Natural Birth Blog

Apr 10, Natural Birth

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:07:03 GMT

Do you want to have a natural birth? Are you looking for ways to minimize interventions in the birth process? Here are 14 ways to keep your birth natural.

Jun 25, Postpartum Depression

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 04:24:05 GMT

15-20% of women who give birth will experience postpartum depression. You are NOT alone and it CAN be treated. If you are experiencing these symptoms don't delay seek treatment today.

Jun 25, Postpartum

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 04:22:35 GMT

Postpartum (After Baby Arrives). Everything changes after you have a baby. Tips and ideas to make the transition to motherhood smoother.

Jun 25, Pregnancy Depression

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 04:12:31 GMT

10-20% of women experience pregnancy depression. You are not alone and it CAN be treated. If you are experiencing persistent sadness, hopelessness, and lack of pleasure don't delay in seeking tre

Jun 25, Pregnancy --What You Might Not Expect.

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 04:02:29 GMT

Alternative pregnancy information for the thinking woman about nutrition, prenatal care, exercise, sex, and more.

Aug 3, Pregnancy Massage

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:28:27 GMT

Pregnancy massage can relieve your aches and pains and make you feel like a pampered princess.

Aug 3, Worried About Postpartum Diet and Postpartum Weight Loss?

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:21:29 GMT

Here's the skinny on postpartum diet, postpartum weight loss, and body after baby.

Aug 3, Getting Pregnant

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:13:37 GMT

Things to think about and steps to take before getting pregnant. Prepare with good nutrition, exercise, and a healthy home environment.

Aug 3, Homebirth

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:12:23 GMT

There's no place like home. The unique advantages of homebirth --you are in control and birth is not a medical event, it is a natural part of everyday life.

Aug 3, Home Birth Safety

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:07:36 GMT

Thinking of having a home birth? Face your fears and look at the facts. Find out why giving birth at home might be the best option.

Aug 3, Getting Started with Cloth Diapers

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:05:59 GMT

How many, cost, diaper pails, cloth wipes, accessories--everything you need to know to get started using cloth diapers.

Aug 3, Types of Cloth Diapers

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:04:48 GMT

Explore the different types of cloth diapers. Pocket diapers, fitteds, all-in-ones--these are not your mother's old-fashioned squares of fabric! Check out these updated versions of an old classic!

Aug 3, How to Wash Cloth Diapers

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:03:41 GMT

If you think washing cloth diapers is messy and inconvenient check out these easy instructions for washing diapers so they come out smelling fresh and clean!

Aug 3, Why Use Cloth Diapers?

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:02:38 GMT

Cloth diapers are better for your budget, your baby, the environment, and are easier to use than ever. Here are the many benefits for your family.

Aug 3, G Diapers --The Answer to Cloth versus Disposable?

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:01:20 GMT

G Diapers may be the greatest diaper invention yet! "Green" disposables--gentle on the Earth, easy to use, AND you can throw them away--they biodegrade in 50-150 days!

Aug 3, Running During Pregnancy

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:00:08 GMT

Running during pregnancy --should you or shouldn't you? By listening to your body and following some simple guidelines you can do two for the trail.

Aug 3, Exercise During Pregnancy

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:46:58 GMT

Everyone is different as far as exercise during pregnancy is concerned. The key is to listen to your body and back off if you need to, but keep on movin' that bootie!

Aug 3, Why a Breastfeeding Toddler? The Benefits of Extended Breastfeeding

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:45:24 GMT

A breastfeeding toddler may seem like an oddity in today's culture, but the benefits of breastfeeding toddlers and even breastfeeding older children are some of the best gifts you can give your child.

Aug 3, Breastfeeding Support

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:44:27 GMT

Good support is crucial to getting breastfeeding off to a good start. Here's how to gain the support you need from your doctor, your family, and your community.

Aug 3, Breastfeeding Preparation

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:43:19 GMT

Breastfeeding is natural, but it does take some preparation. Having plenty of support, asking the right questions, and following these simple guidelines are crucial to an enjoyable experience.

Aug 3, Breastfeeding and Alcohol: Breastfeeding Myths or Facts?

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:42:01 GMT

Breastfeeding and alcohol --do they mix? Here is the answer to one of your biggest breastfeeding questions --"Will drinking alcohol while I'm breastfeeding harm my baby?"

Aug 3, Stages of Labor

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:40:31 GMT

The stages of labor are usually known as the dilation stage, and the pushing stage. In addition there are some other more subtle labor phases that you may not know about.

