Mamatoto Doula

Welcome!

2011-07-25T15:28:00.001-07:00

Dear Visitor,

Thank you for stopping by my website! Pregnancy and childbirth are such an important time in a woman's life and have lifelong effects on her, her partner, and her baby. It is my passion and desire to make this miraculous journey as rewarding as possible for each family I serve.

You may be wondering what in the world "Mamatoto" means! "Mamatoto" is translated to "motherbaby" in Swahili and reflects the idea that the mother and baby are one entity--that is, what is good for one is good for the other--and that the mother is the baby's natural and rightful habitat.

I hope you will take a look around and feel free to call or email me with any questions. I'd love to hear from you!

With love,
Elyse Morgan
Mamatoto Doula

mamatoto.doula@gmail.com | (951) 445-9475

Be Positive

2011-07-22T18:18:00.000-07:00

I feel that one of the most important steps in childbirth happens weeks before you ever feel your first contraction. It is so essential because it will effect you on that beautiful day and will largely (I believe) determine the outcome of your birth experience. It is this: the way that you talk to yourself. Now I'm not talking about voices in your head schizophrenia style, but we all talk to ourselves, don't we? We tell ourselves that we are too fat, too skinny, too ugly, too dumb, too weak. What we tell ourselves is based on our beliefs and experiences. And it determines our actions, our feelings, and the situations we end up in. Think about the way you talk to yourself. Is it positive? Uplifting? Or are you hard on yourself and kind of negative about your strength and abilities? Trust me, it WILL make a difference on your birthing day.

Take for instance a little story about two women. They are both pregnant. They are both beautiful, young, smart, and loved. They both think about the day that they will go into labor.

Woman #1 is very positive about her birth experience and has gone to great lengths to prepare herself for that day. She has taken classes and focused on relaxation and meditating on positive affirmations throughout her last trimester. She asks people not to tell her about their birth horror stories. She is not sure of exactly what to expect, but overall she feels positive and in control. She has faith in herself and her body's ability to birth.

Woman #2 is scared of birth. She knows it hurts, people have told her how much over and over again. They have told her "natural" birth is nuts, who wouldn't want an epidural?!! She hasn't taken a childbirth education class and she is largely unaware of her options and choices in the hospital setting. She is afraid that she won't be able to handle the pain.

Which of these two women do you think is going to have a more positive birth experience? Which one is going to be better prepared to handle the potential surprises and "obstacles" that can arise in the birth process? Which is more likely to need medical intervention and pain relief?

Now. I am not saying that epidurals and pain relief don't have their place. This is not about pain relief or childbirth situations at all. It is about being prepared and confident. It is about not going into birth with a crippling fear, but rather going into it confident and empowered in your ability to birth a child and make informed decisions along the way. It is about making sure that when you look back on your birth experience, epidural or not, interventions or not, that you knew you were as prepared as possible and made the best choices for you in that situation.

What we say to ourselves matters. It goes into our subconscious and it dictates a large part of our lives. The Hypnobabies website discusses this:

In other cultures, childbirth is regarded as a natural, normal event in a woman's life. The birthing women are given support from other women, and children are often present to witness the event. In this way, birth is celebrated and honored. Young girls then grow up with the belief system that birth is a positive event and their expectations of childbirth reflect this attitude. As a result, their births are similar to their predecessors; without pain and fear. They have a positive expectation of childbirth. In our culture, it is very much the opposite. For many generations we have been told that delivering a baby will be untold hours of painfully agonizing work, to be faced with fear and trepidation. We have heard stories from well-meaning friends and family that send shivers up our spines, and so the legacy continues. We experience pain in childbirth, in part because we very much expect to!

If we expect pain, we harbor fear. If we harbor fear, we tense up. When we tense up, pain increases.

So my message is this. Be prepared. Know what to expect. Be kind to yourself. Have faith in yourself. If you don't, pretend. Tell yourself every day that you can do it. Tell yourself that your body was made to do this.

Find a CD or a book of pregnancy and birth affirmations.
Do the Hypnobabies program. (I recommend this only because I have had several clients use it with great success).
At the very least, write down your own affirmations. To do this, think of all your negative, fearful thoughts, and then write down the opposite. For instance, if you are afraid you won't be able to handle the pain, write down "I will be calm and relaxed. I will handle one contraction at a time. The pain cannot be greater than me, because it IS me."
Then set apart time for yourself every single day where you meditate or pray and tell yourself all the positive things you have written down. (Or listen to the CD, or read the book, etc.) Repeat them out loud. Even if you don't truly believe them at first, the point is to repeat it enough that it goes into your subconscious.
"Fake it till you make it"!
At the same time, do not allow yourself to think negative thoughts.
If one pops into your head, immediately combat it with a positive thought.
Politely ask all your well meaning friends not to tell you their traumatic birth stories until after you give birth.
Don't watch sensationalized TV shows like One Born Every Minute.
Read positive birth stories and books, such as Painless Childbirth, Birth Without Fear, Orgasmic Birth. Begin to look forward to the day you birth your baby.
Focus on it as the beautiful, miraculous, natural event that it is.
Anticipate it with joy and excitement.
YOU.CAN.DO.IT!!!!
You were made to do it.
Your body effortlessly and subconsciously formed a human being.
So it can also give birth to it normally and naturally.

Much love and positive thoughts,
Elyse

On Parenthood

2011-07-22T14:29:00.000-07:00

I saw this poem on Girl's Gone Child blog (which I love!) and had to share it here. It is from Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet".

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them,

but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children

as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,

and he bends you with his might

that his arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as he loves the arrow that flies,

so he loves also the bow that is stable.

LOVE.

New Mama Myths

2011-07-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

I found this great handout on Penny Simkin's site and wanted to share it with all of you! Would you agree with these myths?

NEW MAMA MYTHS

By Timara Freeman-Young

Myth

Mothers fall in love with their babies upon first sight.

Truth

There is a wide range of reactions that mothers have upon meeting their baby on the outside for the first time. Some birth mothers have a rush of warmth and elation. However, surprise is the feeling most commonly reported by mothers upon seeing their child for the first time. It is not unusual for it to take days or weeks for a mother to feel love for her new child.

Myth

Breastfeeding is easy and painless

Truth

While some new mother/baby pairs have early and easy success with nursing, a great number of them require some support and/or skill building before breastfeeding becomes secondhand. It’s normal and expected to need some lactation consultation so set yourself up for success by knowing who you’re going to call ahead of time. Also, in the interest of full disclosure, breastfeeding can be painful in the beginning (though the pain DOES go away within days or weeks). Most women report a deep enjoyment of the act of breastfeeding once they and their babies have adjusted to the new skills.

Myth

Babies sleep

Truth

Some babies do, most don’t. Hence the 3 zillion “how to get your baby to sleep” parenting books. It would probably make more sense for someone to write a “how to survive without much sleep for the first year” book since that is the more likely scenario for most new parents. If your baby wakes up after every 40 minute sleep cycle or has confused day and night, know that you are in the norm. There are many great books to read written by authors with diverse parenting values so you’ll likely find one that works for you and yours. But remember that babies have very different sleep patterns from adults and that any behavior change takes time and patience (including with oneself).

Myth

It’s lazy to lie around after the birth. “I should be doing something.”

Truth

First, a reminder, you ARE doing something. In fact, you’re doing a lot of things. Most of them new and all of them in a somewhat altered state. Congratulations!

Some new mothers are compelled to return to their “normal” routine or to get out in the world soon after their baby is born. Others are content to snuggle in bed with baby for days. If it feels healthy and good for mommy and baby to get out of the house then by all means, get some fresh air. Kick your heels up (with doctor/midwife approval, of course)! But remember that, in the grand scheme of things, you are doing a huge amount by caring for your infant and yourself as you go through this gigantic adjustment period. If you want (and are able) to stay in bed for 3 weeks then dig in and catch as many zzzzs as you can.

