Decision Making

Here's How I Can Help - Nancy Madru Doula

You’ve decided to bring a new little person into the world. So amazing! Sometimes overwhelming. . . You can do it.  Here’s how I can help:

I offer postpartum doula support during the first days and weeks as you get to know your baby, heal your body, and navigate the newness of motherhood and family.

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Key Questions About Your Care

By Penny Simkin

Answers to the following questions will help you participate in your care responsibly and help you know what to expect:

When a Test is Suggested:

  1. What is the reason for it? What problem are we looking for?
  2. What will it tell us? How accurate or reliable are the results?
  3. If the test detects a problem, what will happen next?
  4. If the test does not detect a problem, what will happen next?

When a Treatment or Intervention is Suggested:

  1. What is the problem? Why is it a problem? How serious is it? How urgent is it that we begin treatment?
  2. Describe the treatment: How is it done? How likely is it to detect or solve the problem?
  3. If it does not succeed what are the next steps?
  4. Are there risks or side-effects to the treatment?
  5. Are there any alternatives? (including waiting or doing nothing?)
  6. Ask questions 2, 3, and 4 about any alternatives.

In an emergency it may be impossible to fully explore these questions. Your caregiver should tell you how serious and urgent the situation is.

 

Birth Characteristics by Facility/Location, Massachusetts 2013 *

Hospital

# of Births

1st Time Cesarean Rate

Total Cesarean Rate

VBAC Rate

Other Birth Options

Baystate Medical Center Springfield, MA

4,100

23.4% (22.2%)**

33.2%

(31.6%)

16.2%

(11.8%)

Labor tub available.

No births in tub .

No nitrous oxide.

Birth Center at Baystate Franklin Greenfield, MA

472

20%

(22.2%)

25%

(31.6%)

31.3%

(11.8%)

Labor tub available.

Births in the tub.

Nitrous oxide for pain relief.

Cooley Dickinson Medical Center Northampton, MA

817

18.2%

(22.2%)

27.7%

(31.6%)

11.8%

(11.8%)

Labor tub available

No births in tub

Nitrous oxide to be approved in 2015.

Holyoke Medical Center           Holyoke, MA

439

16.2%

(22.2%)

25.6%

(31.6%)

28.4%

(11.8%)

Labor tub available

Births in the tub.

Nitrous oxide pain relief.

Mercy Medical Center

Springfield, MA

1,253

19.6%

(22.2%)

27.9%

(31.6%)

11.3%

(11.8%)

No labor tub.

No nitrous oxide.

 

*From: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/research-epi/birth-report-2013.pdf   Pages 28, 29.   More information available at site.

**Statistics in parentheses indicate statewide average.