<![CDATA[Birth Radical Doula - BLOG: Radical Birth Doula]]>

<![CDATA[Birth Radical Doula - BLOG: Radical Birth Doula]]>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:41:07 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Knowledge is power-yep its even true in childbirth]]>Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:21:39 -0800http://www.birthradicaldoula.com/1/post/2011/07/knowledge-is-power-yep-its-even-true-in-childbirth.htmlI wrote this post as a guest blogger for a fellow birth guru on her Birth Roots Blog After it was posted it was featured on the Childbirth Solutions LLC website. I thought i would share it here, as well!

Why does knowledge create power in the childbirth? Because, being truly educated in all aspects of birth can give you strength and power to make the best decisions for you and your baby. It can also remove fear surrounding the “scary” birth experience.

Being pregnant already has so many ups and down and lefts and rights… your tired, sore, hungry (sometimes), you have an unquenchable thirst, you are constantly given enough unsolicited advice, and it seems like a lot of work to learn all the aspects of birth.

Bad news… it is a lot of work to learn. It’s also a lot of hard work to have a baby. Good news… it’s a remarkable journey that will create a mother out of you and there’s nothing better than holding your new born baby in your arms after some good old fashioned hard work.

When you first peed on that stick you probably thought “ok, time to get the book ‘What to expect when you’re expecting’”. This book can be good as a quick look resource, however its chapter to prepare you for birth is very small compared to all the amazing literature on birth that is available via Amazon.com at nearly free prices, or actually for free to borrow at your local library (if they don’t have it-they can order it).

Instead of running out to get that book, I (and many of my other birth gurus) recommend the book “The thinking woman’s guide to a better birth” by Henci Goer. I like to call this book my “gateway book” it opened more doors into the birth realm than I had ever thought. I honestly didn’t believe everything that was being written the first time I read it. Then I got to the second half of the book. Yep, all documented evidence based research. It really got me thinking (pun intended) “what else am I missing?” “What other aspects of birth was I misinformed about?” and my personal favorite “my mother was really on to something having 2 births at home”

There are many great books out on the market today that will really open your eyes to pregnancy, birth and post partum. But even reading book after book will still only give you a taste of what is going on. (yes, we know it’s a lot to take in) This is also why there are wonderful people out there who teach Childbirth Education. These educators can be in hospitals, have their own practice or even do private classes.

Why are classes important? In my opinion I feel like classes are important because you can get more than one perspective on hot issues. Physically learn coping techniques and actively participate rather than just reading. There are even classes available online in the form of videos and discussion groups.

I also recommend watching two documentaries. ‘The business of being born’ and ‘Pregnant in America’. Some people have issues with documentaries, but it really can be eye opening to see some opinions and points of view.

What are the steps to becoming more educated and properly informed? It starts with taking the initiative to learn more!

1. Read plenty of books on childbirth. Recommendations:

The Thinking Woman’s Guide To a Better Birth by Henci Goer
Pushed by Laura Block
The Birth Partner 3rd Edition by Penny Simkin
Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper (typically has a dvd to come with it and it has awesome water birth and birth center footage)

2. Watch Documentaries

The Business of Being Born (by Rikki Lake)
Pregnant in America

3. STEER CLEAR OF ANY AND ALL “BIRTH SHOWS”! These shows are very dramatic and most often are fabricated for TV.

4. Take Childbirth Education classes. There are way too many options for this subject to name just one; I suggest interviewing and researching before you just choose the ones offered in the hospital.

5. Hire a Doula. Muy importanto!! No matter what birth you have, a doula is important because they are objective and educated in all things birth/postpartum. They can help you with so much, and some doula services are also covered by your insurance. There are even some women searching for certification births so you may even be entitled to free or nearly free services (priceless services)

Original post on Birth Roots Baby
Read it on Chilbirth solutions llc
]]><![CDATA[Ready to take on my fall and winter clientelle!]]>Sat, 17 Jul 2010 20:01:31 -0800http://www.birthradicaldoula.com/1/post/2010/07/ready-to-take-on-my-fall-and-winter-clientelle.html

After the birth of my son, i was worried if i would be ready to take on births, since i now have "two under two" (1 yr 11 mos apart) and so both can be a handful.
Well, i am feeling good and ready to get back on the ball to support women! I am currently offering my Hair services to those who sign an agreement with me!
i will cut and color your hair for you (i am a licensed cosmetologist as well ) before or after your birth! or if you refer a friend i will do a cut and color for you for just 20$ (60$ value)
If you or anyone you know need a doula please refer them to me! i do free consultations!

