Debra Pascali-Bonaro

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Secret Pleasures of the Uterus

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by Dr. Eve Agee

The uterus…it’s our first home, a place of safety and security.  Yet did you know that this vital female organ can also be a key source of sensuality and ecstasy for women?  Even though in the West we don’t frequently associate the uterus with sexual satisfaction, many ancient cultures celebrate the sensual gifts of the uterus and recognize it as one of the main pleasure centers of our female bodies.

For many women, it may take a shift in the way we relate to the uterus to open up to the sexual rewards it can give us.  From a physiological standpoint, during vaginal stimulation or sex (with yourself or a partner), the uterus enlarges and elevates with every phase of sexual response. This can generate wonderful satisfying sensations for women and full-on uterine orgasms in some.  Even researchers describe uterine orgasms as “earth shattering” and profoundly emotional.

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These mind-blowing surges of pure bliss often occur when there is a strong emotional connection such as a intense intimate bond with a partner or during the birth of a child.  At least thirty percent of all women in scientific studies have blended or g-spot orgasms, which are a combination of clitoral and uterine orgasms.  At home away from the sterile laboratory settings the numbers are probably much, much higher.

For women wanting to find new ways to relate to the uterus for vibrant pregnancy, childbirth or lifelong sexual health, it can be helpful to get in touch with the energy of the uterus to expand ecstasy and awareness.  To do so (or to help clients do this) it’s important to create the freedom to explore what feels good to our bodies in a safe comfortable setting.  This may not involve a partner at first but rather taking time with yourself to play around with what it’s like to experience pleasurable sensations in the uterine area.

You can start to get in touch with your uterine energy to expand ecstasy your pleasure by making a few minutes everyday to connect with your womb space.  Wear loose comfortable clothing and find a quiet place you can recline or lie down where you will not be disturbed.   Close your eyes and begin to breathe deeply into the pelvic core and imagine or intend that you can connect with your uterus.  Silently or out loud, say hello to your uterus, like you might greet a beloved friend. Breathe deep long breaths in and out through your nose as you focus your awareness on your uterus. Place one hand on the lower abdomen and caress, stroke, or move your hand in slow circles around the lower part of your belly over the uterine area.

Begin to imagine a rich orange or golden light flowing to the uterus, filling it with love and tenderness.  You may also want to envision or sense the uterus pulsating in ways that bring you pleasure while breathing deeply into your womb.   With every breath, feel your uterus starting to fill with satisfying sensations and delight.  Continue this exploration for as long as you would like, acknowledging that regularly taking time to imagine your uterus flowing with waves of pleasure will help you heighten sexual ecstasy.  When you complete your practice, thank your uterus and your body for all the blessings they give you.

Remember that you can connect with your uterus anytime throughout your day by placing your hand over it, receiving a deep breath and feeling gratitude for all that does for you.  Just like any relationship, the more positive attention and love you give to your uterus (and all of your body), the more delight you receive in return.   Approach this process with a light heart and have fun with it. Taking the time to explore the secret pleasures of our uterine energy can bring many gifts to enjoy–for a lifetime.   Please post any insights or questions that came to you while reading this post below–we would love to hear from you.

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Image 18_2_2Dr. Eve Agee is an international bestselling author, medical anthropologist, women’s health expert, and Founder of the Transform Coaching Academy.   Her best-selling book, The Uterine Health Companion: A Holistic Guide to Lifelong Wellness (Random House), is the winner of the International Book Awards.

Eve has served as a White House expert, taught at the University of Virginia, and researched women’s healing throughout the world. She is the co-founder of the Hot Flash Mob and her work has been featured on NBC, Fox, BBC, iTV, Fox and NPR.  You can learn more about Dr. Eve’s programs at www.eveagee.com.

Pleasurable Breastfeeding Peer Support Resources

This year the theme of World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action WABA World Breastfeeding Week WBW is Peer Support!

Have you ever had a friend or family-member say, “I’m so glad you were there, you really helped me with breastfeeding.” ? This is peer support- WBW is all about highlighting that peer support and bringing it out into the community even more.

