Get your protein, EVERYDAY!

In previous posts, I have emphasized the importance of consuming enough protein and good nutrition throughout your pregnancy, but I wanted to revisit this. According to a study done at Harvard in the 1930s, expectant women who consumed up to 260 grams of protein a day had excellent health benefits, including changing their prognosis for toxemia. For those of you that adding protein to your diet seems overwhelming, here is a great guide to help you see how to fit it in. I am a strong advocate for whole, natural and raw foods as much as possible, so take that into consideration. Local and organic sources for food when you are pregnant are also great if you can get them.

Being sort of a health nut and a foodie, I recently concocted this delicious recipe that is a great way to increase your protein intake. I love this recipe, because I am not a baker, and there is no baking required. Plus they are completely delicious for an easy breakfast, or snack on the go. 

You'll Go Nuts Over Protein Bars 

(This is a GAPS friendly recipe, and can also be made Paleo friendly!)

4 c. Walnuts/ Pecans/ Almonds or other nuts, chopped (sprouted is great--sprout your own by covering with water and a teaspoon salt and allowing to soak overnight, then crisp them again by drying in a low oven-- at 200, for 2 hours)
2 c. Shredded coconut

*Toast this mixture in a low oven - 200 degrees, stirring every 15-20 minutes for an hour.

2c. Almond butter

1/2 c. Butter or clarified butter/ghee
1/4- 1/3 c. Honey-- depending on how sweet you like things

Optional: Add 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit such as apricots or cherries

In a sauce pan over low heat, melt Almond butter or other nut butter and butter until smooth. Remove from heat and add Honey-- depending on how sweet you like it!

Mix in with toasted nuts. Press into a 9x13 pan. Freeze to cool. Then cut and enjoy! I have found these hold together better when they are cold, and I usually cut the whole pan up into individual bars and wrap in plastic wrap for easy snacks to grab and go. 

I would love to know how yours turn out!

Birth #0036

This story has been shared with permission from the birthing Momma. 


This story begins at this mom's 41 week appointment. She had a non-stress test done to be sure baby was still doing okay. Some tests came back that amniotic fluid was low. They asked them to come back in the evening to start induction. They took some time at home to pack up, and enjoy their last moments as a couple before baby and eventually made it to the hospital. Around 11pm, this Momma text me to say they would be putting in a Foley Catheter to hopefully help dilation. A few hours later, I got a call from the father, concerned, saying that the baby's heart rate was dropping with contractions. The OBs were watching along with the midwife to be sure no emergency precautions needed to happen.

I arrived at the hospital around 4am. The nurse was in with this mom, who was sitting happily on the ball, checking to be sure baby was okay. She told me that sitting on the ball was helping, but now they were concerned that the baby's heart rate was getting too high. After a little while longer, the baby's heart rate seemed to normalize. Later, she was able to get comfortable on the ball leaning over pillows on the bed to try to get some rest. Since things were still very early in labor, and they were able to get some rest during this time, I also went home to also to to get rest before needing to join them both for the day.

Later that morning,  I received an update from the birthing momma, saying that her water had broken around 5am. Because of this, they decided to remove the foley catheter. She was now open to 4 cm! Baby's head was at -1 station, and her cervix was 60% effaced. This was excellent progress, and her body seemed to be responding well to the induction process so far. They were planning to start pitocin soon to get contractions moving along.

A couple hours later, I received a call from this mom, saying that the contractions were much stronger now, and much closer together.  When I came to join them, this mom was still in very good spirits, standing and leaning over the bed with a stack of pillows.
After more laboring, she started having more back labor as well as very intense contractions that were pretty close together. Despite this, this Momma was BEAUTIFULLY relaxed, breathing gently through each one. She was an incredible picture of power, strength, and endurance. Now, she was open to 5cm, 70% effaced, and baby was at about-1 Or 0 station. This was excellent progress, however, not quite the amount of progress her care providers were hoping to see. They asked this Momma if it would be okay to put in an intra-uterine pressure catheter to see how effectively the pitocin was working. She agreed to this, as well as having a fetal scalp electrode placed to be able to better and more accurately monitor the baby's heart rate.

