Birth
Expecting Covid ~ A Documentary Film
Expecting Covid Who: 39-week-pregnant-filmmaker Emily Railsback and video journalist Pierre Kattar are co-directing Expecting Covid, a documentary film about pregnancy during the Coronavirus pandemic. Emily began making video diaries as a way to cope with all the new restrictions and unknown fears related to her impending due date in a hospital that might soon be overrun by […]
Home Birth in the Time of Coronavirus
By Karin DeLucia, Midwife, and Kiersten Pilar Miller As we have frequently said over the past few weeks, we are living in strange times. Many things we have taken for granted have been taken away from us, and many of our beliefs have been tested. Home births are a choice we have always fully supported but […]
Breastfeeding Newborns in the Time of Coronavirus
WHO Interim Guidelines on Caring for Breastfeeding Mothers and Their Newborns in the Time of Coronavirus The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published interim guidance on caring for breastfeeding mothers and their newborns in the time of COVID-19. There is currently little research available on COVID-19 in pregnant women and children, but according to WHO […]
Giving Birth in the Time of Coronavirus
By Karin DeLucia, Everything you need to know according to recent studies and guidelines. The period surrounding child birth is usually characterized by a physiological wave of emotional states. Giving birth during an emergency health situation is certainly amplifies those emotions. As Freelance Midwives working in this field, we want you to know we are […]
“That’s the Way It Is” ~ By Freedom for Birth Rome Action Group
If you would like to listen to this article click below! To bring attention to obstetric violence during these 16days of Activism for the #HearMeToo and #Orangethe World campaign by the U.N. to End Gender Based Violence we are sharing a video made by our partners Freedom For Birth Rome Action Group about a […]
The Infantilization of Women During Pregnancy and Birth
By Kristen Nero, Guest Contributor “I didn’t know I was allowed to say no.” “I didn’t know of any other options at the time.” “Nobody told me about the risks.” The amount of times I have either read or heard this statement after years of heavily absorbing books, podcasts, stories, and documentaries on birth often […]
Epidurals in Labour ~ Part 2
This article is published in two parts. The first part will guide you through the medical aspects of the epidural and its history. We also give you some information on epidural use here in Italy as it might differ from what you are used to from your home country. This second part discusses the benefits […]
Epidurals in Labour ~ Part 1
When you are pregnant there are many decisions to be made; which health care providers to choose, what tests to do, where to give birth, what “kind” of birth, the list goes on and on. When planning birthing experiences, pain management is one of the most discussed topics and “are you having an epidural?” Is […]
“Why Are There Still People Who Want to Give Birth at Home?”
By Karin DeLucia, Midwife, Prenatal Masseuse, In Home Blood Sampling The most frequently asked questions I receive when I describe my job as a freelance midwife are: “But why are there still people who want to give birth at home?” Often followed by: “What if something happens?” It is the repeated asking of these questions that […]
Intensive Birth Course
Over the years we have been lucky enough to accompany some of the most interesting people on their journeys to parenthood. This dynamic group of parents comes from over forty different nations with incredibly varied and fascinating career paths. Our families often find themselves flying off on missions or even arriving in Rome just in time […]
“Change Makers” ~ A Podcast Interview with Bellies Abroad Founder, Kiersten
Over the past few years I have become addicted to podcasts. It is how I get the majority of my news, and adore The Moth and of course, Start Up. I listen whenever I can, while doing house hold chores or riding on public transit; so I was incredibly flattered to have been invited to do […]
Interview with Midwife and Lactation Consultant Gabriella Pacini
This interview is from our partners at MumAbroad Life, another wonderful resource for those building families away from their tribes. Midwife and Lactation Consultant Gabriella Pacini talks to MumAbroad Life about giving birth in Italy, pre- and postnatal care and the importance of breastfeeding. Gabriella has been working as a midwife in both private and public […]
Why labor and birth is not what you see on TV – HypnoBirthing as a birth preparation method
by Margaretha Tosi, HypnoBirthing Practitoner, Doula & Holistic Therapist HypnoBirthing is based on the knowledge that the uterus mostly consists of muscle, a muscle like any other in a woman’s body. Besides that, Hypnobirthing is a comprehensive birth education course that teaches simple but specific self-hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques that can make labor and […]
WHO and UNICEF issue revised Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
Last week WHO and UNICEF published an updated ten-step guide to increase support for breastfeeding in health facilities that provide maternity and newborn care. The guide is titled “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” and underpins the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative that WHO and UNICEF published in 1991. In its news release the UN organisations state that […]
The Post-birth Plan
By Olivia Pallenberg, Doula, Babywearing counselor If you’re expecting a child or have given birth recently you have probably heard of “ the birth plan”; a written plan that expecting women can write and ask their doctors and midwives to adhere to it. The birth plan discusses the labour, delivery and treatment of the baby […]
