Beautiful Beginnings Bradley® Natural Childbirth EducationClass
Location:
Sunshine Chiropractic Center
3436 N. Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
954-699-6503
Class Start Date:
Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Classes in the Bradley Method® will educate you to have the healthiest pregnancy and the safest, most beautiful birth experience possible whether you are having a hospital, birth center, or home birth.
The Bradley Method classes teach natural childbirth and view birth as a natural, not medical process. It is our belief that most women with proper education, preparation and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. Singles moms and same sex couples are welcome. Anyone can be your coach- friends, family, or a professional labor doula.
The Bradley Method® is a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in to her own body. The Bradley Method® encourages mothers to trust their bodies using natural abdominal breathing and relaxation. Nutrition, exercise, and education also play key roles in successful labor preparation.
In addition our classes cover labor rehearsals, informed consent, birth plans, variations of labor, and possible interventions to help couples have the birth experience of their choice. We also include post partum care, newborn baby care, breast feeding and an introduction to attachment parenting and baby wearing.
Class tuition which includes a student workbook (over 120 pages) is $200. You will also have access to my lending library of books and videos.
Registration is Required.
Please contact your local Bradley® Childbirth Educator for more information:
Tracy Pericht, AAHCC
Beautiful Beginnings
Call: 954 699 6503
Email tracy@ourbeautifulbirth.com
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
New Bradley® Childbirth Class Series
Class 1: Sunday, September 26, 2010
Time: 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM every Sunday
**Space still available for this series**
Students are welcome to attend a class for free without making a further commitment. Please contact me for details and to RSVP.
You may join this series for a prorated tuition through October 17.
Location: Baby Love's Classroom
6931 Northwest 88th Avenue (Corner of Mc Nab and Pine Island)
Tamarac, FL 33321
954-720-2300
The Bradley Method® is a class series that teaches natural childbirth and views birth as a natural process. It is our belief that most women with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. Single moms and same sex couples are welcome. Anyone can be your coach- friends, family, or a professional labor doula. Doulas In Training may be available for a reduced client fee.
The Bradley Method® teaches a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in to her own body. The Bradley Method® encourages mothers to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and education.
Our classes also cover fun labor rehearsals, informed consent, birth plans, variations of labor, and interventions to help couples have the birth experience of their choice. We also include post partum care, newborn baby care, breastfeeding and an introduction to attachment parenting and baby wearing.
These small group classes provide individual attention to our expecting couples. Each class series will include a student workbook, access to my lending library and videos, games and prizes, demonstrations, guest speakers (including other Bradley parents sharing their birth stories) and discussion. Some of the classes include a video.
A snack will be served during the break of Class 1.
Twenty-four hour telephone support is always available to our students for pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, postpartum, and new parenting issues.
Registration is going on now for early December due dates and beyond.
Make your birth a Beautiful Beginning!
Please contact Tracy for more information.
http://www.ourbeautifulbirth.com/
Find us on Facebook!
Time: 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM every Sunday
**Space still available for this series**
Students are welcome to attend a class for free without making a further commitment. Please contact me for details and to RSVP.
You may join this series for a prorated tuition through October 17.
Location: Baby Love's Classroom
6931 Northwest 88th Avenue (Corner of Mc Nab and Pine Island)
Tamarac, FL 33321
954-720-2300
The Bradley Method® is a class series that teaches natural childbirth and views birth as a natural process. It is our belief that most women with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. Single moms and same sex couples are welcome. Anyone can be your coach- friends, family, or a professional labor doula. Doulas In Training may be available for a reduced client fee.
The Bradley Method® teaches a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in to her own body. The Bradley Method® encourages mothers to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and education.
Our classes also cover fun labor rehearsals, informed consent, birth plans, variations of labor, and interventions to help couples have the birth experience of their choice. We also include post partum care, newborn baby care, breastfeeding and an introduction to attachment parenting and baby wearing.
These small group classes provide individual attention to our expecting couples. Each class series will include a student workbook, access to my lending library and videos, games and prizes, demonstrations, guest speakers (including other Bradley parents sharing their birth stories) and discussion. Some of the classes include a video.
A snack will be served during the break of Class 1.
Twenty-four hour telephone support is always available to our students for pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, postpartum, and new parenting issues.
