tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68441767738136469732024-03-12T23:40:10.256-07:00Birthin' KnowledgeSpend everyday of your life learningThe Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-51623447126958733442012-07-02T10:37:00.005-07:002012-07-02T10:37:59.261-07:00Angels Among Us<br />
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Hello Readers, once again, its been a long time, running three blogs, one will eventually get neglected.. </div>
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My last post, I shared I was expecting.. Sadly, at 13weeks pregnant, I found out our baby had died. I went about a week after finding out before my body went into labor. I delivered her in our home after 3 hours of hard labor, I couldn't believe that I had to go through that and not have a reward afterwards.. We had a funeral two days later.. We aren't sure what happened, two theories are that it was the placenta, beginning to deteriorate or a chromosome deficiency. But we'll never know.. We knew it was a girl, and as my husband and I held her afterwards the resounding knowledge came to us.. </div>
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Hanna Daveney J. was born at 8:01pm on June 23, 2012</div>
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My Sweet baby girl, I hope heaven is everything I imagine it is.. I wish you could have stayed with us, and not left.. But you had to go.. My heart is in pieces, but I'm staying strong.. People don't understand, so I won't be the weak one.. My whole body aches for you, I will not get to have the joys of parenthood in this life with you.. I will never see you learn to walk, or talk, Your first tooth, how you are with your older siblings.. Would you have had brown hair like your sister or blonde like your brother? Would you have green eyes or brown? Would you be quiet or crazy? I have a million questions and no answers.. I dreamt a thousand dreams of what having you would be life, a third baby, a miracle in your own right. I hope one day I'll be able to have my answers, and I hope to find the purpose behind this. Loosing you has been the hardest thing our family has ever gone through.. I never thought I'd have to feel this kind of pain.. Hold your little body in my hands and feel my heart shatter..</div>
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I love you Hanna. ~love mommy.</div>
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For our precious angel we did a few special things.. She was buried in my hometown in Oregon, by my Grandma's home. For the Month of June, the tree is an Apple Tree (from june 1st- 23rd is apple, oddly 24th-30th is a Fig tree) So my Grandma bought a beautiful mature apple tree and we buried her beneath it.. As "Her Tree" also for June, a Pearl, and roses. We wrapped her in a white cloth, and we got pearl ear rings, and used one to pin the cloth together around her, and the other I am wearing. So its something physical to have.. And inside her tiny casket, we placed a rose, and a letter my husband and I wrote. With a family picture. We only had family present, it felt like a tiny bit of closer to bury her, but the pain is so very raw I really have nothing I can think about.. I am taking lots of herbs to help keep me happy, they work, I don't meltdown 50x's a day.. I just move through life.. </div>
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But like they say, it can't rain forever... </div>
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This was the poem my husband read at Hanna's funeral. </div>
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<br /></div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-25687568484056101622012-05-25T11:29:00.003-07:002012-05-25T11:29:51.358-07:00Wow! I'm so behind on blogging... I'm technically taking a "break from technology" but really its just from Facebook:) And its naptime right now for my kids, so I don't feel bad!<br />
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Well, updates, We recently found out we are expecting our 3rd baby!! We are very excited and shocked! But it will be fun right? :)<br />
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I have a few guest bloggers that will be sharing their awesome talents on various subjects over the next few months! Hope you enjoy it! :D<br />The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-87885778304201285362012-03-13T22:30:00.003-07:002012-03-13T22:42:20.360-07:00One year Today!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwcYgbSon-39muD5QxrxqWjCUHpcTefW6C_ifoN_x4GuNjYi9m1CLjqbMu5qxjsQenrGnWFMtqD8oWhgIiKuj5mNN6cuhBLMg8fJXKxmwQY-Ysoh2E8N22Q6xng0vXAjj5r2uq_whXps/s1600/birthsmileSC1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwcYgbSon-39muD5QxrxqWjCUHpcTefW6C_ifoN_x4GuNjYi9m1CLjqbMu5qxjsQenrGnWFMtqD8oWhgIiKuj5mNN6cuhBLMg8fJXKxmwQY-Ysoh2E8N22Q6xng0vXAjj5r2uq_whXps/s200/birthsmileSC1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719621437973898706" /></a>(This photo is under copyright and is NOT to be used in anyway) <div>My baby will be a year old in a few hours... A year ago today, I told my husband we should head to bed, as I felt baby boy was going to make his entrance. And boy did he:) </div><div>He's so big, as I don't have a cord to upload a picture of him today, I will tomorrow.. He has green eyes, blonde curly locks and a smile that could warm the coldest soul. He is my love, my cherished one. I waited so long for him.. And my heart is full with a bittersweet memory, as I can't believe my baby is a year old.. *I* had a home water birth! We worked together to create the memory we have today! Amazing how the rush of oxytocin still fills me up a year later:) I love you baby boy, and am so grateful and blessed for you to be here with us... </div><div>To read my birth story head on over:http://birthybusiness.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-home-water-birth-of-our-son.html</div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-23614685729369333182011-12-28T23:43:00.000-08:002011-12-29T00:44:34.774-08:00Ob's so far behind, they think they're ahead..<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><b>Evening,</b></span><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span><b>Ok, this blog post could go ON and ON, just so I can vent this topic.. But I'll keep it brief tonight.. I had a link filter through today that made me literally giggle and squirm in my seat.. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i style="background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span>"New Study Shows Normal Labor Takes More Time Than OBs Are Allowing For"<br /></span></i><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMig8D50xdfGqD8071DKSKhXPmYOMIo0pF23J4P2X9fMmLlpjHxgJjhZ3-zUtfaH8ubaychF16Z02hhuGENQUiKv_F32aybaIJoqe3sOEz-g-h575W9mjiiLGhHtTDdqRz9Enxf3M6cE/s200/clock.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691465462659795986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px; " /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); ">"Obstetricians have been trained to expect labor to progress faster than it actually does, which may be the reason for the high rate of inductions and c-section deliveries in the US according to a new report.</span><span style="background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "> The study published in</span><i style="background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">Obstetrics & Gynecology </i><span style="background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">used information from over 62,000 normal, natural births and figured out the average labor time for dilation from 4 to 5 cm, 5 to 6 cm, and over 6 cm. Most cases of "failure to progress," which is the number one reason for inductions, occur during this part of the first stage of labor." </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">"</span><span style="background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">The authors found that women who had given birth before progress much quicker once they reach the 6 cm mark than women who were giving birth for the first time. The progression from 4 to 5 cm and 5 to 6 cm went much slower for both groups of women than earlier studies have shown. The established obstetrics benchmark based on those earlier studies created an expectation for a much quicker progression through active labor than what this report found. The researchers also pointed out that spinal nerve anesthetics also may be delaying the second stage by 29%, with an average labor time of 3.6 hours with an epidural and 2.8 hours without it. </span></div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); ">The authors proposed an updated model of labor progression for new moms based off their research. They feel that, <b style="font-style: italic; ">if OBs were to follow their new model and allow labor to continue for longer in the lead up to the 6 cm mark, it may reduce the number of interventions, c-sections, and subsequent repeat cesarean deliveries in the US." </b>(Emphasis added by me) </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); ">Here is the link the above was shared from: http://www.guerillahealthreport.com/post.php?id=442#.TvvqjZzM1k1.facebook</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); ">To read further on the matter; </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); ">http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2010/12000/Contemporary_Patterns_of_Spontaneous_Labor_With.8.aspx</p><div><span style="background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); "><span style="line-height: 18px; ">I just have to do a little dance here.. Because midwives, have been saying this forever! There are no time limits on birth, Labor isn't a textbook, and OB's are impatient(as are many moms-to-be). When I have heard women say; "I just wasn't progressing!" or "I reached X cm, and it just stopped" well, we can explain this.. That is NORMAL. Generally (some first time momma's more so) "plateau" so to speak, where there is a longer time between stages. 4-5, 6-7/8. Perhaps mom is still on her back, not moving around helping baby to drop down, the list is endless.. :) (and that will be a whole other blog, but its midnight and I have to get up early, so for time's sake, humor me) </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); "><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Anyway, my whole point, is that with "modern medicine" the physicians, scientists; think they are so far ahead, that really they are behind.. Midwives(who have been around since the beginning of time) KNOW labor is not "by the books" nor are they/we clock watchers. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(244, 244, 234); "><span style="line-height: 18px; "><i>{as a general disclaimer I won't say that, sometimes intervention, is needed, just not abused} </i>So here is the long way around to the end of this post, Labor is about mom and baby working together to reach a common goal. Not mom and baby and.. XYZ... Labor is work, hard work. As long as things are progressing well, heart tones are good, everyone is doing well, labor goes on, it can take a few moments to several days! IT'S LABOR! I get really erked when I hear about time schedules.. Induction/c-section dates.. Heaven forbid anyone let baby alone.. Babies are born when they are READY. (another study done recently, PROVING that babies DO decide, when babies lungs are mature they send off a hormone/signal informing mom's body to contract!) I'll post that link here when I filter through them all! </span></span></div><div><span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Healthy moms, Healthy babies, need to be left alone! They don't need to have their autonomy taken from them! </span></span></div><div><span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Glad "modern" medicine is catching up with the rest of us.. </span></span></div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-90078566330794055222011-12-24T18:54:00.000-08:002011-12-24T18:57:05.819-08:00The reason's for the season!Merry Christmas my readers, today's post is not directly birth/parenting or lifestyle related. But it is a gentle reminder, that the Holidays are for coming together, setting aside our differences and doing the best that we are able.. :) Happy Solstice, Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New year! <br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kmrrjKePLvA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-52623143782179912842011-12-23T22:31:00.000-08:002011-12-23T22:41:25.262-08:00Mary's Birth Story<p class="p1">(I wrote this a year ago.. And filtered through my work on my new computer and found it:) I decided this year I would share it!) </p><p class="p1">Christmas December 25, 2010</p> <p class="p2">Today is Christmas Day.. Presents have been opened, our little ones have toddled off to enjoy their new gifts and we’re left to clean up, and enjoy the day. I listened to a song today while cooking our Christmas dinner.. It was about the birth of Christ. I’ve never really thought much about the actual Birth before.. Its usually around the general nativity and Christ. But during this song, my mind wondered to Mary..</p> <p class="p1">A young woman about to give birth to her first baby. Traveling (by donkey no less..) at the end of her pregnancy, knowing that birth was near.. What she must have been thinking.. So in honor of the season, I decided to create a Birth Story for Mary, (Being a Doula, birth stories are my specialty;) in a way I think her labor and birth would have gone.. </p> <p class="p1">It’s late in the day as Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem. The sun has set and everywhere seems to be full! Mary starts to feel a rush of intense power deep within her.. She knows that the baby will be making his entrance into the world tonight.. She doesn’t worry Joseph about them yet, as they are not painful.. Just an interesting sensation.. Finally they find a place to sleep.. But sleep is not on the menu for tonight.. There is something new in the air. And even the animals in the manger, where they would be for the night, knew it.. </p> <p class="p1">Joseph prepared a place for Mary. Clean water, straw and swaddling. Mary remained calm and relaxed, she trusted her body to do what God had designed it to do.. She breathed in peace and exhaled the tension.. She moved around as she labored, did whatever felt good to her in the moment. When a rush overcame her she moved with it, feeling her baby moving down. Smiling.. Knowing her son would soon be in her arms.. Joseph remained nearby to support Mary in any way he could.. Holding her, dancing with her, whispering endearing things to her.. </p> <p class="p1">Soon the rushes are fast, and both Mary and Joseph know its close. Mary feels her baby in her womb as he moves inside her for the last time.. Joseph stands behind Mary and holding her up as she squats on the straw, Mary breathes slowly as her sweet baby slowly merges into our world. She reaches down and feels her sons head, gently rubbing him and speaking loving words.. She gently pants as her little ones head and body peacefully slips out and into her loving arms. Mary brings her son to her breast and he is wide eyed and beautiful.. </p> <p class="p1">Joseph gently helps Mary to get comfortable, brings her food and drink, as she nurses her newborn son.. </p> <p class="p1">I imagine this is probably what Christ’s birth was like.. No drama, no one standing between your legs screaming at you to push your baby out. Just peaceful, loving and calm.. When I’ve described blissful births to women they don’t always believe its possible.. But I’ve seen it. I’ve witnessed mothers birth their babies with a SMILE on their faces!! Laughing, and enjoying the miracle they are performing. God designed our bodies to create life, to bring them into the world in a warm and loving environment. </p> <p class="p1">Mary was a woman. She had no special powers, she trusted God, herself, her body, her partner. She felt safe, supported and loved.. So, Christ was born in a lowly stable.. Babies have been born in cars, bathrooms and back porches.. But I’m pretty sure Mary didn’t complain about it.. Birth is a miracle no matter where it takes place.. </p> <p class="p1">What an awesome time of the year to enjoy family and friends, to watch our little ones squeal with delight that Santa brought them presents.. And to reflect on the gifts Christ gave to the world.. I’m honored to be apart of the noble art of Motherhood. As I draw near to the birth of my own son, I dwell on the knowledge within me.. Trusting in God, my body that he so perfectly designed, my baby, my husband and the rest of my support team. Remember that birth is a normal part of life.. Not something to be feared or numbed.. If you allow it, it can be the most enjoyable experience of your life. Feel that power in yourself and trust in it. </p> <p class="p1">I hope the holidays bring you many wonderful, heartfelt moments. Merry Christmas and happy holidays.. </p> <p class="p2"><br /></p> <p class="p1">~Happy Birthing! </p>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-34439465930887551552011-12-02T12:46:00.000-08:002011-12-02T12:57:14.081-08:00The CallingOh Readers, I apologize for how long and inconsistant I've been, but SO much has been going on that I honestly couldn't tell you where it started! But I will be getting better now that time is slowing down and I HAVE to blog for business:)<br />Well, I officially "retired" as a Birth Doula, as of October of this year. Due to a lot of miscellaneous things, I knew I needed to. But something wonderful emerged from this ending, I got the 'push' I needed, I applied for midwifery college about a month ago!!!! Oh goodness, I was thrilled and nervous! And as of two days ago! I received my acceptance letter to college!! :D I am officially a Midwifery Student!! I am to the moon and back happy. Not only will I be serving women through the childbearing time, but also their well being, women's health, holistic healing, fertility, health and newborns! Oh be still my happy heart! So that is my new journey, and I'll be blogging about that now, throughout my midwifery student journey and random postings.. :)<br />This is from Midwifery Today's manager, she has it at the beginning of the New student guide, for when we order all our packets, thought I'd share:)<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"The decision to become a midwife is one of the most important you will ever make, right up there with getting married or having a baby. Becoming a midwife will affect your life that much, become your very identity. Becoming a midwife isn’t just choosing a profession, it is answering a calling that has chosen you and will be you.<br /><br />Be careful how and what you learn. You must learn to guard your heart and mind. Birth is about women and their families and involves so much more than medical knowledge. Find a program that nurtures you the way you want to nurture women. Interview harder than a pregnant woman looking for a midwife. Use your powers of discernment. While there are many good programs and teachers, some programs are as harsh as medical doctor training. Find a program that suits you and your learning style.<br /><br />Midwifery is about loving relationships and will stretch you beyond what you had thought possible, mentally, spiritually and physically. I extend you a warm welcome to the calling of midwifery. It is among the highest.<br /><br />love, jan<br />Mother of Midwifery Today"</span><div><span style="font-style:italic;"><br /></span></div><div>I have been called, my friends. It has whispered to me since I was a child, I just didn't know it. I am overjoyed to be so blessed, that I get to do what I love, and Lord willing, everything will workout if this is what I'm truly meant to do. Thank you for reading, and joining me on this journey. </div><div><br /></div><div>Blessings all.</div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-19151702863373257332011-10-29T13:22:00.000-07:002011-10-29T13:37:32.178-07:00*Water Birth Benefits*<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800; ">Benefits of Water for Labor and Birth</span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 32px; text-align: -webkit-center; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800; "><br /></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2qDOfNSdrhguU0C7CDFv9tOnRAHVq3xgahPgMPH3U3ZACAo8nTYQQo86jZgHPYrsA_xMXuJM46BFgH59iIR6SNDrS7782k8f0YQyLn-HZ1pD8cyjr_ZXC69cZ_g5FLl3KZjvL9_Y4X8/s1600/waterbaby.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2qDOfNSdrhguU0C7CDFv9tOnRAHVq3xgahPgMPH3U3ZACAo8nTYQQo86jZgHPYrsA_xMXuJM46BFgH59iIR6SNDrS7782k8f0YQyLn-HZ1pD8cyjr_ZXC69cZ_g5FLl3KZjvL9_Y4X8/s320/waterbaby.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669015233160575058" /></a><br /><h1 style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); "><center><br /></center></h1><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">This information was found and complied at (<a href="http://www.waterbirthinfo.com/benefits.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">http://www.waterbirthinfo.com/benefits.html</a>) </p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Greater comfort and mobility. The mother has much greater ease and freedom to move spontaneously and to change position to assist the descent of the baby.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Reduction of pressure on the abdomen. Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation, resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles, less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Helps mother to conserve her energy. Immersion reduces opposition to gravity; supports the mother's weight so that her energy can be used to cope with the contractions.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Promotes deeper relaxation. As a woman relaxes deeply in water, her hormones kick in and she starts progressing faster and with more rhythm; labor becomes more efficient.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Water relaxes the pelvic floor muscles.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Water minimizes pain so effectively that for most women other pain control methods are no longer needed.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Water stimulates the touch and temperature nerve fibers in the skin. It blocks impulses from the pain fibers, known as the Gate Theory of Pain.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Immersion is often more effective and safer than an epidural. Some people call waterbirth an "aquadural."