Commonly referred to as a colonic, high colonic or colonic irrigation, colon hydrotherapy is the cleansing of the colon with pure, filtered water. Colon hydrotherapy has been used for thousands of years to cleanse the colon of impacted waste matter, relieve constipation, and stimulate the peristaltic movement of the colon for improved eliminations.
The colon is responsible for removing toxins from all parts of the body, not just digestive waste. When the colon is functioning properly, it is normal and healthy to have a bowel movement shortly after each meal. However, with the typical modern diet of overcooked, processed and refined foods, chronic constipation and digestive problems are on the rise. In addition, many people do not drink enough water, consuming primarily coffee, sodas, and sugar-laden fruit drinks. The caffeine and acids in coffee and sodas can dehydrate the intestines and promote the breakdown of healthy flora in the digestive tract, while the sugar in many of our foods and drinks feeds the unhealthy bacteria and Candida, leading to overgrowth of yeast. Mental and emotional stress, which are so prevalent in our fast-paced society, can also interfere with proper digestion and elimination.
Unfortunately, when people experience constipation or digestive trouble, they often turn to laxatives for relief. Most laxatives work by irritating the colon wall so that it will contract unnaturally. Over time, these laxatives can become habit-forming, as the colon will no longer move without this stimulation. Fortunately, colon hydrotherapy is safe, gentle and effective and will not lead to dependency. In fact, the expansion and contraction of the colon as the water fills and releases will help to tone and strengthen the colon muscle over time.
Clients often wonder if an enema does the same thing. An enema flushes out approximately 5-10 inches of the lower portion of the colon. After filling with water or a special solution, the person much rush to the toilet for elimination. With a colon hydrotherapy session, the entire length of the colon (typically 5-5 ½ feet) is gently flushed with water using a closed system where the waste is released through a tube that leads directly to the sewer line. No odor is present and no waste or gas is released outside of the tube.
An initial series of 3 or more sessions spaced 2-3 days apart is recommended. Your therapist will discuss your options with you during your first session. After your series, a maintenance plan of one session per month is recommended.
Call for an appointment today.
The Herb Shop
Gaylord, Michigan
(989)732-1205
Disclaimer: The preceding is for information purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or condition, nor should it take the place of medical advice or treatment.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Arnica....O how I love thee!
On Sunday Josh, myself and around 10 co-workers found ourselves at Area 51(not in New Mexico in Mancelona, Michigan). There we engaged in 5 ½ hours of pure paintball bliss! We had an awesome time! It was a great way to relieve the everyday stress of life. Plus it was great exercise. Needless to say yesterday I could barely move and this morning was not much better. The bruises are fabulous badges of honor. The muscle pain not so much. I started to give and thought about taken some Motrin. The little voice inside me (Josh) said to take Arnica. It made perfect sense.
Arnica (Arnica Montana) has been used for medicinal purposes since the 1500s and remains popular today. Applied topically as a cream, ointment, liniment, salve, or tincture, Europeans and Native Americans have used arnica to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds. It is often the first remedy used for injuries such as sprains and bruises. Arnica in herbal form is primarily restricted to topical (external) use because it can cause serious side effects when taken internally. Arnica is often used in homeopathy, and should be taken internally only in the extremely diluted form common to homeopathic remedies.
So here I sit taking Homeopathic Arnica 30C every so often so I can still move. Even though my bruising is only a few days old they are already starting to fade away. I just wish now that I would have taken the Arnica to Area 51 so the results would have been quicker!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Pregnancy is Natural
As I surf the internet and read articles on pregnancy, birth, and all the wonders afterwards I am finding my self shaking my head in wonder. How can something that was at one time such a beautiful thing turn into a horrible medical procedure. That has people scared and not trusting themselves and their bodies. I think that major turn is the amount of negative media. So when I come across articles and websites that support the beauty of life I get excited. Yesterday I came across www.mothersnaturally.org. Mothers Naturally is a public education program from the Midwives Alliance of North America. The goal of Mothers Naturally is to increase the number of safe and positive births by educating and informing the public about natural birth options and empowering women to make pregnancy and birth choices appropriate for their lives. Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) was formed in 1982 to unify and strengthen the profession of midwifery, thus improving the quality of health care for women, babies and communities. As a leader in midwifery, MANA has been at the forefront of developing midwifery credentialing and educational organizations.
MANA promotes:
* A woman's right to choose her care provider and place of birth
* Quality midwife care
* Public education and midwifery advocacy
* Competency in midwifery practice and research in the field of midwife care
MANA's sister organization, the Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery (FAM), is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to midwifery model of care. (Source:http://www.mothersnaturally.org/aboutUs/index.php)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Tree of Life
Not many people give much thought to the placenta. It is a complex and marvelous organ that is often overlooked and forgotten about. The placenta begins its growth journey at conception where it will eventually be able to take over production of the hormones that are responsible for sustaining pregnancy. This generally occurs around the twelfth week. The growing fetus receives all the nutrients it needs from the placenta. The placenta also works as a massive filter to remove all the baby's waste product. Genetically the placenta is two people. It consists of both fetal and maternal cells. The placenta secretes Neurokinin B. Neurokinin B acts as a force field protecting the baby from the mother's immune system. This is the same mechanism that parasites use. The placenta also starts and maintains labor. Once the baby's adrenal glands have fully matured the baby begins to release cortisone. After this this happens the cortisone forces the placenta to convert estrogen into progesterone. The sudden increase in the progesterone causes production of prostogladins. Once the prostogladins are produced the uterus begins to contract.
