A Birth Story

My not so wee one arrived in a blaze, or was it a haze of glory. As furious as his birth was it was such a relief. Not a relief as in it's over, the pregnancy is done... but all the stress of how he was going to get here and when was finally put to rest. If I could have chosen his lines, they would have been drawn in black on white paper. Clear and uncomplicated.

I will never forget the morning he began his decent. I lay in bed around 2 am, feeling torn between my two children, one who needed me desperately, lying in her hospital bed... and the other cradled safely in my womb. I felt like I was a traitor in some ways, I could have just opted for an induction and stayed in hospital, just four floors above my DD's room. I consider myself very rational and knew I would do the right thing when the time and place called for it. Going home that day was one of the strongest feelings I have ever experienced. Even though my heart strings were being pulled towards the hospital, my mind and soul would not let me bend. It was early in the morning (felt like the middle of the night) when I made the deal with my weeist one. I turned on the breast pump, “just one more time” I said out loud, but not loud enough to wake my sweet DH who slept beside me. I rubbed my belly and talked softly to the wee one who has shadowed DD and me for the last nine months through her world of cancer treatments and hospital stays. "This is it babe, your way late!” “If you’re not making your way here by 7 am when I'm due back at the hospital for DD's Chemo, I'm calling Midwife and telling her I loose, and its induction. If labour starts and all is well, it's your message to me we are staying home". I turned off the pump, answered DH's question "Anything?" "No, nothing we'll have to see in the morning". I turned over, cried for a moment and fell to sleep. Six am arrived in what felt like 5 minutes. I woke to contractions once again, knowing instinctually this was it. Seventeen days over due and contractions, humm could be labour right?

Mom petit Bebe, got stuck. Even though I have had a birth experience that was difficult in regards to shoulders getting stuck, I was not fearful, at least not in the way one might expect. Yes he was stuck and required some maneuvers to help him free himself, but I felt sure, I felt strong and confident. He was bigger than I had anticipated, he hide it very well. I look at him today and I know he was meant to be big, it's who he is. Even today he continues on his growth spurt, unlike his siblings who quickly gave up the girth and moved towards a more manageable size. DS is tall! He's chubby and has a smile as large as life to match. He's DD’s guide through all her pain and sorrow. I suppose it's best to be larger than life in order to fill those shoes.

I remember the emotions, after my older DS 10lbs 10oz was born, most were joyous, but some were very powerfully sad and painful. It's been almost four months since my wee babe was born and I feel nothing but happiness and awe at the memories of his arrival. I'm not trying to minimize the series of unfortunate events, gessh that sounds familiar? My overall impressions then and now are positive! Those incredible midwives who I'm sure don't realize the gift of labour and birth enlightenment they hold within themselves. I hope they can and will share their knowledge and teachings for the benefit of others.

As difficult as his birth was, I feel no sense of fear in relation to my current pregnancy and upcoming birth. Each of my pregnancies and birth experiences are unique and until there is cause for concern, I'm not letting my caregivers shroud this pregnancy in what ifs creating something that does not exist.

I'm going to put together a birthplan and pass it along hopeful those involved in my prenatal care can see the need for peace and help me enjoy these last few months as I nurture this baby, and prepare for birth.

Life is Good

Placenta

The vascular appendage which connects the fetus with the parent, and is cast off in parturition
with the afterbirth. The part of a pistil or fruit to which the ovules or seeds are attached.

Khai's amazing placenta!



Over the years I have learned so much about the Amazing Placenta!
Why it "IS" what it "IS", and how I affect the quality of it's existence.

What to do with a Placenta after it's born?

Years ago I read an article In Compleat Mother Magazine about Eating your Placenta.. yummy? Makes sense right? After all many mammals eat the placenta after it's born. Take my cat for example... she has eaten many placentas. As her doula, I've watched her gobble up the raw disposable organ meat. I remember my dog Chelsea (again acting as her doula) birthing placentas.. oh yes puppies too! I will always remember hand feeding her the first placenta..yummy? I won't be able to do this justice by writing a description of this experience but I'll try. After the first pup was born, she looked lost, confused as to what just transpired. She ran from her first pup.. hiding. That's my girl! Instinctual my Ass. Whoever said leave the animals alone they'll know what to do has not seen my animals pregnant or birthing! Chelsea, left the first two placentas lying around. There was not instinctual placenta munchin' happening here. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity for her to initiate the ritual eating of the placenta, I panicked! She needs to eat this in order to keep up her strength, gain nutrients beneficial for labour and nursing Right??? Right?? I scooped up the first placenta and coo'ed and coaxed Chelsea to take a peek... "Come on Chelsea, it's Yummy!? Right?" Ya have to take care of this before the next pup arrives.. Come on hon.. Eat the placenta" I was inches from her nose, holding this now cold blob pleading with her to take it and do what nature demands. She sniffed a few times and licked it, leaning in to pick it up in her teeth. Yippee she's going to eat it!! One chew... and... HURL. Out pops the placenta. She look thoroughly grossed out by the whole deal. What a surprise! Ms. Chelsea the queen of eating things like POOP out of the babies diapers, week old rotted meat and the likes. What's wrong with a perfectly good placenta? Long story shorter, I picked up the placenta and tried again.. Chelsea hurled the placenta a few more times until the deed was done. After eating the first placenta... chowing down on the others was a piece of cake. If you could have seen her face, honestly she was trying hard not to throw up as she chewed (kinda reminded me of being forced into eating cows liver when I was a child).

Lotus birth

Leaving the bebe attached to the placenta until the cord dries and falls off. In today?s busy world it makes sense! Womyn need to have a Babymoon! What better way to achieve this and slow your family down. You won't be going too far outside the home dragging a placenta along ;)

Art

Make a placenta print. This is what I did... I dried the placenta after laying it out on newspaper. I then experimented with paint. Making sure to not apply too much paint, I layed a piece of water colour paper over top and gently tapped over the surface. Lifting up the paper leaves an incredible print! Details of the "Tree of Life" are left, ready for framing. I also dook pictures of the placenta with a digital camera to create a web graphic. I did several prints, some included foot and hand prints of mom petit bebe.

Burring the Placenta

A way to honour and celebrate the Placenta's gift of "New Life" Some folks plant a tree over the placenta with the knowledge that it will continue to give life.

Back to Womyn eating their placentas

Placentophagia The act of eating one's placenta

I've heard many reasons why a womyn might want to consider eating her placenta.

1) Helps contract the uterus after birth
2) Improves milk supply
3) Helps with PPD (Post Partum Depression)
4) Hides the scent from predators


Each placenta weighs approximately 1/6 of the baby's weight. Cut the meat away from the membranes with a sharp knife. Discard the membranes.

Placenta Recipes

Placenta Cocktail:
1/4 cup raw placenta, 8oz V-8 juice, 2 ice cubes, cup carrot. Blend at high speed for 10 seconds
Placenta Lasagne: Use your favourite lasagne recipe and substitute this mixture for one layer of cheese. In 2 tbl. olive oil, quickly saute meat of 3/4 placenta, ground or minced plus 2 sliced cloves of garlic, ? tsp. oregano, diced onion & 2 tbl. tomato paste, or 1 whole tomato.

Placenta Spaghetti:
Cut meat of 3/4 placenta into bite size pieces, then brown quickly in 1 tbl. butter plus 1 tbl. oil. Then add 1 large can tomato puree, 2 cans crushed pear tomatoes, 1 onion, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 tbl. molasses, 1 bay leaf, 1 tbl. rosemary, 1 tsp. ea. of salt, honey, oregano, basil, and fennel. Simmer 1 ? hours.

Placenta Stew:
Meat of 3/4 placenta in bite size chunks, 1 potato (cubed), 1/4 cup fresh parsley, 2 carrots, 3 ribs celery, 1 zucchini, 1 large tomato, 1 small onion. Dredge meat in 1 tbl. flour mixed with 1 tsp salt, ? tsp. paprika, pinch of cloves, pinch of pepper, 6-8 crushed coriander seeds. Saute meat in 2 tbl. oil, then add vegetables (cut up) and 4-5 cups of water. Bring to full boil, then simmer for 1 hour.
Placenta Pizza: Grind placenta. Saute in 2 tbl. olive oil with 4 garlic cloves, then add 1/4 tsp fennel, 1/4 tsp. pepper, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. oregano, 1/4 tsp. thyme, and 1/4 cup of wine. Allow to stand for 30 minutes, then use with your favourite home made pizza recipe. It's a fine placenta sausage topping.

