In remembrance of my mom

In Remembrance of my Mom, Kathleen Young.

Birth and Death: Two sides of the same coin?

My sweet mom passed away Thurs. Sept. 23, eve of the equinox full moon. She was very sick and had no need for her earthly body anymore. I have mixed feelings. It was sad to say goodbye but also a relief because she was struggling so much this past year.

At her services which felt dream-like and not real, it occurred to me that the funeral, burial, people mourning, my mom's 'shell' in her casket was ALL a big dream and it wasn't real. Now, what do I mean by that? Some of you may think I am still in denial or shock, right? Well, I had this brief realization that the only Real events in the 'human game' are our birth and death and what is before or after those two events. Everything else is a dream or an illusion we make-up to convince ourselves we are limited and restricted human beings, bound by time and space so we can play the human game. I got turned on to this way of thinking from a book I just read called, "Busing Loose from the Money Game". If open and curious, I'd highly recommend.

When we die, are we born again to another plane? When we are conceived or born, do we die from another plane? Birth and Death are two sides of the same coin. We celebrate new life, and cry tears of joy (or sometimes sorrow) when a baby is born. We cry tears of sorrow and celebrate a life lived when someone passes. Birth and Death are The Real events in this game we call Life. Everything else is a string of unreal moments. A Dream.

Row Row Row Your Boat Gently Down the Stream, Merrily Merrily Merrily, Life is But a Dream! (One of my favorite nursery rhymes as a child, still is, and one I sing to my daughter often. It's always resonated with me..)

My mom is at peace. She is happy and free. I feel her soft spirit comforting, guiding, and protecting me. Her new journey has begun, and I am happy for her. I feel blessed to have been born to such a sweet, giving, and selfless mother. I forever have her memories imprinted on my heart. Now, my relationship with her as spirit has taken on new meaning, and I feel grateful to cultivate a relationship with her on the other side.

Some immediate things I've learned about myself from my mom's passing:

I now tell my family and friends, "I you love" often, even if they are uncomfortable with it and don't say it back. I don't care. I must tell them. I'm not holding back anymore.

I have been more kind and loving to myself lately.

I am more conscious of doing random acts of kindness.

Trying to live more from my heart and do what inspires and motivates me day to day.

I am hugging my daughter tighter, and giving more thanks for the little things she does.

I appreciate that my body was chosen to be the vessel for my daughter. What a miracle it still is!

Don't sweat the small things or figure out all the details. In the end, it really doesn't matter. Everything will be ok, and it always works out.

Love never dies. I love you mom, forever!

I am infinite power, abundance, joy, peace, light, and love, and so are you! We are so much more than we appear to be.

Placenta Encapsulation

Why?

Having your placenta made into pill form to consume after your birth may help you through the rocky postpartum period. I've read eating your placenta may increase energy, increase breast milk, and help with the 'baby blues'.

In China women sell their placentas after they give birth,
and herb companies buy them, process them and sell them as a
supplement to whoever wants it (mostly other women trying to recover
from childbirth or other significant blood loss events). (But the FDA
says no-no to that practice in the U.S.).

http://www.bluepoppy.com/blog/blogs/blog1.php/2010/08/26/the-legal-status-of-placenta

I did not know placenta encapsulation was an option after I gave birth. But, I would definitely do it next time. I did hit some rough patches postpartum, especially with producing milk and postpartum depression. My hormones were out of whack and so was my sleep. Get help from family, friends, neighbors, lactation consultants, etc. and nourish yourself with good food, vitamins, and placenta!

Here is the link to a woman in Austin who can help you encapsulate your placenta. Please let know how you make out!


http://placentabenefits.info/LindseyRoberts.asp

August Birth Announcements

Meghen gave birth to Emmett Malcolm on August 3, 12:24am at 34 1/2 weeks early, drug and complication free! He was still a big guy - 6lbs 15oz and 18.25 inches long. Meghen said, "I'm thrilled he saved me the trouble of a 10lb baby by coming early" :-)

Julie gave birth to Cora Violet on August 4 at 2am, 2 weeks early - just shortly after they had learned that she was breech. Julie went into labor a few days after trying to turn her in every way possible. She ended up with an emergency c-section. Although Julie says that was not fun, she was never so happy to meet someone, and is delighted at all the peace she brings!

Stacy gave birth to Lexie, her 5th child, on August 6. She was 41 weeks pregnant! Stacy had her heart set on her first epidural-free birth, and she did it!

Sam gave birth to Morrison this morning, 3:44am Sept. 1! He weighed 8lbs 120z. and 21" long. I had the privilege to witness Sam and Morrison's labor and birth journey. Holy amazing! Way to relax into each contraction, Sam and resist nothing. Beautiful vocalization, too. (Yoga tools) :-)

Congratulations beautiful moms and your newborns!

Couples Yoga & Powerful Visualizations Workshop

Dear Expectant Mom,


I am thrilled to let you know that I am now offering a new workshop for you and your partner called “Couples Yoga and Powerful Visualizations” for Labor & Birth. This fun and educational Yoga and Visualization workshop is unlike any workshop being offered and it will empower you to have the birth that you want to have!


Couples Yoga and Powerful Visualizations for Labor & Birth


Saturday September 25 1-4pm


The techniques that you and your partner will learn will include the following:

· Pain coping tools for easing labor

o Couples yoga postures for labor and birth*

o Massage techniques

o Breathing exercises

o Use of birth ball

· Birth and parenting visualization exercises

o Create a vision board and birth affirmations

o Build a positive mental picture of the pregnancy, birthing, and parenting journey

o 50 minute myth debunking documentary, Birthing Under an Illusion


Space will be limited to 5 couples per session. The workshop will be held at my intimate home studio, 1212 Newport Ave. Austin 78753.


The cost is $75 per couple. Please email or call me to register. Class registration is on a first pay, first reserve basis.


*No yoga experience is needed for partners. Also, if you are pregnant and have never attended yoga, you can attend as well.


Please call or email me if you have any questions.

(512) 876-9517
lisa@austinprenatalyoga.com

Thank you,
Lisa

Monthly Prenatal Yoga Tip for Breech Presentation

I've had two expecting moms within one week ask me about yoga poses for breech presentation, so when that occurs, it is usually a message to me to spread the information for all to glean.

The following are support measures and yoga postures that may be helpful when the baby is presenting breech.

Support Measures:
Visualize the baby turning and/or head down
Relaxation
Attention to any unresolved issues for the mom
Avoid deep squats (pelvis lower than knees) until baby is in vertex position
Acupuncture
Webster's Maneuver (Chiropractic)
Patience (many babies turn spontaneously)

Helpful Yoga Poses:
Supta Baddha Konasana (aka Heart Bench)
Cat/Cow
Supported Setu Bandha 3x/day for 10 to 15 mins.
Viparita Karani (aka legs up the wall)
Prasarita Padottanasana (standing forward fold wide angle legs)

There is also a wonderful website called Spinning Babies that shows how to do Belly Mapping and talks about all fetal positions, including breech. Here is the link to their their page on what to do for breech:

http://www.spinningbabies.com/baby-positions/breech-bottoms-up/what-to-do-about-breech

Pre & Postnatal August Announcements

New Class Mommy & Me:

Mommy & Me Class had begun! Join me with your babies (newborn to 6 months) for yoga every Wed. from 11am-12:30pm. Expect to have fun & socialize, as well as feel your abs again and relieve sore muscles! Loud crying and breast feeding expected and encouraged. Otto, Benson, and Lux have all been to their first yoga class! (They are ready to check out the girl babies in yoga class now so join us)!

Prenatal Yoga Schedule Change for Sunday Aug. 15

There will be prenatal yoga class on Sunday, August 15 at my home, 10:30am, instead of our regular meeting place, Sol Associates in Central Austin. They are having a workshop there that morning so don't go there for yoga! Sorry, for the inconvenience. Class will be held back at Sol the following Sunday, Aug. 22. Questions? Please ask.

August Newsletter Birth Annoucements

Dear Mom,

I am delighted to announce the following moms from prenatal yoga - Nina, Arielle, Keisha, Darcy, Kelsey, and Vera - have given birth! (If I forgot or missed your birth, my apologies. Please let me know)!

May, June, & July Birth Announcements & Stories:

Nina gave birth to Eve on June 27, 'eve' of the full moon and eclipse. I had the honor of attending her warrior birth. She showed stamina, patience, and calm determination throughout the labor and birth.

Arielle wrote this email to me the day after she gave birth to Kieran on July 23!!

"I just wanted to let you know that I will not be attending yoga tomorrow because I had my baby boy Kieran yesterday afternoon. I delivered him by VBAC and it was a great experience. I had an epidural, but I found myself using the breathing techniques and focal points we used in the class. They definitely helped! It was like running a marathon and the yoga class really helped! Such a different experience than with Isaiah and it makes me want another one down the line. Anyways, I will be in contact with you once things settle down a bit for Mommy and Me post partum classes. Okay thanks so much"! -Arielle

Darcy gave birth to Eli on July 23 and is full of happiness! Please see her attached birth announcement and story in the email I sent out announcing the August newsletter!

Keisha gave birth to Sanai on June 17. Another fast birth for this strong mama of 3 now! She says it has been the busiest month of their lives, but it has been the greatest! Here's her announcement and story!

Sanai Naomi Dominique
born June 17, 2010
8lbs 5oz
21 inches

By my 38th week, I was 6 centimeters dilated but still no labor had started. Of course I was anxious and a little worried but figured things would happen any day now. At my 39th week appointment my OBGYN and I revisited the option to induce labor. She and I were both concerned about going into labor at home with only 4 centimeters to go and a history of fast labor (less than 3 hours) with my two prior children. I agreed and we scheduled an induction for 6:30 am on Thursday, June 17th. Well, little baby Sanai decided to come on that day but on her own time. My water broke at 1:45am on that day and we rushed to the hospital. Once I got there, I alerted the staff that this labor would likely be fast. Well it was... after getting a labor and delivery room bed at 2:05am, Sanai was born just 30 minutes later at 2:35am. I pushed about 3 times and here she was. It was an amazing non-medicated natural birth and we have been enjoying each other ever since.
Thanks,
Keisha

Kelsey gave birth to Lux on June 5 at 8:47am. Weight 6.15oz, Length 19.5 inches. Read her warrior birth story!

On June 5th at 5:30 I awoke and couldn’t fall back asleep. I stayed in bed just staring at the wall for about 10 minutes wondering if today would be the day Josh and I would meet our son. Just then, my waters broke with a gush in one fell swoop. I got up quickly and woke Josh up. He was obviously shaken up and still half asleep, we had totally forgotten sterile technique and of course had to read the handout a good three times before we could even understand what we needed to do. After clean and having talked to MariMikal I attempted to fall back asleep but immediately things started to pick up. Time was already becoming a foreign concept as I told MariMikal the next hour contractions were ten minutes apart and variable in length. We then realized, once timed, they were three minutes apart and thirty seconds in length. This meant that early labor had started. MariMikal’s two apprentices rushed to the house and she followed an hour after.
From then on, things seemed great and although the pain was the most intense pain I’ve ever felt, it did come in waves and my body’s endorphins started to kick in. I found myself shaking uncontrollably often from releases of oxytocin trying to sooth the sensations that began in my uterus but then started into my low back. I had met every laboring woman’s worst enemy, “back labor”. Argh!!!! I seemed to be progressing slowly but fairly normal for a first birth, a half centimeter every hour until I hit seven centimeters. I tried the tub but the water didn’t sooth me, only made me urgently need to stand which then made everything that much stronger. I used the shower, the birth stool, side laying and roving around aimlessly literally as wild animals do. Josh soothed me with heat and cool but it was tough to know exactly what I needed as it would change momentarily. At 7 centimeters, I hit transition and, which would become a seven-hour wall that would only take me to nine centimeters. Transition is the hardest part of labor as the pain it at its highest intensity. Despite people laughing at alternative breathing techniques, panting and blowing was the only thing that kept me riding the wave. I felt discouraged and didn’t know if I could make it through to the pushing. I was so emotionally and physically challenged but knew that I still had the strength to keep on. MariMikal decided we needed to attempt at pushing to see if we could further Lux on down the runway. He had been doing great the whole labor, with his heart tones beautifully consistent and strong. We forced pushing on as she manipulated my cervix attempting to open it just a tad more but the back part of the cervix was still slightly blocking his way out. This was most likely due to my constant walking and upright positioning during labor, which is the way you get the baby down and out. So it was at this point a contradiction to everything you read or know about keeping labor moving quickly or a laugh in the face as that’s the hardest way to work through a contraction and I insisted on making every contraction as hard and strong as possible to bring Lux into our world. The other thing was that my contractions were slowing as oxytocin receptors in my uterus were shutting down. I was fatigued to a point of which we were all getting concerned. My contractions were at nine minutes apart when we tried some herbs to make them more intense, hands and knees and uterine massage but nothing seemed to work. I was stuck and the talk needed to be had. MariMikal explained that we needed some help. We had all really wanted Lux to be born at home, so we shed our tears and packed up for the hospital. We arrived at St. David’s and made it up to a room where everyone was incredibly kind. MariMikal suggested I needed pitocin and an epidural. I needed to sleep for an hour and then push this baby out. By this point, I had worked as hard as two first time home births and I hadn’t even moved into the last phase. I slept, feeling incredibly drugged and strange but my back pain subsided and I was able to sink into the bed. Lux’s heart tones died down on several occasions but he was such a fighter he brought then back to normal without rushing me into a cecesarian. They kept me oxygenated and once I woke with contractions, again I followed my breath to my baby and gave him his second wind. I rode the contractions again for two and half hours as I knew I would have to work with every inch of my soul, push myself further than ever imaginable and I had to keep calm and fearless. I pushed and pushed making progress but then was brought back to the night’s events and lost it - completely needing to cry, let go and get mad feeling how unfair everything had been. I had worked so hard, done everything right and followed all the rules (very Libran of me;-) MariMikal encouraged me to let my emotions out and we all cried together - Josh, MariMikal and myself. It was my way to surrender and let God as I had done all I could. Dr. Love, a great name I must mention then arrived to see how we were doing and in that instant a contraction came on. I began to push, we could clearly see the top of his head and as the Doctor began getting ready I pushed the baby into the nurses hand, we needed to hold him steady as I opened beautifully. On the next push, in one moment the baby was out. He was pink and beautiful and immediately placed on my bosom. He was the most amazing person I had ever seen and I was overwhelmed by joy and love. His presence made everything so worth it and knew it was our karmic path to be just where we were. Josh got to cut the cord and you could feel the energy in the room, pure light just like his name Lux. He is a gift of the universe and I’ve never felt so blessed to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.

- Kelsey and Josh

Vera birthed Otto on May 17, 2010 at 6:56pm. 8lbs 5 oz, 21.5" long.

Labor was basically fine! I was amazed at how fast the first half went - we labored at home from what I consider to be my first "real" contraction [1am] until the doctor's office opened [8am]. During that time, I dozed off and on and took a bath while Jeremiah caught a couple more hours of sleep, and we timed contractions every few hours I guess, using contractionmaster.com. My contractions were typically under a minute but were closer than five minutes together for several hours before we decided to call the doctor. I was just 1.5cm at that point, so they had us walk around the park and checked my cervix again later, at around 10am I was already at 3cm and they told us we could go to the hospital if we felt like it. Once we got the the hospital we parked the car in the garage and took the stairs down, then walked to admissions on the second floor - no wheelchairs, no drama!

Once we checked in at the hospital we were just so excited and in really good spirits, labor was intense but completely manageable and I felt completely normal in between contractions, chatting and being my usual smartass self. Contractions didn't seem too bad - completely manageable so long as I let them just wash over me instead of trying to fight or control them in any way. I was pretty much able to move around and labor actively at the hospital, I loved rocking on the birth ball in the shower, and changing positions often. I hated having to be monitored for 20 minutes out of every hour, because sitting still made it so much more difficult; it was SO valuable for me to be able to move around - I have no idea how "those epidural people" can stand being tied to the bed for sooo long! I guess I'm just a control freak?

Jeremiah wasn't really able to play an active role in labor until maybe the halfway point - I REALLY couldn't tolerate being touched during contractions until I hit transition. But once I hit maybe 5 or 6cm, I was having these really weird pains in my back - and suddenly the ONLY relief was for Jeremiah to gently rest his hands on the painful areas, and it was completely instant relief. There's no way I could have made it without him after that point. One other thing I was doing that really helped was vocalizing with an "ahhhh" sound during contractions, it really helped to remind me to stay relaxed and focused.

Things started to get more intense by maybe 4 or 5pm, I think I was "hitting the wall" since I hadn't really eaten since 7 the night before, and was only operating on 2 hours of sleep + resting between contractions as much as possible throughout labor. I was maybe 6cm at that point, and decided to take some narcotics in my IV to take the edge off a little bit and get some rest before things got too unbearable. It wasn't in my birth plan, but I definitely have no regrets - without resting, I feel like the latter part of delivery would have been just awful. After the drugs wore off [maybe an hour?], the doctor checked me again and I was still at around 6 or 7cm, but my membranes were bulging. After my water broke, things got really intense and I went to 8cm pretty quickly. At that point, my body was taking over and trying to start pushing no matter how hard I tried to just breathe through it..

My body forced a couple early pushes at 8cm, and my cervix started swelling - it took INTENSE concentration to keep myself from trying to push. The nurse had disappeared and we had to call her back in the room [I TOLD her I'd dilate quickly after my water broke but she didn't BELIEVE me.. tsk tsk] - I was really struggling to hold the baby in. Pretty much as soon as the doctor and equipment and everything got all set up, and I was able to push - what a relief! The pushing couldn't have lasted more than maybe 20 or 30 minutes, the doctor was working really hard to massage the perineum and stretch my swollen cervix to prevent as much trauma as possible, but I still wound up with a second degree tear - which sucks I guess, but really isn't a big deal a week and a half later.

Otto Lynn was born at 6:56pm, and weighed in at 8lbs 5oz, and measured 21.5" long. After I delivered, I overheard my L&D nurse whispering to the doctor that she really didn't take me seriously at first re: active labor / natural delivery, and that from looking at me she didn't think there was ANY way that I was going to be able to go through with my birth plan [narcotics excepted] - she's always seeing people come in with intentions towards a natural labor who go screaming for an epidural at 3cm - and that I sure showed her!

Everybody at the hospital was really great and helpful - I was able to get Otto to nurse off both sides before we were moved to the recovery room. The nurses were super sweet and helpful, and the food was actually pretty decent! Annoyingly, they REQUIRED me to be wheeled out of the hospital in a wheelchair, even though I walked myself in there two days prior in active labor! But that's whatever, I guess. Now that I'm home, things have been pretty smooth - unfortunately, Jeremiah was only able to stay with us for the two days at the hospital and one day at home before he had to go back to work, but assorted relatives have been stopping in almost every day, and Otto's been a true gentleman - it really hasn't been too rough at all, WAY easier than being at work, for sure!

Breathing for Two

I have started breathing For my mom as she lies in the hospital bed again in PA, struggling to breathe. All of Life is Breath. Breath is Life. It is so simple it is hard to comprehend.

The past few times in meditation and even on a run, I've started visualizing my lungs filling up and expanding with Life, Love, and Light on my inhalation and on the exhalation, I see myself breathing into her mouth all the way down to her lungs. I do this a few times, and I feel very connected to her, as if I am right there with her, breathing life into her. I can't explain it but I feel as if it is working. Maybe, more so to calm me and to empower me to help her in some way. It is kind of like praying for someone. But, why not breathe for them when they need it?

My mom ate, walked, and breathed for me nine months while in utero. The placenta her body grew sustained me and nourished me. It is my time to provide her with an 'outer placenta' which can sustain her through my breath. Full circle.

Will I midwife my mother towards the Light? I've been preparing for years now subconsciously, spiritually, psychically, and mentally. For now, I breathe for her in Texas while she is in PA, seeing her soul in perfect health and happiness. I have to remind myself over and over, that we are not the body, we are not the mind. This physical plane is a blink of the eye. There are so many other realities. I have to remind myself to not be afraid of death, my mother's or my own. It is as normal and natural as being born. I must accept our humanness and mortality. Is death the beginning and birth the ending? I must have faith and trust this is only a short stop for our soul's journey, and that my mother's soul knows where it needs to go next. Her soul has agreed to all of this before she even came into this lifetime, as challenging is that is to accept for most everyone on this planet.

I'm rattling now...I will continue to comfort her and myself by breathing for her. Find solace in the breath, dear friends. You are not alone. You are not alone, mom.

What is a Doula?

A professional labor assistant, or doula, is gaining popularity as a member of the childbirth team. Doctors, labor nurses, and midwives often must care for more than one laboring woman at a time. A doula supports only one woman throughout her labor. A doula does not replace the partner in any way. She helps him support the mother, and guides the couple as they labor together. While the father-to-be will most likely want to be present for the birth of his baby, he doesn't always feel comfortable being the only support for his partner. Most often, he has never been at a birth before and may not have the knowledge and confidence that everything is going just as it should, even when it is. A doula assists the labor nurse in making suggestions for comfort and in giving encouragement and reassurance to the mother or couple. It is her continuous presence, along with her touch, knowledge, and experience with birth that makes her a valuable addition to the birthing team.

Several studies have found that mothers accompanied to labor by a doula had fewer cesarean births, shorter labors, fewer requests for pain medication and anesthesia, less need for oxytocin to stimulate labor, and less need for forceps to assist birth.

The role of a doula is not new, but the studies showing her value are. We are living in the best of times when we can offer the high technology of this century for research, emergencies, or complications while holding on to the high touch skills of women helping women with birth as they did a century ago.

Prepared Childbirth, The Family Way by Debby Amis and Jeanne Green

Research shows that women who were supported by doulas during labor reported:

labor and birth as less painful
feeling more in control of birth
less anxiety after birth
feelings of increased self confidence
a lower incidence of postpartum depression
increased incidence of breastfeeding at 6 weeks
improved relationships with their partners

The Doula Book by Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus

What makes an empowering good birth?

It is naive of me to think a natural birth=an empowering good birth. Who am I to insist all women should experience natural birth in order to be empowered?

Some background: I did have a natural birth for my first child and it was extremely empowering and transformational. It was a good birth in my experience. Natural birth was a personal choice mainly for spiritual reasons and an inner voice telling me that that was the right choice for me. Originally, I started with a medical-model of maternity care but it never quite felt right. There always seemed to be some kind of resistance with the care provider or something was just off. I switched care providers twice in my pregnancy until I finally felt at home at a birth center about a half hour from my home. This was around 20 weeks plus when I landed there for care. I tell women it is never to late to switch health care providers in pregnancy. A woman is very in-tune with herself during her pregnancy and her inner voice is loud and strong, trust it. I had a good friend of mine go from wanting a traditional 'the works' birth in a hospital with an ob to a natural home birth with a midwife in the last month of her pregnancy. It is very important that you feel completely safe where you birth and trust those around you.

The birth center was very worth the hassle, effort, and drive. It was an oasis or a diamond in the rough for Philadelphia and the other maternity care I has seen so far. Immediately, I felt at peace there. It was positive, calm, friendly, and supportive. No rushing around, panic, or urgency. I digress...anyway, I am changing and expanding my ideas of what makes an empowering good birth. It is unfair of me to judge a woman for her birth chooses, and if she does not decide to go natural or if it turns out differently. A woman does not have to have a natural birth to feel empowered and good about her birth! I am slowly starting to realize this. Having an empowering good birth constitutes a lot more than if a woman used drugs or not. Was she heard? Was she respected, loved, and cared for properly? Did she feel in control of her movements in labor and birth? Did she feel as if she was an active participant in decisions that were being made about the labor and birth? All of these things contribute to a woman's satisfaction in her birth experience. A woman having a cesarean can feel just as empowered as a woman who births naturally if she feels she was informed about and included in making the decision and if she was cared for, heard, loved.

There is so much pressure in our society today about what type of birth a woman is going to have: home, hospital, c-section, birth center, drugs or no drugs. We get caught up in the type of birth and process that we lose the woman. What about her? Her mind, body, and spirit. She is the one giving birth and making the choose in what kind of birth she feels is best and right for her and her baby. I am guilty of judging women in their birth choices. I am learning though to open my heart, soften, and respect each woman's choice in how she births. We should support and love a woman throughout this incredible process and help her feel empowered and good about her birth, no matter what type of birth she choices or the outcome of the birth.

Mothering: The Case Against Circumcision

This is a very thought provoking article, and I encourage you to read all of it, especially if you are having a baby boy.

Foreskin as breathable bandages? What? Read on please! Foreskin IS normal male genitalia. Why would a male be born with it only to have it cut off soon after being born??

http://www.cirp.org/news/Mothering1997/

Circumcision is an unnecessary cosmetic surgery with no medical benefit at all. And, it is painful! Would you give your son a tattoo, piercing, or nose job at birth - without anesthesia?! Another newborn procedure that everyone is told is 'the norm' and 'must have' but it is not. Or that insurance covers it, so have it done. You can opt not to have it done. Be informed and speak-up, moms and dads!

Note: I've mostly seen and been with circumcised men. In fact, the only man I've ever seen not circumcised, I think, is my dad (by accident) I wonder what it would be like to be with an uncircumcised man? (The article touched on sex between an uncircumcised man and woman, and alluded that it was nice)! lol Anyone?!

If I have a boy someday, I will not do this to him. He can elect to do this someday when he is an adult and can choose for himself. Now, another part I found interesting in this article (which I was already thinking about before I got to it) was the part about a dad who was circumcised having mixed feelings with his son not. I could see this as being an issue (in fact, with the father of my own daughter). Dad has to deal with his loss of foreskin, and overcome his anxieties of normal male genitalia.

Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

http://www.drnorthrup.com/womenshealth/healthcenter/topic_details.php?topic_id=132

from the website of Christiane Northrup, MD

...she is one of my favorite mind-body-spirit doctors in the U.S.
I often refer to her book, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom.

Of course, I would add prenatal yoga to her tips list (but I am biased ;-)).

But I am convinced my prenatal yoga practice helped me to have a relatively easy and quick first (unmedicated) birth. Practicing hip openers in yoga and squats both helped with the openness and flexibility of my pelvis for the baby to descend through the birth canal. Yogic centering, breathing, focusing, and relaxing the mind and body ALL help with labor, birth, AND postpartum recovery. In fact, one of my prenatal clients who recently had her baby wrote to tell me that how prenatal yoga helped her the most was in her quick postpartum recovery. Jai! (=Victory) to that!!