Fertility Necklace

See my pretty new necklace??

It is a fertility necklace that I found on Etsy for a screaming deal. It has really only been 7 1/2 months that we have been TTC (trying to conceive), so while I am anxious, I am not really concerned that I have a fertility problem per say. I really just think I need to start some yoga and work on stress relief in order to get my life back in balance.

However, with that being said I still enjoy pretty sparkly things!

The necklace is from an Etsy shop called Bohemienne Belle and here is a link to it.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BohemienneBelle?ref=seller_info

She has gorgeous infinity love bracelets, more fertility bracelets, anklets, and more. What is your favorite?

This is what she had to say about the stones and why she chose them for fertility:

Rose Quartz is known as "The Stone of Unconditional Love" 

Ancient Celtic Belief is that Butterflies are the souls of Unborn Babies Looking For New Mothers.

Single Spirals represent the Ancient Symbol of the Goddess, the Womb, Fertility, and the Evolution of the Universe

Pearls Help to Connect to The Feminine Energy, The Goddess, and Enable Attunement to the Ebb and Flow of Life. They Have the Vibration of Purity, Charity, Truth, Loyalty and Integrity.

NEW ARRIVALS!! LaborLooks Gown Giveaway!

Announcing our new LaborLooks Gown design... gowns are still Hospital Approved and Breastfeeding Friendly! We have made just a few simple changes. Gowns have a slightly lower neck line for comfort and style and each size has an additional 4-6 inches of fabric in back for additional coverage. We know you will LOVE our new gown design ~ this week we will be sharing photos of our 4 new gown fabrics (expected to arrive in the next couple of weeks). Enter below for the chance to win one of our new release LaborLooks gowns for your special day. If you don't have a Pinterest account... send us an email ashley@laborlooks.com and we will send you an invite. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Psi Bands

I was in the local Babies R Us the other day and I stopped for a minute to check out what they had on their rack for morning sickness. With my 3 year old I remember buying "preggie pops" to help with my nausea and very mild morning sickness. However, daily I am talking with women about what to do in their pregnancy for the nausea and vomiting and this is what prompted me to check out the Babies R Us section.

I noticed these cute arm bands. Then something clicked. I had heard somewhere, sometime, about these acupressure bands... then BAM! I remembered these were created by another mom company!  I had to check it out a little more, and low and behold I read all about it on their website:  http://www.psibands.com


pronounced "sigh" like a sigh of relief this is another, non medicine option for women with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. I mean seriously, there is only so much ginger tablets you can take right? Or ginger snaps?

I talked with PsiBands and I was fortunate enough to get some brochures that I can now pass out to my pregnant patients.  Hopefully I will get pregnant soon so that I can test out the bands themselves!!

Let's continue to support other momprenuers and mom invented company by liking them on facebook HERE

http://www.facebook.com/psibands

Patience

One of the most important things I have learned as a midwife is patience. Not patience in the overall scheme of life, but patience with birth.

I forget about time when I am with a mom in labor. I am fine to sit in a room and just sit. I am fine to be doing something or to be doing nothing. The other day I just sat with a mom for 2 hours before a nurse even came in the room to check on us.  It was glorious. We talked, she labored, we rocked, she squatted, we swayed, she made birthing noises, we walked, she breathed. It wasn't about me at all. It was all about her.

Then when the pushing starts I still am patient. I let mama's push how they want, when they want. The nurses sometimes get a little nervous, thinking a mom might never get her baby out if she yells instead of bears down. Or how will she get the baby out if she doesn't tuck her chin to her chest or put her hands behind her knees.  Fortunately, now that I have been in the hospital long enough, it is rare when I run into a nurse who tries to convince a mom to push other than the way she feels.

Just yesterday I spent 3 1/2 hours with a mom who was pushing. I wouldn't have thought it was that long without the nurse there letting me know how long it had been. That mom who had her baby after 3 1/2 hours of pushing had a beautiful, healthy baby with 9/10 apgars. Never a drop in heart rate, never a concern for me. So why is 2 hours often a cut off? Why can't we push longer if a mom and baby need it or want it?

I wish I knew why the world doesn't have enough patience with birth.





All I know is after that baby is born, I have no patience for the placenta. I try to wait for it, but 5 minutes feels like 20 and 10 minutes feels like an hour. Seriously, I could wait all day and night (and often do!) for a baby, but that placenta- well buddy, you are a wonderful life sustaining organ, but seriously, come out already. No one wants you to stay in there.

Sick Kiddos

It is never fun to see your kids sick. However, when they have fun holding their own nebulizer, you know that they are on the upswing!

More posts to come soon.

NoseFrida

Have you heard of NoseFrida??

www.fridababy.com

When my little sister Devyn was in town her 8 month old got pretty congested. This made it hard for baby Hazel to nurse, so Devyn and I went on a hunt for NoseFrida. We found one at Buy Buy Baby and then Devyn went to town. 

 Hazel actually LOVES this product! She laughs and giggles every time that Devyn uses it to suck out her boogers and snot. The best part is that the boogers never ever even get close to Devyn's mouth, but Devyn is controlling the amount of suction being used to suck it out. 

The tube never actually goes inside Hazel's  nose, that way we know that there wont be any damage done during the process.  What an awesome product. I highly recommend it!

Body for Baby: Fail

I started my healthy diet and exercise program back in January. I wanted a good 3 months to prepare myself in order to be in the best shape to get pregnant.

Flash forward 6 months. Not pregnant yet, getting a little discouraged, and tired of keeping up all this healthy eating, smoothie making, and limiting myself on all the sweets.

Another month goes by and I am busy busy with patients delivering babies. Up all day, up all night, I have fallen off the exercise train.

This month, still not pregnant, still busy, still tired. I think I have eaten ice cream from the doctors lounge  6 out of 7 days this week. I would have eaten it all 7 days, but one day the flavor of ice cream was carrot cake.  Seriously? Who makes carrot cake ice cream. bleh.

What keeps you motivated? How can I get back on track? I am still taking my prenatal vitamins with DHA, my vitamin d, probiotics, and folic acid. I am maintaining my ideal weight but just not exercising and the food I eat is not the best. I have added in a lot of sweets.

Don't tell me to look at pinterest... there is only so much motivation I can get from pinterest... I look at all these work out plans and pins that people have put up, but I usually fall asleep before I finish reading a work out plan because it sounds so boring and I am tired. Plus, who really could ever look like that? Do I want to work that hard to look like that? Absolutely not, I want to work hard to get a big baby bump!
IMAGE FROM PINTEREST

I don't make this up

I walked inside this morning from a short hike and my girls are sitting watching a movie. Dad was still upstairs sleeping and my daughter says, "Daddy said that if we are really quiet and don't wake him up then we can have a baby brother!"

My husband claims he didn't say this, so these little girls have quite the imagination.  Seriously though, I don't make this stuff up. 

Busy Births

As a midwife I took a 2 year hiatus from delivering babies. I had a 1 year old and a 3 year old, I was burnt out by some unfortunate circumstances at my last practice, and a few other reasons that made it the best decision for me and my family.

But recently I was itching to get back to the births. I always missed them, but I started to yearn for the opportunity to labor with moms, to support and help them in ways that no one else could. I have spent enough time with moms to know when they need that extra word of encouragement, when they should change positions, when they need chapstick or a drink of water. And also I have learned when they just need someone to fill the space. To reassure them to know that someone is there even if they aren't doing anything. 

So, the doctor in the practice that I work with decided that it would be a great opportunity for me to get back into the game.  An amazing blessing happened to our practice and our births per month doubled almost over night!  Now I wasn't just there to be with my patients, but I was really needed to help the practice survive and thrive. 

In June I attended 25 births. 25 glorious births with healthy moms and healthy babies. Moms that I felt honored to be there with and other moms who I felt like a long time friend coming to spend some time with them.  All of these babies born were in the hospital. (I don't deliver babies at home, not that I don't want to deliver babies at home, but in my practice I deliver babies at the hospital.) The only way I could possibly be at 25 births a month is by being in the hospital with the wonderful support of the hospital staff and labor and delivery nurses. 

I don't think it would be very wise or very safe for a homebirth midwife to deliver 25 babies a month. Am I correct in that thinking? I was exhausted after just a few days of this, and I only spend a fraction of the time with each mom as a homebirth midwife does. 

Anyway, in the month of July I was present at 26 births. Seriously? I had no idea I could get any busier. And I took a week off!!  From this past Thursday to Sunday I was able to greet 14 babies. I was able to gently lift each baby to its mother's awaiting arms and chest. Each birth was different and special. Some of the births are fuzzy and when I think of those births all I think of is the beautiful mother's that anxiously awaited to hear their newborn baby cry. 

Some births stand out as births I will never forget. I remember the mama who didn't think she was strong enough to birth her baby after having a previous c-section. She cried when she held her baby close, skin to skin, and checked to make sure it was a little boy. 

