My odometer on my old car with 180,000+ miles with new tires is approaching 8,000 miles on the "trip odometer. " I am having breakfast at "Big Boys" in Ann Arbor, MI where they have WI-FI. This afternoon I will be in Northport, MI, waaaaaaaaaaay up there, and interviewing Dr. George Malcom Morley about cord clamping. His site is www.cordclamp.org.
Dr. Morley has just returned from his granddaughter's birth. She was born by cesarean section and her cord was left unclamped and uncut. The placenta was allowed to release still attached to baby.
I have about 5,000 miles to go before I begin to edit the film .... and to present you here with a trailer. My producer friend in L.A. is also waiting for it ... we have a "celebrity" spokesperson in mind. She is an actor who has had a hospital birth and a homebirth.
The documentary is about the consciousness of the human baby and compares the experiences of babies born in homebirth and hospital. It transcends the debate over where the baby is safer -- home, hospital, or birth center -- and with whom -- doctor, CNM, CPM, or lay person, or Unassisted Childbirth. It is about what an aware being, a conscious human baby needs, where ever birth is to be safe. It is about the touch, the respect, and the scientifically based care the human baby needs from who ever attends his or her birth.
I am lamenting this morning that I did not keep an online journal of my journey to capture video for my documentary. I had no idea how profound the experience would be, but yet, of course, I knew it. I have an amazing story about seeing the risen Jesus the day after Easter -- on the road to Flagstaff (to be posted later). I am hardly surprised. The story has been whispering to me, guiding me to new places physically, emotionally, and spiritually for three years. The film organic and wants to be made and following my guidance, the unfolding has been amazing. This film has been waiting to be told (born) -- it is like stories women tell of their awareness of a soul hovering about, wanting to come into her. The "story" and my cat, Puddy, conspired with the Universe to create an opportunity for me to "just go do it." THAT is another story, of course, connected to my year and a half being in "in the cave" over my son's deployments to Iraq, and now in Afghanistan. I have emerged better and stronger ... and on this mission to complete the film.
As I put my belongings in storage and prepared for the trip, I thought about investing in wireless Sprint so I could be online where ever I had Sprint; but the expense was too much. This video is self-financed. I gave up my home to go on the road and interview people in the fields of obstetrics, family practice, midwifery, trauma healing, and pre and perinatal psychology. It is a venture in faith ... that all will be provided.
I have been on the road since late January and interviewed nearly forty people ... in California, Phoenix, Ohio, and now Michigan. I have interviewed Michel Odent, MD (France, UK); Sarah Buckley, MD (Australia); David Chamberlain, Ph.D.; William Emerson, Ph.D.; Raymond Castellino, D.C., Mary Jackson, CPM, Gladys McGarey, MD, Marti Glenn, Ph.D., and many others. I will make stops in Illinois en route back to Missouri before heading to Oklahoma and Texas and then Minnesota, South Dakota, Connecticut, and Boston. I have asked Dr. Amy Tuteur for an interview when I go to Boston ... hopefully in late April or early May. Her perspective can be a very important contribution to this project.
In Illinois I will be interviewing a couple of fathers and the Homefirst folks. In Missouri for a few days I will interview the physician who attended the homebirth of the baby featured in my documentary. I will also interview a couple of fathers ... and fathers-to-be, including my son Andy in Minnesota. His son, Jackson, has joined our family. He will be coming into his mama's arms in August. My documentary is for fathers ... I feel the urgency of getting the info all complied for my son and my grandson ... and his mama.
My video (baby) got a name last night .... since "she" is not yet born... just gestating ... I will not reveal her name yet. I will tell you it came from a father sharing the pain, the guilt and the powerless of his experience at his daughter's birth. Fathers are the audience for my documentary.
I wish I had the financial resources and techno savvy to bring you ongoing clips on the road. I expect to be back home in Missouri by the end of April and complete the trailer in May. I will be posting it here as soon as possible. I had planned to be set up to accept donations via PayPal when I post the trailer. As I wrote this, I decided to set up now, if you wish to contribute now. I appreciate any support you can give me. I figured if 1500 people donated just ten dollars - less than the price of attending a Hollywood movie with popcorn - I would have the resources to finish the trip easily and to do the editing. If I edit full-time I can finish it by my goal of March, 2009.
