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Parents

January 2009

Better Birth America Newsletter Inaugural Edition January 2009

Attention Expecting and New Parents Welcome to 2009 and Welcome to Parenthood!  This is the innaugural edition of the Better Birth America Parent Newsletter.  You will find that this newsletter is FILLED with informative articles, parenting tips, timely parenting news, nutrition information and all kinds of information regarding your pregnancy, birth, and new parent life!     We hope you enjoy our newsletter and pass it on to your friends and family!    In This Issue :: Fabulous Mommy Blog :: Prenatal Yoga Move of the Month :: Morning Sickness Help :: The Movie EVERY Woman Should See :: Pregnancy Pounds - A Weighty Issue

Alpha+Mom Fabulous Mommy Blog For pregnancy and new Mommyhood   This smart, funny blog is not just the story of a woman's pregnancy, it is a true guide to pregnancy and mommyhood.   Zero to Forty with Amalah is a pregnancy calendar with one woman's look at pregnancy and explanations of why you are feeling the way you do and what your baby is doing.   The website is not just dedicated to pregnancy, but life after pregnancy as well.  There are articles submitted by many different parents.    Check it out for some funny, lively articles and conversations.   Alpha+Mom Prenatal Yoga Move of the Month Cat Cow Pose   Prenatal yoga is a wonderful way to increase your strength during pregnancy while calming your mind and preparing your body for childbirth.    The breathing techniques are perfect for labor and birth and if you take a class locally you will get to meet other moms in your area!  Click Here to find classes in your area.   For this pose: Kneel on your hands and knees, you will notice an arch in your lower back.  Tilt your pelvis bacwards as you flatten your back.  Did You Know??? Protein can help morning sickness   Protein slows digestion and the natural movement of your stomach more so than carbs or fat.    So if you're feeling sick when you wake up, an egg may make you feel better than the reccommended crackers next to your bed!    The Business of Being Born   The movie EVERY expecting parent should see before their baby is born.   Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life.   But birth is also big business.   Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies.   The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal.   Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?    CLICK HERE to see it for free from Netflix!

Pregnancy Pounds: Where does it all go? And how you can avoid gaining too many   Weight gain during pregnancy is a concern for all moms. Whether pregnant moms are worried about gaining too much or a new mom is trying to get the extra weight off, if women understand why the reccommendations are what they are, they can make staying a healthy weight easier.   Although some women see pregnancy as an excuse to "eat for two" the recommended weight gain for a pregnancy is between 25 and 35 pounds.  This equals an extra 300 to 500 calories per day.   This is the average breakdown of that weight.   Baby                                     7.5 lbs Placenta                              1.0 lbs Uterus                                  2.0 lbs Amniotic Fluid                    2.0 lbs Breasts                                1.0 lbs Blood Volume                     2.5 lbs Fat                                        5.0 lbs Tissue Fluid                         6.0 lbs Total                                      27 lbs   Weight gained over the recommended amount can lead to problems during later pregnancy, labor, birth and left over weight after the baby is born.   But I'm hungry!   The best way to combat excess weight gain is to eat less carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta) and eat more protein (chicken, eggs and safe fish).  Aim to eat at least 50 grams of protein per day this will keep you more full than eating mostly carbs.  Plus it can help with morning sickness (see above).     Eat fresh fruits and vegetables instead of juices and try to limit excess sugar.    Be sure to drink plenty of water as this will help keep you from having contractions too early in your pregnancy and will keep you feeling fuller throughout the day.    If your pregnancy has caused you to become anemic, red meat in addition to prenatal vitamins can help remedy this problem before it becomes a problem at birth.    Try to remain active.   While running and bike riding are not recommended during pregnancy, prenatal yoga, aqua aerobics and good old-fashion walking are great ways to prepare your body for labor and to keep off excess pounds.    See the Prenatal Yoga Move of the Month above for a great pose for back discomfort that can often accompany the extra weight of pregnancy.   What's the best way to get rid of the excess weight gained during pregnancy?   Breastfeeding! In the next issue we will discuss how breastfeeding is great for moms, the reasons that breastmilk is the perfect food for babies, the common problems women have when beginning to breastfeed and where to turn for help.

February 2009

The LOVE Issue February 2009 In This Issue :: Baby Proofing Your Relationship :: Yoga Pose of the Month - Hero's Pose :: I Can Induce Labor HOW?? :: Pregnant Mom Survey :: Oxytocin - The LOVE Hormone   Welcome to February the month of Love!  This Valentine's Day pregnant couples are celebrating not only their love for each other, but what that love has brought to them.   In this issue you will learn more about how Oxytocin "the love hormone" plays a large role in not only birth, but long-term relationships, and breastfeeding. Also a great yoga pose that can be used romantically, how being intimate may help start a labor, and how you can "Baby-proof" your relationship.  We hope you enjoy and find useful the information in this months newsletter.  Have a happy Valentines Day and celebrate what love has brought you!

