Lost on Hope Island: The Amazing Tale of the Little Goat Midwives (Lost on Hope Island Trilogy Book 1)

Patricia Harman has written a children's book!

This sweet story is about a young girl and her younger brother and their adventures after being shipwrecked. It's a story of survival, hope, perseverance, and family. The story has information on survival skills training (which was neat since we are doing that in school this year), and was an enjoyable read for the entire family. I look forward to seeing the rest of the series.

I had my children read it as well and I personally feel that their reviews are more important than mine:

Bri (16): There were a few grammatical errors in it, going from past tense to current. But the storyline is great. I can see kids my siblings ages loving this book. I felt hopeful that the children will be ok and that they are learning to live in community with the goats and other living things on the island. The survival skills they demonstrated were very real to life and applicable - that was a nice touch.

Kairi (13): I couldn't read some of it - it was too sad. But I loved how smart the girl and boy are. Hope is the central theme of this book and I loved that, at the end of the book, you feel hopeful. I need to read the next one now. Good adventure.

Charis (12): I wanted more information on the story - maybe we'll learn about it in the next books.. like what happened to the parents? What happened to the owners of the homestead? Where did all that stuff come from? I can't say too much because you have to read it. The goats were funny. They have sad parts and happy ones. I wish there were less sad ones though.

Jocelyn (12): This was really cool. They talked about some of the things we did in school on how to survive a bad situation. I liked how resourceful the older child was, and that she still needed her little brother's help too. He was helpful even though he was small. They fought like real kids. I don't know how I would do in that same situation - but I know I would be ok.

Xander (10): I didn't like it making me cry. I wanted everyone to be ok. I did like the adventure. It was scary sometimes. The goats were funny. I'm worried about the kids.

There was only one small section where the author flipped tense, but otherwise it was a smooth, easy, enjoyable read. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Aromatherapy and Herbal Remedies - Book Review

 

Herbal treatments and aromatherapy are valuable, time-proven, natural approaches to a healthy and more comfortable pregnancy and birth as well as a successful breastfeeding experience. Herbalist, instructor, and midwife Demetria Clark explains everything a woman needs to know about using herbs and essential oils during this important time of life.

Demetria Clark has written a beautiful and educational resource; Aromatherapy and Herbal Remedies is both insightful and useful. When I first began reading it, I had the bias that it would be something of a resource for myself, as a birth worker, but difficult to encourage my clients to read. I was wrong.

birtharts.com

I have already recommended this book to three clients and will continue to do so as the wealth of information and read-friendliness of Aromatherapy and Herbal Remedies is sure to make this a regular on bookshelves across America. Her book is broken down into aromatherapy for pregnancy, labor and birth, and breastfeeding, and remedies for pregnancy, labor and birth, and postpartum/breastfeeding. She also includes an introduction to herbs, aromatherapy, and information on how to grow, harvest, and prepare your own ingredients.

She has a concise list of herbs and essential oils, as well as their uses and contraindications. Additionally, she provides a substantial section on recipes for everything from teas to poultices, and diffusing blends to massage oils/salves. I'm excited to refer to this book time and time again and have no doubt it will become a staple on many birth workers book shelves.

Mama Midwife - Book Review and Giveaway

I received a copy of Mama Midwife from the author, Christy Tyner, for review here on Bellies and Babies. I was so excited to see this book in the mail, as I am a sucker for kids' books.

The book is a whimsical and realistic look at the life of one young girl (Miso) and her mom, who
happens to be a midwife. As Miso is having a sleepover with her friends, her mom is called out to a birth. It tells the story of her friends learning about what a midwife does and even follows Miso to her first 'sibling-doula' job with one of her mom's client's daughters.

My children adored this book when I read it to them, the only thing my eldest didn't like was the 'random dream scene'. They all particularly appreciated how it shows children, in a gentle way, some of the common tasks of a midwife. This familiarity will help children to prepare for their own sibling's births and visits from their midwife.

It's a delightful, sweet, gentle look at the everyday miracle which is birth and midwifery.

