The Portland Bubble?

enail5

Here's my contribution to random posts . . . Has anyone posted on a national board and gotten flamed for something they thought was tame?  I've started to wonder if I'm too used to my little liberal progressive town and don't know what's happening in the "real world".

I got ripped a new one on the multiples board last week when someone asked if anyone was doing an alternative vaccination schedule.  I just answered that we were spacing out the girls' vaccinations.  It was a really basic answer, and the board is usually the friendliest and most accepting board I've ever seen.  However, a group of women were accusing a few of us of not giving our children proper medical attention.  I'll blame it on pregnancy hormones, but I was really hurt/pissed that they had so much anger towards us and this topic. 

It seems like common knowledge in Portland that alternative schedules are an option (or at least with my friends): our birth class talked about them, our pediatrician is used to adhering to them, and we went to a seminar in town that presented different sides of the issue.  I know that most people do stick to CDC guidelines, and that's totally fine.  I was just caught off guard by people's reactions.

Mrs.Rotty

i know nothing about vaccinations... but i get what you're saying!

we seem to be a little more aware of differant points of view here.

BunniesAreSoft

Totally off topic but I can't believe how far along you are. It seems like yesterday you were telling me about going to Dr. Williams. I'm so excited for you! I see absolutely NOTHING wrong with spacing out vaccinations by the way!

Portlandgirl

I hear you loud and clear. Some friends of mine on the east coast think it's totally "crunchy" (and not really in a good way) that my husband and I plan to cloth diaper and make our own baby food. I haven't even brought up vaccines for that very reason.

Newbie33

I think Portland is a bit unusual, especially when compared to certain areas of the country. DD was recently vaccinated and after doing a great deal of research, I chose to stick to the "traditional" (for lack of better word) route but I know plenty of people that have spaced them out and if that makes them feel more comfortable, then that's what they should do. I noticed on FF, how there are some moms that were practically crucified for wearing slings with their babies. I did it (I even wore DD to a fancy charity event) and people loved it. It didn't matter if I was on crunchy Hawthorne wearing DD, or at the Starbuck's at the bottom of the West Hills, people thought my Moby wrap was awesome. We co-slept for a period of time and that was another thing where we didn't see any public backlash. In fact, a good number of people admitted they did it. Mention that on the Nest and people tell you that you'll kill your baby that way. I do think Portland can be just as judgemental though -- not about "alternative" things so much as things that aren't natural or earthy. I can't tell you how many people lectured me on inducement (I was induced), epidurals (I had one) or c-sections (no for this one) before I had my baby. And the assumption that I would BF, drove me nuts. I chose to FF right from the start, for reasons I didn't feel like disclosing to the whole world and it got so bad that people even lectured DH to change my mind!

OregonPachey

I think we are a lot more tolerant of different views and opinions in Portland.  At least, that has been my experience.

I have been flamed a couple of times, but for something that was completely un-flameworthy.  Both times on the Knot.  Once for asking if I was stuck up because I didn't want boxed wine at my wedding, and once when someone considered my reception food was "white trash".

Wow, that totally got off topic.  Sorry about that!

enail5

Man, I wish I had posted this last weekend.  I barely slept last Saturday night because I kept stressing about what I had said that was so offensive.  The only thing that made me feel better was thinking that most Oregonians are open to or at least aware of medical alternatives like seeing NDs or acupuncturists.  So, thanks everyone for not making me feel like an evil mother. 

If you're interested (and I'm certainly not pushing anyone towards any particular parenting beliefs) Dr. Sears vaccination book and the vaccination seminar at the Nartural Childbirth and Family Clinic is where we gathered a lot of our information on vaccinations.  And, I loved my Hypnobirth classes at Zenana Spa.  And, Mother Nature's in SE is a great resource for cloth diapers.  I can't recommend our labor and postpartum doulasf yet, but I'll report back about them with my birth story.    

And, Newbie, thank you for the pediatrician recommendation.  I know you opted to not do an alternative schedule with your daughter, but you gave me Dr. Gopal's name and didn't trash me for spacing out vaccinations for my daughters.

And, Bunnies, yes, time is frickin' flying.  I hope to make it to 38 weeks.  The girls are big even for singletons.  We have another ultrasound next week, but I'm guessing they'll be close to 6 pounds each.  It's great for them, but it's a whole lot of baby for me to carry around.  

Now someone else on here have twins so we can hang out together on the multiples board. 

Newbie33

Did you end up interviewing Dr Gopal? I can't remember if she was on maternity leave or not by then. We've been going to Dr P Burke (same office) since Dr Gopal has been on mat. leave. Both are great. I chose not to space DD's vaccs out but I did look into it pretty heavily. I was on the fence practically to the day of her MMR, or whatever it's called. I had my dad do some research for me (retired physician) too. It wasn't an easy decision so even though I chose the traditional route, I understand why someone wouldn't. btw, I meant to mention in the other post below, I love the names Rowan and Gracen.

enail5

Unfortunately, Gopal has extended her maternity leave again, so we aren't able to interview her.  We're going to start with Dr. Schunk because he was my pediatrician, and I think he's going to go above and beyond for us.  So, we'll see how it goes with him and decide if we're going to stick or move on to Gopal when she returns.  I've heard great things about so many doctors at that clinic which is great because I figure with two babies we'll be there a lot.

Also, I'm not sure if you've ever posted your daughter's name, but I know it because I'm friends with Margueritte.  Anyway, you guys picked a great name!  I love more masculine names for girls.   

Newbie33

How is Margueritte doing?? I emailed her a while back and didn't hear from her. I know she's busy; I've been hoping she'll email me.

enail5

She's awesome.  She had her son about a month ago, and he's keeping her pretty busy.  She loves being a mom.

Newbie33

I'm so thrilled for her. I've kind of been afraid to ask since I hadn't heard anything from her. It's good to hear great news (=