Thursday, December 30, 2010

Birth Quote

‎"If women lose their birthing rights, they have lost all their rights. Really, if a woman cannot choose where and with whom she will birth, what else is there to lose?"
Carla Hartley

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Epidural Deaths on the Rise

While it's still a rare occurence, the possibility of death from spinal anethesia is a real and growing concern for women opting for this type of pain relief. What's even scarier is that many women don't realize it's even a risk.

The epidural is often touted as the "Cadillac" of pain relief, yet rarely does a woman in labor truly understand the risks.

What's more is that if the epidural is avoided during labor, the risk not only decreases, it ceases to exist. So we have to ask, is the pain of labor so truly unbearable that this is a risk worth taking or is it possible women can make it through labor with no need for pain medication and we just don't believe we can because we've been lied to?

This is why doula work is so close to my heart. If a woman can be supported through her birth and she remains comfortable and fear free, her need for pain medication is going to be very low to nonexistent.

I believe the greatest kept secret from women is the fact that labor isn't all that bad. Most women simply have no idea that labor can actually be estatic, even orgasmic. If women believed this was truly possible, who wouldn't want to sign up for that?

Source: http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/27/epidural-related-deaths-in-childbirth-on-the-rise/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-w%7Cdl3%7Csec4_lnk2%7C192278

Monday, December 27, 2010

The Other Side of the Glass

There is a film coming out called The Other Side of the Glass. Hopefully, it will be out by next Father's Day.

This film is geared specifically towards men and their outlook on birth. It looks great!

So often, I hear women who talk about how their husbands made them get the epidural because they couldn't handle seeing their wife in pain or they weren't comfortable with a homebirth, so the woman had to birth in the hospital.

While these husbands mean well, it's important even for men to be educated about birth. Once they are, some of their fears surrounding birth can be put to rest and they can then support their wife in birthing however she needs to birth. This is what this film seems to be about.

You can watch a very in depth trailer of the film here:

http://www.theothersideoftheglassthefilm.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Now Offering Professional Birth Plan Development Assistance

I've included a new service in my list of services that I believe will be helpful for many couples. More and more women are understanding the importance of having a birth plan for their birth. This ensures they will be educated on the choices they may be faced with making and from this their outcomes will improve and the entire experience can be more pleasant.

While my assistance with developing a birth plan comes standard with my doula package (as it does with most doulas), I am now offering my help and expertise with birth plans from anyone needing assistance.

I have termed this service "professional birth plan development assistance." As a doula and a labor and delivery nurse, I know what things should be included in a birth plan, what choices you will need to make, and how to choose the proper words for what you're desiring.

For some people, I understand it may not always be feasible to have a doula at your birth, but it is important to have a birth plan. Why not let a professional check it over?

Included in my service is helping you to explore how you feel about various issues regarding your birth, research for these issues if necessary, explanation of the risks and benefits of each issue, and editing and revision of your birth plan until it is exactly how you want it.

All of this is available for only $25.00! Please visit my website for more information.

http://azbirthdoulas.com/Services.html

Monday, December 20, 2010

T Shirts

I ordered some custom T shirts today from here: http://www.spreadshirt.com/create-your-own-t-shirt-C59/productType/210/productColor/1.

They turned out really cute and fun and there was all types to choose from. I'm excited about them. I think I'll upload some pictures when they get here, which could still be a few weeks.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Soapnuts- Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

I have found the coolest cleaning product ever. They're called Soapnuts.

Yes, they look strange...

                                     
But they work amazingly.

Soapnuts are a type of fruit that is harvested and dried. This makes them completely natural and chemical free. They have natural cleaning abilities and can be used for laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner, etc.

Here's how you use it for laundry detergent. It's super easy.


The soapnuts come in a bag like this. This is a two pound bag. It's got a ton of soapnuts in it- I don't know the exact count.



The soapnuts come with a little bag. Put 3-4 soapnuts into the bag. This small amount will last 3-5 loads or possibly more.



Put in 4-5 drops of tea tree oil into the small bag and tie closed twice. Now, simply throw that little bag into the washer.

I can't believe how clean my cothes come out smelling. They smell very fresh with subtle hints of a linen type smell.

Make sure you find the little soapnuts bag before you dry the clothes. Drying the bag will cause the soapnuts to dry out and not be as effective.

Using the soapnuts saves tons of money! The way I calculated what we spend on regular laundry detergent versus what we spent on the soapnuts, we're saving over $150.00 just by using the soapnuts! That's amazing. I totally recommend these awesome little fruits.

