Headlines of the Week – March 30, 2012

Hilary Duff gives birth!

After announcing her pregnancy in August 2011, Hilary gave birth to a 7 lb. 6 oz. baby boy named Luca Cruz on the evening of Tuesday, March 20th.  She posted on her blog: “We are overjoyed and feel like the luckiest parents in the world. He is surrounded by so much love!! Mom and baby are both doing extremely well.”, later tweeting “4am… sleepy eyed. Feeding baby… whew this job is no joke!”

“The Second Nine Months: Exterogestation and the Need To Be Held” – via Boba Family
I think this reading is vital for everyone, but especially mothers and fathers to-be. In fact, I see it as basic information that should be taught along with sex ed and/or childbirth education. It saddens me that most of us know so little about infant care and are instead bombarded with information on strollers and pacifiers instead of what babies truly need from us as parents and caregivers.

Male newborn circumcision rate falls to its lowest level of 54.5% since the federal government began tracking its statistics in 1993. “The rate has fallen from its peak of 62.7% in 1999, when the American Academy of Pediatrics adopted a neutral position on the procedure… 18 state Medicaid plans now refuse to pay for routine nontherapeutic circumcision, with Western states such as California, Oregon and Washington among them.” – via amednews.com

A woman finds a freshly-opened tampon to be covered in mold. GAG. Yes there are pictures.  In response to an email she sent to Kotex, the tampons manufacturer, they have issued a recall of 1,400 boxes of their tampons shipped between October 29th and November 2nd. A spokesman for the company stated Monday that they may be contaminated with bacteria that can cause dangerous infections including urinary tract infections and pelvic inflammatory disease. To avoid moldy tampons in the future, here are some safer alternatives that you just might fall in love with. FYI, Diva Cups are awesome.

“Why Getting Grimy As A Kid Can Make For A Healthier Life” – via NPR

“The Best Birth Control In The World Is For Men” – via techcitement.com
“The procedure called RISUG in India (reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance) takes about 15 minutes with a doctor, is effective after about three days, and lasts for 10 or more years. A doctor applies some local anesthetic, makes a small pinhole in the base of the scrotum, reaches in with a pair of very thin forceps, and pulls out the small white vas deferens tube. Then, the doctor injects the polymer gel (called Vasalgel here in the US), pushes the vas deferens back inside, repeats the process for the other vas deferens, puts a Band-Aid over the small hole, and the man is on his way. If this all sounds incredibly simple and inexpensive, that’s because it is. The chemicals themselves cost less than the syringe used to administer them. But the science of what happens next is the really fascinating part.”

“Medical Problems During Pregnancy Doesn’t Mean A Bad Pregnancy” – via Made To Birth

“Taking Care of Mom After Baby’s Arrival” – via keeperofthehome.org
There are so many articles out there about how to help your wife, sister, friend, etc. after she has her baby to make for a smooth postpartum. This article however is probably the best I’ve seen on the topic and is especially intended for mommies-to-be.

“Your Body, Your Decisions – This Mean You, Moms!” – via ACLU
“In a national survey, a quarter of women who underwent cesarean surgery said they had felt pressured to do so. Many more women were simply not given full information about the benefits and risks of cesarean surgery, in other words, their consent, even when given, was not informed. The story is similar with other common labor interventions: seventeen percent of women whose labor had been induced by the administration of drugs said they had felt pressure, and the great majority of mothers who had received an episiotomy (an incision between the vagina and anus) reported that they had had no choice in the matter at all.”

“Skip That Newborn Vitamin K Shot” – via The Healthy Home Economist
“Midwifery Digest, Vol 2 #3, September 1992 estimated that the chance of your child developing leukemia from the vitamin K shot is about one in 500! This means that the risk of developing leukemia from the vitamin K shot is much higher than the risk of bleeding on the brain which the vitamin K shot is supposed to prevent”.

