Links to Love

The past few weeks I have discovered twitter. I know, I know, I am ages behind the rest of the world! But I am one of those people who fights some trends for as long as possible and then I crash! Facebook, Twilight, Twitter, etc. I fought them and then quickly became obsessed-I will always be team Edward. After finally getting the hang of Twitter, I am a little sad that I did not hop on the bandwagon earlier, it has opened a whole other doula and birth world to me. Birth and baby-loving tweets, articles, and blogs galore! Why oh why did it take me so long!

Today I stumbled across a few tweets that led me to some new links to love, here they are in no particular order:

The Nurtured Child is a lovely breast-feeding, birth, and parenting blog by a registered nurse and lactation consultant that is obviously passionate about making sure parents have as much insightful information as possible. So much food for thought here!

My Goodbirth is a UK website specializing in waterbirth information. Loads of great information located here from explaining a waterbirth and its benefits to steps to help you prepare for one (including birth plan templates!)

The Hypnobabies Online Store for some fab cds for expectant moms and dads (browse the store as there are also cds for breastfeeding, becoming a new mom, helping baby, etc). I provided one of my clients with a hypnobirth cd that she listened to every night before bed and on her ipod headphones through her labor at the hospital. It really helped keep her relaxed, an issue we knew she was going to have trouble with, and she was definitely a birthing champion!

And finally a quick article on the effectiveness of doulas compared to a mother's friends or family.
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Pure Utter Joy

Another shot from the National Geographic Photo Contest, I love this photo so much I may repost it every now and then! Exhilarating, inspiring, hopeful, it's everything that a birth can be.
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Labor Induction

Of course sometimes induction, like all medical interventions are necessary, and we should be grateful that they are available when needed. But many times interventions are not necessary and mother's are often talked into them by people who would like to just get the birth moving and over with. This is often the case with induction. Please keep in mind that your due date is an ESTIMATE and first babies are typically late. You are technically not overdue until 42 weeks and sometimes the baby just needs a few days or so past your "due date." Be patient. If there is no medical reason to be induced and your baby is still happy and healthy in the womb then it is best to let them come when they are ready. Induction brings on your contractions much stronger and faster than if you had let labor start or progress naturally. Because of this strength and speed a mother will often need other interventions to help them cope; epidural, assisted delivery, c-section. Induction is the beginning of a potential cascade of interventions that were unnecessary in the first place. Here are two fabulous articles on induction. One HERE on how to prevent it (get yourself up and moving, trying different positions and coping techniques-it makes sense that upright and active would help get that baby down and out!) And ANOTHER on the statistics of inductions in some Australian hospitals--no good.
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What is a Doula?

What is a doula? Ugggghhhhh...the amount of times I have had to answer this question when telling somebody what I do. Essentially a doula is somebody who provides pregnancy, labor, and birth information and support. But, the exact type of support varies mother to mother. As I always say, no two births or women are the same so therefore the type of care and support a mother or couple will need always varies. I am a listener, a friend, a teacher, a library, a photographer, a masseuse, a poo-picker-upper (yes there may be poo!), a shoulder, and I love it. Here is an article from the San Diego Reader about one doula's story.

"I Love You Baby!"

I found this photo on National Geographic's Photo Contest website. Such an inspiring photo of the power of birth! Taking away the fear of child birth and instead embracing the power and beauty.
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