More traditional midwives, particularly in other cultures, see the third stage of labor, or the birthing of the placenta, as an important part of the whole birth package. These midwives favor natural methods of encouraging the placenta to detach, rather than resorting to drugs. These methods range from encouraging the mother to cough or breathe out forcefully, to nipple stimulation through breastfeeding the newborn. Instead of cutting the umbilical cord as soon as the baby is born, they wait until the baby's breathing is well established. As long as the cord remains attached, a maximum amount of blood flows out of the placenta so that its volume reduces and it can detach more easily.
It is the powerful, life-giving role of the placenta that has led many cultures to see it as a mystical organ that is to be cherished and honored. In some cultures, it is seen as the baby's twin, companion, or even mother, believed to have its own spirit that must be appeased. Various traditions and rituals surrounding the use of the placenta grew because of these beliefs. Some of these traditions are growing more popular in Western culture today as parents become more aware of the benefits of actively connecting with each stage of the birthing experience, for the new baby as well as for the rest of the immediate family.
Through the ages, the placenta has been honored in a variety of ways across the world. As with other aspects of natural birthing, it is the quest of modern parents to rediscover these rituals and traditions, and then decide which best suits their family and living circumstances.
If you are looking for a way to honor your baby's placenta and cherish the third stage of labor, you may find it helpful to start with a blank canvas and begin by selecting a few ideas that resonate with you and fit in with your family character and beliefs, perhaps adjusting it here and there to suit the practicalities of modern life.
This is a ritual that has long been observed in many countries. For nine months, the placenta acted as the life-giving force in the womb, and this is now transferred to the ground where the placenta can nurture the soil. Interestingly, the word whenua in Maori means land as well as placenta, and illustrates the connection between the two in this particular culture. Burying the placenta under a tree is symbolic because of the image of the placenta as the tree of life. Some cultures also burn the placenta, often with the same idea of returning the life force to nurture the land.
If you choose to bury or burn the placenta, you will need to think of a suitable spot. It may present a challenge to find an area of land with some significance for your family if you don't have your own garden.
As well as nourishing the baby, the placenta contains natural oxytocins that help it contract after the birth, as well as many hormones. It is thought that these chemicals can help repair hormonal imbalances in the mother, as well as encourage the flow of breastmilk, which is why mothers through the ages have routinely consumed their placentas in a variety of ways. There are many recipes out there ranging from placenta stew to placenta lasagna to placenta power shake. Some women prefer to eat the placenta on its own. Cooked placenta has been described as dense and spongy much like liver. Another way to enjoy the benefits of the placenta without having to chew it is to place it in capsules. The placenta is cleaned, cooked, and then dehydrated. Once dehydrated it is turned into a powder and placed in capsules. These capsules can also be placed in the freezer and used during menopause to help with those unwanted side effects.
Prints using the placenta are becoming more popular. The side that was attached to the mother is bumpy and course; the other is softer, so you can experiment with different textures. The placenta can be placed on a sheet of thick paper and will leave a tree shaped print once removed if the cord is left hanging down. This can then be painted over using the placental blood that will later turn brown, or it may be filled in or traced over using ink. Instead of an actual print, some mothers prefer to do more original artwork using the blood.
Tips for Using Placenta
Read, Research, Discuss
Find out as much as you can about your options for using the placenta. Think about symbolism as well as your personal reasons for celebrating the third stage of labor. Try to involve the whole family in the decision-making process. Then make sure whoever will be present at the birth is aware of your plans. Write them into your birth plan, particularly if you are having a hospital delivery and may not know which midwife will be on duty that day.
Be Practical
Make sure there is a suitable container or wrapping for the placenta. If you wish to use the fresh placenta you should do so within about five days of the birth, so you will need to have prepared art materials, or whatever you have chosen to use, before the birth. You can refrigerate the placenta, but this will affect the texture and shape if you want to do artwork. If you need some time to decide on your plans, you can put the placenta in the freezer to defrost at a later date.
Be Prepared
You may move or have more children. If possible, try to accommodate changes. For instance, bury the placenta in a pot that can be transported elsewhere, or leave space nearby for the addition of future placentas. For artwork, you may wish to buy more than one identical picture frame or sheet of special paper, so that the placenta print of a sibling can match.
Decide What to Tell
Generally people won't ask, "So what are you doing with the placenta?" so it is up to you whether or not you wish to share your plans. You may wish to be armed with a few scientific or anthropological details about why you chose to use the placenta, but don't feel you need to justify your decision or even talk about it if you would prefer not to.
More traditional midwives, particularly in other cultures, see the third stage of labor, or the birthing of the placenta, as an important part of the whole birth package. These midwives favor natural methods of encouraging the placenta to detach, rather than resorting to drugs. These methods range from encouraging the mother to cough or breathe out forcefully, to nipple stimulation through breastfeeding the newborn. Instead of cutting the umbilical cord as soon as the baby is born, they wait until the baby's breathing is well established. As long as the cord remains attached, a maximum amount of blood flows out of the placenta so that its volume reduces and it can detach more easily.
It is the powerful, life-giving role of the placenta that has led many cultures to see it as a mystical organ that is to be cherished and honored. In some cultures, it is seen as the baby's twin, companion, or even mother, believed to have its own spirit that must be appeased. Various traditions and rituals surrounding the use of the placenta grew because of these beliefs. Some of these traditions are growing more popular in Western culture today as parents become more aware of the benefits of actively connecting with each stage of the birthing experience, for the new baby as well as for the rest of the immediate family.
Through the ages, the placenta has been honored in a variety of ways across the world. As with other aspects of natural birthing, it is the quest of modern parents to rediscover these rituals and traditions, and then decide which best suits their family and living circumstances.
If you are looking for a way to honor your baby's placenta and cherish the third stage of labor, you may find it helpful to start with a blank canvas and begin by selecting a few ideas that resonate with you and fit in with your family character and beliefs, perhaps adjusting it here and there to suit the practicalities of modern life.
This is a ritual that has long been observed in many countries. For nine months, the placenta acted as the life-giving force in the womb, and this is now transferred to the ground where the placenta can nurture the soil. Interestingly, the word whenua in Maori means land as well as placenta, and illustrates the connection between the two in this particular culture. Burying the placenta under a tree is symbolic because of the image of the placenta as the tree of life. Some cultures also burn the placenta, often with the same idea of returning the life force to nurture the land.
If you choose to bury or burn the placenta, you will need to think of a suitable spot. It may present a challenge to find an area of land with some significance for your family if you don't have your own garden.
As well as nourishing the baby, the placenta contains natural oxytocins that help it contract after the birth, as well as many hormones. It is thought that these chemicals can help repair hormonal imbalances in the mother, as well as encourage the flow of breastmilk, which is why mothers through the ages have routinely consumed their placentas in a variety of ways. There are many recipes out there ranging from placenta stew to placenta lasagna to placenta power shake. Some women prefer to eat the placenta on its own. Cooked placenta has been described as dense and spongy much like liver. Another way to enjoy the benefits of the placenta without having to chew it is to place it in capsules. The placenta is cleaned, cooked, and then dehydrated. Once dehydrated it is turned into a powder and placed in capsules. These capsules can also be placed in the freezer and used during menopause to help with those unwanted side effects.
Prints using the placenta are becoming more popular. The side that was attached to the mother is bumpy and course; the other is softer, so you can experiment with different textures. The placenta can be placed on a sheet of thick paper and will leave a tree shaped print once removed if the cord is left hanging down. This can then be painted over using the placental blood that will later turn brown, or it may be filled in or traced over using ink. Instead of an actual print, some mothers prefer to do more original artwork using the blood.
Tips for Using Placenta
Read, Research, Discuss
Find out as much as you can about your options for using the placenta. Think about symbolism as well as your personal reasons for celebrating the third stage of labor. Try to involve the whole family in the decision-making process. Then make sure whoever will be present at the birth is aware of your plans. Write them into your birth plan, particularly if you are having a hospital delivery and may not know which midwife will be on duty that day.
Be Practical
Make sure there is a suitable container or wrapping for the placenta. If you wish to use the fresh placenta you should do so within about five days of the birth, so you will need to have prepared art materials, or whatever you have chosen to use, before the birth. You can refrigerate the placenta, but this will affect the texture and shape if you want to do artwork. If you need some time to decide on your plans, you can put the placenta in the freezer to defrost at a later date.
Be Prepared
You may move or have more children. If possible, try to accommodate changes. For instance, bury the placenta in a pot that can be transported elsewhere, or leave space nearby for the addition of future placentas. For artwork, you may wish to buy more than one identical picture frame or sheet of special paper, so that the placenta print of a sibling can match.
Decide What to Tell
Generally people won't ask, "So what are you doing with the placenta?" so it is up to you whether or not you wish to share your plans. You may wish to be armed with a few scientific or anthropological details about why you chose to use the placenta, but don't feel you need to justify your decision or even talk about it if you would prefer not to.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Intestional System: Taking out the Trash
The intestinal system features the colon (or bowel)—a muscular
organ about five feet long. The colon extracts water from the waste matter
and sends it back into the bloodstream. Nerves and muscles in the colon
regulate the time it takes waste matter to travel through the colon and out of
the body. Friendly bacteria in the bowel aid in the breakdown of waste.
Colon health is largely affected by diet. We eat more sugar and processed
foods than ever before, and we regularly abuse our bodies with various
stimulants and sedatives. In addition, we are all exposed to thousands of
toxins and chemicals on a daily basis (air and water pollution, cleaning
products, cosmetics, etc.). All of this impacts bowel health and function.
Stress and lack of muscle tone can also affect colon function.
For health and well-being, it is essential that this “sewer system” of the
body receives regular cleaning and preventative care.
Transit Time
Too Long—Occasional constipation occurs when waste material stays in
the colon too long and too much water is absorbed from it. Toxins can also
be reabsorbed into the bloodstream.
Too Short—Occasional diarrhea occurs when
waste goes through the bowel too quickly and not
enough water is absorbed. Beneficial gut bacteria
may be lost.
