Disclaimer

I am a midwife, childbirth educator, lecturer, doula, and natural mother of eight children. This is not a medical reference; I do not proclaim to give medical advice. Anything stated here is from personal experience, research, study, and opinion. Each woman has the responsibility to do her own research, consult with her own medical team, and make her own decisions about pregnancy and birth.



Friday, December 31, 2010

Patient Rights Meeting in Saudi

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

According to recent news articles, there was a meeting in Riyadh this week regarding patients' rights.  I would have loved to attend, but didn't hear of it until after it was over.  I'm impressed that this issue is being discussed in Saudi.

I wanted to make a few quick comments about what I dream of in regards to the laboring woman and her patient rights.  I'd also like to invite readers to comment and share their ideas as well.

I hope you enjoy reading this article.  As always, I'd love to hear your feedback and story ideas!


Sunday, December 26, 2010

Announcing a New Page to Introduce Other Articles I Write...

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim
Me, Aisha (Natural Mom)
Lecturing About Natural Birth

I am pleased to announce that I am now writing a weekly column called Motherhood for Saudi Life.  I have also debuted on Suite 101, alhamdulelah. 

I've created a page (Columns I Write) on my blog to host the links to my other articles.  I hope you enjoy reading them.  As always, I'd love to hear your feedback and story ideas!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Walking Alone...

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim
Photo Credit: Ben Earwicker www.garrisonphoto.org/sxc
I share this story with honor and love.  I feel so blessed to have been able to play a part with my dear friend at this important time in her life.  I have to warn you, it’s about the loss of a pregnancy. 

Loosing a child at any stage is heartbreaking.  It’s difficult on both parents.  We cannot judge how others handle the situation and must understand that everyone deals with emotional stress and grieving in their own way.  May Allah bless their marriage and may they be greeted at the gates of Jennah (Heaven) by their precious son who went before them.

I hope you benefit from reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Walking Alone...  

After Dozens of Deaths, Drop-Side Cribs Outlawed

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Thanks to my mom for sharing this important consumer information about drop-side cribs.  If you have one, DESTROY IT!  Make sure no one else can use it and save a baby!  Pray for the families of the infant victims of these death beds. 
Click to read the full Fox News Article.

If you see any such recall or article that needs to be shared, please forward it to me and I'll get it posted right away, insha'Allah!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT! I'm in the News! :)

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim
Me, Aisha (Natural Mom)
Teaching Pregnancy Exercises
This has been an exciting month for me! 

Alhamdulealah, somebody pinch me!  I need to check if I'm dreaming before I post this!  It's not hard to tell that I have a passion for natural birth and it's my goal to spread it throughout the Middle East and Africa, insha'Allah.  But I was totally amazed when I came back to Egypt from a trip to the States this past June. 

I had just finished attending classes to become certified as a childbirth teacher and labor/birth doula.  I was seven months pregnant myself and was waiting until the end of my ninth month to join my husband in Saudi to have our baby there.  I didn't expect to accomplish much in those three months in terms of putting my training to work.

No one could have imagined the opportunites that I found in those three months in Egypt, let alone during the past month in Saudi! 

I hope you enjoy reading about the exciting opportunities in Egypt and Saudi.  I'd love your feedback and comments.  Now on to the story...EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!  I'm in the News!  :)...  


Monday, December 6, 2010

Absolute faith: A Father’s Perspective!


Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim
Photo Credit: Ben Earwicker www.garrisonphoto.org/sxc
In October I posted a touching story (Absolute Faith) about the loss of a pregnancy that brought tears and a smile.  I introduced the story by saying, “…I am so honored that they have shared their story here.  It's one that brings tears and a smile at the same time.  It's tragic, yet beautiful.  I am truly inspired by their absolute faith in Allah…
Well, last week I had an offline chat message that I had hoped wouldn’t come.  Even so, I’m touched and amazed, once again, at this dear couple and their absolute faith!  I love them dearly and am, again, honored to share their story here.  This time we have the father’s perspective, which I rarely get and always love.  
Make sure you read all the way through the story as I’ve shared some excerpts from our chat message at the end of their story.  I can’t say enough just how inspirational their faith is.  May Allah continue to bless and keep them…AMEEN! 
I hope you enjoy reading these birth stories.  Please let me know if you'd like to share yours. Now on to the story...Absolute faith: A Father’s Perspective!...  

Friday, December 3, 2010

Ask me again why to avoid unnecessary cesareans!

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim


I want to share a link to another accident in the delivery room.  I'll keep my comments short, as there's no need to say much, except pray for this poor woman, ya Rab!


If you see something in the news related to labor and birth, please send it to me.  I'm always looking for relevant articles to share.  I wish there were more inspirational and happy ones, of course. 

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Not So Perfect Labor

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

 Hafsa

Although this mother didn't get the birth she had hoped for, she did a great job coping with her labor, masha'Allah.  To my knowledge, she hadn't had any childbirth preparation classes but she had the determination and courage to "go natural!" 

I hope you enjoy reading how her "almost perfect labor" turned around in a split second.  Please let me know if you have a story idea or would like to share your birth story. Now on to the article...Not So Perfect Labor...