I have great news to share! My new Ebook titled, “The Psychology of Natural Childbirth,” is now online and ready to be shared with everyone.

I wrote this book to share with other women how it is possible to give birth free of drugs or unnecessary medical intervention. I believe the information I share will be able to help any woman who may be pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. No matter how much knowledge you have about the labor process, you will learn something from this book.

So, to honor Pregnancy Awareness Month, visit my site at www.NaturalChildbirthTips.com.

Here is some great information about how Pregnancy Awareness Month was created…

(from www.PregnancyAwarenessMonth.com)

Declared and founded by author & holistic lifestyle expert Anna Getty, and co-founded by LCSW & mompreneur Alisa Donner, May 2010 marks the 3rd year of Pregnancy Awareness Month(TM) (PAM). Through PAM, Anna & Alisa aim to empower pregnant women and new parents with information, “how to” ideas and inspiration to incorporate PAM’s four key initiatives – education, exercise, nutrition & wellness and nurture – into their life routines and to show how easy it can be to make healthy changes in their lives, for themselves, and their children.

“My life was altered not only by the birth of my daughter, but by the experience and choices I made as I prepared my body, mind and spirit to become pregnant and the incredible inward journey of pregnancy itself. In PAM we have adopted the tagline: “Motherhood Begins Now,”(TM) and I really believe that. I took that message to heart before I actually became pregnant as a way to prepare my mind, body and household for this fabulous moment of creativity, and my life literally turned upside down, for the better.” (Anna Getty, March 2008)

I have totally avoided the blogosphere for more than a month!!

This summer, my husband Jeremy and I decided that it would be great if I wrote an eBook on my experience with Natural Childbirth. I learned SO MUCH while I was pregnant with my son Joel, so why not share all of that great information with other newly pregnant women who want options available with childbirth?

So, I spent about 6 weeks

Do you know many women who have breastfed their babies from birth?

A British study researched the link between medication given to women to prevent hemorrhaging after childbirth and breastfeeding rates for those women.

The drug oxytocin is commonly given to women after childbirth to prevent severe blood loss (>500 mL in 24 hrs.) known as postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). This can lead to fainting or severe anemia.

After a vaginal birth, the mother’s body must expel the placenta which creates rapid blood loss. The doctor or midwife will apply firm pressure on the fundus, or top of the uterus. This promotes postpartum contractions of the uterus so the placenta will be expelled and blood vessels will constrict to prevent severe blood loss.

Many doctors routinely use oxytocin even if the woman is not at risk for PPH. Women who have had a poor pregnancy diet,

Childbirth in the USA is often looked at as “torture” or “traumatizing,” and unfortunately many babies suffer due to the high rate of fear pregnant women suscept themselves to.

A study performed by Standley K, Soule AB in 1974, reviewed the correlation between local-regional anesthesia and newborn behaviors. The newborns behaviors were rated by the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale. The study found that three days after being born, the infants were more irritable and less motorically mature than the infants whose mothers had not been medicated.

In the late 70′s and early ’80s, the anesthesia dosages given were very close to the amount given to women in childbirth today. So, we can see this study as very relevant even though it was performed more than 30 years ago.

These results were taken from Gentlebirth.org

Studies like this are not occurring today. Why not? What is the medical community trying to hide? After 1985, these studies were put away not to be discussed.

And now many people are examining the unfortunate mental disorder known as Autism. Dr. Eric Hollander, director of the Mt. Sinai Medical Center Autism Clinic, has reported data showing a statistical link between the increase in autism and the increase in labors induced with the drug Pitocin.

William Emerson, Ph.D says:

Most parents and professionals consider it ordinary for infants to awaken during the night, cry for long periods, have gastrointestinal distress, or be irritable. Few parents or professionals have seen trauma-free babies, so few have experienced babies who are symptom-free. In addition, few have glimpsed the human potential that is possible when babies are freed from the bonds of early trauma.

In my case, my son is one of these “rare” and “trauma-free” babies. My labor with him was smooth and peaceful. You can see it in his temperament that he’s had it “easy.” He has always been very alert, cheerful, and energetic. Now I’ve met other babies who are the exact opposite of him. They fuss easily, appear tired all the time, and have weak motor skills. And these babies went through C-sections or induced labors.

Now think for yourself…

Have you ever met a baby born by an unmedicated birth?

I sure do hope you have.

The Epidural and C-section rate in America is just too high because so many mothers just blindly follow their doctor’s advice and do not research for themselves.

If you are pregnant I strongly urge you to educate yourself about labor.

Sign up for “The Pink Kit” or join Giving Birth Naturally’s “Online Childbirth Institute”

Remove the fear you may have about childbirth and enlighten yourself and prepare your child for an enriched, drug-free life!

To your well-being,

Olivia Johnston

These results were formed from an online survey performed by Our365.com. The results show what the average woman has experienced during pregnancy and childbirth and the results

Welcome to my site! I look forward to getting to know you and network with you.

Here is an article from “The Natural Family Site” on Natural Childbirth

Natural Childbirth

A natural birth (also known as an unmedicated birth) is just that – it is the delivery of a baby without using drugs or surgery during birth. A common phrase heard when talking with people about natural birthing practices is, “birth is a natural process, not a medical procedure.” In today’s society this is definitely a radical concept for most doctors, but it is true nonetheless. You really can have a beautiful, drug-free experience in childbirth even if you have your baby in a hospital. You simply need to know it is possible, you need to find a doctor (or midwife) who will support you in your point of view, and you need some training to help you prepare yourself so you can let nature take its course.

The advantages of a natural childbirth are huge. You learn about all of the advantages when you take a natural childbirth class such as those offered under the Bradley method. Here are the three big advantages:

1. Natural childbirth is much better for the mother. The mother has a completely different experience during birth if she is not drugged – a significantly more fulfilling and beautiful experience. She also feels much more in control of her body and the health of her baby.

2. Natural childbirth is much better for the baby. The baby arrives in an undrugged and therefore much more active and alert state. It is amazing to see videotapes showing the differences between drugged and undrugged babies immediately after birth. Undrugged babies are active and responsive. Drugged babies can barely move.

3. Natural childbirth is much better for the family. When an alert and active (undrugged) baby is placed on the abdomen of an alert and undrugged mother, an amazing thing happens: the baby and mother bond in a significant and real way. The baby will naturally find the breast and begin feeding. The baby will make significant eye contact with the mother and father and respond to them. This simply does not happen when mother and child are drugged, and as a result breastfeeding starts off on a much rockier road.

Make no mistake about it – you cannot have a natural childbirth in today’s society unless you take active steps to make it happen. You and your spouse must decide in your own minds that you want a natural birth. You must find a doctor or midwife who supports that decision. You and your spouse must train for the birth so you know what to expect, how to manage pain and what to do at different stages of the birth. You also need to prepare a birth plan so that you can state your desires about a host of variables including: drugs, fetal monitoring, episiotomies, IVs, birth positions, etc. The first time you look into birth plans, the number of options is bewildering. It is amazing how all of these options actually make sense once you have done the research into the type of birth you want.

There are a number of different ways for you to have a natural birth. Here are the five most common:

* With an “enlightened” doctor at a hospital
* With a midwife at a hospital
* With a midwife at a birthing center
* With a midwife at home
* Unassisted at home

You can look at these options, weigh the risks and benefits, and choose the style that works best for you.

If you are considering a natural childbirth, you should definitely start reading up on the subject, and you should consider taking a Bradley class or similar natural childbirth class.

Find a Bradley Class here