Birth Stories- A Blog    Read this beautiful birth story of a home birth. Posted in Sept. 2012  It is uplifting and inspiring... and speaks to the amazing strength and  insight of women...the struggles, questions and determination of both  the mother and child during the birth.  Birth
Maternal Instincts Mother Knows Best, Follow Your Body's Cues Through Childbirth By Judith Lothian, RN, PHD, LCCE, FACCE Appearing in Lamaze International for Parents "Your body has sheltered and nurtured your baby throughout your pregnancy quite naturally. Birth happens this way, too. If you let it, your intuition will guide you. The challenge is to develop confidence in yourself, trust your inner wisdom and allow nature to do its thing." Trust Your Body
5 Ways Pitocin is Different than Oxytocin By Elise Weiss, LLC About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth The following article points out the tremendous increase in inductions of labor using artifical means like Pitocin and other inducers ( like Cytotec or Misoprostol, breaking of the water, foley catheter, stripping membrances etc.). Along with the increase in inductions is the very significant increase in premature babies, C-sections and adverse events either during or following the birth.  Oxytocin, the natural hormone that helps to bring on contractions is a much safer way ( and natural) way to have your baby.  Pitocin vs. Oxytocin	Four Reasons Why Moving in Labor is Best!!! From Birth Your Way! Tuesday, Jan. 2012   The following article speaks to the advantages, reasons and results seen when moms not only allowed, but encouraged to move around in labor. Staying active and changing positions during labor has long been known to help the baby and the mom move the process of birth along, without interventions and only exerting as much effort and for only as long as the mom feels comfortable. Movement has been proven... to not only speed up labor... but to actually be a  comfort measure to help decrease the intensity of the contraction. Movement
Natural Childbirth Vs. Epidural Side Effects and Risks     by Chris Kressler L.AC   Medicine for the 21st Century, August 2011     "The purpose of this series on natural childbirth is to demonstrate that homebirth is as safe – if not safer – than hospital birth for low risk pregnancies, and that medical interventions commonly used in hospital births such as epidurals, induction with synthetic oxytocin and cesarean sections have risks and complications that are often not communicated to pregnant women. " Read more in this article on the side effects of epidurals. Epidural Side Effects	Vaginal or Cesarean Birth: What Is at Stake for women and Babies  Childbirth Connection 2013     The following is a Best Evidence Review of vaginal vs. cesarean section birth.  The report contributors, Henci Goer, Amy   Romano and Carol Sakala are well known researchers in the childbirth field. This indepth report should be read by all mothers to be...it speaks very frankly to the complications and adverse effects of C-Section which should be considered by any mother who is contemplating a "scheduled" section.  C-Section vs. Vaginal Birth
Probiotics in Pregnancy Cut Allergies in Tots     Medscape Feb. 2013   By John Gever, Sr. Editor, MedPage Today     This very interesting article speaks to the advantages for the baby when the mom eats probiotic enhanced dairy   products while pregnant.  Less allergies, eczema etc. The study was done in Norwegi and included over 108,000   pregnant women and their children between 1999 and 2008. No risk of asthma or lower respiratory infections were   found.  Probiotics	The First Hour Following Birth: Don’t Wake the Mother! by Michel Odent © 2002 Midwifery Today, Inc. All rights reserved. This is wonderful article by Michel Odent, a world famous natural childbirth advocate. Mr. Odent speaks to the importance of the hour immediately following the birth of a child and the reasons why this time frame is so critical for BOTH the mom and the baby.  First Hour After Birth