text:
are those the pinaka missiles or the prithvi?
Wrinkles wrinkles my kingdom fallen to a wrinkle
certainly not prithvi... Something like the Indian equivalent of the BM 30.
Looks like the board says prahaar, which is a tactical Ballistic missile with active guidance not like dumb rockets from the Smerch.
Last edited by WinterStars; 1st May 2012 at 12:16.
"A map does you no good if you don't know where you are"
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...?homepage=trueThe speed at which they have come up with a PAC 3 type solution is pretty amazing considering the usual delay rate in DRDO projects..India has developed a missile defence shield which can be put in place at short notice to protect at least two cities, bringing the country on par with an elite group of few nations.
The shield, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, has been tested successfully and an incoming ballistic missile with the range of up to 2,000 km can be destroyed. The system is to be upgraded to the range of 5,000 km by 2016.
This will also make the USN happy as it may help them against aggression to Diego Garcia if a combined Pacific Indian ocean strategy is to be in place..
Wrinkles wrinkles my kingdom fallen to a wrinkle
Pallav Bagla might not be the best science and tech reporter out there but he sure gets the first scoop on all the stories. NDTV report on GSLV Mk 3:-
Informative interview of Dr Avinash Chander..
Link:http://www.flonnet.com/stories/20120601291003600.htmQuality our concern'
Interview with Avinash Chander, Chief Controller, Missiles and Strategic Systems, DRDO
AVINASH CHANDER has a rare distinction. He is the architect of five of India's strategic missiles Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III, Agni-IV and now the long-range Agni-V. The missiles of the Agni family were developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of which Chander is now the Chief Controller (Missiles and Strategic Systems).
As Programme Director, Agni-V, he played a key role in the launch of the long-range ballistic missile on April 19 from Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast. The launch propelled India into a select club of countries (such as the United States, Russia, France and China) that have the capability to build missiles that can travel more than 5,500 kilometres.
Chander joined the DRDO in 1972 after graduating in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He obtained his M.S. in Spatial Information Technology from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. He has made specific contributions to the Agni programme its management, mission design, guidance, navigation, simulation and terminal guidance.
Excerpts from an interview he gave Frontline in Hyderabad on April 21:
India's successful test-firing of Agni-V has generated much interest internationally.
Many countries are talking about it. The fact that they are talking about it and are concerned about it shows the impact it has made and how it is fitting into their policies. That is why I called it a game-changer.
China has reacted in a big way. It says that Agni-V actually has a range of 8,000 km and that India has underplayed it.
Is it true?
No comments.
What made your team confident that Agni-V will succeed in its maiden launch?
Over the years, our missile designs have been robust except in the case of Agni-III, where the first flight was a failure because there was a lacuna in the design itself. In no other flight did we have a real design failure. Yes, there was again some design lacuna in Agni-IV. But the failure of its first flight was for quality-related reasons.
A component failed.
Agni-IV's failure was for quality reasons, but it was not the primary cause. We are now pretty confident of our design strength. We had already tested in Agni-IV the major technologies such as the composite motors, their conical shape, etc. that went into Agni-V. But Agni-V had much bigger motors. We had a lot of confidence that our process was well-understood and the missiles' behaviour was well-defined.
We were testing the new navigation system the ring-laser gyro system for the first time and we were constantly upgrading and improving it. By the time we went to Agni-V, we had made 20 systems and tested them on ground in various conditions. A lot of data were generated on their performance. Wherever there was a weakness, it was addressed. We had built-in redundancies to take care of unforeseen emergencies. So we were pretty confident that we would have a total mission success.
Our on-board computers went through hundreds of runs in various modes. We tested them in various types of conditions way beyond the actual missile capability to ensure that neither the system nor the software would fail.
We now have a system of configuration control and configuration management and an elaborate review mechanism at various stages so that design problems do not slip through. Even with all that, there were occasions when gaps occurred, but in the end we had a rigorous flight review mechanism. This is a practice we borrowed from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). When Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam came [to the DRDO from ISRO], he made the Agni programme very rigorous. Multiple teams had to go through every item, re-verification was done, and if there was any problem it was rectified on the spot. That was how we were confident that we had captured all the problems for Agni-V.
Our primary concern was quality. Unfortunately, quality continues to be our concern. If you take a missile of this type, there are hundreds of thousands of connections components being soldered on the integrated circuit systems. Most of them are made manually in our country. The processes are still not automatic. If any one of these joints fails, the mission fails.
There are hundreds of people across the country who have done these components. Although we have instituted a strong quality mechanism in various industries working for us, and we have our own quality control supervisors working there, there is nothing like 100 per cent inspection assurance. That was our primary concern. Ultimately, the product is as good as the weakest element in that chain.
I shall cite a simple case. We purchase components from our vendors. When we were mounting one such component in a package, our inspectors found that it was different from what we had envisaged. It was a fake component.
Totally fake. It was not from the source we wanted. It was not of the same quality. It did not match the shape of the component we had ordered. But it had the same batch number. So that is the level to which you should make sure that you do not have any problem. We are steadily trying to improve. Today, we have a better quality control system.
We have created a Strategic Services Quality Assurance Group, dedicated to the Agni class of systems. But at the industrial level, it has to be much, much better. That was the only concern we had [when we launched Agni-V].
You can simulate vibration, shock and acceleration one at a time. You cannot simulate all of them together. But when a missile is in flight, all of them happen together. That is the most critical environment.
Besides, there are so many components that are operating for the first time. About 75 per cent of the failures happen owing to a collection of failures. About 15 per cent of failures occur owing to single-shot systems some weakness somewhere in a system, such as the rocket motors' separation system, which is not testable. The Americans have also failed in some of the anti-ballistic missile trials because the missile's separation system did not work. They are single-shot systems. [The failure in the U.S. happened] not in the missile which was used as an interceptor but in the missile that was used as a target. Hardly 5 per cent of the failures occur because of design lacuna. We put in a lot of hard work for two years.
How did you achieve this quantum jump in range from Agni-III's 3,000 km to Agni-V's 5,000 km?
We went through various steps. One was that we had to make the upper stages lighter. That was the first and most critical factor. We decided to make both the second and third upper stages of composites. That gave us a major benefit in terms of weight. In Agni-III, both the first and second stages were metallic.
Having made the composite stages, we found that they were coming out better than the metallic stages, strength-wise and property-wise. So we could operate at a higher pressure. So you do not have losses due to gravity, and the losses are reduced. We then went through a total philosophy change. Up to Agni-III, we ignite the upper stage first, then separate the lower stage so that there is no problem of separation.
We decided to leave behind that culture of space vehicles. We now put big retro motors, which create a thrust of four tonnes each totally 16 tonnes of thrust just to separate the stages so that no dead weight is passed on to the upper stage.
Correspondingly, we decided to make the mission stronger so that there are no interfaces and the separation is clean. We studied and created extensive models to simulate them on the ground in all types of disturbed conditions in wind tunnels. With all that, we could remove the inter-stages altogether. The weight we had reduced by making the upper stages of composites was fed back into the third upper stage. The weight did not increase overall, but the total energy increased considerably. To reach the 3,000-km range, you need a velocity of five kilometres per second. To reach the 5,000-km range, the velocity has to be more than six kilometres a second.
That was our approach to the repackaging of our vehicle. We made major modifications in the upper stage. V.G. Sekaran, Director, Advanced Systems Laboratory [ASL], DRDO, played a primary role in showing us how to repackage the payload structures so that the weight comes down by 1,000 kg.
How did the payload structures lose weight?
The payload structures had become much lighter; the weight was almost 60 per cent less than what it was earlier. It was a very elaborate exercise. We went to all the stages to see how to lose weight, how to repackage, how to reduce length, what technologies are needed for these, what was the modelling needed, and so on. That was how we could pack practically the same weight from Agni-III, 48 tonnes in weight and 17 metres in length, to Agni-V, 50 tonnes in weight and 17.5 metres in length, but from a range of 3,000 km to more than 5,000 km. We wanted to make sure that all these capabilities were first proven in Agni-IV. We removed the open inter-stage. We had a closed inter-stage. We had composite motors. We had a compact payload. Of course, there is a vast difference between Agni-IV and Agni-V payloads. But the basic system was the same. But Agni-V had much more visibility and we wanted to make sure that all the elements of Agni-V were good. Agni-IV as a system did its job.
What are your future plans for Agni-V?
There are three stages of missile development. The first is design. As far as Agni-V is concerned, we have crossed that phase.
The next stage is proving the canister-launch capability. We have done the canister-launch for smaller missiles.
Like Shourya.
We have done for BrahMos also. The ASL is the laboratory which developed the canisters for both BrahMos and Agni-V. The gas generators that propel the missiles out of the canisters are made in the ASL. These technologies are available. They are being upscaled.
