Archive for March 2016
Cervical Exams: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
“Is this something I have to do?” my childbirth students frequently ask me about cervical exams. The short answer is no. Especially in teaching hospitals, women are often examined in labor frequently, without even knowing why. The most important question to ask when considering an exam, like any other test, is “What will we do…
Read MoreLower Your Postpartum Stress
Ask for what you need. This is often difficult for new parents, but if friends and family offer to help, ask them for specific favors. Do you need someone to vacuum, pick up items at the grocery store, or fold laundry? Can a different person bring you dinner for a week or two? Tell visitors…
Read MoreWill Your Baby Be Born By Scheduled Cesarean? Prepare Now!
While vaginal birth is the safest way to birth for most mothers and babies, there are medical reasons why some babies are born by scheduled cesarean. If your baby will be born by cesarean, here are some things to consider. Learn more about gentle cesareans, also called family centered cesareans. Watch this video with Dr. Camann…
Read More10 Steps to Becoming an Awesome Doula
This week I’m celebrating World Doula Week and sharing suggestions I give doulas at my trainings. Find your niche. No one can be all things to all people. What families are you best at serving? Do you have a passion for working with single or teen moms, moms who are VBACing or working with a…
Read MoreDoulas! 8 Compelling Reasons to Become a Childbirth Educator:
You’re already doing informal childbirth education in person, and by phone, text, email, and Facebook message. Offer formal classes and you’ll get paid to spend more in person time prenatally, getting to know your clients, and less time answering questions piecemeal. You’ll know your clients are receiving top quality childbirth education. Being able to offer…
Read MorePostpartum Doulas: Making a Difference One Family at a Time
In traditional cultures around the world, new mothers observe a lying in period for weeks after they give birth. During this time they rest and recover from birth, nurse their babies, and eat nutritious foods. The community comes together to cook and clean for them, care for their other children, take over whatever daily tasks…
Read MoreBreastfeeding? Find Support So You Don’t Have to Reinvent the Wheel!
“The best way to learn to do something is to hang around people who are already successful at what you want to do. Ergo, if you want to breastfeed, La Leche League (LLL) meetings are a great place to be!” says Dawn Burke, a La Leche League leader in Georgia, who I spoke with about…
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