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Links to common pregnancy, birth, and parenting sites are at the bottom of this page.
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Especially for VBAC Families |
International Cesarean Awareness Network (www.ican-online.org) This site includes White Papers on such subjects as how to avoid a Cesarean to how to heal emotionally after a Cesarean, It also includes fact sheets and a list of chapters for local support. As There is not currently (11/07) a Toledo area chapter but one is in the works. This UK web site offers Cesarean Birth and VBAC information. It includes poems and writing about Cesareans and VBAC, as well as a Cesarean scar picture gallery with background information for recent and healed scars. kmom's web site: (www.plus-size-pregnancy.org) Cesarean and VBAC info are toward the bottom of the page on kmom's site Gretchen Humphries site: Birth Matters (www.birthtruth.org ) Multiple essays including "You should be grateful..." Here is Gretchen's note about this essay: It's an angry piece of writing, but I haven't changed my feelings about the phrase "you should be grateful you have a healthy baby" or "all that matters is a healthy baby". Mostly I get positive responses, from women who never knew anyone else felt the way they did.
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Disappointing and Traumatic Birth |
The sad truth is that although we often plan an ideal birth, this is not always what takes place. If you are here because a previous birth was disappointing or traumatic, the following web sites may offer helpful information. Birth Trauma Support Group/Seattle The site contains information for mothers, fathers, babies and family members recovering from birth experiences that were stressful for them. These birth experiences can take place in any environment, and can be vaginal or caesarean. This site contains information about recovery from traumatic and stressful birth experiences of any type, including caesarean recovery. It does not specifically address neonatal loss issues. This is an Australian home birth website that offers information for identifying and dealing with traumatic birth, It includes information about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following childbirth, as well as resources for healing, and links to other helpful web site. Especially helpful is the "Myths of Birth Trauma" essay. A site from New Zealand which offers very specific information for dealing with PTSD, including a list of therapies that may be helpful. Birth Trauma Canada is an organization of mothers traumatized by childbirth. Traumatic stress disorders and depression are normal reactions to severe physical and/or psychological stress. This site has three purposes: to give women a voice, to support women traumatized by birth, and to advocate for better obstetrical treatment and attitudes. Midwives as Bullies The unfortunate truth is that even midwives may cause birth trauma. Marinah Valenzuela Farrel has written a series of four articles for Midwifery Today. Although the focus of the series discusses how midwives are bullied, much of what is written there applies to women who are also bullied by midwives. The first three articles are available at Midwifery Today on-line. The fourth is only available in the journal as of 11/07. The following web sites also contain helpful information about birth trauma and some resources for healing.. However, the languageused in describing what happens to women during birth rape is more graphic and may be more disturbing. I offer it because it is needed. Joyous Birth site/ birth rape essay This site contains a descriptive (and possibly disturbing ) essay that discusses unwanted hospital procedures as a form of rape (birth rape). It is a thought provoking piece that may help explain why women feel violated after even an uncomplicated, lovely birth. The essay in this link was written by Danell Swim. It also contains graphic and disturbing language about birth rape. It also contains a long list of comments and a discussion of the essay that may be helpful. This essay was written by Amity Reed and is published on a UK feminist website. Although it contains information about birth trauma/ birth rape, it also contains some information for healing. Amity is a mother and birth activist.
Please check the events page for the Hope and Healing conference sponsored by Midwifery Today in Ann Arbor, MI in May 2008. You may request a program brochure at the link above. |
Other Special Interests Web Sites and Links |
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Offers information and protocols for a variety of breastfeeding issues such as low blood sugars in the newborn and the characteristics of a breastfeeding friendly doctor's office. Breastfeeding in Special Circumstances While general information and breastfeeding basics are to be found at MOBI Motherhood Intl’s website, our intent is to go beyond the norm in addressing extreme breastfeeding challenges. Includes a lot of information on PCOS and low milk supply A place for women with PCOS to speak from the heart. Their is a link at the bottom of the page for participation in ongoing research studies for breastfeeding women with PCOS. Breastfeeding after Breast and Nipple Surgery This website provides information and support to mothers who wish to breastfeed after breast or nipple surgery, and their friends and family. It is also an online resource for healthcare providers who help mothers breastfeed. |
Links to Other Helpful Sites |
Midwives Alliance of North America (www.mana.org) American College of Nurse-Midwives
(www.acnm.org) Childbirth Connection (www.childbirthconnection.org) La Leche League (www.llli.org)
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copyright Linda Johnson, CNM/ Mother's Own Birth Center , 2007