What to Talk About?

I have been utterly swamped. In trying to find yet more ways to support the family, alas, this blog and our birth website, organic-birth.com, have been neglected. We have been through a rather rough patch. My husband has developed more health issues and we've been going through all sorts of tests for him. His dad, my wonderful father-in-law, passed away on February 2. Needless to say, it has been a bit stressful around here.

In the meantime, I have seen posts about cesarean rates by state, breastfeeding once again being attacked by Facebook and a possible resulting lawsuit, and a study showing that elementary school kids in Glasgow overwhelmingly believe that it is okay for husbands to strike wives "if the wife did something to deserve it," like have an affair (admittedly bad, but still), or was late getting dinner on the table. That is just the tip of the iceberg. Sheesh. What's a blogger to do? With so many different topics screaming to be written about, how can I fit it in my busy day?

I am working on more book reviews and an art project review for our website. I hope to have at least one posted by the end of this week. I also posted a copy of my article that was published in the Winter 2009 issue of Midwifery Today. You can read it here.

Review: The Doula Guide to Birth

The Doula Guide to Birth
Ananda Lowe & Rachel Zimmerman
2009; 270 pages

Having been a doula myself, I eagerly dived into this book. Knowing how beneficial a doula can be to a laboring couple, I wanted to see that unique perspective in written form. I was not disappointed. I do feel that in explaining and praising all the benefits doulas can give, the authors almost went overboard. At times I felt like I was reading a very long commercial.

Even so, once I got into the heart of the book, I clearly saw its merits. This book is written for the mainstream pregnant woman. The woman who will be birthing at the hospital and may be overwhelmed by all the protocols and rules she finds herself faced with. I was that woman once, so I found a way to relate to the women telling their stories in this book. The quotes from real parents that illustrate the points really do help make it all real.

Coming from my now non-mainstream mentality, I was happy to see so many different ways to cope with contractions. From epidurals to massage and belly dancing, Ananda and Rachel really explained all of the options open to birthing women. I loved the chapter on unplanned epidurals and cesareans. These things happen. You may not be prepared for how you will feel afterwards. Grief and healing are discussed at length to help women faced with these issues.

Birth plans and birth essays are explained in detail. I had never heard of a birth essay, but I can surely see their benefit for opening up the lines of communication with your care givers about your emotional needs. While I did not agree with everything in this book, I can certainly see its benefits. How I wish a book like this were available when I was having my first baby. Instead, I had "What to Expect When You're Expecting." This book puts that one to shame. Instead of teaching moms how to be a good patient, The Doula Guide to Birth opens up your eyes to the possibilities of what you can do in any birthing situation.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A New Year

Wow... I just noticed I haven't posted here since late December. I admit I've been a bit busy. I'm writing a book. I still have my day job. I'm taking care of hubby's medical issues. Oh and there are the kids, who have still been fighting this on again, off again flu.

I am keeping track of my journey to publication at Always Do Write. I have come to terms with the fact that I will probably never be a real midwife... not enough time or transportation to support an apprenticeship. But I think I'm okay with that. I can write about my passion about birth as easily as anyone else.

One of my new resolutions (and I almost never make them) is to keep up with blogging more frequently. It is not only a way to vent but to share information, share articles an such that I write and more. I really appreciate those who took the time to follow me. It is very sweet of you. :) Thank you. I hope you enjoy reading what I have to say.

Anyway, happy new year. 2010 is already starting out with a bang. More than one of my friends are starting the year with husbands who are not long for this world. My heart goes out to them. My father in law won't be here much longer either according to his doctors. My own husband is getting more fragile with each passing year and I'm not ready for that yet. So, this will be a year of growth and change for a lot of us.

May we all be blessed with abundance, love and prosperity this year. May we all embrace each other in support and may 2010 be the year that birthing women get some respect.

Ringing in the New

The year is almost over. This year has been full of new studies promoting the safety of homebirth. It has been full of ACOG and the AMA fighting against midwives. The cesarean rate continues to climb and women all over are being denied any choice in how their babies will be born.

As they say, it is always darkest before the dawn. If women are going to be able to have any say at all in how they give birth, they must continue to speak up. Ask questions. Don't accept condescending answers. You're the one hiring the doctor, not the other way around. They work for YOU.

I was reading on the My OB Said What? site and today they posted a response where the OB told the laboring mother "You wouldn't tell a pilot how to fly a plane, would you?" I'd like to turn that right around on them. What gives them the authority to tell a woman she must lay on her back with her legs in the air and push uphill? Women's bodies are designed to give birth. If we listen to what our bodies tell us, most of us will end up in positions that work WITH gravity, not AGAINST it. Women should be piloting their births... the doctor can't tell when a woman's body is urging her to rock her hips back and forth or when she needs to stand and lean on something.

Let's make 2010 the year of the Birthing Mother. Let's help women get the autonomy they need for healthy births and healthy babies!