For instance, if I need five or ten tonnes of thrust there [for BrahMos or Shourya], I need 300 tonnes of thrust here because the mass is so much higher. That is upscaling. We know how to do it. So we will be doing missile ejection tests [from a canister]. We have set up a facility for that at Shamirpet, Hyderabad. We will take our canister to that facility, put a dummy missile inside with a small full-scale booster, and eject it. That small motor will push the missile out and you can recover it. It may be damaged. We have to do three or four tests in that condition to establish all the parameters of launch. What is the kind of vibration and shock that are caused? What is the time that the missile takes to come out of the canister? How much heat is transferred to the canister? And how much energy is lost? All these have been modelled. We have to validate these models by experiments. No other way is possible. That is the first priority.
These experiments will start in May/June. The launchers are already getting ready in the industry the road-mobile, canister-launch system.
Private industry is making the road-mobile launcher with the launch platform.
They are making the launcher to our design. All our products are Indian. The road-mobile launcher will be delivered in May. The canister is ready. The integrated test will start in June. We are aiming for the missile launch by the end of this year. Or maybe by the beginning of next year, because we have to do a number of tests and evaluate them. If everything goes well, yes, by the end of this year.
A road-mobile, canisterised launch in final, user configuration will take place next year.
The full, final version in all aspects will be tested in the early part of next year. We want to complete all trials by the end of next year.
How many trials will you do?
We need two or three trials from the canister. If two perform very well, we may take a decision to go ahead. Then the production will start. From the production chain, the user will pick some missiles and launch them to validate the production process and then the induction will start. Totally, we will have six more tests before Agni-V is inducted [into the Army].
Tests by the user?
Tests by the user will be along with our team. That serves a dual purpose to train the user in operating the system and to validate the production process.
So there will be six tests, including the user trials.
Yes. It is not user trial. It is called pre-induction trial. The user is part of all our trials. Right from the first test, the user is involved what we are getting, what the performance of the missile is, etc. Every test is a user trial in that sense. Canister trials will happen from June onwards. By December, the canisterised flight will take place.
V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, said recently that the DRDO would not cap the Agni programme. So, will we go in for a missile beyond 5,000 km even though we don't need one?
Dr Saraswat very clearly said there was nothing like a static threat perception. Threat is a dynamic scenario. If tomorrow India's trade requirements go beyond distant regions and it feels threatened by somebody, its requirements will change. The DRDO does not wait for the threat to become a reality before it starts the development. That is why it is a perception. We have to develop capabilities to meet futuristic threats. That is why there is nothing like capping a programme.
A programme, by definition, is for a limited duration. After we deliver Agni-V, that programme is over. We will work parallely . MIRV [Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicle] is definitely a technology we want to develop and we are going to develop it. We will be creating that capability. Similarly, we will be creating manoeuvring warheads, another capability that is a must. It will give you the ability to target places with high precision, with nuclear or conventional warheads.
So the role of a missile changes, the threat perceptions change, the dynamic geopolitical situation changes. So there is nothing like capping or not capping a programme. You never cap technology. New programmes evolve as the need arises, but technology development will be a continuous process.
In fact, the future will require intelligent warheads because the capabilities increase for intercepting ballistic or cruise missiles . Everybody is developing defences against these weapons. It may take time. But it will happen. So we have to upgrade our weapons. We have to go three steps further two steps to catch up and one to overtake. In warfare, unless you are better than the best, you cannot win the war.
Our next step will be to build intelligent warheads which will have the capability to assess the risks and take active or passive action or counter-measures. They will be the warheads of tomorrow, and work has to start now. It may take five or ten years. There is tremendous work that needs to be done to develop state-of-the-art weapons with multiple capabilities.
China has said that India has a long way to go to match its capability. I cannot comment [on it] because I do not know the Chinese capability. But we know that technology-wise, we have the capability and the knowledge for converting technological capability to build further on it.
Agni-V has been developed in three years. MIRV may come in two and a half years from now. We want to make that process faster and faster. We have instituted fantastic measures to make it happen how to make industries respond faster, how to make design-culture faster, how to make in-house quality products, and so on. So we are attacking the problem at various levels. Agni-V is one example of that process happening. We were able to do it in less than three years after the project was sanctioned. No other weapon has been developed in three years.
There is a perception that Agni-V need not be road-mobile because it is a strategic weapon, which will never be used. It is more a deterrent.
India is a peace-loving nation. It has never taken an offensive action except when it was threatened. In such a situation, you have to make sure that whatever be your deterrence measures, you are well protected. In today's world, with the way the precision and yield of weapons are going up, it is very difficult to store missiles in static sites. Fifty years ago, we kept the missiles in hardened silos. At that time, the missiles used to land with a CEP [circular error probability] of a few kilometres. Today, they have a CEP of 100 metres. With 100 metres, the kind of defences that you will want is so massive that it will be impractical to have them.
So what is the way out? It is that you should be mobile. When a target is static, it is most vulnerable. A moving target has better chances of survival.
A road-mobile missile has many avenues to go. In a city like New Delhi, where hundreds of thousands of vehicles are moving, it is not easy to keep track.
When does the Army want a canisterised Agni-V from now?
A canister gives you the best advantages. You can stop on the roadside on the highway, launch from there and go away. You can stop the traffic for five minutes on either side, launch and go away. Your ability to move, your options to launch and your operational flexibility increase manifold. You have a reduced reaction time. Everything is already prepared. Just make the missile vertical in three minutes, and the launching takes another few minutes. So you stop, launch and go off. That does not give the enemy a chance even if he detects you. He does not know from where you are going to launch. Only when you have made the missile vertical for launch will he realise that you are going to launch it. The boost-phase destruction that people are talking of, that is, the missile getting destroyed before it takes off, will not be possible if you have a short reaction time as in a canisterised launch unless you have a space-based radar weapons system. Today, it is non-existent and is not likely to be developed in the next couple of decades at least.
You say that Agni-V can reach the farthest corners where you want to exert your influence
I need not stress the strategic significance of Agni-V. You can see from the responses of others what the strategic significance of this mission is.
As far as we are concerned, its primary significance is that you have strategic depth. With Agni-V, you can target all potential threat areas. You can go close to the border areas or thousands of kilometres away from enemy countermeasures and launch this missile. That is the most important strategic significance.
The fact that it can reach large parts of the globe has its own impact of your acceptance, and more importantly, your arrival as a missile power. We were at the receiving end of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Irrespective of these technology denial regimes, we can do what we need to do. If we can do 5,000 km with all these regimes, we can do anything. We have to set ourselves a goal and we can achieve it. That is for strategic missiles. We are looking at tactical missiles also. We are looking at certain game-changing processes, at longer-range capability, much better kill capabilities than we had thought of earlier. We want to anticipate the future.
We want to be prepared. In those preparations too, we want to make the user a partner because these will be systems which will neither be made nor be available anywhere else. That is the class we are graduating to. This confidence has come from Agni-V and other systems.
Have a good one..
Indeed Nice Interview , Quite detailed and informative.
It seems all the technologies for A5 was validated in A4 and then it was scaled up for Agni-5
"A map does you no good if you don't know where you are"
Shows how such a big system can go drastically wrong with one small faulty component..intriguing scenario with the component being totally differenent yet having the same batch no...how could it have happened..
Good to know the road mobile launcher will be ready by May..I think Tata is the one making it.Hopefullly they will not base it on the Prima.
I hope team-bhp does a review on that.
Have a good one..
The batch no with different component is more of quality control issue ....good it was found though on time...ask the russian how many failures they faced with Bulava due to QC issue :P
"A map does you no good if you don't know where you are"
According to Dr Saraswat, Akash SAM might have 3 production lines (one BDL and two pvt) to fulfill the huge order backlog (at the end of the video)
Any news about the Arrow 2 for India. India needs some purpose built ABM system to prevent zealots to its west from destroying human civilization.
we do not know enough details to say that we dont need Arrow 2..
Last edited by matt; 20th May 2012 at 13:39.
Wrinkles wrinkles my kingdom fallen to a wrinkle
i am not saying that the Indian system should not be finished I also do not feel it will be good to put all the eggs in the DRDO basket as they do not always perform so well...
Wrinkles wrinkles my kingdom fallen to a wrinkle
I know u care about India but dude have some faith on desi scientists. They are much more qualified & experienced than you and me in their respective fields to take such decisions
Last edited by Anant; 20th May 2012 at 14:27.
Wrinkles wrinkles my kingdom fallen to a wrinkle
Given the realities in almost every field in India except defence(automotives, for instance) I very much believe the government should cultivate the private sector with the same fervour with which it funds the DRDO and Defence PSUs.
IAF Akash SAM tested successfully again..
They've now tested several random production batch samples of the Akash for the IA and IAF 5 separate times with only 1 missile suffering a glitch.
BALASORE: Defence scientists on Wednesday successfully test fired the indigenously-developed Air Force version of the Akash missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur near here. This was the fifth trial of the anti-aircraft system in the last fortnight.
"The Air Force version of Akash missile was test-fired from the ITR. The trial was successful and met all the mission objectives," a senior defence official said.
