Posts
Showing posts with label childbirth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label childbirth. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Blind archaeologist uncovers ancient childbirth inscription
A legally blind archaeology student uncovered one of the oldest depictions of childbirth yet found, inscribed on a pottery sherd from an Etruscan temple site, perhaps 2,700 years old.
To read the rest of this article here.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Pelvic Floor Party: Kegels are NOT invited.
Very interesting information and something that I am going to look into more!
Recently I met a woman who told me she used to be a runner. Naturally, I asked: Why don't you still run? The answer: "Because 60 hours of labor with my first child and a forceps delivery ruined my desire to run anymore."
To sum up for those who still may not infer the problem: She pees her pants when she picks up the pace.
My friends and I joke about sneeze pee, jumping jack pee, trampoline pee, and other bladder challenges. But full blown incontinence is no laughing matter. I'm a firm believer that a strong pelvic floor is the answer to incontinence (although pharmaceutical companies and surgeons often try to persuade people with other remedies). A strong pelvic floor, I've learned, not only makes the difference between wet and dry running shorts, but also keeps me running pain-free: I no longer suffer from the back and hip problems that used to plague me.
So today I bring you an interview with Katy Bowman. I have had the opportunity to interview Katy for magazine articles. Since becoming a freelance writer 13 years ago I have interviewed scores of sources. Very few I remember. Katy made an impression. She is a biomechanical scientist who applies her knowledge on the human body. Among other things, she has her own DVD program, "Aligned and Well," and is the director of the Restorative Exercise Institute. Her blog, Katy Says, is amazing (and she's as funny as she is smart). I like that combination so I asked her to chime in about the pelvic floor. I had no idea she would rock my pelvic floor world. Even if you've never peed in your running shorts even a little bit, you should still read what she has to say about pelvic floor strength.
Mama Sweat: First, a lot of women just assume it's childbirth that causes incontinence, but I've read that pregnancy itself puts a strain on the bladder (so a c-section won't necessarily save you) and that most women, as they get older--whether they've had children or not--will likely experience problems with incontinence. And even men aren't immune. All this suggests that a weak pelvic floor doesn't discriminate.
Katy Bowman: Nulliparous women (that's women who've never had a baby) and men are equally affected with PFD (pelvic floor disorder) so while child birth may accelerate PF weakening, it is not a primary cause of PFD. PFD is first caused by slack in the pelvic floor due to the fact that the sacrum is moving anterior, into the bowl of the pelvis. Because the PF muscles attach from the coccyx to the pubic bone, the closer these bony attachments get, the more slack in the PF (the PF becomes a hammock).
MS: So rather than a hammock, you'd rather your PF be more like a stretcher--more firm and able to hold up weight without buckling?
KB: I like to think of the PF like a trampoline--the material is supple, but taut...the perfect muscle length.
To read the rest of this article click here.
Recently I met a woman who told me she used to be a runner. Naturally, I asked: Why don't you still run? The answer: "Because 60 hours of labor with my first child and a forceps delivery ruined my desire to run anymore."
To sum up for those who still may not infer the problem: She pees her pants when she picks up the pace.
My friends and I joke about sneeze pee, jumping jack pee, trampoline pee, and other bladder challenges. But full blown incontinence is no laughing matter. I'm a firm believer that a strong pelvic floor is the answer to incontinence (although pharmaceutical companies and surgeons often try to persuade people with other remedies). A strong pelvic floor, I've learned, not only makes the difference between wet and dry running shorts, but also keeps me running pain-free: I no longer suffer from the back and hip problems that used to plague me.
So today I bring you an interview with Katy Bowman. I have had the opportunity to interview Katy for magazine articles. Since becoming a freelance writer 13 years ago I have interviewed scores of sources. Very few I remember. Katy made an impression. She is a biomechanical scientist who applies her knowledge on the human body. Among other things, she has her own DVD program, "Aligned and Well," and is the director of the Restorative Exercise Institute. Her blog, Katy Says, is amazing (and she's as funny as she is smart). I like that combination so I asked her to chime in about the pelvic floor. I had no idea she would rock my pelvic floor world. Even if you've never peed in your running shorts even a little bit, you should still read what she has to say about pelvic floor strength.
Mama Sweat: First, a lot of women just assume it's childbirth that causes incontinence, but I've read that pregnancy itself puts a strain on the bladder (so a c-section won't necessarily save you) and that most women, as they get older--whether they've had children or not--will likely experience problems with incontinence. And even men aren't immune. All this suggests that a weak pelvic floor doesn't discriminate.
Katy Bowman: Nulliparous women (that's women who've never had a baby) and men are equally affected with PFD (pelvic floor disorder) so while child birth may accelerate PF weakening, it is not a primary cause of PFD. PFD is first caused by slack in the pelvic floor due to the fact that the sacrum is moving anterior, into the bowl of the pelvis. Because the PF muscles attach from the coccyx to the pubic bone, the closer these bony attachments get, the more slack in the PF (the PF becomes a hammock).
