Latest Homebirth Headlines

The Homebirth Debate: I Ate Statistics Stew and I’m Still Hungry

“Opponents” (as if this is a battle) of homebirth almost always quote statistics (in the favor of their argument, of course) to question the safety of homebirth.

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Who Gives a Crap About Dr. Phil and His Homebirth Show?

Just in case you haven’t heard, the word on the street in homebirthland is this: The (in)famous Dr. Phil is supposedly having a show that explores homebirth, and is asking for experienced women to write in and possibly appear on the show. Read the story »

10 Homebirth Facts No One’s Telling You

(Note to Free Thinkers: Please don’t make your birth decisions based on statistics alone. Numbers, statistics and studies can be skewed to support either side of most arguments. That’s why you’ll find tons of folks bantering back and forth… quoting study after study after study. Your birth choices are not about “studies.” They are about you. About your life, your baby and your choice. Studies support your choice. They don’t have the power to make your choice.)

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Latest Pregnancy Headlines

Intuition and Ultrasound

Does using technology render our intuition useless?

This is a thought that flashes through my mind quite regularly. I only work with women choosing homebirth, and for what it’s worth, most of them are choosing ultrasound.

I find it to be a hard situation; for me, that is.

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For the Expectant Mother

Find time every day to sit quietly and communicate to your unborn baby. You may choose to close your eyes and place your hands on your belly while taking deep breathes in and out…you may choose to enroll in a prenatal yoga class guided by an instructor…or perhaps you’ll choose to spend this time reading from a book with words of encouragement. Whatever method you choose, by spending this time in a calm and peaceful environment you are creating an environment conducive to bonding.
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Nutritional Protection for your Perineum

In my many years working with women in the birthing world, one of the main concerns that always comes up is protecting the perineum from tearing. As a new doula and childbirth educator, I would respond to these concerns with the usual “cookie cutter recipe” response of heat packs, oils, and perineum massage. This recipe had mixed results when actually put into practice.

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Latest Natural Parenting Headlines

Choosing to Breastfeed

Choosing to breastfeed is one of the most beneficial decisions a new mother can make for her baby, herself, and even her family. Breastmilk is the most perfect infant food, sustaining the baby’s health and nourishment single-handedly for the first six months of life. The physical and emotional benefits remain with the baby throughout his life.

Breastfeeding is also the best way for mom to help her post-pregnancy body and mind. The breastfeeding relationship is beneficial to her health, her parenting, and her baby. The family unit benefits from breastfeeding as well.
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Vitamin K/Vitamin K Deficiency of the Newborn

Vitamin K is synthesized in the gut, and is responsible for (among many things) the clotting of blood. Compared to adult levels, all babies are born with a “deficiency” of vitamin K. This is the way ALL babies are made, and there is likely a very good reason for it. One possible reason is that because vitamin K helps cells multiply (like as the baby is forming and growing), a surplus of vitamin K might contribute to the overgrowth of cells which we have come to know as cancer. In any case, should we be supplementing a newborn’s body with an overload of any vitamin or mineral? What might the long term effects of this be?
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My Thoughts on Vitamin K

When considering the vitamin K shot for a newborn, it is wise to look at the facts and evidence out there before making a decision. I believe that this, like any standard protocol, must be questioned and understood as fully as possible by the parents.

There is a lot of conflicting information out there about the AAP recommended vitamin K shot at birth.
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