Links

Our extensive list of links:

	Pregnancy and Birth links to everything related
	Special Needs Resources
	Birth Stories
	Midwifery great midwifery links
	Waterbirth and Homebirth
	Cesarean and VBAC
	Breastfeeding extensive list of breastfeeding sites
	Parenting from child development to postpartum depression
	Distinctly Canadian - resources for Canadian parents and professionals
	Medical Research and Resources for medical information and guidelines
	Finding Doulas and Childbirth Educators Online
	Online Articles on Doula Support
	Childbirth Organizations that certify doulas and educators
	Doula and Educator Resources

Pregnancy and Birth


Acupressure During Childbirth: A guide for the use of acupressure for pain relief during birth.
ASAC: Association for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth in Alberta, Canada.
American Association of Birth Centers: U.S. website listing birth centers and providing basic midwifery and birth center information.
Birth Psychology: Explore the many mental and emotional dimensions of pregnancy and birth in everything from scholarly articles to personal stories and late-breaking headlines.
Birthing From Within: More information stemming from the book Birthing From Within.
Birth Love - The Revolutionary Passion of Mothering: A must stop site for anyone who is planning to have children. To learn that birth as a powerful, liberating life event- instead of a painfully medicalized one which we are taught is normal. An absolute primer on normal birth.
Blessing Way video: A wonderful celebration for the pregnant mother! Don't forget to check our article on blessing ways
Childbirth.Org: An extensive site on all aspects of birth.
Cord Blood Registry
Dear Midwife: with Anne Sommers L.M.Southern California, information packed 'Dear Midwife' Forum Moderated by licensed SoCal Midwife Anne Sommers with safe, natural home birth and water birth.
Fensende Lists: The reknowned email lists for Doulas, Childbirth Educators, Midwives and ICAN.
HELLP Society: Information on this rare, yet serious complication.
Hypnobirthing Institute: The epicenter of the new trend, hypnobirthing.
ICAN: International Cesarean Awareness Network. Information on Cesareans, VBACs and a list of chapters in your area.
Kidalog: Your complete source for baby/child needs. Cloth diapers, breastpumps, books, educational toys, parenting information and more!
Midwifery Today: Created by the publishers of the Midwifery Today magazine, this site contains extensive information from past issues, as well as details about coming conferences. It does, of course, provide information about the magazine, as well as their other newsletters and publications.
Online Birth Center: Large collection of resources on midwifery, pregnancy, fertility, nutrition, birth, breastfeeding, mailing lists, herbs, alternative health, medical information, waterbirth, and more.
Parents Place Interactive Pregnancy Calendar: A day-by-day customized calendar detailing the development of a baby from before conception to birth.
Plus Size Pregnancy: A wonderful site including invaluable information on Gestational Diabetes, VBAC after 2 or more cesareans, and more.
Pregnancy/Childbirth at About.Com: A well produced site presenting the latest news in the world of pregnancy and childbirth, with links to important articles and features. It is also presents a week-by-week listing of pregnancy events, and an electronic newsletter.
Sidelines: Providing international support for women and their families experiencing complicated pregnancies and premature births.
VBAC.com: The newly developed website with great VBAC information by the author of The VBAC Sourcebook.
WHO Maternal and Newborn Health: World Health Organization initiatives, programs and publications

Special Needs Resources


Autism Society of Canada: Information on Autism Spectrum Disorders, referral to helpful services and resources, and news of ASC's activity on behalf of the autism community.
Blind Babies Foundation: Providing services and programs that enable and empower families, professionals, and the broader community to meet the unique needs of infants and preschool children who are blind, visually impaired, or multi-handicapped and visually impaired.
Canadian Downs Syndrome Society: Canada’s national voice for individuals with Down syndrome.
Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) has a mission to provide a brighter future for every child born with Cystic Fibrosis. Information on Cystic Fibrosis, support, resources, chapter information and more.
Down Syndrome Research Foundation and Resource Centre: The Down Syndrome Research Foundation is dedicated to improving life for people with Down syndrome through research, education and services.
Parents of Premature Babies Inc. (Preemie-L): A non-profit foundation supporting families with children born six weeks or more before due date.
Special Child: An online publication dedicated to parents of children with special needs covering all disorders.
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada: Making life better for those born with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and for those not yet born.

