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DreamWeaving with the Unborn Child
by Linda Stalvey
Sound healing and therapy are areas of increasing interest both in the alternative and complementary medicine fields as well as in the generalized health care community. This article describes the DreamWeaver, a vibroacoustic sound environment. When used in conjunction with pregnancy and childbirth education, it may be beneficial in assisting the mother in establishing a strong heart-to-heart connection with her unborn child, opening lines of communication between her and her unborn child, and moving through fears associated with labor and delivery.
Aromatherapy for Pregnancy and Birth
by Chelle Goodfriend
The author provides historical information and explains the physiologic rationale regarding the use of aromatherapy. She describes the use of various essential oils during pregnancy, labor, and birth, and lists those essential oils that should be avoided during pregnancy.
Hypnotic Analgesic and Anesthetic Suggestion in Childbirth
by Ann Kane
The author describes the use of hypnotic analgesic and anesthetic suggestion in obstetrics. She defines hypnosis and lists its benefits. Details of how to include hypnotic suggestion in childbirth education are also included.
The Value of Birth Stories
by Cynthia Farley and Sarah Widmann
Women have been sharing their birth stories as long as they have been bearing children. The benefits of birth storytelling in the childbearing year have not been adequately studied but are thought to be important for women in mastering the developmental tasks of pregnancy and early motherhood. The birth stories that women hear, and the birth stories that women share, can help them to understand their childbearing experiences as both unique and universal. This article examines birth stories from the conceptual framework of the narrative as a therapeutic device. Narrative accounts of birth help women to gain mastery over experience and incorporate a transformative life event into their developing sense of self as mothers.
To download and view this article (in pdf format), click here.
The Nature and Management of Labor Pain: An Evidence-Based Symposium
by Cheryl Coleman
The author reports on The Nature and Management of Labor Pain: An Evidence-Based Symposium held in May 2001 at the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) and sponsored by the Maternity Association and the NYAM. Approximately 120 professionals attended this event from a variety of disciplines including obstetrics, anesthesia, family practice, nursing, nurse midwifery, public policy, childbirth education, and anthropology. The efforts of this symposium were to present evidence-based research on a variety of aspects related to the relief of or coping with pain in labor and birth by presentation of systematic reviews of the literature.
Improving Breastfeeding Outcomes
by Debra Lavin
The author provides current data on breastfeeding rates and gives an historic view on breastfeeding and labor pain medications. She compares breast milk and formula and details current research on the relationship between labor medications and breastfeeding. She concludes by proposing existing solutions to improve breasfeeding outcomes, including the use of professional labor support.
Therapeutic Touch in Labor Support
by Ellen Mattli
This article describes therapeutic touch, which can be a valuable adjunct to the emotional support and physical comfort measures offered by doulas in labor support. Simple therapeutic touch procedures benefit both laboring mothers and their partners, contributing to greater relaxation, deeper breathing, a heightened sense of well-being, and a more confident expectation for a positive outcome.
Political Issues
by Naomi Bromberg Bar-Yam
The Courtship and Marriage of Conventional and Alternative Medicine
Nutrition News
by Dvorka Monti and Lisa Kehler
The Vegetarian Alternative?
Resources
by Linda Uhrich
Alternatives in Childbearing
International Focus
by Susan Elliott
Alternative Medicine or Alternative to Medicine
Audio Visual Review
by Margery Simchak
Hello Family
Information Update
by Judy O'Connor
Lindsay, S. 1999. Menopause naturally: Exploring alternatives to traditional hormone replacement therapy. AWHONN Lifelines 3, no. 5: 32-38.
Steele, N., et al. 2001. Effect of acupressure by Sea-Bands on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nursing 30, no. 1: 61-70.
Noftsger, P. 2000. Birthing faith: Giving a gift of trust and support. AWHONN Lifelines 4, no. 6: 47-48.
Greenwood, C., and M. C. Stanton. 2001. Back pain/discomfort in pregnancy: Invisible and forgotten. The Journal of Perinatal Education 10, no. 1: 1-12.
Ayers, J. 2000. The use of alternative therapies in the support of breastfeeding. Journal of Human Lactation 16, no. 1: 52-56.
Conversations with Colleagues. 2001. Finding research on complementary and alternative therapies. AWHONN Lifelines 5, no. 2: 23.
Statistics
by Dale E. King
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