In spite of all the advertising touting "home-like" birthing rooms in hospitals, for most women, a hospital birth will be nothing like a home birth. Interventions are routine in the hospitals in my state. Every laboring woman will be hooked up for some period of time to an electronic fetal monitor, given vaginal exams, and be told where and in what position she must give birth. If her membranes are ruptured, she will be required to deliver her baby within a certain time period. If her labor is moving too slowly, she will be given pitocin to augment it or have her water artificially ruptured. She will be told how many companions she may have with her. If she has other children she may or may not include them at the birth. How long she is kept in the hospital will vary depending on her physicianand the particular hospital. How soon her baby will be released also will depend on the baby's pediatrician and hospital policy. Some of the more common interventions that take place during hospital births are discussed below.
AMNIOTOMY
Artificially breaking the amniotic sac is done routinely at many hospitals to speed labor up, get labor going, to test thefluid or to get it out of the way so that an internal monitor can be screwed into the baby's head. It was believed that breaking the water would speed up labor by 30 to 60 minutes butthe only randomized control trial done disproved this. This procedure causes cord prolapse, a serious complication for the baby and increases the chances of an infection. With less amniotic fluid in the uterus during labor, the baby has a greater risk of cord compression problems leading to fetal distress and malpositions of the head.
DRUGS & EPIDURALS
Nearly every woman giving birth in a hospital will receive a drug at some point during her stay. Pitocin is frequently usedto induce or augment labor. Because it causes abnormally strong contractions, many women receive a pain-relieving drug such as a narcotic. Unfortunately, narcotics also are received by the baby and can affect the condition of the baby at birth and for years after. Some of these side effects are respiratory problems,impaired muscular, visual and neural development in the firstweek of life and in the following years, lower reading and spelling scores, difficulty in solving problems or performing tasks when they pose a challenge.
The new drug of choice at many hospitals is the epidural. It must be administered by an anesthesiologist and requires the mother to remain in bed afterward. She must be flushed with an IV fluid prior to getting it to keep her blood pressure up. A needle is inserted into the woman's back and small catheter is left in place where the medication is injected. It numbs the woman's body from the ribs to the toes. Many women ask for this drug because they do not want to deal with the pain of childbirth and believe it is safe for themselves and their babies because the physician who administered it, their obstetrician and the labor and delivery nurses all encourage the use of it and give no information regarding side effects.
The known complications are many ranging from requiring EFM, IV, immobility, urinary catheterization. An epidural also may allow no sensation of labor or the pushing urge, lower blood pressure, abnormally relax the pelvic muscles which may encourage the baby to adopt malpositions of the head, may decrease the production of oxytocin at critical times, and increase the need for forceps and cesarean section. Epidurals cause some serious complications such as heart attack, spinal damage, and spinal headache. After the birth, chronic backache is a common complaint as well as backache. The baby may be exposed to narcotic drugs given to enhance the effect of the epidural and which if given alone can compromise the baby's respiratory efforts as well as require the newborn to metabolize the drugs. We do not know the short or long term effects of the epidural or other drugs on the baby. Some claim that the baby is unaffected unless the mother becomes hypotensive. Some non-interventionist birth attendants recognize that occasionally epidurals may be useful for certain situations. Some examples when an epidural may permit a normal birth are for maternal exhaustion, severe back labor, certain malpresentations or psychological dystocia. Although the FDA approves drugs as safe or unsafe, they have no definition of safe and do not guarantee safety of drugs. Many who work with brain damaged children, wonder if the disability is due to obstetric drug use. They also question if women would make the drug choice if they were given complete information about side effects. The American Academy of Pediatricians discourages the routine use of obstetric drugs.
ENEMAS
This procedure is still done routinely at many hospitals, although no research proves any benefits for the mother or baby. Home birth and natural birth advocates recognize that for the vast majority of women, the process of labor will empty thebowels.
EPISIOTOMY
Although many believe that an ep[isiotomy is necessary to have a baby to prevent damage to the baby's head, prevent trauma tothe mother's perineum and the cut will heal faster and prevent3rd and 4th degree tears, no research supports these myths. Shiela Kitzinger writes that 9 out of 10 American women will have an episiotomy with her first baby although in Holland, only 2 or 3 out of 10 will. The facts are that episiotomy is a cultural phenomena. Research shows that episiotomy is donebecause the doctor was trained to do it, not because it was anecessary procedure. It can be avoided by using more physiologic positions to give birth (not lithotomy), pushing only when mom feels need to, giving birth gently, slowly to thehead, preparing for the birth by doing perineal massage andKegel exercise, avoiding forceps delivery.
FORCEPS & VACUUM EXTRACTOR
Forceps are obstetrical tools which are shaped like large spoons have been in use since the 1500's. Years ago, forceps were used for many problems which are now handled by cesarean section. Today, most forceps deliveries are low forceps, which means they are applied when the babies head is low in the pelvis and birth is imminent. According to Henci Goer, "There is no research to support the elective use of forceps.
"The risks to the mother are perineal trauma, extensive episiotomy, possible extension tearing from episiotomy, hematoma and nerve damage. Lasting effects of forceps or vacuum extraction to the mother may be anal incontinence in spite of a repaired third degree tear. The baby may have damage to the head, eyes, the nerves that lead to the face and neck and arms. However, an article written by a physician which appeared in Parents magazine claims, "Medical studies comparing outlet forceps deliveries with spontaneous (no forceps) deliveries have shown that there is no difference in risk to the baby."(Emphasis mine)
Vacuum extraction is a newer technology that sometimes takesthe place of forceps. As with low forceps, the baby's head must be very low in the pelvis before the suction cup can be attached. It has the benefit of not requiring an episiotomy andmaternal perineal trauma is less than with forceps, but the babystill has the possibility of trauma to the head and face.Chiropractors also recognize that pulling a baby out by thehead changes the spinal alignment, although this is notrecognized in any medical texts.
IMMOBILITY
Along with the lithotomy position comes immobility. It is impossible to move around when you are flat on your back. It's even more difficult if you have internal and external fetal monitors attached to your body, an IV running into your arm and after a narcotic drug was given to "take the edge off." It goes without saying, that if you had an epidural, you would not be going anywhere at all as your legs would have no feeling.
Some hospitals encourage walking and moving around. Others do not like you to be out of your room, which may be quite small and loaded with equipment, making any real walking about nearly impossible. Studies have shown that moving about and being upright can shorten labor as well as changing positions.
INDUCTION
According to statistics from the health department in Wisconsin, one-third of all births in that state are the result of induction, the artificial starting of labor. Most inductions are accomplished using pitocin in an intravenous solution or artificially rupturing the amniotic sac. The reasons for doing this are many. One of the most common for healthy full-term women, is fear of going too far past the "due date" and having a baby with postmature syndrome or meconium staining. Another reason is fear of having a big baby.
Benefits of inducing would seem to be avoiding postmature syndrome, attempting to deliver a baby that had grown too big for the mother and bypassing meconium staining. However, studies fail to confirm this line of thought. The actual amountof time needed for a baby to grow to term varies and figuring an exact due date for each baby has not yet been done. Ultrasounds have at best a 10 day window of error if done in the first trimester. The phenomenon of postdates, is poorly understood. Macrosomia occurs prior to postdates as does "postmaturesyndrome." (p. 181) The entity of postmature syndrome is based on a single physicians "subjective evaluation of 37 babies." Research seems to indicate that watchful waiting is the more prudent course of action for healthy women.