You can also make a cleaning spray that is so delightful to use. It cleans really well- a little goes a long way.




For more information or to order soapnuts, http://www.buysoapnuts.com/. They also have a good blog on their site.

Isn't it cool how nature truly does provide us with everything we need? I just find it so awesome that there are natural and healthy alternatives to just about everything.

*I am in no way affiliated with soapnuts, nor do I benefit from their sale. I just really like them and think they are cool. 

Thursday, December 16, 2010

How to Make a Rice Heat Pack

Here is a tutorial on how to make a heat pack. I used rice in mine and really like the way they turned out. They are very easy to make.

Materials you will need:
Sewing machine or needle and thread
Fabric
Scissors
Rice/Corn/Beans- something for filling
Essential Oil
A funnel or something to help fill the pack

1) Once you have your fabric picked out, cut it into desired shape. There is not a standard measurement, they can come in any size you want.

2) Put the nicer sides towards the inside facing each other as shown so that you can begin to sew.



3) Sew all four sides together, but leave about a 3 inch area unsewn so that you can put in the rice.





4) Now turn the bag right side out.





5) Fill with rice. You don't have to stuff it too full because you want the pack to still be somewhat moldable. The amount of rice will differ based on how full you want your pack and how big your pack is.



I just used a jar to fill my pack. It was all I had around and I got creative. I scooped up rice into it and poured the rice into the pack. Simple.



6) If desired, you can put in some essential oil to make it smell pretty. Some people use actual dried herbs and such in their packs, but the oil works fine. You only need about 3 drops. I know that doesn't seem like much, but believe me, it is plenty. I used lavender in mine. Lavender is useful for relaxation.




7) Now finish sewing up the rest of the bag. This can be done by hand or with the sewing machine.



You now have your very own rice heat pack! Pretty simple huh? Most heat packs will stay warm for about 20 minutes and are great for relaxation, sore mucsles, a calming presence, or just if you're cold.

You can use any type of material you desire. The one in the picture is a flannel. Cotton also works well.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Eats on Feets

I found another milksharing resource. It's called Eats on Feets. I'm still a big fan of Milkshare.com, and Eats of Feets seems to have a similar philosophy.

Eats on Feets has gone global and there are now local chapters in many cities around the world!

This is a great resource for mothers trying to find milk for their babies and also for mothers who have extra milk to share.

To learn more, visit http://www.eatsonfeets.org/.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Birth Quote

“Every woman needs someone in the room who believes in her more than she believes in herself.”

Monday, December 13, 2010

Quote

“Birth is not only about making babies. It’s about making mothers; strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Hysterical Pregnancy Photos

I came across this blog post today and had to share. It is absolutely hysterical!

Do yourself a favor and check out this blog. Read all the comments- they're the best part!

http://pregnantchicken.squarespace.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2010/12/10/awkward-pregnancy-photos.html

Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Breast Crawl

This is an excellent video! I've always heard of the breast crawl, but have never actually seen it in person. This video is beautiful.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Birthdays

Yesterday was my daughter's birthday! She's two. Where does the time go?


The cake didn't turn out quite as I hoped, but I think she liked it!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Milksharing? What's that?!

I'm a big fan of mothers donating their breast milk to babies in need. I feel all babies deserve to have mothers milk, yet there are circumstances in which a mother is unable to breastfeed or make enough milk for her baby.

Milksharing is simply an informal sharing of milk between mothers who have extra and those who have a need. Milk that's suitable for one baby is most often suitable for other babies as well.

I wish this was more accepted in our society. Many women have plenty of milk and sadly, large amounts of that milk get thrown away or dumped down the drain because women aren't aware that donating is an option.

I've written lots of information on milksharing on my parenting website. Here's a link to the page: http://www.theholisticparent.org/milksharing.html.

I also absolutely love the resource http://www.milkshare.com/. This is a platform for mothers to donate their own milk for free and other mothers to receive desperately needed milk for their babies.

I have a lot of quams with milk banks. I personally wouldn't choose to donate my milk to them for several reasons.

1) There's an extremely high mark up on something that should be free.
2) The milk is pastuerized. I know many people believe this makes it safer, but really what it does is kill all the magical nutritional properties in the milk.
3) Some milk banks sell their milk to pharmaceutical companies so they can study it. Yeah, my milk isn't going towards that!
4) Often the milk at milk banks aren't available to all babies who need it- there must be special circumstances.

Milkshare.com is a non profit organization and doesn't support charging fees for breast milk. It's truly a great resource and helps so many moms and babies during what can be a very difficult period for them.

