While I don’t think that delivery gowns are the next big “it” thing, Pretty Pusher’s organic delivery gown maybe on to something when it comes to the world of maternity fashion. The gown, which also comes with a matching headband, is compostable.

I try to shy away from covering too many clothing/fashion stories, as for both expectant mother and baby, each of their bodies change so rapidly that the concept of spending money on new garments is inefficient. I mostly recommend using bellybands, friend’s clothing, or purchasing garments from thrift shops during pregnancy and for rapidly growing babies. Fashionistas, don’t worry though, you can find several fashionable pieces via this method. Even if a garment is not made with organic materials, if you buy it from a second hand vendor or borrow it from a friend, you are still doing your part when it comes to protecting the environment by extending the garment’s lifecycle.

If more maternity garments and infant clothing pieces were as fashionable (as is this gown, which can easily be used as a sexy night gown as well) organic and compostable as this Pretty Pusher’s piece, it would definitely be an incentive for the the ecoconsumer to purchase. This niche(yet popular) maternity industry can benefit by adapting more from the cradle-to-cradle mentality.

This week, NPR highlighted an 18 month midwifery education program in Badakhshan Province’s Shatak village (Afghanistan). Funded by USAID, an independent federal government agency, and implemented Jhpiego, the program was created to address the poor quality of the village’s maternal health care. In 2004, the village lost 54 mothers and 46 newborns, but with the introduction of this new midwifery model, the health care in the village has improved greatly. The proof, two babies passed away as compared to 46 as was reported before.

“These women are like guardian angels for infants and mothers.”
Zafaran Natiqi, head of women’s affairs in Badakhshan.

Normally, due to Afghanistan’s culture, young and married women are unable to work outside of their homes. Fortunately, the village elders are in support of this program and their women. They actively participate in the selection of midwife candidates from within their community.

Learning that the elders of this community are breathing life and encouragement into such a program, reminds me of an organization I just learned of called The Elder’s organization. The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. One of the organizations mission is to gain equality for women and girls around the globe.

I was watching this clip below by former president Jimmy Carter last week and after reading the NPR article, I see, even more so than before, the importance of support and wisdom from such a generation’s counsel and advocacy. It seems that a new breath of coherence is taking place in the world.

After wrapping up its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, the new film Genpin is now in competition for the prestigious Golden Shell award at the San Sebastián Film Festival. Award-winning Japanese director Naomi Kawase says of her film,

“I only wanted to show that there are other ways of giving birth” and that “giving life is not necessarily a synonym for suffering, it is also a pleasure.”

Kawase also created the film,“Tarachime -birth/mother-”, which examines the ties of one life to another, based on her own experience of childbirth in 2006 .

Genpin, is being hailed as an artful reflection of the beauty of birth and follows the Japanese obstetrician Dr. Tadashi Yoshimura in his life and practice. In is 40-year career, Dr. Yoshimura has attended 20,000 natural births.

The title, “Genpin,” derives from the words of the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, “The valley spirit never dies. It is named the mysterious woman (genpin).”

This film is a celebration the beauty of birth and hopefully the artful package that this story is told in will be powerful enough to create a shift in the current mainstream perception of birth. I have not yet seen this film yet, but hope it makes its way to NYC soon so that I can. If any one has attended a screening during a recent festival, please share your thoughts on the film.

I just came across this tech fab company, Belly Armor. Created to protect children in the womb and newborn children against the risks of everyday radiation, the Belly Armor product line integrates a RadiaShield® lining within its blankets and t-shirts. This technology shields 99.9% of incoming radiation from penetrating the womb and it has been verified by an independent FCC-certified laboratory testing report.

The World Health Organization, the European Commission, FCC, and the Environmental Working Group— have found strong enough evidence of potential risks from radiation exposure to recommend precautionary measures. Research has shown several potential health hazards during pregnancy from radiation, include birth defects and genetic disruptions, miscarriages, autism, childhood leukemia, and cancer. It is highly recommended to take more precaution around such radiation emitters in general, but especially if you are carrying a baby.

“It is essential that exposure limits be implemented in order to protect against the established adverse effects of exposure to ELF electric and magnetic fields.”
World Health Organization’s Environmental Health Criteria 238: Extremely Low Frequency Fields

Aside from being machine washable (air dry only), the Belly Armor products are ideal for both home and the office. They are a must for an expectant mother or new parent. Quite frankly, I think this product can me a staple to help protect and sustain both female and male reproductive areas in general. Non-ionizing radiation, the type Belly Armor shields, is prevalent in our daily lives and is emitted by cell phones, PDAs, laptops / computers, mp3 players / portable media devices, televisions, and power lines.

“Results of epidemiologic studies to date give no consistent or convincing evidence of a causal relation between exposure from radio frequency fields (RFs) and any adverse health effect. On the other hand, these studies have too many deficiencies to rule out an association. Despite the ubiquity of new technologies using radio frequency fields, little is known about population exposure from RF sources, and even less about the relative importance of different sources.”
International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection literature review

The Belly Armor factories adhere to GMP standards (Good Manufacturing Practices) and their packaging is made with recycled paper. Also included in their CSR structure, a portion of all Belly Armor proceeds goes towards programs for promoting women’s pre-natal health. Prices range from $59-$109 and are a available to purchase online or at participating retailers.

