Top 7 Parenting Controversies of 2010

There are so many different parenting styles and philosophies out there that parents are bound to butt heads every once in a while.  Below were the
Top 7 Parenting Controversies of 2011:

1. Should circumcision be banned?
2. Why is ADHD on the rise?
3. Does writing by hand makes kids smarter?
4. Is kissing your kid on the lips creepy?
5. Do daughters cause divorces?
6. What is behind the early puberty epidemic?
7. Will spanking make your child successful?

For some parents, the answers to these questions are clear cut, yet I was fascinated to see the the reasoning behind two polar opposite points of view.   Let's just hope in 2011 we see parents focusing on common ground more often.

Clamping the Cord Immediately After Birth....What's the Big Deal?

The baby is born, the caregiver clamps the cord right away, and you or labor support have the honor of cutting the cord....yeah, what's the big deal?

This practice of clamping and cutting the cord immediately after birth is something that is relatively new in the history  and until recently, completely unstudied.  Come to find out, by waiting a mere 10 minutes or so to clamp and cut the cord, you could be saving your baby quite a bit of harm. 

According to Cordclamp.com, clamping the cord too earlier puts your child at higher risk of:

• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy
• Anemia
• Learning disorders and mental deficiency
• Behavioral disorders
• Respiratory distress
* Jaundice

Immediate cord clamping at birth instantly cuts off the placental oxygen supply and the baby remains asphyxiated until the lungs function. Blood, which normally would have been transfused to establish the child’s lung circulation, remains clamped in the placenta, and the child diverts blood from all other organs to fill the lung blood vessels.

While most full-term babies have enough blood to establish lung function and prevent brain damage, the process often leaves them pale and weak. For premature babies, the process can be even more devastating. And no matter what, immediate cord clamping will cause some degree of asphyxia and loss of blood volume...

George M. Morley, M.B., Ch. B., FACOG

So how can you delay the clamping of the cord?  Easy!  Communicate with your caregiver before, during and after the birth.  Hiring a doula will also increase your odds of delayed cord clamping.  Also insisting that you hold your baby right away after the birth puts you in a more empowered position to protect your newborn.

For more information on newborn procedures, please visit Birthologie.com

Could Your Child's Immune System Hinge on whether you have a Vaginal or Cesarean Birth?

There's no argument that when a cesarean becomes truly necessary, it is a blessing.  But apparently whether it was necessary or not, a cesarean birth puts your child at a serious disadvantage in terms of his immune system.  A new survey finds that babies born via cesarean section had  different bacteria on their skin, noses mouths and rectums than babies born vaginally, putting them at higher risk for developing allergies, asthma and other immune system–related troubles.  Babies born vaginally were colonized predominantly by Lactobacillus, which indicates that those born by cesarean are at higher risk for yeast and mold overgrowth due to a lack of beneficial bacteria.  The C-section babies were colonized by a mixture of potentially nasty bacteria typically found on the skin and in hospitals, such as Staphylococcus and Acinetobacter.

“The vaginal birth was like a fingerprint of mom,” says study coauthor María Domínguez-Bello of the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan.

First-comers to the body are critical for establishing the microbial scene, says pediatrician Josef Neu of the University of Florida in Gainesville. “It’s like a garden where few, if any, seeds have been planted. If you push in one direction you might get a lot of weeds, a lack of diversity,” Neu says. “That can be associated with immune system problems."

So what is a c section mom to do?  Bulk that baby up on probiotics.  You can also treat for yeast and mold with the Yeast Beaters here or if you are a bresatfeeding mom, by taking the capsules the herbs will transfer through your milk.  And most importantly, make sure your baby is getting enough Vitamin D via unfiltered sunlight and/or Cod Liver Oil.

To find out more about infant immunity, please visit Birthologie.com
 

Get Ready to Laugh! Protectasil Vaccine: Smart Girls Get It

This video is a great spoof on the way vaccines - and really most pharmaceuticals - are marketed to us.  Big pharma spends quite a pretty penny on consumer psychology and marketing they know that fear, intimidation, social rejection/bullying, and accusations of neglectful parenting, irresponsibility and ignorance are all in the marketing game plan when it comes to vaccines.  Mainly because that's the bulk of what they have.  The LEGITIMATE studies on vaccines aren't all that reassuring, so of course that information isn't what is going to get put up into the mainstream media.  It's important for you to know how advertisers are trying to gain you as a customer.   

From the article "Smerck? Gardasil Vaccine Ad Spoof Flays Marketing Hype"

Dr. Paul Offiit's RotaTeq vaccine is also from Merck. His vaccine was approved for the pediatric schedule by the CDC that was run by Dr. Julie Gerberding - who is now the head of Merck's vaccine division. Cozier than that camo Snuggie you got from Santa!  And he will call you anti-vaccine if you do not give it and every other vaccine on the pediatric schedule to your children.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy this Montage

For all of you that celebrate Christmas, enjoy this Breastfeeding Baby Jesus video montage

For more information on breastfeeding, please visit Birthologie.com

Not Showing Up for Her C-Section: One Woman's Story

What are your options when your caregiver says you have to be induced or have a c section, but you don't feel it's right?

Most women feel trapped, like they no choice but to just show up and deal with it.

But what if you did have a choice?

One woman did what many women do...she not only switched caregivers, but she also switched birthplace

On Thursday, December 2, as Aneka sat at home nine months pregnant, the phone rang.

It was her obstetrician wanting to know where the heck she was. Did Aneka forget that today was the day for her cesarean section? How could she have forgotten?

No, Aneka hadn't forgotten. She hadn't shown up intentionally.

"She told me, 'You're being irresponsible. Your baby could die. You could die,'" Aneka recalls. Then the doctor hung up.....

Aneka's story begins nine years ago with the birth of her first daughter, Nya. After 10 hours of labor, her doctor told her she wasn't progressing quickly enough, and she needed a C-section.

Four years later, doctors told Aneka she couldn't deliver her second child vaginally, since Nya had been delivered by C-section.

Then again, when Aneka was pregnant with her third child, son Adasjan, she had a C-section for the same reason.

When she became pregnant with her fourth child, a boy named Annan Ni'em, she expected to have a fourth C-section. But about seven months into her pregnancy, Aneka started to read more about childbirth online, and noticed a documentary by actress Ricki Lake called "The Business of Being Born," a film released in 2008 that questions the way American women have babies.

Aneka made a controversial health decision by giving birth vaginally to her fourth child after three previous C-sections.

