Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
May 18, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Currently, the families in your childbirth classes may have more anxiety and concerns around lactation and infant feeding than the typical level of nerves and questions you are accustomed to. The United States is currently experiencing a human milk substitute shortage that is increasing stress and worry amongst those who are still pregnant about what they will face after their babies are born. Some families are planning to bodyfeed their infants. Others may be choosing a mixture of human milk substitutes along with their own milk and a third group may not be planning to provide human milk at all but rather rely on purchased human milk substitutes. Regardless of what their intentions are, families are concerned about not being able to provide adequate and appropriate nutrition for their newborn when they arrive and what alternatives will be for their babies. News headlines, social media channels and communities of parents everywhere make it impossible to ignore the elephant in the room when you gather with your classes.
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May 11, 2022 | by: Tanya Cawthorne, LCCE, FACCE
Tanya Cawthorne reviews a recently released book; “In Your Own Time - How Western Medicine Contrils the Start of Labour and Why this Needs to Stop” by Sara Wickham, MD examining labour inductions from an interesting perspective.
April 29, 2022 | by: Featuring The Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions
On Saturday, April 9, at the University of North Alabama, the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions welcomed expectant mothers, families, and siblings to the Tiny Cubs Community Baby Shower. This was a free community event during which mothers-to-be learned about basic prenatal and baby care from senior-level nursing students, clinical supervisors, and faculty from the College. Participants received a free gift bag and had opportunities to win items such as car seats, pack-n-plays, breast pumps, and more.
April 27, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
This month’s Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators activity is aligned with Cesarean Awareness Month, which is observed annually in April. It is short and to the point, and helps families identify the cesarean rates of their chosen birth location. With this information, families can have conversations with their health care providers about how to avoid a cesarean that is not medically necessary.
April 20, 2022 | by: Molly Giammarco, MPP
To combat maternal mortality and disparities, the Biden-Harris Administration last week announced that it would introduce a Birthing-Friendly designation system for U.S. hospitals. Run through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Birthing-Friendly designation will be publicly-reported to help consumers select hospitals that delivery high-quality maternity care and demonstrate a commitment to maternal health.
April 14, 2022 | by: Tanya Cawthorne, LCCE, FACCE
National Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) is from April 11-17 and I would like to dedicate this month’s Inside Lamaze newsletter to sharing information about this important event and how we as Lamaze members can become more involved. The topic of how we collectively work to promote equitable maternal health and outcomes and make it accessible to underserved communities is one of high importance to Lamaze.
April 11, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Black Maternal Health Week is observed annually every April 11 through 17th since 2018. This week of awareness and activism was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) to bring attention to the increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates that impact Black birthing people and their babies at significantly higher rates than non-Black families.
The theme of this year’s Black Maternal Health Week is “Building for Liberation: Centering Black Mamas, Black Families and Black Systems of Care.” Black families deserve to have access to Black care teams, and that includes childbirth educators. We know that outcomes are better when a Black parent can receive perinatal care from a Black midwife or doctor. As a childbirth educator, there are several things that you can do to center Black birthing families and help Black. You can use this checklist to see where you can implement or change how you practice. This is an opportunity to increase your efforts if you already have some of the suggestions below in place.
April 05, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
April is Global Volunteer Month. Lamaze International is a non-profit that has been built on the dedication and contribution of many volunteers from all around the world since its inception in 1960. Even though our organization’s headquarters are located in Washington DC, USA, the organization is indeed international with members from many parts of the world. Over the years, people from many nations have stepped up to give back to Lamaze International. Did you know that Tanya Cawthorne, our current Board President is from Melbourne, Australia?
March 28, 2022 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Discussions about the role of birth and postpartum doulas happen early on in my childbirth classes, when we talk about what makes for a satisfying birth experience. There is often confusion about what a doula does compared to a midwife. People also worry about the role of the partner or other family member when a doula is present. Some parents who are planning to have an epidural or even a planned cesarean question the need for professional doula support. This CBE activity helps clarify the unique role of the doula.
March 23, 2022 | by: Crystal Gurney
Helpers and healers of all kinds - physicians, midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, therapists, lactation consultants, support group leaders, and more - have had the huge task of supporting others through anunfolding, constantly changing pandemic. Other world events, including the war in Ukraine, and racist actions causing harm and violence targeted at people of color, have deeply affected us all. We are working with people who are looking to us for care and information through their complicated emotions and collective trauma while we are simultaneously experiencing that same trauma and processing our own complicated emotions. If you are someone who supports others, how are you supporting yourself? If you hold space for others, where are you being held?
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