Oral Estradiol:  protects against carotid artery disease, strokes and diabetes. (Topical does not)

• Did you know Carotid Artery Disease is the #1 killer of women and Strokes is #2?
• Diabetes is #6, but Dr. Purser said it actually may be #1, but because people with diabetes have so many other issues, it does not show as the killer, the other diseases are listed as the cause of death.
• Oral Estrodial should only be taken by women who are menopausal if they are within the 10 year Window or has NO Postmenopausal Hypertension (High Blood Pressure). It will cause a STROKE or HEART ATTACK!!   (it also does not matter if Blood Pressure is controlled)
  
  • What is the 10 YEAR WINDOW?
    • Often Doctors explain this incorrectly, according to Dr. Purser.
      • 10 Year clock starts ticking when:
        • You go through natural menopause
        • You go through surgical menopause
        • When you stop oral estrogens at any time after natural or surgical menopause.
        • Estradiol Topical (Creams/ Patches) are always safe in the situation that a woman is outside the 10 year window, just not as beneficial as oil.
    • If you are young and your blood levels suggest you need Estrodiol, you can take it, but you will need to take it forever.

Specific Brand that is. . . Pure and reasonably priced!

Etrace

• Pure 17B-Estradiol (human) – just like our bodies make
• Generic is reasonable and available at places like Wal-mart and Costco
• “Preferred over compounded which is expensive and not usually covered by insurance” (I am trying to summarize the notes I have gotten from the seminar, but because I am not a medical professional, at times I put things in quotes because I feel summarizing will not make sense to those who are trying to do additional research)
• “No need for compounded ‘BiEst’ or ‘TriEst’ because of downstream breakdown of etradiol into estriol.”

Estrodiol Creams

• Easy to use, however, the patches and dots get lost in the shower, bed, clothes, anywhere.  Which is frustrating.
• Can be used vaginally and helps with dryness
• Easy to adjust dosage
• Must be from a quality compounding pharmacy (which is hard to find)
• “1mg/GRAM of cream is a good starting dose” and apply daily to arm/ vaginally.
• It is prescription only
• Hard to find a good quality
• It is not absorbed equally into all people and some people do not absorb it at all
• Doctors are not sure how to use it and how to prescribe.
• Expensive

Why not Injectable pellets?

• not adjustable and once you have started them, you are committed
• One dose does not fit all – hard to know what you need.
• You need to ask why they’re suggesting it — for your ‘convenience’ or their bank account.
• They can charge you for the pellets and the procedure to put them in.

What Young Living Oils and Supplements work the best to regulate Estradiol levels?

Clary Sage

• Mostly phytoestrogens (natural plant estrogens)
• Can apply topically to the ankles and take in a capsule form
• Helps normalize estradiol levels
• Dr. Purser says to NOT USE if you have had estrogen receptor (+) positive breast cancer ***
• Only need of postmenopausal
• Dr. Purser’s professional opinion “Clary Sage returns your female hormone levels to a healthier state (>50)”

SclarEssence (Clary Sage with a better smell)

• Includes:  Clary Sge, Peppermint, Spanish Sage and Fennel
• Essential Oil that contains phytoestrogens
• Clary Sage – natural sclareol, phytoestrogen that mimics estrogen function
• Peppermint – strengthens the liver and glandular function
• Spanish Sage – prevents DNA damage
• Fennel – Anitpasmodic providing relief from cramps, Estrogen – like properties.

Estro

• herbal tincture with phytoestrogens
• Black Cohosh extract – treats PMS
• Blue Cohosh retract – antispasmodic, uterine tonic, helpful for menstrual cramping
• Royal Jelly extract – may help to control the aging process and nourishing to the skin
• Fennel, Lavender and Clary Sage are also included in this supplement

Femigen

• Herbs & amino acids act as a natural estrogen – helps balance hormones from developmental years through menopause.
• Damiana – blood purifier, expectorant, diuretic
• Epimedium – detoxifies kidneys/ eliminates lower back pain
• Dong Quai – estrogenic qualities/ menstrual balancer
• Muira puama – helps menstrual cramps and PMS
• Wild yam root – anti-inflammatory compounds similar in structure to steroids/ good for muscle spasms
• Other ingredients: American ginseng, licorice root, black cohosh, and more.