You can win a copy of Mama Midwife for yourself. All you have to do to enter the drawing is follow these three steps:

• Like Mama Midwife on Facebook.
• Share one of your favorite blog posts from Bellies and Babies on Facebook. 
• Tell me you did both in a comment, along with a link to your post on Facebook. 

This giveaway will close on 7/18 and a name will be drawn on 7/21. Good luck!

The Mommy Plan - a Book Review

This review was written from my doula sister, Anna, over at Ordinary Miracle Doula Services. I was provided a copy of The Mommy Plan for review and, after reading it myself, I wanted to know what she thought of it. So, handing it off with bated breath, I waited to hear from her. What I got back was an honest and thorough review. I am so happy to have had her point of view on The Mommy Plan and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

When I first picked up The Mommy Plan and began reading the description on the back cover, I found myself nodding my head and muttering, “Yes, yes, yes!” Making space for the postpartum recovery period is SO important, and yet it’s something that often gets forgotten in the excitement of a new baby and preparations for labor and delivery.  

Special care is taken for the purchase of baby gear, childbirth classes are attended, birth plans are written up, but what happens after baby and mom come home from the hospital? Is it back to life as usual? Hardly- and that’s where Valerie Lynn comes in with The Mommy Plan- a book about how to prepare yourself for the sensitive newly postpartum period and set yourself up for success both physically and emotionally.  

I finished the book a couple days ago, and want to give you a short overview so that you’ll know what to expect if you pick it up for yourself.  

The Good: The message of this book is SO important. Whether spoken or unspoken, in American culture it’s often common to expect that a mother should be able to spring right back to ‘normal’ a couple days or even weeks after giving birth.  

While that may be possible, it’s important to consider at what cost- both to the mother’s physical body and to her emotional heath. Valerie begins the book by describing the state of postpartum mood disorders in the US, and it’s not a pretty picture. Estimates say that 10-20% of post-pregnant women in the US will experience postpartum depression (PPD), and when you consider that PPD is underreported, that number may be much higher. In addition to PPD, some women experience postpartum exhaustion(nearly all moms!), postpartum anxiety (numbers may be just as high as PPD), postpartum panic attacks(this is rarer), postpartum OCD (also rare), and postpartum psychosis (even rarer still).  

With these statistics taken into consideration, it’s easy to see why Valerie encourages new families to take the postpartum recovery period very seriously! Valerie argues that one of the main reasons that so many women are suffering from these conditions is that American women often do little to facilitate a thorough and healthy postpartum recovery period.  

She describes her experiences working with postpartum women in other cultures, and how the rates of postpartum mood disorders in other cultures seem to be much less than what is experienced in the US. She also explores various cultural beliefs about the postpartum period, and highlights cultures that put great value on postpartum recovery.
Drawing from these other cultures, Valerie then lays out her “Mommy Plan”, a personalized postpartum recovery plan. She gives suggestions on just about everything- diet, activity levels, finding support, belly wrapping, placenta encapsulation, finding a good postpartum doula, and more. There are so many tips, ideas, and suggestions- I’d guess that unless you’ve spent a significant amount of time studying postpartum recovery methods, you’ll find some ideas here that you may have never considered! The chapters about diet even include some recipes to help get you started.
The Bad: This is an honest review, so I do have to include these too! While I love the overall message of this book, I did have a few concerns:

• The writing style: Honestly, at some points the grammar and sentence structure were so bad that it was hard for me to understand the point that Valerie was trying to make. I would love to see this book re-released after a thorough run through by a good editor. The message is too important to ignore! 

• The dietary guidelines: I agree with Valerie that diet is so important for health, especially in the vulnerable postpartum period. But I found that the dietary restrictions laid out in the book were so extreme that I would have great trouble trying to follow them in my own life currently, and cannot imagine a mom with a newborn to take care of trying to ensure that she only eats foods on the approved diet. The average mom with a newborn does not have time to spend hours in the kitchen preparing holistic, from scratch meals, and her care team often does not either. While I wholeheartedly agree with the reasoning behind the dietary guidelines(optimal recovery and nutrition for mom’s body), I would hate to see a newly postpartum mother feeling guilty for her inability to follow them, or worry that she is not a good mother because of it. 