NSP’s Intestinal Pack includes one bottle
each of these products:
Bowel Detox provides digestive enzymes to aid
digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract, as well
as ingredients to provide needed bulk to encourage
proper flow of waste through the colon.
Nature’s Three fiber supplement combines
psyllium, oat fiber and apple fiber to support the
normal function of the bowel. Fiber binds with
cholesterol and bile salts and helps reduce the
amount of cholesterol in the blood, which helps
maintain cholesterol levels that are already within
normal limits. It can also reduce transit time.
Bifidophilus Flora Force® provides 4 billion
friendly bacteria per capsule to help create
favorable balance in the gut. These good guys help
with digestion and promote immunity.
Liquid Chlorophyll provides green energy and
helps cleanse and freshen the bowel and body.
http://www.mynsp.com/theherbshop-gaylord
****Any information on this blog is strictly informational and should not be used as medical advice. Any questions you should consult with your health care provider****
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Digestive System: Giving Us the Energy to Go on!
The process of digestion begins in the mouth and is
completed in the large intestine. It occurs as food is taken
in, broken down, sorted and re-processed—all in an effort
to convert it into a usable, absorbable form that can be
circulated throughout the body to nourish cells and create
energy.
The major organs of the digestive system include the
mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder,
small intestine and colon. Each of these organs works in
a unique way, but they share a common purpose: to help
digest food and absorb nutrients. These exist in the form
of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Each nutrient type
is handled by the digestive system differently, and each
gets broken down at a different point during the digestive
process; but all are aided by the presence of enzymes.
Digestive enzymes are organic substances that speed up
the chemical reactions that break food down into smaller,
more usable particles. Without enzymes, body functions
would happen too slowly to sustain life. Some enzymes
are produced by the body, and others come from the foods we eat.
This system is subject to many weaknesses and inadequacies.
These include digestive transit times that may be too fast or too
slow, a lack of sufficient enzymes and probiotics, and a deficiency
of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Luckily, we can combat these
through diet, exercise, adequate water and fiber intake, regular
detoxification and supplementation.
Since there are more organs in your digestive system than in any
other, it makes sense to support them with quality supplements.
The Digestive Pack from Nature’s Sunshine combines one
each of these products:
Food Enzymes provides a blend of the enzymes needed to break
down proteins, carbohydrates and fats, as well as hydrochloric acid
and bile salts to aid the digestive process. These enzymes can also
help prevent or relieve occasional indigestion.
Bifidophilus Flora Force® is recommended for daily use to
maintain a healthy balance of friendly flora within the intestinal
tract. These beneficial microorganisms help the body break down
food into easily absorbed nutrients and they promote immunity.
Gastro Health® Concentrate offers nutritional support for the
stomach. The ingredients in this proprietary formula may help
inhibit the growth of unwanted invaders. In addition, Gastro Health
can help soothe stomach irritations and relieve occasional associated
stomach discomfort.
All the products listed above are available at The Herb Shop in downtown Gaylord,MI or at http://www.mynsp.com/theherbshop-gaylord
In can be purchase in a pack for up to 45% off.
****Any information on this blog is strictly informational and should not be used as medical advice. Any questions you should consult with your health care provider****
completed in the large intestine. It occurs as food is taken
in, broken down, sorted and re-processed—all in an effort
to convert it into a usable, absorbable form that can be
circulated throughout the body to nourish cells and create
energy.
The major organs of the digestive system include the
mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder,
small intestine and colon. Each of these organs works in
a unique way, but they share a common purpose: to help
digest food and absorb nutrients. These exist in the form
of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Each nutrient type
is handled by the digestive system differently, and each
gets broken down at a different point during the digestive
process; but all are aided by the presence of enzymes.
Digestive enzymes are organic substances that speed up
the chemical reactions that break food down into smaller,
more usable particles. Without enzymes, body functions
would happen too slowly to sustain life. Some enzymes
are produced by the body, and others come from the foods we eat.
This system is subject to many weaknesses and inadequacies.
These include digestive transit times that may be too fast or too
slow, a lack of sufficient enzymes and probiotics, and a deficiency
of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Luckily, we can combat these
through diet, exercise, adequate water and fiber intake, regular
detoxification and supplementation.
Since there are more organs in your digestive system than in any
other, it makes sense to support them with quality supplements.
The Digestive Pack from Nature’s Sunshine combines one
each of these products:
Food Enzymes provides a blend of the enzymes needed to break
down proteins, carbohydrates and fats, as well as hydrochloric acid
and bile salts to aid the digestive process. These enzymes can also
help prevent or relieve occasional indigestion.
Bifidophilus Flora Force® is recommended for daily use to
maintain a healthy balance of friendly flora within the intestinal
tract. These beneficial microorganisms help the body break down
food into easily absorbed nutrients and they promote immunity.
Gastro Health® Concentrate offers nutritional support for the
stomach. The ingredients in this proprietary formula may help
inhibit the growth of unwanted invaders. In addition, Gastro Health
can help soothe stomach irritations and relieve occasional associated
stomach discomfort.
All the products listed above are available at The Herb Shop in downtown Gaylord,MI or at http://www.mynsp.com/theherbshop-gaylord
In can be purchase in a pack for up to 45% off.
****Any information on this blog is strictly informational and should not be used as medical advice. Any questions you should consult with your health care provider****
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Since my last post....
