Adventures in Juice Fasting

I've always been a huge advocate of fasting.  Fasting is basically the opposite of everything society tells us to do.  Corporate media and every advertisement tells us to constantly consume.  So much so, that much of our self-worth is derived from the amount of, quality and variety of our consumption.  But who benefits?  Obesity is at an all-time high, as is depression and prescription drug dependency.  Fasting allows the body to cleanse itself of the toxins that have accumulated over the years and divert energy normally used for digestion to healing and repairing damaged organs.

While I would usually fast at least once a year for around 2 weeks, the stress of moving, pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding and returning to work put a damper on my fasting plans.  But after we moved back to Boston I started feeling very overwhelmed with my responsibilities as a new mom, frustrated with my bad habits, and a bit depressed over my lack of freedom from my son.

I was starting to feel guilty about my state of mind, so I sought out the help of my trusted acupuncturist. I've been seeing my acupuncturist, Dan Dan, for the past 3 years and she has helped me with dance injuries, allergies, ear infections and insomnia. She agreed that all of the stress was taking its toll on my body and spirit.  Then she reminded me of the healing powers of fasting.

Fasting is NOT something to be entered into lightly, so after much research and discussion with Dan Dan, I decided it would be safe to do a short, 5 day juice fast while still exclusively breastfeeding my son.  Juice fasting gives your body all of the nutrients it needs and pure pressed juices take little to no energy for your body to process.  The detoxification is also less intense than with water fasting, so I would still have enough energy to take care of the baby.

This is my adventure....

Day 1:

10:00 am:  Carrot/Orange Juice

12:00 pm:  Taught Baby and Me Class

1:00 pm:   Apple, Carrot, Kale, Ginger Juice

3:00 pm:   Peppermint Iced Tead

5:30 pm:   Kale, Broccoli, Celery, Ginger, Garlic Juice

6:00 pm:   Nap

8:00 pm:   Kombucha (fermented tea)

8:30 pm:   Light Yoga Session (30 mins)

9:00 pm:   Peach Tea

Side Effects:  head aching, easily upset, pressure on sinuses, frequent urination, sleepy, kidney pain, back pain, groggy

Improvements:  None

Day 2

10:00 am:  Grapefruit Juice

12:45 pm:  Carrot, Kale, Collards, Garlic Juice

2:00 pm:  Nap

4:30 pm:  Kale, Broccoli, Celery, Ginger, Garlic Juice

5:30 pm:  Carrot Juice

6:00 pm:  Yoga Session (1 hr)

7:30 pm:  Ginger, Lemon, Water

9:00 pm:  Hibiscus Tea

Side Effects:  headache, sleepy, slight kidney pain, back pain, bad breath, sleepy

Improvements:  less headache and kidney pain, more mental clarity

Day 3:

10:00 am:  Apple, Carrot, Orange, Mango Juice

10:30 am:  Hibiscus/Mint Iced Tea

12:30 pm:  Apple, Celery, Beet, Garlic, Ginger, Kale Juice

3:00 pm:  Kombucha

5:30 pm:  Kale, Broccoli, Celery, Ginger, Garlic Juice

6:30 pm:  Belly Dance Class (45 mins)

7:00 pm:  Ginger, Lemon Water

9:30 pm:  Rooibus Tea

Side Effects:    headache, sleepy, slight kidney pain, back pain, bad breath

Improvements:  even less headache and kidney pain, more mental clarity, more energy

Day 4:

10:00 am:  Hibiscus Iced Tea

11:30 am:  Superfood Smoothie

2:00 pm:  Celery, Beet, Garlic, Ginger, Kale Juice

5:00 pm:  Kombucha

6:00 pm:  Belly Dance Class (45 mins)
7:30 pm:  Ginger, Lemon Water

Side Effects:  sore arms and legs, lower abdominal pain, no appitite

Improvements:  not thinking about solid food,  no headache or kidney pain, more energy


*Notes:  I hardly slept at all tonight because of labor-like pains in my uterus and ovaries.  While I've had period-like pain when fasting before, I'm guessing that I didn't give myself enough time to heal after my son's birth.


Day 5

7:30 am:  Superfood Smoothie

12:00 pm:  Carrot, Celery, Beet, Garlic, Ginger, Kale Juice

5:00 pm:  Kombucha
6:00 pm: Nap

7:00 pm:  Light Yoga Session (20 mins)
8:30 pm:  Ginger, Lemon Water

Side Effects: headache, very groggy, lower abdominal pain, pressure on sinuses, easily irritated, chills, no appetite
Improvements:  all side effects were gone by around 4:00 pm


The next day I gently broke my fast by drinking only juice and water and only eating raw salads.

