The Birth of a Miracle: a birth story interview and an anthropological reflection

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# Miracles can be difficult to come by, but the act of birth is often described as such. ___

[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6oIbcr4IgM) ___ The ability to conceive, nurture within the body, then birth a new life is surely phenomenal. Everyone has their own unique experience with pregnancy and childbirth. Some mothers have a fantastic experience, while others go through horrific encounters. I interviewed Melody C. about her experiences with pregnancy and childbirth to learn from a mother exactly what their thoughts and feelings were surrounding this topic. Melody described her connection with God through the act of childbirth, that being able to bring life into the world was indeed a miracle. She recalled a growing excitement of the unknown as each day passed. The joy in her voice filled the room as she remembered waiting for the first movements, and shopping for maternity clothes so others might know that she’s pregnant. However, other people knowing she was pregnant meant that they knew she had sex. This made her feel a bit of insecurity because she grew up in a household where sex was taboo. ___ # A love for something that was not quite there yet began to develop deep in her heart. ___ Melody mentioned that she felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to make sure that her child was born healthy. She began prenatal care in the second trimester, mostly because she didn’t know she was pregnant at first, and brought up some interesting points. The doctors at the time focused mainly, if not entirely, on taking different measurements to chart the fetus’s growth. There was no information exchanged on nutritional intake for the mother at these appointments. I asked Melody how having good health insurance and access to high quality doctors that only focused on statistics had made her feel. She responded, >“It put [me] at ease knowing the baby is growing per the charts correctly and I trusted all in my doctors. I had good doctors. I knew that if they saw anything wrong in the bloodwork, or anything like that, that I would immediately be sent to a specialist. So, I really had no worry about any of that.” Having the support of a qualified medical team clearly gave her more confidence about how she and her coming child were doing. Melody purchased books to learn about the nutritional and health aspects that were not covered in prenatal care. ___

[Source](http://www.maternityandmidwifery.co.uk/events/london-2016/poster-presentations/) ___ ## Seeking the best medical care possible was the only thing Melody cared about with the astounding pressure to give birth to a healthy child on her back. ___ Melody called the hospital when she went into labor at 5am and the doctor told her that he had been delivering babies all night long and that women were in labor in the hallways. This made her very distraught because it was the best hospital in the area. The doctor then told her that a newer hospital had just opened a brand-new delivery wing and that she should go there. Melody left for the new hospital after she took her time to shower, recalling that she had to get back in the shower because she had forgotten to shave her legs. She was in excruciating pain by the time she arrived at the hospital and settled into a room. In agonizing pain, around 10AM, Melody requested an epidural to relieve the pain to a more manageable level. The epidural was administered and she instantly fell asleep. She woke back up around 2PM and recounted the dire need to poop, shouting to the nurses that she was about to poop on the doctor. They told her to keep pushing because that’s the baby coming, and that it would be okay if she pooped on the doctor. ___ ### Melody recalled a moment between this time and the actual delivery which quickly changed the entire mood of the conversation from joyous to somber. ___ Everything was going as it should have when suddenly the monitors began screaming their alarms indicating a problem with the child. Her child had flipped over in the womb and was now pressed against the umbilical cord, effectively choking out its lifeline. Someone in the room quickly jumped on her bed and began pressing as hard as they could on her belly in order to get her child to move off of the umbilical cord. “Eventually [he] did move off the umbilical cord,” She recalled with relief. Her pain had been significantly reduced from the epidural and when her child was delivered, she said that the pain almost completely subsided. She expressed happiness that her child had been born healthy, but she was exhausted and needed sleep and thus requested that her child be taken to the nursery down the hall. Melody chuckled, stating that she was about to spend the rest of her life with her child, one night was all she was asking. ___

