but also nervous about this delivery. I will say that I was unprepared for what was to come that day. My Mom, being very old-fashioned, did not exactly explain what was or could happen to me. I was only twenty two years old at the time and my husband was a policeman in the Bronx. He was at work when I went into labor and unfortunately in Court when we tried to contact him. My parents ended up having to take me to the hospital. I must also say that I was, by this time, a little more than two weeks overdue and very big. After getting to the hospital and being examined by my doctor he said he was giving me something to relax me but in actuality it was something to slow down my contractions so that he would be able to go to his office for his office hours.
Well it backfired on me, making me very ill. I began throwing up and feeling miserable. My poor husband arrived and I ended up getting sick all over him. He was a trooper even though neither of us knew what to do or really what was happening. When my doctor finally returned to the hospital he examined me and now wanted to speed things up. Well, my baby had other plans; he was lying sideways and therefore not ready to be delivered. While in the delivery room, the staff hooked me up to the vacuum, not a very nice feeling. I remember sitting at the edge of the delivery table, in excruciating pain, with no pain medication, and trying to help push him out. The doctor also had to use forceps which were extremely painful. I truthfully thought I was going to die. One of the people, and there were many since it was a teaching hospital, was lying across my stomach trying to help. I later found out she also was a doctor, a little more compassionate than my own doctor.
By the time I finally delivered, I had been in labor for a total of about 35 hours. I was all torn up needing many stitches. Our son, William, was born weighing in at 9 lbs. 8 oz. and was pretty marked up. I was initially very concerned since they did not bring him to me for 1 1/2 days but later found out they were very concerned about me. I was not able to get out of bed for the first two days because of the terrible tear and the many stitches. I really do not think I could have stood up on my own anyway. Billy, as we called him, came out of it miraculously well except for some bruising and the marks from the forceps. We were all grateful for the outcome. As I healed I decided not to return to the same doctor since he put me through such hell. He actually did not even step inside my room after Billy was born. I was seen by my roommate’s doctor who was very concerned about me having heard from other doctors what had gone on. I felt it was like a big “show” when I was delivering. There were so many interns and other doctors watching on and I guess learning.
After I healed and time passed I decided I wanted another baby only to find out I was going to have problems. When the delivery doctor stitched me he sewed me all wrong which resulted in a couple of surgeries. Well seven and a half years later I finally had another baby, a girl, with absolutely no problems. I feel my doctors who delivered and saw me all through my ordeal, after Billy and throughout my pregnancy, understood me and helped me to have a smooth delivery. It lasted only twenty minutes, start to finish. I feel with the right care anyone should be able to have a beautiful pregnancy and delivery.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Birthing Fans
Sean’s Birth
June 3, 2009
4:13pm
7 pounds, 14 ounces
From the day Stephanie and I met, I felt we had a great connection. She and I chatted for over an hour and a half about everything from her pregnancy to my doula background to her boyfriends’ life in the US Army. It was a great conversation and when she told me that she wanted me to be her doula, I was excited. We met a few more times over the next three months. Her biggest concern about the birth was that was she very nervous about the pain. I assured her that things would be okay, and that she would never have to be alone during her labor. I promised her emotional support along with some secret doula pain relief strategies.
So when she called me the night she went into labor, I was happy to hear she was at home, contracting steadily and ready for me to come over. When I arrived, Stephanie seemed to be handling the contractions very well. She was calm, relaxed and quiet. During contractions she took deep breaths and I tried to remind her of what her body was doing. She asked me if we should go to the hospital yet or not and I told her that it was ultimately up to her but that we could try to stay at home a little longer as I had just gotten there. We broke up the time into 30 minute intervals. I kept saying, okay, lets just see if we can stay for another 30. That only lasted about 90 minutes. Stephanie said “Okay, I think I’m ready to go.” Since her contractions were every 2 minutes, I knew she was really getting there, making progress.
