35 Weeks Pregnant

35 Weeks!

Baby Size? Honeydew Melon

Baby development? Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (about the size of a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight. (babycenter.com)
Gender? Boy!

Sleep? Horrible. I am up every hour checking on bleeding and worrying myself sick.

Food Cravings? any kind of sandwich.

What I miss? I miss my water birth plan at the birth center.

What I love? That I get to meet my sweet baby boy so soon!

Movement? yes

 

Highlight of week? I had 2 baby showers this week. One on Saturday that some girlfriends of mine did and one from my mother and law. They were so fun. My girlfriends had a fall theme with the most delicious sandwiches, salad, pumpkin pie, pumpkin chia, home made whipped creme and so much more. We played a guess who this pregnant celebrity is, and I am embarrassed to say I won. It was so fun to catch up with ladies that I love so much but don't get to see enough of. My mother and law had a "she is about to pop theme" with salad poppy seed salad dressing, poppy seed sandwich, pop corn, pop sodas with pop suckers, rice crispy treats, cake pops... it was so well thought out. I got to see a lot of women from her side of the family that I don't see enough and it was so fun talking about this baby boy. We played a prediction game where all the guest wrote down when I would deliver, how much baby would weigh, hair color, eye color, skin color... and she is going to mail them to me after the baby comes! A really really fun weekend of baby celebrations.

Symptoms? ANXIETY!!! Bleeding, contractions, and heartburn.

Exercise? nope on bed rest. 

 

Delivery? Oh how my plans have changed from that peaceful drug free birth center birth I was imagining for months. After so many episodes of bleeding the doctors and midwifes decided that it is safest for the baby for him to be delivered via c-section on TUESDAY (which is tomorrow) and we found this out today! I am nervous for the surgery but so excited to see and hold our baby boy and I am so so so excited to see my husband Tyler hold our baby boy. The c-section is in about 18 hours. Let the count down begin.

 

To my son,

I love you so much. Growing you has been a highlight of my life and one I will never forget. I can not wait to hold you close to me. I can not wait to get to know who you are and learn from you! I promise to love you for always. I have loved you for 9 months and I cant wait to feel this love I have for you, which is already so big, explode into even more love tomorrow when I meet you, my little man.

Your Mom

Pumkin

I love all the pumpkin goodness that comes with fall. Pumpkin is an incredibly healthy food to incorporate into your diet.

5 reasons why you should eat more pumpkin:
Pumpkins are full of fiber, which aids in digestion and elimination.
Pumpkins are rich in a variety of minerals, including potassium, which helps prevent your muscles from cramping after an intense yoga class, as well as magnesium, zinc, and iron.
Pumpkins contain tryptophan, which helps your body to produce serotonin, your natural mood-booster. Eat pumpkins = feel happy
Pumpkins are also anti-inflammatory which means they reduce your risk of disease and cancer.

Week 34 Again

Week 35 Week 34...Again

Update: At our first appointment with our new hospital midwife (after being transferred from the birth center) we were told that our estimated due date is actually November 18, not November 10th like we were previously told. The reason the switched our due date was because the first ultra sound we got gave the due date of the 18th and later an ultra sound gave us the due date the 10th. The 10th dates lined up so well that the birth center thought it was more appropriate to go with that date. However at the hospital it is “standard protocol” to go off of the first ultra sound because it is most accurate.

This was hard for me to hear. Yes it is just a number and baby boy will come when he is ready…. But this number is one I have been counting down from for the past 240 something days. On the bright side if do go past my due date having a later estimated due date will help by me time before they push induction on me. Super good news the midwife took me off of bed rest and put me on “modified daily activities”. I still cannot teach, hike, or do anything vigorous. But I can lightly clean, gently stretch, and go for short walks. This has been terrific!

34 weeks 6 days

 

Baby Size? Butternut Squash

Baby development? Watch what you say! Your curious baby is listening in to your conversations at 34 weeks -- and might enjoy a lullaby or two -- so go ahead and sing to him. Some say that baby will recognize songs mom sings while he’s in the womb, and may even be more easily soothed by them if he’s used to them once he’s on the “outside.” At week 34, you might breathe a little easier, since baby may descend lower into your pelvis and give your lungs some space. (Ahh!) Of course, some babies don’t do this until the day they’re born, so we’re not making any guarantees. The pitfall of this descent, of course, is even more pressure on your bladder, so be prepared to make even more trips to the ladies room over the coming weeks. (thebump.com)

Gender? BOY

Sleep? I am getting insomnia. I used to go to bed around 10-11 and now I am up until 1am!

