Play It Safe at Laurelhurst Playground

A group of concerned parents and citizens are getting together to replace the aging and outdated play equipment at Laurelhurst playground in North East Seattle.

The City of Seattle is pretty aggressive about yanking out equipment that is past its useful life span, which ours is approaching. They have done this recently in Seward Park and a park in Magnolia. The community members around Laurelhurst would like to prevent this from happening in their neighborhood.

Here is what you can do to be involved:
1) Take the survey to share how you would like to see the playground improved:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=pMaA_2bbu3xjIRYq6MHKM9FQ_3d_3d,
2) Become a committee member.
3) Personally ask businesses to support our project (all donations all tax deductible)
4) Encourage friends/family/neighbors to support the project with a donation
5) Help distribute the letter to people in Laurelhurst, and to people in your neighborhood if you live outside of Laurelhurst. It's illegal to put them in mailboxes, but you can give them to people or put them under their door mat, etc.
6) Help coordinate who is asking who for money. We need to make sure that we don't have several people asking the same individuals or businesses and I would like someone to track all of this.
7) Help with the lemonade stands. Of course most kids will need to be supervised by adults, the materials need to be purchased, signs need to be made, etc. (we are hoping that Metropolitan Market will be donating some things for us to sell at the stand). More matching grant funds are rewarded if kids are involved in the project.
8) Make your own donation. It would be great if all committee members will be the first to make a personal contribution to this project.

Those who donate more than $250 will be recognized at the park. The committee is hoping to raise $20,000 in total for the project and would like to do so in the next month.

For more information, contact:
Wendy Kelley
wendygkelley@hotmail.com

Solace for Mothers: A Online Community for Healing Birth Trauma

I have mentioned before that I suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after what I considered abusive treatment from hospital staff when my child was being born. I struggled with the emotions of anger, blame and hurt for many months. They manifested themselves in intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, difficult functioning and sleeping, avoiding all health care situations and an obsessive need to understand and learn everything I could about my experience--how it went wrong and who was to blame. During that time, I felt utterly alone. I couldn't seem to find anyone who understood or had experienced something like I had, or if they did, they didn't react the same way and didn't understand my reaction.

From that hard place came the power to make a difference and to move forward. I was seeking solace and a community of women who understood. It didn't exist, really, or each group was very small, and not very active. So I set about doing something about it, and that's how the Solace for Mother's Online Community came to be. I'm including more information and announcing it as a new resource for moms in Seattle who may have experienced a traumatizing birth and then experienced post partum depression, PTSD or feelings of hurt and disappointment.

I hope that Solace does what its name implies: brings Solace to the hurt and grieving mothers out there.

This message is to announce a new online discussion board called Solace For Mothers, An Online Community For Healing Birth Trauma. It is for women who have experienced trauma around the process of giving birth. For these women, giving birth has left them feeling deeply disappointed, traumatized, or even violated. We want these women to know that they are not alone, that birth trauma is very real, and that other women have had similar experiences and feelings. We have created an online community as a place for women to begin or continue their healing journey.

In the online community, there are different categories and forums, and the topics covered are issues that often come up for women dealing with birth trauma. It is our hope that women can virtually support each other on their healing journeys in this online community, and perhaps eventually connect with each other in the real world if they choose.

There is an introduction page here; http://www.solaceformothers.org/forum.html, and from this page you can register for the discussion board. Due to the very personal nature of this subject, we have made an effort to keep this community private, and women must register before being able to enter or view posts. If you do not fall into the category of a woman suffering from birth trauma, or if you would like to see a preview of the community before joining, you may visit this link to do so; http://www.solaceformothers.org/preview.html. This link is not the actual community and you will not be able to view members' posts from there, it will simply give you an overview of the topics covered.

We are sending this message out via email and posting it to online communities and to lists in order to reach these women. Please send this message to anyone who you feel may benefit from it.

