Why Consider A Natural Birth?
I often think back to my first prenatal yoga classes when the teacher, who was also a doula (something I’d never heard of at the time), introduced the idea of natural birth. I guess I had always assumed that I would have my baby in the hospital, most likely under the spell of an epidural or other drugs that would make the experience entirely bearable. In fact, I don’t think anyone I personally knew had had a baby any other way, unless by accident. The only pregnancy book on my shelf at the time was “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy” which, as funny as it is, would have me believe that one might die if she actually felt a single contraction or was made to “room-in” with her baby during the remainder of her hospital stay. Thank heavens for my prenatal yoga instructors! [...]
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Getaway Retreat Weekend Class
Birth Journey Prep will be hosting a weekend retreat childbirth education class June 11–13 in Twin Lakes, ID. A full bed and breakfast package PLUS our complete childbirth course with Stephanie Nobles and Terri Young teaching. More information is below. You can sign up on the Birth Journey Prep website. [...]
Goodbye Wendy Connolly. We’ll Miss You!
I am sad to tell you that Spokane is losing one of our two HypnoBirthing educators to the lucky city of Portland. But before she leaves, Wendy Connolly of Spokane HypnoBirthing will be teaching one final series of classes beginning April 13th. She has a few open spots, so if you’re interested I suggest you contact her right away. Even if you are early in your pregnancy, this is the perfect time to take the class. [...]
Prenatal Pilates and Birth Education
I have been reminded, once again, how lucky we are here in Spokane to have so many passionate, smart, skilled and caring people working to educate and empower the women in our community! I recently met Elizabeth Jones, a local Pilates instructor and physical rehabilitation specialist who has focused much of her career on working with pregnant women. As we began talking, something Elizabeth said captured my attention. “Society has lost interconnectedness with families and with birth.” I was drawn to this statement because it encapsulates the core reason that so many of us (midwives, doulas, educators, etc.) do what we do. We are trying to reconnect women and families to the importance of birth in our lives. Elizabeth Jones does this by providing women a way to stay in good physical health while preparing their bodies and minds for birth. [...]
Natural Birth in Hospitals
Even though it is a radical idea to many mainstream childbirth professionals, it is entirely possible to have a natural birth in a hospital—one without any medical interventions, pain medications or surgical procedures. It is even possible to have a beautiful, satisfying and empowering birth experience in a hospital, provided the parents have chosen the proper health care professionals and received thorough education about natural childbirth methods.
However, pregnant women must take matters into their own hands—your birth is your responsibility! If you believe that natural birth in a hospital setting is the best option for you, finding the right Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) who will support your vision of natural birth is key to achieving your goal. As well, you should prepare for the experience by taking natural childbirth classes (Lamaze, Bradley Method, HypnoBirthing) and make sure that you have proper labor support. First time mothers giving birth in a hospital can greatly benefit from, and are more likely to achieve a non-medicated birth, with the help of a doula. [...]
Top 100 Natural Birth Blogs
Top 100 Natural Birth Blogs
This list of the top 100 natural birth blogs, compiled by MRI Tech’s Health Blog, pulls together their favorite sites, resources, and tools that provide information about natural birth. The featured bloggers include midwives, doulas, moms, hypnosis experts, childbirth educators and other natural birth advocates. While I haven’t peeked at every blog on this list, I am familiar with several of them through my own research on the topic. Here are a few of my personal favorites, not listed elsewhere on Bloom, in case you don’t feel like perusing a list of 100 sites. [...]
