resources
our local birth community
Arizona Birth Network-Promote an awareness of evidence-based care and informed decision-making through advocacy, education and support. azbirthnetwork.com
Supported Birth of Arizona- supportedbirthaz.com
Arizona Association of Midwives- azassocmidwives.com
Arizona Midwives- arizonamidwives.com
La Leche League: Your local breastfeeding experts. A huge lending library, lots of like-minded women, and the best advice you’ll find. lllofaz.org
International Caesarean Awareness Network AZ- The local chapter of International Caesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) meets monthly in AZ. ican-online.org/chapter/search
other healthcare providers
homeopathic
herbalist
certified nursing midwife-CNM
OB/GYN
pediatricians
photograpers
Ricahrd and Dawn Kimbrough kimbroughphotography.com
Tawnya Hood beautyoflifephotography.com
Andrea Trotter andreatrotter.com
Jeanette LeBlanc jeanetteleblanc.com
Helen Robson- 480-221-5600
safety of homebirth (studies)
A large, retrospective study of American homebirths, published in British Medical Journal- British Medical Journal
Fact Sheet on homebirth safety by the national organization Citizens for Midwifery- Fact sheet
A privately-maintained list of homebirth and out-of-hospital studies- List
A compilation of studies by Michael J. Stark, Ph.D. for the Maryland Friends of Midwives- Global Midwives
“Technology in Birth: First Do No Harm” by Marsden Wagner, MD Midwifery Today
The Childbirth Connection is a source for trustworthy, up-to-date, evidence-based information and resources on planning for pregnancy, labor & birth, and the postpartum period. childbirthconnection.org
Coalition for Improving Maternity Services: Organizations, professionals, advocates, and families who share a commitment to making Mother-Friendly Care a reality. motherfriendly.org
The Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth supports initiatives that provide credible, relevant and useful information about normal birth to new and expectant parents and childbirth professionals.The Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth
midwifery advocacy
Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)—our training, credentialing process, national exams, and maintenance. Information on CPMs
MANA: An organization of North American Midwives and their advocates. mana.org
The North American Registry of Midwives: An international certification agency whose mission is to establish and administer certification for the credential "Certified Professional Midwife" (CPM) narm.org
The Big Push for Midwives is working to legalize out-of-hospital birth and midwifery in all 50 states. thebigpushformidwives.org
Citizens for Midwifery is a national consumer-based group promoting the Midwives Model of Care. cfmidwifery.org
diet (including vegetarians)
Iron in the vegan diet. Works for vegetarians, as well. info on iron
List of iron-rich foods with iron content measurements. iron-rich foods
breastfeeding
It doesn’t get any better than La Leche League. llli.org
Dr. Jack Newman’s great articles and how-to videos. drjacknewman.com
All things breastfeeding! breastfeeding.com
Great Blog! mamaknowsbreast.com/lactivism
our bodies are beautiful
The Shape of a Mother has photos of real mothers. Spectacular and inspiring. theshapeofamother.com
Breasts—what they really look like. breast gallery
Look at all the pregnant bellies! maternitygallery.com
cesarean awareness
The International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) was formed over 25 years ago in order to support women in their journey towards understanding the risks of cesarean section and with the purpose of helping them have healthy births and healthy lives after undergoing the surgery that changed them. ican-online.org
VBAC info and informed consent topics. vbac.com
circumcision
National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers, founded by healthcare professionals to provide information to expectant parents, healthcare professionals, educators, lawyers, ethicists, and concerned individuals about circumcision and genital cutting of male, female, and intersex infants and children, genital integrity, and human rights. nocirc.org
miscarriage and stillborn
Missing GRACE Foundation provides resources and support for families that have experienced pregnancy loss, infant loss, infertility, or adoption and to advocate for comprehensive, patient-focused prenatal care for all women. missinggrace.org
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is a network of 6,000 volunteer photographers that will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session at no cost. nowilaymedowntosleep.org
A gathering of women experiencing pregnancy loss. themiscarriageblog.blogspot.com
Topics ranging from causes of miscarriage, to prevention, to when to try again for a new pregnancy. pregnancyloss.info
One couple’s effort to help other’s coping with miscarriage. pregnancyloss.info
A place of information, support and remembrance for those who are grieving a loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. aplacetoremember.com
books
must haves
- Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
- Birth Plan by Marsden Wagner
- The Thinking Woman’s Guide by Henci Goer
- Homebirth by Sheila Kitzingher
also good...
- Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin, nice just before birth
- Birth over 35 by Shiela Kitzinger
- Birth Partner by Penny Simpkin
- Childbirth Without Pain by Grantly Dick-Reed
- Birth Without Violence by Fredrick Leboyer
- Your Baby, Your Way by Shiela Kitzinger
- Gentle Birth Choices (book & video) by Barbara Harper
- Immaculate Deception 1 or 2 by Suzanne Arms
- The Breastfeeding Answer Book by La Leche League
- Breastfeeding by Sheila Kitzinger
- Waterbirth by Susana Napierala
- Birthing From Within by Pam England
- The Baby Book by William Sears
- Any books by Aviva Romm
- After Baby’s Birth: A Women’s Way to Wellness by Robin Lim