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I don't know how I could have given birth without a doula March 31, 2008Posted by guinever in birth, birth stories, birth story, doula, health, labor, midwifery, pregnancy.
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Thanks to Molly for sharing her birth stories with us:
When my first son was born, I was living in post-communist Eastern Europe. Think America in the 1940s and you'll imagine the situation in the hospital correctly. I had already suffered a miscarriage while living there, which was devastating. I tried to prepare myself for natural childbirth by reading a book about the Bradley method, but I was young and didn't really know anyone who had done natural childbirth. In the hospital the nurses told me they were going to give me a shot which would make everything better, and I wouldn't have any side effects from it at all. I didn't realize that they were giving me a narcotic until it was too late. I had the strangest out of body experiences and felt convinced that I was dying and no one knew it except a big dog that was beside my bed the whole time. Of course, no one saw the dog except me, LOL!
After the birth, my baby was taken away from me and I didn't see him again for about 12 hours. He had Strep B so they made him stay in the nursery and I could only see him when I wanted to nurse. My confidence as a mother was pretty low. I had already lost one baby, then I didn't have the victorious birth I was hoping for with the 2nd, I couldn't nurse very well and his health problems prevented us from bonding the way I had been told we should. As a new mother, far from family and home, I felt very isolated and insecure.
hiring a doula for her second birth
It was almost four years before I would birth baby #2. I felt that my poor birth experiences had robbed me of much of the confidence I should feel as a mother. I was 100% committed to having a natural birth this time, and I felt sure that it would be very empowering. I was back in the USA, and I decided to use a doula. She encouraged me to write a birth plan and submit it to the hospital when I came in for the birth. Part of my birth plan stated in large, clear type that I did not want any medication and that no one was to offer me medication at any time. I didn't want to be tempted.
using a midwife
I also decided to use a midwife instead of a doctor. I was a little worried that having the doula there would take something away from the experience I hoped to have with my husband. Nothing was further from the truth. The doula enabled me to have a much better experience with my husband. During my first birth I felt like I barely saw my husband…he was too busy rubbing my back and applying counter-pressure for me to see much of his face.
With the doula, she rubbed my back and did a lot of the physical things I needed (getting ice, heat packs, etc) and my husband was free to totally focus on meeting my emotional needs. He was always right there where I could see him and talk to him, and I was able to hold his hand and feel his reassuring presence. My doula handled the nursing staff for me as well, which allowed me to turn my focus more inward and just relax and think about the task at hand.
As it turns out, I don't know how I could have done it without the doula.
I was in the transition phase for over 2 hours….I think transition isn't supposed to last more than about 30 minutes! It's the time when you are sweating and cold at the same time, and the contractions are so intense. All you want to do is push but it's not time yet. My doula enabled me to take each contraction one at a time.
thanking the Lord for a natural birth
I feel confident the staff would have pushed me toward C-section if she hadn't been there, because it was almost unbearable and it just took so long. But between the doula and my husband, I had plenty of support and was able to make it through. The doula also suggested that my husband sit behind me on the table and I leaned against him. During the contractions I dug my fingers into the knees of his jeans. When it was time push, he leaned forward and I leaned forward with him and bore down. When the contraction was over I could lean back against him for a moment to catch my breath.
It felt so safe and secure to be so close to him.
When I finally was able to push my baby out, I felt so great! I was so thrilled that I had accomplished my goal of having a natural labor and birth. I immediately felt much more confident as a mother…as a person. I can honestly say that the Lord used this birth experience to redeem much of the loss and frustration of my previous one. I felt very exhilarated and empowered by the whole thing. It was like being on top of the world. I was fully alert and could immediately nurse my baby and bond with him.
an epidural after the birth for repair
All my sons have been big, and baby #2 was no exception. I had a rectal tear when he was born which necessitated a trip to the surgeon when he was a few weeks old. They gave me an epidural and I got to find out all about what I had missed out on. It made my legs all trembly, and they had to catheterize me, as well. When the catheter came out it was painful, and I couldn't make myself pee. It was so uncomfortable to have the urge and not be able to go. This further strengthened my resolve to NEVER have an epidural during birth.
You can read more of Molly's birth stories
You can submit your birth story too; please click here for guidelines.
birthing with polyhydrominos: a birth story March 21, 2008Posted by guinever in birth, birth stories, birth story, home birth, midwifery, pregnancy.
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This birth story is from Deb, a certified Bradley® teacher and doula.
I'll do my best to recount our birth day without making it sound too bad. I wrote this a week after our birth, and even then, I could appreciate what we did and the choices we made that day, but it seems that with every birth there is something that I wonder if we could have done differently. I think that's the way of things, though!
The midwife graciously said it will just make us better Bradley teachers. LOL I will tell you that I am a case straight out of Variations and Unexpected Situations…. not your normal birth.
knowing her options and trusting her birth team
I REALLY hope for those of you reading this and are expecting right now, that my birth story won't scare you. This was one of those "couldn't see it coming but you deal with it anyway" situations and I'm glad we had the chance to work through it. I think it comes down to knowing your options still and trusting your team. I felt like we always had a say in what happened…no one pushed anything on us. The only time I felt out of control was when it was ME doing it to myself! We still managed to have a vaginal birth without compromising anyone's health. And for that I'm very grateful.
Deb's obstetrical history
I have had polyhydrominos which is excessive amniotic fluid levels (normal levels at term are 5-25cm; my highest level has measured at 41cm. Basically, I was a whale.). I've been tested numerous times, because sometimes extra fluid is a result of an anomaly in the baby (such as problems swallowing or peeing in utero), but all babies have been normal. Other times extra fluid is a result of gestational diabetes, but that has been ruled out. So the docs have decided that it's just the way I "am" during pregnancy. The down side to it is that with the extra fluid, there is no need for the baby to settle into a head down position, and for my last two babies before this birth, they have flipped back and forth between breech and head down up until birth, necessitating an external version (where the doc manually turns the baby from the outside). With this pregnancy, my fluid levels were staying sort of low (on the high end of normal, which is low for me!) and although she was both vertex and breech at times, she seemed to be settling more head down than not.
I was so hopeful that for once, I would be able to go into labor spontaneously and show up at the hospital in labor instead of for an induction. At 35 weeks, however, my visit showed that my fluid had spiked and was measuring a few weeks ahead, so they ordered an ultrasound. BAD IDEA. They did an u/s at 36 weeks and estimated the baby's weight at 8lbs 13oz with extra fluid (at that visit my belly was measuring 44 weeks. Again, think of a whale).
They immediately went into panic mode saying that if we left the baby alone, she'd be over 10lbs at term and there would be no way they could turn her if she were breech. After a heart-wrenching week of trying to decide what was best, we decided to do an induction because we could be sure that she would be head down and we could avoid a c-section. I fully realize that others in my position would have refused the induction, thinking that if they just waited it out, the baby would flip to vertex, be in a good position, and labor could progress on its own. But with me and my past history, at this point it wasn't only about as little intervention as possible, but my birth plan was basically one sentence:
We will do whatever is necessary to avoid a surgical birth.
planning an induction
We had decided that we were going to do the induction on Monday. As of the previous Thursday, I was just about 3cm and Chloe was head down and in a good -2 station. Things looked great for an induction that would hopefully go by "our rules": the plan was to leak the bag of waters slowly to allow her head to settle even further in the pelvis. Then I'd just need a hep-lock and could call the shots in terms of induction, whether it be walking, lollipopping, or pitocin if we so chose. I was very optimistic that finally we have a chance to do this.
On Sunday, I was a little concerned because it felt like the baby had flipped back to breech again. My anxiety probably constricted all my pelvic muscles and wouldn't allow her to turn if she'd wanted to! 🙂 On top of that, I just couldn't be sure of the baby parts I was feeling so I was pretty much just obsessing.Throughout the weekend, too, I'd had a few sessions of hours of contractions, some strong enough to make me wonder if labor were starting. The last set came early Monday morning before the induction, starting around 4am. At first I thought
This is great; I'm going into labor on my own!
