Friday, August 29, 2008

Yes We Can

I know that I'm a bit behind the curve on this one but, I watched the Romanian Film "4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days" last night. It was profound and sad. I would recommends it to anyone who is a safe abortion advocate but even more to a pro- lifer. Women have always made decisions around unwanted pregnancies and will continue to seek abortions even if unsafe and illegal.

The Center for Reproductive Rights has a sobering report on the topic of "What if Roe Fell".

John McCain has a lifetime record of voting against women's health. Read more from Planned Parenthood here.

My vote is with Barak. Women for Obama.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Looking forward to...



Getting ready to settle into a lovely autumn!
Some notable birth happening around town in this next season:

* Ina May will be in NYC at the Open Center on November 9th. Here for more details and to register.

* Miles for Midwives on October 5th at Prospect Park.

*I'm also taking "Anatomy and Physiology of Pregnancy, Labor and Birth" at CEAMNY. Take a look at their calender for more fascinating workshops.

** Slightly off topic fact: the acorn is an ancient Celtic symbol of fertility.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Stat.


I've known that the BirthSurvey is a terrific project. The theory behind this survey is marvelous: Bringing Transparency to Maternal Care. I've even previously blogged about it a few times. But honestly today is the first time that I've used it- and it's great (also, provided a very interesting link to New York birth demographic statistics...) Choices in Childbirth is another mighty resource for New York State Labor statistics.
My key questions was around episiotomy rates at a certain NYC hospital. A mom of mine said today that this was a big red flag with her provider. Naive me, I had sort of thought that they were a bit old fashioned...
- Here is what Mothering Magazine has to say about
episiotomies.
- Here is a post about when
episomoties are really necessary from Belly Tales.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Mama's Boy


My cat is an unabashed Mama's Boy. He has to sleep next to me, there are many kisses during the day, lots of talking and lap sitting.
The mother at my first birth had a similar thing. Once she had given birth to her sweet baby girl, she wanted to show me and the rest of the birth team pictures of her dog. She told stories about the dog as she was waiting to go home. The first born child, even with fur, holds a special place in a mother's heart.
I rather suspect when it is my turn for babies, my cat will throw a complete and utter hissy-fit (perhaps literally). So what is to be done with introducing pets and babies? Take a look at this nice
article- lots of practical tips and ideas.

Rip tides


This business of birth is still new to me... I've had these themes and notions knocking around in my head for a while but the actual hand-on experience is still so new. Sometimes, I feel like I'm in birth up to my eyeballs. Saturated and overwhelmed. But the intensity of the experiences and facts and emotions and energy ebb and a bait. And I'm ready to gear up again.

Here are some great things that have been happening 'round the blog world while I've been hunkering down to catch my breath.


- Riki Lake's new blog, chock full of beautiful birth stories.
- What a cervix looks like (!) on Better Birth.
- A news piece on Infant Mortality in Tennessee on 20/20 as posted on Women's Health News
- About the Birth Survey-- Giving Birth With Confidence
- NYC high abortion rate on the radio from RHrealitycheck.
- Birthfest 2008 in San Francisco posted by
Women in Charge

Friday, August 15, 2008

Full Sturgeon Moon



Tomorrow is a Full Sturgeon Moon. Did you know that each full moon of the year is named?
This is the story behind August:
"The fishing tribes are given credit for the naming of this Moon, since sturgeon, a large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water, were most readily caught during this month. A few tribes knew it as the Full Red Moon because, as the Moon rises, it appears reddish through any sultry haze. It was also called the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon."
Read more about moons of the year and their names here.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Event: ICTC's 6th Black Midwives and Healers Conference

International Center for Traditional Childbirth is holding their conference in Harlem from October10-12. Topic for this year is:

"Renaissance, Resistance, Revolution,
Reclaiming the Wise Women Within"

Here for more details.

Homebirth and Dr. Phil


Here are the questions he poses:

"Pregnant? Wondering If You Should Have a Home Birth?

Are you pregnant, and exploring your birth plan options?

Are you hearing conflicting information about home births and hospital births?

Are you intrigued by both, but haven't made up your mind?

If you're pregnant, and undecided about how to have your baby, please share your story with us!

Our doctors and other birth experts will be exploring the options and answering all your burning questions to help you make the best decision for you!"

Think you might like to be on this show? (it's in Hollywood)

Friday, August 8, 2008

"Old-school birthing is back in style..."


Article in Time Magazine talks about home birth...the movement is gaining momentum...

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Breast friends


Did you know last week was National Breastfeeding week? Let's celebrate! My sister-in-law has a tee-shirt that reads "Milk is my superpower, what's yours?" Superpower, indeed! Or certainly worthy of a merit badge (as pictured above).

Here are some interesting studies about the benefits of breastfeeding:
- Breast fed babies more receptive to flavors
- Breast fed babies have a higher IQ

Here are how some women participated and celebrated their boob-ly beauty:

- Video contest for World Breastfeeding week
-
Subway ride to support rights

Also, since I'm a sucker for the unconventional here are some more alternative (and lovely) breastfeeding practices:

-Cross nursing
-Breast milk recipes (!)