Hey all! Yes I am surviving, 2 under 2 isn't the 24/7 chaos I expected, but that's only because of my awesome Mother and Mother in Law....seriously...it takes a village....but that's another post for another day.
I want you to check out my friend Natalie's' birth story of Slade. Natalie and I were due 5 days apart and we bonded over both being big ol' preggers and mothers of 2 boys. She ended up giving birth the day after my due date and I gave birth the day after hers....funny how things work out, lol.
Please check out her story and her awesome blog!
http://www.theshadyacre.com/
Toodles,
Kellie
Showing posts with label guest posts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guest posts. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Guest Post: Cheryl's Miscarriage
4 Things I Learned from my Miscarriage
**I want to start by saying, this was my experience with a miscarriage. Your experience may have been different or what you learned or needed during your grieving process may have been different and that's ok. We can learn from each other and comfort each other and that is the purpose of this post.**
I woke my husband up early that morning with a kiss and an excited “it's positive!” I was thrilled to be pregnant with my fifth baby. Soon enough, I had all the good, healthy pregnancy signs that put me in bed feeling like death. Life was good. My first prenatal appointment with my midwife was perfect. Baby sounded good, I didn't pass out when she took my blood, I managed to pee in the cup without a mess, all good stuff. Then I went back for my second prenatal and we couldn't find a heartbeat. At first I didn't really worry. I'm sure baby was there just in a funky place that the doppler couldn't pick up. She told me she could try again the next day or I could go get an ultrasound to just check on things. We tried again the next day, still nothing so I made the appointment with the ultrasound tech that confirmed we lost the baby. It was the hardest moment of my life. That was almost two years ago. I have since had another baby but am still part of this club that isn't talked about much. There are four things I learned having gone through a miscarriage.
- The loss of a pregnancy (no matter how early) can be devastating, take time to grieve.I was surprised by the amount of grief I experienced. I couldn't believe the amount of tears I cried for this little person I never got to truly meet. I loved him and my heart ached to hold him and carry him in my belly once again. I was allowed to cry, yell, sleep, be alone, talk, whatever I needed to get through this tough time. I was loved on. I thought that I would be expected to just get on with life but I knew that was impossible and I wondered if I would ever be able to move on. It took time but as the weeks passed, I cried less. Even today, I miss my baby and look forward to the day I get to hold him and kiss him. So, mamas, take your time. There's no rush in grieving.
- Find a friend and talk about it if that helps you.I wanted to talk about what happened. It helped me process it. I talked through my story with several trusted friends but one friend in particular, who had several miscarriages herself , spent many hours crying, praying, talking, and sitting in silence with me. Find this friend, if possible. I was actually surprised by how many women whispered “me, too” when I told them I had a miscarriage. We are in this together, friends, find a mama who relate and let them cry with you, talk with you, hug you, and pray for you. You need it. You don't have to suffer alone. Let the people close to you know what you need. Don't be afraid to ask for help. It doesn't mean you're weak, it means you are a grieving mama and you deserve help and to be loved on.
- Getting pregnant again doesn't replace the baby you lost or “cure” your grief.When I got pregnant again five months after my miscarriage I expected to be healed. I was surprised when I found myself still crying or just still sad for my baby in heaven. This new baby whom I love dearly, my rainbow baby, does not replace the one I lost. I think I will always mourn his loss, mourn the baby that I never got to mother and that's ok.
- People don't know what to say, forgive them.I was actually fairly lucky in this respect. I've heard some of the well meaning but hurtful lines said to mothers mourning a loss. Likely this is said by someone who has never had a miscarriage or lost a baby, so forgive them. I cringe to think I was among those well meaning people before my loss, I pray I have the right words now. For me, the most hurtful thing was my baby not being acknowledged. We had a family holiday about a month after the miscarriage and I so badly wanted someone to come to me and acknowledge his life, death, and my broken heart. I know they felt awkward and didn't want to hurt me, I understand that and I forgive them.
Mamas, if you are reading this after a loss of your own, I'm so very sorry. I know how your heart aches and whole body yearns to hold that sweet little baby. I pray for hope and healing for you. You are not alone in this. It's not a club I wanted to be in but I hope I am now able comfort a grieving mother. Much love and hugs to you, sweet mama. Your baby is waiting for you and you'll be together again.
There is a website that I wish I had known about after my miscarriage that may help you during your journey. www.stillbirthday.com I hope you are able to find the information and/or comfort your are looking for and needing.
Many blessings to you,
Cheryl
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Guest Post: Kimberly Hill IBCLC
One of the first decisions new parents make is how to feed their babies. For those who choose breastfeeding, it’s not uncommon to run into some sort of frustration. While breastfeeding is a natural process, we have lost a lot of breastfeeding knowledge in our culture due to a severe drop in breastfeeding rates in the recent past. Many of us have never seen a baby nurse before we watch our own baby, and basic guidelines of what to expect (in regards to lactation) after you deliver are often mysteries to new parents.
Looking for breastfeeding help can cause even more frustrations. Well meaning grandparents may be passing on outdated information. Friends may share what worked for them while your body and your baby might require a different approach. The “breastfeeding nurse” may have no specific education in breastfeeding at all, or could be a fabulous resource, but how do you know the difference?
Certified childbirth educators, doulas, lactation educators and La Leche League leaders generally have a good basic education in breastfeeding. They will probably cover what a typical nursing relationship looks like in classes and can answer the common questions like, “why does my baby’s poop look like it has seeds in it?” (That’s the casein—the curds in “curds and whey”—that your baby isn’t processing just yet, and it’s totally normal to see it in the early weeks). These birth professionals generally know their limits and will refer out anything that is beyond their scope of practice.
When you’ve determined you are having a more serious problem though, who do you see? The gold standard is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). An IBCLC acquires several years of education specifically in human lactation. They are required to have a background in health sciences, including biology, anatomy, infant and child development, counseling skills and other related topics; complete at least 90 hours of continuing education in lactation; and complete many hours of supervised clinical practice before they can apply to sit for the board exam. After passing through this application process and passing the exam, they become an IBCLC. Many people spend 3-4 years on this process in addition to any college degrees they might have. IBCLCs are required to recertify every 5 years by continuing education or by exam. In short, a person who holds an IBCLC can be expected to have extensive lactation experience. If you are not sure whether or not you are working with an IBCLC, you can check the registry here.
