Do you feel strongly about the need for mother/baby-friendly maternity care? Do you want to win $1000?
Check out this video contest from Birth Matters Virginia. It will be judged by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein of The Business of Being Born and by author/birth expert Dr. Sarah Buckley. Contest closes on Mother's Day, May 10, 2009. All contest rules and info can be found here. You can also join their Facebook group to learn more.
You don't need to be a filmmaker to enter. Birth Matters is encouraging amateurs to enter as well and the site has suggestions and tips for those who've never made a film before.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Birth Survey
US Mamas:
Some of you may know about this already; it went national in August 2008. It's worth posting here just to continue spreading the word. I have utmost respect for these kinds of initiatives and really wish that we could do this in Canada too.
Non-profit organization the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) has started a project for collecting feedback on maternity care in the United States. You can take the survey to share your experience/information and you can also access data about the caregivers in your area so that you can make informed decisions as you choose your practitioner and your care facility.
From the Birth Survey website:
Take the Survey. View Survey Reports. View Intervention Rates. Spread the word. Or just learn more about the project. The Birth Survey.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
Some of you may know about this already; it went national in August 2008. It's worth posting here just to continue spreading the word. I have utmost respect for these kinds of initiatives and really wish that we could do this in Canada too.
Non-profit organization the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) has started a project for collecting feedback on maternity care in the United States. You can take the survey to share your experience/information and you can also access data about the caregivers in your area so that you can make informed decisions as you choose your practitioner and your care facility.
From the Birth Survey website:The Transparency in Maternity Care Project was birthed in February of 2006 by the Grassroots Advocates Committee (GAC) of the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS). We are a volunteer group dedicated to ensuring public access to quality of care information specifically related to maternity care providers and institutions. It is our intention to extend the current social trend toward transparency in health care into the virtually overlooked maternity care arena.
The Birth Survey is structured around the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) evidence-based 10 Steps to Mother-Friendly Care and other quality of care indicators. The creation of The Birth Survey has been inspired by Childbirth Connection's Listening to Mothers Survey (Harris Interactive, October 2002) and the A-CAHPS (Ambulatory Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) program and surveys.
We believe that women of childbearing age must have access to information that will help them choose maternity care providers and institutions that are most compatible with their own philosophies and needs. We hope that the Transparency in Maternity Care Project will provide information that will help women make fully informed maternity care decisions.
We also believe that maternity care practitioners and institutions must have access to feedback from their patients. We hope that doctors, midwives, and hospital administrators will find the information generated through the Transparency in Maternity Care Project useful in quality improvement efforts.
Women need accurate, objective data in order to make fully informed choices about birth settings and providers. Practitioners and hospital administrators also need data to evaluate whether they are delivering quality care. We hope this project will fill a void by providing much needed information that benefits all parties engaged in maternity care.
Take the Survey. View Survey Reports. View Intervention Rates. Spread the word. Or just learn more about the project. The Birth Survey.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Should You Write A Birth Plan?
I have been working on a re-design and update of our main website Sweet Home lately and that has me fairly busy, especially with the new routine juggling work with two children at home and with the current sleep deprivation issues. I have been doing some research for a new page on Birth Plans and was surprised this past week when I went to get a haircut (gasp!) and read Modern times: Don't be so pushy - Making a "birth plan" is about more than being prepared. It's about being in control. Here's why letting go of all that is way harder – and that much better by Katrina Onstad in Chatelaine at the salon.
I couldn't decide how I felt about the piece. On the one hand, here was a mainstream national magazine that was talking about midwifery in a very off-hand way, as if it is becoming the norm and I do agree with the main message which is that "sometimes the best plan is no plan at all." It's important to not get too caught up in the whole plan part of the birth plan because, well, we really can't plan our births. She is right to say that when it comes to birth we have to expect the unexpected and not get overly attached to our vision of the ideal birth.
But then again, something rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, it was easy for her to say that the best plan is no plan at all when she had lucked out with an unmedicated natural birth which left her feeling like she "had birthed the universe." A beautiful way to put it, but not necessarily how other mothers feel when they end up with a horrifying intervention-filled birth. The author suggests that the reason these mothers feel disappointed is because they have too many expectations going into it. Plan or no plan, aren't these mothers entitled to mourn unnecessary medical interventions? Perhaps Ms. Onstad would be writing a completely different article had she endured a 36 hour labour that ended in a cesarean birth while under general anesthetic. You can bet she'd be researching and making birth plans for her second birth.
There is something hypocritical about this romanticization of her own birth when the article's theme clearly seems to be that "the romanticization of the birth moment is not good for women" (as quoted by cesarean mom Judith). This statement erroneously puts the blame for all these disappointed women on the women themselves, for having plans and expectations. Despite mentioning the rising rates and risks of cesarean birth, Onstad neglects to suppose that labor mis-managment and the cascade of interventions could be the culprits for all the disappointment.
