• Last updated Yesterday by Melanie Mayo

About The Heart in the Womb: An Exploration into the Roots of Human Love and Social Cohesion   Modern-day life and our highly stressed, “risk-averse” society has led to a medicalised, fearful model of childbirth, one that has stripped the process of its wondrous magic. In this groundbreaking book, consultant obstetrician Dr Amali Lokugamage discusses ways in which every woman can aim to give birth in the most natural, supportive way possible, and looks at the wider implications for society at large.    This book includes a foreword by Dr Luke Zander, founder of... read more

• Last updated 2/25/13 by Kristen Tea

  Reposted with permission from MotherWise     For some people, announcing a pregnancy is a happy, exciting time.  Many soon-to-be mothers experience joyous reactions, hugs, happy tears, high-fives, and other loving, encouraging responses.  Others are not so fortunate, and it seems that an etiquette guide is in order.   I am a single parent, and although I was 23 and had a good job at a library, most of the responses I received when I told people I was pregnant were insensitive and inconsiderate.  It appeared that the main focus was that I was unmarried,... read more

• Last updated 2/24/13 by HWBMama

By Megan Leary     A year and a half ago, I was 42 weeks pregnant with my first and I was walking around 9 centimeters dilated.  So, it should come as no surprise that when labor finally did come it only lasted three hours from the first contraction to meeting my darling girl.  I didn’t get to experience or put to use the knowledge I had acquired on how to manage a long and laborious labor.  This is not to say that I didn’t have any pain.  My labor came hard and fast and I had grueling all back labor for the totality of the three hours.  However, my preparations... read more

• Last updated 1/9/13 by SKValenzuela

By S.K. Valenzuela   I was teaching a baby care class the other week and we were discussing soothing strategies for newborns. I was taking them through a scenario and asked for a mom volunteer to demonstrate. I began, "Let's pretend your baby is crying in her bassinet. What's the first thing you would do to calm her?" The mom picked up her baby as the class echoed the suggestion. "Okay, excellent," I said. "Now let's say she doesn't stop crying. Can you think of something to try next?"   And then the most wonderful thing happened.   This mom sat there,... read more

• Last updated 11/28/12 by Melanie Mayo

  (Contributed by Sarah Clark)   Failure to progress.   Oft named as a reason for cesarean. Oft mentioned to the supine mom in the hospital as she is encouraged to get her epidural and "relax". By the naysayers in the natural birth community, it is often renamed, Failure to be Patient or just, "Doc must leave to make his golf game."    Whatever it means to you, the term failure to progress is both powerful, disturbing, and strongly indicates not just lack of ability but complete and utter physical failure on the part of the mother. Personally, I would... read more

• Last updated 11/15/12 by Melanie Mayo

  The first book I ever read about pregnancy, birth, and babies was Ina May Gaskin's Spiritual Midwifery.  I wasn't interested in becoming a midwife, and this was several years before I even thought of becoming a mother, but it looked interesting so I picked it up.  It rocked my world.  I had never thought of birth in such earthy terms; I had never considered mother-directed birth, and I definitely hadn't thought that birth could be pleasant or even pain-free!  I feel so fortunate to have discovered this book, discovered this whole world of thinking differently about... read more

• Last updated 11/13/12 by SKValenzuela

By Shannon Valenzuela   For better or worse, Lamaze has long had an association in people's minds with breathing -- the "ha-hee" patterned breathing in particular.  The Lamaze method is so much more than this, of course, and breathing strategies are just one of the coping tools taught in a typical Lamaze class.  But, as I always stress to my students, labor coping strategies aren't just for labor, they're for life.  And even though learning to breathe deeply is just one skill among many, it is by far my favorite -- and along with informed decision-making, I think... read more

• Last updated 11/12/12 by Melanie Mayo

Boys   Aquila eagle Latin   Duarte wealthy guardian Portuguese   Elsu flying falcon Native American   Faolan wolf Irish   Gaagii raven Native American   Lywanu growling... read more

• Last updated 10/11/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Michelle CrouchWeb Exclusive - February 13, 2009 When I was expecting my first baby, the nurses who gave the hospital tour stressed how comfortable the hospital was with natural childbirth. Instead of asking specific questions about what that meant, I believed them. I should have known better. Though my labor was normal, the nurses would not unhook me from the fetal monitor to let me walk around the room to ease my contractions. They didn't have birthing balls or a squat bar available. At one point, they even tried to keep my doula out of the room. Despite those... read more

• Last updated 10/11/12 by Mothering Editorial

Now is the time to stock up on things you might need during labor. If you are giving birth away from home you can begin to pack your suitcase. Here are things you might consider having handy at home, or packing up to take with you: A couple of your favorite nightgowns or long pajama tops. You can choose one that is made for nursing, if you prefer. Something comfortable for your feet such as slippers or socks, or maybe a pair of slipper socks with rubberized bottoms. Hot water bottles, heading pads, and icepacks. A tennis... read more