Birth Whisperer

Janice Banther illustrates a clever way to teach about epidurals.

2012-01-26T12:01:00.000-05:00

Most expectant parents have no idea how many medical interventions are involved in epidural anesthesia. In this video childbirth educator, Janice Banther, cleverly illustrates that reality !

How Slow Dancing Helps Women Cope With Labor and Birth

2012-01-26T11:44:00.000-05:00

Doula and Childbirth Educator, Penny Simkin, describes how slow dancing is helpful in labor and birth.

Rhythm, Relaxation and Ritual helps women cope with childbirth

2012-01-26T11:41:00.000-05:00

Penny Simkin discusses how to make the "3 Rs" work for you. Penny's contributions to the understanding of safe and healthy birth cannot be measured. She is a national treasure.

Baby Led Breastfeeding ~ Put the baby in the "Breastaurant" and baby will eat !

2012-01-26T11:21:00.000-05:00

This is a fantastic video about baby led breastfeeding.

Connie Livingston's insight on hospital vs. out of hospital childbirth classes

2011-11-08T12:23:00.000-05:00

Connie Livingston at Perinatal Education Associates, explains the cost of prepared childbirth classes, and compares and contrasts hospital vs. out of hospital classes in this insightful post.Click the link below the adorable photo.

http://childbirthtoday.blogspot.com/2011/11/private-childbirth-classes-cost-what.html

Source : childbirthtoday.blogspot.com

2011-11-08T10:09:00.002-05:00

I am proud to be a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. I am passionate about helping families experience safe and healthy birth. It seems that some people today spend more time planning a wedding or party than they do planning their birth. As a result, some hospitals and birth facilities have cut corners when it comes to offering quality birth education. I believe parents should be encouraged by hospitals and birth centers to purposefully invest in preparation for the birth of their babies.

When an athlete trains for a marathon or big event that requires strength and skill, they study every physical and mental nuance and strategy for winning the game. This, to me, is what childbirth education is like. It should be focused on building skills and imprinting them on the brain, muscles and mind.

Birth is instinctual, but many women today do not believe that they have everything they need to give birth. I liken it to what happens to wild animals when they are removed from their natural habitat. They forget how to survive in the wild. As such, modern maternity care takes women out of their natural birthing habitat and exposes them to unfamiliar surroundings, people, and things. This makes it very difficult for the hormonal cascade that facilitates normal birth to occur.

To have a safe and healthy birth, I believe that women should choose well trained midwives, who are guardians of normal birth, and quality childbirth education that integrates both the mind and body.

First time parents should receive at least 12 hours of education.

Education Council: Standards of Practice for Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators and Lamaze Classes
Standards for Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators (LCCE educators)
The Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE educator) will:

follow the Lamaze Code of Ethics for Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators,

maintain certification through continuing education or re-examination as required by Lamaze International.Standards for Lamaze Childbirth Education Classes
Lamaze International encourages Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators (LCCE educators) to offer childbirth education in a variety of formats throughout the childbearing year. This may include a series of classes with one group of students, several independent classes, or one-to-one teaching. Classes may be in-person or online. First time parents should receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction.
An educational offering may be identified as a “Lamaze” session, class, or class series if:

it is presented by a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE),

it is consistent with the mission, vision, and philosophy of Lamaze International,

it promotes the Six Healthy Birth Practices identified by Lamaze International,

it includes interaction between students and the educator,

it promotes informed decision-making,

it includes strategies to incorporate the cultural values and beliefs of the participants,

the educator facilitates small groups of no more than 12 pregnant women and their support teams. Four to eight pregnant women with their support teams is considered an ideal class size.
Approved by the Lamaze Education Council Governing Body/2010
Source : http://www.lamaze.org/WhoWeAre/Policies/EducationCouncilStandardsofPractice/tabid/609/Default.aspx

FDA WARNING ON BENZOCAINE TEETHING PRODUCTS

2011-08-01T11:25:00.000-04:00

FDA WARNING ON BENZOCAINE PRODUCTS
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a drug safety communication on oral benzocaine products used in infants for teething. Benzocaine is the main ingredient in these gels and liquids which are applied to the gums or mouth to reduce pain.
The FDA has received reports of a rare but potentially life threatening condition known as methemoglobinemia caused by use of these products. The condition results in a great reduction of the amount of oxygen carried through the blood stream and, in most severe cases, can cause death. The FDA is recommending that benzocaine products should not be used on children less than two years of age, except under the advice and supervision of a health care professional. For more information, go to http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm250024.htm

One World Birth ` Film Trailer

2011-04-09T08:29:00.000-04:00

Innovative Preemie Breastfeeding Program Goes Online

2011-04-01T08:09:00.000-04:00

Innovative Preemie Breastfeeding Program Goes Online
A UC San Diego Health System breastfeeding program supporting preemie babies is now online. The Supporting Premature Infant Nutrition (SPIN) program, developed by the UCSD Health System to help mothers produce sufficient breast milk for their premature infants, recently expanded its reach to anyone with Internet access. With a new website, the online SPIN program offers educational videos and resources such as pumping log sheets, lactation research and publications, and recipes. These online tools will allow mothers nationwide to learn about the program and follow the steps at their own convenience - while also serving as a teaching model for other health institutions. The overarching goal: Improving the manner in which NICUs across the nation support optimal nutrition and growth for preemies.

“Your Guide to Breastfeeding”

2011-03-07T17:17:00.000-05:00

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published, “Your Guide to Breastfeeding” and easy-to-read publication designed to provide women the information and support they need to breastfeed successfully.

The Guide explains why breastfeeding is best and how loved ones can support a mother’s decision to breastfeed.

Illustrations and expert tips are designed to aid new mothers in learning how to breastfeed comfortably and personal stories provide reassurance and encouragement. “Your Guide to Breastfeeding” is available in English, Spanish and Chinese and can be accessed online at http://www.womenshealth.gov/pub/bf.cfm.

New Australian Research Uncovers Clues to SIDS

2011-03-04T11:17:00.000-05:00

Research Uncovers Clue to SIDS

A new Australian study finds that babies who sleep on their stomachs have lower levels of oxygen in their brains than those who sleep on their backs, suggesting that a lack of oxygen could explain why babies in this position are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome while sleeping.

The research also backs current recommendations on the prevention of SIDS that suggest infants be put on their backs to sleep.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, the number of SIDs cases rose because parents were encouraged to put their babies to sleep on their stomachs. Around the world, most babies sleep on their backs and are even kept there in devices such as cradle boards."

In the new study, the Australian researchers sought to understand what happens when babies sleep on their stomachs and why they face a risk of not being able to rouse themselves when something goes wrong, such as when they stop breathing for a time.

The researchers tested 17 babies at different times during the first six months of life when they slept either on their backs or their stomachs. For safety, the babies were studied in a hospital and were fully monitored throughout the study with heart rate, breathing and oxygen saturation recorded continuously.

The researchers found that oxygen levels in the brain dipped when babies slept on their stomachs. Previous research has shown that these babies also have lower blood pressure, although specialists have differed about whether that's important.

The findings appear online Feb. 28 in the journal Pediatrics.

Humble Birth

2010-12-23T09:59:00.001-05:00

Today, I reflect on the nativity, the humility of the Lord's birth, and the patience and faithfulness of Mary and Joseph. It must have been extremely trying for them both to abandon themselves to God's plan, to endure the shame of a pregnancy shrouded in such mystery only to have to have the event of the birth of the Savior occur in a barn after a long and exhausting trip to Bethlehem.

What was it like giving birth under those conditions ? According to Jewish law, it was forbidden for Joseph to be present at the birth upon the appearance of blood. Immediately after birth, a woman is considered niddah and must remain physically separated from her husband for a period of seven days after the birth of a male child. Lev. 12:2. But some teachings make provisions for men to help their wives if no one else is around. This raises the question, did they have a midwife help them ?

Perhaps Mary was attended by the angels, who then announced to the shepherds what they had witnessed. Truly, this was the most amazing pregnancy and the most important birth in history.

I believe the humble estate of the birth of Yeshua should remind us all to trust the wisdom and mercy of God to carry us through birth and life, in whatever we do. Blessed Christmas to all !

I hope you enjoy this video, which highlights the simplicity and peace of birth, not in a barn, but at home.

Study Shows Formula Feeding Does Not Improve Sleep For New Mothers

2010-11-15T10:12:00.000-05:00

A new study, published November 8th in the journal Pediatrics, looked at infant feeding methods and mothers' sleep and her ability to function after giving birth during weeks 2 through 12. The researchers looked at factors like total sleep time, sleep efficiency and fragmentation, reported numbers of nightly awakenings, total nightly wake time, sleep quality and sleepiness or fatigue.

There was no difference between women who were exclusively breastfeeding, exclusively formula feeding or using a combination of the two methods.

These findings suggest that efforts to encourage women to breastfeed should include information about sleep. In particular, women should be told that formula feeding does not equal improved sleep.
To review the study online, go to http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2010-1269v1.

For a Safe and Healthy Baby, Let labor Begin On It's Own

2010-09-13T11:59:00.000-04:00

In a finding with implications for elective cesarean delivery, a large study has found that babies born at term but before 39 weeks may suffer more complications than infants delivered later.

Although the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended that elective delivery not occur before 39 weeks, many infants are delivered earlier without clear indication.

Researchers have presented studies looking at the outcomes of infants considered to be delivered at term, but still slightly early. Data indicate that the extra time can matter to a fetus, even if the difference is only days.

One study involved 12,821 births, all of which were delivered by prelabor elective cesarean at 37 weeks or more. The women, who had an average maternal age of 30 years, were enrolled in 19 centers around the country between 1999 and 2002 as part of the Maternal Fetal Medicine Units registry, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. Women in the study had all undergone at least 1 prior cesarean and carried singleton pregnancies without malformations. Women were excluded from the study if they had a documented indication for delivery before 39 weeks.

Compared with infants born at 39 weeks, those born at 37 weeks had 2- to 4-fold risk for complications. Infants born at 38 weeks had 1.5 to 2 times the risk for complications. Outcome measures included a list of 7 parameters, including respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal intensive care unit admission, sepsis, or hospitalization for more than 5 days.

Even infants born within 3 days of the 39-week threshold had higher morbidity.

Renewing Our Minds and Emotions for A Better Birth Experience

2010-08-21T17:13:00.001-04:00

One of the first things many people think about when the word birth is mentioned is the word pain.

Pain is a word that, for many people, is synonymous with the word suffering. I think we can all agree that suffering is to be avoided at all costs in birth. Suffering crosses the threshold of what is acceptable in childbirth. But pain does not have to equal suffering. In an earlier Birthwhisperer post, Penny Simkin does a beautiful job describing the differences.

But pain is a unique experience for each of us. Women in labor express pain in different ways and have unique needs. Some like to be touched and talked to, others close themselves down, going inward to cope in their own ways, and both are normal.

How we perceive pain depends largely upon out attitudes about it. Do we see the work that our bodies are doing as a normal physiological process or do we see it as something to be feared and numbed from?

Birth, and the laborious process that brings forth a baby is an opportunity to gain insight into our strengths, and our faith in God. I am a Christian and I believe that God's marvelous and miraculous design is designed for our good and not our ruin.

Ask almost any woman about her birth and you will find that it can be one of the most empowering, wonderful events of a woman's life or one of the most devastating and disappointing. But rarely is it just another day.

Education, support and preparation are keys to a positive experience. Trusting God's design for our bodies and instincts will start us on the path to healthy and safe birth.

Pain is magnified by fear. When we feel fear, our bodies produce chemicals and hormones that work against the processes that help us birth safely. It can cause our muscles to tense up and it can cause our labors to slow down or stop. This is a vicious cycle that occurs when women enter a birth environment that feels threatening or unfamiliar. Anything that causes the mother's stress level to rise should be avoided in order to reduce the amount of suffering she experiences in birth. It is very important for her to be able to feel uninhibited, relaxed and at peace with what is happening and also who is present.

Pain can be greatly lessened by psychologically and spiritually preparing for the birth. For the woman who doesn't realize her options and that she has the right to be informed and make her own choices, birth can be a horrific ordeal. On the other hand, by asking questions and discussing her options and concerns a woman will feel like she is in control. In one study, this was the most important thing that women said made their birth experience more satisfactory. Interestingly, this was more important to women than the amount of pain they experienced, which may illustrate that women who feel in control are also less focused on pain.

Childbirth classes with a Lamaze certified childbirth educator can also help women avoid suffering by showing them how to work with the sensations of labor by using comfort measures that facilitate the birth rather than work against it, as some medical interventions do. Learning how to move, breathe and help your baby descend and move through your her pelvis can be a way that women work with their bodies, not against them. Many times, in hospitals, women are asked to assume positions and restrict their movement so that labor can become very painful. For example, when a woman is hooked up to an electronic fetal monitor, especially if it is an internal one, she may not be able to sit upright or walk around because the monitor might become displaced. If she is having "back labor" this could hamper her ability to get relief by getting on her hands and knees and rocking her pelvis.

The way that birth has become so technologically and medically managed may be why so many American women view pregnancy as a nuisance and birth as a painfully frightening ordeal. In addition, our attitudes about birth may reflect our unspoken feelings about our bodies and our sexuality. Think about the negative messages American society sends women about our bodies, pregnancy and birth.

Think about the ways that pregnancy and birth are often portrayed in the media.

What values have been passed down from our mothers and grandmothers about pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding?

Many of our mothers and grandmothers were victims of a terrifying ordeal in which they were not adequately prepared, were made to endure alone, were completely anesthetized, were without the loving support of husbands or doulas, and then were told that artificial baby milk was superior to their own. They were robbed, just like many women are today.

Think about the many lies that women have been, and are still being told.

"Once a cesarean, always a cesarean."

"Your baby is too big for you to push it out."

"You can't make enough milk."

"You must not gain more than 20lbs."

How can this legacy of fear and suffering be reversed?

Expectant mothers can take the time to explore their values and ask themselves "What do I need to happen in order to feel safe and cared for?" "How do I best deal with stress and how will I cope when things become challenging?"

The truth is that every birth, whether at home or in the hospital poses it's own set of risks. A woman should weight them all carefully and decide which environment is best suited to meet her unique needs. Many complications f pregnancy and birth can be prevented by good nutrition and a model of care that focuses on the woman's physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Midwives are the gold standard for this type of care.

Gen 49:25
Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee…..blessing of the breasts and of the womb.

Duet. 7:13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb…

Psalms 22:9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mothers breasts.

Psalms 22:10 I was cast upon thee form the womb: thou art my God from my mothers belly.

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thin heart: wait I say, on the LORD

Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalms 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.
55:22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalms 27:3 Lo children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalms 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mothers womb.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Isaiah 44:2 Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee;…

Isaiah 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee,

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according the power that worketh in us,

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Psa 22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Psa 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psa 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Psa 118:14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.

Romans 12 :2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Thank You For Inviting Me To Your Birth !

2010-08-18T12:04:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my world. A world of wonder and inspiration. A world that has forever stamped upon my heart the virtues of tenderness, compassion, courage and patience, like sealing wax. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the many experiences I have had. To be invited into the sacred space of birth by a woman is a very special thing. And every woman with whom I have allowed to be "with woman" has taught me something of immense value about the power of maternal love.

I just wanted to say "Thank-You" to all of you who have invited me to support you in birth or postpartum. What a gift you have given me !

Birth Shack BABY !

2010-08-16T17:18:00.000-04:00

In honor of my dear friend Jane who gave birth to her beautiful breech baby boy at the Farm "birth shack" pictured above. I was her doula, Ina May was her midwife. And it was magical !

