Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Resources for Radical Women
Below are 100+ links to studies, articles and videos I've compiled over the past 6 years.
Books
Documentaries & Birth Videos
The Business of Being Born
These Are My Hours
Birth Into Being: Russian Water Birth Experience
Birth Video - partners talk about their experiences during childbirth
Jinti’s Free Birth
Twin Home Water Birth
Sarah’s unassisted birth in the living room at night
Unassisted Twin Birth (breech)
Natural Breech Birth of Fiora
Placenta Birth Video - From IndieBirth Instagram
Umbilical Cord Burning: Everything you ever wanted to know
How to Care for Lotus Placenta - video
Do you dream about having a beautiful birth, surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of your home?
Are you having doubts about your current birth team?
Or perhaps you're feeling the oh so common pressure to get the 45 min growth scan or drink that nasty glucose drink?
In your 60 minute Birth Planning Session you'll gain clarity on what you'll need to have the experience of sovereign birth, every woman's birthright.
Plan the birth of your dreams ➝
Pregnancy
From Dwindling Abortion Rights to Intrusive Drug Tests: Are Pregnant Women Second Class Citizens?
A must read: Is it Time to Ask Whether Facility Based Birth is Safe for Low Risk Women and Their Babies? - The Lancet 2019
Outcomes of planned home birth with registered midwife versus planned hospital birth with midwife or physician -2009 Canada Study
Perinatal mortality and morbidity in a nationwide cohort low‐risk planned home and hospital births -2009 Netherlands Study
Perinatal and maternal outcomes by planned place of birth for healthy women with low risk pregnancies: the Birthplace in England national prospective cohort study-2011 UK Study
Rebozos for purchase
Pregnancy & Chemicals of Concern
Dr. Hugh Taylor, Chief of OB/GYN at Yale University on Cell Phone/Wireless Radiation Exposure & Pregnancy
Pregnancy & Reducing Exposure to Wifi
Defender Shield: Anti-Radiation Phone cases and laptop cases
Harms of Flu Shot in Pregnancy
Pregnant women and their unborn babies are subjects in a massive unethical scientific experiment.
If you received the flu vaccine while pregnant, you were likely entered into the manufacturer database by your doctor/midwife.
Sanofi Pasteur Inc. is maintaining a prospective pregnancy exposure registry to collect data on pregnancy outcomes following vaccination with Fluzone Quadrivalent during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to enroll women who receive Fluzone Quadrivalent during pregnancy in Sanofi Pasteur Inc.'s vaccination pregnancy registry by calling 1-800-822-2463.
Once you give the doctor the “okay”, that, to them, is your informed consent. It’s then logged in to their systems that you agreed to it and you cannot come after them (sue them). There is no true informed consent in the medical industry which is why it’s vital YOU do the research yourself.
The Deadly Truth About Flu Vaccines and Pregnancy
Rejecting Flu Vaccine in Pregnancy | Kelly Brogan MD
Flu Shots During Pregnancy Failed to Lower the Risk of Fetal Death, Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight
Prenatal Vitamins and Nutrition
Mother's Best Liver Pills
From WAP: "The recommended amount (of folate) for pregnancy is 600 mcg and there are 215 mcg folate in 3 ounces beef liver"
Ultrasound Technology
*There have been no definitive research studies proving ultrasound to be safe in pregnancy or anything definitively proving any causation when it comes to any specific health issues. It’s a huge money maker for the health care system. The illusion is that the ultrasound grants insight to the health of your baby. It is a picture of a moment in time.
A short History of the development of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
50 CAUSAL Human Studies Identify High Risks of Prenatal Ultrasound
50 Human Studies, in Utero, Conducted in Modern China, Indicate Extreme Risk for Prenatal Ultrasound: A New Bibliography - Book
Mice exposed to diagnostic ultrasound in utero are less social and more active in social situations relative to controls
Is the use of symphysis-fundal height measurement and ultrasound examination effective in detecting small or large fetuses?
Dr. Robery Mendelsohn on Pregnancy and the Dangers of Ultrasound
Weighing the Risks: What You Should Know about Ultrasound
Ultrasound Risks- Kelly Brogan MD
Human Studies Condemn Ultrasound
Doppler v. Sonograms
GBS, GD, Ultrasound Info: A new Perspective - Podcast Episode
Unpacking Ultrasound With Yolande Clark - Podcast episode
Gestational Diabetes
Group B Strep (GBS) & Antibiotic Use
GBS, GD, Ultrasound Info: A new Perspective - Podcast Episode
Prenatal antibiotic treatment does not decrease group B streptococcus colonization at delivery
Intrapartum antibiotics for known maternal Group B streptococcal colonization - Cochrane 2014
Pre-labour Rupture of Membranes: impatience and risk
A Cochrane Review of antibiotics for pre-labour rupture of membranes at or near term concluded that: “There is not enough information in this review to assess the possible side-effects from the use of antibiotics for women or their infants, particularly for any possible long-term harms. Because we do not know enough about side-effects and because we did not find strong evidence of benefit from antibiotics, they should not be routinely used for pregnant women with ruptured membranes prior to labour at term, unless a woman shows signs of infection.”
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (UK) guideline states “If there are no signs of infection, antibiotics should not be given to either the woman or the baby, even if the membranes have been ruptured for over 24 hours.”
Choosing Your Birth Environment
Would you go to McDonald’s and ask for a non-GMO salad? Physiologic birth is not supported in hospitals or birth centers are rarely with licensed homebirth midwives.
Unmedicated birth is possible and sometimes tolerated, but not supported. The hospital & birth center disturbs the natural flow of pregnancy hormones and takes a woman out of her birth zone. In addition, OBs and licensed midwives lie to women and are notorious for the bait & switch- promising one thing and doing something entirely different due to their allegiance to their license.
Telling women to “just say no” to interventions in the hospital ignores the imbalance of power, the vulnerability of being in labor and how most women have been raised to appease and comply.
The very first intervention in a physiologic birth is leaving your home.
If you are interviewing licensed midwives consider asking the following questions:
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What percentage of women you support transfer to the hospital? What are the reasons? Who decides in most cases, you or the mother?
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What is your philosophy on birth?
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In the case of a long labor (up to a week or beyond) during which I show zero signs of infection, do you push inventions including castor oil, acupuncture & enemas?
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What happens if I go past my 40 week estimate? How long can be pregnant and still birth under your care?
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Do you support breech babies or VBACs?
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What factors would risk me out of your practice? How will you help me prevent these? Homeopathy, nutrition, emotional/spiritual support etc
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How long are you comfortable with me birthing my placenta physiologically, without Pitocin/Cytotec or manual extraction? Do you routinely practice cord traction?
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Do you support mothers who decline GBS & GD testing? 20 week scan?
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Do you support my choice to decline the vitamin K shot, heel poke, eye ointment for my baby?
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Have you witnessed a pain-free birth? Do you believe it's possible?
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How often and with what do you listen to my baby in pregnancy and labor? Pinard, stethoscope or doppler?
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What are your feelings on mother-led birth (also called freebirth, autonomous birth, unassisted birth?)
When the Baby is Breech
Documentary: Heads Up
Unassisted Twin Birth (Breech)
Natural Breech Birth of Fiora
The Placenta & Cord
A Matched Cohort Study of Postpartum Placentophagy in Women With a History of Mood Disorders: No Evidence for Impact on Mood, Energy, Vitamin B12 Levels, or Lactation
Lactation Consultant's Perspective on Placenta Encapsulation
BioTech: Profiting From Women's Bodies Without Their Consent -Why to keep your placenta even if you don’t want to ingest it.
DIY Placenta Prints, Placenta Planting, & Umbilical Cord Dehydration
How to Care for Lotus Placenta - video
Umbilical Cord Burning: Everything you ever wanted to know
Cord Blood Collection -Potential Risks & Benefits
Placenta Birth Video - From IndieBirth Instagram
Avoiding Induction: What does the research say?
The Freedom to Birth—The Use of Cytotec to Induce Labor: A Non-Evidence-Based Intervention
Is the use of symphysis-fundal height measurement and ultrasound examination effective in detecting small or large fetuses?
Evidence on: Induction or C-section for a Big Baby?
What is the Evidence for Induction for Low Fluid at Term in a Healthy Pregnancy?*
Immediate After Birth
Tinctures to have on hand:
Angelica
Shepards Purse
AfterEase
Skin-to-Skin Study: Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants, 2016.
Breast Crawl: Initiation of Breastfeeding- Video
Delayed Cord Clamping Study: Effect of Delayed Cord Clamping on Neurodevelopment at 4 Years of AgeA Randomized Clinical Trial, July 2015
Cord Blood Collection -Potential Risks & Benefits
Umbilical Cord Burning: Everything you ever wanted to know
Placenta Birth Video - From IndieBirth Instagram
BioTech: Profiting From Women's Bodies Without Their Consent
Dr. Suzanne Humphries speaks on giving vitamin K to newborns
Neonatal vitamin K administration and childhood cancer in the north of England: retrospective case-control study. 1998
Doctors Caught on Tape Plotting to Take Custody of Newborns Whose Parents Refuse Vitamin K Shots
Evidence on: The Vitamin K Shot in Newborns
Erythromycin (antibiotic eye ointment for newborns)
The Evidence on: Erythromycin Eye Ointment for Newborns: “Erythromycin eye ointment can be reasonably declined if pregnant women are screened negative during the pregnancy for chlamydia and gonorrhea, if they are in a monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner, and if they are able to get immediate medical care should the newborn develop pus-containing pink eye.”
