My midwifery career was indeed a calling. At the time I did not necessarily want to be a midwife. I'd had my oldest child at home in the 1970's. There were no midwives doing home births in our area then and we didn't feel comfortable having an unassisted home birth, so we traveled to The Tennessee Farm where we could have the home birth we wanted. That was where the seed of midwifery was planted. The midwives were so gentle and loving and the way they helped me birth my baby daughter was so very special, I wanted that for other women.
My midwifery career actually began on a walk, a prayerful walk down a country lane. In the shadows of the large trees that bordered the country lane, I prayed in a sincere fashion. "Please, I am ready. Show me what I am to do. I'm ready for my life's work....whatever it is I am supposed to be doing, show me." Not long after that I was invited to a friend's home birth as a photographer. My second daughter accompanied me to the birth as she was six months old at the time and was still nursing. There I met the local woman who was serving as community midwife. She invited me to help out at some of the upcoming births she had scheduled. I learned so very much from her.
One of my favorite lessons was when we were doing a birth for a woman who didn't have much food in the house for her five children. Our senior midwife came back laden with groceries. I'll never forget it, she said, "Sometimes you get paid for doing the birth, and sometimes you have to buy them groceries." A beautiful lesson that truly embraced the type of midwifery that I wanted to practice. Humanitarian midwifery. I started apprenticing with this most wonderful midwife and she has taught me many things over the years. She has since retired, but I am blessed to have a most talented midwife extraordinaire as a partner in attending births.
That was thirty four years ago years, that first birth. I have attended hundreds of births since that time including the births of my grandchildren. Each birth teaches me something.
As with the birthing mother, those in attendance are also pushed beyond preconceived (no pun intended) notions of limitations of endurance.
The whole universe moves over to allow the entrance of one tiny human being. The ripple effect is felt, the cosmic entanglements begin. Tiny yes, but with great impact they arrive, bringing lessons for all they encounter along the way.
Teachers they are, tiny teachers of universal truths.
When they come into this world, we think we are going to teach them everything we know...instead, they teach us how much we don't know.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
How to disempower women and change the course of civilization in 5 easy steps...
Women have lost their faith in themselves and their bodies. We are taught to seek out the opinions of experts, as if our own perceptions and innate wisdom are not to be trusted. We are not qualified to determine what is best for ourselves. Surely our bodies will betray us. Not if, but when?
Birth is an intimate experience. Most other species birth in privacy. Disturbing the mother can interfere with the birthing process. Only human primates need to have a theatre in which to give birth, a large cast of characters and multiple high dollar props. The high tech machinery alone requires a large amount of space. We need bright lights, as bright as possible please, and supplies wrapped in obnoxiously noisy paper wrap. There's no way to unwrap those covertly! Distractions are the name of the game, lots of people, staff and housekeeping going in and out of the room. Distractions, measurements, assessments, checks, questions and directions, directed labor, managed labor all keep the mother from going within, where her power and wisdom reside.
Women have been conditioned to fear birth, to fear the pain and travail of birth. Why be bothered with discomfort when there are pharmaceuticals to alleviate pain? Why not? Well, what if the pain of childbirth serves a purpose? I believe it does! I believe the purpose of the travails of labor is to solidify the bonding between the mother and the baby and to prepare one for the travails of parenting a child. If drugs are used to alleviate the pain of life, then as a parent you will need a lifetime supply as parenting can be painful.
The extremes of labor brings a woman face to face with her perceived limitations. Her resources are called upon. It is not easy, this "labor". It is truly a labor of love.
I believe this was an intentional theft of one of the paths of power available to women. It was so gradual, and under the guise of alleviating our suffering, that women were not even aware of the damage being done. Now the path is hidden. The way is obscured.
Why did women give up their power? We were deceived, misguided, misled and misdirected. Not only did they take our births away, they also took our children away. Women were persuaded to hand over their little darlings to strangers for many hours per day under the guise of the woman finding her power and fulfillment throughout work or a career outside of the home, instead of realizing the sacred work of raising their own children to be human beings.
The stage is set for turning over other important things in your life to the experts, such as your family's health or your child's education. School is where they develop their world view. Beware the experts! We are then taught to willingly hand over our adult male, and now female children, to defend our corporate world takeover. It is shameful!
Now we have a generally dysfunctional society full of dysfunctional people and dysfunctional families.
Be your own expert. Acknowledge the truths. Chart a course and sail forth...
Birth is an intimate experience. Most other species birth in privacy. Disturbing the mother can interfere with the birthing process. Only human primates need to have a theatre in which to give birth, a large cast of characters and multiple high dollar props. The high tech machinery alone requires a large amount of space. We need bright lights, as bright as possible please, and supplies wrapped in obnoxiously noisy paper wrap. There's no way to unwrap those covertly! Distractions are the name of the game, lots of people, staff and housekeeping going in and out of the room. Distractions, measurements, assessments, checks, questions and directions, directed labor, managed labor all keep the mother from going within, where her power and wisdom reside.
Women have been conditioned to fear birth, to fear the pain and travail of birth. Why be bothered with discomfort when there are pharmaceuticals to alleviate pain? Why not? Well, what if the pain of childbirth serves a purpose? I believe it does! I believe the purpose of the travails of labor is to solidify the bonding between the mother and the baby and to prepare one for the travails of parenting a child. If drugs are used to alleviate the pain of life, then as a parent you will need a lifetime supply as parenting can be painful.
The extremes of labor brings a woman face to face with her perceived limitations. Her resources are called upon. It is not easy, this "labor". It is truly a labor of love.
I believe this was an intentional theft of one of the paths of power available to women. It was so gradual, and under the guise of alleviating our suffering, that women were not even aware of the damage being done. Now the path is hidden. The way is obscured.
Why did women give up their power? We were deceived, misguided, misled and misdirected. Not only did they take our births away, they also took our children away. Women were persuaded to hand over their little darlings to strangers for many hours per day under the guise of the woman finding her power and fulfillment throughout work or a career outside of the home, instead of realizing the sacred work of raising their own children to be human beings.
The stage is set for turning over other important things in your life to the experts, such as your family's health or your child's education. School is where they develop their world view. Beware the experts! We are then taught to willingly hand over our adult male, and now female children, to defend our corporate world takeover. It is shameful!
Now we have a generally dysfunctional society full of dysfunctional people and dysfunctional families.
Be your own expert. Acknowledge the truths. Chart a course and sail forth...
Build a Better Baby With Optimal Personalized Nutrition!
Did you know that food plays a vital role in you and your baby's future longevity?
Did you know that mothers who starve themselves during pregnancy are more likely to have a child who suffers from diabetes?
Did you know that the mother's exposure to certain pathogens can be harmful to the baby in utero?
Did you know that your beloved pets may harbor harmful pathogens or parasites?
Did you know that schizophrenia is believed to sometimes be caused by the mother's exposure to certain viruses during pregnancy?
Having your immune system in top shape is one way to build a better baby.
There is a lot of confusing and conflicting information out there when it comes to diet and nutrition. One way to determine what is best for you is to have metabolic typing done. Your body chemistry will reveal what the best diet is for you. Consuming and being able to metabolize nutrients from appropriate foods will go a long way toward better health.
Good maternal nutrition means that every baby will have a chance to realize it's genetic potential and the optimal chance of having a healthy body, a sound mind, and a productive life.
Optimize your baby's potential through metabolic specific nutrition.
Proper knowledge of your metabolic type helps you to avoid the disorders of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and toxemia, lessening stressors on you and your baby. Correcting your imbalances and optimizing your nutritional status are just the way to prepare yourself for pregnancy.
Consider the importance of knowing your metabolic type so that you can maximize cellular nutrition and grow the best baby possible while minimizing the interferences and immune system activation caused by taking in foods that are not optimal for your metabolism.
Consuming foods that are wrong for your metabolic type actually contributes to many disorders and imbalances. Undigested food particles may pass through the intestinal wall into the blood stream where they are treated as invaders by the immune system. Chronic activation of the immune system in this manner may lead to inflammatory conditions which may lead to a host of health problems.
Cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory and chronic skin conditions may be related to inflammatory
conditions influenced by improper foods and/or improper digestion of foods. Depressive disorders, anxiety and mood disorders may all be related to inflammatory conditions.
Through metabolic typing, you will determine which foods may be helpful or problematic for you.
Everyone is unique and one size does not fit all.
There are ten ways that body chemistry can go out of balance. Here is a brief overview of the ten imbalances:
Electrolyte Excess-In this imbalance, the kidneys and heart are under stress due to the excess mineral salts in the blood. The blood begins to sludge, which impairs circulation and raises blood pressure.
There is inefficient transport of oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the cells. There is inefficient waste removal from the cells. Adequate hydration is essential to help with this imbalance.
Electrolyte Insufficiency-People with this imbalance tend to have low energy, low blood pressure, anxiety or depression. They are low in mineral salts either due to low intake or the body is unable to retain the minerals. Inadequate protein intake or improper digestion of protein can also contribute to this imbalance.
Anerobic or Anabolic Imbalance- In this imbalance, instead of glucose combining with oxygen to make energy, glucose is fermented by the cells and lactic acid is produced. There are too many sterols in relation to the fatty acids in the cells which affects membrane permeability. This common imbalance is the chemistry of cancers, osteoarthritis and many other health issues.
Dysaerobic or Catabolic Imbalance- In this imbalance, oxygen metabolism goes too far, producing free radicals but little energy. There are too many fatty acids and not enough sterols, which makes the cells too permeable. Tumors can grow rapidly with this metabolic chemistry.
Glucogenic Imbalance-People with this imbalance are called fast oxidizers. The fast burning of carbohydrates produces excess carbon dioxide. This chemistry is the most common in acid conditions. Fast oxidizers tend to burn up carbohydrates too quickly and have trouble burning fat for energy. Hypoglycemia, fatigue, unstable blood sugars and weight problems are common with this imbalance.
Ketogenic Imbalance-People with this imbalance are also known as slow oxidizers. They have trouble using carbohydrates for fuel but burn fats well. They tend to run more alkaline. Common problems would be unstable blood sugars, fatigue, weight problems and high blood pressure.
Parasympathetic Stress-The autonomic nervous system helps to regulate body functions that we don't have conscious control over, such as digestion and heart rate. Parasympathetic stress is when one gets stuck in the parasympathetic state. The digestion is stimulated, the pupils constrict, the heart rate slows, respirations slow and the bronchial tubes constrict.
Sympathetic Stress-Sympathetic is the "fight or flight" response, adrenaline is released, heart rate increases, pupils and bronchial tubes dilate, and digestion slows. In sympathetic stress, a person may become stuck in this sympathetic reaction. Nervous tension, insomnia, poor digestion and other health problems may be present.
Acid Imbalance-Not having enough alkali in the system to buffer the acids, often results in poor digestion and assimilation, and joint and muscle pain.
Alkaline Imbalance- Too much alkali and low acid can impact digestion, cause muscle and joint pain, cause fluid retention, and predispose the person to allergies and fatigue.
Determining your imbalances and correcting them through diet and nutritional changes will lessen immune system activation and lead to a healthier pregnancy and childbirth, and a happier, healthier baby.
Metabolic typing will lead to optimal health during any time of your life, especially during pregnancy. The ability to resist illness and recover quickly, in other words, our adaptive capacity,
can be enhanced with optimal cellular nutrition.
Remember, you are setting the stage for your baby's growth, development, intelligence and adaptability to life's challenges. All of these are influenced during the prenatal period.
Metabolic typing and individualized nutrition are key to building a better baby.
Build a better baby-build a better you!
Check out my other blog: prairiespringsfamilyservices.blogspot
Did you know that mothers who starve themselves during pregnancy are more likely to have a child who suffers from diabetes?
Did you know that the mother's exposure to certain pathogens can be harmful to the baby in utero?
Did you know that your beloved pets may harbor harmful pathogens or parasites?
Did you know that schizophrenia is believed to sometimes be caused by the mother's exposure to certain viruses during pregnancy?
Having your immune system in top shape is one way to build a better baby.
There is a lot of confusing and conflicting information out there when it comes to diet and nutrition. One way to determine what is best for you is to have metabolic typing done. Your body chemistry will reveal what the best diet is for you. Consuming and being able to metabolize nutrients from appropriate foods will go a long way toward better health.
Good maternal nutrition means that every baby will have a chance to realize it's genetic potential and the optimal chance of having a healthy body, a sound mind, and a productive life.
Optimize your baby's potential through metabolic specific nutrition.
Proper knowledge of your metabolic type helps you to avoid the disorders of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and toxemia, lessening stressors on you and your baby. Correcting your imbalances and optimizing your nutritional status are just the way to prepare yourself for pregnancy.
