Western Medicine vs. Homeopathy

Looking back on my labor and delivery experiences I have found that there were situations that I was put in that were maybe not the best. My OB's were trained in western style medicine and that is all they knew. So  when I would come into the office with a sinus infection or a migraine, the only thing they knew how to do was to write me a presciption for a major medication and send me on my way.  Ugh. Not only did the medications knock me out, but I actually felt worse than before I took them. There had to be a better way.

So after 4 miscarriages, post partum depression, and not being able to nurse one of my kids I started to research about different options that were available. The answers all seemed to turn to homeopathy. Obviously the Lord put certain plants, herbs, etc. on the earth for the use of man. I also feel that the Lord has inspired certain men to learn, study, and apply medical treatments for the use of men. I believe that there is a purpose and use for both types of medicine. If I can take care of certain ailments using natural methods, I'm all for it. But obviously the use of certain medications and surgeries is also beneficial.

So on to my ideal birth. This has taken me a long time to even be vocal about. After my last horrible experience I never thought that I would be thinking about having another one. Sigh. The Lord works in mysterious ways. My heart has been softened and I'm starting to contemplate another one. Who knows what the Lord has in store, but whatever happens (miscarriage, not being able to get pregnant, or having a healthy baby), this is the last time for any of it.

So my ideal pregnancy and birth:
I would like to use chiropractic care and homeopathy to take care of nausea, sinus infections, migraines, and pregnancy aches and pains. I am not interested in pumping my body full of medications and pills. I would like to use massage as another way to deal with aches and pains too.

I would like to be able to enjoy this pregnancy instead of worrying during it. I would like to nap, eat ice cream, sit in my bath tub for hours, and marvel at the little kicks and flutters.

I want to relax. I am a natural worrier and I have a lot to be worried about with pregnancies. Is the baby going to have spina bifida like my sister? Is it all the way healthy? Is it gaining enough weight? Am I spotting? Can I carry it full term? A lot of stress going on. I would just like to relax and trust in Heavenly Father's plan.

Delivery:
I would love to have a doula with me at the hospital. I love my husband but I need some support. Emotionally and physically. One of my dear friends is a doula and I would love to have her there with me during my labor. I would like an epidural if I couldn't handle the pain. I would really like to not have an epidural and do it on my own, but I'm not sure if that's possible. After the baby is born I would like to not cut the umbilical cord right away. I would like to let the nutrients finish going into the baby and then cut it. I don't want it to be a hurried experience like it usually is. If it's my last baby I want to enjoy it, make sure that I'm doing everything for the baby and myself and do it right. No pressure, no hurry, and no regrets.

Not all homeopathic and not all western. I think it's a good mix. Prenatal care with my O.B. and homeopath and having the baby in the hospital with doula support. Yes, please.

A little more estrogen and a little less testosterone, please!

Everyone knows that I live in a house filled with boys. It smells like boys (which I fight everyday) and looks like boys live there and even sounds like boys. I am surrounded by boys and men and I would like a little break.

Heavenly Father was listening because I just got asked to be the assistant camp director for girl's camp in June! I am so excited!!!!! Finally I get to be around fun girls and don't have to clean up after anyone. Yes! There is a lot of work to do but I'm really excited to get it done. How fun! 3 days of non stop activities, skits, and fun. The place we get to stay is a really nice cabin with plenty of room for everyone. It has a ramada outside and a fun waterfall swimming area just a hike away. It couldn't be more perfect.

Help!

I live in a house full of boys. My husband and three sons. Lots of testosterone. So they aren't exactly analyzers about situations or things. They want to know what the problem is and how they can fix it. They don't want to know why you're feeling a certain way or how to prevent it in the future, they just want to fix it and move on to the next thing. It gets a little frustrating sometimes. I'm an analyzer. I want to know what caused it, how they are feeling about it, and how to prevent it from happening again. Not too difficult. It just takes time and energy to discuss the issues. Therefore my husband usually doesn't want to be bothered. So I blog.

Lately I feel as though I'm running from one fire to another putting them out. I'm not even the Relief Society President and I feel like I know way too much about what's happening to the people in our little area. I'm happy to help where I can and make someone else's burden a little lighter but I feel like it never stops and that upsets me. It upsets me because I feel like way too many people are struggling and I can't do enough to help. Talk about feeling inadequate. I am not the fountain of knowledge or experience and sometimes I feel foolish giving advice to people. But somehow I always know what to say to them. I know it isn't me doing it and I'm grateful for the guidance and inspiration that has seemed to flow so freely lately. Heaven knows I've needed it.