Baby Proofing Your Relationship Helpful Tips for Moms and Dads Although the birth of a baby is the ultimate culmination of a couples love for each other, it can sometimes wreak havoc on a relationship.  Below are some tips for Moms and Dads to keep the romance alive.   Dads Remember moms need as much help as they can get right after the baby is born.  Although you may have to go back to work during the day, she is working 24/7 taking care of your baby. Do something nice for your partner, cook dinner, bring her flowers, go grocery shopping, etc. Offer to watch the baby when you can so she can take a nap. Bring her food and water while she is breastfeeding. Try not to expect post-baby sex, but treat your partner like a queen and she will eventually get back into the groove. Moms With all of the attention focused on you and baby, he may feel un-appreciated, do something nice for him when you feel ready like making him cookies or buying him something nice just for him. Keep dad involved with baby, you get to breastfeed the baby so he may feel left out.  Be sure to give him uninterrupted time with baby. Don't criticize his handling of the baby.  He may be rougher than you especially when playing, but as long as he is not hurting the baby, let him play as he sees fit. Be sure to ask for help if you need it. He can't read your mind and may not be sure how he can help, just let him know what you need so you don't feel resentful. Even though sex may be the last thing on your mind, intimacy is important in a relationship, so try to keep both of you satisfied. Both Set up date nights once a week and commit to going out as a couple. If money is tight, ask family to watch the baby and clip coupons for nights out. If the baby sleeping in your bed is cramping your style, think about moving them to a bed side bassinet or co-sleeper. Remember that time flies by and babies grow up incredibly fast, spend time doing family things, taking pictures and making albums.   Yoga Pose of the Month Hero's Pose The Hero's pose stretches thighs and relieves indigestion (much needed late in pregnancy).  Also you can lean back on to your hands for a light hip-flexor stretch.  In addition to relieving some of the most common discomforts in late pregnancy this pose is a great position for those looking for a comfortable position for intercourse (see article above on inducing labor). I Can Induce Labor HOW?  How a romantic night can start labor.   Although there are many ways to induce labor, one of the more fun ways is to have sex!    Both the effects of semen and the woman's orgasm are helpful for induction.  Seminal fluid is helpful in softening a cervix and the woman's orgasm produces the same hormone the brain produces to create uterine contractions, Oxytocin.  See the article below for how oxytocin is relevant to not only labor but love as well.    Having intercourse will not start labor if your body is not ready, so enjoy your last Valentines Day before the baby comes!   To find other natural induction methods, CLICK HERE. Pregnant Mom Survey Helping Researchers Help Moms Two doctoral students are researching the effects of pregnancy and motherhood on the lives of women. With your much needed help, they would like to learn more about the process of becoming a mother and how it may form a woman's identity, relationships, spirituality, mental health, and general well-being.    The online survey is easy to take and will take only 30-60min of your time now and again after you give birth.   Most of all, they hope it serves as an opportunity for you to reflect on your experience and guide others in their path. If you are pregnant (in your 2nd or 3rd trimester) and over 18 years of age, please consider participating.    For more information and the survey: www.headandbelly.org click on: "The Motherhood Project"   Head & Belly headandbelly@gmail.com 1-800-871-9012 ext. 74538

Oxyticin "The LOVE Hormone" Forget love potion #9, give me some oxytocin! All moms know that contractions happen when a woman's body starts labor.  But many don't know why those contractions start or what causes them to happen.  Oxytocin is the hormone the brain excretes that makes your uterus contract during labor. But this "love hormone" has many other duties as well.  Known to many by its nicknames such as "the bonding hormone," "the cuddle hormone," and even "the love hormone".  Oxytocin is one of the main components of lust, romantic love, long term relationships and especially maternal bonding.  The brain releases oxytocin during an orgasm, labor, and when breastfeeding.  The Breastfeeding Bond Oxytocin is released in the highest amounts when the nipples are stimulated (which is why it is one common way to augment labor) therefore it is a powerful force when bonding during breastfeeding.  Researchers discovered that breastfeeding women are calmer in the face of exercise and psychosocial stress than bottle-feeding mothers. Although mother's who choose not to breastfeed are not necessarily hurting their bonding chances, it is something to keep in mind before you stop breastfeeding prematurely.  Breastfeeding is natural, but it is often not easy for new moms, therefore many give up early without knowing where to turn to help. Lactation Consultants can help as can Postpartum Doulas.  So before you stop breastfeeding because of frustrations, seek help from these experienced women.   Labor   Oxytocin is the hormone that makes your uterus contract during labor, which some women think they would prefer to do with out, but when each contraction is over your brain secretes endorphins as well (the feel good hormone you feel after orgasm or a good workout), so women feel better after each contraction.  The trick to feeling better about your labor is to think about how you feel AFTER a contraction instead of during it.  When women are anxious about labor or scared of the contractions, their bodies tense more, which makes contractions more painful.  So if women can be relaxed during labor and consciously relax during contractions they will have a better experience.   Buyer Beware  Just as a fake, well ANYTHING, isn't as good as the real thing, the synthetic form of oxytocin, most commonly known as Pitocin, does not make a woman feel the pleasurable effects of the natural hormone and has some very negative side effects.    Natural contractions build gradually, peak and then reduce in strength, whereas Pitocin induced contractions build sharply, stay at a peak and then drop off.  Pitocin also makes contractions stronger, longer and closer together than natural ones.  So most women who receive Pitocin in labor are unable to bear the contractions, and even though they may not have wanted medicinal pain relief, they end up giving in to the pain.  Even women who expected to get pain relief at some point in labor end up getting it earlier than anticipated which can stall or prolong labor.          Natural Contractions                                          Pitocin Contractions                         So when considering an induction, take into consideration that Pitocin can have unwanted effects on your labor and you are 40% more likely to have a cesarean section. So next time you get that "warm fuzzy" feeling, thank Oxytocin, as it is playing a part in those important emotions.

Better Birth America Newsletter The "Green" Issue March 2009 in this issue :: How to be a Green(er) Mom :: Prenatal Yoga - Head Outside :: "Green" Jobs for Stay-at-home Moms :: "Green" Diapering    Welcome to March, the month of shamrocks, good luck and all things green!   In sticking with the green theme, we have a newsletter packed with "Green" information, including simple steps to making your house a little more environmentally friendly, "Green" diapering options, and a twist on our yoga post of the month.       Check it out and pass it on to other moms who would enjoy it as much as you!

