Not Just Skin

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http://www.notjustskin.org/en/index.html

Homebirth Breastfeeding Orgasmic Birth on 20/20 & Discovery Health Seeks BIRTH FAMILY

Well, this turned out to be a pretty pathetic show. Entirely lacking of any accurate information, save what Robin, Laura and some of the other interviewees were able to say. The worst part was that they included the clip on "fake babies" -- i.e. dolls -- with the rest of the mothering topics. scary. I also couldn't believe they would pose the question of whether homebirth is actually just "mothers being selfish" (to avoid the very real 34% chance of c-section by just walking into the hospital to birth) without ever mentioning the remote possibility that there are HUGE and innumerable benefits for BABIES being birthed naturally, quietly, gently at home... Nick warned me not to watch it - that we would be irritated by it...and I guess he was right. He even left the room a couple times shaking his head saying how it is "just the opposite" of what they are suggesting. I guess we can't expect the made-for-$$-pop-media to get things right. That'd be asking too much.

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Looks like this show is finally airing...we will see how topics are presented tomorrow (Fri, Jan 2nd).

I am going to forward these messages in case anyone is interested:

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Dear Friends,

It appears that this Fri., Jan. 2^nd, “20/20” (ABC TV) will at last be airing their “Extreme Motherhood” show. Segments include homebirth (both unassisted and midwife assisted), serial surrogates (women that have numerous babies for other women), “fake babies” (life like dolls), long-term breastfeeding, and orgasmic birth. Providing the show is good (or at least allows a few grains of truth to get through), I think it’s a great way to start off the new year.

In other news, the Discovery Health Channel is seeking a homebirth family that is willing to have their birth filmed. The birth can be either unassisted or midwife assisted. I’ll enclose a letter from the producer below. Happy New Year, everyone!!

Love,

Laura

Laura Shanley

Bornfree! The Unassisted Childbirth Page

http://UnassistedChildbirth.com

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Dear midwives, doulas, and expecting mothers,

My name is Zach Marion and I am producing a natural childbirth show
for Discovery Health Network. The hour long special will feature
three mothers having home births and airs during baby week in June.

We just wrapped on our first story in Kona, Hawaii where Kollette and
her husband, Jason, gave birth on their organic coffee bean farm.
Midwife, April Weaver, attended their birth. In February, my crew and
I will be traveling to Salt Lake City Utah to follow another family
who is erecting a birth teepee. However, our production schedule is
open during the month of January.

We are looking for one more family to feature on the program. The
focus here is home births with a unique angle. For example, home
birth in the city might be a nice contrast to our other two stories.
The baby must be due between the beginning of January and the middle
of February. Mothers who appear on the show receive an appearance fee.

The crew arrives a week or two before the due date to shoot a back-
story. We spend 3 or 4 days with the family doing interviews and
capturing their day-to-day life. Then, we are on standby to document
the birth.

We understand the effect we may have on a birth just by being there.
Through our experience gained in capturing 34 births for the
Discovery Health series, House of Babies, we know how to fade in to
the background and become a fly on the wall.

Exposure has always been an issue for our moms and their partners.
Network television does not allow nudity. Blurring is employed to
keep content tasteful. I would be more than happy to send an episode
of House of Babies on DVD to any mom so she understands.

This is a positive experience for all that are involved. As a
producer, I have the unique opportunity to promote midwifery and home
birth on a big stage. Help me take advantage of this position. Let's
put empowered mothers and inspiring birth plans on the show.

If you are a mother or know a mother that fits the above criteria,
please contact me immediately. I am in the office 8am to 5pm CST on
weekdays. I can be reached in the evenings and on weekends by cell
phone.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you!

Zach Marion

zach@videoartsstudios.com (zach @ videoartsstudios.com)
Cell: (218) 556-8966
Work: (701) 232-3393

MOTRIN APOLOGIZES TO MOMS

Go Here to View Motrin's Apology

Motrin Makes Moms Mad Ad

Wow this is a TERRIBLE advertisement... I agree with so many other baby-wearing moms out there -- WHAT was Motrin thinking?! If nothing else, it is completely ignorant in information.

Wearing your baby correctly is SO comfortable - for both Mom and Baby -- it leads to a MUCH happier baby and mom! There is no pain involved. If anything, it reduces the "pains" of early babyhood. Juneau is pushing 19 pounds and has been worn since birth. He is going on 4 months of age and has never once been in a stroller or left in a carseat. This absolutely leads to his feelings of comfort, security, safety and happiness - not to mention a more secure attachment and bonding between the 2 of us.

our friend Jen's birth video

our beautiful friend jen completed a video of her latest birth for the midwives and doulas who served with her on her birthing day.

(so you know before watching: this is real natural birth in water with video and photo footage)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

painless childbirth

I am not sure I buy every bit of what this book/video says...it might be a tad too new-agey for me...but there is also a lot of beauty and truth within as well. I loved - LOVED - being pregnant. And embracing each aspect of my body and my relationship with my baby was an incredible movement in my life. I also loved labor. It was the most intense, empowering, amazing experience of my life. I cannot wait to do it again (and hopefully complete our next time with a home waterbirth). Although the 23 hours I was in active labor after my water broke were taxing on my body (by the time we made the decision to transfer because Juneau could not turn to come out, I was pretty exhausted) it was still thee most wonderful experience to breath in and hold onto every moment. It certainly was not pain-filled. Having Nick with me through each birthing wave was also a transcendent, unifying experience. I am so thankful he was home to experience birth as peaceful as it can be.

Review from Mothering:

According to Painless Childbirth by Giuditta Tornetta, if there were ever a time when a woman should concentrate on getting her act together, maternity is that time. After all, she is in the miraculous process of creating another human being—and totally responsible for that child. Ms. Tornetta, a veteran birth and postpartum doula, says responsibility for your child begins with knowing the Nine Rights of Pregnant Women, which coincide with each month of maternity. Through understanding these rights and working with them, the pregnant woman is empowered and guided to look within herself to see where she needs to grow, just as her child is developing inside her. Ms. Tornetta has written the first self-help book for mothers-to-be. It makes good sense to think seriously about Ms. Tornetta's deep insights into maternity. A painless childbirth is one where the mom has no regrets about her maternity period or birthing experience. This wise book shows women how to accomplish just that.

Donating Breast Milk for Premature/Ill Babies

Someone had asked once about donating milk... I just wanted to pass
along this info in case anyone else is interested.

If you qualify to be a donor for "Milkin' Mamas Breast Milk Bank" all
donors receive free testing, free electric breast pump, free
collection bags, and free shipping. ALL milk is used for hospitalized
premature and critically ill infants as a part of Prolacta Bioscience.
There is no minimum donation and every ounce is used.

You can visit the Milkin' Mamas site here:
www.milkinmamas.com

You can visit Prolacta's site here:
http://www.prolacta.com/index.php