tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85684432871233398342011-10-30T14:43:09.620-07:00educating and elevating for better births for all womendarlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.comBlogger521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-30974378756557725132011-05-28T07:57:00.000-07:002011-10-07T11:09:55.956-07:00

:: This birth story involves way more preamble than a birth story really ought to, however it felt necessary to include it. It explains why things happened the way they did. It also - I hope - will serve to inform since this birth was a little uncommon, but not unheard of. If you want to read a 100-word version of this birth story, both my girls' stories can be found here. :: The story of our

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-73829092187038301322011-01-22T12:10:00.000-08:002011-01-22T12:10:52.339-08:00

I missed the annual Blogging for Choice Day yet again this year (because that's what I do: I realize that a date is coming up after it has already passed.  It's a pattern of mine) but I'm posting some thoughts today anyway because, really, they need to be voiced. I recently read the personal story of one family's painful experience with Trisomy 18.  Rates of Trisomy 21 - better known as Down

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-92183218371396368372011-01-21T13:05:00.000-08:002011-01-21T13:05:52.426-08:00

First off, an enormous congratulations to Miranda Kerr and husband Orlando Bloom on the recent birth of their son Flynn.  Miranda writes very enthusiastically and positively about her natural birthing experience with Orlando at her side as her support. She also posted a beautiful picture husband Orlando took of Flynn and her nursing in bed.  Not exactly surprising that the supermodel photographs

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-9331041559244809252010-10-23T14:08:00.000-07:002010-10-23T14:08:51.003-07:00

I try to live a wholesome life.  We strive to eat a healthy, balanced diet, to feed our daughter real foods.  We bake our own bread, make our own pasta sauce, mix our own hummus. We cloth diaper.  I've stopped using commercial products in my hair and now wash my hair (now dreaded!) with baking soda and apple cider vinegar.  Our daughter has only ever been washed in natural, organic soaps: we are

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-14707605671859104842010-10-12T12:46:00.000-07:002010-10-12T12:46:23.746-07:00

It's been quite some time since I last posted.  I've been meaning to do so, but I've been distracted. I wear a number of hats.  Birth junkie.  Midwifery advocate.  Lactivist.  Intactivist.  And also mommy.  But the hat that brings with it a small paycheque is that of Youth Minister.  I've been focusing on that, on encouraging and nurturing young faith.  It is, after all, my job. But as

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-1141132853651035732010-09-02T12:58:00.000-07:002010-09-03T13:12:32.598-07:00

**Update: the news story linked to at the top of this post has been significantly edited from its original version.  My additional commentary on this story can be found at the bottom of this post.** This news story from the UK has been making the rounds on the internet. It's a truly touching story: a baby was born extremely prematurely and his doctors struggled and failed to resuscitate him

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-33160741453820393502010-09-01T07:00:00.000-07:002010-09-01T08:19:15.166-07:00

A few days ago, this link made the rounds of the birthy-minded folks on Facebook. Researchers have published a series of studies (here's a better description of it, including references to the researchers involved and their studies) which linked levels of lactic acid in amniotic fluid with long labour and caesarean sections resulting from failure to progress. The conclusion they reached was

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-89927306143891562452010-09-01T04:38:00.000-07:002010-09-01T04:38:32.250-07:00

I have to admit that maintaining a blog like this one is not for the faint of heart. There is something decidedly soul-sucking about posting link after link, post after post about the atrocious things that happen to women and babies during pregnancy, birth and infancy. Worse, though, is the overwhelming culture of fear which afflicts not only so many health care practitioners, but those same

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-800973240238628822010-06-12T08:39:00.000-07:002010-06-12T10:54:52.610-07:00

There is an increasing trend that really, really bothers me. I'm not sure if it indicates a problem within the birthing sphere or if it is evidence of a general misunderstanding of the political "spectrum" as we in the West conceive it (id est left wing = big government, right wing = small government), but it's there and it concerns me: repeated references to natural birthing, pro-midwifery,

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-55495984059635337172010-06-02T06:04:00.000-07:002010-06-02T06:04:02.742-07:00

I've been remiss in blogging for, well, quite a while now. Turns out moving house (yet again!) with a two year-old while also trying to fulfill a part-time job, particularly one which involves committee meetings like mine does, while still struggling to maintain one's sanity is a bit of a challenge, and one that leaves little time for composing posts. But I have something to tell you! Something

