tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892Sat, 21 Sep 2024 20:46:34 +0000breastfeedingself careslow movementDiva CupPMSSARKThe Red Tentbabymooncloth padseconomics of birthfamilygetting enough sleephealthy eatinghomebirthmenstruationmidwivessafetystem cellsLiving life, loving it.http://amygow.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)Blogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-5712278985501393005Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:06:00 +00002010-03-15T19:42:49.248-03:00breastfeedingI often wonder why there is such turmoil over weaning babies, with worry and guilt and pressure from many sides and many agendas. I can remember defending my choice to nurse both of my children beyond a year. I remember the patience it took to educate others about toddler-led weaning. Believe me, I am a pretty open book about my life and experiences, and share a lot with others. I always do http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/10/full-term-breastfeeding.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-5402659223389550780Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:18:00 +00002010-03-15T15:27:25.616-03:00Although I have helped mostly first time mothers, I have some women who hire me because their first birth did not turn out the way they wanted. Some of these mothers have ended up with instrumental births or c-sections and feel sad that they didn't have the birth they dreamed of, or feel like a "failure" because they didn't have a natural birth. Sometimes it's helpful with these moms to have http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/10/understanding-your-birth-experience-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-3287998078466594364Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:43:00 +00002008-10-29T18:49:56.177-03:00healthy eatingslow movementI have a wonderful recipe to share! This is from a friend of mine, Maggie, and is great for those nights you crave "real" food but feel you only have time for takeout. It makes a wonderful, vegetarian pizza rich in nutrients, especially iron due to its high spinach content. Enjoy!Maggie's Pesto Pizzalarge flatbreads of your choice (I like to use "naan" bread, but any pre-cooked pizza bread or http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/10/maggies-pesto-pizza.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-1354791597706589192Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:49:00 +00002009-02-27T18:51:09.284-04:00self careslow movementIt's been a fun, rainy day today. Usually I would be going crazy with kids climbing the walls, but we made out relatively well after school. I credit this to the fact that my youngest only watched about half an hour of television, then when his sister got home she didn't go straight onto the computer. Instead, she made bran muffins while I made supper, and he drew pictures. After supper http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/10/slow-down-already.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-7127724284895350141Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:06:00 +00002010-03-15T15:29:02.566-03:00PMSSARKself careI've just returned from a lovely weekend in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Annapolis is a magical place, I do believe....my soul feels nurtured and my creative side is screaming that it oh so wants to come out.This weekend was a bit of a challenge. This past weekend was my time for PMS. I get tired. My body gets soft and round, I am so thankful that I packed comfy skirts and my favourite, http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/10/ive-just-returned-from-lovely-weekend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-2811978987169162473Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:23:00 +00002008-07-14T14:31:50.574-03:00These days I am not sure where I belong. I don't know if I want to continue working as a childbirth educator. When I teach classes I feel as if I am giving women information but not support. I seem to do better as a doula, when I can give information and be the second set of hands giving mom counterpressure to her back as the contractions get hard. I don't know if I want to continue working ashttp://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/07/contemplating-change.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-5581756695579575805Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:01:00 +00002008-06-09T12:51:08.127-03:00My children are both miracles. My daughter Emily birthed a new me. She has tested and tried and pulled me in new directions. I love her.Zachary had a knot in his umbilical cord. He survives, he thrives. I love him.Today I am celebrating being a mother as it is the eve of my son's 5th birthday. His sister will be 9 soon. They grow and amaze me. I welcomed them into the world the way that Ihttp://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-being-mother.