LINKS

Pregnancy and Birth 

HypnoBirthing - Find out about the history of HypnoBirthing, what obstetric providers say about it, HypnoBirthing birth statistics and read lots of encouraging birth stories.  There is a forum to post you questions and stories too.

Lamaze International - Not the way your mother was taught to birth!  Lamaze is promoting, supporting and protecting normal birth through education and advocacy.  There is lots of information for expectant parents, childbirth educators and health professionals.  Post your questions in the forum hosted by Henci Goer author of The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Birth  and Obstetric Myths and Realities.

Birthing Naturally is a wonderful site full of excellent information on all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth including the Christian spiritual perspective on birthing.  The nutrition section is a must read for a healthy pregnancy and to reduce the chance of developing Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH).

The Brewer Diet for a healthy pregnancy.  Your nutrition is the major factor for having a healthy pregnancy and birth.  You can prevent the development of toxemia, pregnancy induced hypertension, premature birth, low birth weight and intrauterine growth restricted babies.  You owe it to your baby and yourself to follow a healthy diet every day.

Dial-A-Dietitian - A free BC nutrition info line.  Toll free in BC 1-800-667-3438.  Or you can contact our Duncan dietitian at the Margaret Moss Health Center 709-3050 if you have any questions or concerns about meeting your pregnancy nutrition requirements.

Spinning Babies is a “must visit” site to learn about how to position baby for an easier birth and how to map your baby’s position. We talk about optimal foetal positioning a lot in class.

Dr. Sarah Buckley - Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: the best possible start, has a wonderful article called Ecstatic Birth - nature’s hormonal blueprint for labour. A must read!

The Childbirth Connection - Very informative site for helping woman and health professionals make educated, research based decisions about maternity care.  They have a good section on perineal health and protection. 

Home Birth Reference - this site answers just about all the questions you may have regarding home birth.  It is from the UK and they have years of home birth experience there.   Also there is a good section on Group B Streptococcus (GBS).

International Cesarean Awareness Network everything you want to know about Cesarean births and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).  The local chapter is icanvictoria@shaw.ca

The Visible Embryo - a cool site on how your baby is growing.

Midwifery care in BC - all you want to know about the midwifery model and standards of care. Also available are the clinical practice guidelines for birthing (second stage); water birth; VBAC; fetal monitoring and post dates.

British Columbia Perinatal Health Program - A medical site which will show you the current practice guidelines in BC. 

Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) - Woman’s health , pregnancy information from a traditional medical point of view. 

Canadian Paediatric Society - A wealth on information for parents on baby and child care as well as pregnancy health information.

Breastfeeding

Dr. Newman’s breastfeeding site (Canadian).  Lots of helpful information.

La Leche League - a wealth of breastfeeding information.  It is a good idea to attend a series before baby arrives.  The Duncan group meets at the Margaret Moss Health Unit on the 1st Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., and the 3rd Friday at 10 a.m.   

Car Seats

BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation - A comprehensive site which includes information on when the local car seat check clinics are being held.  It’s a good idea to get checked before and after baby comes.  Duncan clinics are the first Wednesday of each month at the ICBC Claim Center.  Call 1-877-247-5551 for am appointment.  Book early!

ICBC - A check list for if you are buying a second hand seat including recalls.

Circumcision

Baby Boy - A useful site with information on circumcision and care of the intact penis. 

Pediatric Urology Associates - Circumcision information.

Cord Blood Storage

Lifebank - The Canadian cord blood bank.  The site is full of information on stem cells. 

Postpartum Depression

Pacific Post Partum Support Society - A wealth of information for the whole family.  The book they have is very helpful and easy to read. 

There is a group in the valley.  Information is available at the Margaret Moss Health Unit 709-3050

General family life sites:

Family Life - Articles on all aspects of family living from a Christian perspective.

Cowichan Valley Resources:

Cowichan Midwifery Group Midwifery care is covered by MSP and you can have your baby at home or in hospital.  Our midwives have a wonderful working relationship with our local OBs and maternity staff.

Massage therapy Violet Reynolds, RMT is a Registered Massage Therapist with postgraduate education in PeriNatal & Infant Massage.  Pregnant women, nursing mothers & post breast surgery clients will be comfortable with specifically designed equipment.  Violet has enjoyed Somatics Practitioner training with Andrew Teufel and embraces the philosophy of empowering the client in their healing journey.

Acupuncture  Sara Tillie R.Ac. is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  She works also at the Shawnigan Lake Spa.

Pre and post pregnancy fitness classes with Hayley Picard.   

Infant Massage with Hayley Picard

Cowichan Family Life – counselling, parenting programs, children’s services, tips for families and much more including a dad's support group.

 More are coming . . .

Please let me know if you have problems with any of these sites.

I look forward to talking with you - call me, or e-mail now.

Mary Hebden 250-748-8493