Well I figured I write about this all of the time- maybe it would be good to share another professional's view of induction. Here is a link to her blog as well http://gaildahl.wordpress.com/
10 Reasons to Avoid Induction
A common decision today's parents will face during childbirth is birth induction. A birth induction happens when the labor of a pregnant woman is artificially started. Today's parents need to know why it is important to avoid birth induction and why it is important to allow labor to begin normally and naturally without any interference. Here are the reasons you would want to avoid induction in childbirth:
1. If you induce the birth of your baby you will be at risk of delivering a premature baby. New studies are showing that babies who are even slightly premature have more problems at birth and beyond. There is no proven health benefit to forcing your baby from the womb before your baby has had enough time to properly develop. Even in the last few days before the birth of your baby, last minute finishing touches are ongoing. The final layers of fat are placed, the lungs are receiving the finishing touches even as you are going through labor. All of this will help your baby to be comfortable in a change of environment. Your baby will most likely be ready ten days after your estimated due date, especially if you are a first time mother. There are no studies showing any benefit whatsoever to artificially starting labor and there are many studies showing the risk of premature birth to every baby. Wait for your labor to begin normally and naturally.
2. If you induce your labor, your labor will become more painful and prolonged. Your contractions will be too long, too strong and too close together causing your baby to have difficulty breathing and your contractions to be less effective.
3. If you induce your labor you may not be ready physiologically or emotionally to give birth without your baby signaling to your body the exact time it is ready and able to labor. Inducing labor, by any means, will cause unnecessary stress on your body and your baby.
4. If you induce your labor, your baby may experience harm caused by the mechanical force of the artificial contractions that can damage your baby’s brain and affect your baby’s ability to breathe.
5. If you induce your labor you may be at risk of secondary infertility due to the increase of the risk of damage to your uterus caused by uterine rupture.
6. If you induce your labor you may be at risk of bleeding throughout your labor and after childbirth because of the damage caused to your uterus by the induction drugs creating a greater difficulty in caring for the new baby along with the increased possibility of prolonged postnatal depression caused by the induction drugs.
7. If you induce your labor you will not be able to experience a natural birth due to the increased pain during labor. The narcotics used in a epidural cross the placenta and cause increased stress on your baby as the narcotics hit your baby’s immature liver and brain causing a decrease in the cardiac and brain function. Your baby will find it hard to breathe because of this. Your baby will have great difficulty breastfeeding because of the afterlife of the narcotics. Very few women are able to have an induced birth without additional drugs to handle the increased pain from the artificial contractions.
8. If you induce your labor you will unknowingly trigger a cascade of medical interventions like, strong medications to force your cervix open, multiple narcotic drugs for increased pain, continuous fetal monitoring, forceps delivery or the use of a vacuum extractor; when the attempt at the induction fails.
9. If you induce your labor you will become a high risk for emergency cesarean delivery, (as high as 50%) as many induced labors fail and leave both mom and baby in medical distress. In the case of an extreme medical emergency, for either mom or baby, consider bypassing induction and going right to a cesarean section. Adding induction drugs to an already stressed mother and baby may cause additional damages to both. Allowing a woman to labor naturally before a cesarean section will help to further develop the baby’s lungs.
10. If you don’t induce your labor, and allow your labor to begin normally; your labor will be less painful, your labor will be shorter and more productive, (your body will be ready for it), your baby will be able to breathe, you will reduce your risk of cesarean section, you will reduce the health costs associated with your birth, you will have less need for pain medication, you will have a shorter delivery, you will have a faster recovery and you and your baby will be healthier as a result. Your baby will breastfeed more easily and you will find it easier to bond and attach to your new baby. If you are anxious about your baby’s arrival, make sure everything is ready for the baby’s arrival, the house is clean, groceries are purchased, banking done, extra food prepared, official registration papers for your baby and the myriad of other things you will need to take care of at this time. Avoiding a labor induction is one of the best secrets to having a safe and gentle labor and delivery for both mother and baby.
Secrets Newsletter 2008. Gail J. Dahl, "Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets”.
Monday, February 2, 2009
great book for free download
Sheri Menelli, author of "Journey into Motherhood: Inspirational
Stories of Natural Birth", is making her book available for free download!
http://www.birthing business. com/Book/ giveaway. html
Sheri writes on her blog:
"Yes, it is true, I have a very special treat for you.
I"m giving away the electronic copy of Journey into Motherhood:
Inspirational Stories of Natural Birth.
I have planned to do this for years and so here it is.
I have had so many people ask me why I would give this book away.
I have 2 reasons:
1. My dream was to make this book as popular as "What to Expect When
You're Expecting" which isn't one of my favorite books as I
see it usually get moms into a panic. So really, this is a different
kind of What to Expect When You're Birthing because it is 47 real
women telling their births stories (48 total stories).
2. I believe the stories in this book are so amazing that anyone
reading
it would want a physical copy to give to their friends and family who
are expecting. I can say that they stories are amazing and not be
bragging because I did not write the stories. I only chose them and
had
my editor clean them up with grammar and punctuation. They changed my
birth (I gave birth a few months after the book was finally
published).