I hope for a better year that is a little less hard and has a few more family vacations thrown in there. I hope for health and patience, and more work. Here's hoping.

You Are Grounded!!!!

Those three little words are what I say at least 20 times a day. I never thought that I would be the type of mother that constantly threatens her kids but I have become that mother. I find that throughout the day I resort to this form of psycholigical warfare with my children because I'm exhausted and don't want to listen to the quarreling anymore.

I start out with, "If you can't get along, then no one get's to do anything fun." Then I move on to," If you can't stop arguing then you all get to go to your rooms." Then finally it's, " If you don't figure it out, then you all are grounded for a week and can't play with friends, shoot air soft guns, play Wii, or DS, or watch T.V." The last one usually gets them to be quiet. THank heavens.

They argue about everything. My oldest thinks he is an adult and tries to herd his other two siblings and manipulate them until he gets what he wants. My middle child is a whiner and doesn't do his work. He tries to get his other two siblings to do it for him and always has an excuse as to why he can't do it. My youngest is the biggest trouble maker by far. He messes everything up that his siblings have, he starts fights, and never helps.

There are at least 3 open containers of cream cheese in my fridge. 2 gallons of open milk, 2 boxes of open Go gurts, and they won't be able to find an open any of them tomorrow morning, guaranteed. There rooms are nasty, bathroom is worse, and I find myself constantly reminding them to do what they need to do. To say that I am frustrated is an understatement and I hate it.

So I have decided to ground myself. I am going to go sit in my room, watch T.V. and separate myself from them until I can figure out a way to help them listen and become productive member of this household.

My Appetite Came Back!

Being sick stinks. Not only because you feel crummy but I can't enjoy food, and that is major for me. I love food. It seriously makes me happy. I know that's not normal but it really does. So today I splurged at the store so I can get my pallet back in shape. I bought an artichoke to steam and dip in butter and some creamy swiss cheese to go on rosemary crackers for a snack later. Yum.

I want to make savory dishes this week. Not too fond of the sweet stuff yet. My body goes in spurts of wanting different things at different times. So I figure I'll listen to my body and do my thing that way. We've been juicing fruits and vegetables every morning and it really helps keep my energy level up mostly all day. This week will be rich and savory. Rosemary is one of my all time favorite herbs. It's good on almost everything and your breath smells good after you eat it. :) From garlic bread, crackers, appetizers, meat, etc. it's incredibly versatile.

Once our house finally kicks this icky illness I need to kick myself into high gear. I want to get back to cooking and creating and doing what I need to do. Sitting in bed all day is driving me nuts. We have a garden to plant. Our pigs are coming nest week and we need to build a pen for them too. Book reports to start, poems to memorize for school, mutual, and a ma and pa meeting for the trek to complete.

There actually was a reason for.....

There actually a reason for me feeling so dang tired. Tuesday night at 11:00 p.m. I woke up with a horrible pain in my ears. I had been feeling yucky and tired for the past week but just chalked it up to being exhausted from everything that was going on.

I decided to drive myself to the E.R. and get checked out. Now I am not a baby when it comes to pain. I usually try to deal with it and keep busy until it goes away. Well, when it comes to my ears, forget it. Those things have been the bain of my existence ever since I got my first annual ear infection. My dad would make me lay on my side and pour hydrogen peroxide into my ear. It was awful. The bubbling and fizzing was too much to handle.

So they get me right in and the doctor looks at me and tells me that I have a double ear infection and an upper respiratory infection. He actually asked me if I smoked. Disdainfully I replied, "Never!". He said my lungs sounded bad and that if I didn't take it easy I could get pneumonia. Awesome.

Did I mention that I have the pioneer handcart trek in a week and a half? The doctor also informed me that I shouldn't go on the trek because the dust, smoke from the fires, and the exertion could do me in. It just keeps getting better.

So I'm going to wait until five days before the trek and then make my decision about whether or not to go. My hubby wants to go really bad and won't go by himself.  Really awesome.

We will see if I can get better in that amount of time. Here's hoping.