• Last updated 5/29/10 by Mothering Editorial

 By Diana Korte Issue 89, July-August 1998 You might be wondering why I've included information about nonhospital VBACS when the possibility of uterine rupture exists. The answer is that there will always be reasonable women who choose to have VBACS in out-of-hospital birth centers or at home. The fact is that there is less than a 1 percent chance of uterine rupture.1 (When obstetrician Bruce Flamm--a leading VBAC pioneer--and his colleagues evaluated the VBACS of 11,000 women in southern California in 1994, the rupture rate was .5 percent.) Thousands of... read more

• Last updated 5/29/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Diana Korte Issue 89, July/August 1998 Considered the gold standard of a nation's health, the infant mortality rate refers to the number of babies who die in their first year of life per 1,000 births. Many developed countries keep track of their cesarean rates, but only a handful track VBACS. Most information in this chart is for 1994-1995. Exceptions are indicated. Most infant mortality statistics came from "Annual Summary of Vital Statistics--1995," by Bernard Guyer et al., Pediatrics 98, no.6 (1996). VBAC and cesarean information came... read more

• Last updated 10/12/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Jackie KelleherWeb Exclusive I am a longtime reader of Mothering, and buy subscriptions for friends and clients. I love the way that Mothering makes me think and question myself. Vicky York's recent article on night doula support had just that effect on me. As a doula and board member for DONA International, I truly enjoyed the mirror that the article held before me. Below is my response. In my role as Director of Postpartum Services for DONA International, I am always pleased to find publications addressing doula services, especially in a publication as treasured... read more

• Last updated 9/29/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Naomi Goldberg Web Exclusive I was drowning in waves of nausea. I felt lousy, and then some. My stomach wasn't cooperating, but my appetite was, an irony that I felt too ill to appreciate. I figured there was nothing I could do but mope hungrily about, watching as my family scarfed down the bounty that a Sunday night barbeque had to offer. "Don't you want anything to eat?" my sister asked me, noticing my empty plate. "It's really good." "No thanks, I'm just here as a spectator," I replied. "Perhaps I'll eat later." Perhaps! My mind said bitterly. "Perhaps"-yeah... read more

• Last updated 9/29/10 by Mothering Editorial

Related Articles:Sidebar: Herbal Treatments for Group B Strep Sidebar: The Benefits Of A Probiotic Diet By Christa Novelli Issue 121, Nov/Dec 2003 Most women who have been pregnant in the last few years are familiar with the terms Group B Strep (for Group B Streptococcus), or GBS. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that all pregnant women be screened between weeks 35 and 37 of their pregnancies to determine if they are carriers of GBS. This is done by taking a swab of the... read more

• Last updated 6/6/10 by Mothering Editorial

The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) was formed in 1996. It is made up of midwives, physicians, hospital associations, public health workers, doulas, scientists, and many others. As a group they meet to review scientific reports and make recommendations for evidence-based obstetric practices in birth centers and hospitals.   To qualify for CIMS designation, a birth center, hospital, or home birth service must fulfill these Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care: 1. Offers all birthing mothers unrestricted access to: birth companions of her choice,... read more

• Last updated 6/7/10 by Mothering Editorial

What to Look for, What to Ask, When Making Your Birthplace Choice What is your gut reaction to the environment? Does it feel warm? Do you feel welcomed? Do you like the people who are showing you around? Are they the same people you will have contact with during the birth? How does the facility look and sound? Is there a “hospital room” feeling? Is there street noise to deal with? Can the lights be dimmed during the birth? What is the facility’s policy on birth attendants? Can you include friends, children and relatives, or only your partner? If it is a hospital,... read more

• Last updated 6/7/10 by Mothering Editorial

  Contact one of the following certification groups:Doulas of North America (DONA)BirthworksAssociation of Labor Asssistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE)International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) Check with local childbirth educators Look at bulletin boards in local pediatricians' offices Get a referral from a friend who has recently given birth and who has used a doula Ask your midwife or obstetrician Call local birth centers Go to a La Leche League meeting and ask members for referrals read more

• Last updated 6/18/10 by Mothering Editorial

Ten Steps To Successful Breastfeeding Research has shown that information and support are essential to successful breastfeeding. While it is likely that midwives at home and in birth centers will recommend and support breastfeeding, if you are giving birth at a hospital, look for one that is breastfeeding friendly. An international health initiative, The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), will help you to recognize such hospitals and birth centers. To be certified by BFHI, a facility must follow the Ten Steps to Successful... read more

• Last updated 6/8/10 by Mothering Editorial

  There are many things you can do to prepare your children for both pregnancy and for the birth itself: Share children’s books and videos about childbirth and becoming a big sister or brother. If you have been struggling with fatigue or nausea, reassure your child that you are okay and that this is temporary. Explain that you may not be able to give him as much time and attention as you would like to because you aren’t feeling well. Make sure that he gets attention at other times, or ... read more