H1N1

Here's a great article I found via Birthsource:

Today's Research: H1N1 & Pregnancy

Confusing and controversial...that is how one childbirth educator put it when trying to answer questions in class about the H1N1 virus and whether to vaccinate if pregnant.

"It (the question) puts us between a rock and a hard place," says this childbirth educator (who we'll call Sally) who wanted to remain nameless. "I work and teach for a hospital. And I know the "party line", but the actual research is not so clear!"

A recent article in the Orange County Register (California) highlight a part of the professional controversy. Dr. Bob Sears' opinion differs from others: "As a doctor, we swear an oath to 'First, do no harm.' So I have a hard time recommending a treatment that doesn't show it causes no harm," he said. "It's not just the H1N1 vaccine that's not been tested. The regular flu vaccine has not been tested in pregnant women, either, to show that it's safe in babies. That kind of boggles my mind, because the regular flu vaccine has been around for years, and there have been plenty of opportunities for the companies to do some safety testing on them so pregnant women can feel more comfortable about them."

Dr. Felice L. Gersh, an OB/GYN at Women's Medical Group of Irvine who has been practicing for 28 years, echoes the assessment of governmental health agencies, who say the vaccine is safe and are mounting a campaign to urge pregnant women to get the H1N1 and seasonal-flu vaccines. Gersh said Sears and other doctors skeptical of the H1N1 vaccine are "going against the weight of scientific evidence."

"Sometimes in medicine, as in life, you have to go with your best guess using available data," she said. "Everything can't be signed, sealed and guaranteed. This is a judgment call. And all the data is in favor of getting the vaccine."

The Center For Disease Control has an excellent website with answers to questions about the H1N1 and also the vaccine. While thimerosal may not be in the single dose vials or the nasal spray, it will be in the multi-dose vials. The vaccine may also contain formaldehyde and egg byproducts.

There are some key lifestyle modifications that could help expectant women with promoting a healthy immune system and thus minimizing or eliminating the H1N1: (1) hydrate yourself with at least 64 fl oz or more; (2) wash hands thoroughly with warm/hot water and bar soap (avoid antibacterial soaps). Dry on paper towels and throw them away. (3) increase the probiotics in the diet. 70% of our immune system is in the colon. Probiotics can be consumed via cultured dairy products such as yogurts and fermented foods such as sauerkraut. For more information, click to the article on Pregnancy and the H1N1 virus at Midwifery Today.

And these helpful tips for the general public from Donna Walls RN, IBCLC, Certified Aromatherapist/Herbalist of Mother Earth Sundries:

1) wash hands frequently- PLEASE use soap. avoid the hand sanitizers- many contain Triclosan which is linked to breast and other reproductive cancers. If you need a "travel" container, purchase a small 1 ounce bottle or jar and put 1 oz of water with 30 drops of lavender essential oil for a safe, effective hand cleaner when there is no water close by!

2) boost you immune system. Try and herbal immune booster- astragalus is a great one. Taken as teas, capsules or tinctures this herb has proven to boost you body's ability to fight off all kinds of infections. Do not use echinacea regularly- it do not prevent colds or flu, although if taken at the onset of symptoms, it will reduce the length and severity of the symptoms. Both these herbs are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

3) try a steam of eucalyptus essential oil. Place a pan of water (about 1" of water) on the stove and bring to a simmer. Add 10-12 drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil and inhale the steam for 1-2 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times a day as needed. You might also look into a nasal rinse with the Neti Pot. it's a great way to flush germs out of the nose.


As with all controversies, an educator gives to her clients the research or shows access to the research. This paves the way to the client(s) making the best choice based on the knowledge available. Sally agreed, "It is difficult to give an answer when all of the data is not available. And with the media, it makes it even harder."

What an amazing day - Here comes baby M

I've joked to several clients that I'm a "speedy" doula. Most of my births have been around the 4 hour mark, give or take a few hours. However, I knew that a long one would happen, it was only a matter of time.

