Saturday, November 21, 2009
Talks with Brother
I just got off the phone with my brother. He and his wife are expecting a baby around Valentine's Day. I am so excited to be an aunt!
It's interesting to talk to my brother about pregnancy-related stuff. As a good husband and soon-to-be daddy, he's very protective Ashley and Baby Jax.
It's interesting to talk to my brother about pregnancy-related stuff. As a good husband and soon-to-be daddy, he's very protective Ashley and Baby Jax.
Friday, November 20, 2009
TWINS
I am looking forward to the delivery of twins after Christmas. This family is my first repeat and I am super excited about this birth. :-)
Most Recent Delivery
On November 14, 2009, I attended the labor and delivery of a couple that I have anticipated since their first prenatal appointment. After an average length labor, Momma delivered an 8.5 lb., 21 in. baby boy!
This couple was SO funny! They joked and laughed their way through labor, which I loved.
This couple was SO funny! They joked and laughed their way through labor, which I loved.
Fear In Childbirth
A fellow doula wrote this and I asked her if I could re-post it:
FEAR IN CHILDBIRTH
Why does birth instill such fear into women and the families who love them? I have a theory that partly it is due to the fact that birth is in part, violent. There is blood, there is pain, there is angst, but there is also passion, excitement, hormones, release. This is the height of human experience. We do not remember our own birth.. at least not on a conscious level. Subconsciously, perhaps, we remember the excitement and possibly, the adrenaline rushes, the tinge of danger, the "feel good" hormones coursing through our blood -- yes, even as infants. Why is that? Because WE KNOW HOW TO GIVE BIRTH. Not only do women's bodies know how to give birth, but our babies within us KNOW HOW TO BE BORN. How do they know? They follow the path of thousands of years, hormones and chemical reactions, instinct, nature, call it what you will -- things we do not even yet understand! Why have we let one of the strongest (if not THE strongest) experiences in life turn into a medical event? When did we decide to not work with our own instincts and sway with our hips and moan with the contractions, lean on our birth partners, GIVE IN to that transition to motherhood, BEAR DOWN as our bodies told us and ONLY us to produce our newborn infant wet with our childbirth efforts? This is the birth you can have, it is the one you can choose, it is the one you can manifest. Use this exhilaration as you would any heart pounding adrenaline rushing experience... do not hand off this experience to a machine beeping, feed on the fears of a medical establishment poised to make thousands of dollars for every non-proven intervention, watch your child that grew inside of you suddenly whisked away to a "sanitary" nursery! Empower yourself and face your fears! If you find yourself afraid, let's explore the question:What am I afraid of?
Copyright: Kimberly Sebeck, CLD, CCCEwww.myspace.com/knoxvilledoula
FEAR IN CHILDBIRTH
Why does birth instill such fear into women and the families who love them? I have a theory that partly it is due to the fact that birth is in part, violent. There is blood, there is pain, there is angst, but there is also passion, excitement, hormones, release. This is the height of human experience. We do not remember our own birth.. at least not on a conscious level. Subconsciously, perhaps, we remember the excitement and possibly, the adrenaline rushes, the tinge of danger, the "feel good" hormones coursing through our blood -- yes, even as infants. Why is that? Because WE KNOW HOW TO GIVE BIRTH. Not only do women's bodies know how to give birth, but our babies within us KNOW HOW TO BE BORN. How do they know? They follow the path of thousands of years, hormones and chemical reactions, instinct, nature, call it what you will -- things we do not even yet understand! Why have we let one of the strongest (if not THE strongest) experiences in life turn into a medical event? When did we decide to not work with our own instincts and sway with our hips and moan with the contractions, lean on our birth partners, GIVE IN to that transition to motherhood, BEAR DOWN as our bodies told us and ONLY us to produce our newborn infant wet with our childbirth efforts? This is the birth you can have, it is the one you can choose, it is the one you can manifest. Use this exhilaration as you would any heart pounding adrenaline rushing experience... do not hand off this experience to a machine beeping, feed on the fears of a medical establishment poised to make thousands of dollars for every non-proven intervention, watch your child that grew inside of you suddenly whisked away to a "sanitary" nursery! Empower yourself and face your fears! If you find yourself afraid, let's explore the question:What am I afraid of?
Copyright: Kimberly Sebeck, CLD, CCCEwww.myspace.com/knoxvilledoula
Back to Blogging
Well, I've decided to get back to blogging. I plan to send my blog link to my friends and family. Hopefully, I'll get a few followers. Please feel free to send links to your friends, especially the pregnant ones!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Why an OB?
