~ Tools for Making Important Decisions...
~ Birthing Options
~ Evidence-Based Care
~ Preparing for Your Labor & Birth
~ Breech, Transverse, & Posterior Babies
~ Meeting Your Baby
~ Support for Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum
Life as a New Mom:
~ Breastfeeding
~ Diapering Options
~ Contemporary Parenting
~ Caring for Baby
~ General Pregnancy/Birth
~ Inducing Labor / Cesarean Birth
~ Breastfeeding, Bottle-Feeding, & Solid Foods
~ Circumcision
~ Diapering
~ Health & Safety
More Resources:
~ Local Links (also see Birth Resources)
~ Specifically for Dads & Partners
~ Fertility
~ Advocacy
~ Yoga Links
Tips & Tools to help with the challenge of making informed maternity decisions.
How Do I Choose My Birth Setting?
Having a Baby? 10 Questions to Ask: Have you decided how to have your baby? The choice is yours!
How Do I Get the Labor Support I Need?
Find a Doula (see Doula Services for more local doulas)
Questions to Ask when Interviewing a Doula
Pregnancy Calendar (ParentsPlace.com)
Pregnancy & Childbirth: A-Z Index (AskDrSears.com)
Click here for current research & policy statements on pregnancy & childbirth.
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See "Tools for Making Important Decisions..." for tips on how to select a hospital for your birth.
Homebirth: A summary of the research.
"Outcomes of Planned Home Births with Certified Professional Midwives: Large Prospective Study in North America." (British Medical Journal, June 2005)
This landmark study, the largest prospective study to date of planned home birth with a direct-entry midwife, shows that homebirth is as safe as hospital birth for low risk women, yet carries a much lower rate of medical interventions, including Cesarean section.
Waterbirth. In Kentucky at the present time, waterbirth is only an option for those birthing at home. Nationwide many birth centers and even some hospitals are offering waterbirth.
Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC): The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that VBAC is safer than a repeat cesarean. Approximately 90% of women who have had one or more cesareans are candidates for VBAC.
VBAC.com: An evidence-based resource for women with prior cesarean births. When considering the risks of VBAC, be sure to also consider the risks of repeat cesarean birth to mother and baby.
The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth: Husband-coached natural childbirth.
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The following summary tables are from the book A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth, available online through the Maternity Wise website.
Forms of care likely to be beneficial.
Forms of care with a trade-off between beneficial and adverse effects.
Forms of care with unknown effectiveness.
Forms of care that are unlikely to be beneficial.
Forms of care that are likely to be ineffective or harmful.
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Create Your Own Birth Plan: Use this template to sort through your options; but your final birth plan should not be longer than ONE PAGE! Your local doulas can help you refine your plan to include only what's necessary in your birth setting and for your type of care provider.
Preparing for Birth & Coping with Pain
The Pain Medications Preference Scale
30 Comfort Measures for Easing Labor Pain
More Comfort Measures for Labor
Birthing Positions: Advantages and disadvantages of positions you might try during childbirth.
PUSH! Learn key factors for the second stage of labor.
Partner Power: How your birth partner can help in labor.
Visualization for Birth (Gayle Peterson): Highly recommended beginning at 36 weeks!
(See Birth Resources for more online excerpts from her book, An Easier Childbirth.)
How to Avoid an Unnecessary Cesarean: Tips for pregnant women.
Click here for current research & policy statements on labor & birth.
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Spinning Babies: Using gravity and movement, you can help your baby settle into an ideal position for an easier, shorter, and less painful birth. Learn to correct less-than-ideal presentations in pregnancy and in labor.
Turning a Breech Baby: If you are between 32 - 35 weeks and your baby has not turned head-down, consider trying some of these proven techniques for turning a breech baby (and consult with your doctor or midwife). Squatting is not recommend at this point until baby corrects to head down!
