Archive for October, 2009
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Celebrity Scientists? I Don’t Think So
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009I get fired up about things. Those closest to me definitely know this. Those I often meet for the first time, quickly learn this. I teach Alexander that his passions and his beliefs matter. And that having his own thoughts and opinions, regardless of who agrees with them, are much better than having none at all. So what am I getting to?
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Taking A Minute
Saturday, October 24th, 2009Most of the time I find that my mind is working. Thinking. Wondering. Sometimes I share whatever is in there with others and sometimes I just keep it to myself.
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Interesting Birth Facts
Sunday, October 18th, 2009In the last week, we have had rainfall that we aren’t ready for quite yet. My little town got 5 inches less than a week ago and yesterday roads and portions of the 101 were shut down from flooding. Our mom/baby center was bustling and, as I said out loud yesterday afternoon, “of course it is, it is raining.”
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Lots of Book News
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009Earlier this week, I had such a great experience. A woman came into the hospital, in labor, actually carrying a copy of the book. My book. I said hello to her and she looked at me with a funny expression and as I looked back at her, it clicked. We had a really nice moment where I was able to express my gratitude for her finding the book to be something she wanted to have so close with her. It felt really, really good.
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When Things Don’t Go As Planned: Preeclampsia
Monday, October 5th, 2009As I continue the discussion on home-birth I’d like to share with you my experience with Alexander’s birth. It is an excellent example of how unexpectedly things can change.
I was really healthy during my pregnancy. A week before my December 24th due date, my water bag broke in the Christmas card aisle of our local drugstore (that’s another story) and within a few hours I was in booming labor. However, when I arrived at the hospital, my blood pressure was extremely high, 180/120. My normal blood pressure is about 90/60. I had noticed my feet were pretty puffy but did not realize that I had gained 9 pounds (in fluid) since the previous day. Shockingly and randomly, I had preeclampsia and was developing something called HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme levels, and a low platelet count) syndrome, the most severe complication of preeclampsia.
