Oct 15, 2012 | blog, Featured |
Stands for “artificial rupture of membranes.” This means that the bag of waters is released on purpose by your doctor or midwife. It is done with an amniohook and does not hurt at all as the amniotic sac does not contain nerves. Reasons for doing this may be to...
Sep 25, 2012 | blog, Featured
There is no hard and fast rule on this but some experienced and busy doulas may be booked many months in advance. You want time to be able to meet, get to know your doula, and prepare for the labor and birth. Most doulas meet with you two times, often in your home. ...
Sep 15, 2012 | blog, Featured
Although epidurals are the best anesthesia modern day obstetrics has to offer, they are not perfect and they do not come without risk. Many women choose to get an epidural the same way they would choose to take Tylenol for a headache. An epidural, however, is a bit...
Sep 5, 2012 | blog, Featured
Using a birth ball (exercise ball) can be helpful during pregnancy and during labor. Sitting on the ball keeps the pelvis flexible and open. It also puts the body in a modified and supported squat position which helps create just a little bit more room for baby. ...
Aug 15, 2012 | blog, Featured
Changing your care provider, (doctor or midwife), actually happens more than you would think. It often seems to occur in the later weeks of pregnancy. Many women find that as they get closer to delivery they are not getting the support of their care provider...
Jul 25, 2012 | blog, Featured
Somewhere along the way it became normal for a laboring woman to lie down and remain in bed as labor progressed. Ask any woman in labor, lying down is NOT comfortable, especially on your back! Get off the bed. You will feel so much better getting off your back and...
Jul 18, 2012 | blog, Featured
Pushing is referred to as the second stage of labor. For mothers delivering their first baby it is common to push for 1-3 hours. This first baby is a “trail blazer” and works hard to make his or her way down the birth path. If a woman chooses to have a second baby,...
Jul 15, 2012 | blog, Featured
The Apgar score is done at one and five minutes old and at ten minutes if necessary. It is usually done without you even realizing it. A nurse will assess your baby at one minute old, often just visually, and assign a score from 0-10 points. She will do the same at...
Jul 11, 2012 | blog, Featured
True. The baby is the only one with a “plan” and everyone else follows along, doing their best to keep up. Some birth professionals claim that a patient with a birth plan has a ticket straight to the O.R. for a Cesarean delivery. Others say the patients with birth...
