She Got Hips Like Cinderella

Smelly...

2009-09-02T10:36:00.001-07:00

It smells like cheap bathroom air freshener outside here in my neighborhood. Like the stuff in state-run rest stops, very strange. I wonder if a port-a-potty got tipped over or something. It is extremely nauseating.
That is all, over and out.

Redcucing Infant Mortality

2009-07-01T05:54:00.000-07:00

Our health care system is failing babies and mothers. The US infant mortality rate is higher than ANY OTHER developed country.

The free film "Reducing Infant Mortality and Improving the Health of Babies" will be a tool for everyone to use to draw attention to infant mortality and health issues.

Go to the site and watch the trailer.

Help to spread the word- send the website link to your email lists, forums, &c.

C-section Births Cause Genetic Changes That May Increase Odds For Developing Diseases In Later Life

2009-06-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

Very interesting...

C-section births cause genetic changes that may increase odds for developing diseases in later life

29 June 2009 Wiley - Blackwell

Swedish researchers have discovered that babies born by Caesarean section experience changes to the DNA pool in their white blood cells, which could be connected to altered stress levels during this method of delivery, according to the July issue of Acta Paediatrica.

It is thought that these genetic changes, which differ from normal vaginal deliveries, could explain why people delivered by C-section are more susceptible to immunological diseases such as diabetes and asthma in later life, when those genetic changes combine with environmental triggers.

Blood was sampled from the umbilical cords of 37 newborn infants just after delivery and then three to five days after the birth. It was analysed to see the degree of DNA-methylation in the white blood cells - a vital part of the immune system.

This showed that the 16 babies born by C-section exhibited higher DNA-methylation rates immediately after delivery than the 21 born by vaginal delivery. Three to five days after birth, DNA-methylation levels had dropped in infants delivered by C-section so that there were no longer significant differences between the two groups.

“Delivery by C-section has been associated with increased allergy, diabetes and leukaemia risks” says Professor Mikael Norman, who specialises in paediatrics at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. “Although the underlying cause is unknown, our theory is that altered birth conditions could cause a genetic imprint in the immune cells that could play a role later in life.

“That is why we were keen to look at DNA-methylation, which is an important biological mechanism in which the DNA is chemically modified to activate or shut down genes in response to changes in the external environment. As the diseases that tend to be more common in people delivered by C-section are connected with the immune system, we decided to focus our research on early DNA changes to the white blood cells.”

The authors point out that the reason why DNA-methylation is higher after C-section deliveries is still unclear and further research is needed.

“Animal studies have shown that negative stress around birth affects methylation of the genes and therefore it is reasonable to believe that the differences in DNA-methylation that we found in human infants are linked to differences in birth stress.

“We know that the stress of being born is fundamentally different after planned C-section compared to normal vaginal delivery. When babies are delivered by C-section, they are unprepared for the birth and can become more stressed after delivery than before. This is different to a normal vaginal delivery, where the stress gradually builds up before the actual birth, helping the baby to start breathing and quickly adapt to the new environment outside the womb.”

The authors point out that the surgical procedure itself may play a role in DNA-methylation and that factors other than the delivery method need to be explored in more detail.

“In our study, neonatal DNA-methylation did not correlate to the age of the mother, length of labour, birth weight and neonatal CPR levels - proteins that provide a key marker for inflammation” says Professor Norman. “However, although there was no relation between DNA-methylation and these factors, larger studies are needed to clarify these issues.”

Professor Norman states that the Karolinska study clearly shows that gene-environment interaction through DNA-methylation is more dynamic around birth than previously known.

“The full significance of higher DNA-methylation levels after C-section is not yet understood, but it may have important clinical implications” he says.

“C-section delivery is rapidly increasing worldwide and is currently the most common surgical procedure among women of child-bearing age. Until recently, the long-term consequences of this mode of delivery had not been studied. However, reports that link C-section deliveries with increased risk for different diseases in later life are now emerging. Our results provide the first pieces of evidence that early ‘epigenetic’ programming of the immune system may have a role to play.”

The authors feel that their discovery could make a significant contribution to the ongoing debate about the health issues around C-section deliveries.

“Although we do not know yet how specific gene expression is affected after C-section deliveries, or to what extent these genetic differences related to the mode of delivery are long-lasting, we believe that our findings open up a new area of important clinical research” concludes lead author Titus Schlinzig, a research fellow at the Karolinska Institutet.

http://www.actapaediatrica.com
Full bibliographic information• Epigenetic modulation at birth – altered DNA-methylation in white blood cells after Caesarean section. Schlinzig et al. Acta Paediatrica. 98, 1096-1099. (July 2009).

Breech BIRTH in Canada!

2009-06-19T04:54:00.000-07:00

Yes! Steps in the right direction. That's all I've got to say.

From The Globe and Mail:

C-section not best option for breech birth

By, Carla Wintersgill
Physicians should no longer automatically opt to perform a cesarean section in the case of a breech birth, according to new guidelines by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada.
Released yesterday, the guidelines are a response to new evidence that shows many women are safely able to vaginally deliver babies who enter the birth canal with the buttocks or feet first.
...
“The safest way to deliver has always been the natural way,” said Dr. Lalonde.
“Vaginal birth is the preferred method of having a baby because a C-section in itself has complications.”
...
The SOGC believes that if a woman is well-prepared during pregnancy, she has the innate ability to deliver vaginally.

Read on...

Biopsy

2009-06-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

I saw my nepherologist (kidney specialist), Dr. Warden on Tuesday. He did some lab work and my ANCA blood test came back negative. It had previously been positive.
sssssssssooooooooooo....
We agreed that a kidney biopsy is necessary for proper diagnosis. This is higher risk to me because of the von Willebrands. But I feel it is necessary for proper diagnosis and (therefore) treatment.
The biopsy will take place some time next week. I'll have to be in the hossy overnight, so that blows. We are figuring out what to do with the kids and stuff...
There is a drug called desmopressin (DDAVP) that can be given to me to help my blood to clot, it worked well for Gabe's cesarean, so I think it will work again. Pray that I don't bleed to death. I will.
The kidneys are functioning fine for now, according to the creatinine blood test. There are both protein and blood in my pee still- not a whole lot, but enough to cause concern.
Dr. Warden gave me prescriptions but I am going to wait to fill them until after the blood work and biopsy is done.
Here is a little bit about how WG is diagnosed:
From The Cleveland Clinic:

A positive blood test for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) can support a suspected diagnosis of the disease. However, this blood test does not by itself prove the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis or determine disease activity.
Other tests that influence a doctor's judgment of disease activity include:
Measures of anemia (red blood cell count)
Sedimentation rate (the speed in which blood cells settle in a vertical glass tube)
Urinalysis
Chest or sinus X-rays

From The Vasculitis Foundation:

Diagnosis is established by clinical and laboratory findings such as the ANCA blood test, other blood and urine tests, x-rays, and tissue biopsy, if needed.

Gasp.... can it be?

2009-06-15T13:25:00.001-07:00

An Internet connection!!

I will not be all that active, but I am BACK. Why, you ask... well I needed to be able to do research online again. Not about birth or babies or diapers or anything fun like that though. It turns out that my being persistently sickly and achy since October was an indication that I am ill, very ill, in fact.

I've been diagnosed with a Vasculitis called Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG). It's an uncommon disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels, which restricts blood flow, which in turn damages the major organs. It is also considered a disease of abnormal immune function (auto-immune). It affects the upper and lower respiratory system and also involves the kidneys, lungs, eyes, ears, throat, skin, joints and other body organs. AAAND, it produces a type of inflammatory tissue (a granuloma, hence the name), found around the blood vessels. Granulomas can destroy normal tissue.

WG is not contagious, so if you want to give me hugs and kisses, feel free. ;)

Early diagnosis and treatment of WG may lead to a full remission, however, relapse occurs 80% of the time. Relapses are usually treated quickly, as WG patients are seen by a whole slew of doctors regularly (Yay-Hooray). Without treatment, or with inadequate treatment, WG can be fatal.

As of today, the lungs look good, the CT of my kidneys "indicates no damage," the CT of my sinuses shows "significant inflammation," blood tests indicate my kidneys are "functioning well," there has been blood and protein in my urine, though last check there was no protein and only a trace of blood.

I've been in a lot of pain for the last few months, only since last week have I had a slight break from it. The pain seems to be worse on moist days, and in the cold, oh and if I over-do-it the day before (you know, like clean out the car...)

I have had a big fat ugly red eye for a few weeks, it turns out to be "Scleritis" and it is in both eyes. It's basically inflammation of the white part of the eye. I am on high doses of steroids (Prednisone) for that. I can't sleep and am constantly hungry....

I've drastically changed my (and my family's) diet, we're eating vegetarian, mostly organic, and I've had little or no coffee, no alcohol, no sweets! or junk food! and I'm drinking waaay more water. I think that is helping my kidneys out, hence the improvement in my urinalysis.

I've got an appointment with a kidney specialist tomorrow that will really determine what course of treatments I have to take. I might have a kidney biopsy, although the doctors are hesitant because of the von Willebrands- we don't want a hemorrhage. There is a drug they can give me, called "desmopressin" to help assist with clotting, but I'm at increased risk no matter what.

I promise to update this semi-regularly... but don't want to over-do-it... Har-Har.

"...a really big sob."

2008-09-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

I loved Tiny Toon Adventures when I was a kid. Fifi Le Fume was my favorite. Maybe it was the purple hair...

In the straight to video movie- "How I spent my Summer Vacation" she is trying and failing to get an autograph from Johnny Pew, she cries, "Le sob, le really big sob. Le boo, le boo hoo, le boo hoo hoo."
I would like to echo that sob... "Le Sob."
As of September 30th I am going offline, again. This time however, will be much longer. I may post something here when I am online at the library, but with the laundry list of tasks I will no doubt have, those chances to post will be few and far between.
So, again in the words of Fifi, "Au revoir mon petite potato du couch!"

'Patients' don't have the capabilities to make proper decisions about their clinical options?

