Birthing center tour

November 25, 2007 at 5:31 pm (birthing, medical)
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C and I took a tour of the birthing center at Alta Bates  this morning.  As hospitals go, this one seems pretty amazing.  The birthing rooms are darkened, they work with a whole bunch of different midwives, and they actually encourage you to work with a doula.

I also noticed they had wonderful art on the walls – bright collages and water colors – interspersed with sweet hand made quilts and beautiful black and white photos of all sorts of babies.

They also offer a gazillion birthing classes, and are specific about the need for baby and mama to bond immediately after birth. They do not take the baby away and clean her up immediately except in cases where the health of the baby is in danger. Instead, they put her right on mama’s chest. Our  guide, Robin, must have mentioned this 5 times throughout the tour.

There was a woman in labor this morning as we were touring the space.  She was walking the hallway, slowly, with her partner and a doula. Man, she looked tired.

Anyway, I guess I’m at the point where I need to decide on a midwife and doula sort of soon.  As I understand it, their proverbial dance cards fill up. (Who knew?) Anyway, I’ve got a couple leads, but would love any recommendations of midwives and doulas from you wise ones who’ve gone before. If they work w/Alta Bates, so much the better, but I’m open to other places.  I’ve heard East Bay Perinatal has some terrific midwives, for instance, but they work with Summit (yes? no? East Bay Perinatal’s website is down…)

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Natural Childbirth

November 1, 2007 at 7:54 am (birthing)
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Thanks to all who have offered info and experience around hypnobirthing, OBs and gross fluids. ;) I have spent the better part of the last three days devouring this book: Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and have found it to be SUCH a hopeful and exciting perspective.

For those who may not know, Ina May Gaskin is the godmother of modern midwifery. In 1971, in the first wave of feminism, she founded and directed a natural birthing center called The Farm, where she delivered over 2200 babies before retiring in 1996. This place sounds amazing – with cottages and nature trails and a team of experienced midwives who see giving birth as this joyous, empowering, sacred act that is yes, painful as ALL HELL sometimes.

Reading this book is not only helping to alleviate my ignorance, but also my fears. It has a list of the right questions to ask of an OB and a midwife. I’m still pretty sure I want to be in a hospital with the understanding that it’s drug-free unless there are serious issues. It’s time to start interviewing OBs, midwives and doulas. If anyone has a recommendation of someone you really loved (or tips on someone to avoid) please let me know!

Ina May Gaskin, you are a rock star.

Friends and wise counselors – thank you thank you thank you. I started this blog as a place to rant and you have made it an invaluable resource for me. I cannot thank you enough.

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