SIDS? I Don't Buy It.

Now before all of you internet trolls start going off simply by the title I want to just start by saying that a sudden death, especially an infant death of any kind, is tragic. But I will openly say that I dont believe in "SIDS" why? Well lets start by breaking down SIDS.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Those four words (to me) are the biggest oxymoron I've ever come to contact with. How can a 'sudden' death possibly be a syndrome? Why don't adult sudden deaths have the tag of syndrome at the end when it can't be explained? Because it's simply a sudden unexplained death, NOT a syndrome.

Now lets break down the definition of syndrome.
"A group of symptoms that consistently occur together or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms"
I want to point out that there are NO symptoms of SIDS whatsoever. No cause has been found, no symptoms leading up to it, no nothing. Simply a precious baby sleeping and not waking up. The definition of syndrome doesn't even come close to SIDS whatsoever. So how can something that has no cause, no symptoms, and no explanation be preventable?

All of the baby products that say "may reduce the risk of SIDS" is just a marketing ploy to get paranoid and ignorant parents to spend their money on their product. And the number one thing they say to avoid? Laying your baby on their stomach. There is such a huge controversy about never letting your baby sleep on their stomach because it can increase the risk of SIDS. Know what it indefinitely increases the risk of? Choking to death. It doesn't matter how much you burp or get spit up out of your baby, they can still spit up in their sleep. And especially the newest babies can't control their neck movement as well so they can't easily turn their head to get the spit up back out.

Now, if you're a mom who doesn't want to take any risks, that's fine! Every mom is entitled to raising and taking care of their children in their own belief systems.  But personally, I don't believe SIDS is a true "condition" - all it is, is a tragic moment for a family when a small baby just cant sustain their bodily norms on their own anymore.

The reason why they say laying a baby on their stomach increases the risk of SIDS is because every infant I've known prefers to sleep on their stomach as opposed to their backs. And even laying them on their backs they turn over (once they're old enough) and insist on sleeping on their stomachs. So, naturally,  there would be a bigger number of SIDS cases where infants were found on their stomachs as opposed to their backs.

I am a good mom. Proud of how far I've come and the kids I've raised thus far. I lay my son on his stomach every time I place him in his bed, and I am very glad I have because in the past three weeks alone he's avoided choking on his own spit up on 4 different occassions.

Also, they emphasize 'dont use pillows in the crib' 'dont use extra blankets' 'dont put stuffed animals in the crib' 'dont pull the blanket up to the baby's neck' 'dont swaddle them very tight' etc. All of those things they claim increase risk of SIDS but in actuality they don't. Any parent who does any of those things and something happens to their child is neglect to not take the proper precautions and to check on your baby as often as you can. To me, SIDS is just a cop out. Until actual medical proof and scientific data prove a cause and cure for it, I don't buy into it at all.

Yes, I trust my children's pediatrician. To a certain extent. These days doctors are so very quick to shove medicine and pills towards you instead of actually trying to find a natural or healthier way to help a problem. Obviously if my children have an illness where they need antibiotics I'm going to make sure they get their medication. But I'm not going to listen to a bunch of high riding, self righteous, doctor's that aren't pediatricians I trust to tell me what I should and shouldn't do for my children to have the best lives that I can give.

Myself and all my brothers were laid on their stomachs, all of my nieces and nephews were laid on their stomachs, my daughter was laid on her stomach, and NOTHING happened. Because letting a baby sleep on their stomach isn't a crime. And to make a mother feel like they have to lay their children a certain way, feed them a certain way, give them certain products, avoid certain products, and so on is the true crime! I already believe our country is getting too far into dictating our personal lives but I will not let the government or any organization tell me how to raise my children.

I believe in how my parents raised me and how the true America was back in the days when kids didnt rule everything parents did. Where we weren't raising a bunch of sissy kids that can't take a single form of rejection or understand why they can't get their way. Our kids are turning into over weight, unhealthy, selfish, and feeling entitled to everything kids. Obviously not every kid is like that because there are still good parents out there that want to instill true values into their kids. But majority of the US is falling into step of just letting everyone else lead them into how they're going raise their kids it sincerely saddens me.

I love my kids. More than my own life itself. But I will raise them my way and no one else's. And I won't let anyone make me feel guilty about that. Only my husband and I know our kids and what they need best. If you disagree and think you can raise my kids better than me? Kick rocks on your way out. :)

-Mrs. C

Is The Medical Field Declining?

