<![CDATA[All Things Birth Choices]]> Freewebs http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm <![CDATA[Baby Rayna Arrived. A little early.]]> posted.
]]> http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm?blogentryid=4178335 2008-10-31T13:23:00-0100 <![CDATA[Just adding some quick links.]]>
http://crunchydomesticgoddess.com/2008/06/18/home-birth-is-a-choice-that-the-ama-wants-to-outlaw/

http://www.attachmentparenting.org/

http://www.ehd.org/prenatal-images-index.php  THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!!!  Check out the whole site.  There is so much information.  I don't know what is there.  I haven't totally explored it.  I don't know if it's evolutionary based or Christian or who the organization is, but . .. . it's incredible.


Have a good day!
]]> http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm?blogentryid=4100825 2008-10-14T01:08:00-0100 <![CDATA[Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP)]]> Itchy Moms is a website devoted to ICP or Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy, also known as Obstetric Cholestasis.  Thankfully, I have not suffered with this condition but know a woman who has.  She said it is almost unbearable and wished that she had this site available to her when she was first pregnant 8 years ago.  Although there seems to be no cure, and if you have it once, you'll most likely get it with subsequent pregnancies, there are treatments and ways to cope.

The website, Itchy Moms, has a support group section (via yahoo groups), places to donate monies, links and research, letters to doctoers, diagnosis tools, diets and treatments, and a FAQ section, among other information.  This site is quite extensive.

Some symptoms include, but are not limited to:
  • itching
  • dark urine
  • jaundice
  • fatigue
  • premature labor
If you think you may have this condition, please do not hesitate to contact your health care professional (I really don't like that phrase, but how else do you phrase that?)  or get more information to get help!  It sounds terrible!

Other links regarding ICP are included here.


]]> http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm?blogentryid=4050076 2008-10-02T16:15:00-0100 <![CDATA[Supplies For a Home Birth - list provided by our midwife]]> J and I have been supported and loved by the same midwife for 5 of our 6 pregnancies. We love her to pieces!

I remember when she first handed me this list with K's pregnancy. I was sooooo overwhelmed. Why would I need all of this stuff, just to deliver a baby and how was I going to pay for it? What is all this stuff anyway??? Well, now the list is not so daunting. I'm gonna post it here and explain what and why each item is suggested or needed.

Supplies For A Home Birth
Things To Purchase

  • at least 12 disposable incontinence under pads (22 in by 30 in) - These are the blue plastic-y things they put under you in the hospital, although sometimes the hospital ones are washable. I've had both.
  • maxi pads (overnight) or toddle size disposable diapers for mother for first couple of days postpartum. Do not buy Always brand maxi-pads. - Always brand irritates the skin that is already tender from the birth. She said Kotex was a good brand. These are huge and cover from front waist to back waist!!! You won't want to wear them more than the first couple of days!
  • thermometer
  • fresh ginger root - this is for a hot poultice. She uses the crock pot, listed below to warm water and the root together. Then as the head is crowning she applies wash clothes dipped in this and I have never torn!!!
  • Gatorade (at least 2 liters) - Gotta keep everyone hydrated!!
  • K-Y Jelly (small tube, unopened) - to listen to the heartbeat of the baby as contractions hit and such
  • 1 bottle hydrogen peroxide - disinfecting things??? lol

Things To Gather
Linens - please note that all linens used for underpads should be light colored.
  • 3 old, large bath towels (for baby, any color) - for clean up after birth.
  • 3 old double size sheets for underpads; folded separately: 36" by 36" finished size (for mother, light color) - These are much nicer to lay on than the plastic. We actually made ours a little different. We took those blankets that are kinda rough and yet fuzzy cut to 36 by 36 doubled and covered with a white sheet. We sewed around the edges. They are great for more than just after the birth; we've used them for night potty training, for sickies, for "the time of the month", etc. They protect the matress quite well.
  • 3-4 hand towels (for midwife)
  • plenty of old wash clothes; or several extra hand towels or old diapers (for mother, light color)
  • 2-3 large, flat flannel sheets or cotton blankets (for mother, any color)
  • 3-4 bath towels for using after bathing following the birth (any color) - All of the above are simply for wash up and clean up and keeping warm. Whatever is needed.
These need to be washed in hot water (with bleach, optional) and dried in a very hot dryer or hung outside in the bright sunshine. Wash six old pillowcases with the load. Once everything is clean and dry, place the items according to type into the pillowcases. Label each package and place the packages into a clean plastic bag. Most of these items will be washed after the birth, but they should be old things that could be thrown away.

