Mommy Headquarters

Exploring Drugs Used During Labor: Pitocin

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 21:38:00 +0000

As many of my readers know, I think that babies should choose their due dates and that inductions should only be performed out of medical necessity. There is a part of the Business of Being Born documentary where someone makes the point that pregnant women avoid so many things during pregnancy, doctors tell them to avoid just about everything, but when it comes to labor, all of that stuff goes out the window. All of a sudden, doctors are giving you three different medications that all lead to a cascade of interventions.

I am a huge believer that educating moms is the best way to prepare them for labor and birth. Mom's should know what is going into their bodies and should know the risks and side effects. Today, we are examining Pitocin. Pitocin is a drug that many providers use for labor induction, as it is a synthetic form of Oxytocin (a hormone a woman's body creates that causes the uterus to contract). Some providers simply use it to augment or speed-up labor. Notice how most doctors never talk about the risks of pitocin to the baby or the mom?

The below image was taken from safefetus.com and describes the Risk Category, Indication (suggested use) and Fetal Risks of Pitocin. In the labors where mother's were given pitocin, I will venture a guess that most of them never get this information.

Medical Interpretations:

Fetal Bradycardia - Slow heart rate, usually under 100 beats per minute (bpm)
Neonatal retinal hemorrhage - Abnormal bleeding of the blood vessels in the retina, the membrane in the back of the eye
Neonatal Jaundice -yellowing of the pigment in the skin and eyes due to high billirubin levels
Tetanic contractions - long, strong contractions where there is no resting period for the muscle
Abruptio Placenta - the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus, which can cause severe bleeding
Cardia Arrythmia - abnormal heart rate
Intracranial Hemorrhage - bleeding in the cranium
Asphyxia - lack of oxygen, suffocation

Courtesy of safefetus.com

Amazing how when you look at it from this angle, it doesn't seem like such a good idea. According to Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, using induction drugs like Oxytocin during labor causes approximately 1-2% of women to suffer uterine rupture, a potentially fatal condition for mom and baby. The risk for Vaginal Birth After Ceserean (VBAC) moms (not using pitocin) is only .6-.7%. Funny that doctors won't do VBACs because of the risk of uterine rupture, but they do routine elective inductions with Pitocin like it is risk-free.

Of course, sometimes you have to pick the lesser of two evils, and induction becomes medically necessary. Regardless, it is good to be educated on what you are putting into your body (and your baby).

8 Tips for Making Labor Easier and More Enjoyable

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:19:00 +0000

I can't guarantee that you are going to have a wonderful time going through labor. It is hard work! As a mom who delivered in a hospital, there are a lot of things I know now that can make the labor easier and more enjoyable. I am not going to touch on narcotics and epidurals. Instead we are going to focus on natural means of succumbing to labor.

In labor, you should be comfortable and feel safe. When a cat is in labor, she will find a dark space off on her own to give birth. That space is usually quiet, warm, comfortable and she is usually alone. It sounds silly, but this is a concept that holds very true to the primative needs of females giving brith. Giving birth is, in essence, a very primitive act.

Hire a Doula - I know I am biased, but Doulas can be that extra informational and physical support. They come equipped with massage and pressure point techniques that can help ease the pain of labor. They also come with the emotional support to reassure you and cheer you on. Sometimes having that voice in your ear telling you that you are doing great is all you need to get through each contraction, one at a time.

Labor at home as long as possible - You will typically be more comfortable in your own environment with the freedom to move as you need to, and the privacy to act on your instincts to make noise and adjust, no matter how strange the position.

Create a comfortable birthing space - Even in a hospital you can do small things to make your birthing space more welcoming. Dim lights, aromatherapy/scents you enjoy, pictures, your own blanket and pillow, and your own music can all help the space feel more comfortable. Wearing your own clothes is also something you can do to feel more comfortable.

Move - I am well aware that sometimes in labor all you want to do is lay down, but that position isn't always the best for encouraging the baby to move down, especially in early labor. In most cultures, women do not lay down to give birth. They stand, squat, hug a tree, basically anything that feels good to them. They don't tend to spend their labors laying down.

Utilize the water - Ever take a bath to relax? Humans have a natural draw towards water. Most women will report that upon entering a tub in labor, the contractions were much more tolerable. I can tell from personal experience that it definitely takes the edge off.

If you invite others to attend, surround yourself with people that love you and will encourage you - If you couldn't pee in front of them, you probably don't want to try and labor/give birth in front of them. You utilize similar muscles for giving birth as you do in urinating and pooping. Don't believe me? Check out Ina May's Sphincter Law.

Remove negative energy from the birthing space - If there are spectators in the room who are commenting negatively or making you feel embarrased or uncomfortable, they should leave the space. There is a lot of psychology in birth. If you don't feel comfortable, the labor will take longer and may be harder.

Give in - So many women try to fight the contractions/pressure waves/rushes in attempt to make them less painful. Give in to the sensations and try to see them more as a rush of energy. They are going to happen no matter what you do. When you give in and let them work, your labor will be more effective and typically quicker.

What tips do you have more making labor easier and more enjoyable?

Earth Mama Angel Baby Happy Mama Spray Review

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:25:00 +0000

It's about time I reviewed this product! I have been using the Earth Mama Angel Baby Happy Mama spray for over a year now and what can I say, I love it! It is the perfect scent to be worn as a "perfume" while it serves a purpose. There is a lot of psychology behind scents and emotions. I think EMAB got this one right!

The Earth Mama Angel Baby website describes the spray as "...virtual bliss in a bottle! A gloriously uplifting aromatherapy spray, it's made only with pure essential oils and flower essences for pregnancy nausea, on-edge new mamas, and even more patience-tested ones. For a quick spritz of bliss to get a queasy mama (or car sick kid) through the moment, spritz a little onto your wrist and inhale. Since there are no chemical fixatives to make the fragrance last an artificially long time, you get an instant blast of blissful relief."

I started using this spray when I realized I was suffering from postpartum depression. The scent is a magical blend of sweet citrus. The citrus is very uplifting and the overall scent is exactly how they describe it, uplifting! I won't say it cure my postpartum depression, but it definitely made me feel a little better.

I am also one where I feel nauseas a lot, and some of it tends to stem from blood sugar issues. This spray helps alleviate some of that nausea. I would be lying if I said I only put it on when I am sad or nauseas. I like the scent, it is light and fresh, so I will wear it as a body spray too! The only downfall is that the scent doesn't last all day since there are no chemicals in it to make it last longer. I'm okay with reapplying in exchange for no chemicals.

What I like about Earth Mama Angel Baby Happy Mama Spray

It is Natural- No chemicals in this spray! I don't feel guilty wearing this when it may transfer to my children
It is a natural way to help with postpartum depression - This spray definitely helped me to feel a little bit brighter on my "bad" days
Assists with Nausea - While it doesn't completely eliminate nausea, it definitely helps!
It smells oh so delish! - Plain and simple, it just smells good!
It calms me down - When my kids are testing my patience, this helps calm me.

What I don't like about Earth Mama Angel Baby Happy Mama Spray

Nothing! - I love this spray!