• Subtle sexism: I loved that Valerie included a couple of sections to help expectant fathers plan for the postpartum period, giving them an idea of what to expect, what their partner is experiencing, and how to help. But I found some of the language around fatherhood to be unhelpful and somewhat demeaning to new fathers, specifically statements like, “Don’t expect the daddy to know he should change the bed sheets, put away the dishes, do the laundry, or tidy up.” These are basic household chores that have nothing to do with a new baby, and that any adult should be capable of doing, regardless of their sex, and during the postpartum period, a new mom will need her partner’s help more than ever! 

If you’re looking for a book to help you plan for a healthy postpartum recovery, The Mommy Plan may be just what you’re looking for, and the earlier you can start planning, the better! It’s so worth it to take the time during pregnancy to plan ahead for your postpartum recovery period, as you may be too busy with the baby afterwards to spend much time getting your “Mommy Plan” in place. Not only will you benefit from a healthy postpartum recovery, but your baby and the rest of your family will too!

Hannah, Delivered - Book Review & Giveaway

"Half of what you need to learn to be a midwife is external stuff, pretty straightforward - textbook knowledge and bedside manners and how to interpret vital signs. The other half is subterranean. You learn by plummeting through your personal history to the molten core. No one goes their willingly. I certainly didn't. Sure, I can coach you to draw blood or measure a cervix, but how I can I convince you to dig under your easy actions and reactions down to the fiery furnace of your heart? This story is my best attempt."

I received a copy of Hannah, Delivered in the mail about a month ago and I was chomping at the bit to start it immediately. Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew has written a beautiful and poignant book of fiction that has become a part of my permanent library.

Hannah delivered follows an aspiring, young midwife through her early years of training – the pitfalls and joys, triumphs and tragedies. The story itself is heartwarming; Hannah is a likeable, rebellious young woman. She struggles to find her own identity, not only as a midwife, but as a person, in a life that has been filled with secrets and shadows, hushed conversations in the hallways, and patriarchal and conservative constraints.

The book opens at a pivotal time in Hannah’s life; her mother passes away, she recently moved in with her boyfriend, and also taken a job at the local hospital as a desk clerk. She quickly befriends the fiercely independent and controversial resident midwife who challenges every cast Hannah has ever been placed in, and soon finds herself Called to pursuing midwifery.

As she embarks on her journey to birth work, she takes an apprenticeship in New Mexico, which

physically, emotionally, and spiritually uproots her from the womb of her hometown. This brings her to begin the painful journey of her own birthing – birthing the Hannah that is free of the confines that her safe relationship with her beau, her passive aggressive relationship with her mother, and her stoic relationship with her father. But moreso, it represents the birthing of Hannah from Hannah.

As the reader follows Hannah to the birth center where she starts her apprenticeship, we watch as Hannah builds relationships with men and women that challenge her deeply accepted, though perhaps not agreed upon, beliefs about herself, life, love, strength, and birth. And she begins to emerge a new Hannah.

Her journey is painful, yet beautiful – and I, as the reader, was completely immersed in her journey. I found myself laughing and crying with her, falling in love, and feeling the losses she experiences. This is not only a book about birth and birth work, but about life and finding one’s self.

At the conclusion of her story, I found myself longing to hear the next step in Hannah’s life – where her midwifery journey took her, what life paths she chose for herself. I mourned the ending of the story as a friend who departs on a long journey without me. I would highly, highly recommend this book as a wonderful fictional read to both lay people and birth workers alike. As some of the subjects dealt with are loss, I recommend pregnant women be aware of these potential triggers before reading, but otherwise, it has my full endorsement.

If you would like to win your own copy of Hannah, Delivered, just follow these three steps: 

• Like Elizabeth's Facebook page (linked above)
• Share your favorite blog article from Bellies and Babies on Facebook (a group, your own page, etc..)
• Comment below telling me that you have done both (and provide a link to your post)

Voila - you're entered to win!  Entries will be accepted until 11:59pm CST on May 31st. I will draw a name and post the winner on June 1st! Good luck! (continental U.S. only please)

The Attachment Pregnancy - review

I was given a copy of The Attachment Pregnancy from the authors to review their book here. And I'm so glad I did!