If you see a faded sign by the side of the road that says
15 miles to the... Birth Shack! Birth Shack yeah
I'm headin' down the Tennesse highway,
lookin' for the birth getaway
Heading for the birth getaway, birth getaway,
I got me a bump, it's as big as a whale
and we're headin' on down
To the Birth Shack
I got me a 'Burban, it seats about 20
So hurry up and bring your midwife money

The Birth Shack is a little old place
where we can go to labor
Birth Shack baby, Birth Shack bay-bee.
Birth baby, that's where it's at,
Ooo birth baby, that's where it's at

Sign says.. Woo... stay away fools,
'cause birth rules at the Birth Shack!
Well it's set way back in the middle of a field,
Just a funky old shack and I gotta get back

Glitter on the mattress
Glitter on the highway
Glitter on the front porch
Glitter on the hallway

The Birth Shack is a little old place
where we can go to labor
Birth Shack bay-bee! Birth Shack baby!
Birth Shack, that's where it's at!
Huggin' and a kissin', dancin' and a lovin',
wearin' next to nothing
Cause it's hot as an oven
The whole shack shimmies!
The whole shack shimmies when everybody's
Movin' around and around and around and around!
Everybody's movin', everybody's groovin' baby!
Baby linin' up inside just to get down
Everybody's movin', everybody's groovin' baby
Funky little shack! Funk-y little shack!

Hop in my 'Burban,
it's as big as a whale
and it's about to set sail!
I got me a car, it seats about twenty
So c'mon and bring your midwife money.

The Birth Shack is a little old place
where we can get together
Birth Shack baby! Birth Shack bay-bee!
(Birth Shack...Birth Shack...)
Birth Shack, that's where it's at!

Bang bang bang on the door baby!
Knock a little louder baby!
Bang bang bang on the door baby!
I can't hear you
Bang bang on the door baby
Bang bang on the door
Bang bang on the door baby
Bang bang
You're what?... Ten C's ready !

Birth Shack, baby Birth Shack!
Birth Shack, baby birth Shack!
Love baby, that's where it's at
Birth Shack, baby birth Shack!
Love baby, that's where it's at
Huggin' and a kissin',
dancin' and a lovin' at the birth shack

PREGNANT WOMEN "INHERIT" SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THEIR CHILDREN

2010-08-15T13:35:00.000-04:00

PREGNANT WOMEN "INHERIT" SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THEIR CHILDREN

Researchers Make Amazing Discovery

Birthwisperer's Note : This is a summary of an article that I was given several years ago and I recently ran across it. I think it is fascinating, and wanted to share the highlights.

(Source : ZENIT.org) Researchers have discovered that expectant mothers undergo permanent changes during pregnancy, in which they "inherit" some of the characteristics of the child they are carrying and, through the child, also receive some characteristics of the baby's father.

The researchers found that the unborn child inherits half of his genetic patrimony from the mother. He also "hears" the outside world while yet in the womb, through the mother's body, which substantially conditions the unborn child's life. The research also indicated that the mother undergoes long-term changes caused by the "person" of the child and, indirectly, also from the baby's father.

Professor Salvatore Mancuso, head of the gynecology institute, said: "We have proof that beginning in the fifth week of gestation, an infinite number of messages pass from the embryo to the mother, through chemical substances like hormones, neurotransmitters, etc. This information serves to adapt the mother's body to the presence of the new being.

"Moreover, it has been discovered that the embryo sends stem cells that, thanks to the mother's immune system tolerance, colonize the maternal medulla, and adhere to it. What is more, lymphocytes are born from here and remain with the woman for the rest of her life."

Mancuso continued: "From the fifth week there is clearly a passing of cells, but messages begin at conception. Even during the first phase of cellular subdivision, when the embryo is moving in the fallopian tubes, there are transmissions through contact with tissues touched by the moving embryo.

"Later, after implantation in the uterus, the dialogue is more intense through the blood and cells, and chemical substances enter the mother's bloodstream.

"Finally, the child's stem cells pass to the mother in great quantity, both at the moment of birth, whether spontaneous or Caesarean, as well as at the time of abortion, whether spontaneous or voluntary. These cells are implanted in the mother's medulla and produce lymphocytes, which have a common origin with the cells of the central nervous system; they have receptors for the neurotransmitters and can make messages pass that the maternal nervous system understands."

He added, "An astonishing area of research is opening up. This is information of enormous importance on the first phases of life."

When asked how long the fetus' influence on the mother lasts, the professor answered: "Stem cells have been found in the mother even 30 years after the birth. It could be said, therefore, the pregnancy does not last the 40 canonical weeks, but the woman's entire life.

Regarding the transfer of the father's characteristics to the mother via the unborn child, Mancuso said, "These are areas that are yet to be explored. Of course it calls for reflection on a new way of understanding pregnancy. Also, a very close tie is undoubtedly created between man and woman, because the child has 50% of the father's genetic characteristics. Moreover, the hematopoietic [blood-producing] stem cells go to the medulla and produce offspring cells, lymphocytes and neurotransmitters with the capacity to dialogue with the maternal central nervous system. It is somewhat as though the 'thoughts' of the child pass to the mother, even many years after his birth."

Reducing Infant Mortality : This Video Contains Life Saving Information

2010-08-14T09:47:00.000-04:00

Reducing Infant Mortality from Debby Takikawa on Vimeo.

If you are an expectant mother or work with them, this very compelling film is an essential resource for you and your clients. How many babies and mothers do we have to loose before we demand lifesaving changes in maternity care?

Penny Simkin's Pregnancy, Childbirth, And The Newborn Is An Updated Classic With Special Bonus, A FREE Online Guide Chock Full Of Essential Resources

2010-08-13T10:59:00.000-04:00

It doesn't get much better than this ! Penny Simkin's updated classic text gets a makeover with an online companion guide with free worksheets to help you navigate your birth journey and arrive at your destination, fully informed and equipped for early motherhood.
Check out the free resources here and pick up your copy today !
PCN Guide

Benefits of being Skin to Skin With Your Baby

2010-08-12T08:35:00.000-04:00

This video about the many benefits of being skin to skin with your baby.

Doulas Make a Difference for Dads

2010-08-08T18:15:00.002-04:00

As a doula, I am often asked " How does a doula impact the role of my baby's father at the birth?"
This is an important question. Other doulas may answer it differently, but here are my thoughts.

One of my goals, as a doula, is to facilitate and protect the special bond between mom and dad during labor and birth, and not to interfere with their intimacy. Most couples do not understand that working through labor and birth together offers them one of the most golden opportunities to bond emotionally that they will ever have in their lives. I hope that the mother will see the father of her baby as her "hero" when all is said and done. And, I hope the father will be in complete awe at the strength and beauty of the mother of his baby as she gives birth.

Men should know that many women are comforted simply by their man's presence in the room and don't expect them to know everything about how to meet their needs. I have had many clients tell me, "I just need for him to be there, but not feel like he has to fix it for me, and I am worried that he will feel confused and anxious about what I need. That, in turn, will make me feel anxious!"

Many men do feel helpless when they see the mother of their baby in what seems like anguish. Because their nature is to be "the protector," men are often ready to give in to medical interventions in order to relieve the pain, even when those interventions may not be in the best interest of the mom or baby. They really have the best intentions, but this is often because of a lack of understanding about the process of labor and birth and the very real risks as well as benefits of certain various procedures.

Enter the doula. A doula can show a dad ways to touch and massage his partner that may relieve common discomforts of labor so that potentially harmful interventions can be minimized or eliminated altogether. A doula can reassure a dad when he hears or sees something he has never encountered before by saying "she's doing just fine, she's just vocalizing" or " It's OK, babies' heads are sometimes a little misshapen for the first few hours after birth." A doula can relieve the dad so he can use the restroom or get something to eat, or she can go get him a snack so he can stay with Mom.

When things get challenging, a doula can make suggestions to the dad about helping the mother with positioning and movement. But sometimes, the mom and dad are working together and what they are doing it is enhancing their progress. These are the times that I just hang back, sit on my hands, let my words be few and just "hold the space" for them. At some births I am very "hands on" and at others I have simply been a comforting presence, because that was all that was needed. I find that when couples feel safe and secure, they will be more able to listen to their hearts and do what comes instinctively. They will be able to ask for what they need, be it more attention, or more privacy.
Then birth just blossoms in the way that it should. I believe this builds strong, confident parents as they begin their journey together as a family.

I feel very blessed to be a doula, and have heard from many appreciative Dads who said that having me at present at the birth of their children made them feel more confident and equipped to minister to the needs of their wives and babies. This is the highest compliment I could receive.

For more information on dads and doulas, please see the following articles.

Information on dads and Doulas from doulas.com

Information on Dads and Doulas from DONA

Information on dads and Doulas from the Gentlebirth Archives

Safe Sipping for Expectant Moms

2010-07-26T10:56:00.001-04:00

It's the "dog days" of summer and where I live, near Charlotte, NC, we have been experiencing record heat. As a mom of a pregnant daughter, a doula and childbirth educator I am concerned that expectant mothers get the extra fluids they need to have a safe and healthy pregnancy.Why is hydration so important ?

Consider your expanding blood volume. In one of the amazing feats of physiology, your body will increase the amount of blood you carry around to accomodate the extra needs of your cells and your developing baby.

Straying well hyrdated affects many important body systems, such as digestion and muscle function. In fact, when you are dehydrated, you are more likely to have uterine contractions before your baby is ready to be born.

In addition, pregnancy nearly doubles the risk of heat stroke which is a life threatening condition that must be treated quickly.The symptoms of heat exhaustion include shortness of breath, dizziness and a feeling of being lightheaded coupled with a body temperature of 105 degrees. Heat stroke refers to an abnormally heightened body temperature, exacerbated by hot weather or heavy physical exertion. For pregnant women, heat stroke is a very relevant concern in summer months. Signs and symptoms of heat stroke include:
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid pulse
• Flushed skin
• Absence of sweating
• Confusion and disorientation

With any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical help immediately !

So, what's a momma to do ?

Wear light clothing, preferably in natural, breathable fibers and drink plenty of fluids. Stay out of the heat as much as possible, and if you exercise outdoors, do so in the early day or late evening when you are less likely to feel the full effects of the heat.

Choose beverages that replenish your body, such as fresh clean water with fruit essences, such as HINT Water. Or, make your own refreshing fruit water by cutting up lemons, limes, oranges, berries to a pitcher and adding cold water and chill for several hours.

Herbal fruit teas are a great choice too, as long as you are careful about how to sweeten them, if you must. Stick to honey, and natural sweeteners and avoid artificial sweeteners.

What about coffee and caffeinated beverages ? They can be dehydrating, but if you must indulge a teeny bit, here is some information for you to consider.

There is no link between moderate caffeine consumption and miscarriage or
preterm birth, according to a recently-released opinion from
the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The opinion, intended to put an end to mixed messages that
pregnant women have typically received regarding caffeine intake during
pregnancy, is published in the August 2010 edition of the ACOG
Journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. Moderate caffeine consumption is
defined as less than 200 mg per day, the amount contained in
about 12 ounces of coffee. Daily consumption of over 200 mg of caffeine
would be considered a high level of caffeine intake.
ACOG’s Committee on Obstetric Practice also reviewed scientific evidence
regarding the effect of caffeine on fetal growth. No clear evidence was
found to show that caffeine increases the risk of restricting fetal
growth. To review the ACOG Committee Opinion online, go to http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Citation/2010/08000/Committee_Opinion_No462Moderate_Caffeine.42.aspx

Help Your Unborn Child LearnThrough Sound

2010-07-14T16:46:00.001-04:00

There is a new product out called SoundBeginnings that lets parents introduce their unborn babies to music and voices through MP3 files that have been downloaded to a player and then placed in this belt that Mom wears around her belly. Here are a few articles that might be of interest :

Prenatal Memory and Learning

WOMB Music : How Will Music Affect Your Unborn Child

Research Shows Babies Recognize Music in The Womb

SoundBeginnings is a comfortable nylon/lycra blend band with built in high quality speakers to allow expectant mothers to play music, voice or soothing sounds for their unborn baby using an MP3 player.

The product comes with some safety guidelines such as not using before the third trimester, limiting use to two hours per day and others, please see the site at www.creative-baby.com for more safety guidelines and info on purchasing and using the product. Always consult with your maternity care provider before using this device.

*Birthwhisperer has not received any financial compensation for reviewing this product.

Pamper Yourself During Pregnancy With A DIY Reflexology Pedicure At Home

2010-07-07T12:12:00.000-04:00

Pampering yourself is important during pregnancy. Taking time to care for yourself will go a long way to enhance your health, both physically and emotionally. Have you ever heard the old saying "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy !"?

Personally speaking, I think there is a lot of truth to that. Just sayin'.

One of the ways that you can care for yourself during pregnancy is by pampering your feet. Many women enjoy pedicures and let's face it. When our feet look cute and feel good, we feel better all over.
But there are several things to consider from a health standpoint regarding getting a pedicure while pregnant, or anytime.

One concern is cleanliness and safety. Many spas are simply not clean. In fact, if you have ever seen one of those health reports on TV about the dangers of some nail salons, you know what I mean. Then there is the issue of noxious fumes in nail salons from women getting chemical processes applied to their nails. Inhaling these fumes during pregnancy could be dangerous and for women who are sensitive to smells and feeling nauseated, this could be torture ! Then there is the issue of cost which, during these tough economic times, may make a pedicure a luxury that many women cannot justify.

So Birthwhisperer would like to share some tips for self pampering, a great alternative to a spa pedicure that you can do at home. Of course if you can get your partner to help you, all the better !
Here is a list of what you will need :

1 common dishpan ( I get mine at the Dollar Tree )
Some smooth marbles or craft style river rocks, enough to cover the bottom of your dish pan ( Also from Dollar Tree )
1 cup Epsom Salts ( Also From Dollar Tree )
5 drops Lavender Essential Oil ( www.naturesgift.com )
2 TBS Sea Salt
1 TBS Olive Oil
1 Candle & Lighter
1 Body & Soul Pure Relaxation CD ( From Dollar Tree, or an ambient CD of your choice )
2 Soft Towels
1 comfortable chair to sit while you do your pedi.

Here's what I do.
In a small bowl, pour your salt, the olive oil and two drops of your lavender oil and mix with a spoon. Bring it to the place where you will be sitting to do your pedi. This will serve as an aromatherapy exfoliating scrub for use after you soak your feet.

Dim the lights, light the candle and start the music in the room where you will sit. Fill the dishpan with your stones or marbles. Add warm water, about 3 inches worth, the epsom salts and 3 drops of lavender oil to the water. Swish gently with your fingers to mix. Then, carefully place the prepared foot bath in front of your chair. You may want to place the dishpan on top of one of your towels. Make sure you have your towel and scrub handy to use when you are finished soaking.

Sit comfortably in the chair and slowly dip your feet in the bath. Gently roll your feet on the marbles or feel the smooth texture of the stones in the bottom. Take long, deep breaths and enjoy the serenity of the moment.
You may want to do some progressive relaxation exercises to get you prepared for using them in labor.

Start with breathing in deeply and focusing on your face. As you breathe in, tighten all of the muscles in your face and mouth and as you breathe out, progressively relax them so that by the end of your breath, they are totally relaxed. Rest, and enjoy the relaxation in your face and lips for approximately one minute, breathing normally. Then go to your neck and shoulders and repeat. Proceed throughout your entire body until you reach your feet. Take about 15-20 minutes or as long as you want.

When you are finished, take one foot out of the water and bring it up on the opposite thigh or knee ( if you can ) and apply 1/2 of your foot scrub. Rub it all over your foot to exfoliate. Put that foot back in the water and do the same to the other foot. When both feet have been exfoliated, take them out and dry them off.
Apply your favorite hand or foot cream, just make sure it is paraben free !

If you like, you can give some attention to your nails, always making sure to cut and file straight across and if you use polish, use something like this Polished-mama-pregnancy-safe-nail-polish

Here are the perfect pedi shoes to wear while your toes are drying, or anytime you want to be cool and comfy. They are the MADISON style slide from Oka b www.shoesthatloveyou.com

Remember, a pampered momma makes for a happy family.

You're welcome !

