tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40404262958848001782024-03-12T22:28:39.177-07:00Body Healing 4BirthUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-38804034471101897872013-04-11T13:25:00.002-07:002013-04-11T14:53:40.286-07:00My battle with Secondary Infertility <div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Secondary infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant, or to carry a pregnancy to term, following the birth of one or more biological children. The birth of the first child does not involve any assisted reproductive technologies or fertility medications. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Infertility is defined as a disease or condition of the reproductive system often diagnosed after a couple has had one year of unprotected, well-timed intercourse, or if the woman has suffered from multiple miscarriages. </span><br />
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http://www.resolve.org/diagnosis-management/infertility-diagnosis/secondary-infertility.html</div>
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<span style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;">I have read stats that secondary infertility affects 1 out of 5 women trying to get pregnant after already having at least one biological child. I have come to the conclusion that I didn't know this because many couples who have this issue simply don't talk about it. I can relate. The month we decided we would try for our third I was so excited. I figured I would be pregnant the very first month. After all, Brayve and Glory were both unplanned. It seemed I had no problem at all becoming pregnant. I didn't become pregnant that first month, or second, or third. At that point I felt a little worried. I started to think that something could be wrong. My past cesareans were haunting me. I knew there was a greater chance of infertility with a previous cesarean. I already had a lack of faith in my body because of the outcome of my children's births. I had been planning my VBA2C (vaginal birth after 2 cesareans) this whole time. I had a dream in my head of how it might go and I was victorious. All of a sudden I had a new mountain to climb. I was very embarrassed. I didn't discuss it with anyone except for my husband. I was obsessed for a good 6 months. It was really a roller coaster of emotions. I read everything I could, and began my journey to find out what was wrong with me. I reached a pivotal moment when after having my daily rant with my husband one day while we were running he snapped back at me. He didn't understand why I was so devoted to becoming pregnant. Of course he wanted more children too, but he felt like it was an attack on my happiness with my family. He just wanted to know why I couldn't be thankful for what I already had. That was incredibly hurtful to me. I never had looked at it that way for one thing, and the only person that I had been confiding in just told me he was tired of hearing it. I cried a lot for the next month or two. I kept it all in and didn't say a word. Who wanted to hear me complain about my inability to become pregnant when I was already so blessed with the two amazing children that I already had? I could consider myself lucky. Some women aren't able to have any biological children, and I was sitting there with two very healthy, smart children of my very own. I guess it kind of put things into perspective for me. Month to month started to get a little easier. I stopped focusing on my NEED to become pregnant now, and started focusing on my health and keeping my family happy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;">A few months ago I finally confided in my mom and one of my sisters. I had to talk about it. It had been so long that I had kept my mouth shut. I just needed somebody to lean on for a second, so I could gather myself back up. It was very helpful getting it out. Its like a race i am running, but instead of making it over the obstacles on my own, I have some people supporting me. They are there giving me support and love, which I feel like everybody could use more of. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">I belong to a trying to conceive support group. Yesterday I posted that I am now at a year of TTC, and this week alone four people have announced their pregnancies. I had backlash from that post from women who have been trying longer, 2,3,4 years and up. They were angry that I was complaining about a year. This was tough for me because I belong to that support group for a reason, for support! I was blindsided by the negativity. Of course I feel sadness for those who have been trying to conceive for years on end. I was in no way trying to belittle their efforts. I just needed a few, "I know how you feel," comments. I was also reprimanded for being so selfish as to feel sorrow over not being able to conceive my 3rd child, when I should be thankful for the two that I have. I can not even express how thankful I am for the two children that I have, but no matter how strong that thankfulness is, it does not stop my desire to have more children. Those same amazing children ask me often if I have a baby in my belly yet, or if I could just give them another baby brother or baby sister. Recently we were in the car, and Brayve from the backseat lets me know that he has been asking God to put more babies in Nana's belly. When I asked him why Nana and not mommy he said, "Because you are having trouble." After I explained to him that a person can ask God for help when they are having trouble, he has been asking God to put another baby in his mommy's belly. I don't know what to say besides that its heartbreaking. No, I am not suffering from a terminal illness. Yes, my family is happy and healthy. My husband has his job still. There are SO many things that I am thankful for, but that doesn't stop the ache that I have for another child. I read a blog the other day. This woman explains it well. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;">The author is Victoria Lambert:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;">"</span><em style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;">I fully appreciate that I am infinitely luckier than all those who are unable to conceive at all – either through infertility, timing or sheer bad luck – but that doesn’t make the pain any easier to bear. </em><br style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;" /><em style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;">What I could not have known before my daughter was born was that infertility is infertility, plain and simple, whenever it occurs. I had no idea that trying for a second child would be like starting with a blank page; that my accumulated wisdom and experience of motherhood would count for nothing in terms of conception.</em><span style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;">"</span><br style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;">--Lambert goes on to describe the guilt she feels about one child not being "enough," the frustration with her body...why can't it create another child?, the guilt the current child gives because they want a sibling, the pain of seeing all of the baby items she keeps stored in hopes that she can use them for another child. </span><br style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;" /><br style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #191919; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;">--Lambert closes her article with this statement: "These days, it has to be said, I long for my need for a second child to go away almost as much as I do for a positive pregnancy test."</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-39005127424312907292012-04-03T06:08:00.000-07:002012-04-03T06:08:13.298-07:00Home Birth-Is it a safe option?There have been studies done with large groups of healthy pregnant women that have favored home birth outcomes. This squashes the complaint that these studies are skewed because high risk women birth in the hospital which makes the outcome unfair. If you ever read Birthing From Within by Pam England some of them are listed in there. Could it be that the interventions regularly used on healthy women at the hospital cause negative outcomes, injury, increased mortality rates even? Lets not even talk about the increase risk for disease! Home birth isn't for everyone, but for those who have educated themselves, are healthy, have good care providers, and feel 100% confident in birthing at home it is the right choice for them. <br />
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Double click on the title below, and go to the link to read the article recently published from USAToday.<br />
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<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-09-03-midwife-home-birth_N.htm">Study: Home birth with midwife as safe as hospital birth</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-79316704329047728092012-02-02T08:40:00.000-08:002012-02-02T08:40:17.458-08:00Childbirth-Let Us Stop Judging Each Other and Start Supporting Each Other I want to address some issues that I have come across lately with other's opinions on women's choice of how they want to birth their babies. The most common controversies that I see are the divide between women who want repeat cesareans and the women who would like to try for VBAC's, women who choose medicated births verse women who choose natural births, and women who choose to birth outside of the hospital verse women who choose to have their baby in the hospital. Although I do understand the point that each is trying to make, I don't understand the judgement being passed upon other mother's and their decisions for what they believe is best for themselves and their babies. <br />
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There are so many details brought in each situation and no one decision can be cut and dry. A woman who has a cesarean then has an option for their next birth. She can choose whether to have a repeat cesarean or to try for a VBAC. Some women have a cesarean and then just know that they will deliver their babies by cesarean from then on. That is perfectly fine if that is their choice and they feel it is what is best for their family. Some women have such traumatic labors with their first that end in cesarean and thinking about going through all that traumatic labor again scares the hell out of them. They may feel safe with a cesarean because they feel like they have more control over the situation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact I can relate. Although I don't choose to have repeat cesareans I know the fear a person can have over the unknown of labor. I also respect a woman who chooses to have a cesarean because it is not a walk in the park when it comes to recovery. They may not go through hours of labor to get a vaginal birth, but you better bet they have to travel a painful road of healing. With that said, there are also some women who recover incredibly well from their surgery. I applaud their bodies for that. Most women who have major abdominal surgery have issues for months, years, or for the rest of their lives. Scar tissue isn't something to dismiss. It can throw your body completely off balance and cause problems with a number of things including your internal organs such as your bladder. There are so many details a woman should consider when making a decision between cesarean and VBAC. I have posted about the risks of VBAC verse the risk of cesarean before so I won't fully go into that again, but just know there are risks with both. I choose VBAC for many reasons. I feel that it is safest for myself and my baby. The thought of surgery scares me beyond belief. I want to be able to bring my baby into the world myself, and have the energy to be able to hold and comfort her in her first moments of life. I feel so strongly about this that I have been researching, praying, planning, and digging deep down in my soul to find strength and peace with the decision to even attempt again. I have thought about opting for a repeat cesarean. Then I wouldn't have to deal with planning, worrying, being afraid, and the unknown of what labor might bring. I could put all the responsibility in the doctor's hands, but in my heart I don't feel like that is what is meant to be for me and my baby. I have done the risk assessments for both options, and I feel safest with VBAC. I should never be judged for this. I should receive support especially from my loved ones. The same goes with a woman who chooses a repeat cesarean. She should get support in her decision, and should have a lot of support for her recovery.<br />
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I feel like there is also a lot of judgement passed between natural birthers and women who choose medication. There are some that feel the need to defend their decision based on other's reaction. I think a woman needs to be educated and read all of the risks of any medication she may be given the option to use during her birth. I feel this is necessary no matter if you are planning a natural birth, or if you already know that you want to use medication. You can't be sure of how your birth will turn out. I think it is great if a woman chooses to have her baby naturally. In that instance you can guarantee that your baby is not receiving any medication or unnatural substance in his journey to the outside. You also know that your labor will not be willingly affected by an outside source of medication being administered. The problem with epidurals, narcotics, or any other intervention is that women think that it is an option that carries no risk, but that is untrue. Many studies have been done showing that interventions including inducing is directly linked to the increasing rates of cesareans. With that being said I think keeping your mind open is the most important thing when going into labor. I have heard of women who are having issues dilating for whatever reason, including being so scared that they are tensing up every muscle in their bodies, and are given the option of either doing a cesarean or trying an epidural in order to relax after not progressing and being exhausted. Sometimes an epidural is given and the woman gets so much relief that they are able to let their bodies do the work, take their mind out of the situation, completely relax or take a nap and then deliver their babies vaginally. The epidural might have saved them from getting an unnecessary cesarean! What a great option to be able to have! I have also personally witnessed a woman who knew ahead of time that she might want the relief of a narcotic at some point during her labor if she ended up being exhausted from a long labor. It turned out that she did have a long labor, she did become exhausted, and she did feel at the end of her rope. She tried the narcotic, got some sleep for a couple of hours on and off, and woke up rejuvenated enough to continue. She was in a good place, and was able to have her baby a few hours later. That was her choice to make, and nobody was there judging her for it. <br />
