This is for you mom’s…and your kids will have fun with it too!

Take a breath in through your nose and exhale - allow the vowel sound to last for the comfortable duration of the exhale. Don’t strain to make the sound last longer.

Resist the temptation to take a huge inhale (picture your shoulders rising up to your ears as your breathe in)…just a slighter bigger than normal inhale – can you visualize the breath filling your ribcage: side-ways and front and back?




You’ll feel the vibration of each vowel sound somewhere in your body. You may also feel each sound in a different place in your body. If you find that one vowel sound feels better than the others - go ahead and stick with that one.  Notice if you feel more ease or more tension if the sounds are louder or softer. If all the sounds come out shaky and feel tight in the throat, see if you can relax your jaw, tongue and soften your throat, then visualize the breath going down toward your lower body. Everyone will experience this differently. Just see what it's like for you.

  

Have your kiddo’s sound right along with you. Ask them where they feel it in their body. If you’ve got a wee, little one at home, lay them gently on your belly while you’re lying down and make the sounds. They’ll feel the vibrations too.

This sounding helps to elongate your exhalation…which is VERY helpful when you’re stressed, tired and just feeling like you need a little grounding or a subtle energy lift. If it creates tension in your body, it may be interesting to notice how you feel about letting your voice be heard. 

Often times if you feel out of breath your instinct is to inhale deeper. But if you’re in the  habit of cutting off the end of your exhales you’ll start a cycle of grabbing for your next breath and/or a minor form of hyperventilating (fast breathing with no natural pause at the end of each inhale or exhale - typically happening in the upper chest).

Not sure what your body does with your breath? Next month I’ll write about another breath exercise that will help you learn if you breathe with a subtle (or not so subtle) hyperventilation pattern. If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my Therapeutic Yoga Newsletters for more information about your body and breath.

This topic could fill volumes and I can in no way speak to every mom’s experience.  So consider this simply as an opportunity to acknowledge you and your amazing self.  To also give permission to be patient and gentle to yourself.

You birthed your baby...vaginally or by cesarean-birth, YOU BIRTHED A BABY.

This is a big deal! Your body took (+/-) 9 months to nurture and grow your little one.  Yet, our culture - perhaps our family and even ourselves - may expect us to bounce right back – literally and figuratively.

Regardless of how you feel after your birth...keep in mind the enormity of how your body has nurtured your baby on the inside, what was required to birth your baby, and all the aspects of postpartum – from continuing to nourish & nurture your little one on the outside, to your body recovering from birth and adjusting to the newness of being a mom.

Your body – and life - is simply different after your baby arrives.  AND…that is normal. It’s not always talked about – or it is it may be joked about or seen as complaining…or hidden because we don’t want to admit that this mom thing…it can be really hard.

So, after birth, just remember…

~ The 4 layers of your abdominal muscles have been stretched to capacity. Your Rectus Abdominus (vertical "6-pack" muscles) may not have re-joined creating a separation called Diastasis.

~ Your pelvic floor has been supporting the growing weight of your baby and has stretched, opened, maybe torn and you may have hemorrhoids.

~ With a cesarean birth you are recovering from major surgery – while caring for a little one.

~ Your hormone levels are still - and will continue to be for a long while - very different from pre-pregnancy times.

~ You're functioning on way less sleep than you've every had in your life (unless this isn't your first)!

~ Feeding your baby - There is a learning curve with breastfeeding...it can be…oh, shall we say…challenging at the least. Constant feeding (breast or bottle) requires energy, attention, focus and most likely shoulder, neck, nipple and back pain.

~ Your emotional terrain may feel like a roller coaster given all the above, as well as needs from well-meaning family, friends, older children, work and partner relationships.

~ Daily life and work responsibilities – they don’t just disappear.

I'm sure you can think of at least a few others…

If we expect to jump right back to our pre-pregnancy ways of being and doing…it’s setting an expectation that is honestly, not achievable…without some level of discord for you. 