IV
At a great many U.S. institutions, one of the first items of care to be rendered to the obstetric patient will be her IV,"just in case." Just in case she needs drugs or surgery or her veins collapse making insertion of an IV impossible. Nancy Wainer Cohen and Lois Estner interviewed many labor and delivery nurses to find out how frequently a laboring woman's veins collapsed. They learned that this does not happen. This is not the way birth happens in other nations, where a laboring woman is permitted to eat and drink lightly. This cultural warping began in the 1940's when anesthesia was being given to nearly all birthing women by mask and vomiting and food aspiration were risks associated with this. Eliminating food and drink, they felt would eliminate this risk. Today, however, anesthesia methods have improved and this is no longer the problem it once was. Improved intubation techniques make this problem virtually a thing of the past. Doris Haire, a maternity care writer, in looking at 20 years of medical literature on aspiration during surgery found that the cause was not eating or drinking prior to the surgery, but caused by incompetence of the anesthesiologist.
General anesthesia is given to approximately 4% of those who undergo cesarean section. Approximately 0.3% cesarean surgeries will require intubation that will be difficult to do yet not all women who require intubation will aspirate. This translates into denying all laboring women food and drink because 1 cesarean sectioned woman out of 10,000 may aspirate.
Although IV's are supposed to keep the stomach empty, a glucoseIV actually works to slow down the emptying of the stomach. It also may encourage tissues to swell so that it makes it moredifficult to intubate, if that becomes necessary. IV fluidaccumulates in the bladder and that may slow down labor. Somewomen may have sensitivities to the IV and have a reaction fromone. It restricts the woman's mobility. The needle in the arm ispainful and inhibits free movement. The baby also may suffer from the mother's IV, as studies are being done to determine if the excessive sugar administered through a glucose IV may harmthe baby.
About The Author: Yvonne Lapp Cryns is the owner of Midwives.net - http://www.midwives.net/ Yvonne is the co-founder of Nursing Programs Online at http://www.nursingprogramsonline.com/and a contributor to The Compleat Mother Magazine athttp://www.compleatmother.com/ . Yvonne is also a law school graduate, a registered nurse and a Certified ProfessionalMidwife.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Snow in Georgia
The weather here in Georgia has been absolutely crazy. On Wednesday we had snow. It sent the whole city into a bit of a panic. Schools were shutting down. There was a run on groceries at the stores. People were just nuts. Friday, the weather was in the mid 50s and beautiful. Today it got cold again and it snowed. While our yard doesn't seem to hold snow well and we had a lot of bare spots, most of the neighbors had close to an inch. The kids went into the backyard and built a snowman. Even though we are from Michigan and have spent a lot of time in the snow, this was the first snowman they had made. It's not pretty, but it's THEIRS. ;)
Friday, January 18, 2008
Friday Funny *1-18-08*
How many chiropractors does it take to change a light bulb?
Only one but it will take him 7 visits to do it.
Only one but it will take him 7 visits to do it.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Georgia Snow
A few weeks ago, Micah asked me when he got to play in snow. My answer? "When you are 7." Why 7? Because that is when we will be moving back home to Michigan. While we hope to be back next Christmas, who knows what will happen. The past several years, michigan winters have sucked, to put it mildly. Of course the year we leave, they have an amazing winter and seem to constantly be getting snow. FIGURES!! Well, we in Atlanta got a little snow of our own today. :) It was funny to hear students walk out the building in shear amazement because they've never seen snow before. Many tried to take pictures of the flurries and were disappointed when their cellphones didn't capture the flakes. By the time we got home tonight, we had an inch of snow at our house and the news said that a few areas got up to 4"!!!!! This is not normal down here and people don't know what to do. The news tonight is already filled with schools that are closed tomorrow, even though it should all turn to rain overnight. It's quite humerous to all of us Michiganders. Here are a couple pics from my yard tonight.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Tuesday Twelve *1-15-08*
1. I just started the DC program yesterday
2. These 7am classes really suck!!! I had to get up at 5:15 to leave by 6.
3. I'm looking forward to the spring.
4. I love bears.
5. I hate birds
6. The one thing about myself I would change is my smile/teeth.
7. I also want to have my boobs done someday.
8. I was married at 19 years old.
9. I just had my 12th wedding anniversary.
10. That makes me.....you do the math!
11. I just had an IUD put in so I don't have more kids. (How's that for TMI)
12. Last but not least for today, I'm starting to like coffee!
2. These 7am classes really suck!!! I had to get up at 5:15 to leave by 6.
3. I'm looking forward to the spring.
4. I love bears.
5. I hate birds
6. The one thing about myself I would change is my smile/teeth.
7. I also want to have my boobs done someday.
8. I was married at 19 years old.
9. I just had my 12th wedding anniversary.
10. That makes me.....you do the math!
11. I just had an IUD put in so I don't have more kids. (How's that for TMI)
12. Last but not least for today, I'm starting to like coffee!
Monday, January 14, 2008
An Amazing Birth Story
I was reading some birth stories today and I love what this lady says. She says it so perfectly that I decided to go ahead and post it.
"We are "taught" to fear birth, not embrace it. We are treated as if we are not "qualified" to understand the process or reason to give life which leaves us disoriented, depressed and detached. We are indoctrinated with myth instead of truth to support an insignificant and unneeded field of "medicine". To neonatal and infant surgeons, I tip my hat of respect to you; but to the many men and women OB's who "manage" normal pregnancies and meddle with a natural process turning it from peaceful to pathological for sake of experimentation, self importance or money; you are to me, a tool of ignorance that has injured many generations of innocence. For you I have pity.
If my story plays even a small part to change the evolution of though concerning birth in just one woman and help her "UN"learn the lies and deception that has forced many of us into unnecessary situations, procedures and in some cases statistics, and help her trust her body; then I would forever be grateful, humbled and satisfied. Our body was designed to give birth, and we should not tread lightly on the canvas of the one who created them. Let the truth be the healing balm to hurting wombs everywhere."
http://www.empoweredchildbirth.com/stories/Darla_Jessica.html
This is an AMAZING read and I highly recommend the time it takes to read it.
"We are "taught" to fear birth, not embrace it. We are treated as if we are not "qualified" to understand the process or reason to give life which leaves us disoriented, depressed and detached. We are indoctrinated with myth instead of truth to support an insignificant and unneeded field of "medicine". To neonatal and infant surgeons, I tip my hat of respect to you; but to the many men and women OB's who "manage" normal pregnancies and meddle with a natural process turning it from peaceful to pathological for sake of experimentation, self importance or money; you are to me, a tool of ignorance that has injured many generations of innocence. For you I have pity.
If my story plays even a small part to change the evolution of though concerning birth in just one woman and help her "UN"learn the lies and deception that has forced many of us into unnecessary situations, procedures and in some cases statistics, and help her trust her body; then I would forever be grateful, humbled and satisfied. Our body was designed to give birth, and we should not tread lightly on the canvas of the one who created them. Let the truth be the healing balm to hurting wombs everywhere."
http://www.empoweredchildbirth.com/stories/Darla_Jessica.html
This is an AMAZING read and I highly recommend the time it takes to read it.
