child birth
Throwback Thursday: Dilation Isn’t Everything
A look back at one of our most popular blog posts of the past few years. Originally published May 18th, 2015. And still every bit as relevant! 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…
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 MorePostpartum Preparation
Planning and preparation toward the postpartum period is very important. Sometimes it is even more important than pregnancy and birth preparation due to circumstance or birth outcome. Too often labor, delivery and perhaps the “stuff” that goes with having a baby take priority, while the incredible change that occurs with having a new baby is…
Read MoreCreating a relationship 10 minutes at a time
It has occurred to me through my time with doula clients and students, that many care providers serving hospital birthing mothers do not ask any questions of their pregnant patients during the 7-10 minute prenatal visits that lead to a substantive working relationship. I have also learned that too often the pregnant “patient” does not…
Read MoreGrateful For My Birth(s) Carnival
I am so thankful to all of the submissions I received for this Why I am Grateful for my Birth(s) blog carnival. I have found no matter what a woman can learn something and be grateful for something in every birth experience no matter how difficult or wonderful. Enjoy these quips and please go to…
Read MoreGrateful For My Births
Focusing on Thanksgiving, I asked others to submit a “Why I am Grateful For My Birth(s)” blog post. In the spirit of that, here is my own blog posting. Stay tuned for the Carnival of posts to be up by Thanksgiving morning. I myself have had four varied labors and births, one of which could…
Read MoreWhy Childbirth Education?
I sit here and ponder Why childbirth education is important?. I am an educator because I think it can be a vital piece to the preparation puzzle prior to welcoming a baby. I use the word “can” versus “is” due to the fact that all educational offerings are not created equally. It is known that…
Read MoreChoosing Your Childbirth Class
Being a childbirth (perinatal) educator is a position that affords great opportunity to positively influence women in the childbearing year and far beyond. It is also a great responsibility that ought include: self-assessment, continuing education, evidence-based curriculum, the ability inform with discernment and the willingness not to teach a good patient course. With all of…
Read MoreThe Best isn’t Better. Usual is where It is at.
There has been much ado surrounding the language of breastfeeding being normal and usual versus the best for baby and mother in great thanks to Diane Weissinger. It is so valuable to recognize that while we all desire to be the best, we often hit the normal everyday averages in life. We are comfortable reaching…
Read MoreThat Pesky Due Date
Women and babies are not made with a pop out button like some Thanksgiving turkeys indicating being done. That pesky due date becomes such great topic of debate. It can lead to unnecessary interventions (such as induction, provider change because of regulations or cesarean), emotional unease (I am broken, this baby is never coming, I…
Read More