Thoughts on the flu "pandemic"

First of all, Bryan, Micah and I have all had our share of cold and flu like symptoms which we believe was probably the H1N1 virus. To be honest it was less voracious than the regular seasonal flu.

Although statistics show that more folks are dieing from the H1N1 flu virus than the regular flu virus it should be noted that these same folks are allowing themselves and their children to succumb to the dangers of the virus. If a child is going to a daycare.....expect diseases to return unwelcome. If a child is going to a school.....the same is true about unwelcome visitors. A sick child that is being forced to participate in several activities at once while beginning to share a infectious portion of the flu virus is not being allowed to rest and as a result the body starts working overtime.

The second reason so many folks may be fearing the trauma of this H1N1 virus is because they have forgotten the "old path" Jeremiah 6:16. They have forgotten old fashioned remedies that our great great great grand parents knew. Simple substances like garlic, onion and cinnamon all have potent effects on any bacterial or viral infection in the body. Also anything with vitamin C, kicks the body into battle mode so that it is able to fight those darn bugs. So whip up a batch of chicken noodle soup and sip a cup of OJ while enjoying a little ginger cinnamon tea. So overall, God has given us natural plants and herbs for dealing with this time bomb without having to put our trust into man's ungodly money hungry vaccination system.....

So how do you face a person that thinks you are a walking disease because you refuse to get a vaccination that is only meant for profit and not meant for health improvement......simply explain to them you have already had the H1N1 virus or tell them you are not going to put your trust into man made non-sense.

Unassisted Homebirth Supplies

This is a basic list of supplies that are useful when performing a home birth (with or without a midwife):

• Sharp scissors for cutting the cord IF it's wrapped around in such a way as it has to be cut to get the baby free.
• Shepherds Purse Tincture in case of excess bleeding/ hemorrhage.
• grapefruit seed extract to take to prevent postpartum infection (mother prone to postpartum infection)
• towels
• ice
• snacks
• drinks (gatorade, juice, water)
• Bulb syringe
• a pan for placenta
• sterile gloves (3 pair)
• Peri bottle(s)
• 6 peri cold packs
• 2 plastic backed sheets (40X 72)
• 2 plastic cord clamps
• 1 bottle of providone (4 oz)
• 2 pairs of stretch briefs or mesh panties
• 10 chux pads 23 X 36
• After birth sitz bath herbs
• 4 oz bottle of olive oil
• maxi pads
• witch hazel pads (Tucks)
• rubbing alcohol for sanitizing
• Hydrogen peroxide in case of blood stains on carpet
• 15 towels, 6 washcloths, 10 old receiving blankets
• cloth diapers for baby
• 2 little hats
• onesie and gown, nice receiving blankets
• two cord ties braided with embroidery floss
• measuring tape
• baby scale
• Superglue for tears in peri-area

This list is very simple. Many of these items can be found in pharmacies, Wal-mart/Target, at online home birth sites, sewn or made by hand and at thrift stores/garage sales.

Update: Garden and Homebirth

It has been a long time since I have posted on this blog. Our garden work is finished, besides clearing the brush out of the garden, and canning work as well. I will soon post the total amounts of produce we accumulated this season. Keep in mind this was my second garden and I was sick with morning sickness for much of the summer, so my motivation to care for the garden was somewhat limited.

We are busily planning and preparing for our home birth where we found much of the supplies we need at local pharmacies, Wal-mart, on-line with various home birth websites, at garage sales and thrift shops. I have accumulated all of the items into a small tote container. It is amazing how quickly time flys. By this Friday I will already be 24 weeks along! Some folks are starting to notice a change in my appearance while others are still wondering. I have kept much of the plans to home birth a secret and only reveal minimal information about the condition of prenatal appointments and such. Thus far the heartbeat on a simple fetoscope has been 150 BPM.