Pregnancy - IntelliGender

Posted by Carri:

This pregnancy I decided NOT to find out the gender of my baby. I found out the first two pregnancies, and neither time felt very special. I highly recommend asking the ultrasound tech to give you the gender in an envelope (and please make sure they clearly label if it is a boy or a girl!), and then opening it in a fun and special way alone. The first time we found out, we were just in the dark room with the ultrasound tech that was really just a stranger. She just said, "it's a boy" and that was all. There was no hugging or moving (because she was still doing the ultrasound) and I left feeling sort of unaffected by the whole thing. The second time around, we had the ultrasound tech put it in an envelope and we put it in our Christmas stocking. Great idea - right? I am sorry to report it did not turn out nearly as special as I had hoped. The ultrasound tech just put in a picture that no one could clearly read, and ended up being a total disappointment. This was awful because I had waited an entire month to open that envelope that had been taunting me, and I couldn't call anyone because it was Christmas day. So when I went in the next day, my doctor announced in the stairwell on our way to the ultrasound office that it was a boy. Definitely NOT special.

For my third child I waited to find out, and it was awesome! I knew it was a boy, but it was great to find out during the joy and excitement of meeting him for the first time. I much prefer that to the lame ways of the past. So this time I chose again not to find out. I would say I decided this both because I think it is more fun, and because everyone wants it to be a girl (I personally don't care - just a healthy baby please!), and didn't want to hear from people how they were bummed it wasn't a girl. I have been very curious this pregnancy though, to tell you the truth! It has been a very different pregnancy, but I am not a believer in that being a tell-all by any means. So, to have something to write about that was pregnancy related, and out of curiosity, I took the Intelligender test.

The test was $30 and I bought it at Walgreens - it is easy to get and not too outrageously priced. I followed the directions perfectly, so I will be very curious to see if it really is accurate. The test itself is fairly simple: pee in a cup, put pee in a syringe, put pee in test cup and swirl. The stuff in the test cup was interesting in that it had glitter in it. I sort of felt like it was some Disney magic potion or something ; ), but I digress. You wait 10 minutes and the color of the urine is either yellow if it is a girl, or green if it is a boy. Drum roll please..... it said GIRL. Now, I have my doubts about the accuracy of such a test. They say it is 99% accurate in their lab, and overall 87% accurate world wide. I find it very curious and can hardly wait the 8 weeks I have left to find out! I think it has made my desire to know a bit more fierce, thus making me unsure if it was a good idea or not that I took the test. I have felt most of the time that it is a boy, so now I am questioning myself - but I keep reminding myself that it's all fun and games anyway. If you have used this test, I would love to know if it was accurate or not for you. Overall, fun idea but now we all have to wait 8 weeks to find out if it is accurate - sorry!

http://intelligender.com/

Idaho Pushes Midwife Movement to the Tipping Point

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Idaho Pushes Midwife Movement to the Tipping Point

Physician and Midwife Groups Forge Unprecedented Alliance as Idaho Becomes the 26th State to Pass Legislation to Legalizing Certified Professional Midwives

BOISE, ID (April 1, 2009)—Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter signed into law today a bill to license and regulate Certified Professional Midwives, making Idaho the 26th state to legally authorize them to provide out-of-hospital maternity care. In a notable reversal of longstanding anti-midwife policies, medical groups worked together with legislators, midwives, and advocates to reach consensus on a law that provides for independent practice, mutual collaboration, and the rights of parents to choose where and how their babies are born.

“This is a great day for midwives and home birth advocates all across the country,” said Kyndal May of Idahoans for Midwives ( www.idahoansformidwives.org ). “We truly have reached the tipping point, breaking through the medical lobby’s longstanding opposition and developing a legislative consensus model that other states are looking to follow.”

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), who practice primarily in hospital settings, are legally authorized in all 50 states, while Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), who specialize in out-of-hospital birth, until today were legally authorized to practice in just half the states. Representatives from The Big Push for Midwives Campaign noted that Idaho typifies recent legislative trends across the country, as a growing number of states come closer to passing CPM legislation.