Once you hire an IBCLC, you may be wondering what to expect in an appointment. This will vary a bit depending on your situation, but it is important to remember that both mom and baby are patients when working with an IBCLC and sometimes the root of the problem may be caused by something seemingly unrelated. Your appointment should include reviewing what your primary concerns are and what your breastfeeding goals are. There should be a fairly thorough medical history taken on both you and the baby. Some of these questions will be obviously necessary, like the weight history of the baby. Some may seem more intrusive, like asking for a full list of medications you take, and discussing your menstrual history or any difficulties conceiving. These things seem unrelated but can often yield clues to solving things like low milk supply. Depending on the situation, the IBCLC will also examine your breasts and the baby’s mouth. She should ask permission before touching you or your baby. She may offer or ask to hold the baby and talk to him or her a bit. During this time she is looking for clues and red flags in how the baby holds his or her body and moves around that may be affecting latch or ability to transfer milk well. An oral exam will include assessing for tongue and lip ties and palate abnormalities along with tongue mobility and then discussing these issues with you. While some IBCLCs feel these evaluations should be done on every baby, I feel like it is important to keep my fingers out of baby’s mouth unless there is cause for concern, but I am always keeping a close eye on how baby is moving his or her tongue while we “talk” and during rooting and latching.
If mother is in pain or baby’s weight gain is below normal limits, the IBCLC should observe a breastfeeding session.There are a few ways to approach this task. I choose to have mothers do what they have already been doing and we adjust from there. I strive for a hands off approach, where I talk mom through adjustments rather than physically moving her or the baby. Since I will not be in the home all the time, I think it’s important for parents to learn how to adjust the latch on their own. When latch looks good to me, I ask mom how it feels to her. A latch that “looks good” is not good if mom is hurting. When mom and baby are both comfortable and baby is transferring milk well (while I discuss the signs, I am looking to assess this), I will often bring in dad or grandma or aunt to see what I’m seeing so they can help mom remember what to look for when I am not around. We will try nursing on the second side and I encourage mom and her support person to fix the latch on their own this time before I offer more pointers. A good IBCLC will be encouraging you towards self-confidence and self-reliance. While I am available to my clients for months after I first see them, it is important to me that they build confidence in their own abilities, not reliance on me.
The other topics discussed in an appointment can vary greatly, but will probably include information about how to tell your baby is getting enough milk, the safety of medications while breastfeeding, normal newborn behavior, and general information about transitioning to life with a new baby. The IBCLC will help develop a plan of action that will help you along toward your goals. This may include a specific set of directions to follow each day, suggestions for blood work to request, regular weight checks, and/or just a general guideline to follow. This action plan should be evidence based and the IBCLC should be clear if any of her suggestions are more anecdotally based. She should also be sure you understand why each suggestion is being made.
The IBCLC will probably give you some tips about working through certain milestones many babies go through on a predictable schedule. She should make sure the plan of action is doable for mom’s specific situation. This involves reading a mom’s emotional state, listening empathetically to what her challenges are and discussing point blank if mom feels the plan is feasible or not. Be honest with your IBCLC. If you are already completely overwhelmed, do not let someone tell you that you have to nurse 12 times a day, pump 12 times a day and supplement in order to be successful. It is rare that there is only one solution to a problem and a good IBCLC should be able to adjust your plan to fit your family. A summary of your visit and the plan that was agreed on should be provided in writing.
After the appointment, there should also be follow-up. I generally stay in touch with my clients primarily by email. This gives them a written record of our conversation that they can refer back to at anytime. I choose to include follow-up in the initial fee I charge because I feel it encourages moms to contact me early if things aren’t going well. It is always easier to intervene earlier on. In general, I will contact my clients 2-3 days after I see them to check in and see how they are doing and make sure the plan we agreed on is working for them, or make adjustments where necessary. I continue following up on this schedule until things settle down and mom is feeling confident. If mom has requested it, I will provide a written report of our visit(s) and conversations that she can provide to her or the baby’s doctor.
An IBCLC can be a key member of your healthcare team. They are the specialists in lactation that can help address a wide range of breastfeeding issues.
~Kimberly Hill, IBCLC
You can reach her at:
Looking for breastfeeding help can cause even more frustrations. Well meaning grandparents may be passing on outdated information. Friends may share what worked for them while your body and your baby might require a different approach. The “breastfeeding nurse” may have no specific education in breastfeeding at all, or could be a fabulous resource, but how do you know the difference?
Certified childbirth educators, doulas, lactation educators and La Leche League leaders generally have a good basic education in breastfeeding. They will probably cover what a typical nursing relationship looks like in classes and can answer the common questions like, “why does my baby’s poop look like it has seeds in it?” (That’s the casein—the curds in “curds and whey”—that your baby isn’t processing just yet, and it’s totally normal to see it in the early weeks). These birth professionals generally know their limits and will refer out anything that is beyond their scope of practice.
When you’ve determined you are having a more serious problem though, who do you see? The gold standard is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). An IBCLC acquires several years of education specifically in human lactation. They are required to have a background in health sciences, including biology, anatomy, infant and child development, counseling skills and other related topics; complete at least 90 hours of continuing education in lactation; and complete many hours of supervised clinical practice before they can apply to sit for the board exam. After passing through this application process and passing the exam, they become an IBCLC. Many people spend 3-4 years on this process in addition to any college degrees they might have. IBCLCs are required to recertify every 5 years by continuing education or by exam. In short, a person who holds an IBCLC can be expected to have extensive lactation experience. If you are not sure whether or not you are working with an IBCLC, you can check the registry here.