</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Facilitates a dysfunctional labor. Water can be an effective way to stimulate dilation of the cervix when the mother has difficulty progressing into the active stage of labor.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Water can reduce the need for drugs to artificially stimulate labor. Often, simply getting into the tub will result in dramatic and rapid progress to full dilation within an hour or two.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Lowering of blood pressure. When anxiety is causing high blood pressure, immersion in water often helps lower it.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Change of consciousness. Immersion helps relieve anxiety and promotes relaxation. Water helps a woman to let go and focus inward as labor strengthens.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Easier breathing. Moisture in the air makes it easier to breathe and can be helpful to women with asthma.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Facilitates the second stage of labor. Many mothers are less inhibited in the water. The warm water softens the vagina, vulva, and perineum, leading to fewer injuries to these tissues.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Many women experience rapid second stages, with the baby emerging minutes after the body starts pushing, also known as the fetus ejection reflex (see Odent, The Nature of Birth and Breastfeeding).</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Empowerment of the mother. When a woman delivers her baby while remaining awake, aware and in control, it greatly enhances the birth experience for her and becomes a source of great personal strength and power that enriches her life forever.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Greater involvement of the father. Because the mother's pain and stress is so greatly reduced, it is much easier for fathers to particpate and take a more active role in the birthing process. Many men are reluctant to become involved in the birth experience when they know that the mother is likely to endure intense pain, trauma and suffering during labor and delivery.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Enhanced family relationships. When the mother's pain is dramatically reduced, many fathers eagerly take a more active role in the delivery, resulting in a greater family bond. When fathers are more involved it increases the possibility of a joyous birth. Both parents and child get to share a wonderous experience that can enhance their relationships with each other for the rest of their lives.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Better parent-child interactions. A mother who has had a beautiful and empowering birth experience will have an especially positive association in her mind and emotions to that child; and a baby who has had an easy, non-traumatic, not painful, gentle birth will have an especially positive association to the parent. This exceptionally positive start to their relationship will likely enhance the parent-child interactions forever.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Evolving humanity in a positive direction. Many psychologists believe that babies born gently grow up to become more gentle adults, and have a greater ability to deal with problems non-violently.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Resources: Daniels, 1986; Balaskas, 1990; Lichy, 1993; Napierala, 1994.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; ">Thanks to <a href="http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/8978/">Andrea Eastman of the Gentle Birth Alternatives Home Page</a> for her help in compiling this section.</p>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-83880925404965970762011-10-19T20:04:00.000-07:002011-10-19T20:49:52.919-07:00Big Changes!Hello World!<div><br /></div><div>Recent events have sent me into a whirlwind. I've decided to heed the Call. I am going to be a Midwife! :D My papers are all drawn up, preceptor set up, all that I'm waiting is the last final push.. (No pun intended) I'm waiting to start till after the holidays so I won't be torn between anything. I've been a Doula for almost 4 years, but I've decided to "retire" I was meant to do more, the things I want to do.. I have to do. Midwifery.. Wow, its just such a full word.. I can't describe it. </div><div>I'll still be teaching Childbirth Education and Preparing Placenta's. Just no more "doula-ing" . (Unless you are a family/friend and would like me present for support as your friend with tricks;) </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm SO excited to be on this new path.. I've needed this last month or so to reflect. I took a much needed break from everything and just enjoyed the moments with my babies, crafting with them and preparing for the Holidays and other events coming up. During this past month I've thought of how I want to go about doing everything. I'm in the end phases of officially closing my Doula practice, the website being closed down to jump start a new one, email changes, etc. I felt sad for only a moment, but it was fleeting, for I remembered a saying, "Don't be sad because it's over, be happy because it happened." And it brought me peace. I have always enjoyed new adventures, trying new things and going the distance. This is my new adventure. I feel so blessed my friends.. And am finally at a place where I can share it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Blessings to you. </div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-65506773766936582492011-07-29T14:28:00.000-07:002011-08-21T19:57:32.129-07:00*Changes*<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZwOkP5HP6JJZq4NsybbFNR-JvdIj_11Hf9sbkqeD4fOv-kPJPcduZpPvRLDs4bvScCuI6kR1vvdgIMAVgZpaLpfpbBR850evK3pDiSuebRD11Nrfvxk78yN0osIB6klTu4p0GfDjV0U/s1600/ripples.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZwOkP5HP6JJZq4NsybbFNR-JvdIj_11Hf9sbkqeD4fOv-kPJPcduZpPvRLDs4bvScCuI6kR1vvdgIMAVgZpaLpfpbBR850evK3pDiSuebRD11Nrfvxk78yN0osIB6klTu4p0GfDjV0U/s320/ripples.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634889921920117458" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Change is inevitable, you can't stop it.. Everyday is different than the last, each moment never to be repeated. Daily I think about change, how it works, how I could (illogically) avoid it.. How I can create it. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Do not be discouraged my friends, be the good change you can bring about. You never know who is listening or watching you. You may cause a small drop in the ocean, but that drop creates ripples that just keep going on and on forever. And your the one who started it:) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">~Blessings~</span></div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-85615385310612703862011-07-01T17:14:00.001-07:002011-07-01T17:43:29.486-07:00Reflect on Motherhood<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/taDqKWWPDAY?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/taDqKWWPDAY?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object><br /><br />A wonderful look into what we'd tell ourselves if we could go back to before the birth of our first babies.. If you know a mom-to-be, this would be a lovely video to give her the confidence in herself! :) <br /><br />Happy 4th of July weekend!The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-34378934600394395772011-05-28T15:25:00.000-07:002011-05-28T15:33:03.086-07:00Here's something to smile about:)Hello readers, I think I fixed the followers thing.. I'm not sure, but either way! Enjoy! Here is a nice article on 50 totally awesome perks of being Mom! :) Lots of blogs on the way.. Busy summer! Happy Memorial Weekend!<br /><br />http://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/119367/50_totally_awesome_perks_of?utm_medium=sm&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=natural_fanpage<br /><br />(Just copy and paste, looks like this page is still not fixed...)The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-56774848142241870802011-05-20T18:03:00.000-07:002011-05-20T18:25:43.594-07:00Card North America Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRC84preM0yX0gOts_oEvJW34_qAvzXBtm2EzAViyRmET1LCLnWq03vQ7y3MgUeCjDEHfY7ttYmkOXREvLMv3uaoQlBtqOSykVronXAoiT3jH-WNNqAH9g2YWODk9VAkKx_E4emWExR8s/s1600/do-not-circumcise-baby-300x300.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRC84preM0yX0gOts_oEvJW34_qAvzXBtm2EzAViyRmET1LCLnWq03vQ7y3MgUeCjDEHfY7ttYmkOXREvLMv3uaoQlBtqOSykVronXAoiT3jH-WNNqAH9g2YWODk9VAkKx_E4emWExR8s/s320/do-not-circumcise-baby-300x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608968922924249314" /></a><br />Tomorrow is May 21st, the WHOLE Network and Save Our Sons have asked all intactivists and intactivists in the making to "card America" go to their site here: http://www.thewholenetwork.org/<br />We're to either print out or order their cards/magnets/flyers and put them literally EVERYWHERE! Stick them in the Maternity clothes section, tape them to the baby clothes, stick them in pregnancy books, anywhere a pregnant woman (or anyone for that matter) will see them! Get Creative! *As I realize this is tomorrow and ordering won't be an option unless you already are an intactivist and knew about this, I suggest printing them out/ordering them from the following sites:<br />Info cards, magnets, flyers and ideas can be found at: <br /><br />peaceful parenting: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.409331317670.191616.202794322670<br /><br />The Whole Network: http://www.thewholenetwork.org/intactivist-shop.html <br /><br />Saving Our Sons: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.215254401827022.60741.166998263319303 <br /><br />Barefoot Intactivist: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=155485434497690&set=o.141651165881117&type=1&theater<br /><br />TLC Tugger: http://www.tlctugger.com/prodINTACTIVISM.htm<br /><br />NOCIRC: http://www.nocirc.org/publish/<br /><br />Intact America: http://www.intactamerica.org/resources<br /><br />Circumstitions.com Intactivism Shop: http://www.cafepress.com/intactivism<br /><br />*Remember even if you can't tomorrow, ANYDAY is great! Check out this site to see what and where others have put their Cards! :)<br />https://picasaweb.google.com/109361092076563354551/CardNorthAmerica#The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-27201967197447748862011-05-12T11:32:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:51:57.135-07:00*Intactivist on Fire*<div>Dear Friends,</div><div><br /></div><div>You know how people say; "Well I wish someone had told me!" After making a decision only to learn later it may have not been the best route? I don't want that to be you.. For many of you, you really know me, you know I don't ever push things onto people. And as a general rule as a doula I'm purely here to educate.. That’s what I do! You know I care, if I didn't I would not be writing this.. </div><div>I've been at the cross-road point lately.. Trying to decide how to delicately articulate my words.. </div><div>My main focus in my career is geared towards birth. Natural birth more to the fact. I've taken clients of many back grounds and whose choice to birth was their own. I'm generally unbiased in a mom's decision on how or where she chooses to birth. And I hope whatever you choose will make you happy and that when its all said and done you enjoyed your experience. But I'm not here to discuss birth.. I'm writing this to all the moms, moms-to-be who are expecting boys, or may have boys in the future (even if you've already had a son whose been cut, it doesn't mean they all do)</div><div>I have a wonderful long list of new momma's who are expecting in the near future! It's just wonderful! But like I stated before, remember I care about you, and I'm just giving info. so it's something for you to think about and really look into.. </div><div>Your expecting a little boy. Perfect in every way, right? Your son will be beautiful.. Yes? (hopefully you're all nodding, duh! ;-) haha.. Sorry. Anyways.. There is a choice many mom's (and dads) don't see as an option.. It's just something society has chosen as the norm.. And to what I'm referring to is the controversial topic of circumcision.