“We’re seeing unprecedented advances this legislative season,” said Katie Prown, Campaign Manager of The Big Push for Midwives. “For the first time, physician groups are coming to the table and negotiating in good faith, and bills that had long been stalled in previously antagonistic committees are suddenly starting to move.” States that have recently seen significant legislative advances include South Dakota, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, and Alabama. Idaho joins Missouri and Maine as among the most recent states to legally authorize CPMs to provide maternity care.

“It’s clear that organized medicine has finally realized that, between current economic trends and the drive for healthcare reform, the demand for access to CPMs and out-of-hospital maternity care is only going to grow,” said Susan M. Jenkins, Legal Counsel for the Big Push. “It simply makes good sense to pass laws that provide for regulatory oversight, transparency, and accountability, all of which are necessary to ensure safe practice.”

Thousands of people from across the nation watched the Senate floor vote on live video from the Idaho statehouse last week, cheering on their fellow midwife advocates on Facebook, Twitter, and email groups. “It’s very exciting to be part of a growing national movement,” said Michelle Bartlett, CPM, Legislative Liaison for the Idaho Midwifery Council. “I’m humbled to hear from so many advocates in other states who are looking to us as a model for how to work with every stakeholder to craft CPM legislation that addresses the needs and concerns of all of us who care about the health and safety of mothers and babies.”

Idaho is a priority of The Big Push for Midwives Campaign, a nationally coordinated campaign to advocate for regulation and licensure of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and to push back against the attempts of the American Medical Association Scope of Practice Partnership to deny American families access to legal midwifery care. Through its work with state-level advocates, the Big Push is helping to forge a new model of U.S. maternity care built on expanding access to out-of-hospital maternity care and CPMs, who provide affordable, quality, community-based care that is proven to reduce costly and preventable interventions as well as the rate of low-birth weight and premature births.

###

The Big Push for Midwives Campaign is fiscally sponsored by Sustainable Markets Foundation, a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).

Sustainable Markets Foundation | 80 Broad Street, Suite 1600 | New York, NY 10004-2248

The Big Push for Midwives Campaign | 2300 M Street, N.W., Suite 800 | Washington, D.C. 20037-1434

www.TheBigPushforMidwives.org | PushSummit...

Pre-Pregnancy - Blast Off

As written by Tink, friend of BINSI

A funny thing happens when you and your best friend are about the same age; you decide to have babies at the same time. A year ago, my BFF, B, and I were planning her wedding. We would walk the aisles of TJ Maxx, ogling home furnishings, crap we didn't need, excited about being married, imagining how great our homes would look with this or that inside. Now we're planning for the who-knows-when arrival of our first children. We recently took a trip to Babies R Us. I'd never been in that store before but I swear you enter another dimension when you walk through their front doors. You immediately turn into a something giddy and soft. No matter how tough you are, you end up running around the store, screeching, cooing, holding a pair of baby booties close to your cheek. Actually. we went in only because B had to get a baby shower gift. Yes, keep telling yourself that. I left Babies R Us with a little shirt for a 6 month old that says, "BLAST OFF." Reminder: I have no children.

BLAST OFF originated as the code word between J and I when we first started dating. We often wrestled, tickled, messed around as most new couples do. It usually continued until we were too tired from laughing or...er, got distracted. The winner of our bouts was determined usually by who was more willing to give in that day. It was a toss up between major leverage-long-limbed-lanky cyclist boy versus the girl who could (literally) bench press her boyfriend. One balmy summer afternoon while still living in Columbus, Ohio, one of us was not particularly up for a playful duel. We decided we needed to come up with a code word; a word that meant stop. A code word that is as serious as they come. An absolutely-no-matter-what-don't-you-dare-keep-going word. We honor it even today. It can be a complete buzz kill when one of us says it but we usually know it's coming. For example, after chasing the other around the house, falling on the floor, unable to breathe, laughing so hard your sides hurt, BLAST OFF usually comes out. It is inconceivable to break the code of trust those words harbor.

