tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36967000664845203962012-01-19T21:57:48.924-07:00Mamas and BabiesEducating and empowering women in pregnancy and childbirth.Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.comBlogger5281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-14893875487084821732012-01-06T06:01:00.000-07:002012-01-06T06:01:00.953-07:00Unassisted Home BirthCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-36280113028964575752012-01-03T06:36:00.006-07:002012-01-03T06:36:00.670-07:00How to Check for Posterior Tongue TieA friend of mine was told by more than one medical professional that her son didn't have a tongue tie. As breastfeeding issues continued, she took him to see this doctor, who diagnosed a posterior tie, fixed it, and her baby is nursing like a champ!
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-82276251421824825412011-12-28T06:34:00.000-07:002011-12-28T06:34:01.109-07:00Hospital Interventions Including CytotecCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-51940596846081129232011-12-26T06:23:00.000-07:002011-12-26T06:23:00.328-07:00The Truth About CesareansCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-8869779035960392622011-12-22T06:21:00.000-07:002011-12-22T06:21:01.084-07:00Freebirth VideoCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-90060827581012934932011-12-19T06:12:00.003-07:002011-12-19T07:10:06.247-07:00Pregnancy Update: 35+ WeeksI've been TERRIBLE about updating the blog throughout this pregnancy. Life is crazy, as always, but wonderful at the same time.
Here are my stats for 35+ weeks:
Fetal Heart Rate: 125-149 BPM (Baby was very active and the heart rate kept going up and down when I was trying to get a reading.)
Blood Pressure: 107/58 (It's been nice and low throughout the pregnancy)
Pulse: 89 BPM
Fundus: 35 cm (Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-21625897963013934952011-12-17T06:23:00.003-07:002011-12-17T06:23:00.403-07:00Co-Sleeping, Bed Sharing. What are the facts?This is an excellent news piece about bed sharing.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-55715142028476352012011-12-13T06:14:00.001-07:002011-12-13T06:14:00.689-07:00Pleasurable BirthThere's an explicit content warning on this video. Personally, I find the depictions of typical hospital births disturbing in contrast to the peaceful depictions of pleasurable birth.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-5275161457416711302011-12-08T06:08:00.000-07:002011-12-08T06:08:00.792-07:00Changing Lives at BirthVisit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economyCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-11980563739751404982011-12-05T06:29:00.003-07:002011-12-05T06:29:00.392-07:00Labor ProgressionThis offers a great explanation and visual of labor progress, dilation, and effacement.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-78436146564024540022011-12-01T06:14:00.000-07:002011-12-01T06:14:00.266-07:00Feeding Baby With a CupEven a newborn can feed from a cup, and it doesn't cause nipple confusion like bottles do.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-1401040505567199152011-11-28T06:47:00.003-07:002011-11-28T06:47:00.359-07:00LiabilityLiability
By Teresa Henderson
Just call me a liability,
That’s what they see me as anyway.
One glance at my chart and they recall,
I’m the one who refuses all their protocol.
A court case, a settlement, is what they see,
I’m just a liability.
Just call me a liability,
Refusing things so sternly.
No glucose test, no dopplers,
No peek to see if there’s one, two, or three.
How can they make a Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-7060671272198772872011-11-25T06:19:00.003-07:002011-11-25T10:25:55.566-07:00Lucy Lynn's Birth StoryAnd now finally, for Lucy's birth story...
On Sunday, October 9, 2011 we went to church as usual in the morning. Afterwards, we went to Jay's parents house as we often do to have lunch. We had already eaten and were watching TV when I suddenly felt like I *really* wanted to be home. I just wanted to be in my own home, in my own bed, resting. The next morning, on my due date, I had my 40 weekCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-10431278759099076102011-11-24T11:47:00.001-07:002011-11-24T11:47:42.073-07:00Happy ThanksgivingCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-14396522896268500992011-11-22T06:15:00.000-07:002011-11-22T06:15:00.282-07:00Lucy's "Pre-birth" Birth Story
Jay and I were blessed with a beautiful daughter on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 6:38 a.m. Lucy Lynn was 8 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long. She is an answer to our prayers and a wonderful addition to her family. Here is her birth story.