The stories left me empowered. I had the most unexpected of
circumstances a very rare set of twins and extremely high risk (Ironic
isn't it?) but I had an amazing birth because I felt empowered and I
decided to take charge. I know I wouldn't have had that courage if I
hadn't been able to draw from the experiences of the women in the
book.
Stories of Natural Birth", is making her book available for free download!
http://www.birthing business. com/Book/ giveaway. html
Sheri writes on her blog:
"Yes, it is true, I have a very special treat for you.
I"m giving away the electronic copy of Journey into Motherhood:
Inspirational Stories of Natural Birth.
I have planned to do this for years and so here it is.
I have had so many people ask me why I would give this book away.
I have 2 reasons:
1. My dream was to make this book as popular as "What to Expect When
You're Expecting" which isn't one of my favorite books as I
see it usually get moms into a panic. So really, this is a different
kind of What to Expect When You're Birthing because it is 47 real
women telling their births stories (48 total stories).
2. I believe the stories in this book are so amazing that anyone
reading
it would want a physical copy to give to their friends and family who
are expecting. I can say that they stories are amazing and not be
bragging because I did not write the stories. I only chose them and
had
my editor clean them up with grammar and punctuation. They changed my
birth (I gave birth a few months after the book was finally
published).
The stories left me empowered. I had the most unexpected of
circumstances a very rare set of twins and extremely high risk (Ironic
isn't it?) but I had an amazing birth because I felt empowered and I
decided to take charge. I know I wouldn't have had that courage if I
hadn't been able to draw from the experiences of the women in the
book.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Local News Show about Inductions...
There was a neonatal physician on the local 5 o'clock news this week who made this statement, "Having a baby as few as four days early increases the newborn complications risk by 20%!" and the statement was made that, "Northside Hospital the nations busiest labor and delivery center with over 18,000 births per year supposedly issued a new rule that women can not schedule an elective c-section or be induced before their 39th week of pregnancy." But my experience working with moms who give birth in the Atlanta metro area- and yes even at Northside is that is not being done. Doctors seem to be able to find a medical reason for an induction even when the birth later shows the risks were not there.
Who is doing all of these inductions? What is causing this to happen? I believe it is not only the doctors who schedule inductions and cesareans for factors that include convenience as well as malpractice concerns, but it is women who are demanding it. The doctor in this interview eludes to moms getting tired during their pregnancy and wanting to have the baby born. So, do no harm should mean that the doctor advises a mom that this is risky. That not only will an induction lead to more of a chance of a surgical birth, but more risks that she will not be bringing her baby home when she is discharged.
I can tell you that I have conversations almost weekly from moms who were induced or told to have a surgical birth due to their baby being too big. Then the baby is born and is well within the normal range of size. She then goes on to have a vaginal birth with a subsequent child who is much larger than the first. What happened? Did her pelvis get larger the next pregnancy?
This is a link to the original newscast:
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=8311537&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.5.1
The news story went on to state, "The number of Cesarean sections has skyrocketed in recent years. One out of every three babies is now delivered surgically. New research shows women may want to think twice about scheduling an early delivery."
The news reporter, Beth Glavin states that "a pregnancy is considered full term at 37 weeks." But since often a woman does not know exactly when she conceived or when she actually ovulated it is difficult to know for sure if she is 37 weeks or 36 weeks and three days for example.
One OB online states "A normal pregnancy should last 38 weeks if you count from the day of conception. However, the day of conception is not always easy to determine, especially in the ancient past. Therefore, people then have used 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period, on the assumption that women have 28 day cycles and they conceive 14 days after the start of their menses.This traditional way of counting has been in use till now.
Therefore, when we say you are 10 weeks pregnant, you have actually conceived 8 weeks ago. Based on this type of calculation, a pregnancy will have the expected date of delivery at 40 completed weeks but a pregnancy that has completed 37 weeks is considered full term already.
Beth states that "the recommendation is that a woman wait until she is 39 weeks to consider having a planned cesarean." But since inductions can lead to a cesarean = then shouldn't a woman wait until 39 weeks to consider even being induced? The doctor on the news report says every week of early birth due to inductions can cause the risks to the newborn escalate. It is due to lung and brain development. "Before 39 weeks the baby is just not ready."
This is another story - more reseach showing the risks of early inductions and cesarean births:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,477687,00.html?sPage=fnc/health/pregnancy
The study showed, "More than a third of the C-sections were performed before 39 weeks, the researchers found. Those delivered at 37 weeks were twice as likely to have health problems, including breathing troubles, infections, low blood sugar or the need for intensive care. Fifteen percent of those born at 37 weeks and 11 percent born at 38 weeks had complications, compared to 8 percent of the babies delivered at 39 weeks."
