Owner: doula tam URL:http://www.doula_tam.iblog.co.za Join Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 10:09:33 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Blogging about my doula journey. Site statistics:Click here
Doula video. 2007-05-22 02:24:17 Wow, it is freezing today in Joburg. This icy wind… brrrrr. It’s a warm bed, pizza and dvd day. Well it would we if it wasn’t the middle of the week.
I love this short film posted on YouTube, it gives a concise and accurate explanation of doula work through the eyes of the parents who chose to have doula’s present at their births. If you are wondering about doula’s and how a doula would help you in your birth, watch the video
for an explanation.
My experience at “your baby show 2007″ 2007-05-20 10:38:56 Let me say, it was packed! Not just your normal packed, but rather the &ldquo
;first-day-of-major-sale” kind of packed. As far as I know, Jo’burg now holds the world record for the most pregnant women at one gathering (over 3000) WOW. I took (read dragged) my wonderful very well-mannered boyfriend with me, and as a result of his impeccable manners he usually got stuck in quiet corner whilst he let all the pregnant ladies pass *chuckle*.
There were a wide range of products and services on show, from fetal dopplers to organic baby skin care products. All very interesting.
I was surprised and saddened that I did not see a single doula or midwife stand, pity. I am hoping I missed it, and that there was actually someone there. Did anyone else see a stand like that?
Some products that caught my eye,
Baby Beats - The Angel Sound Fetal Doppler. Its a gorgeous portable doppler machine, looks very much like a miniature cd player. Definitely on my to buy list.
Pure Beginnings Organi Read more:experience
Your Baby Show Joburg 2007-05-18 10:24:15
So are you pregnant or have a LO (little one) younger than 6 years of age. Get down to the Coca-cola dome at North gate for the “Your Baby Show 2007″ on from the 17-20 May 2007. R40 will get you in, kids under 12 free entrance but note that does not include the Barney show.
For more information please visit www.yourbabyshow.co.za.
PS: If you are pregnant, be part of a world record attempt, the attempt -> The largest gathering of pregnant women. This will take place before the opening of the show between 07:30 and 09:00 (not like you sleep late anymore anyway), please register before you go www.yourbabyshow.co.za
Picture courtesy of www.thedome.co.za
Your baby show official website -> www.yourbabyshow.co.za
Read more:Joburg
Introduction 2007-05-18 10:12:44 Hello and welcome to doula_tam’s blog.
My name is Tameryn, I hail from johannesburg and I am a doula in training.
What is a doula?
Labor support doulas are trained and experienced labor support persons who attend to the emotional and physical comfort needs of laboring women to smooth the labor process. They do not perform clinical tasks such as heart rate checks, or vaginal exams but rather use massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, positioning suggestions, etc., to help labor progress as well as possible. A labor support doula joins a laboring woman either at her home or in hospital or birth center and remains with her until a few hours after the birth. In addition to emotional support, doulas work as advocates of their client’s wishes and may assist in communicating with medical staff to obtain information for the client to make informed decisions regarding medical procedures. Wikipedia you gotta love it. Doula’s are also known as birth assistants.
I have chosen to becom Read more:Introduction
baby t’s 2007-05-24 08:44:31 ha ha… love these.
For more info or to order… go to www.babyshirty.com
I remember going to the doctor’s rooms, and a woman was there with her LO, he must have been around 5 months. His shirt was classic -> “If you think I look like a dork… You should see my DAD”. The love
2 wombs, 1 woman 2007-05-23 09:21:55 Whoa… 2 wombs, 3 babies, 1 mother = fascinating story.
Reported on the BBCnews.co.uk
Triplets for woman
with two wombs
Hannah’s triplets were born from two eggs.
A UK woman with two wombs is believed to be the first in the world with the condition to give birth to triplets.
Hannah Kersey, 23, from Northam in Devon, had identical twins Ruby and Tilly, who were born from one womb, Grace, who was born from the other.
The girls had to stay in hospital for nine weeks after being born seven weeks early by Caesarean, but have now returned home to their parents.
The odds of having triplets from two wombs are about 25 million to one.
The chances of a woman with two wombs having twins or two separate births is estimated to be five million to one.
Only 70 women in the world are known to have been pregnant in two wombs, reports suggest.
