The Guide to a Healthy Birth

I recently ran across a website for a group called Choices in Childbirth.
Their objective is to help educate women so they can make informed choices in their maternity care. They have a pdf e-book that can be downloaded for free:

The Guide to a Healthy Birth

The above link will take you directly to the 2009-2010 edition of the guide. There is also a 2008-2009 edition available. If you happen to live in New York or Philadelphia, there are guides available specifically for those areas as well.

The Birth Survey - An Excellent Childbirth Information Resource

The Birth Survey

This is a cool website that's been set up for childbearing women and maternity care professionals everywhere. You can:

• Share your own birth experience by taking the survey,
• Connect by viewing consumer feedback on hospitals, birth centers, doctors, and midwives in your community, and
• Learn, by viewing hospital intervention rates.

I think this is an important resource, as it can provide a great amount of information to help you make informed choices in your own prenatal and birth care.




Here is a statement from the group who created The Birth Survey project:

"We believe that women of childbearing age must have access to information that will help them choose maternity care providers and institutions that are most compatible with their own philosophies and needs. We hope that the Transparency in Maternity Care Project will provide information that will help women make fully informed maternity care decisions.

We also believe that maternity care practitioners and institutions must have access to feedback from their patients. We hope that doctors, midwives, and hospital administrators will find the information generated through the Transparency in Maternity Care Project useful in quality improvement efforts.

Women need accurate, objective data in order to make fully informed choices about birth settings and providers. Practitioners and hospital administrators also need data to evaluate whether they are delivering quality care. We hope this project will fill a void by providing much needed information that benefits all parties engaged in maternity care."

Alternative Birthing Options

One of my local television networks has aired a story about Alternative Birthing Options. It's a brief article, but pretty good. I think it's good for this information to be presented to the public and help people see that they have options other than the standard norm.

Information/education = informed choice = empowerment

Childbirth Education

Hypnobabies.org Logo

I am all about educating and empowering expectant couples. If I were at a place in my life to teach childbirth education classes, I would absolutely love to do it. I'm not trying to convert the world into thinking that every woman should birth at home, or every woman should give birth naturally with no medication. I want women to educate themselves about pregnancy and birth. Learn about the whole process, about your body and the changes you will go through. Learn about your baby and its development and growth. Learn about your partner and how he/she can support you in labor and birth, and how you can grow together to embrace the changes in your lives. Learn about your care and birth options, so that YOU can take control of your care and make the best decisions for you.

I found a nice little article in ezine articles that talks about some of the benefits of childbirth classes:

You Don't Really Need That Childbirth Class, Or Do You?

I'd like to also list some childbirth education resources. I'm sure I'm missing some, but these are some of the big ones I could think of right now:

Lamaze International
The Bradley Method
Hypnobirthing
Hypnobabies

You may also be able to find childbirth classes available through your local health department, or even through a local hospital or clinic. Please keep in mind that childbirth classes sponsored by a hospital or doctor's office is more likely to have biased information because they are using the classes to promote their particular venue (hospital or clinic, etc.). Any education is better than none, however, so if your options are limited don't let that keep you from attending a class. Many childbirth educators will also offer online instruction as well, so if you are in an area where you don't have access to local classes, please look into that option.

Journey Into Motherhood: Inspirational Birth Stories of Natural Birth

This is a book full of inspirational birth stories. It's an e-book, and available for free download here:

Journey Into Motherhood: Inspirational Stories of Natural Birth

My Thoughts on "Your Best Birth" by Ricki Lake & Abby Epstein

For a while I was reading everything I could get my hands on about pregnancy and childbirth, and soaking up every bit of it. I got to the point of saturation a few months back, feeling like everything I was reading was a rehash of what I had already read. I guess that's good, because I was retaining the information I was reading.

The publishing of Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein's new book Your Best Birth was a really good excuse to start reading again, and they have not disappointed me. Your Best Birth is written with the intention of giving women a book that is easy to read and provides them with the information they need to make informed choices for their own childbirth. I feel the authors have definitely achieved that.

