October 23, 2007 my third baby, Noah, was born at 2:30 am. I went into labour 4 hours earlier during of all things, watching "The Bachelor". I hate to even admit that. All went well and no surprises!! I was infact 5 days early and was in denial for the first 2 hours of labour. I kept saying to my mid-wife, are you sure I am having this baby now? Sure enough the last hour and a half of labour and half hour of pushing were furious and hard, so I realized that it was indeed real and baby was on his way.
Noah is beautiful, perfect and a joy in every way.
I am now a mom of three and am busy beyond my understanding of the word. I am now after 8 weeks post-partum back at work. Its a fine balance. The toughest part is pumping the milk and getting back home in time for the next feed. I am having a tough time getting ahead and saving up the milk supply since he keeps going through growth spurts.
I do enjoy being at work, its a break!!! No poopy diapers or washing bottles. I am very excited to be back and to share my experiences with my patients.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Third Time is Always a Charm
I have just started my official maternity leave 3 weeks before my due date. Since my job as a chiropractor is physically, mentally, and at times emotionally demanding I do feel ready to stop working as well as start focussing on the baby, all the preparations for the birth and the wole "newborn thing". Being my third delivery, I am not sure how its going to go. My midwife as well as a labour and delivery nurse I know have told me that the third time is quite unpredictable. Infact the pregnancy overall has been very different from my last two. It will be very interesting to see how this will all pan out.
The third time around I have also been getting more Braxton-Hicks contractions which started much earlier in the pregnancy. I am assured that this is very common with subsequent pregnancies.
People have been asking me if I am excited and ofcourse I am excited to meet the baby, but not as excited to deal with the after-math of delivery, nightly feedings, sore nipples, poopy diapers (again), shall I go on? When its the first child one is expecting, naivity is bliss but third time round one is quite realistic about the whole post partum thing, in my opinion.
Whether its your first or fifth child ( God help you), I believe if you can remain focussed and realistic about the whole process of labour without trying to "control' it, maybe it will be easier to deal with true outcome. As the lawyer said who taught my 4rth year jurisprudence class in chiropractic school " Hope for the best, plan for the worst and expect the unexpected and you will be fine."
The third time around I have also been getting more Braxton-Hicks contractions which started much earlier in the pregnancy. I am assured that this is very common with subsequent pregnancies.
People have been asking me if I am excited and ofcourse I am excited to meet the baby, but not as excited to deal with the after-math of delivery, nightly feedings, sore nipples, poopy diapers (again), shall I go on? When its the first child one is expecting, naivity is bliss but third time round one is quite realistic about the whole post partum thing, in my opinion.
Whether its your first or fifth child ( God help you), I believe if you can remain focussed and realistic about the whole process of labour without trying to "control' it, maybe it will be easier to deal with true outcome. As the lawyer said who taught my 4rth year jurisprudence class in chiropractic school " Hope for the best, plan for the worst and expect the unexpected and you will be fine."
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Emotions and Misalignments of the spine
It is absolutely amazing how vulnerable our spines and muscles are to stress. As a response to our emotions surrounding stress ( ie: anger, fear, sadness, nervousness) our bodies tighten up and our nervous system through a feedback loop can overreact or under react producing more stress hormone like cortisol, adrenaline etc.
Our spines are so closely connected to both our nervous systems and our muscles that it can't help but to shift out of alignment as a means of compensation and accommodation.This creates a environment to cause symptoms like headaches, neck and shoulder tightness and low back pain.
Add a poor ergonomic situation such being a tired new mom or an individual sitting in front of the computer at a job they don't like, and ta da you have a recipe for strain/sprain.
It is important not to ignore or take your emotional health for granted and assume it plays no role in your musculoskeletal health. Death of a loved one, divorce, financial stress and feeling overwhelmed with taking care of children can be underestimated in terms of the stress impact it has on the body.
Things you can do early on to prevent problems are 1)acknowledge the impact it is having on you and your body,2) breathe deeper,3) stretch well, 4)go for a long brisk walk to get blood flowing, 5) and hydrate yourself.
