By Latham Thomas on September 7, 2011
Slow Birth is ecologically attuned midwifery/doula care with respect to the balance of nature.
Over the years, the Slow Food movement has benefitted from a lot of traction in the sustainable food community. Everyone speaks about slow food, the ecology of mother Earth, where our sacred food comes from, how it’s been cultivated, even the soil composition. The food justice and sustainable food movement prides itself on preserving just food for all.
Because I’m in the birth business, it got me thinking about how this concept applied to a new type of birthing model, one that is ages old but getting lost in the fast-paced world we live in. That concept is slow birth.
Slow Birth references labor and maternal care practices that are respectful and honor the inner ecology of the woman, her sacred anatomy, her innate wild wisdom and her attuned rhythms. It respects that birth can take time.
Like Slow Food, slow birth is about going back to the basics, celebrating what’s natural. That doesn’t mean without sophistication. It does, however, mean listening to the sophisticated rhythms of the body and acknowledging that you don’t always need technological support. The body is highly sophisticated and undergoes a host of processes to bring forth a baby.
The time of birth cannot be predicted, and this phenomenon of uncertainty leaves medical practitioners uneasy. So many women have the experience of being encouraged to take medications to “move things along.” With their haste to speed up their labor via drugs, they alter the woman’s internal hormonal ecology, and she can become disconnected to what is happening in her body and start to mistrust. No one can govern the female body but the woman who lives in that body. When practitioners take a position to modulate the normal course of a woman’s labor (without good reason to do so) they perform an act against nature. The connection to the Slow Food movement is strong here: The widespread use of agro-chemicals in farming are also an act against mother nature.
There is also the issue of unnecessary medical waste that is accumulated as a result of the technocratic birth model (which mirrors the inorganic waste, chemical compounds and natural resources wasted from industrial farming methods). Midwifery care is less expensive and less invasive, and midwives respect the mother/baby dyad. Organic farming is less expensive, uses less energy and the produce tastes better. We have a lot to say about this when it comes to our food, but what about when it comes to our wombs? We have to work with women and their bodies, not against them. We have to work with mother nature’s rhythms, not against them.
In my labor support work as a doula (Greek for “one who serves”), I strive to work with the mother and keep her in the hormonal flow and in a rhythm with her baby. We use breathing techniques, visualization, sound, movement, essential oils and therapeutic touch to help her labor comfortably. When a woman trusts her body and has proper support, she can have an empowering birth – no matter what the outcome. If Slow Food is a movement that takes us back to the land with respect and honor for sustainable food, then Slow Birth takes us back to the womb with respect and honor for the sacred process of birth.
For more information on how to optimize your health, visit TenderShootsWellness.com
Photo credit: bies
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By Guest Blogger on April 14, 2010
By Andrea Crossman, RN & Doula
I just returned from the home of new parents Nikki and Sam, where we had our postpartum visit joined by Nikki’s mom (grandmothers are the original postpartum doulas) and two and a half week old Leo. We ate salads, reminisced about the birth, discussed breastfeeding, and enjoyed the afterglow of the experience. Nikki shared that her birth was different than what she had imagined—and absolutely wonderful; a statement she followed with “and that’s not something I hear a lot of women say.” New papa Sam chimed in that by having a doula they always had a map for what was ahead, even as the road took unexpected turns.
My work as a labor support doula in New York City is the result of a few unexpected turns. A Midwest girl, I moved to New York to attend Columbia University with the end goal of providing integrative primary health care. After receiving my bachelor’s in nursing, I began a master’s program at NYU and worked as a labor and delivery nurse at one of the busiest labor and delivery units in NYC. Witnessing the positive transformative experience that birth can be inspired me to launch Holistic Doula NYC , through which I offer holistic RN and doula services as well as childbirth education classes.
As a doula and a nurse, I am concerned with the birth of the baby and the birth of the mother. A quote by Osho illustrates this beautifully: “The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.”
So how do I support the birth of the mother? What exactly does a doula do? Well, a whole bunch of things! Here is an A-to-Z description of how I typically work with a client.
Meet and Greet: Meet and understand how you would work together.
How it works
Most important about this meeting is to simply check out the “vibe.” Second is to make sure you feel good about the experience and energy your potential doula can bring to your birth.