Birth Stories


Birth Story Diaries: The best source of birth stories online! Complete with pictures or video footage of each birth.
Birth Stories

Midwifery

The American College of Nurse-Midwives: The homepage of ACNM, providing resources for both midwives and expectant mothers.
Canadian Midwifery Information: Listings of midwives, associations and action networks across Canada.
MANA: The Midwives' Alliance of North America is an organization of North American midwives and their advocates. MANA's central mission is to promote midwifery as a quality health care option for North American families.
Marilyn's Midwifery Pages: Marilyn Greene is a practicing midwife in Middle Tennessee. Her site is a compendium of a large number of midwifery related resources.
MIDIRS: Home page for the Midwives Information and Resource Service, the publishers of the widely-used MIDIRS Midwifery digest. Contains material regarding the digest, including sample articles from current and past issues, as well as a list of coming events hosted by MIDIRS in the UK.
Midwife Archives: The Midwife Archives is a collection of excerpts from messages that have appeared on birth-related distribution lists or newsgroups.
Midwifery Today: Through networking and education, Midwifery Today's mission is to return midwifery care to its rightful position in the family; to make midwifery care the norm throughout the world; and to redefine midwifery as a vital partnership with women.
Online Birth Center: Midwifery, Pregnancy, Birth and Breastfeeding. Home of the OBC online newsletter for birth professionals.
The Russian Birth Project: An Intensive Midwifery Internship in St. Petersburg, Russia, specializing in direct-entry midwifery training.

Waterbirth and Homebirth

Birth Balance

A Resource Dedicated to Integrating Balance and Birth Since 1987. Waterbirth information and surveys.

Waterbirth International

The homepage of the Global Maternal/Child Health Association (GMCHA) and Waterbirth International. Features an illustrated waterbirth FAQ, a collection of birth stories, and a photo album.

Homebirth Reference Site

A comprehensive site on homebirth with studies, articles, stories and more.

Home Birth Association of Ireland

Homebirth news and views from Ireland, including the latest news on the struggle of a local nurse-midwife against legal action.

The Safety of Home Birth

An extensive list of abstracts for papers investigating the safety of birth at home. Keep up to date with the latest results!

Your Water Birth

An excellent site for finding everything you need for your waterbirth

Cesarean and VBAC


Birth Rites: Healing After Cesarean, Inc. based in Australia.
Cesarean and VBAC Index: Thorough information on cesarean and VBAC issues with valuable information on VBAC after 2 or more cesareans and much more.
ICAN: International Cesarean Awareness Network. Information on Cesareans, VBACs and a list of chapters in your area.
VBAC.com: The newly developed website with great VBAC information by the author of The VBAC Sourcebook.
VBAC Studies: A comprehensive of all the VBAC studies ever done.

Breastfeeding

Baby Milk Action: Another breastfeeding advocacy organization, located in the United Kingdom. The latest news in the war against the use of baby milk substitutes.
Breastfeeding.Com: Information and support
Breastfeeding Online: Site designed to help empower women to choose to breastfeed and to educate society at large about the importance and benefits of breastfeeding.
IBFAN: International Baby Food Action Network
INFACT Canada: Infant Feeding Action Coalition (INFACT) Canada, a non-profit, non-governmental organization, works to promote optimal infant and maternal health through the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. INFACT Canada is an active member of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) and is the North American representative for IBFAN.
Jack Newman: Jack Newman is foremost expert on breastfeeding in Canada, and here is his website full of excellent articles on breastfeeding basics and comprehensive breastfeeding information.
La Leche League International: An international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed.
La Leche League Canada: The Canadian website for La Leche League.
Promotion of Mothers Milk Inc: A very comprehensive US site, covering all aspects of breastfeeding. Features pictures, articles, promotional materials, products and many tips on advocating breastfeeding. Incorporates the Breastfeeding Advocacy Page, which used to be located elsewhere.
Ted Greiner: History of Breastfeeding and Formula Companies, Breastfeeding Clipart Gallery
Texas Breastfeeding Promotion: Documented success in coordinating breastfeeding promotion and support in Texas.
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action: A global organization dedicated to supporting breastfeeding. Information on working while breastfeeding, LAM and more.