If you're a mom in need of milk or a mom that has some extra to give away, check out http://www.milkshare.com/.

Monday, November 29, 2010

What to Do With Leftover Breast Milk

I found this great article the other day about what to do with your leftover breast milk. Many women pump milk for their babies for times they may be away and often times, there is extra.

Breast milk won't last forever, so this article gives ways to use the breast milk before it's unusable.

Did you know breast milk can cure conjunctivitis (pink eye)? Actually, it's good on all kinds of infections, even ear infections!

If you want to find out more about what breast milk can do, check out the full article:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/454888/things_to_do_with_your_extra_breastmilk.html?cat=25

Happy Reading!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

This Quote Give Me Chills

I am in love with this quote about birth!

"There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don’t ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it." 
Sheryl Feldman

It just gives me chills. So true.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Awesome Pictures of Babies in the Womb

I found this really neat website that has some really neat pictures of babies in the womb. It's geared a little more pro-life. Regardless of your viewpoint, these pictures are neat.

http://www.justthefacts.org/clar.asp

Friday, November 19, 2010

Are You Looking for A Doula?

Then you've come to the right place. If you live in the East Valley of Phoenix AZ, then I'd love to be of service.

I'm a birth doula. My job is to be with you throughout your birth, offering support and answering questions. The range of ways I can be of assistance is quite broad, but my main goal is to help make your birth the best it can be.

For more information, please visit me at http://www.azbirthdoulas.com/.

I also do placenta encapsulation, visit http://www.azplacentaencapsulation.com/.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

AZ Birth Doulas, LLC Store

AZ Birth Doulas has an Amazon store! I've loaded up my Amazon store with all types of goodies. There's hundreds of different books that I love (yes I've read that many) as well as things to nourish yourself during pregnancy and postpartum. There's my favorite type of cloth diapers (Bum Genius) in as well as pregnancy jewelry. I also have lots of natural and organic toys that my children loved.

If you're looking to buy any of these things, why not buy them from my Amazon store? I get a small percentage of the commission, which directly helps to fund my ability to offer my services free of charge to teenage mothers as well as run my parenting website. I feel very passionate about these things I do even though financially speaking, they're not very lucrative.

At the very least, go check it out. It's pretty cool!

http://astore.amazon.com/azbido-20

Thanks for your support!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Normal is a Very Scary Word

I took this information from this website here.

"You've probably heard many times that breastfed babies are "healthier". That they have "fewer illnesses." That they have a "special" bond with their mothers. Maybe even that they tend to be "smarter". Some of those reasons may be why you decided to breastfeed.
    
The scary thing is, none of those statements is really true. Breastfeeding is merely the way human infants are built to eat, just as air is what they are built to breathe, or walking is the way they are built to move when they get older. Breastfeeding is nothing extra or special. Breastfeeding is just... normal.

Fine. So breastfeeding is normal. What's so scary about that? Ah, well if breastfeeding is normal, what happens when a baby is not breastfed? The scary reality is... he's much more likely to get sick, in infancy, in childhood, as an adult. His life expectancy is a little bit shorter and his IQ is a little bit lower. His relationship with his mother is different. In short, he suffers from not having a normal start to life.

You probably know breastfed people who are sicker than many formula-fed people. Breastfeeding is no guarantee. It's like the yeast in bread: every loaf turns out differently, because of different temperature, moisture, timing, kneading. But for any particular loaf, if you leave out some of the yeast it's not going to rise as high as it could. 
    
Here's part of the scary list:

People who were not breastfed tend to have:
     poorer vision 
     a lower IQ
     more appendicitis 
     more breast cancer
     more hernias 
     more diabetes
     more childhood cancer 
     less well-developed nerves
     a thymus smaller than normal during infancy 
     a less effective immune system
     more trouble with cholesterol 
     more emotional problems
     more intestinal disorders 
     more allergies
     more risk of crooked teeth or underformed jaws 
     a higher risk of SIDS

Women who don't breastfeed tend to have:
     more premenopausal breast cancer
     higher anxiety 
      lower self-esteem
     more osteoporosis
     more cervical cancer
     less pleasure in early parenting
    
There are about 13,000 studies showing problems with formula-feeding, so why haven't you heard any of this before? Maybe someone thought it was too scary for you, that you would feel guilty, that you wouldn't be interested, that it doesn't really matter that much. But wouldn't you rather know now, instead of finding out later? 

 
Breastfeeding. It's just plain normal."
 

