Ultrasounds/Sonograms

Most all women have two during pregnancy & don't think much of it. I know I did, I even welcomed them!

BUT:

Unbeknownst to many, ultrasound DOES radiate some heat (not radiation) & puts out high frequencies of sound to fetal chamber (similar to subway train passing through a station!) .

Why else do you think baby moves AWAY from the wand when under this "testing"? Because it is warmer than usual & loud, too!

Makes sense... be informed, even if it goes against mainstream.

Get ONLY medically necessary Ultrasounds/Sonograms; not for entertainment purposes, please!

This .gov site confirms this.......

Doppler More Powerful than Ultrasound Exams

According to Anne Frye, midwife and author of "Understanding Lab Work in the Childbearing Year" (4th Ed.)p. 405:

Doppler Devices: Many women do not realize that doppler fetoscopes are ultrasound devices. (apparently, neither do many care providers. Time after time, women are assured by doctors and even some nurse midwives that a doppler is not an ultrasound device.) . . . .
Not well publicized for obvious reasons, doppler devices expose the fetus to more powerful ultrasound than real time (imaging) ultrasound exams. One minute of doppler exposure is equal to 35 minutes of real time ultrasound. This is an important point for women to consider when deciding between an ultrasound exam and listening with a doppler to determine viability in early pregnancy. . . . .
If you have a doppler, put it aside and make a concerted effort to learn to listen yourself! Save your doppler for those rare occasions when you cannot hear the heart rate late into pushing or to further investigate suspected fetal death. " copyright l990, Anne Frye, B.H. Holistic Midwifery.

Personally, after 23 years of attending births, I would not permit a doppler in my house if I were pregnant. You always know that something is ultrasound because there will be "jelly" involved. If you want a cheap listening device for the baby's heart just save the core from a roll of toilet paper. Put one end on the lower belly and the other on hubby's ear.

If you want to know your baby is doing well, count the fetal movements in a day. Starting at 9 a.m. count each time the baby kicks. There should be l0 distinct movements by 3 p.m. http://gentlebirth.org/archives/preScreen.html#USResources

Difference Between Doulas and Midwives

A common misconception is that we, as doulas, can do what a midwife does. That is NOT true. Our roles seem the same, but in the midst of the laboring mother's world, the roles are different, yet both lead to raising the chances of having a normal birth.

Why have a Doula?

♥ Great testimony that rings true in most births with a doula attending. ♥

Birth Circle next Monday!

Come together to explore this significant time in your life.

Pregnant Women at any stage and New Moms

and anyone interested in Birth in general!

This Birth Circle will give you the opportunity to

focus on your pregnancy and transition into Motherhood.

There will be time to ask questions and to share

experiences with other Mothers and Mothers to be.

I host a Birth Circle at my home in Staunton, VA- every 3rd Monday at 7p.m. Please join us, if possible. We would love to have you!

Email me here for more info & directions: kelly@doulasurround.com

Children are welcome & we will have light refreshments!

Pelvic Types- 4 Different Kinds!!

Many women do not realize that they can have one of four different TYPES of PELVISES. Some women's pelvises are a mixture of two or three or four though!
I learned it in my 'doula training'. Not Surprisingly so...as it was like a mini-midwifery course!


The 4 Basic Types of Pelvis' are: Round, oval, triangular and flat .
They are different shapes in different women.



Why it matters: Rotation and descent of baby varies between the different shapes!!
Some women cannot 'squat' because of the certain shape they have, some women have naturally flat bellies, when not pregnant, because of their specific shape, some women have "boyish'' hips because of their pelvis shape...


So, you see??


Why it does not matter: Because NO MATTER WHAT PELVIS YOU HAVE, you can birth your baby vaginally!!
I would love to share a site called spinningbabies.com that can give you more info on this.

Virtual Labor

Only one who believes in women's bodies to birth & who may or may not be pregnant would enjoy this, but I thoroughly did. This tool is based on natural birth.

I love this Virtual Labor online of "what-to-do" and of what you CAN do when labor starts.

At each stop in the labor you will be required to make a decision about how to respond. The next part of your labor will be randomly selected based on the way you choose to handle the current situation. There is no right or wrong answer.

Fun, fun for all my Birth Junkie Friends!

YAY!

Using a Rebozo in Labor

I have a doula client due in August that loves the "hip squeeze". I was hoping to utilize a rebozo in helping her in labor. My doula-friend has one at her home that she made. I am hoping she will allow me to use it.

Here are some ways to help a mother in labor, to use a rebozo for management of pressure.

• Have the mother sit in an upright position. Place the rebozo so that it is under the mother's arms and goes over her chest. The coach stands behind the mother, holding the ends of the rebozo to support the mother's weight. The coach can gently sway the mother from this position.
  
• Have the mother get in a hands and knees position. Wrap the rebozo under the mother's belly and around her thighs so that the coach can hold the ends above her. The coach will gently sway the rebozo side to side.
  
• Wrap the rebozo around the mother's eyes and ears, blocking and muffling incoming sights and sounds to help the mother relax.

Here is a link to more info on using a Rebozo .