Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article

[Denise Hynd]

Dear Jo Yes it is wonderfull to share our expereinces and knowledge   I also feel it is wonderfull that so many are willing to help women in the current situation. Like in all things in life we are all in different places in respect of birthing with different needs thus it is good to have lots of options!   Thank you Denise Hynd   "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.  For, indeed, they are the only ones who ever have."  Margaret Mead ----- Original Message ----- From: Dean & Jo To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 6:34 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article Hi Denise,   The births I spoke of : One at home with a private mw, one in a birth centre with community midwives and the other on a labour ward once again with the community midwives who have practicing rights at the hospital.   I know of a few women who have birthed with almost a dozen family and friends present.  It has always been very important to one dear friend that all her children be present, pus some of their children, friends and her partner.  Quite a party!  To each their own I suppose- what ever is important to them.   I agree with your most satisfying birth experience example- wouldn't I have loved to get that experience myself! ; but I know of women who have described their births as the most satisfying because they had those people who 'protected' her from the awful things that happened to her last time which resulted in a cs, even thou this birth has also resulted in a cs.  For some the midwife represents the expert in safe birthing, and perhaps the doula represents the woman's need for a positive birth experience.  The clients I have want me there because I understand what it is like to have a vbac....doesn't matter to some women HOW experienced a midwife is in supporting vbac -if she herself hasn't had one then she doesn't know what it feels like.  Just like those who have never had a cs can not say they know what it feels like.  There is a difference between understanding and experiencing.  One woman wants me there because I know all her birth emotional history that has taken her over four years to process.  The midwife she has as her primary carer is one of the most wonderful midwives I know!  I love her to death!  BUT she doesn't know what my client has gone thru and for this client this knowledge is crucial for her to trust that I understand and that she can do this!   I believe that we can work together as professions. I certainly would never sell myself as having any clinical skills and always strongly advocate midwifery care.   interesting discussion don't you think? Jo ----- Original Message ----- From: Denise Hynd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 6:48 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article Dear Jo, Interesting where are these women to birth?   With the women's family members sounds like quite a group at each of the labours and births?   My experience of the most satisfying birthing expereinces for all has been at home when the woman has turned in and worked with her baby more than any one or any thing in the environment and the hormones have flowed the labour has progressed and it has been her resultant behaviour which the midwife and partner have tuned into and worked around also!! for example I think of several births where the Primp couple have been together in the toilet or bathroom alot of the time with the lights down low in the hall where I was except when I came to listen to the baby after listening to her sounds and knowing she is progressing or not and then making suggestions, giving feedback between contractions and rest periods.   Denise Hynd   "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.  For, indeed, they are the only ones who ever have."  Margaret Mead ----- Original Message ----- From: Dean & Jo To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 9:15 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article Hi Denise, I am doulaing with three women who are accessing one on one midwifery care also (not to mention the students they are having follow them too!)  I suppose it is up to the individual woman.  Some want the midwife there for the birth but want the doula there for moral support and support for her partner, other children or just for her.  Despite the fact that midwives -especially the independant ones- offer this type of care when it comes to the crunch, there is a job for her to do and sometimes her focus is shifted from supporting the hubby or even the woman -eye to eye back rubbing etc- due to the clinical skills being required.  Jo ----- Original Message ----- From: Denise Hynd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 10:15 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] doula article Dear Kylie I am going to paly devil's advocate and ask if yoyr article will talk of the pros and cons of Doula's?   For example I and others see the increase and popularity of Doula's as a reflection of the lack of the women cenrtred-ness of the system and world's best practice 1-2-1 midwifery options, I am not aware of women who have the latter employing doula's.   My exeprience is that such women and their families feel confident to get on with the pregnancy labour, birth and psot natal time themselves with their midwives as the only paid supports? Denise Hynd   "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.  For, indeed, they are the only ones who ever have."  Margaret Mead ----- Original Message ----- From: Kylie Carberry To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 8:04 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] doula article Hi everyone Wellbeing mag would now like me to do an article on doulas, also for the baby special.  I have a couple of doulas to talk to and am looking at adding the thoughts of a hospital based midwife who has seen the benefits of doulas in the labour ward. Let me know if anyone would like to help out.   Kylie Carberry Freelance Journalist PH: 02 42970115 m: 0418 220 638 a: 21 Susan Ave, Warilla, NSW 2528 e: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Feeling spent? Apply here for emergency plastic surgery. Virgincreditcard.com.au -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe.