March 27, 2009 by dareallaluce
In Italian, the literal translation of “to give birth”— “Dare alla Luce”— is: “to give to the light”. An exquisite phrase to describe the beauty and wonder of childbirth.
I’m Katharine Deeb and I’m a birth doula awaiting my certification from DONA. I am the mother of two teenaged boys, and I delivered both naturally, thanks to the help of amazing caregivers. I chose to become a birth doula based on my love of babies and women and the miracle of the birthing process.

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March 22, 2009 by dareallaluce
“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers ~ strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”
- Barbara Katz Rothman, Birth Sociologist and Author

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February 4, 2010 by dareallaluce
Pregnancy-related deaths rise in California, but state officials have held onto report. The mortality rate of California women who die from causes directly related to pregnancy has nearly tripled in the past decade, prompting doctors to worry about the dangers of obesity in expectant mothers and about medical complications of cesarean sections. (click to read full article)
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November 20, 2009 by dareallaluce
For the second straight year, the U.S. earned dismal marks in its effort to reduce the national rate of premature births. The March of Dimes, which issues an annual state-by-state report card on the problem, gave the U.S. an overall D on Monday…(from Time.com)
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November 8, 2009 by dareallaluce
For Release: August 21, 2009
* Recommendations Relax on Liquid Intake during Labor *
*Washington, DC* — Women in labor may be allowed to quench their thirst
with more than just the standard allowance of ice chips, according to a new
Committee Opinion released today from The American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists (ACOG) and published in the September issue of *Obstetrics
& Gynecology*. Although the guidelines on prohibiting solid food while in
labor or before scheduled cesarean surgery remain the same, ACOG says that
women with uncomplicated labor, as well as uncomplicated patients undergoing
a planned cesarean, may drink modest amounts of clear liquids during labor
if they wish….
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October 29, 2009 by dareallaluce
“As you know, getting materity health insurance is difficult, particularly if you’re already pregnant. Fortunately, there are options available.
Here are some programs providing low cost maternity insurance in California that can help you get adequate coverage during your pregnancy and beyond.”
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October 20, 2009 by dareallaluce
Doulas :
Learn about doulas and the services they provide and the benefits of having a doula in your birth.
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October 9, 2009 by dareallaluce
“Although the delivery of her first son, Nicholas, went as planned, Mara Vaughan began thinking a change of venue for her second child’s birth might be in order.
In labor with Nicholas at a hospital, “I felt like I was so limited in how much I could move around, what positions I could be in. If I were at home, I could be a little more distracted. I could look out my windows. I could be on the first floor or the second floor.”
So on Aug. 17, Vaughan, 26, delivered Nicholas’ little brother, Noah, all 7 pounds, 14 ounces of him, in the comfort of her own Bristow, Va., bedroom, with certified nurse-midwife Alice Bailes in attendance.”…USA Today
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