Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, May 04, 2007
Doula…what does it mean and where does the word come from?
A doula...
* Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life...
* Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor...
* Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth...
* Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor...
* Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions...
* Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical careproviders...
* Perceives her role as one who nutures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.
http://www.childbirth.org/articles/whatis.html
The word doula comes from Greek, and refers to a woman who personally serves another woman. Anthropologist Dana Raphael first used this term to refer to experienced mothers who assisted new mothers in breastfeeding and newborn care in the Philippines [citation needed]. Thus the term arose initially with reference to the postpartum context, and is still used in that domain. Medical researchers Marshall Klaus and John Kennell, who conducted the first of several randomized clinical trials on the medical outcomes of doula attended births, adopted the term to refer to labor support as well as prenatal and postpartum support.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doula
Types of Doulas:
Labor support doulas are trained and experienced labor support persons who attend to the emotional and physical comfort needs of laboring women to smooth the labor process. They do not perform clinical tasks such as heart rate checks, or vaginal exams but rather use massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, positioning suggestions, etc., to help labor progress as well as possible. A labor support doula joins a laboring woman either at her home or in hospital or birth center and remains with her until a few hours after the birth. In addition to emotional support, doulas work as advocates of their client’s wishes and may assist in communicating with medical staff to obtain information for the client to make informed decisions regarding medical procedures.
Postpartum doulas are trained to offer families evidence-based information and support on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from childbirth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents.
Community doulas play an important role for women at risk for complications, and those facing barriers to prenatal care. These doulas will combine the roles of labor support and postpartum doulas to offer continuous encouragement and reassurance to pregnant women with little social support. In order to form strong, trusting relationships in a social support network, it often benefits a pregnant woman to participate in both group discussions and receive individual attention. In this way, community doulas can encourage self-advocacy, teach parenting skills and motivate a teen to feel in control of her pregnancy.
Goals of social support models like the Community-based Doula Initiative, include preventing subsequent pregnancy and increasing the quality of the mother-infant bond directly after birth in order to increase the chances of secure mother-infant attachment throughout early childhood.[citation needed]
The doula is not meant to sideline or replace the father/significant other. Their respective roles are similar, but the differences are crucial. The father or partner may be better able to provide continuous support but typically has little actual experience in dealing with the often-subtle forces of the labor process. Even more important, many fathers experience the birth as an emotional journey of their own and find it hard to be objective in such a situation. Studies have shown that fathers usually participate more actively during labor with the presence of a Doula than without one.[citation needed] A responsible Doula supports and encourages the father in his support style rather than replaces him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doula
A doula...
* Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life...
* Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor...
* Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth...
* Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor...
* Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions...
* Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical careproviders...
* Perceives her role as one who nutures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.
http://www.childbirth.org/articles/whatis.html
The word doula comes from Greek, and refers to a woman who personally serves another woman. Anthropologist Dana Raphael first used this term to refer to experienced mothers who assisted new mothers in breastfeeding and newborn care in the Philippines [citation needed]. Thus the term arose initially with reference to the postpartum context, and is still used in that domain. Medical researchers Marshall Klaus and John Kennell, who conducted the first of several randomized clinical trials on the medical outcomes of doula attended births, adopted the term to refer to labor support as well as prenatal and postpartum support.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doula
Types of Doulas:
Labor support doulas are trained and experienced labor support persons who attend to the emotional and physical comfort needs of laboring women to smooth the labor process. They do not perform clinical tasks such as heart rate checks, or vaginal exams but rather use massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, positioning suggestions, etc., to help labor progress as well as possible. A labor support doula joins a laboring woman either at her home or in hospital or birth center and remains with her until a few hours after the birth. In addition to emotional support, doulas work as advocates of their client’s wishes and may assist in communicating with medical staff to obtain information for the client to make informed decisions regarding medical procedures.
Postpartum doulas are trained to offer families evidence-based information and support on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from childbirth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents.
Community doulas play an important role for women at risk for complications, and those facing barriers to prenatal care. These doulas will combine the roles of labor support and postpartum doulas to offer continuous encouragement and reassurance to pregnant women with little social support. In order to form strong, trusting relationships in a social support network, it often benefits a pregnant woman to participate in both group discussions and receive individual attention. In this way, community doulas can encourage self-advocacy, teach parenting skills and motivate a teen to feel in control of her pregnancy.
