Its Your Journey...Empower it!
Originally titled "Its Your Journey" this blog was created with a desire to empower moms and parents with information. You CAN have the birth experience you desire! Take a moment, check out the links that have graced this site from the beginning.
American Pregnancy Association on Home Birth
Home Birth Statistical Information
Although OBGYNs will tell you otherwise, statistics consistently show that carefully planned and prepared home births can be just as safe, if not safer... and have less intervention experiences (which can typically lead to repercussions) than hospital births for moms who have normal pregnancies. Cesarean rates for hospital births compared to those of home births are drastically higher for mothers in these categories. Check out the links below for more information. Knowledge is power...in this case, knowledge may very well save you and your baby unneeded pain and suffering.
African American Midwives
Citizens of Midwifery
GentleBirth.org
Water Birth
Water birth, hands down is my favorite way to give birth. As a mom who has home birthed four times, soon to be five, there is no other way for me to birth, but in water. Having a home birth means the traditional drugs for pain relief are not available. Water birth is a wonderful alternative to that! The water which is warm and relaxing, aids the mom in her relaxation techniques. It prepares the perineum for birth. The last 4 babies I've had weighed over 9lbs with my biggest at 10 lbs 4oz, I've had no tears! and I contribute it to water I labored and birthed in. Some of the links below provide informative knowledge of water births.
Water Birth International
Water Birth About.com
YourWaterBirth.com
Enlightened Pregnancy with Water Birth
Unassisted Childbirth
Unassisted childbirth is an empowering way for a mom to take control of her body, her baby by birthing without the presence of a midwife and doctor at home. Usually women who choose this option are well prepared, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Unassisted childbirth is gaining in popularity as more and more women are recognizing the very serious flaws in our healthcare system regarding childbirth that may affect the safety of their own births. They recognize that childbirth is not an illness, but a natural process and they want to protect their bodies and babies from being victims of a system that caters more to capitalism and the prevention of lawsuits rather than personalized, natural care that results in a wholesome, balanced baby. Having said this, it is truly empowering to birth this way, not only for mothers, but for fathers, who have largely been assigned the role of cutting the umbilical cord. Check out some of these links below for more information.
Birth Junkie
Born Free - Laura Shanley
Christian UC
Lotus Birth
Lotus birth is the act of leaving the newborn baby attached to it's placenta and letting the cord dry up and fall off on its own. I have never had a lotus birth, but am excited to say that we are planning for a lotus birth with this upcoming baby! I have to admit, I rejected the thought of a lotus birth simply because the sites I've visited for information seem to present this method as "Mother earth, Father sky" type of spirituality. I mean no offense, but I simply was not interested in keeping a baby attached to its placenta for those purposes. That was a few pregnancies ago. With this pregnancy, I was determined to find facts of a lotus birth that benefited the health of a newborn, and boy did I find it. The sites listed below were places I went to for research and information. Let me recommend "Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering" by Dr. Sarah Buckley, who is considered the pioneer in the field of lotus birthing. If you are planning a lotus birth, I would LOVE to hear from you! Leave a comment on this blog.
Lotus Birth Questions
Gentle Birth Gentle Mothering
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering By Buckley, Sarah J., M.D./ Gaskin, Ina May (FRW) (Google Affiliate Ad)
Wikipedia: Lotus Birth
Ecstatic Birth
Hormonal Blueprint of Labor
Placenta Love
Coming Soon!
HypnoBirthing
Birth Relaxation Kit. - The only birth hypnosis program presented by a board-certified physician!
Hypnosis For Childbirth 101: What is it is and Why it Works
How Does Stress Affect My Pregnancy and Baby? What Can I Do About It?
Infant Mortality Rate In US
90% of moms birth in hospitals. Let's ask...how do we fare as high tech country?? Check out these links, the answer may surprise you.
The World Fact Book - CIA
Global Ranking - Geography IQ
Infant Mortality Rate by State
Fearless Parenting - Article
U.S. gets poor grades...MNSBC Article
**If you are a non-profit organization that offers FREE services relating to natural childbirth or pregnancy you can list your link here at no cost! Contact me at Hannah@theoliveparent.com If you have a site relating to the topic of this page you're interested in seeing listed here, contact me at the above email address to discuss the particulars.**
