Women Affecting Change In Birth
The 60's and 70's birth experience for a woman was going to the hospital, separated from her partner, laboring virtually alone and medicated. Times gave way to a surge of women seeking an unmedicated birth. But the 90's brought the epidural epidemic, climbing to 80% or even upwards of 90% of Atlanta women giving birth this way. What has happened to women's bodies..... (more)
Back to topThe Significance of the Birth Legacy
The birth stories of our ancestors become part of our own, stories, and we know them by heart. Each woman leaves a birth legacy when she communicates her experience and her feelings surrounding the birth of her child to others, especially women directly descended from her. Such legacies have lasting effects that are felt throughout society..... (more)
Back to topSome Important Things To Know
So, you have taken childbirth classes, read a ton of books and now you think you are ready for the birth of your baby. Well, let me share some things you need to know before you give birth. I share these things because recently I have encountered clients who have realized some difficulties that could have been avoided if a few more questions had been asked before the birth of their babies..... (more)
Back to topUsing Your Brain
When making a decision, we need to ask the right questions so that we can see our options clearly. This is a little acronym to remind you to use your brain when making decisions. It is useful in labor, but can be used for making all kinds of decisions along life's journey! (more)
Back to topWhen Should Your Doula Arrive In Your Labor?
A doula is a professional birth guide. Her role is one of non-intervention and non-clinical in nature. She gently guides through her words, suggestions, and knowledge of birth to assist a couple in having a birth that is in line with their birth desires. Many doulas will come to your home in labor to assist before you leave to go to the hospital, for hospital-planned births. The question that arises in labor is when should I have my doula come..... (more)
Back to topHow accurate is your Due Date?
In the 1850's, a Dr. Naegele determined the average length of human gestation was 266 days from conception, or 280 days (40 weeks) from last menstrual period. He assumed that the average woman had cycles that lasted 28 days and that she ovulated on Day 14 of her cycle. He used his data to come up with a mathematical calculation for due dates..... (more)
Back to topLet Labor Happen
The increase in cesareans today is linked to the increase in inductions. but there is certainly a seduction to induction today. The reason for inductions being so prevalent today is multifaceted. There are reasons to medically induce a labor. The signs of preeclampsia is one reason. There are some conditions that make the pregnancy threatening to the mom's health as well as the baby's. But many inductions are not medically indicated..... (more)
Back to topDoing the Next Best Thing
When someone asks if Birthing From Within is natural childbirth preparation, I have a hard time answering that. Certainly most of my students plan to attempt a medication free birth experience. But BFW is birthing in awareness. If you are making an informed decision, and are choosing your next approach based on what is the next best thing to do in our situation, then you are making a decision in awareness and thus birthing in awareness..... (more)
Back to topOn-demand deliveries
Increasingly, induction of labor is done for elective reasons - that is, pure convenience. And while some obstetricians hail this move, noting that it cuts down on weekend deliveries, many obstetricians and nurse-midwives worry that the trend may lead to a cavalcade of problems..... (more)
Back to topFear and Fatigue
As a labor doula there are two factors that I think make the most difference in labors. The first one is fear. Pam England says that the work of pregnancy is worry. We need to get all our fears out on the table and address them one by one. That way when labor begins, we have gotten the fear factor out of the way and we can labor. When a woman is holding onto some hidden fears she does not allow her body to unfold and birth..... (more)
Back to topThe Bishop Score
The Bishop Score is a method to help determine how favorable your body is for an induction. The less favorable, the more likely your induction will fail and thus lead to a cesarean birth. The more favorable your score is the more likely your induction will lead to a vaginal outcome. There are several reasons to induce. This is a question for you and your care provider. But determining how favorable you are is something you should know so you can make an informed decision regarding the likely outcome..... (more)
Back to topSelf-Confidence Can Make Childbirth Less Painful
According to the survey of 280 women who were pregnant for the first time and in their third trimester, a woman may believe that breathing and relaxation techniques can reduce the pain of labor but be incapable of using those techniques herself. These women were found to approach labor and delivery with more fear than women who were self-confident..... (more)
Back to topDo I Need a Doula if I Plan to get an Epidural?