How to be a Green(er) Mom Simple Steps to Eco-Friendliness Shop at local stores for locally made or grown products. Bank and pay bills online.  Shop for wooden toys that are renewable and eco-friendly! Clean baby with plain water and no soap (they don't get very dirty). Use apricot or almond oil for dry skin. Avoid Anti-bacterial soaps; they wash away good bacteria too! Use a HEPA vacuum filter to keep your air its cleanest. Filter your tap water instead of buying water in plastic bottles. Be careful when choosing plastics, BPA which is common has been linked to cancer. Clean with cloth instead of paper alternatives. Prenatal Yoga Take your yoga to nature   This month's article is focusing not on the yogic position itself, but on your bodies position.  Try taking your yoga outside this month.  Find a quiet place to take in the beautiful environment you live in.  Listen to the sounds of nature.   Even if you can't do yoga outside (or feel silly doing so) try at least taking 20 minutes to sit outside and listening to the world around you.  Close your eyes, breathe deep and listen to your surroundings.   Places to try:  -Local Park  -Golf Course  -River or Lake Bank  -Your Back Yard Momtrepreneurs Stay-at-home jobs for moms     Does the idea of going back to work after being home with your baby just break your heart?       Momtrepreneurship may be for you!   There are many ways to supplement your family's income while staying at home.  Whether you have a product you have designed yourself, or you want to blog about products you love, the internet gives stay at home parents a huge advantage.   Some ways of generating income: Starting Your Own Business Blogging Affiliate Marketing Telecommuting Independent Sales Some "Green" places to start: Green America Business Network Working Mother Sustainable Business

"Green Diapering" Options for environmentally friendly diapering For those of us born before 1985 (and a few exceptions) we remember cloth diapers and the tedious (and gross) work it was for our parents to get them clean.  When disposable diapers became more popular in the 80's, most moms thought they were the greatest thing since sliced bread!  But now, as those diapers are filling our landfills to capacity, moms are looking for alternatives.  The cycle has come full circle to include cloth diapers, bio-degradable diapers, disposables and even diaper free babies.   Considering a baby will typically go through about 6000 diapers before they are potty trained, the decision of what kind of diapers to use is  an important one for parents.  Check out your options below and choose the best one for you and your family.   Cloth diapering companies have started making this option much more of a realistic option for parents.  The service makes choosing this "green" option much more convenient and affordable.  One company in Sacramento, CA, Tidee Didee, has many different options for parents.  You can start with as little as 20 diapers a week and can have up to 100 delivered.  You get a hamper (which locks in smells) and they come pick up and exchange old for new every week.  The best part is you can get diaper covers in any color or design and they are so stinking cute! (pun intended)  You can find cloth diapers with Velcro or snap closures for convenience, made from an eco-friendly material such as hemp, bamboo, or organic cotton.  If you chose to buy the cloth diapers you would end up spending about $300 total as opposed to $3000 for disposable diapers.   Biodegradable diapers and hybrid diapers are made with plant-based plastics, that means they are more environmentally friendly and can be composted or flushed. You buy some of the cute, cloth covers and use these biodegradable inserts as needed. Hybrid diapers, like gDiapers, have removable inserts that can safely biodegrade when flushed.  gDiapers can be found at your local Whole Foods store or other local natural foods stores.   Elimination communication is a technique that utilizes timing, signals, cues, and intuition to help your baby express his or her potty needs; using it may help you not use diapers at all.  Babies make certain cues when they need to go potty and typically do so at regular predictable intervals.  If parents and care givers can clue in on these techniques, they can avoid the use of diapers or as many diapers during their babies growing years.    Disposable diapers are always an option.  They are convenient, easy to clean up and you can get them anywhere.  Results of one study showed that using cloth diapers uses more water, energy and detergents; while disposable diapers contribute more solid waste to landfill.  So the disposable diaper companies state that the effects on the environment are the same for disposables or cloth.   Whatever diaper you choose, don't forget to let your baby have a little bit of diaper free time every day to let their bum air out a bit.  Happy Diapering!

 

 

Better Birth America Newsletter Spring Fever April 2009 in this issue :: Spring Cleaning :: Twitterpated :: Egg-ceptional :: Yoga Pose :: How to Plan a Better Baby Shower   Welcome to Spring!  As the new life is popping up outside, spring is the time for new beginnings, so this month is all about new ideas to improve your life.   As the saying goes, April Showers bring May flowers, so check out the article on new ideas to avoid the same ol'-same ol' boring baby showers.   We have some creative ideas on how to simplify spring cleaning (and cleaning throughout the year).    And what to do with all those left over eggs.  Happy April!   Please feel free to pass this on to all of your friends and family!

