I recently discovered a wonderful organization called Earth Birth. Earth Birth is an NGO which is ran by midwives to foster an international women’s health movement that encourages and promotes safe and peaceful birth. Directed by midwife, Rachel Zaslow, Earth Birth raises funds to build clinics and restore communities amongst women in various countries such as Brazil, Sudan and Uganda. With a sustainable mindset, the clinics that are built incorporate green building practices such as rainwater collection, composting for agriculture and solar power. It is the organization’s mission to lower maternal and infant mortality rates, lower mother to child HIV transmission, grant access to supplies, access to trauma counseling, empower women to have positive childbirth experiences and more.

Add Earthbirth on Facebook today to stay connected and find out ways that you can participate.

This summer I attended a screening for ‘Orgasmic Birth’. This fascinating documentary was created by internationally respected childbirth expert, Debra Pascali-Bonaro. The film sheds light on the beauty and “other” side of childbirth, the side that has not been discussed in the out and open. Babies are created using all of the same sex organs and hormones that are used to deliver the baby. Now this statement I am about to make may come off a little blunt and graphic, but I feel that it gets the point across. If a woman is being forced against her will to have sex, then it hurts tremendously. The fear, the violation and all of the other emotions make her sexual mechanisms resist. The result is pain, uncontrollable breathing and so forth. Now when a women feels safe, is connected to the act for which she is performing, and for the most part, in a private setting for which she feels is her own space, then she is able to relax and reach an orgasm. So to tie this together to my point and the message behind Orgasmic Birth, if a women is allowed the respected space to labor at her own pace, surrounded by supportive birth partners and medical team, then she is more inclined to feel safe, let down her inhibitions and open to and surrender herself to the miracle of birth. And yes, pleasure and ecstasy are possible during labor.

For far too long there has been this projected notion that childbirth is nothing but a scary, intolerable act (This is so not the case). For the most part, the common visuals one has of childbirth are those from mainstream TV and movies (definitely, not the best examples) those clips show the typical cliché of a women screaming at the medical staff & partner, confound to the bed and not happy at all. Then you have the media’s grid lock focus on statements made by celebrities whose fears becomes instilled and influence the general public (by no fault of their own for there are definitely stories that can be told about hospital births in the US).

Thankfully, ABC’s 20/20 is taking a bold step in a great direction to shed light on the “other” side of the story of childbirth Friday, January 2nd. The show will be featuring a segment on ‘Orgasmic Birth’. Though I am excited that such a topic will be discussed on such a popular show, I am going to wait and make my rave or rant after it airs. After being excited to watch the doula segment air on the Today show a few weeks back, I was disappointed with the overall tone of the segment. (Every women deserves the right to have continous support through out labor. That is not a luxury. And while yes doulas can range between $500-1500+ for childbirth, the benefits are so much worth it. That segment failed to mention the astonishing cost of hospital birth, epidurals, and c-sections. Doula have a major impact in reducing the need for epidurals and c-sections)

So check out Orgasmic Birth’s website and watch the segment on 20/20 and share your feedback.

I am still in a euphoric state. As the incredible reality starts to settle in, I am realizing the proper space now exists for a chance for change. In the realm of women’s rights and healthcare, I am anxious to see the next steps that both Barack Obama, Joe Biden, along with amazing Michelle Obama & Jill Biden take. It has been evident that this new administration will not let these issues fall thought the cracks on there watch.

Now that we finally have someone’s attention, I think that it is important to wave the flag. As much as the topic of healthcare is on the minds and tongues of many, it is not often discuss openly the excessive fiscal waste and inefficiencies evident in our systems.

I am going to start talking about it as much as I can. I truly believe the lack of supported advocacy for women’s health is a direct correlation to the state of our health care system. There are approximately 6 million pregnancies every year throughout the United States, more than 19 million women are uninsured in this country and up until this point, sex education ( & quite frankly anatomy) in this country has not been given the attention it disserves. We need to pursue a sustainable healthcare system which connects the dots and get women to speak up.

99% of births occur in hospitals. The average cost for a normal delivery held at a hospital is $6,378 and $10,638 +for a cesarean. Many hospitals are reporting caesarean rates of more than 40%. The estimated cost of a delivery and prenatal care at a birthing center is about $3,000 – $4,000. Insurance coverage for the choice to have one’s birth at a birthing center is not yet as easy to obtain as a hospital birth unfortunately.

Of course the healthcare industries as yet are not going to fully disclose where that extra $3,000 to $7,000 + cost comes from. Could it be from the HIGHLY common use of pitocin, epidural and other analgesics, the high cost surgery fees emergency and elective c-sections. I ask you to investigate for your self if these all to common procedure are sustainable. Truly looking at the lifecycle of our health care system can reveal mind boggling revelations about the long term effects on our bodies and our children’s’ , both mentally and physically & our wallets. Transparency needs to be revealed as to why these statistics are what they are and truths need to be shared.