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_mBrtQN4uz52I-aFGuBp6rtGxPyzXPljZfFgN5g6tu5EOJF8F0TkdYQeAVRjaV3n6gUweF0UmC_tXj1mudzJ_zrCqC37oJ4VpwHISrVkyONqA1J8PcFYrNkM-v0I9AIc1yLBjnhA8-g/s1600/ScreamingMGM1280x854.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_mBrtQN4uz52I-aFGuBp6rtGxPyzXPljZfFgN5g6tu5EOJF8F0TkdYQeAVRjaV3n6gUweF0UmC_tXj1mudzJ_zrCqC37oJ4VpwHISrVkyONqA1J8PcFYrNkM-v0I9AIc1yLBjnhA8-g/s320/ScreamingMGM1280x854.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605900359325643986" /></a><br /></div><div>My dear friend.. I implore you to do the research for yourself, don't just take anyone's word for it.. Even mine. My reasons behind coming to you today is not to scare or bully.. This topic I've been studying myself for almost 2 1/2 years.. It all started with a paper I had to write for school. It really opened my eyes.. I never really knew much about it, except it was just what was done to newborn boys. But the fact that parents really don't know what goes on is what was horrifying to me.. Some parents I've discussed this with (mostly my clients who had boys) Either one, wouldn't do it, it seemed pointless to do that to their sons when they are so tiny. Or they just didn't know and their doctor stated it as a matter of factly, "so lets get his circumcision done." kind of thing.. Some parents do their research. I do give them that. But sometimes its biased information.</div><div>One thing I've heard from parents; "Well he needs to look like his father." well for one thing, do you think they'll be standing naked together and discuss their penis? Really? lol. </div><div>Another common "reason" is; "He'll get made fun of. via; locker room, etc.." Did you know that by the time your son reaches that stage of life he can be powered with knowledge and the fact that he will be the majority.. Not the minority.. In 2009 the CDC announced that almost 70% of baby boys were kept intact. This percent is still rising today. So if peer pressure of being made fun of is a worry, start saving for your daughters boob job while your at it. </div><div>But I don't really want to go into that at the moment.. It's the immediate future I'm more concerned with. It is false that circumcision protects against HIV/STD's.. It doesn't prevent UTI's or penile cancer. It does not make it "cleaner" this is a huge falsehood.. If that were the case than why don't we circumcise our daughters?? It's basic hygiene. You wash! There is no "special" way to take care of an intact male. </div><div>Did you know that baby boys don't receive real pain medication? The doctors ensure you they don't feel it.. Have you witnessed a circumcision? If not, youtube it.. Then tell me they don't feel it. People who can watch them without feeling, without your heart feeling like its going to stop, really must not have one. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlZtCU1RM71UEFVIPq41fEXg0d2XFgU7jwvZ0naaKj8TVwPMYmD02qzut6qREjSgom5ippU1HV-Q5-AyJE3ROgwRyo1ksmpndgs8kMiEJfL2I-JFbpW13pXNtVydIuGzfolK7ac2nn-w/s1600/circ.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlZtCU1RM71UEFVIPq41fEXg0d2XFgU7jwvZ0naaKj8TVwPMYmD02qzut6qREjSgom5ippU1HV-Q5-AyJE3ROgwRyo1ksmpndgs8kMiEJfL2I-JFbpW13pXNtVydIuGzfolK7ac2nn-w/s320/circ.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605901463271044386" /></a> Those screams are NOT from a baby who is just "colic-y" its from a brand new soul, taken from the only person who has ever been their constant. And ripping pieces of their flesh from their body. Sugar water is not a pain medication.. If someone gave me sugar water then started cutting me with a scalpel I'm sure as heck going to feel it!! It's no different with our precious, perfect baby boys. Even with anesthesia, the dorsal nerve cannot be completely blocked, making the surgery incredibly painful. </div><div>Some mom's may say; well my son hardly cried! (which by the way, is it because they were actually present? Or going by what the nurses told them? Because if I were present, watching them strap a baby to that board and take scissors and scalpels to a baby I would NOT just stand there!) Let me tell you why this is.. When you experience extreme pain, you will cry, but then go into shock.. Which is what many baby boys do. They start to act lethargic. And stay that way for many days if not weeks. Many scream when they soil their diapers, changing them is painful, its an open wound. I've had to witness that with one of my clients baby’s.. He had a horrible time latching on.. It made breastfeeding a bit difficult. He just wanted to sleep. Which is a normal reaction for going through a traumatic experience at such a young age. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQC9y3BxYcY9bg3zp8zz_ggetkGUjtsyVRPA06st7YVRX9NifM5pyrygzpxw2vLiIlOaLlDjKc7zpwlsSeCUyE4SIgF9-971sHLdrO1ZymeK2eZLJLl6dD9AtU3IPZ-KcoaYlmfAD5MIY/s1600/intact+vs+circ.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQC9y3BxYcY9bg3zp8zz_ggetkGUjtsyVRPA06st7YVRX9NifM5pyrygzpxw2vLiIlOaLlDjKc7zpwlsSeCUyE4SIgF9-971sHLdrO1ZymeK2eZLJLl6dD9AtU3IPZ-KcoaYlmfAD5MIY/s320/intact+vs+circ.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605900945818601954" /></a> </div><div>When the doctor cuts off the foreskin of healthy baby boy, he's cutting off over 20,000 nerve endings.. (take you finger and drag it lightly across the top of your hand, then straight down the palm, notice the different sensations? That’s several thousand. And compare the sensation, its not "unbearable" right? Its not over-stimulated.) </div><div><br /></div><div>~No national or international medical association in the world recommends routine circumcision.</div><div><br /></div><div>~Only the USA circumcises the majority of newborn boys without medical or religious reason.</div><div><br /></div><div>~Circumcision denies a male's right to genital integrity and choice for his own body.</div><div><br /></div><div>~Medicalized circumcision began during the 1800s to prevent masturbation, which was believed to cause disease.. (this was started by Dr. Kellogg.. The same man who owns Kellogg cereals..)</div><div><br /></div><div>~All mammals, male and female, have a prepuce organ called the "foreskin" or "clitoral hood."</div><div><br /></div><div>~Female Circumcision has only been illegal in the US since 1997~</div><div><br /></div><div>Now for the religious ones.. If you believe in the bible, read it! It states that all sacrifices are done away with in Christ. When he was sacrificed, he took upon himself all sacrifices.. "The law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ. Obedience to the law of Moses was no longer a requirement for salvation since Jesus had completed his atonement. "</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few references:</div><div>New Testament (Law of Christ)</div><div>Acts 15:1-35</div><div>Galatians 5:6</div><div>1 Corinthians 7:19</div><div>Galatians 6:15</div><div><br /></div><div>Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants</div><div>3 Nephi 15:4-5</div><div>D&C 74</div><div>Moroni 8:8</div><div><br /></div><div>"Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me.ʺ Moroni 8:8</div><div><br /></div><div>I have countless sites and books that will be most helpful.. I do apologize for how long this is.. There is just so much information.. I'm passionate about this, and like it was stated in my first paragraph, I wanted to have a clear conscience that I tried.. </div><div>If you choose, after research, learning, asking, that you will still circumcise your son.. Stay with him.. Don't let him go through that alone.. You hold your babies when they get shots. When they are scared. When they are in pain... Stand by him.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Helpful Sites:</div><div>http://www.thewholenetwork.org/the-library.html</div><div>http://nocirc.org/</div><div>http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/</div><div>(WARNING: The link below has graphic images and a video. If you've never witnessed a circumcision, this is one of the ways it is done...) </div><div>http://www.drmomma.org/2011/01/neonatal-circumcision-video-for.html</div><div>http://www.drmomma.org/2010/11/circumcision-most-twisted-logic-in.html</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(there are hundreds more.. but like I said.. do your research<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lRjdQVyJJj2i7tXZHQ-rULelyCMpC7jd2oAx5veVpdfEwXLGPt6_RmQz_xSjBSIl-FBSp_mHgArcJpeyQ2KjYIR_GNY0MLcZ1l73JcAjC5kkU6F8h-bpQpjsJSdcnwd4CpucLngTL9Q/s1600/intactivist.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lRjdQVyJJj2i7tXZHQ-rULelyCMpC7jd2oAx5veVpdfEwXLGPt6_RmQz_xSjBSIl-FBSp_mHgArcJpeyQ2KjYIR_GNY0MLcZ1l73JcAjC5kkU6F8h-bpQpjsJSdcnwd4CpucLngTL9Q/s320/intactivist.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605901943459581938" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Again, know as a friend, this is why I am coming to you.. </div><div><br /></div><div>I won't allow this to be done to my sons.. They will remain the way God made them.. Perfect. Not what our society has deemed the norm.. Please, please, really research for yourself.. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-8352744576664471312011-05-05T17:05:00.000-07:002011-05-05T22:27:09.581-07:00peaceful parenting: Inspirational Jealousy<a href="http://www.drmomma.org/2011/04/inspirational-jealousy.html?spref=bl">peaceful parenting: Inspirational Jealousy</a>: "By Katherine Henderson © 2011<div><br /></div><div>The above link takes you to a wonderful site, Peaceful Parenting. She has guest writers come in and submit their stories, this is one of them. I've been on both sides. A hospital birth, that was all but enjoyable. And a home birth, where words cannot fully express the pure ecstasy and explosion of emotions that came from that amazing experience! </div><div>As a doula I've had these conversations with clients. The 3 years between my kids births offered me plenty of time to educate myself on what I truly wanted. I had the honor of attending many births between my own and seeing these women call upon their own power to birth their babies the way they wanted! Oh what joy it brought me, but a small part of me still jealous that I had yet to have the dream birth.. Where I can say I did it, feel empowered by my own body! As I'd seen so many women do. THAT is what I got. 7weeks ago I gave birth to my son. Inspired by the amazing work. It truly is "Inspirational Jealousy" (Just the good kind;)</div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-45946733137210275582011-05-02T11:04:00.001-07:002011-05-02T11:46:42.082-07:00~Our Home-Water Birth of our Son~<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFM8iEy8SRaBiMCtjqSCQQbXaHjjcOfI975Um4W1keTmHchtjL2jvrKOPmqMLlrn32HkNwpja1oWv2WkCCKefoHnwXe491f1lpHoFmlB3Zuevyogc22-Im1uJjOcV6YCyxVITaB1mHjnw/s1600/JensenbirthLR-17.