Once you hire an IBCLC, you may be wondering what to expect in an appointment. This will vary a bit depending on your situation, but it is important to remember that both mom and baby are patients when working with an IBCLC and sometimes the root of the problem may be caused by something seemingly unrelated. Your appointment should include reviewing what your primary concerns are and what your breastfeeding goals are. There should be a fairly thorough medical history taken on both you and the baby. Some of these questions will be obviously necessary, like the weight history of the baby. Some may seem more intrusive, like asking for a full list of medications you take, and discussing your menstrual history or any difficulties conceiving. These things seem unrelated but can often yield clues to solving things like low milk supply. Depending on the situation, the IBCLC will also examine your breasts and the baby’s mouth. She should ask permission before touching you or your baby. She may offer or ask to hold the baby and talk to him or her a bit. During this time she is looking for clues and red flags in how the baby holds his or her body and moves around that may be affecting latch or ability to transfer milk well. An oral exam will include assessing for tongue and lip ties and palate abnormalities along with tongue mobility and then discussing these issues with you. While some IBCLCs feel these evaluations should be done on every baby, I feel like it is important to keep my fingers out of baby’s mouth unless there is cause for concern, but I am always keeping a close eye on how baby is moving his or her tongue while we “talk” and during rooting and latching.
If mother is in pain or baby’s weight gain is below normal limits, the IBCLC should observe a breastfeeding session.There are a few ways to approach this task. I choose to have mothers do what they have already been doing and we adjust from there. I strive for a hands off approach, where I talk mom through adjustments rather than physically moving her or the baby. Since I will not be in the home all the time, I think it’s important for parents to learn how to adjust the latch on their own. When latch looks good to me, I ask mom how it feels to her. A latch that “looks good” is not good if mom is hurting. When mom and baby are both comfortable and baby is transferring milk well (while I discuss the signs, I am looking to assess this), I will often bring in dad or grandma or aunt to see what I’m seeing so they can help mom remember what to look for when I am not around. We will try nursing on the second side and I encourage mom and her support person to fix the latch on their own this time before I offer more pointers. A good IBCLC will be encouraging you towards self-confidence and self-reliance. While I am available to my clients for months after I first see them, it is important to me that they build confidence in their own abilities, not reliance on me.
The other topics discussed in an appointment can vary greatly, but will probably include information about how to tell your baby is getting enough milk, the safety of medications while breastfeeding, normal newborn behavior, and general information about transitioning to life with a new baby. The IBCLC will help develop a plan of action that will help you along toward your goals. This may include a specific set of directions to follow each day, suggestions for blood work to request, regular weight checks, and/or just a general guideline to follow. This action plan should be evidence based and the IBCLC should be clear if any of her suggestions are more anecdotally based. She should also be sure you understand why each suggestion is being made.
The IBCLC will probably give you some tips about working through certain milestones many babies go through on a predictable schedule. She should make sure the plan of action is doable for mom’s specific situation. This involves reading a mom’s emotional state, listening empathetically to what her challenges are and discussing point blank if mom feels the plan is feasible or not. Be honest with your IBCLC. If you are already completely overwhelmed, do not let someone tell you that you have to nurse 12 times a day, pump 12 times a day and supplement in order to be successful. It is rare that there is only one solution to a problem and a good IBCLC should be able to adjust your plan to fit your family. A summary of your visit and the plan that was agreed on should be provided in writing.
After the appointment, there should also be follow-up. I generally stay in touch with my clients primarily by email. This gives them a written record of our conversation that they can refer back to at anytime. I choose to include follow-up in the initial fee I charge because I feel it encourages moms to contact me early if things aren’t going well. It is always easier to intervene earlier on. In general, I will contact my clients 2-3 days after I see them to check in and see how they are doing and make sure the plan we agreed on is working for them, or make adjustments where necessary. I continue following up on this schedule until things settle down and mom is feeling confident. If mom has requested it, I will provide a written report of our visit(s) and conversations that she can provide to her or the baby’s doctor.
An IBCLC can be a key member of your healthcare team. They are the specialists in lactation that can help address a wide range of breastfeeding issues.
~Kimberly Hill, IBCLC
You can reach her at:
or facebook page http://www.facebook.com/
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Guest Post from Briggs' Birth Team
When Kellie asked me to write something about her birth this time my response was that it will be short and sweet. That was because she didn’t do much labor time and I wasn’t there but about 26 minutes before Mr. Briggs made his grand appearance. So I thought since Kellie has done such a great job educating you folks about pregnancy, labor and birth I should take some time to go back and make a little history leading up to Briggs birth.
For Kellie’s first pregnancy, she decided to use me as her midwife and have a homebirth. She had a healthy good pregnancy, took classes and did everything right. She carried the baby to 41 weeks and 6 days. Then the great day came with a SROM, spontaneous rupture of membranes at 12:30 AM. Contractions started soon after. She labored at home with just Beau for about seven hours and then called me to come. Amazingly this awesome first time mom was 8 cm at 8:00 AM! Whoohoo! We should be having a baby soon! Right! Well from there it was a slow go. Five hours later, she was still at 9 cm and was starting to tire out and contractions were spacing and loosing there ump. We tried, honey, labor tinctures, resting, position changes. Finally got complete about 4:30 PM and started pushing. Tried all positions, toilet, stool, bed, toilet, stool, more tincture ....... About 8:00 PM after 3 1⁄2 hours of pushing and not a real sign that we would be pushing the baby out soon we decided a hospital transport was the best decision. After we transferred to the hospital, took a little rest, got some pitocin, got some good contractions going again and with a little help with the vacuum extraction, the cutest little chunky baby made his appearance and we were all so happy to see this cute little man. Mr. Callan weighed in at 9 lb 8 oz. and was a handsome baby boy! Kellie was so totally amazing to go through this long drawn out end of labor phase that just seem to last forever! But she was brave and strong and hung in there and pushed out her big boy!
I always like to tell my first time mommas that “you never have to have a first baby but once!” So, nine months later ..... next pregnancy. Kellie was so strong and brave again to decide that she was up to the challenge to do this again. She rocked this pregnancy, being so much wiser and ahead of the game this time around. She gained less weight, had little swelling this time and made great plans for the coming birth! She planned for a photographer, massage therapist, her mother, midwife and birth assistant to all be there for her beautiful water birth! Then as nature would have it she went into labor at 40 weeks and 6 days. She started labor at 7:00 AM with the SROM again, but this time without contractions so she took some castor oil about 8:00 AM. Kellie took a nap and woke to contractions about 10:20 AM. Her text was funny, 10:40 AM – “Getting stronger contractions. Seem to be 5 min apart.”
I replied, “ Are you ready for me to come?”
Kellie, “Not yet”.
Me, “ Ok, I just need to change”.
Kellie, “ Maybe u should come and see”.
