Blog entries

The Best Laid Plans

Kari Niedermaier — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:24:30 +0100

Writing this on January 1st, it seems all too appropriate to be writing about plans. Most of us are contemplating our plans and goals for the next year. Some may be planning to conceive. Others are planning and preparing for childbirth. I have been thinking a lot lately about plans, the process of planning and the often unexpected outcomes.

The Birth of A: an Epic Journey

Kari Niedermaier — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:17:30 +0100

The Birth of A: an Epic Journey

Your Mommy and Daddy were so excited to welcome you into their family. You must have been pretty excited too because you were an active little one in your mommy’s tummy! Your Mommy thought you might even come a little early because your constant movements often initiated a series of surges. She was actually very thankful that you stayed tucked safely inside as l...

and the Winner of the Storch Wrap is...

Kari Niedermaier — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:54:31 +0100

Drumroll please...

Lace is the winner of this beautiful Storch wrap.

Thanks to everyone that shared Birthin' with Love around the web. I hope you'll continue to spread the word. Look for another blog give-away to "share the love" in January.

If you're in the Houston area, I hope you'll join us for the free Birth Matters Lecture: Avoiding a Cesarean tomorrow night, Tuesday, December 6th, 6:30-8:30 pm at Lakeside Lutheran Church, 1101 Egret Bay...

Blog Give Away: Storchenwiege Anna Wrap

Kari Niedermaier — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:17:57 +0100

Help Spread the Love and Birthin’ with Love will wrap you in a buttery soft Storchenwiege wrap, just in time for the holidays!

As many of you know, I (Kari Niedermaier), have been supporting expecting families for 11 years…helping them to stay healthy and low risk, avoiding unnecessary interventions, supporting freedo...

Culturally Competent Pregnancy and Birth Services

Kari Niedermaier — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:28:47 +0100

As a family-centered midwife, doctor, doula, or childbirth educator, you probably pride yourself in providing individualized care for women and their families. I know that I do. I also love learning about the cultural and religious heritages of my friends, neighbors, and clients. I assumed I was pretty culturally competent. After the 2011 Child Health USA and Women's Health USA reports documented persistent racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality, I took...

Staying Healthy and Low Risk: DRIVE toward a Healthy Birth

Kari Niedermaier — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:25:33 +0100

Check out my latest Birth Matters edition.

Birth Matters: Byte-size Childbirth Education

Staying Healthy and Low Risk

Any suggestions? Did I forget anything?

Please share with your neighbors, friends, and coworkers!

Amalgam Fillings and Breastfeeding

Kari Niedermaier — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:30:14 +0100

A Houston mom asks:
"I recently went for a dental cleaning and my dentist told me I need to replace 3/6 dental fillings because they leak (mercury). But she said I need to wait until after I'm done breastfeeding to replace the fillings. Does anybody have experience and knows how safe it is or was to breastfeed a baby when mom had silver fillings leaking some mercury that needed to be replaced? I am wondering if it is safe to breastfeed in my case or if I'll put my baby under some health ...

Potty Training the Twins

Kari Niedermaier — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:15:44 +0100

Once a mother has helped four children learn to use the potty, one would presume the fifth and sixth would be easy. Instead, I think these two are going to be the biggest challenge.

The boys have played with their potties since they were 18 months old... sitting on them at will, with clothes on, without, in the shower, outside. For the last 3-4 months, I've encouraged them to sit on the potty frequently, sometimes as often as every 15 minutes. I've t...

What is the appropriate scope of practice for midwives? Will licensure help?

Kari Niedermaier — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:11:56 +0100

This summer, I've seen several issues circulating surrounding midwifery scope of practice and licensure. I know these are not new dilemmas and maybe, we will never come to a consensus. But I would love to hear your thoughts and wisdom.

In Australia, like in many states, there is a move ...

Cesarean Stats for YOUR Local Hospital

Kari Niedermaier — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 01:49:50 +0100

I published a compilation of resources to locate cesarean stats for your local hospital here. If you know of other resources, please let me know!

If you are currently expecting, you will also be interested in the article on Evidence-Based Maternity Care.

Finding up-to-date cesarean section statistics by state

Kari Niedermaier — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:53:54 +0100

To find c-section statistics for your local hospital, click here.

You can find quick data on cesarean rates by state from the March of Dimes here. Select your state and then scroll down to "Delivery Method."
The March of Dimes uses Birth Certificate data to compile their statistics.