The anti-aircraft missile, with a strike range of 25 km and capable of carrying warhead of 60 kg, was test fired from a mobile launcher at launch complex-III of the ITR.
The trial, which formed part of the country's routine air defence exercises, was conducted at 7.57 am, an official of Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) associated with the Akash missile project said.
To re-validate the technology and operational efficacy of the missile, defence forces conducted the trial with logistic support provided by the ITR, the official said. The Akash weapon system, which has its Army version too, was inducted into the armed forces in 2008.
Wednesday's test-fire came after similar trials conducted from the same test range on May 24, 26, 28 and June 1On June 1, two Air force version of Akash missiles had been test fired successfully in quick succession, the official said.
Last edited by BlackArcher; 7th June 2012 at 05:23.
India Begins $2.2-billion QR-SAM Procurement Effort
It would be nice to see Maitri being pushed to at least a tech demonstrator status. If it achieves the performance parameters, sooner or later it should receive a few orders, being a semi domestic product.MBDA will be pitching the in-development Indo-French joint short-range surface to air missile (SR-SAM) or Maitri for the competition, in the hope that "enhanced synergies" will see a concept weapon get its big break even before its fully operational. It is not clear if MBDA will field any other product. I hear that MBDA has competition from the Rafael-IAI SpyDer, an upgraded version of Raytheon's MIM-23 Hawk or modified SLAMRAAM and the Russian TOR M1 9M330.
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text:
FARNWORTH Town sealed promotion to Division One after a 2-1 win at Radcliffe Town.
Jason Tyldesley's side opened the scoring inside 90 seconds with Kieran Ward heading home from a long throw-in.
Two minutes later the Farnworth goalkeeper swung and missed his attempted clearance from a backpass to gift Radcliffe the equaliser.
Just before half time, Brad Tyldesley smashed home the winner after a lovely flowing move. However, the afternoon turned sour for the Farnworth skipper when he was given a harsh red card for a tough challenge midway through the second half.
Farnworth held on and manager Tyldesley was delighted with their achievement.
He said: "I can't wait for next season. It's a new challenge and hopefully, with a good pre-season, we can kick on and push for the Premier Division."
In the Premier Division, Little Lever SC continued their end-of-season slump with a 5-2 home defeat to Failsworth Dynamos.
Phil Regan opened the scoring for Little Lever, but Failsworth equalised on the stroke of half-time. Two goals in a minute at the start of the second half knocked the wind out of Lee Buckley's side and Failsworth added a fourth midway through the period.
Regan scored his second to reduce the deficit, but a late goal made it 5-2 and five league games without a victory for Little Lever.
Player Andy Bingham said: "It was a pretty poor performance. It was just one of those end-of-season games and we want to see the back of this campaign. It's difficult when you can't get the same team out every week because of people working, but it's the same across the league."
Howe Bridge Mills, who face Little Lever in the final game of the season at Mytham Road, were beaten 4-1 by title contenders Prestwich, making it five defeats and a draw in their last six games.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
About the Book
First I want to thank Lisa lewolt for being a wonderful friend. Many of my poems only exist because of her I wish to thank everyone that has inspired me to write, and all that have assisted in getting this book accomplished, thank you blurb.com for your great service to authors. I thank all the great writers actors and movie makers that have inspired my brain; Ray Bradbury, Robert A Heinlein, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, George Macdonald, George Lucas, Gene Roddenberry, and all who have been involved with Star Trek, and Star Wars. I thank my friends and family and all the people from Thousand Oaks High School I care about. I thank and honor those who fight to defend America at home and overseas and all the first responders may we always remember their sacrifices on September Eleventh Two Thousand And One. Thanks be to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ praise be to his name forever and ever amen.
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text:
Asian Grilled Snow Crab
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Serves 4
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1 pound Snow crab, in shell (or dungeness, king crab, or shell on 1-pound (26-30) shrimp for substitute) (HEB Seafood Department)
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1tablespoon chile hot sauce (Sriracha)
- 3 tablespoons black bean garlic paste
- 1/4 dry white wine (HEB Cooking Connections)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced
- Heat grill to med-high heat
- Add hoisin, sriracha, black bean paste, and white wine and heat until bubbly. Take off heat and add sesame oil.
- Crack crab shells in multiple areas to allow sauce to enter shell without crab falling out.
- Toss the crab in canola oil and add to grill and cook 5-10 minutes.
- Drizzle with sauce and remove from grill to plate and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Asian Noodle Salad
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves 4
- 1 package soba noodles
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot chili oil
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 5 tablespoon Octtavio Extra Virgin Olive Oil (HEB Cooking Connection)
- 2 carrots, thinly sliced
- 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 5 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced napa cabbage
- 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced bok choy
- 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, for garnish
- 4 tablespoons unsalted peanuts, for garnish
- In a medium stock pot, boil water, add salt and cook noodles. When finished, place noodles in an ice bath to cool. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine, sesame oil, vinegar, hot chili oil, hoisin and olive oil. Mix thoroughly and the combine prepared vegetables and noodles.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and peanuts.
Copyright 2012 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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The Hunger Games 8 Piece Quotations Sticker Set: The Hunger Games 8 piece sticker set features eight stickers with your favorite characters and quotations from the Hunger Games books and movie. UPC: 634482260111


text:
A WINCHESTER man has been honoured by his colleagues as 'the soldiers' soldier'.
Rifleman Jack Osborne won an army award after finishing his recruit training.
The 20-year-old, from Weeke, completed the Combat Infantryman's Course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire.
Rifleman Osborne said: "Joining the army was a bit of an impulsive decision for me. I cannot even give a definitive reason why, I was looking to do something different and thought I would give it a go. Fortunately, I've ended up really enjoying the training," he said.
"The type of person I was studying sociology and ancient civilizations with at college is different to the kind of person I've met at Catterick. I've enjoyed getting on with everyone on the course and helped out where I thought I could. I suppose that's why I got this award.
"The one aspect that sticks out for me during the whole six months is that the instructors have all been on operations. They have seen and done it all, they are real role models."
His platoon commander, Captain Tom Hamblin, said: "This is awarded by the Riflemen themselves, they vote for who they think is the best soldier in the platoon, so this makes it a real pat on the back from his fellow recruits. I am sure he received this because of his selfless nature; he was always helping out behind the scenes and was the first to raise morale with his sense of humour when the going got tough. A well deserved accolade."
After two weeks' driver training Rifleman Osborne took some well-earned leave before joining his unit, the 4th Battalion The Rifles in Bulford.


text:
A MAN was punched in the face during a violent street-robbery in Clacton.
The 28-year-old was walking along Thoroughgood Road when he was attacked at 12.20am on Thursday.
He was approached from behind and had his rucksack pulled from his shoulder.
Det Con Lee Winfield, from Clacton CID, said he was also punched to the face.
"He fell to the floor suffering cuts and bruises to his face," he said.
"The suspects then ran off.
"Unfortunately the victim was not able to get a good look at his attackers and we currently have no description.
"But I would like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in this area or who has come across any of the distinctive stolen property.
"If anyone has been offered any of these items or finds them I would ask them to call me."
The bag was a black McKenzie backpack with the letter M on the back.
It contained a pair of black, size eight, suede puma trainers, black skinny jeans, a blue polo shirt with a lighthouse motif and hair gel.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Det Con Winfield at Clacton Police Station on 101.


text:
Anyone who's seen kids on a playground knows that most are naturally physically active and love to move around. But what might not be apparent is that climbing to the top of a slide or swinging from the monkey bars can help lead kids to a lifetime of being active.
As they get older, it can be a challenge for kids to get enough daily activity. Reasons include increasing demands of school, a feeling among some kids that they aren't good at sports, a lack of active role models, and busy working families.
And even if kids have the time and the desire to be active, parents may not feel comfortable letting them freely roam the neighborhood as kids did generations ago. So their opportunities might be limited.
In spite of these barriers, parents can instill a love of activity and help kids fit it into their everyday lives. Doing so can set healthy patterns that will last into adulthood.
When kids are active, their bodies can do the things they want and need them to do. Why? Because regular exercise provides these benefits:
Healthy, physically active kids also are more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. And physical competence builds self-esteem at every age.
So there's a lot to gain from regular physical activity, but how do you encourage kids to do it? The three keys are:
When kids enjoy an activity, they want to do more of it. Practicing a skill — whether it's swimming or riding a tricycle — improves their abilities and helps them feel accomplished, especially when the effort is noticed and praised. These good feelings often make kids want to continue the activity and even try others.
The best way for kids to get physical activity is by incorporating physical activity into their daily routine. Toddlers and preschoolers should play actively several times a day. Children 6 to 17 years should do 60 minutes or more physical activity daily. This can include free play at home, active time at school, and participation in classes or organized sports.
Preschoolers: Preschoolers need play and exercise that helps them continue to develop important motor skills — kicking or throwing a ball, playing tag or follow the leader, hopping on one foot, riding a trike or bike with training wheels, freeze dancing, or running obstacle courses.
