Recommended Resources
We have compiled a list of resources that we heartily recommend. Connect with local support groups. Browse through our book selections, magazine suggestions and movie trailers. Read the online articles and check out other organizations listed in web links.
Additionally, here are some answers to frequently asked questions:
What is a doula?
A birth doula is a non-medical person who provides continuous emotional support and guidance throughout labor. The presence of a birth doula reduces the need for a cesarean by 50%, length of labor by 25%, use of synthetic oxytocin (pitocin) by 40%, use of pain medication by 30%, and requests for epidurals by 60%.
A postpartum doula is trained in postpartum adjustment, newborn characteristics, care, feeding, development, and the promotion of parent-infant bonding. Coming into the home following birth, the postpartum doula's role is to provide education, non-judgmental support, companionship, and to assist with newborn care and family adjustment.
Birth and postpartum doulas may be certified by DONA, CAPPA or ALACE.
What is a midwife?
A midwife is a health care provider who gives prenatal care to expecting mothers, attends the birth of the baby, and provides postpartum care to the mother and her baby. At the heart of midwifery is the philosophy that childbirth is natural and normal. Respecting that birth is an emotional and psycho-social event, not just a physical process, midwifery care is directed at the woman and her individual needs. Midwives are classified by their training; however, experience and orientation towards birth is equally important when choosing a caregiver.
- CNM is a registered nurse with additional training in midwifery and has completed a course of study and a state board exam.
- CPM is a professional midwife who has met the standards of certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives.
- DEM is an independent practitioner educated in the discipline of midwifery. She may have trained through self study, apprenticeship, midwifery school, or a college program.
- LM is a midwife licensed to practice in the state after satisfying state requirements and passing an exam.
Why choose an independent childbirth education class?
Independent childbirth educators are not paid by the doctor's office or the hospital. They are more likely to discuss proven, cost-effective, low-intervention practices that are widely underused, such as doula support, measures to increase comfort and facilitate labor, upright and side-lying birthing positions, early skin-to-skin contact between baby and mother, and when possible, access to VBAC.
In Fresno, you can take independent childbirth classes from the Bradley Method, Lamaze, and Birthing From Within.
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) or Repeat Cesarean?
The choice between VBAC and repeat cesarean is sometimes presented in black and white, with some holding the opinion that another cesarean is safest for the baby. It is true that the cesarean scar can give way during labor (uterine rupture) on rare occasions and that this can be life-threatening for the baby. The decision is not so simple, however, as a cesarean also poses risks to babies.
Both VBAC and repeat cesarean involve some increased risks to mothers. However, without a clear, compelling and well-supported need for cesarean in the current pregnancy, planned vaginal birth is safer overall for the mother than a planned repeat cesarean. With supportive care, more than 75% of women who plan VBAC give birth vaginally. The others go on to have another cesarean, primarily for reasons that are unrelated to the previous uterine scar.
For more information about risks, visit Childbirth Connection's Best Evidence: VBAC or Repeat C-Section and Best Evidence: C-Section.
Are homebirths safe?
For women with low-risk pregnancies, giving birth at home bears similar risks of intrapartum and neonatal mortality as giving birth in a hospital. Planned homebirths are associated with lower rates of medical interventions (including epidurals, episiotomies, and cesareans) than women with low-risk pregnancies who gave birth in a hospital.
For more information, visit Childbirth Connection's Best Evidence: Choosing a Place for Birth.
I need support for my pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, transition to parenting - who can I contact?
Call us at 559-497-2261 or email contact@ChildbirthResourceNetwork.org. We can help discuss your options.