OK ladies. This post is just for us! Squeamish leave now!
*
*
*
*
*
Still with me? OK good.
I started menstruating at the age of 13. By the age of 15 I knew something was wrong. The pain was unbearable. (now that I have s child, I can 100% say it was as bad as labor! I would shake uncontrollably, get diarrhea, and at times, pass out.
At the age of 19 I was diagnosed with endometriosis. At 20, PCOS.
I always used tampons. I never thought of another option. My mom sat me down and explained the risks of Toxic Shock Syndrome and I understood.
After having C I used pads for the postpartum bleeding. When I got my first period I still had pads left so I used them. There was very little cramping. I was surprised but figured it had something to do with recently giving birth.
I decided to do some research anyways. What I found made me cry. Yes, I was still hormonal but I feel I found the answers I never knew I had been looking for! What did I find?
I found that tampons (and pads for that matter) are loaded with chemicals. I also found that the vaginal tissues are some of the most sensitive and absorbent in a woman's body. Put those two together and it's a recipe for disaster.
I continued to use pads over the next few cycles. I continued to have manageable pain.
Then I found something called Mama Cloth. This is basically washable, reusable pads. I decided to make a few and try them out. (Let me tell you, my husband was not thrilled with the idea. It seriously grossed him out.)
The first cycle I used my Mama Cloth I had zero pain, zero. I was floored. My husband was happy for me, even though he still didn't like the idea.
I'm happy with the Mama Cloth. Even using free and clear detergent only one has minimal staining.
What about medication for when cramping finds it's way in despite all efforts? I personally don't take medication unless absolutely necessary. Instead, I use a heating pad. That's not always an option with an active toddler but it's what I've found helps the most. The other option is walking/ moving. My husband has built a roughly 1/8 mile go-kart track in our field so I have a perfect place to walk. C loves it because I push him around in his car so he just thinks it's play time.
If you suffer from painful cramps I would recommend removing chemicals as much as possible, both from hygiene products as well as medication.
Here's an article that talks about chemicals in tampons:
natural-fertility-info.com/tampons-infertility-are-your-feminine-care-products-affecting-your-fertility.html
Try a crunchy period!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
long weekend
It was a very long weekend that, quite honestly, I'm glad is over.
I tried to stay up late Friday night to finish up some sewing for a birthday party Saturday. That didn't happen. I was so tired, and afraid I'd mess something up, that I went to bed around 2 am.
Saturday morning, after getting the baby up, I finished up the outfit I had been working on the night before. I even had time to make myself a new shirt! While I loved the toddler outfit I made, I was not so thrilled with my shirt. It's extremely comfortable though, so it has that going for it.
A few minutes after getting to the party I started having severe cramps. We left the party early when I just couldn't fake it anymore. Chasing after C in someone else's (very nice) house while in pain was really hard. I got home, put C down for a nap and laid in bed with a heating pad where I fell asleep for a couple hours.
When I got up, the husband wanted to go to Home Depot. I needed milk and juice so we rode with him. Fast forward to leaving Publix at 10:30 pm:
We stepped off the curb at the front of the store and crossed to the parking lot. I took note of the truck that stopped to let us pass but didn't think much of it. I heard my husband say "what?" but thought he was talking to me. Next thing I know, the truck sped past, squealing tires and whipped into the parking space in front of the one I was standing in! I jerked the cart back since C was still sitting in it!
The guy jumped out of the truck and actually said "you're really not going to walk in the crosswalk?" Now, first of all, the crosswalk in question was literally a foot from where we crossed but it was angled towards the isle beside where we were parked. I was unaware that in a parking lot you must follow the white lines exactly but I'm not up on parking lot laws.
The guy is steadily yelling at my husband clearly trying to start a fight. I got the keys and put the baby in the car. My only thought was to get C in a safe place away from this guy.
We quickly realized the guy was very very drunk. My husband continued to tell the guy to just leave, we didn't want trouble. When the guy continued trying to start a fight, my husband told him he was getting his tag number and would be calling the police. The guy thirty back in his truck and sped off.