If 400 people donated ten dollars between now and May 1, I will be able to re-establish my home in order to focus on the film. If 1500 people would gift $10 I will be able to realize that March 2009 goal. Anyone who donates $100 will receive a free copy of the finished film. Anyone who contributes anything will be honored on the upcoming website. Would you consider joining me in this effort? If I had 24 more hours in the day ... and the financial resources I would do a marketing campaign that includes a relevant gift for contributing. Sorry, I can only offer gratitude and appreciation for your support and a warm feeling for contributing to an effort to make the world a safer place for the newborn human baby.
As I edit, I will be posting more information and excerpts. I would love and honor your energy and your company in this effort .... it is for all of our babies. It is to give consumers -- women and men -- the information they need to make sure their baby is safe where ever they give birth.
Thank you and bless you ....
Janel
Baby Keeper
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Petition for Mother's Act
Petition against The Mother's Act
Here's mine:
The Mother's Act is an outrage. Post-partum depression is a result of generations of brutalizing women and babies in medicalized, pathology-focused modern birth. There is every scientific justification for NOT using drugs in utero or post partum for the MAJORITY of women. We know that anti-depressant drugs contribute to heart problems in babies. These drugs have NEVER been researched to show the are safe for prenates at ANY TIME. Stop drugging women and babies with drugs already shown to be ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Stop allowing drug companies to use women and babies in their research --- babies are non-consenting and uninformed subjects. Women who truly recover from PPD, or anyone who truly recovers from depression ... that is, they go on to be fully functional and fully emotionally beings as we are meant to be, don't do so with drugs or even talk therapy. It sometimes requires drug therapy and talking but the missing piece is that it takes healing at another level that involves body-mind-spirit and energy techniques -- those "new age" and "alternative" modalities, when in truth it is the medical field that is the alternative to eons of care that is focused on health, not pathology. When the Mother's Act include putting our resources into providing them with what they need to focus on prenatal parenting, proper nourishment, and lower stress, then it will be a Mother's Act intended to provide support and protection of pregnant and birthing women and new mothers. Mothers need the US to join the rest of the industrialized world and provide a safety net in the prenatal period and in the postnatal period -- fund a minimum of a one-year paid maternity leave for mothers.
Janel Martin Miranda
http://hospitalbirthdebate.blogspot.com/2008/03/mothers-act.html
Here's mine:
The Mother's Act is an outrage. Post-partum depression is a result of generations of brutalizing women and babies in medicalized, pathology-focused modern birth. There is every scientific justification for NOT using drugs in utero or post partum for the MAJORITY of women. We know that anti-depressant drugs contribute to heart problems in babies. These drugs have NEVER been researched to show the are safe for prenates at ANY TIME. Stop drugging women and babies with drugs already shown to be ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Stop allowing drug companies to use women and babies in their research --- babies are non-consenting and uninformed subjects. Women who truly recover from PPD, or anyone who truly recovers from depression ... that is, they go on to be fully functional and fully emotionally beings as we are meant to be, don't do so with drugs or even talk therapy. It sometimes requires drug therapy and talking but the missing piece is that it takes healing at another level that involves body-mind-spirit and energy techniques -- those "new age" and "alternative" modalities, when in truth it is the medical field that is the alternative to eons of care that is focused on health, not pathology. When the Mother's Act include putting our resources into providing them with what they need to focus on prenatal parenting, proper nourishment, and lower stress, then it will be a Mother's Act intended to provide support and protection of pregnant and birthing women and new mothers. Mothers need the US to join the rest of the industrialized world and provide a safety net in the prenatal period and in the postnatal period -- fund a minimum of a one-year paid maternity leave for mothers.
Janel Martin Miranda
http://hospitalbirthdebate.blogspot.com/2008/03/mothers-act.html
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Meet An Amazing Physician
I had the honor and pleasure today of interviewing Gladys McGarey, M.D. in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is a family practice physician who specialized in providing care for pregnant and birthing women. The last two of her 6 children were born at home.Dr. McGarey is the author of "The Physician Within You" and "Born to Live". On her publishers site:
Dr. McGarey is internationally known for her pioneering work in holistic medicine, natural birthing and the physician-patient partnership A founding member and past president of the American Holistic Medical Association, she also serves on a research committee of the Office of Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Dr. McGarey is a member of the International Advisory Board for the recently formed Institute for Natural Healing. Her work, through the Gladys Taylor McGarey Medical Foundation has helped to expand the knowledge and application of holistic principles through scientific research and education. Dr. McGarey is past president of the Arizona Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners, and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Holistic Medicine. She is on the Advisory Board of Arizona State University East.