I prefer to use the inpatient discharge dataset, HCUPnet, http://hcupnet.ahrq.gov/, sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Happy Mother's Day!

Kari Niedermaier — Mon, 09 May 2011 04:08:14 +0100

I just wanted to take a few moments today to honor all the mothers who have loved, encouraged, and inspired me on my own mothering journey. I have been blessed with some amazing mothers in my family (my mom, grandmas, and several aunts). I have also been blessed by huge circles of mommas in Madison, WI, Los Angeles, CA, and Houston, TX. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all of you... for your tireless work, your patient (and inspiring) love, your steadfast encouragement, and your shining exa...

Inspirational Homeschooling for Kids or Mom?

Kari Niedermaier — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:49:09 +0100

The older kids recently started a new handwriting curriculum called A Reason for Handwriting. Dave and Hanna were sprinting through Handwriting without Tears and needed a change AND I was wanting to do a little bible work each week so I figured I'd hit two birds with one stone. The funny thing is, I'm not sure who's benefiting more from the curriculum, them or me!

Dave and Hanna each fill in the workbook lessons weekly. Jules, who's 10, reads the entire chapter in the bible, copies the...

2 Years Ago...

Kari Niedermaier — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 03:20:12 +0100

2 years ago, I despised the placenta that failed to equally sustain my babies to term.

Today, I praise the placenta that nurtured and sustained my babies for 27 weeks and 5 days.

Today, I forgive myself for anything I might have done or failed to do that contributed to the development of Twin to Twin Tran...

Fun Preschool Apps for the Busy Parent

Kari Niedermaier — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:55:44 +0100

In the last year, I have been blessed with my first smart phone and recently, an iPad. Although texting is a breeze and the games are fun, the real highlight of this new technology for me, as a busy mom, are the amazing apps that have helped with homeschooling, household management, spiritual growth, and small business productivity. Since several friends have asked what my favorites apps are, I thought I'd write a short series of blog posts in response.

Our time-tested, k...

The Dark Side of Homebirth

Kari Niedermaier — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 01:18:17 +0100

I came across a website this morning called Hurt by Homebirth, www.hurtbyhomebirth.com.

(warning: this website shares real stories of families who have lost babies during or after a homebirth).

At first, I was ecstatic to find such a website. I agree with the publisher's claim that too many homebirth advocates are quick to "erase" or "push aside" bad outcomes at or after a homebirth. Being a true, "With Woman" warrior/servant, I want to honor every woman and ever...

Learning Activities for Toddlers

Kari Niedermaier — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:25:50 +0100

I often have moms ask me how to "prepare" toddlers and preschoolers for school. I sometimes laugh at the question because I know what they are asking but I honestly think its the wrong question. These well-meaning moms are asking what they can do now to make sure their kids have success in school (public, private or home). I think they ask me because I have a lot of kids, and the older ones appear to be pretty smart, socially competent, and excel at problem solving. But I think its t...

A year of joy, and another night in the hospital

Kari Niedermaier — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 06:43:46 +0100

Where has the year gone? Almost a year ago, my babies were released from the NICU. I don't even know where that time has gone... it is mostly a blur of persistence in breastfeeding, constant motion (6 kids will do that to you), and sweet, sweet sleep whenever possible (which never seems frequent enough!). I have obviously neglected this blog and many of my other projects but so what? My family is worth it!

The twins are gorgeous, healthy, and on-the-go. At 14 months t...

Marriage & Gardening

Kari Niedermaier — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:36:18 +0100

Have you ever thought of marriage as a plant, maybe a very fragile one like an azalea. I don’t usually think of marriage, or my marriage for that matter, in that way but this New Year that image has smacked me in the face! For the most part, I’ve enjoyed my marriage of 8 years and it has seemed easy enough, almost like a car coasting down a hill. Of course we’ve hit bumps, had fights, but it seemed like we recovered easily. Then somethi...

Welcome to Sweet Rose Farm

Kari Niedermaier — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:51:19 +0100

The Niedermaier Caravan rolled into Sweet Rose Farm at 5pm on Thursday, December 17th. We managed to make it the last hour through the mountains without any vomiting – YEAH!!! Thanks to some great navigating skills by DH and a new route through Covington, VA (a beautiful little town!) and past Falling Springs.

As soon as we arrived, the kids were out the door re-exploring grandpa&rsq...