But then Todd woke up and grumbled "Do you know how the baby is lying?" and my ignorant bliss left quickly. I couldn't tell, but I just had a feeling that she wasn't head down. Although earlier in our late-pregnancy saga, our midwife had warned us that the doctor wouldn't even try to do an external version if I came into the hospital in labor, she had just last week said that she managed to get him to agree to at least try, as long as I wasn't in transition or anything. So I was hopeful on that front that even if things were happening, we'd at least still have a shot to try a vaginal birth.
getting the heplock
We arrived at the hospital shortly after 8am and did the usual admitting stuff. The first "event" of the day was trying to get my hep-lock put in. This is hands down my least favorite part of labor. There were 4 nurses and it took all 4 of them to get a line going. My veins just run and hide when they hear the word hep-lock! Seriously, all the relaxation techniques are put to use for getting a stupid line run in my arm. So the first try was a nurse and a student nurse. I *should* have respectfully asked her to defer to a professional, just because I didn't want to get into the hour-long saga of getting it done. BUT I didn't. Dumb. She almost got it in and then the vein blew.
So my midwife came in and I asked her for a shot of lidocaine in my other arm, which she was happy to do. The other nurses, however, including one who kept calling me "Bradley lady", was heckling me about getting pain meds for an IV. I had no problem with that–I know my own weakness! My midwife, who is usually very efficient at the whole IV thing, promptly blew out my other good vein. So a discussion amongst 4 nurses ensued as to where they were going to get this line in and finally the "Bradley heckler" got it but she made my midwife do the other lidocaine shot. OK, so that was stress #1 over for the day.
I was on the monitor for a while and my midwife said it looked like I had a labor pattern. I could tell I was having contractions, but they were a lot milder than the ones I'd woken up with earlier that morning. I told her that I was worried about the baby's position and when we did an ultrasound, sure enough, that little stinker had gone back to being head up. Between the three of us, there was a collective "CRAP". Not what we were all hoping for! My midwife checked me and slyly said "I may have to fib to Dr. G about your dilation." He was probably not on board with trying a version if I were past 5cm. "Officially" I was 2cm (I really don't know what I was, but at this point it didn't matter). She went out to call Dr. G.
doing an external version
The next step was to administer a medication that would relax my uterus (I was still having contractions, but although they were regular, they weren't terribly strong). I was already frustrated at this point, because I knew the med would stop the natural contractions I was having and would take some time to wear off in terms of getting things going again. While we waited for Dr. G. to get to the hospital, my midwife and Todd almost turned the baby themselves. It was rather humorous, but also sort of a relief, because it looked like she would turn just fine. We were right; the doc showed up, did his own assessment, slathered ultrasound gel on my belly and flipped her lickety split.
He wasn't able to maneuver her very far down into my pelvis, though, so they were concerned again about cord prolapse if the water broke. We decided to try a little pit to counteract the terbutaline shot (the relaxer…do you see the craziness in that!?!?) and once my uterus was contracting again go back to trying to leak the bag of waters to help her slowly come down into the pelvis. They started the pit out at the lowest level and it didn't take long before I was having at least some contractions again. I actually feel like this was when I was either going to go into labor on my own or very nearly, so the induction part of the whole day didn't bother me too too much). Around noon-ish, I was checked again and I was 4-5cm (who knows if I had been there since we had arrived–I never asked her!) and it seemed like an OK time to leak the bag. Here's where the biggest mistake of the day happened, in my opinion.
it was supposed to be a slow leak
Dr. C. was on call and she was the one to do the leaking. She doesn't know me from Adam and frankly didn't care a whit about whether she broke it or leaked it. (This is my realization upon later reflection, of course). I'm still not sure why my midwife couldn't do it, but she didn't do it last time with Andrew's birth, so maybe it's a protocol thing. Imagine the scene: Dr. C, the midwife, and Todd are all flanking me for this procedure. She goes in, we all expect a leak, but instead she busts it totally open. All three of them jumped back with a gasp. I only heard the sound of the biggest dam breaking and water absolutely pouring out. And of course relief on my part, at least physically. Dr. C. was soaked, which was my only recourse. After my initial feeling of "wow, that feels better!" we immediately jumped into the concern about the cord…remember that the baby's head was very high still.
But Dr. C, her work done, flitted off to the next train wreck. I'm really not very upset with her, but just wish that she could have been a little more thoughtful to the situation or that Dr. B. , who at least was my ally in this situation, had been the one at the hospital. But seeing as how this day was going, it was par for the course.
My midwife did an immediate check just to feel for head parts (and hopefully not other parts). There was no cord, but she did feel something odd… She was mumbling to herself and I didn't really pay attention too much at that point, but Todd did. When he pressed her, she just answered like she was trying to figure out *what* she'd felt. Not a cord, though. (did we have an alien child? LOL) My contractions picked up a bit, but still were not demanding my attention. Really, they were just there…. The pit had been turned up a bit but I'm not sure of the numbers (I should have had Todd chronicle every increase, but just now thought of that!).
My midwife came back and checked again (how's that for keeping exams to a minimum?!?! what are we up to, something like 27 by this point!??!) and discerned that Chloe had her hand on top of her head. Evidently when the water broke she moved down, along with her hand. It was almost on top of her head. This is not a *huge* complication; with my 3rd birth the baby was born with his hand up next to his face. It slowed down the pushing stage and caused me to tear a little, but nothing overly complicated. My midwife assured me that they don't do c-sections for hands, but there was that little voice in the back of our heads that cautioned us about a big baby.
We all remembered our former midwife's claim that I had a 10-lb capacity pelvis and went confidently with that thought! She did ask that I stay in bed on my hands and knees for a bit to see if maybe the situation could resolve itself. At this point, we didn't want her to descend any further because then her arm could get into a place where it was stuck. I was on board with that, so I just tried to relax for a bit and not let my mind totally freak out. I have to say that although I wasn't overwhelmed, I was not dealing with everything very well.
I really had wanted to do this without all the interventions and STUFF, and I was frustrated at feeling so helpless even at this point. My mental preparedness was not that great, but thankfully I have Todd, who is just so good at reminding me of all the things I need to know. I don't know what I would do without him.
Are you all still with me?
Sometime after 2pm, I was checked again because of Miss Chloe's hand/arm situation. This was my midwife's day off, mind you, and she stayed with us pretty much the whole time. She took a nap at one point–maybe when she suggested I stay in bed–but I would say that she was in the room about 80% of the day. I was so thankful. She was really fighting for our right to keep laboring when anyone else would have called it quits before now. The report from the latest exam was not good: Chloe's entire arm had gotten in front of her head and was actually out past my cervix into the birth canal. (Don't think the irony of having joked about this a lot in class was lost on me!)
the baby grabbed the midwife's finger
When she did the exam, the baby grabbed her finger. Oh my word. NOW we were in a true complication situation. She sat down next to us and laid it out. It was not something that was going to resolve itself, but she thought she could try to maneuver her arm back in where it belonged and hopefully the baby would pull it back down. She thought it could work mostly because Chloe had that arm around her head and on the opposite side of her face (I can't remember which was the offending arm, but if it was her right, then it was up around the left side of her face). Usually, she told us, the protocol for this procedure is to get an epidural and then try, because, as she said
I will have to put my whole hand in there to try and fix it.
Now I am usually OK with labor…it's hard work and I'd call it painful at times, but it's usually something I can work through myself without pain meds. At that point, however, whenever someone uses the two words "whole hand" together when she's referring to your birth canal… I was very persuaded. I felt totally defeated, actually. I'm going to have to get an epidural!?! Still, it seemed like a good use for one if the procedure was going to be all that.
But then I thought to ask how long it would take… if it worked, would it be quick? or would she take 10 minutes to get it done. She said that if it was going to work, it wouldn't be more than a few minutes. After talking with Todd, and recalling the strength of two recent students who endured other docs manually breaking up cervical scar tissue, I asked her if we could try it without, but if it was too much, if we could stop and do an epidural. She agreed that it was worth a try.
