I have seen very little talk in the midwifery community in the states about what is happening to midwifery down under in Australia. Personally, I would be totally in the dark if it weren't for the wonderful Lisa Barrett and her incredible blog.
I urge everyone to click here and either watch the video or read the transcript.
It is just deplorable what the government is doing, not just to midwifery but also, and most importantly, to women and families.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Public Perceptions of Breastfeeding
I did not write this, but it was too fabulous to not pass on. (I'm not sure of the original author, but whomever you are, thank you!!!)
Society is so sexualized that they have forgotten what God created
our breasts for in the first place. They throw hissy fits over
breastfeeding in public and expect us to feed our babies in dirty,
stinky bathrooms. So I ask you to judge for yourself, which breasts are
truly offensive here? And I understand some of you won't think ANY of
them are offensive. But I am making a point by showing how ridiculous
it is that society looks upon scantily clad women in sexy ads as ok,
even GREAT, but providing important nourishment and nutrients to your
child in public by breastfeeding is offensive, distasteful, disgusting,
whatever. Give me your feedback. :)
Wait... well, this is a bad example. Let's try again...
Hmmm... just a minute. Surely i can find better ones than these...
Eh... still not racy enough. I'll check one more time.
That's better. LOOK AT THAT! I see about an inch of boob! Totally disgusting.
Ugh! Look at that indecency!! She must be from some third-world country to be exposed like that!!
Now that's just... There's no words to describe how inappropriate that is. Something needs to be done!!
Now
this takes the cake!! How dare they actually put such a disgusting
image on the cover of a magazine where teenage boys might see it. This
simply must be disposed of ASAP via a shredder, before teenage boys
learn what boobs are really for!!
This just makes me want to vomit!
...but why stop at breastfeeding women? There are boobs
everywhere. Beware! If you thought the above photos were offensive, you
WILL DEFINITELY be offended by the photos below.
Not this one though. This was in plain view on newsstands and in mailboxes in 19 countries worldwide!
Not this one either. This one actually won an award!
Oh, and i guess this ones fine too, since everyone knows you can't sell jeans without someone being topless.
or beer, for that matter!
or sunglasses...
or movie tickets...
or CDs...
...you
know what? Maybe I'm crazy, but i think that someone mixed up some
photos here. The first batch are offensive, but the second batch are
just fine and dandy???
people who live in glass bras:
shouldn't throw stones:
Which message is healthier?
Breastfeeding which is medically approved to give HUMANS the best start in life. . . or
Images that promote STD's, unattainable beauty standards, sexual promiscuity, plastic surgery, and just plain TRUE indecency?
Which would you rather your daughter live up to?
Ifyou think women have the right to breastfeed their children no matter
where they are, please re-post this. The least you can do is help some
children get the best nutrition they can get. Breastfed babies have
lower instances of obesity, asthma, allergies, certain childhood
diseases, learning disabilities, and other health problems. For each
woman who feels like she shouldn't be breastfeeding right where she is,
there is an innocent baby who is losing out. Don't be responsible for
any child's health problems. support breastfed babies and their right
to eat in public like the rest of us.
Society is so sexualized that they have forgotten what God created
our breasts for in the first place. They throw hissy fits over
breastfeeding in public and expect us to feed our babies in dirty,
stinky bathrooms. So I ask you to judge for yourself, which breasts are
truly offensive here? And I understand some of you won't think ANY of
them are offensive. But I am making a point by showing how ridiculous
it is that society looks upon scantily clad women in sexy ads as ok,
even GREAT, but providing important nourishment and nutrients to your
child in public by breastfeeding is offensive, distasteful, disgusting,
whatever. Give me your feedback. :)
Wait... well, this is a bad example. Let's try again...
Hmmm... just a minute. Surely i can find better ones than these...
Eh... still not racy enough. I'll check one more time.
That's better. LOOK AT THAT! I see about an inch of boob! Totally disgusting.
Ugh! Look at that indecency!! She must be from some third-world country to be exposed like that!!
Now that's just... There's no words to describe how inappropriate that is. Something needs to be done!!
Now
this takes the cake!! How dare they actually put such a disgusting
image on the cover of a magazine where teenage boys might see it. This
simply must be disposed of ASAP via a shredder, before teenage boys
learn what boobs are really for!!
This just makes me want to vomit!
