On Wednesday January 11th, 2011
Meet the Doulas from 6 to 7 pm. Come meet many of the doulas serving the Metro Detroit area as well as our own Monica Mae Leibson, Dipl. Ac.
Meet the Midwives from 7 to 8 pm. Come and learn more about the midwives at the ABC. The focus of the gathering is to talk about their practice and answer questions about the care they provide both in the office and in the hospital. Feel free to bring family members or others interested in learning more about our midwives. A Tour of the ABC and Labor & Delivery is offered afterward. Held in the Fisher Center Auditorium located inside Providence Hospital in Southfield.
Acupuncture during Childbirth
Philosophy
The birth of a child is an opportunity for a unique & transformative experience.
Ways a Birth Doula can assist families
- Support in preparing a birth plan & be an advocate during birth
- Providing emotional support and reassurance
- Supporting partner by role modeling and encouragement
- Explaining medical procedures
- Pain relief techniques such as massage, positioning, breathing, relaxation
- Acupuncture during birth (see benefits below)
Benefits of a Continuous Doula (compiled by Penny Simkin)
A 2003 study describing the experiences of nearly 13,000 women has found that women who receive supportive care from a companion (non-hospital and non-partner) throughout labor are more likely than women without such care to avoid cesarean birth & other major medical interventions, and to be satisfied with their birth experience. These women were:
- 28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
- 41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
- 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean
- 33% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth experience
Acupuncture can help during labor in the following ways:
- Induce labor naturally and ease progression of labor
- Relax and open the pelvis
- Ripens/dilates the cervix
- Releases endorphins, encourages relaxation, manage labor pain
- Promotes effective uterine contractions if labor is not progressing optimally
- Turns breech/posterior babies
- Relieves a cervical lip
- Sustain a mothers energy
- Lowers high blood pressure
- Reduce the need for medical interventions
- Reduces postpartum hemorrhage
Acupuncture during pregnancy
Research has shown that acupuncture is effective at reducing pelvic pain during pregnancy, reducing morning sickness, and effectively turning a breech baby. The “pre-birth protocol” (once weekly starting at week 36) has been shown to decrease medical intervention. In women who received pre-birth acupuncture there was:
- An overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their 1st baby there was a 43% reduction)
- A 31% reduction in the epidural rate
- 32% reduction in cesarean delivery
- 9% increase in vaginal births
The Alternative Birthing Center
The philosophy of the Alternative Birth Care Unit (ABC) is to provide a natural birth experience – one that does not routinely require medical intervention – and one that respects your privacy while encouraging family involvement.
Our comfortable, home-like atmosphere offers privacy and intimacy in a medically supported environment. Our professional staff is committed to the philosophy that birth is a healthy, normal event that does not require medical intervention except in specific, problem circumstances.
At the ABC Unit you will enjoy:
- Over thirty years experience in providing a homelike natural childbirth experience
- Doulas welcome and unlimited family visitation
- Freedom to eat and drink in labor
- Natural care practices; aroma therapy, massage oil, herbal baths and locally produced baby wash
- Respect for your cultural and religious preferences
- Low intervention and c-section rates
Every Birthing Center room is equipped with:
- Queen size bed
- Hydrotherapy tub
- Walk-in Shower
- Birthing chair
- Comfortable recliner chair
- Refrigerator and many more amenities
As part of our continuing service of care, a member of the Providence ABC Unit team will follow up with you by phone after you return home.
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