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Shining Light

Building empowerment, self-confidence and connection through candid education and compassionate advocacy for all families before, during and after pregnancy.

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One choice affects your whole birth experience

October 26, 2015 By Deena 2 Comments

There is one choice that affects your whole birth experience. It sets the tone for your prenatal visits and affects all further choices you have during pregnancy, labor and birth. Choosing your care provider is the most important choice you can make. Do you choose an Obstetrician, Family Practice physician, Maternal Fetal Medicine or a Midwife? […]

Filed Under: Into the Light, Main Blog Page Tagged With: Birth, Birth Plan, Childbirth, Childbirth Education Classes, Decision making, Expectations, Lamaze, Midwife, OB, Obstetrician, Pregnancy

More Confused than when You Started: The Pitfalls of Asking for a Referral for a Doctor or Midwife

March 21, 2014 By Deena Leave a Comment

I’ve asked similar questions myself regarding different types of professionals. Our friends’ opinions matter to us. We trust those that have worked with someone to give us guidance and recommendations. The problem is when one friend loves the doctor and the other has had a bad experience. It is complicated by the third person who […]

Filed Under: Featured Home Page, Into the Light, Main Blog Page Tagged With: Choosing a care provider, Communication, Decision making, Expectations, Ideal Birth, Midwife, OB, Pregnancy, Referrals, Social Media

Six is the new Four, with regards to the start of Active Labor

March 18, 2014 By Deena Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago ACOG updated their guidelines for preventing a primary c-section. One of their points is that active labor is 6 cm, not 4. This is a big deal and can reduce the number of c-sections done for “failure to progress”. Please share this information! More: Science & Sensibility: Safe Prevention of the Primary […]

Filed Under: Into the Light, Main Blog Page Tagged With: ACOG, Birth, C-section, Cesarean Birth, Childbirth, Decision making, Labor, OB, Pregnancy, Valid Medical Reason

An Interview with Brand New Mom, Sarah

September 25, 2013 By Deena Leave a Comment

Your Name: Sarah Partner’s Name: Dan Estimated Due Date: September 9 (I actually went into labor after asking Deena to do this interview and delivered September 7!) OB, family practice doctor or midwife: OB Birth location: Hospital   1. What is your favorite thing about being pregnant? I loved knowing that my baby was entirely protected […]

Filed Under: Interviews with students, Main Blog Page Tagged With: Baby, Birth, Birth Plan, Childbirth, Childbirth Education Classes, Fathers, Fear, Labor, Lamaze, OB, Pittsburgh, Pregnant

Since you asked: Birth Plan Template

February 25, 2013 By Deena 5 Comments

You all have been asking for it, so here it is – Deena’s ever  fabulous birth plan template! This is a bit longer than I usually suggest. Your birth plan should be one page, chronological, bullet points. It should cover the most important points to you. These are *my* important points. So, if you are […]

Filed Under: Into the Light, Main Blog Page Tagged With: Baby, Birth, Birth Plan, Brains, breastfeeding, C-section, Childbirth, Childbirth Education Classes, Communication, Decision making, Epidural, Expectations, Ideal Birth, Infant, Interventions, Labor, Midwife, Newborn, OB, Pittsburgh, Pregnancy, Valid Medical Reason

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About Shining Light

Building empowerment, self-confidence and connection through candid education and compassionate advocacy for all families before, during and after pregnancy since 2012.

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