Midwifery

[bohemiachiquita.livejournal.com]

Hey y'all.

I'm a senior in college, and lately I've been thinking about pursuing midwifery as a career choice. I've done research on various graduate programs in the field, and also on the different kinds of certification that exist, but I don't know any actual midwives (or doulas, for that matter) to talk to about their experiences. So I guess I'm just wondering if any of you have worked as a midwife or doula, or if you have used one during your own pregnancy--pretty much any information you can offer me on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Pregnancy risk?

[cranberrykatten.livejournal.com]

Um, hi everyone. I'm freaking out a lot right now and need some help/answers from knowledgeable people...

So, the boyfriend and I were making out earlier today. Both of us were fully clothed. So, we ended up rubbing against each other, with our genitals touching through our pants. There was no skin-to-skin contact, just clothing-to-clothing. Anyways, he came, and when I moved away I saw that the front of his jeans was all damp - the same part that I'd been rubbing my vulva against. I was also wearing jeans. Am I at any risk for pregnancy here? I remember in sex ed in high school they said you could get pregnant that way, because the holes in the weave of your clothing are big enough to let sperm through, but then I thought I'd read that you couldn't get pregnant doing that, and I really need some advice. I can't sleep.

Thanks

EDIT: Thank you so so so so so so much, everyone - your answers were really helpful and informative. I feel a lot more at ease (and a lot better-informed!) now. Thank you!

24/4 BC pills more effective?

[violetstar124.livejournal.com]

Read the article below and was wondering what you all would think of it. Wouldn't all BC pills be 24/4 if it was proven to be more effective ?

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-pills-20110106,0,1951221.story

Ovarian cyst, or something totally different?

[xx-socold-xx.livejournal.com]

Today, I woke up with a pain on my left side. It's not constant, but it is fairly achy and uncomfortable. Sometimes it's in my lower pelvic region (like where I'd get menstrual cramps), sometimes its in my back on the lower left side, and sometimes it's in my left thigh. It's really uncomfortable, actually. It hurts. :(

The first day of my last period was December 29th, and I'm supposedly set to ovulate around next weekend or so. Is there anyway this could be an ovarian cyst? I don't really know when they "act up" or if there is even a set time for them to become noticeable. That was just the first thing I considered and my radiating pain is apparently a symptom of cysts.

I have had an ovarian cyst before, about 5 years ago, but I experienced no symptoms and it was only discovered when I had an ultrasound to try and figure out why my menstrual cramps were so severe. It went away on its own after I was put on HBC. I also started a new pill (after being off my old one for ~8 months) 5 days ago.

Oh and also, last month, I had a pretty intense pain for two days on the same left side. I have no idea what it was--I almost considered going to urgent care but I didn't, and then it went away on its own later in the evening.

Broken blood vessels on bum

[justforapicture.livejournal.com]

 I had flea bites on my hips and bum and itched the hell out of a few. I woke up today and noticed that there is a line of purple broken blood vessels (straight lines, you can see almost exactly where my nails were). This has happened before when I itched too hard. Can anyone ease my mind and let me know it's normal? I just got back from a discouraging doctor's appointment and would love to avoid that place at all costs. Thank you!!