Fetus Ejection Reflex
I've been doing some reading on Fetus Ejection Reflex (FER) and have found the concept most intriguing. While I never knew there was an actual term for it, I know that this is how my body handles delivering it's babies. During FER a woman may suddenly have a small outburst of fear. It's typical to hear "I'm not going to make it", "I can't do this", or some other seemingly irrational saying. Her body may arch forward into more of an upright position. She has an overwhelming ability to push that can't be stopped even if trying. In a hospital setting, labor is often seen as 3 stages...early labor, transition and the final stage of labor (which is pushing). During these stages, interventions are taken at each step of the way and some of these interventions decrease the mothers ability to know and understand FER. For instance, pitocin being used in the early stages, brings on unnatural contractions that are not what the body wants to do. Instead of the uterus working from top to bottom to push baby out (like a wave) the uterus has intense contractions through the whole thing and no wave pattern is created. A natural contraction also has a peak and a low point, with a small resting phase in between contractions. When pitocin is used, the contractions are right on top of each other, with no rest between, and causing the uterus to get overly tired and 'stressed' causing it to not work the way it naturally should to expel the baby. Throughout labor, vitals are checked, nurses come in and out, monitors are beeping. This all causes a bit of 'uneasiness' even if mom doesn't fully realize it. It still causes her to be uncomfortable. There is at some point in every woman's labor, a point where she wants to make noise or scream, but many women don't want people to hear them so they try to fight that urge, putting more pressure on themselves and causing their body to not react the way it was created to. Those kind of stresses all work AGAINST labor and the way that the body is supposed to react to the baby. As the final stage approaches and a woman is fully dilated, she is often told be being pushing. Many women can push for hours, even though their body has no desire to. This pushing can cause unnecessary tearing as it is putting an abnormal amount of pressure onto the cervix and vaginal area. Oxygen can be decreased to both mom and baby as mom holds her breathe to push. It causes the mother to be overly tired from working harder than she needs to. Swelling in the vaginal area can (and does often) occure, causing even more intense tearing and pain. The mothers blood pressure can rise as she is working harder than she probably ever has in her life and is becoming stressed. The list goes on and on.
A mother who is left to her own instincts however, will have very few (if any) of these above mentioned issues. Her body knows when it needs to push and it will push on it's own, without the extra effort from her. Usually when this happens in a hospital and a woman is finally getting that overwhelming urge to push, she is told to STOP pushing and to 'pant'. Who is the 'genius' who thought this process up?? Talk about 100% unnatural! It's like telling someone to not their next breath. It's not possible. The body needs to breathe just like in that moment, the body needs to push out the baby. A baby is eventually going to come out, whether a mom tries to not push (and instead pants) or not. A baby isn't going to stay in the body forever.
I have 3 examples in my own 4 pregnancies of FER. With baby #2, my labor progressed quickly. I went from 7cm-10cm in a matter of a minute. The nurse had just checked me and left the room when I felt the need to push. Of course, being the all knowing, 'educated' nurse, she knew more about my body than I did and said it wasn't possible since I was only 7cm. I told my husband that she better get in there or the baby would be on the floor. Reluctantly she came back, rechecked and sure enough, I was 10cm and baby was 'right there'. She of course paniced since nothing was ready and the doctor was no where to be seen. She did the traditional "pant, don't push" line and went to call the doctor. I remember telling the intern at the end of my bed could catch this baby cause there was no way I could keep it in, even if I tried. The head crowned and the doctor got there just in time to give me a VERY unnecessary episiotomy catch the baby. He did nothing to assist in the delivery. My body had taken over and my body had delivered the baby, without any help or hinderance from me.
With my 3rd baby, I was in the car on the way to the hospital. My husband was out of town on business and baby was 3 weeks early. I remember telling my mom "My water just broke. You need to go fast because it won't be long now" and then seconds later saying "I NEED to push". She too said "Don't push. You need to blow". I was holding on to the "Oh Shit" bar at the top of the car and pulling my bottom off of the seat. I knew baby was crowning and was afraid it would deliver and didn't want to smoosh it. (Funny sounding when I think back on it). I tried with everything in me to not push. We pulled up the ER and by the time they got me on a table and got my pants off, the head was already out. There was no intentional pushing my baby girl out. My body took over and FER took control.
With my fourth pregnancy I decided that I didn't need the outside 'help' and that my body knew exactly what it needed to do. I decided early on that this baby would be born at home. I remember that feeling of 'ring of fire' as baby's head began to crown. That was the last I remember of straining. I put my hands on the points that were burning and my baby boy slid out. There was no effort from me except for pulling him from the water and to my chest. I never once forced a push out. My body gently slid him out.
So, while there will alway be the camp that says that 'purple pushing' is necessary, there is NO proof that needless pushing increases the speed of labor. In fact, the evidence is beginning to show the exact opposite to be true. It works in reverse of what the desired goal is.
For further research on FER:
http://www.activebirthpools.com/chapter3.html
http://www.wombecology.com/fetusejection.html
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0617.asp
A mother who is left to her own instincts however, will have very few (if any) of these above mentioned issues. Her body knows when it needs to push and it will push on it's own, without the extra effort from her. Usually when this happens in a hospital and a woman is finally getting that overwhelming urge to push, she is told to STOP pushing and to 'pant'. Who is the 'genius' who thought this process up?? Talk about 100% unnatural! It's like telling someone to not their next breath. It's not possible. The body needs to breathe just like in that moment, the body needs to push out the baby. A baby is eventually going to come out, whether a mom tries to not push (and instead pants) or not. A baby isn't going to stay in the body forever.
I have 3 examples in my own 4 pregnancies of FER. With baby #2, my labor progressed quickly. I went from 7cm-10cm in a matter of a minute. The nurse had just checked me and left the room when I felt the need to push. Of course, being the all knowing, 'educated' nurse, she knew more about my body than I did and said it wasn't possible since I was only 7cm. I told my husband that she better get in there or the baby would be on the floor. Reluctantly she came back, rechecked and sure enough, I was 10cm and baby was 'right there'. She of course paniced since nothing was ready and the doctor was no where to be seen. She did the traditional "pant, don't push" line and went to call the doctor. I remember telling the intern at the end of my bed could catch this baby cause there was no way I could keep it in, even if I tried. The head crowned and the doctor got there just in time to give me a VERY unnecessary episiotomy catch the baby. He did nothing to assist in the delivery. My body had taken over and my body had delivered the baby, without any help or hinderance from me.
With my 3rd baby, I was in the car on the way to the hospital. My husband was out of town on business and baby was 3 weeks early. I remember telling my mom "My water just broke. You need to go fast because it won't be long now" and then seconds later saying "I NEED to push". She too said "Don't push. You need to blow". I was holding on to the "Oh Shit" bar at the top of the car and pulling my bottom off of the seat. I knew baby was crowning and was afraid it would deliver and didn't want to smoosh it. (Funny sounding when I think back on it). I tried with everything in me to not push. We pulled up the ER and by the time they got me on a table and got my pants off, the head was already out. There was no intentional pushing my baby girl out. My body took over and FER took control.
With my fourth pregnancy I decided that I didn't need the outside 'help' and that my body knew exactly what it needed to do. I decided early on that this baby would be born at home. I remember that feeling of 'ring of fire' as baby's head began to crown. That was the last I remember of straining. I put my hands on the points that were burning and my baby boy slid out. There was no effort from me except for pulling him from the water and to my chest. I never once forced a push out. My body gently slid him out.
So, while there will alway be the camp that says that 'purple pushing' is necessary, there is NO proof that needless pushing increases the speed of labor. In fact, the evidence is beginning to show the exact opposite to be true. It works in reverse of what the desired goal is.
For further research on FER:
http://www.activebirthpools.com/chapter3.html
http://www.wombecology.com/fetusejection.html
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0617.asp
A substitute for natural pregnancy...*A little humor*
A little *humor*
A substitute for natural pregnancy...
--Author Unknown
A substitute for natural pregnancy has been developed by Breed Bronson, Inc., makers of Infantill formula and other baby products. The YOUterus/Plus-centa unit was introduced in pharmacies and discount stores nationwide today.
A company representative explained the rationale for the product: "Many women find it inconvenient to carry their fetuses and maintain a healthy food supply for them for an entire nine months. Pregnancy changes their figures, can interfere with job performance, and requires avoiding drugs and junk food. And some men don't like to be reminded that female sex organs don't exist solely for them."
After a woman's fetus is implanted in a YOUterus/Plus-centa, the unit is simply kept in contact with a body having a temperature of 98.6* F. "But after the second trimester, " commented the representative, "the fetus can maintain its own warmth. It can be left completely alone, except for periodic refilling of the Plus-centa feeding solution."