Parenting


Cascade Center: Cascade Center for Family Growth specializes in children with severe behavioral disorders and issues including: Reactive Attachment Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Autism, Down's Syndrome, learning disabilities, brain injury, childhood depression, addictions, significant developmental delays, intellectual deficits, childhood violence, anxiety disorders, and other serious difficulties in childhood.
Canadian Paediatric Society: A non-profit, professional organization whose mission is service to Canadian children. This site contains many interesting position papers on breastfeeding, meeting the iron needs of infants and the use of fluoride in infants and children.
Canadian Parents: Meet Canadian parents, learn and discuss local issues.
Canadian Woman's Health Network: A network of individuals, groups, organizations and institutions concerned with women's health.
Compleat Mother: The Magazine of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Breastfeeding. Radical, wonderful and honest.
Down Syndrome Research Foundation and Resource Centre: The Down Syndrome Research Foundation is dedicated to improving life for people with Down syndrome through research, education and services.
Empathetic Parenting: A place from which to draw inspiration, support and encouragement.
Grandparents.com: A great place for grandparents to learn and find information.
Hip Mama: Great political commentary and information from moms who know.
Kangaroo Care for our little miracles: Articles, Studies, Preemie Information and much more.
Kangaroo Care: The Human Incubator for the Premature Infant: Information guide to the practice of skin-to-skin contact to promote parent/infant bonding in special care babies
Mothering Magazine: One of the best natural parenting magazines around - highly recommended.
Mother Stuff: Huge collection of articles on many subjects from preemies to parenting.
Natural Mom: We are two moms who are choosing to take responsibility for our family's health and well being by educating ourselves in the areas of Natural Medicine, Environmental Awareness, Organic Food, Public Health Policies, Personal Care Product Use and Natural Parenting Techniques.
Nurturing Magazine and Website: A unique parenting magazine.
Parent Link: Meet out parents for support and information.
Parenting at iVillage: An enormous selection of message boards on a wide variety of topics, a giant birth story collection categorized by experience, including many home births, and an extensive resource section on virtually all topics related to childbearing.
Pediatrics Electronic Pages: The official journal of American Academy of Pediatrics.
POMBA: Parents Of Multiple Births Association; a support group with chapters across Canada.
Postpartum Support International: Whether you think you are depressed or just want more information, Postpartum Support International (PSI) is here to help.
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada: Support organization for spina bifida and related conditions.
WebMD: The leader in providing services that help physicians, consumers, providers and health plans navigate the complexity of the healthcare system.