So just seven weeks away from her December 1 due date, Aneka contacted the International Cesarean Awareness Network, an advocacy group that promotes vaginal births after cesareans, or VBACs.

"She asked me if I could find someone who would deliver her vaginally," remembers Bobbie Humphrey, who works with ICAN. "She started to cry because she'd heard 'no, no, no you can't do this' so many times."

But Humphrey told her yes, that she knew of a midwife who would be willing to deliver her baby at home.

An article in Midwifery Today, written by Barbara Stratton, the National VBAC ban chair for ICAN, lists several approaches women have used to protest a VBAC denial.

On December 5, three days after the C-section that never took place, Annan Ni'em was born at home. He weighed 9 pounds, 6 ounces and was delivered after 20 hours of labor, and, she says, just four minutes of pushing. He was completely healthy.

"We were all crying at the delivery," says Humphrey, a doula who assisted the midwife at the birth. "It was very emotional. I was just so proud of Aneka."

Many women don't realize that there is nothing wrong about choosing a new caregiver, even late in pregnancy, if you feel uncomfortable with the recommendations yoru current one is giving you.

To learn more about your choices in birth and VBAC, please visit Birthologie.com

WebMD and Eli Lilly Busted for Making People Think They are Depressed and Selling Them Drugs

It's name - WebMD - evokes a feeling of authority, trust, and credibility.  So much so that it is ranked #2 in the most visited health content rankings from Alexa.com.  In fact, on it's 'About' page from their website it boasts:

About WebMD (emphasis added)

The WebMD content staff blends award-winning expertise in medicine, journalism, health communication and content creation to bring you the best health information possible. Our esteemed colleagues at MedicineNet.com are frequent contributors to WebMD and comprise our Medical Editorial Board. Our Independent Medical Review Board continuously reviews the site for accuracy and timeliness.

We are dedicated to providing quality health information and to upholding the integrity of our editorial process.

WebMD offers credible and in-depth medical news, features, reference material, and online community programs. We are proud that others in the fields of media and health have recognized our efforts over the years.

Our mission is to bring you objective, trustworthy, and timely health information. 

Which is why the recent 'outing' of WebMD's conflicts of interests is so disappointing.

Depression, especially within the childbearing year, is no trivial thing.  And neither are the drugs that treat it.

From the investigation:

"Lilly markets Cymbalta as the 'go to' antidepressant for patients who have both depression and physical pain," Carlat writes. "This is not really a 'depression screening test' at all. Instead, it is a 'Cymbalta-requester' screening test." 

What WebMD and Eli Lilly aren't telling you is that a placebo has been shown to be more effective than their Antidepressants, and that there are far more effective natural remedies for treating depression, like Omega-3's.

To learn more about Depression and Pregnancy, please visit Birthologie.com

The Whooping Cough Vaccine Isn't Working, What to do Instead

A few months ago there was much ado about the whooping cough (aka pertussis) outbreak in Southern California.  A lot of fear mongering and accusations flew around as to the cause of the outbreak. 

This was a good article on the whole situation that is worth looking into.

In this video, there were some mis statements in what these reporters were saying, but what was fact is that the majority of people infect in California were immunized.  In fact, immunization rates were higher during this outbreak than in years previous. 

What they didn't discuss was that whooping cough comes around every year, and it cycles every four years when we see an increase in the numbers, regardless of vaccination rates. 

Most of the time whooping cough presents as just a persistent cough that lasts around 3 months. 

While this illness can be serious, and isn't fun, it obviously continues to morph and outsmart all the vaccines and antibiotics we use for it.  Apparently vaccines and antibiotics aren't the answer to preventing and treating this disease.

What is the answer?  It's not a one liner, but it is simple.  

1.  Reference this previous post
2.  Get adequate amounts of Vit D via the sun and also avoid suncreen
3.  Increase your exposure to good bacteria via probiotics and healthy birth practices
4.  Become educated and prepared on natural ways to treat pertussis.  This, in addition to my previous post, is a good post on getting a head start

To learn more about vaccines, please visit Birthologie.com

mmmm....Thanks for that Tasty Sunscreen, Mom!

Modern cosmetics and sunscreens are reeking havoc on our health, and now a new study shows that they are impacting our babies health, too.

"Research on the effects of endocrine disrupters (chemicals interfering with hormone actions) has shown that it is of utmost importance to obtain information on simultaneous exposure of humans to different types of chemicals because endocrine active chemicals can act in concert. Information on exposure is particularly important for the developing organism at its most sensitive early life stages. Human milk was chosen because it provides direct information on exposure of the suckling infant and indirect information on exposure of the mother during pregnancy," research team leaders Margret Schlumpf and Walter Lichtensteiger said in a media statement.

While breastmilk is ALWAYS less toxic than formula, it is important to note that there is much you can do to improve the quality of your milk and therefore your child's health.

So what to do instead?  In the case of sunscreen specifically, there are many natural options out there that are just as effective as typical sunscreen and good for you, too:
1.  Eating a lot of food high in beta carotene.  Yellow, red, dark green and orange produce raises your bodies ability to protect against sunburn.  *Stahl, W et al. Carotenoids and carotenoids plus vitamin E protect against ultraviolet light-induced erythema in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71:795-798.
2.  Get sun everyday!  Ultraviolet light stimulates melanin (dark pigment) production. The pigment has the effect of absorbing the UV radiation in sunlight, so it protects the cells from UV damage. Melanin production takes a fair amount of time - that is why most people cannot get a tan in one day. You have to expose yourself to UV for a short period of time to activate the melanocytes. They produce melanin over the course of hours. By repeating this process over 5 to 7 days pigment builds up in your cells to a level that is protective.
3. Switch to natural sunscreens.  Brands that are best use titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and PABA. They are physical barrier-type sunscreens and generally less irritating. Some brands I love are Aubrey Organics, Titania SPF 25 Full Spectrum Sunblock, Green Tea Sunblock, Logona Kosmetik's

To learn more about breastfeeding, please visit Birthologie.com

 

 

 

 

Awkward Pregnancy Photos

What a great bit of comic relief!  If you are a fan of Awkward Family Photos or People of Walmart, you'll love these Awkward Pregnancy Photos.

Be warned, there are a few suggestive photos thrown in.

Enjoy!

"My wife said she wanted curly fries!"

Learn more about the joys of birth at Birthologie.com

CPM Bill Introduced!

Great news!  Women may soon be allowed great access to a wider variety of midwifery services!