]]><![CDATA[The beauty of giving birth at home]]>Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:51:25 -0800http://www.birthradicaldoula.com/1/post/2010/07/the-beauty-of-giving-birth-at-home.html

As most of you know, i was pregnant with a little boy, due june 26th 2010.
He was BORNFREE at home with just my husband and I, in the wee hours of june 25th.
Having my child at home was the most amazing experience of my life. I am still in a euphoria over it.
Many people keep telling me how "brave" it was to have my child at home, but i dont feel like it was "bravery" rather than comfort and wanting what was best for my family.

it has been 2 weeks since i gave birth, and i feel amazing. other than in the morning when its "drag-ass" time, from not having sound sleep so i can listen for my son to feed. once i get going i feel great and i have been active ever since.

While i am a supporter of birthing unassisted, its not for everyone, and i suggest getting all the info and researching home birth before making any solid decisions.

but if home birth is something you are considering, it can be empowering and beautiful. you can find my birth story on my facebook page!

]]><![CDATA[April 27th 2010]]>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:50:42 -0800http://www.birthradicaldoula.com/1/post/2010/04/april-27th-2010.html

The big topic the last couple days is about a woman who contracted Strep A after having a home birth and ended up having to have all of her limbs removed.

most are using this article to talk about what happened.
In this blog i want to talk about the seriousness of Strep A and warning signs to look for after having a child. weather your in the hospital or at home.

STREPTOCOCCUS A
Strep A is a bacteria that most commonly causes sore throat, fever, swolen glands and skin infections.

Scarlet fever- in the strep A family-this is a type of spreading rash with also the same symptoms of strep throat.

Necrotizing Fasciitis- fever and severe pain, swelling, heat, and redness at a wound site. This form is known for the speed with which it attacks and destroys muscle and flesh.

(Necrotizing Fasciitis is very rare.if you are feeling signs of fever and severe pain, swelling, heat, and redness at a wound site, please do not hesitate to be seen immediately as this can be treated with an antibiotic, as with all forms of strep A.)

streptococcal toxic shock syndrome-early signs of this include include fever, dizziness, and confusion. There are no definitive signs for STSS that will distinguish itself from other

How do you get it?
Its from person to person contact. the infection is carried in fluid from the nose throat and mouth, and also from fluid from infected areas of the skin, it can also be contracted into the eyes. it is much harder to contract this type of strep from an inanimate object (such as a plate or toy)

PREVENTION
wash hands with soap and water, especially after sneezing coughing, or preparing food.
if you show signs of a sore throat you should be seen to have a strep test done. avoid work, school or public places until diagnosis
Keeping wounds clean, and watch out for possible signs of infection. if there are any signs of infection please seek medical attention immediately

Now lets get back to the subject about the Woman with her home birth that ended up having what i now believe to be Necrotizing Fasciitis. This woman was healthy and happy before having her child. after any woman gives birth, her body is more prone to infection because she is in the healing process, and can contract infection easily. She did not have to come in contact with someone else with Necrotizing Fasciitis in order to catch it, but even just someone who has strep a in general. After you give birth, you must be aware of your body. if you are feeling odd at all you need to be seen by a doctor.

In the article about generally being immune to the bacterias in your home, is a true statement. however, this does not fully apply to Strep A because this bacteria does not grow well on inanimate objects (such as plates, toys, toilets etc) When you have school age children running in and out, as they bring foreign bacteria into your home, and also if you have a midwife coming to your home for delivery. The fact that she had a home birth is irrelevant, and this could have happened any where. women who give birth in hospitals usually are released after 24 hours. Signs and symptoms of strep A are often noticed within 1-3.

Having a home birth had nothing to do with the fact that she had to have her limbs cut off. she failed to be seen after feeling the initial symptoms and ignoring them. your body is very complex, and can tell you pretty much every thing if you just listen to it.

Intuition needs to be taken seriously and any woman who chooses to birth at home needs to know this as well as any woman who has a child in the hospital.