2008-09-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

So I'm checking out what is going on on the Bornfree forum, and I see a post about a blog by some doctor called "Dr. Diastolic." It is titled "How I (and my OB colleagues) Swindle Patients into Thinking That Their Decisions Make Any Sense"
Interesting, no?!? Go check it out for yourself, that is unless you are GIP. In that case close up this blog and have a nap. :)

The misogyny is unbelievable. But, it gets even better. S.W. McFee, M.D. from Parkville, Missouri takes it even further. Read the following letter from this clinician to the latest American Society of Anesthesiologists Newsletter:

It is 0230 again. We could have done this case nine
hours ago. The sun was still up, and she'd been stuck at
6 cm longer than the life cycle of some butterflies. We
should have done this case nine hours ago, but the patient
"really wanted" to delivery vaginally. Apparently
becoming a mother just wasn't enough, and the actual
avenue of the child's arrival had some bearing that I, as
a sleep-deprived and callous male, just couldn't grasp.
She had been told that the baby was too big and that
a primary C-section was indicated, not what she wanted
to hear. She doctor-shopped until she found one who
agreed with her diagnosis.
It doesn't always happen this way, but this time we
got a meconium-stained, cone-headed, floppy baby that
required resuscitation. I guess that balances with the
patient's need to labor and attempt an ill-advised vaginal
delivery. Or not.
No other specialty has allowed itself to deteriorate to
the state of patient control that obstetrics has. We are all
concerned about patient rights. We have to be. But come
on. Let's say you have a kidney stone and you present at
the urologist's office wincing with pain but holding in
your hand a seven-page stone-retrieval plan and a list of
dates that are satisfactory to your social calendar (and as
a bonus would make the stone a Libra) – the urologist
would and should inform you that his afternoon was
booked but that his esteemed colleague from across town
would (he's sure) be happy to see you.
Patients don't always know best. I'm not suggesting
that doctors always know best. I am suggesting, however,
that we can make an expensively educated guess
and be right enough of the time to eclipse the records of
Jean Dixon, Nostradamus or the average meteorologist.
Good medicine should not infringe on the patient's
rights. I'm afraid our brethren in OB have let patient's
rights infringe upon their medicine.

And these are the people 'caring' for our birthing mothers... that is screwed-up.

ICAN's Got Forums!!!

2008-09-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

Check it out! THE ICAN FORUMS ARE GOING STRONG! Go on over and register, even if you don't participate you will benefit from the wise women of ICAN. I can't believe they are just giving this away!! ^o^
There are public boards for everyone who registers as well as private boards for mamas who have had cesareans, VBACs and/or CBACs.
It is very nifty, I swear you will learn something. And as a plus, you will help further ICAN's mission of Preventing unnecessary cesarean sections, supporting physical and emotional recovery after birth, and promoting VBAC. :-)
You can find a link to the forums on the ICAN website, or just click here!

True Birth

2008-09-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

Read this.
Joy hit the nail on the head.

The male model of "Strength" we all are so familiar with is what got us Mamas
into our blue gowns and our stranded beetle positions in the first place.

Go Green??

2008-09-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

Read this. And read the comments too.

Misc. ICAN News

2008-09-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

ICAN International has opened up the Forums now, they are super cool. I'm loving them. Go CHECK THEM OUT!! A bonus for subscribers who register, you get pretty little Cesarean Awareness ribbons!!

ICAN of the Twin Cities Has a new e-newsletter. As always, check out their website or email for more information on meetings, news, events, etc. They are also blogging now, its cool.

The Twin Cities ICAN chapter is sponsoring another movie- Orgasmic Birth. It is showing at 7pm on September 25th at the Riverview Theater; 3800 42nd Ave S; Minneapolis, MN 55406. You can get tickets HERE.

That is all for now, I think...

Cornell Family Reunion

2008-08-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from the Cornell Family Reunion.

I made that quilt...

Renaissance Festival

2008-08-29T15:42:00.000-07:00

Here are the pictures from the Renaissance Festival as promised.

This is Gabe and his "butterfly girl," as he calls her. She is honestly one of the best Fae preformers at the Festival, the fact that she is disarmingly beautiful doesn't hurt either. Her name is Twig.
He just sat and stared at her... He has this picture on his wall now- he kisses it and says "I wuv mine burfry gerl. She blueyful." Ah- he's so sweet...

We got to watch the World Amateur Highland Heavy Games Championship! Here are a couple of photos from the caber toss-There was so much testosterone, I almost grew a beard. I'm serious. It was a very fun day and at the end, the kids were, in the words of my grandpa Jim, "played out."

um, HUZZAH! I'm a nerd.

Neglected...

2008-08-28T13:24:00.000-07:00

...like a red-headed step-child.

I used to be called "Red-Headed Step-Child" by my cousins, I am not totally sure what it means- I just knew it was not good.
Anyhoo- I know I've been neglecting my blog but I swear there is good reason. Actually, there are a few good reasons, such as:

I am studying like mad- I started The Introduction to Midwifery program from Ancient Art Midwifery Institute. I have been wanting to start for months and the opportunity came up and so I took it. I am loving it so far, but I really jump in to things head first and so I am almost overwhelmed.
I am writing like mad. I have been 'inspired' lately, and I am writing a lot.
I've been cleaning like mad- I am sick of living in craziness- so I am bringing a little order, or as much as you can with Ross, Gabe and Violet running around un-doing all I do.
The computer is upstairs and it is dark and scary up there, so I don't like to be up there alone. This old house makes a lot of noise. Don't make fun of me- it is creepy up there.

(Did you notice that 3 out of four of my excuses say "like mad?" I guess you could say I'm in a madhouse, ha-ha.)

In other news: I missed the ICAN of the Twin Cities picnic- my sister and brother in law were having a house warming party that day- :( I was really sad because I was hoping I would make it- but it just could not happen. Wah.

My brother is all moved in to the dorms at River Falls- I guess he is already starving and has not a minute to spare between football practice and sleep.

Ooh ooh- We went to the Renaissance Festival- I will post photos soon, I hope! We have only missed one year (that was due to Violet's birth/being waaaay too poor) so far- I love it there- it was super-fun.

I really hope to be online more- and updating this blog... please stand-by!!

I told you to stay out of Trouble!!!

2008-07-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

All right...
I'm back, and honestly, I've been putting off my triumphant return to the ol' blog...
What in the world happened while I was gone?? (I'm referring to The AMA's ridiculous homebirth statement/witch hunt. )
I have not one word to say in response to this- that is how stunned I am!
Thank goodness that some of my favourite people are not so stunned, Here is what ICAN had to say:

Statement of the International Cesarean Awareness Network
Regarding the
AMA/ACOG Homebirth Resolution
June 30, 2008

The International
Cesarean Awareness Networks (ICAN) condemns the recent resolution passed by the
American Medical Association and put forward by the American college of
Obstetrics and Gynecology suggesting that homebirth is unsafe and that
legislation stating such should be passed by states.

The
resolution is not evidence-based and, in its apparent suggestion that homebirth
ought to be outlawed, threatens long-held standards of informed consent and
patient autonomy. ACOG itself maintains that maternal autonomy is
almost absolute. The resolution is also a clear conflict of interest,
since AMA and ACOG have much to gain in driving women away from using home-based
care providers.

The resolution ignores a solid base of
evidence that consistently shows homebirth is safe for low-risk women.[i]
It also ignores the fact that there is no evidence to support the notion
that hospital-based deliveries are superior for low-risk mothers. In fact,
while the obstetric community often touts the significant drop on
childbirth-related deaths in the last century, little of this improvement has
any relation to obstetric care practices, but rather the advent of antibiotics,
sterile practices, and safe transfusions. Approximately 95 percent of
women in the U.S. give birth under the care of an obstetrician in the hospital
and with this care, the U.S. has the second worst newborn death rate in the
world[ii], and ranks 41st in maternal deaths among all nations
[iii]

This resolution comes at a time when the physician community
increasingly fails to deliver quality, evidence-based care to women and their
babies. The most basic needs of laboring women – continuous labor
support, food and drink, freedom to move, freedom from routine interventions,
being allowed to push in an upright position, and immediate and unbroken contact
with the newborn – are routinely ignored in U.S. hospitals.
Additionally, major medical interventions such as induction and cesarean
section are frequently used without true medical need.

For
many mothers, the hospital environment fails to meet their needs, which is why
some mothers choose to deliver at home under the care of a trained professional
midwife. In our volunteer-based community, ICAN regularly supports mothers
who were frightened or bullied into unnecessary interventions by their care
providers or were never informed of the risks of
interventions. Because of concerns over legal liability and
convenience, physicians have prompted over 300 hospitals to ban vaginal birth
after cesarean, forcing normal healthy women into cesareans they likely do not
need.

Every woman has the right to evaluate the risks and benefits
of various care providers and birth settings and choose what is right for her
and her baby. Whether through legislation or institutional pressures, it
is unacceptable for any professional trade organization to infringe on women’s
autonomous decision-making process.
[i] Johnson & Daviss,
BMJ 2005;330:1416 (18 June), Fullerton
et al., J Midwifery Womens Health. 2007 Jul-Aug; 52(4):323-33., Wiegers
et al., BMJ. 1996 Nov 23; 313(7068):1309-13., Janssen
et al., CMAJ. 2002 Feb 5; 166(3):315-23., Anderson & Murphy, J Nurse
Midwifery. 1995 Nov-Dec; 40(6):483-92., Ackermann-Liebrich,
et al., BMJ. 1996 Nov 23; 313(7068):1313-8., Declercq, Public Health Rep. 1984
Jan-Feb; 99(1):63-73., Duran, Am J Public Health. 1992 Mar; 82(3):450-3., Olsen,
Birth. 1997 Mar; 24(1):4-13, Mehl., et al., Women Health. 1980
Summer;5(2):17-29.

[ii] State of the World’s Mothers: Save the
Children.

[iii] World Health Organization, the United Nations
Population Fund, the U.N. Children’s Fund, the U.N. Population Division &
The World Bank.

And others (Articles):

And others (Blogs):

Jens' Graduation

2008-06-04T17:18:00.001-07:00

I am only online for a minute, but here are a couple of pictures from Jens' graduation. The top one is Jael, Jens, and me. The bottom one is my dad, Jens and my mom.

Going Offline...

2008-05-30T00:48:00.000-07:00

Hello faithful readers!! (Yup, I AM that deluded...)

Because of me and Ross being poor, I am forced to go offline for a few months- I'll be checking in every once and awhile, but I will mostly be MIA....

You bet your bottom that when I DO finally get back, I will have a LOT to say!!

Don't get in to too much trouble while I'm gone! ;) I don't want to miss out on the fun!

That is me "kinda sad..." ;)

Sarah's Baby...

