CLICK HERE FOR BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND MYSPACE LAYOUTS »

Friday, September 21, 2007

Drugs

Everyone is against drug use, right? To hear that a kid is "on drugs" makes everyone sad.

Well, one would think.

What about the speed-like substance that 5 million kids take every morning before school? Drugs like Ritalin and others that "control" kids with ADD/ADHD. I am really REALLY upset about this whole thing. I have always had a personal opinion about the whole thing but only recently did I start to research it....I figured I should have something to back up my opinions. After having a friend whose son is "ADHD" and other friends mention it I decided I should probably see what the fuss is about.

What I found was this:
Me, my husband and all my kids have ADD/ADHD.
Everyone I know has ADD/ADHD.

If you take the tests online....look at all the symptoms...read about making a diagnosis....we ALL HAVE IT. Every person to some extent has some trait of this "disease". So if we all have have symptoms and we all fall into the criteria to diagnose us with ADD/ADHD....then we should ALL be on meds, right? I mean, if we are to function as "normal" people in society and we are to fit into the "box" that has been established for us then we need help doing so...correct?

So what in the heckfire is going on here????????????

Do millions of kids and millions of adults really have it? Do millions of Americans really need to be on mind/mood/action altering drugs their entire lives? If they do NOT, then what is going on? (have I said that yet?) Could it be that someone is trying to control the minds of millions and millions of us with these drugs? Is someone is trying to control the thoughts and actions of us by telling us we NEED these drugs...our kids NEED to be on these drugs for life (they have no other long term solution than drugs...forever)? Or is it that we as Americans have such a low view of kids and family that anything that bothers us and keeps us from doing what we want much be controlled...no matter what? If the kid is being loud, talking out of turn and cannot sit still in his desk (for hours and hours and hours on end) than he is bothering the rest of us and we need to control him. Where is the speed? Oh wait, that is illegal. How about some legal speed? Amphetamines sound great...here hon, take this. You will feel better.

Well, now I am mad. And I have really only began the research into this whole issue. I know families and have read about programs that have cured kids with "ADD/ADHD" by simple things like changing their diet, having more one on one time with the parents, (duh) and by eliminating vaccines (another reason to research what you shoot into your children). Many kids have sensitive systems and are allergic to foods that moms and dads do not know about...and this can cause erratic behavior and "symptoms" of ADD/ADHD. When these foods are taken from their diet then the child is a different person. So why not try this? What are we turning to major drugs instead of diet changes and time with the family? Because mom has to go to work and dad has to go to work and the kids cannot take more than a certain allotted time from them.

Oh....can I go on all day?! Nope...I gotta go eat some lunch and play with my Presley.

Watch the video below (It is WAY long so I watched it over several days in 5 minutes increments) and read what people are saying....the video has both opinions on the subject so you can see what the popular opinion is and what the "system buckers" say as well.

In conclusion...we have a drug for everything. Childbirth is annoying, so let's drug that. The baby is crying so let's give him Tylenol to make him sleep. I feel sick so let's drug my body. My kid is active so let's drug him. My life is not what I want so let's take a drug so I will not care. I do not want to eat healthy so my body is falling apart...oh wait! I can take a drug for that!

So why am I surprised??????












http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/09/20/the-tragic-consequences-of-drugging-our-children.aspx

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Birth

Okay....as if you have not already noticed, I am really on a birth kick.
Perhaps it is the fact that I am preparing to give birth myself...or maybe I am just whacked :)

Below is a link to a birth in France. It is quite short but really cool. A mom birthing in a hospital, but not like here in the USA. Notice her completely intact perineum because there was ZERO pulling on the poor kid and no shouts of "1..2...3...4..5.." with forced pushing. And Daddy gets to catch...with moms help, of course!!!!



*******there IS nudity*********

but not to bad and the birth is just to good to pass up.



How birth should be...and IS for many of us moms!!!!!!! :)

http://www.themidwife.net/index_files/Page340.htm

Monday, September 17, 2007

Say what?!

Is it just me...or does all of America think that Hitlery Clinton is INSANE??????

Have you read about her "health care" plan?

Scary.


Yikes.


Seriously...we (anyone against socialism) must not allow her to be elected!!!

Saturday, September 15, 2007

more and more....

There are numerous articles coming out daily that question the current trend in obstetrics....inductions and c-sections, to be specific. More moms dying from their sections...needlessly. Did you know that the maternal death rate is RISING in the USA???? Experts say it is from the skyrocketing c-section rate.
More moms are seeing that what they experienced was unnecessary...and are speaking out about it...and choosing alternative options. Having a 30+ percent change of having major abdominal surgery to give birth is just too risky (hospital)...so many moms are having homebirths where their chance of a section is 3-4%.

