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.

6th Birth Attended

I attended a birth on 8-21-08. One day shy of being 2 weeks overdue! It went fabulous.
Mommy wanted to labor at home as long as possible, but seeing as her cervix was not ripe enough for labor to begin, she used an inserted "helper", having to STAY at the hosp. then.

It worked within 12 hours... she had contractions that made her 'stop talking' through each one, starting around 9 - 10 a.m.

I arrived at the hospital around 11 a.m. She was working through them easily, as they were on the mild side.... just 'showing themselves'. She was still laughing then.
After a couple of hours of intense labor, from about 1-3, she was about 9cm. No more laughing.

She hit 10cm & baby was born around 3:45p.m.

The cord was around his neck, so the midwife cut it before he was fully born... he was born, turned pink & was making everyone in the room cry tears of joy. He weighed 7.5 pounds & is nursing beautifully.

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 .

Prevent Cesarean Surgery

"...real quotes spoken by women who have had both cesarean and vaginal births, it presents invaluable information that is researched based. All women of childbearing age will benefit from this educational movie. It is a must see!"

Please inform yourself, so as to avoid any unecessary pain, including emotional pain.

Preparing for Labor: Exercises you can do

Preparing for labor
During the final months of pregnancy,
a few simple exercises can help prepare your muscles for labor.

Kegels
For example, Kegel exercises help tone your pelvic floor muscles. Simply tighten your pelvic muscles as if you're stopping your stream of urine. Try it for five seconds at a time, four or five times in a row. Repeat throughout the day.
Various other exercises target the muscles that will receive the most stress during labor and delivery.

Tailor sitting
The tailor sitting position stretches the muscles in your thighs and pelvis. It also improves your posture, keeps your pelvic joints flexible and increases blood flow to your lower body.
Sit on the floor with your back straight. Bring the bottoms of your feet together, pull your heels toward your groin and gently drop your knees. You'll feel a stretch in your inner thighs. Try tailor sitting anytime you're able to sit on the floor.
If it's difficult to sit in this position, use a wall to support your back or place cushions under each thigh. Remember to keep your back straight.

Pelvic rock
The pelvic rock stretches the muscles in the lower back, which helps relieve backaches.
Rest on your hands and knees with your head in line with your back. Pull in your stomach, rounding your back slightly. Hold the position for several seconds. Then relax your stomach and back, keeping your back as flat as possible. Repeat several times. Gradually work up to 10 repetitions.
You can do a similar exercise leaning against a wall. Simply stand up straight and push the small of your back against a wall.

Wall slide
Squatting during labor can help open the pelvic outlet, which gives your baby more room to descend through the birth canal. But squatting is tiring. It may help to practice ahead of time.
Try the wall slide. Stand with your back against a wall, your feet shoulder-width apart. Slide down the wall until you're in a sitting position. Hold the position for a few seconds and then slide back up. Repeat several times. Gradually work up to 10 repetitions.
For less stress on your knees, try the wall slide with an exercise ball behind your back. You can also squat without the wall. Keep your back straight and your feet shoulder-width apart.

May is International DOULA Month!

The month of the Doula has arrived! May is International Doula Month!

Doulas provide much support for women in pregnancy, in labor & afterwards.

Emotional, physical & informational support is their focus, for ALL mothers & their families.

Here are some questions to ask when choosing a Labor Doula for your birth:

Choosing a labor doula: Answers to your most-asked questions

Midwives' Model of Care

The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes.

The Midwives Model of Care:
*Monitors the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
*Provides the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
*Minimizes technological interventions
*Identifies and refers women who require obstetrical attention

The Big Push for Midwives Campaign

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

April is Cesarean Awareness Month!

What is Cesarean Awareness Month?

An internationally recognized month of awareness about the impact of cesarean sections on mothers, babies, and families worldwide.

It's about educating yourself to the pros and cons of major abdominal surgery and the possibilities for healthy birth afterwards as well as educating yourself for prevention of cesarean section.

Cesarean awareness is for mothers who are expecting or who might choose to be in the future.

It's for daughters who don't realize what choices are being taken away from them.

It's for scientists studying the effects of cesareans and how birth impacts our lives.

It's for grandmothers who won't be having more children but are questioning the abdominal pains and adhesions causing damage 30 years after their cesareans.

CESAREANS are serious. There is no need for a 'catchy phrase' to tell us that this is a mainstream problem. It affects everyone. One in three American women every year have surgery to bring their babies into the world.These women have lifelong health effects, impacting the families that are helping them in their healing, impacting other families through health care costs and policies, and bringing back those same lifelong health effects to the children they bring into this world.

Be aware. Read. Learn. Ask questions. Get informed consent.

Be your own advocate for the information you need to know.

http://www.ican-online.org/

Some important Birth Information for Mums

Important Birth Information
Giving You and Your Baby the Best Chance for a Fantastic Birth Experience
1. Be with people who think you can do it. Keep numbers to a minimum, and to people with whom you are familiar.