If you're a good friend of mine you know that I've got into the hospital twice so far expecting to have my son but being sent home with nothing more than the nurses shrugging their shoulders and patting my back. Last Monday, 3-10-14, I swore that my water broke and I kept having regular contractions 3-4 minutes apart that were stronger than I've had this pregnancy. I was there for 4 hours and went from being 0 to 1.5 cm dilated and 70% effaced. After being monitored for 2 more hours and my contractions getting closer together and stronger I was sent home and told to come back when they get stronger. I was confused and upset because my biggest fear is not making it to the hospital in time.

Instead of doing anything or letting me walk I was sent home with ambien to help me "sleep through the pain" because that's just really smart to sleep through contractions and not know when to come back in. The next day my contractions were still coming every few minutes but had slightly lessened in strength. Last night, 3-15-14, I went back into the hospital having contractions so strong they were pulling me in half and putting so much pressure in my pelvic region I swore my son was going to fall out any minute. My contractions were getting to be 1-2 minutes apart and anywhere from 30-40 seconds in length. After getting all strapped up their monitoring system was saying that I was only getting them every 3-4 minutes, but they were off the charts strong. Got checked and was first told I was at a 2.5 dilation. Actually was able to walk for an hour and kept having contractions I couldn't talk through, and had to stop and breathe through.

After walking I wasnt strapped back to the monitor and was told the frequency between my contractions didnt matter and only my cervical dilation progress did. And somehow i magically went from a 2.5 back down to a 2. And I was once again sent home with agonizingly painful and close contractions. My OB kept telling me we just needed to make it to 37 weeks and then I could get up off of bed rest, walk and let this baby come. Now, all of the sudden, they wont help my labor until 39 weeks!! In my opinion, this scares the living crap out of me that I keep getting sent home. Obviously my son is trying to make his way out but I keep getting turned away.

My body is starting to get stressed because I've had 7 days of non stop contractions that are as strong as I remember them with my daughter's labor and frequent and close together. Since when do the health care professionals uphold getting abortions as far as 20 weeks or more, but having your baby that you WANT and have done everything to keep them and yourselves healthy for a healthy birth only 2 weeks early is preposterous! I am completely disgusted with where the American medical field is going. All I have to say is this...

If ANY thing happens to my son, including being born at home or in transport to the hospital, I will give the media a circus act worth reporting on. I will have every news station reporting the story about my son. It shouldn't be easy and quick to kill a baby in utero simply because a woman can't deal with the consequences of her actions but the equivalent to getting to the moon in order to have help getting your perfectly healthy and WANTED baby out of utero so they can survive.

I am the wrong woman if they think I'll just lay down and take it if something goes wrong with my son because of their inability to know when I'm in labor and it needs help progressing faster than days.

-Mrs. C

New Year With A Not So New Life

This past month has been very busy and a roller coaster of ups and downs. To back track a little bit there was a moment in time where my OB thought I had preeclampsia. Thankfully it was found to not be true but I'm still at risk for getting it and have officially been put on bed rest and had to stop working. It was the scariest time of my life so far. Thinking that if I had preeclampsia and if it got bad enough my son would have to come almost 4 months early. I freaked out.

Luckily my amazing husband was by my side through everything and calmed my fears and wiped my tears.

After being put on bed rest I had 2 hospital visits and 3 dr appointments within a month's time. At first I didn't really believe I needed bed rest. But after everything I went through, it became clear quickly that I needed to slow down and rest as much as possible.

And then came Christmas! Now granted our family holiday was only spread out on two days. But it still took so much out of me just to help the hubby with some light cleaning around the house and enjoy the party with family on xmas eve. I was so tired and so sore on xmas day that I went to bed before the festivities were even done.

We had an amazing Christmas tho. And we are so happy and thankful we've gotten the kids all but one day during their Christmas break. Its been a blessing and so much fun having all of our kids here with us.

With the new year coming quickly and the old year fading fast I couldn't help but feel a sense of completion. I've reached a point in my life where I don't feel like I'm missing anything. Christ is at the center and I try to strengthen my relationship with him daily. I have my husband who continues to take my breath away and surprise me every day. I have 3 beautiful kids with a baby on the way. My family is so supportive and has helped with so much its incredible. I have the most caring and incredible friends. My life is completed. At least that's how I feel about it.

New year's eve was a blast. I loved seeing my husband let loose, have fun, and just enjoy everyone around. That was the highlight of my new years eve. And finally having a new years kiss at midnight.

This new year is going to be complicated but amazing in so many ways. I'm looking forward to loving my family and just making more memories. God has so much in store for our family and I'm excited to see what 2014 brings.

-Mrs. C