Unlimited Support: Continue building a relationship, have a go-to for your questions, keep your doula up-to-date on your pregnancy.
How it works
I offer unlimited e-mail and phone support to help my clients better navigate their pregnancy and birth. I also ask my clients to update me within 24 hours of each midwife or OB/GYN appointment. I can help translate medical-speak and am able to also see potential issues before they arise and offer suggestions for how to stay on track with your birth goals.
Prenatal Appointments: Help the mother clarify her desires and goals; explore how the mother, birth partner, and doula will work together; create an early labor plan; and clarify what happens when labor begins.
How it works
Over one or two appointments, we discuss the mother’s priorities, fears, concerns, and questions, as well as coping and comfort techniques.
We also talk about how I work with the birth partner. Although many people mistakenly think the doula will displace the birth partner, the doula should actually help increase the birth partner’s confidence and ability to support the laboring mama. In the postpartum I just attended, new father Sam said that having a doula freed him up from worrying about all the infinite details that take place before and during labor and allowed him to focus on being present.
We also do a number of practical things, like help with the labor bag and make sure the fridge is stocked with labor-friendly food and beverages. Knowing that someone else is doing these simple little things helps foster a feeling of emotional readiness.
Labor Time: Provide continuous informational, emotional, and physical support for a happy, healthy birth; guide the birth partner in supporting the laboring mama.
How it works
Once early labor really kicks in, I remind my client or her birth partner of the early labor plan. Although most early contact is over the phone, as soon as active labor begins, I pack my bag, spray on an essential oil blend that supports labor, and join my client. My labor doula support typically begins at the woman’s home where—for women who choose a hospital birth—she labors until deciding it’s time to transfer to the hospital.
During active labor, I remind my clients that their bodies instinctively know how to give birth; reassure them; and suggest options to help them—new positions, massage, breathing techniques, Reiki, or aromatherapy depending on the situation and preferences. My familiarity with the hospital culture helps me anticipate what’s coming and make suggestions that can help prevent unwanted interventions. After Nikki’s birth she said to me, “one of the greatest benefits to working with you was that you managed to stay one step ahead of the hospital staff.” Having a trained birth professional who can predict and adapt to the provider’s care plan is definitely one of the benefits of working with a doula.
Immediate Postpartum: Take first family photos, help with initial breastfeeding, get mama some refreshments, and reinforce how amazing the birth was.
How it works
Right after the baby is born, I honor the amazing work my client has done. At a recent birth, when I asked my client post-birth, “Are you proud of yourself?” She got a mischievous grin on her face and she let out an, “Oh yeeaaaah.” (Her husband’s mantra was “That was so awesome! That was so awesome!”)
It has become my custom to get my client her first real food and drink, and after such hard work, this is always a much-enjoyed reward. After that, I help with breastfeeding, say my goodbyes, and leave the family to enjoy their first hours together.
Postpartum Visit: Admire the baby, answer questions, and process the birth.
How it works
This visit, in the client’s home, is focused on talking about the birth, filling in any blanks, answering questions, admiring the new baby, and bringing closure to the amazing experience.
Overall Benefits
So what difference does all of this support make to a woman’s pregnancy and birth experience? A pretty big one, according to research conducted by Kennell and Klaus. Here are some of the most significant benefits of continuous labor support:
· Cesarean rate decreased by 50%
· Length of labor decreased by 25%
· Requests for epidurals decreased by 60%
· Use of Pitocin decreased by 40%
All of these factors influence postpartum recovery, initial bonding time between mother and baby, and health care costs. Studies have also shown that women who had continuous labor support rated their birth experiences higher and had a decreased incidence of postpartum depression. To contribute to these positive outcomes, while supporting a family at a sacred time, is an honor and a privilege. In summary, a doula supports women as they become mothers, couples as they become families, and babies as they start their lives.
*Even Taye Diggs and Jimmy Kimmel have pondered “what does a doula do?”
Andrea Crossman is a holistic RN, childbirth educator, and a labor and delivery nurse turned doula. She is the founder of Holistic Doula NYC and writes the HDNYC blog where she shares information and resources related to holistic pregnancy and empowered birth. Andrea works with women to support three important milestones: preparation for pregnancy, pregnancy, and birth. You can follow all of Andrea’s labors of love on twitter: @AndreaCrossman .