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-7269744698319203076Sat, 24 May 2008 00:48:00 +00002008-05-24T14:02:41.319-03:00Today I attended an awe-inspiring birth. I'm tired, I'm moved, I'm relieved. I am so proud of, and happy for, the family I served. My client had a dream for her birth. She had an incredibly supportive husband. They were a team, they respectfully requested birth care on their terms, and what was deemed "risky" two days ago ended with a peaceful, low-intervention birth. The staff involved http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/05/renewal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-8177548989965239030Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:19:00 +00002008-04-01T07:24:39.234-03:00I was sitting on the bus yesterdayA womanNot far ahead of meMarmalade hair and grey rootsLong glossy hair tiedUp in a knotI'm sure it's beautifulOnce the marmalade is outBut she hides her power with store boughtDyeSo noone can see how hard she's workedFor the wisdom and truth she carriesInside herShe devalues herselfHer sistersHer mothersTrying to look like the girlWho was awkward and searchingI http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/04/city-bus-ramblings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-7205670846061516321Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:54:00 +00002008-03-28T08:02:37.233-03:00Moms need a break. Dads need a break. Period. And I'm not just talking about parental leave. When you have children, working 40 hours a week makes it feel like you never see them. Up at 7, out the door by 8, back home by 6 pm and everyone needs to wind down, eat supper, homework, bath, bedtime by 830...it's enough to drive a mom mad!I would love to see more companies who understand that old http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-wishfor-changes-in-workplace.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-4394572215474553336Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:12:00 +00002008-03-23T17:36:39.798-03:00Despite all the hype, I am going to come out and admit it: living green is d*$%ed hard. It is! Making changes to our consumption patterns and changing our environmental blueprint takes some personal evolution and a heck of a lot of soul searching.At a time when going green is cool, everywhere you look there is another joe trying to sell you something that is "environmentally friendly". Huh? http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/03/living-green.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-3831395711564912907Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:10:00 +00002008-03-05T21:13:49.580-04:00Today I was blessed to meet a wonderful spiritual guide, Chekotah Bronson. He is from Alberta and on his way through New Brunswick...I don't remember why? But some people that you meet just pour out energy and light. Without even knowing me he gave me words of encouragement and insight about midwifery and serving women, babies and the world.Thank you Chekotah!http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/03/chance-meetings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-7344711987713600111Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:22:00 +00002008-03-04T11:45:23.139-04:00Yesterday, while blogging about "babymoons" I remembered, fondly, some of the sites that influenced and educated me as a newly pregnant mom with my first child. I was a "young" mom at 21, none of my friends had babies, and my mom had gone through 3 c-sections to bring my siblings and I into the world. I had noone that I knew personally who could give me encouragement or information. So I http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/03/beginning-of-journey.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-421469540600296063Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:31:00 +00002008-03-06T18:14:43.021-04:00babymoonbreastfeedingfamilygetting enough sleepWow. I last wrote a blog on January 15. Then along came a baby (not mine, a client's) in a long, tiring, amazing birth and I think I decided to take a babymoon.A babymoon? What's that? A babymoon is kind of like a honeymoon, for the family that has just welcomed its newest member. Instead of having the world visit baby, or baby going out into the world, some families are choosing a quiet http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/03/babymoons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-5165266207880006544Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:54:00 +00002008-01-13T22:31:08.656-04:00Births, like many things in life, don't happen on a schedule. They seem to follow their own patterns, kinda like the kid who is shorter than all his classmates at the beginning of grade nine but ends up a head taller than the rest of them by the end of the school year.Some women give birth in two hours flat. The rest of us ordinary gals wish we could birth like that, but most fast birthers willhttp://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/01/stalled-labours-no-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-7455040445592372328Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:45:00 +00002008-01-05T13:34:09.985-04:00Simple, right? It should be. I am not resolving this year to lose weight, or eat better, or change the fact that I am about the least organized person you will meet. I want more than a physical change in the way I interact with the world.So here goes. This year I am resolving to live in alignment with my personal convictions. I feel a strong need to make my environmental footprint smaller http://amygow.