the conscious canopy musings

the family bed

2011-11-17T07:09:00.000-08:00

a recent ad campaign was launched in milwaukee to discourage parents from co sleeping with their babies. this is a hot topic, especially in our american culture and largely misunderstood. this ad campaign exemplifies how misunderstood the ancient practice of bed sharing is. actor mayim bialik, who is most known as blossom and now appears regularly on the big bang theory wrote a beautiful article outlining why her and her husband share their bed with their children. the cool thing about mayim, is that she is more than an actor, she has a phd in neuroscience, and has a forthcoming book about attachment parenting.

mayim's article touches on all of the important points of bed sharing, why it's natural and why humans have been doing it since the beginning of time. what blows me away about this ad campaign is that the photos break all of the guidelines of safe co sleeping.

firstly, you should only sleep with a baby on a firm mattress. no pillow top mattress, and no bulky sheets. the bedding should be minimal, as well as the pillows. the pillows should be firm. and you should never put a baby on a pillow to sleep! neither of these babies are on their backs nor is either parent in bed with them.

yes, unfortunately, some babies have died from co sleeping. this is a sad event, and no one wants this to happen. however with deeper investigation into these scenarios, usually one of the parents is obese, or intoxicated, or the baby and parent are on the couch or some other unsafe surface.

i have shared my bed with my baby since birth. we have a very firm mattress. when she was a newborn, i would dress her in warm clothing, usually swaddled and place her a little higher than my body, so the covers would not go over her. i would keep the covers around my torso and dress warm on top. we had firm pillows on the edges of the bed. as she grew and became stronger, i was less worried about covers, and now her and i share covers, although i am very careful and aware of her body while sleeping. once she started rolling and scooting, we took the bed off of the frame and placed the mattress on the floor.

the best thing about bed sharing with your baby is that when you breastfeed, you don't have to get out of bed or go anywhere. you simply roll to one side and nurse your baby back to sleep. when my little one was first born, there were lots of frequent night wakings and diaper changes, so the routine was a bit more involved. by the time she was a few months old, she woke less, and had less elimination. the best part about sharing your bed with your baby is that you always know how your baby is doing.

in the beginning of my baby's life, nothing assured me more than laying next to her and watching her breath at night. it's a totally natural fear to be concerned about your baby's breath as a new mother. if i had her in a crib, the thought of getting in and out of bed every time i wanted to check on her, would have made me mad! i was already tired from the frequent night wakings, and i would have been absolutely exhausted from constantly checking on her.

there is a ton of research on SIDS and you can find research arguing for and against co sleeping. however, an important point to note, is that SIDS is often related to chemicals and fire retardants and lack of air circulation in the room. most cribs are covered in toxic materials and the mattress itself is sprayed with fire retardants. even organic mattresses are sprayed, so one must really do research to find completely chemical free bedding. many parents with the greatest intentions are bathing, diapering, clothing, swaddling and bedding their babe's with chemicals. these chemicals are deadly.

so when it comes to your babies health there is so much to consider. the important thing is to go within and trust your heart. forget about fear mongering ad campaigns and what society tells you what you should do. each parent is the only one who truly knows how to provide for their baby. and if you do feel inclined, sleep with your baby, and enjoy it!

for more information on safe co-sleeping, visit dr sears guidelines.

in the trenches

2011-10-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

i wish i could be positively positive all of the time. yet, it's just not authentic. it's almost november here in maine, and i am becoming wildly aware that grandmother winter is setting into our bones for the next six months. yes, six months of winter. mind you, i am just recovering from our move from los angeles this past june. in los angeles, our strongest winter entailed 40 degrees and lots of rain. we were spoiled with our year round farmer's markets and trips to malibu even in january. yes, the smog was smothering and the helicopters were fierce, as was the traffic, however the elements were not sharp, shivering and windy cold.

the reality is i am already spending my days moving wood from here to there, this pile to that, just to stay warm. i sometimes spend a couple of hours juggling baby care and sweet pumpkin's needs with getting the wood stove going in the morning. and then there is the complete insanity when the fire alarm goes off from too much smoke and i have to run to grab the baby ear muffs and bat the alarm while the lady screams "fire" into my ear drums, observing my daughter's tears rolling down her face as she begs for my arms. it's cruel and crazy in some ways.

and my sweetie has officially reached the age of not wanting to sit in any of her seats which include her high chair, car seat and stroller, nor does she want to lie on her back for a diaper change. i am wrestling her in and out of clothing, keeping her dry and clean and warm. i am wondering how we will ever make it outside with snow falling and bitter winds.

this life isn't glamorous. however i have decided that if i do officially survive this winter, i can do anything. i have done lots of things in life that i am proud of, and i do consider myself a champion of my fears, so i know that this too can be faced. and i know i am not the first mama burning wood to stay warm, practicing attachment parenting and ec, breastfeeding and bed sharing, all while living out in total solitude. there have been many before me. however, what i need more than ever is to know some of those mentors, or to at the very least sit in a circle of other mamas and find my strength within the collective.

i leave you with this article. while searching for a picture for this post i found this article, which is related to my tale. you see, if we mothers were paid for the work we did, our lives would function with much more fluidity. even when we find ourselves in the trenches, we would rest assured that our physical needs are being met.

seeking a baseline

2011-09-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

with a partner that has been blessed with a severe case of eczema and a number of food allergies, including gluten, eggs and dairy i knew we were gambling when it comes to my daughter's immune system. after a few months of age, i noticed a tiny patch of eczema behind her left ear and on her back. of course, i knew i needed to do something about this, and this something was going to involve my diet, since i exclusively breastfeed.

maybe i am just stating the obvious, but let me say that eliminating foods from your diet can bring up some serious stuff. food for many of us goes way beyond physical nourishment. it is comforting on many levels. and certain foods like breads and dairy can become quite addictive. i know you were probably thinking i was going to say sugar, and yes sugar is super addictive, but to me that is a given. it's one of the most sought out drugs on the planet! but what i am discovering in my holistic search for health is that we as a society are VERY addicted to dairy and wheat. dairy and wheat are everywhere. unless you hang with raw vegan folk, if you go to a potluck, i guarantee you that almost every dish will have either wheat or cheese in it.

a friend of mine mentioned that she took gluten out of her diet and gave her baby infant probiotics daily and his eczema went away. so i decided that would be my route of choice. mind you, it took a couple of months until i was totally willing and able to give up the gluten. i am not a huge bread eater, but i do enjoy an occasional finely brewed beer. i should also state that i am super health conscious and extremely dedicated to my child, (and yes, an occasional beer is healthy to me!) even under those terms it took some deep internal work to be ready to give up gluten again. gluten is in everything these days. you really have to read the labels. and it goes beyond that, as i am learning through a yahoo group that i read on a daily basis called foodlab. one must consider cross contamination as well! a gluten intolerance can affect more than the physical body. it can affect the psyche and emotional behavior of a being. it can make children hyper and ADD and certainly does not serve a child with autism.

so i've been gluten free for almost a couple of months now. and the eczema on my daughter's back and ear did go away. and then a couple of weeks ago that patch behind her ear came back to life. i knew in my heart it was time to take the steps that my gut told me way back when the first sight of eczema appeared. . .eliminate all dairy, eggs and be totally committed to a gluten free diet (which means no more oatmeal for mama).

what i've learned in my search to build a strong immune system for my baby is that if one or both parents has a history of food allergies it is best to exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first year of life. yes. just breast milk! baby can survive and thrive on breast milk alone for the first year. in fact, some sources will tell you that food for babies from 6 months to about a year is mostly for play and experience. especially if mama is healthy and eats well for two!

when people find out my daughter isn't on solids yet, i get a range of reactions and judgements. mostly i get, "OH!" or "we can't wait to feed her some yummy food". my husband is a rabbi and so on saturday afternooons we are surrounded by tons of jewish grandmas who can't wait to feed my little pumpkin. i had one sweet lady ask if she could give her ice cream. ice cream. . .really? she was only 6 months old. what the hell are people feeding their babies? so i've learned i have to watch these ladies like a hawk, and smile alot, because they all think my parenting is nuts.

so as of this sunday, i am officially gluten, dairy, and egg free. i sure do hope we get to a baseline soon, and the eczema fades. then i will introduce one of the suspected culprits at a time to see if a reaction slows. yes, this is a process, but to me it's worth it. we are talking about my daughter's health here. and if i can assist her in figuring out what she is sensitive to before she is aging and showing signs of a chronic situation, why not! if the patches don't go away, next we will be looking at soy and fish. . .

once we do reach baseline, and it's time to introduce solids we will do so one by one to observe any reaction. we have consciously decided to delay all grains until the age of two, which by the way, more and more people are realizing is healthier for a young baby's digestive tract.

i've decided to share with you some delicious ideas of what i am eating these days:
-creamy buckwheat cereal with coconut milk, pumpkin seeds, maple syrup and ground golden flax
-coconut water kefir
-seaweed miso soup with veggies
-homemade chicken soup
-vegetable ragu with rice pasta
-sardines with lemon and olive oil
-mary's gone crackers and hummus
-grilled fish and veggies with rice

the fragility of life

2011-09-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

this past week has been crazy for me. i spent the early part of the week putting my fermenting hat back on. it's been almost 2 years since i've actively fermented foods. if you don't know much about fermentation, you should. sandor katz has one of the best and easiest to understand fermentation books on the market, called wild fermentation. right now i have raw milk kefir and water kefir bubbling in my kitchen. i am also brewing kombucha and a blueberry soda. i've got some sour beets going as well.

on top of fermentation, i finally decided to dive into food preservation. given the uncertain state of the world, the fact our power was out during irene for 26 hours, and that we live in rural maine, i've decided we need to get real about having some decent supplies on hand with winter approaching. i heard from a woman at my acupuncturist office this week that she was without power for eleven days last year during an ice storm. wow! i was amazed. so, i am on a journey of pressure canning.

in the meantime, my sweet baby girl is a week shy of 8 months and sprouting her incisors. this will be her fifth and sixth teeth. on tuesday she started having sneezes and a runny nose. she also had a little diaper rash. i wasn't sure if she was coming down with a cold or a food allergy, after all i consumed a decent amount of peanut butter (which i never eat) during our power outage (we regretfully have an electric stove). by the way, i should mention that i still exclusively breastfeed. so i started dosing her up on briar rose and nux vomica. yesterday it seemed she was better, the rash was gone. . .and i found myself coming down with a cold.

on top of all of this, she is crawling all over the place and standing up against any surface she can. she gets into every corner and crevice she can. it's really amazing. sometimes i look at her and i can see her as a young toddler. and then i hear her cry and i can faintly hear the newborn still in her. and then i am bathing her from behind and i can imagine her shoulders as a young adult.

all of this got me thinking about the fragility of life. we live in some a delicate world. so many things are uncertain. and to watch my little one creeping and crawling in places, it's hard to know when to step in for safety and when to let her explore and take a bit of a risk. creating boundaries is so important, and coming from a place of respect and groundedness is key, and a bit of a struggle.

well, four days later, my baby has a full blown bug of some sort. i am sick as well. and she vomited on me three times this morning. the sensation of feeling her body heave and the fear in her eyes from that new experience was a rite of passage for me. managing to get us both cleaned up and in the bed for restoration was a journey. and so, here i lie, resting and praying for good health for both of us, and holding space for the power and fragility of all that is.

motherhood is a form of opression?

2011-08-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

i recently read an article written by a contemporary french philosopher. elizabeth badinter suggests that women have gone from one oppressor to the next. no longer are we oppressed by men, it's now babies. i have to admit when i first read the article i was completely disgusted by her tone. it's just flat out obnoxious.

when i read it again, i thought, elizabeth is an example of a woman who shouldn't be choosing motherhood. if she is so caught up in her needs and pleasures and wants to promote that, why not leave out motherhood altogether. being a mother is about sacrifice. no matter what your philosophy is on parenting, you must sacrifice something.

and beyond all of that, i love germany's approach to parenting. why not devote to your baby. . .they are only young for so long, and then your child grows into an independent being. nourish that life with consciousness, as the planet really doesn't need any more people asleep at the wheel.

and yeah, i cloth diaper, breastfeed on demand, bed share, practice infant elimination communication and all of those other "crunchy" things. i do it out of a consciousness that i am participating in a world that will be healthy and sustainable for my ascendants.

in the labyrinth

2011-08-16T05:44:00.000-07:00

this summer has been a season of transition for me and my little family. we uprooted our lives from los angeles and trekked to the opposite corner of the country, settling into the bangor, maine area. our new roots are still finding their way into the earth, and so much has changed since we left los angeles.

naviyah has grown from a 4 month old baby into a 7 month old baby. she has four beautiful teeth and she loves to smile all of the time, so one can often capture a glimpse! she has the sweetest laugh, and it comes easily. such a blessing to hear her laugh. she crawls and loves to be upside down on her head while standing in downward dog. yes, she is a natural yogi.

moving is stressful any time of life. it's a hard act to accomplish. and moving with a small growing teething baby is also no doubt, very challenging. there was the whole month of june, where our planet also met three eclipses, and honestly i didn't know how much longer i could hold onto my sanity.

now that we have most of our lives unpacked, and we are tuned into the maine rhythm, i feel as if i am coming into my own. a new identity is taking hold. an identity where i can call myself a mother, and also merge those bits of myself that took center stage before i was a mother. this whole process makes me think back to birthing from within, and the labyrinth we find ourselves in as new parents. once we give birth, we are just at the center, the heart of the labyrinth. but we must find our way out of the labyrinth to make our full return to the world, or society.

my labyrinth just happens to have a few extra layers to it, adding in a move, which entails a whole new community.

although i am beginning to claim my new identity and beginning to come out of the labyrinth, i can feel there is still much work to be done before i know who this new i is. this is about process. . .and there is nothing to rush. the pleasure in all of this is holding space for what is. . .the beautiful ever changing moments with my daughter as she grows and develops. as she vocalizes with sounds and laughter, as her eyes light up when we connect, as she grasps my breast while she feeds, as she flickers smiles in her sleep and as she bursts into tears to gain my attention.

i am lost in my labyrinth and i know exactly where i am. i am here.

so much things to say. . .