It seemed like an eternity before we actually got on with it. When the midwife was putting on her glove (which she stretched to her elbow…I should have fainted right there!) So she started and Todd held my hand and tried to be encouraging, along with the nurse. She was right; it did not take very long, but it was probably worse than any other pain I've ever felt. I only kept on because when it was about to be too much, she said "OK, I think I got it." Then she had me in bed on my side for a bit to see what happened: would her hand creep back up around her head? Would she pull it back where it belonged? I was rather traumatized by the events of the last hour, so I was happy to just recover. It was probably at least an hour or so before she checked and we got the good report
"I don't feel any digits."
At this point, we thought getting up and using the birth ball would be good. I was 6-7cm by this point, but obviously not working or in serious labor. I was just chatting, and I was ready to get on with it, but I think it was me that was keeping it from moving. My pitocin was pretty high at this point, and my midwife made the call to keep it on. I did not argue, mostly because it wasn't even affecting me. I think at that point we were at 20 units (can never remember what units, though!).
If we had the all-clear of digits check around 3ish, then it was a good two hours later, maybe more, when I was still just putzing around. My midwife came in and gave me the "we've stalled here for a while, and that's very unusual for a para 6." I knew it and was worried that it was me that was my mental state that was causing the plateau. I had a little breakdown with her and she gently offered an epidural again, citing maybe the arm thing we did earlier was holding things up….but she used the phrase "cruising towards a section" here and that got me all in a tizzy.
getting a pep talk from her husband
I asked to go to the bathroom and Todd was in there with me and I had my all-out breakdown. Was I not ready for 6 children? Was I holding this up because I hadn't mentally prepared myself for another baby? Again, Todd is so wonderful at giving me perspective, and reassured me that we were doing just fine, that we had only started several hours earlier, and that I was making progress. I didn't have to take an epidural if I didn't want one (I really didn't want to, and mostly because I didn't want to have to deal with the after effects. But I was pretty close to caving by this time)
Todd's pep talk gave me a renewed confidence and perseverance and when we left the bathroom, the midwife suggested that I lay on my left side with the bed flat for a while. Whenever she did an exam that day, if I was totally flat my cervix seemed to magically open more than if I'd been tilted or the bed was up even a bit. So hey, worth a try. She also had my pit up to 26 by that point. (I HATE the number 26, by the way)
labor rituals for transition
I don't know if it was the pit increase or the position change or my mental adjustment, but suddenly we changed gears. I would say it was sometime after 5 o'clock that all this happened. My contractions started to get fast, furious, and just plain awful. I remember how much pit contractions hurt. My ritual was that Todd HAD to lightly rub my shoulder on top of the hospital gown when each contraction started and had to continue until it was gone. NO questions asked, no slouching. I couldn't deal with the strength of the contractions if he didn't do that. I always find that so funny, but even thinking about it at the time, I still needed it and he got snapped at if God forbid he missed the start of a contraction. 🙂
By now I didn't care who was in the room, who talked, or who was even breathing the contractions were so strong. I do remember my mantra became "I hate pitocin, I hate pitocin! My midwife and her stupid pitocin" and when she came in I said "It's too much; can't you turn it down?" to which she answered
These are the contractions you need to get your baby out.
It sounds so insensitive (and I remember really not liking her right then, but I respond to that kind of matter-of-factness, I guess.
It was maybe an hour of that before I was pushing without trying to, but when I got checked I was 9ish. She asked me to push through a contraction and she was convinced that I could push it away, so I did. Even after 6 babies I still have trouble getting into the groove of pushing and this time was no exception. That probably extended my time a bit, but it didn't take long. Todd managed to call his sister and mom back in the room (I knew they weren't there, but wasn't concerned about them missing it. I just wanted to be done) and they arrived less than 10 minutes before the baby was born. I remember the midwife asking to have another nurse come in when Chloe started to crown because we had some concern about her size and shoulders.
She announced that if she had back up there, nothing usually happened. I asked her if she thought we should lower the bed and she laughed about that later, saying "When the baby is crowning, most moms are panting, breathing, or screaming 'get it out!' but you were asking me if we should lower the bed!" Oh well…it was a trick I remembered seeing from another big baby birth.
the birth
Todd was next my midwife, ready to catch. Chloe was born at 6:37pm with no dystocia and no problems. It was wonderful.
The nursery nurse jumped in at 6:38 and asked to take her to do the newborn stuff (remember that her shift was ending at 7 and she wanted to get her job done so she could leave). My midwife chewed her out and said,
She has worked really hard for this baby and she's going to hold it for a while!
She deliberately didn't cut the cord till way after it had stopped pulsing. We both really appreciated that. 🙂 The nurse got huffy and actually left! She didn't ever come back, in fact, and Todd and my midwife did the newborn stuff themselves. I didn't have any stitches, so that part has been great. She weighed 8lbs 13oz and was 22 in long. I was a little disappointed; I was hoping for at least 9lb!! But she was beautiful, has a very unique shade of blond hair that is really long in the back (she has male pattern baldness in the front and top) and looks JUST like her brothers and sister. It is quite amazing to see the same face in just a slightly different model.
processing the birth
So now, writing about this birth a week later, there are things I would change, but all in all, I think we took a possibly bad scenario and worked with it to keep mom and baby healthy. The next day my midwife said in all her OB years, she had never seen a complication like that and the nurses in L&D were still talking about us that we hadn't taken the epidural. I was so glad we at least tried it without, even if we would have had to end up with one. I know the recovery without metabolizing the epidural is so much easier. Without that and without stitches, I was amazed at how I felt. I'm still tired and I was sore but nothing like past births. At least THAT part of it was smooth!
We owe so much to my midwife. She said she'd talked to Dr. G about what he would have done if it had been his patient and an arm and he replied (she said they call him Eeyore and if you use his voice, it makes it funnier!) "I probably would have tried it, but I'm not very good at it…." At least he would have tried; I'm convinced Dr. C. would have just hauled us back to the OR. We feel so indebted to her that we gave Chloe her middle name, Rose.
a nice homebirth of a third baby February 19, 2008Posted by guinever in birth, birth stories, birth story, home birth, homebirth, midwifery, pregnancy.
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After having an "accidental" homebirth for her second baby, Sarah and her husband decided to plan a homebirth for their third baby. This is Sarah's birth story:
I've heard many times that third babies are unpredictable. My first two had come right before their due dates, and within four hours. I expected this one to be a week late, missing the whole definition of unpredictable. Nothing quite prepared me for the experience of Sabrina's birth.
Our due date was December twenty-first. Sabrina had already begun to drop in November. By the beginning of December I was having some painful Braxton Hicks fairly often. We speculated a possible early delivery. I tried not to get my hopes up.
just some pre-labor
Thursday December thirteenth, I felt particularly sick. The nausea was just awful, and I was having contractions every eight minutes. When I went to the bathroom that morning I noticed a lot of bloody show. I was so excited I called my husband Chris at work and interrupted his meeting to tell him he needed to be ready to run if I called again. I spent that entire day waiting for the contractions to pick up. They never did. By that night I was in tears. After a good cry I fell asleep.
We both woke up around five-thirty the next morning, the fourteenth. I began to time the contractions that hadn't stopped all night and they were four minutes apart. I was stumped. I'd experienced so many false alarms with this baby, and my last one, that I just didn't know what to think. I hated the idea of having my midwife drive an hour to our house for labor that wasn't really going anywhere.
Chris decided he didn't want to be alone if this baby came as quickly as our last one, and called our midwife. My contractions picked up as we waited for her to arrive. I still couldn't bring myself to believe this was it.
3 centimeters dilated
She arrived and quickly checked me, only to find that I was three centimeters dilated and fifty percent effaced. She told me to try sleeping and she would check me again in an hour. I couldn't sleep a wink. My head was whirling. Chris however, was sawing logs in a matter of minutes. After an hour I had not progressed at all. We decided to stop the labor by "knocking me out", so I could get some sleep. I took two Tylenol PM and slept for three hours. When I woke up the contractions were back to eight minutes apart. The boys were awake and doing their thing, running wild and making messes. I timed contractions for awhile and then began to clean… again. Chris knew I was truly agitated when I began washing dishes. I hate washing dishes.
I called my mom to let her know what was going on. She suggested I take zinc to speed the labor. She'd done it when I was born and said it worked. So I took two zinc, and sat down to rest. I decided that I had all weekend to have this baby so I was just going to chill out and try to stay positive. This was around five 0'clock. At five-thirty I had eaten half my sandwich, and suddenly felt so nauseated I couldn't finish it. I decided to lie down. My contractions were three minutes apart. I was still not sure if this was really it.
