1. She works for you and not for the hospital, birth center, or midwife.
2. She helps you and your partner to prepare for your ideal birth.
3. She has probably gone through pregnancy, labor, and delivery herself and she has helped many others to birth their babies.
4. She will run around once you've reached your birth place and make sure that you have all of the props that you want to use and she will show you and your partner how to use them.
5. She will make sure that everyone has seen your birth plan and take efforts to ensure it is followed.
6. She will rub your feet and your back and your arms and your legs...
7. She will hold your hand and tell you you're doing a good job and you're so close to meeting your baby.
8. She will explain to you a procedure if you aren't sure what everyone is talking about.
9. She will watch you to see what you need and forget that the monitors are there.
10. She will take pictures and notes and probably write a birth story or make a scrapbook so you can cherish the memories as you lived them.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Choose your Birth Place First
For my first birth, I was low-income and went to Family Planning to confirm my pregnancy. They had a list of referrals for women on Maine Care including those who delivered at CMMC and those who delivered at St. Mary's. As a future physician, so I thought, I decided to go with CMMC because of course I would want the most educated and skilled childbirth attendant at my side for my prenatal care, labor, and delivery. My physician was indeed skilled, but trained in a way that focuses on abnormal labor and delivery, not typical birth.
I would like to encourage every woman who has just found out that she is pregnant to do some research on the places in which they could deliver, whether it be home, a birth center, or a hospital. Compare your choices. Do a tour of each facility and really pay attention to the nurses and staff that work there. This will have a big impact on your perception of your birth. Once you decide on a place where you feel comfortable, then decide on a practitioner who delivers at that place.
Prenatal care is important, but remember that you can change care providers at any point during your pregnancy with most insurances. Pay particular attention to your support team and take care of yourself! Prenatal vitamins, healthy eating, and exercise are all important to maintain throughout your pregnancy. Good luck!
I would like to encourage every woman who has just found out that she is pregnant to do some research on the places in which they could deliver, whether it be home, a birth center, or a hospital. Compare your choices. Do a tour of each facility and really pay attention to the nurses and staff that work there. This will have a big impact on your perception of your birth. Once you decide on a place where you feel comfortable, then decide on a practitioner who delivers at that place.
Prenatal care is important, but remember that you can change care providers at any point during your pregnancy with most insurances. Pay particular attention to your support team and take care of yourself! Prenatal vitamins, healthy eating, and exercise are all important to maintain throughout your pregnancy. Good luck!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Cow Milk, Fish, Eggs, and Peanuts?
It was brought to my attention today that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has changed their policy regarding the introduction of foods causing allergies in infants. Basically, there is evidence supporting not introducing complemetary foods to an infant until they are 4-6 months of age, but once they are that age, restricting the types of foods that are introduced may not benefit them. For example, the AAP is questioning whether or not we actually need to restrict cows milk, fish eggs and peanuts from being consumed by our infants. Of course, more research is needed and if there is a direct family member (mom, dad, sibling) who is allergic to a food - delay it.
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;121/1/183#SEC7
-Nina
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;121/1/183#SEC7
-Nina
Monday, July 6, 2009
Cloth Diapering Basics
I know a lot about cloth diapers having diapered three babies in three years. I'm thinking about adding cloth diapering basics as part of my doula package and including a diaper with the lesson. I think it's a cool idea. Maybe I'll think about babywearing as well...Parenting is so much fun!
-Nina
-Nina
Sunday, July 5, 2009
AfterBirth: It's What's for Dinner
This is informational only - I am completely unbiased when it comes to the following article. This is not for the faint of heart.
AfterBirth: It's What's for Dinner
-Nina
AfterBirth: It's What's for Dinner
-Nina
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Certifying Childbirth Educators Organizations
INTRODUCTION
It seems like there are so many different avenues at which you can become certified as a childbirth educator. It’s the same for a doula for that matter, but since I’ve already decided on DONA for my doula certification, I am compiling a list of organizations that certify childbirth educators, their missions, and their requirements. I will update this with cost and required reading lists in the future. I want to provide a tool to help you decide which organization fits your birth philosophy. I also plan to review each organization in terms of what it offers to mothers.
OVERVIEW:
Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators ALACE
Birthworks International: CCE(BWI)
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Certified Mentor
The Bradley Method® / American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association CAPPA
Hypnobabies®
Hypnobirthing®
International Childbirth Education Association ICEA
Lamaze LCCE
REVIEW
Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators ALACE
“ALACE certified childbirth educators goal is to provide a comprehensive consumer-based class that will enable women and their partners to prepare for a positive, safe and joyful birth experience. The ALACE Childbirth Educator training program was developed by midwives and is recognized for its holistic, women-centered approach. ALACE childbirth classes provide evidence based information about the birth process and provide the tools to empower women and their partners to make informed choices throughout pregnancy and birth.”
