About

About Ani:  I have been a labor and delivery nurse since 2008, and I thoroughly enjoy what I do.  I am a member of AWHONN (the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses) and am currently studying for my RNC.  I care predominately for high risk OB patients, but I particularly enjoy working with patients who plan for a natural childbirth.   I have taken and several prepared childbirth, Lamaze and Bradley classes, and have done quite a bit of research into hypno-birthing.  I have two children, one induced and very medical, one spontaneous labor without an epidural, and their births have done nothing but improve my ability to care for my laboring patients.  As an L&D nurse, I care for an assortment of patients, from the 16 week patient with complaints of a UTI, to the 28 week patient with severe preeclampsia that needs an emergency cesarean section, to the 41 week post date induction that wants as little medical intervention as possible.  Every night I work, I help women through what I believe can be one of the most trying periods of a woman’s life, either welcoming new life or coping with unexpected situations and unfortunate loss.

My goal:  To help provide an unbiased source of information.  Over the years of being and labor and delivery nurse, I’ve found there is a “medical” side and a “natural” side to having a baby.  Everyone is, of course, entitled to their own opinion.  I personally don’t think either approach to having a baby is right.  I don’t think every patient has to have pitocin, continuous fetal monitoring, an epidural, or AROM (artificial rupture of membranes).  Nor do I think every patient can labor at home without medical supervision.  Every pregnancy is different.  Some are complicated.  Most are not.  I want every mom to remember what’s the most important outcome: a healthy baby.

I also what to discuss everything that pregnancy websites and books such as What to Expect When You’re Expecting don’t address as well as they can.  While such sources are much better than learning what you need to know about having a baby from your sister’s friend’s cousin who just had a baby, I have noticed a few subjects that could be covered better.

Disclaimer:  I am not an expert in obstetrics.  I feel I have valuable knowledge, but this site isn’t meant to be a substitution for asking your doctor or midwife.  I hope to be a resource to anyone having a baby or planning on having a baby.