Induction means any action we take to start labor. There are many cultural/traditional induction methods, but usually when we say “induction” in the US, we mean medical induction. Medical induction is used when continuing the pregnancy poses risks to the parent or baby, such as when the parent has pre-eclamspia. It’s also frequently offered asContinue reading “Mentally Preparing for Medically Induced Birth”
Category Archives: Pregnancy
How to Talk so your Doctor will Listen
As a doula, one of the most valuable skills I offer my clients is facilitating effective communication with their doctors. That means when the doctor leaves the room, my clients aren’t thinking to themselves “Darn, I forgot to ask about _______!” It means my clients don’t tell themselves things like “I was going to bringContinue reading “How to Talk so your Doctor will Listen”
Gestational Diabetes is Not a Failure
Let’s talk for a minute about gestational diabetes. (And by “talk,” I mean “I write, you read.”) Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (also called hyperglycemia) during pregnancy, and it occurs in up to 10% of pregnancies in the United States. It can cause the developing baby to grow larger than they otherwise would. ItContinue reading “Gestational Diabetes is Not a Failure”
A healthy mom and baby is NOT all that matters!
If you’ve heard even just a handful of birth stories, this probably sounds familiar: “Mom and baby are both healthy, and that’s all that matters.” If you’ve been pregnant yourself, you may have heard people say that your health and the baby’s are all you need to worry about. And if you’re like me, hearingContinue reading “A healthy mom and baby is NOT all that matters!”
Consent During Birth
This is a post about consent, and I know you’re probably sick of the subject. But if you stick with this and read all the way to the end, you will be rewarded with a shiny purple box, and humorous post-scripts! Most of us learn the word “consent” in the context of sexual intimacy; we’reContinue reading “Consent During Birth”
Birth Preferences to Consider
Do you know your options when it comes to giving birth? It’s a good idea to consider them before you’re in the midst of labor.
What is a birth plan? Do I need one?
It’s not rocket science: a birth plan is your plan for how you want your birth to go. It’s kind of a like a wedding plan or dinner party plan, except you have a lot less control over what actually happens. So do you even need one? I think there’s an easy way to tell.Continue reading “What is a birth plan? Do I need one?”
All birth preferences come from a valid place
It seems there are few skills that human beings feel more qualified to judge than parenting. Maybe it’s because so many of us do it at some point in our lives, or because all of us have at least SEEN parenting and seen parenting mistakes. And somehow this fondness for judging parents extends right backContinue reading “All birth preferences come from a valid place”