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Now, addressing where a woman chooses to birth her baby. This has been a hot debate for some time now. Most women choose to birth their baby in a hospital. They have many reasons for this. In society this is where a woman is 'supposed' to have her baby. Most women feel more comfortable being in the hospital where there is medical help if needed. If a woman is thinking about having a medicated birth then her obvious choice is the hospital. Some women don't even know there is another option. A lot of women feel more safe at the hospital during childbirth. Women who have high risk pregnancies obviously benefit greatly from being at the hospital because the risk of something going wrong increases. Sometimes there aren't resources available to a woman who might have second thoughts about going to the hospital and may feel it is really her only option. There is no doubt about the life saving technology that a hospital has. With that being said, childbirth is a normal part of life. Throughout the media and personal stories being told it has been presented to be a time of high anxiety of the unknown for a mother and even the father or partner. Childbirth is directly linked to the thought of pain. If you were in extreme pain you would feel the need to go to the hospital right? What people forget is that childbirth is a natural process! It doesn't have to be scary, it doesn't have to be controlled, and it doesn't have to be thought of as only pain. Some women realize this, and some of those women choose to stay at home or go to a birthing center instead. If their pregnancy is low risk, they have done all the research, they have prepared, and have chosen a good care provider then they have made an educated decision that is right for them. Of course bad things can happen inside or outside of a hospital. A woman makes her choice based on what she feels is best at the time for her family. The main argument that people have against home births is that they think a mother is being selfish for choosing to birth at home. People say that they choose their own birthing experience over the health and safety of their baby. This doesn't even make sense to me. Mother's don't choose home birth over the safety of their children. They choose home birth because they honestly believe that it is the best option for their baby. If a woman knew something negative was going to happen to their baby they would absolutely be in the hospital. The point is you have to weigh the benefits against the risks in every decision that you make. Some women believe that the best decision and most peaceful, loving way they can bring their baby into the world is by doing it in the comfort of their home surrounded by the people that they love, not strangers. The fact is that the chance of something going wrong during childbirth with a healthy pregnancy and healthy mother is low, and if something does go wrong in most cases it can be handled at home or the mother will be able to be transferred for medical care in time. There are even rarer cases where there is an absolute medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If that happens the situation could be fatal at home or in the hospital, but obviously in these extremely rare cases a woman and baby's best scenario would be in the hospital. That doesn't mean that the hospital doesn't come with risks of its own though. A baby or mother is much more likely to develop infection at a hospital because of the high rate of it in hospitals. Sure there is a separate floor for the maternity ward, but every other floor is filled with sick people. Some have extremely contagious infections or disease. I'm not saying that being in the hospital with your baby put you at a high risk of infection that you might not encountered otherwise, but even though the risk is not high it is still a risk. The chances of getting interventions at the hospital is also extremely high and if you want to go natural it will be very hard to do that in a hospital setting. All interventions carry some kind of risk. There are so many things to consider when making your choice. <br />
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Every woman should do the research and make the decision that they feel is best for their family. We should be supporting each other instead of criticizing each other. Every single situation is different. Every single family carries a variety of details that do not completely match anyone else's. Why do we feel the right to judge someone else's choice on what is best for their family. If we stopped putting energy in judging and criticizing and put that extra energy into our own lives and families we would all be better for it. The childbirth scenario around the world, and especially here in the United States would be completely different. If women were given all the information, support, and options to choose what they felt was best, the maternity care system could be turned around. Babies could be born at peace, women could give birth at peace with their choices, more families would be made with the support and peace of their experiences. The world truly would be a better place, because after all, our navigation of this world starts at birth.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-80243672042772556412012-01-24T10:54:00.000-08:002012-01-24T11:04:40.017-08:00Update: Yoga, Chiro, Acupuncture, Rolfing, Eating Right!I wanted to write a post updating on some stuff that I have been doing lately. I have done a lot of research on scar tissue and connective tissue issues in the body that can cause an imbalance in a person's body mechanics. Every injury or trauma our body experiences comes along with scar tissue that builds up and attaches to whatever is near such as muscle, tendons etc. This causes tightness or pulling in muscles that can set our bodies off balance which in turn can cause chronic pain. I am now 14 months post partum and have just recently found some things that have helped me with my back pain and overall stiffness and pain I have been experiencing. I did an inventory of the injuries I have, and the surgeries that I have gone through. I found out that there are multiple things that could be causing the issues I am having. I have tried going to the doctor where I was given prescription pain killers that I never took because what is the point of masking the pain? It is still there. I am on a search to fix whatever is causing the pain. <br />
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First off I want to say how incredibly important I believe yoga is! It is basically what I am using for physical therapy because I believe that it is more effective and cheaper! I am doing stretches, muscle toning, and meditating all in one! This alone has helped tremendously with the pain I experience throughout the day. <br />
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Second, I have been going to the chiropractor monthly. He adjusts my whole spine and my hips (which seem to always be out of place). I have a ripping noise in my right leg that occurs when I move in certain directions. It is a really strange unhealthy sound. My right leg is also stuck in a position that prevents me from stretching my inner thighs (adductors) as far as my left. It is very uncomfortable and pretty frustrating considering I don't know exactly why it is like that, but I have my theories and I'm guessing it is linked to my tight psoas muscle (hip flexor). That could have been caused by the high mileage that I ran for so long, and the failure on my part to stretch it back out after running. <br />
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Third, I will be trying acupuncture on Thursday for the first time. From what I understand it helps relieve pain, and can open up points in your body to help with healing from the inside out. I'm getting the full body one done, front and back. We will see how it works out (I'm a little nervous about the needles).<br />
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Fourth, I was given a tip about a technique called rolfing. It is a treatment that is done over ten sessions that is supposed to help align your body so that you can move with proper body mechanics. I have been to two sessions so far and it is a little intense! The only provider close to me is in Iowa City so I make the 1 1/2 hour trip every Saturday for the 1 1/2 hour session. The first session was very interesting. She worked a lot on my quads which are very bulky and tight. I'm not going to lie, it was pretty uncomfortable. I have very sensitive muscles which tells me that there is an issue. You shouldn't be so sensitive that if someone applies light pressure to a certain muscle on your body that it makes you jump. I was pretty sore afterwards, but I felt so weird. It is hard to explain. I was walking different…it almost felt like a glide. My quads actually looked different in the mirror. Instead of the bulkiness that I usually see they were…. less tone looking? I don't know how to explain it really, but I measured myself and I was an inch and a half taller. I was elated! I have always told my husband that I feel like my body is smooshed, and that I should have been a few inches taller. All of sudden I was! The next morning I woke up free of pain. The first session also released an emotional response. I believe that every trauma, physical or emotional can lie dormant in the body until something provokes a release. This definitely provoked a release that I have never experienced before. I got out to the car and was trembling, confused, and sobbing. Alex was worried! I kept telling him that nothing bad happened, and that it was all so interesting and I really had no idea why I was crying. The second session she worked a little more on my hips and it was a love-hate relationship. She was getting her hands and arms into spaces that have probably never been touched on my outer hips. For the rest of the day my hips felt so free. I'm really excited about this treatment, and will be updating when the ten sessions are up.<br />
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Fifth, I'm eating right, loving life, and keeping an open mind!<br />
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I have a few reasons why I am diving so deep to try to correct my issues. I don't want to be so stiff and sore that I can't play with my kids. I don't want to be in pain everyday. I want to be a healthy person. I want to avoid another cesarean and experience birth the way it is meant to be. I have a lot of work to do before my next baby. I feel that if I try everything I can that I will either succeed, or feel a sense of peace if I don't that at least I gave it 100%. We plan to try for baby number three sometime between the end of the summer and the fall. I have gathered all of my contact numbers for the support team that I am building for the birth of baby number three. I have my diet mostly under control to provide the best nutrition I can for my body and future baby. All my plans are slowly coming together. <br />
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Oh, and side note, I finally broke down and bought a scale. I have decided to release the official number since I have had so many inquiries about it. I now weight 143lbs. That is 15lbs less than I weighed when I became pregnant with Brayve and also Glory. A reminder for all of those out there that are on the weight loss journey I did this by eating right. I do believe exercise is very important for overall health, but if you eat the right foods that your body needs you will be at a healthy weight for you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-1880554736737453112012-01-06T10:42:00.000-08:002012-01-06T10:42:24.852-08:00My healthful revelation!Today I went to subway after a dr. appt. because my kids are both sick and I have no groceries. I went in not knowing what I wanted yet, and as I was standing there I was debating over my usual 6 inch sandwich or a salad. If a person is on a diet what is the right choice that comes to mind? A salad with a lowfat dressing right? Well, I used to be that person who chose to eat healthy most of the time partly because I knew it was best for my health and partly because I was trying to stay or be "thin." Can anyone else relate to this? Today when I made my decision I can honestly say that it was 100% for eating healthy in order to be healthy. I chose a veggie salad, and I wasn't thinking of how much better my regular sandwich would be. I was thinking how yummy vegetables sounded at the moment and my mouth started watering. Then I asked about the dressing options. When she told me my choices I realized that I felt really turned off by all of them. My guess is that there is just too much sugar or fattening something or other my body just doesn't get a long with anymore, and instead of choosing none of them because they weren't light enough, I chose none of them because I actually didn't like them. Amazing huh? I then realized on the way home that I have been doing this for awhile now. Don't get me wrong, I still eat some things that aren't the best for me, and I definitely have a sweet tooth from time to time, but my choices most of the time are pretty solidly healthy. This is an incredibly freeing feelings. I don't have to be miserable because I'm constantly dieting and choosing things I don't really want. I can eat healthy because I want to, its easy, and therefore I can be healthy!<br />
Now you all are thinking… great, glad its so easy for her, wish it could be easy for me too. Or maybe some of you are right there along with me, and if you are awesome! For those of you who are still struggling I will give you a little advice. Keep in mind that it isn't easy, and yes it will feel like a diet at first and I know that sucks. After I had Glory (my second cesarean), I talked to a midwife who gave me some great advice for the next time I become pregnant. After telling her that I took a lot of sugar out of my diet when I became pregnant with Glory, and that I kept running/jogging/walking 3 miles 4 times a week she praised me for my move in the right direction but she gave me a better plan. After hearing my history of sporting event choices, and bad behavior with sugar intake she suggested I not only cut out some sugar from my diet but almost all, and that I be gentle with myself when it came to exercise. I decided to take a shot at it. I stopped running, and started walking instead, and began yoga. Then I took her advice on loading my diet with only vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, lowfat dairy products. I did that, and switched some things around like drinking coconut milk instead of cows, and buying organic fruits and vegetables. I was eating sandwiches that consisted of the whole grain thins as bread, spinach, jalapeno hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, and banana peppers. My breakfast turned into plain oatmeal with blueberries. My snacks were things like almonds, or greek yogurt. After a month of doing this without any stepping out of line it became easier! I didn't crave sugar anymore, and i wasn't able to eat lunchmeat or beef. It just plain grossed me out! That one month was the hardest part. Now I have added a few things back in here and there. I will eat a cookie if I want one, or have some steak if I really feel like it. The good thing is that most of the time I DONT feel like it! <br />