Practice Good Oral Health for a Healthy Birth

2010-06-30T12:06:00.000-04:00

About half of women experience some swelling of their gums in pregnancy. This condition, known as pregnancy gingivitis, can be the result of hormones that cause swelling of the mucous membranes in the body. It can be uncomfortable, causing slight, bleeding, redness or tenderness. However, a more advanced oral problem called periodontal disease may also affect the health of your unborn baby. Periodontal disease is a serious gum infection that left untreated destroys attachment fibers and supporting bone. But your teeth may not be the only thing you risk by ignoring your oral heath.

Some studies have shown a relationship between periodontal disease and preterm birth and low birthweight babies. They suggest that expectant women with periodontal disease may be up to seven times more likely to have a baby that's born too early or too small. A study appearing in the July issue of the Journal of Periodontology found bacteria commonly found in the mouth and associated with periodontal diseases in the amniotic fluid of some pregnant women. Amniotic fluid is a liquid that surrounds an unborn baby during pregnancy. Any disruptions in the amniotic fluid, such as a bacterial infection, could be dangerous to both the mother and baby. These findings could have an important implication for women and babies' heath since simple improvement of dental hygiene may help to reduce the incidence of unknown complications in pregnancy and newborn babies.

Periodontal disease has also been linked with cardiovascular disease. The most prevalent bacteria in the samples from the studies may have come from the vagina; however, two of the species were recognized as coming from the mouth and are not normally found elsewhere in the body. These particular bacteria, Granulicatella elegans and Streptococcus sinensis, are known to be able to enter the bloodstream and have previously been associated with infections remote from the mouth such as infective endocarditis.

As you make your way through the “to-dos,” remember to check off a visit to the dentist or periodontist. This baby step benefits you and your unborn baby.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that pregnant women eat a balanced diet, brush their teeth thoroughly with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste twice a day, and floss daily
Have preventive exams and cleanings during your pregnancy
Let your dentist know you are pregnant
NO XRAYS or Mercury Fillings
Postpone non-emergency dental work until the second trimester or until after delivery, if possible
Elective procedures should be postponed until after the delivery
Maintain healthy circulation by keeping your legs uncrossed while you sit in the dentist's chair
Take a pillow to help keep you and the baby more comfortable
Bring headphones and some favorite music

My dad was my dentist growing up, and before I because a doula and childbirth educator, I worked as a dental assistant. I will never forget my Dad's words "Only floss the teeth you want to keep !"

Please remember that your oral health is very important to your own health and the health of your baby!

Some of Birthwhisperer's favorite products for good oral health include:

Tom's Natural Toothpaste and Antiplaque Floss www.tomsofmaine.com

The Radius Intelligent Toothbrush www.radiustoothbrush.com

CDC Issues Information for Expectant Women Living Along the Gulf Coast

2010-06-28T17:11:00.001-04:00

A Web page from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued information for expectant women living along the Gulf shore who have concerns regarding the oil spill. The CDC says pregnant women should avoid the oil spill-affected areas, but claims that women will see or smell chemicals in the oil before the chemicals can harm her or her baby. Expectant women who live along the Gulf coast are advised to avoid those areas where there is oil reaching the shore. For women who are affected by the smell of the oil, which reportedly may cause headaches or nausea, the CDC advises staying indoors and setting the air conditioner to reuse indoor air and avoiding any activities that put extra demand on the lungs and heart. For more information, go to http://emergency.cdc.gov/gulfoilspill2010/2010gulfoilspill/pregnancy_oilspill.asp.

The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services Applauds NIH Support for VBAC

2010-06-27T09:25:00.000-04:00

Raleigh, NC (March 12th, 2010)—After more than a decade of discriminatory practices by hospitals, physicians, and malpractice insurance providers against women who choose to have a normal birth after a prior cesarean, the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) was extremely pleased that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has finally issued an evidence-based report that supports women who want to labor for a VBAC (vaginal birth after a prior cesarean section). Read the whole story here !
CIMS-Applauds-NIH-Support-for-VBAC

Shattering "Misconceptions" About Birth

2010-06-23T09:50:00.001-04:00

In this seven minute video, women and men talk about the differences in the medical model of birth and the holistic model, and how misconceptions about birth shape our approach to experiencing birth.

It has been said that "If you don't know what your choices are, you don't have any." That may be true enough, but I also believe that too many choices are overwhelming and can lead to denial or inertia. I believe that we need a simpler approach to thinking about them when it comes to childbirth.

In my classes, I like to focus on the biological norms of birth, long before I start talking about variations of normal, such as breech birth or things that can become problematic. Many women have heard about problems, but have not heard much about normal, beautiful, undisturbed birth.

Most women have grown up hearing horror stories about childbirth and most of what they have seen portrayed in the media with regard to birth has been very negative or frightening. My first goal is to open women up to a new "Birth Theology," if you will. Hearing the voices of women who have birthed normally, and who have emerged with a sense of accomplishment and confidence are very powerful forces, and I like to share them as often as possible. I thought this short clip was a great example, so I am sharing it today.

The New Thalidomides

2010-06-21T09:46:00.000-04:00

Recently, while on vacation in Boone, NC, I was enjoying an antique shopping adventure. I had not a care in the world, when suddenly I was reminded of the harsh realities of life. I came upon this LIFE Magazine cover from August 1962. I was born in 1958 and somehow escaped the horrors of Thalidomide. Thalidomide was sold in a number of countries across the world from 1957 until 1961 when it was withdrawn from the market after being found to be a cause of birth defects in what has been called "one of the biggest medical tragedies of modern times".

Although thalidomide was not approved for sale in the United States, millions of tablets had been distributed to physicians during a clinical testing program. It was impossible to know how many pregnant women had been given the drug to help alleviate morning sickness.
The word “phocomelia” means seal limb. It describes an extremely rare condition in which babies are born with limbs that look like flippers. The long bones of the arms fail to develop, but fingers sprout from the shoulders. In some cases, the legs fail to develop as well.
Doctors began to see more and more cases, and it turned out that a drug called thalidomide, which pregnant women were taking for morning sickness, was responsible. Magazines and newspapers ran shocking pictures of seal-limbed children, and the drug was banned in 1962. By then thousands of children, had been born with thalidomide-induced birth defects.
Today, pregnant women face many decision in the childbearing year. As a doula and childbirth educator, I have seen and read about the tragic consequences of some of those choices.
Cytotec, among others, comes to mind.
Since Cytotec was introduced in 1988, a growing number of obstetricians have embraced it as a "miracle" drug -- in spite of data that leave serious doubts about its safety. Lacking FDA approval and scientific consensus on how to use it on pregnant women, doctors have taken it upon themselves to administer Cytotec to their patients, many times without the women's informed consent. Clinical trials suggest that Cytotec is effective at "ripening" the cervix and inducing labor.
"Cytotec enables doctors to practice daylight obstetrics," says Dr. Marsden Wagner, a neonatologist who served for 15 years as a director of women's and children's health in industrialized countries for the World Health Organization. "It means that as a doctor, I can come in at 9 a.m., give you the pill, and by 6 p.m. I've delivered a baby and am home having dinner."
The Cochrane Collaboration, an international body of independent analysts and physicians that publishes widely respected assessments of drug efficacy, cites numerous reports of uterine rupture and fetal distress involving the drug. "It cannot be recommended for routine use at this stage," the group concluded last year.
Searle sent out a memo to 200,000 health care providers warning them that "Cytotec administration by any route is contraindicated in women who are pregnant because it can cause abortion." The company noted that the off-label use of Cytotec has resulted in reports of uterine rupture, hysterectomy, and the death of mothers and infants. Without informed consent women and babies are being treated as little more than human guinea pigs. Wagner, the former official with the World Health Organization, notes that Cytotec is not used to induce labor in Europe, and chides American obstetricians for what he calls "vigilante obstetrics."
How many injuries from iatrogenic causes must women and babies suffer before we wake up ?
Thalidomide was introduces 50 years ago and we are still being treated like guinea pigs even in the light of warnings from the best collection of medical and scientific evidence ever known to humankind. Please ask questions and trust your gut. YOU are the best expert of what is safe for you and your baby.

How To Use Acupressure Points To Induce Labor in Postdates Pregnancy

2010-06-16T10:50:00.000-04:00

*Please note ! Birthwhisperer shares this for your information only. Please consult with your midwife or physician before employing these self-help techniques.

Many women today face the threat of induction of labor, especially when they are being cared for by a medical provider in pregnancy. Studies have shown that due dates are arbitrary guesses, at best, and that waiting on labor to begin on it's own is the best practice for safe and healthy labor and birth. However,there are times when women may benefit from acupressure to augment natural processes, such as in the case of a stalled labor, or being past 42 weeks, or when being threatened with a medical induction, which carries far more risks to mother and baby than simple acupressure techniques as described above. Many doulas are aware of these points, and that's just one more reason to have a doula at your birth !

Breastfeeding Linked to Lower Diabetes Risk

2010-06-16T10:24:00.000-04:00

Breastfeeding Linked to Lower Diabetes Risk

An Australian study may show a link between formula feeding and higher diabetes rates among mothers. The study included 53,726 women over age 45. Among those who had never had children, the rate of type 2 diabetes was roughly 5 percent. Women who breastfed each child for more than three months, the rate of diabetes was about 5 percent. Women who had children but had never breastfed, the rate of type 2 diabetes was almost double, 9.5 percent. Among those who started formula before three months, approximately 7 percent said they had diabetes. Read more in this news article .

This Just In : Another study confirms that Vaginal Birth After Cesarean is a Reasonable Choice

2010-06-14T09:53:00.004-04:00

STUDY: VAGINAL BIRTH AFTER CESAREAN
A study in the June edition of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology reviews evidence about maternal and neonatal outcomes relating to vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). The authors identified relevant studies from multiple searches of MEDLINE, DARE and the Cochrane databases (1980 to September 2009) and recent systematic reviews, reference lists, editorials, Web sites and experts. Overall, there were low rates of maternal harm for both trial of labor and elective repeat cesarean delivery. Maternal mortality rates were higher for elective repeat cesarean delivery at 0.013% compared with 0.004% for trial of labor. Rates of maternal hysterectomy, hemorrhage and transfusions were similar for both trial of labor and elective repeat cesarean delivery. Perinatal mortality was increased for trial of labor (0.13% compared with 0.05% for elective repeat cesarean delivery. The study authors concluded that VBAC is a reasonable choice for the majority of wome
n, since adverse outcomes were rare. To access the full study online, go to http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Fulltext/2010/06000/Vaginal_Birth_After_Cesarean__New_Insights_on.25.aspx.

Available Online: New RSV Video for Parents

2010-06-10T08:16:00.000-04:00

Available Online: New RSV Video for Parents
Children's Hospital St. Louis is sharing a new, web-based, two-minute informational video about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In addition to identifying the signs and symptoms of RSV, the video offers prevention tips with useful information. Premature infants are at a greater risk for developing life-threatening complications of RSV, a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. View the video and learn more about RSV on the hospital's "What is RSV" page
or visit the CDC website here : http://www.cdc.gov/rsv/

Breastfeeding Shown To Decrease Incidence of Fever After Immunization

2010-06-09T22:54:00.000-04:00

A recent study conducted at a vaccination center in Naples, Italy evaluated the effects of breastfeeding on the risk for fever after routine immunization. Mothers of babies scheduled to receive routine immunizations were instructed how to measure and record infant temperature on the evening of the vaccination and the next three days. Information about the incidence of fever was gathered by telephone on the third day after vaccination. 450 infants were included in the study. Fever was reported for 25% of infants who were exclusively breastfed, 31% of infants who were partially breastfed and 53% of those who were not breastfed. The authors of this study noted that the protection that breastfeeding provided “persisted even when considering the role of several potential confounders.” They conclude that, in this study, breastfeeding was shown to be associated with decreased incidence of fever following immunization. To read the study online, go to http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-1911v1.

Childbirth And Spirituality

2010-06-07T13:18:00.000-04:00

A new study has examined childbirth and spirituality. The study, which appears in the spring edition of the Journal of Perinatal Education, shows that there may be a role for spiritual beliefs in the clinical assessment of women having babies. The authors recommend that caregivers ask mothers, “Do you have any spiritual beliefs that will help us better care for you?” during their clinical assessment. Researchers conducted a secondary analysis of published and unpublished narrative data collected over the past 20 years from 250 culturally diverse women. Themes in the study included: childbirth a as a time to grow closer to God, the use of religious beliefs and rituals as powerful coping mechanisms, and childbirth as a time to make religion more meaningful. To access the full study online, go to Childbirth & Spirituality Study.

Acupuncture in Pregnancy Podcast

2010-06-05T10:10:00.000-04:00

Acupuncture in Pregnancy Podcast

Acupuncture is a drug-free therapy well suited to pregnancy. It has a high degree of patient satisfaction, and an increasing body of evidence supporting efficacy for a range of common pregnancy complaints.

Conditions which may be effectively treated include morning sickness, backache, insomnia, hemorrhoids and exhaustion. Treatment of pelvic girdle pain with acupuncture can be effective in just a few sessions, a condition for which allopathic medicine offers little help.

There is growing interest and supporting evidence for the use of moxibustion to encourage babies in the breech position to spontaneously turn to a cephalic presentation, to avoid an elective cesarean section. Moxibustion involves heating an acupuncture point at the corner of the little toe (Bl 67) twice a day for 7-10 days.

Acupuncture may be safely used in pregnancy, although it is important to avoid contraindicated acupuncture points and points that may induce the onset of labor before term.

Similarly, babies have benefited greatly from treatment of common conditions such as colic, vomiting, poor sleep, teething and eczema.

To access this and other MIDIRS podcasts visit www.midirs.org/podcast.

Lyndsey's Journey To VBAC

2010-06-04T19:28:00.001-04:00

My Journey to a VBAC from Lindsey Meehleis on Vimeo.

If a picture paints a thousand words, then this says it ALL.

I am Kathryn. I am a Doula. I make a Difference.

2010-06-04T09:13:00.002-04:00

I am Kathryn. I am a doula. I make a difference, a beautiful, vital difference.
I can take the hand of a woman who has not yet walked the path of labor and giving birth, and I can say will all sincerity "I know it is overwhelming. I know it's hard. Every birth is unique, but there are things that every woman who has given birth before have in common. I have walked my own paths path of labor and birth, and I will walk yours with you now. I can show you some of the ledges and roadblocks, and I know some detours. Look into my eyes and know that I have personally experienced many of the things you are feeling right now and I can completely sympathize with you. I have felt the power of babies moving through and out of my own body and into my arms. I have nursed babies at my breast. You are not alone in what you are feeling. I will not leave you. Come now, and let's walk this path together."

Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy Associated With Impaired Fetal Length

2010-06-03T09:31:00.001-04:00

Caffeine intake of 6 or more units per day during pregnancy is associated with impaired fetal length growth, according to the results of a cohort study reported online April 28 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

"Caffeine is a widely used and accepted pharmacologically active substance," write Rachel Bakker, from Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and colleagues from the Generation R Study. "The effect of caffeine intake during pregnancy on fetal growth and development is still unclear."

The goal of the study was to evaluate the associations of maternal caffeine intake from coffee and tea with fetal growth measured during each trimester of pregnancy and with the risks for adverse birth outcomes. From 2001 to 2005, a total of 7346 pregnant women in the Netherlands participated in a population-based prospective cohort study from early pregnancy onward.

Questionnaires were used to determine coffee and tea consumption in the first, second, and third trimesters. Serial ultrasound studies allowed determination of fetal growth characteristics, and hospital record review allowed determination of birth outcomes.

A regular serving of 125 mL of coffee in the Netherlands contains approximately 90 mg of caffeine (caffeinated), decaffeinated coffee contains 3 mg, and tea contains 45 mg per 125-mL serving. This was used as the standard for calculation of daily caffeine consumption. Each unit of caffeine exposure was based on 1 cup of coffee (90 mg of caffeine), and total caffeine intake was categorized as less than 2 units, 2 to 3.9 units, 4 to 5.9 units, and 6 or more units per day.

Caffeine consumption was not consistently associated with fetal head circumference or with estimated fetal weight in any trimester. In contrast, higher caffeine consumption was associated with smaller first-trimester crown-rump length, second- and third-trimester femur length, and birth length (P for trend < .05). The risk of having a small-for-gestational-age infant at birth was increased in mothers who consumed at least 6 caffeine units per day.

"Our results suggest that caffeine intake of ≥6 units/d during pregnancy is associated with impaired fetal length growth," the study authors write. "Caffeine exposure might preferentially adversely affect fetal skeletal growth. Further studies are needed to assess these associations in non-European populations and to assess the postnatal consequences."

Limitations of this study include observational design with possible residual confounding; and missing data on coffee and tea consumption, which may have led to loss of power.
"Length- or skeletal-related fetal growth characteristics seemed to be most consistently affected from the first trimester onward," the study authors conclude. "Further structural and functional studies are needed to assess organ-specific effects. Our results suggest that pregnant women should be advised to not consume ≥6 caffeine units (.540 mg) per day during pregnancy."

The Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Erasmus University Rotterdam, and the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) financially supported the first phase of the Generation R Study. One of the study authors was supported by the Netherlands Organization for Health Research. Am J Clin Nutr. Published online April 28, 2010.

Birth Takes Time !

2010-05-31T08:19:00.000-04:00

Birthwhisperer finds it mildly amusing that it takes an MD, PhD to explain what midwives and women have known for years, BIRTH TAKES TIME !

Friedman's Curve, the so-called gold standard for rates of cervical dilation and fetal descent during active labor, was developed almost 50 years ago, and is a completely worthless and obsolete method of defining safe and healthy labor. Every labor and birth are unique and women should be given adequate time to allow their labors to unfold and progress at their own pace. Every obstetrician should heed the words of their colleague on this video. And when it is time for your baby to be born, don't let anyone rush you. Trust birth.

Pain vs Suffering In Labor & Birth

2010-05-28T08:41:00.000-04:00

In this video, Doula and author Penny Simkin contrasts the concepts of pain and suffering in labor and birth. When I teach prepared childbirth classes, I like to talk about how labor often involves "pain with a purpose." Pain in labor signals the mother that it is time to get to a safe place to birth. If the mother is open to the sensations of labor and tunes in to her body, the pain of labor can help to guide her in moving and assuming certain postures that facilitate the process of labor, helping the baby descend through her pelvis. Pain is purposeful.

Pain in labor can be anticipated. Since you know it is coming, you can plan your strategy by choosing your favorite coping techniques. Many women find that massage, movement, visualization, relaxation and hydrotherapy work very well. Experiment and find what works for you,

The pain of labor is intermittent. You have periods of relaxation between contractions. In active labor, there are about 15 minutes of contractions and 45 minutes of rest per hour. Maximizing the periods of rest are key to avoiding fatigue in labor.

And finally, pain in labor is completely normal. Because we think of pain as being associated with injury or illness, it can help to reframe the way be think about pain in labor. Birth is a normal physiological process of the female body. Nothing is wrong or abnormal. Just as there is some discomfort associated with running a marathon, so is there with giving birth. If we work with our body's signals and surrender to the process, we can prevent pain from turning into suffering.

YOU have a choice !

2010-05-27T08:51:00.001-04:00

Hear the voices of birthing families talk about the choices they made for their births and why they made them. Contrast that with the information that the L&D nurse shares in the beginning of the video.
Is birth a medical event or a normal physiological process ?
Is pregnancy a pathological state or a healthy state of being ?
Are birthing women passive victims of labor, or can they be powerful, present and in control ?
You have a choice.

Happy International Day of the Midwife !

2010-05-26T08:40:00.000-04:00

It's International Midwife Day, and sadly, here in the state of NC, women do not yet have legal access to a Certified Professional Midwife. The above video was made by women in Alabama to raise awareness about the need for access to a qualified attendant for out of hospital birth. Studies have shown that home birth with a trained midwife is as safe or even safer than hospital birth. In my town, women enter a hospital to give birth and 42% of them have their babies surgically delivered and if they conceive again, they are denied access to a VBAC, or Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, even though studies show it is safer than a repeat cesarean.

I hope that the climate is better in your community, but if it isn't make your voice heard and demand the quality of care you deserve.

Every Woman Deserves a Doula

2010-05-25T11:01:00.001-04:00

Since May is "doula month" I have posted another video offering that highlights the value of having a doula for your birth. A doula is the only person, besides a woman's partner, who is there just for her. The doula provides continuous support from start to finish. She doesn't change shifts. She doesn't have other patients to care for. She is completely and utterly focused on you.

A great doula is a benefit to the other members of the birth team as well. Since she does not provide a clinical role, she frees the medical team to focus on the clinical aspects of their roles. She helps to make the mother calm and comfortable.
She facilitates communication between the mother and her clinical caregivers.

I hope you will consider giving birth with a doula, because when you are supported and cared for, you will be better equipped to care for your new baby.

What DO DOULAS Do ?

2010-05-24T09:26:00.008-04:00

Doulas give support.

What is Support ? Support is unconditional. Support is letting a woman know that you are there for her, and that your acceptance of her does not depend on your expectation of her behavior or choices.

Support is listening, and not offering advice unless you are asked. Support is helping a woman work through her own feelings, emotions and choices at her own pace.

Support is caring, offering a touch, a hug, a smile. Support is showing you care in personalized ways, like finding out what makes her feel safe and cared for, or making her favorite food.

Support is helping women identify their options, not telling them which options to take.

Support is helping women discover their own God-given abilities and strengths in birth. Support is reaffirming a woman's value as a beautifully unique creature who has been gifted and equipped by a loving God to give birth to her baby.

Support is reminding women that they can make informed choices about the environment in which they will give birth, and the the caregivers who will attend her.

Support is sharing your knowledge and experience with compassion and sincerity.

Support is what Doulas do !

Kathleen Kendall-Tacket talks about Breastfeeding Made Simple

2010-05-22T09:11:00.000-04:00

In this fascinating interview, Dr. Kendall-Tackett talks about the Seven Natural Laws of Breastfeeding and how to keep it simple !

Listen Now

Get Me Out : A History of Childbirth from the Garden of Eden to the Sperm Bank

2010-05-21T09:24:00.000-04:00

Randi Hutter Epstein, MD has done a fabulous job of cataloging a brief and bizarre history of birth in Western Civilization.

Did you know that :

There was a time in the 1900's when feminists demanded their right to be completely knocked out with drugs for delivery ?

History bears clues about how women and their doctors view health and disease ?

In 1522, a German doctor was sentanced to death when he was caught dressing as a woman and sneaking into the delivery room ?

In 16th century France, pregnant women rarely left the house after dark because they were told that if they looked up at the moon, their babies would become lunatics or sleepwalkers ?

That Soranus was a famous Greek physician who wrote the definitive book on gynecology in the second century that became THE leading text for the next thousand years ?

Many of the earliest women's health books were written by MONKS, the very people that you would think would have the least use for such information ?

That the blockbuster pregnancy guide of the Middle Ages was penned by Dr. Eucharius Rosslin, a government doctor who was responsible for licensing midwives. No matter that he never saw a baby born, he published a book called "The Rode Garden for Women & Midwives" published in 1513 and translated into at least five languages. it was a best seller for 200 years. In it, he wrote this poem:

"I'm talking about the midwives all

Whose heads are empty as a hall

And through their dreadful negligence

Cause babies' deaths deviod of sense

So thus we see far and about

Official murder, there's no doubt"

That Peter Chamberlen, the inventor of forceps published, in 1647, a diatribe against midwives called "Voice in Rhama, The Crie of Women and Children" claiming that midwives were ignorant and wreaked havock on childbirth. After he retired from being an obstetrician, her hid the original Cahmberlin forceps under the floor of his country mansion, trying to preserve the secret, forever.

That Italians invented the silliest device of all, do-it-yourself-forceps. The fad never took off...

That in 1836 The Lancet, a British medical journal claimed that rotten breastmilk leaked down and caused the deaths of thousands of women who were really dying of childbed fever, an infection caused by doctors going from woman to woman in maternity wards and not washing their hands.

These amazing tidbits don't even begin to scratch the surface of the wealth of "truth is stranger than fiction" in this fascinating book. If you have any interest in how modern maternity care came to be, this book will perplex, shock and entertain you, Birthwhisperer promises !

Whether you are an expectant woman or a birth professional, this book will not disappoint. I think it would make for a great documentary film.

Maternal Deaths On The Rise In The US And Canada, While Decreasing in Other Countries

2010-05-20T10:02:00.001-04:00

Maternal mortality data show accelerated decreases in China, Egypt, Ecuador, and Bolivia, but very alarming increases in the United States, Canada according to the results of a database analysis reported online April 12 in The Lancet.
In the United States, there was an increase of 42% from 12 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 17 in 2008, which is more than double the rate in the United Kingdom, 3-fold the rate in Australia, and 4-fold the rate in Italy.

Carol Sakala, PhD, MSPH, Director of Programs for Childbirth Connection, and co-author of Evidence-Based Maternity Care, spoke with Medscape (www.medscape.com ) about childbirth in the United States, and the Transforming Maternity Care project.

Medscape: Although many women say they want a "natural" birth, most still choose obstetricians for maternity care, rather than midwives or family-practice physicians. Do you think that women are adequately informed about the differences between the obstetrician's view and the midwife's view of birth?
Dr. Sakala: Differences do exist in the practice styles of obstetricians, family physicians, and midwives. It is also important to recognize that practice style can vary greatly within these groups. It's a complicated situation. Consideration must also be given to differences in the make-up of their respective case loads.
That said, most childbearing women are healthy and at low risk and have good reason to expect an uncomplicated childbirth. In the Milbank report, we support providing "effective care with least harm." For healthy women and newborns, this means avoiding invasive interventions with potential adverse effects whenever possible; and promoting, protecting, and supporting women's and newborns' innate capacity for birth, breastfeeding, and attachment.
However, the present maternity care system has quite a few incentives for technology-intensive childbirth. As a result, 6 of the 10 most common hospital procedures are performed on the largely healthy population of childbearing women and newborns. We know from our national Listening to Mothers surveys that this style of childbirth is now the norm for nearly all women who give birth in US hospitals.

Medscape: If you had a wish for the future of maternity healthcare, what would it be?
Dr. Sakala: I’d like to answer this question by paraphrasing the final paragraph from the Transforming Maternity Care Vision paper, and I encourage Medscape readers to read that paper and the blueprint as well, and consider becoming involved in blueprint implementation.
In describing the vision, the Vision Team says that:

The 2020 Vision for a High-Quality, High-Value Maternity Care System will be actualized through concerted multi-stakeholder efforts ensuring that all women and babies are served by a maternity care system that delivers safe, effective, timely, efficient, equitable, woman- and family-centered maternity care. The US will rank at the top among industrialized nations in key maternal and infant health indicators, and will achieve global recognition for its transformative leadership.

It is the opinion of Birthwhisperer, that the failure of every community in the US to ensure that women have access to practitioners who practice the according to a midwifery model vs a medical model
is much to blame for the fact that many more women are dying in pregnancy and birth.

When choosing a maternity care giver, give careful consideration to whether or not he or she views pregnancy and birth as normal healthy physiological states, as opposed to the view that they are states of being, fraught with dangers from which a woman should be medically "delivered."

As a clever women once said "Pizza is delivered, grapefruit is sectioned, but women give birth !"

Birthwhisperer's Top Picks for Spring Maternity Footwear

2010-05-02T17:49:00.002-04:00

As a Certified Integrative Reflexologist, I know the importance of what my mother's generation called "sensible shoes." I cringe when I see pregnant women, waddling around on heels and platforms. During pregnancy, our center of gravity is changed, and walking around in heels can pose a serious risk to your health. It's easier to trip and fall, and the hormonal changes that occur make our joints hyper-mobile, which means we are more prone to injuries from sprains and strains.
In addition to these changes, pregnant moms tend to hold some extra fluid in the feet and legs because of an expanded blood volume around 28 weeks of pregnancy. This can be especially true in the summer months. Many women find it hard to wear shoes that are comfortable when they are in a non-pregnant state.

I would like to share three styles of shoes that I think might fit the bill for a summer pregnancy.

The first two styles are by by ecco. I personally own them both. And I love them !

This one is the ecco "Wave" sandal in black. Mine are black and have three straps across the top instead of the two shown here. They come in brown and black. They are much cuter on your foot than they look in this photo. They are adjustable in the heel and ankle and toe with velcro for a totally custom fit. The first time I tried them on, they felt totally broken in ! They retail for 79.99.

This is the "Yucatan Performance Sandal", also by ecco. I have these in brown/pink but they come in several color combos. These shoes are the best feeling shoe I have EVER put on my feet. Like the "Wave" pictured above in black, these are totally customizable in the heel, ankle and toe with velcro. And also, this photo makes them look much "clunkier" than they really are. The look really great on your feet, and you can walk around all day and be incredibly comfortable and sure footed because they have a non skid sole. They retail for $130.00 and are worth every penny.

The third shoe I want to mention is by OKAb. I am not a huge thong or flip-flop fan, but if you are addicted to them, this shoe may work well for you. They are absolutely adorable, and OKAb was kind enough to send me a sample of the "Lucy" style to review.

They come in a variety of colors. Mine are dark grey with the mother of pearl/shell flower motif, like these have. They have great arch support, and while probably not sturdy enough for a long walk, these would be a great "date" shoe if you weren't planning to be on your feet much. They retail for $40.00.

Check out www.ecco.com and www.shoesthatloveyou.com for more information on how to purchase these, and other wonderful shoes. Now you know the secret to happy, healthy and adorable feet for your summer pregnancy !

Momma Friendly Swimwear

2010-04-25T14:16:00.002-04:00

While on my never ending quest for "momma-friendly" products, I was introduced to these fantastic garments and immediately thought "Where have you been all my life?"

For those of us who are not quite bikini ready, or wouldn't wear one anyway because of modesty,

girltrunks were designed for the everyday woman in mind. For the newly postpartum and breastfeeding Mom, girltrunks are a great alternative to a swimsuit that rides up in all the wrong places and doesn't properly accommodate an abundant, lactating bosom. But really, girltrunks are a great solution for moms in any season of life !

"girltrunks will forever change the way you look and feel at the pool, the beach, the gym or on the go."

Indeed, they will.

girltrunks’ bottoms combine quick-drying polyamide material with a mesh lining. They are available in two lengths so YOU can choose how much, or how little, of your legs you want to show. You won’t find side pockets on these trunks as they were designed to flatter a woman’s body with a more tailored look.

Above, you see the 'long on short" option, which has an 11 inch inseam for a little more coverage.

And here, you see the "meet me in the middle" option with a 7 inch inseam.

The tops are great too. There are two options, the halter and the tank and both are available in the black and white or the polka dot print. Trunks and tops are sold separately, for a customized fit. While a bit pricey, the bottoms are 79.00 and the tops are 59.00, they are superior in quality and design.

I was sent some samples to review, in my size. I chose the "long on short" with the halter top in black and white and I was really impressed with the fit, and attention to detail. The great thing about this swimwear is that it can take you straight from the pool or the beach to out to lunch or the grocery store without skipping a beat, and to a busy Mom, this is a dream come true.

You can move about freely without having to wonder if something is showing that shouldn't be, or worrying about your swimsuit bottom giving you a wedgie. I think the design would also be very conducive to breastfeeding at the pool or on the beach because the trunks are separate from the tops.

Birthwhisperer is all about finding simple, safe and healthy solutions for mothers and this one passed our scrutiny with flying colors.

They also come with an unconditional 30 day money back guarantee !

Check them out at www.mygirltrunks.com

*Birthwhisperer does not receive payment for product endorsements and only endorses products that have been found to be of superior quality and value.

Momma friendly body shapers !

2010-04-18T10:26:00.001-04:00

Birthwhisperer is back, after a short hiatus, with the skinny on momma friendly shapewear. It is no secret that becoming a mother changes everything, not the least of which is our bodies. And just as it takes many months to grow a baby, it can take a while to return to our previous states of being. Some of us remain forvever altered, but we can be proud of what our bodies have accomplished through the heroic act of giving birth !