Registration is going on now for early December due dates and beyond.
Make your birth a Beautiful Beginning!
Please contact Tracy for more information.
http://www.ourbeautifulbirth.com/
Find us on Facebook!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
FREE Healthy Pregnancy Class
FREE Healthy Pregnancy Class
held at Baby Love in Tamarac!
Where parents learn about Healthy Pregnancies and Happy BIRTH-days!
Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010
Time: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
Receive Samples, Coupons, and Handouts.
Enter to win Doorprizes!
Class topics include:
Making the most of your Prenatal Care,
Normal Pregnancy Changes and Being comfortable in pregnancy,
How Exerise and Nutrition play an important role in pregnancy and labor
This is an introduction to The Bradley Method® only, not a complete series.
Please RSVP to reserve your space or for questions:
Email or Call Tracy at 954 699 6503
held at Baby Love in Tamarac!
Where parents learn about Healthy Pregnancies and Happy BIRTH-days!
Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010
Time: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
Receive Samples, Coupons, and Handouts.
Enter to win Doorprizes!
Class topics include:
Making the most of your Prenatal Care,
Normal Pregnancy Changes and Being comfortable in pregnancy,
How Exerise and Nutrition play an important role in pregnancy and labor
This is an introduction to The Bradley Method® only, not a complete series.
Please RSVP to reserve your space or for questions:
Email or Call Tracy at 954 699 6503
Friday, July 9, 2010
New Bradley Childbirth Education Series Starting!
Friday, July 9, 2010 Time: 7:30 to 9:30 PM every Friday
**Space still available for this series**
Students are welcome to attend a class for free without making a further commitment. Please contact me for details and to RSVP.
You may join this series for a prorated tuition through July 30.
Location: Sunshine Chiropractic
The Bradley Method® is a series of classes that teach natural childbirth and views birth as a natural process. It is our belief that most women with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. Single moms and same sex couples are welcome. Anyone can be your coach- friends, family, or a professional labor doula.
The Bradley Method® teaches a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in to her own body. The Bradley Method® encourages mothers to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and education.
Our classes also cover fun labor rehearsals, informed consent, birth plans, variations of labor, and interventions to help couples have the birth experience of their choice. We also include post partum care, newborn baby care, breastfeeding and an introduction to attachment parenting and baby wearing.
These small group classes provide individual attention to our expecting couples. Each class series will include a student workbook, access to my lending library and videos, games and prizes, demonstrations, guest speakers (including other Bradley parents sharing their birth stories) and discussion. Some of the classes include a video.
For a more complete list of Course Contents, see http://www.bradleybirth.com/CC.aspx
A snack will be served during the break.
Please dress comfortably and bring a pillow and blanket for relaxation exercises.
Twenty-four hour telephone support is always available to our students for pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, postpartum, and new parenting issues.
Registration is going on now for September due dates and beyond.
**Space still available for this series**
Students are welcome to attend a class for free without making a further commitment. Please contact me for details and to RSVP.
You may join this series for a prorated tuition through July 30.
Location: Sunshine Chiropractic
The Bradley Method® is a series of classes that teach natural childbirth and views birth as a natural process. It is our belief that most women with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. Single moms and same sex couples are welcome. Anyone can be your coach- friends, family, or a professional labor doula.
The Bradley Method® teaches a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in to her own body. The Bradley Method® encourages mothers to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and education.
Our classes also cover fun labor rehearsals, informed consent, birth plans, variations of labor, and interventions to help couples have the birth experience of their choice. We also include post partum care, newborn baby care, breastfeeding and an introduction to attachment parenting and baby wearing.
These small group classes provide individual attention to our expecting couples. Each class series will include a student workbook, access to my lending library and videos, games and prizes, demonstrations, guest speakers (including other Bradley parents sharing their birth stories) and discussion. Some of the classes include a video.
For a more complete list of Course Contents, see http://www.bradleybirth.com/CC.aspx
A snack will be served during the break.
Please dress comfortably and bring a pillow and blanket for relaxation exercises.
Twenty-four hour telephone support is always available to our students for pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, postpartum, and new parenting issues.
