Every newborn when placed on the mother's abdomen soon after birth should be able to crawl towards to breast, find the nipple and latch on all by their self. However, medicated births as well as baby and Mum being separated after birth can prevent the baby's ability to 'breast crawl'.
This first video is one of my favourites!
(Oh no! The video has been removed! I will re-upload it when I find it again elsewhere! Madly searching now...)
I recently watched "The Business of Being Born" and loved it! Thanks Rikki Lake, you are helping to change the world! You can buy a copy from http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/ (If you are from Australia like me, remember to choose the PAL version). If any of my friends want to borrow it, I have it on DVD. Just let me know. I also have the book called "My Best Birth" that goes with this DVD.
The next clip is from Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein's movie "The Business of Being Born". One of my regrets is that I didn't watch this movie before the birth of our first baby. I really do believe that if I had've learnt how much an upright position helps your pelvis to open as wide as possible, I could have avoided an unnecessary episiotomy! If only I knew then what I know now...
Enjoy this clip about the lithotomy position (flat on back).
Enjoy this clip about the lithotomy position (flat on back).
"It is convenient for doctors to have a woman lying on her back or in a semi-sitting position. Unfortunately, these positions make birthing more difficult. By reclining on your back you are actually closing or narrowing the birth canal by up to 30%! Because you are putting pressure on the tailbone, and not allowing the back and pelvis to naturally expand. You can open the birth canal by simply rolling off your back and onto your side. Or by squatting, standing, kneeling or getting onto your hands and knees."
~ Don Rooser
(Special thanks to Peaceful Birthing (http://www.yourpeacefulbirthing.com/) for sharing this video with me)!
"Whatever position a woman chooses in labour should be her choice, and the rest of us there are to faciliate what she wants to do"
~ Michelle Collins - Cerified Nurse-Midwife
It's true that we should really be focusing on eating healthily whilst we are pregnant. Lots of vegetabes, especially leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, lots of herbs, and fruit!
Photo montage of Mums who have had their twins or triplets naturally (most were unmedicated and with as few interventions as possible), many against great odds! Dedicated to all the moms of multiples who gave their all and did everything they could for their babies, no matter whether their birth was vaginal or cesarean.
This next one makes me feel so terribly sad for my grandmother...