Is This Thing On?

"Researchers found that a major lipid in the brain - the omega-3 fatty acid known as Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - is not developed sufficiently in babies born before 33 weeks' gestation, leading to possible impaired mental development." There was a study done that gave breastfeeding mothers DHA supplements, and also provided DHA-fortified formula, which showed significant decrease (40-50%) in cognitive problems--for girls but not so much for boys.

I never thought I'd say this, but go GE. They have developed new light therapy for newborn jaundice, including a pad that can be tucked into a baby's blanket while the baby is being held--without the need for eye shades!

Apparently, one of the major breakthroughs in reducing natal deaths was hand-washing.

An article about Canadian midwives (their government health program covers midwifery care.)

Posts in the Rearview Mirror May be Closer than They Appear

Baby Hammock - a down-under invention, JPMA-approved bouncy baby bed for up to twelve months. You can also get a bouncy chair attachment.

If you have kids, be sure you name a guardian or two in case something terrible happens, (pick your deity or spiritual guide) forbid. I haven't checked out this website, but you're supposed to be able to create free legal documents for designating guardians.

Wash Your Mouth Out

Another bacteria link for preterm labor: this time in the mouth. Since pregnant women are prone to bleeding gums, it's important for their dental health to be as good as possible to reduce the chance of bacteria entering the bloodstream.

Posts is Posts

Australia - Private hospitals have a higher intervention rate than public (state-run) hospitals.

Woman sues OB over insanely bad care. Allegedly.

Birth Pool in a Box has inflatable birth pools ($170 for the "mini" one-person, $190 for the two-person. No heater.)

Uncultured Bacteria Found In Amniotic Fluids Of Women Who Experience Preterm Births

Yale has a nurse-midwife program.

My Baby Nest - a wrap sling with nothing to tie!

New Year's Baby's Doula

AquaDoula! No, not the labor assistant for Aquaman and Aquawoman--but a website where you can rent birthing tubs (everything included except a garden hose) for $249 for three weeks, $75 each additional week...which I thought was a good deal until I just saw that shipping is an extra $190 (you can call for local shipping charges in the Seattle area.) You can also buy birthing tubs starting at $1199 new, $999 used.

If you're looking for some extra, but not entirely great birth stories, someone who collected and published several stories has put her book up as a free PDF. Some of them I read on birthstories.com.

Interracial couple gives birth to "black and white twins"...for the second time. (That's right; one black, one white.)

Reclaim Sex after Birth website.

Volunteer Doulas for Military Families

Operation Special Delivery coordinates doulas with women whose husbands are away in military service, or who have died in military service. UPDATE: you do not have to be CAPPA-certified to participate, you only need to be able to verify that you've taken a doula course. See comments...

Stages of Labor Signs

BirthingNaturally.com writes about signs of the different stages of labor. Warning: after reading each stage, you have to go back to the first page to link to the next.