Right now I'm feeling much better and enlightened by the healing I experienced on the fourth night.  I'll discuss my improvements in greater detail after my acupuncturist appointment tomorrow! 

Cool Papas Helping Pretty Mamas

Hey Pretty Mamas!

We went to Tampa, Florida this past Christmas to visit my husband, Stephen's, family and friends.  One night we headed out to Tampa's historic Ybor City for an impromptu reunion with some of Stephen's best friends at New World Brewery.  New World Brewery is a great beer bar with live music and dj's, that is pet and baby friendly, depending on the hour...which makes it a required stop on any pretty mama's Tampa vacation.  Everyone was really cool but my favorite of Stephen's "no good Tampa friends" (his words, not mine) is Brandon.  Brandon and I hit it off instantly.   We both love good beer, good music, and good times in general.  But the most important of all our commonalities is our mutual recent venture into parenthood!

Not only does Brandon have an amazing story about starting his family with his beautiful wife, Jenn, but he also has a vast knowledge of baby food preparation, baby toys, and tons of other baby tips.  Since I often find myself asking him for advice, I asked him to pass some information along to all pretty mamas. He agreed to write a few entries for us, so keep a look out for tips from this honorary pretty mama...pretty papa, Brandon Wright!

Here's the first part of his story:


From the time I grasped the concept of what it meant to be a Dad, I wanted to be one.

I would guess I was about 12 or 13 when this kicked in, and it was from that point forward that I stopped being a kid and began my growth toward being a Dad. I doubt most fathers feel this way, but it was almost like I was a sponge soaking up knowledge to pass along. No, it wasn’t a conscious realization at the time, but one that I have come to understand throughout the years.

Brandon and Justice

My son, Justice Christian Wright, was born May 2, 2010. We adopted Justice after a very short process. Some families have to wait a year or two or longer…we were very lucky not having to go through such a lengthy ordeal. Our birth mother picked our profile right away from the adoption agency…that really made us feel good about the pairing.


We got to know Katie for about a month and half before Justice was born. She was a very nice girl but predictable for most 19-year-old girls in her situation: undereducated, poor, no family support, shy and scared to death. Our original meetings with her were uneasy, but that was about what I expected.


She took to me more so than my wife, I think, for a number of reasons. Katie had a horrible relationship with her mother, leaving her wary of women. And I think she viewed Jenn, my wife, as someone who would be replacing her. I also think Jenn, as a working professional woman, intimidated her. Katie had a tough time relating to my wife, but even though I could sense some mistrust, there was also a slow connection brewing that was evident.


Me, on the other hand, seemed like someone she may come in contact by chance…like at a party or a bar. Although I am older than Jenn, I come across as someone you’d like to hang out with more so than my wife. That’s not a knock on her by the way – it’s part of what makes our dynamic as a husband and wife work so well. Jenn makes a six-figure income working in a professional setting with doctors and entrepreneurs whose net worth approaches the millions. I am a sports reporter who owns a DJ company and loves beer. Which of those two would make you feel more comfortable if you were in Katie’s shoes?


It was a scary time for all three of us – none of us had any sort of experience with this. We got to see an as-yet-unborn Justice during one of Katie’s ultrasound appointments, spent time with her and talked about the little man’s future. Each successive meeting became a little more comfortable, but the dynamic was fascinating. Jenn was “nesting”, as they call it. Not so much in the traditional sense of preparing the house and nursery – but almost “assuming” the motherly torch Katie would soon be passing along to her. Their talks were much more serious; Katie and Jenn spoke of things only mothers can speak on. It was great to watch them interact on that level.  I, on the other hand, was there to fill in the gaps and provide the comic relief when there was a lapse in conversation. I always wanted to keep Katie lighthearted because I could only imagine what she was going through.


We got the call on a Sunday morning that Katie was going into labor. I’m a late sleeper, so Jenn took the call and started shaking the bed, waking me and screaming “Let’s go to the hospital!!!” Even though we had preparing everything over the past month and a half – the house, our family, the nursery, our emotions – suddenly, I felt completely overwhelmed.


And for the first time since I was maybe 12 or 13, didn’t feel ready to be a Dad.





Brandon is a full-time husband and father.  He is also a writer, DJ and beer aficionado. You can check out his website at: www.cigarcitydjs.com

My Vegan Valentine

Hey Pretty Mamas!

Just because you're indulging in a vegan diet doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the action this Valentine's Day. In fact, practicing a cruelty-free lifestyle means that you'll have even more love to spread around!

I've come up with a few ideas and recipes for this day of love celebration. Feel free to try out a few for your kid's class, your work, or your friends!