When asked if such technology would be an acceptable substitute for a woman's experience of new life developing within her, the representative stated: "We believe it will be fairly common for women to carry their own babies the first few weeks, when the thrill of motherhood is new. But soon, anyone experiencing nausea will be referred to our product. Eventually, anyone appearing pregnant after 6 months will be considered a fanatic."
"Eventually there will be psychologists, completely ignorant of the history of human reproduction, who will state that after 6 months, natural gestation is harmful to the fetus' independence."
All preliminary research has indicated that artificially fed fetuses are significantly less healthy than their naturally nourished counterparts. The Breed Bronson representative commented: "The literature accompanying the units will state that natural pregnancy is preferable. But that won't affect sales. We'll spend millions on freebies to obstetricians, and they'll convey to their patients that natural pregnancy is not greatly important, just a matter of personal preference."
"Through advertising dollars, we'll also enlist the media. Television will present natural pregnancy as abnormal by never showing it. 'Yes, we're expecting,' your favorite sitcom character will say, 'our housekeeper is carrying the baby right now.' Parents will come to believe that pregnancy, especially in public, is immodest."
"In natural pregnancy, only mom carries and nourishes the baby. With a YOUterus/Plus-centa, dad, grandma and sitter will all have equal access. We'll promote this idea that democracy, and not quality or safety, is what is important in fetal feeding."
When asked if the company was concerned about government regulation of a product proven harmful to developing babies, the representative stated: "Are you kidding? We project the government will buy one third of our units to distribute to poor women."
A substitute for natural pregnancy...
--Author Unknown
A substitute for natural pregnancy has been developed by Breed Bronson, Inc., makers of Infantill formula and other baby products. The YOUterus/Plus-centa unit was introduced in pharmacies and discount stores nationwide today.
A company representative explained the rationale for the product: "Many women find it inconvenient to carry their fetuses and maintain a healthy food supply for them for an entire nine months. Pregnancy changes their figures, can interfere with job performance, and requires avoiding drugs and junk food. And some men don't like to be reminded that female sex organs don't exist solely for them."
After a woman's fetus is implanted in a YOUterus/Plus-centa, the unit is simply kept in contact with a body having a temperature of 98.6* F. "But after the second trimester, " commented the representative, "the fetus can maintain its own warmth. It can be left completely alone, except for periodic refilling of the Plus-centa feeding solution."
When asked if such technology would be an acceptable substitute for a woman's experience of new life developing within her, the representative stated: "We believe it will be fairly common for women to carry their own babies the first few weeks, when the thrill of motherhood is new. But soon, anyone experiencing nausea will be referred to our product. Eventually, anyone appearing pregnant after 6 months will be considered a fanatic."
"Eventually there will be psychologists, completely ignorant of the history of human reproduction, who will state that after 6 months, natural gestation is harmful to the fetus' independence."
All preliminary research has indicated that artificially fed fetuses are significantly less healthy than their naturally nourished counterparts. The Breed Bronson representative commented: "The literature accompanying the units will state that natural pregnancy is preferable. But that won't affect sales. We'll spend millions on freebies to obstetricians, and they'll convey to their patients that natural pregnancy is not greatly important, just a matter of personal preference."
"Through advertising dollars, we'll also enlist the media. Television will present natural pregnancy as abnormal by never showing it. 'Yes, we're expecting,' your favorite sitcom character will say, 'our housekeeper is carrying the baby right now.' Parents will come to believe that pregnancy, especially in public, is immodest."
"In natural pregnancy, only mom carries and nourishes the baby. With a YOUterus/Plus-centa, dad, grandma and sitter will all have equal access. We'll promote this idea that democracy, and not quality or safety, is what is important in fetal feeding."
When asked if the company was concerned about government regulation of a product proven harmful to developing babies, the representative stated: "Are you kidding? We project the government will buy one third of our units to distribute to poor women."
Monday Mournings *1-14-08*
What an exciting weekend. On Thursday Tim took his last CLEP test and passed it. He needed 12 more credits to start DC so was planning to CLEP a basic science and Analyzing Lit. He did the science on Wednesday and lit on Thursday, turned in the reports from them and got approved to start the DC program this morning. The weekend was a busy one, filled with last minute cleaning, laundry and getting ready for this early morning. Tim was so antzy and anxious that he was driving Josette and I crazy and we couldn't wait for him to start back to school!
Classes this morning were at 8am so we had to leave by 7. I have this theory that they start your first day in DC with the 'exciting' professors and then hit you day 2 with the dull, boring ones. Today we had an hour with Dr Koch (pronounced Coke) for Chiropractic Philosophy, followed by 2 hours with Dr Silverman for BioChem I and then 2 hours of Dr Cane for Anatomy & Physiology. The whole day just had a different 'feel' to it. As pre-DC students, we wait for the day we get to Annex C and join the ranks of the true blue chiropractic students. Granted, we are bottom of the totom pole, but somehow there is a sense of "we've made it!". We could almost hear the angels singing as we walked in the door! LOL Here's just a couple pictures from our first day as future doctors of America and the world. :) The journey has begun!!!!
Kelly & Deanna
"Drs Milano & Milano"
Tim & Phil
Classes this morning were at 8am so we had to leave by 7. I have this theory that they start your first day in DC with the 'exciting' professors and then hit you day 2 with the dull, boring ones. Today we had an hour with Dr Koch (pronounced Coke) for Chiropractic Philosophy, followed by 2 hours with Dr Silverman for BioChem I and then 2 hours of Dr Cane for Anatomy & Physiology. The whole day just had a different 'feel' to it. As pre-DC students, we wait for the day we get to Annex C and join the ranks of the true blue chiropractic students. Granted, we are bottom of the totom pole, but somehow there is a sense of "we've made it!". We could almost hear the angels singing as we walked in the door! LOL Here's just a couple pictures from our first day as future doctors of America and the world. :) The journey has begun!!!!
Birth Plan for a Natural Hospital Birth
If a homebirth or clinic birth isn't an option for you, you may want to put together a written birth plan to give to your doctor so you can achieve what you are wanting in a natural birth. This was written by a friend of mine who did an amazing job with her birth plan. The couple things I would also suggest are putting a sign on your L&D room that says "Natural Birth in place. Please do not offer an epidural. Thank you for your support and encouragement." The reason for this is that nurses are almost programed to come in and offer an epidural or pain meds. It's routine and they don't think about which mom wants them and which has said in a plan that she doesn't. Keep your birth plan as short and to the point as you can. When you fill it with too much information, it runs the risk of being thrown in a file and not ever really read by the staff.
Also, sitting down with your doctor or midwife around the time of your 36 week appointment and going over your birth plan is also advisable. This will let your doctor/midwife actually hear your desires and review them with you. Continue to push for the things that you want in your labor and delivery. Remember, this is about YOU, the patient/client, not the doctors stop watch or hospital.
This is my birth plan:
My wishes for Childbirth - Insert Name
Estimated Due Date: Insert Due Date
Patient of Insert Dr Name
Scheduled to deliver at Hospital Name
Dear Doctor/Midwives Name,
This birth plan is intended to express the preferences and desires concerning the labor and birth of my daughter/son/child. It is not intended to be a script. I understand the need to remain flexible and will be prepared for any necessary last minute changes in care. However, I need to be informed (medical reason, risks, benefits and alternatives) of each procedure and given time for discussion before it is done, so that I have the opportunity to be involved in my daughter's birth and how it is managed.
I plan for my husband/mom/sister/doula/midwife (and include their names) to be my birthing coach. As soon as possible after birth I would like for my other children to be able to come and meet his brother/sister. My mother/father (include their names) will accompany him.
I would prefer that no students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel be present during my labor or the birth.
I would like to take still photographs and make a video recording during labor and the birth.
Labor
I would like to be free to walk around during labor.
I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
I would like to be able to have fluids by mouth throughout the first stage of labor.
I do not want an IV unless I become dehydrated.
Monitoring
I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of my baby.
