home birth
So You’re In Early Labor. Now What?
Could this be it? It could be! This is it! You’re finally in early labor! You know this because the contractions are coming, no matter what you do. You’ve had a big glass of water. You’ve gotten up to pee. You’ve had a snack. You’re content to let the rest of your house rest while you anticipate the birth day to come.
Read MoreYour Job Must Be So Fun!
This is the most common response I get when I share with someone what I do for a living. When I share that I’m growing into midwifery. If all we did was snuggle babies and drink margaritas, I suppose this statement might be true. But this job isn’t all baby snuggles, and it rarely involves…
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…
Read MoreChildbirth Education Myths 1
Over the next several weeks, Team Preparing for Birth will be debunking some common myths surrounding childbirth education classes. Check back every Monday to see the newest post. MYTH #1: “I’m having a homebirth, and my midwife will do all my education.” Home birth families often see childbirth classes as an…
Read MoreInterviewing Your Home Birth Midwife
Interview Questions Why are you a midwife? What is your training? Are you certified? If yes, with whom and why? If no, why not? Are you licensed in the state of _____? What is your scope of practice? Are there any circumstances (physical, emotional, and/or spiritual) would you not take a woman as a patient?…
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 MoreWhat’s a doula to do?
There is such a deep chasm and fracture within the doula community regarding in-hospital and out-of-hospital birth. On the one hand there are those who say anything goes in supporting women and their choices. On the other, there are those who say no doula should support a woman in the hospital environment because it is…
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 MoreWhat Does Pushing Feel Like? Many perspectives.
Women often ask me what does pushing feel like. As an educator and doula it is probably one of the more challenging concepts to address. Some of the imagery can be quite vulgar. “Push like you are pooping.” Do women REALLY want the image of pooping out their babies?! Or the imagery puts pushing in…
Read MoreTechnology and the Prenatal “Diet”
In westernized countries, television and the internet have almost completely replaced the generational teaching and learning found in the “circles” of the past. Women would gather over sewing, quilting, canning, and life events including pregnancy and childbirth. They offered support, told their stories, spoke of family life, shared their everyday knowledge, wisdom and expertise while…
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