A dream of mine would be for women to trust their bodies. For babies to select their day to be born. If a mom is more high risks, sure do non stress tests and biophysicals to insure that the baby is doing great. But the stress of going "late" and having a baby "on time" needs to end. We need to embrace that nature did not make a mistake. That MD does not stand for minor deity. That we can decide if we are going to get on that induction train or not. That the induction police don't come and pick us up to drag us to have our babies. We must begin to take responsibility for our health and the health of our babies.
It begins with trusting our bodies. And it also goes to trusting our care providers. So if a care provider says an induction or cesarean is needed- ask more questions. Know the risks. Weigh their guestimations with knowledge and with what the studies show- wait if you can.
Who is doing all of these inductions? What is causing this to happen? I believe it is not only the doctors who schedule inductions and cesareans for factors that include convenience as well as malpractice concerns, but it is women who are demanding it. The doctor in this interview eludes to moms getting tired during their pregnancy and wanting to have the baby born. So, do no harm should mean that the doctor advises a mom that this is risky. That not only will an induction lead to more of a chance of a surgical birth, but more risks that she will not be bringing her baby home when she is discharged.
I can tell you that I have conversations almost weekly from moms who were induced or told to have a surgical birth due to their baby being too big. Then the baby is born and is well within the normal range of size. She then goes on to have a vaginal birth with a subsequent child who is much larger than the first. What happened? Did her pelvis get larger the next pregnancy?
This is a link to the original newscast:
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=8311537&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.5.1
The news story went on to state, "The number of Cesarean sections has skyrocketed in recent years. One out of every three babies is now delivered surgically. New research shows women may want to think twice about scheduling an early delivery."
The news reporter, Beth Glavin states that "a pregnancy is considered full term at 37 weeks." But since often a woman does not know exactly when she conceived or when she actually ovulated it is difficult to know for sure if she is 37 weeks or 36 weeks and three days for example.
One OB online states "A normal pregnancy should last 38 weeks if you count from the day of conception. However, the day of conception is not always easy to determine, especially in the ancient past. Therefore, people then have used 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period, on the assumption that women have 28 day cycles and they conceive 14 days after the start of their menses.This traditional way of counting has been in use till now.
Therefore, when we say you are 10 weeks pregnant, you have actually conceived 8 weeks ago. Based on this type of calculation, a pregnancy will have the expected date of delivery at 40 completed weeks but a pregnancy that has completed 37 weeks is considered full term already.
Beth states that "the recommendation is that a woman wait until she is 39 weeks to consider having a planned cesarean." But since inductions can lead to a cesarean = then shouldn't a woman wait until 39 weeks to consider even being induced? The doctor on the news report says every week of early birth due to inductions can cause the risks to the newborn escalate. It is due to lung and brain development. "Before 39 weeks the baby is just not ready."
This is another story - more reseach showing the risks of early inductions and cesarean births:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,477687,00.html?sPage=fnc/health/pregnancy
The study showed, "More than a third of the C-sections were performed before 39 weeks, the researchers found. Those delivered at 37 weeks were twice as likely to have health problems, including breathing troubles, infections, low blood sugar or the need for intensive care. Fifteen percent of those born at 37 weeks and 11 percent born at 38 weeks had complications, compared to 8 percent of the babies delivered at 39 weeks."
A dream of mine would be for women to trust their bodies. For babies to select their day to be born. If a mom is more high risks, sure do non stress tests and biophysicals to insure that the baby is doing great. But the stress of going "late" and having a baby "on time" needs to end. We need to embrace that nature did not make a mistake. That MD does not stand for minor deity. That we can decide if we are going to get on that induction train or not. That the induction police don't come and pick us up to drag us to have our babies. We must begin to take responsibility for our health and the health of our babies.
It begins with trusting our bodies. And it also goes to trusting our care providers. So if a care provider says an induction or cesarean is needed- ask more questions. Know the risks. Weigh their guestimations with knowledge and with what the studies show- wait if you can.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
the secret
There is a secret in our culture,
And it's not that childbirth is painful,
It's that women are strong.
-Laurie Stavoe Harm
Why are we so scared of pain? Why do we think we can not do it? Why do we believe we have a low threshold of pain in birth? Why have we bought the lie that we are weak? Why have we allowed birth to no longer be our journey that allows us to see our strengths? Why were the women before us able to handle it? What made them so different from us? Why do we see the pain of childbirth as being bad rather than good pain? Why are we so scared to see it as a challenge before us instead of something to run from?
Women of Earth
Take Back Your Birth!
And it's not that childbirth is painful,
It's that women are strong.
-Laurie Stavoe Harm
Why are we so scared of pain? Why do we think we can not do it? Why do we believe we have a low threshold of pain in birth? Why have we bought the lie that we are weak? Why have we allowed birth to no longer be our journey that allows us to see our strengths? Why were the women before us able to handle it? What made them so different from us? Why do we see the pain of childbirth as being bad rather than good pain? Why are we so scared to see it as a challenge before us instead of something to run from?
Women of Earth
Take Back Your Birth!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Estimating Due Dates
Due Dates
How accurate is your Due Date?
How are due dates calculated?
