As one of my clients has just successfully avoided an induction (mostly due to her doctor not wanting to attend her birth on Thanksgiving), the topic on my mind today is "full term" babies and unnecessary inductions. Then I saw this crazy video, and thought, now THAT baby is READY:
Fully Cooked -
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
I'm a Top Blog!
I'm so pleased and flattered to announce that this blog has won the 2010 Top Postpartum Care Blog Award! Strong Beautiful Birth sits among 25 other top blogs, including Penny Simpkin's blog!
The award is given by Medical Billing and Coding (I guess my post on my NPI helped with that) and the people at Blogging Awards.
The best part is, my blog was nominated for this award by my very own readers. Thank you so much!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Waiting game
I've got a client right now in the early stages of her induction... meaning nothing is really happening, so I am finding ways to occupy my time while my phone sits no more than 6 inches away from me. Every so often I stare at it, waiting for it to ring and tell me it's time to go. I'm not with her, but I am so with her.
I thought I'd keep my mind on birth and visit this little place I wish I visited more. Since it's been a while, there is so much I want to say.
First, Miles for Midwives was a blast. It was the largest they'd had, with 460 runners, 50 sponsors, and a huge crowd of others. And my little fundraiser page raised $200! Thank you so much to everyone who came and donated.
Of course, I forgot my camera, and the pictures I took on Michael's phone didn't come out, so I've got limited ones to show you. Here's one of the Metro Minis table. Joanna, the co-owner, is on the left wearing a beautiful Girasol wrap, while in the background, physical therapist Lisa Hoffman identifies a postpartum mom's diastasis (she teaches a free class at Metro Minis about it!). We also had cloth diapers, Kleen Kanteens, and other baby carriers on display:
And here's one of Michael and me and my brother's dog, Chi Chi, after they finished the race:
Dogs love midwives too!
The Miles for Midwives goodie bag was super sweet and chock full of coupons. I'm going to give most of them to my clients, but here are some I thought I'd post here. Give me a shout if you want any of them:
After all this celebration, you're thinking, Leda has to add something cynical, right? It wouldn't be a complete post without some complaint, right? Have no fear! The bad news is here:
What is this all about? The IRS has decided that breast pumps cannot be tax-sheltered, but other items like acne cream can be: "I.R.S. officials say they consider breast milk a food that can promote good health, the same way that eating citrus fruit can prevent scurvy. But because the I.R.S. code considers nutrition a necessity rather than a medical condition, the agency’s analysts view the cost of breast pumps, bottles and pads as no more deserving of a tax break than an orange juicer." Yeah, except orange juicers don't prevent cancer. And diabetes. And asthma. Or have the potential to save the US $13 billion in health care costs (reported in the middle of the article).
Whew. Now that the bad stuff is out of the way, I can be done.
And maybe I'll go to this birth someday...
I thought I'd keep my mind on birth and visit this little place I wish I visited more. Since it's been a while, there is so much I want to say.
First, Miles for Midwives was a blast. It was the largest they'd had, with 460 runners, 50 sponsors, and a huge crowd of others. And my little fundraiser page raised $200! Thank you so much to everyone who came and donated.
Of course, I forgot my camera, and the pictures I took on Michael's phone didn't come out, so I've got limited ones to show you. Here's one of the Metro Minis table. Joanna, the co-owner, is on the left wearing a beautiful Girasol wrap, while in the background, physical therapist Lisa Hoffman identifies a postpartum mom's diastasis (she teaches a free class at Metro Minis about it!). We also had cloth diapers, Kleen Kanteens, and other baby carriers on display:
And here's one of Michael and me and my brother's dog, Chi Chi, after they finished the race:
Dogs love midwives too!
The Miles for Midwives goodie bag was super sweet and chock full of coupons. I'm going to give most of them to my clients, but here are some I thought I'd post here. Give me a shout if you want any of them:
- $10 off an 8 week series at the Prenatal Yoga Center
- 10% off online orders at Magnificent Baby
- Free breastfeeding diary with any purchase at Yummy Mummy
- 50% off your first two treatments at Garden Acupuncture
- 10% off any class or workshop at Birth Day Presence
- $25 off your first BodyTalk session at Wisdom House Wellness
- $10 off any $50 online purchase at Jake and Ella
- This isn't a discount, but it's nice to know: 15% of what you pay for a 5-class Hypnobirthing course goes to Choices in Childbirth!
After all this celebration, you're thinking, Leda has to add something cynical, right? It wouldn't be a complete post without some complaint, right? Have no fear! The bad news is here:
What is this all about? The IRS has decided that breast pumps cannot be tax-sheltered, but other items like acne cream can be: "I.R.S. officials say they consider breast milk a food that can promote good health, the same way that eating citrus fruit can prevent scurvy. But because the I.R.S. code considers nutrition a necessity rather than a medical condition, the agency’s analysts view the cost of breast pumps, bottles and pads as no more deserving of a tax break than an orange juicer." Yeah, except orange juicers don't prevent cancer. And diabetes. And asthma. Or have the potential to save the US $13 billion in health care costs (reported in the middle of the article).
Whew. Now that the bad stuff is out of the way, I can be done.
And maybe I'll go to this birth someday...
Monday, September 27, 2010
Published Eavesdropper, Bad Doulas, and Birth Rape
Once again, a comment I was blessed to hear was selected for posting on the prestigious www.myobsaidwhat.com. MOSW is a hilarious and depressing blog for childbirth people to submit hilarious and depressing comments made by other childbirth people. My experience reading this blog usually goes like this:
first post on page: HAHAHA that's awful!
next: haha, oh dear, still awful
next: furrowed eyebrows, why are you like this?
next: sobbing, WHY DEAR GOD WHY?