I appreciate this book. I appreciate this book because it is holistic and applicable. The Attached Pregnancy allows for a bridge between the mainstream and the alternative, science and intuition. It brings what we know into what we Know and provides the groundwork for an attached, aware, and empowered pregnancy.

In the first section, the author’s breakdown Be-ing, explain how stress can affect your pregnancy and baby, offer easily achievable exercises to change mental and emotional attitudes in pregnancy, and outline how to become a conscious individual. Likewise, through worksheets and thought-provoking questions, they detail how to build supportive relationships and set boundaries for your own health and well-being.

The rest of the book delves deeper into these first-section principles, showing how to apply them in the first trimester, second trimester, throughout labor and birth, and new parenting.

One thing that I believe is done particularly well in this book is the use of chapter reviews. As I was working my way through it, it was very helpful to have a condensed review, along with applicable questions to encourage deeper understanding.

This is not a book about labor and birth, it’s not a book about anatomy and the trimesters of pregnancy. It’s not even a how-to for parenting. This book is a self-guide for tapping into our innate knowledge and intuition – two conscious’ that are very important, and often overlooked, to pregnancy and parenthood.

I would highly recommend this book to my clients, particularly those who are interested in forging a stronger bond with their unborn baby and their conscious self in order to make the best choices for themselves during pregnancy, labor, and new parenting.

For more information find them on the web or on Facebook. 

Childbirth And The Future of Homo Sapiens - Book Review

"Childbirth and The Future of Homo Sapiens," by Michel Odent, had been sitting on my computer desk for a few weeks before I finally cracked its binding. It isn’t that I didn’t want to read it, I very much did want to. I simply wanted to wholeheartedly devote time and attention to the wealth of knowledge I knew awaited me within its pages.

Michel Odent has provided us with a handbook of sorts; a way of viewing childbirth simultaneously through both scientific and holistic lenses. He has presented us with evidence of how, as we birth generation to generation on synthetic oxytocin, the hormone of love, we are slowly lose the ability to produce it as readily and easily.

This can be seen in the increase in divorce rates, the dramatic decline in ‘successful’ breastfeeding, and women who ‘must’ be induced. He provides the groundwork for seeing cesarean in a new light – as a concurrently evolutionary leap forward and backward.

He challenges birth workers to reevaluate both their practices and their beliefs surrounding the roles that they play at any given birth. This book is not a book for expectant parents. This book is for the birth worker: midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, and obstetricians.

“Childbirth And The Future of Homo Sapiens” is a critical look at childbirth practices throughout both the medical and midwife model of care. He tackles the nocebo affect of words on labor, and, in particular, the fetal ejection reflex. Well intentioned words are often the only thing needed to activate the neocortex of the woman and suddenly, involuntary and primal urges becomes guided and voluntary intentions.

Finally, Mr. Odent has outlined the optimal birth environment from onset to postpartum. He details how reduction of neocortical activity allows for the production of oxytocin and endorphins, and how practices by birthworkers of ‘all walks’ interfere with that state of consciousness.



I highly recommend “Childbirth And The Future of Homo Sapiens” as a book to other birthworkers. It will challenge, perhaps even offend, but it is no less relevant and important.

When I finished his book, I sat to talk with a friend of mine. I mentioned how, unlike many of the books I read, this was not a 'feel-good' book, or even one that rose up in me a passionate response. Instead, what it did do was create an environment within me that allowed me to take a critical look at my own practices in the birthing culture. It brought me into a deeper understanding of how I can better serve the women I am led to.

Aden + Anais - Review

http://ashleydukephotography.com/

I received a lovely little package from Nikki over at Aden + Anais the other day. As I tore through the nondescript cardboard shipping box, I gasped in delight when my eyes fell on the trio of organic bamboo blankets and Swaddle Love book nestled inside.