So - let some things slide that aren’t really necessity.  Really sleep when your baby sleeps, don’t forget to eat, call a friend for support when you find you really need it.  Create a regular time to share honestly with other women raising young children.  Perhaps look at your baby belly as something to be in awe of if you are wanting it to be different right away.

Try placing a few reminders around the house, in locations you’ll see every day...even if this sort of thing seems silly. Anything that will help you remember to take a breath, acknowledge your journey, and give yourself permission.

Wishing you all the best!

Amy LePage-Hansen is a Therapeutic Yoga Practitioner and certified Prenatal Yoga teacher currently pursuing a doula certification. She works with women during all stages of pregnancy, postpartum and beyond to learn ways to reduce tension, stress and pain, as well as prepare for labor and birth through her private sessions.  Amy offers Partner Prenatal Workshops for Labor and Birth preparation, as well as weekly prenatal and postnatal yoga classes.

Mother Nature - you owed us. Today you started to pay up. This clear blue sky was the perfect backdrop for our wonderfully fun spring day.

Blowing bubbles caused endless giggles and belly laughs.

There were only a few chunks of ice left in the sandbox, and those were fun too.

Over turning rocks turned up worms and more.

Mud puddles were shallow enough to splash in.

Bikes were brought out again, and seem so much smaller than last year.

Speaking of bikes... peddling to no where in a mud puddle is much more fun than riding back and forth in the driveway.

I do believe the dog is glad to see spring too, though she is happy to have a small patch of snow to cool down on.

And she would like the flies to leave her alone.

We have mud covered kids, a mud covered mud room, and anticipation of more mud... but...

we had the sunshine and warmth of this spring day,

and that made all the difference.

An added benefit to reevaluating your spring cleaning supplies is to reevaluate how you store and organize your cleaning supply space. Most people keep cleaning supplies under their sink in the kitchen. When I assist clients in their kitchens this is almost always the spot they warn me about before the open the drawer, “This is the least organized space because I never have the time to deal with this area, I see it as least important”. Now, while I don’t disagree with prioritizing your organization time, what most people don’t take into consideration is frequent use of the space. Most people use cleaning products at least once a day, dishwasher detergent, kitchen cleaning spray, etc. So, the cleaning drawer or space in your house really should be bumped up in your priority list. What a more perfect time to reevaluate and organize this space then during spring cleaning.

Here are some tips.

Go Vertical. A bar can be used to get the maximum use of space out of a small area. Here is an example of how I have used a bar to hang cleaners. The bars can be found at any hardware store or big box store and are inexpensive, usually under $5.00. They are really easy to install. Here is an example.

Use the depth of the space. It is easiest to hold the cleaners and supplies in some sort of container, preferably one that you can pull out so that you can use the depth of the drawer to your advantage. Here is an example.

You can get this type of organizational system at any big box store like Walmart or Home Depot. If you prefer to use a basket, it can have the same effectiveness. Here is an example.

Also, if possible use the side of the door. Most people forget about this as a space to hold items but can come in really handy when you are short on space. Often items that are used on a daily basis fit best here because it makes it easy and accessible. This is a great example.

Make a Cleaning Kit. I like to have a carry along kit that has all of my items I use the most. It provides me with the ability to grab the cleaners and go when I only have a small amount of time to clean the bathroom or kitchen. There is less of an excuse to “do it later, I can’t find the cleaner” when it is all organized in one area with the proper cleaning cloth just ready for me to clean away. This is ideal if you have maximum space under your sink (which many of us do if we think vertical and use the depth to our advantage).

Part I

Spring time often gives people the urge to get out and enjoy the sunshine, open their windows and start moving on from the hibernation routine of the winter. It is often a perfect time to start organizing and reducing the goods within your home that have accumulated over the winter.

This is a two part post, in the initial post we will discuss homemade spring cleaners and in the second half of the post we will discuss organization of the cleaning supply drawer.

