Upcoming Events
WILD: A Festival Honoring All Mothers
Get ready to go WILD. Moms are getting together to talk, laugh, be entertained, be inspired, and take action!
September 1-7
Events include: a concert by Michelle and the Midnight Blues, the play Birth by Karen Brody, an art exhibit (The Importance of Being Wild), comedy, workshops and plenty of discussion.
For mor information visit the WILD website!
Wilmington Birth Circle
Old moms, new moms, moms to be come be inspired and strengthened by the women in our community. You may share your birth story or simply listen to the stories of others. Refreshments will be provided. Addmission is by donation.
The 3rd Monday of every month, 7:00 pm at You are My Sunshine in the Cotton Exchange, 317 N. Front Street
August 17, 7:00 pm
September 21, 7:00 pm
October 19, 7:00 pm
Important News—August 3, 2009
Carolina OB/GYN has terminated their midwifery program forcing women to change their care providers. These women received no advance notice or warnings. They are left feeling betrayed, anxious, and outraged. They developed deep, trusting relationships with their midwives and now they are being forced to see the doctors who betrayed them.
As doulas we support birth options. If a woman would like to receive care from an obstetrician we support that choice. If a woman would like to receive care from a midwife we support that choice as well. Now the choice to receive midwifery care is being taken away.
We are encouraging everyone to speak out—whether or not you gave birth with a midwife. Talk to your friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Talk to the press, talk to Wilmington Heath Associates and Carolina OB, talk to the New Hanover Regional Medical Center and other local obstetricians. Demand a midwifery option.
To get more information and find out what else you can do visit the You Are My Sunshine blog. Join the Facebook group Where's My Midwife? To receive action alerts sign up here for the Sunshine E-Newsletter.
To read more about our members or to find a doula click here.
Check out our short documentary "What is a Doula?" made by Kirsti Kreutzer and Anna Van Wagoner.
Why have a Doula?
During birth a doula will stay by the laboring woman's side offering reassurance and support— both to the mother and her partner. She will do everything she can to make the woman more comfortable and to help the mother have the birth she has hoped for. Before, during, and after birth the doula is available to answer questions. There are many advantages to this kind of care. In recent years scientists have been attempting to understand and measure these benefits. Ten randomized studies* involving nearly 4000 first time mothers demonstrate that the presence of a doula results in:
- 45% decrease in Cesarean sections.
- 25% decrease in length of labor.
- 34% decrease in use of forceps.
- 50% decrease in use of oxytocin.
- 60% decrease in use of epidurals.
- 31% decrease in use of pain medications.
Doulas not only improve the birth experience, there are also long term benefits including:
- Improved breastfeeding.
- Decreased postpartum depression.
- Greater maternal satisfaction.
- Better mother-infant interaction.