Thursday, September 29, 2011

Pitocin induced labor doubles the risk of ADHD

(NaturalNews) Pregnant mothers often anxiously await the arrival of their little one. Unfortunately, this anxious waiting has turned into an epidemic of labor induction. Scientific research has recently uncovered the reality that labor induction poses several risks to both mother and baby. In April 2011 Researchers from the Department of Psychiatry at Colorado State University published a study showing a strong relationship between pitocin induction and the incidence of ADHD. Labor induction has been linked in previous studies to increased risk of c-section, instrumental delivery, shoulder dystocia, NICU admission, and respiratory problems in the baby, among other complications. Elective induction of labor should be brought into question as research continues to increase indicating significant health risks without adequate benefit.

Learn more click here.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Call for Submissions: What Did Your Doula Do for You?

Originally posted here on Giving Birth with Confidence.

A doula can be an amazing ally in your journey through pregnancy and birth. Time and again, research shows that doulas can increase a woman’s chance for having a spontaneous vaginal delivery (ie, without vacuum extraction, forceps or cesarean surgery), shorten her time in labor and facilitate a more positive childbirth experience. For my most recent, third birth, I hired a doula for the first time and I will say that I loved having a doula. Even though my actual birth experience was super-fast and allowed very little time for anyone to provide hands-on labor support, my doula provided amazing emotional and informational support and guidance throughout my pregnancy and postpartum — and perhaps the most vital benefit for me, was the confidence I gained by knowing that she would be there for me in labor to help me achieve the epidural-free birth that I wanted.

Now that I have the contrasting birth experiences — two without a doula and one with — I want to yell from the rooftops, “Every woman deserves a doula!” Instead, I thought it would be better to hold a blog carnival on doula support to share with expectant moms and families. We’re looking for stories (and photos!) from moms and dads about your experience with a doula. If you hired a doula for any of your births and had a positive experience, we want to know about it! Think about answering questions like, how did your doula help you in labor — both directly and indirectly; what did your doula do for you in pregnancy and/or postpartum; and, how did the support from a doula affect your birth experience?



Participation in the “What Did Your Doula Do for You” Blog Carnival is easy:

1. If you have a blog, write a blog post on the carnival theme. Post it on your blog by Wednesday, October 5. Make sure the post links back to this blog post. You may also submit a previously written post, as long as the information is still current.

2. Send an email with a link to your post to cterreri [at] lamaze [dot] org.

3. If you do not have a blog but would like to participate, you may submit a story for consideration by emailing it to me.

4. I will compile and post the Blog Carnival here at Giving Birth with Confidence on Friday, October 14.



Happy doula blogging! I can’t wait to read your submissions!

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Fourth Trimester

We all know that pregnancy has three trimesters. Most know what happens in each, and all that comes with them. What we don't realize or don't understand is that there is more to pregnancy than growing and then birthing that baby.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Bringing Back the VBAC

Vaginal births after Cesarean (VBACs) are an important part of the question surrounding the rising Cesarean rate in the US. While many organizations support access to VBACs, they are still elusive for many women. Transforming Maternity Care published an article by Amy Romano on Monday that begins:

To read the rest of this article click here.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Special maternity clinic leads to hike in natural births at Norfolk trust

14 September, 2011 | By Jo Stephenson

A specialist clinic at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has led to a big increase in the number of women choosing natural childbirth having previously had a caesarean section.

The Birth After Caesarean clinic was set up at the Norwich-based hospital by consultant obstetrician Fran Harlow with two specialist midwives.

The number of women opting for a normal delivery after a C section has gone up from 40% to 68% since the clinic launched in May 2010.

The percentage who went on to have a natural birth has also increased from 64% to 73%.

Ms Harlow said often women were not aware that normal birth was possible after a C section.

“It is important the women are allowed to make informed individual choices and if a woman does want to have another caesarean section then that’s fine,” she said.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Do You Really Need to Attend a Childbirth Class?