In order to really understand Lucy's birth, I need to start with her big brother Oliver's. Oliver Michael was born on August 26, 2008. My first child changed Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-50333322743118259752011-11-18T06:43:00.000-07:002011-11-18T06:43:01.619-07:00Conception to birth -- visualizedI wish I could embed this video for you, but you'll need to click on the link. It's an incredible visualization of conception to birth, explained by Alexander Tsiaras.
Alexander Tsiaras: Conception to birth -- visualized | Video on TED.comCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-48094306256228067792011-11-16T06:27:00.005-07:002011-11-16T06:27:00.210-07:00Please Submit Your Birth StoryI now have an email account set up specifically so you can send me your birth stories to be published on the blog.
I apologize for being such a slacker on this blog since I've been pregnant. I've had some serious writer's block since becoming pregnant, and I feel like I've neglected the blog a bit.
I would love to share birth stories from all of you here, if you feel comfortable sharing them. Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-12186310956375351792011-11-15T06:21:00.001-07:002011-11-15T06:21:00.262-07:00Parents Changing Diapers Less Often to Save Money"Advertising Age reports diaper sales are down, but diaper rash cream sales are up. It's happened three years in a row, coinciding with the downturn of the economy. The study hints that we as parents are changing diapers less frequently and our kids' tushes are the victim."
This is one reason I love cloth diapers: I don't have to worry about how many we go through, because I wash and reuse the Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-68099847362125732832011-11-12T06:34:00.000-07:002011-11-12T06:34:00.317-07:00Breastfeeding - Join the Boob-olution!Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-16946646961579756242011-11-08T06:02:00.000-07:002011-11-08T06:02:00.218-07:00Dance the Baby Out!OK, this is awesome. Dancing to get labor started. Check out her amazing belly at 40 weeks 4 days with twins!
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-49174877760444693662011-11-04T06:34:00.001-06:002011-11-04T06:34:00.451-06:00The Consciousness of Infants"Not long ago, experts in pediatrics and psychology were teaching that babies were virtually blind, had no sense of color, couldn't recognize their mothers, and heard in "echoes. They believed babies cared little about sharp changes in temperature at birth and had only a crude sense of smell and taste. Their pain was "not like our pain," their cries not meaningful, their smiles were "gas," and Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-62936038199981748402011-11-01T08:29:00.001-06:002011-11-01T08:29:30.559-06:00More Business of Being Born TrailerCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-6297681164125818172011-10-24T06:45:00.001-06:002011-10-24T06:45:00.155-06:00Helps For Pregnancy Sciatic & Low Back PainCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-40782436280122734352011-10-20T06:39:00.002-06:002011-10-20T06:39:00.730-06:00Home Birth VideoCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-65606660496712215152011-10-17T06:31:00.000-06:002011-10-17T06:31:00.485-06:00Abortion Survivor SpeaksCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-40171725953141061352011-10-13T06:01:00.003-06:002011-10-13T14:39:12.001-06:00Spirituality and Birth BookMy husband and I were honored to contribute some of our experiences and stories as content for this book: The Gift of Giving Life.
Here's a brief synopsis:
The Gift of Giving Life: Rediscovering the Divine Nature of Pregnancy and Birth offers something that no other pregnancy book has before–a spiritual look at pregnancy and birth by and for LDS women and other women of faith. With inspiringCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-55813531297099960042011-10-10T06:44:00.001-06:002011-10-10T06:44:00.090-06:00Clio's FreebirthIn this clip from the documentary "Freebirthing," Clio Howie peacefully gives birth to her little boy. To learn more about the documentary visit http://freebirthing.org. To learn more about freebirth visit http://freebirth.com.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-83607416394623472042011-10-06T06:35:00.001-06:002011-10-06T06:35:00.670-06:00Homebirth Decision ReflectionCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-12112446812808293942011-10-03T06:50:00.000-06:002011-10-03T06:50:00.305-06:00Natural Waterbirth at Home, Second VBACContains mild birth nudity.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-21492818964412634642011-09-29T06:27:00.001-06:002011-09-29T06:27:00.201-06:00A Midwife's Role: Knowledge Infused with CareCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-8418649771655897672011-09-26T06:20:00.000-06:002011-09-26T06:20:00.689-06:00Birth vs. Experience VideoCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-841584312310060572011-09-22T06:52:00.003-06:002011-09-22T06:52:00.119-06:00Pregnancy Update: 22+ Weeks
22 weeks
I haven't posted a pregnancy update in about a month, so I figured now would be a good time.