2011-04-28T16:48:00.000-07:00

. . .and not enough time! being a new mother is amazing. so far, it's hands down the most exciting and rewarding experience i have ever had. to hold this being that grew within, magically was born and lives and breathes is pretty spectacular!

i have always been one to value time and realize how sacred it is. as the years pass and i age, it seems time speeds faster and faster. i think we all experience this sensation as we age. and i also think this sensation happens now because we are literally living in a faster world, with so much of our lives in a digital realm that didn't even exist thirty years ago.

since the birth of my child time has become even more sacred. every moment with her is amazing! i remember when the night she was born i laid awake and stared at her all night long. every time i closed my eyes, i had to open them again to look at her beautiful body and sweet face. these feelings often wash over me. . .she is almost four months now and so much has changed. she smiles and is so strong her body, she loves to banter back and forth, grabs, and her body holds the sweetest fat rolls. i wish i could log every moment and capture so much through photographs, journals and videos. however, i want more than anything to be present for her, as much as possible. totally present. . .not talking on the phone and holding her. . .or reading a book and breastfeeding. . .or looking at her through a lens.

however, since there is only so much time in one day, and i have to do things in the world besides be in a baby cocoon, there are times i have to multitask. it's such a challenge to find that perfect balance. and really there is no perfect, it is all just one big flow, and about being flexible in the flow.

so, back to the beginning of this post: there is so much to say and do and track and record, and not nearly enough time. so how to cope? well, i am figuring it all out as i go, but what i am finding works best is to keep things as simple as possible. to find the time to sit and enjoy the breath and squeals of my daughter, to watch her grow, to enjoy my food, to enjoy my husband, and to do less. we westerners try to cram so much into a day. doing less, putting down the phones, turning off the computers and televisions, getting out of the car and taking it slow are true ways to sit and enjoy the passing of time, and watch our children grow.

the birth of naviyah

2011-03-05T18:33:00.000-08:00

eight weeks ago, my daughter was born into this world.

let me begin the story of her birth by saying that i feel birth is an extreme intimate event. i was very careful to chose who would be present at my birth, and i feel more women should consider this. sharing my story of giving birth is also a very intimate thing to do. i have gone back and forth on whether if this is something i wish to have out on the open web forum. and my final answer was yes, because i think birth needs to be back in the home. yes, i mean more women should give birth at home, however i realize that it is not safe for all women. and i also mean something else. birth should be back at the forefront of our consciousness. it is that important. we must talk about birth more, to learn and celebrate the entry of life. i invite you into my story of giving birth. birth needs to be normalized.

my own personal journey giving birth was so different than i thought it would be, and yet it was almost exactly what i imagined in my heart. i came to my birth as a woman who has witnessed many women give birth and heard countless tales of birth stories. what i knew more than anything is that birth is totally unpredictable.

i often thought i would give birth well past my baby's estimated due date. i imagined myself slowly laboring, and easily taking two or three days until i saw my baby. i know that we as people are so deeply affected by how we are born, that this too can affect the birth of our children. knowing that i was born when my mother was 42 weeks pregnant prepared me for the long haul. i also knew i was born by induction, and as much as i prepared to give birth at home, i also prepared myself for how i would face a hospital birth. and yet, birth taught me like so many other women how we never truly know.

looking back on my story, i realize the signs that my baby was coming were in some ways, obvious. however, many times a pregnant women will have signs of labor kick in, and then the body slows down, and a mother doesn't give birth until 3 weeks later. with the knowledge of a doula who has sat and watched women take days to give birth, i assumed those signs were just my body warming up.

around tuesday or wednesday of the week i gave birth, i started feeling a sensation in my cervix, that i imagined as softening. i knew that if my guess was correct, that it didn't mean so much. a woman can walk around dilated to 3 or 4 cm for a couple of weeks. i hadn't had my cervix checked since i was 38 weeks, and then i was just a fingertip along.

thursday evening a small ache in my low back started tingling. i had been suffering from intense sciatic pain running down my left leg for my last 3 weeks of pregnancy, so i assumed the ache in my sacrum was stemming from the sciatica pain. at one point that night i looked in my living room mirror and thought to myself that my belly looked a little lower, and then my husband said the same out loud.

thursday night was a wild night in our neighborhood. we had cops circling our house looking for an armed man and the energy was high and intense. i had a fleeting thought i could go into labor, and prayed my baby would stay cozy inside my womb, as i wondered how the midwife would make it my home with the streets blocked off with police. the activity died down around 2 am, and i was finally able to get a few hours of sleep.

i awoke early friday morning to attend a bris of a friend's baby. my husband and i went to the bris and then came home and went about our days. i met up with a friend i hadn't seen in months who i also served as her doula at the birth of her twins. it was great to reconnect and talk about my early pregnancy, as this was when when she saw me last. we swapped stories of her growing babes and my pregnancy. i spoke how my body was feeling a little different, and maybe things could be starting, but i really didn't think so. we did some walking, as i was an avid walker during my pregnancy. my midwife heavily suggests a pregnant women walk 5 miles a day. most people think this is nuts, however i stuck to 5 miles as much as possible, especially during the third trimester. this daily walk became a meditation.

after my walk with my friend, i met up with another friend who gave me some bodywork to help relieve the sciatica. we had a great session, and i felt so relaxed. i ventured from that experience to see my acupuncturist. it was the first time i received a treatment at dusk, and the lighting shift made me feel as if i was in a cocoon of healing. she also treated my sciatica and used some aromatherapy to calm my heart center. there was something so magical about the energy in her space that night, that a part of me considered i could go into labor soon. a patient in her waiting room mentioned that i looked ready to give birth and passed on well wishes.

i drove home to a beautifully clean house, and my husband cooking dinner with a friend on the way. we had a lovely meal together and enjoyed each other's company until about 10. i did my nightly ritual of sitz bath and perennial massage.

around 150 am on saturday morning i woke up with a strong sensation in my rectum. i went to the bathroom and had a bowel movement and then went back to bed. about 20 minutes later the sensation came back, and i had another bowel movement. i began to think, okay this is different. when do i wake up to these currents? so i let justin know that my body felt different and that labor could be starting. he made us tea and we sat by the fire. then we went back to bed. i couldn't really sleep, as i was starting to feel waves about every 15 minutes. the thing was, i didn't feel them in my uterus. they were all in my rectum. i continued to clean my bowels out. around 5 am i decided that since i wasn't really sleeping, i should drink a glass of red wine and take a bath. this relaxed me, but sleep never fully came. i laid in bed dozing until about 11 am, when i decided i should eat something. after a quick trip to the bathroom, i realized bloody show had arrived!

i called my midwife, davi, who said this could all be signs of early labor, or they could be symptoms of prelabor. she advised i do some walking, and call her when contractions were a minute in length, every four minutes apart, for at least an hour.

justin and i made a list for the store, as we thought we should stock up on food. i put on my clay mask and took a long shower and washed my hair. around 1 pm he went to the store and i hung out at home and did some yoga and organized a few things around the house. i wanted to make sure everything was ready for the birth. i called my mom around 2pm, to let her know that i was in the very beginning of labor. justin came home by 3 and by 330 we went on a walk to get labor more established, as i was having waves coming 8, 10, 12 minutes apart, and they were mild. all along the sensation was in my rectum each and every time. we walked down sherbourne and decided to visit our friend's house so i could use the bathroom. my waves were coming anywhere from 2.5 to 4 minutes apart and were lasting about 45 seconds long, sometimes a minute long, sometimes a little more. we arrived back home about an hour later, and looking back now, this is when active labor began for me. . .

at 5pm i called my midwife to share the changes. we decided she would come by in a couple of hours to check on me. i filled my doula in as well. i told her i was doing good, and she could hold out. justin was in the kitchen making chicken soup. being the organized person i am, i had a few playlists prearranged, all of the supplies neatly tucked in the corner in the living room, and the mood set. i was in the living room with the fireplace dancing candles lit, and music on. i was on my yoga mat on hands and knees rocking over my yoga ball. a krishna das song came on that brought me to tears. . .i realized at that moment that i was going to need some more support. i wanted bevin, my doula. so i had justin call her to our home, which was going to take about an hour. i rocked and swayed and then noticed the pressure in my rectum was becoming more and more intense. i had justin dress the bed for the birth, and decided a shower would be good to keep me distracted.

i sat down on the toilet and when i stood up, i felt something shift below. it was like my vagina had widened and was forced open. the sensation was odd, however the hormones were fully taking me for a ride, so my thinking mind was quiet. the pressure really shifted, and the waves were getting really strong. i made lots of sounds in the shower to get through the sensations. finally i couldn't take standing anymore and decided to get out of the shower. i tried to get dressed, but the sensations were too intense. i went to my bed to lay down, and realized that was also too much. bevin, my doula arrived at 6 and met me in my bedroom. i so wanted to get back to my yoga mat. . .that was where i had spent most of the day, it feel sure and secure. she helped me get dressed and we went back out into the living room. i felt myself tire and went to the couch, which really hurt to sit, but oh, how i needed some rest. i just wanted the pressure in my rectum to stop for a moment! i needed to be on hands and knees, but couldn't make it to the mat. i was on the hardwood floor. bevin helped me to the yoga mat. after a minute or two i knew i needed to be on the toilet. the pressure in my bottom was so intense and i wasn't sure if i had to have a bowel movement, or what, but i was starting to feel like i was losing my mind. i think this is when i announced we needed to call davi as the baby was low.

we went to the bathroom together, and i sat on the toilet. i was making primal sounds and at some point my chin came to my chest. bevin asked if i felt like pushing. i said maybe. davi soon arrived, around 620. she came straight to the bathroom and listened to baby's heart. i am not sure what i said, but i remember thinking there is no time for that! baby is sooooo low. she checked me while i sat on the toilet and said my water sac was right there.

bevin remembers, "as soon as davi walked in the door you let out this huge amazing sound that I only know to describe as the sound of a baby moving through the birth canal. davi walked in, checked you and said 'well girl, you are having a baby!' we got your pants off and davi half carried you to your bed."

so i needed to stand up, but i couldn't! she told me to put my arms around her, and she helped lift me off the toilet. we were waddling to the bedroom, and davi had one hand on my perineum and the other supporting my hips, both of my arms were wrapped tightly around her neck. i wasn't sure how to even get on the bed. i totally understand that place of pushing described by so many women, where the brain goes to the bottom and nothing really makes sense. i got on hands and knees, facing the wall and gave a push. since everything happened so fast we didn't have the towels or receiving blankets warmed up. in fact, there was a whole commotion about where everything was.

bevin recalled, "you crawled onto your bed on your hands and knees. things moved so fast then. we could see the amniotic sac coming through. it was this iridescent glowing orb coming out of your vagina in pulses. truly amazing! after just a few minutes your water burst and your daughters head crowned."

and my husband's memory, davi said, “papa, come here, the baby is coming.” I tossed the towels or gave them to someone, and rolled up my sleeves. as i came to danielle’s rear, the head began to slowly emerge, before the mouth came out it hardly looked like a head at all, as i reached my hand towards it to touch the head, the water bag burst and my arms were covered in the warmth and wet. my hand touched the soft, silky head covered in vernix and water. suddenly, this little head, hanging out of my wife’s vagina, was screaming in my face--waling, water rushing past the face even into the mouth. davi said, “danielle, reach down and feel your baby’s head. the head is here.” she did, and said, “oh my god.” one push, two pushes, and out fell a body into my hands and onto the bed. i remember thinking, “do i count fingers and toes or look between the legs?” i looked between the legs, “it’s a girl, danielle! it’s a little girl.”

i heard our baby crying and half the body was still inside! i gave another push and the entire body was born at 631, and justin said, "it's a girl"! naviyah was born!

bevin: you gave one and a half more strong pushes and naviyah was born! amniotic fountain!! justin caught her and then passed her to you through your legs. you were so fast in tearing off your shirt and bringing her to your chest! both you and justin immediately rejoiced that you had a girl!

i felt a rush of so many things, shock, awe, love, bliss, total spinning, high and light. i stood up on my knees and immediately stripped off my tank top and lifted her up to me. i had help crawling up to the top of the bed where i leaned back on pillows and put her to my chest. i looked down and she was so warm and pink and round. it was amazing! she looked so healthy and alive and she cried and cried. i felt higher than high.

naviyah had perfect 10 apgars. she came out with clear fluid and in a perfect position. the whole experience was so magical. i just rode my body. i had prepared myself to feel such intense pain, that i think all along i was so surprised i was actually giving birth so fast, that i didn't believe it was actually happening.

after naviyah was born jessica, davi's assistant arrived. my birth team worked on getting us cleaned and organized and then retreated to the living room so that justin and i could have quiet time with naviyah. it was such a sweet time. it all felt so surreal. the endorphins from birth stayed with me for hours. i couldn't sleep a wink that night. i just stared at her all night long, totally amazed and in awe of the entire experience, and most of all this beautiful pink breathing body that grew inside my womb, and was now sleeping in the crook of my arm. giving birth was so fulfilling. it was amazing and empowering. i am blessed to have this life, to have this experience.

the needs of a new mother

2010-12-19T07:18:00.000-08:00

as i am preparing for my own postpartum journey, i have been guided to aviva jill romm's natural health after birth. this is an awesome read, filled with recipes and tools to get through postpartum and beyond in a holistic and loving way.

here is what every new mom needs and deserves:

-- a good listener whom you can talk to about anything, as many times as you need to, and confidentially

--time and space for solitude and reflextion

--someone who is willing to guard your privacy

--to feel protected, honored and nurtured

--reassurance that you are doing a good job

--noncritical support and advice

--praise and encouragement

--time-out now and then for a bath, a shower, or a quiet moment

--good, healthy food

--plenty of rest

--respect for your emotions

a great article and resources on teratogens

2010-11-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

Environmental Exposure, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Informed Choice and Reducing Stigma