Now, for the reason that I think holds all of this together like glue. Before I became a mother I didn't 100% care about myself. I thought I did, but when I look back on it and think about my habits and behaviors I honestly didn't. After I had Glory I realized that my body was in a lot of pain, and I felt like a 26 year old in a 80 year olds body. This is a very scary feeling for a new mother. I decided that I needed to honestly care about myself. I refuse to tan and now wear sunscreen, if I feel like there is something I need to go to the doctor for I actually go, I developed a positive outlook on life and dropped a lot of the things I used to stress about, and now I eat right and find exercise that is kind to my body. I still hurt, but now I am on the road to feeling better. I have some injuries that probably will never go away, but I can manage them correctly in order to preserve myself as long as I can naturally for the sake of my family. My children are the most important thing in life to me, and I want to make sure I am here to protect them and love them as long as God lets me! <br />
Oh, and I'm building a yoga studio in my basement! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-89896302627483845542011-10-18T12:50:00.000-07:002011-10-18T13:10:27.707-07:00Were my cesareans necessary? What steps I will take to decrease the chance of another one.I have been doing a lot of thinking about necessary cesareans lately. I had posted something in a birth group that I belong to on Facebook in response to someone's question about long labors and positioning of babies. A midwife posted back that it sounded like my cesareans were necessary. This felt strange to hear from a group that seems so natural based. It made me step back and really analyze every detail that led up to my cesareans. After thinking about it for days I responded back to that midwife with a brief summary of why I felt they weren't necessary, although in the exact moment without taking what had happened all throughout labor into consideration I did feel like one of them may have been necessary. <br />
<br />
Let me explain. My pregnancy with Brayve went well after I got out of the first trimester. He was always moving and had a strong heartbeat. I took the labor and birth class from the hospital that I was going to deliver at. I read the book that was lent to me, "What to Expect When Expecting." I went to the first and actually only OB that I knew. That was about all I did to educate myself on labor and birth. I didn't think twice about pain medication, epidurals, or cesareans. I was going to have a natural, normal birth with my husband and mother there to join in the miracle of watching my son be born. Nothing went as planned. My labor with him was exhausting, frustrating, stressful, and confusing. I never saw the OB throughout my labor, my husband was exhausted and confused as I was, my mom had no information to give because she had birthed in the 80's with a great family practitioner that had faith in her ability to birth her babies. I saw three nurses throughout my hospital stay. The first could barely speak english and was really frustrated with me every time I asked her to repeat herself. The second was very sweet, upbeat, and friendly but didn't offer any knowledge on what was going on because her job was to take care of my medical needs. The third nurse was nice, but quiet, and I felt like she was annoyed with me. After 49 hours of labor the OB finally walked in and said, "you need a cesarean." At that moment I felt like I knew absolutely nothing and the OB was king of the world. He was knowledgeable, experienced, and I was there to be a good patient and do what he says. Despite the profanities that I was throwing out I did do what he said and went in for the cesarean. Afterwards I found out that Brayve was posterior with a large head. That was all of the information I was given. When I found out I was pregnant with Glory I just had faith that she would not also be posterior and I would get a doula in case she was. The doula I chose was the only one I knew and she taught childbirth education classes at the hospital. I chose a different care provider which was a group of midwives instead of a very busy OB from the clinic next door from the hospital. My plan was to labor at home as long as possible because by that point I was terrified of going to the hospital. I once again was planning an all natural birth with no medication and no cesarean. At 37 weeks I found out I had tested positive for the Group B Strep bacteria. They told me that when I went into labor to come into the hospital as soon as possible for penicillin to be administered every 4 hours. I did my research and made the educated decision to go against the midwives advice. Unfortunately my doula was also a nurse and could not help me in my own home. After a good 24 hours of laboring at home my water broke and I was saying the famous phrase, "I can't do this anymore." When we went to the hospital I was told there was meconium in the amniotic fluid. BUT I was dilated 7cm!! Unfortunately I panicked and I think I would have gnawed my own hand off if it meant I could go home and the pain would go away. After being at the hospital for about 7 hours stuck at 7cm and then down to 6cm I started running a fever. Because of the meconium and my fever I was worried for my baby. I went with the midwives advice and opted for the cesarean. In that circumstance at that very moment I honestly do believe that the cesarean was necessary. A newborn with an infection is a very serious and life threatening matter and I wasn't about to toe that line. <br />
<br />
This is my take on my first cesarean. I had very little education. I had no knowledgeable support. I read a book about pregnancy and birth that if wasn't borrowed I would use for firewood. I knew nothing about positioning of a baby or even what my baby's position was! I had a very bottom of the line OB who did a huge botch job on my incision. I do not believe at all that the cesarean was necessary. I believe that there were a lot of things I could have done prior to labor starting and also during labor that could have helped that baby turn if I would have known that he may have been or was in an unfavorable position. Putting all that aside though, my epidural was wearing off and I was then told that the baby was posterior. I called my childbirth educator and she said I could try getting on my hands and knees. Brayve's heartbeat was great, and my blood pressure, temperature and stats were also good. I didn't know what to do and neither did my mom and husband. I had a cesarean because I had been there too long. If I had been with a midwife who was knowledgeable of the spinning babies techniques, or who had the patience and interest in helping me figure out why I was laboring so long and why my contractions were so irregular the scenario might have been completely different. <br />
<br />
My take on my second cesarean is much the same as my first. If I had been with a more natural midwife, who was interested and knowledgeable on baby's positioning throughout pregnancy, labor, and birth things could have been different. I probably should have opted for a homebirth considering the fear I had of the hospital. Glory was stuck in my pelvis forehead first. That is how they found her when they were performing the cesarean. That explains the meconium because that is a very stressful position for the baby and fetal stress has been linked with meconium being present in the amniotic fluid. Although, I believe that the cesarean was necessary in the moment I also believe that there were many things that could have been done prior to labor and during labor that might have changed her position when she dropped down into my pelvis. <br />
<br />
I want more than ever for my baby to enter peacefully into my own arms. I want him/her to be comforted with my heartbeat and the sound of my voice. I want to be able to kiss my baby within the first few seconds of his/her life. <br />
<br />
This is what I will change if and hopefully when I am faced with bringing my next child into this world.<br />
1. I will find a midwife who 100% believes in a woman's body and the labor and birth process.<br />
2. I will labor and attempt to birth my baby in a place where I feel safe. <br />
3. I will hire a doula who is experienced and knowledgeable in positioning techniques.<br />
4. I will eat right and exercise regularly.<br />
5. I will get help from a chiropractor who is experienced with prenatal care, the full webster's technique, and myofascial release.<br />
6. I will get help from an acupuncturist and also receive prenatal massages.<br />
7. I will have good posture whether sitting or standing and will use what is recommended on Spinning Babies to get my baby in a favorable position from the start.<br />
8. I will use water for pain relief and relaxation of my muscles during labor and possibly birth.<br />
9. Most importantly I will keep an open mind, have patience with my body, and be proactive in my own experience by making informed decisions. <br />
<br />
I honestly do think, giving what I know now, I could have avoided both cesareans. I have done a lot of work emotionally in order to get through the what ifs and could haves. I no longer have negative feelings about them. I actually have a huge amount of hope that comes along with the accepting of my past experiences. They are what they are, and cannot be changed. The future is wide open though, and I plan to give it all I have for my baby, for other women who need the inspiration, and for myself!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-89639417049743079732011-08-25T18:46:00.000-07:002011-08-25T18:48:05.207-07:00How Chiropractic Can Help With Your Pregnancy and Birth<a href="http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/2011/08/24/how-chiropractic-can-help-with-your-pregnancy-and-birth/">How Chiropractic Can Help With Your Pregnancy and Birth</a><br />
<br />
This came straight off the Birth Without Fear blog that you can get to by clicking the link above. It is a great blog with a lot of awesome info, and you should check it out! <br />
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<br />
<div class="headline_area" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 2.2em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 3em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.267em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">How Chiropractic Can Help With Your Pregnancy and Birth</h1><div class="headline_meta" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.667em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">by <span class="author vcard fn" style="font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">BIRTH WITHOUT FEAR</span> on <abbr class="published" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; cursor: help; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;" title="2011-08-24">AUGUST 24, 2011</abbr></div></div><div class="format_text entry-content" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.467em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Editor’s Note: This is a Guest Blog Post by Brandon Harshe, D.C with <a href="http://www.theatlasoflife.com/" style="color: #466ce8; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Atlas of Life Chiropractic</a>!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.birthwithoutfearblog.com/" style="color: #466ce8; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="Pregnancy and Birthing Without Fear" class="size-medium wp-image-2018 aligncenter" height="327" src="http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/photo1-460x327.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pregnant mother" width="460" /></a>Morning sickness. Vomiting. Nausea. Back pain. Pelvic pain. Shortness of breath. Hormones gone wild. High blood pressure. Swollen ankles.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">These symptoms are seen as normal during pregnancy, something you better get used to for the next 38-42 weeks. You wanted a baby, now deal with it. Right?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Wrong. Sure these examples are common among pregnant women, but the intensity or even the presence of these symptoms will greatly diminish if under Chiropractic care.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Why?</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">As we established in previous posts,<a href="http://theatlasoflife.com/2011/01/20/5-essential-functions-of-your-autonomic-nervous-system/" style="color: #466ce8; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"> the nervous system controls all in your body</a>. Under the direction of your body’s Innate Intelligence, the nervous system will adapt to the changes brought on by a growing new life inside of you. This new life you carry has its own <a href="http://theatlasoflife.com/2010/11/05/innate-intelligence-amazing-visual-of-reproduction-and-human-development/" style="color: #466ce8; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Innate Intelligence</a> that will do whatever it must to preserve the health and well being of itself. This will come at your expense, causing a number of deficiencies that your Innate Intelligence will have no choice but to adapt to.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The presence of a <a href="http://theatlasoflife.com/2011/05/10/sublata-causa-tollitur-effectus/" style="color: #466ce8; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">vertebral subluxation</a> will interfere with the nervous system’s ability to communicate back and forth with the body. The subluxation will result in three things:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1.) Body Imbalance</strong> – a subluxation at your atlas will tilt your head to one side. Your brain has a reflex called the righting reflex which keeps your eyes level with the horizon. This will cause your lower cervical spine to bend the opposite way of your head tilt. To compensate, your thoracic spine will bend the opposite way, then the opposite way in the lumbar spine, resulting in one side of your pelvis being drawn up and causing one leg to appear shorter than the other, as well as an uneven distribution of weight putting undue stress on the joints. An unevenly aligned pelvis during pregnancy can be incredibly painful, as well as problematic for the baby trying to get into a proper birthing position.