Hitting close to home..

Just wanted to update you guys on what's going on in Mississippi right now...

Last year, a bill was introduced that would have restricted childbirth attendants to OBs and CNMs (Certified Nurse Midwives) in hospitals. This would have made the Direct Entry Midwives (DEMs) that attend home births in MS illegal. The bill went right through the House of Representatives and over to the Senate without hesitation. Just then, word spread to the home birthing families in MS about the legislation and there was a strong outcry against the bill. Senators let the bill “die in committee” by not bringing it up for a vote by the deadline.

Fast forward exactly one year….After a lot of hard work by MS Friends of Midwives and the MS Midwives Alliance, House Bill (HB) 207 has been passed by the house and now sits in the hands of the very same, Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee with that same deadline approaching, March 1^st.

The Medical community is at the Capitol every day lobbying AGAINST this bill. Women in Mississippi have enjoyed the right to birth at home with the care provider of their choice since the beginning of time. However, there are organizations in our state (such as the Mississippi State Medical Association and the Mississippi Nursing Association) that are working to see that right taken away and limited to their services in their hospitals. The organizations that tried to make home birth illegal last year did not and will not give up. They are working to kill our “pro-homebirth” bill and rest assured, they will take another shot at eradicating it next year.

(adapted from source)



Here are the plain sense facts:

~Currently in MS, midwifery is granted an exemption from any regulation. This means, the state allows the practice of midwifery without any training or skills assessment. Anyone can put an ad in the phone book and declare themselves a midwife. This is even more of a problem because surrounding states require licensure. Mississippi has become an asylum for unsafe midwives fleeing states with regulation. This bill changes that- to require MORE training for midwives and to be registered with Mississippi.
~27 states use the CPM credential for licensing. No state has ever recinded a program using the CPM as the standard for confirming a midwife’s skills. The CPM credential is administered by NARM (North American Registry of Midwives). This is nationally accredited certifying agency. The certification requires a rigorous educational and training process including a clinical internship that takes a minimum of 3-5 years to complete and a national board exam.

SO-----Why would anyone oppose this bill? The argument against this bill is from OBs and Nurses. Their professional organizations work actively to make home birth illegal and say that it is unsafe. However, it has been proven time and time again that Home birth with a CPM is safe. CPMs only work with the lowest risk clients. The pregnancies are evaluated regularly and any client that is not low risk is made aware of her situation and advised to consult with an OB.

What can you do to help? 

Email the Senators on the Public Health and Welfare committee - ask them to schedule a hearing for the Midwife Safety Act - HB207.

hbryan@senate.ms.gov,
tburton@senate.ms.gov, 
bclarke@senate.ms.gov, 
bdearing@senate.ms.gov,
jfillingane@senate.ms.gov,
mflowers@senate.ms.gov,
hfrazier@senate.ms.gov,
bhewes@senate.ms.gov,
bhopson@senate.ms.gov,
jhorhn@senate.ms.gov,
chydesmith@senate.ms.gov,
gjackson@senate.ms.gov,
kjones@senate.ms.gov,
tking@senate.ms.gov,
cmcdaniel@senate.ms.gov,
nmettetal@senate.ms.gov,
wsimmons@senate.ms.gov,
bturner@senate.ms.gov,
lyancey@senate.ms.gov

Don't just take my word for it...

Read more here, here, here and here

Questions? Opinions? Let's discuss!!!!

midwife visit and picture!

Mrs. Norma came on July 3. I was so excited to see her because I knew she was going to let me know how my baby was doing, as I have had many worries in the last few weeks. Needless to say, all fears have subsided. She measured me (I am measuring 23 weeks!) She said 2 over or 2 under is normal. But it could be all those cookies I ate... I was worried about my weight...but IM NOT AT ALL WORRIED ANYMORE...I weighed in at 6 pounds heavier than I did 9 days before..the baby hit a major growth spurt, I suppose.
The heartbeat was 141 bpm, i'm starting to think my little girl is quickly becoming a little boy, according to the old wives' tale of a girl having a higher heartbeat than a boy...

Two things she got on to me about: 1. not eating enough dark leafy greens 2. water water water.
She said that if I wasn't getting up at least once or twice a night to pee that I am not drinking enough. So if you talk to me, please remind me that I need to be doing these two things!!

Im still feeling pretty normal. Although, I have had some major cramping in my upper left leg. (I read some things and it said that this may be due to weight gain) ha.
How is baby:
Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. He now measures 7 inches long and can weigh up to 10 ounces. In the coming weeks, your baby will continue to grow and mature at a fast rate.

The hair on his scalp is more visible and by week 21 he has probably developed eyelashes and eyebrows!

He is waking and sleeping in regular intervals, which you might be able to tell from his movements. He is also swallowing amniotic fluid to help his digestive system mature for life in the "outside world". His intestines also start slowly relaxing and contracting this week.

21 week Picture:

17 week appt.

Last Thursday, Mrs. Norma came over for our monthly appointment. And, I'm pleased to say that it went so well! Last visit, my iron and protein levels were extremely low and she told me that I really needed to work on getting those levels up. At this appointment, she check my protein level and it was back to normal! I was so proud of myself (mainly because I had to down so much meat) But I am more than willing to do whatever is necessary for a healthy pregnancy. We checked my weight and found that I have gained a total of 5 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight until now.

Here's a chart to see how I'm doing:

• Healthy weight before pregnancy:
  • 3-5 pounds during the first trimester
  • Approximately 1-2 pounds per week in the second trimester
  • Approximately 1-2 pounds per week in the third trimester

Where does all the extra weight go?

Here is an approximate breakdown of your weight gain:

• Baby: 7-8 pounds
• Placenta: 1-2 pounds
• Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds
• Uterus: 2 pounds
• Maternal breast tissue: 2 pounds
• Maternal blood : 4 pounds
• Fluids in maternal tissue: 4 pounds
• Maternal fat and nutrient stores: 7 pounds

According to this scale, I'm a little under, but I'm sure I'll be packing on the pounds soon enough.

The Heart Beat!
The heart beat was 157 this time, so a little less than last time. But as the baby grows, the heart beat decreases a little.

Overall it was such a good appt! Mrs. Norma and I both (and Paul too) were very pleased with the progression.

weeks 15, 16, and 17 the progression or lack thereof

My belly seems to have gone down in size. This may be due to the loss of all that bloat. I've been slacking on posting because I had this weird scare of "maybe the baby isnt there anyone, my stomach sure does hurt in the morning, did i squish the baby???"

But the midwife assured me at our recent June appt. that there is indeed a baby inside!
...more to come about the appt. later.

Week 15

By this week, I was feeling GREAT! no more morning sickness in the least, but no food really seemed appetizing either. I pushed through and ate as much as I could...

What Baby Purser was doing:
-crown to rump length is 4-4.5 inches
-weight around 1 3/4 ounces
- baby may be sucking a thumb!
-bones have formed and are getting harder

Sorry I don't have a belly picture for this week, but here is a picture from that week:



Week 16

We had such a busy weekend this week. Our friends Justin and Ashley got married(again) and we were both in the wedding. It was so much fun! I was a little concerned that my dress wasn't going to fit and I didn't know for sure until the DAY OF THE WEDDING! but everything ended up working out great! My size 6 dress ended up fitted my 4 month pregnant body just fine(after a little snip and place somewhere else alteration).

Baby Purser this week:
-A Growth spurt is coming! In the next few weeks, baby will double in weight and add inches to length.
-4 1/2 inches long (head to rump)
-3 1/2 ounces in weight.
-Legs are much more developed, head is more erect than it has been
-Eyes have moved closer to the front of the head
-Ears are close to their final position, too.
The patterning of the scalp has begun
-Started growing toenails.
-Heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day

What progress! Here's some not so good pictures of Week 16. My mom had a good belly shot, but those are on her camera. I need to get those Mom!!
Like I said, the picture of the belly isn't that good, but since I didn't give one for last week, I thought I'd at least give you SOMETHING!

My sweet Paw Paw and me after a long couple days of wedding...


and there it is...I'm a royal blue whale...


WEEK 17

How Big is the Baby at 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby is anywhere from 4.4 to 4.8 inches by pregnancy week 17 and weighs almost 3 ½ ounces! If you were to hold your baby at 17 weeks pregnant, she would fit snuggly in the palm of your hand. Your baby is about the size of a small pomegranate by pregnancy 17 weeks.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby during week 17 is now very mobile, gleefully moving his joints here, there and everywhere and will continue to do so as you continue your pregnancy week by week. The cartilage making up the skeleton in your baby's body is starting to transform into bone. At pregnancy 17 weeks time your baby should be hearing things. Your baby will start putting on some layers of fat in the weeks to come, though at this point in time your baby is made up of primarily water.

You may be feeling your baby move intermittently after pregnancy week 17, though as your pregnancy progresses you will likely start feeling your baby move more and more.

There are many natural health practitioners that believe in the power of touch. Though your little one is still very small, your touch may do much to help him feel safe and warm inside the womb. If you haven't started already, you might consider rubbing your 'pooch' in calming circular motions. This will not only help comfort your little one, but will help initiate the bonding process with you and your newborn baby throughout your pregnancy and after.

Other women find comfort when playing music to their unborn children. There is evidence suggesting that your baby responds to music even while in the womb. Thus, there is no harm in playing some calm and engaging music to your baby even while they are in the womb.

This was the news and advice from women's health this week..

How am I feeling this week?
CRAVING WATERMELON!!
and I've eaten so much of it!
I've been swimming alot in my new maternity bathing suit! (which i love, and might keep on wearing even after pregnancy) Paul says it looks like a nightie. (which it is very comfortable like a nightie)
I've also eaten alot of turkey sandwiches...omg..there are so good..and I toast it on the George....YUM!!!
I'm still not sleeping very well AT ALL! Does anyone have any advice??? I wake up almost every morning with my stomach hurting and also laying on my back.. Frustrating!
Please help if you know any solutions to a good nights sleep! And also not rolling on my back solutions..

picture of the belly, and this time it's the ACTUAL belly..(but no head)

A Midwife and A Homebirth

After much praying and seeking the word, Paul and I have decided to have a homebirth with a midwife.

What is a midwife?

the modern midwife is a health professional who provides holistic care to the childbearing woman and newborn. She respects a wide range of women's needs, including personal and cultural values. Focusing on the natural processes of pregnancy, labor, and birth, she combines traditional skills and modern medical techniques to safeguard normal childbirth. The midwfe maintain associations with physicians and other health care providers to ensure that mother and child have the best knowledge and technology available.

Midwifery is based on a strong belief in partnership with childbearing women and respect for birth as a normal life event. Midwives strive to empower parents with knowledge and support their right to create the birth experience which is best for them. Midwives respect intimacy, privacy, and family integrity, and draw on their own patience and understanding to provide care during pregnancy and birth.

Why were choosing a homebirth:

Matthew 9:12
But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.

Midwives consider birth a natural event in women's lives. Midwifery is based on the belief that childbirth is natural, healthy process and that most women are fully capable of giving birth. Midwives see pregnancy as part of the full spectrum of life's experiences, and they believe women have the right to a fulfilling, as well as a safe, childbirth experience.

Midwives improve the outcome of labor and birth.

National research shows that midwives achieve the same outcomes as physicians without disrupting the natural birth process as often. Research also shows that midwives have reduced cesarean section rates by more than 50% with no compromise in safety. In fact, care from midwives has significantly lower rates of induced labor, episiotomies, and forcep births. Midwives are most actively involved in a woman's preparation forchildbirth. That kind of support reduces the length of labor, avoids unnecessary interventions and improves birth outcomes. Midwifery care is proven to be safe!


I like the idea of being at home and I definitely feel comfortable here. On Monday we had our first visit with the midwife, who met us in our home. She weighed me, measured me, did a basic physical, took blood pressure, took blood to check my iron (which was a little low, at 11.5), and check all kinds of different levels like glucose and protein (there were about 6 more) from a urine sample. My protein and iron was her true concerns being that I haven't eaten meat in 2 years and my protein level was well below normal. As a holistic midwife, she went over my record of my food chart and told me to eat more of certain foods and less of others. ( i have to write down EVERYTHING I eat and drink) she then gave me another chart to be writing down my food and drink for this month that she will check on June 4th at our next appointment. We also heard that precious heart beat for the first time...167 bpm!!! That was truly an awesome experience. At the June appt., I will record it so you guys can hear that precious sound as well.

We are truly blessed to have this opportunity.

DISCLAIMER: I, in no way feel that because we want to birth this way, that you should too. I fully respect the hospital and the doctors that serve there, and fully intend to use these services if need be. If you have had hospital births, I fully respect that...especially the ones I've been to :) This is just what we see for US to do.