Birth Choices

Archive for the ‘Resources’ Category

Children’s Growth Curves from WHO (World Health Organization)

• Growth curves for boys
• Growth Curves for girls

International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes

The World Health Organization and UNICEF have for many years emphasized the importance of maintaining the practice of breastfeeding, and of reviving the practice where it is in decline, as a way to improve the health and nutrition of infants and young children. A variety of factors influence the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding. The 27th World Health Assembly in 1974 noted the general decline in breastfeeding related to different factors including the production of manufactured breast-milk substitutes and urged Member countries to review sales promotion activities on baby foods and to introduce appropriate remedial measures, including advertisement codes and legislation where necessary.

The 33rd World Health Assembly, en May 1980, endorsed in their entirety the statement and recommendations agreed by consensus at this joint WHO/UNICEF meeting and made particular mention of the recommendation that “There should be an international code of marketing of infant formula and other products used as breast-milk substitutes”.

To develop the code numerous and lengthy consultations were held with all interested parties. In May 1981 the Health Assembly debated and adopted the Code. Download here

Natural birth: What is it and how can we have it?

The last years, in the advanced countries of the world, there is a big change at the traditional image of the labour as a natural process of a woman’s body. Woman has lost her active role at her own labour, as a result the rate of Caesarian section has raised. This article will inform you about the natural birth and it’s advantages. Download here

Infant-Friendly Hospitals

The term “Infant-Friendly Hospitals” means hospital units who care and support mothers and babies. These hospitals help mothers to take the right decisions for their child’s diet without being promoted by commercial interests. Read more

Birth plan

The association of Birth Choices created the birth plan to allow future parents to choose the way they want to give birth their child. There are questions you can ask to the doctor, the midwife, clinic or hospital for childbirth, breastfeeding and postpartum period in order to achieve a safe, natural delivery and successful breastfeeding. Download here

Patient rights

According to Greek law (Law 2071 GG 123/92 / TM / 47) of 1992, patients admitted to hospitals in Greece have specific rights. Learn about these! Download here (in Greek)

AIMS: Agency hospital list

The helpline AIMS Agency in Great Britain has drafted a list of risks for childbirth in hospitals aimed at women planning to give birth in hospitals in order to be informed about the circumstances. Download here

Practical guide to natural childbirth

The “Practical guide to natural childbirth” is a guide of the World Health Organization. It explores common and traditional practices used during childbirth, and scientific databases to evaluate. Distinction practices are:

1. proven useful
2. proven harmful
3. for which there is not enough research data and should be used with caution until more studies carried out
4. practices that often used the wrong way

Download here

How to Know a Health Professional is NOT supportive of Breastfeeding

Some useful advises to help you choose your obstetrician, pediatrician, midwife. The article is written by Jack Newman who is doctor and “Baby friendly hospitals” founder. Read more..

Birth stories shared

Women share with us their experiences of childbirth. Send us you your own! Download here (in English and Greek)

Birth Choices leaflet

Help us to inform people about Birth Choices, by downloading, printing and distributing our leaflet! Download here (in Greek)

• www.eutokia.gr: Association for the promotion of natural childbirth in Greece
• www.childbirth.org: Informative site about pregnancy and natural childbirth
• www.llli.org: The website link for the breastfeeding La leche leaque
• www.gentlebirth.org: Website for natural childbirth
• www.orgasmicbirth.com: women experience their childbirth differently
• www.birthworks.org: The website of Dr. Michel Odent
• www.birthpsychology.com: The psychology during pregnancy and childbirth
• www.birthingthefuture.com: Website for natural childbirth
• www.motherfriendly.org: The Alliance for the rights of the mother (CIMS)
• www.pregnancy.about.com: Information about pregnancy and childbirth
• www.bellybelly.com.au: Website for pregnancy and natural childbirth
• www.activebirthcentre.com: Website for the active role of mothers in childbirth
• www.breastfeeding.com: Website for breastfeeding
• www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com: Website for natural childbirth and baby care
• www.vbac.com: Vaginal birth after caesarean
• www.who.int: The website of the World Health Organization
• www.who.int/reproductive-health/: The guidelines of the World Health Organization for normal childbirth
• www.unicef.org: The website of Unicef
• www.unicef.gr/news/2008/bf08.php: The Greek site of Unicef for breastfeeding
• www.aims.org.uk: The website of the respective campaign in England
• www.birthchoiceuk.com: Guide to Childbirth Options
• www.midwiferytoday.com: Obstetrics magazine with interesting articles
• www.mothering.com: Magazine for motherhood
• www.davis-floyd.com: The Davis-Floyd Robbie is a medical anthropologist, the site contains many interesting articles on the birth of human
• www.thilasmos.net: Greek breastfeeding group

