Have you noticed that when you're pregnant everyone seems to have a birth story to tell (usually traumatic) and advice to give (often inaccurate)? I had a misfortunate encounter with a friend of a friend who was giving advice on childbirth options and breastfeeding. Her qualifications were, I quote, "I'm a mom, I know." Unfortunately, she didn't know....
So how do you know when to listen and when to turn the volume off? Sometimes you're cornered and can't get away from Great Aunt Millie and her stories of the Labor From Hell. Paste a polite smile on your face, Tune Her Out and Go to Your Happy Place in your mind and rest there until she's done. Hum softly under your breath to your baby and when you have a minute alone tell your baby a positive story of their upcoming birth and how wonderful it will be. Then take a deep breath and tackle the business of becoming an informed consumer.
With the information highway at our fingertips it's easy to get lost in the sheer volume of information available. So where do you start?
* Yes, it's okay to ask friends and family for
recommendations.
*Ask your doctor/midwife/doula for guidance (hint,
this could be an indicator of where their biases
toward birth shows up).
*Next, look at the source of the information: is this
person knowledgeable?
*Is the information current?
*** *Is the information the result of research-based
evidence? (hint, ask for their sources or check sources
before reading the information it saves time and
brain-space).
Check out http://www.americanpregnancy.org
* Go to doula and midwife websites and look at their
recommended reading lists. The more often a book is
earmarked on their sites the more likely it's one you'll
want to look at (hint, we have a few listed on our
website)
* Buying books can be expensive so don't forget your
local doulas ( they are often willing to loan books for
free), the public library, your pregnancy resource
center, the local La Leche League group (great for
preparing for breastfeeding and breastfeeding
support), your local parent support groups, and
childbirth educators.
Look to magazines such as
Parents Magazine:
http://www.parents.com/parents-magazine/
Midwifery Today:
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/
Take your time, take a deep breath, listen to your heart, listen to your body, and know that you will make the right choices for you and your baby.
God Bless,
Suzann
So how do you know when to listen and when to turn the volume off? Sometimes you're cornered and can't get away from Great Aunt Millie and her stories of the Labor From Hell. Paste a polite smile on your face, Tune Her Out and Go to Your Happy Place in your mind and rest there until she's done. Hum softly under your breath to your baby and when you have a minute alone tell your baby a positive story of their upcoming birth and how wonderful it will be. Then take a deep breath and tackle the business of becoming an informed consumer.
With the information highway at our fingertips it's easy to get lost in the sheer volume of information available. So where do you start?
* Yes, it's okay to ask friends and family for
recommendations.
*Ask your doctor/midwife/doula for guidance (hint,
this could be an indicator of where their biases
toward birth shows up).
*Next, look at the source of the information: is this
person knowledgeable?
*Is the information current?
*** *Is the information the result of research-based
evidence? (hint, ask for their sources or check sources
before reading the information it saves time and
brain-space).
Check out http://www.americanpregnancy.org
* Go to doula and midwife websites and look at their
recommended reading lists. The more often a book is
earmarked on their sites the more likely it's one you'll
want to look at (hint, we have a few listed on our
website)
* Buying books can be expensive so don't forget your
local doulas ( they are often willing to loan books for
free), the public library, your pregnancy resource
center, the local La Leche League group (great for
preparing for breastfeeding and breastfeeding
support), your local parent support groups, and
childbirth educators.
Look to magazines such as
Parents Magazine:
http://www.parents.com/parents-magazine/
Midwifery Today:
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/
Take your time, take a deep breath, listen to your heart, listen to your body, and know that you will make the right choices for you and your baby.
God Bless,
Suzann