I arrived at 11:17 AM and no one was coming to the door. I decided I better let myself in and as I opened the door, Beau was coming. He was busy with setting up the pool. I went to check on Kellie. She was having a really hard contraction. Once it was over I got vital signs and listened to the baby. Then another strong contraction and as I listened I said, “are you pushing with those?” I don’t think she had realized that yes, she was pushing.
At that point I had to move quickly to get things brought in and set up for the birth. No, I didn’t get things set up. I was looking for pads, gloves, etc..... the plastic wasn’t on the bed. I called to Beau to ditch the pool idea; there would be no time for a water birth. Cheryl the birth assistant walked in as Kellie was pushing again. Baby was coming. No time for set up. No time for a water birth. I think at some point, I don’t remember if it was before Briggs made his grand appearance or just after that I noticed Kellie’s mom and the massage therapist had gotten there.
After arriving at 11:17 baby was born at 11:43 AM! 26 minutes and he was born. Kellie was so amazing and strong to be so far into her labor and just an hour before be telling me she wasn’t ready for me to come! She was amazing!
Briggs came in weighing 10 pounds even! My first look at him I saw Callan’s same little face! These boys could be twins! I know they will change and take on their own looks but no denying they are brothers!It was a great honor to help Kellie and Beau bring these precious boys into the world! I love this work and seeing families grow!
~Toni Kimpel, Midwife
You are part of such a sweet family. You will forever have a special place in my heart, little man. Your mom and dad are just so in love with you. You had a gentle, sweet start in life and I wish you many blessings and a long and happy life.
 |
| Gina, Midwife in training Toni, Midwife Callan & Briggs |
I always like to tell my first time mommas that “you never have to have a first baby but once!” So, nine months later ..... next pregnancy. Kellie was so strong and brave again to decide that she was up to the challenge to do this again. She rocked this pregnancy, being so much wiser and ahead of the game this time around. She gained less weight, had little swelling this time and made great plans for the coming birth! She planned for a photographer, massage therapist, her mother, midwife and birth assistant to all be there for her beautiful water birth! Then as nature would have it she went into labor at 40 weeks and 6 days. She started labor at 7:00 AM with the SROM again, but this time without contractions so she took some castor oil about 8:00 AM. Kellie took a nap and woke to contractions about 10:20 AM. Her text was funny, 10:40 AM – “Getting stronger contractions. Seem to be 5 min apart.”
I replied, “ Are you ready for me to come?”
Kellie, “Not yet”.
Me, “ Ok, I just need to change”.
Kellie, “ Maybe u should come and see”.
I arrived at 11:17 AM and no one was coming to the door. I decided I better let myself in and as I opened the door, Beau was coming. He was busy with setting up the pool. I went to check on Kellie. She was having a really hard contraction. Once it was over I got vital signs and listened to the baby. Then another strong contraction and as I listened I said, “are you pushing with those?” I don’t think she had realized that yes, she was pushing.
At that point I had to move quickly to get things brought in and set up for the birth. No, I didn’t get things set up. I was looking for pads, gloves, etc..... the plastic wasn’t on the bed. I called to Beau to ditch the pool idea; there would be no time for a water birth. Cheryl the birth assistant walked in as Kellie was pushing again. Baby was coming. No time for set up. No time for a water birth. I think at some point, I don’t remember if it was before Briggs made his grand appearance or just after that I noticed Kellie’s mom and the massage therapist had gotten there.
After arriving at 11:17 baby was born at 11:43 AM! 26 minutes and he was born. Kellie was so amazing and strong to be so far into her labor and just an hour before be telling me she wasn’t ready for me to come! She was amazing!Briggs came in weighing 10 pounds even! My first look at him I saw Callan’s same little face! These boys could be twins! I know they will change and take on their own looks but no denying they are brothers!It was a great honor to help Kellie and Beau bring these precious boys into the world! I love this work and seeing families grow!
~Toni Kimpel, Midwife
____________
Dear Briggs,
Your birth was incredible. Your mama is amazing. I was so excited when your mom announced her pregnancy and home birth plans with you. You see, your mom and dad were in my Bradley classes when they were pregnant with your big brother and I got to know them pretty well. I was at your house for a long time when she was in labor with Callan. I was so proud of her strength and determination during his birth. I knew she had big plans with you and was proud again of her determination and further educating herself on birth and her options. She started a blog to help other moms learn more about birth and share stories and experiences. She wrote a lot about you. She was pretty smitten by you from the very beginning. Then after much anticipation and excitement, the day that we all were waiting for (mostly your mommy!) finally arrived...
I woke up Saturday morning, June 28th, to a text message from Mrs. Kimpel and your mom telling me that her water had broken and you were going to make your appearance! So I got ready, set up my babysitting and waited around for updates. Your mom text me and said she was going to take a nap. I thought that was a great idea! Laboring is hard work so a nap would give her lots of energy to be able to bring you into the world. An hour and a half later Mrs. Kimpel sends me another text telling me to head to your house. I got all my kiddos all packed up and just about ready to send to the babysitters when I get another message telling me she's pushing! You are headed out! So I very quickly scoot my people out the door (luckily they were just going across the street!) and hop in the car. I didn't even have my shoes on and forgot my watch that I bought just to wear for your birth! I high-tail it to your house. It is about a 10 minute drive for me. I park, and run into the house. I make it to your room just in time to see your mom in the middle of pushing. I quickly gathered up your blankets, try to get your heart beat but you were already on your way out! You were born about 5 minutes after I walked in the door. You guys work fast! You and your mama made a perfect team. Once you were up on her chest, you cried right away and I cried, too! I had no doubts your mom would have a beautiful home birth. She totally rocked it! You looked just like your brother and quite a chunky little monkey, too!
We took some time to let you nurse and take care of your mom, you met your daddy, and your grandma came to meet you, too. We weighed you and couldn't believe you were a whopping 10 pounds of sweet perfection! When she was ready, we got a bath ready for her and the two of you took an herbal bath, complete with flowers. You mom's friend, Whitney, was there photographing all of the special moments. It was beautiful! You got to meet your brother and take more pictures with your grandparents. You were passed around and loved on by everyone!
You are part of such a sweet family. You will forever have a special place in my heart, little man. Your mom and dad are just so in love with you. You had a gentle, sweet start in life and I wish you many blessings and a long and happy life.
Much, much love,
Cheryl
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Guest Post Lindsey: Natural Necessities
1.RedRaspberry Leaf Tea-- You should drink red raspberry leaf throughout your
pregnancy after the first trimester. It
tones the uterus and helps with a faster labor, and who doesn’t want
that?! You can buy the teabags at a health
food store. I would brew 5 at a time
and make a pitcher to drink everyday.
You can also drink it after delivery for a few weeks to help shrink the
uterus and stop bleeding. I personally
swear by this stuff. My first child was
born in 6 hours, from very first contraction.
My second was face –up, which makes for a more difficult labor, and it
was 4 hours. My third was also face-up
and born 1.5 hrs. And those times are
from very first contraction to finish!
There’s tons of research out there that show labor is greatly shortened. You can also drink a very concentrated form
during labor. Kellie took a capsule form of it during her pregnancy.
2.
Golden
Seal—you need this post- delivery for your baby’s cord. It comes in a capsule form, so you open the
capsule and sprinkle it on and around your baby’s cord. It will dry it up in no time. Alcohol can burn really bad. Golden seal is great for no pain, rapid
drying, and prevention of infection of your baby's cord.
3.
Chiropractic
care-- I am a HUGE believer in
chiropractic care! It does wonders for a pregnant body, and also for a newborn
baby and child. Think of it this
way: the spinal cord innervates every
single organ and tissue in the body. So
when the spine is out of whack, whatever that particular region is innervating,
will also be out of whack. Chiropractic
care can do wonders for a colicky baby, gas problems, sleep problems etc. Do some research and ask around and find a
chiropractor that specializes in pregnancy and small children. I took my babies the same day or next after
birth. Those little bodies go through a
little “shock” coming out the canal! An
adjustment on a newborn is very subtle—they use the first two fingers and
barely move along the back. For a 6th
month old, it looks like they are simply picking the child up, and as they are
“holding” them, they are adjusting them.
The baby doesn’t even know it.
And the coolest thing is how the baby will be all smiles right
after! Their bowel movements will be
better and they will sleep better! Being
in a carrier or car seat often is not good for the baby. A weekly adjustment will do him/her
good! Also, after an adjustment, the
immune system is instantly boosted some 400%! Statistics show and I have personally experienced that children who get frequent adjustments are far less sick, i.e. fewer ear infections etc, than children not.
4.
Essential
Oils—I use Young Living Essential Oils.
They are therapeutic grade, pure, certified, and most are edible. There is an oil that can help with any
ailment you or your baby/child may have. Headaches, fever, coughing, runny nose, fungus, diaper rash, insect bites…..the list goes on and on. You can diffuse them, inhale them, rub them on your body (specifically
on the soles of the feet since there are more pores there than any other place
on the body) or inject them, depending on the oil . For a great resource with
lots of info, click here.
5.
Raw milk—If
you have never had raw, unpasteurized milk, you have no idea what you are
missing. Raw milk is full of
antioxidants, antibacterial/antiviral enzymes, all of which are killed off
during the pasteurization process. Contrary
to popular belief, raw milk dairies undergo much stricter inspections that are
much more frequent. Pasteurized milk,
even if organic, is basically dead white liquid. There’s essentially no nutritive value. And if you saw the cows the milk on the store
shelves came from, you would know why it HAS to be pasteurized. The cows are sick and diseased, the utters
usually oozing pus and blood. Visit a
commercial dairy and you would never drink milk again. Raw milk, on the other hand, has LOADS of
benefits. And the cows it comes from are
healthy. No hormones, no antibiotics,
allowed to freely roam. AND IT IS
DELICIOUS. Most dairies have whole, 1%
and 2%, as well as heavy cream, which is great for making your own butter or
ice cream!
For a list of resources, click here:
There are several local raw milk farms in
Texas: around the Brenham area, there's one in Schulenburg and one in La Grange , both with
websites. Several co-ops make delivery
easily accessible, no matter where you may live. Raw milk is good for about 10 days, and the
colder your fridge, the better. The
cream will separate at the top, just shake and pour! When your baby turns a
year and can have cow’s milk, go for the raw!!!
6.
Making your own baby food-- It may
sound overwhelming, but trust me, it’s not.
Take one night and make up a big batch, pour into ice trays, and voila, you have several meals for your bay. First, you can use organic , fresh
foods. It’s cheaper and much
healthier. A wonderful book with lots of
info is “Top 100 Baby Purees “ by Annabel Karmel. She explains why you should use cinnamon and
butter, and why even organic foods that have been pasteurized in order to have
a shelf life are devoid of crucial nutrients (similar to milk). And remember, when you microwave something,
you are killing every nutrient in that food.
Reheating on a stove is the way to go hands down. Save the store bought squeeze pouches for
when you are on the go!
What are some things you believe should be
added to the list? Please, post your
comments! And remember our disclaimer, this is NOT intended as medical advice!-- Lindsay
Monday, July 7, 2014
Guest Post Lindsay: Circumcision-- What you MUST know
When I was in medical school on my pediatric rotation, I was
horrified by the way circumcisions were done.
Frankly, it was barbaric. There
are some things every mother of a boy needs to know:
Oftentimes, babies are taken out of the room to go to the
procedure, but unbeknownst to the parents, that baby may lay naked, strapped to
a board, for 30-45 minutes before the doctor comes to the room. These little ones are left crying and
unattended. And they are cold!! You also need to know that a circumcision is
not just a quick snip and you are done, but rather about a 20 minute
procedure. And most horrifying to me,
some doctors choose not to numb the skin before starting. A shot of lidocaine numbs the skin in about 5
minutes so that the procedure can be done comfortably. But to my utter shock, believe it or not,
there are doctors out there who are in such a hurry (never mind the baby waited
on them for half an hour) that they don’t want to take the extra time. And I can tell you that 2 hours after the
circumcision, those little babies have elevated heart rates and blood pressure
from pain.
I almost flunked my rotation because I was so upset after
seeing that done (imagine getting stitched up for 20 minutes, or having a mole
cut off, several layers deep without any anesthetic) that I questioned my attending physician about it. He told me that it wasn’t necessary to give
babies numbing medicine because they can’t remember the pain, to which I
replied, “Oh I see, then why give our Alzheimer’s patients pain meds or
anesthetics, I mean, after all, they certainly won’t remember.” Yeah, that did not go over well. But what a freaking contradiction!! And how sick that we are rationalizing
abating pain because a newborn won’t remember??!! Really??!!
