Home Births, Doulas & Henna? What?

I receive story ideas from time to time (which I really appreciate,) that often pertain to women but aren’t something I would necessarily think of simply because I’m not in that “situation.” Our readers range in age from late teens to those in their 60’s so there’s a wide variety of topics our audience can relate to. One “topic” I don’t even think about these days is pregnancy and being pregnant. I’m 51, have a 24-year-old son, have had a hysterectomy… obviously, not something I’m thinking about! So I do appreciate new ideas.

HOME BIRTHS

When I was pregnant back in 1989, if someone had suggested I have a home birth, I would have laughed and then asked, “Are you crazy? That’s what hospitals are for.” After reading this article on home births, (thanks Madison) and seeing the increase in women who are now opting to go this route, it actually reminded me of the surge of people now growing their own food and getting back to more natural ingredients; which can be healthier and actually less expensive. Not that eating healthy is in the same category of having a home birth! But I do think it’s an example of how there are more and more wanting to get back to the basics, wanting more things natural, and after hearing what a hospital birth can cost these days, even without complications, well you could save a ton of money. For those of you curious, I think this is interesting information…

http://www.nursingschoolhub.com/home-birth/

And here’s a great article from the Mayo Clinic on what’s involved with a home birth, the safety issues and how to plan for one. It may not be for everyone but if you’ve ever considered it, this is really helpful information.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/home-birth/art-20046878

A DOULA?

The home birth statistic article mentions attendants who might help with the birth process (besides a physician,) with one of the types of attendant being a doula. Now to be quite honest, I didn’t even know what a doula was until our daughter-in-law Sarah became one. Doula is a Greek word meaning ‘woman servant or woman serving woman’. It is now used to refer to someone who offers one-on-one, non-medical care for a woman in labor.

Sarah says, “To me, a doula is someone who can help to elevate the birth experience simply by showing the mother her own power and how to trust herself, her body, and the birth process.” Once Sarah became trained and certified, I understood better what she did and what a doula was but I still didn’t quite “get-it.” Why would you need anyone other than a doctor and nurse? As I’ve seen her interact with pregnant women though, I’ve witnessed how calming she is, how she can interpret “medical talk” and relay it in a way that’s easier to understand. When I think back to my pregnancy, which was difficult and filled with complications, I wish I had someone like Sarah with me. There was so much going on that I didn’t understand due to being doped up, I ended up having an emergency C-section, my son was actually taken to a different hospital due to complications and it would have just been nice to have someone present, advocating for me and thinking more calmly without emotions taking over. I’m very proud of my daughter-in-law and in total awe of the passion she has for her work and the women she meets.

Now besides Sarah’s doula services, she offers henna and belly casting. I have a very dear friend, also named Sarah, who is pregnant and so I gifted her with a henna session with Sarah. My friend Sarah’s pregnancy has been difficult with high blood pressure, preeclampsia and bed-rest so I thought this might be fun for her. Doula Sarah, which is how I’ll now refer to my daughter-in-law since they are both named Sarah, and I met Sarah at her house for the henna application and it was so much fun watching the two of them together. As they chatted about the designs, what different symbols and designs represented, I noticed Sarah visibly relax. Doula Sarah has a calm, relaxing manner and as she speaks about the birth process you can sense her passion for what she does. And even though Sarah wasn’t using Doula Sarah for her birth, Doula Sarah was able to reassure, inform, and offer suggestions to Sarah that helped quell some of Sarah’s fears with her complications. Check out Doula Sarah’s website, which is not only informative on what she does, but will give you a real sense of who she is.

http://www.mommabirdbirth.com/

My friend Sarah had to cancel her baby shower due to complications she was experiencing so she was thrilled with this henna experience and the opportunity to talk with Doula Sarah about placenta encapsulation (which Doula Sarah also does.)

And it begins…