Category Archives: Organic Mama Cafe

Jan 24
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So, You think I’m Crazy to Birth at Home…

By | Birth Choices, Birth Week, Pregnancy | 17 Comments

Tonight I saw a friend who completely disagrees with me on a topic dear to my heart, my choice to give birth at home. It’s not something we can discuss for very long because it is something she’s very passionate about and holds strong feelings against it.

An RN who holds a key position in the Obstetrics department of a local hospital, she has the education to speak to the topic in an informed manner. She also believes strongly in what medical care can offer to women who wish to birth at a hospital.

While I have chosen to birth at home, I also value the importance of an obstetrician when one is needed. After all, I had a rather dramatic miscarriage  last year that resulted in severe hemorrhaging. I am grateful that medical care was there when I needed it! I truly love and respect my friend. I simply disagree that every birth qualifies as a medical event.

However, since this friend isn’t the only person in my life who doesn’t understand why I choose to birth at home, I decided to offer a few thoughts on the matter.

I’m not going to quote a bunch of statistics about how home birth is safer than hospital birth. You can find statistics on both sides of the argument that will support whatever position you have decided to embrace.

After having a hospital birth the first time, I wanted to try something different. It wasn’t that I had terrible care, I just felt I might be more comfortable in a different environment. So, I did my research and concluded home birth to be a safe choice for our second birth. The decision was a positive one for both my husband and me. Here are a few of the reasons I love it.

I believe my female body is made to give birth safely and that birth is not an inherently dangerous or even “medical” experience most of the time. My midwife is well trained to recognize warning signs and we have a transport plan in place should we need it.

I love being comfortable in my own space.

I love that I can wear what I want – even if it is nothing.

I love being free to make noise and believe me, near the end, I do!

I love that my midwife respected my wishes not to constantly check the dilation of my cervix in order to give me progress reports that make me feel like I’m not moving fast enough. My hospital birth was very discouraging from this perspective.

I love being able to move around or be still without anyone trying to mess with me in the middle of a contraction – like checking my cervix when I really don’t want to be touched. (Are you getting that this is kind of a big deal for me?)

I love how fast my labor seemed to go at home. Second births are typically shorter but mine also felt less intense. On reflection, I think this is because I was distracted by other things I could do (and did) at home, like clean my kitchen, pick up, eat, and ask my husband to buy oranges from the store so I could make gingerbread cookies. At which point, he questioned whether I was really in labor! Did I make the cookies? Ahem. Well, I was pushing out a baby within about 2 hours of asking for the oranges so… No, silly. haha! But the thought that I was going to make them was a positive distraction.

I love that I can labor in my bathtub. In my hospital birth there were no birthing tubs but my doctor assured me the shower would do the same thing because the shower would relax my nerve endings. Well!!!! I can assure you it is NOT the same thing! Good grief. The anti-gravity affect of the bathtub was a game changer in my second birth. So relaxing. If only I’d had that in my first birth – of a 9lb 7 oz baby!

I love having my midwife in attendance the whole time, encouraging me, monitoring the baby and ensuring that everything is progressing smoothly. This is also Robert’s favorite part. He felt so much more comfortable with my midwife’s attendance at my birth than the doc at my hospital (though the doc was fine). My midwife’s 28+ years of midwife skills and impeccable record are reassuring. She and her apprentice aren’t whipping in and out of my room just to inform me whether I’m dilating fast enough. Their attention is not divided between me and the other patients in their care who may need more attention than me. My midwife and her apprentice watch me – and only me – closely to ensure I’m still feeling strong and that the baby is ok, the entire labor.

I love the constant presence and support I receive at home from people I know well and actually love. For me, nearly a year of meeting with my midwife and her apprentice formed a bond between us that was more than that of a caretaker. That bond helped my midwife to know when I needed that extra encouragement to finish the work ahead of me, “You know, when you decide to get serious about pushing, that baby is going to come right out!” and I trusted her enough to listen. And you know what? She was right!

I love that my baby and I are not exposed to super-germs at home that are often present in the hospital.

I love that no one is pushing me to take drugs to hurry things along or just to prove that I’m not trying to be a hero.

I love knowing that my body has the strength to introduce a new life to the world, without drugs. Regarding people who think women who birth without drugs trying to prove their “heroism”, I have no illusions on this point. Just ask friends who’ve known me for years and remember me losing consciousness whenever I experience something acutely or surprisingly painful (like getting my ears pierced, hitting my elbow on a locker or getting my measles booster shot). I am not joking. I have naturally low blood pressure, so I faint in these situations. It’s always been a source of embarrassment for me! Birth is different because it’s not an acute or sudden pain but more like waves of pressure that increase gradually, making the pain bearable.

I love how fast I recovered from my drug-free delivery. So different from the first time when I felt so disconnected from my baby and almost a little nuts after my epidural. Narcotics and me – Not a good combination!

So, those are a few of the reasons home birth works for me.

Based on my research, I believe there are times that hospital births put babies at higher risk because of unnecessary interventions. That doesn’t mean they can’t be safe. There are also many times OB’s and L&D nurses provide optimum care for their patients and save lives.

In either birthing environment, we can do our best to make wise, informed choices but in the end, the outcome isn’t really in our hands as mothers (or anyone else’s). My own faith in the divine leads me to believe that the best plan is to do the research, commit to a course of action with a care provider who shares our vision and move forward in confidence and without regret.

So friends – if you’re looking for a sermon on home birth from me or you want to feel guilty about your birth choice, you’re not gonna find it here!

How did you make choices about your birth?

Dec 01
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Aloe Vera, An Organic Mama’s Medicine Cabinet Essential

By | Natural Health | 2 Comments

Since this time of year, we’re all doing a little more baking and cooking (thus a higher potential for painful burns, haha!), I thought I’d do a post about something that might come in handy for personal use or gifts. Here it is. Yep. That’s right, a plant. One of my favorites – Aloe Vera.

I thought of this last night because as I was cooking dinner, I managed to burn the inside of my right forearm. Boy, did it hurt! I rinsed it with cool water right away but like most moms, I needed to finish cooking, clean up the kitchen, get the kids to bed etc. You get the picture. However, within an hour, right as I was moving the kids toward bedtime,  I realized how much it was smarting.

My oldest looked at me with concern so I asked, “What do you think I should do with a burn like this?”

The answers came quickly, “Rinse with water. Rest it.”

“What else?” I asked.

“Aloe vera, of course!” came the reply.

“You’re so right.” I answered. Why  did I put off doing it? As with many remedies, the sooner you pay attention to the pain that’s shouting at you, the faster it will be healed.

I quickly stepped outside and snapped off a piece, avoiding the thorns. Over the next 1/2 hour, I smoothed it over the burn several times. Overnight, the angry red mark was almost completely gone. It would have smarted all week without aloe. Awesome!

Here’s my aloe plant. I love this one because the color is beautiful and filled with juice. See that little one growing off to the side? It’s called a pup. To replant it, just gently pull it out of the ground and snap off several inches of root. Place in dirt, water and you have gift worthy plant!

It’s true that as an Arizona girl I’m probably a little bit prejudiced to love the aloe plant but I think everyone should have one.

Not only can the inner flesh be used externally for burns – whether from the stove or sun, it’s also a great addition to soothing creams and lotions. Some people say it can be used as a mild sun protectant! It can also be used internally for various ailments from gastrointestinal disorders  to heart disease and cancer.

Here’s my neighbor’s aloe.  A slightly different variety but still has healing power. Notice how narrow it is? This one is a very vigorous reproducer and will fill the box if they allow it.

Plus, aloe is a beautiful plant that grows great in hot climates with very limited water or attention. That’s one of my favorite reasons for keeping in my garden.

Here’s the other. Aloe plants reproduce easily so once you have one,  you have a source for ongoing gift giving.

Yet another variety of aloe. Another neighbor in our townhome community has these and they’re beautiful. Over a foot tall, the long leaves are filled with a lot more healing flesh. This one has a strong odor but seems to be an even more powerful healer.

This season, consider giving yourself or someone else a gift with many uses. Aloe is an irreplaceable resource in an Organic Mama’s garden!

It’s SO easy to use.

1. Wash it and cut off the thorns.

2. Slice it open lengthwise to reveal the flesh inside and rub it on the burn. I would not use it on broken skin. If it starts to feel “dry” just give it a few scratches with your nail or a knife and the juice will rise to the top. Store in the fridge between uses.

*Research internal use of Aloe Vera carefully before beginning and do not take internally when pregnant!

**As always, I’ll remind you that I am not a doctor.  These are common sense remedies I use for my family, especially because they support the immune system rather than simply attacking the symptoms of illness. I have taken the time to research any herbal recipes carefully myself and have consulted with my local herbalist and doctor. I encourage you to always do the same before choosing to take or administer any kind of remedy, whether herbal or off the shelf at a local drugstore.**

 

Oct 25
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Natural Diaper Rash Remedies

By | Diapering, Natural Health | 4 Comments

Welcome to POOP 101, otherwise known as The Secrets of Healing Diaper Rash. That red, hot, often broken skin is terrible to see on a baby’s bum. Unfortunately, the combination of bacteria, friction, moisture and heat all pressed against baby’s bum in a leak proof package creates the perfect breeding ground for a nasty rash. Sensitive skin makes it even worse. Yet, there are natural remedies for diaper rash and they’re easier than you think.

We all know about diaper cream but what’s the alternative?  I’ve learned a lot since I first started diapering babies.

First, there is an alternative to diapering with cloth or paper.
In many parts of the world, moms train their babies from birth to eliminate on cue into a toilet instead of in their “unders”. And while teaching babies to eliminate on cue isn’t ‘potty training’, it does keep your baby from learning to defecate in their pants. Instead of changing a dirty diaper, you simply catch the mess in advance. It saves money on diapers and makes it less likely that your baby will get diaper rash. I don’t do it all the time but I have done it and it works! If you’re interested, check out http://www.diaperfreebaby.org

We’ve used cloth and paper diapers and contrary to popular belief, diapering with either can cause rashes.

Problems with cloth diapers include – friction, heat, soap retention & detergents containing enzymes.

Problems with paper diapers can include friction, too drying (wicking material!) and material/chemical sensitivity. Some contain latex. We never even thought about this with our latex sensitive, eldest child. She had a lot of rashes as a baby. Boy, was I upset to learn this after the fact!

I’ve learned, the sooner I address a diaper rash, the better.

There are times diaper rashes are more likely to happen. When I pay attention, I can head the rash off before it starts.

Things that make diaper rashes more likely include anything that increases heat or friction or changes the frequency and ph of poop – such as…

Gastroenteritis. Nothing like frequent diarrhea to make a little baby’s bum raw and miserable.
Teething – all that drool that babies create while teething contributes to more frequent stools. You’ll learn to recognize this. It’s not diarrhea but it’s looser than regular poop and has a kind of “sandy” texture to it.
Summer – In our experience, summer heat speeds up the progression of a rash.

So here are the steps I take as soon as I see that bum looking slightly pink or raw.

Take action immediately.
Every moment counts. Ok – lil’ bit dramatic but it’s real. Diaper rashes can go from bad to worse quickly when ignored. Instead of a slightly pink bum, they can become a stubborn yeast rash or, worst case, a staph infection. Trust me, it’s easier to kick it as soon at “slightly pink”.

Lose the wipes and rinse with water
Yep. You heard me. Wipes contain soap and irritate sore skin. How would you like someone wiping soap all over a rash on your most tender spots? Do you know that the human race has survived for thousands of years without disposable wipes? I know. Crazy but true.

