Supernatural Childbirth

Have you read the book supernatural childbirth? Sometime ago I was talking to a friend about our similar situation of having fibroids and she introduced me to this book. I had taken the bold step of surgery, but she is believing God for a miracle. I do not see anything wrong with that because it is our faith in God that healed us. Anyway, she related to me how many persons after reading this book, got pregnant. I knew their couldn't be power in the book, but I was eager to see what the book is all about. So last night I started reading it and from the preface I became very intrigued. I am therefore posting the information about this book here. You may decide to purchase it or read segments of it on Google books. It is called "Supernatural Childbirth: Experiencing the promises of God concerning conception and delivery" By Jackie Mize.

The book is based on faith and I believe in reading it many of us who have lost faith will increase in faith. Within this book, there are women, just like us, who are suffering from various issues of the uterus. There are women who were told that they would never have a baby and even if they get pregnant, they would miscarried. There are women who have miscarried and have to battle with the fear of losing another child. Our emotions and experiences are within this book and it can help us by reducing the stress that is often built up in our thoughts of not having a child when we realize what God have to say about barrenness and fertility.

My friend did not get around to reading the book just yet, but she knew of many who have read it within her church, who got pregnant after reading it, despite years of trying without success. There is power in the word of God, but we have to know what it says. I urge us to read and build our faith by removing ALL negative thoughts and when God has blessed you, testify, share your stories with us so that others will be blessed and their faith built. 

Pregnancy Jitters...Are you pregnant finally?

So you have been trying, some for months others for years. You know the pain of wanting but not having, the many times you took gauging your ovulation, taking your temperature, looking at your cervical mucus...You no longer enjoy sex because pregnancy is so much on your mind, you have to schedule every sexual episode. Is your partner happy? Maybe he is, maybe he is showing all the support he can, but frustrated and cannot show it or share what he is feeling because he is still thinking of you.

You are on every forum and blog page reading and reading. Don't we need that? Who is feeling what and how and when? Who have success with our conditions? Maybe you should stop read, you tell yourself, but can you? It helps us going and hoping and trusting. It will soon be our turn.

No one really knows what we go through except they have gone through it themselves. Are you pregnant this month? You don't know but like the many times before you hope and you trust. You know your body more than ever before but still it tricks you. You document every change, every new and old symptom, but still there is not enough information to understand. You feel pregnant. Your boobs are heavy and swollen down to their nipples, there is cramping, nauseousness, headaches, metallic taste in mouth, dizziness...you know all the symptoms by heart and you feel them too, but your period is due in weeks...You try to wait, but your mind would not allow you so you tested. How much of your money has been eaten up in pregnancy tests only to see the BFN...You know you should wait, but how can you when you want it so badly. And then the day come when you should really test, but to your disappoint so have your period. You cry and you cry, like all the other months you have cried. Who will find a solution and when?

Uterus issues cost us so much and people may never understand. It is not just the financial cost, but the emotional burden. The very same stress that we should not have, is caused by us as we become depressed by our situations. Today I urge us ladies, let us continue to show our support for each other and every cause involving our uterus. Let us pray one for another and let us maintain faith that we will soon be granted the desires of our hearts. Baby dust to all!!!!

Terminologies on Forum pages

I do not know if you are like me who browse the net regularly in search of new information and updates on anything pertaining to the uterus, especially people success stories. I found it a bit difficult, especially at the beginning,  grasping the many acronyms used, so I decided I am going to write a blog defining as many acronyms as I can find and would like if you have any to add that you post it as a comment. Lets get started:

• AF- Aunt Flo- Period
• O- Ovulation
• DPO- Days past ovulation
• TTC- Trying to conceive
• CD- Cycle day
• BFN- Big fat negative
• BFP- big fat positive
• BC/BCP- birth control/birth control pills
• AWOL- A woman on Lupron
• BBT- Basal body temperature
• CF- Cervical Fluid
• CM- Cervical Mucus
• FMU- First Morning Urine
• POAS- Pee on a stick
• LMP- Last Menstural Period
• HPT- Home pregnancy Test
• IVF- In vitro Fertilization
• LAP- Laparoscopy
• LP/LPD- Luteal Phase/ luteal phase defect
• MC- Miscarriage
• MS- Morning Sickness
• LSP- Low Sperm Count
• PG- Pregnant

As time go by and I read more, I'll be sure to add to the list and again, feel free to add to the list by commenting on this post.

