Featured: UNTV guesting #2 - Alternative Births

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Featured: UNTV guesting #2 - Alternative Births

I *heart* Being A Mom! Project 2014 Update

07 May 2014, Quezon City -- Mother's Day came a little early to 13 mothers of Nazareth House. Initially, what was thought up to be a simple mentoring and support visit, became something bigger. It was a baby shower party!

Have a look at the wonderful decor and food provided by our generous sponsors and donors!

Participation was a success and the mothers were all actively participating to each of the activities.

Newborn babies slept quietly while their mommies listened and had a wonderful time.

The program proper started with an opening welcome and introduction of Nazareth Home by Ms Cecile.

Some background about Nazareth Home:-

Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF) came into being in 1975 as a branch of Holt International Children’s Services, Inc. Holt was founded in 1955 by Harry and Bertha Holt in Eugene, Oregon, USA, as a child welfare organization whose mission is Christian inspired service – reaching out to different countries where children need help.  Harry Holt institutionalized Holt’s vision “Every child deserves a permanent loving family of his/her own”. In 1987, KBF created Nazareth Home in Project 4, Quezon City, to provide shelter for single pregnant mothers, which is also called “Bahay ni Maria". 
There were 13 "girls" that are living in Nazareth Home when we visited while about 5-6 mothers have already given birth.

Continuing on...a short prayer of thanks and blessing was done by Sister Joy, the one dressed in blue then a short baby shower game by Jennifer that got all of the mothers excited.

Speaker Mae (Nagtalon) gave relaxation techniques and shared experiences that helped a lot of mothers get relaxed after the fun game.

 

* I later got to bond and talk to Ms Mae since her daughter is in the same culinary school as where my sister-in-law is teaching. So nice to get to know her and her experiences more also!

Birth/Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Discussion by yours truly with much assistance and support by Sister Clarice. The discussion was new to me because it's the first time I had to do it in Filipino. I totally fumbled a few times but thank goodness for much assistance from Clarice and Denise so the conversation was flowing and we got a lot of questions of "breastfeeding myths", how to properly latch ("hakab"), etc. The discussion took longer than expected but definitely audience appreciation was felt all around.

Cloth Diaper expert and owner of Tickled Moms, Clarice introduced and discussed cloth diaper use with Ms Cecile. Tickled Moms donated cloth diapers to the home for all the mothers use. I love those fluffy minky diapers!

As a sign of thanks, the mothers prepared a song and dance number for us. It was a really thoughtful and fun gesture. I enjoyed it a lot! The pregnant mothers are the ones that were giving lamaze/spinning baby movies! Go twists!

 

After eating and the festivities, the blogger mommies were able to do some one-on-one talks with our assigned "girls". I was happy to have met Ms C and learned that although she had the option of giving up her baby for adaption, she decided to keep her baby and go back to work soon in Quezon. Her former employers were the one that stirred her to Nazareth Home and assisted her in every way that they can. They are still in touch and visited her and the baby a few days ago. What a lovely and supportive couple/family!

The loot bags provided was lovely...so healthy nice and I love the crafted tool basket by Wooden KidiKraft and King Sue!

After going through this experience and speaking to the "girls" of Nazareth Home, I am fully convinced of the following:-

1.) Every Child Deserves a Loving and Permanent Family!
2.) Women/Mothers can do amazing things, if they allow themselves to grow and develop
3.) No matter what happens, there is always help as long as we ask. God will send help and provide
4.) Always strive to be the best person you can be...someone who your parents and family will be proud of!

Special thanks to the following sponsors who without their support and donations, this project wouldn't be a success:-

• M Catering & Fine Foods
• Wooden Kidikraft
• Party Boosters
• Sisters' Sweetness
• Tickled Moms
• DigitalFilipino.com

Thank you, Nazareth Home also for welcoming all of us! Thank you, JLofied for the opportunity!

#IBM2014

IBM Project 2014: 12 Blogger Moms announced!

Names are out!!!
I am excited to be part of the upcoming I Love Being A Mom (IBM2014) Project this Mother's Month!
The project was launched by N@Wie sister - Jennifer Lopez Gana, wherein 12 blogger moms will be doing a mentoring session with 12 expecting mothers of Nazareth Homes (#126 J. P. Rizal St., Project 4 Quezon City) on May 7. It's surely going to be an afternoon of fun, learning and giving thanks for being granted a child.

The complete list of blogger mommies is listed below:-
1. Denise Rayala (http://www.bebengisms.com/)
2. Camile Aguila (http://www.lolliesandlipsticks.com/)
3. Nerissa Nunag (http://www.babyneosmama.blogspot.com/)
4. Leira Pagaspas (http://www.pagaspas.com/)
5. Joy Lojo (http://www.pinionsandplumageoflove.blogspot.com/)
6. Nadia de Leon (http://www.nanaystrip.wordpress.com/)
7. Clarice Avinante (http://www.tickledmoms.com/)
8. Cheryl Chan (http://www.themulti-tasking-mom.blogspot.com/)
9. Lani Lyutz (http://www.mommybloggersphilippines.com/)
10. Bedalyn Aguas (http://www.mamiandfamily.blogspot.com/)
11. Sella Goden (http://www.diskartengnanay.blogspot.com/)
12. Juliet Cruz (http://www.pinoyvision.net/)

I am happy to know that one of my good friends, Clarice (tickledmoms), will be doing it with me!