When Stephanie, her mother, grandmother, and I arrived at the hospital, Stephanie went right into triage. Her mother, grandmother and I waited in the waiting area for over an hour before we found out what was going on back there! They allowed me into triage after the doctor announced that Stephanie was already dilated 7cm. We were all very happy but when I saw Stephanie, she seemed to be in different kind of pain than before. This is when I had to tell her after each contraction that she was almost there and that she was doing beautifully! She didn’t believe me and just asked for some relief. I gave her some ice and tried to relax her with a light massage during contractions. When we finally got into the L&D room 6, she asked for an epidural. When the anesthesiologist came, Stephanie looked relieved. By this time it was 11am and although she was 8 centimeters and was nearing the end of her labor, she felt an epidural would allow her to relax so she could rest before the pushing. It took a while for the anesthesiologist to place the epidural correctly and Stephanie was a real trooper through the whole thing. I was able to stay in the room while this was going on, my first time seeing an epidural placed, and I was so impressed by how calm she was, even during contractions!
By 2:30, she was ready to start pushing. The birthing team, or I guess I should say the birthing fans were geared up and ready to cheer Stephanie on. Between me, the female resident, Stephanie’s mom and grandma, we made a rather strong sound during the final stages of Stephanie’s pushing. Perhaps it was because we felt such energy and excitement from watching a miracle happen before our eyes, or
maybe it was the way we instinctively felt Stephanie needed to be supported. Whatever it was, it felt like a true womanhood moment. The two male doctors in the room kept looking at one another like as if to say “yikes”, but managed to keep smiling. When it got a a little too loud the head doctor to give us a “shh.” At 4:13pm on June 3, 2009, Stephanie gave birth to her beautiful baby boy, Sean. He was absolutely stunning. Mom looked shocked and in awe when she laid eyes on her son. To witness the birth of a 4th generation was an amazing thing. Stephanie did a fabulous job and seemed to be feeling good a couple of hours after delivery. I gave them all hugs and well wishes and was on my way.
June 3, 2009
4:13pm
7 pounds, 14 ounces
From the day Stephanie and I met, I felt we had a great connection. She and I chatted for over an hour and a half about everything from her pregnancy to my doula background to her boyfriends’ life in the US Army. It was a great conversation and when she told me that she wanted me to be her doula, I was excited. We met a few more times over the next three months. Her biggest concern about the birth was that was she very nervous about the pain. I assured her that things would be okay, and that she would never have to be alone during her labor. I promised her emotional support along with some secret doula pain relief strategies.
So when she called me the night she went into labor, I was happy to hear she was at home, contracting steadily and ready for me to come over. When I arrived, Stephanie seemed to be handling the contractions very well. She was calm, relaxed and quiet. During contractions she took deep breaths and I tried to remind her of what her body was doing. She asked me if we should go to the hospital yet or not and I told her that it was ultimately up to her but that we could try to stay at home a little longer as I had just gotten there. We broke up the time into 30 minute intervals. I kept saying, okay, lets just see if we can stay for another 30. That only lasted about 90 minutes. Stephanie said “Okay, I think I’m ready to go.” Since her contractions were every 2 minutes, I knew she was really getting there, making progress.
When Stephanie, her mother, grandmother, and I arrived at the hospital, Stephanie went right into triage. Her mother, grandmother and I waited in the waiting area for over an hour before we found out what was going on back there! They allowed me into triage after the doctor announced that Stephanie was already dilated 7cm. We were all very happy but when I saw Stephanie, she seemed to be in different kind of pain than before. This is when I had to tell her after each contraction that she was almost there and that she was doing beautifully! She didn’t believe me and just asked for some relief. I gave her some ice and tried to relax her with a light massage during contractions. When we finally got into the L&D room 6, she asked for an epidural. When the anesthesiologist came, Stephanie looked relieved. By this time it was 11am and although she was 8 centimeters and was nearing the end of her labor, she felt an epidural would allow her to relax so she could rest before the pushing. It took a while for the anesthesiologist to place the epidural correctly and Stephanie was a real trooper through the whole thing. I was able to stay in the room while this was going on, my first time seeing an epidural placed, and I was so impressed by how calm she was, even during contractions!
