A Different Opportunity

The past 24 hours have been filled with heartbreaking loss. Walking back into my home with an empty womb is a kind of pain that doesn't compare to any other I've felt. I thought I'd feel stronger than I do, but I feel weak, I feel sad, and I feel helpless. Nonetheless, I feel hopeful and I feel the strength, the love, and the comfort of my God. I have a God that allows brokenness as an opportunity for renewed strength and purpose. My womb provided an opportunity not for the life of my little one but for another work of God to be done in my life. I can either choose anger and bitterness or hope and joy. I have no choice but to choose the latter because God has never let me down in the end. I believe that He loves me. I know that good will come from bad. In my life, it always has and that's how I get through the tough times. I know that there is always a light in the darkness. ALWAYS.

Here's the story:

After finding out last week that I may be miscarrying, I clung to the hope that my tilted uterus, my full bladder, and an "earlier than thought" pregnancy would reveal a different story the next appointment.

I went in yesterday and was told by the nurse tech that my HCG levels and fallen dramatically and that was NOT good. He then stuck my husband and I in a room where we waited for nearly an hour for the ultrasound tech. The wait was hard but who better to be with than my husband who loves me more than anything in the world. A Dr finally came in to prepare us for what we were about to see or "not" see. I sat there very stoically pretending to be tough and preparing myself for the worst while this huge bubble of hope was swelling inside of me because I believed that we were going to see a miracle.

We did not. Once again, we saw nothing. Well, there was something, but they called it "matter" which essentially meant that it was not in fact an anembryonic pregnancy, but a real one where life began and at one point ended. That was like a knife in my heart. The first thoughts are what did I do to my baby? I was blaming myself. In a miscarriage the Dr will tell you that there's no specific reason...but there IS a specific reason. Something specifically happened at one point whether it was faulty dna or something else that caused the life inside of me to stop. I'll never know. Most of us who miscarry never will and that's hard to deal with. 

Next came the decision making. I leave for GA tomorrow, so the Dr strongly advised that I have surgery, also known as a D&C. It's so hard to make a decision like that because it feels like you are pulling the plug. They assured me over and over that the plug had already been pulled. They were 100% sure that there was 0% chance. We decided to move forward with the procedure and were sent immediately to a holding room for surgery.

After my husband left to get the girls, I was alone. I was going on only a muffin I had eaten early morning. I was starving, and I was left to myself for 6 hours to think and think and think and grieve and fear and cry. I wanted this baby. I didn't plan it, but after finding out you have created a life with the one you love and will be adding on to a family you adore, you can't help but to be thrilled. You start imagining. What will it look like? Is it a boy or a girl? What will we name it? I have visions of chubby fingers and nursing and that little belly and that perfect baby smell. My belly among many other things grew LARGE. I was sick. I craved french fries. It was all there. It was all becoming a part of who I was and it was all becoming a part of my future. And I was happy. 

I couldn't believe it had ended. I couldn't believe I was having a miscarriage.

My husband returned later that evening and I was finally taken off to surgery at 9pm. I was put to sleep. When I woke up, I was hysterical. It was at that moment, I realized it was final. There was a deep chasm of pain inside of me. The sense of loss is unbearable. I just wanted to go bed. 

My Dr woke me up this morning to tell me about the surgery. He informed me that once they began the surgery, they were surprised to find how far along I actually was. He told me I had made it about 14 weeks into my pregnancy. The "mass" or the "matter" that they found were the remnants of an "embryo" that had long since passed which is why it was unrecognizable via ultrasound. Because I was so far along, he said there was no real way to know when it passed but probably around 8 weeks. He said he was shocked my body did not reject it sooner but that it continued to feed the pregnancy and that had I waited to miscarry on my own, it would have been a disaster. In hindsight, we made the best decision. 

I can't believe how far along I was. I got pregnant in Sept but didn't know until Nov. How could I be so stupid? I think about how difficult and stressful those months were for me because of my health among other things and wish so badly I had known there was a life inside of me that I was supposed to be protecting. It's hard not to blame myself, but I know it wasn't intentional. I did the best I could the moment I found out, but I can't change the inevitable. 

