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The Postpartum Doula
In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order-Carl Jung The Postpartum Period Melody, a new mom who had just given birth, described her postpartum experience as difficult: She had a Cesarean section and described lifting as a challenge. She went on to explain the difficulty of breastfeeding and how she had to rely on other family members to help her with household chores while she battled postpartum depression. Melody is just one example of what many women experience after giving birth. Often described as chaos, the postpartum period deserves reflection. In the U.S, women are sent home with a newborn just briefly after giving…
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When the Bough Breaks -Documentary on Postpartum Depression
Review of When The Bough Breaks I recently had the opportunity to view a documentary on postpartum depression and psychosis. As a doula who provides support to women during the perinatal period, the information in this film provided a great starting place for the recognition of the characteristics of postpartum depression, an important and lesser recognized condition found in approximately 20 percent of women who have given birth in the United States. What is Postpartum Depression? This documentary addresses the difficult subject of recognizing and managing postpartum depression and the less common but more severe symptoms of postpartum psychosis. Throughout this film, different women struggle with postpartum depression…
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Freedom to birth with your unique female pelvis
Your Unique Female Pelvis I had the opportunity to attend an interesting midwifery class discussing the 4 different female pelvic shapes. Each woman is endowed with her own unique shape – variations of these 4. The midwife giving the discussion was quite experienced in recognizing pelvises. It was funny how she could identify whether a woman had an Android, a Platypelloid, Anthropoid,or a Gynecoid pelvic shape based on how she walked and moved. The take away from the discussion was encouragement! A woman can successfully birth a baby with whatever type of pelvis she possesses. The midwife further demonstrated optimal positions most women naturally chose to birth in with…
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Choosing Your Birth Place
Today, many expectant mothers are able to choose their birth place between hospital, home, or birth center. Being informed about these options will help you have the birth experience you desire. Hospital Setting: A hospital is the most common birth option. You have access to doctors who specialize in obstetrics. They are most experienced with high risk pregnancy and birth situations. If you wish to schedule routine tests to reach your comfort level, an obstetric care provider can furnish you with a variety during your pregnancy. You will also have access to epidural anesthesia and sedatives on demand during your labor. Some hospital settings may also provide you with CNMs…
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Relationship with an Expectant Mom- The Doula’s Role
WHO Recommendations: A Doula’s Role Birth is so much more than a change of address for baby. It affects mothers holistically and mothers deserve holistic care. The World Health Organization recently recognized this need through their Safe Childbirth Checklist. A doula’s role for every woman giving birth is part of their healthy practice recommendations. The research for doulas has concluded that continuous support provided during labor significantly improves birth outcomes for both mother and baby. The benefits of having a doula present include: an increased apgar score for baby a decreased chance of the mother undergoing a c-section a decrease in the mother’s request for pain-relieving medication an increase…
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Labor Hormones: Your body’s incredible pain relievers
The wonders of your body’s pain relieving orchestra of labor hormones. Labor may bring the thought of intense physiological endurance with perhaps little to ease the discomfort of laboring and pushing a tiny human out of your body. This picture of labor doesn’t have to be your reality. Your body is equipped with an amazing orchestra of hormones designed specifically to relieve and energize your body during labor. Knowing how to harness these natural pain relievers could be the difference between being overwhelmed during labor and being empowered to run this incredible marathon. What hormones is your body producing during labor? Great question! Estrogen – This hormone tones your uterus preparing…
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Epidurals for Labor Pain Relief
Information on different epidurals for labor pain relief, epidural package insert link, video of administering an epidural, and concerns using epidurals.
