For Parents
Medical Perspectives, Part 1: Medical Decision Making in the Childbearing Year
In 2020, the Birthing From Within Medical Perspectives Committee brings us a series of blog posts on various medical aspects of the childbearing year. In her new book, Heart Centered Pregnancy Journal, BFW co-owner Nikki Shaheed writes that “while it is important for modern birthing parents to have an understanding of birth and the maternal healthcare…
Read More12 Ways to Change Birth in Our Culture, Part 10: Know that Birth is a Heroic Journey
In 2010, Pam England wrote a series of pieces about ways in which we can change birth in our culture. The Birthing From Within leadership and blog team has chosen some of these pieces as inspiration and jumping-off points to create a new 12-part series about changing birth in our culture that reflects current understandings within the…
Read MoreWho Should Be There?: Making Decisions about Who Will Attend Your Birth
Many parents-to-be spend at least some time worrying about who should be present for the births of their babies. Childbirth educators, doulas, and other birth professionals often field questions about the matter. “Who should I bring to the hospital with me?” “So-and-so wants to be at the birth, but I’m not sure I want that…what…
Read More12 Ways to Change Birth in Our Culture, Part 9: Include Birth Art Processes in Classes for Parents and Professionals
In 2010, Pam England wrote a series of pieces about ways in which we can change birth in our culture. The Birthing From Within leadership and blog team has chosen some of these pieces as inspiration and jumping-off points to create a new 12-part series about changing birth in our culture that reflects current understandings within the…
Read MoreExploring Birth through Collage: A Prenatal Birth Art Project
Human beings are steeped in symbolism, from the signs that direct us where to go, to pictures and songs that trigger special memories, to advertising that is designed to evoke an emotional response. Many times the way symbols and metaphor intersect with us is completely unconscious, and our reactions our reflexive: without knowing where the…
Read More12 Ways to Change Birth in Our Culture, Part 7: Cultivate Three Ways of Knowing
In 2010, Pam England wrote a series of pieces about ways in which we can change birth in our culture. The Birthing From Within leadership and blog team has chosen some of these pieces as inspiration and jumping-off points to create a new 12-part series about changing birth in our culture that reflects current understandings within the…
Read MoreNourishing the Life Within: Leigh Pennebaker’s Perfect Salad with Avocado and Lemon-Tahini Dressing
In Ancient Map for Modern Birth, Pam England writes of the importance of “Nourishing the Life Within” with tasty, satisfying, and nutritious food. In this series, we tap chefs, nutritionists, postpartum doulas, and other kitchenistas for their favorite ideas for: pregnant and postpartum parents…sleep deprived doulas, midwives, and nurses…and anyone whose inner spirit is in…
Read More12 Ways to Change Birth in Our Culture, Part 5: Changing our Attitudes Toward Fear
In 2010, Pam England wrote a series of pieces about ways in which we can change birth in our culture. The Birthing From Within leadership and blog team has chosen some of these pieces as inspiration and jumping-off points to create a new 12-part series about changing birth in our culture that reflects current understandings within the…
Read More12 Ways to Change Birth in Our Culture, Part 3: Initiating, Nurturing, and Supporting Birth Workers
In 2010, Pam England wrote a series of pieces about ways in which we can change birth in our culture. The Birthing From Within leadership and blog team has chosen some of these pieces as inspiration and jumping-off points to create a new 12-part series about changing birth in our culture that reflects current understandings within the…
Read MoreBFW Dictionary: Birth Art
There are so many words that are special to Birthing From Within, words that we use in very specific ways that are important and meaningful — but not always entirely self-explanatory. The purpose of the BFW Dictionary posts is to shine a clarifying light on the language used by BFW and its practitioners and to…
Read More