Penny discusses one of her favorite topics in labor which she refers to as "the 3 R's: Relaxation, Rhythm and Ritual." You can now download Penny's classic childbirth education film of the same name at https://www.pennysimkin.com/project/t... to see lovely examples of the 3 R's in a series of live births.

The Essential Ingredient: Doula is a documentary produced by DONA International in 2010 featuring commentary by all of DONA International's esteemed founders and some of its celebrated past presidents speaking on the origin and rationale of doula support. Their words are complemented by inspiring visuals of treasured birth and postpartum moments courtesy of Jodie Myers/MyBirthMovie (www.mybirthmovie.com). You are encouraged to use this documentary in your practice. Embed it on your web site and share it with potential clients and professional. *Please be advised that you may not edit or cut the video or remix portions of it for other projects.

Penny talks about trends in maternity care that have brought us to where we are today. While our goals have been to improve birth outcomes using technology, drugs and surgery there are important trade-offs to consider. Penny's discussion includes the impact of your choices around where to give birth and how you choose a care provider.

Penny Simkin interviews Dr. Amy Gilliland, psychologist and doula, about the role of fathers at birth. What kind of support do fathers need? What does the research tell us about a father's experience of birth? Dr. Gilliland suggests that there is a need for a cultural shift in expectations of fathers at birth and how “research going back decades, as well as the current research, shows that when fathers are alone to do labor support their overwhelming feelings are anxiety and fear . . . the only studies where men have enjoyed being at the birth, they had one-on-one support from a midwife or a doula."

Ina May Gaskin, MA, CPM, PhD (Hon), is founder and director of the Farm Midwifery Center in Tennessee. The 41-year-old midwifery service is noted for its women-centered care. Early in her career, Gaskin learned an effective method for dealing with a feared obstetrical complication (when baby's shoulders become stuck during birth) from indigenous midwives in Guatemala. Years later, the low-intervention Gaskin Maneuver became the first obstetrical procedure to be named for a midwife in this era. The Farm Midwifery Center is noted for its low rates of intervention, morbidity and mortality despite the inclusion of many vaginally delivered breeches, twins and mothers of more than five babies. Author of several books, she promotes joyful birth, maintenance of breech skills and recognition of certain ingenious skills and techniques used by indigenous midwives of Mexico and Brazil. She has been awarded honorary doctorates from Thames Valley University, London, England and Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia. In December of 2011, she received the Right Livelihood Award, also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)