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11-11-11

admin — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:38:38 +0000

I know you love your baby just as much as I love mine. Parenting is about sacrifice, doing the right thing when you really don’t want to, and the responsibility of taking care of their health. Being a good parent (I didn’t say perfect haha) starts when that stick has a positive. I know today is a special day, 11-11-11. I know it’s good luck for the beginning of something, including life. Is it worth risking your health and your baby’s to force labor (or even worse, cesarean surgery)? There are women who have birthed via surgery just to say their baby was born today. I find it very sad really. As a parent, our focus should be what is best for our child, not what our selfish desires want. I know sometimes it is important to give to yourself, that’s not what I’m saying. Buying my new purse doesn’t compromise my child’s health or well being. If I chose for my child to be born before they were ready, that is endangering their health and well being.

11-11-11

Unless it endangers the baby or the mama, why can’t we just let the baby decide when they are ready? It is amazing all the biological processes that happen to signal, “I’m done”. Pretty please, trust your body and your baby!

Happy Birthday to all the wee ones who joined earth today, planned and unplanned!

Doctors Finally Recognize a VBAC Is Safe

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:23:36 +0000

The birth world is all a twitter right now. One of our roles as a doula is to provide evidence-based information to our clients when they have questions or concerns. We (at least all the ones I have come in contact with) believe a woman’s body was made to birth a baby and only under special circumstances is a cesarean surgery needed. Most of the time, the surgery is preformed because of lack of information to the pregnant mama. If she knows the risk and benefits of her options, she is more likely to have a vaginal birth. There are so many benefits to mama and baby after a vaginal birth versus a cesarean surgery.

ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) just released an update on their stance about VBAC’s (vaginal birth after cesarean). They now say “Attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a safe and appropriate choice for most women who have had a prior cesarean delivery, including for some women who have had two previous cesareans…“. Now the leading source of information doctors trust is on board with what studies have proven. This is certainly a step in the right direction back to what birth should be, an empowering, joyous, natural experience. Here is the full press release if you would like to read it.

The one aspect that has always concerned doctors is uterine rupture at the previous incision site. While the risk is there, it is low. Henci Goer (a leader in the birthing world) wrote a great article posted on iVillage about the facts of a VBAC from an evidence based view point. This is what she had to say about uterine rupture:

Symptomatic scar separation: The main fear with labor after a cesarean is that the scar will open enough to cause bleeding or for the umbilical cord or the baby to pass through the opening. Among thirty studies totaling 56,300 VBACs, the rate of symptomatic scar separation was 4 per 1,000 (15,30). Even so, few instances where this occurs result in harm to the baby, which is the real issue. The perinatal mortality rate (stillbirths and newborn deaths together) from this cause was 3 per 10,000. This did not differ from the perinatal mortality rate of 2 per 10,000 in 29,900 planned cesareans. Nor does planning a cesarean eliminate the risk of the scar giving way. Several large studies reported scar separation rates ranging from 2 to 3 per 1,000 with repeat cesarean, not much less than the 4 to 6 per 1,000 reported in VBAC labors (17,21,30).

Now, the next step is preventing the need for a VBAC in the first place. The more we speak up and are informed, the quicker we can create change. Birth is natural and normal, not a condition to be treated.

Autism May Be Linked to Childbirth

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:04:47 +0000

Another reason to seek the services of a birth doula to help avoid an epidural and why I am an aspiring herbalist. One of the speakers at the Autism One Conference, Elaine DeLack, RN spoke on her hypothesis of the originating cause of autism. One of the causes she believes is an epidural with pitocen during childbirth. She theorizes this causes a change in the baby’s brain chemistry which later manifests itself during the natural changes of the child’s brain. Here is an article explaining this more in depth.

Here is the synopsis of her lecture from the Autism One website:

“This presentation will explain how the metabolic imbalances, gastric problems, and core symptoms of autism may be the result of a malfunction of the mitochondrial enzyme, MAO-A. The presentation will discuss how stress, genetics, epidurals with Pitocin (oxytocin) augmentation during childbirth, toxins such as mercury, aluminum, high copper and cadmium are possible risk factors contributing to the overall symptoms resulting from the MAO-A deficiency. This science provides the rationale unifying the benefits seen from various therapies such as the gluten-free and casein-free diet, hyperbaric oxygen, methylcobalamin and Respen-A.”

I find this very fascinating and hope to see more concrete research in the near future. Maybe this is the breakthrough that is needed to really understand this mysterious diagnosis and help families before their child starts showing signs.

