Healthy Pregnancy

I recently re-read Walter Makichen’s book Spirit Babies which is offers an insightful metaphysical viewpoint of conception. I first met Walter while working at a Fertile Soul Retreat. At the time, I didn’t know much about him except that he was a clairvoyant and I had not yet read his book. There were twenty or so woman attending from all over the world and I have to admit that I wondered how they would receive the concept of spirit babies, since many of them had never seen a psychic. After seeing Walter speak, each of these woman was so moved by his description of working with spirit babies that almost all of them signed up for an individual consultation with him.

Walter’s belief is that many parents have been with their babies in past lives and that often there are lessons left to work through together. When working with infertility patients, he has noticed that there is often a blockage in physical circumstances or energetic vibration preventing the soul from entering the body. In his individual sessions, Makichen is able to speak to the spirit baby and offer insight to the parents about the needs or fears that are preventing conception. He often sees the spirit baby surrounded by an oval of light that corresponds with the chakra system, revealing which emotions need to be addressed to invite the baby in to what he calls the conception chalice:

“When couples with a conscious or unconscious desire to have a child make love, their kundalini energies flow up their spine and out the top of their heads. Their individual energies intertwine, forming a column. At the top the two energies merge into the shape of a bowl. The whole form resembles a large gold and orange goblet or chalice. This gold and orange bowl, which I call the “conception cradle,” floats above the top of the prospective mother’s head. The conception cradle calls and welcomes the spirit baby, drawing the spirit into the conception contract.” (page 186-187)

Spirit Babies offers practical solutions to teach prospective parents to speak with the spirit of their unborn child through meditation and breathwork. Walter also helps women and men to work through issues of past miscarriage, abortions and trauma through grief and self-forgiveness exercises. The key that he re-iterates throughout the book is to continuously return to nature to re-attune your system with the earth. Walter believes that spirit babies may be with their parents for many years before entering the body, often presenting themselves in the form of butterflies and hummingbirds.

Vertigo is a common pregnancy complaint during the first trimester. A new mom, on top of all the other pregnant side effects, may often feel a little light-headed and dizzy. This is most likely because the blood flow in the body is changing, as it is diverted to the growing uterus and fetus. Vertigo is typically not something to worry about (although if it feels unusual or extreme, talk to your doctor). The biggest concern is not dizziness itself, but rather that your likelihood of falling and injuring yourself increases. To avoid vertigo/recover from vertigo, follow these tips:

• Breath deeply
• Don’t make fast, jerky movements
• Take time transitioning when sitting up or standing up
• Use handrails when using stairs/escalators, etc.
• Wear stable shoes with good support (toppling off your Barbie heels would be dangerous and embarrassing)
• Don’t hesitate to ask for help carrying things or doing strenuous tasks
• As you experience dizziness, stay home and relax (if possible).
• Putting the feet up sends blood (and oxygen) back to the heart and head

You CAN combine working and breastfeeding. It just takes a little preparation and some extra planning. Here are some helpful tips from moms who have done it.

Purchase the best breastpump you can afford. You will need a double pump. Avoid used pumps.

Make sure the pump fits you well and you know how to use it! You should be able to get enough milk for a typical feeding in about 15-20 minutes.

Learn about milk storage guidelines.

Talk to your employer about your plans to pump your milk at work. Agree on where you will be pumping and storing your milk.

Find a co-worker who has combined working and breastfeeding. You will need support!

Make sure your baby is comfortable with a bottle or other alternative feeding method. Give her at least 2 weeks to get used to the idea.

Stockpile a few bottles of milk in the freezer “just in case.” It will make you feel secure. You do NOT need a freezer full of milk. Remember you will be replacing the milk your baby drinks each day and storing it in the refrigerator.

Consider going back to work on a Thursday or Friday. It’s not as overwhelming as starting off with the entire week in front of you.

Do a practice run to see how long it will take to get you, baby and milk ready and where you need to go. Be sure to do this practice at the time that you’d actually be going to work.

Remember that providing milk for your baby when you’re at work serves everyone. You will be happy and productive and your baby will be healthy. This translates to fewer sick days for you and a grateful boss!