UPDATE: Just found a site with all the abbreviations, more than I can imagine. Please see the link below:
http://babyandbump.momtastic.com/forum-help-testing-area/730-babyandbump-lingo-abbreviations.html

Is Your Uterus Happy? Healthy Tips for a Happy Uterus: By Vivian Menjivar LMT, Dipl. ABT

This may seem like a strange question. If you suffer from PMS, menstrual cramps, menopausal or peri-menopausal symptoms, headaches or migraines with your period, varicose veins, endometriosis, bladder infections, chronic miscarriages, or infertility there is a good chance your uterus is unhappy, prolapsed or tipped.

A healthy and happy uterus is dependant on optimal circulation of blood, Qi, nervous function, lymph, as well as good nutrient and mineral balance.

7 Healthy Tips for a Happy Uterus:

1.Walking is a wonderful free exercise that gets your heart pumping, your diaphragm descending for optimal digestion and breathing and your legs moving for good circulation. Walking also boosts the good cholesterol(HDL) and lowers the bad cholesterol(LDL) in your blood, which helps to keep the heart healthy. All of these things are necessary for a healthy uterus.

2. Yoga, especially inverted poses like downward dog, and partial or full headstands help the uterus go back into the proper position allowing for good circulation.

3. Greens, such as stinging nettles, kale, spinach, collard greens, etc, are very important for both alkaline balance as well as mineral balance for optimal nervous function. Women who drink 2-4 cups of stinging nettle tea daily and eat cooked leafy greens as well as lettuce salads are getting the abundant folic acid, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals needed to create a healthy baby.

4. Green Drinks such as spirulina, chlorella, oat grass and wheat grass are wonderful sources of minerals and high in chlorophyll. Wheatgrass is also an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C, E and K, as well as calcium, chlorine, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur, cobalt and zinc. The chemical structure of the chlorophyll molecule and its similarity to the hemin molecule of hemoglobin makes wheatgrass quickly utilized by the human blood stream, giving the human body the fundamental components to eliminate disease and regenerate itself. (Hemoglobin is one of the major components of our blood) Good strong blood and the proper mineral balance are essential for a healthy fetus.

5. Seeds and Oils and good fats are necessary for optimal hormone production. Some good sources of cholesterol are Flax seed oil, fish oil, olive oil, canola oil, almonds, cashews, avocados among many other sources. Flax seed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid, which appears to be beneficial for preventing heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and a variety of other health conditions. Flaxseed also contains a group of chemicals called lignans that may play a role in the prevention of cancer. Studies have shown that Mothers with low serum cholesterol levels are significantly more likely to deliver premature babies, or full-term babies with lower weight, according to the study, "Adverse Birth Outcomes Among Mothers With Low Serum Cholesterol." Researchers studied 118 women with low total cholesterol (less than the 10th percentile) and 940 women with mid-range cholesterol levels.

6. Castor Oil is derived from the bean of the Ricinus communis or Palma Christi plant (Palm of Christ). The Palma Christi has been used for therapeutically for centuries in the folk medicine of ancient India, China, Persia, Africa, Greece, Rome, and the Americas. It has large, beautiful palmate leaves hence the name, Palma Christi.

Used externally, castor oil has been used to treat a variety of health conditions such asarthritis, liver and intestinal disorders, tumors, cysts, and skin conditions. Taken internally, castor oil is a strong cathartic and is not recommended as there are ways to relieve constipation that are not as harsh.

Some of the numerous uses of castor oil include the treatment of breast cysts, fibroids, and ovarian cysts, congestion of abdominal organs, skin conditions, small benign cysts, and adhesions from surgery. Wherever there is congestion, decreased blood flow and need for healing, castor oil can be an effective treatment option.

