I hope you find the information on the following handouts a valuable addition to the topics we cover in class. You are certainly not required to read everything or even ANYthing here. Your baby will come out if you do not read a word!
Nothing here is intended or qualified to replace the advice of your care provider. Seek medical attention for answers to your specific questions.
Nothing here is intended or qualified to replace the advice of your care provider. Seek medical attention for answers to your specific questions.
Please remember that these handouts are for your personal use only. Do not share them with others.
Count the Kicks
Paying attention to movements helps you get to know what’s normal for your baby. Speak up if you notice a change! Learn how to count here.
Protecting Your Birth:
A Guide for Black Mothers
How racism can impact your pre- and postnatal care — and advice for speaking to your care provider about it. Read it here.
Celebrating Pregnancy and Babies
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| Birth Traditions and Trivia |
"Souls Intertwined: The Memory of Touch"
Suzanne Siteman Phillips. Mothering, Issue 106, May/June 2001
"Where Adoration Begins: The Magic of Babies"
Valarie Nordstrom. Mothering, Issue 107, July/August 2001
"High Art: Raising a Child"
Rachael La Rock Whaley. Mothering, Issue 107, July/August 2001
Suzanne Siteman Phillips. Mothering, Issue 106, May/June 2001
"Where Adoration Begins: The Magic of Babies"
Valarie Nordstrom. Mothering, Issue 107, July/August 2001
"High Art: Raising a Child"
Rachael La Rock Whaley. Mothering, Issue 107, July/August 2001
Choosing a Care Provider
| Items for Consideration - Choosing Your Birth Place |
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Doulas: Professional Labor Support
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"Continuous support for women during childbirth"
Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6.
Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6.
Siblings at Birth
"Including Siblings at Birth"
Peggy O'Mara - peggyomara.com, July 10, 2019
"Preparing a Child to Attend the Birth of a Sibling"
Yael Breimer - lllusa.org, March 31, 2016
"8 Factors to Consider When Letting Children Attend the Birth"
askdrsears.com
Peggy O'Mara - peggyomara.com, July 10, 2019
"Preparing a Child to Attend the Birth of a Sibling"
Yael Breimer - lllusa.org, March 31, 2016
"8 Factors to Consider When Letting Children Attend the Birth"
askdrsears.com
Birth Stories and Birth Places
wholemothershow.com - Local radio show, KPFT, Pat Jones regular host; Debbie Hull guest host
"The birth of Kai: Touching the Edges of Myself"
Lisa Lim. Mothering, Issue 97, November/December 1999
"Warm Welcome: A Water Birth Revolution"
Shelley P. Albini. Mothering, Issue 103, November/December 2000
"Aqua Baby: Birth at Home in a Tub"
Nicole Lundrigan. Mothering, Issue 103, November/December 2000
"There's No Place Like Home"
Pam England, Mothering, Web Exclusive, February 2009
Lisa Lim. Mothering, Issue 97, November/December 1999
"Warm Welcome: A Water Birth Revolution"
Shelley P. Albini. Mothering, Issue 103, November/December 2000
"Aqua Baby: Birth at Home in a Tub"
Nicole Lundrigan. Mothering, Issue 103, November/December 2000
"There's No Place Like Home"
Pam England, Mothering, Web Exclusive, February 2009
Pregnancy and Labor: Nutrition and Care
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| Labor Nutrition |
Aviva Romm, Physician, Midwife, Herbalist
Choose My Plate
The Brewer Diet
"Herbal Allies for Pregnancy"
Linda Woolven, Mothering, Web Exclusive, January 2011
Choose My Plate
The Brewer Diet
"Herbal Allies for Pregnancy"
Linda Woolven, Mothering, Web Exclusive, January 2011
Emotional Preparation for Birth and Parenting
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"I Will Survive (Thoughts on Survivors Giving Birth)"
Katie Wise, mothersadvocate, January 2011
Katie Wise, mothersadvocate, January 2011
Preparation for Labor and Birth
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| Birth Day Ideas |
Couples Work
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"Putting the Naked Back In Our Marriage"
Valerie Schultz, Mothering, Issue 95, July/August 1999
Valerie Schultz, Mothering, Issue 95, July/August 1999
Variations of Normal
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"Group B Strep (GBS) in Pregnancy: What's a Mom to Do?"
Aviva Romm, MD-midwife-herbalist, October 2015
"The Evidence on: Group B Strep"
Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, updated July 2017
Aviva Romm, MD-midwife-herbalist, October 2015
"The Evidence on: Group B Strep"
Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, updated July 2017
Natural Birth
"Ecstatic Birth: Nature's Hormonal Blueprint for Labour"
Dr. Sarah Buckley - You must register for her newsletter to read the article.