Although some sports leagues may be open to kids as young as 4, organized and team sports are not recommended until they're a little older. Preschoolers can't understand complex rules and often lack the attention span, skills, and coordination needed to play sports. Instead of learning to play a sport, they should work on fundamental skills.
School-age: With school-age kids spending more time on sedentary pursuits like watching TV and playing computer games, the challenge for parents is to help them find physical activities they enjoy and feel successful doing. These can range from traditional sports like baseball and basketball to martial arts, biking, hiking, and playing outside.
As kids learn basic skills and simple rules in the early school-age years, there might only be a few athletic standouts. As kids get older, differences in ability and personality become more apparent. Commitment and interest level often go along with ability, which is why it's important to find an activity that's right for your child. Schedules start getting busy during these years, but don't forget to set aside some time for free play.
Teenagers: Teens have many choices when it comes to being active — from school sports to after-school interests, such as yoga or skateboarding. It's important to remember that physical activity must be planned and often has to be sandwiched between various responsibilities and commitments.
Do what you can to make it easy for your teen to exercise by providing transportation and the necessary gear or equipment (including workout clothes). In some cases, the right clothes and shoes might help a shy teen feel comfortable biking or going to the gym.
In addition to a child's age, it's important to consider his or her fitness personality. Personality traits, genetics, and athletic ability combine to influence kids' attitudes toward participation in sports and other physical activities, particularly as they get older.
Which of these three types best describes your child?
1. The nonathlete: This child may lack athletic ability, interest in physical activity, or both.
2. The casual athlete: This child is interested in being active but isn't a star player and is at risk of getting discouraged in a competitive athletic environment.
3. The athlete: This child has athletic ability, is committed to a sport or activity, and likely to ramp up practice time and intensity of competition.
If you understand the concepts of temperament and fitness types, you'll be better able to help your kids find the right activities and get enough exercise — and find enjoyment in physical activity. Some kids want to pursue excellence in a sport, while others may be perfectly happy and fit as casual participants.
The athlete, for instance, will want to be on the basketball team, while the casual athlete may just enjoy shooting hoops in the playground or on the driveway. The nonathlete is likely to need a parent's help and encouragement to get and stay physically active. That's why it's important to encourage kids to remain active even through they aren't top performers.
Whatever their fitness personality, all kids can be physically fit. A parent's positive attitude will help a child who's reluctant to exercise.
Be active yourself and support your kids' interests. If you start this early enough, they'll come to regard activity as a normal — and fun — part of your family's everyday routine.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: October 2014
|Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) YMCAs also offer camps, computer classes, and community service opportunities in addition to fitness classes.
|Kids Sports Network This organization promotes quality nonschool sports and fitness for children between the ages of 3 and 19 through coaches, education, special events and activities, public awareness, and regular networking with youth sports organizations and agencies.
|American Council on Exercise (ACE) ACE promotes active, healthy lifestyles by setting certification and education standards for fitness instructors and through ongoing public education about the importance of exercise.
|BAM! Body and Mind This CDC website is designed for 9- to 13-year-olds and addresses health, nutrition, fitness, and stress. It also offers games for kids.
|Let's Move! Let's Move! is dedicated to solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation.
|How Can I Get My Kids to Be Active Outdoors? Kids parked on the couch watching TV or glued to a computer/smartphone/gaming system are missing out on the great outdoors. It's important for all kids to get outside - here are some ideas.
|Active Vacations If an active family vacation sounds appealing, find out how to plan a trip that will be fun without being exhausting, especially for young travelers.
|Be a Fit Kid A lot of people talk about fit kids, but how do you become one? Here are five rules to live by, if you want to eat right, be active, and maintain a healthy weight.
|Easy Exercises for Teens Finding it hard to fit in fitness? Try these easy exercises for teens.
|Nutrition & Fitness Center Visit our nutrition and fitness center for teens to get information and advice on food, exercise, and sports.
|How Can I Get Motivated to Exercise? Find out what the experts have to say.
|What If I Don't Like Sports? Sports can be challenging when you're new to them, but they also can be really fun. Take a second look at sports - and learn other ways to be active - in this article for kids.
|What Girls Say About: Sports Girls who like sports really like them - even more than texting or the mall. And most girls who say they don't like sports want to get better at them.
|Motivating Preschoolers to Be Active A preschooler's desire to move, move, move makes this a great time to encourage fitness habits that can last a lifetime.
|Motivating School-Age Kids to Be Active Being active is a key component of good health for all school-age kids. So how do you get kids motivated to be active, especially those who aren't gifted athletes?
|Choosing the Right Sport for You If you're having trouble choosing a sport, this article can help!
|Kids and Exercise Besides enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise, kids who are physically fit sleep better and are better able to handle physical and emotional challenges.
|Should Your Preschooler Play Sports? Team sports can be too complicated for the average preschooler. Here are some fun and easy ways to keep them active.
|Home and Away: How to Keep Toddlers Active Toddlers naturally enjoy doing what is healthiest for them - being as active as possible. Here are tips to help keep them moving.
|Raising a Fit Preschooler Preschoolers have a lot of energy, and the physical skills and coordination to ride a tricycle or chase a butterfly.
|Fitness for Kids Who Don't Like Sports Some kids aren't natural athletes and they may say they just don't like sports. What then?
|Nutrition & Fitness Center You know the importance of exercising and eating nutritious foods, but do you know how to raise a healthy and active child? Get practical advice and tips.
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FRIDAY EXIT offers young artists and artstudents a platform for the
realisation and visualisation of a variety of different artistic
approaches. We are a non-profit organisation, consisting of an open
collective of artists and curators associated with the Academy of Fine
Arts Vienna.
Together with young artistic, curatorial and research positions, FRIDAY EXIT is interested in exploring issues of contemporary art practice. We understand this collaboration as a heterogeneous and vibrant exchange process.
FRIDAY EXIT is part of xperiment, a cooperation of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and an open collective.


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Out here on the west coast art fair scene (Wa-Ut-Az-Ca-Nv)we old time full time functional potters have noticed we are not being replacedwith younger folks doing what we do-The question is this only out west oreverywhere?
I do know that collage ceramic programs in general havemostly sifted to art not functional programs thru the 80s and 90s. This hasbeen a fact even with Alfred's (at one time one of the ground zero spots for functionalpottery) so my Alfred's alumni friends tell me. We do see a few folks in their40s but we are all mostly in our 50's and 60's and rarely see at shows anyonein their 20's or 30's selling pottery.
We know its big hard work starting out-all the learning ofthrowing glaze making kilns firing etc .For many of us its our calling and werelish the work
Is it a lack of functional clay education in the system or something else?
This trend has been discussed by many of us for years-Its not a perception but a fact-
Yes there are hobby potters occasionally at shows but we aretalking about salt of the earth full time folks who make the items you useeveryday in the kitchen bath and in the home-not ceramic art but functionalitems
What are your thoughts on this?
I have always considered myself a functional potter. I like to think of how something works, why it works, what it is used for and how to improve it. I have played at this by changing the shape of handles, changing accent lines, basic forms, lips of forms, and so many other things that have always been traditional. Sometimes I return to the classic as they finally make sense, sometimes I prove to myself that my way was acceptable-maybe not better, but equal. I also find that I do forms that are larger, and yet functional. A lamp can be very sculptural, yet is funtional, some would call it decorative, as is water fountains, bird baths, bird houses, umbrella stands, planters, and so many other things. The studio potter can create these decorative items uniquely, each making their own statement, each approaching art, but maybe not accepted as such. At the same time potters can adjust to trends and interests faster than the industry out there, and so often they are the leaders of the new trend then industry comes in and mass produces what the potters started.
I think in the end, there will always be people out there that will want well made, decorative functional art to enhance their lifestyle. They may only be in the 1% maybe more, but they will be there. So I believe that there will also be potters out there that will fill that need.


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You exercise your body to stay physically in shape, so why shouldn't you exercise your brain to stay mentally fit? With these daily exercises you will learn how to flex your mind, improve your creativity and boost your memory. As with any exercise, repetition is necessary for you to see improvement, so pick your favorite exercises from our daily suggestions and repeat them as desired. Try to do some mentalrobics every single day!
Over-learning is a simple technique that helps you improve your memory. Over-learning is the repetitive study of something until it becomes second nature. Even after you think you have learned something, if you continue to study it, you reinforce it in your memory. This practice not only strengthens learning, but it also improves recall speed.
Over-learning is the idea behind flashcards, but it can be useful for more things than just your math quiz. Try something as simple as a list of items on a piece of paper that you carry with you. Read through the list several times a day while waiting for the elevator, at a stoplight, in line at a store, before going to sleep, etc. You will learn these items better and recall them more quickly.
