Life is a series of crucial moments. Birth is one of these. Don’t lose faith in your ability to give birth when the crucial moment comes! Instead, trust yourself and remember that you are a strong woman.
Archive for the ‘Emotional Support’ Category
The Crucial Moment
Thursday, September 16th, 2010We Are Human So We Nurse
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
Isis breastfeeding Horus taken from the Isis Temple, Philae Island, Egypt.
It is a human thing, to breastfeed our young. We also attribute this to our gods. Here, the goddess Isis is breastfeeding the young god, Horus. The King, Ptolemy II is bringing Isis a gift or offering (right) as Anouket serves the goddess (left). I think it would be great if all nursing mothers were made to feel like goddesses or queens!
Write a Birth Story
Sunday, August 29th, 2010
photo by Sebastien Fauvel
Every birth is a story. I write a birth story for each birth I attend. In each story the mom is the heroine and the dad or partner is the supporting hero. The doula is the assistant and the recorder. She notices all the details which the mom can’t notice while she does the work of birthing her baby. Birth stories are riveting, especially for the mother and I always hope that the baby will be interested in hearing the story when he is older.
A woman’s hopes, fears, decisions and one of the strongest moments of her life are told in a birth story. A new life’s beginning are the details of a birth story. It is the beginning of a biography. I think every baby should have one.
When to Call Your Doula
Saturday, August 28th, 2010
Ask your doula when she wants you to call her. I like my client-moms to call me:
- after each doctor or midwife appointment
- If she has any concerns about how she is feeling or about any test results
- When her water breaks or leaks
- When she loses her mucus plug
- When she thinks she might be in labor (even if she is wrong)
- After her birth if she is having any concerns about breastfeeding or how she feels
As she gets closer to her due date, I like to keep in closer touch with her. That way I get an overall picture of how close she is to her birth and how advanced her cervical changes are when she starts labor. Then I can usually tell approximately how long her labor will be (without an epidural). When it comes to keeping up with birth cues, communication is key.
Where are the Motherhood Oscars?
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
Becoming a mother means changing your life. You nurture a new life and let your baby’s needs and total dependency become your focus. No one has ever needed your presence that much before. It isn’t surprising that mothers focus on their babies and lose focus of themselves.
As a mother, you do heroic things. Give birth, breastfeed your baby, take responsibility for your child. As you win in each arena, you grow in confidence. Most mothers find some of these steps challenging. Some mothers seem to be naturals, but they have their hidden struggles, too. So my question of the day is: where are the motherhood Oscars?
I know mothers whom I admire who have breastfed their children for nine or more years altogether. I know moms who homeschool and help their children achieve their dreams. I know mothers who cook every day and manage to keep their houses uncluttered. None of the mothers find all of this easy. It is challenging and rewarding. Unfortunately there are no awards ceremonies for mothers we admire. So when you see a mom who is doing her job in an admirable way, praise her! She will appreciate it, I guarantee it.