To all of the mothers out there who have experienced a miscarriage, I get it. Unfortunately, I understand now. It really is tragic. No matter how far along you are. It was a life that you were nurturing into existence and into your future. It was your baby. The attachment of a mother to her little ones is a bond like no other. 

I lost my baby yesterday and it hurts in a gut wrenching way. I will not pretend that it doesn't. When I look at Catie and Lily, I am so grateful that they are here with me. I have many blessings in my life and I am surrounded by so much love that I know I'll see this through. 

Thank you again for all of your support and prayers. 

All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy

I've had so many doctors mock me out of their offices for both of my children's health problems. Always going with my gut and learning alternative ways to deal with the deeper issues have lead to healthy, happy, and healed children. 

Neither of them have "allergies"? Well, why does my child get eczema and sinus infections after a couple days of milk? "It's coincidence. Here's some zyrtec. It's seasonal." Really? 

Why does my other child go psychotic like she's demon possessed if she eats gluten and casein? Coincidence? Really? "Yes. Ma'am. Really. And you should consider Ritalin. It's a great way to help a child in school." REALLY???? She's in PRESCHOOL. WHO CARES!! 

I'm going to get on another tangent now.

I get so darn sick and tired of our culture and our society AND parents putting so much damn pressure on kids and teens to be America's standard of smart. "You're not cuttin it, Kid. You can't go to recess! That's your punishment. So here's a dictionary. Copy it. And make sure you take your Crackerall." That's my other name for adderall because it is literally crack. It is made of amphetamine salts!!!  

It's interesting how America's testing scores are among the LOWEST IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!! Doesn't seem like we're doing a very good job, does it?

LET THE POOR CHILDREN PLAY!!!! That's what they're supposed to do!!!! That's what makes them smart!!!

My Catie goes to occupational therapy. What is her occupation you ask? PLAY!! She needs therapy to learn how to play properly so that her brain can develop properly. 

Please parents, I am begging you to get your child away from the desk or the computer and let them use their bodies. Have them learn multiplication tables while they do hop scotch. 

MOVEMENT LIES IN THE HEART OF LEARNING

I have a great quote for the day. 

"Attention, Balance, and Coordination are the primary A, B, and C upon which all later academic learning depends." -Reflexes, Learning, and Behavior by Sally Goddard

Everything in our bodies are connected. If you want your child's brain to function well, let your child play. Why does a 4 yr old need to know all the names of the presidents??? What will that do for your child. NOTHING. It just serves parental ego. 

Now, there are some kids who WANT to know everything. Fine. They don't count. They are rare blessings. I have a know it all. She's 3 and apparently knows far more than myself. ;) I just think she needs to lighten up! Lol. 

That was my little spiel for the day. 

 Let The Children Out to Play!!

All work and no play makes Junior a dull kid!

Stories of Hope

This is a wonderful and very interesting website about miscarriages that are misdiagnosed. I had no idea that so many doctors are so quick to terminate an early pregnancy. I think this is something that all of us should be knowledgeable about especially if you become pregnant again. Doctors are very wise but they also are used to seeing and dealing with things they are most familiar with. It's hard to find a doctor that believes in miracles or things that happen out of the ordinary. Listen to your body. Fight for your own health. You have the final say. Always.
 Misdiagnosed Miscarriages

GOOGLE: My Best Friend and Worst Enemy

I have been in the biggest funk! I'm not in a bad mood. I just feel like a zombie. I don't want to be at home because life just drags on. I'm tired (because I'm pregnant, or so I think) and being at home is not relaxing because I have to be in a constant state of cleaning, cooking, or entertaining. All I want to do at home is lie on the couch or in a bed and sleep the next 2 days away...but life must go on. It's the waiting that is terrible. I just want to know one way or the other!!!!

In the meantime, I've been on google of course reading about every similar story. It's driving me nuts but I can't help it. I'm an addict! LOL. The good news is that I hear more positive outcomes from my situation than negative ones, for instance....