I'm only giving you one to read, my submission. I give an elaboration of the situation in the comments section.
Thankfully, the mom took this comment in stride and laughed along with her OB. Part of me was glad to see that it didn't bother her. But another part of me wasn't. This kind of reaction, which I've seen a lot, reminds me of an argument that anthropologists Wendy Simonds, Barbara Katz Rothman, and Bari Meltzer Norman make in Laboring On. She wonders if doulas are actually making the politics of birth worse. Doulas often help women come to terms with this kind of treatment so that they retain a positive birth memory. But by doing so, are we wooing them into complacency? Preventing them from realizing the righteous anger that could encourage change and improve birth?
Someone made this comment on the post, explaining that the situation could be defined as "inappropriate vulgar language in intimate examination by a larger, stronger physical power over me."
While extreme, that definition is techically accurate. Which brings us to the controversial discussion of "birth rape" (my two cents on the topic: it exists).
In this particular birth, I didn't feel the need to talk about the comment her OB made at the postpartum visit, to see how she felt about it or encourage her to write a complaint. I just didn't think it affected her to the extent that she might need such kind of healing.
Instead, I'm warning everyone against this doctor. Is that good enough for the anthropologists?
first post on page: HAHAHA that's awful!
next: haha, oh dear, still awful
next: furrowed eyebrows, why are you like this?
next: sobbing, WHY DEAR GOD WHY?
I'm only giving you one to read, my submission. I give an elaboration of the situation in the comments section.
Thankfully, the mom took this comment in stride and laughed along with her OB. Part of me was glad to see that it didn't bother her. But another part of me wasn't. This kind of reaction, which I've seen a lot, reminds me of an argument that anthropologists Wendy Simonds, Barbara Katz Rothman, and Bari Meltzer Norman make in Laboring On. She wonders if doulas are actually making the politics of birth worse. Doulas often help women come to terms with this kind of treatment so that they retain a positive birth memory. But by doing so, are we wooing them into complacency? Preventing them from realizing the righteous anger that could encourage change and improve birth?
Someone made this comment on the post, explaining that the situation could be defined as "inappropriate vulgar language in intimate examination by a larger, stronger physical power over me."
While extreme, that definition is techically accurate. Which brings us to the controversial discussion of "birth rape" (my two cents on the topic: it exists).
In this particular birth, I didn't feel the need to talk about the comment her OB made at the postpartum visit, to see how she felt about it or encourage her to write a complaint. I just didn't think it affected her to the extent that she might need such kind of healing.
Instead, I'm warning everyone against this doctor. Is that good enough for the anthropologists?
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.8
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Coming soon: Miles for Midwives!
The 8th Annual Miles for Midwives 5K Walk/Run is taking place Saturday, October 2nd in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. This is one of my favorite events of the year: families, midwives, doulas, and all others in the birth-world and most importantly, all birth-world supporters join together to improve maternity care. In addition to the race, there will be a Wellness Fair with activities including yoga, reiki, acupuncture, massage, henna, and more. There will also be a silent auction and a Kid's Corner with games for all. I'll be there straddling two roles: doula/midwife supporter/future midwife and Metro Minis enthusiast, as I'll be manning the store's table!
Join the race by registering here, or simply come to enjoy all the activities, wander through the Wellness Fair, and admire all the cute babies.
If you can't make it but want to help out, please consider donating! I've set up my very own fundraiser page with a goal of raising $500.
It's going to be a great day for an even greater cause.
Join the race by registering here, or simply come to enjoy all the activities, wander through the Wellness Fair, and admire all the cute babies.
If you can't make it but want to help out, please consider donating! I've set up my very own fundraiser page with a goal of raising $500.
It's going to be a great day for an even greater cause.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Happy Labor Day
In honor of labor day today, I'm going to direct you all to a video depicting the astonishing power of a mother's touch.
Why would you ever use a warmer when this can happen?
Happy Labor Day to all!
Why would you ever use a warmer when this can happen?
Happy Labor Day to all!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Pride and shame (or something less dramatic)
I recently passed my one-year anniversary as a doula! To celebrate it, I finally put up a bulletin board and stuck all my pictures of babies, mamas, thank you notes, and birth announcements:
The bottom section has gifts clients have given me that I need to use. Yeah, that's $40 of BamCash and a gift certificate for a 60 minute treatment at a spa. All those hours of massaging butts really do pay off.
On an unrelated note, I woke up today to a Facebook message from a previous client:
"Hey you! My sister said she saw you on TV yesterday. Were you interviewed at Metro Minis?"
Yes, yes I was. I did not think they (WPIX Channel 11) would air it, nor did I think ANYONE would see it. I'm a little embarrassed (do I really sound like that? why did I have to wear that shirt that day? and my hair!) But, posting it here is for a good cause (go Metro Minis!) and there's other good information (about Lactation Consultants and postpartum physical therapy) so go ahead, watch.
The bottom section has gifts clients have given me that I need to use. Yeah, that's $40 of BamCash and a gift certificate for a 60 minute treatment at a spa. All those hours of massaging butts really do pay off.On an unrelated note, I woke up today to a Facebook message from a previous client:
"Hey you! My sister said she saw you on TV yesterday. Were you interviewed at Metro Minis?"
Yes, yes I was. I did not think they (WPIX Channel 11) would air it, nor did I think ANYONE would see it. I'm a little embarrassed (do I really sound like that? why did I have to wear that shirt that day? and my hair!) But, posting it here is for a good cause (go Metro Minis!) and there's other good information (about Lactation Consultants and postpartum physical therapy) so go ahead, watch.
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