After this, the baby was still having some heart decelerations. They asked this Momma to put on some oxygen, lay on her left side, and also if they could offer her an amnio infusion-- to put some fluid back around the baby to give the baby more space to move and protect the cord from becoming squished.

A couple hours later, and her progress was appearing to be relatively the same, and she was still coping beautifully, baby's heart tones overall good.This mom enjoyed laboring on the toilet, and sitting up in bed.

At one point, I asked her how she was doing and she said, "I feel good. I actually feel like I'm on drugs or something!" Thank you, endorphins!

A couple hours later, her progress remained the same, so they began discussing the possibility of a c-section. Another big concern in this discussion was the various times that the baby's heart rate would dip down to a concerning level. They told her they would give her one more hour to see if anything could change, but that it was not looking good. The birthing Mom and Dad had some time to talk it over with each other and with the midwives. At this point, the mom felt this was her best option. The midwives then came back to say that the OBs were happy to give her even more time- about an hour and a half to see if something could change. The main change they wanted to see was the descent of the baby's head, since it was not well applied to the cervix.

After this conversation, Dad left the room to consult with a doctor friend. The Momma and I talked about how they had really been wanting and hoping for a natural, vaginal birth. I reminded this momma that a lot of progress could happen in an hour and a half, and that that progress could most easily happen by changing into some positions to help open the pelvis and allow the baby's head to descend. This momma agreed that she still wanted to achieve a vaginal birth and that she would be willing to try to make it happen. I again affirmed her strength, and how she had been doing an incredible job this entire time. She also expressed her belief that things can change in that amount of time. When the Dad came back into the room, they both decided to try hands and knees position with the Rebozo scarf.

In a little while, this mom got up to use the bathroom, and began vomiting while on the toilet. Dad was quickly at her side with a basin and ready to comfort her. He had been so attentive to her and willing to serve her in any way that he could! It was beautiful to see them both working as a team through this process. While on the toilet, (and still vomiting) the baby's heart rate began dipping and remained somewhat low for about two minutes. This caused the midwives, OB team, and many nurses suddenly rush into the room. It took a little bit to get this momma repositioned onto her hands and knees, but it did help baby stabilize.

After trying various positions, the midwife checked this momma and her progress was about the same. They discussed some options-- that this momma could continue as she had been, or, try an epidural to see if sleep and relaxing some of those muscles could help, or, to decide to opt for a c section. We all talked about the benefits and risks and alternatives to each of these options, and then gave them some time to talk. When I came back into the room, this Momma decided the best option for her would be to try an epidural.

Around 1am, the epidural was placed. Everyone tried to get some sleep. At one point, this momma's blood pressure was dropping, so the nurse gave her some medication to help control her blood pressure. The baby's heart rate was also dipping at certain points in the labor. When this momma had oxygen and was breathing deeply during contractions, the baby seemed to be doing better.

Thankfully, this Momma did get a couple hours of sleep. She told me in the morning, "I do not at all regret getting the epidural!" She seemed very positive and with renewed sense of energy.

The OBs came in around 8 am. Progress about the same-- 5-6cm dilated, 0 station, and 80% effaced. The options were put on the table-- to continue laboring as she had, and see if any more progress could be made, or to opt for cesarean birth. This couple asked some questions, talked about the pros and cons (such as trying some new positions if deciding to try for vaginal or being more at risk for an emergency c-section and too much postpartum bleeding), and then took some time to talk with me, and then took some time to talk alone.

After some deliberation, they decided to do the cesarean. They expressed to their care team that they still wanted to have skin to skin contact as soon as possible, breast feed as soon as possible, and take the placenta home. I was very proud of them for continuing to advocated for the things that they could have control over in this situation. 

Soon, this Momma was taken in to the OR. The Dad and I talked back in the labor and delivery room about what to expect for the surgery. After some prep time, Dad was taken back into the surgery as well. I waited for them to finish in the waiting room, to meet them in recovery. I must say that is always the longest wait for me, as the doula. I am always so concerned and hopeful the the family will still get nurturing and tender care during their birth experience. 