Consider the importance of knowing your metabolic type so that you can maximize cellular nutrition and grow the best baby possible while minimizing the interferences and immune system activation caused by taking in foods that are not optimal for your metabolism.
Consuming foods that are wrong for your metabolic type actually contributes to many disorders and imbalances. Undigested food particles may pass through the intestinal wall into the blood stream where they are treated as invaders by the immune system. Chronic activation of the immune system in this manner may lead to inflammatory conditions which may lead to a host of health problems.
Cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory and chronic skin conditions may be related to inflammatory
conditions influenced by improper foods and/or improper digestion of foods. Depressive disorders, anxiety and mood disorders may all be related to inflammatory conditions.
Through metabolic typing, you will determine which foods may be helpful or problematic for you.
Everyone is unique and one size does not fit all.
There are ten ways that body chemistry can go out of balance. Here is a brief overview of the ten imbalances:
Electrolyte Excess-In this imbalance, the kidneys and heart are under stress due to the excess mineral salts in the blood. The blood begins to sludge, which impairs circulation and raises blood pressure.
There is inefficient transport of oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the cells. There is inefficient waste removal from the cells. Adequate hydration is essential to help with this imbalance.
Electrolyte Insufficiency-People with this imbalance tend to have low energy, low blood pressure, anxiety or depression. They are low in mineral salts either due to low intake or the body is unable to retain the minerals. Inadequate protein intake or improper digestion of protein can also contribute to this imbalance.
Anerobic or Anabolic Imbalance- In this imbalance, instead of glucose combining with oxygen to make energy, glucose is fermented by the cells and lactic acid is produced. There are too many sterols in relation to the fatty acids in the cells which affects membrane permeability. This common imbalance is the chemistry of cancers, osteoarthritis and many other health issues.
Dysaerobic or Catabolic Imbalance- In this imbalance, oxygen metabolism goes too far, producing free radicals but little energy. There are too many fatty acids and not enough sterols, which makes the cells too permeable. Tumors can grow rapidly with this metabolic chemistry.
Glucogenic Imbalance-People with this imbalance are called fast oxidizers. The fast burning of carbohydrates produces excess carbon dioxide. This chemistry is the most common in acid conditions. Fast oxidizers tend to burn up carbohydrates too quickly and have trouble burning fat for energy. Hypoglycemia, fatigue, unstable blood sugars and weight problems are common with this imbalance.
Ketogenic Imbalance-People with this imbalance are also known as slow oxidizers. They have trouble using carbohydrates for fuel but burn fats well. They tend to run more alkaline. Common problems would be unstable blood sugars, fatigue, weight problems and high blood pressure.
Parasympathetic Stress-The autonomic nervous system helps to regulate body functions that we don't have conscious control over, such as digestion and heart rate. Parasympathetic stress is when one gets stuck in the parasympathetic state. The digestion is stimulated, the pupils constrict, the heart rate slows, respirations slow and the bronchial tubes constrict.
Sympathetic Stress-Sympathetic is the "fight or flight" response, adrenaline is released, heart rate increases, pupils and bronchial tubes dilate, and digestion slows. In sympathetic stress, a person may become stuck in this sympathetic reaction. Nervous tension, insomnia, poor digestion and other health problems may be present.
Acid Imbalance-Not having enough alkali in the system to buffer the acids, often results in poor digestion and assimilation, and joint and muscle pain.
Alkaline Imbalance- Too much alkali and low acid can impact digestion, cause muscle and joint pain, cause fluid retention, and predispose the person to allergies and fatigue.
Determining your imbalances and correcting them through diet and nutritional changes will lessen immune system activation and lead to a healthier pregnancy and childbirth, and a happier, healthier baby.
Metabolic typing will lead to optimal health during any time of your life, especially during pregnancy. The ability to resist illness and recover quickly, in other words, our adaptive capacity,
can be enhanced with optimal cellular nutrition.
Remember, you are setting the stage for your baby's growth, development, intelligence and adaptability to life's challenges. All of these are influenced during the prenatal period.
Metabolic typing and individualized nutrition are key to building a better baby.
Build a better baby-build a better you!
Check out my other blog: prairiespringsfamilyservices.blogspot
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