This video is amazing – and she has a beautiful voice!

Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD) is a diagnosis that is often given as the reason for a cesarean section. It means that the baby’s head is too big for the mother’s pelvis, or the mother’s pelvis is too small for the baby’s head. The problem is that this diagnosis has been proven incorrect many times. Sometimes the baby comes out much smaller than the doctor estimated using ultrasound. There is at least a 20% margin of error in estimating the weights of full term babies who are suspected to be large for gestational age. (Source) Also, many mothers have gone on to give birth vaginally to larger babies than their previous babies in which they were given the CPD diagnosis. This video shows photos of women who were diagnosed with CPD and then went on to have larger babies afterwards.

If your doctor has mentioned this possibility to you and suggested a planned c-section, please consider carefully! Your body was created to give birth. Your pelvis is working for several weeks prior to labor to be ready to widen and open enough for your baby to come through. In addition, your baby’s head molds and the skull plates overlap to make it smaller to go through the birth canal. This is why many babies have misshapen heads for a few hours right after their births. Believe in your body’s ability to give birth normally, naturally, and without intervention! Your trust and confidence in your body’s process of birthing will have a huge impact on your emotions and will directly affect the length and difficulty of your labor. Focus on the positive!  

For more information, please visit the International Cesarean Awareness Network website.

How to Use a Birth Ball For Pregnancy And Labor: Finding Comfort …

This is a great article and video about some of the ways that you can use a birth ball during your pregnancy and labor.  Practicing ahead of time on your own, with your partner, and with your doula will help tremendously in preparation and helping you to feel comfortable with the ball.

Who needs a doula? Every pregnant woman can have a more positive birth experience by having a doula attend her birth!

First time moms greatly benefit from the presence of a doula. The experience of labor and birth is brand new and a doula can help reassure Mom and help her to work with the new sensations her body is feeling.

Moms giving birth in a hospital are especially helped by having a doula with them. A doula will act as an advocate between Mom and the caregivers to communicate her wishes and assist her in having the best birth possible. This is particularly important if Mom desires a natural birth without medical interventions, or if she wants to minimize their use. If medical interventions are necessary, a doula will educate the parents on their options and encourage them through the entire process.

Moms with a previous disappointing birth experience are much more likely to have a future positive birth with a doula present. This includes situations such as previously being medicated, labor induction, having to stay in bed during labor, unnecessary episiotomies, forceps or vacuum usage, long labor, c-section, breastfeeding success, and postpartum depression. All of these scenarios are shown by research to be dramatically improved by the presence of a doula.

In a recent study, (source) women cared for during labor by a birth doula, compared to those receiving usual care were

26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
41% less likely to give birth with a vacuum extractor or forceps
28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
33% less likely to be dissatisfied or negatively rate their birth experience

As your doula I will provide:

• Assistance with birth planning, prenatal care, and birth partner preparation
• 2-3 prenatal visits and at least 2 postpartum visits, depending on the need
• Availability for phone consultations anytime during pregnancy and afterwards
• Continuous labor support from early labor (as needed) throughout the immediate postpartum period
• Suggestions and support for pain coping techniques, positions during labor, calm birthing atmosphere, awareness of Mom’s changing needs
• Assistance with parent-infant bonding, breastfeeding help as needed
• Newborn and Mom care advice and assistance throughout the postpartum weeks

My experience:

• Certified Doula with Childbirth International since 2006
• I have experience as a doula with home birth, hospital birth, epidurals, cesarean section, high-risk pregnancy, VBAC, teen moms, breastfeeding problems, and more
• Certified Baby’s First Massage Instructor
• Mother of 6 children : 2 hospital births and 4 home births (including 3 water births)
• Extensive breastfeeding experience – total of 12 years between 6 children so far
• Herbal/natural remedy knowledge for both pregnant moms and babies/children
• Personal experience dealing with miscarriages – I can help with miscarriage care and emotional support if needed

Please Contact Me if you need a doula in San Antonio and are interested in my services.

Beautiful Home Birth baby boy