MS: So rather than a hammock, you'd rather your PF be more like a stretcher--more firm and able to hold up weight without buckling?
KB: I like to think of the PF like a trampoline--the material is supple, but taut...the perfect muscle length.
To read the rest of this article click here.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
5 Ways Pitocin is Different than Oxytocin
By Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com Guide
The numbers of inductions of labor using artificial means like Pitocin and other medications has gone up dramatically in the last few years. A hospital in my area says that 90 of the women have their labors induced. Since science shows us that inducing labor can increase the numbers of complications in the labor and with the baby, you might be surprised to note that many of the inductions are not for medical reasons, but rather reasons of convenience, practitioner or mother, known as social induction.
To read the rest of this wonderful article click here.
Friday, August 19, 2011
25 Things You Should Never Say to A Mom With Postpartum Depression or Anxiety
September 23, 2010 5:25 pm by katstone in Family BlogHer Original Post
This week at my blog Postpartum Progress, I wrote a post called 20 Things I Never Want to Hear or Read Again, Postpartum Depression Edition. I was inspired to write it after reading similar posts from Arwyn at Raising My Boychick whose list focused on parental judgment, and Kristen at Birthing Beautiful Ideas whose list focused on pregnancy and childbirth.
To read the rest of this article click here.
This week at my blog Postpartum Progress, I wrote a post called 20 Things I Never Want to Hear or Read Again, Postpartum Depression Edition. I was inspired to write it after reading similar posts from Arwyn at Raising My Boychick whose list focused on parental judgment, and Kristen at Birthing Beautiful Ideas whose list focused on pregnancy and childbirth.
To read the rest of this article click here.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Why Ironman is Like Childbirth
A friend of mine, Bonnie, wrote a hilarious Facebook note. I know Bonnie from our former Olympic-style weightlifting days. She's also turned endurance athlete (although...she is much more "athlete" than I!). She has two beautiful children brought into this world by 100% natural childbirth (awesome!) and a new baby girl on the way. Oh, and she did her first marathon in March, averaging a sub ten minute mile pace, which leaves me picking my jaw off the ground. Her husband is an Ironman. (What a group of slackers. Ha!)
Here's her post!
"Two years ago my husband completed his first Ironman triathlon in Louisville, KY. Having never participated in an Ironman competition-it was hard for me to imagine what one would be like.
But as I listened to him describe the life changing experience it sounded very familiar. It sounded a lot like natural childbirth-which I have experienced.
I decided to list the similarities and this is what I came up with:
• Both events are preceded by multiple trips to the bathroom. (some are false alarms caused by nerves)
• Initial excitement slowly fades to self-doubt and towards the end you find yourself thinking, or saying or SCREAMING, “I will NEVER do this again!”
To read the rest of this post click here.
Here's her post!
"Two years ago my husband completed his first Ironman triathlon in Louisville, KY. Having never participated in an Ironman competition-it was hard for me to imagine what one would be like.
But as I listened to him describe the life changing experience it sounded very familiar. It sounded a lot like natural childbirth-which I have experienced.
I decided to list the similarities and this is what I came up with:
• Both events are preceded by multiple trips to the bathroom. (some are false alarms caused by nerves)
• Initial excitement slowly fades to self-doubt and towards the end you find yourself thinking, or saying or SCREAMING, “I will NEVER do this again!”
To read the rest of this post click here.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
What Do You Know About Childbirth? Maybe Less Than You Think
A Canadian study is making the media rounds: Apparently too many women are going into birth having no idea about the basic risks and benefits of various procedures. An LA Times headline reads, “Pregnant women show an amazing lack of knowledge about childbirth options, study shows.” The Stir says, cleverly, “Most Pregnant Women Don’t Know Squat About Childbirth.”
To read the rest of this post click here.
To read the rest of this post click here.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Midwives Needed Around the World
Ever felt like midwifery was your calling? I know it is mine, but with 4 little ones at home I cannot fulfill it yet. Reading articles like this tug at my heart strings and make me so eager to get started. We are so lucky in this country to have quality care available to us! 
The world needs 350,000 more midwives, says Save the Children, which is calling for more training and education on the importance of their role in saving livesGallery: The global shortage of midwives
Tahiru, 37, lost his wife three months ago while she was giving birth to Nabia, in Katsina, northern Nigeria. In Nigeria, one in five women deliver their babies alone. Photograph: Pep Bonet/Noor/Save The Children One in three women around the world gives birth without the help of anybody who has been trained to help – and 2 million give birth entirely alone, according to a report called Missing Midwives from Save the Children. Often they can't get to a health centre with trained midwives or other skilled healthcare workers. Sometimes their husband or mother-in-law will not let them. Save the Children is campaigning for more midwives to be trained around the world, to fill some of the estimated 350,000 shortage. In the UK, only 1% of women give birth without skilled help. In Ethiopia, the figure is 94% – almost all.
