This new Birth Sense feature will list some of the most outlandish statements I hear in the physician lounge, nurses' station, and even in the labor room. Todays comment: I was working with a first-time who had a beautiful, unmedicated birth. She was pushing spontaneously, and as the head began to crown, I said softly to the labor nurse, "She's crowning" (so that the labor nurse would know to alert the nursery nurse. The labor nurse indignantly asked me, "Well, is she completely dilated?" I hadn't checked the mother when she wanted to push, but just told her to go with her body, so we weren't officially in second stage and pushing because I did not confirm she was fully dilated!

Please submit names of health care providers willing to work with women who want to take an active part in their pregnancy and childbirth care, and support normal birth. Send name, contact information, and any other info you wish to provide to: birthsenseblog@gmail.com

I often receive queries as to who I am, where I practice, etc. I presently have privileges in a hospital that is not supportive of normal birth. I am working from within the hospital structure to try to change practices to be more supportive of normal birth. If those I work with associated me with this blog, it would likely be much more difficult for me to achieve the changes I hope to see, thus I keep the blog anonymous.