Family Crunch

Cloth Diaper Carnival- Husbands! A Guest Post From Mr. FamilyCrunch!

2009-12-28T22:15:00.000-05:00

This Cloth Diaper Carnival is about Husbands & Cloth Diapering!

I'm very lucky to have a fantastic husband who thinks that cloth is as good an idea as I do. It took no convincing to agree to use cloth once baby got here, and he has no problem changing cloth diapers (and he changes them more than I do most of the time!) In fact, when explaining All-In-Ones to him, I mentioned that people call them "Daddy/Grandma friendly" and he was offended. Just because he's the daddy doesn't mean he can't or won't work a snappi (and to be fair, all 3 grandparents use them too!) In fact, he has no problems with prefolds while they drive me crazy. Too much work! ;)

I will also say that most of our diaper laundry is done by my Father-in-Law (since we don't have a washer at our place, he basically acts as our diaper service!) and even he has been absolutely fantastic- except for one notable occurrence of him trying to bleach out a stain from my gorgeous SustainableBabyish fitted and turning the whole thing a decidedly un-gorgeous "color" (/pattern.) But that was the first time he washed a non-prefold and it was totally my fault for forgetting to explain that poop stains are okay. Other than that, both my husband and my FIL have been great with cloth!

So of course, when I asked the hubs if he'd like to guest post for this carnival topic, he immediately said yes. So here you go, a daddy CDing post! :)

Hi.

If you, Dear Reader, have read anything my wife has posted, you know she is vehemently against waste (zing!) and cloth diapers is the safer alternative for Mother Eywa. You’ve also been wondering if that handsome bearded devil in all of her pictures has an opinion on cloth-diapering. Well, I’m Ameya’s husband, Jeremy, and I’m a cloth diaper convert. Prior to meeting Ameya, I had no real concern for how I was going to prevent poo-stains from covering my life. I was simply hoping that whatever method I chose would actually prevent poo-stains from attaching themselves to my belongings. Cloth diapers are it. Period. The end.

Bulwark: Cloth Diapering Armor
Now this wasn’t my first diaper; infact, my coworkers at The-Place-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named-Yet-Rhymes-With-MayBellTree Shmorporation specifically encouraged me to change a lot of diapers in the infant room to prepare me for that event. For this I am thankful: it steeled me against some horrendously smelly bowel movements, and removed all hesitation about hoisting a pair of tiny legs up in the air in order to wipe some bottom. There is one crucial difference between the kids there and our kid here though; Killian is exclusively breastfed and his poo isn’t bad smelling at all. Well, okay, I wouldn’t bottle it and sell it, but compared to some of the blow-outs in ‘sposies (by the way, never had a blow-out with cloth, even if the diaper is way too small) I witness(ed), holy crap (…) are we lucky! In that respect, cloth diapering is pretty awesome. It catches all the poo, and does a good job absorbing it with no blow-outs. Efficiency++.

Scrooge Loves Cloth Diapers Too
I understand a lot of families out there traditionally have someone in charge of the money. Maybe it’s the man, maybe it’s the woman. Maybe it’s both. For our family, it’s me. I’m actually kind of stingy in some regards, and very loose in others. I definitely didn’t want to spend 11$ every 3 days for the next ~2 years to keep poop off of my carpet. I didn’t mind, however, adding an extra load of laundry in every 3 days, and spending $200 or so for the first 3 months worth of diapers. Think about it… we managed to get enough diapers for 3 months for $200 when your average expenditure in disposables is $330 over the same period of time. Sure, some people might not care or might have that kind of money to throw around, but we certainly don’t. But check it out: with proper care, washing, and sunning, those $200 diapers will last us another child or two! Uh, jackpot.

Men and Diapers
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re already doing your part in the relationship to change as many diapers as you can while mommy rests and relaxes and gets a few minutes away from your little Screamosaurus Rex. But, if you aren’t… you should be! There’s a strange, serene peace that sets in when you’re wiping your sons little scrot’ and he’s looking up at you all calm. It’s like “Hey man, thanks for preventing swampballs. I won’t cry for the moment, k?” and as the father, you’re just happy he pays attention to you. Enjoy these moments with your child. There’s no shame in changing diapers. Do it often.

Running Out of Steam
Well, that’s about it, I guess. I tried to keep it concise since I’d hate to show more personality and pizzazz than my wife and steal readers. She’s terrified of that. ;)

My son's natural birth, pt II (the uncensored story)

2009-12-28T16:19:00.001-05:00

Part I is here.

Labor:
It's a 20minute drive to our hospital of choice, and it was in the car that my contractions started for real. What no one (HOW? I READ THE WHOLE INTERNET!!) had warned me about was the SUPERDUPER hot flashes that came with them. I was sitting in the car and having my insides liquify and feeling like i had to poop SO BADLY the whole time. Lovely. I remember clutching the dashboard and taking deep breaths, but i still had mental capacity so i wasn't convinced I was very far along or anything. I never timed them (I'm too laid back about that sort of stuff) but it was the first time I registered them as coming at regular intervals (they couldn't have been more than a couple minutes apart right off the bat.) We got to the hospital and i sat awkwardly in the wheelchair on the way up because it was now maximally uncomfortable to sit.

Into triage we went & I had to sit on the bed with monitors (boo) hooked up to my belly for 20 minutes (the only time i would have to have them). I got into the gown & because i was still bleeding they had me sit on a big pad. My husband gave me my ipod with my hypnobabies tracks on it, but the pain from sitting was just too intense, and i ended up not really listening and instead stripping and asking for ice & cold washcloths because of the heat flashes. I was trying to flail around without destroying the monitor machine (not that i didn't want to), I wasn't able to focus on the hypnobabies pretty much at all, even though i've always instinctively used self-hypnosis for pain. But all i could concentrate on is how I hated the triage nurse for making me be hooked up to these things, and i fantasized about ripping them off, destroying the machine and then going to find someone official-like to scream at for making me go through that.

I made the nurse stop my monitor halfway through so i could go to the bathroom yet again, but she made me finish up when i came back. I could tell she thought i was crazy, and when she finally did the cervical check (OW!) she was pretty much like "Oh!" I was 8cm & 90% effaced. At least then she seemed more compassionate to my whineyness. As i finished up my torture session with those monitors (they hurt my belly (I caught myself trying to claw them off during contractions) & of course sitting was absolute hell) they got the delivery room ready, and they called my midwife, and said it'd be about 20minutes for her to get there. It was about 11:30 when we got to the hospital, by the way.

