As a doula, obviously I am a huge fan of birth plans or making a list birth wishes.  Prioritizing the what the most important aspects of the birth your child are for you is a great practice in exploration and preparation.  It will also better equip you to communicate with practitioners about what you want in a normal situation and also if something unexpected pops up.  I love this story from The Moth podcast though, because her birth plan gets thrown out the window.  This story is about the unexpected.  We often tend seek control over situations, the people around us, and aim to prevent the unexpected, when in some cases the unexpected might be the best thing that ever happens to you (example, the second half of this story).  The best you can do is equip yourself with knowledge, practice controlling your emotional response to all sorts of stimuli, and look forward to the thrill of what is to come.  Hope you enjoy the story.

http://themoth.org/posts/stories/future-perfect

This week the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and released a new report for doctors on methods to prevent unnecessary c-sections.  Full of wonderful advice, suggesting that doctors can in some cases wait longer for labor to progress to second stage, and also meriting the positive effects of continuous labor support (Yay, doulas!).  Check out the report below

A few other related articles:

NBC News: Doctors Urged to Wait Longer Before Performing C-sections
Medscape: Longer Labor OK to Avoid Cesarean
ABC Blog: Doctors Push for More Pushing, Fewer C-sections

Come join Mamatoto Village Inc. to kick off our 2014 Pay What You Can Childbirth Education Series 

Description:
An Active Approach to Childbirth 

A dynamic, fun and experiential Childbirth Class that examines labor support techniques that really work.  Exploring the joys and challenges of labor, this childbirth class empowers couples to labor and give birth in any setting. Working from the fundamental belief that labor is a natural process, this class helps women achieve a birth free from interference. We will also cover how to consciously use intervention when needed, and what you might be faced with while in the hospital, birth center or at home. Using a multisensory approach we examine the following topics: an exploration of birth in America; stages of labor; relaxation techniques, comfort measures and active birth positions; stages of labor; preparing your partner for labor and birth; pros and cons of medication; active labor with an epidural; in the event of a cesarean birth; creating a birth plan; and postpartum adjustment, newborn care and breastfeeding; and more! This course incorporates birth art as well! Parents will learn through interactive and creative participation, in a spirit of fun and curiosity. Our course is balanced, down to earth, non-judgmental class, where each individual's desire for their birth is honored and celebrated. We hope you will join us!

Dates: 

• Weekend Intensive: Saturday, February 22nd-Sunday, February 23rd from taught by Childbirth Educators in Training via Mamatoto Village, Inc. 

Time: 
Weekend Intensive: 10:00am-5pm each day

Cost: FREE 

Location: 
Josephine Butler Parks Center (across from Meridian Hill Park)
2437 15th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009

Refreshments provided, lunch on your own
All attendees receive a giveaway bag

Contact Aza Nedhari at info (at) mamatotovillage (dot) org to register for classes or via phone at (202) 746 7801.