Anyway, B and I are walking up and down the aisles screeching like pterodactyls at all the baby gear. I want this for my baby's room! I heard this stroller is the best. This rocker is so comfortable! Do people really put their kid in that? What is THIS for? And the statement we've thought of too often, How cute would it be to give J (S, in B's case) something to let him know I'm pregnant?! Yes, of course, so cute. So cute. So....cute. So sickeningly cute. Wouldn't it be just as romantic to come out from the bathroom with the stick that shows I I ? No, it would be more memorable to have the cute and tiny t-shirt that shows how cute and tiny the creature he will soon be fathering is going to be. B says, "I was thinking about this onesie that says SWEET on it?" OMG, SO CUTE! Her last name is Sweet!

It brought to mind, if BLAST OFF means what I know it to mean then why do I want to get a shirt to tell my husband, whenever I am, that I am pregnant? Is it saying, Stop! You have to stop now! I'm giving you this shirt for a 6 month old! (I am convinced I am going to have a huge infant whom will immediately fit into 6 month old clothing). The only explanation I have is it isn't really the literal translation that BLAST OFF harbors but rather that this code is just ours, as our child will be just ours. (Insert: awww, so cute.) We can tell Baby, we waited, we calculated, we planned, we organized, we hoped, we dreamed, we counted days until your arrival and here is the shirt Mommy gave to Daddy to tell him you were on your way. Altogether now! Sooooo cute!!!

Well, I haven't really decided if I'll really make it an event. Then again, why not? I did buy the shirt. J asks every once in a while, What happened to those fruit and cheese plates you used to serve me while wearing sexy heels? Maybe he'll get a fruit and cheese plate and a tiny t-shirt...

Honoring an Amazing Mom

Posted by Kim:

You may have heard about the senseless tragedy that took place in Binghamton, NY on Friday. Well Binghamton is my hometown and while I often tease about Binghamton and how happy I am that I now live in Colorado, when I heard about this horrific event I started to feel nostalgic about my little hometown. I am drawn to the memories of all of the great times I had growing up, because Binghamton really was an amazing place to grow up. And in the middle of the wonderful memories I have of my youth, is one of my best friends from High School and College, one of the daughters of Mrs Roberta King. I was adopted into the King family and was always envious of the sheer size of their family as I am an only child. Ten children?! WOW! I can hardly handle the two that I have. But their house was always full of family, always open to friends, and at the center of it all was a jovial, happily married couple, Dr and Mrs King.

This past Friday one of the sweetest, most giving, most community oriented women I have ever known was tragically taken from this world and I have to pay tribute to Mrs King. The mother to 10 amazingly talented and successful children, one of the most avid doll collectors (seriously I have never seen so many dolls), and the world's greatest substitute teacher. Mrs King was always happy to see you and always offered a kind word. She is a true Binghamton icon.

While everyone in our town is trying to process this senseless act of violence I can only deal with the reality of the situation by believing and having faith that Mrs King has been reunited with Dr King in heaven and together they are looking down at the wonderful family they created together seeing how many people's lives they have touched and what a difference they made in the town of Binghamton.

As Carri said, "Anyone that can have 10 children and still have plenty to give is a rare gift to the world." This couldn't more true.

Beloved English teacher among deceased
PressConnects.com
By Nancy Dooling • ndooling@gannett.com • Staff Writer • April 5, 2009

Grandmother of 17.

Teacher.

Doll collector.

History and architecture buff.

Talented cook.

And she knew how to be a beloved friend.

Roberta "Bobbie" King, 72, was teaching English to adult students Friday at the American Civic Association when a gunman burst into her classroom and killed her and 12 others, before turning a gun on himself. Family members confirmed her death Saturday.

"I believe that 'Bobbie' had more genuine friends than anybody I know," said Brenda Margolis, one of the many friends who loved her.

Margolis had been a friend of Mrs. King's for more than 30 years, through child-rearing, weddings, grandchildren, funerals - all of life's big moments.

Other families affected by Friday's violent massacre on Front Street were anxiously awaiting word Saturday about their loved ones. Binghamton city officials are now saying a full list of victims won't be released until today.

Friends and family of Mrs. King's are trying to cope with her loss.

"She impacted a lot of lives because of her very warm, very upbeat, kind disposition and her many interests," said Margolis, of Binghamton. "Everyone loved her."

Funeral services for Mrs. King will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Temple Concord on Riverside Drive in Binghamton, said Mrs. King's daughter, Georgia Lerner.

Family will sit Shiva from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Temple Concord.

Her family was the center of her life. But so were her many interests and her many friends.

She was always positive, always upbeat, and able to competently and without complaint tackle anything that life threw at her, friends said.

With 10 children, her house was always full, friends said.

But Mrs. King took everything in stride.

"Her strength came from her gentle kindness," said another long-time friend, Beverly Hirsch, a Binghamton resident.

Mrs. King loved teaching immigrants and had no plans to retire, said her son-in-law, Dr. Todd Lerner.

She taught English to immigrants learning to be U.S. citizens. She substitute taught at public schools.

She loved her students, family and friends said.

"She was an amazing lady," Lerner said. "She was always busy with something."

She and her husband, the late Dr. Abraham King, put their children first in their lives, sending all 10 to college, five of them to Cornell University in Ithaca, her son-in-law said.

She was a passionate collector of dolls and dollhouses, which filled her South Side Binghamton home. She loved historic architecture and was involved with Temple Concord's Hanukkah House, Roberson Museum and the Phelps Mansion.

But it was the quality of her character that drew people to her.

"She was always gentle and kind," Hirsch said.

"Never critical. Never negative."

Partnership - Birth Source

Posted by Kim:

Tracey and I met at the DONA conference in 2006 and were immediately drawn to each other. Tracey was excited about our skirts and tops and how something as simple as a skirt can completely transform a woman's birth experience and I was excited about Tracey's experience and passion for birth! It seemed like the perfect fit. So after a few discussions and a lot excitement we finalized an agreement that made Tracey BINSI's first international distributor. BINSI went global (well sort of)!

Tracey bases her work out of her boutique, Birth Source, in Alberta, Canada and has been a very special support and partnership for BINSI. Both Carri and I have appreciated having her as a part of the BINSI extended family and are comfortable knowing that she is helping our Canadian customers receive our products in a timely and cost effective way.

In addition, our partnership with Tracey and Birth Source is simply another validation of our products. One of the greatest compliments for us throughout our company history is how well we have been received by the birth community. Many birth educators and birth professionals support and promote BINSI products because they completely understand and concur with our company mission to help women feel healthy, comfortable, confident, and in control as they enter their amazing journey into motherhood. Carri and I both are honored by this support and find it another validation for all of our hard work. The thought the our products are having a direct impact on the outcome of a woman's birth experience is the ultimate reward for us. So we have been honored and excited to be partnered with fantastic companies, like Birth Source!

A little about Tracey:

She is married and has four of her own children. She is also a busy doula and childbirth educator located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Her Birth Source website began with her own desire for high quality, beautiful and practical supplies and products for both her family and her business.

Almost all of the items she sells on The website has been used by her own family or many of her clients as well. These items are chosen carefully for their quality, practicality and ability to enhance the lives of families and professionals.

BirthSource.ca is dedicated to the best customer service possible and will strive to make your shopping experience the most positive it can be.

Birth Story - Griffin's Birth

Posted by Kim:

Below is the story of my second son, Griffin's, birth as written in my birth journal. Enjoy

2/11/05

Written by Mommy:

Well today is the big day! Hopefully our second little guy will be born on Uncle Will's Birthday! We scheduled our labor to be induced today because Griffin is growing at a healthy rate (possibly 3 lbs more than Connor's birth weight) and also this way our friends knew when to expect Connor to come over and play. It is a little bit difficult not to have family in the area.

** The decision to induce Griffin's birth is something I have regretted since. Convenience is not a good enough excuse, but I also remember being very tired of being pregnant. I only wish I had held out for my labor to start naturally, but I can't change that now. It is what it is. **

We weren't sure if you would be born today. At 5am we received a phone call from the birthplace saying that they were full with birthing mothers and we might not be able to come in, but call back at 8am to check. I could barely wait! At 7:58am I called and the girl who answered said we probably won't be coming in (why didn't I see this as a sign?). Then after waiting on hold for what seemed like 30 minutes, but was probably 3, she said "Can you com in at 8:30am?" I was so surprised it must be the closest feeling I have ever had to the surprise of natural childbirth. So we quickly got ready, packed Connor's bag, and umped in the car. Dad dropped me off at the hospital and said "OK call me when you're ready to have a baby. I'll be back to pick you up." Ha Ha, who is the funny guy? Dad then took Connor over to Aunt Kathy's house to play.