Failure to Progress = Failure to Wait - Induction

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:13:00 +0000

I am a birth story junkie, and will be the first to admit that I love to watch shows like "A Baby Story" and "One Born Every Minute" etc. I will also admit that often times I end up shaking my head at the TV and sometimes yelling at it. Most of the time, I just feel sad that one more birth ended in a C-section where the mother clearly didn't want it.

Most commonly I see or hear of doctors who try to induce labor only to recommend a c-section because of "Failure to progress". I also see labors where the mom isn't allowed to eat, is stuck in bed, and the doctors are dumbfounded why the woman didn't progress. Sometimes they say baby is too big, which I believe is often not true.There are a lot of things that need to happen in order for mom to give birth successfully. Many of them being instinctual on the part of mom who does not feel restricted by time limits.

In my head I am really thinking the doctor should be calling Failure to Progress -Failure to Wait. Failure to wait for labor to begin, failure to wait for the baby to descend, failure to wait for the baby's head to mold and failure to wait for mom and baby both to be ready for delivery. Look at the statistics of homebirth midwives. Mom can eat and move freely in labor. The mom's do what instinctually feels right, and because of this, the outcomes are better with much lower C-section rates.

Let's look at things in a step-by-step view. The first step is labor beginning. This typically occurs when mom and baby are both physically ready for delivery. Some research says that labor is triggered by a release of chemicals from baby letting the mom's body know its lungs are ready and it can sustain life outside the womb.

When we induce labor, which essentially means to force labor (but that doesn't sound as good, so doctors call it induction), it is like pushing a door shut while you are trying to open it at the same time. (the door is your cervix) It makes it harder to get the door open, and truthfully, depending on the power of the door pusher and the door opener, it may never open. Often this contradiction of forces puts stress on the baby. When induction occurs, we are not waiting for mom and baby to give the signal that they are ready. Failure to wait.

Some inductions are 100% medically necessary, and some inductions go smoothly. However, the truth is that they increase the risk of c-section by 50% and major surgery poses a whole new set of risks. If we would just let babies come when they are ready (majority of which won't be ready until after 40 weeks) I think we would see better outcomes for moms and babies. If we would just wait...

Benefits of Encapsulating (Eating) Your Placenta

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:01:00 +0000

Yes, you read that right! I believe in consuming your own placenta. It really isn't as barbaric as it sounds, I promise. While you can eat it in raw form, most women choose to have their placenta encapsulated, or put into pills to be taken as a supplement after birth (I have even read stories of women saving their placenta pills until they go through menopause!)

The pills aren't scary looking. They look like vitamins, and you can easily think of them that way. There is process for preparing the placenta, and while some mom's choose it raw, most will have it prepared and ground into a poweder that is placed into pills. This can be encapsulated with other herbs to the mother's liking to help support her specific needs.At least with your "placenta vitamins" you know where they are coming from. Can you say the same about the other vitamins you take? Do you know what animal, mineral, or plant that your vitamins came from? What type of environment were they in? What were they exposed to? You know the answer when it comes to your placenta pills.

Why Should I Eat My Placenta
Placentas have a lot of nutritional and hormonal benefits. Think about it this way: most other mammals eat their placentas after they give birth. It is instinctive for many mammals. The same kind of instict that encourages breastfeeding. Remember when America went through that phase of thinking breastfeeding was bad? We might be going through that phase right now, but with placentas. If other animals instinctively eat it, maybe they are on to something. I'll bet they are.

Who Should Eat Their Placenta
Any woman who has recently given birth. Placenta contains a lot of nutrients and hormones that can assist mom's postpartum with many different things. Like I mentioned above, there are also people who believe that placenta hormones are great for dealing with the hormone changes associated with menopause.

What are the Benefits?
Consuming placenta has shown to bear many benefits including:

Decreased instance of Postpartum depression. Some women think this is a cure for postpartum depression. The hormone content helps the dramatic shift post-birth, and contains nutrients that support a new mom's health. This alone, to me, is worth any mom giving placenta capsules a try.
Increased milk supply
Increased energy
Reduced postpartum bleeding
Replenished nutrients, including iron
Decrease in sleep problems like insomnia

Is there Scientific Research behind it?
There are speculative studies and tons of moms who have done it that rave about it, but there is not a ton of scientific research. Here's why-it won't make anyone money. Let's face it, it is all about business. No one wants to pay for the research because they can't make money from it. Pharmaceutical companies cannot start taking women's placentas and selling them to make placenta pills. (Well, I guess they could, but I don't know if I want to take pills created from another woman's placenta, when my own can do the same thing) Though placenta pills may benefit women other than the mom who created it, ideally it should be for the mom who created it. Those are her hormones and the placenta was created and adjusted to her body and her baby. If she ate organic, she knows that her body created her placenta with that organic nutrition. If she is vegan, she knows her placenta was created with vegan nutrition. Really, what could be better than something that was made by your body and used for your body. It is all natural, you don't have to question where it came from or what went into it, and it has a ton of benefits.

What's in My Doula Bag...

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:21:00 +0000

As a Doula-in-training, my doula bag for labor is packed. I suppose you could also use these things in your own labor bag if you don't plan on having a doula attend your birth. I see a lot of women asking what should be in a doula bag, so here is mine.

1. Change of clothes for me
2. Extra socks for mom and me (in case vomit or other fluids get on them)
3. Emergen-C for energy for the labor partner or me
4. Honey sticks - these are a great quick source of energy for a mom who hasn't eaten in awhile
5. Essential Oils and a carrier oil for massage (I use grapeseed because it has no scent):
       Lavender - for relaxation
       Clary Sage - for increasing the effectiveness of contractions
       Peppermint - for helping with nausea and to put in the toilet if mom is having trouble urinating
6. Combs - These can be held by mom with forks pressing into the area where the fingers meet the palms. They can also be lightly dragged across the wrist or back to create a chilling sensation. These techniques work to distract mom during contractions. Some mom's like these sensations, some do not.
7. Snacks for me. In the event of a long labor, this will help maintain energy. I pack enough for me plus one in case the laboring mom's partner forgot to pack some.
8. Racket balls - these are great for back labor and counterpressure
9. Notebook - this is to document different stages of labor and different points throughout the process. This information is for my records, as well as to help mom write a birth story if she would like one.

Optional: Depending on the hospital I may bring a birthing ball. However, most hospitals have them. I may also bring a rebozo to help with positioning as well.

Regardless of what is in my bag, my hands and voice will be the most imporatant thing to bring, as laboring women often need touch and encouragement to assist with labor, especially if it is a quick one.

What is in your labor/doula bag?

Let the Doula Training Begin!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:58:00 +0000

After much advice from hospital HR staff, nurses and a homebirth midwife, I have decided to add doula training into my crazy schedule. I have enrolled in a doula training program to help me gain relevant experience to the profession I dream to be a part of. I am excited to begin this chapter of my journey and anxious to start assisting women in having their best births. I have found that in the training I have already started, that there is much overlap in Doula care and Midwifery. This makes me even more excited. So here I am, training has begun. Now I just need to get some clients. I will initially be offering my services free-of-charge so that I may gain as much experience as possible, and because I believe there are women out there who want a doula but cannot afford one. I also hope that with my assistance some of these women can help bring the c-section rate down a few notches...it is far too high where I live (and in most other areas too!).

