Choices In Childbirth

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.

In the past few weeks, Illinois has released its Public Health Hospital Statistics. Today the Tribune ran a brief piece on Cesareans, the reasons behind them and the rates of some of the local hospitals. You can view Julie Deardorff’s article here: Illinois Hospital C-section rates

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.

Recently the organization called Birth Matters Virginia sponsored a video contest highlighting natural childbirth.  All of the entries can be found on You Tube by searching for the keywords “Birth Matters Virginia.”  You can also find links to many of the entries  here.  I think they are a fabulous resource for all women, especially women [...]

Being pregnant with twins does not automatically determine that you will give birth prematurely, probably by cesarean section, to two low-birth weight babies who will have to spend some time in the NICU.
Moms who have excellent nutrition (read naturally colorful food that remembers where it came from – no super processed, corn-syrup laden, trans fat [...]

In the U.S.  it is generally assumed that women will give birth in a hospital setting.  However, this is not mandated, it is not required, it is actually a choice we make.  We do have available to us alternative birthing centers (ABC’s), and home births here in the U.S.  growing numbers of women are exploring [...]

The contents of my doula bag revealed!