Immediately, I began leafing through the pages of Swaddle Love. My ovaries ached as I gazed at the more; it details the history and science of swaddling as well. Additionally, they outline two separate ways to swaddle, and point parents in the direction of safe swaddling habits.
sweet, serene babies all swaddled softly. It wasn't only full of beautiful pictures though, it was also the personal story of Raegan Moya-Jones (co-founder and CEO of Aden + Anais), and how she came to be such an advocate of swaddling. But the book contains even

No wonder that swaddling has been around from the Nomadic times, was an intricate part of fulfilling Prophecy, survived even as Rome fell, and is now making a reemergence in the modern world! 

The one and only grief I have about the book is that she advocates "What to Expect When You're Expecting" on her recommended reading list. And, well, you can't be entirely perfect! :)

Next, I brought out the trio of blankets! She had sent me the 3 pack of Mela Bamboo Muslin Swaddles and I nearly squeed with excitement!

After a beautiful homebirth with a dear client, I knew that she had to be the one to review the blankets herself.

So, during our first of two postpartum visits, I brought her the book and the blankets to review. This is what she had to say,

"I love these! I have already decided I need to go back to their website and order a few more, probably in pink. What do I love about them? They are big, but not in a bulky way. There is a lot of fabric, which allows you to wrap your baby snugly, wear it as a cover while nursing, or even wear it myself as a scarf.

I also love how lightweight the material is. Living in a hot and humid part of Texas, it's hard to find a swaddling blanket that won't overheat a baby. These are perfect. They're also stretchy, so you can get a nice snug, tight wrap on baby. And finally, they are really cute!"

http://ashleydukephotography.com/

And her little doll-baby does such a nice job modeling for us, I just have to share!

Having wrapped a ton of babies over my 12 years of doula work, I can tell you, no muslin swaddle comes even close to the quality, durability, softness, and aesthetic charm of the Aden + Anais blankets!

Thank you, Nikki, for giving me the chance to review them!

Cut, Stapled, & Mended - a Giveaway

YES! I loved this book so much, I just had to have a book to give away on my blog! "Cut Stapled and Mended" is amazing. It has been a long time since I felt so deeply in love with a woman's story as I do Roanna's. Her writing is beautiful, her story is moving, and, well, read the review here. 

So, as I said, this book is amazing. And do you, my readers, want to win a signed copy?! I thought so! Just follow these steps to be entered to win. #1 is a necessity to be entered, after that, each additional one is an option entry. make sure you use a new comment for each entry.

1. Share this giveaway on Facebook, then make sure I know it in a comment.
2. Like both Sage Beginnings and Roanna on Facebook. Then make sure I know you did in a comment.
3. Tell us your favorite VBAC resource, blog post, or birth story in a comment. 

The giveaway closes at midnight, CST, on June 16th. The drawing will be on June 17th. Good luck!

Beautiful Girl - Book Review

Christiane Northrup has done a marvelous job with “Beautiful Girl”, a children’s book created to give young girls the freedom to celebrate the wonders of their body. The first thing I noticed when opening the pages of Beautiful Girl was the gorgeous and whimsical pictures throughout. Illustrator Aurelie Blanz did a marvelous job portraying the beauty and wonder of a young girl. 

Through prose and imagery, Dr. Northrup draws young girls into a time of wonderment, reminding them of their bodies amazing abilities and gifts. With babes in bloom, magical gardens, and fanciful characters, she tells the story of nature – perfect and beautiful, amazing and intuitive. She relay to her young readers the importance of respecting and honoring their bodies as individual and wonderful. 

www.debrapascalibonaro.com

As I read this book to my own 4 daughters, this is what they had to say about it:

Briaunna, 13 - I thought it was really cute. This book is appropriate for all ages of girls. The illustrations are beautiful, the words are simplistic, and the message is so important. It talks about how you shouldn't be ashamed, but instead be proud. Too many times these days, young girls are critical of themselves and want to change themselves to reflect what they see in the magazine or TV. Girls, you are beautiful and have amazing abilities.

Kairi, 9 - I thought it was really sweet. And seriously, you are made just the way you are supposed to be. I think that you should be you and not anyone else, and if you aren't comfortable with who you are, you should talk with someone you trust.