Alot has happen since my last post. Memorial weekend was a blast. Xavier and I went camping out at Standard Lake with a group of good friends. Standard lake is located in Charlevoix County in Northern Michigan. We did some fishing caught a couple small mouth bass and some sunfish. Almost have the veggie garden done. It's nothing special just 8x8 raised. I will post pictures later on. Hopefully I will be able to do some canning this year. June 1st I gave up caffeine. I decided that I depended on it way to much. So today is Day 5 :) I still have a massive headache and I am pretty tired but in the end it will be definitely worth it. Since I was giving up caffeine I decided to do a maintenance cleanse to help my body a long. the cleanse I decides to do is called Tiao He Cleanse from Nature's Sunshine. Tiao He Cleanse®, Chinese [Intestinal] is a 15-day nutritional program designed to help the body achieve tiao he—balance and harmony. It combines Chinese nutritional and Western herbal experience. The Tiao He Cleanse is designed to support the cleansing mechanisms of the body by targeting the intestinal and digestive systems.(http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/products/product/stocknumber3050-tiao-he--cleanse-15-day.asp)
Since starting the cleanse I am definitely more regularly but my face has started to break out. Which means that I probably had quite a bit of toxins built up in my system. So i am pretty excited that I getting rid of all that gunk. I will definitely keep you updated on this journey.
Until next time,
Melissa
Since starting the cleanse I am definitely more regularly but my face has started to break out. Which means that I probably had quite a bit of toxins built up in my system. So i am pretty excited that I getting rid of all that gunk. I will definitely keep you updated on this journey.
Until next time,
Melissa
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Why is breastfeeding best?
With the upcoming arrival of your new baby, there are many decisions to be made. None more important than deciding which form of nutrition is best for you and your baby. Numerous government and private industry associations today recognize and promote the importance of exclusively providing breastmilk to babies in the first twelve months of life.
Following are compelling, research-based facts about the importance of breastmilk that may help you to make an informed choice:
Best for Baby:
•Research shows that breastfed infants have fewer and shorter episodes of illness.
•Breastfeeding is the most natural and nutritious way to encourage your baby’s optimal development.
•Colostrum (the first milk) is a gentle, natural laxative that helps clear baby’s intestine, decreasing the chance for jaundice to occur.
•The superior nutrition provided by breastmilk benefits your baby’s IQ.
•Breastfeeding is a gentle way for newborns to transition to the world outside the womb.
•The skin-to-skin contact encouraged by breastfeeding offers babies greater emotional security and enhances bonding.
•The activity of sucking at the breast enhances development of baby’s oral muscles, facial bones, and aids in optimal dental development.
•Breastfeeding appears to reduce the risk of obesity and hypertension.
•Breastfeeding delays the onset of hereditary allergic disease, and lowers the risk of developing allergic disease.
•Breastfeeding helps the baby’s immune system mature, protecting the baby in the meantime from viral, bacteria, and parasitic infections.
•Breastfeeding protects against developing chronic diseases such as: celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and childhood cancers.
The benefits of breastfeeding appear to last even after the baby has been weaned.
Lack of Breastfeeding Increases the Risk to the Infant of:
•Ear infections
•Childhood diabetes
•Obesity
•Gastrointestinal and diarrheal infections
•Childhood cancers
•SIDS
•Respiratory infections
•Allergies
•NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis)
Best for Mother:
•Research shows that breastfeeding benefits the health of mothers.
•Breastmilk is always fresh, perfectly clean, just the right temperature, and is the healthy choice at the least cost!
•Increased levels of oxytocin stimulate postpartum uterine contractions, minimizing blood loss and encouraging rapid uterine toning.
•From 3 months to 12 months postpartum, breastfeeding increases the rate of weight loss in most nursing mothers.
•Breastfeeding offers some protection against the early return of fertility.
•Because breastfed babies are healthier, their mothers miss less work and spend less time and money on pediatric care.
•Breastfeeding women report psychological benefits such as increased self-confidence and a stronger sense of connection with their babies.
Lack of Breastfeeding Increases the Risk to the Mother of:
•Urinary tract infection
•Pre-and post-menopausal breast cancer
•Ovarian cancer
•Osteoporosis
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Magnificent Red Raspberry Leaf
Normally when someone mentions red raspberry the first thing to pop into my head is the delicious red berry that is full of nutrients and antioxidants. Also how wonderful red raspberries taste when dipped into chocolate. Yum! But, the red raspberry plant has more to offer then it's juicy, tasty berries. Red raspberry leaf is a must for all females. Whether your in your teenage years or in the golden years. For woman Red Raspberry is consider a "smart herb". This means that no matter where you are at it health wise it will go where it is most needed.
Red Raspberry leaf can be used for:
* To aid fertility.
* To promote a plentiful supply of breast milk.
* To help stop excess bleeding after birth.
* To treat diarrhea.
* To regulate irregular menstrual cycle and decrease heavy periods.
* To relieve sore throats.
* To reduce fever.
* To strengthen the uterine muscles for childbirth
* To settle the digestive tract
* To help acne
* To help with PMS
* To ease labor and delivery
* To ease morning sickness
* And many more uses....