I met my (AWESOME<3) L&D nurse and i was going between the toilet (For it's positioning at this point) and leaning up against the window sill, rocking my hips & my husband was applying counter pressure. I ended up throwing up before the MW got there and was finaly able to OK me getting into the tub (why do i need permission?)

I just remember the water being SUCH a relief. My contractions slowed down at that point, and i could regain my sanity between them (and that's when i really utilized my hypnobabies stuff (though the nurse put the ipod away)). I felt totally normal between contractions (albeit a little pressure still) and I could regroup. I remember thinking that if i had pitocin & didn't have a break in between, i would certainly die, if not naturally then by my own hand. :P The contractions started getting stronger, and I spent most of the time leaning over the side of the tub, and each contraction felt like my butt was trying to escape. One reason the pain threw me for such a loop is because i was totally unprepared for where the pain was. I assumed it'd be in my front, but no. It was 100% in my poor butt. I really thought the baby had made a wrong turn somewhere...

The tub i labored in.

(see that closet of gray electronics behind it? I made an accidental basket with one of my wet washclothes in there when i was freaking out over my literal hotness. Woops!

I should mention that my husband, Jeremy, was in the gross tub with me (filled with blood clots & who knows what else at that point!) and was absolutely amazing. He was supporting me and applying counter pressure and being emotionally supportive as well. I actually thought i'd be one of those people who wanted everyone to be absolutely silent and far away while I was in labor, but i actually appreciated the comments of how amazing i was doing and how close we were getting, and I was definitely glad he was holding me the whole time.

Pretty much right away I was snapping at the nurses about getting me more cold washcloths & and i'd flip my shit when someone accidentally hit the button for the jets in the tub (which i also thought i'd love, but i did NOT like the water moving at ALL when i found a position that hurt the least during contractions :p). I'm normally the least demanding person in the world, so between i'd apologize profusely for being short with everyone & i'd try to crack jokes. But then they would come at me with the underwater doppler, which for some reason HURT (i guess at that point everything that was touching my stomach was HURTING) or come at me for a cervical check (i had 3 the whole hospital visit) and i would start crying and trying to get away. Also, whenever she checked me with the doppler, i would have a contraction because of it. Not sure if her pushing on it made that happen, or if her causing me pain made my body tense up & contract, but i HATED it either way.

Also, i'm still not sure how, but I remember my husband always saying "a contraction is coming" before I even felt it. I know that when the doppler was on he noticed the baby's HR slowing right before hand, but he knew even when it wasn't on. I felt like he loved me so much he knew my body better than me when he did that, and so i felt really bad when I yelled at him when he mistook "harder" and "higher" when he was pressing on my back. Sorry, hubs!

After a while (no concept of time that day) I started having the urge to push. Knowing that if i said that, they'd check me first and possibly tell me no... and because i think my body knows better than anyone else, I just kept my mouth shut and let my body push, and no one (except Jeremy, probably) even realized it. I did end up mentioning IV meds a few times, but they kept reminding me i'd have to get onto the bed for it, and as bed labor is my worst nightmare, i kept saying nevermind. Eventually it was too much and i said OK give them to me, please! but they had to check me first to make sure i wasn't more than 8cm.

Of course, she checked me and found a head instead, so I was definitely on my own, as planned! I think part of the reason I gave in and asked for them is because I knew it was too late, but I felt like that would comfort my body – “Hey, at least I tried to get you some relief!” And yes, I’m weird enough for that to actually be my train of thought. Then they started telling me to push and i rolled my eyes because.. uh, I’ll push when my body pushes? I cannot will it to push. Believe me, i tried. They really wanted me to push three times a contraction, but my body would ONLY go twice. I just could not do it a third time, at all. They'd keep saying "Push one more time!!" and all i could say is "Nope, sorry." And I'd collapse back into my husband's arms.

And that's where things started getting frustrating. The head was "right there", but I couldn't get it to move enough. Each contraction it would come out a little, but then go back in. My midwife was trying to stretch me out so i wouldn't tear (i said no episiotomy, though i dont think my MWs do them anyway) and i had no idea how much that hurt!! Suddenly my contractions were a cakewalk when her fingers weren't in there. She had them from both hands & i remember her telling me to push her fingers out over and over again, and me almost crying and asking her to just let me rip in half instead every time. She had me get in "on" my back while in the water (husband behind me, holding me up by the armpits) since the other way wasn't working & so she could stretch me, but that wasn't working either. I was just getting hotter & hotter at this point, i was bright red and just on the verge of passing out (though my nurses were amazing at bringing me cup after cup of cold water between contractions) and she said the dreaded words- that i needed to get out of the tub. i knew I did, though, I bet my temperature was 101* at the LEAST. It was bad. I walked to bed as if it were a walk to a firing squad. She let me try laboring on my side first, but that did absolutely nothing, and i naturally turned onto my back.

Ughhh, laying on my back (well, sorta, half laying, half sitting) on a bed, exactly the way i did NOT want to labor. However, i really was about to pass out in that warm tub & i knew logically that the water was helping the pain but hindering my pushing for some reason, and i was way beyond too tired to try to sit up on my own (on a birthing ball or whatever) so i went with it. I just wanted this thing out! I had 3-4 nurses in there, along with my MW& husband. He was behind me still, holding me up, as i was partially sitting, and the nurses grabbed a leg (they were shaking SOOO bad at this point, I was afraid one would go rogue and smack someone in the face) and my midwife still had her spindley evil fingers in there, stretching and making me scream :p.

I could tell that my pushes were being more productive and I remember her stepping back at one point and saying to a nurse "Look, you can see his head trying to turn!" and everyone was just being loud and cheering me on/pushing me on. It didn't even register to me when they all said he was posterior, and I didn't find it out until later when I felt really terrible about being such a wimp about the pain & not being able to get him out faster, Jeremy reminded me that posterior babies cause labor to be like that. Extra painful, slower, and irregular.

During one push i remember feeling, very distinctly, that my urethra was ripping in half. Another place I did NOT expect to feel any pain so it caught me REALLY off guard. I screamed (well, i had been screaming the whole time, mostly "AHHHH!"s and "MY BUTT IS RIPPING IN HALF"s) and jerked my hand down there instinctively to "keep it together/on" but instead i felt something warm and squishy, and before i could scream again (lol) my midwife said "That's your baby's head!" I had NO DESIRE AT ALL to touch/see baby before it was out all the way- and indeed, after she said that, I somehow seemed to force a contraction to happen, and i screamed some more & pushed his head out all the way- FINALLY! Amazing what a little gross factor can do, haha.