As you see, Dr. Dan Purser is quite brilliant when it comes to helping Women’s Hormones. I haven’t even touched on my favorite product he developed called Progessence Plus.  this natural P4 progesterone oil made from wild yams has completely removed all of my monthly menstrual cycle symptoms, which honestly has been AWESOME!  The only bad part is unless I track my period start date, it will sneak up on me because there are no warning signs.  This amazing oil has also helped regulate my periods after having Sophia, my daughter.  While nursing a woman typically does not have a period, but when the weaning process begins, the monthly cycle can return, mine was trying to, but it was not consistent.  When I did menstruate, it was VERY heavy to the point of needing to set an alarm in the middle of the night to make sure I ‘changed’ the product.  Now that I have greatly increased my Progessence Plus drops for usage, my period has gotten a lot lighter too and is back to its 3 day cycle instead of 7.  Praise God!!  You definitely NEED this oil no matter if you are just starting your menstrual cycle or into menopause.

Dr. Dan Purser has 10 books you can purchase, and I highly recommend that you do.  Please go to his website HERE and Purchase today!

Have you learned something new with this blog?  What product looks like something you definitely want to use?

The post Healthy Hormone Support for all Women appeared first on Natural Birth Evangelist, Wendy Staas, St. Louis.

April 20th, 2013 I went to an all day seminar, taught by Dr. Dan Purser, where I learned about hormones and how most of us have issues with our hormones.  Hormones are developed through our hypothalamus and pituitary gland.  These areas can be damaged very easily.  (Disclaimer:  This is a summary of notes I received and wrote down at a seminar with Dr. Dan Purser leading.  This is in no way a means to diagnose.  Please do your own research and consult with your own doctors.  My suggestion is to get a healthy blood panel done and discuss your needs with your doctor)

The ways you can damage your pituitary gland are:

• Whiplash or any Motor Vehicle Accident
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Air bag deployment to head or face
• Any Moderate to mild blows to the head – sports (heading a soccer ball), tackle in football, hit in head with baseball, other sports where this type of injury could occur
• Sexual abuse as a child (both male and female)
• Stroke
• Tumors – if you can’t find a cause elsewhere
• Sheehan’s Syndrome
• Huffing or snorting drugs (for example: cocaine)
• Radiation Exposure (MD/ DO/ DC/ DDS)
• Prolonged High Stress (MD/ DO/ DC/ DDS)
• Many in the medical profession have high levels of continual stress and lots of continual radiation exposure.

The only way to know for sure if your hormones are working correctly is to get a blood spectrum done as explained by Dr. Purser.  Most doctors do not run the right blood work and do not know the correct levels our hormones should be.  CLICK HERE for Dr. Dan Pursers recommended blood panel. 

When many doctors do notice that you have a hormone deficiency or problem, they only know to prescribe synthetic hormones.

As Dr. Dan Purser says, “This is what they’ve been taught in their training and by pharmaceutical companies”

The three big pharma drugs that are prescribed for estrogen/progesterone replacement is Premarin, Provera and Estratest. They are all VERY dangerous.

Risks of Premarin (Conjucated Equine Estrogens or CEE)

• Equilin and equillinin can cause breast cancer
• increases stroke risk 120%  (you can learn more here)
• Increase Carotid Artery Disease and Myocardial Infarction
• Drug is made from horses – PREgnant MAres uRINe (PREMARIN)

Risks of Provera (or any synthetic progesterone called progestins or progestogens

• Causes Breast Cancer
• Causes Carotid Artery Disease and Myocardial Infarction
• Causes vascular inflammation
• Causes strokes
• Causes DVT (leg clots)
• Causes anger, not calmness.
• Causes or worsens vaginal bleeding
• Some version always in BCPs

The point is that synthetic progesterone is not at all like our natural human progesterone.  You can learn more about how the Depo-Provera Birth Control may raise the risks of breast cancer HERE. Who wants that?  Our chances of getting breast cancer are already 1:8 in the United States, why increase that risk?

Also did you know?

Synthetic Progesterone in birth control increases your Breast Cancer risk significantly for 20 years after the first day you take your first pill

Risks of Estratest/ Testosterone tablets/ injections

• Estratest is oral Testosterone and CEE (a particularly BAD combination as stated by Dr. Dan Purser)
• Associated with causing breast cancer
• Can cause vascular inflammation – so strokes and carotid artery disease.
• Injectable is rally bad for women – too harsh and too much. LEARN MORE HERE.

So, am I saying and is Dr. Dan Purser saying that all pharmaceutical interventions are bad?  No.  However, it is important to know there are natural ways to treat and also some pharmaceuticals that can be used that do not increase cancer or other disease risks.

Dr. Purser states what are Normal vs. Ideal hormone levels:

Testosterone above half of normal range (Women above 20, Men 800-1200) — this is for total testosterone.

Estradiol >50 pg/mil (this is a hormone only in Women)

Progesterone >10 ng/ ml or >20 ng/ml  (to prevent Breast Cancer) in women Less than 2 for Men.

