Website Changed

Due to maxing out on the photos allowed on this blog, Rising Dawn Services has moved: http://www.risingdawnservices.weebly.com/

I am now looking to take doula and photography clients starting December 1, 2012. Contact me if you're interested!

Also, I am offering one free maternity shoot and one free birth shoot if anyone is interested. Contact me before it is gone! :-D

DONA Certified!

I just got notified that I am now a Certified Doula! A lady from DONA called me today to let me know. I am so excited and can't wait to return to the US to begin working as a doula again.

If you are due after December 1, feel free to contact me about doula services!

Thank you!

Abuse - A Childbirth Rant

So today I was watching an ultra strong, beautiful mom labor to birth her child. Everything was going beautifully. She was so strong and beautiful as she got ready to push.

Then the nurse came in.

Things kept going fine as the mom was cleared to push. She "got permission" from the nurse to labor on her hands and knees.

Then the nurse noticed that the mom was crowning. "Quick! I need you to get on your back!" she demanded.

So the mom was forced onto her back, although she really wanted to push on her hands and knees.

Why? Because it's so much more convenient to catch a baby when the mom's on her back than when the mom's on her hands and knees. That's abuse. Abuse of power. And it made me so mad since there was nothing I could do.

Then the baby was born and the doctor instantly cut the cord and the baby was whisked to the far corner for nurses to clean her up and give her the eye goop and who-knows-what else before the parents could see her. And no matter how much the parents begged, they didn't bring her back over - or allow the mom out of bed - until they were finished with whatever they were doing. The baby was at least 30 minutes old before her mom finally got to hold her And it was not an emergency!

So now I'm mad. Mad at the abuse of power. Mad at how the hospital prefers to be "convenient" for the doctor instead of doing what's best for mom and baby.

I've never been mad during a birth before, but today I was fuming.

A Few Things I've Learned About Myself with Regard to Births...

At every birth, I learn something new. Some of it is even about myself. Here are a couple things that I have learned that might be helpful for any potential clients or any doulas who might read this... :-D

1. I feel like I'm dis-servicing the couple unless I'm with them the whole time. This is actually a really common feeling in the birth world. However, it's better to nap than to feel groggy and awful when my clients need me. 
2. I need to snack often while at births. It's rare to get the chance to eat a whole meal, so I always make sure to have small snacks in my bag (speaking of that, I need to refill my snack supply...)
3. I am sleepiest between 11pm and 2am. For some people, this time is different, but 11-2 is my hard time. However, if the mom is pushing or just had the baby, I'm normally fine. 
4. After the baby's born, all the adrenaline mixed with a usually-empty stomach makes me feel like I'm going to puke or pass out. This happens at almost every birth, but it quickly passes. It's just a quickly unpleasant feeling.
5. Drive home before the adrenaline is totally out of your system! Otherwise you will crash (literally!). No, I don't know this from experience, but it is relatively important to remember... :-D
6. If I'm tired while driving home (usually the case, despite the adrenaline dregs), roll down the window and blare the radio (for me, it's K-Love). If I'm especially tired (like after being awake for 24 hours and driving home at 6am), I dance in my seat to keep myself moving.
7. Green tea doesn't contain enough caffeine to keep me awake. It might work for some people, but I need regular coffee. Thankfully, some hospitals have free "kitchens" for the birth team stocked with food and drink. 
8. If you're told to arrive at the hospital/home/birthing center at a specific time, leave 10-15 minutes earlier than you usually would. I have found that either parking is impossible, your client gets there early, or you're stuck in traffic. Give yourself a buffer!

Anyway, I hope my "pearls of wisdom" (haha...) are helpful for anyone interested in "this sorta stuff!" :-D

Doula Certification Application!

I just sent in my doula certification application!!!!! The only downside is that it can take up to 2 months for DONA to process it, but still, I'm very excited!

That means sometime in the next two months I can write my name as: Danielle Wilson, CD(DONA)!

Thanks to everyone who has supported/helped me in my certification process. I finished it in just less than a year. :-D

Thanks!
Danielle Wilson, soon-to-be CD(DONA)

Walk, Move and Change Positions

Here is Video Clip number 2 for the "Healthy Birth Practices" video series. Once again, I strongly encourage y'all to watch it. It's very good and informative. Enjoy!

Let Labor Begin on its Own

Ok, so I thought it would be good to post some of Lamaze's "Healthy Birth Practices" videos. There's seven of them and I want to post them one-at-a-time in hopes people will watch them. Hopefully I'll be able to upload one a week. They're very good and practical. Anyway, the first is: Let Labor Begin on its Own. Enjoy! (For more information: http://www.injoyvideos.com/mothersadvocate/index.htm)

Doula Information

So I just finished taking my doula class with DONA. My next step is to write a paper about the importance of doulas, finish compiling my resource list for expectant parents, and get at least (hopefully more!) clients, since I need write-ups from three moms whose births I've attended, plus an evaluation from both the doctors/midwives and nurses who were present at the births. Then I can get certified (yay!) If you are pregnant and planning a hospital/birth center birth, or if you know someone who is, please consider using me as your doula - my services will be free for the first three people, the only compensation I will ask for will be the write-ups.

Thanks!
Danielle Wilson, doula

Two Births in One Week

Yup, I attended two births in one week as a doula/midwife's apprentice! It was an awesome experience. :) So far I've attended six births and I've learned so much at each birth, from midwifery, to helping the mom cope with the pain by using massage or pressure.

So first was little Noah. He weighed in at 7lb. 2oz. Then a few days later came Emma and all 10lb. 9oz of her! :) They are both so precious and greatly loved by their families.

Thank you so much Erin and Ben, Laura and Caleb, for involving me in your birth experiences! :)

 Sun rise I saw on the way to Erin's house. Isn't it beautiful?!

 Noah meets his older sister

 Noah at one week

 Noah's older brother. Isn't he adorable?!

 Introducing Emma!

 Isn't she a sweetheart?

Sun rise the morning after Emma's birth

Danielle Wilson Services: Photography and Doula Work

Hello, whoever you might be, reading this post right now! I'm glad you stopped by to check out my photography/doula blog. :) I am a photographer and doula in the Cary/Apex area of North Carolina. Right now, I am working on improving my skills for both photography and doula work. While I improve my skills, my photography services are free (so I can practice on you) and my doula services are $100. If you might be interested in either service, please contact me at: d.wilson@officeliveusers.com

Please keep checking back to see samples of my photography and for more information.

I would love to hear from you!

Satisfied in Christ,
Danielle Wilson