• Created on 2/28/10 by Mothering Editorial

When giving birth to my daughter, I had excessive bleeding. I lost six pints of blood & needed two blood transfusions. I was considering having another baby but I wasn't sure if it was the best idea. I was wondering if you could give me your expert advice as to whether I should try and have another one. I am scared I'm going to bleed to death, however I know nothing on this subject. All I know is what I was told. Is it safe to have another baby?It is a difficult question. On the one hand the best way to prevent a bleeding would be to give birth with nobody around you,... read more

• Created on 2/22/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Lynn Zimmer and John P. Morgan Warnings that marijuana causes birth defects date back to the late 1960s.1 Some researchers claimed to have found chromosomal abnormalities in blood cells taken from marijuana users. They predicted that young men and women who used marijuana would produce deformed babies.2 Although later studies disproved this theory,3 some current drug education materials still claim that genetic damage is passed on by marijuana users to their children.4Today, researchers look for a direct effect of THC [for tetrahydrocannabinol, either of two... read more

• Created on 2/18/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Giuditta TornettaWeb Exclusive - July 31, 2007 'If there is a will, there is a wall'—once I heard this at my church, I could not get it out of my head. I was raised with the exact opposite dictum: "If there is a will, there is a way." I'd always pushed hard to get where I wanted to go. I had a will—a strong will —and by God, I was going to find the way to get where I wanted to be. Instead of focusing on the strength of our will, Revered Dr. Michael Beckwith proposes that we let go of our self-will, and becoming willing to receive what we desire—instead of fighting... read more

• Created on 2/18/10 by Mothering Editorial

Amniocentesis is a procedure in which some of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby is removed from the mother’s uterus. The amniotic fluid has passed in and out of the baby’s body, and therefore contains some of the baby’s cells. These cells can be read to see if a disease such as Down syndrome, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, sickle cell anemia, or anencephaly is present.Why is Amniocenteses Used? This test is used to obtain information about the baby’s genetic makeup and the potential for genetically inherited diseases. It can also determine the gender of... read more

• Created on 2/16/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Stacey EscofferyIssue 138, September-October 2006 Although I was never happy about the cesarean section I had in my first pregnancy, I at first accepted it and considered it a necessary precaution. I even used to tell people that my scar was not a big deal; I called it my badge of honor. However, more than a year later, when I was ready to get pregnant again, regrets about my C-section surfaced for the first time. The anger and sadness I felt about the labor and delivery of my firstborn daughter became overwhelming. Once, at work, I came close to breaking down in... read more

• Created on 2/15/10 by Mothering Editorial

After sustaining a severe 4th degree tear during the birthing of my daughter 3 years ago, I have been advised by my consultant to not attempt further vaginal births with any future pregnancies. Having come to terms with the idea of elective caesarian, I understand the respiratory risks of such a procedure to the baby and also am conscious of the natural role of hormones in labour and am keen to not completely disrupt and lose their huge benefit in terms of bonding, breast feeding etc. Would you recommend an in-labour c-section in this case? Am worried if things move... read more

• Created on 2/15/10 by Mothering Editorial

I began spotting about 3 days ago, at 12 weeks, 4 days pregnant. So I went in for an ultrasound that showed something with no heartbeat (that measured 8 mm? Or 8 cm?). However, I have not seen a doctor nor midwife for this pregnancy yet and my ultrasound was at an unaffiliated imaging center. I am now bleeding in earnest and passing tissue but have had no cramping. In addition I have a fever of 101 deg. F that has escalated from about 99 2 days ago. But, in this same time frame, I have also come down with a nasty upper respiratory infection and am coughing up phlegm... read more

• Created on 2/11/10 by Mothering Editorial

The subject of testing in pregnancy is one that often causes women anxiety, sometimes in ways they are not even consciously aware of. The information that follows is provided because many health practitioners emphasize testing in pregnancy, and therefore it is helpful for women to know the facts about these tests. As always, though, it is best to keep reminding yourself that the conditions these tests screen for are rare, and even when the conditions are present, they are treatable. Maintaining your own serenity is the most important gift of health that you can give... read more

• Created on 2/2/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Dimitri Kaasan At the time I knew the many benefits that Bradley preparation offered my wife, Suneeta, and our baby. I knew, for example, that Suneeta had a better chance of delivering the baby without interventions because she had trained to work with her body, not against it. Since we would make our birth preferences known to hospital staff-as the Bradley class had encouraged-I knew that our baby would be set on Suneeta's chest right after birth, allowing our newborn to form an immediate bond with its mother instead of being hustled out of our sight to be... read more

• Created on 1/31/10 by Mothering Editorial

Now I know my body Is really a vessel, Able to transform itself At the service of life, Able to stretch big With life, To swell small breasts Large with milk, To grow narrow pelvis Open for birth, To reach open arms Out for comfort.   Read more poems read more