...but why stop at breastfeeding women? There are boobs
everywhere. Beware! If you thought the above photos were offensive, you
WILL DEFINITELY be offended by the photos below.
Not this one though. This was in plain view on newsstands and in mailboxes in 19 countries worldwide!
Not this one either. This one actually won an award!
Oh, and i guess this ones fine too, since everyone knows you can't sell jeans without someone being topless.
or beer, for that matter!
or sunglasses...
or movie tickets...
or CDs...
...you
know what? Maybe I'm crazy, but i think that someone mixed up some
photos here. The first batch are offensive, but the second batch are
just fine and dandy???
people who live in glass bras:
shouldn't throw stones:
Which message is healthier?
Breastfeeding which is medically approved to give HUMANS the best start in life. . . or
Images that promote STD's, unattainable beauty standards, sexual promiscuity, plastic surgery, and just plain TRUE indecency?
Which would you rather your daughter live up to?
Ifyou think women have the right to breastfeed their children no matter
where they are, please re-post this. The least you can do is help some
children get the best nutrition they can get. Breastfed babies have
lower instances of obesity, asthma, allergies, certain childhood
diseases, learning disabilities, and other health problems. For each
woman who feels like she shouldn't be breastfeeding right where she is,
there is an innocent baby who is losing out. Don't be responsible for
any child's health problems. support breastfed babies and their right
to eat in public like the rest of us.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Absence explained
I am in the midst of first trimester fun! We are expecting our second baby to arrive sometime this summer!!!
I haven't been on the computer much at all, although I have thought of many things I'd like to blog about.
Hopefully January will be a better blogging month for me. :-)
I haven't been on the computer much at all, although I have thought of many things I'd like to blog about.
Hopefully January will be a better blogging month for me. :-)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Security
Go check out another excellent post by the amazing Gloria Lemay, if you haven't seen it already!!
Living Exposed
I live under no false assumption that by being certified and licensed, I am 'protected'. Codswallop. Midwives need to let go of the assumption that if they always follow their protocols to the 'T' and keep up their license, they will never be liable to prosecution. As Gloria says:
"There is no safety to be had in birth work. No amount of butt covering will avoid the fact that you’re not perfect. If you do something, you will be attacked and, if you don’t do anything, you will be attacked. If you have a certificate, someone will want to take it away from you and if you aren’t certified people will make that wrong."
Can't we just have Gloria cloned and distributed throughout the world, so that we can all have some of her sanity and wisdom in our community? :p
Living Exposed
I live under no false assumption that by being certified and licensed, I am 'protected'. Codswallop. Midwives need to let go of the assumption that if they always follow their protocols to the 'T' and keep up their license, they will never be liable to prosecution. As Gloria says:
"There is no safety to be had in birth work. No amount of butt covering will avoid the fact that you’re not perfect. If you do something, you will be attacked and, if you don’t do anything, you will be attacked. If you have a certificate, someone will want to take it away from you and if you aren’t certified people will make that wrong."
Can't we just have Gloria cloned and distributed throughout the world, so that we can all have some of her sanity and wisdom in our community? :p
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Birth Stools
Ok, ok, I know that I'm a neglectful blogger. I really do promise to have more interesting, fun and insightful posts in the near future! Including one all about the maternity system in Peru. Ahem...
Starting up a practice is hard work, though! I'm spending most of my days writing client handouts. Oh, and shopping for supplies....which isn't really hard work at all, but quiet fun. I'm having a hard time deciding which birth stool to purchase. I want one that doesn't inhibit the sacrum, which is harder to find than you'd think. Here are the ones I fancy so far:
Wooden birth stool
DeBy birth stool
and if money were no factor,
the Birth Mate stool
I need to decide soon. I've personally given birth on the wooden version, and I like it well enough. But, I'm intrigued by the DeBy. I've heard both positive and negative feedback from mothers who've birthed on it.
Starting up a practice is hard work, though! I'm spending most of my days writing client handouts. Oh, and shopping for supplies....which isn't really hard work at all, but quiet fun. I'm having a hard time deciding which birth stool to purchase. I want one that doesn't inhibit the sacrum, which is harder to find than you'd think. Here are the ones I fancy so far:
Wooden birth stool
DeBy birth stool
and if money were no factor,
the Birth Mate stool
I need to decide soon. I've personally given birth on the wooden version, and I like it well enough. But, I'm intrigued by the DeBy. I've heard both positive and negative feedback from mothers who've birthed on it.