Registration is going on now for September due dates and beyond.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
FREE Healthy Pregnancy Class at Baby Love
FREE Healthy Pregnancy Class at Baby Love Store!
Learn about Healthy Pregnancies and Happy BIRTH-days!
Date: Saturday, July 17 2010
Time: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
Receive Samples, Coupons, and Handouts.
Enter to win one of our door prizes!
Class Topics Include:
Making the most of your Prenatal Care
Normal Pregnancy Changes and Being Comfortable in Pregnancy
How Exerise and Nutrition can benefit your pregnancy, labor, and birth.
This is an introduction to The Bradley Method® only, not a complete series.
Please RSVP to reserve your space:
Email or Call Tracy at 954 699 6503
Learn about Healthy Pregnancies and Happy BIRTH-days!
Date: Saturday, July 17 2010
Time: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
Receive Samples, Coupons, and Handouts.
Enter to win one of our door prizes!
Class Topics Include:
Making the most of your Prenatal Care
Normal Pregnancy Changes and Being Comfortable in Pregnancy
How Exerise and Nutrition can benefit your pregnancy, labor, and birth.
This is an introduction to The Bradley Method® only, not a complete series.
Please RSVP to reserve your space:
Email or Call Tracy at 954 699 6503
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
FREE Healthy Pregnancy Class at Baby Love
FREE Healthy Pregnancy Class at Baby Love Store!
Learn about Healthy Pregnancies and Happy BIRTH-days!
Date: Saturday, June 19 2010
Time: 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Receive Samples, Coupons, and Handouts.
Enter to win Doorprizes!
Class topics include:
Making the most of your Prenatal Care,
Normal Pregnancy Changes,
Being comfortable in pregnancy,
Exerise, and Nutrition.
This is an introduction to The Bradley Method® only, not a complete series.
Please RSVP to reserve your space:
Email or Call Tracy at 954 699 6503
Learn about Healthy Pregnancies and Happy BIRTH-days!
Date: Saturday, June 19 2010
Time: 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Receive Samples, Coupons, and Handouts.
Enter to win Doorprizes!
Class topics include:
Making the most of your Prenatal Care,
Normal Pregnancy Changes,
Being comfortable in pregnancy,
Exerise, and Nutrition.
This is an introduction to The Bradley Method® only, not a complete series.
Please RSVP to reserve your space:
Email or Call Tracy at 954 699 6503
Bradley Natural Childbirth Summer Class Schedule
2010 Summer Class Schedule
Series 1: Sunday, June 20, 2010 Time: 4:00 to 6:00 PM every Sunday
No class 4th of July
**Space available for this series**
Location: Baby Love Store
Series 2: Friday, July 9, 2010 Time: 7:30 to 9:30 PM every Friday
**Space available for this series**
Location: Sunshine Chiropractic
The Bradley Method® is a series of classes that teach natural childbirth and views birth as a natural process. It is our belief that most women with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. Single moms and same sex couples are welcome. Anyone can be your coach- friends, family, or a professional labor doula.
The Bradley Method® teaches a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in to her own body. The Bradley Method® encourages mothers to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and education.
Our classes also cover fun labor rehearsals, informed consent, birth plans, variations of labor, and interventions to help couples have the birth experience of their choice. We also include post partum care, newborn baby care, breastfeeding and an introduction to attachment parenting and baby wearing.
These small group classes provide individual attention to our expecting couples. Each class series will include a student workbook, access to my lending library and videos, games and prizes, demonstrations, guest speakers (including other Bradley parents sharing their birth stories) and discussion. Some of the classes include a video.
For a more complete list of Course Contents, see http://www.bradleybirth.com/CC.aspx
A snack will be served during the break.
Please dress comfortably and bring a pillow and blanket for relaxation exercises.
Twenty-four hour telephone support is always available to our students for pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, postpartum, and new parenting issues.
Registration is going on now for August/September due dates and beyond.
Click here for more information about registration
Or Contact Us for further information.
Series 1: Sunday, June 20, 2010 Time: 4:00 to 6:00 PM every Sunday
No class 4th of July
**Space available for this series**
Location: Baby Love Store
Series 2: Friday, July 9, 2010 Time: 7:30 to 9:30 PM every Friday
**Space available for this series**
Location: Sunshine Chiropractic
The Bradley Method® is a series of classes that teach natural childbirth and views birth as a natural process. It is our belief that most women with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. Single moms and same sex couples are welcome. Anyone can be your coach- friends, family, or a professional labor doula.
