Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Birthing”
Maternity care is changing, especially with the move to fund midwifery under Alberta Health Care. Women have been birthing babies since time began, and looking back in history, one can see that there have always been women there to support other women through childbirth. By the end of the 19th century, however, midwives in the United States and Canada were …
Choosing the right caregiver when you become pregnant can be overwhelming as well as difficult. In the past, financial considerations had often been the deciding factor in choosing caregivers to support you during birth. A doula may cost around $1,000. Hiring midwives used to cost around $3,500. However, midwifery services are now covered within our provincial health care insurance plan. …
Here’s a list of common diagnosis that can result in cesarean section and the alternatives a mother can try in order to avoid the surgery. Diagnosis Failure to Progress Mal-positioned baby? Change positions to encourage the baby to change too Emotional dystocia? Know yourself, get help and support before and during labour Maternal exhaustion? Ask for a break such as turn off induction drugs or …
A woman I met once told me about an extraordinary place to visit. She spoke about it with such enthusiasm and love that I had craved knowing more about this wonderful place. When I pressed her for more details she said she could not remember much about it! The place was called Labourland, she told me, and she had …
As a childbirth educator in Calgary, I’ve shared many conversations with expectant mothers who wanted a midwife but didn’t make it further than the waiting list. I listen to them express their feelings and often shed tears in disappointment. Women say things like, “All my family has given birth with midwives and I have been so inspired listening to their …
The team at Birthing Magazine is dedicated to providing women with knowledge to make empowered and informed decisions about their bodies. While we know that many women birth free of interventions there are times when an intervention is suggested by a care provider. In the coming issues we will look at common interventions used in pregnancy and birth. What are …
Often we forget about the placenta when anticipating birth. the contractions announcing its arrival after birth sometimes come as a surprise. with the medicalization of birth it became rare for women to even see their placentas. now we are remembering the many uses for this extraordinary organ and the ways we can honour and celebrate it. The placenta begins its …
Make your own drink to help you stay hydrated and maintain your electrolyte balance during labour! Labour-Aid 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup honey (or to taste) 1/4 tsp sea salt 2 calcium/magnesium tablets, crushed Water to make 4 cups 7 VBAC Truths Krista Cornish Scott Let’s be real; there can be a lot of myths, …
You have found out you are pregnant and want to learn as much as you can about birth. When the time comes to visualize your ideal birth you start to wonder about coping with labour pain. Despite your plans to have a natural birth, friends and family encourage you to “just take the epidural”. Every birth you see depicted on …
As your pregnancy approaches week forty, few things will be on your mind as much as what to expect in labour. It is the one thing we hear about from before conception and all the way through pregnancy. Unfortunately, many stories that are shared are horror stories. Coping techniques do not seem to stay in the mind the same way. …
