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Wednesday Wrap Up 4/23

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

A good summary of some of the cultural and societal reasons Why Women Don’t Breastfeed.

Spending time skin to skin with your baby is a pretty miraculous thing. I recently had a family with a baby in the NICU, and they were able to see some pretty dramatic positive results from having the baby skin to skin with dad in the NICU. There are lots of reasons skin to skin contact is good, but here are the top 6 Reasons to Be Skin to Skin With Your Baby

Often parents don’t want to think about bad things happening, but in my years as a mom, I’ve used 7 of these 10 First Aid Skills Every Parent Should Know

I have seen many partners help catch their baby in my years as a doula. For parents who want to be involved, it can be a fantastic experience and a good way to be connected to the birth. How Your Partner Can Catch Your Baby

I have loved seeing more emphasis on family connection and bonding in cesarean births over the last few years. This is a good list of options that you may be able to have during a cesarean birth if it becomes necessary. Planning a Family-Centered Cesarean

Today’s video shows a man in his 20s watching his own birth video with his mom. While I think many of his reactions are exaggerated for drama, and there is some strong language, it’s still fun to watch.

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Wednesday Wrap Up 4/16

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

My youngest, my baby, turns 12 today. TWELVE! Hard to believe she’s grown into such a lovely young lady! That’s her over in the Wednesday Wrap Up logo for today, a photo I took of her during the dress rehearsal for a play she was in recently.

April is Cesarean Awareness Month, and many great articles on various aspects of it are popping up around the internet:

We’ll start off with a cesarean infographic from Lamaze about the scope of the problem.

And a study looking at what might be the optimal cesarean rate for best maternal-infant health.

One of the reasons the cesarean rate is so high is that women are not getting the option of choosing how they would like to birth after having a previous cesarean. Improving Birth wrote this week about The Insanity of Mandatory Surgery

Since it is so vitally important to avoid the first cesarean, here are some ways to reduce your chances of a cesarean:
Don’t go to the hospital too early
Choose your Doctor Wisely
Hire a good doula

And of course if you have given birth by cesarean before, VBAC is possible!
Consider VBAC if you’ve had a cesarean before

And now that you know so much, pop over to Science and Sensibility to take a quick quiz on the topic and see how much you know about the cesarean epidemic!

Finally, I don’t want to leave the impression that cesareans are horrible. So today’s video is proof that a cesarean birth can still be a beautiful experience. Courtesy of Brooke Walsh of Peace-Love-Babies in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul:

the birth of Mack | peace-love-babies.com from Brooke Walsh on Vimeo.

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Wednesday Wrap Up 4/9

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

We are in the middle of planning our family vacation this week, so I have travel on my mind. We will be hitting a few National Parks on a road trip. (Someday I hope to see ALL the National Parks!) If you are pregnant and planning a final kid-free trip before the baby comes? Here are a few links with helpful tips:
Travel During Pregnancy – What to Bring
7 Tips for Traveling While Pregnant
Pregnancy Travel Tips

And if your baby is already here and you want to explore the world:
Car Travel With a Baby
Flying With a Baby
Tips for Traveling with Cloth Diapers
Breastfeeding While Traveling
Bottle Feeding While Traveling
50 Things to Know Before Traveling With Baby

I know, I know, we’re tired of the onslaught of selfies. But I really liked this idea of documenting your pregnancy through photos. It’s a HUGE step up from cell phone mirror shots, and I love how she pairs the photos with words.

Totally tooting my own horn here, but I had an article on Peanut Balls for Labor published on Science and Sensibility yesterday!

Today’s video comes from my friend Amanda McGhee of Kimberlin Gray Photography in Hampton Roads VA. Beautiful home birth that transfers to the hospital. The older kids reactions are just so fun to watch! Just FYI, there are bare breasts in the video, so if you’re not OK with that, might want to skip it. I honestly did not notice because I was caught up in the emotion of the birth.

The birth of Evanora from Kimberlin Gray Photography on Vimeo.

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Wednesday Wrap Up 4/2

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

It takes a special kind of person to be a doula, this is true. But it also takes a special kind of person to live with, love, and share a life with a doula! This article shows what that can be like: My Wife Is A Doula

If you’re starting to think that you might not be a good fit with your care provider, this article has some great exercises to go through as you consider how the relationship is – or is not – working.