 

Food Cravings? Butternut squash soup, pumpkin pie (this could be that the leaves have changed color and its feeling like fall).

 

What I miss? I miss teaching my yoga classes and seeing my yoga students so so much. Not being able to do it reaffirms for me how important it is to me, and how much it lights up my being. I find myself day dreaming about teaching or scheming on how I can get away with teaching one class or one workshop before the baby comes. I also miss taking the dogs on hikes. I love being in the mountain’s during this time of year and taking in the fresh air and beautiful colors.

 

What I love? I love that I am allowed to move now! It was so hard staying in bed and I was getting so sore from laying on one side or the other. I have been doing some much needed stretches (what a previous post about my gentle prenatal sequence) to help undo the bed rest soreness and fatigue. I have also been loving going on short walks with the dogs and I breathing the air and walking through falling yellow leaves.

 

Maternity Photos. Yesterday my good friend Alyshea owner of Alyography Photography came to do maternity pictures for Tyler and I. Our plan was to go to memory groove but it was raining so we stayed at the house. They turned out so good. I think the pictures capture the love Ty and I have for each other and this baby boy in my belly. (Maternity photos below)

   

Movement? So much.

 

Symptoms? Insomnia, congestion, frequent need to pee, heart burn, sore feet, sciatic pain, tired, and anxiety.

 

Exercise? GENTLE: stretching and walking.  

Meditation? Yes it has been especially helpful with the changes in the birth plan and the pregnancy complications to help me calm and help me keep my positive birth experience while letting me go with the flow a little more gracefully.  

 

Choose To Make More Beauty

Being on modified bed rest has been a great opportunity (looking for the good) to go through old yoga notes. Yesterday I was reading my notes from the Anusara-Inspired teachers gathering in Tahoe during Wanderlust, during it John Friend said, “Every day we get to choose to make more beauty, to make more light, to bring more love into the world, or not”. This really stood out to me. We have a choice! Meaning we can choose to bring more beauty + light + love into the world or we can choose to bring more ugliness + darkness + hate into the world. I hadn't thought about the flip slide of this before. I just thought laa dee daa I am bringing more beauty into the world. I didn't think that all those times I don't feel good, don't hold the door open for someone, flip someone off driving, make rude judgemental mental comments in my head at the market, gossip with friends about someone, be in self pity, or just leave the house in a bad mood. In all those examples I am choosing to negatively impact the world we live in and share.

This made me think about emissions. We are all emitting energy all the time, it is often called our aura or the energy field that surrounds our body. Think about what it feels like to be physically close to someone who is happy and how it makes you feel to just being near them. Now imagine what it would feel like if that person was sad, or angry. The energy they are emitting and you are experiencing just from being in their field is drastically different. In this way just by choosing our attitude we are choosing to either add more love + joy + enthusiasm to the world or we are choosing to add more  hate + sadness + angry to the world. (Not to say we should never experience these feelings it is healthy to experience the full spectrum of emotions but not healthy to stew in it... another topic for another post.)

When I think of things that emit in a way that brings more beauty and love into the world I think of the sun, artists, flowers, happy dogs, color full leaves, rainbows... when I think of things that pollute the world I think of smoke stacks, cars, oil spills, garbage, cigarette smoke.... Which do you want to be? I want to be a bright flower that makes people smile + feel better.

WHAT ARE YOU EMITTING?

 OR...

This simple yet profound teaching has struck a chord in my heart and now I am so much more aware every time I open my mouth to speak (or sometimes too late, and I notice it after I have already spoken...change comes at first with awareness).  I am a big fan of the gratitude practices, of writing in my journal, often at night, a list of things I am grateful for. I do this especially when I am feeling sorry for myself. Well I am starting a new practice! A Shri (beauty) practice! I write down how I added beauty + light + love to the word for the day. It has been making me feel really good to look at the list and brings happiness to my heart as participate in creating a happy earth for all. I invite each of you to become more conscious of the ways that you contribute more beauty to the world each day.

