The truth about Cesareans, in video

This video combines pictures and text to express the emotional and physical toll a C-section takes on a woman. It is not just another way of giving birth. We are all glad that C-sections exist when the life or health of mother or baby is at risk, but we are in the middle of a [...]

An Epidural Story

I once watched an episode of “The Baby Story” on TLC, in which the woman (a first-time mom) planned on having an unmedicated birth. She took no childbirth classes, had no information prior to going into labor on how to achieve that goal. My sister was like that–just assumed that since women had been having [...]

Laborists

A new trend is emerging in certain hospitals that provide maternity care, and it appears that it will spread: the replacement of the OB you chose as your care provider during pregnancy with an OB who is on the hospital staff, and is called a ”laborist” (as a specialty) who oversees your labor and birth.
The desire to [...]

Why can’t I eat or drink in labor?

(Part 2 of “Why, why, why?”)
Let’s take being denied food and water as a prime example of asking why something must be done, since most hospitals today have that as their protocol. You may actually be already expecting it, and have never thought to question it. But now, ask yourself, “Why should I not get [...]

Why, Why, Why?

Don’t worry–this isn’t some whiny rant post. This is just a reminder of what to ask when presented with something–any test, any procedure, any intervention–during pregnancy or birth (and afterwards, for that matter!). This blog goes hand-in-hand with the informed consent page, so if you haven’t already, check it out on the side of this [...]

Fast Food Birth

I once saw a lady dress it, wrap it up, and stick it under a heat lamp. Think I’m talking about a hamburger? No. This was a nurse in the hospital nursery, “taking care of” a newborn. She wasn’t exactly rough….but she wasn’t gentle either. She certainly did not treat the baby with the same [...]

Hello world!

Welcome to my little corner of the blogosphere! I’m very excited to start my own blog, and hope to interact with you through it.
A little about me–my name is Kathy Petersen, and I live in North Mississippi. I’ve had two homebirths, and am a self-confessed “birth junkie.” Since the empowering birth of my [...]