Sarah’s articles

NEW! Epidurals: risks and concerns for mother and baby

Excerpted from Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: The wisdom and science of gentle choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting. and also published in Mothering magazine Nov-Dec 2005

Many women choose to have an epidural to help with pain relief during labour, during labor, but may not realize that choosing an epidural also can create extra risks for themselves and their babies? This article gives the best medical evidence to help women to make an informed choice in this important area.

Ten Tips For Safe Sleeping

Whether your baby sleeps in a cot, bassinet, crib, “side car”, or co-sleeps next to you in bed – there are some general principles that will make your baby’s sleep as safe as possible. Excerpted from Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

Mothering, Mindfulness and a Baby’s Bottom: An introduction to Elimination Communication

This article was originally written for The Mother magazine, UK, issue number 3, autumn 2002 www.themothermagazine.co.uk

Do you know that most babies around the world don’t wear nappies/diapers? Have you ever considered that even very small babies may be able to communicate their elimination needs? This article from Byron Child will tell you the why and how of this very logical and enjoyable practice. A longer version is published in Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: The wisdom and science of gentle choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep: Another Perspective

Previously published in Playtimes, the magazine of the Playgroup Association of Queensland, May 2002, and Natural Parenting no 2, autumn 2003.

For new parents in our culture, getting a good night's sleep is usually linked with persuading our babies to 'sleep through' the night. This article questions that assumption, and provides support and suggestions for gentle approaches to family sleep. An expanded version is published in Sarah's upcoming book, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: The wisdom and science of gentle choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

Pain in Labour: Your hormones are your helpers

First published in Australia’s Parents: Pregnancy, 1999

A simple overview of your amazing birthing hormones, and how they are designed to help you (and your cat) to labour and birth with ease.

Ecstatic Birth: Nature’s Hormonal Blueprint for Labour

First published in Mothering magazine 2002

Updated for 2005, this article was one of the most popular ever published by Mothering magazine. Birthlove webmistress Leilah McCracken says, "Amazing research and passion about the integral role emotion, hormones and sensuality play in pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding."

Healing Birth, Healing the Earth

Excerpted from Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

Sarah’s powerful essay on the lessons of birth – passion, love, power and surrender – and the healing that we can experience, individually and globally, through respecting and reclaiming this ancient rite.

Lotus Birth: A ritual for our times

Excerpted from Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

An introduction to Lotus birth (non-severance of the cord). Includes the history and benefits of this new practice and Sarah’s own Lotus birth experiences with Zoe, Jacob and Maia. Also Lotus birth links and resources.

Maia’s birth: A family celebration

First published in Down to Birth, Queensland Australia, 2001

Sarah tells the exquisite story of the birth of her fourth baby Maia Rose. Sarah chose to rely on her own knowledge and instincts with this pregnancy and birth, and the whole family had a surprise at the end!

Attachment Parenting

Excerpted from Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

A delightful introduction to the simplicity and wisdom of attachment parenting, where we accept that mother and baby need to be physically and emotionally close. For new and experienced parents alike

Leaving Well Alone: A natural approach to the third stage of labour

First published in the book Lotus Birth 2000

The third stage – from when the mother births her baby to when she delivers her baby’s placenta – is often rushed and hurried for both mother and baby. This article explores the significance of this time for mother and baby, the drugs and procedures commonly used, and the dangers associated with early clamping of the baby’s cord. A completely revised and updated version of this article is available in Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: The wisdom and science of gentle choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

Ultrasound scans: cause for concern

Previous versions published in Australia’s Parents 1998, Mothering magazine 2000 and Nexus 2002

Most babies are exposed to ultrasound in the womb, but it is safe and helpful? This paper poses questions about the safety of ultrasound, based on published scientific literature. A revised and updated version of this article is available in Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: The wisdom and science of gentle choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

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