Here are some awesome reasons to hire a doula

1. Better overall experience for the expecting families
2. 60% reduction in use of epidurals and 30% reduction in use of narcotics
3. decreased use of forceps and vacuum extraction delivery
4. up to a 50% reduction in c-sections
5. 25% reduction in the length of labor (that alone should intrigue expecting mamas!)
6. Reduced levels of anxiety
7. Reduced instance of Postpartum Depression
8. Improved breastfeeding outcomes.

After reading all of those great statistics, I am wondering why I didn't have a doula with both of my pregnancies...

I put myself on a doula directory. Let the births begin :)

Healing Herbs for Postpartum Relief and Homeade Sitz Bath Herbs

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 19:42:00 +0000

Over the past week I have been researching herbs to develop remedies to assist with the postpartum healing process. If you have had a vaginal delivery, you know the swelling/burning/itching/pain (fill in the blank) that comes along with it. Some women have it rougher than others. Regardless, your girl parts may be feeling like they just survived a beating.

I have seen postpartum sitz bath packets in my local health food store, but they are extremely pricey. Two baths worth was $13. I purchased one set which I gave as a baby gift to a dear friend, but it got my mind going and I realized I could make my own! With a close family member nearing her due date, I decided I wanted to try making them. These are something I would like to have available to my patients in my future career as a midwife, and who better to try it out on than someone I love who I am close enough to that she will tell me if it works for her or not.

Herbs for a homeade herbal sitz bath. I just picked and chose the herbs and remedies I wanted to include in my sitz bath tea bags. Not to mention, it is not easy to find all of them locally, and I wanted all of mine to be organic.

Comfrey Root - Speeds the healing process. Sooths damaged skin and wounds. Relieves pain and itching. (This herb is a must for the sitz bath, in my opinion)

Lavender - May help prevent infection, offers a soothing scent that can aid in relaxation for a new mom

Sea salt - Helps prevent infection, and assists sore, stretched skin

Marshmallow Root - Reduces inflammation and swelling of skin, also has antimicrobial properties

Yarrow - Antibacterial properties and acts as an astringent

Uva Ursi - Antibacterial properties to prevent infection

Goldenseal - Antibacterial properties to prevent infection

Rosemary - Antiseptic properties

Calendula flowers - Asists with healing and has properties to prevent infection

Do you have a sitz bath recipe you swear by?

Big Head or Big Baby Does NOT Mean C-Section

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:54:00 +0000

I am writing this post with a broken heart for a dear friend. After nine months of planning for a natural, unmedicated delivery, her journey ended with a c-section. There were no complications, she didn't go into labor, she didn't even get a chance to try.

At her last appointment (40weeks, 1day) she was told that her baby was too big. The doctor estimated the baby to be 10.5lbs. He told her because she had not progressed in dilation from the previous week, and because the baby was not properly engaged, that it was likely due to having a baby that was too big for her hips (yep, he told her that her hips were too narrow). He recommended that she didn't even try to go into labor because it would likely be a two-day labor, which would stress the baby out. A C-section was what he recommended. He then told her horror stories about shoulder distocia (shoulders getting stuck when the baby tries to deliver) and told her that with her baby's heart condition, he wouldn't be able to tolerate a long labor. I gently gave her information that I had, but she had already made her decision. There are a number of things wrong with his statements. Upon hearing all of this information, my insides were ready to jump out of my body.

My job with this delivery, was not only to act as a doula and birth advocate for a dear friend, but also to show support and love to a couple who were expecting a baby with a heart defect that would require heart surgery months down the road. Basically, I was right there to remind them that everything was going to be okay, and to have faith that God had a plan for them and their son. I gave them the information I had, and they had to make a decision they were going to feel comfortable with.

In my Midwifery studies, I have learned a lot about birth. Much of which completely contradicts what the doctor had told my friend. I almost wish I could have been there to challenge him at their last appointment, but I am not a medical professional. I am still learning.

There was a lot of incorrect information in his "diagnosis" and recommendations to my friend.

1. His estimate, was just that: an estimate. Doctors love to say that ultrasounds are accurate within a pound. Lets do the math: 10lbs 8oz minus 7lbs 11oz is almost a 3 pound difference. In a baby, 3 pounds is a HUGE difference!

2. Assuming because the baby wasn't engaged properly, that the baby couldn't fit into her pelvis. This is a crazy assumption in my opinion. Babies engage in their time. Seeing that she was 40wks 1d, she still had plenty of time for that baby to engage. She also had plenty of time to dilate. Some babies don't engage until a woman is in labor. The average gestation of moms who don't get medically induced is actually closer to 41wks, not 40wks. I think it's time we give women a due date at 41weeks, not 40.

3. Telling her that her hips were too small. While I understand that in certain situations hips make a difference, most of the time they don't. The baby has to pass through your pelvis, not your hips. Your hips are amazingly flexible and stretchy when you are in labor. Hormones are released to make it easy for the baby to come through. Not to mention the baby helps out with the skull plates that overlap to make it smaller.

4. No progress in dilation also means the baby can't fit into your pelvis. NO, NO, NO!!!!! Dilation means nothing. There are women that sit at 4 cm for weeks, and there are women who show no dilation at all until they go into labor. The fact that she didn't progress, does not mean anything except that the baby isn't ready yet.

5. Assuming a long labor. You do not know how a woman is going to labor. While most labors aren't short, they aren't all two+ days in length.

6. Assuming the baby couldn't tolerate it. This doctor in conjunction with a pediatric cardiologist had told my friend not long before that she could labor however she wanted and that the baby would be just fine. Now all of a sudden this is not true (with no new information to contraindicate the previous information).

7. Assuming the baby could not fit based on pre-labor calculations. When a woman goes into labor, her body goes through a lot of changes. One cannot know how much the pelvis will open and how much the baby's skull plates will overlap until labor is in progress. Therefore assuming that there is cephalopelvis disproportion (big baby can't fit through pelvis) prior to labor cannot be accurate in most cases.

I am a strong believer that your body produces babies it can handle. Our bodies are amazing and I don't think we should ever discount their abilities when it comes to laboring and birthing a baby. I had to share this story, because after continuing research on the topic when all of this information came about, it seems that a lot of women experience this exact situation. My heart is broken for my friend who seems dissapointed in her birth because her doctor was grossly wrong. I know what it is like to grieve a birth and I don't want that for her. My heart is also broken that we have doctors who scare women into c-sections because it is easier and more convenient for them and they don't trust in a woman's natural instincts and the process.

I appreciate that we have the medical technology to perform c-sections when they are necessary. They do save lives and I thank God for that, but I don't appreciate that they are being utilized for convenience of the doctor.

