Waterbirth with Barbara Harper-Part II

The second part of my interview with Barbara Harper, founder of Waterbirth International, picks up with a discussion about waterbirth in the hospital environment and how a mother can advocate for this option in her local facility. We also discuss options available if your local hospital won't offer waterbirth and Barbara's upcoming new books.

Links to today's topic:
Waterbirth International

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Waterbirth interview with Barbara Harper, RN-Part 1

This edition of Bellycast focuses on waterbirth and its many benefits. This two part interview with Barbara Harper, RN, of Waterbirth International has us discussing her own birth experiences and what compelled her to learn more about this fascinating topic. We also learned a little about the history of waterbirth, the prevalence around the world and here in the U.S. and her thoughts on the benefits and drawback of giving birth in water.

Links mentioned in today's program:
Waterbirth International
Gentle Birth Choices
Dr. Michel Odent

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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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