Best Perinatal Articles

I’m consistently referencing a list full of articles that I find to be the most fascinating and helpful during the perinatal stages (on top of my blog, of course, lol).  I wanted to start a list for myself, rather than just bookmarking, and decided a blog would be the best way to share this with others – and for future reference.  I haven’t added all that I love, but have added some that are fresh on my mind for now.  I will continuously update this as I find new, impressive (or important/hard to find), articles – and if there are any that you love, please message those to me and I will review and add as I see fit!  Enjoy and happy learning!

Fertility & Related

• Beautiful Cervix Project (photos of the cervix & fluid through various cycles) - http://www.beautifulcervix.com/
• Contraceptive Risks – http://www.myfemininemind.com/2012/07/things-your-doctor-may-not-have-told_25.html
• Spacing Pregnancies – http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/family-planning/MY01691/
• Alternative/Reusable/Natural Feminine Hygiene/DIY Cloth – http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/clothpads/index.html
  Emergency Perinatal Preparedness – http://esali9.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/preparing-for-emergencies/

Pregnancy

• What Your Cravings Really Mean – http://www.naturopathyworks.com/pages/cravings.php
• Estimated Due Date Inaccuracies – http://www.drmomma.org/2009/09/why-pregnancy-due-dates-are-inaccurate.html
• Ultrasound  Scans: A Cause for Concern – http://www.sarahbuckley.com/ultrasound-scans-cause-for-concern/
• What to Reject When You’re Expecting – http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/05/what-to-reject-when-you-re-expecting/index.htm
• Myth of the Placental Barrier – http://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/health/myth-placental-barrier
• Kegels are NOT Necessary - http://greenbaywi.holisticmoms.org/

Labor & Birth (And Immediate Postpartum)

• What Makes Birth Safe? – http://www.truenorthmidwifery.com/what-makes-birth-safe/
• Disturbing Birth & Pushing – http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/pushing.asp
  History of Birth – http://naturalchildbirth.org/natural/resources/history/history01.htm
• Childbirth Myths vs. Facts – http://www.natural-pregnancy-mentor.com/Childbirth-facts.html
• Ecstatic Birth – Hormonal Blueprint of Labor – http://www.mothering.com/pregnancy-birth/ecstatic-birth-the-hormonal-blueprint-of-labor
• Birth Affects Parenting – http://babycalm.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/5-reasons-why-your-birth-can-affect-your-baby-parenting/
  3 Things We Need to Stop Doing to Newborns – http://progressive-parenting.com/2012/04/24/three-things-we-need-to-stop-doing-to-newborns/
  Normal Birth – Do We Believe? – http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/normalbirth.asp
• Don’t Push the River – http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/joy-be-inspired/dont-push-the-river-it-flows-by-itself/
• You Don’t *have* to Push – http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/pushnot.html
• Undisturbed Birth – http://chriskresser.com/why-undisturbed-birth
• The First Hour Following Birth – http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/firsthour.asp
• Mother-Baby Positioning After Birth & Instant Love Rush – http://cord-clamping.com/2011/12/19/mother-baby-after-birth/
  The Tree & the Fruit – Postmaturity – http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/tree_fruit.asp
• Newborn’s Sense of Smell – First Moments Matter – http://www.parentingscience.com/newborn-senses.html
• Delayed Cord Clamping Video by Penny Simkin – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3RywNup2CM&feature=share
• How the Cord Clamp Injures Your Baby’s Brain – http://www.whale.to/a/morley1.html
• Physiological Cord Clamping Detailed Article – http://www.beyondconformity.co.nz/BlogRetrieve.aspx?PostID=62695&A=SearchResult&SearchID=2657800&ObjectID=62695&ObjectType=55
• How the FDA Approves Obstetric Medications – http://www.aimsusa.org/obstetricdrugs.htm
• Cervical Scar Tissue (can be applicable to perineal scars as well) – http://www.birthresourcenetwork.org/blog/98-cervical-scar-tissue-a-big-issue-that-no-one-is-talking-about
• Postpartum Herbal Care – http://midwiferytoday.com/articles/herbspostpartumcare.asp

Breastfeeding

• What Affects Breastfeeding Experience: Importance of the Birth – http://talkbirth.me/2013/01/05/preventing-culturally-induced-lactation-failure/
• Hand Expression – http://youtu.be/6ZViuYKX5LU
  Breastfeeding in Mongolia - http://www.drmomma.org/2009/07/breastfeeding-in-land-of-genghis-khan.html
• CranioSacral Therapy & Breastfeeding Difficulties – http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/craniosacral.htm
• Watch Your Language – http://www.bobrow.net/kimberly/birth/BFLanguage.html
• A Natural Age of Weaning – http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.html
• Comparison of Formulas & Breastmilk – http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-infants-toddlers/bottle-feeding/comparision-formulas-and-breastmilk
• When it Has to be Formula – http://thebabybond.com/FormulaFeedingNecessary.html

Postpartum & Parenting

• Why African Babies Don’t Cry – http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/claire_niala.html
• Death by Circumcision – http://www.drmomma.org/2010/05/death-from-circumcision.html
• Kangaroo Care – http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/kangaroocare.asp
• “Wait it Out Method” of Sleep Training – http://nurshable.com/2012/07/19/the-wio-wait-it-out-method-of-sleep-training/
• 12 Features of a High Needs Baby – http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/fussy-baby/high-need-baby/12-features-high-need-baby
• Birth & Postpartum Herbs – http://midwiferytoday.com/articles/herbspostpartumcare.asp

Christianity as it Relates to Perinatal Events

• “Eve’s Curse” & Pain in Childbirth - http://www.christadelphianbooks.org/agora/art_less/p-q02.html
• More “Eve’s Curse” & Pain in Childbirth -  http://www.unhinderedliving.com/birthbasis.html
• Circumcision – http://www.udonet.com/circumcision/christian.html
• Circumcision Straight from the New Testament - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5&version=NIV

Miscellaneous

• Evidence Based Care – http://evidencebasedbirth.com/2012/09/03/labor-day-2012-the-state-of-evidence-based-maternity-care-in-the-united-states/
• Homeopathic Vaccine Detox – http://vaccinefree.wordpress.com/vaccine-injuryhomeopathic-detox/

Websites that I Love & Have Too Many Great Articles To List Separately

• Gloria Lemay – http://www.glorialemay.com/blog/
• Natural Pregnancy Mentor – http://www.natural-pregnancy-mentor.com
• Midwifery Today – http://www.midiwferytoday.com
• Midwife Thinking Blog – http://www.midwifethinking.com/
• Henci Goer – Thinking Woman’s Guide to Birth – http://www.hencigoer.com/article/
• Delayed Cord Clamping - http://cord-clamping.com/
• Kelly Mom – Breastfeeding & Parenting – http://www.kellymom.com/
• Best for Babes – Breastfeeding - http://www.bestforbabes.org/
• Peaceful Parenting – http://www.drmomma.org/
• Ask Dr. Sears – http://www.askdrsears.com/
• Dr. Jay Gordon/Natural Remedies/Vaccines – http://drjaygordon.com/
• How to Wear Your Baby (The Tummy2Tummy DVD is Available in the EB Lending Library) – http://wearyourbaby.com/
• Loss & Bereavement Support – http://www.stillbirthday.com

Fun for a Cause

Not even a year after my first was born, I was sitting at my mom’s house talking about the ways to start educating the Mid-Ohio Valley on birth and breastfeeding.  I had started learning more about perinatal education and was very passionate about breastfeeding.  I saw how much our culture lacked in birth and breastfeeding support, and wanted a great way of raising money for the cause and getting my name out there associated with birth and breastfeeding.  My mom has been a passionate runner for a few years and was a member of a local running club.

Could we do it?  Plan and direct a race for World Breastfeeding Week held the first week of August each year, or plan it on Mother’s day with future potential for having a race associated with a holiday meaningful to our cause…  We were ambitious!  Why, sure, we can plan a race in 3 months!

We requested sponsorships and prize donations.  We booked a location and gathered volunteers.  We sent out race applications and then prayed.

“Mom, can you buy the t-shirts if we don’t make enough money?”  This was a leap of faith for me… for us!

That first year we had 75 participants.  75!  That was HUGE for us!  I mean, with sponsors and race entries, we profited over $1000 that was all donated to La Leche League.  That was awesome!

Since our first race in 2009 we’ve been added to the River City Runners summer race series, which does wonders for our participation rates (over 225 in our 4th year, and we keep GROWING!  WOW)!  We have had many repeat sponsors, and many new sponsors added to our list.  We have kids and parents, grandparents, couples, teens, singles, families, and businesses all participating in the race for various reasons.  Health, the cause, the series, the holiday…  whatever it is, it is a fun day for all!  This year, we had over 300 5k participants cross the finish and many more in the kids races.  It was a beautiful, cold, day and a wonderful event!

There are prizes to be won for the fast ones… prizes to be won for the slow ones… prizes to be won for breastfeeding mothers… but most of all, there is a little something we can give back to our community.  A little cash and awareness that, now, goes right back into the Mid-Ohio Valley.  And what does this cause support?

It isn’t “just” breastfeeding.  The health of the mother and the birth experience are a huge part of the success of breastfeeding.  The benefits of breastfeeding go far beyond an experience and free food for a baby.

Breastfeeding:

• Is the biological way to nourish a newborn, baby, and supplement a toddler.
• Provides antibodies which help prevent children from getting sick and heal from sicknesses
• Provides neurological and immunological development for that child to grow into a healthy adult
• Provides emotional balance in the child and nursing mother needed to bond and care for the baby and regulate hormones postpartum
• Provides protection against breast and uterine cancer for the child and nursing mother
• Provides an effective means of natural baby spacing/family planning

It is THE cause above all causes.  It is the BEGINNING of health for our children and their future.  Support the beginning, and the future becomes brighter.  Birth and breastfeeding go hand in hand, and by supporting the early stages of life, we can improve our culture’s health and happiness for many generations to come.  Breastfeeding provides protection against diabetes and all the big diseases most other causes are supporting.  But, this isn’t just a bunch of money going to causes that haven’t improved outcomes over the past 20 years – it is going to support biology in one of the most healthy ways possible – and directly in our own community.  That mom down the street that cried because she didn’t have support to breastfeed – this money goes for her.  This money goes for the baby with latch problems.  The money goes for the families that want to breastfeed and want a free place for support.  Every little bit helps support our community and our future.

If you were a part of the WBW Mother’s Day 5k in any way – THANK YOU!  We had over 300 participants this year and made approximately $3000 to be used for things like breast pump rentals, advertising, resource and advocacy in the Mid-Ohio Valley, and a variety of other things that will benefit breastfeeding education and support in OUR community.  With this kind of a cause, mothers and babies can get the support they need to have a healthy and happy breastfeeding relationship and healthy future.  We hope to see you next year as a sponsor, volunteer, or participant!

View race results here and race photos here, here, and here   .

If you are a nursing mother, will be, or know someone who could benefit from breastfeeding education and support, check out the workshops and classes available through Esali Birth.  EB hosts a free monthly “Breastfeeding Cafe” to provide education and support, in a mother-to-mother environment, for anyone in or around the Mid-Ohio Valley on the 4th Saturday of every month (except December).  We will also have a nursing booth, and babywearing demonstrations, at the MOV Multicultural Festival this year, June 21st-23rd.

Maternity Pics

How did you document your pregnancy?  Whether you took a snapshot every week or had professional photos taken, these will be memories you’ll treasure forever!  Even if you think you don’t look beautiful (which you do… I mean, you’re growing a baby – THAT alone is beautiful!!!)…  they will still be fun to look back on, and always beneficial to share with future generations.

I’ve been working on building my marketing material over the past year or so and occasionally capturing the gorgeous glowing bellies of mothers in the MOV when our schedules allow.  If you’re interested in some photos, look me up…  It may not be your typical maternity photo session as I’m looking for specific imagines to be used in my blog, online class, and EB workbook (among other EB material)… but, I’m sure we can capture a few cherishable images, like these, along the way…

Spring Nutrition

I LOVE the change of seasons.  By the time we’re in the middle of a new season, I’m ready for the next and the wait until the end just makes it that much sweeter when it arrives.  Spring is here at last and we’ve been soaking it up with gardening and foraging.  Do you indulge in the gifts of spring?  This is an excellent activity for the whole family and brings a wonderful [free] bowl of nutrients to the table.      

First, a nice spring side salad of dandelion greens and flowers, violets, spring beauties, and some arugula from the garden graced our dinner plates earlier this week.  What a nice mix of colors, no?

Today, we picked dandelions, violets, spring beauties, and spearmint then added garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese for a fresh – no-nuts – spring pesto  (there are numerous ways to make pesto and no right or wrong way).

Then whipped up some quick fresh pasta with a little added violets just for fun.

Cooked it up quickly with some “farm-raised” chicken (yes, that’s our rooster in there… and as “awe, poor rooster” as that may seem – I assure you this farm-raised rooster was treated much more pleasantly than any chicken you’d find in the grocery store… It was, however, getting incredibly territorial and ruffling up near our kids, so after giving us 6 new baby chicks it has graced our dinner plate multiple times this week and gave us about 8 quarts of chicken broth).

Served with some fresh maple-mint limeade (sweetened with maple syrup rather than ‘simple syrup’) we tapped just a few weeks ago.

How’s that for fresh, practically-free, delicious nutrition?  What can you find in your yard that is edible?  I’m sure you have way more than you think!  And many are also medicinal as well.  Think violets, dandelions (and you’ve been paying for these?), spring beauties, chicory, plantain (not the banana) – and that is just a small amount that almost everyone has in their backyard.  You may need to lay off mowing for just a little bit to enjoy this yard salad, but the benefits are worth it for health and on the bank.

