• Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation. The LEADING cause! I could not believe it! Everyone thinks that because iodine was added to the salt – that we are okay. But even in developed countries there is a serious problem of Iodine Deficiency.
• There is a correlation between Iodine Deficiency and Breast Cancer – And Iodine Deficiency and Hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland and breast tissues actually hold Iodine (and use them).  Here is an interesting article by Dr. Howenstein, MD, called Iodine Is Vital For Good Health
• Iodine is put into animal feed as a supplement.
• There are A LOT of different types of Iodine….. Iodine – 131, Iodine 124, Iodine, 129, etc. Some are used to enhance our health and some are used as Radiation Treatments to destroy cancers. For a chemistry lesson read more at Wikipedia.
• There is some evidence that the fluoride we encounter in our water system and toothpaste prevents proper absorption and use of the Iodine we need. This is complicated to me, as the two Chemical Elements are similar and can be combined (I GUESS??). I didn’t take high level chemistry. Can you tell?
• Iodine shouldn’t be added just because or recklessly. As in any food element – it’s best in a whole food source so the body can process it correctly. This article from  Natural News recommends taking Kelp (it’s a whole food) to regulate your Iodine levels. They claim that taking Kelp can help a too skinny person gain weight and an obese person loose weight (again, linking thyroid function to proper Iodine absorption).
• There is an opposing view point that says too much Iodine messes with the thyroid and makes it not work properly. I’m really not sure about the evidence, but I’ll post the links so you can have the information yourself:                                                                            Jillian Michaels, Master Your Metabolism
  it says on pg 220: ”Don’t supplement with iodine. Many “holistic” nutrition websites recommend that you take supplemental iodine or kelp to support your thyroid. Don’t. The average American diet has plenty of iodine-and when the thyroid gland senses high levels of iodine in the blood, it will release even less thyroid hormone.”
  The New England Journal of Medicine article published new research from China that looks at the relationship between iodine intake and thyroid disease. Reporting in the June 29, 2006 issue, the researchers concluded that “more than adequate or excessive iodine intake may lead to hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis.”

I personally take Iodine as a supplement in Kelp form. I think I need it because I have a family history of hypothyroidism and have personally experienced pregnancy induced thyroiditis.

So, there ya go! I recommend everyone know there thyroid functioning levels (You can get a blood test from your doctor) AND make sure you are consuming enough whole foods that are high in Iodine. It sure helps me!

Share on Facebook

At 5 days “overdue” – overdue is a strong word because the average pregnancy length is 38-42 weeks…. and the average first time mom (without induction) will deliver at 41 weeks and 1 day – BUT, anyways at 5 days overdue I woke up with contractions at about 3am. They felt very productive and continued to wake me up. So, I got up and walked around…. they kept going….. but never progressed in intensity. I got tired of that really fast and decided that I wasn’t into having a long drawn out labor like last time. So, I went to bed and ignored them. It worked – I slept until 7am! But, the mild productive contractions continued through out the day. My friend offered to go to Walmart with me to get out of the house (i.e. away from our little kids) and walk around for a while. We spent two hours in Walmart, something I had never done before.

While with Marie all day she was timing my contractions without me knowing. Driving home she started telling me when I was going to have my contraction – ha! Being on the stubborn side I thought “Nobody is going to tell me when I’m having a contraction.” So, the contractions stopped. HAHA!

The next day I went into my midwife’s office for a stress test. The baby looked fabulous, and my cervix was high and posterior, so labor did not seem imminent. The rest of the day there was no activity. Then, around 5pm he felt really really really low. I was using the restroom every 10-15 minutes and I thought “I cannot do this for the next couple of days.” At 7:00pm or so my sister-in-law called to see if I had had the baby yet, I talked to her for about 20 minutes and then said “Oh – I have to go, a contraction is coming.” Labor had begun.

Around 10:30pm we decided it was the real deal and time to head to the birth center. We had decided to ask for help from my friend Rochelle, if, we needed it. I was hoping to have my husband help me all the way, but he’s not very into birthing or laboring women – so he had to decide if he wanted to be my assistant (haha!). He said that “yes” he could do it, so we went to the birth center without her.

When Jared called the office line to tell the midwife to meet us at the birth center, we had to go through 2 or 3 phone people. They kept asking him hilarious questions like “Does your wife seem to be mentally stable?” We both cracked up laughing…. and thought “NO! She’s NOT right now!” Then they asked “Is the baby hanging out of the vagina?” And he about flipped out – he kept saying “No, I just need to speak to the midwife.” But, they had their list of questions they had to ask. So funny and ridiculous!

Having back labor on a 45 minute drive is not fun. I don’t know if you’ve ever had back labor before, but it is almost impossible to be in a sitting or lying position. All I wanted to do was lean over or stand up. I decided on the drive that I did not want anymore children. We arrived about 11:45pm – 5 minutes ahead of the midwife.

At the birth center there is a HUGE tub, so I immediately got in that and labored there for about 2 hours. It was nice because I could sit up and then when I felt a contraction coming I leaned over the edge of the tub. Seemed to take the edge off and support my body. But, at that point I was SOOO tired. I kept thinking about the clean, white sheets in the next room. What misery! I wanted to sleep so bad.

So, I asked for some Stadol to see if I could sleep. In my head, I was going to have another 2 or 3 day labor so I had to get some sleep in. The Stadol worked for me (again) and I was able to labor in the bed and sleep between the contractions. Only waking up during the peak. Oh, I forgot to tell you – these contractions were CLOSE and HARD. I had many many double peaking contractions. It was no more of this every 6-7 minutes and 45 seconds long like last time- it was every 2-3 minutes and I don’t even know how long. Didn’t have the mind to notice.

Anyways, so I took some Stadol about 1:30am and was able to sleep on and off for about 30 minutes. When I came out of it at 2am- it was with a bang! The midwife checked me and I was at 7cm dilated. So, she called the pediatric nurse to come. For the next 45 minutes I crawled up and down the hallways of the birth center. It was the only thing that felt right.

Suddenly my body did that push thing again and I couldn’t help but push. The midwife checked me again and I was at about 9.5cm (I think I remember her saying I had a small lip that I could just push through). My water broke during one of those early pushes. Very soon I screamed “He’s coming!” and they got stuff under me and ready for a delivery. After that he came out in about 3 pushes. I was on all fours, on the floor. Seemed right at the time! He was born at 3:00am sharp.

The pediatric nurse did not make it for the birth, but helped out a lot as soon as she got there. Ethan weighed 8’14 and was 21inches long – and he was perfect! I was exactly one week “late”.

Overall, my birth was healthy and happy and I am blessed with a son. My husband was supportive and my birth atmosphere was quiet and safe. My midwife was skilled and calm and I couldn’t ask for more. Birth centers and midwives are great!

And yes, there is something quite special about baby boys and their Momma’s. I hear it lasts until they get married

Share on Facebook

While I think c-sections (c/s) are VERY needed in few cases to save lives – our current c-section rate for first births (33% in 2005) is absolutely ridiculous. According to the World Health Organization the percentage for c/s should not be above 10%. At the time the city I lived in had a 40% c/s rate! So, I knew I had to do everything I could to have a vaginal birth this time in order to have normal births from here on out, because once you have two consecutive c/s there are VERY few people that will work with you to have a vaginal delivery. There were other issues also, like the fact that each subsequent c/s gets more and more dangerous for the mother, and each pregnancy gets more dangerous for the baby (as the scar is more likely to rupture and cause damage to the child).

None of the OB’s I interviewed felt right, so we decided on a Midwife, Linda, for a homebirth with a doctor back-up in case of hospital transport. I really enjoyed the midwifery care: blood tests, ultrasound referrals, heart rate checks, urine tests, blood pressure checks, and more– all in the comfort of my own home!!
Then around 30 weeks pregnant I started feeling uneasy about everything. I kept asking my husband Jared “Are we doing the right thing?” He would reply “I think it will be fine. I support your decision to home birth.”
Well, for me to feel totally comfortable I needed to hear him say “I think it’s best to have a homebirth”, and he just wouldn’t do it! So, I prayed and prayed. Two weeks later I met an OB, Dr. Anderson, at a screening for The Business of Being Born.

I spoke to her after the movie showing and told her my situation. She advised that first VBACs should be in the hospital (but that subsequent deliveries could be done at home or a birth center) and that she would work with me to do everything possible to ensure a healthy, natural, vaginal delivery – but in a hospital.

So, I went to visit her in her office and HATED the office experience. Oh, how different it was from home midwifery visits! I told Jared everything the OB said and how I felt, which was still unsure. Jared liked the idea of continuing care with Linda, the midwife, and laboring at home with her then transferring to the hospital when we were SURE delivery was close (around 5-7cm). Linda would then continue as a support person at the hospital. This is the same advice Dr. Anderson gave, so we went with it!

