New Changes at BirthEcology.com

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for putting up with some changes on the site. Squarespace is where I host this site, and they made some big updates to the content management system. I'm excited about the new options, though it took me a bit to revamp all of my sites with the new templates and design changes.

One great thing to know, is that now you can easily share blog entries and posts on The Birth Ecology Project website with your friends by clicking the little link at the bottom of each post that says "Share Article" - and then simply share the post on your MySpace, Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon, Kirtsy, and more. So check it out, and pass along the information you read here to all the mamas, papas, families, and people who love babies, life, and our universe.

Water Consciousness

I've been thinking a lot about the power of water to resonate with the subtle vibrations of the universe. Masaru Emoto developed a technique for photographing water crystals and studied the effects of subtle energy on water. Researchers studied the water by speaking to the water and exposing the water to written messages and then freezing the water and photographing the crystals or shapes that developed.  

One discovery of his was that water that was polluted and most urban tap water around the world would not create any crystals. However more natural water, from less polluted water sources would create beautiful crystals when exposed to positive words such as "thank you" and "happiness", however the most beautiful crystals of all were created with the words "gratitude" and "love" together.

This illustrates the importance of thinking and feeling positive sentiments and intentions, for as humans we are water-beings. Babies are the highest percentage of water, showing our primal water connection, as they float in the waters of the womb. During pregnancy, parents can speak to the baby in the womb, knowing that the subtle vibrations from the emotion and meaning behind the words, regardless of what language it is, will positively affect the development and bonding of their baby.

For more information about water crystals: http://www.hado.com.au/crystals.htm

"At human conception, a fertilized egg is 96 percent water. At birth, a baby is 80 percent water. As the child matures, the percentage drops, and it stabilizes at about 70 percent when the individual reaces adulthood. In other words, we live our lives mostly as water. The essence of the human being is water.

We can also say that our lives begin with water and end with water. A fetus developing in a mother's womb echoes our own evolutionary process - from our origins in the sea to the present human form. The amniotic fluid has similar components to sea water.  The fetus awaits its time to be born in the mother's sea, breathing through the umbilical cord and placenta."

- The True Power of Water by Masaru Emoto 

Singing During Labor

Singing or toning during labor contractions is a wonderful coping technique for labor pain. Vocalization through singing or toning creates a vibration throughout the body that can assist the muscles and ligaments to relax. Singing and toning also facilitates full deep breathing which brings fresh oxygen to the mother and baby. Vocalizing can also relax the jaw which  correspondingly relaxes the pelvis. Singing or toning also has emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits promoting mind-body integration, centering, and focus.

Following is a video of one very talented birthing mama, who sings with her family to gracefully flow through her contractions.

Placenta Encapsulation

When I was pregnant, I heard about the benefits of consuming one's placenta after the birth to replenish energy, facilitate a speedy recovery, and to prevent postpartum depression. I knew that placenta was an ancient remedy used for a variety of conditions for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

However, the few articles I read about it mentioned unappetizing recipes such as stir-fried placenta with onions and garlic, blending raw placenta into smoothies and drinking it, or even just eating it raw and plain. None of these methods appealed to me. I happily planted my son's beloved placenta in the garden behind the home he was born in.

I wish that I had the information then about placenta encapsulation. I am delighted that now I have been guided to Placenta Benefits - www.placentabenefits.info - an informative website about the powerful benefits of placenta medicine for postpartum health and more. The founder Jodi Selander offers placenta education and encapsulation services. You can also order a kit with instructions and tools to dry, powder, and encapsulate your own placenta.

The reported benefits of placenta consumption include increased breastmilk, increase energy, prevention of postpartum depression, and less postpartum bleeding. Your own placenta capsules are also excellent to save in the freezer for menopause. Small amounts of one's own dried placenta can be given to the baby or child for separation anxiety, such as the first day of school.  

I believe the placenta is a powerful healing remedy for the mother and baby and I am glad to see more modern methods of bringing this free and safe home remedy back to women and families. Placentas have been honored by cultures around the world since ancient times. In fact, the word placenta comes from old English placent and it means a round, flat cake. Thus, every year on our birthdays, we gather round and celebrate around a cake - known in olden days as a placenta - and eat it.

Herbs for a Healthy Birth

by Rosetta Thuresson, Dip. H, www.mamarosesnaturals.com 

The moment that new life is awakened within a women’s being, an internal dance begins between mother, baby, and the earth. This natural bond between mother and child continues to grow throughout pregnancy, birth, and as each continue their journey together. It is intended that the formation of this miraculous and unique relationship remain instinctive, close to nature, without unnecessary interruption from technology and other exterior forces. Through the use of herbs, nature provides many sources of nutrients, which are essential in facilitating a harmonious experience for mother and baby as they approach the moment that they will meet eye to eye in our world.

When learning of having conceived a baby, it is very common for women to want to pay special attention to their well being. While trying to maintain good health, many women also experience physical challenges during pregnancy, such as symptoms of morning sickness, including nausea, vomiting, or indigestion, as well as feelings of fatigue and fluctuation in hormonal balance. Many medications to treat such issues are not safe to use during pregnancy for healthy fetal development. Herbs have been used for generations during pregnancy to assist the process of a natural birth and a healthy mother and child.

Nature offers an abundance of plants, often referred to as herbs, for all stages of the birthing process. Research confirms that herbs are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other trace elements required for health and vitality. Each plays an essential role in keeping both Mama and baby happy and healthy throughout pregnancy. Low levels of vital nutrients such as iron, calcium, folic acid, zinc, and vitamins C and E may possibly lead to muscle cramps, backache, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, toxemia, postpartum hemorrhaging, or even miscarriage.

In the quest for obtaining ultimate nutritional health and internal balance during pregnancy and birth, many women have turned to the timeless and traditional use of herbs and natural remedies. Herbs are the most ancient form of medicine known, integrating all levels of personal well being at the internal source, acting synergistically to improve overall health and harmony of the whole person – in mind, body, and spirit. For millions of years, herbal remedies have been passed down from mothers to their daughters and granddaughters to help support the miraculous childbearing process, throughout pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and beyond.