According to the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA)

MAMA is very grateful to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) for stepping forward to increase low-income women's access to high-value maternity care by introducing this important piece of legislation. Watch for MAMA's announcement of the bill number just as soon as it is available. Introduction in the 111th Congress this year will give our bill an important advantage for re-introduction when the 112th Congress is seated in January 2011.

While MAMA has quietly been at work on the new CPM bill, we've also been working for you on the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) passed in March 2010 which mandates Medicaid reimbursement of all licensed providers working in licensed birth centers. Again we extend our thanks to Senator Cantwell for "getting the ball rolling for CPMs" by insuring that licensed CPMs practicing in licensed birth centers will have their provider fee reimbursed by Medicaid.

This is a huge step forward in normalizing childbirth in our country.

To learn more about safe birth, please visit Birthologie.com

Creative Way to Bring Awareness!

I'm the one in the orange jacket ;)

Enjoy!

Have You Had a Repeat Cesarean? Please take this quick survey

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On Her 36 Hour Labor: Actress Danica McKellar aka Winnie Cooper of The Wonder Years

I know I'm dating myself here, but I grew up wanting to be Winne Cooper. 

When I found out she had written math books for girls, I was all over that for my homeschooled daughter who wasn't too jazzed about math.

When I found out she did an unmedicated 36 hour hospital birth, and pulled her baby up from her body, I felt as if we could be bosom buddies. 

From Danica's and her husband's facebook pages:

"Ladies, I'm not saying you're 'less than' if you walk into the delivery room and ask for an entire pharmacy of drugs and an epidural," Mike writes on Facebook. "I'm just saying watching Danica go all cave-woman and do it without a single cc of help was pretty damn cool, that's all :)"

"For those of you who follow Mike Verta's page, you've already heard of the 'cavewoman' experience from his point of view - I did indeed go fully natural with the birth - no augmentation, no epidural, nada! It was the most incredible experience of my LIFE, and it's hard to describe the feeling of empowerment that has c...ome along with it. Easy? No. Worth it? YES."

Way to go, Winnie!

Study: AAP Study Says New Pneumococcal Vaccine Doubles SIDS Rate

Vaccines are always changing and improving, which is good news for those getting improved vaccines, bad news for those that got the vaccine before improvement.

But the attempt at improving the Pneumococcal Vaccine has shown that this vaccine in particular is hard to master.

This vaccine has been on and off the shelves for years due to the high risk of injury and death, and according to the newest study out on it, apparently the vaccine kills 5 babies via SIDS for every one it saves from Pneumococcal related illness.

How can the AAP still recommend this vaccine after those shocking results?  It's not easy to say no to the people who put food on the table, I guess. 

Research before you vaccinate, and assess whether your child is going to be helped or harmed by this new vaccine.

To find out more about vaccines, please visit Birthologie.com

Study: One Incredibly Simple Thing That Decreases Your Odds of Preterm Labor

According to a recent Danish study, by drinking one, yes only one, artificially sweetened soft drink a day, you increase your risk of preterm labor by a whooping 38%!

Your kidneys play a major role in your reproductive health, and soft drinks and artificial sweeteners both give your kidneys a major hit.  Put them together and it spells disaster.

Some of the risks and side effects of artificial sweeteners include:

• Cancer
• Headaches
• Rashes
• Blurred vision
• Diabetes
• Weight gain

Please, break the soda and artificial sweetener habit, for your sake and your growing baby's.  Focus on drinking green smoothies, other juices, and good old water.

For more information on green smoothies, please visit Birthologie.com

The UnHoly Union Sesame Street Just Made

Gone are the days when you can trust Sesame Street to give our children some entertainment and education free from outside interest groups influence.

Sesame Street has sold out to Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Giant, Merck.  Merck is sponsoring a new 'superfood' project on sesame street, which include a clock of cheese and a hamburger bun.

To quote NaturalNews.com

Over the years, Sesame Street has played an important and valuable role in society by teaching children basic academics in a fun, playful way. Heck, I remember watching the show from time to time as a kid, and it was briefly entertaining.

But it is precisely because of Sesame Street's huge reach that it has an obligation to get its facts straight on superfoods. To promote cheese and sandwich bread as "superfood" is truly laughable, and it only demonstrates to the world that Sesame Street needs a little education itself.

We need a nutritional Sesame Street for the Sesame Street executives, it seems, who are as ignorant about nutrition as a four-year-old who hasn't yet learned how to count to ten.

Even worse, to partner with a drug company in the launch of such an endeavor is inherently unwise. Merck is the very same company that can't wait to vaccinate all the children watching Sesame Street and hit them with high-priced pharmaceuticals when they grow up and have more serious diseases because they've been living on cheese, processed foods and animal products.

To think that you can come up with a sound nutrition education program by partnering with a drug company is pure madness. Yet that's what Sesame Street has done here.

Maybe they should have realized that if you want to teach nutrition to children, you should talk to a nutritionist and not a vaccine manufacturer.

What's next with all this? Will Bert and Ernie go get seasonal flu shots manufactured by Merck and then tell the kids that vaccines are good nutrition, too?

Yes, that's exactly the propaganda that is coming. 

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To learn more about nutrition, please visit Birthologie.com

Target Calls Cops on Breastfeeding Mom

Really?  This is still happening in 2010?  A woman breastfeeding in Target was harassed and had the cops called on her.  Little did they know that the woman's husband, who was shopping with her, was himself a cop, and that the laws in their state fully protected this woman's right to breastfeed in public, as they should.

The mom told the local Fox affiliate, "Forcing me out of the store. Two security guards, the manager or team leader, two officers, they just made a spectacle and a scene. I feel like I can't go to that specific Target anymore."

I recently had a conversation with a friend in medical school where he insinuated that public breastfeeding was indecent.  Whereupon I asked him if he felt he was a hypocrite for promoting health, but discouraging the one act that could do more for public health than anything. 

What most people, not to mention medical professionals, don't realize is that the acceptance of public breastfeeding is an ESSENTIAL step to improve individual and public health.  When a woman does not feel supported to nurse in public, she will most assuredly turn to inferior forms of feeding her child, putting her child at risk.

I have found that the promotion of public breastfeeding lies on the woman's shoulders.  You have to just do it, and do it proudly with no apologies.  Only then will our society and medical culture come to value and protect this ever important act.

From the looks of the Target incident, we have a long way to go, but we can do it!  The more you nurse in public, the more courage that gives another young mother or soon to be mother.

To learn more about the breastfeeding laws in your state, click here.

For more information on breastfeeding, please visit Birthologie.com

Women seeking birth control get unneeded pelvic exams

How many of YOU have been "required" to do a pelvic exam before a scrip for birth control was handed to you?  Probably most of you. 