Speed up eight weeks later to my due date……(here is the good part)

On a Friday night our friends, Rochelle and David, came in town because I thought I might be in early labor. Rochelle had had natural childbirth and would be helping me with the birth. David would be caring for their 2-year-old son and our 2-year-old daughter while I was in labor and at the hospital.

Friday and Saturday nights I had regular (6-7  minutes apart)  soft contractions. Monday though Wednesday I had hard regular contractions. Monday night the midwife came because the contractions were 3 minutes apart and strong. Linda spent the night, but by morning the contractions had slowed down and I had only dilated about 1 cm though the night (from about 1.5-2.5). How incredibly frustrating! I started to think that another c/s would be much easier!

Those days of labor Rochelle was so good to me. She kept me hydrated, fed well, relaxed, and anticipated my every need. I couldn’t have imagined anything better. Also, the kids got major Daddy time – Jared and David took the 2-year-olds to parks, stores, junky food places, and so much more. I think it was a hit for that crew!

On Wednesday afternoon I decided to go see Dr. Anderson. I had had hard contractions the night before, and they didn’t let up throughout the day. Jared took me in and I had several painful contractions in the car and the doctor’s office. Dr. Anderson checked my cervix and announced that I was at 0-station, 90% effaced, and 4 cm dilated. She said I could go home, labor, and come to the hospital that night whenever I felt ready. Dr. Anderson was sure I was in early active labor.

About 6:00pm Linda the midwife came over and helped me labor. I was in and out of the birthing tub and really frustrated. I thought I was making no progress! I was wary that I was actually in labor–the contractions were not any stronger or closer together than on Monday night, and I had not made any progress then….. Why would I now?

Linda checked me again and couldn’t tell how dilated I was but that the baby had moved down even further. In those couple of hours at home I asked several times to go to the hospital. Rochelle, Linda, and Jared all looked at me worried that I just wanted drugs. I have to admit… the thought DID cross my mind *wink*. But, mainly I just wanted to get the show on the road. I thought labor would be real and I would progress if I was at the hospital.

About 10 or 11pm we drove and checked in to the hospital. Dr. Anderson had prepared the nurses that I wanted a natural, no intervention delivery and the nurses obliged beautifully! Although, I think I may have had some effect with the nurses before my team came into the room. I had several contractions and asked them “Come here please” to hold me standing through contractions……they all got big rocking hugs.

Oh! That is another thing… I had back labor. I had to stand or be on my hands and knees through the contractions. I’m sure that helped by baby move down the birth canal properly. Although it was back labor, the contractions never got closer than about 5 minutes apart and they never got super strong or long. So, I count that as a real blessing.

At the hospital the nurses were very respectful and helpful. I had one saline bag through IV then they took it out so I can move around (only a Heplock).  I was also hooked up to the Electronic Fetal Monitors (EFM) but could take them off to shower or use the bathroom. Actually the EFMs weren’t all that bad. I wanted to be close to the bed to hold on to and the EFM didn’t seem to get in my way too bad. I was still able to stand up and get on my hands and knees.

When I checked into the hospital I was 5.5cm! Even though it wasn’t a whole lot of change, it was something and I was encouraged. After an hour of so I asked for Stadol to help me sleep in between contractions. It did help me sleep some, but the main thing it did was make me a bit loopy so I didn’t care what was going on around me. I was able to rock, move, hum, sing, stand, wiggle, dance, etc without caring who saw me. Basically, it removed me from the situation to completely concentrate on what my body was telling me. I probably didn’t need it, but it was cool to have it and I didn’t notice any bad side effects. But everyone else I’ve ever talked to HATED Stadol and the effects – go figure…..

More of the same through the night and early morning….. contractions about 5-7 minutes apart.

Then, at about 5:00am the nurse checked me again, I was 9cm!! Woo Hoo!
As soon as she left the room I had a contraction and my body literally went: WHOMPF and pushed itself. My water broke at that moment. For the next 20 minutes or so I let my body just push in the contractions. Then the doctor and nurse team arrive. I pushed squatting, on my hands and knees, and standing. It was the most fun of the whole delivery. I don’t remember any pain during this part. Finally they said “Lay back the shoulders need to come out.” I did, and the doctor delivered the head and shoulders nicely, and all off the sudden I met my dear daughter at 5:57am. She was 8’9, 21.5 inches,and perfect!
How amazing!