(Mothering Magazine, September 1983, Vol. 28, pg 76)

I saved my copy of CM magazine with the article about Placenta Eating.
I'll have to locate it and add the info here.

Happy to have already decided what to do with my placenta!
Originally posted may, 2005 by zee

The Earthy Birthy Thought Swap

The Earthy Birthy Thought Swap

Well giving this a go. Check out The Earthy Birthy Thought Swap!

PCOS

I think exploring the connection between diet and exercise and how it affects you and PCOS is the key to finding a manageable solution. I have found the Glycemic index to be the best place to start. Once you understand how food affects your blood glucose levels, you can work at finding out how to balance what you eat and your activity level to help manage its effects on your body. If you’re overweight weight loss is important to regaining control over BG levels as well as the real possibility that it may increase your fertility level or even restore it. Once you regain control it simply becomes a life style that you become mindful of, understanding that this is what your body needs to stay healthy.

Womyn with PCOS usually have problems using insulin. If they are not already diabetic they may well be in the early stages of diabetes, showing signs of impaired glucose which will eventual be the cause of too much insulin is in the body. Too much insulin increases the production of male hormones beyond what normal levels would be in non PCOS womyn. I think it’s really important to understand the importance of early intervention in regards to diet and exercise vs. drug therapy. Its not just about dropping weight and a return of periods, its a life time commitment in order to assure your best chance at keeping risk factors associated with PCOS like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer low.

I think it’s very important for womyn of childbearing age to weigh the pros and cons to beginning and staying on a long term treatment like metformin. The long term effects noted for type 2 Diabetic patients are not safe when it comes to attaining and managing pregnancy. It is very important to make sure your b12 levels are in check long before getting pregnant while on metformin. Folic Acid supplementation is well noted in regards to pregnancy for all womyn who expect to become pregnant. Knowing the risks associated with metformin is key to making sure your body is prepared for conception and pregnancy.


Medscape Today
Metformin Use Increases Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients With Diabetes

Studies have demonstrated a prevalence of vitamin B12 malabsorption among patients undergoing long-term metformin treatment. The aim of the current study is to identify risk factors for metformin-related vitamin B12 deficiency.

Metformin treatment for PCOS has not been approved by the FDA. It's not intended for this purpose and no studies as to its long term effects and safety have been done when used outside of treating type 2 diabetes. Metaformin can cause vitamin B12 malabsorption, which can contribute to your risk of cardiovascular disease. Womyn who have PCOS tend to have pre-existing elevated homocysteine levels, metformin has been shown to elevate homocysteine levels. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with coronary artery disease, heart attack, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, cognitive impairment, and cervical cancer. Elevate homocysteine levels during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk for schizophrenia.

"High maternal homocysteine levels in the bloodstream increase the chance of miscarriage, and of serious pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and placental abruption. Such conditions can result in premature birth of the baby, low birth weight and, sadly, even the death of the baby or mother." Wiley- Interactice concepts in Biochemisty

Wiley InterScience

Effects of short-term treatment with metformin on serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Results. Amongst those who completed 16 weeks of treatment, metformin use, as compared with placebo, was associated with an increase in homocysteine of 4% (0.2 to 8; P = 0.039) and with decreases in folate [−7% (−1.4 to −13); P = 0.024] and vitamin B12 [−14% (−4.2 to −24); P <>
The Medical Journal of Australia

Metformin and intervention in polycystic ovary syndrome

Given the present lack of long-term safety data and demonstrable efficacy in a large number of patients, we recommend that metformin use be supervised by an endocrinologist or physician with expertise in the area. Ideally, further research should be encouraged so that outcomes can be scrutinised and regulatory issues can be carefully addressed.

I’ve used Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) also known as Chasteberry. It take about three months to start working but IMO well worth the wait with great results.

"The beauty of our next plant is that instead of adding hormones to the body, it encourages the body to achieve its own natural hormonal balance."

This herb’s power is said to be due to its ability to regulate the action of the pituitary gland. By normalizing the hormones that are produced in the pituitary gland, it effectively treats all sorts of menstrual problems. Irregular menstruation, painful menstruation, premenstrual tension (PMS), menopause, and irregularities resulting from coming off the birth-control pill are all sorted out with the use of chasteberry. It has been proven that chasteberry has the ability to balance the estrogen-progesterone levels necessary for what might be called average menstruation.