Chris made a quick call to the midwife again and our friend Maryellen to come over and watch the boys. I got up to walk and refused to lie down again because I didn't want the contractions to stop. I became very determined to make this baby come if it took all night. I was even massaging my abdomen because it made my uterus contract.
My midwife arrived again around six-thirty and began setting up. It was fascinating to watch her. She was so organized. In just a little while she had all her tools laid out on a cookie sheet and new sheets on our bed covered by plastic and another sheet with disposable pads on top of that. We were set to go.
enjoying labor
The three of us talked in between contractions. We shared stories, swapped jokes, and quoted comedians. Bill Cosby's account of his wife's first birth had me cracking up when a really big contraction hit and I leaned against Chris who was sitting on the bed in front of me. He was pretty tired too, and rested his head on my belly. It actually helped with the pain!!! For the next several contractions that was our stance. I rested my hands on his shoulders as he pressed his head against my belly while giving me a hug and rubbing my back. I know we probably looked silly, but I certainly didn't care.
Around a quarter to nine I told my midwife that I was really confused. I'd never had a labor last so long, and the contractions were so strong. She thought that perhaps Sabrina had turned posterior, and that was slowing things down. I asked her to check my progress, and she said I was seven centimeters. The baby wasn't posterior, but she did notice some scar tissue on my cervix. We assumed it was from Clark's speedy entrance into this world three years ago. I was so tired that she asked if I wanted her to break the water to speed things up. I said, "Yes" without hesitation.
breaking the water
She began trying to break it with her fingernails but it wouldn't budge. We started to chuckle at its strength. She tried again, but could only pull on it. By that time we were in hysterics. Chris didn't get the joke so much, so I told him the bag was so strong it wouldn't break, and it felt like she was pulling a water balloon out of my vagina. It took her several attempts with an amniohook , but it did finally break. It wasn't until that moment that I accepted the fact that I was going to have a baby that day.
I got up to go to the restroom, and had three powerful contractions in a matter of a few minutes. "Wow", I thought, "Transition already?" I got back to my room and sat on the side of the bed. The contractions came so fast and so strong I couldn't quite think straight. Suddenly I was pushing. Chris and the midwife were making a last attempt at prepping the pool that our son had poked a hole in days earlier. We had planned a water birth, but it was not to be. Chris quickly sat down in front of me to help me breath through the contractions. When asked if I was pushing, I kind of whimpered, "Yeah."
"it's a head"
My midwife put her gloves on. I stood up and leaned against Chris so she could change the wet pad underneath me, and out came Sabrina's head. Chris said,"There's something down there.", and I screamed, "It's a head!" to which my midwife calmly replied, "Well so it is." She placed her hand on Sabrina's head, and it was a good thing too, because the very next second her body just shot out. She said, "Grab your baby!", and we did. I held her arm, and Chris held the rest of her. Somehow I ended up lying back on the bed with Sabrina on my chest. Judah and Clark hovered over us, fascinated by their new little sister. My midwife still had a glove half on, just flopping all over the place.
That was my first bare handed catch, she said and we all laughed.
I noticed the cute little birth mark on Sabrina's chest, and her blonde hair. She was so beautiful. Suddenly, as in every birth, I forgot all about the nausea, headaches and exhaustion. For such a miserable pregnancy it ended so perfectly. My labor was long, emotional, and tiring, but it was also sweet, and casual; even fun at times. I loved the way I laughed my way through it. "This is how babies should be born." I thought, quietly and casually with laughter and tears.
Chris dressed Sabrina while I bathed. When I came back to the bedroom, Judah was holding her with the biggest grin on his face. We all crawled into bed for a family picture. We were so glad our baby girl was finally here. Our family felt complete.
an unplanned homebirth February 19, 2008Posted by guinever in birth, birth stories, birth story, home birth, homebirth, midwifery, pregnancy.
Tags: prodromal labor
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This is the birth story of Sarah's second birth. With her first birth, she was sent to the hospital from her doctor's office after they checked her and was found to be 6 centimeters. Overwhelming contractions started once they artificially ruptured her membranes. Both she and the baby required oxygen. She felt out of control. Sarah's hope was to not be induced and to have a much more peaceful and gentle birth than the first time. Her birth story follows:
I'd had several episodes of pre-labor for a month, and began early labor eleven days before he was born. I'd never heard of prodromal labor before that, but became very familiar with the term after eleven days of contractions ten minutes or less, apart. We went to the hospital twice with contractions three minutes apart, and me in a very serious frame of mind. However, each time, no progress was made past three centimeters, and so we went home. I was very fortunate this time to have a doctor and midwife who didn't believe in induction unless it was absolutely necessary. They just calmly kept telling me that he would come eventually, and boy did he.
Around 11 o'clock on the 16th my contractions got noticeably stronger, but I didn't make a big deal over it, because they'd been there twice before. I drank a big glass of water and went to bed. I was extremely restless for the next six hours, finally getting up to walk around at 5:00. My contractions were five minutes apart when I woke Chris up at 5:30. My back hurt, and I needed a rub with each contraction.
We went downstairs so I could lay on my birth ball. After a few hard contractions I decided to go through the Bradley test for "real" labor. I got up to make a bagel w/ cream cheese. I took one bite, and a contraction hit me so hard and quickly that I thought I would throw up. The contractions had moved to three minutes apart. Chris suggested I get into the tub to help me relax. I told him I thought this was definitely it, and he should call the sitter to come get Judah. He says he was still skeptical because I was still being so nice to him, and smiling in between contractions.
I had three hard contractions while walking from the table to the kitchen door,(About five feet) and told Chris I thought I was going through transition. He suggested we leave. I told him I wanted to go to the bathroom before we left. It took me five minutes to get there. My contractions were double peaking at this point. Somehow, Chris managed to run around the house getting ready to go, and still be there to rub my back during every contraction. While on the toilet I had the urge to push, and pretty much knew at that point that we weren't going to make it.
My poor mother, who had arrived the day before, was having a nervous breakdown, and kept saying we should call an ambulance. The hospital close to us was less than desirable for having a baby, and I ended up screaming at her that we were not calling an ambulance. That I would have this baby at home and we would drive him to the hospital further away if we had to.
Chris kept saying we had to hurry, and I kept saying we weren't going to make it. I finally looked him in the eye and said, "Honey, you're delivering this baby in the car on the way, or here at home, and I'm more comfortable here." He still wasn't convinced we didn't have time, but helped me to the bathroom to change my pants because with the previous push I had peed on myself. Not my most dignified moment. While sitting on the toilet my water broke, and there was no holding back the pushes after that.
Chris just looked at me and said, "Well you can't have him in the toilet." He had to drag me into our office, because the baby was crowning and I couldn't walk. The sitter whisked Judah away right about then. I was moaning quite a lot, and he was a bit scared. Ten minutes and a few pushes later Clark was born. Chris caught him of course. We placed him on my bare belly, and he nursed beautifully. He was so warm and toasty.
We wrapped him up with his placenta, and got to the hospital two hours after his birth. Everyone was buzzing. I had a second degree tear, mostly because of the speed of his birth, and from having to push on a carpeted floor.
Read the story of her third birth: this time a planned homebirth.
a hypnobabies birth February 1, 2008Posted by guinever in birth, birth stories, birth story, doula, health, midwifery, pregnancy.
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A big thank-you to Sheridan for sharing her birth story here. Sheridan is a Hypnobabies instructor and a fellow member of Independent Childbirth. Here are some excerpts:
The Hypnobabies Birth Guide CD was amazing. It seemed to be saying exactly what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. Either during or right before Dr. K broke my water, in the CD it said when your water releases you will feel a rush of anesthesia. It was perfect timing and it worked! After my water was broken the pressure waves were no longer painful.
…Luckily the lip was gone after those 2 pressure waves. I was so glad and started pushing. The nurse said, "Stop, we need the Dr. here and we need to break the bed down."
I was like,
Whatever people, I am pushing, I don't care if a Dr. is here or not.
I didn't say this, but thought it. IT was ok to push, so I was pushing. I was a yeller grunter kind of pusher. It was so powerful. I really didn't choose to do anything, it just happened. I would try to remember to breathe the baby out, but my body wouldn't have that. But between pressure waves I would sometimes be breathing the baby down. To read the rest of the story, go to Sheridan's website.
You can submit your birth story too; please click here for guidelines.