Looking back, the most important thing I did to prepare for a successful VBAC was (in no particular order):

- Find Doctor that I trust.
- Follow my husband’s lead.
- Use a midwife
- Avoid all Health Care Professionals that used words like “You can try”, or had high intervention rates
- Research Research Research. Knowing that Puttering Labor is NORMAL. Labor doesn’t have to progress at the 1cm per hour rate to be normal
- Have an amazing friend that helped me through the days of labor. She kept my hope alive, my body functioning well with good food and hydration, my mind off all the worries, massage, relaxation, and fun!
- Trust my body, that it was meant to have babies naturally and that surgeries are NOT a normal way to deliver.

Share on Facebook

In July 2005 I was 9 months pregnant with my first daughter. I knew nothing about normal pregnancy and delivery. I thought just like most OBGYN’s do now: Birth is guilty until proven innocent (or complicated until proven uncomplicated). I read all the mainstream books and watched the mainstream TV shows about birth…..

I was induced at 39 weeks because I wanted to be …… I was SOOOO ready to meet my baby! And the doctor “was going to be working at the hospital on Saturday anyways”. On a Friday night I checked into the hospital and was given prostaglandins on my cervix. In the AM I was given Pitocin. The baby’s heart rate dropped when given Pitocin but came right back up to normal, which I now know is quite normal. A that point, I was 2 cm dilated and 0% effaced and the baby had not dropped.

At around noon I was given an epidural. It was suggested to me from the nurses because if an emergency happened I did not want to have to be ‘under’ (general anesthia) for the c-section. I consented and the baby’s heart rate briefly dropped again, which again know now is pretty normal.

After 2 quick drops in the heart rate and no progression from the induction I was told it would be better to have a c-section, and my husband and I consented without reservation. Our sweet daughter was born at 2:21pm! So exciting! Looking back, my body probably just needed another week or two, but alas….. we had a healthy baby and I was HAPPY!!!

The only problem I seemed to have from major surgery was breast feeding. I think it was all the drugs in our systems and the fact I was not able to nurse for the first few days. Being incredibly stubborn about nursing successfully I started asking A LOT of questions and reading a lot about breast feeding. After about 6-8 weeks I was able to nurse her exclusively and without having latch troubles.

That nursing quest got me on the road to natural health! I will never forget the day the Nurse Lactation Specialist at the Pediatrician’s office said “Go to a health food store and get Fennel tea. It will help increase your milk supply.” I was shocked that a health professional was suggesting something outside the realms of FDA drugs.

That simple statement led me to where I am now. I realized doctors are not Gods (though useful in certain situations) and that the medical establishment does not have all the answers….. and neither does mainstream the mainstream “normal” thinking. My views on parenting, nutrition, healing, birth, marriage, and God were all challenged and ultimately radically altered. Even though this first birth had so many things that went “wrong” I am incredibly thankful for my four year old daughter, and the experience that was a catalyst for so much of what we hold dear now.

Next I’ll tell you about my second birth – A great hospital birth and VBAC!

Share on Facebook

A little less than four years ago I was home from a sadly typical hospital birth experience, tired, sore and having a *lot* of trouble nursing my precious newborn girl. After a few helpful phone calls with a lactation consultant, she recommended  the herbs Blessed Thistle, Fennel, and Alfalfa to increase my milk supply. I thought to myself “What!? She is not recommending an FDA approved drug to help me? This probably won’t work…..” 

But, I decided to try it and the herbs DID help! I was able feed my baby without both of us ending up in tears at the end of the nursing session. At that moment I became a true believer in herbs! it’s amazing how one comment can turn your life upside down, for after that experience my husband and I began to see all the resources God gave us through His wonderful creation!

Just the other day I took some photos of 3 “weeds” in our yard that are edible and healthy. Oh- I could go on and on about our quest of researching and successes we’ve had with whole foods, natural birth, baking, gardening, animal husbandry…. but wait, this is a post about herbs  

There are hundreds of herbs, many right in your yard, that are useful for nutrition and healing. But after some careful consideration I decided that if I HAD to limit my herb cabinet to 5 items Echinacea, fresh Garlic, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Elderberries, and Red Raspberry Leaf would be the keepers. Here’s why:

Echinacea

Recent research has shown that Echinacea boost T-cell production (or your “disease fighter” cells), it also has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Surprisingly enough, you have probably seen this herb in your neighbor’s flower garden, people call it Purple Cone Flower. It tall, beautiful, and considered the King of Herbs!

I use this herb in teas, tinctures, and salves. And I truly notice a difference in the length and severity of illness – The more echinacea I take, the less the virulent the virus is, it’s amazing! My favorite way to take echinacea is mixed with peppermint, rosehips, elderberry and ginseng- THAT is a super immune tea!