Why? What makes healthy women (carrying a healthy baby) choose an OB over a midwife? Is it the flexible appointment times? NO. They don't have those. Is it the hour-long, one on one prenatal appointment? NO. There's not enough time. Is it because you get treated as an individual, not a "file"? NO. There are too many patients. Is it because OBs are specially trained to handle a natural childbirth? NO. They aren't required to attend one. So what is it? Is it habit? Is it lack a midwives in their area? Is it fear?
Bring on the comments!
Bring on the comments!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Hospitals make me cringe
Heart attack? Hospital. Liver disease? Hospital. Cut your fingers off? Hospital. There are so many things that hospitals are made for and are GOOD AT. Natural childbirth is not one. As someone who gets to see both sides of the birthing card, I have to say that I become more disappointed in hospital births by the day.
Recently, I accompanied a couple during the birth of their first child. I was flabbergasted by what the OB was telling the mother during labor and later, the delivery. The doc offered ZERO support for natual birth. In fact, she seemed to "poo-poo" it. When my clients asked about unmedicated delivery, she more or less dismissed them, saying that almost nobody did that.
Recently, I accompanied a couple during the birth of their first child. I was flabbergasted by what the OB was telling the mother during labor and later, the delivery. The doc offered ZERO support for natual birth. In fact, she seemed to "poo-poo" it. When my clients asked about unmedicated delivery, she more or less dismissed them, saying that almost nobody did that.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Whatzadoula?
I bet I've been asked this question more than any other. When I'm at a cookout, wedding, or other gathering, I wait for the what-do-you-do question. Explaining my "job" is a long, drawn out process, and I always get stopped at DOULA. Lots of websites and blogs have descriptions, but I wanted to add mine. For me "childbirth attendant" doesn't really cut it.
A doula is the first line of defense for women wanting a natural birth, which means vaginal AND unmedicated. In addition to knowing about normal birth and how to have one, doulas know how to help women navigate the maze of information regarding birthing classes, breastfeeding, vaccinations, birthplans, natural labor prep, natural-friendly docs, etc. A doula can labor with a mom at home, keeping a watchful eye on how things are progressing, offering emotional and physical support until the mom decides it's time to go to the hospital. Once at the hospital, the doula is an advocate for the laboring woman (because she's a little busy). She can express wishes to the nursing staff by giving out copies of the birth plan and answering basic questions, like DOB, address, etc. while mom labors, less disturbed than women without a doula. Doulas rub backs, give drinks of water, help dads help moms, assist on bathroom trips, etc. A doula stays throughout labor and delivery, helping the mother to achieve the best birth possible. After the birth, doulas assist with initial breastfeeding to promote bonding. She might go home to rest after 1 or 2 good nursings, only to return and make sure everything is still going well. Many doulas also make 1 or 2 house calls once the family has gone home and can provide support over the phone in the weeks after the baby is born.
Everyone who is planning a hospital birth should consider having a doula.
A doula is the first line of defense for women wanting a natural birth, which means vaginal AND unmedicated. In addition to knowing about normal birth and how to have one, doulas know how to help women navigate the maze of information regarding birthing classes, breastfeeding, vaccinations, birthplans, natural labor prep, natural-friendly docs, etc. A doula can labor with a mom at home, keeping a watchful eye on how things are progressing, offering emotional and physical support until the mom decides it's time to go to the hospital. Once at the hospital, the doula is an advocate for the laboring woman (because she's a little busy). She can express wishes to the nursing staff by giving out copies of the birth plan and answering basic questions, like DOB, address, etc. while mom labors, less disturbed than women without a doula. Doulas rub backs, give drinks of water, help dads help moms, assist on bathroom trips, etc. A doula stays throughout labor and delivery, helping the mother to achieve the best birth possible. After the birth, doulas assist with initial breastfeeding to promote bonding. She might go home to rest after 1 or 2 good nursings, only to return and make sure everything is still going well. Many doulas also make 1 or 2 house calls once the family has gone home and can provide support over the phone in the weeks after the baby is born.
Everyone who is planning a hospital birth should consider having a doula.
TTC Songs
As someone TTC, I've found that there are some songs that could be the TTC Anthem. Here are some I can think could work. Please share your nominations!
1. As Time Goes By
2. On the Road Again
3. Everybody Hurts
4. Circus theme music - the one where clowns run all over, fall and spill things
5. Killing Time
1. As Time Goes By
2. On the Road Again
3. Everybody Hurts
4. Circus theme music - the one where clowns run all over, fall and spill things
5. Killing Time
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