Dr. Sarah Buckley - You must register for her newsletter to read the article.
Routine Intervention
FURTHER READING RECOMMENDED
Although we cover the basics of interventions in class, I urge you to seek more complete information. Have careful discussions with your care provider about her/his expectations for your birth.
If you are birthing in a hospital, it is imperative that you know about routine interventions, their benefits, risks and alternatives.
If you are birthing at home or in a birth center, you should also be prepared, perhaps more so, in the event that a transport is required.
My favorite books about interventions and evidence-based medicine are written by Henci Goer. Her site is an excellent source of information, as are her books:
Consider also:
If you are birthing in a hospital, it is imperative that you know about routine interventions, their benefits, risks and alternatives.
If you are birthing at home or in a birth center, you should also be prepared, perhaps more so, in the event that a transport is required.
My favorite books about interventions and evidence-based medicine are written by Henci Goer. Her site is an excellent source of information, as are her books:
- Obstetric Myth vs. Research Reality
- Optimal Care in Childbirth: The Case for a Physiologic Approach
- The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth
Consider also:
- Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Natural Childbirth
| Routine Interventions in Benefit, Risk, Alternative Format |
| Analgesics for Labor |
Cochrane Database
A quick search of the site yields over 200 peer-reviewed, evidence-based references.
Cascade of Intervention
Childbirth Connection.org
Epidural Anesthesia
American Pregnancy Association
Henci Goer
Evidence Based Birth
"Most healthy women would benefit from light meal during labor"
American Society of Anesthesiologists. Press Release, November 6, 2015
Cytotec and the FDA
Ina May Gaskin. Midwifery Today, Issue 107, Autumn 2013
"Weighing the risks: What you should know about Ultrasound"
Sarah Buckley, MD. Mothering, Issue 102, September/October 2000
"The Hidden Risks of Epidurals"
Melanie Mayo-Laakso, Mothering, October 12, 2010
A quick search of the site yields over 200 peer-reviewed, evidence-based references.
Cascade of Intervention
Childbirth Connection.org
Epidural Anesthesia
American Pregnancy Association
Henci Goer
Evidence Based Birth
"Most healthy women would benefit from light meal during labor"
American Society of Anesthesiologists. Press Release, November 6, 2015
Cytotec and the FDA
Ina May Gaskin. Midwifery Today, Issue 107, Autumn 2013
"Weighing the risks: What you should know about Ultrasound"
Sarah Buckley, MD. Mothering, Issue 102, September/October 2000
"The Hidden Risks of Epidurals"
Melanie Mayo-Laakso, Mothering, October 12, 2010
Creating a Birth Plan
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Labor
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| Words to Use During Labor |
Basic guidelines for birth ball sizing:
- 75 cm ball for persons 5' 10" and taller
- 65 cm ball for persons 5' 4" - 5' 9"
- 55 cm ball for persons 5' 3" and under
- Your knees should be level with your hips or slightly below.
Postpartum Depression
| Could I have postpartum depression? |
Online Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Simple, 10 question self assesment for Postpartum Depression
Resources for help:
Center for Postpartum Family Health (Local Resource)
Postpartum Support International
Simple, 10 question self assesment for Postpartum Depression
Resources for help:
Center for Postpartum Family Health (Local Resource)
Postpartum Support International
Postpartum and Your Baby
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Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
Circumcision
"The Case Against Circumcision"
Paul M. Fleiss. Mothering, Issue 85, Winter 1997
Answers to Your Questions About Infant Circumcision
Answers to Your Questions About Your Young Son's Intact Penis
Answers to your Questions About Your Young Son's Circumcised Penis
Paul M. Fleiss. Mothering, Issue 85, Winter 1997
Answers to Your Questions About Infant Circumcision
Answers to Your Questions About Your Young Son's Intact Penis
Answers to your Questions About Your Young Son's Circumcised Penis
Vaccines
| Parents Requesting Open Vaccine Education - Resources for Parents |
Safe Sleep Options
Safe Sleep Options
Safe to Sleep - National Institute of Health
Safe Sleep 7 - La Leche League
Cosleeping Safely - Dr. Sears
Safe Sleep 7 - La Leche League
Cosleeping Safely - Dr. Sears
Cloth Diapering
Answers to 5 Common Questions about Cloth Diapering
Bethany Hayes. Mothering, March 13, 2018
Bethany Hayes. Mothering, March 13, 2018
Car Seats
Safe Kids Worldwide
Determine the right car seat to fit your baby, learn about installation procedures and have an expert verify that your seat is properly installed
Determine the right car seat to fit your baby, learn about installation procedures and have an expert verify that your seat is properly installed
Parenting Helps
| Books I Could Not Live Without |
Ask Dr. Sears
Reliable information on a variety of topics
Reliable information on a variety of topics