November 3, 2010 By Walker Karraa, MFA, MA, CD(DONA) Leave a Comment

By Walker Karraa, MFA, MA, CD(DONA) with special contribution by Sonia Alvarado, MPH, University of California, San Diego
This past week, I had the good fortune to hear former first lady Rosalynn Carter deliver the keynote speech at the Marce/PSI conference on perinatal mental health. Mrs. Carter has devoted her life’s work to helping those most vulnerable in our society, the mentally ill. While her work has been on the full spectrum of mental illness in our society, her experience speaks directly to those of us who have had a mental illness in the perinatal period, preconception through one year post delivery. Her message was clear: End Stigma. In her new book, “Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis,” Mrs. Carter explains,
“Stigma is the most damaging factor in the life of anyone who has mental illness.”
This could not be more true for women in childbearing years. I vividly remember being 8 months pregnant, picking up my medication from a local grocery store pharmacy where the clerk questioned me as to my knowledge of the “risks” of taking medication while pregnant. My neighbor was in line behind me. I was humiliated, and demoralized regarding my treatment.
Mrs. Carter is quick to point out that the power of stigma to keep us from gaining the information we need to be well and potentially save our lives.
We are not unaccustomed to stigma in the birth world. We have used our voices and each other to make great strides to end stigma of breastfeeding in public, and having non-medicated childbirths with doulas if we wish. And it has been reassuring, good information which has helped us fight those battles. This is where my friend Sonia comes in, and the word, “Teratology.”
Teratogen Information Specialists (TIS) play a crucial role in arming childbearing women with information regarding the risks and benefits of environmental exposures, over-the-counter medications (OTC), prescription medications, and herbal supplements.
Given the fact that higher than 80% of women take at least one dose of medication (exclusive of vitamins) during pregnancy¹, we deserve the right to utilize teratogenic services to learn of the efficacy, risks, and benefits of in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
I am delighted and grateful to have interviewed Sonia Alvarado, Teratogen Specialist, Supervisor at the University of California San Diego, as she offers how you can easily access this information and make a truly informed choice.
_________________________________________________
Walker: What is a teratogen?
Sonia: A teratogen is an environmental agent that has been found to cause a specific pattern of birth defects after exposure during pregnancy. The agent could be a drug (prescription, over-the-counter, illicit, etc.), illness, chemical or radiation. Although teratogens are associated with a specific pattern of birth defects, not every affected infant will necessarily have all of the features. For example, a drug may be associated with five features, and some infants will have five and others may have only two. Finally, not every embryo or fetus is affected by an exposure during pregnancy; usually, its a percentage of embryos’ or fetuses.
Walker: What is a teratogen information specialist (TIS)?
Sonia: Teratogen Information Specialists or counselors are trained to evaluate an exposure(s) using medical evidence, including published research, and using established scientific principles including teratology principles.
Walker: Are you funded by pharmaceutical companies?
Sonia: No, the California Teratogen Information Service (CTIS) is funded by the State of California, Department of Education. The funding is constant every year.
Walker: What happens when a person calls the CTIS hotline? (800) 532-3749
Sonia: Every person who calls can expect a caring and interested voice at the other end. Risk assessments are based on the scientific evidence and teratology principles. We ask details about the pregnancy, including last menstrual period, number of pregnancies, spontaneous abortions (miscarriage), terminations, and stillbirths. We ask details about the exposure, including dose, timing (dates), frequency, etc. We ask for a first name and zip code, race/ethnicity only for demographic purposes, however, no one is required to give demographic information for the service as the service can be provided anonymously. We like to do an intake that includes exposures to other agents that may be a concern, such as fever, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. We offer information on recommendations such as flu and pertussis vaccines. Finally, a summary letter of the information we provide can be mailed or emailed to the caller.
Walker: What is one of the most common calls you receive?
Sonia: The most common calls are about hair color or other cosmetic products, and pesticides. The most common prescription call is about antidepressants. Most of our contact is through the telephone, however, we do have e-mail service available through our Website, and coming soon, we’ll have live chat available as well, during program hours (Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm).
Walker: Can a mom take the fact sheets from the Website to her care provider/or have them call you?
Sonia: Absolutely! We welcome calls from health providers as we know that most are too busy to look up the research related to specific exposures. Additionally, by taking the fact sheets to the doctor or nurse, we help facilitate the care the pregnant woman needs and should receive.
Walker: Can you give us an example of a caller’s story?
Sonia: This service has been the recipient of literally hundreds of thousands of calls over the years and every call is absolutely important. Some women however, have stories so compelling that they stay in our memories forever.
Such was the case of a health professional who called our service. She called because she had received an emergency medication treatment for what was thought to be an ectopic pregnancy at the emergency department of a hospital. The medication was intended to save her life and terminate the pregnancy which was located in the fallopian tube. Her voice was steady, resigned even, as she explained that the treatment had been given in error. She did not have an ectopic pregnancy. It had just been too early to see her embryo on an ultrasound. We went over her exposure and we talked about the number of birth defects that were possible as a result of the exposure. We also talked about the potential that her baby might not be affected. She opted to continue her relationship with us through our follow up program.
During the pregnancy, she discovered that her baby did have birth defects, the range of which only became apparent after she delivered. Unfortunately for her, and her baby, the defects were devastating and her baby girl died a few months after delivery, after many medical interventions. Although this story has a tragic ending, the mother let us know on several occasions that she appreciated having the counselors on our end to talk to. She found some comfort in giving us updates on her child’s health — both during the pregnancy and after delivery. Additionally, she enrolled in one of our studies during the pregnancy, which allowed her experience to be used as part of our on-going research. She recognized that her experience was not unique and most likely would happen in the future to another woman. She wanted to contribute to the knowledge that we have about medication use in pregnancy to help us counsel more precisely and to help other women in the future.
Fortunately, most of our calls do not result in our having to deliver risk-assessments involving birth defects, and instead, most of the time, we are providing reassuring information.
With reassuring, evidence-based information, we can overcome any societal myth or stigma regarding our choices in pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Visit www.ctispregnancy.org today and see what you think!
California Teratogen Information Service (CTIS) Pregnancy Health Information Line is California’s only information service that provides FREE up-to-date and evidence-based information about the possible effects of:

Medications (over the counter and prescription)
Herbal supplements (vitamins, herbal preparations)
Infections or diseases (i.e. pertussis, herpes)
Recreational substances (i.e. alcohol, marijuana)
Chemicals (i.e. hair dye, paint, cleaning products, cosmetics)
Physical Substances (i.e. X-ray)

These may affect the baby during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. CTIS experts are available to answer questions Monday – Friday via the toll-free hotline (800) 532-3749 or online at www.ctispregnancy.org. CTIS is a non-profit funded by the Department of Education and based at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics.
The national partner of CTIS is OTIS www.otispregnancy.org

massage oil for pregnancy

2010-11-12T15:13:00.000-08:00

my fabulous acupuncturist Yamin Chehin offered a wonderful massage formula to me in order to help prevent stretch marks. i order the oils in bulk from a trusted source like mountain rose herbs and mix my own concoction at home. i have been using this oil blend since i was 16 weeks pregnant. i am now 31 weeks pregnant, and so far my skin is soft and supple, and in excellent shape!

here is the recipe:
200 ml hazelnut oil
20 ml rosehip oil
4 ml mandarin oil

i also have added a few of my favorite oils to this blend. i love kukui nut oil and tamanu oil. they are both known to be healing and beneficial oils, as they are deeply penetrating, have essential fatty acids, and can heal damaged skin. i also add lavender essential oil, as it is calming and balancing.

dancing with dream time

2010-10-26T21:38:00.000-07:00

for most women pregnancy offers a time of vivid dreams. ever since my first trimester, i've been having detailed and wild dreams. wild in the sense that i wake up and think to myself, wow, that was an adventure. some people believe the soul of your soon to be child communicates through the dream realm. some people often see the dream realm as a sacred time to listen to the spirit world, or the subconscious. to me, dreams are quite powerful. they invoke a sense of creativity into my mundane world. the brightness and richness with which i dream pregnant has inspired me to take careful note.

i sleep with a little journal and pen next to my bed. the mornings i wake up remembering my dream, i immediately write down the story and as many details as possible. i simply write. . .to enjoy the story of this narrative. i don't mull over my dreams attempting to decipher the meaning, although i do often look over the words with curiosity.

i now have a journal filling up with numerous stories, and it's fun to go back over the course of my pregnancy and reread what i was dreaming. i have had some birth and baby dreams, and those are especially important to me. i do believe the souls that choose us to communicate through many realms, and the dream realm seems like a natural medium. as i recall my dreams in writing i feel as if i am honoring this sacred time with a sense of pause and reflection before i begin my day.

a birthing sabbatical

2010-10-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

hello there friends and readers! i know i haven't been the best about keeping my blog up to date. my life has been totally full of baby. . .my own baby making that is. in fact, i am officially on a doula sabbatical. i am taking this time to generate my wee one in my womb, as i am now 27 weeks along! it's such an exciting time. . .and yet in some ways a little sad. i know i am going to truly miss serving women and their families along in their birthing and postpartum journeys.

however the beauty in all of this is that i get to experience it for myself! and what is even more beautiful is that now i am surrounded by my own amazing birthing team, and i get to feel the love and support of being held.

despite the fact that i am signing off of the doula scene for an unknown amount of time (family comes first) i will continue to keep my feet wet. i will still be encapsulating placentas and teaching private childbirth sessions. if you know anyone in need of these services please do think of me!

i hope to continue to share parts of my prenatal journey with my readers. thank you for staying tuned!

with love,
danielle

swimmingly delicious

2010-09-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

i am now over 21 weeks pregnant and truly enjoying this experience! the second trimester has been gentle in comparison to the first. i keep marveling at the difference of being on this side of pregnancy, since i've been working with pregnant women for a few years, and usually find myself on the supportive side of the prenatal journey. this time of life truly is special, and part of me is already sad that half of it has passed!

so, to honor these moments, my goal is to make the most of each day. what i take into my body, whether it is food, drink, emotions, people, places, experiences, etc. is of utmost importance. and as i am growing and shifting, at times my mind wanders to my past. growing up i used to swim competitively. i loved the freedom of moving from lap to lap, the quality of the water, the color, the bubbles and the motion of repetition. swimming was my first dance with meditation. one of my goals for the past few years has been to swim, and so with this pregnancy i finally said, i am doing this!

i go three times a week to a local pool, and luckily i've found one that uses mostly saline and not much chlorine at all. once more i am greeted with the sensation of the water moving against my body. i love watching the bubble and the colors shift underwater. i am using my breath as a moving meditation. and for the first time, i feel truly connected to my baby in a unique way. it is quite surreal to think of my baby swimming in a sac of water in my uterus, as i too swim in a body of water. i feel like we are dancing together, breathing together and bonding in a new way.

a brighter day for midwives in los angeles

2010-08-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

below you will find a letter written by Deborah Frank, a well known and respected los angeles midwife. her letter outlines how cedars sinai has recently granted her full permission to attend births at their hospital. a year ago, this could only happen with a physician in attendance. this is good news indeed!!!

Dear Friends,

Almost two years ago I was granted hospital privileges as a midwife at Cedars Sinai Medical Center; this was a milestone as I first applied 27 years ago. A month later I received a subsequent communication from the hospital saying that when I was in the hospital I was required to have a physician present while I was delivering care. This was not consistent with the state laws and the guidelines of the professional organization of physicians (ACOG) or midwives (ACM). This meant that my clients needed to pay a physician as well as a midwife to have their baby with me. This presented a barrier for women wishing to have their birth at Cedars with a midwife. I received the good news on Friday that this will no longer by required. My hope is that this may serve as a tipping point for other hospital in LA to open their doors to midwives and that even more options for women to access midwifery care in LA will become available. Thank you to so many of you who have encouraged and supported this effort over many years. At last....

Best wishes to you,
Deb Frank

MIDWIVES WITH WOMEN
Deborah Frank, CNM
421 North Rodeo Drive
Penthouse 1
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-275-5595

trials of the first trimester

2010-07-16T16:14:00.000-07:00

i love blogging, and i used to pride myself on actively blogging. with time, this blog has become quite sleepy. for the past two months, i've found myself in a vortex of the unexpected. the unexpected being that i am expecting!

i have to admit, not only was i shocked that i became pregnant. . .i was shocked at what it means to be pregnant in the first trimester. the first trimester felt like a spiral of the unknown. most women complain of nausea during the first trimester. for me, a slew of other symptoms began to rule my days and nights around week 5. i found myself, yes a bit nausea. foods that i would normally love, like quinoa and collard greens or kale made me feel disgusted, however i was grateful that my palette still loved fresh fruit. it seemed that for a number of weeks my diet consisted of raw fruit, yogurt, kefir, smoothies, baked potatoes and an occasional green juice. my midwife kindly said that some women are lucky to keep down coke and potato chips, and that i was doing excellent.

fortunately i didn't experience too much morning sickness. i was blessed with the knowledge that eating small snacks every two hours helps to keep the nausea at bay.

being one who is educated in the realm of pregnancy, birth and infant care, i immediately felt pressured to begin my pregnancy perfectly. thank goodness my midwife, davi kaur khalsa gently explained that it was too early to go to yoga every day, walk five miles and examine my diet with great care. she said the first trimester is all about kind to yourself. when i heard this, i internally breathed a sigh of relief. . .however it took a few weeks to give myself the compassion that i so readily share with my clients.

what overwhelmed me in the beginning of my pregnancy was the sudden lack of energy. i felt totally exhausted after waking for less than an hour. i felt as if i could sleep all day long, and go to bed before 9 pm. however, like most western women, i had work scheduled, so sleep had to wait.

i was very surprised by my new self. what surprised me the most was the emotional roller coaster i rode. i felt like i could cry each day, multiple times per day. this truly had me worried, and i think even worried my husband for a bit. not only was i a wellspring of emotions, i also felt a deep desire to stay at home as much as possible. the thought of going out and being surrounded by people, even good friends, just felt like too much. i found that taking bach's walnut essence remedy and using neroli essential oil assisted in finding balance.

i also found my bowels plugged up, so much that i felt i looked pregnant early on, just from constipation. my breasts were extremely tender, and rapidly grew. on some days i felt as if i could feel my pubic bone and hips shifting to create more space for my growing uterus. my growing uterus pushed on my bladder, so that i found myself arising from bed sometimes 6 times in one night.

why i share these symptoms in a blog is because it is rare you find women talking about the trials of the first trimester. usually pregnant women don't begin to circle up until the second trimester. we do often associate nausea with the first trimester, but beyond that, not much else is spoken about, especially the emotions. pregnancy, for most people is a blessing and a huge gift, something to celebrate, not cry about daily. however, in the beginning my emotions ran wild, and a huge part of me felt guilty for this. i know that i am not alone, and i think it's important that we as women help support other's through this sensitive time.

relief came around week 11. my sense became open to a variety of foods. i also noticed my emotions evening out. . .although i have to admit, i am still sensitive. however, in general, i feel great. and i am beginning to see how pregnancy is one of the most amazing points in a woman's life. now, looking back on the past 2 months, i have great compassion for the first trimester. in those first few weeks, i felt totally possessed. like a force had taken over my body and claimed me for it's own. and in reality, that is what happened. so much is happening in the beginning as the fetus's framework is being laid out, and this intense work drains the mother's life force. on top of draining the life force, the mother instinctively must work hard to protect this growing fetus, creating a healthy and happy being.

creating time for creativity

2010-05-05T22:56:00.000-07:00

it's been over a month since my last post, and i am finding myself swimming in babies. from postpartum work, to impending births, prenatal yoga classes and birthing workshops, the baby season is in full bloom.

the work i do is very full and intense, and for me to find continuous balance, i must offer myself plenty of self care. self care includes anything from quality family time, to yoga, to breathing in some fresh ocean air. what is at the top of my list these days is creativity. the more i create, the more i feel connected to my core.

i used to consider myself an artist, first and foremost. since living in los angeles, i have tried on other titles and hats. regardless of which hat i am wearing, i find myself always at the source of my own creativity. i recently attended a lecture at birth and beyond in santa monica, ca. the guest lecturer was the gifted laura uplinger, who shared an abundance of fresh and raw birthing information to roomful of doulas and birth advocates. my greatest take away from her lecture is that pregnant women need creativity more than anything else.

knowledge and information only take you so far in life, and birth. at the end of the day, a woman gives birth with her body, not her mind. the heart and body connection will get you through any adversity. and creativity is at the root of this. and at the root of creativity is celebration.

celebration

how might you invoke more celebration in your life?

how might you invite creativity to become a daily part of your existence?

how might you mentor your children to create on a daily basis?

how does deepening your creative process bring you into connection with self?

if this discussion has sparked your interest, i suggest you read on. . .

The following article was written by Anne Lamott and appeared in the April

2010 issue of Sunset Magazine. She explores the idea of why it is important

to tend to one¹s creative life.

----------

I sometimes teach classes on writing, during which I tell my students every

single thing I know about the craft and habit. This takes approximately 45

minutes. I begin with my core belief, and the foundation of almost all wisdom

traditions, that there is nothing you can buy, achieve, own, or rent that can

fill up that hunger inside for a sense of fulfillment and wonder. But the

good news is that creative expression, whether that means writing, dancing,

bird-watching, or cooking, can give a person almost everything that he or

she has been searching for: enlivenment, peace, meaning, and the

incalculable wealth of time spent quietly in beauty.

Then I bring up the bad news: You have to make time to do this.

This means you have to grasp that your manic forms of connectivity‹cell

phone, email, text, Twitter‹steal most chances of lasting connection or

amazement. That multitasking can argue a wasted life. That a close

friendship is worth more than material success.

Needless to say, this is very distressing for my writing students. They

start to explain that they have two kids at home, or five, a stable of

horses or a hive of bees, and 40-hour workweeks. Or, on the other hand,

sometimes they are climbing the walls with boredom, own nearly nothing, and

are looking for work full-time, which is why they can't make time now to

pursue their hearts' desires. They often add that as soon as they retire, or

their last child moves out, or they move to the country, or to the city, or

sell the horses, they will. They are absolutely sincere, and they are

delusional.

I often remember the story from India of a beggar who sat outside a temple,

begging for just enough every day to keep body and soul alive, until the

temple elders convinced him to move across the street and sit under a tree.

Years of begging and bare subsistence followed until he died. The temple

elders decided to bury him beneath his cherished tree, where, after

shoveling away a couple of feet of earth, they found a stash of gold coins

that he had unknowingly sat on, all those hand-to-mouth years.

You already have the gold coins beneath you, of presence, creativity,

intimacy, time for wonder, and nature, and life. Oh, yeah, you say? And

where would those rascally coins be?

This is what I say: First of all, no one needs to watch the news every

night, unless one is married to the anchor. Otherwise, you are mostly going

to learn more than you need to know about where the local fires are, and how

rainy it has been: so rainy! That is half an hour, a few days a week, I tell

my students. You could commit to writing one page a night, which, over a

year, is most of a book.

If they have to get up early for work and can't stay up late, I ask them if

they are willing NOT to do one thing every day, that otherwise they were

going to try and cram into their schedule.

They may explain that they have to go to the gym four days a week or they

get crazy, to which I reply that that's fine‹no one else really cares if

anyone else finally starts to write or volunteers with marine mammals. But

how can they not care and let life slip away? Can't they give up the gym

once a week and buy two hours' worth of fresh, delectable moments? (Here

they glance at my butt.)

Can they commit to meeting one close friend for two hours every week, in

bookstores, to compare notes? Or at an Audubon sanctuary? Or a winery?

They look at me bitterly now--they don't think I understand. But I do; I know

how addictive busyness and mania are. But I ask them whether, if their

children grow up to become adults who spend this one precious life in a spin

of multitasking, stress, and achievement, and then work out four times a

week, will they be pleased that their kids also pursued this kind of

whirlwind life?

If not, if they want much more for their kids, lives well spent in hard work

and savoring all that is lovely, why are they living this manic way?

I ask them, is there a eucalyptus grove at the end of their street, or a new

exhibit at the art museum? An upcoming minus tide at the beach where the

agates and tidepools are, or a great poet coming to the library soon? A pond

where you can see so many turtles? A journal to fill?

If so, what manic or compulsive hours will they give up in trade for the

equivalent time to write, or meander? Time is not free; that's why it's so

precious and worth fighting for.

Will they give me one hour of housecleaning in exchange for the poetry

reading? Or wash the car just one time a month, for the turtles? No? I

understand. But at 80, will they be proud that they spent their lives

keeping their houses cleaner than anyone else in the family did, except for

mad Aunt Beth, who had the vapors? Or that they kept their car polished to a

high sheen that made the neighbors quiver with jealousy? Or worked their

fingers to the bone providing a high quality of life, but maybe accidentally

forgot to be deeply and truly present for their kids, and now their

grandchildren?

I think it's going to hurt. What fills us is real, sweet, dopey, funny life.

I've heard it said that every day you need half an hour of quiet time for

yourself, or your Self, unless you're incredibly busy and stressed, in which

case you need an hour. I promise you, it is there. Fight tooth and nail to

find time, to make it. It is our true wealth, this moment, this hour, this

day.

-Anne Lamott

final farm musings and a passage in portland

2010-04-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

i am back on the traveling road. my gypsy soul tends to keep my life in a traveling stir, no matter how hard i work to stay grounded in one space. i have a strong intention to keep my blog consistent, and yet, consistency is hard on the road.

so from portland, oregon i sit to share with you my final thoughts on my farm journey back in march. somehow it is already early april. how does our time space continuum always feel as if it is speeding up? is this just a sign of aging?

i won't be back in los angeles until mid april, so this very well might be my last blog post until then.

when i think about the farm, my thoughts fly straight to the word gift. it was such an incredible gift to be at the farm in tennessee. i knew before i went that my time there would forever shape my life, and it truly has. i feel so proud and passionate for my love of birth, and how essential and beautiful it is for all of us, parents and parentless alike to be educated in the realm of birth. every single one of us humans has been born. it is a fact of life. so why, are we so uneducated on birth, until we find ourselves with a baby on the way?

at this point i am wordless on how to sum up all of my farm experiences into a short story. i feel my pictures speak in a language more coherent and fluid than letters will ever form.

a friday at the farm

2010-03-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

friday was our first real day to relax at the farm. mind you, the friday i speak of was march 5. obi and i took lots and lots of walks to pass our time. if you know anything about a six month old teething baby, you know how much they really love to be with their mama. so to keep obi distracted from thoughts of his mother while he was busy cutting four new teeth, we got to know the lay of the farm's land. we strolled down to the farm store, and on our way stopped by to say hi to some lovely horses.

i traveled to the farm with two women, aka mom-friendly productions, who set out with the intention to create a documentary on midwife ina may gaskin. throughout our journey together i learned quite a bit about the process of creating a documentary film, the history of the farm, the history of midwifery, and fun details about ina may. what i think impacted me the most in my learning was observing firsthand what it is like for new moms to dive back into their work. sara is a mother of a two year old, and 6 month old. this is her first film since birthing both of her children. mary is also a mother to a two year old, and this too is her first film since having her son. the emotions felt so thickly layered as i grasped how excited these women were to be creative and how passionate they felt about their work. and yet, you could feel a tear in this seam of passion, as this is work means time apart from their families.

the sanctuary

2010-03-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

are you a los angeles mother to be considering a hospital birth, but wishing you had a birth center close by to attend? in the next 90 days, there is a large possibility that the sanctuary will be opening a birth center with 1-2 birthing rooms initially in culver city.

according to a colleague of mine, there is an investor for this project who would like to see what the level of interest is for a birthing center in los angeles. here is where you come in! if you know of pregnant women or women who have babies and are thinking of becoming pregnant again who are interested in birthing in this way, please direct them to www.birthsanctuary.com.

once they enter the site, they can click on "Birthing Center Waiting List" in red on the right hand side. they can read about this exciting news and if they are interested in the possibility of using a birth center, please ask them to fill out the listed letter. rhis will show the investor that there is much interest!

we began in alabama

2010-03-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

i have just returned from a near two week adventure to the farm in tennesse. this journey was such an amazing experience for me on many levels. the first and foremost, is that it was such an honor to meet ina may gaskin and pamela hunt, two of the infamous farm midwives. i have read all of ina may's books, and whole-heartedly recommend them to my clients. now, i truly have a face to the name, and even moreso, i know that this woman is one of the wisest we have on our planet at this time.

i had hopes of blogging daily from the farm, but due to technological difficulties, i will now be uploading snippets of my adventures at the farm over the course of the next few days.

we truly began our journey by leaving the farm with ina may, and driving down to selma, alabama where we spent the night at the saint james hotel. stepping into this hotel was like stepping into a time capsule. the walls were thick with history, and at breakfast, all of us women spoke of feelings of ghosts lacing our dreams. we were a group of five: ina may gaskin, mary and sara, two documentary film makers who are in the midst of creating a film about ina may, sara's baby obi, and me, a doula supporting the cause by looking after obi so that his mama could create a film.

so we came down to south western alabama, which is over 5 hours of driving from rural tennesse to honor the life of margaret charles smith. thursday morning, we drove from selma to marion where margaret charles smith was inducted into the alabama women's hall of fame. mrs. smith was an amazing woman. . .you can honestly feel her radiance and strength just by looking at a photo of her. together her and linda janet holmes co authored her biography, "listen to me good". although this read is about a midwife in rural alabama, it also touches on what it meant to be a descendant of a slave, and how the lives of blacks changed in alabama as midwifery also changed, eventually becoming illegal.

it was incrediably special to be at the induction of mrs. smith with ina may because the two of them became quite close in the later part of mrs. smith's life. ina may laced the day for us traveling women with stories of margaret. we traveled from the induction on highway 14 east to margaret's home of eutaw, where we stopped at the town square where her book signing was, saw her second house after her first had burnt to the ground, and her resting place. walking amongst the headstones, you could immediatley tell which grave was margaret's. it was so regal in size.

as we drove down mrs. smiths old street, stephen (ina may's husband) called with a message from an ABC news reporter. this reporter was compiling information for a story that was going to be aired that night, in less than two hours. the story was about the rise of the mortality rate of mothers in the state of california. ina may, being the graceful woman that she is, took the time to call this woman, and dig through her database and list off over 21 names so this story could air. it seemed so fitting that we paused near mrs. smith's house while all of this took place.

as we sat in stillness, i was reminded of the webs we weave in life, and how all is interconnected. on the day we honored margaret charles smith, who delivered over 3000 babies and never lost a mother, ina may gaskin delivered important information to an ABC news correspondant on an issue that is dear to her heart, motherhood mortality.

word from the Farm

2010-03-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

i've been out of the city of angels for over a week now. my goal while at the farm, was to blog on a daily basis. i've been blogging on my computer, but due to low internet connectivity, it looks like i won't be able to actually post until i return back home. so in the meantime, i leave you with ina may's inspirational project, the safe motherhood quilt project. please take the time to check out this website and sort through some of these stories. may these women live and breathe through you, as we honor the power of a mother, and the sacredness of her life. may this world become a safe place for women and their children, and may each woman have the right to a safe birth and a safe postpartum experience.

coping with colic

2010-03-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

it is important to check with your pediatrician to ensure that your baby is healthy. this will put your mind at ease, and assist you to cope with this time period. for many babies who go through a colic phase it usually peaks around 6 weeks of age.

one of the best ways to get through a colicky phase with your baby is to accept this behavior. you will learn to establish a routine, and know that every day around the same time, your baby will cry and that eventually it will stop. there is a beginning and there is an ending. it is best to avoid activities or outings during this time.

in robin lim's "after the baby's birth. . .a woman's way to wellness" a mother states:

before 'colic time' i would try to get in a nap or a foot rub or a quick-paced walk. this would give me the courage to face what was surely ahead, two hours of constant crying. sometimes when my baby was crying it helped to let go and cry some too. i got into the habit of taking a long relaxing bath after my baby was finally asleep. i got through it this way.

developing a meditation or breathing practice will also assist in getting through the tears. one of the sweetest gifts you can give your newborn is to hold the space for her to release.

a few postpartum practices from around the world

2010-02-28T07:14:00.000-08:00

i've recently begun reading a fabulous book on mothers and the postpartum period. if you are in need for a postpartum read, i recommend robin lim's after the baby's birth. . .a woman's way to wellness. the unique part about this book is that robin wrote this book while she was pregnant with her fourth child and during her own postpartum phase. much of the advice comes straight from a mother's heart.

here are a few excerpts from robin's book in regards to postpartum practices around the world:

the balinese begin honoring new life in the third month of pregnancy by holding ceremonies in which offerings are given to ensure the health and well-being of the mother and child. once the baby has been born a ceremony is held, during which the afterbirth and apropriate offerings are buried. at twelve days postpartum the new mother is "purified". for the first 105 days of life, the child never touches the ground. she is held in arms continuously until the ceremony that officially welcomes the baby into the family.

sweden encourages mothers to stay home with their babies by giving them two years of maternity leave with full pay. this paid time off from work to nurture the baby may be used entirely by the mother or split with the baby's father.

in india, ayurvedic tradition encourages a new mother to stay at home and be pampered for the first twenty-two days postpartum. her role as an exalted one is honored. this time of rest helps strengthen the infant/mother bond. in this precious laying-in time, breastfeeding becomes smooth, and a feeding routine is established. rest and protection of both mother's and baby's delicate nervous systems are priorities. few visitors are allowed, and mother and baby stay out of the wind and weather, decreasing the possibility of exposure to disease. specially prepared foods are served to the mother.

most births in holland take place at home, and excellent in-home postpartum care is provided by midwives in training. these mother's helpers live in for eight to ten days. they do virtually everything from cleaning to cooking to child care. the helper reports to the midwife who managed the mother's labor and delivery. at day ten and six weeks the managing midwife also checks on the mother and her baby.

gluten and infertility

2010-02-24T10:42:00.000-08:00

dr mercola recently posted this blog on the connection between infertility and celiac disease. if you don't know about celiac disease, please do some research. basically it is an intolerance to gluten. because gluten has become such a part of the western industrialized diet, it seems more and more people are becoming intolerant. hence, the uprising of wheat allergies.

well, it turns out that gluten intolerance can even even affect women with miscarriage and preterm births. and men are also affected with abnormal sperm and lower testosterone levels. diet has such a deep impact on our health. it seems the deeper we travel through this rabbit hole, the more things we find we cannot eat. sugar, is by far the worst culprit of them all. so if you are trying to get pregnant, and not having much sucess, why not look into your diet before you look into fertilty treatments.

also, if you are overwhelmed on how to eat gluten free, this blog has some ideas to get you going.

best of luck!

red raspberry. . .a gift for women

2010-02-21T19:25:00.000-08:00

red raspberry is by far the safest of all prenatal herbs. . .red raspberry tones the uterus and muscles of the pelvic region, and also contains many vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C, D, E, F, G, A and B complex, calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorus and potassium.

there are many benefits to drinking red raspberry leaf tea. red raspberry increases fertility in both men and women, prevents miscarriage and hemorrhage, eases morning sickness, reduces pain during labor and after birth, helps to bring down an undelivered placenta, assists in production of plentiful breast milk and colostrum, decreases the menstrual flow, relieves painful menstruation.

i recommend drinking this delightful tea throughout pregnancy. i also recommend drinking nettle tea. many women find that it's best to alternate nettle with red raspberry from one week to the next. these two herbs will see you through pregnancy and beyond. enjoy the healing of the plant kingdom!

Dr Jessica Zucker on speaks out on building connection with your baby

2010-02-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

Connection is created, navigated, broken, and repaired almost daily from the moment we are born. At the heart of being alive lies the vitality of being connected to others -- feeling that what we do matters. What's more is that we rely on being deeply understood by those around us in order to thrive. But how do we learn about healthy connection? What does it look like to build strong ties with others? Where do we learn about relating with people and the world more broadly? If connecting is so central to happiness, why does it seem so challenging to create deep bonds that last?

These are among the myriad questions I hear daily in my practice as a clinician working with pregnant women, new mothers, couples, and men. Intuitively we all have some sense that what happens during childhood impacts who we are, but making sense of why we are who we are can be a challenging, confusing, and daunting process. Arming ourselves with the basic tools to gracefully negotiate emotional intimacy may be a lifelong journey. I've gathered some meaningful questions that may shed light on the ingredients that comprise a healthy recipe for relating. Here are the top five frequently asked questions about how to help inform meaningful attachment relationships from birth onward.

Q: What is attachment?

A: Attachment is the process as well as the quality of the relationship that an infant forms with caregivers. Initial experiences in relationship with primary caregivers lay the groundwork for subsequent relationships -- how the developing child views connection, how she experiences her self, and the world around her. Attachment can occur with biological and adoptive mothers, fathers, stepparents, grandparents, and any other consistent person in the child's life. Embedded in repeated experiences of predictable care, the infant learns about trust and security. Growing up in an environment infused with safety and intentionality ensures healthy social and emotional development. "Children with a history of secure attachment show substantially greater self-esteem, emotional health and ego resilience, positive affect, initiative, social competence, and concentration in play than do their insecure peers" (Wallin, 2007).

Q: What are some concrete ways to set the stage for my child to experience a secure attachment?

A: Research has found that it is the quality of the infant-caregiver interaction rather than the quantity of care that establishes the health in the attachment bond. In other words, the caregiver's sensitivity to the infant's gestures when they are interacting is of paramount importance. Number of hours spent together is not necessarily equated with security of attachment. For example. if a mother is home with her child full-time and feeling depressed, notably overwhelmed, and appreciably disconnected from her infant, the distressing quality of their interactions may deleteriously impact the child's sense of comfort and security. Having a sense of what helps you feel the most present with your child will benefit the emotional health of the family.

