May 21, 2008
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Joyously Happy Spring!
This issue of Birthing Blocks brings tidings of spring, new resources in development for doulas, a new look, and other site updates at GivingBirthNaturally.com
Enjoy!
Catherine
TABLE OF CONTENTS
* Check out our Face Lift
* Calling All Doulas!
* Documentary on Natural Birth
* New Section on Fetal Monitoring
* New Section on the Stages of Labor
Check out our Face Lift
Spring is a time of renewal and I couldn't resist making some esthetic changes to the site - new logo, new colors, new graphics etc... Let me know what you think - any kudos or complaints on usability, site features, etc are always welcome.Calling All Doulas
Do you doula? In order to support the wonderful work of doulas, I'd like to dedicate a portion of the site to meeting the professional challenges facing doulas today....a resource library of sorts to make every doula's professional life a little easier.So, I'd like to start a dialogue on the greatest challenges facing doulas today. Is it a lack of professional respect? A misunderstanding of the profession? Do you find that many of your families lack basic childbirth education information and that your home visits must also include a crash course in Childbirth 101?
Are there any resources you need to help you build your practice, such as:
* Sample Contracts
* Sliding Scale Fee Schedules/Waiver Forms
* Family Handouts (& on what topics)
* Marketing Materials
* Introduction Packets for Physician's Offices, Hospitals, Etc
* Tools & Techniques Cheat Sheets
* Menu Planning Guides
* Website Templates
or does anything else come to mind?
I'd love to be able to meet some of these needs...but in order to do so, I must know what your needs are!
So, don't hesitate to comment on the blog or send me an email~ any and all feedback is most welcome. I'll do what I can to support each doula in her work and start tackling these wishes as they come in.
Forthcoming Natural Childbirth Documentary
This update brings exciting developments in the birthing world. I was recently contacted by documetary filmmaker, Kathryn Mora, regarding a project she is currently developing on natural childbirth.She is also making a short film to garner support for her full project. A synopsis of her project is posted on the blog.
She just contacted me again to let me know she's received the needed footage to develop the short film and also has interested parties in backing the project. I'll keep you posted with any new developments as it nears completion. Be sure to check it out!
New Section on Fetal Monitoring
Fetal monitoring is an area of modern maternity care where practice and evidence don't meet. There is a section devoted to each type of montoring most commonly available, including the fetoscope, doptone, telemetry, electronic fetal monitor, and internal fetal monitoring. The risks and benefits of each are discussed, as well as the different types of monitoring schedules available with each.New Section on the Stages of Labor
I've also added a new section to address the stages of labor. It details how to recognize each stage of labor as well as what techniques work well in each stage. Tips for the birth companion are also included to help them embrace their role as a labor support person. A section is devoted to:Early Labour
Active Labor
Transition
The Pushing Stage
The Placenta Delivery
Have a look and see what you think. It also includes tips for catching your own baby, should you be planning an unassisted birth or have a precipitous labor.
The section doesn't yet cover emergency childbirth or unassisted birth, but those sections are also in the works.
I'd like to thank you all for being devoted visitors here at GivingBirthNaturally.com
Your kind comments and expressions of support are truly appreciated.
As always, I am in your service. I respond to all email, so feel free to contact me at anytime should you have a question or suggestion for the site.
Did you enjoy this issue of Birthing Blocks? Then send it along to a friend! Let me know what else you'd like to see -- this is your ezine! Enjoy the winter season (if you can) and take care!
Happy Birthing!
Catherine