tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.comments2023-04-13T09:06:08.689-07:00Radical MidwifeLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903424474606383894noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-15906430832967452542012-02-11T05:50:09.128-08:002012-02-11T05:50:09.128-08:00dear we don't even have midwifery care in my c...dear we don't even have midwifery care in my country, childbearing is regulated by obstetricians.<br /><br />No antenatal care is provided by midwives because they are not allowed.<br /><br />Almost all births are induced and if not augmented, we are always so ecstatic when we have a natural childbirth. Our c-section rate is 30%, induction and augmentation rate much higher.<br /><br />We are not allowed to practice independently and home births do not exist except by accident. <br /><br />Midwifery led care is non existent.<br /><br />Birth centres do not exist.<br /><br />I wish I can do something, but I am 24, what can I do. I am currently planning to bring about change and introduce midwifery led care, I know it is going to take a lot of time an effort but I am determined. If you have any tips I would love to hear them.<br /><br />Giliane<br /><br />http://thesimplethingsinlife2012.blogspot.com/Mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00683477701369152438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-80779821026458296752012-01-22T17:08:28.642-08:002012-01-22T17:08:28.642-08:00Which wooden one has handles? I've also read t...Which wooden one has handles? I've also read that it's better to have a birth stool which is at an upward angle by 15 degrees. I'm trying to decide which one to buy as well...Olahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10975964538670842561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-21015615930504402632012-01-20T07:30:05.961-08:002012-01-20T07:30:05.961-08:00Thank you for posting this. As a doula I am alway...Thank you for posting this. As a doula I am always looking for good information on circumcisions to pass on to my clients. I am the proud momma to twin boys. Both uncircumcised.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-49265544168848374382011-10-19T09:07:43.433-07:002011-10-19T09:07:43.433-07:00I'm wondering what you learned when you visite...I'm wondering what you learned when you visited? I completely agree with you on this. Having spent some time in Peru shadowing a local nurse midwife I've seen this first hand. I am working on writing a paper on this topic and would love any resources or extra information you may have collected. Thanks!<br />Lisa<br />(Midwifery Student)lisa.c.miltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09017292424123044528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-55407979048308373632011-08-23T09:24:54.286-07:002011-08-23T09:24:54.286-07:00Well said. Here in the UK it is not standard pract...Well said. Here in the UK it is not standard practise to cut babies, and it's the same across Europe. To be cut is seen as kinda odd- people don't understand why anyone would do it. After all, there are thousands of men who haven't been cut, and they don't have any medical issues to report, and nor do they have issues with being 'dirty' down there. So why do it?!<br />Zion<br />http://mammasforvictory.blogspot.comZion Lightshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02068262746840238233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-53388703059878871092011-08-01T07:16:20.426-07:002011-08-01T07:16:20.426-07:00Lovely post. I was under the care of several midwi...Lovely post. I was under the care of several midwives when I had to stay in hospital with my early baby, and they were all like angels to me. Yet they were also the most overworked people I have ever met. Love to you all xZion Lightshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02068262746840238233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-39801197425052394262011-06-03T08:53:02.187-07:002011-06-03T08:53:02.187-07:00Absolutely. I run every birth over and over again ...Absolutely. I run every birth over and over again in my head. Even great outcomes. I will find myself wondering if I should have used more intervention or less, if I talked too much or didn't encourage the mother enough. If I had done x, y, or z could a transport have been prevented? Because of x, y, or z, should we have actually transported even though the birth ended well? I agree that this is very hard. I thought, as a student, that by the time I got to practicing that I would feel really wise and wouldn't question myself. Not true. I question myself a whole lot more as a midwife than I ever did as a student :)Trying Hardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11471025719379938623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-80379888772741059152011-03-19T10:18:45.445-07:002011-03-19T10:18:45.445-07:00I talk to so many moms prenatally and they are no...I talk to so many moms prenatally and they are not being told the truth. Most of the time if they ask about VBAC or Dr mentions VBAC at all they are told something similar to, "You could do that and it is an option but you will be risking abruption and it is possible that your baby and/or you could die so you need to think about it." So typically all of the information they are offered is fear-based. The same happens with inductions and post-dates. I have had clients tell me that they would never wait as long as I did for Petra to be born because they wouldn't risk their babies health like that. It is fear-based information and not enough parents do their own research. They want to trust and believe their physicians.Karindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18283416426310195644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-38437774840835020782011-02-17T23:16:06.222-08:002011-02-17T23:16:06.222-08:00A Babe in the Woods,
