Ina May Gaskin: Birth Matters, Farting Does Too

A happy update on me - no tooth extraction today! I went to a different endodontist and it turns out I have really difficult roots. He said my roots are very curvy and a lot of times that means that they don't get it all. He thinks this is what happened with the other tooth that was extracted (and sadly probably didn't need to be). There is still a small possibility that it is cracked, but I'm very optimistic - hooray!!! I think this a lesson about how it is not just childbirth that we as women need to really inform ourselves about. Getting second opinions and trusting who is working on us, as well as trusting ourselves is a life long journey.

I loved this post, and frankly I love Ina May too! I love that she can be so knowledgeable, yet still down to earth and funny. I love that she recognizes that humor has purpose in ways most have never really thought about. Brilliant! She is right about farting, but I'm not sure I'm up for relaxing on that too much. ;) Please read this whole post, I LOVED her last few sentences - it just shows how powerful birth is and how powerful we are as women and as mothers. Well done Michelle!

I want to create an altar to worship the great Ina May Gaskin, mother of midwifery, right now, but I’m going to try to compose myself to write about my experience seeing her at the Warsaw in Brooklyn, sitting in the front row, center. She was there promoting her new book, Birth Matters: A Midwife’s Manifesta. While she talked about birth, it made me re-think so many things in my life. The minute she took the stage, I felt the greatness in the room. She is witty and smart and a goddess at 71 years old.

To read the rest of this post click here.

Doulas Aren't Just for Hippie Home Births

This a great article about the different ways a doula is helpful in the many ways women give birth. As a doula, and a woman who used a doula all 4 times I gave birth, I know the importance of having that person there that knows what you and your partner want and need. Nothing else distracts a doula - you are her focus. Thank you Christie Hackell for writing such a great article!

Midwives and doulas both play important roles in a birth. A midwife can be someone with medical training who aids you at a hospital, birthing center, or even in your home. But a doula's role is much different, and often very misunderstood.
Even more misunderstood is the value of a doula.

To read the rest of this wonderful article click here

Dental Care Before, During, and After Pregnancy

Sadly during pregnancy I ended up with two large cavities. I believe this is mainly because I would throw up every time I would brush my teeth for more than 20 weeks (for 4 pregnancies). Now I am paying the price. Those large cavities cracked and now I'm having to have a second tooth extraction. I never had any gum disease, but I know that is really important to keep away from too, especially for your baby. These are good tips so make sure to read the whole article. Take good care of your teeth!
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It's important for you to take good care of your teeth and gums while you are pregnant. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase your risk of developing gum disease, which in turn, can affect the health of your developing baby.
Below are some tips to help you maintain good oral health before, during, and after your pregnancy.

To read the rest of this article click here

Mother's Milk Stirs Unlikely Political Debate

So good to hear the First Lady promoting breastfeeding! And maybe there is debate about it, but breast pump supplies SHOULD be tax deductible - great news this year!

Washington (CNN) -- First lady Michelle Obama found herself at the center of an unlikely breast-feeding debate this week when three prominent conservative women criticized her for encouraging the creation of a "nanny state."

To read the rest of this article click here

Pain vs Suffering in Childbirth

Wow - she is right on! Birth may be painful, but no woman should suffer in childbirth, and there is a big difference between the two.

Winner and Why Hombirths Are Worth Considering

Thank you all for entering our giveaway! The winner this week is Jamie Kennedy. Please contact Kim at Kim@BirthInBinsi.com to get your Thankini. Make sure to keep checking our blog for more giveaways!
Written by Melissa Cheyney
A new analysis by Dr. Joseph Wax comparing home births and hospital births, which was published in the recent issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, not only presents misleading conclusions, it drives a wedge between two groups that cannot afford a greater divide: medical doctors and midwives.

To read the rest of this article click here

Weekly Giveaway!

This week we are giving away a Thankini! One of our top sellers, this birth tank is great before, during and after birth. As with all of our clothes, I LOVE that others' can dress and undress you while in labor, or after the baby is born, and you don't have to even think about it or put any effort into it. To enter this giveaway please comment on this blog or "like" us or comment on our Facebook page. Good luck!

Thoughtful Ways to Support a New Mom Recovering from a Cesarean

Becoming a mother, especially for the first time, means an incredible roller coaster no matter how the baby arrives. Adding recovery from major abdominal surgery into the mix means special support may be needed for the mom who just gave birth by cesarean. Here are some ways to show your care and concern for a new mom recovering from her cesarean.

To read the rest of this article click here

Myth #783 - Birth is Scary

Absolutely lovely post! I wish main stream media would print such encouraging and empowering stories!

After she had her baby (Charlie, my 800th baby) the other day, this new mum said, "You know, once you're in it, labour isn't scary! You just do it!"

