Babies

[Guest guest]

I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that I had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences that I have ever endured. I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I decided to try something else. The one (so far) home birth that I have had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed, *cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a huge difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed. It was more discomfort than actual pain. There's a lot to be said for being truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

-------------- Original message -------------- "Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan

 

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while in labor.

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor for nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenayshttp://freegreenliving.com (blog)

[Guest guest]

From my birthing experience, I would not relate it to pain...It is more

of a heavy pressure feeling.

I really enjoyed giving birth without any sedatives. Almost everyone I

know told me I was going to beg for an epidural but I knew I was going

to do it without pain meds and with flying colors...and I did!!! The

feeling when Zea came down and out was amazing!!!! If I would have

been numb, I would have never experienced the true feelings of child

birth. They are great! It is nature in action...New life is

beautiful!!!

 

Kelly

 

 

Ieneke van Houten wrote:

 

 

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way for the

birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while in

labor.

 

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky

ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor for

nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://freegreenliving.com

(blog)

 

 

 

 

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

[Guest guest]

I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!! I had a wonderful birthing

center and I walked around right up until she dropped down and gave

birth in the squatting position.

It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress to

the baby. I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had made a

firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would not

compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having my next

baby at home and will definitely be researching up on this.

 

Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be

prepared for a home birth???

 

Kelly

 

jarusso7 wrote:

 

 

 

I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that I

had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences that I

have ever endured. I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I

decided to try something else. The one (so far) home birth that I have

had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed,

*cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a

huge difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared

to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed. It was

more discomfort than actual pain. There's a lot to be said for being

truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

--------------

Original message --------------

"Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

 

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way for

the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while in

labor.

 

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky

ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor for

nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://freegreenliving.com

(blog)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

[Guest guest]

Maybe. Are you looking or an unassisted birth or home birth with an attendant such as a midwife?

 

Anella

 

-------------- Original message -------------- Organic Solutions <organicsolutions

 

I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!! I had a wonderful birthing center and I walked around right up until she dropped down and gave birth in the squatting position. It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress to the baby. I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had made a firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would not compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having my next baby at home and will definitely be researching up on this. Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be prepared for a home birth??? Kellyjarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net wrote:

 

 

I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that I had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences that I have ever endured. I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I decided to try something else. The one (so far) home birth that I have had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed, *cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a huge difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed. It was more discomfort than actual pain. There's a lot to be said for being truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

-------------- Original message -------------- "Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

 

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while in labor.

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor for nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenayshttp://freegreenliving.com (blog)

 

 

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

[Guest guest]

Most likely unassisted. If not it would be with a midwife...

 

jarusso7 wrote:

 

 

 

Maybe. Are you looking or an unassisted birth or home birth

with an attendant such as a midwife?

 

Anella

 

--------------

Original message --------------

Organic Solutions <organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net>

 

 

I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!! I had a wonderful

birthing center and I walked around right up until she dropped down and

gave birth in the squatting position.

It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress to

the baby. I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had made a

firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would not

compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having my next

baby at home and will definitely be researching up on this.

 

Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be

prepared for a home birth???

 

Kelly

 

jarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net

wrote:

 

 

I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that

I had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences that

I have ever endured. I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I

decided to try something else. The one (so far) home birth that I have

had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed,

*cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a

huge difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared

to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed. It was

more discomfort than actual pain. There's a lot to be said for being

truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

--------------

Original message --------------

"Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way

for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while

in labor.

 

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME

lucky ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor

for nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well

hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://freegreenliving.com (blog)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subject:

 

Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

 

Organic Solutions <organicsolutions

 

 

 

 

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:03:07 +0000

 

 

 

 

herbal remedies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

herbal remedies

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

[Guest guest]

Yes, READ, READ, and READ some more!!!!!!! I would reread ALL books from the library on natural birth, home birth, and anything to do with birth!

This helped to prepare me as I was getting myself psyched up to have a baby, educating myself on what I needed to do, and relating to those who

had already given birth, too. I did not have the internet as my last child was born in 1992. There are a lot of homebirth support groups out there (both for

assisted and unassisted), and this would help, too.

 

You definitely need to prepare yourself mentally for having a baby and the rereading of all books and all new books on birth helped me tremendously. My library

was fantastic and would order new books on birth when they came available as they thought of me! (lol) I was a regular (weekly) visitor to the library, and being it

was a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I had the advantage of being well-known at this library. I have since moved away from my small town (which is no longer

a small town, but a city), and I so appreciate all the special care these librarians did for me.

 

Educate yourself on all you need to know (as described in an earlier post by another woman) and then relax and enjoy any future pregnancies! When I was having babies, I

would find out I was pregnant and I would live my life as I'd been living it~in our own unique natural rhythm, then a few weeks before baby was due (6 weeks~) take my herbs, buy what I might need, have items needed for actual birth ready on hand (a new shower liner~we'd put the old one on bed with old sheets on top so that the bed was protected during birth and put the new one up), and then when I went into labor we were ready for the BIG EVENT.

 

Afterwards, the baby would lay in my arms until all cord blood was in baby, cord would be cut, I sat on a bucket to deliver afterbirth (this was just easier and less messy!), and my husband would then bury the afterbirth in the woods near our apartment. My aunt always helped out and she'd clean up the baby while I showered and got dressed, then I would eat (I'd be starved!!!), and we'd settle down to our routine of living life. If baby born at night, then other kids would see baby when they woke up; if during day (3 were born at night, 3 day), then kids would come see baby after I showered. I was not into the whole family birth thing, but you may feel differently.

 

When my 5th child was born, at 1pm on the Labor Day holiday (Monday) back in 1987, I was at my brother's house a 1/2 mile away by 4:30pm for a family gathering with all 5 kids in tow! It is the one time I did not bring a dish to share! We were having a potluck and the baby was passed around and oohed and ahhhed over and about 8:30pm my husband brought us home as I was tired and ready for bed. I had people tell me I was crazy, but why? I was able to share our new child, sit with my feet propped up, eat a nice potluck meal, watch everyone play and have fun, and I was able to visit with family. It was awesome! I'd had a baby, not a disease! And I was only 1/2 mile from home. I have no regrets and am so glad I did not let anyone deter me from going (they tried!).

 

Having babies at home is a natural and good thing. The majority of women are fully capable of birthing at home. Relax, plan, educate yourself, and enjoy your life. You make your own choices for yourself and then you will be happy.

 

LoriSchooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

herbal remedies From: organicsolutionsDate: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:02:54 -0500Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!! I had a wonderful birthing center and I walked around right up until she dropped down and gave birth in the squatting position. It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress to the baby. I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had made a firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would not compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having my next baby at home and will definitely be researching up on this. Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be prepared for a home birth??? Kellyjarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net wrote:

 

 

I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that I had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences that I have ever endured. I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I decided to try something else. The one (so far) home birth that I have had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed, *cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a huge difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed. It was more discomfort than actual pain. There's a lot to be said for being truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

-------------- Original message -------------- "Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

 

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while in labor.

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor for nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenayshttp://freegreenliving.com (blog)

Windows Live™ Hotmail®…more than just e-mail. See how it works.

[Guest guest]

I think the main thing is taking responsibility for yourself and your health. I loved Dr. Sears' book called The Birth Book.

I have had all 3 of my children at home. The middle one was accidentally unassisted. While the birth was amazing and peaceful and tranquil, I would not choose to have another unassisted birth because I go from transition to baby in my arms within 4 contractions. To be in the state of mind of paying attention while surrendering to the birth is very difficult for me to do. I would rather have a very hands off midwife who just quietly observes and only gets involved if TRULY needed. My husband still delivered my 3rd child and my midwife stood to the side and watched. Much better emotionally for me.

Marisa

 

 

 

Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be prepared for a home birth??? Kelly

..

[Guest guest]

Hi Lori!  Thanks for the advice. 

I have found in reading Baby books that they are loaded full of

negative information.

For this reason I have refrained from reading baby books at all. 

I don't think that reading all of the possible things that could go

wrong is helpful. 

The only book I have found to be truly positive and to have workable

information and solutions is

called 'Every Womens Book' by Paavo Airola.  This book has been great.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations on what books would be really

helpful and positive?

 

Kelly

 

Lori Smith wrote:

 

 

Yes, READ, READ, and READ some more!!!!!!! I would reread ALL

books from the library on natural birth, home birth, and anything to do

with birth!

This helped to prepare me as I was getting myself psyched up to have a

baby, educating myself on what I needed to do, and relating to those who

had already given birth, too. I did not have the internet as my last

child was born in 1992. There are a lot of homebirth support groups out

there (both for

assisted and unassisted), and this would help, too.

 

You definitely need to prepare yourself mentally for having a baby and

the rereading of all books and all new books on birth helped me

tremendously. My library

was fantastic and would order new books on birth when they came

available as they thought of me! (lol) I was a regular (weekly) visitor

to the library, and being it

was a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I had the advantage of

being well-known at this library. I have since moved away from my small

town (which is no longer

a small town, but a city), and I so appreciate all the special care

these librarians did for me.

 

Educate yourself on all you need to know (as described in an earlier

post by another woman) and then relax and enjoy any future pregnancies!

When I was having babies, I

would find out I was pregnant and I would live my life as I'd been

living it~in our own unique natural rhythm, then a few weeks before

baby was due (6 weeks~) take my herbs, buy what I might need, have

items needed for actual birth ready on hand (a new shower liner~we'd

put the old one on bed with old sheets on top so that the bed was

protected during birth and put the new one up), and then when I went

into labor we were ready for the BIG EVENT.

 

Afterwards, the baby would lay in my arms until all cord blood was in

baby, cord would be cut, I sat on a bucket to deliver afterbirth (this

was just easier and less messy!), and my husband would then bury the

afterbirth in the woods near our apartment. My aunt always helped out

and she'd clean up the baby while I showered and got dressed, then I

would eat (I'd be starved!!!), and we'd settle down to our routine of

living life. If baby born at night, then other kids would see baby when

they woke up; if during day (3 were born at night, 3 day), then kids

would come see baby after I showered. I was not into the whole family

birth thing, but you may feel differently.

 

When my 5th child was born, at 1pm on the Labor Day holiday (Monday)

back in 1987, I was at my brother's house a 1/2 mile away by 4:30pm for

a family gathering with all 5 kids in tow! It is the one time I did not

bring a dish to share! We were having a potluck and the baby was

passed around and oohed and ahhhed over and about 8:30pm my husband

brought us home as I was tired and ready for bed. I had people tell me

I was crazy, but why? I was able to share our new child, sit with my

feet propped up, eat a nice potluck meal, watch everyone play and have

fun, and I was able to visit with family. It was awesome! I'd had a

baby, not a disease! And I was only 1/2 mile from home. I have no

regrets and am so glad I did not let anyone deter me from going (they

tried!).

 

Having babies at home is a natural and good thing. The majority of

women are fully capable of birthing at home. Relax, plan, educate

yourself, and enjoy your life. You make your own choices for yourself

and then you will be happy.

 

Lori

 

Schooling is not education, and

education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

 

 

 

 

herbal remedies

organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:02:54 -0500

Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

 

I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!!  I

had a wonderful birthing center and I walked around right up until she

dropped down and gave birth in the squatting position.

It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress to

the baby.  I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had made a

firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would not

compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having my next

baby at home and will definitely be researching up on this. 

 

Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be

prepared for a home birth??? 

