Hallmarks of Midwifery Care

I have been in the natural birth/midwifery community for so long that I tend to forget some of the things that are so common place for me, just aren't things that happen in standard hospital care. Some of these things that have come up for me lately....

• Informed decision making
• Full one hour long prenatal and postpartum appointments, giving time to discuss nutritional status, emotional and physical concerns
• Encouraging women to be mobile throughout labor
• Encouraging women to eat and drink throughout their labor in order to maintain energy for the rigors of labor.
• Encouraging women to choose the position to birth in
• Encouraging use of water during labor (shower, birth pool, etc.)
• No episotomies
• Delayed cord clamping
• No separation of the newborn from the mother and family

There is so much more to midwifery care and home birth, I can't possibly list everything here tonight! These are just some of the hallmarks, that have come up lately. I encourage you to research your options for your pregnancy, birth and newborn.

You'll notice I did NOT use the word ALLOW. The reason for this is because as the pregnant woman you OWN your birth. these things are your decisions. I can not allow you to do or not do things because it is not my decision... it is yours! Do your research, learn your options... find your voice. OWN your birth!

"If you don't know your options, you don't have any." - Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer, A Good Birth, A Safe Birth

Beautiful Moms Birth Circle

Beautifully Born Presents:

Beautiful Moms Birth Circle

Welcoming expecting moms and dads, new parents, couples that are planning to conceive, and breastfeeding moms.

As always, children are welcome!

June 2011:

Featuring The Business of Being Born

Tuesday, June 7th at 6 pm

Rawlings Library Theater

Pregnancy and childbirth are transformative times in our lives. Our Beautiful Moms Birth Circle is a great place to get your questions answered, participate in disucssion and find support during this exciting time. Wether you are planning a prenancy, currently expecting, or a new parent, please join us in a relaxed atmosphere where you will be able to talk with others that are in the same place in life!

Free Admission Door Prizes and Giveaways Refreshments

Some of my favorite links...

Thought I would share some of the places on the internet that I really like. You can find great info at these sites!

Midwifery
www.midwiferytoday.com
www.cfmidwifery.com

Parenting and More
www.mothering.com

www.askdrsears.com

Breastfeeding
www.kellymom.com
www.llli.org

Cesarean/ VBAC
www.ican-online.org

Not a lot, I'll have to add more later but that's a start for you.

Introductions

Beautifully Born

Sharon McDougal, RM CPM

Home Birth Midwife

Finally time for my first post on my new blog! I'll just start out with an introduction of myself and some of my thoughts about midwifery and home birth
My name is Sharon McDougal. I am a Registered Midwife (RM) through the State of Colorado, and a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) nationally through NARM - North American Registered Midwives.
I am a midwife because I whole heartedly believe that pregnancy, labor and childbirth are all a natural part of life. It is a time in life when a woman and her family need support, love and encouragement.
I provide complete care to women throughout their pregnancy, this includes:
Preconception Counseling, Complete Prenatal Exams (Monitoring of mothers vitals, Fetal Growth, Lab Work, Etc.), Homebirth (including labor support), Postpartum Care for mother and baby through 6 weeks postpartum, etc.
I offer a complimentary consultations, this gives you an opportunity to meet with me and ask any questions you may have regarding me, my practice, midwifery and homebirth.
Once you've begun care with me our appointments generally last about an hour, giving you plenty of time to ask any questions you may have and also giving us the opportunity to really get to know one another throughout your pregnancy.
That is me, and my practice in a nut shell! Check out my website www.beautifullyborn.com for more info or just call or email me
Sharon McDougal, RM CPM
719-251-5197
sharon@beautifullyborn.com

Many blessings for a Beautiful pregnancy and Birth!