I went up to the birthplace and checked into room 2105. The first thing I do is change into the birthing skirt my friend Carri gave me as a present and a jog bra. Daddy arrived soon after and started shooting video right away. Now that he has become a video editor extraordinaire he looks at shooting video in a whole new light! My goal is to give birth to you by 6pm. We'll see how things go.

Written by Daddy:

Here's Daddy! Connor and I dropped Mommy off at 8:45am at LUH and told her to give us a call if she needed anything, its boys day out! Ha, not really. After dropping Mom off Connor went to visit Aunt Kathy for the day. Everyone was anxiously awaiting Connor's arrival for a day of cars and trains. I arrived at LUH at 9:15am to coach baby Griffin into the world. We're in room 2105 this year and we've got a much better view this time, we can see snow covered Long's Peak from our room. I started with casual photography and video to capture the scene. At 10:30am pitocin starts, the fun begins. So far so good, Dr Finnegan stopped by at 12:30pm, 3 to 4 cm dilated and he broke Mommy's bag of water at 12:45pm. While anxiously awaiting Griffin's arrival we listened to the Birth Day and U2 CDs we made and watched Old School. 2:30pm Epidural time. The epidural seems to have been slower to take effect, but by 3:15pm we seem to have a good block. Kim is about 7cm now. 4:10pm Dr Finnegan stops by and Kim is about 9cm dilated now.

Written by Mommy:

Our first nurse is Elaine and she is quite nice. She is from Alberta, Canada and we talked a lot about Toronto and how beautiful it is there. Elaine starts the pitocin around 10:30am and she said it will take about 3-5 minutes before my body will react to the iv. Unfortunately the contractions do not start as quickly as I had hoped, but there are a few.

Around 12:30pm Dr Finnegan stopped over and broke my bag of water. I am only dilated to about 3 1/2 or 4 cms, but he said this should really get my contractions going. Unfortunately this is not true, but I am definitely having more contractions than before. I work through the contractions while watching Old School. You can't help but laugh through the contractions.

Around 2:30pm I decide it is time to get up , use the bathroom and prepare for the epidural. For some reason I have to take a pepcid pill with an Alka Seltzer chaser. I don't remember doing that before, but then again, everything about your pregnancy, labor and birth has been totally different than Connor's. You are your own man. The Dr finally arrives after Elaine checks me and says that I am 7cm dilated. I am so surprised because the contractions at 7cms with you seem about 1/2 as bad as the contractions I had with Connor at 4cms, and they are in a totally different location. My contractions with you are at the top of my belly pushing you down. My goal is to deliver you by 6pm.

After getting the Epidural everything calms down. I am actually a little tired and feel like I could fall asleep. however, by 4:00pm I am completely dilated but you seem to be in a long sleep period and the contractions are not regular. Elaine is going to call Dr Finnegan and see what we should do. She thinks we should turn down the epidural and turn up the pitocin. So that is what we are going to do.

By 6pm the contractions are regular and I have regained a lot of feeling in my lower body because the Epidural has been turned off. At this time Elaine leaves and Suzy becomes our pushing coach. She and Daddy start to urge me on and hope that you will be born before Suzy has to leave at 7:00pm. For a while even Dr Finnegan was in the room to hold my leg. They kept telling me to push down and I thought that was what I was doing, but I guess not because you were not moving much.

Suzy leaves at 7:00pm and Joyce takes over and the pushing remains the same. Wither you are stuck or I am a terrible pusher. Unfortunately I think it is the latter of the two. Daddy is being so helpful because by now the Epidural has completely worn off and it is pretty painful. Because I don't seem to be pushing well I ask Joyce to get out the mirror so I can see what is going on myself. I figured if I could see your head maybe it would give me something to focus on. It seems to help a little, but by 8:00pm Dr Finnegan tells us we have a 1/2 hour until c-section. I almost lose it, but I am determined to push you out. I do not want a c-section. Daddy and Joyce cheer me on and Daddy says I am pushing well. Apparently I am using a lot more strength than I realized I had. I keep checking the time but I can see that you are moving. This is going to work.

