New Links & Resources

Before I get to the safety issues surrounding different birth choices, I want to highlight several of the interesting resources and links I've come across lately.

Some goodies from the Midwifery Today online newsletter "E-News 10:17", include a quote

"We must relearn to trust the feminine, to trust women and their bodies as authoritative regarding the children they carry and the way they must birth them. When women and their families make their own decisions during pregnancy, when they realize their own wisdom regarding birth and its place in their lives, they have a foundation of confidence and sensitivity that will not desert them as parents."

— Elizabeth Davis
Excerpted from "Autonomy at Work: Woman-Centered Birth and Midwifery," Midwifery Today, Issue 42

and a link to an excellent, excellent article, "VBAC & Choice: Many Questions and a Few Answers", by Nancy Wainer. I bet the whole article is amazing.

The Mothering email newsletter also offered a great article, "Easing Tension and Fear in Natural Childbirth by Understanding Sphinct*r Law*: A Conversation with Ina May Gaskin" as well as information about how to attend a free "webinar" (I've done two through Lamaze so far, and they've been great) on cosleeping, presented by James McKenna and Dr. Paul Fleiss. To learn more and how to sign up, visit http://www.mothering.com/interactive/webinars/cosleeping.html. I'll "be there".

In the Lamaze online newsletter for "Week 11" (no, I'm not pregnant - just checking out their resources!), there was an ask-the-expert question about pregnancy classes. The question was: "I’m in my first trimester with my first baby. I plan to take childbirth classes closer to my due date. But I feel like there is so much to learn about pregnancy—not just the birth. My doctor answers some of my questions during my prenatal appointments, but there isn’t enough time for all of them. Is there a class I can take about pregnancy?" I wonder if there is enough interest to do a pregnancy class here in Central Maine? I would love to do a class for moms/partners who are TTC or are newly pregnant - to answer questions about pregnancy, prenatal testing, exercise and nutrition, and also to talk about choices for care providers and hospitals. At the point when most of my clients' take classes, they have to be supremely unhappy with or uneasy about their care provider to change (though some still do!). I'd love to offer women/partners the information they need to think through their choices before their third trimester! Any thoughts on pregnancy classes? Oh - and if you're reading this and wondering, I would happily do a private pregnancy class - just send me an email!

Also, my local LLL leader sent out an email with information about new resources from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration regarding breastfeeding and employee/employer policies. They're free, too.

"The Business Case for Breastfeeding. Steps for Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite: For Business Managers"

Abstract: This manager’s booklet is part of a series of materials designed to create breastfeeding friendly worksites. It focuses on a company’s potential return on investment in the areas of employee retention, health insurance, absenteeism, productivity, and employee loyalty. The booklet includes profiles of companies with existing supportive lactation programs and references.

"The Business Case for Breastfeeding. Steps to Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite: Employees' Guide to Breastfeeding and Working"

Abstract: This employee’s booklet is part of a series of materials designed to create breastfeeding friendly worksites. It includes information on where to find breastfeeding help and support, how to begin breastfeeding at home, and how to adjust to breastfeeding at work. The booklet includes support websites, figures, and guidelines for addressing supervisors.

The Business Case for Breastfeeding. Steps for Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite: Easy Steps to Supporting Breastfeeding Employees

Abstract: This human resource’s booklet is part of a series of materials designed to create breastfeeding friendly worksites. It details an integrated approach to implementing a cost-effective lactation support program. The booklet gives steps to support breastfeeding employees, explains how to merge work requirements with employee needs, offers program options, and outlines the program’s return on investment for the company. It includes profiles of employers with existing supportive lactation programs.

I ordered ten of each, completely for free (including S&H) just now, very easily.

And lastly, The True Face of Birth blog has had some great posts in the past few days, including one about doulas ("Doulas Make a Difference"), which sites a RCT (randomized controlled trial) study about doulas; one about "The Dance of Breech" with great drawings and links; and a reminder that "The Birth Survey is Here!" - yay! There doesn't seem to be any information for Maine mothers yet, but hopefully there will be soon.

Enjoy the links!

Christina @ Birthing Your Baby
Independent Childbirth Classes for Central Maine

*Sorry about the asterisk - that word was attracting some unwanted attention from search bots.

Midwifery Today: Newsletter Excerpt on Chiropractic Care and Webster Technique

Midwifery Today offers a great online newsletter for people interested in pregnancy/birth/post-partum topics. It's easy to sign up for this free, every-other-week publication.

Last week there was an interesting excerpt about the need for alliances between midwives and chiropractors: "Midwives and chiropractors offer care that is personal to each individual and specific to every case. Midwives and chiropractors share the unique ability to assess a patient's status with their own hands, and both professions are blessed with the privilege of touching others to bring about a greater quality of life. These common bonds establish life-long supportive relationships between our two professions." (Jeanne Ohm; Excerpted from "Midwifery and Chiropractic: Bonding for Life," Midwifery Today, Issue 69)

It goes on to mention the Webster Technique, which is a chiropractic tool to move a breech baby into the vertex (head-down) position. To read more about the Webster Technique, click here. To read more about baby's position for birth and how mother can influence it, check out the Spinning Babies website. And here is a link to the Spinning Babies article on Belly Mapping, which is really fun.

The ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) lists the following chiropractors in the Central Maine area as certified in the Webster Technique:

Ed Shepherd, D.C.
1223 U.S. Route 202
Winthrop, ME 04364
Telephone: 207-377-9344

Jennifer L. Johnson, D.C.
90 Main Ave.
Gardiner, ME 04345
(207) 582-2222

Kathy A. Boulet, D.C.
675 Main Street
Suite 18
Lewiston, ME 04240
207-782-1171

Tyson E. Shardlow, D.C.
698-2 Lisbon Road
Lisbon Falls, ME 04252
207-353-6310

Kimberly J. Bailey, D.C.
P.O. Box 8120
Halifax Street
Winslow, ME 04901
207-873-5161

Trevor L. Bevans, D.C.
36 School Street
Bath, ME 04530 United States
207-443-2635

Steve Siu, D.C.
39 Paris Street
Norway, ME 04268 United States
Telephone: 207-743-2866

Finally, for my sister, a list of links to the free newsletters I suscribe to for pregnancy/birth/parenting information:

Midwifery Today (every other week)
Mothering (weekly)
NY Times Health (weekly) - go to "sign up for email newsletters"
March of Dimes (monthly, I think)
Childbirth Connection - newsletter sign-up is on the right-hand side in a purple box toward the bottom (monthly, I think)

Any other good ones you know about?