As we transition to our new physiques, it can be helpful to have some foundation garments that "batten down the hatches", if you get my drift. Sometimes we just don't want to too much jiggling going on. And if we have had a cesarean, our tummies may need tender loving care, in the form of gentle support.
In light of all that, I want to share two products that I have found to be extremely helpful, even though I am 19 years postpartum !

The first is ASSETS by Sara Blakely. The photo above shows a woman wearing the footless tights while obviously pregnant. They are so comfortable and give great control without strangling you. They do NOT do that annoying "roll at the waist thing" and come in many different lengths, from thigh length to the style you see here. I love the "Lucky Leggings" style and wear them year round. They are designed by the same woman who designed SPANX but are a little more affordable. I buy mine at Target.

The next product that I have tried is the Kymaro body shaper.

They make upper foundation garments ( like the one pictured here ) and lowers, similar to the one pictured above. I think the quality is very good, although I prefer the first product I reviewed. I think the Kymaro is a little lighter in the control factor, but if that is what you are looking for, this may be the product for you. The Kymaro may be more comfortable in warmer weather.

I hope to be reviewing more apparel for mothers in the coming weeks. Stay tuned !
I have not received any compensation for this endorsement, although I did receive a sample of the Kymaro garments to review.

Infant Massage and Preemie Baby Brain Development

2010-03-01T18:03:00.000-05:00

Among the often-heard benefits of infant massage is its special benefits for preterm infants. But what does the research say about infant massage for preemies? For the first time, body massage has been shown to affect brain development in human infants, and tactile stimulation has been shown to influence visual development in these babies.

A study pulished in the May Journal of Neuroscience Massage Study,

finds that massage accelerates brain development and the maturation of visual functioning in preterm babies. The research team, working with a cohort of preterm Italian infants with a gestational age between 30 and 33 weeks, found that EEG maturation, as well as visual system development, was accelerated in the massaged infants, compared to their non-massaged control group. Larger studies will be needed to replicate these findings.

Relax with the Lounge Doctor !

2010-02-22T20:29:00.001-05:00

Now here's a doctor I want an appointment with every day !

I received a sample of this product to review, and this is not a paid endorsement.

I receive a lot of products to sample and some of them do not warrant a mention, as I am very exacting, and concerned about quality and value.

I give this product a hearty recommendation. It is great for a mom's tired legs, whether pregnant, postpartum, or in my case weary after chasing around the grandbaby.

Check it out at :

www.loungedoctor.com

Acupuncture May Be An Effective Treatment of Depression in Pregnant Women

2010-02-17T19:04:00.000-05:00

Acupuncture might be an effective method of treating depression in pregnant women, according to a study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 30th Annual Meeting.

Approximately 10% of women who are pregnant have clinical depression. Of those, 20% experience worsened symptoms during pregnancy. Although this rate of depression is similar to that of postpartum and nonpregnant women, concerns about using antidepressants leave pregnant women with few alternatives.

George Macones, MD, MSCE, chair of the Ob/Gyn department at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and program chair of the SMFM conference who reviewed the study abstract for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said the findings are too premature to advise any patient to discontinue medication during pregnancy. But, in an interview with Medscape Ob/Gyn and Women's Health, Dr. Macones said he would offer acupuncture as an option to women with unmedicated depression.
"If a patient said, 'I'm really reluctant to start a medication, is there anything else you could offer to me?' I probably would be willing to discuss acupuncture with someone in that group," Dr. Macones said.

Breastfeeding Made Simple

2010-02-05T13:30:00.000-05:00

I want to share a wonderful resource with you. It's a website called:

Breastfeeding Made Simple

Oh, how I would have loved this resource when I was a new mom with postpartum brain fog. Actually, today I still prefer the "quick and dirty down to earth" way of learning. Give me the "must know" info before you start filling in the other details. That's what this site and book by the same name does.

There is a "motherlode" of great info on the site, including the very important topic of post birth trauma and how to cope and get help.

Study Shows that Many Women Do Not Understand the Importance of the Last Few Weeks of Pregnancy to a Baby's Health

2010-01-29T09:59:00.000-05:00

Recently a study was done to estimate women’s understanding of the definition of full term and the gestational age at which it is safe to deliver a baby.

A national sample of 650 insured women, who had recently given birth, were surveyed about their beliefs related to the meaning of "full term" and the safety of delivery.

Twenty-four percent of women surveyed considered a baby of 34–36 weeks of gestation to be full term, and 50.8% believed full term to occur at 37–38 weeks of gestation. Only 25.2% considered full term to occur at 39–40 weeks of gestation.

In response to, “What is the earliest point in pregnancy that it is safe to deliver the baby, should there be no other medical complications requiring early delivery?” 51.7% choose 34–36 weeks of gestation, and 40.7% choose 37–38 weeks of gestation, while only 7.6% choose 39–40 weeks of gestation.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that elective deliveries not occur before 39 weeks of gestation. However, many women believe that full term is reached before 37 weeks of gestation, and most believe full term occurs before 39 weeks of gestation.

Nearly half believe it is safe to deliver before 37 weeks of gestation, and almost all believe it is safe to deliver before 39 weeks of gestation. The data reported here suggest that many women believe that term is reached early and that a safe delivery does not require waiting to 39 weeks of gestation.

This is a major problem, because many babies are born before they are ready to meet the world.

Perinatal educators should make it a priority to help women understand that, in normal pregnancies, labor should begin on it's own.
Heathy Birth Practice #1

Choose LIFE

2010-01-22T10:19:00.000-05:00

I am the woman on the video who made a sad and misinformed choice to abort my first baby. It is the biggest regret of my life. I have spent the last 25 years helping other women make informed decisions about pregnancy and birth and I would be remiss not to include this information. Many women have abortions for everyone else, their boyfriends or husbands, or their parents. Some women have been coerced into decisions they would have never made, had they had support, love, acceptance and practical help to continue the pregnancy and parent their children or release them for adoption to loving families.

Women need to know that there are ramifications to choosing abortion. For many, there are physical and emotional consequences that last for many years, even for a lifetime. Abortion can seriously impact your next experience of pregnancy and birth. Some women have never been able to conceive again. All women who have experienced abortion need skilled maternity caregivers who understand their special needs.

if you are silently suffering from a loss of a baby through abortion, please seek help. Email me at blueridgediva@gmail.com and let me help you find it in your area.

For more information on how a previous abortion can impact your pregnancy and birth, please see my article here:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7576/is_200909/ai_n42043462/

You Should Eat & Drink What You Choose During Labor, According to the Best Studies

2010-01-21T16:03:00.000-05:00

You should be allowed to eat and drink what you want during labor, say Cochrane Researchers. They carried out a systematic review of studies examining the practice of restricting food and fluid intake during labor and found no evidence for any risk for healthy women.

For many years eating and drinking during labor was thought to be dangerous and most obstetricians restricted what women in were allowed to eat and drink, due to concerns about fatal damage to the lungs caused by “Mendelson’s syndrome”, where regurgitated food is inhaled under general anesthesia during Cesarean sections.

The Cochrane Systematic Review, which included five studies and a total of 3130 women, looked at the evidence for restricting food and drink in women who were considered unlikely to need general anesthesia. They found no evidence of any risk associated with eating or drinking.

“Since the evidence shows no harms, there is no justification for restriciting eating and drinking by women who are at low risk of complications,” said lead researcher Mandisa Singata, who is based at the East London Hospital Complex in East London, South Africa. “Women should be able to make their own decisions about whether they want to eat or drink during labor, or not.”

Full citation: Singata M, Tranmer J, Gyte GML. Restricting oral fluid and food intake during labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD003930. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003930.pub2.

BIRTH Stories, Panel One

2010-01-19T10:23:00.000-05:00

This collection of twelve 3x3 inch beaded motifs is, I hope, the first of many more. The collection started as a way for women to express their feelings or experiences of pregnancy and birth in a time when there is a huge women's health crisis in maternity care.

The artsists and titles, starting from the upper left corner and working down from left to right are:

Diana Mains Welte "Baby Bump, Cherish the Gift"

Paula Motsinger Meyncke "Placenta Heart"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "My Body Rocks"

Diana Mains Welte "Here We Go"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "Labor Spiral"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "Doulas Know Squat"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "I Can VBAC"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "PUSH"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "A Cruel Cut"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "Episiotomy V-Section WHY?"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "BabyMoon"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "Peace on Earth Begins At Birth"

As an artist, a birth activist and conference speaker I plan to use this panel, and the others to follow, to raise awareness about the need for transparency and reform in maternity care. If you would like to contribute a square to this project, please leave a comment and I will give you more information on how you can participate.

Unwind your Body/Mind with Watsu During Pregnancy

2010-01-19T09:38:00.000-05:00

Watsu, a portmanteau of water and shiatsu, is a form of body massage performed while lying in warm water (around 35 °C or 95 °F). The receiver of Watsu treatment is continuously supported by the therapist while he or she rocks and gently stretches the body. Because it is performed in the water, the body is free to be manipulated and stretched in ways impossible while on the land.
The benefits of water therapy for the expectant mother are many, including deep relaxation, the ability to tone and stretch the muscles and joints in a gentle manner with lower risk for injury, less edema, the practice of learning trust, less anxiety, better sleep, improved immune response and pain and tension release.
To find a qualified Watsu practitioner, go here :
http://www.watsu.com/practitioners.html

All Cesareans, Needed or Not, Put Women at Greater Risk of Serious Complications Including Death

2010-01-18T09:54:00.001-05:00

Whether medically necessary or not, the latest information from WHO is that all cesareans “put women at increased risk of adverse events, including death. Any operative procedure increased the maternal mortality and morbidity index (defined as blood transfusion, hysterectomy, internal iliac artery ligation, or death or ICU admission) to a greater extent than spontaneous delivery”.

Thee US c-section rate is 31.8%, half of those being elective procedures, and that rate continues to rise. WHO recommends “optimal cesarean section rates” to be between five and ten percent, with greater risks for women in countries whose percentages rise above 15.

Why are more and more mothers in the US delivering their babies via c-sections given the risks or morbidity and mortality? Childbirth Connection offers the following reasons:

Low priority of enhancing women’s own abilities to give birth
Side effects of common labor interventions
Refusal to offer the informed choice of vaginal birth
Casual attitudes about surgery and cesarean sections in particular
Limited awareness of harms that are more likely with cesarean section
Providers’ fears of malpractice claims and lawsuits
Incentives to practice in a manner that is efficient for providers

To learn how to prevent an unnecessary cesarean, go to this link, Mothers Advocate, and print the free booklet on how to have a safe and healthy birth. Your life may depend on it.
Mothers Advocate FREE Print Materials

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for a Safe and Healthy Birth

2010-01-12T09:39:00.000-05:00

Chiropractic care can help a woman's body prepare for a safe and healthy birth. This four minute video from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, discusses how it can help. The ICPA's mission statement:
Engaging and serving family chiropractors worldwide through education, training, and research, establishing evidenced based practice, excellence in professional skills and unity in a global community which cooperatively and passionately participates in advancing chiropractic for both the profession and the public.
You can find a practitioner here: http://icpa4kids.com/index.php

Choosing Thomas

2010-01-11T10:26:00.000-05:00

Sometimes when you make the most difficult choice, you get the greatest joy as a reward. This is a very bittersweet story about unconditional love. It is very emotional, so please be advised that this is the very raw and real story of the birth and passing of a little baby boy with a genetic birth defect. His parents remarkable love and joy in the midst of unspeakable sorrow is amazing to behold. I believe every life is precious and significant. Many families are confronted with unexpected outcomes in pregnancy, and this is one such story.

Bad Birth Feng Shui = "Stripping Membranes"

2010-01-06T10:02:00.000-05:00

Bad Birth Feng Shui = "Stripping Membranes"

feng· shui

The Chinese practice of choosing and arranging work and living spaces to promote balance, comfort, etc., as in locating building sites or placing furniture.

For the sake of this entry today, "Birth Feng Shui" refers to choosing and maternity care practices and strategies to promote balance, the flow of positive energy, normalcy and health in the birth process.

Today I have taken excerpts from a handout I found, and added my own comments, in parenthesis. here we go :

"Stripping" membranes, is a (barbaric, medieval) method used to try to start labor. The health care provider sticks her or his finger into the cervix -- the mouth of the uterus -- and uses the finger to separate the bag of water from the side of the uterus near the cervix. It is done (often without your prior consent) in the office during a regular pelvic exam. (which is an excellent reason to avoid them like the plague until 42 weeks )

Hormones are released when the bag of water is separated from the uterus. These hormones may (or may not) soften the cervix and prepare the uterus to contract. It may (or may not) start contractions and help the cervix open. (or it may hurt like H-E- Double Hockey Sticks and do little else)

Your health care provider may "strip" your membranes if he or she feels that continuing the pregnancy is dangerous for your health or your infant's health. Sometimes membrane "stripping" is done to prevent you from going past 42 weeks of pregnancy.

Your health care provider may offer (or may commence to do it without offering) to "strip" your membranes one time. Or your provider may offer to "strip" your membranes every week when you come into the office. If it is very important that you start labor, your health care provider may see you every 2 days in the office and "strip" your membranes each time. (Oh GOODY.)

Having your membranes stripped will not put you into labor right away. It may not put you into labor at all. If you do have your membranes "stripped," expect to be uncomfortable and slightly crampy during the procedure. You might feel mild cramps or contractions for up to 24 hours after your membranes have been "stripped." (or you might feel horrible mind-splitting pain and become so exhausted that you can't cope with normal labor) You may also have slight spotting for up to 3 days after your membranes are "stripped." This bleeding can be reddish, pink, or brown and may be mixed with mucus. (are we having fun yet?)

If you have severe pain or bright red bleeding that soaks through a pad in an hour or is running down your leg, call your health care provider right away. (OK, so you may have been "stripping my membranes" every 2 days, and this happens and I am supposed to call YOU to help me?)

Risks

The cramping that may occur in the 24 hours after your membranes are "stripped" can make it hard to rest or sleep; this means that you might lose some sleep before actually going into labor. ( BAD fung shui for normal birth !)
Some people worry that membrane "stripping" may cause the bag of water to break or cause mothers or babies to become sick.

How well does "stripping" work ?

Membrane "stripping" is done because some studies (but not all ) show that labor may start sooner if membranes are "stripped" than if membranes are not "stripped." This is especially true if a woman is already 41 weeks pregnant.

You may want to be "stripped" if ?

You are sick and your health care provider says it would be safer for you to have your infant now.
Your infant is sick and your health care provider says it would be safer if your infant was born now.
You are 42 weeks pregnant.
You are almost 42 weeks pregnant and you are planning to have your infant at a birth center or at home where you will not be allowed to labor after 42 weeks of pregnancy.

You may not want to be "stripped" if ?

You have been told that it is not safe to have your infant vaginally. (Then why the H%$# would you be "stripping me anyway ?)
You have had unexplained vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy.
You have been told that you need to have your infant urgently and that it would be safest to have your labor induced by using medications. ( I am not sure what is behind this sense of "urgency", I need more information, please )
You want to let your pregnancy and labor unfold naturally and there is no medical reason to have your labor induced. (BINGO!)
If you have had a vaginal culture that says you have group B strep, or GBS in your vagina, you may not want to have your membranes stripped; there are no studies that have shown stripping membranes is harmful if you have GBS in your vagina and no studies that have shown it is safe if you have GBS in your vagina, so this is a decision you should make with your provider. (WHAAAAT???? So, basically, it's a crap shoot ?)

Other considerations...

Sometimes, at the end of pregnancy, it seems the pregnancy will never end -- we can all become impatient and wish we could make labor begin; membrane stripping may cause you to lose sleep and be uncomfortable in the days before your labor starts -- the best way to get ready for your infant and for labor is to remain as rested as possible. (DUH ! So, why are you torturing me ?)
Most women deliver their babies by 41 weeks of pregnancy. Fewer than 3 of 100 women will go past 42 weeks of pregnancy. Membrane stripping to prevent going past 42 weeks of pregnancy is not usually needed. (Yeah, that's because most women are induced by 40 weeks !)

