The idea that childbirth is excruciatingly painful is cultural norm in America. It is the topic of jokes. I was told in my first pregnancy by one of the OB’s providing my care that I would be “begging for drugs in the parking lot [of the hospital]“-which of course only made me more determined NOT to ask for drugs. The idea that birth is meant to be painful even led to some religious groups opposing the use of pain medications in the 1800’s. I’ve even heard it mentioned during sermons as being Biblical.
So where does the Bible say that childbirth is meant to be excruciating…or does it REALLY say that? Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 4 months ago at 12:02 am. Add a comment
Yoplait sparked controversy with a "mail in the lid" campaign. Yoplait had promised 10 cents a lid, but consumers would pay nearly four times that on the stamp to send one in. That’s money that could have just been given directly to breast cancer research. Second, Yoplait dairy products were made using artificial bovine growth hormones (called rBGH), which are thought to increase the risk of breast and colon cancers.
If you are on Facebook perhaps you remember the bra color statuses? And the purse locations?
Its back again. And I’m annoyed. Really. Not with the person who sent me the e-mail asking me to post “I’m going to Columbia for six months” in the name of breast cancer awareness…but with the whole pink-washing of our culture that has been going on since the pink ribbon debued in the early 1990’s and led to the New York Times dubbing breast cancer “this year’s hot charity” in 1996.
I will not participate.Â
Why? Well first of all, unlike the bra color and purse location ideas…this one requires me to post a lie in my status.
But really, beyond that, is “awareness” really necessary? Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 4 months ago at 2:43 pm. Add a comment
So how are you doing on your fitness resolution? I hope you got some exercise in today!
My review today is of Denise Austin’s Fit & Firm Pregnancy. Denise has written 10 books on fitness and was in the longest running exercise program on TV. I first discovered her program on Lifetime in 2000 when I was pregnant with my second daughter, Katie. I used her program to help in loosing 60 lbs after Katie’s birth. My kids love her Fit Kids DVD. So I had high expectations for this DVD.
Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 4 months ago at 12:03 am. Add a comment
Today’s review is of Leisa Hart’s fitmama prenatal workout. Leisa is a Buns of Steel instructor, so I expected this workout to be very different from yesterday’s prenatal yoga, and I was not disappointed in that.
The package description lets you know that this workout includes 20 minutes of Salsa Dance, 20 minutes of Yoga Fat Burn, 6 minutes of Labor & Delivery Prep, and 8 minutes of Prenatal Stretch and Relax. Bonus features that I discovered once I put the DVD in my player included an “Easing Labor” segment that displayed a lunge, forward lean, and squat that could be helpful in labor and a “Bonus Stretch” segment that focused on lower body stretches. I found the menu to be well laid out, including an option to choose exercise tracks rather than having to use the fast-forward feature as would be needed with the prenatal yoga DVD from yesterday. I have a 2003 version of the DVD, but it was re-released in 2008.
This DVD also includes an introductory segment explaining what will be required in the work out, and safety precautions. Leisa reviews ACOG guidelines on exercise and stresses that it is important to be hydrated before, during, and after exercise.
The exercise starts off with the Salsa Dance segment, which is Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 4 months ago at 4:05 pm. Add a comment
Perhaps one of the most common New Year’s resolution themes is related to being more fit…and I hope all my pregnant readers are striving to stay fit. Exercise during pregnancy may reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes, may reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia,  and may even help in pushing efforts during labor. If that isn’t enough, Fit Pregnancy has an article listing 33 benefits to exercise during pregnancy. So if you have chosen to put physical activity on your New Year’s resolu
tion list…this week I’m hoping to offer you some guidance on home exercise programs by reviewing some prental fitness DVD’s.
Today is a gentle start with Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea . The description for this DVD includes an approximate run time of 70 minutes and says
Focussed on helping you feel comfortable, relaxed and fit during pregnancy, this workout will increase your energy and stamina, and build strength, flexibility and balance….The gentle stretches help reduce fatique, tension and tightness, while promoting relaxation and improved circulation.”
So, set to work on my own resolution to exercise more, I popped this DVD in, and let it go. Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 4 months ago at 1:04 am. Add a comment
The idea that childbirth is excruciatingly painful is cultural norm in America. It is the topic of jokes. I was told in my first pregnancy by one of the OB’s providing my care that I would be “begging for drugs in the parking lot [of the hospital]“-which of course only made me more determined NOT to ask for drugs. The idea that birth is meant to be painful even led to some religious groups opposing the use of pain medications in the 1800’s. I’ve even heard it mentioned during sermons as being Biblical.