It seemed like this family was able to get that. When I was allowed into recovery, I was happy to find a very proud father, holding his son tenderly to his chest, and in awe of his new baby. Soon the Momma joined in the recovery room as well, and as soon as she was able, took her new boy into her arms. It was as natural as ever. This family was so happy to have a healthy beautiful baby. I was thankful to have the honor of supporting them through their birth journey. 

Sitz Baths

(Image from: http://janshemorrhoids.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/got-pain-try-a-sitz-bath-for-hemorrhoids/)

Here is a beautiful thing you can do for yourself postpartum! This is an herbal bath that is soothing to your perineal area. The traditional sitz bath is a small tub to bathe the area from your waist down to your upper thigh, and everything in between. However, you can take a sitz bath in a regular bath tub to experience the same relief.

Midwifery Today shares these wonderful sitz bath recipes. If the mother has been given any type of drug, remember to research the drug and herb combination, and check with your care provider before using any herbs, or before trying a sitz bath.

Here is the information from http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/herbspostpartumcare.asp

Postpartum Sitz Bath:

2 parts plantain flower (Plantago major)
part calendula flower (Calendula officinalis)
1 part comfrey leaf (Symphytum officinale)
1 part burdock (Arctium lappa)
1/2 part violet flower and leaf (Viola odorata)
1 part yarrow flower (Achillea millefolium)
1/2 part lady's mantle flower and leaf (Alchemilla vulgaris)
1/2 part lemon balm leaf (Melissa officinalis)

Mix well. You can add sea salt to the mixture if you wish. Add approximately one cup of herb and salt blend to six quarts boiling water, strain and add to shallow bath. You can also use as a compress.

Or try the following blend:

1 part uva ursi leaf (Arctostaphylos uva ursi)
1 part shepherd's purse leaf, seed (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
1/2 part myrrh gum powder (Commiphora momol)
1/2 part garlic (Dried or fresh. If fresh, use 1–2 cloves. Use whole; do not cut or smash as fresh oil can be very strong and irritating.)
1/2 part comfrey root (Symphytum officinale)
1/2 part sea salt (optional)

Prepare in same manner as Postpartum Sitz Bath (see above).

Another popular sitz bath blend contains:

1 cup sea salt
1/2 cup plantain leaf (Plantago major)
1/2 cup calendula flower (Calendula officinalis)
Use six cups of water.

Oak bark (Quercus robur), rosemary leaf (Rosmarinus officinalis), witch hazel leaf or bark (Hamamelis virginiana) and yarrow flower (Achillea millefolium) are great for healing sitz baths. If the mother is stitched, limit the bath to once a day. Other great herbs and herbal sitz baths for the perineum are calendula flower (Calendula officinalis), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) and essential oil of cypress or lavender

Handling postpartum issues naturally gives the mother more control and is generally less invasive then going to a doctor. Make sure the mother knows when to seek additional medical care.

Another Birth Another Story

When I talk to people about their birth experiences, I try to be sensitive. Some women are so proud of their birth story, even if everything was different than they had planned on it being. Some women are disappointed with the process of their birth, even if the overall outcome was good. Or even if it seems to others that it was a "good birth," some women may have experienced it differently.

Women desire different things for themselves as they journey through labor; it is my job to support them through that, no matter what those choices are. But when you have had an experience that was difficult or traumatic, it is essential to process through those feelings before the next baby comes. Sometimes, as the next labor approaches, families that have felt they already dealt with the birth trauma may see it begin to crop up again. This is pretty normal. It is also important to pay attention to.