Article

There is no established medical need for women to have the exam before receiving a prescription for birth control pills, Sawaya said. It's just that, traditionally, pelvic exams have been coupled with contraceptive prescriptions; in many cases, it may have simply been convenient for women to have a pelvic exam as part of their routine healthcare at the same time they were seeking a birth-control prescription.

"The two just became linked," Kaunitz agreed. But while there is nothing wrong with that, he said, "women also deserve the option of un-linking those two services."

The current findings are based on a survey sent to a national sample of 1,196 ob-gyns, family doctors and advanced-practice nurses specializing in either women's health or family medicine.

Overall, 29 percent of ob-gyns and 33 percent of family doctors said they always required a pelvic exam for women seeking birth control pills. In addition, half of ob-gyns and about 45 percent of family doctors said they usually required the exam.

He also pointed out that among all providers in the study, those working in private practice were twice as likely as those in community and family-planning clinics to require a pelvic exam — suggesting that the clinic providers are more aware of current guidelines.

It's also possible that some doctors require a pelvic exam in order to get the insurance reimbursement, Sawaya and his colleagues note in their report.

Medicare pays doctors about $75 for a screening pelvic exam and, depending on geography, private insurers may pay more. Contraceptive counseling, on the other hand, may not always fall into a clearly defined reimbursement category, the authors note.

"In the absence of adequate financial incentives for contraceptive counseling as an important clinical activity in its own right," the researchers write, "providers are incentivized to conduct a physical exam with a well-reimbursed billing code.

You heard right!  So next time your doc insists on doing an exam, say 'no thanks!'

To learn more about Reproductive Health, please visit Birthologie.com

Ask 8 Before Your Vaccinate

There are 8 simple questions that you need to ask before you vaccinate:

1. Am I or my child sick right now?
2. Have I or my child had a bad reaction to a vaccination before?
3. Do I or my child have a personal or family history of vaccine reactions, neurological disorders, severe allergies or immune system problems?
4. Do I know the disease and vaccine risks for myself or my child?
5. Do I have full information about the vaccine’s side effects?
6. Do I know how to identify and report a vaccine reaction?
7. Do I know I need to keep a written record, including the vaccine manufacturer’s name and lot number, for all vaccinations?
8. Do I know I have the right to make an informed choice?

If you answered yes to questions 1, 2, and 3, or no to questions 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 and do not understand the significance of your answer, you may want to review information on NVIC's website.

Here are typical vaccine reactions to look for when you do vaccinate:

High Fever (over 103° F)
“His temperature was 105 degrees. I had to put cool towels on him to bring the fever down.”

Skin (hives, rashes, swelling)
“There was a big, hot swollen lump at the site of the shot that stayed for weeks.”

High Pitched Screaming
“It was a pain cry, a shrill scream and lasted for hours and nothing would help.”

Collapse/Shock
“She turned white with a blue tinge around her mouth and went completely limp.”

Excessive Sleepiness
“He passed out and we couldn’t wake him to feed or do anything for over 12 hours.”

Convulsion
“Her eyes twitched, her chin trembled, her body went rigid and then would shake.”

Brain Inflammation
“He just laid in his crib with his eyes wide open then would arch his back and scream and go unconscious. Now he has seizures.”

Behavior Changes
“She won’t sleep or eat. She throws herself down and screams for no reason. She was sweet and happy and is now out of control. She changed into a totally different child."

Mental/Physical Regression
“My 18 month old son stopped talking and walking after those shots. He developed severe allergies, constant diarrhea, ear infections and was sick all the time.”

Other reported vaccine reactions include:
loss of muscle control, paralysis, regressive autism, asthma, arthritis, blood disorders, diabetes, Guillain Barre syndrome, sudden death.

To learn more about vaccines, please visit Birthologie.com

Boys Being Targeted for 'Cervical Cancer Vaccine'

Last September the U.S. saw it's first male death from the HPV vaccine...a 10 year old boy from New Jersey.  The reported injuries from the HPV vaccine is now 20,443, including deaths.  You must research closely risk vs. benefit with each individual vaccine, and the HPV vaccine, especially for boys, is highly controversial. 

I think the Dr. Christiane Northrup summed the HPV vaccine best when she said this on Oprah (Jan 17, 2008):

"That vaccine is of great interest to me because there are over 100 HPV types and this vaccine only targets 4 of them and although they are associated, they are associated, with cervical cancer, nobody has ever proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that HPV is the cause of cervical cancer. HPV - Human Papilloma Virus. It's a venereal wart virus. But this vaccine came out to protect women against certain strains of HPV that are associated with cervical cancer. Here's the deal: only about 3,500 women die per year from cervical cancer and the number decreases every year. So we're doing very well with PAP smears and other screening tests. So you should keep having those. And, I'm very concerned vaccinating girls 9 and over, every single one of them, with two vaccines. There have been some deaths from the vaccine and I'm a little against my own profession. My own profession feels everyone should be vaccinated. But I think the money could be better spent elsewhere, because here's the deal: you see HPV associated with abnormal PAP smears in women who are on immunosuppressant drugs -- who have had kidney transplants or who have HIV disease. So it seems that virus is associated with cancer in those whose immune system is already depressed. So it's like a marker for a depressed immune system. Where I'd put my money is getting everybody on a dietary program that would enhance their immunity and then they would be able to resist that sort of thing."

To learn more about vaccines, please visit Birthologie.com

Jenna Elfman's (aka Dharma) Milk Sharing Story

Many people cringe at the thought of sharing breastmilk, but these people should step back and ask themselves, "Why not?" 

For many babies, breastmilk is their only option for survival.  It is inspiring and educational to note other people's story at the important role breastmilk can play in the life of a baby who uses donated milk.

Yeah Jenna!

Jenna Elfman's "Rewarding" Breastfeeding Experience

When actress Jenna Elfman gave birth to son Story Elias three years ago, she was surprised when the whole breastfeeding thing didn't come to her naturally.

"I had zero education about breastfeeding," she admits in an interview with Best for Babes. "I thought you put the baby on the breast and they sucked and that was it."

So Elfman turned to the breast pump. Because Story had problems latching, she pumped "in the backs of cars, on the way to the set, on the freeway"...she used every spare moment so Story would not go hungry!

After more than 10 months pumping, the 39-year-old actress had amassed an overstock of breastmilk and began freezing what she wasn't using. In doing all of this, Elfman never knew she'd be helping out someone else's bundle of joy in addition to her own.

