HypnoBirthing

12.10.2010

HypnoBirthing.[1] Ready for this?

It started in the early 1990s and is gaining ground. Women are turning to hypnotherapy for childbirth as an alternative to medication and helping to minimize pain. Now, because I tend to be unconventional, I’m actually quite interested in this. I believe the mind is a powerful tool and we don’t use it as much as we should. I’m also someone who can become more focused than anyone I know which is why I’m convinced I have an abnormal tolerance for pain. I can see myself digging HypnoBirthing.

The catch? It’s damn expensive. But, now that I think about it, I wonder how much an epidural costs. (checking Google.) Huh, apparently, back in 2007, an epidural cost “roughly” $1,000 with insurance covering about 90%. Good ol’ insurance. You know it wouldn’t cover anything alternative like HypnoBirthing.

There was one item with which I disagreed. The HypnoBirthing founder, Marie Mongan, claims is that doctors force a woman to push. She states in her book, “Pushing can be counterproductive and actually slow down the birthing process.” This doesn’t make sense to me. Every mom I’ve talked to in more detail about childbirth says there’s an urge to push, your body physically wants to push. In fact, I saw on one of those baby shows once where a woman felt the urge to push and the doctor encouraged her not to because her cervix wasn’t ready. So I’m not quite sure what Ms. Mongan means. Other than that, I would be so down to investigate this further.

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[1] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703493504576007512674579874.html?mod=yhoofront It’s very difficult to read the article because of the black background. Hit print and read it that way.

Waterpik's SinuSense Products

10.01.2010

I attended an event today put together by Waterpik who were marketing their new products called SinuSense ™. These products are used for clearing the sinuses to help manage allergies or just to help maintain sinus health. The discussion was particularly angled at moms with kids who had allergies.

I am always for anything that focuses on preventative measures to keep one healthy or for what tries alternatively to keep you in or get you back to health. A few months ago I was sick and one of the recommended treatments for my mild sinus infection was using a nasal cleaner that could be found in the baby section. This particular item became the first baby product I ever bought for the house. I’m so proud, can’t you tell?

Anyway, here are the four items presented to us:

1. Water Pulsator (for ages 6 and up; battery operated) - $39.99

The benefit to this is that it's battery operated (so boys will love it) and the water flow is controlled by the push of a button. Also, you don't have to tilt your head to the side like you do with others.

2. Squeeze Bottle (For ages 4 and up) - $14.99

You don't have to tilt your head with this one either and you control the flow of the water by squeezing the bottle.

3. Neti Pot (For ages 4 and up) - $14.99

You have to tilt your head with this one and the water flows by gravity. There's a little hole that you close with your finger and when you release your finger, the water flows.

4. Neti Bottle (For ages 4 and up) - $14.99 [and my favorite pick]

This is used the same way as the Neti Pot only it doesn't have a handle for you to hold so, to some, grasping it is a bit easier. But the idea is the same; gravity pulls the water once your finger releases the hole.

Nationally, Walgreens and Walmart sell them and, locally, most likely, the big chain stores like Vons or Ralph’s would have them. But you can, obviously, purchase these off of Waterpik’s website at www.waterpiksinusense.com.

By the way, you can share the actual bottle with (a) family member(s) by purchasing separate nozzles.

I highly recommend investing in one of these because sinus irritation is common and is so easily preventable. I plan to get in the habit of cleaning my own after brushing my teeth so that it becomes part of my general maintenance routine. Once that’s established, if we ever have a kiddo then they’ll watch and learn, as I’m sure we’re all well aware of how important it is to start teaching healthy habits early.

Finding My Sexy With A...What?

08.20.2010

My cold won’t go away. I thought it did, but it’s a sly one. Now, it’s in my sinus cavity. And because I always try alternative treatments first, I search “alternative sinus treatments” and find five suggestions:

1) A homemade saline solution to use with a nasal aspirator (is this what I think it is?)

2) Drink chamomile and peppermint tea (check, already do that)

3) Inhale steam (fabulous, I can work on my pores too)

4) Eat a lot of garlic; it’s a natural antibiotic (no problem)

5) Take Echinacea (double the no problem)

My biggest fear is the nasal aspirator. I go to Rite Aid and find it in the newborn section. I’m thrilled to pieces that the very first baby product that I purchase for the house is something I need to put up my nose. Thanks, cold.

I then get to the steam. Wow, I forgot how awesome this is. Of course, one should remember that inserting your face into a pot of steam could burn your face off.

After 9 minutes of inhaling steam, I look in the mirror and relish the sexiness that is reflected back. Boy, am I glad Rob isn’t home. Yes, he loves me whatever the look but I am now a firm believer that some looks should be just between the mirror and me.

Then, the thought crosses my mind: baby. I cringe.

See, Rob and I often debate alternative treatments vs. western treatments. I recognize that had our child had my cold, I don’t know how acceptable it would be to feed him/her garlic and have him/her inhale steam. (Can you even feed a baby/young child garlic?)

I already know that this is going to be a dicey issue should we have a kid. And because it’s so explosive, I think we both avoid talking about it when discussing kids. At least, I know that I do.

But when the occasion comes to finally discuss our positions, I know that I’ll need to come prepared. Any good wine recommendations? I tend to like an oak-y chardonnay or merlot.