Look, touch, speak, and breathe beauty!

Definitions:
E·mits: To give or send out (matter or energy).
pol·lu·tion: The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.

Ananda

The word ananda with a long "a" at the beginning meaning  as “vibration of bliss”, the long "a" is very important or the word becomes without bliss. We chant "ananda" in the second line of our invocation- “saccidananda murtaye.” Another translation of this word could be “deep contentment”. For me, the practice of yoga (specifically Anusara yoga) has brought me deep satisfaction and joy in life. It has fostered a feeling of calmness and happiness with in myself during the many fluctuations of life. I find myself not bouncing around in the extremes of emotion, but centering myself in my heart which is always content + fully rejoicing in it’s experience.

Definition of contentment (n)

1. satisfaction: a feeling of calm satisfaction
2. something that makes somebody contented: a circumstance, or a feature or characteristic of something, that gives rise to satisfaction

Definition of bliss (n)

1. complete happiness: perfect happiness
2. spiritual joy: a state of spiritual joy

A Review About Me from 2010

I just stumbled upon a blog post someone wrote about one of my classes and me as a teacher. I remember both the students. Oh so sweet! I remember when I started taking Anusara classes how I did not like demoing poses (in fear I would do a bad job) and did not like partnering up (again afraid I would do a bad job). Now I love demos and partnering because I learn so much more then I could by myself. Thank you for the lovely blog post Doris.

September 06, 2010

Something to cheer about

Yesterday in my Anusara Yoga class our instructor, "Kim", needed a student on whom she could illustrate the effects of locking knees during the yogic alignment process. This is a beginning class and filled with women (and one man) of all ages, shapes and ethnicity's. In our previous class session, Kim had asked for a volunteer. In this session she pointed to a young woman, "Ann," in the back row and asked her if she'd be willing to be the "demo" person that day (evidently Kim had noticed Ann's "locking-knees" habit). Although Ann agreed, her face turned bright red and her discomfort was palpable.

When the time came, Ann stepped forward gingerly. Her face exuded raw discomfort. I sent up silent prayers that Kim would handle this situation with her usual grace and compassion. I feared that the reason for Ann's discomfort was because she was the largest person in the class. Kim was thankfully gentle and kind and Ann was able to illustrate her points beautifully. As the lesson progressed with Kim guiding Ann through aligning her body it was like watching a magical transformation. Although still nervous, Ann no longer looked as if she wanted to bolt from the room. Her body responded to instruction in a way that made me envious. "Alignment" sounds so easy but it is really a tricky process of self-manipulating seven distinct muscle loops and spirals, too complex for me to explain here. Yet Ann was able to accomplish the task with what appeared to be little effort.

As Ann brought her body into alignment she radiated beauty. It was stunning to witness the difference in the energy exuded by a person who went from standing tentatively and self-consciously to a person standing well-grounded and perfectly aligned. I found myself wishing that my body was as bendy as Ann's. I told Ann as I left class that I'd been touched by her grace, beauty and flexibility.

I look forward to tomorrow's class, although I pray that Kim never calls on me to be the "model." Ann was an inspiration but the thought of having to attempt to align my body in front of the entire class is not something I look forward to...not because of "body shame" but more because my body is just beginning to unlock its flexibility. Although, when I think about it, my body could easily demonstrate what not to do during alignment. Maybe I COULD be as instructive as Ann! Ahhh...to add a flexible body to my evolving flexible mind...now that's something to cheer about!

Sending blessings until next time,
Doris

Stretching/ Prenatal Yoga on Modified Bed Rest

After being on bed rest for 10 days I got the midwifes approval to do some light prenatal yoga and I am now on "modified" bed rest. Yippie!! I was so excited to start moving my 34 week pregnant body again.

Here is a gentle sequence I have been doing. My hips feel tight and misalignment from all the side lying I have been doing, my legs feel super tight from like of movement and stretching, and I feel like my circulation is no good. My intention this practice is to wake up my body, open my hips (in preparation for birth), re establish alignment in my hips, tone and lengthen the muscles of my legs and increase circulation.

Table- gentle cat/cow very gentle I don't want to compress the belly with to much core work but I do want to puff into the kidneys during cat. For cow this big belly already causes a back bend so inside I focus on length.

Table shalabasana wrist and ankle circles to help reduce swelling and increase circulation.

Parsvotonasana [2 blocks]  inside of front leg to avoid compressing my belly. Focus on drawing back thigh in and toward the back of the room which shift my hips more over the front leg and then add contacting spiral pulling front hip down and under to avoid binding in the hip flexors.

Low lunge quad stretch again i am focusing on inner spiral on back leg shifting the hips over the front leg + contracting spiral on front leg pulling glute down, under and pressing into heal. This is a back bend and like I mentioned above pregnancy already gives me the tendency to collapse into a back bend so I have to use gentle strength to pull the floating ribs in a puff into the kidneys without to much abdominal work. Then full extension rooting down from the hips into the floor and from the hips up through the arm pits and crown of head.

Deep low lunge quad stretch same alignment as above.

Pigeon quad I love how repetitive Anusara yoga can be. Its practicing the same alignment ques in different poses that help me better understand the incredible depth that these principles offer. That being said. Same work here. Tone the leg muscles, draw back leg thigh in, back and wide shifting hips over the front leg. This will create a deeper crease in the front hip (a collapse) so I scope my front hip under moving my front sit bone closer to my tail bone then extending into the floor. This will create space around the hip flexors. This again is a back bend. So i draw the floating ribs in, expand into the kidneys, and lengthen up through the side bodies to give me baby lots of space.

Deep pigeon One thing that makes me cringe as a yoga teacher is watching students move into a deeper pigeon. Often a student will sit off on there front hip side grab their foot and swing it forward trying to get the foot in line with the knee. They do this with no muscle energy in the front leg. This is a NO NO NO NO!!! With no muscle energy in the front leg all the flexibility they are getting is in their knee and pigeon is about opening the HIPS not the knees. We do not want more flexible knees. The way I get in this pose is starting in a narrowed version of pigeon I curl my toe nails into my mat this will engage my front leg and ankle. Keeping this engagement I slowly lift up my front knee (my front foot is still anchored to the floor) and move it back a little, then i move my back knee back and I either stay there or repeat until I get the angle in the front knee I want. When the front knee is narrow the front foot should be flointed (pointed with the toes pulled back) and when the knee gets to 90 degrees the front foot should be flexed pinkie toe spreading into the mat. Okay there is my little rant. I just love knees and don't like hearing stories of people blowing out their knees from yoga.
Malasana Squat depending on how long I want to hold this pose for I find it nice to sit on a block on the second level so i am more supported. Very nice prenatal treat.
Baddha konasana [block]5x this is currently my favorite sequence ever!! It opens my hips so much which will come in handy for labor. I start in baddha konasana soles of the feet together engage the muscles of the legs especially the outer hips. Keeping the muscles drawing up toward the hips I extend from my upper inner thighs out through my knees pressing the knees to the floor (with muscles alone no help from my hands). Next I grab my block and put the narrowest version of the block between my feet and repeat the alignment. Then I turn the block to the medium width put that between my feet and repeat the same alignment. Then, you probably guessed it, I turn the block to the widest aspect and put it between my feet and repeat the alignment actions. Lastly I remove the block bring the soles of my feet together and repeat the alignment yet again. I try to catch my jaw as it falls to the floor in shock at how much more open I am. Depending on how much time I have depends on how long I do this for. I will hold each version of baddha konasana for 2 mins, 3 mins, or 4 mins (i use a yoga timer app which is awesome for this). This is something I will do all by itself to. Its a nice way to spend 20 mins and get into the hips.

