mommymedia : birth

Painless Childbirth

Satya — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:56:00 GMT

Painless Childbirth sounds very alluring but it might not be what you think. The books’ author, Giuditta Tornetta mostly encourages the reader to sort through their issues and find a spiritual center. While Tornetta emphasizes that no belief in God is needed for her techniques, her strong sense of God fills the pages. Tornetta is a doula and clinical hypnotherapist and her book is a strong reflection of herself. At times, her writing will make you feel like you’re being hypnotized or meditating. She tells stories of spiritual births, of pregnant women working out issues under hypnosis, and shares her own pregnancy and painless birthing experiences.

At no time, however, will you get a step-by-step guide to a painless childbirth. You will find a couple techniques for hypnotism, ideas for dealing with subconscious issues, and some techniques for enduring childbirth, but she focuses primarily on advocating that a painless childbirth has more to do with mindset and involves a strong sense of spirituality. For example, she refers to contractions as “hugging” the child out.

The book contains very little information about fetal development and almost no information about problems you might encounter. Each chapter is devoted to a month of pregnancy, but the writings in each chapter are not necessarily based on that specific month; in other words, the information can seem scattered. Tornetta begins each chapter with a description of the ruling chakra for that month and closes the chapters with a prayer. If you’re looking for a practical, medical book to accompany you throughout your pregnancy then this is not it. However, if you are looking to deepen the spiritual experience of having a child or sorting through personal issues while pregnant, you would get a lot out of this book. Pick up a copy here.

The Business of Being Born- DVD

Satya — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:03:00 GMT

The Business of Being Born turns society’s expectation of birth on its head by refuting the common belief that birth must be done in a hospital with an OB-GYN. Any industry knows that gaining new customers is the key to flourishing and the medical industry is no exception. The c-section epidemic in this country has become the poster child for a more fundamental issue in the birthing industry.

The DVD features talk show host Rikki Lake and renowned midwife Ina May Gaskin who shine a spotlight on the unfortunate state of childbirth in the United States today. The US has the second highest infant mortality rate in the world and the most medicalized birth process. As the film reveals, more interventions during birth bring more risks. The film uses facts and figures to back up their opinion that women are treated like a commodity in a hospital; to be serviced in the quickest manner and then sent on her way.

While the producers do the viewer a disservice by making such blanket statements that herald homebirths and demonize OB-GYNs as such a wide-range of experiences is possible, even in the hospital, the real message of the movie is one that all women in America should hear: play an active role in your child’s birth. According to the film, childbirth is an experience, not a medical emergency. After watching the videos of homebirths included in the film, you will surely see how powerful an experience it can be (and might even find yourself in tears). The film is truly convincing and well made, but one wonders if it is overly dramatized and exaggerated for shock value or really accurate. Either way, it is one strong view that many women hold and the general message is a good one. Overall, it is a strong case for women to empower themselves and take control of the most life-changing event of their life: the day they give birth. Pick up a copy here.

Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born

Satya — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:59:00 GMT

While “Birth” by Tina Cassidy doesn’t give you information on how your child is growing inside of you or what method of birthing will give you the best experience, it is a book you won’t be able to put down.

Truly an eye-opener, “Birth” presents a factual history of childbirth all over the world, from what it might have been like to give birth in medieval or Victorian times to labor and delivery in America in the 1970s. Instances of doctors spreading infection from woman to woman and crushing babies’ skulls to extract them from their mothers will make you question doctors, hospital practices and the trust you may have initially had in them. You may even come to the conclusion that a homebirth with a midwife and a doula is the safest way to birth a child.

Regardless of your opinion of the book when you’re done reading it, you’ll walk away with a wealth of knowledge about the history of childbirth and a new understanding of how the birthing process came to be where it is today.

While I wouldn’t recommend “Birth” to a first-time mother-to-be in search of prenatal advice, I would recommend it to anyone who has or will eventually have children. The author’s message to trust your instincts before anyone else will stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. Pick up a copy here.

Homebirth in the Hospital

Satya — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:22:00 GMT

Integrating Natural Childbirth with Modern Medicine

Homebirth in the Hospital is an engaging journey through birth stories of all types with only one similarity: the doctor in charge. The author of the book and primary caregiver in each birth story is Stacey Marie Kerr. Dr. Kerr has an incredible background for a medical doctor. Not only did she spend time on The Farm, a spiritual community founded by renowned midwife Ina May Gaskin – she actually lived there. During that time, Dr. Kerr learned the power of letting Mother Nature take its course in the birthing process. Her humble approach towards childbirth makes each story very touching.

Each story is incredibly unique. They range from all-natural births to c-sections, some with drugs and some with minor interventions, and women who had health problems to those who were in perfect health. There is even one very sad story of a baby that didn’t make it. Collectively, they give the reader a bird’s eye view of what twists and turns Mother Nature can throw at a woman in labor and the integrative solutions at hand. The way the doctor handles the births is wonderful and always seems so right, putting to shame many other doctors who treat pregnancy exclusively as a medical condition.

The stories in Homebirth in the Hospital are awe-inspiring and may leave you in tears of joy and grief as you share in these women’s most intimate moments. A very good read for first-time mothers interested in natural birth, it shows you that nothing is set in stone and even the a typical pregnancy can end unpredictably. The book provides the reader with insight into a woman’s intuition during pregnancy and labor as well as what to look for in a doctor. Homebirth in the Hospital is a captivating book that is rich with emotion and often difficult to put down.

Pick up a copy here.