Baby M was my first overnighter. I arrived at the hospital at 6pm, about 6 hours after the induction began. The mom really didn't want pain medication, though we talked a lot about how pitocin is generally pretty darn painful. But since she wanted to wait, I didn't push - instead we worked through each contraction with positioning, massage and lots of encouragement. Progress was slow and around midnight she decided to get an epidural. And that's when things began to really progress. I'm so thankful for medication and what it can do! Also, when you decide to induce with medication, it's very hard not to need medication to get through it. And our ultimate goal was a VBAC - so again, we had to keep that in mind.

After we were settled, we rested through the night (the best you can in a hospital, anyway!) Around 7am she was complete! We waited to labor the baby down and do a little practice pushing. At 8:30am we noticed some odd swelling on the sides of mom's head. The doctors (and staff, and me!) were completely baffled - but decided to err on the side of caution. So, to help mom push without putting too much stress on her head (the swelling increased with pushing), they used a vacuum extractor. At 10:15 and after two strong pushes, baby girl M was born - gorgeous and hollering!

Dad was brilliant, holding her right away and singing her a beautiful melody. Mom did a great job and accomplished so much in those 24 hours of labor! Thankfully the swelling subsided as soon as labor was complete, nursing was established in record time and a few hours later I left the happy family on a crisp and snowy October 10th!

Happy birthday, baby M!

Welcome to the World, Baby S!

October 2-

On a misty Autumn day, beautiful baby girl S was born. Her mama was so strong - having to change her plan for a drug-free birth due to complications in her labor - this first time mama labored through like a master. The epidural saved the day and not only took away her pain, but also her complications! Thank God!

Just a few hours later, easily laboring down her sweet girl, her baby came into the world without a sound. Bright eyed, turning pinker by the second and completely quiet. Dad cut the cord and a family was born.

It's so amazing to enter a room of two and leave with three. I love my calling.

What does a doula do?

Each doula is unique in her own business and ideology of the birth process. And each client is also unique in her needs!

As your birth doula, I will work with you and your partner to discover what kind of birth you desire, and do everything I can to help you experience it. This includes writing a birth plan to reflect your wants and needs for your birth.

As your birth doula I will:

• Answer any phone calls or emails during your pregnancy
• Set up at least two prenatal visit with you and your partner (this can also include going to a doctor or midwife appointment with you)
• Remain on call for two weeks before and two weeks after your due date
• Provide a back-up doula in the event I am unable to attend your birth
• Help you labor at home
• Provide suggestions on positioning and movement
• Offer information on procedures and protocol for you to make an educated decision
• Stay throughout your labor, my shift does not end
• Provide support to your partner
• Stay until breastfeeding is established
• Follow up with a postpartum visit
• Write your birth story as a gift to you and your family
• Remain available for you to help with any questions after your baby arrives!

As your postpartum doula, I will also come up with ways to make the transition back into your home the smoothest possible.

As your postpartum doula I will:

• Offer ideas for baby soothing methods
• Show you baby massage techniques
• Provide information for baby care and breastfeeding support
• Help with baby laundry and organization
• Give you time to nap, eat a meal or shower!
• Play with older children, or help with the baby while you get some one-on-one time with your older children.
• Provide some companionship
• Answer any questions you have about postpartum topics such as: depression, milk storage, nursing, sleeping, scheduling, organization, cloth diapering, play groups and other local resources for new moms

2009 Fees and information

Birth services:

$450 -- Includes two prenatal visits, the birth, and one postpartum visit

A nonrefundable retainer ($225) is required for me to put your due date on my calendar. I request the rest of the payment at our last postpartum meeting (or a month before your due date).

I do work on a sliding scale, and can also offer a payment plan. I am very flexible, so please discuss payment with me!

Postpartum services:

$20/hour -- Initially, at least four hours need to be scheduled, with payment in advance. ***10% discount on postpartum services if I was your birth doula.