Myth

Parents (especially mothers) will instinctively know how to parent

Truth

While the act of becoming a parent may seem sudden (especially for partners who don’t have the physiological 9.5 month transition period), it can take months or years to discover who you are as a parent. Some new parents move into parenting quickly and seamlessly while others do so more gradually. Faced with decision upon decision, new parents may find themselves reflecting on their own parents’ choices and decisions, looking to friends and family, or searching through books for insights on how to best parent their child. Many parents (especially the primary caregiver) benefit from a close community of other mothers and caregivers to gain support, ideas, and companionship during this time, either in the form of family, friend groups, or programs structured for new parents. Even if you’re a do-it-yourself kind of gal, now’s the time to find some other DIYers to sort it out with.

Myth

Parents will be in a state of bliss and have only fond feelings for their new child

Truth

Being a parent, especially if you haven’t done it before, can be really frustrating at times. While some new parents feel like having a newborn is joyful and fun, it is perfectly normal to feel frustration, sadness, jealousy, and/or anger about your new situation or this new member of your family. 10-20% of mothers experience postpartum depression and a number of fathers struggle emotionally with the adjustment to parenthood. If you’re feeling blessed as a new parent, then celebrate your good fortune, if you’re feeling not so blessed, know that your day will come and remember to be kind to yourself and ask for help.

Bottom line, mamas, whatever you are feeling is OK. Motherhood is a huge adjustment and takes time, love, and patience with yourself, your baby, and your partner. Don't forget it is essential to ask for help and get support during this important transition.

Boobie Palooza!

2011-07-17T23:17:00.000-07:00

I am so excited for this event, put on by the Berlin Wellness Group! It is going to be a breastfeeding funhouse with lots of activities for the whole family. There will be kids events, a sling discussion, chair massages, beer garden, breastfeeding panel of experts, and more! If you live in the area, I hope to see you there!!

How Babies Latch!

2011-07-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Great videos of birth!

2011-07-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

I thought these videos were great to see what is going on in the process of birth. The second one shows the station of baby and how it changes. This is what your doctor means when he/she checks you and says "-2 station" or "0 station"!

Herbs for Heartburn!

2011-07-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

I just took a class on herbs for pregnancy and wanted to share some tips for one common pregnancy ailment: heartburn!!

(Photo credit)

The herbs that are beneficial for heartburn are:

Anise
Slippery Elm
Chamomile
Fennel

You can make a tea out of the Anise, Slippery Elm, and Chamomile and drink that for prevention of heartburn or to alleviate it once you have it.

You can also chew on fennel seeds to alleviate heartburn (apparently this is a common practice in Indian culture and cuisine).

Other foods that are said to relieve heartburn are almonds, papaya, and mango. It is reported that Pepto Bismol uses properties of papaya and mango in their formula!

I remember having the worst heartburn with my daughter, so I hope this can help some mamas who may be suffering with it!

***Please remember: I am not a doctor or an herbalist. I am simply passing along information that I learned. Please do your own research and/or ask your doctor before use of any herbs during pregnancy and breastfeeding.***

A Postpartum Doula's Promise

2011-07-03T21:58:00.000-07:00

I loved the doula's promises from yesterday's post and wanted to make a list of postpartum doula promises. Here they are. What would you add?

A Postpartum Doula's Promise:

1. I will never judge you

2. I will always respect your privacy

3. I will be there to cushion you during your transition from woman to mother. I will listen and comfort you through the lows and celebrate with you through the highs.

4. I will honor your instincts and support your choices in parenting.

5. I will connect you with the resources you need when you need them.

6. I will do my best to work myself out of a job - leaving you confident and empowered in your new role - mommy.

A Doula's Promise

2011-07-02T20:44:00.000-07:00

The Promise of a Doula:

1. You cannot hurt my feelings in labour

2. I won’t lie to you in labour

3. I will do everything in my power so you do not suffer

4. I will help you to feel safe

5. I cannot speak for you; but I will make sure that you have a voice and I will make sure you are heard

(I saw this and shared it on my Facebook page, and I love it so much I wanted to share it here as well.)

The Beginning.. It Matters

2011-07-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

"The beginning is the most important part, especially in the case of a young and tender thing; for that is the time at which the character is being formed." ~ Plato

I saw this quote in a book yesterday called "Sleeping Beauties", next to a picture of a darling sleeping baby. It really hit home to me, because it is so true that beginnings matter.

Pregnancy matters - it starts the bond between a mother and child and is the time in which a child's physical and emotional genesis occurs. Foods, stress, and the fetus' experience inside the womb shapes who they become. (See the book "Origins")

Birth matters - it affects the mother, child, and family so greatly as to even make a lifetime impression. A peaceful and undisturbed birth can give a mother such empowerment, satisfaction, and confidence. A traumatic birth can hurt and leave scars for a very long time. (I know, I've been there!) We don't know exactly how birth affects babies but we know it does. We know it can affect their health for the rest of their lives (the colonization of good bacteria in a vaginal birthed baby). We know it can affect the breastfeeding relationship, which also has a lifelong affect on health (for both mother and baby!). I believe too, that even though babies can't "remember" being born, we carry it with us long past the following days, weeks, and months. It matters.

The postpartum period matters - It is the time in which families bond and gel together. It is when the mother and baby learn each other and work together for the baby's survival (think breastfeeding, nurturing, touch, love). It is when the baby learns to trust his parents. It is when the parents learn to trust themselves and listen to their instincts. A peaceful, calm environment can make all the difference in a mother or fathers sense of confidence in caring for their child. Helpful loving support can make all the difference in a successful breastfeeding relationship and reduced risk of postpartum depression. It matters.

It all matters. Cherish these moments. Get the support you need and deserve. Be educated on your choices and rights and beliefs about how you want to birth and care for your child. Don't let these beginnings go by without being conscious of how precious and fleeting this time is, because it matters.

Our Bodies Rock!

2011-07-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

The way God created human bodies never ceases to fascinate me. We are so intricate, so complex, and our bodies do amazing things, from growing to digesting food to breathing... everything has to be just so in order for it all to keep going.

(photo source)

Another facet of our remarkable bodies came to my attention as I was reading through "Real Food for Mother and Baby" by Nina Planck. She discusses the various aspects of breastmilk and details the immunity factors it possesses. She writes and I quote:

The immunity breast milk provides is tailored, reflecting the unique ecology you and your baby share. Within hours of encountering a pathogen, you produce antibodies which you pass to your baby through your milk. That's why it's natural for mothers to nuzzle, rub, kiss, and even lick their babies. You gather her germs with your mouth and skin, so that your breasts can make the antibodies she needs.

How incredible is that!?!?! I did know this before --check out this article--but still, reading this just blew me away again.

Our bodies are capable of growing a baby from 2 microscopic organisms and nourishing that baby with our breasts. It's awe-inspiring.

Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding!

2011-06-27T17:28:00.000-07:00

I just read the Call to Action to support breastfeeding and was very impressed! The Surgeon General launched it in January of this year (I guess I am way behind the times!) and I thought I would share some of the main points.

I find it very interesting and disheartening that 75% of mothers start off breastfeeding in the hospital, yet only 13% of babies actually end up being exclusively breastfed. I don't think it's because mothers can't breastfeed, rather, I think society has set them up to fail. Formula companies advertise rampantly and unethically, mother's are not allowed the proper and decent amount of time to be home from work for bonding with and breastfeeding their babies, they don't know where to look for support, and on top of that, they are often being told by peers or the media how hard breastfeeding is and that maybe they just can't do it. In the face of difficulty and disappointment, it's very hard not to give in to the message that breastfeeding isn't for everyone. In fact, it is. It is very very rare that a woman truly cannot breastfeed, and I hope this Call to Action makes great strides in helping all the mothers who CAN!

