Wisdom and Births

There are so many choices that mothers make which will be debated over, questioned, and even attacked by strangers, coworkers, friends, and even family. How a woman chooses to give birth and feed her child is of particular interest and debate, especially in recent years. Not only is it World Breastfeeding Week and I wanted to highlight a topic, but I just received the 'Birth Plan' for my next doula client and she explicitly states that she does NOT want to breastfeed and does not want any lactation counselors to come talk to her while in the hospital. I knew about this decision from our prenatal appointment, but as a passionate advocate for Breastfeeding, I was motivated to educate her and maybe change her mind with information and positive encouragement/support. I didn't fully accept her decision until I saw it in print... so I had to hang my doula hat for a moment and try to understand.   We ALL know that 'Breast is Best', but do we know that formula IS NO...

Over the weekend I attended the labor of my first HypnoBirth mother. Labor progressed at home for quite some time before arriving at the hospital at 100% effacement and 3cm dilation. This mother was amazing, so calm and in control - I really experienced how to be present for a woman and to affirm her strength in labor. First, I think I may love HypnoBirth! When I met this particular family they were taking the childbirth education classes and shared how much they were enjoying the philosophy of centered and empowered birth. I was excited to experience something new! At our prenatal visit they let me borrow the book and I devoured the first half in two days. HypnoBirth is based on the understanding that birth is not inherently painful and it is fear that leads to tension within the body and the experience of pain. Mothers spend a little time each day envisioning a peaceful, gentle, and fulfilling birth while preparing for the physical demands of labor using breathing exercises and rel...

Since when did the birthing vagina lose it's privacy?!? In the United States, the majority of births occur in the hospital where women are EXPECTED to deliver their baby's in the lithotomy position; which is extremely counterproductive to pushing and I think we would all agree it's uncomfortable and unflattering. How humiliating the traditional hospital birth must be for some women who have kept their sexuality within the confines of their relationships and bedroom, but now their most intimate body part is exposed during a more or less "unflattering" event. Some women even experience a level of embarrassment or anxiety when it comes to topics relating to, or issues with, their vaginas. From early childhood we are trained that our genitals are "private parts" intended only for ourselves and those we love and trust. We spend years functioning with this knowledge and it becomes a part of what we believe to our very core. Then we are expected to set di...

We know, without any doubt, that women have been providing emotional, physical and experiential support to other women in labor throughout much of human history. We now have a plethora of research to demonstrate the beneficial effects of continuous, knowledgeable labor support, such as that of a Birth Doula. However, in our hearts, we don’t need the research to acknowledge the ease we feel when others are present to support us in a time of powerful internal and external struggle and growth. During such monumental transitions and experiences it is important to have supportive, nurturing, and knowledgeable witnesses and this is the service of Doula care. A doula, Greek for a woman who serves , is a caregiver who is present to provide continuous emotional, physical and informed care especially to the mother, but also to her partner and/or family . According to DONA International’s Code of Ethics, “the doula’s primary responsibility is to her clients… the doula should promote the general h...