To read the rest of this article click here
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
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!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Melatonin's Role in Labor Progress
In February of last year, I heard about a study that reaffirms what our mammal cousins have known instinctively for thousands of years… birth should happen in a dark, comfortable place. It also helps explain why most women go into labor in the middle of the night. And why so many labors slow down or stall in a hospital setting.
To read the rest of this wonderful article please click here: http://birthfaith.org/home-birth/melatonins-role-in-labor-progress
To read the rest of this wonderful article please click here: http://birthfaith.org/home-birth/melatonins-role-in-labor-progress
Monday, January 17, 2011
You Have a Choice Video
I found this great short documentary and loved it! The title alone is wonderful - you DO have a choice in childbirth. I don't think women can hear this enough. One of my favorite quotes was, "my birth plan was whatever my body told me to do." Lovely! You don't have to just follow directions just because the people caring for you are more experienced than you. You know your body best and you become empowered during birth by playing a role in every decision made during your labor and birth. Don't ever forget that you have choices and you are strong and capable to make the decisions best for you and your baby.
"You Have a Choice" // A Short Birth Documentary from Mark Mroz on Vimeo.
"You Have a Choice" // A Short Birth Documentary from Mark Mroz on Vimeo.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Doulas can make a world of difference
As written for the Royal Gazette by Fiona Dill
"I can't believe I did it!", were the first words exclaimed by the mother who had just birthed her baby vaginally having had a C-section two years earlier.
I was privileged to be present at that birth, as a doula. The concept of having an experienced woman at the side of another woman in labour is as old as childbirth itself and spans many cultures. But it is the unfamiliar name (doula) and the emergence of the trained, paid doula that is relatively new, particularly here in Bermuda.
In November 2008, Bermuda had its first Doula Training event, hosted by Sophia Cannonier (herself an experienced doula) who was instrumental in bringing down a DONA (Doulas of North America) trainer for a weekend course. Fifteen women attended the course and as a result, we are privileged to have many new doulas on the island.
Doulas are trained to provide a pregnant woman and her partner with continuous one-to-one support during childbirth. Their remit is non-medical, physical and emotional care that complements the clinical services provided by the hospital staff and obstetrician and the intimate, but usually inexperienced, care offered by the partner. The doula does not displace the partner but supports him also and often relieves much of his own anxiety.
"There was also a far greater level of peace throughout because my husband had the support and advice he needed at a time that can often leave men or birth partners feeling quite helpless. We cannot say enough about the level of support that we received before, during and after the birth of our daughter."
The advantage of the doula's position is that because she has no medical or decision-making responsibility, has no other patients, and does not work on a shift, she can devote herself fully to the needs of the couple. Usually she will have met with the couple a few times before the birth so she has had the opportunity to ask about fears and individual preferences. Thus she is able to focus on the emotional needs of the woman, not medical issues and is able to remain calm and objective. Generally, the doula stays continuously with the woman until her baby is born, regardless of how long that may take.
"Having someone knowledgeable and gentle to support us. It helped me stay calm and focused, as I knew that I could depend on you throughout the labour."
It is often assumed that it is only couples that are planning to have a natural childbirth who can benefit from hiring a doula, but this is not the case.
As doulas, we are there to assist our clients to have the best possible birth experience, as they define it. We are there to help the couple identify their options by encouraging communication with their caregivers, not to tell them which options to choose. And then ultimately to give our unconditional support no matter how the birth progresses.
"Having a doula gave us the encouragement we needed to birth as naturally as we could, and helped support us through the most important day of our lives so far! We couldn't have done it without her! Everything she did was designed for us!
She helped us try different things during labour to try to progress things and to help alleviate the pain (or at least the focus on the pain) of the contractions. She made us feel comfortable about the process in the hospital and it reassured us!"
Increasingly, couples are aware of the improved clinical outcomes for both mother and baby associated with doula care during pregnancy, labour and birth.
Physical
■ Fewer requests for epidurals and narcotic pain relievers
■ Reduced use of pitocin
■ Reduced duration of labor
■ Fewer forceps deliveries and vacuum extractions
■ Reduced cesarean section rates
■ Neonate hospitalisation and rate of complications reduced
■ Reduced chances of maternal fever and infection
■ Reduced maternal bleeding following birth
■ Increased chance of spontaneous vaginal birth
Psychological
■ Mothers report more positive reviews of their birth experience
■ Reduced levels of anxiety
■ Mothers have higher regard and increased sensitivity towards babies
■ Mothers feel more secure and have more confidence
■ Reduced incidence of post-partum depression
There is no doubt that as doulas we do make a difference. The statistics and the testimonials above speak for themselves. If you are interested in knowing more about having a doula at your birth, please visit www.healthcoop.bm or www.greatbeginnings.bm or www.bermudadoula.com for more information and contact details.