The caregiver-infant patterns of communication hold great potential in establishing a secure attachment. Consistent maternal attunement facilitates the infant's ability to freely explore the world around her, engage in spontaneous play, and rely on the caregiver to provide loving responses. Repeated instances of feeling cared for results in a child's establishment of behavioral expectations--she learns to expect that people can provide safety and continuity.
Security is further felt when the caregiver illustrates thoughtful actions and mindful behaviors. These include: narrating for your child the events of the day as you move from one activity to the next, prolonged gazing and smiling, cuddling and comforting, skin to skin gentle touch, as well as calmly and consistently tolerating the variety of affective states your baby exhibits as she begins to take in the world around her.

Babies often feel distressed and unequipped to modulate their changing feelings. Infants depend on the attachment figure to help them manage and tolerate their affective experiences. This requires caregivers to "bear within herself, to process, and to re-present to the baby in a tolerable form what was previously the baby's intolerable emotional experience" (Wallin, 2007). During the course of the first number of months of life, the baby learns that her caregiver is able to gracefully navigate challenging moments with love and understanding. Caregiver consistency, responsiveness, and sensitivity yields infant flexibility, resilience, and a sense of attachment security.

Stay tuned for The Building Blocks of Connection: Part Two...

considering conception? consider your diet. . .

2010-02-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

eating well before conception assists in the chances of getting pregnant and the development of your baby. in fact, some people believe diet before conception affects the development of your baby more than during pregnancy.

there are four vital nutrients for conception:

vitamin A

vitamin D

iodine

and omega 3 fats

in the past, i've spoken about some great sources of fats. you can find lots of iodine in kelp and other forms of sea veggies. vitamins a & d are found in an array of veggies, fruits and even herbal teas like nettle and red raspberry leaf.

eat well and live well!

YES. . .vaginal births are safe with twins!

2010-02-08T16:16:00.000-08:00

By Will Boggs, MD

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Feb 10 - Active management during second-stage labor facilitates vaginal delivery of twins, according to a report in the February Obstetrics & Gynecology.
"Vaginal delivery for twins is a safe and reasonable option, even in the setting of a noncephalic presenting second twin," lead author Dr. Nathan S. Fox from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, told Reuters Health by email.

"Active management" included breech extraction of a noncephalic twin and internal version of a nonengaged cephalic twin followed by breech extraction. Dr. Fox and his colleagues note that in their group, the two senior obstetricians had formal training in internal version during their residencies, and these two trained the others.
Out of 287 twin pregnancies in their practice between 2005 and 2009, 157 were scheduled for cesarean section. The current article reports the outcomes of attempted vaginal delivery in the remaining 130 women and compares them to results in the cesarean group.

Rates of the primary outcome - 5-minute Apgar scores below 7 for twin B - were low overall and were not significantly different between the groups.
In addition, there were no significant differences in rates of arterial cord blood pH values below 7.20 for either twin.

Twenty women (15.4%) had a cesarean delivery in labor. The remaining 110 (84.6%) delivered both twins vaginally. No one who had vaginal delivery of twin A had a cesarean delivery for twin B, although twin B required breech extraction in 77 cases (70%).

Only one infant was injured during breech extraction. This baby had a fractured humerus during reduction of a nuchal arm, but without any permanent injury.

Compared to women who had cesarean section in labor, women with successful vaginal deliveries were younger and more likely to have had a prior vaginal delivery.
"Our high vaginal delivery rates are likely due to two factors: patient selection and active management of the second stage of labor," the investigators write.
"Like any medical or surgical procedure, the operator should have proficiency in performing the procedure before offering it to the patient," Dr. Fox told Reuters Health. "In the case of twin delivery, one variable is the presentation of the second twin. If it is breech or transverse, the operator should have skill in breech extraction, or should just probably recommend a cesarean delivery."

"It is important to emphasize, as we did in the article, that this management may not be appropriate in all settings, such as those without 24-hour anesthesia or NICU support," Dr. Fox added.
In an editorial, Dr. Mary E. D'Alton from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, New York, points out that an international randomized trial, the Twin Birth Study, is underway and that until the results are known, "the mode of delivery of each twin gestation should be determined on an individual basis after objective evaluation of the case characteristics, clinical setting, and operator experience."

She concludes, "The data reported this month by Fox et al. add to existing evidence demonstrating that it is reasonable to recommend vaginal delivery and active management of the second stage for pregnancies with a cephalic-presenting twin and no other contraindication to labor."

another celebrity takes the plunge

2010-02-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

in our north american culture, most women find themselves birthing on a hospital bed, under bright lights and with a team ready for any emergency that may arise. another celebrity has recently paved the way for more women to trust the concept of homebirth.

gisele bundchen, a brazilian model, comes from a culture where most women elect for a cesarean birth. instead, gisele chose to give birth at home, in water. read about her story here.

may this story inspire you and those you know. may we as a mass consciousness relearn to trust the process of birth, just like our ancestors did. may we find more birthing pools in hospitals, more cushions, more support. . .less lighting, less distracting sounds, less intervention and ultimately, less fear.

breast is best?

2010-01-28T09:55:00.000-08:00

finally a film comes to light that not only promotes breastfeeding in north america, but questions the boon and wealth of a multi million dollar industry. please check out this trailer. and for more information on the film visit this link.

for more information on breastfeeding, please check out these websites:
www.breastfeeding.com
www.llli.org
www.drjacknewman.com
www.kellymom.com
www.womenshealth.gov/Breastfeeding
http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/
http://www.breastcrawl.org
http://www.biologicalnurturing.com

what's a doula?

2010-01-25T18:16:00.000-08:00

are you confused about what a doula is or does?

is our birthing technology out of hand?

2010-01-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

for many a mother who chooses to give birth in a hospital, she will become intimate with a number of technological inventions. . .interventions. i recently stumbled upon this link. note: the tone of the author is not pro labor pro. . .and i have to admit, neither am i.

i agree with her. . .mothers in hospitals today face a multitude of interventions. and honestly, interventions do not make birth safer, friendlier or faster. if you read my previous post with a video excerpt from the delightful ina may, you will note her intention, no technology can speed up a sphincter.

at the end of the day, we are humans, we are mammals. we are not machines. we must relearn to birth with that primitive wisdom that the creative force gifted us.

the cervix IS a sphincter!

2010-01-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

ina may gaskin, beloved birth pioneer speaks about birth and touches on what a woman needs to feel safe and secure in her birthing environment in this video.

we humans, like all mammals, will only give birth in a space that is safe. since the cervix is a sphincter, the cervix cannot be ordered or commanded to perform. in fact, some people just due to their presence, can disrupt a woman's ability to give birth, because she does not intuitively feel safe around that person.

when a woman gives birth, all of her senses are acute. this gives her the information she needs to determine if her environment is safe for birth.

ladies, choose wisely when it comes to your birth attendants! follow your gut from the very beginning. your body knows best! and check out ina may's amazing books if you haven't yet!

healthy fats oh me, oh my!

2010-01-17T12:22:00.000-08:00

Fats are so underrated in the average American diet. In fact, most people fear them. Healthy fats are essential, especially for brain development. You want to make sure you are consuming the right fats and plenty of them. During the last trimester of pregnancy your baby’s brain grows an estimated 200%. High quality fats help the body stay insulated against daily stress and that of colder weather. Fat is necessary for hormone production. Cells are composed of 50% saturated fat, so eating it helps cells function and stabilize insulin response.

Smart choices for FAT:

Olive oil, fresh avocado, ghee, raw butter, raw coconut oil, raw coconut butter, dairy, eggs, and fish are great places to start.

Oils are best unrefined and vegetable based. Also consider seeds such as flaxseed and hempseed. Flaxseed is excellent for women, colon health, inflammation, teeth, bones, nails and skin. Avoid buying oils and instead buy seeds direct, as flaxseed oil can go rancid easily. It is nice to have seeds around the house to throw into salads, etc.

Butter and ghee (much of the lactose in ghee is removed so might work for lactose intolerant people) are great choices for high quality fat.

Not eating fish poses a greater risk to your baby’s brain development than eating fish. Therefore, do eat fish; however avoid fish high in methyl mercury. Carnivorous fish contain the highest levels of methyl mercury. Go for catfish, tilapia and freshwater trout, herring, sardines and smaller line caught American tuna and wild salmon.

If you don’t eat fish, take a high quality fish oil such as Blue Ice, Vital Choice or Nordic Naturals.

conscious conception workshop in february

2010-01-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

join sahaja douglas and janabai amsden for a workshop that is a must for all couples who are considering having a child. why not offer your child a beautiful foundation that begins before birth, and before pregnancy?

for more information check out sahaja's website www.consciousconceptionandpregnancy.com.

Prenatal Yoga

2010-01-14T11:47:00.000-08:00

dear los angeles mothers to be:

i will begin teaching a prenatal yoga series wednesdays 9-1030 am in the pico robertson area. if you are interested in joining this small kula or communitiy of mothers, please email theconsciouscanopy@gmail.com for the address and to RSVP.

here are some of the benefits of prenatal yoga:

prenatal yoga adapts to the woman’s changing body to assist with common discomforts such as swelling of the extremities, nausea, back pain, sciatica, heartburn, hormonal imbalances and general tiredness. the physical practice of yoga will tone the body, increasing flexibility and endurance to aid in labor and recovery, while meditation and relaxation will prepare you for the stages of labor, and the journey of motherhood. prenatal yoga offers a way to celebrate this sacred cycle of creation and flux.

Birthing from Within March Workshop

2010-01-12T18:16:00.000-08:00

How will you cope with the intensity of childbirth and parenting?

Prepare for childbirth through an intimate and experiential series that emphasizes creativity, empowerment, and the information you seek in your journey toward parenthood.

Tuesdays March 2, 9, 16 and 23 7:30-10:00 PM

At Bini Birth

www.binibirth.com

818.822.9568

5355 Cartwright Avenue

North Hollywood

For more information please contact:

Rebecca Krasner

and

Danielle Marie Gutshall CD(DONA), PCD (DONA), BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Mentor

At Losangelesbirthingfromwithin@gmail.com or 310‐467‐8716 and please visit www.theconsciouscanopy.net.

the fourth trimester

2010-01-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

i love to refer to the 3 months after birth as the fourth trimester. many well known baby experts have coined this phrase, including dr. harvey karp who wrote "the happiest baby on the block". so why call this time the fourth trimester?

well, your baby has been growing super fast inside of the womb for 3 trimesters. once you have delivered her on dry land, her body must go through some amazing shifts. the first one being, breath! complete life.

to nurture this life, your baby is most happy skin to skin, warm, well fed, dry and away from bright lights and strange odors. virtually, you want to create a womb like space for your wee one for as most of the first few months that you can commit to.

in fact, some doctors believe the baby actually needs a whole other trimester of that safe womb space to develop into a mature, emotionally balanced and intelligent human, but that can't stay inside any longer, because the brain has to continue to grow, and i think many mothers would agree that they wouldn't want to birth a baby with a bigger head.

here are some of my favorite ways of nurturing your newborn's needs:
--wear your baby when he or she is not being held
--keep mother and baby as close as possible for the first few weeks after birth
--co sleeping with your baby in the bed or a bed extender
--listen to intuitive knowledge and gut instincts and trust your baby’s cues
--breastfeed on demand

--communicate with your little one. tell your baby what you are doing and build trust with coversation. consider learning about the RIE phislosophy as a starting point.

the most important thing to remember is that you cannot spoil a newborn. they are young, fresh and new, and your baby has a ton of growing to accomplish in life. take care of this precious gift and honor each and every moment. talk to your baby as much as possible. your baby understands far more than you may think, and will continue to develop the more and more you connect with her.

the benefits of having a postpartum doula

2009-12-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

i am in the midst of working a postpartum gig with a family who just had their baby in early december. they hired me to work nights towards the end of their pregnancy knowing it was wise to have some assistance. like most families, they weren't sure exactly how much support they would need, so we began with a week commitment.

i think most people wonder why they would need to hire someone to come into their home and help take care of their baby. we live in a society devised of nuclear families. unlike many people around the world who live near most of their extended family or in a tight community, we americans are expected to fend for ourselves and do it all on our own. we are independent culturally, and to ask for help seems weak or unnecessary.

being pregnant is one scenario. for the most part, your body takes care of itself. you don't have to tell your brain how to make a baby or take care of it in the womb. your baby is safe and receives all of the nutrients she needs. there is no cry at 3 am to make you wonder what to do.

once outside the womb, all of this changes. now you have a tiny, helpless life in your hands, and crying is it's most frequent form of communication. in school we are taught many skills, however few of us are taught how to care for a newborn. and even though most couples engage in childbirth preparation, few enroll in a newborn care class.

so why have a postpartum doula? why not. why not set your family up right from the beginning? a postpartum doula will be in your home with you. after you give birth, you and your partner will most likely be exhausted. life around you will continue on, so meals, laundry, bills, errands, etc. will still need to happen. having another set of hands who are educated, confident, caring and kind will bring you the positive upliftment you will need to carry on.

a postpartum doula will help you organize your baby's nursery. she will educate you throughout the day or night any time you have a question or concern. she can show you skills such as how to soothe your baby, how to change your baby, or how to bathe your baby.

and most importantly her presence allows for you to have more rest. you can lay down for a nap, and know confidently that your baby is in good hands while you rest. postpartum doulas are there to run errands, do light housecleaning, and other organizing.

if you are breastfeeding a doula can help in many ways. she can assist with positioning and your latch. she can suggest ways to deal with engorgement and discomfort. she is educated in breastfeeding and is able to help with many uncertainties. and she knows when an issue is out of her scope, and who to call for help.

at the end of the day, none of us know how we will give birth. no matter how much we prepare for our natural home birth or expect a safe vaginal delivery in the hospital, we just don't know what journey nature will gift us to meet our baby. having a postpartum doula lined up to meet us at home the day we arrive from the hospital can be a huge relief.

when selecting a postpartum doula, i suggest you follow your gut instinct. pick someone who is well educated, trained and/or experienced. however, at the end of the day, select someone you feel good around. she will be in your intimate space and you want to feel safe and secure in her presence.

here is what most postpartum doulas offer:
• Support for the mother so that she may restore and replenish her strength
• Light massage and other relaxation techniques for mom 
• Breastfeeding support and education 
• More sleep and personal time 
• Postpartum depression prevention and care 
• Infant care skills and education in newborn characteristics
• Coping mechanisms 
• Assisting with older siblings
• Healthy and wholesome meals to nourish the body 
• Washing baby’s laundry 
• Light housekeeping
• Running errands 
• Screening phone calls and visitors 
• Assistance in redefining new familial relationships
• Appropriate referrals 

eating in awareness for the childbearing year

2009-12-13T13:11:00.000-08:00

Eating in awareness
Eating well before conception assists in the chances of getting pregnant and the development of your baby. In fact, some people believe diet before conception affects the development of your baby more than during pregnancy. There are four vital nutrients for conception: Vitamins A & D, iodine and omega 3 fats.

What are the benefits of eating well during pregnancy?
Nutrition helps with your birth, the placenta, you baby’s health, postpartum healing and breastfeeding. During pregnancy the mama’s blood volume doubles. A healthy woman in pregnancy will gain 25 to 40 pounds . . .possibly more. It is important to get plenty of protein during pregnancy as a mother with adequate weight gain can have a low weight baby if she is not getting enough. By the second trimester the baby is growing rapidly, so you will most likely have an increase in your appetite. By the third trimester your digestion slows down, as there is less space for all of your organs. It is best to eat smaller and more frequent meals at this point if you haven’t already begun doing so.

