I'm having a discussion online right now about doulas, and their role in preventing or aiding in the assault of birthing women. I remember telling my story to a mom who had a non traumatizing birth at home. Her answer was simply, "Next time, I highly recommend a doula." Smug smile. Me: "I did have... Continue Reading →
Part III: After Birth
The next couple days in the hospital were just as devoid of joy. I had a lot of trouble breast feeding my baby. Her latch was hurting pretty badly on my right side, but when I asked the nurses with a lactation certification, she couldn't tell me what was wrong. One of the nurses said... Continue Reading →
Part II: Active Labor/Sh*t Gets Unreal
When my doula got to my place at 8pm, I was holding onto my husband. I was scared. The contractions were intense, and I couldn't imagine that I would be able to deal with pain any worse without being severely traumatized. She suggested I move from the bedroom floor to the bathtub. I looked at... Continue Reading →
Part I: The Start of Labor (and fighting induction)
I went into labor on Friday, December 16th, 2016 in the shower. The first contraction I timed was at 1:45pm and they came about 8 to 10 minutes apart. My husband and I had planned on going to a movie, to see Office Christmas Party, at 2:30pm (I was late getting ready). We got to... Continue Reading →
Stop Telling Women Education Would Have Prevented Their C-Section
I'm really sick of reading articles where everyone from a random couch commenter to actual physicians will say that women can prevent doctors from performing unwanted and unnecessary c-sections on them by educating themselves. That is crap, and it's condescending. First, these people are implying the many, many women receiving unnecessary and unwanted surgeries are... Continue Reading →
C-section Survivor
I am the survivor of an unnecessary c-section. Ten years ago, reading something like that would sound overly dramatic. A cesarean? No big deal, right? But as anyone who has had an unplanned, emergency c-section can tell you (and even some mamas who had time to mentally, socially and physically prep their post-partum environment) they... Continue Reading →