After the head was out, everything is even more of a blur. I don't remember pushing the shoulders out, all i remember is a flash of seeing him laying between my legs, an icky mess for a split second, then he was on my chest and everyone was rubbing him with towels and he was pretty blue, but not the worst i'd seen on homebirth videos or anything. He looked like he was trying to cry, but only a little bit of sound was coming out. It reminded me of when i cry, so i wasn't worried, but everyone else was. I then remember my midwife cutting the cord (and i knew she knew i wanted to let it finish pulsing so i knew what was about to happen) and they took him across the room (normally they wouldn't have done that for hours in my hospital) and i heard something about them trying to get him to breathe. I told my husband to go be with him and i collapsed onto the bed as they wheeled the baby out to SCU to get him on some Oxygen.

I was pretty out of it, apparently. J said when i talked to him i'd just say one or two words, slurred. I remember the placenta coming out without me pushing, and me being so relieved that it didn't take effort or more pain. I remember my MW looking like she was sewing me up, but right afterwards she said i had no tears, just a small skidmark or two no stiches needed, so i still don't know what she was sewing. I couldn't think well enough to ask, which itself is very uncharacteristic. I never really grew out of the "Why?" stage (thank goodness.)

But I must say, my Midwife, Jalana of Good Samaritan's Lifestages, was AMAZING. So incredibly kind and supportive, she made sure I got the birth I wanted, even when pain made me say otherwise. She ignored my angry screams and kept working and made sure I didn't tear, which I am still very appreciative of. The skidmark I had made my life miserable (...when I went to the bathroom.) enough as it was. I'm very sad that my next baby will be born elsewhere and I wont be able to have her again. :(

I assume that my out-of-it-ness was because of my hypoglycemia (and the fact I had thrown up my day's sustenance before labor started & been too busy to eat anything else (I was "allowed" to)) on top of the physical exertion and shock from the pain. I asked my nurse how long it was, and she said I had been in the hospital about 2 hours, and pushing for 30 minutes. My grandma was only in labor with one of her kids for 45 minutes, so I was slightly disappointed. I blame that on the posterior positioning, though! Next time, dangit! I'mma push that kid out in 43 minutes!

(And yes, I know that I actually went super fast, especially for my first, but my grandma likes to brag and so she still has this one on me! She also likes to point out that she only had "three pains" before all her kids were born (also naturally,) so I have to justify the fact that my labor actually hurt, lol.)

Stay tuned for part III, Special Care Unit & The Three Day Hospital Stay.

Link Round Up 12/27

2009-12-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Are the Aka the best dads in the world? (interesting gender dynamics in that society!)
Epidurals- Real Risks For Mother and Baby
Why Choose Cloth Diapers? From the RDA
Your right to refuse a Cesarean. from The Unnescesarean
In Today's Picture Books, Kids are In Charge - yikes.
Convincing White Women that Birth is Painless Will End 'Race Suicide' - the world is ridiculous.
20+ Women come together to Nurse a baby who lost his mom! Wow, beautiful.
Anthropology of the Due Date

My son's natural birth, pt I

2009-12-27T14:02:00.003-05:00

Sorry I've been so absent, guys! As you probably already know, I had my son just over a month ago (though it feels like much longer!) I've been meaning to post my birth story, but (insert any ol' excuse). I'm finally starting to catch up with things, and so I decided to post this in multiple parts so I can keep the details in.

So, here is the natural (partially water) birth story of Killian Frederick, part I!

The days leading up to the birth:

The Thursday before i was due I had my 40w checkup at my Midwife practice. They are through the hospital I birthed at & they had 4 MWs working there. I absolutely adored 3 of them, but wasn't overly fond of the fourth, for various reasons, mostly telling me my weight gain needed to be reigned in for the health of my baby (bull) and when she didn't believe me when i told her my family averages labors of 1-1 1/2 hours, and she told me i needed to go to a branch when i felt like going to the hospital so they could "check me" (she assumed i'd go in at 1cm and they could send me home.)Which insulted me, she acted like i was stupid for assuming my body would be like my family's instead of like "average," and suggested i go a half hour AWAY from the hospital with my family history, as if to prove a point. Of course, she's the one I had for the last checkup.

It was time for a cervical check. I'd only had 1 before, and i barely felt it then, so when it started to hurt, i thought she was just rougher than my last MW. Then it got more painful and I thought she was having trouble finding the cervix (i tried to check my own a few days before and couldn't find it). Then it hurt even more and as i started screaming ow, my brain shut off from confusion- was i really so weak? How could I have a baby naturally if i couldn't handle a finger on my cervix? And at the very same time I felt INTENSE pain, i realized what happened. Sure enough, it was just then she pulled her hand, which was completely covered in blood, out, she said "You're about 3cm, but stretchy & I got you to 4, so some would consider you 4. Beautifully ready for labor, so I helped you along a little bit & stripped your membranes! Yay! Now, let's talk about induction.

She went on to say that she didn’t expect me to make it through the weekend, but if i did, did I want an induction or an ultrasound to make sure everything was okay in order to push off an induction? I was still in shock, so i just said ultrasound (ridiculous for offering induction BEFORE my due date (especially since most 1st pregnancies go til 41w3d!!) she obviously is not very knowledgeable in her field... like most practicing OBs/Midwives, it seems from speaking with their patients..), made the appointment, and went out to my car in a daze of pain, embarrassment (I couldn't believe i didn't realize what she was doing) and fury. NO ONE has the right to do ANYTHING to someone's body without their permission. I personally think that the practice of stripping membranes is unnecessary/stupid as it is painful, often very much so (like in my case, HOT DAMN,) and doesn't actually make you go into labor quicker. So, WTF MIDWIFE? Don't do things just because other doctors do things, do things because it is useful and a good idea.

So, that was Thursday. On Saturday (my due date) I lost my mucous plug (it was a small amount, but gross) and there was a tiny bit of red on it, so we were excited. Made sure all the bags were packed and everything, but nothing happened. No contractions or sensations at all. We had been trying all the walking and spicy food (though i knew that wouldn't work since I always eat spicy food and my body is immune) stuff, with no success, and so Monday, exhausted, we just didn't do anything. At all, really.

Labor Day!
Tuesday morning, November 17th 2009, three days after my due date, I woke up at 3am and stood up to feel a bit of fluid. I leaked disgusting amounts of other lovely stuff the whole pregnancy, but this felt different. I hobbled over to the bathroom & heard it dripping & my liner was soaked. I started stripping and woke my husband up and told him the good news. We jumped into the shower & then i had some breakfast & my husband played some video games.. and we waited for contractions to start. Except, I didn't have any (which didn't surprise me at all, my body is difficult like this), and I ended up just going back to sleep.

