Seven Secrets of a Homebirth Dad

All Dads to be are nervous or at least skeptical when their wife/partner first mentions the idea of having a home birth. This is nothing to be ashamed of – us guys are conditioned by a life times constant bombardment that Doctors know best and that it is our patriarchy duty to always make safe choices. That's why when my wife Bel first brought up the idea for the birth of our second Daughter my first train of thought was about risk. Images of John Hurt's chest cracking open and a tiny, evil alien being screeching it's bloody arrival to the universe ran through my mind. I looked up at the walls of our apartment and wondered whether an arterial spray of blood could ever be washed out of that particular shade of off white. Ten minutes googling dissolved my misconception that home birth is reckless (with Bel peering over my shoulder and directing me to websites she'd already read).

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FDA Safety Notice

FDA is warning consumers not to use or purchase Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream, marketed by MOM Enterprises, Inc., because the product contains potentially harmful ingredients that may cause respiratory distress or vomiting and diarrhea in infants. The product is promoted to nursing mothers to help soothe and heal dry or cracked nipples. Product labeling states that there is no need for mothers to remove the cream prior to nursing. However, the ingredients contained in the product may be harmful to nursing infants.

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World Breastfeeding Week

This year, World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7, 2008.

In conjunction with the Olympics next August, WBW 2008 calls for greater support for mothers in achieving the gold standard of infant feeding: breastfeeding exclusively for six months, and providing appropriate complementary foods with continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond.

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Birthing women win legal decision

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

HARRISBURG - In a case that touched on whether women have the right to give birth where and with whom they want, a Commonwealth Court panel of judges ruled yesterday that a Lancaster County midwife could resume her work delivering babies for the Amish.

Diane Goslin, 50, had been under a cease-and-desist order from the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine, which had charged her with practicing medicine and midwifery without a license.

But the Commonwealth Court panel, in a 5-2 decision, nixed that order yesterday.

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We're responsible for a child?

In this Parenting 101 class offered by Journey Birth Services, we will discuss household adjustments necessary with a new member in the family, postpartum emotions, support systems and coping strategies, meeting your baby's needs, getting in touch with your parenting instinct, and breastfeeding. We will also learn about choices associated with a new baby, such as diapering, sleeping arrangements, and babywearing.

Location: Journey Birth Services, 52 Marshall Road, Glen Mills PA 19342

Class Series:
Winter Series begins Thursday, February 5th
Spring Series begins Thursday, March 26th
Summer Series begins Thursday, May 21st

The "We're responsible for a child?" class is part of a seven class series for $200.
Space is limited. To register for a class series, please call Journey Birth Services at (610)765-1252 or submit your registration either online or through the mail at the Journey Birth Services website.

Don't just stand there, do something!

In this Comfort Measures in Labor class offered by Journey Birth Services, we will learn about various ways to cope with labor without using medications, including, but not limited to, positions, hydrotherapy, movement, and hot and cold therapy. We will also discuss the role of the coach during labor, and the benefit of having a doula with you.

Location: Journey Birth Services, 52 Marshall Road, Glen Mills PA 19342

Class Series:
Winter Series begins Thursday, February 5th
Spring Series begins Thursday, March 26th
Summer Series begins Thursday, May 21st

The "Don't just stand there, do something!" class is part of a seven class series for $200.
Space is limited. To register for a class series, please call Journey Birth Services at (610)765-1252 or submit your registration either online or through the mail at the Journey Birth Services website.

I'd like my epidural please!

In this Childbirth with an Epidural class offered by Journey Birth Services, we will learn about pharmaceutical pain relief options in labor. We will discuss the risks and benefits of the different options available, what is involved with administering the various drugs, and ways to cope with labor if the anesthesiologist is delayed or the medication doesn't work. We will also discuss interventions that are required once an epidural or other pain relief medication is administered.

Location: Journey Birth Services, 52 Marshall Road, Glen Mills PA 19342

Class Series:
Winter Series begins Thursday, February 5th
Spring Series begins Thursday, March 26th
Summer Series begins Thursday, May 21st

The "I'd like my epidural please!" class is part of a seven class series for $200.
Space is limited. To register for a class series, please call Journey Birth Services at (610)765-1252 or submit your registration either online or through the mail at the Journey Birth Services website.

Machines that go PING!

In this Medical Procedures in the Delivery Room class offered by Journey Birth Services, we will learn about the risks and benefits of medical procedures used in labor and delivery and discuss alternatives to them. We will also discuss the true meaning of informed consent. Education helps you to be able to make informed decisions about your care.

