Water Birth in China

Just attended the first water birth at the hospital in Guangzhou. First baby for this couple.

I love when I can see birth workers grow and learn to trust birth and it’s process. This lady only had two internal exams, one on admission this morning and another in the afternoon around 4 pm. She was 5 cms and transferred to the water birth room.

At 5 pm she was singing the loudest, sweetest birth song and holding onto me for dear life. One of the midwives wanted to check her, I said no, let’s watch what happens and 23 minutes later her sweet baby slipped gently into my hands and up to her chest. She and her husband cocooned with the baby and there wasn’t a peep out of anyone in the room. I think they were all stunned

Days like this I love my vocation. Funny thing, as I was changing into scrubs I had a fleeting thought that I was too old for this… Now I’m going out to run! LOL

Ciao!

DAY 1 – 60 Day Photo Challenge

One of my bloggy friends, Jamie over at KeepingUpWithTheJones is doing a 60 day photo challenge and it looks like fun! So here goes:

Day 01 – A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.

This pic is from April 2012 in Guangzhou, China. I was there (and actually I’m there now) to teach a water birth training class to staff and to introduce water birth to the patients of the hospital.

1. I got pregnant with my son 2 weeks shy of my 17th birthday. Best decision I made in my life was to not crumble to the advise to abort… From nearly everyone in my life… He’s almost 31. That said, I am Pro-Choice.

2. Even though I was 7 months pregnant I walked across the stage and collected my high school diploma. My mom and dad threatened to sue the school board if they didn’t let me, we won, my parents rock!

3. I adore my little sister, Nannette. We’re in our late 40′s and still fight like little sisters, but if you hurt my little sis, you’ll pay, BIG TIME… She’s mine to pick on, and no one else! LOL

4. I have 2 daughters, Jenni and Tiffany, who have blessed me with a total of 6 grandchildren. My daughters also blessed me by allowing me to attend them for all of their births… I can’t explain the elation I had catching every single one of them! My face always hurts for days after I catch a grand baby, from smiling so much. None of my grand babies were born in a hospital and two of them were born in the water.

5. I’m a midwife. I did not pick this vocation, it picked me. It was a calling. It’s had it’s ups and downs and every single moment… EVERY SINGLE MOMENT has been worth it. I have been blessed to attend over 2500 births on 4 continents… How Lucky am I?

6. I just lost 101 104 pounds in under 9 months by following the Dukan Diet pretty much to the letter. I reached Dr. Dukan’s goal within 3 days of the day he said I would… Pretty impressive!

7. I went from crying after running 45 seconds in January to running a 5K in under 45 minutes in 12 weeks

8. I love reading about serial killers… They fascinate me.

9. If I wasn’t a midwife, I’d be a forensic scientist.

10. Woman I admire the most (not including my mom): Hillary Clinton

11. I lived in Abu Dhabi for 3 years, I’ve lived in China for the last 8 months.

12. I love traveling ALONE. You meet so many interesting people that way.

13. Two of my grandchildren, Sydnie Renae and Sadie Rose were born in the same house to each of my daughters 22 hours and 35 minutes apart.

14. I love Lady Gaga

15. I am proudly part of the Christian Left and finally feel like I’ve found a group of people who think the same way I do… Finally!

If anyone else is up for the challenge, here’s the list:

Day 01 – A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.
Day 02 – A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.
Day 03 – A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 04 – A picture of your night.
Day 05 – A picture of one of your favorite memories.
Day 06 – A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day.
Day 07 – A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 08 – A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 – A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10 – A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.
Day 11 – A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 – A picture of something you love.
Day 13 – A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 – A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 – A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 – A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 – A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 – A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 – A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 – A picture of somewhere you’d love to travel.
Day 21 – A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 – A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 – A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 – A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 – A picture of your day.
Day 26 – A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 – A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 – A picture of something you’re afraid of.
Day 29 – A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 – A picture of someone you miss.
Day 31 – A picture of a tradition you have.
Day 32 – A picture of a crazy night.
Day 33 – A picture of the house you grew up in.
Day 34 – A picture of your currently most played CD.
Day 35 – A picture of your favorite place to eat.
Day 36 – A picture of your ‘other half’.
Day 37 – A picture of the people you spend most of your time with.
Day 38 – A picture of the best part of your day.
Day 39 – A picture of your favorite movie.
Day 40 – A picture of your favorite Disney character.
Day 41 – A picture of your pet.
Day 42 – A picture of your dream house.
Day 43 – A picture of something you can’t function without.
Day 44 – A picture of someone you’re told you look like.
Day 45 – A picture of your room.
Day 46 – A picture of where you wish you were right now.
Day 47 – A picture of your favorite place to shop.
Day 48 – A picture of your favorite actress/actor.
Day 49 – A picture of where you live.
Day 50 – A picture of your most frequented place.
Day 51 – A picture of your dream car.
Day 52 – A picture of your favorite sport.
Day 53 – A picture of someone you think is hot.
Day 54 – A picture of the one thing you would bring if you were stranded on a deserted island.
Day 55 – A picture of the last movie you saw in theaters.
Day 56 – A picture of something that makes you happy.
Day 57 – A picture of your favorite holiday.
Day 58 – A picture of your favorite animal.
Day 59 – A picture of a random item that you own.
Day 60 – A picture of something you’re excited about

Dukan – Consolidation Day 10

Monday was a RETURN TO WORKING OUT DAY!!! WOO HOO!!!