What???
Has everyone heard about what Poland's health minister is proposing?
New mother and child department in Poland draws protest
Regardless of your views on abortion rights, this is a direct violation of women's right to privacy. Frightening!
New mother and child department in Poland draws protest
Regardless of your views on abortion rights, this is a direct violation of women's right to privacy. Frightening!
Monday, August 11, 2008
News
Although I attempt to keep my identity anonymous on this blog, I want to share some personal midwifery-related news and thoughts.
I recently finished my apprenticeship. My last birth alongside my preceptor was August 4. A sweet waterbirth of a beautiful baby boy. I will be taking the NARM written exam in 3 days time. Keep me in your thoughts. I would love to pass it and not worry about it any longer!
It is a very bittersweet time of transition at the moment. I am so excited to finally be starting out on my own, something I have dreamed about for 8 years now! But, every time I think about no longer attending births with my former preceptor, I get weepy. It's a hard thing, moving on.
I recently finished my apprenticeship. My last birth alongside my preceptor was August 4. A sweet waterbirth of a beautiful baby boy. I will be taking the NARM written exam in 3 days time. Keep me in your thoughts. I would love to pass it and not worry about it any longer!
It is a very bittersweet time of transition at the moment. I am so excited to finally be starting out on my own, something I have dreamed about for 8 years now! But, every time I think about no longer attending births with my former preceptor, I get weepy. It's a hard thing, moving on.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Peru's ploy to end homebirth
Peru embraces vertical birth to save lives
Some choice quotes:
"Condori said she did not want to take any chances and that hiking through the mountains was a safer bet than having her baby at home."
"The hope of the program is to cut high rates of maternal mortality by encouraging poor, mostly indigenous Peruvian women to place themselves under the care of professionals."
There were some good things in the article, even if the overall tone is to emphasize that these women are dieing because they are home. Like I was happy to see this:
"Peru's health ministry has said vertical birthing positions can be healthier for women by reducing pressure on the uterus and large blood vessels that can affect the amount of oxygen going to the baby. Standing or sitting during childbirth also tends to reduce labor and delivery time, according to the health ministry, and allows the mother to watch the birth better than if she were lying down."
"The practice of women giving birth on their backs is done for the convenience of doctors, not women, say supporters of Andean birthing methods."
Peru has a recent history of trying to rid itself of traditional rural parteras. I have corresponded with a German homebirth midwife who lives in Cusco, and it is rather hostile there for midwives according to her.
This article makes me feel so frustrated. Yes, Peru's maternal mortality rate is devastatingly too high: 185 women die per 100,000 births. But, is the move to hospital or clinic births the answer?
In my opinion: NO.
Why not start a national program to educate existing midwives in how to treat and handle shock and allow them to carry lifesaving anti-hemorrhagic medications? Why not start a national program to CREATE more midwives who will serve these women in their homes, and ensure they are adequately nourished prenatally? I have read many times that many rural Andean Peruvian women give birth with just their family present, and if there is a problem, they then send their husband out to fetch the midwife.
It has been shown again and again that it isn't the fact of being HOME that increases the maternal mortality rate. It is the undernourishment and poverty of women, and the lack of access to skilled attendants when they are need of them.
Does it really make sense to have a woman hiking 5 hours in labor to reach a clinic to birth? I will be shocked if this support of vertical birth is going to start bringing women in droves to birth in the clinics. Women in many cases can't leave their homes, especially if they have other young children.
My family is planning a vacation to Peru in a few months, and I am hoping to meet the German midwife and talk about this topic more with her.
Some choice quotes:
"Condori said she did not want to take any chances and that hiking through the mountains was a safer bet than having her baby at home."
"The hope of the program is to cut high rates of maternal mortality by encouraging poor, mostly indigenous Peruvian women to place themselves under the care of professionals."
There were some good things in the article, even if the overall tone is to emphasize that these women are dieing because they are home. Like I was happy to see this:
"Peru's health ministry has said vertical birthing positions can be healthier for women by reducing pressure on the uterus and large blood vessels that can affect the amount of oxygen going to the baby. Standing or sitting during childbirth also tends to reduce labor and delivery time, according to the health ministry, and allows the mother to watch the birth better than if she were lying down."
