Every time I see an article or other journalistic piece highlighting home-birth and birth options I get very excited. It's an awesome way for women who might otherwise never have known that the option of home-birth was available to them to learn more about it and start to investigate their options!
A recent article that appeared on The Washington Post website was one of these stories. The piece highlights home-birth as an increasingly popular option for women, despite disagreement from the medical establishment regarding it's safety. (A topic that deserves chapters worth of posts all on it's own.) The piece indicates that many women have had unsatisfying birth experiences and interventions in the hospital- some even traumatic - and these women are some of those leading this birth-space revolution. The article highlights some terminology and facts about home-birth including lay midwives, some statistics regarding the safety of and overall numbers about home-birth. Overall, the article provides very basic information about this particular option.
It seems to fall short though when it comes to describing stereotypes surrounding the movement toward birth options. Th author uses quotes from home-birthing moms including this one, which portrays those involved in and choosing this option as mostly fringe: “It was never on my radar, until we couldn’t afford otherwise,” she said. “I’m granola, but not that granola.” and this piece of the quote which makes home birth seem like just a cheap alternative: "It cost us $3,300, as opposed to over $10,000 in a hospital." It is also interesting that the author chooses to highlight where her interviewee gave birth, rather than comments about her labor and overall birth experience: “They were both born over the toilet,” she said. “It was a nice position. It’s a way that we’re used to pushing.” (article of origin here) Although the author seems be trying to portray the normalization of home-birth in the United States, her use of these quotes could cause some readers to feel appalled by it rather than see the beauty of it for moms, babies, and families.
To the author's credibility though, she does cite the study published in the British Medical Journal in 2005 which gives very strong evidence of the safety and positive outcome of home-birth in the U.S. and Canada.
This is a great article with some very valuable information and kind of a jumping off point for moms (and dads!) interested in researching this their own birth options. It would be neat to see one like this though that does not add journalistic flair through particular sections of quotes. There is a long way to go to normalizing home-birth in the United States, and changing attitudes, educating moms and families, and eliminating stereotypes (“I’m granola, but not that granola.") are all part of the process. One out of three for this article isn't too bad.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Feed That Baby!
This is a super cool idea! A breastfeeding awareness VEHICLE that can be called on to rescue nursing mothers who are asked to leave public places while feeding their babies! It's kind of like the bat mobile for Moms and nurslings! 
This type of awareness activity is so important in our culture where nursing mothers are often discouraged from breastfeeding by negative reactions of friends, family, and strangers. There is no argument that breastfeeding IS the best nutrition for EVERY baby and as a society ours needs to step up and be supportive of moms who choose to give this invaluable gift to their children. This breastfeeding awareness truck, although somewhat bold for me, is a positive step in the education of the general public and a step toward making public breastfeeding completely acceptable- as it should be!
While legislation in several states allow moms to nurse their babies publicly (with appropriate discretion such as nursing shawls and drapes, obviously), there are still some states in which there is no legislation and nursing moms have little or no LEGAL right to argue with an establishment when they are asked to leave. (You can find the laws for your state here or here.)
The best part about this idea is that it's creator, Jill Miller, is using kickstarter.com to fund her project. This means that anyone can donate to the campaign to help increase breastfeeding awareness. Contributions are happily accepted in any amount from $1 to more that $750 with incentives and gifts for your donation. (And, if for any reason, the project is not fully funded you get your money back!)
Be sure to check out this project and whether you contribute or not, try to encourage a nursing mom you know. It will mean more than you can imagine--and encouragement for nursing moms means more successful breastfeeding and better nutrition for babies!
This type of awareness activity is so important in our culture where nursing mothers are often discouraged from breastfeeding by negative reactions of friends, family, and strangers. There is no argument that breastfeeding IS the best nutrition for EVERY baby and as a society ours needs to step up and be supportive of moms who choose to give this invaluable gift to their children. This breastfeeding awareness truck, although somewhat bold for me, is a positive step in the education of the general public and a step toward making public breastfeeding completely acceptable- as it should be!
While legislation in several states allow moms to nurse their babies publicly (with appropriate discretion such as nursing shawls and drapes, obviously), there are still some states in which there is no legislation and nursing moms have little or no LEGAL right to argue with an establishment when they are asked to leave. (You can find the laws for your state here or here.)
The best part about this idea is that it's creator, Jill Miller, is using kickstarter.com to fund her project. This means that anyone can donate to the campaign to help increase breastfeeding awareness. Contributions are happily accepted in any amount from $1 to more that $750 with incentives and gifts for your donation. (And, if for any reason, the project is not fully funded you get your money back!)
Be sure to check out this project and whether you contribute or not, try to encourage a nursing mom you know. It will mean more than you can imagine--and encouragement for nursing moms means more successful breastfeeding and better nutrition for babies!
American's Are Fat - But Is Anyone Really Surprised?
Reuters reported today that Americans are fatter this year than they were last year. While this does not seem surprising, it did make me wonder what additional factors could have influenced the increase in obese Americans. The article indicated that organizations such as the The Center for Science in the Public Interest (who sued McDonald's last year) and the American Academy of Pediatrics believe that marketing fast food and large portions to children to be a large part of the problem. That's too easy. It's so cliche, really, to just blame it on big business. The root of the childhood obesity epidemic in this country are much smaller targets- parents.