The notice starts off with a summary of the various benefits breastfeeding offers. I am going to paraphrase and quote below.

I love this line:

"Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children." (emphasis mine)

Risks associated with NOT breastfeeding:

Increase in common childhood infections
100% (!) increase in acute ear infection occurrence
Increase in the following:

Lower respiratory infections
Leukemia
Hospitalization due to respiratory disease
56% increase in SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
Type 2 Diabetes
Asthma
Childhood Obesity
Eczema
Vomiting and diarrhea
Breast cancer in mom
Ovarian cancer in mom

Positive Effects of Breastfeeding

Psychological

Increased bonding and closeness between mother and baby
Lower incidence of postpartum depression

Economic

Breastfeeding saves between $1,200-$1,500 per year on formula costs. (And that was based on an estimate done 10 years ago...the prices have surely increased majorly since then!)
Fewer co-pays, hospital bills, and other medical costs due to better health of baby
Less sick time off from work
If 90% of mothers exclusively breastfed for 6 months, it would save the US $13 BILLION annually!!

Environmental

Breast milk is very eco-friendly and renewable (chuckle... well yeah!!)
Breast milk requires no cans, no packaging, no manufacturing waste, no gas to get it to the grocery store

The Call to Action later addresses the barriers breastfeeding in the US.
These include:

Lack of knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding and the risks of not breastfeeding
Lack of knowledge about how to actually accomplish breastfeeding (mechanics)
Lack of access to mentors or role models
Perceived inconvenience of breastfeeding ("I'll have to give up too much to breastfeed")
Social norm of bottle feeding
Formula companies unethical advertising
Poor family and social support
Embarrassment over breastfeeding in public
Lactation 'problems' such as sore nipples, engorgement, mastitis, leaking milk etc.
Employment and child care - having to return to work soon after baby is born
Barriers related to health services - health professionals not being adequately trained to support breastfeeding

The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.
Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk, unless medically indicated.
Practice “rooming in”—allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic. —Baby-Friendly USA

A Call to Action:

1. Give mother's the support they need to breastfeed their babies
2. Develop programs to teach fathers and grandmothers about breastfeeding
3. Strengthen programs that provide mother to mother support and peer counseling
4. Use community based programs to support and promote breastfeeding
5. Create a national campaign to promote breastfeeding

6. Ensure that the marketing of infant formula is conducted in a way that minimizes its negative impacts on exclusive breastfeeding

7. Ensure that maternity care practices throughout the US are fully supportive of breastfeeding

8. Develop systems to guarantee continuity of skilled support for lactation between hospitals and health care settings in the community.
9. Provide education and training in breastfeeding for all health professionals who care for women and children.
10. Include basic support for breastfeeding as a standard of care for midwives, obstetricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, and pediatricians.
11. Ensure access to services provided by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants.
12. Identify and address obstacles to greater availability of safe banked donor milk for fragile infants.
13. Work towards establishing paid maternity leave for all employed mothers.
14. Ensure that employers establish and maintain comprehensive, high quality lactation support programs for their employees.
15. Expands the use of programs in the workplace that allow lactating mothers to have direct access to their babies.
16. Ensure that all child care providers accommodate the needs of breastfeeding mothers and infants.
17. Increase funding of high-quality research on breastfeeding.
18. Strengthen existing capacity and develop future capacity for conducting research on breastfeeding.
19. Develop a national monitoring system to improve the tracking of breastfeeding rates as well as the policies and environmental factors that affect breastfeeding.
20. Improve national leadership on the promotion and support of breastfeeding.

To read the entire Call to Action including implementation steps and other things not covered here, see the report here.

To see the fact sheet about the report, go here.

And here is the main web page with resources for mothers, employers, and additional resources at the bottom.

I am very excited and optimistic about this call to action! I have already seen implementation of it around my community and am very hopeful that it will help mothers and babies have successful breastfeeding relationships across the US!

Should I Have a Doula If....

2011-06-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

I sometimes get questions from prospective clients about different birthing experiences and whether or not they would need/want a doula in that situation. Here I am going to answer those and explain why a doula is useful and valuable in any situation.

Should I Have a Doula If.... I am having a home birth/birth center birth with a midwife?
Yes!!! Although at times the roles of doula and midwife overlap, they still have distinct areas of focus. The midwife is primarily focused on the health of the mother and baby, and the clinical aspects of birth. She needs to monitor heart rates and blood pressure, catch the baby, and all that comes along with that. If in a birth center, the midwife will also have other clients and will not be able to stay with the laboring mom at all times.

The role of the doula is the same in every birth situation: to focus on the emotional well being and physical comfort of the mom. The doula doesn't have any other clients to focus on, and does not need to address the medical aspect of birth. She is there solely to encourage, support, and take care of mom and partner. She helps keep mom relaxed and provides physical comfort in the form of massage, hot/cold packs, hip squeezes, & gentle touch. She knows the relaxation techniques and birth preparations the parents have done and helps them employ them. (i.e. Hypnobabies, Lamaze, etc).

Here is a great excerpt from this article: "The doula is concerned with the mother’s emotional experience first and foremost. The midwife must be concerned with the health and safety of the mother and her baby first and foremost. The doula is a peer, like a new friend with experience in birthing."

Should I Have a Doula If.... My supportive and loving husband/partner is going to be there?
Yes!!! The doula is not there to take the place of the mom's partner. To the contrary, the doula is there to support both the mother and the partner. Birth can be a long process! Some ways the doula can support the partner are by letting them take a break for a nap or meal, making sure they are also staying calm and are doing well emotionally, and helping them support the mom by showing them techniques to try.. to name a few.

The other difference between the doula and partner is that the doula is a trained birth professional. She has experience in the physiology and process of birth. She knows all the tips and tricks to comfort mama, positions to try to make labor go faster, and can help explain procedures. She has experience and has been at several other births. She knows the different methods of childbirth preparation and can help remind mom and partner of what they learned in their childbirth class.

A doula knows that the husband/partner knows and loves mom and baby the most! She is there to support the whole family unit so that everyone can have a beautiful experience.

Should I Have a Doula If.... This is my second, third, fourth child?
Yes!!! Every single birth experience is different. Every baby has a unique passage to birth and the mama should have support every.single.time. Things might occur in your third birth that never happened in the first two. You may have different wishes for subsequent births. You may be giving birth in different settings. You may have different emotions this time around. Your baby may be in a different position. Each new birth is a new adventure!

Bottom line, loving support is an essential ingredient in every birth.

Preparing for your VBAC

2011-06-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

With a cesarean birth rate of over 30% in the United States, VBAC has become a huge issue for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th time mamas. A cesarean may be done for a number of reasons - fetal distress, "failure to progress", STD's in the mother, "CPD" (cephalopelvic disproportion), and even convenience on the part of the doctor or patient. This post is not to argue the validity of those reasons, but to help the moms who want to have a vaginal birth the next time around. It is entirely possible, safe, and is good for both mama and baby. I know there are a million and one posts about the various aspects of a VBAC, including benefits, risks, statistics, etc. Instead of rehashing those, I thought I would address how you, as the mama, can prepare yourself for a successful and rewarding birth.

Step 1: Find a Supportive Health Care Provider
This is a biggie. Not all OBGYN's or midwives will take on a VBAC client. It is important to shop around for one who not only will take you as a client, but who will really strive to honor your wishes for your birth (this goes for any birther, not just VBAC'ers). Ideally, this doctor or midwife will have seen and assisted with many VBAC's, because the more comfortable they are with it, the more likely they will be to let your body do it's work without any interventions.

Ask lots of questions when you interview them. How many VBAC's have they attended? How many were successful? Do they believe in inducing, and how long will they "let" you stay pregnant? Are they open to letting you be in different positions to push? How do they support you so that you may have the best outcome?

If they don't meet your standards or you don't feel completely comfortable with them - keep looking! Don't be afraid to find a doctor out of your area. It will be worth an hour's drive when you are having your baby!