She soon found out that a family member of a friend had given birth to a methamphetamine-addicted baby who couldn't keep formula down. Elfman offered her own frozen breastmilk to try, and it worked!

"Once a week my friend would come over and get a supply. The second the baby started on breastmilk, he could hold it down. All of the rash symptoms on his body started going away," she explains. "I literally kept him alive for several months."

Because of the whole ordeal, Elfman, who is also mom to Easton Quinn Monroe, 8 months, says she holds a special place for the little guy in her heart. "In my heart I feel connected to him, like he's my little angel friend," she added.

To learn more about breastfeeding, visit Birthologie.com

Been Told That Homebirth Studies Prove Its Dangerous?

Many women mistakenly assume that their hospital caregiver is willing to have a open hearted, respectful discussion about homebirth if they bring it up.   Sadly, and to everyone's detriment, to date I have never had a client have that happen.  It's usually ends in a lot of scare tactic, inflammatory statements.  Not too long ago, to add fuel to the homebirth discussion fire, a paper came out from the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology saying that homebirth was associated with a higher death rate, and insinuated that those who chose homebirth were really just being selfish and choosing a more homey experience over safety. 

Not coincidentally, the paper came out right before New York was about to pass midwifery legislation, and all most parents heard was a sound byte of "Homebirth Kills".

Sadly, most people, much less OB's and some CNM's won't look any deeper than this sound byte into this highly politicized issue.  I urge you to get the facts on the paper, called "The Wax Paper" and keep in mind that the following criteria was put in place for this paper:

• Accidental out of hospital births were included
• Unplanned out of hospital births were included
• Unattended out of hospital births were included
• Women that had little to no prenatal care were included

All of these factors play a huge role in safety and do not reflect the real safety of homebirth, which has been scientifically shown over and over again to equal or excel hospital safety records.

To read more about homebirth, please visit Birthologie.com

 

Kids' ER Visits Fell After Cold Meds Pulled

What welcome news!  I'm sad to say that I heard more than once of parents overusing and misusing children's cold medicines.  OTC cold medications are extremely taxing on the liver, and can set a child up for a life of liver related illnesses and disease.  I couldn't be happier at hearing this news, but what how do you find relief for a child dealing with coughs and colds?  My personal tried and true remedies are:

• To break a fever:  1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil on the spine, reapply as needed.  You can also put the oil in 1 tsp of a carrier oil, such as olive oil or apricot oil if you wish.  I prefer the oils from herbalogie.com or butterflyexpress.com
• To eliminate the infection: A glycerin based echinacea and goldenseal tincture.  I prefer Infection Fighter from herbalogie.com
• To quell a cough and break up congestion: An herbal bronchiodilator, such as the Chill formula from herbalogie.com, or an essential oil that contains cassia applied at teh back of the tongue or in a carrier oil and applied to the chest.  You can also cut up onions and garlic, stick it in the end of a leg of pantyhose and tie it around the chest.
• And of course, homemade chicken noodle soup!
• Wild Cherry bark and elderberry, as well as Homeopathics are also a great alternative for any and all of these ailments.

For tips on maintaining health, please visit Birthologie.com

13.5 lb baby born naturally!?

How big is too big when it comes to birthing babies?  These days you'd think women have acheived some impossible feat if their babies weigh more than even 8 pounds.  But it hasn't always been this way.  Back before induction, ultrasounds and scheduled cesareans, what we consider 'big' babies were actually typical weight.  In fact, if the baby were less than 8 pounds or so, people would wonder if something was wrong.

While their might be some extra considerations when birthing 'big' babies, I hope for the day when 'big' becomes 'typical' again.

For more information on safe birth, please visit Birthologie.com

How Your Fears Manifest in Birth

Fear....it's the antithesis of a peaceful birth.  It can be a paralyzing influence that can lead to a disastrous outcome in birth. 
It's so overwhelming, though, that most women and caregivers don't even think to address it.  But it must be addressed, for your and your baby's safety. 
It's really not that hard to do, either!  It starts with just asking simple questions and looking for the answer.
This great video addresses women's most common childbirth fears

To learn more about empowerment in birth, please visit Birthologie.com

Having Twins?

Women have twins and triplets need extra support, education and encouragement.  It is one tough job, with a huge payoff!

Are you destined to have a c section, preemies and a myriad of interventions?  The answer is no!  I hope this video gives you some hope.

Induction

"Inducing labor is intrinsically ironic. It works best when least needed and often fails when needed most. It also causes the very problems it was intended to prevent" ~Henci Goer, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth

Why Are U.S. Women Dying in Childbirth?!?!

Croatia, Malta, Latvia, Bosnia.....those places must all be more dangerous to give birth in than the USA, the richest and most technologically advanced country in the world, right?

You couldn't be more wrong.  The maternal mortality rate is sky rocketing in this country, and there are multiple causes to blame.  Yes, being unhealthy certainly raises your risk of complication and death, but also unnecessary interventions, such as elective induction and c section, are too blame.  Did you know that The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that there has been no improvement in the maternal death rate in the United States since 1982?

Enter in midwife Ina May Gaskin with the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project:

The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project is a national effort developed to draw public attention to the current maternal death rates, as well as to the gross underreporting of maternal deaths in the United States, and to honor those women who have died of pregnancy-related causes since 1982.

It is up to YOU to be healthy, educate yourself, and avoid unnecessary intervention.

To learn more about being healthy and unnecessary intervention, please visit Birthologie.com

Vaccines and 'Silver' Fillings Cause Alzheimer's

That's right!  What so many have suspected for decades is FINALLY confirmed.  Mercury does, in fact, cause Alzheimer's.  And if mercury, which is still in the seasonal flu vaccine and in 'silver' fillings, can degrade a person's brain to an Alzheimer state, what can it do to the brain in the meantime?  Some one's got some 'splanin to do!

What is "Obstetric Violence"?

Most women don't even consider that their rights might be abused, or their bodies sexually violated, during birth, but sadly it does happen. Just because the sexual violation may not be erotic, to have instruments and hands put on or in you without your consent is still considered sexual abuse, whether you are in labor or not. 

Most women accept this type of abuse as part of the birthing process, a necessary evil to get their babies here.  In fact, they don't even define it as abuse, and almost wear this type of treatment as some type or martyr-istic badge after the birth.  But is it necessary?  Recently in Venezuela, a new law has been enacted that protect pregnant and birthing women, and increases the chances of autonomy and respect during this most sacred process, as reported by the Unnecessarean.  