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-50696072662401749472010-05-18T21:26:00.000-07:002010-05-18T21:26:02.314-07:00

I am so blessed. For two years I have had the privilege of nurturing, growing and loving a wondrous little person. She is a gift from God, and she has taught me more about being a mother than any other person could. She teaches me every day to delight in life, in little things, in all things. She teaches me the immeasurable value of small gestures, tiny smiles, tight hugs and wet kisses. She

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-49354902634354436002010-05-14T06:16:00.000-07:002010-05-14T06:17:06.874-07:00

This has been making the rounds on Facebook, but it's worth reposting here as well. This is a slideshow of a beautiful, wonderful, colourful, personal, family homebirth 12 months ago. This is what birth can be. This is how birth and families can be honoured and upheld. This is what taking birth out of hospitals can be. The Homebirth of Lucia Mae from Sara Janssen on Vimeo.

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-75681558834808493542010-05-07T11:47:00.000-07:002010-05-08T18:28:44.516-07:00

Growing up, Mother's Day was always the day when my sister and I would give something special to our mum, often something handmade - wonky, handsewn items, or crudely painted things - and make her breakfast.  Compared to Christmas, Easter, and Birthdays, it was a very low-key holiday.  Just a little commemoration, rather than a big celebration. In the past three years Mother's Day has, obviously

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-20384809705280498592010-02-13T18:58:00.000-08:002010-02-13T18:59:46.722-08:00

Parenting, advocacy, reading about birth, various jobs: they all have their frustrations.  But focusing on simple things, simple accomplishments, is often the difference between a great day and a day of much antagonism. Strangely, somedays, a basket full of colourful cloth diapers makes me happy. Simple days.  Simple things.

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-69782328215205298242010-02-10T08:49:00.000-08:002010-02-10T08:49:58.315-08:00

Back before Christmas, I wrote about a meeting that was held wherein consumers, birth advocates and birth workers met to discuss the state of the birthing and midwifery community of Ottawa.  Arguably, we didn't get as much done in that meeting as we had intended.  We didn't do a lot of troubleshooting or brainstorming of ideas as to how to right this situation, or what sort of actions might need

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-59795080846105738172010-01-05T06:31:00.000-08:002010-01-05T06:31:23.806-08:00

:: 2009 Last year we were still very much finding our feet.  Glynis was 7 months old at the beginning of the year, and we were still in the infant stage of her life, where it felt like our parenting choices were more about forming the foundation to who she is, rather than teaching her lessons or encouraging gentle discipline.  We were flying by the seat of our pants most of the time, though we

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-23417657153253348972010-01-01T10:44:00.000-08:002010-01-01T10:44:29.598-08:00

Despite the colloquial use of the phrase, a blue moon isn't incredibly rare, just uncommon.  A blue moon on New Year's Eve, however, occurs very rarely.  Last night's moon was a blue moon - the second full moon within one calendar month - and we won't see another blue moon on New Year's Eve for another 19 years. So when my friend's darling new boy celebrates his 19th birthday, the day he can go

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-51278045028257498682009-12-30T19:27:00.000-08:002009-12-30T19:27:00.446-08:00

One of my Christmas gifts - the best one, in fact - was given in the form of an email.  In it were a few links: www.informingbirth.ca www.informingbirth.com www.twitter.com/informingbirth Yup.  He bought me my own domains, and set up a twitter account for me.  I even have my own personal email account on my domain. He also gave me a copy of Sarah J. Buckley's gentle birth, gentle mothering.

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-47614938951437072009-12-30T19:18:00.000-08:002009-12-30T19:19:48.944-08:00

Monday, I wrote about the current crisis in midwifery in the National Capital Region.  While I did - and will continue to - obfuscate over many of the details, there was quite a bit of discussion about judgment.  As those who had gathered shared birth experiences, particularly those which were negative, unpleasant or which deviated from our desired approach to our births, there were many

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-13877320036963758582009-12-28T16:33:00.000-08:002009-12-28T16:36:23.063-08:00

Several weeks ago, 18 people - women, men, mothers, fathers, and children as well - met at the home of a local supporter of midwifery and birth choice.  We met because we are concerned about the current state of the birth climate in this region.  We met because we want our rights, our choices, our bodies and our births honoured and respected. I can't get into all of the specifics of what

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-68743368036667739812009-11-20T10:50:00.000-08:002009-11-20T11:36:20.891-08:00