Aug 3, Lithotomy Position for Giving Birth: a.k.a. the Stranded Beetle

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:38:07 GMT

The lithotomy position is the worst position for giving birth (except for maybe standing on your head).

Aug 3, Artificial Labor Induction: Is it Necessary?

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:37:03 GMT

Artificial labor induction tends to lead to a long drawn out labor that often necessitates or precipitates other interventions. Why wait? Because Mother Nature knows best.

Aug 3, Epidural Anesthesia—What are the Consequences?

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:35:48 GMT

Learn about the effects of epidural anesthesia during labor. Discover why it may not be best for you and your baby.

Aug 3, Early Signs of Labor

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:34:52 GMT

Contractions and the water breaking aren't the only early signs of labor! Learn about the other signs that let you know that labor and birth are about to begin.

Aug 3, Risks of C-section

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:33:37 GMT

A c-section is major abdominal surgery. Most cesarean sections are unnecessary and they carry far more risk than vaginal birth.

Aug 3, Natural Vaginal Birth Stories--Women Sharing About the Birth Process

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:09:34 GMT

Do you want to know what its like to have a natural vaginal birth? Do you want to share your natural child birth, homebirth, water birth, or unassisted birth story? Read these natural birth stories!

Aug 3, The Birth of Sabine Adora in Pictures

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:08:30 GMT

My baby's birth in pictures

Aug 3, Choosing A Baby Sling or Carrier

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:05:46 GMT

What type of baby sling or baby carrier do you choose? Check out the main types of carriers and the pros and cons of each.

Jul 29, Beautiful Breastfeeding Videos

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:55:48 GMT

Check out these beautiful breastfeeding videos. You can see proper latch and positioning as well as be inspired by a montage of women breastfeeding their babies.

Jul 15, Hoppediz 4.5m baby wrap

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:31:49 GMT

I absolutely LOVE my 4.5m long Hoppediz baby wrap, because it has allowed me to carry my son from the time he was born until he was more than 2 years old,

Jun 27, Natural Childbirth Videos --Natural Birth Videos of Unassisted Homebirth

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 03:42:02 GMT

To do it right you gotta do it yourself! Natural childbirth at home not assisted by a doctor or midwife. Must see natural birth videos of unassisted home births.

Jun 23, Natural Childbirth Videos --Natural Child Birth in Freestanding Birth Centers

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:55:41 GMT

The best of homebirth and hospital birth combined. Inspiring natural childbirth videos in a freestanding birth center.

Jun 22, Natural Birth Videos --Natural Child Birth in the Hospital

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:06:12 GMT

Natural birth videos of hospital births. Yes, it is possible to have a truly natural childbirth in a hospital, but it is not easy to get what you want.

Jun 18, Natural Birth Videos --Natural Child Birth at Home

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:53:16 GMT

Home is where the heart is. Watch these fabulously inspiring natural birth videos of homebirth.

Mar 4, The Vaginal Exam During Labor: Is it Necessary?

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:33:30 GMT

The vaginal exam to check cervix dilation is one of the most common procedures done during labor. Is it truly helpful or is it an intrusion with possible negative side effects?

Mar 4, Reasons for Natural Birth

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:30:03 GMT

Why Natural Birth? It is the safest for you and your baby and gives you an incredible feeling of empowerment.

Feb 18, Belly Dance During Pregnancy --For Pregnancy Fitness and an Easier Birth

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:18:13 GMT

Belly dance during pregnancy is a phenomenal way to get in touch with body changes during pregnancy and it is also great for labor pain management. Dance of the Womb shows you how.

Feb 18, Belly Dance During Pregnancy

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:05:14 GMT

Belly dance during pregnancy gets you in touch with your sensuality, your baby, and your birthing power! Discover how it can help empower you for birth.

Feb 18, Pregnancy and Birth Product Recommendations

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:44:51 GMT

Here are some of my favorite pregnancy and birth related products and what I consider to be some of the best resources out there for your journey of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Check them out!

Feb 18, Natural Child Birth the Belly Dance Way--Experience
Dance of the Womb

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:35:11 GMT

Dance of the Womb DVD by Maha Al Musa, should be a part of every woman's natural child birth preparation. Belly dance during pregnancy provides a wonderful way to prepare for the passage of birth.

Jan 29, i-phyeonhae chunei (choo-nee)

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:40:59 GMT

I have low back and shoulder problems so it took a long time to find a carrier that works well for us! I tried the Ergo, a ring sling, the Baby Bjorn,

Jan 29, Green Mountain Organic Unbleached Cotton Pre-folds

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:38:18 GMT

We bought these because we could have organic, all-natural diapers next to our baby's skin for very little money (2 doz for $80). I wasn't sold on pre-folds

Nov 25, Natural Ways to Induce Labor

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:53:25 GMT

Are you being pressured to have an artificial induction in the hospital? Here are some natural ways to induce labor from nipple stimulation to castor oil induction.