Written by Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC. Renee is a lactation consultant in private practice in Seattle, Washington. She is available for home/hospital visits and phone consultations. Renee can be reached at www.second9months.com

See also “Are Used Breastpumps are Bargain?” and “Storing Human Milk“

I am a lactation consultant in private practice. I see many moms struggle with milk production. As you can imagine, (and as many of you know!) it’s very frustrating to do everything “right” and still not have enough milk for your baby. Moms know that breast milk is the best thing for babies, yet when supply problems exist, it can be difficult to give baby 100% breast milk. I have found that moms will do just about anything to help increase their milk production—prescriptions medications, strenuous pumping regimens or drinking bitter herbal concoctions.

Recently I was approached by the founder of Milkmakers. She enthusiastically told me about her product—a cookie—that reportedly helps with milk production in breastfeeding moms. Some of the ingredients in Milkmakers are known to support milk production, but I was skeptical, to say the least.

Since this is a new product and an interesting idea, I decided to do a little research. Seattle moms with concerns about milk supply agreed to eat these delicious, nutrient-dense cookies for a week and let me know how they “worked.” Much to my surprise, the vast majority of the moms called with positive results. Many of the moms had returned to work and found that a nutritious cookie was the perfect complement to pumping.

I will continue to offer herbs, medications and other proven protocols for my clients with serious milk production issues. I will also offer cookies as part of the solution—particularly for moms who may need a boost when returning to work.

If you are having problems with supply, contact a lactation consultant for help. In addtion, give Milkmakers a try. They may be part of the solution!

Milkmaker cookies can be found at www.milk-makers.com.

Written by Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC. Renee is a lactation consultant in private practice in Seattle, Washington. She is available for home/hospital visits and phone consultations. Renee can be reached at www.second9months.com

One of the beautiful things about breastfeeding is that there are no worries about cleaning containers, refrigeration or expiration dates! Even so, many moms find it necessary or convenient to express milk for their babies when they’re away. In those situations, it’s important to know how to properly store milk so it stays fresh for baby.

Most of us are used to storing milk that has been pasteurized. Pasteurization is a method of heat-treating the milk so that harmful bacteria are killed. Unfortunately, all of the beneficial cells are killed as well. Because of this, we have learned to always keep milk and other dairy products refrigerated so that it won’t spoil.

Your freshly pumped milk, however, is dense with live cells—cells that kill nasty germs and keep the milk safe for your baby. Freezing the milk kills many of those beneficial cells. Previously frozen milk is, therefore, less stable than fresh milk. Whenever possible, feed your baby fresh milk, saving the frozen milk for emergencies.

Simple rules for milk storage:

Room temperature: 3-4 hours or until the next feeding. (Research indicates that milk can be safely stored up to 10 hours at room temperature—depending on the temperature of the room.)

Refrigerator: 5 days (Many sources quote 8 days, but that research was conducted under laboratory conditions not typical in a home situation)

Freezer: 3-4 months (varies according to temperature, frequency of opening freezer and location in freezer.)

Deep Freeze: 6 months or longer. (varies according to frequency of opening freezer)

Written by Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC. Renee is a lactation consultant in private practice in Seattle, Washington. She is available for home/hospital visits and phone consultations. Renee can be reached at www.second9months.com

An estimated 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage, defined as the loss of pregnancy prior to 20 weeks. Whether expected or unexpected the loss of pregnancy can be an absolutely devastating experience for a woman. Though everyone reacts differently, there is often a deep wondering of what could have caused such a thing to happen. Was it something I did? Will I be able to get pregnant again and carry a baby until full term? Fear, anxiety and deep sadness coupled with hormonal mood swings can leave you feeling low. It is most important to surround yourself with a good support group who can help you to get through this difficult time.

In a culture that doesn’t have the reverence for the experience of loss that other cultures do, it is important to allow yourself to process the many emotions you may be experiencing. In Tears of Blood: Understanding and Creatively Intervening in the Grief of Miscarriage, the authors explain the experience of miscarriage as “a meaningful loss worth of acknowledgment and support, yet many woman do not perceive their miscarriage loss experience as validated and acknowledged.”* For many of these women the process of sharing their story of loss with a loved one or a healthcare practitioner can open the path to healing.

Mayan Abdominal Massage can be helpful for accessing the emotions and trauma stored in belly after a miscarriage. This form of massage also helps to restore hormonal balance and gently prepare the reproductive organs for a healthy pregnancy.