As I type this - one-handed - I am defying my daughter's pediatrician's orders. He told me to stop breastfeeding. At least during the day.  Her iron count, hemoglobin and B12 counts are quite low because she won't eat solid food, she'll only breastfeed.  His solution is for me to refuse to nurse her during the day so that "she'll learn to eat".  He also suggested that we put her in a private

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-86431978977621836682009-11-09T13:48:00.000-08:002009-11-09T13:48:37.338-08:00

The lying bastards of the Australian Ministry of Health have released an amendment to the proposed legislation which will affect midwifery care in Australia.  In short, there will be no true midwifery care. There will be people who will argue that a midwife under the auspices of an obstetrician is better than no midwife at all.  Maybe.  But we know for a fact - BC's recent study proves it - that

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-36554635496081596202009-11-07T10:53:00.000-08:002009-11-07T10:57:09.602-08:00

A woman gave birth in Minnesota last night.  I'm sure she wasn't the only one, in fact, but I imagine she was the only one to do so live-streaming a video feed to the internet.  A massive number of viewers tuned in to watch her birth.  What began as a natural birth ended with an epidural, pitocin, and purple pushing in the lithotomy position.  There has been much discussion on facebook, and on a

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-78230242175249483182009-10-25T14:02:00.000-07:002009-10-25T14:02:33.970-07:00

A fellow mum I know was given a stroller by her mother-in-law.  Her mother-in-law said "I'm going to get the most expensive stroller I can find, because that will be the best one."  The mum thought this was ridiculous (though was suitably appreciative of her lovely and free-to-her stroller). I wonder if our consumerist approach to baby gear has extended into health care and maternity care as

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-75961056233212161162009-10-24T15:31:00.000-07:002009-10-24T15:31:46.122-07:00

Hello, my blog, how I've missed you! I wish I could give you a detailed rundown on the sessions at the 2nd International Breech Birth Conference as Rixa did on her blog.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend any of the daytime sessions (one of the drawbacks to a toddler who exclusively breastfeeds is that leaving her for more than a couple of hours ata a time is pretty impossible) so I'll

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-12946929658996514672009-09-28T13:37:00.000-07:002009-09-28T13:43:39.190-07:00

I don't think I mentioned the lovely message I got over Facebook from a friend of mine.  It was several weeks ago, now.  My friend is young, only 21, and one of my opera compatriots.  She has said on several occasions, and repeated in her message, that she doesn't intend to have children.  More power to her for knowing what she wants to do with her life and her body: parenthood isn't necessarily

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-90901366940820787632009-09-27T18:25:00.000-07:002009-09-27T18:25:21.936-07:00

I was asked recently to write an article about my breastfeeding relationship with my 16 month old daughter.  It was published in the current issue of Women's Voice, a quarterly online publication.  With permission, I'm republishing it here. :: In the first days and weeks following our daughter’s birth, breastfeeding posed such a challenge, such an immense difficulty, that I could not have

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-40218536967900015342009-09-20T19:45:00.000-07:002009-09-27T11:42:01.253-07:00

I had the great pleasure to attend a screening of Debby Takikawa's film What Babies Want on Friday evening.  The screening was in support of the International Breech Conference which will be held in Ottawa in just a few weeks, on October 15 and 16 (*hint hint* if you can make it, you should definitely go!).  The basic premise of the film is that how we are born, our experience during birth and in

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-34361138822195805932009-09-14T13:25:00.000-07:002009-09-14T13:25:13.439-07:00

This post at DoulaMomma really made me mist up. It's very beautiful (but the first bit could be rather difficult to read if you are currently pregnant, so proceed with caution). Her son's birth was not the gentle, natural birth the writer had planned, but was instead very traumatic for both mother and baby. By rebirthing her son in a tub at home, she helped undo some of that trauma. It's a

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-26256043489337361872009-09-13T11:53:00.000-07:002009-09-14T09:35:45.010-07:00

As I wrote last night, Friday's Today Show segment is bad , bad journalism, not only because it shamelessly attacks people, but because it lacks the journalistic integrity of unbiased and balanced reporting and fails to bolster its argument with substantive research (clue: the plural of  "anecdote" is not "data").  NBC will receive hundreds, if not thousands of angry letters, including one from

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-4643594339219290012009-09-12T21:38:00.000-07:002009-09-13T11:58:46.717-07:00

As if scare-mongering and fact-twisting weren't enough, they have now sunk to exploiting a heart-broken couple's pain.  This Today Show segment is rapidly making the rounds on the internet (I've had about four or five friends post it to their Facebook pages so far, and it's popped up in at least four blog feeds, as well) and for good reason.  The segment is so obviously intended to further the

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-115736738684660112009-09-10T19:16:00.001-07:002009-09-10T19:16:32.540-07:00

I'm working on it, I promise!  In the meantime, please ignore the unsightly orange line at the top of the page, but enjoy the embedded comments!