September 12, 2011 by Rhythm of Life Consulting

This week we are thrilled to welcome Laura Fields to the Mother’s Advocate blog to discuss the importance of knowing your options and taking the right childbirth class to ensure a safe and healthy birth.

To read the rest of this post click here.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

How Doctors Dupe Moms Into Supplementing With Formula

Posted by Christie Haskell
on August 29, 2011 at 1:53 PM on The Stir

One of the biggest reasons that I know of why women start supplementing with formula in the first couple weeks is because "baby's not gaining enough weight." While a 5 to 7 percent weight loss in the first couple of days after birth is considered totally normal, 10 percent can sometimes result in pediatricians telling the mother she must supplement.

To read the rest of this post click here.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

When Survivors Give Birth Workshop


Based on the book When Survivors Give Birth by Penny Simkin, PT and Phyllis Klaus, CSW, MFTthis workshop is specifically designed for pregnant women who are childhood sexual abuse survivors. While sexual abuse is not a topic that many of us like to talk about, it is a stark reality in the lives of many women (and men). And because childbirth can often retrigger previous abuse or trauma, I think it is extremely important for survivors to have the opportunity to prepare for their upcoming birth with specific attention to their history.

In my work as a birth doula, I have learned a lot from my clients about maternity care practices and how they can affect survivors during birth. My intention with this workshop is to help women prepare for their birth (logistically and emotionally), so it can be a new and healing experience.

Please note: while this workshop is not designed to be a process group about sexual abuse, we will hold space for women to tell their stories and relate their past experiences to fears they may have about their upcoming birth.

This workshop is typically held for 3-hours on a weekend afternoon and costs $40.

Upcoming When Survivors Give Birth Workshops:

Sunday, October 23rd from 2-5pm

Please click here for more information.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Pelvic Floor Party: Kegels are NOT invited.

Very interesting information and something that I am going to look into more!


Recently I met a woman who told me she used to be a runner. Naturally, I asked: Why don't you still run? The answer: "Because 60 hours of labor with my first child and a forceps delivery ruined my desire to run anymore."

To sum up for those who still may not infer the problem: She pees her pants when she picks up the pace.

My friends and I joke about sneeze pee, jumping jack pee, trampoline pee, and other bladder challenges. But full blown incontinence is no laughing matter. I'm a firm believer that a strong pelvic floor is the answer to incontinence (although pharmaceutical companies and surgeons often try to persuade people with other remedies). A strong pelvic floor, I've learned, not only makes the difference between wet and dry running shorts, but also keeps me running pain-free: I no longer suffer from the back and hip problems that used to plague me.

So today I bring you an interview with Katy Bowman. I have had the opportunity to interview Katy for magazine articles. Since becoming a freelance writer 13 years ago I have interviewed scores of sources. Very few I remember. Katy made an impression. She is a biomechanical scientist who applies her knowledge on the human body. Among other things, she has her own DVD program, "Aligned and Well," and is the director of the Restorative Exercise Institute. Her blog, Katy Says, is amazing (and she's as funny as she is smart). I like that combination so I asked her to chime in about the pelvic floor. I had no idea she would rock my pelvic floor world. Even if you've never peed in your running shorts even a little bit, you should still read what she has to say about pelvic floor strength.

Mama Sweat: First, a lot of women just assume it's childbirth that causes incontinence, but I've read that pregnancy itself puts a strain on the bladder (so a c-section won't necessarily save you) and that most women, as they get older--whether they've had children or not--will likely experience problems with incontinence. And even men aren't immune. All this suggests that a weak pelvic floor doesn't discriminate.


Katy Bowman: Nulliparous women (that's women who've never had a baby) and men are equally affected with PFD (pelvic floor disorder) so while child birth may accelerate PF weakening, it is not a primary cause of PFD. PFD is first caused by slack in the pelvic floor due to the fact that the sacrum is moving anterior, into the bowl of the pelvis. Because the PF muscles attach from the coccyx to the pubic bone, the closer these bony attachments get, the more slack in the PF (the PF becomes a hammock).