You can’t accomplish your spring cleaning without cleaning supplies. Here are some great recipes that I have used to make some homemade cleaners. I like to purchase labels (you can get them anywhere really, Staples, Wal-mart, Michael’s Crafts) and write the ingredients on the bottle and I also include the date for which I made the cleaner. You can just reuse old bottles or purchase a spray bottle from the hardware store for less than $1.00 usually.

With some quick searching on the internet you can find alternatives to what I have provided, especially if you have a specific cleaning need or products that you like to use or don’t like to use. Feel free to reach out to me as well, I have several resources that I use from environmental pros.

Porcelain and Tile

 

Baking Soda and Water: Dust surfaces with baking soda, then scrub with a moist sponge or cloth. If you have tougher grime, sprinkle on some kosher salt, and work up some elbow grease.
Lemon Juice or Vinegar: Got stains, mildew or grease streaks? Spray or douse with lemon juice or vinegar. Let sit a few minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush.
Disinfectant: Instead of bleach, make your own disinfectant by mixing 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil. It's easy!

Kitchen


Baking Soda and Water: Reclaim counters by sprinkling with baking soda, then scrubbing with a damp cloth or sponge. If you have stains, knead the baking soda and water into a paste and let set for a while before you remove. This method also works great for stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, containers, refrigerators, oven tops and more.
Kosher Salt and Water: If you need a tougher abrasive sprinkle on kosher salt, and scrub with a wet cloth or sponge.
Natural Disinfectant: To knock out germs without strong products, mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil. Spray or rub on countertops and other kitchen surfaces.

Mirror

White Vinegar, Water and Newspaper: Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water, and dispense into a used spray bottle. Squirt on, then scrub with newspaper, not paper towels, which cause streaking.
If you're out of vinegar or don't like its smell, you can substitute undiluted lemon juice or club soda.

Carpet and Rugs


Club Soda: You've probably heard the old adage that club soda works well on carpet stains. But you have to attack the mess right away. Lift off any solids, then liberally pour on club soda. Blot with an old rag. The soda's carbonation brings the spill to the surface, and the salts in the soda thwart staining.
Cornmeal: For big spills, dump cornmeal on the mess, wait 5 to 15 minutes, and vacuum up the gunk.
Spot Cleaner: Make your own by mixing: 1/4 cup liquid soap or detergent in a blender, with 1/3 cup water. Mix until foamy. Spray on, then rinse with vinegar.
To Deodorize: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the carpet or rug, using about 1 cup per medium-sized room. Vacuum after 30 minutes.

                                                          Wood Floors
Vinegar: Whip up a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar and 30 ounces of warm water. Put in a recycled spray bottle, then spray on a cotton rag or towel until lightly damp. Then mop your floors, scrubbing away any grime.

Oven Cleaning


Baking Soda and Water: Coat the inside of your dirty appliance with a paste made from water and baking soda. Let stand overnight. Then, don gloves and scour off that grime. Make spotless with a moist cloth.

Clogged Drains

Baking Soda and Boiling Water: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the problem drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. If that isn't doing it for you, chase the baking soda with a 1/2 cup of vinegar and cover tightly, allowing the vigorous fizzing of the chemical reaction to break up the gunk. Then flush that with one gallon of boiling water.

Silverware

Silver
Aluminum Foil, Boiling Water, Baking Soda and Salt: Keep your sterling shined with this seemingly magic method. Line your sink or a bucket with aluminum foil, and drop in tarnished silver. Pour in boiling water, a cup of baking soda and a dash of salt. Let sit for a few minutes. The tarnish will transfer from the silver to the foil.
Toothpaste: If you can't immerse your items or are otherwise inclined to polish by hand, rub tarnished silver with toothpaste and a soft cloth. Rinse with warm water and dry. Instead of toothpaste you can substitute a concoction made of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.

Copper
Ketchup: To keep your copper pots, pans and accents looking bright and shiny, try rubbing with ketchup.