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-30829084092402907082009-09-10T13:31:00.000-07:002009-09-10T13:31:37.926-07:00

I am an opera singer.  I've been singing amateur opera for just over four years now, and began my training back in 2004.  Before I began training, I had been singing folk and contemporary Christian music for years.  I have been told that my voice is lovely, easy to listen to, very enjoyable, and have been asked by professionals if I have perfect pitch.  But every time I open my mouth to sing, I

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-81559197995847646682009-09-07T08:25:00.000-07:002009-09-07T08:25:19.639-07:00

I was linked to a website, BirthLove, through a Facebook friend. It is an absolutely amazing resource. I haven't yet read everything on there because there is, quite simply, WAY too much on this site to be read in one day while also playing with a toddler, feeding a toddler, dealing with meals... It is a very prolific site.  Amongst their contributors are Gloria Lemay - one of Canada's best

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-92225091409026175442009-09-06T13:31:00.000-07:002009-09-06T13:31:50.831-07:00

My wonderful brother-in-law has enabled the comments on the blog, so if there's anything you've been wanting to say about any of the posts, now is the time to leave a comment. Huzzah for techs-in-law!

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-1340121168298924472009-09-04T19:30:00.001-07:002009-09-04T19:30:48.291-07:00

It's only just now come to my attention that the comments aren't working on this blog. Gah! I'm working on it. Yes: my liberal arts degree and I are working on the problem. This should be interesting.

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-40822260663732879722009-09-04T18:11:00.000-07:002010-09-06T06:08:47.679-07:00

If this doesn't bolster the push for a wider acceptance of homebirthing, I'm not sure what will. The results of a study conducted in BC were recently released (about a week ago; I'm a little late to the plate on this one).  The cases of three groups of women who were considered low-risk were compared: those who had planned hospital births with an obstetrician, those who had planned hospital

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-3052703457173872682009-09-04T08:52:00.000-07:002009-09-04T09:31:29.055-07:00

See human beings as though they were in an underground cave-like dwelling with its entrance, a long one, open to the light across the whole width of the cave.  They are in it from childhood with their legs and necks in bonds so that they are fixed, seeing only in front of them, unable because of the bond to turn their heads all the way around. Their light is from a fire burning far above and

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-29808573082133489372009-09-03T14:34:00.000-07:002009-09-03T15:13:25.399-07:00

I've been called a lot of names.  Some of them I've been called directly, some indirectly.  In the recent past, I have been indirectly called a femin@zi, nipple n@zi, breastfeeding n@zi, pervert, obscene, offensive, an exhibitionist and lewd.  I've been directly been called variations on n@zi, no-life, and stupid b!tch.  Isn't the internet a wonderful place? While the anonymity of the internet

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-74837149355494406342009-09-01T19:27:00.000-07:002009-09-01T19:27:04.666-07:00

This report on a recent study has me livid.  Particularly this: Analysis of the records of more than 48,000 women who gave birth in South Wales found that use of the clotting agents oxytocin or ergometrine was associated with a 7 per cent decline in the proportion who started breastfeeding within 48 hours of giving birth. It is thought that the drugs may impede a woman’s ability to produce

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-20567653448843721862009-08-29T07:53:00.000-07:002009-08-29T07:54:29.134-07:00

My darling husband has very recently become a contributor to The Politic, a political blog with a conservative bent.  His debut post is on - *grin!* - the legislation in Australia to outlaw homebirth midwives.  It's a great post, if I do say so myself.  Today, I am made of pride. (You can find more of my husband's writing at Canned Goods & Ammunition.)

