We typically think of stress as a negative influence, a hindrance to good health. Often times, in our busy, overstimulated society, it can be.  However, it may be useful to reframe our understanding of stress and how it works within our bodies. Certain kinds of stressors can actually be very helpful.  Whether or not stress is having a beneficial effect upon the immune system depends upon the levels of cortisol it is producing.

Cortisol is an important hormone in the body. It is secreted by the adrenal glands, which sit just above the kidneys. Cortisol is responsible for proper immune function, regulation of blood pressure, inflammatory response, and insulin release for blood sugar maintenance.

Between weeks 30-32 of pregnancy, cortisol initiates production of fetal lung surfectant which is particularly important during delivery.  This allows the baby’s lungs to empty of amniotic fluid and fill with air.  For this reason, I’ve thought it interesting to consider the idea of how we kind of morph from amphibian to mammalian at birth (so awesome!).  But I diverge. { read more }

When I was growing up I would hear “horror” stories about labor and the pain associated with childbirth. I remember thinking how wonderful it was to live in a day where drugs are available to dull the pain. I bought into the whole “I’m a wimp” mentality that penetrates in our society, and I thought for sure I would gladly welcome an epidural when it came time to give birth.

Funny how things change.

My desires for a drug-free, home birth first came up when my husband and I talked about starting a family. Thankfully, he was on board. I had lots of reasons why I wanted a drug-free birth. I believe pain is our body’s way of communicating needs — something essential in the birth process. I also try to avoid unnecessary drugs whenever possible. I believe there is a time for them, but in general I think they are abused (and there is plenty of debate on their actual safety for mother and child).

If a drug-free birth is your goal it’s important to have a solid plan. Choosing a midwife instead of a doctor is one of the easiest ways to avoid unnecessary interventions. But with a solid birth-plan, firm mind, and a doctor who understands (and agrees) to your desires you can aim for a drug-free labor.

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Photo: Flickr, iandavidmuir

Most parents are enamored by their baby and think that everything he or she does is wonderful and brilliant. But are babies innately smart? A 2009 study conducted by Northwestern University looked into child development beginning at five months and the results may surprise you.

“Infants can reason”

In the May 2009 edition of the journal “Psychological Science,” researchers published the results of a child development study “demonstrating that 5-month-old infants have distinct expectations for how solids and liquids behave.” By showing sets of 5-month-olds a liquid and monitoring how long they looked at it compared to how they looked at a similarly presented solid, it became clear that “infants can reason.”  In a test with one group of infants in the study, a researcher tilted a glass filled with blue water back and forth to demonstrate the physical characteristics of the substance inside. Another group of babies looked at a glass filled with a blue solid that looked like water, which was also moved back and forth to show its physical properties. { read more }

Photo: Distant Hill, Flickr

If your children are anything like my stepdaughter, one of the more difficult daily challenges you’ll encounter is finding good, healthy foods they’ll actually eat. Many parents have discovered, like I have, that getting children to participate in growing their own foods by gardening at home is not only a great way to give quick science and gardening lessons, but is also a great way to get them interested in the benefits of eating healthy, natural foods. Try a few of the following fall gardening tips to get your kids on the right track as the cooler weather approaches.

Know your climate

“Fall” can mean several different things, depending on what part of the world you live in. In Austin, TX, for example, despite the fact that the first day of fall was Sept. 23 (just like it was everywhere else, of course), the temperature climbed up into the upper 80′s and it felt like anything but. The forecast called for similar temperatures for the next several weeks, and the high didn’t drop below 80 degrees until the week of Halloween. Needless to say, it was far from fall.

In other words, not everyone will be able to follow the handy advice on the back of the seed packets in order to get their fall garden off to a good start. If you have a local natural gardening supply store, ask for their advice on the best plants to plant for your fall climate, and when to do so. { read more }

www.babycenter.com

Pregnancy can be one of the most blissful times for some moms.  Others of us experience something very different. Even if you’ve hoped and prayed for a baby, you may still struggle keeping your emotions light and grateful.  Forty weeks can feel like a never ending story of hormonal havoc, so equip yourself with some helpful practices to get you through with your sanity in tact.

