Current Research on Various Related Topics

This episode of Bellycast focuses on current research items in the news concerning prenatal alcohol exposure, dioxins in breastmilk, the FDA and bisphenol-A risks, preterm infants and type 2 diabetes risks, new research on near-term birth risks, chorionic villus sampling and vitamin D supplementation. The links below will take you to the original news articles so you may read them in their entirety and do your own research for your family.

Links:
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Damages White Matter
Benefits of Breastfeeding Outweigh Risk of Infant Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
Nearly Three-Quarters of Youths With Diabetes Insufficient in Vit D
More Evidence that Vitamin D Beats the Flu
More Vitamin D Updates from Mercola.com
Prevention Magazine-Vitamin D
Chorionic Villus Sampling May Increase Risk of Hemangiomas
Late Preterm Birth: Beware!
Low-weight Babies May Have Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
FDA to Re-evaluate Risks of BPA

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The Hormones of Natural Birth

On this episode of Bellycast, we take a look at the hormones involved in birth. What hormones are involved in labor and birth and how can we enhance our birth experience by encouraging these hormones to work for us? Do these hormones benefit the baby also? Listen and learn why choosing to have a natural birth may be your best bet for a better and safer birth for you and your baby.

Links for more information:
Dr. Sarah Buckley's 'Ecstatic Birth'
Birthsource article on hormones
Collection of articles on Gentlebirth

Natural methods of coping for childbirth:
Hypnobirthing
The Bradley Method
Lamaze Method
The Pink Kit
Birthing From Within
Birthing Naturally

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Moving the Feed

Those of you who have subscribed to this podcast via this page may want to click the subscribe button again because I am in the process of moving my feed to a different location that accommodates ITunes a little better. Hopefully in a few days we will be showing up in ITunes WITH the individual episodes! This was the issue that caused me to switch to a new feed provider.

How to Avoid an Unnecessary Cesarean

With cesarean rates skyrocketing to an average of 37% nationwide, how can you avoid being a statistic? Listen to today's podcast to learn several steps you can take to lower your risk of becoming a statistic.

Links to more information mentioned in the podcast:
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)
Childbirth Connection
Coalition for Improving Maternity Services
Citizens for Midwifery
Pregnant Patient's Bill of Rights

Birth Plans:
Interactive Birth Plan
Birth Plan Creator
IParenting Make your own birthplan

Find a Doula:
DONA International
ALACE

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Breastfeeding surveys and tainted breastmilk substitutes

Today's podcast examines the findings of a recent survey from pediatricians and their attitudes towards breastfeeding and two current news stories about tainted infant formulas.



Medscape News article on Pediatric Breastfeeding survey
FDA finds melamine in US formula
One infant dies, another hospitalized with Enterobacter Sakazakii from formula

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Are Feminists finally catching on that birth is a relevant women's issue?

This first episode of Bellycast discusses the newest book from Our Bodies Ourselves concerning pregnancy and birth. The organization has made some specific recommendations about improving maternity care, but do they go far enough or do they still limit women's choices?

Links mentioned in the podcast:
Childbirth Connection
Our Bodies Ourselves

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