Castor oil has a unique chemical profile rich in ricinoleic acid which is known to exist in nature only in castor oil. Double blind studies conducted by the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. demonstrated an increase in lymphocyte production and the level of activity of T-cell lymphocytes in the group that used castor oil packs. T-cell lymphocytes originate from bone marrow and the thymus gland, identify and kill invaders such as virus, bacteria, and fungi.

In addition to strengthening the immune system, castor oil appears to have a balancing effect on the autonomic nervous system, increasing liver activity and improving digestion.

7. Maya Abdominal Massage is a non invasive external massage of the abdomen that increases circulation around the reproductive organs allowing for the proper balance of hormones, minerals for optimal nervous function, ad good circulation of lymph. Many women have a laundry list of physical and emotional symptoms that can be addressed and prevented with these simple, noninvasive massage techniques. When reproductive organs shift, they can constrict the normal flow of blood and lymph, and disrupting nerve connections. Just a few extra ounces sitting on blood and lymph vessels can cause havoc throughout the different systems in the body. By shifting the uterus back into place, homeostasis, or the natural balance of the body, is restored in the pelvic area and the surrounding organs. Toxins are flushed and nutrients that help to tone tissue and balance hormones are restored to normal order. This is essential for healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Chinese Angelica Angelica sinensis syn. A. polymorpha

COMMON NAMES

• Chinese Angelica
• Dang Gui
• Dong Quai
• Tang Kuei

The herbal product made from the Chinese angelica, also commonly called the dong quai, the dang gui, or the tang kuei is derived from the root of the Chinese herb - the Angelica polymorpha Maxim - botanicalname. The variety of the species is sinensis Oliv. The herb is also known as A. sinensis (Oliv.), and it is a member of the plant family Apiaceae common in and native to China. The herbal remedies and herbal medication prepared from this herb has a mildly laxative effect on people, while, it is used primarily as a uterine tonic in women, it is also used as an antispasmodic herbal agent, and it is also used for its alterative-or blood purifying-effects, which are said to be very beneficial to affected patients.

This herbal remedy is very often suggested to patients by many modern herbalists to be used in the treatment of the majority of gynecological ailments and disorders, these conditions can include persistentmenstrual cramps, the presence of some irregularity or a retarded menstrual flow, and to treat physical weakness during the menstrual period of affected women. While the use of the dong quai is not suggested in pregnant women, the remedy is also said provide physical relief from the many symptoms which occur during the process ofmenopause in women. The remedy is also known to be useful in the treatment of disorders such as hypertension and additionally, it is said to possess very effective antispasmodic properties in individuals afflicted by muscular spasms. The herb is also used to induce blood purification and to provide nourishment, for which it has a great reputation-and lastly, it has also been used in the treatment of constipation in individuals affected by this disorder.

Dong quai has been put under chemical investigation, and the herb is now known to possess at least seven different coumarin derivatives, these include the chemical compound oxypeucedanin, the compound osthole, the compound imperatorin, the compound psoralen, and bergapten-all of these compounds were present in the dong quai samples. The majority of chemical coumarins or its derivatives have known actions as vasodilators and antispasmodics in the human body, at the same time, a few of the others, such as the compound osthole, induce a stimulating effect on the central nervous system in the human body. The very presence of these chemical compounds therefore, accounts for at least some of the purported activities ascribed to dong quai.

Utilizing large and heavy doses of these coumarins often have harmful effects on the body, and it is known that some of the furo-coumarins, like the compound psoralen and the compound bergapten, may induce dermatitis in individuals exposed to them, due to the process of photosensitization which occurs because of their presence in the body. Unnecessary exposure of the human body to these compounds is undesirable according to studies done in the year 1981, during the course of which the researchers came to the conclusion that these so-called psoralens present very significant and sufficient risks to humans. Recommendation of very large amounts of the furo-coumarin-containing medications such as the dong quai is not made to treat patients for this very reason. At the same time, the absence of substantial clinical evidence in the Western scientific literature which may support the effectiveness of dong quai in the treatment of various conditions for which it is indeed suggested, also limits the use of this herbal remedy. For example, in the only reported U.S. based study on the potential effects of the dong quai on alleviating postmenopausal symptoms-including physical symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes-found the herbal remedy equal in effectiveness to a placebo given to the test subjects. However, in traditional Chinese medicine, the dong quai remains as one of the most widely suggested medications and consequently, the remedy is far more popular in usage to other well known herbs such as the ginseng-which is quite well known in the western world. Various combinations of the dong quai with other herbs is the general prescribed avenue for patients and the herb is almost never used alone in most herbal medical systems. Further clinical studies are required on the potential benefits of this herb, before full acceptance in Western societies can be realized, and many controlled clinical studies still have to follow with regard to this herb. The use of this herb as a therapeutic agent has little basis and till such times.