Cards That Grow



Many eco-friendly paper companies are adding seeded paper to their inventory.  Give the gift of gardening in a renewable, recycled love letter!  If the trend catches on we'll all be getting a flower-filled Eden that blooms all spring instead of roses that wilt after a few days.



www.botanicalpaperworks.com

Find cute pre-made cards here:

Botanical Paper Works

Or make your own with paper from here: 

Flower Seed Paper

Guilt-Free Goodies


There's no better way to sneak fruit into your kids diet than to cover it in chocolate. Lucky for you, carob has that same ooey-gooey, chocolaty taste that your little ones love without the crazy side-effects, and they'll love to help you with the preparation.


Raw Organic Vegan Carob Covered Strawberries


Ingredients

3 - 4 tablespoons of raw organic carob powder
3 - 4 tablespoons of coconut nectar
Organic strawberries


Method

Wash the strawberries. In a large mixing bowl, hand mix the carob powder and coconut nectar until well blended. Dip the strawberries or use a spoon to cover the strawberries with the carob sauce. Adjust the amount of carob powder and coconut nectar to taste and desired consistency. Use more carob powder for a darker sauce, or use more coconut nectar for a lighter sauce. It only takes a few minutes, and is very fun, easy and delicious!




The more adventurous cook should try these Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes! These are dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and sugar-free, thus making them a perfect treat for entertaining large groups.


Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes

Makes about 22 cupcakes


Wet Ingredients

2 cups soy milk
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2 ounces red food coloring
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups agave nectar


Dry Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
You can also add 1/2 peeled and cooked beet for extra flavor


Method

Preheat oven to 350 F. Add vinegar to soy milk, and set aside about 10 minutes to curdle. Sift dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add vegetable oil, food coloring, vanilla extract, and agave nectar to the curdled soy milk, and mix well. Pour liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix until combined. These rise well, so fill cupcake liners ¾ full to leave room. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 20 minutes or until done.


Frosting Ingredients

½ cup margarine, room temperature
½ cup Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 teaspoons stevia


Method

Cream the margarine, then blend with Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese and vanilla extract.  Slowly add the Stevia into the mix, and then beat until smooth and fluffy.If it's too runny, keep it in the fridge. Frost only after cupcakes have cooled.




Girls Night In

If you're taking a break from boys this year, grab some goblets and your best girlfriends and mix up some Valentine cheer!

Cranberry Kamikaze

Ingredients

1 fl oz Vodka

1 fl oz Orange Liqueur, such as Cointreau

1/2 fl oz Lime Cordial

2 fl oz Cranberry Juice

Method

Pour vodka, orange liqueur, lime cordial and cranberry juice over ice in a shaker. Shake until well mixed. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass.

And if your pregnant, already hungover, or just laying off the sauce, here's a little something for you.....


Pomegranate Mint Muddle

Ingredients

3 large mint leaves, minced

1 cup pineapple juice

Ice cubes

1 tablespoon pomegranate juice

Method

Muddle the mint in a tall glass.  Stir in the pineapple juice. Add enough ice to fill the glass.  Add the pomegranate juice and do not stir. Serve.

Let's spread our love for our family, friends, animals and Mother Earth this Valentine's Day!

Does Breastfeeding Give You Saggy Boobs?



Pablo Picasso
Girl Before a Mirror

We've all heard the horror stories.  Rumor has it, breastfeeding turns our sexy, once perky breasts into long, deflated balloons.   It's not fair.  Nature endows us with nice big boobs to compensate for our not-so-nice big everything else.  And our reward for 9 months of toil and sacrifice?  More sacrifice?  Nature can't be that cruel.  Lucky for us, recent studies have shown that breastfeeding has no negative effect on your breasts.  Now you really have no excuse, mama!


One recent study performed by University of Kentucky plastic surgeon, Brian Rinker, found the main factors that did affect sagging were age, smoking habits, and number of pregnancies.  Smoking breaks down a protein in the skin called elastin, which supports the breasts.  And the hormones produced during pregnancy take a much harder toil on your body than breastfeeding.


So why are so many moms still NOT breastfeeding?


There are many women out there that simply can't, no matter how much they try or want to.  Mothers with HIV, Hepatitis, and those taking certain medications must refrain from breastfeeding.  Hospitals sometimes give babies formula without asking anyone, then the baby rejects the mother's milk.  You MUST let doctors and nurses know that you intend to breastfeed, and don't feel bad about reminding them again and again.


Some women don't produce enough milk, or any at all.  Being a new mom is stressful and the lack of sleep and the stress of a constantly crying baby can have a huge effect on your milk-producing capabilities.  If you can't breastfeed, I encourage you to first, find a good lactation consultant to help you with your options, then look into human milk banks (I know it may seem weird) and see what you think: http://www.hmbana.org/.

Luis de Morales
Virgen de la Leche

Now for all you mamas who CAN but DON'T want to breastfeed, check the facts!  The costs of breastfeeding your baby could never outweigh the benefits.  It is undeniably the best source of nutrition for your baby.  Breastfed babies are 75% less likely to suffer a serious illness in the first year, and they also have drastically reduced incidences of ear infections, allergies, pneumonia, and asthma during their first year and beyond.  Breast milk also contains the mother's antibodies that help protect against polio, mumps, encephalitis and the flu.

If the health benefits for your baby aren't reason enough, then do it for the convenience!  Breastfeeding is cheap, hygienic, and requires no planning.  No need for bottles, bottle sterilizers, bottle heaters, purified water, and extra nipples.  Breast milk comes out the perfect temperature, from the perfect source, and once you and your cutie master the art, it's no work at all!  Did I mention that your breast milk is free?  And there aren't a lot of things out there for free!



So what's in it for you, mama?  Breastfeeding provides you with  just as many benefits!  First of all, it's the only magic weight loss plan that works  with no diet and exercise!  You're actually supposed to eat 300 more calories a day when lactating (but don't blame breastfeeding if you're not dropping weight when you're still eating ice cream and cheeseburgers).  Breastfeeding moms also have a significantly reduced chance of getting breast cancer, and the hormones produced while breastfeeding help with the side effects of post-partum depression.

Also, it feels good (over time).  Of course it's going to hurt at first, but the endorphins produced during feeding not only help shrink your uterus back to pre-pregnancy size, but they help you bond with your little one.  It's also the same hormone that releases whenever women see a good clothing sale!

So everyone agrees, it's better to breastfeed your baby.  However, it is a commitment and does require work, research, and a lot of patience.  I was totally freaked out about breastfeeding the entire time I was pregnant.  But once Waylon was born, I saw how natural and rewarding it could be.  No Pretty Mama should miss out on this experience!


Here are some great resources:

http://www.breastfeeding.com/

http://www.llli.org/

http://www.babycenter.com/

The Benefits of Brussels

Hey Pretty Mamas!

As a product of south Georgia southern cookin', I didn't eat a lot of healthy produce growing up.  While the vegetables may have been fresh, once they were buried in butter and bacon, their nutritional value was as negative as my opinion of them.  The only fruit we ate came in a pie or Jello flavor.  So, my interest in healthy foods suffered because of poor preparation.


Flash forward to college, and my new vegan friends are teaching me how to prepare fresh fruits and veggies so that I could actually taste them.  Once I did, I actually liked them.  I learned how to lightly steam string beans and bake sweet potatoes (sanz sour cream).  When I was told the next lesson was brussels sprouts, I had my doubts.  I mean, brussel sprouts were the bane of my, and every kid with taste buds', childhood.  They were so gross, grease couldn't even disguise their heinous flavor.  But now I practically live on them!  In fact, they were one of the few things I craved while pregnant.  And now that I'm breastfeeding, my baby's health is just as important.  Lucky for me, brussel sprouts are one of the best veggies you can eat!


Brussel sprouts, like most vegetables, are low in fat and calories.  However, they are also loaded with protein (2 cups of brussels have more protein than a small cheeseburger and infinitely less fat).  They are also chuck full of fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, folacin, potassium, and calcium, which all help protect against cancer, and are essential nutrients needed for your baby during pregnancy.

Here's how I cook them:


*Disclaimer: I believe that there is no exact measurements for cooking veggies, so chop a little extra when you're cooking, so you can taste throughout.


Ingredients:

Organic Brussel Sprouts
Earth Balance Vegetable Spread
Organic Garlic
Organic Onion
Pepper


Directions:


Cut the ends off the brussels sprouts, then cut them in half. Lightly steam the sprouts in a sauce pan.
Once they are steamed to your liking, add a little Earth Balance, onions and garlic and saute, adding pepper to taste. That's it!

Bon Appetit!



***Here's another idea from my cousin, Clay:

"Here's what I'll do, without recipe. Try to find a complete stalk of brussel sprouts (Whole Foods). Slice sprouts lengthwise. Toss lightly in olive oil & pine nuts, sprinkle with sea salt. Arrange sprouts on cookie sheet, bottom side down. Roast, checking every 5 minutes until tender. Don't overcook or undercook. Some recipes call for sprinkled grated cheese, but not me. Serve hot & enjoy! (another recipe....I also prefer to boil sprouts in salted water until tender. Always juicy & hot, this way.....)"

