Information on Issues During Pregnancy & Childbirth

When I was pregnant with my first I spent countless hours reaearching information and *still* felt like I was missing stuff. This second pregnancy I've spent countless hours, again, researching things that didn't even cross my mind the first time!

This is kind of a journal for myself to store links to information I've read. I'll probably come back to edit this as I read more. I never truly stop researching, but the topics I pick go along with what is currently weighing heavy on my mind or are things that I know will be brought up at near future appointments with my midwife.

This is an alphabetical list as that will make it easier to find info once the list starts growing.

Also, keep in mind some of these things I researched with my previous birth but not recently and may not have many, if any, links to share on the subject. This is just a journal for personal reference.

Electronic Fetal Monitoring

• http://www.newrepublic.com/article/122532/most-common-childbirth-practice-us-unnecessary-dangerous?utm_content=buffer4b07b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Glucose Testing for Gestational Diabetes
*I did some research into the dribk given for this test and was uncomfortable with the ingredients and chose to opt out for this birth. My midwife did ask that I do at home screening for a week. I obliged and actually found it interesting to keep traxk of mt meals and blood sugar levels. Seeing as Im not at risk for high blood sugar and did not have GD with my first I would have been completely comfortable skipping this testing all together.

• Diagnosis and Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. (American Family Physician)
• Gestational Diabetes: Please Don't Drink the "Glucola" Without Reading The Label. (Aviva Romm)
• Gestational Diabetes and the Glucola Test. (Evidence Based Birth)

Newborn's First Bath

• http://www.bestforbabes.org/booby-traps-series-why-the-newborn-bath-should-wait/
• http://eco18.com/dont-wash-newborn/
• http://modernalternativepregnancy.com/2013/09/30/bathing-the-baby-why-you-should-wait/
• http://everythingbirthblog.com/2013/05/dont-wash-that-baby-why-many-believe-newborn-baths-should-be-postponed/
• https://www.promedicahealthconnect.org/general-health/should-you-delay-your-babys-first-bath/

Placenta Encapsulation/Smoothies/Tinctures
*I am planning to go the route of placenta smoothies. This is something I *never* saw myself doing when I got into the crunchy lifestyle. I am choosing this route due to lack of money and a placenta encapsulation specialist close enough to me to not cost more than $250. I would much prefer encapsulation, but am also not up to doing it myself since I don't have all the supplies nor money to buy the supplies before my new little one arrives. Below is some different info I've read over and saved on this subject.

General Info

• New Placenta Research Study: Randomised double-blind placebo trial for 2014. (Independent Placenta Encapsulation Network)

Encapsulation Links

• Placenta Encapsulation. (Enlightened Mama)
• Placenta Encapsulation - Why Placenta Pills Are Booming. (BellyBelly)

Ultrasound Information
*I currently feel that ultrasound is overused in births in the US today. After spending a minimal time researching this subject I find that, for me, they are not necessary. I have already had 3 this second pregnancy but seeing as everything is "normal" I feel there is no need for further ultrasounds.

• Avoid Fetal "Keepsake" Images, Heartbeat Monitors. (FDA)
• Human Studies Condemn Ultrasound. (Kelly Brogan)
• Study: Mice exposed to diagnostic ultrasound in utero are less social and more active in social situations relative to controls. (NBCI, Nov. 18, 2013)
• Questions about Prenatal Ultrasound and the Alarming Increase in Autism. (Midwifery Today)
• Ultrasound, Is It Safe? (Never MindThem)
• Ultrasound: More Harm Than Good? (Midwifery Today)
• Ultrasound In Obstetrics: A Question of Safety. (Alliance for the Improvement of Maternity Services (AIMS))
• Ultrasound Scans - Cause for Concern. (Sarah Buckley)

Homemade Strawberry Jam

About 4 years ago I discovered how to make homemade jams and jellies. Since then I am almost positive we have not bought any from the store. Once we made our own I never did like the taste of store bought. I've since made jam or jelly from apples, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.

Strawberry Jam Recipe

Ingredients
2 quarts or 50 strawberries without leaves
3 1/2 cups water
2 Tablespoons vanilla
Juice from one lemon or 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 box Jel-Ease/Sure Jell
7 cups sugar

Directions

1. Gather your supplies. I made 8 jelly jars and 2 pints of jelly off this recipe. So that many jars with lids and rims, washed. A ladle for spooning finished jelly into jars. Labels for the finished jars.

2. In a large pot, place strawberries, vanilla, lemon juice and water. Bring to a boil. You will want the berries cooked enough you can mash them easily with a potato masher. Once the berries are mashed, add in the pectin. Continue to boil for 2 minutes.

3. Your mixture will start to look like this. Slowly stir in the sugar and boil another 2 minutes once all the sugar has been added.

4. I like to put my jars on a pan and set over the cool stove burners to make it easy to fill them without making a mess on the burners. *you will won't ysour jars hot. I usually fill them with super hot tap water and dump it out just before I need to fill them.

5. After the mixture has finished boiling, remove from heat and start ladeling into jars. Leave a 1/4 inch gap from the top of the jar so they will be able to seal. Wipe the lips of the jars before adding lids. Make sure the rings are tight.

6. After all the jars are filled flip them over and let them sit for 5 minutes. Turn back to their upright position and wait to hear the "pings" of sealed jars. Leave the jars sitting in the correct position for 24 hours before moving to allow the jam to set.

Jam on a pancake!

That's it! Takes me just under 2 hours from start to finish on this project. I usually make several different types of jam each summer to get us through til next season.

Oh and a tip! You want equal portions of juice to sugar so the jam will set. I think this recipe is pretty spot on for strawberry jam tho so you shouldn't have issues there.