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|May 26, 2000
Volume 2, Issue 21
|Midwifery Today E-News
"Labor & Delivery Nursing"
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This issue of Midwifery Today E-News is sponsored by:
- International Medical Corps
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In This Week's Issue:
1) Quote of the Week
1) Quote of the Week:
"Birth is an initiation.... At a fundamental psychological level, the baby's ability to survive the intensity and strain of the birth experience means a successful initiation, which teaches it about its ability to struggle and survive in the face of life's difficulties."
- Benig Mauger
2) The Art of Midwifery
With your hands on the kitchen sink or wall, stretch away from the support. As you feel your shoulders open, let all your cares and worries fall away. Let your abdomen drop, and breathe slow, long and easy breaths. Practice Half Wall Hang for one to two minutes. To come up, inhale deeply as you take a step toward the sink or wall and stand up. Be sure to inhale as you stand up to avoid getting dizzy. I bet this pose is good for those with back pains and will probably have back labor pains.
- prepared by Connie Dello Buono
Share your midwifery arts with E-News readers! Send your favorite tricks to firstname.lastname@example.com
3) News Flashes
Breastfeeding rates have increased in 21 countries, with Iran achieving the highest average increase, followed by Brazil and Zambia. These countries have instituted initiatives to publicize the benefits to mother and baby, and to prohibit the advertising and promotion of breastmilk substitutes. Information activities, the training of health service personnel and promotion of government policies have all played a role. Conversely, breastfeeding rates have declined in Colombia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgystan, Morocco and Tunisia.
- Midwifery, Vol. 15 No. 4, Dec. 1999
International Medical Corps (IMC) is a humanitarian nonprofit organization that
provides medical care and health care training to regions of the world in crisis.
IMC seeks midwives for its MCH program in Kosovo to assist in the selection and
training of community health care workers in hospitals throughout Kosovo, and
work with health authorities to design and implement training programs. Requirements:
3 years' international work experience; prior MCH teaching experience; outstanding
organizational skills.
4) Labor & Delivery Nursing
(Editor's note: E-News invited L & D nurses to talk about their work. Following are comments sent in by a few. If you have more to add, please feel free to continue this dialogue!)
It breaks my heart to read many of the negative descriptions of labor & delivery nurses in E-News. While I am sure that some nurses are insensitive, uncaring, and uninformed, many of us are working very hard so women can have the best hospital birth experience possible. Please do not stereotype us as the "enemy" or judge us so harshly when we are trying to do our best in a difficult environment.
- Anita Jaynes, RN, BSN
I am a labor & delivery nurse in a small community hospital (187 beds). Our birthing center has 18 beds. I am very frustrated in my job, because most of my patients come in, and before they are 2 cm, they are howling for an epidural. As a nurse, it is my job to advocate for my patients. I have a lot of conflict because I am not a proponent of epidurals, yet I cannot promote this view to patients. Our epidural rate is 65% and climbing. I find it disturbing to work with all the technology and interventions, yet the two OB/GYN groups in this area have the obstetric population sewn up tight and believing all the interventions, scheduled c-sections, inductions etc. are necessary to giving birth. How does a nurse promote changes in this climate? How do you educate a population who is being educated long before I ever see them?
- Anon.
I am a midwife, I am a labor and delivery nurse, and at times I've been a women's health nurse practitioner. These are all titles, some implying higher status than others depending on the system in which you function. When you look at it, ALL of them work with women (mit-frau, midwife) and families. L&D nurses get the bad rap because they work within the system (policy/police) and they're given little power. Ghanaian midwives work within the system because the system accepts their work. The restraints are not tight like in America. Basically they are doing the medical system a favor by taking a lot of pressure off the doctors.
In a way I would say L&D nurses are the bearers of bad news: "I have to start this IV; I have to draw blood; I have to hang this Pitocin; no, you can't get up and walk, no you can't eat, drink and be merry." It goes on and on.
I have recently started working again as an L&D nurse (through an agency) at a New York City hospital. After being a "free agent" for many years it has been a major adjustment. I am shocked at how conservative it is. Every woman gets an IV and gets nothing by mouth except ice chips. Once Pitocin is started women are not allowed to walk and must use a bedpan! If they're on magnesium sulfate they MUST have a Foley catheter. Most are encouraged to have epidurals. I find it shocking--this is the year 2000! What about all the research?!
What we must realize is that women are making choices. The choice not to choose is a choice. They don't even inquire about the rules and regulations before agreeing to have their babies in this hospital. Most are not attending childbirth education classes for all kinds of reasons, from finances to time. Many speak no English and probably don't know they have choices since they might not have had any in their native lands.
So, many L&D nurses feel they are just "doing their job." Many really believe in the system's way because they've seen it for so long, it must be right. Many feel the best way to "help" a woman is to give her an epidural, i.e. take away the pain.
I was speaking with a midwife friend a few days ago and she mentioned having to go to a hospital for something. She said she'd never seen such a sad group of nurses. Everybody--L&D, nursery and postpartum nurses--looked so unhappy. It was as if they hated their work. We talked about it a little while and then she said, "Maybe they're just so frustrated about having to enforce policies that they don't agree with and feel helpless and burned out." So they shut down.
I found that as I start talking to the women I'm working with, none agree with the policies, yet they feel obligated to do as they're told/follow orders. Meanwhile they hope for changes in policy.
Personally, I try to insert lots of love in between the orders. I smile, I pamper--after all, I work with human beings. I'm still a midwife while working there. I try to give love to the families AND the other nurses I'm working with. I tell women who are having their first baby that they can choose differently next time by checking out their options and getting information. This helps me stay sane because I'm only here temporarily and know I won't be changing entire hospital policy.
Next time you encounter hostile nurses, remember they may be struggling with their own issues and feelings of impotence turned to apathy. Maybe that person wanted to be a "midwife" but was/is a single parent who couldn't sacrifice time, salary/money--becoming a recognized midwife in this country is EXPENSIVE and EXCLUSIVE!! L&D nursing may be just a job for some but it may be the only way to be with women for many others. Lets' not forget that we are all midwives working with women.
A woman came in last weekend with a blood pressure of 195/127. She was huge with edema and was spilling 4+ protein in her urine. Friday we admitted her and started magnesium. Saturday she had a c-section because her baby looked horrible on the fetal tracing. Well, magnesium and Demerol will do that to a baby, but with a blood pressure like that you can't play around. But I know this woman and her family felt well taken care of (i.e well loved) at least on our shift. All the nurses came in to greet her and help out when needed. What we talked about after the birth is next time make changes before something becomes an emergency. If she sees herself swelling up the way she did in a next pregnancy, she can make dietary/lifestyle changes before there's protein in the urine and before the blood pressure goes sky high.
I really love what I do even though I love homebirth best.
- Harriet Kaufman
I am an RN working on a postpartum unit and newborn nursery. I read all I can about midwifery, etc. hoping to gain information for future work in missionary nursing. This past year we have had several "Bradley couples" at our hospital, which I think is wonderful. Many of them are very sweet and we enjoy getting to know them during the few days we care for them and go out of our way to do things the way they choose.
Some are not so wonderful and seem to have been conditioned to feel hostile toward us. In deciding to come to the hospital, they need to be told that they are going to have to follow a bit of a format. It doesn't sound nice, maybe, but we have this horrid thing called "the chart" that must be filled out correctly and protocols followed because we are responsible for who comes in the door and for missing any problems.
Childbirth instructors, please be careful how you word things about the hospital staff. We became nurses because we care about people. We are here to help, not to push people around and make them miserable. Continue to encourage loving care and protection of their infant, and remind them that we, too, have those goals in mind. (Also, a box of chocolates is always appreciated!!)
- J.W. Pensacola, FL
As a labor nurse and doula I see many uphill battles in the labor and delivery room. The reason is that the doula is doing what the labor nurse wishes she was able to do, sometimes. Also, many labor nurses are not educated in labor support--they are not trained in that during orientation to L&D. Yes, it is sad but labor support is something you have to learn on your own (as an RN). The problem is that many nurses don't want to admit that they don't know what supporting a laboring patient can do for a woman, so they would rather give her an epidural and take care of the clinical aspect of labor. Nurses many times don't understand the empowerment a woman gains from having her desires met at her birth.
RNs have much to learn from doulas and midwives, but the teaching has to be slow and unobtrusive to HER patient. I have found that you must always make her feel in charge and let her tell you that it is OK for you to position this patient, etc. Eventually she will begin to help you and hopefully help others when there is no doula or midwife present.
5) Is the Hospital Safer?
The only certain way of answering this question would be a randomized controlled trial (RCT). This could have been done in the 1950s but such a trial of home versus hospital was not suggested. Such a suggestion has now been made but it would require 500,000 women in a trial to answer the safety question. This is patently impossible so we make do with data that may suffer from the bias that women choosing home birth may be different from women choosing hospital, however well one may try to match them.