It is the responsibility of parents to monitor what their children are eating. The duty does not lie with the education system, Sunday school teachers, and least of all, McDonald's. It is the parent(s) who drive(s) the child to the fast food chain and allows him/her to consume the contents of a Happy Meal. And by the way, McDonald's isn't just giving those Happy Meals away- parents are paying for them! And paying well; in some places the cost of these meals has reached nearly $4.
Blaming McDonald's and the Happy Meal only touches part of the problem though. What about adult obesity? The Reuters article also indicates that two-thirds of American adults are obese (compared to one-third of American children). The Happy Meals and brilliant toy marketing can't be to blame for this too. Maybe adults are fat because they are lazy and inactive. Or perhaps is it because they have no self control and eat anything in front of them. It could be because they don't understand the principles of good nutrition and how to eat well. It's actually probably a combination of these things but perhaps it also has something to do with the cost of healthier foods.
It's a well-known fact that eating healthy and fresh (and especially organic) foods costs more (and sometimes a great deal more) than eating prepackaged or prepared foods. Perhaps the recession and housing market are also culprits of this epidemic. If families are having a difficult time paying for shelter then their grocery budget is probably also suffering. Clearly, this does not apply to the parents who feed over-sized kids meals with large price-tags to their children, but perhaps it is a piece of the equation.
Jeff Levi, executive director of the Trust for America's Health, said that "If we're going to reverse the obesity trends, willpower alone won't do it. We're going to have to make healthier choices easier for Americans," (click here for article of origin). Levi seems to think that it is up to someone other than the individual to help solve this problem. This article does not elaborate on how he plans to make these choices easier, but until American's are faced with and realize the truth, that there weight is their choice and responsibility, there probably isn't going to be much change in the statistics of American obesity. Personal responsibility for life, health, activity, and food choices are the answer to this problem.
It is the responsibility of parents to monitor what their children are eating. The duty does not lie with the education system, Sunday school teachers, and least of all, McDonald's. It is the parent(s) who drive(s) the child to the fast food chain and allows him/her to consume the contents of a Happy Meal. And by the way, McDonald's isn't just giving those Happy Meals away- parents are paying for them! And paying well; in some places the cost of these meals has reached nearly $4.
Blaming McDonald's and the Happy Meal only touches part of the problem though. What about adult obesity? The Reuters article also indicates that two-thirds of American adults are obese (compared to one-third of American children). The Happy Meals and brilliant toy marketing can't be to blame for this too. Maybe adults are fat because they are lazy and inactive. Or perhaps is it because they have no self control and eat anything in front of them. It could be because they don't understand the principles of good nutrition and how to eat well. It's actually probably a combination of these things but perhaps it also has something to do with the cost of healthier foods.
It's a well-known fact that eating healthy and fresh (and especially organic) foods costs more (and sometimes a great deal more) than eating prepackaged or prepared foods. Perhaps the recession and housing market are also culprits of this epidemic. If families are having a difficult time paying for shelter then their grocery budget is probably also suffering. Clearly, this does not apply to the parents who feed over-sized kids meals with large price-tags to their children, but perhaps it is a piece of the equation.
Jeff Levi, executive director of the Trust for America's Health, said that "If we're going to reverse the obesity trends, willpower alone won't do it. We're going to have to make healthier choices easier for Americans," (click here for article of origin). Levi seems to think that it is up to someone other than the individual to help solve this problem. This article does not elaborate on how he plans to make these choices easier, but until American's are faced with and realize the truth, that there weight is their choice and responsibility, there probably isn't going to be much change in the statistics of American obesity. Personal responsibility for life, health, activity, and food choices are the answer to this problem.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The Beginning
For years I have considered blogging. I have found ample reason to procrastinate and push the thought out of my mind including the innumerable number of blogs I have read that include the details of days worth of mundane life, the description of meals, and other random and completely useless information. But today I have determined that I must have a blog. I am obligated to admit that my ultimate goal is selfish. I aim to improve my own writing skills through expression of my ideas, concerns, gripes, and musings with those who might find the time to read them and perhaps even offer me musings of their own. I do promise to never bore readers with recitation of my days, or details of my breakfast cereal. I hope to infuse my blogs with my own sarcastic and occasionally sick sense of humor. Although I find myself terribly witty, for some reason some people don’t always quite catch my fantastic sense of humor. This is the story of my life in a proverbial nutshell. ;)
I’ve decided to write this blog to review books that I've read. Too often I've picked up a book in the bookstore or a book online only to return home, read it cover to cover and wish only to have all of those hours of my life back. I know others struggle with this frustration and I hope that my reviews can help a few people find good books that are interesting to read and well worth the time and effort!
I’ve decided to write this blog to review books that I've read. Too often I've picked up a book in the bookstore or a book online only to return home, read it cover to cover and wish only to have all of those hours of my life back. I know others struggle with this frustration and I hope that my reviews can help a few people find good books that are interesting to read and well worth the time and effort!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)