Goals of social support models like the Community-based Doula Initiative, include preventing subsequent pregnancy and increasing the quality of the mother-infant bond directly after birth in order to increase the chances of secure mother-infant attachment throughout early childhood.[citation needed]
The doula is not meant to sideline or replace the father/significant other. Their respective roles are similar, but the differences are crucial. The father or partner may be better able to provide continuous support but typically has little actual experience in dealing with the often-subtle forces of the labor process. Even more important, many fathers experience the birth as an emotional journey of their own and find it hard to be objective in such a situation. Studies have shown that fathers usually participate more actively during labor with the presence of a Doula than without one.[citation needed] A responsible Doula supports and encourages the father in his support style rather than replaces him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doula
"My Best"
By: Misty DeLuca, Doula
As the moons pass month after month
My belly and breasts swell …
Fuller and Rounder - radiating the glow of life within.
I admire the wonders of my womanly body as
My sensuous curves turn motherly
My motherly curves remain sensuous.
Finally, My day arrives.
The day woman becomes mother.
I'm frightened by the surge of energy that comes from a place deep within me I have never known before.
I need comforting,
I need support,
I need a wise woman - a mother to guide me.
As she stands motionless, I sense her presence.
She whispers for me to be strong,
To fully embrace my rite of passage.
To unite with other birthing women around the world who are also laboring with me.
Then, as the wind blows softly through my window it surrounds my body and holds me.
I feel the strength from the women of the world embrace me.
I now welcome the tremendous waves of energy my body produces.
Wave after wave after wave
My body works perfectly to birth my child.
And then, my hand reaches out and touches the unreal, the dreamed of, the perfect head of my precious child.
My baby is entering the world.
This world
So Kind and Cruel
So Joyful and Sorrowful
So Beautiful and Ugly
This is the world I have to offer my child
I vow to provide the best for my precious babe.
I will shelter, protect and nurture this gift from God.
I now offer my breast.
Full and round from months of anticipation.
Naked and ready for my babe's strong suck
I offer my breast.
I offer my best.
By: Misty DeLuca, Doula
As the moons pass month after month
My belly and breasts swell …
Fuller and Rounder - radiating the glow of life within.
I admire the wonders of my womanly body as
My sensuous curves turn motherly
My motherly curves remain sensuous.
Finally, My day arrives.
The day woman becomes mother.
I'm frightened by the surge of energy that comes from a place deep within me I have never known before.
I need comforting,
I need support,
I need a wise woman - a mother to guide me.
As she stands motionless, I sense her presence.
She whispers for me to be strong,
To fully embrace my rite of passage.
To unite with other birthing women around the world who are also laboring with me.
Then, as the wind blows softly through my window it surrounds my body and holds me.
I feel the strength from the women of the world embrace me.
I now welcome the tremendous waves of energy my body produces.
Wave after wave after wave
My body works perfectly to birth my child.
And then, my hand reaches out and touches the unreal, the dreamed of, the perfect head of my precious child.
My baby is entering the world.
This world
So Kind and Cruel
So Joyful and Sorrowful
So Beautiful and Ugly
This is the world I have to offer my child
I vow to provide the best for my precious babe.
I will shelter, protect and nurture this gift from God.
I now offer my breast.
Full and round from months of anticipation.
Naked and ready for my babe's strong suck
I offer my breast.
I offer my best.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Aimee Brill is calling all in the birthing community interested in her new program Birth Africa.
Birth Africa is a cross cultural learning program working with
midwives, mothers, and children in Northern Uganda. Through
childbirth education, midwifery training, and well-woman care,
Ugandan mothers and children will receive support in developing
greater sustainability in health and education. In return, American
midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators will learn the local
issues affecting birth, midwifery, and maternity care.
The dates of the program are flexible and range from June 4th-July
7th.
Please email us for more info: info@powerofbirth.com we will put you in touch with Aimee!!
