Category: Read - Part 4
Herbs for Labor V: Wild Ginger
We are again blessed by the wise words of Susun Weed, an American herbalist well-known for her teachings in the “Wise Woman Way” of herbalism. In this edition of her series “Herbs for Labor” written for Birth Institute, Susun Weed shares with us the gifts and the mysteries of wild ginger, a multifaceted herb that…
Reclaiming Our Instinct: The Power of Birth Stories
Following having her birth photo banned from Facebook, Kristen Avonti began to speak up about the importance of reclaiming our birth instinct through positive birth stories and imagery. In this piece, she provides us with the tools we need to dive deep into the sacred journey and inner transformation that’s available through sharing and listening…
Herbs for Labor VI: Vines
Susun Weed is an internationally renowned medicine woman and herbalist who is known for her work, the Wise Woman Way. In this edition of the series called “Herbs for Labor” written for Birth Institute, she explores the medicinal powers of two vines: passion flower and hops. Both vines are excellent relaxing herbs, helping moms to…
Vaginal Steams: Forgotten Ancient Wisdom for Women’s Healing
Women need not experience their monthly cycle with pain and discomfort. In this article for Birth Institute, Rosita Arvigo, naprapathic physician and teacher of Maya medicine, shares the wisdom of the vaginal steam. A forgotten treatment that any woman can use at home, vaginal steaming relieves everything from menstrual pain to infertility. Want to learn…
Herbs for Labor VII: Lobelia
Susun Weed is an internationally renowned medicine woman and herbalist who is known for her work, the Wise Woman Way. In this edition of the series called “Herbs for Labor” written for Birth Institute, she shares her knowledge on Lobelia, an herb that can be astoundingly effective at opening a “stuck” cervix or moving a…
The Shocking Cost Gap: Why the Poor Can’t Afford the Surgeries They Need
To countless women who have suffered from obstructed labor or other complications at birth, a Cesarean Section is a life-saving surgery. Yet despite the relatively low cost of this operation in developing nations, hundreds of thousands of women lose their lives, or live their lives with debilitating and demoralizing conditions like obstetric fistula. Samahope explores…
Herbs for Labor: Introduction
Mother Earth provides us with an extraordinary assortment of natural tools, such as plant medicines, to maintain the health of ourselves and one another. This “people’s medicine” is a welcome addition to any midwife’s birth bag, and an important part of midwife training. In this forthcoming series called “Herbs for Labor” for Birth Institute, Susun…
The First Hours After Delivery: What to Expect
The First 8 Days of Being a Mom is a day-by-day, hands on guide that leads new mothers through what happens on delivery day (Day 1) and the next few eventful, exhausting, and exciting days. The manual explains how to take care of the new mom and newborn, including the signals of labor, the four…
It’s something you’re eating! The importance of food while breastfeeding
Even the healthiest of mother’s diets can cause trouble for young babies who are breastfeeding, as certain foods may cause issues like gas, allergic reactions, colic, and cradle cap, among others. Ebeth Johnson (aka. The Breastfeeding Chef) shares insight on how new mamas can change to improve the comfort and health of their babies. As…
Simply Bearing Witness: Cultivating Boundaries for Empowering Practice
How can birth workers provide meaningful support while preserving the power of the people we serve? In this piece, Stephanie Lynn Tanner shares the importance of holding safe, intimate space while maintaining professional boundaries that support the autonomy and agency of our clients. She gives a few tips for creating a practice that is healthy…