DHEA 200-300 ug/dL in women, 400-500 in men.

Thyroid Free T3 approximately 3.0 vs. 4.0 pg/mL (ideal:  3.8-4.2) in men and women

Thyroid Free T4 ideal:  1-2 ng/dL in both men and women.

Human Growth Hormone IGF-1  (Age dependent in both men and women) preferred for women is 270-310 and men 270-350.

You can find out your levels by using THIS HORMONE PANEL LABS SUGGESTED BY DR. DAN PURSER WITH THE CODES FROM LAB CORP HERE. 

There are several natural and safe prescription options available to regulate hormone levels.  For example Oral Estradiol (Etrace), as well as Young Living Products Estro, SclarEssence, Clary Sage, and Femigen.  You can  learn about Young Living HERE!!! *****

So, Is your Pituitary Gland damaged?  Do you know for sure that your hormone levels are good?  Do you feel sluggish, tired, achy, unable to conceive a child, have fibroids, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, sleep apnea, MS, ALS, thyroid issues, and more?

I have been learning that along with a poor diet and nutrition, our health issues may also stem from hormone irregularities.  This blog series is going to be a great one to share and I encourage you to subscribe to my blog so you can stay up with my future posts.

If you have any questions about what I have written or where you can learn more, please do not hesitate to email me.

What questions do you have about hormones or the pharmaceuticals you may have been given to regulate your hormone levels?

The post Are hormone drugs killing you? appeared first on Natural Birth Evangelist, Wendy Staas, St. Louis.

The first time I saw her beautiful face and I called her “beauty”.

The first time I touched her skin, tiny toes and fingers.

One of the first times I held Sophia and we anointed her with essential oils

The first time. . .

She cried. . .

She suckled from my breast. . .

She yearned for my touch. . .

I changed her diaper . . .

Sophia’s first bath

I gave her a bath . . .

She smiled at me. .  .(and it wasn’t gas)

She got a fever. . .

She reached for me. . .

She said her first word. . . which honestly, I am not sure what it was. . . it is a mix of dadda, mamma — ah oh, eye, ah pa (when I say ah poo)

She dropped something on the floor on purpose . . .

Sophia loves to swing!

The first time she rode in a swing. . . (she loved it!!)

She crawled. . .

She cruised. . .

Her first steps. . .

Hearing her explore the house. . . as I do not keep in lock down — so I hear thing banging, clanging, tearing, ripping, crashing on a regular basis.  So many times on purpose because she is learning ’cause and effect’.

Sophia loves to play in the bathroom

Her finding the bathroom and rolling out all the toilet paper.

Her little voice saying “HI!!!” when she see someone she knows.

or

dye- dye — when she wants to go bye-bye . . . meaning outside

This all comes flushing through my mind as I see her today playing outside in the yard for the first time in her life.  I let her go in the grass, she crawled and crawled and crawled — EVERYWHERE!!

She pulled a leaf out of the dog water.  Put it back in and pulled it back out again. . . learning what it is to be wet.

After crawling around with wet hands, learning what is like to be dirty.

Seeing the dogs, getting so excited, crawling over to them, screeching and petting them. . .

Hearing daddy working on the yard next door, she starts to crawl fast. . . hitting the gum balls and getting hurt hands and fussing — then I see our male beagle, Snoopy, go over to her to make sure she is okay.

My heart fills over the top with joy. . . brimming. . . looking at my child and just seeing someone who is so excited about life and exploring.  She is amazing. . . she is my pride. . . my joy. . . my beauty.

I love all the firsts.

Do you remember your children’s firsts?  What are your favorite?

The post All the Firsts appeared first on Natural Birth Evangelist, Wendy Staas, St. Louis.

Why am I having such a hard time knowing that I have been here 35 years?

Life truly is a blessing and each day I wake up and I grateful that the Lord is allowing me to do His good work.  Each day I wake I strive to do exactly what He has called me to do so that one day I can hear the words “Well done good and faithful servant.” (in about 90 years mind you, I am in NO HURRY to join Jesus)

Today I wanted to share with you some of my life history.  Reflecting back on how the Lord has shaped and molded me into who I am . . .The Memories are so important, but my Future is bright!!. . . read on . . .

Born 1978 to wonderful parents Norm and Sandy Sutter; still married today 35 years later!!  I have two great siblings, Crystal and Wade, now to amazing in-laws Erich and Jaime and a niece Libby.  My husband Walter has been a nice constant for over 5 years now and we have the greatest blessing, Sophia.

Yep, that is me as a baby.  Doesn’t something look familiar?  Yep, Sophia is a mini me and it is the best ever!!!

As a child I was a friendly little one, just like my Sophia.  I was also bald till I was 2, looks like Sophia is going to follow in my footsteps.  However, looking at this picture, I can see hwo her and her daddy look a little alike — I think she has the shape of his head.

Quick story.  When I was three years old, I decided to help my mom out who happened to be on bed rest at the time.  She had a sun tea jar on the counter and I knew it needed to go outside in order for it to become sun tea, so I climbed up on on a chair, lifted the glass jar and fell backwards.  Yes, this jar was full of water and heavy!  When I fell backwards the jar broke and cut my right cheek.  I needed 22 stitches and plastic surgery.  My mom said I had just learned to whistle and was disappointed when I couldn’t after the accident.  Well, that didn’t stop me because I re-learned how.  Over the years the scar has faded away, but the crooked smile remains.

Easter is always such a special time of the year.  Not only to we celebrate the rising of Jesus Christ, but also those Easter Egg hunts!!  They were so fun!  There were times when it would snow are rain and my dad would hide the eggs in the house. . . and let’s not forget those baskets full of candy!!  Yummy!

Living in the country made for a nice yard to play and hunt eggs in, however, that meant I also needed to ride the bus to school.  As a kid I liked it, as I grew up, the less and less enjoyable it was.  I still remember to this day when I would walk out of school toward the bus, I would look at the corner for my mom. . . now and then she would surprise us and pick us up!!  Those were the best days ever and no 1 hour bus ride home!

You know looking at these pictures, I realize I had forgotten some things in life.  For example, me acting as the chef in that play. . . I couldn’t tell you the name of the play if I tried.  However, I will never forget being Student of the Month in Mrs. Winkle’s class.  That meant we got to go to lunch with her.  I still remember what I had. . . cheeseburger, fries and a chocolate shake!!  It was great!!!  I also remember that outfit. . . My Aunt Marilyn and Grandma Sutter would take us shopping at the JcPenny outlet store in North County St. Louis, I always got to pick out an outfit for my birthday present.  Eh, I may not have been super stylen’ but I was blessed.

That picture on the upper right. . . That is when the country did “Hands Across America” in 1986. I still remember standing there. . . I have no clue where we were, but I remember the day at least

The last picture. . . Yes, I played the flute.  I actually played through high school and really haven’t played it since.  One of my first memories in band was asking Mrs. Link if I could play the drums. . .she said, “no.” . . . You will play the flute.  Okay then. . . flute it is.  Now, my memory may be a little fuzzy as to why that came to be, all I know is that I really wanted to be a drum player.  Oh well.

As a child we were encouraged to play outside and did we play outside!!  We loved being outside so much that even on rainy days we would cry when our mom said we couldn’t. . . Yeah, want to know what my sister and I were doing with that pool on our head??  We were playing turtle!!  It is one of the most fun games we would play. . . LOL

I learned to be a hard working adult by my experiences as a child.  Being a Girl Scout was fun, although I never really did earn many badges.  Also, helping my dad work around the house. . . I may not have liked it at the time or did it without complaining, but reflecting back. . . it wasn’t that bad.  However, there were plenty of times where I over did my play and work time. . . over the years I have broken my left collar bone twice, left wrist in three places, several fingers and toes.  I can say that I haven’t broken a bone since third grade and I would like to keep it that way.

Yes, I do love adventure!!!  Whether riding on amusement park rides, elephants or planes to travel around the country (and one day world). . . I love the feeling of change.  The picture of me up at the top there was when I lived in Upstate NY, Ithaca to be exact.  After I graduated from college I drove 18 hours straight to move to Albany, NY.  First stopping in Binghampton, NY to meet a guy I met online. . . yeah, reflecting back, not my smartest moment, but thankfully the Lord was watching out for me. I lived in Albany for 3 months, then moved to Ithaca. . . this was all in 2001 and when September 11th happened the job market crashed and I couldn’t find anywhere to work except as a server at John Thomas Steakhouse and the shoe department at the Bon-Ton.  When December rolled around I was beyond broke and my mother wisely said to me, “You can either move back to St. Louis, we will come get you or you can go under financially”. . . I chose to move back home. . . with my tail between my legs. Eh, I got over it though. . . It has been in my nature to learn the hard way and did.

Living in the country was the best!!  The fields and barns, THE QUIET!!!  Oh and let’s not forget the horse back riding. . . however, I do not do that anymore. . . the last time I got on a horse was probably 20 years ago because I was thrown from a horse when riding with my family in the dark, my sister’s horse she was riding saddle broke and started galloping back to the barn, my horse decided to follow forgetting about the mailboxes in front of him. . . which he took a sharp left and left me going forward onto the ground.  Done.  No more horses.  They are pretty, but dangerous.