So moms and dads, PLEASE make sure you attend the
circumcision with your baby. Don’t just let a nurse take your baby from
you. You need to be privy to what goes on behind the scenes. Second, always make sure they give
the lidocaine shot. Additionally, if you
breastfeed your baby while they give the lidocaine shot, your baby most likely
will not even cry. “Breastfeeding is a powerful
pain reliever, because it combines cuddling, skin-to-skin contact, sucking, and
a sweet taste – a soothing antidote to the shock and pain of the needle. “ (Laurel Schultz, pediatrician) In fact, I breastfed all of my children
anytime they had something done, i.e., the heel sticks to test for PKU,
basically anytime they were being “messed with.” NOTE: If your pediatrician is not OK with you
breastfeeding during a shot, that’s a red flag and you need to find another
doc!!
I
gave birth to two of my children at a birthing center in The Woodlands, TX,
called Nativiti (my third was born at home in Oklahoma). The midwives there recommend you wait to
circumcise your boy until he is 8 days old.
Interestingly, it’s biblical, and you can find the reference in Genesis
17:12:" For the generations to come every male among you who is eight
days old must be circumcised…” But why 8 days??
Because that’s when the clotting factors within the body are fully
developed. So the risk of excess
bleeding and complication is much less.
So,
Moms, the take home message from me is this:
wait until your baby is 8 days old and go to your pediatrician’s office
to have the circumcision done if you choose to circumcise at all. Don’t
do it in the hospital!! ****I am
going to digress a bit, so stay with me……Listen, I can tell you it was because
of the things I saw done in a hospital that was ranked 5th in the
nation as one of the top teaching hospitals in the U.S. that I chose NOT to
have my babies in a hospital. Our
healthcare system is in crises right now.
Nurses are so inundated with paperwork to meet new federal standards
that “nursing” and caring for the patient has all but gone out the
window!! Please don't take this that I am dogging on nurses, my mom is a wonderful nurse of 30 years. But hospitals are a business and
are concerned with being profitable, not doing what is necessarily the best for
the patient. I saw many times that the nurse
to patient ratio was way too high because the hospital was cutting costs, and patients
did not get the attention they needed.
Nurses are overworked and make mistakes, some of them medication
mistakes that can be costly. I saw a
nurse drop an intubation tube on the floor, pick it up and intubate a baby in
ICU! (Yes, I turned her in!). If you have a surgery, the knee or hip or
screw or pacemaker is not necessarily the best on the market or best for you, it’s
the cheapest one negotiated on a contract between that particular company and the
hospital. Did you know that most of the time, it isn't even the doctor that determines what will be used in the surgery? It's the CEO with the business degree, not the 8 years or more of med school, making the decisions. They will use products that have the higher reimbursement from an insurance company! And don't think that big hospital systems aren't in cahoots with insurance companies! Question EVERYTHING! Don’t just take what your doctor says as god
speak. Medical students take one
semester of pharmacology their first year in med school and never take it
again!! And it’s typically a course taught
by a PhD during research for the university that’s taught the same outdated information
the last decade. So physicians rely on
pharm reps to keep them “in the know,” but do ya’ll realize how strong the
pharmaceutical and vaccine industry is in the U.S.?! Money is the motivator, not good
health!! Question everything! Think for yourself. Doctors don’t know it all, trust me!! There are many extraneous factors playing against you when it comes to Western medicine!!****
OK, back to the topic at hand……do the circumcision
with your pediatrician at their office. Ask
if you can breastfeed during the lidocaine shot. And sit with your baby the whole time it is
being done. Part of loving your baby is
being an advocate for him. Motherhood
begins in the wombJ
disclaimer: These opinions expressed are just that….MY OPINIONS based on my personal experience, and are not intended as medical advice or to replace your healthcare professional. You should consult with your healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for you.
disclaimer: These opinions expressed are just that….MY OPINIONS based on my personal experience, and are not intended as medical advice or to replace your healthcare professional. You should consult with your healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for you.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Guest Post Angie: "Outside of the box" Breastfeeding Success
Hello Kellie-Blogger fans! As you all know, Kellie had her baby!! So, I am going to help her for a while keep the blog posts rolling. Today is a post from Angie on breastfeeding. Stay tuned Monday for a post I am writing on circumcision-- there's some things you to know! Everyone have a safe and Happy 4th!
-- Lindsay
Disclaimer: Please consult your physician on this, we are not giving medical advice in any way on this post.
I am a working mom; I knew I had 3 months with my baby before I had to go back to work. Being that I'm a nurse on a crazy cardiac floor, I knew my chances of maintaining my milk after I went back to work were slim-to-none... Between the stress, strenuous activity of a 13 hour shift, and little time to relax & pump, I was prepared for the "drying up" that was soon to ensue (granted I gave it a helluva' fight).
So with the help of a good friend who happened to be a lactation consultant & her great ideas, I was 75% successful, and gave my girls a good head start.
1. My hubs got me a deep freeze & breast pump (off Craig's List for cheap; I bought new personal parts).
2. I started pumping colostrum 3 weeks BEFORE I delivered. No, it didn't send me into labor. In theory, it could send someone else to labor. According to my Lactation Consultant, you'll only go into labor if you're ready. I'm no expert though...
***I saved the Antibody-rich goods for sick days later. You can squirt up baby's nose for head colds; it kills virus instantly. Or squirt in ears to soothe ear infections... A million uses fur that Liquid Gold!!
3. Because I was already pumping, milk came few hours after I delivered. No waiting around with a hungry baby. And it came in 4-fold, My boobs went from B-cup to basketballs with in a day... (Ok, maybe not that fast... But it felt like it). And my nipples were already "broke in", so it was painful, but not as bad as it could be. I fed my baby and pumped the rest and froze it. I could've fed the Russian Army if need be ... Point being, I filled that deep freeze in a month.
4. I went back to work... Then dried up in a month. I gave it a good go, my coworkers were supportive. But when you need to relax for let down, it was damn near impossible... BUT, my deep freeze supply held us over till 1year!! We didn't have to buy much formula and my girls are better for it. We saved A LOT of money too.