Breech Babies and Swimming Pools: In my practice I am noticing what seems to be an increased risk for breech presentation in moms who participate in water aerobics. While water aerobics is a wonderful exercise during pregnancy, I no longer recommend it after 32 weeks. Most babies turn head-down around 32 weeks, when gravity encourages the heavier part of the baby (the head) to engage in the pelvis. The buoyancy of water aerobics actually "deweights" the baby, pulling baby up out of the pelvis and possibly making it easier for her to flip around when he or she should be settling in. It is very important to keep tabs on your baby's position as you approach 32-34 weeks! (There are some specific water exercises that can be used to turn a breech baby--see above.)
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The Newborn's 6 States of Consciousness
Recommended Reading:
Your Amazing Newborn, by
A must-read during pregnancy! See online excerpts.
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Sidelines.org: Support for moms on bed rest.
Mothers of Multiples: Support for moms with twins or more.
La Leche League: Support & information for pregnant women and nursing moms.
(See Local Links for meeting information.)
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)
Postpartum Blues and Postpartum Depression: 50 - 75% of all new mothers experience some form of letdown after the birth of their baby. It is important for you and your partner to understand and recognize the symptoms of the "baby blues," as well as the more severe forms of postpartum depression that can arise anytime within the first year or so and require medical treatment.
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS): A faith-based organization connecting mothers of young children.
(See Local Links for meeting information.)
Need some advice from an experienced mom? I may be able to put you in touch with someone who has been through a similar situation. Contact me.
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Getting Started with Breastfeeding
La Leche League International: Support & information for nursing moms.
Click here for current research & policy statements on breastfeeding.
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Comfy Bummy Diapers: Cloth diapering is not what it used to be! (mother-owned business)
Tushies: Chemical-free, gel-free & biodegradeable disposable diapers.
Chlorine- and chemical-free diapers are available in Lexington at Good Foods Co-Op on Southland Drive and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace in Lexington Green.
Wee Care Diaper Service in Lexington (no website): 859.231.9717
Click here for current research & policy statements on diapering.
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What Parents Need to Know About Baby's Cries
11 Ways to Soothe a Fussy Baby
Lessons for New Parents: Parents Have Needs, Too
Sleep Safety: Guidelines for safe co-sleeping and safe crib-sleeping.
Carseat.org: Complete resource for child passenger safety, including guidelines for growing children and recall information.
Children's Health Environmental Coalition: Kelly Preston became involved with CHEC after a devastating illness affected her son Jett--an illness she traces back to chemicals she was using to clean their home. "Growing children are particularly vulnerable to unhealthy substances associated with ordinary products. With the right information, you can make small changes that make a big difference in your child's health."
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William Sears, M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N.
Breastfeeding
Bottle-Feeding
Feeding Infants & Toddlers
Discipline & Behavior
Parenting the Fussy & High-Needs Baby
Sleep Issues
Childhood Illnesses Index
Medicine Cabinet
Your Child's Immunizations: Information on all immunizations typically given in the first 2 years, including recommendations on how to safely spread out the shots and decrease the total number of injections.
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General Pregnancy/Birth
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine: Prudent Use of Ultrasound
The Effects of Maternal Epidural Anesthesia on Neonatal Behavior during the First Month
"The epidural group showed poorer performance on the orientation and motor clusters during the first month of life. Epidural mothers reported spending less time with their infants while in the hospital; post hoc analyses showed that they had longer labor, more forceps deliveries and a greater amount of oxytocin." (Boston University School of Medicine)
It is important to talk to your doctor about episiotomy early in your pregnancy. Some Lexington-area doctors still claim a 95% episiotomy rate despite research suggesting that this procedure is "likely to be ineffective or harmful" (see Evidence-Based Care, above). It is important to choose a care provider with experience delivering over an intact perineum if you wish to avoid an episiotomy (and a significant tear).