A local class, taught by Susan Lane (MA, CD, LCCE, CLC) and Suzanne Swanson (PhD), is available to equip mothers and fathers to embrace a new experience. It is called, very appropriately, "Another Birth, Another Story." While a past birth may not have gone as expected or planned, another birth later on has the potential to be a completely different experience. I firmly believe that while there are cases when mothers and baby's have special medical needs, very often when the mother and baby are healthy, great outcomes can be acheived with the appropriate birth space, provider, and support team. Another component to that is being emotionally and mentally prepared. This class equips couples to release trauma, rebuild confidence, reclaim their birth, and reinforce intimate partnership. It meets over the course of a few evenings, and the next class series will be held July 26, 29, and August 2.

If you have had a traumatic or difficult birth experience, I would highly recommend taking a class like this, as well as potentially seeking professional counseling to work through the trauma. We can carry trauma deeply within us, and it can creep back up on us if we are not intentionally seeking help and support from professionals who are trained in these areas. If you have any questions about Another Birth, Another Story, please contact Susan at salane@visi.com (Please state the class title in the subject line of the email.) or call 612.810.1544. Registration is $150 per couple.

Womb Conference

(Image from: http:www.wombconference.com/)

A FREE resource with 33 weeks of information about concious birthing and parenting. Every week they send you webcasts from highly educated and well respected voices in the birthing community. Why would you turn something like this down?

http://www.wombconference.com/

Birth #0026

This story has been shared with the written consent of the birthing momma:


This family was expecting their second baby, and after needing pitocin to augment their labor the first time around, it was a major goal to completely avoid pitocin this time, if at all possible. This momma wanted to be able to experience the natural ebb and flow of labor without medically induced intense contractions to get in the way of her coping.



One morning, I recieved a call from this mom, saying her water had broken around 4am, and she had been having contractions every 8-10 minutes, but they had slowed a little now. Shortly, they decided to head to the hospital to possibly start antibiotics (being GBS positive, and hoping to do a waterbirth) and also to do more walking to get things going. Later that afternoon, I was updated by this mom who said they had conducted a few tests on the amniotic fluid, which came back negative. This allowed them to go home and gave them more time to get the contractions to start on their own. They were quite relieved about this.


Later that night, the father texted me to say that contractions were coming steadily every 8-10 minutes. I had completely expected to get a call in the middle of the night, but did not hear anything. It was one of those light sleep kind of nights that doulas have when they are excitedly awaiting going to a birth. : ) In the morning, I was updated that the contractions had stayed steady throughout the night. They were planning to take their daughter to school, and then go walking the skyways (a fabulous idea for the wintertime in MN), do some stairs, and try to get things closer together. During walking, contractions became  5-6 minutes apart, but spaced out a little after. This momma spoke with her midwife-- considering whether or not she should go into the hospital. The midwife offered that she could go into the clinic to have her dilation checked there. Then she could know how much she had progressed so far. I really encouraged this mom to remember to tune into her body and that she would know the right time to go to the hospital.


This mother and father decided to stay home longer, try the bath tub, and also try getting a little rest. After trying the water, she got frustrated with her bath tub as it was not big enough to really get comfortable in. At this point, they asked that I come to join them. When I arrived, this momma was laboring beautifully on the toilet, with her husband pressing into her back as she slowly moaned through each contraction. She seemed to be doing great; overall in good spirits. I was able to observe for a while some of the things they were doing together to cope that were working really well for them: listening to relaxing music, him brushing her hair, stroking and cuddling, and listening to a relaxation cd. This mom was a strong tower through each one. 


In the early evening, her husband left to pick up their daughter from school to bring her to a friend's house. I was glad to be there to support this mom when her husband was needing to tend to their daughter momentarily. While he was gone, this mom mainly rested on the couch in the darkness, talking with me between contractions about the relief that their daughter could go be at a friends, family that is far away, and not dwelling on any negative thoughts during labor. During a contraction, I pressed into her lower back and would "shake the apple tree" to allow her to relax and let her bottom open up more.

Now contractions were coming every couple minutes. Her husband just arrived back from taking care of their daughter. He decided to call and check in with the midwife. I quickly put some dinner in the microwave for this dad who was saying he was "pretty hungry." When I went to check in with this momma, she was squatting down in the bathroom saying things were pretty intense. She said she was ready to go in to the hospital now. Her husband quickly rounded up all of the bags, while I helped this mom get ready to head out the door. Before her husband could finish his dinner, we were off.