By 2:30, she was ready to start pushing. The birthing team, or I guess I should say the birthing fans were geared up and ready to cheer Stephanie on. Between me, the female resident, Stephanie’s mom and grandma, we made a rather strong sound during the final stages of Stephanie’s pushing. Perhaps it was because we felt such energy and excitement from watching a miracle happen before our eyes, or
maybe it was the way we instinctively felt Stephanie needed to be supported. Whatever it was, it felt like a true womanhood moment. The two male doctors in the room kept looking at one another like as if to say “yikes”, but managed to keep smiling. When it got a a little too loud the head doctor to give us a “shh.” At 4:13pm on June 3, 2009, Stephanie gave birth to her beautiful baby boy, Sean. He was absolutely stunning. Mom looked shocked and in awe when she laid eyes on her son. To witness the birth of a 4th generation was an amazing thing. Stephanie did a fabulous job and seemed to be feeling good a couple of hours after delivery. I gave them all hugs and well wishes and was on my way.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Epidurals....
So, why wouldn't I get an epidural? Many people might think that doulas are anti-epidural. I recently read a NY Times article titled And the Doula Makes Four which gave doulas some negative press, I think. I would like to clarify some points about myself as a doula because I can obviously only speak for myself.
As a birth doula, it is my job and goal to provide unconditional, continuous labor support to my clients, epidural or not, planned c-section or not, au natural or not. When I sign on for a job, I commit to offer educational support to the woman so that she can make her own informed decision. I strongly believe that the choices made before, during and after birth are a woman's right and if she has the resources to make an informed choice, we should respect that.
I am proud to be a doula who can support a woman through many different types of labors and births. I respect the woman who chooses to have her baby at home, intervention free. I also respect the woman who decides that she wants some pain relief from an epidural.
So, why are some against epidurals? My guess would be that when a person learns and believes that labor and childbirth are natural processes that occur for a reason, it makes more sense to not mess with that process. Birth is often described as a miracle and some may feel that to intervene or interrupt this miracle would be disrespectful and inhumane. I agree, birth is a miracle and natural is always best. However, what we must remember is that birth is something that occurs within a woman and we must leave the choices surrounding childbirth up to her because after all, it is her body and her birth.
As a birth doula, it is my job and goal to provide unconditional, continuous labor support to my clients, epidural or not, planned c-section or not, au natural or not. When I sign on for a job, I commit to offer educational support to the woman so that she can make her own informed decision. I strongly believe that the choices made before, during and after birth are a woman's right and if she has the resources to make an informed choice, we should respect that.
I am proud to be a doula who can support a woman through many different types of labors and births. I respect the woman who chooses to have her baby at home, intervention free. I also respect the woman who decides that she wants some pain relief from an epidural.
So, why are some against epidurals? My guess would be that when a person learns and believes that labor and childbirth are natural processes that occur for a reason, it makes more sense to not mess with that process. Birth is often described as a miracle and some may feel that to intervene or interrupt this miracle would be disrespectful and inhumane. I agree, birth is a miracle and natural is always best. However, what we must remember is that birth is something that occurs within a woman and we must leave the choices surrounding childbirth up to her because after all, it is her body and her birth.
Friday, June 12, 2009
A Big One
Justin’s Birth
June 1, 2009
2:59am
10 pounds, 8.4 ounces
22 ¼ inches
When Katie’s sister, Jo, called me at 11:30pm she told me that Katie’s water had just broken and that they were going to relax because her contractions had not started yet. I told her to call me if things changed. The phone rang again at 1:30am but this time it was Katie. All she said was “can you come over and show me some breathing techniques because the pain is getting bad.” I said yes and got going. I arrived at her house around 2:15am. She was visibly uncomfortable but still chit-chatty so as to seem that she was managing her pain very well. Her sister and mom were asleep. I helped her breath through her contractions as they came, every 4 or 5 minutes. She changed positions every half hour or so and that seemed to help. We went for a walk, she took a hot shower, we ate breakfast and before we knew it, it was 8am. We managed to stay home until 11:30am. If the doctor hadn’t requested that we come in, Katie could have definitely labored at home for a while longer. But since her water broke 12 hours prior, the doctor felt we should come in.