Step 2: Stay Healthy
Women who remain healthy, active and fit during pregnancy tend to have easier births. Remember, labor is like a marathon. Your body should be ready to handle the work it will have to do. While you're pregnant, take walks, eat healthy, get chiropractic care, exercise moderately (after discussing with your care provider). Pregnancy yoga classes are a great way to stay flexible and fit, as well as the added bonus of helping you breathe and stay calm. I would recommend this book, "Real Food for Mother and Baby", for a healthy pregnancy diet.

Step 3: Release Fears and/or Past Birth Trauma
Many (but not all) women who have had a past cesarean birth have strong feelings about it. They may feel angry, disappointed, like they failed, or even traumatized. These feelings are completely normal, but they need to be worked through. Find a doula, friend, counselor, someone who you can trust and work through these fears/feelings with. You don't want to be carrying them with you to your next birth, because they will impede the natural work of your body. A scared mind makes a scared body, and a scared body can't give birth the way it needs to.

Having a doula at your birth can make a huge difference. Doulas can use their knowledge, experience, and relaxation techniques to help you stay calm and at peace. They are a constant source of information, encouragement, and support.

Here is a great article about healing after a past traumatic birth. It mentions hypnosis - I can attest that this works! I have had a few birth clients who have used the Hypnobabies program with great success. This CD from Hypnobabies is just for VBAC mamas.

Step 4: Find Success Stories & Surround Yourself with Positive People
This goes for all pregnant mamas. Be surrounded by positive, not negative!! Don't hang out with the friend who always feels the need to tell you how awful and painful her birth was (or at least ask her to stop talking about it!). Don't watch sensationalized shows like A Baby Story. Politely ask people not to say anything negative about labor, or your pain tolerance, or their own traumatic stories.

Instead, find online forums for other VBAC moms. Connect with moms who have had successful VBACS. Watch youtube videos of VBAC births, or just beautiful births in general. Do pregnancy and birth affirmations. Don't let your own mind talk negatively to you either!!! Tell yourself positive, uplifting, encouraging things.

Step 5: Know Your Resources
Read, read, read. Read some more.
Watch this video, and others like it.

Check out these websites:
www.vbacfacts.com
http://ican-online.org/
http://www.childbirth.org/section/VBACindex.html
http://www.vbac.com/

Read these books:
The VBAC Companion
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
Natural Childbirth After Cesarean
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
...and others like them

Check out this article..
VBA3C Study: Vaginal Birth After 3 Cesareans is Safer than Repeat Cesarean

Step 6: Strive for a Natural Birth
The less you mess with it, the better off you'll be. What does this mean? Strive to let labor begin on it's own. Avoid pitocin or other labor inducing drugs. (Pitocin and Misoprostil cause greater risks of uterine rupture in VBACS... and P.S., avoid Misoprostil during ANY birth). While epidurals do not add risk to VBAC itself, they do make it more likely that you will end up with another cesarean for other reasons. Advocate for the ability to move around as needed and wanted during labor, and push in a position that you are comfortable with. Again, this is an area where doulas can be a fabulous help and resource.

Bottom line, VBAC mamas, go for it!! You CAN do this!!!!

Great Birth Quotes

2011-06-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

I was browsing birth quotes today and thought I would share them with you. Enjoy!

“Many Western doctors hold the belief that we can improve everything, even natural childbirth in a healthy woman. This philosophy is the philosophy of people who think it deplorable that they were not consulted at the creation of Eve, because they would have done a better job.” - Kloosterman (ha ha!)

"In the sheltered simplicity of the first days after a baby is born, one sees again the magical closed circle, the miraculous sense of two people existing only for each other.” - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

“Giving birth entails enabling the mother rather than the persons in attendance to be central to the arrival of her child. Even when the arrival, as is sometimes true, must be effected surgically.” - Ruth W. Lubic

“To witness the birth of a child is our best opportunity to experience the meaning of the word miracle.” - Paul Carvel

"You do not need a vaginal exam to have a baby. I am serious. They will still come out." - Mama Birth

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” - Elizabeth Stone

“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers ~ strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.” - Barbara Katz Rothman

“Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.” - William Dixon

“We know that birth takes a woman from one place in her life to another. The birth of a child certainly does change her viewpoint of herself and I believe her viewpoint of the world.” - Samerrah Shareef

“Call it "womb awe" or even "womb worship" but it's not simple envy. I don't remember even wanting to be a woman. But each of the three times I have been present at the birth of one of my children, I have been overwhelmed by a sense of reverence... It was quite suddenly, the first day of creation; the Goddess giving birth to a world... Like men since the beginning of time I wondered: What can I ever create that will equal the magnificence of this new life?” - Sam Keen

“Babies are bits of star-dust blown from the hand of God. Lucky the woman who knows the pangs of birth for she has held a star.” - Larry Barretto

“Of all the joys that lighten suffering earth, what joy is welcomed like a new-born child?” - Caroline Norton

“Birth is an experience that demonstrates that life is not merely function and utility, but form and beauty.” - Christopher Largen

“People are giving birth underwater now. They say it's less traumatic for the baby because it's in water. But certainly more traumatic for the other people in the pool.” - Elaine Boosler

“We've put birth in the same category with illness and disease and it's never belonged there. Birth is naturally safe, but we've allowed it to be taken over by the medical community.” - Carla Hartley

Meal Train

2011-06-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

I just discovered the website Meal Train today, and I think it's a great tool. It allows a person to set up a meal calendar, with dates that you want meals and food preferences/allergies. Then you can email or facebook the calendar to family, friends, church members, etc. and they can reserve a date! It is perfect for the family with the new baby and even during pregnancy if the mama is on bed rest or needs a little extra help! Check it out.

What is a Postpartum Doula?

2011-06-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

Since discussing postpartum traditions in other cultures, I wanted to talk about what a postpartum doula is.

The roll of the postpartum doula is, in my humble opinion, essential. In our society, most of the people who would normally provide support to new mothers must work full time. Grandparents may be able to come stay for a week or two, but what about after that? Having a new baby is hard work! New mommies should not have to go through this fragile time alone. This is where the postpartum doula comes in. She fills in the gaps of care that a mother and baby need in the fourth trimester. She is a loving, supportive, and non-judgemental presence in the house. She is there not to take over care of the baby (as would a baby nurse), but to help ensure that the mother is rested, confident, and informed in how to take care of her own baby.

According to the DONA website, research shows parents who receive support can:

Feel more secure and cared for
Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
Have greater success with breastfeeding
Have greater self-confidence
Have less postpartum depression
Have lower incidence of abuse

Some of the things a postpartum doula does:

Mothers the mother so she can rest, relax, and recover from her pregnancy and birth
Gives the new mama precious time and freedom to take a shower, a walk, and or a much needed nap
Helps with non-medical baby care including:

Bathing
Diapering
Baby-wearing
Umbilical cord care
Soothing techniques

Assists with breastfeeding
Prepares nutritious meals
Assists with older sibling care
Helps with light housekeeping such as:

Laundry
Dishes
Vacuuming
Baby nursery set-up and maintenance
Surface cleaning

Runs errands or accompanies the mother on errands such as grocery shopping or doctor visits
Provides local resources for pediatricians, lactation counselors, support groups, and parenting classes

Doula care can range from a few hours a day to around the clock, depending on the needs of the family. They can also be especially helpful with multiples, recovery after a surgical birth, a mama suffering from postpartum mood disorders, and homes with older siblings.

The goal of postpartum doula care is to help the mother feel empowered, supported, and confident in her new role. This applies whether it is her first baby or 5th. Mothers deserve help throughout this transition!!

For more information, see the DONA article here.