Dr. Bob Sears: California Bill AB2109 Threatens Vaccine Freedom of Choice – via Huffington Post

Placentas, Placentas, Placentas, oh my! Placentas were all over the place this week, from January Jones announcing that she encapsulated hers to an unfortunately popular article in the New York Times titled “I Regret Eating My Placenta”. It really upsets me when articles like this break through into the mainstream, because its clear that this woman did not make an informed decision regarding consuming her placenta, and that is what I am all about. If you read the piece, you will see that the person who prepared her placenta seems to have added some unknown herbs, something that is not normally done in placentophagia. I find it unfortunate that the woman blames her own organ for “tabloid-worthy meltdown mode, a frightening phase filled with tears and rage” as opposed to a mysterious combination of herbs which are NOT to be messed with. I love using herbs for my own health, but I am careful to only use what I know very well. Please ladies, do your research. Know what you are putting into your body. In a nice redemption, I stumbled across this lovely piece on the Huffington Post from a well-informed mama titled “Pregnant Over 40: I Think I’m Going To Eat My Placenta”.

“The Internal Clitoris” – via The Museum of Sex
While this article isn’t new, it has been making its rounds in the blogosphere this week. This is another piece of information that I think is really basic knowledge that all women should have about their bodies. And it can’t hurt for men to know too ;) If you’re not much of a reader (hey, what are you doing on this page anyway?!) at the very least, watch the video at the bottom of the article. Prepare to be amazed and sent into a giggle fit like I was upon hearing a middle-aged woman saying the word ‘asshole’ so bluntly. ENJOY!

Here is a very informative infographic from takepart.com showing the unfortunate climate of Maternity Leave in the US compared to other countries:

Best Birth Stories of the Week:

“Birth and Nursing Taught Me To Love My Body” – via Mama Birth
“There are a lot of little interesting tidbits in this birth story; an unplanned hospital birth, some unwanted Pitocin, and an unexpected episiotomy.  What I love though is that this mom is still overjoyed at her experience.  But even more than that, I adore that her birthing and nurturing experience as a mother taught her how amazing and powerful her body is.  That is simply TRUE.  We are powerful and birth can teach us this.”

“‘I AM IN LABOR’ – A Birth Story Where Mama Knows Best” – via Mama Birth

“Planned Home VBAC Turned Hospital Birth – A Story of Disappointment Turned Triumph” – via Mama Birth

“A Birth That Turned Into A Journey: Amniotic Band Syndrome” – via Birth Without Fear

Born In The Caul – via MJ Birth Photography
This isn’t a birth story, but a small collection of amazing pictures of a baby born in the caul (the woman’s waters never broke during labor). Being born in the caul is known to be auspicious for the baby and many say that baby will grow up to be extra sensitive, special, even psychic.

The Amazing Placenta A.K.A. The Tree of Life

The Placenta - Notice how the arteries look just like the branches of a tree?

The placenta is a fascinating organ with many healing properties. For myself and other birthies, it is a highly revered organ and something that should be cherished and appreciated, instead of a source of cringes and gags. That being said, if you are easily grossed-out or are just plain close-minded, you may want to proceed with caution.

What is a placenta? A placenta is a temporary organ that your body grows just for your baby. Cambodians call it “the globe of the origin of the soul”. It is composed of 50% of your cells and 50% of your baby’s cells. It provides a filter for toxins while your baby’s liver is still developing and provides your little one with oxygen and nutrients via the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is attached to the center of the placenta (in some cases it is attached to the side, known as a Battledore insertion). The placenta is attached to the uterine wall and is one of the first things to develop upon conception. In a way, its is your baby’s first home! Inside it you will find the amniotic sac (also known as the caul, waters, or membranes) and inside the sac you will find your baby. It’s like womb inception!

