A word about the ads

You may have noticed that I'm now running ads on this page.

Full disclosure: I'm doing this as a trial to test some web analytics software. We offer interactive, media and analytics capabilities at my office, and I find I'm frequently in position to communicate these offerings to clients. My previous agency roles didn't have this expertise, and the best way to learn about them was to implement them myself. I'm learning as I go...trialing the Google AdSense program, and soon will have some ads featured from BlogHer. 

Not a red cent has been made, and frankly, I'm fine if I don't make anything - it's more of a tool to figure out what can be done in the online space.

Happy browsing...

SWAT: Smart Women with Available Time

Sue Shellenbarger of the Wall Street Journal is one of my favorite work/career columnists. I've read her since I was in college, and even remember my mom cutting out articles when I was in high school. I've been reading her since before she was a parent herself (and me, for that matter). 

Here's an interesting article on women who find fulfillment (and income) working on a part-time/temp basis. And none of the companies featured are those sketchy "work from home" outfits you see posted on telephone poles.

There's been coverage elsewhere of MomCorps and FlexibleExecutives. It's nice to see that start-ups are identifying and responding to this need, and further, that corporations are starting to get on board. Now, if we could just find flexible work so we wouldn't need to give up the rat race in the first place...

A c-section saved my son's life.

For every issue, there's a pro and con. Her Bad Mother recently blogged about how she's ready to be DONE and over with her pregnancy. Then someone sent her an anti-c-section video.

Here's my POV: A c-section saved my son's life. The cord was wrapped three times around his neck and he never would have survived the pushing, let alone a home birth. His heart rate dropped with each contraction as the cord tightened. 

Luckily, I was at a top Chicago trauma center. When his heart rate plummeted to 35 bpm, they were able to extract Garcon surgically in about 5 minutes. It all happened so fast. He was blue when they pulled him out. And within minutes, he was fine. Maybe 1% of me would like to have the life experience of a traditional, vaginal "push" delivery. Then I think about hemorrhoids, episiotomies, tearing, urinary incontinence, and all the other potential adverse events, and I'm thankful. Sure, a section is no picnic - but all my lady parts are intact, and that works for me. 

If you want a natural birth, skip drugs, communicate your wishes, and choose a hospital that allows a doula/midwife, but for god sake - when you're jumping out of the plane, have a parachute available!