The Miracle of Homebirth

by Jan Tritten

© 2010 Midwifery Today, Inc. All rights reserved.

[Editor's Note: This editorial originally appeared in Midwifery Today, Issue 93, Spring 2010.]
Homebirth is the gold standard, God’s standard, the highest standard of Birth possible. The uplifting feeling a mom gets, having birthed in her own power, is unlike anything else in the world. There is incredible joy and love possible following God’s design for birth as He created it. But it seems humans want to interfere, to tamper with the spirit involved in this natural process. Sometimes the interruption is due to ignorance, but sometimes it is caused by more sinister motives. Either way, the result is the same: mothers and babies walking around with scars that will not heal. This is the most powerful time of their lives. This sets the tone for mothering. It sets the bond between mother and baby—emotionally, spiritually and physically. It is so important that there are no words powerful enough to describe it.

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Happy Friday!

It is snowing today in Colorado and it is beautiful! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

The Balancing Act

As women we all need to hear that we need to let things go and give up the need to seem like we have EVERYTHING under control. With a new baby this is even more important. Right now it is most important to focus on your baby and yourself, and finding that connection and balance. All of the other things will come and you will get back to normal (or your new normal). As Nicole says, "it won't be this way forever." Cherish this small period of time and soak in every part of it. You have the rest of your life to clean and cook and catch up.

Posted by Nicole Glover (mother of 5 - she gets it!) from www.TheNewBornBaby.com

Many new families know just how much work it is to figure out their life with a new baby. There are so many changes, and it can seem so overwhelming. Days where time was so readily available to just hop in the car and go wherever, whenever. Now, it takes 2.5 hours just to get in the shower. Then we need to feed the baby. Then change the baby. Then feed the baby...


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Weekly Giveaway!

These weekly giveaways are one of my favorite times of the week! This week we are giving away a Rebozo! If you're a birth professional, this would be the perfect addition to your birth bag. Please comment on this blog or Facebook, or "like" us on Facebook by 10 p.m. MST today to enter! Good Luck!

Implementing Skin to Skin in a Hospital

Alethea, a labor & delivery nurse in a small community hospital, wrote this guest post about how to implement skin-to-skin in a hospital. Sometimes a big change in policy starts with just one nurse's efforts!

If you would like to get in touch with Alethea, please leave your email address in the comments or send me an email, which I will forward on to her. She is more than happy to answer your questions.

As expectant mothers near the end of pregnancy, they begin to prepare themselves mentally and physically for the upcoming birth of their baby. While imagining what labor and birth might be like for them, they often daydream about holding their baby in their arms for the first time, immediately after birth. It is instinctive for new mothers to want to hold their babies close, nourish them, and keep them safe and warm.

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Natural Births Better for Babies

Babies born by caesarean section are more vulnerable to asthma, allergies and infection as they miss out on receiving their mothers' good bacteria during birth, a scientist says.
Written by: Danielle Teutsch and Kate Benson
Professor Patricia Conway, of the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of NSW, said babies delivered vaginally received protective bacteria as they passed through the birth canal. Left on the baby's skin, this bacteria could then colonise the intestine and help inoculate newborns against hospital bugs. Gut flora was also crucial for developing a balanced immune system, Professor Conway said. "With a C-section, the newborn baby misses an opportunity to pick up a lot of mum's good bacteria," she said.
"This can have long-term health implications, as the development of a good intestinal ecosystem is necessary for health and immunity to allergies, from childhood right through to adulthood."
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Wednesday Giveaway Winner!

Thank you everyone for supporting our weekly giveaway! We apologize for the delay in announcing the winner, but we are still excited to tell you that Mandee Palmer is our winner! Congratulations Mandee. Please email me your address to kim@birthinbinsi.com and we will get the massage kit out to you right away! Thanks everyone for your entry, please check back next Wednesday and see what fun goodies we will be giving away!