Birth Africa is a cross cultural learning program working with
midwives, mothers, and children in Northern Uganda. Through
childbirth education, midwifery training, and well-woman care,
Ugandan mothers and children will receive support in developing
greater sustainability in health and education. In return, American
midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators will learn the local
issues affecting birth, midwifery, and maternity care.
The dates of the program are flexible and range from June 4th-July
7th.
Please email us for more info: info@powerofbirth.com we will put you in touch with Aimee!!
Guidelines for drinking alcohol when breastfeeding
Current research says that occasional use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) is not
harmful to the nursing baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics
Committee on Drugs classifies alcohol (ethanol) as a "Maternal
Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding."
Many experts recommend against drinking more than 1-2 drinks per week.
It is recommended that nursing moms avoid breastfeeding during and for
2-3 hours after drinking (Hale 2002).
There is no need to pump & dump milk after drinking alcohol, other than
for mom's comfort -- pumping & dumping does not speed the elimination of
alcohol from the milk.
Alcohol does not increase milk production, and has been shown to inhibit
let-down and decrease milk production (see below).
In general, if you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to
breastfeed. Less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother reaches
her blood and milk. Alcohol peaks in mom's blood and milk approximately
1/2-1 hour after drinking (but there is considerable variation from
person to person, depending upon how much food was eaten in the same
time period, mom's body weight and percentage of body fat, etc.).
Alcohol does not accumulate in breastmilk, but leaves the milk as it
leaves the blood; so when your blood alcohol levels are back down, so
are your milk alcohol levels.
Always keep in mind the baby's age when considering the effect of
alcohol. A newborn has a very immature liver, so minute amounts of
alcohol would be more of a burden. Up until around 3 months of age,
infants detoxify alcohol at around half the rate of an adult. An older
baby or toddler can metabolize the alcohol more quickly.
Current research says that occasional use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) is not
harmful to the nursing baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics
Committee on Drugs classifies alcohol (ethanol) as a "Maternal
Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding."
Many experts recommend against drinking more than 1-2 drinks per week.
It is recommended that nursing moms avoid breastfeeding during and for
2-3 hours after drinking (Hale 2002).
There is no need to pump & dump milk after drinking alcohol, other than
for mom's comfort -- pumping & dumping does not speed the elimination of
alcohol from the milk.
Alcohol does not increase milk production, and has been shown to inhibit
let-down and decrease milk production (see below).
In general, if you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to
breastfeed. Less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother reaches
her blood and milk. Alcohol peaks in mom's blood and milk approximately
1/2-1 hour after drinking (but there is considerable variation from
person to person, depending upon how much food was eaten in the same
time period, mom's body weight and percentage of body fat, etc.).
Alcohol does not accumulate in breastmilk, but leaves the milk as it
leaves the blood; so when your blood alcohol levels are back down, so
are your milk alcohol levels.
Always keep in mind the baby's age when considering the effect of
alcohol. A newborn has a very immature liver, so minute amounts of
alcohol would be more of a burden. Up until around 3 months of age,
infants detoxify alcohol at around half the rate of an adult. An older
baby or toddler can metabolize the alcohol more quickly.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The Business of Being Born debuts next week at the Tribeca Film Festival!
From www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tixSYS/2007/filmguide:
In this candid and eye-opening documentary, director Epstein and producer Ricki Lake explore and question the way American women have babies. Shocking facts (to men and women alike) regarding the historical and current practices of the child birthing industry interweave with stories of couples who decide to give birth on their own terms.