The media circuits are buzzing this week with “news” of the safety of vaginal deliveries after C-sections (VBAC). While this really is not “news” for some, the new guidelines released by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists marks a needed turning point in this country’s perception of a women’s ability to birth. The news the attention, ability and success of such a birth choice.

Candidates for VBACs are those women who have had a Cesarean birth using a horizontal incision low in the uterus (low transverse incision). It is recommended that such candidates undergo counseling in preparation for their VBAC, to encourage, support the women’s emotional and physical concerns.

Between 60 percent and 80 percent of women who attempt VBAC have a successful vaginal delivery, according to the guidelines.

The guidelines which are published in the August issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, recommend that the following women may also be candidates for a trial of labor after a Cesarean:

• Women who’ve had two previous C-sections using a low transverse incision.
• Women who’ve had a C-section with a low transverse incision who are currently pregnant with twins.
• Women who’ve had a Cesarean delivery but don’t know if they had a low transverse incision.

The ACOG recommends that women who choose a VBAC birth choice should do so only if they’re in a facility that has “staff immediately available to provide emergency care.”

Women who are not eligible for a VBAC consists of:

• Women who’ve had a vertical incision on their uterus
• Women who’ve had/had Serious pregnancy complications such as placenta previa

Here is a nourishing and refreshing smoothy recipe from the ladies over at Mamatini.

Ingredients:

8 ounces Mamatini
1 cup of your favorite frozen fruit – blueberries, strawberries, pineapple
1 scoop whey protein powder
1 tsp/packet of your favorite natural sweetener
Optional Scoop of Green Vibrance Superfood Powder

Place ingredients in a high powered blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into a tall glass with straw and enjoy!

Mamatini was specially designed to help expectant and new mothers absorb and retain the minerals their body needs to have a more energetic and healthy start to motherhood while providing baby with the nutritional building blocks he or she needs to grow. In addition, Mamatini helps increase milk supply in mothers and aides to relieve baby’s colic symptoms. Click here to meet my write up on the brand from earlier in the year.

I have read that when a baby appears to be in the transverse position, that this symbolizes the baby’s comfort and desire to be close to their mother’s heart. While this is a sweet notion, when it comes to birth, the transverse position is problematic for a desired vaginal birth.

If after 30 weeks your baby is still presenting itself in a transverse position and your care provider and your self are concerned, it is helpful to incorporate some of these natural ways to encourage the little one to turn:

• Have either your partner or friend speak to the baby, shine a flash light, or place ear phones at your pubic bone area
• Contact a homeopathic doctor to give see if Pulsatilla in 200C potency or higher will work for you
• Pelvic rocking and exercises to strengthen muscle tone.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Have a chiropractor perform the Webster technique
• Try an inversion such as the one below:

DO do the inversion if you feel strong enough and it does not cause you discomfort for 2-3 times a day. DON’T do it if you have trouble breathing. As with any exercise, ask your caregiver if there is any medical reason why you shouldn’t do this. DON’T do this inversion if the case is your baby was in a breech position and has already turned head down.

1. Have a helper to brace your shoulders so you don’t come down from the couch too fast.
2. Have your knees on the edge of the couch.
3. Come down slowly.
4. Brace yourself on your forearms.
5. Relax your belly.
6. Relax your neck and head.
7. Hold the pose for 30 seconds for a head down, posterior baby, or a minute for a breech or transverse baby, if you can. Start with shorter times in the pose and work up to 30 seconds.
8. Crawl forward, bringing one knee down to the floor and then the other.
9. Come to your hands and knees.
10. Sit up, on your heels and catch your breath.
Crawl around the room helping the weight of the womb settle forward.

(above directions from Spinning Babies)

At the same time, I found this statement via Birth Naturally

Less than 20% of the babies who are transverse at 37 weeks will remain transverse when labor begins, so another option is to wait for labor to start and attempt to turn the baby or perform a cesarean if it is still necessary.

Speaking from within the context of the statement directly above, your doula and midwife can work with you to suggest various positions during your labor to encourage the turn of your baby. Using gravity and motion can potentially save you from unnecessary internal interventions.

For whatever reason, I had a craving for raw asparagus today. Since I have been trying to focus on my physical health of late, my muscles are screaming loud and clear for potassium. While eating the asparagus I became curious to see what other benefits were attributed to it. Low and behold I found some wonderful benefits that are actually tailored for mothers-to-be and new moms. Here they are for you:

5 BENEFITS

• Eaten during the early stages of pregnancy, it helps the body to fight against certain birth defects such as spina bifida (a neural tube defect)

• A cup of asparagus provides around 263 mcg of folate (Vitamin B). Folate is very important for the synthesis of DNA. Its absence or inadequate supply causes the improper division of fetus’ nerve cells, in turn leading to birth defects

• Stimulates milk production in nursing mothers

• Has very high levels of folic acid which is known to make conception easier

• Controlling blood sugar levels and therefore, is very beneficial for people with diabetes