I do not want an internal monitor unless my daughter has shown some sign of distress.
Labor Augmentation/Induction
I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring.
I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods (walking, nipple stimulation) before pitocin is administered.
Anesthesia/Pain Medication
I realize that many pain medications exist — I'll ask for them if I need them.
Cesarean
Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean.
If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
I would like my husband/support person present at all times if my baby requires a Cesarean delivery.
I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia
If my daughter is not in distress; she should be given to my husband immediately after birth.
Episiotomy
I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby's safety.
I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch. I would also like to be given the chance to wait for my body to need to push, not just push because I'm at 10cm.
I would like a local anesthetic to repair any tear or an episiotomy.
Delivery
I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth.
I would like my husband/support person and/or nurses to support me and my legs as necessary during the pushing stage.
I would like a mirror available so I can see my baby's head when it crowns.
I would like the chance to touch my daughter's head when it crowns.
I would appreciate having the room as quiet as possible when my baby is born.
I would like to have my daughter placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
Immediately After Delivery
I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut.
I would like to have my husband/so/support person/myself cut the cord.
I would like to hold my baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
I would like to hold my baby for at least fifteen minutes before she is examined.
I would like to have my baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
I plan to keep my baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of her/her can be done with him/her on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
If my baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my husband or some other person I designate will accompany her at all times.
I would prefer to hold my baby rather than have him/her placed under heat lamps.
I do not want a routine injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.
I would like to delay the eye medication for my baby until a couple hours after birth. (You may choose to put that you want this avoided all toghether. Be prepared with proper waiver forms if required.)
Postpartum
Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby.
I would like to have my baby 'room in' and be with me at all times.
Breastfeeding
I plan to exclusively breastfeed my baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby (including glucose water or plain water). (You may want to also add that this needs to first be approved by you before they say it is medically necessary and give it to the baby).
I do not want my baby to be given a pacifier.
Thank You for your Support & Encouragement in my making my birth the best it can be.
NAME _____________________________
*** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of her work. Kelly Milano, can be reached at: kmilano@gmail.com Please provide a link to her work on your site.Do not publish without permission of the author.
Also, sitting down with your doctor or midwife around the time of your 36 week appointment and going over your birth plan is also advisable. This will let your doctor/midwife actually hear your desires and review them with you. Continue to push for the things that you want in your labor and delivery. Remember, this is about YOU, the patient/client, not the doctors stop watch or hospital.
This is my birth plan:
My wishes for Childbirth - Insert Name
Estimated Due Date: Insert Due Date
Patient of Insert Dr Name
Scheduled to deliver at Hospital Name
Dear Doctor/Midwives Name,
This birth plan is intended to express the preferences and desires concerning the labor and birth of my daughter/son/child. It is not intended to be a script. I understand the need to remain flexible and will be prepared for any necessary last minute changes in care. However, I need to be informed (medical reason, risks, benefits and alternatives) of each procedure and given time for discussion before it is done, so that I have the opportunity to be involved in my daughter's birth and how it is managed.
I plan for my husband/mom/sister/doula/midwife (and include their names) to be my birthing coach. As soon as possible after birth I would like for my other children to be able to come and meet his brother/sister. My mother/father (include their names) will accompany him.
I would prefer that no students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel be present during my labor or the birth.
I would like to take still photographs and make a video recording during labor and the birth.
Labor
I would like to be free to walk around during labor.
I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
I would like to be able to have fluids by mouth throughout the first stage of labor.
I do not want an IV unless I become dehydrated.
Monitoring
I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of my baby.
I do not want an internal monitor unless my daughter has shown some sign of distress.
Labor Augmentation/Induction
I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring.
I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods (walking, nipple stimulation) before pitocin is administered.
Anesthesia/Pain Medication
I realize that many pain medications exist — I'll ask for them if I need them.
Cesarean
Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean.
If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
I would like my husband/support person present at all times if my baby requires a Cesarean delivery.
I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia
If my daughter is not in distress; she should be given to my husband immediately after birth.
Episiotomy
I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby's safety.
I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch. I would also like to be given the chance to wait for my body to need to push, not just push because I'm at 10cm.
I would like a local anesthetic to repair any tear or an episiotomy.
Delivery
I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth.
I would like my husband/support person and/or nurses to support me and my legs as necessary during the pushing stage.
I would like a mirror available so I can see my baby's head when it crowns.
I would like the chance to touch my daughter's head when it crowns.
I would appreciate having the room as quiet as possible when my baby is born.
I would like to have my daughter placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
Immediately After Delivery
I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut.
I would like to have my husband/so/support person/myself cut the cord.
I would like to hold my baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
I would like to hold my baby for at least fifteen minutes before she is examined.
I would like to have my baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
I plan to keep my baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of her/her can be done with him/her on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
If my baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my husband or some other person I designate will accompany her at all times.
I would prefer to hold my baby rather than have him/her placed under heat lamps.
I do not want a routine injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.
I would like to delay the eye medication for my baby until a couple hours after birth. (You may choose to put that you want this avoided all toghether. Be prepared with proper waiver forms if required.)
Postpartum
Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby.
I would like to have my baby 'room in' and be with me at all times.
Breastfeeding
I plan to exclusively breastfeed my baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby (including glucose water or plain water). (You may want to also add that this needs to first be approved by you before they say it is medically necessary and give it to the baby).
I do not want my baby to be given a pacifier.
Thank You for your Support & Encouragement in my making my birth the best it can be.
NAME _____________________________
*** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of her work. Kelly Milano, can be reached at: kmilano@gmail.com Please provide a link to her work on your site.Do not publish without permission of the author.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Do the "impossible"
Do the 'impossible'
Walt Disney once said ""It's kinda fun doing the impossible." As homebirthers so often the views that others throw at us about our choice is that it is impossible. It's impossible that you can do it without drugs. It's impossible that you can do it without assistance from anyone. It's impossible that in that moment of pulling the baby out, that you can actually have the energy and desire to do it. It's impossible that you can actually have a 100% problem free delivery. It's kind of fun to do the 'impossible'. It's fun to prove them wrong and be able to educate them all at the same time. There is NOTHING impossible when you let your body work the way it was designed to work. There is NOTHING impossible about delivering a baby. While there are always complications that COULD arise, truth is they are rare and don't make for the impossible.
Knowing that everyone viewed my choice as 'impossible' made me more excited to accept the challenge and trust my body. There is an old Spanish proverb that says "To tell a woman what she can't do is to tell her what she can do". In other words, when rules and regulations are created to try to force women to all birth the same, the rise inside of women's souls will result in them doing exactly what it is you are telling them they can't do. To tell a woman she can't homebirth is certainly a challenge to many who will purposely birth at home just to show a point that a baby will come whenever and wherever it wants, whether a doctor is present or a not. Doctors don't deliver babies. MOMS deliver babies. Doctors just assist a mom in her delivery. A midwife or a husband or best friend can assist just the same. And if no one is there, the mom will still deliver the baby, for SHE is the one does all the work. No male doctor has EVER delivered a baby! EVER. He has never had a baby pass through his open cervix and out into the world. He has never felt the sensations of needing and wanting to push or of having that new baby put to his bare breast. And a male doctor never will deliver a baby. Pizzas are delivered by outsiders. Babies are delivered by moms. Next time you are asked by a well wisher "So, who will be delivering this baby?" Proudly say with a smile "I will be". Whether you have a doctor or midwife present or go completely unassisted, take pride in the fact that YOU will deliver the baby that is growing inside of you. More than likely, your doctor will just be getting in the way! ;)
Walt Disney once said ""It's kinda fun doing the impossible." As homebirthers so often the views that others throw at us about our choice is that it is impossible. It's impossible that you can do it without drugs. It's impossible that you can do it without assistance from anyone. It's impossible that in that moment of pulling the baby out, that you can actually have the energy and desire to do it. It's impossible that you can actually have a 100% problem free delivery. It's kind of fun to do the 'impossible'. It's fun to prove them wrong and be able to educate them all at the same time. There is NOTHING impossible when you let your body work the way it was designed to work. There is NOTHING impossible about delivering a baby. While there are always complications that COULD arise, truth is they are rare and don't make for the impossible.
Knowing that everyone viewed my choice as 'impossible' made me more excited to accept the challenge and trust my body. There is an old Spanish proverb that says "To tell a woman what she can't do is to tell her what she can do". In other words, when rules and regulations are created to try to force women to all birth the same, the rise inside of women's souls will result in them doing exactly what it is you are telling them they can't do. To tell a woman she can't homebirth is certainly a challenge to many who will purposely birth at home just to show a point that a baby will come whenever and wherever it wants, whether a doctor is present or a not. Doctors don't deliver babies. MOMS deliver babies. Doctors just assist a mom in her delivery. A midwife or a husband or best friend can assist just the same. And if no one is there, the mom will still deliver the baby, for SHE is the one does all the work. No male doctor has EVER delivered a baby! EVER. He has never had a baby pass through his open cervix and out into the world. He has never felt the sensations of needing and wanting to push or of having that new baby put to his bare breast. And a male doctor never will deliver a baby. Pizzas are delivered by outsiders. Babies are delivered by moms. Next time you are asked by a well wisher "So, who will be delivering this baby?" Proudly say with a smile "I will be". Whether you have a doctor or midwife present or go completely unassisted, take pride in the fact that YOU will deliver the baby that is growing inside of you. More than likely, your doctor will just be getting in the way! ;)
U/S can affect brain development
This can be pretty controversial but I thought I'd post it anyways.
Interesting article on MSN today. I've been on the side of not having u/s for the past 3 pregnancies. I don't think that they are medically necessary in most cases and think that more than not, they are done to help a mom with her fears. She needs to SEE the baby, see the head, hand, beating heart. Hearing the heartbeat isn't enough. While this study was done on mice and there are points in here about mice being smaller and therefore the machine being closer to their body, it makes ya stop and think for a minute. Do we trust our doctors SO much that we deny what research has to show us? I was just reading on another site about how she trusted her doctor and how he wouldn't put her in jeopardy or do anything that would hurt her. I don't know that I agree. Sometimes it's about big medicine and avoiding law suits, NOT your preference or desires. Anyways, read this article. I highlighted a couple parts that jumped out at me. I know it's controversial to many. There are some who will always believe a certain way, no matter what, and that is fine.
"Exposure to ultrasound can affect fetal brain development, a new study suggests. But researchers say the findings, in mice, should not discourage pregnant women from having ultrasound scans for medical reasons.
When pregnant mice were exposed to ultrasound, a small number of nerve cells in the developing brains of their fetuses failed to extend correctly in the cerebral cortex.
"Our study in mice does not mean that use of ultrasound on human fetuses for appropriate diagnostic and medical purposes should be abandoned," said lead researcher Pasko Rakic, chairman of the neurobiology department at Yale University School of Medicine.
However, he added in a telephone interview, women should avoid unnecessary ultrasound scans until more research has been done.
Dr. Joshua Copel, president-elect of the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine, said his organization tries to discourage "entertainment" ultrasound, but considers sonograms important when there is a medical benefit.
"Anytime we're doing an ultrasound we have to think of risk versus benefit. What clinical question are we trying to answer," Copel said in a telephone interview. "It may be very important to know the exact dating of pregnancy, it's certainly helpful to know the anatomy of the fetus, but we shouldn't be holding a transducer on mom's abdomen for hours and hours and hours."
Rakic's paper said that while the effects of ultrasound in human brain development are not yet known, there are disorders thought to be the result of misplacement of brain cells during their development.
"These disorders range from mental retardation and childhood epilepsy to developmental dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia," the researchers said.
Their report is in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Early ultrasound scans are done to determine the exact week of the pregnancy and they are also done later to check for anatomical defects and other problems.
Ultrasounds for entertainmentHowever, some expectant parents have sought scans to save as keepsakes even when they were not medically necessary, a practice the Food and Drug Administration discourages.
The Institute of Ultrasound Medicine was particularly concerned last year when it was announced that actor Tom Cruise had purchased an ultrasound machine for his pregnant fiancee, Katie Holmes, so they could do their own sonograms.
"Purchase of an ultrasound machine for private, at home use entails inappropriate operation of a prescription medical device designed for diagnostic use by a trained medical professional," the group said in a statement issued at the time.
Of mice and womenCopel, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine, did point out that there are large differences between scanning mice and scanning people.
For example, because of their size, the distance between the scanner and the fetus is larger in people than mice, which reduces the intensity of the ultrasound. In addition, he said, the density of the cranial bones in a human baby is more than that of a tiny mouse, which further reduces exposure to the scan."
The paper noted that the developmental period of these brain cells is much longer in humans than in mice, so that exposure would be a smaller percentage of their developmental period.
However, it also pointed out that brain cell development in people is more complex and there are more cells developing, which could increase the chances of some going astray.
In Rakic's study, pregnant mice were exposed to ultrasound for various amounts of time ranging from a total exposure of 5 minutes to 420 minutes. After the baby mice were born their brains were studied and compared with those of mice whose mothers had not been exposed to ultrasound.
The study of 335 mice concluded that in those whose mothers were exposed to a total of 30 minutes or more, "a small but statistically significant number" of brain cells failed to grow into their proper position and remained scattered in incorrect parts of the brain. The number of affected cells increased with longer exposures.
The research was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke."
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14231914/
Also, here are some interesting comments from people on both sides of this debate. Some of these moms truly make your heart break. http://boards.live.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?ThreadID=48863
Interesting article on MSN today. I've been on the side of not having u/s for the past 3 pregnancies. I don't think that they are medically necessary in most cases and think that more than not, they are done to help a mom with her fears. She needs to SEE the baby, see the head, hand, beating heart. Hearing the heartbeat isn't enough. While this study was done on mice and there are points in here about mice being smaller and therefore the machine being closer to their body, it makes ya stop and think for a minute. Do we trust our doctors SO much that we deny what research has to show us? I was just reading on another site about how she trusted her doctor and how he wouldn't put her in jeopardy or do anything that would hurt her. I don't know that I agree. Sometimes it's about big medicine and avoiding law suits, NOT your preference or desires. Anyways, read this article. I highlighted a couple parts that jumped out at me. I know it's controversial to many. There are some who will always believe a certain way, no matter what, and that is fine.
"Exposure to ultrasound can affect fetal brain development, a new study suggests. But researchers say the findings, in mice, should not discourage pregnant women from having ultrasound scans for medical reasons.
When pregnant mice were exposed to ultrasound, a small number of nerve cells in the developing brains of their fetuses failed to extend correctly in the cerebral cortex.
"Our study in mice does not mean that use of ultrasound on human fetuses for appropriate diagnostic and medical purposes should be abandoned," said lead researcher Pasko Rakic, chairman of the neurobiology department at Yale University School of Medicine.
However, he added in a telephone interview, women should avoid unnecessary ultrasound scans until more research has been done.
Dr. Joshua Copel, president-elect of the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine, said his organization tries to discourage "entertainment" ultrasound, but considers sonograms important when there is a medical benefit.
"Anytime we're doing an ultrasound we have to think of risk versus benefit. What clinical question are we trying to answer," Copel said in a telephone interview. "It may be very important to know the exact dating of pregnancy, it's certainly helpful to know the anatomy of the fetus, but we shouldn't be holding a transducer on mom's abdomen for hours and hours and hours."
Rakic's paper said that while the effects of ultrasound in human brain development are not yet known, there are disorders thought to be the result of misplacement of brain cells during their development.
