Archive for May 2015
A Doula For The Dying, Part 2: 5 More things I learned while doulaing my dying father.
When I set out to be by my father’s side in 2012, I had no idea what to expect. My sister and I both lived in Colorado Springs, so naturally we caravaned to Oregon together. We talked about it a lot. What would we have to do? How would we help our mom? This was…
Read MoreDilation Isn’t Everything: The many jobs of your cervix.
A mother waits patiently on the small triage bed while the nurse concentrates on what her fingers are telling her about the progress of this labor. After a minute, she pulls her fingers out, and chirps brightly, “You are 5 centimeters dilated!” She flips her gloves into the trash can and turns to the computer…
Read MoreA Doula For The Dying: 5 Things I Learned at My Father’s Deathbed
Almost three years ago, I packed up my four children and drove to Oregon to help care for my father. His melanoma had metastasized to his spinal fluid, and everything that could be thrown at it to kill it, had been. There was nothing left, but to wait. Probably only weeks were left. His decline…
Read MoreIn Honor of International Doula Month
Not only were we able to celebrate World Doula Week recently, I found out that there is an entire month to celebrate doulas! Now, I could re-state all the facts about professional labor support. I could share famous doula quotes. I could toot my own horn, as it were. However, I don’t want to do…
Read MoreBreath & Wings: A Mother’s Day Post
Her new wings are still unfurling, tender and delicate. A flutter here, another in a moment. Quiet! There she goes. Uncertain, her feet have left the ground anyway. “Now is as good a time as any!” Her wings straighten and thrust her into open air. Not yet soaring, she hops and jumps and keeps testing…
Read MoreDoulas and Home Birth
Is there benefit to hiring a doula for a home birth? I say YES absolutely. An oldie but a goodie, from Desirre, in honor of International Doula Month. As a seasoned doula who has attended home births as labor support and now an intern midwife who clinically supports the mother, I believe that many women…
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