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A New Way to Present The "Fear/Tension/Pain" Cycle of Childbirth
by Stacey Scarborough
The author describes the "fear/tension/pain" cycle as it is traditionally taught in a childbirth preparation series. She then reveals how a personal experience changed the way she taught the concept in her classes. Her new approach of an "excitement/power/progress" cycle is then described.
Expectant Mothers and the "Little Engine That Could"
by Crystal Weible
The author explains her view that if childbirth educators can find a way to identify mothers who feel less than optimistic about their pregnancy, labor, and birth, they can then make changes in the way they teach. The attitudes that mothers have towards themselves could be modified so that it would change the way they approach labor, the way they deal with labor, and possibly the way they parent. The author states that the tools of optimistic thinking are life-long tools that should be included in prenatal classes.
Could This Happen to You?
by Shirley Blanton
The author describes an incident where a participant fainted in the Lamaze class she was teaching. She details suggestions for instructors who may have to deal with a similar situation in the future.
Who Wants to be a Millionaire...Midwife?
by Kitty Ernst
The author reviews the establishment of birth centers in the United States during the 1980s. She describes the establishment of the Community-based Nurse-midwifery Education Program (CNEP) as a means to expand the opportunities for nurses to become nurse-midwives and to educate them to practice in freestanding birth centers. Quotes from several students as to why they wanted to become nurse-midwives are included.
The Hospital: A Foreign Culture
by Mickey Gillmor
The author describes how the hospital setting can be considered a foreign culture. She lists several characteristics of the staff, including clothing, position, privileges, and language, which may support this opinion. She states that, for many women, the foreign culture of the hospital and the rules and regulations governing the behavior of laboring women may be significant impediments to a normal birth.
Never Forgotten: The Lasting Impact of Birth Trauma
by Chaille O'Neal
The perception of birth trauma is on the rise as society portrays birth as an abnormal, dangerous situation and childbearing experiences are creating overwhelmingly negative memories for families. Because of this national trend, it is becoming increasingly important for childbirth educators to identify at-risk situations, to recognize the causes of birth trauma, to understand the implications of trauma on the family unit, and to mobilize resources to prevent and support early intervention for families at risk. This article deals with the issues surrounding birth trauma.
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
by Amy Spangler
The author describes controversies surrounding the parenting practice of co-sleeping with infants. The deficiencies of a 1999 Consumer Product Safety Commission study on co-sleeping are listed. Benefits of and guidelines for co-sleeping are described.
To download and view this article (in pdf format), click here.
Through the Looking Glass
by Ruth Palatnak
In this article, the author, a childbirth educator, describes her own personal experience of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome. In addition to relating the actual birth story, she discusses in detail the emotions and thoughts experienced. While undergoing the mourning process, she discovered that her emotional and intellectual reactions were often quite different from each other. In addition, helpful and non-helpful reactions and support from those around her and suggestions for the health care professional are discussed.
Information Update
by Judy O'Connor
Olson, M. 2000. Learning from those we serve. AWHONN Lifelines 4, no. 1: 61-63.
Biancuzzo, M. 2000. Not enough milk: Reasons, rationale, and remedies. Advance for Nurse Practitioners 8, no. 2: 67-68.
Bungum, T., D. Peaslee, A. Jackson, and M. Perez. 2000. Exercise during pregnancy and type of delivery in nulliparae. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing 29, no. 3: 258-264.
Nutrition News
by Dvorka Monti and Lisa Kehler
You Never Stop Learning: prenatal and postnatal nutrition and parenting support program for low-income teens and women
Statistics
by Dale King
Phenylketonuria
Political Issues
by Naomi Bromberg Bar-Yam
1981-2001: Twenty Years of the WHO Code
International Focus
by Susan Elliott
A report on maternal and newborn care in Guatemala and Papua New Guinea.
Resources
by Linda Uhrich
Reviews of The VBAC Source Book and Teaching Kit, by Nicette Jukelevics and Ruth Ancheta, and Linda Todd's Postpartum: The Making of a Family.
Healthy Lifestyles
by Ana Lopez-Dawson
Why My Child?: Working with parents whose child is born with a birth defect.
Audio Visual Review
by Margery Simchak
Circumcision? Intact Facts
Educator's Corner
by Cathy Turner
Unexpected Outcomes - Teaching Tips |
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