My family tries to make every day special. . . but this particular day we celebrated my Grandma Sutter’s 80th birthday by dressing up as gangsters and flappers.  What a great time we had. . . LOVE!

Time goes on, several memories fill my life — but when I got married to Walter, that started a whole new road of fun.  Marriage is a covenant, a commitment between a husband, wife and Christ. . . Not as easy as it sounds.  Each day I strive to Being a Better Wife, but fail on several levels.  Thank goodness for grace, forgiveness, learning and growing.  After 5 years of marriage I can honestly say I like being married. . . but it took me a while to get there.

The adventures of marriage are worth every struggle and one day. . . We will wake up married 50 years.

Ahhhh!! Being a mommy is the BEST EVER!!! Sophia is the BEST thing I have ever done. .  .Can you believe I created a human?? She is my pride, my joy, my sweetness. . . No one could have ever told me that being a mom would be this awesome!!!

Through the years, creating the memories have really brought me to who I am today. . . A child of the one true God Christ Jesus, wife, mother, daughter, friend, and also doula.

When I woke up at 30 years old I told myself I would NOT feel the same way at 40 as I do at 30. . . and I am 5 years away from 40.  How am I doing??

I cannot believe how far I have come and I am just getting started.  Instead of being trapped behind a desk doing 101 versions of a big box retail store, I am now a woman who makes a difference in the lives of people I meet . . . by simply being me.  As a Doula I serve to help momma’s bring their babies into the world. . . as a Mother I love my daughter daily and I don’t have to leave her with anyone else to care for her — I get to stay home!!!. . . as a Wife I get to love my husband, encourage and support him and enjoy life with a good friend. . . as a Child of God I get to spread the word that Jesus LOVES in all situations . . . and HE LOVES US!!

The next 35 years and the next 35 years after that are going to rock!!  Why?? Because each day I wake up I make sure I am not doing anything that doom my life for mediocrity.  I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of me growing up. . . it gives you a glimpse of who I am. . . and I am happy to share!!

What are your favorite childhood memories?

The post Memories and My Future appeared first on Natural Birth Evangelist, Wendy Staas, St. Louis.

Now.  Now that I do know, why am I finding that people do not help?  I went over to visit one of my momma’s and brought something that needed to be refrigerated.  I open the fridge to find. . . NOTHING IN THE FRIDGE!!!  How can this be???  This is the same mother that had over 12 people in the delivery room at one point.  Did those same people not think to bring over a bag of groceries??

It should be an automatic requirement for anyone that wants to visit a newborn to bring over something for new family to eat.  Not only is that new momma and daddy tired, but she is feeding two now and that takes a lot of energy.

Also, can I ask why someone would not think to use the vacuum??  Why?  Well, if you go check on the new family’s dog and notice that while being alone it tore into a pillow and scattered fuzz all over the place that it wouldn’t be a nice jester to clean?  Especially since most of us know that a new momma IS NOT TO TOUCH A VACUUM FOR 1 MONTH!!!

This is an idea for everyone. . . a small checklist to help us out in helping our mommas:

1. When checking on pets, check out the fridge and perhaps surprise the new family with fresh food
2. If you notice that things aren’t as clean as you know it normally is, spend a day before the new family gets home sprucing up the place.  Even if all you did was clean the kitchen, bathrooms and vacuumed — What an amazing gift and surprise that would be
3. When you visit the baby, bring a casserole or lasagna.  Food that can be eaten and not prepped is such a blessing.
4. When you visit the baby, help the momma with a load of laundry and dishes. . . the last thing that new momma wants to do is worry about caring for anything but that baby and herself.
5. We should be encouraging 40 days of rest!!!  Women in this country do not know how to rest or care for self as they should. . . so a little love and encouragement can go a long way.
6. When you visit the baby, offer to care for him/her while momma goes and sleeps for 30 minutes.  It is amazing how that power nap will make her feel like a million dollars!!
7. After her nap, encourage her to take a long shower to just relax. . . why rush her ‘me time’. . . she doesn’t get much of it.
8. Bring over fresh flowers, especially if the baby was born in the winter months and it is all brown outside. . . those beautiful colors will brighten up her day.
9. Ask her about her birth and just listen. . . most women love to tell the story about when their baby was born.
10. Just be a good friend/ family member. . . check in on the new family, continue to help for a few months. . . it is the least you can do to encourage this new family.