5 Tips to Get This Show on the Road! Natural Ways to Induce Labor

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Thu, 31 May 2012 15:20:00 +0000

Lately, I hear that doctors are pressing to induce and putting time frames to pregnancy. I have been asked quite a few times for techniques to naturally induce labor, making me believe it is time for me to put it into a blog post. There is nothing worse than to be forced into an induction involving pitocin and other pharmaceuticals, or being forced into a repeat c-section because you have hit your "due date". First off, let me preface this with a few things.

I believe that the best time for baby to come is when he/she is good and ready. With that said, I also understand that there are times when induction is appropriate
I absolutely do not recommend any of these tips unless the mom is full-term, and preferrable as close to 40 weeks as possible. Sometimes babies need that extra time in the womb, even if it means waiting until 41-42+ weeks.

Through my Midwifery studies, and through speaking with other moms, I have developed this list of tips to help encourage labor. I believe that with most of these techniques, you cannot force labor to start if your body and your baby are not ready. However, I do believe these tips can help encourage labor when it is near. Keep in mind that your mental state also has an impact on when you will go into labor.
1. Sex - This is one of those "old wives tales" that actually has some science behind it. Your partner will have to make a "deposit" for this to work. Semen contains cervix-ripening agents called prostaglandins. These will help soften your cervix. Orgasms are also said to encourage labor as they stimulate the uterus and create the release of Oxytocin, which will enourage contractions. The muscle contractions from an orgasm certainly won't hurt the labor process.

2. Accupressure/Accupuncture - There are multiple pressure points that can help. Here are two you can do yourself or have your partner do for you. The first is between your thumb and pointer finger in the webbing of your hands. You will notice that if you rub the area with your other thumb that it is tender. That's the right spot! The second is 4 finger-widths above your ankle on the inside of your leg. When you find a tender spot, you have found it. (This is where the idea that pedicures can put you into labor comes from) Massaging these spots is said to encourage your cervix to dilate, efface and for your uterus to contract.

3. Nipple Stimulation - Stimulating your nipples releases oxytocin in your body, which will encourage stronger contractions. A breast pump can be used to help, or you or your partner can stimulate your nipples by hand. It's up to you, but this one can help add more fun to starting the labor process.

4. EPO - Evening Primrose Oil is said to help soften the cervix when massaged directly onto the cervix. This can be purchased in capsules which can be broken open and massaged. Some midwifes recommend massaging EPO on the cervix 3x per day.

5. Castor Oil - This is a labor inducer that goes back decades. Castor Oil is a laxative that is supposed to irritate the bowel, thus encouraging contractions. The side effects include possible vomiting and diahrrea and are said by some mom's to create harder, longer contractions. There is also some talk that the oil has properties that encourage labor. If you don't want to ingest the castor oil, you can also soak gauz with it and wrap it around your belly. You will want to cover it with plastic wrap and then place a warm towel over it. The heat will encourage your pores to open and to absord more of the oil. The plastic wrap is to help you avoid some of the mess! I have read that this induction technique has a 57% success rate, though the experiences are not always pleasant because of the diahrrea. Keep in mind that if you try a technique like this, you will need to continue drinking fluids and eating healthy snacks so you are dehydrating yourself. If I was trying it, I would take less than a tablespoon to start (because I don't know how I would react). You can mix it with something to get it down, as it doesn't taste pleasant. Below are some of the castor oil "cocktail recipes" I have come across:

"2 oz of castor oil mixed with 2 oz of orange juice concentrate. Drink one or two glasses of water immediately after the cocktail."
"Mix 2 oz castor oil and coke, follow with 2-3 crackers"
"1tbsp. of oil with a cup of ice cream and 8oz. of coke - like a root beer float"
" 1 tbsp castor oil in a cup of root beer, shaken with a lid on. You have to remove the lid quickly because the root beer foams like crazy. Then you chug the whole cup. The foam suspends the oily texture and you really can't tell you are drinking castor oil."

I am not a medical professional (yet), and this information is not to be taken as medical advice.

It's Back...The Nine-Month Itch

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:05:00 +0000

Here it comes again. That insatiable desire to be housing a growing baby and in nine months adding another person to our family. Apparently other women are feeling the same about now, so it isn't just me. What is it about spring that makes me baby crazy?! I swear my body is screaming, "Someone please get a baby in here!" Of course, that means it is playing mean tricks on my mind and of course I am trying to come up with any justification for why this would be a good idea right now. So far, no luck.

I can't come up with any really good reasons why a baby is right for us right now. We know with my upcoming schooling and career change that this is actually a horrible idea. Yet, every inch of me is aching for another person to join our family. I guess I will just have to wait for this desire to pass, knowing that it will likely be back next year or the year after (at which point maybe I can come up with a good reason for why getting pregnant would be a good idea) Time will tell!

Anyone else out there have the itch? Will you give in, or wait for it to pass?

"Birth is Not a Sickness"

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:56:00 +0000

"Birth is Not a Sickness" a qoute from one of three midwives in South Dakota who is allowed to practice independently and attend home births.I love this qoute.

Not long ago, when I was pregnant with my son and planning a non-medicated natural hospital VBAC, I remember saying to people that I wanted to wear my own clothes, because I wasn't sick and didn't want to feel like a patient. I got a lot of comments. Birth does not have to be a "medical event." Even people I was close to responded with things like, "but you ARE going to be a patient" and "it IS a medical event." I don't feel that way. These comments came from people who are close to me and who I believe supported my decision. I think some of them just decided I jumped on the hippie train and with how normal a hospital birth with hospital gowns is, my idea sounded different. Maybe they thought I was rebelling. Regardless, I just wanted to be comfortable and be in control of my own birth.

When it came down to it, I ended up in a hospital gown because by the time I got to the hospital and was contracting every 2 minutes, I didn't care anymore. When I was asked to change into the gown, I didn't feel like justifying why I didn't want it, so I gave in. I don't regret it. In the long run, it didn't matter to me.

I agree that there is a place for maternal medicine and that sometimes birth has to be a "medical event." Not all pregnancies are low-risk and not all women desire un-medicalized births. That's okay. I believe you need to make the decisions that are right for you, no matter how strongly anyone else feels about theirs. I just wish more people realized that birth is not a sickness, and that they can take control of their deliveries. You want to deliver on your hands and knees? Go ahead. Want to wear your own clothes? Do it. Want to deliver at home? It's your decision. Do what feels right.

Getting Birth Back on Track

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:48:00 +0000

Listening to Ina May Gaskin, a renowned midwife who I personally admire, I become very upset with the way labor and delivery has evolved in America. In fact, she got me ALL worked up! Today, physicians control the delivery of babies, not mothers. This is not the case for all women, but unfortunately it is the case for most women. If you prefer it that way, it's a good deal, but if you don't it is a pain! (no pun intended). We are in a society where birth is portrayed as the worst pain a woman will feel, and that it is to be feared. I believe that some of this stems from women who "one-up" each other. The "my experience was worse/harder/more intense than yours" attitude further exacerbates the situation. Watch any movie where a woman has a baby and you will hear dramatic music and see a pain-stricken mother screaming in pain. Is it weird to think that birth can be peaceful? You sure aren't going to see much of that in main stream media, but it does exist.

