Birth in Bloom

The concern over swine flu has caused local area hospitals to limit the number of support persons allowed with women at birth. Laboring Mothers are having their support turned away at hospital entrances and being denied their right to have the support they need at the most critical time.

Despite letters and phone calls asking for professional support persons, Doulas, to be considered part of the birth team instead of visitors, these requests have been denied repeatedly in writing. With the health and well-being of laboring mothers and newborns as our top priority, Doulas have offered to receive the H1N1 vaccine once it is available, and provide documentation of complete special screening upon admittance, yet all of these requests are still being denied.

But what can I do?

We at the Doulas in Swine Flu Season Alliance believe that it is imperative that women be empowered to experience a safe birth while still making their own birth choices and having the support they need during birth. Doulas from Northern Virginia, DC and Maryland have come together to form this alliance for the sole purpose of offering FREE counseling and guidance to women who are struggling to have their birth choices honored and to have their support system in place at the time of their birth. It is crucial that women continue to educate themselves and make choices that support their birth wishes and we can help guide you with information and resources.

If you or a mom you know is looking for free guidance in keeping your birth choices intact and having the empowered birth you deserve please call Kerry Reynolds at The Doulas in Swine Flu Season Alliance (703) 855-1938.

Kerry Reynolds

Owner, Birth in Bloom, Birth Doula & Childbirth Education Services

Founder, The Doulas in Swine Flu Season Alliance

703.855.1938

www.birthinbloom.com

I know you've heard this before "just relax". In pregnancy, labor and even life with baby, that isn't going to get you very far. What you need to know is how to relax and the sooner you learn how, the better.

The first step towards relaxation is to create an environment that supports and nurtures you. Be it dimming the lights, using fluffy pillows for even wearing comfy and cozy clothing, creating an atmosphere of calm will set the tone for relaxation. This is especially important in labor, it is up to you and your Doula if you have one, to help set up an atmosphere of comfort. Creating a warm and fuzzy space allows mom (and dad) the sense of confidence they need to keep a good flow in labor.

Getting to know yourself

This is a wonderful time to get to know your body and learn how to relax during your pregnancy. There are many stressful moments during pregnancy and when those situations arise stop, take a deep breath in and as you breathe out, let the muscles relax so that they feel loose, open and soft. Afterward take a moment to think about which parts of your body became tense and needed releasing. We all hold tension differently and stress builds up in your body, learning where you hold your stress and tension now will help you understand where and how to relax when things become more demanding. You could also do a body scan, imagining each part by itself, filling with a warm radiant light and relaxing as it does. Some call this a roving body check and it is a wonderful beginning on becoming aware of how it feels to enter a relaxed state.

Not purely a solo act

Once baby arrives you will have endless opportunities to practice relaxation, complete with distractions. Between nursing, diapering, bathing, and squeezing in sleep when possible, there will be many times that a good, nice, deep breath that starts at the tip of your head and ends leaving your toes, will be just what you need to pick up and do whatever is next on your list. Gather the tools you need for parenting now by becoming more in tune with your body and your breathing by learning how to truly relax yourself.

For more information or to learn how to help yourself breathe better and relax more efficiently you can Register for our winter session of Breathing & Relaxation for Birth today, class begins November 3rd at our new location in Alexandria!