Monthly Archives: January 2010

Breast Milk Bust in Haiti?

MSNBC is reporting that there is no need for breast milk in Haiti.  Not only that, but it’s not wanted: “The international Emergency Nutrition Network has asked one group, the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, to retract a … Continue reading

Posted in Breastfeeding | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Restriction of Food and Drink in Labor from a Medical Anthropologist’s Perspective

The recent Cochrane review, Restricting oral fluid and food intake during labour, analyzed five studies and concluded that women should be free to eat and drink in labor at will. Since the evidence shows no benefits or harms, there is … Continue reading

Posted in General, Hospital Birth, Obstetricial Interventions | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Distortion of Natural Birth

I was so happy to follow up on Ashley’s Midwife Vs. Medwife post because I really feel as though this will be a little piggy back on the subject. Last night I tuned into ABC’s hit series Private Practice, and … Continue reading

Posted in General, Labor and Birth, Media, Natural Childbirth, Pregnancy | 4 Comments

Midwife vs. Medwife

I attended a birth this weekend in the role of doula. This was for a client in a city where I am not familiar with the practitioners, so I directed the family towards several midwives and asked them to make … Continue reading

Posted in General | 8 Comments

VBAC Conference by the NIH

March 8-10, 2010 will have a consensus conference on vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).  It will address questions, including: What are the rates and patterns of utilization of trial of labor after prior cesarean, vaginal birth after cesarean, and repeat … Continue reading

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Reducing Anxiety in Early Pregnancy

With home pregnancy tests, many women now find out they are pregnant much sooner than ever before. This can be good because the mother can start preparing herself for a new baby; she can start eating healthy, taking her prenatal … Continue reading

Posted in Jennifer, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care | 2 Comments

Folic Acid

January is a time when we start trying to turn a new leaf.  For women who want to get pregnant, are pregnant or even if you’re just of reproductive age, it’s recommended that you get 400mcg of folic acid everyday. … Continue reading

Posted in Prenatal Care | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Healthy Eating During Your Pregnancy

I can certainly say, when I got pregnant with my oldest, I thought pregnancy was a free ticket to pig out and live on junk food, but I quickly learned through my reading, that is not the case at all!! … Continue reading

Posted in General, March of Dimes, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Epidurals vs. Unmedicated

I was talking to someone today who was trying to decide if an epidural was right for her in her upcoming labor.  She was well read and still had some concerns on the topic.  But in part of our correspondence … Continue reading

Posted in Childbirth Education, Labor and Birth, Natural Childbirth | Tagged , , | 4 Comments