2008-05-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

...is here! Yay for her family and congratulations to her on the "Victorious VBAC!" He was 9 lbs 4 oz (a small baby for Sarah!), and was born at home, in the birth tub in their beautiful dining room.
Welcome to the new baby, and congratulations to the mama.

'Ciúnas'
By, Biddy Jenkinson
Tranlated by, Pádraigín Riggs
'Silence'
How I welcome you, little salmon
who leapt the womb, impatient
to commence life.
I undertake to be a river to you
as you follow your
course from the haven of
my belly to far distant seas.
Let yourself go,
and drink up your fill.
Suck sleep from me. By the terms of the
breast-contract
I'll suck back from your puckered lips
love, with which
I'll suckle another time, and for that
I'm grateful.
How I welcome you,
salmon of sleep
who made a tranquil pool in my life-stream.
In the
rhythm of your heartbeat
I hear the music of the Heavens,
and it guides
my way.

I hope 'little' Luke likes the diapers!! ;D

Moving?!?

2008-05-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: We got it! We are going to sign the lease today or tomorrow!

I hate living in the apartment we are, so now that our lease is almost up we are thinking on moving somewhere less, um, slum-ey... We've looked around a bit an found a place we REALLY like. Here are some photos.

Front of the house:

Front Yard:

Back Yard:

Hopefully we get it, we can move in as soon as we hear the okay from the background check people, if we are willing to clean it, which I would do anyway- we are not criminals so I am sure we'll hear "yes" but waiting is stressing me out for some reason! I'll keep you posted!

23 years ago today...

2008-05-20T23:52:00.000-07:00

I was born!!

I thought it would be cool to post some photos from that day and some things my mom wrote about in my baby book...

All the essentials were there, of course- May 21st, 1985 at 9:15pm, born at Bemidji hospital, 6lbs 4oz baby girl, 19 1/2 inches long. Dark blue eyes, lots of dark brown hair, "beautiful" complexion.

But- there were also some other more interesting things, like the first thing my dad said, "Our little girl!" And mom said, "Her name is Jasmine Rae." And my grandpa Jim said, "She's got a wig on!!"

My dad brought my mom flowers and a new pink outfit for me.

My mom said that I smiled the first day after I was born and I laughed out loud at four weeks of age- I am told I was a very happy baby. And why not, you can tell how much my parents loved me just by looking at these few pictures of my first day on dry land. Enjoy!

Graduation!

2008-05-13T09:09:00.001-07:00

My brother Jens is graduating this May, here is his Graduation announcement:

It is so crazy to me to see him and all his friends growing in to adults and going on to college and other 'grown-up' things...

Jens has always been very strong and loyal, I know that he will grow to be a good man.

But- no matter what, this is how I will think of my brother:

...and yes, the little blond girl in the photo is me, believe it or not.

DIAPERS!

2008-05-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

At last!!!! The going has been (very) slow but I am done with the one-size AI2 diapers I've been making for Sarah's baby. Just for those who are wondering, AI2's are all in ones (meaning you just put it on, the baby goes in it, and you throw the dirty diaper in the laundry.) with a pocket, so you can put an insert or two in and take them out to wash and dry. They are very pretty, I especally loved the yellow colour so that is what I took photo's of! :)
If anyone is interested, I drafted my own pattern, using my favourite bits of other diapers I've seen/used, and I love love love it. I am always tweaking it and all that but if anyone is interested in the pattern, email me and we'll talk. There are a lot more pictures too... I'll get a link to those if anyone's interested.
I'm gonna go take a nap... :)

To the soon-to-be first-time Mama...

2008-05-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

A woman named Beth emailed me asking to post a list of questions for first time mamas to ask their care providers. I think that is fantastic, as an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure...
Here is a bit of what the email said:
All in all, this past month [April] has led to great coverage, increased knowledge and for some of those who have previously had c-sections, frustrating memories. However, it seems that a major target group--first time pregnant women or those who are planning on becoming pregnant--hasn’t been prepared enough.... It is important for these women to have the appropriate questions answered before they find themselves in an emergency situation. Research on this specific topic has led my team and I to put together a list of questions for women to ask their obstetricians early in their pregnancy.
So here it is- their list of questions- I think they are GREAT questions. I would however add that even if you are not planning on having more children, ask the questions about VBAC, because for one you never know, and for two it is a great way to see your care providers attitude on your rights as a woman.
One in three deliveries in America are c-sections, yet few women know they’ll need one more than a week in advance.
Not planning on a c-section? There are still things you should know.
Ask your doctor these questions early in your pregnancy to increase your general c-section awareness, understand your doctor’s views on c-section, and to be prepared for an emergency.

What circumstances cause you to perform c-sections with less than a weeks notice? What is my risk for each of these circumstances?
Does my medical history indicate an increased risk for any of the following complications if a c-section is needed?Adhesions; Serious bleeding; Blood clots; Bowel, bladder, or other organ injury; Reactions to medicines or anesthesia;Uterine rupture.
What measures do you take during a c-section to prevent complications? For example:
Do you use an adhesion barrier as part of your standard procedure?
Do you use powder-free surgical gloves?
What do you do to control bleeding?
What precautions do you take to prevent organ and nerve injury?
What planning can we (patient [mother- not a patient] and doctor) do now to reduce the risk of complications?
In an emergency, would my c-section be performed by the doctor on call? If so, do all the physicians in your group follow the same procedures?
What decisions can I make now so that I’m not pushed to make them under emergency circumstances?
Planning on having another child after your current pregnancy? You may also want to ask your doctor these questions:
What are your views on VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)?
What do you do during a cesarean in order to improve my chances for a successful VBAC?

And this:
We have been working on raising awareness about c-sections, and particularly c-section related adhesions, for Genzyme, one of our clients. We’ve found that few women are aware of this potential complication, and that even fewer know there are preventative measures that can be taken. We’ve put together a quick list of links on this topic at http://del.icio.us/adhesion_awarenesss to help spread awareness, and thought you might be interested in the content there as well.

Really quickly, I want to say, the word "patient" is so annoying. She is a Mother about to have a Baby. She is not sick, she is not injured, she IS NOT A PATIENT.
All in all though, these questions are a good start. I agree that first time mamas need to be made aware of their need to actively prevent a cesarean, I know that when I was newly pregnant, I thought it would never happen to me. I avoided the parts in WTEWYE that dealt with cesarean because I was healthy and would not need to have one. Plus, it was scary.
I cannot for the life of me think of how to reach women like I used to be. I just don't know...
If you know how to reach the first time mamas- please share- I am open to suggestions!

Last Day of Cesarean Awareness Month 2008

2008-04-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

About 35 weeks... posterior baby??
37.5 weeks, Water broke, heading for hospital...
3 am at hospital, the cascade of interventions are started as I put on the hospital 'gown'...
soon, pitocin, internal efm, followed by pain medication a few hours later...
a few more hours and a stat cesarean is called.
I am in so much pain, and I am glad that someone is ending it for me.
Gabriel Kelly.
Mama and Gabe, sort of getting the hang of nursing. Don't I look like I've been beat up?
Daddy and Gabe.
My first 'real' meal. 2 days after the delivery. That is grandma holding Gabe.

Today is the last day of cesarean awareness month. CAM is about more than just being aware of the skyrocketing cesarean rate, more than just acknowledging that too many are being done. Look at my face in the picture above. Do I look happy, or even satisfied?? Or, how about defeated, sad and hopeless?
Want to know the whole story of how a cesarean section touched me? Want to know of the terror, the beauty and the pain of Gabriel's delivery? Read my Lamentation of Birth.

It's Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about
patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about the mothers and the babies.

We should think about the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about
Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe
to ICAN while you're there!

Camelot

2008-04-21T13:28:00.001-07:00

My brother Jens was 'King Arthur' in his high school's production of the musical 'Camelot', which is based on one of my all-time favorite books, 'The Once and Future King.' It was really fun. He was sick and had a sore throat, but he still sounded great, he's a trooper! Jens' friend Colten played 'King Pellinore,' "What?!?" one of my very favorite characters from the book.
All of you who are familiar with my brother will probably think it's very funny that he was the lead in the musical, he's always been 'quiet and shy', and the last few years he adopted a 'tough guy' type persona. I totally get it though; it really did not surprise me in the slightest, I knew he had to get over the 'too cool for school' thing sooner or later, I was honestly very excited.
It is so funny to me to see all these people I remember as kindergartners all grown up and in high school, and in the musical no less. Nothing like that to make you feel older...
There are more pictures or the musical on the Ojala Family website.

That 'lion coloured' shirt was Jael's favorite. It felt like a carpet.

Just so you know, there was lemonade in those cups, but Jens said it tasted like spray paint, yuck.

My Cesarean Recovery- A Journal Entry Pt.5

2008-04-09T16:38:00.000-07:00

Still processing...

5-22-2006
Ross has been talking about wanting another baby. I just don't know. I will not have another c-section and I am not sure I can handle 2... I did not tell him this, but, I would love another baby- maybe a girl, I'd name her Violet or Hadley... 2 boys would be awesome too though- I'd call them 'my boys'.... I am just not sure what to do. I've been having the nightmares again, it's 2 am, I can't ever sleep. At least it's nice outside- I am sitting in the grass, even though it's a bit cold. My milk production (what am I a factory??) had dropped, I think from stress. Ross is on strike from work- we are running out of $$$ and we are just not connecting, then add in the nightmares and the not sleeping... I am not sure how to fix all this. I been missing my family so much, I hope we can go up and visit this weekend. I just can't seem to relax anywhere but there, my home... I miss my home.

It's Cesarean
Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about
patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about
the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about
Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe
to ICAN while you're there!

My Cesarean Recovery- A Journal Entry Pt.4

2008-04-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

Finally starting to come out of the haze of depression... One month post partum:

1-13-2006
This baby is awesome. I love him so much! He is already growing way too fast, I guess I can do something right (make milk)! I hope I am a good mama to him, I hope he will grow to be a good man, like his daddy. Smart, moral, gentle, strong, cute as a duck's butt and all that. He looks a lot like me, I think- everyone says he looks like Ross, but I think he looks more like me... Oh, my bleeding has really picked up, it had slowed the last couple of days, but it is back with a vengance... I have not been doing very much- but apparently walking downstairs to get the mail is off-limits... I hate being stuck here. It keeps me in a bad mood, and I worry that "it's" gonna come back. Once and a while I think that maybe things could change and I would want another baby- I am really young still, in my "prime"... but I really doubt it... I dont think I could go through that again. Ross said that since his sister had a c-section with S. she had to have another when they had Z. Scary. I could not do that, so we are back to just having Gabe, I love him so much!! This mama thing is getting better, it's just, I can't handle the first few weeks again...