This one:

Tilted Uterus and Early Pregnancy

Yes, many medical sites say a tilted uterus really does not affect an early pregnancy.  However, based on the many stories at the Misdiagnosed Miscarriage , we think it might but only if you allow yourself to be diagnosed with a miscarriage too soon

If you are newly pregnant and have been told you have a tilted uterus, you may not see your baby as early as other women with ultrasound. As a result, a number of women who do have a tilted uterus are misdiagnosed with miscarriage.  In fact, many women report their gestational sacs looking empty until nine or ten weeks. While a tilted uterus does not affect the baby in any way, it can affect when the baby is seen.

Keep in mind, if you have a tilted uterus and are diagnosed with possible miscarriage, your chances of miscarrying are the same as everybody else. 

Just know that with a tilted uterus, you are more likely than most to be misdiagnosed.

I believe every woman deserves to have no doubt before having her pregnancy ended.

and

this one:

This is from a girl in the same situation I found on a message board

o fetus, empty sac at 7 weeks- help!

---

So I found out on April 14th that I was pregnant, I had been reallly tired and had sore breasts- so I took a test that morning. I had an ultrasound the next day because I had no idea how far along I could me. They said that the sac measured 5 weeks 1 day. They could not get a fetal pole. 2 weeks later (April 29th) I did another ultrasound and they said the sac measured 7 weeks, but there was still not a fetal pole or heart rate and saw a "questionable small yolk sac". They also said it could possibly be a "blighted ovum" where the fetus does not develop. I had my HCG levels checked on May 1st and they were 39,000- which I'm not sure what that tells. Now I have to wait until May 9th to get another ultrasound. While I wait I still feel super pregnant (nauseous, tired, sore breasts) but am SO scared that the baby didn't develope and I'll have a miscarriage.
Has anyone had something similar happen? Maybe I'm not as far along as the sac measures? Is there any hope??

This was her update a couple weeks later:

Update: On May 9th I had my 3rd ultrasound. The baby is fine! I have a healthy 9 week old baby with a strong heartbeat. I have a tilted uterus, so maybe that made it hard to see before! If anyone has a similar situation, don't give up hope!!

THERE IS HOPE!!!! But I'm trying to stay realistic

I went to labor and delivery today for more blood work to test my hcg levels. I'll go back in on Monday for the ultrasound. 

PRAY!!! I feel confident. My faith is strong that whatever the outcome, I will be ok. 

love,

liz

Prayers that the Doctors Find My Baby

Well, I went in for my long awaited first appointment. 

Long story short, there was a sac but there was no baby...or not that they could see. I measure 7.5 weeks, which would be exactly right if I had a period in Oct. I just don't remember having one. I won't go into my personal functions, but let's just say I don't keep track of things. 

I have a belly...you see the picture, I have morning sickness, I'm snoring (only snore when I'm pregnant), and I have....well, just call me Pamela. 

Although, I have sobbed and feel devastated because they saw no embryo, there is still hope. 

Here's what they told me. 

#1. My uterus is tilted pretty bad. Sometimes in can be hard to get a view of the baby because of that

#2. They've seen this before (although not often) and there have been positive outcomes. 

#3. There is no dead embryo. So, at least there wasn't a baby and then it passed. That would be much harder. 

So, apparently as it seems....I am pregnant without a baby. Layman's terms. Wish I knew more.

I had to go get blood work done. I go back in on Saturday for more blood work. I then go back in on Monday for another ultrasound and my results. 

I am scared. I wasn't planning this pregnancy, but I was so excited about it once I found out. I have experienced all the pregnancy symptoms. I've been getting excited about bringing a baby into this world naturally. I am getting too upset to go on writing about this and want to go be with my family. 

Please PRAY that we will see that baby when we go back in on Monday. Pray that if there is a baby in there, it will be strong and it will grow and show itself. 

I am going to be ok. I am joyful. I am grateful for my life and everything that I have. If this is a loss, it will be hard but there is no reason for sadness. Ultimately, everything is good. Even pain. I know this all too well. 

If anyone has a similar experience, I would love to hear about your outcome. Good or bad. 

email me efstrain@gmail.com

Love, peace, and hope to you all,

Liz

Dirty Dozen

Here's a quick look into the most toxic fruits and veggies. If you are going to buy any of the dirty dozen, but ONLY organic. The others are a bit safer if you are looking to spare some change. 

Will an Apple a Day Keep the Doctor Away?

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to talk about a very dirty word...PESTICIDES!!!!!

You have heard me talk some about toxins and their impact on our health. Well, one of the biggest toxins we face and consume every day are pesticides. Are pesticides safe for us in any amount? Would you let your toddler take just one puff of a cigarette?? 

Didn't Think SO!

Now, call me extreme, but 

This:

+

And This:

 +

=

THIS

Yes, that was extreme, but the visuals are for impact and I hope that you will hear me out. 

Multiple studies have been done on the impact that pesticides have on our health. They screw up our endocrine systems impacting fertility, thyroid function, estrogen dominance, obesity, etc. They mess with our DNA and are linked to cancer, and a host of other disorders such as parkinsons, fibromyalgia, asthma, allergies, ADHD, and other learning disabilities. 

One study done by the CDC in 2005 reported that pre-school aged children eating conventional (pesticide ridden) fruits and vegetables have concentrations of pesticides in their urine that are SIX TIMES HIGHER than those children who only ate organic produce. 

We want to hold our heads high as parents who feed our children a well-balanced diet. Admit it, you puff up a little bit when your child is relishing in an apple or eating his or her spinach. And we SHOULD be proud of that. Fruits and vegetables are packed with life giving nutrients and antioxidants. So yes, one would think that an apple a day might keep the doctor at bay, but it seems that an apple a day might just be giving your doctors their pay. 

What is the point in eating produce that is drenched in pesticides?!!!

Since we are on a roll with apples, let me give you a snapshot of what you may be consumings when you bite into that waxy shiny apple. 

42 Pesticide Residues Found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program

Human Health Effects:

5 known or probable human carcinogens 19 Suspected hormone disruptors 10 Neurotoxins 6 Developmental or reproductive toxins Kind makes you want to think twice before taking a bite, huh? How are pesticides impacting our children's abilities to learn?
Report: Attention Deficit Disorder and Pesticides on Food A new study out of Harvard shows that even tiny, allowable amounts of a common pesticide class can have dramatic effects on brain chemistry. Organophosphate insecticides (OP’s) are among the most widely used pesticides in the U.S. & have long been known to be particularly toxic for children. This is the first study to examine their effects across a representative population with average levels of exposure. Conclusion :: Kids with above-average pesticide exposures are 2x as likely to have ADHD. To read the full report http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-3058v1 Another study done in Mexico on children exposed to pesticides.  PLEASE LOOK CLOSELY AT THIS PICTURE Enough said! A picture is worth a thousand words I don't know about you, but this is frightening! Do I think that we are exposing our kids to pesticides in the amount that these children probably were. No, not at all. BUT pesticides are just one of many other toxins that we are bombarded with every day all day long. It's all linked. These toxins cause neurological inflammation among many other things and I think it's no coincidence that our children are suffering from learning disabilities and behavioral problems more than ever. But there's hope! "Does eating organic make a difference? When researchers compared the levels of pesticide breakdown products in the bodies of children who eat organic and conventional diets, they found children who eat mostly organic foods carry fewer pesticides in their bodies. The good news is that some of these pesticides break down fairly quickly, which means increasing your consumption of organic foods can have an immediate impact on your pesticide exposure levels." http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/howmuch.jsp#1 I can speak from personal experience that cleaning up your child's diet can change his or her life. My precious girl is like a different child after switching to organic foods, supplementing well, and taking certain highly allergic and genetically modified foods out of her diet. Tears. Of course her transformation is credited to occupational and home therapies and lots of focused prayer. But it's all linked.  We are whole people. We are physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, relational beings. Let's be good stewards of every aspect of who we are.  My challenge to you. Walk past the conventional produce and only buy organic. Is it a bit more pricey. Yes. But if we don't buy it and support our farmers then prices won't go down. And as cliche as this may sound....Can you really put a price tag on your families health? No Way! Invest in your children's futures by feeding them well. Serve them a plate of love every meal. :)

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

I have spent the last 2 weeks learning about certain aspects of pregnancy the hard way. My nose hasn't been in a book or a lap top. It's been in a toilet or a bag of chips. WHO CARES about a green pregnancy when you're green with nausea??!!! The only green things I cared about recently were ginger ale, and well...that's about it. Why is it that carbonation feels so good to a queasy stomach?? I hadn't had carbonation in so long that the pain of it searing a hole in my throat was a nice distraction from the churn in my belly. 

I can't tell you how many women gave me the mocking laugh when I'd tell them I was sticking to my healthy habits during this pregnancy. Ok, well, FINE!!! You were right!!! The thought of most vegetables makes me want to vomit as does pretty much everything else that is a staple in my home. The taste and smell of gluten free anything makes me want to projectile, and dairy is my new best friend. I eat yogurt for breakfast lunch and dinner and I have ice cream every night. So much for gluten and casein free mama! Oh well, I guess there's a reason why we crave things. And it also goes to show the importance of a prenatal. One that has non-toxic formulations of course. ;)

Oh, and I have the super sensitive nasal passages that have me sniffing around this house like a blood hound for those weird smells that you can never find. It's making me crazy having such heightened senses and no energy to cope with them! I'm too tired to clean my house so it gets messier and then I go coo-coo crazy and get all bitchy about "why is this place such a wreck?! and why doesn't anyone clean up after themselves?!" And then I realize I have a 3 and 4 yr old and a husband who is at home pretty much never and when he is, he is hand washing all of the dishes I'm too queasy to scrape. I just throw my hands up, tell myself it's OK and go back on the couch. I have about enough energy to get me through 8am to 12pm. Then I'm DONE. I cannot WAIT until my second trimester. I'd love to know when that is!!!

Speaking of....my appointment is this Thursday at 9am!! Woohoo! It's about darn time! Ok. Going to bed now!

Eat, Sleep, and Fuss

So apparently I gotta act like a baby to have a baby. All I've been doing these days is eating, sleeping, and fussing. I thought I was in the clear, but 5 days ago I woke up feeling miserably nauseous. I stood in the kitchen staring at the counter thinking, "This cannot be happening to me!" I felt like I was going to vomit and had that heart burn feeling that mimics hunger pangs. I knew eating something would appease the heart burn, but it would aggravate the nausea. As I got sicker and sicker, I couldn't think of ANYTHING that sounded appealing because I had no appetite. Then I got to where I almost threw up, (but I'd rather shoot myself than throw up) so I just laid down in the middle of the floor and did deep breathing exercises until the nausea passed. I ate some peanut butter cookies, felt better for 10 mins and then the feeling returned. This has been happening non stop since Friday morning. I am achy and I just want to sleep. 

Now, imagine this........getting up and having to go teach a hard core class every day. These are classes which not only require vigorous exercise, but even worse a peppy "can do" attitude. Oh wait even WORSE brain cells that function. My pregnant brain is eating me ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!

All I can say is so far, so good. I don't know what it is about exercise but it just sets my body in rhythm. With the exception of several times in the past where I haven't been able to rise above certain ailments or attitudes, I am usually able to let everything go and allow exercise to heal me. I am desperately hoping that morning sickness doesn't get in the way of doing what I love...teaching fitness. Like I said earlier, I'm pretty stubborn so even if I do vomit on the aerobics floor maybe it'll give me a few extra minutes to feel good and keep going. ;)

My POOR husband. I have no patience when I don't feel good. I've been barking orders at him ever since this all started, but I keep reminding him that I'm not being a B*#!^, I'm just too queasy to be polite. hehe. Fortunately, I have a husband who is not only the most patient man in the world, but he's also been with me through 2 pregnancies and knows I'm at my best in my 2nd trimester.