The beginning of the book includes Ricki and Abby's personal childbirth stories and explains the purpose of the book. Very quickly, however, they dig right in with the important information, and there's a lot of it. Interspersed with the information, are stories from other women and their experiences.

I enjoy reading birth stories of all kinds, and this book is full of them, as well as the educational material that everyone should know about childbirth. I would recommend this book to everyone, male or female, whether they are expecting a child or not. Compared to many other books I've read on the subject it's an easy read, and a relatively short book.

For more information about the book: Your Best Birth

For more information about the new pregnancy and childbirth online community: My Best Birth

For more information about the documentary film that sparked the interest in bringing us this wonderful new book: The Business of Being Born

Ricki Lake's Push for Safe, Empowered Birth

Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein were interviewed by Maria Iorillo, CPM of Mindful Mama:

Ricki Lake's Push for Safe, Empowered Birth

"Ricki Lake never set out to be a childbirth activist, but since the release of her film The Business of Being Born in 2008, she has become the face of a growing movement toward informed and empowered birth choices. And now with her newly released book, Your Best Birth , Lake and her friend, producer, and coauthor, Abby Epstein seek to help even more women understand their options and, in their words, "take back the birth experience." Mindful Mama recently sat down with Lake and Epstein to talk about their lives in the spotlight, and what's next."

I discovered this interview through the new online pregnancy/birth community: My Best Birth

Artwork Honors Mothers Lost in Childbirth

Click here to access the White Ribbon Alliance Collection

"Stories of Mothers Lost is a stunning collection of fabric panels created by men and women to honor the lives of loved ones needlessly lost in 20 countries, from Afghanistan to Uganda and Bangladesh to Burkina Faso, India and Tanzania. Created by the WRA, with support from the United Nations Population Fund, and on display for the first time in October 2007 in London, this traveling exhibition shines a global spotlight on the changes necessary to ensure every woman's birthright - to live through pregnancy and childbirth, ready to nurture children and contribute to the vitality of her community and nation."

I discovered this through my friend and trainer Melissa

TV Show "The Doctors" Hosts Discussions on Childbirth With Ricki Lake & Abby Epstein

I happened to be flipping through TV channels one afternoon and noticed a show called The Doctors on one of my local stations. It drew my interest because the description said they would have Ricki Lake on the show. It was already about 20 minutes into the episode, but it immediately caught my attention because they were discussing VBAC's (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) and went on to discuss other childbirth issues as well.

The show features a panel of doctors who weigh in on various health topics. I'd like to share with you the specific childbirth topics that they covered in this particular episode:

Your Best Birth
Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein spoke about their documentary film The Business of Being Born
and their new book Your Best Birth. I've blogged about both of these in previous posts. I've seen the film twice and love it, and I'm anxious to get a copy of the book to read.

and their new book “Becoming a mother is an amazing rite of passage,” Ricki says. “What a gift … it’s also an opportunity for women to be empowered and to be transformed in a positive way. Birth is a natural process, and it doesn’t have to be scary or an emergency situation waiting to happen.”

For information about The Business of Being Born airing on Showtime, click here.

For information about entering to win a copy of the book Your Best Birth, click here.

Are Home Births Safe?
Ricki and Dr. Lisa went head-to-head in a debate about the safety of home birth. It was a really interesting discussion.

You can watch the debate in 2 sections: Part I and Part II

VBAC - Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
"Is it safe to have a vaginal birth after a C-section (VBAC)?
Jillian is 6-months pregnant with her second child. Her first birth was a C-section because her daughter was breach, but she’d like to deliver her second baby vaginally.

Dr. Lisa says the risk Jillian faces is uterine rupture, which is a serious risk. Although the chances of that happening are one percent, most hospitals will not perform a VBAC for fear of uterine rupture. Dr. Lisa narrates an animation of a typical C-section."