Charis, 8 - It was really cool. I like how it said to spread your branches over people you love, and I loved when she was in the pool and how it said you should be who you are. If it doesn't feel right, you should tell someone about it. And I like the babies on the flowers.

Jocelyn ,8 -   I like the picture with the bunny. Do we really have nests in our bodies? Oh yeah! I can make and carry babies! These special gifts are for you, that's right, they're for me! I have superpowers - isn't that cool?

What a beautiful story to share with our young daughters - to teach them self confidence, trust in their bodies, and to love their special secrets and 'powers'. I am happy to have this book as part of my collection!

The Gift of Giving Life - Review and Giveaway

This book review is a stop on the Virtual Book Tour for The Gift of Giving Life.




Synopsis: 

The Gift of Giving Life: Rediscovering the Divine Nature of Pregnancy and Birth offers something that no other book has before–a spiritual look at pregnancy, birth and mothering by and for LDS women and other women of faith.

The Gift of Giving Life does not advocate for any one type of birth or approach to prenatal care, rather it intends to unify families and communities in regard to the sacredness of birth. We also aim to provide you with resources, information, and inspiration that you may not have had access to all in one place before.

We have been commanded to “multiply and replenish the earth,” but with this commandment we were also given a reason: that we might have joy. We hope that this book brings peace, joy, and comfort to families everywhere.

The Gift of Giving Life is an LDS perspective of birth. But more than that, it is a book for women. No matter what your religious beliefs are, your birth practices are, or what stage of motherhood you are in, this book is written for you.

Women are encouraged to delve further into their immortal, and mortal, lineage. A powerful source of encouragement and strength, women are also encouraged to apply it to their pregnancy, birthing, and parenting.

There are stories, stories of other women, their birthing times, their short comings, their plans, and their journeys. Theirs are stories of hope and determination, acceptance and love.

And, my favorite part, there is a wealth of information, tangible practices and research, to help women learn about their options for pregnancy, birth, and parenting, and how to navigate these options with eyes open and intentional pursuit.

As I read through "Patience", a friend came to mind, one who was waiting to become pregnant. And then a client was brought to mind, she was 'overdue' and waiting for her little one's birthing day.

As I read through "Preparation", my heart was called to another woman whom I knew was struggling with choices within her circumstances, her planned place of birth, and her own beliefs.

"Fear", "Faith", "Pain", "The Fourth Trimester", each and every section brought more women to mind, women who could use the truth and collective wealth of wisdom and experience within the covers of this book.

This book is for all women; women of faith, whether it is faith in her body, her God, or her experience. I am excited to have "The Gift of Giving Life" on my shelf - as it truly is a gift, a gift to be connected with the Divine and the Eternal. And my hope is that others will come to this truth as well!

Earn 3 Free Bonus Gifts when you buy a copy of The Gift of Giving Life by May 15th.  Just visit The Gift of Giving Life to find out the details!

And finally, in honor of the virtual book tour, the authors are offering a chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more information on The Gift of Giving Life  Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube  | Amazon

The Midwife's Tale - book review

Sam Thomas , author and historian, has written a brilliant historical mystery, “The Midwife’s Tale”. This riveting mystery takes us back to 1644, a time of uprising and uncertainty. Parliament’s armies have risen up against the reigning powers of York and a city is at unrest. Midwife Bridget, a widowed midwife, finds herself at the center of a mystery, bringing danger to her doorstep in more ways than the siege ever would. 

Ester Cooper, Bridget’s friend, has been convicted of murdering her husband and is sentenced to be burned at the stake. Bridget is not convinced that her friend is guilty, and begins the plight of proving her innocence. As Bridget works to bring new life into a war-ravaged city, preserve the life of a close friend, and keep herself out of trouble amidst it all, she finds an unlikely ally in her new servant, Martha Hawkins. Bridget soon realizes Martha is not all she claims to be, as she is as astute at controlling the birthing room as she is at felling a would-be alley thief. 