I was impressed with Barrow County response time. They told us they had the hut's address from running the tag number and would be tracking him down. I just hope they got to him before he hurt, or worse killed, someone on the road.
Sunday was productive. We got a lot done with the house. We've been here a month and we're still not completely unpacked! We decided to do a yard sale next weekend. We figured if we could live without all the stuff still packed up, then we probably don't really need it.
I woke up sick. Sore, scratchy throat, runny nose, sinus pressure, the whole deal. I'll live with it as long as C doesn't get sick!
I'm exhausted. I hate this time of the month. It really kicks my butt! Exhaustion, pain, dizziness..... I've still got more dishes to do but I may leave them for nap Tim's tomorrow.
I'm hoping to start tot school with C in the morning. We'll see. I may put it off for another week since I'm feeling so bad.
Hoping everyone has a great week. Happy Monday!
I tried to stay up late Friday night to finish up some sewing for a birthday party Saturday. That didn't happen. I was so tired, and afraid I'd mess something up, that I went to bed around 2 am.
Saturday morning, after getting the baby up, I finished up the outfit I had been working on the night before. I even had time to make myself a new shirt! While I loved the toddler outfit I made, I was not so thrilled with my shirt. It's extremely comfortable though, so it has that going for it.
A few minutes after getting to the party I started having severe cramps. We left the party early when I just couldn't fake it anymore. Chasing after C in someone else's (very nice) house while in pain was really hard. I got home, put C down for a nap and laid in bed with a heating pad where I fell asleep for a couple hours.
When I got up, the husband wanted to go to Home Depot. I needed milk and juice so we rode with him. Fast forward to leaving Publix at 10:30 pm:
We stepped off the curb at the front of the store and crossed to the parking lot. I took note of the truck that stopped to let us pass but didn't think much of it. I heard my husband say "what?" but thought he was talking to me. Next thing I know, the truck sped past, squealing tires and whipped into the parking space in front of the one I was standing in! I jerked the cart back since C was still sitting in it!
The guy jumped out of the truck and actually said "you're really not going to walk in the crosswalk?" Now, first of all, the crosswalk in question was literally a foot from where we crossed but it was angled towards the isle beside where we were parked. I was unaware that in a parking lot you must follow the white lines exactly but I'm not up on parking lot laws.
The guy is steadily yelling at my husband clearly trying to start a fight. I got the keys and put the baby in the car. My only thought was to get C in a safe place away from this guy.
We quickly realized the guy was very very drunk. My husband continued to tell the guy to just leave, we didn't want trouble. When the guy continued trying to start a fight, my husband told him he was getting his tag number and would be calling the police. The guy thirty back in his truck and sped off.
I was impressed with Barrow County response time. They told us they had the hut's address from running the tag number and would be tracking him down. I just hope they got to him before he hurt, or worse killed, someone on the road.
Sunday was productive. We got a lot done with the house. We've been here a month and we're still not completely unpacked! We decided to do a yard sale next weekend. We figured if we could live without all the stuff still packed up, then we probably don't really need it.
I woke up sick. Sore, scratchy throat, runny nose, sinus pressure, the whole deal. I'll live with it as long as C doesn't get sick!
I'm exhausted. I hate this time of the month. It really kicks my butt! Exhaustion, pain, dizziness..... I've still got more dishes to do but I may leave them for nap Tim's tomorrow.
I'm hoping to start tot school with C in the morning. We'll see. I may put it off for another week since I'm feeling so bad.
Hoping everyone has a great week. Happy Monday!
Friday, April 13, 2012
New blog!
I read tons of blogs. I love reading blogs. I, however, don't have a blog. I figure it's time to fix that!
I'm going to be starting tot school with C soon. Is 18 months too early? I don't think so. I started the Better Baby Reading System with him at 12 months. It's all just play to him but his little brain is absorbing everything. I'll go more into that later.
I hope to enjoy this blog adventure!
I'm going to be starting tot school with C soon. Is 18 months too early? I don't think so. I started the Better Baby Reading System with him at 12 months. It's all just play to him but his little brain is absorbing everything. I'll go more into that later.
I hope to enjoy this blog adventure!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)