'Tis the Season . . . . of Induction? 10 Reasons to Stay Pregnant on Christmas

1. It's a great opportunity to take a beautiful maternity picture under the mistletoe!

2. There's no shame in wearing stretchy waist pants. More Turkey? Grandma's apple pie? Yes, please!

3. You can sleep in on Christmas morning.  Seriously, if this is your first baby there aren't any of these left in the forseeable future.  If this is a sibling, blame it on the pregnancy and catch some extra zzz's.

4. Big comfy winter clothes: Best. maternity. wear. ever.  

5. It's all about you!  Live it up - savor unwrapping your gifts and ask for something completely impractical.

6. Family drama?  No worries!  You are growing a baby and can excuse yourself for frequent bathroom trips and naps.  Next year they'll all want to see baby.

7. Spend Christmas Eve snuggled on the couch watching the classics and sipping your favorite virgin cocktail.  No crazy Santa rush this year! Have sex.  Seriously.

8. Drive around and look at the lights, without risk of a crying baby!

9. Take in a delicious reveillon dinner.  This is seriously one of the best holiday offerings in New Orleans and is far more enjoyable sans baby and without the cost of a sitter. If you're not lucky enough to live in New Orleans, maybe you can take a quick trip here? Or get a fancy dinner in your own home town. Just take the time to love one another.

10. The best Christmas gift you can give your baby is letting him pick his own birthday.

You're belly is growing, your baby is moving, the weather is cool; it's a great time to just soak it up and enjoy being pregnant!

I love this time of year, and I'm not alone in that.  Because of this, labor inductions and cesarean rates increase as we approach major holidays, especially Christmas. Inductions increase your risk of a c-section by 50%.  Give your baby the best start at life, and stave off that holiday induction.

Amanda Devereux is founder of Nola Nesting, a Doula, Birth Boot Camp Instructor, co-creator and trainer of Birth Boot Camp DOULA and mom of three breastfed babes.

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Give Light: Stories from Indigenous Midwives

Check out this amazing project that needs our support.  There are two events this week (read about them at the bottom) you can attend to show your support.  But you know what's really important?  Some dollars.  This project is in need of some funding by the 12th - can you pay it forward a dollar or two?

Help us bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern Technology! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/164156992/give-light-stories-from-indigenous-midwives

Check out this intriguing documentary by local director Steph Smith about indigenous midwives. In Give Light: Stories from Indigenous Midwives, hear indigenous midwives discuss a time when birth was a natural event and they assisted women to bring the light of a child into this world.

Meet indigenous midwives from the Himbas tribe in Namibia, Africa; the Yawalapitias of Brazil; the Kogis of Colombia; the Andeans of Peru and elsewhere. Travel to developed countries and the United States to explore what indigenous midwives did before modern medicine denounced them and their practice.

Learn how today, many midwives fear persecution and risk having their practices outlawed; while the medical industry refuses to acknowledge their specific skills and knowledge. This same industry has taken great measures to prevent women from using their midwifery vocation to generate income - while creating a global cesarean epidemic.

Give Light: Stories from Indigenous Midwives seeks to inspire, entertain, and spark dialogue and action regarding the future of maternity health and the role of midwives in contemporary society.

To complete this film, the Kickstarter must reach it's goal by December 12. Please support this wonderful documentary by backing it on Kickstarter!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/164156992/give-light-stories-from-indigenous-midwives

Here are some upcoming events, all proceeds to go support the Kickstarter campaign:

December 9, 2014

7:30 pm Tasseology, 1228 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd Suggested Donation $5-10

Upcoming event! Join the filmmakers for a screening of the short film Give Light at Tasseology, 1228 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. Afterwards, Erika Busciglio, founder of Sacred Women apparel, will lead a water ceremony at the P3 Divine Community and Water Alter exhibit. This ceremony, originating in Colombia, is used to bless and honor our sacred waters and waters of the world. Suggested donation, all proceeds will go to the film's Kickstarter campaign. - http://kck.st/1EBonpa Tasseology site - https://www.facebook.com/tasseologynola

December 10, 2014

6:30 - 7:30 pm King and Queen Emporium Int’l, 2500 Bayou Rd Suggested Donation $5-10

Join us at the King and Queen Emporium Int'l, 2500 Bayou Rd, for a screening of the short film Give Light: Indigenous Midwives Lore. Sula will be offering a blessing for the wombs of mothers and the wombs of the earth! Director Steph Smith will be in attendance and will host a Q&A afterwards. All proceeds will go to the film's Kickstarter campaign -- http://kck.st/1EBonpa King n Queen Emporium Site: https://www.facebook.com/KingQueenEmporium.