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Studies
Studies on the Relative Safety of Planned Homebirth
From time to time, clients ask for research on behalf of their loved ones who may express concern over the safety of home birth or the wisdom of noninterventive care. My experience has been that everyone appreciates the opportunity to make up his or her own mind and that communications that are overly-strident are counterproductive. Facts and research go much farther. The following are a few studies that we believe are must-reads.


• Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives:
spacerlarge prospective study in North America [Full-text article]
spacerKenneth C Johnson, senior epidemiologist, Betty-Anne Daviss, project manager BMJ. 2005 Jun 18;330(7505):1416.
This particular study has many strengths, one of which is its size. Tracking 5000 births makes it the largest study to date. Their findings were that planned home births “had a low mortality rate during labor and delivery, similar to [rates] found in most studies of low risk hospital births in North America.” “Rates of medical intervention, such as epidural, forceps and caesarean section, were lower for planned home births than for low risk hospital births.” Also, they cite “A high degree of safety and maternal satisfaction were reported, and over 87% of mothers and babies did not require transfer to hospital” care.

• Milbank Report: Evidence-Based Maternity Care:
spacerWhat It Is and What It Can Achieve :: Childbirth Connection

• Effect of oral and intramuscular vitamin K
spaceron the factors II, VII, IX, X, and PIVKA II in the infant newborn under 60 days of age

• Perineal massage in labour and prevention of perineal trauma:
spacerrandomised controlled trial


Local Resources for Parents
Laura Erlich, L.Ac., MTOM  
Excellent acupuncture for women's health, fertility, pregnancy, labor and postpartum.

Alisha Tamburri, Clinical Hypnotherapist
Alisha teaches Hypnobirthing classes all over LA, and facilitates private hypnotherapy sessions in Northridge.

Dr. Elliot Berlin, DC
Dr. Berlin's awesome team of Chiropractors and Massage Therapists, all specializing in prenatal and postpartum wellness.

Yana Katzap-Nackman, CD(DONA), CLE, IBCLC candidate
Yana's help with breastfeeding is invaluable. 

The Pump Station
Pretty much everything you could ever need.

Simona Istrate, RN, CNM
Simona's birth center is in Whittier, and is a great alternative for women who want an out of hospital birth.

Dr. Moz Directory
The Dr. Moz Directory is a great resource for finding local birth professionals.


Great Stuff... Some in Echo Park, Silverlake, Atwater, Eagle Rock
• cluw - Coalition of Labor Union Women
• BabyLove
• Guaranteed Healthcare
• IMIX Bookstore
• Echo Park Farmers' Market
• [HOMEBOY] industries
• South Central Farmers Cooperative
• 826LA: Programs
• silver lake yoga
• Stories

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