I have so many clients who have carried the fear of childbirth with them for years and years. Some even postpone the event for as long as possible, just because their friends (or families) have told such horror stories over the years.

To read the rest of this article click here

Loving the Mother. The woman who started the Seattle doula movement

Loving the Mother: Penny Simkin from The Common Language Project on Vimeo.

Methods to Induce Labor at Home

by Lena Leino
If you are reading this because you have reached – and passed – your estimated delivery date (EDD), and been visiting your doctor who confirmed that your baby could be born “any day now” but that, unfortunately, you are not currently in labor, you are probably interested in natural ways to induce your labor. You should not blindly follow advice from anyone and everyone who is willing to give it, however.

To read the rest of this article click here

10 Things I Learned From Ina May Gaskin

Posted by ceridwen on March 8th, 2011 at 4:36 pm

“Mother of modern midwifery,” Ina May Gaskin dropped some knowledge on a posse of nurses, educators and doulas last night in New York City and I was lucky enough to be there. The local NYC birthing community doesn’t get together enough– it’s hard when you’re attending all-nighter births– so it’s a real treat to mingle with these ladies. They give off some strong–dare I say empowering?– vibes. It was awesome.
Ina May talked for a little bit and fielded lots of great questions. Here are the highlights:

To read the rest of this article click here

Scheduled Deliveries Raise Risks for Mothers, Do Not Benefit Newborns

February 18, 2011

Inducing labor without a medical reason is associated with negative outcomes for the mother, including increased rates of cesarean delivery, greater blood loss and an extended length of stay in the hospital, and does not provide any benefit for the newborn. As the number of scheduled deliveries continues to climb, it is important for physicians and mothers-to-be to understand the risks associated with elective induction.

Loralei Thornburg, M.D.

To read the rest of this article click here.

My Rocks Pregnancy Course

I don't usually post two times in one day, but I came across this and since the deadline is tomorrow, I had to post it today. If you haven't ever seen the BOLD plays, you really must. They are empowering and amazing. Please take the time to look at this course, it looks wonderful.

You won't want to miss this very special MotheringDotCommunity pregnancy & birth course with Karen Brody, founder of Birth on Labor Day (BOLD) and author of the play Birth.

This seven week course begins March 16th. It will be hosted in a private area of the MotheringDotCommunity, and will include weekly topics, assignments, group discussions and telephone meetings with Karen.

The fee is now only $197 for a limited time. Register Now to secure your place in this very special event. You will be emailed information about how to access the course about one week before it begins. Any questions can be directed to webeditor [at] mothering.com.

Register Now

About the course:

You have the power to have a happy birth experience. Join this seven week group class conducted online and via tele-conference to learn not only how to connect with your body and give birth with confidence, but to learn how to free yourself from the fear mentality of labor and delivery. This pregnancy class is not about the baby… it is about you! Childbirth is an opportunity in a woman’s life to seize your power and that’s exactly what this class offers. Each week we will cover a different power center in your body.

A brief description of each class:

Week One: Power of Tribe
Identify and begin to dissolve belief patterns about birth you inherited from your family.

Week Two: Power of Choice
Turn your birth into a joyful experience by activating your creative energy and creating positive birth goals.

Week Three: Power of Intuition
Learn the invaluable skill of taking advantage of your intuition to make positive birth choices.

Week Four: Power of Love
Discover how self-love helps decrease pain and fear of labor and delivery.

Week Five: Power of Will
Learn how making birth choices out of faith, not fear leads to a positive birth experience.

Week Six: Power of the Mind
Identify the essential components of designing your birth so you set yourself up for success.

Week Seven: Power of Spirit
Hear the stories of very different women who connected with their spirit to have a great birth.

To register click here

Pregnant In America and Giveaway Winner

I just watched this lovely documentary and LOVED it! There were so many lines that really hit home for me. It has inspired me to finally write down my journey to having a home birth. There is only one scene that I felt was a bit too dramatic for me. The scene is of a baby in a hospital, and I felt so scared and nervous and it made me question their choice (even though I totally agreed with it). I'm going to ruin it for you, so don't read on if you don't want to know - the baby makes it and is fine. I just felt that if you were pregnant and watching it, it would be much easier to know that everything is ok and you don't have to worry. Please watch this documentary, no matter what your choice and desire for your upcoming birth. It is eye opening, heart warming, infuriating, and absolutely lovely.

The winner for this weeks giveaway is Jamie Kennedy. Please contact Kim at Kim@birthinbinsi.com to collect your prizes - congratulations!

Weekly Giveaway!

