Blog
Celebrating International Doula Month: The Transformative Role of Birth Doulas
As expectant parents, your pregnancy journey is probably filled with excitement, anticipation, and perhaps a hint of anxiety. Amidst the multitude of decisions you need to make, one choice stands out as profoundly impactful: the decision to enlist the support of a birth doula. As we celebrate International Doula Month this May, consider the invaluable benefits that birth doulas bring to the birthing experience. Empowering Support Every Step of the Way Birth doulas are trained professionals who offer physical, emotional, and informational support to expectant parents before, during, and after...
Why Do We Still Need Cesarean Awareness Month?
In the United States, approximately 1.3 million women undergo a cesarean section every year, making it the most common surgery done in the US. Yes, cesarean sections are commonplace, (32.1% of all births in 2022), but they continue to put healthy women at higher risk for serious complications and death. April is Cesarean Awareness Month, an initiative of the International Cesarean Awareness Network designed to bring attention to the risks associated with cesarean surgery and to educate expectant parents about their birth options. If a cesarean can be avoided mothers would suffer fewer short-...
Calling All Doulas! Let’s Celebrate World Doula Week 2024
Doulas are currently getting all the attention and praise they deserve. Many employers and health coverage programs are reimbursing expectant parents for services provided by birth and postpartum doulas. Doulas, this is your moment! World Doula Week Giveaway is here to support your invaluable work with gifts that matter. From in-depth classes to vital business tools, everything offered from March 22-31 is designed to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling career. Find out more about the free resources available to you. My gift to you is VBAC: A Safe Alternative to a Repeat Cesarean, a...
“Failure to Progress” Is Sometimes Just Failure to Wait
“Failure to Progress” is one of the four main reasons for performing a cesarean section. Evidence shows that physicians vary widely in their assessment that labor has “failed.” Consequently, whether a cesarean is necessary or not varies among physicians. Physicians sometimes recommend a cesarean too soon when labor has not “failed” and perform a surgery that could have been avoided. Some caregivers are still using outdated practice guidelines to determine when labor is no longer progressing. Failure to progress is sometimes called “failure to wait.” There may be wide variation among...
What Is Placenta Accreta and What Do Expectant Parents Need to Know?
October is Placenta Accreta Awareness Month As expectant parents, you're embarking on an exciting journey filled with anticipation and joy. While preparing for the birth of your baby, it's important to stay informed about potential complications that can develop during your pregnancy. One such condition is placenta accreta. Placenta accreta is a serious medical condition where the placenta attaches too deeply to the uterine wall, making it difficult to detach during childbirth. With placenta accreta, a planned cesarean section is a medical necessity. The increasing rate of placenta accreta...
Fathers Can Also Experience Birth as a Traumatic Event
While childbirth is indeed a miraculous process and a beautiful life-changing event, it can sometimes also be emotionally challenging and traumatic for some fathers. Studies have found that some fathers find themselves unprepared for potential complications during childbirth or how quickly a normal birth can turn into a life-threatening situation. Unexpected birth complications, including the need for a cesarean section, can lead to high levels of anxiety and stress. Witnessing the birth of a child can be an exhilarating experience, but when things go wrong, it is normal for fathers to...
Empowering Expectant Parents: Discovering Your Rights in Pregnancy and Childbirth with Module 13
You have the right to choose how, where, and with whom you want to give birth. To make decisions that are right for you, it’s important to have evidence-based information about the benefits and risks of the care that is being recommended. As expectant parents, you deserve to feel empowered, informed, and in control throughout your pregnancy and childbirth journey. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce Module 13: Your Rights in Pregnancy and Childbirth. This educational slide set provides you with the knowledge and understanding of your rights, enabling you to make informed decisions and advocate for your desired birth. Module 13, a part of the VBAC Education Project, is available as a free download from vbac.com.
Introducing Module 12: Planning a Home VBAC (HBAC) – Making an Informed Decision
We are happy to announce the release of Module 12: Planning a Home VBAC, (HBAC), the latest addition to our free, comprehensive parent education series on vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). While mothers who labor at home have the highest rate of VBAC, evidence suggests that in the United States, laboring at home with a prior cesarean scar may put babies at higher risk. This module explores the benefits and risks of planning a home birth after a previous cesarean and how to evaluate the maternity care available in your community. You can download the PDF from vbac.com . A study found that...
Planning a VBAC in a Free-Standing Birth Center – Module 11, Just Published
We are thrilled to announce the release of Module 11, Planning a VBAC in a Free-Standing Birth Center, available as a free download from vbac.com . This module is part of our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive and up-to-date information on childbirth options after a cesarean and empowering families to make informed decisions about their pregnancy and birth. In Module 11 we look into the option of free-standing birth centers, which offer a unique and holistic approach to low-risk pregnancies. These out-of-hospital facilities provide a home-like environment, staffed by a team of...
Announcing the Online Publication of Module 10: Planning a Hospital VBAC
We are excited to announce that Module 10, Planning a Hospital VBAC, is now available for FREE as a PDF download. This module, part of the VBAC Education Project, provides valuable information and insights for expectant families considering vaginal birth after a cesarean in a hospital setting. We understand the importance of making informed decisions about your pregnancy and birth. This module provides evidence-based information to increase your odds for a vaginal birth. In the United States, expectant families have the right to choose where and with whom they want to give birth. Whether...
Understanding the Dangers of Cesarean Birth: Making Informed Decisions
By: Nicette Jukelevics
Foreword by
Charles Mahan, M.D.
Critically examines the increasing use of cesarean deliveries for childbirth, the risks, outcomes, and other issues women need to consider to make an informed decision whether to have a natural birth or a cesarean.