Physical Medicine

As I stated in my previous two blogs the three factors that made my natural labor completely do-able were the yoga breath, visualization, and my husband and doulas support.  For my second labor I had two doulas.  I met them on the day I gave birth.  They were both very supportive, kind, and had different techniques that worked well together.  For example, at one point I was sitting on a birthing ball.  One doula pressed firmly on my low back, while the other would coach me with encouragement.  She’d say, “great job, keep the focus on your breath”.  My husband was great too.  He was seated, facing me and leaned foward.  I had my arms on his shoulders and he looked into my eyes and continued with words of encouragement.  The support gave me the strength and belief that I could deliver my baby natural.  It was very powerful!

For more information about doulas and my experience, click this link to listen to free podcasts http://fitbysaratip.fitbysara.com/, or visit my website www.fitbysara.com

Over the past 25 years,the Illinois General Assembly has enacted nearly 20 laws that have created harsher penalties for drug offenses.

I have some unfortunate news to report. On the evening of May 16, Governor O'Malley ignored the call for reform and formally vetoed HB 992, Maryland's sentencing reform bill.

The bill would have increased the discretion of judges during sentencing, making second-time nonviolent drug offenders who are assigned to mandatory sentences eligible for parole. Under current state law, mandatory minimums cannot be paroled or suspended, and people who are serving a mandatory minimum sentence cannot have access to treatment.

While HB 992 would have been a small change, it became the most controversial bill of the legislative session. DPA and our allies garnered support from across the state, including editorials in the area's largest papers, but the governor failed to take the opportunity to be a leader in sensible drug sentencing reform.

However, there is some good news: Our message of support for reform was heard by the governor! As late as the day of the veto, Gov. O'Malley's staff asked us to stop the fax campaign because your faxes had shut down their system. Way to go! I cannot say it enough: Thank you for all your calls, letters and support.

In his veto message, the governor said he shares most of the policy goals of the bill, and his staff has indicated that he might be willing to work on a new set of legislation in the next session.

While we regret the veto, we can't lose sight of what we achieved this year. This is the furthest a sentencing reform bill has gotten in Maryland in quite some time, and we will keep working in the months ahead to advance reform. DPA and our partners have helped move the debate in Maryland forward, and we have built the base to enact lasting legislative change in the future.

Stay tuned this summer and fall as we work to develop our plans for 2008.

Sincerely,

Naomi Long
Drug Policy Alliance

As I stated in the previous blog message, there were three things that made my natural birth (i.e, no pain meds) completely do-able.  The first was yoga breath, the second visualization, and the third doulas and my husband, which I will discuss tomorrow.  Visualization is a big factor in making your labor easier.  You will feel an intense pressure, and pain as your baby moves down to the birth canal.  What I did and coach my clients to do is picture your baby going down the birth canal and easily passing into this world.  The visualization can help to calm and relax you so your not resisting the process and your baby comes  easier.

Chris Mulligan! We knew you when you were but a wee intern. Look at you all grown up now and professional - and lookin' good, dude! I have no idea why the Washington Post is featuring you in this video, but I'm so glad for the opportunity to hear a pro marijuana reform message there.

Posted by Jeanette Irwin.