• Last updated 1/6/11 by Mothering Editorial

By Laura Alvarez Laura Alvarez from Wisconsin is the second place winner of the Birth Matters Virgina video contest. Critiques include: “Very sweet birth video - and of course we love the song and used it in the Business of Being Born!”—Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein “Gorgous photos of homebirth, nicely balanced with information. Well done!”—Dr. Sarah Buckley, MD “Amazing editing. Very professional. This film isn’t afraid to show birth as it really is.” “Lovely. Powerful. Very sweet.” “I think the whole room was tearing up by the end of this one!” “So sweet and... read more

• Last updated 3/1/13 by mamazee

In the last post here at Mothering Outside the Lines we were talking about how to have an empowered labor and delivery. You might have noticed that I did not suggest taking a childbirth class to prepare. In her book, Misconceptions, Naomi Wolf writes about how many childbirth instructors are actually employed by hospitals. If they aren’t being paid directly (as many of them are), they are getting their clients through hospital referrals. Instead of giving true information and really empowering first-time moms, these instructors are often... read more

• Last updated 3/7/13 by mamazee

In December I visited a labor and delivery ward at a prominent hospital in Boston. There were four women in active labor while I was there. They were all young and healthy with no risk factors of any kind. Three were having their first baby. One was having her second. One was a vaginal forceps delivery after the woman was given an epidural and pitocin (a synthetic hormone that mimics oxytocin and is used to intensify contractions) and had spent most of the labor and two hours pushing flat on her back, one was a vaginal delivery with a second... read more

• Last updated 10/18/12 by Melanie Mayo

In my last post here at Mothering Outside the Lines I wrote about an amazing mom who decided to have a home birth to avoid a fourth C-section. I emailed Aneka’s story to my friend Denise who still has angry, unresolved feelings about a second C-section. Denise was fully dilated and pushing when the doctor told her there was “no way” the baby would be able to slip under her pubic bone. Any birthing woman is incredibly vulnerable. Her senses are heightened. She looks to those around her for support and love and encouragement. What if that doctor... read more

• Last updated 3/1/13 by mamazee

  The safest way for a baby to be born is vaginally but the C-section rate in this country is skyrocketing. American women are starting to protest. If doctors don't let them do VBACs in the hospital, they're choosing to have their babies at home instead. Last week we were talking about nursing past three and I’ve been reading through all of the comments now that Baby Leone and I are back from a hectic week in Boston. Thank you to those who weighed in on extended nursing. I’ve been fascinated to read the discussion that series started and I’m inspired... read more

• Last updated 1/5/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Sarah J. Buckley, MDIssue 131, July/August 2005 Jacob's conception was unexpected, and unknown to us for several weeks. We'd been on holiday in Tasmania, Australia's small "south island," and on the ferry trip home had carried not only Emma (four years) and Zoe (one year), but also their brother-to-be—a tiny mass of cells barely a week from conception. As I slept fitfully on my bunk, Jacob's blastocyst, looking like a tiny blackberry just 2 millimeters in diameter, had already rolled down one of my fallopian tubes and was busy burrowing into the dark, thick lining of... read more

• Last updated 3/10/13 by AdinaL

Don’t miss this awesome holiday deal from MyBestBirth.com! With every purchase of “The Business of Being Born” DVD ($20 + $8.50 s/h) you will receive a FREE hardcover copy of “Your Best Birth.” What a great gift idea. You can also purchase the book alone for $12 + $8.50 s/h.  Shipping only available within the continental U.S. Get your copy now! About Melanie Mayo-Laakso is the Content Manager for Mothering.com. Mothering is the birthplace of natural family living and attachment parenting. We celebrate the experience of... read more

• Last updated 5/2/13 by Cynthia Mosher

By Cathe Olson     My rule for pregnant women is that each meal or snack have protein, fat, and complex carbs. This should help your blood sugar to stay constant, slow down the digestion of the foods, and give you energy. Here's a list of snack ideas I have compiled: -Whole grain toast with tahini or cream cheese and banana slices -Toasted English muffins with cottage cheese and fresh fruit slices -Whole grain bagel with almond butter, mashed avocado, or cream cheese -Crackers with nut/seed butter or cheese -Hard-boiled egg with crackers or... read more

• Last updated 3/10/13 by AdinaL

A reader, let’s call her “Karen,” contacted me recently for advice. She’s a single mom with a five-year-old and she’s pregnant again. She’s feeling very scared and lonely, trying to figure out how she’ll negotiate life with a new baby and a full-time job. I’m so grateful for the advice of readers on this blog so I asked Karen if I could post her dilemma here. Here’s Karen’s story: I am a 30-year-old single Mom with a five year old daughter. Being a Mom is the greatest joy in my life. I am also 16 weeks pregnant. I was dating someone who was told... read more

• Last updated 6/27/11 by Cynthia Mosher

Resource Thread       Hi! This is a resource thread intended to be a compilation of helpful MDC discussions, Mothering articles and member-recommended website links surrounding the needs of those navigating pregnancy after birth loss. Please PM the forum's moderator to nominate a helpful thread, article or website for inclusion. MDC Discussions Encouraging Stories Dealing with Fear and Anxiety Mothering articles http://mothering.com/pregnancy-birth http://mothering.com/loss read more