In Miss Kersey’s case, the babies were conceived from two eggs - one in each womb - which were fertilised at the same time by two different spe
3d medical animation of natural birth 2007-05-23 01:56:10 Youtube has some amazing videos to watch.
I came across this, it’s a video made using 3d animation illustrating a natural birth
. It’s amazing.
Modern technology is incredible, I find it so much easier to understand something if it is visually explained. Imagine what a useful resource this could be.
Only 3 more days till my doula course starts. I think there are still seats available, if you are interested in becoming a doula, please visit www.doulas.co.za
Read more:medical
Food for thought. 2007-05-30 10:09:39 I recently came across a saying that stated “Educated people question what they are told, uneducated people do what they are told”. Educate yourself about your pregnancy, your body, your birth options. It’s the least you can do, and by learning you will dispell your fears!
Here’s a start… some interesting points made.
Pofit or prudence -saving the human species, by Colin Knauf.
** It is pertinent to remember that the c-section rate in SA is higher than most other countries in the WORLD! Why?
Read more:thought
How to avoid a Caesar… 2007-06-04 04:06:53 Take a female friend. An interesting and straight forward article that I found on babynet.co.za
By Jeremy Laurance - 30/09/2003
Allowing men into the delivery room has been one of the great social transformations of our time. Four out of five births are now attended by the baby’s father; but nobody has thought to ask whether their presence is helpful.
Mothers are discovering the secret of a good birth is having another woman present. The loss of female support in childbirth and its replacement by men could lie behind the soaring Caesar
ean rate, which has doubled in 20 years.
A review of 15 research trials involving almost 13 000 women published in the Cochrane Library, the biggest source of evidence-based health care in the world, has demonstrated a female supporter is the best guarantee of a natural birth.
‘I am passionate about the idea that women can do it for themselves’
Mothers who had continuous support throughout labour from a woman trained to give it needed l Read more:hellip
and you thought breastfeeding one was impossible… 2007-06-13 07:33:54 think again. With love, patience and perseverance anything is possible, actually I also recently heard of a jo’burg mom of triplets who breastfeeds
Breast-feeding my twins
By Juan Bainton
As an expectant mom of twins, I had decided to give breast-feeding a good try.
I was positive that I could manage feeding two babies and did not pause to consider bottle feeding. I think that half my battle was won - being positive from day one.
Having the girls born at 32 weeks got the breast-feeding off to a rocky start.
Feeding one of them was an issue on its own - let alone two!
Megan weighed 2,09kg at birth and spent her hospital time in the nursery. Darian, however, weighed in at 1,73kg and for 16 days stayed in the neo-natal ICU. Feeding preemies was no doubt an enormous challenge.
Although they were born by c-section, I was up and about between the nursery, ICU and bed very quickly. One doesn’t have an option with twins!
Megan could be brought to me to feed and only received form Read more:thought
, breastfeeding
, impossible
, hellip
Home Birth… 2007-06-12 04:27:39 As a doula in training I have been voraciously reading any material that I can get my hands on, this particular work, HOME birth, AN INVITATION AND A GUIDE. by Alice Gilgoff, is thought provoking and honest. If you are interested in learning more about your options, I suggest that you get a hold of a copy.
“A Historical Perspective.
Even before the Egyptians began keeping records we can guess that women simply helped other women give birth at home. In fact, this is the situation in most places in the world today. What recorded history does not show us is the slow evolution of birth in this country from a women-dominated, family experience in the home, which is not usually very safe or pleasant should a serious complication of labor or delivery present itself, to a male-dominated, medical experience in the hospital which is not usually very safe or pleasant should a serious complication of labor and delivery not present itself. The problem, then, has become one of balance: if the Read more:hellip
Read this… 2007-06-11 10:46:40 When I was 13&hellip
;
Are you expecting an unplanned baby? Things seem bad right now? Find strength in another woman’s story. I found this page through a link (amazing where we find ourselves) a story about teenage pregnancy, marriage, love, hate, beautiful births, the law, in-laws, obligation, pain, rape, death and a young woman amazing strength.
Do you know what this symbol represents? 2007-06-11 03:22:23
That is the international symbol for a breastfeeding (friendly) establishment, in other words, where you see this symbol you are welcome to breastfeed your LO with ease. Therefore it is rather telling that I have never seen the international breastfeeding symbol anywhere in jo’burg! Why is that exactly?