Today’s Weight: 152.72 lb/69.42 kg
Goal weight: 155 lb/70.5 kg

So, while it’s kinda cool to see my weight in the 60′s kg range, it’s not where I want to be. My goal is 155 and because of a number of reasons (age, body type, lack of ovaries since I was 21) I need to keep some body fat. God knows I don’t want hot flashes!

I’m eating, lots of food. I’ve added on some fruit and cheese and nuts. I think it may be the swelling and edema are going down and the inflammatory response to the liposuction. For those that are curious, the fat they sucked out of me weighed 3.96 pounds or 1.8 kg, so it isn’t that

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs, cooked in 1 tsp coconut oil with onions and ginger and 1 ounce Edam cheese (thanks Kira, for getting me hooked on its yummy goodness!)
Snack: Half a pear
Lunch: A salad with romaine, red cabbage, 1 ounce Edam cheese and half a chicken (deboned)
Snack: Half a pear
Dinner: Salmon Shashimi with wasabi and soy sauce
Snack at gym: 18 raw almonds
Water: 3.5 liters, 2 cups coffee

Exercise: 35:36 on the treadmill WALKING (can’t run until Thursday). I walked 3.30 km and burned 148 calories. I took a 30 minute break and then I did a 90 minute yoga class… Awesome! Took the subway back to the hospital and didn’t get back until 1015 pm. I felt great after working out!

Breakfast:

Lunch:

I LOVE red cabbage… I could eat it like an apple. I love cutting it up and drizzling with olive oil and a pinch of salt… Yummy!!

Ciao!

Weekly Photo Challenge – Hands

This photo was taken in Pennapiedimonte, Italy. The hands on the clock are the same ones that were there when my great-grandfather, Antonio Santoleri married his bride Sofia DiPlacido in this church in 1898. The face of the clock was changed in 1963, the year I was born. The clock gongs every 15 minutes, so wherever you are in the village, you know what time it is without looking at a watch. The priest at the church showed my son Nick and I the church record of their marriage, along with the births of many of their children. we also stayed in their home with a cousin from the DiPlacido side of the family, Domenico. The family resemblance was stunning!

Dukan – Consolidation Day 9

Sunday was a shopping day

Today’s weight: 154.5 lbs/70.22 kg
Goal weight: 155 lbs/70.5 kg

Holding steady! I had a short presentation to staff in the morning and then did some Internet research and blog catching up then read “the book”.

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with onion and chives
Lunch: tin of tuna and romaine lettuce salad with I’ve oil and herbs and 1 ounce Edam cheese

At 1 I went up to say goodbye to the patient who delivered with me the other night and got to kiss and cuddle the baby and take pics.

At 2 I left the hospital to go meet Jenny for shopping. We probably walked more than 5 miles over the course of the afternoon and evening.

I bought a gorgeous and overpriced dress that is silk and yummy!

We then had dinner at a sushi house and a long walk to the gym, where I signed up for a mont, even though I’m here in Guanzhou 2 more weeks, believe me I’m going to get my money’s worth

Then subway back to the hospital and fell asleep reading “the book”!

Ciao!

Dukan – Consolidation Day 9

Sunday was a shopping day

Today’s weight: 154.5 lbs/70.22 kg
Goal weight: 155 lbs/70.5 kg

Holding steady! I had a short presentation to staff in the morning and then did some Internet research and blog catching up then read “the book”.

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with onion and chives
Lunch: tin of tuna and romaine lettuce salad with I’ve oil and herbs and 1 ounce Edam cheese

At 1 I went up to say goodbye to the patient who delivered with me the other night and got to kiss and cuddle the baby and take pics.

At 2 I left the hospital to go meet Jenny for shopping. We probably walked more than 5 miles over the course of the afternoon and evening.

I bought a gorgeous and overpriced dress that is silk and yummy!

We then had dinner at a sushi house and a long walk to the gym, where I signed up for a mont, even though I’m here in Guanzhou 2 more weeks, believe me I’m going to get my money’s worth

Then subway back to the hospital and fell asleep reading “the book”!

Ciao!

Fifty Shades of Effed Up is Right – A book review

So. I’ve just finished this book this minute. Reading it in a whirlwind fashion, similar to the book.

Most of my girlfriends have read this book, although most won’t admit it

Some have admitted it. I learned a new term this week from one of my BESTIES – “BOB”. LOL.

I am a voracious reader, although with working and exercising its been taking me a couple weeks to get through a book. I downloaded this book a mere 41 hours ago and stayed up two nights in a row late (past my usual 10 pm) to read on my iPad and iPhone.

The book is first and foremost erotic. Very erotic! You learn more than you could imagine about Domination and Submission. But… It’s also romantic and I found it full of comedy. I love when a book makes me laugh out loud! The email exchanges between Christian and Anastasia are witty. You easily fall in love with the characters and the story line.

In regard to the domination/submission part, I was at first dumbfounded that anyone would even want something like that. By the end of the book, you get it. And that’s all I’m gonna say about that! Definitely sheds light on the term from the book “50 shades of effed up”.

Yesterday I was reading the book on my iPhone (I love iCloud and the way it knows what page I was on in the book on my iPad… Crazy technology) and a guy on the subway train was reading it over my shoulder… He gasped about 5 pages later, lol, blushed and I turned and smiled at him… Tee hee.

I recommend the book. It’s probably not a book you’ll want to read in the family bed. If you have a partner, they will benefit from you reading this book, as will you! If you don’t have a partner, well you better have batteries for BOB…

Enjoy!

Edited: I forgot to mention this. While reading the book I kept trying to figure out who could play the part of Christian in the movie. Lots of yummy actors out there, and then I thought, there is no way they could do this film right and it only be rated ‘R’!