Isis breastfeeding Horus taken from the Isis Temple, Philae Island, Egypt.

It is a human thing, to breastfeed our young. We also attribute this to our gods. Here, the goddess Isis is breastfeeding the young god, Horus. The King, Ptolemy II is bringing Isis a gift or offering (right) as Anouket serves the goddess (left). I think it would be great if all nursing mothers were made to feel like goddesses or queens!

(photo license)

Kersti Nebels

Horses are mammals, just as we are. Have you ever watched a horse give birth? A horse does not hold her breath as she pushes her foal out into the world. She continues to breathe. So should you! Our birthing instincts are our animal instincts!

Here is a video of a foal being born.

"Fruitful" by T. Fullinwider

I have helped mothers with twins breastfeed and it is a very positive experience.  When a mom discovers she is having twins she may feel uneasy about making enough milk for two. She should try to remember, she has two breasts! Most mothers can supply two or more babies with all the breastmilk they need. Breastfeeding after the first few weeks is based upon supply and demand. The more demand, the more she will supply.

Attachment parenting really helps to make breastfeeding twins easier. The basic principles of attachment parenting (from Dr. Sears) are: 1. connect early, 2. interpret and respond to the babies’ cues, 3. breastfeed, 4. wear your babies, 5. share sleep. You can do this with twins!  Make sure that you give yourself time to learn how to coordinate their feedings. You can get good at feeding two at once. You can also get good at getting two babies to sleep so that you can also rest. It takes some time and patience.

Another thing that helps is the double dose of oxytocin and prolactin you will get. Oxytocin helps with let-down in nursing. It also helps the mom to bond with her babies. Prolactin is the feel-good and relaxation hormone of nursing. Nursing twins means twice the dose. This will help you chill out! Mothers of twins who nurse them feel good with these hormones. Mothers who formula feed don’t get that benefit. You are going to have to feed these babies anyway, breastfeeding will be easier and feel better in the long run.

Keep in mind that the learning curve to get good at breastfeeding twins will pay you dividends. It will save lots of money on formula. It will also help you sleep better. You will be able to bond with both babies better. They will also bond with you!

Dr. Boli from his Celebrated Magazine

Dr. Boli answers the question: “Where do babies come from?”  We all can learn something from his answer.

Safe Motherhood Quilt Project

Ina May Gaskin has been researching maternal death for several years. Her statistics are of U.S. women who have died during birth or afterward because of birth. She is creating a quilt in which every quilt square represents an American mother who died.

Her website includes a Maternal Mortality in the USA Fact Sheet. All of the facts she has gathered are scary and important. Here are three:

• The World Health Organization reported in 2007 that 40 countries have lower maternal death rates than the United States.
• The rate of maternal death directly related to pregnancy or birth appears to be rising in the United States. In 1982, the rate was approximately 7.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. By 2004, that rate had risen to 13.1 deaths per 100,000 births. By 2005, the rate was 15.1 deaths.
• The Healthy People 2010 Goal is no more than 3.3 maternal deaths per 100,000 births. This is a goal that other nations have achieved.

Ina May Gaskin is trying to improve America’s reporting of these deaths because each state does it differently and most greatly under report them. Only with real statistics can we figure out how to improve women’s birth care. New babies need their mothers!

The quilt displayed at the "Heart and Hands" sponsored conference in March 2009.

photo by Sebastien Fauvel

Every birth is a story. I write a birth story for each birth I attend. In each story the mm is the heroine and the dad or partner is the supporting hero. The doula is the assistant and the recorder. She notices all the details which the mom can’t notice while she does the work of birthing her baby. Birth stories are riveting, especially  for the mother and I always hope that the baby will be interested in hearing the story when she is older.

A woman’s hopes, fears, decisions and one of the strongest moments of her life are told in a birth story. A new life’s beginning are the details of a birth story. It is the beginning of a biography.

Ask your doula when she wants you to call her. I like my client-moms to call me:

• after each doctor or midwife appointment
• If she has any concerns about how she is feeling or about any test results
• When her water breaks or leaks
• When she loses her mucus plug
• When she thinks she might be in labor (even if she is wrong)
• After her birth if she is having any concerns about breastfeeding or how she feels

As she gets closer to her due date, I like to keep in closer touch with her. That way I get an overall picture of how close she is to her birth and how advanced her cervical changes are when she starts labor. Then I can usually tell approximately how long her labor will be (without an epidural). When it comes to keeping up with birth cues, communication is key.

• For Chiropractic care before birth to align baby and help mom feel comfortable and also after birth if baby or mom needs adjustment, Health Horizons, in Oakmont.
• For pregnancy massage and hypnobirthing classes and infant massage classes, Kim Young of Body and Birth Wellness Center in Sewickley.
• For Watsu (wonderful water-shiatsu massage and floating) Jeff Bisdee of Aquatic Journey in Oakland.
• For Childbirth classes including Bradley Method classes contact Jan Mallak of Heart and Hands Doula Service in Pittsburgh.
• For Bras and Nursing clothes, slings and much more, contact Dawn Lamuth-Higgins of Mommy Gear in Ligonier and on-line catalog.
• For prenatal Yoga, Yoga Matrika in the Squirrel Hill/Point Breeze area.

Alien and Jet Jazz by Kate Hudsen

I found a website for artist Kate Hansen who makes modern Madonna portraits. Her portraits show breastfeeding moms and birthing moms. She even includes halos to show what an important job these moms are doing. Check out her website. She also makes portraits so if you want one, you can have a work of art with your own beautiful baby. Now that’s a birthday gift to treasure!