If you are interested in postpartum care in the Inland Empire, CA - I am currently taking clients! Check out my website for more info :)

Facebook Business Page

2011-04-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

Hi friends! I just wanted to let you know that I have finally created a facebook page specifically for Mamatoto Doula Services. Please come on over and "like" it to stay up to date with me :-D

Breastfeeding after Breast Surgery - Resources

2011-04-19T13:21:00.000-07:00

I haven't forgotten about my postpartum doula post; life has been so busy! Can I just say again and again - I love supporting women!

I wanted to share some links to articles and websites that discuss breastfeeding after breast surgery, specifically breast augmentation. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a good place to start. I'll also be adding these to my resources page. I hope this is helpful to some mamas out there!

Websites/Articles:
BFAR - Breastfeeding After Breast and Nipple Surgeries
Breastfeeding After Breast Augmentation Surgery
La Leche League - Breastfeeding After Breast Surgery
Babycenter - Breastfeeding After Breast Augmentation

Books:
Breastfeeding After Breast and Nipple Procedures: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals (Clinics in Human Lactation) - Diana West & Elliot M. Hirsch
The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk - Diana West & Lisa Marasco
Defining Your Own Success - Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction Surgery - Diana West

Postpartum Rituals: Western Society and Other Cultures

2011-04-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

As we know, pregnancy and birth are one of the most important times in a woman's life. They are life changing events, and are typically treated as such. Women and their partners spend months in awe over the change of the woman's body and the life growing inside. They have rituals like baby showers to celebrate the new life of their child. They (hopefully) prepare for childbirth to the best of their ability by reading, researching, and taking classes about the best way for them to give birth. They set up the nursery, wash the baby clothes, and eagerly anticipate their precious baby's arrival. As it should be.

But what about AFTER the baby is born? How often are we prepared for the time after we come home from the hospital or birth center? I know I wasn't. Sure, I arranged for my ride home, and my mom stayed with me for a week. But beyond that, I had no idea of what to expect or how I was going to "do it all". I think this is true for a lot of parents in our society. We assume that we will not need help, that we can do it all ourselves.

(photo credit)

I believe that mothers know how to care for their baby, instinctively. Does that mean we know how to do everything and need no outside help? No!! It has been common practice throughout history for many women to surround a new mother and instruct her in the art of mothering her child.

And what about the rest of it? The meals, the laundry, the showers, the first baby bath, the breastfeeding? Our society has such an attitude of the idea that women should be able to do it all, and 3 days postpartum, no less! I believe that this expectation of mothers causes immense undue stress, which can lead to lack of confidence in caring for her baby, postpartum anxiety, and even postpartum depression.

The author Suzanne Arms asks "Is ours not a strange culture that focuses so much attention on childbirth--virtually all of it based on anxiety and fear--and so little on the crucial time after birth, when patterns are established that will affect the individual and the family for decades?"

In other cultures, the postpartum woman is well taken care of. In Korea, mothers are cared for 21 days postpartum. They are on bed rest and keep their baby with them in their room at all times (source).

In India, the postpartum woman is kept in seclusion "and attended to by female relatives. The Rajasthani enforced rest, physical and emotional support during the establishment of maternal bonding and lactation may be crucial in preventing or relieving postpartum depression, and are similar to those observed in Nepal which are also considered to manage postpartum stress" (source) .

(photo credit)

In the North African Amazigh tribe, women are kept secluded and attended by a midwife for 7 days after birth. They are painted with henna and eye kohl, and perform some of the same familiar rituals as their wedding time. "The effect of these ritual actions was to allow the mother to rest and be cared for by an experienced attendant during the 10 day period required for her estrogen, progesterone and prolactin levels to stabilize and for her to recover her strength. Neither mother nor child were washed with water during this period, but were cleaned with oil and henna." (source) These rituals and care continue for 40 days postpartum, and the mother and baby are kept together constantly so that the maternal - baby bond can be established. The mother is also excused from all household chores during this time.

(photo credit)

In China and Nepal, "very little attention is paid to the pregnancy; much more attention is focused on the mother after the baby is born. This has been described as "mothering the mother." For example, the new status of the mother is recognized through social rituals and gifts" (source).

(photo credit)

In rural Guatemala, and the Yucatan, "ritual bathing, washing of hair, massage, binding of the abdomen, and other types of personal care" are common postpartum practices done for the mother (source).

(photo credit)

How does this compare to the postpartum care of mothers in America? Can we even imagine being doted on, tended to, having our hair washed, all our meals prepared and brought to us, being massaged, being "made up" to look beautiful, not having to worry or focus on ANYTHING but our new baby?

Typically a new mama will come home 1 or 2 days after giving birth in a hospital or birth center. Her husband (if she has one) may stay home for a week if possible, and her parents may be able to come to help for a week or two. For the most part, however, new mothers are left to fend for themselves, due to the nature of our society where it is rare to have support people who do not work full time. Mamas are supposed to recover from the birth, take care of their new baby, take care of their other children (if they have them), breastfeed successfully, cook for themselves and their family, keep the house clean, do the laundry, do the dishes, and try to rest. This is such an unrealistic expectation of our postpartum women. It does them and their babies a GREAT disservice by causing incredible stress because it is just not possible to do it all.

This is where postpartum doulas come in. My next blog post will discuss what a postpartum doula is and how she can help our precious postpartum mamas. :-)

Here are the articles where I got my information - very interesting, I recommend you read them!

Traditional Postpartum Rituals of India, North Africa, and the Middle East - Catherine Cartwright Jones

Korean Postpartum Rituals (21 Days)

Postpartum Rituals and the Prevention of Postpartum Depression: A Cross Cultural Perspective - Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD, IBCLC

Historical Birth Postures with Art

2011-03-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

This video shows birth artwork from the 1800's, from many different cultures. It is seen that an upright position for birthing was instinctive and common.

Sexual Abuse and Birth - Some Resources

2011-03-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

Giving birth is a powerful experience for any woman - it stirs up emotions that we didn't know were there or were even possible. For women who have a history of sexual abuse - the potential for stress and anxiety during birth is very real. This is why it is so important to prepare oneself ahead of time for the feelings, sensations, and triggers that may appear during birth, so that you can in turn set up good coping techniques and unconditional love and support around you.

Below are links to a series of three blog posts from the Mother's Advocate blog on survivors of sexual abuse giving birth. They are informative, helpful, and real. I would recommend survivors (who are ready) and doulas alike give them a read.

Part 1 - I Will Survive: Thoughts on Survivors Giving Birth
Part 2 - Survivor Moms: The Healing Power of Birth
Part 3 - Motherhood: The Evolution of a Survivor

Here is another blog with stories of survivors. This disclaimer is from the blog "About reading survivor stories: Although the stories are encouraging because they represent survivors’ triumphs over adversity, they can also to be hard to read, because of the intensity of the issues and events. I encourage you to check in with yourself while reading survivor stories, especially if you are a survivor of past trauma, and limit your exposure if you become “triggered”. Feeling triggered might take several different forms. You might start re-experiencing a past trauma you have had before, by not being able to stop thinking about it, or dreaming about, or just feeling like it is happening all over again. You may feel distress or have physical symptoms like feeling your heart race or sweating. If you start to experience these things, you may benefit from talking to someone who understands how trauma works and how to help you with post-traumatic symptoms."

Here is the link to a book by Penny Simkin and Phyllis Klaus called "When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Early Sexual Abuse on Childbearing Women". - This book is geared more towards birth professionals.

This book, called Survivor Moms: Women's Stories of Birthing, Mothering and Healing after Sexual Abuse, is geared towards survivors and is a compilation of personal stories from survivors.

Here is another article from Our Bodies Ourselves with good tips.

For homeopathic remedies for the survivor during childbirth - go here.

If you are dealing with past trauma from sexual abuse, I recommend speaking with a counselor, clergy, or someone else with professional experience in this painful issue.

Much Love,
Elyse

Mother, Baby, or Birth?