Spring Cleaning Article Subheading   Do you feel like you are constantly cleaning your house with no results?        Try these ideas for making cleaning easy and convenient: Dedicate 20 minutes per day to cleaning only one room.  This ensures that the room is thoroughly cleaned and by the end of the week the whole house is clean. Using environmentally friendly cleaners is safer for your babies, children and pets.  Check out last month's newsletter for more on cleaning green! Spend 10 minutes in each room every other day.  This will take about 1 hour so you have time to do everything else in your busy life. Teach your children to do easy tasks like sort their laundry, collecting trash from around the house, picking up their toys, etc.  This will help ease your burden and will teach them responsibility. Twitterpated    Definition: 1)to be completely enamored with someone/something.   2) the flighty exciting feeling you get when you think about/see the object of your affection.   Spring is the time to remember why you love the people in your life and to enjoy them for those reasons.  Enjoy some alone time with the someone special in your life.  Eggs-elent Source of Protein  How to make use of leftovers   One large egg has only 75 calories but is packed with 13 vitamins and minerals and a whopping 6 grams of protein!    Try these favorites: Deviled Eggs Egg Salad Sandwiches Sick of Salt and Pepper on your hard boiled eggs? Try these alternatives: Salsa Paprika Celery Seed Chili Powder Steak Seasoning  Yoga Pose of the Month Squatting Positions   Squatting poses are a great way to prepare for labor.    They can help sciatica pain and prepare the pubic symphysis for late pregnancy.   Be sure to take it slow and be sure to allow muscles to release slowly.  You can use yoga blocks or pillows to help support you if you are not sure about your limberness.   Be careful not to stay in squatting poses for a long time and to stretch out the leg and hip flexor muscles after each session.   Also squatting in labor can be beneficial for moving baby down and is a great position for birth.  Most birth centers have birthing stools to hold a squat during the pushing phase and many hospitals offer squat bars.

Better Baby Shower Ideas Sick of the Same Old Baby Shower? Try these ideas for more fun! Better Ideas Invite the guys. Let their competitiveness come out in the games! Have a Baby-que.  Forget all the frou-frou stuff and get outside for a more relaxed atmosphere. Instead of games have each guest make a scrapbook page and include a picture of mom-to-be with each guest. Have a Blessing Way ceremony, where each guest says a blessing or wish for the mom-to-be. Have the baby shower AFTER the baby is born.  This way everyone gets to meet the baby!  (Perfect for those moms who hate the attention focus to be on them)     Better Games Have each guest bring a baby photo, number them all and play guess who.  Fill bottles with apple juice and see which guest can drink theirs the fastest. (This is fun with the guys!) Take 5 diapers and 5 different chocolate candy bars. Melt the chocolate and put it in the diaper.  Have guests smell each one to determine the candy type. Adlibs - Write a story about the mom and her new baby and remove all of the adjectives.  Ask guests for random adjectives to describe babies and add them back into the story.  It makes for quite a laugh. Baby Pictionary - Create cards with baby items and split up into teams with each team acting out their cards.   Better Decorations Get Personal.  You can get just about anything personalized these days, M 'n' M's, stickers, stamps, napkins.  Make the mom-to-be feel special with personalized favors for her special day. Forget light pink and baby blue!  Use soft nature colors or pick crazy colors like hot pink and Tiffany blue.

 

 

Better Birth America Newsletter Happy Mother's  Day May 2009 In This Issue :: Enjoying YOUR Mother's Day :: Your Best Birth - A New Book :: Balance Ball for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond     Welcome to May and Happy Mother's Day!  This month we are celebrating Mother's day with tips on how you can enjoy YOUR Mother's Day as well as random fact about mothers day that you can discuss at brunch!  Also a look at Your Best Birth a new book from the women who brought us The Business of Being Born.  Both the book and the movie have pursuaded moms across the country to really look at what a wonderful experience birth can be.  And for all of you moms we have outlined how to use a balance ball during pregnancy, birth and after the baby is born.  There are so many uses for the ball you would be crazy not to get one!   Please check out our site for more information on where we will be promoting the book Your Best Birth and how you can get your copy from Better Birth America for 20% off the listing price!   Thank you to all of you moms who make this world a better place.  Please pass this newsletter on to anyone who may be interested.   Happy Mothers Day!   Jackie Belau Founder Better Birth America

Mothers Day Enjoying YOUR Day We all think of Mother's Day as a day to spend with mom and show her we love her.  And that may be exactly what you are looking for on Sunday, but here are some additional ideas to make sure you enjoy YOUR Mother's Day.   Spend the day alone.  Leave the kids with Dad and spend a day alone doing whatever it is you want to do.   Get a pedicure or manicure with your mom and enjoy each other as mothers. Go to the Spa and be pampered. After all it is YOUR day!   If you want to spend the day with your family make it quality time doing something you love.     Yoga Post of the Month  Tree Pose   The tree, like the mother is strong and steady.  Its roots hold it strong as it provides for the earth around it.   This months tree pose is a very easy pose that improves balance and strengthens legs.   Stand with your back to a wall a few inches away.  Firmly root one foot to the floor and raise the other leg and place the foot on the inside of the knee as shown above.   Start with your hands against the wall, the slowly remove your hands and either place them on your belly or for more of a challenge, above your head.  Your Best Birth A Must Read for Expecting Moms!   From the women who brought us The Business of Being Born, comes Your Best Birth, a must read for any expecting mom!   You go through your pregnancy trying to do everything right, but then you get close to your birth and you are completely unaware of what to expect and how to make it a good experience.  You can't plan your birth in the weeks approaching your due date, so this book guides you through all of your options so you can make an educated decision before you get to the end of your pregnancy.   This book is so completely honest and hails such common sense that makes it one of the best birth books out today. A truly honest look at birth with such practical advice is a breath of fresh air in the maternity climate of today.     A must read for ALL expecting moms!   Come check out the book and get more information on local resources at one of our many events across the country on May 16, 2009.    CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS! Mother's Day Random Facts Show off your knowledge  In ancient Greece, the people paid tribute to Rhea, the Mother of the Gods, each spring. In 1907 Mother's Day was celebrated in West Virginia. By 1911 every state observed Mother's Day. All officials of the federal government to wear a white carnation on Mother's Day. This flower was chosen to represent the sweetness, purity and endurance of mother love. On Mother's Day the U.S. flag is to be displayed on government buildings and at people's homes "as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country." Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia and Belgium celebrate Mother's Day on the same day as the United States.