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Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Anyone ever heard this little ditty before? Well, in Carpentersville (it's near Chicago), village trustee Linda Rameriez-Sliwinski has been cited for Disorderly Conduct after calling her neighbors children "monkeys".
The two children were climbing and playing in a tree, which may or may not have been partially on her property. The parents of the children complained the remark was racist.
According to a Carpentersville PD Cmdr, Ramirez-Sliwinski admitted to telling the children to 'stop playing in the tree like monkeys.'
Well, I've never been subjected to racial injustice so it's not my place to say the children or their parents were wrong in the complaint. However, it's fairly obvious (since Ramirez-Sliwinski was given a village ordinance ticket and WAS NOT charged under the Illinois Hate Crime Statue) proving her intent was a racial slur is going to be difficult if not impossible.
The issue of course is ignorance by humanity. Niggardly is not an extension of the awful invective. It stems from a Scandinavian word for misererly. Trees are the habitat of Monkeys and little children are sometimes (perhaps even often) refereed to as Monkeys.
Direct Action and the Rejection of Monumental History
30 minutes ago

subset: commoncrawl


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End of this week wrap up.
So what was this week like? A bit much like the past few weeks, money money money pouring like a river over the falls. One the cars needs some major rear axle work due to one the brake seals being worn and saturating the back driver's brake pads (That's going to be $ just due to the labor on disassembling the rear axle to do get the repair done.
There is also an oil leak somewhere on the front and the filter needs to be changed out, and the gas pedal sticks when you lean on it from time to time. I'd assume to sell it but the skeptic needs find out how much out of pocket it would take to get it repaired since it was supposed to go to our Eldest daughter for her 1st vehicle, and if it would cost the same as a used car or slightly less? I might bite the bullet and get it repaired. Other choice is sell it back to them (My mother in law bought it from them a number of years back) and squirrel away the money towards a better vehicle.
Wife's mother's day present hasn't shown up yet, there is less than 72 hours left and it still isn't here. I'm hopeful though I won't give up hope. I'm going to finish off a few things around the house for mother's day as well and getting the office a bit more squared away than it is currently. Plus have to get two more rooms moved between now and the end of the month, and maybe repaint a bathroom or two. (Pending on paint left over.)
Podcast side, not much to say save that I did get 3 of 4 encoded and uploaded to the podcast's YT channel. Compiled an mp3/Video from our interview with LB Bryant and Amanda Rush, from http://ani.me, after listening to the podcast Max did a cool job of it and I love getting the new info from LB and Amanda for the upcoming summer season. Google Hangout was a mess Thursday night it seems, it took us 4x tries and even then after the 4th when it said it was finally recording and we had 2 of the 3 members from Triple Slash Studios from The U of U Gaming Education Dept. and discussed their release afterwards THE DAMN THING DIDN'T RECORD ANY OF IT! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! Over an hour of their time and ours WASTED because Google Hangout had some type of glitch on the server back end. We'll just attempt to rerecord this coming week,
Our Eldest Daughter is going under the knife as well. A Bunion has surfaced on her left foot and is 15 rather than the norm 7 as far as length goes on bunions so we're going to readjust our family vacation this year since she'll have to wear a boot for at least a two month period for recovery time.
My mother has found the internet and discovered eBay so she's becoming quite fluent in the ways of the business end of that company with how she can stop an nifty item or two at an auction and know roughly how much of a turn around It can return profit wise. She's also delved deeply into the genealogy field as well, tracking down our connections the Cromwell's and Hinton's of The British Isles, as well as scanning in some of the family photos this week too. (Thanks mom, I mean it.) That brought a few tears to my eyes because I thought I lost some of them and I couldn't recall them without thinking and concentrating too much.
Also, to some of you out there that I have lost touch with due to one thing or another? I'm sorry, and this by no means is a crutch to lean on at all. My add/adhd seemed to have got loose, I have been lashing out a few people I lost a friend in my anger and I want to say to her I'm sorry. I should have tried to have been more patient and even understanding, I however don't like having things kept from me either. But I should have also been wary of you felt about your situation at the time as well. To the others, yup I can be a truly bonfied asshole, but I wasn't the only one at fault, but I do accept my role in what transpired in our interactions. Please know I'm sorry, and that I hope you'll move on without thinking of me too badly or with much disdain. It's Friday, and I need to finish my workload, so that's it for now. I might post up after we do the next Podcast recording. OH and to Brent Lengel, HAPPY BIRTHDAY again you 30 Year old Sod! Love ya (In that comrade manly way of ways) stay strong always!


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Our Online Personal Stylists, Colour Consultants & Fashion Consultants Find The Clothes Colours That Suit You The Best For Only £4.ninety nine. This college affords a really wide range of applications, starting with the traditional Fashion Design or Merchandising degree, but it additionally consists of subjects comparable to International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries, Fabric Styling, Technical Design, and Advertising and Marketing Communications.
But most vital now you can store knowing your finest colors and be on the lookout for key objects in those particular colors as a method advisor or fashion guide would. First of all a method guide or fashion advisor should make you realise that there is no point feeling guilty about the money you've wasted on garments that do not swimsuit you. The trend trade is not essentially one that depends completely on your credentials. Although some general education (or a degree in one thing related like trend) is helpful, without an enthusiasm or an interest within the job, you're unlikely to impress employers.
To guarantee your online business success all of those courses also embrace complete business advertising advice to help you discover the purchasers you want to work with. You may also ship us up to 10 images of your self sporting outfits from your own wardrobe that you just'd like us to assessment previous to your telephone time together with your guide. You can grow to be a style guide in the retail industry, working directly for clothing stores; you might wish to work for a large brand in their foremost workplace or a style consulting firm. An offshoot of our successful virtual styling program, Fast Fashion Advice" lets you get a fast (within 24 hours) critique of up to three images and not using a formal appointment.
A formal schooling in Fashion Consulting can always be a plus, however it's not vital. With programs offered all over the world and in addition to on-line, the Sterling Style Academy's diversified presence positions the academy as a worldwide chief in providing comprehensive private stylist and picture consultant coaching. Degree applications in trend merchandising or advertising typically additionally cover matters such as textiles and pattern prediction. Another trend capital, Los Angeles, is residence to the Otis College of Art and Design, a college utterly targeted on inventive and design packages. Network and get expertise in any way that you would be able to – whether or not you intern, volunteer or are employed on a number of jobs. I think what most impressed me was how comfy I was interacting with my guide.
If you did not include your phone quantity or if you have a phone number outdoors of the US, you should call your advisor at your confirmed appointment time with the phone quantity the advisor offered in the e-mail. When you may have efficiently accomplished your styling session, receive your style diploma. Finally, you'll be able to choose to self-educate by means of online programs and networking, though it could be the harder path. Enrollment is proscribed and registration is on a first come first served foundation, so we recommend that you simply register early for the Image Consultant Certificate course to keep away from disappointment. Apply for jobs as a personal shopper, retail manager at a well-known boutique or division retailer or assistant in a fashion environment. If it does not suit you now, by the time you ever eating regimen sufficient, chances are it's going to not be in fashion.