Practitioners’ Advice

When hormone imbalance is wrecking havoc with your life, be it in the form of mood swings, acne, or irregular periods, Chasteberry is the first herbal port of call. Practitioners agree that most cases of hormone irregularity are cleared up with its use. It works and it works well.
~ Planet Botanic

Diabetic Pregnancy

Jumping through some hoops these days. Not that I want to be diabetic, but give some credit for working my arse off to stay on top of things. Apparently Type 2 Diabetics when in control need to prove their membership status by taking a GTT. Ummm last I checked, that’s not a safe demonstration of loyalty to the club, especially while pregnant.

IMO better the pregnant Diabetic you know, that the one you don't in term of prenatal care. This is my third; I guess technically fourth diabetic pregnancy. I'm in control without meds prior to pregnancy and without insulin during pregnancy. At least so far, if and when that may become necessary, I'll be on board. One of the things I have learned over the years in regards to pregnancy and Type 2 Diabetes is that there is a great learning curve to using insulin especially while pregnant. I've heard many womyn say how difficult it is and they never really get it figured out until the baby is born, if ever. I can only imagine the difficulty in figuring it out in my case as I plan all my activities around my meals. I'm at the gym almost daily, attending yoga etc... I've managed to avoid any serious lows which may not be as easily accomplished after tossing insulin into the mix especially when its not really necessary. Insulin has its place, I do think if possible diet and exercise is the best way to go, anyway, sucks to have to constantly defend your right to do things right, just because it's not the norm.

Last pregnancy I was told by the specialist that "I've only every had one womyn in my practice manage pregnancy without the use of insulin" I proudly stated, we'll I'm number two!

Important reasons to get things under control before you get pregnant. PCOS can be treated with life style modification such as diet and exercise. Once things are under control it’s a life time commitment but something that can be managed with a positive attitude. Being in control helps reduce complications associated with PCOS and pregnancy. There will be fewer hoops to jump!

Impact of Insulin Resistance on Pregnancy Complications and Outcome in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Fertility

Well there are bazillion things to talk about when it comes to natural pregnancy and birthing, not to mention parenting. Pregnancy is of course the key to birthing and parenting, so it only makes sense that society should focus on the importance of fertility and what it means to future generations. I think we under value and under estimate our control over our fertility, both womyn and men. Seems like its a given, it should always be there at least until the clock starts winding down right? The reality is fertility is something to be honored and protected, something we don't do.

I'm not going to quote statistics; anyone can look them up online. Fertility has always been something we considered under our control. Now that declining fertility rates are affecting the overall replacement rate, ratio of seniors to children is widening dramatically, we have to finally admit we may have gone too far in the wrong direction. Population growth estimates are estimates, they are not predictors of global crisis such as pandemics, wars, genocide and diseases such as HIV which can play a large role in global mortality rates especially in third world countries, the reality is this problem also lies in developing countries.

We don't seem to consider the after effects of events like war, the increased cancer rates among our children, the effects on fertility rates for both men and womyn, and the birth deformities that can be related back to the inevitable effects of such events. If the replacement birth rate was sitting at 2.1 children it makes sense that those two children born to a womyn would account for the eventual lose of parents due to aging and and/or diseease, a birth rate of 1.2 is not a replacement rate, especially when there is no guarantee of that child’s ability to produce its own off spring at a later time due to increased infertility. Emigration accounts for population decline within some countries, once again adding to the problem of an unstable youth to senior ratio. Some countries rely on emigration to prop up their declining population rates, once again throwing off the youth to senior ratio. An ageing population taxes the social welfare and pension systems that are supported heavily by our young who continue to invest and fund these systems that support our elderly. We can argue the system all we want but the reality is there always needs to be a younger, healthy population following behind an increasing ageing population in order for human kind to survive.

Overpopulation is not what I’m talkign about here, I agree it’s an issue, when it’s really an issue. My concern lies with the decline in fertility vs. the decline in births, or the ability to birth…. K, simply put the rise in infertility rates. Without fertility the argument of under-population or over-population is a moot point, because there is no choice.

So lets embrace our fertility and do what we can to protect and nurture it, in doing so we leave the possibility for continued debate over how to mange this gift.