Nutrition is a key component to a healthy pregnancy.

A good diet can help prevent: anemia, preterm birth, preeclampsia, fetal distress in labor, low birth weight, postpartum hemorrhage, mental retardation, learning disabilities, and hypertension.

A “good” diet consists of whole nutrient dense foods, also known as whole foods. During pregnancy it is best to eat minimally processed foods. Processed foods are foods like white flour, white sugar, and high fructose syrup. Many things we buy today prepackaged have been processed. It is important to become an ingredient detective! Read your labels.

Think whole foods diet and think the rainbow. You want to eat an assortment of foods for a variety of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. There are many philosophies in the realm of food. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, macrobiotic, pescatarian, gluten free, a raw foodist or an omnivore, trust your body. What sort of things do you crave? What tastes good to you? Your body will tell you what to avoid early on by your sense of taste and smell. However, if you eat a diet filled with processed foods, your body will crave these foods until you wean off of them.

Key things to remember—
--Rotate your foods . . .taste the rainbow.
--Place an emphasis on the following things: protein, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, DHA, fatty acids, Vitamins A, C, E, and D.
--Eat locally, organic and in season when possible.
--Avoid all refined sugars; eat sweeteners in moderation, including fruit.
--Remember you are eating for two . . .many women find it easier to eat smaller, more frequent meals each day.
--Each time you eat you teaching your baby how to nourish the body. Eat with mindfulness.

Pregnancy, Crankiness and Soothing Ideas workshop at BINI Birth

2009-12-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Moms and Dads to be, Doulas and anyone else interested in learning more about pregnancy:

Please join the Bini Birth team and the exciting crew they have put together next Tuesday, December 8th for a fabulous workshop!

In the third session of the BINI BIRTH free workshop series, we'll discuss
common pregnancy discomforts, helpful hints to soothe them,
and various ways to cope.

This workshop will be facilitated by Ana Paula Markel,
and presented by an amazing team of professionals, including:
-Abigail Morgan (acupuncturist), L.Ac, MTOM
-Elizabeth Bachner (midwife), LM, CPM, L.Ac.
-Jessica Jennings (prenatal yoga instructor), MS
-Jessica Zucker (psychotherapist), Ph.D
-Alexandra Wyatt (student midwife & BINI doula), CD(DONA)
-Joanne Cohen (herbalist & BINI doula), CD(DONA)
-Sara Pereira (massage therapist), LMT

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
7 - 9:30 pm
at the BINI loft
5355 Cartwright Ave., Unit 313
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Please spread the word to clients, colleagues, family and friends.

RSVP to Sarah@BiniBirth.com

*$10 donation suggested, but not required.

nettle as an ally

2009-12-02T11:51:00.001-08:00

Nettle leaves are one of the best friends to have in your life before, during and after pregnancy. There are so many glories to list when it comes to nettle.

Nettle is also known as Stinging Nettle, or formally as Urtica Dioca.***

Nettle is reputed to have more chlorophyll than any other herb. The list of vitamins and minerals in this herb includes nearly every one known to necessary for human health and growth. Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur are particularly abundant in nettles. The infusion is a dark green color approaching black. The taste is deep and rich. If you are blessed with a nettle patch near you, use the fresh plant as a pot herb in the spring.

Some pregnant women alternate weeks of nettle and raspberry brews; others drink raspberry until the last month and then switch to nettles to insure large amounts of vitamin K in the blood before birth.

The benefits of drinking nettle infusion before and throughout pregnancy include:

~ Aiding the kidneys. Nettle infusions were instrumental in rebuilding the kidneys of a woman who was told she would have to be put on a dialysis machine. Since the kidneys must cleanse 150 percent of the normal blood supply for most of the pregnancy, nettle's ability to nourish and strengthen them is of major importance. Any accumulation of minerals in the kidneys, such as gravel or stones, is gently loosened, dissolved and eliminated by the consistent use of nettle infusions.

~ Increasing fertility in women and men.

~ Nourishing mother and fetus.

~ Easing leg cramps and other spasms.

~ Diminishing pain during and after birth. The high calcium content, which is readily assimilated, helps diminish muscle pains in the uterus, in the legs and elsewhere.

~ Preventing hemorrhage after birth. Nettle is a superb source of vitamin K, and increases available hemoglobin, both of which decrease the likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. Fresh Nettle Juice, in teaspoon doses, slows postpartum bleeding.

~ Reducing hemorrhoids. Nettle's mild astringency and general nourishing action tightens and strengthens blood vessels, helps maintain arterial elasticity and improves venous resilience.

~ Increasing the richness and amount of breast milk.

***This information comes from Susun Weed, herbalist.

Please check out her books:

Dear Parents to be: A Taste of BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® this Saturday in North Hollywood

2009-12-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

Birthing From Within

Presents
A Taste of BIRTHING FROM WITHIN®
Demonstration Childbirth Class for Expectant Parents
Based on the groundbreaking book of the same name.

What do YOU need to know to give birth?
How will you cope with the intensity and surprises of labor and parenting?

We invite you to participate in a two-hour BIRTHING FROM WITHIN
childbirth class, as a part of a demonstration within a workshop
for birth professionals. You will work directly with Virginia
Bobro, Certified BIRTHING FROM WITHIN Mentor and Facilitator.

This childbirth class introduces you to BIRTHING FROM WITHIN
pain-coping practices and offers opportunities for you to learn
from unique and interesting processes and discussions. This is
wonderful way to supplement classes you may already be taking,
or to find out more about BIRTHING FROM WITHIN’s dynamic and
compassionate approach to childbirth preparation.

Saturday, December 5, 2009
10:00 a.m. to noon
Bini Childbirth Center
5355 Cartwright Avenue, Unit 313
Los Angeles, California 91601
Phone: 818-822-9568
$25 per couple

For more information or to register, contact us at: contact@birthingfromwithin.com or 805.964.6611

For information about Birthing From Within, visit us at: http://www.BirthingFromWithin.com or check out this link.

December Birthing From Within Childbirth Intensive

2009-11-20T09:20:00.000-08:00

This a two day intensive held on SUNDAYS December 6th & 13th.

What do you need to know to effectively give birth? How will you cope with the intensity of childbirth and parenting?

Sundays December 6th and 13th
9:30 am – 5:00 pm (with a 1.5 hour lunch break)
West Los Angeles
$180 per couple

We will focus on:
Exploring cultural and personal values of birth and parenting

Laborland: the stages of labor and the hormones involved

Learning and practicing pain coping techniques that will assist in your birth

Newborn consciousness: from womb, through birth, and into infancy

Holistic healing and the postpartum period

Using creative ways to find questions, explore answers and initiate solutions

CONTACT:
Danielle Marie Gutshall
310.467.8716
www.theconsciouscanopy.com
Or theconsciouscanopy@gmail.com for more information.

Vaccine Workshop tonight!!!

2009-11-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

Doctor Lauren Feder will be presenting an educational workshop tonight at Yo Mama Yoga.

Yo Mama Yoga
1404 3rd Street Promenade, Suite 204
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Wednesday November 18, 2009
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
$60/couple

Dr. Feder is known throughout the Los Angeles community for providing holistic insight grounded in Western medicine. She is also a mother of two children, and author of a few books.

This workshop is held in response to the growing movement among parents to question the safety of such standards as vaccines to antibiotics. This workshop is for parents who are seeking optimum health for their children. Dr. Feder will present an overview of health, disease and each vaccination. Includes pros, cons, risk, benefits and prevention of vaccine side effects. Syllabus provided.

free comfort measures workshop next thursday!

2009-10-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

In this challenging economy, BINI Birth is offering free, monthly, childbirth workshops for expecting couples.

These monthly gatherings will be great opportunities for parents to be to explore general topics, along with addressing specific questions and to meet some great doulas and childbirth educators too!

Please share the word with families that either want an extra boost
after their hospital class, or a couple that can't afford classes, or anyone
interested in the topic.

The first topic is:
Comfort Measures for 1st and 2nd Stage Labor
Thursday, Oct 15
from 7 to 9:30 PM
at BINI Birth
5355 Cartwright Ave UNIT 313
North Hollywood CA 91601

Please RSVP to apmarkel@aol.com

"Each one teaches one." - Jan Tritten, mother of Midwifery Today

breathe. . .and breathe deep

2009-10-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

we are spending billions on supplements and yet, we are still not breathing.
--saul david raye

yesterday i was in a glorious yogic experience as i heard these words come from my instructor's lips. there is so much truth in them. it seems as the planet and economy both spin with a sense of uncertainty, many are flocking towards healing lifestyles and remedies. and yet, many of us are still not breathing.

what is breath? what is conscious breath? how does if feel to breathe deep? or soft? or full? or fast?

and how does our breath match our emotional state and well-being?

breath is life. as a baby first exits the womb, she often comes out quite blue, and there is a moment of silence before that first breath occurs. and this, is the beginning of life. i remember the first birth i attended, looking at the blue baby boy and thinking, my goodness, i am not sure if he is alive. but everyone else in the room was calm and certain, and then life happened. breathe, cries, parents delight and the nurse and doctor finishing up their business.

the first step to healing, as many masters would say, is through conscious breath. taking long deep inhales through the nose so the belly expands, and allowing this rich oxygen to seep into every cell of the body. exhaling through the nose or mouth and allowing the belly to gently deflate.

over the next few posts, i will introduce a few of my favorite breathing techniques. the breath is not only the source of life, it is also the source of health. and as one learns to control and master the breath, we learn to master our lives.

hooray for hazon!

2009-10-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

if you don't know about hazon, then you should! hazon is a jewish organization that works to create a healthier and more sustainable jewish community and world for all.

one of the coolest things about hazon, is their annual hazon food conference. this conference set in beautiful monterey bay exists to combine contemporary food conversations with ancient Jewish traditions. the hazon food conferenceis at the forefront of a national movement with a focus on jewish food culture, cutting edge food law and policy, food justice, kosher meat issues, health and nutrition, cooking and gardening and Israeli food and agriculture.

the conference occurs in late december over the time of channukah. it's a great way to network, learn new information, meet new friends and relax and play by the ocean!

in addition to teaching a women's yoga and meditation class, i will be leading a workshop at this conference regarding nutrition and holistic health during the childbearing year. read below for more information! and i hope to see you there. . .

Caffeine, omega-3's, raw cheese... the list of what a woman should and shouldn't eat during pregnancy and childbearing years can be confusing and overwhelming. Learn about nutrition and holistic health specifically to meet the special needs of a pregnant woman as she progresses through the stages of this journey, the needs of a birthing woman and the needs of a postpartum mom, from right after birth and into a year of nourishing body and baby. Take home materials include recipe ideas, foods for nourishment, herbs, natural homeopathic remedies and simple meditations to soothe and relax. All are welcome.

insurance and doulas just might go together. . .

2009-09-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

i am a proud member of DONA, one of the most ubiquitous doula organizations in the world. DONA is fabulous for uniting doulas across the globe and spreading knowledge and wisdom through the doula community. i was thrilled to open up an email from DONA today concerning doulas and insurance:

DONA International is pleased to announce that a new code for doulas in the United States has been approved and defined by the National Uniform Claim Committee. This code will come into effect on October 1, 2009 for services rendered after that date. Pat Burrell, a birth doula and registered nurse from South Carolina, was successful in lobbying for the assignment of the code, which will allow doulas to be assigned provider numbers to submit claims to both Medicaid and third-party payers for their services.

"While this does not guarantee third-party reimbursement, it is an enormous step forward in our mission to ensure a doula for every woman who wants one" says Debbie Young, President of DONA International. "Individual doulas will have to apply for a provider number and comply with other requirements that have yet to be determined. Regardless, we are excited to announce Ms. Burrell's success with this initiative, which will benefit thousands of women and families for years to come. This is an exciting day in childbirth in the United States."

For further information, please contact Jessica Atkins, DONA Third Party Reimbursement Chair, at 3PRChair@DONA.org or Stefanie Antunes, Director of Public Relations, at PublicRelations@DONA.org.

this truly means we are one step closer to recognizing the value of doulas in the birthing process. and more importantly, we are one step closer to recognizing the needs of a birthing and postpartum mother. we are one step closer to acknowledging mothers in our culture, and for truly offering the support each mother deserves. birth isn't easy for many women, and being a postpartum mother whether it's for the first time or second or third, is challenging. our society will grow on many levels as we learn to not only care and honor our women, but to uplift them.

back and blogging. . . for the mindful mama

2009-09-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

to all of my readers, i am back from summer travels and settling into fall with a commitment to blogging what i am learning from the trenches of the childbearing world! as i continue on my path as a childbirth mentor, a doula, a birth advocate, a yoga instructor, an artist and just plain old lover of life, i realize the older i get the less i know. birth especially is a topic that one could forever delve into. and as we grow with a mesh of technology and the budding eco friendly organic movement there is so much information to share.

a colleague of mine in the birth world recently introduced me to a wonderful website that i am beginning to fall in love with. it's called mindful mama, and that is oh so fitting. this site truly targets those women who make decisions with thought and intention. this site taps into topics ranging from nutrition and health to education and play. it's a site that is easy to navigate and offers in depth articles as well as quick ideas for the speed surfer. there are lively discussions and interviews to keep information flowing.

since i am so passionate for the prenatal period, i especially enjoyed dr jessica zucker's article. i love this article because jessica taps straight into the overwhelming nature of pregnancy and parenting. how does one sort through all of the information and make intelligent, heart felt decisions? jessica reminds the reader that through connection, being true to the heart is the way to begin. this age old advice is never worn out. as a student and instructor of yoga, i find going back to the basics of connection and heart are where i always find myself.

and so you may be wondering. . .why was i greeted with a sea turtle at the beginning of this blog? my summer culminated in two wondrous weeks in kauai, where the sea turtle seemed to guide my journey. at one point during the trip i found myself surrounded by seven swimming sea turtles. the sea turtle is a sacred animal. . .in myths all around the world we find the turtle symbolises creation itself, carrying the world upon her back. . .such a mama! to me the sea turtle also represents an authentic connection to the heart and to the self. may you journey to your heart again, and again.

Office Yoga

2009-08-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

My friend recently put together this great article to de-stress at your desk. While it doesn't pertain to pregnancy directly, the article offers some great stretches to get us through the busy work days. Check it out here.

infant massage workshop

2009-07-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that my friend Elizabeth Cantor will be teaching an infant massage seminar at Golden Bridge Yoga in Hollywood. The details are as follows:

The Art of Infant Massage at Golden Bridge Yoga
6322 De Longpre Avenue (at Vine)
August 9, 2009
1:30 - 3:30pm
$ 60 per couple ($ 70 day of)
$ 40 per single ($ 45 day of)
(323) 936-4172

To register go to www.goldenbridgeyoga.com, go to schedule, click on workshops, and scroll down.

