My Goal: Finding a Midwife

[heabrook]

Well, so far I contacted one via email because I wanted to see whether or not she would criticize a raw vegan diet. I saw a link on her web site to the "no-risk pregnancy diet." This diet included, dairy, eggs, meat (including ham), fish and shellfish. The recommended daily intake included 2 eggs, 3 pats of butter, one quart of milk, 1-2 servings of fish or meat, 1-2 servings of vegetables, 5 servings of whole grain breads, cereals, pancakes etc. It also recommends Table salt: salt your food to taste and eating liver once a week if you like it

Naturally, I wondered about whether or not I should even contact her. I told her that I did not eat any meat, dairy or any other type of animal product. I did not state that I was raw, because I first wanted to see her response to vegan. If it was good, I thought that we could talk in person about this. However, I think I should have stated it in the beginning because that's what I am and I am not going to change it. I believe it is the healthiest way to eat.

Anyways, her response to my email was:

"I have no problem with your vegan lifestyle; you just have to know how to
combine your grains and beans, etc to make up complete proteins, since
adequate protein is essential to building a healthy baby. I can help you
with that if you don't already know. I was vegetarian with my first two
pregnancies many yrs ago, but I did eat dairy. I had very healthy babies."

I eat some soaked grains (soaked kamut/oats for an "oatmeal" type breakfast) and I would eat sprouted beans but certainly not daily.

I feel like she will pressure me to eat cooked food and when I refuse, our relationship may be strained. I want a midwife that will not criticize the way that I eat. If they do not fully understand it, then perhaps they can learn from it...

[cassidy]

Hello,
Congrats again! If she has no problem with your vegan diet but a problem with raw - just ask her what she thinks the difference is? In her mind she may not be able to tell you why she thinks (assuming she even does ) raw is less healthy than vegan. You can explain to her that it is very similar to being vegan yet the health benefits are boosted by not cooking the food. Tell her about the vitamins you are taking and tell her all that you know about food combining and nutrient dense food. Tell her you are well studied on the subject.
I know you are... you always have great advise and you take your health seriously. Maybe give her a chance but keep you options open. Line up a few to talk to and see who you get the best feeling about. As you know, it is so important to have a good relationship with the one who is going to help you through one of the most important and beautiful trasformations of your life and the actually delivery of your little love.
By the way - I know it is still really early, but you may want to start looking for a pediatrition who will be open to you having a raw baby. Also you stated you wern't planning on vaccinating your child - so it might take a while to find a Ped. that is OK with these things. Good luck and I wish you all the best! I couldn't be happier for you!

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi heabrook,

I can help you with that if you don't already know.

Sounds like the midwife is willing to help you should you have any questions. I'm wondering if you don't have any questions if she would ask you what you are eating on a daily basis?

[Apasaraw]

To think that the lovely couple in your photo are going to have a baby just makes my day! All that love....Congratulations!

I have a friend who is a midwife and has a network of wonderful women who would not judge your life choice to be raw. I am going to contact her and see if she knows of any midwives or doulas in your area.

As for the midwife you have contacted, maybe explain to her about the raw food triangle and that you are getting all the amino acids you need to make your own protein? Maybe using the words "fresh" food diet instead of "raw"? Foods in their natural state. People I come across embrace the word "fresh" even though it's the same thing!

You shouldn't have to accept her as midwife if she does not accept your choices though. It is a chance to educate, yes, but it is also a time when you should be relaxed and happy and making that lovely baby. Ask for the right person to present herself while you are standing in nature and Mother Nature will send the perfect midwife your way.

My mother was raw for her pregnancy with me (totally 3rd world) and partly raw with my brother (in the usa) and we came out peachy. Even now she says "Eef you eat all flesh froo an vetchable, you have helty baby. No mattah how olt you ah." My Grandmother had a child my same age because she swore by this way.

Love,
Apasaraw

[SijaeintheRaw]

Good luck on your journey and congrats on your pregnancy! I just thought I'd mention that if you don't find a midwife you are comfortable with, you could consider doing without one. I had my first 2 babies at home with midwives and the last at home with just my husband and I. I much prefer unassisted homebirth to dealing with someone else's preconceived ideas about my body and my birth.

As for the diet I think a good raw diet is a great idea for pregnancy. The reason those foods are pushed so much is that the typical american SAD diet is so lacking. The pregnant mom needs enough protein to not only grow the baby but having the building blocks to increase your blood supply adequately is super important. A diet of processed breads, pastas and sweets wont cut it but a diet of living foods certainly will.

Good luck!
Laura

[heabrook]

Cassidy -- that's what we are going to do.. interview several and hopefully find one that fits. There are people that can understand cooked vegan, but sometimes understanding people eating only raw food can be a bit more of a challenge. I'm not sure why, because it makes more sense to eat vegetables and fruit as they are instead of processing them or cooking them... it makes sense that they would naturally have more nutrients in them before you cook/process them. Thus, eating raw should not seem unhealthy to anyone....

