Even beginners can curb pain with meditation

Interesting topic, especially if you think about the implications of such things in labor and birth.

Why Is ACOG So Scared of Midwives?

"Having a CPM attend your birth comes with a major benefit to taxpayers and states as well -- lower c-section rates, and lower complications result in big savings. Washington reported a savings of $2.7 million after just 2 years of use of CPMs. The Department of Health also found that over 87 percent of the time, transfer to a hospital is not required for moms or babies birthing outside the hospital with constant one-on-one care from a CPM"

Throw Your Clocks out the Window

"Instead of looking at the clock, observe the woman. Listen to her. If a dad calls me and announces the contractions are matching some formulaic expectation and I can hear the mom chatting excitedly and barely cracking a sweat during the contraction, I tell them to stay home if they can. Very often they'll call me hours later, and even though the contractions may or may not be different in terms of length and frequency, I'll hear a change. She will be vocalizing in some way, or doing some very focused breathing...her voice will sound a little far away even between the contractions. If I'm present and watching her, her motions will be slower, and more deliberate. She'll have to lean over things and sway her hips. When labour is really rocking and rolling, most women will look quite stoned between their contractions, the idea of distracting themselves by conversing or watching tv ridiculous, and there is a sense they are far away, off in labour land, and moving normally is often difficult. Plus it's aparent they are feeling some spectacularly strong sensations. For first time mothers, this is usually the time to go to the hospital, because labour has had a chance to establish itself...endorphins and oxytocin are flowing beautifully. If a woman goes to the hospital too much before this happens, it can be EXTREMELY difficult to achieve this trance-like state with all the routines and strangers asking questions, often making the labour seem longer and more painful."

Newborn Deliveries Are Scheduled Too Early, According to Hospital Watchdog Group

This is not to say that once a woman reaches 39 weeks gestation there are no longer any risks to "elective" delivery. I wholeheartedly believe that our bodies and babies know that they are doing and just as we put our trust in the natural process of labor and birth as being the safest for Mother and baby, so should we put our trust in the timing of labor to begin on it's own for the safety of Mom and baby.

"Every hospital should publicly report on their rate and actively prevent the practice, and every woman planning to give birth should demand the information,"

36 Obvious Reasons You are Capable Of Natural Birth

Love this list!!! Sometimes we just need to be reminded. :-)

"The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed." --Chinese proverb

I just renewed my Bradley® teacher certification! Here's to another great year, helping fantastic couples and their precious babies!!!

“When enough women realize that birth is a time of great opportunity to get in touch with their true power, and when they are willing to assume responsibility for this, we will reclaim the power of birth and help move technology where it belongs – in the service of birthing women, not their master.” – Christiane Northrup

Miranda Kerr: I Had a Baby Boy with Orlando Bloom!

They released his name and a beautiful picture of her breastfeeding their newborn! Yay!

"I believe the act of giving birth to be the single most miraculous thing a human being can do and it is surely the moment when a lot of women finally understand the depth of their power and connection to all of nature... You think can’t possibly take the pain, and then you do - and afterward you look at yourself in a whole new way... The memory of pain always recedes. The memory of triumph does not," - Ani DiFranco

Abdominal Breathing for Labor and Birth

Abdominal breathing is a BIG key to the Bradley Method® of natural childbirth classes. If you will focus on replacing chest breathing, which causes a tension, pain, fear cycle, with nice deep, relaxing, abdominal breaths you will eliminate one cause of unnecessary pain in your labor and birth.

Beyond Biology: The Holistic Stages of Labor

This is one of the most powerful and intuitive accounts of the labor and birth process that I have ever read before. I was brought to tears several times by the power I felt and remembered from my own births as I read it. It is lengthy, but you will not be sorry if you take the time to go all the way through it.

Why you shouldn’t “try” to have an unmedicated birth.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the logic of this one!!! A MUST read for anyone considering an un-medicated birth.

It's a Boy and a HOme Birth for Owen Wilson

They did it!!! :-)

"There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don't ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it." - Sheryl Feldman

"One thing you can depend upon is that your birthing with be *powerful*! Powerful pressure, powerful stretching, powerful pushing sensations and intense joy. Expect these powerful sensations and emotions, appreciate them for what they are; they bring your baby to you." --Hypnobabies (Official)

Owen Wilson & Jade Duell Planning a Home Birth