I remember the mama who was so strong she didn't need anyone with her while giving birth. She prayed and smiled as she sent her husband away to tend to her two other daughters. Quickly, peacefully she birthed her baby and her husband returned when the morning came to have his wife introduce their newest daughter to her big sisters and her daddy. 

I remember the dad who didn't think the baby could be born without me.  He was at the door waiting for me as his wife slowly breathed down her baby that was born seconds before I entered the room. He was shocked when he realized he missed video taping the birth all because I wasn't there in time. The next two days he gave me quite the hard time by teasing me about letting him miss his baby's birth. I in turn teased him back because he thought the midwife was the key to having a baby. (which I hope you all know that is NOT the key!)

I am off call tonight. Basking in the idea of sleeping through the night. However, while this last weekend was a whirlwind, I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

Thank you mothers. 

Here was a rare moment that I had at home this weekend with my girls. They were missing their mommy, but they know what I do and they love that I do it. 

How to Make a Baby Boy

No secret that I would like my next baby to be a boy. I have 2 girls already, but how far is too far in trying to choose the sex of your baby?

Look what I found :) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080201004454AAKGOq5

How to make a baby boy?

My husband likes to have a son so I would like to know if there's any way or any tips to make a baby boy?

Thank you so much for your help.

• 5 years ago
• Report Abuse

Additional Details

Oh! I forgot some detail of my question. I would like to know a way or tip that I can do myown for free of charge or with charge but low price.

Thank you again.

5 years ago

Aquagal

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Timing intercourse: Have intercourse the day of ovulation.
Timing intercourse correctly is the most important factor.
Learn to detect when you ovulate and practice until you're sure you understand your body's signals that ovulation is approaching.
The ideal time for intercourse is 12 hours before ovulation.
Have intercourse only once on the day of ovulation.
If you are tracking ovulation by the BBT method, time intercourse for the day of the "dip" in temperature before the BBT rise.
If you are tracking ovulation by the CM method, time intercourse as close as possible to the shift from peak mucus back to thicker, cloudier mucus.
Why is this important?
Conditions for conception are ideal on the day of ovulation, favoring the faster Y-sperm. The egg is released at ovulation and is waiting for the sperm, so the sperm don't use up their short lives waiting for the egg to show up. Also, the environment of the vagina becomes more hospitable to sperm at ovulation; the cervical fluid increases and becomes more slippery, making it easier for the sperm to swim, and also becomes more alkaline, helping the sperm to survive.
Abstinence: The father must not ejaculate during the 4 - 5 days before ovulation.
Intercourse and ejaculation are okay up until 4 to 5 days before ovulation, but after that point the father must avoid any ejaculation until the day of ovulation.
Always use a condom when you have intercourse, both before and after ovulation, to prevent the possibility of conceiving on days when it is more likely to have girl. (Except, of course, during your one attempt on the day of ovulation.)
Avoiding ejaculation allows a higher sperm count to build up. Higher sperm count is associated with more male offspring.
Scrotal temperature: The father should "keep it cool".
The father should make sure to avoid excessive heat around the scrotum, which can be caused by tight, hot clothing, or an overly hot workplace.
Choose boxers. Even close-fitting underwear can make the scrotum too warm by holding it too closely against the body.
No saunas, hot tubs, or scuba diving.
Bicycling has been linked to impotence and reduced sperm count, so while you are actively trying to conceive you may want to choose another sport.
The optimum temperature for sperm production is a little lower than body temperature, which is why a man's sperm factory is housed in a handy bag just outside the body -- the scrotum. If the temperature is too warm, sperm count for both X and Y sperm will be reduced, but the more fragile Y-sperm will perish first.
Sperm count: The father should avoid other causes of reduced sperm count.
Illness can temporarily reduce sperm count, so if the father is sick you may want to delay your attempt until the following cycle.
Smoking, drug and alcohol use, and exposure to toxic chemicals, can all reduce sperm count.
Emotional stress is associated with lower sperm counts. You may want to check into relaxation techniques.
Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are lifestyle changes that can improve sperm count.
Lack of certain vitamins and minerals can lower sperm count. You may want to try a nutritional supplement for enhancing male fertility
If you're worried that you may have a low sperm count, you can use an at-home semen analysis kit to check your sperm concentration.
Any form of stress, not just heat, can affect sperm production and lower sperm count.
Diet: The father may have some caffeine just before intercourse.
The father can have a couple of cups of coffee (or other caffeinated drink) fifteen minutes to half an hour before intercourse.
Caffeine gives both types of sperm a boost, but the Y-sperm would get a little more of a boost.
Female orgasm: Have one!
The woman should try to have an orgasm during intercourse, ideally just before the man's. (If you don't, though, don't get too hung up about it.)
Female orgasm causes the cervical fluid to become even more plentiful and alkaline, and thus more hospitable to the sperm, which would again favor the faster swimming Y-sperm.
Vaginal environment: Try to make the vagina as alkaline as possible.
Douching: Enhance the vagina's alkalinity with a baking soda douche. If you do decide to douche, here is how to prepare a baking soda douche:
Use 2 tablespoons of baking soda in warm (not hot) mineral or filtered water.
Wash your hands and mix thoroughly in a clean glass.
Cover glass with a napkin, and wait 10 minutes to allow to completely dissolve.
Most drugstores have reusable douche kits available. You may also be able to buy an inexpensive disposable douche (with a removable top), and pour out the original contents. Since most douches are acidic, rinse very thoroughly.
Douching is linked to vaginal infections, and associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Consult your doctor before using a douche.
Dietary supplements and pre-conception gender diet:
Out of the several methods that were used over decades, the only method time tested and almost sure method is sex selection by ionic equilibrium, i.e. modification of diet before pregnancy.. You’ve made up your mind but your body's condition may be preventing the conception of your chosen gender.