I woke up that morning and called the midwife to ask what i should do about my scheduled ultrasound that morning. THANK GOODNESS my absolute favorite one was on call that day & she told me to forget about it, hang out, eat, walk around & then come into the hospital at about 3pm, which was 12 hours since my water broke. I initially had NO intention of going in just because my water broke, I researched the reasoning behind that, and considered that most women in the world have nothing done when their water breaks, and decided that the risks of being "on the clock" (and having everyone wanting me to go faster/at their pace) far outweighed me not being on antibiotics because my water broke naturally. However, though I had no contractions, my intuition took over and I just said okay and told J we'd be going to the hospital by 3, unless my intuition changed it's mind.

I called my mom and asked her to come over around noon after work to help me clean up the apartment, as i had been SO EXHAUSTED the past few days (one night i slept 14 hours!) the apartment turned into a sty. Funnily enough, the first thing she said when she picked up the phone was "I dreamed you had him today!!" So she agreed to come over & she said "If you're not there, i'll know where you are!" But i assured her we'd still be there as i felt absolutely nothing. This was at about 9:30am

At about 11am, I went to the bathroom (i was going #2 a million times that day, though it wasn't "loose" like i was expecting), and there was blood. I was feeling crampy in the normal sort of way so I just hopped in the shower to relieve it. I had to get out of the shower to go to the bathroom again and then when i was going I felt like the baby was pushing down on my cervix too hard, and besides almost hurting (definitely very uncomfortable!) it scared me and i didn't feel comfortable “going,” so I surprised even myself and told my husband it was time to go to the hospital. I just wanted to use their toilet so i wouldn't be too afraid of pushing out a kid while I went because i HAD TO GO and I was so frustrated that I was having trouble with it (mostly, I figured, because i was afraid of pushing in the wrong "place" so I was blocking myself) I remember doing child's pose (yoga) on the floor at that point to try to relieve some of that super discomfort while my husband gathered our things and packed them away in the car.

2 days before (my) Labor Day!

Part II, Labor & Birth

Breastfeeding Jesus

2009-12-27T11:18:00.000-05:00

I'm not religious, but someone put together this video of painting and statue depictions of Mary breastfeeding Jesus, and I think it's wonderful. Funny how the image of a woman breastfeeding used to be beautiful, but now it causes many people to be downright stupid (ridiculous accusations of sexualization, impropriety and "boob-nazi"-isms, etc). So sad. I look forward to the day when it is normalized again, and this artificial milk craze is just a peculiar blip on the historical timeline and goes back to only being used when actually needed, instead of by default.

Thanks to bicrim on livejournal's breastfeeding community for this.

Baby Mamas (Put a Sling on It)

2009-12-07T09:46:00.004-05:00

This video is amazing!

by Leigh @ MarvelousKiddo

Link Round Up 11/09

2009-11-09T12:04:00.000-05:00

LLLI's Meeting Your Daily Needs While Meeting The Needs of Your Newborn
Co-Sleeping with Baby: Attachment Parenting for Dads from Natural Papa
Feminist Breeder says it much better than I ever could (in all my wimpy fear of confrontation): No, Formula is Not "Fine"
International Campaign Calls for Nestle to be expelled from UN initiative, because they are scumbags.
Peaceful Revolution:: Why Support for Breastfeeding Matters More than Ever
LunaPads shows you how to make your own Mama Cloth!
Exerpt from what looks like a really fascinating new book about the psychological harm of praise to a child. I sound exactly like all those poor kids always told "Oh, you're so smart" instead of "You try so hard!" Before I didn't quite understand all the Attachment Parenting bloggers out there who avoided praising their kids with such, but this chapter explained it to me in a more science-y manner, which helped. Definitely something i'll always think about with my kids!
Via TheUnnecesarian: ACOG Survey Results: OB-GYNs "Ultimately Harm Patients"
About.com's 5 Reasons to Avoid Induction of Labor
Common Pregnancy Myth's Debunked from Birth, Babies & Everything In Between
Breast Milk Contains Stem Cells- Hard to replicate that in a factory..
The Winners of the Photoshop-that-stupid-sign-from-the-Aspen-Women's-Center contest! Haha! Great job, everyone!

Pregnancy Stuff Review: Snoogle, My Love

2009-11-07T13:23:00.002-05:00

I know, I know, it looks insane, has a ridiculous name and costs a whole bunch ($50 for us, but amazon now tells me that they're selling it for $38... gah) but really, ignore all that. Ignore it and buy this dear, sweet magical contraption called Snoogle. (I WISH someone would pay me to say that, but FYI, no one is.)

Do you see that? It's a neck pillow, a cuddley thing & hip/knee support, all at once! Her smile is no lie.

And a spooner!

Yes, if you share your bed with someone, they will probably be jealous, and I don't know if this is even possible if you co-sleep (definitely not with a little baby) - but dudes. Seriously. I have slept amazingly this pregnancy. Until I hit full term I slept through the night and had minimal pain, and I chalk up a whole lot of that to my Snoogle. Even now, when a giant child squishing my insides wakes me up constantly, It's not too bad, because I'm still so comfy (outside of my belly, that is.)

Before pregnancy, I always tried to sleep with pillows between my knees, but I'd wake up and the pillow would be on the floor or across the room, but the advantage of this huge thing is that it can't go anywhere! It does, actually, stay between your knees. Flipping over isn't as much of a hassle as I thought it'd be. A few times I do feel myself pulling the "tail" back up to me & away from my husband but it's not a big deal at all. The husband doesn't seem to mind, as I've caught him cuddling with it more than a few times!

I have never understood the difference between the wedges or the straight pillows marketed for pregnant folk & the normal pillows I've always tried (and failed) to use before. When I bought the Snoogle (at Babies R Us.. i had no patience for the mail..) the ladies were raving about it & saying how they never stopped using it after pregnancy. Unfortunately my husband then made me promise that I wouldn't use it long after baby but honestly, i'm not sure how my hips will take sleeping without it!

So for pregnant women, or non pregnant people in general, I definitely suggest the Snoogle. It's totally worth shelling out ~~$50~~ $38 (argh!) for!

Have you tried a Snoogle? What do you think?

The Great Cloth Diaper Hunt!

2009-11-03T15:38:00.000-05:00

Hey clothies- are you signed up for The Great Cloth Diaper Hunt?! I'm a procrastinator (ORLY?!) so i *just* now registered- but that means it's not too late for you, either!