In 1900, 95 percent of births in the United States took place at home. By 1955, less than one percent did. The U.S. spends twice as much on maternity care as any other country, but has the second-highest infant mortality rate in the developed world. Neurological disorders in children are skyrocketing, while designer births-a scheduled C-section immediately followed by a tummy tuck-are no longer just for celebrities. Producer Ricki Lake, who gave birth to her second child in her bathtub, and director Abby Epstein (Until the Violence Stops), who became pregnant during filming, take a hard look at how birth culture in our country is in crisis, and why the solution may be midwives-who already attend over 70 percent of births in Europe and Japan, but less than eight percent in the United States. Lake and Epstein follow a New York midwife as she practices her ancient tradition with modern tools and several couples who decide to give birth on their own terms. The film simultaneously traces the obstetrics profession's century- long campaign to bring childbirth into the hospital: from blind- folds, restraints and pelvic X-rays to the disastrous histories of drugs like scopolamine, thalidomide and Cytotec and the introduction of the electronic fetal monitor, after which Cesareans went from four percent to 25 percent in a decade. As doctors become increasingly risk-averse, medical decisions are being made for all the wrong reasons and interfering with the crucial initial mother-child bond. This impassioned person- al critique of the medical-industrial complex is a plea for the rights of women and children in a system that long ago spiraled out of control.
—Ann Lewinson
For more information on the movie and show times visit:
www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tixSYS/2007/filmguide/
From www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tixSYS/2007/filmguide:
In this candid and eye-opening documentary, director Epstein and producer Ricki Lake explore and question the way American women have babies. Shocking facts (to men and women alike) regarding the historical and current practices of the child birthing industry interweave with stories of couples who decide to give birth on their own terms.
In 1900, 95 percent of births in the United States took place at home. By 1955, less than one percent did. The U.S. spends twice as much on maternity care as any other country, but has the second-highest infant mortality rate in the developed world. Neurological disorders in children are skyrocketing, while designer births-a scheduled C-section immediately followed by a tummy tuck-are no longer just for celebrities. Producer Ricki Lake, who gave birth to her second child in her bathtub, and director Abby Epstein (Until the Violence Stops), who became pregnant during filming, take a hard look at how birth culture in our country is in crisis, and why the solution may be midwives-who already attend over 70 percent of births in Europe and Japan, but less than eight percent in the United States. Lake and Epstein follow a New York midwife as she practices her ancient tradition with modern tools and several couples who decide to give birth on their own terms. The film simultaneously traces the obstetrics profession's century- long campaign to bring childbirth into the hospital: from blind- folds, restraints and pelvic X-rays to the disastrous histories of drugs like scopolamine, thalidomide and Cytotec and the introduction of the electronic fetal monitor, after which Cesareans went from four percent to 25 percent in a decade. As doctors become increasingly risk-averse, medical decisions are being made for all the wrong reasons and interfering with the crucial initial mother-child bond. This impassioned person- al critique of the medical-industrial complex is a plea for the rights of women and children in a system that long ago spiraled out of control.
—Ann Lewinson
For more information on the movie and show times visit:
www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tixSYS/2007/filmguide/
Thursday, February 15, 2007
New York City’s mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is taking a strong stand in support of breastfeeding. If his success banning smoking in restaurants and bars, and most recently banning use of trans fats in New York City restaurants is any indication, Baby Friendly is about to become the standard in the Big Apple.
Bloomberg announced this week that 2 million dollars has been slated to promote breastfeeding in city hospitals. In a city of over 8 million that may seem like a drop in the bucket but what the City has in mind is what is the real news. Bloomberg’s health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Frieden had this to say at a conference last week. “We don’t yet have any hospitals in New York City that meet national ‘baby-friendly’ standards.” He went on to say, “That means getting formula out of the nursery. It means putting the baby on the breast immediately after birth. It means that every person who interacts with that mother and child is supportive and encouraging of breast-feeding.”
I would think this was just talk. But it’s rare when Bloomberg doesn’t get what he wants. He is taking on the infant formula companies. He’s telling hospitals to keep mothers and babies together from the moment of birth. He’s telling nurses and physicians that they better be supportive and encouraging of breastfeeding. A major shake-up is on its way.
If City hospitals are Baby Friendly, can private hospitals be far behind? This is great news for New York City mothers and babies. Bravo Mayor Bloomberg!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Beware of Babywise book.
"Babywise baby care book could be dangerous" - Child magazine, August
1998
"Babywise advice linked to dehydration, failure to thrive" - "AAP News,"
April 1998
"A Tough Plan for Raising Children Draws Fire: Babywise Books Worry
Pediatricians and Others" - Washington Post, February 27, 1999
"Alarm bells went off when doctors began seeing more and more infants
who were showing signs of failure to thrive, poor weight gain, and
dehydration. When questioned about their feeding practices, many of the
parents admitted they were following Ezzo's PDF program. And though they
could see something was drastically wrong with their infants, the
parents found it hard - sometimes impossible - to blame PDF. After all,
they were following the advice of a Christian pastor and a pediatrician.