So here's my question: if we all encouraged moms who were having babies, and made them realize birth is not scary, would it hurt less? If we educated women about the various options available to them, would there be better outcomes? If we educated low-risk women about midwives, waterbirths, and home births as options, would more take them? Would we have less fatalities from complications of induction, pitocin, movement restriction, and the cocktails of drugs that are being given to many laboring moms? I 100% believe that with reducing the drugs, we could reduce the c-section rate.

I think that labor and birth could have better outcomes if we did a better job educating and supporting the mom-to-be as well as society. Less horror stories, less trauma, and of course, less fatalities. I dream of a world where delivery is viewed as normal, natural, and mom-led. Where every woman who has a baby looks at the experience positively, and where we have less deaths due to medical intervention.

Changing Careers to Become a Midwife

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:27:00 +0000

I am a huge supporter of following your dreams and never feeling like it is too late to change careers. For a few years I have known I wanted to change my profession to something in women's health. In fact, I always knew I wanted to be in women's health, but as a freshman in college, I was too young to know exactly what I should do. I started college as Pre-Med, hoping to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist, but panicked and went the business route because it seemed easier from an emotional standpoint.

It has been 8 years since I first started college. I have a Master of Business Administration and I am still not satisfied. For the past three years I have known I wanted to be a Midwife. I could go to medical school and become an OB/GYN for basically the same amount of years it will take me, since I am starting over. However, when I read about Midwives, their model of care, and what they stand for, I am smitten. I feel a connection to the field that I have never felt towards anything else. I read Midwifery textbooks and am completely consumed in the reading. I know I have found what I want to do.

My plan is to become a Registered Nurse first, since I would like to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. My first step is to complete my nursing prerequisites. I enrolled in my first course, and am excited to see the path that I will follow in the coming years. By 2017, I hope to be up and running as a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Colicky Baby? Probiotics to the Rescue!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:22:00 +0000

It's three in the afternoon and the baby has been crying for over an hour. Exhaustion from not sleeping more than 2 consecutive hours at a time during the night is weighing heavily. Emotional frustration from what feels like constant crying, is making it worse. Then the tears start flowing, only this time it's the mom crying.

Colic can be extremely exhausting and taxing on new parents. Sleep deprevation and adjusting hormones make the situation even worse. I hit a rough patch shortly after my son was born where I am pretty sure he had colic. Upon suggestion of my chiropractor, I started directly giving him probiotics. I had been taking probiotics towards the end of my pregnancy to help get some of the good bacteria built back in his system while he was in-utero so he wouldn't be so fussy when he came out, but I don't think I took enough to combat the antibiotics I was taking.

When I started giving him probiotics, I noticed a drastic difference in just over a week. All of a sudden he seemed more content and more relaxed. Shortly after this miraculous difference, I started reading articles about many babies (and parents) who suffered from colic found relief when their babies were given probiotics. One article claimed that over 90% of colicky babies had little to no colic symptoms after a few weeks of using the probiotics. I'm sold!

It makes a lot of sense. We know that colic seems to be some sort of stomach discomfort that makes baby fussy. What better way to help the situation that to help promote the good bacteria in the stomach. This helps aid in proper digestion and boosts the immune system.

My chiropractor was a godsend. If she hadn't recommended the probiotics, I may have gone crazy! The dose is simple. Break open the capsule, pour the the powder into a resealable container, get your finger wet, dip in the probiotic powder, and let baby suck the powder off your finger. If you are nursing, you can put the powder on your nipple, or put the powder directly into baby's bottle.

I purchased the Metagenics Dairy-Free Ultra Flora Plus and I have been very happy with it. Do you use probiotics with your baby?

Secrets of Postpartum Depression

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:48:00 +0000

Over the last few months I am realizing that I am likely suffering from postpartum depression. For the longest time, I assumed it couldn't possibly be what was eating at me, but the more I heard from mom's who have dealt with depression, the more I feel like that is exactly what's going on.

I am not sad, I do not want to kill myself, I don't want to hurt my children. Yet, I have days that I just don't care. I still take care of my kids and go about my business as usual, but inside I lack motivation. There are days that the thought of having to bathe my children makes me feel exhausted and I haven't even done anything yet. Some days, the thought of clipping their nails seems overwhelming, and it is a tiny task. I do it anyways, but I don't get much enjoyment out of it.

I always had this idea in my head that depression meant you feel sad all the time. That's not the case! You can suffer from depression and not feel "sad" at all. I have days where I feel overwhelmed over little things and I just shut down. There have been occasions where little things would make me cry, and those things would just eat at me. Most of the time I just feel like I am living in a gray world.

Don't picture a grown woman huddled in a corner sobbing. That's not what my life looks like. Most people don't even have a clue that I am dealing with it. Really, I look like a normal person. Looking back, I think I have been dealing with this for a long time, I just never admitted it and I didn't know what "this" was. Maybe part of me knew and just didn't want to come to terms with it, or maybe I really just didn't know.

So here I am, and now that I realize what's going on, I can start making changes. I won't get on medication because I don't think the postpartum depression is serious enough. I am not a medication person to begin with, so it doesn't seem natural for my lifestyle. First, I need to change my diet. I am not eating as healthy as I should. I need to start cutting out caffeine, getting more rest, and making sure I am getting enough Vitamin D. I need to get back into exercising regulary and making better choices. I am a huge believer that mind, body, and soul are all interconnected and all areas need attention to improve overall well-being.

Have you ever suffered from depression? What did it feel like for you? What helped you get back to yourself?

Would You Share Your Breastmilk?

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:10:00 +0000

For my the answer is a resounding "yes!" Currently, my best friend gives my breastmilk to her son. There is nothing wrong with her or with her son. I don't have a tear-jerking story to tell about why I do it, or why she needs it. I simply do it for her because she wants to give her son breastmilk as long as she can, and at 6 months postpartum, her supply slowed. I am a big believer in giving human breastmilk to human babies.

I know what it feels like to have a drop in supply. I remember the sadness I felt when I had to start giving my daughter bottles that were half formula-half Breastmilk. I felt like I failed her. I didn't want to give her formula, but had no choice. I don't want any other moms to feel that way. However, I do realize that I can't help everyone. I was blessed enough this time around to have adequate time to pump at work, and thus ended up keeping an abundant supply. With a one-year-old I still have about 5 grocery bags filled with breastmilk in our chest freezer.

Usually I would have stopped pumping when my son turned one, but this time I just kept right on going. The only difference now is that the milk I pump now will go to my best friends baby. My son will still breastfeed for awhile, so I don't feel like he is missing out on anything. Instead, I feel like I am doing a good deed to help my friend out.

Have you ever shared your breastmilk for a friend or stranger? What made you decide to do it?

Extended Nursing: One Year and Beyond!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:44:00 +0000

I will admit it, I was one of those people who, before I had children, thought it was weird to nurse a baby past one year old. For me, it was unfamiliar and I wasn't educated on the amazing benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby. Not only that, but I didn't understand the incredible bond felt between mom and baby that is emotionally hard to break.