Double pigeon
Virasana pre pregnancy my knees would touch in this pose. Now my hips are much wider so there is about a fist space between my knees. I want my knees to line up with my hip sockets. More knee alignment stuff includes lining up the second toe with the middle of the ankle, I like to spread my toes with the help of my hands and squeeze my heels toward the mid line.  I also make sure my inner thighs are rotating in toward the floor creating a healthy lumbar curve in my back. Lastly organically extend from hips into floor and lift chest toward sky. I will do gomukasana arms during this pose to sometimes for a shoulder stretch.  
Ardha hanumanasana - hanumanasana tone the muscle of the legs, rotate back leg in back and wide shifting hips over front leg, scope front hip under pressing out through the ball of the foot. That will help square up your pelvis. I really like playing with muscle and organic energy in this pose. Drawing from the feet into the hips SO much that it feels like my leg bones get shorter because they get so plugged into the hip sockets. Keeping that engagement I extend from the hips out through the feet. This entertains me so much I forget what a killer stretch this is (especially after bed rest!)
Supta pada A- B [strap] With my leg perpendicular to the floor or foot slightly forward of the hip i use a strap and ground my whole femur bone into the hip socket as I extend from my hip back into the strap to create some space around the joint. I make sure my bottom leg is tones, second toe in line with ankle, knee and hip and inner thigh strongly rooting toward earth. Next I loop my strap together and put the strap behind my head, right at the base of my hair line below that boney bump. I practice skull loop as my leg gets pulled closer to my face. If you dont have the flexibility to do this or it doesnt feel good just hold the strap one in each hand. I have been doing this for years and love it. I dont need a strap. Then i grap the outer edge of my top foot and open my leg for pada B. Strong bottom inner thigh work, and strong hip scoping work on top leg.
Hanumanasana
Femur rooting/psoas release

 

Abhyanga

I love practicing this Ayurvedic self massage technique. Especially during the fall and the winter to help balance my vata dosha and keep my skin nice and moisturized. When I feel my mind getting really flightly and full of clutter it is a sign that I need to bust out my oil and practice abhyanga.

Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic treatment you can do for yourself. Like food for your skin, warm oil (sesame, sunflower or coconut) massaged into your body relieves fatigue and rejuvenates the mind and body while lubricating the joints and making the skin soft and supple. This is traditionally performed in the morning to get your circulation moving and remove the toxins that accumulate during the night. However you can also try it in the evening to promote restful sleep.

In Sanskrit the word sneha means both “oil” and “love”, Abhyanga is like saturating yourself with love! Let the oil soak in for up to 15 minutes to penetrate the subtle channels, then take a hot bath or shower.

The benefits are numerous and include; soft, supple, beautiful skin, tones the muscles, lubricates the joints, slows down aging, nourishes the body, promotes restful sleep, stimulates the systems of the body, enhances circulation, calms the nervous system, increases immunity…

A nice wintertime habit is to massage warm sesame oil into your feet before bedtime. Wear a pair of natural fiber socks so you dont get oil all over your sheets.  In addition, if you find yourself dry from the heater always running, anoint your nostrils and ears with sesame oil.

 Use organic sesame oil, and warm the oil by rubbing it between your hands before applying.      

Here is a good youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEFWVqREgps

Opening to Grace on Bed Rest

Open to Grace is the first principle of Anusara Yoga. It's physical applications include lengthening the side bodies, expanding into the back body, and having a good foundation with earth. To me emotionally open to grace has a lot to do with trust. It is taking a deep breath in, feeling my feet on the floor and trusting that everything is going to be okay.

I got put on bed rest last week in my 34th week of pregnancy from a big bleed. I am no longer able to practice physical asana but I am amazed how much strength I find by working the universal principles of alignment off of my yoga mat and in my bed and in my head. They say Open to grace is the most important principle and its the one you keep going back to over and over again. That's how I feel, I will establish an attitude of open to grace and a minute later it is gone and I have to bring myself back to it and then maybe 5 minutes later it is gone and I bring myself back to it. It is a practice of remembrance. Of remembering that I don't want to feel totally scared and all alone. I want to feel connected, loved and safe. These are the feeling I get when I trust the universal and open myself to Grace.

Being pregnant really takes you into the front of your body. If you think of a pregnant women her belly sticks out forwards, her boobs get bigger pulling her forward and her head is often forward along with her thigh bones. Everything is pulling her into the front of her body. The front body represents the "I" and the individual self. I know I can get really wrapped up in myself. What is going on with me, my baby, my body, my family, my future... When my head gets full of me, myself and I the world gets smaller, I start to run on fears + desires and I start to feel disconnected from others.

