Fear in Childbirth (Video)

This is a really good video citing many fears women have about childbirth, how those fears impact their experience, and what can be done to better support women in pregnancy and birth.

Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

You've likely seen people, cars, and websites sporting pink ribbons and advertising fundraisers.  Maybe you've sent pink foil yogurt lids in the mail.  If you're on facebook you've probably noticed mysterious status updates about where women like to keep their purses.  Oops, did I spoil the mystery?  Last year it was about the colors of our bras.

While it may be cute and garner attention, are we really raising the right issues about breast cancer?

Rather than focusing on raising awareness, perhaps we should be spreading positive information about prevention?

"Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk (a whopping 59%!!) of breast cancer in women who have a family history of the disease and at least a 28% reduction for those without one (me). And it lowers your breastfed baby girl’s lifetime risk getting breast cancer by 25%!"

My Breast Cancer: Why I Won't Race for the Cure

"It seems it's about time there was a focus on breast cancer prevention rather than just breast cancer awareness."

Should Breast Cancer Awareness Turn to Prevention?

For information about promoting breast cancer prevention and THRIVING rather than just SURVIVING, please check out the Best for Babies organization.

Their mission is "To help moms beat the “Booby Traps”–the cultural & institutional barriers that prevent moms from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals. To inspire, prepare & empower™ moms. To give breastfeeding a makeover and give moms the solutions they need to make it work!"

That's a cause I can get behind!

Another thing I found interesting, is where the money from certain fundraising groups is actually going.

For instance, of the money raised for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, only 25% goes to the Susan G. Komen organization.  Up to 75% goes to fund Planned Parenthood clinics, whose primary function is to perform abortions.  Whether or not you support abortion, I think you would agree that money raise in the name of breast cancer diagnosis should go to just that.

For a list of breast cancer fundraising groups that don't fund abortion clinics, click here.

I think it's important when we're spreading awareness and information to strive to make that information relevant, supportive, and positive.  It's also a good idea to do your homework and know which groups you're lending support to and where that support is actually going.

NY Midwives Lose Right to Deliver Babies at Home

"It's pretty shocking that in a city where you can get anything any hour of the day a person cannot give birth at home with a trained practitioner"

Article: NY Midwives Lose Right to Deliver Babies at Home

As I bask in the glow of the memory of my wonderful home birth, my heart aches for those in NYC who are now being denied that opportunity.

Menstrual Cups - Alternative to Tampons and Pads

This isn't related to pregnancy or childbirth, but it's a product that benefits women, and I think it's worth sharing:

The Diva Cup - Menstrual Solution

“With all the state-of-the-art conveniences Western society has developed, it baffles us why outdated feminine products are still being used. We believe that reusable menstrual cups are the next generation of feminine hygiene because they are the most environmentally responsible choice. They are also the most convenient and reliable option available and are not linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome.” Francine Chambers

"The DivaCup ends hassles with unreliable disposables in endless absorbencies, shapes and styles. It is perfect for all activities – giving women true freedom without the worry, guessing and unreliability that disposable feminine hygiene products pose."

I personally know women who have used the Diva Cup and love it. I'm considering getting one for myself.

As I've done some research, I've learned that there are many menstrual cups out there besides the Diva Cup. These include The Keeper, Mooncup, Lunette, Miacup, Instead, and more! If you're interested in learning more about menstrual cups, please check out this livejournal community for menstrual cup users. They have tons of how-to and product information, as well as product comparisons and where you can purchase one.

Click here if you're interested in eco-friendly cloth menstrual pads.

Continuous Support in Labor and Childbirth

Anyone can offer continuous support to a woman in labor and childbirth, but seldom in the United States today is this available in the medical setting of a hospital. Nurses most often are attending to several patients at once and cannot devote continuous support to just one woman. Physicians are not present during labor other than occasional contact with the nursing staff or brief visits, until delivery, and then leave once the baby has been born and the mother is stitched up and settled. Even partners (husbands, family, etc.) may not be able to offer the support a woman needs. A birth doula is trained specifically in labor and birth, and specializes in offering continuous support.

According to the Cochrane Reviews, continuous support in labor and birth facilitates a better labor experience and more positive outcomes in childbirth.

"Continuous support in labour increased the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth, had no identified adverse effects and women were more satisfied."

Original studies done on continuous support were done by having a woman simply sit in the room with the mother for the duration of the entire labor and birth. The woman did not speak or interact with the mother, but her simple constant presence in the room yielded significant results. If you are interested in reading more about these studies and about the role of doulas, please read The Doula Book by Penny Simkin (also listed on the right side of the page under Recommended Reading). It's a relatively short book and is full of important information.

Birth Doulas, of course, do much more than just sit silently in the room with a laboring woman. We are trained to provide non-medical, continous socio-emotional support through labor and birth. We come prepared with a vault of knowledge and expertise in the process of birth, as well as extensive understanding of possible complications, medical interventions, comfort measures, emotional needs and ways to address them, physiological needs and assistance, and more. We work with the mother, her partner, and the care provider and staff in helping to promote the best birth experience and positive outcome as possible.

I am eternally grateful to my doula and her irreplaceable help to me in my birth experiences. I'm so excited to offer this support to others, and most of all, to let every woman know that she can get the support she needs to have a positive birth experience!

More Women Choosing Home Birth

While the majority of childbirths take place in the hospital, there has been an increase in women choosing to birth their babies at home. Midwives who offer this service are finding themselves in higher demand than ever before. The New York Times did a story about this recently, focusing on the New York City area, and it's worth taking the time to read.

It's interesting to note that in New York City most people live in cramped apartments with thin walls, and they are still choosing home birth. Another interesting and somewhat surprising fact in the article is that the reports say that most of the women who are choosing home birth are highly-educated professional women. Hooray for informed decisions!