Minerals from seaweeds flood the body with healthy minerals and nourish the deepest reserves of the body impacted by miscarriage. Adding cut up seaweeds like kombu and wakame to foods slowly simmered in water (soups, stews and grains) is a great way to get the benefits without impacting your taste buds.

Foot soaks and relaxing baths help to ground and gently detoxify the body. Taking time to interiorize and relax deeply is important for replenishing your vital energy. Simply add a cup of sea salts of epsom salts to warm water, light a candle and drop into your home spa experience.

Working with a counsellor can allow you to express feelings that may feel uncomfortable to release in your daily life. A good therapist can be objective and guide you through the experience of grief. If you find yourself struggling to release painful memories consider an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) session that works with memory patterns to release the trauma stored in your body.

Creative outlets couple with downtime are helpful ways to let the mind wander and release tension. Spend time sourcing pleasurable moments to doodle, draw or simply be inspired by the nature that surrounds you. It is a fallacy that we need to immediately dive back into the rat race. Be sure to take the time you need.

The good news is that most women will go on to have a healthy pregnancy. Even in the case of recurrent miscarriage, technology has made advances that allow women previously deemed infertile the ability to conceive. With the guidance of your doctors, allow yourself the time to grieve your loss and heal your body in preparation for a healthy pregnancy.

*Douglas, K.I., & Fox, J.R. (2009). Tears of Blood: Understanding and Creatively Intervening in the Grief of Miscarriage. In G.R. WAlz, J.C.Bleuer, & R. K. Yeps (Eds.), Compelling counselling interventions: VISTAS 2009 (p.91) Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

It is well known that increased stress levels over time can contribute to a host of illnesses by lowering immune function, increasing blood pressure, disturbing healthy digestive patterns. Since stress creates imbalances of hormones in your body, it also has a strong impact on your fertility and can lead to menstrual cycle irregularity, ovulation malfunction, implantation issues and lowered tubal function.

From a physiological perspective, increased levels of stress hormones are released by the nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis sending the body into “survival mode”. As seen in nature, animals do not reproduce when they are in danger. Our body’s react in much the same way to less primal perceived threats in our environment. Some of the warning signs of stress are: memory problems, inability to concentrate, depression, feelings of isolation, chest pain, digestive disturbances, low libido, over or under-eating, changes in sleep patterns and substance abuse.

With busy schedules and constant deadlines, the opportunities to feel stressed may seem endless. Learning to manage stress in a different way by introducing specialized relaxation techniques may be the key to restoring hormonal balance and vitality. In the early 1970’s Dr. Herbert Benson, a Harvard cardiologist, introduced a technique called the relaxation responseto counteract the harmful effects of stress. He suggested that everyone practice a mindful meditation by sitting quietly, completely relaxing the body from the toes to the top of the head and breathing rhythmically for 20 minutes twice a day at least 2 hours from mealtime. The goal: when practiced over time the relaxation response can help to overrule the stress response.

Managing your weight on bed rest is a three fold process that involves a close look at your relaxation habits, physical activity and what you are eating.

1. Though it may seem like bed rest would imply restfulness and relaxation, the true experience can be anything but stress relieving. Many women feel contained, restless and impatient when they are unable to go about their daily activities. Training oneself to consciously relax involves introducing activities that truly bring you a sense of peace and calm such as meditation, deep belly breathing, uplifting reading and getting adequate rest. When the nervous system is able to relax, we can manage our weight with greater ease by becoming more mindful of our cravings. Emotions play a big role in directing what we put in our mouths, so relaxation is a great place to start to set the stage for moderating weight gain.

2. Physical activity may also seem contradictory when one talks about bed rest, but there are in fact many stretches and gentle movements that can be incorporated. Changing your concept of exercise is important and you may consider trying different yoga, tai chi and qi gong videos and zoning in on the floor postures. Of course videos that specialize in bed rest like The bedrest fitness dvd are ideal because all of the exercises are streamlined so you won’t have to improvise. The key here is to get fresh blood flow and oxygen through all the organs which is essential for preventing blood clots, maintaining weight and managing your mood. The feel good endorphins are essential for every aspect of our well being and especially keeping your spirits up.