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.birthwithoutfearblog.com/" style="color: #466ce8; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="chiropractic and pregnancy" class="size-medium wp-image-2020" height="460" src="http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/body-imbalance1-445x460.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="body-imbalance1" width="445" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2.) Nerve Tension or Pressure</strong> – Because of these compensations traveling down your spine, the muscles on one or both sides of your spine will become very tight, and inflammatory effects will take place and escalate in places of spinal misalignment. These changes will add stress to the nerves exiting your spinal column at some level, be it the nerve root or further along the distribution of the nerve. The nerves exiting your spine all lead to various parts of your body, including muscles, organs, glands, and blood vessels. Left alone and, over time, this nerve stress will lead to degeneration in these various body systems.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.birthwithoutfearblog.com/" style="color: #466ce8; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="Chiropractic Pregnancy and Birth" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2023" height="460" src="http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Autonomic-Nerveous-System-Chart-347x460.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; clear: both; display: block; float: none; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Autonomic-Nerveous-System-Chart" width="347" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3.) Brain Stem Tension or Pressure</strong> – A subluxation of your atlas (C1) vertebra will not only narrow the spinal canal in which the spinal cord travels down, but this narrowed space will result in an increase of pressure within this spinal canal. This added pressure will cause undue stress to the brain stem located just above the atlas.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">If you remember Christopher Reeve, he shattered his atlas and nearly severed his spinal cord at the level of his axis (C2) vertebra. The brain stem is the Houston Control of your body, coordinating any and all communication from the brain to the body and vice versa. Because of an injury to this area near the brain stem, Christopher Reeve could not breathe on his own without a respirator and he eventually died of heart failure due to decreased brain stem function.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">As you can see, the results of a vertebral subluxation do not equate to healthy changes in your body. Your Innate Intelligence can only do so much when given a limitation of matter. Add in a growing baby using up much of your body’s resources to survive and grow within you, and you can begin to see where a subluxation can wreak havoc on the health of a pregnant woman.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">How?</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The spinal compensations resulting from the subluxation may result in distorted pelvic positioning, causing the baby to get into an unfavorable position for birth, possibly breech. This unfavorable position could be adding increased pressure to your pelvic veins and vena cava (the large vein on the right side of your body carrying blood from the legs back up to the heart). This pressure could slow down the flow of blood back up to the heart, causing the blood to pool in your legs. This will only add to the swelling you might be experiencing in your ankles, as well as contributing to the increased risk of preeclampsia in your last trimester.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.birthwithoutfearblog.com/" style="color: #466ce8; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="Blood Pressure in Pregnancy" class="size-full wp-image-2028 alignleft" height="148" src="http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Toxemia.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; float: left; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Toxemia" width="197" /></a>The nerve pressure and tension caused by the spinal compensations in the spine may lead to improper signals to be sent to various organs and tissues. Pressure and tension on the nerves in your mid to upper thoracic spine may lead to decreased function of the heart and/or lungs. This may result in an added shortness of breath. Or maybe high blood pressure, adding to that risk of preeclampsia.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Maybe pressure in the lower thoracic, lumbar, and sacral nerves results in decreased blood flow to organs such as your kidney and liver. This could result in decreased organ function, which may cause protein to leak into the urine, another sign of preeclampsia. Nerve tension in these lower spinal areas may result in a tight uterus, making you unable to relax during labor due to the pain you feel with each contraction. This might keep you from dilating properly, only adding to the stress a possible cesarean section can create.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A subluxation of your atlas will cause tension or pressure to the area of your brain stem. This tension or pressure will interfere with the brain stem’s ability to coordinate the messages being sent to the body by the brain. This could interfere with proper distribution of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Since the placenta is being developed with the help of estrogen and progesterone, a lessened amount of both these hormones may result in complications with the placenta, and therefore the growing baby inside that placenta.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.birthwithoutfearblog.com/" style="color: #466ce8; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-2029" height="240" src="http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/belly.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; float: right; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="pregnant belly" width="160" /></a>As you can see, a vertebral subluxation is not a minor thing to ignore. Even the most seemingly insignificant of subluxations will always run some kind of interference to the brain-body communication. This is never a good thing, and especially not when you are pregnant and your body needs the most help and the least interference.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">You deserve to have the best chance at a successful pregnancy and childbirth, and you can only do that with a nervous system that is running free and clear of interference.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-14095729383200389322011-08-18T07:26:00.000-07:002011-08-18T07:26:30.262-07:00Cesarean scar tissue complications and how to break the scar tissue up When an injury to your tissue or a surgery where the tissue is cut occurs a person's body will produce adhesions or scar tissue in order to repair that tissue. The problem with this is that it can adhere to other things such as muscle or even organs that may be near the injured site. Even though a person who has a cesarean may have had a uncomplicated surgery and 6-8 weeks postpartum recovery that seemed to go smoothly the work isn't done. There is scar tissue that now has built up in your lower abdomen in order to heal the incision. Sometimes people get away with no complications for the rest of their lives, but other times it causes issues in years to come. Some of the problems caused are things such as abdominal pain, back pain, incontinence of the bladder, complications with the bowels, numbness, or even infertility. <br />
Let me explain those problems in more detail so that you can understand why that may happen. When adhesions bind to the muscles it causes them to be tight or torqued in a way that creates an imbalance. This can lead to back pain and abdominal pain. Adhesions can also bind to your bladder, and bowels which can cause blockages. The numbness around the scar site is caused by nerve damage. Infertility can be caused from adhesions being formed around the fallopian tubes or ovaries and also can cause intrauterine adhesions which can cause complications in pregnancy with where and how deep the placenta attaches. Infertility is on the lower side of a risk with cesarean but it is still a very serious risk. <br />
Now with all of that being said, something can be done about it. Besides laparoscopic surgery which can remove scar tissue, you can massage the area. Using a heating pad, rice sock, or a damp washcloth that is heated up in the microwave can help warm up the area. Lay down for five minutes with the heat over your scar and covering above and below it. Try to relax as much as you can. Then remove the heat and massage around the area as deep as you can without feeling too uncomfortable. You have to make sure that you relax your body so that you aren't tensing the muscles surrounding the area. Do this at least once a day for 2-5 minutes and you will probably see or feel improvement over time. <br />
If you have issues looking at or touching the area because of emotional fears or discomfort you can have somebody else do this if thats easier for you. The first few times I had to have my husband do it because I couldn't relax enough while I did it. I needed all my concentration to breathe and relax while he did the massage. Now he isn't here that often because of work so I had to bite the bullet and start doing it myself. It was very uncomfortable at first, but it is getting easier.<br />
Don't be lazy about this. If it isn't causing concern now, it still could later in your life. Take care of it now before it comes to that point. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-41744100493072827822011-06-23T08:12:00.000-07:002011-06-23T08:12:10.599-07:00"Don't tell me how to raise my children!""Don't tell me how to raise my own children!"<br />
I have heard it said multiple times from frustrated, criticized parents. It seems that for the most part the criticizing is coming from close friends or family members. A person might feel the right to impose their thoughts on their loved one's parenting styles. I'm sure it isn't meant to be a negative thing… look at it as constructive criticism right? While there are tactful ways of giving advice to parents that could be helpful, many times they aren't utilized, and it is taken the wrong way. On the other hand, sometimes advice is rudely offered that is not really helpful or validated. Lately I have become victim of this and quite honestly it is beginning to really bug me. I am very open to advice about most things. Especially easier ways for potty training, which is what I'm currently struggling through with my son. However, I am not very open to criticism that I view as either completely off base or just down right insulting! <br />
I had a visitor not long ago that I rarely see, and has only actually seen me parent on two or three occasions. My son will be two next month, so I'm going on two years of parenting now. I know this doesn't seem like a long time, but when you are with your child every single day all day long for the whole two years of their life you become quite good at what you do! You know what I mean moms! Anyway, I interact with my child regularly and treat him like the human being that he is. If I am asked to help look for a toy in a polite way I will very willingly help. As my son and I were digging through the toy box looking for his lost sheep, my visitor said nonchalantly, "Just leave him alone. He will either find it eventually on his own, or he will give up." I looked at him quizzically and said, "Does it bother you that I'm helping him?" Did I honestly need that advice? No, definitely not because I really don't agree with it. I was asked politely to help, and why wouldn't I? My son helps me when I ask for help finding my phone or the remote. He probably learned that helpful skill from me helping him in the first place! Would I help him if he rudely demanded my help? No, definitely not! <br />
I also run into this issue with a doctor I have seen a few times. She is my back up doctor that I use when my children's pediatric office is not open. She usually bosses me around the whole time I'm there. She is quite a bit older, and it is like she sees me as a young naive mother. Yes, I am young and feeling my way through motherhood, but trust me I know my children better than you do! She constantly is trying to talk me through every interaction. I had him on my lap up on the table and he was wiggling trying to get down. We were almost done, and he kept messing with the drawers after I told him no repeatedly. This was my silent way of putting him in time out. He knew exactly what I was doing, but then the doctor said, "oh let him down, he doesn't have to sit up there." I replied, "I know he doesn't, but I told him not to get in the drawers and he isn't listening." She then said, "He isn't hurting anything. You can let him down." I know she was just trying to be nice to Brayve, but it was very bossy toward me, and I had a reason for what I was doing! He was listening to our conversation of course, and realized that she was on his side, so he began to act out more. I already knew my son had an ear infection when I walked in that office. I knew that he had the same virus that all of his cousins had. I also knew that I couldn't prescribe him medicine for his ear infection, so I had to go to the doctor for it. I am very thankful for that doctor because the office is open hours that most offices aren't, but I dread going there because of the criticism I always receive. <br />
I have been told I am over protective, too strict, impatient. I honestly think about things like that when I hear them. I look back to my parenting style and really analyze my actions. Sometimes I see where improvement can be made, and I try harder. I am then thankful for the advice I receive or the comment that is made, but it is definitely harder for me to take it when it is given rudely. I do not run to my children every time they cry. I know what they are crying about usually and most of the time it isn't a big deal. I don't pick them up every time they fall because I know when they are really hurt and then I am the first one there. I don't fly off the handle every time they do something that they shouldn't be doing because I know a lot of times it is being done out of curiosity and they just need it explained. I don't walk around my house screaming all day long (usually) :) <br />
I have been told to just let my 11 month old walk down the stairs, "He will learn when he hits his head the first time not to do it that way!" When I very sternly said, "NO, I will show him how to back down the stairs the safer way so that I don't have to take him to the emergency room!" Then I was told that I am too overprotective! No, I don't let my two year old drink pop. Does that mean he has never taken a drink of it before? Of course he has tried it! Luckily he didn't like it! I was told I was being too restrictive, and that he would resent me for it. If he resents me for watching out for his health then so be it! I do not drink pop myself for dietary reasons, so why would I have my child do it? This does not mean that later in life he will not be drinking the occasional pop after his baseball games or at a birthday party, but I will not be buying it to keep in my house. That is my choice as a parent so keep your comments to yourself! I say no when he asks for his third cookie. Not because I don't want him to enjoy things, but because I know his tummy is going to hurt!<br />
