Pregnancy & Birth

“When a baby is in the womb it is the emotional state of the mother which decides how her baby’s brain will develop…he gets his dose of mother’s molecules-of-emotion through the placenta. If a baby is flooded with the hormones of stress he puts his growth effort into the part of the brain that is designed to deal with stress and threat – the flight or fight part of the brain. He cannot do differently…When the baby in the womb is marinated in hormones of peacefulness, then he is free to get into to developing his higher brain functions. These are the structures he will need for highest human qualities like love, trust, beauty, respect, empathy, and truth…the womb provides everything the baby needs…the mother-baby couple is the First Partnership. It is from this partnership that the baby learns to make relationships…Wise cultures are child-wise, and child-wise cultures do everything they can to ensure the mother and baby get off to the best start in the first 3 years of life. They understand the health of their culture depends on it…If the baby has a bonded relationship with mum, he grows heart-brain connections for the highest human qualities and so can make peaceful relationships with everyone in the group.” ~Pennie Brownlee, Dance with me in the Heart

Here are resources I have discovered to empower you to have a positive, peaceful pregnancy and birth experience. When pregnancy and birth are treated with the utmost compassion and respect, then the whole family can be transformed.

Websites:

https://www.parent2parentu.com/

http://www.kidsinthehouse.com/pregnancy

http://www.positivebirthmovement.org/what-is-positive-birth.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/

Front Page

http://theconsciousbaby.com/

Genevieve Simperingham

https://birthpsychology.com/content/what-apppah

Homepage

Home

http://www.newbornmothers.com/blog/

http://www.greatfathers.org.nz/greatfathers/

Postpartum Massage

Books:

Pregnancy

Our Babies, Ourselves: How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent by Meredith Small

The Ultimate Childbirth Course video series

Well Adjusted Babies — Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Babies & Beyond by Jennifer Barham-Floreani http://welladjusted.me/usa/our-products/books/well-adjusted-babies

 Labor & Birth

Easing Labor Pain The Complete Guide to a More Comfortable and Rewarding Birth by  Adrienne B. Lieberman

 Birthing From Within By Pam England http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/

Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth By Ina May http://www.inamay.com/books

Birth without Violence by Frédérick Leboyer http://www.amazon.com/Birth-without-Violence-Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9rick-Leboyer/dp/1594772975

Dance with me in the Heart by Pennie Brownlee  http://www.akobooks.co.nz/shop/Parenting/Dance+with+me+in+the+Heart.html

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Diane Wiessinger   

Touchpoints-Birth to Three by T. Berry Brazelton, Joshua D. Sparrow

Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain By Sue Gerhardt  

The Aware Baby By Aletha Jauch Solter 

http://www.awareparenting.com/

Bringing Baby Home workshops by John Gottman

http://www.gottman.com/about-the-bringing-baby-home-program/

Becoming Us workshops by Elly Taylor                                                    https://ellytaylor.com/blog/

Dear Parent: Caring for Infants With Respect  By Magda Gerber

Dear Parent: Caring for Infants With Respect

Ten Things Every Child Needs For the Best Start In Life! (2004)

Mothering in the Newborn Period

This list is not exhaustive and what works for some will not work for everyone. I believe there are many ways to the same end point (equifinality) so there really is no wrong or right way. What matters most is being able to tune into your heart amongst all the noise of other’s opinions, to follow your light, having an open mind, and that you make well-informed decisions that best meets your needs in compassionate and respectful ways. It’s how you do it and not specifically what you do. Trust yourself.

 Disclaimer