When we arrived at the hospital, it took a while for Katie to get checked out. I noticed how much the hospital atmosphere changed the vibe of Katie and her labor. She seemed a little more scared and anxious to have her baby. When they checked her at 1:30pm, she was 4 centimeters dilated. I could tell this disappointed Katie because she had been in labor for more than 12 hours and was hoping that she was 6 or 7 by now. I tried to reassure her, letting her know that we would labor at the hospital until the job was done. She got an epidural a few hours later to relieve her discomfort and hopefully get some sleep. Katie’s labor might have lasted two days but unfortunately she acquired a fever and her baby’s heart rate was going up. The doctors tried some Tylenol and although Katie was 7 centimeters at 2:30am, 26 hours after her water broke, the doctors agreed that a C-section was the only option. She seemed disappointed but she put in a very good effort, and I was so proud of her. It can be hard to go through such a long labor in a hospital setting.
So, her 10 pound, 8.4 ounce baby boy was born at 2:59am on June 1st. When the doctor came to tell us in the waiting room, we were stunned at the size of this guy! Her Dad said “oh he is definitely going to be a football player!” The doctor had a few pictures to show us so that was exciting. When I saw Katie in recovery a few minutes later, she looked okay but was fast asleep. After all that hard work, how wouldn’t be tired? She needed to rest.
I left around 4am, got home at 5am, and crashed…
June 1, 2009
2:59am
10 pounds, 8.4 ounces
22 ¼ inches
When Katie’s sister, Jo, called me at 11:30pm she told me that Katie’s water had just broken and that they were going to relax because her contractions had not started yet. I told her to call me if things changed. The phone rang again at 1:30am but this time it was Katie. All she said was “can you come over and show me some breathing techniques because the pain is getting bad.” I said yes and got going. I arrived at her house around 2:15am. She was visibly uncomfortable but still chit-chatty so as to seem that she was managing her pain very well. Her sister and mom were asleep. I helped her breath through her contractions as they came, every 4 or 5 minutes. She changed positions every half hour or so and that seemed to help. We went for a walk, she took a hot shower, we ate breakfast and before we knew it, it was 8am. We managed to stay home until 11:30am. If the doctor hadn’t requested that we come in, Katie could have definitely labored at home for a while longer. But since her water broke 12 hours prior, the doctor felt we should come in.
When we arrived at the hospital, it took a while for Katie to get checked out. I noticed how much the hospital atmosphere changed the vibe of Katie and her labor. She seemed a little more scared and anxious to have her baby. When they checked her at 1:30pm, she was 4 centimeters dilated. I could tell this disappointed Katie because she had been in labor for more than 12 hours and was hoping that she was 6 or 7 by now. I tried to reassure her, letting her know that we would labor at the hospital until the job was done. She got an epidural a few hours later to relieve her discomfort and hopefully get some sleep. Katie’s labor might have lasted two days but unfortunately she acquired a fever and her baby’s heart rate was going up. The doctors tried some Tylenol and although Katie was 7 centimeters at 2:30am, 26 hours after her water broke, the doctors agreed that a C-section was the only option. She seemed disappointed but she put in a very good effort, and I was so proud of her. It can be hard to go through such a long labor in a hospital setting.
So, her 10 pound, 8.4 ounce baby boy was born at 2:59am on June 1st. When the doctor came to tell us in the waiting room, we were stunned at the size of this guy! Her Dad said “oh he is definitely going to be a football player!” The doctor had a few pictures to show us so that was exciting. When I saw Katie in recovery a few minutes later, she looked okay but was fast asleep. After all that hard work, how wouldn’t be tired? She needed to rest.
I left around 4am, got home at 5am, and crashed…
Fear in Childbirth
Fear in Childbirth Video
A nice video made by nursing students attempting to capture the issue of fears about childbirth. I think this video does a nice job of stating facts and research while supporting women by saying that fear is NORMAL and natural. It is important for us to support, educate, and tend to women in labor to diminish their fears and help them have a smooth birth experience. A positive birth experience plays a big role in mother's satisfaction about parenting and her ability to have a baby. We need to let women know that they can do it by providing them with that unconditional care and support they really need and is too often overlooked.