Happy Birthday, Baby G.

A beautiful girl was born at 5:00am August 18th. Her parents wished for a natural birth and it went as they desired. I arrived at the hospital at 1am, she went from 2-3.5 cm by 3:30, her bag of water broke at 4:30, checked again at 4:35 and was 5cm. We worked very hard on finding comfortable positions, and resting as much as possible between contractions. Lots of breath work and focusing. The tub was full - but her water broke before we could try it! Several strong contractions and the urge to push later she was 9.5cm at 4:58 and was complete and ready to push at 5:00. Baby G was born a few seconds after her first push!

Mama was a star and Dad was very sweet taking care of her. By 6am Baby G had nursed on both sides and was content wrapped up like a burrito, being held by Dad.

I also got to share this birth with my doula mentor and friend. I feel so blessed to be a part of these families' lives. What a beautiful morning!

Why use a doula?

What is a doula, you ask? Check out the info from http://www.dona.org/ or below.

What is a doula?

Giving birth to a baby is so much more than a physical phenomenon; it engages parents-to-be in a transformational experience, a key life event full of emotion and meaning. A doula who accompanies a woman in labor mothers the mother, taking care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth. A doula also provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance their experiences of birth. A postpartum doula continues that valuable emotional support and guidance, helping a family make a smooth transition into new family dynamics.

DONA International doulas make the difference

Our doulas are educated and knowledgeable about childbirth and the postpartum experience. They are advocates and a listening ear for birthing mothers, as well as facilitators to her partner. When a family goes home with a new baby, a postpartum doula supports every member and the family unit as a whole.DONA International doulas are educated to work within evidence-based standards of practice. The skills that they develop are medically proven to make a true difference in the experience of birth. A DONA International doula’s presence at birth improves outcomes for mother and baby. In the postpartum period, a doula’s guidance can empower and encourage new parents, inspiring self-confidence in parenting.

Why use a doula?

DONA International doulas mother the mother

Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.

DONA International doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a loving touch; positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth:

• Tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications


• Reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience


• Reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans


• Reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Research shows parents who receive support can:

• Feel more secure and cared for


• Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics


• Have greater success with breastfeedingHave greater self-confidence


• Have less postpartum depression

Why Mamatoto?

Mamatoto is Swahili for Mother Baby. I picked this name as the name of my doula business because of a book I bought when I was seventeen - also called Mamatoto. This was a beautiful book put out by The Body Shop, celebrating birth, mothers and babies all over the globe. It's full of history, culture, stories and amazing pictures of women and their babies.

When I was in high school I had planned on going into medicine, become a doctor and work with mothers and babies. Then college came, as a double premed and music major. The coursework was brutal and I chose what I was good at: music. Fast forward several years of college, teaching high school vocal music for three years, burning out and quitting and working in a hospital as a secretary. In a hospital setting I felt that call into medicine and decided to become a Physician Assistant. Once again the road was long and hard. I was married, had one child and realized even as a PA I wasn't going to have the personal attentiveness I wanted to give to my patients. Questioning my path again, I read about doulas in Paths to Becoming a Midwife. It's possible a lightbulb flashed above my head!

A month later I met a doula, grilled her senseless (she became a great friend and mentor), found a local DONA postpartum class, and had my first client (which quickly turned into three!) in a week! I asked our DONA certified teacher when the next birth doula class was held and she asked me when I wanted it! So I picked her first opening in January of 2008. I finished the class on January 25th and my first birth client had her baby on the 30th.

This has been a long journey. When I turned away from music, teaching, and becoming a pre-PA student and opened myself up to working and living as a doula, doors opened for me. Yet, the empathetic and emotional threads I carry as a musician weave effortlessly into my doula self. All of those classroom hours in biology, chemistry, A&P, psychology, my EMT-B certification and my job as a nursing assistant add another rich layer. Nothing was wasted - I finally feel I am where I need to be.