It's Cesarean
Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about
patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about
the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about
Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe
to ICAN while you're there!

My Cesarean Recovery- A Journal Entry, Pt.3

2008-04-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

1-9-2006
I can not describe the all-encompassing fear I feel when I feel the "baby blues" setting in. Don't even start me on how much I loathe the term 'baby blues"!! I felt the fear again yesterday. I did not sleep well the night before and there is a lot of tension between Ross and I and, for a garnish, I am getting sick. I am feeling really down on myself, I have not showered in probably 5 days, I can't stand seeing myself naked, that cut on my belly is always staring at me. Accusing me. Plus, I can't stand the way the whole belly looks- not like I expected it to snap right back afterwards, but still, I have to tuck my belly in to my jeans- that is ridiculous. Gabe is getting so big, he is so wonderful. Using the nipple shield to nurse him is a bit of a hassle, but at least he's nursing... I hope to be able to throw it out soon- something about it just does not feel 'right'- like kissing through glass.

It's Cesarean
Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about
patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about
the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about
Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe
to ICAN while you're there!

My Cesarean Recovery- A Journal Entry Pt.2

2008-04-09T08:01:00.000-07:00

This is the next journal entry, written at 12 days post partum, 2 days after the first entry.

12-25-05
Ross and I decided that we are only going to have 1 child. We
thought it best not to do anything drastic like getting a tubal or a
vasectomy
yet, but we are not having another. I know it's funny because I've
always wanted
five (at least) but we love Gabriel so much and he is enough
for us. I am afraid
that each child we have will push us farther apart, and
that scares me. I thought
that having a baby would only add to our love- but
I am so, I don't know,
distant, and Ross is too. So- we have decided on one
beautiful child. That way-
there is no sibling rivalry! Seriously, I never
want to go through the past 12
days again. I am writing this down so I can
remember the inconsolable crying
(on the part of mama AND baby), the 'no
baths' rule, the pain, the exhaustion...
Gabriel is worth all that pain and
misery but once is all I can take- maybe it's
a bit selfish looking from the
outside, "Poor Jasmine, she's hurt and sad...
Wah, wah, wah..." But I think
it is a selfless act to have a baby and raise a
child, even if it is 'only'
one. Pregnancy, labour and delivery have always been
an experience I wanted-
ever since I was a little girl, I stuffed a pillow or a
doll in my shirt,
gave birth to the 'baby', nursed and cared for the baby... I
obviously knew
it was not going to be exactly what I expected, but it was so
violent,
lonely and cold... I had the experience, I don't want it again. I am
perfectly content with my baby boy, my son.

It's Cesarean
Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about
patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about
the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about
Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe
to ICAN while you're there!

My Cesarean Recovery- A Journal Entry

2008-04-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

So- I have decided to share something very personal- my journal entries from the time shortly after my cesarean. I guess to show honestly what the recovery was like for me. I am honestly shocked by some of the things, I kind-0f forgot them. I am copying them word for word- exactly how they were written.

12-23-2005
We've been home from the hospital for a week now. I
think I'm depressed. I feel disgusted with myself- why do I feel so bad
with something so wonderful in my life? I am a mama- my baby is precious.
Some people would die to have a baby- but, as ridiculous as this sounds, I
kind of wish I had...
I could not get him to latch on and eat for the
fourth time last night- I am trying so hard but I no matter what,
I feel like I am doing everything wrong. We ended up giving him a
bottle of pumped breastmilk so he would eat something... I feel like a
failure. I don't think he likes me.
My incision hurts really bad, but for some reason so does my
vagina... I can't figure that one out. I can't stand up totally
straight which sucks because slouching makes me feel worse about myself.
Get this- I'm not allowed to take baths. What am I supposed to do?
I hate feeling like a burden to people, especially ones that I love, but
that's how I feel. All I can do is cry, I am so utterly useless. It
started 2 days ago and has gotten worse. I want to run away and
hide. I feel so disgusted at myself for that. Turns out, I'm a
terrible mother. Ross called his mom to come down and help me today, which
I guess will be good because I am supposed to go to the emergency room and talk
to the doctor about my 'feelings' and meet with the lactation consultant.
It'll be good to get out. I'm so sickly feeling. I can't eat.
I can't sleep. I am going batty in here. I can't stand being so
alone. When I let him, Ross has been my rock- it's just that he's
gone for 14 hours every day.

It's Cesarean
Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about
patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about
the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about
Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe
to ICAN while you're there!

What is Cesarean Awareness Month?

2008-04-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

From ICAN's Website:

What is Cesarean Awareness Month? An internationally recognized month of awareness about the impact of cesarean sections on mothers, babies, and families
worldwide. It’s about educating yourself to the pros and cons of major abdominal
surgery and the possibilities for healthy birth afterwards as well as educating
yourself for prevention of cesarean section. Cesarean awareness is for mothers
who are expecting or who might choose to be in the future. It’s for daughters
who don’t realize what choices are being taken away from them. It’s for
scientists studying the effects of cesareans and how birth impacts our lives.
It’s for grandmothers who won’t be having more children but are questioning the
abdominal pains and adhesions causing damage 30 years after their
cesareans.CESAREANS are serious. There is no need for a ‘catchy phrase’ to tell
us that this is a mainstream problem. It affects everyone. One in three American
women every year have surgery to bring their babies into the world. These women
have lifelong health effects, impacting the families that are helping them in
their healing, impacting other families through healthcare costs and policies,
and bringing back those same lifelong health effects to the children they bring
into this world.Be aware. Read. Learn. Ask questions. Get informed consent. Be
your own advocate for the information you need to know.

21 Years...

2008-04-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

This post is a bit of a cop-out but I am at my parents house for the weekend... Consider this as Sunday's post!! :)

Here are some news clips that mention cesarean section from the "Watching the World" section of the Awake! magazine over a period of 21 years.

5/8/85
Unceasing Cesareans
"More babies are being
delivered by Caesarean [sic] than ever," reports Newsweek, despite
well-publicized recommendations to reverse this trend. In 1975 cesareans were
performed in 10.4 percent of all births in the United States. In 1980 the number
of cesareans rose to 17 percent. Today the figure stands at 20 percent. Dr.
Norbert Gleicher, author of a recent study in The Journal of the American
Medical Association, says that a third of today's cesareans are performed
because the operation had been used during the mother's previous delivery. But
the axiom "once a cesarean section always a cesarean section" is out of date, he
says, adding that "60 percent of these women can deliver vaginally if given the
opportunity." Gleicher recommends that hospitals with high cesarean-section
delivery rates should be investigated.

8/8/90
LANDMARK COURT
DECISION
Three years ago a 28-year-old woman in her 26th week of pregnancy lay heavily sedated and dying of cancer. The hospital, fearing legal liability if no effort was made to save the fetus, sought a judicial ruling as to what should be done. The judge, endeavoring to balance her interests with
that of the unborn child, ordered that a cesarean section be performed. That was improper, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in the United States recently ruled. The patient's own preference, as determined from all available evidence, is the only factor to be considered. "The right of bodily integrity belongs equally to persons who are competent and persons who are not," the court's opinion said. "Further, it matters not what the quality of a patient's life may be; the right of bodily integrity is not extinguished simply because someone is ill, or even at death's door." The court said that a judge should "pay special attention to the known values and goals of the incapacitated patient, and should strive, if possible, to extrapolate from those values and
goals what the patient's decision would be." Both the woman and her baby died.

4/22/95
Cesarean Sections Increasing
"Ten thousand gynecologists point the finger at Italy: too many cesareans," reports Rome's newspaper Il Messaggero. For the number of births by cesarean section, Italy places first in Europe and third in the world, behind the United States and Brazil. Since 1980, cesarean operations have doubled in Italy; now almost 1 child in 4 is delivered by cesarean section. Why the increase? According to Il Messaggero, there are two reasons besides medical ones: Women want to avoid painful deliveries, and doctors, fearing court action, prefer a less-risky
procedure. However, although cesarean sections have long been viewed as safe, many doctors believe that they are used too often and not always for good reasons. Carlo Signorelli, of La Sapienza University, Rome, said: "There would not appear to be any correlation between cesareans and perinatal mortality." And Luciano Movicelli, of the S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, noted: "The conviction that a cesarean equals more safety ought to be thrown out because it is
absolutely false."

5/22/98
Cesarean or Normal Birth?
Brazilian doctors and mothers often prefer cesarean section to normal birth. The doctor finds that "he can handle more births, can earn more money in his office, and does not have to lose his weekend," reports Veja magazine. Mothers "choose not to go through the normal birth procedure, in order to avoid pain (however, there is much more pain involved in recuperating from a cesarean birth), and they believe the procedure will be aesthetically beneficial
to the body (which it is not)." In public hospitals, a third of all births are by cesarean, and in some private hospitals, the rate is as high as 80 percent. "Childbirth has become a commercial product," says Dr. João Luiz Carvalho Pinto e Silva, head of obstetrics at the University of Campinas. "People often forget that contrary to normal birth, a cesarean is surgery. There is greater loss of blood, anesthesia time is longer, and the possibility of infection increases."
According to the doctor, "cesareans should be done only in three cases: when the life of the patient or of the baby is in danger, when there are no signs of labor, or when there are sudden complications," says Veja.

5/8/99
New Cesarean-Section Method
"A new method of cesarean section could result in faster and more gentle deliveries," reports the German newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine. "Using the Misgav-Ladach method, the surgeon
manually stretches fat tissue, the abdominal wall, and muscles of the woman giving birth, instead of cutting them with the scalpel as hitherto." Since cutting is limited to a minimum, bleeding is less serious, and only three layers of skin and tissue have to be stitched afterward, compared with seven using the common method. Further, the method is less time-consuming, it has a lower risk of infection, fewer pain-relieving drugs are needed, and the women can leave the
hospital after three to five days. The method is named after the hospital in Israel that was first to test it.