PARTS USED

Rhizome, root, leaves, stalks, seeds.

USES

While it is also used in the treatment of disorders related to men, the remedies made from the Chinese angelica is considered to be the best Chinese tonic herb for women-with respect to such female disorders, the herb is very highly valued as a blood tonic in the Eastern world. Some of the positive effects associated with the herbal remedies made from the Chinese angelica include the regulation of hormones, the regulation and control of the menstruation, the herbal remedy is also supposed to be able to bring about recovery from delayed or suppressed menstrual periods, it is also said to relieve the symptoms associated with menstrual cramps, and the herbal remedy can also be used during the period of menopause to treat various symptoms which may affect the woman. The Chinese angelica herb can be eaten raw or taken in the form of a herbal tincture, the remedy also aids in relaxing the strained muscles in the uterus, and when it is used with water it can result in bringing about better toning in the uterine muscles and in bringing about stimulation to the uterine contractions, the herbal remedy can also lead to an increase in the circulation of blood in the uterine area and aids in relieving congestion which occurs along the pelvic region of the woman. Ideally, this remedy must not be taken by women who are under the term of pregnancy as it can cause potential side effects in the body.

The warming effects and the stimulating or antispasmodic abilities of the dang gui are best brought forth when the herb is cooked before consumption. Some of the other beneficial physical effects of the dang gui herb include helping improve the circulation in the body, the herbal remedy also speeds up tissue repair, it effectively lowers blood pressure, and can slow the pulse down, the herbal remedy can also aid in preventing disorders like atherosclerosis and blood clots from developing in the body and its ability to relax the cardiac muscles of the heart is also useful in treating certain disorders. The sedative actions of the Chinese angelica are also taken advantage off in various treatment methodologies. The nourishing effects of the Chinese angelica, it high content of major vitamins, and its actions and aid in the absorption and utilization of the vitamin E from the diet are other beneficial properties. Remedies made from the Chinese angelica are also utilized to control and treat disorders such as anemia and theangina which affects the heart.

In addition, the herbal dang gui remedy has an ability to stabilize the blood sugar levels in patients, while enhancing the functioning of the immune system at the same time. The bactericidal, the antiviral and the antifungal properties of the Chinese angelica are also useful in counteracting a whole range of other infections which can affect a person, these include common colds and flu which strike patients on a regular basis. The blood purification properties of the Chinese angelica is considered to be a very valuable ability of the herb and the remedy also has a moistening effect useful in relieving the constipation affecting the patients. The rejuvenating properties of the Chinese angelica are another useful property of the herb and the herb is also helpful in relieving the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatic pain in the affected individual. The other properties of the tonic form of the Chinese angelica is useful during convalescence, and its use as a herbal remedy is suggested to help speed the recovery process and also to increase the energy of a woman following the rigors of childbirth and labor.

The herbal remedies made from the Chinese angelica are very famous in China as a herbal tonic, this herbal tonic is taken to treat many "deficient blood" conditions, these can include anemia, and the remedy is also used to treat the symptoms of anemia occurring because of loss of blood- resulting in a very pale complexion, in palpitations, and those resulting in a lowered vitality in the body.

The remedy derived from Chinese angelica causes a "warming" effect and this herb is often known as a “warming” herb, it thus brings about an improvement in the circulation to the abdominal area, and to the areas of the body such as the hands and the feet of the affected individual. The consumption of the herbal remedy also results in strengthening of the digestive system and the process of digestion at the same time, the herbal remedy is also very useful in the effective treatment of all abscesses and boilswhich may affect an individual.

Source: http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_angelica_chinese.htm