A Question for the Doc

In recently attending two births with whom my clients had the same doctor, neither one delivered while their doctor was on call. This means that they each got the doctor in that group of four in the practice that was on call that evening/weekend. I was able to see first hand the practices of each. One of which I was greatly disturbed by his technique, the other, I felt had practices more in line with my beliefs.

Attention all ladies who are hiring an OB/GYN! Please ask your doctor about the practices of his colleagues. You may love your doctor and he/she may be in total agreement with your birth plan and desires for your birth, but the instant you end up with the doc on call, you are just any other patient having a baby that day.

If this in any way disturbs you, consider having a home birth or birthing center birth where most likely you will be seen prenatally by the same caregiver that will labor with you and deliver your baby no matter the day or how long it takes.

Movie of the Week

If you plan on having a baby, you HAVE to see the movie....The Business of Being Born. I first saw this movie about 2 months ago. I have it in my media collection if you would like to check it out from me. It is an eye opening documentary that gets right down the what truly goes on with birth in every setting, from home to hospital.

Pregnancy and Birth Advocacy

Yesterday I received an email from a woman in Virginia who works at Birth Matters in Richmond. She is advocating mother-and baby-friendly pregnancy and birth care so that more mainstream audiences are educated about their options.

Birth Matters Virginia (an organization that works to promote an evidence-based model of maternity care) is inviting mothers, fathers, filmmakers, film students, birth advocates, and others to create a 4-7 minute educational/documentary video about birth. The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of $1000. Second place $500 and an "honorable mention" prize of $100 will also be awarded. The deadline for entering the contest is Mother's Day, May 10, 2009.

Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein (makers of the Business of Being Born) have agreed to be guest judges of the contest along with Sarah Buckley. The more people know about it, the better! For rules and to see how to enter, please visit http://www.birthmattersva.org/videocontest.html

You can also join our Facebook group (whether or not you intend to make a video) to get updates about the contest and exchange ideas with other participants athttp://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=73753459808#/group.php?sid=e146cf29ff029d1148a6a465af742146&gid=73753459808

And if you have questions, email Sarah at Richmond@birthmattersva.org Thanks in advance for any help you can give!!

Happy Birthday Anson!

Yesterday baby Anson was born. He weighed 9 lb. 10 oz. and was 21 inches long. His mom had a natural birth and did a great job...hubby did a great job too! With six hours of labor he was born yesterday at 3:10pm. Thanks for letting me be at your birth!

Welcome to the world baby Anson!