You (and Your Baby) Are What You Eat

Pretty mamas want the best for their  little ones. We spend hours reading about the best way to raise and care for them. So why are so many good babies fed such bad shit??

Buy Organic!  It’s a fact, organic food is better for your baby than mass-produced, genetically modified, pesticide-ridden factory food.  That’s why it costs more!  You may say you can’t afford to buy organic, but can you really afford to not?  According to organic.com, “Before a mother first nurses her newborn, the toxic risk from pesticides has already begun. Studies show that infants are exposed to hundreds of harmful chemicals in utero. In fact, our nation is now reaping the results of four generations of exposure to agricultural and industrial chemicals, whose safety was deemed on adult tolerance levels, not on children’s.” And the National Academy of Science says neurologic and behavioral effects may result from low-level exposure to pesticides. But don’t take it from me, Pretty Mamas do their own research.  You’ll find numerous studies show that pesticides can adversely affect the nervous system, increase the risk of cancer, and decrease fertility. 

If money is an issue, look into co-ops, local farmers markets, and coupon books for health food stores. Look at your budget and cut out the crap! Do you really need another shade of eyeshadow? And don’t get me started on why you shouldn’t be drinking fancy five dollar frozen coffees in the first place! Is that new shirt more important than the health of your family? Pretty Mamas prioritize!


Don’t eat fast food! I would think that the reasons are obvious, but if you want to ignore the well-documented health risks, then google how often McDonald’s has been fined and sued for breaking child labor laws. Is a Big Mac really worth exploiting a child, mama?  The fast food industry is a leading cause of obesity, the job loss of thousands of small farmers, and the gross side-effects of genetic engineering. And if that’s not enough to make you put down the french fries, read the horrifying ingredients in fast food and tell me you’d want to feed that to your baby. Visit: http://www.fastfoodingredients.com/


And finally, STOP EATING MEAT! And any other animal products for that matter. But if you need to take it slowly, at least stop eating meat. It is destructive to your health, destructive to the environment, and destructive to the animal, especially given the cruel practices of meat production. For more reasons to indulge in an animal-free diet, visit: www.vegansociety.com or www.peta.com


There is nothing prettier than a mama who takes responsibility for her family, her world and all the creatures in it. Start your baby off right by feeding her produce and meals that are farmed and prepared with love and compassion.

Cute Baby Stuff = Pretty Mama Money Wasters

Hey again Pretty Mamas!

As a new Mama, it may seem exciting to go out and buy one of every cute thing on the baby market.  But after the baby buying buzz wears off, the ensuing clutter (and credit) crash may have you regretting that buying binge.  Pretty Mamas live within their means and try never to be wasteful.  So here is a list of things Pretty Mamas don’t need to raise a happy, healthy baby…..

1. Hooded Towels and Baby Bathrobes – After a bath your baby is going to be very chilly  and if he’s anything like mine, really pissed that you’re the splashy fun-time party pooper.  But your baby will warm and cheer up once you get her dried off and put in a comfy onesie. A regular towel does the job just as well as those fancy hooded towels and baby bathrobes.

2. Wardrobe of Clothes in Newborn Size – Seriously, your little one is only going to be able to wear this stuff for 1 week, maybe 2, if at all! You only need one or two packs of white organic onesies, maybe 2 pairs of comfy pants, and socks.

3. Any Baby Clothes over $5 – Pretty Mamas have good karma, so you probably know that all of your girlfriends with kids are already trying to give you 2 years worth of baby hand-me-downs. Take them and be grateful! Even if they aren’t your style because the kid is seriously going to go through 3 outfits a day between poop, spit-up, drool, and you spilling stuff on them. And if you insist on dressing your 1 month old in fancy plaid pants and jean jackets (I am guilty), then DO NOT spend more than $5. Anything found at a fancy baby boutique can be purchased a fraction of the price at TJ Max, Craigslist, or a yardsale.

4. Baby Shoes - Do I really need to explain?

5. Baby Toys - Again, people will be begging you to take their baby swings, baby bouncers, high chairs, and those annoying toys that light up and play music.

Hot Mamas save their money for good organic veggies, records, tea, and Mama and Baby Yoga Classes. In the long-term, start thinking about college funds and vacations, too.  And remember any place that you can interact with other Pretty Mamas, you will find someone whose baby is a size larger than yours and a baby a size smaller. If you just keep up the hand-me-down tradition, you may never have to buy anything else for your baby!

Earth Mama Angel Baby

One of the first gifts I received after announcing my pregnancy was a huge basket from Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics. I was so excited because all of their products are 100% toxin-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and free from all artificial preservatives, fragrances and dyes (although they did send BellyBars in the gift basket, which are NOT vegan, but I see they are no longer doing that, so we’ll let it slide).


So far I’ve loved everything, except the milkmaid tea, and here are a few of their products that I can’t live without:


Angel Baby Bottom Balm- The BEST diaper rash cream that not only smells amazing, but isn’t clumpy and pasty like the other creams I’ve used. You can also use it on bug bites, scrapes, chicken pox, razor burn, dry patches, minor rashes, and burns.


Natural Stretch Oil- I went through 3 bottles of this stuff when I was pregnant, and still use it everyday. Of the 8 stretch-mark prevention products I tried, this one wins hands down. It’s light and quickly absorbs into your skin. The ingredients are so natural that you can use it for perineal massages and I even use it on my face.


Organic Heartburn Tea- I don’t know about you, but the worst part of my pregnancy was the heartburn! I drank at least 3 cups of this tea everyday and it provided great relief. I still warm up a cup after spicy food or too much red wine. Delicious!


Breastfeeding Essentials Bundle- Any mama that plans to breastfeed (which I strongly encourage) should invest in this bundle of goodies. The Booby Tubes are gel-free compresses that can be used cold for engorgment, or heated up to help with milk let down. They were a lifesaver that fist week I was trying to establish breastfeeding. I give all credit to the Natural Nipple Butter for preventing sores and cracks, and you don’t even have to wash it off before breastfeeding. I complained earlier that the Milkmaid Tea was super gross, but I do believe it helps keep up milk production when you’re stressed and sleep deprived…..and it’s just cheaper to get the bundle instead of individual items.

Also try:

Happy Mama Spray

Earth Mama Body Butter

Earth Mama Bottom Balm and Spray

Angel Baby Lotion

Angel Baby Shampoo and Bodywash

Visit: http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/

Hey Pretty Mamas!

Hey Pretty Mamas!


After the birth of my son, Waylon, I realized a completely different part of my life had begun.  You see, when I found out I was pregnant I mostly worried about how my ass would look in maternity jeans, how many days, hours, or minutes it would take me to get back to pre-pregnancy weight, and which lotion was really the best at preventing stretch marks. 


As my pregnancy progressed, I accepted that I would probably never look exactly the same as before, and I now know that working on other things about yourself can transform you into one pretty mama!


I made it my mission to educate myself in the best and most natural ways to feed, clothe, wash, care for, clean, and transport my new family. While I’m learning, I invite you to share in my experiments, laugh at and learn from my mistakes, and tell me a few of yours!


I’d like to share with you my birth story written by my husband, for it was this experience that has lead me to pursue the best ways to become an educated, aware, compassionate, artsy, natural, healthy, and pretty mama!


Cheers-
Natalie

Birth Story (according to Stephen)

Monday Night - Natalie’s contractions were getting stronger, we ate dinner and went to bed around 11pm because I had to be at work early. 

Tuesday Morning (3:00 a.m.) - Natalie was up at 3am, she was getting up and then coming back to bed frequently.  When she didn’t come back to bed for a while I went to find her…that was around 4am.  Natalie was in the tub, timing her contractions.  I took over the timing and we noticed they were about 5 minutes, then 4 minutes apart, getting stronger.  I had to go to work early, around 7am to make a phone call to Egypt, so at this point we were debating whether to go to the hospital.  Natalie called her midwife and told her how far along she was and how far apart the contractions were.  The midwife told Natalie it would be reasonable for her to come to the birthing center.  The birthing center was about an hour away, which in rush hour DC traffic might as well be Egypt, and now it was already around 5:30am.  We definitely wanted to beat traffic, so I loaded up the car with our pre-packed labor bags and went back to get Natalie, fully expecting to be sent home from the hospital for not being in “true labor.”  I asked Natalie if she was ready to go and she said, “I can’t move right now, ASSHOLE!”  That was her only mean outburst during the entire experience.  So I let it slide.  When that contraction was over we got in the car and headed to the Birthing Inn, in Leesburg, VA.

On the way to the hospital (6:30 a.m.) – Natalie sat in the back seat and I drove cautiously but quickly.  Natalie was having contractions every 3-4 minutes so she would sit up and press her arms and head against the back of my seat and then lay down once it was over.  I think she even slept a little between the contractions, or she was ignoring me when I checked on her.  My boss called to tell me I didn’t have to make that early call to Egypt, “Oh yeah, Egypt,” I thought, as I told her I was just headed to the office before heading to the hospital.  When I explained why we were headed to the hospital, she was cool with it.  I played with the radio and tried to find Natalie’s favorite wacky morning dj show, the one where they call a suspected cheating spouse and tell them they’ve won flowers to send to the person they love the most who is always the person they are suspected of cheating with…anyway, unfortunately I found it, but when i couldn’t stomach the hilarity anymore I found a really great Bluegrass station.  First they played some slow gospel-y stuff and Natalie was fine with it or didn’t notice (Natalie normally likes Bluegrass), but when the next song was a more swinging up-beat banjo driven tune, Natalie sat up quick and exclaimed, “If you don’t change the station I’m gonna FU@*ING PUKE!”  So I did and she didn’t.