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-86325042539314365602009-08-27T19:17:00.000-07:002009-08-27T19:18:13.165-07:00

If you haven't already seen this, it's really worth watching. Some politicians get it. Not all, but some really do. Andrew Laming appears to be one of them. If you aren't already aware of what's going on in Australia regarding midwifery and the pending outlawing of homebirths (that's right: outlawing homebirths. Ludicrous, I know)you can find more information at any of these links (ok, it's

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-84152247248212002192009-08-27T18:59:00.000-07:002009-08-27T19:03:49.305-07:00

As I said, something interesting is happening in birth.  That interesting thing is that birth has now, seemingly suddenly, become interesting. I spend a lot of time on the internet.  A shocking amount of time, actually.  One of the few benefits of having a child who still nurses, oh, at least 15 times a day, is that I certainly have an excuse to sit on my couch and do some surfing (though it does

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-24469596029159859492009-08-24T10:15:00.000-07:002009-08-27T19:04:53.968-07:00

It occurs to me that I haven't introduced myself.  There is some personal history that motivates me to write this blog and advocate to anyone who'll listen - and speak loudly enough that those who choose to disregard me cannot help but overhear - about birth choice. In May of 2008, I gave birth, vaginally and without pain management or medical intervention, to our daughter, Glynis, after 35 weeks

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-922200530336157132009-08-21T10:32:00.000-07:002009-08-21T11:47:45.726-07:00

I came across the Trust Birth Initiative in the links sidebar of the Fearless Birth blog. Their manifesto is really something to read. I like everything she says in describing the outlook and ideals of Trust Birth. Is it extreme? Yes. Do I agree, totally and completely? Yes, I do. There is another post to come about the paradox of childbirth in the 21st century, and it relates back to the

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-80121811455209039922009-08-21T06:39:00.001-07:002009-08-21T07:58:48.388-07:00

Here is a lovely article on breastfeeding and breastfeeding culture in Mongolia. Living in Canada as I am, where I am decidedly in the minority to still be breastfeeding (and exclusively breastfeeding, I might add: our daughter eats no solids) my 15 month old, this article is a real boon. It's a struggle to remember, when surrounded by weaned toddlers and an older generation asking me "So, how

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-59617805863872073002009-08-20T18:44:00.000-07:002009-08-21T06:10:44.778-07:00

A study done in 2006 found that premature infants fared better when the clamping and cutting of their umbilical cord was delayed. This seems entirely logical to me: weak and compromised infants would certainly benefit from the nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood found in the cord and the placenta. Moreover, by leaving the cord attached and not clamped, the mother can continue to oxygenate blood for

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-6857251762928786772009-08-20T13:17:00.001-07:002009-08-20T13:19:11.217-07:00

If this story doesn't anger and terrify you on multiple levels, I'll be surprised. A woman in Illinois wanted a c-section. She got one, and a sterilization as well. A tubal ligation was never discussed with her ob, never requested, and she certainly never consented to one, but the surgeon sterilized her anyway. I mentioned this story to my husband, and as horrified as he was by it (and he was:

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-43466523722671982672009-08-20T10:55:00.000-07:002009-08-20T11:01:01.792-07:00

Sometimes, we just need to see that good things are happening. That was how I felt today, anyway. Reading about babies in NICUs being given formula, sugar water and pacifiers and kept in little plastic boxes rather than held at their mother's breast and nursed totally ruined my mood. Then I stumbled across a link to Earth Birth. Women in developing countries making a difference, not through

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-61222130926598291432009-08-20T10:17:00.000-07:002009-08-20T12:09:32.003-07:00

Just today, I watched this film produced by PBS's Wide Angle. "Birth of a Surgeon" tells the story of one woman, a midwife, in Maputo, Mozambique, and her training to become one of the world's first midwife surgeons. The film is good. It showcases a part of the world many of us in North America fail to consider. Personally, I had little knowledge of the state of affairs in Mozambique or

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-32121125115678757062009-08-18T18:54:00.000-07:002009-09-06T14:25:19.676-07:00

Yesterday evening, I attended a performance of the play “Birth” by Karen Brody. The play was staged by Three Sisters, a company of professional actresses in Ottawa, and was staged in order to raise funds and awareness for the Coalition for Breech Birth. The Coalition was founded by consumers, women who had had their births stolen from them by a system which refuses to admit the reality of

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8568443287123339834.post-75650993773117783062009-08-18T12:32:00.000-07:002009-08-18T12:33:39.192-07:00

This space has lots to come. For now, it's an html mess. Keep checking it: things can only improve!

darlene mcleodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10388221011175331452noreply@blogger.com0