The Bradley Method® teaches a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in to her own body. The Bradley Method® encourages mothers to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and education.
Our classes also cover fun labor rehearsals, informed consent, birth plans, variations of labor, and interventions to help couples have the birth experience of their choice. We also include post partum care, newborn baby care, breastfeeding and an introduction to attachment parenting and baby wearing.
These small group classes provide individual attention to our expecting couples. Each class series will include a student workbook, access to my lending library and videos, games and prizes, demonstrations, guest speakers (including other Bradley parents sharing their birth stories) and discussion. Some of the classes include a video.
For a more complete list of Course Contents, see http://www.bradleybirth.com/CC.aspx
A snack will be served during the break.
Please dress comfortably and bring a pillow and blanket for relaxation exercises.
Twenty-four hour telephone support is always available to our students for pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, postpartum, and new parenting issues.
Registration is going on now for August/September due dates and beyond.
Click here for more information about registration
Or Contact Us for further information.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Faith In VBAC
Faith in VBAC
Author unknown (to me at least)
Just think for a minute. If you were in a terrible car accident and had to have a piece of metal removed from your leg, they would have to cut in to get it. Then they stitch you all back up. What do you expect the scar to do? Do you expect it to fall open when you start to walk? No? Well, okay maybe normal walking is okay, but what about running? Maybe running will cause it to fall open. No? Alright maybe not normal running, but I bet a marathon would cause enough pressure to just rip it open, right? Hmm… wait a second, maybe not. Perhaps if they hooked the repaired leg up to a machine that mimicked running, it could cause problems – especially a machine that pulled the muscle further than normal use would, that didn't do it “naturally” (kind of like Pitocin!). But for regular use, we expect ourselves to stay shut. We expect wounds to have healed. We expect normal function to be obtainable for straightforward injuries.
If we get a cut or have stitches anywhere else on our bodies, we expect it to stay shut. If we looked at the doctor and said, “I don't think this is going to stay shut,” they would be highly offended because we doubted their skill as a surgeon and we would be turning our noses up at our body's ability to heal and reams of scientific evidence that shows it does.
But then when we have a c-section, we look at that and think, “Oh no! This thing isn't going to hold!!!” Do you think the surgeon stitched you up? Do you think he/she is a skilled surgeon? If your old surgeon questions the integrity of your healing, then he/she is expressing a complete lack of confidence in his/her work. Point that out. They need to think about this. If your new OB or midwife is questioning the integrity of your womb, then they need to be confronted about doubting the surgical skill of your previous surgeon. If they doubt his/her skill that seriously, perhaps they need to express their concern to the medical board.
Anytime someone is stitched back together the ultimate goal is to prepare the organ or muscle or whatever to perform its normal function. I have had two c-sections. One was with my first and one was with my fifth. The rest have been HBAC’s. All my births up through the second c-section were to fairly tiny babies, weighing between 6.5 and 8 pounds. My sixth, the fresh VBAC who was testing out the surgeon's skill, was 11 pounds 4 ounces. I had some nifty pushing contractions. And I can compliment my surgeon for a job well done because her work held up under normal use. Giving birth is normal use, yes even when giving birth to an 11 pounder. It is exactly what the uterus was created to do. If we expect that a straightforward incision and stitching should restore other muscles to regular use, then why do we doubt the womb?
I will tell you what finally set my own mind to ease this last pregnancy because yes, for the first time ever, I was actually nervous about uterine rupture. My daughter used to play with my lower uterine scar; she would push and stretch and wedge herself in. She would shove her hands right under where my external incision scar was and do boxing drills. Maybe she could feel the ridge of my external incision? I don't know. But what I do know is that I felt very reassured that if she could do all that and it held together, then what was a little labor?
Author unknown (to me at least)
Just think for a minute. If you were in a terrible car accident and had to have a piece of metal removed from your leg, they would have to cut in to get it. Then they stitch you all back up. What do you expect the scar to do? Do you expect it to fall open when you start to walk? No? Well, okay maybe normal walking is okay, but what about running? Maybe running will cause it to fall open. No? Alright maybe not normal running, but I bet a marathon would cause enough pressure to just rip it open, right? Hmm… wait a second, maybe not. Perhaps if they hooked the repaired leg up to a machine that mimicked running, it could cause problems – especially a machine that pulled the muscle further than normal use would, that didn't do it “naturally” (kind of like Pitocin!). But for regular use, we expect ourselves to stay shut. We expect wounds to have healed. We expect normal function to be obtainable for straightforward injuries.
If we get a cut or have stitches anywhere else on our bodies, we expect it to stay shut. If we looked at the doctor and said, “I don't think this is going to stay shut,” they would be highly offended because we doubted their skill as a surgeon and we would be turning our noses up at our body's ability to heal and reams of scientific evidence that shows it does.
But then when we have a c-section, we look at that and think, “Oh no! This thing isn't going to hold!!!” Do you think the surgeon stitched you up? Do you think he/she is a skilled surgeon? If your old surgeon questions the integrity of your healing, then he/she is expressing a complete lack of confidence in his/her work. Point that out. They need to think about this. If your new OB or midwife is questioning the integrity of your womb, then they need to be confronted about doubting the surgical skill of your previous surgeon. If they doubt his/her skill that seriously, perhaps they need to express their concern to the medical board.
Anytime someone is stitched back together the ultimate goal is to prepare the organ or muscle or whatever to perform its normal function. I have had two c-sections. One was with my first and one was with my fifth. The rest have been HBAC’s. All my births up through the second c-section were to fairly tiny babies, weighing between 6.5 and 8 pounds. My sixth, the fresh VBAC who was testing out the surgeon's skill, was 11 pounds 4 ounces. I had some nifty pushing contractions. And I can compliment my surgeon for a job well done because her work held up under normal use. Giving birth is normal use, yes even when giving birth to an 11 pounder. It is exactly what the uterus was created to do. If we expect that a straightforward incision and stitching should restore other muscles to regular use, then why do we doubt the womb?
I will tell you what finally set my own mind to ease this last pregnancy because yes, for the first time ever, I was actually nervous about uterine rupture. My daughter used to play with my lower uterine scar; she would push and stretch and wedge herself in. She would shove her hands right under where my external incision scar was and do boxing drills. Maybe she could feel the ridge of my external incision? I don't know. But what I do know is that I felt very reassured that if she could do all that and it held together, then what was a little labor?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Here I am googling antral follicle count...
and guzzling green tea. LOL
I'M PRETTY DARN HAPPY AFTER OUR RE APPOINTMENT TODAY!
So, Christopher and I went in for the consultation regarding trying to conceive our second child with our reproductive endocrinologist. I actually left feeling pretty positive.
And even more disgusted with our previous RE, famously known as Dr Creepy Skulker.
Let's back track a few days....
I had some Cycle Day 3 blood work and an AMH assay drawn on Wednesday. When I saw that she ordered the AMH, I cringed inwardly. This is the test that Dr Creepy Skulker was so proud of 2.5 years ago. (Let's go back to 2007....) He had been on the news about this cutting edge fertilty testing yada yada. AMH indicates the number of sleeping follicles in the ovary. This is a constant hormone that is released. Low levels indicate low or poor ovarian reserve. Hoever all the labs were quick to add fine print that this was not a diagnostic test. AMH testing was for research only. Well in 2007 my AMH level had come back as .075. That's extremely poor according to his scale. Dr Creepy told us that we would need IVF to conceive based on this AMH level.
Well, back then I wasn't satisfied with this test, especially based on my antral follicle counts and other hormonal bloodwork. So in 2007 we had gotten a second opinion with the good Dr G. She thought IVF was a huge leap considering we had gotten pregnant twice on our own without treatment. She discounted the AMH level as it was too new of a test and not really standardized yet. Also for my age, it wasn't an awful number any way.
Okay, back to today....
The results from Wednesday's draw were back today so Dr W was prepared to go over them.
My AMH level was 1.9. Um, anything over 1.0 is NORMAL!
In fact, that's great for an almost 40 year old! We would have expected it to be a little lower than the previous .75. Dr W was very happy with 1.9. Of course we had some questions about the accuracy of this or the previous test. She was quick to point out the the tests were analyzed at the same lab but that she did not know if the assay had changed in the previous two years. We repeated the AMH test again today just to be sure.
My FSH number was 6.3. This is also better than I had tested back in 2007. With Dr Creepy my FSH was running 7.9 to 8.3. My antral follicle count was 22 plus. (Amd yeah, not too shappy for a soon to be 40 yo.)
So overall the outlook is very positive. We have reason to hope that conceiving our second child could be as "easy" as before. Granted having two back to back miscarriages before Andrew was no picnic. But getting pregnant 3 times in 5 (non consectutive) cycles of actively TTC isn't anything to sneeze at. It was all the emotional turmoil and infertility testing between all those pregnancies (a year total of TTC) that was an ordeal.
The good Dr W wants me to wean Andrew before going on to any fertility drugs.
That's not happening any time soon if it all. My dream would be to get pregnant and Andrew naturally wean himself.
Any whoo, in the mean time we're going to do some "natural" cycles. But her use of natural is a little fast and loose.
We're gong to have timed intercourse with OPK. At the first positive OPK, I will go in for an ultrasound. If I have mature follicles, then I will trigger with Ovidrel. That will help me ovulate in a timely manner. We'll then do a post coital the next day and see what's going on. If we see low or no sperm, then Christopher gets to do a semen analysis later on.
We'll then do a progesterone test at 7 DPO to see how things went. Beta at two weeks.
So we have a plan to move forward and I can still breastfeed while TTC. For now. We'll have to make some decisions regarding that later on. I would much prefer to let him wean naturally with respect to his needs.
But there does need to be some balance. Isn't balance always the tricky part?
I'M PRETTY DARN HAPPY AFTER OUR RE APPOINTMENT TODAY!
So, Christopher and I went in for the consultation regarding trying to conceive our second child with our reproductive endocrinologist. I actually left feeling pretty positive.
And even more disgusted with our previous RE, famously known as Dr Creepy Skulker.
Let's back track a few days....
I had some Cycle Day 3 blood work and an AMH assay drawn on Wednesday. When I saw that she ordered the AMH, I cringed inwardly. This is the test that Dr Creepy Skulker was so proud of 2.5 years ago. (Let's go back to 2007....) He had been on the news about this cutting edge fertilty testing yada yada. AMH indicates the number of sleeping follicles in the ovary. This is a constant hormone that is released. Low levels indicate low or poor ovarian reserve. Hoever all the labs were quick to add fine print that this was not a diagnostic test. AMH testing was for research only. Well in 2007 my AMH level had come back as .075. That's extremely poor according to his scale. Dr Creepy told us that we would need IVF to conceive based on this AMH level.
Well, back then I wasn't satisfied with this test, especially based on my antral follicle counts and other hormonal bloodwork. So in 2007 we had gotten a second opinion with the good Dr G. She thought IVF was a huge leap considering we had gotten pregnant twice on our own without treatment. She discounted the AMH level as it was too new of a test and not really standardized yet. Also for my age, it wasn't an awful number any way.
Okay, back to today....
The results from Wednesday's draw were back today so Dr W was prepared to go over them.
My AMH level was 1.9. Um, anything over 1.0 is NORMAL!
In fact, that's great for an almost 40 year old! We would have expected it to be a little lower than the previous .75. Dr W was very happy with 1.9. Of course we had some questions about the accuracy of this or the previous test. She was quick to point out the the tests were analyzed at the same lab but that she did not know if the assay had changed in the previous two years. We repeated the AMH test again today just to be sure.
My FSH number was 6.3. This is also better than I had tested back in 2007. With Dr Creepy my FSH was running 7.9 to 8.3. My antral follicle count was 22 plus. (Amd yeah, not too shappy for a soon to be 40 yo.)
So overall the outlook is very positive. We have reason to hope that conceiving our second child could be as "easy" as before. Granted having two back to back miscarriages before Andrew was no picnic. But getting pregnant 3 times in 5 (non consectutive) cycles of actively TTC isn't anything to sneeze at. It was all the emotional turmoil and infertility testing between all those pregnancies (a year total of TTC) that was an ordeal.