To read more about a Randomized Controlled Trial which shows more of the disadvantages of this practice see the Science and Sensibility blog at http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=556

Folic Acid Awareness Week is January 4-10, 2010

2010-01-05T10:21:00.000-05:00

Folic Acid Awareness Week is January 4-10, 2010

Sponsored by the National Council on Folic Acid (NCFA), the week is intended to educate all women about folic acid, which can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine. NCFA has updated its Web site with resources for the week, including fact sheets in English and Spanish, sample articles and a press release. Materials encourage women of childbearing age to take a multivitamin with 400mcg of folic acid every day, even if they aren’t planning to get pregnant. Since approximately 50 percent of pregnancies are unplanned, starting to take folic acid before pregnancy begins is an important way to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) by up to 70 percent. NTDs are birth defects of the brain or spine which occur in the first weeks of fetal development. For more information about Folic Acid Awareness Week, go to http://www.folicacidinfo.org/pages/folicacid_info.php

Source : National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition www.hmhb.org

"Yes ICAN" Give Birth

2009-12-28T10:15:00.000-05:00

ICAN, (International Cesarean Awareness Network) is a wonderful resource in many ways.

ICAN keeps abreast of all of the issues surrounding cesarean section, VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean), cesarean recovery, mother to mother support and much more.

There are chapter meetings in many parts of the country, but if there are no meetings in your area, there are online forums for support and information gathering.
http://ican-online.org/

Thoughts on the Nativity

2009-12-24T10:52:00.003-05:00

The birth of Jesus Christ is cloaked in mystery and the miraculous. Christians believe the biblical account of Gabriel, the angel, being sent by God to a young Hebrew virgin named Mary with a message that would change the course of human history forever. The message was that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that she would give birth to him and that He would save His people from their sins.

Mary is betrothed to Joseph, an honorable man, who through a few angelic interventions of his own comes to terms with the reality that they have been chosen by the Almighty to be the parents of the Messiah of Israel.

I have tried to imagine what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph to bear the reproach of their circumstances. Both Mary and Joseph had to adjust their concepts of reality and trust in the word of the LORD. They were faithful stewards of the gift of God and were obedient to obey instructions to go to Bethlehem to be taxed, in spite of Mary being "great with child."

What must it have been like to take that long donkey ride to Bethlehem and realize that you are in labor with your first baby ?

What must it have been like to be away from your mother and sisters and close women friends at such a time ?

What must it have been like to arrive in Bethlehem and there is no room in a clean, comfortable inn in which to give birth ?

What must it have been like to have to give birth in a stable with animals as your attendants ?

There is no biblical record of any midwives being present, but were they there ?

The humility of the birth of Jesus is astounding. The simplicity is something to contemplate and serves to remind me that this is the way that God chose to enter the world and relate to us. Pause, and think about that.

Nothing Says "I LOVE YOU" Like Breastfeeding

2009-12-23T12:46:00.000-05:00

I made these cookies for a LLL meeting that I was attending.

They symbolize the slogan "Nothing Says 'I love you" like breastfeeding !

Here are some slogans that I , and others, have come up as possible tags for breastfeeding advertisements.

"Breastfeeding:

"The gift that lasts a lifetime."

"Kid-tested-mother approved."

"It does a body good."

"I'm lovin' it."

"The ultimate Universal Heath Care Plan."

"Purely You"

"The other white milk."

"Don't be fooled by cheap imitations"

"Colostrum, a little dab will do ya"

"With a name like breastmilk, it has to be good"

"Happy Hour"

"Domestic milk on tap, two for the price of one."

"The 100% safe immunization"

"It's what's for dinner"

"The breakfast of champions"

Better for baby than any udder milk"

"Human milk for human babies"

"A smart choice = smarter children"

"Mmmm Mmmm good!"

"Eat at Moms, two lines open, no waiting"

"Open 24 hours "

"The healthy fast food"

"The pause that refreshes"

"Because Mama knows best"

"Designer nutrition for babies of any age"

"Liquid gold"

"Choosy toddlers choose breastmilk"

"When you want to give the very best"

"The difference is measurable"

"Connecting you anytime, anywhere"

"Because you are worth it"

So easy, a cavewomen can do it"

"Eat fresh"

Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's breastmilk"

"The ultimate green energy resource"

"Why pay more?"
"Just do it"

"Breastfeeding works for working mothers"

"The ultimate Happy Meal"

"Tastes great, less filling"

"Good to the last drop"

"The very breast food for baby"

"Comes standard in two attractive containers"

Let me know if you think of more !

The Doula Advantage

2009-12-22T19:27:00.001-05:00

Today I am reviewing a great little book, The Doula Advantage : Your Complete Guide to Having an Empowered and Positive Birth with the Help of a Professional Childbirth Assistant, by Rachel Gurevich.

An expectant Mom has so many choices these days, but choices can be overwhelming. When I first started as a doula in 1993, I was one of two in my area, and now there are dozens from which Moms can choose.

But you may be asking, "Why should I choose and doula, and how do I choose the best doula for me? "

I'm so glad you asked. That's where this book comes in.

The author interviewed 235 women and birth professionals, including yours truly !

And what she determined agrees with the research which shows that the right doula can make pregnancy and childbirth the celebratory experience it was meant to be. Doulas can also help women have more positive birth experiences, even when a cesarean, or other interventions are medically warranted. But the majority of the time, a doula will help reduce the incidence of invasive procedures that often lead to more of them.

You'll also learn the many ways that doulas provide labor support, how to find, choose and hire the right doula, how specialized doulas can help you before or after the baby's birth, how doulas help the dad-to-be, and much more. I highly recommend this book to all expectant mothers and fathers.

EFFECTIVENESS OF FISH OIL IN PREVENTING PRE-TERM LABOR

2009-12-21T10:23:00.001-05:00

STUDY: EFFECTIVENESS OF FISH OIL IN PREVENTING PRE-TERM LABOR
A recent study has shown that supplementation of asymptomatic pregnant women with one fish oil capsule per day is a potentially cost-effective intervention in the prevention of pre-term labor before 34 weeks of pregnancy. Published in the December 2009 edition of the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, the study authors investigated the potential cost-effectiveness of alternative “test and treat” strategies in the prevention of spontaneous pre-term birth before 34 and 37 weeks’ gestation. They studied asymptomatic women in early pregnancy and symptomatic women with potential pre-term labor in later pregnancy. Systematic reviews found evidence on the accuracy of 22 types of tests and on the effectiveness of 40 possible interventions. The authors conclude that the use of effective, affordable and safe interventions, like supplementation with fish oil capsules, are likely to be the most cost-effective strategies for prevention of spontaneous pre-term labor
and birth. To access the study abstract online, go to :
http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/ebm/record/19943821/abstract/An_economic_evaluation_of_alternative_test_intervention_strategies_to_prevent_spontaneous_pre_term_birth_in_singleton_pregnancies_http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/ebm/record/19943821/abstract/An_economic_evaluation_of_alternative_test_intervention_strategies_to_prevent_spontaneous_pre_term_birth_in_singleton_pregnancies_

Healthy Hydration for Expectant and New Moms

2009-12-17T11:50:00.002-05:00

One of the fun things about blogging is that I hear from manufacturers of many cool products for expectant and new mothers. I want to say from the "get-go" that I have not been paid for this endorsement, and I will only endorse products that I have personally tested and found to be of the highest quality.
Such is the case with HINT, a great tasting, essence of fruit infused drinking water. It contains no artificial additives and no sugar. Just a "hint" of the flavor of the fruit. My favorites are the watermelon and blackberry, but they are all very refreshing and wonderful. I am hooked!

HINT retails from $1.79 to $3.00 a bottle, depending on where its purchased. HINT is available at Whole Foods and Stop N Shop, Dean & Deluca and specialty stores around the country. Check the website for retail locations by your zip code. Cases can also be purchased online at www.drinkhint.com

Mead Johnson Guilty of False Advertising, U.S. Court Finds

2009-12-15T11:16:00.000-05:00

Mead Johnson guilty of false advertising, U.S. court finds.

(from http://www.infactcanada.ca/ )

U.S. formula manufacturer Mead Johnson's advertising for its Enfamil
brand is misleading and unfounded, according to a federal court ruling.
The ads at issue made claims that "only
Enfamil Lipil is clinically proven to improve brain and eye development"
and that other formula products could cause inferior development.

In 2004 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency warned Mead Johnson
against making similar claims in its ads in Canada.

Mead Johnson will pay $13.5 million to PBM, a rival company, as a result of the suit which
will be one of the largest penalties ever levied in a false advertising
suit. The suit acknowledges PBM as the victim because the
compay lost profits as a result of aggressive adversiting by its rival.
But what about compensation for the real victims of Mead Johnson's
mistruths? Namely, the mothers who were discouraged from breastfeeding by
Mead Johnson's irresponsible claims. For a full article on the story visit:
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=36329 http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=36329

Beware of Substandard Maternity Care

2009-12-14T09:24:00.001-05:00

Beware of substandard maternity care !

Be a shrewd customer when it comes to your care, because you and your baby deserve the very best.

Take this little quiz so that you can make choices for a safe and healthy birth.
Consumer Reports Maternity Care Quiz

Webster's Technique for Turning Breech Babies

2009-12-10T08:21:00.000-05:00

To read more about the Webster's Technique and how to find a qualified chiropractic physician , go here http://icpa4kids.com/about/webster_technique.htm

Good for Your Sole

2009-12-09T09:05:00.000-05:00

Are you feeling tired, uncomfortable, or nauseated in your pregnancy?

You may be surprised to know that an ancient form of healing called reflexology can actually help treat many common pregnancy ailments and even help you during your labor.

Reflexology, which may have been around for over 4000 years, was originally practiced by the ancient Egyptians and Chinese was first recognized in the Western world, in 1913, when William Fitzgerald observed that pressure on specific parts of the body could have an anesthetizing effect on areas in the body. They practice of modern reflexology theory was further developed in the 1930s by Eunice Ingham, who defined reflexology as it is more commonly practiced today.

Reflexology is the technique of applying gentle pressure with the hands or specialized tools to the reflex points on the feet or hands to clear the vital energy pathways that become blocked. It is thought that the hands and feet are like mirror images of the body, with various points and zones representing different structures and organs.

A treatment involves the therapist applying pressure, stretching, and movement to find the blockages and break up patterns of stress, restoring balance and relieving tension. Reflexology treatments can also improve a patient’s circulation and elimination - two very important factors in maintaining good health and well-being.

Benefits include deep relaxation, better sleep, relief from hormonally induced headaches and improved mood. Women have reported relief from common pregnancy ailments such as morning sickness, back ache, fluid retention and swelling,

Other reported benefits include:

Reflexology may help labor begin naturally without the use of drugs
Many mothers enjoy the benefits of reflexology during labor, and midwives, doulas and labor and delivery nurses have observed the benefits of treatments on the mother during the birthing process.

Although there are very few contraindications to reflexology, it should be undertaken by a qualified practitioner, preferably with experience in all stages of pregnancy.

However, there are some conditions where it should be avoided altogether and these include:

Pre-term labour - at any time before 37 weeks gestation
Placenta previa - if Grade II or III after 32 weeks gestation
Hydroamnios - if there is too much amniotic fluid around the baby after 32 weeks gestation

Suzanne Ezner, a midwife and reflexologist, also advises women with some conditions to seek medical advice before having reflexology. These include:

Women with a risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Women with a risk of pre-eclampsia

She also suggests that in cases where the mother-to be is diabetic she should be asked to check her blood sugar before and after treatments, as reflexology helps to balance the endocrine system and insulin production.

I became interested in reflexology when I took a course on it through the Utah College of Midwifery. I saw the positive benefits for my pregnant clients and decided to pursue further education and certification through Integrative Reflexology
Claire Marie Miller, who developed this form of reflexology, has a very comprehensive knowledge of the physical needs of expectant and birthing women, so this is a great training for birth professionals. You can be sure that your Certified Integrative Reflexologist has been well trained.

La Leche League is "ALLL" about Mother-to-Mother Support for You

2009-12-08T09:19:00.000-05:00

La Leche League is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, education, information, and encouragement, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
The breastfeeding community throughout the United States has access to a 24 hour toll free helpline service by calling 1-877-4-LALECHE (1-877-452-5324). This helpline provides information, education, and support for women who want to breastfeed, and to healthcare providers and others. Callers have access to the most current breastfeeding information, receive support from a helpline volunteer who is an accredited La Leche League Leader, and receive contact information for local LLL Leaders and Groups.
I have been a LLL Leader for six years, even though my children are grown. LLL made such a difference to me as a new Mom, and I want to pass that on. Call a LLL Leader today and visit a meeting. During pregnancy is a great time to start !

WIC is for Women Infants and Children

2009-12-07T09:27:00.000-05:00

WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children and is also called the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program. WIC is a federal program designed to provide food to low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children until the age of five. The program provides a combination of nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals for health care. WIC has proven effective in preventing and improving nutrition related health problems within its population.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds the WIC Program. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Women's and Children's Health Section, Nutrition Services Branch administers it. County health departments, community and rural health centers, and community action agencies provide the services.

Google "WIC" and your state for more information on how to apply for this great nutritional support program.

Women With Long First Stage of Labor After Induction Are At Greater Risk For Cesarean

2009-12-05T10:41:00.000-05:00

According to Reuters Health, in a report on Nov 27, 2009, pregnant women who spend a longer time in the first stage of labor after induction are more likely to require cesarean delivery and are also at greater risk of morbidity, new research shows.

To investigate, the researchers reviewed records for 3620 singleton, term pregnancies induced and delivered during the second stage. The duration of the first stage was defined as the time between the onset of labor (not the initiation of labor induction) to complete cervical dilation.

For most women (64.2% of firt time mothers, and 82.6% of mothers who had previously given birth), the first stage of labor lasted less than 12 hours. Compared to these women, those whose first stage of labor was from 12 to 24 hours long were twice as likely to require cesarean sections, while the risk for women whose first stage of labor lasted 24 hours or longer was 7.44-times greater. Babies born to women with first stages longer than 24 hours were 2.03 times as likely to be admitted to the intensive care nursery.

Among first time moms,, 6.5% of whom had a first stage of labor 24 hours or longer, 43.5% delivered vaginally, 10.9% had operative (vacuum, forceps or episiotomy) vaginal deliveries, and 45.6% delivered by cesarean section.

The researchers conclude: "Although we do not recommend a specific time limit for labor induction, the question of when to intervene should involve a thorough evaluation of the ongoing risks of further expectant management versus the risks of surgical intervention as well as the incorporation of patient preferences into the decision-making process."
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009;201:477.e1-7.

Eat, Drink and Give Birth

2009-12-04T11:32:00.000-05:00

Some studies have shown that if women will eat and drink during labor, they can reduce the length of the labor by as much as 90 minutes. Labor is very hard work, and the body needs the energy to work effectively. Dehydration and low blood sugar, means more painful contractions and slower labor.

Fatigue combined with a slower labor may make a woman feel that she needs to resort to medications.

Good things to have on hand are clear liquids, such as broth, or herbal teas such as raspberry with honey for energy. Some mothers like toast with a tiny bit of peanut or almond butter, or banana with honey. As long as you don't have an epidural, there is no reason why you cannot eat to hunger and drink to thirst in labor.

Just imagine trying to run a marathon after having nothing to eat for many hours. You would most likely not be successful. Labor is like a marathon, and your body needs reserves of energy that simply cannot be met by IV hydration. So talk to your care providers about eating and drinking in labor because birth is normal, and normal people eat !

REPORT: TRENDS IN LATE PRETERM BIRTHS

2009-12-01T08:46:00.000-05:00

REPORT: TRENDS IN LATE PRETERM BIRTHS

According to a recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), more than 900 “late preterm” births occur every day in the US, with more than 333, 461 occurring each year.