 

Kelly

 

jarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net

wrote:

 

 

 

 

I have have delivered 6 babies.  The 5 hospital births that I

had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences that I

have ever endured.  I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I

decided to try something else.  The one (so far) home birth that I have

had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed,

 *cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a

huge difference.  I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared

to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed.  It was

more discomfort than actual pain.  There's a lot to be said for being

truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

-------------- Original message --------------

 

"Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

 

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way for

the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while in

labor. 

 

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME

lucky ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor

for nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well

hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://freegreenliving.com

(blog)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Windows Live™ Hotmail®…more than just e-mail. See how it works.

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

[Guest guest]

I guess I wasn't very clear!! I agree with you that if you take out the conventional books on pregnancy and childbirth that you will find them negative and not always in the mother's or baby's best interest! I read alternative books on pregnancy and childbirth such as "Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year", By Susun Weed. All of the books that I read would not have been suggested reading by the conventional OB's! The library I went to had quite a few of these "off the beaten path" kind of books and I found them so useful! One was on natural childbirth with midwives in a home setting (and I cannot remember the author), My last child was almost 17 years ago and so I cannot remember all the books I did read, though I know I read Susun Weed's (it can be a bit too pagan for me, but I just ignored these parts), and I think I may have a read a book by Rosemary Gladstar. Anyway, I was not meaning to suggest that you read books that go by the conventional wisdom of "doctor knows best"! Since I was having home births that is the last kind of "wisdom" I wanted!!!!

Sorry I was not more concise; I guess I just assumed (I know~ never assume anything!) that the readers on here, and especially you, would realize that I meant alternative health-style pregnancy books. Sometimes I do wish I had kept a diary of what books I did read and what I found most beneficial.

Back when I was having my home births (1983-1992) I was "on my own" so to speak as I only knew one other homebirth mom and she had used a midwife. I was hoofing it on my own and did not have the support system of the internet. It would have been so much more easier today!

 

Lori

 

Schooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

herbal remedies From: organicsolutionsDate: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 13:20:10 -0500Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

Hi Lori! Thanks for the advice. I have found in reading Baby books that they are loaded full of negative information.For this reason I have refrained from reading baby books at all. I don't think that reading all of the possible things that could go wrong is helpful. The only book I have found to be truly positive and to have workable information and solutions is called 'Every Womens Book' by Paavo Airola. This book has been great.Does anyone have any recommendations on what books would be really helpful and positive?KellyLori Smith wrote:

 

Yes, READ, READ, and READ some more!!!!!!! I would reread ALL books from the library on natural birth, home birth, and anything to do with birth!This helped to prepare me as I was getting myself psyched up to have a baby, educating myself on what I needed to do, and relating to those whohad already given birth, too. I did not have the internet as my last child was born in 1992. There are a lot of homebirth support groups out there (both forassisted and unassisted), and this would help, too. You definitely need to prepare yourself mentally for having a baby and the rereading of all books and all new books on birth helped me tremendously. My librarywas fantastic and would order new books on birth when they came available as they thought of me! (lol) I was a regular (weekly) visitor to the library, and being itwas a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I had the advantage of being well-known at this library. I have since moved away from my small town (which is no longera small town, but a city), and I so appreciate all the special care these librarians did for me. Educate yourself on all you need to know (as described in an earlier post by another woman) and then relax and enjoy any future pregnancies! When I was having babies, I would find out I was pregnant and I would live my life as I'd been living it~in our own unique natural rhythm, then a few weeks before baby was due (6 weeks~) take my herbs, buy what I might need, have items needed for actual birth ready on hand (a new shower liner~we'd put the old one on bed with old sheets on top so that the bed was protected during birth and put the new one up), and then when I went into labor we were ready for the BIG EVENT. Afterwards, the baby would lay in my arms until all cord blood was in baby, cord would be cut, I sat on a bucket to deliver afterbirth (this was just easier and less messy!), and my husband would then bury the afterbirth in the woods near our apartment. My aunt always helped out and she'd clean up the baby while I showered and got dressed, then I would eat (I'd be starved!!!), and we'd settle down to our routine of living life. If baby born at night, then other kids would see baby when they woke up; if during day (3 were born at night, 3 day), then kids would come see baby after I showered. I was not into the whole family birth thing, but you may feel differently. When my 5th child was born, at 1pm on the Labor Day holiday (Monday) back in 1987, I was at my brother's house a 1/2 mile away by 4:30pm for a family gathering with all 5 kids in tow! It is the one time I did not bring a dish to share! We were having a potluck and the baby was passed around and oohed and ahhhed over and about 8:30pm my husband brought us home as I was tired and ready for bed. I had people tell me I was crazy, but why? I was able to share our new child, sit with my feet propped up, eat a nice potluck meal, watch everyone play and have fun, and I was able to visit with family. It was awesome! I'd had a baby, not a disease! And I was only 1/2 mile from home. I have no regrets and am so glad I did not let anyone deter me from going (they tried!). Having babies at home is a natural and good thing. The majority of women are fully capable of birthing at home. Relax, plan, educate yourself, and enjoy your life. You make your own choices for yourself and then you will be happy. LoriSchooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

herbal remedies From: organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) netDate: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:02:54 -0500Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!! I had a wonderful birthing center and I walked around right up until she dropped down and gave birth in the squatting position. It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress to the baby. I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had made a firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would not compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having my next baby at home and will definitely be researching up on this. Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be prepared for a home birth??? Kellyjarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net wrote:

 

 

I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that I had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences that I have ever endured. I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I decided to try something else. The one (so far) home birth that I have had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed, *cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a huge difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed. It was more discomfort than actual pain. There's a lot to be said for being truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

-------------- Original message -------------- "Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while in labor.

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor for nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenayshttp://freegreenliving.com (blog)

 

Windows Live™ Hotmail®…more than just e-mail. See how it works.

Windows Live™ Hotmail®:…more than just e-mail. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

I will look into that book. I have not had very much success in

getting useful, positive information from books.

I have been working off of my innate mothering senses and this has been

working wonderfully for me!

Thank you for the advice!

 

Kelly

 

Corless Family wrote:

 

 

 

I

think the main thing is taking responsibility for yourself and your

health. I loved Dr. Sears' book called The Birth Book.

I

have had all 3 of my children at home. The middle one was accidentally

unassisted. While the birth was amazing and peaceful and tranquil, I

would not choose to have another unassisted birth because I go from

transition to baby in my arms within 4 contractions. To be in the

state of mind of paying attention while surrendering to the birth is

very difficult for me to do. I would rather have a very hands off

midwife who just quietly observes and only gets involved if TRULY

needed. My husband still delivered my 3rd child and my midwife stood

to the side and watched. Much better emotionally for me.

Marisa

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be

prepared for a home birth???

 

Kelly

 

 

 

 

..

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

[Guest guest]

Hi Lori,

I could have guessed that since we are on an alternative health list

that you would be referring the alternative books but.....

The books I have were given to me by friends who were semi-alternative

and those books just turned me off completely!

The main one I am referring to is "What to Expect while You're

Expecting" and "What to Expect in the first Year". These were not fun

ones to read!

I just stuck to my instincts and Zea and I have been doing great! I

even had a Doula at my midwife give me false information on how to

initiate breastfeeding.

I had to use instincts on that one as well. 

 

I had heard about the Wise Women Herbal...Glad to hear it recommended. 

 

Did you have a Midwife with you for your home births?

 

Kelly

 

Lori Smith wrote:

 

 

I guess I wasn't very clear!! I agree with you that if you take

out the conventional books on pregnancy and childbirth that you will

find them negative and not always in the mother's or baby's best

interest! I read alternative books on pregnancy and childbirth such as

"Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year", By Susun Weed. All of

the books that I read would not have been suggested reading by the

conventional OB's! The library I went to had quite a few of these "off

the beaten path" kind of books and I found them so useful! One was on

natural childbirth with midwives in a home setting (and I cannot

remember the author),  My last child was almost

17 years ago and so I cannot remember all the books I did read, though

I know I read Susun Weed's (it can be a bit too pagan for me, but I

just ignored these parts), and I think I may have a read a book by

Rosemary Gladstar. Anyway, I was not meaning to suggest that you read

books that go by the conventional wisdom of "doctor knows best"! Since

I was having home births that is the last kind of "wisdom" I wanted!!!!

Sorry I was not more concise; I guess I just assumed (I know~

never assume anything!) that the readers on here, and especially you,

would realize that I meant alternative health-style pregnancy books.

Sometimes I do wish I had kept a diary of what books I did read and

what I found most beneficial.

Back when I was having my home births (1983-1992) I was "on my

own" so to speak as I only knew one other homebirth mom and she had

used a midwife. I was hoofing it on my own and did not have the support

system of the internet. It would have been so much more easier today!

 

Lori

 

 

Schooling is not education, and

education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

 

 

 

 

herbal remedies

organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 13:20:10 -0500

Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

 

Hi Lori!  Thanks for the advice. 

I have found in reading Baby books that they are loaded full of

negative information.

For this reason I have refrained from reading baby books at all. 

I don't think that reading all of the possible things that could go

wrong is helpful. 

The only book I have found to be truly positive and to have workable

information and solutions is

called 'Every Womens Book' by Paavo Airola.  This book has been great.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations on what books would be really

helpful and positive?

 

Kelly

 

Lori Smith wrote:

 

 

Yes, READ, READ, and READ some more!!!!!!! I would reread ALL

books from the library on natural birth, home birth, and anything to do

with birth!

This helped to prepare me as I was getting myself psyched up to have a

baby, educating myself on what I needed to do, and relating to those who

had already given birth, too. I did not have the internet as my last

child was born in 1992. There are a lot of homebirth support groups out

there (both for

assisted and unassisted), and this would help, too.

 

You definitely need to prepare yourself mentally for having a baby and

the rereading of all books and all new books on birth helped me

tremendously. My library

was fantastic and would order new books on birth when they came

available as they thought of me! (lol) I was a regular (weekly) visitor

to the library, and being it

was a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I had the advantage of

being well-known at this library. I have since moved away from my small

town (which is no longer

a small town, but a city), and I so appreciate all the special care

these librarians did for me.

 

Educate yourself on all you need to know (as described in an earlier

post by another woman) and then relax and enjoy any future pregnancies!

When I was having babies, I

would find out I was pregnant and I would live my life as I'd been

living it~in our own unique natural rhythm, then a few weeks before

baby was due (6 weeks~) take my herbs, buy what I might need, have

items needed for actual birth ready on hand (a new shower liner~we'd

put the old one on bed with old sheets on top so that the bed was

protected during birth and put the new one up), and then when I went

into labor we were ready for the BIG EVENT.

 

Afterwards, the baby would lay in my arms until all cord blood was in

baby, cord would be cut, I sat on a bucket to deliver afterbirth (this

was just easier and less messy!), and my husband would then bury the

afterbirth in the woods near our apartment. My aunt always helped out

and she'd clean up the baby while I showered and got dressed, then I

would eat (I'd be starved!!!), and we'd settle down to our routine of

living life. If baby born at night, then other kids would see baby when

they woke up; if during day (3 were born at night, 3 day), then kids

would come see baby after I showered. I was not into the whole family

birth thing, but you may feel differently.

 

When my 5th child was born, at 1pm on the Labor Day holiday (Monday)

back in 1987, I was at my brother's house a 1/2 mile away by 4:30pm for

a family gathering with all 5 kids in tow! It is the one time I did not

bring a dish to share! We were having a potluck and the baby was

passed around and oohed and ahhhed over and about 8:30pm my husband

brought us home as I was tired and ready for bed. I had people tell me

I was crazy, but why? I was able to share our new child, sit with my

feet propped up, eat a nice potluck meal, watch everyone play and have

fun, and I was able to visit with family. It was awesome! I'd had a

baby, not a disease! And I was only 1/2 mile from home. I have no

regrets and am so glad I did not let anyone deter me from going (they

tried!).

 

Having babies at home is a natural and good thing. The majority of

women are fully capable of birthing at home. Relax, plan, educate

yourself, and enjoy your life. You make your own choices for yourself

and then you will be happy.

 

Lori

 

Schooling is not education, and

education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

herbal remedies

organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:02:54 -0500

Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

 

I can't imagine giving birth on my

back!!!  I had a wonderful birthing center and I walked around right up

until she dropped down and gave birth in the squatting position.

It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress to

the baby.  I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had made a

firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would not

compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having my next

baby at home and will definitely be researching up on this. 

 

Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be

prepared for a home birth??? 

 

Kelly

 

jarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net

wrote:

 

 

 

I have have delivered 6 babies.  The 5 hospital births that

I had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences that

I have ever endured.  I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I

decided to try something else.  The one (so far) home birth that I have

had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed,

 *cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a

huge difference.  I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared

to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed.  It was

more discomfort than actual pain.  There's a lot to be said for being

truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

-------------- Original message --------------

 

"Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way

for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while

in labor. 

 

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME

lucky ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor

for nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well

hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://freegreenliving.com

(blog)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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how it works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Glad you did know that I meant alternative. I do not like the books you listed either as they are too conventional! My daughter was given these books by the hospital.

 

I had unassisted births, by choice. My husband and an aunt helped me have 6 of our 8 kids at home (first two were in hospital).

 

Because I was homebirthing and because I had no support group, reading of books helpe dme to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually. Thes ebooks became my "support group" as they just helped me to get psyched up to have babies! I began to read them around the 5th month with each child. I am an avid and fast reader who retains what I read.

 

Good for you in sticking with your instincts!!! I had a daughter-in-law and a daughter given the wrong instructions for breast-feeding in the hospital and I helped both of them. It is amazing how the conventional "wisdom" almost guarantees to make women not want to nurse!

 

So glad Zea is doing great~she is a healthy and happy looking baby!

 

 

LoriSchooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

herbal remedies From: organicsolutionsDate: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 15:10:07 -0500Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

Hi Lori,I could have guessed that since we are on an alternative health list that you would be referring the alternative books but.....The books I have were given to me by friends who were semi-alternative and those books just turned me off completely!The main one I am referring to is "What to Expect while You're Expecting" and "What to Expect in the first Year". These were not fun ones to read!I just stuck to my instincts and Zea and I have been doing great! I even had a Doula at my midwife give me false information on how to initiate breastfeeding.I had to use instincts on that one as well. I had heard about the Wise Women Herbal...Glad to hear it recommended. Did you have a Midwife with you for your home births?KellyLori Smith wrote:

 

I guess I wasn't very clear!! I agree with you that if you take out the conventional books on pregnancy and childbirth that you will find them negative and not always in the mother's or baby's best interest! I read alternative books on pregnancy and childbirth such as "Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year", By Susun Weed. All of the books that I read would not have been suggested reading by the conventional OB's! The library I went to had quite a few of these "off the beaten path" kind of books and I found them so useful! One was on natural childbirth with midwives in a home setting (and I cannot remember the author), My last child was almost 17 years ago and so I cannot remember all the books I did read, though I know I read Susun Weed's (it can be a bit too pagan for me, but I just ignored these parts), and I think I may have a read a book by Rosemary Gladstar. Anyway, I was not meaning to suggest that you read books that go by the conventional wisdom of "doctor knows best"! Since I was having home births that is the last kind of "wisdom" I wanted!!!!Sorry I was not more concise; I guess I just assumed (I know~ never assume anything!) that the readers on here, and especially you, would realize that I meant alternative health-style pregnancy books. Sometimes I do wish I had kept a diary of what books I did read and what I found most beneficial.Back when I was having my home births (1983-1992) I was "on my own" so to speak as I only knew one other homebirth mom and she had used a midwife. I was hoofing it on my own and did not have the support system of the internet. It would have been so much more easier today! Lori Schooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

herbal remedies From: organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) netDate: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 13:20:10 -0500Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

Hi Lori! Thanks for the advice. I have found in reading Baby books that they are loaded full of negative information.For this reason I have refrained from reading baby books at all. I don't think that reading all of the possible things that could go wrong is helpful. The only book I have found to be truly positive and to have workable information and solutions is called 'Every Womens Book' by Paavo Airola. This book has been great.Does anyone have any recommendations on what books would be really helpful and positive?KellyLori Smith wrote:

 

Yes, READ, READ, and READ some more!!!!!!! I would reread ALL books from the library on natural birth, home birth, and anything to do with birth!This helped to prepare me as I was getting myself psyched up to have a baby, educating myself on what I needed to do, and relating to those whohad already given birth, too. I did not have the internet as my last child was born in 1992. There are a lot of homebirth support groups out there (both forassisted and unassisted), and this would help, too. You definitely need to prepare yourself mentally for having a baby and the rereading of all books and all new books on birth helped me tremendously. My librarywas fantastic and would order new books on birth when they came available as they thought of me! (lol) I was a regular (weekly) visitor to the library, and being itwas a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I had the advantage of being well-known at this library. I have since moved away from my small town (which is no longera small town, but a city), and I so appreciate all the special care these librarians did for me. Educate yourself on all you need to know (as described in an earlier post by another woman) and then relax and enjoy any future pregnancies! When I was having babies, I would find out I was pregnant and I would live my life as I'd been living it~in our own unique natural rhythm, then a few weeks before baby was due (6 weeks~) take my herbs, buy what I might need, have items needed for actual birth ready on hand (a new shower liner~we'd put the old one on bed with old sheets on top so that the bed was protected during birth and put the new one up), and then when I went into labor we were ready for the BIG EVENT. Afterwards, the baby would lay in my arms until all cord blood was in baby, cord would be cut, I sat on a bucket to deliver afterbirth (this was just easier and less messy!), and my husband would then bury the afterbirth in the woods near our apartment. My aunt always helped out and she'd clean up the baby while I showered and got dressed, then I would eat (I'd be starved!!!), and we'd settle down to our routine of living life. If baby born at night, then other kids would see baby when they woke up; if during day (3 were born at night, 3 day), then kids would come see baby after I showered. I was not into the whole family birth thing, but you may feel differently. When my 5th child was born, at 1pm on the Labor Day holiday (Monday) back in 1987, I was at my brother's house a 1/2 mile away by 4:30pm for a family gathering with all 5 kids in tow! It is the one time I did not bring a dish to share! We were having a potluck and the baby was passed around and oohed and ahhhed over and about 8:30pm my husband brought us home as I was tired and ready for bed. I had people tell me I was crazy, but why? I was able to share our new child, sit with my feet propped up, eat a nice potluck meal, watch everyone play and have fun, and I was able to visit with family. It was awesome! I'd had a baby, not a disease! And I was only 1/2 mile from home. I have no regrets and am so glad I did not let anyone deter me from going (they tried!). Having babies at home is a natural and good thing. The majority of women are fully capable of birthing at home. Relax, plan, educate yourself, and enjoy your life. You make your own choices for yourself and then you will be happy. LoriSchooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

herbal remedies From: organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) netDate: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:02:54 -0500Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!! I had a wonderful birthing center and I walked around right up until she dropped down and gave birth in the squatting position. It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress to the baby. I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had made a firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would not compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having my next baby at home and will definitely be researching up on this. Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be prepared for a home birth??? Kellyjarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net wrote:

 

I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that I had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences that I have ever endured. I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I decided to try something else. The one (so far) home birth that I have had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed, *cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a huge difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed. It was more discomfort than actual pain. There's a lot to be said for being truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

-------------- Original message -------------- "Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while in labor.

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor for nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenayshttp://freegreenliving.com (blog)

 

Windows Live™ Hotmail®…more than just e-mail. See how it works.

 

Windows Live™ Hotmail®:…more than just e-mail. Check it out.

Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

I think using your gut is the best way there is. There is so much

that contradicts everything out there. I think I have broken every

rule of motherhood there is, and my children have still survived.

Each child is different and will have different needs. One size fits

all just doesn't work in real life. Once you figure out a way with

your child, the next one comes along and teaches you about diversity.

 

I chose unassisted birth because I have yet to meet anyone who agrees

with me on health issues other than my dh who is remotely close to me.

I did consider having one of my sisters come to my house to watch my

children, but I found that I just shut down at the thought. I knew

that I needed to be free to go from my bed to my hot tub to the

bathroom all without worrying about trifles like clothing. I ended up

having my girls spend the night at their aunts house and they loved

the treat of playing with cousins all New Year's Eve.

 

In choosing unassisted (or as I like to think of it-- unencumbered)

childbirth I had to go through all the " what if " scenarios in my mind,

then research and prepare for each, figuring out positions and herbs.

Honestly, most problems in pregnancy are caused by poor diet, so if

you have that down you are 99% there. I would also look up

positioning and learning to tell about your own baby's position

(coming from someone who just labored and delivered a transverse

baby.) Google spinning babies for that.

 

The only thing I would absolutely do differently is to educate my dh

better. He was taking his cues from me, but I didn't want to have to

tell him when I was in transition that I needed Cal-Calm tea. If he

had known about calcium's properties he could have suggested it.

Anyway, it is a nitpicky thing, and probably something that you won't

have to deal with as much, as your guy might just know a wee bit about

herbs. ;-)

 

The only preparation I did for labor and birth was to refill our hot

tub and make sure it was 101 degrees weeks before the birth, so it

would be ready when the time was right. Oh, and making sure I had

shepard's purse tincture on hand. I already had other herbs I needed

as a general rule of thumb.

 

We opted for lotus birth, so we didn't need anything to clamp cords

(and by the way I am now TOTALLY sold on lotus birth!) just organic

cotton diapers to wrap the placenta in. We dressed Gareth in baby

bags for the first three and a half days until the cord severed

itself, and just put the diaper wrapped placenta in the bottom of the

baby bag. It was a very stress free pregnancy, and other than the

length of transition, it was a great birth. I did have to get

stitches for tearing, as he came FAST when he came, but so is life.

If there is anything I could do to prevent tearing next time, or heal

these tears faster, I would love to know it.

Ramona

 

Quoting Organic Solutions <organicsolutions:

 

> I will look into that book. I have not had very much success in

> getting useful, positive information from books.

> I have been working off of my innate mothering senses and this has been

> working wonderfully for me!

> Thank you for the advice!

>

> Kelly

>

 

 

" Live in faith, not fear. "

[Guest guest]

I second Susan Weed. That is a wonderful book. Birth Without Fear by

Grantly Dick-Reed is great too. I have others but I just loaned out

the best of my library to a friend who just got pregnant. I do have

to say that most of the alternative birthing books are very

midwife-centric. It started to irk me because some of them took the

vein " your midwife will do this... " just as the What to Expect books

do with doctors. If you are going unassisted you can always sub in

the word " you " or " dh. " Active Birth deals with some good position

stuff. I preferred the books with nitty-gritty in case of emergency

stuff myself.

