Friday, June 17, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Breastfeeding Instinct
Check out this amazing video to watch what happens when a little one is placed on Mom's chest right after birth.
The "Dating" Game
I have a thing about due dates. Not that you shouldn't have a good idea of when your baby is likely to arrive, but the EDD, or Estimated Due Date, has become a sentence of sorts: If baby doesn't come by your EDD, he is "overdue". Practitioners tend to get nervous when this date comes and goes, and will often begin suggesting induction or even a scheduled cesarean. There's also the subtle undertone of failure for Mom - "You couldn't get your baby out in time; there must be something wrong with your body. You're going to need help".
I couldn't disagree more. The fact that the human race has made it this far is a good indicator that women know how to have babies. And babies know when they're ready to be born. Labor begins when the baby releases a small amount of oxytocin (the hormone that stimulates contractions), signaling to Mom that he's ready to roll. If the EDD has passed and baby hasn't come, it simply means he's not ready yet. Like a Thanksgiving turkey, your baby can stay in the oven until he's perfectly cooked.
So while an EDD is a great guide for when you should have the crib assembled, try not to be married to a date on a calendar. Your body knows what to do, and so does your baby. Trust yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy this precious time.
I couldn't disagree more. The fact that the human race has made it this far is a good indicator that women know how to have babies. And babies know when they're ready to be born. Labor begins when the baby releases a small amount of oxytocin (the hormone that stimulates contractions), signaling to Mom that he's ready to roll. If the EDD has passed and baby hasn't come, it simply means he's not ready yet. Like a Thanksgiving turkey, your baby can stay in the oven until he's perfectly cooked.
So while an EDD is a great guide for when you should have the crib assembled, try not to be married to a date on a calendar. Your body knows what to do, and so does your baby. Trust yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy this precious time.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
How do You Doula?
Welcome to Sugarpea Doula Services!
The word "doula" is Greek for "Woman Servant". Notice the word is GREEK, which means it's been around for a while. People tend to think that we Doulas are a new trend in the birth world, but we have been supporting women in childbirth since people were still grunting at each other.
So what does a Doula do? The quick version is, we mother the mother. More specifically, doulas are trained birth professionals who are there to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to the expectant mama. We offer encouragement, knowledge, reassurance, physical comfort and anything else she may need to have the birth experience she wants and deserves. We also help husbands and/or partners (many of whom may not have much experience in labor comfort measures or who have never seen their partner in such an intense state) provide support to Mom during labor. Before the birth, we help parents find resources to educate themselves about the many birth options available and create a guide that will help them prepare for the birth they envision.
A Doula is not a medical professional and does not perform the same duties as a midwife or obstetrician. Our goal as doulas, however, is to work hand-in-hand with other birth professionals to help our Mamas have the best birth they can.
DID YOU KNOW?
Having a Doula present at your birth can offer these benefits ("Mothering the Mother", Klaus and Kennel, 1993):
Labor shortened by 25%
50% reduction in c-section rate
60% reduction in use of pitocin and other synthetic drugs
60% reduction in requests for epidural
30% reduction in use of analgesia
40% reduction in use of forceps
As your Doula, I offer:
-At least two prenatal visits to create a relationship of trust and security
-Assistance in creating your "ideal birth vision", which you can then share with your caregiver
-Resources to help you educate yourself about your birth choices
-On-call support via phone or email from our initial visit onward
-Physical/Emotional/Spiritual for you and your husband/partner throughout labor
-Alternative tools for physical comfort (including, but not limited to: aromatherapy, birth ball, position changes, massage, touch, as desired)
-An advocating voice as needed
-Efforts to establish a comfortable, trusting working relationship with your caregivers
-Support of your informed decisions
-Assistance to establish breastfeeding with the baby within 1 hour post-birth
-One postpartum meeting to review your birth experiences, offer support and further resources if needed
-Your birth story on paper
Along with being a Doula, I am mother to Yonah (2 1/2) and Akiva (1) and stepmother to Sima Ellie (9) and Huvi (8), as well as a professional writer. In the fall, I will begin my studies to become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM).
So what does a Doula do? The quick version is, we mother the mother. More specifically, doulas are trained birth professionals who are there to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to the expectant mama. We offer encouragement, knowledge, reassurance, physical comfort and anything else she may need to have the birth experience she wants and deserves. We also help husbands and/or partners (many of whom may not have much experience in labor comfort measures or who have never seen their partner in such an intense state) provide support to Mom during labor. Before the birth, we help parents find resources to educate themselves about the many birth options available and create a guide that will help them prepare for the birth they envision.
A Doula is not a medical professional and does not perform the same duties as a midwife or obstetrician. Our goal as doulas, however, is to work hand-in-hand with other birth professionals to help our Mamas have the best birth they can.
DID YOU KNOW?
Having a Doula present at your birth can offer these benefits ("Mothering the Mother", Klaus and Kennel, 1993):
Labor shortened by 25%
50% reduction in c-section rate
60% reduction in use of pitocin and other synthetic drugs
60% reduction in requests for epidural
30% reduction in use of analgesia
40% reduction in use of forceps
As your Doula, I offer:
-At least two prenatal visits to create a relationship of trust and security
-Assistance in creating your "ideal birth vision", which you can then share with your caregiver
-Resources to help you educate yourself about your birth choices
-On-call support via phone or email from our initial visit onward
-Physical/Emotional/Spiritual for you and your husband/partner throughout labor
-Alternative tools for physical comfort (including, but not limited to: aromatherapy, birth ball, position changes, massage, touch, as desired)
-An advocating voice as needed
-Efforts to establish a comfortable, trusting working relationship with your caregivers
-Support of your informed decisions
-Assistance to establish breastfeeding with the baby within 1 hour post-birth
-One postpartum meeting to review your birth experiences, offer support and further resources if needed
-Your birth story on paper
Along with being a Doula, I am mother to Yonah (2 1/2) and Akiva (1) and stepmother to Sima Ellie (9) and Huvi (8), as well as a professional writer. In the fall, I will begin my studies to become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM).
Feel free to contact me at any time via email at sugarpeadoula@gmail.com or at 347-454-4645.
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