Distinctly Canadian


ASAC: Association for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth in Alberta, Canada.
Autism Society of Canada: Information on Autism Spectrum Disorders, referral to helpful services and resources, and news of ASC's activity on behalf of the autism community.
CAPPA Canada: Childbirth And Postpartum Professional Association - certifying organization who certifies labour and postpartum doulas, childbirth educators and lactation educators.
Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) has a mission to provide a brighter future for every child born with Cystic Fibrosis. Information on Cystic Fibrosis, support, resources, chapter information and more.
Canadiandoulas.com: Canadian Doula Association - Comprehensive listing of birth professionals across Canada.
Canadian Downs Syndrome Society: Canada’s national voice for individuals with Down syndrome.
Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths: The Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths is dedicated to solving the mystery of sudden and unexpected infant deaths, and to the emotional support of those who are affected.
Canadian Health Network: CHN's goal is to help Canadians find the information they're looking for on how to stay healthy and prevent disease.
Canadian Institute of Child Health: Dedicated to promoting and protecting the health, well-being and rights of all children and youth through monitoring, education and advocacy.
Canadian Mental Health Assn.: Promote the mental health of all people and to serve mental health consumers, their families and friends.
Canadian Paediatric Society: A non-profit, professional organization whose mission is service to Canadian children. This site contains many interesting position papers on breastfeeding, meeting the iron needs of infants and the use of fluoride in infants and children.
Canadian Parents: A more mainstream parenting site, good information.
Canadian Women's Health Network: Sharing information, resources and strategies, and building links to improve women's health.
Compleat Mother: A wonderful site for information that you don't readily get from the more mainstream magazines.
Dietitian: Finding a Canadian dietitian and nutritional information for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Down Syndrome Research Foundation and Resource Centre: The Down Syndrome Research Foundation is dedicated to improving life for people with Down syndrome through research, education and services.
Global Birth Institute: College of Perinatal Sciences - certification and diploma programs for doulas, childbirth educators and lactation consultants. The only Canadian-based certification organization and the only Perinatal College in North America.
Having-A-Baby.Com: The official website for pregnancy book author Ann Douglas.
Health Canada: An wealth of information for parents and birth professionals alike.
Health Canada's Family-Centered Maternity and Newborn Care - National Guidelines: The Family-Centered Maternity and Newborn Care: National Guidelines, 4^th Edition, were developed as a result of a collaborative process involving health care providers and consumers. As we move into the new millennium, these Guidelines will help us achieve the objective that we all share – a healthy and satisfying pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience for all mothers, babies and families.
iParenting Canada: Internet Communities for Parents
INFACT Canada: Infant Feeding Action Coalition (INFACT) Canada, a non-profit, non-governmental organization, works to promote optimal infant and maternal health through the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. INFACT Canada is an active member of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) and is the North American representative for IBFAN.
Jack Newman: Jack Newman is foremost expert on breastfeeding in Canada, and here is his website full of excellent articles on breastfeeding basics and comprehensive breastfeeding information.
Kidalog: Your complete source for baby/child needs. Cloth diapers, breastpumps, books, educational toys, parenting information and more!
La Leche League Canada: An international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed.
Mama Goddess Birth Shop: A proudly Canadian source of quality gifts and supplies for pregnancy, new mothers and babies, as well as midwives, doulas and other childbirth professionals.
Maternal Source: An excellent pregnancy, birth and postpartum catalogue for parents and birth professionals.
Nurturing Magazine: The website features a large collection of articles about breastfeeding, homeschooling, unassisted birth, homebirth and waterbirth, baby-carrying, the family bed, natural health, stay-at-home moms and dads, and the importance of parenting. Canadian based.
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada: Founded in Toronto in 1944, SOGC is North America's longest-standing national organization devoted to the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology. As a voluntary, non-profit scientific organization, it is dedicated to the promotion of optimal reproductive health care for Canadian women. As such, the Society provides medical education and guidelines to health professionals, and actively promotes better health outcomes through public education initiatives.
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada: Making life better for those born with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and for those not yet born. Support organization for spina bifida and related conditions.
Toronto Vegetarian Association: Information on vegan and vegetarian resources.
Women's Health Matters: Your source for reliable, evidence-based and up-to-date information on women's health.

Medical Research


American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
ANACS Association of Nurse Advocates for Childbirth Solutions: ANACS is committed to supporting nurses and other childbirth professionals in their efforts to utilize evidence-based practices, create and sustain a less interventionist means of hospital based childbirth and assist women to empower themselves and make truly educated childbirth choices.
British Medical Journal: British Medical Journal contains the full text of all articles published in the weekly BMJ from July 1997.
Canadian Health Network: CHN's goal is to help Canadians find the information they're looking for on how to stay healthy and prevent disease.
Canadian Health Statistics - UofC: Vital statistics resource listing birth and birth rates, children's health statistics and more.
Canadian Paediatric Society: A non-profit, professional organization whose mission is service to Canadian children. This site contains many interesting position papers on breastfeeding, meeting the iron needs of infants and the use of fluoride in infants and children.
Canadian Medical Association: Canadian Guidelines for medical management.
Canadian Mental Health Assn.: Promote the mental health of all people and to serve mental health consumers, their families and friends.
Canadian Paediatric Society: Resources for parents.
Perinatology: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. Find out for yourself which medications are safe.
Health Canada: An wealth of information for parents and birth professionals alike.
Health Canada's Family-Centered Maternity and Newborn Care - National Guidelines: The Family-Centered Maternity and Newborn Care: National Guidelines, 4^th Edition, were developed as a result of a collaborative process involving health care providers and consumers. As we move into the new millennium, these Guidelines will help us achieve the objective that we all share – a healthy and satisfying pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience for all mothers, babies and families.
Health Touch Online: Want to know about a treatment or medication? Look it up here.
Medscape: Medical studies and information online.
Pediatrics Electronic Pages: The official journal of American Academy of Pediatrics.
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada: All the SOGC guidelines are available here.
VBAC Studies: A comprehensive of all the VBAC studies ever done.
WebMD: Online Health Information.
Women's Health Matters: Your source for reliable, evidence-based and up-to-date information on women's health.

