September 2011

It has been almost 20 years but, I can still remember listening to another mother at the park describe giving birth to her son . . . in her kitchen . . . in a plastic kiddie pool . . . with her entire family in attendance. At the time I remember thinking ewww . . . . . no way. I never really thought about it again until recently when I heard that the number of mothers having a planned homebirth went up 20% from 2004 to 2008. That of course begs the question -- WHY? What I learned is that there has been a 94% increase in homebirths amongst white women in America. Some of these women are opting for homebirth because it’s cheaper, some because they want to be in charge of their birth experience and some because it is what a growing number of celebrity moms like Ricky Lake, Giselle Bundchan, Cindy Crawford, Kelly Preston and Maria Bello are doing. Homebirth websites tout benefits that include: familiar/comfortable surroundings, no stranger germs, Dad can rest (like that’s important) and convenient access to your favorite foods. Still only about 1% of all births in the US are homebirths. Thankfully my childbearing years are behind me. But I’m thinking the process can’t have changed all that much. It’s still somewhat unpredictable and messy isn’t it? I did it my way – at Methodist Hospital where Todd was able to smuggle in a celebratory cocktail for mom.

For all you ladies who carry those big heavy purses listen up: Ideally, your purse shouldn't weigh more than 10 percent of your body weight. I would encourage you to put your purse on a scale and see how much it weighs. Make the time to be good to you. If your purse is too heavy, give yourself a break -- clean it out or better yet buy a smaller one. Your back will thank you.

Good Health!

Terry

“No day shall erase you from the memory of time.”
~National September 11 Memorial Inscription