[Source](http://capturedgracebyerin.com/birth-story-baby-audreay/)<> ___ # Melody seemed to have had an overall good experience with the birth of her child. ___ I asked her if there was anything other than the change in hospitals which had gone astray or disappointed her about her birthing experience. To which she replied, she just wished the epidural had been administered earlier. ___ ### Melody is a retired air traffic controller who, though well educated, has little history of medical knowledge. ___ Thus, while the birthing process has been heavily medicalized, Melody did not self-medicalize the birthing process and instead trusted heavily on the medicalization of the health professionals. One might say that she self-medicalized through the nutritional books, but the semantics of such requires deeper research of the authority of the authors Melody read. Medicalization being the use of medical language by medical institutions to assess and proceed in treating an individual (Halfmann, 2011). Self-medicalization being the individual’s unique approach to understanding and treating themselves in respect to health concerns (Fainzang, 2013). ___ # Systemic flaws exist in Western medical practices which disempowers many pregnant women, putting certain groups at higher risk than others (GBD, 2017). ___ However, Melody was able to advocate for herself and her needs because of several factors working in her favor. Knowing what she needed in the first place began through further educating herself on the birthing process with books and other educational materials . Being moderately educated, having quality health insurance, and being a white, middleclass woman gave Melody better grounding to advocate from in a flawed system (2017). Fortunately for Melody, she did not have to experience the maltreatment and malpractice that has been typically correlated with people of color and low-quality insurance (2017). ___

[Source](https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/doctor) ___ ## Melody had been more or less forced into going to a hospital where she had never met any of the doctors. ___ I asked her how she felt about having someone she’d never met delivering her baby. She told me that she could have cared less if the neighbor came down to deliver her baby by the time she was in labor. I found this interesting as it is in stark contrast to the ideas behind the intimate stranger and the weekend effect which delays labor in some women and nonhuman primates (Davis-Floyd, 2009). Perhaps Melody’s full trust in the medical professionals removed any sort of barrier which might have otherwise been experienced. However, she did mention that she felt a shift from her vagina being a sexual organ to a reproductive organ, and thus any shame surrounding such had also shifted and dissolved with the new perspective. ___ ## Dr. Lyerly, a research professor at Duke, describes five qualities that make a good birth, these are agency, personal security, connectedness, respect, and knowledge (Grose, 2019). ___ Melody’s birth experience definitely qualifies as a good birth under these standards. She felt confident in herself and her trust of the doctors when she had to change plans and go to a different hospital. Her sense of personal security was high being in a care facility that had just been opened with new equipment. She felt respected by the staff. And the books that she had read prior to the experience gave her the knowledge she required to have agency, to feel secure, connected, respected, and confident in her thoughts. ___

[Source](https://www.latitudesdecor.com/blogs/news/mothers-day-across-the-world) ___ ### This story is but one woman’s unique experience out of billions of women alive today who have or will give birth. ___ Childbirth is exclusively reserved for those who have female genitalia. Thus, a large portion of the human population will never experience it firsthand. However, while those with male genitalia cannot experience it personally, we all as a species can cooperate to reduce the risk of more bad births occurring. Maternal death rates are at 1 and 190 worldwide, with hemorrhaging and hypertension as the leading causes when these deaths are typically preventable (WHO, 2019). Certain states within the United States have drastically reduced their maternal death rates, such as California with the implementation of standardized emergency toolkits (Markow, 2019). We should all, especially the medical industry though, take note from these practices in order to do our best to ensure that the mothers of our world receive quality care and attention during pregnancy and birth so that they all can have a chance at having a good birth. ___

[Source](https://forumfornonprofits.org/2013/07/28/healthy-mothers-healthy-babies-of-palm-beach-county/) ___ # Citations ___ Davis-Floyd, Robbie, and Melissa Cheyney. “Birth and the Big Bad Wolf: An Evolutionary Perspective1.” Science Across Cultures: the History of Non-Western Science Childbirth Across Cultures, 26 Oct. 2009, pp. 1–22., doi:10.1007/978-90-481-2599-9_1. Fainzang, Sylvie. “The Other Side of Medicalization: Self-Medicalization and Self-Medication.” Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, vol. 37, no. 3, Mar. 2013, pp. 488–504., doi:10.1007/s11013-013- 9330-2. Global Burden of Disease contributors. “Global, Regional, and National Levels of Maternal Mortality, 1990–2015.” Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, vol. 72, no. 1, 2017, pp. 11–13., doi:10.1097/01.ogx.0000511935.64476.66. Grose, Jessica. “Welcome to NYT Parenting. Here's Why We Won't Say 'Natural Birth.'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 May 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/07/parenting/natural-birth.html. Halfmann, Drew. “Recognizing Medicalization and Demedicalization: Discourses, Practices, and Identities.” Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine, vol. 16, no. 2, Mar. 2011, pp. 186–207., doi:10.1177/1363459311403947. “Maternal Mortality.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 19 Sept. 2019, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality. ___

# LOVELAUGHTER&&XHAOS *PALPABLE POPE Ypyskypo Skwyrl, the Y's Cat-herder aka Chief Bigstick High Priest, Church of Erin Erisian Ataxia Troupe : Caste of the Black Star* https://steemimg.com/images/2016/09/22/YpyskypoSkwyrlVerified9e2f2.png
Originally posted here: https://steemit.com/health/@alchemage/the-birth-of-a-miracle-a-birth-story-interview-and-an-anthropological-reflection

Better by Bowhead - Receive earnings at the same time you are healthy..!