First off, I have to applaud Angelina for gracing the cover of the new W magazine while breastfeeding. The photographer just so happened to be Brad Pitt. Angelina is inspirational because she has confidently taken a stand and is sending a message loud and clear. Women who are mothers are naturally beautiful and breastfeeding is a normal natural phenomenon that should be accepted as a social norm. Though the cover picture is just a simple black and white photo, and there were no fancy film crews in their home, still remains evident a beautiful halo of motherhood. Breastfeeding is healthy and super beneficial for mother and child. It is unfortunate that over the years, breastfeeding has been given a taboo cloak. Because of these tainted views, many women aren’t given the freedom, encouragement and support that they need to give nutrients to their child, build their immune systems, reduce a their own risk of certain types of cancer, and more. With this cover, a dialogue can begin again.

And secondly, Brad Pitt has collaborated with beauty brand Kiehl’s to create the first ever Cradle-to-Cradle certified beauty product (environmentally safe, healthy , designed for material reutilization,etc.) The Aloe Vera Liquid Body Cleanser that Brad helped design and developed the scent, debuts this month. He also wrote a little message on the label to inform everyone where proceeds from their purchase will go:

These two people are amazing and inspirational.

For those mothers who are in transition between their pre-pregnancy clothes and a maternity wardrobe, check out these comfortable and chic belly bands by Baby Be Mine Maternity. These bamboo bands come in a variety of colors and can be used in any stage of pregnancy whether you are just showing a little, your EDD is around the corner, or you just delivered your little bundle. The great thing about the Bamboo collection is that it is naturally breathable, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, it is anti-static, anti-bacterial/anit-fungal 98% UV protective, made from naturally grown bamboo (no pesticides and fertilizers), and is biodegradable! Lucky for shoppers, Baby Be Mine also carries organic tees as well.

The site is currently holding to great specials. You can buy two bamboo bands for $44.99 and free shipping for the US and Canada ends October 12.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the team at Renew Physical Therapy. Located in mid-town Manhattan , Renew specializes in orthopedics and women’s health issues. Using state of the art technology as well as having a passionate and talented staff, Renew-PT empowers, strengthens, and heals amazing women who are experiencing sciatica, low back pain, abdominal diastasis-recti, c-section or episiotomy scar pain, painful sex and more . Just check out the video testimonials on their website and you’ll hear & fell the enthusiasm for their services.

What I really admire about Renew-PT is the center’s unique approach to women’s wellbeing. You come first. The private treatment rooms have spa-like atmospheres and incorporate custom pregnancy tables to accommodate your beautiful growing belly. The treatment sessions are up to 1 hour long and when applicable incorporate innovative biofeedback technology or the magical power of the hands using Arvigo Mayan Abdominal Massage. The team works with your doctor by providing them a written note within 24 Hours of your evaluation, detailing their findings so that your doctor can make well-timed changes to your medical care if necessary.

You can also get one-on-one training at Renew-PT to strengthen your core and pelvic wall in your pre and post natal state among other services. Isa Herrera, Clinical Director of Renew, also has a book out entitled, The Pregnant Couple’s Guide to Working Out Together. It is filled with many techniques and tips for you and your partner staying in shape and preparing for childbirth.

Renew Physical Therapy truly is an empowering and healing oasis. In a world and culture that does not necessarily allow women to have a safe and comfortable platform to discuss our health issues and concerns, it truly is inspiring to know that such a center exists for women. We are all entitled to the power to reclaim our health, live a pain free life, and be embraced and supported. Renew-PT helps to bring you to that realization. They do accept insurance (certain rules may apply) and offer flexible payment plans. Do check out and explore their website for further information.
**(they also provide physical therapy services for men to support pelvic and bladder health).

“Women have more economic clout than the country of Japan,” says Diane MacEachern, author of the new book Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World (Avery/PenguinGroup USA, 978-1-58333-303-7, 03/2008, $16.95). “Why not use it to pressure companies to save energy, keep our air and water clean, protect forests, and use safer ingredients?” MacEachern’s message is simple but revolutionary. If women change the way they spend their money, they can help solve the environmental crisis – and protect themselves and their families, too. Why women? Because women spend $.85 of every dollar in the marketplace. “Women have a whole planetful of power in their purses,” says Diane in her new book. “When they use it to buy green, they force manufacturers to make products that reduce pollution, slow global warming, and eliminate dangerous chemicals.”

Big Green Purse empowers mothers, home owners, business owners, young professionals, teenagers and more in two ways: The book provides targeted information women often don’t have time to track down or verify on their own. It also enables women to use their undeniable consumer clout to create safeguards that have eluded legislation and regulation. It targets 25 commodities where women’s dollars can have the greatest impact, including food, clothing, cars, computers, coffee, cleansers, furniture and flooring and provides numerous helpful tips, facts, and empowerment.