Click on menu below for information and useful links ... Fertility Information : Pregnancy, Childbirth and Post-Partum Information : Breastfeeding : Parenting : Vaccination : Stuff to Buy : Support Groups, Information Resources, Research, Politics, Miscellany : For Desperate Midwives and Other Childbirth Professionals Fertility Information The Billings Method Fertility awareness for couples trying to become or avoid pregnancy. This straight forward and easy-to-understand method helps a woman to familiarize herself to her own fertility pattern and to identify signs of ovulation through the examination of cervical mucous in order to increase or decrease her chances of conception. See www.billings-centre.ab.ca/general/index.html for further details. The National Association of the Ovulation Method of Ireland(NAOMI) An Irish organisation that teaches and counsels Irish women how to use the Billings Method. Contact details and information can be found at http://www.naomi.ie/aware.htm. ForesightAssociation for the Promotion of Pre-conceptual Care According to the website, Foresights mission is to “promote the importance of good health and nutritional status in both parents before conceiving a baby, and to provide sensible, achievable information and advice on how to do this... Foresight has put together a thoroughly researched pre-conception programme, which identifies and addresses various areas of concern in the health in any pair of prospective parents, resource and information on optimising fertility prospects and for couples who are experiencing difficulties with conception.” View website at www.foresight-preconception.org.uk. Pregnancy, Childbirth & Post-Partum Information for Parents The Birth Centre, Ltd. A UK community midwife’s fascinating and informative ramblings about birth and related topics for both professionals and consumers. View her inspirational and well-written essays at www.birthcentre.com/essays/index2.htm. Birthing From Within The Birthing From Within programme encourages women to recognize childbirth as a profound rite of passage. According to the website, Birthing From Within “teach parents the power of birthing-in-awareness, even when their birth experience is not what they had anticipated. We create a safe, nurturing class environment which will invite parents to discover their personal strength and wisdom. We balance practical, useful information with introspective, multi-sensory experiences”. Information, stories, resources and links can be found at www.birthingfromwithin.com/. Cork-based Birthing From Within contact details are at www.birthingfromwithin.com/ireland.html. Birthlove Popular parenting and practitioner resource by Leilah McCracken, a woman who’s had a whole heap of kids and who lovingly and positively enthuses on pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. An excellent website to counteract all those scary hospital stories. Offers advanced on-line doula training and a women’s herbal course. Read her stuff at www.birthlove.com/. Cuidiu An Irish organisation whose aims are to “provide information to parents which allows them to make informed choices about childbirth”. Cuidiu offers antenatal classes in some parts of the country. View website at www.cuidiu-ict.ie/. The Home Birth Association of Ireland Regular support groups are available in Dublin and Cork for those who have had or are interested in homebirth. The HBA of Ireland provides detailed information and assistance for women who want to birth at home. Information can be found on their website at www.iol.ie/~hba/arranging.html. Homebirth Reference Site A catalogue of lovely birth stories that have mostly occurred at home. www.homebirth.org.uk/hbstories.htm The Online Childbirth Class Childbirth information provided by the Center for Unhindered Living, whose purpose is to “provide information that will assist individuals in maintaining an autonomous lifestyle”. Extensive information, resources, research, links, discussions and debates can be found at www.uninhinderedliving.com/childbirth.html. Breastfeeding Association of Breast Feeding Mothers – Northern Ireland A listing of regular breast feeding support groups - including the “Yummy Mummies” and the “Bumps and Babies” - in Northern Ireland . www.abm.me.uk/supportni.htm Breastfeeding.com Everything you ever wanted or needed to know about breastfeeding – offers advocacy, support, encouragement, information, advice, shopping, etc. www.breastfeeding.com. Birthlove Excellent website for all things baby and an excellent and inspirational resource for breastfeeding moms. See Birthlove at www.birthlove.com/. Breast feeding Strategy for Northern Ireland can be viewed at www.healthpromotionagency.org.uk/Resources/strategies/breastfeedingstrategy.htm. Cuidiu Cuidiu offers information, advice, support and resources to assist women with breastfeeding. They also provide training courses for breastfeeding counsellors. View their website at www.cuidiu-ict.ie/. Kellymom.com Developed by a mom for other moms. Useful and informative website developed “to provide evidence based information on breastfeeding, sleep and parenting”. View website at www.kellymom.com/. La Leche League International LLL International offers information, advice, and support to women who are breastfeeding, and training and conferences for lactation consultants and nursing counsellors. View website at www.lalecheleague.org/. La Leche League Ireland For support, advice, and help with breastfeeding in Ireland , find your nearest LLL representative at http://homepage.tinet.ie/~lalecheleague/. Parenting Attachment Parenting International (API) According to the website, the API works to “promote parenting practices that create strong, healthy emotional bonds between children and