Basically you just go a'scavenging through lots of great natural family sites, trying to find the Diaper Decisions graphic, then click it to get entered into the drawing! I think there are about 35 drawings to be entered in.. including a grand prize worth over $600!!

All the info & registration place is HERE! I hope you join me in this great, fluffy quest! :D

Cloth Corral: Happy November!!

2009-11-03T15:25:00.000-05:00

Current reviews & giveaways from these great blogs!

Diaper Discussions

EcoBumz Trial Pack (ends 11/06)

The Cloth Diaper Report

Thirsties Pre-Wash & Super Wash (ends 11/12)

The Cloth Diaper Whisperer

Econobum Full Kit (ends 11/05)

Life Happens During Naptime

SproutBaby $25 Gift Card (ends 11/10)

Take Time To Smell The Rose

Winter Girls Clothes 0-3 months from Bei Bambini (ends 11/30)

The Eco-Friendly Family

$10 Gift Certificate for Mama Cloth from Homestead Emporium (11/04)
Fuzzibunz OS diaper (ends 11/05)

Organic Girl

TONS of giveaways, check the the left sidebar, too many for me to repost here!!

Newly Wed Newly Bred

Weehuggers Diaper (ends 11/04)
Flip Ultra HD Camera (!!!!) (ends 11/26)

WeeCare

Sleepy Wrap Baby Legs (ends 11/30)

thinkPINK

Custom Woolies (ends 11/08)

Mommy 2 Gavin and Gage

GAD diaper (ends 11/06)
Rockin' Green (CD & everything else) Laundry Detergent (ends 11/08)

Blogger Mommies

Softbums Organic Bamboo All-In-Two Basic Pack & a Bamboo Doubler (ends 11/09)

Doulas in Action video

2009-10-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

I'm in pre-training to become a doula* so I love finding videos like this! Awww. *sniffle*

*pre-training because I will be spending the next few years living in Asia so I won't be able to truly doula or get certified properly til we come back (whenever that is).. but that doesn't stop me from starting my studies/preperation now!

Link Round Up 10/30

2009-10-30T10:03:00.000-04:00

Boo Nestle: Make Your Halloween Nestle Free
Feminism Doesn't End at Choice.... We can't fight for a right to choice at the beginning of a pregnancy, and not at the end, when so many women are bullied or forced into situations and medical procedures that are not necessary & that they do not want. We need to fight for our rights to choice along the WHOLE way.
A Woman's Nation: Reclaim Your Right To Birth Right
SIDS & Enfamil "RestFull" Formula ~ Yes, the connection exists Formula that expands in baby's bellies so they (read: parents) can sleep through the night... "Babies who wake less frequently, and sleep more deeply (sometimes called 'good sleepers') are at a significantly higher risk for SIDS."
Breastfeeding: Reducing the Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
From Birth, Engage Your Child With Talk I see so many parents who talk very little to their kids, or that think the TV talking "to" their kids count, or who mostly speak in baby/little kid speech to them. :(
ICAN Mother testifies on Capitol Hill against the discrimination she faced by her insurance company due to a previous c-section
Women are the Problem with Women - How women denying other women's experience with birth trauma (or "birth rape") takes us all back 100 years. When will we learn to stop disrespecting and hurting each other?
Best for Babe's weekly link list
Menstrual Activism Media Alert- from LunaPads
Fight to Legalize Clotheslines Sweeps the US - Isn't it ridiculous that some neighborhoods try to tell you you MUST spend money and energy, because utilizing nature in your life is so.. unsightly!?
An Open Letter to the American Academy of Pediatrics from Intact America

Cloth Corral: A little late this week. Sorry folks! :)

2009-10-16T10:13:00.004-04:00

Current reviews & giveaways from these great blogs!

Dirty Diaper Laundry

Softbums Basic Pack (ends 10/19)
Rockin' Baby Sling (ends 10/20)
Baby Legs & Sock Set (ends 10/23)
Ellaroo Woven Wrap (ends 10/26)
Boba Baby Carrier (ends 11/2)

Diaper Discussions

Rocky Mountain OS Diaper (ends 10/16)

The First Time Around

DryBees AIO Pocket (ends 10/16)
Thirsties Duo Wrap (ends 10/17)
Rockin Green Soap (ends 10/18)
Kushies Ultra-Lite Infant Trial Pack (ends 10/19)
A Diaper Sprayer (ends 10/20)
6 Bummis Organic Prefolds, 1 Superbrite cover, and 1 Whisper Wrap cover (ends 10/26)

The Cloth Diaper Report

Shi Shu Baby Blanket (ends 10/16)
Thirsties Fab Fitted AND Thirsties Duo Wrap (ends 10/19)
La Di Da Diaper Pattern (ends 10/20)
Action Baby Carrier (ends 10/22)

Life Happens During Naptime

GlamuorMom Nursing Tanks (ends 10/16)
Kissaluvs 2.0 Fitteds (ends 10/17)

A Giveaway Addicted Mommy

Ergo Carrier (ends 10/16)

Big City! Baby

FuzziBunz (ends 10/17)

Take Time To Smell The Rose

Bella Materna Seamless Cup (Maternity/Nursing) Bra (ends 10/19)

The Eco-Friendly Family

3 BumGenius One-Size pockets & a quart of Allens Naturally detergent

Simply Living on a Budget

Hotslings Milkdaze Cami (ends 10/21)

Organic Girl

TONS of giveaways, check the the left sidebar, too many for me to repost here!!

Newly Wed Newly Bred

Nubunz & SweetDollBaby Diapers (ends 10/23)

MobyWrap's Facebook Page

MobyWrap (ends 10/31)

Let's Go Strolling

Hotslings Adjustable Pouch Carrier (ends 10/31)

I'm sure you've seen this breastfeeding video already

2009-10-07T12:40:00.002-04:00

But if you haven't, and you are an American, it's terrible that I feel the need to warn you, but: there are BEWBS. And children eating from them!! And NO ONE IS COVERING UP. I know, I know, it's horrifying.

I hate how overly sexuality women are here. Even I watch this and realize how much more deprogramming I have to do before I am really free of my conditioning. Laaame, society, lame.