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Sprinkled in the shower, the steamy scent of Eucalyptus opens plugged nasal passages and airways, helping my kids (and me) breathe better whenever they get stuffy. For sore throats and colds, I drop a few drops on a washcloth and place it near the (sometimes loud) breather.

Eucalyptus oil is also known to kill the bad bacteria in our throat and lungs. What could be better- Kills the bad stuff, opens the passages, and soothes the throat. Definitely a keeper!

Warning! Eucalyptus oil can burn the skin, so keep it out of reach of the kiddos.

Elderberry

If you live anywhere near creeks, you have seen the Elder Tree! It’s small and shrubby with stems that have wart-like bumps. It ranges from 5-12 feet in height and blooms a white flower from about June to July. These blooms mature into a purplish black berry- that is Elderberry and the part of the tree you want to use (the roots, bark, and leaves are toxic).

Elderberries have been known throughout the ages as THE flu herb. You may even recognize the natural flu medication Sambucol, that is Elderberry syrup.
I most often use Elderberry in teas or syrups, and it tastes great! We’ll take a swig of a yummy Elderberry syrup anytime I know we’ve been exposed to a nasty cold or flu bug, and I think it works great!

You can make your own syrups or tinctures, or buy it. Here is a brand I’ve used with great success, and my kids really like it!

Red Raspberry Leaf

If there ever was an herb made perfectly for women- it’s Red Raspberry!

It’s use is known to:
-Strengthen and tone the wall of the uterus and entire female reproductive system.
- Decrease profuse menstrual flow.
Alleviates morning sickness and nausea.
Prevent hemorrhaging during labor (by strengthening uterus).
Assist labor, and relieve after pains. Increases and enriches milk for lactation.

Red Raspberry Leaf is also full of vitamins! Calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C- just to name a few. I drink a cold mixture of Red Raspberry Leaf, Nettle, Peppermint, and Alfafa daily. I absolutely love it!

Garlic

You know the smelly root, but did you know it’s the ultimate natural healer? Currently, it’s being studied because scientists have found out it’s one of the only things that kills the dreaded Staph infections.

Properties: Antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, antiparasitic, antifungal, anthelmintic, immune-stimulating, hypotensive, diaphoretic, and antispasmodic. Whoa! 

It’s Active against: Tuberculosis, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Salmonella, Proteus mirabilis, influenza, and many many more. 

Uses: We use garlic anytime we start feeling run down….. you know how the beginning of a cold or virus feels! 

Eating it: I’ll chop up a clove into tiny pieces and just swallow it like a large vitamin. However, everyone else in the house prefers it on a spoonful of honey followed up by a swig of water. Come to think of it- I bet it decreases disease transmission simultaneous because people don’t want to get too close to the stinky family- HAHA! 

Poultices: Just like everything else, garlic soaks into your skin and gets into your bloodstream. To make a poultice, break off two or three large cloves and lay them on your counter. Get some hot water together, and place the cloves on a clean cloth. Smack the garlic cloves with the bottom of a heavy glass a few times till you can see the juices coming out- and you get hungry for homemade lasagna! Now fold the cloth over and pour warm/hot (but not boiling) water over it. Let it sit for a few seconds then squeeze out the excess water. Place the warm (not hot) poultice on the chest, the back, and the soles of the feet (rotate) for about a minute each. You can do this several times a day. This also works well for babies who won’t swallow fresh garlic.

Garlic Oil for earaches: Slightly warm a few tablespoons of olive oil with crushed (fresh) garlic in it. Let it sit a few minutes then thoroughly strain out all of the garlic. Now use as standard ear drops (make sure it is not hot!). You can also use a garlic poultice over or behind the ear for suspected mild infections. 

Warning: it can burn the skin, don’t leave on directly on skin for more than a minute or two. 

Important note: To utilize all the medicinal qualities of garlic it must be used within 15 minutes of the clove being crushed. chopped, or bruised. After that, the Allicin loses 90% or so of its effectiveness…. So sorry, you’ve got to remake that garlic oil and poultice each time.

Now it’s your turn! Comment and tell me the herbs you use most often!

Share on Facebook

Pregnancy:
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
The VBAC Companion
The Birth Book

Children’s Health:
ABC Herbal
How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor
The Vaccine Book

How to Herb:
Herbal Antibiotics
ABC Herbal (again)
Making Herbs Simple DVD
Practical Herbalism

Novels:
The Mark of the Lion Series
The Atonement Child

Share on Facebook