By Altering your your body chemistry through a preconception gender diet prior to conception you can change the pH level in your body, and therefore, it can change the polarity of the egg. . The resulted charge will attract one gendermore than the other

Source(s):

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article…

http://www.ehow.com/how_2049811_have-bab…

http://www.baby-gender-selection.com/how…

http://health.ninemsn.com.au/asktheexper…

http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/ba…

• 5 years ago
• Report Abuse

• 4 people rated this as good

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Formally In formation, Thorough an sciencetifisic.

Fun on Facebook

My sister and I are in a mommies group on Facebook. It is mostly with local moms from the Napa Valley where we both grew up and where Ashley still lives. Recently a mom had some questions about a hospital that Ashley and my Dad work at. It was really neat to see these posts come up:


One mom says about Ashley:
But I've had Ashley as my nurse ALLLLLL 3 times and I love her :) best. nurse. ever.

Monday at 9:33pm via mobile ·  · 1

In fact, she is truly the one person I'm going to miss for this delivery :/

Another Mom Says about our Dad:

 Dr Wagner delivered my daughter! (breech sceduled C -section but i went into labor an had an emergency -section) He was so calm, comforting and confident! At the 3 day newborn checkup the nurse was his wife and she was soo sweet too! At my pp checkup he even said it was too bad it wasn't 10 years earlier because they would have been more likey to go ahead with having me try a vaginal birth even though she was breech and facing sideways and cross legged. He also said that with the way my labor progressed and such that I would be a great candidate for a VBAC. I actually felt very supported even though the birth was not my plan I never felt like I didn't have a voice.

Monday at 9:39pm via mobile ·  · 4

" I'm seeing Dr. Wagner (who was also Sofia's OB) Andes he is thorough, very calm and comforting, and didn't give me a hard time about my homebirth plans."

It was like night and day. The Dr and nurses truly listened and were helpful with my 2nd with the 1st that is a whole other story

Yesterday at 1:30pm ·  · 1

So I'll try and set up appts with Dr Wagner then ;) did you choose to stick with following up with kaiser just in case you need a back up plan? Or how did you choose?

Yesterday at 3:37pm via mobile · 

 · 1

What an amazing group of people that we have around us to support us. Thank you to all the wonderful friends, families, moms, coworkers, and everyone else that makes up our support system.  We couldn't get this kind of support and encouragement even if we sought it out.  

Facebook and Breastfeeding Article Removal

This morning when I logged onto my Facebook page, I received a warning from Facebook that said...

"Content that you shared on Facebook has been removed because it violated Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Shares that contain nudity, pornography, or graphic sexual content, are not permitted on Facebook.

This message serves as a warning. Additional violations may result in the termination of your account. Please read the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities carefully and refrain from posting abusive material in the future. Thanks in advance for your understanding and cooperation."

The post that was removed shared the article on our LaborLooks Facebook Page "In Search of the Perfect Latch" from The Leaky Boob Blog and I quoted from the article, "If it’s comfortable and it’s working, it’s a good latch. There is a wide range of normal."