Balance Ball Pregnancy Birth, and Beyond   Pregnancy Stretching your back More comfortable than a chair to sit on Decreases round ligament pain Avoid a posterior baby If you are still working, try taking the ball to work to sit on Decreases low back pain   Birth Sitting on ball leaning against another object (chair, couch, person, etc.) Hands and knees position resting chest and arms on ball (saving your wrists) Standing up leaning ball against wall keeping you totally relaxed while standing    Postpartum Bouncing baby (creates a more fluid motion and saves your knees) Ab workouts when approved by your care provider Harder to cross legs, decreases varicose veins  Play toy for older children TIPS If the ball rolls, try puting it up against a wall If workin on hard wood floors, try puting a non slip rug or yoga mat down for more traction Make sure the ball is properly inflated and that the plug is secure in the ball

 

 

 

Professionals

January 2009

Exciting new features for 2009!

The New Better Birth America January 2009

In This Issue Regional Representatives Benefits of Advertising Article Submissions       Visit Our Sponsor     Regional Representative Bio Candace McCollett  Candace is our Regional Representative for the Colorado Springs, CO area.  She is a Childbirth Educator, Labor/Birth Doula, Midwifery assistant and Student.  Candace wants to eradicate some people's misconceptions about pregnancy and the birthing process. She also believes that there is more than one good way to have a baby and that all educated decisions and choices should be made freely by moms and their partners.   We are proud to have Candace as a part of the Better Birth America team!  Quick Links... Our Website More About Us Regional Representatives Advertising Welcome to 2009!  We at Better Birth America hope you had wonderful holidays and are as excited about the upcoming year as we are!    2009 is going to be a big year for Better Birth America; we have new website features and will be working very hard to promote birth options through the websites this year.    First we will start off by sending out a monthly newsletter to birth professionals such as yourself as well as expecting and new parents.   These newsletters will include timely birth news, announcements about national events in the field, articles written by your collegues and much more! For expecting and new parents there will be articles related to pregnancy, nutrition, parenting and all of these articles will be written by birth professionals just like you!      Secondly, we have a new forum site www.betterbirthamericaforums.com!  Expecting and new parents will be able to seek out services, post about their birth experiences, and connect with other moms!   Advertisers will enjoy new ways to connect with expecting parents and potential clients, including being able to publish articles and ads in the parent's newsletters and respond to parent's posts in the forums.  For more information on the benefits of advertising with Better Birth America, please see the article below.   We are always looking for Regional Representatives in cities where we have websites, so if you are interested please read the article further down in the newsletter.   Again, we hope you have a wonderful year to come, please let us know if you have any feedback or suggestions as we are always open to them.  Also, be sure to forward this newsletter to your collegues to keep them in the loop!   Best Wishes, Jackie Belau Founder Better Birth America BBA Seeking Regional Representatives We are always looking for birth professionals who are interested in working as Regional Representatives for Better Birth America in their own region!  We are seeking women who are interested in promoting birth options through the website and informing local women about resources in their area.  These positions can be an additional source of income to supplement your birth work!  If you are interested in becoming a Regional Representative, please click here.  Benefits of Advertising   "The cost is SO affordable, with only one client the listing will more than pay for itself!"   A listing is an individualized page that you can add any information you would like: information about you, your services, testimonials, rates, ANYTHING! Benefits of advertising include the ability to:   - Post events to the local event calendar    - Answer questions or post discussions in the newly developed forums with your expertise and business information   -Write articles for the parent's newsletter to increase your exposure -Purchase an ad spot in the monthly newsletter that will go out to all of the expecting parents visiting the site.   Please CLICK HERE for more information on advertising with Better Birth America.  Also, Don't miss out on the new year savings coupon at the bottom of the newsletter! Article Submissions                                                                        If you have articles, stories or events that you would like to submit for possible publication in either the birth professional's or parent's newsletters, please send the document and a brief introduction to info@betterbirthamerica.com.