Natural Birth
"Pain management during labor:
• Dulas, or birth coaches, can help reduce pain
• Immersion in water can decrease pain
• Pain management techniques
• Pre-natal classes
• Acupuncture
• Breathing techniques"

Click here for a complete synopsis of the episode

"My Best Birth" Website for Expectant Parents by Ricki Lake & Abby Epstein

The creators of The Business of Being Born have launched a new interactive website for expectant parents and anyone interested in pregnancy and childbirth. The website is:

www.mybestbirth.com

I'm amazed at the multitude of information they have, including a personal page for each member with blog posts, photos, video clips, and more!

Please take some time to check it out, sign up and get involved in the conversations, watch the videos and participate with the upcoming events, contests and discussions.

Childbirth Film Advocates Birth Education

A few months ago I blogged about an Educational Childbirth Video Contest by a non-profit group called Birth Matters Virginia.

I'm happy to share with you the short educational film: Educated Birth. It's an entry in the video contest, and I encourage you to watch it and rate it on YouTube. If you'd like, please let me know of your thoughts and feelings about it.

The purpose of the film is to promote childbirth education for expectant parents. This is something I feel strongly about, and a big part of why I do what I do.

Ricki Lake Shares Her Birth Stories in Her New Book "Your Best Birth"

Ricki Lake has become a prominent advocate of childbirth education and options. Along with Abby Epstein, she created the documentary film The Business of Being Born, which is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about birth options in the United States.

On May 1, 2009, Ricki and Abby were interviewed by Meredith Viera on the Today Show about their book:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

"Actress and former talk show host Ricki Lake shares her birth experiences in the new book, "Your Best Birth." Written along with Abby Epstein, the book is a guide packed with advice from medical professionals about the different options expecting mothers have."

Click below to read an excerpt from the book:
Ricki Lake on giving birth without meds.

"News Moms Need" Blog for Mothers

The March of Dimes website (that I mentioned earlier) has a blog set up specifically to give moms and moms-to-be information they can use. The blog is called "News Moms Need" and it provides a wide variety of topics for mothers to consider. Some of the latest topics they have covered are: turning off the TV and the computer, fighting exhaustion, help with grief, water births, and more.

I was impressed by their post about water birth, which is something I am very interested in. I am planning a water birth at home for my baby that's due in the next few months, so I am reading everything I can about home birth and water birth.

I encourage everyone to check out this blog and see if there is a topic that catches your interest.

The March of Dimes Supports Mothers and Babies

When I was growing up and going to elementary school, I collected donations for the March of Dimes and walked to help earn funds for the group. I never really knew what the March of Dimes was, except that it was supposed to help kids, and we were encouraged to support it.

The March of Dimes is a non-profit organization that funds research to prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant death.

Their website has a wealth of information for expectant parents about pregnancy and childbirth. I would recommend reading the information they provide and deciding if you feel it's a worthy effort to support.

If you are interested in supporting this group by walking, donating, or in any other way, please go to their website. There is a March for Babies coming up soon, and you can register for it here. You can use their interactive tool to find an event near you.

Birth Movie Screening Event

This a major event including the screening of three amazing childbirth films: Orgasmic Birth, The Business of Being Born, and Pregnant in America, and the producer of Orgasmic Birth will be at the screening as well!

Date: June 13, 2009
Location: Towne Cinema Theaters in American Fork, UT
Cost: $25
What: Screening of Orgasmic Birth, Pregnant in America, The Business of Being Born, Special Guest Speaker, Debra Pascali-Bonaro
Email: moviescreening@rawmelissa.com if you have questions

For more information or to order your ticket you can send an email to the email address listed above, or please visit my doula trainer, Melissa's blog. Feel free to distribute information about this on your own blog, email your friends, and tell everyone you know about this amazing event! We are trying to get the word out to as many people as possible.