This is a great article for all kinds of birth professionals to read and consider. It’s a great discussion of professionalism and collaboration among those from different backgrounds and perspectives.

What a tender way for a dad to get involved in breastfeeding.

I’ve always said that it is unfair to say that the ONLY thing that matters is a healthy baby. Not so! But I loved the way Sharon Muza put it in this infographic: Birth is Like a 3 Legged Stool

Today’s video is a fun letter to a new baby born today from the Kid President. Very fun and sweet!

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Wednesday Wrap Up 3/26

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

It’s my birthday week, so my baby picture is making a comeback in the Wednesday Wrap Up graphic. I have been a doula for 15 year this summer, and I have always wanted to attend a birth on my birthday, so far no such luck! But tomorrow is the day so maybe this is my year?!?

This. This explains why I am a doula, even when it is hard. Hint: It’s not because I “love babies” like everyone thinks it is.

I loved this story about women supporting each other in feeding their child. A wonderful perspective from a mom who has both formula fed and breastfed.

Some ideas for nourishing foods to try in Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery. I’m a little curious about the groaning cake. Anyone want to bake me one? It *is* my birthday tomorrow…

A beautiful letter to an expectant first time mom.

I’ve always encouraged new parents to think carefully about who they invite to their birth. Because it can make a difference in their experience. Don’t let anybody bully you into having them there.

And to celebrate my birthday…this is the song that was at the top of the Billboard charts the week I was born. Interestingly enough, I did a birth almost two years ago where mom listened to this song on repeat the entire time, so it isn’t MY birth it reminds me of, it reminds me of that family and the little girl who came into this world hearing it!

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Wednesday Wrap Up 3/19

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

Expecting moms are sometimes flooded with negative messages about how pregnancy is “supposed” to be miserable. This author gives some tips on how to combat that negativity when it starts to get your down: Living a Positive Pregnancy

Sometimes it is more than just cultural pressure to be miserable. Sometimes moms really *are* miserable. And in those cases, moms and their partners can be assertive about getting the help they need. Being an informed, assertive patient has many benefits. Don’t let your care provider brush off serious problems with “Yeah, that’s normal.” If it is impacting your ability to function and enjoy your pregnancy, push for better care. Push for referrals to other professionals, like physical therapists, nutritionists, counselors, or any number of other kinds of providers who can provide answers and help. It’s important to Push for Your Baby, but sometimes you need to push for YOU, too!

And if it’s depression, this lovely post has a nice balance of things to try and ways to get help. Sometimes postpartum depression gets all the attention while depression in pregnancy is ignored.

Subtle, but important. Everyone else in the room takes their cue from the doula, so watching my behavior and tone of voice is so, so important. Doulas as Tone Setters.

Today’s video is a nice demonstration of various techniques for labor. I love how they are using an actual hospital bed. I find that sometimes it is hard for people to envision how something might work in a hospital setting, so for those planning a hospital birth it can be helpful to see.

Now here’s a twist: What NOT to consider when hiring your OB or Midwife

Wednesday Wrap Up 3/19 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap-Up 2/19

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

If anyone ever tells you “You are Not Strong Enough” – do not believe them!

On a funny note, 9 historical methods of detecting pregnancy.

I’ve always laughed at the Monty Python sketch “The Machine that Goes PING!” – but this article does such a great job of comparing it to real life I think it is a good read.

I was planning to do a post exactly like this over on my Understanding Research site, but today I noticed that Giving Birth With Confidence beat me to it. And saved me some work! Evaluating the Research on Home Birth

Nice collection of 14 tips to avoid a cesarean.

Hilarious. And while I can’t say every man or partner goes through ALL of these stages, I have seen many of them over the years! 14 Stages Men Go Through While Their Wives Give Birth

A nice summation of the state of birth in the US – and what needs to happen to fix it.

Four excellent questions to ask a care provider when interviewing someone to care for you. (You DO interview before hiring, right?)

Why do providers move due dates? If your provider tells you they want to change your due date, ask questions! Make sure you understand and agree to the change. I’ve seen changed due dates wreak all kinds of havoc as the end of pregnancy draws near.

Today’s video is a TEDx talk I came across from a former student of mine at the Midwives College of Utah. April Kline is a practicing midwife now, as well as a massage and craniosacral therapist. She discusses the lessons learned from laboring women and midwifery.