"I can't believe I did it!", were the first words exclaimed by the mother who had just birthed her baby vaginally having had a C-section two years earlier.
I was privileged to be present at that birth, as a doula. The concept of having an experienced woman at the side of another woman in labour is as old as childbirth itself and spans many cultures. But it is the unfamiliar name (doula) and the emergence of the trained, paid doula that is relatively new, particularly here in Bermuda.
In November 2008, Bermuda had its first Doula Training event, hosted by Sophia Cannonier (herself an experienced doula) who was instrumental in bringing down a DONA (Doulas of North America) trainer for a weekend course. Fifteen women attended the course and as a result, we are privileged to have many new doulas on the island.
Doulas are trained to provide a pregnant woman and her partner with continuous one-to-one support during childbirth. Their remit is non-medical, physical and emotional care that complements the clinical services provided by the hospital staff and obstetrician and the intimate, but usually inexperienced, care offered by the partner. The doula does not displace the partner but supports him also and often relieves much of his own anxiety.
"There was also a far greater level of peace throughout because my husband had the support and advice he needed at a time that can often leave men or birth partners feeling quite helpless. We cannot say enough about the level of support that we received before, during and after the birth of our daughter."
The advantage of the doula's position is that because she has no medical or decision-making responsibility, has no other patients, and does not work on a shift, she can devote herself fully to the needs of the couple. Usually she will have met with the couple a few times before the birth so she has had the opportunity to ask about fears and individual preferences. Thus she is able to focus on the emotional needs of the woman, not medical issues and is able to remain calm and objective. Generally, the doula stays continuously with the woman until her baby is born, regardless of how long that may take.
"Having someone knowledgeable and gentle to support us. It helped me stay calm and focused, as I knew that I could depend on you throughout the labour."
It is often assumed that it is only couples that are planning to have a natural childbirth who can benefit from hiring a doula, but this is not the case.
As doulas, we are there to assist our clients to have the best possible birth experience, as they define it. We are there to help the couple identify their options by encouraging communication with their caregivers, not to tell them which options to choose. And then ultimately to give our unconditional support no matter how the birth progresses.
"Having a doula gave us the encouragement we needed to birth as naturally as we could, and helped support us through the most important day of our lives so far! We couldn't have done it without her! Everything she did was designed for us!
She helped us try different things during labour to try to progress things and to help alleviate the pain (or at least the focus on the pain) of the contractions. She made us feel comfortable about the process in the hospital and it reassured us!"
Increasingly, couples are aware of the improved clinical outcomes for both mother and baby associated with doula care during pregnancy, labour and birth.
Physical
■ Fewer requests for epidurals and narcotic pain relievers
■ Reduced use of pitocin
■ Reduced duration of labor
■ Fewer forceps deliveries and vacuum extractions
■ Reduced cesarean section rates
■ Neonate hospitalisation and rate of complications reduced
■ Reduced chances of maternal fever and infection
■ Reduced maternal bleeding following birth
■ Increased chance of spontaneous vaginal birth
Psychological
■ Mothers report more positive reviews of their birth experience
■ Reduced levels of anxiety
■ Mothers have higher regard and increased sensitivity towards babies
■ Mothers feel more secure and have more confidence
■ Reduced incidence of post-partum depression
There is no doubt that as doulas we do make a difference. The statistics and the testimonials above speak for themselves. If you are interested in knowing more about having a doula at your birth, please visit www.healthcoop.bm or www.greatbeginnings.bm or www.bermudadoula.com for more information and contact details.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Welcome to our blog!
Welcome to the BINSI blog. We are starting our blog as a way to introduce you to new BINSI products, other great birth products, and most importantly birth stories (ours and yours)! In addition, I will also share information and stories from my newest venture, Doula Certification! I am so excited about this opportunity and I can't wait to share with you what I am learning and about the births I am attending. Childbirth is an amazing and exciting process and I feel so honored that two couples have already asked me to be their doula! Everyday I discover more about birth (wish this was happening before I gave birth) and I am excited to share what I am learning with you. Carri will also be sharing information and stories from the births she attends as a doula and a mom.
We look forward to hearing your birth stories, comments and suggestions as well. If you have a birth story, a specific product or a suggestion that really helped you through your birth we would be happy to post it to our blog. Please send comments and suggestions to me at kim@birthinbinsi.com. Many Blessings...... Kim
We look forward to hearing your birth stories, comments and suggestions as well. If you have a birth story, a specific product or a suggestion that really helped you through your birth we would be happy to post it to our blog. Please send comments and suggestions to me at kim@birthinbinsi.com. Many Blessings...... Kim
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