The percentage of babies born preterm in the US has increased by more than 20 percent between 1990 and 2006, with most of these babies born during the later preterm period (34 to 36 weeks of gestation).

The NCHS report, “Born a Bit Too Early: Recent Trends in Late Preterm Births” also shows an increase in the number of late preterm births resulting from induced labor or cesarean delivery.

The "induction seduction" is something that happens every day in our country. Women think that their babies should be born on or before, their due dates. They do not understand that a "due date" is an estimate, not a definitive date. Every woman and every baby are unique. In reality, a birth can normally take place either two weeks before or after a "due date" and unless there are very clearly defined medical reasons why a medical induction should take place ( rare ) than women should allow labor to begin on it's own. Otherwise, women risk having a baby that is born too early with all of the problems that brings, not to mention the very real risks of major abdominal surgery for themselves.

To access the report online, go to http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db24.htm.

Is Artificial Baby Milk Formula for Distaster ?

2009-11-30T09:26:00.000-05:00

Formula For Disaster

Review : The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy by Shonda Parker

2009-11-27T09:17:00.000-05:00

It's Thursday, and time for another review of one of my favorite books to share with my clients who want to know how to build a foundation of healthy bodies and minds for pregnancy and birth.

Shonda Parker is a trusted expert in the field of natural health, specifically, nutrition and herbal therapies.

She is a childbirth educator and family herbalist and experienced mother.

Her book, The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy is a must have for women who believe that nourishing their bodies is the first building block in growing a healthy baby. This book is your "essential guide to nutritional and botanical medicine for the childbearing years."

Shonda gives no-nonsense recommendations on various common discomforts of pregnancy and with each, she offers both lifestyle and dietary recommendations as well as nutritional and herbal recommendations.

Written from a distinctly Christian perspective, this book is also a rich source of spiritual support for mothers who are open to a Biblical perspective.

I highly recommend all of Shonda's books and products, and her website:
Naturally Healthy

Massage During Pregnancy, Labor and Postpartum Nurtures Mothers

2009-11-25T11:53:00.000-05:00

Claire Marie Miller, from whom I learned Integrative Reflexology, describes the benefits she received from massage in pregnancy and birth. I hope you will be inspired to seek out a massage therapist who is trained in pregnancy massage and treat yourself to the many benefits that massage therapy can bring. There are many qualified therapists out there, but if you would like to find one that has been trained by Claire herself, ( I highly recommend it !) then go to this link. Nurturing The Mother

Good Eats for Moms and Moms-to-be

2009-11-24T10:29:00.000-05:00

Today I would like to talk about nutrition. Briefly. And let me get this out of the way right out of the shoot. I am not a vegetarian, but I love most vegetarian cuisine and try to eat meatless meals several times a week. I am not doing a review of cookbooks today, but I wanted to share one of my favorite cooking divas, Mollie Katzen. She authored the Moosewood cookbooks, Vegetable Heaven, The Enchanted Broccoli Forest and others. her website is chock full of great recipes too. Please check it out.

Mollie Katzen

So, back to nutrition. I am a La Leche League Leader. I like what they have to say about nutrition, which is to eat a wide variety of foods in as natural a state as possible. In other words, choose whole grains, like brown rice and whole grain bread, and try your hand at baking with whole grain flour. These days it is easy to find light or white flour that is actually whole grain, and it is delicious. I like King Aurthur flour at my grocery, but you can find others. I used to buy wheat berries and grind them myself, but since I don't cook for as many people these days, I just buy the flour.

When I did my midwifery apprenticeship, I learned a lot from my senior midwife who was a big believer in the work of Dr. Brewer, who said that pregnant women should have 100 grams of high quality protein every day. Of her clients, who followed the diet, there were healthy babies and mothers. So, some good building blocks for nutrition in pregnancy are lots of fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains and high quality proteins. You can find great ways to put these all together with yummy recipes from Mollie Katzen.

The International Breastfeeding Symbol

2009-11-23T09:21:00.001-05:00

Read all about it !

Click the link to learn about the history and significance of the International Breastfeeding Symbol.

Review : The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

2009-11-19T16:13:00.001-05:00

If you are a breastfeeding Mom, or ever plan to be, this is the book to read. Written in everyday language, in a relaxed readable style, this book feels more like conversing with a wise and kind grandmother about common questions and concerns than it does reading a breastfeeding manual.

This book is the compilation of many years experience of supporting breastfeeding mothers. La Leche League International is the world's leading authority on breastfeeding. La Leche League Leaders are mothers who have breastfed their own babies and go through a through training and accreditation process.

They offer mother to mother support in many communities around the globe. I have been a La Leche League Leader for five years. My children are grown and I am now a grandmother, but I love sharing what I experienced a s a breastfeeding mother with younger women. I am happy that my own daughter chose to breastfeed my granddaughter !

In this book, you will find answers to the questions that plague every new mother, such as :

~ How does human milk have an advantage over commercial formula ?

~ Do I need to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy ?

~ How do I breastfeed if I need to go back to work ?

~ How do I know my baby is getting enough to eat ?

~ How do I find time for my self and meet my baby's needs ?

~ How do I find the support I need to enjoy breastfeeding ?

~Does breastfeeding benefit me in any way ?

And much more !

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was first published in 1958 and, as of this writing, has gone through seven revisions. You can be sure that the information is up to date and thorough.

The book is full of everyday mother's stories and experiences, candidly shared.

I hope you will pick up a copy of this book for yourself or a friend who may be expecting a baby.
To find a La Leche League Leader near you, go to La Leche League International

C is for Co-sleeping !

2009-11-18T10:23:00.004-05:00

is for Co-sleeping !
Co-sleeping is a great way to connect with your baby. You can tune in to his biological rhythms and him to yours. A baby who sleeps in close quarters with a parent is reassured by the presence of the one he loves. Babies are kept warmer when they sleep next to their Moms, and don't need lots of blankets. During sleep time together, mother's presence helps regulate the body temperature of the baby to the optimal level.

Babies who sleep with their mothers also are at less risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) because they spend less time in the deepest stage of sleep, from which is it harder to recover from apnea (when the baby stops breathing). Co-sleeping also insures better breastfeeding success and encourages the mother to breastfeed for longer intervals. This leads to a better milk supply for the baby. Babies who cosleep are less likely to have crying spells due to lower stress and anxiety.

There are also benefits for mother ! Skin to skin contact with baby is associated with greater oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is known as the "love hormone." The effects of oxytocin on Mom are that she is likely to experience less anxiety about mothering and be more tuned in to her baby. It is also easier for her to tend to nighttime feedings when she doesn't have to get out of bed and stumble down the hall to find the baby in the middle of the night when she is awakened by cries of hunger. She gets back to sleep more easily after feedings and when Momma is happy, everybody's happy !

Here are some safe co-sleeping tips :

Make sure the baby is sleeping on a firm, non quilted surface.

Make sure that where baby sleeps is a smoke free environment.

Avoid bedsharing with anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs or under the influence of anything at all that would make them less aware of the baby.

Avoid bedsharing with pets !

Avoid co-sleeping on any other furniture besides a bed. Babies can be easily caught between cushions and pillows and suffocate.

Time for Another Baby ?

2009-11-17T09:43:00.001-05:00

So your baby isn't a baby anymore, she is a toddler ! Maybe she is still breastfeeding, or maybe she has weaned. Either way, you are getting that "baby fever" !

You love mothering your toddler, but you miss the feeling of a newborn in your arms. Your toddler will cuddle when she is tired, but is otherwise squirmy because she spend every waking moment exploring the world around her.

You think it would be lovely to have another baby, but how do you know you are ready ?

You've just gotten your toddler to sleep soundly through the night. Are you really ready to be up again, nursing every two to three hours round the clock? You finally lost that baby weight. Are you ready to put the maternity clothes back on ?

All of these are questions that every mother has to answer for herself.

Maybe your last birth experience was not what you had hoped it would be. Maybe you had a cesarean and don't want to repeat that experience. How will you go about finding a doctor or midwife that will support your decision to VBAC ( Vaginal Birth After Cesarean )?

Websites like www.vbac.com can help you plan a VBAC.

Maybe you didn't get breastfeeding off to a good start last time and you would like to breastfeed your next baby. Websites like La Leche League International can help you find a local La Leche League group to attend to get lots of support from experienced Leaders and other Moms.

Maybe you didn't take childbirth classes last time, or would like to take a different series this time.

Websites like Lamaze International can help you find an accredited childbirth educator.

Every birth and every baby are completely unique ! So think about all of your questions and concerns and find the resources you need to make your next birth the best it can be.

Breastfeeding Through The Holidays

2009-11-16T10:29:00.000-05:00

Holiday planning can be stressful, especially for new mothers ! The hustle and bustle and family gatherings, while festive and fun, can leave new mothers exhausted and frustrated. There is even a phenomenon called "holiday weaning" because breastfeeding mothers can get so stressed out trying to accomplish their holiday "to do" list that breastfeeding rhythms get interrupted.

Here are a few tips to help make the holidays work while breastfeeding.

1. Agree with family and friends to limit gift giving. A great way to do this is to "draw names." Write everyone's name on a piece of paper, and put them in a basket. Everyone picks a name and prepares a special gift for one person. This limits the stress, saves money and gives the giver more time to make the one gift extra special.

2. Lower your expectations around holiday decorating. Allow other family members to decorate the tree while you direct operations from your rocking chair. The tree may not look the way you had planned, but you may really enjoy your "nursing tree" ! Take photos to remember the moment.

3. Take shorter shopping trips and take along your baby. That way you can nurse if need be. Feed before you leave the house, so that baby has a "full tank" which will give you more time to shop. Be sure to bring a blanket to cover up if you are shy. And bring a long a cool bottle of water for yourself.

4. If you are invited to an office party, for example, where children are not usually included, consider bringing your baby and wearing her in a sling.

5. Wearing your baby in a sling can also be helpful if you prefer that your baby not be held by lots of people at holiday parties. This is especially good advice during cold and flu seasons.

6. Don't get stressed about cooking for holiday parties. Explain to family and friends that you are breastfeeding and that you need help. One great way to ease the burden on everyone is to ask everyone to bring a dish or two to share and make it a "pot luck" event. This usually results in everyone getting to show off their newest recipe and lots of delicious food is enjoyed by all.

The Guide to a Healthy Birth is Here ! Download your free copy !

2009-11-11T20:42:00.000-05:00

Download your FREE copy now !

The Tender Gift of Doulas ~ Bring a Doula or Friend to Give Continuous Support During Labor and Birth

2009-11-10T11:07:00.000-05:00

Dr. Kennell said "If doulas were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it !"

If you want to have a safe and healthy birth, one of the ways that you can increase your chances of this is to bring a "doula", which is a Greek word meaning female servant, to your birth. Your doula may be a professional, or another woman who has given birth and is committed to supporting your emotional and physical comfort as you go through the process of bringing your baby into the world.

I have posted about doulas before and listed resources to find a professional, as well as questions to ask when interviewing. There are many doulas in training who are willing to attend you for free or for a reduced fee. A skilled and comassionate doula is worth her weight in gold. Give yourself the gift of a doula.

Revenge of the Bullied

2009-11-09T10:13:00.000-05:00

Today, I am happy to report that the sign in the OBs office at the Aspen Women's Clinic raised such ire, that there was a contest to "rewrite" the sign, with some pretty amazing results!

The contest is over, but here's the link.

Anti-doula Sign Contest

I wish we could harness all of that passion and have a ZERO tolerance for this kind of behavior by obstetricians. Let's hope that someone has gone to the OBGYN forums and posted a link to these photos.

Let's send them a clear message that we're mad as H$#@ and we are not going to take it anymore.

Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby

2009-11-06T17:53:00.000-05:00

Good things come in small packages, and today I want to share a very good thing with you !

This lovely little book, by Allison England, is one of my all time favorites.

It combines some basic but powerful instructions on how to safely, simply, and effectively combine the powers of touch and essential oils in making pregnancy, labor, birth and early motherhood a time to tune in to your body and mind and harness the benefits of relaxation and well being.

Allison England, a qualified aromatherapist and registered nurse, explains how to ease the more common discomforts of pregnancy, relieve the pain of labor as well as soothe and comfort restless babies and facilitate the bonding process.

She begins the book with the benefits of aromatherapy in pregnancy, a history of essential oils and their many uses, and a guide to choosing oils of the highest quality and theraputic value.

She covers all the information you need to know about the use of touch and aromatherapy from preconception to postpartum and includes a reference guide to essential oils.

Recipes on how to safely blend for inhalations, compresses, diffusions, massage oils and creams, baths, hair rinses and much more, make this book a joy to read. There are beautiful sketches depicting techniques for massaging mom and baby. This is a great introductory text for mothers who want to know more a holistic lifestyle, and anyone who cares for women during the childbearing year.

Aromatherapy and Essential Oils for Birth

2009-11-05T11:10:00.001-05:00

Aromatherapy is a very powerful modality and it has many wonderful benefits.

Today I would like to share just a few oils that can be beneficial during childbirth. Some of this information is adapted from the website of www.naturesgift.com which carries the highest quality aromatherapy products.

Please visit their site for all kinds of helpful information on essential oils and a great source for purchasing oils and aromatherapy products.

Here are some oils that can be used during childbirth. Not all oils are safe during pregnancy, but are fine to use once term labor has begun.

A research study published in Nursing Times - March 2, 1994, Vol. 90, No. 9, "Using Aromatherapy in Childbirth"
Summary: A study of 500 women in the delivery suite. Essential oils used: Lavender, Clary sage, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Chamomile, Frankincense, Jasmine, Rose, Lemon and Mandarine.
Methods of Application: (1) *Spray of 100 cc water with 2 drops e.o on face sheet, pillow, or bean bag or (2) 4-6 drops oil in bath or 2-3 drops of oil in footbath or (3) Inhalation or (4) Massage with 2 drops in 50 cc of almond oil.
Results: Overall satisfaction with the "aroma" - rid the hospital smell which decreased anxiety.
Lavender - reduce maternal anxiety, pain relief, lighten mood, calm contractions if woman needed rest (Early in Labor)
Peppermint - Nausea & Vomiting
Clary sage - Increase Contractions
74% of women used no other form of pain relief

ROSE- Rose may help the Uterus to work efficiently. It is also said to have a relaxant effect for the pelvic floor, helping to open up the pelvis, much like an opening rose bud. This would best be used in the birth pool. The emotional effects of rose are very supportive during labor. It can be very overpowering if over used. So SUBTLE is the key word here! 1-drop in the bathwater would be plenty. Using guided visualization of the cervix opening as a rose bud can be very effective when used with the aroma of rose.

CLARY SAGE- Uterine tonic-again the adaptogenic qualities of Essential oils used in the correct dilution (SUBTLE) assists the uterus in effective contractions without artificially strengthening the contractions (as with pitocin drips given IV). It can be euphoric and very effective for relieving anxiety, it is calming to the nervous system. Some will not like the aroma of Clary sage alone, but mixing it with Rose, Lavender., will *almost* always produce a very pleasing aroma. Mixing to your tatse is important here, not a standard recipe! If you do not like the aroma, the physical and emotional benefits will likely be negated. Fill a tea light diffuser bowl with water, 3 drops lavender, 3 drops clary sage and enjoy the aroma in the room. It may also have a lovely, calming effect on your caregivers !

LAVENDER-(augustifolia) is calming, soothing, and imparts a gentleness to the atmosphere when used in small amounts. It is also a very nice aromatic greeting for a newborn.You can mix a few drops with 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup grain alcohol for a nice linen spray, or put a few drops in a bowl of water to soak a cool washcloth in to wipe your brow or put around the back of your neck.

GERANIUM-uplifting and helpful in balancing emotional states. Said to be a circulatory stimulant.
Geranium can be added to the birth pool or diffused with your clary sage.

NEROLI-facilitates calm relaxed breathing (esp. with small amounts of Frankincense). The Cadillac for nervous anxiety. Can be a good choice during transition. One drop only on the pillow.