"The practice of women giving birth on their backs is done for the convenience of doctors, not women, say supporters of Andean birthing methods."
Peru has a recent history of trying to rid itself of traditional rural parteras. I have corresponded with a German homebirth midwife who lives in Cusco, and it is rather hostile there for midwives according to her.
This article makes me feel so frustrated. Yes, Peru's maternal mortality rate is devastatingly too high: 185 women die per 100,000 births. But, is the move to hospital or clinic births the answer?
In my opinion: NO.
Why not start a national program to educate existing midwives in how to treat and handle shock and allow them to carry lifesaving anti-hemorrhagic medications? Why not start a national program to CREATE more midwives who will serve these women in their homes, and ensure they are adequately nourished prenatally? I have read many times that many rural Andean Peruvian women give birth with just their family present, and if there is a problem, they then send their husband out to fetch the midwife.
It has been shown again and again that it isn't the fact of being HOME that increases the maternal mortality rate. It is the undernourishment and poverty of women, and the lack of access to skilled attendants when they are need of them.
Does it really make sense to have a woman hiking 5 hours in labor to reach a clinic to birth? I will be shocked if this support of vertical birth is going to start bringing women in droves to birth in the clinics. Women in many cases can't leave their homes, especially if they have other young children.
My family is planning a vacation to Peru in a few months, and I am hoping to meet the German midwife and talk about this topic more with her.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Unassisted footling breech birth
Here is a photo series of a beautiful surprise footling breech unassisted birth. How beautiful!
Friday, April 04, 2008
Tis the season
I apologize for my absence. I know I had made a commitment to blogging again. But, as so often happens, life gets in the way. I am in the midst of some major personal life changes. I won't go into details about it all here, because it isn't remotely related to birth. :-)
As a consequence, I have little room in my mind to ponder midwifery related subjects. When things have settled some, and my mind is calmer, I promise to be back in full force.
Thank you!
As a consequence, I have little room in my mind to ponder midwifery related subjects. When things have settled some, and my mind is calmer, I promise to be back in full force.
Thank you!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Birth Trust
I had no idea it had been so many days since my last post. This past week has been a fuzz. We attended 3 births in 6 days, all with their own unique excitment. I won't go into details here, as the birth stories aren't mine to tell.
But, let me just say this:
I don't trust birth naively. I know that things can 'go wrong' in all birth settings, with all birth attendants, and with no birth attendant, and that there are two very precious lives involved in birth, both equally important. I have seen things during births that would cause some midwives and student midwives to quit for good. But, I have not waivered in my belief that BIRTH WORKS. And, I am always critically looking at another key question: how can I guarantee that "X" complication would have occurred no matter what? (I can't). What role do I have, as a midwife, to causing the situation at hand? (And, I don't mean any obvious cause....but what about the simple presence of us midwives?). I wish I could explain in more detail these births I have attended in this last month. It was a blessing that I had just attended The Trust Birth Conference 2 weeks earlier.
But, let me just say this:
I don't trust birth naively. I know that things can 'go wrong' in all birth settings, with all birth attendants, and with no birth attendant, and that there are two very precious lives involved in birth, both equally important. I have seen things during births that would cause some midwives and student midwives to quit for good. But, I have not waivered in my belief that BIRTH WORKS. And, I am always critically looking at another key question: how can I guarantee that "X" complication would have occurred no matter what? (I can't). What role do I have, as a midwife, to causing the situation at hand? (And, I don't mean any obvious cause....but what about the simple presence of us midwives?). I wish I could explain in more detail these births I have attended in this last month. It was a blessing that I had just attended The Trust Birth Conference 2 weeks earlier.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Homebirth Montage
I know this has been out on the net for a few months now, but it is so wonderful, I just have to put it up here:
Sunday, March 16, 2008
baby girl
Yesterday I was awoken at 7am with a call that a 3rd time mom was in early labor. We were there by 8:30. It was a sweet birth, the couple really spent lots of loving time together while the rest of the family was in another part of the house (including us). She labored absolutly silent, and when we suddenly heard her low moaning with pushing, we knew it was almost baby time! Her baby was born while in a supported squat with her husband beind her and her 2 daughters (2 and 6) looking on. Sweet and healthy baby! We finished the day off with 2 postpartum visits for clients who have 2 week old babies. All was well. After a 12 hour day, R was sure glad to see me, but had a fun day with his dad and brother.
