Confident Birth

Resources

Articles and guides available online:

On normal birth and interventions
On cesarean and VBAC
On doulas and the benefits of labor support
On breastfeeding
On other related topics

Organizations, Birth Advocates, and Related Professionals:

In Northern VA and the DC Metro Area
- Chiropractic Family Health Centre Dr. Maggie Alvarez specializes in the chiropractic care of pregnant women in Northern Virginia.
- Complete Health Chiropractic and Acupuncture Dr. Chris Oliver is a chiropractor and acupuncturist who offers women in Northern Virginia pregnancy-related complementary medical care such as preparation for the birth process, breech baby turning, and induction.
- INOVA Healthsource Information about the INOVA hospitals of Northern Virginia and classes offered available here.
- International Cesarean Awareness Network of Northern Virginia (ICAN)
- La Leche League of Virginia
- D.C. Chapter of Lamaze For information about classes and certified instructors in the DC metro area.
- The Maternity Center A birth center located in Bethesda, Maryland.
- Moore Than Yoga (Jennifer Moore) Jennifer Moore offers prenatal yoga, postpartum yoga, infant massage, children's yoga classes in Alexandria, Virginia.
- Natural Beginnings The wonderful site of Tammi McKinley -- Arlington, Virginia-based VBAC advocate and former doula - now a homebirth midwife - check it out!
- PPD Moms Their goal is to make screening new mothers for PPD a routine part of prenatal and postnatal care, and provide guidance to treatment and support.
- Tiller Lactation Consulting (Sue Tiller) Lactation Consultant Sue Tiller practices in Northern Virginia and has written an easy to read breastfeeding guide.
- Tranquilmoment.com Massage therapist Claudette Plater offers prenatal massage in Northern Virginia.
- Virginia Friends of Midwives (VFOM) They serve as a public advocate for policy initiatives and legislative reforms that enable access to the Midwives Model of Care for women and families in Virginia.
Elsewhere / Nationwide
- The ABC's of Pregnancy An online textbook about pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting.
- Ball Dynamics International Order your birth ball here.
- The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) A collaborative effort -- their mission is to promote a wellness model of maternity care that will improve birth outcomes and substantially reduce costs.
- Demeter's Garden Organic Raspberry Jam & Lost Hollow Honey Order raspberry jam and honey from my parents' organic farm here.
- Doulas of North America (DONA) An international association of doulas trained to provide the highest quality emotional, physical and educational support to women and their families during childbirth and postpartum
- Essence of baby.com Five Element Acupuncturist Karen Costin offers information about the benefits and uses of acupuncture in pregnancy and labor.
- Pam England One of my favorite authors - specializes in psychological preparation for birth and birth art.
- Happiest Baby on the Block (Dr. Harvey Karp) Dr. Karp's soothing techniques for babies (the 5 Ss) might work for you and your baby.
- Sheila Kitzinger Another of my favorite authors - as an anthropologist she offers pregnant women context for understanding their options.
- Henci Goer An intelligent and clear writer and birth advocate - one of my favorites for sure! She offers women the facts about interventions based on the latest research.
- International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) Their mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).
- La Leche League Their mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
- Lamaze International Their mission is to promote, support, and protect normal birth through education and advocacy.
- March of Dimes The March of Dimes has launched a national campaign to reduce premature births. Their website contains lots of useful information for expecting parents.
- Maternity Center Assoc. (Maternity Wise) Maternity Wise is the Maternity Center Association's long-term national program to promote evidence-based maternity care.
- Medela Provides breastfeeding products, such as breastpumps, and breastfeeding information.
- Midwifery Today Provides publications and information for midwives and others interested in the midwifery model of care.
- Mothering The natural family living magazine - articles provide evidence-based information supporting attachment parenting, natural childbirth, breastfeeding and more.
- Motherwear Offers breastfeeding clothes, supplies, and information.
- Dr. Christiane Northrup Dr. Northrup is the author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom.
- Seat Check Links parents directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration carseat inspection locator and offers parents useful information on keeping kids safe in motor vehicles.
- Penny Simkin An author, physical therapist, doula, childbirth educator, and birth counselor - a leading advocate and expert on supporting women through labor - another of my favorites!
- Spinning Babies Doula and midwife Gail Tully can explain "spinning babies" and optimal fetal positioning like no other in the U.S.!
- Unique Baby Boutique They provide products that support natural childbirth, breastfeeding, attachment parenting, environmental responsibility, and respect for instinctive wisdom.
- VBAC.com This website provides childbearing women and maternity care professionals access to research-based information, resources, continuing education and support for VBAC.
- Waterbirth Website This site provides in-depth information on the use of water for labor, childbirth, and early childhood development

Recommended Books

Birth As an American Rite of Passage by Robbie E. Davis-Floyd
The Birth Partner: Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman through Childbirth by Penny Simkin
Birthing From Within: An Extraordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by Pam England
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth by Marshall Klaus, Phyllis Klaus and John Kennell
A Good Birth, A Safe Birth: Choosing and Having the Childbirth Experience You Want by Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer
Navel-Gazing: The Days and Nights of a Mother in the Making by Jennifer Matesa and Charlee Brodsky
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide by Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley and Ann Keppler
Sit Up and Take Notice! by Pauline Scott
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Gwen Gotsch and Judy Torgus
The VBAC Companion by Diana Korte