I am currently battling the flu and it is horrible! Fever, body aches, chills, and a splitting headache - blah! So I thought today's giveaway should be soothing and relaxing. Today's giveaway is our Soothing Massage Oil and Labor Soothing Bath Salts. Both of these products are wonderful during labor, but also good well before and long after labor too. I think I might enlist my husband to rub my neck and back and then take a long hot soothing bath in hopes of feeling better...... :)

To enter this giveaway either comment on this blog, "like" us on Facebook or comment of message us on Facebook by 8 a.m. Thursday March 10th (I'm giving you all a longer time to enter since I'm posting this so late). Good luck!

10 Home Birth Lessons For The Hospital

Posted by ceridwen on March 6th, 2011 at 4:32 pm

When it comes to talking about birth there can be so much divisiveness: home VS hospital, epidural VS natural, etc. Though these polarized debates can cement an opinion for some, they are confusing as hell to many others. The truth is, most women would be very content with the best of all possible worlds.
As a wise friend once asked, Why can’t we get the freshly baked bread AND the epidural?
I think it’s a great idea to take what you can get from both the hospital and the hippies, and cobble together the kind of birthing support that’s just right for you.
On that note, I’d like to throw out some ways home birth practices* can help in a hospital birth setting.

To read the rest of this article click here.

CNN Reporter Delivers His Son

This is a great story and this dad did such a great job! My favorite part was that he knew NOT to cut the cord so that the baby could get oxygen. So sweet and I love watching him get emotional listening to his 911 call. Birth is so powerful and amazing!

CNN's Josh Levs delivered his son at home in an emergency situation. He shares his story with Dr. Sanjay Gupta on "SGMD," 7:30 a.m. ET Saturday-Sunday

(CNN) -- As I knelt on the bedroom floor, on the phone with 911, I didn't understand what was happening at first. I thought something had gone wrong -- or at least that the paramedics would have plenty of time to arrive.

When your wife is pregnant, no one tells you, "By the way, she might skip labor, suddenly fall to the floor, and give birth. Oh, and the umbilical cord might be tangled around the baby's neck five times."

But that's what happened at our house.

Minutes earlier, things had been fine. My wife thought that perhaps contractions were beginning, and it was possible -- she was about three weeks from her due date. We have a son who's 3 years older. For his birth, she labored at home for about 16 hours before we went to the hospital, and still waited eight hours for the baby.

This time, she suddenly doubled over, saying she was having intense contractions and needed me to do what I had done three years earlier -- push down on her hips to help relieve the pain. But it wasn't enough. She quickly got down on all fours, moaning, and managed to get out the words, "Call an ambulance."

To read the rest of this article click here

Hopsitals Ban Photography in Delivery Room

This is incredibly sad. The thought of not having pictures during the births of my children is unthinkable. It's like saying I couldn't have pictures taken during my wedding. You can't redo it, or capture those precious first moments another time. Birth is so powerful and life changing, every woman should be allowed to have it captured on film and relive it forever. Below is the article from the New York Times.

By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
Published: February 2, 2011

CASCADE, Md. — When Laurie Shifler was expecting her eighth child, she was so upset about a local hospital’s new policy restricting photographs of births that she started an online petition. Hundreds of people, near and far, signed it, many expressing outrage that a hospital would prevent parents from recording such a momentous occasion, one that could never be recaptured.

The hospital, Meritus Medical Center, in nearby Hagerstown, bars all pictures and videos during birth — cellphones must be turned off — and allows picture-taking only after the baby has been delivered safely and the medical team has given permission.
“It’s about our rights,” Ms. Shifler, 36, said the other day at her home here in rural Maryland as she cradled her newborn daughter, Kaelii, in her arms and the rest of her brood roughhoused around her. Her husband, Michael, 37, a police officer, was able to take pictures 30 seconds after Kaelii’s birth last month, but Ms. Shifler is still fighting the hospital to change its policy.
“It’s my child,” she said. “Who can tell me I can take a picture or not take a picture of my own flesh and blood?”

To read the rest of this article click here.

Spinning Babies and The Winner!

If you have not been to www.spinningbabies.com and you are pregnant - you must check it out! Having your baby in the correct position is huge to having the birth you desire. There is a ton of wonderful information on this site that will help you and your baby.

Today's winner is Jessica, because I loved her comment about her husband spending a lot of time squeezing her hips through labor as well. I love that we have something so intimate and special in common. Congratulations! :) Please contact Kim at kim@birthinbinsi.com to get your prize.

Weekly Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is a Go Go top! This was again my preference during my births and I loved that everyone else could dress and undress me, and most of all, that I was comfortable. I have included a picture from my homebirth - to prove it. :)

To enter this giveaway please comment on this blog or "like" or message us on Facebook by 10 p.m. MST today.

Journey to Homebirth

This is a beautiful and inspirational video - wow!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com