10/8/00
Programming Birth
"Children have learned to be born when the hospital wants," says the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. At a conference on birth held recently in Florence, Italy, Swiss gynecologist Fred Paccaud noted: "Since the 19th century, in the Western world, there has been a 95-percent drop in births on Saturdays and Sundays. But that is not all: We can state that the majority of
births take place during labor-union-correct hours of the day, that is, during those shifts when most doctors and nurses are at work." The births are either induced by medication or performed by cesarean section. "We find ourselves faced with the medicalization and the surgicalization of birth," says Florence gynecologist Angelo Scuderi. "We see a rapid increase in cesarean section, which by now accounts for more than 20 percent [of births]." However, Professor Carlo
Romanini, president of the Italian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, claims that "'programmed' births are not a choice of convenience" but are a safeguard for the mothers and their infants against unforeseen complications. "It is much better for [a birth] to occur when the hospital is fully staffed and able to guarantee the best possible care," he said.

11/8/04
Childbirth in Britain
"Normal childbirth has for the first time become a minority activity in Britain, marking a new milestone in the history of medicine," reports The Independent of London. Figures published by
Britain's Department of Health for 2001-2002 show that only 45 percent of mothers delivered their babies without some kind of medical intervention. Cesarean sections increased from 9 percent in 1980 to 22.3 percent in 2001-2002. This figure reached 56 percent in one maternity unit. "Female pressure for Caesareans is becoming more and more intense," says Peter Bowen Simpkins of Britain's Royal College of Obstetricians. "Professional women . . . want to come
in on a particular date to have their baby. . . . Caesareans are seen as safer. But the truth is there is unquestionably higher morbidity with Caesareans." Researchers also warn that mothers who deliver their first baby by Cesarean section have more difficulty conceiving again and are less likely to deliver their second baby normally.

11/8/05
Cesarean Sections and Allergies
"There may be long-term risks of Caesareans we've not considered before," says Sibylle Koletzko, of the Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany. "I would discourage [them] for all non-medical reasons." Researchers say that such births may be a factor in the rise in cases of asthma and allergies. A study of 865 babies who were all exclusively breast-fed for the first four months showed that those delivered by Cesarean section had more digestive problems and were more likely to develop food intolerances. According to New Scientist, "the explanation might be that babies born by Caesarean do not get a chance to swallow beneficial bacteria during birth; colonisation of the gut plays a key role in the development of the immune system."

6/06
A quarter of births in the United States are now by Cesarean section. In New York City, the
number is five times the 1980 figure. Ease in scheduling is one reason, yet the risks in performing such surgery unnecessarily are "tremendous."—THE NEW YORK TIMES, U.S.A.

What do I get?

2008-04-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

No, this is not about the Buzzcocks classic song, unfortunately...

I am posting an answer to the question: What did I get by having a cesarean? Just in case you were wondering.

I got my beautiful son, I love him so dearly- but I feel it is important to note, there was no reason that I had to have that cesarean to get him. I would have had him vaginally had I been given half a chance, had I not trusted that I would be assisted to normal birth without thought.
I got a higher chance of death; a higher chance of uterine rupture that never goes away- I will always be a VBAC; a higher chance of infertility and miscarriage; a higher risk of placenta previa (the growth of the placenta low in the uterus, blocking the cervix and can lead to severe hemorrhage, hysterectomy and death); a higher risk of placenta accreta, placenta increta, placenta percreta (all three are a different severity of the growth of the placenta deeper into the uterine wall than normal, which can lead to severe hemorrhage, hysterectomy and death); a higher risk of still birth; a higher risk of infection; a higher risk of hemorrhage; a higher risk of injury to organs; a higher risk of future surgeries such as hysterectomy, bladder repair and repeat cesarean.
I got a 'high risk' label on my medical charts that won't allow me freedom of choice in choosing a birth place or a care provider. I got my body cut and literally torn open. I got my uterus removed from my body 'cavity', scraped out, and put back in crooked. I was told that no matter what I wanted, I could not have my arms unstrapped to touch my baby because I was too dirty. I got post traumatic stress disorder and severe depression, because of which I had trouble with bonding with my sweet baby. My marriage was in jeopardy because of the PTSD and depression. I still have nightmares and 'phantom' pain often. I had a long physical recovery, which took more than 6 months, that also had a severe impact on bonding with my son- when you have constant chronic pain you don't care to cuddle and hold a baby. I have adhesions that cause me pain every single day, and probably always will. I am still working on the emotional recovery- I don't know how long that will be for. I got my first birth experience stolen, and so did Gabriel. I got self doubt and self loathing. I was told that I am broken, stupid, crazy and selfish. My birth choices have been seriously limited, women wanting a VBAC have to fight HARD at every turn for the chance; they've been lied to, tricked, put down and forced in to unnecessary medical procedures and major abdominal surgery. That scar will never go away in this lifetime.

That is a glimpse of what I got from my cesarean ~ I felt I needed to post this because there is a lot more involved than what it looks like on the surface to most people, many have been led to think that a cesarean just happens sometimes and is not a big deal. But it is a very big deal to a lot of women.

If you haven't already, I recommend reading this essay called "You Should Be Grateful."

It's Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe to ICAN while you're there!

More Cesarean Awareness Month Blogs!!!

2008-04-04T06:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some blogs I found that mention Cesarean Awareness Month.

Best
Laid Plans of Monkeys & Moms

Birth
From a Cesarean Awareness Perspective

Birth:
Read. Think. Do.

Birth. Babies.
Everything in Between (beware slow Internet connections-this one has music in the
background!)

Citizens
for Midwifery

Confessions
of a Lazy Knitter

ctdoula

Dar
a Luz Network News

Doula
Surround

Enjoy
Birth Blog

Homebirth: Midwifery Mutiny
in South Australia

Instinctual
Birth

It's
Twinsanity

Mama
Speaks

Midwife:
Sage Femme, Hebamme, Comadrona, Partera

Mother's
& Father's Rights

Radical
Doula

Refuse
to be a Womb Pod (For those of you with slow Internet connections, this one has
music too!)

Saffron
Doula

Strain
Station

The
Human Pacifier

The
Trial of Labour

The
True Face of Birth

Go check them out!! ;)

It's Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe to ICAN while you're there!

Why a Cesarean?

2008-04-03T06:50:00.001-07:00

There are many reasons given for cesarean. Especially if given prior to labour, these reasons can and should be questioned. I am all for education. Read about cesarean section- the World Health Organization has said that over half of the cesareans done in America today are unnecessary. I personally think that it is well over half, but that is just little ol' me.

Some probably bogus reasons given for cesarean include macrosomia (big baby), maternal age and parity, CPD (small pelvis), dystocia, failure to progress, breech, cord around the neck or prolonged second stage.
There are very few true indications for a cesarean section where the risks of surgery will outweigh the risks of vaginal birth.
When a cesarean is truly necessary, it can be a lifesaving procedure. Of course, you need to assess which risks are acceptable to you and which benefits are most important to you.
A cesarean section may be indicated/prudent when: Complete placenta previa AT TERM; Transverse lie AT COMPLETE DILATION; Prolapsed cord; Abrupted Placenta; Eclampsia or HELLP with failed induction of labor; Large uterine tumor that blocks the cervix AT COMPLETE DILATION (most uterene fibroids will move upwards as the cervix opens, moving it out of baby's path.); True fetal distress (confirmed with a fetal scalp sampling or biophysical profile); True cephalopelvic disproportion or CPD (this is extremely rare and ONLY associated with a pelvic deformity or an incorrectly healed pelvic break. Fetal positioning during labour and maternal positioning during the pushing stage cause most CPD diagnoses in obstetrics today) and Uterine rupture.

I think it is important for everyone to remember that no matter the circumstances of the cesarean, while the physical recovery is hard, 'negative' psychological outcomes like sadness, fear, guilt, anger, post traumatic stress disorder and postpartum depression are common after cesarean section, the emotional recovery takes much longer, I will let you know when I've recovered.

It's Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe to ICAN while you're there!

What does cesarean section really mean??

2008-04-02T07:17:00.000-07:00

By definition, a cesarean section is major abdominal surgery used for the delivery of an infant through an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. The incision may be made across the bottom of the abdomen above the pubic area (transverse) or, rarely, in a line from the belly button to the pubic area (vertical).

A cesarean section is so much more than the definition suggests though, isn't it?

A cesarean means salvation for some, for others, devastation; sometimes, both. There are expressions of gratitude, anger, sadness, and joy; sometimes, all at once.
I can not tell you what cesarean section means to you. I can tell you what it means to me though. To me, most cesareans are a form of violence, abuse and rape. They are a symptom of fear, hatred, greed, misuse of power, selfishness, and sexual dysfunction, one more reminder that we live in a sadistic, violent, misogynistic world. As if we needed another one!
Perhaps you are thinking, what about the necessary cesareans? Are those not merciful, loving, kind? Not in my mind, no. A means to an end perhaps, but not kind, not loving and merciful to who? Perhaps that is a flaw on my part- but that is my honest truth.

It's Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe to ICAN while you're there!

April is Cesarean Awareness Month!!!!!!!

2008-04-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

So, it's April.
There is a blanket of snow on the ground here in Minnesota trying to fool us in to thinking winter will never end, soon though, spring will show it's blooming face.
I remember when I was 6 I wanted my flowers to bloom faster than they were one spring. I forced them open, it worked okay; opened them up, but they were not as beautiful as they could have been. They were forced to do something that they were not ready to do yet. Those flowers were never totally right, but the next spring I had learned to wait and when those flowers bloomed on their own, it was worth the wait.
It was the same plant, I just treated it differently. I trusted it. I let it be.
If a 7 year old girl can learn to trust and let something be, why can't grown ups? We are always trying to expedite things- push them to the end goal with no thought of the journey or what the consequences may be. This can be fixed, if only we can learn to let it happen.
Another thought about blooming, what is more like the budding, blooming springtime than a woman who is literally full of life? A woman 'great with child'?

It's Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM).

This month we should think about trust, about patience, about healing and about consequences.

We should think about the 31+% cesarean rate.

Jump on over to ICAN and learn a little more about Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM). Subscribe to ICAN while you're there!

'Baby Shannon' Project

2008-03-31T06:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, this post is so late, things have been crazy... Anyway, I am doing a diaper project- the 'Baby Shannon' project, Sarah (the baby's mama) is an ICAN sister of mine. She is planning an HBAC for May- she's having her 2nd boy! I am seriously hoping to get these done well before the time Baby Shannon is here... Things have been slow going from the start (PS~ DO NOT SHOP FOR FABRIC AT JO ANN FABRICS! VERY BABY TOTALLY ROCKS, GET ALL YOUR DIAPER FABRIC THERE!!!!) But I have gotten a lot done, the only thing slowing me down (besides life!) is the inserts... It feels so daunting for some reason; like it will overtake me before I'm done. I have never sewn with PUL so I made a wet bag out of some of the scraps, it is a patchwork kind of thing,it looks really cool and I think I got a good handle on the PUL sewing. :D

So anyway here are some photos of my progress so far... the Flannel stretched out over my living room, cutting flannel and PUL...