I've been consulting with the midwives on the phone, but haven't had an official prenatal visit since about 14 weeks. I'm OK with this. I'm actually more than OK with it. I've been able to check my vitals and heart tones when I want to, which hasn't been too often, but the big thing for me is Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-73232718332948285442011-09-19T07:22:00.001-06:002011-09-19T07:22:00.413-06:00Demonstration of Delayed Cord Clamping BenefitsPenny Simkin provides a demonstration and explanation of the importance of delayed cord clamping.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-72571721783458615702011-09-15T07:02:00.001-06:002011-09-15T07:02:00.700-06:00The Miracle of Birth - Monty Python StyleThis makes me both laugh and cry.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-77603043099434213752011-09-12T22:51:00.001-06:002011-09-12T22:51:00.127-06:00Beautiful Twin Birth VideoUntitled from Lora Denton on Vimeo.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-88457564851167865702011-09-08T12:28:00.003-06:002011-09-08T12:28:00.049-06:00You Are a TreeLove yourself, for you are a beautiful tree.
In my religion we are taught that our body is a temple and we should love, honor, and respect it
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-43109728828162991742011-09-05T06:35:00.054-06:002011-09-05T06:35:00.647-06:00Favorite Pregnancy/Birth QuotesI often share quotes on my Mamas and Babies facebook page, and I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites here on the blog.
Some of these are obviously related to pregnancy and birth, and some can fit a wide range of applications but also can be related to pregnancy and birth. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
"Childbirth... is chaos that the body can resolve itself." ~ Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-37702553411541391742011-09-01T06:33:00.001-06:002011-09-01T06:33:00.228-06:00Malakai's Hospital Water Birth VideoThis is a beautiful video of a hospital water birth. This mom had 3 home births prior to this birth. I love how the midwife and attendant waited outside the room while she labored, and that mom caught her own baby. Things were done while she held him in the tub. This was the first water birth in this particular hospital. They had just updated their policies to allow water birth, and they Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-23379927295296188052011-08-29T06:20:00.001-06:002011-08-29T06:20:00.104-06:00Malakai's Birth Story, Part 2: Birth Day!My mom and Grama arrived Thursday morning. I was miserable! I felt so sick, and was so upset about not being able to fully focus on our soon coming birth. Everyone agreed that Matt should take me out to dinner, and get me out of the house. I hadn't been out for about 2 weeks due to flu season! We went to Red Robin for dinner. Then we walked around Target and Walmart. It was so refreshing to be Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-58197725954911436332011-08-25T06:16:00.001-06:002011-08-25T06:16:00.584-06:00Malakai's Birth Story, Part 1: Pregnancy and PlanningSarah, Malakai's mother, had 3 home births prior to discovering that she was a hemophilia carrier. This is the story of their birth planning after that discovery.
I didn't realize how emotional it would be to revisit my pregnancy with Malakai. I've shared my birth story with so many, but his story begins a few months before he was created. . .
One month before Elijah was a year old, I got the Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-25391942388522142322011-08-23T07:00:00.000-06:002011-08-23T07:00:19.717-06:00Pregnancy Update - 18+ weeksYesterday as I was snuggling my sick toddler in my bed I decided to do a mini-prenatal checkup on myself. It had been about 5 weeks since I met with my midwife, and per our agreement I decided to check my vitals and record them in my file.
Gestation: 18 weeks, 3 days
Weight: Up 6 pounds in about 5 weeks
Blood Pressure: 90/46
Heart Rate: 75 BPM
Fetal Heart Rate: 140 BPM
I haven't measured my Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-82285433261580487212011-08-22T06:53:00.000-06:002011-08-22T06:53:00.201-06:00Failure to Progress?Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-48632387592124847252011-08-18T06:27:00.000-06:002011-08-18T06:27:00.574-06:00VBA3C - VideoThis mama almost stopped having babies because she couldn't bear the thought of another cesarean. This video made me cry. A lot. You can do it.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-83136644894243709822011-08-15T06:03:00.014-06:002011-08-15T06:03:00.060-06:00ConfessionI can't sleep, and I'm alone with my thoughts. This means I have time to think about all the stuff that briefly passes through my mind during the day when I don't have the time to consider it.
