Plaque for Every Birth Room

I attended a doula workshop on VBAC this weekend. This excerpt from Dutch professor of obstetrics G. Kloosterman really made sense to me:

Spontaneous labour in a normal woman is an event marked by a number of processes so complicated and so perfectly attuned to each other that any interference will only detract from the optimal character. The only thing required from the bystanders is that they show respect for this awe-inspiring process by complying with the first rule of medicine--nil nocere [Do no harm].

I personally believe that Western obstetrics could learn something from the Netherlands’ model of care since they have one of the highest percentages of home births and one of the lowest percentages of C-section rates and perinatal and maternal mortality in the world.

NOCIRC Video

The National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers has posted a very informative video on their website (www.nocirc.org). I highly recommend watching it if you are wanting more information about circumcision of boys. They state the following on their site:

What you need to know...

No national or international medical association recommends routine circumcision.

Only the USA circumcises the majority of newborn boys without medical or religious reason.

Medicalized circumcision began during the 1800s to prevent masturbation, which was believed to cause disease.

Today's parents are learning that the foreskin is a normal, protective, functioning organ.

Today's parents realize circumcision harms and has unnecessary risks.

Circumcision denies a male's right to genital integrity and choice for his own body.

Beautiful VBAC Story

My Journey to a VBAC from Lindsey Meehleis on Vimeo.

Birth #5

I attended my 5th birth last week. This was my last birth for certification through Birth Arts International.

The mom visited with her doctor on Tuesday and wasn't dilated at all. Then she calls me on Friday morning at 1:30 to say that she is having regular contractions. She calls me back at 3:30 am to say that she wants me to come over. On the way to her house, her husband calls to say that they are going to the hospital and to meet them there. We walk around the hospital parking lot for about 1.5 hours until she wants to be admitted where they find her at 9 cm!! She delivers a beautiful baby girl 3 hours later!!

Did I mention that is was my first VBAC, too? Gotta love it!

Doula Video

My 3rd & 4th Births!

The third birth I attended was another special one...it was my first vaginal birth!  This first time mom arrived at the hospital 7 cm dilated and gave birth 5.5 hours later!  It was a very "easy" birth for me which was good because just 6 days later, I attend birth #4!

Caden

Tobias

Doulas

I know that I am not the only doula who feels this way...

Between births, sometimes I get the feeling of amazement that couples pay me to attend their births. It is such an honor for me to help couples through their birthing experience that I sometimes forget what a blessing it is for the couple to have someone present who is compassionate, knowledgeable and consistently advocating for their ideal birth.

I received a thank-you note today from a family that brought tears to my eyes:

Dear Erica,

I cannot thank you enough for the service you have provided since my husband and I decided to have you as our doula. Your passion for what you do, your knowledge and skills, and the calmness of your personality all contribute to the excellent job you performed, especially on the day when our baby was ready to come out and meet us. Thank you for being there for me, my husband and our baby. Having you as a wonderful part of this beautiful birth experience will be something for us to cherish for the rest of our lives.

May God bless you and your family abundantly!

This thank you letter is not only for me. It is for all of the doulas out there that forget what an important job we are doing. It is to remind us all that our services provide not only a lifetime of positive memories for families but also our compassion for beautiful births ripples through the community in so ways.