It is a miracle I am writing this right now. I am nothing short of useless these days. I sleep and eat so I have enough energy to teach classes and then I peter out the rest of the day. All this to say that blog posts will be few and far between until I get into my 2nd trimester. I'm just not real sure when that is though. I'll find out next week at my first real appointment. All I know is I'm HUGE and everyone's rubbing my belly and suggesting I'm at least four months. I think I'm barely 9 weeks. haha! We got a LONG way to go!!

Until I have the energy and brain function to continue blogging about meaningful things, I may take a blogging hiatus. So, if I go M.I.A for the next few weeks, you know why. I'm either eating, sleeping, or fussing. Keeping my fingers crossed this nasty feeling goes away sooner than later!! 

PUFF the Magic Preggo

So, I'm bound and determined not to become Jabba the Hut since 3rd times a charm, but much to my dismay, it seems I'm already resembling the shape of a triangle. The second I found out I was pregnant, I cleaned up my diet to a T. I'm not eating more than I was and I'm still working out at LEAST every day. I teach Combat and Total body Conditioning classes, which are fat torching exercises. And yet....I'm turning into a soft round little lump of puff!! BUT, ya know what Bring it ON! I am taking great care of myself. I feel great when I'm pregnant. My nose gets big but it glows too and it's the right time of year for that. Watch out Rudolf! :) 

It's hard to be in the spotlight when you are supposed to be a model of fitness because people can be critical. But I embrace the spotlight as an opportunity to model HEALTH, not a size 2. I embrace being a model of fitness during pregnancy. I embrace being someone who can encourage others to be the best versions of themselves....not anyone else. 

I LOVE MY JOB. I recently took on the Group Fitness Coordinator position at Lacey Ultimate Fitness Center. I am in such an amazing environment and I work with incredible people. The group fitness team is such a solid group of people who do what they do solely for the love of their participants. It shows and we are getting so much positive feedback from the members. I love being in a place where people come seeking better well-being. I love being connected to people whose lives are changing. Exercise doesn't just change our shape. It changes our minds, our hearts, our esteems, our drive, our confidence, our relationships, our mood. It impacts everything we do. I am so blessed to wake up every day and get to do what I LOVE. 

My challenge to everyone is to assess how you feel not how you look. Make health a goal. Not weight loss. You will feel freer to take your time and not beat yourself up about pounds. Make healthy choices. Educate yourself and TAKE YOUR TIME. There is no rush. It's taken me 2 yrs to even scratch the surface of holistic health and it's been a wonderful journey. 

You are who you are. You are the only person that gets to be you. Be the best version of who God made you. You can only do that when you stop comparing yourself to something or someone you'll never be. If you do that, you'll always live underneath the bar. Love who you are and love what you love and let other people love you for it. Don't surround yourself with others who want to make you believe you should be anything other than who you are. It's a waste of life. 

Make a choice to be a part of something bigger than yourself. It will change your life and you won't have time to think about yourself because you are too busy serving others. That will bring you your esteem and your peace. Put the food journal down and go to a food bank. Put your size 8's on and take your size 2's that you'll never get back into to Good Will. You will start to lose weight or at least be content with your size when you stop obsessing about it. There are so many other important things to do. Life is SHORT....what legacy will you leave. Think about that??? 

XOXO

Just Say NO! to GMOs!

What is a GMO? It is a genetically modified organism. Big corporations such as Mansanto have literally taken over corn and soy because they have genetically modified them to be resistant to Roud UP fertilizer. Because they have genetically modified it, they were able to patent it and they now OWN it. What does this mean? Please watch The Future of Food to understand the ins and outs of it, but in short...it means that pretty much every darn thing you eat has genetically modified corn and soy in it. This is NOT good. There is no regulation of GMOs impact on long term health, but I think we are seeing some effects already. Look at all the chronic childhood disorders out there. Coincidence. I think not. It's in GERBER BABY FOOD!

Well, guess what else? Even if you wanted to say no to GMO, you wouldn't know what to say no to. There is no national policy that requires the labeling of GMOs on our food products. 

Here's what I can tell you. If you buy organic, You can guarantee there are no GMOs. I fed my first child Soy Infant Formula for her first year. Who knows how this impacted her dna. Sheesh!

Now, I would like to quote Mansanto, 

"Mansanto should not have to vouchesafe the safety of biotech food, our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDA's job"

-Phil Angel,

Director of Communications for Mansanto.

Well, too bad the FDA ain't doing a darn thing to regulate it!!!! If someone has a reaction to a genetically modified food, but it is not on the label then there is no way to trace it. 

Regulation is in your hands!!!
Just Say NO to GMOs! Buy Organic or from your local farmers!

If You Believe Life Begins at Conception, The IUD May Not be Right for You.

I believe life begins at conception. What's the point in conception if it's not the beginning of life? Hmmm. Haven't figured that one out yet. Please don't assume my political stance because of this. Ok? Thanks! I just believe in the sanctity of life. I believe in this for VERY VERY personal reasons. That's all. Moving on...........

I almost got an IUD not understanding that fertilization can actually happen with an IUD. I won't give the science of it. Just read what I posted below. If you don't have a problem with this, that's cool. I'm not here to say what's right or wrong in this case because I don't know enough. But if you DO have a problem with this, then you have a right to know the science of what happens. 

BE AN INFORMED CONSUMER!! I was not in this case. I figured it worked as a barrier. Guess not. 

The IUD

The Intrauterine Device, or IUD is not a contraceptive. That is, it does not prevent fertilization, the joining of an egg and sperm, from occurring (conception). It does nothing to disrupt ovulation, the menstrual cycle, or to thicken the cervical mucous.

The IUD is a device which is inserted into the womb and which creates a hostile environment by irritating and thinning the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. Such a state of irritation leaves the uterine wall unprepared for the process of implantation when a newly conceived baby attempts to cleave to the wall of the uterus.

Though literature on the IUD suggests that perhaps fertilization may be prevented; that perhaps copper in the IUD kills sperm, there is no evidence to support the hypothesis that sperm are killed or that fertilization is prevented at all. In fact, G.D. Searle, one company which produces the IUD, conceded early on that the device does nothing more than prevent the unborn child from attaching to the wall of the uterus:

"The action of the IUDs would seem to be a simple local phenomenon. That these devices prevent nidation [implantation] of an already fertilized ovum has been accepted as the most likely mechanism of action." 1 

So, when the conceived child, driven by nature, seeks out the warmth, nutrition, and comfort of the mother's womb, the IUD has essentially put out an "Unwelcome" mat.

Understanding that human life begins at conception, this intentional disruption of the uterine environment produces an early abortion. The unborn child, unable to implant, starves for lack of nutrition, dies, and is sloughed off during the next menstrual cycle.

What's Your Favorite Shade of Prenatal?

How did I know I was pregnant for certain? Quite a funny story...

Well, I went to the doctor to get some follow up blood work done to get a final diagnosis for some ongoing health issues I'd been having. It was also at this appointment that I was going to finally make it a point to get and iud and stop "risking it." Well, I already had my suspicions of pregnancy for obvious reasons and sure enough...tada! A positive pregnancy test. So, instead of going home with an iud, I went home with a prescription for prenatals and two whiney toddlers in my backseat. Oh how lovely.

On my way to the pharmacy, I determined that I would do everything in my power to make this the healthiest pregnancy possible. Too bad I had too much fun at a Halloween party a couple weeks before. Oh well, I can only move forward from this point and pray my crazy "who knows how many weeks" of pregnancy hasn't done too much damage. When I say crazy....I just mean unaware. I put my body through a lot. I like to think I sacrifice it every day for the sake of others since I teach fitness every day sometimes multiple times. ;) I know...I'm such a martyr. hehe

ANYWAY, I got to Fred Meyer, dropped off my prescription at the pharmacy, dropped off my kids in the kids playcenter (LOVE THAT) and strolled my way over to the health food section of the store. I was looking through the whole food prenatals and checking out the ingredients. Not a long list. That's always a positive sign. Oh well, too bad I don't have 20 bucks and I knew my script would cost me only 3.