At the hospital (7:30 a.m.) – When we got to the Birthing Inn there was nobody there to check us in so we went through the security doors right to the triage area for Natalie to be checked out.  They buzzed us in and took us to an examining room.  Natalie didn’t want me in there while she was poked and prodded so she sent me out to get our stuff from the car, which i left running right outside the big waiting room doors.  As I hurried outside another young couple was coming in, but she looked waaaaaaay more pregnant than Natalie.  I grabbed our bags and rushed back in.  While I was waiting outside the examining room I overheard the nurses saying, “I can’t believe it, she just got here and she’s already 7cm, we’re putting her in a delivery room.”  I thought they were talking about the other couple, still thinking we were in false labor, but by the time I even thought that, they were wheeling Natalie off and I was following.  The nurse said, “You’re gonna have a baby.”  I’d heard this before, but mostly in my own head as a self-doubting question.

In the delivery room (7:45 a.m.) - The room was very nice and so were the nurses.  Our midwife, Courtney, was on her way and the head nurse asked Natalie a barrage of questions which she answered in between contractions.  I helped answer the questions too, “Epidural?” Natalie:  “No!” Me: “I might like one, what are the side effects? Hey-ooo!  Inappropriate?  Next question.” “Any allergies?” “Peanuts and Shellfish.”  “History of depression?” “No” “Current medications?” “None” “Dietary restrictions?” “Vegetarian (we later found out “Vegetarian” does not disqualify fish from a new mom’s prepared meals) “Drug use?” “No” “Alcohol?” “Sure, Gin and Tonic and keep ‘em coming! Hey-ooooo! Still nothing? (I instantly found out there is no humor in the delivery room). “Epidural?” “Still NO, Natalie wants to do this as naturally as possible.”  To which the nurse replied, “I’m so proud of you, Natalie, we never, NEVER see that…but how about an Epidural?”
Then they told us they normally hook expectant mothers up to an IV, but Natalie refused because she wanted to be able to move around and she did not want any treatment that was not absolutely necessary.  So no IV and then we found out no water-proof mobile baby monitors either.  So they hooked up an old-school attached monitor and the baby was fine.  Natalie on the other hand was increasingly uncomfortable and really wanted to get in a warm bath, so I began drawing the water and our midwife, Courtney, showed up.  She did a quick examination of Natalie, Natalie told her that her water had not broken and that she wanted to get in the tub.  So Courtney asked about the mobile heart monitor and the nurses said they had one on the way.  She also asked if we wanted the lights dimmed, which we did, but had forgotten in the madness of things.  Natalie’s midwife knew we wanted as natural a birth as possible, and she was very helpful in making that happen.  So she dimmed the lights and put a hand held lantern in the bathroom by the tub.  By the time the bath was ready, the mobile monitor arrived and Natalie got in the tub.

In the tub (8:15 a.m.) – Natalie was a lot more comfortable in there.  The midwife, Courtney, left us alone and I helped Natalie work through the contractions the way I’d read about and seen other soon-to-be fathers assisting moms, pressing on her lower back, keeping her forehead cool, answering both phones as they continuously rang for mother updates.  Our friend Andrea was on her way and supposed to be in the delivery room during the birth but was stuck in traffic.  She was headed out from Arlington, so while I helped Natalie, I was also helping shepherd Andrea toward the Birthing Inn in Leesburg.  After about a half hour, Courtney checked back in with us and we reported the progress of the contractions.  Natalie’s water had still not broken but Courtney wanted to check her to see how far along she was.  She asked if Natalie felt like pushing…Natalie told her yes but was fighting that urge.

Out of the tub (8:45 a.m.) – After examining Natalie, Courtney said she was now 9.5cm dilated.  Courtney asked Natalie if she wanted her to break her water.  Natalie said, “If you want to you can.”  I don’t think she had heard that response before, she was visibly taken aback, so she asked in a different way and told Natalie that if she broke her water, she could start pushing.  So Natalie decided to let her do it.  The lights were nice and dim, and as different people came into the room, the head nurse would tell them that Natalie was having a natural birth.  The response was always the same, disbelief and then encouraging words for Natalie.  “That is so great, we never see that, you are our hero.”  But in a very sincere way.