Location: Journey Birth Services, 52 Marshall Road, Glen Mills PA 19342

Class Series:
Winter Series begins Thursday, February 5th
Spring Series begins Thursday, March 26th
Summer Series begins Thursday, May 21st

The "Machines that go PING!" class is part of a seven class series for $200.
Space is limited. To register for a class series, please call Journey Birth Services at (610)765-1252 or submit your registration either online or through the mail at the Journey Birth Services website.

Honey, it's time!

In this Stages of Labor class offered by Journey Birth Services, we will learn about the physiology of labor and how your body works during labor and childbirth. We will discuss when to leave for your birth location, as well as ways of preparing your body for labor, including chiropractic care and optimal fetal positioning.

Location: Journey Birth Services, 52 Marshall Road, Glen Mills PA 19342

Class Series:
Winter Series begins Thursday, February 5th
Spring Series begins Thursday, March 26th
Summer Series begins Thursday, May 21st

The "Honey, it's time!" class is part of a seven class series for $200.
Space is limited. To register for a class series, please call Journey Birth Services at (610)765-1252 or submit your registration either online or through the mail at the Journey Birth Services website.

I don't HAVE to give birth in a hospital?

In this Choices in Childbirth class offered by Journey Birth Services, we will learn about the options available to you in choosing where to give birth and who is available as your birth attendant. It is never too soon or too late to learn about your options! We will also discuss and begin to create birth plans.

Location: Journey Birth Services, 52 Marshall Road, Glen Mills PA 19342

Class Series:
Winter Series begins Thursday, February 5th
Spring Series begins Thursday, March 26th
Summer Series begins Thursday, May 21st

The "I don't HAVE to give birth in a hospital?" class is part of a seven class series for $200.
Space is limited. To register for a class series, please call Journey Birth Services at (610)765-1252 or submit your registration either online or through the mail at the Journey Birth Services website.

We're pregnant - now what?

In this Introduction to Pregnancy class offered by Journey Birth Services, we will discuss nutrition and exercise as key components of staying healthy and low risk in pregnancy. Staying healthy and low risk ensures more choices and options in pregnancy and childbirth. We will also learn about Kegel exercises, changes in mom's body during pregnancy, and suggestions for common pregnancy discomforts.

Location: Journey Birth Services, 52 Marshall Road, Glen Mills PA 19342

Class Series:
Winter Series begins Thursday, February 5th
Spring Series begins Thursday, March 26th
Summer Series begins Thursday, May 21st

The "We're pregnant, now what?" class is part of a seven class series for $200.
Space is limited. To register for a class series, please call Journey Birth Services at (610)765-1252 or submit your registration either online or through the mail at the Journey Birth Services website.

Learn to Massage Your Baby

FREE Three-day Infant Massage Class

Location: A Total Approach, 9 LaCrue Avenue, Suite 103, Glen Mills PA 19342

Time and Dates: 1:30 - 2:30 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 30th, 31st and June 1st. Come all 3 days.

Space is limited, so please register right away by calling A Total Approach at 484-840-1529 or by emailing Jody Wright.

Babies need to be less than one year old. You will be the only one massaging your baby. Bring a towel or blanket and billow to massage on.
This free demonstration class is part of an Infant Massage USA Parent Educator Training and the class will be led by Trainer Jody Wright with the help of the students in the course. Please go to infantmassageusa.org for more information about our trainings.

What IS a doula?

A doula is a person, usually a woman, who is professionally trained to assist a woman during childbirth and who may provide support to the family after the baby is born.

So, I know you're thinking to yourself "But, my husband/mom/sister/best friend is going to be there and that's all I need!" Trust me, I've heard that concern before. I actually thought the exact same thing when I was preparing for my first birth years ago, and followed through with only having my husband there for support. So WHY do I think women need doulas? Well, because sometimes you need more than just one person. Sometimes you need someone who isn't emotionally invested in you and your baby (not saying the doula ISN'T, but it's a different kind of emotional investment!). Sometimes, you need someone who has 'been there, done that' to tell you that everything is normal and you're doing fine.
Doulas are not your husband. They aren't your mom, they aren't your sister, they aren't your best friend. What they are, though, is priceless. If you don't want pain medication, the doula will help you get through transition by reminding you that you're so close to meeting your baby. She won't see you in pain and want to fix it, because she knows that sometimes pain is a good thing and if you're asking for the epidural, you're probably pretty close to done. If you do want pain medication, she'll make sure that you understand what, exactly, the medication used is - the risks, the benefits, the side effects - so you can make an informed decision. If you order pain medication but the anesthesiologist is helping someone else and you have to wait for a bit (it happens!), the doula will help you get through that waiting period. If your husband/mom/sister/best friend IS the best support person for you (they do exist!), the doula helps them help you. Need ice chips? Done! Need a cool washcloth? Done! When your support person just can't leave you, the doula is there to be their extra set of hands.
Priceless.