|
Cluster Feeding and Fussy Evenings
If you are looking for more ideas in coping with fussy evenings, this article is helpful and reassuring.
Ask Dr. Sears
This site is a treasure-trove of information, especially “When should I see a doctor?” sections for various illnesses
Kelly Mom
Another general site to consult on just about any topic, she always has innovative, thorough and specific information.
Jay Gordon
This is another wonderful general site. Dr. Gordon leans towards attachment parenting approach, and you’ll find helpful and compassionate advice for just about everything. Particularly helpful are his suggestions for nightweaning.
Jay Gordon: Solving Bowel Mysteries
You’ve never thought about poop until you become a parent. Dr. Gordon offers helpful advice about deciphering your child’s poop.
Tina Brenner, Lactation Consultant
*Local Resource
How to Strip Cloth Diapers
*Authored by Shantana Goerge
Addressing rashes, build-up and ammonia odors in diapers.
Caring for Cloth Diapers
*Authored by Shantana Goerge
Everyday diaper washing and troubleshooting tips.
Capital Area Birth Network
*Local Resource
The CABN promotes “an awareness of evidence-based care and informed decision-making through advocacy, information and support.” The website includes extensive local provider directory.
Greenhouse Birth Center
*Local Resource
A free-standing birth center in Okemos, Michigan
Michigan Midwives Association
*Local Resource
The Michigan Midwives Association (MMA) represents a network of midwives, childbirth professionals, and students, and the spectrum of the Midwives Model of Care. Website includes a directory.
Sparrow Women's Services
*Local Resource
Information on care at Sparrow Hospital
Ingham Regional Medical Center
*Local Resource
Information on care at Ingham Hospital
Optimal Fetal Positioning
Spinning Babies is a wonderful resource for pregnant woman, based on the idea that the baby's position in the womb and birth canal matter.
Positions for labor
Timing contractions:
Timing contractions is one way of gauging how close you are to meeting your baby and when you might want to have assistance from a midwife, doctor, doula, etc. This link is particularly good because it also has a picture/time graph of what timing a contraction might look like.
Pelvic Visual
Graphic shows where your "sit bones" or "ischial tuberosities" bones are, to help visualize how wide your pelvic outlet is.
Mother's Advocate
Educational videos for inspiration
Pelvic outlet in Vaginal Birth
3D depiction of vaginal birth, how baby rotates to fit through pelvic outlet.
TENS Machine
Info on using a TENS machine for pain-management during labor
Birth Plans
A Mindful approach to birth plans
Vaginal Birth After Ceserean (VBAC)
VBAC guidelines from ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
Information versus Awareness
Pam England on “Information Frenzy” during pregnancy
Online stopwatch
Helpful for timing pain-coping practice alone, contractions, or anything else!
Perineal massage
Decision Making Support
Pregnancy and Birth isn't the only time in a person's life when it is challenging and confusing to sort through advice and recommendations. The BRAIN concept is helpful in all situations where you need support in making difficult decisions.
Fetal Positioning
More information about optimal fetal positioning, with more specific tips and trouble-shooting information.
Birthing with Sara
*Local Resource
Red Cedar Birth Services
*Local Resource
Karen Litos Woodman, MPT
*Local Resource
e-mail: kwoodman@miSpineCenter.com
Labor of Love
*Local Resource
Expectant mothers have many safety considerations for exercising in the water. Learn how to train for the endurance and strength required for labor and delivery of your child. This program is performed in cehst-deep water as well as deep water using a flotation device
Nila Husby, (517) 699-3373, e-mail: nhusby@hpsk12.net
Birth Activist
Citizens for Midwifery
Peaceful Parenting
Birthing Beautiful Ideas
*Note: The books recommended below each contain a link to the Amazon.com listing because the site provides so much useful information and reviews about books in general. Mother Ourselves, LLC always recommends that you patronize booksellers with whom you have a local relationship.