How could such experts be wrong?"
"Many members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found a great
deal wrong. In fact, in April 1998, a hundred doctors, lactation
specialists, and childcare professionals sent a letter to the AAP
contending that a number of Ezzo's statements were unsubstantiated and
false. Although it didn't name Ezzo specifically, the AAP responded by
issuing a Media Alert reaffirming its position that scheduled feedings
may put babies at risk for poor weight gain and dehydration. The
statement advised parents that "newborns should be nursed whenever they
show signs of hunger, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing,
or rooting. Crying is a late indicator of hunger. Newborns should be
nursed approximately eight to 12 times every 24 hours until satiety."
"Babywise baby care book could be dangerous" - Child magazine, August
1998
"Babywise advice linked to dehydration, failure to thrive" - "AAP News,"
April 1998
"A Tough Plan for Raising Children Draws Fire: Babywise Books Worry
Pediatricians and Others" - Washington Post, February 27, 1999
"Alarm bells went off when doctors began seeing more and more infants
who were showing signs of failure to thrive, poor weight gain, and
dehydration. When questioned about their feeding practices, many of the
parents admitted they were following Ezzo's PDF program. And though they
could see something was drastically wrong with their infants, the
parents found it hard - sometimes impossible - to blame PDF. After all,
they were following the advice of a Christian pastor and a pediatrician.
How could such experts be wrong?"
"Many members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found a great
deal wrong. In fact, in April 1998, a hundred doctors, lactation
specialists, and childcare professionals sent a letter to the AAP
contending that a number of Ezzo's statements were unsubstantiated and
false. Although it didn't name Ezzo specifically, the AAP responded by
issuing a Media Alert reaffirming its position that scheduled feedings
may put babies at risk for poor weight gain and dehydration. The
statement advised parents that "newborns should be nursed whenever they
show signs of hunger, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing,
or rooting. Crying is a late indicator of hunger. Newborns should be
nursed approximately eight to 12 times every 24 hours until satiety."
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Mark your calendars and prepare to dance the afternoon away!
Join us at Babies Rock a Baby Loves Disco benefit supporting Friends of the
Birth Center and the creation of the new Birth and Women's Health Center.
Baby Loves Disco is an afternoon dance party for moms, dads, friends,
babies, and kids up to 7 years old, featuring real music spun and mixed by
real djs blending classic disco tunes from the 70s 80s guaranteed to get
those little booties moving and grooving!
Saturday, January 20th, 2-5pm
at Southpaw, 125 5th Avenue
Park Slope, Brooklyn
$250 VIP Family Ticket (includes admission for four, an open bar, and a
gigantic gift bag for the whole family!)
$150 Family Ticket (includes admission for four)
$50 Individual Ticket
***babies under 1 are free, but everyone else needs a ticket**
Invitations will follow, but to buy tickets in advance, hear about
sponsorship opportunities, or for more information, please e-mail
becca@friendsofthebirthcenter.org.
Join us at Babies Rock a Baby Loves Disco benefit supporting Friends of the
Birth Center and the creation of the new Birth and Women's Health Center.
Baby Loves Disco is an afternoon dance party for moms, dads, friends,
babies, and kids up to 7 years old, featuring real music spun and mixed by
real djs blending classic disco tunes from the 70s 80s guaranteed to get
those little booties moving and grooving!
Saturday, January 20th, 2-5pm
at Southpaw, 125 5th Avenue
Park Slope, Brooklyn
$250 VIP Family Ticket (includes admission for four, an open bar, and a
gigantic gift bag for the whole family!)
$150 Family Ticket (includes admission for four)
$50 Individual Ticket
***babies under 1 are free, but everyone else needs a ticket**
Invitations will follow, but to buy tickets in advance, hear about
sponsorship opportunities, or for more information, please e-mail
becca@friendsofthebirthcenter.org.
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