Delivery

  • Cord Blood Banking: A Life-Saving Decision

    Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, considered to be the master cells of the body. Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the benefits of using a child’s cord blood stem cells in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, hearing loss, cerebral palsy, and other brain injuries.

  • Exercise Can Make Childbirth Faster and Easier

    Want to make your birthing experience faster and easier? Would you just love to avoid an arduous and prolonged second stage of labor?

  • Home Birth Advocate's Own Home Birth Ends Tragically

    In a sadly ironic moment, Caroline Lovell of Australia, an outspoken advocate for legal protection and midwife funding in Australia, died on January 24th, 24-hours after being rushed to the hospital during labor.

  • Dad Doesn't Want to Be In The Delivery Room

    QUESTION

    Dear Mr. Dad,
    My wife is going to have a baby next week and I really don't want to be there for the birth -- I just don't think I can handle all the blood. I know I should tell my wife but I'm afraid I'm going hurt her feelings. Is there a nice way to break it to her?

  • Choosing to Privately Store Our Newborn's Cord Blood

    My husband and I were going to be first time parents. Everything was a learning experience, and in the world of baby, just choosing a stroller seemed to be an overwhelming choice. Then we were exposed to another choice -- whether to privately bank our newborn's umbilical cord blood.

  • Perineal Massage

    Perineal massage is the gentle stretching and massaging of the skin between the anus and vagina (perineum) during the last few weeks of pregnancy. This massage has been shown to reduce the incidence of episiotomy and perineal tears during birth.

  • Nolan's Birth

    I started having contractions on Monday, December 1. They were about 5 minutes apart the whole day and we were excited that it finally seemed to be "IT." I was due November 23, so I was ready!

  • Using Narcotics for Pain Relief During Childbirth

    Many women choose to use some type of method to deal with pain during childbirth. As you prepare for your labor experience it is important to become educated ahead of time on what different pain medications are available, how they work, as well as what the risks and benefits are.

  • C.C.: A Story of Courage

    by C.C. Howell

  • Ensuring Natural Labour and Delivery

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I am 26 years old and 36 weeks pregnant with my first child. I am passionate about having the most natural birth experience possible (although, having said that, I am not having a home birth for this one - I'd like one "under my belt" before going that route!).