Where did you choose to have your youngin's? In my very personal opinion, there really is 'no place like home'. I know it's not for everyone, and don't expect people to share my feelings in that regard. So where did you give birth? Why? Did you enjoy your experience? Spare no details, I wanna know!

P-p-p-p-itocin. A synthetic form of the hormone Oxytocin. Our body naturally produces Oxytocin. It's the hormone that makes us bond deeply with someone. It is the hormone surge we receive, ladies, immediately following.....orgasm (Yesssss!) The moment our child is born, we receive the most hugest, ginormous rush of it. More than when we score the big O. However, when we take meds in labor, such as an Epidural, Demerol, Stadol, Pitocin, etc; we jack up the beautiful, harmonious production and distribution of hormones. The hormones that propel labor, the hormones that make magic happen. Wreaking all kinds of havoc on your labor. Now unlike Oxytocin, Pitocin can not cross the blood brain barrier. This is where, with naturally occurring contractions, all those feelings of love and bonding occur. So we receive more intense contractions, a harder labor, but without the calming, coping hormone of Oxytocin that helps us deal with a natural labor. See it just fouls everything up. Now now, before anyone gets all hot and bothered; ALL, let me say again ALL, medical interventions have their place, where the benefits truly outweight the risks. HOWEVER, not every pregnant woman needs to be intervened upon. I am not pointing fingers, or trying to make anyone feel upset or angry. Just providing some facts. I ain't even playing, here's a link, read for yourself. http://doulamomma.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/the-truth-about-pitocin-and-labor-induction/
Or go to the FDA's website, www.drugs.com, you can type in any medication, and it will pop up a list of benefits, risks, and uses. Nothin but love here.

Brianna

Can I get a holla' from all those parents out there who have little one's that don't sleep through the night? My dear son who just turned 3, will sometimes sleep all night. My daughter, 16 months, never sleeps through the night. In fact she wakes just as often now as she did as a newborn, and nurses just as much. I just figured it was the motherly duty, to deal with it, I can not do the CIO (cry it out) method. It breaks my heart. So I had succommed (spelling fail) myself to as long as it would take, to get my darling daughter to sleep soundly. But hoh, oh, oh, it need not be so. Nay. My mother, seeing that I was losing my marbles, dug deeper and found *insert trumpet blast* The Sleep Lady's Good Night Sleep Tight book. And oh my-lanta. Where has this Sleep Lady been hiding the last 3years?! I highly recommend it to every parent...in the world! It's a gentle approach, that allows you to customize it to your specific comfort levels. So if you are perfectly fine with CIO, or like me, if you aren't; it can work for you! Last night was our first go at it, and WOOWEE, last night was a good night fo' sho'. I'll keep ya updated as we make our journey. But for now check it out for yourself. Here ya go http://www.sleeplady.com/.

Happy Sleeping!

Breastfeeding. http://www.bestforbabes.org/ This website has tons o' good information on breastfeeding. Including the risks involved for mom and baby when you do not breastfeed. http://www.bestforbabes.org/help-i-dont-want-to-breastfeed Check it out! I first decided to breastfeed, not entirely because of the health benefits, but because it was free, convenient, and darn it, I might as well use those things for the purpose they were made! As I learned more about breastfeeding, I became more and more passionate about the subject. So, why do you breastfeed? Or why did you decide not to? There are no right or wrong answers here!

So initally, I created this blog to archive my crafty ideas and sewing dealies. But alas, I have no time for that. So instead, this will be my birthin' blog. A place to share thoughts, ideas, opinions; in a loving sort of manner of course. Nothing to fancy shmancy, just a sidekick for my website www.birthau-naturel.com, which still happens to be under construction. Or gestation, since this is a birth blog. Hyuck hyuck. So for a kick off here is a link to a site that talks about the risks of epidurals http://www.sarahbuckley.com/epidurals-risks-and-concerns-for-mother-and-baby/. Alright, let me know what yer thinking!

Brianna Out!