March 2010: What's in the breeze Writing web content for several different companies Writing study skills articles on different topics with keywords specified by the client Writing articles on the industrial sector for a client on a pay-per-month basis Writing white papers for a client in the consultancy business Writing technical documentation on a software product for a client Providing services of an editorial assistant on a per month basis Rewriting and editing a book of fiction Writing content for a client’s business proposal Repackaging web content for a client... and more
Check out sample articles written by writers from our network.
Writers, use the writers' contact form to get in touch with us.
Preparing for Childbirth in Bangalore:
A Doula’s Perspective
Paige with her niece, Genevieve, during a
heat wave in Brooklyn, New York
If you’re one of the many women in Bangalore who thinks you don’t have many choices when it comes to giving birth, think again! Planning for a birth can be overwhelming, but the more support and information you and your partner have, the more confident you will be.
Before birth moved from home to the hospital in the first half of the 20th century, women were surrounded by other women – mothers, cousins, sisters – who knew what it was like to give birth. They provided support and encouragement, which, coupled with family rituals and traditions, ensured that women were confident in their ability to give birth. As birth moved into the hospital, women lost that support and encouragement, and with the increasing availability of pain medication, wisdom around birth was lost. Today, women approach childbirth with more fear and less confidence than ever. Cesarean rates in the United States are at an all-time high, at around 29%, and in many hospitals across India are 70-80%. (The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests a target cesarean rate of 10-15%.)
Although it is impossible to predict how your birth will go, here are some tips for making sure you are as informed and as confident as you can be:
Choose a mother-friendly doctor and place of birth. One of the components of the Lamaze philosophy is that women's confidence and ability to give birth is either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth. Make sure your doctor and hospital or clinic are mother-friendly by asking questions recommended in the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services’ (CIMS) handout entitled “Having a Baby? Ten Questions to Ask.” This handout is available online at www.motherfriendly.org.
Find a childbirth class that is taught by a certified instructor, ideally in a group setting. Many classes in Bangalore advertise as “Lamaze” even though their instructors are not actually Lamaze-certified. Make sure the instructor is qualified and certified, and don’t be afraid to ask what information is included in the classes before you register. Many classes today focus on preparing women for the possibility of complications, and on the inevitability of routine interventions. The foundation of Lamaze is that birth is a normal and natural process, and that women have an inherent ability to give birth. A useful class (often a 12-hour series over a period of six weeks) will empower you to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for your health, and to trust yourself and your body. Besides providing accurate and current information, Lamaze classes offer a forum for thoughtful discussion, reflection, and analysis so that you and your partner can decide what’s best for your family.
Devise a birth plan. Again, childbirth is unpredictable, but developing a birth plan which you can share with your OB and the hospital nursing staff will ensure that things go as you and your partner want them to when it comes to certain policies and routine interventions. Remember that it is your body and your baby. Even if you have a planned cesarean, there are many considerations, such as who will be with you during the surgery, who will announce the sex of the baby, how much time you will have to greet your baby, which procedures your baby will undergo and where, and whether you will be able to have your baby with you in recovery. In addition to trained birth professionals like certified educators and doulas, there are many online resources that can help with a birth plan, including www.birthplan.com.
Arrange for support during labour, childbirth and the postpartum period. No matter how much preparation you are able to achieve during your pregnancy, labour may surprise both you and your partner. Often doctors and nurses have too many responsibilities to stay with one patient for more than a few minutes at a time. The presence of a woman who has experience with childbirth and is willing to be with you continuously will help you cope. She will reassure you and your partner that labour is progressing normally, provide comforting touch if you would like it, and suggest positions that will aid the progress of your labour and help you feel more comfortable. If you don’t have a relative or friend who is able to be with you during your birth, you might consider hiring a doula. Doulas are trained to provide continuous emotional, physical and informational support to the labouring woman and her partner. Research regarding the benefits of continuous support by labour doulas reveals that compared to women who use regular care during labour and birth, women with continuous support are less likely to have a cesarean birth, have a vacuum or forceps birth, have any pain medication, and report dissatisfaction with their birth experience. You can learn more about doulas, including postpartum doulas, from Doulas of North America (http://www.dona.org).
Class Information:
Anatomy of pregnancy & birth
Pregnancy exercise & nutrition
Stages of labour
Developing & maintaining confidence in the inherent ability to give birth
Strategies to facilitate normal birth
Movement & positioning which enhance progress & comfort
Technology, interventions, & pain medication
Cesarean births
Postpartum issues
Breastfeeding
Newborn appearance, needs & capabilities
Lamaze Philosophy of Birth:
Birth is normal, natural, and healthy.
The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families.
Women's inner wisdom guides them through birth.
Women's confidence and ability to give birth is either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth.
Women have the right to give birth free from routine medical interventions.
Birth can safely take place in birth centers and homes.
Childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their inner wisdom.
Testimonials:
“Paige was essential to the success of my birth. From early labour to active labour, pushing and postpartum, Paige’s advice and suggestions have been indispensable. I would highly recommend Paige as a doula to any mother.” Allison Orr, Choreographer
Austin, Texas
“[Paige] was an incredible asset to the birth. I would ask her to help me again in a heartbeat. Good Observer. Very attentive to both parents.
A joy to be with.” GB Khalsa, Certified Professional Midwife, Austin, Texas
“Without her energy, it wouldn’t have been the same experience for me, Peter, Jude and Lalita. She gets high marks for her composure and intense focus!” Varshna Nuramanchi-Jackson
Austin, Texas
Paige and her good friend Oliver
Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...
—About our writer:
Paige developed a passion for the birthing process in 1998 when she served as a bilingual (Spanish) Prenatal Educator for pregnant and parenting teenagers in Austin, Texas. Prior to this experience she worked extensively in Latin America building her understanding of the importance of women’s health to healthy communities and societies. Attending the births of her clients in Texas inspired her commitment to improving the conditions around which women give birth. She attended Columbia University where she earned her Masters in Public Health with a focus on sexual and reproductive health. She is DONA-trained, a current member of the Metropolitan Doula Group (MDG) and Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA), and the founder of an informal network of Brooklyn-based Doulas. She has supported women who have delivered at home, in birthing centers and in hospitals. You can contact her at nycdoula@gmail.com, and/or read more about her philosophy, services, recommended reading and favorite birth and parenting links at http://birthnotes.blogspot.com.
>> Read more articles written by Chillibreeze writers:
Chillibreeze offers Indian writers the opportunity to work on customer projects. We are also India’s biggest writer network and a one-stop shop for Indian writers and editors. The writers’ section on Chillibreeze offers freelance writers and editors a variety of tools to advance their careers. Resources for writers include:
Explore our writers’ section using the links on our left-hand side menu. IMPORTANT! Don’t forget to
About Chillibreeze
Chillibreeze offers content writing services to customers from all over the globe. We also leverage our experience in the content industry to publish ebooks about niche topics.
.gif)
Writing 