This is an excellent resource for mamas who find themselves tandem nursing, either deliberately or accidentally :-)
Yet again, I am humbled when I finally get around to reading a particular book about the state of birth in this culture, finding that it isn't just regurgitating the same stats I see over and over. Davis-Floyd is doing something completely different in this book. As a CBE-in-training, I was so encouraged to read her deconstruction of the hospital birth ritual and see ways to help parenting opting for hospital births to own the space. Fascinating read to witness so-called "scientific procedures" in the light of cultural ritual.
The dual nature of this book was fascinating: a 'medical man', speaking in intellectual (and sometimes boring) language, talking about the miracle of how perfectly women are made for childbirth, and what amazing results he has witnessed when he interfered as little as possible with a woman's birth. This is a wonderful recommendation for the more intellectual side of a mother, when you want the medical establishment to acknowledge that natural childbirth is the best and EASIEST way to bring your child into the world. His telling of his 'a- HA!' moment, after assisting a woman who declined chloroform during birth, is amazing. His trust and awe in the process is contagious. You'll marvel at what this doctor was advocating for in 1933. Some of the info is dated (such as salt restriction during pregnancy, for example), but it's worth it to see all that he was ahead of his time on.
I love these "parenting" books that give attention to where I believe it is most due: Less to what a parent DOES, and more to who a parent IS. Most modern parenting books seem to read more like the how-to manual that comes with electronics, as if you could "maximize" your child's "performance". As a parent, I feel so drawn to parenting books rooted in the Buddhist tradition because I find the focus on giving up control, divorcing from outcome and cultivating a neutral gaze towards discomfort to be the truest lessons of parenting. Early in the book, the authors state: "To nourish sovereignty in our children so that they will know their own way in the world, we have to ask, "How do we honor it in them and yet also respect our own sovereignty?" The introduction is a bit tedious while they repeat their intentions for the book over and over, but the rest beautifully answers this question.
This is my absolute favorite pregnancy book. The book is divided into 2 sections: The first section is full of birth stories written by mothers who gave birth with the midwives at The Farm in Tennessee. The second section is from Gaskin's perspective as a midwife, with physiology explanations, tips and a phenomenal 'pep talk'. The first section helps the reader to see all of the variations of a normal birth. The undramatic realities of birth, such as waiting, walking, and waiting some more really lend to seeing how calm and non-violent birth can be. The second section by Gaskin maintains this serenity. She addresses how perfectly the female body is designed for birth, and how calmly 'obstacles' in birth can be addressed, if patience and trust is invited in. Her perspective was the first I heard where 'issues' such as breach birth, shoulder dystocia, and 'failure to progress' were part of a normal birth landscape and not necessarily cause for surgery.
I loved this book. Which isn't very like me, because frankly it's pretty superficial. There's equal space dedicated to your workout routine and "figuring out" your spiritual beliefs. But if this book catches you at precisely the right moment - 10 pounds of baby weight to go, wondering when the last time you wore impractical shoes and talked about what makes you tick - then this book is downright profound. Different parts will seem patronizing to different people. I'm a pathological de-clutter, so their cheerleading was misspent there. But the suggestions on de-mushing my brain were deeply appreciated. It won't offer up anything you haven't thought of before, but it will inspire you with just the right amount of cheerleading to get it done. I suspect the authors are Mean Girls in real life, but they provide just enough tough love to make me eternally grateful. As someone who tends to Attachment Parent, this was invaluable in helping clarify what wasn't working for me anymore.
A resource for ALL mothers. I haven't read the book cover-to-cover, but that is perhaps why I recommend it most strongly: this book is so dense with resources and testimony from other families that it has something wise and useful to offer EVERYONE.
While the nature of these types of books are inherently a bit cheesy, this work is really superior, even to Louden's "Pregnany Woman's Comfort book". The exercises are well-crafted and refreshing when one is swimming in the new identity of becoming a mother. This is the book used in our Mother’s Self-Renewal workshop.
This was the book that my Midwife "prescribed" to me when I revealed how afraid I was to give birth. It's a marvelous book, my favorite part of it being that she really helps you to see the enormous responsibility a mother has to achieve her best birth. Wildner asks difficult questions, and helps a mother to see the part she plays in weaving the birth of her child.
This book is a gem in the journey to mindful, gracious living. Prepare to be struck by the hard work involved in being grateful.
This book is a wonderful reference guide for health during pregnancy. It's difficult to find such holistic health advice for pregnant women. The book is a wonderful reference for pregnancy discomforts, as well as for maintaining optimal health. The author addresses every issue with where it should begin: nutrition, exercise, and herbal remedies that may be able to help. Her appreciation for how complex and interrelated the body is is so refreshing.
This book is amazing. Read it :-)
So far, this is my top pick for General pregnancy and birth reference, perhaps even above Sears (gasp!). While the book is a titch more deferential to doctors and technology than I am personally, this book is REALLY comprehensive and thoughtful. Survivors of birth loss will be shocked to see how thoroughly the topic is covered here - I wish I had known of this book when we were going through miscarriages, it answers questions of what to expect with specificity. Their inclusiveness is an inspiration: while they don't mince words on the recommendation to breastfeed, there is great information here for those who don't, including discussion of mothers who are giving their babies to adoption. They also provide wonderful resources for moms of size. Complications in pregnancy are listed as just that, outliers in a non-medical event. And they get bonus points from me for addressing circumcision as painful.
This book's strength is in reminding you to nurture yourself during pregnancy. She has wonderful suggestions for how to nurture yourself and your partner (as well as your older children) during pregnancy. Some of the strongest sections in the book address head on the ambivalence and grieving that pregnancy can bring, and how to honor the mixed feelings that pregnant women experience. Her tone and sense of humor may not be for everyone, but I think every mother can find something in this that speaks to them and reminds them of an area of themselves that needs care and nurturing.
I deeply regret that it took me 2 years to get to this book. Block does an amazing job describing what women should find so troubling about maternity care choices in America. (I withheld 1 star because I really wish she'd had a competent editor....). Very heavy on statistics, but also comprehensive in both the "soft news" side (narratives describing her time shadowing illegal midwives are astonishing) and her amazing powers of synthesis (for example, why hasn't it been obvious to reproductive groups, the absence of advocacy for maternity care?). I'm deeply affected for having read it, and frustrated that the situation is even worse than I thought. I wonder if I'll be able to continue to use the term "post-feminist", as Block's book shows how little distance we've come, only that the names have changed.
This book was outstanding. I've recently become incredibly miserly with what titles I'll add to my home library, and this is one that I'd like to have to refer to. Muller is a brilliant writer and thinker, I found his comparisons to how sabbath is built into the natural world to be insightful and inspiring. His explorations of dormancy and how it contributes to health, vitality and wisdom were brilliant, especially as he related it to being an advocate for social justice. Our family is wrestling with the idea of sabbath, or, as Muller describes it, "The only commandment that we brag about breaking." As a new mother, I've wrestled with the condescension of the world when I've committed to holding my son for his afternoon nap, anywhere from 2-3 hours each afternoon, in order to attain a long stretch of sleep for him. So many people regard it as a limitation, and Muller helped me to give words to why it has felt like a freedom to have, every day, 2-3 hours where I can't do anything but read, nap, or otherwise relax.
This book will amaze you in both how simple it is (obviously), but also in how complicated it may make your life. Because raising children in a home that values simplicity, serenity, and room in the margins for the unexpected is decidedly counter-culture. His comparisons to the post-traumatic stress exhibited by children in war-torn countries and the stress exhibited by children who are overscheduled and over-stimulated as sobering. I consider myself a parent who is remarkably under-scheduled and under-structured in her family, and I found so much to learn and be inspired by in this book.
I've spent the past couple of months trying to get through The Feminine Mystique. The experience of being treated as a dependent on my husband was so foreign to me because, as the "at home" partner, I'm the spouse who handles EVERYTHING domestic, including repairs, financial planning and the doling out of allowances. The Superior Wife Syndrome describes my reality, and that of most women I know, across class and religion. I suspect that the culture has overcorrected so that wives are now the dictators in the American family. This book is best for describing a new "Problem with no name". However, her writing is atrocious, and the book could have just as effectively been a long article. The thesis of the book will seem uncomfortable for feminists, but I believe that is because she buries her point too deeply: Spouses are less happy when their beliefs are at odds with their behavior.