Foremost on my mind: TWINS
I seem to be carrying larger than usual with this pregnancy, enough that I myself have wondered if I might be carrying multiples. It's not logical. There's no family history of Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-2622484957862656192011-08-11T07:22:00.000-06:002011-08-11T07:22:00.389-06:00OB vs. Midwife - VideoThis completely describes my own experiences with OB care vs. my home birth midwife.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-61640020870193214482011-08-08T06:56:00.000-06:002011-08-08T06:56:01.103-06:00Pregnancy Photos - 16 WeeksPregnancy #8, baby #6
At 16 weeks I'm wearing some maternity clothes and some "bigger" regular clothes. I'm getting comments from strangers, the most common one being:
"Are you having a boy or a girl?"
How the heck should I know?!
I've consistently gained about 1 pound per week so far. If this trend continues I'll gain a total of 40 pounds.
Side shot - 16 weeks
Front view
And you've Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-50730738782453648652011-08-04T07:15:00.002-06:002011-08-04T07:15:00.394-06:00iBreastfeed - Get Over It!Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-48701720660043668592011-08-01T06:16:00.001-06:002011-08-01T07:52:33.007-06:00Pregnancy and Health Gadgets
Blood Pressure Monitor
I love gadgets, and when I can get gadgets that help with my family's health, it's even more fun!
My midwife recommended I get an automatic blood pressure monitor. I have a cuff and stethoscope and I'm comfortable taking my blood pressure with that, but she felt the automatic monitor might be easier and more accurate. It was like Christmas to get one and bring it homeCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-63827568956283363772011-07-29T08:54:00.006-06:002011-07-29T09:32:44.063-06:0015 Weeks - Prenatal Visit and Plans
Midwife Ina May Gaskin at a prenatal visit.
I keep meaning to blog about my first prenatal visit, and it turns out I have more than that to talk about. Things are coming together, and I'm very excited.
I'll start about prenatal care.
I intentionally waited to schedule my first prenatal visit. Because of my two miscarriages I didn't want to try to find a heart rate at any point when being ableCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-26397933610011686482011-07-25T06:53:00.000-06:002011-07-25T06:53:01.199-06:00Typical Newborn Procedures in Hospital BirthThis video is typical of newborn procedures in the hospital. This is considered normal, and yet the newborn is separated from mom for several minutes while being poked and prodded by strangers. Keep in mind that this is a healthy baby, with no complications.
This is completely different from my home birth experience in which I held my baby from the moment he was born. He never left me, and the Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-22231363760832595492011-07-21T06:55:00.006-06:002011-07-21T06:55:00.801-06:00Pain Free!Remember the severe low back and pelvic pain I was having? It's gone.
My friend Cherieann recommended that I try taking Cod Liver Oil and she sent me a bottle to try. That was a smart move on her part, because between the exhaustion and the pain I was feeling I might not have put forth the effort to get it myself.
She sent me this bottle of Carlson Cod Liver Oil:
It comes in softgels so you Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-78823708804630785212011-07-18T06:32:00.001-06:002011-07-18T06:32:01.103-06:00Vaginal Birth After 2 CesareansCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-65663291561938635562011-07-14T06:51:00.000-06:002011-07-14T06:51:00.261-06:00A Short Birth DocumentaryCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-21766288840004144542011-07-12T06:26:00.040-06:002011-07-12T18:34:51.783-06:00An Explanation for my PainYesterday I was in severe pain. My sacrum, hips, and low back were in constant pain, and any time I tried to walk, bend down, or generally move, it was debilitating.
I've had pain like this with each pregnancy, but it's never happened as early as 12 weeks before, and so severely at that point. I know that the relaxin hormone is loosening my joints, and that has something to do with the popping Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-23359683981630276882011-07-08T12:47:00.001-06:002011-07-20T23:46:14.415-06:0012 Weeks!Just a quick update.
I'm 12 weeks today. Yay! I never made it this far with either of my miscarriages.
I'm still tired a lot. Someone suggested that I take my prenatal vitamin with lunch to help give myself more energy in the last half of the day. I did that yesterday and it seemed to help. I made it through the day without taking a nap, which was amazing.