Link Round Up 10/07

2009-10-07T12:01:00.000-04:00

Less TV Brings More Parent-Child Interaction. Duh, but did you know that even if the TV is just on as background noise & no one is 'really watching'... "parents spent about 20 percent less time talking to their children and were less active, attentive and responsive to their kids, resulting in a decrease in the quality of the interactions."
A Little Breastfeeding Humor - things people say in liu of "lactation consultant" (like "boobnurse," lol!)
From the BBC - Do Teen Mums Need Special Homes? I think it's interesting. I'd probably want to live somewhere like that if i were in that situation.
Postdates: Separating Fact from Fiction. Must read if you are a believer in due dates/the 42 week rule.
I am Evil - Fusion Parenting's musings on Nestle
Connection between BPA exposure in pregnant women & affect on children's personalities.
Repeat C-Sections May Put Babies At Risk - more so than VBACs. Repeat c-section babies are more likely to spend time in the NICU, amongst other things.
A post from a male Midwife - Where is the line between respecting women's sex/gender boundaries & discriminating against male midwives? Leave him your opinions!
You may have heard about the hospital trying to force a woman into a C-Section.. how horrifying! :(
Breastfeeding: Fact or Fiction?
Signs of Post-Partum Depression.
A Diaper's Environmental Pollution.
A big .pdf of Nestle's formula transgressions.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk Section on Breastfeeding
4 Little Men & Girly Twins posts my thoughts exactly on the Swine Flu Vaccine craziness

Lindsey's Journey to a VBAC (& Becoming a Birth Assistant!) Video

2009-10-06T16:04:00.000-04:00

My Journey to a VBAC from Lindsey Meehleis on Vimeo.

Anne over at Dou-la-la ( which i'll say again, flippin' awesome blog name (because it's so fun to say!) ) posted this & I just had to share.

It's a beautiful video, following Lindsey's story of a typical young woman, talked into anything her OB wanted (ending in a c-section,) turned mama bent on giving the power of a beautiful birth experience back to women. Lindsey became a doula, a lactation consultant, a prenatal yoga instructor and is becoming a midwife, all starting when she was in her very early 20s. That's my age! Very inspirational. And it ends with her own successful VBAC!

Definitely worth a watch!

Cloth Corral: Lots of things other than diapers this week!

2009-10-06T15:01:00.001-04:00

Current reviews & giveaways from these great blogs!

The First Time Around

Three One Size Fuzzibunz One Size Pocket Diapers (ends 10/06)
Wet Happened? WetBag (ends 10/09)
DryBees AIO Pocket (ends 10/16)
Thirsties Duo Wrap (ends 10/17)
Rockin Green Soap (ends 10/18)

The Cloth Diaper Experiment has three contests going on

Swaddlebees All-In-One (ends 10/08)
Bannana Bottoms Fitted Diaper (ends 10/12)

Grown In Style

Organic Eco Friendly Cloth Diaper Cake (ends 10/8)

The Cloth Diaper Whisperer

3 Baby Beehinds Diapers! (ends 10/08)

The Cloth Diaper Report

Diaper Sprayer (ends 10/09)
KAM Snap Pliers (ends 10/14)
Shi Shu Baby Blanket (ends 10/16)

Life Happens During Naptime

Softbums Basic Pack (1 PerfectFit cover & 3 microfiber snap-in inserts, ends 10/11)
Baltic Amber Teething Necklace (ends 10/13)
GADBaby Diaper (ends 10/14)
GlamuorMom Nursing Tanks (ends 10/16)
Kissaluvs 2.0 Fitteds (ends 10/17)

Dirty Diaper Laundry

Bambino Mio Trial Packages
Muggabug Wool Cover/Shorts/Yoga Pants
Sudz'n Dudz washing products
Sustainable Babyish Wool Soaker & Karate Pants
CYA Wrapping Wool Cover
ECA Wear EC Pants (ends 10/15)
Softbums Basic Pack (ends 10/19)
Rockin' Baby Sling (ends 10/20)

Diapers & Dimples

Bummas Cloth Wipes Set (ends 10/13)

Crunchy Domestic Goddess

DivaCup! (ends 10/13)

A Giveaway Addicted Mommy

Ergo Carrier (ends 10/16)

Simply Living on a Budget

Hotslings Milkdaze Cami (ends 10/21)

Organic Girl

TONS of giveaways, check the the left sidebar, too many for me to repost here!!

MobyWrap's Facebook Page

MobyWrap (ends 10/31)

If you have any giveaways or sales/discount codes for next week and want to make sure they are listed here next week, just email me!

Weekly Cloth Corral

2009-09-29T11:56:00.007-04:00

Reviews

The Cloth Diaper Whisperer's Fluff Friday this week

2 BabyKicks One Size Bumboo Pocket Diapers & 2 Joey Bunz Inserts

Family of the Cloth

DryBees Large Fleece Nighttime Pocket in Sage

Diaper Discussions' Pimp Your Stash

DryBees Hybrid All-In-One

Oh Baby O

Fuzzibunz One Size Diaper

The First Time Around

The Cloth Diaper Experiment has three contests going on

Life Happens During Naptime

Softbums Basic Pack

It's Wool Week over at Dirty Diaper Laundry!

Diapers & Dimples

Bummas Cloth Wipes Set

If you have any giveaways or sales/discount codes for next week and want to make sure they are listed here next week, just email me!

Link Round Up 09/28

2009-09-28T15:40:00.004-04:00

Nestle, the douchebags, buy milk from Mugabe's farm (so, they support Mugabe.) Anyone surprised? Anyone wish to continue supporting a company that supports a horrifying dictator? (I wish the answer to that last one was no...)
Nursing Birth reminds us that science likes to SCREW THINGS INTO BABIES SCALPS. WTF, world? I am going to go batshit if another one of these kinds of machines catches on in low-risk birthing.
Blacktating's article on misleading headlines on a fortified formula study.
Also via Nursing Birth: OMG! Articles about home births in the news that aren't full of scare tactics and misinformation! For some women, no place like home for childbirth & Needham midwife helps moms give birth at home
Crazy Things OBGYNs Say article. They quote some of My OB Said What!? but the comments on the article are full of even more gems. And by "gems" i mean "things that make me want to blow shit up." Poor women (&babies) :(
Via PhD in Parenting: Bias Against Boys? I totally agree. I notice this, too, and it makes me just as sad as the biases against girls. :(
Do the Duggars Have Too Many Children? From MckMama
A Swedish family is keeping the sex of their 2 year old secret until it can declare it for itself. The comments on the article just remind me about how uneducated the general populace is on Gender Issues. Ugh. I do think it's extreme, but I absolutely don't think it's going to send the kid to counselling any more than having a macho football coach as a dad as a young gay child will.

A Big Exception

2009-09-24T18:21:00.000-04:00

K, so, normally "The baby is too big for a vaginal birth!" does not fly for me,

But dudes. Everyone's gotta make an exception sometimes.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Accompanying article here.
(They assume it was Gestational Diabetes run totally amok)

International Babywearing Week: September 21-28, 2009

2009-09-24T10:09:00.002-04:00

babywearingweek/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Twitter, my source of all parenting news, has failed me! International Babywearing Week is almost over, and somehow I totally missed it until yesterday! D'oh.

