My OB said WHAT?!?

I just wanted to share that i've been featured on the website, My OB said WHAT?!?

You can see the post here.

If you scroll down the pink comment is my story explaining.

The Beauty of a Mother

I want to share this picture that i ran across a few weeks ago.  I think it ties into my previous post very well. 

There is so much hate out there about our bodies, especially postpartum mothers.  We hate the stretch marks, to sag, the bulge, the pooch.  We look at what society considers beauty and feel inadequate next to it. 

We need to remember the miraculous, wonderful, AMAZING thing our bodies did!  We were partners with God to make something amazing, something no one else can do.  We are mothers and we are beautiful!  

Yes, our bodies may not ever be the same again, but life will never be the same again.  We must remember this and remember that we are all daughters of God, and we are all beautiful.

And if you are a mother struggling with how you look postpartum i *highly* suggest checking out the website, The Shape of a Mother.  I love that site! 

Sharing a blog post: NFP: There's an app for that!

My friend has written another post on NFP, also known as Natural Family Planning.  It has to do with a new tool available to those who want to follow NFP.  It makes me want to go out and get a smart phone!  Just passing it on for those who want the information.

NFP: There's an app for that!

Educate Yourself: Natural Family Planning and How It's Healthy

I'm sorry i haven't posted in a while.  We are in the middle of packing up to move and so life has just been a bit hectic for me to write anything super indepth.

so, instead i'll post the 3rd article written by me friend about Natural Family Planning

Educate Yourself: Natural Family Planning and How It's Healthy

A break down of Birth: statistics for the US

Via: Ultrasound Technician

What Not To Read During Pregnancy

So you're pregnant, or planning on pregnancy.

Congratulations!!!!

Do you plan on doing any reading? (you should!)

Are you at a loss of where to start?

Well have no fear!  A very smart and informed woman has put together her list of 'what not to read' and then 3 alternatives for each book. 
She has also broken down her recommendations into 3 categories: those who are just the average person possibly looking for information, those who are looking into their options, but don't know what they want yet, and then those who have done their research, know what they want and are looking for more information.

I feel this is a great list that i feel comfortable sharing (i have either heard great things about her recommendations, or i have read them myself).

What Not To Read.

Source

Do you have any book recommendations for those who are pregnant?  Have you read any on this list and if so, what did you think?

Would You Rather....

....Have a procedure that has a higher risk of muscle damage, can lead to urinary incontinence, has higher rates of infection, always requires stitching, higher rates of sexual dysfunction, cause more extensive scar tissue, more pain and many other issues...

Or

let nature happen and possibly have no negative effects?

Would you rather have an episiotomy or tear naturally (or possibly not even tear at all)?

I found this VERY informative article about episiotomies and tearing and ways to prevent tearing in the first place.

 Would You Rather....

This is one of the parts i found very interesting (even *i* learned something new!)

"In addition, tears heal faster, with less pain, and less scar tissue. This is because tissue cells look like little bricks. When a woman's perineum does tear, it tears through the 'cement' holding those bricks (cells) together - there is little to no cellular damage."

For those who have given birth, what has your experience been with episiotomy VS. tearing naturally?

Natural Family Planning

Do you know what your options are when it comes to birth control?  Do you only think that 'the pill' is the only reliable form available?  Did you know that there is a form of birth control that involves NO hormones, NO barriers, NO inserting of anything, NO goop and is *just* as effective if not more so than the leading birth crotrol options on the market?

You have a choice.  And that choice can be Natural Family Planning. 

NFP is NOT the "rhythm method" and it can be very simple and you do not even h ave to take your temperature if that does not fit with your life style.

If you want to learn  more, please see my good friend's posts about it:

Educate Yourself: Natural Family Planning, what is it?

Educate Yourself: Natural Family Planning, why it is a feminist concept

 She is going to have more posts on this subject.

Have you ever heard of NFP and/or have you practiced it?

 

You have a Choice

I don't have much time so i will be quick.  

I saw this short documentary on facebook a couple days ago i i love it!  It is talking about how you have a choice when it comes to birth.  YOU are in charge of your choices.  It is up to you to do your research and find out what choice is best for *YOU*.  

Is that choice a Birth Center?

Is that choice the Hospital?

Or is that choice a Home Birth?

Whatever your choice is it is up to you to make it.  YOU are in charge of doing your own research and finding out what option is best for you.

For me personally i never knew i had a choice until my sister started making her own.  I thought you *had* to have a baby in the hospital and if you didn't it was just an accident.  I didn't know women still used midwives.  I also didn't know about all the routine unnecessary procedures hospitals do.  So i did my *own* research and made a choice that was best for MY family.  

You have a choice.  

Watch this short film and go do your own research.

You won't regret it.

"You Have a Choice" // A Short Birth Documentary from Mark Mroz on Vimeo.

What was your choice and how did you make it?

Amazing Video: Conception to Birth

As many of my friends and family know, i'm a little...i guess you could call it obsessed, when it comes to things pregnancy, birth and parenting related.  I started doing serious research into these subjects about 3 years ago, before i even became pregnant with our first daughter.  There are so many things i've leanred and there are so many things i want to share with those i care about.

Well, today i discovered this amazing video.  The entire time i was watching it i was just blown away.  The miracle of life *truly* is amazing.  I actually had tears in my eyes watching it (has nothing to do with my hormones i swear lol).  Check it out, i think you will be equally amazed.