I'm not taking a traditional prenatalCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-26206991355039511362011-07-05T06:45:00.023-06:002011-07-05T06:45:01.102-06:00What I'm Up ToIt's nothing super special.
Like I have the energy for that.
Between the first trimester fatigue and severe writer's block, I've been doing my best just to take care of myself and my family.
I did something cool though. At least I think it's cool. I'm told this makes me "crunchy".
I finally got a drying rack for my cloth diapers! I can move it inside or outside depending on the weather, and Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-40634743196047400692011-07-01T06:26:00.000-06:002011-07-01T06:26:00.535-06:00"Why Mothers Need Their Sleep"Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-3054632027513628462011-06-30T06:19:00.004-06:002011-07-20T23:45:50.412-06:00Almost Kicked Off the Bus for Breastfeeding!Blatant harassment for breastfeeding!
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-994880912240822242011-06-28T06:10:00.002-06:002011-06-28T06:10:00.631-06:00Birth Without Violence: TrailerCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-6479239564214017602011-06-24T06:24:00.001-06:002011-06-24T06:24:00.397-06:00Apologies and NewsFirst of all, let me apologize for totally slacking off with the blog posts! In over 3 years of having this blog I've always posted on a regular basis until now. I feel like a complete blogging loser, but I have a reason.
The News: I'm pregnant!
About 10 weeks along at this point, and feeling every bit of it.
Exhaustion, mood swings, never-ending hunger, constant peeing, etc. I'm just lucky Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-2068594525363746022011-06-22T21:19:00.000-06:002011-06-22T21:19:11.472-06:00What if Something Goes Wrong During Home Birth?Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-16254620074842853442011-06-14T06:13:00.005-06:002011-06-14T14:50:39.357-06:00Please Help Raise Funds for More Business of Being Born Films!The Business of Being Born is a birth documentary film that I love. It helped open my eyes to home birth as a safe, viable option, and I think every woman should watch this film whether or not she's given birth yet.
The great news is that more films are being made! The producers need help with the funding, and YOU can help!
From producers Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein:
"Making our 2008 Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-20859205698302024322011-06-13T06:42:00.001-06:002011-06-13T06:42:01.481-06:00If You Could Go Back...If you could go back to before you had your first child, what would you tell yourself?
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-16304430530471766282011-06-10T06:44:00.000-06:002011-06-10T06:44:01.552-06:00We Can Be Much KinderAbout the importance of delayed cord clamping and uninterrupted bonding between mom and baby immediately after birth.
We Can Be Much Kinder from The Other Side of the Glass on Vimeo.Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-35218643723328472842011-06-06T06:47:00.000-06:002011-06-06T06:47:00.105-06:00Medicated Labor Impacts BreastfeedingI recently came across this video which compares babies who were born without medication and those whose mothers were medicated during labor, and how well they instinctively latch on to breastfeed.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-23291070344210499202011-06-04T08:57:00.002-06:002011-06-04T09:58:40.720-06:00"Explicit" Photo of Face Presentation Violated Facebook Terms of UseFace presentation is rare, and most people won't ever see one in their lives. A mama I know recently pushed her baby out face first when she had her VBAC in the hospital. This is an amazing photo that her photographer took of the baby's face emerging. I'm in awe of mamas, babies, and birth itself. Babies can come out in all sorts of ways. The mother gave birth with an intact perineum (no stitchesCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-58052692222312032112011-06-03T06:43:00.002-06:002011-06-03T06:43:00.653-06:00VBAC VideoCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-17450574214618324892011-06-01T06:12:00.015-06:002011-06-01T06:12:00.405-06:00How Can Birth Partners Be Supportive?I recently asked this question on the Mamas and Babies Facebook fan page:
What is the best thing your partner did or could have done for you during labor?
Here are the responses, good and bad:
"just being by my side I love my husband!"