February 2009  Welcome to Better Birth America   This month we have some great information for your birth business.  Have you seen your client numbers reduce in this economic climate?  Read our article Hard Times USA for ideas on how to keep your business alive.  There is an opportunity to join Better Birth America to promote birth options in your area along with a new book by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein. Also an excellent report by Consumer Reports about high tech birth and how it may not be best for mothers.  We hope you find this newsletter to be informative and enlightening, please pass it on to anyone you think would enjoy reading it.   Best Wishes, Jackie Belau Founder Better Birth America  Hard Times USA How is this economic climate affecting your birth business?    In these trying economic times, many families are cutting seemingly un-necessary expenses.  Now, more than ever expecting parents may believe doulas, childbirth classes and midwifery care not paid for by their medical insurance a luxury; therefore many childbirth professionals have seen a decline in the number of clients they are seeing.   As birth professionals we see women sacrificing their birth experiences to make the necessary financial adjustments for their families, and in turn we are forced to do the same.  So the question becomes, how do we show women that a good, if not wonderful, birth experience is worth the financial sacrifice in this harsh economic climate?  And how can we work with them to make the care we provide accessible?   My belief is that expecting parents, especially first time parents, should know the true value of labor support.  For those parents who are on the fence about whether or not they can afford additional birth services I always emphasize this, "A woman will remember her birth experiences for the rest of her life.  Good or bad, the experience will always remain as a part of her.  When she is too old to remember her children's birthdates and her grandchildren's names, she will still remember giving birth to her children," and then I ask her "Don't you want to look back fondly when you remember the birth of your children?"  I also make the comparison of a good birth experience to anything else worth purchasing in life.  I state "You have financed your home, your car and possibly vacations.  Don't you think the birth of your child, a memory you will have forever, is worth that same consideration?"   As business owners we have the opportunity to help our potential clients find ways to afford better care.  Here are a few ideas you can put into place:   Payment Plans - Breaking down payments into increments will not only make the cost seem more affordable, but it will help parents figure the cost into their monthly budget instead of one large sum. Sliding Scale - Set a price range and allow parents to choose how much they can pay for your services.  This seems like everyone would choose to pay the lower cost, but honest people will pay what they can, and if they find your services truly helpful during birth, they will probably be inclined to pay you extra after the birth. Donating services to families who truly want your help but can not afford any extra costs.  This is just good for karma, helping others now will come back to you another time. What you can do for your business during these times:  Don't shy away from your marketing.  Even though there are usually costs involved, if you don't market your services, potential clients won't know you exist. Network with other local professionals.  Join networking groups, connect with other local birth professionals, contact childbirth educators and ask to speak at their classes. Go to all of the free fairs and expos you can to get the word out about your services. Throw an event of your own to promote yourself and other birth professionals.  See the right column for an opportunity to team with Better Birth America to promote the new book "Your Best Birth". Most of all, stay positive, things will pick up and soon you will be able to make a living of doing what you love! Book Review Born in the USA: How a broken maternity system must be fixed to put women and children first. Marsden Wagner, M.D., M.S.  In this fascinating book Marsden Wagner opens up the U.S. maternity system and exposes some of its darkest secrets.  A very startling theme in the book deals with how many U.S. doctors support one another even when they have practices that are illegal and immoral, simply so the profession as a whole can maintain its superior status.  The disturbing anecdotes illustrating these situations are prime examples of what is wrong with the system.   As not to be completely bleak, the last two chapters Vision of a better way to be born and How to get where we need to be are uplifting and give us many sources of good information and what we can do to promote healthy birth options and make a change.    My favorite part of the book is the incredible statistics from several reliable studies and sources, including the World Health Organization.  It is appalling to me that our government and organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) disregard the evidence in maternity care and continue to practice as they deem fit.   Although the book may be a bit overwhelming for the average expecting parent, it is a must read for EVERY childbirth professional!

Parent Newsletter   In addition to this newsletter which is focused on birth professionals, we also send out a parent's newsletter on a monthly basis that covers topic that are of interested to expectant and new parents.  To read the parents newsletters you can sign up to receive them, or you can CLICK HERE to visit our newsletter archives, where you can catch up on past newsletters.  In This Issue Keeping Your Birth Business Alive in These Rough Times Consumer Reports Article on High Tech Birth Your Best Birth   From the women who brought us The Business of Being Born, Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein, their new book will be out in May.  Titled "Your Best Birth", the writers will encourage women to take back the birth experience and raise awareness about their local birth options.   If you are interested in promoting their book in conjunction with Better Birth America, please send us an email.  We will happily cover the costs involved in getting the word out there and helping you promote your local birth options.   Send emails HERE.

Consumer Reports Article on High Tech Birth Too many doctors and hospitals are overusing high-tech procedures   Consumer Reports Health wrote an article summarizing and praising The Milbank Report on Evidence-Based Maternity Care.  The article gave a condensed version of the outcomes reported and put them in terms any expecting parent would understand.   They even present a Maternity Care Quiz to test people's knowledge of maternity care practices and if they are helpful or not.  Although short, the quiz may enlighten some parents. The article has been posted on our website CLICK HERE to view the article and quiz.  Also, be sure to pass on the article to expecting parents and everyone you know who may benefit from the information.

 

Better Birth America Newsletter March 2009

In This Issue New Midwifery Legislation! TIME Magazine - Cesarean Risks Social Networking for Your Business Regional Representative Profile   Lisa Houser is our Regional Representative for Austin, TX.  She is a mother of two, and has been involved in the medical field for over 10 years.   She is an ALACE trained Birth Doula, Happiest Baby on the Block Instructor and currently is a Midwife Student.  Lisa is also a volunteer with Operation Special Delivery, providing free doula care for women who's partners are deployed.   We are proud to have Lisa as a part of the team.  Thanks Lisa!   Quick Links... Our Website Regional Representatives More About Us Welcome to March!  We have some very exciting news this month.    The House of Representatives has had a bill introduced to increase reimbursement for midwifery and TIME magazine has published an article exclaiming the risks of repeat cesareans and how hard VBACs are to get!   Both of these events do a lot to promote healthy birth options and gain recognition for the problems our maternity care system faces.  Read more about these events in the articles below.    You will also find a coupon from Vista Print for 100 free marketing postcards.  Vistaprint.com is a great source of affordable marketing materials for small businesses.   Midwifery Legislation Introduced  Legislation was introduced last month that will improve access for Medicare beneficiaries to the vital women's health services offered by certified nurse midwives (CNM) and certified midwives (CM) by remedying a long-standing reimbursement rate inequity between midwives and other licensed health care professionals within the Medicare program. . Although this does not cover all midwives, it certainly is a step in the right direction for our nation's maternity care needs.   The bill "Midwifery Care Access and Reimbursement Equity Act of 2009," (H.R. 1101) is part of the Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act and hopefully will be signed into law by President Obama.    To help ensure this bill is passed, please call your representatives and ask them to support this bill in the House.  CLICK HERE to find out how to contact your Representative. TIME Magazine Article - Cesarean Risks   In the March 2 issue of Time magazine, an article focuses on the rapid increase of cesarean sections and the disparaging number of VBACs happening in the U.S.   The story discusses the Childbirth Connection's Evidence Based Maternity Care Report released in 2008, and also the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) findings on cesarean numbers.   Hopefully we will see the mainstream media pick up on these important topics and show them in a light that progresses birth options!   READ THE ARTICLE HERE! Social Networking for Birth Professionals Some adults think social networking websites like Myspace, Facebook and Twitter are only for teenagers wanting to connect with their friends.  But these sites can be a good way to get in touch with other birth professionals and also to gain clients.   How can this help your business?   When you create a business profile on one of these networking sites you typically include your basic information; your business name, location and website.  This alone helps your business to become more prevalent on the internet.  The more links directing others to your website, the higher it will come up on search engines.  And if customers connect with you on your profile they have a way to get your company information without finding your website, so if your website doesn't show up on the search engines, women have a way to find your services.   You can add information to these pages, send updates to your network and start reaching out to potential clients.   I don't know how to set up a profile. Where do I start?   If you are not exactly computer savvy, you may want to employ a teenager to help you.  The set up process is not difficult, but it can feel overwhelming if you are not sure of your tech skills.    The site will ask you for your email address and you will need to create a password.  Then you will be able to get started promoting your business!   The basic information you want to add to these profiles are: Your company name Logo Website address Basic information about your company Description of your services Anything else you want your customers to know about you. Good Luck in Cyberspace!   Join the Better Birth America group on Facebook HERE!

