This Page is updated every few weeks with information I've found helpful and informative that I'd like to share. Come back every once in awhile to stay updated on new helpful tips regarding your pregnancy, labor and birth!
A Postpartum doula is a non-judgmental woman with a quiet presence in the home. By giving emotional and breastfeeding support along with practical newborn care tips and taking care of necessary household tasks such as:grocery shopping,meal preparation; doing the dishes, laundry or tending to the older children, postpartum Doulas help ease the transition into motherhood.
What specific kinds of services does a postpartum doula offer?
While postpartum doulas differ somewhat in the types of services they offer, I offer the following and more:
Hello,
I've decided, to celebrate the beginning of school year, to offer a special 10% off of my doula services to those who reply to this offer! Take advantage of this great opportunity! So many moms these days aren't taking good enough care of themselves, and as your doula, I can help you stay on track, give you advice for your pregnancy, and help you along in any way I can. Having a doula from the start is also good for your partner, because it helps him have peace-that he won't be the only one in charge at your labor and birth, but that someone more knowledgeable than him will be present to help him, and you.
Call me for more information, and to schedule a meeting!
This offer is valid Sept. 1-October 31.
God Bless, and have a safe, healthy, happy pregnancy!
Posted July 2, 2009
Please look at my "about me and services" pages for more information on my Birth Doula services.
Strength for Childbearing
Lily Bateman & Kristin Schuchmann
(all scriptures quoted are from the New International Version of the Bible)
Exodus 1:19
“The midwives answered Pharaoh, ‘Hebrew women (God-fearing women) are not like Egyptian women, they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.’”
Lord, thank you that I have vigor and strength to deliver this child you have given us!
Exodus 15:2
“The Lord is my strength and my song. He had become my salvation.”
Lord, You are my song in the light and in the dark. I will always sing to you, my Savior and my strength.
2 Samuel 22:33
“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”
Lord, You make the way of our baby’s delivery perfect. You cause my body to be strong and work perfectly in order to glorify yourself in the delivery of our child.
Psalm 18:6
“In my distress I called to the Lord, I cried to God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”
Lord, I call to you for any help I will ever need, no matter what my situation. I call on You first… and you hear my call.
Psalm 46:1-2
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…”
Lord, You are the only ever-present one. Thank you for being with us during labor and delivery. I will not fear.
Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Lord, You made me. You created me to carry and deliver children. Thank you for making me in such a wonderful fashion.
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
Lord, You are my supernatural, perfect peace. I know your peace and will know it during labor and delivery of this child. My focus is on You and your goodness.
Isaiah 40:30-31
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
Lord, You will renew my strength during delivery. My strength will not wear out because it is from You and my hope is in You.
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Because You, Lord, are staying with me throughout my labor and delivery, I have no reason to fear.
Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…”
Lord, thank you for not leaving us alone. Thank you for being with our baby as it passes through the waters in my womb.
Isaiah 51:12
“I, even I, am He who comforts you.”
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for always being my comfort. You always bring the comfort I need.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Lord, I confess I can do this through You. It is You who gives me strength.
Psalm 119:165
“Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
Proverbs 14:30
“A heart at peace gives life to the body.”
Isaiah 54:13
“…and great will be your children’s peace (shalom).”
Thank you, Lord for your promise of peace. I receive the peace that is mine in you, Jesus. Thank you that my baby’s shalom, peace and total well-being, is secure because of your faithfulness to your servants and to your Word. May your peace rule and reign and give life during my labor and the delivery of this child you have given us.
(C) Copyright Charis Childbirth, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission
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Visit "About Me" and "Services" for more information on my Birth Doula Services
September 24, 2008 by Misha Safranski
We have it ingrained in our heads throughout our entire adult lives-pregnancy is 40 weeks. The “due date” we are given at that first prenatal visit is based upon that 40 weeks, and we look forward to it with great anticipation. When we are still pregnant after that magical date, we call ourselves “overdue” and the days seem to drag on like years. The problem with this belief about the 40 week EDD is that it is not based in fact. It is one of many pregnancy and childbirth myths which has wormed its way into the standard of practice over the years-something that is still believed because “that’s the way it’s always been done”.
The folly of Naegele’s Rule
The 40 week due date is based upon Naegele’s Rule. This theory was originated by Harmanni Boerhaave, a botanist who in 1744 came up with a method of calculating the EDD based upon evidence in the Bible that human gestation lasts approximately 10 lunar months. The formula was publicized around 1812 by German obstetrician Franz Naegele and since has become the accepted norm for calculating the due date. There is one glaring flaw in Naegele’s rule. Strictly speaking, a lunar (or synodic – from new moon to new moon) month is actually 29.53 days, which makes 10 lunar months roughly 295 days, a full 15 days longer than the 280 days gestation we’ve been lead to believe is average. In fact, if left alone, 50-80% of mothers will gestate beyond 40 weeks.
Variants in cycle length
Aside from the gross miscalculation of the lunar due date, there is another common problem associated with formulating a woman’s EDD: most methods of calculating gestational length are based upon a 28 day cycle. Not all women have a 28 day cycle; some are longer, some are shorter, and even those with a 28 day cycle do not always ovulate right on day 14. If a woman has a cycle which is significantly longer than 28 days and the baby is forced out too soon because her due date is calculated according to her LMP (last menstrual period), this can result in a premature baby with potential health problems at birth.
The inaccuracy of ultrasound
First trimester: 7 days
14 – 20 weeks: 10 days
21 – 30 weeks: 14 days
31 – 42 weeks: 21 days
Calculating an accurate EDD
Recent research offers a more accurate method of approximating gestational length. In 1990 Mittendorf et Al. undertook a study to calculate the average length of uncomplicated human pregnancy. They found that for first time mothers (nulliparas) pregnancy lasted an average of 288 days (41 weeks 1 day). For multiparas, mothers who had previously given birth, the average gestational length was 283 days or 40 weeks 3 days. To easily calculate this EDD formula, a nullipara would take the LMP, subtract 3 months, then add 15 days. Multiparas start with LMP, subtract 3 months and add 10 days. The best way to determine an accurate due date, no matter which method you use, is to chart your cycles so that you know what day you ovulate. There are online programs available for this purpose. Complete classes on tracking your cycle are also available through the Couple to Couple League.
ACOG and postdates
One of the most vital pieces of information to know when you are expecting is that ACOG itself (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) does not recommend interfering with a normal pregnancy before 42 completed weeks. This is why knowing your true conception date and EDD is very important; if you come under pressure from a care provider to deliver at a certain point, you can be armed with ACOG’s official recommendations as well as your own exact due date. This can help you and your baby avoid much unnecessary trauma throughout the labor and delivery. Remember, babies can’t read calendars; they come on their own time and almost always without complication when left alone to be born when they are truly ready.
Sources:
Mittendorf, R. et al., “The length of uncomplicated human gestation,” OB/GYN, Vol. 75, No., 6 June, 1990, pp. 907-932.
ACOG Practice Bulletin #55: Clinical Management of Post-term Pregnancy
Taken off of "Happy Healthy Living"
Blog by Kristin Schuchmann
http://happyhealthyliving.wordpress.com/category/labor-and-birth/
I'm listed at DoulaNetwork.com