Nevertheless, one can look at the outcomes in relation to place of birth. One of the first to do so was Marjorie Tew, a statistician working at Nottingham Medical School. In her large-scale and detailed study, she analysed data from the 1970 British Births Survey and compared perinatal death rates in different places of birth (Tew, M. (1980). Place of birth and Perinatal mortality. Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 35). She recognized that one would expect more "high-risk" deliveries in hospitals than at home. Tew attempted to control for this by using both antenatal and labour prediction scores to categorize expected risk ....
Tew found that babies were more likely to survive if born in a GP or at home, rather than in hospital, at all levels of risk scores. Only at the very highest level of risk were the better results at home and in GP units not statistically significant.
Tew had great difficulty finding a medical journal which would publish these results, as they went against medical "wisdom." It is possible that Tew's results may show that prediction scores do not foretell problems. They were not, however, her scores but were provided by obstetricians. Tew's results have not been refuted and the 1970 survey data do not support the then prevailing view that hospital was safer. Tew has displayed great courage over the years, initially being one voice crying in the wilderness; she can now take pride in her part in getting people to question that prevailing view.
- Geoffrey N. Marsh and Mary J. Renfrew (eds), Community-based Maternity Care, Oxford University Press, 1999
See the current issue:
Each weekly issue will contain short items such as news bits, tips, and resources. All focused on infants and young children to age eight. Topics will include safety, health, crafts, books, toys, web sites for kids, and resource sites for parents.
6) Check It Out!
THE SCIENTIFICATION OF LOVE by Michel Odent IS NOW IN STOCK AT THE Midwifery Today OFFICE! Call today to get your copy! 1-800-743-0974 (orders only).
"Ahhhhhhhhhh"--the sound of a laboring woman getting into a birthing tub. Find
out all about waterbirth from Midwifery Today!
7) Question of the Week
Q: I recently read a small article in Fit Pregnancy magazine that says blue cohosh can cause birth defects, according to a recent study done at Lehman College of City University of New York. Have you heard anything about this?
It went on to say that a woman who took the herb during labor gave birth to an infant who later developed heart failure. I have encouraged women to take the cohoshes during early labor and I myself took the herbs during labor and I would like to know if this is a new finding. Are there some practitioners who have heard more about this study? I understand the resistance by physicians to herbal medicine, but I don't want to take any chances on using an herb to help a mother but endanger her fetus.
- Angel
Send your responses to email@example.com
8) Question of the Week Responses
Q: Does anyone have knowledge or experience with human papilloma virus (HPV) being transmitted from mom to baby (genital warts passed via the birth canal and appearing in the baby's throat)? Any real stories of successful healing, experience with surgical removal, or any other insight would be greatly appreciated.
- Anon.
A: I have been a CNM for 7 years and have helped about 330 babies be born in that time. I see a lot of HPV in my population and so far am not aware of any cases of HPV in the infant.
- M. Durbin
A: In the last few years I have learned a lot about HPV because we have had a good number of clients with this problem. We also spoke with an OB in the community who has HPV as well. What we learned is that this is a very common STD that is frequently asymptomatic with the exception of the initial flare-up. Some women may have a reoccurring breakout in pregnancy after a good amount of time without one. (Thuja cream has been very helpful for treatment.)
Transmission to babies is very rare. Unfortunately I do not have any statistics on the contraction rate. One thing the OB assured us is that transmission was NOT dependent on the type of birth, i.e. vaginal or surgical. Babies who are born to mothers with HPV should be closely watched for signs; one of the most obvious is a hoarse sounding voice. Signs may show up from 6 months to 1-1/2 years.
- student midwife
Q: Can anyone tell me the specifics of knots in cords at birth? What, if any, are the complications that might occur; can a knot in the cord often produce a stillbirth; and finally, are there any preventions?
- Jenna Tamura
A: Knots in the cord are perfectly harmless. They are from a baby moving around when young enough to produce a knot in the cord. The cord has a substance in it called Wharton's Jelly that prevents any kinks in the cord. My first daughter had a perfect knot in her cord. The knot does not actually kink until after birth when the placenta has stopped pulsating and its functioning is more or less finished.
- Andrea Boyette-Eliassen, CBE
9) For Coming E-News Themes:
1. CHOICE: To what extent should women and their families have choice in pregnancy, birth and postpartum? What does choice mean to you? (June 2 issue)
2. What do you do to reduce an anterior lip? (June 9 issue)
3. What causes pain in labor? Is it a birth practitioner's job to try to
**Take part in E-News! Sound Off-Give Advice-Share Your Knowledge!**
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10) Midwifery Today Magazine Question of the Quarter:
What is your most noteworthy second stage, and what was the outcome?
Please submit your response to email@example.com
Keep the stories coming! Midwifery Today magazine has a lot of aspiring midwife readers, and they can learn a lot from you!
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10) Switchboard
In response to a question about a midwife taking cord blood following birth [Issue 2:20]:
It depends on where you give birth. Some facilities just throw away the cord blood with the placenta but most only collect the cord blood from the placenta if the mother is O+ or Rh negative. In the facility I currently work in, we collect cord blood on all babies and send it to the lab. If a client wants to keep her cord blood she needs to let her practitioner know about it before the baby is born and she needs to make arrangements to have her cord blood stored well in advance of labor.
- Tora Spigner RN MSN
I suspect that your midwife was collecting cord blood to test your baby's blood type and Rh factor. The pediatricians at my hospital want this information on every baby, so they can screen for incompatibilities with the mother. By drawing blood from the umbilical cord, the baby is spared having the blood drawn from its foot or arm vein. Cord blood banking is expensive and requires special collection equipment for proper storage of the blood (not just a syringe). I strongly doubt that this is what your midwife was doing. Did you ask her?
- Jeanne Preston, CNM, Ohio
..Some parents want the baby's blood typed, so taking cord blood at birth saves the baby a heel poke! Some midwives just want to be on the cautious side. If cord blood was needed for any kind of testing after birth, they would have it. Ask your midwife why she took your baby's cord blood. If this is routine for her, she might not have thought to ask you. I agree that you should have been informed, for I imagine it could be disconcerting.
- Jenny Johnson
..It should always be explained why cord blood samples are being taken, and usually the woman is well aware antenatally that cord blood will be taken after the birth, especially if this is not her first birth, if she is rhesus negative. I think that there was practice to take cord blood samples in the UK due to the high levels of haemaglobin that would help some blood disorders, but I am sure that this practice has ceased--I may be wrong. Your consent should have been gained if it was for banking as for any procedure as a matter of informed choice and consent....
- Helen
How do you know your midwife took "stem cells"? It may have been that she is required by law to take a cord blood sample (which is universal) for syphilis and HIV. It is law in Texas that we send cord blood to the state lab for t hese tests, even at homebirths. When we do not, we have broken the law. Also, this is universally done in all settings. No one asks any birthing mothers' permission in the hospital to do that. No one informs the mother at any of the prenatal visits or hospital tours that it will be done. It is done, it is not questioned, it is considered a standard, and mothers have no idea it is being routinely done. Stem cell saving is expensive, and I can guarantee your midwife did not spend $600 or $1800 to save your baby's stem cells.
The next question you must ask is why did your midwife not discuss the law with you for your state? Why did she not discuss routine cord blood testing on your baby and then offer permission to refuse these routine tests if you do not believe in them?
I'm sorry that your midwife did not discuss this with you prior to your baby's birth and delivery, because communication and honesty are the hallmarks of the midwifery-client relationship. Most midwives respect your feelings about certain issues, and then allow you to refuse tests that you do not want simply by your signing a waiver after the test or procedure has been explained to you and you fully understand the benefits or consequences of refusing the test.
- Sandra Stine, CNM
In response to the questions about molar pregnancy [Issue 2:20]:
My first child was born in December 1989. My next pregnancy began in 1992 (I was 23) and was normal up until I went to my 16 week visit. We could not get a heartbeat. My OB did an ultrasound and we could see the baby was not developed that far along. He could not detect a heartbeat with ultrasound either, but wanted a second opinion to be sure. There it was confirmed that the baby was indeed dead. Up until that day I had absolutely NO idea anything was wrong. I never felt cramping or had any spotting. In fact, I was sure I had felt the baby move the day before this.
I was scheduled for a D&C about three days later. Thankfully, my OB agreed to put me under with anesthesia. I was heartbroken and couldn't bear to hear those machines doing their thing. The D&C went fine and I woke up feeling groggy and sorrowful, but physically I was OK. My OB called a few days later to tell me the tests showed that he/she had died at about 9 weeks. He said it was amazing I hadn't become violenty ill. He also said they had found I had a "partial mole" on the placenta. He had been an OB/GYN for 20 years and had never seen this in all that time. He admitted he wasn't exactly sure what to call it at first. He said it could be cancerous and that he'd continue to monitor me for several weeks.
Apparently, my human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels were through the roof too. He said this is likely why my body continued to "think" it was pregnant. I had to go for weekly bloodwork for several weeks afterward to make sure my HCG levels went down on their own. After about 4 or 5 weeks they were down to normal.
I have never had any problems since. I didn't have to undergo any sort of cancer treatment or anything like that. I have had five successful (and non-problematic) pregnancies since then. I am currently pregnant with our seventh child.
- Karen (31) in Palmyra, Maine
I also had a molar pregnancy, 10 years ago exactly. I too was very upset and grieving. But in the 10 years since I have a wonderful 8 year old son and three beautiful daughters, 6, 4, and 2. They are all healthy and very intelligent. All my pregnancies were uncomplicated and deliveries were normal.
- Christina
While I have never had this experience personally, a very close friend experienced this complication over 12 years ago. She had to have two D&Cs and the doctor told her that increased her chances of further complications. She has done fine, including having two more babies.
- Debbie Williamson NY
Three years ago, I experienced a partial molar pregnancy. There was some fetal tissue which means it was not a complete molar. We had had no sonograms, and were not prepared for the unexpected hemorrhaging that occurred in my 16th week. It was as if the flood gates just opened. After emergency D&C and lab tests, they informed me of the molar preg. For me, it meant weekly blood draws to check my HCG levels, and then monthly for about a year. I was to avoid getting pregnant for one year. Because of the blood loss, I took beet root powder and chlorophyll. I don't know of any natural ways to bring the HCG levels down.
- Joanna
In response to the question about episiotomy and subsequent births {Issue 2:20}:
I had a hospital birth with my second child with an obstetrician who performed an episiotomy that tore to fourth degree. Total recovery to the point where I was once again comfortable during lovemaking took approximately eight months. For my third child, I had many fears about my episiotomy scar holding up. I did tons of kegels, and we did perineal massage approximately twice weekly during the last two weeks of my pregnancy, using sweet oil, and planned a home waterbirth. I had a precipitous waterbirth, and tore 1/16 of an inch, with no perineal support. This child was a full pound bigger than my second.
- Anita W.
In spite of being very fit and attending exercise classes right through my first pregnancy, I had a very extensive episiotomy with my first (9 lb 2 oz) baby; the doctor (in a country hospital) did a high rotation with forceps delivery for impacted shoulders; the episiotomy did not heal by first intention. Twenty months later I had my second baby in a mother friendly unit where midwives did most of the deliveries and was very pleased to have no episiotomy, tear or grazes (8lb 3oz baby). In spite of being most conscientious with pelvic floor exercises, two years later I had to have a vaginal repair for a prolapse and 20 years later a bladder neck suspension. I have always wondered if the two operations would not have been necessary if I had had an episiotomy the second time around.
- Laurelle (registered midwife)
Don't lose hope! Last month I attended a birth where the mom had a very slight skin split AFTER she had a fourth degree epis/tear at her first birth. She was repaired incorrectly the first time, (the family doc didn't realize it was a fourth degree). She then had reconstructive surgery. The couple was faithful about perineal massage five weeks prior to the second birth. It was an awesome birth--mom could not be any happier.
- Anon.
Kudos to Gloria Lemay for her response to the young woman's concerns about her episiotomy and what she can do to prepare for her next birth. Gloria's words were balanced, kind and fair, and full of wisdom and good advice. This is the sort of approach we should all model when trying to make sense of a troubling story. Too often we take sides or jump to conclusions, when we can't see all sides of the stories. I loved her words about being the midwife for a difficult first birth, and how easy it is to look (and feel?) like a heroine when the mother gives birth the second time. She has taught me a lot. Thank you, Gloria, and Midwifery Today for sharing her spirit with all of us. And I completely agree with her about a woman's ability to give birth over an intact perineum after a traumatic experience. I have seen this to be true over and over again. A good diet, a positive attitude, and a patient midwife can do the trick!
- Penni Harmon, CNM
As a labor and delivery nurse, I have personally seen women who have had previous 4th degree lacerations come in and deliver a baby over an intact perineum. And not a 5 lb baby--some have been 8 and 9 lbs. It really depend s on a patient birth attendant (whether doctor, CNM or CPM) and the birthing woman listening and working with the birth attendant. With perineal support and slow, steady pushing, it can and does happen.
- Michelle Smith, R.N.
I enjoyed the two articles published in the last issue re: postpartum hemorrhage. This is a particular interest of mine, both from my midwifery career (22 years so far and going strong!) and my personal experience at my own second birth where I had a 2 litre loss. I would echo the advice given in the two articles especially re: caution and prudence in the 3rd stage. It is a balance between sitting on your hands and not rushing while you wait for signs of separation and then when the placenta is ready to come, acting appropriately. I would add a few thoughts:
1) So much focus in birth is on the baby (obviously!) after the birth. Remind the woman she still has work to do and help her refocus on her body and the more subtle signs of readiness for the placenta to be birthed.
2) There are wide variations in "normal" depending on the clients that we serve. I have worked in different communities where the clients ranged from middle class educated white vegetarian homebirthers to very young teen moms, addicts, grand multips, ethnic and first nation women. While the same advice re: good nutrition and good midwifery care apply, there are varying degrees to which women will be able to follow your counsel. Poverty and lack of access to good food are powerful determinants to the short and long term health of women. The thoughtful and cautious use of oxytocin in some cases will mean the difference between a healthy postpartum and a prolonged recovery.
3) It is far scarier to the woman than the midwife to experience a PPH. She may feel that she is going to die and be very frightened. She may be afraid to go to sleep or get up to the bathroom, especially if she has already experienced a loss of consciousness. Reassurance and support are key. Someone may need to stay awake and sit with her before she is able to relax enough to sleep. Do whatever you can to make her feel safe. Even if she is stable and the PPH was well controlled, it may be worth transferring to hospital overnight.
Many of you may know that Oprah Winfrey has the attention of millions of women across the nation who are waking up to the concept of being empowered in their life. She has been instrumental in getting the message out about living from within, nurturing your spirit, coming from the heart, getting values and priorities straight, and creating your own reality.
I would really like to see her do a program about birth options--get the message out to millions of women that they can be empowered in their birthing process as well. I do know that within the last two years about nine women on her staff have given birth. She has also had Cindy Crawford on her show and many may know that Ms. Crawford had a homebirth with the assistance of two doulas and a midwife and wrote the story in the March 2000 issue of Redbook.
My suggestion is that we write to the Oprah show and ask her to do a show on birth options, not to be confrontative, but to be informative. Before writing the letter, sit quietly and get in touch with what is most important to you. What aspect of the birthing process would you like to talk about i.e. the use of birth centers, birth art, home birth, baby and mom having the immediate connection from womb to breast, having a doula, episiotomies, sharing positive birth experiences, etc. Give a brief personal experience on the issue and then resources where her staff can get information about it.
I believe if we all send our requests within a one month's time, from June
1-June 30, 2000, it would have a large impact and we would have a greater chance
of being heard. You can email by going to Oprah.com, click on email, then click
on show suggestions and fill in the form.
- Kathryn Julia
Coffee drinking has generally been viewed as one of those iffy things, probably OK but better if you don't, for the typical pregnant woman. New data on coffee drinking and a plasma homocysteine indicates that filtered coffee is likely safer than unfiltered coffee. According to Am J Clin Nutr 2000 Feb;71(2):480-4, people who drank coffee filtered through paper filters had lower levels of plasma homocysteine. The group of researchers was looking at this effect because elevated plasma homocysteine is associated with heart disease, although exactly why is unclear. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is used up when folic acid is metabolized, with any excess being dumped into the blood stream or plasma.
For the pregnant woman, having an elevated plasma homocysteine has been associated in some studies with complications of pregnancy, especially placental vascular abnormalities associated with repeat early pregnancy loss and complications of late pregnancy such as abruptio placentae or placental infarction with fetal growth restriction. See Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000, May 182(5):1258-1263 (Folic acid and B vitamins will also reduce plasma homocysteine). Pregnant women concerned about possible negative effects of coffee but who are unwilling to give up their favorite drink, may want to consider giving up the cafetiere (French press) for the filter as a precautionary measure.
- Anon.
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Midwifery Today: Each One Teach One!


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Saint Mary's senior Paul McCoy has seen his share of adversity during his college basketball career. The Portland, Ore. native played his first two years at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas before suffering a season-ending knee injury as a sophomore in early February, 2010. He transferred to Moraga that summer and appeared ready to hit the court last season before suffering another knee injury - this time during the team's second practice of the preseason.
After three knee surgeries and countless hours of rehabilitation and reflection, he finally suited-up and participated in preseason warm-ups before last week's home game against Cal Poly. He hopes to be cleared to play for the Gaels by the time WCC games begin in early January.
McCoy traveled with the team to Des Moines, Iowa for its game at Drake. SMCGaels.com caught-up with him for a quick conversation:
Q: How did it feel to finally put on a uniform and warm-up for a game with the team?
A: It felt good. It was a little bit of a tease to warm-up with the team knowing I was going to sit on the bench and not go into the game. It was a good experience, though, to get back into a routine with the team.
Q: When is the last time you suited up for a game?
A: Two-and-a-half years, almost three. The last time I put on a uniform was when I was injured at Southern Mississippi as a sophomore.
