The Folly of Naegle's Rule

"The 40 week due date is based upon Naegele's Rule. This theory was originated by Harmanni Boerhaave, a botanist who in 1744 came up with a method of calculating the EDD based upon "evidence" in the Bible that human gestation lasts approximately 10 lunar months. The formula was publicized around 1812 by German obstetrician Franz Naegele and since has become the accepted norm for calculating the due date. There is one glaring flaw in Naegele's rule. Strictly speaking, a lunar (or synodic - from new moon to new moon) month is actually 29.53 days, which makes 10 lunar months roughly 295 days, a full 15 days longer than the 280 days gestation we've been lead to believe is average. In fact, if left alone, 50-80% of mothers will gestate beyond 40 weeks."

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1047180/the_lie_of_the_edd_why_your_due_date.html

Ani D revisited

Ani DiFranco Interview with Mindful Mama Magazine from Mindful Mama Magazine on Vimeo.

Not Just Skin

My new favorite website....
www.NotJustSkin.org

I love this line on the homepage:

"We will succeed at developing a warm, nonviolent society to the extent that we are aware and intentional in our choices."

Very true.  This means, not accepting blindly what has always been done, and asking the question, "Is this a traditional belief or is it supported by the best clinical evidence?"

I started out looking for some information about how to avoid an episiotomy, or dramatic tearing of the perineum during birth, and found some great information on circumcisions and how to create a non-toxic household.  I'll definitely be reading/posting more.

As for the perineum, it turns out that appropriate nutrition can really help to protect your lady parts.

Good nutrition and hydration are very important for tissue health and elasticity. "Good nutrition is vital to your body's work in preparing the perineum for stretching during birth. Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause the tissues of your cervix and perineum to become extremely thick and elastic. Crucial to this process is an adequate intake of protein, vitamin E, and short-chain fatty acids, which consist of two types of 'good' fat, Omega-3 and Omega-6. Short-chain fatty acids are found in nuts and seeds, cold-pressed oils, all types of beans, and fish such as salmon and tuna" "Avoiding an Episiotomy", Nancy Griffin, Mothering Magazine, # 75, summer 1995, (p 60).

Vitamin E can be especially helpful (at least 1,000 mg per day). Food sources include: Wheat germ oil, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, safflower oil, peanuts, corn oil, soybean oil, and lobster.

Vitamin C is also very beneficial for tissue health, cellular integrity, elasticity and regeneration.

Bioflavanoids. These are the compounds that make oranges orange, blueberries blue, and cherries red. These crystalline compounds give foods their bright colors and great taste. More than 4,000 flavonoids are known. While sometimes-called vitamin P, they are not truly vitamins. The medicinal effects of many foods and herbs are due to their flavonoid content. The most well known flavonoids are PCOs (proanthocyanidins), quercetin, citrus bioflavanoids, and green tea polyphenols. Some foods rich in flavonoids are blueberries, cherries, citrus fruits, pears, grapes, cabbage, legumes, plums, and onions.

I will be stocking up on my vitamins, for sure. :)

Yay Duggars!

After the births of 17 of his siblings by his parents, Michelle and JimBob Duggar, first born Josh Duggar and his new bride Anna decided on a homebirth for their first baby.  YAY!!! 

Mackynzie Renee Duggar was born October 8, 2009 at home.

Anna walked around during early labor to help the baby descend, and used the shower for massage.  From what the viewers saw, it was a peaceful delivery.  I was SO happy to see a gentle birth story instead of the typical screaming, knife wielding, drug pushing, masked situation you usually see on TV births.

HOWEVER, I must point out an inaccuracy that upset me.  The Duggars said that they invited their childbirth instructor to attend as their doula at their birth.  A doula is not qualified to deliver a baby and provides no medical care.  A doula is trained to offer emotional, physical, and psychological support throughout labor and birth.

A Licensed Midwife (LM), or a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) provides prenatal care, delivery of the baby and postpartum care.  The midwife is responsible for the safety of the mother and baby.  They determine if the labor and birth is progressing well, or if there is a need for hospital transfer (in the case of a birth center or homebirth).

I'm hoping that this woman was trained as a midwife, but the narration just didn't mention it.  Homebirth is safe only when a skilled and experienced primary care provider is in attendence.

Dear Doctor

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my letter and inform me of the fact that your entire practice cannot support homebirth (vicarious liability is a powerful thing).

However, I have to let you know that I question the *information* you used in an attempt to scare me out of my homebirth decision.

Although I did not attend medical school, I doubt that there is a way to predict if and how many times an fetus will wrap itself in the umbilical cord. Beyond that, I'm relatively sure you cannot attribute it to the mother.

Finally, the weight of a baby cannot be accurately predicted prebirth, even with maternal measurements and sonograms. So I'm also pretty sure that the weight cannot be predicted sight unseen, based on previous pregnancies and withOUT said measurements and sonograms.

Good try though. Good luck with your fearmongering.....I mean, business.

Sincerely,
an educated pregnant mother

Doulas Rule

In honor of completing the next step in my DONA Doula training, I'll post the praises of doulas, per the Cochrane Collaboration, which provides "systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions."

http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003766.html

"Continuous support in labour increased the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth, had no identified adverse effects and women were more satisfied.

Historically women have been attended and supported by other women during labour and birth. However in many countries these days, as more women are giving birth in hospital rather than at home, continuous support during labour has become the exception rather than the norm. This has raised concerns about the consequent dehumanization of women's childbirth experiences. Modern obstetric care frequently subjects women to institutional routines, which may have adverse effects on the progress of labour. Supportive care during labour may involve emotional support, comfort measures, information and advocacy. These may enhance normal labour processes as well as women's feelings of control and competence, and thus reduce the need for obstetric intervention. The review of studies included 16 trials, from 11 countries, involving over 13,000 women in a wide range of settings and circumstances. Women who received continuous labour support were more likely to give birth 'spontaneously', i.e. give birth with neither caesarean nor vacuum nor forceps. In addition, women were less likely to use pain medications, were more likely to be satisfied, and had slightly shorter labours. In general, labour support appeared to be more effective when it was provided by women who were not part of the hospital staff. It also appeared to be more effective when commenced early in labour. No adverse effects were identified."

Orgasmic

This makes me cry.
My favorite is the look on mom's face in the very last scene.
You don't get that kind of joy from drugs.