Choices In Childbirth

Yesterday, both the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times ramped it up with pieces on issues greatly affecting the health of mothers and babies.
The Trib ran a great piece on the whole issue of VBAC and how it’s actually not as risky as it’s often presented to be and how it should be readily [...]

This past October I was interviewed by the Chicago area  TribLocal newspaper about being a doula and what role we play in the birth process.  I love how she talks about the role of doulas supporting dads and partners as well.
I really enjoyed the interview because it made me realize how much I really love [...]

On Tuesday I was supposed to begin my first class on the road to becoming a midwife.   However, I missed that first class because I was called out on a birth.  Gotta love the timing.
This birth pretty much took everyone by surprise. She was a first time mom who was two weeks early and [...]

I’m currently prepping for tonight’s Childbirth Ed class on Variations and Complications in labor.  We talk about many of the situations couples encounter in the few weeks before and during labor, and we spend a lot of time discussing their options in each of these situations.
Some of these situations we cover are  not necessarily dangerous [...]

Thanks to all of you who allowed me to serve and support you through your wonderful and amazing births this year.

The title of this post may appear exaggerated, but honestly it is not at all. I’m not claiming something truly out there like all women with doula will be back in their skinny jeans before they leave the hospital. The fact is that women who have doulas (a trained support person dedicated to her physical and emotional comfort – not responsible for medical care) at their births have safer births with better outcomes. They have shorter births. Their births are less painful.

It’s beautiful.

The contents of my doula bag revealed!