Guest Post: Navigating the Motherhood
Catherine Bell talks us through the power of informed birth. As she says, "Not 'wishes' or 'preferences': Informed Decisions".
Birth Story: Reese and Dahlia
I needed to birth at home. I would go to the hospital if a life-threatening emergency presented itself, but home is where I am most comfortable. Home, to me, is where my baby belonged when he or she emerged into this world.
Homebirth: A “Narcissistic” Choice?
Some claim that to choose a homebirth is "narcissistic". But what if we compare the risk of homebirth (only in the US, no less) with other common, modern-day practices, I think people need to reevaluate their stance or be ready to call out a lot more people!
Homebirth Risks in the News Again
All over the news a few weeks ago (I’ve been busy) was news that homebirths increased the risk of an Apgar score of 0 10-fold. Doctors were out in force saying this is why homebirth should not be allowed (really via not allowing midwives to practice homebirth) or ethically promoted. But what does the research really tell us?
Homebirth, the Dutch Study, and Maternal Mortality
Recently, data from the Netherlands have shown homebirth to be as safe or safer than hospital birth. However, a response to the article has suggested that the findings are misleading because of the maternal mortality factor. Let's take a look at that...
Birth Story: Kristy and Baby Rainy
The second birth story from mom Kristy in Kansas. For anyone who wonders if you can do it differently the second time around, read this second beautiful home birth story from Kristy!
Fighting For Homebirth (Again)
I've done it once, and it's time to do it again: Taking apart shitty research trying to claim home birth is inherently dangerous.
ReBirth: Volume 8
It's been a while since I shared a reprint of ReBirth and I admit part of that has been that it's something I couldn't look at for a while after losing my mother. I have read each and every volume with her in mind and we've had discussions about some of the pieces she wrote or were written by others.
Birth Story: Sam in NZ
A beautiful home birth story from Sam in New Zealand!
And Here I Thought We Cared About Moms
This current system of medicalized birth should be yielding amazing results with respect to maternal and infant mortality and morbidity... but it's not.