Always be safe when foraging for food.
There are numerous safe plants to eat, but be educated before you grab anything and start munching away.
As Samuel Thayer says, “If you need a book to identify an edible plant, you’re not ready to eat it.”

Supporting a New Family

Now that we all know what to expect out of a modern postpartum period, what simple things can we do when a dear friend (or family member) is close to their birth time and we want to help?  Our culture is so far beyond what biology intended that we are losing the instincts for some of the most basic functions of life.  Forget supporting a postpartum family, it is hard for people to even have a conversation if it doesn’t involve a send button.

What new families really need is a face to face relationship.  We have to tip toe around postpartum support and hire people for normal life cycle functions because no one gets what a new mother and baby should be doing.

If you are in that close-knit circle of friends or family with someone expecting a baby, here are a few tips.

• Host a Blessingway.  Sure, there are showers and ladies night out, but a blessingway is a wonderful way of focusing on just mom and providing her with positive thoughts for the rest of her pregnancy, birth, and beyond.  It can be as simple or extravagant as you’d like.  Ask everyone to bring a snack, and select a bead to present to the mother for her blessing bracelet.  There are countless options but this is an amazing way to make mom feel better.
• Make a healthy freezer meal.  Ask about the family’s taste preferences (and allergy info.) and prepare a meal to stick in their freezer.  Try to include a variety of colors and wholesome choices so mom builds up her nutrients and feels great.  This freezer meal can be used as the birth date approaches, during the immediate postpartum, or after all the congratulations mellow out and the new family still needs support.  They really can’t have too many freezer meals (as long as they have space) because having them last a good six weeks will let the new family focus on more important things.
• Make a healthy fresh meal.  Nothing feels better than a fresh healthy meal.  The freezer meals are for when the family doesn’t have (or want) visitors.  Fresh meals mean better nutrition and a great morale booster.  If the family is taking a babymoon, this is a nice way of stopping in to get a peak at the baby, but not bothering the family with entertaining.  Using disposable dinnerware is appropriate and often helpful.
• 15 Minutes Max.  If you visit the new family at the hospital or at home, plan to only stay 15 minutes.  They need to rest and they don’t always feel comfortable asking you to leave.
• Do something.  Don’t only come over to see the baby.  Either bring a meal with you, do the dishes, pick up the toys, find something helpful. Likely, a meal is your best option.  You can drop it by to say hi, or visit for 15 minutes.  If they want you to stay longer, they’ll let you know.
• Don’t ask to hold the baby.  Baby wants to be with mommy and it can be overwhelming to have someone else’s smell on them.  They get overstimulated very quickly, and we don’t want to leave mom with a fussy baby.  Mom will offer if she’s up for the trade off – maybe she can grab a shower or a few moments in the bed; however, sometimes we feel obligated to say yes when we’re really not up for passing baby around.
• Play with the kids.  If mom has older children, this is one of the best ways you can help her out.  You don’t need to take them overnight, just simply giving mom the mental relaxation of having someone else take responsibility will give her a few moments of peace, even if that means the toddler is still coming in and out to check on mom and baby.  If you came to drop off a meal, maybe a few games of simon says or reading a few books is a great way to keep them occupied.  Pour them containers of water (the kind that don’t need refilled often) and make up some healthy easy-to-grab snacks so mom doesn’t have to get up when you leave.
• Listen.  Just listen to her birth story.  You don’t have to chime in with yours – let this be her time.  If it was amazing, tell her how awesome it is.  If it was scary, just console her.  If it was traumatizing, be there with love and support and offer her words of encouragement.  Ask if she’d like you to record or write down her birth story so all the details remain fresh until she has time to go back through.  If the experience was negative, understand that this is normal and OK, even if “everyone *seems* fine.”  Birth is an incredible time in our life and moms need to feel OK expressing all their emotions about birth.  Postpartum depression rates are alarmingly high and moms need to feel supported and able to vent.  Help her to find at least 5 positive things about the experience without making her emotions feel like they are not justified.  Finding those 5 positive things will help her memory of the birth as she goes throughout the next weeks and years of her life.
• Respect their space.  Some families love the company, and others want to be alone.  Many times when families want to be alone it is because they feel as though their support system does not understand the needs of a new family.  A new family can benefit from help with meals, around the house, and with older children; however, the baby is best kept with mom and dad.  Mom will be resting and nursing her baby.  She may feel uncomfortable with people in her space, and she may not want to smile and feel chipper for a few weeks.  There will be plenty of days to meet the new baby, but this time is so short for the family.  The baby is adjusting and learning who to trust and needs to be able to nuzzle mama’s breasts when he feels overwhelmed.

What did others do for you to help you during postpartum?  Did you feel like your friends and family knew how to truly support a new family, or did their visits seem traditional?