There is a new VBAC support ...A Babe in the Woods,<br /><br />There is a new VBAC support group forming, I believe. If you email me, I can give you the email of the gal who is starting it up. lennon @ motherbabymidwifery . com (without the spaces)<br /><br />I'm sure it is frustrating to hear midwives say 'just do the brewer diet'. I am not a believer that the brewer diet is the cure-all. In fact, to the contrary, I think that true pre-e is pretty rare (thankfully!), and THAT is why so many midwives don't see it (while they believe it is due to the brewer diet). I think it is important, of course, for all pregnant mothers to have enough calories, and yes, protein, but I don't push the brewer diet. <br /><br />Good for you for researching and figuring out how to give yourself the best chance at a healthy pregnancy next time. I hope your next pregnancy is smooth and easy, along with your birth!Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01903424474606383894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-20196295018966356182011-02-17T22:40:01.781-08:002011-02-17T22:40:01.781-08:00I'm very new to the area and am in the process...I'm very new to the area and am in the process of planning my next pregnancy. I hope to be pregnant by the end of 2011. During my first and only pregnancy in 2007, my midwife diagnosed me with pre-e at 32 weeks and I had an emergency c-section (like a bonafide, all hands on deck emergency). I know my VBAC wishes will be an uphill battle and sometimes I wonder whether I should even bother hoping for one, considering my history. If I can stay healthy during my next pregnancy, I hope to have an HBAC so I won't have to worry about fighting the stupid hospital system here. At the same time, I really worry about my options. Since my experience, I've studied pre-e like crazy and some of recommendations I've heard from midwives truly scare me. For example, if one more midwife tells me that the Brewer Diet is a good idea for someone like me, I'll scream. So for me, it sometimes feels like I'm either stuck with a scheduled c-section at some awful hospital or stuck with taking my chances with a potentially undereducated midwife. <br /><br />Something I've noticed here in the Salem area is that there aren't a whole lot of support groups for mothers who are interested in homebirth, VBAC or HBAC. For example, where I used to live, a local doula started a cloth diapering and babywearing meetup on Meetup.com. Those topics attracted moms who *might* be interested in homebirth or at least homebirth-curious. By hosting the group, the doula was able to increase her business and spread accurate information to the group and the members were able to connect with like-minded moms. It was a really wonderful group. The focus was cloth diapering, but birth options were always discussed openly and honestly. I'm sure more than a few hospital-birthing moms jumped on the homebirth wagon becuase of the group. Another midwife hosted a "Gentle Birth" group on Meetup and was able to connect with homebirth-curious families that way. Again, it was a great resource for both the members and the midwife.<br /><br />When I moved here, I was a bit bummed by the comparative lack of similar groups. I can only locate one mom's group and it doesn't seem very active. So this might not be a question of "where are the mothers" but more a problem of getting us organized, engaged, and educated. Instead of worrying about what caregivers are telling their patients, why not start more groups that encourage mothers to educate each other and share experiences? That kind of dialogue can lead to real change, especially if midwives are involved.A Babe in the Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01629043616540890579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-67180957836330311212011-02-17T22:38:16.921-08:002011-02-17T22:38:16.921-08:00I'm very new to the area and am in the process...I'm very new to the area and am in the process of planning my next pregnancy. I hope to be pregnant by the end of 2011. During my first and only pregnancy in 2007, my midwife diagnosed me with pre-e at 32 weeks and I had an emergency c-section (like a bonafide, all hands on deck emergency). I know that my VBAC wishes will be an uphill battle. If I can stay healthy during my next pregnancy, I hope to have an HBAC so I won't have to worry about fighting the stupid hospital system here. At the same time, I really worry about my options. Since my experience, I've studied pre-e like crazy and some of recommendations I've heard from midwives truly scare me. For example, if one more midwife tells me that the Brewer Diet is a good idea, I'll scream. So for me, it sometimes feels like I'm either stuck with a scheduled c-section at some awful hospital or stuck with taking my chances with a potentially undereducated midwife. <br /><br />Something I've noticed here in the Salem area is that there aren't a whole lot of support groups for mothers who are interested in homebirth, VBAC or HBAC. For example, where I used to live, a local doula started a cloth diapering and babywearing meetup on Meetup.com. Those topics attracted moms who *might* be interested in homebirth or at least homebirth-curious. By hosting the group, the doula was able to increase her business and spread accurate information to the group and the members were able to connect with like-minded moms. It was a really wonderful group. The focus was cloth diapering, but birth options were always discussed openly and honestly. I'm sure more than a few hospital-birthing moms jumped on the homebirth wagon becuase of the group. Another midwife hosted a "Gentle Birth" group on Meetup and was able to connect with homebirth-curious families that way. Again, it was a great resource for both the members and the midwife.