2011-03-23T19:44:00.000-07:00

In doula training we did a self assessment which helped us, as doulas, determine what about serving others in birth was most important to us. If we identified most closely with the mother, it meant our philosophy on birth was to help the mother have HER best birth. If we identified mostly with the baby, then it was most important to us that the baby be healthy and have the least amount of interferences for its own well being. Lastly, if we identified most closely with the birth itself, that meant that we valued our idea of the "perfect birth" above all else. For most doulas this is a "natural" birth, or a birth free of any and all intervention.

At first I thought I identified most closely with birth. After all, a "natural" birth was what was best for the mother and baby anyways, right? Over time and through experience, I have come to change my mind. Yes, there is an ideal in the doula birth community, and it is intervention-free birth. Most parents want intervention-free birth as well. Some do not.

Now, I would classify myself as identifying most closely with the mother, with the baby coming in at a close second. What am I there for, if not to serve the mother (and her partner)? Am I there to serve my own purposes? And have my own agenda for birth be carried out? "May it never be so!!". What I want in birth does not have any bearing on the situation, unless it is MY birth. I want what my clients want. I want what they have chosen to be BEST for them, their baby, and their unique situation. I read in an article somewhere (cant remember which one) that birth is like snow and each client is a snowflake. They are all different, unique. A mother may choose or need to have a cesearean birth because of sexual trauma, or because of an STD that she doesn't want to risk passing on to her baby. Or it may be, after DAYS of labor, that she finally decides with the help of her support team, to have a cesarean birth.

There are also limitations within the obstetrical world, from what I've seen. A lot of families are birthing in hospitals, 99% countrywide, in fact. When you birth in a hospital, you cannot always have your "best case scenario". We as women are limited in our birth choices sometimes. Is it the mother's failing, then, that her water broke and her contractions aren't progressing, and because of the medical model she is in, she has pitocin? (Sure, you could say she chose to birth in a hospital, and it's easy to say that when we are not in the situation of having no spare cash to pay for a midwife or a birth center that our insurance won't cover.)

I agree that so many interventions and procedures are done far TOO OFTEN and should not be standard by any means. I am painfully aware that our model of care for birthing women needs to change drastically in this country. I will be the first one to advocate for that change and for a mother's right to birth how she wants.

The reason that I bring all this up (and the long awaited point here) is that I see some birth professionals discounting mothers birth experiences because they were not strictly intervention free. I see them saying that it is not a natural birth if pitocin was used, or an epidural. That 'it is sad that we would call something natural' if those things occured.

My problem with that is, it discounts the mother's experience. If she had pitocin, a little or a lot, and delivered vaginally, and is SO PROUD of her natural birth, who are we to tell her that was not a natural birth? If a woman has a long and exhausting labor and needs to REST, and so decides that it is best for her to have an epidural, who are we to tell her she didn't have a natural birth if thats what she identifies it as? And who really cares?? Why are we so caught up in an ideal that we are making moms feel like they failed because they had an IV, or had their waters ruptured, or had medical pain relief? It is so unfair, in my humble opinion, to taint feelings of pride and accomplishment for an ideal that we hold personally. It is not about us. It is not about me. It is not about my opinion of a mother's birth, it is about how SHE felt about it. It is my goal to have a mother walking out of that hospital saying "I did it, I am proud and happy with my birth", HOWEVER that may come about.

Yes, there are things to be said about the dangers and downsides of various interventions. Yes, I would rather, for the sake of my client and her baby, not have them exposed to the risks of interventions. But they are grown women, and as long as they know the benefits and risks of every procedure they undergo, I am right there with a smile on my face supporting them wholeheartedly. I want my mamas to have a wonderful, empowered memory of their birth. That is my ideal at the end of the day.

Welcome Baby Paige!

2011-03-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Baby Paige was due on March 20th, however, she started trying to make an appearance very early at only 32 weeks gestation. So her doctor put Mommy Avie on medicine to keep her in. It worked so well, that when Avie got off the medication, Paige didn't want to come out anymore! :) Mommy Avie and Daddy Tim were so excited when Avie started having contractions every 4-5 minutes on a Sunday, the first day of her 37th week. (This is a litttttle mama, and her babies are ready to come out around 37 weeks usually!) I went to Avie & Tim's house that Sunday night around 7, excited to be a part of this family's birth! Avie was handling the contractions perfectly; walking around, standing, and leaning against the kitchen counter, swaying and moaning through her contractions. She also used her birth ball to sit and lean on when she got tired of standing. She did not need much help through the contractions, though she did like to lean against Tim's back and have her back scratched lightly. The grandparents got there to watch big sister Jamie, and we all left for the hospital around 8.

We got to the hospital, and Avie was hooked up to the electronic fetal monitors so the nurses could see her contraction pattern. They were about every 5-7 minutes but not in an "effective" pattern according to the nurses. All three of us played poker and then went for a walk around the hospital for 2 more hours before returning to the room to be monitored again. The nurses decided to send Avie & Tim home as she was still in early labor.

The next morning, the contractions had slowed and Avie was determined to relax and not think about labor. She went a few more days before her water broke at home on the next Tuesday night, March 1st. She called her doctor, who told her to go to the hospital. She wanted to take her time though as she wasn't having contractions in a strong pattern, so she took a shower, straightened her hair and went to get some food with Tim. I met them at the hospital around 9pm and we waited to be checked into a room.

It was a popular baby night that night so we waited for a while before being checked in to an overflow room. We decided to play travel scrabble and they were both kicking my butt and making fun of my words! (haha) Avie was still not having contractions in a pattern, though they did start to pick up throughout the night. The doctor was talking about starting pitocin so Avie decided she wanted to try nipple stimulation. She had brought her breast pump so she started pumping. As soon as she did, her contractions picked up. She would close her eyes and breathe through them slowly, and then open her eyes and smile when they were over. This went on throughout the night, and at about 4am they moved us to a regular L&D room. What a relief! :)

At this point, Avie's contractions were strong, but the doctor wanted to see her progress faster, so they asked and Avie & Tim agreed to try pitocin. After discussing it, we asked the nurse to start a low dose of pitocin and increase it only by 1 or 2 ml at a time to give Avie's body a chance to catch up on it's own. She started to go into that primal labor state and had her eyes closed most of the time as she was going through contractions. She wanted to labor on her own so Tim and I stayed close by but not touching her. She was able to doze and relax in between contractions, and the only way we knew she was contracting was when she would start to take slow, deep breaths. She would then settle back in to rest. Once she got to 5-6 cm, her labor was progressing quickly. About an hour and a half later, she was 8cm and there was a feeling of excitement in the air. She was starting to need more support through her contractions. Her husband stayed by her side, stroking her hair and talking to her, while I was scratching her arms and back lightly.

Transition came around 9am and she started to make more noise and needed more encouragement to breathe and stay as relaxed as possible. She was so great at trying every suggestion that I and Tim and the nurse gave to her. She was able to stay very relaxed and breathe through each contraction. At 10am, she started to feel like she had to push. The nurse came in and helped her push through several contractions, for about 45 minutes. Baby Paige's head started to descend past the cervix and near the perineum so the doctor was called in. Once the doctor came in the room, Avie HAD to push and gently birthed her baby girl!!

Baby Paige was welcomed into the loving arms of her mommy and daddy at 11:04am on March 2, 2011. Daddy cut her umbilical cord, and they held and admired their new baby as I was taking pictures. Mommy did not tear and released the placenta within 10 minutes. When it came out she exclaimed "oh my gosh that felt SO GOOD!" :) Baby Paige was taken to be cleaned, weighed, and apgar scored. She got an 8 and 9 on her apgars, and weighed 7lbs. 11 oz. and was 19 1/2" long.

Within 5 minutes of being taken to be cleaned, Paige was brought back to mommy and daddy for some skin to skin. Mommy and baby gazed into each others eyes while daddy was right there with them, smiling and crying a little (as was I!!) About 10 minutes later, Paige was showing hunger cues, so Mommy and I got her in a good position to latch and latch she did!!! She was a champion nurser right from the get go.

