Bradley Class #7 - Labor Rehearsal

We had our labor rehearsal a couple of weeks ago.  Our Bradley birth coach created stations, and we went around the room working through contractions in different positions.  It helped us see what worked for us and what didn't work for us.  I really appreciated the practice, because it instilled a confidence in me. At birth time, we are less likely to panic (leading to tension and pain) because we know what to do.

Our Amazing Support Network

I just want to give a quick shout out to all of the wonderful people who have helped me and Lily over these past couple of months.  Thank you so much for being there for us.  She is going to be a happy, healthy baby, because of you all.

• Kali opened up her home to me and baby Lily when I needed a place to escape to.
• Cortney offered to be my doula and birth coach. She has been the most amazing birth coach.  I get more veggies now, because of her green smoothies!  She's been to so many appointments and birth classes.  She is learning so much, and Lily and I are going to be so well off with her by our side.
• My Mom dropped everything to move down here and help me raise Lily.
• My mom's friend, Michelle, has been so supportive, letting her stay at her house to save money for the move.
• My Dad has driven down from Ohio to Virginia four times in the past three months to visit, help me move, and help me shop.
• My Dad detailed my car a couple of weeks ago, so that I didn't have to worry about it.
• Dad was looking for a place for us to live, and now he's switched to furniture on Craigslist.
• Frank, Cortney, Mary, Nicole, Kali, and my Dad helped me and Lily move from a bad situation into a peaceful one.  Or, should I say that they moved me and I stood around and ate ice cream.
• Michael, Andrew, Frank, Cortney, Kali, Nicole, and my Dad have all been there when I needed bodyguards. 
• Norma, Nicole, Alanna, Kali, Corbee, Mara, Salem, Dave, Elizabeth, Willow, Frank, Cortney, Lauren, my Mom, my Dad, the Women Helping Women gals, and others were there to listen to me tell my story or listen when I was balling my eyes out.
• Kali, Corbee, and Nicole were there to tell me over and over that I'm not crazy.  That I'm normal.
• Elizabeth, Jessy, and Sarah all shared their stories with me.
• David, Norma, Elizabeth, Michelle, Salem, my Dad, and others have supported us by gifting baby stuff.
• Cortney and Nicole are planning Lily's baby shower!
• Nicole, Dave, Kali, Lauren, Will, Frank, Salem, Greg, Norma, Shahab, Cortney, and Mary plan to come help me and my mom move into our new townhouse!
• Salem, Christian, Raynel, Norma, Alanna, and others who have been so kind to share their experiences.
• All of the people who have left encouraging and helpful comments, shared their stories and been supportive on this blog (including Corbee, Elizabeth, Virginia, Vivienne, Christian, Suzanna, Rachel, Sarah, Marienne, and others).  
• To all of the scores of people who have reached out to see if I was okay, to show their love and support, and to see if we needed anything:

THANK YOU!

If I have left anyone out, we love you!  

Natural Teeth Cleaning

What's this?  This isn't toothpaste.  That's right  It's not toothpaste.  This is one of the hardest things I have ever done on this crunchy ride of mine.  I replaced toothpaste with baking soda.  I replaced my Listerine mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide.  It's listed in those hippie green books as natural ways to clean your teeth.  And, you know what?  My teeth are whiter and healthier than they have ever been. My pink gums are back.  My teeth are pearly white.  The coffee stains are gone.  Pregnancy can cause gums to bleed easily, and that completely stopped when I switched over.

It is conventional wisdom that toothpaste must contain fluoride for it to be effective. I was married to this concept, and would not use most of the natural toothpastes for years.  But, crunchy hippies hold that fluoride is nothing more than a waste product of industry and that these people just  get rid of the waste by putting it into our drinking supply and selling it to us in tubes. That fluoride is more likely to be dangerous than helpful and may cause serious health problems.  Blah, blah, blah.  Everything is a conspiracy, they sell us crap we don't need, and it's all going to cause cancer. But seriously.  My teeth don't lie.  I am not going back.