No travel is required for this certification. Requirements include registering and receiving the ALACE Training Manual and birth DVDs, reading chapters 1-7 and completing the learning activities for each chapter, submitting completed work to ALACE office and receiving feedback, successfully complete and open-book exam at-home and you become provisionally certified. Now you must complete chapter 8 learning activities while you teach, complete the required reading list, submit 6 evaluations from students, and become fully certified.
Birthworks International: CCE(BWI)
Integrate mind, body, and spirit. Help people to experience personal self-growth in their birth and lives.
The requirements start with attending a three-day Birth Works Childbirth Educator Workshop and end with you facilitating an 8 week (16 hour) Birth Works course over a 10 week period. The other requirements are to sign their Statement of Beliefs, write an autobiographical essay, attend a breastfeeding preparation program, list any childbirth related workshops, conferences, classes or meetings you’ve attended in the last 5 years, take a tour of the maternity floor of two hospitals, complete a book report for each of the eleven required books on the reading list, critique three major VBAC papers, read an editorial on VBAC by Betty Anne Daviss, study and write four topic papers, and complete the Comprehensive Essay Exam.
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Certified Mentor
Motivate and initiate parents to birth from within.
The requirements start with attending a three-day Introduction to BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Workshop where you are assigned an advisor who remains your advisor throughout the certification process. Your HomeStudy and practice requirements call for you to complete the home study/insight journal, read the level one required reading list and write book notes, attend four births per year, mentor a BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Childbirth Class, conduct and individual birth art session with a pregnant woman, record yourself leading a “Birth Tiger Safari” with parents, and then submit your completed Home Study Packet to your advisor. Now you are required to complete the advanced home study/insight journal, read from the advanced reading list and write book notes after which you can attend the Advanced Study workshop with is a six-day workshop at a residential retreat. Continue to attend four births per year, mentor a Birthin’ Again class series, mentor a regular BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Childbirth Class for parents using the new Advanced processes, conduct a process painting session with parents, record yourself leading specific four 15-minute segments of your class, and submit your completed Advanced HomeStudy to your advisor.
The Bradley Method® / American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth® AAHCC
To enter the Bradley® program, you must be a parent who has taken Bradley® classes, filled out the Student Workbook, read Husband-Coached Childbirth, and Natural Childbirth the Bradley® Way, attended La Leche League meetings, had an unmedicated Bradley® birth and breastfed your baby.
The requirements are to read five assigned books, write a number of reports, and then attend a four day workshop where the first three days are 14 hours with 1½ hour breaks for lunch and dinner. The last day is 6½ hours in length. After the workshop, you will teach two twelve-week series and submit weekly evaluations online. When approved, you will take the final exam. Husbands are encouraged to attend the workshop and classes with you at no additional cost.
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association CAPPA
“CAPPA certified professionals aim to empower, connect and advocate for families in the childbearing year. CAPPA seeks to forge positive and productive relationships between organizations that support healthy, informed family choices.”
The requirements are to become a member of CAPPA, purchase the certification packet, read five books from the required reading list, attend a local childbirth education series of at least 10 hours, a local breastfeeding class, and a local newborn care class and provide documentation, teach a total of 2 hours with a certified instructor, observe 2 labor/births totaling at least 10 hours and provide documentation, complete the pre-workshop study guide, attend a CAPPA approved childbirth education training (2 days), teach a 15 minute childbirth topic assigned to you at the workshop, and pass the test on childbirth education topics included in your certification packet.
· Hypnobabies®
“Hypnobabies is a complete childbirth education course…Hypnobabies is always taught in 6 (3 hour) classes using only our extremely comprehensive Hypnobabies materials.”
To be a Hypnobabies instructor, you must have a background in hypnosis (50 hours of study from a reputable school of hypnosis), a background in childbirth (doula, childbirth educator, midwifery or nursing training), read a required reading list, attend a 4-day course, and interview with the Program Coordinator.
· Hypnobirthing®
“HypnoBirthing® - The Mongan Method - is a unique method of relaxed, natural childbirth education, enhanced by self-hypnosis techniques. HypnoBirthing® provides the missing link that allows women to use their natural instincts to bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing. Emphasis is placed on pregnancy and childbirth, as well as on pre-birth parenting and the consciousness of the pre-born baby. As a birthing method, HypnoBirthing® is as new as tomorrow and as old as ancient times. It is presented in a series of five, 2 1/2-hour classes.”