When my kids first saw the finger labyrinth…they thought it was the coolest marble maze and immediately started racing their marbles in and out of the path – very eager to proclaim “I finished first!”

I let them play for a while like this then asked if they wanted me to show them what it was made for. 

With my eyes closed, I slowly traced both paths with my fingers – calm, relaxing breath as I went.  “Can we try!?!?!?!”

I watched to find that it was still a race to the finish, even without the marbles. I noticed I was surprised it was still a race – why was I surprised?  Of course they wanted to play with it like this.  And then came the questions: “Why did you buy it? Is it for us? How are you going to use it?  What’s it made out of? Why is there a flower in the center?” 

So, I talked about how active and loud the thoughts in my brain can be sometimes, that having a path for my fingers to trace helps to make my thoughts quiet down a little bit.  In yoga, this is aptly called the monkey mind…so I reminded them about the Lemur monkeys we saw one time.  How they just never stopped bouncing around.  Sometimes that’s what people’s thoughts can feel like.

I saw their eyes starting to glaze over, so I stopped there and they each took turns tracing the labyrinth with me…a little slower, but they still loved that they finished before  me! Labyrinths are good for more than getting quiet, like: attention, coordination, communication (you can use them while talking with someone), mantras or prayers, intuition, creativity…

“The unicursal path of the labyrinth is what differentiates it and sets it apart as a spiritual tool. The labyrinth does not engage our thinking minds. It invites our intuitive, pattern-seeking mind to come forth. It presents us with only one, but profound, choice. To enter a labyrinth is to choose to walk a sacred path.” ~ Lauren Artress

Now, the labyrinth travels around the house a bit. They don’t ask to use the marbles with it anymore, but they do ask to use it sometimes…specially before bed. We sit together or they sit alone and it’s no longer about a race to the finish. I don’t really know how they feel during it or after… I’ll have to ask them next time.  I just know it’s nice to have this quiet, connecting time together – to sit and slow down. 

You can make a drawing of a labyrinth and trace the path with your fingers, you can make one out of clay, you can lay flowers or stones and walk one this spring, you can put a drawing of one on your wall and simply spend time looking at it.  If you are interested in buying a finger labyrinth, they make many different sizes made out of different materials.  Enjoy!

Next week on Wednesday, March 13th parents, early childhood service providers, early educators, health care practitioners, advocates, and policymakers will gather to discuss, “How are Vermont’s young children?” I have a vested interest in the conversation, because 3 of those young children are my own. I want to take part in the conversation about policies that will help shape their future, and the future of all young Vermonters. I want to go because I want to participate in this important conversation. But that means I have to go. Into that big domed building. Like, the State House where all the leaders mingle and make big decisions. Gulp. 

I know, you’re all thinking: you live in the state capital, you’re a smart woman (aw, thanks), why avoid the State House? The veins of our state pump with energy there, it’s exciting! Decisions are being made about things we believe in, people are standing up for us, helping us to be a strong, viable community. THINGS ARE HAPPENING THERE, why miss out?  

Well, honestly, I’ve been a bit, uh, terrified of the place. Here’s why: 

10. It’s so fancy! Since my oldest son was born over 7 years ago, I have avoided fancy places like the plague. I prefer places where I can wear yoga pants (see #3), my boys can have lingering yogurt moustaches from breakfast, and where the fact that my oldest insists on wearing sneakers with no socks and therefore has really smelly feet, just doesn’t matter. The smell just blends in. Like a garbage dump or a football locker room. 

9. I don’t know the lingo. There are admittedly many State House-related words that trip me up in conversation. For example, I have a hard time distinguishing between Legislators and Legislature. Which refers to the person, and which the building…or is it the room? I end up saying “Legis” with confidence, then mumbling the “lay-ture” or “lay-tor” so instead of masking my intellectual uncertainty, I’ve drawn great attention to it. Don’t even get me started on House v. Senate, which ones are “Representatives”, which ones aren’t. My palms are sweaty just thinking of it.  