<br /><br />When I moved here, I was a bit bummed by the comparative lack of similar groups. I can only locate one mom's group and it doesn't seem very active. So this might not be a question of "where are the mothers" but more a problem of getting us organized, engaged, and educated. Instead of worrying about what caregivers are telling their patients, why not start more groups that encourage mothers to educate each other and share experiences? That kind of dialogue can lead to real change, especially if midwives are involved.A Babe in the Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01629043616540890579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-45958528496189594372011-01-22T20:31:05.219-08:002011-01-22T20:31:05.219-08:00This is a great point... we can't just blame t...This is a great point... we can't just blame the hospitals for high-C/s rate. After all, who is giving them that business? and WHY?AJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04100932151088312851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-59225083775759804972011-01-17T13:05:32.601-08:002011-01-17T13:05:32.601-08:00I had my first son as a c-section because he was o...I had my first son as a c-section because he was occiput posterior and would NOT move despite TONS of re-positioning and attempts by my doctor to physically manipulate him from both inside and outside... I also had not used any drugs and had been walking around at home until two hours prior to pushing. I hope to have my second baby as a VBAC and will do whatever i can to make this happen... But the concept of home birth makes me shutter. I am sure there are wonderful home birth experiences for some women, but i remember the last hour of my labor and by the time they sent me in for a c-section my son's heart rate was dropping and i felt like i was being tortured/murdered internally. The thought of having to stay like that for 40 minutes while waiting for an ambulance to come to my home and get back to the hospital.. and me and my pain aside.. my son wouldn't have made it. I feel like home birth is placing a huge gamble on the health of you and baby... why would ANYONE want to risk this?? There is a reason for medical technology. Sometimes it is abused and overused... but overall it is a good thing and has helped a lot of people. Like me! Maybe the reason most mothers don't want home births is because of reasons like this...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684831027372045539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-46103668161846848472011-01-17T11:14:37.391-08:002011-01-17T11:14:37.391-08:00As a doula and CBE who just moved to the area I c...As a doula and CBE who just moved to the area I couldn't agree more! I work HARD to make sure every one of my students and clients understands the current birth culture and choices they can make to help them stay on the natural birth/vaginal birth path. But I have asked myself the same question in even finding students and clients: What are women being told by their caregivers?Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08096049740420846257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-22392906104160473752010-12-21T16:31:01.707-08:002010-12-21T16:31:01.707-08:00I loved these details about ECing with a second ch...I loved these details about ECing with a second child. I learned about EC from living in China, and actually didn't realize that it was a "thing" in the U.S. until I got pregnant and started googling "babies naked China split pants", or some such combination:) Thanks for posting this!RShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03864234912553495922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-83867075068196657062010-12-12T22:32:59.162-08:002010-12-12T22:32:59.162-08:00What a great post! I love hearing about the second...What a great post! I love hearing about the second round of EC! <br /><br />With Kaius, we found out about EC when he was 8 weeks old, and would probably have qualified as part-timers until he turned 15 months. We had just moved, and it seemed like a last stance type of thing to me...I wasn't seeing that much reward, and with constant moving etc... I was extremely tempted to just give up on the whole thing. We basically gave one more full-hearted try...packed up the diapers and switched to underwear... and lots of potty breaks...and within two weeks, I had a diaper-free baby! I may not have thought part-time EC was doing much...especially with all the potty-pauses we experienced!...but whoa...no diaper at all at 15 1/2 months?! Too awesome for words! <br /><br />Now, at 23 months, Kaius not only takes himself potty without any suggestion or encouragement, but he does so on the big adult potty! It's amazing to see him scooting around his stool to turn on the light, climb the toilet, and then wash hands all by himself! It makes me wonder why EVERYONE isn't onboard!