Newpaper Article in The Oakland Press April of 2007
Special delivery
Midwife’s calling is to ‘mother the mother’ for birth
By IRIS LEE UNDERWOOD
Special to The Oakland Press
Certified Midwife Eileen Denomme believes in the B’s of Childbirth. A mother of four children and two
grandchildren, all born at home, Denomme carries her convictions wherever she travels. “B confident, educate yourself,” she chants like a mantra into her cell phone.
“B courageous — listen to your heart,” she writes on the board in the meeting room at the Macomb County Library.
It’s the monthly meeting of birthNETWORK, a grassroots movement founded on the belief that “birth can profoundly affect a mother and child’s physical, mental and spiritual well-being.” Denomme, a Mount Clemens resident, is one of the group’s leaders.
“B strong — Exercise!” she prints as Sandie McCuiston, a Shelby Township resident and co-leader of birthNETWORK, arranges handouts for the
program.“B prepared — Practice relaxation and breathing.”
And finally, “B well supported — Surround yourself with supportive people: hire a doula.”
Doula?
“It’s a Greek term translating ‘mothering the mother,’ and we use it for the labor-support professional, someone who’s trained to help women cope with labor and birth,” Denomme said. “Among many things, the doula never leaves the birthing mother alone during labor and delivery. She encourages her, comforts her, and helps her understand what’s happening to her. The doula and the midwife work as a team throughout the pregnancy and delivery.”
Dee Lewis of Clarkston waddles into the room. She’s nine months pregnant with her third child. “I found Eileen through a doula at a birthNETWORK open house,” Lewis said. “Eileen will be delivering my first home birth. I chose to deliver at home for many reasons,
but one being the birthing experience affects the personality of the child. And we wanted the healthiest birthing experience possible.”
“It’s the mother’s birth,” Denomme said. “They need to know their options. And we’re here tonight to provide that information.”
Amy Pierce, a LaLeche League leader for the Ferndale-Oakland groups, tows 5-month-old John. Denomme is drawn to the baby like a grandmother. It’s a natural response for the midwife who has delivered more than 300 babies, including Ruth Welch of Lapeer and Kowen Durst
of Almont.
Kelly Hartzel of Fraser is another supporter of the mother-friendly childbirth initiative. Hartzel just completed nursing school at Macomb Community College and is presently working at Hutzel Hospital in labor and delivery. As a doula, she provides education and physical labor support for the birthing mom in the hospital, birth center or at home.
“A doula supports the family as a unit,” Hartzel said. “We assist the client to have the birth they want, which involves meeting with the expecting mom or couple to create a birthing plan.”
“Since childbirth is not a medical event,” Denomme said, “each birth plan is designed to empower the mother for the most natural birth experience possible. Babies are created in the privacy of one’s own home, and because of this, moms need to have privacy during labor and
delivery in order for childbirth to remain normal, have fewer complications and be easier on the mom and newborn.”
Denomme is careful to clarify that “unassisted childbirth” is for healthy moms and babies and must be well planned and researched. Most of the parents who attend birthNETWORK meetings are planning hospital births in the most natural setting possible.
The room swells with pregnant moms, husbands, babies and health care professionals as co-leader McCuiston begins the meeting.
“Welcome to birthNETWORK of Macomb, founded in 2004, the first chapter of what has become a national non-profit organization established over nine years ago by a group of mothers who wanted better birth outcomes for themselves and their friends and family members.”
The chiropractic practitioner turns the floor over to Helen Callans, RN and LCCE (Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator) at Providence
Hospital.
“I’m probably the oldest woman in the room,” said Callans, who has assisted births in delivery rooms for more than 30 years. She added she has
witnessed the American fear-based culture that has led to the increased rate of caesarean sections, induced labors and baby monitors during labor.
“I’d just like to say that Dr. Lamaze should be thanked for changing childbirth for the better,” Callans said. “Doctors and hospitals cannot use liability for an excuse for determining how a mom’s labor and delivery is managed. I think we’re scaring and intimidating moms into epidurals.”
Her audience agreed. “Every woman has the right to give birth free from medical intervention,” Callans continued. “Women have an inner wisdom they should follow for a healthy, natural birth. Why are we still applying eye ointment to baby’s eyes after birth? Because it’s a law. We just do them, even though it is no longer necessary.”
Kristin Lacy, LCCE and CD (Certified Doula) follows Callans in addressing the group. She elaborates on the development of a
birth plan, a written “wish list,” that informs the doctor, midwife or doula what the mother’s hopes are for her baby’s birth.