8. People might expect me to be articulate. Similar to #9, I might be expected to actually speak words while I’m at the State House. And sound smart. With my youngest now 2 years old I think my “pregnancy brain” excuse has long expired. But still, sometimes words don’t flow easily out of my mouth, they have been lost in the nursing, diaper changing, snack preparation abyss. I’m afraid now is not the time in my life to be articulate and if someone was to ask me why I think a bill has stalled on the Senate floor, I may respond, “Oh. Uhmm. Yes. I mean. Hmm. Senate floor. Bill. Right. What’s that sweetie, you need to go potty? Sorry, let me address your question later.” And I would then take my children and run. Fast.  

7. I’d have to decide: to caffeinate or not to caffeinate? For all you exhausted parents of young children, this needs little explanation. Caffeinate to hide fatigue, but risk being the crazed, jittery mom who can’t seem to sit still? What to do, what to do? 

6. My boys will lick everything. It’s gross but true. Whenever we go out in public, and particularly at the most germ-infested places (doctor’s offices, airplanes, any waiting room with shared toys), my boys all feel the need to connect with their surroundings in a very tactile manner. With their tongues. I haven’t figured out this mystery yet, but I was complaining about it to a friend (a fellow mother of public lickers) and she suggested I not be worried about it. She thinks it boosts children’s immune system, taking all those germs in at once. Kind of like a vaccine. I’m going to embrace that theory and let my boys lick away. Want to lick the cashier’s counter at the gas station store? No problem. Lick a little sauce off the table at the Mexican restaurant? I’m good with that. Lick a doorknob at the State House? Well, I guess it’s good for you.  

5. And another thing…wait, what? See #8, regarding pregnancy brain. Darn.  

4. My boys will experience the “laxative effect.” All you parents must know this universal effect in which the moment you get somewhere (a restaurant, museum, subway station, Aunt Mildred’s tiny apartment with one tiny bathroom), your child needs to poop. Like right now. Emergency! You must find the closest bathroom for your newly potty-trained child, or the best spot to change a really stinky diaper (a 10 wiper!). You’re sweating, running around like a mad-woman with beady eyes full of panic. That’s how you enter the building, that’s how you make a first impression. Awesome.  

3. I may have to find something nice to wear. Sigh. I used to look nice and professional, I swear. Now I’m lucky if I can find a shirt without yogurt stains on the shoulders (someone always seems to need to be picked up right at the moment he has the messiest hands), and pants that haven’t been scribbled on with pen ink (you know those moments when you are dozing off after reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” for the 100th time, and your toddler sprints to the closest pen and scribbles on you? So unfair.) I will need to scour the depths of my closet to find something nice, then I will need to wash it, iron it, and place it in a glass case with a lock on it until the very last minute before we leave. And then I will spill coffee on it. And yes, #7 decision is already made. I will be jittery. That debate never lasts long with me. 

2. I may embarrass myself. See #’s 3-10. 

1. My kids may embarrass me. Children have the most amazing ability to be themselves wherever they are and regardless of whoever is around them. My 7 year old and his stinky feet will be at school, but I can almost guarantee that my 4 year old will make farting noises with his mouth while at the State House next week. And then laugh hysterically. I’m pretty convinced my 2 year old will make a (very loud) observation about one of our state’s leaders: “Mama, look, that man has no hair, just like Grandpa”. I may feel embarrassed and will feel the need to use it as a teaching moment: “No, no, we don’t fart in the State House. I’m sure that man is really nice, just like Grandpa,” and I may end up smiling at the person and giving the thumbs-up, because that’s the kind of thing I do during awkward moments. It’s not my best trait.  

But you know what? Next week, I will take my boys’ lead! I will be myself no matter where I am and who is around me. I will share with the legislators (right?) and my community my voice, my observations, my greatest wishes for my children.  I may reach out for my boys’ little hands to give me the courage I need to step on in. Sometimes, we have to be brave, I will tell them. This is an important conversation, an important day to take part in. And, given that our state’s leaders have set an impressive precedence with policies that support our children in myriad ways, I’m guessing they know where parents of young children are coming from. They will probably be kind to me, and will listen attentively and thoughtfully, all the while ignoring that I don’t know the proper way to address them and that I did run madly into the building, bee-lining right to the bathroom.  And they may appreciate that unlike my son, I won’t make one single fart noise with my mouth. Promise.  

I hope you will bravely join me on Wednesday, March 13th at the Early Childhood Day at the Legislature. For more information and to register, check out www.vermontearlychildhoodalliance.org. And, it is actually not ALL at the State House, some sessions will be run just down the street, at The Capitol Plaza, aka, the safe zone. Come on, we can wear our fancy clothes together!

Richarda Ericson is a fitness instructor living in Montpelier with her husband and three sons. Her boys keep her constantly entertained, frazzled, and full of love, and they make her a little braver every day. 

Read Jenelle's previous blog posts:

http://www.mamasaysvermont.org/1/post/2012/10/the-beginning-by-jenelle-nobel.html

http://www.mamasaysvermont.org/1/post/2012/11/the-freakiest-of-fridays-by-jenelle-nobel.html


 ********************************************************************


The next weeks were spent preparing for an exact diagnosis because although my team was fairly certain I was about to battle Lymphoma, there was no indication of the specific form of Lymphoma.  If the diagnosis were going to come easily, it would be via a needle sliding into the top of my chest to retrieve a significant number of cells that were willing to cooperate.  Small hole, small scar, fat chance.  Of course, my diagnosis was not going to come easily.  The initial tone was set by the dramatic bleed.  Therefore, my diagnosis must show itself through an equally dramatic entrance.  If the diagnosis was not going to come easily, Thoracic Surgeon informed me it was going to come once he put me to sleep, collapsed my right lung, and cut out a significant portion of tissue from the tumors, leaving me with a six week recovery during which, I was not to pick up my daughter or do anything that involved getting winded.  To complete this summary of the surgical biopsy, he said, "No problem."  I said, "God, no!"  He made some calls and both biopsies were scheduled.  Why both biopsies?  Because Thoracic Surgeon believed my diagnosis was not going to come easily.  He was partly correct.




The needle biopsy came and went without the dramatic flare suitable for my diagnosis.  I received a call from Thoracic Sureon a few days after the cells had been taken.  I was about to leave for the hospital, where I would later witness the birth of my beautiful niece, when the phone rang.  He greated me in his all-business style and told me the needle biopsy had failed to retrieve enough cells for a diagnosis and I would need to come in for the surgical biopsy, which would be performed by his partner because he had forgotten he would be on vacation that week.  He quickly told me that the "guys in the lab" had reported it looked suspiciously like Hodgkin's.  However, he dismissed this remark as quickly as it had flown from his memory to his mouth.  This was the first time I had considered Hodgkin's.  "Suspicously" turned into certainly once Hodgkins became the clinical diagnosis.




The clinical diagnosis came with Thoracic Surgeon's partner, Dr. Evil Eye.  The first time I met Dr. Evil Eye was in a small exam room.  She was dressed professionally in a skirt suit with an evil eye charm dangling from a thin sivler chain around her neck.  She was calm, cool, and collected.  She had me once again tell the tale of how I had gotten to this point.  She was confident and careful not to scare me.  Compared to that of her predecessors, her demeanor was refreshing.  I was relieved when I walked out of our visit as she had just informed me she was going to make a small incision in the base and along the side of my throat to retrieve the cells needed for proper diagnosis.  There would be no collapsing of my lung.  There would be a few days of recovery as opposed to six weeks.  I couldn't believe her less-than-dramatic plan for this surgical biopsy.  That evil eye was clearly on my side and ready to thwart the painful and dramatic schemes of all the thoracic surgeon thugs that came my way!




All that was left to do was rest up, get through the surgery, and prepare myself for the inevitable life-changing news I was about to receive.




I rested up, got through the surgery, and took the phone call that delivered the inevitable life-changing news.  I put down my fork at dinner and picked up the phone to listen as Dr. Evil Eye carefully informed me I had Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  No drama, just next steps.  Well, no drama on her part, only mine.  I wept.




There were numerous and sporadic tears in the days and weeks to come.  I was caught in a tornado of emotion that I may not successfully be able to communicate through the letters on this keyboard, but trust that I will attempt.




Buckle up, and as always, thanks for reading.

Jenelle is a 31 year old woman who lives in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.  She is married to a wonderful man who is an independent contractor.  They have a beautiful two year old daughter.  Jenelle teaches first grade at local elementary school.  She is currently fighting Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

 

The Valley Spirit never dies.

It is named the Mysterious Female.

And the Doorway of the Mysterious Female

is the base from which Heaven and Earth sprang.

-Tao Te Ching

 

Perhaps no time during our lives are we more concerned with our optimal health then during pregnancy.  But many moms and dads are now realizing their preconception health may affect a baby that's still just a spark in their eyes.  Chinese medicine, which includes the 5 branches of acupuncture, nutrition, massage, herbalism, and meditation, has a long history of advising for optimal health before conception.  

For optimal health preconception, we start with regulating of the menses.  Ideally a woman will have a 3-5 day menstrual cycle every 28-30 days.  Irregularities to the menses, including early or late periods, heavy periods, or pain before, during or after the period is viewed as an imbalance of Qi, blood or both in Chinese medicine.  These imbalances may delay or inhibit conception or lead to discomfort during a pregnancy.  Correcting these imbalances preconception is ideal.   

Causes of menstrual cycle imbalances can be emotional such as:

Worry:  Inhibits the flow of Qi, causes the blood to stagnate and key conception meridians to become blocked

Anger:  Also impedes the free flow of Qi, may cause painful menses

Fear: Causes Qi to sink, may lead to difficulty conceiving or miscarriage

Joy: Causes Qi to rise, may cause irregularities in cycle

Chinese medicine is thousands of years old and is originally from Daoist concepts.  The Daoist view of human as part of nature is visible in the roots of Chinese medicine and we use natural terms to explain imbalances in the human body.  We look at pathogenic factors from nature that are not ideal for the preconception woman and may cause irregularities to the period. 

Causes of menstrual cycle imbalances can be due to pathogenic factors such as:

Cold:  Coagulates the Qi, causes stagnation of blood, can lead to painful periods or lack of periods

Damp:  Affects key meridians involved with conception (Chong Mai and Ren Mai), may cause very light periods, lack of periods or painful periods

Heat: Quickens the blood flow, may cause heavy periods

In my acupuncture practice, I work to eliminate the pathogenic factor using acupuncture, herbs, meditation and nutrition to regulate the menses preconception.  Home care is often diet modifications and meditation advice to calm the emotions.  Recommendations are always customized to the patient, specific to their imbalance.  

There is ancient advice, dating back to the Shang dynasty (1500-1000 BC) found in inscriptions on tortoise shells and bones, about health during the menses that is particularly important to follow when preparing to conceive.  

•  Avoid alcohol- this causes the blood to be reckless and irregular

•  Avoid sex during the menses- may cause stagnation of Qi and blood

•  Avoid cold and damp exposure to the uterus, this means avoiding swimming and carefully drying off after bathing

•  Avoid vigorous exercise, especially during the menses- may deplete the Qi, making us too weak to conceive

Preparing for conception for 3 months and implementing acupuncture, meditation, optimal nutrition and avoiding negative influences such as smoking, stress, alcohol, drugs, toxic chemicals and minerals, and pollution, is ideal.   With acupuncture, we work to restore balance in the individual woman. 