Wombception - image via Babycenter.com

Isn’t it just human waste? A bio-hazard? Not at all! The placenta (commonly referred to as afterbirth) is a very misunderstood organ and since we rarely see it and learn virtually nothing about it, of course we think its gross! I admit even I was a little irked by them at first, but as I learned more and got to know it better I can look at them endlessly and don’t mind handling them either (more on this later). Hospitals generally view it as waste and incinerate them, however midwives know how special they are and will show it to you, explain its features, point out any abnormalities (such as areas of calcification), explains its benefits postpartum, cultural practices, and what you can do with it after (other than tossing it). This is especially cool for older siblings!

So what can be done with it? There are many ways to show your appreciation for the very thing that helped your baby to grow. Most of these have ancient cultural origins, ranging from spiritual to nutritional to biological.

Placenta Prints

We are all so unique!

Before burying or consuming their placenta, many women choose to immortalize their unique and beautiful Tree of Life by painting (paint, blood, or even fruit juice can be used) and imprinting it on paper or canvas.

Encapsulated Placenta A.K.A. Happy Pills!

Consumption

This is the part where you may cringe if you haven’t already, but if you can, get over it and fast. Here’s why: The placenta is LOADED with nutrients and hormones that are lost after birth! It is widely-accepted that new mothers will experience depression, low energy, anemia, and other not-so-fun postpartum symptoms. What if I told you taking a pill that is 100% safe and organic could decrease, prevent, or even entirely eliminate all of those things and more? You would totally take it right? Sure, it’s made out of your placenta, but once its in pill form, it looks just like a vitamin. Don’t just take my word for it! A small but growing number of women are using their placentas to better heal from pregnancy and birth and there is more and more research being done on this practice. Guess what? They all have the same conclusions about its effectiveness and many news stations have recently reported on its benefits and the increasing number of mothers who swear by it.

Most mammals consume their placenta after birth, and while many believe this is to limit the scent detectable to predators, this simply isn’t true. Mothers shed lochia, newborns are covered in fluid and vernix, etc. It is thought that mammals (including humans) instinctively consume their placenta in order to balance their bodies back to its pre-pregnancy state and also to satisfy mammals (even herbivores) near instant carnivorous state postpartum.
More on the biological reasons for placenta consumption can be read here.

Among other things, placentas contain many beneficial hormones including oxytocin (promotes bonding), prolactin (increases milk supply and makes milk come in sooner), iron (decreases anemia and increases energy),  Vitamin B6 (fights postpartum depression and baby blues), and progesterone (balances pituitary and ovarian hormones), among other minerals and nutrients. It can also be life-saving: in the event of a postpartum hemorrhage, many cultures, such as the Amish, place a piece of the placenta between the gum and cheek. Within minutes, the hemorrhaging will subside. Cool huh?

January Jones, who went back to working grueling hours as Betty Draper on the set of Mad Men just six weeks postpartum, is one of the few celebrity moms who has been open about her "happy pills", which she suggest for all moms and has been taking every day since the birth of son Xander Dane.

There are many ways in which placentas can be consumed: raw (some women prefer to “hide” it in a smoothie), cooked (it tastes and smells almost identical to liver), tincture, or encapsulated (dehydrated and ground into a powder which is then put into pill form). Powder from the encapsulation process can also be put into a smoothie or juice. I think one of the coolest things about placenta pills is that, when stored properly, they will last a literal lifetime and have been found to be helpful during menstruation, menopause, and even when your child is having hormonal issues during puberty. Remember: 50% your cells, 50% their cells.

NOTE: In the event of a cesarean, you can still consume your placenta. It is standard procedure for them to take it to pathology where it is often treated with Formalin of Formaldehyde. It will no longer be healthy for consumption after this treatment. If they insist, ask them to cut a piece off for testing instead of using the whole placenta. Women who have had surgical or highly interventive births can especially benefit from placenta consumption.
You can learn more about the benefits and encapsulation process (the Traditional Chinese Medicine way) with many pictures here.
If you’re up for it, there are is a link at the end of the article to a detailed retelling of author Emma Kwasnica’s home birth which completely opened up my eyes and changed a lot of my beliefs about birth. A fantastic read with lots of pictures!