Two articles below talk about current OB trends and another mom that left her daughter, son and husband when she died giving birth by c-section.... and a real letter from an angry mom (to her hospital based midwife..."med-wife" as I like to call them) at what she experienced during her birth...and how she overcame it. I did edit some choice words although I do not blame her for the strong language. I got this letter from my ICAN messages (International Cesarean Awareness Network)...a great organization helping moms overcome their experiences and go on to have vaginal births.





http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/arts/story.html?id=428f0c90-dc95-4ecc-b95f-89e962a5a9e8





http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=620338&category=REGIONOTHER&BCCode=LOCAL&newsdate=9/8/2007














Five years ago you made me go to a grotty downtown hospital in Los Angeles for an induction because you were too scared of "big babies." Even though I was a VBAC-- even though you'd promised me the vaginal birth of my dreams in your "famous" birth center-- you signed me up for the drawn-out inhumane torture that is an induced labor. You stalked into the waiting room, barely looking at me, and barked, "Let's get this over with." You dehumanized me -- you insisted that I change out of my passionately red shirt, the one that made me feel powerful, into the rough hospital johnny. You lied to me-- with a smile on your face. You told me, "You're already effacing and dilating -- you just need a whisper of pit, and you'll shoot that kid right out." According to my labor records, I was induced on a markedly unfavorable cervix.

Then you vanished-- one of the very few things I have to thank you for, in fact; I don't think I could have lasted as long as I did with your particular brand of "encouragement." Seventeen hours I labored-- not long, in the grand scheme of things; I've heard of much longer labors-- but they tethered me to the bed, they wouldn't let me up even to pee (which you had promised I would be able to do!)-- they expected me to use the stinking bedpan! They cranked pitocin into me at appalling rates. They broke my water at 2 cm in order to place a stupid internal monitor-- they let a resident do it; he hung it up in my cervix the first time, then placed it wrong in my poor baby's scalp the second time. Third time's the charm, I guess; by then I had that line, my IV, a Foley catheter, an external monitor, a tocometer, a blood pressure cuff, and another wire or lead or some such I've never been able to adequately identify.

At 5 or so you popped back in, all cheery and grinning. You made me lay on my side-- I didn't want to, it felt so wrong!-- and you checked me-- I didn't want you touching me! But you groped around anyway, where two nurses,
a resident, and an intern had been intruding all stinking day-- then you stood up, stripped off your gloves (spattering my face with lubricant jelly, by the by), and announced, "Well, Jennifer, I don't think I'm going to be able to stay for this one." Pat pat. "You'll be fine." And you were gone.

You disappeared, leaving me to an unknown physician-- not even the one you'd paraded in front of me that morning, the one who wished me "happy laboring and I hope I don't see you again." No, this one was a Reproductive
Endocrinologist-- I have no idea what his name was, something long and hard to pronounce; all I remember is seeing his specialty embroidered in red on his stark white coat. He stormed in, aghast that I was a VBAC and had been
laboring-- gasp!-- twelve hours. He lectured me on the dangers I was incurring; he demanded of the nurses, "Is her pelvis adequate? Will she accept an epidural?" Then he checked me-- take a number!-- and pronounced me
"a bare five." He informed me that IF I got an epidural and IF I made progress over the next two hours, he would let me continue. If not, he would section me stat.

Did you know what you left me to, you who claim to be "with women"? Was your dinner relaxed and enjoyable? I didn't get dinner; I wasn't permitted to eat from midnight that Friday morning until THE NEXT TUESDAY. Is it any wonder I
had nothing left to be able to defend myself?

The CRNA who came to place my epidural was cold and hard. She threw my poor husband out and proceeded to torment me with two epidural sticks. The first missed altogether; the second buzzed and ached like I was being
electrocuted. I was terrified that she would do it again, so I lied and said yes, it was fine, thanks. In truth I had complete sensation on my right side-- the left was numb, and now all those horrible pitocin-fueled contractions ended abruptly at my umbilicus.

But I kept laboring. I have this feeling that you believed-- hoped-- I would crack and ask for a section. Anything to make you feel satisfied, justified in your cruelty! If I have one moment's pride remembering that day, it's that I didn't cave-- I fought on, labored to complete and pushed-- and pushed--

It didn't happen, of course. Tied down, drugged up, abandoned by my "care provider"-- how could it? Without freedom of movement, my baby couldn't negotiate my pelvis. He got his head crooked, just a little, and kept banging his little forehead repeatedly on my pubic bone. A couple of decels-- after a few minutes' false hope, in which my nurse thought I would deliver and set up the room for a vaginal birth-- and people were shouting, my doula bailed on me, and I was being wheeling into the OR, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

I was so afraid, you see. Not of the delivery-- not that my baby might be in danger-- but of the pain. I could still feel. They were going to cut me, and I could still feel it!

