Baby Tawney's Belly Cast

The butterflies are 3-D

This is Pam Udy's pregnant belly with her daughter, Tawney.  When I talked to Pam and Tawney about what they wanted on this Tawney said, "Flowers, lady bugs, bumble bees, butterflies, dragon flies, pink, purple..."

I asked Pam about her pregnancy and birth.  She told me this was her most peaceful happy pregnancy.  During labor she had a moment alone and realized she was not going to be able to breathe the baby down as hoped.  She said, "I realized I was going to have to work to get this baby out.  There was a gathering of strength."

So my mind went to work.  I felt a great positive energy as I thought about and worked on this painting.  The blue butterflies represent peace softley landing. I thought a lot about a cocoon.  When the work is done inside, a new life emerges.  The work is peaceful and happy.  The mother evolves and grows as well.   I am happy with how it turned out!

Waterbirth

(written by Twyla Cluster)

Water Birth Resources

The idea of giving birth underwater was pioneered by Igor Tjarkovsky, a Soviet researcher and swimming instructor, in 1960. He has helped hundreds of women give birth underwater in a tank of warm water.

In 1977 a French obstetrician Michel Odent introduced mothers to a pool of warm water so that they could relax in labor and not feel inhibited; this also helped for pain relief. Some women decided to stay in the pool to give birth, and over the next 5-6 years thousands of women used the pool during labor.

By 1983 hundreds of women had given birth in water. In the 1980s water birth had spread across the world from France to America. By 1987 approx. 3,000 babies had been born underwater. At the garden hospital in London, Dr. Yehudi Gordon stopped giving pethidine to women in labor; warm water has taken its place.

Books

Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper

The Water Birth Book by Janet Balaskas

We Are All Water Babies by Jessica Johnson & Michel Odent

Water Birth: A Midwife’s Perspective by Susanna Napierala



Websites

Waterbirth International.org

Anesthesia.com.mx/articulo/waterbrt.html

Homebirth.net.au/

Homebirth.org.uk/water

Waterbirthinfo.com



Facebook



Bring Birth Home

Birthing From Within

Preparing For Birth

Birth Faith



Birth Pools



Birth Pool in a Box

Aquadoula

Blow Up Kid Pools

Own Tub

Childbirth Education Classes

Sher Anderson

Logan area. Eclectic style.

435-753-7207 nourishingbodymindspirit@gmail.com

Sarah Carter

Salt Lake area. Birthing From Within.

801-638-3328

Sara Forsberg

Layton area. Eclectic style.

1 801.643.2633 More information to come

Amy Irig

Layton area. The Bradley Method.

801-773-2503, (cell)801-425-0072 www.myjoyfulbirth.com joyfulbirth@truevine.net

Certified in: The Bradley Method, DONA, La Leche League, Infant Massage USA, Dancing for Birth, and (not certified) Prenatal/Postpartum Yoga classes.

Melanie Sarao

Layton area. Hypnobirthing. Private and group lessons.

801-389-1919 www.harmoniousbirth.com

Michelle Scharf

Davis County. Hypnobabies

801-499-2095 www.utahdoula.com

Doula and DEM. Group classes and private upon request.

Eryn Snider

Layton area. Hypnobirthing.

801-388-0214 www.serenebeginning.com Eryn_Ann@hotmail.com

Group and private lessons. Can make arrangements for other areas.

If you know other educators who would like to be added to this list, leave a comment with info and I will add it on here.

A Fascinating Birth Story

This is one of the most fascinating birth stories I have read.  Twins, VBAC,water birth, many fears, many hours between babies, and in a different culture than mine.  Part one and part two.

It's Free!

You can now watch "The Business of Being Born" online for free.  Check it out!

Beautiful Nativity

Follow this link to see the painting that inspired the thoughts below much larger.  I love it.