In the 1850's, a Dr. Naegele determined the average length of human gestation was 266 days from conception, or 280 days (40 weeks) from last menstrual period. He assumed that the average woman had cycles that lasted 28 days and that she ovulated on Day 14 of her cycle. He used his data to come up with a mathematical calculation for due dates:
((1st day of your last menstrural period -LMP + 7 days) - 3 months) = Due Date. EX: ((January 1, 1996 + 7 days) - 3 months) = October 8, 1996
This is still the standard method used to calculate due date, despite the fact that it doesn't take into account: that many women are uncertain of the date of their last menstrual period and not all women ovulate on day 14. Other factors which affect term are: mother's age, ethnicity, prenatal care, prenatal nutrition, number of prior pregnancies.
Another Calculation
A more recent study (Mittendorf, 1990) indicates that term for uncomplicated pregnancies in first-time, Caucasian mothers, averages 274 days from ovulation. It averages 269 days for mothers who've given birth before. The abstract says non-Caucasian pregnancies are shorter than Caucasian, but doesn't give statistics.
*To calculate a due date: Take starting date of last menstrual period. Subtract 3 months. Add 15 days. (10 days if you're non-white, or this is not your first baby.)
What else can be done to determine fetal age?
If ultrasound is performed in the first half of pregnancy, it can indicate fetal age within a range of 7 - 10 days.
Fetal heart tones can be heard through Doppler starting at 9-12 weeks and by stethoscope at 18-20 weeks.
Some believe the baby will come five months after quickening, the first time the mother feels the baby move. This is hard to evaluate, as women can be more or less sensitive to these sensations, and may notice them at different times in their pregnancies. (First time mothers typically notice movement around 18-20 weeks. Mothers who have been pregnant before notice it as early as 16 weeks.)
Fundal height, the measurement of the uterus done throughout pregnancy, can indicate the size of the baby, which can give insight about fetal age.
When will my baby be born?
Only 4% of babies are actually born on their "due dates". 6-10% of babies are born early - prior to 37 weeks; 4-14% of pregnancies last more then 42 weeks.
If this leaves you very confused, just realize that predicting due dates is a very inexact science, and it's probably best to plan ahead of time for the baby to come anywhere between 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after your due date.
For more on due dates, read: Calculating Due Dates and the Impact of Mistaken Estimates of Gestational Age
Sources: "How long is too long?" by Penny Simkin, Childbirth Forum, Spring 1993. Abstract for "The Length of Uncomplicated Human Gestation" by Mittendorf et al
Obstetrics & Gynecology, V.75, N.6, June 1990. "When will my baby be born?" found at http://pregnancy.about.com/library/weekly/aa042197.htm "Pregnancy past your due date" by Terri Isidro-Cloudas on www.americanbaby.com
How accurate is your Due Date?
How are due dates calculated?
In the 1850's, a Dr. Naegele determined the average length of human gestation was 266 days from conception, or 280 days (40 weeks) from last menstrual period. He assumed that the average woman had cycles that lasted 28 days and that she ovulated on Day 14 of her cycle. He used his data to come up with a mathematical calculation for due dates:
((1st day of your last menstrural period -LMP + 7 days) - 3 months) = Due Date. EX: ((January 1, 1996 + 7 days) - 3 months) = October 8, 1996
This is still the standard method used to calculate due date, despite the fact that it doesn't take into account: that many women are uncertain of the date of their last menstrual period and not all women ovulate on day 14. Other factors which affect term are: mother's age, ethnicity, prenatal care, prenatal nutrition, number of prior pregnancies.
Another Calculation
A more recent study (Mittendorf, 1990) indicates that term for uncomplicated pregnancies in first-time, Caucasian mothers, averages 274 days from ovulation. It averages 269 days for mothers who've given birth before. The abstract says non-Caucasian pregnancies are shorter than Caucasian, but doesn't give statistics.
*To calculate a due date: Take starting date of last menstrual period. Subtract 3 months. Add 15 days. (10 days if you're non-white, or this is not your first baby.)
What else can be done to determine fetal age?
If ultrasound is performed in the first half of pregnancy, it can indicate fetal age within a range of 7 - 10 days.
Fetal heart tones can be heard through Doppler starting at 9-12 weeks and by stethoscope at 18-20 weeks.
Some believe the baby will come five months after quickening, the first time the mother feels the baby move. This is hard to evaluate, as women can be more or less sensitive to these sensations, and may notice them at different times in their pregnancies. (First time mothers typically notice movement around 18-20 weeks. Mothers who have been pregnant before notice it as early as 16 weeks.)
Fundal height, the measurement of the uterus done throughout pregnancy, can indicate the size of the baby, which can give insight about fetal age.
When will my baby be born?
Only 4% of babies are actually born on their "due dates". 6-10% of babies are born early - prior to 37 weeks; 4-14% of pregnancies last more then 42 weeks.
If this leaves you very confused, just realize that predicting due dates is a very inexact science, and it's probably best to plan ahead of time for the baby to come anywhere between 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after your due date.
For more on due dates, read: Calculating Due Dates and the Impact of Mistaken Estimates of Gestational Age
Sources: "How long is too long?" by Penny Simkin, Childbirth Forum, Spring 1993. Abstract for "The Length of Uncomplicated Human Gestation" by Mittendorf et al
Obstetrics & Gynecology, V.75, N.6, June 1990. "When will my baby be born?" found at http://pregnancy.about.com/library/weekly/aa042197.htm "Pregnancy past your due date" by Terri Isidro-Cloudas on www.americanbaby.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Does insurance pay?
"Upon your recommendation, we submitted your fee to our health insurance (United Healthcare) and received word back from them just before the year ended. They covered the doula fee almost 100% (they wrote me a check for $7 less than the fee we paid you)!! I couldn’t believe it when I got the claim notice. I thought for sure we’d have to resubmit a few times with explanation or backup documentation, but it all went through without any of that. I was thrilled to get the notice in the mail and wanted to let you know too. We would have still contracted you as our doula even without the option of getting reimbursed by insurance, so this was just a bonus. Please feel free to relate this on to Teresa or any of your clients."
We think you should always consider filing with your insurance company. We provide a form - a superbill - for you to send in to your insurance company AFTER the birth. Don't contact them ahead of time. Wait to send it in afterward. If you have a less interventive birth, then the likelihood increases that they will consider it. If they tell you up front they will not, no matter what- they will not since it is documented that they told you so.
You can go to www.cappa.net or www.dona.org and copy their position paper documenting the effects of using a doula to substantiate the cost being a benefit to your labor and birth outcome.
Most pretax programs not only cover doula services but also many of our classes.
We think you should always consider filing with your insurance company. We provide a form - a superbill - for you to send in to your insurance company AFTER the birth. Don't contact them ahead of time. Wait to send it in afterward. If you have a less interventive birth, then the likelihood increases that they will consider it. If they tell you up front they will not, no matter what- they will not since it is documented that they told you so.
You can go to www.cappa.net or www.dona.org and copy their position paper documenting the effects of using a doula to substantiate the cost being a benefit to your labor and birth outcome.
Most pretax programs not only cover doula services but also many of our classes.
Letter from April
March 19, 2007
To Whom It May Concern:
Patient enduring reliable supportive irreplaceable sistah! That is what comes to mind when I think of Persis Bristol Dodson. I am not sure what her mothers intentions were when she gave Persis that name but that is what it means to me. P.E.R.S.I.S. was truly a God send.
At already 8 months and taking various child prep classes, I had heard of a Doula wanted one but did not know where to even begin looking for one. Persis was an interpreter for one of my classes and offered her services to me. This could not have come at a better or more needed time. Shortly after we met only once I began labor for my first baby.
We hadn’t had time to even discuss birth plans or even enter a contract and Persis was there and stayed with me the entire time. I felt so relaxed and confident that I could do it with her help constantly reassuring me that all is fine and that every inch was taking me closer to the end. Never leaving me to feel alone or misunderstood. All of my family and friends were nervous, tired and stressed at one point or another but Persis was undaunted by the task and stood as my knight. She’s so necessary that I have come to the conclusion that she is needed for all of my future children as well. To give birth without Persis almost seems unnatural!
I can’t seem to thank her enough!
April Lee Mbakop
To Whom It May Concern:
Patient enduring reliable supportive irreplaceable sistah! That is what comes to mind when I think of Persis Bristol Dodson. I am not sure what her mothers intentions were when she gave Persis that name but that is what it means to me. P.E.R.S.I.S. was truly a God send.
At already 8 months and taking various child prep classes, I had heard of a Doula wanted one but did not know where to even begin looking for one. Persis was an interpreter for one of my classes and offered her services to me. This could not have come at a better or more needed time. Shortly after we met only once I began labor for my first baby.
We hadn’t had time to even discuss birth plans or even enter a contract and Persis was there and stayed with me the entire time. I felt so relaxed and confident that I could do it with her help constantly reassuring me that all is fine and that every inch was taking me closer to the end. Never leaving me to feel alone or misunderstood. All of my family and friends were nervous, tired and stressed at one point or another but Persis was undaunted by the task and stood as my knight. She’s so necessary that I have come to the conclusion that she is needed for all of my future children as well. To give birth without Persis almost seems unnatural!
I can’t seem to thank her enough!
April Lee Mbakop
Letter from Sherri
January 28, 2005
From: Sherri Paterson
To: Prospective Client of Guina Bixler
Subject: Letter of Recommendation
Early in my pregnancy I was diagnosed with Placenta Previa. It was looking for a while that I would likely have a scheduled C-Section. So, for a long time, I did not think I would need a doula. I had meet a couple of doulas (not affiliated w/ Labor of Love) early on in my pregnancy, but by the time I found out the placenta had moved out of the way in week 32 the doula's I meet where booked up!
Luckily, I had been going to the Norcross YMCA and met Kate, a Prenatal Aquatics Instructor. As a doula student herself, she referred me to www.cappa.com. In turn, I saw a Labor of Love doula on the list (Teresa) and was then referred to Guina. Who I was told up front, was a very gentle, soothing doula.
Teresa was certainly right….. Guina has an extremely gentle and soothing, grace under pressure spirit. My husband, Troy and I felt comfortable with her from our first meeting. It was great to have found a doula and we felt good knowing that Labor of Love had several doula's in case Guina had 2 births in the same night, there would be a back-up doula available. Luckily, the night I went into labor, Guina was ready and available.
I was 4 days past my due date when I went into labor and was READY to have the baby! I started labor on Dec. 1st at 4:30 p.m. and went to the hospital at 10:30 p.m. Guina met us at the hospital shortly after midnight. She found us in the hallway walking around. She showed me how to "squat" and hold onto the rails in the halls, which helped my contractions. During my 24-hour labor Guina and my husband Troy were there. As well as hospital staff and Troy's parents periodically.
During my very looooong labor Guina helped us with breathing techniques, massages (as I had back and leg spasms), birthing ball (which rocks! I loved rotating my hips, and got in a trace-like state to get through the contractions), soft music was played, she used lavender massage lotion and oils, affirmations and mantras to get through the labor. Unfortunately for me labor was felt from 2cm and upwards it just got more and more intense! If I had not done some of the techniques Guina showed us I never would have made it to 8cm. Near the end of my labor I had pain meds and an epidural. Good thing too because to everyone's surprise, when I was at 8cm my placenta ruptured. An emergency C-Section was done.
I am happy to say Ben and I we're doing fine. I was weak after the labor, as would be expected. I think Ben was actually doing better than I was, at that point!! We stayed in the hospital for a few days and went home healthy and very happy!
Ben is now 4 mos. old and is doing great. I am recovered from my C-Section and have been back at the gym recently, which is just wonderful!
Guina came by to visit us not too long ago and brought us some pictures during labor and Ben's Birth Story. It was such a wonderful experience that I highly recommend and of course I highly recommend Guina as a doula.
Sincerely,
Sherri Paterson, a.k.a. Ben's Mom
From: Sherri Paterson
To: Prospective Client of Guina Bixler
Subject: Letter of Recommendation
Early in my pregnancy I was diagnosed with Placenta Previa. It was looking for a while that I would likely have a scheduled C-Section. So, for a long time, I did not think I would need a doula. I had meet a couple of doulas (not affiliated w/ Labor of Love) early on in my pregnancy, but by the time I found out the placenta had moved out of the way in week 32 the doula's I meet where booked up!
Luckily, I had been going to the Norcross YMCA and met Kate, a Prenatal Aquatics Instructor. As a doula student herself, she referred me to www.cappa.com. In turn, I saw a Labor of Love doula on the list (Teresa) and was then referred to Guina. Who I was told up front, was a very gentle, soothing doula.
Teresa was certainly right….. Guina has an extremely gentle and soothing, grace under pressure spirit. My husband, Troy and I felt comfortable with her from our first meeting. It was great to have found a doula and we felt good knowing that Labor of Love had several doula's in case Guina had 2 births in the same night, there would be a back-up doula available. Luckily, the night I went into labor, Guina was ready and available.
I was 4 days past my due date when I went into labor and was READY to have the baby! I started labor on Dec. 1st at 4:30 p.m. and went to the hospital at 10:30 p.m. Guina met us at the hospital shortly after midnight. She found us in the hallway walking around. She showed me how to "squat" and hold onto the rails in the halls, which helped my contractions. During my 24-hour labor Guina and my husband Troy were there. As well as hospital staff and Troy's parents periodically.
During my very looooong labor Guina helped us with breathing techniques, massages (as I had back and leg spasms), birthing ball (which rocks! I loved rotating my hips, and got in a trace-like state to get through the contractions), soft music was played, she used lavender massage lotion and oils, affirmations and mantras to get through the labor. Unfortunately for me labor was felt from 2cm and upwards it just got more and more intense! If I had not done some of the techniques Guina showed us I never would have made it to 8cm. Near the end of my labor I had pain meds and an epidural. Good thing too because to everyone's surprise, when I was at 8cm my placenta ruptured. An emergency C-Section was done.
I am happy to say Ben and I we're doing fine. I was weak after the labor, as would be expected. I think Ben was actually doing better than I was, at that point!! We stayed in the hospital for a few days and went home healthy and very happy!
Ben is now 4 mos. old and is doing great. I am recovered from my C-Section and have been back at the gym recently, which is just wonderful!
Guina came by to visit us not too long ago and brought us some pictures during labor and Ben's Birth Story. It was such a wonderful experience that I highly recommend and of course I highly recommend Guina as a doula.
Sincerely,
Sherri Paterson, a.k.a. Ben's Mom
Teresa Howard's training
How Do I Know What I Know?
by Teresa Howard
Experience is something that comes from many sources. I feel that I learn something from each birth I attend. I have personally given birth three times unmedicated. I think my experiences were good ones and I want that for others. I have breastfed all three of my children and was a La Leche League leader for many years. That too is an experience that I cherish and love helping new moms make this a good experience for them as well. Experience comes in many ways- personally having done something, training by other in techniques and being involved with someone else while they are doing it.