“Depending on the target group, the methods employed may include peer support groups at a community venue; drop-in sessions in a community or health facility for mothers with problems; home visits; phone, email, surface mail, mobile phone text or internet chat help; antenatal and parenting classes; or services linked to hospitals, health centres and community health services. Coordinating peer support with professional health care, between which mothers can be referred if necessary, is particularly valuable, because it builds a continuum of care from maternity hospital to the community”

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Hale eLearning for Peer Counselors

What kind of BF support do you have in your community?

There are many ways you can bring peer support to your community including hosting a support group or letting organizations know you are available to help. Here are some wonderful resources to get you started:

Linkages Training of Trainers for Mother-to-Mother Support Groups: http://www.linkagesproject.org/media/publications/Training%20Modules/MTMSG.pdf

Hale Publishing E-Learning “L-CERPs or R-CERPS are available for each eLearning class. Hale Publishing is a long-term provider with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners for Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs). IBLCE Approval Number CLT108-25.”

World Health Organization Breastfeeding counseling: a training course: http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/who_cdr_93_3/en/

WIC Screen Shot 2013-07-31 at 11.43.22 AMWorks Breastfeeding Training Resources (there are several resources listed within this one link): http://wicworks.nal.usda.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-peer-counseling

There are many more resources on the World Breastfeeding Week website and we will be discussing peer support all week at: https://www.facebook.com/obirth so please join us!

 

Protecting the Normal: Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers

Submitted by: Emily C. Taylor, MPC, IHI-IA, LCCE, CD(DONA)

Founder and Director of WISE (Women-Inspired Systems’ Enrichment)

Hendricks StS Skin to SkinAccording to the Oxford English Dictionary, normal means “Serving to establish a standard.  Of natural occurrence.  The usual, typical or expected state or condition.”  Rarely does this definition apply as precisely as it does to breastfeeding.  Let’s break that definition down: 1) it is, indeed, the standard by which all other methods of feeding a human infant are judged.  (Can’t you hear the formula ads proudly proclaiming, “Our closest even to breastmilk!”?)  2) Much like other natural occurrences, even the 93 chemical elements, breastfeeding is at its finest without artificial aid.  And, 3) the flow of milk from mother to child can safely be expected to transpire.

When then, if breastfeeding is so normal, do we insist on asking women “Do you plan to breastfeed?”  And, why, do so many women respond, “I’d like to try?”  As a doula, a childbirth educator, a Baby-Friendly Hospital expert, and as a woman, I’m sad to say it’s because well-intended “supporters” among us treat breastfeeding as if it is the exception.  Therefore, it is up to us to protect the normal until this paradigm shifts.  Here are three suggestions for mothers, birth workers, or anyone who wishes to don their super-heroes cape and protect the normal:

1)     Be smarter than the advertising.  Better yet, avoid it altogether… Denounce it!  In a recent study I published with my esteemed colleagues, we found that women’s confidence in their ability to breastfeed decreased remarkably after viewing a few common advertisements.  Before reviewing the ads, women decreed that mothers’ milk was best; after the ads, they wondered whether their own milk would meet their babies’ ever-changing needs.  I don’t care how beneficent these advertisements appear: They serve their purpose of getting women to use the products.

So, what can you do?  Ask your local hospitals and providers if they are compliant with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.  If so, they refrain from distributing formula company advertising.  If not, ask them to do so.   (Hospitals can register with www.banthebags.org to show their solidarity with the thousands of other hospitals who have signed on.  (Massachusetts and Rhode Island are bag-free states!)  If they won’t do it, tell everyone you know to leave those bags (or “educational materials” or coupons) behind.

2)     Go “Baby-Friendly”!  The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is designed to give mothers and babies the optimal environment in which to start breastfeeding.  Staff is trained to provide evidence-based support on infant feeding, mothers are encouraged to hold their babies skin-to-skin, and to room-in continuously.  Only 6% of hospitals in the US are designated as Baby-Friendly.   But, you can make your own “Baby-Friendly” by requesting the practices for yourself and those you are serving.  Set the expectation: “The baby will be going skin-to-skin immediately after birth, and will stay there through at least the first feed.”  “The baby and mother will be rooming-in so they have an opportunity to practice baby-led feeding, and get to know each other with the support of the hospital staff.”  And, of course, stay close if you’re at home or a birth center, too!