From her website:
Read more about In the Womb project and the
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Mother's Act
Have you heard about the new proposed legislation, The Mother's Act.
Be afraid ... be very afraid ... and then rise up and make your voices heard .... on behalf of all mothers and babies and families.
SC 1375: Mom's Opportunity to Access Health, Eduction, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act.
"A bill to ensure new mothers and their families are educated about postpartum depression, screened for symptoms, and provided with essential services, and to increase research at the National Institutes of Health on postpartum depression."
That last phase is KEY PHRASE ... "and to increase research at the NIH on postpartum depression." Here we go again ... women and babies are going to be UNINFORMED and NON-CONSENTING research subjects.
Lord of Mercy, folks, this is terrifyingly wrong. Track this bill at:
www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill-s110-1375
(Sorry, I can't link this with html code as I am on the road and using someone else's MAC and having difficulty with functions I am not familiar with. I will fix it when I arrive at a destination tonight where I will have wireless connection.)
Even within the document itself it is recognized that the incidence of postpartum depression is moderate ... and yet all women will be subjected to anti-depressants during pregnancy? We already know that anti-depressant contribute to fetal heart abnormalities.
"Baby blues afflicts up to 80 percent of new mothers, postpartum depression occurs in 10 to 20 percent of new mothers, and postpartum psychosis strikes 1 in 1,000 new mothers."
So, a one-size-fits-all research project will not likely look at what causes new mothers to be blue (WHERE does the 80% come from anyway? Perhaps a paradigm shift is order? A shift to seeing that new mothers are not being served well in this modern world that requires them to go back to work within weeks, for example? This project will likely not focus on "alternatives" (the ways that have worked for eons) and will not see themselves (medicine and psychiatry) as the real and recent "alternative". So, then, this project will not consider what has and did work, nor will they attempt to figure out a non-medical, non-intervention, non-drug answer, like, oh ... say ... paid maternal leave for one or two years like every other industrialized nation, or, oh, yeah ... what about a mother and baby centered model of care during birth that normalizes and naturalizes birth, gives decision-making to mother and father, and provides the social and systemic support. No, they are going to do what they always do ... treat the masses who don't need it with the cure that doesn't even work well for the few who do need it.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
I will be revisiting my Safe Baby Resolution that was introduced in Hawaii last year. (www.safebabyresolution.blogspot.com) It supports social and financial support to be focused on the early, primal period where the baby is built to survive in a particular environment. It asks legislators to look at the current, compelling research such as the high incidence of depression related to medical interventions and disruptions, and to cesarean birth. It is insane to not create the safety net for birthing women during the primal periods and to then focus on resolving the consequences with drugs and psychiatry. The research exists to tell us much about depression in postpartum -- drugs and medical interventions are the cause. Good Lord .... I smell big Pharm.
WHAT IS GOING ON!?!?!?
The sponsor of the bill is New Jersey Senator, Robert Menendez. Co-sponsors are Durbin (IL has been talking about this for awhile), Snowe, Brown, Dodd, and Lautenberg. I had heard that Obama was a co-sponsor. He does not appear on the document.
Learn more about him at: www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id-400272
Contact him and let him know what you think about this proposed legislation to treat all women like depressed chattel at:
317 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202.224.47744
202.228.2197 (fax)
One Gateway Cneter,
Suite, 1100
Newark, NY 07102
973.645.3030
973.645.0502 (fax)
208 White Horse Pike, Suite 18
Barrington, NJ 08007
856.757.5353
856.546.1528 (fax)
Let him know what you think of this proposed legislation ... that could further disempower women and hurt babies in so many ways. There is no reason to mass-treat healthy women, to force them into mental health services and drug therapy that we know do not work, but do further harm. When I say, "do not work" I mean do not heal the source of the depression nor the symptoms of the depression for most people and we know that drugs have serious side affects. These drugs should be shown safe for the baby and mother -- heart, liver, brain functioning is impaired by the use of these drugs and should not be used during pregnancy. What are these people thinking? Oh, yeah ... I forgot ... they are getting rich from their money from big Pharm.
