Author Archives: mommy2be

Baby Sleep Issues

My daughter just hit six months (I can’t believe it!) but we’re starting to have some real sleep issues. How to get naps in/when/where etc.? I’ve heard great things about Elizabeth Pantley’s books and am excited to read her newest … Continue reading

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CNN Story on Facebook Protest

I was excited when my friend sent me a Facebook (ha!) that said that the nurse-in was covered on CNN’s online homepage today. However, when I watched the video, I was disappointed to see that they had blurred many of … Continue reading

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Breastfeeding Mom Told to Cover Up

Apparently Allegiant airlines didn’t learn anything from other “breastfeeding on a plane” stories. Watch this video to hear about a mom who says she was told to cover up and when she covered up with a napkin, it wasn’t good … Continue reading

Posted in Baby, Breastfeeding | Tagged | 3 Comments

Choices in Childbirth

There are lots of things that influence women’s decisions on where to give birth. A lot of it has to do with what happens during labor but recently I’ve been talking to a lot of women who made their choice … Continue reading

Posted in Baby, Birth Centers, Homebirth, Hospital Birth | Tagged | Leave a comment

Trace Melamine Found in US Formula

Yet another reason to breastfeed: after reports of over 50,000 sick babies and 3 deaths related to formula in China, the US began to test its formula. The FDA released a statement today that some formula has trace elements of Melamine. Since a safe level has not yet been established there will be no recall. Read the rest of the story here. Continue reading

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March of Dimes Gives US a ‘D’ for Prematurity

This week the March of Dimes gave the US a report card on prematurity. As some would have suspected, we are not doing well. Overall the US got a ‘D’ but my state was given an ‘F’, as were the states around me. Below you will find a post where Dr. Laura Riley talks about some things to be done to decrease the number of premature births in the US. In fact, she talks about prematurity from inductions and cesareans that are on the rise. My question would be how much is caused by what the physician wants and how much is the patient’s impatience? With so much focus on one day, could we lower the prematurity rate by simply giving the 38-42 week span as the possible due date?

You can go here to sign the March of Dimes petition for premies. Continue reading

Posted in Cesarean Section, General, Induction, Labor and Birth, March of Dimes, Prematurity | Leave a comment

Anesthesia and Brain Development

Today I came across this article in which the author describes research being performed to determine anesthesia’s effect on developing brains. The article is talking about children who undergo surgery but can easily relate to the use of epidural anesthesia in birth. Many practitioners blow off parental concerns related to effects of anesthesia in labor, despite their validity. While a lot of investigation is going on about the effects of television, vaccinations, video games, etc. on our children’s brains why are we not spending more time/money/energy on the events surrounding their entrance into the world? Continue reading

Posted in Baby, Obstetricial Interventions, Research | Leave a comment

USA Today Highlights Issues in Maternity Care

I am always excited when birth-related issues are address in the mainstream media. So imagine my surprise when a friend sent me this link to a USA Today article talking about the problems with c-sections, informed consent and the benefit of doulas. Yes! Continue reading

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Psychological Impact on Birth

Women who want low-intervention, medication-free births in hospitals have to go in ready for a fight. I know I was mentally prepared for one. This week I’ve been thinking about it a lot – what does this do to a woman’s labor? We know that there is definitely a mind/body connection and emotional issues can interfere with labor. What do you think? Do you have any experience with this? Continue reading

Posted in Hospital Birth, Labor and Birth, Natural Childbirth | 1 Comment

Special Time

I was chatting with a friend today about how special the time right before birth is. Everyone around you seems to be tuned in to your every move as they anxiously await the arrival of your little one. One of the things that we were talking about is how fun it can be to think “is this it?” to every little twinge or possible early labor sign. I can’t help but think it would be sad to miss out on that with a scheduled induction or cesarean. I’ve been trying to think up inventive ways to tell my husband when I’m in labor, since I didn’t do anything really cool to tell him that the test was positive (in fact, the words “I told you so!” came out of my mouth.)

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