Has the Use of Routine Episiotomy Decreased? Examination of Episiotomy Rates from 1983 to 2000 (American College of OB/Gyns)
"Objective: To determine if practice patterns have been altered by the large body of literature strongly advocating the selective use of episiotomy....Results: Overall episiotomy rates...showed a significant reduction from 69.6% in 1983 to 19.4% in 2000. Increased association with episiotomy was seen...with third- or fourth-degree lacerations."
Episiotomy (Henci Goer) This article summarizes the results from 26 different studies showing that "all of the standard reasons given for the frequent or routine use of episiotomy have been discredited by medical research."
Common Procedure During Delivery Linked to Lasting Rectal Injuries (WebMD)
Episiotomy: Is it Always Necessary? (Mayo Clinic)
Perineal Massage Eases the Pain of Childbirth (and may help you avoid an episiotomy)
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Bishop's Score for Inducing Labor: Your Bishop's Score will help you assess how likely an induction is to succeed. Know your Bishop's Score before making a decision about induction!
Prolonged Pregnancy: Induction of Labor and Cesarean Births (American College of Ob/Gyns)
"Admission to delivery was longer and more likely to extend beyond 10 hours in the induction group. Cesarean deliveries were increased in the induced group due to cesarean for failure to progress. Independent risk factors for cesarean delivery included nulliparity [first baby], undilated cervix prior to labor, and epidural analgesia. Correction for these risk factors using logistic regression analysis revealed that it was the risk factors, and not induction of labor per se, that increased cesarean delivery."
[Assess your risk factors (as listed above) before making a decision about induction for prolonged pregnancy!]
Elective Induction Doubles Cesarean Rates (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Cesarean Delivery More Likely with Labor Induction of a Large Baby (ACOG)
"The cesarean delivery rate was nearly double when labor was induced compared to vaginal deliveries with no intervention."
Risk of Respiratory Disease in Newborns Higher for Those Delivered by Cesarean (ACOG)
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American Academy of Pediatrics: Policy Statement on Breastfeeding
World Health Organization: Child and Adolescent Health and Development
American Lung Association: New Findings on Asthma and Breastfeeding
Bottle-Feeding
Bottle-Feeding Index: Information to help you make an informed choice
Solid Foods: Wait until 6 months to help prevent allergies!
Sequence of Adding Solid Foods for the Allergic Infant (also useful for preventing allergies)
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American Academy of Pediatrics: Policy Statement on Circumcision
"Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision."
American Academy of Family Physicians: Circumcision
Circumcision FAQ's: Ask Dr. Sears
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Could Disposable Diapers Lead to Future Infertility? (WebMD)
Chemicals in Diapers Cited as Possible Asthma Trigger (DoctorBob.com)
The Diaper Drama: Health Issues: Information on the synthetic chemicals used in disposable diapers and their known health effects.
Chlorine- and chemical-free diapers are available in Lexington at Good Foods Co-Op on Southland Drive and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace in Lexington Green. Cloth Diapers are available locally at Mother Nurture, next to Baby Moon, 859.335.5949.
Wee Care Diaper Service in Lexington (no website): 859.231.9717
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Children's Health Environmental Coalition: Kelly Preston became involved with CHEC after a devastating illness affected her son Jett--an illness she traces back to chemicals she was using to clean their home. "Growing children are particularly vulnerable to...unhealthy substances associated with ordinary products. With the right information, you can make small changes that make a big difference in your child's health."
Car Seat Safety: Why babies must ride rear-facing until at least one year of age
"Babies have heavy heads and fragile necks. The neck bones are soft, and the ligaments are stretchy to allow for growth. If the baby is facing forward in a frontal crash -- which is the most common and most severe type -- the body is held back by the straps, but the head is not. Older children and adults wearing safety belts may end up with temporary neck injuries. But a baby's neck bones actually separate during a crash, and the spinal cord can rip. It's like yanking an electrical plug out of a socket by the cord and breaking the wires. This is true even for babies who have strong neck muscles and good head control."
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