I am committed to experiencing pregnancy and delivery in the most natural way possible. In this day and age of modern conveniences and pain-relieving pharmaceuticals, it is easy to give in to the fear of pain and ask for them. I ask myself, “Will I be able to handle it?”  Modern medicine has become such big business; I personally cringe at the thought of delivering a baby at a hospital.

I was reading about the body’s natural way of releasing chemicals and endorphins to help labor progress and diminish pain, which pharmaceuticals completely negate, making the whole experience numb and dulled. Though birth, with or without pharmaceuticals, is still a miraculous, joyous experience for any mother, the physical body may not have the additional bonus of the natural “high” from the strenuous experience. Plus, pharmaceuticals, no matter how minute, do get into the baby’s system too.

Research shows that pain in labor is a result of fear and tension. As I prepare for the big “D-day,” I remember to let go of any expectations and surrender to the pain, as it is a natural process. As I have learned from yoga, breathing can really help one gain control of any situation, no matter how intense it is.  Luckily, the rushes of contractions are rhythmic and only happen one at a time with breaks in between!

-Rowena, Product Specialist

I just found out in June that I am pregnant. It is my first, and I am overjoyed! Dredging through the trenches of 24/7 queasiness, heartburn, and frequent headaches, knowing that there is a big prize at the end makes it all worthwhile!

I am thankful to have gained the knowledge of the importance of living an all organic lifestyle 11 years ago, as I feel it has really helped me coast through the past two months with more ease than those who eat poor diets. (Honesty, I can’t imagine living any other way!) My occasional slip-ups on my diet due to comfort food cravings are a reassurance to me that I should not eat processed foods filled with flavor enhancers, dyes, sugars, and preservatives. When I do, nausea usually gets worse than before and I just feel outright crummy as a result!

With another human being growing inside of my body, I become more sensitive to the outside world. As we all know, the media does a great job at pumping fear into most Americans. As with any mother, I feel extra responsible and concerned with this new life I will soon be watching over. Constant bombardment of news regarding wars, disease, pollution, and GM (genetically modified) farming can really wear on an individual’s psyche. But there still remains the glimmer of hope thanks to supportive community grassroots movements toward real democracy to protect our remaining freedoms, and education about the truth that much of the media tries to hide.

-Rowena, Product Specialist

There is nothing more precious than an infant. So innocent and delicate, these tiny blessings should have the purest food, bedding, and care, and most parents are more than happy to spend a bit more for the best. Yet it is concerning that most baby products found in department stores contain chemicals, hormone disruptors, and flame retardants that are toxic to adults, let alone children. In fact, children are susceptible to absorbing toxins at a faster rate than adults because 1) children breathe faster, and 2) the skin of a child is thinner, so they can absorb chemicals more quickly.

Most people think that there are regulations in place to protect the safety of what we buy. We learned during Christmas ’08, however, that there were no regulations for toys that contained dangerous amounts of lead. The sad truth is that there are approximately 75,000 chemicals used in commercial products and applications in the US. Of those, approximately 3% have been evaluated for human toxicology!

Flame retardants in mattresses are among the most dangerous culprits, considering the fact that babies can sleep up to 16 hours a day. Studies have shown that antimony, a common flame retardant used in crib mattresses, may contribute to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) risk. Other flame retardants such as PBDEs can affect the physical and intellectual development of a baby.

Most conventional crib mattresses are made with synthetic foams and fibers. These materials contain toluene and other petrochemicals that offgas VOCs (volatile organic compounds). To top it off, they are often coated with PVC vinyl to make them waterproof. Not just chemical hazards to a baby, these types of mattresses do not “breathe,” causing children to overheat and sleep overly warm and “clammy.”

Why expose your child to these dangers when a pure alternative is available through Lifekind®?

Rowena, Product Specialist