I began exploring this book as we were contemplating having children, knowing that I didn't want for my family the meaningless orgy that I saw was de rigueur in this country. This book does a marvelous job of helping you to take stock of what you want from the holidays, what you're currently doing, and how to get from point a to point b. Personally, the book was helpful in helping me to see that what we wanted for our family wasn't far from what we had deliberately created already. I revisited this book as I prepare to lead a workshop on simplifying Christmas, and I think this book is less helpful if you are hoping for a list of suggestions. The resources in the back are a bit outdated, without any web addresses.
This is a worthy book to include in a collection of books to help you through conception, pregnancy and post-natal period. While she has some outdated information, such as advising immediate chord-clamping following birth, she also is a brilliant resource for using common herbal remedies. This is a wonderful companion to her "Healing Wise" book. I think this book, combined with Aviva Jill Romm's book, is all a new mama would need to know!
DONA International (Directory)
*Local Resource
A directory of local doulas, the DONA site is also a wonder resource for information about hiring or becoming a doula.
Doulas Care program
*Local Resource
Program seeks to make birth support and birth services accessible to all women.
GentleStrength Doula Services
*Local Resource
Sandra McCurdy
517-488-5193
Mitzi Montague-Bauer
*Local Resource
cell: 517-243-0165
Connie Perkins
*Local Resource
e-mail: oh.eatyourveggies@gmail.com
phone: 517-614-7756
Birthing With Sara
*Local Resource
Red Cedar Birth Services
*Local Resource
Volz Famly Chiropractic
*Local Resource
Holt chiropractic practice that is very child-friendly
Dr. Melissa Marshall
*Local Resource
Certified in Webster technique of turning breech babies
Total Health Chiropractic
*Local Resource
Okemos family chiropractice
*Local Resource
Prenatal Classes and Birth Preparation
Greenhouse Birth Center
*Local Resource
Classes focus on unmedicated birth in a hospital setting, these classes are separate from the prenatal classes that GBC clients attend.
Lamaze
*Local Resource
Find a local Lamaze teacher
Bradley Method
*Local Resource
Find a local Bradley teacher
Birth Works
*Local Resource
Find a local BirthWorks teacher
Expectant Parents Organization
*Local Resource
Prenatal and childbirth education organization affiliated with Sparrow Hospital
Hypnobabies
*Local Resource
HypnoBirthing (The Mongan Method)
*Local Resource
Find a local HypnoBirthing instructor
Celebrate Birthing
*Local Resource
A combination of self-hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Techniques and Law of Attraction taught by Mary Lawton, RN MA CHt. EFT Cert-1
HOPING: Helping Other Parents In Normal Grieving
*Local Resource
A Lansing support group for parents who have lost a child through neonatal death, stillborn or miscarriage.
Tiny Heartbeats
Tiny Heartbeats is a non profit organization for pregnant women. We provide fetal monitors to pregnant women who have previously been through fetal miscarriage, fetal demise, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirths, lost a child to complications from pregnancy, or those women in high risk pregnancies.
Healthy Family Massage
*Local Resource
Massage therapist Sandra McCurdy specializes in prenatal massage!
517-488-5193
Koru Therapeutic Massage
*Local Resource - Mention Mothering Ourselves LLC for a special discount or gift!
Massage therapist Meghan Caterino
Molly Massage
*Local Resource
Specializes in prenatal and post-partum massage
Susan Pelkey
*Local Resource
Email: sepelkey@cablespeed.com
Cell: 517.282.0611
Jodi Wiley, massage therapist
*Local Resource
Greenhouse Birth Center Village
*Local Resource
The online Village for families, this community is made up of GBC clients and non-clients alike, and tends towards natural health and attachment parenting.
Michigan Natural Parenting
*Local Resource
Michigan Natural Parenting Community is a private community for families who live in Michigan to find support and resources about the natural parenting lifestyle.
Lansing Moms Like Me
*Local Resource
Online community for Lansing-area moms
Michigan Mom Squad
*Local Resource
Online community for any and all Michigan Moms, with a lot of information about real-life playdates, etc.