The birthing mom rode in the front passenger seat on her side with one leg up on the dash so that she could be in a side lying squat. The father and I later talked about how we both had thought the contractions may slow down once in the car, but they just kept on coming! Both parents also later told me about how they were both thinking on the drive there, "Why didn't we pick a closer hospital!?" And this momma reminded herself--"...Because we love the nurses and we love the midwives!" 

We arrived at the emergency room entrance just shy of two hours after her husband had come home from taking their daughter to school. The birthing couple was escorted up to Labor and Delivery via wheelchair and hospital personnel. I parked their car and got up to labor and delivery with some of their bags several minutes later. They started getting this momma checked in, and informed her another water birth had just taken place and it didn't seem likely that they would be able to finish cleaning it out and fill it before the baby would arrive. The nurse had just started to monitor the baby's heart rate, when the birthing mom began saying she was feeling an urge to push. The nurse checked her and she was COMPLETE! and told her she could begin pushing whenever she was ready.

Within just a couple of pushes, the baby was crowning. The midwife asked the father if he would still like to help catch the baby (as they had said they would like to do in their birth preferences). He said that he would. Soon, only about 20 minutes after we had pulled up to the hospital, the baby was emerging! Later this mom shared with me that it felt so good to her to push her baby out. The proud father was able to take his new daughter and help to place her up onto her momma's tummy. The nurse suctioned out the baby's mouth a little, and she let out a little cry. She was pink, and healthy. Everyone was so happy to meet this little girl!


In talking with this mom later about not being able to have a waterbirth as she had hoped, she said that she was okay with it, because she was very happy that she was able to birth apart from interventions. I was so proud of her for doing so! 


Like I always say, momma's are so strong. They really, truly are. Don't let anyone ever tell you anything different.

Co-sleeping: What is safe, what is not, and why you may want to give it a try.

Co-sleeping has existed since the beginning of time. Mothers still do it all around the world today. So why all of this talk about co-sleeping being unsafe? Are there any benefits to co-sleeping?

Dr. Jame McKenna, a professor of Biological Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame and the director of the Mother-Baby Sleep Laboratory, is a leading expert on Co-Sleeping. There can be many benefits to co-sleeping, when it is done safely. There is also a range of what it means to co-sleep. Co-sleeping can mean having a crib in the parents room in order to be more attentive to their baby's needs. It can also mean having a side-car bassinet that pulls up to the side of the bed for easy access to the baby. For some it can mean bed sharing. As with all infant sleep, it is important to follow the safety guidelines when bed sharing. Additionally, co-sleeping can be done for any amount of time that feels comfortable for the family-- whether for a the first few weeks of infancy, or until the baby is a toddler.

Research shows that some of the benefits of co-sleeping are:
-Babies breastfeed more often, however, studies showed this did not affect the amount of sleep their mother was able to get.
-Sleep sharing babies tend to sleep on their backs more often and are less at risk for SIDS.
-Each mother baby pair was shown to remain in the same sleep cycle for longer periods of time.
-Sleep sharing mothers were able to maintain the same amount of deep sleep as non-co-sleeping mothers. -Mothers were more able to sleep harmoniously with their baby, and had the ability to unconsciously change sleep cycles as their baby did.
-There is more touch between mothers and babies who co-sleep, enhancing mother-infant bonding and promoting infant growth.    [http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems/co-sleeping-yes-no-sometimes]

Some considerations for safe bedsharing include not smoking, using medications that make you sleep heavily, or bedsharing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Only breastfed babies should bedshare and be placed on his or her back on a firm and flat mattress, with baby's head and face clear of heavy blankets or pillows that could cause suffocation.

Here are more specific guidelines to co-sleeping safely: http://cosleeping.nd.edu/safe-co-sleeping-guidelines/

Please do your own research on safety and this topic to determine what is right for you and your family.

The birth marathon.