I began as a doula in May of 1992 when a friend asked me to come and be with her as a companion to her and her husband. I did this again for a friend in February of 1996. Later that year, in July, I was asked by a friend to be there for her at her fifth birth, my third as a companion. In 1997 I again offered to come and offer guidance to two friends in April and again in November. Then a special invitation to accompany a mom who was my second birth came in January of 1998. I offered my help to a teen friend in March of 1998 and soon after took my doula training as I was hooked at being at births!
My first professional doula birth was in May of 1998. By year end I had attended my 27th birth. The year 2000 allowed me to attend my 100th birth on Christmas Day! In February my youngest daughter gave birth to a son- I attended as her mom and she had a doula- but I feel I used my doula skills at that one for sure! In May 2003 I had the privilege of doulaing my oldest daughter at her birth - that was my 200th birth! At the end of 2008 I had completed my 400th birth as a doula. I average three births per month now and stay really busy.
In the past I have enjoyed being the state representative for CAPPA as well as a labor and postpartum doula trainer and a lactation educator trainer with them. I now stay quite busy running a company of a dozen doulas who cover most of the metro area. I really get affirmation after each birth, after each childbirth class I teach, I know what I am doing now is definitely what i am supposed to be doing. I have found my calling! So many people don't enjoy their work or don't find it fulfilling. That is certainly not my situation!
As a company we have done close to 900 labor supports as a group!
TRAINING
• DONA Labor Doula Training, Anne Tumblin, RN
• When Survivors Give Birth, Penny Simkin, PT
• Precipitous Labor, Emergency Childbirth, Debbie Pulley, CPM
• Birthing From Within, Pam England, CNM
• Joy of Labor, Northside Hospital
• Prenatal Parenting, Frederick Wirth, MD
• Lactation FastTrack
• Midwifery Workshop, Ina May Gaskin, CPM
• Psychotropic Medicine during pregnancy and lactation, Z.Stowe, MD
• Infant and Child CPR
• Another Look, Breastfeeding and HIV, Miriam Thompson
• Physiologic Closure of the Cord, Anne Frye, CPM
• Spinning Babies, Gail Tully, CPM
• Advanced Doula Training- Massage and Reflexology, Donna Johnson, CMT
• Advanced Lamaze Training- Mission Impossible, Ann Tumblin, RN
• Supporting Women through Perinatal Death, Miriam Maslin
• Escorting Women on their Inner Journey, Miriam Maslin
•1st Advanced Skills for Birth and Postpartum Professionals with Leadership from CAPPA
CONFERENCES
• LLLI conference 1980
• DONA conferences 1998, 2000
• CAPPA conferences 2000, 2001, 2002* 2004*, 2007, 2008
• Georgia LLL Conference 2001
• Summit for Safe Motherhood 2001
• Gentle Birth World Congress 2007
• International Cesarean Awareness Network 2009
*also emceed
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
• Georgia LLL Conference 2001
• Joy of Labor Training, Northside Hospital 2001
• Stillwater Yoga Prenatal Workshop 2002
• Prenatal Yoga in Athens, GA 2002-2007
• Natural Mama Expo 2002, 2003
• Interviewed and Appeared on REAL MOMS, REAL STORIES, REAL SAVVY Leading the Way in Women's Health Programming on Public Television
• Panel for questions and answers Birth, the Play by Karen Brody
• International Cesarean Awareness Network:Concurrent Session 2009
by Teresa Howard
Experience is something that comes from many sources. I feel that I learn something from each birth I attend. I have personally given birth three times unmedicated. I think my experiences were good ones and I want that for others. I have breastfed all three of my children and was a La Leche League leader for many years. That too is an experience that I cherish and love helping new moms make this a good experience for them as well. Experience comes in many ways- personally having done something, training by other in techniques and being involved with someone else while they are doing it.
I began as a doula in May of 1992 when a friend asked me to come and be with her as a companion to her and her husband. I did this again for a friend in February of 1996. Later that year, in July, I was asked by a friend to be there for her at her fifth birth, my third as a companion. In 1997 I again offered to come and offer guidance to two friends in April and again in November. Then a special invitation to accompany a mom who was my second birth came in January of 1998. I offered my help to a teen friend in March of 1998 and soon after took my doula training as I was hooked at being at births!
My first professional doula birth was in May of 1998. By year end I had attended my 27th birth. The year 2000 allowed me to attend my 100th birth on Christmas Day! In February my youngest daughter gave birth to a son- I attended as her mom and she had a doula- but I feel I used my doula skills at that one for sure! In May 2003 I had the privilege of doulaing my oldest daughter at her birth - that was my 200th birth! At the end of 2008 I had completed my 400th birth as a doula. I average three births per month now and stay really busy.
