Baby's Bellies

Many mothers worry that their newborn is not getting enough breastmilk. This may reassure that mother....
On the 1st day of life, the baby's tummy is the size of a marble!
On the 3rd day, a ping pong ball &
on the 10th day, the size of an egg!

That explains all the small, frequent feedings.

Kelly K, CD (CBI)

Doula Surround- a Doula's View

Doula Surround- A Doula's View

By: Kelly Kravitz, CD

I am a birth Doula.

As I sit in the park, watching my six-year-old son play, I converse with the mom doing the same next to me. Then the subject comes up “What do you do?” I say, “I am a Doula”. I hear the usual response: “A what?” Then she says, “Like a midwife right?”

I smile; thrilled that she knows it has something to do with childbirth.

But no, “I’m not like a midwife”, I explain. I do not do anything medical. I am The Nurturer; The Guardian of the Birth Experience.

They smile with puzzled looks on their faces. I explain:

My purpose is to be there for the mother, to help her carry out her plans for birth, hold her hand when she cries, keep the rice packs warmed & on her back, if needed with each contraction, put cool cloths on her neck & forehead, wipe the sweat from her brow, massage her back when it aches, squeeze her hips to relieve the pressure, help her to change positions to get things moving, remind her to use the bathroom every hour and help her to get there, offer ice, water, and lip balm, walk the halls with her, turn on the music that helps her relax, remind her to breathe, remind her to picture the baby moving down the birth canal, remind her that she is strong, tell her she CAN when she thinks she can’t, and always tell her how great she is doing. AND, never forgetting what a powerful, yet fragile time this is and strive to protect that memory for her by keeping it a positive one.

I am there for her partner, too … to give him suggestions, pat him on the back and tell him that it really IS okay. I bring him food when he needs to eat, coffee when he needs a pick-me-up and a chair when he needs to sit. I offer suggestions he can do that will make his partner the most pleased, so that HE looks like the perfect picture of support to her. Most of all, I am NEVER there to take his place or get in the way of the couple’s special day.

We work as a team to care for the women he loves. I give them space if needed. I am always aware of glances, moments that are to be protected. I will take a shot with the camera so they can remember the intensity, the focus, the love.

In other words, I do anything and everything that I can to help her cope with her labor and make it an empowering, memorable experience. When she pushes; I am whispering to her how great she is doing, holding her leg, if needed & making eye contact so she is reassured that all is well.

When the baby is born and placed on her tummy, I smile and shed a tear or two, and tell her again what a great effort she has accomplished.

When the nurse checks the baby and dad runs over to see how beautiful this new baby is, I stay by the mother’s side and hold her hand so she knows she is not alone. I let her know how amazing she is.
I am there when she feeds her baby for the first time and reassure her that she is doing well. And when the family is all snuggled in close, loving each other, I take a few shots with the camera and then I quietly slip out the door.

I often wonder as I drive home from a birth:

Do these women realize how much they touch my life? I am truly blessed after each birth. I feel a renewed sense of life, I see my children as the precious gifts that they are, and I hold my husband a little closer. I go for weeks on the "high" of attending yet another birth of a loved child.

Being a doula is not a job to me, it is my passion, it was a “calling”.

I feel very deeply for the women I give care to, and I never forget them or the day they brought their precious babies into the world. I document their day with a birth log that I share with them keep copy for myself & look at from time to time, usually around the baby's first birthday.

After the postpartum visit to see the baby, hold the baby & review the birth, if the mother wishes to do so, I may or may not EVER see the family again. It varies greatly.

Whether they feel anything similar differs from woman to woman, but each birth is an empowering experience TO ME and I thank each and every family that I attend to, for the opportunity to share such a wonderful, intimate time in their lives.

Kelly K, CD (CBI)

inspired by another birth doula, to write my own view

Baby Picks Own Day of Birth

One of the biggest obstacles to natural birth is misunderstanding your "due date." A due date does not mean there is only one safe day for your baby to be born. It is meant to establish a range of time that your baby is mature and safe to be born. Because modern obstetrics narrows this to a specific day, unnecessary interventions, like inducing labor, come into practice.

In a well-nourished, low risk pregnancy it is normal for your baby to be born between 37 and 42 weeks gestation*. Many natural events take place within your body during the last weeks of pregnancy to prepare you for labor. Allow time for the natural process to occur.