Ross and I drafted the pattern - we have been tweaking it and I think that we have it JUST RIGHT now. It is a one-size pocket AIO (AI2)- I really love the sample one I made- did that one with fleece. I have changes a couple things since then, making it a little trimmer and shorter.
Once again, I am SEW proud of myself.

Expelled

2008-03-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

Having recently finished studying the book 'Life- How did it get here? By evolution or by creation?' I was especially interested in this new film from Ben Stein called "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed."

Now, by and large people who believe in evolution attempt to bury any opposition to their dogma with intimidating language, implying that only the ignorant would believe in the concept of creation. Evolutionists seem to always be dismissing opponents to their beliefs, revealing a disturbing tendency towards belief before investigation, dismissing objective assessment in favour of what they WANT to believe, rather than acknowledge possibly damaging facts.

The facts and interpretations on which evolution has relied have not convinced this girl... So I guess that makes me an ignorant, paranoid, conspiracy theorist, right??

I can not wait to see what comes of this film.

Put Your $$$ Where Your Mouth Is!!!

2008-02-21T15:12:00.000-08:00

I am bogged down with so much right now, but I wanted to take a second to post a little (very exciting) news...

"International Cesarean Awareness Network, Intl. is hosting a Capitol
Hill showing of Ricki Lake's "The Business of Being Born" on Monday
May 5th, 2008. ICAN has the unique opportunity to influence law and
policy makers with our perspective on the difficulties faced by women
trying to plan the best and safest birth for their children, while
negotiating the pitfalls of modern obstetrical practice. By
sponsoring this showing, we have the platform to request Capitol
Hill's investigation into the loss of birth options and the
skyrocketing induction and cesarean rates along with the recent
increase in maternal mortality. This also represents a chance to make
ICAN recognized as the premier consumer education, support and
advocacy group for maternal and fetal health in the United States and
the World. Any endeavor of this magnitude is an enormous commitment
for a grass roots organization such as ICAN. We depend on you,
members and supporters of ICAN to help us make this incredible dream a
reality. There are many ways you can partner with us in this historic
event. Consider subscribing to ICAN for a lifetime, with a lifetime
membership. There are many ways along with subscribing to raise funds
for this event. Volunteering your time and expertise in marketing,
promotion or event planning, local efforts such as bake sales, ebay
auctions and other communal fundraisers will add together to make the
Capital Hill showing of BoBB happen. You can earmark a donation of
any size specifically for this event. Because ICAN is a non-profit
501c3 organization, all contributions are tax deductable. Help ICAN
make an even bigger difference in the lives of women and their
families by giving your time and resources to this momentous
opportunity. Together, we can change the world.

For more information, please contact Gretchen Humphries at
Advocacy@ican-online.org , Dawn Kubik at Development@ican-online.org
or go to our website http://ican-online.org.

ICAN's New Website! and Other news...

2008-02-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

Way too cool!!! The new ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) site launched today, and it is AWESOME! Go on and check it out- http://ican-online.org/.

Below is the official Press Release. Please tell everyone you know to go check it out!

Contact: Laureen Hudson

Publications@ican-online.org

(707) 237-5253

Melissa Collins

Melissa@ican-online.org

(951) 973-1028

For Immediate Release

Advocacy Group Unveils New Web site

Site features easy navigation, community resources

REDONDO BEACH, CA, February 7, 2008 – The International Cesarean
Awareness Network launches a new, user-friendly Web site today in an
effort to further the group's outreach efforts.

"The new Web site will make an impact in the battle against the
growing cesarean statistics by providing information to moms,
challenging them to take responsibility for their births and providing
a safe community for moms to heal" ICAN President Pam Udy said. "This
will give women the tools they need to make educated decisions about
their births – because this isn't about statistics. It's about every
mom and every baby getting the safest birth possible."

Easy navigation is a key feature of this Web site, which has been in
the works since July when ICAN Board Members recognized the need for a
more user-friendly Web site. (The Web site can be found at
www.ican-online.org) Site viewers will find information separated into
five categories: Pregnancy, Recovery, VBAC, Advocacy and Community.

"In our daily advocacy work, we saw a clear mandate for a site that
was simple to navigate, simple to understand and full of
easy-to-access information for the woman avoiding a cesarean,
recovering from a cesarean or on her journey to VBAC (vaginal birth
after cesarean)," Laureen Hudson, ICAN Publications Director said.
"ICAN interacts with women on very different journeys -- the messages
a pregnant woman needs to hear to avoid a cesarean are not the same
messages a woman on the journey to VBAC needs to hear. We like to
think that this site addresses those two complimentary, yet divergent,
needs."

The Web site lets women research the VBAC policies of hospitals near
them; learn how to correct problems (such as malposition or
pre-eclampsia) that commonly lead to cesareans; get quick physical
recovery tips to help after a cesarean; and stay up-to-date on medical
research on pregnancy and birth. New community features include user
birth blogs, videos and images; and the capability for users to create
their own homepage on the ICAN site to share with friends and family.
ICAN leadership also can connect more easily via the Web site with the
women ICAN serves. Further, the Web site features a new logo – the
logo, and all of the Web work, were completed entirely by volunteers.

"We wanted our site to be easy for the average woman recovering from
surgery and caring for a newborn to find the info they needed quickly
and easily," Webmaster Melissa Collins said. "One of my favorite
features is the online social community that is safe for moms planning
a VBAC or just wanting to avoid. I'm really excited to watch this new
community grow."

This new Web site comes after research in 2007 by the National Center
for Health Statistics showed the cesarean rate reaching a record high
of 31.1 percent. Further, a CDC report indicated the maternal death
rate rose for the first time in decades and Consumer Reports includes
a cesarean in its list of "10 overused tests and treatments." Other
research from 2007 cites a VBAC continues to be a reasonably safe
birthing choice for mothers. And while studies indicate a VBAC is a
viable option, women often have difficulty finding a health care
provider who encourages a VBAC – which is where one of the site's new
features comes into play.

"The most useful tool for women is probably the Hospital VBAC Ban
information," Collins said. "Women can look up the hospitals near them
and find out their VBAC policy and if any doctors are actually
available to attend them. It is getting difficult for so many women to
find a VBAC supportive provider and this is one way to make that a
little easier for them."

Mission statement: ICAN is a nonprofit organization whose mission is
to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans
through education, providing support for cesarean recovery and
promoting vaginal birth after cesarean. There are more than 94 ICAN
Chapters across North America, which hold educational and support
meetings for people interested in cesarean prevention and recovery.

Also new today- "ICAN responds to ACOG and AABC"

*Contact: Pam Udy , President*

(801)458-2190

president@ican-online.org

*For Immediate Release *

**

*ICAN's Response to ACOG AND AABC Statements on VBAC and Homebirth*

*Redondo Beach, CA, February 7, 2008:* The International Cesarean Awareness
Network (*www.ican-online.org*) would like to publicly condemn both the AABC
and the ACOG for their statements* this week that limit not only women's
choices in birth but imply that birth is a fashion rather than a safety
concern.

Since VBAC is the biological normal outcome of a pregnancy after cesarean,
ICAN encourages women to get all of the facts about vaginal birth and
elective cesarean before making a choice. This decision should not include
weighing the choices of your doctor's malpractice payments but only be a
concern of the mother and her support system.

Since some mothers will make the choice to give birth outside of the
hospital, we encourage the AABC to not cave into ACOG's demands that all
women give birth in a hospital facility with a surgical specialist, but
instead allow women to make their own choices about care providers, birth
settings and risk factors. ICAN respects the intelligence of modern women
and accepts that the amount of information available about VBAC and elective
cesarean should serve as informed consent.

ICAN further encourages the governments of individual states to look closely
at their cesarean rates (31.1% national cesarean rate as of 2006) and the
informed consent laws that apply and help women to reach a standard of care
that lowers the risks of major surgery and the risks of elective or coerced
induction without medical indication. Women and children should not bear the
brunt of malpractice risks being conveyed into physical, mental, emotional
and spiritual health risks in order to protect their physicians.

*Mission statement: ICAN is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to
improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through
education, providing support for cesarean recovery and promoting vaginal
birth after cesarean. There are more than 94 ICAN Chapters across North
America, which hold educational and support meetings for people interested
in cesarean prevention and recovery.*

*AABC statement*

*ACOG statement*

I Heart My Family...

2007-12-26T21:23:00.000-08:00

Seriously, I really love my entire family. I am one of the lucky few who has a really supportive and great family.

This post is about my in-law family in particular by the way, I love my blood too so don't get all up in arms Cornell/Aasen tribe...

I have a big sister, but I never really knew her- so it is so great to marry in to 3 big sisters. I don't know if they see me as a sister or anything, well, not including spiritually, but I really think of them as my sisters- I really do. I thought they were so cool and so beautiful when I first met them, but then I got to know them- no, ha ha, I'm just kidding... it's so hard to convey emotion when typing isn't it? But anyway... I really hope I am not super annoying and tedious to them... I always feel the "Oh, it's that girl again..." thing when I am around anyone I think is cool or whatever, so I always ask Ross, "Do you think I was bugging her too much?" "Does your family not like me..." etc...

My Ross is an excellent husband, and I know that kind of thing doesn't just happen- I know it is because his mama and sisters did a great job helping him become the man that he is today. I really, really love them for that- I want them to know that they did a great job.

My mother in law is so cool- I think she is very smart and very sweet, maybe it's all the candy she eats ;). I really love that I have nothing to say when my friends are talking about their annoying mother in law's...

this is cut a little short and is very jumpy, I am harried to say the least right now, I can hardly think... I just had to say all this before I went to bed.

~~ Diapers! cont.~~

2007-12-19T13:42:00.000-08:00

I am not done with all the diapers, I still need to buy and sew in the Velcro and the elastic- but- I sort-of finished 3 of them with some elastic I had... Here are a few pictures.

4 month old Violet is very happy to model her brand new AIO (all in one) cloth diaper!

She had it on for about 2- 3 hours and it did not leak one bit... and she is a 'heavy wetter', so that's a good sign!

