When I saw this graphic last week, I was horrified...and inspired. I've always been a big reader and continue to spend copious amounts of time at the local library, bookstore or on Amazon seeking out books with and for Elisabeth. Reading is the kind of adventure that can (and should) start early. And what easier way to get going than to head to your local library?

Our local libraries are wonderful places to find new books, yes, but also to take in developmentally appropriate programs for our babies. Elisabeth and I attended Baby Lapsit story time on Wednesday mornings with Miss Amy at the Southwest branch of Durham County Library from about 7 months to almost 2 years. We've only recently stopped going because she wants to be outside. Lapsit story time for babies and toddlers includes finger plays, songs ("Itsy Bitsy Spider", anyone?), one real story and plenty of free playtime. It's really a lot of fun. Library programs are always free and a great way to connect with other new moms.

After your library program is over, head over early and check out a few books before the program begins. There are "regular" kids books but also stacks of board books that may be worn around the edges but are still a great way to add a little variety into your reading routine. Young babies love contrasty colors and simple images so look for some fun black and white board books that will captivate them. Older babies will enjoy the singsongy sentences in even something like _Little Blue Truck_, _Tumble Bumble_ or _Roadwork_. They don't need to "get" the whole story line. Early exposure to language is essential for their future learning and language skills, as this recent NPR piece points out.

As your baby gets older, let him or her take the lead on the library adventures: returning the books in the dropbox slot, "helping" check the books out, choosing a spot to sit for story time, etc. Of course this also includes them choosing their own books. It's always fun to plop that older baby or toddler down in the book area and watch what they pull off the shelf!

Ever said to yourself, "That book sounds interesting, I'll have to check that out" and then forget to order the book or decide you didn't want to spend the money? I sure do! Your local library can also locate books that they don't own. Inter-library loans are useful for adult books but they also "work" for kids books too. I often "test" books via interlibrary loan before I buy them so I can make sure that I definitely want to spend the money.

So head to the library this week and let me know how it goes. Leave your thoughts on this or pretty much anything below. And thank you for reading.

I read this article via NPR recently about inductions declining. Which is of course, a good thing so yay, but I was struck by the language in the title, the content of the article and the comments.

Here's what I mean-

"fewer women are having labor labor induced earlier," - title
"There has been a major effort in the past several years to reduce the rate of early elective deliveries." - first sentence of story
"the overall drop in induction rates may be fueled by doctors cutting down on their use of elective early induction as awareness of its potential hazards has spread." - middle of story
"It's important that women who have a real medical reason for delivering early aren't scared off from doing that, he says. But for everyone else, he advises giving the baby an "extra edge" of those last few weeks." - end of story

Fascinating how in the title the blame for early inductions seems to be dropped squarely on mom, "fewer women being induced earlier", but the credit for this shrinkage in inductions goes to doctors and hospitals. The massive effort on behalf of childbirth educators, the March of Dimes, birth doulas, even women themselves, to lower the number of inductions goes completely unmentioned.

To me, this seems like such a typical example of the double standard that we place on women, a double standard that can be especially challenging for pregnant women. Pregnant women are just trying to do the right thing for themselves and their baby/babies but pregnancy can be a vulnerable time. Everything you know to be true of yourself and your life is changing or will change. At what other point in our lives is this the case? So it feels crappy even to me, a non-pregnant woman, to read an article like this. The message seems to be: don't get induced but if you do, it's likely your fault.

The reality is so much different. Everyday I hear stories from new moms about their birth story and all too often a part of that story is not feeling heard or respected. Whether that's the mom who says that she was induced because she was "too small" to deliver vaginally or the mom feeling traumatized because of what one nurse said or by the med students in the room. The list goes on. I will never forget the new mom who told me, "I wish that I had been told that I could be a bitch in the delivery room." And by this she meant, someone who would be relentless when it came to questioning what was happening and saying exactly what she wanted. This mom didn't feel as if she had that power. Many of us in the exact same place, scared and uncertain, don't either.

One problem is that most childbirth education classes, especially the larger ones that are hospital-based, offer very little in the way of practical tips or coaching on how to respond or deal with hard conversations. Such as when your ob asks about scheduling a csection when you're hoping for a VBAC. Or how to find out how long your ob's practice usually lets women "go" if they are an "older" mom. Or what your options are if progress has slowed. These can be hard conversations! While the topics are introduced, ways to address them with your provider usually are not. More traditional childbirth ed classes offer outstanding, current information but not a lot of support beyond the facts. Even the chairs generally suck! So women may end up feeling more informed but sometimes not any more empowered with real tools in which they can advocate for themselves, in the moment, than they did before the class.

So, lets not throw the pregnant mom under the proverbial blame bus with articles like this. All too often the medical professional in charge is the one wielding the magic wand of decision-making power. Instead let's move toward the use of inclusive, empowering language when it relates to pregnant women so they are part of the conversation...and not just in title alone.

Starting in September, I will offer a multi-week, weekday evening, "traditional" (for couples) Lamaze-based childbirth ed class for expecting parents. Among the usual topics (stages of labor; pain theory; non-pharma pain management; labor support, etc.), I will also include coaching around how best to advocate for yourself in the moment, how to challenge your ob, how to ask better questions, how to make your voice heard, etc. If you'd like to be emailed when registration opens or for more details, click here to head to my contact page. As always, thanks for reading. To leave a comment, click the bubble icon below.