Circumcision
THE FACTS BEHIND CIRCUMCISION
8 Things New Parents Should Know About Circumcision
The Circumcision Debate
The Intact Network: Grassroots advocacy and education outreach at the local level covering intact care, sexual health, genital cutting and restoration.
Intact America
Foreskin & Circumcision Facts
The Case Against Circumcision, Paul M. Fleiss, MD
Making the Decision to Circumcise or Not - Ask Dr. Sears
Watch: American Circumcision
Breastfeeding
Holistic Lactation
7 Natural Laws for Nursing
Your Diet & Breastfeeding
Wonderful Breastfeeding Video
Laid Back Breastfeeding Demo
Breast Massage Basics & Hand Expression!
Breastfeeding Rights in the Workplace
Breastmilk & Medication
Guidelines for Breastmilk Handling & Storage
Edge Park: This site helps you choose a breast pump based on your insurance coverage.
Life Factory Glass Bottles
“BPA-Free Plastic Containers May Be Just as Hazardous”
Haaka Hand Pump & Passive Milk Collector
Milk Savers for collecting leaking breastmilk
Paced Bottle Feeding - Video Tutorial
Caregiver's Guide to the Breastfed Baby
Donor milk/breastmilk sharing:
Human Milk 4 Human Babies
Eats on Feets
Postpartum
Acetaminophen, antibiotics, ear infection,breastfeeding, vitamin D drops, and autism: an epidemiological study
What causes postpartum depression?
Herbs for Postpartum healing bath (can be purchased through the links or at your local herb store):
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Calendula
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Lavender
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Chamomile
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Rose Buds
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Comfrey
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Lemon Balm
Vaginal Steaming
Vaginal Streaming Herbs
Healing Internal Tears with Castor Oil - Ellen Heed PhD
The Fourth Trimester – AKA Why Your Newborn Baby is Only Happy in Your Arms
Nursing Stations
Soft Carriers: Moby, Aura Baby Wrap Carrier, Woven Wrap
Structured Carriers: LilleBaby, ErgoBaby
Baby Wearing Clinic
Baby Massage Demo
Your Pelvic Floor
Caring for your Core, Back, and Pelvic Floor booklet from The Functional Pelvis (PDF)
Lindsay Vestal PT's blog Core Candy
Small Magic Birth - Pelvic Health Healing Sessions
Diapering
Cloth:
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Cloth Diaper University -Good for baby, good for the environment and good for your pocket!
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Blog: How I Cloth-diapered on a Budget
Chemical-free disposable diaper brands:
Elimination Communication (EC)
“Elimination Communication is a gentle, non-coercive way to respond to a baby’s natural hygiene needs, from as early as birth. Like all mammals, human babies instinctually resist soiling themselves, their sleep space, and their caregivers, and they clearly communicate about it from birth. With EC, we learn baby's signals and natural rhythms and assist them with this process until they naturally gain independence (usually by 9-18 months of age).
Another way to think about it: What did humans do before diapers? And what do humans do in regions where diapers are not commercially available?
An example: If you've ever cared for a baby who just won't stop crying, you probably tried feeding her, holding her, rocking her, shushing her, singing, etc, and then, last, checked her diaper...and find it was wet or soiled! However, if you had only known what that cry meant from the beginning, you'd have offered baby the potty. 9 times out of 10 she was crying for you to get that diaper off of her so she wouldn't have to pee on herself or her bed...or you.
With EC, we tune into what our babies are born asking for, team up to help them use the toilet while they develop motor skills and long-term memory, and eventually teach them how to do it themselves. It's a very natural transition to toilet independence.” - Go Diaper Free
Sleep & Swaddling
Why the concept of overstimulation isn't helpful: Parents are often told that their baby may be unsettled or unable to sleep due to overstimulation. This video explains why the concept of overstimulation doesn't help families.
Safe Sleep Guidelines
Safe Bed Sharing Guidelines
Swaddling and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A Meta-analysis 2016
Co-Sleeping With Infants: Science, Public Policy, and Parents Civil Rights, with James McKenna, PhD -VIDEO
Studies on Normal Infant Sleep
Side Car
Bednest Bedside Crib
Car Seat Safety
Car Seats for The Littles
CarseatBlog
Safe Kids Worldwide can help you find a CPST to ensure your seats are installed and used correctly.
Parenting
Fearless Parent – A forum for discussion of thoughtful parent-based, rather than doctor, media, or corporate-based pregnancy and childcare wisdom.
Holistic Moms Network – News, events, and local support of holistic parenting choices.
Pathways to Family Wellness – Publication, events, and community-building around holistic parenting and informed healthcare choices.
Unschooling: Shifting from Force to Freedom in Education
Visible Child- Research, training, parent support, and educational consulting service that serves families and the organizations and institutions with whom families interact every day.
Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links to books I've read and/or online courses I've taken. I receive a small commission for products purchased through these links. Thank you for supporting my work!