Although pregnancy physically pulls the body more into the front plan what you cant see is how much strength is coming from the back body. The low back supports the growing uterus and prevents her from falling over in all that misalignment, her upper back muscles are strong from holding up those boobs and the back of her legs are extra powerful from carrying around all that extra weight. The back of the body represent the Universal. When I feel myself get stuck in my head and in the front of my body I have been pausing to remind myself how strong the back of my body is especially during pregnancy. I can just settle down and rest in that strength and the remembrance that no matter what happens everything is going to be okay. That I am supported by so much: Grace, friends, family, doctors, muscles, yoga... When I shift from front body to back body I feel many changes. My skin and brain feel like they soften, I stand up taller within myself, and my breath becomes deeper and fills in the back of my waistline up to the back of my kidneys. This kind of breath feels like I am making an offering and bow to my own heart and to Grace.

33 & 34 Weeks Pregnant

WEEK 33 & 34

Discharging from hospital!! 34 weks 3 days

Dad to be doing homework and hanging out with me in hosptial.

 

Size of baby?

33: Pineapple

34:  Cantaloupe

 

This week’s major developments?

33: This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark (about the size of a pineapple). He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.(babycenter.com)

 34: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (about the size of a cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Gender? BOY

 

Update: Last Monday I had a big bleed and we had to go to the emergency room. We stayed at the hospital for a few nights while they monitored me and baby. They kept saying how good baby looked and how active he was. We got discharged to go home to continue bed rest. Unfortunately the doctors decided I am no longer a candidate for an out of hospital birth. So I had to say goodbye to The Birth Center I was planning on going to and my plan of having a water birth. They do have midwives at this hospital so we will be transferring our care to a midwife at the hospital who has a backup OB doctor. It’s been an emotional time but I am so grateful for the health of my baby, that he gets to cook in my belly longer and for all the love and support are friends and family have shown us.

 

Sleep? Not very good. I am very sore from laying down all the time and it’s very hard to get comfortable. I also get up 5 times a night to waddle to the bathroom.

 

Food Cravings? I haven’t had any specific cravings while being on bed rest. I have been munching on lots of fruit and veggies and sandwiches throughout the day.

 

What I miss? Being on bed rest has been quite the adjustment. I was teaching yoga 3x a week, taking the dogs on hikes, practicing yoga, swimming. Now I can’t do any of that. What I miss the most is teaching my classes. It was such an abrupt end. I didn’t get to say bye to my students and I miss them and teaching very much. Can’t wait to start up again in December/ January. I also miss being able to clean the house and nest. I just lie in bed and see dust everywhere and I just want to clean but I can’t.

 

What I am loving? I love that this boy is still in my belly. I love feeling all of his big movements and hiccups.  

 

Movement? Yes. Every week I am surprised how much you can see my belly visibly move as he stretches and moves and the next week the movements are even bigger. My belly is no longer perfectly round either. It is lopsided with a big lump (which I think is his butt) where he is hanging out.  

 

Symptoms? I just want to move and walk soo bad, very exhausted, feel weak. I think these are bed rest symptoms. Other symptoms include, back pain, vivid dreams, and heartburn which I think I get now just from breathing.

 

Exercise? No allowed

 

Yoga? I have been doing pranayama breath work and reiki on myself and on baby.

 

Meditation? Yes daily it’s keeping me sane and helps me feel connected to baby.

 

Appointments? We have an appointment with our new midwife on Wednesday.

 

Pregnancy.. teaching lessons

This pregnancy has been a huge teacher. From the very beggining being told I was miscarrying, to being told I have a low lying placenta at 20 weeks and might need a c section at a hosptial, to no more low laying placenta and can have my water birth at the birth center at 27 weeks, to having a major bleed at 33 weeks, to having to leave the birth center and transfer to the hosptial, to bed rest, to no bed rest, to more bleeding, to more bed rest....

Lessons learned: patience, go with the flow, being still

patience (definition: the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.)
oh patience. Something I have been working on for years. My husband is so so patient and is good reminder and example of a quality I would like to embody more. I can get impateint with my dogs, husband, driving, holding a yoga posture... I have journeled and even themed in a yoga class before that the things that stir up impatience in us can be an oppurtunity to cultivate patience during. I think of this (sometimes) when I am driving behind someone going really slow, when the teacher is encouragin me to hold a long pose, when the dogs dont listen to me... So can I practice what I preach and practice patience during pregnancy.

go with the flow: Wow has this been a big one and something I have been trying to work on for the past 2 years. Of being less attached to Kim's plans and instead turning my will over to Grace. I use the third step prayer daily:

God (Universe, Grace),

I offer myself to Thee

To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.