La Leche League
*Local Resource
Information about local contacts
MomsBloom
*Local Resource
Provides volunteers who can assist a new family in the post-partum season.
Lansing Babywearers
*Local Resource
A resource of information and socialization around babywearing. Group meets monthly, and has an extensive lending library for trying out different styles and brands of baby carriers.
Mother-to-Mother Breastfeeding Initiative
*Local Resource
Mother-to-Mother offers breastfeeding information and support to WIC-eligible women. Assistance includes a peer breastfeeding counselor.
Great Start
*Local Resource
A state government organization that invests in: Pediatric and Family Health, Social and Emotional Health, Child Care and Early Education, as well as Parenting Leadership Family Support (basic needs).
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
*Local Resource
Christian-based organization of diverse denominations.
Infant Risk Center
*Local Resource
The InfantRisk Center is dedicated to providing up-to-date evidence-based information on the use of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They are now open to answer calls Monday-Friday 8am-5pm central time. Please contact us at (806)-352-2519.
Z Bear Diapers
*Local Resource
Lansing-based cloth diaper company owned by Stephanie White. Company has both an online story and a Lansing area brick-and-mortar store, selling other baby care items besides cloth diapers
Everybody Reads
*Local Resource
EVERYbody Reads’ explicit mission is to serve the needs of the underrepresented and under served individual, family and community. Extremely child-friendly (unless your child likes to eat books – be patient, they’ll outgrow that).
Lansing Mom2Mom Sales
*Local Resource
Tiny Town
*Local Resource
Haslett-based consignment store for baby and child items.
Healthy Path Consultants
*Local Resource
Health coaching available locally, the breadth of knowledge and resources that Debbie and John pull together is staggering, as well as immensely helpful for families looking for holistic approach to health concerns.
Sara’s Family Playground
*Local Resource
Parenting Meet-up Groups
*Local Resource
Among other ways of connecting with other parents, there is a very active meetup group called The Lansing Moms and Expectant Moms Meetup Group.
Rachael's Family Daycare
*Local Resource
4508 Arden Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-862-3392
e-mail: rachaelfizzell@hotmail.com
Meal Volunteer Coordination
A resource for organizing a group of volunteers for bringing meals during your babymoon. The organizer simply enters the dates you need meals, as well as other logistical information, and e-vitations are sent so that volunteers can sign up for what date they prefer. Enormous improvement over the old-fashioned way of organizing this!
Placenta Encapsulation
DIY instructions for placenta encapsulation
This sign can be helpful to post in your home in a visible location shortly after birth, to remind you and visitors of some chores you may need help with. So many people will offer to help with “whatever you need”, this list can remind you of what might be helpful as well as making it easier to give people a choice of how to help.
Keep this list close after birth. Prior to giving birth, it can be helpful to fill in the names and phone numbers of people you can call for help and support.
This sign posted at your front door can help to create less chaos in the days following birth, as well as give clear guidelines to visitors about what your needs are.
This sign can be helpful anywhere you want to remind visitors that there may be a sleeping baby nearby.
After Antibiotics During delivery - Addressing thrush and other issues in Mama and Baby
The Happiness Project
Joyworks
*Local Resource
Local organization dedicated to spiritual nurturing and coaching, based on the Law of Attraction.
Self-Realization Meditation Healing Centre
*Local Resource
Retreat center located in Bath, offering retreats, classes and more.
St. Francis Retreat Center
*Local Resource
A Christian retreat center located in DeWitt, offering various retreats.
Spiritual Lives of Women
*Local Resource
Lansing-area spiritual mentoring
Body Mind Spirit Directory
*Local Resource
Creating Silence Yoga and Reiki
*Local Resource
Maryann Anandi Concannon teaches Mom and Baby yoga
Mayan Womb Massage
Yoga for Sciatica
Yoga poses to help with some of the discomforts of pregnancy
Brewer diet recommendations for pregnancy and nursing
Weston A Price diet recommendations for pregnancy and nursing
Jodi Wiley, massage therapist
*Local Resource
Neeshan Mehretu : Certified Health and Nurtition coach
*Local Resource
e-mail: nmehretu@gmail.com
|