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Good viewing!

I am so sick of seeing McCain’s face every time my blog loads as my home page.  Mommy brain is for real. Despite the weird condition affecting my attention span and memory, I am posting.

Here is what I like to do lately.

If you have yet to see an episode of this Sci Fi show then let me warn you, it is addictive.  I absolutely adore the show and don’t know why USA stopped production.  Aren’t they owned by NBC?

Anyway, ENJOY!

The magnitude of this health hazard has suddenly hit me and not only is my head spinning but my entire body feels paralyzed. The puzzle has started to fit together in my head and the picture is none to pretty.

Bisphenol-A was first synthesized in 1891 but it was not until the 1930’s that the estrogenicity of the monomer was first recorded (Dodds and Lawson 1936, 1938). Diethylstilbestrol was found to be a stronger estrogen and interest in Bishenol-A declined until scientist discovered its polymerization abilities with plastics. Bishphenol-A is also a known hormone disruptor or endocrine disruptor. The chemical has been shown to mimic estrogen, a female hormone.

In April 2000, the WWF UK presented a report on the possible environmental effects Bisphenol-A. They cite a growing international concern over man-made endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) because they can directly affect the development of offspring in the womb. Some of the possible effects listed in this April 2000 report are: “the decline in sperm counts, and the increased rates of hormone related cancers, such as cancers of the breast, testes and prostate. They are also suspected of causing birth defects of the reproductive tract (including un-descended testes), and other hormone related effects, such as earlier puberty
in girls.”

Bisphenol-A is a monomer used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are clear nearly shatter proof plastics that have replaced glass in many facets of everyday life world wide. Epoxy resins are used to line the inside of cans the contain baby formula and other food products. Unfortunately, these plastics and resins utilize a chemical bond with a weak link. The polymers created with PBA and polycarbonate plastics and resins are weak and decay over time and when heated. PBA is then released into the substance held in the polycarbonate or PVC plastic, or coated with a epoxy resin.

How much PBA is too much? Here is the crux of the issue which is being so hotly debated. There is so much money at stake here for the plastic industry and major chemical companies world wide. Are these reports a smoking gun with similar ramifications to the tobacco industry? Part 3 tomorrow continues the saga in the meantime, here are some links with more information.

http://www.ewg.org/node/20944?gclid=CIj_zOuLq5MCFQrPGgodRn4zoQ

http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out128_en.pdf

http://www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/bpa.pdf

http://www.bisphenol-a.org/index.html

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/bisphenola.asp

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=plastic-not-fantastic-with-bisphenol-a

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/index.asp

http://www.factsonplastic.com/

There is a raging debate about plastic that has my head spinning. Bisphenol-A found in polycarbonates and resins worldwide is scientifically proven to leach from plastics into our food. What is not known or can be agreed upon are the levels of Bisphenol-A that are safe in the human body.

Researching all of the possibilities was really crazy because the plastic and chemical industries are in damage control mode and are releasing general statements, which are in conflict with the statements made by mass media. I used primary sources to understand the crux of the debate and really understand what is at stake.

The following video from Israeli television outlines the issue.

Earth Birth is a project run by midwives and doulas to help mothers in war and trauma affected areas give birth safely and peacefully.

Our pilot program is based in Gulu, Uganda. We are setting up small on site birthing centers in refugee camps where women can come for comprehensive services, counseling, education and care. We are linking with community organizations and hospitals in these areas to help “child mothers” (women who were impregnated as victims of political abduction and rape) gain access to jobs, school and childcare so that they can mother with every possible opportunity.

Our goals include community sustainability, lowered maternal and infant mortality rates, lowered HIV/AIDS transmission rates from mother to child, access to supplies and local herbs, access to trauma therapy and counseling, the experience of a ‘positive’ birth to facilitate empowerment and mother/child bonding and the ability to articulate one’s story.

The ability to articulate one’s story is an integral theme of the Earth Birth project. Women have always told stories as a form of information transmission and ownership of events. To have safe spaces for the sharing of taboo and traumatic events allows for understanding and processing of events in context, ownership of experience and networking among women- all of which are integral to a healthy women’s movement and improved practice of motherhood. Our spaces function as a community centers for story circles, workshops in active listening and sharing.

Traditional birth attendants live throughout the refugee camps, most of them victims of war and mothers themselves. These women are the cornerstone of the birthing center sites. Our international group of midwives work with the TBAs to develop practices that are community centered, culturally competent and sustainable. The TBA’s are offered professional development, training, counseling and jobs.

We are partnering with Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, school director, midwife and winner of the CNN Hero’s award to create a project that is truly of and for women’s health in this area. Safe and peaceful birth experiences are necessary for a generation that is to live without war.

Earth Birth has begun fund raising and are using an incredible fund raising site called givemeaning.org. On this site anyone can develop a project and allow potential funders to see and donate. We have set up a site and now we need ‘votes’ from the community in order to make it an active project. You do not need to give money, you just have to read the description and vote for us!  VOTE HERE!

All content is from Rachel Zaslow - Midwife

I am pregnant!

Approximately 16 weeks, I will be focusing on the process of safe and healthy childbirths, helpful tools and gadgets for a child once born and tips on balancing the demands of having two children.

I am super excited about this new life development and am excited to share with all of you the journey.

Peace, Love and Light.

adiaha