Key to the Mystery of SIDS

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:47:28 +0000

SIDS has decreased greatly over the past decade or so because of safetyprecaution awareness, however, for every family effected, statistics don’t matter. They have lost their baby. Hannah Kinney, MD, a professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School and a neuropathologist at Children’s Hospital Boston has recently published a study she conducted concerning the cause of SIDS. We are now a step closer to eliminating this tragic occurence. Her study narrowed down where the problem may lie. It may come from the brain stem and could have to do with serotonin levels. Here is a great article about this study. Certainly one step closer to overcoming the number one cause of death in children newborn to one year old. This is such great hope for such an elusive killer!

Pregnant Olympian? Really?

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:36:32 +0000

And the answer is…..yes! Kristie Moore is 5 1/2 months pregnant. She is the 5th member of Canada’s women’s curling team. She is the alternate so she may not even get a chance to show us her moves. However, if her team wins a medal, she will too. She was asked to be part of the Olympic team shortly after she found out she was pregnant. Moore is only the 3rd women in Olympic history to participate in the games while having a bun in the oven. She is the farthest along than the other 2 women were. And who says pregnant women are fragile and need to rest all the time?

One Step Closer to a Cure

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:26:07 +0000

I am one of those with high risk pregnancies. I don’t completely relax until that baby is born and I know he/she is healthy. Many women think that once the baby is born and pronounced healthy, life will be perfect. What we don’t anticipate is a well baby check-up that yields concern on the doctor’s face. Autism is one of those life complications we keep hearing about, however we never believe it could be us getting that diagnosis. Autism has been a mystery thus far. Many people attribute it to vaccinations although unsupported in studies conducted.

The National Birth Defect Registry has recently released a study. It is a small sampling so of course not entirely conclusive as far as evidence based care goes. However, I think this is an amazing step in that direction. The direction of figuring out what causes this disease and if we can prevent it in some form or fashion. I also found this doctor’s very interesting take on it all.

Hopefully in the next few years we will know the causes of this disorder/disease. If it is indeed changes we can make prenatally, we will be able to arm women with that very powerful information and nearly eradicate it once again. If perhaps it is genetics, then our very intelligent doctors will be able to find a cure.

To all of you who this is a very real issue each and every day, may you find encouragement that we are one step closer. Our world is a much better place because of your dedication!

Another Celebrity Baby is Born

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:57:26 +0000

We always see celebrities as better than us in some way. I always try to humanize them in my own mind. I think childbirth is the great equalizer. Yea, maybe they can afford better surroundings or the best doctor out there. When it comes down to it, it is still a painful process and there is always a time of healing and adjusting to a new baby.

The good lookin’ Kim Kardashian had her her first little one on the 14th. He weighed in at 7lbs 6oz and was 19 1/2 in long. His name is Mason Dash. It is nice to see a celebrity name their baby something down to earth. I bet he is going to be one handsome little man!

Butterball Baby Born

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:43:35 +0000

I could not imagine having such a large baby. I would probably be sad because you miss that little snuggly stage. To top it all off he was even 3 weeks early! Mommy was even a ten pound baby when she was born and had to have shoulder bone broken to come out. I bet the biggest baby the NICU has ever seen.

Here is the interview from the Today Show….

World’s Youngest Mommy

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:54:33 +0000

I am a woman who likes to think I have a wide vocabulary. Today, I was rendered speechless while perusing the world of blogs. Check it our for yourself…the world’s youngest mommy

A Newborn Can Sleep Through the Night

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:27:27 +0000

I am one who believes breast is best, however, formula isn’t evil (my second was a formula baby). Then I got a coupon in the mail (for our baby #4) for a new formula. I read it with a “what the hell” expression while mumbling to myself. My hubby was close by and made some crack about me going crazy (at least I didn’t answer myself, right?). We had a discussion about this new formula.

At this point, I’m sure you are wondering what IS it?? It is made by Enfamil (a trusted brand and the makers of Nutramigen we used for #2). It is called Restfull. It claims (a) “a natural way to help keep your baby feeling satisfied”, and (b) “thickens gently in baby’s tummy and digest slowly”.

I am all for a baby getting a good night sleep (and mama too!). The temptation is there with baby #4 who doesn’t sleep well. However, how is this natural Enfamil? Aren’t you trying to trick a baby’s system? It just seems so counterintuitive, and perhaps a little selfish.

What are your thoughts? For and against comments gladly welcomed!

A Mistaken Birth

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:37:05 +0000

You have 3 kids and feel one is missing. You and your partner try for awhile to have that fourth baby only to discover it won’t happen without medical intervention. You go through the agonizing and expensive process of IVF. Recently riding the roller coaster of implantation, you eagerly await “that” call. The phone rings and the doctor says “CONGRAGULATIONS!”. You are beyond yourself with excitment….”oh, yea” they add, “we made a mistake and you have been implanted with the wrong embryo.”

