So finally heard back from my son's doctor. Or rather from the office of the doctor. Here is what they had to say:
1) Be more specific when you make an appt...as if "I want to see Dr. _____" is not enough.
2) We use the charts from 1982, everyone does. I am not going to look up other charts. (in other words, I am not going to research the merit of the WHO charts for breastfed babies, b/c I just don't car).
3) We always forcibly retract the foreskin at every visit to check for adhesions or infections. Never mind that the AAP does not suggest this, and many research reports. Never mind that doing that can cause adhesions and infections. Never mind that as a parent you do not want me to do that.
I am so fed up with doctors not caring enough to listen to concerns and just doing what they want to do. I am tired of them not explaining things before doing them to our babies. I am tired of being treated as crazy for being interested in my son's health apart from "whatever you think is best doctor". I have a brain, I do my research, and I am a mother who needs your brain working as well.
I am never taking him to that office again. Ever. Even if all the other's burned down or went out of business.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Come on Nurses!
We went in for little man's shots today and a well baby check up.
He is 25 and 1/2 inches long and 18 lbs 4 oz. He was born at 6 lbs 1 oz and 19 inches. He has grown so much!
The appointment was okay, but several things made me mad.
1) The nurse practitioner saw us and I was not informed we would be seeing her. I was told that we were seeing the doctor. This was our first time to this office and I would have liked to talk with the doctor to make sure we were on the same page.
2) The nurses did not know what growth charts they were using. I asked if they had access to the WHO growth charts since those are the only charts that a breastfeed baby should be measured against. (The CDC and other charts use formula fed babies as well, and they grow at different rates and eat differently.)
3) The nurse FORCIBLY RETRACTED HIS FORESKIN. I am not normally an all-caps kind of gal, but I am screaming about it in my head at the moment. When your son is not circumcised, you are NOT supposed to forcibly retract the foreskin, since it will loosen on it's own at some point after a year or two. If you pull it back before then you can cause adhesions and infections. See this Link. She was checking his pulse at the groin (which is normal) and then just suddenly grabbed his penis and forced back the foreskin before I even realized what she was doing. WHAT THE HELL.
Come on nurses! Know you stuff and don't mess with my son's foreskin. Thanks.
He is 25 and 1/2 inches long and 18 lbs 4 oz. He was born at 6 lbs 1 oz and 19 inches. He has grown so much!
The appointment was okay, but several things made me mad.
1) The nurse practitioner saw us and I was not informed we would be seeing her. I was told that we were seeing the doctor. This was our first time to this office and I would have liked to talk with the doctor to make sure we were on the same page.
2) The nurses did not know what growth charts they were using. I asked if they had access to the WHO growth charts since those are the only charts that a breastfeed baby should be measured against. (The CDC and other charts use formula fed babies as well, and they grow at different rates and eat differently.)
3) The nurse FORCIBLY RETRACTED HIS FORESKIN. I am not normally an all-caps kind of gal, but I am screaming about it in my head at the moment. When your son is not circumcised, you are NOT supposed to forcibly retract the foreskin, since it will loosen on it's own at some point after a year or two. If you pull it back before then you can cause adhesions and infections. See this Link. She was checking his pulse at the groin (which is normal) and then just suddenly grabbed his penis and forced back the foreskin before I even realized what she was doing. WHAT THE HELL.
Come on nurses! Know you stuff and don't mess with my son's foreskin. Thanks.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Milk Sisters
I have been receiving many questions from other breastfeeding mothers. Some of the moms I know, some I do not. It amazes me how breastfeeding brings women of all walks of life together. There is something to be said for the bond of milk...not just in children, but in the mothering community.
Perhaps it is knowing that they worry about the same things you do (Is my baby getting enough? How long do I need to pump for?). Perhaps it is knowing they have experienced some of the same things that you have, good and bad. Chapped or cracked nipples, thrush, clogged ducts, mastitis...all those can be a bummer but pass much faster with other mothers supporting you. The joys of watching your little nursling continue to grow from what your body gives, the smiles and milk sprayed faces, the loving pats and pokes to the breast as they nurse...there are so many joys to share.
The best advice and help I have had come my way have been from other mothers. They affirm my belief that this is the only way to feed my baby and give him the best start in life, both in health and in happiness. Groups like Le Leche League bring moms together in this country where breastfeeding moms have to actually look for each other.
One day I hope to see a nation where we do not have to search for breastfeeding mothers. One day I will see them everywhere and we will all be regarded as the keepers of the good health of the next generation. One day...
Perhaps it is knowing that they worry about the same things you do (Is my baby getting enough? How long do I need to pump for?). Perhaps it is knowing they have experienced some of the same things that you have, good and bad. Chapped or cracked nipples, thrush, clogged ducts, mastitis...all those can be a bummer but pass much faster with other mothers supporting you. The joys of watching your little nursling continue to grow from what your body gives, the smiles and milk sprayed faces, the loving pats and pokes to the breast as they nurse...there are so many joys to share.
