What is support?

(this is my version of something written in my toLabor training manual.)

Support is unconditional. It is listening, not talking.
Support is offering advice.
Support is offering a gentle touch.
Support is offering a hug.
Support is offering a tissue.
Support is caring.

Support is helping you discover your feelings.....not to make your feelings go away.
Support is helping you identify your options....not telling you which options not to choose.
Support is discussing steps with you....not taking steps for you.
Support is helping you discover your own strength.
Support is not leaving you vulnerable.
Support is helping you discover you can help yourself.

Support is helping you learn to choose.
Support is not making decisions for you.
Support is helping you reach your goals.
Support gives no judgements.
Support understands how you are feeling.
Support is there for you.

Whooping cough

     Pertussis, also known as whooping cough has made a pretty significant outbreak in my state of Washington. My own midwife has suggested I get vaccinated for it when I am in the third trimester of my current pregnancy to protect the baby. The current vaccination schedule for infants doesn't have them vaccinated for pertussis until they are two months old.

     Here is a heart-breaking story of a newborn who died shortly after a healthy birth due to the disease. But there are also studies that show many vaccinated children are still getting it. More parents are still losing their children to pertussis. All of this information is completely heartbreaking to me!

     I have said this before and I still mean it - you should do your own research before deciding what to do regarding any health issue. And you should always discuss things such as vaccinations with your physician. I plan on telling all of my clients about this outbreak and encourage them to talk to their doctor or midwife about it. I vaccinate my children, I believe in them. If this is now how you feel, we will just have to disagree! I intend to get the pertussis vaccine again next trimester and hopefully it will protect my baby.

World Prematurity Awareness Day

November 17th (today) is World Prematurity Awareness Day.  Currently 1 in 8 babies in the U.S. are born premature. Worldwide about 13 million are born too soon each year 13 million families go through.

To help support and honor this cause you can donate to March of Dimes. 

Babies should be born at least 39 weeks gestation because before that they may have complications and many health problems. Babe's organs need to mature in order to work properly once outside of the womb. Many premature babies have trouble feeding. Their tiny mouths are too small for mom's breast. Or they cannot suck and have to have a feeding tube inserted. My nephew who was born at 37 weeks could not properly digest regular formula or breast milk, he had to be on a special expensive formula for babes like him. 

Today I am sending my love to all the premie parents around the world. Every baby is a miracle, even more so are the tiny babes that must fight so hard to survive an early birth.