I found this great article the other day about what to do with your leftover breast milk. Many women pump milk for their babies for times they may be away and often times, there is extra.
Breast milk won't last forever, so this article gives ways to use the breast milk before it's unusable.
Did you know breast milk can cure conjunctivitis (pink eye)? Actually, it's good on all kinds of infections, even ear infections!
If you want to find out more about what breast milk can do, check out the full article:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/454888/things_to_do_with_your_extra_breastmilk.html?cat=25
Happy Reading!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
A Good Blog
I like this blog. There's some good information. It hasn't been updated in a while, but what posts are there are educational. Check it out!
Monday, November 22, 2010
This Quote Gives Me Chills
I am in love with this quote about birth!
"There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don’t ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it." Sheryl Feldman
It just gives me chills. So true.
"There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don’t ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it." Sheryl Feldman
It just gives me chills. So true.
Friday, November 19, 2010
AZ Birth Doulas, LLC Store
AZ Birth Doulas has an Amazon store! I've loaded up my Amazon store with all types of goodies. There's hundreds of different books that I love (yes I've read that many) as well as things to nourish yourself during pregnancy and postpartum. There's my favorite type of cloth diapers (Bum Genius) in as well as pregnancy jewelry. I also have lots of natural and organic toys that my children loved.
If you're looking to buy any of these things, why not buy them from my Amazon store? I get a small percentage of the commission, which directly helps to fund my ability to offer my services free of charge to teenage mothers as well as run my parenting website. I feel very passionate about these things I do even though financially speaking, they're not very lucrative.
At the very least, go check it out. It's pretty cool!
http://astore.amazon.com/azbido-20
If you're looking to buy any of these things, why not buy them from my Amazon store? I get a small percentage of the commission, which directly helps to fund my ability to offer my services free of charge to teenage mothers as well as run my parenting website. I feel very passionate about these things I do even though financially speaking, they're not very lucrative.
At the very least, go check it out. It's pretty cool!
http://astore.amazon.com/azbido-20
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Book Reviews
I love to read! But have you ever read a book that you finished and then felt like you wasted your time? Me too. That's why I do a book review blog in conjunction with my parenting website (http://www.theholisticparent.org/). I can't imagine my life without reading, but I don't want others to have to waste their times with books not worth reading.
This is why for every book I read, I write a review of my opinions on it. Most books I like, but if I don't I do not hesitate to be honest about my opinion and I explain why I feel the way I do. Most books I review are about parenting, birth, breastfeeding, doulas, natural healthcare, alternatives, and nutrition.
So anyway, take advantage of this resource before you run out and get a book: http://www.theholisticparent.blogspot.com/.
If you want an alphabitized list of titles, click here. I update it as often as I can, so always check the most recent posts on the blog too because sometimes I update them in chunks every so often.
This is why for every book I read, I write a review of my opinions on it. Most books I like, but if I don't I do not hesitate to be honest about my opinion and I explain why I feel the way I do. Most books I review are about parenting, birth, breastfeeding, doulas, natural healthcare, alternatives, and nutrition.
So anyway, take advantage of this resource before you run out and get a book: http://www.theholisticparent.blogspot.com/.
If you want an alphabitized list of titles, click here. I update it as often as I can, so always check the most recent posts on the blog too because sometimes I update them in chunks every so often.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
My Birth Story
I very much enjoy writing, so when my daughter was born, I did not hesitate to write down the experience. I've posted the story on my website http://www.theholisticparent.org/. It's a looooooong story, so I'll direct you there instead of posting the entire monstrosity here. It also includes bits from my first birth experience.
You can read my birth story here.
You can read my birth story here.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Resources
If you haven't checked out the resource section of my websites, you may want to do so. they're filled with great information and are quite extensive. I've put a lot of effort into finding the best of information, so check them out.
My doula resources can be found here.
My placenta encapsulation resources can be found here.
The Holitstic Parent.org's resources are scattered under each subheading page, so click here for the main website.
My doula resources can be found here.
My placenta encapsulation resources can be found here.
The Holitstic Parent.org's resources are scattered under each subheading page, so click here for the main website.
Monday, November 15, 2010
My Parenting Website
My husband and I run a parenting website. We're a bit into holistic and natural living and our way of parenting reflects that.
Check us out at http://www.theholisticparent.org/.
Check us out at http://www.theholisticparent.org/.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
I'm also a Birth Doula
Even though I love encapsulating placentas, I love attending births as well! I am a birth doula servicing the East Valley of Arizona. I do give discounts on my services if used to together!
Visit me at http://www.azbirthdoulas.com/ to learn more.
Visit me at http://www.azbirthdoulas.com/ to learn more.
Friday, November 12, 2010
How Did I Get Started in All This?
Why would anyone desire to encapsulate placentas all day? I'm glad you asked. Here's my story:
I can admit the first time I saw a placenta on the pages of my nursing text, I was so horrified by its appearance that I purposefully avoided that page. It didn't matter to me what writing might be on that page that I may need to know, I couldn't bring myself to look at it.
I didn't see my own placenta with my son's birth at all. I had no desire to see it. I don't even remember it being born.
