How About a Giveaway?

I've been mulling over the idea of a giveaway for a while now, and I think I've decided to do it! Aren't you lucky?!? So, first, for the item...
One lucky winner will win a Sleepy Wrap! And, you get to choose the color out of the ones I have, which are black, dark pink, light blue, navy blue, purple, red, or royal blue. Sleepy Wraps are so comfortable, versatile, you name it. And, now, for how to win. You can have up to 4 chances (all links open in a new window!).
1. Comment on this post - tell me what color you'd like. Do you want a wrap for you, or someone else? Be sure to leave your email so I can get in contact with you if you win!
2. Follow me on twitter. Once you follow me, tweet about my giveaway! Email me at amy at journeybirthservices dot com and let me know about your tweet - be sure to include a link to this blog post! If you're already following me, just email me and let me know about your tweet.
3. Join my newsletter. I send out a newsletter about once a month - I talk about local events, pregnancy, childbirth... all kinds of fun stuff. The sign up box is over there on the right. You know, the box that says "join our newsletter" or something like that? That's the one!
4. Blog about my giveaway! Same thing - link it back to here, and drop me an email at amy at journeybirthservices dot com.
So, there you go! You can enter any time up until noon EST on Saturday, March 7th. I'll draw the winner that afternoon using Random.org. Good luck!!

Breastfeeding at Work Toughest for Younger Moms and Retail Workers

Although many organizations, including the federal government, tout breastfeeding babies during the first six months of life as the healthiest choice new mothers can make for their child, a new survey by the not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) and Medela, Inc. reveals 32 percent of new mothers give up breastfeeding less than seven weeks after returning to work because of significant barriers. This is particularly true of women in retail settings, younger moms and those with lower paying jobs.

Read more...

New website for pregnant moms

Well, new to me at least! I found Juliet on Twitter - well, actually, she found me - and clicked on her site. Birth Download is a website about natural birth, and has a whole bunch of resources for it, including book and DVD reviews, and a Psychology of Giving Birth program. If you join her newsletter (there's a link on the home page), you get a free Relaxation MP3 and a Birth Companion PDF. So, check it out - I've spent a little while poking around and it looks like a great resource! And no, I wasn't paid to say anything about it!

Health Guidelines Ignored Before Pregnancy

Few women follow lifestyle and nutritional guidelines before becoming pregnant, even when pregnancy is contemplated to some degree, a new study shows.

Researchers at the MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre at the University of Southampton wanted to find out whether women follow such guidelines before becoming pregnant, since good health is important before pregnancy.

Read more...

Nigerian sextuplets' mother dies

A woman who gave birth to a set of sextuplets over the weekend in Nigeria has died of complications.

Ajoke Bello, 32, gave birth to the six babies by Caesarean section operation on Thursday and was initially in a stable condition.

Read more...

Breastfeeding doesn't make breasts sag

Rinker says this finding should alleviate the fears of new mothers over what nursing their child might do to their breasts in the long run and will encourage them to breastfeed because of the health benefits to their infant.

"Women may be reluctant to breastfeed because of this unfounded myth that doing so means the end of youthful breasts," Rinker said. "Now, expectant mothers can relax knowing breastfeeding does not sacrifice the appearance of their breasts."

Read more...

Want a VBAC? In a hospital??

Good luck with that! Here's an article about VBAC support, or lack thereof.

It would seem perfectly natural that a woman could give birth naturally if she wants to. Guess what? She can't.

An increasing number of hospitals in this country are refusing to offer women the option of delivering the way nature intended, if she had a cesarean section the first time around (and guess what -- chances are she has because the 31% of all births are now C-sections -- up 50% in 10 years).

Take the maternity quiz!

Want to test your knowledge about childbirth? Check out this quiz. You might even learn something new!

Dear President Obama...

From Gloria Lemay, a midwife in Canada...

Seeing that there is a world wide quest for governments to save money right now, I am putting my mind to ways that I would cut waste if I were in charge of the medical budget.

I invite you to add to this list. Just as the Wall Street tycoons are raiding the piggy bank with their inside deals, the obstetrics community wastes the medical budget with practices that are not only medically expensive but also harmful to the health of the population.

Read her short but sweet list on her blog.

New Classes Starting Soon

Journey Birth Services now offers a couple of new classes. One is the one day intensive childbirth class and the other is the refresher childbirth class. The one day intensive childbirth class for first time parents covers stages of labor, coping with labor, common medical interventions, and babies and the postpartum period. Class meets from 10am to 4pm on a Saturday once a month. Lunch, snacks and beverages are provided.

The refresher childbirth class is for repeat parents. If it has been a while since your last child, or if you are planning an out of hospital birth, this is the class for you. Class meets from 10am to 1pm on a Saturday once a month, and from 6pm to 9pm on a weekday evening once a month. Children are welcome, and snacks and beverages are provided.

For more information about these classes and the upcoming schedule, please visit the Journey Birth Services website.

Journey Birth Services Mom's Group

Come to Amy's house and meet other moms on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings start at 11am and end at 2pm. Bring lunch or something to share. Children are always welcome!

Where:
52 Marshall Road
Glen Mills, PA 19342

When:
Wednesday, February 11th 11am to 2pm

The Business of Being Born - Wilmington DE

Tulaa Yoga will be hosting a screening of The Business of Being Born on Sunday, February 8th, at 12:45pm. They're located on Naamans Road in the Shoppes at Naamans. For directions, click here. If you plan on going, please RSVP by emailing Tulaa Yoga!