Pardon the irreverency, but does the video make anyone else lol? Gorgeous families and awesome carriers, it's just the music and the slow motion with the random wind blowing...hahaha!

Ahem.

babywearingweek/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Parenting by Nature has this quick Advantages of Babywearing list:

1	Practical	You can attend to other children as well as taking care of yourself.
2	Convenient	Hands free means you can get on with life, breastfeed discreetly, and keep moving.
3	Freedom	Baby can go anywhere you can go - climbing stairs, hiking a mountain trail, walking along a sandy beach, or moving through airport security. You have none of the juggling and struggling of a stroller.
4	Safety	You know your baby is safe when you are out and about, because you never take your eye off your baby.
5	Comfort	You get the physical comfort of closeness, and both adult and baby have more confidence.
6	Bonding	When you spend time close to your baby, you become attuned to one another.
7	Health	Not only is a carried baby happier, but studies show less crying and better sleep in babies that are carried.
8	Development	Babywearing helps a child's physical, emotional, and mental development.
9	Style	With such a variety of baby carriers and baby slings available, you are sure to find a great carrier that fits your style.
10	Fun!	While babywearing, your baby is within easy kissing and cuddling distance. (That's our favorite!)

babywearingweek/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Check out the Babywearing page for more babywearing resources (more advantages, information, info on the types of carriers.)

Or you can check out Babywearing International's site for even more resources!

Sustainable Babyish Review & Giveaway at Dirty Diaper Laundry!

2009-09-23T09:55:00.003-04:00

Sustainable Babyish (aka SBish) is one of my favorite cloth diapering companies. They make high-quality (and gorgeous) fitteds, snapless fitteds, flats, and wool interlock soakers (see picture above) & pants that I like to drool over on a weekly basis.

The first time I heard about them was when @Sloomb (the name of SBish's website) spoke to me on twitter (a quick way to my heart ^_^ ) & I checked out the website. COLORS!!! I was sold. I have a great weakness for bright colors (which explains much of my Bollywood obsession as well.) The awesome goes further than eye candy & nice tweets, too:

The life cycle of our products is important – our products are made by hand in the USA, by women who are paid fair wages and who care about what they make. most of our fabric is organic or an organic blend. we use low impact dyes. we recycle our fabric and donate seconds to communities in need. we have a paperless office – you will not receive paper receipts and extra packaging. your items will arrive safely and securely in 100% recycled mailers, no plastic. we expect our products to be given to another when your little ones outgrow them – they are made to last that long.

AND (are you ready?) For every Sustainable Babyish cloth diaper you buy, one tree is planted in South-East Asia. So not only are you not adding to the waste of the creation/disposal of paper diapers, but you're also helping reforest our planet!

Therefore, I have a business(/CDing) crush on Sustainable Babyish/Sloomb.

And Kim over at Dirty Diaper Laundry (DDL) is having Wool Week this week, and she has reviewed a SBish Wool Interlock Soaker & is having a contest until October 12th for an Organic Stretch Wool Soaker & a pair of Organic Stretch Karate Pants! There are many ways to enter so head over to the DDL's SBish Review & Giveaway & enter! But try not to actually win, okay? I WANT SOME SBish!!! ;D

If you haven't heard of the Nestle Boycott...

2009-09-22T11:15:00.003-04:00

PhD in Parenting just posted a great link from Baby Milk Action for those who don't know anything about the Nestle Boycott.

The Nestle Public Relations Machine Exposed (pdf)
Nestle spends a fortune trying to divert criticism of it's baby food marketing, but does it tell the truth?

Baby Milk Action is a non-profit organisation which aims to save lives and to end the avoidable suffering caused by inappropriate infant feeding. Baby Milk Action works within a global network to strengthen independent, transparent and effective controls on the marketing of the baby feeding industry.

The global network is called IBFAN (the International Baby Food Action Network) a network of over 200 citizens groups in more than 100 countries.

Natural Born Babies video

2009-09-21T16:40:00.005-04:00

This actually was the 4th place video from the Birth Matters Virginia contest, but I think that is only because they went over the time length (here it is split into two sections), it probably would have made first place otherwise. It's production quality (I am an ex-film major, after all) is absolutely fabulous, which gives it bonus points in my book. It's from South Coast Midwifery in California. Definitely check this one out!

MisConception: Maternity & Delivery Care Video Contest Honorary Mention

2009-09-21T16:26:00.001-04:00

This video was the honorary mention for the Birth Matters Virginia contest for videos to help spread the world about the current state of Maternal & Delievery Care. "Misconception" is by Becky Carey of Virginia.

From the judges:

“Incorporated an excellent variety of people, lovely to have original music and real women's distilled wisdom, Great work!”—Dr. Sarah Buckley, MD
“Very well done, nice mix between informative and emotional.”—Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein
“Great editing. Good, casual, conversational tone. Catches a particular angle on the conversation surrounding the normalcy of birth.” “I just loved this one!” --from the BMV Judging Panel

The Nature of Natural Birth: Maternity & Delivery Care video contest 2nd Place Winner

2009-09-21T15:39:00.003-04:00

This video made second place for the Birth Matters Virginia contest for videos to help spread the world about the current state of Maternal & Delievery Care. "The Nature of Natural Birth" by Laura Alvarez from Wisconsin. The first part is video and photographs from a home water birth, with facts at the end.

As you can imagine, birth video = nakedness and blood, so NSFW Warning.

From the judges:

“Very sweet birth video - and of course we love the song and used it in the Business of Being Born!”—Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein

“Gorgous photos of homebirth, nicely balanced with information. Well done!”—Dr. Sarah Buckley, MD

“Amazing editing. Very professional. This film isn’t afraid to show birth as it really is.” “Lovely. Powerful. Very sweet.” “I think the whole room was tearing up by the end of this one!” “So sweet and beautifully done.” --from the BMV Judging Panel

Prevent Cesarean Surgery: Maternity & Delievery Care Video Contest Winnter

2009-09-21T15:26:00.001-04:00

This year Birth Matters Virginia put on a contest for videos to help spread the world about the current state of Maternal & Delievery Care. First place went to "Prevent Cesarean Surgery" by Ragan Cohen of California.

