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Homebirth
in Australia- The personal and the political
First, Sarah describes her family's medical
background, and then her unconventional decision
to have her first baby at home (and then her
next three). Then she goes on to describe homebirth
in Australia (which is at the moment deeply
underground). Included in Sarah's passionate
discussion of homebirth: "Homebirth is
rare and endangered in our culture, yet I see
that the preservation of homebirth is vital
to all of us; homebirth mothers, attendants
and families hold, in a unique way, the experience
of birth as a sacred journey, and the knowing
that birth has the power to awaken and heal."
Ecstatic
Birth- Nature's Hormonal Blueprint for Labour
Amazing research and passion about the
integral role emotion, hormones and sensuality
play in pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
Included: the utter importance of privacy and
sanctity for birthing mothers. Says Sarah-
"Undisturbed birth is exceedingly rare
in our culture, even in birth centers and
home births. Two factors that disturb birth
in all mammals are firstly being in an unfamiliar
place and secondly the presence of an observer.
Feelings of safety and privacy thus seem to
be fundamental. Yet the entire system of Western
obstetrics is devoted to observing pregnant
and birthing women, by both people and machines;
when birth isn't going smoothly, obstetricians
respond with yet more intense observation.
It is indeed amazing that any woman can give
birth under such conditions."
Sarah's birth stories:
- Emma's
Birth- sweet and oceanic Sarah describes
her first child's birth- at home, with her
midwife getting there only soon before the
baby was born.
- Maia’s
Birth- A Family Celebration Maia, Sarah's
fourth child, was born unexpectedly breech
into the water at home, with only her loving,
reverent family welcoming her. Includes mention
of Maia's lotus birth, and Sarah's peaceful
postpartum experience. Includes a photo.
Healing
Birth, Healing the Earth In this beautiful
article Sarah talks about the passion, ecstasy
and power of surrendering to Birth. Birth is
dying... but each of us, as individual cells
in the collective body of Birth, has the power
to help her heal.
Reclaiming
Every Woman’s Birth Right Why haven't
women grown more passionate about defending
their inherent rights to give birth in sanctity
and autonomy? And are women even aware of just
how dangerous medicalized birth really is?:
most likely not, or else they wouldn't tolerate
their births to be aggressively managed.
Waterbirth:
The Power of Water Sarah talks about the
safety and power of water in birth, and about
the revolutionaries who brought waterbirth into
such a public focus. Included: some of her own
experiences of water in birth, and recommended
books to read.
Pain in
Labour: Your Hormones are your Helpers A
wonderful look at how our bodies know exactly
how to take care of themselves biochemically
in birth. This includes a short parable about
a mother cat.
Leaving
Well Alone: A Natural Approach to the
Third Stage of Labour In this excellent
article, Sarah talks about just why the active
management of the third stage of labor- the
time before the placenta comes out- is such
a disastrous idea for women and babies. Aggressive
handling of mother, child, cord and placenta
cause insurmountable harm. A must-read for anyone
interested in birth as a beautiful, normal,
life-enhancing event.
Lotus Birth-
A Ritual for our Times Sarah talks of the
beauty and gentleness of not cutting the umbilical
cord, and also about the births of her three
lotus-borne babies.
Ultrasound:
Reasons for Caution Originally in Nexus
magazine, Sarah discusses the origins of ultrasound,
what exactly it is- and just why it can be so
pointless, as well as dangerous, to use routinely
in obstetrics.
Doing No
Harm at Birth Sarah talks about Australian
women's abysmally high birth intervention rate,
and about how women truly need to be enlightened
of interventions' dangers. Includes links.
Epidurals-
Real Risks for Mother and Baby Epidurals
cause so many troubles- and their benefits are
misconceived and transient. This excellent work
includes footnoted references.
Supporting
our Babies, Showing our Breasts Sarah illuminates
the health and beauty of breastfeeding, and
indignantly questions the tabooing of breasts
by a misogynistic culture. Excerpted: "In
short, breastfeeding is the one of the most
effective preventative health measures that
exists, and offers the best that nature can
give for mothers and for babies."
The
Pleasure of Extended Breastfeeding A more
bonded, loving mother/child relationship, and
improved health and IQ, and a lifelong sense
of confidence for the child are just some of
the reasons to breastfeed much longer than just
a few months.
Mothering,
Mindfulness and a Baby's Bottom This includes
Sarah's detailed experiences with Elimination
Communication (EC)- life without diapers for
her baby girl. It has been very rewarding, and
has fostered in Maia independence and confidence.
Includes many EC resources.
The Coziness
of Co-sleeping It is traditional, beneficial
and safe for babies to sleep with their mothers.
This includes information about revolutionary
co-sleeping research done by James McKenna,
Professor of Anthropology.
