ABSTRACTS OF FEATURE ARTICLES

A Story of Hope: Birth-Trauma, Healing, and Reconnection
by Patti Elledge
Birth trauma may result in disregulation of the developing nervous system, affecting the synchrony of sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. This article presents a case study of a child and his family following significant birth trauma. His diagnosis of autism at age two was successfully approached therapeutically, using a new paradigm of nurturing self-regulation vs. techniques typically used to treat true autism. A look into the neuro-biological underpinnings of trauma and what we can do as early interventionists, as well as childbirth educators, is offered.

The New Mexico Young Fathers Project: Involving Young Fathers in Their Children's Lives
by Barry McIntosh, Carl Dellinger, and David Breault
The importance of young fathers in their child's birth is highlighted in this article which describes the challenges faced by young men who have thrust themselves into the role of father at a young age. The reason for and work done by the New Mexico Young Fathers Project are presented to help enhance the visibility of an underserved but deserving population of young men who want to make a difference in their children's lives.
To download and view this article (in pdf format), click here.

Issues of Mental Health in Pregnancy
by JoAnne Solchany
Mental health issues during pregnancy can create problems for the pregnant woman across several dimensions, including taking on the maternal role, making the necessary transitions, and mourning losses associated with that time before pregnancy. These issues, however, are not often identified during pregnancy, and even when they are, the chance that appropriate intervention occurs is slim. Prenatal depression, maternal stress, and maternal anxiety have the potential to impact not only the course of the woman's pregnancy, labor, and birth experience, but also the actual physiology and birth outcome of the developing fetus. How these maternal and fetal experiences then translate into the interactions between the mom and baby in the postpartum period is also impacted. Options for both prevention and intervention are available; these are reviewed in this article.

2000 Virginia Larsen Research Grant Winner: The Effect of Prenatal Education on the Beliefs and Perceptions of Childbearing Women
by Linda M. Maestas

Freedom of Choice in Your Practice
by Helen Young
The author discusses strategies and teaching techniques that may be implemented in childbirth education, professional labor support, and postnatal education, to promote true freedom of choice for the client. She presents strategies to decrease bias or perceived bias in professional practice. A discussion of how what you say and how you say it can affect the client's interpretation of the information follows. Teaching techniques that are presented include the benefits/benefits list, the debate, and the benefits/risks list.

COLUMNS

Nutrition News
by Dvorka Monti
Why Do They Call It "Morning Sickness" When I'm Not Feeling Well All Day?

Audio Visual Review
by Margery Simchak
Kangaroo Mother Care

Educator's Corner
by Linda Worzer

Information Update
by Judy O'Connor

Certification Update
2003 ICEA Professional Training Workshops