Despite my initial disgust with the placenta, I loved birth, and the placenta is a part of birth.
Several years later, working as a labor and delivery nurse gave me plenty of exposure to the placenta. I saw and handled so many placentas that I became immune to them.
It was not until several years after that when I began to grow interested in the placenta. What is this funny looking organ? I began studying its purpose and what it was useful for. My respect for the placenta grew. I realized what an incredible organ it is. It grows specifically for the baby to nourish and create life. It also protects the baby from harmful substances. What's even more amazing is that, as women, we can create something like this (which is even more testament to how incredible our bodies are).
Eventually, I became aware of how the placenta has functions even in the postpartum period. Its job isn't only beneficial to the baby, its designed for us too. The placenta has many benefits for our bodies as well, which is why almost every mammal consumes their own placenta. It's the perfect necessity to our bodies made by our own body!
I didn't know about consuming the placenta when I gave birth to my daughter (my second birth). She was a homebirth, and my husband buried the placenta in our backyard. It was in the cold of winter. He waited a little too long to bury it, and thus describes it as one of his worst experiences. We planted nothing over it, and I felt as though this miraculous organ my body had created had been wasted. There it lies in the ground with nothing to give its nutrients to.
I decided there must be another way. I studied the history of the placenta. In most cultures and throughout history, it has been revered. The placenta is used in a variety of ways and is often considered sacred.
This is when I came across placentophagy. Does anyone really consume their own placenta? I didn't know if I would ever be able to actually chew and swallow (I'm vegetarian, after all), but encapsulation presented a viable alternative. When I learned the placenta can increase the milk supply, I was sold. I had struggled with low supply while breastfeeding my daughter. I wondered if this would have made a difference.
While I have not yet had a third birth experience, there is no doubt in my mind what I will do with my next placenta.
I now feel overjoyed and honored to have made this transition in my life and am able to offer this service to women. The benefits are many and with an open mind and a little education, it is my sincere hope and purpose in life to further this knowledge, so that all women can have the option of benefiting from this blessed creation their bodies have made.
BTW, this can also be found on my website: http://www.azplacentaencapsulation.com/Meet_The_Encapsulator.html.
I can admit the first time I saw a placenta on the pages of my nursing text, I was so horrified by its appearance that I purposefully avoided that page. It didn't matter to me what writing might be on that page that I may need to know, I couldn't bring myself to look at it.
I didn't see my own placenta with my son's birth at all. I had no desire to see it. I don't even remember it being born.
Despite my initial disgust with the placenta, I loved birth, and the placenta is a part of birth.
Several years later, working as a labor and delivery nurse gave me plenty of exposure to the placenta. I saw and handled so many placentas that I became immune to them.
It was not until several years after that when I began to grow interested in the placenta. What is this funny looking organ? I began studying its purpose and what it was useful for. My respect for the placenta grew. I realized what an incredible organ it is. It grows specifically for the baby to nourish and create life. It also protects the baby from harmful substances. What's even more amazing is that, as women, we can create something like this (which is even more testament to how incredible our bodies are).
Eventually, I became aware of how the placenta has functions even in the postpartum period. Its job isn't only beneficial to the baby, its designed for us too. The placenta has many benefits for our bodies as well, which is why almost every mammal consumes their own placenta. It's the perfect necessity to our bodies made by our own body!
I didn't know about consuming the placenta when I gave birth to my daughter (my second birth). She was a homebirth, and my husband buried the placenta in our backyard. It was in the cold of winter. He waited a little too long to bury it, and thus describes it as one of his worst experiences. We planted nothing over it, and I felt as though this miraculous organ my body had created had been wasted. There it lies in the ground with nothing to give its nutrients to.
I decided there must be another way. I studied the history of the placenta. In most cultures and throughout history, it has been revered. The placenta is used in a variety of ways and is often considered sacred.
This is when I came across placentophagy. Does anyone really consume their own placenta? I didn't know if I would ever be able to actually chew and swallow (I'm vegetarian, after all), but encapsulation presented a viable alternative. When I learned the placenta can increase the milk supply, I was sold. I had struggled with low supply while breastfeeding my daughter. I wondered if this would have made a difference.
While I have not yet had a third birth experience, there is no doubt in my mind what I will do with my next placenta.
I now feel overjoyed and honored to have made this transition in my life and am able to offer this service to women. The benefits are many and with an open mind and a little education, it is my sincere hope and purpose in life to further this knowledge, so that all women can have the option of benefiting from this blessed creation their bodies have made.
BTW, this can also be found on my website: http://www.azplacentaencapsulation.com/Meet_The_Encapsulator.html.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
A Little Bit About Me
I haven't really introduced myself yet on this blog.
I am the mother of two, a six year old boy and a 2 year old girl, well she'll be two in a month! I am married to my high school sweetheart for 7 1/2 years. I love birth!
My love affair with birth began with the birth of my oldest. Though it was a difficult birth, I fell in love with the entire process of bringing a new life into the world, the wonder, anticipation, excitement.