Mothering Magazine Interviews Ricki Lake about The Business of Being Born

I've blogged about this film many times before, but I just have to keep mentioning it, because I think it is so wonderful and informative about childbirth! I was browsing The Business of Being Born website this morning and found that Mothering Magazine interviewed Ricki Lake about the film and her upcoming book, co-written with Abby Epstein. The interview was recorded and is available to listen to on the Mothering Magazine website. It's a wonderful interview, and I was touched by Ricki's passion. I feel the same passion for pregnancy and childbirth, and I applaud Ricki and Abby for the amazing work they are doing to inform the public about childbirth options. Please take a few minutes to listen to the interview, and if you have not seen the documentary film yet, I urge you to get a copy of it and watch it. It could change your life!

Excellent Comprehensive Information on Pregnancy and Childbirth Care and Options

I found an incredibly informative article through another blog the other day, and I took the time to read it completely before passing it on to my readers. It's an article written by Marsden Wagner, M.D. and posted online just last month. I've seen Dr. Wagner on some of the films I've watched about childbirth, and I'm sure I've read excerpts from his books in the various works I've read on the subject. The article is entitled "Natural Birthing Options: Technology in Birth- First Do No Harm" and it's an excellent read! It's long, but gives a concise summary of the medical childbirth system that currently exists in the United States today, and the risks and benefits attributed to it. He also gives advice on what expectant parents should do to ensure they get the right information and what to do about it.

Every expecting woman should read this article. It's much shorter than any book on the subject, and gives great information. If you are interested in reading more than an online article, please check my list of Recommended Reading on the right side of this page. One book in particular that I found to be informative is Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth.

If you are a more visual person, I would recommend watching the documentary film, The Business of Being Born by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein. I was able to check the DVD out from my local library, but you can also purchase a copy of the film from their online store. It's an excellent documentary that discusses the maternity care system in the United States and the effectiveness of it.

I believe that all women should be informed and know what their options are and what the risks and benefits are for all of those options. We need to make informed decisions rather than simply go along with what someone tells us is best. Empower yourself!

Here is a link to Dr. Wagner's website

Just Another Day?

I'm helping my doula trainer retype her training syllabus and put it in a digital format. Yesterday I spent a good amount of time retyping a magazine article by Penny Simkin that was printed in Birth magazine in 1991. I wish I could give you a link to the article, because it's so good, but I haven't been able to track down a copy of it online yet.

It's called "Just Another Day In A Woman's Life?" and it outlines a case study done by Penny Simkin about the impact of giving birth. She worked with 20 women, all of whom attended Penny's childbirth education classes between 1968 and 1974 and gave birth to their first baby during that time period. Penny interviewed each woman prior to birth, just after birth, and again 15 to 20 years later.

Regardless of outcome and satisfaction ratings, what the article focused on was the long-term impact the birth experience had on the mother. All of the women had vivid, specific memories of their baby's birth. The perception of these memories (positive or negative) had an ongoing, seemingly permanent effect on each woman and her life. Women who had high satisfaction ratings (were happy with how the birth went and the outcome) were happier in general and had higher self-esteem, and the birth had impacted their lives in positive ways, even 20 years after the fact. Women who had lower satisfaction ratings (feeling disappointed, sad, upset or angry about their birth experience) had suffered long-term effects from their negative feelings about their birth experience. In many cases, the satisfaction rating of the first birth impacted the woman's desire to have more children.

What the article points out is something that I think any woman who's given birth has felt. Birth is NOT just another day in a woman's life, and success or failure is not simply based on physical outcomes or survival. There are deep emotional footprints left after a woman gives birth, whether they are positive or negative.

Another important finding to point out is that each woman's perceptions of her birth experience are just that: perceptions. In the study, there were women who were highly satisfied who had had the same complications or birth experiences as other women who were less satisfied, yet they were able to come away from the experience feeling happy about it. In many cases, this had to do with the support or lack of support they had during the birth.

This article supports why I'm becoming a doula. I've learned from my own birth experiences how much of an impact childbirth can have on a woman, and how important it is to have the right support in that very special time. I want to help women everywhere know they can get the support they need, and they can have a positive birth experience regardless of the interventions they choose or need or the circumstances of the birth. Birth should be a wonderful, happy event, and each woman is entitled to this, regardless of where or how she gives birth.