birth

Wednesday Wrap Up July 30

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

WednesdayWrapUpNFor two out of my three pregnancies, I chose not to find out if my baby was a boy or a girl. I *loved* the anticipation of not knowing and the moment of surprise at the birth. (For the third, I let my husband get his way and find out. Naturally, he refused to believe it was another girl until she was born, despite making the guy go back and look again FIVE TIMES….) If you’re not sure you want to know, here are 8 reasons to not find out.

Fifteen things no one tells you about motherhood while you’re pregnant. There are a lot of lists like this out there, and I find that most of them are things people DO tell pregnant moms, but they are interesting anyway. I love the last one here.

Loved this explanation of how dads can bond with their baby.

5 Things NOT to say to a woman with postpartum depression – and what to say instead. There needs to be more articles like this. I have heard every single one of these said to or about moms struggling with depression.

Since I also do professional birth photography, I loved this short video on capturing this one of life’s poignant moments, from New Zealand birth photographer Keri-Anne Dilworth

Birth – First Light Birth Photography – Auckland, New Zealand from Keri-Anne Dilworth on Vimeo.

Wednesday Wrap Up July 30 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up July 16

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

Wednesday Web LinksLast week, Rebecca Dekker of Evidence Based Birth released a much anticipated review of the literature on waterbirth. She includes a critique of ACOG’s statement from earlier this year on the subject.

The Lamaze International blog Science and Sensibility has an exclusive Q&A with Rebecca Dekkeron the topic that I found interesting.

Improving Birth published a response discussing how moms demand and deserve better use of scientific evidence.

The American Association of Birth Centers released its own opinion on the subject, saying that it needed to “ease inappropriate fear about the safety of water birth and provide childbearing families access to accurate water birth information.”

If you’d like to read the original ACOG Opinion that started all of this, you can find it here.

Naturally, today’s video is from a waterbirth! Laura Paulescu of Crowned Photography in Seattle put together this great video. I love the baby’s hand coming up to mom’s cheek and how closely she hugs him!

The birth of Cody Taylor | Waterbirth at Mountain Midwifery Birth Center in Denver, CO from crownedbirthphotography on Vimeo.

Wednesday Wrap Up July 16 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up July 9

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

WednesdayWrapUpKNice rundown of what you need to know about Breastfeeding and the Workplace.

I wish these stories did not need to be told. But they do. Sadly, some people cannot accept that birth trauma happens at all, and of those who acknowledge it, many feel it is a mother-only thing. But Birth Trauma is Not Just for Mothers, as this father’s story shows.

A follow up to a post from last weeks story about a mom who had a positive breastfeeding experience in Starbucks. When the story went viral, it was not exactly what the mom had anticipated. Here are her thoughts on The Disturbing Trend I Noticed When My Breastfeeding Story Went Viral.

If you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re not having enough fun. The Onion takes on home birth.

A look at how fear plays a role in the low numbers of VBAC births. Do Malpractice Threats – Real or Imagined – Lead to More C-Sections?

It *is* important to get the terms right! Notes on postpartum mood disorders

An illustrated example of why it isn’t so simple as “just cover up” when nursing in public.

Today’s video is a small teaser snippet from an upcoming movie called Trial of Labor – all about VBAC. In this clip, you’ll learn more about the obstacles moms face when planning a VBAC.

Wednesday Wrap Up July 9 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up 7/2

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

WednesdayWrapUpJIt’s not often talked about, but there are times when epidural anesthesia does not work. Here are 5 Things to Do When the Epidural Fails

An unusual birth story told with a sense of humor!

And another funny – big brother holding the new baby for the first time.

And to further make you laugh, a completely sarcastic set of instructions: How to Breastfeed Appropriately

A nice collection of videos on using the rebozo in labor.

Loved seeing a positive story about breastfeeding in public!

Great information on breastfeeding and medications, from the Centers for Disease Control.

Today’s video is Jimmy Kimmel going to a childbirth class with Jessica Alba. It’s overdramatized and overdone, but I can truthfully say I have had people like Jimmy in my classes. Many of the comments he made are comments I’ve had in class.

Wednesday Wrap Up 7/2 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up June 25

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

WednesdayWrapUpFThis post marks a year and a half I’ve been doing the Wednesday Wrap Up!

An interesting potential clue about what starts labor. I’ll be interested to see if this pans out and how it might increase our understanding of how labor begins.

A nice collection of links on being active in labor.

I liked this list of how to prepare for labor. Particularly #10. There’s no one way to birth, and moms get to figure out what works for them.

Want to know if your pediatrician is really breastfeeding friendly? These are great questions to ask – and the answers you want to look for.

