One of the valuable benefits for Lamaze International members is a subscription to Lamaze International's official journal - The Journal of Perinatal Childbirth Education, whose mission is to promote, support, and protect natural, safe, and healthy birth through education and advocacy. The journal publishes peer-reviewed articles and evidence-based, practical resources that childbirth educators and other health care professionals can use to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their care or teaching to prepare expectant parents for birth.

Through evidence-based articles, the JPE advances the knowledge of aspiring and seasoned educators in any setting-independent or private practice, community, hospital, nursing or midwifery school-and informs educators and other health care professionals on research that will improve their practice and their efforts to support natural, safe, and healthy birth.

The JPE also publishes features that provide practical resources and advice health care professionals can use to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their care or teaching to prepare expectant parents for birth. The journal's content focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, breastfeeding, neonatal care, early parenting, and young family development. In addition to childbirth educators, the JPE's readers include nurses, midwives, physicians, and other professionals involved with perinatal education and maternal-child health care.

Consider joining Lamaze International to receive this member benefit along with other perks. There is value and benefit to all birth professionals.

Here are the highlights and abstracts for the recent edition. It is always a good day when the newest edition arrives in my mailbox. I can't wait to sit down and read it from cover to cover.

Who Knew Life Could Be This Good?

Author: Pagano, Megan

Abstract

This birth story describes the challenges of a fast first labor. The mother's determination and the support of her husband, midwife, and mother-in-law, and prayer, helped her manage a roller-coaster labor that lasted only 5 hours. She describes labor as the most painful and challenging experience of her life. She describes her joy as "who knew life could be this good."

The Role of the Childbirth Educator in Supporting Vaginal Birth and Reducing Primary Cesareans: Highlights From the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative Toolkit

Author: Amis, Debby

Abstract

Maternity care organizations, including the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have identified reducing the rate of primary cesarean births as an urgent health-care priority. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing the cesarean rate for nulliparous women who are at term with a singleton baby in the vertex position. The California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative recently published an evidence-based, comprehensive Toolkit to Support Vaginal Birth and Reduce Primary Cesareans for this population. This article highlights the recommended strategies from the Toolkit of particular interest to childbirth educators.

Birth Plans: Encouraging Patient Engagement

Author: Waller-Wise, Renece

Abstract

Patient engagement is defined as a set of actions by patients, family members, and health-care providers that promotes patients and family members as active participants of the health-care team. As focus turns toward patient engagement where patients have an active role in their health care, childbirth educators and nurses are in a position to support patient choices. The focus is to assist the engaged woman to stay engaged and to encourage those not engaged to become engaged. The results can be improved patient care outcomes and improved patient satisfaction. One way to promote patient engagement can be the birth plan. This process can be facilitated through education of choices and assisting with writing choices into a formal birth plan.

Infant Feeding in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada: Perceptions and Experiences of Maternal Grandmothers

Authors: Young, Felicie; Twells, Laurie; Joy, Rhonda; Newhook, Leigh Anne; Goodridge, Janet Murphy; Burrage, Lorraine

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the primary factors that influenced grandmothers' choices of infant feeding and to explore the role that grandmothers feel they played in their daughters' choices about infant feeding. Twenty-two maternal grandmothers who bottle fed their children and whose daughters also bottle fed their babies were recruited to participate in 4 focus groups and/or 2 interviews. Using the constant comparative method of data analysis, 3 themes emerged that described how grandmothers felt about their infant feeding experiences: "powerlessness," "modesty," and "ambivalence." These themes and their implications are discussed in this article.

Prenatal Education: Program Content and Preferred Delivery Method From the Perspective of the Expectant Parents

Authors: Kovala, Stephanie; Cramp, Anita G.; Xia, Liudi

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