second stage
What 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 MorePreparing For Birth – Labor Length and Progress
There are always questions on what is the normal length for labor and what is not. Women in labor are not static. Though there may be averages, falling outside of those may not be reason to manage labor by augmentation or cesarean. Patience and individualized care tend to be the biggest keys to better labor…
Read MorePreparing For Birth – The Passage from She Births
The below writing in my opinion is one of the most eloquent and beautiful takes on labor and birth I have read. I am using it by permission of the author, Marcie Macari from her book She Births. I encourage you to go to her site and see her offerings. Inspiring and fantastic. Thank you…
Read MorePreparing For Birth – Common Pregnancy and Childbirth Terms
Below is a compilation of common terms and acronyms that women often will come across during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Check back as more will be added from time to time. AROM – Artificial Rupture of Membranes – using a finger or tool to open the amniotic sac to to allow the fluid to release.…
Read MorePreparing For Birth – Has episiotomy been replaced by this practice?
In recent months I have noticed that during the end part of pushing and through delivery, care providers and/or nurses are doing very, very aggressive vaginal and perineal stretching. This is not the gentle perineal massage I have seen in the past. Even though I do not believe even that is necessary, it certainly was…
Read MorePreparing For Birth – Quotes from Women on What Pushing Feels Like
A couple of weeks ago I went on a quest to find out just what pushing was like for other women. As an educator and doula it is probably one of the more challenging concepts to address. Why? Well some of the imagery can be quite vulgar. “Push like you are pooping.” Do women REALLY…
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