The CRNA didn't believe me-- she assured me, "We'll just top off your epidural." I was pleading for general anesthesia, crying and begging. Exasperated, she turned to the RE-cum-butcher and said flatly, "She wants to be put out." He refused and repeated the "topping off" line. Thankfully, someone was listening -- when the CRNA went to add medicine to my line, the epidural catheter fell out completely. I got my wish -- one of them, anyway -- a black rubber mask came down, and I was gone.

Eventually, of course, I had to wake up. Do you know -- do you even care? -- how hard that was? How can I explain the profound disappointment at opening my eyes when I wanted to die?

"You're being stupid, melodramatic." I imagine that's what you're thinking -- from your perspective, no doubt you're right. I'm just another mom who labored and failed. Another day in L&D. What difference does it make to you? You got rid of me before I could impact your precious statistics-- so you could tell the next VBAC hopeful who came to you, "Oh, yes, we do VBAC, with a 100% success rate. VBAC doesn't faze me at all."

Five years. Five years, N. You still haunt my dreams sometimes-- you and that nameless RE. You abandoned me and consoled yourself with platitudes about it being my fault, I didn't tell you I had a history of "big babies"! You threatened me with a dead baby, you coerced me into a 40-week ultrasound, then risked me out and demanded that I submit to induction. Because of you, I have no memory of my baby's first days-- I have no recollection of him at all between one hazy moment in the recovery room and staggering out of my wheelchair at discharge to install his carseat. I do remember my incision opening up on one side-- I won't forget the panicked run to an ER to find out if I would require further surgery, or the six weeks of drainage and pain that seemed to last for months. I don't remember
my baby's first 6 months, I was so mired in depression and post-traumatic stress-- flashbacks, nightmares, sweating panics-- the shame of having to ask a doctor for medication so I could function.

You didn't only take my birth, though. I lost more than my son's infancy. For a long time, I lost myself. I had no faith in anything; I felt like I was alone and screaming in the wilderness. I could no longer trust any medical person or birth professional. Midwives and doulas became the enemy. I had always wanted a large family-- now I couldn't contemplate another pregnancy if it meant another stinking surgery.

For two years I seethed and boiled, full of rage and pain. I inflicted my agony on the wise, patient, compassionate women of ICAN, who listened to me and assured me I wasn't alone. I had my mettle tested; the fire burned away the slag and left cold iron determination. I would never, never permit someone like you to come near me again.

I got pregnant again and made the conscious decision to avoid your ilk from the moment I knew I'd conceived. I cared for myself and my growing baby the way I wished you had cared for me before-- compassionately, with love. I
welcomed labor when it came at 41+ weeks. I spent those hours at home, quiet in the dark, singing my birth song. I roared my son out-- I birthed him into my own hands, on my feet-- not lying tied to a bed, whimpering, but drawing
on the power that is the birthright of every childbearing woman-- the right you and your colleagues deny us every single day.

I did what you told me I could not: I gave birth, after not one but now two cesarean surgeries, to a baby you would classify as big. He was ten pounds, five ounces-- the same size as his older brother, the one you insisted would
die or have to be cut out. That should be enough-- I was elated, and still am, when I look back on his birth. But I'm still angry -- angrier than ever.

Because I know now. I know what could have been, even in that cold, dirty hospital. I know what you stole from me. I will never forget... and I hope, N, that you won't, either.

yours in triumph and righteous anger,

Jennifer

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Business of Being Born

There is a really neat movie that was produced by Ricki Lake that is all about birth in America. (Ricki had a hospital birth and then a homebirth...and the homebirth changed everything for her!)

Anyway, it is being shown in select cities around the nation...and it has made it to Atlanta for a November showing! So all you ladies in Atlanta....GO TO THE SHOW. To read about the movie click on the link below and read about it. The site below is a site of a friend of mine (doula and childbirth educator) in Atlanta that is kinda sponsoring the movie. This site will tell you how to get tickets.

Even if you are not in Atlanta, read about this movie because it will be coming to a city near you soon. It will be amazing!




http://www.babystepsonline.net/BoBB.htm

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Pictures and dialog of the birth

I went to Texas with my mom, Tarin and Presley to be at Noelle's birth. She was "due" on September 6th...and has been late with her other babies. However, God had something else in mind this timme....an early baby and a fast labor!!
Here are some of the photos from the trip and of the birth. Not to worry...very modest :)










Thursday before the birth...at the chiropractors getting adjusted. Look at that beautiful belly!!!! Noelle carried this baby so differently than the girls...it must be a boy...