Red raspberry leaf is also stock piled with tons of health! Red Raspberry leaf provides a rich source of iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium. The magnesium content is especially helpful in strengthening the uterine muscle. Red Raspberry leaf also contains vitamins B1, B3 and E, which are valuable in pregnancy.
Now the question is how do I take it. The thought of eating leaves off the plant seems pretty out there. Well fortunately for us there is multiple other ways to take it. Red raspberry can be taken in capsule, liquid, tea, and tincture. The teas generally have a few other herbs with them to make them more tasty. One important thing to remember with tinctures is they are made with alcohol. But a dose of the tincture in hot water dissipates the alcohol and makes it safe for baby.
****Any information on this blog is strictly informational and should not be used as medical advice. Any questions you should consult with your health care provider****
Red Raspberry leaf can be used for:
* To aid fertility.
* To promote a plentiful supply of breast milk.
* To help stop excess bleeding after birth.
* To treat diarrhea.
* To regulate irregular menstrual cycle and decrease heavy periods.
* To relieve sore throats.
* To reduce fever.
* To strengthen the uterine muscles for childbirth
* To settle the digestive tract
* To help acne
* To help with PMS
* To ease labor and delivery
* To ease morning sickness
* And many more uses....
Red raspberry leaf is also stock piled with tons of health! Red Raspberry leaf provides a rich source of iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium. The magnesium content is especially helpful in strengthening the uterine muscle. Red Raspberry leaf also contains vitamins B1, B3 and E, which are valuable in pregnancy.
Now the question is how do I take it. The thought of eating leaves off the plant seems pretty out there. Well fortunately for us there is multiple other ways to take it. Red raspberry can be taken in capsule, liquid, tea, and tincture. The teas generally have a few other herbs with them to make them more tasty. One important thing to remember with tinctures is they are made with alcohol. But a dose of the tincture in hot water dissipates the alcohol and makes it safe for baby.
****Any information on this blog is strictly informational and should not be used as medical advice. Any questions you should consult with your health care provider****
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Excellent article!!!
Safer Birth in a Barn?
by Beth Barbeau
© 2007 Midwifery Today, Inc. All rights reserved.
[Editor's note: This article first appeared in Midwifery Today Issue 83, Autumn 2007.]
Our deeper understandings of birth can come to us from the most unexpected sources and at the most unanticipated times. One of my most visceral “light-bulb” experiences came in New Mexico in the early 1990s when I was taking a break from midwifery and selling health insurance to self-employed individuals.
One day I drove several hours to meet with the general manager of an immense horse farm, hoping to sell a large policy to cover his many farm hands. I ended up wandering through some of the buildings, searching for my appointment. I mentally noted as I passed that one of the stalls exuded energy that felt like birth. Peeking in, I found a swollen mare pacing restlessly in the afternoon quiet, deeply breathing and blowing.
We were in the middle of the insurance presentation about an hour later when an assistant breathlessly burst in, saying that “so and so” was foaling! The manager stood up immediately and said, “Do you want to see a foal born?” He was startled when I asked if it was the mare I had glimpsed earlier. When I shared that I had trained as a midwife and it just “felt and smelled of birth,” he brightened and lost his taciturn ways, suddenly eager to talk about what he loved.
Until the next few minutes I did not fully understand that I was in a very unusual place: a stud farm for some of the most valuable horses in the world. This particular unborn foal was worth about three million dollars and was expected to be of much greater value after birth because it shared lineage with two Triple Crown winners. The horseman explained what I was about to see as we hurried over. He was adamant about his instructions, stressing the careful attention to detail needed to protect the well-being of this babe of breath-taking value.
“Don’t let the mare see you; crouch here in the hallway where you can peek over the half wall of the foaling box—the stress of seeing strangers at this time could put the foal in danger!”
“The only person allowed near the mare is her familiar stable lad; even her vet is crouched as small as possible in the corner.” (And he was, hunched on his heels, silent and still, head and eyes downcast.)
“We keep the lights dimmed, because bright lights agitate and distract the laboring mare.”
“You’ll see that we’ve removed her halter and lead—you would never restrict the movement of a birthing mare; foals have been lost for less! She must be free to move any way she wants.”
“She’s been in this box stall (when not out to pasture) for weeks, because she must be in a familiar environment to birth smoothly.”
“There is her usual water and hay in the stall—never restrict their food in labor!”
“Don’t say a word. Any sound might disrupt the birth and a disruption puts the foal in danger.”
With these admonishments ringing in my ears, I crouched in the dim, silent passageway outside the birthing box with several others. We watched the mare birth a huge colt with grace, barely pausing in her pacing as he slid with a thump to the floor. All was quiet and still in the long minutes afterwards as the colt organized his breathing, gathered himself and finally staggered up. He was so unusually large and long-legged that he stood on his ankles, his cartilage too soft to support his weight. Still, the horseman was elated with the outcome, passing off the odd and worrisome appearance with a “give him time, he’ll work it out!”
Ironic, isn’t it? The protocols in the world of animal husbandry to protect an offspring at the time of birth—no strangers, dimmed lights, freedom of movement, familiar environment, unlimited nourishment, respectful quiet, no disruptions—are done without hesitation because to do otherwise invites “unexplained distress” or sudden demise of the offspring. These thoughtful conditions are the norm, along with careful observation to determine when to use the technological expertise in true emergencies. When we have veterinarians in our childbirth education classes, they always start to smile and nod when I tell this story. In fact, what did your mom tell you when you found the cat birthing kittens in the drawer? “Shhhhhhh!” And why? Because she MIGHT STOP GIVING BIRTH (AND move the kittens!). These are givens—instinctive givens, even, for animals of all descriptions!
