Friday, December 27, 2019

Outline Of Benjamin Franklin s Leadership - 2229 Words

Jonathan Wong Mrs. Burke AP US History 17 April 2015 Research Paper: Benjamin Franklin Leadership is a trait that few people possess, but many are influenced by its powerful qualities. Leadership has been described by most accounts as the ability to unite a group under one common goal or task. This crucial quality is necessary in order to be remembered by many people. It is necessary when people around you need guidance, or a sense of direction. When people need guidance, they look to figures of power or authority, to ultimately lead them in the right direction. Many years later, that person, who had leaded others, will be revered. This reverence, or legacy that they leave behind, will make them a hero. People who possessed great leadership throughout history left a huge legacy behind with them. Ben Franklin, a radical during the 18th century for revolution, was a wealthy man of Pennsylvania who possessed great leadership throughout the course of his life. The stand out quality he possessed, his great knowledge, enabled him to lead gre at numbers of people in their interests. This quality made him looked up upon as a revolutionary by all of the United States, and people were willing to unite behind Franklin due to his self-made image. Years after Franklin had passed, people still remembered and celebrated his legacy every day in the names of warships, towns, and buildings. Benjamin Franklin was a leading revolutionary all of his life due to his educated background andShow MoreRelatedMachiavellian Leadership : The Prince1285 Words   |  6 PagesMachiavellian Leadership: Are These Principles Morally Correct to Use Today? For centuries, the political principles brought forth through Nicolà ² Machiavelli in his writing, The Prince, have been quite controversial both on the political forefront and the mainstream of leadership training. Though most people do not know that they are fighting battles over the principles brought about in the writing of Machiavelli. The Prince was written in the years following Machiavelli’s time in the politicalRead MoreThe Debate On Same Sex Marriage1934 Words   |  8 Pagesequality. Because conservatives are strict on laws, they tend to lean toward powers outline in the constitution by our founding fathers. The conservatives believe that marriage equality is neither a national issue nor it is a Supreme Court issue. They favor religious view, moral values as the base of decision-making and public policies voting. The Republican Party platform from one of the election year was â€Å"embrace[s] the principle that all Americans should be treated with respect and dig nity,† however;Read Moretalent development Essay1625 Words   |  7 Pagesand nurture your Culture and Organization through your People SME Evolution Program Fall 2012 – Talent Development #SMEEP  © Potential.com Quote Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade? Benjamin Franklin SME Evolution Program Fall 2012 – Talent Development #SMEEP  © Potential.com What defines Talent Development? Explore content How would you define Talent Development ? SME Evolution Program Fall 2012 – Talent Development Read MorePre-Columbian Period9302 Words   |  38 Pagesoperation of the new government and efforts soon began to improve upon it.[28] The territory of the newly formed USA was much smaller than it is today. A French map showing Les Etats Unis in 1790A series of attempts to organize a movement to outline and press reforms culminated in the Congress calling the Philadelphia Convention in 1787. The structure of the national government was profoundly changed on March 4, 1789, when the American people replaced the confederation type government of theRead MoreLeadership Development Model Of Bass And Avolio9476 Words   |  38 PagesINTRODUCTION Hayward (2005) pointed out that the studies on leadership have been ongoing as far back as early 1900. This is prompted by the fact that man has always sought to answer what is it about a leader that distinguishes him or her from another leader, what it is about an individual that makes him or her a leader, why do some leaders fail and why do some other leaders excel etc. In attempt to provide answers to these questions, several leadership theories and approaches has been established. It isRead MoreBritish Impact on India10478 Words   |  42 Pagesit will be applied to the British colonial impact in Indian society. Edward Said describes The founder of Orientalism, William Jones, as a gifted scholar who spoke Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian, and whose many talents drew the attention of Benjamin Franklin, William Pitt, Edmund Burke and Samuel Johnson.[4] One of Joness major essays entitled Objects Of Enquiry During My Residence In Asia covered numerous topics from the Laws of the Hindus and Mohammedans, Modern Politics and Geography of HindustanRead MoreCurriculum Development- Let Review9921 Words   |  40 Pagesattain? 