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-years-resolutions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-7974896966593520757Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:17:00 +00002007-12-17T23:28:20.469-04:00I've neglected this baby of a blog for the past couple of weeks. I just started work at a new baby boutique, Stylin' Mama Baby & Tot in Saint John NB. Some great products and working for a great business woman, Jenny Scott. It's been a lot of fun but in some ways I feel like I've been thrown into the fast lane. As with anything else, it's all about adjusting to new things.Speaking of http://amygow.blogspot.com/2007/12/reflecting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-4342692422004491540Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:07:00 +00002007-12-01T14:24:45.204-04:00cloth padsDiva Cupmenstruationstem cellsThe Red Tenthttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21996417/I heard a while back that a new source of stem cells could be menstrual fluid. Currently stem cells are being used to try to grow new organs and find treatments for diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Stem cells have typically been harvested from embryos, a morally questionable practice that yields cells capable of becoming virtually any kind http://amygow.blogspot.com/2007/12/womens-magic-periods-are-not-icky.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-6726993905820369475Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:20:00 +00002007-11-27T11:23:56.389-04:00Anyone who knows me also knows what a big fan I am of FLYLADY. If you haven't yet, I urge everyone to go to flylady.net. There, Marla and Kelly and their friends help us FLYbabies get our lives in order, in our homes, our physical body and our emotional and spiritual sides as well. FLY means Finally Loving Yourself. WOW. This is the advice I received today in my email inbox:"FLYLADY: Do Not http://amygow.blogspot.com/2007/11/words-of-wisdom-for-holidays.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-335545262180886676Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:53:00 +00002007-11-24T08:08:37.490-04:00This week while out doing my Christmas shopping I picked up the book "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley. There are no more babies in my house but I have often seen it recommended for new parents and wondered what all of the hype was about.Mrs. Pantley wrote this book in response to her own struggles getting her youngest of four children to sleep longer stretches through the night.http://amygow.blogspot.com/2007/11/to-sleep-or-not-to-sleep-that-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-8268892519957148512Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:41:00 +00002007-11-16T11:50:40.658-04:00This powerful, beautiful video states all that I feel in my heart and soul about birth. It touches on ancient wisdom and shows birth the way it is meant to be: peaceful, fearless, powerful, loving. Here is the 10 minute trailer...please share it with everyone! I am looking forward to seeing the full video.http://amygow.blogspot.com/2007/11/birth-as-we-know-ita-must-watch-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-6590768227947791909Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:21:00 +00002007-11-15T07:22:38.898-04:00Last night I was reflecting on motherhood, an amazing journey that we embark on from the moment the little line shows positive on the pregnancy test. We worry, read, talk, and worry some more that somehow, we can never give enough, do enough, be enough for our kids. We worry about giving them vaccines. We worry about choosing not to vaccinate. We worry about ultrasounds in pregnancy. We worry http://amygow.blogspot.com/2007/11/losing-fear.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-8788549017147311382Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:49:00 +00002007-11-13T14:36:14.854-04:00homebirthmidwivessafety....so to speak. I decided to add the "Adsense" program to my blog to generate revenue. Nothing wrong with that, right? Well...yes and no. The whole thing is pretty foreign to me, and the learning curve is steep.I was dismayed to open up my blog last night to see a link to a site debating homebirth. I am happy to debate the pros and cons of homebirth, and its safety, but this woman goes beyond. http://amygow.blogspot.com/2007/11/sleeping-with-enemy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-4185957693229208062Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:13:00 +00002007-10-09T14:13:47.886-03:00So why bother with natural fertility methods? You might be concerned with putting hormones into your system. You might not want to go through surgery to tie your tubes as an alternative to the pill. If you’ve rejected both those things, and you don’t want any more pregnancies, you might not want to use condoms or a diaphragm for the rest of your life. Whatever your reasoning, you might just behttp://amygow.blogspot.com/2007/10/taking-charge-of-your-fertility-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115574384086883892.post-1838216393628085825Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:11:00 +00002007-10-03T11:13:16.810-03:00I love babies. And love being pregnant….but all women need to have the knowledge to take charge of their fertility. We need options, to be able to have our babies on our schedules. As a midwife-in-training, I think it's important to serve women throughout their life cycles, including when they aren't or don't want to be pregnant.We are all pretty much acquainted with the pill. The birth http://amygow.blogspot.com/2007/10/taking-charge-of-your-fertilitypart-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amy Gow)0