Because of the generosity of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Illinois, the Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Chicago now has the Bilisoft LED Phototheraphy system. This innovative medical invention by GE is the only product of its kind which supports and promotes developmental care, enables infant-parent bonding such as breastfeeding and provides healing light for babies as they heal from severe cases of jaundice. The traditional units which treat such infants prevents parents from holding, touching, and unfortunately breastfeeding during treatment. (Mothers can still express their milk and have it feed to the baby through tubes).

Click here to learn more about this incredible technology.

According to the March of Dimes, nearly 60% of all newborns develop jaundice after birth. Jaundice is the yellow discoloration of baby’s skin and the whites of his or hers eyes. Usually, the discoloration arrives on the 2nd or so day after birth and then naturally goes away around day 8. The common form does not cause any discomfort for your infant or harm. There are some cases where a baby’s bilirubin levels (the cause of Jaundice) can peak to a severe rate and as a result pose a risk of brain damage to a baby. It is for this reason that your baby’s bilirubin level should be checked both before you leave the hospital/birthing center or if you are having a home birth, by your midwife and then 3 to 5 days after birth.

The exact cause(s) for these spiked levels still are being researched though there are some schools of thoughts that believe bilirubin levels are altered due to the clamping of the umbilical cord during birth. In 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed delaying the clamping of the cord, though for some reason, this is still a standard protocol in most American hospitals. Judith Mercer, a CNM published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, concluded her study in 2001 and derived, “Early clamping of the umbilical cord at birth, a practice developed without adequate evidence, causes neonatal blood volume to vary 25-40%. Such massive change occurs at no other time in one’s life without serious consequences, even death. Early cord clamping may impede a successful transition and contribute to hypovolemic and hypoxic damage in vulnerable newborns.”

After learning about this research and that some midwives report seeing fewer cases of jaundice in babies born at home, I do wonder if the early clamping of the chord has a direct effect on the amount of bilirubin released into the baby’s system. For those cases where babies who were born at home and then developed jaundice, I wonder if in those cases the umbilical cord was wrapped around the neck of the baby. If anyone can comment on that, it would be interesting to hear your feed back.

To learn more about jaundice, click here.

So I do not know about you, but I have found that the last two days have been a little off kilter. One of my clients whose due date is a month from now actually had to go to the hospital for she was cramping, spotting and began to have contractions. Once I heard that she was back home safe and sound (the bundle of joy still tucked in its oven) my high alert radar began to fade. I looked out side of my window and saw the beautiful full moon and then began to think. I typed in Full Moon and Pregnancy and found this article that captured what I was just thinking. Apparently some maternity units actually have more staff available during periods of full moon. The reason is because quite often, expectant mothers experience false signs of labor (Braxton Hicks) during the full moon. The moon’s gravitational pull affects the amniotic fluid in much the same way as it affects the ocean and the rivers. I just saw on Yahoo that today’s full moon will appear to be the largest full moon of the year because it is at its closest point to earth. The moon’s gravitational pull is an interesting phenomenon.

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.

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.

The “Modern champion for mothers”, Jenny McCarthy, is taking her mission to a new level. The launch of her new label, Too Good by Jenny McCarthy, was just announced. The new brand will be positioned as providing safe, non-toxic surroundings for children and is set for launch at mid-tier retailers next spring or summer.

The line will include non-toxic bedding, apparel, feeding products, toys/activity sets, cleaning products, bathroom textiles, gluten-free food and beverages, and other categories.

McCarthy told the business newswire “Everywhere I go I meet parents who are looking for products that are safe for their children,” said McCarthy. “Unfortunately, they want what only a handful of specialty boutiques carry at a hefty price. BSP (the agency of record) and I are working together to fill the market void in safe, non-toxic products for children. With the TOO GOOD(TM) brand, I intend to make the building blocks for a healthy environment universally accessible for all families. ”

Her new book, Mother Warriors, Will be in stores September 2008, and her sixth book, Healing and Preventing Autism with Dr. Kartzinel, is scheduled for release in the spring of 2009.

It is quite exciting to see the wave of empowering birth documentaries and media sweep the circuit. For those of you who have not yet seen The Business of Being Born or Orgasmic Birth, or are just looking to discover another visual dialogue of the “mother’s” incredible journey, check out Bold. Bold is a global arts-based movement inspiring communities to create childbirth choices that work for mothers. This September Bold will be presenting numerous performances of Birth, proclaimed to be “The Vagina Monologues” of the birth world. Check out this link to the calendar of performances. Don’t forget to visit Bold’s Website to learn more about this great organization