I nursed my daughter until she was 14 months old, at which point she decided she was done. I was a little over 3 months pregnant with my son and apparently nursing took too much time out of her busy agenda. My daughter was a constant mover and at 14 months there was no way she was sitting still to wait for my boobs to provider her with a let-down. Her sippy cup was more efficient in her eyes. Not only could she drink it at her pace, but it could come with her as she ran around. Apparently my boobs just aren't that mobile.

Now, here I am with a 12 month old and we are still chugging along. I am giving myself one fat pat on the back for making it this far without having to supplement with formula (which I had to do for my daughter at approximately 9-10 months). This lovely picture is from my mid-day pump. My boobs are still working just the way nature intended, and I am proud!

This time around I hope to make it past 14 months. The World Health Organization is encouraging mom's to breastfeed to 2 years and beyond, with a recommendation of at least 6 months. While I doublt I will nurse my son until he is 2, I hope to make it past 14 months with at least one feeding per day. Not only is it a special bonding time for just my son and I, but it yields health benefits for both of us.

Nowadays, I don't even flinch at mom's who nurse their babies beyond a year. In fact, I look up to those women. Trust me, I have heard the comments about extended nursing, and while I feel there is an age where enough-is-enough for my family, who am I to decide what the right age is for other families? I say do what feels right.

How long did you nurse your children? Would you do it differently if given the chance?

A Birth Story: One Year Later

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:33:00 +0000

I thought it would be fun to re-write my birth story, a year later without looking back at the story I wrote a few weeks after my son was born. Then I want to compare the two and see what I remember the most a year later.
Warning: This is a long one!

It was a monday, I was exactly 38 weeks pregnant and there was a snow storm covering the state of Wisconsin. I woke up feeling like I was going to go into labor that day. The baby felt much lower than he had felt for the past weeks. I remember commenting to my husband that the baby felt so low it was going to fall out of me. I got ready for work and continued about my day like it was any normal day. At work, I commented to my manager that I felt like the baby was really low, and she made the comment that it meant something was happening. I shrugged it off since I had been having Prodromal labor since 33 weeks. The whole office was waiting for the baby to come since they all had bets on the date, time, weight and gender of the baby. I had surpassed most of the guess dates.

I continued about my day, occasionally staring out the window and the beautiful snow globe effect created by the courtyard in front of my cube. I had been loosing pieces of my mucous plug for a couple weeks, so when I continued to loose pieces that day I didn't think too much of it. I had increased bowel movements and still, it had been happening for awhile, so I didn't think anything of it. Though secretly, I was hoping it meant my baby was going to meet us soon. I knew deep down labor was coming, but I felt terribly stupid for thinking that. Afterall, I had been dealing with prodromal labor for the past 5 weeks and thought I might be in labor a few times, but it never progressed. There I was thinking about it when I wasn't not having any contractions. It didn't make sense.

At around 1pm I started having Braxton Hicks contractions. They were 10 minutes apart, and since my husband liked to stay in the loop, I sent him a text letting him know I was contracting every 10 minutes but that it wasn't anything worth getting excited about yet, and that he should continue about his day. He immediately called and started asking questions. I told him I would keep him updated and hung up to get back to work. The contractions stayed at the same intensity until about 4pm when they faded away completly. They never hurt, they never got more intense, and they never got closer together. They were textbook Braxton hicks contractions.

I left work around 4 to pick my daughter up from daycare since the roads were getting worse and worse with the snow piling up. The snow storm was peaceful, without howling winds or slushy snow. Regardless, I hate to drive on slippery roads, so I left work early, but I felt peaceful.

When I hit a stoplight on the way to daycare I called my mom. I asked her if she had plans that night, just in case something were to happen. She asked if I was contracting. I told her no, but that I just wanted to make sure she was free to watch my daughter if something happened, and that something just felt different. Looking back, my instincts must have been kicking in. I knew all along that birth was close.

My daughter and I arrived home at around 5:30pm. The roads were horrible so it took us awhile to get back from daycare. My husband arrived around the same time and we made pasta for dinner. I remember thinking I needed to eat a good amount, becuase hospitals won't let you eat while you are in labor. After dinner, my husband and I decided to encourage softening of the cervix with good old fashion intercourse. Afterwards, I felt an immediate need to rest. He took our daughter to take a bath and I relaxed.

Around 8-8:30pm I started to feel contractions. I didn't think anything of them since they didn't feel any different from the contractions I had felt days earlier. Of course, I wasn't timing them. I relaxed through them and had no concept of time. I was in labor land. By about 9-9:30 I started having to pee everytime I had a contraction, my husband was bugging me that I needed to tell him when each started so he could time them. I brushed it off and told him it wasn't worth timing them yet. I should have realized that he could tell how far apart they were because I got up to pee at the start of each one. I was coming back to the bed after having to pee at the start of a contraction and instinctually leaned and rocked holding on to the edge of the bed as another one started. My husband hopped out of bed and didn't say a word to me, but I knew he went to go pack the car. It was somewhere around 10:30pm at this point.

I decided it was time to look at the clock. After a few contractions, I couldn't believe they were 4 minutes apart. I would have guessed they were farther apart. I called my mom to come and watch my daughter so we could head to the hospital. I believe I said "Hey mom, want to come hang out with your grandaughter?" She asked how far apart my contractions were, and scolded me when I said 4 minutes. With the snow, it was going to take my mom awhile to get to my house. The doctor told me that because I was a VBAC, I needed to be at the hospital as soon as I knew I was in labor and that I should call when they were 10 minutes apart. According to my husband, they were never more than 4 minutes apart.

I got off the phone with my mom and called the hospital to let them know we were coming. The on-call doctor was a bitch. Regardless, I apologized for waking her, as I could hear that she must have been sleeping. She asked if I wanted another c-section. I said no, and she said okay, I will let them know you are coming and you can try a VBAC. Instead of getting discouraged at her tone I relaxed in the dim light. I then changed my outfit a few times, which I know is strange, but I wanted to wear an outfit I could wear back home so I didn't have extra "stuff".

My husband was waiting downstairs. By the time I got downstairs I was contracting every 2 minutes. I had to breath through them and started to get a little worried that we wouldn't make it to the hospital in time. I was still in good spirits so I didn't worry too much until my husband started to panic a little. Panic is contagious! We got into the car knowing my mom was minutes away. When she pulled in, we left for the hospital.

By the time we got there and got settled in I was contracting less than 2 minutes apart. We filled out paperwork, listened to the resident and nurses talk about the procedures and I got changed. They tried to give me a pamphlet on pain management (which is stupid for a women who is contracting every two minutes. I couldn't read anything!) I told her not to offer me anything and that I didn't want anything. They hooked me up to monitors and checked me. I was a whopping 2.5 cm dilated, but around 80% effaced (which I had been for the past week). I tried not to get discouraged as the contractions got more intense. The nurse told me to wait an hour and they would check me again. I should progress a cm per hour, she told me. At about 1-1:30 am I was at 3-4cm dilated. It was then we called our immediate families to let them know that the baby was on the way. I wish I would have known the baby was so quick to come because I would have allowed more family to be there. We thought we would call them when it got close...

