Monthly Archives: October 2008

Quote for thought

Posted on October 31, 2008 by gloria

“Dr. Dermot W. McDonald of the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, Ireland suggested that the medicolegal pressure to perform a cesarean may abate only when mothers begin suing physicians for assault, alleging that they were not given fully informed consent… … Continue reading →

Posted in VBAC Very Beautiful & Courageous | 1 Comment

Miscarriage

Posted on October 29, 2008 by gloria

There Is A Brokenness by Rashani   There is brokenness out of which comes the unbroken, A shatteredness out of which blooms the unshatterable. There is a sorrow Beyond all grief which leads to joy And a fragility Out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscarriage | 7 Comments

Breech

Posted on October 28, 2008 by gloria

In breech birth, the first stage should be progressing smoothly. If you have a start and stop first stage, that may be a signal that the second (pushing) stage will be the same way. You do not want this scenario … Continue reading →

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education | 2 Comments

After the Birth, what a family needs

Posted on October 28, 2008 by gloria

 “Let me know if I can help you in any way when the baby is born.” … “Just let me know if you need a hand.” … “Anything I can do, just give me a call.” Most pregnant women get … Continue reading →

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education, Homebirth | 31 Comments

Linking with the lactation consultant community

Posted on October 27, 2008 by gloria

One of the (many) problems about becoming obsessed with the birth of babies is that the community tends to revolve around a limited number of participants.  I’m an Advisory Board member of ICAN and I scan the huge email list to … Continue reading →

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education, VBAC Very Beautiful & Courageous | Leave a comment

Cord pulsing policies

Posted on October 23, 2008 by gloria

I’ve just been reading on the Lactnet list that the Swedes are implementing a policy of leaving the umbilical cord to pulse for three minutes after birth in order to prevent anemia in infants.  This is in accordance with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education, Homebirth, Intact umbilical cord | 4 Comments

Living exposed

Posted on October 18, 2008 by gloria

In the birthing community, women study, read and generally try to “know it all” in order to avoid being humiliated or gossiped about.  Much of what we think is fact is absolutely ridiculous but it’s spouted and re-spouted like the … Continue reading →

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education | 10 Comments

Look at These Hands

Posted on October 14, 2008 by gloria

Look at These Hands By Mary Conant, R.N., Statement to the press May 25, 1994, Third International Symposium on Circumcision, University of Maryland Look at these hands. These hands have taken a newborn baby from his mother’s safe warm breast … Continue reading →

Posted in Intactivism | 5 Comments

Membrane release before birth sensations begin, what to do?

Posted on October 13, 2008 by gloria

1. Drink plenty of fluids. Minimum: 8 glasses spaced throughout the day. Purified water with lemon squeezed in it is good. 2. Allow nothing in vagina. No fingers, no tampons, no oral-genital contact, no bath water, no swimming pool water, … Continue reading →

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education | 3 Comments

Recipe for a cesarean section

Posted on October 11, 2008 by gloria

1 nice, well behaved woman 1 impatient obstetrician ½ doula Minced birth plan 2 tsp prostaglandin gel 2 tbsp pitocin (do not use the authentic oxytocin) Mix together slowly, monitoring as you go along.  Once pain is intolerable, add   … Continue reading →

Posted in VBAC Very Beautiful & Courageous | 7 Comments