As a Labor and Delivery Nurse, I work with women regularly that have latch questions. I also have many expectant and breastfeeding moms on our LaborLooks facebook page that I felt would benefit from the excellent latch photos and explanations provided in this article. The post had received several comments and shares on our LaborLooks facebook page.

What is upsetting to me is that the article that I shared does NOT violate Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.

Removing the post violates Facebook's own stance on breastfeeding...

So what did I decide to do?? I thought about it for a couple of hours and then I emailed Jessica from The Leaky Book (I would have emailed her even if it hadn't been The Leaky Boob article that I shared because she has experience dealing with these not so fun situations and she somehow always has the perfect advice.) Then, I emailed facebook objecting the removal and
YES, I'm reposting the wonderful article "In Search of the Perfect Latch."

Birth and Baby Fair

Look at this handsome man.  Thanks Ethan for all your help at the Birth and Baby Fair in San Mateo!  What a rock star, selling those gowns and making those moms look so good.

Body for Baby: The Baby Daddy

Some might call me a little crazy for trying to get so healthy to have a baby. But if you don't think I am crazy yet then just read on...

If you don't think I am crazy for eating spinach smoothies, running in the hot Phoenix sun, or for wanting an unmedicated homebirth, then you might think I am crazy because I am bugging my husband to have healthy sperm.



*Seriously. Like the other day I saw him with his laptop on his lap. I only had a minor freak out when I said, "you have no idea what kind of crazy radiation is going to your sperm right now, get that off your lap!"

*I also bought him a ginormous bottle of folic acid about 5 months ago. I heard from a colleague that it makes "super healthy sperm."  Uh yes, I want that.

*No "tighty whities." I don't want the sperm to get too hot.

*Take your omega 3 fish oils daily, if it helps baby's brain develop then it must help sperm too.

*No alcohol or smoking (we don't ever do that anyway).




I haven't made him diet or try to lose weight like that, come on, I don't want to give him a complex.




Oh, he might already have one (a complex) you say?  Yeah, probably, like I might just be using him for his sperm...


But how could I not want more when he has helped me make 2 amazing beautiful daughters already?

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all those wonderful fathers out there. My husband happens to be one of those wonderful fathers and I attempted to celebrate by bringing him breakfast in bed with my girls.

I promise he was happy, but he did have a full mouth and didn't want to smile for a picture.

However, see that big blob of homemade whipped cream?  Yeah, it was sour. The whipping cream had expired 8 days ago, he didn't tell me it was bad though, he just smushed it over to the side of his plate and ate everything else.

Awesome fail on my part, awesome save on the hubby's part.

I can't believe he didn't say anything. He was trying to be so appreciative, but when I tried some of the whipped cream later I almost threw up it was so bad.

What an awesome guy. Thanks hun and Happy Father's Day!

Period. Over it.

Be careful what you wish for....

I have mentioned previously that I am doing "body for baby" by working out and exercising, eating right and taking my vitamins and supplements. I am in a healthy weight range, no medications, no caffeine, none of all that other stuff that I want to stay away from when I am pregnant. (okay fine, a cheat once a week and eat sweets because I would go insane without it all)

Anyway, I finally took the plunge. I pulled out my own IUD.  You do not want a visual of that? Ooops, sorry, well, I did it anyway and when I did, I took a picture of it and texted it to my dad. Wait.... you didn't want a visual of that either?  Oh, you did. Well, here it is....

I hope you all know that my dad is an OBGYN.  If you didn't then sorry about that, he is. Yes, my dad is an OBGYN, I am a midwife, and my sister is a labor and delivery nurse.  That is right, we are a one stop shop for all your women's healthcare needs. But anyway, It was fun to text that picture to him, because he knows what it is without explanation and he always gets really excited when new grandbabies are on the way. Plus, I feel like my dad and I have a special bond.  He delivered me, he delivered my first baby, and was there for the birth of my second. I don't know what I would do if it weren't for my dad and our relationship. I am constantly calling him to discuss birth outcomes, how he would have managed care better, etc. 

But on to the real point of my blog post today.

After I took out my IUD I really hoped for a period.  I had one day of spotting 3 days later, and then 1 day of spotting a week after that. I was quite nervous that I would get pregnant right away, that I wouldn't have a period before getting pregnant.  The reason I was nervous is because there is an increased risk of miscarriage if you get pregnant right after taking out an IUD. The reason is because often your uterus hasn't had to opportunity to build up an endometrial lining thick enough to support a pregnancy.