It was around this time I noticed that there were now three nurses in the room in addition to our midwife, Courtney.  I think two of them just wanted to see a natural birth.  Once her water broke, Natalie sat up straight and said, ”Now I want to push!”  Then she turned over to have the baby on her chest and knees.  One of the nurses asked Courtney if she wanted Natalie in a different position, but Courtney told the nurse that however Natalie was comfortable was fine.  I can’t overstate how great Natalie’s midwife, Courtney, was.  Natalie wanted a natural birth more than anything, Courtney knew that and she helped Natalie have it when I think some of the nurses would’ve rather just given her some drugs, turned up the lights, laid Natalie on her back and pried the baby out of there…factory style.  Of course, there is no single right way to have a baby, that is for every expectant mother to decide.  Having a natural birth is not superior to medical intervention.  But because natural birth is so rare in the U.S. nowadays, Courtney was exceptional because she defended Natalie’s wishes and made it ok for Natalie to have the experience the way Natalie wanted it.

Labor (Before 9 a.m.) - From the time Natalie got into the car until Waylon was born, Natalie was in a sort of “birth trance.”  She was there mentally and she would answer questions and talk, but she had this calmness and introspection I can only describe as trance-like.  From my perspective she seemed to be doing whatever her body was telling her, answering to nurses and cooperating with them, but ultimately having her own birth experience.  She was breathing slowly and very calmly, preparing for the impending labor, in what I perceived as another state of mind.  This “birth trance” could probably be its own story.  I bring it up only to remember how generally peaceful Natalie was about the experience.  Until she started screaming, at which point the “birth trance” turned into a “get this baby out of me trance” but equally in tune with what Natalie’s body was telling her to do.

When Natalie began pushing, her midwife and three nurses encouraged her the whole time.  I positioned myself, standing to Natalie’s right side, just between her shoulders and knees.  As Natalie worked through her pushes I performed the massages we had practiced and held her hand.  Then the room phone rang and one of our spectator nurses picked it up and told the front desk that no one could come in now.  We later found out it was Andrea, who we wanted to be there for the delivery.  She had taken off school, but had missed the window to get in the delivery room by minutes.

Birth (9:37 a.m.)  – As the labor progressed, Natalie’s strained groans turned into all-out screams.  Between pushes, Natalie would sit up on her knees and take little breaks, then bend back down for pushes.  One time between pushes Natalie sat up, looked back and asked “How much longer?”  Courtney said, “Very soon, you’re doing so well.”  Then the one nurse again asked if Natalie would like a different position, but Natalie insisted she was comfortable on her chest and knees.  Our midwife and nurses were encouraging Natalie, first saying they could see his head, then telling her to use long steady pushes.  After one particularly intense push, Courtney told us his head was out and apparently that was the hardest part.  Natalie asked, “Is he ok?  Is he ok?”  And the midwife reassured her he was.  Then Natalie gave a couple more pushes and Waylon Porter was born.  I was in awe.  Then our midwife said, “Time to cut the chord Daddy…Daddy?”  And I said something like, “Yeah, I can do that,” in a kind of trance of my own, made my way over to my son, cut his umbilical chord and welcomed him into the world.  The umbilical chord is blue and very dense and that’s completely normal, according to the midwife.  Natalie again asked if he was ok?  And I told her he looked perfect.

One of the nurses took him to warm him up and clean him up.  Apparently he wasn’t breathing as well as they would have liked, so they cleared out his nose and throat with one of those squeeze bulb things and then with this string thing.  They said he probably took a big gulp of fluid before he was born and it was nothing to worry about.  Natalie delivered the placenta while I was over with Waylon.  Natalie wasn’t too into seeing the placenta, but I checked it out and it wasn’t as gross as I thought it would be…it’s actually pretty amazing the more you think about it. 


Then the nurse gave Waylon to Natalie.  I know she loved him at first sight…she loved him before that.  He didn’t cry much at all and they were still concerned about his breathing so they took him to the nursery for oxygen and I went with him.  I stayed in the nursery with him while they performed some procedures, then they told me i had to leave but that they would bring him to the room when he was ready and inform us if anything changed.  That was good enough for me and I wanted to check back on Natalie so I kissed Waylon a couple of times and headed back to Natalie.  When I got back to the delivery room, Natalie was gone.  Apparently, Natalie amazed everyone when a half hour after delivery, she walked down the hall to the maternity room with our friend Andrea, who was finally allowed into the room just minutes after the birth.

Once Waylon’s breathing was stabilized they returned him to us and he looked a lot pinker and happier.  Then we just hung out in the room and talked about the birth experience…we’ve been talking about it ever since.  It was the greatest experience of my life.  Natalie was amazing, I love her and Waylon more than anything.