• Created on 6/23/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Lisa LimIssue 97, November/December 1999 Our second child, a boy, was born on a Saturday afternoon last fall. The sky was blue, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the clouds floated along as I labored. The midwife arrived at our home at 2:30 p.m. I was dilated 2.5 centimeters, very excited, and a little scared. We went for a long walk in the neighborhood, and in a little over two hours, at 4:49 p.m., Kai James Lim was born in our living room. His eyes were a dark blue, his hair tinged with red, and he weighed a bouncing 8 pounds, 6 ounces. I chose to stay in... read more

• Created on 12/31/10 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

• Created on 10/11/10 by Mothering Editorial

I just had a c section on friday they gave me hydrocodone/app 7.5mg. I take only half a pill every 4hr and I have pain only on my right side and my chest is hurting me uncontrolable. I can't even lay down it feels like my insides are tearing. Is all this normal?I would suggest to contact your medical professional ASAP. Best wishes, Judy read more

• Created on 7/19/10 by Mothering Editorial

Hi, my husband and I need help considering a third baby. We have a 5 year old son and a 3 year old daughter who co-sleep with us. This was not our original intention, but after 8 months of sleeping in 15 minute blocks (our son nursed multiple times an hour), I brought him into bed with us on Christmas Eve at my in-laws (after carting his bassinet there with us), and I laid him on my chest and we slept for 2 hours straight for the first time. After returning home, we realized that he and I needed to be together in order for either one of us to sleep. (FYI - he only took... read more

• Created on 10/13/10 by Mothering Editorial

Dear M. Odent, I am a great fan of yours, and I have read many of your books. I am writing to you because after having had 2 previous cesareans (the first was an emergency, I was giving birth at home, but as she was crowning it was discovered that she was face presentation - lips first. The second was for a twin delivery, baby A was breech, and I could not find anyone who was qualified or willing to deliver them vaginally with a breech presentation, my water broke so the cesarean was performed). I am now pregnant with baby number 4, and I would desperately like to... read more

• Created on 3/20/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Wendy PonteIssue 144, September/October 2007 When I tell someone I am working on a story about the escalating rate of cesarean sections in the US, it often leads to a conversation that goes something like this: "C-section rates are up to 50 percent or higher in some hospitals," I say. "Doctors often feel they must do a C-section to protect themselves from a malpractice suit. And many of them seem to feel that a C-section is actually better than vaginal birth. A lot of women are being given unnecessary surgery." "I had a C-section," my acquaintance will say. "But... read more

• Created on 11/22/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley, and Ann KepplerIssue 95, July/August 1999 Women respond differently to labor, depending on the nature of their labors, their sense of readiness, their coping styles, and their goals and expectations. As you prepare and rehearse for labor, learn various comfort measures and then adapt them to suit you. Use this knowledge to develop your own style for labor. Think about what helps you to relax: music, massage, soothing voices, a bath or shower, meditation, prayer, chanting or humming, or thinking about or visualizing pleasant places and... read more

• Created on 11/20/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Jenny RoughWeb Exclusive, October 19, 2007 My heart is wild with the sound of chatter and praise. My husband, Ron, kisses my cheek as our friend Michael suggests a list of names: William, Christopher, Mark, Robert, Jacob, -- or Michael, he likes that best. I glance at my husband, and Ron is beaming. Michael swings an arm around Ron's shoulders. "My man! It's good to know your sperm are working," Michael says. The three of us clink glasses—me with my virgin pineapple juice, Ron and Michael with their bourbons. This has been going on for weeks now as Ron and I have... read more

• Created on 9/30/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Bethany Fitzpatrick Web Exclusive December 1, 2008 In the dream, my limbs feel heavy with sleep or the fatigue of travel. I am riding with my family in the brown Chevy van my parents once owned. The seats are plush, the floor carpeted, the windows lined with velour curtains—all the consistent, creamy brown of washed river sand. My sisters present me with a car seat holding a newborn baby. "She's a girl, and she's yours," they say, but I don't remember. I grow confused. The air inside the van grows viscous. We're traveling so quickly. I want to secure the carrier, to... read more

• Created on 10/26/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Emily StrongWeb Exclusive - June 19, 2006 I scoot closer to the edge of Miranda's couch as nausea, like the itsy-bitsy spider, climbs up my esophagus. My options are to make a beeline for the potted ficus or to navigate the minefield of toddlers at my feet to reach the bathroom. Pride and a fear that seeing me puking on “mommy's favorite tree" might leave scars on two-year-old minds, force me to choose the latter. I dart right to avoid a tea party, jog left to miss the music circle, and attempt a long jump over train tracks. Landing squarely on Thomas the Tank... read more