Many childbirth books offer a picture of the birth process that has been influenced by the medical model as a standard. "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" describes birth as a physiological process, with respect to the many variations of natural (unmedicated) vaginal birth. I consider this book to be a must-read for anyone who desires … Continue reading Book Review: “Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth” by Ina May Gaskin
Ever wondered how to make a belly cast? This is a fun idea for the last few weeks of the the third trimester (or after baby’s Guess Date has come and gone) when your belly is as abundant as it’ll ever be, and you’re waiting on baby to make his or her arrival among us … Continue reading How To Make a Pregnancy Belly Cast
We can all learn quite a few helpful things from "Cut, Stapled, and Mended: When One Woman Reclaimed Her Body and Gave Birth on Her Own Terms After Cesarean" -- the memoir of a woman fighting for a vaginal birth after cesarean, and finding her authentic self in the process. First, it reminds of the importance … Continue reading Book Review: “Cut, Stapled, and Mended” by Roanna Rosewood
So you're wondering -- what exactly are doula prenatal/postnatal visits all about? As every doula is unique, so is the outline for visits, the number offered, content covered, and overall feel. As a Birth Boot Camp Doula, I prefer to call these "birth plan visits" to avoid confusion with a care provider's prenatal and postpartum … Continue reading What Happens at Doula Visits?
You might have heard of postpartum doulas and thought, "I've got family nearby and friends who will probably visit, so I don't have the need." It's true that relatives and friends are tremendous assets to the postpartum support network. But here's the thing: sometimes we may feel obligated to entertain or host guests who arrive … Continue reading How is Postpartum Doula Care Different From Friend & Family Help?