"These disorders range from mental retardation and childhood epilepsy to developmental dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia," the researchers said.
Their report is in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Early ultrasound scans are done to determine the exact week of the pregnancy and they are also done later to check for anatomical defects and other problems.
Ultrasounds for entertainmentHowever, some expectant parents have sought scans to save as keepsakes even when they were not medically necessary, a practice the Food and Drug Administration discourages.
The Institute of Ultrasound Medicine was particularly concerned last year when it was announced that actor Tom Cruise had purchased an ultrasound machine for his pregnant fiancee, Katie Holmes, so they could do their own sonograms.
"Purchase of an ultrasound machine for private, at home use entails inappropriate operation of a prescription medical device designed for diagnostic use by a trained medical professional," the group said in a statement issued at the time.
Of mice and womenCopel, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine, did point out that there are large differences between scanning mice and scanning people.
For example, because of their size, the distance between the scanner and the fetus is larger in people than mice, which reduces the intensity of the ultrasound. In addition, he said, the density of the cranial bones in a human baby is more than that of a tiny mouse, which further reduces exposure to the scan."
The paper noted that the developmental period of these brain cells is much longer in humans than in mice, so that exposure would be a smaller percentage of their developmental period.
However, it also pointed out that brain cell development in people is more complex and there are more cells developing, which could increase the chances of some going astray.
In Rakic's study, pregnant mice were exposed to ultrasound for various amounts of time ranging from a total exposure of 5 minutes to 420 minutes. After the baby mice were born their brains were studied and compared with those of mice whose mothers had not been exposed to ultrasound.
The study of 335 mice concluded that in those whose mothers were exposed to a total of 30 minutes or more, "a small but statistically significant number" of brain cells failed to grow into their proper position and remained scattered in incorrect parts of the brain. The number of affected cells increased with longer exposures.
The research was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke."
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14231914/
Also, here are some interesting comments from people on both sides of this debate. Some of these moms truly make your heart break. http://boards.live.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?ThreadID=48863
Bucket List
I haven't seen the movie yet, and probably won't until it's out on DVD, but it looks really cute. I thought I'd write about my "Bucket List". The things I really want to do before I die:
1. See my kids all get married and have kids of thier own.
2. Go to Ireland
3. Buy an RV and travel the US-see Mt Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, the plains and mountains of Montana
4. Get involved in some work on an Indian reservation
5. Buy a horse
6. Go on an anthropology dig.
What's on your Bucket List?
1. See my kids all get married and have kids of thier own.
2. Go to Ireland
3. Buy an RV and travel the US-see Mt Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, the plains and mountains of Montana
4. Get involved in some work on an Indian reservation
5. Buy a horse
6. Go on an anthropology dig.
What's on your Bucket List?
Friday, January 11, 2008
My Crazy School Schedule
On Monday, Tim and I will be starting the DC program (Doctor of Chiropractic) at Life University. We are so excited to finally be starting, but OMG, the schedule we'll have is crazy! Thought I'd include it so you could see what we are up against the next 10 weeks.
Histoloy (study of tissues)
Embryology
Osteology (study of bones)
Biochemistry I
Clinical Patient Experience (this is only one class and then one day in the clinic) (no credits but mandatory! STUPID!! Not to mention that we are patients in the clinic so we are already familiar with it.)
Chiropractic Assemply (this is only a one time seminar)
Healthcare Terminology
Intro to Chiropractic Philosophy
Anatomy & Physiology
Intro to Business Principles I
Public Health
It breaks down daily like this:
Monday
8-9am Chiropractic Philosophy
9-11 BioChem
11-1 Anatmoy & Physiology
Tuesday
7-9 (YES...AM) Business Principles
9-11 Histology
1-3 Osteology
Wednesday
8-9 Chiropractic Philosophy
9-11 Bio Chem
1-3 Anatomy & Physiology
4-6 Embryology
Thursday
7-9 Public Health
9-11 BioChem
11:30-1 Chiropractic Assembly (we have to attend 3 a quarter...our choice of which 3)
1-3 Medical Terminology
Friday
9-11 Histology
I also have the one time seminars in on top of that and one lab, but I don't remember what day I scheduled that.
Histoloy (study of tissues)
Embryology
Osteology (study of bones)
Biochemistry I
Clinical Patient Experience (this is only one class and then one day in the clinic) (no credits but mandatory! STUPID!! Not to mention that we are patients in the clinic so we are already familiar with it.)
Chiropractic Assemply (this is only a one time seminar)
Healthcare Terminology
Intro to Chiropractic Philosophy
Anatomy & Physiology
Intro to Business Principles I
Public Health
It breaks down daily like this:
Monday
8-9am Chiropractic Philosophy
9-11 BioChem
11-1 Anatmoy & Physiology
Tuesday
7-9 (YES...AM) Business Principles
9-11 Histology
1-3 Osteology
Wednesday
8-9 Chiropractic Philosophy
9-11 Bio Chem
1-3 Anatomy & Physiology
4-6 Embryology
Thursday
7-9 Public Health
9-11 BioChem
11:30-1 Chiropractic Assembly (we have to attend 3 a quarter...our choice of which 3)
1-3 Medical Terminology
Friday
9-11 Histology
I also have the one time seminars in on top of that and one lab, but I don't remember what day I scheduled that.
My baby turned one
It's so hard to believe that Jacob turned one this week. Where did the last year go? My baby is getting so big! He's walking like a champ and climbing everything he can. He's such a mischief maker but is just too cute. He keeps us laughing all the time!
Remember his crazy birth story. It was the night of January 8th and the 9th was his due date. I had eaten pineapple all day long to speed things up and when we were getting ready for bed I told Tim we had to and get this baby out. We had just finished and I had the first contraction. They were so fast and hard and I had no time to do anything. We called the midwife and our best friends. Tim was busy setting up the tub and since it was happening so fast, I had to help him, with no time to rest for contractions. I got in the tub and told him to call the midwife back and tell her she had 10 minutes. Our best friends arrived and within just a few minutes, Jacob was crowning. He was born EXACTLY one hour and one minute after the first contraction. The midwives made it to the house 10 minutes after he was born. So amazing!!!!
Tonight we had his party, although it was pretty stupid since I didn't have wrapping paper to wrap his presents and all our family and friends are 800 miles away. Here's a couple pictures anyways.
Playing with my new toys
Wondering What comes Next
Ah, Singing comes next
Then CAKE!!!
Remember his crazy birth story. It was the night of January 8th and the 9th was his due date. I had eaten pineapple all day long to speed things up and when we were getting ready for bed I told Tim we had to and get this baby out. We had just finished and I had the first contraction. They were so fast and hard and I had no time to do anything. We called the midwife and our best friends. Tim was busy setting up the tub and since it was happening so fast, I had to help him, with no time to rest for contractions. I got in the tub and told him to call the midwife back and tell her she had 10 minutes. Our best friends arrived and within just a few minutes, Jacob was crowning. He was born EXACTLY one hour and one minute after the first contraction. The midwives made it to the house 10 minutes after he was born. So amazing!!!!
Tonight we had his party, although it was pretty stupid since I didn't have wrapping paper to wrap his presents and all our family and friends are 800 miles away. Here's a couple pictures anyways.
Playing with my new toys
Wondering What comes Next
Ah, Singing comes next
Then CAKE!!!
Friday Funnies *1-11-08*
LADIES vs REAL WOMEN
Ladies - If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix-me-up."
Real Woman - If you over-salt a dish while you are cooking, that's too **** bad. Please recite with me the Real Women's Motto: "I made it and you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes."
Ladies - Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
Real Woman - Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink. You might still have the headache, but who cares?
Ladies - Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
Real Woman - Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake. You are probably lying on the couch, with your feet up, eating it anyway.
