We're "nothing" here in the Karen household. Or as we like to say, secular humanists. I was raised in a religious upbringing, my husband was not. As I came into adulthood, my experiences and exposure to different people and ideas changes my views on some important social teachings of the faith of my upbringing and I couldn't any longer, "in good faith," remain part of that religion.
It really surprises me that I'm so frequently asked about my faith, as a doula. I've been asked about my faith before being asked about my experience or philosophy about birth! I try to understand that a prospective client is PROBABLY asking in order to see if I would judge her for incorporating her spirituality into the birth, since I've never misrepresented my beliefs and it's never driven a client away. The way I feel about it is, if it helps a woman be more comfortable/strong/herself in labor, she can dance the Charleston -- whatever works, I'll meet her there!
Dads and Doulas
I've been thinking a lot about dads and doulas. Both dads for my upcoming births are very keen to be active participants in supporting their wives and one in particular was concerned that a doula could usurp his role. It's something that I have to be very conscious of because I do have the instinct to swoop in and comfort and do my thing. I try to model the behavior for the dads if that is to be my role. In some births though, Dad wants to be there to see his child being born but does not want to be active in support -- for whatever reason... personal comfort level, past experiences, cultural or religious beliefs. And that's OK too, honestly. My husband is one who isn't entirely comfortable with the whole biological machine thing. Honestly, if it wasn't so important to me, I think he'd rather be in the waiting room.
So, dads, doulas, interwebs? Any thoughts on how doulas and dads can complement each other?
Interesting links I've found regarding this!
DONA International: Dads and Doulas
Kim James: Do Doulas Replace Dads? (I love Kim James, I really do!)
So, dads, doulas, interwebs? Any thoughts on how doulas and dads can complement each other?
Interesting links I've found regarding this!
DONA International: Dads and Doulas
Kim James: Do Doulas Replace Dads? (I love Kim James, I really do!)
Met my late-March clients tonight
What a nice couple! Her first child, his third. Interesting back story and you can tell by their interactions that they're going to be giving this little one a good foundation. They're aiming for a natural childbirth at the women's hospital here in town. Apparently her mom is a former LLL Leader so she is super excited about her having a doula -- yay doulas!
Of course it took me nearly an hour to get home because of the SNOW. Of which I have had ENOUGH. Hear me, sky? ENOUGH! We're starting to look more like the North Pole than Pittsburgh.
Of course it took me nearly an hour to get home because of the SNOW. Of which I have had ENOUGH. Hear me, sky? ENOUGH! We're starting to look more like the North Pole than Pittsburgh.
I guess it depends on who you ask!
Moms-to-be rejecting natural childbirth in favor of anesthesia
I find this article totally off-base in a lot of ways -- especially the doctor comparing unmedicated childbirth to unmedicated dental surgery (and for the record, I've had both. My unmedicated birth was awesome and my unmedicated dental surgery hurt like hell.), and this gem:
Outside the Hospital: Local women discover natural birth
Ahhhh, and then there is this article, which includes this quote:
Isn't that nicer?!
I find this article totally off-base in a lot of ways -- especially the doctor comparing unmedicated childbirth to unmedicated dental surgery (and for the record, I've had both. My unmedicated birth was awesome and my unmedicated dental surgery hurt like hell.), and this gem:
"It's nice to involve fathers in the delivery process, but I don't know how much they enjoy it, and I don't know how much they want to be traumatized."
Outside the Hospital: Local women discover natural birth
Ahhhh, and then there is this article, which includes this quote:
“Natural birth means different things to different people,” Herta said. “To me, it’s the sensation of delivering your child and participating in the delivery to some degree.”
Isn't that nicer?!
Another client, maybe!
Another client may be on tap for late March. First time mom, hospital birth. Hopefully I will still be able to attend Heart and Hands Doula Service's Family Centered Maternity Conference and be on the VBAC panel, but I am excited about being doula for another mom for sure!
Ina May Gaskin
At 67, hippie-midwife who changed childbirth in America still crusades for natural method
Somehow this article is running in the sports section of a Minnesota TV station's website, but I can get by that! Ina May Gaskin's role in reviving homebirth and her influence beyond the Farm. I think this observation is especially astute: "Part of Gaskin's success has been that she combines an analytical mind with an instinctual understanding of birth." By not being satisfied to having the experiences at the Farm stay on the Farm, she's made all the difference to so many women... me included!!!
Somehow this article is running in the sports section of a Minnesota TV station's website, but I can get by that! Ina May Gaskin's role in reviving homebirth and her influence beyond the Farm. I think this observation is especially astute: "Part of Gaskin's success has been that she combines an analytical mind with an instinctual understanding of birth." By not being satisfied to having the experiences at the Farm stay on the Farm, she's made all the difference to so many women... me included!!!
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