“Consider what you are like in your personal life,” Lacy said. “How do you respond to your body? What do you want the birth to be for your family? Who do you want present at the delivery? Set your atmosphere: your favorite gown, music, lights, candles. Build your environment. Prepare for the happy time, but prepare for the surprises, also.”
Lacy lists the benefits of using the birthing ball, a tool to enhance the mother’s comfort level by moving the baby freely as the mother finds her own rhythm in pelvic rocking during labor. Lacy and Lewis demonstrate how the doula assists the mother with balance while using the
birthing ball.
“I have an adage: move the mother to move the baby into position,” Denomme said.
“Breathing is another exercise during labor,” Lacy added.
Lewis demonstrates how to relax the jaw and breathe a cleansing breath slowly as Lacy instructs: “Attempt to keep the jaw loose during labor. There’s a connection with the jaw and uterus muscles. Attempt to relax from head to toe, allowing oxygen to reach the baby. Poor heart tones
will encourage monitor use for the baby. ”
Amy Pierce, the third and final speaker, lists the benefits of breastfeeding: it bonds mother with baby; burns mother’s calories; and helps prevent breast cancer and osteoporosis.
“A study from New Zealand shows that SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) was three times higher in babies who were not breastfed,”
Denomme said. “The risk factor for SIDS from not breastfeeding was even higher than from maternal smoking.”
Callans offered yet another benefit: “Breastfeeding creates flora in the gut of the baby to prevent intestinal diseases.”
Information is volleyed quickly as the meeting wraps up and babies and moms grow tired. One by one, the room empties, leaving Denomme,
owner of Woven-in-Love Maternity Services, loading up her office on wheels.
The “watchful guardian over childbirth” has done it again. She’s organized another birthNETWORK meeting, encouraged mothers and fathers to take the “hands on consumer approach” with their baby’s birth. The members of birthNETWORK have provided information based on scientific evidence, not hysteria and fear.
“Midwifery is a demanding yet rewarding calling,” Denomme said. “A lot of joy. I receive great satisfaction in observing the sense of accomplishment mothers and fathers experience when they receive the birth they desired.”
A week later, Dee Lewis delivers an 8-pound,12-ounce baby girl in her Clarkston home. Eileen Denomme and her apprentices Wendy Pinter and Christa Bartley are present. They make a one-day and three-day postpartum visit to check on mom and cuddle beautiful baby Kathryn Regen.
Indeed, what joy. There’s nothing like the B’s of childbirth.
Midwife’s calling is to ‘mother the mother’ for birth
By IRIS LEE UNDERWOOD
Special to The Oakland Press
Certified Midwife Eileen Denomme believes in the B’s of Childbirth. A mother of four children and two
grandchildren, all born at home, Denomme carries her convictions wherever she travels. “B confident, educate yourself,” she chants like a mantra into her cell phone.
“B courageous — listen to your heart,” she writes on the board in the meeting room at the Macomb County Library.
It’s the monthly meeting of birthNETWORK, a grassroots movement founded on the belief that “birth can profoundly affect a mother and child’s physical, mental and spiritual well-being.” Denomme, a Mount Clemens resident, is one of the group’s leaders.
“B strong — Exercise!” she prints as Sandie McCuiston, a Shelby Township resident and co-leader of birthNETWORK, arranges handouts for the
program.“B prepared — Practice relaxation and breathing.”
And finally, “B well supported — Surround yourself with supportive people: hire a doula.”
Doula?
“It’s a Greek term translating ‘mothering the mother,’ and we use it for the labor-support professional, someone who’s trained to help women cope with labor and birth,” Denomme said. “Among many things, the doula never leaves the birthing mother alone during labor and delivery. She encourages her, comforts her, and helps her understand what’s happening to her. The doula and the midwife work as a team throughout the pregnancy and delivery.”
Dee Lewis of Clarkston waddles into the room. She’s nine months pregnant with her third child. “I found Eileen through a doula at a birthNETWORK open house,” Lewis said. “Eileen will be delivering my first home birth. I chose to deliver at home for many reasons,
but one being the birthing experience affects the personality of the child. And we wanted the healthiest birthing experience possible.”
“It’s the mother’s birth,” Denomme said. “They need to know their options. And we’re here tonight to provide that information.”
Amy Pierce, a LaLeche League leader for the Ferndale-Oakland groups, tows 5-month-old John. Denomme is drawn to the baby like a grandmother. It’s a natural response for the midwife who has delivered more than 300 babies, including Ruth Welch of Lapeer and Kowen Durst
of Almont.
Kelly Hartzel of Fraser is another supporter of the mother-friendly childbirth initiative. Hartzel just completed nursing school at Macomb Community College and is presently working at Hutzel Hospital in labor and delivery. As a doula, she provides education and physical labor support for the birthing mom in the hospital, birth center or at home.
“A doula supports the family as a unit,” Hartzel said. “We assist the client to have the birth they want, which involves meeting with the expecting mom or couple to create a birthing plan.”
“Since childbirth is not a medical event,” Denomme said, “each birth plan is designed to empower the mother for the most natural birth experience possible. Babies are created in the privacy of one’s own home, and because of this, moms need to have privacy during labor and
delivery in order for childbirth to remain normal, have fewer complications and be easier on the mom and newborn.”
Denomme is careful to clarify that “unassisted childbirth” is for healthy moms and babies and must be well planned and researched. Most of the parents who attend birthNETWORK meetings are planning hospital births in the most natural setting possible.
The room swells with pregnant moms, husbands, babies and health care professionals as co-leader McCuiston begins the meeting.
“Welcome to birthNETWORK of Macomb, founded in 2004, the first chapter of what has become a national non-profit organization established over nine years ago by a group of mothers who wanted better birth outcomes for themselves and their friends and family members.”
The chiropractic practitioner turns the floor over to Helen Callans, RN and LCCE (Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator) at Providence
Hospital.
“I’m probably the oldest woman in the room,” said Callans, who has assisted births in delivery rooms for more than 30 years. She added she has
witnessed the American fear-based culture that has led to the increased rate of caesarean sections, induced labors and baby monitors during labor.
“I’d just like to say that Dr. Lamaze should be thanked for changing childbirth for the better,” Callans said. “Doctors and hospitals cannot use liability for an excuse for determining how a mom’s labor and delivery is managed. I think we’re scaring and intimidating moms into epidurals.”
Her audience agreed. “Every woman has the right to give birth free from medical intervention,” Callans continued. “Women have an inner wisdom they should follow for a healthy, natural birth. Why are we still applying eye ointment to baby’s eyes after birth? Because it’s a law. We just do them, even though it is no longer necessary.”
Kristin Lacy, LCCE and CD (Certified Doula) follows Callans in addressing the group. She elaborates on the development of a
birth plan, a written “wish list,” that informs the doctor, midwife or doula what the mother’s hopes are for her baby’s birth.
“Consider what you are like in your personal life,” Lacy said. “How do you respond to your body? What do you want the birth to be for your family? Who do you want present at the delivery? Set your atmosphere: your favorite gown, music, lights, candles. Build your environment. Prepare for the happy time, but prepare for the surprises, also.”
Lacy lists the benefits of using the birthing ball, a tool to enhance the mother’s comfort level by moving the baby freely as the mother finds her own rhythm in pelvic rocking during labor. Lacy and Lewis demonstrate how the doula assists the mother with balance while using the
birthing ball.
“I have an adage: move the mother to move the baby into position,” Denomme said.
“Breathing is another exercise during labor,” Lacy added.
Lewis demonstrates how to relax the jaw and breathe a cleansing breath slowly as Lacy instructs: “Attempt to keep the jaw loose during labor. There’s a connection with the jaw and uterus muscles. Attempt to relax from head to toe, allowing oxygen to reach the baby. Poor heart tones
will encourage monitor use for the baby. ”
Amy Pierce, the third and final speaker, lists the benefits of breastfeeding: it bonds mother with baby; burns mother’s calories; and helps prevent breast cancer and osteoporosis.
“A study from New Zealand shows that SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) was three times higher in babies who were not breastfed,”
Denomme said. “The risk factor for SIDS from not breastfeeding was even higher than from maternal smoking.”
Callans offered yet another benefit: “Breastfeeding creates flora in the gut of the baby to prevent intestinal diseases.”
Information is volleyed quickly as the meeting wraps up and babies and moms grow tired. One by one, the room empties, leaving Denomme,
owner of Woven-in-Love Maternity Services, loading up her office on wheels.
The “watchful guardian over childbirth” has done it again. She’s organized another birthNETWORK meeting, encouraged mothers and fathers to take the “hands on consumer approach” with their baby’s birth. The members of birthNETWORK have provided information based on scientific evidence, not hysteria and fear.
“Midwifery is a demanding yet rewarding calling,” Denomme said. “A lot of joy. I receive great satisfaction in observing the sense of accomplishment mothers and fathers experience when they receive the birth they desired.”
A week later, Dee Lewis delivers an 8-pound,12-ounce baby girl in her Clarkston home. Eileen Denomme and her apprentices Wendy Pinter and Christa Bartley are present. They make a one-day and three-day postpartum visit to check on mom and cuddle beautiful baby Kathryn Regen.
Indeed, what joy. There’s nothing like the B’s of childbirth.
