Category Archives: Labor and Birth

It Takes 500 Inductions of Labor…

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Robin

When near the 40 week mark, and sometimes before, many practitioners start talking about the risks of continuing the pregnancy.  There are many things that simply aren’t known, bu there is a neat document that puts it all together and … Continue reading →

Posted in Induction, Informed Consent, Labor and Birth | Tagged | Leave a comment

Epidural Use Tied to Length of Prenatal Care?

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Robin

The National Center for Health Statistics just released a look at the epidural rate for 27 states form 2008. The study showed that according to birth certificate data, 61% of mothers who had a vaginal birth of one baby, had … Continue reading →

Posted in Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Labor and Birth, Prenatal Care, Research | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Activist in Training: Sarah J. (post #2)

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Homebirth Babe

When I switched into the Biopsychology of Birth class, I was resistant and uneasy talking about birth.  I didn’t even know my own birth story and I never thought to ask until this class.  I had always thought births were … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, Hospital Birth, Labor and Birth, Natural Childbirth, Obstetricial Interventions, Obstetrics | Leave a comment

Cultural Influences on Childbirth Choices

Posted on November 27, 2010 by Lori

The other night I was up late watching a rerun of The Golden Girls.  It just so happened to be the episode where Blanche’s daughter Rebecca, who is a single woman pregnant via artificial insemination, goes to Miami to ask … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Hospital Birth, Labor and Birth, Media | 2 Comments

Acitivist in Training: Sarah H. (post #2)

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Homebirth Babe

My sophomore year of high school my biology teacher showed all of her students the movie “The Miracle of Life” without any sort of preparation, explanation or discussion. That was the extent of my education about birth and for many … Continue reading →

Posted in Childbirth Education, Labor and Birth, Natural Childbirth, Teen Pregnancy | Leave a comment

Activist in Training: Marie R. (post #2)

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Homebirth Babe

The Tour Group that Never Spoke                 Almost about two weeks ago today I took part in a tour of the mother/baby and Labor & Delivery rooms at Vassar hospital. As part of the total grade for a Birth class … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Hospital Birth, Labor and Birth, Obstetricial Interventions, Research | 2 Comments

Winging it. The Birth of my Daughter Jane.

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Amy

Last night my daughter was born. My midwife came over at noon October 11th, the day before. According to dating, Jane was one week and one day overdue. At this meeting I expressed how I was no longer just a … Continue reading →

Posted in Birth Stories, General, Homebirth, Labor and Birth, Natural Childbirth, Unassisted Birth, Water Birth | 6 Comments

Activist in Training: Carolyn C.

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Homebirth Babe

In my biopsychology of birth class we were asked to do a five-minute presentation on the “culture of birth.” I have to admit I had a hard time understanding what the culture of birth was exactly. I asked myself, what … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Labor and Birth, Water Birth | 1 Comment

Activist in Training: Vanessa R.

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Homebirth Babe

This week my 2 and half year old daughter, Victoria, went to Florida to visit some family with my mother. This is the first time I’ve been away from her for more than a night and that’s usually just for … Continue reading →

Posted in Birth Stories, Childbirth Education, Dad, Fathers, General, Labor and Birth, Teen Pregnancy | 2 Comments

Activist in Training: Sarah H.

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Homebirth Babe

When a woman in America goes into labor these days, they almost always call their mothers, sisters, close friends and the father of their baby and rush to the hospital.  Because labor puts a woman in such a vulnerable state, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fathers, General, Hospital Birth, Labor and Birth | Leave a comment