The good Dr W wants me to wean Andrew before going on to any fertility drugs.
That's not happening any time soon if it all. My dream would be to get pregnant and Andrew naturally wean himself.
Any whoo, in the mean time we're going to do some "natural" cycles. But her use of natural is a little fast and loose.
We're gong to have timed intercourse with OPK. At the first positive OPK, I will go in for an ultrasound. If I have mature follicles, then I will trigger with Ovidrel. That will help me ovulate in a timely manner. We'll then do a post coital the next day and see what's going on. If we see low or no sperm, then Christopher gets to do a semen analysis later on.
We'll then do a progesterone test at 7 DPO to see how things went. Beta at two weeks.
So we have a plan to move forward and I can still breastfeed while TTC. For now. We'll have to make some decisions regarding that later on. I would much prefer to let him wean naturally with respect to his needs.
But there does need to be some balance. Isn't balance always the tricky part?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Bradley® on ABC News Alternative Birthing Methods
Alternative Birthing Methods - ABC News
Here are five popular natural ways to having a baby. You should, of course, ask your doctor if you are considering any of these natural methods.
Why are a growing number of mothers at risk during childbirth?
The Bradley Method
In this technique, women are encouraged to give birth in the presence of their partners, without the use of epidural anesthesia, intravenous drugs, surgery, or tools. The technique is taught in a 12-week class conducted in the last trimester of pregnancy.
HypnoBirth
HypnoBirth trains mothers-to-be to achieve complete relaxation during labor and delivery. The method involves courses with an instructor, along with home self-hypnosis exercises that teach women how to eliminate the pain of labor by staying completely focused and in control of the birthing process.
Lamaze
Lamaze is a birthing technique that emphasizes breathing. Women are generally taught to control their breathing, change positions and walk around at certain points during labor. Partners are also encouraged to participate in the delivery. While Lamaze is generally a natural technique, a woman can have an epidural if she feels she needs it.
Home Birth
As the name suggests, this technique allows you to give birth in the comfort of your own home. According to the American Pregnancy Association, home birth is not for you if:
• You are diabetic.
• You have chronic high blood pressure, or toxemia (also known as preeclampsia).
• You have experienced preterm labor in the past, or may be at risk for preterm labor now.
• Your partner does not fully support your decision to give birth at home.
Water Delivery
Some women may find that giving birth in a warm tub of water will help them relax and the buoyancy may help alleviate discomfort and pressure.
"Water delivery is not recommended for women with high-risk pregnancies and preparation should be made for delivery to occur out of the water if complications arise," according to the American Pregnancy Association.
Source: American Pregnancy Association
Here are five popular natural ways to having a baby. You should, of course, ask your doctor if you are considering any of these natural methods.
Why are a growing number of mothers at risk during childbirth?
The Bradley Method
In this technique, women are encouraged to give birth in the presence of their partners, without the use of epidural anesthesia, intravenous drugs, surgery, or tools. The technique is taught in a 12-week class conducted in the last trimester of pregnancy.
HypnoBirth
HypnoBirth trains mothers-to-be to achieve complete relaxation during labor and delivery. The method involves courses with an instructor, along with home self-hypnosis exercises that teach women how to eliminate the pain of labor by staying completely focused and in control of the birthing process.
Lamaze
Lamaze is a birthing technique that emphasizes breathing. Women are generally taught to control their breathing, change positions and walk around at certain points during labor. Partners are also encouraged to participate in the delivery. While Lamaze is generally a natural technique, a woman can have an epidural if she feels she needs it.
Home Birth
As the name suggests, this technique allows you to give birth in the comfort of your own home. According to the American Pregnancy Association, home birth is not for you if:
• You are diabetic.
• You have chronic high blood pressure, or toxemia (also known as preeclampsia).
• You have experienced preterm labor in the past, or may be at risk for preterm labor now.
• Your partner does not fully support your decision to give birth at home.
Water Delivery
Some women may find that giving birth in a warm tub of water will help them relax and the buoyancy may help alleviate discomfort and pressure.
"Water delivery is not recommended for women with high-risk pregnancies and preparation should be made for delivery to occur out of the water if complications arise," according to the American Pregnancy Association.
Source: American Pregnancy Association
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