Ramona

 

Quoting Organic Solutions <organicsolutions:

 

> Hi Lori,

> I could have guessed that since we are on an alternative health list

> that you would be referring the alternative books but.....

> The books I have were given to me by friends who were semi-alternative

> and those books just turned me off completely!

> The main one I am referring to is " What to Expect while You're

> Expecting " and " What to Expect in the first Year " . These were not fun

> ones to read!

> I just stuck to my instincts and Zea and I have been doing great! I

> even had a Doula at my midwife give me false information on how to

> initiate breastfeeding.

> I had to use instincts on that one as well. I had heard about the Wise

> Women Herbal...Glad to hear it recommended. Did you have a Midwife with

> you for your home births?

>

> Kelly

>

> Lori Smith wrote:

>>

>> I guess I wasn't very clear!! I agree with you that if you take out

>> the conventional books on pregnancy and childbirth that you will

>> find them negative and not always in the mother's or baby's best

>> interest! I read alternative books on pregnancy and childbirth such

>> as " Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year " , By Susun Weed.

>> All of the books that I read would not have been suggested reading

>> by the conventional OB's! The library I went to had quite a few of

>> these " off the beaten path " kind of books and I found them so

>> useful! One was on natural childbirth with midwives in a home

>> setting (and I cannot remember the author), My last child was

>> almost 17 years ago and so I cannot remember all the books I did

>> read, though I know I read Susun Weed's (it can be a bit too pagan

>> for me, but I just ignored these parts), and I think I may have a

>> read a book by Rosemary Gladstar. Anyway, I was not meaning to

>> suggest that you read books that go by the conventional wisdom of

>> " doctor knows best " ! Since I was having home births that is the

>> last kind of " wisdom " I wanted!!!!

>> Sorry I was not more concise; I guess I just assumed (I know~ never

>> assume anything!) that the readers on here, and especially you,

>> would realize that I meant alternative health-style pregnancy

>> books. Sometimes I do wish I had kept a diary of what books I did

>> read and what I found most beneficial.

>> Back when I was having my home births (1983-1992) I was " on my own "

>> so to speak as I only knew one other homebirth mom and she had

>> used a midwife. I was hoofing it on my own and did not have the

>> support system of the internet. It would have been so much more

>> easier today!

>> Lori

>> Schooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> ------

>>

>> herbal remedies

>> organicsolutions

>> Tue, 3 Feb 2009 13:20:10 -0500

>> Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

>>

>>

>> Hi Lori! Thanks for the advice. I have found in reading Baby books

>> that they are loaded full of negative information.

>> For this reason I have refrained from reading baby books at all. I

>> don't think that reading all of the possible things that could go

>> wrong is helpful. The only book I have found to be truly positive

>> and to have workable information and solutions is

>> called 'Every Womens Book' by Paavo Airola. This book has been great.

>>

>> Does anyone have any recommendations on what books would be really

>> helpful and positive?

>>

>> Kelly

>>

>> Lori Smith wrote:

>>

>> Yes, READ, READ, and READ some more!!!!!!! I would reread ALL

>> books from the library on natural birth, home birth, and anything

>> to do with birth!

>> This helped to prepare me as I was getting myself psyched up to

>> have a baby, educating myself on what I needed to do, and relating

>> to those who

>> had already given birth, too. I did not have the internet as my

>> last child was born in 1992. There are a lot of homebirth support

>> groups out there (both for

>> assisted and unassisted), and this would help, too.

>> You definitely need to prepare yourself mentally for having a baby

>> and the rereading of all books and all new books on birth helped

>> me tremendously. My library

>> was fantastic and would order new books on birth when they came

>> available as they thought of me! (lol) I was a regular (weekly)

>> visitor to the library, and being it

>> was a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I had the advantage

>> of being well-known at this library. I have since moved away from

>> my small town (which is no longer

>> a small town, but a city), and I so appreciate all the special

>> care these librarians did for me.

>> Educate yourself on all you need to know (as described in an

>> earlier post by another woman) and then relax and enjoy any future

>> pregnancies! When I was having babies, I

>> would find out I was pregnant and I would live my life as I'd been

>> living it~in our own unique natural rhythm, then a few weeks

>> before baby was due (6 weeks~) take my herbs, buy what I might

>> need, have items needed for actual birth ready on hand (a new

>> shower liner~we'd put the old one on bed with old sheets on top so

>> that the bed was protected during birth and put the new one up),

>> and then when I went into labor we were ready for the BIG EVENT.

>> Afterwards, the baby would lay in my arms until all cord blood was

>> in baby, cord would be cut, I sat on a bucket to deliver

>> afterbirth (this was just easier and less messy!), and my husband

>> would then bury the afterbirth in the woods near our apartment. My

>> aunt always helped out and she'd clean up the baby while I

>> showered and got dressed, then I would eat (I'd be starved!!!),

>> and we'd settle down to our routine of living life. If baby born

>> at night, then other kids would see baby when they woke up; if

>> during day (3 were born at night, 3 day), then kids would come see

>> baby after I showered. I was not into the whole family birth

>> thing, but you may feel differently.

>> When my 5th child was born, at 1pm on the Labor Day holiday

>> (Monday) back in 1987, I was at my brother's house a 1/2 mile away

>> by 4:30pm for a family gathering with all 5 kids in tow! It is the

>> one time I did not bring a dish to share! We were having a

>> potluck and the baby was passed around and oohed and ahhhed over

>> and about 8:30pm my husband brought us home as I was tired and

>> ready for bed. I had people tell me I was crazy, but why? I was

>> able to share our new child, sit with my feet propped up, eat a

>> nice potluck meal, watch everyone play and have fun, and I was

>> able to visit with family. It was awesome! I'd had a baby, not a

>> disease! And I was only 1/2 mile from home. I have no regrets and

>> am so glad I did not let anyone deter me from going (they tried!).

>> Having babies at home is a natural and good thing. The majority of

>> women are fully capable of birthing at home. Relax, plan, educate

>> yourself, and enjoy your life. You make your own choices for

>> yourself and then you will be happy.

>> Lori

>>

>> Schooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John

>> Taylor Gatto

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> ------

>>

>> herbal remedies

>> organicsolutions

>> Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:02:54 -0500

>> Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

>>

>>

>> I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!! I had a wonderful

>> birthing center and I walked around right up until she dropped

>> down and gave birth in the squatting position.

>> It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress

>> to the baby. I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had

>> made a firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would

>> not compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having

>> my next baby at home and will definitely be researching up on

>> this. Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how

>> to be

>> prepared for a home birth??? Kelly

>>

>> jarusso7 <jarusso7 wrote:

>>

>>

>>

>> I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that I

>> had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying

>> experiences that I have ever endured. I have no idea why I

>> did it 5 times before I decided to try something else. The

>> one (so far) home birth that I have had was down right

>> pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed, *cooperating*

>> with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a huge

>> difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal

>> compared to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile

>> hospital bed. It was more discomfort than actual pain.

>> There's a lot to be said for being truly prepared in every sense.

>> Anella

>> -------------- Original message --------------

>> " Ieneke van Houten " <ienvan

>>

>> I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way

>> for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful

>> experience while in labor.

>> Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky ones out there. My

>> experience is that they don't call it labor for nothing.

>> It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well

>> hurts.

>> Ien in the Kootenays

>> http://freegreenliving.com <http://freegreenliving.com/>

>> (blog)

>>

>>

>>

>> ------

>> Windows Live™ Hotmail®…more than just e-mail. See how it works.

>>

>>

<http://windowslive.com/howitworks?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t2_hm_justgotbetter_howitwo\

rks_012009>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> ------

>> Windows Live™ Hotmail®:…more than just e-mail. Check it out.

>>

<http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t2_hm_justgotbetter_explore_01\

2009>

 

 

 

" Live in faith, not fear. "

[Guest guest]

Ramona,

 

 

What books do you recommend for taking on your own pregnancy, labor and birth?

 

 

 

Ramona <ramona

herbal remedies

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 4:30 pm

Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

 

 

I think using your gut is the best way there is. There is so much

that contradicts everything out there. I think I have broken every

rule of motherhood there is, and my children have still survived.

Each child is different and will have different needs. One size fits

all just doesn't work in real life. Once you figure out a way with

your child, the next one comes along and teaches you about diversity.

 

I chose unassisted birth because I have yet to meet anyone who agrees

with me on health issues other than my dh who is remotely close to me.

I did consider having one of my sisters come to my house to watch my

children, but I found that I just shut down at the thought. I knew

that I needed to be free to go from my bed to my hot tub to the

bathroom all witho

ut worrying about trifles like clothing. I ended up

having my girls spend the night at their aunts house and they loved

the treat of playing with cousins all New Year's Eve.

 

In choosing unassisted (or as I like to think of it-- unencumbered)

childbirth I had to go through all the "what if" scenarios in my mind,

then research and prepare for each, figuring out positions and herbs.

Honestly, most problems in pregnancy are caused by poor diet, so if

you have that down you are 99% there. I would also look up

positioning and learning to tell about your own baby's position

(coming from someone who just labored and delivered a transverse

baby.) Google spinning babies for that.

 

The only thing I would absolutely do differently is to educate my dh

better. He was taking his cues from me, but I didn't want to have to

tell him when I was in transition that I needed Cal-Calm tea. If he

had known about calcium's properties he could have suggested it.

Anyway, it is a nitpicky thing, and probably something that you won't

have to deal with as much, as your guy might just know a wee bit about

herbs. ;-)

 

The only preparation I did for labor and birth was to refill our hot

tub and make sure it was 101 degrees weeks before the birth, so it

would be ready when the time was right. Oh, and making sure I had

shepard's purse tincture on hand. I already had other herbs I needed

as a general rule of thumb.

 

We opted for lotus birth, so we didn't need anything to clamp cords

(and by the way I am now TOTALLY sold on lotus birth!) just organic

cotton diapers to wrap the placenta in. We dressed Gareth in baby

bags for the first three and a half days until the cord severed

itself, and just put the diaper wrapped placenta in the bottom of the

baby bag. It was a very stress free pregnancy, and other than the

length of transition, it was a great birth. I did have to get

stitches for tearing, as he came FAST when he came, but so is life.

If there is anything I could do to prevent tearing next time, or heal

these tears faster, I would love to know it.

Ramona

 

Quoting Organic Solutions <organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net>:

 

> I will look into that book. I have not had very much success in

> getting useful, positive information from books.

> I have been working off of my innate mothering senses and this has been

> working wonderfully for me!

> Thank you for the advice!

>

> Kelly

>

 

"Live in faith, not fear."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carnations mean admiration, Tulips mean love - what do Roses mean? Find out now!

[Guest guest]

I agree, Ramona, that most alternative books also deal with others being there to assist you and give them all the "power" and decisions. But as you said, you know you are going unassisted so you just take the information in for yourself. I remember some of the books I had read did deal with the "what can go wrong and what to do" scenarios. It has just been too many years and I can't remember all the books I did read. I had read Grantly Dick-Reed's book, also "Thank You, Dr. Lamaze", though the Lamaze method as it is trained did not work for me. I found the breathing and focusing techniques that worked best for me based on my own comfort level.

In reality, I really hate the term "unassisted" since I did have assistance in the form of my husband and my aunt. I understand the broad term to be "no medical", but it sounds as if a women births alone with no one else there for help, assistance, or support. I know some women feel comfortable with this choice to truly go alone, I did not and I wanted my husband there. However, I did not want anyone I really did not know, which means I was not interested in a midwife. I could not see paying someone to "care" when I already had people who cared and I felt I knew what needed done in all cases.

