Reflections from Conference

Last week, I was in Minneapolis, MN for the 2023 DONA Summit. Here are some of my takeaways.

What I Would (and Would Not) Do Differently

A client recently asked me what I would have done differently if I could go back and prepare for my first baby’s birth again. Here are the three things I would do differently, and five things that I would not change if I could go back.

Hospital Data - Bad News Nebraska

Every summer, I compile the latest statistics on childbirth in Nebraska. Unfortunately, this year, I have bad news to report.

For Parents, For Professionals, NebraskaJoyce DykemaSeptember 6, 2022birth, cesarean, Doula Joyce, hospital, statistics

2019 Nebraska Hospital Cesarean Rates

Since 2017, I have been compiling all of Nebraska’s maternity care statistics from public sources, and here are the most recent, publicly available data on Nebraska hospital overall Cesarean rates, from 2019.

2018-2019 Nebraska Hospital Cesarean Rates

For the last two years, I have been compiling all of Nebraska’s maternity care statistics from public sources, and here are the most recent, publicly available data on Nebraska hospital overall Cesarean rates, from October 2017-September 2018.

Trust birth?

“Trust birth” has truth behind it. But it’s not the whole story. If your pregnancy and birth are smooth, it’s easy to trust birth. However, when your pregnancy and birth are full of complications, is your body and birth still trustworthy? Here are my thoughts.

My favorite things: Golf balls

Here is my latest in a series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about golf balls! Golf balls and other massage tools help to provide firmer pressure and can help the support team to use their energy more efficiently, so they can provide the massage and counterpressure for longer periods of time.

My favorite things: The Birth Partner

Here is my latest in a series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin! This excellent book has been one of my favorite items since my own first pregnancy.

My favorite things: Swim rings

Next up in my series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about swim rings! I have used these childhood water toys as both a mom and a birth doula. Read more about what I use this for, and why it is one of my favorite things.

My favorite things: My Shining Year

Here is the latest in a series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about the My Shining Year Business Goals Workbook by Leonie Dawson! The workbooks take you through your previous business year finances, services, systems, and more, helps you to quickly identify areas where you need to make changes, and then helps you lay out your goals for the year ahead.

My favorite things: Rice socks

Here is the latest in a series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about rice-filled socks! These DIY microwaveable heating packs are simple and a great comfort tool. Read more about what I use this for, and why it is one of my favorite things.

My favorite things: Hot water bottles

Here is the first in a series of all of my favorite things! This will include my favorites for supporting people in childbirth, doula life and recovery, small business owner hacks, books and resources, and more, but today is all about hot water bottles! This old-fashioned first-aid kit item has quickly become one of my favorite items in my doula bag. Read more about what I use this for, and why it is one of my favorite things.

2017-2018 Nebraska Hospital Cesarean Rates

For the last two years, I have been compiling all of Nebraska’s maternity care statistics from public sources, and here are the most recent, publicly available data on Nebraska hospital overall Cesarean rates, from October 2017-September 2018.

What to do when during a birth

The First Hundred

I am so pleased to announce, I have provided doula support at the births of 100 babies since my doula training in 2009! Come read more, and geek out with me as I dig into my doula practice’s birth statistics!

Book Review - The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

My review of The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin, PT.

My post-birth recovery ritual

What I do to recover after doula-ing a birth.

2016-2017 Nebraska Hospital Cesarean Rates

Last August I published my calculations of Nebraska hospital overall Cesarean rates for the public. I am pleased to present this year's update. Again using data provided free to the public by the Nebraska Hospital Association at NHACareCompare.com, I calculated overall hospital-level Cesarean rates for the year beginning July 2016 and ending June 2017.