People who are not building a human being who will live their whole lives with the consequences of the side effects (the baby) and who take these meds may minimize some of their symptoms and even become more functional, but rarely are people symptom free and rarely is the quality of their life greatly improved. Their "normal" is typically still far from normal. However, we have non-drug and non-invasive techniques, based in energy psychology and spirituality that are proving more effective. Do we really want to see all pregnant women forced into the medical, psychiatric drug world? So a few senators and drug companies and all of their cronies can get richer?
Just Say No to Drugs .... and say YES to your Baby.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Freebirth Reflections: How Unassisted Childbirth Impacted My Life
Freebirth Reflections: How Unassisted Childbirth Impacted My Life
Mother, Baby, and Family 6 Months Postpartum
It has been almost six months since my second son was born at home in our bed, caught by his father's loving hands before being passed into my own arms. I feel obligated as a proponent of unassisted childbirth to write about the impact freebirth has had on our lives. The birth of our son has been met mostly with positive reactions, and it has had a positive influence on our relationship as a family. My perspective has been forever changed by my son's simple, natural birth.
I healed very quickly from childbirth. I bled about half as much postpartum as with my first son, who was born in a hospital. With my oldest, I had second degree tearing and needed stitches. Being completely in charge of the birth the second time around, I sustained only tiny first degree lacerations. Besides the lingering baby weight, I was back to my old self in no time.
People have responded with fear and delight to our birth story, but always with surprise and questions. Upon telling a nurse that my husband "delivered" the baby, she asked snottily "WELL, what are his qualifications?" The ob/gyn who saw me just after my son's birth was rude enough believing I had a midwife that I opted not to even mention that it was a freebirth. The pediatricians at our clinic, although initially surprised and somewhat confused, were very accepting of our choice. They didn't give me any beef about it at all. The ER personnel we encountered the first and only time my son has been sick seemed confused, but indifferent, a reaction shared by the workers at the vital records office.
Getting a birth certificate was little fun. I had to clarify that my son was born at home without a midwife or prenatal care, when they told me proof of medical care was what they asked for as proof of pregnancy and birth. "Babies will come out without a midwife or prenatal care." My husband and I had to come in together with our newborn, a copy of his medical records, and two notarized affidavits from witnesses to my pregnancy. There were just two forms, one of which had to be redone due to my sloppy handwriting. Three weeks later, I was notified that they had forgotten our paperwork in a pile but were processing it immediately. After correcting a misspelling of his name, we finally received his birth certificate. His social security card followed a few weeks later.
I can't claim that freebirth has had an impact on my son's personality, because I don't know. He's as happy, easygoing, and social as our older son has always been. I do believe, though, that witnessing his brother's birth is one of the reasons why our sons are already so close. Our toddler has never shown jealousy, anger, or resentment towards his baby brother. He loves to play with him, make him laugh, and stroke his head, and he tries to help me care for him anyway he can. After the birth he began nurturing stuffed animals as we do the baby. When our toddler is in the room, our baby only has eyes for him. He watches him constantly, giggling at silly things his big brother does and brightening at all brotherly attention.
I am certain it has impacted my husband, though only he could tell you exactly how. He has expressed to me that catching his own baby, being the first to touch him, makes him feel more deeply bonded with him. It also seems to have strengthened his confidence in himself as a father and husband. Perhaps it put him deeper in touch with his paternal instincts. He views birth differently now, less like a medical emergency and more like a simple, normal, natural life event. The man who was once hesitant about having a homebirth now recommends homebirth, even freebirth, to all. His military colleagues think it's extraordinary that he "delivered" his son, though we've tried to explain to them that it's as simple as playing catch! One thing I know for certain is that it has brought my husband and me closer together. It is a testament that together we can do anything.
As for me, I am forever changed. I remember feeling invincible for weeks after the birth, euphoric, like super woman. I felt like I could do anything. I still look back and think, "God, I can't believe I really did that!" It was truly an amazing experience. It put me more in touch with myself, with nature, and with my instincts. It certainly made me feel more confident as a parent, to have taken complete responsibility for my son from the moment of his conception. The bond I have with him is as strong as the one I have with my older son, and yet different because of what we experienced together. I am in awe of my body, of birth, of life, and of the world, my respect and faith in each stronger. My house has a whole new history now, and each night I feel a new sense of safety and belonging as I fall asleep in the bed where my son was born.