It is flannel on the inside (an old receiving blanket) and fleece on the outside (a fleece blanket from Gabriel's surplus).

Next picture is Violet modeling the wool diaper cover that I made from an old felted sweater.

It is super soft, made of 100% lamb's wool. I have not added the cuffs yet, I am not sure if I am going to or not, it looks fine and works well without them.

Super cute, cozy, economical, functional and easy to make... gotta love that.

Okay, so now, here is Gabriel modeling the red flannel fitted diaper, made from an old flannel shirt.

This diaper is the same size as the one Violet was wearing, it fits just right- a little on the tighter side, but still fits.

He really loves wearing cloth- he rubs his butt and says, "OOOOhhh... doggie!" I am assuming he means that it is soft like a dog's fur.

Gabe is also a 'heavy wetter' and he wore the diaper for 3 hours (with a wool cover-pictured below) and not one leak!

It seems like these diapers will work great, hopefully I can get the Velcro and elastic ASAP so I can start using cloth full time.

Below are five of the wool covers I made, I made 8 total so far from two L size felted sweaters.

The Business of Being Born

2007-12-17T20:55:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to announce that ICAN of the Twin Cities is bringing The Business of Being Born to Minneapolis- January 24th, 2008; 7:00pm, at the Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak St. S.E.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!

Peace is a River...

2007-12-17T14:53:00.000-08:00

I want to share this picture of my baby Violet Hope. I gave birth to her- I pushed her out. Look at the head on her... and ya know what, that did not even hurt very much. It felt powerful, beautiful and empowering- especially empowering. However it (giving birth) did not 'heal' the wounds I had from my previous cesarean like I had expected it would. It still hurts (both emotionally and physically), and it still makes me sadmadscared... So, I guess what I am saying is, though I did have a great, empowering birth, it was not healing; but I am at peace with that. I hope to heal sometime in the future, but I have a feeling that the healing will not come because of me giving birth- because I always knew that I could do that if given a chance, no, I think it will come from helping someone else not to have to know the pain I feel every day. It will come from teaching others and offering my support. It will come from helping someone else heal from their wounds... I hope it will come soon.

Here is a picture of the boy that changed my life. I can only hope to one day teach him as much as he has taught me. We can never get back the first moments of his his life, and I will be forever sad about that. I am sorry Gabe. Our peace will come one day. I know that you remember being taken from mama, and I know that you were scared, but mama is here now, and she will hold on until you are not scared anymore. I love you Gaberiel.

I will end with a quote that I love, "Don't push the river, it flows by itself."

~~ Two Years Ago ~~

2007-12-12T21:38:00.000-08:00

Two years ago today I had major abdominal surgery. I became a statistic. I became 'high risk'. I became a walking exploding uterus. Along with all these other things, I became a mother.

I became a mother...

To be completely honest with you, I was surprised when my water broke while I was laying in bed at two in the morning. I was expecting to be pregnant for at least another week. I would like to say that I wanted to stay home and wait for contractions to pickup- but no- that would be a lie. I wanted to go to the hospital, I was going to have a baby- a hospital is where you go to get a baby, right? Well I got a baby, but I got a lot of other stuff there too...

On the way to the hospital at 3 am, I was genuinely shocked that I was not at all nervous, I was excited to get there and have my baby. My baby Gabriel.

My labor was very eventful, as my birth story points out- the cascade of interventions did not stop with the hideous hospital 'gown' I was told to put on. The birth I expected was not at all what I got, not even close. I have a big ugly scar to prove that. No matter what I've told you though, I was not scared. No, I was never nervous- not even a little.

Why would that be? I honestly do not know- I couldn't tell you. I have said I was because I know that I should have been, but, truth be told- I felt nothing. I felt nothing. NOTHING.

Do you have any idea how awful a feeling that is, to feel absolutely nothing?? The day after, I felt unnatural pain, that is all I felt for two weeks and then, I felt sad. Very sad. There was a constant voice in my head screaming at me:

bad mother, you couldn't do it- what kind of woman can't birth a baby, bad mother, he won't stop crying, bad mother, you failed, bad mother, you must not love him, bad mother, he hates you, bad mother, you failed, bad mother, why won't you stop crying- you are supposed to be a happy mother, bad mother, it's all your fault, bad mother, bad mother, bad mother...

Two years later, I can still hear that voice in my head, I still feel searing pain in that ugly crooked scar on my belly and I still cry. Boy, do I cry.

So, who here still thinks a cesarean is 'no big deal'?? Or 'easier'? Oh, how I hate the "At least you did not have to push a watermelon out!" comments. Just so ya know- Gabriel is my baby- not a watermelon...

I do know that had I not experienced what I did, I would not be who I am now. I would have never, ever had an unassisted birth, and I would still be living unconsciously, so there is a silver lining to my trauma. Oh, and before it starts- of course I love Gabriel and I'm so glad that he is healthy -but fyi- I did not have to have a cesarean, especally such a traumatic one, to have a healthy baby. So, please, save it... or rather, stuff it, and don't you dare ever say it to another woman. No mother deserves that.

Two years... Now that that poisen is out on to better news: Gabe is two- and he will tell you he is choo!! He pooped on the toilet for the first time yesterday!! What a babe!

My Parents New Place

2007-12-12T14:35:00.001-08:00

Here are a few photos of my parent's new place. Outside:

Inside:

Check it out! It's my bump!

2007-12-12T14:19:00.000-08:00

My sister in law Tricia, is a photographer- and a good one at that. She took this photo of me when I was 6 months pregnant with Gabriel. The hands in the photo are my dear husband's hands. I'm not a bad looking preggo huh!?! You can see more photos of me that she took on her website RZKY Photography. The RZKY comes from her last name, Rakovszky, in case you were wondering.

Cesarean Section Rate Hits a Record High- 31.1%

2007-12-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

The CDC has released their Preliminary Data for 2006. The news is not good, the national cesarean rate has increased to 31.1%. It is interesting to note that the percentage of delivery by cesarean has risen 50% in the past decade.
Which raises a question in my mind- Are the women of my generation mutated in some way that prevents us from giving birth normally?? Some kind of 'devolving'?? Or is it something else??
It seems cesarean sections are becoming just another way to have a baby, one out of three babies is born through major abdominal surgery, yes, I fear the norm is swinging in the direction of surgical deliveries.
It is sickening that mothers and babies are being put at such risk everyday for no real reason. A report by the World Health Organization [WHO], the United Nations Population Fund, the U.N. Children’s Fund, the U.N. Population Division and The World Bank, (published in the Lancet) shows that the U.S. has a higher maternal death rate than 40 other countries. To put this in perspective, the U.S.’s maternal death rate only narrowly beat out Bosnia. Yup- you read that right- Bosnia.

The International Cesarean Awareness Network [ICAN] has responded to the CDC's Preliminary Data- to read ICAN's response, go to ICAN's home page: http://ican-online.net/
In local news:
Minnesota's rate only went up by.1%, making the statewide rate 25.4%- but I would not call this progress, 25.4% is still far too high. According to the WHO a 'safe' cesarean rate is under 15%. Minnesota does not have far to go to meet that standard, perhaps we can start a trend... A move in the right direction for mother and child health and well being.

About Cesareans: ICAN recognizes that when a cesarean is medically necessary, it can be a lifesaving technique for both mother and baby, and worth the risks involved. Potential risks to babies include: low birth weight, prematurity, respiratory problems, and lacerations. Potential risks to women include: hemorrhage, infection, hysterectomy, surgical mistakes, re-hospitalization, dangerous placental abnormalities in future pregnancies, unexplained
stillbirth in future pregnancies and increased percentage of maternal death. http://www.ican-online.org/resources/white_papers/index.html
Mission statement: ICAN is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery and promoting vaginal birth after cesarean. There are 94 ICAN Chapters across North America, which hold educational and support meetings for people interested in cesarean prevention and recovery.
For women who have experienced a cesarean, who are working towards a
VBAC, or simply want to know how to prevent a first cesarean, ICAN of the Twin
Cities is available to provide resources and support. For more information on
how to get involved, contact: ICAN of the Twin Cities icantwincities@gmail.com.

~~ Diapers! ~~

2007-12-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, I am sew proud of myself... ;)

I finished sewing the first batch of cloth fitteds and AIOs!!! I still have to get and sew in the elastic, so this is a little pre-view...

I am starting to cut and sew the wool covers for the fitteds I'll post photos of those later.

Here are a couple of pictures, the green and white ones are examples of the AIOs and the red one is an example of the fitted. Check out the stitching on the front!!

??? What is Natural Childbirth ???

2007-12-02T21:26:00.000-08:00

This is a topic being discussed on the ICAN-online yahoo group right now, and I have a few ideas on it. Here they are...

To me, natural childbirth is birth without medication (this includes herbal stuff, pain medication, induction drugs and etc.), without breaking the 'bag of waters' artificially, without membrane stripping and other invasive measures.
It is birthing consciously- listening to your body and moving around and doing whatever as needed.
It is birthing without outside interference.
That is what the words 'natural childbirth' bring to my mind.

I do not include sex, nipple stimulation (as a part of enjoyable foreplay or breastfeeding your other child, not by using a breast pump or some other 'uncomfortable' thing to bring on contractions) or walking when I think of induction methods. Though these things may help bring labor on in a body that is ready for labor or get a body ready to labor, I do not feel that they are unnatural- they are everyday things that you would do regardless of whether you were very pregnant or not (or at least I hope so!).

Does birth need to be natural in order to be empowering, enjoyable or even 'good'? No- I don't believe so. I personally prefer natural childbirth; I have tried both natural and 'unnatural' birth, so I can say that for sure. But just because that is my personal preference doesn't mean that is is 'the way' for every woman.

Is a woman who decided to have pain medication or be induced in some way 'less' of a woman than the woman who squatted, pushed out her baby and got right back to whatever she was doing? Absolutely not. No way. But is the squatting woman somehow crazy, more special or 'less' that the other woman? Again, absolutely not. No way.

We all do the best we can with what we have at the time. I had no idea that the things I let happen to me while laboring with Gabe would bring about the traumatic birth I had. I did the very best with what I knew at the time. I did the same with Violet, I just knew a whole lot more. I did not know, however, if a variation, problem or complication would occur during either birth- nobody can know that. No one. We simply do the best we can in the situation.

Truly natural childbirth is very rare these days, this I know. At the end of the day, I would love for natural birth to not be so rare. I would love that, but I am not confident that that will happen anytime soon, I can hope though. I can hope.