A few minutes later, grandpa brought big sister Jamie to come and meet her new baby sister.

It was such an honor and pleasure to be part of this birth. Avie remarked that this was the exact birth she envisioned and hoped for! Thank you Avie & Tim for having me there and congratulations on your precious baby girl!!!!

*All names and pictures were used with permission of the family :)

Video: Do you need a doula?

2011-03-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

Hello! Check out this great video by a midwife explaining what she thinks of midwives. You have to go to this link and view it on facebook. Enjoy! What do you think of what she said?

(source)

Acupressure to Induce Labor

2011-03-09T14:02:00.000-08:00

Hi friends,

I am going to see a client in a few minutes who is almost 41 weeks. Her doctor is going to start talking about induction tomorrow, so she wanted to try a more natural technique. I am going to be doing some acupressure on her, and I thought I would share with you a few good acupressure points to induce labor and get the baby in a good position.

One of the best points is called Spleen 6, and it is located on your inner leg about 4 finger widths above the ankle bone. You can stimulate it by rubbing it and pushing inwards and upwards.

(source)

Another great point is Gall Bladder 21, and is located on your traps (shoulders). To find it, you can find the middle point in between the prominent bone sticking out when you let your head fall all the way forward, and the highest point of your shoulder bone. Go halfway in between these two bones and you've found it. It should feel tender when pushed on. You can massage this point with your fingers, have someone else do it, and have them use elbows if their fingers get tired.

(source)

Lastly, there is a point on your hand where the bones of your index finger and thumb meet. This is called Liver 14, and it is great for inducing labor and also easing pain. Because it is good for easing pain you can continue to use this one throughout labor. I always use this when I have a headache! :)

(source)

You can stimulate one or two of these points for 10 minutes at a time and then wait an hour or two in between. If you start feeling contractions, stop and observe them to note their intensity and frequency. If they are in a good pattern, stop the acupressure and let your body progress on its own.

To see a set of three great youtube videos on these three points and more, go here.

P.S. - It's always a good idea to run this and any other natural induction method by your doctor or midwife.

Happy Acupressuring! Have a beautiful day!

Birth Day

2011-03-02T19:05:00.000-08:00

"So many other things matter about being a mother, surely, beyond the day of giving birth. But birth is never a small event. It is the event that changes your life permanently, from that moment forward. It's the event that demands your attention, mentally, emotionally, and physically, in a way that nothing else can in life. And the way that birth is handled can affect women and their families long into the future." ~ The Doula Guide to Birth

I had the honor of seeing a baby girl being welcomed into the loving arms of her mommy and daddy this morning. I will post the birth story later with the family's permission. It was amazing. :)

How "Effective" is Your Contraction? - An L&D Nurse Trick

2011-02-28T18:02:00.000-08:00

In the hospital with one of my clients, an L&D nurse shared a little trick for her to use to determine if her contraction was a really "effective" one. She told her to tap her forehead, and notice how hard it was. Then she said to tap her nose, which feels softer. Finally she told her to tap her chin, which is somewhere in between the forehead and the nose in firmness.

She explained that when a mom is having a contraction, she can tap her stomach and compare it to the forehead, nose, and chin. If it feels hard like the forehead when tapped, it is a very strong and effective contraction. If it is soft like the nose, it is not a very strong one. If it is somewhere in between, like the chin, it is not as effective but still getting work done. I had never heard this before and thought it was a neat little trick.

How else does a mom know when a contraction is strong and effective?
- It is 45 seconds or longer. 1 minute contractions are especially effective at opening and thinning the cervix.
- Mom can't talk through them and needs to use her relaxation techniques

That all being said - this was told to the mama in order to help her to know if she was in active labor or not and whether or not she should come back to the hospital. I share this with a grain of salt as well, because a woman can be having contractions that don't seem effective to textbook standards, but is progressing very nicely. Therefore, this is not something that I think a laboring woman should be dwelling on. She doesn't need to be tapping her stomach and forehead through every contraction to see if it is "strong enough" ;-).

In fact, The Midwife Thinking's Blog wrote a post about "the effective contraction". It is very well done and worth a read.

So mamas... no obsessive tapping of the bellies, but maybe once or twice just for kicks :)

Why do I Doula?

2011-01-02T21:08:00.000-08:00

When I became a doula last year, I didn't really stop to think about WHY I was doing it. I wanted to, sure. I was excited about it, yes. I am passionate about birth, definitely.

So is that why I do it?

I am sure that is all part of it. And I believe that all of those are necessary when you start something new. But as I was reflecting more about the nature of being a doula and why I chose this path, I realized there is so much more to it than that.

As a doula, my heart reaches out to the hearts of others. I connect with women and with families and I begin to care deeply about them. I soothe them; I encourage them; I try to reveal their strength when they can't see it and I offer them mine when theirs is spent.

I had a thought that birth is like a natural disaster (in the most beautiful way). You can't stop birth, you can't control birth. As a woman you just have to succumb to the amazing force that is your body and your baby and your nature. You have to catch that wave and ride it until it delivers you to shore. And a doula, in the humblest and meekest of ways, is almost like a life raft. Holding you, cradling you, supporting you. I cannot stop the tsunami of life that is bringing forth your child, I cannot do your work of bringing new life. But I can be there with you, loving you. I can whisper "you can do this"... "keep breathing"... "you are amazing"..
I can hold you up, or get down to the floor. I can rub your back, and bring you nourishment.

I believe it is God's work. I believe that if God could be a physical presence in a labor room, He would act as a doula. He is the author of "doula". I want to and need to love like He does.

Birth is simple, it is primitive, but it is not easy. There are challenges. There are surprises. There is pain. There are questions. I have looked into a woman's eyes and cried because there was nothing I could do to make it better. Except I was there. And I know that being there was all I could offer in that moment.

So when I think about why I am a doula, I know that the simple answer is love. God first loved me, and He now lets me love others. I am honored to do it.

Moving right along...

2010-11-18T10:41:00.000-08:00

I love being a doula. It is something that grows and evolves every day in my life. I spend my time reading about birth, encouraging moms, sharing information, hanging out with other doulas, and thinking about how to help this love of mine grow. In the last month, I have:

Shared countless amazing articles about pregnancy, childbirth, and peaceful parenting on facebook, and made many more birth "friends"
Started a Twitter account for my doula friends/clients/fellow birth junkies
Purchased all my doula supplies for upcoming births
Worked on my website (It's so close to being done!)
Attended a workshop on Postpartum Depression
Attended a workshop on VBAC
Am going to attend this weekend a workshop on EDD (Estimated Due Date and the Due Date Dilemma)
Planned to attend a CAPPA Postpartum Doula training in early 2011 to become a PP Doula as well!!! :)

It's all so exciting... I got to visit a friend of mine last night who has a 1 week old precious baby girl. I brought her some vegetable lasagna and a salad and got to see her breastfeeding. (They are having a bit of trouble, but this dear mama is so brave and trying so hard and refuses to give up..yeah!) I have been giving her resources for BF help, and all the while feeling so wonderfully fulfilled and that "this is my place in the world"...to help these moms and babies.

I am also waiting for a birth mom to go into labor. She was "due" yesterday and can go into labor any time now! I am ready and confident and beyond thrilled to be there with her.

Much Doula Love,
Elyse

Happy Birthday, Baby!

2010-11-01T12:49:00.001-07:00

My sweet Arabella girl,

Today you are three. THREE! How did we get here so fast? Every time I call you baby, you remind me that you are a "big girl" now. You are right..but you will ALWAYS be my baby girl!

I still remember, like it was yesterday, the day you were born. (I know every mom says that, but it's so true!) You were born on a Thursday evening at 5pm. I was so excited to meet you, and hold you and kiss you. When they brought you to me for the first time, I thought you looked just like your papi, so beautifully tan and dark haired.

