Childbirth Choices - Whose Decision is it?

Often times I get couples who have a difference of opinion on where their child should be born and how. I find this to be interesting because, as a woman and mother of six, I feel it should be a decision that a woman makes and her partner supports and becomes educated about. Our bodies are wonderous and wonderful creations that are capable of doing things our minds can't even conceive. If a woman knows her body and listens, is in tune with and follows it's lead, childbirth won't be the hysterical circus the media, hollywood and hospitals/OB's will have us to believe it is.
Our bodies are perfectly capable of not only creating, growing and developing another human life, but when it's time the body will let us know and begin to open up and lead our gift out of the womb and into the world.
The choices available to women when considering where and how to birth a child are numerous. Some states have midwife services available both in and out of hospital and some only legally allow hospital births. Of course, any woman can decide to have a baby at home, unassisted - which is possible and happens quite often, especially in states where midwifery is illegal. Unassisted women tend to do much more research and gather things they will need on their own, without help or guidance from a professional. Hospital birth experiences vary from hospital to hospital, however, most hospitals are constantly preparing a woman for "emergency cesarean" from the time they are admitted. Cesarean rates in the US are up above 31% now - meaning one in three women have a c-section in a hospital. This number is steady climbing and is absolutely astounding. Some women are scheduling their c-sections the moment they find out they are pregnant - not even considering that they have choices, but allowing another person to make that decision for her.
Giving birth is the most intense, emotional, empowering and beautiful event in a woman's life and should be embraced, celebrated and supported by the woman and her family. To go through the range of feelings and emotions from the beginning of a pregnancy to holding your new baby is beyond comparison or definition and is something that should not be acted upon so irrationally It saddens me to hear a woman say -"My husband won't go for that", or " my husband won't allow me to do that" when referring to a natural or out of hospital experience. Is he going to switch places with her? Is the husband/partner in some way going to become so uncomfortable and distraught that he needs to feel safe and secure in a hospital, stuck in a bed with fluids and drugs being pumped into him? Why should a woman feel pressured into going to a "sterile" (yeah right) environment that is cold, noisy, bright, uncomfortable and smelly when she can labor freely in her own home/ birth center that will be a setting she creates - warm, comfortable, dim, smells like home, able to eat and drink as much as she wants, move freely in and out of the home/center and have anyone she wants around her without having uninvited people or having to meet 12 new people every few hours during a shift change.
Whose decision is it? The answer is (women) - YOURS! Your body, your experience, YOUR decision. IF your partner is unhappy with your decision then they need to become educated or make other arrangements for your event. You are the person who will be going through the labor and delivery, you are the person who will need to be comfortable and create your environment - what will it be???

Blogvertise iPad Giveaway

Blogvertise is giving away an iPad on December 15th!!!! If you are a blogger - you need this iPad!!!
GO to Blogvertise.com for more information - HURRY!!!!

Target Gift Card GIveaway!!!

Check out this AWESOME GC giveaway enter before 11.22.11 to WIN!!!

http://www.facebook.com/target?sk=app_112681888842739

Organic QP's

http://www.facebook.com/Glutino go here and like them for a $1 off Gluten Free Bread QP

http://www.pomwonderful.com/?vopen=coupon_pomidays  - POM $1 off 1 QP

http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?bt=xs&tqnm=ykjdakh18569214&o=93967&c=NS&p=YH7UgoPn

Cherry Tomatoes

http://www.newmansownorganics.com/coupon/october-coupons.pdf - Newman's Own qp's

Here are a few good ones out there, I know there are more, check out my links to find more!!!

Moms getting married

I know being a single mom is hard and I you're looking for a man, it can bring on a hole slew of difficult issues. However, the one thing that SHOULD always be in the front of your heart and mind is your child(ren). All too often I see two people come together and one of those people has a kid (or kids) from a previous relationship and there is tension, discontent and sometimes other serious issues between the new romance and the kid(s). I have seen these issues escalate and become so severe that abuse, neglect and social services become the norm. The person (or people) who suffer the most are the kids!
Often times the single parent becomes so involved with their new interest that the child(ren) take a backseat to the wants and needs of the new love. Often times when a child feels they are no longer important they will act out or try to get attention in any way they can - which can have a negative backlash.
The important thing with any situation is to remember that our children learn life from our examples and ways. What we teach and show them is what they know and understand to be life. It is a huge responsibility and privilege to be a parent and should not be something taken lightly.
Give love and get love. Give nothing and watch out!!!

How do I coupon - I have no idea where to start!!!!!

I get this a LOT. Actually, I was in line, checking out on Saturday evening at Publix - binder in my cart and a stack of little papers in my hand - when a man behind me said, "You're the real deal, huh?"

I answered with an almost shy response, "No, no, not me, I am not like those ladies on TV. I have a large family and I coupon for what we need. I also help others get what they need and send coupons all over the place."

He asked if I follow any of the sites and I told him that I look at some, but I mostly try to do it myself and share what I learn with others.

I do look at some of the previews from time to time, but with such a busy schedule and family, I don't have a ton of time to devote to scouring the sites and reading all the blogs - although I would like to. I hardly have time to keep up my own blogs!!!

One of the first things people say to me is - I don't know how to coupon!! I don't know where to start!

I ask - What are you couponing for? How do you organize your qp's?

Getting (and staying) organized is crucial! If you don't know what you have and how to use it, you won't! There is no right or wrong way to organize - some use envelopes, accordion files, hanging files, recipe- style boxes with dividers and, of course, the binder.
I do keep my binder in my car just in case I'm out and spot a clearance deal, however, I usually sit down and make a plan with my circulars and qp's to make sure I am getting the max for my money!
If you don't have a plan before you go to the store(s) you will spend more than you intended.
Now, you won't always have qp's for everything on your list, but, you can still find deals and other ways to make the budget fit your list. It takes a little time and a lot of patience, but once you're in the habit of getting prepared, it will be a second nature!

Also - don't forget, when checking the weekly circulars, look to the drugstores for the specials, coupled with whatever reward system they offer (ECB's, RR, etc...) this is where you will really save on most of your household and beauty products and even at times some food items. Use rewards in conjunction with coupons and sales and watch your shopping savvy take on a whole new light!!!

For more information or questions/requests, please leave a post or contact me - I'm always happy to help!

Sunday Qp's - Ready or NOT!!!

So, I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed the lack of exceptional deals in the coupons we have been getting over the past few months. Not sure if it is because of the overwhelming rate of increase in people using them (and obtaining them through illegal means) or if the store policy changes are having an effect or maybe even it is just the season.... (which the last reason really doesn't make sense to me, seems like this is THE time of year we all need more - back to school, sports, scouts, holidays coming up, etc...)
At any rate, it is what it is and we all have to do what we can to get what we need and get the best deal.

With that being said, has anyone found any awesome deals this week, so far? I am working on my lists and will post as soon as I get the results I am looking for, please do the same!!!

Good Luck and Great Deals to you!!!