The nurse told me if I wanted to walk around or get in the tub, I had to do it right away because once I was a full 4cm, procedures stated that I needed to be continuously monitored. I asked to walk. The nurse wanted to check my blood pressure. It was up, so I had to lay down for 15 minutes. I had the lights dimmed and I relaxed on my side. 15 minutes later, my pressure was fine and I opted for the bath tub. The tub was incredible. I could open my eyes through contractions and continue talking to my husband without a problem. after 20 minutes the nurse came in to get me out and asked if I wanted to stay longer, since she could see I was enjoying it. I said yes and she told me I could stay in for 10 more minutes. Somewhere between 10-20 minutes later I started to get really uncomfortable and warm so I decided to get out of the tub. My husband helped me out and with one strong contraction, "pop" my water broke.

I walked back to the bed and called the nurse to let her know my water had broken on the floor and that I was sorry I made a mess. She told me not to worry and laughed at the fact that I was apologizing. I layed on my side and she came in to check me again. I was at 5cm. I started to wonder whether I could do it naturally. It was getting so intense all of a sudden, but I gave myself a little pep talk and remembered that women were made to do this. I asked my hubby for a pillow to put between my legs while the nurse typed the information about my water breaking into the computer. It was my job to relax completely and let my body flow with the contractions.

Within 5 minutes of laying down, I was immediately overcome with an intense urge to push. I looked at the nurse and said "I have to push!" She told me to relax and said she would check me, but it was too late, My body was already pushing. She checked me and told me I was complete and the head was low. She literally ran out of the room. There was not a doctor or anesthesiologist in sight (both should be present when a VBAC mom hits 4 cm because of potential complications according to our hospital). My husband flipped up my blanket to make sure no baby was coming out since we were alone in the room. My body continued to try and push through contractions while everyone told me not to. It was extremely painful to try and stop my body from doing what it knew it needed to do.

All of a sudden there were two nurses and a resident surrounding me telling me not to push. One nurse, who I loved, was rubbing my belly and talking in calming tones to try and help me relax. Regardless my body was trying to push. I got really hot all of a sudden so the nurses cooled me down with wet rags. My husband held my hand as I struggled not to allow my body to do what it was meant to do. My contractions were coming almost one on top of the other and I started to feel panicked.

Finally the doctor arrived and still in her normal clothes told me I could bear down with the contractions and we would see what would happen. She explained it could take an hour or two since I haven't delivered vaginally before. I beared down with my next contraction and the room went into a flurry. All of a sudden the bottom of the bed dropped out and there were stirrups and a trash can beneath me. My doctor rushed into scrubs and her gown. She didn't even get shoes on. She just wore scrub booties. I pushed again while the room was being prepared. My doctor scooted up in time for me to push again. By the third contraction my baby's head was coming out. My doctor told me not to push and to slow down because the baby was going to come to fast. Another contraction came and I tried to slow it down, but my son was ready to come out. He came out at the beginning of the 4th contraction. I felt no pain when he came out. I was off in a different world, only coming back to look at him as his head delivered and coming back again once he was being placed on my chest. He didn't cry right away, and the umbilical cord was short so my doctor advised my husband to cut the cord right away, though I would have preferred delayed clamping and cutting. Regardless, I was so in love with the little boy that just came into the world that I was in a state of euphoria. The high that you get from a natural birth is unlike anything I have ever felt in my life. It was beautiful.

I immediately got a shot in the leg and at the time had no idea what it was. I now know it was pitocin. My OB was trying to get my placenta out quickly, thought I wasn't having any bleeding issues, and there was no medical reason to force it out so soon. Within minutes I was delivering the placenta. Which again, I didn't feel. I was so curious about what the placenta would look like so I watched myself deliver it. The doctor explained all of the different parts of it and I was fascinated. It made me realize how amazing childbearing and delivery really is.

So that's how I remember the story a year later. Part of me almost thinks I remember more. I think it's because I am not as emotional and that I have had time to reflect. What do you think? Have you told your birth story and compared it with how you told it when you first delivered?

Homemade Laundry Detergent Impacts More Than Your Wallet

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Below is a great guest post from a dear friend of my over at Our Motherhood. I have always been impressed by the tips and tricks she has for remaining thrifty and eco-conscious. She is someone I truly look up to, so I asked her to write a post about something that I think other people would find value in: making your own laundry detergent!

Homemade Laundry Detergent Impacts More Than Your Wallet

It’s something so many of us are particular about: laundry. From how it’s sorted, washed, dried, folded, and even put onto hangers, we all have our own way of doing it.

I grew up with sensitive skin, so when I went off to college, I used the perfume-free version of detergent my mom did. And all my roommates did the same thing with their softeners and fabric sheets. It wasn’t until I became pregnant with my first child that I really started to think about all the chemicals that remain on my clothes, permeating the largest organ of my body: my skin. I wanted something safe and healthy for my family.

Photo courtesy of healthyoates.com

So I started doing some research on the health impacts of laundry detergent. Did you know that optical brighteners – found in so many name brands – have potentially high toxicity to humans? And don’t even get me started on the dangers of the fragrances found in detergent and softeners. Not to mention, this stuff is getting into our waterways, our sources for consumption, as well as all God’s creatures. Furthermore, I can’t even begin to tell you how much money we’ve save making our own laundry detergent.

If you want to learn more, I highly recommend starting your research with Deirdre Imus’ Green This! For additional information about the chemicals found in your laundry detergent, visit the Environmental Working Group’s site and search for the ingredients on your detergent label.

And if you’re already convinced about making the switch, happy concocting!

How to make your own laundry detergent, an easy laundry detergent recipe

Laundry detergent ingredients and materials:

Borax

Washing soda (find Arm and Hammer brand in the laundry aisle)

Vinegar

Liquid castile soap (I love Dr. Bronner’s baby mild, unscented)

¼ cup measuring utensil

Directions

Start your washer, but do not add laundry. Add, in this order, to the water:

• 1/8 cup washing soda

• 1/8 cup borax

• 1/8 cup vinegar

• 1 ounce castile soap

Add your clothes and launder as usual! If you want to mix a batch ahead of time, you can combine the ingredients above with 1/8 cup of hot water (make larger batch by using these proportions) and adding ½ cup of your detergent to each wash cycle.

DIY dryer sheets

When you aren’t line-drying, give your laundry a nice, fresh scent by adding 5 drops off essential oil to a 5x5 inch piece of scrap fabric and adding it to your dryer. I like organic lavender, orange, or peppermint, depending on the season.

Help for Morning Sickness: Ginger

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:33:00 +0000

Here comes that feeling...that nausea that is so overwhelming that you don't want to stand up, don't want to lay down, don't want to do anything! That is, unless you want to see your partially digested breakfast/lunch/dinner for the second time.