I have often come across articles, blog posts etc. bemoaning breastfeeding in public. I for one think that is ridiculous, a breastfeeding mother has the right to feed her baby anywhere she feels comfortable enough to do so without the smirks, comments and stares of narrow minded observers. The breast is the perfect example of form following function and babies LOVE em!
Why breastfeed your baby? Well here’s 101 good reasons, thank you to Sally Baker for the link. Breastfeeding is a beautiful natural healthy experience for both mother and baby.
Did you know that the World Health Organization insists that all babies should be breastfed until at least 2 years of age and exclus
knowledge is power… 2007-06-19 06:50:05 Are you looking for more information about doulas and the advantages of having having one at your birth&hellip
; here’s a good read for you.
Mothering the Mother by KLaus, Kennell and Klaus. You an get a copy on Amazon.com
Read more:power
I’m pregnant now what? 2007-06-18 04:40:04 Well firstly CONGRATULATIONS… you are embarking on a precious and wondrous journey.
Right now a couple of things will be happening to your body right now which may not feel so fantastic, but are all part of the package. The tender breasts, the nausea, the cravings, the lethargy - it’s all natural and not every pregnant
women will experience all of these daily pregnancy reminders.
Next step, find your midwife and your doula. I was speaking to my mother yesterday about midwifes and she said “I thought midwives are the nurses who help the doctor”, unfortunately that is a common misconception and it’s plain WRONG. A midwife is a professionally trained medical practitioner whose specialties include pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, etc. Your midwife will also be the woman conducting your ante-natal classes. Do you want to know something else amazing, some midwives will come to your house for your visits, yes that’s right. No shlepping and waiting aro
pregnancy blinkies 2007-06-22 04:12:05 Are you looking for a pregnancy blinkie to add to a signature on a forum or elsewhere? Here is a small list of blinkies that I have come across over the web. To use one of these right click on the image and save to your computer.
Pregnancy Blinkies
id=”image70774″ src=”http://www.iblog.co.za/wp-content/blogs/5292/uploads//th_babybug.gif” alt=”th_babybug.gif” />
Due date blinkies
baby sex blinkies
trimester’s
Doula Midwife and some of my favourites
enjoy If you find any other nice one’s, let me know and I will add them here. Majority of these are from photobucket
Doula article from pregnancy-leads-to-new-babies 2007-06-25 06:59:22 What would I do without my doula?
What would I do without my Doula? By Suzanne Doyle-Ingram
By the time my husband and I finally got pregnant the first time, I had done a lot of reading about birth options and we had already decided to have a midwife instead of a doctor. We believe that pregnancy is a healthy state of being, and unless something came up, a midwife was the best way to go for us. Besides, where we live, a midwife can deliver babies at hospitals, so I felt that was the safest way to go. (Although, now, I feel I could have had my babies at home… but that is a whole other article!).
When I was a few weeks pregnant I came across an article on doulas, but I had never heard of a doula so I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. A doula is a woman who supports women through childbirth. “Doula” is an ancient Greek word meaning “servant to women”. A doula provides a woman with continuous emotional support, aides in her physical comfort, and enc
Questions about Ultrasounds… 2007-06-27 13:26:31 Ultrasounds, are they safe? Does every pregnancy need to go through a few ultrasounds? Have you ever thought about ultrasounds, have you ever asked these questions?
Courtesy of AskDrSears.com
ULTRASOUND
What is ultrasound? Ultrasound uses sound waves at frequencies higher than the human ear can hear. The doctor or technician runs the ultrasound transmitter across your abdomen aided by a greasy substance that improves sound conduction. These sound waves bounce back off your baby much like sonar waves locating a submarine. These echoes are detected by a receiver, and then a computer translates the sound into a picture of baby on a screen. The “Doptone” device used for detecting your baby’s heartbeat also uses ultrasound; the echoes are translated into the “swish-thump” you hear every month at your checkup. Other terms that refer to ultrasound include scan, sonogram, doppler (the physics term for the relationship between sound and the distance it travels), e Read more:hellip
Certification ceremony… 2007-07-02 03:11:03 :-) There are officially 4 more certified doula’s in the world. Saturday the 30th marked the end our doula workshop, but the beginning of our doula journeys.