But then I started my period.  Now, I know most of you women get a period every single month and I commend you for that. You are stronger women than I am. But I haven't had a period in about 4 years. I am bloated, cramping, I am constipated and I feel like I gained 8 pounds overnight. Plus... I have absolutely NO tampons in my house!  Why would I have them? I don't have periods remember??

We can also look at prior to my last baby.  I didn't have a period for the 9 months with my first daughter, the next year while I was nursing, and I got pregnant like 6 months after that. So basically in the past 6 years and 3 months I have had 6 periods, and now 7.

7 periods in 6 years and I am complaining. Well, be careful what you wish for... cause when you get it you will feel like a major idiot for complaining about it.

I will now stop complaining and be happy and get over it. 

I am a Midwife... Part I from Mothering.com

I spent some time last week with a dear friend in my community who is a homebirth midwife. Then I saw her facebook page a link to this video on Mothering.com and guess what? She is in the video. I teared up a little at the end when they all proclaim that they are midwives. But I guess that is what happens when you are a midwife yourself. 

I am a Midwife Because…Part I

June 13, 2012 Written by Nicolle Littrell Family

Why do women (and yes, some men) become midwives? In the latest video from the new series, I am a Midwife, seven midwives with diverse backgrounds and practicing in different settings in the US and Canada–home, hospital and birth centers–share their stories of what led them to midwifery. For some, it started with their own birth; for others it was a deeply felt “calling,” a way to be part of the “solution” of improving birth outcomes and experiences for women and their babies.  Inspiring, moving and at times hilarious, I am a Midwife Because…provides an inside look at what moves women to do the important work of being a midwife. Part 1 of 2. Part 2 coming next week!

From the Midwives Alliance of North America

My facebook post answers... C-Sections

I thought I would take a second to answer the questions that I posted on our facebook page over the past couple of days related to c-sections.

Click "like" on this status if you had a c-section... was it planned? emergency? We will have some c-section posts over the next few days and would love any moms with experience to comment/post.
I had a c-section in July 2009 with my daughter... It was unplanned for fetal intolerance to labor.

Okay moms that have had c-sections, how long after delivery was it before your baby was skin-to-skin or snuggled up to you?! I feel very fortunate. It was probably 5-10 minutes after delivery that she was being held by my husband and snuggled up to my shoulder and face. As soon as I was moved from the table to my recovery bed (still in the operating room) she was placed skin to skin and I held her as they wheeled me into recovery. I was nauseated, exhausted and don't remember these moments very well but I can remember how beautiful she was and how happy I was that she was okay. I don't remember exactly when but I know there was someone helping me breastfeed her while I was still in the first hour of recovery. I think she latched well... I can't remember. I do remember my family kept calling her a little lizard because her tongue was going in and out of her mouth so much... I'm lucky that even after a stressful labor and c-section she was ready to latch from the moment she was born.

Was your c-section recovery easier or harder than you expected? What surprised you most about the recovery? Was your pain well controlled? It was SO much harder than I expected. I am amazed as I watch women moving around on only motrin day one post surgery!! I still can't believe the burning feeling that I felt for the first couple of days at the incision site. I staggered motrin and percocet for pain control. It worked okay but I was on pain meds for a couple of weeks. I had a very hard time walking up stairs and/or leaning over to pick up my baby for at least a couple weeks after I got home. I thought it was strange that one side of my incision always hurt more (I think the left side) than the other. I remember being surprised at the numbness at the incision site. I had never thought about the nerve endings being cut during surgery. I don't have a vaginal delivery to compare my experience with but it was about 6 months before I really felt like my body had recovered.

We will be continuing with c-section posts and discussions... the reality is that many women deliver via c-section (32.8% in 2010, CDC National Center for Health Statistics). Many of these are unexpected, unplanned. What can we do to better support and prepare our c-section moms? The World Health Organization suggests that best outcomes for mom and baby occur with a c-section rate of 10-15%. What are we doing and what can we do to lower our c-section rates? So, so many things to explore... thanks for participating and sharing!!

Sorry

So sorry for the lack of posts lately. I am trying to recover.

My back up doctor is out of town. He has been gone since Thursday night.

Friday I caught 1 baby.
Saturday I caught 2 babies.
Sunday I caught 3 babies.

Need I say more?

Dr Levy's Africa Trip Recap

Getting Ready For South Africa

Packing....and working....and packing....

First leg... very long day...

we have finally arrived!!

finally....some South Africa Info!

Last day in Zandspruit

Kruger Park

The circle of life......

Surgery in South Africa

Isn't it ironic?

The WRAP -UP from South Africa