I know I still have a lot of mommy experience to go, but I hope that I would be able to help these new mommies-to-be avoid some of the mistakes that I've done in the past and also, let them know what worked for me when I was in their shoes.

Currently, there will be 13 Nazareth moms who will be doing this. Their profiles/stories have been recently shared to the above bloggers to know the types of women we will be mentoring. As I read through their profile, these women do need as much advise and assistance as I can. Their stories are quite diverse and surely an eye-opener for me. I'm hoping for an enlightening and enriching experience between both the mommy that I will be assigned to and will post how it went.

#IBM2014

EcoWaste Management Coalition: Protect Women & Babies against Harmful Chemicals

13 April 2014

The EcoWaste Coalition (a waste and pollution watchdog), Philippine Pediatric Society (a professional association of pediatricians) and Arugaan (a breastfeeding advocacy and support group) organized a “Science Talk” that drew over 50 participants from the healthcare sector, the government and the civil society, including community women, to discuss the importance of determining these toxins in pregnant women and how environmental bio-monitoring can provide a window to the maternal-fetal unit.

Dr Roy Roberto Gerona, a visiting Filipino scientist/clinical toxicologist (based at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California in San Francisco, USA) wanted to draw public attention to environmental chemicals that are finding their way to human bodies, especially among pregnant women who may pass these substances to their budding fetuses through the placenta.

Mommy Abi, me, Velvet, Jenny protesting to the media

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Taken from Ecowaste Site:

Among these environmental toxins are endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, that are structurally similar to endocrine hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, insulin and thyroxine, and which can mimic and interfere with their normal functions, Dr. Gerona explained.

These EDCs comprise most consumer products as like bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate reusable drinking bottles, baby feeding bottles, carbonless thermal papers, rust-protection resins in canned drinks and foods; phthalates used as plasticizers in toys, medical devices, adhesives and glues, enteric coatings of capsules; perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in Teflon and Scotchgard; polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) used as flame retardants in polyurethane foams, electronics, furniture, and textiles. He added that these EDCs are also found in some pesticides such as glyphosate (Roundup), DDT, and atrazine.

“Endocrine hormones regulate the homeostatic (steady state) function of our bodies, including reproductive health, cardiovascular health and digestive and metabolic health, among others. Thus, chronic exposure to
EDCs disrupts hormone action and is associated with various clinical endpoints including higher predisposition to cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and metabolic syndrome,” he explained.

“Because the levels of hormones in our bodies are also quite low, low level exposures to EDCs affect their function,” he pointed out.

“Because the correct balance of hormone levels is crucial at specific time points in fetal development, the fetus is more vulnerable to the effects of EDCs,” he added.

“Pregnant women’s exposure to EDCs is transmitted to the developing fetuses in their wombs through the placenta. Some EDCs and their metabolites (breakdown products) cross the placenta,” he said.

Exposure of the fetus to EDCs during its development has been associated with immediate pathological effects such as crytorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias (delayed penile shaft opening) or long-term epigenetic effects manifested in higher predisposition to various clinical endpoints such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer later in life, Dr. Gerona said.

Environmental biomonitoring, Dr. Gerona said, is the process of determining the body burden of toxic substances and their metabolites in human samples such as blood, urine, breast milk, etc.

This entails measuring the levels of environmental chemicals using modern analytical instrumentation including gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry (LC-MS), he explained.

At the “Science Talk,” Dr. Gerona also spoke about “non-targeted analysis” of EDCs and how newer LC-MS technologies can help in understanding environmental toxins in pregnant women, including the identification of previously unmeasured chemicals that can be of concern to the nascent fetus.
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Lessons learned:

• avoid plastic bottles - go for glass bottles and containers
• avoid canned acidic foods - go for fresh/locally/ingenious fruits and vegetables
• changing our eating habits will enable our bodies to excrete out the toxins, given ample time and minimal to no toxins. we can be toxin-free, if we give our bodies time to "heal".

Not only did the talk got a wonderful response in the community, it also got a news worthy feature on the afternoon show, Balitanghali.

UNTV Rise and Shine: BFP and Water Birth

On 14 April 2014, Breastfeeding Pinays (BFP) was invited to be a guest at UNTV's Rise and Shine to discuss "Water Birthing", which resident BFP administrator/founder, Velvet Escario-Roxas is an expert of. She is the "first recorded case of Water Birth in the Philippines" and it was done at Alabang's Asian Hospital.

For family and friends, who weren't able to watch the UNTV Rise And Shine's Water Birth segment, you can watch it here!

Thank you all for your constant support and prayers on a successful promotion, protection and education of breastfeeding!

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Rise and Shine is a daily morning program that  showcases a variety of topics from the most recent national issues to practical home solutions; cooking tips; livelihood ideas; family and parenting advice; Do-It-Yourself projects and fitness tips.