That is exactly what happened to Sean and Carolyn Savage. Now, they are faced with a choice. Do they continue the pregnancy knowing in the end they will have to give the baby to the other couple? Or, do they terminate the pregnancy? They say termination was never an option. Perhaps the most heartbreaking part of the story, Carolyn will not be able to be pregnant again because of health issues, although they do hope to use a surrogate for the remaining embryos.

Visit msnbc.com for

Here is the interview with the couple, Shannon and Paul Morell who will be adding a new little son soon. Hopefully they will be able to fully connect with the baby since they haven’t had the chance during pregnancy.

Visit msnbc.com for

What Motherhood Leaves

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:17:34 +0000

My biggest fear is my family being split due to death, especially if I’m still alive without them. A few weeks ago I began thinking about writing lessons I have learned to pass down to my kids. What if something happens to me and my kids are left behind without my guidance? I just wrote the first post on my personal blog, The Domestic Engineer’s Union.

I came across this story today that really touched me. Jemma was only 29 when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She would be leaving behind a husband and 2 young kids. In true mommy hero mode, she created a “master class” for her husband. She planned ahead by writing future cards and notes. She created instructions for her hubby on even the mundane housework. The whole story is a must read!

I know it’s not something we want to think about. Unfortunately we don’t know when and where that moment may be. I would prefer to be prepared instead of my kids wondering who their mommy was.

If you died what would you want your kids to know about you and life in general?

The Pregnant Man is Pregnant Again

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:01:17 +0000

How do I explain to my 5 year old son how a man can be pregnant? Thankfully my brain quickly came up with a simple answer he understood. People on t.v were referring to Thomas Beatie (the pregnant man from Bend, Oregon) who is pregnant again. I know these children are born into a family full of love which is what any kid needs. However, how do you explain to those kids that the person they think is daddy was the one to birth them? I wonder about peer teasing and how they will be accepted. I personally feel sorry for Thomas because he seems to be confused. He wants to be a man yet at the same time he wants to do the one thing that truly sets woman and men apart. I see the ability to have babies a woman’s sacred ability. I can understand transgender thinking, however, I just cannot wrap my mind around this. He wants the be man and woman. What do you think?

On the Cutting Edge of Conception

admin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:00:04 +0000

Clearblue has always been on the cutting edge of pregnancy/conception tests. They have come through with another groundbreaking test. You will soon be able to find the exact day you conceived. It will be meant to confirm your pregnancy as well as tell you the date of conception for about $20. It will work like a regular pregnancy test, however, it will also contain two hCG hormone detectors. A digital screen will tell you exactly how many weeks pregnant you are. In labratory testing, it has proven to be 92% accurate. Maybe Maury Povich can invest in some of these. Perhaps when these become mainstream, he may be out of a job.

Your Unborn Baby Can Get a Flu Shot

admin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:17:01 +0000

We have been hearing that all pregnant women, young children, and elderly people need to get a flu shot. How about your unborn baby? He/she could use one too. “Our data show that a single dose of maternal influenza vaccine provides a considerable two-for-one benefit to both mothers and their young infants,” wrote a team led by Dr. Mark C. Steinhoff, of Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health, in Baltimore. They also wrote, “childhood deaths associated with influenza are most frequent in infants under the age of 6 months,”. Unfortunately, for children under 6 months, it is not recommended they receive a flu shot. The researchers knew newborns did receive some immunities to the flu virus from the mother’s antibodies which circulate in the fetal environment. They wondered if a flu shot would have the same effect. To find out, the team tracked 340 Bangladeshi mother-infant pairs during 2004-2005.

The researchers found that babies born to vaccinated mothers had a 63% lower risk of laboratory-confirmed influenza compared to babies whose mothers had not received the flu shot. The incidence of any type of respiratory illness with fever also declined, from 153 cases among infants born to unvaccinated mothers to 110 cases among babies whose mothers had gotten the flu shot. Researchers say this trial offers “unique evidence supporting the strategy of maternal immunization to prevent influenza infection in young infants and their mothers.”

Few pregnant women actually follow CDC recommendations and receive the flu shot. I know I have never had one. Even my kids don’t get one every year. We are a generally healthy family so I don’t really think about it. Maybe this year, I will have to join the line and get injected (oops did I let the cat out of the bag? I guess another post is needed).

If you are pregnant, get your flu shot!

Breast Milk in Your Ice Cream

admin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:30:08 +0000

We all know “the breast is best”. Has PETA taken it a wee to far? A Swiss restaurant owner will begin purchasing breast milk from nursing mothers and substituting breast milk for 75 percent of the cow’s milk in the food he serves. This prompted PETA to write to Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and propose they do the same. I love Ben and Jerry’s! If I knew I was drinking some woman’s breast milk, I think I would have to switch companies. In a statement Ben and Jerry’s said, “We applaud PETA’s novel approach to bringing attention to an issue, but we believe a mother’s milk is best used for her child.” Could you imagine, much like there is the organic seal on food, you now have a ‘made with breast milk’ seal? I’m sure for those breastfeeding it would be a great way to make some extra bucks, right? I am all for breastfeeding, I do think for a baby it IS best. However, an adult, hhmmm. All this talk about ice cream makes me want some!!