2. What educational experiences can be provided that are likely to attain these purposes? 3. How can these educational experiences be effectively organized? 4. How can we determine whether these purposes are being attained or not? Tyler ‘s model show that curriculum development should consider the following: A . Purposes of the school B .Educational experiences related to the purposes c. Organization of the experiences d . Evaluation of the experiences Hilda Taba madeRead MoreManagement Course: Mba−10 General Management215330 Words   |  862 PagesBusiness Review Finance Articles The Power of Management Capital Feigenbaum−Feigenbaum International Management, Sixth Edition Hodgetts−Luthans−Doh Contemporary Management, Fourth Edition Jones−George Driving Shareholder Value Morin−Jarrell Leadership, Fifth Edition Hughes−Ginnett−Curphy The Art of M A: Merger/Acquisitions/Buyout Guide, Third Edition Reed−Lajoux and others . . . This book was printed on recycled paper. Management http://www.mhhe.com/primis/online/ Copyright  ©2005Read MoreLibrary Management204752 Words   |  820 PagesCongress Subject Headings: Principles and Application, Fourth Edition Lois Mai Chan Developing Library and Information Center Collections, Fifth Edition G. Edward Evans and Margaret Zarnosky Saponaro Metadata and Its Impact on Libraries Sheila S. Intner, Susan S. Lazinger, and Jean Weihs Organizing Audiovisual and Electronic Resources for Access: A Cataloging Guide, Second Edition Ingrid Hsieh-Yee Introduction to Cataloging and Classification, Tenth Edition Arlene G. Taylor LIbRaRy and InfoRMaTIonRead MoreSolution Manual, Test Bank and Instructor Manuals34836 Words   |  140 PagesGeorge S. Kriz, Gary M. Lampman, Randall G. Engel (IM) A People and a Nation A History of the United States, Brief Edition, Volume I, 9th Edition_Mary Beth Norton, Carol Sheriff, David W. Blight, Howard P. Chudacoff, A People and a Nation A History of the United States, Volume II Since 1865, 9th Edition_Mary Beth Norton, Carol Sheriff, David W. Blight, Howard P. Chudacoff, Fredrik A Small Scale Approach to Organic Laboratory Techniques, 3rd Edition _Donald L. Pavia, Gary M. Lampman, George S. Kriz

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Analysis of Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre Essays - 1499 Words

Analysis of Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre Jane Eyre was written by Charlotte Brontà « under the male pseudonym of Currer Bell in 1847. It is a semi autobiography and is a mixture of realism, romance and Gothic. During this time women were seen as beings of inferior status. The plot of Jane Eyre follows a bildungsroman. Janes growth is traced from childhood and innocence to adulthood and maturity. It depicts the story of a woman who is capable of strong emotions and passion and the difficulties she must overcome. There were two ideas of a woman the angel and the monster. The angel was submissive, obedient, had no sense of identity and lived purely to please her husband. Differently the†¦show more content†¦She stands up to John Reed, you are like a murderer- you are like a slave driver- you are like the Roman emperors, which conveys that she has a strong sense of justice and a desire to be treated fairly. This response goes against that of the stereotypical Victorian girl as they were perceived to be obedient and submissive. She is banished to the red room for retaliating to John Reed. The red room introduces the Gothic elements, it symbolises the emotional suppression faced by Victorian women in society and epitomises Janes isolation. It is decided that Jane will go to school and in chapter four she meets her future headmaster. Brontà « uses phallic imagery to describe Mr Brocklehurst the straight narrow, sable- clad shape standing erect on the rug, which exaggerates the dominating patriarchal male. When Mr Brockelhurst questions her about hell, her reply is impertinent, I must keep in good health and not die. Mr Brocklehurst reveals the hypocrisy of his Christian value because although he advocates physical suffering for the girls at Lowood, his wife and daughters are allowed to wear fancy clothes and rich jewels. Mrs Reed intimates that Jane has a tendency to deceit this comment hurts Jane deeplyShow MoreRelatedEssay on An Analysis of Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre1431 Words   |  6 PagesAn Analysis of Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre is presented in the Victorian Period of England. It is a novel which tells the story of a childs maturation into adulthood. Janes developing personality has been shaped by her rough childhood. She has been influenced by many people and experiences. As a woman of her time, Jane has had to deal with the strain of physical appearance. This has a great effect on her mental thinking and decision making. Jane Eyres cognitiveRead