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"I've been wondering what kind of results I'd obtain if I used
Butternut or Pepper Squash to make a wine. Any advise or suggestion
would be welcome." Sylvie Doucet, North Tetagouche, New Brunswick
I only have two recipes that I can locate that pertain to squash, and neither of them specifies Butternut or Pepper Squash. Still, it might be worthwhile to make a few gallons of each and evaluate the results later for future reference. Please note beforehand that the wine will take 5-6 months to make and must age two years before it is drinkable.
Further, my research revealed the following observations which may be of some use to you: Marrow Squash makes an insipid wine that is improved considerably by adding an ounce of grated ginger root; Zucchini Squash makes a very poor wine; Hubbard Squash makes a wine very similar to Pumpkin.
Put water on to boil. Meanwhile, peel squash, remove seeds and chop into 1/2 inch cubes. Put squash and sugar in primary and pour water over both. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Cover primary, allow to cool to room temperature and add all ingredients except yeast. Stir to dissolve, recover primary and set aside 12 hours. Add activated yeast. When fermentation is vigorous, ferment three days, stirring daily. Strain into secondary, fit airlock and ferment 30 days. Rack, top up and refit airlock. After 60 days, stabilize, rack again, top up, and refit airlock. After additional 60 days, rack into bottles. Allow to age two years. [Adapted from Leo Zanelli's Home Winemaking from A to Z]
Put water on stove to heat. Peel squash, remove seeds and chop into coarse pieces. Add squash to water and simmer 35-40 minutes. Meanwhile, remove the zest from the citrus fruit (no pith) and juice the fruit. Place zest in jelly bag with cinnamon sticks and tie bag closed. Put sugar in primary and strain the water off the squash (eat the squash later) onto the sugar. Stir well to dissolve sugar, add jelly bag, and cover primary. When cooled to room temperature, add all remaining ingredients except yeast. Stir, recover, and set aside 12 hours. Add activated yeast and recover the primary. Stir daily for 14 days. Drip drain jelly bag (do not squeeze) and discard contents. Rack into secondary and fit airlock. Rack every two months for six months. Stabilize and let sit 10 days, then rack into bottles. Cellar two years at least before drinking. [Adapted from Terry Garey's The Joy of Home Winemaking]
My thanks to Sylvie Doucet of North Tetagouche, New Brunswick for this request.


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Hello stampers crafters and friends today I am going to share with you a real quick card you can make using minimum supplies. All I used for this card was one stamp set, an ink pad, and some paper. Here's a look at today's quick and easy card.
We all need those birthday cards that are quick and easy and I am no exception to that. I needed a card this morning to send to a friend so I hurried and created this one using the Happy Celebration stamp set from Stampin' Up!.
This is one of those cards that I only used one ink pad well plus a little versa mark for a little heat embossing. Which is totally optional. And, only a couple layers of cardstock and the cardbase. See not a lot of supplies at all.
The front of the card was created with one of the big HAPPY stamps, and was only inked just one time. I just stamped it four different times in a row to get the ombré effect. Super simple!
I used a 1/2″ by 3 3/4″ piece of watermelon wonder cardstock and heat embossed the Birthday to you! In white embossing powder.
Here are a few other projects from Stampin' Up! Using this stamp set.
The photo below shows key products for today's project idea that you can save or pin to Pinterest. If you are viewing this post by email, you will need to click the title of the post to access my blog and pin. You can view my entire project recipes by visiting my Project Recipe Pinterest board by clicking here! Make sure that you follow my board to be notified when a new project recipe is added.
Thanks for dropping by on this rainy day in the south. If you need any of the supples you can pick them up in my online store 24/7 by clicking on the shop tab above or by clicking on the product in the list below


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U.S. application activity for individually underwritten life insurance dipped 3.7% in June, a new study reveals.
MIB Group Inc. unveiled this statistic in the latest monthly release of the MIB Life Index, a measure of the U.S. life insurance industry's application activity. The index is based on the number of searches MIB life member company underwriters perform on the MIB Checking Service database.
At the half-year mark, life insurance application activity has eroded in five of the past six months year-over-year, with 2013 activity off -2.2 percent year-to-date, according to the report. Quarterly activity shows the composite index off -3.3 percent (Q2 2013 vs. Q2 2012); and off -1.0 percent (Q1 2013 vs. Q1 2012).
"June's monthly decline is tempered by its juxtaposition against +2.1 percent gain in June 2012," the report states. "However, June's 2013 MIB Life Index value has set a new, all time low for the month across the board."
U.S. application activity was mixed in June across the three age groups.
Ages 0-44 experienced the sharpest declines, off -5.7 percent; ages 45-59 were off -2.8 percent; and ages 60+ increased slightly, up +1.1 percent. For the second quarter, ages 0-44 were down -4.3 percent; ages 45-59 were down -3.7 percent; and ages 60+ were up slightly at +0.8 percent (Q2-13/Q2-12).
Year-to-date, ages 0-44 are off -2.4 percent; ages 45-59 are off -3.3 percent; and ages 60+ are at par (+0.2 percent) in what can thus far be characterized as a contracting year for the MIB Life Index.


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I never asked to be on Fletcher's email list and here's the excerpt from a campaign mailing that was just sent to my inbox:
Thank you for signing up as my friend on Facebook. I will be relying greatly on you and my other friends in the coming weeks.
We have made great strides in Kentucky in my first three years as Governor. We have streamlined state government from 14 cabinets to 9 and turned the $302 million budget shortfall of fiscal year 2004 into a $279 million surplus without raising taxes. We have improved our roads, educational system and created thousands of new jobs.
To continue to move Kentucky forward, I am asking for your help.
As you know, I am running for re-election as Governor. The primary is just a few weeks away and our campaign is shifting into high gear. Please take a moment to visit my website at www.erniefletcher.com and sign up as a volunteer for my campaign. There are many ways to get involved from attending events, putting a bumper sticker on your car, a sign in your yard, making phone calls, canvassing your neighborhood or encouraging your friends to vote for me.
This promises to be an exciting election year and I would be honored to have you actively assisting me on my re-election team.
Thanks again my friend and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Ernie Fletcher


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Have flown business class with Air-India on two occasions, and have been quite bowled over by their excellent service, "Yes sir! Please sir! What can I do for you sir!" "Will you have lobster for lunch sir, or caviar sir?" "Some champagne to go with your meal sir?"
And it's not sir all the time, they also address you by name. It's quite an experience and a delightful one! The seats are huge and comfortable, can be stretched right back and there's even night clothes so your own won't get crushed!
But today I heard, just as you are off to a long, enchanting sleep, there's a tiny bite through those same soft clothes they've provided, and then another, and another, and soon that large, expensive, expansive seat, that stretches out for miles, becomes a torture chamber you've been assigned for the next twelve or seventeen hours!
Bedbugs in business class! How can it ever be?
It's called the Dreamliner, one of the latest aircraft. The sweetest airhostesses, like I said, they call you by name! The best food, and a big hole in your pocket, and this tiny creature crawls out while the plane flies over the Indian Ocean or Siberia, moves out of crevices along with brothers, sisters, friends and bedbug family and makes a meal of you!
The fliers who got off the aircraft, two days ago, on different flights, said their families were bitten all over by the time they landed at their destination. I can imagine how they felt when they entered Business Class, "Oh daddy it's so cool!"
"What spacious, wonderful seats!"
And bristling bedbugs listened under same seats, grinning, waiting their moment to strike, pound, bite and devour innocents, fooled by lavish interior and fancy uniform!
Are we Dreamliner aircrafts too? Fooling people with reliable looking faces, gentle eyes, reassuring smiles and firm handshakes? All practiced in business schools and taught as marketing techniques and strategies?
Again and again we hear of godmen and priests from all religions, suddenly making headlines as dark sexual escapades or murky financial transactions creep out of their Business Class personalities!
Crores had been spent on the latest aircraft! The best pilots trained to fly the planes and some of the prettiest airhostesses hired to serve you, but tiny bedbugs have plunged the airline to a new low!
All it required was constant fumigating, checking cracks and crevices and cleaning.
And before we too fall like the airline is likely too, all that is required is to allow the Great Fumigator to clean us inside out, because fancy clothes,pleasant smile, and customer friendly look will not help when bedbugs of hidden habits, crawl out to destroy us.
Let's get rid of those bedbugs and be genuineBusiness Class..!