I need to make some time in the next few days for studying. I have all of these thoughts and ideas swimming around in my head that I want to research more. It is so great to finally be having real hands-on training. I realize now how much of a hands-on learner I am. Everything is visual for me. To hear something, it just goes in one ear and out the other. But, to see it done (or better yet, to do it myself) is so much better!! I am excited that my preceptor really just throws me into things and has me do things I have never done (like listening to fetal heart tones during labor). That is the best way for me to learn, I think.
(Originally posted April, 2006)
I need to make some time in the next few days for studying. I have all of these thoughts and ideas swimming around in my head that I want to research more. It is so great to finally be having real hands-on training. I realize now how much of a hands-on learner I am. Everything is visual for me. To hear something, it just goes in one ear and out the other. But, to see it done (or better yet, to do it myself) is so much better!! I am excited that my preceptor really just throws me into things and has me do things I have never done (like listening to fetal heart tones during labor). That is the best way for me to learn, I think.
(Originally posted April, 2006)
Birth
Well, as suspected the mom that was ready to go any day had her baby early yesterday morning! She had a sweet, sweet baby girl. The strength and perseverance of this mama really touched me. After about 5 hours of pushing at home, and discovering hematoma on the baby's head, mom was ok with transferring and we hoped that perhaps the CNM at the local country hospital (20 minutes away) would have some ideas. Instead, when we arrived, they just preped her for a c-sect. They didn't even want to check her vaginally. Her baby sounded great, very healthy. Baby girl was born at about 2:30am via cesarean section. She was posterior and asynclitic. They had to reach up and push her up vaginally a bit, she was so wedged in there, and there were bruises on her back from the doctors trying to lift her out of the uterus. Apparently, the incision tore down into her cervix from their efforts to pull the baby out. Baby was very healthy and the mom was in her room with her baby very soon.
The hospital was very respectful, very welcoming to all of us. They have 'rooming in' and encourage breastfeeding (they got the baby latched on within 1 hour!).
I am sad to see such a conclusion to her birth, but I don't believe in accidents. For some reason, this was the path of this baby and mama. This mama's strength and beauty is awe-inspiring!
I have been busy reading lots and lots about Optimal Foetal Positioning. I feel like we tried everything we could to get her baby to turn into a better position. But, the way that it unfolded was the way it was to happen (proven by the fact that it DID happen that way). Still, I want to learn as much as I can about OFP. Heck, I could have used the information during my pregnancy/labor to help make it a smoother experience (or, so I like to think). But, my little guy came out to this world exactly as he needed to. There are no accidents, imo.
(Originally posted April, 2006)
The hospital was very respectful, very welcoming to all of us. They have 'rooming in' and encourage breastfeeding (they got the baby latched on within 1 hour!).
I am sad to see such a conclusion to her birth, but I don't believe in accidents. For some reason, this was the path of this baby and mama. This mama's strength and beauty is awe-inspiring!
I have been busy reading lots and lots about Optimal Foetal Positioning. I feel like we tried everything we could to get her baby to turn into a better position. But, the way that it unfolded was the way it was to happen (proven by the fact that it DID happen that way). Still, I want to learn as much as I can about OFP. Heck, I could have used the information during my pregnancy/labor to help make it a smoother experience (or, so I like to think). But, my little guy came out to this world exactly as he needed to. There are no accidents, imo.
(Originally posted April, 2006)
Limbic imprinting
I saw a new birth video last night called Birth As We Know It. It is similar to the Birth Into Being Russian waterbirth video in that they showed some similar footage of babies being born in the water and in the Black Sea. But, this movie goes much more into depth on the social implications for birthing consciously. They talk a lot about limbic imprinting and healing our own birth trauma.
It really shook me up. I was born via forceps (that left a mark at birth) and then separated from my mother for 4 hours. I was born in Louisiana, and at the time at that hospital, it was still standard procedure to take the baby to the nursery for 24 hours (the nurses at the hospital were trying to talk my mom out of nursing me!!!). Well, the reason I was separated for only 4 hours was because that was how long it took for my mom to get ahold of someone who would be willing to override the hospital rules and allow me back with my mother. I was born in a smaller town, and my dad ran the local newspaper, so he knew "people". My mom finally got the mayor on the phone and demanded that her daughter be given back to her. She then proceeded to check us out "against medical advice". And, she breastfeed me for just over 2 years!
