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“Fortunately, most of these deaths are considered preventable, and therefore, much more can be done to stop them. First, everyone—from doctors to the media to the public—needs to stop blaming women for their own deaths. Instead we should focus on better understanding the underlying contributing factors. These include a lack of data; not educating patients about signs and symptoms—and not believing them when they speak up; errors made by health care providers; and poor communication among different health care teams. Finally, studies have shown that interventions such as wider access to midwifery, group prenatal care, and social and doula support are effective in improving maternal health outcomes.”
from Agape Birth Doula Services http://bit.ly/2XfUwTR

Do you know what to do if an infant or child is choking?
from Agape Birth Doula Services http://bit.ly/2GwDX0n

“My birth story changed my practice as an obstetrician. Now I know that difficulty breastfeeding is one of the top risk factors for postpartum mood disorders. I see my patients trying not to cry during our postpartum visits, and I think … I see you. I know what you aren’t saying. Please let me help you.”
from Agape Birth Doula Services http://bit.ly/2IvIx0a

FYI
from Agape Birth Doula Services https://trib.al/UYDN6bD

April is Cesarean Awareness Month
from Agape Birth Doula Services http://bit.ly/2KLCWWD

“We, as a society, tout the importance of taking care of moms in a variety of ways. We laud the benefits of self-care, usually in expensive spa-form. We talk about “putting on your oxygen masks” before you assist others. We hold up the value of “villages” and encourage parents to find or build their own. We celebrate whatever clichéd garbage is written in the Mother Day cards we haphazardly remember to send once a year, along with a gift certificate to a nail salon or overpriced brunch. But rarely, if ever, do people actually take care of the mom in their lives. No, the onus on taking care of a mother falls on the mother herself. She must add “self-care” to her never-ending list of obligations and responsibilities and priorities. And make no mistake, in the year 2019, that list is only getting larger. “
from Agape Birth Doula Services http://bit.ly/2AXcuBG

“The 2016 ACOG Opinion Statement (endorsed by the AAP) on water immersion during labor and birth replaces the 2014 Opinion Statement (ACOG, 2016). The new statement shows a strengthening of support for water immersion during labor and a softening on waterbirth. Here are some of the key differences between the old and new opinion statements:”
from Agape Birth Doula Services http://bit.ly/2GeodyM

It takes a village to raise a family. It takes a village to help mother the mother so that she (not just her new baby) feels loved, supported, and welcomed.

I have been blessed with a supportive family and a supportive village, but even so, there are moments of this woman’s experience in my life. Part of it is just an aspect of being a mom. You will just miss out on some things and sacrifice some things.
But there are many whose primary experience of motherhood is this feeling of isolation and standing on the outside looking in, which will only exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety associated with the postpartum period.
It takes a village. Mothers need to be mothered. Cliche? Maybe. But very true and very often ignored.
from Agape Birth Doula Services http://bit.ly/2WWoz2D