"The following acts executed by care providers are considered obstetric violence:

(1) Untimely and ineffective attention of obstetric emergencies; (2) Forcing the woman to give birth in a supine position, with legs raised, when the necessary means to perform a vertical delivery are available; (3) Impeding the early attachment of the child with his/her mother without a medical cause thus preventing the early attachment and blocking the possibility of holding, nursing or breast-feeding immediately after birth; (4) Altering the natural process of low-risk delivery by using acceleration techniques, without obtaining voluntary, expressed and informed consent of the woman; (5) Performing delivery via cesarean section, when natural childbirth is possible, without obtaining voluntary, expressed, and informed consent from the woman.

In these cases, the person or persons responsible are subject to a fine of two hundred and fifty (250 TU) to five hundred tax units (500 TU) and the court will submit a copy of the sentence to the professional body or union responsible for disciplinary actions."

Holding obstetric personnel responsible for their actions is so often thrown by the wayside in the U.S., one would hope that Venezuela's actions has a ripple effect into the global birth community.  

For more information on avoiding unnecessary intervention in birth visit Birthologie.com

 

Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy

Would nurse your child past 6 months?  Ifnot, why not?

The benefits of breastfeeding a baby past 6, 12, or even 24 months are enormous!  And there are no down sides, besides social ridicule.  So why don't more women breastfeeding longer?  Why don't we collectively 'change the rules'?  This new, important radio documentary explores the experiences of 14 mothers who broke through the cultural norm to breastfeed between 1 and 4 years.  It is available for you to listen to online for free. 

Give your child the healthiest start possible, and educate and arm yourself with support and the facts.

For more information on breastfeeding, please visit Birthologie.com

Survey: Vaccinated Children Two And A Half Times More Likely To Have Neurological Disorders Like ADHD And Autism

All parents want is one thing when it comes to vaccine safety.  Information.  I always get asked, "Are their studies comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated kids?"  Would such a study make our lives easier?  Of course!  Where are those studies?  No where to be found.  Whatever the reason for this lack of information - red tape, politics, conflicts of interest, money - and whether they are legitimate reasons or not, doesn't help parents right now.  They just want to know some straight facts. 

Generation Rescue to the rescue. 

"The survey, commissioned by Generation Rescue, compared vaccinated and unvaccinated children in nine counties in Oregon and California. Among more than 9,000 boys age 4-17, the survey found vaccinated boys were two and a half times (155%) more likely to have neurological disorders compared to their unvaccinated peers. Vaccinated boys were 224% more likely to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and 61% more likely to have autism.

For older vaccinated boys in the 11-17 age bracket, the results were even more pronounced. Vaccinated boys were 158% more likely to have a neurological disorder, 317% more likely to have ADHD, and 112% more likely to have autism. Complete survey results are available at http://www.GenerationRescue.org."

To follow that up, come to find out, the government funded and run vaccine courts - where you get appointed a government paid lawyer and have no jury - has awarded over 1300 cases compensation to brain damaged vaccinated children, where the symptoms were exactly that of autistic kids.  Those cases where autism was called autism instead of brain damage?  The awards were almost non existent.

This video is a great primer on the situation

To learn more about vaccines, visit Birthologie.com

Childhood Flu Shot...Side Effects Worse Than the Illness?

What if you were told that the risk of your child becoming hospitalized with side effects from the flu shot were greater than the side effects from the flu itself?  Would you still vaccinate?

Recently in Austrailia, where they use the same flu vaccines the U.S. does,"Public health experts have called for an independent body to monitor drug safety after it emerged that young children were more likely to end up in hospital because of side effects from a flu vaccine than they were from the disease itself.", the article reports.

More than 1000 adverse events have been reported in children under 5, with 100 of those being febrile seizures, some with lifelong injury.   This is the first year that the flu vaccine has 3 combined flu virus', the most controversial being the swine flu vaccine.  It is important that we look to other countries for their experiences with vaccines since our own government is tied up with a lot of conflicts of interest and red tape when it comes to unbiasedly looking at vaccine risk and benefit.

For more information on vaccination, please visit Birthologie.com

Creating a Sacred Birth Space

I am a firm believer in birth being a peaceful and beautiful experience.  Afterall, I wrote a whole book on it!  The Way of the Peaceful Birther.

This article gives you specific ways that you can enhance your birth environment:

"Here are three ways to create your sacred birth field:

1. Mantra: Create a positive affirmation and repeat it often. An example is, “My body is perfectly designed to grow and birth a healthy happy baby.” Notice yourself transform!
2. Meditation: Relax often in a nurturing space where you can quiet your mind and emotions. Speak to your baby from your heart space and listen to what you receive back.
3. Movement: Honor the beauty of your changing body through yoga, dance, or other low-impact movement during pregnancy. Tune into your body and your baby and receive what comes through you whether it be emotions, feelings, thoughts, or visuals."

Birth is much more than a physical experience, make it a beautiful one, too.

For more tips and tricks to make a birth beautiful, visit Birthologie.com

Mothers Are Smarter Than They Think!

Mommybrain?  Have you ever heard this excuse for things? 

Well, according to new research, that mommybrain of yours makes you smarter than your counterparts without children.

"In particular, the mothers who most enthusiastically rated their babies as special, beautiful, ideal, perfect and so on were significantly more likely to develop bigger mid-brains than the less awestruck mothers in key areas linked to maternal motivation, rewards and the regulation of emotions. The mothers averaged just over 33 years in age and 18 years of school. All were breastfeeding, nearly half had other children"

So go ahead and gush over your baby, and love him up!  It makes you and your baby smarter!

For more news on the benefits of motherhood, visit Birthologie.com

Why in the World are you so SWOLLEN?

I got a desperate call from my pregnant niece today,

“My feet are huge!  And my lower back aches all the time.  HELP!”

You know, everything you can find about swelling during pregnancy really….does not go far enough or take it seriously enough.  It took me until my 5th pregnancy to really figure out the cause and real life effective treatment!  Meanwhile, during my other 4 pregnancies my feet were like overstuffed sausages and it was incredibly painful to stand for more than 3 minutes at a time. And if you do have bad lower back pain, that is your kidneys as well!

 I want to give you GREAT suggestions to eliminate swelling during pregnancy.

Why You Swell?

Because your kidneys aren’t functioning optimally.  They aren’t removing waste products efficiently.  This goes for any type of swelling, pregnant or not, including the puffiness under and around your eyes.

How Do You Fix That?

Besides all the standard “put your feet up and wear compression hose” suggestions, let’s get to the root of the problem.

FIX YOUR KIDNEYS!