From the judges:

"Such great myth-busting and important information for all women, I loved your use of natural scenes. I'd love to see this video getting lots of airplay in the public arena.” –Dr. Sarah Buckley, MD
“The directness and statistics worked well together…” –Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein
“Very well done.” “One of my favorites. Talk about evidenced-based care; this really motivates someone to take action.” “This really puts it out there. Cesareans aren’t pretty.” “This was so emotional for me. The film does an excellent job questioning the idea that c-sections are easy, normal, and no big deal.” --from the BMV Judging Panel

Babywearing

2009-09-19T21:00:00.010-04:00

Are you wondering what the benefits of babywearing (BWing) are or curious about the many different types of carriers (wraps, slings, soft-structure carriers, mei teis, etc) you've heard of? Here are some of the best BW sites & resources I've come across so far that might help in your decision making.

TheBabyWearer.com
Articles, reviews, galleries, forums & everything you could want to know about babywearing, whether you're a complete newbie or a seasoned vet!
Babywearing International
Babywearing International Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote babywearing as a universally accepted practice, with benefits for both child and caregiver, through education and support.
Baby Wearing Community @ Livejournal

Benefits:

The different types of carriers:

How to Chose a Baby Sling or Baby Carrier (with pics)
Babywearing: A Dad's Experience/Choosing the Right Carrier For Dads (lots of pics)
Slings, wraps & Other Baby Carriers -- Why, How & Where? (lots of resources)

Breastfeeding 101

2009-09-19T14:25:00.017-04:00

Because there are so many great links here that discuss breastfeeding & the benefits of much better than I can, here is just a short list of what all people need to know as to why BF is being talked about so much & feel so strongly about it.

Formula is not equal to breast milk. Scientists don't even know what all is in breast milk, so it's impossible to reproduce, plus formula cannot change with the babies needs like breast milk does. It should be the last resort (excluding non-baby purposed things like cows milk), not an equal option taken without serious consideration.
If you are in a situation where formula is necessary (adoption, no female parent, surgeries or medications that effect ability, etc,) you can still make a conscious effort to chose what is healthiest for your child. Make sure you do your research and don't rely on the misleading marketing campaigns of the companies themselves. Check out Dr. Sears' Bottle-feeding guide. Also worth a look is the discussion surrounding DHA/ARA fortification of formula. And definitely consider looking for a local Human Milk Bank (One day milk banks won't sound any more strange than blood banks do!)
Formula companies regularly break laws designed to protect the health of infants & they flat out lie in order to sell their products, what are they trying to hide/skirt around?
Doctors aren't educated on Breastfeeding & Formula companies buy off doctors & health professionals so that they will promote their product over breast feeding, against the scientific facts. When around half of doctor's opinions on breast feeding don't match up with their pediatric associations studies and official stances.. you know something is up.
Breastfeeding has incredibly health benefits for the mother as well as the baby. Who doesn't want to decrease their risks of female cancers & post-partum emotional problems?
Just because you go back to work or need to share feeding duties does not mean you need to rely on formula.
Estimates range from < 1%-5% of women ACTUALLY have milk supply issues. Usually the doctors and nurses are either misinformed, or are simply doing their job of promoting the formula companies that are so very nice to them. If you think you might have supply issues (or are worried that you might) and your doctor is ready for you to give up, contact a trained lactation consultant (many hospitals have them) and/or a local (or internet) breastfeeding support group for a second (/third /fourth) opinion.
Not all women breastfeed with ease right away, some do struggle at first. It is normal. There are many resources (consultants & support groups are especially invaluable in these situations) to prepare you or to help with the problems you have. It might take a while, but it DOES get better, and it is worth it in the long run for both your baby & you!

Breastfeeding Websites:

La Leche League
Our Mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
Best for Babes
Best for Babes is the only non-profit dedicated to giving breastfeeding a makeover and to revealing and removing the “booby traps”- the barriers to breastfeeding that keep tripping women up! New moms don’t need more judgment, pressure, or to be discriminated against for nursing, they deserve to be cheered on, coached and celebrated!
KellyMom
This website was developed to provide evidence-based information on breastfeeding, sleep and parenting.
Breastfeeding Support Community @ Livejournal

Articles Around the Web

Natural Birth

2009-09-19T12:15:00.004-04:00

List in progress of resources & information on natural birth (both at hospital & home)

Birthing Naturally
Birthing Naturally exists to provide you with a free source of the information you need to prepare for the best birth for your baby.
Natural Birth & Baby Care
The Natural Birth Community @ Livejournal

Articles:

Pain Managment (in Labor)

2009-09-19T12:02:00.002-04:00

This will be a list on the different sorts of pain management methods in labor, reviewing the risks/benefits of the various drugs & non-drug methods.

Epidurals

Labor Interventions

2009-09-19T11:59:00.013-04:00

A list-in-progress of information & studies about various forms of intervention, and the risks and downsides that doctors usually conveniently (and illegally) forget to mention.

Amniotomy (forced water breaking) & Stripping of Membranes

Fetal Monitoring

Cord Clamping

Episiotomies (cutting instead of tearing..)

Cesarean Sections

2009-09-19T11:18:00.002-04:00

The Unnecesarean
With a national c-section rate of 31.8% and climbing in the U.S., every pregnant woman should understand her right to informed consent AND informed refusal.
International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN)
To improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).

Articles:

Inductions

2009-09-19T10:36:00.004-04:00

Inductions are something that many, many women have without giving second thought to, trusting the doctors judgement. This is a running list of articles & studies about why this is not (usually) a good idea.

Induction Drugs

"Pit to Distress": Your Ticket to an "Emergency" Cesarean?
"Pit to Distress": A Disturbing Reality by a Labor & Delivery Nurse
FDA Alert on Cytotec

Birth & Labor 101

2009-09-19T10:32:00.011-04:00

About

2009-09-19T10:00:00.007-04:00

Before I got pregnant, I knew as much about pregnancy, childbirth & child raising as does the average American (very little & completely unaware of it.) Once I got my BFP & I started joining pregnancy communities & forums across the net, I started realizing just how much I didn't know and how many things that the TV, my family, even what many doctors say that is downright wrong. I could not believe how much misinformation (and simple lack of information) is out there, perpetuated by the very sources that pregnant women trust the most (from well-meaning family, to media programs, to the OBs themselves.)

Thus began a great many months of researching. I was blessed to have a lot of time to do plenty of reading & learning on the subject(s), and as my pregnancy wound down, I found myself constantly distributing the knowledge & links I'd accumulated. It was then that I realized that I could combine those things with all my ideas for reviews and features that had been swimming around my head, and turn them all into a parenting-focused blog. And so, here we are!

Oh, and hello, I'm Ameya. =) This is the outlet for all my family stuff, but I have a personal blog over at wonder & wander as well.