Use this due date calculator, if you please:
http://www.mothersnaturally.org/naturalPregnancy/dueDateCalculator.php
Kelly K, CD (CBI)

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.......

Birthing Film Contest $1,000 prize!

Birth Matters VA Film Contest

Here’s how to enter:
Step 1: Make a video (Possible Topics)
Step 2: Upload your video to YouTube (see How to Submit Your Video)
Step 3: Enter the contest by filling out the entry form by May 10, 2009
Step 4: Tell everyone you know to go vote for your video on YouTube!
Step 5: Wait to see if you won! (see Prizes)

Length: 4-7 minutes
Style and Tone: factual, informational, educational, inspirational

Why Does This Matter?

A celebrity nursing another child in another country. What is the big deal?
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=6864594&page=1

Using a Midwife AND a Doula

Does this combo work ?
Over half of the mothers I have attended to have had midwives & the midwives have always spoke positively of the support given. The parents, too.

I would like to hear from mothers who have had both, or who chose NOT to have a doula because they HAD a midwife attending- my curiosity was piqued from this blog post at a Doula Speaks.

Continuous Support During Childbirth

Benefits of Continuous Support During Childbirth & Author's Conclusion on the matter:
"Continuous support in labour increased the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth, had no identified adverse effects and women were more satisfied." Read more in link above.

Birth Circle- Mon the 9th

Hello, it is that time of the month again! (no, not THAT time!! Lol)

It is Birth Circle Time!

This coming up Tuesday, Feb. 9th at my home in Staunton.... 7-9 p.m.

Come, share, snack, laugh.

Informational Breastfeeding Clips

Free Informational Breastfeeding Clips by http://www.breastfeeding.com/ , a reputable site for all things breastfeeding, all the time.

Many subjects covered, 57 clips on 10 different subjects. I think any nursing mother or pregnant mom preparing to breastfeed will find this site very useful.

Here is the direct link to the videos: VIDEOS

New Baby Boy- COLE

Sunday, the 25th of January, 2009 COLE, was born

to a family I had the privilege of supporting.

He weighed 7 lbs. 9 ozs. & was 19 3/4 " long.

Blonde hair & all the other cutie-pie features.

This mom KNEW exactly how to birth her baby. She rocked & swayed with each contraction, walked the halls, kept her bladder empty, all which helps the baby move down….stayed hydrated (ice chips, water, fluids) stayed vocal & worked with her body’s signals beautifully. She was successful in letting others know when she wanted something, either by mouth or gesture. She was adamant about getting her baby to latch on & they have had a great start to a successful breastfeeding relationship.

Dad was such a great support to Mom during this experience. He rubbed, spoke soothingly, wiped with a cloth, fed ice chips, set up the c.d. player with Enya, put lavender oil in, turned off his phone, and paid strict attention to his wife lovingly, the entire time.

I (Kelly) think this couple is so cute together & work very well, as a team. The communication is great between them & Cole has two fantastic, adoring parents. I am honored to have attended such a powerful, confident birth process.

Home Care for New Moms

This is one of the most thourough articles I have found about new mothers, after they give birth to their baby, whether it is a home birth or a hospital birth, this protocol should be followed for maximum success in breastfeeding the baby.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE NEW MOTHER

Flaxseed Oil has High Risk in Pre-term Births

Flaxseed Oil HasHigh Risk Of Premature Birth
ScienceDaily (2008-10-29) -- The risks of a premature birth quadruple if flaxseed oil is consumed in the last two trimesters of pregnancy, according to a new study.

How to Pack a Diaper Bag for Cloth Diapers

Since all 3 of my clients are/will be using Cloth Diapers, I thought this video would be useful to the moms.
Happy diapering!

Birth Circle Tonight!

Birth Circle Tonight! From 7-9 p.m. at my home!
We will observe a mom "wearing" her baby, talk about babywearing & talk about cloth diapers/nappies, & whatever else comes up with all the mommies!

Come if you can! You will be sure to enjoy yourself.

Snacks/beverages provided; children welcome, too!

After this week, the BC will be on the 1st MONDAY of each month, starting in FEB! Mark your calendars!