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFM8iEy8SRaBiMCtjqSCQQbXaHjjcOfI975Um4W1keTmHchtjL2jvrKOPmqMLlrn32HkNwpja1oWv2WkCCKefoHnwXe491f1lpHoFmlB3Zuevyogc22-Im1uJjOcV6YCyxVITaB1mHjnw/s320/JensenbirthLR-17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602188653746223490" /></a><br />I'm not even sure where to begin this amazing journey. It really starts just before the birth of my firstborn, which stings a bit to remember. In 2006 I eloped with the love of my life, we lived happily in Provo, UT. We found out we were pregnant with our first in the fall of that year.. My husband had known it was going to be a girl, and what her name would be before we even knew we were pregnant.. Sometime in the winter we had moved to WA state, my husband (who served in the United States Marine Corps) found out he would be deploying to Iraq around the time our baby was to be born. So as you can see, it was a very stressful time.<br />July 2, 2007 our precious firstborn child came into the world, at 1439 a beautiful baby girl, 7lbs 14oz 19 1/2 inches long. The experience wasn't what I had hoped for, or discussed with my CNM. As a hospital birth, Bonding wasn't established, they took her away all night, and nursing just failed.. I was in a downward spiral. At just two days old, my husband had to leave.. I was left alone, a new, single mom. With support pretty much non-existant. I went searching for something more. I researched everything I could get my hands on that involved pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum time. I accidentally stumbled across Doula's. That is where my new road emerged.<br />During the first year of my daughters life, things took time.. My husband in a war zone, I moved into our own apartment when my daughter was 5months old, probably the best thing I could have done for us. I continued to research Doula's, and this new world I stumbled upon. As my daughter grew, we gained the bond that we so desperately needed. My husband came home just before her first birthday, (2008) and to our surprise I became pregnant (I was on BC) sadly, we lost that baby on my first mothers day.. The experience was very hard for me, but we decided to try for another baby, it felt right.. After several more miscarriages during those 2 years after he returned, life wasn't right for me.. I suffered from severe depression and anxiety. I gained an unhealthy amount of weight and no longer had a drive at life.. I had started schooling, to become a Doula, that was my own outlet, a small glimmer of hope that one day I might be able to experience the bliss I read about, studied, and witnessed at the births I was blessed to be apart of.<br />In 2009 my husband was once again preparing to deploy, my doula business was just taking off, we had just closed on our first home, but all was on hold again.. Afghanistan was my next painful experience.. But during that year I was determined to change things, I joined a gym, lost weight, felt great, worked hard at my Doula job. Took care of my daughter, our new home, and everything else that came my way.. In May 2010 my husband came home from Afghanistan, I felt a wonderful new chapter starting.. To our surprise, we became pregnant instantly! We found out in June we were expecting. I was terrified to loose this baby, but found faith.. We were thrilled, the "estimated due date" was March 15 2011. A wonderful pregnancy was mine to enjoy. I felt so blessed and honored to be carrying another child.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjegkbj2l-ysbqJdGNONY5VO6mDpOlI74V4i8tXEHvGRZO3onZENhtsY5FL8Hpe3fEOtnjW3IpN42IGjxdJJHoaCQbt5MLUqNr6f-EL0MDffBV7YOjtBEGW7IXoJ2jY_p0vIEUwtaLig/s1600/JensenbirthLR-13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjegkbj2l-ysbqJdGNONY5VO6mDpOlI74V4i8tXEHvGRZO3onZENhtsY5FL8Hpe3fEOtnjW3IpN42IGjxdJJHoaCQbt5MLUqNr6f-EL0MDffBV7YOjtBEGW7IXoJ2jY_p0vIEUwtaLig/s320/JensenbirthLR-13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602188661501720946" /></a><br />Through divine guidance we already knew it was a boy, and had been given a glimpse already at our future. His name; Peter Aragon. His first name, Peter. Came to me when we were 9 months pregnant with our daughter, 3 1/2 years before his birth, during our sealing. (We're LDS, and after a year we were able to be sealed for time and all eternity on our first year anniversary! And then 2 days later had our firstborn) I shared this knowledge with my husband and tucked it away in our memories for when that son came to us.. His middle name however, came after my husband returned from Afghanistan. We hadn't found out I was pregnant yet, but I felt strongly about it.. Carlos Aragon, whom our son is named for, was killed in Afghanistan in March of 2010. My husband was the last person with him, and it forever will affect our family. Without Aragon's sacrifice, my husband may not have come home, and our son would not have joined us.. So I'm forever grateful. An only saw it fit that our son be named in his honor. I don't believe it is a coincidence that we had a son, or that he was born in March, the same month, exactly a year later.. Heavenly Father really does work in mysterious ways..<br />After 3 years of schooling, Doula work, obsessed with everything birth and beyond. I was prepared. I knew my options. We decided to have a home water birth, the best way we felt it was for him to come earthside.. We hired a wonderful midwife, who stood behind us every step of the way. Towards the end of my pregnancy, I was so anxious to meet my son. I LOVED being pregnant, feeling him move, it was like magic to me. I never felt "done" in the way you hear so many women complain.. I became a bit nervuos though, I had horrible nightmares I couldn't control. But some how made it through. I read all of Ina May Gaskin's books, to read amazing positive home birth stories. (Ina May is one of my heros!)<br />Well before we knew it, March was here! I had 3 weeks of prodromal labor, constantly thinking, "this is it" but then only to figure out it wasn't! Well after all that, we all got in the truck one Satruday, (march 12) and went for a nice long bumpy drive on the farms.. Well let me tell you, that did something! The next morning I had lost my plug and had my bloody show! I knew it was going to be in the next few days! That night (march 13) my husband and I were watching a TV show, while I had mild contractions on the birth ball.. It was a bit late, maybe 10pm? and I felt we should turn it off and go to bed.. So we did. Around midnight I woke to some pretty powerful contractions. I was able to fall back to sleep till around 1ish. I labored peacefully in my bathroom for a while, not wanting to wake up Mark yet. Till I was sure this was it.. Soon they picked up in intensity and I knew.. I woke up Mark, and we started preparing for the birth of our son! I was doing pretty good using the sink as an anchor and squatting down during contractions. Mark was busy making calls to our birth team, getting my food/water, and setting up our bedroom/birth pool for the big event! He was amazing!<br />Our midwife showed up around 2am I think, I was excited! During the early/active labor stage I just went with the flow, joking with everyone, and enjoying the experience. It was so cool! It was just like having a get together, but the perk there was going to be a baby at the end!<br />The tub was finally filled up, we had white christmas lights hung around our window, (my bedroom is painted red, and the decor/bedset is red/black) very romantic setting!) candles lit, and all my affirmations taped up. Our birth photographer showed up and was a fly on the wall, silent and did a beautiful job!<br />Our daughter was sound asleep in her bed, as well as both dogs. It was perfect.<br />My labor picked up and I was in the zone, only thing that shocked me was Peter turned from anterior to posterior half way through. Causing intense back labor.. That part was powerful. The normal contractions where easy, no problem, its just the back ones took alot of my attention to stay grounded.. And with the amazing hands of my husband and midwife it was managed. I roared my baby earthside. I loved being in the birth tub, it helped melt the rushes. My husband, my amazing love, was there through it all. He jumped in the tub to hold me, he spoke encouragment, love and support. I'm so very grateful for his strength, and how much he helped me.<br />I labored through the night, a few hours before I began pushing Mark and I got out of the tub and got to have several rushes alone, he helped me to relax and we got back into the tub for the big finale!<br />It was around 7am, my daughter woke up and came into join us! She thought it was really cool! (I'm 4 weeks postpartum now, and she is always pretending to have a baby, or nursing! I just love it! :)<br />I was on all fours in the birth tub, Mark behind me squeezing my hips to help my back labor, I felt my son's head.. He was there! In that moment I was smiling ear to ear! Years of waiting, the pain of seeing everyone have their babies, it was finally my turn! But even more, I was birthing him how I wanted, in my home, safe, sound and protected.<br />I could feel the soft hair of my son, his head finally coming earthside! I don't even know what words to best describe this. The feelings I had, thoughts, it was amazing! Being in my own home, my space, no annoying medical staff, no yelling or rushing.. It was normal, peaceful. My birth was not a medical procedure, I wasn't another patient being timed or pushed into unnecessary interventions. Everyone present did what *I* wanted, an amazing primal insinct took over, I felt empowered not only of my own great and marvelous work but by the millions of women before me who had given birth the way God intended. I was connected to them, I wasn't alone, and I had the strength to do it. I can't deny that God was present, I honestly believe he is present at every birth. There is a veil our babies pass through to enter our world and God willing at the end of a long life, pass again through it. As I felt my perfect baby, perfectly moving through my body, I breathed him into being..It was pure ecstasy! I've been asked if I'd label this experience as Orgasmic, ((if you haven't watched that documentary I HIGHLY recommend it!)) and I have to say.. It was! It was an Orgasmic Birth, pure and awesome. My precious baby boy, came peacefully into his daddy's hands. Mark then passed him (baby was still under the water) between my legs and into my arms, I lifted him out of the water and onto my chest. The amazing feelings that exploded I can't bring all into words. But it was my piece of heaven! Our son, Peter Aragon Jensen, came earthside, safely into his parents hands at 0745 am on March 14th, 2011. Weighing 8lbs 14oz, 22 inches long!! (no tears, none with my daughter either) A lovely full head of brown hair! Our daughter then stripped down to her underwear and jumped in the birth tub with us! Our little family, together! I felt amazing! Exhausted, but empowered! I did it, *I* did it! After all the waiting, the research, the schooling, the ache.. I carried, birthed and now nurse my son! My baby.. He healed my soul. Bringing about this amazing new start for our family, renewing my faith and showing me how much my heart can love.