An interesting debate going on about Natural Birth. This first link:

The Cult of Natural Childbirth Has Gone Too Far is what set it off. I think many people missed the point of the article, which is more about class distinctions and the idealization of something not available to many women.

This response, Natural Childbirth is Not a Cult, missed that point but does make some good points as well.

Today’s video is from Laura Paulescu of Crowned Photography in Seattle (formerly Denver). It shows a mom alternating movement and rest through her labor.

The birth of Naomi Yonina | Crowned Birth Photography from crownedbirthphotography on Vimeo.

Wednesday Wrap Up June 25 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up June 11

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

Weekly Web Links for the Childbearing YearNice list of questions to determine if you might be overlooking some red flags in your relationship with your care provider. Truly choosing the best fit of a care provider is the most valuable thing you can do to get your best birth experience.

And if you need them for inspiration, stories from women who changed care providers during their pregnancy.

So many great suggestions for childbirth educators and doulas working with women who are survivors of childhood abuse.

Beautiful photos of a cesarean birth with a clear drape so mom can see the birth and skin to skin in the operating room, by Boca Raton photographer Emily Robinson

Loved this list! Nine Tips to Help Midwives and Doulas Work Together – I would love to see more collaboration and less territorialism between midwives and doulas. I’ve had the experience of working really, really well with midwives, and I think the collaboration serves moms well. But I’ve also seen instances where competition and protecting your territory has resulted in a less than great experience for moms. Neither doulas nor midwives alone can be all things to a laboring mom.

I’ve linked to this story before, but here is another article on the current lawsuit over forcing a mom to have a cesarean against her will. Scary, scary stuff. The hospital’s department head actually charted this:

“The woman has decisional capacity. I have decided to override her refusal to have a C-section. Her physician, Dr. Gorelik, and hospital attorney, Mr. Fried, are in agreement.”

– essentially documenting “mom is capable of making her own decisions, but we don’t care and are going to do what we want anyway.” This is simply inhumane.

Today’s video is about midwives, the role of midwives, and the variety of women who become midwives.

Wednesday Wrap Up June 11 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up June 4

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

WednesdayWrapUpCWow, it’s June already? This year is flying by, must mean I am having fun!

A doula finds how for herself just how hard it is to advocate for yourself with a care provider.

Interesting article on using sound as a labor technique. SO many people think that if you’re “in control” or “laboring well” that means you are quiet. Not so! Sound can be a great technique to use. I loved how good it felt to get a nice vibrating sensation in my throat and chest as I labored with my last.

This article sums up my feelings about placenta encapsulation fairly well. I’m not convinced, and since it is not an evidenced based practice, I personally take a neutral stance on it. I won’t recommend it, but I fully support any mom who chooses it.

The Well Rounded Mama looks at a study showing that obese women should not be risked out of midwifery care.

Here’s a fun pair of links! A year ago, my friend and fellow birth photographer Emily Robinson captured a birth that came a little earlier than planned. On the sidewalk just outside the hospital! The original photos went viral and it was fun to see all the attention on birth photography. Well, that baby recently turned 1, and the family went back to the hospital to take some photos at the very spot, including some fun recreations of the original photos.

Today’s video is a pregnancy time lapse + home birth unlike any you’ve seen before!

Wednesday Wrap Up June 4 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up May 28

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

Wednesday Web Links
Collection of possible positions for laboring or birthing in the tub. I like to show moms lots of potential positions for any kind of labor to get them thinking beyond the most common ones.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out: A mom sues the hospital for forcing a cesarean against her will. This happens daily across the country, simply by hospitals and doctors refusing to “allow” VBAC, but this case is particularly outrageous.

An interesting list of things about labor, compiled by two moms with lots of personal experience in the process. I can’t say I agree with every single one, but worth a read!

A different way to look at postpartum depression: The six stages of PPD

Fantastic article on what childbirth educators need to know about maternal mental health. Includes a 10 question quiz. Take the quiz and let me know how you scored!

This is such a great birth story. I love the photos by my friend Natasha Hance, but the videos she took and included really capture the emotion. Mom talking about the baby’s sex and dad telling the whole family about how he caught the baby! It’s all so very well done. By mom and dad especially, but also well documented by Natasha!

Wednesday Wrap Up May 28 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up 4/30

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

Weekly Pregnancy and Birth LinksI’ve wondered for a long time if babies who lose a lot of weight in the first day after birth are just shedding extra water weight from IV fluids! Nice to see someone addressing it.

Good thing they reserved the right to overrule the internet.

The Words that Steal Our Birth Power An interesting look at the words we use when we talk about birth stories, and what that says about our culture.

