Articles and Handouts
The following documents are in printer-friendly portable document format (pdf). You’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these files. If you don’t have this program, get it for free on the Adobe website.
- Pregnancy
- Labor
- Birth
- Newborn and Postpartum
- NEW Client Paperwork
- REPEAT Client Paperwork
- Hypnosis
- Articles to Print for Your Doctor
- For Doulas
- Other/Miscellaneous
Healthy Pregnancy
- What Women Aren’t Told About Birth
- Hints for Health
- Reading List
- The Lie of the Estimated Due Date
- Bed Rest in Pregnancy
Choosing A Care Provider
- Pregnant Patient Bill of Rights
- Questions for Your Doctor
- Your Birth Experience
- Outcomes of Home Versus Hospital Births
- What Does Good Maternity Care Look Like?
- A Doula’s Fees
- Choosing a Pediatrician
Birth Plans and Preferences
Induction
- The Lie of the Estimated Due Date
- Induction Prevention (Natural Induction Methods)
- Is Cytotec Safe?
- Hospitals Cracking Down on Inductions
- What ACOG Says About Induction
- Non-Pharmaceutical Induction
- Foley Balloon and Saline Infusion
- Risk of Inductions
- Why Every Week Counts
- Low Amniotic Fluid
- Big Babies
Breech Babies
Twins and Multiples
VBAC
- Lower Uterine Rupture with VBAC Trial of Labor
- Safety of VBACs
- VBAC Has Minimal Risk
- VBAC: MSNBC
- Video of Home Waterbirth VBA2C
Cesarean Section
- Majority of C-Sections Precede Labor
- Higher Insurance After C-Section
- Why the C-Section Rate Is So High
- Preventing Uterine Rupture
- Best Cesarean Ever
- California C-Section Rates by Hospital
- Early Cesarean Risks
- Elective Cesareans
- Elective Cesarean Consequences
- 5 Ways to Avoid C-Section
- C-Section Risk to Baby
- C-Section Risks
- Why Babies Benefit from Labor
Other Pregnancy Topics
Pregnancy Links
- A La Mode Photography: Pregnancy photos in natural settings
- AAFP: American Academy of Family Physicians
- Due Date Calculator: Calculate your estimated due date, conception date, and approximate fetal age.
- Pregnancy Corner: Online pregnancy community.
- Shoots & Giggles Photography: Truly amazing birth photography — most of the labor photos on this site were taken by Briana at Shoots & Giggles (ALL of the really good photos!) I can’t say enough good things about this amazing group of birth photographers!
Labor Basics
- Signs of Labor
- Spontaneous Release of Membranes
- Surfing Through Labor
- Timing Your Contractions (also available for your iPhone, Droid, laptop or tablet)
Comfort Measures in Labor
- Using a Birth Ball in Labor
- Doula and the Partner
- Partner HELPS – tasks for the partner
- Tips for the Partner
- Outcomes of Eating in Labor
Pain Medication
- Epidural Agreement
- Side Effects of Epidurals
- How Epidurals Affect Breastfeeding
- How Epidurals Affect Fetal Position
- Epidural Increases Cesarean
- Laughing Gas in Labor
Other Interventions
Pushing
- Calls to Push Does Not Shorten Labor
- The Evidence on: Birthing Positions
- Perineal Massage and Pushing
- Purple Pushing
Episiotomies
Cord Clamping and Cord Blood Banking
Breastfeeding
- Why Breastfeed?
- New Discoveries in Breastfeeding
- Drug Safety in Lactation
- Milk Banking
- Male Wet Nurse Part 1
- Male Wet Nurse Part 2
Newborn Care
- What’s Normal for a Newborn
- Diapers of the Breastfed Baby (weeks 2-3)
- The Best Way to Diaper Your Newborn
Circumcision
Resources for Parents of Premature Babies
Grief and Loss Resources
Other Newborn and Postpartum Topics
Postpartum Links
- Luludew Diaper Service: Diaper sales and service throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Carrying Grovia — B*E*S*T Doula’s favorite cloth diaper.
For 1st Prenatal Visit – please fill out ALL except the Birth Plan Notes
- Birth Plan Notes (you will fill this out DURING the 1st prenatal visit and use it to create your birth plan)
- Birth Information Questionnaire
- Epidural Questionnaire
- Hypnosis Responsiveness Questionnaire
- Agreement for B*E*S*T Clients (please print 2 copies – sign and return one copy on the envelope provided at our interview and keep the other – I will sign it at our 1st prenatal visit.
- Medical and Personal History
- Relaxation Questionnaire
For 2nd Prenatal Visit
Other Handouts
- Avoiding an Episiotomy
- Sample Birth Plan
- Birth Preferences Tips
- Surfing Through Labor
- Birth Preparedness Checklist
- When to Call Your B*E*S*T Doula
- Perineal Massage
- Signs of Labor
- Timing Your Contractions (also available for your iPhone, Droid, laptop or PDA)
- Tips for Partner
- What to Pack for the Hospital
- Baby’s Birth Plan Sample
B*E*S*T Doulas REPEAT Client Paperwork
You will be provided with instructions for the following tracks at your interview.
MP3 format
Doula Training Organizations
Doulas Association of Southern California
Articles and Handouts
Surrogacy/Adoption Options
- Meyers & O’Hara: Third party reproduction and family formation law, including: surrogacy, egg donation, sperm donation and embryo donation.