TWO

Number of loved ones suffering infections by hospitals and hospital procedures in the past two weeks...TWO.

THANKS HOSPITALS!!!

TWINS

Right now, I am ALL ABOUT learning about twin pregnancies.... :)

Here is the first note from the *learn something new every day* file:

By around the 36th week of twin pregnancy the positions of twins in the womb will not likely change. Generally, because of the sheer lack of space to move around. Here is a simple visual guide to some of the different positions twins may take on during the course of pregnancy. This is an easy way to familiarize yourself with some of terms used to describe different positions. (www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com)











Fun stuff!!! Stay tuned! :)

Art and Pregs

Here's one from the *Learn Something New Everyday* file...

I was looking for a strong-pregnant-woman image in honor of a dear friend Kelly who gave natural childbirth to her second child and first daughter this past month. Thank the universe that she educated herself and knew exactly what she did and did not want out of her hospital experience. She had taken steps to have someone she was comfortable with, a certified nurse midwife, present as her primary birth facilitator.

However, after the birth, when healthy mom and baby were recovering, an MD decided (with a phone-in decision...no direct observation or patient visit) based on to two borderline blood pressure readings, that pre-eclampsia was a concern and she would inflict magnesium on the patient. For those that don't know, the primary treatment for pre-eclampsia is yes, delivering a baby. Additionally, mag has these lovely COMMON side effects:

• Flushing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Palpitations
• Headache
• General muscle weakness
• Lethargy
• Constipation

Being of sound mind and common sense, my friend politely and firmly declined this treatment. To which the doctor said, "okay". I guess it wasn't that important after all.

Back to the image I found....Hope II by Gustav Klimt.
Yep that's one beautiful pregnant mama.

During the search, I also found the first Hope by Klimt:

Stunning.
I didn't realize Klimt was so into the pregos.

And finally, through the magic of the internet, I learn that Dave Navarro, formerly of the group Jane's Addition, has a tattoo of Hope on his forearm. The artist in question desperately lacking the talent of Klimt.Learn something new every day!

Myth #783 - Birth is Scaaaary

Uh, yeah.
What SHE said.

www.haveanaturalchildbirth.com

Your Best Birth

I'm in love with this book already.
Go buy it and support safe birthing options and
and EVIDENCE-BASED model for maternity care.Know Your Options

Discover the Natural Choices
TAKE BACK the Birth Experience

Pregnant in America

AWESOME movie. It's available through netflix. A wonderful and simple documentary of a couple researching their options for the birth of their first child, and how they are treated by the people in the business along the way.

I heard about it from the water birth conference in Myrtle Beach, where I got to meet the one and only Barbara Harper, queen mother of water birth and world traveling advocate of natural childbirth. She's awesome. I learned so much. My favorite statistic was this....

Once you are induced (typically with pitocin), you increase your chance of a c-section 50% !!!

I have no idea why (beyond true emergencies) anyone thinks being induced is a good idea. Pit contractions are hard and fast and almost guarantee a torn va-jay-jay.

I have so much info to share from Barbara Harper and Pregnant in America. For now, here is a bit about epidurals. So many women underestimate their potential to work through a little discomfort, they'd rather pay the hundreds of dollars (thousands?) for medicine that may not work properly, that will necessitate a catheter in your urethra, immobilize you, and force you into THE PHYSICALLY and PHYSIOLOGICALLY WORST POSITION POSSIBLE FOR BIRTH. Here are are just a few additional risks that go along with epidurals...

toxic drug reaction

rash

itchiness

fever

allergic shock

infection

severe headache

nausea

frequent vomiting

frequent shivering

difficulty breathing

unconsciousness

convulsions

septic meningitis

fecal and urinary incontinence

bladder catheterization

bacterial meningitis

hypotension (can lead to emergency c-section)

seizures

trauma

prolonged labor

weaker uterine contractions

inability for woman to push the baby out

increased likelihood of being induced

increased likelihood of forceps

increased likelihood of episiotomy

increase likelihood of c-section

accidental injection of anesthetic into the blood stream

punctured dura

post dural puncture

headache (PDPH)

feelings of emotional detatchment

decreased maternal-infant bonding

complications to the baby

direct drug toxicity to baby

allergic reaction

fetal drowsiness

fetal respiratory insufficiency

fetal distress

abnormal fetal heart rate

fetal hyperthermia

neonatal jaundice

poor fetal muscle strength

death of the baby

increased likelihood of post-partum depression

neurological complications

permanent nerve damage

chronic back pain

chronic migraine headaches

chronic “pins and needles”

numbness and tingling of the lower limbs

chronic bladder dysfunction

loss of sensation and sexual function

damage to spinal cord

paraplegia

cardiac arrest

maternal death

Is it worth it???

Isla Fisher

Isla is the cute crazy red-head from Wedding Crashers, who is also married to Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) in real life....(learn something new every day, right?)

Isla Fisher on

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

(from O Magazine)

"Women are happy to tell you their terrifying birth stories, but nobody tells you the positive ones. So if you're going to have a baby, you have to read this - its a collection of stories of women's birth experiences plus loads of practical information. In today's world of modern medicine, it's so easy to have the experience of pregnancy and birth taken out of your hands: You're measured and blood-tested and ultrasounded. Sometimes it feels as if the whole experience is happening to you. But women have the right to have the birthing experience we desire - whether it's a Cesarean or a natural birth - and to have the fear of pain removed. A friend, Naomi Watts, gave me this book when I was pregnant. It was such a special time for me, and it was such a relief to read these stories."

So, I don't necessarily agree that Cesareans should be provided upon request, and I think that women need to do their own mental cleansing and exorcising in order to "remove the fear of pain"....but otherwise...I'm so happy she found peace in Ina May's book and is sharing it with O Magazine readers.