A child needs stability in life, so parenting in a consistent way is what I believe is best! A good parent does what they think is best for their children. Being a parent is a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year job. We could be so much more helpful to each other by encouraging and praising good parenting! (sounds a lot like parenting a child huh? ;p)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-80526661923768197782011-06-23T06:12:00.000-07:002011-06-23T07:09:36.893-07:00A few of my favorite pregnancy resources!Videos to watch:<br />
The Business of Being Born (yes its the one with Ricki Lake but its informative)<br />
<a href="http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/">http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/</a><br />
<br />
Pregnant in America (you can watch this one instantly on Netflix)<br />
<a href="http://www.pregnantinamerica.com/">http://www.pregnantinamerica.com/</a><br />
<br />
Books to Read:<br />
-Ina May's guide to Childbirth<br />
-Ina May's guide to Breastfeeding<br />
-Spiritual Midwifery is another book by Ina May that I have heard a lot of good stuff about. It has information about homebirth, and it will be the book I'm reading next!<br />
-Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent (I absolutely loved this book! It has lots of birth stories in it!)<br />
-The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and all other Labor Companions by Penny Simkin<br />
-The Labor Progress Handbook by Penny Simkin<br />
-Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean by Nancy Wainer Cohen<br />
AND if you want to read something funny but not necessarily the most informative<br />
Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth by Jenny McCarthy<br />
<br />
The book that I absolutely DO NOT recommend is the book What to Expect When You're Expecting. It will help you very little and will probably leave you confused.<br />
<br />
My ultimate favorite website is<br />
<a href="http://www.spinningbabies.com/">http://www.spinningbabies.com/</a><br />
I also enjoy reading<br />
http://birthwithoutfearblog.com (there is also a FB page called Birth Without Fear which is great for discussions!)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-34151863794832452172011-06-22T14:35:00.000-07:002011-06-22T14:35:48.988-07:00Talk to your children, no matter the age My husband gave me some very wise advice over the phone yesterday. I felt like all I was doing was yelling at Brayve all day long, and telling him no. Alex called me after he got off work, and I told him how guilty I felt about the way Brayve and I had been interacting all day. Normally I am pretty laid back about him wanting to help me with the dishes, making dinner, or whatever it may be. Yesterday though, I felt like I had no patience and he just wanted to keep making messes! Alex told me that I should just talk to our son, and let him know that mommy is sorry for yelling all day and that I just wasn't feeling like my normal self. Then he suggested that I let him help me finish the dishes, and not to worry about the water on the floor. Oh, and also if he decided to lick the soap on the dish wand that I shouldn't freak out, but instead offer my knowledge about its bad taste and he could proceed with the taste of soap as a consequence. <br />
I did just what he said, and had a talk with Brayve. He listened to me for the most part, and then grabbed the chair and pulled it to the sink. He was very excited about the invitation to help with the dishes! When we finished the dishes, we made a homemade pizza together. When he took a huge handful of cheese out of the bag that never made it to the pizza I cringed, but then he looked at me with this surprised look and I could tell it was an accident. I smiled and asked him to help me clean it up which he was more than willing to do because he decided to eat the cheese that was on the chair. Then he opened his arms wide and jumped at me with a big hug. When he does this he always says, "momma!" in the most loving way. Alex's advice worked and I felt so much better!<br />
I since have used this with Glory who is 7 months old. She was nonstop whining for over an hour and it was driving me nuts! I sat her on my lap and had a talk with her. It stopped her whining for only about 10 minutes, but at least I got some time to see her smile and I snuck in some kisses. :)<br />
<br />
My point to this post is that some days we might not be using our best parenting skills for whatever reason, but taking a second to step back and look at the situation can be a big help. Our babies, no matter what the age, are people too and deserve to be treated with respect. They may not give it back all the time… or maybe not even often, but they will learn by example eventually. Keep on trucking moms and dads! This is what life is all about. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-47506457449085397992011-06-16T17:29:00.000-07:002011-06-17T05:39:12.318-07:00Doulas Making a Difference A Doula is_______________________. Were you able to fill in the blank? Many people aren't able to do this. I had no idea that a such thing as a 'doula' existed until I became pregnant for the second time. Then through research I read that having a doula at birth can significantly decrease your chances of having medical interventions. I knew at that moment that I had to find one. <br />
<br />
DONA International describes a doula as such:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
I was reading an article in my International Doula magazine and it was called, Making a Real Difference, by Alison Langley. The article talked about a woman who had read a negative birth story online and was scared that her hopes for a natural labor with her first child might not come true. She was worried that something would happen like the story she read that would make her want an epidural or even have to have a cesarean. In this situation there are many things I could tell a woman to help calm her fears. One main thing a person has to think about though is, who is posting about their birth story online? I'm sure their are women out there that had a fairly, what people would call 'normal', birth that might want to post about it, but for the most part if a person has a very negative experience or on the other hand a very positive experience they may be more likely to post. I think it is great to read birth stories… a lot of them actually. A woman can learn a lot from other women's experiences, but take the education with you and leave the fear of the, 'what if that happens to me.' Worrying and being fearful of something is normal, but a person has to accept those feelings and then let them pass. It does no good to hold those negative feelings over your head. <br />
<br />
NOW, about getting a doula. Throughout my training I have learned a great deal. I feel very confident in my ability to help a family through pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding(if thats their choice) as a doula. I'm actually extremely excited about this great beginning! However, I believe that there is a 'right' or multiple 'rights' doula for everyone. A person should definitely interview a doula before hiring, and the same goes for the care provider whether its an OB, Family Practitioner, or Midwife. <br />
<br />
I learned this the hard way. After my first birth I had lost a lot of trust in the medical world (not that they were necessarily at fault for anything), but I became afraid and didn't agree with the 'rules' of the hospital. When I hired my doula I made a mistake. I didn't realize how medically based she actually was. A doula is supposed to be on the same page as the momma, but in this case we weren't. I'm not saying she is a bad doula, or that she wouldn't be perfect for somebody else. We didn't fit though for various reasons. For example, I needed somebody that I could tell my real plans to, and when I did instead of listening she balked at my ideas and agreed with the hospital rules. Simple things like sneaking in a few bites of food here and there, and not going to the hospital as soon as my care provider wanted me to were not acceptable to her. I wanted to play by my own rules and I think she was afraid of getting in trouble. I needed a doula who had no attachment to the hospital or the medical world. I needed a woman who was simply there to help me achieve my goals, and who cared almost as much as I did! <br />
<br />
I believe every woman should have a doula. If not a certified, hired doula, then a really good friend or family member to give 100% support to the mom. A doula isn't just for a woman wanting a natural birth either. It is for any pregnant mom, or sometimes mom's even hire them to be with children who might be attending the birth. That way the mom knows the child's needs are being met, everything is being explained to them, and the doula can take the child out if it becomes too much for them. I have also heard about a woman who was having twins delivered by cesarean who hired a doula for each twin, so that when they were delivered, the husband could stay with his wife and they could still be confident that there wishes were being carried out for their babies when they left the room.<br />
<br />
I wanted to add one more thing before I end this post. You may be wondering exactly what a doula does by now? I once again am pulling this off the Dona International Website, but here is a great explanation!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"><span class="purple12bold" style="color: #330066; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">A Birth Doula</span></div><ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><li style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 5px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life</span></li>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 5px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor</span></li>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 5px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth</span></li>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stays with the woman throughout the labor</span></li>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision</span></li>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers</span></li>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience</span></li>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-75865381230274587662011-06-10T09:27:00.000-07:002011-06-10T09:27:08.436-07:00Momma's use all their senses! Women's bodies are AMAZING! I was thinking today about my nephew because my sister had to take him to the doctor today to make sure his little incision site wasn't infected. He is a week and a half old now, and when he was 3 days old he had surgery to repair a hernia. She called me last night to ask if I thought what she was seeing was an infection, and I told her to smell it. This morning I was wondering if she thought I was weird for saying that. That led me to the conclusion that mother's instincts are AWESOME! I realized that we use all of our senses to take care of our children and that is probably why nature gives us the hormones that heighten our senses when we enter motherhood. <br />
I was actually in the shower when I was thinking all of this because I usually shower when I put Glory down for her first nap of the day. I leave the door open so I can listen for crying or loud noises in case Brayve gets uninterested in the show I put on for him. In the absence of my sight of them when I'm in the shower I use my ability to hear a potential problem. Glory was crying for the first few minutes of my shower but by the sound of it I knew she was just fussy and would fall asleep soon. If I would have heard a shrill scream come from her then I would know that either Brayve had crawled in her crib and landed on her (which is usually accompanied by the little footsteps I hear in the hallway before he enters their room) or she has somehow gotten hurt by herself in her crib. <br />
This also worked last week when I was watching my niece, Bella, while my sister was in the hospital with Fynlee. She usually hangs out around the bathroom when I shower while Brayve watches the show I put on for him. I heard her whine outside of the bathroom door and I figured the dogs were doing something she didn't like since their kennel is right around the corner. I said, "Don't whine Bella." Then proceeded to listen for any other problems. She whined again so I decided to check just in case her fingers were stuck in the kennel. When I looked I saw Brayve standing there staring in the kennel innocently and Bella pretty much doing the same thing. I figured it wasn't an emergency and I would finish my shower. When I got out I saw that she had actually crawled into the dog kennel and threw up in there! There was last night's dinner sitting in a small pile in the cage. It freaked her out a little which is why she was whining. <br />
Now for smelling things. I really caught onto this great sense a couple weeks ago when I caught an ear infection in my daughter by smelling it! It was actually a coincidence because I was kissing her under her jaw (she giggles because it tickles), and my nose just happened to be pretty much in her ear. That is when I smelled infection. When my son got ear infections he always got a fever, but Glory never got that. She wasn't pulling at her ears, or really acting more fussy then she already does. I took her in the next morning and sure enough she had an ear infection in her left ear. Had I not smelled that she might have gone another week until her 6 month appointment until it was noticed. Then I thought back to all the other times my question of sickness came back to the smell of Brayve's breath. When he gets a cold or sinus infection my wonder if he was sick or not always was confirmed by the smell of his breath. If he seemed like he had a runny nose his breath would not smell if it was just allergies. By the way, I never have had a good sense of smell. I have such bad allergies that I actually barely even breathe out of my nose ever because its hard to get a full breath. After I had Brayve my sense of smell became heightened and I haven't had any problems since! <br />
Now, our sense of touch. I am to the point where I can guess about what their temperature is if they have a fever by feeling their head, back, and stomach. This is especially useful when I don't have a thermometer or one that works at the time anyway. (I have 4 or 5 different ones but don't trust any of them completely!) This can also go for an infection. If there is an infected cut or something on your child's leg or wherever it might be, not only will it probably be swollen and red, it will probably also feel warm. <br />