Please feel free to pass this information along to all of the new parents that you think would be interested in learning this technique.

a little celebrity inspriation

2009-07-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

to many in our amercian culture, celebrities represent our modern royalty. as a birth advocate, i am always intrigued how celebrities handle their births, as this deeply affects the consciousness of american women.

molly ringwald recently gave birth for the second time. at the age of 41, she delivered twins vaginally. go molly, go!!!

as time progresses, and our means of birthing becomes more technological driven, the medical system teaches us that a woman can't have twins vaginally and that she certainly can't have a vaginal birth after a ceseran (VBAC). these are myths that birth advocates are seeking to dispel.

for more info on molly's birth, visit the article. and for more positive celebrity birthing check out ricki lake's newest venture, www.mybestbirth.com, a website dedicated to education around birth.

the functions of the orgasms

2009-07-09T17:52:00.000-07:00

i finally received the book "the functions of the orgasms" by michel odent. i ordered it from amazon a couple of months ago, and apparently they had to special order it. this is michel odent's latest book. if you aren't familiar with michel odent and you are interested in learning about birth, i highly recommend becoming acquainted with this brilliant man.

michel odent is best known in the birthing cirquit as introducing concepts such as the 'love cocktail', 'fetus ejection reflex' and milk ejection reflex'. michel began his career as an obstetrician in the 1950's. michel discovered over the years something that ancient humans probably knew very well, that for mammals to give birth they need a dark, warm and relaxed space for a cocktail of love hormones to be emitted. a birthing mother needs space, and to ultimately be left alone.

the functions of the orgasms is a book of inquiry on the topic of birth and where we are going as a human species with birth. due to the latest and greatest technologies women can conceive a baby, give birth and feed their infant without relying on love hormones, or mother nature. this book asks us to think about the future of civilization and what will come of these children and their children.

so far i am only in the beginning, however i see this book as an essential philosophical inquiry for our times. as technology increases and makes life "easier" it is important to look beyond our near future and seek vantage into the next few generations that will follow, and how their world will be impacted.

Preparing During Pregnancy: Ways to Create Increased Ease During the Postpartum Period written by Jessica Zucker

2009-07-06T17:49:00.000-07:00

1) Cultivating Internal Focus
Our society creates endless temptations during pregnancy (and all of the years following) to keep the focus outward. Everyday new items/trends hit the marketplace and moms-to-be are told that these things will surely make their babies happy. Creating space to make mindful decisions and to reflect on what is really important during this tender time is vital. Spending time, energy, and money on bolstering internal resources is likely a better long term investment in parenting. Feeling continuously overwhelmed as a mother can detract from presence of mind, attachment, and bonding. Here are some ideas for soulful gifts to yourself during pregnancy and after baby arrives: prenatal/postpartum yoga, acupuncture, massage, and individual or couples psychotherapy.

2) Connection vs. Isolation
Postpartum depression is often linked to isolation, lack of social support, and difficult past experiences that were left untended. Pregnancy is an opportune time to reach out, reflect, and strengthen core aspects of the self. Building a sense of community as well as deepening your relationship with yourself can help stave off postpartum blues or depression.

3) Investigating Your History
Attachment research reveals that having a solid understanding of one's personal history can positively impact attaching with your baby. Furthermore, researchers have found that people who can narrate, reflect on, and have a clear understanding of their life experiences (even when major trauma has occurred in previous attachment relationships) have an increased chance at creating healthy attachments. So what does this mean? Simply put, understand who you are and how you developed into the person you have become. This is easier said than done, but the payoff is lifelong. Engaging in psychotherapy during pregnancy can help foster a more graceful postpartum period.

Jessica Zucker, Ph.D.

mambino organics

2009-06-24T09:49:00.001-07:00

a wonderful woman who works magic with the skin recently shared with me that she began her own skin care line. maki, the creator of mambino is a well known aesthetician in los angeles. the beauty of this skin care line is not only is it all natural and organic. . .she has created it with the pregnant woman and baby in mind.

the line includes products for the face, lips and body, accenting the needs of a pregnant woman with luscious belly butter to keep stretch marks at bay naturally. she's also created a nipple balm and newborn body oil. spread the word on this sustainably healthy line.

birthing with bliss

2009-05-27T17:25:00.001-07:00

the blessing of vernix

2009-05-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Every newborn comes into the world with that milky white substance covering the skin. Many parents are happy to have baby bathed immediately or soon after birth and placed in a warm blanket. It's important to understand nature's design. Mother Nature protects the baby with the vernix caseosa. This waxy looking substance is an extremely effective natural skin oil. Most babies suffer dry skin after birth, which causes irritation and signs of dehydration.

The verix is a natural moisturizer, a wound healer, a cleanser, an anti-oxidant and contains antimicrobials that protect your vulnerable little one from becoming sick. Allow your baby to enjoy this blessing and feel free to prolong the first bath. Your baby's skin will be healthier and you will also be protecting and building the immune system.

What makes Birthing From Within so unique. . .

2009-05-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was blessed to mentor my first Birthing from Within Childbirth workshop. I've been passionate about this work for many moons, however stepping fully into BFW through mentorship has fired me up in a completely new way. As a part of my doula training I've sat in on a number of different childbirth classes. There are some amazing teachers out there, yet I have to say, many a class is a sleeper. Quite often the teacher is lecturing to the parents, and there is barely any time or space for the parents to bond or connect, so that they may learn from each other. Birthing From Within is completely unique in this way. And in the spirit of that, I'm inspired to share with you what makes BFW so unique.

Birthing from Within Philosophical Assumptions & Guidelines

Childbirth is a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the birth).

The essence of childbirth preparation is self-discovery, not assimilating obstetric information.

The mentor is "midwife" to the parents' discovery process, not the expert from whom wisdom flows.

Childbirth preparation is a continually evolving process not a static structure of techniques and knowledge.

Parents' individual needs and differences determine class content.

Active, creative self-expression is critical to childbirth preparation.

The purpose of childbirth preparation is to prepare mothers to give birth-in-awareness, not to achieve a specific birth outcome.

Pregnancy and birth outcome are influenced by a variety of factors, but can't be controlled by planning.

In order to help parents mobilize their coping resources, it is critical for childbirth classes to acknowledge that unexpected, unwelcome events may happen during labor.

Parents deserve support for any birth option which might be right for them (whether it be drugs, technology, home birth or bottle feeding).

Pain is an inevitable part of childbirth, yet much can be done to ease suffering.

Pain-coping practices work best when integrated into daily life, rather than "dusted off" for labor.

Fathers help best as birth guardians or loving partners, not as coaches; they also need support.

For parents, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is a time of continuous learning and adjustment; holistic support and education should be available throughout that period.

do you doula?

2009-05-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

a few posts ago i mentioned the birth matters virginia video challenge. below you will see a short documentary made for this challenge. it's a great little film. . .straight and to the point!

for the mothers

2009-05-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Children - Khalil Gibran

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of

Children.

And he said:

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot

visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent

forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends

you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow

that is stable.

eating right for pregnancy, birth and baby

2009-05-04T19:37:00.000-07:00

a healthy diet is essential for a healthy baby. proper nutrition assists with developing a strong fetus and placenta, eases birth while strengthening the body, nourishes the postpartum period and assists with milk production and antibodies.

while a woman is pregnant her blood volume doubles. she is in complete flux and change. having a sound prenatal diet will help her to avoid premature birth, anemia, hypertension, preeclampsia and other roadblocks women come to in their pregnancies. to delve further into this topic, dr. mercola discusses the effects of poor nutrition in the womb.

and from here a question arises, what is a healthy diet?

i was recently on a conference call where a mentor of mine said that all pregnant women should become ingredient detectives. i totally agree with this. . .in fact, i would take this further and say all consumers should become ingredient detectives. and pregnancy is an amazingly fertile time to begin this practice.

what our human bodies need are whole nutrient dense foods. this means eating minimally processed ingredients. which means reading your labels and looking for items where there are very few ingredients and you can pronounce all of them. buying local and organic foods is important. that's a whole other topic, and well worth the research if you aren't informed.

every childbearing woman should consume the following:

--water-- lots and lots of water. fresh water, ideally from a filter versus a plastic bottle. drink at least 64 oz of water each day to flush out waste.

--protein-- you need at least 4-6 servings each day. davi kaur khalsa, an amazing angelino midwife often reminds women that everything they eat has a little protein in it. so snacking often is quite helpful. excellent sources of protein include dairy, eggs, nuts, fermented soy, beans, brewer's yeast and fish. and if you eat other forms of meat, chicken is great because it's lean and easily digested compared to red meats.

--whole grains-- a couple of servings of grains like oats, brown rice, white basmati rice, millet, quoina, whole wheat or rye help complete a well rounded diet.

--dark leafy greens-- go to your local gardens and farms for these nutrient rich veggies. dig into arugala, spinach, kale, collards, chards, bok choy, mixed lettuces, dandelion and nettles.

--sea veggies-- sea veggies are an amazing way to get much needed minerals and trace elements like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iodine. they also provide high quality protein, vitamins, and fiber. in the japanese section of your local health food store you will find these bagged up. go for a variety like arame, wakame, kombu, nori and dulse. another great source for iron is black strap molasses.

--fresh veggies-- color, color, color. eat a variety of veggies and look for the rainbow so that you know you are getting a good balance. it's so important that your fresh veggies are local and organic for the best impact to your body and your community.

--fruits-- color also applies here. eat lots of fruit, however make sure you are getting a good balance of other foods.

--healthy fats-- this is an area you want to make sure you are consuming the right kinds of fats and at least the minimum amounts. healthy fats are extremely essential for brain development. during the last trimester of pregnancy, your baby's brain grows an estimated 200%. unrefined olive oil, fresh avocado, raw coconut oil, raw coconut butter and fish are great places to start.

--salt-- a high quality salt is also needed in a balanced diet. the best salts are those that you can actually see the minerals in. . .celtic sea salt or pink himalayan salt are examples. salt your food to taste, trusting the wisdom of your palette.

consciousness developing consciousness

2009-04-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

so you are pregnant. and everyone (hopefully) tells you that you need to eat right. i mean, i think for most of us logical and intelligent beings that it's pretty much a given. to grow healthy life, you need to eat right.

however, as i sat last sunday to hear michel odent speak to a circle of doulas, midwives, nurses and an ob (oh how we wished there had been more present) i realized just how essential diet is. and not just diet. . .everything you go through pregnancy affects your baby's development.

when i went through my prenatal yoga teacher training at golden bridge, gurmukh emphasized teaching pregnant mommas to be conscious of their emotions and thoughts and worries as their pregnancy progressed. your growing baby experiences every single thing you do as a pregnant mother. which is why in prenatal yoga we always offer breathwork and meditation. we are consciousness developing consciousness.

in my next blog i plan to address diet and some specific things you can do to ensure you are eating a balanced and healthy array of foods, however for now, i will leave you this to meditate upon. . .

as a parent how can you raise your own consciousness to elevate the consciousness on the planet? how can you shift fears and worries into trust and faith? and how can you transform your anger and frustration into love and compassion?

fish and pregnancy

2009-04-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

i had the pleasure of listening to michel odent speak yesterday about fetal life, birth and health. if you don't know much about this outstanding o.b. with a wealth of knowledge and respect for women and children, i suggest doing some research. he has given so much knowledge to the world of birth. i suspect that i shall be blogging with him in mind for quite some time now.

michel spoke of a great american myth. that myth being that it's just not safe for pregnant women to eat fish during pregnancy. from his perspective we don't quite understand mercury poisoning in the water. for one, as he said, mercury has been around for quite some time during humanity's life. with that being said, yes, there are many fish that aren't safe to ingest, whether you are pregnant or not. however, a pregnant woman's diet greatly affects the life of her fetus and the development of her baby into adulthood. women need fish and all the fatty acids and oils.

the safe fish to eat are the smaller ones, that size down from tuna and ones from the north seas. for further education about what fish is safe to put in your belly, pregnant or not, check out www.vitalchoice.com.

relieving gas in baby

2009-04-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

If you are a breastfeeding mother, there are a few foods one should avoid to help with your baby's digestion. Be aware of garlics and onions, eating these foods minimally. Also the cabbage family is important to avoid. These lovely foods include broccoli, brussel sprouts, turnips, radish, kale, collards, cauliflower, and of course, cabbage. Peanuts, chocolate, peanut butter, sugar and white flour tend to cause upset stomachs in newborns. And it is best to avoid possible allergens altogether; dairy, soy, wheat, corn. Good luck, and happy eating!

lotus birth

2009-04-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

i first discovered lotus birth during my prenatal yoga teacher training. a lovely woman brought up the topic, and ended up educating a room full of women about lotus birth. lotus birth takes place when a child is born and the couple decide to leave the umbilical cord and placenta attached. the cord eventually dries and naturally detaches. this usually takes about 5 to 6 days, and as one can imagine, is a true commitment.

philosophically, parents decide to make this choice, and look at it as a way of empowering the newborn to decide when she is ready to detach from the placenta. after the birth the placenta is wiped clean and place in a bowl or a cloth and then goes everywhere the newborn goes. for many cultures around the world, the parents choose to plant the placenta after it detaches, and in parts of africa and india a tree is planted on top. this tree becomes special to the child as it grows and develop. other cultures including the balinese and the tibetans have links to practices of lotus birth.

for more information on lotus birth, check out the writings of sarah j. buckley and a website dedicated to lotus birth.

mastitis relief naturally

2009-04-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

mastitis is a common infection a breast feeding mother faces. quite often a mother gets this infection as a sign that she needs to slow down. it's important for new mothers to get plenty of rest. take advantage of your newborn's naps and take time for your own naps.

climb into bed with your baby and nurse, nurse, nurse. remember to drink lots and lots of water as well! nursing through the infection helps it heal quicker. massage your breasts before feedings down towards the nipple. allow the baby to latch on to the affected side first. and in between feedings take time for more breast massage. also, cool compresses help alot. you can use plain water, or even make a compress with rosemary (dried or the essential oil), fenugreek seed oil, or dandelion. or a hot compress with parsley or comfrey might do the trick.

to bring your body back to balance begin pumping lots of fresh, raw garlic into your system. the body needs a natural antibiotic to help fight off the infection. tinctures of echinacea and oregon grape root taken 3 or 4 times daily also help. also, mega dosing on vitamin c, 3000-5000 mg/day is helpful. if after 1-2 days the symptoms continue to increase, you might need to bite the bullet and take antibiotics.

birth video contest

2009-04-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

Birth Documentary Contest: $1,000 First Prize

Birth Matters Virginia is soliciting 4-7 minute educational videos about birth in the hopes of reducing the incidence of medically unnecessary c-sections, infant and maternal morbidity, and skyrocketing health care costs. The first-place winner will receive a prize of $1,000. Second place $500 and an "honorable mention" prize of $100 will also be awarded. The deadline for entering the contest is Mother's Day, May 10, 2009.

Guest judges include: Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein, acclaimed producers of the Business of Being Born and Sarah J. Buckley., MD, international birth expert and author of Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering. Ricki, Abby, and Sarah will join a consumer-based panel of judges who will be evaluating the tone, educational content, creativity and more. You don't have to be a professional to enter and you don't have to be from Virginia. We'd love to get videos from mothers, fathers, filmmakers, film students, birth advocates, and anyone else who is interested in birth or film or wants to win $1000.

Birth Matters Virginia advocates "evidence-based" maternity care, which simply means using the best available research on the safety and effectiveness of specific practices to help guide maternity care decisions and to facilitate optimal outcomes in mothers and newborns. There are a lot of ways to approach that topic and lots of opinions on what that means, and we're looking forward to the variety of entries.