3)     Learn about how the Affordable Care Act protects working mothers’ rights to breastfeed.  The ACA amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to require break time and a private place for hourly workers to nurse or express milk.  Employers sometimes need a bit of guidance about their role in protecting the normal.  Mothers and birth workers can (educate themselves and) point employers to the Division of Labor and the Office on Women’s Health.  A house bill called “Supporting Working Moms Act” is currently before the House of Representatives.  It seeks to expand ACA’s requirements to all employers.  Track S.934 so that you are ready to support it when its day arrives.

Above all, remind yourself that breastfeeding IS normal, and that like most things in this day and age, normal needs protecting.

Happy National Breastfeeding Month!

[Birth workers: If you would like to read more about protecting breastfeeding, check out our new book, Achieving Exclusive Breastfeeding: Translating Research into Action (Clinics in Human Lactation), by Labbok, Taylor or Parry, 2013.]

Also, see what the Surgeon General has to say on the matter by reading her Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding.

 

 headshot2Emily C. Taylor, MPC, IHI-IA, LCCE, CD(DONA), Achieving Exclusive Breastfeeding: Translating Research into Action (Clinics in Human Lactation), by Labbok, Taylor or Parry, 2013 is also Founder and Director of WISE (Women-Inspired Systems’ Enrichment).

 

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Zero Separation MotherBaby with Dr. Nils Bergman

Submitted by: Rachel Connolly-Kwock

Originally published June 12, 2012

Skin-to-Skin ContactAs Orgasmic Birth’s Debra Pascali-Bonaro travels all over advocating human rights in childbirth we had some advocacy right in NJ, USA with Dr. Nils Bergman’s Skin-to-Skin, It’s What’s in . . . the Evidence, the Research and the Literature at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s 7th Annual Breastfeeding Conference at the New Jersey Hospital Association in Princeton.

Dr. Nils Bergman spend about 7 hours working on convincing a room full of birth professionals of the many things of and related to skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and the “buffering protection of adult support” required for the baby to go thru its “needed neural processes” and develop properly in a safe, warm, reassuring environment – in the light of the mother’s body. It was almost comedic – here was Dr. Bergman speaking to a room full of 80% nurses with a sprinkling of doctors, midwives, lactation consultants, and doulas trying to convince us here in NJ, a state with one of the highest cesarean rates, that their was actually no scientific evidence that the incubator is effective. The incubator was invented and used and then after-the-fact research was done evidencing that “mother is a superior incubator” – but, as Dr. Bergman informed, only 8% of hospital care is evidence-based so the findings do not necessarily translate into practice. Trying to get our heads around this shift in thinking is all part of the paradigm shift currently taking place in the birth world. Dr. Bergman said it might take us all a few days to get our heads around it and for those pathways to develop.

At Orgasmic Birth we talk about paradigm shifts but we also talk about the big change one person can make, which is why it was so meaningful to listen when a nurse asked when was the appropriate time to attempt latch if the mom had an epidural? To witness medical personnel asking questions and showing interest regarding how they were going to support skin-to-skin motherbaby care in their labor and delivery room or after cesarean was just awesome. Dr Bergman’s response offered options regarding the half-life of the medication and also using the father or partner more. He helped us understand how the father or partner is an extremely necessary person in post-partum and can offer that skin-to-skin contact and “buffering protection of adult support” baby needs to experience “needed neural processes.”

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” – Frederick Douglass

He even shared a story with us about a father who was embarrassed when Dr. Bergman needed to gently break the latch baby had on daddy’s nipple so Dr. Bergman could bring baby to mom to breastfeed. And he suggested that, as with all things, when we do something new, we don’t have to be cowboys about it and we need to do it safely.