To be fair, we did have a few things that I had to keep my head on that happened. With the first birth at home my afterbirth just would not be born. For this birth we had the friend who had birthed at home help us and she knew a midwife who lived in the area who came right over. She pulled on cord and I pushed (I was standing and stooped at knees) and everything came right out (she also had my husband at the phone in case of hemorrhage, but the problem? A too large placenta that caused a vacuum~so it just needed some help in coming out. This midwife had delivered over 100 babies and she said that was the largest placenta she had ever seen in her life! It was about 3x's larger than normal. It came out and I got a shower and all was well. I had suggested doing this exact procedure (that midwife did) but the woman with us was not comfortable with doing this as she was afraid in case I began to bleed. This woman was a wonderful help and a lovely person, but way too nervous and way too conservative in her actions so we got my aunt to help with all the other births (and she wanted to be there~my aunt did have some EMT training).

The other thing with this first birth was my son's head was HUGE! He tore me quite severely when his head was coming out and I could feel the tearing and it was not fun!!!! It was a deep tear and would have definitely been stitched up had I gone to the doctor's to have this done, but instead I just kept the area clean, slathered on petroleum jelly prior to each urination (burned like & ^%$ if I didn't!) and also poured warm water over the area as I was urinating. Within 6 weeks if was totally healed up, never any sign of infection, and never tore again with any subsequent births. This "boy" is now 25 years old, still has a HUGE head, is 6'3" tall, and weighs around 200 pounds. I would not want to birth another head like his! I also was NOT going to go to the doctor to get stitched, be charged an exorbitant price, have a gazillion questions asked of me (though I had a pretty cool doc at the time who had home birthed 3 of his own sons after his wife had the first one on the kitchen floor since she came so fast!), but we were broke and I knew I could take care of this myself. Not only did I never tear again (superficial tears like paper cuts which were all healed up within a day with other kids, even some mush heavier than this boy!), you cannot even see a scar from it. The body has some amazing abilities.

With the next child, my husband noticed as she was crowning that her color was turning blue and he told me to get her out NOW~ so I got up on all 4's and pushed hard and she came out quickly (no eased out birth with this one!), she was not breathing and the cord was severed about 3" up from her belly button. My husband held her upside down and I smacked her feet hard twice to get her to breathe and to continue to breathe as she was "shocked" by the loss of contact with the cord right before birth. Her cord was only about 12" long and it tore when she was almost out of the birth canal as it wasn't long enough. This daughter is now 23 years old and has always been fine. She has always been a hearty and healthy baby, and things could have gone wrong~had we not kept our heads. I knew when I saw the cord what had happened (my first birth in the hospital had noted that with my 2nd child, also a daughter, that the cord was unusually short) and so I figured this was a too short cord and I needed her out. One push and she was out! Once smacked a couple of times she screamed bloody murder and she's never shut up since! (lol) She is our loudest voiced "child" (she is 23).

Then the third home birthed baby came along and things went smooth as silk (this is the one where we went to a picnic when she was about 3 1/2 hours old). And we had no problems with any of the others, except my 5th homebirth came two weeks early and my water was broken for a few days before she actually decided to come into the world. My water broke around 2:15 am on a Fri night and I didn't go into labor until Sunday afternoon and she wasn't born until monday morning at 8:20 am. I had my longest labor with her (19 ours), though only about 6 hours of that was what one could consider "hard". I had taken herbs with her~but had bought a combo herbal from a reputable company (instead of buying all herbs separately) and I had taken them according to the bottle directions. What a No-No for me! With the next and final birth I took them MY way and had this baby in 6 hours and 37 minutes! Big difference. My pains do not regulate (didn't with all 8 kids) and so I do not fit the typical birthing mom who does things by the book. My pains went from 20 minutes apart to 5 minutes apart to 3 minutes apart to 10 minutes apart to 3 minutes apart to 20 minutes apart...you get the drift...they were crazy and not on schedule like other women's "should be". Even when I had my 2 hospital births the nurses were perplexed by why my pains were not normal. It is just how I labor.

With each birth I stayed calm, stayed in control, and made choices that best fit each situation. I was focused on delivering a healthy baby and I was not going to let small details get in the way of this happening. Others might not see some of these things as "small details", but to me, they were just things to work around. I am not one who panics or wrings her hands. I do what needs done and then if the occasion calls for it I might fall apart and cry a minute to get the adrenaline rush out (never happened with any of the homebirths), but I keep a clear head when things get hectic.

Even with the placenta that wouldn't come out on its own, I'd have taken care of this myself too, had not the woman helping us been so insistent on calling in her friend. To appease her, I acquiesced. It was not that big of a deal to me. we offered to pay the midwife who came (she lived within 1/2 mile of us and we never knew it!), but she refused. I never saw this woman again in my life. About 3 years ago I was thinking about her and I wanted to contact her and tell her thanks for being there when we needed her. I contacted the midwife association she had worked for (only one in central Ohio) and the woman there gave me her number and address. I never got hold of her. I began to attend a new church about 3 1/2 years ago and we loved it and stayed. I became friends with more and more people and one young woman home birthed her two kids. We got to talking and sharing and I told her about wanting to find this midwife who had been so helpful to us and so gracious. this friend asked her name and then said she attended church with us! The address I had for her was in a city about 1 1/2 hours away! She had moved into this area and had been going to church where I attended for about 3 months! After almost 25 years we both had changed and we neither one would have recognized the other (of course she had seen me naked and in a bed at age 23 after just delivering a baby!!!) and I was overwhelmed with thanks to her for her wonderful help. She told me she does not know why she came because they are taught not to go to a birth like that (unassisted where they've had no input) because of the liability! Mine was the only "aberration" in her career! I told her God had sent her to me~and I believe this wholeheartedly.

This is so long, but I am trying to convey that even those things that can go wrong do not have to become catastrophes if you keep calm and make wise choices. Do I regret not having a midwife? No. Do I regret not going and getting stitches? No. Do I regret anything? No! My only regret, as I have stated in the past, is that I did not homebirth all 8 kids.

Also, I knew I could have drank Black Cohosh tea while in labor. I knew of other things I could have done, but I did the things I wanted to do and made those choices based on my own wants and desires. Each child was born, suckled, and grew up to become healthy and intelligent people who I love dearly and am very proud of~including the two who were born in the hospital. I have bad memories of the hospital births, but I have good memories of the home births. I was hurting with all of them (sorry! but birthing HURTS! At least for me!!!), but I never screamed or carried on or acted silly. I stayed focused and on task and was determined to bring a live and healthy baby into this world. I was also lucky that all came head first and all came out smooth (except the one who tore me~and he was still born fairly smooth). I always prayed after him that I wouldn't have anymore big-headed boys and I ended up with five girls!!!! (lol)

I am a huge home birth proponent and am always proud of those who choose this route. We are like the Marines~the few and the proud.

 

Lori

 

Schooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

herbal remedies From: ramonaDate: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 15:50:35 -0600Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

I second Susan Weed. That is a wonderful book. Birth Without Fear by Grantly Dick-Reed is great too. I have others but I just loaned out the best of my library to a friend who just got pregnant. I do have to say that most of the alternative birthing books are very midwife-centric. It started to irk me because some of them took the vein "your midwife will do this..." just as the What to Expect books do with doctors. If you are going unassisted you can always sub in the word "you" or "dh." Active Birth deals with some good position stuff. I preferred the books with nitty-gritty in case of emergency stuff myself.RamonaQuoting Organic Solutions <organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net>:> Hi Lori,> I could have guessed that since we are on an alternative health list> that you would be referring the alternative books but.....> The books I have were given to me by friends who were semi-alternative> and those books just turned me off completely!> The main one I am referring to is "What to Expect while You're> Expecting" and "What to Expect in the first Year". These were not fun> ones to read!> I just stuck to my instincts and Zea and I have been doing great! I> even had a Doula at my midwife give me false information on how to> initiate breastfeeding.> I had to use instincts on that one as well. I had heard about the Wise> Women Herbal...Glad to hear it recommended. Did you have a Midwife with> you for your home births?>> Kelly>> Lori Smith wrote:>>>> I guess I wasn't very clear!! I agree with you that if you take out >> the conventional books on pregnancy and childbirth that you will >> find them negative and not always in the mother's or baby's best >> interest! I read alternative books on pregnancy and childbirth such >> as "Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year", By Susun Weed. >> All of the books that I read would not have been suggested reading >> by the conventional OB's! The library I went to had quite a few of >> these "off the beaten path" kind of books and I found them so >> useful! One was on natural childbirth with midwives in a home >> setting (and I cannot remember the author), My last child was >> almost 17 years ago and so I cannot remember all the books I did >> read, though I know I read Susun Weed's (it can be a bit too pagan >> for me, but I just ignored these parts), and I think I may have a >> read a book by Rosemary Gladstar. Anyway, I was not meaning to >> suggest that you read books that go by the conventional wisdom of >> "doctor knows best"! Since I was having home births that is the >> last kind of "wisdom" I wanted!!!!>> Sorry I was not more concise; I guess I just assumed (I know~ never >> assume anything!) that the readers on here, and especially you, >> would realize that I meant alternative health-style pregnancy >> books. Sometimes I do wish I had kept a diary of what books I did >> read and what I found most beneficial.>> Back when I was having my home births (1983-1992) I was "on my own" >> so to speak as I only knew one other homebirth mom and she had >> used a midwife. I was hoofing it on my own and did not have the >> support system of the internet. It would have been so much more >> easier today!>> Lori>> Schooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------->>>> herbal remedies >> organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net>> Tue, 3 Feb 2009 13:20:10 -0500>> Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies>>>>>> Hi Lori! Thanks for the advice. I have found in reading Baby books >> that they are loaded full of negative information.>> For this reason I have refrained from reading baby books at all. I >> don't think that reading all of the possible things that could go >> wrong is helpful. The only book I have found to be truly positive >> and to have workable information and solutions is>> called 'Every Womens Book' by Paavo Airola. This book has been great.>>>> Does anyone have any recommendations on what books would be really >> helpful and positive?>>>> Kelly>>>> Lori Smith wrote:>>>> Yes, READ, READ, and READ some more!!!!!!! I would reread ALL>> books from the library on natural birth, home birth, and anything>> to do with birth!>> This helped to prepare me as I was getting myself psyched up to>> have a baby, educating myself on what I needed to do, and relating>> to those who>> had already given birth, too. I did not have the internet as my>> last child was born in 1992. There are a lot of homebirth support>> groups out there (both for>> assisted and unassisted), and this would help, too.>> You definitely need to prepare yourself mentally for having a baby>> and the rereading of all books and all new books on birth helped>> me tremendously. My library>> was fantastic and would order new books on birth when they came>> available as they thought of me! (lol) I was a regular (weekly)>> visitor to the library, and being it>> was a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I had the advantage>> of being well-known at this library. I have since moved away from>> my small town (which is no longer>> a small town, but a city), and I so appreciate all the special>> care these librarians did for me.>> Educate yourself on all you need to know (as described in an>> earlier post by another woman) and then relax and enjoy any future>> pregnancies! When I was having babies, I>> would find out I was pregnant and I would live my life as I'd been>> living it~in our own unique natural rhythm, then a few weeks>> before baby was due (6 weeks~) take my herbs, buy what I might>> need, have items needed for actual birth ready on hand (a new>> shower liner~we'd put the old one on bed with old sheets on top so>> that the bed was protected during birth and put the new one up),>> and then when I went into labor we were ready for the BIG EVENT. >> Afterwards, the baby would lay in my arms until all cord blood was>> in baby, cord would be cut, I sat on a bucket to deliver>> afterbirth (this was just easier and less messy!), and my husband>> would then bury the afterbirth in the woods near our apartment. My>> aunt always helped out and she'd clean up the baby while I>> showered and got dressed, then I would eat (I'd be starved!!!),>> and we'd settle down to our routine of living life. If baby born>> at night, then other kids would see baby when they woke up; if>> during day (3 were born at night, 3 day), then kids would come see>> baby after I showered. I was not into the whole family birth>> thing, but you may feel differently.>> When my 5th child was born, at 1pm on the Labor Day holiday>> (Monday) back in 1987, I was at my brother's house a 1/2 mile away>> by 4:30pm for a family gathering with all 5 kids in tow! It is the>> one time I did not bring a dish to share! We were having a>> potluck and the baby was passed around and oohed and ahhhed over>> and about 8:30pm my husband brought us home as I was tired and>> ready for bed. I had people tell me I was crazy, but why? I was>> able to share our new child, sit with my feet propped up, eat a>> nice potluck meal, watch everyone play and have fun, and I was>> able to visit with family. It was awesome! I'd had a baby, not a>> disease! And I was only 1/2 mile from home. I have no regrets and>> am so glad I did not let anyone deter me from going (they tried!).>> Having babies at home is a natural and good thing. The majority of>> women are fully capable of birthing at home. Relax, plan, educate>> yourself, and enjoy your life. You make your own choices for>> yourself and then you will be happy.>> Lori>>>> Schooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John>> Taylor Gatto>>>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------->>>> herbal remedies >> organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net>> Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:02:54 -0500>> Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies>>>>>> I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!! I had a wonderful>> birthing center and I walked around right up until she dropped>> down and gave birth in the squatting position.>> It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress>> to the baby. I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had>> made a firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would>> not compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having>> my next baby at home and will definitely be researching up on >> this. Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how >> to be>> prepared for a home birth??? Kelly>>>> jarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net <jarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote:>>>>>>>> I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that I>> had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying>> experiences that I have ever endured. I have no idea why I>> did it 5 times before I decided to try something else. The>> one (so far) home birth that I have had was down right>> pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed, *cooperating*>> with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a huge>> difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal>> compared to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile>> hospital bed. It was more discomfort than actual pain. >> There's a lot to be said for being truly prepared in every sense.>> Anella>> -------------- Original message -------------->> "Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>>>>> I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way>> for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful>> experience while in labor. >> Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky ones out there. My>> experience is that they don't call it labor for nothing.>> It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well>> hurts.>> Ien in the Kootenays>> http://freegreenliving.com <http://freegreenliving.com/>>> (blog)>>>>>>>> ------------------------->> Windows Live™ Hotmail®…more than just e-mail. See how it works.>> >> <http://windowslive.com/howitworks?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t2_hm_justgotbetter_howitworks_012009>>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------->> Windows Live™ Hotmail®:…more than just e-mail. Check it out. >> <http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t2_hm_justgotbetter_explore_012009>"Live in faith, not fear." Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. See how it works.

