You’re probably familiar with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. I learned about it in teacher education, the idea being that we couldn’t expect a kid who hadn’t eaten or didn’t feel safe at home to care much about learning his times tables. Your physical needs are the most important. When those basic needs are left unmet, […]
Uncontrollable Birth: A Checklist for Thinkers and Planners
Having a baby is notoriously unpredictable. You don't know when he or she is coming. You don't know how long it will take. You don't know how you or the baby will respond to labor. You don't know when your water will break. You don't know how long you'll need to push. You don't even [...]
How I Listen More & Still Teach
I teach group birth classes. I do doula work. I'm also the Director of Education for a busy birth center near Washington, DC. I work with families and pregnant couples when they first find out they're pregnant--or are still trying!--through postpartum. I've noticed that what people need at this time is, essentially, a doula. Someone [...]
Natural Ways to Induce Labor at Home: Induction Handout
Ways to start labor at home, induction methods handout If that doesn’t work, you can try chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbs, or hypnotherapy. If you’re down the wire and facing a medical induction at the hospital, make sure you learn about your options. There’s more than one way to get labor going, and some ways are [...]
Listen: When Midwives and Docs Work Together
A midwife friend of mine opened a birth center at a hospital in Mexico. The doctors asked for her to come work with them—to teach them! She started a podcast recently to chronicle her adventures and the advancements she’s been able to make in maternity care. If you’re a birth nerd or want to know […]
