Monthly Archives: November 2008

One minute class on how “not” to catch a baby

I debated about the title of this post.  The other contender was “a one minute advertisement for why women birth unassisted”.  I don’t know how to get those nice little TV sets with a google video right on my blog … Continue reading

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education, Homebirth, Videos | 8 Comments

Low Amniotic Fluid. . . I don’t think so

What will it take to stop the inductions for too little amniotic fluid?  This is largely a wrong diagnosis based on ultrasound.  Women are having their births wrecked by midwives and doctors who believe that Biophysical Profile is a valid … Continue reading

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education, Homebirth | 14 Comments

Word Magic

I’ve been especially missing Jeannine Parvati Baker this past week. It’s coming up to 3 years since she died on December 1, 2005 and her memories live on around here.  There’s the outrageously bright purple silk shirt she gave me, … Continue reading

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education, Inspiring people | 13 Comments

Common Misconceptions About Circumcision

Top 11 Common Misconceptions About Circumcision and the Intact Male MYTH 1: Circumcision protects boys from developing harmful medical problems. TRUTH: No medical society in the entire world, including the USA, recommends routine infant circumcision. Circumcision does NOT: -prevent infections … Continue reading

Posted in Intactivism | 8 Comments

“Two Births” (fiction)

TWO HOMEBIRTHS, 14 MINUTES APART by Gloria Lemay   The midwife had been sleeping at Carla’s for the past two nights. Carla was due to have her third baby and had been feeling slight, regular sensations for the past few … Continue reading

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education, Homebirth | Leave a comment

Tommy Chong

Last night, I watched an amazing documentary on CBC TV about the U.S. government prosecution of Tommy Chong (of Cheech and Chong fame).  Millions of dollars were spent to entrap sellers of marijuana paraphernalia with a prime focus on Chong, who … Continue reading

Posted in Inspiring people | Leave a comment

Collecting money for our work

Personally, it took a lot of time on the path of martyrdom for me to really get clear about how that self-sacrifice thing does not serve anyone. I have done many births in my career for free because I “felt … Continue reading

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education | 5 Comments

Profile of a Professional Caregiver

This was given to me by a nurse.  She said that it had been circulated at her labour/delivery unit and caused a real stir among the staff.  The first time you read it, the reaction is “Oh yes, I know … Continue reading

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education | 2 Comments

Are we getting anywhere with ending circumcision?

I sense that I’m not a good person to be answering the question.  I’m like a fish that swims in the fishbowl and does not realize that there is water, if you know what I mean. I belong to several … Continue reading

Posted in Intactivism, Newborn care | 5 Comments

Blood typing the infant of a Rh negative mother

When the mother of a newborn baby is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive, there is a good chance that the baby will be a positive blood type. Blood in the umbilical cord and the placenta will be … Continue reading

Posted in Holistic midwifery & doula education, Homebirth | Leave a comment