Finally, Onstad makes a huge mistake by thinking that creating a birth plan to speak for you regarding your consent to medical procedures equates to an inability to submit to the forces of labour. She says:
Is it not possible to still have that moment of submission while ensuring that your medical rights aren't violated? What if Onstad's birth had left her feeling that all her power had been stripped from her, that her body had been violated, or that she couldn't protect her baby from painful or scary procedures?
The difference in these two situations is that in one case the mother submits to the forces of labour, her birth and nature and in the other the mother must submit to the power of the medical system, which unfortunately isn't omniscient. Having a birth plan is a way of exercising your right to informed consent in your most vulnerable moments, not a way to avoid submitting to the unknowable.
I was divided over whether or not to post the article but I couldn't stop thinking about it, particularly because I loved the dialogue between the article and a blog post I found from one of the commenters.
Phd in Parenting wrote a lovely thoughtful (and a little irate) piece in response to the Chatelaine article. She makes an extremely valid point that when you trust your care provider and are anticipating birthing with a midwife, whose model allows for submission to, not management of, the birth process, you perhaps don't need a birth plan. But for anyone else, especially those birthing within obstetrics, a birth plan is a wise decision.
I wanted to recommend both of these as a great read together. It will really get you thinking about how you feel about birth plans. I have to say that personally, I think that rather than expecting the unexpected, it's wiser to plan for the unexpected. Then you can submit to the birth process, knowing that your care providers will respect your wishes regardless of what happens.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
I couldn't decide how I felt about the piece. On the one hand, here was a mainstream national magazine that was talking about midwifery in a very off-hand way, as if it is becoming the norm and I do agree with the main message which is that "sometimes the best plan is no plan at all." It's important to not get too caught up in the whole plan part of the birth plan because, well, we really can't plan our births. She is right to say that when it comes to birth we have to expect the unexpected and not get overly attached to our vision of the ideal birth.
But then again, something rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, it was easy for her to say that the best plan is no plan at all when she had lucked out with an unmedicated natural birth which left her feeling like she "had birthed the universe." A beautiful way to put it, but not necessarily how other mothers feel when they end up with a horrifying intervention-filled birth. The author suggests that the reason these mothers feel disappointed is because they have too many expectations going into it. Plan or no plan, aren't these mothers entitled to mourn unnecessary medical interventions? Perhaps Ms. Onstad would be writing a completely different article had she endured a 36 hour labour that ended in a cesarean birth while under general anesthetic. You can bet she'd be researching and making birth plans for her second birth.
There is something hypocritical about this romanticization of her own birth when the article's theme clearly seems to be that "the romanticization of the birth moment is not good for women" (as quoted by cesarean mom Judith). This statement erroneously puts the blame for all these disappointed women on the women themselves, for having plans and expectations. Despite mentioning the rising rates and risks of cesarean birth, Onstad neglects to suppose that labor mis-managment and the cascade of interventions could be the culprits for all the disappointment.
Finally, Onstad makes a huge mistake by thinking that creating a birth plan to speak for you regarding your consent to medical procedures equates to an inability to submit to the forces of labour. She says:
I was completely and totally out of control, but that moment of submission – totally without any expectation of anything – held the greatest power I've ever experienced.
Is it not possible to still have that moment of submission while ensuring that your medical rights aren't violated? What if Onstad's birth had left her feeling that all her power had been stripped from her, that her body had been violated, or that she couldn't protect her baby from painful or scary procedures?
The difference in these two situations is that in one case the mother submits to the forces of labour, her birth and nature and in the other the mother must submit to the power of the medical system, which unfortunately isn't omniscient. Having a birth plan is a way of exercising your right to informed consent in your most vulnerable moments, not a way to avoid submitting to the unknowable.
I was divided over whether or not to post the article but I couldn't stop thinking about it, particularly because I loved the dialogue between the article and a blog post I found from one of the commenters.
Phd in Parenting wrote a lovely thoughtful (and a little irate) piece in response to the Chatelaine article. She makes an extremely valid point that when you trust your care provider and are anticipating birthing with a midwife, whose model allows for submission to, not management of, the birth process, you perhaps don't need a birth plan. But for anyone else, especially those birthing within obstetrics, a birth plan is a wise decision.
I wanted to recommend both of these as a great read together. It will really get you thinking about how you feel about birth plans. I have to say that personally, I think that rather than expecting the unexpected, it's wiser to plan for the unexpected. Then you can submit to the birth process, knowing that your care providers will respect your wishes regardless of what happens.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sneak Peek at Pantley's New Book
Just wanted to share with you how excited I am that I have been selected to review an advance copy of Elizabeth Pantley's new book The No-Cry Nap Solution. I should be getting my copy in early December and I look forward to reading it and sharing my thoughts with you. It's especially timely for me as I have been struggling with a few nap issues with my children so I really can't wait to get my copy.
From the publisher:
The No-Cry Nap Solution: Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems
Bestselling parenting author brings her solutions to your naptime dilemmas
Will your child only nap in your arms, in a swing, or after elaborate rituals? Does your child take cat naps--or none at all? Let world-renowned, trusted parenting author Elizabeth Pantley help you. She'll guide you with the same sensitive expertise and gentle approach used in her other No-Cry bestsellers.