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOmKpPFEPJBr-OB24s356Xfw4WBINWLb7VJ6vZv5gh5txrah9zVz_enoArmpDlVbmhjXJDz8fgzphLM38vtgT4VwK6WdNYUFdVxiILs1C69rHrPz-PwXgrKS-gCdcH9rwSHlwlXrRanI/s1600/JensenbirthLR-93.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOmKpPFEPJBr-OB24s356Xfw4WBINWLb7VJ6vZv5gh5txrah9zVz_enoArmpDlVbmhjXJDz8fgzphLM38vtgT4VwK6WdNYUFdVxiILs1C69rHrPz-PwXgrKS-gCdcH9rwSHlwlXrRanI/s320/JensenbirthLR-93.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602188672359499730" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pD5hUiuFE3YwkCs4vBrr7aYfliWqusp_yi3zxeUogHQ3120qaiQNY-m0tbAKSb1sHsnpASlJ4KLZ3LsZZ7oBL-UfFbi7ZzB18RQtIsWl5m98xKI2hRv70t6x8GAcGEN5Cl5IvK-IKeA/s1600/birthsmileSC1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pD5hUiuFE3YwkCs4vBrr7aYfliWqusp_yi3zxeUogHQ3120qaiQNY-m0tbAKSb1sHsnpASlJ4KLZ3LsZZ7oBL-UfFbi7ZzB18RQtIsWl5m98xKI2hRv70t6x8GAcGEN5Cl5IvK-IKeA/s320/birthsmileSC1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602188677520955154" /></a><br />Staring at my little one now, as he nurses, smiling at me.. I've been truly blessed.<br />This birth re-birthed me into a new woman, I became a mother when my daughter was born, but birthing my son, I DID IT! I did what I was made to do. What God designed me to do. All I can do is smile, an go into a pure state of ecstasy to remember the most wonderous experience that took place right here in my home.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLMBXYIychzi7cpQAXx7CX49pa6RTO71b-BYr_crUawz9gZc7pXhrVSTZg2PBWDpJZWcyTxpOEyiVlVr2hdLDF1_A3HToMYM8gQ2_FL-aN07ThVmTRNrKdSyQlNjDWuUYMHxVShQ6mfM/s1600/JensenbirthLR-110.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLMBXYIychzi7cpQAXx7CX49pa6RTO71b-BYr_crUawz9gZc7pXhrVSTZg2PBWDpJZWcyTxpOEyiVlVr2hdLDF1_A3HToMYM8gQ2_FL-aN07ThVmTRNrKdSyQlNjDWuUYMHxVShQ6mfM/s320/JensenbirthLR-110.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602191682150535346" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~All because two people fell in love~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-59054106851473986962011-04-14T16:29:00.000-07:002011-04-14T16:40:32.486-07:00Many Blogs to come!Evening Readers!<br /><br />Its been a long time, I apologize, I recently had a wonderful home water birth of our second child! So my attention has been elsewhere.. ;)<br /><br />I have many wonderful blog topics coming up, right now I've been writing up my birth story and will get those all written up and posted soon. Hope all is well in your world!The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-5675731910701425012011-01-22T10:12:00.000-08:002011-01-22T10:45:39.069-08:00Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>*Good morning readers, sorry its been a while, I found this fun 'poem' and thought it would go perfect with today's "going's on". Today on Facebook over 6thousand (and counting) women and men have logged off FB to prove a point.. We've changed the main photo to a breastfeeding theme. There have been dozens of profile and pictures deleted because someone flagged them claiming it "obscene and inappropriate!" When in reality its the exact opposite. There are far "worse" photos all over FB. Women nude, bikinis, lingerie, and those continue to be allowed on FB. I don't really care what someone has on THEIR facebook, although seeing naked men and womens pictures on FB is disturbing, the thing is its THEIRS, and if I don't like it, tough cookies, I just don't look! *Gasp* what a concept.. So back to FB, this absurd idea that FEEDING your BABY is obscene? If people have a 'problem' with it, just get over it. No matter what is said, or where you stand, all major medical industries will agree, "BREAST IS BEST" But I don't need them telling me that. If you formula fed great, but if you have some kind of vendetta against mothers who nurse, step off your high horse and act your age! Breasts are not a sexual idol, its society who claims that, slams pictures and music videos, magazines, movies, etc. Telling you, brainwashing you into believing they are only meant for sex. They are FIRST and foremost designed to nourish babies. Covering up, although for some women who feel that need personally, is just another way of hiding a perfectly normal act. I don't know about you, but I don't want my kids growing up thinking that babies only get cut from womens tummies and are only fed from a plastic bottle.. My own 3yr old "nurses" her dolls, she knows that babies grow in a uterus, not the tummy, and they come out of a vagina. I'm not ashamed of my boobs, I will not hide in a bathroom or cover them up. It is my legal right to nurse anywhere and anyway I choose. And FB should not try to "govern" that.. Just because someone else is "uncomfortable". (Sorry this was off subject in educational purposes, its more a rant.. ;) Enjoy the poem!) <br /><br />Would you nurse him in the park? <br />Would you nurse him in the dark? <br />Would you nurse him with a Boppy? <br />And when your boobs are feeling floppy? <br /><br />I would nurse him in the park,<br />I would nurse him in the dark.<br />I’d nurse with or without a Boppy.<br />Floppy boobs will never stop me.<br /><br />Can you nurse with your seat belt on?<br />Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?<br />Though he may pinch me, bite me, pull,<br />I will nurse him `till he’s full!<br /><br />Can you nurse and make some soup?<br />Can you nurse and feed the group?<br />It makes him healthy strong and smart,<br />Mommy’s milk is the best start!<br /><br />Would you nurse him at the game?<br />Would you nurse him in the rain?<br />In front of those who dare complain?<br />I would nurse him at the game.<br />I would nurse him in the rain.<br /><br />As for those who protest lactation, <br />I have the perfect explanation. <br />Mommy’s milk is tailor made <br />It’s the perfect food, you need no aid. <br /><br />Some may scoff and some may wriggle,<br />Avert their eyes or even giggle.<br />To those who can be cruel and rude,<br />Remind them breast’s the perfect food!<br /><br />I would never scoff or giggle,<br />Roll my eyes or even wiggle!<br />I would not be so crass or crude,<br />I KNOW that this milk’s the perfect food!<br /><br />We make the amount we need<br />The perfect temp for every feed.<br />There’s no compare to milk from breast-<br />The perfect food, above the rest.<br /><br />Those sweet nursing smiles are oh so sweet,<br />Mommy’s milk is such a treat.<br />Human milk just can’t be beat.<br /><br />I will nurse, in any case, <br />On the street or in your face. <br />I will not let my baby cry, <br />I’ll meet his needs, I’ll always try. <br />It’s not about what’s good for you,<br />It’s best for babies, through and through.<br /><br />I will nurse him in my home,<br />I will nurse him when I roam.<br />Leave me be lads and ma'am.<br />I will nurse him, MOM I AM.<br /><br />Author unknownThe Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-24551707899100162662010-11-28T10:59:00.000-08:002010-11-28T10:59:42.296-08:00Women in the Scriptures: The Importance of Birth<a href="http://womeninthescriptures.blogspot.com/2008/12/importance-of-birth.html?spref=bl">Women in the Scriptures: The Importance of Birth</a>: "As I delve into this topic I first need apologize to those of you who aren't LDS or who aren't familiar with LDS doctrine. This piece is wr..."The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-557414941407961022010-11-12T14:15:00.000-08:002010-11-12T14:16:49.334-08:00Birth as a Bowel Movement<div style="text-align: left;"> *The author is unknown, so if you happen to know who it is, please email it to me so I can give them the proper credit! :) Enjoy!<br /></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> Imagine if you will, that about a hundred years ago, people began having great difficulties having bowel movements (BM for short). It all came about because of some very unhealthy lifestyles. People weren’t eating correctly because they were desperately trying to be thin and beautiful. They had malnutrition and took a lot of pills and other drugs to help them become and stay thin. People were so concerned with looking good that they put their health aside to get there.</div> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> As a result of this lifestyle, many people had a terrible time having BMs. Some people even died. Something had to be done to save these folks. So instead of changing their lifestyles, people flocked to the doctors to have their problem fixed. The problem became so prevalent that people became fearful of having BMs. Everyone dreaded going to the bathroom because of all the horror stories of pain and death. This normal, natural bodily function was labeled dangerous and hazardous and needed to be monitored and controlled to save lives.</div> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> Over time, it became the ‘norm’ to go the hospital whenever someone had to have a BM so that doctors could monitor the process and intervene if they needed to. This continued through the years and is still practiced today. An onslaught of new life-saving technology and machinery was invented for us in aiding people to have a BM. It has become such a common practice to go to the hospital to have a BM that people have become uninformed. They don’t trust their own bodies to have a BM on their own. People are scared to have a BM that having one anywhere besides a hospital is considered irresponsible, dangerous and risky. Even though the old, unhealthy lifestyles, which caused the problem in the first place are no longer practiced, having BMs is no longer considered a normal event. Even the healthiest of people go to the hospital to have BMs out of fear that something might happen. The go ‘just in case’.</div> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> So, you have to have a BM and even though you are a healthy man and having a BM is a normal, natural physiological function that your body was designed to do, we go to the hospital. We grab the hospital bag and head out the door in a hurry. During the car ride you get very tense because the cramps are coming on strong and you can’t get comfortable. You try breathing through them but this only helps a little with all the stop and go traffic and bumps in the road. Not to mention that you just wish you could be at home and have privacy. Upon arrival at the hospital, you are wheeled up to a room and instructed to put on a gown with nothing else on (it has a large opening in the back which will show you rear end if you get up and walk anywhere). You are told to lie down so that a nurse can examine you. Then a strange female nurse comes in and explains that she is going to have to insert 2 fingers into your rectum to check the progress of your feces. You obviously feel humiliated because someone you don’t know has just touched a very private and personal part of you.</div> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> Then the nurse straps a monitor to your belly to measure the severity of your cramps and stick an iv in your arm. This is very distracting and makes the pain of the cramps even worse. Soon, your cramps become stronger and you are getting very uncomfortable. At this point, the nurses change shifts and new nurse comes in. She says she needs to check you again since it’s been awhile and you don’t seem to be making any progress. She inserts 2 fingers again and shakes her head from side-to-side and gives you a very disapproving look. You have not made any progress. You want to try so badly to relax so you can make progress but with the iv, the strangers, the fingers in your rectum and the negative attitudes of the staff, there are just too many distractions and you can’t. By now your cramps are very painful and it takes all you’ve got to just stay on top of them.