HOLDING THE SPACE

Positive Stories:

Have you noticed how people always seem to have an opinion on everything related to pregnancy, birth, labor and parenting? The list can go on and on....one of the biggest challenges women who are pregnant face is negativity towards their birth choices. We need to provide an environment of non-judgement. Everyone is doing the best they can with the information they have and NONE of us should feel, or make other people feel bad for what choice they made.

One of the roles of being a Doula is providing emotional support. Women have a keen intuition on what they feel is best for their body and baby....after all they are the ones that have been living in their body! Doulas many times speak about "holding the space" allowing the woman the ability to just BE with her choices....really look at them from every different angle...providing her with information if needed...but sometimes, just being there...is enough. That takes patience, kindness and unconditional love. WE all have our own ideas of what WE think is best...yet we need to allow the woman to make those choices and receive support for them, whether or not we align we her choice.

The majority of the time, we only hear about 'bad' stories surrounding birth. Here are some great stories you might not have heard yet: When discussing options with friends that might be pregnant, ask them this questions: "How can I support you?" ...and just see what their response is.

Normal Hospital Birth
Water Birth
Birthed at Home in the Caul
Surprise! Twins, Roadside No Less
Calm Hynobabies Mom: Homebirth
A Mother with a Sense of Humor
Help for a Natural Hospital Birth

BIRTH MATTERS

"The way a society views a pregnant and birthing woman, reflects how that society views women as a whole. If women are considered weak in their most powerful moments, what does that mean?" ~Marcie Macari

The Case for Evidence Based Care:
When a woman learns that she is pregnant, waves of different emotions course through her veins throughout her pregnancy. Choices have to be made, not only during pregnancy, labor and birth...but everyday. It can be exhausting to weed out the things we consciously choose not to embrace by being a new parent. The Case for Evidence Based Care is reaching a critical mass; The US has a higher maternity mortality rate than 40 other countries, yet we as a nation spend MORE than any other country on healthcare. Women want to be treated as they are human, not based on 'norms' and 'averages' and 'protocol' and definitely not heard when discussing options with their Primary Care Provider. EVERY woman is different just as EVERY pregnancy/birth/labor is different. I can see on one hand why protocol and policies are put in order...to ensure their is a formatted way of handling each situation that can arise...yet...by embracing that kind of care....do we loose sight of the essence of birth? Do we loose sight of the magic, the blessing, the mystical arrival of a new human being on this planet? Is there a way to build the bridge? Can we support the essence of birth while still providing the best possible care? Can we stand side by side women and help them make choices about their bodies, their pregnancy and their child without manipulation, harsh words/tones and attitudes that dis-empower them instead of lift them up? I think it begins with each of us, creating a small ripple of encouragement and joy for our family, friends and acquaintances. Only by making better choices, actively participating in our experience, can we learn through our choices and learn to make better ones.

Resources for Evidence Based Care:
Supporting Healthy Childbirth
Zero Weeks of Maternity in the US
Ending the Birth Wars
What Babies Learn During Pregnancy
Getting What We Want Out of Birth
Birth Freedom by Ina May Gaskin
What is Patient Centered Care?
Take Back Your Birth