Good Luck! Power to ya'!! Breast feeding is a wonderfully powerful & nutritious thing. The benefits to mom & baby are endless. Give it a go, as much as you can do is better than nothing.
~Angie
-- Lindsay
Disclaimer: Please consult your physician on this, we are not giving medical advice in any way on this post.
_____
So with the help of a good friend who happened to be a lactation consultant & her great ideas, I was 75% successful, and gave my girls a good head start.
1. My hubs got me a deep freeze & breast pump (off Craig's List for cheap; I bought new personal parts).
2. I started pumping colostrum 3 weeks BEFORE I delivered. No, it didn't send me into labor. In theory, it could send someone else to labor. According to my Lactation Consultant, you'll only go into labor if you're ready. I'm no expert though...
***I saved the Antibody-rich goods for sick days later. You can squirt up baby's nose for head colds; it kills virus instantly. Or squirt in ears to soothe ear infections... A million uses fur that Liquid Gold!!
3. Because I was already pumping, milk came few hours after I delivered. No waiting around with a hungry baby. And it came in 4-fold, My boobs went from B-cup to basketballs with in a day... (Ok, maybe not that fast... But it felt like it). And my nipples were already "broke in", so it was painful, but not as bad as it could be. I fed my baby and pumped the rest and froze it. I could've fed the Russian Army if need be ... Point being, I filled that deep freeze in a month.
4. I went back to work... Then dried up in a month. I gave it a good go, my coworkers were supportive. But when you need to relax for let down, it was damn near impossible... BUT, my deep freeze supply held us over till 1year!! We didn't have to buy much formula and my girls are better for it. We saved A LOT of money too.
Good Luck! Power to ya'!! Breast feeding is a wonderfully powerful & nutritious thing. The benefits to mom & baby are endless. Give it a go, as much as you can do is better than nothing.
~Angie
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Looking for Guest Posts
Hey Lady....yeah, I'm talking to YOU.....
I want you to write a guest post for me. Please??? Dont make me beg, its unbecoming....
Why? Cause you have an experience, an opinion, and a perspective that someone else can benefit from!
Annnnnd because I am about to have a newborn baby to dote on and I dont want to completely neglect my blog.
But KellKell, I didnt have a natural birth.....
- I dont care, you've got wisdom to share
But KellsBells, I am not funny, and I kant rite reel smart.
- I dont care, you dont have to be funny...I want you to be sincere...and I can edit your post to make you look at least as smart as I am!
Kellie tha Bellie- I have already written a guest post for you!
- quit being lazy and write another!
Oh KillerKellie, I dont know, I cant remember all the details of my baby's birth..she's 18+ now..
- Write about what you know, it doesnt have to be a birth story...it can be anything that women will relate to, learn from, get inspiration from, find beauty in...
Ummm Kellie, I am a dude..
- sweet, are you a Dad or soon to be Dad, or even a grandpa? We would love to take a peek in a man's mind on all this baby and birthin stuff...do it!
Topic Ideas:
- How proud I am of ___
- postpartum survival tips
- breastfeeding struggles or success
- If I knew then what I know now...
- My awesome Doctor
- My not awesome Doctor
- What being a mom means to me
- How motherhood changes you
- It takes a village
- Ideas to show support to a new Mom/family
- the pain of a miscarriage & how to cope
OK, now hop to it! I expect my inbox full of guest posts by the end of next week!
Email them to 1babybeborn@gmail.com
Monday, June 2, 2014
Guest Post: Rebecca's end of pregnancy pep talk!
35 weeks and counting
By Rebecca Dundore, Doula Educator – Intuitive Doula and Gentle Hands Doula Services
The countdown is starting. You have swollen feet, your back is stiff and you can’t sleep with this beach ball in your shirt one more night! Advice is probably washing over you till you’re numb and slightly paranoid all at once. As my mother used to say, “Wait till you cannot stand it one more minute…then it is about 2 more weeks.” Waiting can be almost torture, but if you use your time well it can be worth it.
Take a deep breath. Make your choices and prepare yourself emotionally, mentally and spiritually for the adventure of a life time. It is going to be a wild ride and the best thing to do is prepare for the challenge. You may feel like this is an impossible task. How can you prepare? Here are a few practical things to help you. Each woman’s needs are unique and so there is no good formula to follow. I cannot guide you into an easy labor. In fact, easy labor is rare. You might be that mom that things just go so perfectly for, but it is always good to be prepared for a lot of …well…blood, sweat and tears! Be mentally prepared to do the hardest work of your life and try to mentally get the picture of a marathon runner. You’re about to do something so hard that you will think it is impossible. Only a true rock star can do what you’re about to do.
So how do you equip yourself for such a task?
- Trust your instincts. A mother’s intuition starts before birth and only grows with time. This means not only listening to your body’s needs, but your own emotional needs too. Don’t be a martyr, take time and energy to really care for your needs.
-Do not invite fear to the party! This is your big day and while hard or even bad things can happen, inviting your fears to feed on your big day will not help anything and can actually cause more pain and more stress for you! Hold those things in check. A great thing to do while you sit around waiting for labor to start is to prepare things that will inspire and encourage you when labor gets hard. Things like a picture of your baby, a proverb or verse that speaks to you, songs and birth affirmations. Take the time to plan these out. You may not use them in labor at all, but they could be just the ticket to get you over those hurdles that intimidate you the most. Start instilling a can-do attitude in yourself now. Don’t confuse this with the often mistaken attitude that it will be easy because I’m having a good outlook. It will likely be hard, but you can do hard things. Sometimes fears stem from past experiences that we would never guess are connected to our births. You may need to take the time to list your fears and track where they are coming from. It might be appropriate to burn your list once you've gotten down a little more into the root problems.
-Make a birth plan and talk it over with your birth team (doctor, midwife, doula, spouse, friends, etc.). Try not to get all crazy-detailed with this. Tips for a great birth plan include: bullet points, one page, positive wording. You don’t want to find out that your doctor always does an episiotomy as he/she is cutting one – talk out all the details and be willing to move on to someone that’s supportive. This can be very hard emotionally, but a good bedside manner is not the same as real support. Find out before labor starts exactly where your care provider stands on things that matter to you.