 

Better Birth America Newsletter Spring Fever! April  2009 In This Issue Call to Action! Spring Cleaning for Your Business Sad Cesarean News   Join Us On Facebook CLick Here to Join Us!           Quick Links... Our Website Representatives Advertising More About Us Welcome to spring! Did anyone else notice an influx of babies in March?  Many birth professionals I have talked to were incredibly busy last month.    At some of the births I attended I had some startling revelations, so I decided to start a blog just to write down the thoughts that go through my head.  The first idea was what made me start the blog; the fact that even though I don't make much money, Dang It, what I do is IMPORTANT, especially to all the moms I work with.  I know all of you feel that way too as do the moms you support.   The blog is "My Life as a Birth Options Advocate".So check it out and feel free to comment about your experiences as well.   This month we have a call to action from The Big Push for Midwives, some sad cesarean news (most of it seems to be that way lately), and finally some tips on how to do some spring cleaning for your business this month.   I hope you all have a wonderful month!   Best Wishes, Jackie Belau Founder Better Birth America Call To Action!  There are two birth groups that need your help in letting our Congress know that midwifery care is important to you.   The Big Push for Midwives and the American Association of Birth Centers both have proposed legislation to include midwives and birth centers in Medicare legislation.   The Medicare system is trying to eliminate birth centers from their list of accepted recipents which would deny them of their facility fees.  Theses fees are about half of their total income and if eliminated would close just about every birth center in the U.S.     The Big Push for Midwives would like Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) to be included on the list of acceptable providers so that all women could have access to midwifery care.   Both of these groups ask that you contact your Representatives and Senators to let them know that these causes should be supported and included in the national medicare system.  Please use the links below to find contact information for your local Representative, call them and even set up a meeting to discuss your concerns.  If you have any questions, please contact the women listed below for more information.   Organization Contacts:   AABC - Karen Fennell: karenfennell50@yahoo.com Big Push - Steff@TheBigPushForMidwives.org   How to contact your local Representatives:   CLICK HERE to find your U.S. Representative   CLICK HERE to find your Senator   This is important and time sensitive as all of them go back to work this week!  Let them know that better birth for all women is important! Spring Cleaning   Are you feeling overwhelmed by the business part of your business?  We all love the work we do, but sometimes the business aspects can get in the way.  Below are some tips on getting yourself organized so you can be more efficient in all aspects of your business.     One thing about owning your own business is that you don't have to report to anyone, that in itself is a good AND bad thing.  If you have trouble motivating yourself you can find a "accountability buddy".  Someone who you can check in with once a week to report to who can keep you accountable for keeping up with your work.  It can be reciprical also, they can report to you as well.  If you can't find someone, you can even hire a business coach to help you decide on priorities, create goals and report to each week.   To do lists can be overwhelming, so make a list of all the things you need to accomplish for your business, then rank them according to importance.  Make a commitment to doing just one of those tasks per day or 3 per week and give yourself a reward for accomplishing those tasks.   Get organized!  If your work space is a complete mess, or if you don't even have a work space other than the kitchen table, create an organized space where you can sit specifically to work on your business.  Throw away anything you don't need, recycle all of your old papers, create a filing system.  Put all of your educational materials into a portable file carrier so they are not just sitting on your desk.  Review your business plan: Take time to look at your current plan and update your goals, priorities and targets. Or if you do not have a business plan find someone to help you develop one. Join a local network! Either Birth Professionals or other business professionals, even a women in business kind of group. You can glean all kinds of great information and tips from other people in small business. They can share cost saving tips to marketing tips, but it is a great way to learn new things, network and make new friends! Sad Cesarean News As research continues to mount for the risks of cesarean surgery, the Centers for Disease Control released new, staggering statistics today reporting that 31.8% of women endure birth by cesarean in the United States.  This announcement comes after the release of significant findings from the New England Journal of Medicine reinforcing that birth by cesarean surgery before 39 weeks of pregnancy causes increased complications in newborns.    Every birth professional should review the Milbank Report: Evidence-Based Maternity Care put out by the Childbirth Connection.  It has valuable information and statistics that help explain to parents and caregivers what the standard of care should be.