It isn’t too hard to help anyone and a little love goes a long way.  New first time mothers feel overwhelmed and even second/third/more time mothers need help caring for the other children while she rests and cares for the newborn.

If we all worked together to care for one another more often. . . this world would be a better place.

1. What is your favorite dish to take to a new mother?

2. What is your ‘thing’ you do to help out a new family?

The post Help out your mommas appeared first on Natural Birth Evangelist, Wendy Staas, St. Louis.

Why is that so hard for people to understand????

Okay.  So why am I so upset?  I have been told that sometimes there can be a circus in attendance while a woman is laboring, I just thought I would never witness it.  But I did.  I just wanted to wrap my arms around the laboring mother and her husband. . . to hide them.

This poor mother, at one point, was laboring well. . . her contractions were starting to kick in, so she was moaning to help  herself deal with each contraction.  This is all while a crowded room surrounded her.  Who was in there?  At one point there was as many as 12 individuals. The labor room was not small by any means, but they sure did make it feel small.

In my personal opinion, if you are not helping the laboring mother with each contraction, you need to get out of the room.  Sitting in the room with your cell phone up in your face is just not appropriate.

GET OUT OF THE ROOM!!!

No laboring mother should ever have to feel crowded or that she needs to attend to your needs while she tries to focus on her own.  Do you understand that she feels compelled to make sure you are alright, which takes away from her ability to focus and relax. . . WHICH IS REQUIRED TO GIVE BIRTH!!!

Please. . . if you are reading this and think you NEED to be with your sister, aunt, cousin, friend, daughter while she gives birth. . . DO NOT attend the birth unless you have been asked.  It is rude to ask if you can be there too.  She may feel compelled to say yes so she doesn’t hurt your feelings! Just stay out of the room.

Can you go to the hospital and support her with prayers while waiting in the ‘guest area’ (aka. waiting room) — ABSOLUTELY!! But in NO WAY EVER are you to make that mother feel stressed by bothering her partner/ spouse by asking the following:

• Has she had the baby yet?
• How dilated is she?
• Are the contractions hurting?
• Why is she in the shower?
• Has she asked for the epidural yet?
• Is the baby here yet? (yes, I said that already, but it gets asked many times)
• How dilated is she. . . now??
• What no progress??
• Why isn’t her birth going as fast as mine?
• How is she, can’t I just go in and say hi??
• Wow, this is taking a really long time, you sure everything is going okay?

Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

THIS DAY IS NOT ABOUT YOU!!!!

The last thing this laboring mother and her support team need is a nagging family.  ENOUGH ALREADY!!

Honestly, I firmly believe in NOT calling any family until the mom is 10 centimeters dilated.  This will give the family adequate time to get to the hospital and see the baby after mom and baby have been checked out and have had time to bond.  If the mother is birthing at home, it will give family time to get there and hopefully NOT get in the way. . .

MOTHER’S TO BE — DO NOT feel obligated to have anyone in the room that you feel will stress you out.  If you only want your husband and doula — great.  STAND FIRM!!!  Stress will slow your progress, which means labor will last longer and who the hell wants that?? (NOT ME!!)

This day is a special moment for everyone. . . in order to start this baby(ies) life off right, we need to remember that Mother and Baby come first — AND THAT IS IT!!!  It is not about anyone else. . . getting that bonding relationship started on the right foot is key.

Please, family, keep your personal opinions and beliefs out. . . it is only about what the mother and her husband/partner want that matters.  Keep it in perspective.

What events occurred while you were in labor?

Did you have your family present? Did you regret that decision later?

The post Enough Already! Dealing with family while in labor appeared first on Natural Birth Evangelist, Wendy Staas, St. Louis.

Your first 5 days were spent in the NICU due to high infection levels from swallowing a little meconium, plus high bilirubin levels. As you see from the picture on the right, your daddy tried to help make a frustrating situation a memorable moment.  He called you his “Glow Baby”.  It was very sweet. I, your mommy, wanted to make sure you got the best nutrients possible and tried as hard as I could to keep you off formula in the NICU.  This required endless hours of wheeling myself  from my postpartum room in the hospital, 6th floor blue area, to the 2nd floor yellow area.  It took 20 minutes to wheel myself  to you. . then time to feed you, wheeled myself back just to repeat it again 1.5 hours later.  I was happy to move in with you and daddy the 2nd day after you were born.  It saved me over 40 minutes during a 2 hour feeding period and was able to get more rest, but I did have those hallways, elevators memorized front to back.

When we took you home on March 6th, it was a surreal moment.  We could not believe we were parents.  The first thing Daddy did was pick you a flower since they were up early that year due to unseasonably warm weather.  He made sure you held it as soon as we got you in the house.  Then he held you near the window to help with the jaundice. Your dad being the emotional being he is had a hard time holding back the tears as he held you for the first time in our home.