I gently wipe off any solid stuff and rinse with water. When we’re home, we rinse our baby’s behind in the sink, bathtub or with our diaper sprayer. Toddlers usually think this is hilarious. A gentle hand is the best tool for ensuring that a baby’s squishy bum is completely clean. Plus, it won’t irritate like a washcloth. And I carefully pat dry with a soft cloth. When we’re out in public, we take a water squirt bottle and some gentle cloth wipes with you. A cut up flannel baby blankie works great.

Moisturize the skin
Next, I apply coconut oil to the affect area. It’s healing, anti-fungal and moisturizing without being too oily.

But keep the yucky moisture away from the bum.
Gently pat some cornstarch or arrowroot powder on the rash

You can buy cornstarch in any supermarket and arrowroot is not hard to find in natural food stores. They’re both cheap and work well. This is best if the skin isn’t broken (it shouldn’t be if you take action immediately). It will dry the beginnings of the rash out – like a charm.

*A friend told me that she thinks cornstarch can feed a yeast rash so if a rash is thick, raised and red, I would go for the arrowroot instead.

“What???” You may be asking.

“What about Diaper cream?”
My mom and my mom’s mom used xyz cream for every diaper rash! They swear by it!”

Well, if that’s working for you, go for it.

I try not to use diaper creams for two reasons. First, it’s my experience that most of the time, diaper cream isn’t needed if you follow these first few steps right away. (Of course there are exceptions).

The other reason I don’t often use diaper cream is that diaper cream is often mineral oil based (it’s meant to keep moisture off the bootie) but it also traps moisture and bacteria if you haven’t carefully rinsed it and it can make things go from bad to worse fast.

Let my baby go au naturel ( especially in sunlight for some healing Vitamin D) for a while or loosely fasten a fresh diaper his bum.

Just put a towel under them to catch the drips. The idea is to let the air get to the sore spot and heal it. The faster it dries out, the less likely it is to develop into something serious.

Change the diaper as soon as it’s wet or soiled
I can’t emphasize this enough.

Remember –

Bacteria + moisture + heat + friction = diaper rash

Hope this is helpful for you mamas dealing with diaper rash. If a baby’s rash has progressed past this first stage, I would still use these steps to speed healing.

Here’s to healthy little, rash free bums!

*this post is updated, thanks to the wisdom of friends and my own experience!

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Read: Cradle Cap: Naturally Prevent and Eliminate It

Oct 11
0

Pros of Home Birth

By | Birth Choices, Birth Week | No Comments

Here are some of the things I liked about home birth.

1 My own space & my own germs (not the super-staph and other stuff at the hospital). I felt relaxed, which I believe contributed to a much shorter labor. I also got a lot of cleaning done (both bathrooms) in early labor and it distracted me.

2. The feeling of letting my body do what it was meant to do – create, nurture and give birth to life. While the pain was of the “Holy **** – Why did I think I wanted to do this naturally??” variety, it helped me to know just when to push and push effectively and when to take a break.

3. My midwife did not constantly tell me how far I’d dilated – so I wasn’t in competition with the clock. I progressed in my own time. In fact, she asked me if I wanted to know how far I was dilated and I basically stated in no uncertain terms that no one had better put her hands down there. I’m sure I was polite.

4. Being aware and happy that my baby had arrived safely.

5. Going to bed in my own home afterward and actually sleeping rather than having someone wake me every hour to check on me.

6. Getting to see the placenta. The amazing veins running through it are shaped just like a tree of life. It was incredible. What a wonderful picture of its purpose.

7. Being alone with my husband so we could sleep and enjoy together, just us two, a night with the new little miracle that our love created.

8. Midwife attendant who could monitor the baby’s heartbeat – and remind me that I could get through the pain to see my little girl.

I am so happy with the way homebirth turned out and if I ever give birth again, I’ll be calling my midwife.