Then I got down to taste, and I thought… I never really use that one. I'm obviously not going to taste something that I might feel would be an infection! YUCK Then my mind left the thought of infection and I realized that I do taste the kids food if I'm not too sure about it. For example I bought some organic bananas to puree and freeze to feed Glory. Yesterday I took it out and before feeding her realized that it was kind of brown. I know that could be normal because once oxygen is introduced to it, it is like an apple. It will turn brown rather quickly, but that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't edible. I still didn't feel comfortable though, and decided to taste it to see if it tasted funny. It didn't really taste bad, but it kind of had a fermenty zing to it. Although it was probably ok to feed it to her, I decided against it because I wasn't 100% sure about that zing I tasted. From now on I will be mashing up her bananas and feeding them to her fresh….just in case. <br />
This kind of also goes with the temperature of food. I do realize that it probably falls along the lines of sense of touch a little more, but I do not just touch food when I'm afraid its too hot. I make sure I touch it to my tongue to make sure its not too hot for their mouth. The feeling of hotness is different on your finger or arm then it could be in your mouth. If it is even remotely uncomfortable for me then it needs a lot more time to cool for them. <br />
<br />
My conclusion to all of this is that a woman's body is EVEN more amazing than I thought before! How proud I am to be a mother and a woman is unexplainable!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-11986956522068465022011-06-04T07:14:00.000-07:002011-06-04T07:14:41.083-07:00Tips for the CBAC mommasThis post is for women who want ideas on what to put into a birth plan for a cesarean, or just are interested in requests that they can make for the delivery. I compiled this list with information from reading that I have done, my own wishes, or advice that I have gotten from women that I know who have had cesareans (thanks ladies ;p).<br />
<br />
Here are some suggestions:<br />
Before surgery<br />
-have anesthesia administered before the catheter is inserted<br />
-have doctor go over what will be done for prep and during surgery<br />
-remind the staff of your birth plan or a few of your most important requests<br />
<br />
During surgery<br />
-arms not strapped down or at least released immediately after the baby is born so that you can touch him<br />
-drape lowered as the baby is born so the birth can be witnessed by the mother<br />
-baby put on mom's chest immediately after delivery<br />
-double sutures used to close the uterus incision if possible<br />
-have doctors and nurses keep their personal life conversations to a minimum during the surgery<br />
-request to not be given a sedative immediately following the birth<br />
<br />
After surgery<br />
-if breastfeeding, request to do this as soon as you are moved to recovery<br />
-have baby bathed and evaluated in mom's presence<br />
-have a designated person (husband, doula, labor partner etc.) accompany the baby to the recovery room, and/or nursery for any further evaluations<br />
-baby room in with mom as opposed to being taken to the nursery for care<br />
-catheter and iv removed as soon as possible to regain mobility<br />
<br />
Remember if you are writing up a birth plan make sure to put a short paragraph in the beginning stating that you understand there can be other circumstances that may change certain aspects of your birth plan, but if at all possible stick to your requests.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-18587379050240352912011-05-23T07:38:00.000-07:002011-05-23T07:38:20.182-07:00Mother BlessingA couple of months ago I met with another Doula who filled me in on the details of a Mother Blessing. Before talking with her I had actually never heard of this before. I of course knew about baby showers, and had even heard of Sprinkles (like a mini baby shower for women who had already had a baby and the ritual baby shower for the first born, and was thrown a party for the second or third etc.). At a baby shower the momma gets to have a party for her baby with cake, games, and lots of newborn presents! A mother blessing is quite different! <br />
This ceremony actually came from the navajo indians, and is called a Blessingway. The celebration is for the mom, to show support and give positive energy for the upcoming birth of a new life. There are a lot of things that can be incorporated into this ceremony. Some ideas include: lighting candles, the gift of beads from each guest to make a necklace, positive letters to the mom for her to read, quotes or affirmations that can be written on cloth and formed into a quilt like blanket, bellycasting, yarn used to connect all the women in attendance and cut off into bracelets that are worn until the momma gives birth. <br />
<br />
I just threw a Mother Blessing for my older sister with help from my younger sister and mom. She is having her third baby, and we wanted to do something special for her. We had about 20 women there on a Saturday night. We had a potluck with lots of yummy food and deserts. The main dish was lasagna. Close family was invited along with the momma's closest friends (2 of which are pregnant with their second babies!) This party was a surprise and when I showed up with her everybody was already there waiting. When we walked in there was a house full of the women she loved the most, most who were moms themselves. Throughout the party she heard stories of the women's own children through casual conversation which she said later that she really enjoyed. We ate dinner, then started the ceremony off with the giving of the beads. Each person brought a bead that they thought was unique, or reminded them of her. She walked around with a piece of jewelry wire and each person strung their bead. Afterward we had each woman write their positive affirmation or inspirational quote onto a piece of purple (her favorite color) cloth that we will be making into a blanket. Then each person gave her their letter for her to read later. We then continued to talk and laugh and just enjoy each other's company. The night was a success and a very positive experience for her to remember, where everyone came to support and love her. I think it was just what she needed! <br />
Below are some pictures of the beautiful bead strand that we created for her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMnkcHxiKkMGQh8DYzlXrG0Lj00h8rZtnPl8fvFM9nvVnaM96L6I4DFu19LKIsRB5SaI8o71hhjJM2W-jYpPc5Bjsq_KRXWEmBDLWpQaaiqoGclkCsTuVG51kAcV2gRS1165WbJ-7hbG_/s1600/beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMnkcHxiKkMGQh8DYzlXrG0Lj00h8rZtnPl8fvFM9nvVnaM96L6I4DFu19LKIsRB5SaI8o71hhjJM2W-jYpPc5Bjsq_KRXWEmBDLWpQaaiqoGclkCsTuVG51kAcV2gRS1165WbJ-7hbG_/s320/beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL_2bxvP1RCJAvn8rfRG22TUrFfZiPE1TDwsoqzlQfAXQYKF14aPhajfkvW4RLl74uk-uj7c0-VwxdapfYluMRGzkjcs6MjoZpIqlpxa1FEjqWMNFakx20JaTaTct_ClHzwN1AU4LcuSF/s1600/beads1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL_2bxvP1RCJAvn8rfRG22TUrFfZiPE1TDwsoqzlQfAXQYKF14aPhajfkvW4RLl74uk-uj7c0-VwxdapfYluMRGzkjcs6MjoZpIqlpxa1FEjqWMNFakx20JaTaTct_ClHzwN1AU4LcuSF/s320/beads1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here are some links to read more about mother blessings.<br />
<a href="http://www.birthbeads.com/blessingway.html">http://www.birthbeads.com/blessingway.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.natureschild.com.au/flex/blessing_way/68/1">http://www.natureschild.com.au/flex/blessing_way/68/1</a><br />
<a href="http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/blessingway/a/aa102202a.htm">http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/blessingway/a/aa102202a.htm</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-79021658046866490232011-05-19T20:14:00.000-07:002011-05-19T20:14:35.382-07:00Update on my Healthful EatingI have been eating more healthy for a month so far, and have increased my energy and I feel better! I exercise by walking a few times a week for 45min to 1hr, and I also do yoga 3-4 times a week. I actually decreased my exercise because before this month I was running 3-4 times a week for 4-5 miles. Yoga by the way has really been helpful for releasing stress, and I think that has helped in all of this. <br />
<br />
Here are some more details about the food that I'm eating, and the food that I'm not eating as much of:<br />
1. I drink a lot of water and the first thing I do in the morning is drink half of my 32oz. jug.<br />
2. I get all of my servings of fruit in the morning with my breakfast smoothie.<br />
3. I eat a lot of vegetables by making them my main course for lunch and dinner.<br />
4. I'm eating as organic and natural as I can.<br />
5. I only eat lean meats, tuna fish, and deer and in smaller amounts.<br />
6. I have Greek yogurt everyday.<br />
7. I have cut out almost all sugar besides the occasional desert.<br />
8. I eat brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and whole wheat breads and tortilla shells.<br />
9. I cut out all thicker salad dressing, and use Balsamic Breeze Salad Spritzer and jalapeno hummus.<br />
10. I eat almonds as a morning or afternoon snack and put boiled eggs on my salads.<br />
11. I only drink half of a cup of coffee a day and I add milk to it.<br />
<br />
Here is an example of what I eat in a day:<br />
Breakfast-half of my jug of water, half a cup of coffee with milk, and a fruit smoothie<br />
Morning snack-whole wheat english muffin with natural peanut butter and more water or <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_juice" rel="wikipedia" title="Orange juice">orange juice</a><br />
Lunch-salad with a lot of vegetables on it, two slices of whole wheat sandwich thins or a whole wheat tortilla with hummus on them, and water<br />
Afternoon snack-almonds and/or Greek yogurt with Kashi granola, and more water<br />
2nd Afternoon snack-banana, orange juice, boiled egg, or a piece of toast with jelly.<br />
Dinner-1/2 of a chicken breast, brown rice, a lot of steamed vegetables, and water.<br />
<br />
This is what I put in my smoothie: some mix of fruit (banana, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), a couple of tablespoons of plain greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of Wheat Germ (found by the oatmeal), and either a little bit of soymilk or orange juice. <br />
<br />
Another breakfast example is oatmeal (regular) with blended raspberries or strawberries in it. It tastes like Strawberry Shortcake to me! <br />
<br />
Some more dinner ideas are homemade pizza with whole wheat crust and lots of vegetables and pineapples on it (especially good with homemade sauce), whole wheat spaghetti with fresh homemade tomato sauce, stir fry vegetables(easy on the soy sauce) with pineapple and turkey, whole wheat salad and vegetable wraps with jalapeno hummus, deer meatloaf loaded with vegetables, cottage cheese and asparagus.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Homemade spaghetti, pizza, or pasta sauce recipe:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ingredients- 7 tomatoes, 1/3 of a large onion diced, 1/2 green pepper diced, 1/2 yellow pepper diced, 1/2 red pepper blended, oregano, basil, 1 clove of minced garlic, peppercorn, salt, 2Tbs. sugar, virgin olive oil</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Directions: 1. Get your ingredients ready 2. Peel the tomatoes-boil water and place a couple of the tomatoes in it for 1 minute. Then place them directly into a bowl of ice cold water. The skin peels right off. 3. Put a tbs. or just enough olive oi</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">l in the bottom of a pan. Heat it and then add the Garlic and heat for about a minute. 4. Add in the tomatoes and mash them. 5. Add in the rest of your ingredients and stir together. 6. Simmer over low heat for 1 or 2 hours or whenever it looks thick enough. (The water evaporates as you heat it)</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Tastes so yummy over whole wheat spaghetti noodles. I also made my own garlic bread with whole wheat english muffins toasted with a tiny bit of honey butter and sprinkled with italian cheese.</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For the vegetables in my salads I chop red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, green bell peppers, orange bell peppers, onions, celery, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I also slice a boiled egg on it, add almonds, then top it with my salad spritzer balsamic dressing. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Today I put my jeans on that I haven't been able to fit into in 2.5 years. I have had two babies in less than two years and I am back in my old jeans. This was just a perk by the way, since losing weight was not one of my goals. I also am still nursing Glory, which I know helps with burning calories.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=fbb68fdc-4427-4df2-9213-15c7dba2d50f" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-82035383931565127922011-05-17T14:16:00.000-07:002011-05-17T14:19:46.733-07:00Risks of a cesarean (a Major Abdominal Surgery), and ways to prevent it<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In my paperwork it says under plan for cesarean: Patient was advised there is a risk including, but not limited to, potential for anesthetic complications, bleeding, transfusion of blood or blood products, infection, possibility of damage to bowel, bladder, blood vessels, nerves, or other structures. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Some other risks include: a higher risk of maternal mortality, scar tissue can form inside the pelvic area which increases the risks for placenta previa or placental abruption during pregnancy, having one cesarean puts a woman at risk for other surgeries such as hysterectomy, bladder repair, or repeat cesareans.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There are also risks to the baby such as: premature birth if the due date was not correct and a cesarean was scheduled, an increased risk for respiratory problems, lower apgar scores, and the possibility that the baby can be cut by the knife used for the incision</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Please go to http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/cesareanrisks.html</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">for more details on the risks of cesareans.