But, this movie made some connections for me. I realized plain and simple WHY my family has always called me "cold", "distant", "hard-hearted", and very selective of who I let get close to me. My most basic trust in life was betrayed. It makes me so sad inside to even think about it. :(
The good thing is that I don't think that there is any hurt that is permanent...we CAN heal and grow. R's birth was a big part of this, as well as being able to give him what I wanted so badly (as in, not being separated from my mom). But, I still have a long road ahead of me to open up those wounds and let heal afresh.
It is so simple, really. Just give your babies what they want...what they NEED!!!! They need our arms, our voice, our breasts. They need to be born with respect, wherever their birth location is. They are whole and complete humans at birth (And before!) and they deserve to be treated as such.
Our planet's future just may depend on it, in my opinion...
(Originally posted April, 2006)
It really shook me up. I was born via forceps (that left a mark at birth) and then separated from my mother for 4 hours. I was born in Louisiana, and at the time at that hospital, it was still standard procedure to take the baby to the nursery for 24 hours (the nurses at the hospital were trying to talk my mom out of nursing me!!!). Well, the reason I was separated for only 4 hours was because that was how long it took for my mom to get ahold of someone who would be willing to override the hospital rules and allow me back with my mother. I was born in a smaller town, and my dad ran the local newspaper, so he knew "people". My mom finally got the mayor on the phone and demanded that her daughter be given back to her. She then proceeded to check us out "against medical advice". And, she breastfeed me for just over 2 years!
But, this movie made some connections for me. I realized plain and simple WHY my family has always called me "cold", "distant", "hard-hearted", and very selective of who I let get close to me. My most basic trust in life was betrayed. It makes me so sad inside to even think about it. :(
The good thing is that I don't think that there is any hurt that is permanent...we CAN heal and grow. R's birth was a big part of this, as well as being able to give him what I wanted so badly (as in, not being separated from my mom). But, I still have a long road ahead of me to open up those wounds and let heal afresh.
It is so simple, really. Just give your babies what they want...what they NEED!!!! They need our arms, our voice, our breasts. They need to be born with respect, wherever their birth location is. They are whole and complete humans at birth (And before!) and they deserve to be treated as such.
Our planet's future just may depend on it, in my opinion...
(Originally posted April, 2006)
Welcome, Baby!
Last night, a beautiful baby boy was born! I had the honor of being present and serving the mother however she needed me to. It was my first birth as the "assistant midwife". It was just great. Woman's strength is awe inspiring, everytime! It was her 3rd baby, 2nd born at home. She is Russian, and I thought how fitting it was that my first birth that I attend on my path to midwifery is with a Russian family (I have always felt like Russia is my 'motherland' and have always dreamed of returning and living there).
R. did really, really well with me gone!! I left him during his nap in the middle of the day, and returned around midnight, and he had just gone to sleep. He struggled a little with falling asleep without nursing, but it went just fine. I am so thrilled!!! Yipee!!!!
We have one first-time mom due "anyday" and that is it for April due dates (though there are some early May dates, and those could birth early, of course).
I had such a hard time really sleeping last night, I was too excited. I was very tired, but my mind was just jumping up and down all night, the excitement was too much!!
I am at peace.
(Originally posted in April, 2006)
R. did really, really well with me gone!! I left him during his nap in the middle of the day, and returned around midnight, and he had just gone to sleep. He struggled a little with falling asleep without nursing, but it went just fine. I am so thrilled!!! Yipee!!!!
We have one first-time mom due "anyday" and that is it for April due dates (though there are some early May dates, and those could birth early, of course).
I had such a hard time really sleeping last night, I was too excited. I was very tired, but my mind was just jumping up and down all night, the excitement was too much!!
I am at peace.
(Originally posted in April, 2006)
Babies, babies and more babies!
I am officially 'on-call' starting today. There are 4 women due any day now. One mama is close to 42 weeks, and is anxious to have her baby out, but doesn't want to do any interventions to get labor started (yay for her!!). Another mama has very iffy dates. Originally, she thought she was due i December (she was nursing, and hadn't had her period return yet when she got pregnant). Well, she is till pregnant, and it looks like she was due sometime last week, so she will have her baby very soon too.