References

West, Zita, 2001, Acupuncture In Pregnancy and Childbirth, Taos, N.M., Redwing Book Company.

Kerry Jenni L.Ac. is a graduate of Bastyr University's Masters of Science in Acupuncture program and a licensed acupuncturist in practice at Integrative Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Montpelier.   She is passionate about using Chinese medicine help women achieve pregnancy naturally or in integration with assisted reproductive therapies.  Kerry lives in Waterbury with her husband and two sons, three year old James and one year old Daniel. For more information: wwwintegrativeaom.com

Do your kiddos have a hard time settling down for bed?

One of my little guys is a night owl! It’s not that he’s wired – he loves reading in his bed, which is a calm activity for him.  But, he also has a very active mind (wonder who he gets that from!)…thinking about all sorts of things before falling off to sleep.  This is also a time when he’s ready to talk about some things that he hasn’t been ready to share earlier in the day. 

So,  on my nurturing, patient nights…I spend a little extra time with him to listen (trying not to butt in with my opinion). On other nights – when I’m ready for some alone time – he’s on his own. Sounds harsh as I write it, but I think it’s ok for him to practice easing those thoughts on his own sometimes.

We’ve also discovered some sweet ways to create space for a calm body and mind at night.  I hope you enjoy trying some of these out. Perhaps you have some calming practices you’d like to share as well.  Enjoy!

Belly Breathing:

Have your little one nestled in bed – if they like to be on their back – place a pillow under their knees – or anywhere else that makes them comfy. 

Place their favorite (small) stuffed animal (or a warm water bottle if they have a belly ache) on their belly. 

Have them breathe into their belly – so their stuffed animal gently rises and falls as they breathe.  Let them know it needs to be gentle so their animal doesn’t get sea sick or fall off.

You can breathe with them – encouraging them to breathe in through the nose and out through a relaxed mouth.

They may want to watch their stuffed animal at first, but over time they can close their eyes.

My guys love eye pillows – if your little ones don’t mind fabric over their eyes try that too.

If the stuffed animal doesn’t work or is too distracting have them place their own hands on their belly so they can feel the movement of their breath.

Guide them with as little verbal cues as you think they need. 

Cooked Spaghetti:
This one may create some laughs – so keep that in mind and try it out when you really have a nice amount of time and don’t feel rushed.  Explain the difference between what raw spaghetti and cooked spaghetti look and feel like.  Stiff, straight compared to floppy and limp. (Don’t say wiggly or you’ll get a wiggle worm – tried that once! Total opposite energy from what I was hoping for!)

Get them comfy in bed on their backs. 

YOU are doing all the work – they are totally relaxed and limp…heavy.  You’ll be able to tell if they are helping you lift their arm.  If you were to let go of their arm it would flop back down onto the bed.

Gently lift one arm so it’s supported and slowly circle the arm at the shoulder joint.

Next, bend and straighten the elbow.

Then move the wrist. 

If they are enjoying it you can even move each finger a little bit.

Do this with each arm then move on to their legs.

Lift one leg (supporting the bent knee) and make small circles where the leg meets their hip. Then gentle move their knee.

Next circle their ankle. 

If they’re ticklish – skip the toes!

Do the other leg.

Perhaps end with some soft kisses on their forehead and a gentle touch on the top of their head.

Body Parts:

Have your little one on their back (or some other comfy position).

You name a body part and they relax that part of their body. There is no movement here, although they may wiggle their toes a little to feel them. But they don’t have to. It’s actually a great practice to feel the body without having to move the body.

Start with their toes and work your way up their head. Be sure to use words that they know.

Feel you toes – breathe in and feel your toes – breathe out and relax your toes

Fell your ankles – breathe in and feel your ankles – breathe out and relax your ankles

On and on up the body toward the head.

Use whatever words you want to encourage relaxation.

This is a great one for mama’s to do too! Just get nice and comfortable in bed. The key is to really FEEL the body parts rather than think about the body parts.

Good night and sleep well!