Recently my husband needed hand surgery, so one of the first things he did was ask the doctor about the different options for the procedure. Then he went and looked up the options online. He read articles and watched videos of the actual procedure. He wanted to know as much as he could about what … Continue reading I Don’t Need a Childbirth Class
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What is it about being pregnant and having a baby that seems to elicit advice from everyone we meet? “You’re robbing your children of their childhood if you do not take them to Disney World.” “You really need to leave your children with their grandparents overnight – you owe them that.” “That baby is way … Continue reading No, I’m Not Interested In Your Advice
It’s hard to really understand what someone else’s pain feels like. Birth also comes with a lot more “stuff” than just discomfort – there are other physical things going on, not to mention the myriad of emotions, fears, doubts, joys, decisions, etc. And each birth is so unique. Whatever number this birth is for you, … Continue reading JUST RELAX?!?! – What to say instead
There was a time when partners were not allowed in the birth room. Things started to change several decades ago when partners expressed a desire to be more involved in the process and thus, began the shift to an expectation that the dad/husband/partner would always be in the birth room. The reality, however, is that … Continue reading Witness, Teammate or Coach – What Role Will You Play?
Maybe you’ve been taking the hospital childbirth education class and as part of the last session they take you on a tour of the labor and delivery floor and the postpartum unit. Or maybe you took an outside class but still want to see where you will be giving birth. It’s time for the Hospital … Continue reading Let’s Take a Tour
If you can it’s a good idea to interview your OB or midwife before you get pregnant, but even if you’re already expecting, you can still take some time to search for the right provider for you. Often, when someone gets pregnant, they continue to go to the same person who has been providing their … Continue reading Give Your Provider a Job Interview
Is your doctor listening to you? Is she really answering your questions? Is he giving you all the information you need? Is your birthing facility telling you what you are “allowed” and “not allowed” to do? Are you feeling like an object instead of an active participant? Do you feel like you are being “steered” … Continue reading Informed Decision Making – Is Anyone Listening?
Let me start by saying that as a doula, I am here to support you in your birth no matter what your choices are. I do not have an agenda for your birth and I am not here to steer you in a particular direction. When I do a birth planning session with my clients, … Continue reading Just Do It – Because You Can!
Vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury and death for infants and children. When you are looking for and installing a car seat, please take some time to educate yourself and to make sure that it is done correctly. A few extra minutes could mean that injury is reduced or a life is saved. … Continue reading Car Seats – 5 Things to do at Home
I often see this question in pregnancy and parenting groups. It seems that people may think that if they have a midwife, they don’t need a doula. But maybe they don’t really understand the difference between a midwife and a doula. Typically an obstetrician practices using the medical model of birth (which is focused more … Continue reading Should I Hire an OB and a Doula, or a Midwife?