MoreAnalysis Of Charlotte Brontes Beloved Novel Jane Eyre1750 Words   |  7 Pages The Many Lovely Things of Jane Charlotte Bronte’s beloved novel Jane Eyre stepped out of the literary world and into our own when The Hale Center Theatre in Orem, Utah set this moving story to the stage. This follows the narrative of a young Jane Eyre, starting as an orphan in a victorian society, she struggles to find a place to belong. After being branded as a troubled and mischievousness child she is sent to a religious christian school to learn her place. Here she finds a much needed friendRead MoreJane Eyre Feminist Analysis1066 Words   |  5 Pagestheir intuition. Jane Eyre, a semi-autobiography by Charlotte Brontà «, is an exemplary novel where an untraditional heroine defies societal normality. The female protagonist Jane Eyre exhibits a self-created drive for personal success and a perpetual ambition to learn, characteristics customary of men. After the publication of Jane Eyre, many critics has viewed it through the feminist literary lenses, claiming it to contain biblical feminism. In the literary analysis â€Å"Charlotte Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s Religion: FaithRead MoreUse of Gothic Elements in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre1740 Words   |  7 PagesUSE OF GOTHIC ELEMENTS IN CHARLOTTE BRONTES ‘JANE EYRE Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre was published in the middle of the nineteenth century. Bronte was greatly influenced by the Gothic novels that were in fashion before the time of Jane Eyre. The Gothic novel was popularised in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and was defined by its use of suspense, supernatural elements, and desolate locations to generate a gloomy or chilling mood. The protagonist of the novel would generallyRead MoreUse of Gothic Elements in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre1729 Words   |  7 PagesUSE OF GOTHIC ELEMENTS IN CHARLOTTE BRONTES ‘JANE EYRE Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre was published in the middle of the nineteenth century. Bronte was greatly influenced by the Gothic novels that were in fashion before the time of Jane Eyre. The Gothic novel was popularised in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and was defined by its use of suspense, supernatural elements, and desolate locations to generate a gloomy or chilling mood. The protagonist of the novel would generallyRead MoreSimilarities Between Charlotte Brontes Life and Jane Eyres Life6996 Words   |  28 Pagessimilarities between Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte’s life. The aim is to find out how Charlotte Bronte’s life and experiences affect Jane Eyre. The most frequently and the most effective similarities from the earlier parts of their lives to the end of their lives are given in this study. It is also aimed to determine the frequency of similarities and effectiveness of these similarities by analyzing their lives. After analyzing the collec ted data, the findings of the analysis show that there are manyRead MoreSimilarities Between Charlotte Bronte’s Life and Jane Eyre’s Life7010 Words   |  29 Pagessimilarities between Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte’s life. The aim is to find out how Charlotte Bronte’s life and experiences affect Jane Eyre. The most frequently and the most effective similarities from the earlier parts of their lives to the end of their lives are given in this study. It is also aimed to determine the frequency of similarities and effectiveness of these similarities by analyzing their lives. After analyzing the collected data, the findings of the analysis show that there are manyRead MoreThe Upbringing Of Orphans By Charles Dickens And Jane Eyre1714 Words   |  7 Pagesmany, and leads readers to wonder about the injustices of the conditions of the orphans. The novels Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens 1838 and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 1847 depicted much of the 19th cen tury working class and illustrated the treatment of orphans with different socio-economic perspectives. The role of the two orphans in the novels (Oliver and Jane) leads the reader through a maze of experiences, encountering life s threats and grasping its opportunities. The novels show an insightRead MoreCharlotte Bronte1859 Words   |  8 PagesCharlotte Bronte was born on April 21, 1816 at Thornton in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Charlotte was the oldest daughter of six kids in the Bronte household. She helped raise her brother, Branwell, and her two sisters, Emily and Anne. As Charlotte and her sisters grew up they started to grow a very vivid and creative imagination. They would play in made up kingdoms and would write stories and poems based on their childhood adventures. These writings that she developed with her sisters were theRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Second Child And Maria Branswell S Fifth Child2059 Words   |  9 Pages Biographical Summary One April 21, 1816 Patrick Bronte’s third child and Maria Branswell’s sixth child was born in Thornton, Yorkshire in England. Shortly after her birth, the Bronte-Branswell family moved to another part of Yorkshire known as Haworth so her father had been given the opportunity of being perpetual curate to the S., Michael and All Angels Church. However while in Haworth, a deep tragedy stroke the family on September 15, 1821 when their loving mother had died of cancer. The