There are just a few of the many wonderful ways to use aromatherapy in labor and birth. Tomorrow, I will be reviewing one of my very favorite books on aromatherapy for the childbearing year !

Choosing Your Doctor or Midwife ~ It's Never too Late to Make a Change

2009-11-03T09:35:00.001-05:00

Here are some questions to encourage a conversation and to help you get a sense of how your care provider might approach various circumstances with regard to your birth.

Remember, it's never too late to make a change if you do not feel comfortable with the care that you receive.

1. Is there a limit to the number of people who may be there to support me at my birth ?

2. Will I be able to eat and drink ?

3. What if my water breaks at, or near my due date before contractions begin ?

4. What if my due date comes and goes with no labor ?

5. If labor needs help getting started, what might you recommend?

6. Do you perform episiotomies?

7. What is your cesarean rate ?

8. What is your induction rate ?

9. How do you feel about VBAC ( Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) ?

10. How long have you been practicing ?

11. How do you feel about breech delivery ?

12. ( For homebirth midwives ) How do you handle back up ?

13. Who are your consultant obstetricians ?

14. Who are your helpers, and how well are they trained ?

15. How do you handle emergency transfers to the hospital ?

By asking a lot of questions, you can be better prepared to for a positive relationship with your care provider, with whom you need to be able to trust wholeheartedly as partner in helping you bring your baby into the world. And remember, your care provider is secondary to your participation and inner wisdom. If you feel like something is not quite right, follow your instincts and ask questions until you are satisfied with the answers you have been given. You are the best expert on what's best for you and your baby !

Doula Magic

2009-11-02T10:17:00.001-05:00

Have you thought of having a doula at your birth ?

Doulas are women who have been trained to offer skilled and compassionate support to women in childbirth. They do not take the place of the partner, but they provide gentle guidance to the mother and father during the birth process. Many doulas also offer prenatal and postpartum support in your home.

Doulas do whatever it takes to keep you as comfortable as possible during labor and birth. Some of the ways that they accomplish this is through;

aromatherapy

massage or reflexology

helping you with breathing or positioning

guided imagery and relaxation techniques

affirmations

a quiet reassuring presence

advocacy

up to date information on what is safe and healthy when it comes to choices

facilitating your communication with your caregiver

and much more !

The doula stays with you, from start to finish, unlike your caregivers in a hospital setting, which rotate shifts. She knows your story from beginning to end.

I recommend that you choose a doula who has earned a certification, either as a doula or childbirth educator, and has lots of experience helping parents have safe, normal and healthy births.

Here are some organizations that certify doulas and birth partners:

DONA International

Lamaze International ( Labor support Skills )

CAPPA

ICEA

Here are some questions to ask a doula:

1. What type of training have you had ?

2. Tell me about your certification process ?

3. Tell me about your experience. How many births have you attended ?

4. What is your own personal philosophy of birth ?

5. How many clients do you take per month, and how do you handle back-up ?

6. What is your fee ?

Many women who have used a doula, feel that doulas have a special kind of magic, and that may be true.
But doulas don't have a magic wand that can make birth better if YOU are not informed and willing to take full responsibility for your birth and your choices.
And choosing a doula is one of the best things you can do to have a safe and healthy birth !

The Waterfall Effect

2009-10-30T12:20:00.001-04:00

In my experience as a birth doula and childbirth educator, I have observed something, known to those in our profession, as the "Waterfall Effect." It's kind of like when you set out on a journey, and you expect a beautiful trip. You are sailing along and you think everything will go smoothly, when things start to take a turn in a direction you hadn't really wanted to go. And the more you start paddling, trying to correct your direction, the more you start drifting toward the place that takes you over the waterfalls, plunging you into the depths below.

Here's how it typically starts.

Let's say you are a week past your due date.

So your doctor says, " I think your baby is too big to wait any longer. Besides, the longer we wait, the higher the risk for stillbirth."

So he says, "Let's induce you tomorrow morning." And because you trust your doctor, and are afraid, you say. "O.K"

So you arrive at the hospital and they start an IV, and tell you that you can't eat.

Then they hook you up to an external monitor and break your water and start you on pitocin.

You want to move around, and get in the tub like you learned in childbirth class, but you are confined to the bed, because when they broke your water, the baby's heart rate went down a little.

They tell you that they want to" watch and wait a little while" and keep you in the bed.

The heart rate looks better in the monitor but you aren't having many contractions so they "up" the pitocin.

Three hours later, you are having a few regular contractions but they are not strong enough to change your cervix, even though they are really hurting because you can't move around. And you are getting a headache from not eating, and because your head is hurting and the contractions are hurting, it is making you nauseated, and so you throw up. Three times. And so they give you some phenergan and it makes you woozy and sleepy but at least you aren't nauseated anymore. But the contractions still hurt. A lot.

So then they say to you," Let's just give you a walking epidural". You hadn't wanted an epidural at all, but these pitocin contractions feel so terrible and your head is hurting from not eating and you just want to do anything to feel better. And you say "OK".

All the while you are thinking "This isn't the way I wanted it to be, but what was I thinking? I must have been crazy to think I could have done this without drugs."

So the anesthesiologist walks in and you say, "Man, am I glad to see you !" and he says "That's what everybody says!" and he gets busy putting the medicine through the catheter into your back.

When he finishes, you lie back down and he leaves the room, promising you that you will feel better very soon. And he was right......except your labor stops completely ! And you still have a headache and now you have the shakes and you are still only 4 cm. You know this because they just put in an internal monitor.

So the nurse comes in and ups your pitocin again. But you can't feel it and you are glad.

Another 8 hours goes by and you doze on and off except for the occasional vaginal exam and the blood pressure cuff squeezing your arm wakes you up often enough that you never really rest.

And they come in an check again and announce that you are only 8cm. And then they say, "While you were dozing, we noticed that the baby's heart rate patterns were not assuring. So we have gone ahead and prepped the OR for a cesarean. We are going to watch you carefully, but if you don't make really good progress within the next hour, we are going to do a cesarean".

And you don't, and they do.

And you have complications, including excessive bleeding, and an allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics.

Your baby is fine with good strong apgars, in spite of what the heart rate monitors indicated.

But you feel too sick to interact with your baby or try to nurse him.

So the hospital gives him formula for his first feeding.....and his second and his third.

So you feel horrible, physically and emotionally and you cry.

And when you finally get to put your precious baby to your breast, he won't latch on.

And your milk isn't coming in well. And you are afraid that it never will.

And for many months afterward you second guess your insticts about everything when it comes to mothering your baby. You feel sad, alone, confused and defeated, but you don't know why.

Please don't let the waterfall carry you away and plunge you into the depths of depression. There is help for you. Many, many women have been swept away by the Waterfall Effect and have found their way home again.

Good Night, Sleep Tight

2009-10-29T11:04:00.001-04:00

Yesterday's blog entry was inspired by a comment on facebook to a new mother who was happy that her baby had finally slept long enough that she could get some much needed rest. One of her friends chimed in with something along the lines of "Oh, have you read BabyWise?" which led me into a diatribe of why I think BabyWise isn't. But, I digress.

So, today is the day I do reviews of resources I find helpful in my work with parents as a certified postpartum doula. I want to heartily recommend The Baby Sleep Book, The Complete Guide to a Good Night's Rest for the Whole Family, by four supremely qualified individuals, all belonging to the Sears family. They are all health care professionals AND parents. This book is everything you need to know about getting your baby or toddler to sleep, from some of America's foremost baby and childcare experts.

The forward is written by Dr. James McKenna, director of the Mother-Baby Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame.

I like the way that the authors give parents practical tips and tools while understanding that every parent and baby are individuals. Their tips will help you form your own style and how to become an expert in your own baby.

I like the fact that the authors write to both parents, and include tips for mother and fathers.

Instead of recommending a rigid approach, they explain how you can create a sleep plan that meets the needs of your unique family. Instead of claiming that parents are "in bondage" to their baby ( like the Ezzo book ) the Sears books offers a flexible and sensitive approach to helping the entire family meet their needs for restful sleep.

The Sears also offer tips on their online Sleep Forum

I hope you will also find this resource helpful with your baby or toddler.

Is Babywise a Trick or Treat ?

2009-10-28T13:06:00.001-04:00

Trick or Treat ? It's Babywise !

OK, so it's Halloween week and it doesn't surprise me that one of my pet peeves seems to be raising it's ugly head, kind of like a vampire or zombie that refuses to die or Glenn Close jolting up out of the bathwater in Fatal Attraction.

But as an advocate of healthy and safe parenting, I am here today with my "Wac-a-Mole" mallet to beat this menace down, yet again. "How militant!" you might say. Let me be clear. When I see this book for sale, I have made it my personal mission to buy it JUST for the sheer pleasure of throwing it away.

Growing Families International [GFI] has been controversial within the Christian church for a long time, but more recently within the secular realm. With the publication of Babywise, Gary Ezzo extended his controversial parenting method into the secular world.

Many, many keystrokes of parents and professionals have been logged on the internet about this controversy, and I am only nicking the surface of it in my blog post today. For more than you would ever want to know, please visit these sites.

http://www.ezzo.info/index.htm

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/july8/12.20.html

http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/topics/unprepared.php

Here's a little history.

Circa 1985 -- Anne Marie Ezzo, Gary's wife, authored and circulated a 4-page paper titled "Parent Controlled Feeding". Although contradictory at some points, it included:

a sample timetable for "the first four weeks" which laid out feedings at 4 hour intervals
advice to consider formula supplementation if the baby, by three weeks of age, isn't able to go 3-4 hours between feeds

These practices are not based in scientific evidence and have not been endorsed by leading authorities in infant feeding and health.

1989 -- The version of Preparation for Parenting that was circulating at this time including teachings which:

criticised demand feeding (the practice endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics),
criticised mothers who respond to their babies' cries, calling these practices incompatible with scripture, practiced by an "extreme fringe," primitivistic, humanistic, based in evolution, emotional, idolatrous, unhealthful, harmful to marriage, and the cause of health and developmental problems.
advised parents that by three weeks the baby should only be feeding every three to four hours, with formula supplementation as necessary to achieve those intervals.
instructed that the baby was to be sleeping through the night by six weeks, enforced by letting the baby cry it out if necessary.
Source: quotes on file from Preparation for Parenting c 1989

1993 – 1st edition of Babywise was self-published by Growing Families International. This edition was nearly identical to Prep for Parenting, except that:

The explicit religious language was removed ( thank God )
Dr. Robert Bucknam added a foreword, praising the earlier Ezzo material which had so impressed him, and denigrating "instincts," advice to feed more often as a solution to hunger, and the practice of feeding at two hourly intervals (p.11)
For babies from 0-8 weeks of age, the book recommended 3 to 4 hour feedings.
This edition touts a benefit of fewer feedings: fewer diapers to change. (pp. 133-134.)

May 14, 1996 –The Child Abuse Council of Orange County appointed a task force to evaluate following complaints by area health care professionals who had observed dehydration, slow growth and development and failure to thrive among babies on Ezzo programs.

The Ezzos also published so called "Christian" Parenting materials called : Growing Kids God's Way.

First of all, many Christians, myself included, find it odd that Gary Ezzo should pontificate and define for the rest of us what "God's Way of parenting should look like, especially in light of all of the bad outcomes which have been reported. Critics who have evaluated Growing Kids God's Way, Childwise, Babywise, Reflections of Moral Innocence (the Ezzos' sex ed curriculum) and other Ezzo books and curricula have shared several concerns about the expectations of child behavior these books promote.

Lack of age appropriateness. Requirements of child behavior do not consider age appropriateness or basic principles of child development.
May support parental failings and selfishness. Warnings against being "child-centered" are insufficiently balanced by acknowledgment of the extent to which parenthood involves self-giving and self-sacrifice or by awareness of the parents' own fallibility.
Lack of proportion. Big issues and small are treated as equally urgent matters over which parents must have control. Insisting on tight control over all matters can lead to power struggles.
Limited interpretation of behavior. Behavior is viewed through the lens of obedience/disobedience without adequate consideration of factors such as teething, illness, developmental stages, and emotions such as fear, loneliness, etc, that might cause or influence the behavior.
Undermines the developing relationship between parent and child. The level of control required by the program tends to create an adversarial relationship between parents and child, which may interfere with attachment. Experts regard attachment as the foundation of mental health and say it develops as parents respond to the baby's cues, rather than in the context of parental control.

Secondly, Ezzo's warped theological perspective produces this "jewel" of exegesis.

When using the crucifixion of Jesus to justify letting an infant cry. ``Praise God that the Father did not intervene when His Son cried out on the cross,'' in Preparation for Parenting.

Here are some quotes I have found from mothers who have used the program.

"I, being a first-time mom, terribly unconfident, and eager for something structured and quantifiable, bought into [the book], wholeheartedly. It was a disaster. The first three months of my firstborn's life were filled with frustration"

""My frustration is that it seems the Ezzos never took into consideration the moms who suffer from PPD. My depression was pretty debilitating and when my son wasn't "following the program" so to speak, it created a lot of additional stress."

"I took her to the hospital where she was diagnosed as FTT ("failure-to-thrive"). She spent three days in hospital. I was told to burn Babywise and that babies should be fed on demand, that breastfeeding was a supply and demand process."

"In my mind, I knew that I should call La Leche League for help, but after reading the warnings in [Babywise], there was no way I wanted to get mixed up with those "attachment-parenting types," so I chose to give up and exclusively formula feed."

"When J. was about 3 and a half months old, I started thinking he looked a little skinny."

"I remember laying on the couch listening to her cry and cry thinking motherhood wasn't supposed to be like this."

"I would have said that we were happy following Ezzo, but I can honestly say that we are much happier now. I am so much less stressed out! I didn't realize how much stress Babywising put on me until I quit..."

"I want to share our story in the hope that it may perhaps help to warn others who are heading down the Growing Kids God's Way path. We still ask ourselves, how could we have been deceived for so long?..."

"I would give anything in the world to be able to turn back the clock and learn about the concerns and controversy surrounding Ezzo's methods *before* my dear daughter was born..."

"But even if Babywise and Prep may have a few helpful ideas, there is more chaff than wheat. As someone else has said, "What is good is not unique--you can find it in other safer books. What is unique is not good." In spite of the few helpful ideas I NEVER recommend the books to anyone. Why? Too much possibility that someone could be seriously hurt from them. I don't want that responsibility"

"Please, don't just take our word for it. Do your own research. When you are finished, we be-lieve you will draw the same conclusions we have. We thought we were following sound parent-ing information and doing what was proclaimed to be in the best interest of our son. We could not have been more wrong, and we will always live with that knowledge. We now believe nurs-ing on demand, especially in the early months of life, is among the most critical things one can do for the long-term health and well-being of their child. The harm that has been associated with the Ezzos' parent-directed feeding schedules is not always easily undone, and is simply not worth the potential risks. No other child or parents deserve to endure what we have suffered."

"With both boys I lost my milk between 4 and 5 months. I was unable to get it to come back, I tried all the tricks. Every 3 hours is not enough stimulation for my milk supply in the early months and it affected my supply later on. We were also very heavy into using punishment
(spankings) but now we are not. Our children are now better behaved since we stopped using those tactics with them."

"What was the worst we suffered from the materials?

Believing that every night waking, every phase, everything our kids did, was because they were trying to manipulate us or control us, or defy us. That everything had to be "handled". It's a twisted, sick mindset against your own children - and it's simply not true. We have come a long way - and still have a long way to go. We are far removed from that mindset now, but it haunts us. We find more and more that the truth is that children are new, all that they do is experimentation, and normal. A good dose of guidance, understanding and teaching goes 10 times farther than one punishment."

If you have questions or are frustrated with infant feeding issues, especially breastfeeding, please talk to a qualified professional, and seek the time trusted advice of someone like Dr. Sears.

Dr, Sears has authored numerous books of preganancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting, including great books on nghttime parenting, fussy babies, discipline and many, many more.

Here is an excerpt from Nighttime Parenting by Sears published on the La Leche League website that talks about SIDS. ( Sudden Infant Death Syndrome )