Bridget and Martha find themselves waist-deep in a conspiracy to cover up treasonous plans and treacherous acts. Insidious and powerful men seek to silence the pair as they come closer to the truth. The Midwife’s Tale is exciting and surprising. The historical mystery, released on January 8, 2013, had me reading well into the wee hours of morning, hoping for just one more moment alongside Bridget in the alleyways of York. 

This isn’t only a midwife’s recollections of birth – this is a story of rebirth, second chances, and hope. Throw in a healthy dollop of mystery and murder, and you have The Midwife’s Tale. 

I recommend this book with 4-stars. I look forward to reading it again and again, and know my readers will enjoy it just as much as I did.

For more information, check out:
http://www.samthomasbooks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SThomasBooks

Cut, Stapled, & Mended - Review

I found Roanna on YouTube, of all places. I watched her as she talked about "Who Speaks for the Baby", and I knew I had to get to know this woman better! 

So, I reached out to her and found she was publishing a book entitled "Cut, Stapled, & Mended". I asked if I could review it, and she said yes!

I knew the release was slated for April 30th, and I eagerly watched my mailbox for my copy. Around lunch on April 30th, I found my copy peeking up at me through my mailbox flap. I tore open the package.... and only came up for life's necessities for the next 12 hours.

At 12:45am on May 1st, I finished reading. As I tenderly closed the cover of her book, I thought of Roanna and what a gift she has given to women all over the world.... but hold on, I'm getting ahead of myself.

As I read Cut, Stapled, & Mended, I found myself embarking on a journey with a courageous and feminine woman as she learned what it was to be Woman. I thoroughly expected her's to be a book about cesareans and VBACs... but (wo)man, was I wrong!

Cut, Stapled, & Mended, authored by Roanna Rosewood, is a work of heart. It isn't merely a book, but a love story - a story of healing, of love, of perseverance, and of triumph. It is beautifully written, both humorous and thoughtful. We watch Roanna, the Teenager, hurt, lonely, and seeking. We meet Roanna, the strong Woman, capable, judgmental, and direct. And we join Roanna, the Every Woman, as she learns how to be, accepting, loving, and kind - a feminine embodiment of surrender and healing.

Her story had to be told, as every journey should be, because her story has to be heard. I could feel the stirrings of empathetic understanding throughout her journey, as, a woman myself, I could understand her on a level that transcended her experiences and manifested in my own life and history.

Roanna is a wonderful writer. As easily as I found myself roaring with laughter, I also found myself sobbing with sorrow and nodding in vehement righteous indignation. And, interlaced with her story, the reader finds facts and figures, research and links, to support her goals and draw the reader even further into her world.

I am so excited for this book. I am so excited that I turned right around and bought a second copy for a friend! This book was not written, it was born. It was born of, not only Roanna's story, but the story of Woman. Her book is necessary for every woman, whether she is VBACing, a first time mother, a maiden, an obstetrician, or a holistic practitioner. Cut, Stapled, & Mended is a gift to (wo)mankind.

Optimal Care in Childbirth - Review and a Giveaway

Optimal Care in Childbirth - The Case for a Physiologic Approach
Henci Goer, and Amy Romano, MSN, CNM
583 pages

I have to start by saying this book is MEAT. It took me a great while to get through the majority of it - just because I had to keep revisiting information, fact checking, etc... It was quite a mouthful, and I am still trying to digest all of the information! 

That said, I love this book. It touches on so many subjects at the heart of United State maternity care, with the underlying tone that we are not providing evidence-based care in the majority of hospital births.  We all know that our maternal/fetal morbidity and mortality rates are abysmal when compared to other developed countries. And OCC works hard to try to get to the heart of those practices that are harming our outcomes the most.

They also don't paint obstetrical care as the problem, but obstetrical practices. Systematically, each chapter is broken down into 5 main parts. These are: 

• Title and quotes from medical literature. The quotes are oftentimes chosen to show the gamut that obstetrician's points of view and practices run. 
• The argument at large, citing the research of that given topic, translated into easy-to-understand facts and figures. 
• Strategies for Optimal Care, or, how we can better our obstetrical care.
• Mini-Reviews - a statement, followed by a mini-review of the medical literature available to us and what it shows.
• References - cited sources for all of the numbers, facts, and information in that given chapter.  

