Cervical Checks - are they necessary?

Thanks again to Enjoy Birth, who lead me to these musings of a very interesting midwife, or more accruately, Midwifery Ramblings who thinks just like me :). I dare you to read the link above, Cervical Checks - are they necessary. What? Double dare ya ; ) Yup. Okay, the bottom line is this, It is not really anybody's business what your cervix is doing. It has become so common place for people to ask a full term (or near full term) woman, friend/sister/co-worker/neighbor..., "how dilated are you?" I love it when the answer is, "I have not had a pelvic check". I love it more when in labor, someone asks and the answer is the same or, "I do not care to know". It's great that women today know more about their bodies, the birth process, and their choices! But that does not mean that we have to poke, probe and prod (as in cattle prod)! As with anything, there are risks and benefits. But do your homework. Most of the time the benefit is that the institution (hospital) can plan their customers comings and going. Like a restaurant, with surgical birth hospitals take reservations, but with those mom's that just 'drop in' there may or may not be enough nurses (waiters or waitresses). So they rush you in the restaurant (hospital). And if they check your plate (or your cervix), they can better judge when you'll be done. If you linger the waiter sometimes will take things off the table or bring the check. Don't you just hate that! Well, at the hospital sometimes staff will say something about how slow your eating, oops I mean dilating. Same difference.

I personally like to go to a restaurant where I can dawdle and enjoy the meal, the ambiance and my campanion/s. I like to have a luxurious meal, where I can digest my food and enjoy my wine. Don't you?

I laughed out loud

such truth!

like a cool breeze

what about you?

what turns you on

takes your breath away

I wish that for you today.

For me today it was reading the comment that Mama K made on Jan Trittan's blog.

Film Screening & Book Signing

I am thrilled to announce the screening of two important films! It's My Body, My Baby, My Birth and Orgasmic Birth will be shown and a panel discussion will follow. Tickets are $10 and will be sold on-site or are available at brownpapertickets.com

Date: Friday, March 6th

Place: The Handlery Hotel & Resort, 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108

(619) 298-0511.

Time: 7PM-10PM

This is a fundraiser for CIMS Conference (Coalition for Improving Maternity Services) also known as the motherfriendly organization. Let's continue to work together to make mother friendly care a reality!

Book signing (see bottom on page linked) featuring Pam England, author of Birthing From Within, Robbie Davis-Floyd, author of Birth Models That Work, Phyllis Klaus, co-author of When Survivors Give Birth and others will be will be available to meet with you on Saturday, March 7th right after the last conference session. This event is open to the public.

Time: 1:30-2:45 at the The Handlery Hotel & Resort.

pathways to family wellness

WARNING: A.D.D. Writer On Board

(I jump from groovy subjects to the not so groovy, and back to groovy).

A few years ago I attended a meeting where Jeanne Ohm and some of her cronies spoke at a preconference, open to the public, here in San Diego! I am forever greatful that the stars aligned and I listened to my inner voice and found my way into that meeting room. You know what I mean. Jeanne is one of my hero's. She is also the Editor of pathways magazine (linked in title above). I get a free copy of this quarteryly publication from a wonderful Chiropractor:

Gina Caserma
13727 Camino Canada Suite A4

El Cajon CA 92021

(619) 938-1800

http://www.wowchiro.com/mailto:938-1800www.wowchiro.comdrgina@wowchiro.com

There are many wonderful Chiropractors but, just like everything else, you need to shop and research to find the right one for you. If you are pregnant you want to read about the Webster Technique of Chiropractic and find a Chiropractor certified in this technique. This is a safe and effective way of alleviating, or relieving, your aches and pains and for aligning your baby in your pelvis.

What I really wanted to share with you was the Letter From The Editor that Jeanne Ohm wrote, linked in the title above or go to http://www.pathwaystofamilywellness.org/references/references_20.html The concept she covered here is, 'polarity seeks balance'. How can we maintain a greater overall state of ease? Jeanne shares a Buddiest Story that offers us a lesson in choosing our responses in a more holistic and BALANCED WAY...

There was an old farmer who lived in a small village. One night the farmer’s only horse ran away. The next day the farmer’s neighbors lamented, “What great misfortune has befallen you!” The farmer only replied, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”
The following morning the farmer awoke to find that his horse had not only returned, but had brought back 6 companion horses. The neighbors all rushed to congratulate the man on his great luck, to which the farmer simply replied, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”
The next day the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the feral horses, but he was thrown off and broke his leg. Having heard the news the neighbors sympathized, “You will surely become poor now as you have no one to help you on your land! How terrible!” The old man smiled and said, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”
The following afternoon a conscription officer of the army came to the village recruiting all young able-bodied men to fight in the war. The farmer’s son was passed over due to his injury.

In the holistic perspective of health, we are encouraged to look at the whole situation, and not merely judge a symptom and try to eliminate it. We are guided to make choices from a greater perspective of wellness, a perspective that draws us away from the limitations of judgment and fear into a more balanced consciousness of trust, confidence, and ease. It is this consciousness that allows us to have certainty in our innate ability to heal and be well.
As the man in the story, we should refrain from emotional judgment and allow for the bigger picture to unfold.

Sorry, you can not read all the articles in full online. It would be worth hunting down a copy! Baby Crawling, How Important It Really Is by Bernardo R. Sanudo Diez is a wonderful article. As an adult woman with A.D.D. I can testify to the fact that crawling is important! And that not crawling is one of the prerequists for A.D.D.... another reason why all newborns should have a chiropractic adjustment - yup, I believe A.D.D. has physical roots, see Brain Dances for Babies.

To summarize the above, Chiropractic is especially good for pregnant women and newborns. This Chiropractic magazine and the holistic philosophy encourages us towards a balanced, sane, conscious exsistance.

As a Christian I feel that holistic health care is a blessing.

Philippians 4:7-9..."And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."