Finally around 8:30pm they call the team in and you are going to be born. A few more pushed and your head comes out! This is amazing. I have to stop though because the cord is wrapped around your neck twice. Dr Finnegan clamps it and cuts it quickly. Unfortunately Daddy did not get to do the ceremonial cutting of the cord, but your health is most important. Now we're ready to push again. Just another push and you are out! Finally!! You were born at 8:43pm. It was a struggle, but I was determined.

Immediately after you are born they take you to the warmer and Daddy heads over to inspect. Of course he says you have Connor's hands and feet. The nurses clean you off as I deliver the placenta, thankfully with only one push. You are not crying like I wold like and it seems like you are grunting a little too. After they let me hold you for a short time, but then the nurses and Daddy take you down to the nursery to check everything out. I am worried because I don't know if everything is alright.

While you are in the nursery I called Aunt Lisa & Uncle Tony, Grandma & Grandpa King, and Aunt Kathy to tell them the good news! I don't even know what your statistics are yet! I am guessing that you weigh about 7 pounds.

Finally Daddy returns from the nursery with your stats. You are 8lbs 1oz!! I can't believe it. No wonder I had trouble pushing. You are 21" long and your head circumference is 13 3/4 " (75% on the charts). I can't believe it! Now I am so glad that you were induced, if you were much bigger I don't think I would have been able to deliver you! You are 3lbs 7oz bigger than Connor was when he was born.

The Dr decided that you should spend the night in the nursery just to be safe. So after a while Daddy and I head down to the nursery so I can nurse you. I am so happy when you latch right on and eat like a little piggy! I love it!! Daddy and I stay and cuddle you until midnight. We love you so much! We're just happy that you are healthy. Daddy then goes home so he can catch some Zs and pick Connor up in the morning. I nurse you again during the night and at 6am the NICU nurse Erika brings you down to our room. I am not going to let you out of my sight from now on.

Griffin on the left Connor on the right, same Pooh Bear (two totally different babies)

Mike Rowe Dirty Jobs - Diaper Cleaner

Posted by Kim:

My husband and I have been big fans of Mike Rowe and his show Dirty Jobs for several seasons now! As a matter of fact one of the reasons we started watching Deadliest Catch was simply because Mike Rowe is the narrator. Mike's ability to find some of the Dirtiest Jobs is amazing, but even funnier is his fantastic sense of humor. While all of the jobs he documents are difficult and hard to imagine being full-time work, he really brings a hilarious edge to the show. So of the companies/workers he documents find him hilarious too, but there is the occasional host who does not find him funny at all.

I have seen many, many episodes but this week we watched a funny and relevant episode, the life and times of the diaper cleaner. In this episode that originally aired on February 3, 2009 Mike follows a day in the life of the Tidee Didee Cloth Diaper Service in Sacramento California.

To watch a clip from the episode click here

According to the episode the Tidee Didee companies processes 10,000 diapers per week and that translates in 1/2 million less disposable diapers clogging up the landfills each year. Also, disposable diapers in the US acocunt for 2 billion tons of plastic, paper, pulp, and untreated urine and poo going into landfills each year.

When Connor was an infant we used a cloth diaper service and it was awesome! I love the fact that we were using cloth and yet I didn't have to clean them myself. We probably didn't save as much money as we would have had we purchased the diapers ourselves, but there are certain things that are worth paying for as far as I am concerned and washing poo is one of them. The other good thing about the service was that they used extra water efficient washers and in Colorado water efficiency is very critical. We used the Earth Smart Diaper Service in Longmont, but to find a diaper service in your area you can check the Diaper Service Directory or the more informational National Association of Diaper Services website.

You will also find the answers to the following questions on the National Association of Diaper Services website

Why use cloth?
Why cotton?
Isn't it inconvenient?
Anything else I should know about using cotton?
Does dry mean clean?
Chemicals?
Are disposable diapers linked to asthema?
Are disposable diapers associated with an increased scrotal temperature?
Economic issues
Convenience