The best advice and help I have had come my way have been from other mothers. They affirm my belief that this is the only way to feed my baby and give him the best start in life, both in health and in happiness. Groups like Le Leche League bring moms together in this country where breastfeeding moms have to actually look for each other.
One day I hope to see a nation where we do not have to search for breastfeeding mothers. One day I will see them everywhere and we will all be regarded as the keepers of the good health of the next generation. One day...
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Co-Sleeping Over?
Well, I think that our major co-sleeping days with our little guy are over. At exactly nine months old, he slept through the night for the first time. He has been sleeping through the night in his crib since. He wakes up at 7am or so, and then comes to bed with me for a few more hours (since I still need my sleep!) but he sleeps on his own for 11-12 hours a night.
Honestly, I think I am mourning the loss more than he is. The first few nights I could hardly sleep because I was waiting for him to cry and need me. That has only happened twice. But I look forward to it since I can go in his room, rock with him, and have some quiet, still moments in the middle of the night.
He is so mobile and active now that quiet moments are few and far between with him during the day.
In midwifery news for me, I found a midwife in a town close to me (where I still attend college) and I have contacted them to see if they will meet with me over coffee or lunch. I really need to speak with someone in the profession face to face and bounce off my ideas about how to go about entering this work/calling/profession. I hope to hear back from them soon.
Now I need to go do laundry, finish cleaning, and make food for our football party tonight.
Honestly, I think I am mourning the loss more than he is. The first few nights I could hardly sleep because I was waiting for him to cry and need me. That has only happened twice. But I look forward to it since I can go in his room, rock with him, and have some quiet, still moments in the middle of the night.
He is so mobile and active now that quiet moments are few and far between with him during the day.
In midwifery news for me, I found a midwife in a town close to me (where I still attend college) and I have contacted them to see if they will meet with me over coffee or lunch. I really need to speak with someone in the profession face to face and bounce off my ideas about how to go about entering this work/calling/profession. I hope to hear back from them soon.
Now I need to go do laundry, finish cleaning, and make food for our football party tonight.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
An update and the Musings about Becoming a Midwife
Oh goodness. Life is moving at such a pace. Our little boy is 9 months old now and let me tell you, he never stops moving. I can not turn my back for a second or he is into something or finding some lonely piece of fuzz on the floor to eat, or trying to turn off the cable box. We invested $200 in baby gates that are way beyond baby proof just to give me piece of mind to go to the restroom.
Our house is moving along at a snails pace now. We got about half the painting done and now we are at a stand still. I think we will paint the kitchen next, but we haven't bought the paint yet. We were about to, but then the hubby decided he didn't want to get it from Wal-Mart, he wanted to get it from Lowes, and well, the process just sort of stopped there.
I am really looking into beginning to contact local midwives so that I can find out my steps to becoming a midwife in this area. I really do not have access to a school near me that teaches midwifery, and we can not move to be near one (we just got done moving!). So really I want to look into doing a traditional apprenticeship (which takes about 6 years). I do have classes that I can take at the famous "Farm" (Ina May Gaskin's place) which is only an hour or so from here. At the very least that could be a starting point and then I could try to find a midwife to take me on.
I think that most of family thinks I'm nuts, and honestly I wonder if I am. I have a young baby and I really want to have more within the next 3 years and beyond (we want 4 total). However, looking at a six year run, I should start now. I was planning to become a doula to "tide me over" till I became a midwife, but I am ready to jump in. My calling feels strong and I just know that this is what God meant for me to do. So God, I am listening, promise. Just help me figure out how to go about finding a midwife crazy enough to take me on, or at least meet with me.
Our house is moving along at a snails pace now. We got about half the painting done and now we are at a stand still. I think we will paint the kitchen next, but we haven't bought the paint yet. We were about to, but then the hubby decided he didn't want to get it from Wal-Mart, he wanted to get it from Lowes, and well, the process just sort of stopped there.
I am really looking into beginning to contact local midwives so that I can find out my steps to becoming a midwife in this area. I really do not have access to a school near me that teaches midwifery, and we can not move to be near one (we just got done moving!). So really I want to look into doing a traditional apprenticeship (which takes about 6 years). I do have classes that I can take at the famous "Farm" (Ina May Gaskin's place) which is only an hour or so from here. At the very least that could be a starting point and then I could try to find a midwife to take me on.
I think that most of family thinks I'm nuts, and honestly I wonder if I am. I have a young baby and I really want to have more within the next 3 years and beyond (we want 4 total). However, looking at a six year run, I should start now. I was planning to become a doula to "tide me over" till I became a midwife, but I am ready to jump in. My calling feels strong and I just know that this is what God meant for me to do. So God, I am listening, promise. Just help me figure out how to go about finding a midwife crazy enough to take me on, or at least meet with me.
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