A few memorable moments, The food was amazing, in fact all four of us are convinced that we have put on atleast 4kg’s in 6 weeks. Thank you to Rosalia and Sally for making such a huge effort to make us feel welcome and loved
The certification ceremony, after doing a trust exercise, we sat here&hellip
;
the doulas…
from left to right, Lisa, Tameryn (me), Sune, Laurette, Sally (co-ordinator/trainer/mentor) and Rosalia (co-ordinator/trainer/mentor).
Passing on the flame of knowledge.
Certificates all around
What an amazing incredible powerful experience. Thank you to every person involved, to my fellow doulas, Lisa, Laurette, Sune, Sally & Lia - Thank you.
Read more:Certification
Doulas: A key to shorter labours and better births article. 2007-07-04 07:01:38 A beautiful article that I came across on amamama.co.za
Doulas: A Key to Shorter Labors and Better Births
What would you do if you were told that scientific studies have uncovered a way to have a shorter
labor with less pain — and that method is completely natural? Would you get excited? Many women hope for a shorter, natural birth. And studies have proven there is a way for women to have this. This amazing way to help laboring women is called the doula.
A doula is another woman who stays with a mother throughout labor and birth. The word “doula” comes from a Greek word that means “servant” or “women’s servant.” A doula is a traditional role that women have been filling for centuries. Careful scientific studies in this century have proven what birthing women have always known — doulas help women to have better
birth outcomes.
Proven Around the World
International studies have shown the benefit of doulas to birthing women. Women who
Ante natal classes… its much more than breathing! 2007-07-16 08:58:57 The aim of this blog is to educate. Educate. Educate&hellip
;.
I have the privilege of attending ante natal classes hosted by johannesburg midwife Karen van der Merwe, these classes are so informative and interesting. Let me bust a pretty common myth here quickly, ante natal classes are not about learning to breath. hehe. Instead you learn the physiology of childbirth (first, second and third stage labour), what to expect (labour, late pregnancy, birth, with new baby in the house), information about all types of childbirth (natural, cesarean, dry, water), what happens to your newborn straight after birth (like what is an apgar score and why do they get vitamin k shots?), what to do with baby in those first few days, how does breastfeeding actually work (caring for your delicate nipples - very good info), myths and misconceptions are straightened out by the professional and SO MUCH MORE… really. Your midwife will offer her own ante-natal classes, otherwise the hospital you want to Read more:breathing
positive vibes my way… 2007-07-18 02:02:10 Today is a big day for me, I am meeting with my first official doula clients. So excited, quite nervous. I know that I just have to be myself and if we click it will work, but it’s still nerve racking
So if you pop by here today, please send me positive energy&hellip
; thanks you are a star. Short and sweet (he he a lot like me actually)
****************
Ante-natal classes (Yes I am on those again)
I found out from Karen costing of her FANTASTIC ante natal classes, R1300 for both parents for and 8 week course. It is well worth every singly cent. A new class is starting up next week, so if you are interested please contact me and I’ll forward you her details. Email me doulatam at gmail dot com
Doula video/piece 2007-07-20 13:54:01 A short news story on the role of a doula…
View it here
Another amazing video
, a mom’s movie of her home natural birth of her triplets. Very touching… view it here
Read more:piece
how much is your corpse worth? 2007-07-26 05:49:52 hehehe something a little silly…
$3775.00The Cadaver Calculator - Find out how much your body is worth. From Mingle2 - Free Online Dating
-
So all of you… how much is your body worth… let me know
thank you to my fellow doula (from america) for the link…
World Breastfeeding week 1-7 August 2007 2007-08-01 10:01:47 Breastfeeding: The 1st Hour, Save ONE MILLION babies!
WABA World
Breastfeeding Week 1-7 August
2007.
Iniation of breastfeeding within the 1st hour of birth is the first and most vital step towards reducing infant and under-five mortality,by reducing the overwhelmingly high neonatal mortality rate. Save ONE million babies - beginning with ONE action, ONE hour support and ONE message….
BEGIN BREASTFEEDING WITHIN ONE HOUR OF BIRTH!
Please take a moment to visit the waba website, watch one of natures everyday miracles - a newborn crawling to the breast and feeding on its own.