Go and read the letter PETA sent to the good ol’ boys.

The Most Inspiring Mother!

admin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:16:22 +0000

I caught the first half of Oprah today. I know, I know, sounds like the typical housewife huh? Jenny McCarthy was on talking about her new book, Mother Warriors. She introduced us to Monica. After going through a painful divorce, she never thought she would find love again. In walks Tony, they date and become engaged. Monica gives birth to their daughter, Monica’s second baby. She also had a then 9 year old. After giving birth, she somehow obtained a flesh eating bacteria. She lost some of her organs and eventually both legs and arms. This is the most inspiring woman! She never had a pity party, and never whined. She began rehab and said she wanted to double whatever time they required. Instead of 2 hours, she worked for 4 hours. She just wanted to get back to her girls and fiancé. While in the hospital going through her 37 surgeries and 4 months of rehab, she and Tony got married. In a blue gown, in her hospital bed next to him, they said their vows. She has learned to care for her girls, husband, and run the household with no arms and legs. You really need to read the rest of the story! She is certainly one of the most inspiring mothers I have ever come across!

Delaying Fertility-Freezing Ovaries

admin — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:27:57 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me where medicine takes us. This is a video clip from The Today Show. Matt Lauer interviews a couple who had a baby and is pregnant again. What is amazing about this? Annie had one her ovaries frozen before under going chemotherapy. After she was in remission, the ovary was grafted back on. It is only the second time a baby was born after an ovary was frozen. There are less than 10 babies born in this way so far!

Raising Children at the Top

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:28:34 +0000

i know politics are all people are talking about, especially Sarah Palin. Will you indulge me for a moment and leave your opinions? i adore this woman for many reasons, one of which she is a mom just like me. She reminds me of someone i would run into at the grocery store. Her speech last night was inspiring!

She is coming under criticism. People question if she can handle being a mom to 5 kids (one with special needs), and the responsibility of a vice president. Would this be a question if she was a man? i heard this morning that fellow women are even questioning her. This really saddens me! It almost seems we as women are hindering the breaking of the glass ceiling Hillary Clinton cracked. What happened to women being able to do anything a man can? My neighbor has a child with cerebral palsy, she is a single mom and has to work (the seperation is amicable and both parties agreed). Is she judged for her decisions? my mom used to watch a little girl with severe disabilities. Was her mom judged for working? Perhaps a double standard..hhmm. Sarah Palin has an amazing husband (not to mention easy on the eyes *wink*) and he is very hands on. If you are a mother who has a child with special needs, wouldn’t you want an advocate that close to the top instead of questioning if she can be a mom and a vice president? Was JFK questioned about these things, if he could handle being a father and a president with young children?

Politics aside (i am having to bite my tongue because she has already been a successful Governor with an 80% approval rating), she represents the very lesson we teach our daughters. You can do anything you want! my 4 year old daughter talks about how she wants to “be a doctor who helps mommies have babies” and wants to have her own babies when she “gets big as you (me, her mommy)”. i don’t say well, honey, i’m not sure if you can handle the pressure and time commitment. NO, i say awesome (and in my head think, i hope she can get some scholarships)! Actually, my fabulous OB-GYN, Dr Wentross, her hubby is a stay at home dad who does an amazing job. i suspect Todd Palin (First Dude as he likes to be called) will be one as well, if he isn’t already. Wouldn’t you want a mommy at the top who understands what its like raising kids and being a working mom?

If you missed her speech….part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4

i am really curious to hear what everyone else thinks about this subject. This is about being a high powered working mom, not politics. Please no political statements.

Fascinating Birth Statitics

admin — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:01:49 +0000

Every year the CDC releases the National Vital Statistics Report the end of last year. It is quite astonishing! There was a 3% increase in births from 2005 to 2006, the highest growth since 1989. There were 4,265,996 births in 2006 which is the highest number since 1961! Teenage pregnancy started to rise in 2006 for the first time since 1991. The total fertility rate was 2,101births per 1,000 women which is the highest rate since 1971. The birth rate rose by 7% for unmarried women which equaled 50.6 births per 1,000 women.

WOW! We are having babies! The one that surprised me the most was the unmarried women. Half of the women giving birth are unmarried. i wonder how many account for women choosing to have children without a partner and how many were like my first (very unexpected blessings).

What are your thoughts on these numbers and what they mean?