I am very excited about all these babies that are going to make their appearances soon! My preceptor says that they were all waiting for me to get settled so I could be there. :)
It is a wonderful northwest day outside. Pouring rain one minute to sunny skies the next. I love it!
(Originally posted in April, 2006)
As soon as R. wakes up from his nap, we are going to head out to the store to buy me a watch. I haven't owned a watch in who knows how many years!! But, I need to have one on me during births and prenatals. I still haven't figured out what sort of bag I am going to use for all of my prenatal/birth supplies, but I can take my time to find the right one. I wish I was more crafty with the sewing machine, so I could just make my own!! I am still tempted to try. We will see!
I cast on for a pair of socks for myself, and a soaker for a friend of mine who is due in June with her first baby. Her mother blessing is in 2 weeks, so I hope I can finish it in time! The socks will take me a while I think, they are on size 1 needles, but there is no rush. I enjoy the creation process of just making them.
I like our new city ok. We are adjusting to it, anyhow. I feel rather lonely, no one up here for me to talk to really, but I know that will change in time. I attended our local Stitch'n'Bitch the other night, and that was great to get out of the house for a little while and meet some new people. But, it always takes me a while to warm up to people to make real friends with them. I have always been that way. I think that to some people I may appear cold and distant, but it is really just me being self-conscious. It used to be much worse when I was younger, so I seem to be growing stronger in that regard as I grow.
I am very excited about all these babies that are going to make their appearances soon! My preceptor says that they were all waiting for me to get settled so I could be there. :)
It is a wonderful northwest day outside. Pouring rain one minute to sunny skies the next. I love it!
(Originally posted in April, 2006)
As soon as R. wakes up from his nap, we are going to head out to the store to buy me a watch. I haven't owned a watch in who knows how many years!! But, I need to have one on me during births and prenatals. I still haven't figured out what sort of bag I am going to use for all of my prenatal/birth supplies, but I can take my time to find the right one. I wish I was more crafty with the sewing machine, so I could just make my own!! I am still tempted to try. We will see!
I cast on for a pair of socks for myself, and a soaker for a friend of mine who is due in June with her first baby. Her mother blessing is in 2 weeks, so I hope I can finish it in time! The socks will take me a while I think, they are on size 1 needles, but there is no rush. I enjoy the creation process of just making them.
I like our new city ok. We are adjusting to it, anyhow. I feel rather lonely, no one up here for me to talk to really, but I know that will change in time. I attended our local Stitch'n'Bitch the other night, and that was great to get out of the house for a little while and meet some new people. But, it always takes me a while to warm up to people to make real friends with them. I have always been that way. I think that to some people I may appear cold and distant, but it is really just me being self-conscious. It used to be much worse when I was younger, so I seem to be growing stronger in that regard as I grow.
i know, i know...
cool blogs have pictures and people that regular post! So, I am not there yet. I just can't carve out the time lately. That's ok, not that anybody reads this anyways, it is really just for my own release.
Not much going on lately. I went to my first birth since my son was born a few weeks ago. Just an awesome beautiful waterbirth!!!! God, out bodies just rock! It was good to see how well my son did with me being gone, too. He just turned two, and while to wasn't totally smooth, it went WAY better than I thought it would. Whew!! This fall I shall begin apprenticing full time with a fairly busy midwife, so he is just going to get better at being away from me. Wow, he got big so fast!
I had often thought about becoming a CBE or a doula....but I just don't think I could do either very effectively. I find it very hard to support women who have a perfectly healthy pregnancy and choose to walk into the hospital to give birth. Don't get me wrong, I acknowledge that there is a time and place for hospitals and OBs, but I seriously don't think more than 5% of births need them. Maybe even less. But, in this country, it is less than 5% who have homebirths, while the majority of the 95% remaining births take place in hospitals. I think this is criminal. And, firstly, we need to start with the next generation to change things. I acknowledge that come women do feel safer giving birth in the hospital, but they weren't born feeling that way...it is our culture who has taught them to feel that way. Most teenage girls are terrified of the whole process of birth. No wonder they are convinced they want the epidural long before they are even in labor!
Ok, I feel like I am going off on a tangent. sorry.
I feel so frustrated when I hear moms sharing their martyr birth stories, or about how their baby almost died, thank GOD they weren't at home! ......
