Conference explains birth options

By Katherine Nichols
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Childbirth conference 8 a.m.-5 p.m, Sunday Castle Medical Center $90 ($75 Hawai'i Childbirth Education Association members), includes continental breakfast and lunch Nancy Storhaug: 623-5218

To help people understand the latest selections, the Hawai'i Childbirth Education Association is holding a conference at Castle Medical Center next weekend entitled "Meeting the Physical and Emotional Needs of the Childbearing Family."

Pat Goding, president of HCEA, said the goal of this interactive conference is to facilitate collaboration between members of varied obstetric health-care professions.

Goding, a former obstetrics nurse who now works as a prenatal consultant, childbirth educator and doula (trained labor assistant), noted that women preparing for birth once were surrounded by sisters and female friends.

"Now our fragmented society doesn't really accommodate that," she said.

Expectant women must look elsewhere for support. Even so, everyone wants a healthy baby, and there are a variety of ways to accomplish this.

The problem that persists, however, is that even when some women sign up for Lamaze, for instance, they lack specific goals for their birth experience. Few know which questions to ask.

The purpose of the conference is to "empower women to make informed decisions," which may include guiding them toward birthing classes or hiring a doula, she said.

Sometimes, fathers are expected to be an authority on labor when they feel less than qualified for the role. It can be difficult to make clear decisions while watching a mother in labor as she suffers. Though not a substitute for the father, the doula brings expertise and objectivity to the situation, which can reassure both parents and reduce anxiety.

Conference topics include:

• "Movement and Positions for Labor and Birth," which demonstrates the use of the birth ball during pregnancy and labor.
• "Current Research Pertaining to Medical Interventions."
• "Taking the Fear Out of Birth Plans," which highlights three important ways to transform a birth plan from a medical checklist to a personal program for a satisfying birth.
• "How a Positive Birth Experience Can Impact Postpartum Depression," to help mothers bond during pregnancy and identify potential risk factors and early symptoms both in the hospital and at home.

"When birthing a baby, there are several ways to achieve a healthy outcome," Goding said, "and many families don't know what their options are. We present (the information) in a nonjudgmental manner and encourage families to make their own choices."

While the conference's goal is to educate people in the field and create a more effective birthing team, anyone interested in the topics is welcome to attend.