Dr. Bergman gave the U.S. kuddos on several occasions – once because we have lots of great research on breastfeeding and another time because several hospitals encourage skin-to-skin immediately following cesarean section delivery. In post-conference research I did find several hospitals that support Skin-to-Skin care such as: Yale New Haven, McKay-Dee Hospital in Utah, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Do you know of another hospital that supports skin-to-skin motherbaby care? Please share with us in our comments section.

“If you are a mammal that doesn’t breastfeed, you become a fossil!” – Dr. Bergman

How do YOU see the Future of Breastfeeding and Skin-to-Skin MotherBaby Care?

It was a wonderful and fascinating day with Dr. Bergman. Catch him if you can as he has a few more speaking engagements and if you are not able to attend here are a few ideas.

Things you can do:

Be prepared with a PRIVACY TAG – this one created by California Department of Public Health you can put on your door or the door of your clients:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/breastfeeding/PublishingImages/MO-GoldenHourPtRmSign.jpg

“Put Dad to use!” says Dr. Begman. If daddy/partner is there put baby skin-to-skin with them following a delivery where mom might not be able to hold baby, such as cesarean delivery or if mom’s medication is still wearing off.

EDUCATE yourself so you can be an ambassador of skin-to-skin motherbaby care: Read all about it at Dr. Bergman’s website offering wonderful products, research, and suggestions about how to implement skin-to-skin motherbaby care http://www.kangaroomothercare.com/.

INSPIRE yourself by looking at these beautiful images on the WABA site: http://www.waba.org.my/resources/images/images_page1.htm

To subscribe to Debra’s Pleasurable Weekly enews please click here.

Eye-Doctor Finds New View on Breastfeeding

A Himba woman and her infant child in Namimbia.

Originally published February 13th, 2013
Yesterday I went for my annual eye exam. It seemed as routine as it sounds as I waited for my turn. As I sat in the chair it was hard to believe another year had passed. My eye doctor said to me “what do you do?”  He had vaguely remembered that I work in maternal child health globally. He shared with me that he was a Nestlé stockholder and recently was reading an article about  Nestlé selling infant formula and breast-feeding advocates concerns. He clearly thought that with free market there’s no reason why Nestlé should not be allowed to sell their formula and that women have the education and decision-making ability to decide if they want to breast-feed or if they want to purchase formula. I’m sure his response is very standard and seems reasonable to many.

I asked if he knew that thousands of babies die each year mostly in the developing countries when they use formula, that would not die if they were breastfed? Yes we agreed this is due to lack of access to clean water, lack of mixing properly, families diluting the formula to save money as well as the many short and long term health benefits that breastfeeding provides. He quickly said then why isn’t the focus on clean water? Why are governments held accountable to have clean water for everyone? While I agree on this I said to him what about governments responsibility to provide the best information and work toward optimal health for MotherBaby.  There is no company to gain from marketing breast-feeding. It is a public health issue! Every person, company and country should take a stand for the health of our youngest citizens. Finally the United States is getting involved.

Zanzibari woman breastfeeding

I offered the idea about how years ago cigarettes and alcohol were advertised on television. With good lobbying government finally banned Tobaco and alcohol companies from advertising realizing they must protect the information that goes to consumers that can influence their behaviors and have negative health consequences. I asked “can you see this same similarity here with formula?”.

He nodded gently.  I launched into the The Code (World Health Organization Publication WHO/MCH/NUT/90.1) says:

• NO advertising of breast-milk substitutes to the public.
• NO free samples to mothers.
• NO promotion of products in health-care facilities
• NO company “mothercraft” nurses to advise mothers.
• NO gifts or personal samples to health workers.
• NO words or pictures idealizing artificial feeding, including
pictures of infants on the products.
• Information to health workers should be scientific and factual.
• All information on artificial feeding, including the labels, should explain the benefits of breastfeeding, and the costs and
hazards associated with artificial feeding.
• Unsuitable products, such as condensed milk, should not be promoted for babies.
• All products should be of a high quality and take into account the climatic and storage conditions of the country where they are used.

