Wednesday, August 1st, begins a worldwide week-long celebration of breastfeeding. In an effort to raise awareness of the wonderful benefits of nursing for both mothers and babies, many communities are hosting events. Check your local book stores, libraries, community centers for events in your area.

If you live in Pittsburgh, check out the event being hosted by local chapters of the La Leche League at the South Hills Barnes and Noble on Saturday, August 4th from 10 am-noon. Enjoy a special story time addressing the bond created by breastfeeding, a topical discussion is scheduled, and a panel of lactation experts will be on hand to answer questions. Also, books discussing breastfeeding will be on display in a special section honoring World Breastfeeding Week. Fun for the whole family, it will be a great opportunity to get out and meet other parents who support breastfeeding.
Go to the La Leche League website to find a chapter near you or to to browse their informational sections. Kellymom is another great support site for breastfeeding moms.

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An introduction to the Natural Childbirth Series

For a pregnant woman, it can be overwhelming to sift through the vast amount of often contradictory information and advice from prenatal to postpartum. And, for a first time mother, there are certainly many, many decisions to make. When selecting a physician or midwife to attend pregnancy and childbirth, we are met with so many points to consider.

* What are the procedures that our health care team will or won’t perform?
* What level of support and information will or won’t they provide?
* What quality of caring and compassion will or won’t they exhibit?
* What kind of encouragement and confidence will or won’t they inspire in us as we prepare for the greatest challenges of parenthood?

What kinds of answers do we really expect from asking these questions?

In our consumer-driven culture, women can be perceived as just another a demographic to which products and services are sold. And, I have to wonder, is our health care any different? Are our health care options just another service to be marketed? And, if so, I wonder how this influences the collective perception of what we women think we can do; what we think we are capable of. With so much rhetoric swarming about, do we ever really have the opportunity to decide for ourselves what we are capable of? Do women collectively feel strong and empowered? Do we feel comfortable in our own skin? Do the common avenues of media encourage women to embrace our womanliness? How much does shared opinion affect our choices, medical or otherwise?

I believe that the fundamental reason why women may choose not to have a natural childbirth lies in the way we have been taught to view our bodies; to view ourselves. I have always had the opinion that cultural norms run in a vicious circle powered by the betterment of the establishment rather than the greater good of the collective—what ever can make big business the most money is what is force-fed to our psyches.

While taking the stance of compassionate rebel, I’ve always tried to do my part in encouraging others to find their own truths. I’ve always believed that the widespread benefit of health and wholeness is possible. In relating this position to childbirth, my first pregnancy inspired many questions in me. I began to read as much as I could about my options for prenatal care and labor experiences. And, unfortunately, I was shocked and saddened by what I learned.

The part of the Hippocratic oath that states “keep the good of the patient as top priority” had been lost in the actual practice many physicians employ. I started to question— why in my own experience do physicians never seem to portray their role as an educator of health? Instead, of proactively educating patients about healthy life choices, they have taken to focusing on disease. And, in the case of labor and delivery, it seems to me that doctors treat the event as a disease to be medicalized rather than a natural event to guide and protect.

I found evidence of these attitudes in many sources. To cite just one example: The bestseller Your Pregnancy week by week—a book millions of women have come to trust as a reliable guide—addresses the subject of natural childbirth on less than one of its 380 pages of content. While I have nothing personal against the authors, I have to wonder why they choose language that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in a woman’s natural ability to birth. The authors spend the small space convincing women not to feel guilty when they’ll inevitably need medical interventions. They offer exactly zero space presenting even a short list of the benefits of natural childbirth. Nowhere can be found a positive statement such as, “natural childbirth is worth considering.” I know I am not the only woman who thinks there is something missing here.

In many cases, I found the relentless promotion of the perception that birth is a horrible, painful experience to be feared. Thus, mothers hear: Dull the pain. Anesthetize your feelings. Get it over with. Ad infinitum.

And so, it is my intention to do what so few others are willing to do: inspire confidence in women.

In my search for a positive authority on the subject, I did find several sources who encourage women to embrace what can be a beautiful, fulfilling event. I want to do my part in making these resources more widely known. Why not open discussion about the natural capabilities of a woman? Why not discuss the true facts about the adverse effects medical interventions can have on healthy moms and babies? Why not ensure positive resources of information are more widely circulated among the masses? Why not invite women to embrace what society tries to stifle—that we are intelligent and hungry for knowledge; that we are beautiful in all proportions; that we are proactive about our health and wellness; that we are built to conceive, nurture, and birth our children.

And, when we consider the facts, we are willing and able to make choices for ourselves.

Next Up in the Natural Childbirth Series:

Medical Interventions: Developed for crisis and emergency

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The planning phase for our first Recycle Circle is well underway. A circle of moms and their tots will get together for a morning of instituting the three R’s, all under the guise of playing, relaxing, and just plain summertime fun. The goal is to Reduce Reuse Recycle—that is, reduce the amount of unwanted misfit toys that get thrown away and end up in landfills by trading/sharing with another family who will reuse, recycle, and give them a new home. Likewise, we hope to reduce the amount of money spent on mountains of toys and, instead, provide clothes and toys for families with young children—especially those who may not otherwise have the resources. To the event, each mom will bring a bag full of toys/books/clothes that are in good condition and suitable for donation. Parents are encouraged to discuss the event with the kids (as age appropriate) so that they know what to expect. The little ones will arrive knowing that they’d be able to swap a few of their items for a “new” one thereby communicating the value of sharing in the process. The remaining items will be collected and donated to a charity in which families with children will directly benefit from the items free of charge.

For this first upcoming event, we will be donating to the Angel’s Place, a support center for young, single mothers who have little or no support. The invaluable work the staff does with the families who benefit is truly compassionate. Women are provided with academic services and career counseling, child care, parental support and health counseling as well as practical items i.e.: clothes, toys, and such. For more information, check out Angel’s Place online.

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We can’t let another day go by without calling attention to two amazing online vegetarian women. Earthmother.org sends out unabashed praise to the ladies responsible for the sites listed below. Their efforts to strengthen the foundation of the vegetarian family community are truly appreciated. While a big part of earthmother.org’s mission is to encourage moms to empower each other, we say cheers! to these women for their commitment to raising tots on a plant-based diet in an environmentally-conscious lifestyle— and we do mean style. Within these sites, you’ll find great recipes and general nutrition information geared toward a natural, healthy vegetarian diet. Do yourself a favor and check ‘em out.

Vegkitchen.com

Nava Atlas , author of a bountiful collection of vegetarian cookbooks, brings her love of delicious, freshly prepared foods and the nutrition behind them to the web. A wonderful resource of vegetarian options for the whole family.

Veganlunchbox.com

Jennifer McCann, author of Vegan Lunch Box, makes the most exciting, vibrant, fun, silly, lunchtime fare we have ever seen! She brings the daily chore of preparing a noontime meal to an absolutely artistic level.

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