Category Archives: Natural Childbirth

Cord Blood Banking, a Decision That May Save a Life

When I was pregnant with my first daughter, cord blood banking was one of my two top priorities, natural birth being the other one. Today, cord blood is being used to treat such life-threatening diseases as leukemia and other cancers, as … Continue reading

Posted in General, Natural Childbirth, Research | Tagged | 4 Comments

Preparedness

Preparedness refers to the state of being prepared for specific or unpredictable events or situations. Preparedness is an important quality in achieving goals and in avoiding and mitigating negative outcomes. While working on a mural I am painting for my … Continue reading

Posted in Baby, Birth Trauma, Breastfeeding, Cesarean Section, Childbirth Education, Co-sleeping, Labor and Birth, Natural Childbirth, Pregnancy | 7 Comments

Mama Knows Best

What a week. You know, I started out my motherhood with this amazing, incredible natural birth that left me glowing with power.  I was a first-time mother, but I was pretty confident in my ability to know what was best … Continue reading

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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

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

Why Our Women are Afraid of Birth

Maybe if the television channels like Discovery health followed a dozen home births or even aired The Business of Being Born they could get a popular, and controversial other side to what they are constantly airing. Maybe it will boost their ratings even more, maybe not? But what it will do is give the other side of the whole issue. Let’s get Marsden Wagner to do a half hour special on Birth in The United States and see how many women run off to the midwives. Instead they air these disgustingly inaccurate “Freebirthing” shows. They find the one idiot who is going to make women who choose unassisted birth look like a bunch of uneducated yokels. Which is exactly what they did with their special on Unassisted birth. Continue reading

Posted in Cesarean Section, Childbirth Education, General, Homebirth, Hospital Birth, Labor and Birth, Midwifery, Natural Childbirth, Obstetricial Interventions, Obstetrics, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, Unassisted Birth | 7 Comments

No Intervention Necessary: Woman Has Surprise HBAC

This surprise out-of-hospital birth story focused on the toddler-as-midwife angle. Just as interesting, however, was the fact that this woman avoided surgery. She was scheduled for her fourth cesarean on December 6, 2009. Congratulations to the family. Two-year-old Jeremiha Taylor … Continue reading

Posted in Cesarean Section, Homebirth, Natural Childbirth, Unassisted Birth, VBAC | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Bring a Loved One, Friend, or Doula for Continuous Support

When discussion of doula care surfaces on the Internet, it is always surprising how many commenters dismiss continuous labor support by a trained professional as unscientific fluff. Couples who hire a doula are sometimes labeled as selfish, out for “the … Continue reading

Posted in Dad, DONA International, Doulas, Labor and Birth, Natural Childbirth | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Why Did I Move During Labor?

I never knew the importance of moving around during labor until I was actually in labor with my second child. With my first I was strapped to a bed, a fetal monitor, and pitocin, so I never really had the … Continue reading

Posted in General, Homebirth, Hospital Birth, Labor and Birth, Natural Childbirth, Obstetricial Interventions, Pregnancy | 1 Comment

Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy

As one of my steps in helping to have a great birth, and avoid a cesarean section in a society where 1/3 of births are by surgery, I highly suggest Chiropractic care! Continue reading

Posted in Birth Stories, Cesarean Section, Childbirth Education, General, Homebirth, Labor and Birth, Natural Childbirth, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, Water Birth | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments