Midwives-in-training now have a new way to learn about pregnancy and childbirth.  Instead of practicing on live patients, the BBC reports on a new computer program designed to give students the chance to practice examinations and diagnosis. Using graphics, video and sound, midwifery students are taken on an imaginary journey through the pregnancy of Jessica [...]

The Independant’s article “Stillbirth: Life after Loss” is meant to provoke questions about keeping maternity units open and accessible. But to me it just deepens my questions about the decision to give birth in a birthing center or at home, rather than in a hospital. The frightening possiblity that something could go wrong (as in this [...]

I dunno, Esther seems pretty thrilled with her new baby brother these days.  I was told to beware of the jealousy, but my 2-year old was SO excited to have a new baby in the house. When we first brought him home, she could barely contain herself and kept pointing at him and shrieking in delight, “Baby! [...]

For anyone who likes to hear about other people’s labor and delivery… this is for you I’ll try not to draw it out too much, but you know how we love going on and on about these things…
 So I started feeling contractions on Friday morning, but I didn’t even mention them to my husband, David, or sister [...]

You would think there was something awful about to happen the minute you pass your due date, the way some women talk about it. Do an online search for “overdue” and you’ll hear tons of women moaning and weeping about how they just want the baby out already and can’t handle being pregnant any longer (and [...]

If you suffer from back pain during pregnancy, which many women report, due to the “rapid growth of the baby and an interference to your body’s normal structural adaptations to that growth,” then you might consider seeing a chiropractor. But there are other reasons too!
Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy is a collection of links to other [...]

A Birth Plan is pretty much just what it sounds like… a plan written out by you, listing your preferences for an ideal birth. Of course, a “birth plan” is somewhat of an oxymoron, since childbirth is anything but predictable. However, there are certain things you might want to be in control of, and writing out [...]

Babies don’t always stick to the rules when deciding when to be born. Sometimes they are early and sometimes they are late, but since you never know when he’ll decide to make his appearence, it’s best to be prepared! Have a bag packed at least a couple weeks before your due date.
Here is a Packing [...]

The number one cause of life threatening infections in newborn babies, since the early 1970’s, is the bacteria Group B Streptococcus (GBS).  GBS infections are more common than other illnesses for which pregnant women are screened, such as rubella, Down’s Syndrome and spina bifida. Yet, most people have never heard of GBS!
GBS is a bacteria [...]

Baby Chaos has a page on Pain Relief Options, and at the very bottom it says, “Shouting, screaming and swearing; as loud as you like, it will make you feel better (don’t worry, the midwives have heard it all before). Chanting has a very calming and soothing effect, but it doesn’t quite give the satisfaction, [...]