Support is...

Support Is..

Unconditional.

It is Listening…

Not judging and telling your own story.

Support is not offering advice…

It is offering a handkerchief, a touch, a hug…caring.

We are here to help women discover what they are feeling…

Not to make the feelings go away.

We are here to help a woman identify her options…

Not to tell her which options to choose.

We are here to discuss steps with a woman…

Not to take the steps for her.

We are here to help a woman discover her own strength…

Not to rescue her and leave her still vulnerable.

We are here to help a woman discover that she can help herself…

Not to take that responsibility for her.

We are here to help a woman learn to choose…

Not to make unnecessary for her to make difficult decisions.

-Anonymous

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