Homebirth
The Educated Parent: There is no place like home! By Amy V. Haas, BA, BCCE Once upon a time a woman sat down to have lunch with her best friend. “I’m pregnant!” she said, “and we’re planning a homebirth!”. “Congratulations!” said her friend, “But are you insane!?!”. “Nope” said the mom to be, “Homebirth is just as safe, if not safer than hospital birth, and it’s much more comfortable”. Smart woman. Sounds like she’s done her homework. The controversy over home vs. hospital birth has continued to rage over the last 80+ years, as the miracle of birth began to move from the family home to the...
Read MorePreventing Gestational Diabetes
Don’t Risk Yourself Out of a Homebirth: Prevent Gestational Diabetes By Amy V. Haas, BCCE It’s the third class in my childbirth education series – the time when I encourage my students to ask about prenatal testing – and I’ve started to dread some of the questions about glucose tolerance testing. Most of the time, when someone asks about glucose tolerance testing, I discuss the history and refer them to Henci Goer’s book, The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth. Typically, at least one person in the class decides they don’t want to be tested. That’s totally their right. But what happens...
Read MoreCultural Diversity in Childbirth Education
Cultural Diversity in Childbirth Education Amy V. Haas, BCCE I had just started a new class and as I looked around the room I wondered what surprises these families would hold for me. How could I best help them find what they need? Most important, what would I learn from them? As a childbirth educator (CBE) of 15 years I have learned to tailor my classes to accommodate the needs of different families. Just because I live in a suburb of a small city in upstate New York does not mean I will only have white, middle-class students. The area where I live is actually quite diverse, mimicking the...
Read MoreThe Emotional Side to Drugs in Labor: The Beginning of Learning to Parent
The Emotional Side to Drugs in Labor: The Beginning of Learning to Parent By Amy V. Haas, BCCE The debate over natural vs. drugged labors rages daily. Professionals argue both sides, while parents wait to hear what the healthiest choice should be. Research emerges frequently that supports one side or the other. Issues of women’s right to choose an anesthetized birth over the struggle for a natural birth pervade the birth industry, in spite of evidence that shows the harmful side effects of drugs during labor. Proven or not, birth professionals have to be very careful what they...
Read MoreHow to Stay Healthy and Low Risk
The information in this article is general in nature and is not specific to your particular physical situation or problem. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. You should obtain information specific to the individual mother or baby directly from your medical practitioner. Also, check out our once a month Healthy Pregnancy class! As seen in issue #4 of Midwifery Today’s Having A Baby Today How to Stay Healthy and Low Risk during Pregnancy, Labor, and Birth Amy V. Haas, BA, BCCE Pregnancy can be a wonderful and exciting time of life for most women. ...
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