Wednesday Wrap-Up 2/19 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up: February 5

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

Since today is the 5th, and much of what I’m finding lately seems to have this theme…

5 reasons you need a doula for your home birth.

5 Cool Things About Nighttime Breastfeeding

5 Things you Don’t Have to Do While Pregnant

5 Things you should do before giving birth

5 Things you should NOT say to a cesarean mom. (And three things you should!)

5 Things to say to a breastfeeding mom

5 Things Employers Should Know about Breastfeeding Moms

And finally….continuing with the theme: 5 Tips for Healthy Natural Childbirth

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Wednesday Wrap Up 1/29

Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

Other than the stupid phrase “sleep like a baby” (I mean really! Aren’t babies famous for NOT sleeping?) this is a useful article on better sleep for pregnant moms.

Great resource for finding videos to show to children to prepare them to be present at the birth of a sibling. Organized by type and with detailed disclaimers on what you see and hear.

One recent trend I love is having partners be involved in catching their baby. The emotion of that once in a lifetime experience can not be beat. Here are some tips on how you can make that experience happen for you.

Nice image that clearly shows dilation and effacement.

3 Things you can’t learn about labor online or in a book.

Vaginal exams during pregnancy are a necessary rite of passage in the third trimester, right? Think again!

Today’s video is a blues song “Married to a Midwife”. I bet my husband could relate, even though I am not a midwife!

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Wednesday Wrap-Up 1/15

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

Thought provoking piece on the Doula-As-Savior Myth, with perspective from both the birth professional and the client.

A form of pain relief for labor that is very common elsewhere in the world might be making an appearance in your neighborhood soon. Well, it probably already is in your local dentist’s office, but will you be seeing it in labor and delivery any time soon? Laughing Gas for Labor?

An interesting look at why hospitals have varying cesarean rates. It’s not simply risk level or population, but the culture of the hospital as well.

While there is no doubt that most women do feel pain during birth – sometimes significant pain – I don’t agree that childbirth pain is the worst pain possible. In fact, here are 8 things that women say hurt worse than childbirth. I love that “induced labor” is on the list. Because it is a whole different animal than a spontaneous labor.

We often think of sitting on the birth ball, or maybe leaning over it. But there is so much more. 5 Great Ways to Use a Birth Ball.

A lovely first person account of coming back and feeling normal again after postpartum depression.

Today’s video is a 3D animation of how a baby develops in the womb. Very interesting to see how the baby looks and changes as it grows:

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Wednesday Wrap Up 1/8

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

This is a beautiful description of doula work.

Here’s a nontraditional labor technique: Look Like a Pirate!

A funny way to think about all the advice you’ll get about parenting. Not sure I’d advocate her methods, but it will probably make you laugh!

The photographer in me loves seeing the beauty of motherhood captured realistically.

Can you handle more photography-meets-parenthood? Project Breastfeeding uses professional portraits of actual nursing moms and their families to normalize breastfeeding.

An interesting discussion of personal choice, autonomy and legal risk.

In a world where parenting meets Pinterest, I loved this article reminding moms that their mothering does not need to be “Pinteresting” – just loving and caring.

Think carefully about how you identify yourself as a mother. If you define yourself too much by the way you parent your baby, what happens when your baby outgrows your “cloth-diapering, breastfeeding mom” label?

Today, instead of a video, I have a song for you. A new parent’s version of “Royals” by Lourde:

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Wednesday Wrap Up 1/1/2014

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups / Andrea Lythgoe

It’s 2014! A new year, a fresh start. And 2014 will mark my 15th year as a doula! How should I celebrate?

On to the links!

In honor of the new year, I’ve shared my 2014 Excel spreadsheet for tracking doula business expenses.

A doula’s tips for family and friends invited to the birth. I have a similar post – a letter I originally wrote to my brother in law on how to support my sister at her birth.

A moving response to the comment “Babies Ruin Bodies” – so, so wonderfully put!

Nice list of 12 Benefits of Breastfeeding for Both Mother and Baby. There are plenty more, of course. Which ones would YOU add to the list?

Today’s video is a short clip depicting a single breastfeeding mom. I didn’t love the way it kept moving in and out of focus, but I loved the small details captured – mom stroking the newborn’s ear, the tiny hands and toes. What a sweet memory this video must be for the mother!

Breastfeeding with love from EVANLEE82 on Vimeo.

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