Save 25% All Individual Listings are 25% off this month.  Sign up in April for an Individual Listing and get 25% off the normal listing price!  CLICK HERE for more information about different listings options and what all is included!  Offer Expires: May 5, 2009

 

Better Birth America Newsletter Happy Mother's Day May 2009 In This Issue Your Best Birth Homebirth vs. Hospital Safety Study Taking Care of Yourself!   Check Out are Newsletter Archives!     Quick Links... Our Website More About Us Become a Representative Advertising Join Us on Facebook! Book Promotions Come check us out at events across the country this month.   Welcome to May and Happy Mother's Day! This month we are taking a look at how birth professionals can take care of themselves while helping clients.  Be sure to check out our review of Your Best Birth the new book by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein.  Also some recent news from across the pond that tested home births versus hospital births to see which one was safer.  Check out the results! Your Best Birth    Your Best Birth is one of the best birth books I have ever read.     The core value of Better Birth America is that women should be educated about all of their birth options so that they may make the best decision for themselves.   Well, this book helps women look at their options in a realistic way.  It is so completely honest and hails such common sense that makes it an easy read and would be helpful for any woman who read it.  As a doula I see so many things that happen in birth, good and bad, and nothing is left out.  As I was reading, I kept saying to myself, "Thank goodness, someone actually said it!"    A truly honest look at birth with such practical advice is a breath of fresh air in the maternity climate of today.    Pick up the book at one of our national events, or check out the coupon below. Study Proves Home Birth as Safe as Hospital Although the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has stated "Unless a woman is in a hospital, an accredited freestanding birthing center... with physicians ready to intervene quickly if necessary, she puts herself and her baby's health and life at unnecessary risk," a study completed in the U.K. has proven otherwise. The study of almost 530,000 low-risk births over seven years in the Netherlands found no difference in death or serious illness among either mothers or their babies if they gave birth at home rather than in hospital. Concluding that homebirth is as safe as a hospital birth for low risk pregnancies.  Even when a woman needed to be transferred to the care of a doctor in a hospital, the risk to her or her baby was no higher than if she had started out her labor under the care of a midwife.   Hopefully this study is only the beginning of the research that informs women that birth options other than the hospital are safe and viable.

Taking Care of Yourself  When we work with women, we tend to give our all even if it is at our own detriment.  As a doula, often times I am up all night with a laboring woman focusing all of my attention on her and most of the time neglecting my own needs such as eating, drinking water, my posture and even using the restroom.  Then when the birth is finished and everyone is settled I find myself famished, thirsty with my back killing me.  So for this month as a Mother's day gift to you, I would like to outline how you can take care of yourself even while you are working.  Because when you take care of yourself, you are a better person, mother and professional.   Take care of yourself even while you are working.  Be sure to meet your basic needs while you are working.  If you have been at it for a long time and you are hungry, thirsty or need to use the restroom, take a short break.  Do not feel bad if you have to leave the room for a few minutes.  You are ultimately more helpful to your clients if you have met your needs first.  And I promise your clients will not mind if you need to take a potty break, just be sure to let them know that you need to leave the room for a short time and that you will be back in 5 minutes.  If you stick to this time limit you will feel better and you will be more helpful for your clients. Get a massage.  Massage can work away all of your tension after a long day/night's work.  Ask other birth professionals who they use.  I myself have a massage therapist who is also a doula, so she understands where I hurt and how to help me best.  You can also try acupuncture, Reiki, Qi gong, etc. Spend time with your family.  When you are on call 24/7 birth can overcome your life at times, but it is important to balance all aspects of your life and know when to take it easy.  When your family is home and you aren't busy with a work commitment, put down the books, shut off the computer and spend some good quality time with your family.  Try playing games with you family, if you are into a game and having fun you can forget about work for a time and your family will appreciate you spending time with them.  This is a great way to eliminate that "mommy-guilt" that plagues most self-employed moms. Spend time by yourself.  I know, I know, where is all of this time coming from?  But if you prioritize your life and time, you can make time for yourself, your family, and your work.  Take a bath while the kids are at school, get some exercise, read a (non-work related) book.  Again, spending time on yourself without thinking about work or your family will make you feel better which in turn will make you a better mom/birth professional. Network with other birth professionals or owners.  I know that this sounds like work, and it kind of is, but it can also be beneficial to your inner self as well.  Networking with other birth professionals or women business owners can bring up opportunities for business exchanges, knowledge sharing, and promoting your business.  It also provides you with a place to vent or ask questions.  In Sacramento, CA the members of Better Birth Sacramento get together one night per month and talk about work, family and life in general.  Last month I had just come from a hard birth with a not-so-great outcome and I was in a terrible mood.  I sat there and vented for about 20 minutes and everyone listened.  These women had been through the same kind of thing and it was very nice to vent to women who understood why I was upset rather than me going home to my husband and him not understanding why I was so upset.  It was a great release for me and I went home feeling much better than when I has gotten to my meeting! Take a break - We all need a break some time.  Whether it is a night out with friends or a week away from home with the family.  If you let your clients know a head of time that there are certain dates or times that you are not available they are usually very accommodating.  If you are on call like a doula or a midwife you should have a back up ready and schedule a meeting between the clients and the back up if you believe you may miss their birth.  You can even plan to take whole months off, say while your children are out of school for the summer.  Just be cautious about how many clients you take during that time and turn some away if needed.    Save 20% Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstien Email Us to purchase the book at a 20% discount and help promote birth options!    Simply CLICK HERE to email us using "Your Best Birth Discount" in the subject line! Offer Expires: July 1, 2009