I had horrible morning sickness with my first pregnancy. Painful, frequent, overwhelming morning sickness. Up to 80% of women experience it. Many times I felt like I couldn't function. Jolly Ranchers and fresh lemon juice on ice were my remedy. My doctor told me she would give me a prescription, but I didn't want one since I wasn't constantly vomiting, and I tend to err on the more natural side of things. I liked the effects I got from ginger ale, but they weren't drastic enough, and I HATE the after-taste. It is like morning breath meets ginger. Yuck.

Ginger has an amino acid in it called Tryptophane (in addition to a plethora of antioxidants!) which has the affect of calming the nervous system. This assists with calming nausea associated with morning sickness, motion sickness etc. Here are a couple ideas for utilizing ginger to battle morning sickness:

Make ginger tea
Boil 2 cups of water and pour over 3 slices of fresh ginger root (about the equivalent of 4 teaspoons)
Let steep for approximately 15 minutes. Remove the ginger and sip!
Optional: Sweeten with honey or lemon
Drink up to two cups of the tea throughout the day to reduce symptoms

Chew the ginger
Take a 2 inch slice of ginger and chew it like gum. Swallow the juices and spit the ginger out after a few minutes. If this isn't your style

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Pregnancy: Not Everyone Cares

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:49:00 +0000

Being pregnant is such an exciting time, especially for first-time moms! You anxiously await a growing belly to show in all its glory and you pray to feel that baby move as soon as possible. It is an experience that often goes too fast and you look back wishing you had savored it.

The holidays always entail exciting news at my age. Every year I hear at least a few pregnancy announcements. It got me thinking, even though I am always excited to hear of a pregnancy, not everyone is. It brought back memories of my first pregnancy when I had to learn that even though I was over the moon about being pregnant, not everyone feels that way about it. Not everyone is as excited about your pregnancy as you are, and not everyone who is, shows it.

I wish someone would have told me that with my first. It always stung a little when people didn't get up out of their chair excited, like how I was feeling inside. It was disappointing. The second time around it didn't sting nearly as badly. I learned that myself and my husband were the only two that needed to be excited. Just a word to the wise for new moms, though you may be jumping for joy about your growing bundle, try not to be disappointed when not everyone feels the same.

Birth Does Not Have to Hurt!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Reflecting on a conversation I had with a woman I barely knew, I remember that when I told her I birthed my son naturally (no drugs, pit, etc) she told me I was f*ing nuts and asked "didn't it hurt?". I wanted to say, the assumption that it hurts is f*ing nuts, but I held back. An episode of the Real Housewives of Atlanta recently featured Kim talking about natural delivery and commented that women who deliver naturally are dumbasses. Kim, I disagree, and I don't think you are a dumbass for taking drugs. You just chose a different route than I did.

While labor did not feel "good" per se, the actual birth did not hurt at all for me. I did some Hypnobirthing techniques and I will chalk it up to those that made the actual birth pain free for me. I will go ahead and give a shout out to mother nature too. When a baby is delivered, the pressure can be so intense sometimes that you don't feel "pain" from the baby being delivered. Not to mention, your body produces these amazing super drugs called endorphines that help to mask the pain and get you through delivery.

Yes, some women experience pain during delivery, but to assume everyone does is silly. Ever heard of orgasmic birth? Those women don't seem to be complaining!

What was your delivery like? Did you feel it? Was it "painful",orgasmic, or other?

Birth Competition, Birth Jealousy, Birth Envy

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:21:00 +0000

This morning I was reading this article, "Incredible Birth Photo Brings Out the Worst in Jealous Moms" from Christie Haskell on Cafe Mom. The comments to the article got me thinking. I get what Christie was trying to say though I don't entirely agree with how she worded everything. Regardless, she had a point. Why is it that birth seems to be a competition?

First, I will say that I am a huge supporter of natural births (meaning no drugs and as little intervention as possible) and home births. I would love to have a home birth, but have not had one yet. My first birth was a cocktail of drugs during a c-section due to a breech baby and my second was an unmedicated hospital birth. If I have a third, I would really like to experience a home birth. With that said, I do admit I feel a little envious of women who get to experience what I would like to experience myself. It isn't a malicious envy. If anything, it is an inspiration and a reminder that women can do it, and hopefully some day I can too!

Now back to the competition conversation. Why does it feel like a a competition sometimes? I hear women talk about birth stories and compare and contrast, which I love. I am a self-proclaimed birth junkie. However,I find that I hear a lot of "Mine was worse than yours" type of conversations. Obviously no one comes out and says that, but why are we trying to one-up each other when it comes to birth???? Especially since we tend to focus on the negative.

I hear so many stories where it feels like the next woman to tell the story is trying to describe how much harder/worse/more intense hers was. Bottom line, I think you need to experience birth in your own way. If you want an epidural, and that makes your experience better, go for it! If you want to take narcotic drugs, who am I to tell you not to? If you want to deliver in your bed at home, rock-on!

When I reflect on my birth experience, I think about how wonderful it was. I will admit that it didn't feel "good" necessarily, but I am extremely proud of my body and I don't think it was this blood and gore horror story that some women make it out to be. Even my c-section wasn't as bad as I thought it would be (though I would never want one again). I look back on my birth and think very positively of the experience.

My husband has made comments about other women's birth choices when he hears birth stories. He doesn't understand why a woman needs drugs since I did it without and didn't scream or yell or shout. He has made comments that woman are being dramatic when they scream and yell. Many times I have to bring him back to the realization that I deal with pain differently than other people,and since I am all he has to compare it to, that he needs to know that I may not be the norm. If you have to scream to get through labor and delivery, that is just your way of getting through it. It doesn't make you less of a woman than me, and it doens't mean my birth was better.

Instead of judging each other's decisions, or one-upping each other, we should be supporting one another and showing women that birth is not this horrible, painful experience that media makes it out to be. I completely understand that there are occasions when birth can feel like a nightmare, I have heard the horror stories, but more often than not, I know it can be a beautiful empowering experience. Let's empower each other to have the birth that is right for each of us, even if it isn't like our own. Do you feel like birth is a competition?

Torn: Family of 4 or Family of 5?

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy Headquarters) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:53:00 +0000

Since our son was born my husband and I have toyed with the idea of having another baby. In his eyes, having one little boy and one little girl, is the perfect family for him. In my eyes, it's not so clear. I have felt like there is one more baby in my future and that a family of 5 is perfect for me. However, I know that's my heart speaking and not my brain.

Recently, my uncle had some good points about having a family of 5 (he and his wife have three boys). He said that as much as he loves having a family of 5, the general population caters to a family of four. He explained that tables are often for four, rides at amusement parks can seat four leaving one out, Disneyland does packages for a family of four and you have to pay extra for the 5th person...It all sunk in and I realized that yes, he has a valid point, but I also think that you can work around all those things. You cannot typically, however, ignore the fact that one more child adds a huge expense in the long run. Financially, one more will have a large impact.

My aunt chimed in and said none of those things were a big deal and that it all works out, you just have to do things a little differently. I appreciated their candid comments, but it left me even more confused. My heart says one more, and my brain says I am not sure.

So what do you do when you and your husband aren't on the same page with adding to the family? How do you know when it's right and when you should call it quits?