WellBegun, LLC
"... and all the children were above average."
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Here are some useful links.  WellBegun has no official relationship with these resources, and the views expressed by these resources may or may not reflect the views of WellBegun.  WellBegun may or may not endorse any products advertised or sold on these websites.  Some of the organizations linked here are local, some are national.  For national organizations, local information may be directly available from WellBegun - please contact me for info.

ATTACHMENT PARENTING
Attachment Parenting International - There are local chapters in Boulder, Loveland, and Ft. Collins, as well as an information resource in Parker!

BABYWEARING
mamatoto.org
 
BEDREST SUPPORT
Sidelines - a national support organization for women on bedrest. If you are experiencing a "perfect pregnancy," you can also become a Sidelines volunteer!
 
BIRTH STORIES / BLOGS
Sage Femme - a midwife's blog
Birth Diaries - these are a broad spectrum, and are classified as to how "graphic" they are!

BREASTFEEDING
La Leche League - the premier breastfeeding information, support, and advocacy organization!
Dr. Jack Newman - a pediatrician from Toronto who specializes in breastfeeding! Great if you want an MD perspective, and the "Visual Guide" is worth checking out!
Kellymom - a great breastfeeding resource!
GotMom - a breastfeeding website from the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM).
Common Sense Breastfeeding - another great source of information.

CESAREAN / VBAC SUPPORT
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)
VBAC.com

 CHILD DEATH / STILLBIRTH SUPPORT
The Compassionate Friends
Crossings
SIDS Alliance
 

DIAPERING
Diaper Pin - A good starting point for learning about cloth diapering.
Diaper Free Baby - a very different perspective, these folks practice a natural method for responding to baby's needs that can be used on its own or in combination with diapering.
 
GENERAL BIRTH AND PARENTING
Ask Dr. Sears - Dr. Sears and his wife, a nurse, coined the term "attachment parenting."
BabyCenter - a "starting point" that caters to parents of just about any philosophy - take what you want.
Dr. Jay Gordon - Another pediatrician/child development website.
Nurture Mom - because caring about babies means caring about mothers.
Childbirth.org - the name speaks for itself.
Childbirth Connection - formerly the maternity center association.
Gentle Birth - great resource for a number of topics.
Henci Goer - the author of the acclaimed "Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" emphasizes consumerism and informed choices.
AIMS - the Alliance for the Improvement of Maternity Services

MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS / INFORMATION
ACOG - The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists
AAFP - the American Academy of Family Physicians (Family Practitioners are a great medical option for baby catchers who are often overlooked!) 
AAP- the American Academy of Pediatrics
FDA - the Food and Drug Administration
 
MIDWIFERY AND NATURAL CHILDBIRTH
Midwifery Today
NARM - the North American Registry of Midwives.
MANA - the Midwives Alliance of North America.
Citizens for Midwifery - a national organization that promotes midwives and midwifery care.
NaturalChildbirth.org - the name speaks for itself.
Birthing Naturally - the name speaks for itself.
Birthing the Future - Suzanne Arms' non-profit website.

MOM'S GROUPS / COMMUNITY GROUPS
Mothers First - check this out if you are transitioning to a career as an at-home mom!
National Red Cross - if you are interested in learning infant and child CPR
National Safety Council - if you are interested in learning infant and child CPR, and not from the Red Cross (when I certified with them, it was also a two-year cert)
Parents Without Partners - resource for single parents


NATURAL FAMILY LIVING
Families for Natural Living
Mothering - Mothering magazine is a great publication regardless of how "into" natural family living you are!

NUTRITION
The Brewer Institute - Continuing Dr. Brewer's awesome work on nutrition during pregnancy.

OPTIMAL FETAL POSITIONING
Spinning Babies
Breech Babies - a breech website

 If you would like to contribute a resource you love, please contact me with the information and I will review it for possible inclusion on this list.












Did You Know?


"Informed Consent" is not just a paper you sign.  It is a process through which you ask questions, get the facts about a test or a procedure that is being suggested, weigh the risks and benefits in light of your situation, and decide on whether you will accept the test or procedure suggested.
 
An easy way to remember the "right questions" to ask during the informed consent process is to remember that every decision must be "BRAINED."
 
BENEFITS - what do you hope to gain from doing this test or procedure?
 
RISKS - what are the risks involved?  If I opt for this test or procedure, what else am I signing up for?  (For example, if you opt for an epidural, you are also going to get IV fluids, a catheter, continuous monitoring, restricted to bed, etc.)
 
ALTERNATIVES - what other tests or procedures could we do instead of this one?  What are their benefits and risks?
 
INTUITION - sometimes you have an "inner voice" or a "gut feeling" as to whether this test or procedure is right for you or not.  What is your intuition telling you?
 
NOTHING - what happens if we do nothing, just wait and let nature take its course?
 
EMERGENCY - is this an emergency, or do I have time to do research, consult others, and think about this?
 
DISCUSS - can my partner (and/or doula) and I have fifteen minutes alone to discuss this?
 
By getting the answers to these questions, looking at your individual needs, and thinking it through, you can make the decision that is right for you!