Over the last 12 months we have done our best to care for you in the best way we knew how.  You were breastfed exclusively for 6 months and then I still was very slow at introducing foods to you, so you got mostly breast milk till past 9 months.  This was important since the flora in your stomach was compromised due to the antibiotics administered as a newborn in the NICU. Now you eat a variety of organic purees, puffs, yogurt cremes,(typically PLUM brand)  meats, veggies and fruits.  One of your favorite snacks is popcorn, which is good because it is mommy’s too.

We also decided to cloth diaper.  It saved the family A LOT of money and time from having to drive to the store to purchase diapers every other week.  The diapers we used were from Cotton Babies and Tender Tushies.

You have also motivated your mother to become more than who she was before you were born.  She took DONA certification doula classes, have attended several births, started “The Natural Birth Evangelist” business, also Pregnant Now What.net and the community site Empowered Mothers.net which is a community site supporting women during pregnancy, birth and motherhood.  She wants to make sure women get the answers and support they need to make educated choices as well as take ownership of her pregnancy and birth.

I thank the Lord daily for your life and your daddy and I work daily to assure that you become exactly what the Lord created you to be.  You will fulfill your purpose and we will support 100% all the way.  We love you, we cherish you and Happy birthday first born.  The world has forever changed because you are in it.

The post Happy Birthday First Born appeared first on Natural Birth Evangelist, Wendy Staas, St. Louis.

Where is it?  769 W Terra Ln, O’fallon, MO 63366 and you can learn more at http://www.mybirthandwellness.com/

This beautiful facility includes a living room like feel for a waiting room, a check in room, an exam room, an area where a mother can change her baby and also sit in plush chair to nurse in privacy.  There is a kitchen, office, two full suite birthing rooms equipped with a queen size bed, gliding chair, birthing tub and sink.  There is one additional room where a early laboring mother can rest until a suite opens up, but she could use the shower to labor if she desired.

The atmosphere is relaxing and very elegant. Full of beautiful photographs of infants. Any woman would be honored to give birth in this center.

While I was there I met two of the midwives, Lisa and Jessica and it was great to see how much they care for all women and desire a place for them to give birth with respect.  Which I believe all women should be allowed to do.

The reason you would want to give birth in a birth center vs at home or a hospital is if you did not feel comfortable being at home birthing and you want to avoid the hospital. it is a way for a woman to experience a home-like birth, with certified midwives, without the pressure of interventions or interruptions like a woman receives in a hospital setting. Certified midwives are careful to only accept women who have low-risk pregnancies.  They are equipped to assist a woman in many situations, but be comforted knowing that should a situation arise where they feel transferring to a hospital is in the best interest of the mother and baby, they will not hesitate to do so.  You just arrive, rest, allow your body to do what it needs to do to birth the baby.  You can have a doula present to help with you with relaxation methods, etc and the midwife is there to assure everything is going smoothly medically.

St. Louis Birth and Wellness center also has welcomed Dr Laurel Baumstark, who is a local obstetrician who supports midwives and attends births.  it is wonderful to welcome this fantastic facility and thank you to those who have helped to make this happen.  St. Louis is a great place to live and is growing into a great place to give birth how we want, where we want and with whom we want.

Definitely consider St. Louis Birth and Wellness Center for your next birth, you will have a memorable once in a lifetime experience, that is like home. . . but in the comforts of a beautiful center.  What woman would not want to give birth is such a beautiful facility having a birth attended by talented and successful staff?  (learn more about the safety of birthing in a birth center here)

Congratulations!

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While watching the film, Face of Birth, I just wanted to crawl through the screen and hold the women in the film.  I wanted to tell them that I understood exactly what they were feeling.  Who knew that women all around the world are feeling the same. . . hurt, bullied and ignored.

Please listen to the interview with Gavin here.

I am trying very hard to get the movie played at a couple movie theaters here in St. Louis, but . . .

What can YOU do help all women see this movie?

1) Share this blog post with your friends on facebook and twitter. . . ask them to share it with their friends

2) Go to the Face of Birth website page and purchase the DVD or download file to host a viewing in your area (US dollar and AUD is practically the same $1.04 us dollars for every $1 AUD)

3) Register your screening with the Face of Birth website.

4) Tell your friends, invite your friends AND NOT just the like minded women — this film is for all women. . . those who believe in natural, drug-free, home birth as those who desire drug births or cesareans.  It is honestly a way for all of us women to unite together as one voice and say THIS MUST STOP!!!  However, unless we invite all women to see it, that won’t happen. . . SO INVITE!