Relieve me of the bondage of self, so that I may better do thy will.

Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness

to those I would help of Thy power, Thy love and Thy way of life.

May I do Thy will always.

But as much as I try to turn it over. I still make plans and get attached to them. With this pregnancy my plan was it would go smoothly, that I would have a comfortable, awesome, natural, uncomplicated water birth at the birth center. That I would be able to do massages and teach yoga until I went into labor. That I could go on hikes, swim, and practice yoga until I went into labor. But thats not what happened. Its a good lesson to learn before the baby comes. I am sure as a parent I am going to have to put my wants and plans aside for what my baby/ family wants or needs.

 

 

Being still: I tend to go go go like the energizer bunny. I take time to sit and be still in meditation for 20 mins morning and night (most days) but other then that I am doing something. Being on bed rest I am barely allowed to make my own sandwhich or walk up the stairs. Being still allows to to be present in the moment instead of rushing around. It gives me a chance to get clear with my feeling and time to face my fears. 

Butternut Squash Risotto with Sage

2 small butternut squashes, halved lengthwise and seeds removed
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for rubbing squash
1½ cups Arborio or Carnaroli rice
1 red onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
Pinch ground cinnamon
6 cups vegetable stock
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese, optional
8 fried sage leaves

Preheat oven to 450F. Lightly rub the flesh of one squash with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Bake, flesh side down until cooked through and nicely browned, about forty-five minutes. Let cool slightly, scoop the flesh into a bowl and mash.
Peel and dice the neck of the other squash into quarter inch pieces. You need one and a half cups. Steam the diced squash until just cooked through. Remove from the heat and set aside.
In a saucepan bring your vegetable stock to a simmer. Meanwhile, heat another saucepan over medium heat. Add four tablespoons of olive oil and when hot add your onion, sage and thyme. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and sweat the onions and herbs over medium heat for until softened, about five minutes. Add your rice and mix well to combine. Allow the rice to toast in the pan for a few minutes and season with salt and pepper. Begin to add your hot stock to the rice one cup at a time, maintaining a simmer. Do not add more liquid until the previous cup of stock has evaporated. Repeat this, stirring often until the rice is just finished cooking.
Remove risotto from the heat and add your diced squash and the mashed squash. Stir in the butter and once it has melted begin to fold in your Pecorino cheese if using Season to taste and finish with crumbled fried sage leaves. Serves six to eight.

Kitchari Recipe

Kitchari is a one pot Indian stew. It is often used in Ayurveda for cleansing and bringing the body back into balance. It is warm, grounding and good for digestion. Kitchari is unique in being beneficial for all three doshas. The change of seasons often creates imbalances in the body. Kitchari is a great way to get grounded and cleanse during this shift.

3/4 cup basmati rice, washed
3/4 cup split mung beans or red lentils or yellow mung dal – washed
8 cups water or vegetable broth or a combination
1 Tbsp ghee*
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 Tbsp ghee*
1 tsp each – ground turmeric, cumin, coriander, mustard seeds, and sea salt
1/2 tsp each hing (asafoetida), cayenne pepper, (cardamom, cinnamon, pepper and cloves can all be added too!)
2 Tbsp fresh grated ginger
1/2 onion, chopped small
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh chopped vegetables (carrots, zucchini, celery, green beans, tomatoes …)
2 cups fresh chopped greens (spinach, kale, chard…)
Optional garnishes – chopped fresh cilantro, yogurt, fruit chutney…
In a soup pot, heat 1 Tbsp ghee and add cumin seeds. Brown lightly, then add the rice and mung beans, stirring to coat. Add water or veg broth and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
In a small skillet, heat 2 Tbsp ghee and add all dry spices. Saute a few minutes, then stir in onion, garlic and ginger.
Add the spice mixture, veggies and greens to the rice and mung.
Cover and cook 20 minutes longer.. watch that there is enough liquid, add as needed. This should not be brothy, it will be hearty like a stew.
Serve with garnished of your choice.
*For vegan diets, replace ghee with olive , coconut or sunflower oil.
You can add or delete vegetables and spices as you desire.