Chiropractors are best able to assess and adjust misalignments of the spine. We are also very aware and knowledgeable about complementary treatments that can assist the body in holding the adjustments too.
Our spines are so closely connected to both our nervous systems and our muscles that it can't help but to shift out of alignment as a means of compensation and accommodation.This creates a environment to cause symptoms like headaches, neck and shoulder tightness and low back pain.
Add a poor ergonomic situation such being a tired new mom or an individual sitting in front of the computer at a job they don't like, and ta da you have a recipe for strain/sprain.
It is important not to ignore or take your emotional health for granted and assume it plays no role in your musculoskeletal health. Death of a loved one, divorce, financial stress and feeling overwhelmed with taking care of children can be underestimated in terms of the stress impact it has on the body.
Things you can do early on to prevent problems are 1)acknowledge the impact it is having on you and your body,2) breathe deeper,3) stretch well, 4)go for a long brisk walk to get blood flowing, 5) and hydrate yourself.
Chiropractors are best able to assess and adjust misalignments of the spine. We are also very aware and knowledgeable about complementary treatments that can assist the body in holding the adjustments too.
Friday, August 10, 2007
The importance of check-ups for active toddlers
After a chiropractic check up on a 14 month old yesterday, it confirmed my conviction of the importance of parents understanding the result of a fall or injury on their child's spine. I was amazed as to how quickly the muscles and joints responded to a little boy hitting his head at the playground 2 hours before. After feeling his neck muscles and how restricted the spine was underlying those muscles, we gently released the area with an pediataric adjustment. His mom expressed her relief as to the fact that it just happened and the neck had not been like that for too long.
I have seen it time and time again. The quicker the child is checked and dealt with the faster it resolves in most cases. Its the stress caused to the nervous system and the joint strain that is my main concern for dealing with trauma as soon as possible. Yesterday was a perfect example for me!!!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Put your health first
As a mom, whether you are running around after toddlers or nursing newborns(or both), it is so important that you maintain your flexibility and stretching in both your joints and muscles. In my own experience it is so easy to get caught up with taking care of others only to neglect your own heath and well-being.
We all have good intentions to not let that happen but some how we put ourselves last when it comes to the list of priorities. If you are in pain or uncomfortable you are not as efficient doing the things you need to do and cranky with everyone around you!!!
When I compare the moms who put their health as a priority compared to moms who suffer till they are in so much pain, the ones who are consistant with their treatments, chiropractic, massage, yoga etc...are happier, healthier and their families benefit from it.
Take guilt out of the equation and make time for yourself. I know its easier said than done sometimes because it does take effort. You and your little ones are worth it!!!
We all have good intentions to not let that happen but some how we put ourselves last when it comes to the list of priorities. If you are in pain or uncomfortable you are not as efficient doing the things you need to do and cranky with everyone around you!!!
When I compare the moms who put their health as a priority compared to moms who suffer till they are in so much pain, the ones who are consistant with their treatments, chiropractic, massage, yoga etc...are happier, healthier and their families benefit from it.
Take guilt out of the equation and make time for yourself. I know its easier said than done sometimes because it does take effort. You and your little ones are worth it!!!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Pain in the bum!!!
At the moment, I am almost 26 weeks pregnant with my third child. Overall I feel quite energetic and healthy. In the last few weeks, I have been experiencing something that many other women who have been pregnant (including me in the past) have felt; pain on one side of the bum. After a long day on my feet or too much sitting, the muscles surrounding the pelvis are overworking and spasming due to the ligaments loosening to accomodate for the growth of the baby. The sacro-iliac joint can mis-align which can put pressure on the large sciatic nerve.
I found 3 things done in combination very effective in controlling the amount of pain and pressure on the area.
1) Stretching consistently (especially figure 4 stretch on a ball)
2) Having your alignment in your pelvis checked and adjusted by a chiropractor that focusses on pre-natal care is important. By using the Webster method/technique it is clearer to the practitioner if the pain is coming from the pelvis and if it is causing some uterine constraint as well.
