I recently read the book "Your Medical Mind," by Groopman and Hartzband. The book is an illuminating look at how people approach medical decision making. The physician-authors identified three major spectra along which people arrive at their final decisions: Minimalist-Maximalist. Believer-Doubter. Naturalism-Technology.
Read MoreA common question that I am asked, and a situation I frequently encounter in the birth room, is what does a doula do when plans change? My tongue-in-cheek, rhetorical response would be, when do plans NOT change? However, the heart of the question is truly this: If I change my mind during my birth, what will my doula do if I'm not having a natural birth anymore?
Read MoreLamaze International is more than the breathing patterns of the past. Why is Lamaze one of my favorite online resources?
Read MoreA bit about my story, why I became a birth doula. The very beginning of Doula Joyce.
Read MoreIn an effort to better meet the needs of my families, I am happy to announce Birth Doula Service Packages!
Read MoreDoula work is more than passion for birth, even more than just passion to support women.
Read MoreWhat can I expect to feel during birth?
Read MoreLooking for trustworthy online information about pregnancy, birth, and your newborn?
Read MoreI recommend an independent, complete childbirth preparation class to every expectant family, and I have many reasons why.
Read MoreI strongly recommend interviewing other doulas and provide names and contact information for other doulas to my potential clients.
I know, it is unusual for a business to refer to their competitors! But the doula profession is also an unusual business.
Read MoreWhy I hired doulas.
Read More2017 has been quite the year for my little birth doula business! Here are a few of my favorite highlights.
Read MoreThe National Accreta Foundation reports Nebraska's NTVS (Low-Risk) Cesarean rate and the VBAC rate for 2016.
Read MoreBased on my own postpartum experiences, and seeing my friends' and clients' experiences, I have identified what I call the Big 5 Postpartum Needs. Here I explore these needs, and how to help yourself and the new moms that you love in your life.
Read MoreDo you know about the different medical professionals who you can choose for your pregnancy care?
Read MoreResearch suggests the largest risk factor for a woman to give birth by Cesarean is not any health or demographic characteristic; it is the hospital where she goes for care. I was able to calculate hospital-level Cesarean rates for every hospital in the state of Nebraska that provides maternity care, and have provided them for you here.
Read MoreThis month I celebrate eight years since my birth doula training! Here is what I have learned in eight years as a birth doula: I know nothing about birth.
Read MoreRecently on my Facebook page, I wrote a 5 week series on how to use a birth plan. Here it is all together on my blog for easy reference. What do you think? Did you use your birth plan this way? Would you in the future? What would you change?
Read MoreDoula Joyce has a new logo!
Read MoreMaking an informed decision on where to have your baby to get the best health outcomes is nearly impossible. It is far easier finding information on strollers than it is to find hospital-level statistics on childbirth practices and outcomes! Here is my experience finding hospital-level statistics on childbirth in Nebraska.
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