So, something that I am reading more and more about is the use of oxygen in resuscitation of newborns. Very interesting stuff! There isn't really any research that shows that 100% oxygen is better than room air for resuscitation and in fact, some research to show that 100% oxygen can actually cause DAMAGE!!!! This is just mind-blowing to me! I just heard an old conference tape by Dr. John Stevenson. He has NEVER carried oxygen equipment with him to homebirths, he doesn't think it is necessary. Huh! I know some midwives who would NEVER attend a birth without it!
I used to think that the midwifery community was all fuzzy and warm and supportive of one another....but the more I become involved in it, the more I see that there are people who are VERY different from others and often tension between them that is so very palpable. Like this oxygen topic...talk about some strong opinions! But, to me, it does just make sense that room air would be best, esp considering how tiny the babies organs are, and how toxic oxygen can be when the tissues are OVERLY saturated.
Once again, our bodies just simply ROCK!
(Originally posted in Feb, 2006)
Not much going on lately. I went to my first birth since my son was born a few weeks ago. Just an awesome beautiful waterbirth!!!! God, out bodies just rock! It was good to see how well my son did with me being gone, too. He just turned two, and while to wasn't totally smooth, it went WAY better than I thought it would. Whew!! This fall I shall begin apprenticing full time with a fairly busy midwife, so he is just going to get better at being away from me. Wow, he got big so fast!
I had often thought about becoming a CBE or a doula....but I just don't think I could do either very effectively. I find it very hard to support women who have a perfectly healthy pregnancy and choose to walk into the hospital to give birth. Don't get me wrong, I acknowledge that there is a time and place for hospitals and OBs, but I seriously don't think more than 5% of births need them. Maybe even less. But, in this country, it is less than 5% who have homebirths, while the majority of the 95% remaining births take place in hospitals. I think this is criminal. And, firstly, we need to start with the next generation to change things. I acknowledge that come women do feel safer giving birth in the hospital, but they weren't born feeling that way...it is our culture who has taught them to feel that way. Most teenage girls are terrified of the whole process of birth. No wonder they are convinced they want the epidural long before they are even in labor!
Ok, I feel like I am going off on a tangent. sorry.
I feel so frustrated when I hear moms sharing their martyr birth stories, or about how their baby almost died, thank GOD they weren't at home! ......
So, something that I am reading more and more about is the use of oxygen in resuscitation of newborns. Very interesting stuff! There isn't really any research that shows that 100% oxygen is better than room air for resuscitation and in fact, some research to show that 100% oxygen can actually cause DAMAGE!!!! This is just mind-blowing to me! I just heard an old conference tape by Dr. John Stevenson. He has NEVER carried oxygen equipment with him to homebirths, he doesn't think it is necessary. Huh! I know some midwives who would NEVER attend a birth without it!
I used to think that the midwifery community was all fuzzy and warm and supportive of one another....but the more I become involved in it, the more I see that there are people who are VERY different from others and often tension between them that is so very palpable. Like this oxygen topic...talk about some strong opinions! But, to me, it does just make sense that room air would be best, esp considering how tiny the babies organs are, and how toxic oxygen can be when the tissues are OVERLY saturated.
Once again, our bodies just simply ROCK!
(Originally posted in Feb, 2006)
you know it's bad when...
Geez, it is pathetic that I almost always can easily predict what will happen to friends and friends of friends that give birth in hospitals these days...I am (very sadly) wrong very infrequently. Same old story...labor wasn't going fast enough (or hadn't started soon and she is "over-due"), then the pit., then a good chance of an epidural, then the ominous c-sect...or sometimes, you can throw in the scary FHTs a while after the Pit is given, and then the doctors ("Thanks GOD we were in the hospital!!") do the emergency section. I wish I was wrong. I wish that each time a woman went into the hospital, she emerged whole and uncut (physically and emotionally). And, I know that some do. But, it seems to be more and more uncommon. Oh, it just makes me want to cry....
And here I am wanting to start doula'ing hospital births. I have always said that wasn't for me, that I would just come home from most births outraged and so, so sad. But, something in me wants to see what I can do to help. I don't know. If it is the right thing, I know it shall unfold in time.
(Originally posted in December, 2005)
And here I am wanting to start doula'ing hospital births. I have always said that wasn't for me, that I would just come home from most births outraged and so, so sad. But, something in me wants to see what I can do to help. I don't know. If it is the right thing, I know it shall unfold in time.
(Originally posted in December, 2005)
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