Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
August 19, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
A study published in the July 2021 issue of Birth, Fear of childbirth, nonurgent obstetric interventions, and newborn outcomes: A randomized controlled trial comparing mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting with enhanced care as usual examined the impact of a childbirth education course focused on mindfulness on the rate of cesarean births in The Netherlands. The researchers hypothesized that if they could use a mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting (MBCP) program for pregnant people who had a high fear of birth , it would help to decrease their fear, and improve outcomes. It would also decrease the use of epidurals and the number of cesarean deliveries.
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August 16, 2021 | by: Blake Slusser
While pregnant, I found myself scouring books and articles to fully understand all aspects of birth. I researched childbirth classes and jumped in feet first. I was well informed and advocated for myself during labor, birth, and postpartum. As a result, I experienced many things that were very uncommon 12 years ago that we know are healthier for babies like spontaneous labor, uninterrupted skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, and breastfeeding in the first hour, to name a few.
August 12, 2021 | by: Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)
The Onion, (in)famously known for its satire articles, recently wrote a piece called "Shocking Things No One Told You About Childbirth." Cara Terreri, Community Manager of Giving Birth with Confidence Lamaze parent blog read between the lines to uncover the hidden truths. This is a great use of humor in childbirth classes that perinatal educators can use to help families learn. - Sharon Muza, Community Manager, Connecting the Dots
August 09, 2021 | by: Michelle Becker
Why do I advocate? Because everyone is entitled to the same information. Knowledge about our bodies should not be kept secret by the experts and should not be limited to those who can afford a high-price education. The human ability to birth should not be kept in the dark. It should be celebrated! We should shout from the rooftop: I can do it! - Michelle Becker
August 05, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
August is all about lactation! August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding* Week, August 8th - 14th is Native Breastfeeding Week, August 25th - 31st is Black Breastfeeding Week and in the USA, the entire month recognized as National Breastfeeding Month. Today’s research review summarizes a study that examined nursing and the passage of COVID-19 antibodies from parents who received a COVI-19 vaccination after birth and during bodyfeeding.
August 02, 2021 | by: Sujata Gami
I have been teaching perinatal classes since 1996 and have taught in India, Canada, Thailand, and United States. Over the years, I have learned and grown both as a Lamaze Educator, as well as an advocate for maternal health. I have developed patient-education perinatal curriculums for hospitals, planned and implemented trainings for L & D nurses on labor support skills, implemented a hospital -based doula program, and trained, mentored colleagues to teach evidence-based Lamaze childbirth education classes.
July 30, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
You simply cannot teach a birth class without addressing the pain associated with labor and birth. Frankly, it is the elephant in the room, even if no one mentions it. People arrive to a childbirth class already having heard from multitudes of friends, family and even strangers, how much (or rarely - how little) giving birth hurts. If they have not given birth before, they are left wondering how bad it might be, and are they going to be able to handle it. I find that addressing this head on and providing tips to reduce pain throughout the class or class series helps normalize it and also helps families to understand that they have options, both non-pharmacological and medication, to help reduce the pain. Consider this Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators idea the next time you teach this topic.
July 26, 2021 | by: Jill Wodnick
“Hope is never silent” declared activist Harvey Milk. It is withholding hope for respectful, equitable, and high quality maternity care that I choose to be involved with Lamaze International. Being a Lamaze childbirth educator and member centers my hope to a plurality of voices necessary to transform a very fragmented system of maternity care.
July 19, 2021 | by: Crystal Sada
To me, advocacy is helping people find their voice. Educating them so they empower themselves to make change, be it change for their birth or going further and making change for others. Standing next to them and providing support. In my childbirth classes I try to remain as balanced as the evidence will allow. I share that I am educating so that they can make the choices that are right for them at the time. My goal is preserving the birth memory because we remember our births for the rest of our lives. Even a birth ending not the way we originally planned can be an amazing memory, as we found with our second and third births.
July 16, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Humor in the health care setting can improve the health and the well-being of patients. When someone laughs or experiences a funny situation, their stress hormones go down, their blood pressure lowers, they experience less pain and their immune system gets stronger. Additionally, it builds trust between the people who are laughing. While these are good things to have happen during a labor and birth, if possible, letting families experience these benefits during their childbirth education can go a long way toward a positive birth experience.
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