1.  Eating about a 5 lb watermelon everyday will completely flush your kidneys, and reduce or eliminate the swelling. Other foods that works well is parsley, onion, celery, fish oil ( LOVE Barlean’s Lemon Swirl), garlic and peppermint.

2.  Take kidney supporting herbs.  I like Happy Backs from Herbalogie.com, but anything with uva ursi or gravelroot is great.  Also, many herbal preparations have parsley in them, it’s a great addition.

3.  Lemon, Rosemary, Peppermint or Cypress essential oils, rubbed on the lower back region and on the feet work really well to nourish your kidneys and get them working well.  You can use them neat (aka put them straight on) or put a few drops in carrier oil like olive oil or apricot oil and massage it in.  Again, Herbalogie.com is a great resource as well as ButterflyExpress.com

4.  Drink a lot of water or tea, such as pregnancy tea or uva ursi tea.

By the way, toxemia and pre eclampsia, which are very serious conditions, are both kidney problems.  While not all women that swell end up with these ailments, it’s a good idea to incorporate these suggestion to help stave them off.

Visit Birthologie.com or Go here for more information on pregnancy discomforts.

Yes, Babies Do Cry in the Womb

When I was pregnant with my fourth baby, I swore I heard a faint crying sound coming from my belly.  When I mentioned this to my midwife, she said that she herself had experienced the same thing while she was pregnant. This fascinating video clearly shows a fetus crying in the womb.  Will this discovery change pregnant women's behavior toward their unborn babies?  One would hope.  Babies clearly have feelings and responses before they are born, and can communicate their needs even before they are born.

For more information on staying healthy during pregnancy and other birth information, please visit Birthologie.com

Breastfeeding Can Protect Your Baby From Developing Allergies

Did you know that babies who are fed a formula based on cow's milk or soy tend to have more allergic reactions than breastfed babies?

Scientists think that immune factors such as secretory IgA (only available in breast milk) help prevent allergic reactions to food by providing a layer of protection to a baby's intestinal tract. Without this protection, inflammation can develop and the wall of the intestine can become "leaky." This allows undigested proteins to cross the gut where they can cause an allergic reaction and other health problems.

Babies who are fed formula rather than breast milk don't get this layer of protection, so they're more vulnerable to inflammation, allergies, and other eventual health issues.

Visit Birthologie.com for the latest study on the long-term benefits of breastfeeding.

The Case For Childbirth Classes

A quick excerpt from my latest article out on EzineArticles.com:

"Studies show that a positive, healthy birth is not measured by how much pain a woman experiences, but by how well informed she felt, how in control of the decision making she was, and the quality of her labor support. In order to achieve a high level knowledge, informed decision making, and skilled labor support, education is essential."

"The way to attain the highest quality childbirth education in the limited time that pregnancy offers is to seek out experienced, well-informed childbirth education classes."

You can view the full article here:

The Case For Childbirth Classes

Want to Raise a Strong Boy? Breastfeed!

"The phrase “you are what you eat” really is true, according to a new study published in the online journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers have determined that baby boys who are breastfed during the first six months of their lives–who also gain the most weight during this crucial developmental period–grow up to be stronger and more masculine than men who are undernourished.

According to Christopher Kuzawa, a biological anthropologist at Northwestern University and author of the study, the first six months of a boy’s life is “when testosterone is at roughly adult levels”. This means that getting proper nutrition during this time is absolutely crucial if boys are to develop into healthy maturity.

“Men who as babies gained weight rapidly during the period of this testosterone surge matured earlier, were taller, had more muscle, were stronger and had higher testosterone levels,” explained Kuzawa. “The slow growers are undernourished and nutrition-stressed.”

For more tips and tricks on breastfeeding, see this post and others at Birthologie.com

Gambia Cracking Down on Opponents of Female Genital Mutilation

Sadly, we still have a long way to go in protecting women's rights...

********
Gambia Detains Head Of Anti Female Genital Mutilation Campaigners!

Authorities in The Gambia have begun cracking down on women rights campaigners against Female Genital Mutilation. The Executive Director of The Gambia Committee Against Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) Dr. Isatou Touray, and her Assistant Amie Bojang Sissoho were arrested on Monday by police for unexplained reasons, the Freedom Newspaper can report.  Both Dr. Touray and Madam Sissoho are currently detained at the police head quarters in the capital city Banjul.

Before close of business Monday, news reached the press community here that the detainees were to be escorted by police to the regional court in Kanifing, but only to be told that the case would be heard on Tuesday.  Dr. Touray and Mrs. Sissoho  are expected to reappear in court on Tuesday for plea taking.

Sources said the detainees were alleged to  have been charged with theft, but would not elaborate further on the main substance of the case.  But prior to their arrest, Dr. Touray, who is known as a prominent anti FGM activist said she was being pursued by the state with people reporting her to the President.  She said some people were "out to get her" with false accusations, but would not elaborate on the nature of the  said accusations. She told delegates at a recent workshop that she was privy to the scheme that was hatched to get her arrested.

Click below for full content:
http://www.freedomnewspaper.com/Homepage/tabid/36/mid/367/newsid367/5657/Breaking-News-Gambia-Gambia-Detains-Head-Of-Anti-Female-Genital-Mutilation-Campaigners/Default.aspx

The Top 3 Things Labor Nurses Say You Should Do

Birthologie.com can fulfill 2 out of those three things, and help you find the third!

The three things they want you to have?

1.  Childbirth Education.
A whooping 94% of nurses surveyed said women should take childbirth classes.
“Usually the more prepared women are the better the experience. The fear factor decreases and with it so does the pain,” wrote one of the nurses surveyed.
Another had this to say, “women think that watching The Baby Story and similar shows on TLC, etc., is preparation for childbirth, and is realistic. This is not the typical birth experience.”

2.  A Birth Plan.
“Developing a birth plan takes conscious thought and may assist (especially first time) mothers with being more informed about options.”
Another nurse writes, “I’ve noticed a lot of people use pre-made birth plans from the Internet, which doesn’t really help them to be more knowledgeable about the process of labor of delivery.  I’m not convinced simply having a birth plan will help patient’s to be more knowledgeable or prepared about the process.”  So true. I love these nurses! 

3.  A Doula.
“A doula can be a great support if a woman is trying to have an unmedicated delivery. A woman really needs one-to-one care when she is laboring without any pain meds.”
"Continual labor support from a confident and knowledgeable support person makes a huge difference in outcomes.”

See the full article here.