I pursued a bachelor's in nursing so I could be around birth every day. I landed my dream job in labor and delivery right out of college- a difficult feat, it's not an easy specialty to get into. I, of course, was estatic.
I became pregnant for a second time while working this job. Slowly things began to change. There were things that went on in the hospital that I wasn't completely comfortable with. I wasn't able to spend enough time giving support to the actual women who were in labor. To me, they should be the most important focus, yet it wasn't that way. I felt bound by hospital policy that served only the hospital and the doctors, not the women or babies. I learned there are certain things you're simply expected to keep your mouth shut about. It's difficult to question physician orders and I didn't feel I could give my patients truly informed consent.
Informed consent is being able to make a decision by having all of the information available- risks, benefits, options. A lot of information in the hospital is one sided. I couldn't outright tell my patients what their doctor wanted to do was not necessarily in their best interest.
I continued to educate myself, research, and I eventually discovered an entirely different world of birthing- the one with homebirths and midwives, the one where birth is regarded as a natural process and respected. Long story short, I hired a midwife, had the most transformative experience of my life as my daughter was born in my bathtub into the awaiting hands of my husband, and subsequently quit my job in labor and delivery.
I much prefer being able to give my clients information about all their choices in childbirth so they can make the best choices for themselves. I'm now working as a doula and loving every bit of it.
I also encapsulate placentas! I am also keeping a blog devoted to this journey. More info on that can be found at http://www.azplacentaencapsulation.com/. I offer discounts for my doula clients.
In my spare time- what tiny bit there is- I love to write. I have a forthcoming novel about birth that should be published in the next few months.
My doula website is http://www.azbirthdoulas.com/. I'm based in Chandler, AZ. It's a great place to live!
I am the mother of two, a six year old boy and a 2 year old girl, well she'll be two in a month! I am married to my high school sweetheart for 7 1/2 years. I love birth!
My love affair with birth began with the birth of my oldest. Though it was a difficult birth, I fell in love with the entire process of bringing a new life into the world, the wonder, anticipation, excitement.
I pursued a bachelor's in nursing so I could be around birth every day. I landed my dream job in labor and delivery right out of college- a difficult feat, it's not an easy specialty to get into. I, of course, was estatic.
I became pregnant for a second time while working this job. Slowly things began to change. There were things that went on in the hospital that I wasn't completely comfortable with. I wasn't able to spend enough time giving support to the actual women who were in labor. To me, they should be the most important focus, yet it wasn't that way. I felt bound by hospital policy that served only the hospital and the doctors, not the women or babies. I learned there are certain things you're simply expected to keep your mouth shut about. It's difficult to question physician orders and I didn't feel I could give my patients truly informed consent.
Informed consent is being able to make a decision by having all of the information available- risks, benefits, options. A lot of information in the hospital is one sided. I couldn't outright tell my patients what their doctor wanted to do was not necessarily in their best interest.
I continued to educate myself, research, and I eventually discovered an entirely different world of birthing- the one with homebirths and midwives, the one where birth is regarded as a natural process and respected. Long story short, I hired a midwife, had the most transformative experience of my life as my daughter was born in my bathtub into the awaiting hands of my husband, and subsequently quit my job in labor and delivery.
I much prefer being able to give my clients information about all their choices in childbirth so they can make the best choices for themselves. I'm now working as a doula and loving every bit of it.
I also encapsulate placentas! I am also keeping a blog devoted to this journey. More info on that can be found at http://www.azplacentaencapsulation.com/. I offer discounts for my doula clients.
In my spare time- what tiny bit there is- I love to write. I have a forthcoming novel about birth that should be published in the next few months.
My doula website is http://www.azbirthdoulas.com/. I'm based in Chandler, AZ. It's a great place to live!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thanks to my Husband
I have to give credit and thanks to my husband for designing this blog for me. I designed my website (http://www.azplacentaencapsulation.com/), and I told him what I wanted for my blog, and he just takes care of it. He also designed my logo. So, thank you to my wonderful husband. I love you.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Are You Searching...
If you're looking for a placenta encapsulation specialist in the Phoenix, AZ area or would like to speak with someone regarding the benefits of having your placenta encapsulated, I'm here to offer my services.
My official website is http://www.azplacentaencapsulation.com/. My phone number is listed on that site and I can be reached at azbirthdoulas@gmail.com as well.
There are many potential benefits to placenta encapsulation, so if you're considering it, do yourself a favor and learn more.
I look forward to assisting you!
My official website is http://www.azplacentaencapsulation.com/. My phone number is listed on that site and I can be reached at azbirthdoulas@gmail.com as well.
There are many potential benefits to placenta encapsulation, so if you're considering it, do yourself a favor and learn more.
I look forward to assisting you!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Greetings!
Welcome to AZ Placenta Encapsultion! If you're wondering what placenta encapsulation is or what it's like to be a placenta encapsulation specialist, then you've come to the right place. I wish for this blog to be a modality for women to become more accustomed to the wonders of the placenta, how it benefits postpartum mothers and babies and why nature created something especially for us during this time. As good pictures come my way, I won't hesitate to post what an actual placenta looks like. So, check back here often for the nitty gritty on all things placenta!
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