Though I would not consider myself an athlete, or a true "runner" for that matter, I did run a 5k race last spring for the very first time. It was completely and utterly exhilarated at the finish.  While a "5k" is a mere 3.14 miles (its okay, you true athletes out there can scoff a little), I did need to prepare myself for this, being that the farthest I had ever run before was about 2 miles. Ha. In the weeks leading up to the race, I tried to run daily, build my endurance, practice my breathing so I wouldn't get a side ache, and pace myself to go the distance. I ran a little farther each day so that I could be ready. When I crossed the finish line (no where close to being in first place, I might add), it felt amazing. I ran. The whole way. Without stopping. I may not have been the fastest, but I still finished. I was very proud of myself for that.  As spring has come around again, I have been thinking that I would love to experience that feeling again of pride and accomplishment, and how good my body feels after doing something like that. It makes me want to challenge myself to run a little longer race this time. Maybe train harder too.

                                                  My friend Hannah and I after the big race!

As I have been talking with some of my clients and other expectant mothers about birth lately, I cannot help being reminded that preparing for the birth process is SO much like preparing for a big race.  Can you imagine trying to run a marathon, without ever having run more than a mile or two in your life? That would be crazy. Yet, I see that a lot of women in our society aren't giving themselves the gift of preparing for birth like they could. Some women count on their doctor for all the childbirth education they need, "A Baby Story" and "What to Expect" as their go to information for birth, and the epidural for complete coping in labor and birth. How much more could they gain by truly taking the time needed to prepare for birth? Even women that have often spent a good amount of time preparing for their first baby, will see how much more valuable that can be for subsequent pregnancies. I don't want ANYONE reading this blog to find themselves in this place. I want you to feel empowered and equipped that if it is your first birth, you have dedicated yourself to preparing for your best birth possible. Then you can have no regrets.

Marathon runners have to prepare even more for their races. When I was looking around on the specifics about what they exactly "do" to train well, it is almost shocking how much it mirrors good preparation for the birth experience. One of the first things highlighted that I found was MOTIVATION. This is key to preparing for the birth process. If you want a beautiful birth, you need to be motivated to make it happen by finding the right care provider, the right birthing environment, and being prepared mentally and emotionally for this great task at hand. You also need to determine your GOALS. What is it that you want out of your birth? What is your birth plan? How do you make that happen?  NUTRITION is huge. If you are eating processed foods, lots of carbohydrates, sugar, caffeine, etc, how do you expect your body to go the distance in labor? You need to strive to feed the "machine" nourishing and vitamin rich sources of food both prenatally as well as during the labor process.  Finally, TRAINING your body physically can be huge. It is important to be in good physical shape for birth. What are you doing to prepare for that everyday? Walking? Yoga? Breathing exercises? Relaxation techniques? Just as it would be difficult to expect a body to run more than 26 miles if it wasn't prepared to do so, it is going to be difficult to handle the emotional and physical aspects of labor if you aren't prepared to do so.

I believe that every expectant mother can make these things a part of her weekly routine leading up to birth! Please give yourself that gift. Your body and your baby will thank you for it, and after the birth you may enjoy one of the most exhilarating moments you have ever had in your life.

The Founding Mothers Project

Since I recently shared with you about Isis Rising, I thought I might share with you some ways that you may become more involved (may it be near or far) in the doula program I work with in the prison. We are working on an exciting project which invites people on the "outside" to become more connected with the women we work with on the "inside" by contributing to a project which provides doula care for the mom's we work with.

The Isis Rising Founding Mothers Project is seeking 100 founding mothers who will each donate to the cause (hopefully each contributing $100, though ANY amount would be welcome). Each of these founding mothers will have their name, or someone else's name of their choice, incorporated into an amazing art piece, which will be displayed for public viewing at Everyday Miracles.

I definitely want to be a part of this project, and I hope that some of you will consider becoming a Founding Mother of this fast-growing and vibrant organization.

See details below:


Become an Isis Founding Mother
We are all connected and part of the same community
and by supporting those who are struggling;
we can better the quality of life for all.


