Research & Statistics

Alternative Methods of Checking Dilation {The Purple Line and More}

June 6, 2013

Through several years of being a part of the birth world I have noticed a trend. Dilation is *the* birth topic. No matter how a mother plans to birth, when the time draws near, dilation is the one thing on her mind. Why? Cervical dilation tells us one thing and one thing only – where [...]

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The Magical Menstrual Cycle

May 29, 2013

When did you first hear an explanation of your menstrual cycle? Apart from asking my mom or step mom what pads or tampons were upon seeing them in the cabinet, I don’t have a memory of an explanation until third grade. We all had to get a permission slip signed so that we could learn [...]

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“Pulled Apart And Put Back Together” {A Cesarean Section Procedure}

April 9, 2013

[Warning: This post describes and illustrates Cesareans sections with graphic detail.] The Cesarean section is often described as simply “an incision in the abdomen”, or variations to that effect. Usually you’re told it’s “straightforward” or “simple” or “virtually risk-free” or even “the easy option”. But what is it, really? I’ve heard stories where the muscles [...]

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Why Should I Write My Birth Story?

April 1, 2013

I am daily compelled by the siren call of birth stories. I read them late at night when I can’t sleep because I’m pregnant. I read them early in the morning when I need inspiration because I’m pregnant and my toddler’s favourite co-sleeping position is ‘H is for Hell’. I recount them to my husband, [...]

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Hello Aunt Flo {And Toxins?}

March 27, 2013

Lets talk about PERIODS. Cycles. The Curse. Aunt Flo. Your Monthly Visitor. You know…that thing. The thing you were most likely taught to hide at all costs and were so afraid to be shamed about, be it from a stain on your pants to an “odor”, to hell…just being a woman. Now readers – this [...]

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D-MER {No, You Are Not Crazy}

March 27, 2013

We all hear about the joys of breastfeeding. The bonding, the flow of love hormones, and the feeling of accomplishment that often comes to mothers upon reaching goals. Breastfeeding can be tough the first weeks of your baby’s life (or longer), but after that it is smooth sailing right? This promise of positive emotional connections [...]

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Cord Clamping {Give Me All My Blood!}

February 15, 2013

The “Third Stage” of labor is one that is often forgotten. This is the span of time between the birth of the baby and the expulsion of the placenta. The typical medical birth looks like this for the third stage: baby emerges, cord is clamped immediately, baby is taken by a nurse to a warmer, [...]

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New Study Reveals Midwife-led Birth Centers a Key to Decreased Cesarean Rate, Lower Health Care Costs

January 31, 2013

With health care costs skyrocketing and approximately one-third of all hospital births resulting in cesareans in the United States, childbirth overseen in midwife-led birth centers is emerging as a safe and cost-effective alternative to hospital births, cites a new study conducted by the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) and published in the Journal of [...]

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Hyperemesis Gravidarum – {More than Morning Sickness}

December 21, 2012

With the recent news that the beloved Duchess Kate was hospitalized recently in relation to HG (Hyperemesis Gravidarum), I saw both an out pouring of love, and more often, ridicule. First – why on earth would we malign a soon-to-be mother for getting medical help? That in itself is mind boggling. Second – the absolute [...]

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PPD, PTSD and Antenatal Depression: Nutrition and Research…What Helps?

August 8, 2012

Postpartum depression, antenatal depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder related to birth are multi-faceted, complicated illnesses that can be caused by a number of different things.  While some experts propose that these things have physical causes, others report psychological factors as the main cause.  And others, like myself (although I would not consider myself an expert), [...]

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