[Guest guest]

is dmso safe to take inteneral

art--- On Tue, 2/3/09, Organic Solutions <organicsolutions wrote:

Organic Solutions <organicsolutionsRe: {Herbal Remedies} Babiesherbal remedies Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 3:10 PM

 

 

Hi Lori,I could have guessed that since we are on an alternative health list that you would be referring the alternative books but.....The books I have were given to me by friends who were semi-alternative and those books just turned me off completely!The main one I am referring to is "What to Expect while You're Expecting" and "What to Expect in the first Year". These were not fun ones to read!I just stuck to my instincts and Zea and I have been doing great! I even had a Doula at my midwife give me false information on how to initiate breastfeeding.I had to use instincts on that one as well. I had heard about the Wise Women Herbal...Glad to hear it recommended. Did you have a Midwife with you for your home births?KellyLori Smith wrote:

 

I guess I wasn't very clear!! I agree with you that if you take out the conventional books on pregnancy and childbirth that you will find them negative and not always in the mother's or baby's best interest! I read alternative books on pregnancy and childbirth such as "Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year", By Susun Weed. All of the books that I read would not have been suggested reading by the conventional OB's! The library I went to had quite a few of these "off the beaten path" kind of books and I found them so useful! One was on natural childbirth with midwives in a home setting (and I cannot remember the author), My last child was almost 17 years ago and so I cannot remember all the books I did read, though I know I read Susun Weed's (it can be a bit too pagan for me, but I just ignored these parts), and I think I may have a read a book by Rosemary Gladstar. Anyway, I was not meaning to suggest that you

read books that go by the conventional wisdom of "doctor knows best"! Since I was having home births that is the last kind of "wisdom" I wanted!!!!Sorry I was not more concise; I guess I just assumed (I know~ never assume anything!) that the readers on here, and especially you, would realize that I meant alternative health-style pregnancy books. Sometimes I do wish I had kept a diary of what books I did read and what I found most beneficial.Back when I was having my home births (1983-1992) I was "on my own" so to speak as I only knew one other homebirth mom and she had used a midwife. I was hoofing it on my own and did not have the support system of the internet. It would have been so much more easier today! Lori Schooling is not

education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

herbal remediesorganicsolutions@ cabletvonline. netTue, 3 Feb 2009 13:20:10 -0500Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

Hi Lori! Thanks for the advice. I have found in reading Baby books that they are loaded full of negative information.For this reason I have refrained from reading baby books at all. I don't think that reading all of the possible things that could go wrong is helpful. The only book I have found to be truly positive and to have workable information and solutions is called 'Every Womens Book' by Paavo Airola. This book has been great.Does anyone have any recommendations on what books would be really helpful and positive?KellyLori Smith wrote:

 

Yes, READ, READ, and READ some more!!!!!!! I would reread ALL books from the library on natural birth, home birth, and anything to do with birth!This helped to prepare me as I was getting myself psyched up to have a baby, educating myself on what I needed to do, and relating to those whohad already given birth, too. I did not have the internet as my last child was born in 1992. There are a lot of homebirth support groups out there (both forassisted and unassisted), and this would help, too. You definitely need to prepare yourself mentally for having a baby and the rereading of all books and all new books on birth helped me tremendously. My librarywas fantastic and would order new books on birth when they came available as they thought of me! (lol) I was a regular (weekly) visitor to the library, and being itwas a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I had the advantage of being well-known at this library. I

have since moved away from my small town (which is no longera small town, but a city), and I so appreciate all the special care these librarians did for me. Educate yourself on all you need to know (as described in an earlier post by another woman) and then relax and enjoy any future pregnancies! When I was having babies, I would find out I was pregnant and I would live my life as I'd been living it~in our own unique natural rhythm, then a few weeks before baby was due (6 weeks~) take my herbs, buy what I might need, have items needed for actual birth ready on hand (a new shower liner~we'd put the old one on bed with old sheets on top so that the bed was protected during birth and put the new one up), and then when I went into labor we were ready for the BIG EVENT. Afterwards, the baby would lay in my arms until all cord blood was in baby, cord would be cut, I sat on a bucket to deliver afterbirth (this was just

easier and less messy!), and my husband would then bury the afterbirth in the woods near our apartment. My aunt always helped out and she'd clean up the baby while I showered and got dressed, then I would eat (I'd be starved!!!), and we'd settle down to our routine of living life. If baby born at night, then other kids would see baby when they woke up; if during day (3 were born at night, 3 day), then kids would come see baby after I showered. I was not into the whole family birth thing, but you may feel differently. When my 5th child was born, at 1pm on the Labor Day holiday (Monday) back in 1987, I was at my brother's house a 1/2 mile away by 4:30pm for a family gathering with all 5 kids in tow! It is the one time I did not bring a dish to share! We were having a potluck and the baby was passed around and oohed and ahhhed over and about 8:30pm my husband brought us home as I was tired and ready for bed. I had people tell me I

was crazy, but why? I was able to share our new child, sit with my feet propped up, eat a nice potluck meal, watch everyone play and have fun, and I was able to visit with family. It was awesome! I'd had a baby, not a disease! And I was only 1/2 mile from home. I have no regrets and am so glad I did not let anyone deter me from going (they tried!). Having babies at home is a natural and good thing. The majority of women are fully capable of birthing at home. Relax, plan, educate yourself, and enjoy your life. You make your own choices for yourself and then you will be happy. LoriSchooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

herbal remediesorganicsolutions@ cabletvonline. netThu, 29 Jan 2009 14:02:54 -0500Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!! I had a wonderful birthing center and I walked around right up until she dropped down and gave birth in the squatting position. It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress to the baby. I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had made a firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would not compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having my next baby at home and will definitely be researching up on this. Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be prepared for a home birth??? Kellyjarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net wrote:

 

I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that I had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences that I have ever endured. I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I decided to try something else. The one (so far) home birth that I have had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed, *cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a huge difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed. It was more discomfort than actual pain. There's a lot to be said for being truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

------------ -- Original message ------------ -- "Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while in labor.

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor for nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenayshttp://freegreenliv ing.com (blog)

 

Windows Live™ Hotmail®…more than just e-mail. See how it works.

 

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[Guest guest]

It seems as though I need to get my hands on some of these good

alternative books!

Thank you ☺

 

Lori Smith wrote:

 

 

Glad you did know that I meant alternative. I do not like the

books you listed either as they are too conventional! My daughter was

given these books by the hospital.

 

I had unassisted births, by choice. My husband and an aunt helped me

have 6 of our 8 kids at home (first two were in hospital).

 

Because I was homebirthing and because I had no support group, reading

of books helpe dme to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Thes ebooks became my "support group" as they just helped me to get

psyched up to have babies! I began to read them around the 5th month

with each child. I am an avid and fast reader who retains what I read.

 

Good for you in sticking with your instincts!!! I had a daughter-in-law

and a daughter given the wrong instructions for breast-feeding in the

hospital and I helped both of them. It is amazing how the conventional

"wisdom" almost guarantees to make women not want to nurse!

 

So glad Zea is doing great~she is a healthy and happy looking baby!

 

 

Lori

 

Schooling is not education, and

education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

 

 

 

 

herbal remedies

organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 15:10:07 -0500

Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

 

Hi Lori,

I could have guessed that since we are on an alternative health list

that you would be referring the alternative books but.....

The books I have were given to me by friends who were semi-alternative

and those books just turned me off completely!

The main one I am referring to is "What to Expect while You're

Expecting" and "What to Expect in the first Year". These were not fun

ones to read!

I just stuck to my instincts and Zea and I have been doing great! I

even had a Doula at my midwife give me false information on how to

initiate breastfeeding.

I had to use instincts on that one as well. 

 

I had heard about the Wise Women Herbal...Glad to hear it recommended. 

 

Did you have a Midwife with you for your home births?

