With two older girls and a 9 year age gap between our youngest and this baby, we are starting fresh, purchasing “all the things” again. Except… I’m not. I’m keeping it as simple as possible this time around. This time less is more.
Many questions were submitted on social media from exercise in pregnancy and preparing for pregnancy at an older age, nutrition and supplements to delivery and vaccines, I answered as much as I could here on The Boom Clap Podcast Episode #99
Philosophy on sharing birth information
As moms we all have different ideas of what (besides a healthy baby) we desire when it comes to birthing our babies. It’s a very personal experience. We are currently being pulled from both sides.
The medical world has had the corner on attempting to degrade mothers who want something different from what they have to offer. You’ll be told you are unfit, unsafe or potentially harming your child.
On the other hand, natural minded moms, the camp I find myself in have had an uprising. It’s been beautiful to watch women realize pregnancy is natural, birth is what our bodies were made to do. But, as the movement has gained confidence, it’s become a pressure point for some. One where, like the medical world, has begun to tell you “anything outside of doing it my way, is wrong.”
I like hearing facts, weighing my options and making the best choice for me and my family. That might look different from you, that is OK. The important part is being INFORMED and therefore capable of deciding. When someone seeks to tell you what is best for you filled with emotion but void of factual information, proceed with caution.
Physical items, courses and books and resources discussed in the episode:
Birth Courses…
Every natural minded mom wants to go into birth feeling prepared, empowered, capable of advocating for herself. Birth can be unpredictable. Though you may go in with a plan, it’s being mentally prepared to advocate for yourself and your baby in the case of both the expected and unexpected.
Unmedicated Academy offered by Lizzie Bolliger is a comprehensive way to set yourself up for birth success… even and especially in the case you plan to birth in a hospital.
UNMEDICATED ACADEMY (code: RITA10)
Informed Intervention Workshop is a smaller more focused course covering common hospital practices in late pregnancy, common hospital practices during birth and will help you find your advocate voice.
INFORMED INTERVENTION WORKSHOP (code: RITA10)
I highly recommend Lizzie and her courses as a birth resource.
Lizzie’s Nora tea is a blend of all the teas many moms source individually to prep for labor. Birth tea made easy.
NORA TEA… nettle, oatstraw, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa blend (code: RITA10)
CPR and choking prevention…
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to arm yourself with the skills to prevent choking, relieve a choking child and perform CPR if needed. Unfortunately, it’s reality, choking and drowning happen and though we live in a culture that ‘googles’ how to do anything and everything, seconds count. In a true emergency it’s important to have prepared ahead of time.
Thrive training institute offers a wonderful online course that can be revisited as often as you like for review. This is a great unconventional gift for new parents and grandparents. It can be shared with babysitters and anyone caring for your infant or child.
CPR COURSE (Code: Rita10)
Baby wearing…
Ten years ago moms were lugging that dreaded ‘pumpkin’ seat into the store. Cumbersome, heavy and you can fit basically ZERO groceries in your cart. This time around baby wearing is where it’s at. The Hippie Joey came highly recommended due to its ability to roll up small and fit in a purse and the fact that it simply slips on no wrapping or tying required. All while fitting your baby from infancy into toddler years. I own the Hippie Joey “Earth.”
HIPPIE JOEY CARRIER (code: RITAROGERS10)
Supplements…
Green Pastures serves up Weston Price backed supplements. This pregnancy I have used their fermented cod liver oil daily. Sourcing fish oil is something I’m very careful about and Green Pastures I can take with confidence. Read Weston Price article on pregnancy needs for Omega Fatty Acids.
GREEN PASTURES FCLO (code: RITA10)
Beef Liver is one I use but in moderation in the second and third trimesters. Personally I take 1/3 – a 1/2 dose (two or three capsules per day) about 3 days a week. I do not have a coupon code for this item. For more on keeping hemoglobin up and blood transfusions after delivery listen to this episode (timestamp 44:32).
ANCESTRAL SUPPLEMENTS GRASS FED BEEF LIVER
Third trimester leg cramps and first trimester nausea (in that order because my only leg cramp was a week ago and nausea was months ago… see how easy we forget and replace the hard with beautiful pregnancy memories?!) I had leg cramps with my girls and if you’ve ever experienced one, painful. Incredibly painful. This time I wised up fast and started using magnesium at the first sign. I haven’t had one since. It also helps with sleep, headaches and yes, nausea.
MAGNESIUM SPRAY (save 20% code: BOOMCLAP)
Rowe Casa is a trusted company with a large selection of clean products for baby, mother and household.
ROWE CASA, general clean product website (save 20% code: BOOMCLAP)
Vitamin K: parents choose a shot, oral protocol or no vitamin K. This is an oral drop alternative if you choose.
Vitamin D: again breastfeeding moms may choose to supplement vitamin D, others may not. Here is one that is at least not full of “junk” if you choose to supplement.
Glucose test…
One of several things I didn’t get into on the podcast was the glucose test. With my girls they offered no option other than the disgusting orange chemical laden drink for the traditional glucose test which everyone seemed to comply with no questions asked. I instead asked for a prescription for a glucometer and supplies to test my blood sugar (this was back when I had traditional insurance ) For a week, I checked my fasting glucose in the morning and then 1 hour after each meal. It’s not the most pleasant thing but it’s definitely a more accurate view into how your body handles glucose & doesn’t involve slamming a wild amount of sugar.
This pregnancy I had planned to do the same however, there was an option to test using the “Fresh Test.” Given my busy schedule and the clean(er) option, I took it.
Here’s a link to share with your provider if they don’t currently offer anything outside of the “orange drink”.
Remember, blood glucose monitoring is another option.
Vaccine Resources…
The below three resources hit the mark on giving information without emotion putting you in the drivers seat on the decision.
Dr. Bob Sears “The Vaccine Book”
Amazon round-up for anything not individually mentioned…
Pregnancy and birth are a gift and possibly a time of stress and uncertainty. My hope is the podcast episode adds a level of certainty as you make choices for your family and the above resources save you some searching as you seek trustworthy information products.
Rita