In the past I have enjoyed being the state representative for CAPPA as well as a labor and postpartum doula trainer and a lactation educator trainer with them. I now stay quite busy running a company of a dozen doulas who cover most of the metro area. I really get affirmation after each birth, after each childbirth class I teach, I know what I am doing now is definitely what i am supposed to be doing. I have found my calling! So many people don't enjoy their work or don't find it fulfilling. That is certainly not my situation!
As a company we have done close to 900 labor supports as a group!
TRAINING
• DONA Labor Doula Training, Anne Tumblin, RN
• When Survivors Give Birth, Penny Simkin, PT
• Precipitous Labor, Emergency Childbirth, Debbie Pulley, CPM
• Birthing From Within, Pam England, CNM
• Joy of Labor, Northside Hospital
• Prenatal Parenting, Frederick Wirth, MD
• Lactation FastTrack
• Midwifery Workshop, Ina May Gaskin, CPM
• Psychotropic Medicine during pregnancy and lactation, Z.Stowe, MD
• Infant and Child CPR
• Another Look, Breastfeeding and HIV, Miriam Thompson
• Physiologic Closure of the Cord, Anne Frye, CPM
• Spinning Babies, Gail Tully, CPM
• Advanced Doula Training- Massage and Reflexology, Donna Johnson, CMT
• Advanced Lamaze Training- Mission Impossible, Ann Tumblin, RN
• Supporting Women through Perinatal Death, Miriam Maslin
• Escorting Women on their Inner Journey, Miriam Maslin
•1st Advanced Skills for Birth and Postpartum Professionals with Leadership from CAPPA
• Dancing For Birth Trainer Certification Workshop with Stephanie Larson
CONFERENCES
• LLLI conference 1980
• DONA conferences 1998, 2000
• CAPPA conferences 2000, 2001, 2002* 2004*, 2007, 2008
• Georgia LLL Conference 2001
• Summit for Safe Motherhood 2001
• Gentle Birth World Congress 2007
• International Cesarean Awareness Network 2009
*also emceed
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
• Georgia LLL Conference 2001
• Joy of Labor Training, Northside Hospital 2001
• Stillwater Yoga Prenatal Workshop 2002
• Prenatal Yoga in Athens, GA 2002-2007
• Natural Mama Expo 2002, 2003
• Interviewed and Appeared on REAL MOMS, REAL STORIES, REAL SAVVY Leading the Way in Women's Health Programming on Public Television
• Panel for questions and answers Birth, the Play by Karen Brody
• International Cesarean Awareness Network:Concurrent Session 2009
Letter from mom of twins
Here is a letter from a mom who Teresa Howard assisted in having her first children, twins. It was an unmedicated, vaginal birth that was amazing. A few years later, she asked me to return to assist her with the labor of her third child. Again, unmedicated and wonderful! She is totally amazing!
"...When I think about those days,I feel such a close bond with you. I have often felt strange about this, but you are somehow much more than just a healthcare provider hired for just a few hours of advice and service. I had such high hopes for my births, both in terms of medical choices we were able to make but also in wanting
to experience it with joy and confidence and empowerment rather than fear and frustration and regret. And, while I praise God for three wonderful, healthy, medically uncomplicated
births, the warm positive emotions that I feel when thinking about those experiences are due largely to your care and expertise.
I think the other important role you play in my mind is that you give me permission to feel the way I do about childbirth. That it is a normal, natural and healthy process that our bodies know how to do; that it is an experience to be sought after and embraced not avoided through medication or elective surgery; that it can
be a primal, empowering moment that reveals a woman's unknown strength (perhaps most of all to the new mother herself); that the experience itself can be one of the most joyous and
cherished of a woman's life, not just the painful, unavoidable process that resulted in the joy of a child. I don't know that I need permission to embrace these feelings. It's just that they are so rare among my own circle of family and friends that it's nice to have a voice in my head that validates and agrees to them. All that to say Thanks for sharing your
kind memories of me and my children. You will always hold an important and special place in my heart."
"...When I think about those days,I feel such a close bond with you. I have often felt strange about this, but you are somehow much more than just a healthcare provider hired for just a few hours of advice and service. I had such high hopes for my births, both in terms of medical choices we were able to make but also in wanting
to experience it with joy and confidence and empowerment rather than fear and frustration and regret. And, while I praise God for three wonderful, healthy, medically uncomplicated
births, the warm positive emotions that I feel when thinking about those experiences are due largely to your care and expertise.
I think the other important role you play in my mind is that you give me permission to feel the way I do about childbirth. That it is a normal, natural and healthy process that our bodies know how to do; that it is an experience to be sought after and embraced not avoided through medication or elective surgery; that it can
be a primal, empowering moment that reveals a woman's unknown strength (perhaps most of all to the new mother herself); that the experience itself can be one of the most joyous and
cherished of a woman's life, not just the painful, unavoidable process that resulted in the joy of a child. I don't know that I need permission to embrace these feelings. It's just that they are so rare among my own circle of family and friends that it's nice to have a voice in my head that validates and agrees to them. All that to say Thanks for sharing your
kind memories of me and my children. You will always hold an important and special place in my heart."
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