Q: Did you remember what to do last weekend in pregame warmups?
A: I was really just trying to follow the person in front of me since I hadn't done that since I've been at Saint Mary's. I didn't really have any strange emotions and I wasn't nervous because I knew I wasn't going to be able to play. It was fun to get out there with the team and go through pregame drills.
Q: When was the last time you went on a road trip?
A: Last year I was able to go to the NCAA Tournament with our team. Otherwise, it was that game at Southern Mississippi with SMU.
Q: Any differences this time? Particularly since it is a regular-season game and surely there are various routines that are unique to Saint Mary's.
A: It is a good feeling. I feel more of a part of the team. I have always felt part of the team, but being on the road gives me a strong feeling that I am getting closer to being able to play. It feels good that Coach Bennett is allowing me to travel with the team. We only have 11 guys on the trip and there are only 10 playing so it makes me feel even more confident about my place on the team.
Q: We don't want to harp on your initial injury, but what do you remember from that experience?
A: I was feeling good, was feeling fresh. I simply drove to the basket and when I jumped (the knee) just went out. Ever since then, I've had three surgeries. My knee feels a little better now. It is still a little nerve-wracking. I'm trying to improve my confidence, especially going to the rim and not thinking about it. The first time I hurt it, like I said, was more than two-and-a-half years ago and I've been trying to fight my way back ever since.
Q: You suffered another knee injury in the second practice of the season last year. What went through your mind when that happened?
A: I was frustrated. I was feeling really good last year. I went through all the conditioning. I did the (preseason) mile and I made all my times. I was feeling good. But, looking back, I think I was really fatigued and I was pushing it. We had a long practice on the first day and my legs were cramping toward the end. The next day, my legs were done but we were scrimmaging so I was pushing it. My legs were tight and I had my brace on. I was driving to the right and I tried to plant and go left and it just gave out. I felt it. I know what it feels like. Everyone was trying to be supportive but I knew what happened. That was frustrating because I was so close. I felt that I did everything right and I was ready. Everything was going good until that happened. Then, back to surgery.
Q: How did you keep motivated to continue to come back
A: Everybody tells me all the time about how hard a worker I am and how I've been able to keep my head on straight. But, the truth is that I've really struggled. People really don't see that because I always try to have a smile on my face. I struggled with confidence, mostly. I tend to overthink things. For example, if I work out and my knee hurts the next day I wonder if it is getting better - although I know it is. One of the things that pushes me is that I still believe I have a chance to play somewhere professionally. That motivates me. Being around the team and seeing them play - it isn't really jealousy - it's more like I tell myself that I really want to be out there with those guys. I've been here for three years and I want to bring something to the team. I'm trying to show leadership and encouragement since I'm a senior. But, I want to play. That has been pushing me to stay on it, stay focused. This is my last crack at it so I need to give it my all.
Q: So, let's change the subject. What are some of your hobbies outside of basketball?
A: I bought a ping pong table. I like playing that. I like eating, trying new places. I don't play video games that much anymore and I don't watch television, really. That's about it. School and basketball.
Q: So, ping pong, eh? Did you see Forrest Gump? How would you stack-up against him?
A: Ha! I tried that! He's crazy good. I'm not quite that good. I have a ways to go! But, my record right now on my table is 76-4.
Q: Wow, that's impressive! Who's your toughest competition?
A: Zach (Sanchez) is my roommate, so I play him. He isn't much of a challenge anymore. Our record is something like 46-2. He beat me twice. I call some of the fellas over to play. I brought Kyle (Rowley) over. Omar (Samhan) came over. I whooped up on them too. (Jordan) Giusti is a really good player so I'm going to try to get him over to play me.
Q: Who are some of the more competitive guys on the team?
A: Oh man, Giusti and Delly for sure! Delly and I made the final four on the table at coach's house in a team function recently. It was me versus (Marcus) Schroder and (Coach Rick) Croy against Delly. Delly is intense!
Q: Do you cook?
A: I don't really cook. The only meal I like to cook is breakfast. Potatoes, bacon, eggs, that kind of stuff. Zach, my roommate, cooks. He makes pasta and other stuff.
Q: They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, anyway, right?
A: Exactly, that's the one that matters the most!
Q: What are your academic interests?
A: I am a communications major. Next week is finals then I have capstone and quantitative methods left. So, I have just two more classes next semester and I will graduate.
Q: Saint Mary's is becoming kind of a (area code) 503 south. Who is the original 503 on the Gaels?
A: I am the original 503 on the team! We have Stephen Holt, Garrett Jackson and myself with Calvin Hermanson coming in next year. We are going to take over the Australians.
Q: Sounds like a ping pong matchup might in the works?
A: We are going to have to make that happen! Holt's leg is a little messed-up right now so I can't count on him to get around that table. So, we might have to wait a little.
Q: Thanks for spending some time with us. Good luck!
A: Thanks! Go Gaels!


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State Rep. Terry McMillan, a freshman Republican from Doña Ana County, describes the future of health care in New Mexico in consumerist terms: "like a mall for health insurance plans."
The proposal behind that description is a health care exchange—and it's a concept central to New Mexico's unfolding debate over health care reform.
The logic of an exchange is simple: "You can go to one place, compare the products, shop price and shop the coverages that are available," McMillan, a surgeon, says. Instead of a one-size-fits-all insurance plan for an entire office, employers can contribute to the exchange and let their employees pick the plan that best fits them. In McMillan's view, an exchange will increase competition among insurers, thereby bringing down health care costs and expanding coverage to the uninsured.
The exchange idea isn't unique to McMillan—or even, for that matter, to New Mexico. A major tenet of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed in March 2010 holds that uninsured Americans will be able to purchase health coverage via a nationwide exchange by Jan. 1, 2014.
That date also is the deadline for states to implement their own exchanges—if not, the federal government will impose one.
That deadline (and the attendant promise of federal funding) has prompted a frenzy of legislation. More than 20 bills and resolutions are currently pending in the New Mexico Legislature, ranging from allowing tax credits for private health care expenditures to establishing a statewide health co-op.
"All of us have the goals of wanting people to have comprehensive insurance," Mary Feldblum, the executive director of the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign, a 147-member health policy coalition, tells SFR. "The question is how you get there."
That question has become more heated as the legislative session wears on. Though three federal judges have upheld the federal health care law and an effort to repeal it fizzled in the US Senate earlier this year, it's still a political lightning rod.
"The decision is: Does New Mexico set up an exchange this session? If so, what type? Or does it postpone the decision until after this cost analysis, or does it do both?" Feldblum says.
Bernalillo County Democrats Sen. Dede Feldman and Rep. Danice Picraux are in the first camp, and offer specific proposals for a New Mexico health insurance exchange.
Then there's McMillan, whose bill lays only the basic foundation for an exchange—an approach he says will allow the Legislature to build it one step at a time.
"A lot of the other bills were a race to try to say what this exchange was going to do," McMillan says. "It's not in our interest to do that. There's plenty of time."
But exchanges themselves have flaws, Feldblum says. Since they're often aimed at uninsured people, exchanges may duplicate efforts in other arenas, such as Medicaid.
While exchanges offer consumers more freedom, she says, they often lack cost controls.
"Essentially, it's taxpayer dollars—government subsidies to the uninsured to purchase insurance without any premium controls," Feldblum says.
Massachusetts, the only state with a long-term, functioning health insurance exchange system, has the highest premium costs in the country, she notes—and the cost of subsidizing those ever-increasing premiums has exacerbated that state's budget woes.
A partial answer lies in the Health Security Act (SB 5), which attempts to contain insurance costs by creating a single health care umbrella and streamlining administrative functions.
But Feldblum says even cost containment won't necessarily keep premiums from rising, putting New Mexico in a Massachusetts-like budget bind.
State Rep. Eleanor Chavez, D-Bernalillo, offered a possible solution in HB 257, a bill that requires the nonpartisan Legislative Finance Committee to examine various health care systems before committing to any of them.
"We need to remember that the exchange is not the only model," Chavez tells SFR.
Chavez' bill was voted down on the House floor—but a twin bill sponsored by Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Bernalillo, may have a chance.
Feldblum says her coalition favors postponing any decision on an exchange until more "number crunching" is done. But, she concedes, even if "they do set up some kind of an exchange, it's not mutually exclusive to continue the data-gathering process, so at least decisions are made with eyes open."


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ENMORE Park's David Dixon continued his domination of the South West regional events with a round of ten-under-par 61 to win the 125th anniversary pro-am at the ancient Minchinhampton Common course.
The former European Tour winner from Bridgwater has become the region's latest cash machine and has averaged £972.25 per event this season so far.
This follows his success in the opening Order of Merit tournament, the Saunton Classic.
The day produced outstanding scoring and the first six players produced two eagles and 45 birdies between them.
Dixon, out in six-under 31, made ten birdies while runner-up Gary Emerson (Remedy Oak) carded nine in faultless displays.