1st of the New Year

Im bringing what I think may be the first Black woman birth circle to the desert! Im so excited!

Hide behind the face

I haven't blogged much since the birth of my son. A bit overwhelmed my life I guess. Feeling smothered at times but I'm working hard to surpass the challenges. Today I feel the need to express whas on my heart after playing my birth film over and over in my head.

This was birth #4 and the second time with my midwife.  Long story short, I'm so sad and disappointed that she missed catching my baby a second time. I keep trying to understand why this happened, what went wrong, who's fault is it, or what's the lesson behind it all. But I still get nothing. I think subconsciously I probably blame her simply because she is my midwife. But there is no way of knowing what will come.  I keep beating myself up for not making her stay the first time after my 1st birth with her. I should've known better.  Now that my womb has probably come to a close, I will never have the chance again. That almost brings me to tears.

In the end, midwives are people too sent to do the creators work and women are powerful beings sent to bring forth life in their own individual way. I am blessed to push out babies swift, painless, calm, and smoothly.  That's it in a nutshell. 

Counting Down

Im learning to let go, let flow thanks to my amazing son who has yet to arrive.  I am so thankful and blessed for his presence.  At 36.5wks now, I am beginning to feel prepared for him although you never think you are down.  Wait...am I repeating myself from my last blog??? LOL!  I pray that he comes in September, in water, safely, calmly, and that his light shines RIGHT from the beginning.

No sleep

I'm having a hard time sleeping these days. Well naps have always been a staple for me, but the night is a problem. At 35 weeks today positioning is more than challenging with uterine pressure and aches, but my mind is racing against the clock. In fact I think faster than I can do lol. In my last efforts to shop for things I need, I'm realizing how debilatating my condition really is lol. Between the 113 heat, my pelvis, and feeling like 5 watermelons are in me I can't last more than 2hrs outside. Smh! I have just a few more tasks then the house is as ready as its gonna get.

I'm getting more excited about my sons arrival I just can't stand it, but then it makes me think of a million more things I must do so that everthing is perfect. Reality is...nothing is ever perfect for birth but I'm on a mission to get close.

Make a Change

I have supported and loved all 3 of my midwives since my first child.  There is nothing better than the midwifery model of care.  If you haven't experienced it yet, I highly suggest you get one for your next baby.  Please take a few minutes to sign the petition below online to that AZ midwives can ask the state to update their rules and regulations regarding their scope of practice.  Its not just about VBACS, its so much more than that.  Women deserve the right to birth how and where they want to in a safe environment.  Please spread the word!  You dont have to live in AZ to sign either.  We have until the end of August to reach our goal.

Help Midwives Serve you Better

Powerful Positive Birth is possible in hospital

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Receives Top Rating for Maternity Care for Second Year in a Row from HealthGradesStudy Finds Significantly Lower Obstetric Complications in Top15% versus Bottom 15% of HospitalsBERKELEY, CA (June 30, 2009) – Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Alta Bates Campus announced today that the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company recognized them with a Five-Star Rating for Maternity Care for the second consecutive year. HealthGrades found that wide gaps persist in quality outcomes for maternity care and the best-performing hospitals had far fewer complications compared with poor-performing hospitals.The Sixth Annual HealthGrades Women’s Health in American Hospitals study found that best-performing hospitals had 52% fewer maternal complications among women who had vaginal births compared to poor-performing hospitals and 76% fewer complications among women who had C-sections. Patient-choice C-sections had the largest difference at 84% between best- and poor-performing hospitals.“It’s an honor to be ranked among the top hospitals in the country by an independent source such as HealthGrades,” said Amy Huibonhoa, MD, Chair of OB/GYN. “Pregnancy gives families nine months time to make careful decisions about where to receive their health care. Providing this crucial information about Alta Bates Summit’s outstanding clinical performance will allow families to make thoughtful choices about where to experience this important event in their lives.”Study findings include the following:• If all hospitals, among the 19 states studied, performed at the level of the best-performing hospitals from 2005 through 2007, 182,129 women may have avoided developing one or more in hospital major obstetrics complications. • Best-performing hospitals had a 56% lower weight-stratified neonatal mortality compared to poor-performing hospitals.• C-section rates average approximately 32% among the 19 states studied.• Quality inconsistencies are seen when comparing states; those with the lowest complication rates have almost half the complications compared with states that had the highest complication rates.“For many women, having a baby is their first experience with hospitalization, and as this study shows, it really matters which hospital is chosen.” said Dr. Rick May, a senior physician consultant with HealthGrades and a study co-author. “But now women have a way of identifying hospitals with outstanding track records in terms of the outcomes of other new mothers. That’s a powerful tool for all women as they plan for their birth.” HealthGrades analyzed approximately 13 million hospital delivery and neonate records from 2005 through 2007 in more than 1,500 hospitals in 19 all-payer states for this study and identified 218 hospitals as being five-star rated in maternity care. The full HealthGrades study can be found at www.healthgrades.com.

Designer Deliveries

As I embark into obstetrics in nursing school, my first assignment is to write a paper on "Designer Deliveries: what is the cost?" I have been having the most difficult time getting this simple 4pg paper started probably due to my own personal feelings about it all. My desire is to present the information in an unbiased way. But how do you do that without letting your feelings get in the way? Thats probably the daily challenge of journalist right?

The slightest bits of information discussed in class so far have already begun to seperate me from the masses of thinkers who believe in intervention, Dr.'s are the end all, and that families should never ask questions nor do they have options. Elective cesareans seem to be on the rise, along with medical interventions. I wish that women would understand the beauty of birth, the spiritual connection, and what they are missing by choosing to have a c-section. There are risks involved both small and large, all of which you never know which one will happen to you. Empowerment is worth gold.

No words needed...(viewers discretion advised)

http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmqlOi-LxYA

Movin all Around

I will officially be 36wks tomorrow! I was so inspired and in awe by this video that I just had to share it. I have the same thing going on all the time as my little princess gets her groove on in my womb. I always do something special during my pregnancies, so I think I will do this for the 3rd baby. I hope you enjoy the amazing creation that Yahweh has created in us as women :)


www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMpMoeIgwoQ