Childbirth injuries

I watched a PBS documentary on the impact of childbirth injuries on women in third world countries particularly Ethiopia. Before this film I did not even know there was such a thing. These injuries now only exist in third world countries. In Ethiopia, country women are married off early and often become pregnant very young. Since they were girls they’ve done a lot of manual labor and are typically malnourished. This leads to small pelvises and stunted growth so when they go to deliver their babies many experience days or even weeks of labor only to result in stillbirth. The baby simply cannot come out! The impact of these difficult labors is severe injuries to their bladders and rectums impacting their ability to control urine and feces. After such injuries their husbands kick them out of the house and they return home where their families shun them and build them special huts aways from the family home. Here they typically live in shame and isolation until death. In Ethiopia alone, there are an estimated 100,000 women suffering with these tears called fistulas. The fistula foundation provides free operations for these women to repair their damaged birth canals so they can them reenter normal society without the shame of their incontinence. You can donate here….

For only $450 you can cover one operation for a suffering woman in Ethiopia.
That’s $37 dollars a month to change one woman’s entire life! Amazing.

Moe’s

I had terrible customer service on a recent phone order at Moe’s. The guy actually said “what else” after each item I ordered then refused my payment over the phone just because he was busy! I complained to corporate- of course. I believe that everyone should voice their opinions when they have a bad experience- how else would someone get better and learn from their mistakes?

Here is the GM’s email to me. I will call him this week to chat about it. It’s pretty genuine and I was excited to receive it. I hope I helped.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jennifer,

My name is Blane and I am the general manager at Moe’s Southwest Grill in Glen Allen. I had a meeting yesterday with the owner and we discussed the feedback that we received from you on line and let me tell you first how disappointed I was to hear about your last visit.

I called you yesterday and reached your voice mail and left a message but since I haven’t heard back I thought I would email you. I didn’t want you to think that your concerns were not heard! I do have a couple of questions concerning your visit so if you could call me some time this week I would greatly appreciate it.

I have spoken to my staff concerning professionalism and to go phone order procedures and I take this very seriously. There is no reason to rush people just because we are busy, we are supposed to be busy! As for getting the order wrong all I can do is apologize and do better next time. I would like you to do me a favor, next time your office has lunch, feel free to call it in (your meals will be on Moe) or bring everyone in, print this off and give it to the cashier and then feel free to call me and share your experience with me.

I just want to thank you for taking the time to share your concerns, in this fast paced world with so many options some people would just chose not to return. I consider all feedback, positive or negative as training tools to better serve our guests. I look forward to hearing from you.

Blane

____________________________________________________________________________________

150 + babies

Dave and I found the perfect Doula for Lupe’s birth. Her name is Kathy Stewart. She is anRN and has been a Doula at over 150 births.

We really hit it off with her and are so excited to work with her. A doula joins the expectant parents at the hospital when labor has started. Using professional skills and experience, the doula provides physical comfort, facilitates communication with staff and provides reassurance and perspective to the couple. It seems odd when you’re not expecting, but trust me when/if you are researching options for labor and delivery you’ll find there is so much you don’t know. Once I began to make myself more aware of my options for delivery I realized there seems to be a set system of policies and procedures the hospital puts women through. If you want something different (ie natural childbirth) it is tricky to navigate the rules. Kathy will help Dave and I stick to our birth plan (providing labor is normal with no complications).

90 over 48

I blacked out a bit in the Chiropractor’s office after an alignment. My BP measured 90 over 48 and I had to stay lying down on my left side for quite awhile ( while Dave came to pick me up and I figured out how to sit up without passing out). It was scary but Lupe moved the whole time which was a relief. My Chiropractor is great. She phoned my doctor who instructed her how to manage the situation. I started to feel better so narrowly avoided a trip to the ER. Lupe is fine but next week I know my doctor is going to ban me from seeing the Chiropractor. My Chiropractor is the only reason my back feels ok during this pregnancy so it will be an interesting debate. The American Pregnancy Association reccomends Chiropractic care during pregnancy. Hmmm.

It’s weird having little to no control over your body any more. The lack of control is a bit stressful but also freeing at the same time.  I could potentially faint wherever and whenever (apparently fainting can be fairly common later in pregnancy). I have 0% control when or where this happens (not really 0% control, I won’t do headstands or go running in the 80 degree heat). Despite this new drama I feel ok and trust that Lupe and I are going to be just fine.

Diaper change

I changed my first diaper ever last week. I need the practice. My friend volunteered her 3 month old for the task. The little girl was not so happy. I don’t think I have the nurturing touch just yet.