Sincerely,
Jenne Alderks and Jennifer Zimmerman
Creators and Moderators of the discussion board

Supported by Sharon Storton and the Solace For Mothers team

Airlines and Seatbelts

It seems that every time I ride on an airplane the pilot keeps the seat belt sign illuminated for practically the whole flight. It doesn't matter whether it's a 2 hour flight or 5 hour flight, the whole plane maybe gets 10 minutes to use the restroom. On a recent flight to California, the plane was in the air and had adjusted to it's flying altitude and more than several people got up to use the bathroom (I happened to be sitting next to the lavatories), they were told to return to their seat because the seat belt sign was still illuminated. One man ignored the flight attendant and used the restroom anyway. heehee
It didn't bother me so much when I didn't have kids, but when you have a poopy diaper or a toddler who needs to go NOW - what do you do? On Alaska Airlines I hit the call light and the flight attendant said to just be careful - which was nice but I don't think I would have gotten the same response from United.
There is evidence that long-haul flights (flight lasting four hours or more) may increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. DVT can cause pain and may lead to complications such as pulmonary embolism. The risk is mainly the result of prolonged immobility, which can happen during any form of long distance travel, whether by car, bus, train or air. I'm not too worried about developing DVT myself but there are people out there that do.
What about the crying baby. We've all been on the flight where the crying baby needs to be walked down the aisle to be soothed. It not only comforts the baby but the weary parents and the passengers who are tired of hearing it.
So come on airlines, cut us a break and give us more than 10 minutes of non-seat belt time. :)

Baby 3.0 ............. and 4??

My husband and I recently decided to have one more child and wouldn't you believe that I conceived TWINS!! Shocked would be an understatement of how I felt. I cried not out of joy but of pure terror and fear. I already had two toddlers and was mentally prepared for one more not two. Oh, there was a time I wanted twins - before I had my first baby and that went out the window real fast. Twins don't necessarily run in my family unless you want to include a few distant cousins and an Uncle's wife. However, I did find out that women between the age of 35-39 are more likely to have twins than any other age group because the body produces higher levels of gona-dotropin hormones, which causes more eggs to mature and be released from the ovaries.

Now, a few weeks have past and although I'm still kind of dazed, I'm looking forward to it all. Oh, I still have fear and terror but I also have hope and joy.

I asked some mom's of multiples what advice to give a new mom with twins and here's some of what I got.

1. Get help, whether it's your mom, sister, nanny - just get help.

2. Dad's need to help out during the evening feedings. He doesn't get to sleep during the night b/c of work.

3. EAT as much as you can during twin pregnancy (the more food the better) REST as much as you can during twin pregnancy (be horizontal whenever possible) Once the twins are born it's a blur for the first year-embrace your chaos.

4. Keep the babies on the same schedule - sleep, eat, nap

5. Join the local Moms Of Multiples group.

Eastside Mothers of Multiples: http://www.emoms.org/default.aspx They are the largest twin group in the king county area and have many members based in Seattle as well. I think they would be a great resource to find other moms in the same situation. They also maintain an excellent online forum that is a wealth of knowledge about twins.

North Seattle Mothers of Multiples: http://www.orgsites.com/wa/nsfom/They are a much smaller group, but nice because most of the moms are close by.

The UW offers a great class on expecting multiples (sorry the link is so long!): http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/uwmed/Templates/content/uwmedicine_clinicsNoContact.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7bAEA88FEA-AFA8-4072-9D95-20C6835FAFDC%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2fPatientCare%2fMedicalSpecialties%2fSpecialtyCare%2fUWMEDICALCENTER%2fMICC%2fSpecialtyServices%2fmiccclasses%2ehtm&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#6

6. Read some books.

Great books to read: http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/B000VYX8X6/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1

This book to was a godsend...and my twins are now incredible sleepers: http://www.babycoach.net/store/product_info.php/products_id/28

Posted by Sylvia

Patient and Family Centered Care at UW

The University of Washington is launching a new program that seeks to improve the quality of care for patients needing medicial assistance. They are forming Patient Advisory committees where patients and their family members can volunteer to add their insights into improving care. The intended result is to change hospital policy in these areas:

Inpatient Cancer
Perinatal/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Rehabilitation
Emergency Department

The program is currently recruiting volunteers to join the advisory committees. Orientation meetings are being held throughout the summer months. Each committee is intended to have a 2:1 ratio advisors to hospital staff personnel.