Helen -- that's true.. but I think most prenatal visits involve accessing what you are eating etc... I just don't want conflict, having a midwife that is compassionate and non-judgemental is very important to us.

Apasaraw --- that would be great if your friend knows of any midwives in the area.

SijaeintheRaw's --- the idea of not having a midwife is good, but this is my first pregnancy so my husband and I are just learning about the process of child birth. I think a midwife would be beneficial for us because she could assist us in the learning process and can answer any questions that may come up. I do have my mom, who has had natural child birth, but she's never assisted a birth before.

[Sheryl]

Food combining for complete proteins in one meal was a fad in the 70's, but many of the authors that promoted it recanted. The body holds a protein pool and uses it as needed. There is no need to get every single amino acid in each meal.

I just think it's funny that there are so many authors, books and educators that still harp on the complete protein thing... it's OLD!!!

Good luck finding a midwife!
Sheryl

[prana]

Have you posted your search for midwives on the mothering.com forum?

The ladies over there are quite helpful and understanding of finding the best midwife to fit your needs. There are also some threads about raw mothers. My sister uses mothering.com to find out about everything from non-vaccination issues to cloth diapers. There is a great amout of information to be found.

[Oceana]

Well, so far I contacted one via email because I wanted to see whether or not she would criticize a raw vegan diet. I saw a link on her web site to the "no-risk pregnancy diet." This diet included, dairy, eggs, meat (including ham), fish and shellfish. The recommended daily intake included 2 eggs, 3 pats of butter, one quart of milk, 1-2 servings of fish or meat, 1-2 servings of vegetables, 5 servings of whole grain breads, cereals, pancakes etc. It also recommends Table salt: salt your food to taste and eating liver once a week if you like it

Naturally, I wondered about whether or not I should even contact her. I told her that I did not eat any meat, dairy or any other type of animal product. I did not state that I was raw, because I first wanted to see her response to vegan. If it was good, I thought that we could talk in person about this. However, I think I should have stated it in the beginning because that's what I am and I am not going to change it. I believe it is the healthiest way to eat.

Anyways, her response to my email was:

"I have no problem with your vegan lifestyle; you just have to know how to
combine your grains and beans, etc to make up complete proteins, since
adequate protein is essential to building a healthy baby. I can help you
with that if you don't already know. I was vegetarian with my first two
pregnancies many yrs ago, but I did eat dairy. I had very healthy babies."

I eat some soaked grains (soaked kamut/oats for an "oatmeal" type breakfast) and I would eat sprouted beans but certainly not daily.

I feel like she will pressure me to eat cooked food and when I refuse, our relationship may be strained. I want a midwife that will not criticize the way that I eat. If they do not fully understand it, then perhaps they can learn from it...

Can you share her website...?

[Pailani]

Helen -- that's true.. but I think most prenatal visits involve accessing what you are eating etc...

My midwife did ask what I was eating. If you don't gain the right amount of weight, you can be considered a 'high'risk' pregnancy, and most midwives won't risk that, especially since they're already operating with the medical establishment against them. If anything goes wrong, their status as a midwife will be blamed, so they sometimes try to make sure their moms have by-the-book pregnancies. I can definitely foresee a midwife questioning a raw diet, especially the protein aspect.

You might arm yourself with everything you can find about protein and raw foods, and look up Storm and Jinjee's site (thegardendiet.com?) She's been through at least one raw pregnancy. If you have information and examples of people who have been successful with a raw pregnancy, that might help convince your midwife.

[heabrook]

Have you posted your search for midwives on the mothering.com forum?

The ladies over there are quite helpful and understanding of finding the best midwife to fit your needs. There are also some threads about raw mothers. My sister uses mothering.com to find out about everything from non-vaccination issues to cloth diapers. There is a great amout of information to be found.

I just registered for this site and will post on the forum. Thanks again for that info.. :)

Can you share her website...?

http://www.heritagehomebirth.com/

You might arm yourself with everything you can find about protein and raw foods, and look up Storm and Jinjee's site (thegardendiet.com?) She's been through at least one raw pregnancy. If you have information and examples of people who have been successful with a raw pregnancy, that might help convince your midwife.

I am going to purchase her ebook on her pregnancy.. I am looking forward to reading it.

I don't think it is hard to understand about the raw lifestyle once you explain it to someone. I mean, it makes perfect sense that it is a healthier way to eat...

[mrsalf97]

Have you considered an unassisted birth? ;)

[heabrook]

Have you considered an unassisted birth? ;)

Yes but this is my first time pregnancy and we don't know much about it. I guess there are resources to learn though??

I know someone who did not have a midwife or doctor.. her husband delivered all of their children.