HypnoBirthing is a well-thought-out and dynamic, 4-day, 2-part Childbirth Educator Program consisting of a 16-hour, Introduction to Hypnosis for Childbirth or Introduction to Birthing Basics, and a 16-hour, Certification Workshop for HypnoBirthing®
· International Childbirth Education Association ICEA
“ICEA certified childbirth educators have verified that they have the necessary knowledge and experience to enable them to facilitate expectant parents' mental and physical preparation for pregnancy, labor, birth and parenthood. This program promotes the concept of the childbirth educator as an advocate of the natural process of childbirth and the right of the expectant parent to make informed choices based on the knowledge of alternatives”
Requirements to be an ICEA certified childbirth educator include attending the the Basic Training Childbirth Educator Workshop (18 hours), completing the required reading list, successfully complete and evaluated teaching series, observe a minimum of two labors and births, then take the certification examination.
· Lamaze LCCE
“The mission of Lamaze International is to promote, support and protect normal birth through education and advocacy. Lamaze envisions a world of confident women choosing normal birth.”
Requirements include three birth observations (including one normal birth), observation of a childbirth series taught by an LCCE educator, attendance at a program seminar (3 days), completion of childbirth education course design, student-teaching a series of Lamaze childbirth education classes under the supervision of a LCCE, and completion of reading and learning activities in the Lamaze International Study Guide.
CONCLUSIONS
Please let me know if I am missing any organizations. I do plan to update this in the future. Thanks for reading!
It seems like there are so many different avenues at which you can become certified as a childbirth educator. It’s the same for a doula for that matter, but since I’ve already decided on DONA for my doula certification, I am compiling a list of organizations that certify childbirth educators, their missions, and their requirements. I will update this with cost and required reading lists in the future. I want to provide a tool to help you decide which organization fits your birth philosophy. I also plan to review each organization in terms of what it offers to mothers.
OVERVIEW:
Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators ALACE
Birthworks International: CCE(BWI)
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Certified Mentor
The Bradley Method® / American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association CAPPA
Hypnobabies®
Hypnobirthing®
International Childbirth Education Association ICEA
Lamaze LCCE
REVIEW
Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators ALACE
“ALACE certified childbirth educators goal is to provide a comprehensive consumer-based class that will enable women and their partners to prepare for a positive, safe and joyful birth experience. The ALACE Childbirth Educator training program was developed by midwives and is recognized for its holistic, women-centered approach. ALACE childbirth classes provide evidence based information about the birth process and provide the tools to empower women and their partners to make informed choices throughout pregnancy and birth.”
No travel is required for this certification. Requirements include registering and receiving the ALACE Training Manual and birth DVDs, reading chapters 1-7 and completing the learning activities for each chapter, submitting completed work to ALACE office and receiving feedback, successfully complete and open-book exam at-home and you become provisionally certified. Now you must complete chapter 8 learning activities while you teach, complete the required reading list, submit 6 evaluations from students, and become fully certified.
Birthworks International: CCE(BWI)
Integrate mind, body, and spirit. Help people to experience personal self-growth in their birth and lives.
The requirements start with attending a three-day Birth Works Childbirth Educator Workshop and end with you facilitating an 8 week (16 hour) Birth Works course over a 10 week period. The other requirements are to sign their Statement of Beliefs, write an autobiographical essay, attend a breastfeeding preparation program, list any childbirth related workshops, conferences, classes or meetings you’ve attended in the last 5 years, take a tour of the maternity floor of two hospitals, complete a book report for each of the eleven required books on the reading list, critique three major VBAC papers, read an editorial on VBAC by Betty Anne Daviss, study and write four topic papers, and complete the Comprehensive Essay Exam.
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Certified Mentor
Motivate and initiate parents to birth from within.
The requirements start with attending a three-day Introduction to BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Workshop where you are assigned an advisor who remains your advisor throughout the certification process. Your HomeStudy and practice requirements call for you to complete the home study/insight journal, read the level one required reading list and write book notes, attend four births per year, mentor a BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Childbirth Class, conduct and individual birth art session with a pregnant woman, record yourself leading a “Birth Tiger Safari” with parents, and then submit your completed Home Study Packet to your advisor. Now you are required to complete the advanced home study/insight journal, read from the advanced reading list and write book notes after which you can attend the Advanced Study workshop with is a six-day workshop at a residential retreat. Continue to attend four births per year, mentor a Birthin’ Again class series, mentor a regular BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Childbirth Class for parents using the new Advanced processes, conduct a process painting session with parents, record yourself leading specific four 15-minute segments of your class, and submit your completed Advanced HomeStudy to your advisor.