-Check on the position of your baby. A lot of moms these days have what is called “back labor” or a “sunny-side-up” baby. These can be much slower and more intense. A great website for this is www.Spinningbabies.com . This website is dedicated to helping moms get their babies into a great birth position. Along with this, I often have moms see a chiropractor. If your baby is sunny side up (OP), breech or transverse a good chiropractor can often help you correct the problem before labor starts. Also, using a birth ball (exercise ball) to sit on during meals and when watching TV can help with this.
-Things that can indicate you’re about to start real labor can be a burst of energy or an energy crash. A sudden increase in discharge is also common. You might get some blood streaks and large amounts of mucus or just a lot of fluid. Abdominal cramps and loose stool can be a sign of labor’s dawn. Nausea, throwing up, strange food cravings…these can all happen. Sudden shifts in mood are often common for pre and early labor. A surge of new hormones can make one mom very energetic and can depress another.
-Talk openly about your fears, worries and needs. Those supporting you may not remember that you really get bad headaches when you’re stressing…remind them to keep their eyes open for your signs of stress. Common things are: neck pain, jaw tension, hunched shoulders, clenched fists, eyes shut very tight, breathing very fast or holding the breath a long time, disconnecting emotionally (seeming calm but panicked on the inside), etc. If you have particular triggers that you’re worried about please be sure to talk those over too. Your whole birth team does need to know if you have been through any kind of abuse. They don’t need details, but a little information can help them avoid pushing you into trauma memories.
-Your birth is not going to be like anyone else’s. Like a finger print, your birth is going to be unique and no one can tell you it has to be done their way. Don’t let anyone belittle your plans or put you on the path to self-doubt. Choose wisely what is best for you and your baby.
-Breath.
You can visit Rebecca's website at
http://gentlehandsdoulaservices.webs.com
By Rebecca Dundore, Doula Educator – Intuitive Doula and Gentle Hands Doula Services
The countdown is starting. You have swollen feet, your back is stiff and you can’t sleep with this beach ball in your shirt one more night! Advice is probably washing over you till you’re numb and slightly paranoid all at once. As my mother used to say, “Wait till you cannot stand it one more minute…then it is about 2 more weeks.” Waiting can be almost torture, but if you use your time well it can be worth it.
Take a deep breath. Make your choices and prepare yourself emotionally, mentally and spiritually for the adventure of a life time. It is going to be a wild ride and the best thing to do is prepare for the challenge. You may feel like this is an impossible task. How can you prepare? Here are a few practical things to help you. Each woman’s needs are unique and so there is no good formula to follow. I cannot guide you into an easy labor. In fact, easy labor is rare. You might be that mom that things just go so perfectly for, but it is always good to be prepared for a lot of …well…blood, sweat and tears! Be mentally prepared to do the hardest work of your life and try to mentally get the picture of a marathon runner. You’re about to do something so hard that you will think it is impossible. Only a true rock star can do what you’re about to do.
So how do you equip yourself for such a task?
- Trust your instincts. A mother’s intuition starts before birth and only grows with time. This means not only listening to your body’s needs, but your own emotional needs too. Don’t be a martyr, take time and energy to really care for your needs.
-Do not invite fear to the party! This is your big day and while hard or even bad things can happen, inviting your fears to feed on your big day will not help anything and can actually cause more pain and more stress for you! Hold those things in check. A great thing to do while you sit around waiting for labor to start is to prepare things that will inspire and encourage you when labor gets hard. Things like a picture of your baby, a proverb or verse that speaks to you, songs and birth affirmations. Take the time to plan these out. You may not use them in labor at all, but they could be just the ticket to get you over those hurdles that intimidate you the most. Start instilling a can-do attitude in yourself now. Don’t confuse this with the often mistaken attitude that it will be easy because I’m having a good outlook. It will likely be hard, but you can do hard things. Sometimes fears stem from past experiences that we would never guess are connected to our births. You may need to take the time to list your fears and track where they are coming from. It might be appropriate to burn your list once you've gotten down a little more into the root problems.
-Make a birth plan and talk it over with your birth team (doctor, midwife, doula, spouse, friends, etc.). Try not to get all crazy-detailed with this. Tips for a great birth plan include: bullet points, one page, positive wording. You don’t want to find out that your doctor always does an episiotomy as he/she is cutting one – talk out all the details and be willing to move on to someone that’s supportive. This can be very hard emotionally, but a good bedside manner is not the same as real support. Find out before labor starts exactly where your care provider stands on things that matter to you.
-Check on the position of your baby. A lot of moms these days have what is called “back labor” or a “sunny-side-up” baby. These can be much slower and more intense. A great website for this is www.Spinningbabies.com . This website is dedicated to helping moms get their babies into a great birth position. Along with this, I often have moms see a chiropractor. If your baby is sunny side up (OP), breech or transverse a good chiropractor can often help you correct the problem before labor starts. Also, using a birth ball (exercise ball) to sit on during meals and when watching TV can help with this.
-Things that can indicate you’re about to start real labor can be a burst of energy or an energy crash. A sudden increase in discharge is also common. You might get some blood streaks and large amounts of mucus or just a lot of fluid. Abdominal cramps and loose stool can be a sign of labor’s dawn. Nausea, throwing up, strange food cravings…these can all happen. Sudden shifts in mood are often common for pre and early labor. A surge of new hormones can make one mom very energetic and can depress another.
-Talk openly about your fears, worries and needs. Those supporting you may not remember that you really get bad headaches when you’re stressing…remind them to keep their eyes open for your signs of stress. Common things are: neck pain, jaw tension, hunched shoulders, clenched fists, eyes shut very tight, breathing very fast or holding the breath a long time, disconnecting emotionally (seeming calm but panicked on the inside), etc. If you have particular triggers that you’re worried about please be sure to talk those over too. Your whole birth team does need to know if you have been through any kind of abuse. They don’t need details, but a little information can help them avoid pushing you into trauma memories.
-Your birth is not going to be like anyone else’s. Like a finger print, your birth is going to be unique and no one can tell you it has to be done their way. Don’t let anyone belittle your plans or put you on the path to self-doubt. Choose wisely what is best for you and your baby.
-Breath.
You can visit Rebecca's website at
http://gentlehandsdoulaservices.webs.com
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