Things you should know about giving birth on Long Island
The Long Island Doula Association
A local organization created to support doulas and the families we serve. It now spans dozens of fields from Acupuncture to Lactation Specialists. All members of the Long Island Doula Association have promised that their standard of care adheres as closely as possible to the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative as outlined by CIMS
A local organization created to support doulas and the families we serve. It now spans dozens of fields from Acupuncture to Lactation Specialists. All members of the Long Island Doula Association have promised that their standard of care adheres as closely as possible to the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative as outlined by CIMS
Choose your birth facility wisely!Before you go on that hospital tour explore this New York State Department of Health website which publishes statistics on all the hospitals with birth facilities. Look at the hospital's Caesarean sections rates, pitocin usage, Midwife attended birth rates, and VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Caesarean) percentages - even if you're not seeking one (a higher % of VBACs indicates a hospital indicates good, patient, mother and baby friendly birth practices). Remember that birth is big business and the staff on the hospital tours are salespeople hoping to entice new customers. Don't be fooled by pretty birthing rooms. You're only there for 2 days who cares if it looks like the Ritz if they have a 50% c-section rate!
Direct links to hospital stats or see a handy chart I made at the bottom of this page. Nassau County Hospitals Suffolk County Hospitals Queens County Hospitals Why would you choose a birth place where you have a 1 in 3 or in some cases a 1 in 2 (%50) chance of having unnecessary major abdominal surgery? Notice the hospitals with the lowest c-section rates? Those are hospitals with a strong and supported midwifery practice. |
Choose your care provider even more wisely!I am often asked if I know any OBs who allow: few sonograms, no weekly vaginal checks, will "allow" a woman to go past her guess date, won't rush an induction, won't push pitocin, won't use fear tactics to schedule a c-section, practice patient cord clamping, etc. and to be honest they are few and far between. I might know 2 on the whole island.
If you want to feel cared for during your pregnancy - Choose a midwife If you want to know that your care provider is really listening to you - Choose a midwife If you want to know that you won't be pressured into doing things against you and your baby's best interests - Choose a midwife If you want any of the things I listed above and so much much more - CHOOSE A MIDWIFE! It is never too late to change care providers or birth places. If you were unsatisfied with the service you received in any other facet of your life you would change service provider. If you were having heart surgery and were unhappy with your doctor - you would switch doctors.The birth of your child should not be the exception it should be the rule. Birth in the US and Long Island in particular will not change until OB's and hospitals begin using EVIDENCE BASED, Mother/Baby Friendly practices. We all need to put our money where our mouths are and show OBs and hospitals that if they don't adapt their practices to meet modern standards then they will not get our business. Long Island Miwifery Practices Gaia Midwives - with offices in Nassau and Suffolk catching babies at Nassau University Medical Center Janet Titmus Delettera - catching babies in your home. Jeanette Breen - office in Baldwin, catching babies at home and hospitals Beyond Expectations Home Birth Midwifery Care - office in Islip, catching babies in your home. The Stonybrook Midwives - offices in several suffolk locations, catching babies at Stonybrook University Hospital |
call 516-551-4283 or contact via email