</div> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> The hospital team decides to insert a wire up your anus to determine if, indeed, your cramps are as bad as you say they are. They again insert 2 fingers to check the dilation and fecal decent. They tell you that if you don’t make any progress in the next 30 minutes, they may have to cut the feces out. This causes you to be even more tense and you have a hard time trying to relax just knowing what may happen if you can’t push it out yourself. After another hour of laying in bed, the female doctor comes in and does yet another exam with 2 fingers because he says he wants to be sure the nurses were doing it right. He feels it is time for you to begin to push. So you are in bed, flat on your back with your feet up in stirrups trying to have a BM and pushing with all your might while the strange nurse and a doctor intently watch your anus. The feces is not coming down fast enough so the doctor decides that your anus must not be big enough for the feces to pass through so they make a large cut in your anus to make it bigger. They also need to use a vacuum extractor to help pull the feces out.</div> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> You finally manage (with the help of a large cut and vacuum) to push the feces out. You are in a lot of pain, you’re bleeding, exhausted, spent and humiliated. You feel like something in your body is broken and didn’t work correctly. This must be true since you needed all this help for a normally natural bodily function right? The nurse then pushes on your abdomen to make sure all of the feces has been expelled. This is VERY painful but thank God you were in a hospital or else something bad might have happened. Someone stitches you up and are given instructions on how to aid your healing.</div> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> So, you made it through. You’re alive and that’s what really matters right? Is it though? What about your pain? What about the humiliation? What about the violation of privacy? What about the anger you feel towards the whole damn thing because your experience could have been completely normal and uncomplicated at home?</div> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> Now, this scenario is absolutely and utterly ridiculous right? It seems absurd to go to the hospital for something that could have easily, and much less painlessly, been done at home. The same is true of birth. This scenario is exactly what happened to birth (the ‘unhealthy’� habits were obviously a bit different) and many women are suffering, needlessly, as a result. I can attest to the fact that this scenario is VERY common in hospitals today – I have even experienced it with my own hospital birth.</div> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> People have been raised to fear birth and to think that it needs the medical community to make it happen. Birth interventions have become so common that people accept them, and every side effect that comes with them, as necessary for a good outcome. And most don’t believe it when someone tells them that it can be so much better if those things weren’t done routinely.</div> <div style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center;"> A healthy, informed woman who is knowledgeable in birth had just as slim a chance of dying in birth as someone does while having a BM. All you need to have a safe birth is to be informed and to listen to your instincts (something that is very difficult to do with people watching you – just like it is difficult to have a BM with people watching you!). Birth is safe and simple. Just like having a BM is safe and simple. I need as much assistance while birthing our children as you do while having a bowel movement!</div> <div class="notes" style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; margin: 20px 0px 1em; padding-top: 10px; text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">—Author unknown.</span></div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-259850278715790952010-09-24T12:51:00.000-07:002010-09-24T13:36:29.654-07:00Lets talk about PPDAfternoon Readers, I have been thinking alot about PPD lately.. With my first baby I had it.. It was awful and pretty much all the things on this list below are things that were said to me by friends, family and even the occasional stupid stranger.. Postpartum Depression is something that is a serious problem, it's not something that is "just in your head" its a very real thing.. And no not everyone has the "murder my family" type, but the sadness, lonely, not feeling supported where its needed.. THAT is whats ignored.. I kept everything to myself, I didn't like talking about it to anyone, my husband was in Iraq, and I was in all these situations I didn't want to be in.. I felt completely alone..<br />Ladies, do what you need too, to find help! Being miserable is not "part of motherhood"I am now expecting my next baby.. And the memories of that first year are flooding back in waves of nightmares, I've thought long and hard about how things will go once baby gets here.. And people aren't going to like it, but this time I just don't care! I tried to please people, I "didn't know what I was doing" as a new mom, its something you SO don't need to hear.. Well now I'm a veteran mom! I've gone to school, attended countless births and helped moms during their PP time, and being a Doula I am ready to put all those things to work for myself!! You just need to take the stand! Talk to those who are supportive, whether its a family member, close friend, whoever, but make the choices of your support team, and know your not alone in this.. And don't let anyone tell you, your feelings aren't valid!<br /> The list of 25 things is from the blogher site, and I felt I should share it..<br />Please, share this knowledge with the moms you know, and anyone else who may not know how or what to say to moms going through this.. Even if you don't know if a mom is suffering from PPD you still should know how to handle it.<br /><br />"I can't emphasize enough how much trauma that adds to an already miserable situation, and how it can slow or even block recovery. <p>I think it's important to let people know what not to say, so I'm combining the input from my readers to give you the 25 things you should NEVER say to someone with or at risk of getting postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, postpartum psychosis or the antenatal (during pregnancy) version of any of these:</p> <p>1. Just [go for a walk/go out with your friends/have a drink/take a vitamin/go shopping/go back on the pill] and you'll feel all better.</p> <p>2. Women have been having babies for tens of thousands of years, and they got through new motherhood just fine. Toughen up.</p> <p>3. Yeah, I had a few bad days there after my baby was born. I know what you're going through. Or ... I just finished my [album/thesis/marathon/political campaign]. I know how you feel.</p> <p>4. Maybe postpartum depression is God's way of letting you know you don't have enough faith. I think you should pray harder.</p> <p>5. Stop making this about you. This is about the baby. You should be thinking about him/her rather than yourself.</p> <p>6. Quitting breastfeeding is selfish. The baby's health is so much more important than yours.</p> <p>7. I know breastfeeding is really important to you, but you have to quit so you can be treated for PPD.</p> <p>8. This is the exact medication and dosage I took for my PPD. Just take that and you'll be OK.</p> <p>9. I would <em>never </em>take antidepressants. You shouldn't need that stuff to be a mother. </p> <p>10. You're just mad the baby is getting all the attention. </p> <p>11. PPD is just a fad. Only spoiled, Western women get it, and now that it's "popular" on the blogs, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.</p> <p>12. Can't you see how lucky you are? You have a beautiful baby! You should be grateful.</p> <p>13. This will probably go away on it's own, so don't worry about it. </p> <p>14. I wouldn't talk about this with anyone. You don't want them to think you're crazy.</p> <p>15. You don't need to worry about your symptoms unless you're having thoughts of harming your baby.</p> <p>16. You're just using postpartum depression as an excuse to get out of the hard work of being a mom.</p> <p>17. Once you go back to work you'll probably feel fine.</p> <p>18. Why can't you just talk yourself out of this? I don't think you're trying hard enough.</p> <p>19. Do we need to take your child away from you?</p> <p>20. If you would just try _______ (fill in the blank) parenting style I think everything would be okay.</p> <p>21. You have [a supportive partner/wonderful home/great family/good job/food on the table/healthy baby]. You should be happy.</p> <p>22. All of this crying is bad for your baby, you know.</p> <p>23. We all have days where we don't want to get out of bed.</p> <p>24. Did you think motherhood was going to be easy? What did you expect?</p> <p>25. Postpartum depression isn't real.</p> <p>Women who have perinatal mood and anxiety disorders didn't do anything to cause them, and require medical help to recover from them. They deserve nothing but patience, love and support. Period.</p>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-1821648911979267312010-08-17T11:36:00.000-07:002010-08-17T11:51:08.049-07:00Educate Before You Vaccinate!!Now just to state, I'm not totally anti-vaccinations, but seriously, parents just nod and do what doctors tell them. Its really sad to see so many parents not educating themselves to give their kids the best possible start in life.. And I'm not saying that parents who choose to vaccinate aren't doing what they think is best, I'm saying that people don't learn more BEFORE making choices.. Homework is the best way to learn.. ;)<br /><br />1) If vaccinations are so effective, why have there been hundreds of documented outbreaks and epidemics in populations either fully immunized or exceeding herd immunity standards? Including 4,200 cases of measles in fully immunized (state mandated and enforced) Texas schools?<br /><br />2) If vaccinations are so safe, why do 6,000 infants a year die from vaccine reactions?<br /><br />3) If systemic (injected) vaccinations work so well at preventing disease, why is modern science scrambling for a mucosal (oral or nasal) alternative? Could it possibly be because the mucosal system is necessary to confer humoral memory immunity?<br /><br />4) Why was it that the Hepatitis A vaccine brought about a 26% increase in the disease in the US the year after it was added to the childhood immunization schedule and universally implemented?<br /><br />5) Why is that when we had a flu vaccine shortage in 2004 (we had less than half the normal amount available due to contaminated batches) that there was not a massive increase in influenza deaths? Why was it, in point of fact, that there was actually a 30% DECREASE in influenza deaths that year?