Some Memories

2007-11-29T20:34:00.000-08:00

So, I was thinking of some 'good times' I had while living in my parent's now burned down house...
~*~ "The day that never happened" in my parents basement, so unexpected, so raw and so incredabily DUMB. Oh, how I wish you had internet access Cortney, you are the only one who would chuckle reading this...
~*~ Sitting in my golden lit, nag champa scented bedroom, listening to the Pixies and Elastica while writing a long letter that would never be sent because it was covered in love-sick tears. This happened every year for about five years, with someone new.
~*~ Talking on the phone all night long building a relationship that was never meant to be, and laughing at the movie Bandits when it finally ended.
~*~ The winter morning in the livingroom when I realised that I really, REALLY loved Ross and was going to marry him.
~*~ Taking pictures of my brother and sister 'flying' (READ: jumping off of the couch)
~*~ Sneaking beer out to 'the fort' with Bekah and almost drinking the whole can!
~*~ Sneaking out to the cities to hang out with Cortney, the fat guys and Ross...
~*~ My dad yelling at me and Chelsie/Cortney/Cherie/or whoever to "Shut up and go to bed, or I WILL KILL YOU!"
~*~ When Keri (my dear cousin) moved in and I finally got bedroom walls and -gasp- carpet! AND when Keri kicked me out of said bedroom because I talked too loud in my sleep, banishing me to the furnace room thus offically giving me the title of "Cinderella"
~*~ Waking up in the morning and having coffee with my mom and dad in the beautiful sunlit dining room.
~*~ The first time I colored my hair 'True Red', and I never turned back...
~*~ Playing 'hide and seek' in the dark with Jens and Jael
~*~ The summers of Jael's "Hottbutt" problems
~*~ The day I put on and fit in to size NINE pants- and proceeded to call fatty mc gee to celabrate with me, but bones answered the phone instead and just did not 'get it'.
~*~ Sneaking out to go in service with Cortney

Talk about a "House Warming"....

2007-11-27T21:46:00.000-08:00

My cousin, Beckah, (whom I totally love) threw Violet and her nephew Jude a baby shower on the 24th. I bet it was fun, I would not know- because I was not there.
When my family and I arrived to my Grandma's house for a visit before the shower on the 23rd (after a 4 hour drive) my dad told me that my mom (who was going to be driving out after work) called and told him that their house burned down. To the ground. So, I nursed Violet and we turned right back around for the 4 hour drive back to be with my mom.
Here is a link to the local newspaper article about the fire.
They are not sure where the fire started, but 3/4 of the house was consumed within 2 hours, later that night sometime, the fire reignited and burned up the rest of the house with 60 foot flames. The fire department was out there until 1 am controlling the burn. There are Mountain Dew cans all over the yard, for some reason that feels violating to me, disrespectful.
Thankfully, no one was hurt or killed because only the dog, Goliath, was home and he was just fine. Sadly though, he has since ran away from the friends home he was staying.
Sound like a country song yet?? Don't worry, I am sure my sister Jael will write it.
My family is living in a hotel room, looking at places to rent, and my mother keeps saying, "gee I don't think we can fit all our pictures and stuff in a 2 bedroom apartment..." Then she remembers, they don't have any stuff, they don't have any pictures anymore and you can see sadness all over her face. It kills me to see my mother- a strong and graceful woman- look so... broken.
They are of good spirits as of today, as much as can be expected anyway- the community our family and friends have reached out to them in incredible ways so far.
That is all I can write for now, I need to go have some more nightmares about my home burning all around me...

Flannel, Flannel. Everywhere I look, FLANNEL!

2007-11-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

So, I've set this goal to be using only cloth diapers by January 2008. Sounds easy enough, right?

Well, yes and no.

Yes because is a a slow-ish transition to something completely new and uncharted for me, but something I've been wanting to do for quite a while.

No because I will not be buying any of these cloth diapers, I will be sewing them ALL BY MYSELF. This is important because, usually Ross helps me sew things (or just does it for me) because I usually find a way to break the machine or ruin something.

I have not started sewing quite yet, but I have the fabric and I am cutting it all and getting everything ready.

I AM proud of myself because these diapers are largely made of 'recycled' materials- flannel blankets, shirts, etc. and I've done a great job of utilizing every cm of material I have. There are only shreds of unused flannel- I am thinking of some way I can use those up too :)!

HOW many people have seen your vagina??

2007-11-13T20:37:00.000-08:00

So, I showed the video of my baby girl being born at the ICAN meeting last night. It was- exciting. I feel like I should feel awkward about it- but I just don't. As a matter of fact, I would love for more people to see it. Maybe it is because I am so proud, or because I truly love birth and think it is the among the most beautiful things in human existence. I don't know- I feel silly being like, "Hey, you there... would you like to watch me push a baby out of my vagina?" especially considering my preference for unassisted birthing.
Also at the meeting I heard some beautiful and inspiring birth stories.
I love that we had stories from every angle- a planned hospital VBAC turned CBAC, a planned home VBAC (HBAC) turned hospital VBAC, a birth center VBAC and an unassisted home VBAC (UBAC).

P.S. I really think everyone has gone totally nuts over all the 'BAC' terms. We need a dictionary or something soon.

Not now, I'm reading!!!

2007-11-11T21:13:00.000-08:00

Julie gave me 2 bags full of research articles and studies on pretty much everything Cesarean/VBAC related... though I am familiar with some, I still have a 'boatload' to read. I am going to attempt to make some kind of log/table of contents for them- alphabetical and according to subject????
I have finished reading and (re-reading) the Chapter Guidebook, and I gotta pretty good handle on it. Yay!
I am honestly wondering if I should just offer to take all the new inquires for ICAN of the Twin Cities, I could make referrals to other chapter or board members as needed for 'personal experience' help... I could even change the voicemail on le mobile to reflect that; gosh though- I better find out just how many there are monthly...

What's this Pumpkin? Who are these mice?

2007-11-10T23:15:00.000-08:00

Ross, my sweetie, got me an iPod nano on Friday!!! It was a 'late' anniversary-pregnancy-birthing-mama present... I did not even know what to say. Still don't. He's Crazy.

~*~What's this pumpkin? Who are these mice?~*~

In other news:
I have volunteered to take care of the email inquires for ICAN of the Twin Cities, I am excited about that.
Ooh, ooh!! ICAN of the Twin Cities is presenting a screening of The Business of Being Born, otherwise known as "The Ricki Lake Homebirth Movie" on January 24th, 7:30pm at the Oak Street Cinema... It will be so awesome to make ICAN a more 'visible force' in the Twin Cities :)!
I'm still not sleeping- just can't seem to fall asleep... so-o-o-t-i-r-e-d....

Tandem Nursing!?!

2007-11-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

Gabe asked to nurse last night, I was so happy!! He came up, lay down in my lap and said "Nursssee mama?" while I was sitting with Violet. I obliged, thinking that he was just testing what I would do- he nursed for about 10 min. I am floored, but also a little scared- because nursing Violet alone is draining. I had intended on tandem nursing all along- Gabe just lost interest when I was 6 months pregnant with Violet- I think he had to work too hard for milk.
Who knows if this will last, I am kind of hoping it does, I've been mourning our lost nursing time; I just love the closeness, the thought that I am giving him something that no one else can.

~~This Is My Family~~

2007-11-08T21:59:00.001-08:00

Ojala Family
Originally uploaded by jrojala

Me, Violet Hope, Ross & Gabriel Kelly, we just had this taken, Our first 'family' photos since Violet came out. Our friend Lena took them, she did a great job- just beautiful photos. Gabe had a fight with a chair a few days before picture day, and if you look at his head, you'd think he lost the fight- but you should have seen the chair! Ross is growing a beard in the picture- he sorta regrets that he has it in the pictures, you can't really tell though...
And for all of you who think cesarean babies have "nice round heads" feast your eyes on my Violet's perfectly round VAGINALLY BIRTHED head. Thankyouverymuch.

~~This Is Me~~

2007-11-08T21:50:00.001-08:00

fun jaz
Originally uploaded by jrojala

Here goes this blog thing... wowza.

She Got Hips Like Cinderella

Smelly...

Redcucing Infant Mortality

C-section Births Cause Genetic Changes That May Increase Odds For Developing Diseases In Later Life

C-section births cause genetic changes that may increase odds for developing diseases in later life

Breech BIRTH in Canada!

Biopsy

Gasp.... can it be?

"...a really big sob."

'Patients' don't have the capabilities to make proper decisions about their clinical options?

ICAN's Got Forums!!!

True Birth

Go Green??

Misc. ICAN News

Cornell Family Reunion

Renaissance Festival

Neglected...

I told you to stay out of Trouble!!!

Jens' Graduation

Going Offline...

Sarah's Baby...

Moving?!?

23 years ago today...

Graduation!

DIAPERS!

To the soon-to-be first-time Mama...

Last Day of Cesarean Awareness Month 2008

Camelot

My Cesarean Recovery- A Journal Entry Pt.5

My Cesarean Recovery- A Journal Entry Pt.4

My Cesarean Recovery- A Journal Entry, Pt.3

My Cesarean Recovery- A Journal Entry Pt.2

My Cesarean Recovery- A Journal Entry

What is Cesarean Awareness Month?

21 Years...

What do I get?

More Cesarean Awareness Month Blogs!!!

Why a Cesarean?

What does cesarean section really mean??

April is Cesarean Awareness Month!!!!!!!

'Baby Shannon' Project

Expelled

Put Your $$$ Where Your Mouth Is!!!

ICAN's New Website! and Other news...

I Heart My Family...

~*~ Diapers! cont.~*~

The Business of Being Born

Peace is a River...

~*~ Two Years Ago ~*~

My Parents New Place

Check it out! It's my bump!

Cesarean Section Rate Hits a Record High- 31.1%

~*~ Diapers! ~*~

??? What is *Natural Childbirth* ???

Some Memories

Talk about a "House Warming"....

Flannel, Flannel. Everywhere I look, FLANNEL!

HOW many people have seen your vagina??

Not now, I'm reading!!!

What's this Pumpkin? Who are these mice?

Tandem Nursing!?!

~*~This Is My Family~*~

~*~This Is Me~*~

~~ Diapers! cont.~~

~~ Two Years Ago ~~

~~ Diapers! ~~

??? What is Natural Childbirth ???

~~This Is My Family~~

~~This Is Me~~