MS: So rather than a hammock, you'd rather your PF be more like a stretcher--more firm and able to hold up weight without buckling?


KB: I like to think of the PF like a trampoline--the material is supple, but taut...the perfect muscle length.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Erykah Badu Training As A Midwife



Posted by Claire Shefchik on September 6, 2011 4:54 PM

Erykah Badu is training to become a midwife, People Magazine reported in an interview with the singer.

Badu, 40, is currently working as a doula, providing expectant mothers with Reiki treatments, massage and support during childbirth, all at no charge. She said she was inspired after helping a friend through a difficult childbirth in 2001, and told the magazine her clients call her "Erykah Badoula."

Doulas do not provide medical care, but the "On and On" and "The Cider House Rules" singer and actress is a spokeswoman for the International Center for Traditional Childbearing. She aims to get her professional certification so she can open natural birthing centers in inner city communities.

To read the rest of this blog post click here.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Baby Ocho's Birth


We are so honored that Robin wore BINSI for her 8th baby's birth. She is incredible. Please read this wonderful birth story.

By Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com Guide

In the weeks leading up to Ocho’s birth, my hips had really been aching. I had a lot of trouble finding a comfortable position, sleeping, walking, siting – nothing was good. My bath tub was the closest I came. (I’m afraid of my water bills!)

So on Thursday night, I had a board meeting. It was an insanely long one – 4 and a half hours. I finally got up out of my chair and sat on the floor. Then I just kept wiggling around trying different positions. Plenty of people were afraid I’d have the baby right then, but I knew it wasn’t labor, just hip issues! During the meeting I sent my husband a text message asking him to set me up for a massage appointment on Friday. I needed a prenatal massage, even at 41+ weeks of gestation.

So on Friday I had a busy day – take the kids to school and get a massage. The therapist was new and newly pregnant. We had a very nice time chatting about pregnancy. Despite being over due, I was very calm and not anxious to rush the end of the pregnancy. I asked her not to hit any of the labor triggering points and she did not.

Afterwards I felt pretty good. I decided that I deserved a pedicure too. So I went to the nail salon and decided to be wild and signed up for a pedicure and manicure. As I sat there reading the newest science magazine I started to notice I was having some contractions. Since my last baby was born in about three hours, I was paying attention. I knew that my husband would be totally upset if he missed the birth.

First one contraction. 10 minutes later another… I was beginning to wonder. I left the salon and headed to pick up the older two kids. They wanted to get slushies and it was as good of an excuse as any for me to get my ice chips. While I was in the drive through I decided this was probably early labor, so I bought a whole bag of the ice. I also called my husband and talked to him. I said something like, “I’m not sure it’s early labor and I don’t need you to come home right now, but be ready to drop everything and come home…” He was excited! He also tortured his co-workers by saying loudly, “What? You’re having the baby RIGHT NOW???”

To read the rest of this beautiful birth story click here.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Placenta Medicine: My Story


by Tiffany Rosenbrock

© 2008 Midwifery Today, Inc. All rights reserved.
[Editor's note: This article first appeared in Midwifery Today Issue 88, Winter 2008.]

I remember the day my midwife told me about placenta medicine, I cried. I loved that birth had so many blessings to offer our family, and this was completely new to me. I was so excited when Patricia told me she would gladly encapsulate my placenta for me and that taking it would ease the symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) after the birth. Patricia Couch is an amazing midwife. With five kids and a demanding position at the birth center, she still finds time to help mamas like me honor our amazing placentas, and this is our story.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Help for Heartburn


Submitted by Lois Rain on August 31, 2011 – 12:01 am

Oh the things we shall discover from the old adage, An apple a day…

An easy and nutritious cure for acid reflux might be found in an appetizing apple. Other apple products may help as well. Organic apples remedy this problem more than their non-organic counterparts.

~Health Freedoms

To read the rest of this article click here.