You are even more beautiful today than you were on that first day. But your beauty doesn't even begin to describe who you are.

You are funny! You make me laugh every day. You like to tease me and always know when I'm teasing you. You look at me sideways with little squinted eyes and say "You're teasing me mama!" and I can't help but laugh and confess.

You are so incredibly smart. You talk so much and with such a broad vocabulary that most people don't believe you are really so young. This year you learned many new words and surprised me often with your use of them... like one night when you told me you were "sprouting" and another night when you said you were so "confident"! You have also started learning how to write your letters. You can now write all the letters in your name. The letter "A" was a challenge for you at first but now you write it everywhere with skill and pride! You also understand most spanish and speak a little too. It makes me so proud to think you will know two languages when you grow up.

You are creative! You love to play and pretend that you are a baby doggie or baby kitty. This halloween you even dressed up like a doggie! You also like to pretend that you are the mommy and I am the baby. This is one of our favorite games! And you are a great mommy already, so nurturing and sweet.

You love all animals. Whenever we see a dog, you ask nicely if you can pet it. You are so gentle with them and you really want to have your own dog. Maybe some day! :-)

You love to dance, and sing, and jump. You also love to ride your tricycle, which you just learned how to do about a month ago.

You love God. Every time you get a boo boo you ask me to pray about it. We pray a lot! You know how much God loves you and that is the most important thing to always remember!

Belli, It is a JOY to be your mommy. Every day it seems you learn something new and I love to watch you grow and change. Sometimes we have hard days, when you are testing the limits and I am trying to figure out the best way to teach and help you. Mommy makes lots of mistakes but I know you know how much I love you! I am proud of the way you have your own desires and personality. I am proud that sometimes you question me. You have made me a better person. Seeing things through your eyes has opened up a whole new world for me.

I thank God for you every day, baby girl. You are the most precious gift He has ever given me and I love you with my whole heart. I can't wait to watch you grow more and more. Te quiero mucho mi princesa! Happy birthday!!!

Love, Mommy

A great doula post!

2010-10-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

Helene Rose wrote this entry on the elephant journal. It is the perfect summation of what a doula is and what she does. Check it out!

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/10/the-birth-doula-2/

Doula on "A Baby Story"

2010-10-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

Here is part of an episode with a great example of what a doula does. Dad is injured and cannot support mom through the labor. (Doulas are still just as important when dad CAN help though. She can coach them, support them, and guide them both through positions and pain relief techniques through labor. A doula NEVER replaces a daddy/partner.) He is filming and capturing the labor as mom and doula work through each contraction. The doula here rocks/holds mom, provides counterpressure, and hip squeezes to help with pain. They also go on a walk to help labor progress more quickly. This is a very active labor and that is definitely helping baby come down into mom's pelvis and speed labor along! :)

Growing

2010-09-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

Just as a mother grows her baby during pregnancy, I feel like I am growing my own baby - my inner doula :)

I am soaking up any birth related information like a thirsty sponge. I love it all. This miracle of life is fascinating to me. And I love to pass my knowledge on to others ~ especially mama's and papa's to be!

I already have a client, and by the grace of God, I also have a wonderful mentor who has asked me to be her back up doula. I am so blessed!
Here is a video that is the perfect representation of why I want to do this. Birth is so beautifully amazing!

Twin Home Birth

2010-08-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I had the pleasure of hearing this mama, Danielle, speak at the DASC meeting I went to a few weekends ago.

She had a homebirth of twins after having two hospital births. It had been her dream and determination to have a homebirth for her third pregnancy, however, when she found out she was having twins, her plans and dreams came into heartbreaking questions. She wondered if it was even possible. Was it safe? Could it be done? Had it been done before with success?

As fate would have it, she was already a Bradley method instructor and had some contacts. They got her in touch with people who had successfully been involved in homebirths of multiples. She also did her homework and attempted to interview other OB's and birth professionals. In the end she decided she would go through with it.

Her mission now is to educate and empower other women out there who want to have a homebirth of twins but aren't sure it is possible. Danielle believes that she may have ended up having a hospital birth with typical interventions if she hadn't been as well connected in the birth community as she was.

What was shocking to me (being a bit "green" in all this birth business) is what she told us about the likely interventions she would have received at the hospital.

She was told that the typical protocol for birthing twins in a hospital is in the OR...waiting to be cut open should any small complication arise!!!! This is just unbelievable to me! They don't even give mothers a CHANCE to have a natural birth. They just assume that a cesarean will be done.

The other thing was that one of her babies was 4 pounds, 12 ounces(I think...its on the video). She was born perfectly healthy at home with no complications or problems after birth. But in the hospital, she would have immediately been put in the NICU simply because of her weight. She and her mama would have been robbed of that important bonding, warming on eachother's skin, breastfeeding....all because she was perfectly healthy but a few ounces small.

I am so happy for Danielle that she got the birth she wanted! I hope her story reaches and touches every mom who wants the same!!

Amazing

2010-08-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

Wow! So much has happened since my last (and first) post!

It's amazing how right I was that this year would be a year of big change for me!

I have become much more involved in the "birth" world, and have recently started my training to be a Certified Birth Doula through DONA International!!! :-D It is my hope and goal to have all aspects of my doula education competed by the end of 2010. Then I will just need to attend births to complete my certification!

I went to a DASC (Doulas of Southern California) meeting on Saturday. Talking with all the doulas, mothers, and birth enthusiasts was so fun! The woman there had a homebirth of twin baby girls! That deserves a seperate post so I'll leave it at that for now!

I can't even express in words how excited I am. Sometimes I will just squeal with delight at the road I travelling!! Every book I read, every woman I talk to, every time a friend says "when I have a baby will you be my doula?" just makes my heart SOAR!

What an AMAZING thing to find your passion!! It's incredible how it energizes you and brings so much joy!

What is a Doula?

2010-06-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

Doula: An Ancient Concept for Modern Times

Doula comes from a greek word and means "a woman who serves". Today, doula refers to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after birth.

Women have always been attended by other women in childbirth and the postpartum period. It is only in our current society that we have moved away from this essential tradition. Doulas bridge the gap, providing education, support, and encouragement about the journey from womanhood into motherhood.

mamatoto.doula@gmail.com | (951) 445-9475

My Rebirth

2010-06-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

As my profile says, my name is Elyse. I am turning one year older on Monday and I am so excited because I feel that this year is going to be one of great growth for me. I have been searching for a career that I am passionate about, while pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Human Services. As I am coming closer and closer to graduation (5 more classes!) I have realized that my true passion lies in natural and holistic medicine and most of all, mamas and babies.

As many of you may know, "Mamatoto" is the Swahili word for motherbaby, and reflects the idea that a mother and baby are one entity, a packaged deal. The mother is the baby's habitat, and they are one.

After experiencing the amazing joy of having my own daughter, this is a concept that is close to my heart, because even 2 and a half years later, I still feel that she and I are one. She is mine and I am hers. We have had a very successful and fulfilling breastfeeding relationship, and I subscribe to the school of attachment parenting...even before I knew that's what it was called!

I am about to embark on my journey of training to be a doula, as well as getting an herbalist ceritification, and studying homeopathy, reflexology, and massage. I can't begin to describe how satisfying it is to my soul to have finally found my niche. I love to help people, empower people, and see growth and joy in other's lives.

With any new road travelled and challenge embarking, there is always a little healthy fear in me. As I was reading an article about the youngest girl to sail around the world by herself (at 16!), some things she said really hit me.

"You don’t have to be someone special or anything special to achieve something amazing, you’ve just got to have a dream, believe in it and work hard.”

“I’d like to think that by sailing solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world I’ve proved that anything really can be achieved if you set your mind to it. Anything really is possible,” she said.

Thanks for joining me on my journey!