Nov 24, Avoiding Labor Induction

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:46:52 GMT

Artificial labor induction increases unnecessary risks for you and your baby. You can easily avoid an induced labor by following a few simple guidelines.

Oct 15, Currently Reading

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:14 GMT

Here's what's currently on my bedside table (or rather beside my nursing chair;)

Unbuttoned: Women Open Up About the Pleasures, Pains, and Politics of Breastfeeding edited by Maureen Connolly and Dana Sullivan This book is a collection of essays written by twenty-five different women about their breastfeeding experiences. It includes stories of women who loved breastfeeding, women who felt indifferent about breastfeeding, stories of adoptive mothers and babies, and the politics of working/pumping and breastfeeding. Some stories are humorous some are sad, some are empowering. Many of the stories seemed to be anti-breastfeeding, but then I realized that these are just women sharing their experiences in a culture that makes it very difficult to breastfeed successfully.
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex I was a little skeptical at first, but have been blown away by how accurate John Gray is (at least in describing my relationship;). He gives you the theory to understand yourself, your partner, and why you might be having relationship troubles. He then provides some really good tools for making things better. I read this in conjunction with Why Mars and Venus Collide: Improving Relationships by Understanding How Men and Women Cope Differently with Stress.
What No One Tells the Mom: Surviving the Early Years of Parenthood With Your Sanity, Your Sex Life and YourSense of Humor Intact I'm in the middle of reading this one. Written with humor and candor Marg Stark tells it like it is! She talks about how motherhood is not how you thought it would be (it's a lot harder!) and how it's okay to settle for less than perfect in mothering, marriage, and your everyday life.
Dance of the Womb by Maha Al Musa A gem of a book! It provides belly dance instruction and also details Maha's own journey of discovering her cultural roots to her feminine spirit, belly dance, and motherhood. Complete with beautiful photos. Empowering and uplifting! See my complete review of Dance of the Womb.
When the Moon Forgot by Jimmy Liao Reading this with the Little Punk.

Oct 5, Homebirth Family Prosecuted

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:34:01 GMT

It has come to my attention that a family in Ohio is being prosecuted for having a home birth. Here is the link to the whole story and how you can help-- safebirthohio.org Spread the word. How this case turns out could very well affect the (legal) birth choices that are available to us in the future.

Oct 2, Homebirth Denounced by The Today Show

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:46:28 GMT

On Septeber 11th The Today Show presented a misleading and one-sided show implying that homebirth is a dangerous and irresponsible choice for women. The show called "The Perils of Homebirth" featured the McKenzies whose baby girl was stillborn after a long labor at home. They are apparently blaming their daughter's death on the fact that they were at home with a midwife whom they trusted and who did not tell them to go to the hospital. The fact is that these types of deaths happen in the hospital as well. There may be a healthy heartbeat one moment and then not the next. The baby may be still born without any warning or doctors and medical professionals may miss the warning. Losing a baby regardless of place of birth is a terrible terrible thing. Being in the hospital is no guarantee of a live baby. In birth as in life THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES! For healthy women with healthy babies giving birth at home is just as safe as giving birth in the hospital. Homebirth should not be sensationalized and demonized. NBC did have a clip of Marsden Wagner talking about the excessive c-section rate and they did have a clip of a family who had had a successful homebirth. They also did point out the figures from the 2005 homebirth study. This study showed fewer deaths in the homebirth group than in the hospital group. But with the sensationalized story of the McKenzies the feeling you come away with is that you would never want to have a homebirth--that a homebirth would be putting your baby in danger. Wouldn't it be great if as a result of the protests they receive that NBC would air another show interviewing midwives and homebirth families and show how homebirth is actually one of the most responsible choices you can make? Please sign the petition in response to the Today Show's segment titled "The Perils of Home Birth" - the final petition will be presented to the producers of the Today Show next week... thepetitionsite.com For information about homebirth see home birth safety on my website.

Sep 29, Premiere Issue of my Newsletter!

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:38:26 GMT

On October 1st the premiere issue of my newsletter Mama Goddess will be published. The focus is all about taking care of the Mama and learning how to be kind to yourself and love yourself...because you are so worth it! In addition it will provide links to new articles on the website about natural birth, pregnancy, and parenting. To subscribe (it's FREE) go to daretogivebirthnaturally.com