My baby girl was checked immediately after the birth by a paediatrician. I don't know whether TT was checked for, it was not mentioned. I asked for help with breastfeeding from the midwives present. I was told that the next midwife on shift would help me (baby was born at 18.30. Shift change was Continue Reading
‘It’s not RAPE rape’, By Amity Reed
A flurry of reports on birth rape have prompted a backlash against women who use the term to describe their assault experiences. Amity Reed responds Amity Reed, 30 September 2010 Birth rape is not rape because: the intent was not likely malicious; you solicited the services of the midwife or doctor Continue Reading
Not a happy birthday
Threatened, intimidated, bullied, violated: this is hospital birth as many mothers experience it. Amity Reed reports on the little-recognised crime of birth rape Amity Reed, March 2008 When Lynsey* went into hospital to have her baby, she expected to leave a mother. After many hours of difficult Continue Reading
A Woman’s Wish List, by The Noble Savage
The first of a few articles by the wonderful Noble Savage, ex-Doula, Student Midwife and all round good egg. Give women absolute rights over their bodies and reproductive choices. This means allowing women as young as 25 to be sterilised if they do not wish to have children; granting Continue Reading
Feminist Birth and Motherhood Musings
We identify as feminist birthworkers. The posts on this website in the catagory, 'Feminism' are written by doulas, midwives and other birthworkers about feminist issues in general and specifically about how sexual politics intersects with our work with new parents. We have a facebook discussion Continue Reading
Books, Links and Resources
Reading, researching, learning and sharing.... I'll be adding in titles of books that may be useful here and links to their websites, if possible. The Food of Love' and 'Bump', by Kate Evans http://www.thefoodoflove.org/ Weblinks Breastfeeding Links Coping with Continue Reading
The Taste of Breastmilk
It has been thought that the taste of our breastmilk can change after exercise, due to a raise in lactic acid levels. This theory appears to have been debunked in this study: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/89/6/1245.short There is evidence, however, that what we eat can affect the Continue Reading
Why Just One Day?
This post is dedicated to all the amazing doulas I know who 'mother the mother', to every breastfeeding support worker I know and to every single mother I have ever supported - you are all incredible. One day? One day of the year we get. Just one. One day to appreciate, to thank, to hug to our Continue Reading
Spoilt For Choice?
Ahhh CHOICE, what an emotive word We live in a world full of it and I sometimes wonder if there is't too much of it - especially when I'm in a supermarket or am flicking through my 100+ TV channels. So I felt moved to look up the definition - so here you are: 1. The act of choosing; Continue Reading
The Father’s Role: Partners are Precious!
Over the last few years I have been honoured to support some amazing fathers. Men who have walked a dark night of the soul all of their own in order to be by the side of their lovers when they give birth. I have watched men step up, and step into their power as fathers. Just like the transition to Continue Reading