Preparing For Birth

In westernized countries, television and the internet have almost completely replaced the generational teaching and learning found in the “circles” of the past. Women would gather over sewing, quilting, canning, and life events including pregnancy and childbirth. They offered support, told their stories, spoke of family life, shared their everyday knowledge, wisdom and expertise while [...]

Guarding what you put into your eyes, ears, and mind is such an important part of pregnancy and birth.  As women we learn socially, from one another.  When we allow the pervasive negativity (TV, horror stories, fearful education, good patient education, unsupportive comments, etc.) to take root we lose so much inborn knowledge and wisdom [...]

during childbirth class there is always a question of “What should I eat?”.  Pulling from the FDA pyramid plan for moms interactive website, the below information puts it into an easy perspective.  I input information based on an average sized 30 year-old pregnant woman.  On the site, you can put in your information to personalize [...]

There is an incredibly disturbing trend regarding “advanced maternal age” mothers being a hostile uterine environment for their babies. They are being subject to weekly Biophysical profiles or Fetal Non-stress tests tests that are normally reserved only for high-risk mothers and babies from as early as 32 weeks in pregnancy.  On top of the scans, [...]

Below is a compilation of common terms and acronyms that women often will come across during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.  Check back as more will be added from time to time. AROM – Artificial Rupture of Membranes – using a finger or tool to open the amniotic sac to to allow the fluid to release. [...]

Nausea is such a common complaint among pregnant women.  Usually the extreme nausea passes by the time a woman enters the second to mid-second trimester, however, some women experience it throughout pregnancy. Though no solution is full proof, there are some things that can be done to aide in a calmer digestive system.  Remember that [...]

Women have supported women throughout the ages.  In our very busy and ever transient culture, the woman to woman education and support of yesteryear is sorely lacking.  It is very common for an expecting woman not have family nearby or to have support women who know the ways of natural, normal pregnancy, labor, delivery and [...]

I am revisiting the thought that women just aren’t the same these days and no longer able to spontaneously go into labor or birth today. There are some theories out there that the pelvis is evolving out of ability or that withaqll the intermingling of cultures that the option to grow a baby that plain [...]

Normal, natural birth is spoken of all the time in the birth world.  It is discussed on many levels from the evidence of being overwhelmingly the safest and healthiest way to birth, to the emotional aspects of privacy, safety and support,  to following the money trail of interventive birth versus natural birth and so much [...]

Today pregnant women need to be consumers and self-advocates. Many childbirth classes are teaching strategies to better these skills. This is not by chance, but rather by the often one-size-fits all packaging and management from pregnancy onset to labor through immediate postpartum in the care provider offices and hospitals of today. Many routine tests are [...]