For rules, how to enter, or to sign up for updates, please visit http://www.birthmat tersva.org/ videocontest. html
You can also join our Facebook group to get updates about the contest and exchange ideas with other participants at
http://www.facebook .com/group. php?gid=73753459 808
And if you have questions, email Sarah at Richmond@birthmatte rsva.org

placenta preservation

2009-04-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

as a doula, i love to work with placentas. i find them to be totally mysterious and exquisite. this vital organ was attached to your baby, and served the function of all the major organs, keeping your baby healthy and strong in the womb. each placenta is totally unique, just like each pregnancy and birth.

your body makes your placenta. therefore, as you transition from pregnancy to postpartum, ingesting the placenta helps restore the hormonal balance and balance your system, because it was created just for you! one might also find their energy levels increased, as well as milk production and natural antibodies. i recommend women achieve hormonal balance through placenta preservation.

so what exactly is placenta preservation? well. . .the process i follow includes washing the placenta and cutting away the umbilical cord. i then steam the placenta with lemongrass, black pepper and fresh ginger. afterwards the placenta is sliced thin, and baked at a low heat in the oven and then blended or ground into a powder like substance. from there the placenta is encapsulated with veg capsules you can purchase at your local health food store. this whole process takes about 5 hours and yields on average 100 capsules.

for those hardcore women, there is an alternative. some women slice the placenta up and eat it raw. . .and others make a soup or a dish out of it. i think it's great to follow your own intuition and do what feels right to you. however, there are many benefits to placenta encapsulation. your placenta will last longer, and you can take it for weeks after the birth. and i always recommend storing some of the capsules for down the road when menopause begins to kick in. the capsules will also restore balance during this time of hormonal upheaval.

cheers to the wisdom of the body!

why a doula?

2009-03-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

lots of moms and dads to be want to know why they should have a doula present at their birth. the first and foremost answer is, presence.

having a doula, or a person available to your birthing experience will offer a presence of assurance and confidence. she can calmly offer and skill ways to cope during labor, while constantly supporting both the mother and the father. ultimately her goal is to mother the mother, so that the mother may have the strength and foundation to birth her baby.

doulas know labor well, and know how to assist you in making the most of your birth experience. a trained doula has tools to help you open your cervix, so that your baby may be pushed into the world. a doula also acts as a guardian of the birthing environment, with an intention to keep the space safe and welcoming for a woman in labor. doulas are great for providing touch, reassurance, helpful positions and guidance through the journey, especially for when a mama gets doubtful of how much longer she can proceed.

her role is to keep the mother and father informed, with unbiased information about what is happening, whether you are in the hospital or at home. she assists the mother through understanding what is happening at each stage. and for that glorious moment when baby has arrived, a doula is there to offer her presence so that the couple may bond in the way they have hoped.

in the doula book, the need for labor support is addressed with a quote from a harvard health letter, "continuous support from a doula during labor provides physical and emotional benefits for mothers and health bonuses for their babies. with less medical interventions, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays, there may be financial savings as well". ultimately, the doula is there for the birth memory of the mother and the baby. . .improving outcomes for both.

i heart magda

2009-03-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

when it comes to parenting, there are a whole array of philosophies for one to choose. in fact, it can be quite overwhelming.

being a postpartum doula, i keep myself informed of the many options out there. so far, my favorite has undoubtedly been RIE. RIE stands for Resources for Infant Educarers. and it began with the lead of one woman, magda gerber. magda gerber created RIE the philosophies of dr. pickler in budapest, hungary, who believed that infants who are allowed to move freely and develop at their own pace, learned self-mastery at a young age.

at the heart of RIE is respect. this means accepting and loving your baby from the beginning. accepting a newborn means meeting your baby where she is. for the first three months a baby needs time to adapt from life outside the womb. your baby needs lots of rest and a calm caregiver, who teaches the baby healthy attachment. this means being fully present and relaxed with each activity you engage your newborn in, from feeding to diapering. RIE philosophy also encourages parents to talk with their baby every step of the way.

when i work with infants, i let them know what i am up to. as i put them down, i tell the baby, "okay, now i am going to lie you down to change your diaper". and then guide the infant verbally throughout the changing procedure. as magda points out, your newborn may not understand right away what you are saying, but over time, she will. and with this conversation you are building a strong bond of trust.

so often we force babies to play with toys from a young age. we often sit a newborn up, propped with pillows, or force it to roll over. we hold babies hands and encourage them to walk when they are barely crawling. the RIE philosophy encourages parents to let your baby lead the way. a young baby is learning so much about the world, and to sit back and observe this learning will teach you, the parent, quite a bit about the personality of your child. you will see what excites and frustrates your child. your baby will naturally roll over and naturally sit up and stand.

ultimately RIE is about being versus doing. it's about slowing down the pace of life, to fully observe and be present to each unfolding moment. for more about RIE, check out two of magda's books, "your self confident baby" and "dear parent: caring for infants with respect".

the midwifery model of care

2009-03-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

midwife translates to "with woman". and this simply defines what a midwife does. many a doctor will claim that they delivered your baby, however a midwife will remind you that you delivered your baby, and she assisted.

the midwifery model of care varies in many ways from an obstetrician. the most important thing to note is that an ob is trained first and foremost as a surgeon. a midwife trusts birth as a normal part of life. through this lense, the midwife monitors the physical, psychological, emotional and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing year. she provides individual counseling and education throughout this cycle. a midwife is committed to minimizing technological interventions.

the most striking contrast is that a midwife will allow you to deliver your baby wherever you choose, in whatever position you like. she will not tell you how to push. and she will also meet you on your level, and that includes during vaginal exams.

for more in depth reading, check out "the midwifery model of care".

the journey has begun. . .

2009-03-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

your birthing journey has begun. either your waters have released or the surges of contractions are tightening your uterus to prepare for birth. for a first time mother, the early stages of giving labor can last for hours, even up to a day. it is ideal to stay at home as long as possible, even if you are planning on heading to the hospital for delivery.

when a woman begins labor, a primitive process is invoked. a surge of hormones releases, and we women enter a primal state of being. this state of being wants us to nest, ideally somewhere warm, dark, comfortable and safe. it is in this comfort zone that our path fully unfolds, and in safety the cervix will begin to efface and dilate, thin and open up naturally.

this does not mean that you can't accomplish all of this in a hospital, which is generally a bright, unknown, loud and busy space. however, it does mean that you must create this space in your birthing location. and that is one of the reasons that laboring at home for as long as possible benefits a birthing mother. many physicians and midwives will say that it is safe to stay at home until contractions are coming regularly for an hour or two every three to four minutes, (however the general recommendation is every four to five minutes for an hour). this of course applies to a first time mother, as subsequent children tend to travel down the birth canal much faster.

so what to do in the comfort of your home? if it's late at night and you haven't slept, rest is key. even though you are excited to meet your little one, you will need much strength and energy for the latter stages, so breathing in some lavender oil, taking a warm shower and climbing into bed with gentle meditative music is comforting. if it's midday, and you are ready to get the show on the road, going outside with your partner, doula or a friend for a hour long walk will steadily increase the rate of your surges. some women like to stick close to home and begin nesting. . .they clean house, bake cookies or even a birthday cake for their newborn. other women like to squeeze in one last date with their partner and head to the movies or a restaurant.

the most important thing you can do is continue to breathe, long and deep. long relaxing breaths will keep you present with your body, your heart rate relaxed and your baby comfortable. it's easy to begin to feel overwhelmed as labor begins. . .you know there is no turning back. instead of focusing on the whole process, take each surge one at a time, each breath one at a time. enjoy the journey, even the hard parts where you begin to waver. find celebration in all of the moments, for you are truly invoking life!

mother as mentor

2009-03-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

as i am preparing for my first BIRTHING FROM WITHIN childbirth series i am thinking alot about the difference between a teacher and a mentor. looking in a dictionary, a teacher is described as a person who instructs or teaches. a mentor is described as a wise and trusted teacher or counselor.

i believe the difference between the two can be taken further. a teacher is one who has an agenda, an outcome. the teacher wishes to instill specific learning to their students. this outlook comes from a patriarchal standpoint. whereas a mentor is one who guides a being through a journey or a process. there is no specific outcome. . .the journey is where the self discovery takes place. a mentor offers trust to this journey, and is flexible and adaptable. she leaves her judgements and opinions at the door, allowing space for true conscious and unconscious learning to occur.

from the moment of conception, a mother is the child's greatest mentor. as the fetus develops in the womb, the mother is mentoring through being. each thought, emotion, and experience that the mother goes through, passes through the child from the placenta. as the mother prepares for birth and motherhood, she is sharing information with her child. the way she handles stress and the unknown lays out a template for the child to follow. this is why yoga and meditation are so beautiful to enjoy during pregnancy. tuning in with the breath and body not only relaxes the prenatal mother, this practice teaches the conscious fetus how to connect within.

how the mother approaches birth greatly affects the blueprint of the child. this is the child's initiation into being, a most sacred event. the way the mother receives the child at birth teaches the newborn about bonding and touch. the first two hours of birth offer a special time to connect as a family. taking the time to make eye contact and have skin to skin contact allows your newborn to touch and see you. your baby is as excited to meet you as you are to meet her.

as the postpartum mother begins her healing journey, she teaches her child how to make space for healing and self care. as the mother feeds her baby with total presence and awareness, she teaches her child the beauty of nourishment and connection. the awareness a mother brings to each moment deeply imprints the child, from changing her baby's clothing and diaper, to picking up her little one. . .these are all moments of mentoring. the mother, like the goddess gaia, is an all encompassing source of life; surrender, protection, nourishment and unconditional for her little one.

simply walking

2009-03-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

throughout pregnancy a woman's body is shifting in many ways. as the belly expands, so do the joints, ligaments and bones. a woman's pregnant body is making space for baby, and preparing for childbirth.

it's essential to move throughout pregnancy. simple movements can get you through your day, allowing you to find balance despite the continuous ebb and flow of hormones and flux.

walk. it's as simple as that. as a pregnant woman you can walk up to five miles a day. five miles might seem daunting at first. . .i recommend starting at one mile. that's about a half hour walk.

as you move, allow the arms to sway side to side. leave your cell phone at home, and allow the mind to let go. become totally present in the moment by bringing your awareness to your body as you move. notice the colors you see and the sounds you hear. allow the sun to warm your skin and revitalize your cells.

walk somewhere you feel refreshed. if you live near a beach or a forest, walk there. if you live in an urban area, find a nearby park to walk to.

as we women create life in our belly's, this life responds to our every thought, feeling, touch and taste. by becoming more and more present in each moment, we are teaching our children how to develop meditative and present minds.

loving lomi lomi

2009-02-28T20:18:00.000-08:00

i spent 7 glorious hours today learning the wise techniques of lomi lomi massage, with the pregnant woman in mind. lomi lomi massage is an ancient hawaiian form of healing that truly restores the body.

for about an hour i received this wave like massage that is so relaxing the entire nervous system is soothed and the mind enters a trance like state. the feelings created in my body, mind and spirit were deep and centered. the massage is administered with long flowing techniques, much like an ocean wave. we humans store unprocessed energy in the cells of our body, which often leads to disease and disharmony. lomi lomi's rhythmic trance is able to conjure up this waste, so that the body may process, release and heal.

for a pregnant woman this technique is phenomenal. while deeply relaxing the body, mama and baby are able to connect on a deep level. lomi lomi is safe for all stages of pregnancy. lomi lomi may also be given while a woman is in her birthing process. this can be especially helpful during the early stages of labor, when a mother needs to relax and conserve her energy for the more active and charged parts of releasing the baby from her body.

tomorrow is day two of this fabulous workshop. i am thrilled to obtain more knowledge and thirsty to give and receive more touch.

if you are interested in exploring lomi lomi and learning this relaxing technique, i recommend checking out carrie rowell's training schedule.

herbal remedies for after birth

2009-02-23T19:36:00.000-08:00

as an avid lover of natural medicine, i have an affinity towards herbs. my belief is that the earth grows to sustain us. natural medicine from herbs, to homeopathic remedies, to essential oils, massage, yoga, meditation, acupressure and acupuncture are amazing systems that balance and maintain the body.

susun weed offers some sound advice in wise woman herbal for the childbearing year. i find myself flipping through this book frequently, offering women suggestions. susun weed covers a wide variety of topics which range from sharing herbal remedies to soothe muscle cramps, lower blood pressure and assist with lactation. it's a great resource for any woman who desires a holistic approach.

sacred space through music

2009-02-19T22:10:00.000-08:00

birth is such a sensory and primal event. each touch is amplified, light is brighter and sounds are heard in different nuances. before it is time to give birth, consider your birthing space. what elements can you bring to it to allow it to serve you as you open up for your baby? consider all of the senses; touch, smell, sight, taste, intuition, and of course that which you hear.

i truly recommend carefully selecting a variety of music to have at hand for the sacred time of giving birth. some women prefer a deep and profound silence at birth. however, even if you think you will prefer silence, prepare some music, just in case. and be open to possibility. . .you may not like the styles of music you naturally prefer.

here are some of my favorites albums for birth's sake:

returning jennifer berezan

chakra mantras jana runnalls

anjali benjy wertheimer

anand bliss snatam kaur

mountain meadow dean evenson & scott huckabay

talking timbuktu ali farka toure

soul songs bachan kaur

the essence deva premal

koi au makana

touch beyond belief

2009-02-14T15:09:00.000-08:00

i recently finished the vital touch by sharon heller, ph.d. wow, it's amazing. i think we all intuitively know how important touch is in our lives. however, we don't live in a touch driven society. i wonder how many of us think to our cultural patterns in the united states and consider the rise of behavioural disorders, consumerism and disease with the link to lack of touch. sharon heller touches on these topics, while focusing on the experience of american babies, and why they rank the least held on earth.

this book is now in the top ten of my most recommended books for parents to be and parents who are smack dab in the midst of action. my favorite point that heller touches on is how touch actually creates brighter and more balanced babies, leading to emotionally balanced people. as sharon heller notes, when we carry our infants they experience our body warmth, frequent position changes, deep pressure, rocking, bouncing, and other forms of movement. they are often kissed, stroked, patted, nuzzled.

unfortunately, our consumer culture has convinced us that a container culture is the norm. so normal, that if you count families out and about on a weekend, it's rare to find babies in the arms of parents. most are in strollers or carriages. while being wheeled to and fro, the baby has limited vision and awareness, and is far from the warmth and safety of the parent's body. she is vulnerable to the loud sounds in the world around her, without the protection of a parent.

hugging a baby close and having her hang on your hip is proven to stimulate her development. neurons in the brain fire off with the movement. in various indigenous cultures, babies who are held throughout infancy often skip the crawling phase and go straight into walking, after a few stumbles or so. it's important to bring awareness to what we consider the "norm" and reflect on the pros and cons.

heller's work also stimulated some other thoughts. we simply don't offer enough support as a culture to the postpartum mom enough in this society. so often, the mother is left on her own. our nuclear families are spread like smooth peanut butter across the states, and often the mother's and father's families live miles away. in turn, this affects the entire bonding process for the mother and the baby. taking a shower or having a few minutes each day becomes a rare treat when a new mother is left at home alone with a newborn. many cultures take care of a new mother for up to 6 weeks after birth, so that all she may do is breastfeed and bond with her little one.

mother and baby need to bond, so that she may learn the signs of her baby's communication. often a newborn will cry just because they cannot yet control their muscles and being held or swaddled helps bring comfort. only a mother that is nurtured and supported can truly give full attention to her newborn's development.

we are raising the next generation of consciousness on this planet. the moment from our conception, to growth in the womb, our birth and the early weeks of infancy all assist in molding our personalities as adults. for parents who are interested in becoming fully aware of how they may positively affect their baby's development, i highly recommend the vital touch. this book will open doorways into your mind, your emotions, and most significantly into your body. may we all become more comfortable, open and aware of what it truly means to be in body.