Comments | rokica: On evidence

rokica

On evidence

May 10, 2009 11:32

One of the things that attracted me to lactation consulting, then doula-ing and midwifery, aside from the huge thrill of helping mothers, was the fact that the skills we are taught and the guidelines we are expected to follow (by international accreditation organizations) are evidence-based.

Conversely, one of my biggest pet peeves with the ( Read more... )

Comments 7

(The comment has been removed)

rokica May 10 2009, 10:48:04 UTC

digitaltaska May 10 2009, 14:31:10 UTC

I don't know if it's helpful, but it's at least a bit better here. A few examples: Induction only usually occurs 14 days after the due date, and they start with various herbal teas and progress to pills (only very late do they choose spinally-applied pitocin ( ... )

rokica May 10 2009, 15:30:53 UTC

It would be so awesome to see you before you have your baby! I would so love to visit ( ... )

digitaltaska May 13 2009, 15:22:28 UTC

You are welcome anytime! You are an (pretty much the only) exception to my upcoming visitors ban ( ... )

digitaltaska May 10 2009, 14:35:22 UTC

On a personal note: The images of laboring in the movie were pretty daunting, but the thing that really freaked me out was the epidural. Eeeeeeeeek!!!!

Hmm, wonder why I don't want to give birth in a hospital?

rokica May 10 2009, 15:35:44 UTC

I would recommend that you watch movies of laboring women. I didn't before I had my first child, and I was caught by surprise by the pain of labor. And I tried escaping it. Doesn't work. You need to somehow prepare yourself, mentally and physically, to be able to loosen your muscles despite physical discomfort.

Right now, I'm finding Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way very useful, even though I don't agree with the basic method of having the woman lie down to relax through her contractions. I think movement during labor is important, but the ABILITY to relax your muscles is vital, so lying sideways may be good practice for that... I would recommend this book highly... as well as the classic Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I would also recommend movies like Birth Day (you can buy it online and download it) or Orgasmic Birth... or Birth As We Know It.

digitaltaska May 13 2009, 15:27:26 UTC

The movie was pretty useful. I have to go get a new library card (for the city library, as opposed to the state library) so that I can borrow the movie that it's the sequel to.

Pregnancy yoga has also been very helpful with the physical discomfort / loosening muscles thing. The teacher likes to torture us by making us hold uncomfortable positions for a very long time.

But of course, I won't know what was useful until I go through the experience (and maybe not even then)... I'll just have to see!