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The Book Report Network
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Hello, readers!
How many snow days have YOU had? We have had sooooo much snow in New York! Last week we learned that 49 of the 50 states had snow on the ground. Know which one was missing? If not, keep reading!
When we're not spending time wading through slushy sidewalks, we're watching the winter Olympics! Have you been watching? Whether you're a fan of figure skating, skiing or the general spectacle of it all, Sochi 2014 certainly doesn't disappoint. It also got us thinking --- what would happen if they made a book-themed Olympics?
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Fruity dog collar
Charming fruity print with watermelon, pineapple and lemons dog collar with the coordinating gold (brass plated) metal hardware. Though you can choose silver hardware if you prefer!
Measure around your dog's neck to determine which size you need using the size chart below. All collars are 1 inch wide.
You may also choose between silver and gold (brass plated) durable metal hardware.
Small: 11-13 inches
Medium: 13-16 inches
Large: 16-22 inches
X-Large: 18-26 inches
Mila Stella collars are handmade with quality, durability, and style in mind. Your dogs deserve the best after all!
Each collar is made with 1 inch Polypropylene webbing, which is more mildew resistant than a nylon webbing. Every collar is made with nickle plated metal side release buckles, D rings, and triglide sliders for you to adjust the collar to fit your pup perfectly.
Collars are made to order. Pattern placement may vary.
Please note: Over time, collars may show wear. For your pup's safety and security, please replace the collar as needed. We are not responsible for your dog's safety while wearing our products.
Care instructions: To preserve your collar and the metal hardware, hand clean only with a mild soap or detergent. Lay flat to dry.
3-5 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Just contact me within: 3 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 7 days of delivery
Request a cancellation within: 2 hours of purchase
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
Please contact me if you have any problems with your order.


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Wednesday, March 8, 2017
MS Buddy Program
8 comments:
- Ruth Hiebert said...
Sounds like a good app for those struggling with this disease.Hope it helps/encourages you in some way.
- March 13, 2017 at 8:28 PM
- DUTA said...
It sounds like a very useful app.
Everything that brings people with a certain health problem together, to share their stories and exchange ideas - ultimately helps improve their lives.
- March 13, 2017 at 8:34 PM
- Anne said...
What an awesome idea - technology has a unique way of bringing people together despite any distance. Truth be told - sometimes I get a little fed up with technology as we are very dependent on it (especially at my work in my case) and we seem to be online/available constantly - In my spare time I treasure old values like crafting ( knitting, card making etc) and reading (paper) books, but being online from time to time enables me to connect with people over long distance and gain inspiration.
Sharing MS stories etc is important and sparkles inspiration as some tend to be alone with their worries and thoughts - surroundings will never fully understand the MS despite incredible support and care, for some that might be an issue for others not at all. So an app - what a great initiative for people to connect even for a brief encounter :o)
- March 13, 2017 at 10:28 PM
- Karen Mortensen said...
That is so cool. Wish they had one for parents with Fragile x kids.
- March 13, 2017 at 11:17 PM
- Elephant's Child said...
What a great idea.
I don't think we have anything which is an equivalent here.
We do have a peer support program, but that relies on phone contact.
- March 14, 2017 at 12:20 AM
- Sandra said...
great idea, fun and helpful app
- March 14, 2017 at 8:06 AM
- Betsy Banks Adams said...
Sounds like a wonderful support group. When my friend was alive (she had MS) ---I begged her to go online since there was all kinds of groups out there and info that she would enjoy... She wouldn't do it... AND--now (several years later), that community is even larger. So glad you have this group...
- March 14, 2017 at 1:42 PM
- My Odd Sock said...
Thank you for spreading the word of MS Buddy!
It is a cool program...and you know how MSers like to keep cool!
Keep moving!
- March 19, 2017 at 10:39 AM


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I recently left a full-time staff writer job, and now I work from home. Which is great because I can finally finish a couple of big projects that I started (what feels like) forever ago. And I can pick up more freelance writing gigs. (Assigning editors, feel free to contact me!)
But what's not so great is that setting my own schedule means I'm free to do whatever I want, and I'm not always motivated to sit down and work during business hours. To give my day more structure, I've started to rethink the purpose of my morning runs. I used to run whenever I could find the time—usually in the a.m., but sometimes squeezed into a lunch hour or after work. Now, a daily workout anchors my 9 to 5 existence.
I get up, pull on some shorts, and head to the park for a loop. Once I've pounded out a few miles, I'm ready to focus on the other tasks I have planned. On days that I don't workout first thing, I move aimlessly from one ultra-important activity (scrubbing the tub) to the next (watching yet another awkward date on The Millionaire Matchmaker). So in an effort to prevent myself from cheating or skipping runs, I signed up for Grete's Great Gallop half marathon on 1 October in Central Park. Here's to a focused fall!
Does running give your day structure, too? Do you run before or after work?


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Ahoy, gang!
I'm just popping in for a quick announcements this week – all good stuff!
First off – apologies for the lack of a Kickstarter Game of the Week today. This actually relates to the announcement: I'm mixing up the format of the regular blog posts a bit. Instead of a Kickstarter Game of the Week, I'll be doing a monthly Kickstarter Roundup! I know, I know, this means fewer posts overall… BUT don't despair! The monthly Roundup will actually give me the chance to showcase more games from awesome developers. Each month, I'll share ALL of the games I'm excited about on Kickstarter. Generally speaking, I get excited about far more than just four or five games per month, which was all the weekly format allowed me to do.
See you next week, with the Kickstarter Roundup for April! Keep it plucky,


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Best And Most Scenic Summer Road Trips For 2019
Traveling at the 20s is the most fantastic experience a young person can encounter in the course of life. At this age stage, one has the energy to make a trip in mountainous areas, valleys, travel over hours without experiencing fatigue as well take risks much far. In that capacity, you need to find places you can visit and experience very great fun.
To find out such places,read the full info here, and indeed you will thank us later.
1. Australia
Australia, by default, is ranked topmost preferred travel destination for persons on their 20s. The county has double-whammy backpacking scenes coupled with top most attractive landscapes on Earth. Whether you need to explore desolate Outback or drive at supersonic speed along the Great Ocean Road, dive in competition with friends both familiar and non-familiar, Australia should be your travel choice.
2. India
The second most fantastic place you should not fail to visit at your 20s is India. India has the most beautiful landscapes, cultural diversity, and climate that makes the tourist feel as if they are not on earth but another planet elsewhere.
Once you spend a month in India, you get a chance to experience the frozen summits of Himalaya, explore the trading port of Alleppey a former colonial center and take a jaw drop at the sight of Rajasthan. It's just but a wonderful feeling to a young person.If you are interesting in additional reading than you are in the right place.
3. Poland
Poland is the top-ranked travel destination for people in 20s across Europe. Once in this country, you get a chance to taste hot finger linking chocolate from Warsaw.
Also, you stroll through the winding Graffiti which is alleyways-covered of Krakow during spring and head to Tranquil Mazurian Lakes at summer season. What is it waiting? Common wake up and explore the world.
Last but not least, we guess that you have been in the US. If not, sorry to say that you're missing the point. The US is a sheer county of diversity with over 50 states all with different fantastic tourist attraction site.
The county has incredible national parks, epic wilderness, and big modernized cities. Once your jet and land in the US, you get a chance to lose yourself in New York City, take up a horse ride in Wyoming, take a road trip on scenic New Hampshire or hike in Grand Canyon. The pleasure of traveling in the US is unpredictable
Being young is not a permanent situation. There comes a time you will grow old and traveling and still have fun will be quite a challenge. Why not enjoy and have fun at your youthful age.