Lotus Birth

Image via lavendilly.wordpress.com

Lotus Birth, or Umbilical Non-Severance, is the practice of leaving the baby’s umbilical cord attached (to him/herself and the placenta) until the cord detaches naturally. This often happens in a much shorter period than the time it takes for a clamped and cut umbilical stump to fall off and is viewed as being a more organic, natural, safer, spiritually and emotionally-conscious practice.
If this sounds unnatural, remember earlier when I said most mammals consume their placentas? Chimpanzees, the species we regard as having the highest intelligence in the animal kingdom, practices lotus birth as observed by Jane Goodall.
Evidence of lotus births can be found in ancient Eastern texts, including those of Tibetan and Zen Buddhism, Balinese, and some Aboriginal cultures as well. Placentas are wrapped in a soft cloth, bowl or bag which are often made specifically for the purpose of housing the postpartum placenta , and treated daily with herbs and salts to decrease smells and promote drying. If lotus birth is something that interests you, but you are also intent on consuming your placenta, it is still possible. Read a very well-written how to here by the fabulous Gloria Lemay.
You can read all about lotus birth here (seriously, there is a TON of information out there about it!). I also suggest learning about the benefits of delayed cord-clamping and the harm our current practices are causing.

Burial

Girl next to the apple tree nourished with her placenta. Upon viewing the burial of her siblings placenta, her mother says 'When I said "goodbye, placenta,' Mia said, 'It’s not goodbye! It’s HELLO! It is going to grow forever and ever.' So there you go. Wise words from the mouth of a child." Image via tikkitavi.wordpress.com

Placenta Burial Ceremonies are another ancient practice, one which has been performed on nearly every continent. This is a deeply spiritual and often emotional practice. I think Wikipedia sums it up best: “The Maori of New Zealand traditionally bury the placenta from a newborn child to emphasize the relationship between humans and the earth. Likewise, the Navajo bury the placenta and umbilical cord at a specially chosen site, particularly if the baby dies during birth. In Cambodia and Costa Rica, burial of the placenta is believed to protect and ensure the health of the baby and the mother. Several cultures believe the placenta to be or have been alive, often a relative of the baby. Nepalese think of the placenta as a friend of the baby; Malaysian Orang Asli regard it as the baby’s older sibling. The Ibo of Nigeria consider the placenta the deceased twin of the baby, and conduct full funeral rites for it. Native Hawaiians believe that the placenta is a part of the baby, and traditionally plant it with a tree that can then grow alongside the child. Various cultures in Indonesia, such as Javanese, believe that the placenta has a spirit and needs to be buried outside the family house.” I think this is such a sweet, natural, connected, and beautiful practice.

Matthew McConaughey told CNN he planned to bury his son Levi’s placenta after being inspired by his travels, “When I was in Australia, they had a placenta tree that was on the river…and all the placentas of all that tribe, all that clan, whatever aboriginal tribe that was, all the placentas went under that one tree and it was this huge behemoth of just health and strength. This tree was just growing taller and stronger above the rest of Mother Nature around it. It was gorgeous.”

As for the location of Levi's placenta, Matthew says, "It’s going to be in the orchards, and it’s going to bear some wonderful fruit".

End note: Taking your placenta home from the hospital can be a hassle, but since it is YOUR organ and belongs to YOU, you have every right to take it home. Here is a placenta release form to prevent staff from giving you a hard time. Be prepared with a Ziploc bag or container to store it in. Best practice is to write your name and basic info on it and refrigerate or freeze it immediately. Hospitals have a tendency to “lose” placentas when storing them for you, so it is best to have a friend or your doula run it home for you.

More information about placenta’s benefits and cultural practices can be viewed at the following links:
All About Placenta Encapsulation ~ via Mommy Feel Good
Placenta Encapsulation FAQ ~ via Placenta Mom
Cultural Reverence of the Placenta ~ via Tides of Life
Cultural Placenta Traditions ~ via Birth To Earth