When we are pregnant, we think about the birth, breastfeeding, and sleepless nights.  We don’t really think about infant CPR or choking.  i know, i know, it’s another thing to be worried about especially with an infant and all the checking we do when they are sleeping to make sure they are breathing.  If your older child gave the baby a small toy and it landed in the baby’s mouth, would you know what to do (i mean after you start to panic)?

For me, choking is personal.  When my oldest was a little guy, my brother was feeding him some food and he began to choke.  Talk about a scary situation!  my sister-in-law had to leave the kitchen because she was freaking out.  Thankfully i had training and was able to take charge.  i grabbed Chandlur out of my brother’s arms, put him over my arm and started hitting his back with the heel of my hand.  At first, there was nothing, that is when panic began to set in.  i hear my sister-in-law asking if we need to call 911.  i just kept on whacking him focused fully on his little body, praying God would intervene.  Finally the food shot out of his mouth and into the sink.  It was one of those sobering moments when you realize in an instant you could loose your child.  If i did not know what to do, i would have freaked out from the start, and the situation would have been much worse.

These are some great videos from The Pregnancy Show on infant CPR and choking.

Our family was home all day Saturday and we had the Olympics on.  Running seemed to be the theme for awhile.  It is the only sport my athletic loving 5 year old watched completely enthralled.  It makes this running lover mama super proud!  Anyways, my hubby and i were watching the Olympic Marathon that evening.  He kept asking, “How long is it again?”.  Tomescu from Romania, was spectacular!  The last leg was once around the track inside the Bird’s Nest.  The crowd was screaming and cheering.  While being astonished by how fast she was, i began to get the chills and a little teary eyed.  All i could say over and over again, “WOW!”.  Can you imagine that feeling?  You have been training and training for the pinnacle of your sport.  Your training pays off, you get the gold, and you get the cheering of thousands and thousands of people to get you through that last little bit.  WHEW!  How amazing!!

Many doctors equate giving birth to a marathon.  After 2 natural births (my third was a C-section because of a rare condition neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia), i get that.  In my opinion, giving birth is the pinnacle of womanhood.  Woman have been given the special gift of bearing children.  i know it’s a little old fashion and perhaps controversial.  Isn’t it organic though?  It’s what our bodies were created to do.  Don’t get me wrong, i do believe very much in birth control.  Without that, i would have a mass of children, a gynormous food bill, and have to dye my gray hair every month.  If this is going to be such an intense experience, wouldn’t we want a little training?  Instead of struggling at the end like Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain who wasn’t able to finish the 2004 Olympics, with training, you can be at the front of the race and have a more enjoyable experience.  Imagine as your partner is asking “How much longer?”, the nurses and doctors are cheering you on to get you through that last little bit.  i know how busy life can be (oh do i know).  Birthing Classes may be put on the hold until all of a sudden you find yourself in the hospital in labor.  Go to Birthright and sign up for the virtual childbirth classes.  Now you can be prepared to enjoy those whoops and hollers when you are on the home stretch and your baby is about to make his/her appearance.

Birthright offers four different options depending on your personality.  You can choose the 12 week, 7 week, or self-paced course.  If you prefer a paperback version, that is also available.  You will have unlimited access to Study Womb which has numerous tools to help you.  Also, there is a private forum to be able to ask your questions to a childbirth educator.  The creators of Birthright believe so much in their course, they provide a 100% money back gauruntee within 8 weeks.  You have no reason not to try this innovative new approach to childbirth classes.

Please send me your stories and experiences with these childbirth classes.  i want to feature them in a later post.

Here’s to a safe, smooth birth for you and baby!

Until recently pregnancy has been some what of a mystery.  Sure we have had the fuzzy black and white ultrasound machine since the 50’s.  The first 3D ultrasound machine was developed by Olaf von Ramm and Stephen Smith at Duke University in 1987.  Relatively not too long ago.  i think sometimes when we have these amazing technologies we forget how new they really are (considering how long woman have been giving birth.  thanks Eve for the pain!).  Because of this amazing technology of the ultrasound machine and medicine in general, we have been able to capture crystal clear images of a fetus.  Whenever i see these pictures i am just in awe of the technology and the miracle of pregnancy.  i have found a really neat video pregnancy calendar called PregnanSee.  It’s a must see! haha

In my internet trolling i have found some pretty darn cute stuff that i must share!

Mama oh! Baby carries this great nursing cover that has some little extra surprises.  First and foremost you get to choose from many different fabric options and they are all machine washable!  The widest variety of choices i have ever seen for any breastfeeding mama.  The strap around the neck is fully adjustable.  Along with a side pocket perfect for keeping that always disappearing at the worst moment burp rag.  Last but most certainly not least, each nursing cover comes with a matching carrying bag perfect for also toting around an extra diaper or two and some wipes.

We all know how frustrating it can be with a teething baby.  Are you always searching for something to give them to chew on besides your finger?  You could be risking some serious pain if you offer your finger.  These necklaces are the neatest thing.  Go to Smart Mom and check out all the different colors.  Through the end of July a portion of sales from the Camo line will be donated to National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple.  Don’t forget to check out the Celebrity Photos to see the hip mamas who wear them.

What rock star mama doesn’t want to announce her new bundle of joy with a bang?  Go to Inventing Matilda and peruse the myriad of different designs.  Here is their description:  At Inventing Matilda, is our goal to be a little different..actually a lot different, than the mainstream pink and blue polka-dotted birth announcement and photo card crowd. Don’t tell anyone about our Quirky Chic Designs, your friends might think you are getting too stylish and start shunning you…Ok, maybe you can tell one friend.