3. Finally, it is important to eat a colorful nutrient rich diet. So often, I talk to women who are feeling a little down about being on bed rest and the first thing they reach for are “treats” usually in the form of simple carbohydrates and sugary sweets. While this may solve the blues temporarily, it creates a vicious cycle where you need more and more “treats” to boost your serotonin. They key here is to eat small and frequent protein, carbohydrate balanced meals and snacks throughout the day to moderate your blood sugar levels, keeping your insulin levels, mood and weight gain stable. By choosing colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains and organic protein sources you are giving your body the nutrients it needs. It’s also important to treat yourself from time to time to avoid the feeling of restriction and the potential of bingeing. I would recommend stocking your fridge full of healthy foods to avoid too much temptation and focusing on the delicious healthful alternatives.

The holiday season reminds us to be grateful for the many blessings in our lives. But what many of us may not realize is that practicing gratitude as a ritual impacts our health, leading us to feel healthier and happier. Current research at the University of California Davis, has revealed that practicing gratitude elevates our inner happiness and contentment with life. I first heard about the gratitude concept from Oprah who wrote that she kept a journal and made a list of all she was grateful for each day. If you are looking to make major shifts in your wellbeing and joie de vivre this New Year, consider keeping a gratitude journal. Studies have revealed that:

1. Those who keep gratitude journal on a weekly basis exercise more often, experience less illness and feel more optimistic about the week to come and their lives as a whole (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).

2. Tracking gratitude is equated to meeting personal goals (personal, health and academic).

3. Guided gratitude meditations elicit positive thinking, while increasing alertness, attentiveness and energy.

4. People who practice gratitude are able to support others.

5. Those with neuromuscular disease improved their quality of life with increased feelings of connectedness, positive moods and improved sleep.

6. Children who grow up on gratitude feel more positive towards education and family. (Froh, Sefick, & Emmons, 2008)

Looking for additional ways to bring gratitude into your everyday life?

Practice giving back: the simple act of giving spreads gratitude. Consider ways you can give to experience how much you receive from the profound act of giving.

Say thank you: the two words are so simple and yet when spoken with sincerity they acknowledge the feeling of gratitude for a gift received by another.

Smile: a simple smile amongst strangers and friends can change the entire dynamic.

Say grace before meals: blessing your food is one of the most profound acts to imbue your food with gratitude to nourish your cells.

Doctor’s orders say bed rest. Your mind says another minute lying around will drive you crazy. Your body feels anything but rested. Try these pseudo exercises to keep your mind clear and your body comfortable.

BREATHING There are lots of fabulous ways to calm the body and mind through breathing. Here are two.

1) Take a deep inhale through your nose. Pause slightly at the end of the inhale, and then exhale through the nose, making the exhale last twice as long as the inhale. Think about sipping air in and out—long actions that engage the deep muscles of the core and that fill the lungs with as much air as possible. Slow and steady. Visualize oxygen penetrating every cell of your body, bringing life and health. Not only will this calm your body and ease tension, it will also help to improve your lung capacity.

2) If sleep is not coming easily, or if your body is tense, begin this breathing exercise by slowing and lengthening your breath (nose breathing). Take a few cleansing breaths, and then start sending breath to your toes—asking them to relax. Every exhale, let a body part relax, slowly moving up your body until you reach your forehead. Yes, it is the mental visualization as much as the physical relaxation of your breath that will calm you. Chances are you will be asleep before you reach your head.

MASSAGE Whether at the spa or in home, massage can be a great way to relax. It is excellent for increasing circulation and easing muscle tension, which will make lying down seem luxurious, rather than binding. If a full massage is not an option, try lying on your back with your legs and feet in the air (knees bent, legs to either side of body), and give yourself a foot and calf massage. Just having the feet in the air will improve circulation, and you may be surprised at the tension you can work out of your own feet, and how that will penetrate up the body.

STRETCHES Do ask your doctor if these stretches/exercises are right for you while on bed rest, but don’t be surprised when she looks at you as if you’re an A+ student going above and beyond. These stretches are simple, but will help to ease out the kinks of being sedentary, and therefore, will make you feel a little better! Remember, a good stretch is always accompanied with deep and steady breathing. Check out “Stretches For Bed Rest.”