One thing I have learned quite a bit about in the last year is infant loss. My volunteer work with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep has brought me in contact with many families going through some very difficult circumstances. One resource I was completely unaware of during my first 16 years working in the birth field is perinatal hospice. These programs provide support and help for families who have a baby with a diagnosis that means the baby is not likely to live long past birth. They do wonderful work. Please learn more about perinatal hospice and see if there is a program in your area.

Today’s video is a recent one from Lamaze International. It goes over the facts about cesareans and VBACs in a quick few minutes, with some tips on how to find out if your provider is a good match for your desires. I thought it would be a fitting way to finish off Cesarean Awareness Month.

Wednesday Wrap Up 4/30 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up 4/16

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

WednesdayWrapUpBMLMy youngest, my baby, turns 12 today. TWELVE! Hard to believe she’s grown into such a lovely young lady! That’s her over in the Wednesday Wrap Up logo for today, a photo I took of her during the dress rehearsal for a play she was in recently.

April is Cesarean Awareness Month, and many great articles on various aspects of it are popping up around the internet:

We’ll start off with a cesarean infographic from Lamaze about the scope of the problem.

And a study looking at what might be the optimal cesarean rate for best maternal-infant health.

One of the reasons the cesarean rate is so high is that women are not getting the option of choosing how they would like to birth after having a previous cesarean. Improving Birth wrote this week about The Insanity of Mandatory Surgery

Since it is so vitally important to avoid the first cesarean, here are some ways to reduce your chances of a cesarean:
Don’t go to the hospital too early
Choose your Doctor Wisely
Hire a good doula

And of course if you have given birth by cesarean before, VBAC is possible!
Consider VBAC if you’ve had a cesarean before

And now that you know so much, pop over to Science and Sensibility to take a quick quiz on the topic and see how much you know about the cesarean epidemic!

Finally, I don’t want to leave the impression that cesareans are horrible. So today’s video is proof that a cesarean birth can still be a beautiful experience. Courtesy of Brooke Walsh of Peace-Love-Babies in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul:

the birth of Mack | peace-love-babies.com from Brooke Walsh on Vimeo.

Wednesday Wrap Up 4/16 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up 4/9

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

Wednesday Wrap-Up Graphic - Utah Private Childbirth Classes
We are in the middle of planning our family vacation this week, so I have travel on my mind. We will be hitting a few National Parks on a road trip. (Someday I hope to see ALL the National Parks!) If you are pregnant and planning a final kid-free trip before the baby comes? Here are a few links with helpful tips:
Travel During Pregnancy – What to Bring
7 Tips for Traveling While Pregnant
Pregnancy Travel Tips

And if your baby is already here and you want to explore the world:
Car Travel With a Baby
Flying With a Baby
Tips for Traveling with Cloth Diapers
Breastfeeding While Traveling
Bottle Feeding While Traveling
50 Things to Know Before Traveling With Baby

I know, I know, we’re tired of the onslaught of selfies. But I really liked this idea of documenting your pregnancy through photos. It’s a HUGE step up from cell phone mirror shots, and I love how she pairs the photos with words.

Totally tooting my own horn here, but I had an article on Peanut Balls for Labor published on Science and Sensibility yesterday!

Today’s video comes from my friend Amanda McGhee of Kimberlin Gray Photography in Hampton Roads VA. Beautiful home birth that transfers to the hospital. The older kids reactions are just so fun to watch! Just FYI, there are bare breasts in the video, so if you’re not OK with that, might want to skip it. I honestly did not notice because I was caught up in the emotion of the birth.

The birth of Evanora from Kimberlin Gray Photography on Vimeo.

Wednesday Wrap Up 4/9 Read More »

Wednesday Wrap Up 4/2

Leave a Comment / Wednesday Wrap Ups /

WednesdayWrapUpGIt takes a special kind of person to be a doula, this is true. But it also takes a special kind of person to live with, love, and share a life with a doula! This article shows what that can be like: My Wife Is A Doula

If you’re starting to think that you might not be a good fit with your care provider, this article has some great exercises to go through as you consider how the relationship is – or is not – working.

This is a great article for all kinds of birth professionals to read and consider. It’s a great discussion of professionalism and collaboration among those from different backgrounds and perspectives.

What a tender way for a dad to get involved in breastfeeding.

I’ve always said that it is unfair to say that the ONLY thing that matters is a healthy baby. Not so! But I loved the way Sharon Muza put it in this infographic: Birth is Like a 3 Legged Stool

Today’s video is a fun letter to a new baby born today from the Kid President. Very fun and sweet!

Wednesday Wrap Up 4/2 Read More »