A Christmas Birth

On September 15th, 2010 I gave birth to my sixth baby, my fifth boy. I have kept this birth in a quiet place. It has had a different impression. I feel a reverence for this baby’s arrival. I am a simple woman who was able to deliver a miracle. I was supported by my husband who was concerned for me and the baby, but believed in my body’s ability to birth. I was attended by two gifted women who are blessed with the ability to anchor a mother through labor and birth. I also feel there were angels attending and watching over. Angels who were fully invested in the events. Angels who love my family and I. I gave birth in simple circumstances, and love that. After the birth, I felt an overwhelming responsibility for the new person in my arms. Who is this tiny boy?

It is Christmas time. Pondering the birth of the Savior of the world, the world he created, brought similar feelings as my son’s birth. I am sure Mary had to succumb to the power of her body. She brought forth a true miracle. Joseph was her protector. What were his thoughts as he supported her and the imminent arrival of the babe? I imagine there were women there. Women allowing her to birth the way she needed, providing only what women can do for other women, and bringing a feeling of calmness and safety. I know that angels watched, protected, and rejoiced. The heavens were opened. The Christ child was delivered to the earth in the simplest circumstances. I wonder if Mary was overcome with her calling as a mother. I wonder if she felt a reverence for all that she had experienced. I assume she did as the scriptures tell us that, “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Birth is a powerful miracle. The birth of our Savior was so much more! As I reflect on these two births with their differences and similarities, I am overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed by the feelings I experienced at my own baby’s birth and still now in retrospect. How much more, then, it must have been for our Savior’s birth.

Reflections from a Mother

Here are some thoughts from a mother thinking back to her first home birth, fifth delivery (sixth baby).  Have you ever wondered how home births are different from hospital births?

What I Wish I'd Known

What happens when you get a room full of women who have given birth, some several times? Experience. Considering each labor and delivery were unique and different, there was a lot learned in those experiences. We opened the question up, “What do you wish you had known before labor and birth?”

Here is a list of the ideas shared:

• I can do it! With the first baby especially, many expecting moms are told they cannot give birth without an epidural.

• I can keep my baby with me.

• Listen to my inner voice, my intuition.

• Don’t fight labor.

• Hire a doula.

• Surround myself with good support during pregnancy .

• Don’t listen to the horror stories.

• Make plans, make a birth plan (review it with doctor).

• I can switch providers mid pregnancy

• It is pain of hard work. It has a purpose.

• The feeling of desperation means my baby will soon be in my arms.

• Skin to skin will keep baby’s temperature up.

• Babies don’t have to cry after birth.

• Due date is a month

We also asked to the moms-to-be what they would like to know before labor.

• Good pregnancy and birth books

• Good classes to take

If you have any other ideas, leave them in the comments. I can add them to the list. Thanks to everyone who came and shared!

Summer Social!!

Friday, June 18th

6:00 pm

Anjie's house

Bring: your family, a potluck, and whatever you want grilled!

Hope you can come!

April Powerful Birth Group Gathering

April 15th is tax day! Yuck! But if you want something fun to look forward to that day you need to come to the Powerful Birth Group gathering! It is at 10:00am.

April is Cesarean Awarness month and we will have Pam Udy leading our discussion. She will talk about preventing unnessasary cesareans, preparing for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), and support.

Pam has been a member of ICAN’s (International Cesarean Awarness Network) Board of Directors since 1999, and served as president. Pam has experience supporting, educating, and encouraging moms; those who are seeking to avoid a cesarean, those recovering from cesarean, and those who are searching a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Pam is a personal experience expert, having had two cesareans followed by three vaginal births. She believes women have the right to divine inspiration regarding their pregnancies and births.

Pam is well published and has been quoted in national newspapers. She have been interviewed on radio programs. She has done presentations all over the country. People pay money to listen to what she has to offer them. This is a GREAT opportunity to sit with her in my living room for free and hear her words inspire and help you to achieve a normal, vaginal birth. I am so excited!

Please tell your friends! Comment if you have an idea of numbers that are coming so I can be prepared. Comment, also, if you have a question you would like answered. Thanks!