The Bradley Method® / American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth® AAHCC
To enter the Bradley® program, you must be a parent who has taken Bradley® classes, filled out the Student Workbook, read Husband-Coached Childbirth, and Natural Childbirth the Bradley® Way, attended La Leche League meetings, had an unmedicated Bradley® birth and breastfed your baby.
The requirements are to read five assigned books, write a number of reports, and then attend a four day workshop where the first three days are 14 hours with 1½ hour breaks for lunch and dinner. The last day is 6½ hours in length. After the workshop, you will teach two twelve-week series and submit weekly evaluations online. When approved, you will take the final exam. Husbands are encouraged to attend the workshop and classes with you at no additional cost.
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association CAPPA
“CAPPA certified professionals aim to empower, connect and advocate for families in the childbearing year. CAPPA seeks to forge positive and productive relationships between organizations that support healthy, informed family choices.”
The requirements are to become a member of CAPPA, purchase the certification packet, read five books from the required reading list, attend a local childbirth education series of at least 10 hours, a local breastfeeding class, and a local newborn care class and provide documentation, teach a total of 2 hours with a certified instructor, observe 2 labor/births totaling at least 10 hours and provide documentation, complete the pre-workshop study guide, attend a CAPPA approved childbirth education training (2 days), teach a 15 minute childbirth topic assigned to you at the workshop, and pass the test on childbirth education topics included in your certification packet.
· Hypnobabies®
“Hypnobabies is a complete childbirth education course…Hypnobabies is always taught in 6 (3 hour) classes using only our extremely comprehensive Hypnobabies materials.”
To be a Hypnobabies instructor, you must have a background in hypnosis (50 hours of study from a reputable school of hypnosis), a background in childbirth (doula, childbirth educator, midwifery or nursing training), read a required reading list, attend a 4-day course, and interview with the Program Coordinator.
· Hypnobirthing®
“HypnoBirthing® - The Mongan Method - is a unique method of relaxed, natural childbirth education, enhanced by self-hypnosis techniques. HypnoBirthing® provides the missing link that allows women to use their natural instincts to bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing. Emphasis is placed on pregnancy and childbirth, as well as on pre-birth parenting and the consciousness of the pre-born baby. As a birthing method, HypnoBirthing® is as new as tomorrow and as old as ancient times. It is presented in a series of five, 2 1/2-hour classes.”
HypnoBirthing is a well-thought-out and dynamic, 4-day, 2-part Childbirth Educator Program consisting of a 16-hour, Introduction to Hypnosis for Childbirth or Introduction to Birthing Basics, and a 16-hour, Certification Workshop for HypnoBirthing®
· International Childbirth Education Association ICEA
“ICEA certified childbirth educators have verified that they have the necessary knowledge and experience to enable them to facilitate expectant parents' mental and physical preparation for pregnancy, labor, birth and parenthood. This program promotes the concept of the childbirth educator as an advocate of the natural process of childbirth and the right of the expectant parent to make informed choices based on the knowledge of alternatives”
Requirements to be an ICEA certified childbirth educator include attending the the Basic Training Childbirth Educator Workshop (18 hours), completing the required reading list, successfully complete and evaluated teaching series, observe a minimum of two labors and births, then take the certification examination.
· Lamaze LCCE
“The mission of Lamaze International is to promote, support and protect normal birth through education and advocacy. Lamaze envisions a world of confident women choosing normal birth.”
Requirements include three birth observations (including one normal birth), observation of a childbirth series taught by an LCCE educator, attendance at a program seminar (3 days), completion of childbirth education course design, student-teaching a series of Lamaze childbirth education classes under the supervision of a LCCE, and completion of reading and learning activities in the Lamaze International Study Guide.
CONCLUSIONS
Please let me know if I am missing any organizations. I do plan to update this in the future. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Reasons for a Home Birth
Check out this thread at AllDoulas.com:
http://www.alldoulas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25482
If you aren't having a home birth, at least there are a lot of things mentioned that you might consider adding to your birth plan if they mean a lot to you.
http://www.alldoulas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25482
If you aren't having a home birth, at least there are a lot of things mentioned that you might consider adding to your birth plan if they mean a lot to you.
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