Pregnancy | Childbirth | Breastfeeding

1. Arms Suzan (1994), “Immaculate Deception:Myth, Magic & Birth”, California : Celestial arts
2. Aletha Solter (2001), “The Aware Baby”, California:Shining star Press
3. Balaskas Janet (1991), “New Active Birth”, London:Thorsons
4. Berezin Nancy (1980), “The Gentle Birth Book : Practical Guide to Leboyer Family-Centered Delivery” , Pocket Books
5. Elsworth Baker (2000), “Man in the trap”, London:Collier book
6. Cassidy Tina (2006), “Birth –The surprising history of how we are born”,  NY:Grove Press
7. Davis-Floyd Robbie (1992), “Childbirth as an American Rite of Passage”, Berkeley Los Angeles London:University of California Press
8. Davis-Floyd Robbie & Sargent, Carolyn F. eds. (1997), “Childbirth and Authoritative Knowledge”, Los Angeles and Berkeley:University of California Press
9. Edwards Margot & Mary Waldorf (1984), “Reclaiming Birth:history and heroines of American childbirth reform”, New York:The Crossing Press
10. Gaskin Ina May (1980), “Spiritual Midwifery”, USA:The book Publishing company
11. Goer Henci (1995), “Obstetrical Myths versus research realities”, Westport :Begin & Garvey
12. Harper, Barbara RN (1994), “Gentle Birth Choices” , Rochester:Healing Arts Press
13. Mitford Jessica (1992), “The American way of birth”, Penguin books
14. Kitzinger Sheila (2000), “Rediscovering Birth”, London:Little Brown
15. Kitzinger Sheila (2005), “The Politics of Birth”, London:Elsevier
16. Klaus M.,Kennell J.,Ph. Klaus (1993), “The Doula book”, USA:Perseus Publishing
17. Simkin P., Klaus Ph. (2004), “When survivors give birth”, USA:Clasic day Publishing
18. Kitzinger Sheila (2004), “The New Experience of Childbirth”,Great Britain: Orion
19. La Leche League International (1994), “The womanly art of breast feeding”, Ilinois:La leche league
20. Leboyer Frederick (1974), “Birth without violence” , Healing arts Press
21. Murray Enkin, Keirse Marc (2000), “A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth”, New York:Oxford University Press
22. O’ Mara Peggy (2003), “Mothering Magazine’s: Having a Baby Naturally”, New York:Atria Books
23. Odent Michel (2003), “Birth and Breastfeeding”, East Sussex:Clairview
24. Odent Michel (2002), “Primal Health”, East Sussex:Clairview
25. Odent Michel (2004), “The Caesarean”, Great Britain:Free association books
26. Odent Michel (1990), “Water and sexuality”, Arkana
27. Odent Michel (2000), “The Scientification of Love”, London ,N.Y.:Free association books
28. England Pam, Horowitz Rob (1998), “Birthing from within – an extraordinary guide to childbirth preparation”, New Mexico:Partera press
29. Schwartz Leni (1991), “Bonding before birth”, Sigo Press
30. Young Diony (1982), “Changing Childbirth:family birth in the hospital”, New York:Childbirth Graphics Ltd
31. Wainer Cohen, Nancy & Estner, Lois (1983), “Silent Knife”, New York: Bergin & Garvey Publishers
32. Dr Th. Verny ,J Kelly (1988), “The secret life of the unborn child”, The Warner books
33. Reich Wilhelm (1983), “Children of the future”, N.Y.:Farrar Straus Giroux
34. Deepak Chopra Md. (2005), “Magical beginnings, enchanted lives – An holistic guide to pregnancy”, USA: Three rivers press