In the news...

I read a funny story about the US way of giving birth and the use of midwives.

Excerpts from the article:

The name midwife means “with woman.” Midwives have always been in charge of delivering babies, ever since the beginning of human existence, all the way up to about 150 years ago in the United States. That was when a small group of medical doctors decided to launch a war against midwifery, having unilaterally decided that medical doctors were better suited to the job than midwives.

What evidence did these scholarly gentlemen present to support the notion that they could do a better job? Evidence? Bah! They didn’t need no stinking evidence! They had clout, they had money, they were men, and that was enough.

You can read more here: http://www.planetc1.com/cgi-bin/n/v.cgi?c=1&id=1152244116

Here's an interesting story about advice that is now being given to formula feeding mothers in Scotland. According to the article,

FORMULA milk should only be made with scalding-hot water and never stored in the fridge, according to controversial new guidelines aimed at reducing the food-poisoning risk to babies.

The advice has been issued by food standards watchdogs amid mounting concern that formula milk is being contaminated with salmonella and other potentially deadly bacteria

Let's hear it for breastfeeding! (again). Read more here: http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=999972006

Finally, let's hear it for Alabama! Bravo!

The Alabama legislature passed a law in April saying a mother may breastfeed her child in any public place, and the law went into effect this Saturday.

 

Read more here: http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/3280806.html

Is the baby here yet?

I still have ten weeks to go and I feel like I'm ready to pop. I was just telling my widwife at my appt that I am so glad I don't have stretch marks yet, and lo and behold they popped up yesterday:o(

My appt went really well, my midwife wants me to focus on eating more protein and more veggies and fruits.

Not much else has been going on this week. I've been making random trips to Wal-Mart and Target with Brooke just to give us something to do and just to be able to sit in the nice air conditioned car. I've also been on a huge cleaning kick. I got down and scrubbed the kitchen floor on my hands and knees, did a ton of laundry, washed the hallway walls, cleaned off the kitchen table, etc. Jason and I are really working hard to get this house in tip top shape for the baby. I also ordered my midwife kit so I am waiting to get that in the mail :o)

I got my hair cut today, which makes me feel lighter. My mom paid for it for a birthday present for me.

Brooke's good, her newest word is "pretty". My mom planted some new plants by the walkway out in the front yard, and whenever we are walking to and from the car Brooke has to stop, point to each plant individually, and say "pretty". This leads to the 3 second walk from the car to the house turning into a 10 minute stroll, which I only get annoyed at when my arms are full of groceries.

Well that's pretty much it. Ciao :o)

articles

Some stuff that's been in the new lately.....

Here's a good article about cloth diapers, and their benefits in terms of financial and environment.

  http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2006/06/17/features/lifestyles/1124b1eed80609e68625718f004d2a9e.txt

Here's an article that talks about the importance of a good support network for breastfeeding moms.....I couldn't agree more, support is definately one of the most important things a new breastfeeding mother could have.

CAPTION: Photo courtesy of Courtney Hohnholt Local La Leche League leader Courtney Hohnholt is seen nursing her nine-month-old daughter, Naomi. Hohnholt is one of many women who believe breastfeeding is an important element in the healthy development of the baby.

http://www.mininggazette.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=2528

Here's an article about the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and how it is trying to teach physicians and other healthcare proffessionals the importance of breastfeeding.

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060615005659&newsLang=en

This story tells of how a mother was asked to leave Applebee's restaurant because she was breastfeeding. I've nursed Brooke in Applebee's before, and never had a problem. It sounds like a case of an ignorant employee.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=5082113&nav=0RY5

An article on midwives and how they can help women have empowering births.

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060625/NEWS01/60625001/-1/news

An article about co sleepers.....no, not all co sleepers are hippies LOL!

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=886587cf-b1b1-43e4-8007-7e8321a392b9&k=47191&p=1

More articles on the new "aggressive" breastfeeding ad campaign....to those mothers who feel the ads make formula feeders feel guilty.....phooey. When I see an ad for a gym, I feel guilty...does that mean we should ban those ads to? Not to mention these ads are presenting FACTS to the public....whether it makes you feel guilty or not, it's still fact :o)

http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5032299&nav=1TjD

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13326810/

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/health/news-article.aspx?storyid=60028

http://www.rctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060627/FEATURES04/606270313/1004/MTCN0303

Nurse-ins in the news...

Victoria's Secret got a lesson in what female breasts are for this weekend as moms across the US participated in mall 'nurse-ins.' The women were protesting two incidents in which Victoria's Secret employees told mothers to use a bathroom to breastfeed their babies.

http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/0002331/52/

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060629/NEWS01/60629037/1188

 

A little info on the dangers of soy formula..

http://www.westonaprice.org/brochures/SoyAlertTrifold.pdf

Info on the dangers of flouride...

http://www.westonaprice.org/envtoxins/fluoride.html

 

 

update

Well things are going really good here. Tomorrow I have my 29 week appointment with my midwife, and then after that I will be seeing her every two weeks.

I posted some pics of Brooke hanging out at home, and at the beach and at the fireworks. Jason had a four day weekend, so we were pretty busy these past four days. Brookie, the lucky girl, went to the beach twice and went to fireworks and we did other stuff with her, like shopping and stuff. She was so excited to see so much of Daddy that she refused to nap, which resulted in an extremely cranky baby today, but I finally got her to fall asleep :o)

Not much has been going on since the last update. We're getting our new van very soon, Jason thinks we will have one before the week is over. We're going to look at one today that we think might be the right one for us. I'm so glad, because as much as I don't want to be a mini-van mom, it was a PITA lugging all the beach stuff around in my tiny Jetta. Not to mention Brooke has had a growth spurt (*gasp* She actually fits in her current age-designated clothing!) and her legs are really starting to get cramped in that tiny back seat. I'll feel a lot safer once we're in the van :o)

We also saw Helen this weekend, and she is doing really good. She doesn't need surgery it turns out, but she is going to have to go through chemo. Jason took her to her doctor's appt and then picked up Brooke and I to go out to lunch and to Micheals for some craft supplies.

I really can't wait for this pregnancy to be over. I feel HUGE! And these past couple days have been really hot, when it hasn't been raining. On top of the three covers that I have bought, I also bought a dozen indian prefolds. Jason decided that we could splurge and buy some kissaluvs fitteds too, once he realized that the smalls may fit her up to six months. I don't think he wanted to deal with prefolds that long, he prefers the easy dipes LOL. So I just need to buy some more covers, some fuzzi buns for night time, and I think I may buy some more snappis and another dozen prefolds, since newborns poop so often :o) I also have to buy a breastpump, a sling, a "big sister" gift for Brooke, the midwife kit, and other small things. At least I don't have to buy a lot of new clothes, Brooke's baby clothes are all in excellent condition (Let's hear it for no formula stains, yay!).

I feel like I've been getting a lot of crap about the homebirth. And other stuff, like cd'ing and breastfeeding. Thing is, all this crap is going on behind my back, when I'm not there to defend myself against their malicious and ignorant comments. It did upset me at first, until Jason helped me realize that there is nothing to defend, we know what we are doing is what is best for our baby and our family, and they are just ignorant fools who really don't know what they are talking about. So lately I've been letting it roll of my back, but it is still a little annoying :o/

Well I gotta go. It's so hot today and my feet are so swollen that I haven't done any cleaning, but I'm going to put my feet up, have some water, and if the swelling goes down any, then get to work. With only twelve more weeks until the baby is due, I've got to get this house prepared!!! Ciao!