Rise & Shine is hosted by seasoned Broadcaster/Actress Louella de Cordova and print and commercial model Jenny Fajardo.

I love Being a Mom Project 2014: Mentoring Would-be Moms

MY MOMMY BACKGROUND
At first, becoming a SAHM was a huge adjustment for a corporate workaholic like me. The adjustment took longer than expected and I can still say that I'm still adjusting. I realized also that although it is NOT an easy job, it is the most rewarding one. No amount of promotion/money could ever equal the countless milestones, hugs, and kisses I get from my kids. And the way my son for example says his "thank you, Mom" and "I love you, Mommy", or how my daughter would come running over to me than her nanny since she decided she wants to direct feed than take it from a bottle. *bless her soul* Hands down, these are the moments that I will remember forever as a mother!

THIS MOTHER'S DAY
One of the things I've vowed to do this year is to be more active and volunteer in promoting breastfeeding, babywearing, and in "giving back" what I can. An opportunity has knocked on my door via my N@Wie sister - Jennifer Lopez Gana's call for volunteer mothers this year in the I Love Being a Mom project. You can read all about this project at JLofied's site. 

IBM PROJECT 2014

Through my self-discovery at home and being a mother in general, I encourage other mothers (full-time, part-time working moms or SAHM) to be a part of this great cause of supporting the moms to be from Nazareth Homes. You can either be a volunteer blogger or a sponsor to the cause.
Let these women know that it's great to be a mother and babies are blessings. To know more about it, please see the poster and support what you can!

#ibm2014

BLW: New Guidelines on Choking and Infant Resus (via BabyLedWeaning.com)

It is important to know the difference between Gagging and Choking especially when a parent starts BabyLedWeaning for the babies.
Article location is here.

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First of all, it goes without saying that if you’re doing BLW this is an area that you will have looked into already. (And if you haven’t… as they say on the adverts… just do it. Crazy not to.)

Personally, I think every parent should try to investigate some basic infant resus, because as those little blighters become more mobile and more curious they have a habit of picking more daft objects up to check if they are food or not. I cannot tell you how high we had to keep our first daughter’s brightly coloured school erasers in order to keep them away from our younger child.

From what I saw on our Facebook page this morning, it seems like this is a technique already advocated in the US and Australia, but for the benefit of the UK and anyone else who is interested, here is the latest video as featured in a Sky news report.

In fact, it differs only very slightly to the rather brilliant UK National Health Service video ‘How to help a choking child’

Can you see, in the NHS video the baby rests on the woman’s arm throughout much of her resus? Whereas St John Ambulance are now saying that there will be better support if the child is on the arm AND thigh? A tiny difference but if it’s best practice, let’s do it! (Might have been better if the St John uniform wasn’t so dark, eh? Can you even see those trousers?)


As an aside, it is also interesting to query the figures mentioned in the Sky News report, reproduced below. In a survey of parents of 1000 under-fives, 380 said they had seen their child choke, with only 50% knowing what to do in that event. There are two ways of looking at this… one, 190 children choked, and their parents didn’t know what to do but everyone (we assume, for Sky News would have looked for the goriest story possible) was okay. That’s encouraging (but still do your homework).

The other way of looking at it is that parents STILL don’t know the difference between choking and gagging and some of the chokes were mis-represented gags. It is worth knowing the difference as going straight for resus when they’re dealing with a gag can cause babies to aspirate food.

Gagging is actually a safety response to food travelling too far back into the mouth so when we see our babies gagging they are actually handling the problem and it’s best just to keep calm (or at least look calm) and wait until it passes. Choking, you will know about. The baby looks panicked, no or very little sound can come out, and lips may actually start turning blue. Be smart, educate yourself and know how to act quickly.

So all in all, it’s good news for the BLW crew, in that each and every one of us should already have considered choking, and how we will respond should it happen. (For the record, it happened once with my first child… dratted raw apple, and this below was her a minute later, after she had gotten over it and was onto a rice cake. It just never happened with my second.)


FROM SKY NEWS TODAY

“New first aid advice on how to help a choking baby has been issued to parents.

St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross and St Andrew’s First Aid have updated their advice after research suggested that many parents did not know what action to take.

The new advice is to place the baby face down along the thigh while an adult strikes the child’s back.
First aid experts say this gives the baby more support compared with the previous advice, which was to place the baby along the adult’s arm.

A survey of 1,000 parents of under-fives found 38% had seen their child choke.

Half of the parents said they did not know the correct way to help their child or how to clear the obstruction.
Nearly half said they avoided giving their child certain foods in case they choked.

Clive James, training officer at St John Ambulance, said: ‘If an infant is choking then, in the first instance, they should be laid face down along your thigh and supported by your arm, give them five back blows between the shoulder blades with your heel of your hand.

“Previously this was done along the arm but the leg is felt to be more secure and provide more support.

“Check their mouth for any obstruction. If there is still a blockage then turn the infant onto their back and give up to five chest thrusts.

“Use two fingers, push inwards and upwards against their breastbone.

“If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts, call for an ambulance and continue until help arrives.”