A nice video made by nursing students attempting to capture the issue of fears about childbirth. I think this video does a nice job of stating facts and research while supporting women by saying that fear is NORMAL and natural. It is important for us to support, educate, and tend to women in labor to diminish their fears and help them have a smooth birth experience. A positive birth experience plays a big role in mother's satisfaction about parenting and her ability to have a baby. We need to let women know that they can do it by providing them with that unconditional care and support they really need and is too often overlooked.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
A Baby Story
Allison’s Birth
May 21, 2009
9 pounds, 3 ounces
After driving back from the Hamptons, I finally arrived at the hospital where Lindsay had recently been induced. It was obvious from the moment I arrived that Lindsay’s mother was there for more than just her granddaughter’s grand entrance. The two of them were definitely in a rhythm. Her mom was doing all the right things. It was nice to see the way Lindsay and her mother worked together. It didn’t take long for me to realize that my place in this birth would be to take a step back and let Lindsay do her thing with her mom and husband, William, by her side and her supportive father in the waiting room, checking in from time to time. This was truly a “mothering the mother” situation and I wasn’t about to interrupt their beautiful dance.
Lindsay labored for about 21 hours and did a great job managing her pain the entire time. She took deep yogic breaths and seemed very focused on what she was doing. When she got an epidural, she seemed to get some relief but it wore off pretty quickly. The anesthesiologist gave her a top off or two. When she was ready to push, everyone on her birthing team was excited. William, Lindsay’s mother, father and I all cheered her on. She pushed for a little over an hour and delivered her entire baby in one last push at 11:00am. It was an emotional welcoming as Lindsay and William were obviously overcome with joy to meet their little girl. I teared up as I watched them embrace one another with hugs of happiness after they told Lindsay’s mom that the baby would be named after her. I felt like I was watching a movie but it was far from a movie – it was so so real.
May 21, 2009
9 pounds, 3 ounces
After driving back from the Hamptons, I finally arrived at the hospital where Lindsay had recently been induced. It was obvious from the moment I arrived that Lindsay’s mother was there for more than just her granddaughter’s grand entrance. The two of them were definitely in a rhythm. Her mom was doing all the right things. It was nice to see the way Lindsay and her mother worked together. It didn’t take long for me to realize that my place in this birth would be to take a step back and let Lindsay do her thing with her mom and husband, William, by her side and her supportive father in the waiting room, checking in from time to time. This was truly a “mothering the mother” situation and I wasn’t about to interrupt their beautiful dance.
Lindsay labored for about 21 hours and did a great job managing her pain the entire time. She took deep yogic breaths and seemed very focused on what she was doing. When she got an epidural, she seemed to get some relief but it wore off pretty quickly. The anesthesiologist gave her a top off or two. When she was ready to push, everyone on her birthing team was excited. William, Lindsay’s mother, father and I all cheered her on. She pushed for a little over an hour and delivered her entire baby in one last push at 11:00am. It was an emotional welcoming as Lindsay and William were obviously overcome with joy to meet their little girl. I teared up as I watched them embrace one another with hugs of happiness after they told Lindsay’s mom that the baby would be named after her. I felt like I was watching a movie but it was far from a movie – it was so so real.
Postpartum visit with Catherine and Theresa
The first time I met Catherine, she asked me I was Italian. I told her yes and we joked about having an Italian feast after her birth where we would watch her birth video (originally she wanted me to film it but the hospitals said absolutely not). So before I went to the postpartum visit with Catherine, I made her some baked ziti. She was thrilled. She, her friend who was over, and their daughters even tried it while I was there.
We had a nice time, chatting about this and that and reminiscing about her birth experience a few weeks back. Baby Theresa was in my arms the entire time and I even got to give her a bottle! It was nice to see mom and baby doing so well. We said our goodbyes and promised to keep in touch for years to come!
We had a nice time, chatting about this and that and reminiscing about her birth experience a few weeks back. Baby Theresa was in my arms the entire time and I even got to give her a bottle! It was nice to see mom and baby doing so well. We said our goodbyes and promised to keep in touch for years to come!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Birth #7
I can't believe I have done so many births in the last month or so. This one came right after #6 but was a bit shorter. Mom labored at home for about 6 hours and when we got to the hospital was already 7 cm! I was so proud of her. She did very well for the entire labor and delivery and gave birth to a 7 pound 14 ounce baby at 4:13pm. It was a fun day!!
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