Ladies - To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
Real Woman - Buy boxed mashed potato mix and keep it in the pantry for up to a year.
Ladies - When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.
Real Woman - Go to the bakery...they'll even decorate it for you.
Ladies - Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.
Real Woman - Sara Lee frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust, so I just don't do it.
Ladies - If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dish washing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
Real Woman - Go ask the very cute neighbour guy to do it.
And finally the most important tip...
Ladies - Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
Real Woman - Leftover wine??
Ladies - If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix-me-up."
Real Woman - If you over-salt a dish while you are cooking, that's too **** bad. Please recite with me the Real Women's Motto: "I made it and you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes."
Ladies - Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
Real Woman - Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink. You might still have the headache, but who cares?
Ladies - Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
Real Woman - Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake. You are probably lying on the couch, with your feet up, eating it anyway.
Ladies - To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
Real Woman - Buy boxed mashed potato mix and keep it in the pantry for up to a year.
Ladies - When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.
Real Woman - Go to the bakery...they'll even decorate it for you.
Ladies - Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.
Real Woman - Sara Lee frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust, so I just don't do it.
Ladies - If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dish washing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
Real Woman - Go ask the very cute neighbour guy to do it.
And finally the most important tip...
Ladies - Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
Real Woman - Leftover wine??
Too small to deliver
How many of us have heard about friends or family members who say that they were to small to deliver their baby or that their baby was just too big that it was dangerous? Last night I was doing some studying and researching and came across some truly amazing women! This site is fully of stories and pictures of homebirths in Tijuana. The following are all women who are approx 4'5" and VERY tiny and they all gave birth to beautiful (and sometimes large) babies. The female body is truly an amazing creation!! When I hear a woman say her baby was 'too big' I will forever be reminded of these Mexican women and their amazing strength!
http://homebirth-only.com/TooSmall/TooSmall.htm (Please be aware that there are GRAPHIC birth pics on here.)
http://homebirth-only.com/TooSmall/TooSmall.htm (Please be aware that there are GRAPHIC birth pics on here.)
Dear Non Pregnant Person
~Author Unknown~
Dear Non-Pregnant Person,
I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking, surely she doesn't mean me- then you should probably read this twice.
1) The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is "Congratulations!" with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you an ass.
2) Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father- not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase "my baby".
3) On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in #2, the pregnancy, birth and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it.
4) The body of a pregnant women should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone's stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.
5) Likewise, no women wants to hear comments on her weight- ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is "You look fabulous!".
6) By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don't need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes.
7) There is a reason that tickets to L&D are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents.
8) Like everything else is life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital and the parents home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to "help out". If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.
9) If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.
10) The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.
Dear Non-Pregnant Person,
I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking, surely she doesn't mean me- then you should probably read this twice.
1) The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is "Congratulations!" with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you an ass.
2) Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father- not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase "my baby".
3) On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in #2, the pregnancy, birth and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it.
4) The body of a pregnant women should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone's stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.
5) Likewise, no women wants to hear comments on her weight- ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is "You look fabulous!".
6) By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don't need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes.
7) There is a reason that tickets to L&D are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents.
8) Like everything else is life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital and the parents home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to "help out". If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.
9) If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.
10) The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.
I'm not the exception
I am *not* the exception
I am the norm.My birth is normal~~unhindered~~standard~~regular~~easy~~simple.
It amazes me how when people hear about my birth experiences, they are amazed that a birth can be like that. They say things about how I must not have had contractions NEARLY like they did. They say things about how their birth was so painful that even the doctors were astonished by it. They say that I am so brave (or maybe so stupid to risk what I did).
Yes- it wasn't in a hospital. No doctor was there telling me to push when I didn't feel like it. No pelvic exams to check my dilation and progress. No emergency, no drugs, no nurses telling me to count to 10 and then blow. No c-section, no forceps, no episiotomy, no stitches. Just my husband and I along with a midwife who sat on the bed and watched. Its been 2 years since my first homebirth. It's been 2 years since I reached into the water, between my legs, and pulled the baby out and to my chest. I've loved telling my story and talking to women who are unlearned in this area. Educating a woman about her body and how it functions is a new found passion of mine. Isn't simply sad that women have truly no clue on how their body works. The brainwashing needs to stop. After learning about the history of obstetrics, it infuriates me to no end how these professionals feel the need to manage something unmanageable. Just recently Asia Carrera (who is a former porn star, true) had a UC (unasisted childbirth...no doctor, no midwife, NO ONE but her and her daughter). Her story is simply beautiful and perhaps she can enlighten the rest of the world in discovering how their own bodies can function. Of course, many will write her off because her former porn status. She is still a woman who reached deep within herself to deliver her baby into an environment that wasn't hostile and full of noise and lights. She birthed her baby on the floor in front of her fireplace! How truly romantic and peaceful!
Those of us who birth this way know that we aren't alone. We know that the homebirth idea is becoming more and more popular as women are seeing themselves as the empowered creatures that God created us to be. Yet to many, we are some strange breed of creatures. I hope that in the future, women will realize that deep within them lies a strength to birth in a new found way. That they will understand that the 'emergencies' they face in the hospital setting are often times CREATED by the hospital staff through the various interventions. Pitocin to speed things up, often cause such INTENSE contractions that epidurals become almost mandatory. Pitocin contractions don't cause the cervix to relax enough during contractions, which makes c-sections almost inevitable. Epiduals can often slow down labor and progress as well. When the female body is left to do what it knows to do, it normally functions in a way that delivers a beautiful baby with little effort and must ease. I am *not* the exception.
I am the norm.My birth is normal~~unhindered~~standard~~regular~~easy~~simple.
It amazes me how when people hear about my birth experiences, they are amazed that a birth can be like that. They say things about how I must not have had contractions NEARLY like they did. They say things about how their birth was so painful that even the doctors were astonished by it. They say that I am so brave (or maybe so stupid to risk what I did).
Yes- it wasn't in a hospital. No doctor was there telling me to push when I didn't feel like it. No pelvic exams to check my dilation and progress. No emergency, no drugs, no nurses telling me to count to 10 and then blow. No c-section, no forceps, no episiotomy, no stitches. Just my husband and I along with a midwife who sat on the bed and watched. Its been 2 years since my first homebirth. It's been 2 years since I reached into the water, between my legs, and pulled the baby out and to my chest. I've loved telling my story and talking to women who are unlearned in this area. Educating a woman about her body and how it functions is a new found passion of mine. Isn't simply sad that women have truly no clue on how their body works. The brainwashing needs to stop. After learning about the history of obstetrics, it infuriates me to no end how these professionals feel the need to manage something unmanageable. Just recently Asia Carrera (who is a former porn star, true) had a UC (unasisted childbirth...no doctor, no midwife, NO ONE but her and her daughter). Her story is simply beautiful and perhaps she can enlighten the rest of the world in discovering how their own bodies can function. Of course, many will write her off because her former porn status. She is still a woman who reached deep within herself to deliver her baby into an environment that wasn't hostile and full of noise and lights. She birthed her baby on the floor in front of her fireplace! How truly romantic and peaceful!
Those of us who birth this way know that we aren't alone. We know that the homebirth idea is becoming more and more popular as women are seeing themselves as the empowered creatures that God created us to be. Yet to many, we are some strange breed of creatures. I hope that in the future, women will realize that deep within them lies a strength to birth in a new found way. That they will understand that the 'emergencies' they face in the hospital setting are often times CREATED by the hospital staff through the various interventions. Pitocin to speed things up, often cause such INTENSE contractions that epidurals become almost mandatory. Pitocin contractions don't cause the cervix to relax enough during contractions, which makes c-sections almost inevitable. Epiduals can often slow down labor and progress as well. When the female body is left to do what it knows to do, it normally functions in a way that delivers a beautiful baby with little effort and must ease. I am *not* the exception.
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