Doulas and Childbirth Educators Online


A Better Birth: List of services in the directory of professionals.
About.com: Listing of doulas and childbirth educators
Birth Partners: Mission: to promote natural childbirth, advocate for birth of choice, and assist Moms in finding professionals with shared vision.
Canadiandoulas.com: Comprehensive listing of birth professionals across Canada.
CAPPA ~ Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association: Information on all CAPPA certifications, bookstore, information about and for birth professionals and a comprehensive listing of all CAPPA members
DONA ~ Doulas Of North America: Information on Doulas, upcoming workshops and conferences,
Global Birth Institute: College of Perinatal Sciences - certification and diploma programs for doulas, childbirth educators and lactation consultants. The only Canadian-based certification organization and the only Perinatal College in North America.

Childbirth Certification Organizations

Labour or Birth Doula Certification Comparison Chart
ACCP Association of Christian Childbirth Professionals: Christian childbirth professional resources
ALACE Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators: In-depth training and certification for labour assistants and childbirth educators.
ATFM Apple Tree Family Ministries: Christian training and certification for childbirth educators.
Birth Works: A childbirth education, teacher certification, and doula program with an innovative and experiential design.
Birthing From Within: Holistic doula and childbirth educator training. Designed to cultivate personal growth, creativity, confidence, and spiritual and psychological awareness.
Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth: Husband-coached childbirth classes and instructor training
CAPPA and CAPPA Canada Childbirth And Postpartum Professional Association: Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula training and certification.
DONA Doulas of North America: Doula training, certification and annual conference.
Global Birth Institute: College of Perinatal Sciences - certification and diploma programs for doulas, childbirth educators and lactation consultants. The only Canadian-based certification organization and the only Perinatal College in North America.
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners: Training and certification of lactation consultants.
ICEA International Childbirth Education Association: Childbirth Educator and Doula training and certification.
Lamaze International: Childbirth educator and birth doula training
Titus 2 Birthing: Christian Childbirth education and doula program and certification.

Birth Professional Resources

List your services:

ACCP Association of Christian Childbirth Professionals: Christian childbirth professional resources
Canadiandoulas.com: Comprehensive free listing for birth professionals across Canada.
CAPPA and CAPPA Canada Childbirth And Postpartum Professional Association: For CAPPA Members and non-members.
Doulasearch.com: The largest resource for finding doulas, educators, birth photographers, midwives and more on the internet.

Information:
ANACS Association of Nurse Advocates for Childbirth Solutions: ANACS is committed to supporting nurses and other childbirth professionals in their efforts to utilize evidence-based practices, create and sustain a less interventionist means of hospital based childbirth and assist women to empower themselves and make truly educated childbirth choices.
BirthSource.com: Great resources for doulas and educators.
Egroups Doula List: A busy and very informative list for practicing or aspiring doulas.
Fensende Doula List: The premier doula list for all doulas.

Products:
Maternal Source: The new owner of Mother Care's Birth Catalogue! Excellent source for all birth professional needs and expanding rapidly.

Attachments Catalogue: A great selection of gifts, jewelry and more.
Birth Source: Great resources for doulas and educators.

Birth International: Australian and UK based online store with great books, videos, charts, models and more.
CAPPA: Great posters and more for doulas and educators.
Childbirth Teaching Aids: Another Canadian resource for birth professionals.
Cutting Edge Press: A US based supplier for birth professionals.
Fabjob.com: Becoming a Doula e-book.
ICAN: Support ICAN through purchasing books and products online!
ICEA: Great teaching tool and book selection for birth professionals.
Mama Goddess Birth Shop: A proudly Canadian source of quality gifts and supplies for pregnancy, new mothers and babies, as well as midwives, doulas and other childbirth professionals.
Vida Health Communications: Videos for birth professionals and parents.