Spread the word please!
doulas.co.za is up and running 2007-08-01 09:29:20 Fantastic news, www.doulas.co.za - a comprehensive list of SA doulas can be found here.
So if you are a doula, get yourself listed!
If you are looking for a doula, remember to interview a few doulas to find the doula that suits you best.
Also I received an email from a visitor to this blog asking for information on doula training. I trained with Rosalia and Sally in johannesburg, the course that I did is called the Village Doula Workshop and this course was developed by Maria Sterrenberg of FFABSA (families for Active Birth in South Africa) who coincidentally run doulas.co.za.
This path is amazing, and I recommend the village doula workshop for all aspiring Doulas. It is a six week course and as far as I know, a new course will be commencing quite soon, so book your seat today!
For further information on the doula workshop please visit Rosalia’s website birthing.co.za
Read more:running
The Lactation managment course 2007-07-30 03:32:51 Saturday was an early day for me. Up and out of bed at 6:30, out of the house at 7:10. It was so cold outside I thought my lips would fall off.
Laurette and I were off to the 8 hour lactation management course
, developed by the two Brenda’s (Brenda Pierce and Brenda Campbell - both IBCLC [International board certified lactation consultants]), what made this course so special is that it was specifically put together for Doulas and our role in helping to initiate breastfeeding in those first crucial hours after birth.
I learned so much, my head was spinning when I got home.
Did you know that a mother’s breastmilk is perfectly suited for her child’s needs at that moment in time. This is the reason that mom’s of preemies express their breastmilk which is fed to their babies.
Did you know that your breastmilk only “comes in” at around 3 days after the birth of your baby, before that time (from the birth of your baby), your breasts produce colostrum whic
Finally… 2007-08-02 04:14:14 For those parents out there with adventurous toddlers and kids. For the times in the mall when you look away for just a moment and turn back to find that they are *Gone*&hellip
;. now you can sound an alarm.
I think it’s really clever… because not only will you be able to hear the alarm and start the toddler hunt but other patrons in the vicinity will be alerted to the presence of something amiss! What’s that saying, it takes a child to raise a village… hehehe
Check out the “Mommy I’m here child locator“. Nicely played people! The little shoe teddy’s are very cute.
this image is from the 4akid website.
Not a bad price either…
Now I wonder if the teddy will help me find my lost keys?
Read more:Finally
Doula Article on cnn.com 2007-08-07 07:19:06 There are 2500 active doulas in the USA, and 130 is SA. We are getting there.
Doulas deliver help for birthing moms
By Judy Fortin
CNN
ROSWELL, Georgia (CNN) — The lights were dimmed, soft music was playing and a scented candle burned on the counter. In the center of it all was Julie Trotter — moaning through hard labor contractions.
art.doulas.cnn.jpg
Doula Kai Martin Short works to ease Julie Trotter’s pain during labor.
For more than six hours, Trotter, a 23-year-old from Duluth, Georgia, tried different techniques to ease the pain of natural childbirth. Not only was her husband offering encouragement, but so was her doula, Kai Martin Short.
“She definitely was a lifesaver for sure,” Trotter says. “She used a lot of counter-pressure through each contraction, and that helped so much.”
Doula is a Greek word meaning “woman’s servant.” Part birthing coach, part mother’s assistant, doulas are showing up in more deliver Read more:Article
back from my first birth 2007-08-10 08:29:36 I supported at my first birth
last night. A beautiful gentle, home water birth.
This powerful birthing woman stayed active throughout her labour, walking, rocking, sitting on her ball, swaying and finally getting into the birthing pool where the weightlessness of the water gave her the opportunity to move as her body wanted.
What I learned through this experience:
- A women’s body knows exactly what to do, trust the process.
- The bodies natural endorphines are powerful!
- Mother nature is kind, the break between contractions and the bodies natural painkillers give moms a chance to rest.
- Birthing women are powerful!
- Midwives rock!
- Water birth is gentle and safe.
- Home birth is gentle and safe.
- Listening to a birthing mom’s inner clock works, minutes and hours fade away.
- Active birth is an empowering experience.
- Doula’s rock
- Birthing moms need to stay hydrated!
I truly feel blessed to have been apart of this experience.
Thank you to this wonderful f
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