Pretty good, huh? 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Book Reviews

I love to read! But have you ever read a book that you finished and then felt like you wasted your time? Me too. That's why I do a book review blog in conjunction with my parenting website (http://www.theholisticparent.org/). I can't imagine my life without reading, but I don't want others to have to waste their times with books not worth reading.

This is why for every book I read, I write a review of my opinions on it. Most books I like, but if I don't I do not hesitate to be honest about my opinion and I explain why I feel the way I do. Most books I review are about parenting, birth, breastfeeding, doulas, natural healthcare, alternatives, and nutrition.

So anyway, take advantage of this resource before you run out and get a book: http://www.theholisticparent.blogspot.com/.

If you want an alphabitized list of titles, click here. I update it as often as I can, so always check the most recent posts on the blog too because sometimes I update them in chunks every so often.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Watch Your Language

This is a really good article about breastfeeding. It's about how the language we use can have different meanings than we intend and also how we say things can affect the rates of women who choose to breastfeed. Check it out:

http://www.motherchronicle.com/watchyourlanguage.html

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Resources

If you haven't checked out the resource section of my websites, you may want to do so. they're filled with great information and are quite extensive. I've put a lot of effort into finding the best of information, so check them out.

My doula resources can be found here.

My placenta encapsulation resources can be found here.

The Holitstic Parent.org's resources are scattered under each subheading page, so click here for the main website.

Friday, November 12, 2010

My Birth Story

I very much enjoy writing, so when my daughter was born, I did not hesitate to write down the experience. I've posted the story on my website http://www.theholisticparent.org/. It's a looooooong story, so I'll direct you there instead of posting the entire monstrosity here. It also includes bits from my first birth experience.

You can read my birth story here.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

My Parenting Website

My husband and I run a parenting website. We're a bit into natural and holistic methods of living. This website is devoted to parenting in this method.

http://www.theholisticparent.org/  If you like it, follow us on Facebook (there's links on the website).

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A Little About Me

I haven't really introduced myself yet on this blog.

I am the mother of two, a six year old boy and a 2 year old girl, well she'll be two in a month! I am married to my high school sweetheart for 7 1/2 years. I love birth!

My love affair with birth began with the birth of my oldest. Though it was a difficult birth, I fell in love with the entire process of bringing a new life into the world, the wonder, anticipation, excitement.

I pursued a bachelor's in nursing so I could be around birth every day. I landed my dream job in labor and delivery right out of college- a difficult feat, it's not an easy specialty to get into. I, of course, was estatic.

I became pregnant for a second time while working this job. Slowly things began to change. There were things that went on in the hospital that I wasn't completely comfortable with. I wasn't able to spend enough time giving support to the actual women who were in labor. To me, they should be the most important focus, yet it wasn't that way. I felt bound by hospital policy that served only the hospital and the doctors, not the women or babies. I learned there are certain things you're simply expected to keep your mouth shut about. It's difficult to question physician orders and I didn't feel I could give my patients truly informed consent.

Informed consent is being able to make a decision by having all of the information available- risks, benefits, options. A lot of information in the hospital is one sided. I couldn't outright tell my patients what their doctor wanted to do was not necessarily in their best interest.

I continued to educate myself, research, and I eventually discovered an entirely different world of birthing- the one with homebirths and midwives, the one where birth is regarded as a natural process and respected. Long story short, I hired a midwife, had the most transformative experience of my life as my daughter was born in my bathtub into the awaiting hands of my husband, and subsequently quit my job in labor and delivery.

I much prefer being able to give my clients information about all their choices in childbirth so they can make the best choices for themselves. I'm now working as a doula and loving every bit of it.

I also encapsulate placentas! I am also keeping a blog devoted to this journey. More info on that can be found at http://www.azplacentaencapsulation.com/. I offer discounts for my doula clients.

In my spare time- what tiny bit there is- I love to write. I have a forthcoming novel about birth that should be published in the next few months.

My doula website is http://www.azbirthdoulas.com/. I'm based in Chandler, AZ. It's a great place to live!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Thanks to my Husband

I have to give credit and thanks to my husband for designing this blog for me. I designed my website (http://www.azbirthdoulas.com/), and I told him what I wanted for my blog, and he just takes care of it. He also designed my logo. So, thank you to my wonderful husband. I love you.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Greetings and Welcome!

Greetings to AZ Birth Doulas blog! I thought this would be a good opportunity to share the life of a doula as well as provide resources for a healthy pregnancy, empowering birth, and successful breastfeeding relationship. I'm a birth junkie and I like to research like crazy. I have no idea what this blog will evolve to be, but I invite you to take this journey with me and peak into the life of a doula.