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

School Vouchers Education Choices Essay Example For Students

School Vouchers: Education Choices Essay School Vouchers:Education ChoicesMulticultural Vocational Education for a Pluralistic SocietyEDS 114, Summer 2000S. CarinciAugust 18, 2000School Vouchers:Education ChoicesThe concept of educational vouchers was brought to public attention several decades ago with Milton Friedman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist who promoted it as a technique to improve the educational system (US News and World Report, 1998, p.25). The voucher plan, although differing across the country, generally intends to improve the schooling opportunities available to the minorities and the poor by increasing their ability to enter private schools while simultaneously encouraging the building of new schools outside the current bureaucratic structure. Currently, public schools are supported by a combination of taxes collected by state and local governments. The voucher plan turns this system upside down by continuing to collect the taxes, but then immediately distributing them completely to parents to decide which school should be funded. It creates a controlled market in which schools compete for students and students enroll in schools that best accommodate their needs. The vouchers would more or less be equal to the current expense level per pupil in public schools. Generally school vouchers are supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats. Needless to say, the voucher has become a significant source of debate. The Republican Party and other advocates of the plan argue that vouchers free disadvantaged students from flunking public schools and that they also spur public schools to improve by creating competition for students. In the June of 1998, a poll conducted by the Organization and Phi Delta Kappa, a professional education association, showed that 51% of Americans favor vouchers while only 45% oppose them (Majority, 1998,p.857), It is public schools moral culture and not merely a concern with academic quality that underlies the controversy over subsidization of nonpublic schools. If public schools became first-rate academically, there would still be a demand for private schools(Hanus, 1997, p.30). Supporters declare that as long as the tuition voucher belongs to the parent, it is no business of the state to which schools the voucher goes. Comparing the vouchers to food stamps, which do not require regulations on grocery stores, they argue that the school vouchers would not carry with them the regulations which have made public schools less effective. The Democratic Party and opposers of the plan challenge that vouchers siphon resources from the public school system, The deregulation of the public school system through the widespread use of school vouchers would lead to an elementary and secondary school system that is fragmented, inefficient, and inherently unequal( Hanus, 1997, p.30). They argue the fact that since there are roughly 4.9 million students in nonpublic schools and since the average cost for each of these students is around $5,500, the total co st of the voucher money would be in the vicinity of $26.95 billion per year. In addition to this, the opponents of the plan contend that the average transportation costs would increase by approximately $1.5 million (Doerr, 1995). Antagonists of vouchers also point to a study conducted by Money magazine. The results of this research concluded that, Students who attend the best public schools outperform most private school students. The best public schools offer a more challenging curriculum than most private schools. Public school class sizes are no larger than in most private school (Doerr, 1995). Vouchers have been approved in the cities of Milwaukee and Cleveland, and in the state of Florida. In Milwaukee, the children that participated in this voucher program had to have been from relatively impoverished families, and only non-religous schools could participate. The money, which was roughly $2,500 per student annually, went directly to the participating schools. In the fall of 1998, 6,200 students attended 57 religious schools and 30 secular private schools with the aid of these vouchers(US News and World Report, 1998, p.25). In Cleveland, the study commissioned by the