Blogging Again - Since I can't seem to stop reading about doulas and birth.

A Danish study regarding reasons for dystocia--delay of labor defined as less than two centimeters in four hours after four centimeters in the first stage, in second stage as no progress for two hours in the descending phase (three hours with a epidural) or one hour in the expulsion phase. The biggest factor was epidural at 71.2 percent. Concludes:
"Our study contributes further evidence of an increased risk of dystocia in nulliparous women who, at admission to hospital, present with a descent of fetal head above the inter-spinal diameter and a cervix dilatation [less than] 4 cm. We found that a tense cervix, a thick lower segment and a poor contact between the fetal head and the cervix are risk indicators for dystocia. Further studies should examine if fetal head-to-cervix contact is a significant predictor of dystocia and if differentiation of the management of dystocia can be based on assessment of fetal head-to-cervix contact. The observed association between epidural analgesia and increased risk of dystocia is of interest and may have a causal explanation."

A doula character on an episode of Guiding Light.

Doula Match a free site where you can search for a doula (using your zip code and due date) or register yourself as a birth and/or post-partum doula, complete with a profile and calendar of availability(!).

A tool for the starting doula, free accounting software from Quickbooks. Make your own invoices! Features are limited.