Yet what are the “givens” for the human who births not in a barn, but in a “modern and advanced” hospital? In many cases, 100% the opposite! Usually a minimum of a dozen strangers pass through the world of the laboring mother in her first 12 hours in the hospital—security officer, patient transporter, triage secretary, admission clerk, triage nurse, resident and/or doctor on call, admitting nurse, first shift nurse, break nurse, additional nurse at delivery, doctor or midwife plus possibly students, anesthesiologist, pediatrician, etc. Bright lights in the triage and labor rooms are challenging to dim. Mothers are tethered to monitors or IV poles and are moved through a bright hall with unfamiliar sounds to a new room in a building devoted to illness/trauma that most have visited once briefly if at all. They receive poor quality “clear liquids only.” They are exposed to voices of others in the hall or chatting by the attendants during contractions and endless disruptions throughout! But then, do we ever find that we have an offspring experience “unexplained distress?” Of course, and at frightening rates! Yet, oddly, many of these disruptions are promoted as minor inconveniences or necessary to “protect” the baby.
Curiously, while veterinarians commonly have to defend interventions in light of the additional cost and the risks associated with interfering with nature, providers caring for human mothers within the medical system more commonly are forced to defend why they did NOT intervene! Consider the high rates of inductions, epidurals, artificial rupture of membranes, immediate cord cutting, cesareans and the vigorous defense necessary to fight for anything different, especially if time is involved (time to go into labor, to progress, to push, to allow the cord to stop pulsation or to get “done” bonding). I’ve recently seen outstanding CNMs and obstetricians sacrifice their own political reputations and suffer departmental reprimands for births with great outcomes where they protected the mothers’ yearning for privacy, allowed extended pushing time with great vital signs or, during a healthy normal birth, followed their intuition and honored the mother’s begging to check heart tones frequently by hand during pushing instead of what the mother considered the massive intrusion of wearing the monitor belt. Interventions are considered to be the ultimate protection from litigation in human care, yet they contribute mightily to the high rates of distress in mothers and babies!
In animal husbandry, the first line of defense for protecting the unborn is to protect and nurture the nutritional needs and comfort of the birthing female. In the case of institutionalized birth for humans, however, in spite of evidence to the contrary, the norm is to act as if the nutritional needs and the comfort of the birthing mothers are of concern to, at most, the marketing and public relations department! It’s an affront to common sense that as a society we are currently more accepting of the needs of foaling mares, whelping poodles and high-producing cows than of our birthing humans. From the high rates of fetal distress, meconium staining and breastfeeding problems, the consequences are clearly devastating to our infants, just as any decent horseman would predict.
Beth Barbeau, midwife and educator, began attending homebirths in 1979 as the 16-year-old babysitter for the “big kids.” She has taught Childbirth Education classes for over 25 years, and recently launched “A New Baby in the House” to meet the unique needs of adopting parents. A life-long interest in providing better support and resources to families after the six week visit led Beth this spring to open Indigo Forest Co.: Growing Healthy Lives, a family-focused store and studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She and her stunt choreographer husband, Christopher, are parents to two homebirthed boys, Jianmarco (7) and Marcellin (5).
by Beth Barbeau
© 2007 Midwifery Today, Inc. All rights reserved.
[Editor's note: This article first appeared in Midwifery Today Issue 83, Autumn 2007.]
Our deeper understandings of birth can come to us from the most unexpected sources and at the most unanticipated times. One of my most visceral “light-bulb” experiences came in New Mexico in the early 1990s when I was taking a break from midwifery and selling health insurance to self-employed individuals.
One day I drove several hours to meet with the general manager of an immense horse farm, hoping to sell a large policy to cover his many farm hands. I ended up wandering through some of the buildings, searching for my appointment. I mentally noted as I passed that one of the stalls exuded energy that felt like birth. Peeking in, I found a swollen mare pacing restlessly in the afternoon quiet, deeply breathing and blowing.
We were in the middle of the insurance presentation about an hour later when an assistant breathlessly burst in, saying that “so and so” was foaling! The manager stood up immediately and said, “Do you want to see a foal born?” He was startled when I asked if it was the mare I had glimpsed earlier. When I shared that I had trained as a midwife and it just “felt and smelled of birth,” he brightened and lost his taciturn ways, suddenly eager to talk about what he loved.
Until the next few minutes I did not fully understand that I was in a very unusual place: a stud farm for some of the most valuable horses in the world. This particular unborn foal was worth about three million dollars and was expected to be of much greater value after birth because it shared lineage with two Triple Crown winners. The horseman explained what I was about to see as we hurried over. He was adamant about his instructions, stressing the careful attention to detail needed to protect the well-being of this babe of breath-taking value.
“Don’t let the mare see you; crouch here in the hallway where you can peek over the half wall of the foaling box—the stress of seeing strangers at this time could put the foal in danger!”