Ohio Department of Education measured the performance of a sample of third graders over eight months. The results found that voucher recipients in private schools havent done any better academically than their public-school counterparts. Despite the intensity of this debate, there is no conclusive evidence on the academic impact of school vouchers. Life on the frontier EssayThe controversy of school vouchers is a matter that can be attacked in many various ways. However, the American people need to look at the incentives that can be provided in the future rather than the setbacks. No educational systems are flawless, and in order to improve in one way, something else must suffer. The American educational system is already behind many others and cant wait much longer before falling out of the race. Already 20 foreign nations have subsidized religious education for many years and have not experienced the negative effects anticipated by some. What happens to the American educational system will be decided by the American people. The wait has been too long already and should not be postponed any longer. It is time to make a decision. It is time for school vouchers. Works Cited/BibliographyCarnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. School Choice. Princeton: The Carnegie Foundation, 1992. Doerr, Edd. The Empty Promise of School Vouchers. USA Today (Magazine). March 1997: 88-90. Doerr, Edd; Albert Menendez, and John Swomley. The Case Against School Vouchers. Hanus, Jerome. School Vouchers, Pro and Con. Current. Jan 1997: 30-31. Majority of Americans Favor School Vouchers. The Christian Century. 23 Sept 1998: 857. Public Education: A Monopoly No Longer. US News and World Report. 25 June 1998: 25. Rouse, Cecilia. Private School Vouchers and Student Achievement. Quarterly Journal of Economics. v113 (1998) 553-603. Noll, James Wm. Taking Sides, Dushkin Mcgraw Hill, 1999Shapiro, Walter. Pick a School, Any School. Time. 3 Sept 1990: 70-71. Skillen, James W., The School-Choice Controversy. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993. Words/ Pages : 1,601 / 24

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Updates on Delivery Room free essay sample

During the first stage of labor, what is the effect of maternal positioning on duration of the first stage of labor, type of delivery, maternal satisfaction, and neonatal and maternal outcomes? Evidence-Based Answer Upright positions include sitting, standing, walking, and kneeling. Based on heterogenous results, women who maintained upright positions had a first stage of labor that was about one hour less than women who were supine or reclined. There were no differences in type of delivery, and there were insufficient data on maternal satisfaction and maternal and neonatal outcomes. (Strength of Recommendation = A, based on consistent and good quality patient-oriented evidence). Practice Pointers Most women in the United States deliver their babies in hospitals. To facilitate intravenous infusions, epidurals, and maternal and fetal monitoring, women often spend much of the first stage of labor in supine or recumbent positions. In this Cochrane review, the authors found 21 studies (n = 3,706) comparing upright with recumbent maternal positions during the first stage of labor. We will write a custom essay sample on Updates on Delivery Room or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Overall, compared with recumbent positions, women who maintained upright positions had a duration that was approximately one hour less for the first stage of labor (mean difference = −0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.60 to −0.39). Participants in upright positions also were less likely to have epidural analgesia (risk ratio = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.96). In a related Cochrane review, assuming a hands and knees maternal position for 10 minutes at a time in late pregnancy did not appear to help rotate babies who presented in occipitoposterior positions, which was based on an analysis of three trials (n = 2,794) that found the maternal position rotates babies temporarily, but the babies do not maintain their occipitoanterior position. 1 Maternal positioning on hands and knees may be beneficial in labor to reduce backache, but there is insufficient evidence that it improves labor outcomes. Studies of maternal positioning in labor are challenging because it is not possible to have participants blinded to allocation groups, and it is difficult to standardize the intervention. Many women cannot easily maintain the position to which they were randomized once their cervical dilation is greater than 5 to 6 cm. Also, the measures taken to encourage adherence to protocols can vary by study. Other Cochrane reviews have documented the benefit of continuous intrapartum support from early labor in decreasing labor duration, likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth, likelihood of intrapartum analgesia, and dissatisfaction with childbirth experiences.2,3 It is especially beneficial to have continuous support from a person who is not a member of the hospital staff.2 For low-risk deliveries, home-like birth settings in proximity to medical wards are associated with reduced medical intervention, higher rates of spontaneous vaginal birth, and increased maternal satisfaction. 