Research shows that naps improve health, mood, growth, and well-being. Yet children often resist the naps they need. The results are fussy, crying babies and cranky, grouchy kids who also have trouble sleeping at night!
In The No-Cry Nap Solution Pantley explains to parents of children ages newborn to kindergarten the importance of napping to both behavior during the day and sleeping during (and through!) the night. She then shares with you her gentle, loving techniques--tested on families of all sizes and circumstances--and shows you how you can customize her solutions for your own family. Pantley addresses issues such as children who resist naps, dealing with schedule changes, turning short naps into longer ones, helping a child go from needing motion to sleep to "stationery"� sleep, nursing at naptime, solving daycare napping problems, and more.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
From the publisher:
The No-Cry Nap Solution: Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems
Bestselling parenting author brings her solutions to your naptime dilemmas
Will your child only nap in your arms, in a swing, or after elaborate rituals? Does your child take cat naps--or none at all? Let world-renowned, trusted parenting author Elizabeth Pantley help you. She'll guide you with the same sensitive expertise and gentle approach used in her other No-Cry bestsellers.
Research shows that naps improve health, mood, growth, and well-being. Yet children often resist the naps they need. The results are fussy, crying babies and cranky, grouchy kids who also have trouble sleeping at night!
In The No-Cry Nap Solution Pantley explains to parents of children ages newborn to kindergarten the importance of napping to both behavior during the day and sleeping during (and through!) the night. She then shares with you her gentle, loving techniques--tested on families of all sizes and circumstances--and shows you how you can customize her solutions for your own family. Pantley addresses issues such as children who resist naps, dealing with schedule changes, turning short naps into longer ones, helping a child go from needing motion to sleep to "stationery"� sleep, nursing at naptime, solving daycare napping problems, and more.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Birth & Breastfeeding News
Dr. Jack Newman's Clinic Needs Your Help
Dr. Jack Newman is a pediatrician, former consultant to the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, and world renowned breastfeeding advocator. His books, handouts, videos and consulting at the clinic have helped countless mothers achieve long-lasting breastfeeding relationships despite challenges,conflicting advice and unsupportive health practitioners.
As of September 30, 2008, the clinic will no longer be receiving any private funding. (Government funding ceased in 2005). They need immediate donations to keep the clinic open and their website (with all of their educational resources) online. For a charitable tax receipt, please send your donation to www.canadianbreastfeedingfoundation.org. Please direct your donation to NEWMAN BREASTFEEDING CLINIC. You can also call 416-498-0002.
Alberta Midwifery Receives Government Funding
In October, the Alberta government announced that midwifery will finally be funded. Though regulated by the government since 1998, families have had to pay out of pocket for midwifery care. As of April 2009, families will now be able to choose midwifery care and their birth place with the service covered. This is great news for midwifery and home birth. Click here for more information.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
Dr. Jack Newman is a pediatrician, former consultant to the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, and world renowned breastfeeding advocator. His books, handouts, videos and consulting at the clinic have helped countless mothers achieve long-lasting breastfeeding relationships despite challenges,conflicting advice and unsupportive health practitioners.As of September 30, 2008, the clinic will no longer be receiving any private funding. (Government funding ceased in 2005). They need immediate donations to keep the clinic open and their website (with all of their educational resources) online. For a charitable tax receipt, please send your donation to www.canadianbreastfeedingfoundation.org. Please direct your donation to NEWMAN BREASTFEEDING CLINIC. You can also call 416-498-0002.
Alberta Midwifery Receives Government Funding
In October, the Alberta government announced that midwifery will finally be funded. Though regulated by the government since 1998, families have had to pay out of pocket for midwifery care. As of April 2009, families will now be able to choose midwifery care and their birth place with the service covered. This is great news for midwifery and home birth. Click here for more information.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
It's been a very long time...
The reason bloggers often don't blog is because they are too busy. You know, IRL - in real life. I am no exception. Life intervened for a while. At the end of June, we welcomed our daughter Noa in a beautiful, speedy, midwife-assisted home birth. And two weeks later we moved to Vancouver Island. The last few months we've been focusing on our family, on discovering who this newcomer is and on helping our three year old son adjust to the major changes.
But I'm back, at least on light duty, after a long hiatus. There is a lot of news to catch up on.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
But I'm back, at least on light duty, after a long hiatus. There is a lot of news to catch up on.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Dr. Phil Looking for Home Birth Horror Stories for his show.
Dr. Phil has a page on his website asking for people to share their stories of having a home birth and regretting it.
Please click here to add your POSITIVE story. Maybe he'll be flooded with stories of good outcomes and have no material for the story of regret he's looking for.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
Please click here to add your POSITIVE story. Maybe he'll be flooded with stories of good outcomes and have no material for the story of regret he's looking for.
Sweet Home Birth Boxes - the supplies you need no matter what your birth plan includes!
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