*Water Birth Benefits*

Benefits of Water for Labor and Birth

This information was found and complied at (http://www.waterbirthinfo.com/benefits.html)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Water relaxes the pelvic floor muscles.

Water minimizes pain so effectively that for most women other pain control methods are no longer needed.

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.

Immersion is often more effective and safer than an epidural. Some people call waterbirth an "aquadural."

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.

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.

Lowering of blood pressure. When anxiety is causing high blood pressure, immersion in water often helps lower it.

Change of consciousness. Immersion helps relieve anxiety and promotes relaxation. Water helps a woman to let go and focus inward as labor strengthens.

Easier breathing. Moisture in the air makes it easier to breathe and can be helpful to women with asthma.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Resources: Daniels, 1986; Balaskas, 1990; Lichy, 1993; Napierala, 1994.

Thanks to Andrea Eastman of the Gentle Birth Alternatives Home Page for her help in compiling this section.

Big Changes!

Hello World!

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.

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;)

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.

Blessings to you.

*Changes*

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.

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:)

~Blessings~

Reflect on Motherhood

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! :)

Happy 4th of July weekend!

Here'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!

http://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/119367/50_totally_awesome_perks_of?utm_medium=sm&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=natural_fanpage

(Just copy and paste, looks like this page is still not fixed...)

Card North America Day!

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/
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:
Info cards, magnets, flyers and ideas can be found at:

peaceful parenting: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.409331317670.191616.202794322670

The Whole Network: http://www.thewholenetwork.org/intactivist-shop.html

Saving Our Sons: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.215254401827022.60741.166998263319303

Barefoot Intactivist: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=155485434497690&set=o.141651165881117&type=1&theater

TLC Tugger: http://www.tlctugger.com/prodINTACTIVISM.htm

NOCIRC: http://www.nocirc.org/publish/

Intact America: http://www.intactamerica.org/resources

Circumstitions.com Intactivism Shop: http://www.cafepress.com/intactivism

*Remember even if you can't tomorrow, ANYDAY is great! Check out this site to see what and where others have put their Cards! :)
https://picasaweb.google.com/109361092076563354551/CardNorthAmerica#

*Intactivist on Fire*

Dear Friends,

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..

I've been at the cross-road point lately.. Trying to decide how to delicately articulate my words..

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)

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..

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.)

~No national or international medical association in the world recommends routine circumcision.

~Only the USA circumcises the majority of newborn boys without medical or religious reason.

~Circumcision denies a male's right to genital integrity and choice for his own body.

~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..)

~All mammals, male and female, have a prepuce organ called the "foreskin" or "clitoral hood."

~Female Circumcision has only been illegal in the US since 1997~

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. "

Here are a few references:

New Testament (Law of Christ)

Acts 15:1-35

Galatians 5:6

1 Corinthians 7:19

Galatians 6:15

Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants

3 Nephi 15:4-5

D&C 74

Moroni 8:8

"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

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..

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..

Helpful Sites:

http://www.thewholenetwork.org/the-library.html

http://nocirc.org/

http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/

(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...)

http://www.drmomma.org/2011/01/neonatal-circumcision-video-for.html

http://www.drmomma.org/2010/11/circumcision-most-twisted-logic-in.html

(there are hundreds more.. but like I said.. do your research

Again, know as a friend, this is why I am coming to you..

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..