3 These studies lend support to the recommendation that women should be encouraged to labor in the position they find most comfortable.1–3 CLARISSA KRIPKE, MD Author disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Source Lawrence A, Lewis L, Hofmeyr GJ, Dowswell T, Styles C. Maternal positions and mobility during first stage labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(2):CD003934. REFERENCES 1. Hunter S, Hofmeyr GJ, Kulier R. Hands and knees posture in late pregnancy or labour for fetal malposition (lateral or posterior). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(4):CD001063. 2. Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(3):CD003766. 3. Hodnett ED, Downe S, Edwards N, Walsh D. Home-like versus conventional institutional settings for birth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;(1):CD000012. Instruments for Assisted Vaginal Delivery Am Fam Physician. 2011 Jul 1;84(1):26-27. Related letter: Increased Risks with Serial Vacuum Forceps for Assisted Vaginal Delivery. Clinical Question For assisted vaginal delivery, does the use of forceps or vacuum devices result in lower morbidity for the mother and newborn? Evidence-Based Answer Use of forceps is more likely to result in a vaginal delivery than use of vacuum devices (relative risk [RR] = 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 2.2), but has a higher rate of perineal trauma, tears, pain, and incontinence, and a trend toward more cesarean deliveries. Use of metal-cup vacuum devices is more likely to result in a vaginal delivery than use of soft-cup devices, but is more likely to cause neonatal scalp injury and cephalohematoma. (Strength of Recommendation = A, based on consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence) Practice Pointers Assisted vaginal deliveries are recommended for fetal distress, failure to deliver after a prolonged second stage of labor, or maternal factors that would make pushing dangerous, such as exhaustion or medical problems. The choice of instrument depends on factors such as the training of the physician, fetal position, and the degree of anesthesia. Vacuum extraction does not require as much anesthesia for the mother as forceps.1 To determine the safest delivery method for the mother and newborn, the authors of this Cochrane review searched for randomized controlled trials comparing methods of assisted vaginal delivery at term. The authors found 32 studies including 6,597 women. Seventeen of the studies compared types of vacuum devices, and 13 studies compared forceps with vacuum devices. Although the failure rate was lower with forceps than with vacuum devices, third- and fourth-degree perineal tears were more common with forceps (RR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.6 to 3.9). Facial injuries in newbor ns were also more common with forceps (RR = 5.1; 95% CI, 1.1 to 23). There were no differences between forceps and vacuum devices in Apgar score, shoulder dystocia, need for intubation, severe morbidity, death, or use of maternal analgesia. Compared with soft-cup vacuum devices, use of metal cups was more likely to result in a vaginal delivery but had higher rates of neonatal bruising, cephalohematoma, and scalp injury. There are risks and benefits with different assisted vaginal delivery methods, with no clear superiority of one device over another. However, this review supports the use of vacuum extraction with a soft cup as the first-line method because of its lower risk of harming the newborn. [corrected] CLARISSA KRIPKE, MD Author disclosure: No relevant financial affiliations to disclose. SOURCE OMahony F, Hofmeyr GJ, Menon V. Choice of instruments for assisted vaginal delivery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(11):CD005455. REFERENCE 1. Operative vaginal delivery. ACOG Technical Bulletin Number 196—August 1994 (replaces No. 152, February 1991). Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1994;47(2):179–185. 