Persons interested in finding out more information can visit the Patient and Family Centered Care page or contact:

Patient and Family Education Services
Phone: 206-598-2697
E-mail: pfcc@u.washington.edu
Hours: Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 1959 N.E. Pacific St.
Box 358126
Seattle, WA 98195-8126

I Love You Through and Through

I had been looking for a children's book appropriate for toddlers, and young preschoolers that portrayed how parents love their children at all times, totally and completely, even when children are acting ways that parents don't particularly love. I thought I'd be looking for a book like that for a while as I didn't find one like it at Barnes and Noble or any of the independent children's books shop where I was looking. Until I found the book "I Love You Through and Through" at Walmart.

With rhymes like:

I love your inside, your outside.
I love your happy side, your sad side, your silly side and your mad side"

Its a book that shows children that parents love them completely at all times, with all the cute and silly, even obnoxious and annoying things they do. From the tops of their heads to the tips of their toes, parents truly do love their children through and through and as the book concludes "Yesterday today and tomorrow too."

I highly recommend this book for babies, toddlers and young children. Its a fun sit down, cuddle and tickle with your child book.

Naturopathic Medicine: A Good Bet in Seattle

Almost all parents are familiar with the conventional medical system: with pediatricians, antibiotics, medications, immunizations, etc. The most common form of medical treatment in the United States, conventional medicine (also called allopathic medicine) aims to treat disease and diagnose pathology, but often do not address the root causes of the pathology or how to treat those root causes. Instead symptoms are treated as they arise, often without regard to what is causing them or attempting to prevent their reoccurence.

Some parents are disatisfied with this form of medicine for themselves and their children, and instead of turn to alternative healing methods (often called holistic): including chiropractors, massage therapists, accupunturists and naturopathic doctors.

Seattle is a great place to be if you are a parent seeking a more holistic approach to medical care. It doesn't take long to realize that, as a newcomer drives around the city streets of Seattle and sees many, many offices and signs for chiropractors, massage, accupunture and naturopathic doctors.

As an introduction to naturopathic medicine, the five aims of naturopathy (nature cures) are:

1. First, do no harm
2. To co-operate with the healing power of nature
3. To address the fundamental cause of disease
4. To heal to whole person through individualized treatment
5. To teach the principles of healthy living and preventative medicine

Dr Anca Martalog describes naturopathy this way, " Naturopathic Medicine IS holistic care; it integrates the physical, mental and emotional aspects of the body in order to find the root cause of disease and its symptoms and treat them using natural, safe and effective methods such as acupunvture&chinese medicine, botanical medicine, homeopathy, diet, nutrition&supplements, amongst other tools."

Recently, I started seeking out naturopathic health care in Seattle and was suprised at how many options I found!

I've established a relationship with Seattle Natural Family Medicine at 15th and 80th NE for pediatric care for my 15 month old little boy, as well as well woman care for myself. Being disatisfied with conventional pediatric care, I found the atmosphere of the office, as well as the philosophy of the Naturopathic Doctors refreshing. An additional bonus of their practice is they offer a sliding fee scale to low income families, making their care even more afforable out of pocket than costs covered by some health insurance companies.

Other Naturopathic Medicine offices with pediatric services in Seattle include:
Seattle Healing Arts on 9th Ave NE
One Sky Wellness located on 9th Ave NE
Or you can go directly to the source at the Basytr Center for Natural Health.

Many of the NDs (Naturopathic Doctors) in Seattle received their medical degree from Basytr University located in Kenmore, just north of Seattle off Lake City Way. Many NDs use a sliding fee scale that makes naturopathic care available to low-income families, and many NDs are covered by local insurance companies including Group Health, Aetna, Primera, Regence, etc.