“The only person allowed near the mare is her familiar stable lad; even her vet is crouched as small as possible in the corner.” (And he was, hunched on his heels, silent and still, head and eyes downcast.)
“We keep the lights dimmed, because bright lights agitate and distract the laboring mare.”
“You’ll see that we’ve removed her halter and lead—you would never restrict the movement of a birthing mare; foals have been lost for less! She must be free to move any way she wants.”
“She’s been in this box stall (when not out to pasture) for weeks, because she must be in a familiar environment to birth smoothly.”
“There is her usual water and hay in the stall—never restrict their food in labor!”
“Don’t say a word. Any sound might disrupt the birth and a disruption puts the foal in danger.”
With these admonishments ringing in my ears, I crouched in the dim, silent passageway outside the birthing box with several others. We watched the mare birth a huge colt with grace, barely pausing in her pacing as he slid with a thump to the floor. All was quiet and still in the long minutes afterwards as the colt organized his breathing, gathered himself and finally staggered up. He was so unusually large and long-legged that he stood on his ankles, his cartilage too soft to support his weight. Still, the horseman was elated with the outcome, passing off the odd and worrisome appearance with a “give him time, he’ll work it out!”
Ironic, isn’t it? The protocols in the world of animal husbandry to protect an offspring at the time of birth—no strangers, dimmed lights, freedom of movement, familiar environment, unlimited nourishment, respectful quiet, no disruptions—are done without hesitation because to do otherwise invites “unexplained distress” or sudden demise of the offspring. These thoughtful conditions are the norm, along with careful observation to determine when to use the technological expertise in true emergencies. When we have veterinarians in our childbirth education classes, they always start to smile and nod when I tell this story. In fact, what did your mom tell you when you found the cat birthing kittens in the drawer? “Shhhhhhh!” And why? Because she MIGHT STOP GIVING BIRTH (AND move the kittens!). These are givens—instinctive givens, even, for animals of all descriptions!
Yet what are the “givens” for the human who births not in a barn, but in a “modern and advanced” hospital? In many cases, 100% the opposite! Usually a minimum of a dozen strangers pass through the world of the laboring mother in her first 12 hours in the hospital—security officer, patient transporter, triage secretary, admission clerk, triage nurse, resident and/or doctor on call, admitting nurse, first shift nurse, break nurse, additional nurse at delivery, doctor or midwife plus possibly students, anesthesiologist, pediatrician, etc. Bright lights in the triage and labor rooms are challenging to dim. Mothers are tethered to monitors or IV poles and are moved through a bright hall with unfamiliar sounds to a new room in a building devoted to illness/trauma that most have visited once briefly if at all. They receive poor quality “clear liquids only.” They are exposed to voices of others in the hall or chatting by the attendants during contractions and endless disruptions throughout! But then, do we ever find that we have an offspring experience “unexplained distress?” Of course, and at frightening rates! Yet, oddly, many of these disruptions are promoted as minor inconveniences or necessary to “protect” the baby.
Curiously, while veterinarians commonly have to defend interventions in light of the additional cost and the risks associated with interfering with nature, providers caring for human mothers within the medical system more commonly are forced to defend why they did NOT intervene! Consider the high rates of inductions, epidurals, artificial rupture of membranes, immediate cord cutting, cesareans and the vigorous defense necessary to fight for anything different, especially if time is involved (time to go into labor, to progress, to push, to allow the cord to stop pulsation or to get “done” bonding). I’ve recently seen outstanding CNMs and obstetricians sacrifice their own political reputations and suffer departmental reprimands for births with great outcomes where they protected the mothers’ yearning for privacy, allowed extended pushing time with great vital signs or, during a healthy normal birth, followed their intuition and honored the mother’s begging to check heart tones frequently by hand during pushing instead of what the mother considered the massive intrusion of wearing the monitor belt. Interventions are considered to be the ultimate protection from litigation in human care, yet they contribute mightily to the high rates of distress in mothers and babies!
In animal husbandry, the first line of defense for protecting the unborn is to protect and nurture the nutritional needs and comfort of the birthing female. In the case of institutionalized birth for humans, however, in spite of evidence to the contrary, the norm is to act as if the nutritional needs and the comfort of the birthing mothers are of concern to, at most, the marketing and public relations department! It’s an affront to common sense that as a society we are currently more accepting of the needs of foaling mares, whelping poodles and high-producing cows than of our birthing humans. From the high rates of fetal distress, meconium staining and breastfeeding problems, the consequences are clearly devastating to our infants, just as any decent horseman would predict.
Beth Barbeau, midwife and educator, began attending homebirths in 1979 as the 16-year-old babysitter for the “big kids.” She has taught Childbirth Education classes for over 25 years, and recently launched “A New Baby in the House” to meet the unique needs of adopting parents. A life-long interest in providing better support and resources to families after the six week visit led Beth this spring to open Indigo Forest Co.: Growing Healthy Lives, a family-focused store and studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She and her stunt choreographer husband, Christopher, are parents to two homebirthed boys, Jianmarco (7) and Marcellin (5).
Just getting started
Hello Everyone! So I finally am getting started writing my blog. I am just getting started in my journey as a midwife so I thought it would be fitting to blog and share my wonderful and sometimes not so wonderful experinces along the way. When I find interesting articles or helpful tips I will be post them to!
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