Friday before the birth...at the lake. My kids were not to certain about swimming in lake water (they are so spoiled) but they had fun nonetheless.



Once Tarin got used to it he had a great time!




Noelle at the lake. She swam and we layed on floats for hours....it was nice....except for the dirty lake water. I am so spoiled.



We hung out on Saturday evening and I stopped by on Sunday evening and Noelle was fine. We went to a movie (Nanny Diaries...not my favorite), ate and just hung out.
On Monday morning about 5 a.m. Noelle called and said she had been havinng some contractions. She was not sure if this was "it", but wanted to let me know. I said that I would come on over and if things stopped I could just go back to bed at her house.

I arrived at her house at 6:15 a.m. She was having very strong, regular contractions and her water had broken. YEP! This was it!!!!!!
It soon became apparent to all in the house that this labor would be fast...much faster than the girls births. She was vomiting during contractions and snapping at people. Snappy laboring moms are good!!!!!!


Noelle and Jon were laboring on the couch for a while.




Noelle commented that there is NO WAY she could do this for another 6 or 7 hours. We all assured her that this birth would not take that long. She said that around 7 a.m. and the baby was born at 9 a.m. SO cool!






Noelle got adjusted and it really helped her contractions be more regular. I personally LOVED being adjusted in labor.


Okay, time for the pool!



OOOOHHH.....so so so much better!



Brennah did so well helping her mom.



Maggie liked helping but she was just so excited that she would go in at out of the room....saying, "When is the baby coming???!!!!"




Brennah telling her mom that she is doing so well. (future midwife!!!!)




Can anyone say TRANSITION????????? I know this feeling...ick. Good thing is that the baby was born just minutes later.




Okay, time to push. Noelle, you can do it!!!
(it was so cool...Noelle did not have ANY internal exams for her entire labor or birth. How nice is that?! Gotta love those midwives!)


Now I know that there are a lot of pictures missing from the last picture to the next picture...but I TRIED to edit them to be appropriate for the internet and my edit program refused to save my edits so I had to cut those picture out. But take my word for it...they are beautiful pictures! Noelle gives birth to her baby and she pulls him up onto her chest...Jon is sitting behind her and is SO PROUD to see that he has a son!!!!



Noelle meeting her new son.



Jon is so happy to have a little boy....I think he has already purchased the baby's first mountain bike. :)



Brennah saying hello to her brother.


After Noelle got out of the birth pool the midwives made her an herbal bath in her tub. The herbs smell SO SO SO good and are healiling for mom and very relaxing for her and the baby.



AAWW....such a little man!




Jon is just on cloud nine. I think he said the words, "My son" and "My boy" at least 7,891 times in the few hours after the birth. It was so wonderful to watch!!!



Look at that little hiney!!!



Baby exam....measuring that 14 inch head. Wow! And Noelle had no tearing, praise the Lord! God obviously knows what He is doing...and made us moms PERFECT for having babies.



Little Findlay Carter weighs 9 pounds and 11 ounces. What a strapping young lad!




When he was a few hours old I got to hold him....what a SWEET HEART!!!!! I just could not put him down...I cannot wait to hold my own little baby!!!



Jon dressed Fin for the first time in a onesie that says, "I am not a girl" :)



Brennah holding her little brother.



Maggie's turn...



Presley was pretty excited about the baby as well. He keeps asking when our baby is coming out :)



Noelle and I...best friends...future in-laws :) I must have a girl to marry Fin...or a boy to be his best friend :)



Little Fin on day 2. His birth swelling has gone down and he is ADORABLE. I cannot believe it will be another 3 months till I see him again!

Monday, September 03, 2007

Noelle's Baby is Here!!!!

Jon and Noelle have a SON!!!!
After having two beautiful daughters, Noelle gave birth to a boy...Findlay Carter. He was born after about 4 hours of labor (yeah!) on Monday...Labor Day :)

(the odds of this happening, by the way, were 1 in 13,000,000. why? because she has had her other kids on Mothers Day and Valentines Day. cool, hu?!)

Fin was 9 lbs and 11 ounces with a 14 inch head. WOW! Noelle was AWESOME during the labor and birth and had her waterbirth. She had no tears and felt fantastic afterwards.

I do have about 17,844 pictures...however, I cannot load them on this computer so I will have to wait till I get home. When I post them I will include a quite detailed story of the birth...of course!

But for now...congrats to Jon, Noelle, Brennah and Maggie on the birth of their new baby boy :)