MidwiferyToday interview with Penny Simkin

You can listen to Penny Simkin talk about doulas. She's written several books, such as The Birth Partner.

"The Homeschooling Father" Contest

Alright. So, if you're like me, you will listen to my wife. She, in return, will give you this book. I am sure it is very good. I know because I pretended to read it once when she forced me to. It's written by a homeschooling father of many children. He's very fertile. Like me.

From what I'm told, and I'm very used to being told, you enter by commenting on this post. I never win anything by commenting on things my wife says. But you can.

You can also get an additional entry by becoming a follower of this blog and posting a second comment that you're now a follower.

So, good luck to you in my wife's contest.

-Husband Tim

Can't wait till tomorrow!

I've got an exciting day planned for tomorrow. We're going to Healthy Kids Day at the East Area YMCA. Then I'm dropping my kids off at my house with our babysitter and going to the Natur-tyme Health Expo at the fairgrounds.

East Area YMCA

Natur-tyme Health Expo

Childbirth Class Options

One thing I really recommend for expectant couples is to take a childbirth class series. I took the standard hospital class with my first child and noticed most how the class focused on hospital routines rather than getting through labor without interventions. It is my opinion that childbirth classes are best taken outside of the hospital, if you have access to independent teachers. Some hospitals do offer Lamaze classes, and those may be an exception.

Here are some options:

Lamaze Classes

Bradley Method

Birthing From Within

International Cesarean Awareness Network (may be able to provide referrals)

HypnoBirthing

Backup!

Today I had the pleasure of meeting the Starsiak women. They are doulas that live almost an hour from here, but are willing to provide backup for me if needed. We met for lunch at the Carousel Center food court.

The Starsiak's Website

I loved listening to them talk, about their experiences, births they've attended. I can't wait to get started helping families.

New Stuff

Ordered this cool doula button from cafepress yesterday:

http://www.cafepress.com/+doula_caring_button,17779312

I can't wait for it to come so that I can wear it everywhere. Am I a dork? Probably.

New news: I'll be running a contest on the blog soon, so look for it to be posted in the next week here coming up.

I'm a slacker

My big work accomplishment today was racking up a bunch of posts on MDC ( www.mothering.com/discussions ) that proudly display my new business signature. I'll probably read another chapter of "The Birth Partner" tonight though.

Then I added myself to the doula directory here:
http://www.drmoz.com/doulas.html

Oh, I also took the kids to the park for three hours and then took Patrick and James to meet their new doctor, who only asked me if I wanted them vaccinated three times, but didn't harass us about it.