So, I go to pick up my prescription. I asked the pharmacist if the ingredient list was on the insert. She said, "No." Fancy That! So, I asked if she'd mind showing me the ingredients from the bottle. When she returned, she handed me the huge container that they all get stored in, and I kid you not.......the ingredient list filled the entire length of the bottle. I don't remember all the big names, but I recall them being NOT good. The few I do remember are Blue #2, Red #40, Yellow #5, and Yellow #6. Upon seeing these, I recall many medical professionals advising us not to give our kids these dyes, SO WHY THE HECK ARE THEY IN A PRENATAL????!!!!  And don't think I didn't ask. The head honcho pharmacist comes and explains to me that it gives the vitamin its color. I asked if I could see the pretty (hopefully purple) vitamins and when he opened the bottle guess what color they were?

YEP, you guessed it! POTATO BROWN. I guess if I knew any better, I might remember that when you mix blue, red, and yellow it makes a nice shade of disgusting brown (unless it's from the earth). The pharmacist and I just looked at each other wide eyed and busted out laughing. Honcho man, cleared his throat and goes, "I'll just put these back for you ma'am." I respectfully declined to purchase them and went to get the kiddos.

Many of you may think I am overreacting and too "into" health, but I only speak from experience that making the best decisions for your mind and body can change your life. I smoked for a long time. I drank a lot. I took meds and ended up on a lot because I would take another med to curb the side effect of another med. The day I found out I was pregnant with my first, I quit everything cold turkey and made dramatic changes in my life. I became a different person. It wasn't until after Lily that I began learning about organic living, but changing my lifestyle has changed my life.

I had an underlying illness for a while that I believe was an autoimmune issue aggravated my extreme stress. (Deployed husband, terrible surgery, sensory disordered kid, buying new house, sleep deprivation, certifications, being in the spot light of ridicule, etc). I honestly believe that if it were not for my nutritious foods and supplements, I'd be one sick puppy right now. I also believe that God used this pregnancy to heal my body. He is very good to me and I feel amazing. I am so happy and full of life right now (literally). :)-

Here's the deal, you may associate being "green" and being organic with being liberal, self-centered, or whatever. WHAT is self-centered about not putting toxins into your body and your children's bodies and into the earth? Please someone explain this to me. Why is there such a negative connotation with the words green and organic? I come from the Bible Belt of the South and many people shudder when I mention being "Green." Let's throw off our preconceptions and our associations and get to the basics of what it means. It means taking care of our bodies which are temples and our earth of which we are stewards by not filling them with toxins and by feeding them naturally.

How can we be who we are called to be if we are sick? There is nothing like having a clear focused mind and energy to accomplish the things we are wired to be passionate about. Let's take care of ourselves and our families and our earth by making wise choices no matter our religion or our politics. Let's raise our children to be warriors and pioneers of health. Their bodies are vulnerable. Don't be afraid to make the switch. I want to help. I've listed a lot of links where you can educate yourselves. Our cosmetics are nothing short of arsenic. We wonder why 20 yr olds are getting breast cancer. It's because they've probably rubbed lotions cotaining parabens (known carcinogen found in breast cancer tumors) since they were born. Go to safecosmetics.org and type in the products you use. It's scary, but don't be afraid. Be enlightened.

Please watch the video I attached.

Cheers to raising healthy families!!!

The Power of a Patent Over Farmers Rights is Outrageous!

Ever had the wind knocked out of you for an hour and a half straight? Well grab a bag of genetically modified popcorn, sit down with your loved ones and watch this movie to experience the feeling. You can watch it for free at thefutureoffood.com. ENJOY!

The Future of Food

A Wake-Up Story, by Healthy Child Healthy World

A Wake-Up Story, by Healthy Child Healthy World

Please watch if you have 3 mins. Very moving.