Upcoming Local Events

 

 

Upcoming La Leche League Meetings

 

Tuesday, June 9th: The Worcester La Leche League will be holding its monthly day meeting from 9:30 - 11 AM at the Phelan Center on Pleasant St. in Worcester, MA

 
 A support group for mothers-to-be and mothers who are planning to or are already breastfeeding their babies.  We offer support, information and problem solving based on experiences and research. We welcome women of all backgrounds and in all stages of breastfeeding who wish to share their experiences or are seeking support. Babies/Kids welcome. View our website at: http://www.llleus.org/web/WorcesterMA.html

If you are interested in any of my services, please feel free to contact me for a free initial consultation.
Shelly Taft
(508) 245-5301
shelly@maternalgoddessdoula.com

A Doula's Presence At Birth...

...can result in fewer requests for pain medication

...can result in shorter births, especially for first time moms

....can result in less complications and less interventions, such as the use of pitocin, forceps and vacuum extraction, and cesarean surgery.


Birth in the News

Breastfeeding Encouraged To Protect Against Swine Flu 

 

As the nation monitors the intensifying "swine flu" outbreak, the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) recommends breastfeeding as a critical strategy to prevent infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance today on H1N1 (swine) flu considerations for pregnancy and breastfeeding, stating that: "Infants who are not breastfeeding are particularly vulnerable to infection and hospitalization for severe respiratory illness. Women who deliver should be encouraged to initiate breastfeeding early and feed frequently."  

Read entire article...

 

MA Moms Get Right to Breast-Feed in Public!

 

They won't be outlaws anymore. Mothers who want to breastfeed their children in public are getting legal protection under a new state law that goes into effect Thursday.

The law, "An Act to Promote Breastfeeding," was passed last year and signed earlier this year by Governor Deval Patrick.                                           Read entire article...

Homebirth As Safe As Hospital Birth 
The largest study of its kind has found that for low-risk women, giving birth is as safe as giving birth in a hospital

Read the entire article...

Tips on Writing a Birth Plan

A birth plan is meant to convey your wishes and desires for your birth to your doctor and the hospital staff. When writing your birth plan, you should keep to the SSS rule: short, sweet, and skinny. You should keep your birth plan to a maximum of two pages, and be sure to use polite, positive, and respectful wording (ex: "We desire..." rather than "We don't want...") Also, keep in mind that while a birth plan is a great tool of communication between you and the hospital staff, it is simply a plan. Birth is an unpredictable event, and you must have some flexibility when it comes time for your birth.