Please see resources below that I found useful during preconception, pregnancy, birthing, and parenting.
(last updated January 2025)
Fertility
Acupuncture
—local practitioner (in San Diego)
The Fertile Heart (book and website for resources)
Maya Abdominal Massage
—local practitioner (in San Diego)
Birthing Support, Doulas
DONA International (find a doula)
The Miles Circuit for Birthing Prep
Informational articles (Birth Education Center in San Diego)
Squat for a healthy pregnancy and birth (by Katy Bowman)
The Miles Circuit for Birthing Prep (to support optimal fetal positioning)
Spinning Babies (to support optimal fetal positioning)
Mommypotamus: natural parenting and home guide
Make Your Own Natural Labor and Birth Kit
Food-borne illnesses during pregnancy : Prevention and treatment
Breastfeeding
International Lactation Consultant Association
Find a local mother’s breastfeeding circle
Prenatal Acupressure, Psychological Support, and Watsu
Acupressure techniques (Debra Betts’ free online guide for techniques during childbirth)
Building and Enhancing Bonding and Attachment (BEBA for trauma resolution with Ray Castellino)
Watsu (warm water shiatsu)
Postpartum Health Alliance (San Diego)
Parenting resources
Gentle Sleep Solutions (with Jen Varela)
Gentle Parenting resources and coaching (with Lelia Schott)
Parenting resources (with Dr. Becky Kennedy)
Ideas for Postnatal Activities
Research local mother’s circles, playdates, Stroller strides, Yoga with infants, music and movement, swimming, Public Library storytime
Books
Buckley, Sarah J. Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor’s Guide to Natural Childbirth and Gentle Early Parenting Choices.
Cassidy, Tina. Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born.
Davis, Elizabeth. Orgasmic Birth: Your Guide to a Safe, Satisfying, and Pleasurable Birth Experience.
Dolan, Deirdre and Alexandra Zissu. The Complete Organic Pregnancy
England, Pam and Rob Horowitz. Birthing From Within.
Erlich, Kathy and Kelly Genzlinger. Super Nutrition for Babies: the Right Way to Feed Your Baby for Optimal Health.
*Estés, Clarissa Pinkola. Women Who Run with the Wolves.
Fritz, Stephanie. Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Birth and Babies.
*Gaskin, Ina May. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth.
*Gaskin, Ina May. Spiritual Midwifery.
Gurmukh. Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful.
*Indichova, Julia. The Fertile heart.
Karll, Sunni. Sacred Birthing: Birthing a New Humanity.
Karp, Harvey. The Happiest Baby on the Block.
Liedloff, Jean. The Continuum Concept.
*Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods.
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy.
McClure, Vimala. Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents.
*Mongan, Marie. HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method.
Plooij, Xaviera, Frans X. Plooij, andHetty van de Rijt. The Wonder Weeks: A Stress-Free Guide to Your Baby’s Behavior.
Rainbolt, Rachel. Sage Parenting.
Sears, Robert. The Vaccine Book.
Sears, William and Martha Sears. The Healthy Pregnancy Book.
*Siegel, Daniel and Tina Payne Bryson. The Whole-Brain Child.
Sister MorningStar. The Power of Women.
Your Pregnancy and Birth (ACOG).
Weed, Susun. Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year.
Article: The Fear of Childbirth is a PAIN from Womankind (March 1972)
Article: The Role of Fear in the U.S. Birthing Process by Colleen Bak (2003)
Videos and Films
Reducing fear of birth in U.S. culture: Ina May Gaskin at TEDx
Vaginal Birth Animation (great visualization tool for birth)
Baby Health and Safety
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC: free supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education)
Avoid talc—it may be carcinogenic (Use corn-starch-based rather than talc-based baby powder)
Let children slide alone to prevent fractures (A Surprising Risk for Toddlers on Playground Slides)
Co-Sleeping Practices (University of Notre Dame)
Floor bed option for baby and toddler (Montessori method)
Sleep environment (United States Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Caring For Your Baby At Night And When Sleeping Nice (UNICEF)
Other Useful Resources
Google Passports for minors under 16
Random Links Not Necessarily Related To Pregnancy Or Parenting!
Eight Things I Learned from 50 Naked People
Gut instincts: The secrets of your second brain
Sowing Dissent: Lunatic Farmer Joel Salatin Digs In
Astrology and spirituality: Mystic Mamma