"he could have had the baby for me lol"
"Supported me 100% -- to elaborate some; positive affirmations, reminders to breathe, acting as my voice when mineCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-12436723742093522902011-05-30T06:41:00.000-06:002011-05-30T06:41:00.436-06:00This Woman's WorkCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-29758136920376112342011-05-27T06:40:00.000-06:002011-05-27T06:40:00.246-06:00Avoid Unnecessary InterventionsCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-78077605598523525132011-05-25T06:56:00.000-06:002011-05-25T06:56:00.421-06:00Book Review: The Complete Woman's HerbalBy Heather Walters
Homeschool Student, age 16
For Christmas I received a book called The Complete Woman’s Herbal - A Manual of Healing Herbs and Nutrition for Personal Well-being and Family Care by Anne McIntyre. The book has wonderful illustrations of herbs and other useful plants, and facts and tips that are must haves for natural self and family care. I don’t have a family of my own yet, butCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-20810675430887081352011-05-23T06:04:00.001-06:002011-05-23T06:04:00.566-06:00With Water, Childbirth Was More Comfortable for MeYet another article denied by the Pampers website because it doesn't jibe with ACOG's recommendations. Here's my latest article about water birth:12I've always loved water, and the idea of a water childbirth intrigued me from the moment I first heard about it. Some of my friends used a birth tub to labor in at a hospital and mentioned that the water helped ease the pain of contractions. Because Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-75368572725808501542011-05-20T06:28:00.014-06:002011-05-20T08:15:10.067-06:00My Surprise Breech Birth at HomeAnother article bites the dust! Yet another article has been declined by the copy editors for the Pampers website. This article is special to me, because I was hoping to share this version of my surprise breech baby's birth at home. I tried working with the editors and revising the article according to their requests, and it was ultimately declined. Here's the article as I originally wrote it (Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-82709324332679142302011-05-18T06:26:00.009-06:002011-05-18T06:26:00.456-06:00Piper's Birth Storylike all other mothers who write their birth stories, i will try to keep this short, but i will fail.
i think "labor" started on saturday morning 4/23. i just felt weird and queasy, enough so that i called my midwife, rena, to ask her about feeling so nauseated. she encouraged me to just listen to my body, eat and rest as i needed. i didn't think it was labor, but looking back this was the Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-33731053452985118012011-05-16T06:02:00.001-06:002011-05-16T06:02:00.154-06:00Video of Planned Twin Home BirthPlanned home birth of twins at 40 weeks 3 days!!!! She was attended by 3 midwives, her hubby, her 3 daughters and friends and family! Her baby boy and girl were born 1 1/2 hours apart. It also included the afterbirth of the fused placentas.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-86075067281541373802011-05-13T06:42:00.016-06:002011-05-13T22:08:34.849-06:00Father's Presence During Labor: Help or Hindrance?I've recently come across some interesting quotes. Michel Odent and Grantly Dick Read are both prominent obstetricians in natural birth circles and have spoken and written extensively in support of natural physiological birth. However, they don't agree on everything. Take a look at these opposing viewpoints:
"When a woman in labor knows that she will not be disturbed, that her questions will be Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-52709779866813204512011-05-11T06:21:00.002-06:002011-05-11T06:21:00.289-06:00The Many Uses and Benefits of Placentas
Photo by Patti Ramos
by Jennifer George
The placenta is an organ that grows once you become pregnant. It is attached to the uterine wall and attached to the baby via the umbilical cord. The placenta is what makes hCG which is the hormone that makes a pregnancy test turn positive. During pregnancy the placenta produces hormones and brings oxygen, blood and nutrients to the baby. It also helpsCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-12374158522049677242011-05-09T06:36:00.007-06:002011-05-09T06:36:00.271-06:00Trying to Cover Up While BreastfeedingMy babies have done this exact same thing whenever I tried to cover up while nursing. I finally gave up on trying to cover up. Watch the video and tell me if you ever catch a glimpse of her breast, areola, nipple, or any "inappropriate" skin. It IS possible to breastfeed discreetly without a cover.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-47071032766077898312011-05-08T08:18:00.000-06:002011-05-08T08:18:31.227-06:00Happy Mother's DayCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-34921669018846862002011-05-06T05:52:00.004-06:002011-05-06T05:52:00.074-06:00Beautiful Home Birth VideoBorn at Home from Kat Small on Vimeo.Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-46641293234856266542011-05-04T06:54:00.020-06:002011-05-04T06:54:00.469-06:00Cillian's BIRTH Story
by Eric and Cristina Marantette
January 16, 2011 (Due Date!)