]]><![CDATA[Monday the 19th]]>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:47:15 -0800http://www.birthradicaldoula.com/1/post/2010/04/monday-the-19th.html

Its hard being a birth radical and enthusiast. seeing how so many women are treated and manipulated by the mainstream medical field with something so natural makes me sick.

This weekend i was on some forums and a 19 year old woman was wanting to find support and information about having an unassisted child birth. She felt it was her intuition telling her that she should avoid the hospital and felt that nature intended that for her.

she got about 2% support and 98% negativity and ill treatment. There were women saying that she was "only 19 and ignorant" and "i hope you put your baby up for adoption because you obviously are too stupid to care for a child" and it just goes on from there.
I reached out to her, of course as i am planning my own unassisted birth in June, and explained where she could get good information and also gave her my website for reference.

I get so angry because these women don't realize that most women who choose to have an unassisted birth usually have their child and their health in the highest regards and only want whats best for their baby.

Although there is a place for OB/Gyns in the industry of pregnancy, not every pregnancy should be treated as a protocol for disaster. the rates are plateauing for mortality and morbidity, and i believe they could drop if some of the interventions and let nature do its job.
this country needs to make midwifery a main stream thing, and women need to start taking charge and listening to their intuition!!!

]]><![CDATA[The week of april 11th-16th]]>Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:57:58 -0800http://www.birthradicaldoula.com/1/post/2010/04/the-week-of-april-11th-16th.html

This week has been kind of crazy for me. It started at 8pm Sunday 4/11. I was already exhausted from the visit to the mountains. I laid my daughter down at 7:30 and i sat down to relax before going to bed for the evening.

I received the call from my client telling me she was going to be heading to the hospital within the next few hours. I scrambled to get someone to stay the night at my house, and was able to get in about 40 minutes of rest before my sister in law arrived. I met my client down at the hospital, and we were able to get some cat naps in so we could be rested for the event to come! the birth of a baby!!

I got home and took a much needed nap. Tuesday i worked, Wednesday and Thursday we did yard work and soaked up the sun, and as i returned back to work today, it was crazy. Due to the Volcanic ash above the UK there are flights grounded all over the place. (i work for a Tour company that operates tours all over the world) It was stressful.

I have to work tomorrow, and i know its going to be crazy on the phones then too. i still have alot of work to do, but im still glad this week is over!

]]><![CDATA[Thursday 4/8/2010]]>Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:12:42 -0800http://www.birthradicaldoula.com/1/post/2010/04/thursday-482010.html

Hello all! i am pleased to announce that Birthradicaldoula.com is now its own domain and will no longer be a subdomain of weebly.com!

this is a big step for me and also for the people i serve! i would love to hear from you on any concerns or questions you may have about my doula services!

thank you to my doula supporters!

]]><![CDATA[April 1st april fools?]]>Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:27:16 -0800http://www.birthradicaldoula.com/1/post/2010/04/april-1st-april-fools.html

This morning i recieved a text confirming my latest client has lost her mucous plug!

she is 39 weeks pregnant and ready to have her little boy. On tuesday her midwife was able to strip her membranes as she was 3cm dialated, but didnt seem to be effaced at all.

I have been shooting her texts to remind her to positive think, but not get overly exited as i dont want her to get disappointed.

I made arrangements if she has an over night labor, so that way my daughter can go to her aunties house. and im hoping to not miss a day of work tomorrow!

either way im totally excited for her, and i cant wait to have this birth experience with her and her husband!

lets all root for Steph as she enters early labor!!!

]]><![CDATA[The end of March is here]]>Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:38:49 -0800http://www.birthradicaldoula.com/1/post/2010/03/the-end-of-march-is-here.html

I cant believe March is pretty much over. Its been so cold, I am so glad to see the sun shining and the snow melting. Too bad we are still in for some snow.... ugh spring in Colorado does this to us i swear.

My husband goes back on nights today. So this will give me some time to myself and to get more of my certification work done. I just have a few sections of reading and tests left, I'm hoping to get my cert before i have my son at the end of June.

I am so proud to launch my website, and start my reach to women around the Denver area. Childbirth is something i am so passionate about , and i just want to share that with all women.

I have ordered my decals for my car as well with my name and website, maybe it will bring some interest!

any way thank you for visiting and taking the time to read my blog! i hope to reach out to all of you soon!

Love always,
Ty

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