Tag Archives: doula

It’s a Boy!

Posted on December 4, 2006 | 3 Comments

Our family has expanded! We have an 8 pounds 2 oz baby boy…Mom and The Boy are coming home today. It was not the smoothest of ordeals, but we had great support from our midwife and doula. I’ll expand on why I am a complete advocate for the midwife/doula route at a later time when I have more time (ha, yeah that’ll happen soon). Suffice to say that everyone is out of the woods and ready to come home today.

In the meantime, thanks to Phil over at A Family Runs Thru It for turning me onto this piece of YouTube video. It’s really a beautiful piece that speaks volumes about the importance of treating kids as individuals.

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Posted in My Kids and Family, Uncategorized

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51 Ways a Labour Partner Can Help

Posted on November 29, 2006 | Comments Off on 51 Ways a Labour Partner Can Help

As the arrival of baby #2 becomes imminent, I thought I would share the following list with other Dad (or partner) to be’s.

Thanks to our doula, Heather at Birth and Beyond, for the following information.

In early labour, you can:

  1. Help her get ready for labour
  2. Encourage her; say that she’s strong and ready
  3. Make her tea or broth to drink
  4. Make her something light to eat
  5. Play cards or watch TV with her
  6. Suggest a shower
  7. Suggest a nap
  8. Remind her to relax and focus

If she is having trouble keeping focused, you can:

  1. Reassure and praise her
  2. Give her an object or picture to look at during contractions
  3. Remind her of the reason she’s here (baby)
  4. Suggest a walk or position change
  5. Ask extra people to leave the room
  6. P lace your hands on her face and breath with her

If her belly hurts, you can:

  1. Remind her to go to the bathroom often
  2. H elp her change positions
  3. With a light touch, massage her lower belly and thighs
  4. If she is having trouble relaxing you can:
  5. Place a hand over her hand
  6. Have her shake both hands in the air
  7. Touch her and remind her to relax
  8. Talk about a relaxing time
  9. Play music that helps her relax
  10. Read to her
  11. Rub her back

If she is too hot, you can:

  1. Wash her face and neck with a cool, wet cloth
  2. Give her ice chips
  3. Fan her face and body
  4. Open a window

If her back hurts, you can:

  1. H elp her change positions
  2. Put a warm cloth or heat pack on her back
  3. Put a cold cloth or ice pack on her back
  4. Apply counter pressure with hands or tennis ball
  5. Sit back to back with her so your backs can press together
  6. Have her lean against the hurt with her own fists
  7. H elp her stand and lean against the wall
  8. Help her get on her hands and knees and rock back and forth

If her legs and arms shake, you can:

  1. Hold her steady so she feel more in control
  2. Use a soft touch or long, firm stroking on her legs and arms
  3. Rub her feet and hands
  4. Put a warm blanket on her

If her contractions stop, you can:

  1. Talk about labour and encourage rest and relaxation
  2. Help her with nipple stimulation
  3. Kiss her
  4. Tell her how strong she is
  5. Make sure she’s drinking water
  6. Suggest a hot shower
  7. Help her take a walk
  8. Rub her back
  9. Take her outside
  10. Make her la ugh

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Posted in A Dad's Role, Uncategorized

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