3)Muscle work/ massage therapy is a very good compliment to the above two.
Oh and I better not forget another important point. Good supportive shoes is so important in decreasing the imbalances from the feet to the pelvis. Flat shoes with no arch supports can be a cause of pelvic dysfunction especially during pregnancy.
I have experienced first hand the benefits of sticking to a good regimen of the above. I am a happier camper when I am not uncomfortable. I'm sure some of you pregnant ladies out there may be able to relate and hopefully a few, atleast, can benefit from my experience.
I found 3 things done in combination very effective in controlling the amount of pain and pressure on the area.
1) Stretching consistently (especially figure 4 stretch on a ball)
2) Having your alignment in your pelvis checked and adjusted by a chiropractor that focusses on pre-natal care is important. By using the Webster method/technique it is clearer to the practitioner if the pain is coming from the pelvis and if it is causing some uterine constraint as well.
3)Muscle work/ massage therapy is a very good compliment to the above two.
Oh and I better not forget another important point. Good supportive shoes is so important in decreasing the imbalances from the feet to the pelvis. Flat shoes with no arch supports can be a cause of pelvic dysfunction especially during pregnancy.
I have experienced first hand the benefits of sticking to a good regimen of the above. I am a happier camper when I am not uncomfortable. I'm sure some of you pregnant ladies out there may be able to relate and hopefully a few, atleast, can benefit from my experience.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Check up for baby after birth
Q. My child had a very difficult birth. The labour was very intense and the pushing stage was very long. Would he benefit from a spinal check up with a chiropractor?
A. As moms, we realize how beautiful and how traumatic the birth process can be for us and for the baby! That is generally true for a non-invasive natural birth. Imagine if there were complications and if the process was extremely long or difficult, there may be more of an impact on the baby's delicate spine and soft tissues. Many forms of birth trauma are evident within the first 24-48 hours after birth. The more subtle effects of the trauma during birth can go undetected or untreated for months or even years. Many times symptoms such as endless crying,holding head to one side only, improper latching,or general restlessness may be clues to if the baby's nervous system or spine is imbalanced or under some strain. In my experience, I have recognized that the sooner the spine is checked, the better the results.
Chiropractors who are trained to adjust children's spines consistently see evidence that spinal adjustments of infants, toddlers and pre-teens have many positive effects for a variety of conditions. These young spines may benefit from spinal check-ups during their key stages of development ie: holding head up, sitting up, crawling, walking, growth spurts (growing pains) etc.
Removal of irritation or pressure from the nervous system using specific, gentle, non-invasive adjustments has long term benefits in the developmental stages of their lives.
So, yes I do believe it is a good option to have a chiropractic spinal check up of your child after the birth process to identify any imbalances or irritations that may be present.
A. As moms, we realize how beautiful and how traumatic the birth process can be for us and for the baby! That is generally true for a non-invasive natural birth. Imagine if there were complications and if the process was extremely long or difficult, there may be more of an impact on the baby's delicate spine and soft tissues. Many forms of birth trauma are evident within the first 24-48 hours after birth. The more subtle effects of the trauma during birth can go undetected or untreated for months or even years. Many times symptoms such as endless crying,holding head to one side only, improper latching,or general restlessness may be clues to if the baby's nervous system or spine is imbalanced or under some strain. In my experience, I have recognized that the sooner the spine is checked, the better the results.
Chiropractors who are trained to adjust children's spines consistently see evidence that spinal adjustments of infants, toddlers and pre-teens have many positive effects for a variety of conditions. These young spines may benefit from spinal check-ups during their key stages of development ie: holding head up, sitting up, crawling, walking, growth spurts (growing pains) etc.
Removal of irritation or pressure from the nervous system using specific, gentle, non-invasive adjustments has long term benefits in the developmental stages of their lives.
So, yes I do believe it is a good option to have a chiropractic spinal check up of your child after the birth process to identify any imbalances or irritations that may be present.
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