2. Labor is active. Keep moving as long as you can. I don't mean you have to keep standing, just be as normal as possible, moving and being in positions that are comfortable. When you have a contraction, lean forward on someone or the wall or a chair. On your hands and knees is a good position to try, and I have noticed that the majority of the women who have given birth with me have done so on hands and knees.

3. You know your body better than anyone, and if you "listen in", you will know exactly what to do, even when you think you don't. Ask your partner or support person to remind you and to see to it that you are asked before anyone makes a decision about what you "should" do. SLOW DOWN, take your time. You can also take the time to "listen in" to your baby.

4. Don't try to be strong, talk about how you are feeling and what you are thinking. When you can access your feelings, whatever they are, you can then use the energy however you choose. Make the sounds that are comfortable for you. You are and your baby are the ones who matter, the ones everyone is there to support!

5. Breathing is very helpful, and holding your breath is not. You will know how to breathe, for you. Keep relaxing your jaw, and opening your throat and pay attention to the breath. "As above, so below". The mouth and jaw and throat represent the pelvis and the birth canal. It is enough to do to pay attention "above", "below" is perfectly designed to birth a baby.

6. You always have a choice about what you Speak Out, no matter how your body is feeling. "NO" causes the body to contract, and "YES" causes the body to open. It may sound silly, and "Yes" and "Thank You" with a contraction will support you to stay focused on what is really important. I have seen it seem to work miracles.

7. YOUR BABY IS FULLY CONSCIOUS AND EDUCABLE WHICH MEANS THAT IT IS LISTENING AND COMMUNICATING . TALK TO IT, LET IT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING FOR YOU. UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, MAKE SURE THAT ANYTHING THAT IS DONE TO IT BE EXPLAINED TO IT FIRST. IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, TAKE SOME TIME EACH DAY TO LISTEN TO YOUR BABY. REMEMBER THAT THIS BEING LOVES YOU BEYOND ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN EVEN IMAGINE! YOUR JOB IS TO OPEN TO RECEIVE ALL THE LOVE THAT IT HAS FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTNER! THAT IS ALL IT WANTS OR EVER WILL WANT.

8. After the birth, see to it that you and your baby are together, or that it is with your partner. Make sure that you receive nurturing and support in physical forms. The baby and you are one unit, things don't change just because it is outside now. This doesn't mean that you can't put it down, just that you know that you need baby as much as baby needs you. You need to be cared for so that you can give what is needed.

9. Choose an overall focus for yourself for the birth. Expansion is one that I know has been very successful. Another woman chose to think of her labor and birth as a sensual, sexual experience. Opening like a flower is wonderful. Pictures of full-blown roses and the lotus are images that are helpful. What images and aromas give you a sense of completion and wholeness and comfort?

10. Allow yourself to receive all the love and support that is around you. Make clear choices and then trust that you make the right choices for you and your family.

********** YOU DESERVE TO BE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE LISTENING TO YOU AND THE BABY. PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPORTING YOU TO HAVE AN EMPOWERED, ENLIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY, IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO YOURSELF AND TO YOUR BODY. YOU HAVE EVERY THING THAT YOU NEED! ************

http://www.labouroflove.org/birth/important-birth-info/

Breastfeeding? Have questions?

Baby refusing breast? Sore nipples? Pacifiers? Pumping Issues?

I cannot praise the La Leche League enough, in its helpfulness in all issues surrounding breastfeeding your child. It is what they do, it is what they are there for.

Click below for access to their FREE helpline. You WILL receive the support you need, but YOU need to reach out for it!

LLL in the USA - Breastfeeding Helpline

Another Birth

I attended my 5th Birth this weekend.

It went beautifully & I am thrilled for the mother, as she achieved the birth she wanted, through a lot of hard work on her part, of course!!! It is very empowering for the mother to have this happen.

I love so much supporting mothers & their family in the births of their new babies.

I wish all moms knew about childbirth assistants & understood the value of having a midwife & other support persons attend the birth of your child. I used to think I only wanted my spouse at the birth of our children, but looking back, I now realize that is is soo much pressure on the father to try to understand something that he does not. Not that having ONLY a spouse as a coach is detrimental to a normal birth, but having other 'women' there who 'know' is so encouraging, ya know what I mean? Though, god doulas help to make the husband/significant other, look like a "hero". I strive to keep the husband involved, if he chooses.

As a doula, I like to help 'protect' the birth memory by writing a log of the birth, hour by hour, event by event, so the family can look back & see exactly what happened when.

All the mothers have seemed to really enjoy this & I plan on continuing it.

I love what I do & love being whatever the mother needs me to be, at this momentous time in their life.

::::::::::Do You Doula?::::::::::::

Benefits of attending a BIRTH CIRCLE

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