<br /><br />We're planning a second child for sometime in the next two years, and I can't help but wonder how EC will go. I obviously don't want to go overboard, but I can't help but think of all the little ways we could have helped Kaius become diaper-free even earlier! Of course, next go around, I'll also have a busy preschooler on my hands ;-)momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11026621787146934605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-26299997782299177892010-12-12T11:42:01.941-08:002010-12-12T11:42:01.941-08:00I heard of EC when my daughter was almost 4 months...I heard of EC when my daughter was almost 4 months old and had already been trained to go in her diaper. Poops were easier to catch from the beginning since she always seemed gassy for a few minutes beforehand. We did lots of diaper free time over an old blankie with a pot nearby, but for months she wouldn't even bat an eye when she started eliminating. From 7-20 months almost every poop was on the potty! Pees were still hit or miss until around 13 months when it seemed to click for her and she would run to the bathroom to pee. It usually ended up trickling out on the way, but she was aware!! <br />She regressed a bit when I left my husband and had to start her part time in a wonderful in-home daycare at 21 months. But now- FINALLY- at 27 months she's diaper free most of the time. I have my mattress set up much like yours is and put her in babylegs and a shirt to sleep. I suspect she has a sore throat right now as she's been asking to nurse frequently during the day and waking to nurse at night which, of course, results in more pees. But she is able to hold it in the car or when we're out until I can get her to a toilet which is fantastic. I definitely plan on starting from the get-go with any future babies so I don't have to work at reversing the diaper-training like I did with my daughter.<br />Thank you so much for sharing your journey! Your son's rolls are scrumptous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-87650914685018983412010-12-12T11:18:26.737-08:002010-12-12T11:18:26.737-08:00I didn't learn about ec until my daughter was ...I didn't learn about ec until my daughter was older (I think 7 months). I had heard about diaper free babies but only in the sensational media way. I wish we could have started earlier as poops were hard for us until 18 months, and I think starting early would have helped that. You have a similar attitude to me about ECing and work, I think it all balances out. There is no doubt our recent family trip was easier because my 23 month old can use any potty and I didn't have to bring anything, bliss! At 12 months changing a dozen or more diapers a day when my friends maybe went through 3 or 4 I did feel a bit crazy.Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05538717076887406701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-29720808282782901042010-06-09T14:11:06.854-07:002010-06-09T14:11:06.854-07:00yeah... it was weird to me reading the info on the...yeah... it was weird to me reading the info on the girls' policy... I was thinking... but can no one see that it's the same with boys??!!<br /><br />I am afraid that they are going to change their boys policy again if a belief develops that it will help to prevent HIV transmission... :(mitchsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245175550951773370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-88779224511438525852010-05-27T22:18:34.766-07:002010-05-27T22:18:34.766-07:00What a beautiful birth story!What a beautiful birth story!Dairy Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470855218405679019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-60460166416649134372010-05-27T15:59:38.372-07:002010-05-27T15:59:38.372-07:00OH our local RANZCOG (or RANCID as I think of them...OH our local RANZCOG (or RANCID as I think of them....) are having the Conversation about "ritual nicks" soon. FFS. *headdesk*Marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01161155918366559437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-72635244739652363292010-05-24T09:48:53.380-07:002010-05-24T09:48:53.380-07:00Oh how horrible! :(
Yes, this other sort of cutt...Oh how horrible! :(<br /><br />Yes, this other sort of cutting is just as important. Have you seen Lisa Barrett's recent blog post? http://www.homebirth.net.au/2010/05/could-it-happen-at-your-hospital.htmlLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01903424474606383894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-13400508809948722002010-05-24T09:27:11.348-07:002010-05-24T09:27:11.348-07:00Thank you for posting this. And what a beautiful b...Thank you for posting this. And what a beautiful blog photo banner.<br />I clicked to see your post with another kind of cutting in mind. I have recently met a woman, now a mother herself, who was horribly cut along her back while she was being born. She was breech you see, and labor was progressing well when her mother arrived at the hospital. They were rushed to the OR for an emergency cesarean - "To save her from injury" I'm sure. Her scar is so deep that I assume she was cut to her ribs. She's had two natural births of her own. I can hardly breathe, though, telling this story, remembering her eyes, her scar and the baby in her wrap. Mothers and babies experiencing breech in America, there is a spectrum of care and beliefs, safe breech birth is likly to be possible, don't assume a cesarean is necessary unless there is something besides a simple breech fetal position...Spinning Babies Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06601761455551654857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-47479336794354961392010-05-23T16:52:56.324-07:002010-05-23T16:52:56.324-07:00I AGREE. We MUST stop the cutting. This makes me s...I AGREE. We MUST stop the cutting. This makes me so mad and so angry that it's even still going on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38021290.post-75595105691526495542010-05-23T10:24:16.691-07:002010-05-23T10:24:16.691-07:00http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlsUg0sdAtEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlsUg0sdAtELhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01903424474606383894noreply@blogger.com