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Normally when you read the possible side effects of a drug or procedure it is listed as occurring rarely. Please be aware that some of these side effects in cesareans ARE NOT that rare. I'm not trying to scare anyone, and I am thankful for cesarean in certain situations, but these are very serious complications that should be known before a decision is made. Please do your research, and make an educated decision before you are put in this position. If you are not planning a cesarean you should still make yourself aware of the possibilities. The cesarean rate in the United States is 33%. This means that 1 in every 3 women having babies are by cesarean. Those are high odds. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here are some ways that you can prevent a cesarean: </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1. Find a provider who still believes in vaginal birth! Find someone who agrees with you and your wishes for your birth. Ask them what there cesarean rate is, and if its over 15% you might want to rethink your options.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2. Get Educated! This is really really important. Read as much as you can about childbirth, all the options for pain relief (natural and medical) and find out the risks, read birth stories.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">3. Learn about positions that you can use during labor to help turn a baby into the right position or help speed up progression.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">4. Find good support! Having your partner or a family member there can be very comforting, but not always helpful because they are not used to seeing you in pain or uncomfortable. Hiring a trained labor assistant (doula) can be very beneficial for natural pain relieving techniques, ways to progress labor, to help you understand what each medical procedure is, and to help you use your voice during your labor so that you can be active in the decision making process. A doula can also help your partner or family member be active in giving you comfort during your labor. Studies have shown that having a doula decreases the risk for cesareans by over 25%. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-11348366039236257032011-05-17T13:44:00.000-07:002011-05-17T13:44:19.505-07:00My Medical Records...I finally received my medical records today from the hospital. I requested the records for both of my babies births about two months ago. I actually had forgotten that I was supposed to be getting them because it took so long. Anyway, it is interesting to read about your own hospital experience in the eyes of the medical personnel. I read a few things that were supposedly done that I wasn't aware of, and it leaves me wondering if they made a mistake in the notes or if I was just never aware that it ever happened. I would like to think it was a written mistake considering that it makes me nervous to know that things were done to me without even realizing it! Its not that I think they are trying to do something to hurt me or anything, its just that I would rather be an active participant in my medical care. I know that isn't everyones choice, but it is definitely mine. Supposedly for my son's birth I had an intrauterine pressure catheter inserted into my uterus alongside of my son's head. This is something they use to monitor contraction strength. It is used usually with induction or when pitocin is administered to make sure the contractions aren't too strong. Although I haven't read of many serious contraindications, there is an increased risk of infection and an increased risk of injury to the baby if administered wrong. I also read that Glory had tachycardia which means increased heart rate. I was never told this as far as I know, and the notes said that she was intolerant to labor, which sounds to me that I just needed to change positions. <br />
There were also some words I didn't recognize such as, ecchymoses, which means bruising appearance under the skin. This was in the notes of my discharge papers about my incision area. I'm guessing many women who have a cesarean have this considering the procedure in general. Overall I didn't really learn a whole lot that I didn't already know except that the word failed still hurts.<br />
<br />
Preoperative Diagnosis #1<br />
1. Failure to progress<br />
2. Persistant occipitoposterior presentation<br />
<br />
Preoperative Diagnosis #2<br />
1. Failure to progress in labor<br />
2. Meconium<br />
3. Probable underlying chorioamnionitis with low grade maternal fever and fetal tachycardia<br />
4. Failed VBAC<br />
<br />
Sounds a little like a disease diagnosis doesn't it?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-69148160103504753732011-05-04T20:42:00.000-07:002011-05-05T05:54:19.414-07:00Your birth stories<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Your birth stories will be showing up on my other blog. Here is the address: <a href="http://yourbirthyourstory.blogspot.com/">http://yourbirthyourstory.blogspot.com</a> There is already a story up there so you should check it out! Oh, and send me yours of course :)</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-80658156287167074922011-05-04T19:48:00.000-07:002011-05-04T19:48:11.585-07:00Glory Reign Wakeland November 13th 2010-pics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7b3lcq7qva3yQlYlR3rbGhlXOqdfq7GbOYA57XjNYD6ldkrA92eEjhFRUwNw46a69uDQ-IJJENaAlGgdPjSGAJJxnZMpXml546V9Hz52hqiquTMOT7-7dtKzeJwm7bpe4u6z7tkBWF-uQ/s1600/57904_537224985424_76302462_31682435_7392751_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7b3lcq7qva3yQlYlR3rbGhlXOqdfq7GbOYA57XjNYD6ldkrA92eEjhFRUwNw46a69uDQ-IJJENaAlGgdPjSGAJJxnZMpXml546V9Hz52hqiquTMOT7-7dtKzeJwm7bpe4u6z7tkBWF-uQ/s320/57904_537224985424_76302462_31682435_7392751_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-88600073728675050442011-05-04T19:42:00.000-07:002011-05-04T19:42:22.617-07:00Brayve Anthony Wakeland July 9th 2009-Pics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemyos2FNOAk94pdy-HoOrWhoCKVWhq2Zb4r-Sd5idcu1Rb2Zwwhv85I7YZ0O1LQB32L5Lz0FYH4ClALK6jDyhZeTRzbxdvNG5dcV5awuWSnMb5AhDITRdhqoutJmTz2tuzYXnhJ4LDO1b/s1600/5736_523538568114_76302462_31193011_2826808_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemyos2FNOAk94pdy-HoOrWhoCKVWhq2Zb4r-Sd5idcu1Rb2Zwwhv85I7YZ0O1LQB32L5Lz0FYH4ClALK6jDyhZeTRzbxdvNG5dcV5awuWSnMb5AhDITRdhqoutJmTz2tuzYXnhJ4LDO1b/s320/5736_523538568114_76302462_31193011_2826808_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Studies have shown that most women feel the need to talk about their experiences with birth, and I know that most women also like to hear about other women's experiences. Okay, now here is your chance! Spill it mommas, and dads if you would like to share your side of the experience! Help educate others because each of your stories is unique and I guaranteed something can be learned by someone from your story. <br />
Here is what I'm asking you to do:<br />
Tell me your story or stories if you would like to share multiples. I want to hear it whether its long or short, good or bad, old or new! Share what you are comfortable with, and if you aren't comfortable sharing at all than don't, but feel free to read. If you don't want anybody to see it but me post it in my inbox and tell me not to share. If you would like to share and help educate everyone else with your story than let me know that it is okay to share, or if you want me to share but omit your name let me know that too. You can either post it in my facebook inbox and I can transfer it onto here or you can send me a message on this (but honestly I don't know how that works since I'm new so if you can figure it out go for it). If you haven't given birth then try asking your mom to tell you the story of your own birth!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-66679092246579468402011-05-02T14:10:00.000-07:002011-05-02T15:50:11.278-07:00Vegetables. Vegetables, Vegetables… I feel great by the way!It has been exactly a week since I started my new way of eating. I'm surprised I got through that first week as easily as I did actually. I knew that I loved sugar, and ate a lot of it but didn't realize how much I ate until I really stopped and thought about it. <br />
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Before, I would start the day with 3tsp of sugar in my coffee along with something for breakfast that I'm sure most of the time had sugar in it. Then for lunch I would usually have a wrap or sandwich or something with a lot of sauce or dressing on it. After lunch or mid afternoon I always craved something sweet so I would eat a handful of chocolate chips. For dinner I would have a pretty healthy meal usually but then I almost always had something sweet sometime before I went to bed at night. My favorite snack was a teacup of chocolate chips melted with peanut butter in it and I would eat that by the spoonful! Anyway, my policy was chocolate every day! I also, thought my diet was pretty good which is mostly true, but I definitely wasn't getting enough vegetables and some days went without. I wasn't eating fast food or anything really greasy, fried, or really high in fat. I drink a ton of water and always have. I have always liked lean meats, and only eat whole wheat bread and rice, but the sugar was just out of control. <br />
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Now, I eat vegetables as the main part of my meal for lunch and dinner. I snack on yogurt, almonds, and fruit throughout the day. If I have a whole wheat wrap it only has lettuce and vegetables in it with hummus (jalapeno hummus=YUM) For breakfast if I even drink coffee its half a cup and only has some soy milk in it (no sugar), and I eat oatmeal with a little bit of soy milk and fresh blended fruit in it for flavor. I'm actually going to be adding a smoothie in for my afternoon snack or breakfast now that will have whatever fruit I want, orange juice or soy milk, and plain greek yogurt. <br />
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I used to have stomach cramps here and there and sometimes get heartburn (probably from all the chocolate!) For the first three days without the sugar I had headaches and felt really tired. I'm still having some after affects of being tired, but I'm slowly regaining my real energy, not the artificial sugar boost. I feel really healthy, and happy! This is also good for my family because Glory eats what I eat through breastmilk, and Brayve is getting a lot more good stuff. He is really picky and wont eat vegetables besides the occasional cooked carrots and only eats bananas sometimes. Now, I take a day to clean, cook, and blend a lot of fruits and vegetables so he is getting a lot of things hidden in his food throughout the week. Oh, and its all organic! <br />
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I know some of you are probably wondering if I have lost weight. I wish I could tell you, but I don't own a scale!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-47878659602033831512011-04-30T07:43:00.000-07:002011-04-30T07:43:38.924-07:00Working toward my vba2cFirst I better fill you in on what a vba2c is in case you don't know. There is a lot of lingo surrounding this topic, and I had to look it all up to figure out what it was when I was planning Glory's birth. <div>VBAC = Vaginal Birth After Cesarean</div><div>VBA2C= Vaginal Birth After 2 Cesareans (the most I have ever seen while researching this is VBA7C)</div><div>HBAC= Home Birth After Cesarean</div><div>CBAC= Cesarean Birth After Cesarean</div><div>WBAC= Water Birth After Cesarean (I haven't seen this term used often)</div><div>HWBAC= Home Water Birth After Cesarean (water birth usually isn't allowed in hospitals so a water birth would more than likely occur at home or in a birthing center)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Whats a birthing center? It is a place usually staffed by midwives that has a home like environment. It is not a hospital, and it doesn't offer drug pain relief. They do it all natural! Some people go to a birthing center instead of opting for a home birth because it may be closer to a hospital in case of an emergency, or because they feel more safe birthing in the birthing center than at home. Unfortunately every state does not have birthing centers. You can go to http://birthcenters.org to locate the closest birthing center. One of my friends just contacted me via facebook and told me that her first birth was at a birthing center, and how she was so thankful she chose that option because she felt like the water helped her immensely. She had a very long birth with a very big baby, and pushed for a long time. In most hospitals and with most OB's they would have been pushing for a csection in that case. She birthed vaginally! </div><div><br />
</div><div>Alright now to what I'm working on at the moment. I am not pregnant right now, but we want to have a baby within the next two years. Most women in this case could just enjoy their time until they became pregnant, and then do their preggo thing! :) I however have something that I'm working toward, and I want to make sure that I do everything I possibly can think of to achieve my goal. My goal is to have a vaginal birth. NO MORE SURGERY PLEASE! </div><div>Here are the things that I am working on now:</div><div><br />