 

Kelly

 

Lori Smith wrote:

 

 

I guess I wasn't very clear!! I agree with you that if you take

out the conventional books on pregnancy and childbirth that you will

find them negative and not always in the mother's or baby's best

interest! I read alternative books on pregnancy and childbirth such as

"Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year", By Susun Weed. All of

the books that I read would not have been suggested reading by the

conventional OB's! The library I went to had quite a few of these "off

the beaten path" kind of books and I found them so useful! One was on

natural childbirth with midwives in a home setting (and I cannot

remember the author),  My last child was

almost 17 years ago and so I cannot remember all the books I did read,

though I know I read Susun Weed's (it can be a bit too pagan for me,

but I just ignored these parts), and I think I may have a read a book

by Rosemary Gladstar. Anyway, I was not meaning to suggest that you

read books that go by the conventional wisdom of "doctor knows best"!

Since I was having home births that is the last kind of "wisdom" I

wanted!!!!

Sorry I was not more concise; I guess I just assumed (I know~

never assume anything!) that the readers on here, and especially you,

would realize that I meant alternative health-style pregnancy books.

Sometimes I do wish I had kept a diary of what books I did read and

what I found most beneficial.

Back when I was having my home births (1983-1992) I was "on

my own" so to speak as I only knew one other homebirth mom and she had

used a midwife. I was hoofing it on my own and did not have the support

system of the internet. It would have been so much more easier today!

 

Lori

 

 

Schooling is not education, and

education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

herbal remedies

organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 13:20:10 -0500

Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

 

Hi Lori!  Thanks for the advice. 

I have found in reading Baby books that they are loaded full of

negative information.

For this reason I have refrained from reading baby books at all. 

I don't think that reading all of the possible things that could go

wrong is helpful. 

The only book I have found to be truly positive and to have workable

information and solutions is

called 'Every Womens Book' by Paavo Airola.  This book has been great.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations on what books would be really

helpful and positive?

 

Kelly

 

Lori Smith wrote:

 

Yes, READ, READ, and READ some

more!!!!!!! I would reread ALL books from the library on natural birth,

home birth, and anything to do with birth!

This helped to prepare me as I was getting myself psyched up to have a

baby, educating myself on what I needed to do, and relating to those who

had already given birth, too. I did not have the internet as my last

child was born in 1992. There are a lot of homebirth support groups out

there (both for

assisted and unassisted), and this would help, too.

 

You definitely need to prepare yourself mentally for having a baby and

the rereading of all books and all new books on birth helped me

tremendously. My library

was fantastic and would order new books on birth when they came

available as they thought of me! (lol) I was a regular (weekly) visitor

to the library, and being it

was a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I had the advantage of

being well-known at this library. I have since moved away from my small

town (which is no longer

a small town, but a city), and I so appreciate all the special care

these librarians did for me.

 

Educate yourself on all you need to know (as described in an earlier

post by another woman) and then relax and enjoy any future pregnancies!

When I was having babies, I

would find out I was pregnant and I would live my life as I'd been

living it~in our own unique natural rhythm, then a few weeks before

baby was due (6 weeks~) take my herbs, buy what I might need, have

items needed for actual birth ready on hand (a new shower liner~we'd

put the old one on bed with old sheets on top so that the bed was

protected during birth and put the new one up), and then when I went

into labor we were ready for the BIG EVENT.

 

Afterwards, the baby would lay in my arms until all cord blood was in

baby, cord would be cut, I sat on a bucket to deliver afterbirth (this

was just easier and less messy!), and my husband would then bury the

afterbirth in the woods near our apartment. My aunt always helped out

and she'd clean up the baby while I showered and got dressed, then I

would eat (I'd be starved!!!), and we'd settle down to our routine of

living life. If baby born at night, then other kids would see baby when

they woke up; if during day (3 were born at night, 3 day), then kids

would come see baby after I showered. I was not into the whole family

birth thing, but you may feel differently.

 

When my 5th child was born, at 1pm on the Labor Day holiday (Monday)

back in 1987, I was at my brother's house a 1/2 mile away by 4:30pm for

a family gathering with all 5 kids in tow! It is the one time I did not

bring a dish to share! We were having a potluck and the baby was

passed around and oohed and ahhhed over and about 8:30pm my husband

brought us home as I was tired and ready for bed. I had people tell me

I was crazy, but why? I was able to share our new child, sit with my

feet propped up, eat a nice potluck meal, watch everyone play and have

fun, and I was able to visit with family. It was awesome! I'd had a

baby, not a disease! And I was only 1/2 mile from home. I have no

regrets and am so glad I did not let anyone deter me from going (they

tried!).

 

Having babies at home is a natural and good thing. The majority of

women are fully capable of birthing at home. Relax, plan, educate

yourself, and enjoy your life. You make your own choices for yourself

and then you will be happy.

 

Lori

 

Schooling is not

education, and education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

herbal remedies

organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:02:54 -0500

Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

 

I can't imagine giving birth on my

back!!!  I had a wonderful birthing center and I walked around right up

until she dropped down and gave birth in the squatting position.

It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no stress to

the baby.  I had been preparing myself mentally for it and had made a

firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I would not

compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about having my next

baby at home and will definitely be researching up on this. 

 

Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on how to be

prepared for a home birth??? 

 

Kelly

 

jarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net

wrote:

 

 

 

I have have delivered 6 babies.  The 5 hospital births

that I had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying experiences

that I have ever endured.  I have no idea why I did it 5 times before I

decided to try something else.  The one (so far) home birth that I have

had was down right pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed,

 *cooperating* with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a

huge difference.  I labored in water and the pain was minimal compared

to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile hospital bed.  It was

more discomfort than actual pain.  There's a lot to be said for being

truly prepared in every sense.

 

Anella

 

-------------- Original message --------------

 

"Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

 

I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way

for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful experience while

in labor. 

 

 

Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME

lucky ones out there. My experience is that they don't call it labor

for nothing. It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well

hurts.

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://freegreenliving.com

(blog)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

What a mouth full!!! Great stories.  Very Well done on all of your

successful home births. 

I am very confident that I will be able to handle what ever comes my

way as well☺

 

Kelly

 

Lori Smith wrote:

 

 

 I agree, Ramona, that most alternative books also deal with

others being there to assist you and give them all the "power" and

decisions. But as you said, you know you are going unassisted so you

just take the information in for yourself. I remember some of the books

I had read did deal with the "what can go wrong and what to do"

scenarios. It has just been too many years and I can't remember all the

books I did read. I had read Grantly Dick-Reed's book, also "Thank You,

Dr. Lamaze", though the Lamaze method as it is trained did not work for

me. I found the breathing and focusing techniques that worked best for

me based on my own comfort level.

In reality, I really hate the term "unassisted" since I did have

assistance in the form of my husband and my aunt. I understand the

broad term to be "no medical", but it sounds as if a women births alone

with no one else there for help, assistance, or support. I know some

women feel comfortable with this choice to truly go alone, I did not

and I wanted my husband there. However, I did not want anyone I really

did not know, which means I was not interested in a midwife. I could

not see paying someone to "care" when I already had people who cared

and I felt I knew what needed done in all cases.

To be fair, we did have a few things that I had to keep my head on that

happened. With the first birth at home my afterbirth just would not be

born. For this birth we had the friend who had birthed at home help us

and she knew a midwife who lived in the area who came right over. She

pulled on cord and I pushed (I was standing and stooped at knees) and

everything came right out (she also had my husband at the phone in case

of hemorrhage, but the problem? A too large placenta that caused a

vacuum~so it just needed some help in coming out. This midwife had

delivered over 100 babies and she said that was the largest placenta

she had ever seen in her life! It was about 3x's larger than normal. It

came out and I got a shower and all was well. I had suggested doing

this exact procedure (that midwife did) but the woman with us was not

comfortable with doing this as she was afraid in case I began to bleed.

This woman was a wonderful help and a lovely person, but way too

nervous and way too conservative in her actions so we got my aunt to

help with all the other births (and she wanted to be there~my aunt did

have some EMT training).

The other thing with this first birth was my son's head was HUGE! He

tore me quite severely when his head was coming out and I could feel

the tearing and it was not fun!!!! It was a deep tear and would have

definitely been stitched up had I gone to the doctor's to have this

done, but instead I just kept the area clean, slathered on petroleum

jelly prior to each urination (burned like & ^%$ if I didn't!) and

also poured warm water over the area as I was urinating. Within 6 weeks

if was totally healed up, never any sign of infection, and never tore

again with any subsequent births. This "boy" is now 25 years old, still

has a HUGE head, is 6'3" tall, and weighs around 200 pounds. I would

not want to birth another head like his! I also was NOT going to go to

the doctor to get stitched, be charged an exorbitant price, have a

gazillion questions asked of me (though I had a pretty cool doc at the

time who had home birthed 3 of his own sons after his wife had the

first one on the kitchen floor since she came so fast!), but we were

broke and I knew I could take care of this myself. Not only did I never

tear again (superficial tears like paper cuts which were all healed up

within a day with other kids, even some mush heavier than this boy!),

you cannot even see a scar from it. The body has some amazing abilities.

With the next child, my husband noticed as she was crowning that her

color was turning blue and he told me to get her out NOW~ so I got up

on all 4's and pushed hard and she came out quickly (no eased out birth

with this one!), she was not breathing and the cord was severed about

3" up from her belly button. My husband held her upside down and I

smacked her feet hard twice to get her to breathe and to continue to

breathe as she was "shocked" by the loss of contact with the cord right

before birth. Her cord was only about 12" long and it tore when she was

almost out of the birth canal as it wasn't long enough. This daughter

is now 23 years old and has always been fine. She has always been a

hearty and healthy baby, and things could have gone wrong~had we not

kept our heads. I knew when I saw the cord what had happened (my first

birth in the hospital had noted that with my 2nd child, also a

daughter, that the cord was unusually short) and so I figured this was

a too short cord and I needed her out. One push and she was out! Once

smacked a couple of times she screamed bloody murder and she's never

shut up since! (lol) She is our loudest voiced "child" (she is 23).

Then the third home birthed baby came along and things went smooth as

silk (this is the one where we went to a picnic when she was about 3

1/2 hours old). And we had no problems with any of the others, except

my 5th homebirth came two weeks early and my water was broken for a few

days before she actually decided to come into the world. My water broke

around 2:15 am on a Fri night and I didn't go into labor until Sunday

afternoon and she wasn't born until monday morning at 8:20 am. I had my

longest labor with her (19 ours), though only about 6 hours of that was

what one could consider "hard". I had taken herbs with her~but had

bought a combo herbal from a reputable company (instead of buying all

herbs separately) and I had taken them according to the bottle

directions. What a No-No for me! With the next and final birth I took

them MY way and had this baby in 6 hours and 37 minutes! Big

difference. My pains do not regulate (didn't with all 8 kids) and so I

do not fit the typical birthing mom who does things by the book. My

pains went from 20 minutes apart to 5 minutes apart to 3 minutes apart

to 10 minutes apart to 3 minutes apart to 20 minutes apart...you get

the drift...they were crazy and not on schedule like other women's

"should be". Even when I had my 2 hospital births the nurses were

perplexed by why my pains were not normal. It is just how I labor.

With each birth I stayed calm, stayed in control, and made choices that

best fit each situation. I was focused on delivering a healthy baby and

I was not going to let small details get in the way of this happening.

Others might not see some of these things as "small details", but to

me, they were just things to work around. I am not one who panics or

wrings her hands. I do what needs done and then if the occasion calls

for it I might fall apart and cry a minute to get the adrenaline rush

out (never happened with any of the homebirths), but I keep a clear

head when things get hectic.