Not only is this form of care plentiful in the Seattle area, its also becoming more and more accessible to families of all income levels.

*Note: DSHS Healthy Options Medicaid for children's health insurance does not currently cover any naturopathic doctors.

Passport to Play at the Seattle Children's Museum

The Seattle Children's Museum is a wonderful place for exploration, discovery, play and learning from children ages 0-10 years old. Its over 22,000 square feet of hands on, interactive activities. All of that combines for much fun for parents and children.

Unfortunately, the entrance fee can be prohibitive for many families. A walking one year old costs the same as an adult-- $7.50, making one trip for one parent and one child cost over $20.00 including the cost of parking. Memberships are available ranging from $55.00 for a year (grandparents only) to $75.00 for a whole family.

However, I recently learned of a new option that makes the Children's Museum more accessible to families who cannot afford the costs to enter. Parents receiving some form of public assistance you can get a free Seattle Children's museum membership, called the Passport to Play.

For more information and the application, call Jeanne Stevens 206.441.1768 ext 2334.

Buy Your Copy of the Business of Being Born

In March of this early, the Seattle International Film Festival did a series of screenings of Ricki Lake's documentary The Business of Being Born. The film depicts the way the current maternity care system in working in the United States and compares it to what researchers say birth ought to be treatment. A history of maternity care is also presented, as well as intimate birth stories and the available options for women when preparing to birth their babies.

If you missed the screenings at the SIFF, the DVD of the movie is now available for sale.

Reviews of the documentary state:
Village Voice

"… an absorbing, thought-provoking inquiry …"

Film Journal International

"Every expectant mother should see this …"

New York Times

"… a passionate ground-level examination of home childbirth …"

Almost everyone I have talked to about this movie, or read their thoughts on it say that its highly recommended for every expectant mother to watch. Fathers also benefit from watching the documentary as they are involved in the process of birth and the choices associated with it as well.

Decrease the Chance of Having a Cesarean Section

Last week while on the Seattle Metro bus, I saw a print advertisement that caught my attention. No its not the one that advertises a chance to change the world between finishing college and getting a job--but I am working on doing that. The headline of this ad of which I'm speaking said:

Pregnant? Reduce your chance of a C-section from 1 in 3 to less than 1 in 10.

That was enough to catch my attention.

I'm well aware that the current US Cesarean rate is 30% translating that about every one in three women who give birth in the United States will have a cesarean to birth their baby. This statistic has been condemned by many organizations, including the WHO (World Health Organization) that states that even in high risk populations, the C-section rate should be between 10% and 15%.

So of course, the first question on my mind after reading the headline was, How? I agree that it is uneccesary that every one in three women need a procedure that should only be performed through neccesity or medical emergency, so then how can I avoid a uneccesary C-section?

I then read that the ad was for a homebirth midwifery practice in the Seattle area; Elemental Birth Midwivery. I thought their advertisement was brilliant in its concept and placement. The Metro bus system is heavily traveled by many people each day, making it an excellent place to advertise to not only low income people, but also business professionals using the transit system to commute.

However, I was struck that the statistic cited a 1 in 10 or a 10% chance of Cesarean section, using out of hospital midwifes. It seemed high to me, so I did some homework. The national rate for out of hospital, midwife attended births requiring a hospital transport for a C-section is around 10%. Surprisingly, in accordance with the WHO recommendation.

But I still had another question, what is Elemental Birth Midwivery Cesarean rate? I called and asked and found out that their C-section rate currently stands at 0. That's right ZERO. They have only been in practice for a year, but with all the births they have attended, no mothers have needed to be transferred to the hospital to have a Cesarean.

I will let that statistic speak for itself and make the recommendation to any parents in the Seattle area planning a pregnancy or expecting a baby to look into the option of midwife attended homebirth to avoid the associated risks of an uneccesary C-section.