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# Better by Bowhead Receive earnings at the same time you are healthy..! --- ## Screenshots |
View Image | | - | | --- ## Hunter's comment Better by Bowhead is an interesting and particular app in which to be aware of our habits such as health, it is very important to be healthy, of course since it is necessary to feel healthy for a long day at work also by keeping track of our diet or daily or occasional routines, you can acquire a reward since Better by Bowhead is also a wallet with which when you use it daily you receive AHT or anonymous health tokens. What can I do with AHT? As every token is changeable to cash or you can also spend it on products, the use is in people. --- ## Link https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bowhead-health/id1385140037 ---

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Originally posted here: https://steemit.com/steemhunt/@crazydani/better-by-bowhead-receive-earnings-at-the-same-time-you-are-healthy

Sour Cherries Oatmeal Breakfast (or dessert ?)🍒🍒 V E G A N

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Hey guys!

This is a recipe I wanted to share with you a long time ago, more precisely in summer when all the cherries (and sour cherries) are in season! But I'm sharing this with you now because it's a recipe you can make with frozen cherries too! cause I made it with fresh ones... The result will be the same, don't you worry!! 

https://i.imgur.com/0XGb3Wq.jpg

But first, do you like sour cherries?🍒

I must say I'm more into cherries cause they are sweeter but still... I like all kind of fruits. We all love more some than others right?  They are also called Tart cherries.

If you take a look to this chart, you'll see they are VERY popular in East Europe. [Wikipedia source]

https://i.imgur.com/XAImygT.jpg

Health Benefits of Sour Cherries 🍒

According to dr. Mercola, they're chock-full of compounds that stave off inflammation and microbes while helping support the immune system.  Sour cherries are also being studied for their potential in slowing down cancer cell proliferation. In a 2014 animal study from the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, sour cherry extract was found to possess anti-proliferative and apoptotic properties against tumor cells. 

WOW!! I really like this!

 Anthocyanins, which are flavonoids responsible for cherry’s pigmentation, are an important component when it comes to the health benefits that this fruit offers. Sour cherries, compared to other types of cherries, contain the highest amount of this flavonoid. Research has shown that sour cherries may help:

• Improve sleep quality — Sour cherries contain significant levels of melatonin, which is an important phytochemical that regulates sleep-wake cycles.A 2010 study from the Journal of Medicinal Food determined that tart cherry juice decreased the symptoms of insomnia in older adults.
• Promote skin health — Sour cherries have been proposed as an effective ingredient for cosmetic products because of its antioxidant properties. A 2013 study from the Journal Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research tested cherry tart juice as a protective agent against irritants.
• Alleviate gout symptoms — In a 2011 study from the FASEB Journal, researchers administered tart cherry juice (TCJ) to alleviate inflammation in obese or overweight patients with gout. Results showed that consumption of TCJ significantly reduced erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is a marker for chronic inflammation.

In a 2005 study from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the phenolics found in both sweet cherry and sour cherry protected neuronal cells from oxidative stress, depending on the dose administered. This is mainly due to the high anthocyanin content of both varieties.  This proposes a possible neuroprotective property of sour cherries. 

 A 2019 study from the European Journal of Sports Sciences focused on sour cherries’ potential benefit in muscle recovery in females after exercise. Participants who received sour cherry supplementation had better recovery of countermovement jump height compared to the placebo group. DOMS, or delayed onset of muscle strain, also significantly decreased. 

All info above you found on Dr. Mercola's website. Click here!!!

After reading all this, I think I love SOUR CHERRIES moreee!!!❤️ hahaha 

https://i.imgur.com/IxfPyCP.jpg

INGREDIENTS

• sour cherries (pitted)
• oats
• coconut milk (or maybe you have your favorite plant-based milk)
• vanilla
• sweetener (agave, maple syrup) or honey
• dark chocolate (optional, but I tell you, this is soooooo good in here)

https://i.imgur.com/5vslPWo.jpg

INSTRUCTIONS

First, you make the oatmeal. Put the coconut milk, vanilla and oats in a pan. Bring to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes, stirring ocasionally.  Turn heat off and let the lid on until you make the cherries.