It is huge, this wealth of information. Don't believe me how much information is in here? Take a look at the table of contents/list of chapter topics. 

Although I have read some of the scathing criticisms of this book, I think those nay-sayers are missing the point of it - this book is not here to cover every possible scenario of labor and birth, so those things that we may be doing right for certain situations will probably not be noted in OCC. Also, this is not a midwifery training manual, it is a supplemental discourse on standards of care - so you won't find information on stages of labor, anatomy and physiology, and how to time contractions.

I am happy to have this newest addition to my library, and I have already found myself using it for many situations that might warrant the wealth of information within it's bindings. During the review process, this book followed me into 4 different birthing chambers, found it's way into three obstetricians hands, 2 midwives hands, and a host of L&D nurses hands. Everyone whom I shared with planned on getting their own copies - and everyone was impressed by the information and how it is presented. 

If we are able to modify current U.S. obstetrical practices to reflect even a portion of the standards of care outlined in Optimal Care in Childbirth, America will see a dramatic increase in safety and satisfaction in terms of maternal and fetal healthcare. Some of the practices they promote, though, will be hard to come into practice - as they will require trust, patience, and a wholistic understanding of the human system. 

OCC gives me hope - hope that women and their care providers will find the information provided within these pages and begin a swelling tide of change in the United States - a change toward more Optimal Care in Childbirth. 

If you wanted to purchase your own copy - the authors wanted me to let you know that domestic shipping is free and discounts are available for multiple copies sent to the same address. Now.. on to a chance to win a copy!  

Giveaway
I am so thrilled to be able to offer this. Henci Goer and Amy Romano have offered a free copy to one of my readers. All you have to do is follow the rules below. #1 MUST be done. Beyond that, you can do any additional numbers for additional entries to win. PLEASE remember to create a new comment for each task completed, so that you get credit for it. If you are entering for your particular birth worker (doula, childbirth educator, obstetrician, PCP, midwife, DOC, etc..), then you can get an additional entry by telling us why you want to win it for them, and tell us about that birth worker! 

1. Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter, then tell me you did here :)
2. "Like" both Sage Beginnings and Optimal Care in Childbirth on Facebook 
3. Tell me which chapter of their book interests you most and why
4.  Tell me why your particular birth worker should get this book

Giveaway open to continental U.S. entrants only, my apologies all of my international friends. Entries will close on Feb 28th, the drawing will occur on March 1st, and I'll post the winner here. You'll have 3 days to claim your prize, or another winner will be drawn. Good luck!

Mama, Talk About Our New Baby

You may remember my review of Toni Olson's book, Mama, Talk About When Max Was Born, a marvelous children's book about home, water birth.Well, Toni sent a copy of her new book, Mama, Talk About Our New Baby, and I am over-the-moon excited about this second book!

It starts when a young character asks his mama what it will be like after the new baby is born. Then, throughout the story, Mama tells us all about how things will change, as well as how they will stay the same.

The absolutely marvelous aspect of this book? It is packed with more holistic, attached, and intuitive parenting and family choices. The mixed-racial family shows, what we can assume is, immediately after a home birth (babies cord is still long and 'fresh'). The little family also has a family-bed, showing safe co-sleeping options.

While mama talks about the new sibling's needs, we also see breastfeeding (in a ton of different positions), tandem/full-term nursing, cloth diapering, correct car seat positioning, baby wearing, and more.

S. Marie Carlson provided the vivid, beautiful artwork throughout, and my children were enthralled with this book. My son, the definite 'baby' of the family, said, at the end of the book, "mama, I think I would be a great big brother and want a baby brother to take care of".

Mama, Talk About Our New Baby is a sweet story that is sure to bring families together for good heart-to-heart conversations, help validate natural and gentle parenting choices, and help ease the transition in families with similar parenting styles. I am so happy that Toni has taken the time to write such a treasured book that is sure to become a staple in AP and more natural-/conscious- parented family's households. Thank you, Toni, for your dedication and heart for children and families.