You can read Joel Stein’s Time article here.
(Click on the video at your own discretion.)
I myself, am slightly lightheaded after viewing it. Joel’s quips are amusing - but I think I’ve lost my appetite.
All I can say is, that’s the first time I saw what that disposable organ looks like.
I was busy with a brand new baby both times mine was delivered and I intentionally averted my eyes.
I really just didn’t need to see it.
Our birthing class instructor told us her nurse held up her placenta and asked her if she’d like to thank it before it went on it’s way.
She said she waved politely and said. “Um, thank you.”
Any related stories to share?

I’ve spent the past two weeks touring the maternity wings of four hospitals - Ridgeview in Waconia, Fairview Southdale, HCMC and Woodwinds in Woodbury.

As my brother-in-law Bob would say: HOLY BUCKETS! 

Here’s what women who give birth in those facilities can look forward to, thanks to renovations all within the last two years: Birthing jacuzzis in the bathrooms, surround sound, and an in-room massage the day after. Want a baby pic? Call in a portrait photographer. They will even photoshop those funny red marks on junior’s head for a studio-quality portrait.

Birthing in Brno it wasn’t.

It’s all part of a major marketing offensive for women customers. After all, childbirth is usually the first time a woman is hospitalized. If she has fond memories, the thinking goes, then she’ll come back throughout her life, and bring her husband, kids and her own parents too.

I certainly didn’t have any of these frills when I gave birth three and five years ago. The first time was in Scottsdale, Az., where we were living at the time and the second was at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. (Funny story: Kay and I both had the same OB, even though we met for the first time AFTER we had our babies….cue Twilight Zone music…)

Unlike the parents I talked to, I did not tour multiple hospitals. I just picked the hospital my OB delivered at, and just showed up. The only birth plan I had was to eat a good meal before going in and not wait too long to ask for an epidural. Oh, and to never do the Petocin thing again. Ouch. 

Still, seeing the hospitals - those tubs look fun! - and checking out the cute scrunched up babies in the nurseries, did give my heart and my womb a slight twinge. I’m 38 so it’s now or never. (Note to husband: just kidding.)

Click here for the story.

Cribsheeters, where did you deliver? Did you shop around? In the end, how did you make your decision? What would you have done differently?

Pink and brown; I do love those colors together and lucky me, it seems to be the ubiquitous color palette of choice for little girls room decor and clothing these days. I was also thinking how that color combo seems to represent our toddler Vivian’s emerging personality perfectly. Pink and brown = princess and dirt.

One moment she’ll take a running jump, try and tackle her big brother and then settle down in the sand to dig with bulldozers. In the next moment she’s fashioning Fisher Price stacking rings into bangles up and down her arm while walking around on her tippy toes, a Lightning McQueen lunch box becomes her jaunty handbag.

Her princess, girly-girl side is a whole new world to me. I grew up a tomboy in the 70’s. I didn’t take dance, play with dolls or dress-up. I was at a store not to long ago digging through the sales rack and found some shirts for Vivian. The woman at the checkout held up one smiled and said, “Oh do you want to get the matching tutu for this one?” I looked at her bemused and confused. I just didn’t get it. I was thinking, tutus are scratchy, too poofy to play in, and definitely not practical for the playground. “A tutu? Where would she wear that?” She raised her eyebrows and looked at Vivian. “Oh, I’m sure she’ll figure it out.”

Well, figure it out she did. I didn’t purchase the tutu that day but her auntie and cousins came bearing girly gifts last weekend. Miss Vivian just ate it up: a tutu, a boa, sunglasses and bracelets. Her diva mode immediately switched to the “on” position. She sashayed around the room wrist cocked in the air twirling around in her skirt. She had instant attitude and sass. Later we went on a hike in the woods with the pack of cousins. She trudged along the dirt path and climbed piles of rocks with one hand held high in the air to keep her bracelets she insisted on wearing from falling off.

Our gritty girly-girl is both fearless and frilly. And I love every minute of watching our little steel magnolia (wait, what would the Minnesota version of steel magnolia be?) iron daisy (?) begin to blossom.

On a related note: Just saw this essay on babble.com Grit-Glamour: Yoga Pants, Diva Daughters. Another non-girly-girl mom writes on the topic from a different angle. She asks the question: Are moms dressing their daughters better than themselves? And are they projecting who they wish they were/used to be on their daughters?

We’d love it if you chug on over to the Java Train in St. Paul (1341 Pascal Street) this Saturday to meet up with fellow Cribsheeters. 10am-Noon See details and directions in May’s previous post here.
We had so much fun meeting everyone last year we hope to see you there!

Here’s an idea (if you can work it around naptime) you can make a day of it. Come join us, get your fill of caffeinated conversation with the Cribsheet crowd and then head on over to the nearby Como Zoo.

(Ann & Zoe at Cribsheet Cafe 2008 at Sovereign Grounds)

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Hey, and as long as I have your attention here’s another reminder: Cribsheet has been nominated by Nick’s Parents’ Picks as “Best Local Blog”
You can vote daily through July 15th.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Regular Cribsheeters will already know Kate Hopper.

She teaches the wonderful “Motherwords” class at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. For the last two years, Cribsheet has published the best essays from Kate’s class here.

Kate’s launching a new class this Saturday - “Writing Parenthood,” a day-long workshop at the Loft. She’s still looking for sign-ups. Click here for details.