<br /><br />6) Why do we recommend a vaccination for which children have virtually no likelihood of contracting it's assigned disease unless their pregnant mother had it (Hepatitis B)?<br /><br />7) Why would our government allow the second most toxic substance on earth (mercury) to be put into vaccinations? And why is it still in the Hepatitis B and Influenza vaccines as of 2009 when it was supposed to be "banned" in 1999, ten years ago? Mercury is linked a humongous number of neurological disorders, although autism which is the only "unproven" one gets the media attention (go figure).<br /><br />8) Why did the US government reclassify the name of Poliomyelitis as viral or aseptic meningitis or coxsackie virus the year after the vaccine was introduced?<br /><br />9) Why is the ACIP (advisory committee for immunization practices), who are responsible for approving new vaccinations and adding them to the immunization schedule in the US, approving vaccinations in which: the safety trials never tested children of the appropriate age that are actually given the vaccine (hepatitis b), only tested 31 trial participants who were only observed for adverse reactions for 3 days later (influenza), did not conduct placebo controlled safety trials (nearly all of them), had an exorbitant amount of deaths during the safety trial (rotavirus), etcetera?<br /><br />10) Why does the US recommend around 20 doses more (18 to be exact) from birth through five than the World Health Organizations top 30 countries for birth through five mortality in the world? Compare to any other well developed nation even and we recommend between 17-25 more doses just in this age range, guaranteed. Since we place 34th in the world for birth through five mortality, it's not exactly putting us ahead of other nations in terms of saving our children's lives.<br /><br />Pro vaccine individuals think that anti vaccine people are some sort of wacko conspiracy theorists. The truth is we're knowledgeable and informed parents who don't just blankly nod our heads to every word our doctor (who is NOT God), says. If you are pro vaccination, think about these questions, allow yourself to absorb a concept you may consider to be unusual or even straight up crazy. If you know the answers and can prove me wrong using actual fact and data ("scientific consensus disagrees with you", or parroting doctors and the FDA or CDC's opinion based statements does not count), I'm always open to new information!<div style="border: medium none ; overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />(Shared information from a fellow Doula!)<br /></div>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-23129003072320563032010-07-27T14:35:00.000-07:002010-07-27T20:08:37.698-07:00Fertility & Frustrations..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkema2ua5OOkCTFUnWzh9V-ngBOTAohCjEYM0jFMls9_hq-GqL0DkACEF5R1ka7f_4HL7VPCLAok2dCm4E_i-Wyn7Mb_-dsRFVEIXWiHXM5MCv0FC_rP4oetbAVLPll_NLyUZ7OCcebg/s1600/l_5e582be7139a4c6984acf0b27817aa12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkema2ua5OOkCTFUnWzh9V-ngBOTAohCjEYM0jFMls9_hq-GqL0DkACEF5R1ka7f_4HL7VPCLAok2dCm4E_i-Wyn7Mb_-dsRFVEIXWiHXM5MCv0FC_rP4oetbAVLPll_NLyUZ7OCcebg/s320/l_5e582be7139a4c6984acf0b27817aa12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498787694233218994" border="0" /></a><br />I found this site that was really helpful in learning more about natural conception. And also some information on the alternative methods when "natural" is just not working.. TTC (Trying To Conceive) is hard, no matter how you look at it, for some women its fast, and so to those who it takes much longer, are thinking "well why not me? Whats wrong with me?" and countless other negative thoughts that you just can't help thinking.. And the <span style="font-style: italic;">want</span><span> is just so strong it can throw your hormones into a downward spiral, making cycles crazy, and life just down right miserable for you, for your partner and everyone around you.<br />From personal experience I understand this frustration, the pain, and constantly thinking about, babies, pregnancy, cycles, ovulation, testing, etc.. I've read hundreds of books, gone to countless physicians, naturopath, midwives even counseling. Just to figure something out! For some women you have a diagnosis, you know why, and there is a way to change course to shoot for your goals. Others its unexplainable infertility.<br />Patience is a big one, it can be so upsetting to be told that, or to just relax.. Sometimes its just not that simple.. For my husband and I we had no diagnosis, no medical reasons.. The Doctors and midwives were baffled by my case. Without cycles for almost a year, but I still would conceive but soon miscarry.. Several times this happened. We had no reason why my babies kept dying.. Well this went on for almost two years.. My husband was deployed during this last year and I went to a specialist to see if we could figure out something.. And to no avail.. My midwife however suggested I change my lifestyle, change my diet, (I'm striving to "go green") and start going to the gym. So for 7 months my husband was gone, I went to the gym 6 days out of the week.. And by the end of the deployment I had lost almost 50pounds.. My cycles returned, 28 days exact!! (which is rare for many women!) 2 cycles after my husband was home we conceived!! And have been growing strong ever since then!<br />Here is the point to my story, I wasn't vastly over-weight, but for some reason the way I carried my weight was affecting my fertility, and some reason the doctors could not figure that out.. I'm not saying go join a gym and you'll get pregnant.. I'm just stating that making lifestyle changes that may hinder fertility can be a huge factor. Babies are precious cargo to begin with, and their start in life should be at its best, I was really happy to have lost the weight for many reasons, but when I found out I was pregnant the relief of knowing my body is prepared to handle pregnancy was beyond happy. The heavier a woman is, the risk of complications triples..<br />I felt compelled to share my story, and I pray it gives hope to you TTC'ers out there.. Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is change.. Its scary, not knowing what is ahead of you.. If something will work out or not.. But I finally reached the end of my rope, I believed that perhaps I wasn't meant to have more kids, that our daughter was it. And I came to terms with that and began enjoying life again.. I know life is never perfect, but for me? In those first few months of my husband being home from Afghanistan, and me finally not being depressed over not having another baby, I felt my life was perfect.. I was happy. I am happy.. And then I found myself being blessed with this gift..<br />The picture below is of "cyclebeads" it is a very old tell-tale way to remember your cycle, count days, etc.. But its also a great tool for tracking ovulation! Along with purchasing a Basal Body thermometer at your walmart for about $8 and together these two can be a really great help to TTC!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YhbeRAH_AW-m8onQJEJsjH-Jah2irfA1iRahzyauJil09ajO5j7IUWing3yPhlAVF1lND26Q1sNnEXPUixXt_wmCYaSS966xLZ-rE7T-HJQDvI0CxactqY28IasCon6rYpEHfHAhRBo/s1600/product-photo-r1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YhbeRAH_AW-m8onQJEJsjH-Jah2irfA1iRahzyauJil09ajO5j7IUWing3yPhlAVF1lND26Q1sNnEXPUixXt_wmCYaSS966xLZ-rE7T-HJQDvI0CxactqY28IasCon6rYpEHfHAhRBo/s320/product-photo-r1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498787701270856098" border="0" /></a><br />Don't give up, scream, shout and cry.. But don't give up.. Doubt is what tells you to quit.. Hope is what whispers; give it one more try.. Baby Dust being sent your way in your TTC journey..<br /><br />Here is that natural fertility and conception site;<br /><a href="http://infertility.health-info.org/natural-fertility-conception/natural-fertility-conception-home.html">http://infertility.health-info.org/natural-fertility-conception/natural-fertility-conception-home.html</a><br /><br />And here is one of many that are extremely helpful and available to you at your local barnes and noble or other book store;<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nCHX-eZ4Ut8LQlOHSY0Bjnh8mG5OZV6nlcTSIvtOoND427MrypZ8Kyzl-es-BJmfS7cEZjHKLdc030nBBd2QJKQPfxCtuLcSvFYHTyk54cJvpEmcqELH5GpX5XKfZ-njXrrwaS9aY_I/s1600/fertility.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nCHX-eZ4Ut8LQlOHSY0Bjnh8mG5OZV6nlcTSIvtOoND427MrypZ8Kyzl-es-BJmfS7cEZjHKLdc030nBBd2QJKQPfxCtuLcSvFYHTyk54cJvpEmcqELH5GpX5XKfZ-njXrrwaS9aY_I/s320/fertility.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498784906037058754" border="0" /></a><br /></span>The Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-53124677350067220532010-07-16T08:58:00.000-07:002010-07-16T09:08:11.894-07:00Birthin' Comics!This site has many of THE funniest and OH SO TRUE comics! From how you choose to birth, to breastfeeding! Which I get a kick out of them! I've even paid for a few! This one below is one I purchased, its one of my favorites! :) <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubdgNrJYux0eGol6GjGSXpLlL0YCTXaraPJuXFznkXgDRSQkcSRza81mVnrIwTo-NaI9lnwxNJhSrVpKY-3zxRfGVv6nrFWCy9P-QkmaPHDjUOfhgbuTDaEgsCd-UE7uTvvWh3G2YD-w/s1600/verycrafty.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubdgNrJYux0eGol6GjGSXpLlL0YCTXaraPJuXFznkXgDRSQkcSRza81mVnrIwTo-NaI9lnwxNJhSrVpKY-3zxRfGVv6nrFWCy9P-QkmaPHDjUOfhgbuTDaEgsCd-UE7uTvvWh3G2YD-w/s320/verycrafty.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494535351598254578" /></a><br />www.thecowgoddess.comThe Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844176773813646973.post-34349640746455049962010-07-15T09:08:00.000-07:002010-07-15T09:36:44.364-07:00Tummy Tubs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwMpIxWPk1NKaUCr4Zonm5jE_BuNA6b6UeJ4qPhqn2kIHqN2aFuMAuzSujAFo8xFYOGKmVp2_t56o25h7BtyAohfXGIxqoB7qed2Dv4gKw2VPRmAIo8D-MyDtR_judjonInMqew4qJBo/s1600/tummytub.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwMpIxWPk1NKaUCr4Zonm5jE_BuNA6b6UeJ4qPhqn2kIHqN2aFuMAuzSujAFo8xFYOGKmVp2_t56o25h7BtyAohfXGIxqoB7qed2Dv4gKw2VPRmAIo8D-MyDtR_judjonInMqew4qJBo/s320/tummytub.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494172557703904722" /></a><br />I'd like to share a neat site I found, I've heard of Tummytub's and had several clients who use them! Check out their site for many more neat things they have! <br /><br /><br />TummyTub® was designed in the Netherlands by childcarers to ease the transition from the comfort of the mother’s womb.<br /><br />Babies naturally adopt the fetal position and it is amazing to see how quickly they calm and relax.<br /># Bathing in the familiar fetal position – helps babies feel reassured and relaxed<br /># Stress free bathing for both baby and parent – excellent for colicky babies<br /># Anti-skid base and low centre of gravity for safety and stability<br /># Compact size – takes less space and less use of water<br /># Especially useful for premature babies<br /># Ergonomic hand grips and extremely lightweight<br /># Made of environmentally friendly materials<br /># Ecological<br /># Less surface area of water – temperature stays warmer for longer time<br />And here's the site! :) enjoy!<br />www.bathedwithlove.comThe Crunchified Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064523908030845615noreply@blogger.com0