</div><div>Titled Pelvis and Back Pain/Injury:</div><div>If you know me than you know I love to run! Sadly, I believe that by doing what I love, I can't have what I want ultimately. No, I am not giving up running forever! I am however, taking a break. I truly believe that running has worsened or possibly caused a lot of my pelvis issues. Running is a great cardiovascular exercise, and I also believe it is wonderful for the mind and spirit, but if you don't have excellent form (which most people don't) and you like to run a lot than it can be really hard on your body. I'm not going to go into detail about the negative effects of running on a person's body because I seriously believe that running is more positive than negative. For my specific instance at this very moment running would be more negative on my body than positive. :( </div><div>I talked to a yoga instructor recently that told me she has a lot of private classes with older women who have been running for a long time, and now have a lot of back, posture, and balance issues. This is probably because of their tight psoas muscles, hamstrings, quads, calves. If you are a runner it is very important to stretch each of your major muscle groups daily, and to do some cross training. Most people don't do this. She checked out my posture and noticed that I don't stand correctly. Both of my feet point out, and one points out a lot more than the other. I also don't hold my pelvis stable when I'm doing moves. It is constantly jutting forward or too far backward depending on what im doing. What causes this? My muscles are playing tug of war on my pelvis. Now, the prescription for this. </div><div>1. No more running for awhile. I will be taking walks, and making sure to stretch really well after each one.</div><div>2. Yoga: Hot yoga twice a week, women's health yoga dvd done 5 days a week. This will help with my posture and balance.</div><div>3. Stretching: Every morning I stretch for about 30 minutes. This helps a lot with my back which gets really tight and sore if I don't stretch. I actually do the cobra stretch throughout the day to keep my back loose and mobile. </div><div>4. Pelvic Rocking: This is actually like the cat pose/cow pose done in yoga. With pelvic rocking you are only moving your pelvis not your upper back/shoulders. This also feels really good on my lower back. </div><div>5. I practice Mountain pose all throughout the day. The mountain pose is basically just standing with perfect posture and body alignment. Everything I do throughout the day, especially when I'm standing still, I check my feet and make sure I have a stable pelvis, my back is straight, and my shoulders are down and back. The space between your big toe and second toe should be aligned with your knees. </div><div>6. Nutrition: This is the really hard part! I have cut out sugar. I also don't eat fried foods, fast foods, fatty meat such as beef, pork etc. My diet consists of mostly vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, lean meant like chicken and turkey, and some venison (luckily my dad hunts deer!). This isn't the hardest thing ever because I actually already ate pretty well, but I have a bad sugar addiction. I would make good choices for the most part because that is my preference, but I would crave something sweet after lunch, after dinner, and then late at night. Normally I ate something high in sugar at least once a day. Its been three days and the only place I have gotten sugar is from fresh fruit, and a drink of orange juice. I actually haven't craved it that bad yet. It is more hard when it is around. </div><div>Example:</div><div>Breakfast: one small cup of coffee with just a little bit of soy milk (because I can't even fathom giving that up!), a bowl of plain oatmeal unsweetened with a little bit of soy milk in it. </div><div>Lunch: A Lettuce/Veggie Wrap with a Whole Wheat tortilla shell, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, and a little bit of vinegar and oil. </div><div>Dinner: 4-6oz or chicken breast baked with unsalted tomato sauce, a lot of steamed veggies seasoned but not salted, and mashed sweet potatoes (YUM)</div><div>Throughout the day I snack on plain almonds, greek yogurt with granola, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and if I feel really hungry I eat a piece of whole wheat toast or whole wheat english muffin with natural peanut butter on it.</div><div>I will keep you updated on how this is going…</div><div><br />
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</div><div>WOW I'm late going where I have to go because this blog usually gets done when the kids are napping but I tried to multi task today for a second and Brayve wasn't having it! So more to come later!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040426295884800178.post-58277612054442283772011-04-26T13:51:00.000-07:002011-04-30T21:01:56.441-07:00Glory Reign Wakeland November 13th 2010 When Brayve was 7 months old I became pregnant again. No, this was not on purpose, but a wonderful blessing all the same. When I found out, I was scared again. Obviously, my last experience was pretty terrifying. Right away I started researching my options. I had heard the saying, 'once a csection always a csection,' but I knew that I could never schedule a cesarean. I found out about VBAC, Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. I was relieved to know that I had another option, but did read a lot about how it was recommended that the scar should have at least 18months to 2 years to heal before trying a VBAC. Glory was due to be born at about 16months post cesarean. I switched providers to a group with midwives, and was told that I seemed like a good candidate to try a VBAC. I was satisfied with that, but decided this time I should educate myself more. I spent the next 9months reading books, watching birth videos, and reading articles about birth, VBAC, uterine scar ruptures etc. I was a little worried, but the negative outcomes were such a small percentage that I had to think positively about it. I stayed in great shape by continuing to jog/walk at least 4 times a week for at least 3 miles per time until my 9month of pregnancy where I transitioned to only walking 3 miles. With Brayve I didn't exercise much and I gained almost 60 lbs. I was swollen from head to toe! I was back to my prepregnancy weight before I became pregnant with Glory though. I only gained 33lbs this time, and felt great! <br />
My goals for this birth were to try to stay as relaxed as possible, try to do a lot of hands and knees to help my baby get into the anterior position, and try to stay at home for as long as I could considering I was terrified of going to the hospital. I knew my chances of having a VBAC went up if I could do this naturally, and in order for me to do that I knew staying at home as long as I could was the best option. I hired a doula, the only one I knew, because I had also read that my VBAC chances went up if I had that support. I also knew that having a midwife instead of an OB helped me. <br />
At 36 weeks I went in to have my Group B Strep test and was positive. They told me that I would have to come in early so that I could have penecillin administered so the baby didn't get an infection. After researching about that I found out that the chances of an infection coming through the birth canal was low, and a bunch of other stuff that lead me to decide not to take their advice on coming to the hospital early. At this point I became nervous because I realized then that I didn't have the most supportive team I could have. My doula did not want to be called unless I was being admitted into the hospital, which meant I was going to be doing all the hard work alone since I was not going to the hospital until I felt it was unbearable. I also realized that the midwives I chose, whether they meant well or not, were still employed through an OB office and still had to follow hospital protocol. I felt that, even though my family wanted to understand, they couldn't because they all had their natural quick births and I felt like every time I talked about it with them or my husband they seemed to get that glazed look that people get when they aren't interested. My baby and I were alone, but in it together, so I had a talk with her. I told her that I would try my hardest to give her what she deserved, and that it would help if she could just turn in the right position. <br />
My due date was November 14th, and I went into labor on Thursday, November 11th 2010 at 10pm. Up until that point I had been doing pelvic rocks, visualization, and spent a lot of time on my hands and knees hoping that she would turn anterior. My contractions were about 10 minutes apart or so for a couple of hours, and I was able to sleep on and off through them. Then at 5am the next morning I woke up to an unusually uncomfortable one. I timed them for an hour and realized they were 6 minutes apart, but they were the exciting kind that I felt uncomfortable with, but not too uncomfortable. I went about my day taking care of Brayve. Alex had to take his CDL test that afternoon, and I told him that more than likely this labor was going to be long and that I didn't need him yet and to go ahead. I picked him up at 3pm on Friday after he had passed his test, and we went home to relax. At this point the contractions were 4 or 5 minutes apart and I had to stop to breathe through them. Around 6pm I had an english muffin with peanut butter and jelly on it, some orange juice, and water. My mom came over to watch Brayve so that Alex and I could go for a walk because that is what I felt like I should be doing. It was dark, cool, and misting. It was beautiful and so relaxing. Alex suggested that I try to walk through a contraction instead of stopping to see how that felt. It felt great! When we got back my mom stayed for a little while longer, and then she took Brayve to her house to put to bed since I was pretty sure we would be going to the hospital sometime that night. <br />
I got into the tub around 9pm and Alex sat and read a book to me. I laid on my side for a long time trying to relax through the contractions that were now 3 mins apart and feeling pretty intense. Around 11 my eyes shot open and I started crying to Alex about how I didn't think I could do this anymore. He said that it would probably be a good time to go to the hospital and I agreed. He unplugged the bath, and I stood up. All of a sudden I felt a little pop and realized that something had come out of me. I had read and researched so much before hand that if I was in the right state of mind I would have known that it was my water breaking, but since I was already standing in water and couldn't see how much came out of me I honestly thought it was my mucus plug. I was just basing that on the theory that I didn't think I had lost it yet, that is what happened first last time, and it was discolored not clear like amniotic fluid should be. I got violently shakey and began to giggle uncontrollably. I emptied my bladder to try to give the baby more room, and we got ready to leave for the hospital. At some point in time Alex called our doula. <br />
When we got to the hospital the contractions were very painful, and I was dreading laying down to be checked. The midwife on call was the only midwife that I hadn't seen since the first visit at 6 weeks pregnant. This made me a little nervous because I felt like I knew nothing about her. Luckily though she was so loving and her voice was very calming. She told me that I was 7cm dilated and 100% effaced! Victory!! She also asked when my water had broken which I then realized that was what happened when I stood up in the tub! Another victory!! I was admitted and had to be hooked up to IV and given penecillin which I hated! It gets kind of hazy from there. I knew I was in incredible pain, but they told me that I was transitioning and that I would be at 10cm within a couple of hours, so that gave me the drive to keep going! Four hours later I was checked and told that my cervix was swollen and that I was now only 6cm dilated and only 70%effaced. I told them to get me an epidural NOW! She tried to talk me out of it, and told me that I had said I wanted it natural, but in my head I was thinking, "I'm fucking going backwards…what the hell is natural about that?!" I got an epidural, and was told to try to sleep. Unfortunately I couldn't do that because I was able to think straight again once my pain subsided and decided that I just screwed myself. I was hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. I did feel some pressure feelings in my bottom a few times and had to wake my doula up to ask her if that meant anything. It seemed like everybody just sloughed me off after I received the epidural. After that I was just monitored… not really reassured. Around 5:30am I began to run a temperature. The midwife checked me again and I hadn't made anymore progress and she said that if I was running a temperature she was worried about the baby considering my water had broken and there was meconium in it. I agreed that it also made me nervous and asked her if she was thinking a cesarean was best. She admitted that those were her thoughts, and I told her I wanted to meet the OB that would be performing it. I felt very supported and loved in the decision because I had my doula, midwife, OB, and husband all rubbing my arms, legs, and smoothing my hair back. I was still very upset and crying, but at least it was better. <br />
I can remember my experience in the operating room better than the first time because I hadn't had any nubain, sedatives, and I wasn't AS sleep deprived as the last time. It actually felt more terrifying then the first because I was so aware. I knew what it was like recovering last time, I knew I had a fever and was in fear of infection for me and my baby, and new that my blood pressure was low. I could hear the machine beeping, and people were whispering. I really was having an out of body experience because felt like I was somewhere else. I honestly thought that I was dying and could feel myself slipping away, and I completely gave into that. At 6:15AM on Saturday morning, Glory Reign was born after 32 hours of labor weighing 8lbs 9oz, 20.5 inches long. She was posterior, stuck in my pelvis, and trying to come out forehead first. She also had a very large head. I was not given a sedative, but once again I fell asleep immediately. I do not remember what she sounded like, what she looked like, what she felt like. I did not see her open her eyes for the first time, and I was not the first to hold the baby that I had housed and nourished for the last 9 months. When I got back into the room that Alex and Glory were waiting for me in I felt detached. I was almost too exhausted to open my eyes or even care. I was asked if I wanted to hold her and I said no, that I was too tired and thought I might drop her, but really I just didn't want anything to do with her. I felt no connection with her at all. As soon as she heard my voice she started crying and trying to look for me. The sound was pulling on my heart strings, and I decided that she needed me. They rolled me onto my side because all she wanted was food! She latched on great and has eaten like a champ ever since. She definitely is a momma's girl! <br />
In the hospital a couple of days later one of the midwives that I had seen often throughout my pregnancy came in and had a talk with me. She told me she was sorry that things didn't turn out how I wanted, but that she was so proud of me for trying so hard. Then she decided to tell me that when she did a cervical exam on me earlier on she noticed that my pelvis felt tilted and narrow. I wasn't sure what to think about this information. I couldn't figure out why it would be that way. I kind of wish she would have told me that before hand, but at the same time I could understand why she wouldn't. She didn't want to give me negative information. The next midwife that came in told me that I better schedule my next csection with them because it would be dangerous to try that again. That same midwife I have heard is now studying to be an OB. I don't know if that is true or not but it makes sense because she seemed to be the most medically based one there. <br />
My daughter is now almost 6 months old. She is beautiful, healthy, and still nursing. I have completely fallen in love with her. My incision has healed wonderfully! The dissolvable stitches that were used last time were not used this time. I had staples that were taken out in the hospital before I left. The OB completely cut out my old scar and made a new, thin, straight one. I do not have that pocket of fluid above it anymore. It still is numb and still feels very uncomfortable and tender to touch, but it is better than before.<br />
What I know now is… if I knew for certain that I would HAVE to have another csection my family would stop at two children. However, my husband and I have always wanted four children, so my journey to a better body started the moment I walked out of the hospital for the second time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0