During the time of my first miscarriage, I was shocked by how little information I knew about the process of miscarrying and how little information was given to me by the medical community. I really wish that I would have access to this site at that time. I can see myself being able to feel informed and somewhat capable to read my symptoms on my own.

The page from Miscarriage Support Aukland Inc is titled Miscarriage at Home. It lists many helpful facts about what to possibly expect and how to respond to your miscarriage. The support group is written for New Zealand and the phrasing is a little bit different, but I really found this to be reassuring, even after the fact. If any... more

In the mail today I received my seasonal copy of ewChAT, News and Continuing Education Workshops for the Alternative Health Industry. The cover article for the information involves headaches. It was written by Erik Dalton.

The headings for the article are as follows.

Identifying Systems and Triggers Food Reactions Environmental Reactions Body Reactions Classifying Migraines Classic Common Transformed Chronic Do's, Don'ts and Treatment Options Bodywork and Alternative Treatment Structurally-Induced Migraines Conclusion

Of particular interest to this... more

Every autumn our city hosts our central state fair. I have been every single year since I was a baby and look forward to going again and again. I love the weather, the smells, the sounds, the people and don't even get me started on the food.

Anyhow, in our large activities center there are vendors that sell all kinds of products which is where my mom bought my heat pack for me many years ago. This thing has all but replaced the teddy bear of my childhood in terms of comfort. At one of the vendor booths, my mom purchased a cow print flax seed pillow that you can microwave to heat up. I've had to replace the flax seed many times, and I can't believe that it hasn't ever made it... more

This whole past week I had been telling Chris that I thought that I was coming down with a bladder infection. It would just cross my mind every once in a while, not really asking or demanding my full focus. Until Tuesday night. Then the thought was front and center, screaming to be noticed. I went in to the doctor the next morning and started antibiotics that afternoon.

Once again dealing with the pain of the infection, I started wondering about my thought processes lately, and if I was physically playing out something that needed attention mentally. Which lead me to think about something that I have been hanging on to, and not letting go of.

Every time I got these infections... more

At times of intense transition in my life, my body's choice of reaction is to get sick with a bladder infection. I think that it is my physical self's way to bring my awareness back to how I have been caring for myself. I have had so many of these, that now almost as soon as I can feel the symptoms of the infection, it moves right along the path to a kidney infection.

Some circumstances in my life that have surrounded these infections have been: the endings of long-term, serious relationships miscarriages D&C's (this when I suffered from the infections the most) pregnancy (early, mid, and very pregnant) moving graduations

While suffering... more

http://knocked.typepad.com/knocked_upknocked_down/2006

I just came across this amazing blog tonight. I have always wished that I had been coherent enough to write in the moments of all of my losses and successes in becoming a mom, but I was too scared most of the time to accept that what was happening to me was real. I know that I have mentioned this somewhere here before.

Well, reading Jill's blog just brings me straight back. Her story feels like it could be mine although it is entirely her own. Her descriptive writing, her raw emotions, and her ability to keep current with her posts are just breathtaking.... more

I just read on www.adopting.org about an option called social surrogacy. This is where a couple decides that they want a biological child, but do not want to go through the rigors of pregnancy. There is are normally no medical issues causing the decision, only social ones. Like "too busy, the pressures of commitments, a career based on looks, etc."

As I'm thinking about this, my main question going through my mind was, would this have been an option for us? Of course, now that I know what pregnancy entails and my body has already been branded by motherhood, what would the point be? Of course, being an adoptive mom as well, it was... more

"Just relax"

There is hardly any one comment that makes trying-to-be parents as crazy as the above statement. It seems to say that there is a "blame" to lay on someone, and you are the intended target, since you are so incapable of handling your stress, you are being punished by not having a child. Well, at least this is how I took it! Speaking to others, I don't think that I was alone in this reaction.

I came across an article from the 2005 issue of Health magazine titled, "Stress and Your Fertility" by Susan Dominus. Needless to say, I was curious.

The article deals with interrupted menstrual cycles which could bring on infertility in women who have waited... more

I know that you are just hanging on the edge of your chair to find out how I coped on Saturday, when I wanted to do and see and speak absolutely nothing. A busy day was planned and I was on my own with the kids.

Well, I improvised! Flew by the seat of my pants and took it minute by minute until I could make it hour by hour. Chris would be home around 5, so I just had to hold it together until then.

Here is a suggestion from Jennifer Louden:

A Whole Day Isn't Necessary (Although It Is Nice) You don't have to hide for an entire day. An hour or two on a Saturday morning, leaving work early, skipping a dinner party you didn't want to go to...The... more

During the months that Chris and I were having trouble conceiving, I came across a few things that I wish I had never seen on tv. A lot of them were emotional, gut wrenching fact or fiction stories to watch. This also involved songs heard on the radio and movies. After I was pregnant, this amount of media seemed to get bigger in size of things that I felt I shouldn't be subjecting my mind to. Of course, there are those that would argue that I shouldn't subject my mind to anything on television at any time but I am here to confess that I am a tv addict and see no reform in my future.

Today during the kids' nap time I came across one of the Law & Order episodes that I wished I had... more