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Archive for January, 2008

Just received this from Gail Dahl, author of Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets, and I love it! Enjoy…

Eight reasons to hire a doula – A professional labour coach
By Michelle Dennill, CD(DONA)
There are many reasons why women hire doulas to support them at birth. The following list represents the top reasons a mother would choose to have a doula support her and her family at birth. You should consider including a doula as part of your birth team if any one of the following apply to you:
This is your first baby
A doula will act as your personal guide through this unfamiliar and exciting process. Doulas are trained and experienced at empowering mother’s to have a positive birth experience. They encourage, reassure and nurture the mother as well as provide vital information.
You expect to have a normal birth
Several studies have shown that a doula’s attendance at birth has dramatically decreased a mother’s chance of having medical intervention(s).
Your primary caregiver is a doctor or obstetrician
A doctor or obstetrician joins the mother when she is in transition or approx 8-10 cms dilated. The doula usually joins a mother when active labour starts or when the mother requests additional support. The doula provides a familiar continual presence for the duration of labour offering comfort measures, reassurance and encouragement.
You anticipate being alone at birth (no partner or family member to attend)
A doula can be a welcome and familiar face amongst many unfamiliar hospital staff. The doula is familiar with your expectations, hopes and concerns for birth. They can act as your advocate and primary support.
You feel anxious or fearsome about your upcoming birth
A doula provides emotional support, listening to your concerns and providing reassurance and education about the birth process.
You believe you may have difficulties coping with pain
A doula has many strategies to share with a mother to help cope with the pain associated with childbirth. Massage, breathing techniques, and visualization are just a few examples of pain management strategies.
You feel that you and your partner will benefit from additional support
A doula can enhance a dad’s experience by helping him to be involved in supporting the birth as much as he is comfortable. A doula can help the father share in the experience of birth with confidence.

You desire a positive birth memory
A doula can preserve your birth memory, fill in any blanks from your experience, and keep your birth moment sacred.
© 2008 Bloom Birth Support Services. Visit: http://www.bloombirth.com Copyright released for Doulas and their Clients.
Secrets Newsletter 2008, by National Bestselling Author, Gail J. Dahl “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets”
http://web.mac.com/pregnancysecrets
.
This article may be reprinted or posted without prior permission for the purpose of childbirth education if references are included.
The information contained in or provided through this publication is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be, and is not provided as, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your midwife, physician, nurse or other qualified health care provider before you undergo any treatment or for answers to any questions you may have regarding any medical condition.

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Mary -Thank you again. I am really glad we met and were able to cover so much. Thank you for taking the time to see me individually – I am so thankful I found someone that would do an overview-type class that was tailored to my wants/needs. I really learned more than I had expected – more about what my reactions including being more inward/focused, for example – those things weren’t really covered in the 30+ books I have read. Thank you again. — Kyra Biondolillo, Everson, WA

Mary – I’m really doing very well in comparison with my past c-section recovery. I look upon my birthing experience as a huge success. I have a whole new appreciation for my body. It is funny: my first birth experience was quiet and peaceful since I had the epidural, and I sent most of my labor lying in bed, chatting with my family, until I was told it was time to push (since I couldn’t feel the contractions, I didn’t know) and then the c-section when that didn’t work out. This birth was noisy, messy, extremely painful, and pretty scary there at the end — and yet I find it to be the far more satisfying birth. In the society we live in, I think a lot of people don’t understand why I did it this way when I just could have scheduled a c-section. I wish that I could find the right words to explain to these people. Why wouldn’t I do it this way? This is the way it is supposed to be done! And I have to admit a sort of “I told you so” satisfaction in regard to my doctors, who expressed so many doubts about my VBAC because if I had had one large, OP baby, I was likely to have another — which I most certainly did, and I pushed her out anyway! Hooray for me! I want to thank you so much for your help. I truly believe I couldn’t have done it without you. You were like a conductor of an orchestra. When I was pushing, and getting enough oxygen to the baby was so important, you had Eli reminding me to breathe. Because of the urgency in his voice, I knew it was important, and it gave me the strength to take deep breaths when I wouldn’t have otherwise. However, because he sounded so urgent, I might have panicked ifI didn’t have Lorelle and Mel and my mom on my other side, who you encouraged to give me positive feedback. I remember hearing Eli’s intense urging to breathe on one side, and my cheerleaders telling me how great I was doing on the other. If I hadn’t had that perfect balance of support and encouragement to breathe, I don’t think I could have done it. Thank you. — Liz Vignali (VBAC mom), Bellingham, WA