7 Alternative ways to prepare for childbirth and cope with the intensity of labor. Carlsbad, CA (PRWEB) — As the shift toward self-education continues to grow, large numbers of American women are choosing   alternative ways to prepare for childbirth and cope with the intensity of labor. Instead of waiting for the doctor to tell them what they need to know, women are doing more research on their options and exploring ways to make pregnancy and birth less painful. Here is what they are choosing: 1. Birth Networks – These organized, regional groups of pregnant women and birthing professionals meet regularly to educate, empower and support each other and advocate for the improvement of maternity care in their communities. What started as a grassroots movement has exploded across the county. Evidence of a growing trend: Amy Romano of Lamaze International estimates that the number of birth networks has doubled in the past year. Since 2004, the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth has awarded grants to form and expand birth networks. It also offers organizational resources for birth networks through their website, www.normalbirth.lamaze.org. 2. Birth Stories – Expectant women are hungry for information on labor and birth, and the mainstream media is responding with birth stories. These stories offer much more than entertainment; they provide information on birth options, tools, classes and techniques. The impact of birth stories on expectant parents is quickly coming to the attention of the birth professionals, and many are actively discouraging patients from watching the highly-dramatized birth programs on cable television. Because the level of fear in a laboring woman directly impacts the progression of her labor, birthing professionals are directing patients to read only empowering, inspiring birth stories, such as those found in Journey into Motherhood: Inspirational Stories of Natural Birth http://www.journeyintomotherhood.com (White Heart Publishing, 2005). Evidence of a growing trend: There are now 7 programs on cable television that highlight the experience of labor and delivery. Most pregnancy magazines now feature birth stories on a regular basis, and many birth networks and childbirth educators now sponsor birth-story nights. 3. Hypnosis for Childbirth – Since a 1999 segment on NBC’s Dateline featured hypnosis for childbirth, interest has steadily grown. The HypnoBirthing Method and Hypnobabies are two of the oldest and most popular programs, but with the growing interest in this method, there are now several different programs available, as well as supplemental products such as Journey into Childbirth: Hypnosis for Empowered Birthing by Sheri Menelli. While no program promises a pain-free birth, this is a frequent result. Evidence of a growing trend: In the late 19990s there were only a few hundred educators, and as of this year, there are over 3000. 4. Prenatal yoga – Prenatal yoga strengthens and stretches the muscles that are used in childbirth, and teaches breathing and focusing techniques that help women through labor. Evidence of a growing trend:In San Diego, California, prenatal yoga instructors are reporting an increase in class attendance of approximately 50% over the last three years. Much of the increase is attributed to growing support from doctors, midwives and childbirth educators who send their clients to yoga classes to relieve back pain, reduce tension, and cope with high blood pressure. A number of prenatal yoga videos are now available to women who prefer to practice at home. 5. Water-assisted labor – Widely known as â€Å"nature’s epidural,† warm water can ease the discomfort of labor by helping a woman relax. A â€Å"birthing tub† counters the effect of gravity on her contracting muscles, and even a warm shower can provide soothing comfort to tired and tense women. Evidence of a growing trend: In the last 10 years, water-assisted labor has grown exponentially. In 1995 there were only three hospitals in the country that offered it. Now it is offered in more than 260 hospitals – 15% of all U.S. hospitals. In the last year alone there was a 4% increase, and this number is expected to grow in the coming year. 6. Doulas – A doula is a professional who is trained to provide emotional and tactical support a family through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and newborn care. Studies show that the presence of a doula reduces the need for medication, as well as the possibility of a Cesarean-section birth. Evidence of a growing trend: Every doula organization reports phenomenal growth in membership, and in the number of students in doula training classes. Doulas of North America (DONA), just one of several doula organizations reported a 10-fold increase in the number of certified doulas in the last 7 years. 7. Pregnancy Massage – A specialized form of bodywork, pregnancy massage addresses the specialized needs of a rapidly changing body. It enhances the function and alignment of muscles and joints, improves circulation and muscle tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue. These benefits translate to lower levels of stress hormones, as reported in a study by Dr. Tiffany Field at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Evidence of a growing trend: Instructor Elien Alexander from The School of Healing Arts in San Diego, California, reported a 10-fold increase in the number of students becoming certified in pregnancy massage in the last 5 years.