their parents. These practices nurture and fulfil a child's need for trust, empathy, and affection, providing a lifelong foundation for healthy, enduring relationships”. For more information on attachment parenting view the website at www.attachmentparenting.org/. Birthlove Popular parenting resource by Leilah McCracken, a woman with loads of experience (breastfeeding, weaning, family beds, fathers, etc.) Read her stuff at www.birthlove.com/. Kellymom.com Developed by a mom for other moms. Useful and informative website developed “to provide evidence based information on breastfeeding, sleep and parenting”. View website at www.kellymom.com/. The Natural Family Site Web site dedicated to providing information, resources, and many good links that cover topics such as natural family planning, healthy pregnancy, natural childbirth, breastfeeding, the family bed, attachment parenting, infant massage, natural living, and home schooling. At www.bygpub.com/natural/index.htm. Vaccination The Informed Parent UK organisation and support network that promotes awareness and provides information, debate and resources concerning the topics of vaccination, childhood disease and children’s health. Publishes a quarterly newsletter. Find out more at www.theinformedparent.co.uk/. Thinktwice Global Vaccine Institute Thinktwice is a UK organisation that works to “provide parents and other concerned people with educational resources enabling them to make more informed vaccine decisions. Thinktwice encourages an uncensored exchange of vaccine information, and supports every family's right to accept or reject vaccines”. View website at www.thinktwice.com. Stuff to Buy The Baby Orchard On-line shop with a selection of products for babies and parents including cloth nappies and natural parenting merchandise. The Baby Orchard also provides information on birth, breastfeeding, attachment parenting, etc. Visit the website at www.thebabyorchard.com/. Cotton Baby Irish company based in Co. Westmeath offering a variety of cloth nappies. View products on-line at www.cottonbaby.ie. Ecobabes Cloth nappies and related products retailer in UK with Northern Ireland listing. At www.ecobabes.co.uk/index.php?option=static&pageid=651&p name= Eco-babes%20Agents. Ecobaby Irish company offering organic and natural baby products which include nappies, baby clothing, food, etc. Product description and ordering information can be located at http://ecobaby.net/catalog/index.php. Ecoware An assortment of environmentally friendly nappy products that include bio-degradable nappies with reusable outer pants and disposable lining pads. Contact number at 086-851-8001, e-mail at ecoware@ireland.com, or view website at www.ecoware.ie. Happy Baby Slings Family-based business located in Dublin . To view slings and make an order see www.happybabysling.com/. Hip Mama Mothering is political! An American-based parenting zine for alternative folks. The only parenting publication that regularly uses bad language. Excellent. www.hipmama.com/. Juno Magazine “ UK based Juno is a parenting magazine with an ethos based on natural parenting, sustainability, social justice and spiritual awareness. Our broad editorial contains features, interviews, reviews, personal stories, crafts and celebrations”. View website at www.hhm.com/juno/. The Natural Baby Resource Natural parenting website based in Co. Louth. Organic and natural mother and baby products, including cloth nappies, natural baby toiletries and natural baby supplies. Contact by phone at 042-937-5867, or view website at www.naturalbabyresource.com. Once Born Irish company that offers tasteful yet distinctly un-dowdy nursing clothing and bras, which they describe as “discreet and stylish”. Mail order catalogue and phone orders at 01-667-5953, website at www.onceborn.com. Poops-a-Daisy Natural, eco-friendly cloth nappies in all sizes. Based in Co. Meath. Mayawrap Make your own sling! U.S. based company that makes and sells baby slings, and has on-line instructions on how to make your own. www.mayawrap.com/.
Mimitoys Dublin-basedmail order/web based toy store . According to Mimi, “our selection for boys and girls allows parents choose traditional and unique quality toys from home. The toys are each selected to be fun, entertaining and educational for the child. Whilst the range of toys covers the full age spectrum from birth to 5 years of age. We avoid heavily branded or advertised toys, weapon-look-alikes and have strict anti child-labour ethics in place”. See what Mimi has on offer at www.mimitoys.ie/. Mothercare UK department store offering maternity clothing, baby supplies, cloth nappies, nursing bras, cots and baby buggies, etc. View their products and find a location nearest you at www.mothercare.com/scat/ireland. Nurturing Magazine Natural parenting magazine with an emphasis on homeschooling, breastfeeding, and home-based businesses. According to their website, “Nurturing magazine is unlike any parenting magazine in the world. With a strong editorial viewpoint on the value of child-raising and the importance of mothers, fathers and the family unit, we recognize that parenting is a full-time career and a valuable contribution to society that is often undervalued”. www.nurturing.ca/. Weleda Natural, anthroposophical toiletry and medicinal products, which include a lovely calendula range for babies in addition to an array of homeopathic products. Found in all good health food shops and in some pharmacies. For more information and to view the product line, see www.weleda.com. Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) Real Nappy Schemes Organisation in the North that works to promote waste prevention. Contact information and resource information on “real” nappies in the North can be found on the website at www.wen.org.uk/NappyPartnerships/Nappypartnerships_Belfast.htm. Support Groups, Information Resources, Research, Politics, Miscellany Association for Research on Mothering Conferences (ARM) ARM is based in The Centre for Research on Mothering at York University , Toronto . ARM’s goal is to “promote feminist maternal scholarship by building and sustaining a community of researchers -- academics and grassroots -- interested in the topic of mothering-motherhood”. ARM produces the Journal of the Association for Research on Mothering and hosts a number of conferences on the topic of mothering throughout the year. View website at www.yorku.ca/crm/. Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH) UK organisation that offers information and support. Northern Ireland branch can be reached at (028)9079 8878. Website can be viewed at www.asbah.org. Cuidiu An Irish organisation whose aims are to “provide information to parents which allows them to make informed choices about childbirth, breastfeeding and parenthood - from infancy right up to adolescence”. Cuidiu offers information, advice and resources in the form of antenatal classes and breastfeeding advice. They also provide training courses for breastfeeding counsellors, and have conducted and published Preparing Together for Birth and Beyond, which includes good statistical information on hospital birth in Ireland (do you know what the caesarean rate is in your hospital?). View their website at www.cuidiu-ict.ie/. Down's Syndrome Association UK organisation that provides information and support. Northern Ireland branch can be contacted at (028) 9070 4606. Website can be found at www.downs-syndrome.org.uk. Down’s Syndrome Ireland Irish organization whose goal is to “help people with Down syndrome make their own futures as bright and independent as possible by providing them with education, support and friendship every step of the way”. Website at http://www.downsyndrome.ie/. Global Midwives -Midwives on Missions of Service Described by their website as “a non-profit, non-denominational organization whose purpose is to improve maternal/child health and maternity outcomes through education and service... [to] be completed in the following ways: Send midwives, medical personnel and supplies to areas of need throughout the world, promote the availability of medical and midwifery care to all women and children, provide academic and clinical experience opportunities to midwives of all nationalities so that they may achieve full independence in their profession, learn from and honour the cultures and traditions of the communities we serve, promote community education about healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding habits”. Find out about their mission at http://www.globalmidwives.org/. International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) Breast feeding is political! The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 1.5 million infants die around the world every year because they are not breastfed. Find out why and do something about it. IBFAN, otherwise know as Baby Milk Action, is a non-profit organisation that consists of citizen group networks throughout the world, “which aims to save lives and to end the avoidable suffering caused by inappropriate infant feeding. Baby Milk Action works within a global network to strengthen independent, transparent and effective controls on the marketing of the baby feeding industry”. Find out more at www.babymilkaction.org/. International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) ICAN works to support women seeking to have vaginal births after a caesarean (VBAC), lower the rate of unnecessary c-sections (which is sadly increasing every year), promote caesarean prevention, and provide general information for women about to give birth. www.ican-online.org/ Irish Multiple Birth Association Parents network and organisation that provides information and support to parents of multiples. View the website at http://www.imba.ie/. Irish Sudden Infant Death Association (ISIDA) Organisation offering support and information to families bereaved by Sudden Infant Death (SID) and others affected by it. ISIDA provides a befriending service, bereavement group therapy, an annual memorial service, information for professionals, and much more. Their support helpline can be reached at 1850 391 391 and the website can be found at www.iol.ie/~isidansr/main.htm. Irish Stillborn and Neonatal Death Society (ISANDS) Irish organisation dedicated to supporting bereaved families whose “babies have died or are not expected to live for very long.” ISANDS arranges regular parents' support meetings, publishes a biannual newsletter, provides information, organises memorial services, and provides information to professional groups so that they can better assist bereaved families. www.isands.ie/. Lesbian Mother Support Canadian-based website providing lesbian moms with information, and resource links. Locate website at www.lesbian.org/lesbian-moms/index.html. Maternity Wise Maternity Wise is a U.S. based national programme whose goals are to “national program to promote evidence-based maternity care”. Maternity Wise promotes the use of “the best research about the safety and effectiveness of specific tests, treatments, and other interventions to help guide maternity care decisions”. A practical and informative resource website for both practitioners and consumers at www.maternitywise.org/home.html. Irish National Birth Alliance/Maternity Matters The Irish National Birth Alliance is an organisation dedicated to improving maternity care throughout Ireland . They campaign to reduce caesarean rates, promote informed consent in all medical procedures, and for the provision of community midwifery services to all Irish women including homebirth services. This organisation is also against the closure of maternity wards in community hospitals. For more information on these campaigns and what you can do to help see http://homepage.tinet.ie/%7Ematernitymatters/. Miscarriage Association of Ireland Organisation that offers support and information in monthly support meetings (Dublin), regular memorial services, and a newsletter. www.coombe.ie/mai/ MENCAP (Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults) UK organization that provides information and support. Northern Ireland branch can be contacted at (028) 9069 1351. View webpage at www.mencap.org.uk. Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Action (NIMBA) NIMBA is a “cross community charity, dedicated to reducing premature births, illness, disability and death in babies born throughout Northern Ireland … [that provides a] wide range of services to provide parents with practical advice, one-to-one befriending and advice [that include]: A free breast pump loan service for mums of babies needing Special or Intensive Care… a free loan service of a range of books, and videos for parents and brothers and sisters of babies needing special care… A Time-Out service in certain areas of NI and provides a home visit for families who are experiencing difficulties following the discharge home from hospital of a baby or babies who have needed special or intensive care… A limited number of grants are available to parents of a baby or babies admitted to any Neonatal Unit within Northern Ireland and when the hospital stay exceeds 21 days from the date of birth, ” and regular parent coffee groups. For more information see www.nimba.org.uk/cgi-bin/home.cgi. Postpartum Support International International resource organisation providing information, links, and an annual conference. View website at www.postpartum.net/. Primal Health Research Primal Health Research was founded by Michel O’Dent, Access to the Primal Health Research Data Bank can be obtained, free of charge, at www.birthworks.org/primalhealth. See also www.michelodent.com. Sheila Kitzinger According to the website of this lovely woman, “Sheila Kitzinger campaigns for women to have the information they need to make choices about childbirth. She is a strong believer in the benefits of home birth for women who are not at especially high risk... She also teaches workshops on the social anthropology of birth and breastfeeding and on unhappiness after childbirth for birth educators and postnatal counsellors, too”. Check out her website at www.sheilakitzinger.com/. Safe Motherhood Project Every minute of every day, somewhere in the world and most often in a developing country, a woman dies from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. That is 515,000 women, at a minimum, dying every year... For every woman who dies, 30 to 50 women suffer injury, infection, or disease. Pregnancy-related complications are among the leading causes of death and disability for women age 15-49 in developing countries. More than a decade of research has shown that small and affordable measures can significantly reduce the health risks that women face when they become pregnant. Most maternal deaths could be prevented if women had access to appropriate health care during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately afterwards. Safe motherhood means ensuring that all women receive the care they need to be safe and healthy throughout pregnancy and childbirth. www.safemotherhood.org/. The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project Although most maternal mortalities occur in developing countries, maternal death is on the increase in the United States (where according to the World Health Organisation it already ranks behind at least 20 other nations in maternal mortality rates). Why is one of the richest, most technologically and medically advanced countries in the world experiencing this outcome? Discover the reasons behind this alarming trend and consider what’s going on in your own country as birth becomes more medicalised. According to the website “the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project is a national effort developed to draw public attention to the current maternal death rates and to honour those women who have died of pregnancy-related causes during the past twenty years”. View website at http://131.103.210.241/. Tree Hugger Moms (THM) Tree Hugger Moms provides information, inspiration and support for “natural” moms. This website includes information cloth nappies, breastfeeding, pregnancy and parenting. www.treehuggermums.co.uk/ Twins and Multiples Network Twins and multiples web-based support group that provides information and a resource link page. This website can be viewed at www.twinsandmultiples.org/multiple_links/ml2.htm. Vbac.com evidence based, women centered support and resource group http://www.vbac.com/ Waldorf Education Information on the Steiner philosophy and Waldorf schools in Ireland can be found at http://www.steinerwaldorf.org.uk/. The website for the Waldorf school in East Clare can be viewed at http://www.raheenwood.org/. Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) A UK-based campaigning organisation that “represents women and campaigns on issues, which link women, environment and health.” WEN organises Real Nappy Week “to raise awareness about the environmental impact of disposables and promote real cloth nappies”. Northern Ireland information at www.wen.org.uk/. Waterbirth International Find out more about the benefits and safety of waterbirth at http://waterbirth.org/spa/index.php. For Desperate Midwives and Other Childbirth Professionals Association for the Improvement of Maternity Services(AIMS) “AIMS’ members – parents, midwives, doctors and other health care professionals – are drawn from all over Britain and Ireland , as well as abroad. There are AIMS contacts throughout the country who work to support each other and campaign on national and local issues” (quoted from website). Publishes quarterly journal. Website can be viewed at www.aims.org.uk/whatisaims.htm. Association of Labour Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE) Training organisation that offers certification courses for childbirth educators and doulas.http://www.alace.org/. Association of Radical Midwives (ARM) Philosophically radical in terms of conventionally medical attitudes towards birth, yet professional and organised (no militant wing as of yet...). Excellent resource and support organisation for childbirth professionals. Based in the UK but some information on the Republic of Ireland can be found. Useful for childbirth professionals in the North of Ireland. www.radmid.demon.co.uk. Birthing From Within The Birthing From Within programme encourages women to recognize childbirth as a profound rite of passage. According to the website, Birthing From Within “teach[es] parents the power of birthing-in-awareness, even when their birth experience is not what they had anticipated. We create a safe, nurturing class environment which will invite parents to discover their personal strength and wisdom. We balance practical, useful information with introspective, multi-sensory experiences”. For general information on teacher training and childbirth information view website at http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/. Irish contact details can be found at http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/ireland.html (Cork-based). Birth International Catalogue and mail order available for childbirth education resources and teaching aids. An annual conference as well as ongoing workshops are available for childbirth educators in the UK (workshops occur regularly in Northern Ireland and occasionally in the Republic of Ireland ). Birth International also offers a graduate diploma in childbirth education through the Australian Vocational Education Training Authority Board via a distance learning course. For more information on ordering products, locating a workshop, or enrolling in the graduate diploma course, view the website at www.birthinternational.com. Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) CAPPA is a non-profit international organization that offers training to childbirth educators, lactation educators, labor doulas, ante-partum doulas and post-partum doulas. Find out more about their training programmes, workshops, resources, and upcoming conferences at www.cappa.net/. Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) CIMS is a coalition of individuals and organizations with “concern for the care and well-being of mothers, babies, and families. Our mission is to promote a wellness model of maternity care that will improve birth outcomes and substantially reduce costs”. Read more about CIMS and their promotion of Mother Friendly hospitals at www.motherfriendly.org/. International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) ICEA is an international organisation that believes in” freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives in family-centred maternity and newborn care”. Certification Programs are offered in the areas of childbirth educator, postnatal educator, doula, and perinatal fitness educator. As well, ICEA has a substantial catalogue of professional resources. See the website for more information at http://www.icea.org/. Midwifery Today One of my favourite sources for information regarding women’s health, birth, midwifery, breastfeeding, etc. Midwifery Today offers conferences in the United States and around the world, workshops, a published journal as well as an e-journal, a search engine, as well as an assortment of other useful information, links, and resources. All midwives, childbirth educators, doulas, and students should have this on their favourites’ page. www.midwiferytoday.com/ National Childbirth Trust (NCT) UK-based organisation offers regular conferences and workshops for midwives and other childbirth professionals. Information on upcoming events (occasionally offered in Northern Ireland ) found at www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/nctonline/DiaryDates.htm. Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health Conferences Worldwide Upcoming events in reproductive medicine, women’s health and related fields. Information on an assortment of international professional conferences can be found at www.conferencealerts.com/repro.htm. Susan Weed Alternative health resource for women, master herbalist, author of several wonderful herb books concerning women’s health, offers women’s herbal correspondence courses and training workshops and apprenticeships http://www.susunweed.com/. With Women Two UK midwives who have established a website that provides information and inspiration to other childbirth attendants. They “hold a fundamental belief in the essential mystery, primacy and wonderment of women's bodies, and in women's ability to "know best" about the things their bodies require and the choices which they need to make along their life's journey”. These ladies offer regular herb workshops in the UK for midwives. Find out more at www.withwoman.co.uk/. World Organisation Ovulation Method Billings (WOOMB ) WOOMB offers on-line courses on the topic of fertility and the Billings Method for both childbirth professionals and women interested in fertility awareness. Website can be viewed at www.woomb.org/omrrca/education.html.
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