I tell moms if they would be sorely disappointed if they don't get an epidural then I am probably not a good doula choice for them. The reason I say that is that many women who have considered an epidural an option, find that they don't need one once I am there offering many other options in pain relief. It is not the doula's roll to insure you get your epidural if you are not asking for pain relief and are coping well with the contractions..... (more)
Back to topLetter from a Dad
I am writing in response to your husband's concerns with the partnership of a Doula. When my wife first presented the Doula to me, I was a skeptic and had the initial reaction of being relegated to a bench player during delivery. After reading the same articles as my wife, I begin to see the medical support for a Doula and started to ask questions and looking for more answers..... (more)
Back to topAnother Letter from Dad
Every once in a while a lucky few find their ultimate calling in life and seize the opportunity. Teresa is one of those lucky few. She was born to be a doula and childbirth educator. My wife's 22 ½ hour labor and unmedicated vaginal birth of a 9 lb. 8 oz. baby girl went wonderfully and Teresa was a very large reason for that..... (more)
Back to topPoem: Before I was A Mom
Before I was a Mom I had never been puked on... Pooped on... Spit on... Chewed on... Peed on... Or pinched by tiny fingers. Before I was a Mom I had complete control of my mind My thoughts... My body... And my money..... (more)
Back to topThe Pregnant Patient's Rights
Most pregnant women are not fully aware of their rights to informed consent or the obstetrician's legal obligation to obtain informed consent to treatment. More than twenty years ago, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists acknowledged the pregnant patient's right of informed consent in the following excerpt from its 1974 Standards for Obstetric- Gynecologic Services (pgs. 66,67). "It is important to note the distinction between 'consent' and 'informed consent'." (more)
Back to topLinks to some of Teresa's articles
This is a list of articles I have written over time. The description is followed by the link to the page where the article is posted..... (more)
Back to topThe Urge to Push
An in-depth review of the literature reveals strong support for redefining the second stage of labor and decreasing the duration of time pregnant women are instructed to push. In fact, letting the body make gradual changes in the early phase of second stage labor, may actually shorten the pushing phase and reduce the incidence of physiological stress in the mother, acidosis in the neonate, instrument deliveries and damage to maternal perineal structures..... (more)
Back to topHaving a Baby? Ten Questions to Ask
A group of experts in birthing care came up with this list of 10 things to look for and ask about. Medical research supports all of these things. These are also the best ways to be mother-friendly. (more)
Back to topLa Leche League Annual Conference 2001
Here are excerpts from the speech that Teresa gave at the La Leche League Annual Conference 2001 in Atlanta, GA. A loving look at the benefits, rewards and challenges of experiencing the physical process of birth. (more)
Back to topThoughts on the Value of Labor Support
The word "doula" is Greek for "female servant." Doulas provide continuous one-on-one support to the laboring mother and her partner. They provide reassurance, encouragement, and emotional support. The mother gains a sense of safety from having a labor professional constantly by her side. While nurses work in shifts, and often have several patients to attend, doulas stay with the mother throughout her labor, no matter how long it may be. When the mother is coping well, the doula may simply be a calm presence in the room. (more)
Back to topBirth Dreams vs. Reality: Birth Plans?
Do you need a birth plan? I think it is important to think about and discuss with those who plan to support you in birth, about your birth ideals. But, I think it is not only misleading but unreasonable to even begin to think that a woman can really plan her birth. I believe that we need to think in terms of planning our births in a different way. (more)
Back to topLabor Found to Benefit Babies
A recent article in Scientific American documents why labor benefits,including their lung functioning. ("The 'Stress' of Being Born," Hugo Lagercrantz and Theodore A. Slotkin, Scientific American, April 1986, pp.100-107). Hormones called catecholamines are released in the baby in response to the stress of experiencing contractions, being pushed through the birth canal, and the intermittent oxygen deprivation which occurs in normal labor. Twenty years of research indicates that these hormones not only protect the baby from a lack of oxygen, but also prepare him or her to adapt to life outside the womb. (more)
Back to topBreastfeeding Information
You read tons of books on childbirth and attend classes and prepare for one day in your lifetime that will effect many other days to come. But ironically we fail to read and attend classes that help us with parenting and breastfeeding. Breastfeeding may last for years, and parenting will keep you involved for a lifetime. If you have a problem that is out of the ordinary and need a lactation consultation, please check out our services in this area. (more)
Back to topDr. Jack Newman's Breastfeeding Handouts
Check these out! (more)
Back to topBreast-Feeding, Intelligence Linked
Breast-fed babies may grow up to be smarter adults, according to research that bolsters the evidence linking nursing and intelligence. Most previous studies did not measure breast-feeding's effects on IQ into adulthood, and the few that did so ignored factors such as parents' education and social status, said the researchers, who took such variables into account. In their study of 3,253 Danish men and women, the more babies were breast-fed through 9 months of age, the higher they scored on intelligence tests in their late teens and 20s. Breast-feeding past 9 months had no additional effect on scores. (more)
Back to topJust One Bottle Won't Hurt ... or Will It?
At many hospitals they will suggest and perhaps even almost demand that you offer your baby formula. This is probably a great article to print off and take with you to your labor. If it is suggested, perhaps you can help to spread the truth about one bottle of formula and the problems with receiving it. Many people don't realize that one bottle of formula can begin a series of problems... (more)
Back to topPJ's Homebirth
PJ's first birth was a hospital induction that took several days to actually bring about the birth. PJ has a science background in veterinary science. She decided not to go the hospital route the second time, although her first birth was a good one, she was looking for a different experience this time. She and Erik took Teresa's childbirth classes the first time and did a refresher class in preparation for this birth. They hired Teresa as their labor doula again for this second birth as well. (more)
Back to topHolden's Birth Told By His Mom Dhari
Dhari and Ben took the Birthing In Awareness Childbirth Classes taught by Teresa. They came to the tea and decided to hire Guina Bixler to be their labor doula. They had their baby without any induction or pain management medication. Dhari is a petite mom, only 5'1" tall and wears a 5 1/2 shoe. So much for petite women having harder births!. She remained strong and allowed her instinctive voice to guide her as they drew on the preparation that they had done in hopes of having a gentle birth experience in bringing their son into the world! (more)
Back to topAnnouncements
We offer our additional classes quarterly- and most every month we have a childbirth class beginning!