Having A Baby
ULTRASOUND
Wonder what he "controversy" around ultrasounds is all about?  My mother is dead set against them, something about dyslexia she read once in the early 80's.  I scoffed at her caution and went happily to the Docotr for mine.  I was glad i did because the tech smiled REAL BIG and said that there were TWO babies.  We had NO idea.  Almost two years later i came upon this, would it have made me reconsider my Ultra sound?  Maybe.  You should read this if only to learn what "they" are saying. 
Ultrasound: Weighing the Propaganda Against the Facts  by Beverley Lawrence Beech

This informative article lays out reasons why the "standard" use of ultrasound is often unncesary, inlcudings information regardng IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Retardation)

The following are excerpted from the
Report of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (UK) Working Party on Ultrasound Screening for Fetal Abnormalities, October 1997 on the Safety of ultrasound in pregnancy.   SCROLL HALF-WAY DOWN THE PAGE

Patients Information Leaflet The Safety Committee has prepared the text of a suggested Patients information leaflet for obstetric patients.  Taken from the  European Committee for Medical Ultrasound (ECMUS)

Obstetric ultrasound -- a comprehensive guide
I have found out so much about pregnancy, particularly twin pregnancy, that was not aware of when I was pregnant that I felt compelled to share this information with others.  My OB stressed things like a "balanced diet," drinking plenty of water, resting, and breathing techniques, but everything else, all the "technical professional stuff" I relinquished to him.  I "assumed" as so many women do that "experts" knew more about my body than I did.  What I later learned is that a Doctor or Midwife is at their best when they are our "partner" in care. If you are curious to learn more about the "standard" tests run during pregnancy, birth options, and postpartum issues, then I hope my pages aid you in your quest.  I have tried not to adopt any particular point of view, however much of the information does come from non-mainstream  sources, if you have any links, particularly things that differ with the information I have presented here PLEASE email me and let me know, I would like to present as many points of view on as many issues as possible.  Good Luck
Pregnancy
SOME BASIC PREGNANCY SITES
These are popular sites concerning a wide variety of basic pregnancy issues, most of the information can be found in any one of a million pregnancy books, but have the convince of being online.
Gentlebirth
Preconception, Pregnancy and Parenting Tools and Checklists
Pregnancy Health & Safety Page
IVillage's Parents Place Pregancy Page
The Compleat Mother The Magazine of Pregnancy, Birth and Breastfeeding 

RESEARCHING
COCHRANE PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH GROUP abstracts   EXCELLENT resource!!!   
      

Miscarriage, Birth Defects "Too High a Price to Pay" for Tainted Food
BEDREST
Sidelines National Support Network
COMPLICATIONS
I would read a bit about different complications you may have during pregnancy, not to have something to worry about, but to be informed so that if you are told you have one, you have a point of reference.  Also should you develop one in late pregnancy, there may be no time for you to research before you have to make important decisions.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Uselessness of Standard Management of Gestational Diabetes

GROUP B STREP (GBS)
Resources on GBS

PREGNANCY-INDUCED HYPERTENSION (PIH)
About Preeclampsia - FROM preeclampsia.org  Signs and Symptoms -Commonly Asked Questions -Statistics
Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension  
Hypertension & Preeclampsia
The preeclampsia site           
Riboflavin Deficiency Increases Risk of Preeclampsia Riboflavin deficiency significantly increased the risk of preeclampsia almost 5-fold.  
Blue Ribbon Baby Prevent Preeclampsia, Toxemia, HELLP, etc

PRETERM LABOR
Preterm Labor DAVID G. WEISMILLER, M.D., SC.M.  February 1, 1999 - American Academy of Family Physicians DIscusses risk assessment and possible methods of treatment
TESTING
Negotiating the Emotional and Psychological Terrain of Prenatal Diagnostic Testing VERY interesting, includes CVS, Amnios, AFP and BUN but is a good read for all!
INDEX OF SOME GREAT ARTICLES
by Henci Goer author of
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
NUTRITION!
Blue Ribbon Baby - Prevent Preeclampsia, Toxemia, HELLP,etc.   This system might not work, but what can it hurt.   There really are no risks...
I have seperated this page into three categories.  I suggest you review all three  even if you are only interested in a particular stage as there is much overlapping.

PREGNANCY                             BIRTH                               POSTPARTUM
MIDWIFERY?
New Study Shows Lower Mortality Rates for Infants Delivered By Certified Nurse Midwives    from the CDC
"OVERDUE?"
The Ten Month Mama Page   
Mothers Who Carry Longer Than Is Accepted    
Detailed Paper about PostDates From birthlove.com.  A WEALTH of information!

"SMOKING FOR TWO"?
Meconium and Nicotine
ASH Scotland - Action on Smoking and Health     
More about Meconium:
Meconium Aspiration - DrGreene.com    From a doctor re: postmature babies
HERBALS
Gentle birth index of prenatal herbs    VERY thorough!
Herbs to use during pregnancy-Dr. Christophers Formulas  Ever wonder why some women SWEAR by RED RASPBERRY TEA, or are you looking for NATURAL remedies for MORNING SICKNESS (ginger or alfalfa and more)!!!  Here's where to look...
Herbs During Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum By Adrian E. Feldhusen Traditional Midwife   Good all inclusive article, inlcudes pregnancy, labor and post partum, also tells you WHICH HERBS TO AVOID
TWINS
Who has twins?  Some Pdf documents listing the
Demographic Characteristics of Twin Births U.S.A 1988   ALSO    NCHS 1999 Fact Sheet  Multiple Birth Rate for Older Women is Sky Rocketing
Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome Its rare but possible, I would suggest at least familiarizing yourself with it, so if you are caught by surprise you know some going in. Here's another good link The Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome Foundation
re's ano



Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1