Clothing
  • clean panties, overnight maxi pads, and nursing nightgown for mother; bra if you wish - or whatever clothes mother will be comfortable in after delivery
  • clothing for baby, a diaper, and a receiving blanket or two - just to clothe the baby
  • pack a separate bag for mom and babe (3 weeks before your due date) in the even of transfer to hospital

Other Essential Items
  • heavy plastic sheet for the bed and extra heavy plastic for floor; duct tape - gotta keep the mess contained!
  • 1 flat cake pan (9by13) for the placenta; 2 ice cream buckets with lids - something to put the placenta in for examination; to make sure it's all there.
  • crock pot or large soup pot - mentioned above
  • large garbage pail with 3-4 bags handy - to help contain the mess
  • laundry basket - to help contain the mess
  • squeeze bottle - for rinsing bottom after birth, as wiping can be painful

Extras
  • pillows with old pillowcases - for comfort during labor
  • baby powder or oil for massage
  • straws that bend - it's hard to drink from a cup when in labor!!!
  • ice chips or popsicles made ahead of time from a favorite juice or herbal tea - I've never done this. Just drank the Gatorade or pop from below.
  • flat ginger ale with sugar; snacks and juice
  • hot water bottle or heating pad - this is nice to have. I might see if I can get a heating pad from a secondhand store, or just use wheat bags (homemade Magic Bags).
  • extension cords. - incase outlets aren't handy.

Making The Bed
First put on the sheets for resting after the birth. Have the top sheet and fresh pillowcases handy but not on the bed. Next, securely cover entire mattress with heavy plastic. Finally, place on the bed an old fitted sheet that could be thrown away if needed. Remove your best blankets, but have other blankets handy for the bed during the birth. - I have never given birth on the bed while birthing at home, but I guess it could happen this time.

Well, we are doing okay with collecting things as I know I have most somewhere here in the house. It is just a matter of collecting them all into one place. I'd like to have this done by the middle of October. ]]> http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm?blogentryid=4029624 2008-9-28T00:55:00-0100 <![CDATA[A new section on the LINKS page]]>
The other thing I am researching a little and will be adding links for is breech babies and birth.  Check back for more links soon.
]]> http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm?blogentryid=3931874 2008-9-05T13:44:00-0100 <![CDATA[New Link posted]]> ]]> http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm?blogentryid=3833981 2008-8-13T13:57:00-0100 <![CDATA[Enter to Win The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding]]> This week is World Breastfeeding Week.  Over at http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=132#comment-455 you can learn more about the week with suggestions on how to help support breastfeeding moms and enter to win the book!!!

Here's an excerpt from that blog:

Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, 2008

July 31st, 2008 by API Speaks · 9 Comments

Today is the first day of World Breastfeeding Week, and so it is with great pleasure that I kick off API’s World Breastfeeding Week celebration with API Speaks’ very first giveaway! Read on for contest entry details!

Why Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week?
I believe that the breastfeeding support I received when I was a new mother from the wonderful women of Peaceful Baby and Cherished Children API, and great online resources like attachmentparenting.org, La Leche League, Kelly Mom, and AskDrSears, was critical to my breastfeeding success.

I started out, like so many new and expecting moms, with very little knowledge of breastfeeding. I was breastfed for about six months, and the few things I’d read indicated that trying to nurse for a year was an admirable goal. So that was my intention–to make it to a year–when Gabriel was born four years ago. Then I met someone who was breastfeeding a toddler, and talked to someone else who had tandem nursed her children for quite some time, and I started to think maybe I should adjust my goal.



I've entered!  Go check it out!


]]> http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm?blogentryid=3781569 2008-8-01T00:36:00-0100 <![CDATA[Yucky yucky yucky!]]> Okay, I have been fighting with this yeast infection too long.  It is persistent!  It is yucky and itchy.  I don't like it.  I think it's gone and it rears its ugly head again.  Watch for links to yeast infections during pregnancy!!!  I'll be doing more research!!!  Any hints or pointers welcome.  What worked for you?
]]> http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm?blogentryid=3583101 2008-6-17T15:47:00-0100 <![CDATA[A really cool giveaway for the mom-to-be]]>
http://www.5minutesformom.com/3471/for-the-mama-to-be/

May 15, 2008

For the Mama-to-Be

Written by Jennifer

Whether you are having your first or your fifth child, each pregnancy is special. It might be especially dreadful or especially delightful, but we want to remember it–if for no other reason that our children might want to know about that time–before they were born.

A pregnancy journal is a great way to not only record some details about your pregnancy, but also to educate yourself month-by-month.

. . . . . . . .


Please leave a comment, and tell me which book most interests you.

The contest will close on May 28.



There's the information from 5 Minutes 4 Moms.  Good luck!
]]> http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm?blogentryid=3434628 2008-5-16T11:17:00-0100 <![CDATA[Looking for the Monday Menus??]]> I've moved my more general blogging over to my homeschool blog.  Check us out there too!

 

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justourthoughts

]]> http://allthingsbirthchoices.webs.com/blog.htm?blogentryid=3417396 2008-5-12T16:48:00-0100