WHAT WE ARE DOING

Everyday Miracles is has been supporting incarcerated women in Minnesota since 2009 through the Isis Rising Program.

Isis Rising is a prison-based pregnancy, birth, and parenting program provided to women at Shakopee Women's Prison. The program includes individualized support for expectant incarcerated mothers along with a mothering group facilitated by our doulas, providing support during birth along with the education and skills they need to be stronger, more connected mothers. We provide client-directed care and education through a multi-disciplinary team including doulas and midwives, psychologists, nutritionists, and parent educators. In partnership with our parent organization, Everyday Miracles, we provide support and education that breaks the cycle of child abuse and neglect, teaches mother-baby bonding, reduces recidivism, and prepares incarcerated women to be more capable and confident mothers.  

 WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY  

  

The number of women in prison has grown significantly over the past three decades. Many of these women are mothers and many of them are either pregnant when they enter prison or have recently given birth prior to incarceration. Consider the following facts:   

• One-quarter of women in prison will have either given birth within a year of their arrest or are pregnant at the time of arrest.
• The female prison population has increased by 872% since 1977.
• Prior to incarceration, more than 85% of these women were the primary caregivers of their children.    

HOW YOU CAN HELP   

The good news is that there is something you can do-become a Founding Mother! Our goal is to provide 10 women with educational programming and doula support with our 2012 fund drive called Founding Mothers. Your tax-deductible donation will help us reach our $10,000 goal. Each contributor will have the opportunity to have their names incorporated into a public art piece to be hung and displayed at the Everyday Miracles Pregnancy Center as a show of their support for our project. More importantly, each contributor will be making a difference in the lives of mother and child, mother and family, and communities across Minnesota.  Your contribution to Isis Rising will help us provide essential resources and support directly to incarcerated mothers.    

We believe that all humans have the capacity to change, grow, and transform through the birth process, do you? 

HOW TO DONATE

Online:

www.everyday-miracles.org

**At the bottom of the page click on the "DONATE NOW" link  

On Facebook:

 

**On left left hand side of the page click on "Donate" with the pink pig.  

    

Call our office:  

612.353.6293  

  

Snail mail:

Isis Rising- A Prison Doula Project 

Everyday Miracles  

1121 Jackson St NE #121

Minneapolis, MN 55413   

When making a contribution please be sure to include the name that you would like displayed in the Founding Mothers art piece.  

Words cannot express how truly thankful we are at Isis Rising for your time and for considering our cause. Your donations are greatly appreciated.  

Kind Regards,

Debby Prudhomme, Mary Williams & Erica Gerrity

Placenta Encapsulation: For the Placenta Lasagna Apprehensive

Many people that I talk to are automatically repulsed by the idea of consuming the placenta. I have to admit, when I first heard about it, it was pretty strange to think about. However, when I started learning about all of the benefits of consuming the placenta postpartum (increased milk production, balancing hormones, reducing postpartum depression, and more) and when I learned that nearly all mammals consume their placenta post birth, it suddenly didn't seem quite as terrible to me. When I learned that some people professionally hire someone to prepare your placenta, and then encapsulate it into little pills, I was even more into the idea.

For some reason, preparing the placenta in the form of lasagna or placenta meat loaf makes me feel a little sick to my stomach. But the idea of taking a supplement, over the course of a month or two sounds much more do-able. The idea of having something to balance my hormones during menopause sounds even more amazing to me.

A colleague of mine, Anne Ferguson, does placenta encapsulation for women in the Twin Cities area. She got to have a little blurb in the local news, and I thought I would pass it on to you so you can see what it is like.




Here is the written article for the news cast: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/02/16/doula-consuming-placenta-can-help-postpartum-depression/

There is some skepticism in the news cast that there is not sufficient evidence that this is a beneficial practice. However, I would like to offer that there are resources out there that speak to the benefits of placenta encapsulation. Here is just one of those.

http://placentabenefits.info/research.asp

If you aren't quite up for consuming your placenta, you may at least consider keeping it to make a beautiful "placenta print" or to plant a tree in your back yard over the top of it.