To read more visit World Health Organization Publication WHO/MCH/NUT/90.1, visit Breastfeeding Online, and for many insights and resources about the code visit The International Baby Food Action Network.

While Nestle has limited in marketing in some low resource countries, why does it still violate the code in many middle to high resource countries? Don’t our babies deserve the best start? While I agree with his next statement that the U.S government and other government should regulate this as they do tobacco ads, I also feel that companies also have an ethical responsibility to uphold best practices. Nestle clearly has: been asked, seen boycotts of their products, and knows the ills that come from pushing formula. For details on this visit the Baby Milk Action site.

After a long discussion, my eye-doctor said, “you gave me a great deal to consider and look at from a new vantage point.” He finished my exam- my eyes are good and I left with a smile. You never know when you can educate and open a discussion to shift perception.

What are your thoughts on the WHO Code? What are your thoughts on Nestle?

Where have you opened up discussions about maternity care or breastfeeding?

WBW MotherBaby: ChelseaCohen

These photos were submitted by: Chelsea Gehrken. Chelsea is a Momma, Doula, and Aromatherapist and “a lactivist, intactavist, and AP kinda gal!” Chelsea writes: “My journey with breastfeeding was at first a long and hard road. We used an SNS and donor milk quite often in the first year. Luckily we (my LO and I) both love nursing. We stuck to it! There are no words that can explain the pride I fill up with when I look at my 20 month old nursing. There were moments, even days when I didn’t think we would last much longer. But, here we are, despite all our troubles we did it and will continue to until he chooses to wean!!”

 

I was cooking for everyone in the family, all 4 generations, but my sweet Cohen needed his dinner first!
On of my favorite pictures! I was cooking for everyone in the family, all 4 generations, but my sweet Cohen ( 15 months) needed his dinner first!

 

This was taken when Cohen was 11 months old. I love his dream nursing snuggles.
This was taken when Cohen was 11 months old. I love his dream nursing snuggles.

 

This was taken when Cohen was 19 months. I love this picture because it shows how special this time is for the both of us.
This was taken when Cohen was 19 months. I love this picture because it shows how special this time is for the both of us.

 

To read Debra’s Pleasurable Birth Weekly enews please subscribe here.

2013 Breastfeeding Highlights


Here are some of our favorite videos, images and stories in the media from 2013.

  • Heartbreaking & Brave! Thank you Hollie McNish for putting your Spoken Word: “Embarrassed” out there for all mothers, babies, advocates of breastfeeding, and everyone and anyone ready to listen

 

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  •  From the Orgasmic Birth Guide

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  • Chrissy Butler!

Wonderful Place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Screen Shot 2013-07-23 at 9.24.21 PM  Police Officer Breastfed Quake Babies

 

 

 

 

 

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Image: Indiana African American Breastfeeding Coalition

 

To read Debra’s Pleasurable Birth Weekly enews please subscribe here.

Become an obirth Affiliate

Pleasureable Birth Now it is easy to share the obirth videos and make money- just by sharing them on your website. This is a great opportunity to add content to your website while sharing the message of pleasure and possibilities in birth and life!

Choose one, two, three, or four of the obirth movies: Organic Birth, Pleasurable Birth 1, Pleasurable Birth 2, or Orgasmic Birth and simply click on the link for the video you want to embed.  Click “share”.  Where it reads “To begin earning money from sharing…”  fill in your email. You will be provided instantly with the embed code- right on the same screen.  Cut-n-paste the code into your source html code.  Do you see the video?  Congratulations!  It is that easy!

Now every time people pay to rent or purchase the video you will receive 10% of the purchase. This is great opportunity to add videos to your site, to make money doing it, and to share gentle birth.

Let us know if you want help setting it up.

Thanks for all the work you do to bring messages of gentle birth to the world.

We are happy to be a have our films digitally available thru Distrify.com.  Should you have technical difficulty downloading or viewing our digital films, please contact  Distrify Support center: http://support.distrify.com/customer/portal/emails/new