I know we are always curious what happens to the fetus during pregnancy. I found the coolest visual guide starting at fertilization and going to birth. You have to check out The Visible Embryo.

What does a rocker mama need?  A rock star baby of course!  i found the cutest, handmade baby tees and onesies.  They are even affordable!  Each item is only $10.  Check out Itsy Bitzy Couture.  When i find out the sex of my little one, i am going to be getting some of these:)

Sometimes i feel our American traditions are too commercial and not all that special. i confess, i do get envious of other culture’s traditions that seem special and close knit. i have to admit though, when i first heard about a Mother Blessing, i was a little wiggly in my chair. As with anything new, especially traditions, it can make one uncomfortable. Coming from the beautiful state of Oregon, my mind first went to the hippie place and though i am a nature lover, by no means a hippie. Upon further research i found this amazing experience.

~~The Blessingway Origin~~

The story of the creation of the Navajo people and their emergence onto their sacred homeland is recounted in a ceremony known as the Blessingway, which is the foundation of the Navajo way of life. Blessingway focuses on the story of Changing Woman, who is the inner form of the Earth through its seasonal transformations. She is the major deity for the Navajo.
The Navajo are instructed that in the beginning, First Man and First Woman emerged onto this world near Huerfano Mountain in New Mexico. One day, First Man found a baby on a nearby mountain. The baby matured in four days and became Changing Woman. Changing Woman created the four original Navajo clans from her body. Her sons rid the land between the four sacred mountains of dangerous monsters and made it safe for the clans to inhabit. The Blessingway recounts in detail the instructions Changing Woman gave to the Navajo people she created. These teachings concern history and major religious practices, such as girl’s puberty rite and the consecration of a family’s home. When performed in its entirety, the Blessingway is a two-day ceremony whose purpose is to obtain peace, harmony, protection, and to help realize the goal of a long happy life.

<p align=”center”>~~The Modern Mother Blessing~~

In the American culture, baby showers attempt to honor the mama-to-be. For the most part it becomes a showering of gifts for the baby doing little for the rite of passage for the mama. While baby showers can be a little commercial, the Mother Blessing is the exact opposite. The Mother Blessing is

~~The Basics~~

Who’s coming? Keep it intimate and small. Only invite those the mama is close to and can positively contribute. Don’t invite anyone just because you feel obligated. A group of more than 15 can become cumbersome. If there are more than 15 you really want to attend, keep the Mother Blessing intimate and have a reception after or have a celebration after the baby is born.

Where do we go? The best place is the mama-to-be’s home (offer to clean her home as a gift). This way, you can bless her home as an activity. If this isn’t an option, a nearby home of a participant or an outdoor setting that is calm.

What atmosphere? Think intimate. First and foremost, turn off all phones and pagers! Consider playing relaxing music, burning scented candles or incense. If it’s cold and you have a fireplace, this is a wonderful time to put it to good use.

Did someone say food? All of the food should have meaning. Think homemade and from the heart. Maybe have everyone bring a dish that is the mama-to-be’s comfort food, or a favorite food (a great excuse for a chocolate feast).

~~Rituals~~

You can adapt any of these or even make up your own and adjust them to the mama-to-be’s belief system. Whatever you do, make sure it encourages the mama-to-be. Begin with an invocation or prayer. End by thanking everyone for their positive contributions, and if you are giving little “favors” such as a candle or scented soap, have each guest take one as a reminder of their wishes they are to keep making until after the baby is born.

~Create a birthing necklace. It is intended for the woman to wear during birth to bring strength and positive energy. Ask each woman attending to bring a bead that best represents their wish for the mother and baby during labor and delivery. Pass around the string or wire cut for the necklace. Have each woman explain the significance of the bead they chose. You can even pass around a journal at the same time so the woman can write the meaning (we know preggo brain).

~The foot bath and hair brushing maybe the most intimate activity. Wash the mama’s feet in a small bath filled with flower petals or essential oils. Drying the feet with cornmeal will impart a nice glow that symbolizes luck and protection as she walks on her path. You can simultaneously brush/braid her hair or do them as separate activities. You can finish off the hair brushing time by decorating her hair with flowers. This would be a great time for storytelling.

~Storytelling is meant to encourage the mother (keep the horror stories to yourself please). You can have the other woman tell their own birthing stories, maybe say how they know the mama-to-be, or maybe even tell inspirational stories of motherhood. You can even invite the guests to read encouraging poetry.

~Smudging is taken from the Navajo tradition of the Blessingway. It is meant to cleanse and purify the home. A bundle of dried sage is lite, then the flame is blown out, and the sage is allowed to slowly burn down.

~Create a belly cast or paint the mama-to-be’s belly with henna or body paints.

~Lighting candles. You can have each woman bring a candle from home and light it at the beginning of the Mother Blessing. You can also incorporate candle making into one of your activities. These candles are to be taken home by each woman present and lit when she hears the mama is in labor.

~Making “help” lists isn’t part of the traditional ceremony, however a great idea. Have the guests commit to bringing a meal over after the baby is born. Also, create a list to help with housework. As any new mommy can tell you, this is the best gift of all

~Meditation stones. Have each woman paint or write a wish for the mama while she is in labor. Place all the dried stones in a basket and she has a great focal point for labor.

~Wrist Binding is probably the best way to end a Mother Blessing. Use a ball of wool, hemp, or cotton. Have all the woman stand in a tight circle and wrap the string around each woman’s wrist. After the string has been passed you can use this time to say a prayer for the mama-to-be, recite poetry, or just be reminded how we are all united. Then have each woman cut their string and tie it around their wrist. It is meant to be a reminder until the mama-to-be has given birth.