For more tips and tricks on the childbearing year, including online childbirth education classes, visit Birthologie.com

Natural Childbirth: Expectations vs Reality

"Natural childbirth" is a concept which gained popularity as long ago as the 1950s, when Dr Grantly Dick-Read advocated a series of deep relaxation and breathing exercises, similar to contemporary hypnosis techniques. More recently, the term has evolved to mean a labour which starts, progresses and is completed without medical intervention, and one which empowers the mother to make choices about the way her labour is managed. It is, therefore, essentially a physiological labour, but contemporary moves to empower women have largely been a revolt against medical interference in childbirth, which started in the 1970s when women were increasingly encouraged to labour in hospital rather than at home, because the medical profession, unlike midwives, views birth as "only normal in retrospect". This led doctors to set parameters for what they considered to be 'normal' labour, a trend which has continued almost unabated ever since. Maternal dissatisfaction has resulted, over the years, in a series of maternity service reports including the Maternity Care in Action reports (1982,1984)[1] and the Changing Childbirth document (1993) which advocated "choice, control and continuity" within antenatal and intrapartum care, yet in many respects little has changed. 

Original Post: http://208.112.12.235/article-view.php?articleid=2867&PHPSESSID=e33272f7190775ce3585bcc3ec5ad718

For more information, resources, and childbirth classes, visit us at Birthologie.com.

Those Who Vaccinate Less Educated and Sickly?

Contrary to conventional thought, and according to a recent study, those we choose not to vaccinate have on average more formal education under their belt, a higher income, and less hospital visits.

This study confirms the growing skepticism towards vaccination.  If you've ever felt uneasy about one or more vaccinations, you are not alone.

If, when you ask your caregiver sincere questions about the risks and benefits of vaccination and they don't address your questions respectfully, choose a new caregiver!

Many more parents are choosing their own vaccination schedule or opting out all together.

See the full study here

For more information on this topic and more, including online childbirth education classes, visit Birthologie.com

The Non Stress Test....Risks?

Most doctors lead you to believe that doing a biophysical profile at teh end of pregnancy to asses your baby's wellbeing is completely risk free.  But is it?

In this article, the author explores the impact of going in for that "non stress test" or biophysical profile".

No intervention, including one that is non invasive, is risk free. 

For more tips and tricks, including online childbirth classes, visit Birthologie.com

Tattoo = No Epidural?

Lately there's been online chatter about the risk of having a tattoo, namely a lower back tattoo.  And it may not be the risks that your thinking of.  Could having a lower back tattoo mean you will be denied an epidural in labor?  Some anesthesiologists argue that the tattoo ink can leak into the epidural space, posing a health risk.  But is there any science to back up this theory?

 

For more helpful tips and tricks, as well as online childbirth classes, visit Birthologie.com

Prevent Pre-Term Labor With One Simple Trick...

Pre term labor, resulting in a premature baby, is something that you want to avoid.  There can be lifelong disabilities for those born too early, not to mention the emotional and financial costs that come along with prematurity.

What if I told you there is one simple and free way to prevent this heartbreaking complication?

New research says that getting enough vitamin D in pregnancy is one way you can prevent pre term labor.  Some studies suggest that a minimum of 4000 IU's of vitamin D per day is all you need, but other studies suggest that 10,000 IU is the amount you want to get.  Either way, getting more vitamin D is easy.  Only 20-30 minutes of direct sunlight per day supplies you with approximately 10,000 IU of vitamin D.  So, throw aside the sunscreen and sunglasses and get your daily dose of sun!

Don't live in an area where sunlight is that plentiful?  You could also supplement with the second best source of vitamin D - fish oil.  There are many varieties on the market that don't have that fishy after taste.  Barlean's is one brand I highly recommend to avoid any negative taste.

For more helpful tips and tricks, as well as online childbirth classes, visit Birthologie.com.

Pros and Cons of Elective C-Sections

If you're considering an elective C-Section, there are many things to think about before you commit to doing so. This is, after all, a major surgery that can present serious risks for both the mother and the baby.

This interview does a good job of pointing out some of those risks.

Taking childbirth classes in advance of making this decision will provide you with the information you need to really understand your options and make an informed decision.

Is It Possible To Feel No Pain During Childbirth?

Loved this post about pain during childbirth.

As hard to believe as it may be, pain during childbirth is heavily affected by your state of mind. Having the proper education prior to the birth, as well as good support during the birth experience, makes all the difference.

Taking a local class, or online childbirth classes, will significantly help you to prepare for the birth experience of your dreams.

Lamaze Sees Progress & Problems For Childbearing Women

I whole-heartedly agree with the assessment made by Lamaze on the current state of the childbirth system in the US.

The cure for the epidemic of unnecessary birth interventions really comes down to childbirth education.

“Every woman should have the information and tools they need to have a safe, healthy and natural birth,” said Dalrymple. “The more information a woman has, the more confident she’ll feel in the choices she makes about her care.” 

You can read the full article HERE.

For more information on having a healthy birth experience, as well as online childbirth classes, visit us at www.Birthologie.com.

Childbirth Interventions: Technology's Impact on Childbirth

Hi, this is Amy Jones, creator of Birthologie.com.  I've been a doula and childbirth educator since 1997 and if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, there’s a list of vital questions that you need to ask yourself in order to get that birth experience that you're looking for.  One of those questions that I’ll be addressing today is does more technology and intervention make for a healthier outcome in childbirth?

The short answer to that question is yes and no. We are so blessed to live in an era where we do have these life saving tools and technologies for mothers and babies during childbirth. However, on the other hand, the overuse and misuse of these technologies really lead to more problems than what they're preventing.

Ironically, in the areas where technologies are used the least, they actually do have the best outcomes.  So take for example the Cesarian rate in this country.  In the US, we have a Cesarian rate of over 30%. So that is saying over 30% of women cannot birth their babies the way that they were made to birth their babies and that’s an almost obscene statement to think about.

The World Health Organization actually recommends a Cesarian rate of 15% or less and in those countries that actually have Cesarian rate between 5% and 10% have the best overall outcomes in terms of mortality and morbidity for infants and for mothers.

In 1965, the US Cesarian rate was 4.5% and our infant and maternal mortality were extremely low as well.  We had a really good ranking as far as our infant and maternal mortality and since our Cesarian rate has climbed so exponentially, our maternal mortality and infant mortality rates have reflected that.

And so, it’s really incumbent upon you as a consumer and as a birthing woman to seek out those caregivers that do have the lowest infant maternal mortality rates and also have low rates of unnecessary intervention as well.

Visit Birthologie.com for more information, as well as online childbirth classes.