(Cillian is my second child but first home birth. Ethan is my first born (born at St. Mary's Hospital) and he was about 22 months on Jan 16th 11. Tux is my 4 year old Boston Terrier)
3 am - I woke up to minor cramp-like pains. I felt these pains were slightly different than normal. I had been having "labor pains" since Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-76262372355888354312011-05-02T06:17:00.009-06:002011-05-02T06:17:00.477-06:00How Would Men Handle Childbirth?A TV show host has labor contractions simulated using electrodes to see how he can handle the pain of labor. This is really fun to watch! It's also fun to see how they have him try distraction techniques (self-hypnosis), positioning, sitting on the birth ball, and even taking in "gas and air" (laughing gas for those in the US). It's worth watching!
As a side note, I can't imagine how well Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-27229134587874652732011-04-29T06:23:00.003-06:002011-04-29T06:23:00.354-06:00The Media's Influence On Our GirlsA friend recently shared this video with me. I'm not promoting Dove products, but this made me think seriously about the impact our culture and media have on young girls and women. I went through years of self-esteem issues related to my body image. It wasn't until after having babies that I really started to accept myself and my body as I am. What are we doing to build our girls up?
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-44710593241282596732011-04-27T06:17:00.000-06:002011-04-27T06:17:00.336-06:00What Do You Know About Cloth Diapers?by Meggan Edwards
I am a mom to a 13-month-old little girl who was born in a hospital with an epidural, but I am interested in a medication-free home-birth for my future children (still researching). I am a lactivist and an intactivist; I babywear and cloth diaper; we eat mostly whole foods and as much organic as we can afford. I am a teacher in a public school, but am considering Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-76076570320010831692011-04-25T06:18:00.000-06:002011-04-25T06:18:00.211-06:00Pampers Ad Portrays Home Water BirthI found this new Pampers ad through Stand and Deliver. I love that they show a home water birth, and I hope it helps open some eyes to the possibility and safety of home birth.
It makes me feel a little bit more proud about writing articles for their pregnancy site.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-12650169106972787062011-04-22T06:43:00.008-06:002011-04-22T06:43:00.162-06:00A Toddler's Guide to Daughtering One's ParentsA Toddler's Guide to Daughtering One's Parents
by Melissa Ferland
1. It is important on road trips to occasionally remind your parents that they are cruel for tying you up in a contraption and expecting you to sit there quietly for hours, regardless of how exciting the destination might be. A good way to remind them of this is by requesting something special, something delicious, something you Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-16653103098281188752011-04-20T06:08:00.015-06:002011-04-20T06:08:00.379-06:00An Attitude Adjustment for MomI hadn't been a very nice mommy lately. I'd been moody, stressed out, you name it, and I'd been taking it out on my family.
Then I had an experience that changed my perspective and made me really reflect on how I'd been acting. I had a day full of unexpected, unpleasant events. First I discovered mice in the house and had to completely clean out my food storage room because of it. Then I had, Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-27399803427885386482011-04-18T06:47:00.000-06:002011-04-18T06:47:00.626-06:00Video: Frank Breech Water BirthWarning: Full nudity!
I like this video for how it shows a frank breech vaginal birth. See how the bottom comes out first, quickly followed by the legs and feet? Notice how the time between the bottom being birthed and the head is less than eight minutes. My understanding is that it's important for the head to be birthed within about 10 minutes after the body, as head entrapment is one of the Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-44172662206213002932011-04-15T06:50:00.000-06:002011-04-15T06:50:01.093-06:00How Understanding Fertility Empowered Me in Many WaysI'd like to share some links about fertility awareness. The first is an article I wrote for Pampers about how I've grown to appreciate my body and its functions through better understanding my own reproductive system. It goes far beyond simply avoiding or achieving pregnancy.
Learning About Conception and Implantation, Ovulation, and Cycles
Here's some great background information about natural Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-81688544837193246192011-04-13T06:39:00.001-06:002011-04-13T08:50:20.310-06:00Why I No Longer Have Birth RegretI've had different experiences with different births, and each one has been unique and promoted personal growth.
My first baby's birth was the hardest. I went in naively thinking I could have a medication-free birth in the hospital with very little preparation. I knew my mom gave birth to all six of her babies without medication, and I assumed I'd be able to do the same. I didn't realize how muchCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-33596344569756807122011-04-11T06:21:00.052-06:002011-04-11T06:21:00.979-06:00Prenatal Health, Breastfeeding Advice, Family Planning, Pregnancy Tests, and More!Here are some of my recent articles that were published by Pampers, for your reading and sharing pleasure:
Good Prenatal Health is Possible Through Healthy Practices - The importance of exercise and good nutrition during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Being Pregnant Vary From One Woman to Another - How my pregnancy symptoms differed from those of my friends and even from one pregnancy to another.
Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-26133765054606830022011-04-08T06:13:00.023-06:002011-04-08T06:13:00.494-06:00Giving Birth Unassisted: an Option for MeThis is an article I wrote for the Pampers website, but it was rejected because unassisted birth is not considered safe by the medical community. I was encouraged by my readers to share it here instead. Thank you for reading and for your continued support. I hope you enjoy it.
(Also published on The Birthing Site)
Giving Birth Unassisted: An Option for Me
Before I got pregnant I thought birth Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-36600052258931100382011-04-06T06:17:00.000-06:002011-04-06T06:17:00.800-06:00My VulnerabilityThis is something I've been feeling a need to write about. I've hesitated doing it for many reasons. For one thing, it doesn't exactly go with the theme of my blog, and for another it's extremely personal. It's something that's been deeply ingrained as part of my life for over 15 years now.
My husband is chronically ill.
We have five children and we struggle just to get by.
He's been diagnosed Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-48659769338388379122011-04-04T06:53:00.004-06:002011-04-04T06:53:00.080-06:00Newborn Breast CrawlCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-13326333360603792662011-04-01T08:01:00.000-06:002011-04-01T08:01:00.131-06:00VBAC Video: This Woman's Work"... a three year journey that took this couple from their unexpected hospital cesarean birth to birthing their second baby at home in water - condensed into a mere 6-minute video. You, the viewer, become a witness to their very heartfelt, personal sacrifice and transformation."
I first saw this on The Beginning of MotherhoodCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-50963476223062567652011-03-30T06:58:00.000-06:002011-03-30T06:58:00.532-06:00Pertussis (Whooping Cough) InformationWhooping Cough has been in the news a lot lately. There have been outbreaks, and in some cases people panicking about this illness that's supposed to be prevented by vaccines.
About 60% of confirmed pertussis cases have been in people who were vaccinated for it. The virus that causes the illness has apparently mutated enough that the vaccine is not preventing it anymore.
For this reason I Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-35013301597380448022011-03-28T06:09:00.010-06:002011-03-28T06:09:00.479-06:00Charlie Banana One Size Hybrid Diaper GiveawayDo you like these diapers? Want to win some for your baby?
One Smiley Monkey: Charlie Banana One Size Hybrid Diaper Giveaway
I've entered the giveaway, now it's your turn!Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-55432464356075176512011-03-25T06:30:00.026-06:002011-03-25T06:30:01.684-06:00Radio Broadcast About Planned Unassisted Birth
A friend of mine, knowing about my interest in Unassisted Childbirth, recently shared this with me:
LDS Liberty: Freedom to Birth
It's an hour-long radio broadcast by a couple discussing their planned unassisted home birth. They explain their reasons, preparations, reflections, and spiritual inspiration. They are of the LDS faith (Latter-day Saint, or Mormon), so the broadcast has heavy Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-61882754465637978592011-03-23T06:59:00.009-06:002011-03-23T08:59:09.297-06:00Why I Write Articles for Pampers
A few months back a friend of mine sent me an email with a link to a job posting on Craig's List. My friend is a freelance writer and was looking for jobs when she came across the job listing for pregnancy writers. Familiar with my blog and facebook page, she told me she thought I'd be a good fit for it.
I wasn't sure. I didn't consider myself a writer, or at least good enough that anyone wouldCherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696700066484520396.post-13782638656501569162011-03-21T06:36:00.030-06:002011-03-21T06:36:00.651-06:00Evidence Favors Delayed Cord ClampingNicholas S. Fogelsen, MD, Associate Professor, Dept. Obstetrics and Gynecology, USC School of Medicine speaks about the benefits of delayed cord clamping in term and preterm babies.
The presentation is about 50 minutes long in total, and I feel it's well worth the time.
On his Academic OB/GYN website Dr. Fogelsen reports that "Peer response has been uniformly positive, and the residents seem to Cherylynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com1