In another pan, put PITTED sour cherries and let them on medium until all the juices are released (about 3-5 minutes). Add the sweetener and leave them together for 2 minutes more.

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Thats all you need to do! Assemble the whole thing and add some dark chocolate on top! IT IS INSANELY GOOD! I love pies and recipes with sour cherries. They have more juice than regular cherries which is why, when you make pie and tart (ohh Tart cherries got it?) you'll feel a very nice flavor and aroma of cherries! It gives great moisture too! 

Btw, the chocolate and cherry CAKE is very popular in the whole word, as you already know! But in Romania, most recipes are with sour cherries! 

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These are cherries from our trees (we have 3 sour cherries trees). As you can imagine, they are bio ❤️; and they grow so well here in Romania!

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A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses.  - Hippocrates  

ALL CONTENT IS MINE AND ORIGINAL! ALL THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN WITH MY SAMSUNG S8.

If you like my work, comment, upvote and resteem! Or if you want to stay in touch with me for more delicious healthy recipes and articles on health, HIT the Follow button on my blog!

Stay healthy,
Miss Deli ❤️ 

https://i.imgur.com/sEFo2uf.jpg

Proud member of @naturalmedicine Team. https://i.imgur.com/zGAYvSS.gif
LOTS OF NATURAL HEALING AND LOVE TO YOU ALL!! ❤️  
Originally posted here: https://steemit.com/food/@missdeli/sour-cherries-oatmeal-breakfast-or-dessert-v-e-g-a-n

My Actifit Report Card: November 2 2019

https://usermedia.actifit.io/4182ee37-38fb-49cd-8018-01bb69804b77
I started walking slowly today and also tried to eat healthy. Progress is slow and life is in general depression. My current approach is slow and steady to health. I do see point with mi band sleep monitoring but band somehow got removed. It felt bad though. So i have to find other means to measure sleep.

1096

Walking

Height 174 cm		Weight 124 kg		Body Fat %
Waist cm		Thighs cm		Chest cm

Originally posted here: https://steemit.com/actifit/@myscrible/actifit-myscrible-20191102t161647117z

Goodguide - App lets you find eco-friendly and healthy products

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# Goodguide App lets you find eco-friendly and healthy products --- ## Screenshots --- ## Hunter's comment Goodguide helps you shop wisely for products whose ingredients or production process does not contribute to environmental degradation. For example, it helps you to find products that are greenest. This app also helps you to know the nutritional value of a product and also shows you alternatives if your preferred product has low rating. With this you are able to make wise and informed decisions about products that you buy. ### Goodguide features > •Scan, search or browse Products, Brands, and Companies •Identify the highest rated products on the market •Find out the Nutritional Value of Food products •Find out the Health Hazards of Personal Care and Household Cleaning products •Find out whether a product contains ingredients with health concerns •Get informed about the potential health effects of different chemicals •Discover better alternatives for your daily purchases --- ## Link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodguidescanner ---

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Originally posted here: https://steemit.com/steemhunt/@focusnow/goodguide-app-lets-you-find-eco-friendly-and-healthy-products

HEALTHY TIPS.

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Pause your sugar intake. then, after get the ideal BMI, reduce the next sugar intake. Stay Healthy,Keep Beauty. Do love yourself than the others. photo kredit **FB**

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Originally posted here: https://steemit.com/armymalaya/@lea8ndrea/healthy-tips-c6pa66dq

STAK - On-the-go Biodegradable Snack Pots Made From Plants

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# STAK On-the-go Biodegradable Snack Pots Made From Plants --- ## Screenshots |
View Video | | - | | --- ## Hunter's comment This pot is made from natural materials which is great for us & the environment in addition it is perfectly sized for healthy snacks of all types. It is quick and easy to lock together, it uses the safest materials avoiding all types of plastics on top of that they also include free cutleries made from bamboo for every snack type. https://i.postimg.cc/CLCm0DBt/fff.png [Image Source]() --- ## Link https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andrew-mitchell/stak-on-the-go-snack-pots-made-from-plants ---

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Originally posted here: https://steemit.com/steemhunt/@adnanrabbani/stak-on-the-go-biodegradable-snack-pots-made-from-plants