Even with the placenta that wouldn't come out on its own, I'd have

taken care of this myself too, had not the woman helping us been so

insistent on calling in her friend. To appease her, I acquiesced. It

was not that big of a deal to me. we offered to pay the midwife who

came (she lived within 1/2 mile of us and we never knew it!), but she

refused. I never saw this woman again in my life. About 3 years ago I

was thinking about her and I wanted to contact her and tell her thanks

for being there when we needed her. I contacted the midwife association

she had worked for (only one in central Ohio) and the woman there gave

me her number and address. I never got hold of her. I began to attend a

new church about 3 1/2 years ago and we loved it and stayed. I became

friends with more and more people and one young woman home birthed her

two kids. We got to talking and sharing and I told her about wanting to

find this midwife who had been so helpful to us and so gracious. this

friend asked her name and then said she attended church with us! The

address I had for her was in a city about 1 1/2 hours away! She had

moved into this area and had been going to church where I attended for

about 3 months! After almost 25 years we both had changed and we

neither one would have recognized the other (of course she had seen me

naked and in a bed at age 23 after just delivering a baby!!!) and I was

overwhelmed with thanks to her for her wonderful help. She told me she

does not know why she came because they are taught not to go to a birth

like that (unassisted where they've had no input) because of the

liability! Mine was the only "aberration" in her career! I told her God

had sent her to me~and I believe this wholeheartedly.

This is so long, but I am trying to convey that even those things that

can go wrong do not have to become catastrophes if you keep calm and

make wise choices. Do I regret not having a midwife? No. Do I regret

not going and getting stitches? No. Do I regret anything? No! My only

regret, as I have stated in the past, is that I did not homebirth all 8

kids.

Also, I knew I could have drank Black Cohosh tea while in labor. I knew

of other things I could have done, but I did the things I wanted to do

and made those choices based on my own wants and desires. Each child

was born, suckled, and grew up to become healthy and intelligent people

who I love dearly and am very proud of~including the two who were born

in the hospital. I have bad memories of the hospital births, but I have

good memories of the home births. I was hurting with all of them

(sorry! but birthing HURTS! At least for me!!!), but I never screamed

or carried on or acted silly. I stayed focused and on task and was

determined to bring a live and healthy baby into this world. I was also

lucky that all came head first and all came out smooth (except the one

who tore me~and he was still born fairly smooth). I always prayed after

him that I wouldn't have anymore big-headed boys and I ended up with

five girls!!!! (lol)

I am a huge home birth proponent and am always proud of those who

choose this route. We are like the Marines~the few and the proud.

 

Lori

 

 

 

Schooling is not education, and

education is not schooling~John Taylor Gatto

 

 

 

 

 

 

herbal remedies

ramona (AT) rebarchik (DOT) org

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 15:50:35 -0600

Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

 

 

 

 

I second Susan Weed. That is a wonderful book.

Birth Without Fear by

Grantly Dick-Reed is great too. I have others but I just loaned out

the best of my library to a friend who just got pregnant. I do have

to say that most of the alternative birthing books are very

midwife-centric. It started to irk me because some of them took the

vein "your midwife will do this..." just as the What to Expect books

do with doctors. If you are going unassisted you can always sub in

the word "you" or "dh." Active Birth deals with some good position

stuff. I preferred the books with nitty-gritty in case of emergency

stuff myself.

Ramona

 

Quoting Organic Solutions <organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net>:

 

> Hi Lori,

> I could have guessed that since we are on an alternative health

list

> that you would be referring the alternative books but.....

> The books I have were given to me by friends who were

semi-alternative

> and those books just turned me off completely!

> The main one I am referring to is "What to Expect while You're

> Expecting" and "What to Expect in the first Year". These were not

fun

> ones to read!

> I just stuck to my instincts and Zea and I have been doing great! I

> even had a Doula at my midwife give me false information on how to

> initiate breastfeeding.

> I had to use instincts on that one as well. I had heard about the

Wise

> Women Herbal...Glad to hear it recommended. Did you have a Midwife

with

> you for your home births?

>

> Kelly

>

> Lori Smith wrote:

>>

>> I guess I wasn't very clear!! I agree with you that if you

take out

>> the conventional books on pregnancy and childbirth that you

will

>> find them negative and not always in the mother's or baby's

best

>> interest! I read alternative books on pregnancy and childbirth

such

>> as "Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year", By Susun

Weed.

>> All of the books that I read would not have been suggested

reading

>> by the conventional OB's! The library I went to had quite a

few of

>> these "off the beaten path" kind of books and I found them so

>> useful! One was on natural childbirth with midwives in a home

>> setting (and I cannot remember the author), My last child was

>> almost 17 years ago and so I cannot remember all the books I

did

>> read, though I know I read Susun Weed's (it can be a bit too

pagan

>> for me, but I just ignored these parts), and I think I may

have a

>> read a book by Rosemary Gladstar. Anyway, I was not meaning to

 

>> suggest that you read books that go by the conventional wisdom

of

>> "doctor knows best"! Since I was having home births that is

the

>> last kind of "wisdom" I wanted!!!!

>> Sorry I was not more concise; I guess I just assumed (I know~

never

>> assume anything!) that the readers on here, and especially

you,

>> would realize that I meant alternative health-style pregnancy

>> books. Sometimes I do wish I had kept a diary of what books I

did

>> read and what I found most beneficial.

>> Back when I was having my home births (1983-1992) I was "on my

own"

>> so to speak as I only knew one other homebirth mom and she had

 

>> used a midwife. I was hoofing it on my own and did not have

the

>> support system of the internet. It would have been so much

more

>> easier today!

>> Lori

>> Schooling is not education, and education is not

schooling~John Taylor Gatto

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> -------------------------

>>

>> herbal remedies

>> organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net

>> Tue, 3 Feb 2009 13:20:10 -0500

>> Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

>>

>>

>> Hi Lori! Thanks for the advice. I have found in reading Baby

books

>> that they are loaded full of negative information.

>> For this reason I have refrained from reading baby books at

all. I

>> don't think that reading all of the possible things that could

go

>> wrong is helpful. The only book I have found to be truly

positive

>> and to have workable information and solutions is

>> called 'Every Womens Book' by Paavo Airola. This book has been

great.

>>

>> Does anyone have any recommendations on what books would be

really

>> helpful and positive?

>>

>> Kelly

>>

>> Lori Smith wrote:

>>

>> Yes, READ, READ, and READ some more!!!!!!! I would reread ALL

>> books from the library on natural birth, home birth, and

anything

>> to do with birth!

>> This helped to prepare me as I was getting myself psyched up to

>> have a baby, educating myself on what I needed to do, and

relating

>> to those who

>> had already given birth, too. I did not have the internet as my

>> last child was born in 1992. There are a lot of homebirth

support

>> groups out there (both for

>> assisted and unassisted), and this would help, too.

>> You definitely need to prepare yourself mentally for having a

baby

>> and the rereading of all books and all new books on birth

helped

>> me tremendously. My library

>> was fantastic and would order new books on birth when they came

>> available as they thought of me! (lol) I was a regular (weekly)

>> visitor to the library, and being it

>> was a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I had the

advantage

>> of being well-known at this library. I have since moved away

from

>> my small town (which is no longer

>> a small town, but a city), and I so appreciate all the special

>> care these librarians did for me.

>> Educate yourself on all you need to know (as described in an

>> earlier post by another woman) and then relax and enjoy any

future

>> pregnancies! When I was having babies, I

>> would find out I was pregnant and I would live my life as I'd

been

>> living it~in our own unique natural rhythm, then a few weeks

>> before baby was due (6 weeks~) take my herbs, buy what I might

>> need, have items needed for actual birth ready on hand (a new

>> shower liner~we'd put the old one on bed with old sheets on

top so

>> that the bed was protected during birth and put the new one

up),

>> and then when I went into labor we were ready for the BIG

EVENT.

>> Afterwards, the baby would lay in my arms until all cord blood

was

>> in baby, cord would be cut, I sat on a bucket to deliver

>> afterbirth (this was just easier and less messy!), and my

husband

>> would then bury the afterbirth in the woods near our

apartment. My

>> aunt always helped out and she'd clean up the baby while I

>> showered and got dressed, then I would eat (I'd be starved!!!),

>> and we'd settle down to our routine of living life. If baby

born

>> at night, then other kids would see baby when they woke up; if

>> during day (3 were born at night, 3 day), then kids would come

see

>> baby after I showered. I was not into the whole family birth

>> thing, but you may feel differently.

>> When my 5th child was born, at 1pm on the Labor Day holiday

>> (Monday) back in 1987, I was at my brother's house a 1/2 mile

away

>> by 4:30pm for a family gathering with all 5 kids in tow! It is

the

>> one time I did not bring a dish to share! We were having a

>> potluck and the baby was passed around and oohed and ahhhed

over

>> and about 8:30pm my husband brought us home as I was tired and

>> ready for bed. I had people tell me I was crazy, but why? I was

>> able to share our new child, sit with my feet propped up, eat a

>> nice potluck meal, watch everyone play and have fun, and I was

>> able to visit with family. It was awesome! I'd had a baby, not

a

>> disease! And I was only 1/2 mile from home. I have no regrets

and

>> am so glad I did not let anyone deter me from going (they

tried!).

>> Having babies at home is a natural and good thing. The

majority of

>> women are fully capable of birthing at home. Relax, plan,

educate

>> yourself, and enjoy your life. You make your own choices for

>> yourself and then you will be happy.

>> Lori

>>

>> Schooling is not education, and education is not schooling~John

>> Taylor Gatto

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> -------------------------

>>

>> herbal remedies

>> organicsolutions (AT) cabletvonline (DOT) net

>> Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:02:54 -0500

>> Re: {Herbal Remedies} Babies

>>

>>

>> I can't imagine giving birth on my back!!! I had a wonderful

>> birthing center and I walked around right up until she dropped

>> down and gave birth in the squatting position.

>> It was so quick and easy and most importantly there was no

stress

>> to the baby. I had been preparing myself mentally for it and

had

>> made a firm decision on how I was going to do it and that I

would

>> not compromise and i did just that! I am very excited about

having

>> my next baby at home and will definitely be researching up on

>> this. Do any of you home birth Mothers have any pointers on

how

>> to be

>> prepared for a home birth??? Kelly

>>

>> jarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net

<jarusso7 (AT) comcast (DOT) net>

wrote:

>>

>>

>>

>> I have have delivered 6 babies. The 5 hospital births that I

>> had were the most indescribably painful, horrifying

>> experiences that I have ever endured. I have no idea why I

>> did it 5 times before I decided to try something else. The

>> one (so far) home birth that I have had was down right

>> pleasant. Being in charge, not being stressed, *cooperating*

>> with the contractions instead of dreading them makes a huge

>> difference. I labored in water and the pain was minimal

>> compared to the hell of laying on my back in a sterile

>> hospital bed. It was more discomfort than actual pain.

>> There's a lot to be said for being truly prepared in every

sense.

>> Anella

>> -------------- Original message --------------

>> "Ieneke van Houten" <ienvan (AT) nakusp (DOT) net>

>>

>> I believe that if a woman is truly prepared in every way

>> for the birthing experience she will have a wonderful

>> experience while in labor.

>> Guffawing loudly. Maybe SOME lucky ones out there. My

>> experience is that they don't call it labor for nothing.

>> It's mighty hard work and let's be frank, it bloody well

>> hurts.

>> Ien in the Kootenays

>> http://freegreenliving.com

<http://freegreenliving.com/>

>> (blog)

>>

>>

>>

>> -------------------------

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>>

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>>

>>

>>

>>

>> -------------------------

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