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from members:
Dorothy Han
Cincinnati, OH
There is legislation
that protects individuals from face-to-face harassment,
and that protection
should extend to users of
electronic media.
Arion Herbert
Charleston, SC
Any source of communication that
displays any type
of hatred, anger or
abuse is offensive ...
some type of action should
be established to prevent [it].
Maria Mannatsius
Erie, CO
Bullying in schools
should be dealt with
by the school district,
but outside of school,
it should be dealt
with by a higher authority.
CYBERBULLYING is defined in a proposed federal bill as behavior "caus-
ing substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means [such
as cellphones or the Internet] to support severe, repeated and hostile
behavior." If passed, the bill would make cyberbullying a criminal offense.
A host of states have already passed laws requiring school districts to
develop policies regarding cyberbullying detection and punishment.
Supporters of this legislation say that being bullied on- or offline can be
psychologically devastating to the victims. They add that cyberbullying
can be worse than face-to-face bullying, as the audience is bigger.
Critics argue that there's no right to be free of verbal mistreatment from
another person, and schools should not be required to investigate students
for what they text or write on their own time away from school. They
believe the problem should be tackled through practical measures, not leg-
islative ones. What do you think?
Ken CerabonaCarol Stream, ILEven good govern-ment is no replace-ment for good par-enting. An educationthat teaches actionshave consequences wouldsolve this problem.
Heidi Powers
Sunriver, OR
There needs to be somuch caution withwhat is criminal. Thegovernment is notalways the answerto every issue.
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
• www.ncpc.org/topics/cyberbullying
• www.isafe.org/channels/sub.php?ch=op&sub_id=media_cyber_bullying
• www.pff.org/issues-pubs/pops/2009/pop16.12-cyberbullying-
Julio Valenzuela
Tempe, AZ
Schools need to takean active approachto teaching childrenabout bullying, andparents should moni-tor their kids' online activities.


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Remains of 26th dynasty fortress found in N. Sinai's Kedwa
Egypt's archaeological mission to North Sinai's Tell el Kedwa (Qedua) discovered remains of the towers of a fortress dating back to the Saite period, the 26th dynasty (664-525 BC).
The excavation in Qedua area falls within the framework of the Sinai development project, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Wazir said in statements on Monday.
Throughout this season the expedition discovered the remains of the fortress that include towers of the northeastern and southeastern sides, said Head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector Ayman Ashmawy.
The southern wall of the fort that extends 85 meters to the east was unearthed as well, Ashwamy stated, noting that excavation will continue to uncover the hidden parts of the fort.
The fortress, whose eastern wall had been discovered in 2008, is the most ancient in the world.
Another fortress had been built on its ruins and was discovered also, Ashmawy added.
According to Hisham Hussein, the director general of North Sinai antiquities department, the entrance of the fortress that represents a side gate located in the north eastern part of the wall was discovered.
The examination of artifacts and potteries found there prove the fortress dates back to the era of King Psamtik I, Hussein added.
The fortress was ruined after it came under a massive attack that caused significant damage to its walls, he noted.
El Kedwa fortress posed as Egypt's eastern gate and the sole bulwark that controls the entry to and exit from Egypt during the Saite period, Hussein went on to say.
Source: State Information Service Egypt


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Press release: Ene.field dissemination workshop in Belgium
The ene.field national dissemination workshop for Belgium, held on the 27th of September near Brussels, was the second in a series of events aimed at informing participants about the ene.field project findings and the potential of fuel cell micro-CHP (FC micro-CHP) technologies for the energy transition at national level.
As of today 21 fuel cell micro-CHP units have been installed in Belgium with financial support from ene.field. The recently launched PACE project (1), which is expected to provide a step-up in ambition for the large scale uptake of fuel cell micro-CHP products in Europe, will allow for the further deployment of more than 2,500 units across Europe, including Belgium.
During the workshop prominent speakers (2) representing the European Commission, the fuel cells micro-CHP industry and industry associations delivered valuable insights into the potential for fuel cell micro-CHP, providing recommendations on how to develop the market for these products in Belgium.
During the discussion, moderated by Mr. Jon Jordan (Hyer), the panellists highlighted the multiple benefits of fuel cells micro-CHP energy solutions, empowering householders to play an active role in the energy transition, supporting the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources and contributing to stimulate growth and jobs in Europe.
They further concluded that for a successful mass commercialisation of fuel cell micro-CHP, industry efforts need to be complemented by high level political commitment and active involvement in promoting these products as key technologies in the energy system of the future. Recommendations addressed at policymakers in Belgium covered the need for adequate support for micro-CHP technologies, which reflect the energy savings and emission reductions delivered by these products, while addressing administrative and non-economic barriers. Moreover, public authorities can play an exemplary role by adopting some of these new technologies in their own buildings, as promoted in the Energy Efficiency Directive.
Findings and policy recommendations
Video of the workshop with interviews
(1) Co-funded by the FCH JU and industry the PACE project was launched in June 2016 and aims to deploy over 2500 fuel cell micro-CHPs in several European countries in the next five years. Building up on ene.field project experience, PACE will help develop the market for the large scale uptake of fuel cell micro-CHP.
(2) The event featured the following speakers: Mr. Bart Biebuyck, Executive Director of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, Ms. Alexandra Tudoroiu-Lakavice, coordinator of the Micro-CHP and of the Fuel Cell Working Groups, COGEN Europe, Mr. Jan-Willem Tolkamp, Sales and Business Development Manager Benelux-UK, SOLIDpower, Ms. Joni Rossi, Technical & Scientific Officer, COGEN Vlaanderen, Mr. Christophe Van den Eynde, Viessmann, and Mr. Bjorn Van Haver, CEO, Spirit Group.
About ene.field
The ene.field project is the largest European demonstration of the latest smart energy solution for private homes, micro-CHP. It will see up to 1,000 households across Europe able to experience the benefits of this new energy solution. The five-year project uses modern fuel cell technology to produce heat and electricity in households and empowers them in their electricity and heat choices and brings together 27 partners, including 10 European manufacturers who will make the products available across 11 European countries.The ene.field project has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) for the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative (FCH-JU) under grant agreement n° [303462].
For more information, visit www.enefield.eu or contact Mr Janos Vajda via firstname.lastname@example.com
The ene.field partners are:


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our wedding: the rehearsal
Keeping with my theme of showing parts of the wedding that no one ever posts, here's our rehearsal!
I actually loved having a rehearsal. Up until that point the whole ceremony thing was a complete mystery to us. We've been to plenty of weddings and everything, and we loosely knew what the elements were going to be, but we weren't exactly sure how it was all going to come together. Which is where our super cute coordinator Allison came in. Yay. Someone in charge.
I forgot my mandatory ribbon bouquet from my shower, so I had to user a glass of water. Which was actually perfect because it was like 98 degrees that afternoon. Also, I didn't appreciate that you actually need the placeholder object for practical purposes, (like how am I going to hold both parents' arms with something in my hand?), not just for decoration.
(coordinator + clipboard = relief)
(we love palm springs)
(Brock's older brother Sky married us, which was completely amazing, but more on that later).
(I had both of my parents walk me down the aisle, which was really nice. I think I'm smiling so big because I'm trying not to start crying. In the rehearsal. Must save something for the wedding)
(again, listening to Allison the coordinator. Sooo glad someone was in charge).
Post Wedding Notes:
I felt so good after the rehearsal. Totally relaxed and ready for the real thing. And I can't recommend having at least a "day of" coordinator enough, to help orchestrate all of the logistics because there are A LOT. And it was great to show up to the rehearsal, laugh with our friends, give out presents and not have to be in charge. By then I was REALLY tired of being in charge. Did I mention that already?
And I also learned that wearing bright colors makes pictures so much more fun! And I believe it was east side bride who posted about planning your outfits during the days leading up to the wedding with photographs in mind. Seriously, do it. You forget that the camera will be pointed at your all. the. time.
If anyone in the LA area is looking for a great coordinator, I'd be happy to pass on Allison's contact info.
All images again by Michéle M. Waite.


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In May 1977, the US Patent Office granted a patent on a Method of concealing partial baldness to Frank and Donald Smith. The patent abstract reads:
"A method of styling hair to cover partial baldness using only the hair on a person's head. The hair styling requires dividing a person's hair into three sections and carefully folding one section over another."