Category Archives: DONA International

The Duggar Family

Posted on December 12, 2009 by Danielle

I would like to extend my well wishes and thoughts to the Duggar Family though this difficult period of their lives after welcoming their 19th baby, Josie Brooklyn Duggar yesterday, December 11th 2009 via emergency cesarean section for Pre-E after … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrities, Cesarean Section, DONA International, General, Media, Prematurity | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Bring a Loved One, Friend, or Doula for Continuous Support

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Unnecesarean

When discussion of doula care surfaces on the Internet, it is always surprising how many commenters dismiss continuous labor support by a trained professional as unscientific fluff. Couples who hire a doula are sometimes labeled as selfish, out for “the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dad, DONA International, Doulas, Labor and Birth, Natural Childbirth | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

May = International Doula Month

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Sara M

She was there for you when you didn’t believe in yourself. She smiled at your superwoman strength.? She was there the moment your baby was born or came to be there with you those precious weeks thereafter.? She’s an angel … Continue reading →

Posted in DONA International, Doulas | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Seeing Clearly Now

Posted on July 25, 2007 by Robin

I’m home and just catching up. I’ve already expounded on the whole issue of prematurity as it relates to inductions and cesareans and about labor hormones from the DONA International Conference. But I thought I’d talk a bit more about some other things I did while at the conference.

Can I say how nice it is just to hang out at a conference and soak it all up? Everyone there had something interesting to say or share. I truly enjoyed it. I spent a weekend immersed in birth, with a small side track to go to a Harry Potter Party with my son (14) who was with me in St. Louis. I got to dance and sing and talk and learn. Some of the things I learned just made me drop my jaw with their beauty and simplicity.

One of the main things I saw was how important it is for women to make informed choices. Here’s the kicker – most women don’t feel like they have choices. That is really scary. We really need to start the conversation on how to get women to see that they have opportunities to make decisions for themselves and their babies. It’s not just about epidural or not, it’s about which place of birth and which practitioner – and why. That’s what transparency in maternity care is all about – women seeing clearly what they are being offered by whom. Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences, DONA International, Doulas, General, Induction, Informed Consent | Leave a comment

Blogging from the DONA International Conference

Posted on July 21, 2007 by Robin

While Sandra and otehr birth activists are busy in NYC at the Healthy Birth Fair promoting the Transparency project, I’m sitting in sunny St. Louis at the 13th annual DONA International conference.

I’ve taken sessions on cesareans on demand, research updates, hormones in labor, Canadian Doulas, reclaiming the feminine, pain and suffering in labor and so much more! Even more importantly for me is the chance to be with like minded individuals. I don’t have to explain myself constantly and I can relax and know that I’m in good ocmpany.

When I see the men and women who work so hard to spread the word of how birth should be, that it’s really a normal, physiologic process – well, it’s just amazing. If you don’t believ me, try coming to one of these conferences. You’ll walk away a convert, or if you’re part of the choir – refreshed!
Continue reading →

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