5) Host the film.  Encourage others to host the film and let’s not stop there. . . we must never stop!!!

If you would like to know more information, please do not hesitate to call me at 314-537-2930, email me at wendy@naturalbirthevangelist.com. . . I will be happy to get you all the answers you need.

Thanks.

The post Face of Birth appeared first on Natural Birth Evangelist, Wendy Staas, St. Louis.

We as mothers we wake up everyday, at times longing for time for ourselves and we say, “I should be playing on the floor with my kids” or “I should read junior a book right now”. . . or even “I should workout, this baby weight isn’t going to just fall off by itself” or “I should blog and work on my website, my website and business isn’t going to just magically market itself” (though I wish it did!!!)

Why is it that we ‘should ourselves’ throughout the day?  Why can’t we just be content with what is going on and just be in the moment?

Sophia, my daughter, will be 1 year in a few weeks.  I cannot believe it!!  My sweet baby, whom I pushed out with full no-drug force has blessed my life for a year already.  Where had the time gone?  As I reflect on this last year, do I regret anything, is there anything I ‘should’ have done?

No.  I have no regrets.  How?  This is how. . . I have 5 tips on how you can feel no regrets.

1) Take one hour at a time and be in the moment for that hour.

Do not think about what needs to happen the next hour.  Have a meeting, appointment or something that needs to get done the next hour?  Set the alarm clock on your phone so you don’t forget to do it.  So you can be present without worries.

2) Extend yourself grace.

You are in no way shape or form ever going to be a perfect mommy.  During the last hour were you impatient, worrying, wishing you were doing something else?

Romans 7:14-25 states (NLT), “. . . The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another powerwithin me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. . . . “

You see, even Paul in the bible struggled.  We are new in Christ each moment we confess our sins and move on.  Were you short with your child?  Did you ignore their needs for a moment?  Did you . . . whatever it is —- It is okay.  You are human.  Do not condemn yourself, please, forgive what you have done and move on.  Our little ones are quick to forgive, the Lord forgives, know what is horrible??? We have a hard time forgiving ourselves and that needs to change.  Did you know that if you have asked for forgiveness for something and we don’t do it again. .. and we ask for forgiveness again, that the Lord looks at us and says, “Oh, sweet child.  I have already forgiven you for that.  It is washed clean.  Satan will try and make you feel guilty, but know that you are new in Christ” (summary and made up by me. . . , but a good scripture backing is:

Colossians 1:22 (NLT), “Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”

3.  Schedule out your day, but leave room for spontaneity.

If you feel unorganized and stressed without knowing how you are going to get done what you need to get done. . . put together a list of must get done for that day.  If there is something that is time specific, write that time and schedule and alarm in your phone, but do not be so overly scheduled that you can’t just stop and play with your kids if they want some mommy time.

Also, make sure you write down time to play with kids, snuggle with kids, go for a walk. . . whatever.  Why do I say write it down? It gives yourself permission to do those things.  It is in the same list as the dishes, 1 load of laundry (or whatever), writing a blog post (or business activity), etc. . . helping you feel productive and having fun at the same time.

4. Enjoy the moments with your kids.

Lately, with Sophia’s first birthday coming up, it hit me. . . she is about to grow out of being a baby.  So, I have been taking time to just be with her. . . taking naps, getting down on the floor with her, just staring at her. . . extending grace to myself that the other things can wait.  Why?  If this first year flew by — the next will to.  What do I want to remember?  How I launched my business, but forgot to take time out for my kids?  No.  So, I just try to ingrain into my brain Sophia, how she looks, her noises, her cuteness and just absorb it. . . just knowing this time is nearly gone.

5.  Take time for yourself and do not feel guilty.

As a mommy it is so easy to just lose yourself while being a wife and mommy.  So, make sure you get several times a week where you get time for just you.  Each day you should get time to take a shower and just rest in healing water. . . but more than that — take time to just take a walk, go to your favorite store and just walk around, go to a coffee shop and just enjoy not being touched (at least I do).  It is okay, there is nothing wrong with wanting to just be your own person.  I find that I am a better wife and mommy if I get those times and when I don’t. .. get out of the way — because the unraveling starts and mommy is close to losing it. . . (it isn’t pretty).

So, just as Amy and her friends do — we need to quit “Shoulding on” ourselves and just be. . . be in the moment.  It takes practice, yes. . . but I am confident we can all do it!!

1) What is it that you ‘should’ yourself???

2) Do you think you can apply my 5 tips to help give yourself permission to stop the ‘shoulding’?

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