Articles of Interest

"The Hidden Risks of Epidurals" by Sarah J. Buckley

Epidurals have possible benefits but also significant risks for the laboring mother and her baby, including:

- Malpresentation of baby (due to slackened muscle tone and no upright positions)

- Increases use of instruments for delivery as result of the inability to push effectively

-  Fever (due to maternal loss of temperature control)

- Decrease in mother’s blood pressure, decreasing oxygen to the baby

- Slows or stops contractions, thereby increasing need for Pitocin

 These risks are well documented in medical literature but may not be disclosed to the laboring woman. Women who wish to avoid the use of epidurals are advised to choose caregivers and models of care that promote, support, and understand the principles and practice of natural and undisturbed birth. 

Complete article available online at:

http://www.mothering.com/pregnancy-birth/the-hidden-risk-of-epidurals

"Ecstatic Birth" by Sarah J. Buckley

Mother Nature has gifted women with an exquisite hormonal orchestration that unfolds optimally when birth is undisturbed, enhancing safety for both mother and baby.  Four major hormonal systems are active during labor and birth.  These systems are common to all mammals and originate deep in our mammalian or middle brain.  For birth to proceed optimally, this part of the brain must take precedence over the neocortex, or rational brain. An atmosphere of quiet and privacy with, for example, dim lighting and little conversation, and no expectation of rationality from the laboring woman can help this hormonal shift to occur. Under such conditions a woman intuitively will choose the movements, sounds, breathing, and positions that will birth her baby most easily. This is her genetic and hormonal blueprint. 

Available online at: