Baby Mamas (Put a Sling On 'Em)

these days

Wow! I have been so sick this pass week. I have taken 3 pregnancy test which all said negative. Which is good . I am so not ready for another little one. One day, just not right now. Niko has been going crazy due to being inside nonstop because it is so hot the moment i go outside i wanna puke. Mike is doing alright but is quickly becoming frustrated with his job.hopefully things will get better soon.

Day Three on The Farm

Today was an awesome day!!! it started out early with a cup of coffee. I found the sugar so, I was pretty happy about that. Then it was off to the community center where we learned about the potential risk of ultrasounds....some of what we learned....

"Unnecessary Exposure" includes the use of ultrasound to:
1. Confirm the sex of the baby.
2. Assess gestational age (how many weeks old the baby is).
3. Assess fetal size and growth.
4. Confirm multiple pregnancy.... See More
5. Determine fetal presentation (the position of the baby in the womb).
Many health care professionals still use ultrasound for these purposes anyway, even though the American Medical Association has not approved its use for these purposes. With the exception of confirming the sex of the baby, all these pieces of information can be obtained with hands-on skills. A fetoscope or stethoscope can detect the baby's heartbeat without the danger of ultrasound.

According to the World Health Organization and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report, "It is not clear at this time whether ultrasound fetal monitoring is beneficial to the mother or fetus in terms of pregnancy outcome...If there is no generally acknowledged benefit to the monitoring, there is no reason to expose patients to increased... See More cost and risk. The question of benefit has not yet been resolved...and the potential for delayed effects has been virtually ignored."
In other words, Ultrasound technology carries potential risks that have not yet been evaluated, yet many doctors are telling women that there is no risk.
Having an ultrasound is NOT essential to a healthy pregnancy. However, most doctors are trained to use expensive technology and NOT trained to use hands-on skills.
Before you allow an ultrasound to be done on you, do some research, thoroughly question your healthcare provider about safety as well as the value of the information that would be received.

Don't be afraid to refuse the test if you are not comfortable with the information you have discovered. It is your constitutional right to refuse any tests you do not want.To give you some means of comparison, I offer this analogy. Have you seen a woman with an extremely high voice break a glass by singing an extremely high pitched note? That is... See More an example of what just ONE relatively slow sound wave can do. Ultrasound technology is based upon ultra high-frequency sound waves, which bombard the child in the womb at an extremely high rate of speed. If one slow sound wave from a woman's voice can break a glass, what can super high frequency sound waves do to your child? Ultrasound waves in laboratory experiments have been known to damage chromosomes, produce internal cellular heat which damages cells, retard the normal development of cells, and many other phenomenons.

So, we learned that using a fetoscope was the safest way to listen to heart tones and to check baby's heart beat. Which you do by counting for fifteen seconds the multiply by 4. We also learned how to use the blood pressure cuff to take ones blood pressure. We also learned how to take ones pulse and respiration. Then we were off to lunch at the farm store where i paid $6 for a burrito and a water. I was starting to realized that the farm store was very expensive.

After lunch i lied down for a bit. Then it was off to class at the clinic.We learned how to use a fetoscope and to do palpitations . we got to use a live model by the name of Cayenne who was 37 weeks along. It was really cool to hear the baby's heart beat through the wood of the fetoscope. And, learning how to palpitate her belly feeling how the baby was laying.

We braked for the afternoon . I decided to check out the Eco Village . So, Katie , Ari and I drove down . We we arrived we were greeted by the Eco Inn that set on the left . It's a yellow building with a blue winding staircase in front. There was a book store on the right. as we walked down the path we came across a chicken coop that was filled with ducks . Beyond that coop was a green house that was filled with tomato plants . The smell was amazing warm and sweet with the smell of damp earth. One side of the green house wall was filled with hay and it had a living roof.

Behind the green house was a Eco out house completely made of ceder it smelled wonderful , believe it or not . It had these long black strips in front of it where rain water collected and the sun warmed it up where you could take a hot shower. it had two toilets , they use one for one year then move to the other so that the one that they used for the passed year could break down into compost. then they switch back.

As we were checking it out a young man in his twenty's walked up. he introduced him self as Will.We kept down the path which ended at the Eco dragon house . It is under construction but, the inside was amazing, made of clay with faces on the walls. the walls were rough with a tree molded on one wall. the place smelled of ceder and earth. The mantel of the fire place was a large face with its mouth as the fire place. we walked out of the home and continued down a path on the right. it ended at two mud dwellings that were occupied. After our little tour we decided to go into town and get a beer.

It took us forever because not all the gas stations have beer in them. so, after 30mins of driving we found a Super-Rama which it the tiniest grocery store i have ever been in. We finally found the beer section which was so small. we each grabbed a 24oz corona and a lime and drove back to the farm.

After getting back to the dorm we were told that the farm was a drug and alcohol free place....for some reason i found this to not be entirely true. So, we went upstairs and drank our cold beers . they were so good being that it was so hot.

It was time for dinner . we drove to Louise's house and had hummus with tofu tahini with cucumber salad. the best part was desert which was pina colada ice bean which is made of soy milk. Ina May was there again and once again i did not sit by her or get to talk to her.

When dinner was over we went to the community center to hear Ina May presentation on maternal mortality in the U.S. She is creating a quilt with each blocks are the name of women that have died from maternal child causes . So many of the blocks were names of women who have died of induction, pre-clamsia , cytotect, Magnesium Sulfate. IT hit me like a ton of bricks because it dawned on me that i was so close to being one of those names. So, after class i asked her if she had names that she needed blocks for . she said yes and became very grateful and gave me a hug and i got my picture with her.

We all came back to the dorm feeling defeated after the presentation. We felt helpless. Every girl here wants to change the world but, where do we start. I think the only way is for me to change the world by doing one birth at a time. Hopefully doing the blocks for Ina May will allow me to do some healing . I couldn't fall asleep after that.

Day two on The Farm

I a woke at 7am to have breakfast. There was no sugar for coffee so, i had to use honey. I was not happy about that. But , i drank it. Then we were off to the community center for our lecture on the Duties of a Midwife Assistant. I totally feel asleep for like twenty minutes in that class. and , to tell you the truth I didn't learn very much.

After the class it was lunch time at the farm store. where i payed $12 for a small cup of soup and a salad. I also bought a stick of deodorant for $6. It better work. but, it's organic so, I am sure it won't .

After lunch we headed to the clinic to learn about sterilization, a class i was looking forward to. We learned how to sterilize instruments and we learned how to create a sterile filed. We also learned the correct way to but on gloves. The weirdest thing that we learn is the correct way to wash a woman's vaginal area. Now, I have been to many births and I have never seen a woman be washed down . I just found it to be odd. After that we had a test on technique where i did okay.

After class we had a break . Which I took to drive to the store to pick up some things. Came back ,put my swim suite on and drove to the swimming hole. After the walk from yesterday, a drive seemed like a better option.

The water was awfully cold but refreshing at the same time. I was having a nice time until a nine year old girl by the name of Raina told me that there where leaches in the water. I turned to the lifeguard and she informed me that that was true. I promptly got out! I drove back to the dorm , took a shower and got ready for dinner at Louise's house.

Ina May was there again. I was too nervous to speak to her. I am hoping to get a picture with her at some point and maybe have a conversation about the effects of cytotect.

Dinner was yummy , we had couscous and a lovely salad . After dinner we listened to a lecture on the NARM test. which was very interesting. All I know is the more i stay here the more I know my calling is to be a midwife.

Day 1 at The Farm

I arrived at the farm , passed the main gate and became completely lost. The map said turn right on the second road so, there for I turned down the second road which was a clay rock and dirt road with a large brown house which i later found out was Ina May and Stephen Gaskin's house. Then i passed an clay dwelling on the left. The road ended in front of a very large house that ended up being Louise's house. This is where we would meet every night to eat dinner that was completely vegan.

So, i backed up and relized that i was lost. I droved down the next road. It was lined with little homes with gardens in there front yards. My car bounced around from the rocky road. the road soon came to a dead end. I turn my car around and be gain to freak out a bit. It was then that i realized that the second road on the right meant that i take a right on Second Road.

I found The Farm Clinic and three girls were outside sitting at a picnic table. They showed me to my dorm . The dorm was a small cabin with eight beds in it. when I say small I mean like 300sq ft.I picked a bed in a room with one bed and a set of bunk beds. The bed was pretty soft much better then I was expecting.

After I got set up . two girls invited me to walk with them to the swimming hole. they said it was a short walk so, I agreed to join them. We walked up the road ,passed the farm store and turned left down a paved rd that turned into the familer clay rocky roads I had gotten lost on. We walked down a steep hill that was covered with rocks and roots. I toltally thought I was going to fall and break my neck.We reached the swmming hole that was filled with small children. It had rock cliffs on the right hand side . the water was a murky green color that you could sorta see though.

I hung out there for about ten minuets then made the walk back . The walk back about killed me. it was all up hill and about a mile long.When I airved back to the dorm I was so sweaty and out of breath i could barely talk.

It was time for us together to register and get our binders that we would need for the week. We got our name tags and did introductions. Ya know, where every one in the room says there name , where they are from and what they do. I hate doing that.

We were told the rules and then we were off to dinner at Louise's house. when we walked in the house kept getting bigger the further you walked in. She had a lovely table set up for us and she had made lovely vegan burritos for dinner with an apple cranberry tart for desert.As we all joined in the big room Ina May walked in. I found my self star struck . I couldn't believe that Ina May was in the same room with me!! After dinner we went to the community center to here a lecture on the history of The Farm.

I realized that this placed was once a happening place . but, a lot has changed over the years. The Farm only has about 175 residents now compared to the 1,500 in the late sixties and early seventies . After the lecture it was time for bed . I showered and changed knowing that tomorrow would be a big day.

To The Farm We Go

It never fails..... Some how ,some way, I always end up late. Wakening up and rolling over I see the clock and it reads 6:59. the exact time I am suppose to be backing out of the drive way. I jumped out of bed and ran to the coffee pot to make coffee. Dressing at the speed of light in the dim lit room where my husband was sleeping, I whispered "Get up babe!" He rolled over and stumbled out of bed joining me for a cup of coffee on the porch.

I was smart enough to pack and place my bags in the car the night before. So, all I had to take with me was my backpack and purse. I got into my car with my thermos of hot coffee, loaded the Garmin and was bound to go northwest to Huntsville Alabama. I was stopping there the night before going to The Farm, to stay with my best friend Cat. The ride was pretty straight up I75. I went through Atlanta and then hit Alabama. As soon as I did, I hit rain. Rain so bad that I thought about pulling over a few times. But, I trekked though it.

As, I drove into little towns, I wondered if the Garmin was taking me the right way. At one point I hit the country side that had rock cliffs and high mountains, which no one mention to tell me you must down shift to go up them. So ,after the first one -while people in car honked and yelled behind me- I realized that to go up you must shift down.

The mountain road was curvy and wined up the side. I freaked out a little bit in fear of sliding off the mountain side. I came around the bend and there was Cat spa. I was meeting her there so she could give me a facial before she got off of work.

She came out as soon as I pulled up and which i yelled "that was the most awful ride i have ever driven!!" She agreed. I was so happy to see her I could barely stand it! We hugged then went inside. She introduced me to her co-workers then took me up the stairs pass a large painting on the wall. Where I joked about if she had painted it. We reached the top of the stairs where a girl sat behind a desk. Cat introduced me and we walked passed her into the ladies lounge. The whole place smelled of lavender and sandalwood. Candles flickered in all corners of the room. A large wall trickled with water , which made a lovely sound. She led me into the facial room and had me lie down . She pampered me by giving me a glycolic peel and a mask with this amazing contraption at which steam came out of. While she did this, she massaged my neck and shoulders working down my arms. It felt so nice. when she was done I felt rejuvenated and fresh. She suggested that we go to Bonefish for happy hour and appetizers. I promptly agreed.

we drove to her condo. It was set in an almost woodsy place. her condo was adorable. with walls painted a beautiful shade of green and browns. Perfect furniture with no stains or pulls on the tapestry. The way my house would look if i had no children. We freshened up and went to Bonefish and had a couple of glasses of wine with two yummy appetizers. After that we went back to her condo and thats when I met her fiance ,Chris. Who is a tall, skinny, and very nice golf pro. He wanted to go out to eat at one of those Japanese steakhouses where they cook in front of you. So, we did. I wasn't very hungry so, I stuck to the sake while they ate their meals. I stepped out to call Micheal ,I was already beginning to miss him.

After we left the restaurant we went back to her condo and drank some beers and talked about wedding plans. She showed me a picture of her dress which was drop dead gorgeous. then it was off to bed .

I slept soundly. More then I thought I would.

Today I was off to The Farm and was very excited. We left to go to starbucks and then it was time to say goodbye. I surly would miss her. And, I do now as I type This. I really wish she lived a little closer. Well, I loaded up the Garmin and then i was off.

So, it has been awhile since i have wrote . I think it becomes harder as life happens to find time or to sit , I am not a very fast typer.

Life has been rough lately. Mike lost his job, the car broke down, money has been tight, Niko has been going through tantrums and I've been depressed. I feel like my passion for birth is dying too. It once grew deep and, now...well, i don't know.