Mary – Jacob Charles Lange arrived Monday morning Jan 14th at 12:34 am weighing 4 pounds, 11 ounces, and just one day early. Our little family went home on Tuesday afternoon and we’re slowing adapting to each other. Nights are a little frantic with his need to feed every 20 minutes or so, but days are quiet and he’s a really good sleeper (and eater!) otherwise. I feel wonderful. But more than that, I feel very fortunate that Brian & I had you as an instructor. I cannot tell you how much your class put me at ease with what was to come. I felt so much more prepared after the weekend class. I was really nervous with what I might expect and how I might handle it. Of course, I was fortuante with such a quick labor, but even if it hadn’t been, I felt ready to take it on and fully informed as to what I might expect. I was overprepared if anything, and I thank you so much for that! I walked away from your class thinking that birth could be a wonderful, romantic experience if you allow it to be. And, for us, it was. Regardless of the pain, I had my life partner at my side willing to go the distance and both of us were ready. Thank you so much, Suzanne, Brian, and Baby Jacob Lange, Sumas, WA.

A note of thanks for a wonderful childbirth preparation class! Your calm, peaceful and reassuring nature helped remind us of what we have to look forward to with the birth of our new little one. Many thanks, Jennifer (Empowered Birth After Cesarean class participant)

Looking at (our new baby daughter) I feel so humbled by the universe, and especially so grateful to you and your strength, patience, and belief in nature, our bodies, and childbirth… I feel so lucky to have had your support and friendship as a doula for so much of the pregnancy, and for so many hours during labor and delivery! Mary, you are an amazing woman. Thank you for everything you’ve done for our little family. I don’t remember how many times during (our daughter’s) birth I looked to you for reassurance and help, and you were always there, holding me up, encouraging me, and keepng my husband strong for me too. There is no doubt in my mind that having you as our doula was THE main reason we were able to help our daughter into the world without drugs and we are still amazed at how professional, caring, knowledgeable, and skilled you are, especially after no sleep, hardly any food, and how long the labor lasted. We can never thank you enough! May you bring many more happy and healthy babies and parents into the world. With love and gratitude, Kelly.

I absolutely loved this class and the information it provided us. I most valued the pain coping techniques because I had no idea how effective they can be. I think these classes gave (my husband and I) a better idea of how to approach birth and helped us to have a “game plan.” Classes were comfortable, open, and relaxed, and Mary was very informative and reassuring. Thank you! Jackie and Clark Bourgault

Great job! This class series was an absolute pleasure. I valued hearing the instructor’s as well as other participants valuable information regarding their own experiences and knowledge. I enjoyed it more than I had anticipated, and felt more able to cope and understand the entire birthing experience. Thank you, from an expectant father.

I liked Mary’s ability to listen to everyone – she let everyone express themselves without putting words into their mouths, yet helped if they were struggling. I valued getting to know others. These classes brought much greater understanding of how (my husband) can assist with birth and bring out his feelings and concerns, and gave (my husband and I) a good foundation for further discussions. I enjoyed these classes more than I thought I would. – Amy Vergillo

Your class gave us an opportunity to discuss the birth process – perhaps I wouldn’t have participated or made a complete effort otherwise. At present, I feel a level of trust that you helped instill. You have a fun, beautiful, comforting way. Thank you! – 6-week series class participant

Thank you again for everything we couldnt have picked a better teacher and friend to put our assumptions of birthing into concrete form. I think your class has really opened our eyes that there are people like us still out there in this crazy world who have the desire to birth the way nature beautifully intended. Much Love Always, Rebecca and Jesse – 6-week series participants

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Happy 2008

Thank you all for a wonderful year. 2007 was a time for new challenges and growth, for stirring new ideas and the manifestation of dreams. It was the year of the creation of Life Song Perinatal Services, which has been brewing in me for several years, and a beautiful cottage teaching space, where I will hold childbirth classes, meet with doula clients, and have other special gatherings. I also had the wonderful honor of working with and serving so many new mothers and fathers, and witnessing them bring their sweet little babies on to this beautiful earth.

May you have a happy and peaceful 2008. namaste.

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winter’s womb

winter’s womb

winter’s hushed womb,

dark, brilliant Gestation.

following the gentle cycle of the plants and bears

inward stillness.

Peaceful time to rest and reflect upon

the year past,

Dream and contemplate

the year ahead.

- mary burgess, January, 2008.

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