Accept all of your emotions

You may be feeling happy, peaceful, hopeful and idealistic one moment only to find an eruption of fear, anger and even desperation the next.  Hormones can and will take you for a ride sometimes.  Accept this.  Practice deep breathing and mindfulness when you involuntarily find yourself on the emotional roller coaster. Know that “this too shall pass” and do not believe some of the crazy thoughts that may roll through your mind.  Just breathe and allow.  Resistance of the process will only intensify the feelings.  Acceptance, allowance and deep breathing will enable you to stay mentally on board during the ride. { read more }

Photo: Jeff Jacobson

Growing up in the Texas heat, I always enjoyed the end of winter and the coming of spring. It may be miserably hot nine months out of the year, but I prefer it to the cold (and by cold, I mean anything below 60 degrees). The only thing about spring I never looked forward to, was changing the clocks forward an hour for Daylight Savings Time — especially when I was a lazy teenager. Yes, indeed, as long as we’re talking about changing our clocks, fall is the time for me.

That is, until I had a baby.

With a newborn baby in the house, planning your day becomes much more important than at any time in the past. You’ve got to anticipate when your baby’s going to be hungry (especially for dads or non-breastfeeding moms), sleepy, cranky, fidgety, etc. And while your baby’s sleeping and eating schedules will certainly change over time, they rarely do so overnight. Which makes sudden changes — like Daylight Savings Time — much more difficult to handle. { read more }

Photo: ToddKlassy, Flickr

“I hate Christmas!” someone from my follower list vehemently Tweeted the other day.

I don’t blame that person. The holidays can have kids beaming with expectation and adults pulling their hair out in frustration! What with the hassle of shopping for gifts, baking, trying to complete year-end duties, budgeting for presents, visiting relatives — and the list just goes on — it’s ironic how the “most wonderful time of the year” can also be the most stressful!

Well, the good news is: the holidays don’t have to be work. You can make them purposeful.

If you’re like me and you want to take the work of the holidays and just soak them in for what they’re really worth, read on. You can create a meaningful holiday experience that really reflects your beliefs, budget and best intentions. { read more }

Photo: www.babymed.com

Early pregnancy signs vary from woman to woman, also from pregnancy to pregnancy. If you are trying to get pregnant, the good news is that symptoms can be very similar to pre-menstruation.  You may experience these symptoms right around the time your period is due, perhaps even sooner. A home pregnancy test can detect conception as early as ten days after ovulation.  Here are some good reasons to consider taking one.

Changes in menstruation

Of course, this is the most obvious sign of pregnacy.  A delayed or missed period is a great reason to take a home pregnancy test.  Even during pregnancy, some women will experience light bleeding.  Some may even have implantation bleeding.  This is very mild and can happen when the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall.  It can occur from six-twelve days after conception. { read more }

Photo: Jun Aviles, Flickr

Truth be told, I was more afraid of the recovery from labor than the actual labor itself. I hate being in bed, and I hate needing the help of others. I also hate lingering pain and discomfort. The changes with pregnancy are so gradual that I felt I could adapt accordingly. But birth is a drastic and immediate change. Here are some tips for helping with the recovery period.

Get your zzz’s

I know, right? Does anyone else get sick of hearing this advice? I remember getting angry any time someone advised me to get more sleep. Duh. Yes, sleep is important. And getting sleep once a newborn enters your home feels almost impossible. But do what you can to find some time to sleep, nap, or rest. Especially right after giving birth it’s tempting to just stare in awe at your new, little bundle of joy. Take any opportunity for rest. { read more }

Photo: Lucho Molina; Flickr

Parenting advice books abound these days, but many parents find themselves wondering why we need so many methodologies. Whatever happened to following our natural instincts? While everyone says there’s no manual for raising a child, there are certainly a bevy of books published on how to do just that. If none of these methods seems to be working for you, then here are a few tips to let you follow what feels natural.

1. Use the “Golden Rule”

Imagine two adults sitting in the living room after dinner. One is reading the paper, the other is watching a television program. Suddenly one says, “Remember it’s your night to do the dishes.” The other replies, “Mmm hmm,” but makes no move towards the kitchen. Finally the first adult says, “You have to do the dishes now! 5-4-3…” and starts the countdown to consequences.

This would be highly irregular in normal adult life, and yet we do it to our children. Children shouldn’t be exempt from the “Golden Rule” of treating another person the way they would like to be treated. Just because they’re young doesn’t mean they’re not people with feelings. { read more }