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By Kristen Suzanne on March 3, 2010
It’s a beautiful time in my life. I’m six months pregnant and feeling blissful beyond belief about my plan to have a home birth attended by my husband, midwife and doula. It’s going to be the ultimate birth team! I have no fear of childbirth and actually view it as an exciting rite of passage. I have confidence in my body and baby to do what we women have been doing since the beginning of time. A home birth is natural, healthy and empowering.
Midwives have been helping with home births for a long time. In fact, a majority of births in many parts of the world are home births assisted by midwives. Hospitals may be necessary in some cases, but not all. Most healthy women can birth successfully in the comfort of their own homes and in some cases have better outcomes than if they went to the hospital.
When I tell people I’m planning a home birth, I get looks ranging from shock to disbelief. Then I find myself rattling off statistics to support my choice–one of which is that the United States has some of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the developed world. Furthermore, US Cesarean section rates continue to climb at an alarming rate accounting for almost a third of all deliveries. That’s double what the World Health Organization says is safe for moms and babies.
The bottom line is that I feel a home birth is the best thing for me to do. I am so excited to bring our baby into this world gently and softly. It’s going to be a wonderful harmonious experience. On the contrary, the pain we often see portrayed on TV, or from women birthing in hospitals, isn’t an accurate picture of what the human body is capable of in a more relaxed, comfortable and secure setting. There might be pain, but there might not be much pain. I don’t mind either way. I’m confident that if there is pain, it won’t be the kind seen on TV or heard about from women with hospital horror stories. One of the reasons for this is simply that stress – of any kind – prolongs or even suspends labor.
As a home-birthing mom I can avoid stressors found in a hospital such as, an unfamiliar uncomfortable environment, harsh lights, cold hands, poking and prodding from total strangers when personnel change shifts, or the pressure to undergo surgery. The home-birthing mother can change positions when she’s in labor, walk around, take a bath (whether to lounge or even to give birth in water), dance, sing, eat, drink, wear her own clothes (or no clothes at all), be romantic with her husband, listen to music playing softly with candles lit and dim the lights (or heck, she can even have Nine Inch Nails playing in the background if she wants). She can have her doula or birth partner use acupressure or massage to help relieve pain. Mom and Baby can do things on their schedule, not the doctor’s, not the hospital’s. Baby can come when Baby is ready, and Mom is empowered.
Having a doula attend my birth is important. I would hire a doula whether I planned a home birth or hospital birth. A doula’s calming effect on birth is impressive. According to DONA International, “The word doula comes from ancient Greek, meaning ‘a woman who serves’ and now refers to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier, and they breastfeed more easily.” I hired our doula months before we even tried to conceive! I’m glad I did. Over time, we’ve built an amazing relationship with a bond that is hard to describe. I’m so grateful she’s been a part of our journey and will be there when our baby is born.
I mentioned previously that my birth team consists of my midwife, doula and husband. A lot of people think they won’t need a doula because the husband is present, but this idea underestimates the doula’s role.. The doula not only supports the mother during birth, she is there to support the father as well. My husband will be my main birth companion, and I will lean on him a lot. As a result, I suspect he is going to get tired and need a break (or two!). Our doula can step in during these times. But that’s not all. Our doula has many tricks up her sleeve and plenty of experience in childbirth, which my husband doesn’t have. This makes her a special part of our team with an important role.
Although my plan is to birth at home, there might be circumstances that require going to a hospital. In that event, I have created a birth plan to be followed. My doula and midwife will serve as advocates on my behalf. If the hospital is resistant to any of my requests, no big deal; let ‘em talk to my team while I focus on other things.
I want my childbirth to be a beautiful and amazing experience. I’m stacking the deck in my favor by taking control of the situation, my environment and my team by having my home birth attended by a midwife, doula and my husband. And I’m doing many other things that are not widely known, or are considered “alternative,” such as eating an extremely healthy, high raw, vegan diet, having my birth plan written in advance, taking hypnobirthing classes and more. For pregnant women reading this, or women who may become pregnant in the future, realize there are many options to consider and that you have much more control over your birthing experience and outcome than you may have been taught.
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