Most of us don’t plan a medical induction. Most of us know that doing so sends us flying down the slippery slope of birth interventions and increases the likelihood of complications. You spent months envisioning the natural childbirth you wanted. You took the classes, drafted a birth plan, and had your vision for the way birth would unfold. Your due date approaches, and then passes. You start combing the internet and asking everyone you know for tips on how to get baby to budge. Still nothing. Finally, your caregiver drops...
Putting a Face on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – Part 1
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)* is an endocrine disorder estimated to affect more than 1 in 10 women and is the leading cause of female infertility. The root cause of PCOS is thought to be insulin resistance. It is a close cousin of diabetes, sharing many of its increased health risks. PCOS also raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, and is...
Kill Your Television; Birth Your Baby
A baby born in a tree! A baby beamed out of her mother’s body! A baby born to Arnold Schwarzenegger! I’ve looked at hundreds of TV and movie birth scenes to discover exactly how the mass media distorts birth. I found that Hollywood routinely exaggerates fear, danger, and speed, like in this common motif: the minute a pregnant woman’s water...
Pregnant In Jail
If you’ve ever been pregnant, you know how you rely on your favorite fetus-nourishing foods. You know how you cherish your collection of pillows and your comfortable bedding. You choose your shoes and clothing carefully for comfort and self-expression. You know how nice it is to get the kind of exercise that feels good – the pool at the Y,...
The Evidence-Based Truth About Epidurals
The January 11, 2012 Slate.com article “The Truth About Epidurals: Are they really so bad?” by Melinda Wenner Moyer concludes with this paragraph: “Women shouldn’t cave to pressure from either side.” [Of the 'mommy wars' between natural birth advocates and pro-epidural advocates] “They should make informed decisions based on their goals and priorities. I aspired to have a comfortable birth...
