Empowered Birth writers/bloggers are all invited!

Empowered Birth Week Blog Carnival!

Greetings Mamas, Papas, Midwives, Doulas, Birth Activists and anyone involved or interested in empowered birth experiences!
You are warmly invited to participate in the ‘Empowered Birth Blog Carnival’ on September 5th 2011.  This exciting online event is part of the celebration of ‘Empowered Birth Week’ September 5th – 12th 2011. This Empowered Birth Blog Carnival is hosted by ‘Child of the Nature Isle‘ and ‘BetsyDewey’ – two blogs passionate about natural/empowered births and the people who make it happen.
What is a blog carnival?
A blog carnival provides the opportunity for a variety of bloggers to write a post on a specific theme, publish them on the same day, and then support each other by reading posts, making comments and sharing on social networks.  Since the participants are all writing on the same theme, the carnival is a great way to discover new blogs on a topic that you are passionate about. Blog carnivals have the potential to create community, forge friendships and get you increased attention in the blogosphere!
In this case, the Empowered Birth Blog Carnival is dedicated to exploring all aspects of Natural, Joyful Birth and Holistic Birthing preparations.  Whether you are new to blog carnivals or a regular carnival contributor, we’d love to have you participate on this important topic.
What is Empowered Birth Week?
Empowered Birth week is designed to promote the messages, skills, and teachings of anyone involved or interested in natural birthing in such a way that it awakens every woman to seek, “empowered birth,” information.  It is an expression of our joy, triumphs and power!
Empowered Birth Week is the work of  Barbara Rivera Of Birth Power.
For more information on what an Empowered Birth is read here: http://www.birthpower.us/WhatisEmoweredBirth.html
You can watch the explanation of Empowered Birth Week on You Tube Video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33XGjLl7qpw
What should I write about?
Birth! Tell your birthing story, preparations, joys, successes and celebrations….
Remember, your topic is 100% your choice – these are just some ideas to get your creativity flowing.

• What were/are your top priorities to create an Empowered Birth?
• What do you consider an Empowered Birth? Vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC)? Homebirth? Natural birth in the hospital?
• Do you have a list of books or movies that supported you in having an Empowered Birth?
• Did you need to overcome specific challenges or fears to create an Empowered Birth?
• What tools and techniques did you use while birthing to feel empowered?
• Did you create Birth Art to offer inspiration?
• What advice would you offer a friend who asked you about the subject of Empowered Birth?
• Would you like to share a birth experience where your power was taken away from you during the birthing process and how it could have been different in hindsight?
• What websites/online forums were particular useful for your Empowered Birthing preparations?
• Did you have an Empowered Birth in an unusual setting?

NB: Please do not denigrate anyone else’s birthing experiences or choices in your post – we are all in it for the empowerment!
How do I participate?
We welcome all new, previously unpublished posts on the subject of Empowered Birth as outlined above. All posts must be submitted by 28th August 2011 to:
Terri and Betsy at the following email addresses:
terri (at) childofnatureblog.com
betsy (at) betsydewey.com
Replace the (at) with @ and close the gaps – it’s written like this to prevent autospammers!
In addition to your post you will need to:

• Write a 1-2 line summary of your post that will be included in the link information at the bottom of the carnival. E.g ‘Terri at Child of the Nature Isle’ explains how she felt so empowered during her birth she could have delivered her baby in the national stadium!’ (well something like that!) Please send this summary in the same email as your post.
• Share your Facebook pages and Twitter urls if you have them so we can link up everyone and promote each-other on our social network sites.  Building a community of like-minded bloggers is one of the best benefits of participating in a blog carnival.
• The URL link to your post. This can be done by scheduling the post in advance. If you need more information on this process please contact us.

You will be informed of your acceptance to the carnival by 2nd September at the latest and given additional information such as the html code to insert before and after your post which will list all the other participants. All posts need to be published before 8am EST on September 5th 2011 and you will be expected to update the html code later that afternoon with all the updated links.  The updated code is essential because it will give your readers the correct links to other blogs participating in the carnival, as they will be linking to your blog as well.
Don’t worry if it’s your first carnival and all this sounds complex, it’s super simple and tons of fun!  Your carnival hosts will be happy to help you on the day of the carnival if you run into problems, too.
We look forward to your participation. Please spread the word!

With Empowerment and Joy

Terri Henry & Betsy Dewey

About Child of the Nature Isle
Child of the Nature Isle is a blog from Dominica, a country that is also known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean. Dominica is famous for its 365 rivers, lush protected rainforest, boiling lake and world class diving. We are not the Dominican Republic!  Up in the heights of a rainforested mountain which bubbles with healing, hot sulphur water, Terri lives with her partner and 2 young children. They are a natural-birthing, breast-feeding, tandem-nursing, baby-wearing, cloth-diapering, vegan-fooding, co-sleeping, yoga-practicing, non-vaxing, home-schooling, nature-loving bunch! Terri enjoys sharing their natural, healthy ‘eco-livity’ to positively contribute to joyful and sustainable family lifestyles everywhere.

About Betsy Dewey
Betsy is the author of Birthright - the latest on pregnancy and birth alternatives.  She is passionate about sharing her knowledge about fertility, nutrition, pregnancy, circumcision, vaccination, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, midwifery, home birth, home school, parenting, and freedom with women and men everywhere.  Betsy gave birth to both of her sons at home.  She breastfeeds, cloth diapers, potty trains early, under-vaccinates, loves yoga, consumes raw milk and oysters, and believes that circumcision is barbaric.  She and her family are navigating the home school ride and living life to the fullest.  Betsy’s enthusiasm for life is contagious.