Contributed by Heather B. If you enjoyed this article, please read more of my writings by visitting my homepage. I can also be found on Myspace. :)
Mother, Baby, and Family 6 Months Postpartum
It has been almost six months since my second son was born at home in our bed, caught by his father's loving hands before being passed into my own arms. I feel obligated as a proponent of unassisted childbirth to write about the impact freebirth has had on our lives. The birth of our son has been met mostly with positive reactions, and it has had a positive influence on our relationship as a family. My perspective has been forever changed by my son's simple, natural birth.
I healed very quickly from childbirth. I bled about half as much postpartum as with my first son, who was born in a hospital. With my oldest, I had second degree tearing and needed stitches. Being completely in charge of the birth the second time around, I sustained only tiny first degree lacerations. Besides the lingering baby weight, I was back to my old self in no time.
People have responded with fear and delight to our birth story, but always with surprise and questions. Upon telling a nurse that my husband "delivered" the baby, she asked snottily "WELL, what are his qualifications?" The ob/gyn who saw me just after my son's birth was rude enough believing I had a midwife that I opted not to even mention that it was a freebirth. The pediatricians at our clinic, although initially surprised and somewhat confused, were very accepting of our choice. They didn't give me any beef about it at all. The ER personnel we encountered the first and only time my son has been sick seemed confused, but indifferent, a reaction shared by the workers at the vital records office.
Getting a birth certificate was little fun. I had to clarify that my son was born at home without a midwife or prenatal care, when they told me proof of medical care was what they asked for as proof of pregnancy and birth. "Babies will come out without a midwife or prenatal care." My husband and I had to come in together with our newborn, a copy of his medical records, and two notarized affidavits from witnesses to my pregnancy. There were just two forms, one of which had to be redone due to my sloppy handwriting. Three weeks later, I was notified that they had forgotten our paperwork in a pile but were processing it immediately. After correcting a misspelling of his name, we finally received his birth certificate. His social security card followed a few weeks later.
I can't claim that freebirth has had an impact on my son's personality, because I don't know. He's as happy, easygoing, and social as our older son has always been. I do believe, though, that witnessing his brother's birth is one of the reasons why our sons are already so close. Our toddler has never shown jealousy, anger, or resentment towards his baby brother. He loves to play with him, make him laugh, and stroke his head, and he tries to help me care for him anyway he can. After the birth he began nurturing stuffed animals as we do the baby. When our toddler is in the room, our baby only has eyes for him. He watches him constantly, giggling at silly things his big brother does and brightening at all brotherly attention.
I am certain it has impacted my husband, though only he could tell you exactly how. He has expressed to me that catching his own baby, being the first to touch him, makes him feel more deeply bonded with him. It also seems to have strengthened his confidence in himself as a father and husband. Perhaps it put him deeper in touch with his paternal instincts. He views birth differently now, less like a medical emergency and more like a simple, normal, natural life event. The man who was once hesitant about having a homebirth now recommends homebirth, even freebirth, to all. His military colleagues think it's extraordinary that he "delivered" his son, though we've tried to explain to them that it's as simple as playing catch! One thing I know for certain is that it has brought my husband and me closer together. It is a testament that together we can do anything.
As for me, I am forever changed. I remember feeling invincible for weeks after the birth, euphoric, like super woman. I felt like I could do anything. I still look back and think, "God, I can't believe I really did that!" It was truly an amazing experience. It put me more in touch with myself, with nature, and with my instincts. It certainly made me feel more confident as a parent, to have taken complete responsibility for my son from the moment of his conception. The bond I have with him is as strong as the one I have with my older son, and yet different because of what we experienced together. I am in awe of my body, of birth, of life, and of the world, my respect and faith in each stronger. My house has a whole new history now, and each night I feel a new sense of safety and belonging as I fall asleep in the bed where my son was born.
Contributed by Heather B. If you enjoyed this article, please read more of my writings by visitting my homepage. I can also be found on Myspace. :)
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