They’ve got the "wet" sauna with all that hot steam, plus the "dry" Finnish style where they pour those essential oils over the rocks—the whole aufguss thing. And now everyone's obsessed with infrared
It really boosts your immune system. I skipped it while I was pregnant, but now that I'm getting back into it, I can swear by it. Since I started going, I haven't caught a single sniffle—no flu, no cold, nothing. Of course, there are probably other factors at play, but I’m convinced the sauna is doing some heavy lifting.
I usually just grab a towel, sit on it, and honestly, I've never had to buy a single thing. Oh, and I do wear flip-flops too—mostly just for the shower breaks.
Great for circulation...
Then there's the Botanical Garden setup, which is basically soul food for your respiratory system.👍 (I actually keep a little cheat sheet at home listing the temperatures for different types of saunas if anyone ever needs it)
For people who can't handle the intense heat, they often go to the steam room—it’s only about 110 degrees—but that method is actually perfect for clearing out your skin.👍
My doctor checks me out twice a year—I always seem to find something weird when I try to do my own self-exams 🙄 but so far, everything’s been totally fine
Around here, that’s pretty much the only way people do it—it’s almost become the standard. Over the last decade, an epidural has basically become the go-to move for everyone. Usually, you just hash out the details with the OB-GYN who’s been managing the pregnancy and handling the delivery.
Actually, more women here opt for an epidural than they do for a natural birth.
I was specifically saying that they aren't really opting for induced labor.
Inductions usually happen if the water breaks early or if things just aren't moving along by week 41.
Yeah—I know one mom who went through an induction without an epidural (basically because the baby was being stubborn and wouldn't come out after her due date). It was her second kid, since her first one arrived totally naturally, and she said those induced contractions were pure hell.
It actually reminds me of back when I was pregnant—there was this show on ABC 😁 called "Making a Baby" that I used to watch with another pregnant lady from this forum. They’d go into such graphic detail about the births; you could see everything, which honestly gave you a much clearer picture than any textbook ever could. It was super educational, though I found myself tearing up every single time they finally held the baby.
Betty Bennett10 said:If fear of labor is the reason someone would opt for a C-section, then it seems more logical to just request an induced vaginal birth with an epidural—that’s my take on it.
I'm actually looking at a C-section because I have some awkwardly placed fibroids.
Is that actually a thing people do here in the States? In Germany, people rarely "order" a specific type of birth like that—personally, I don't know anyone who requested an induction paired with an epidural. Most people I know just ask for the epidural once things get moving during a natural labor.
In America, there’s no such thing as a C-section chosen by the patient.
Actually, there is.
I know we’ve already gone down this rabbit hole—placidjackal97 chimed in saying she actually wanted one herself, and mentioned some women who go that route, plus a friend of hers who did something similar... I can't recall the exact details, but we've definitely covered this ground before.
Just putting it out there to show that elective C-sections happen—regardless of what people try to claim.
Betty Bennett10 said:Even an induced vaginal birth is basically "on demand"—it’s all part of the pre-arranged plan.
Sure, but there's still a massive difference in how the process actually unfolds. 😉
Look, I think every woman just picks the delivery method she feels is best for her—you know, doing your homework and making a choice. But unfortunately, despite all that prep work, things don't always go according to plan for a lot of women.
If it isn't too intrusive, why does it always have to end in a C-section?
Betty Bennett10 said:I honestly don't get it. Since you can just opt for an induced labor with an epidural these days—and if I’m shelling out money for anything, it’s definitely that—it makes zero sense to me. A C-section isn't exactly a walk in the park, and the recovery time is just way longer. It looks like I'll be heading for a C-section myself, so I really can't wrap my head around why anyone would choose that route.
I’m starting to see things that way now—though I definitely didn't used to feel this way.
That was the exact plan for one young mom I was pregnant alongside here—but things moved so fast that by the time she wanted an epidural, it was already game over.
She told him it was basically a coma—she’d mentally checked out to prep for the episode—and then she just powered through the whole thing with total intensity. 😁 We’ve drifted way off track here—but back to that C-section business. Since they usually do them "cold" (not heated, obviously), I was reading some moms on a German forum who suggested it feels more secure to have it scheduled. They feel like if everything is set in stone ahead of time, they can actually breathe easy knowing exactly how it’s going to go down.
Betty Bennett10 said:placidjackal97, there's no legal way to do it—what I mean is, you can't just walk into a hospital and demand a C-section if there isn't a medical reason for one.
Maybe people are paying for them under the table (though, honestly, I’d love to know why anyone would actually *want* a C-section, but hey, whatever)—if they are, it makes sense that they're paying—it's essentially illegal, so it's no surprise there's a price tag attached.
Exactly—legally, it's just not an option.
I mean, why would anyone even want a C-section?
Over in Hollywood, it seems like celebrities request them all the time—they always claim it's just faster and easier.
One big factor could be pure, unadulterated fear. Early in my pregnancy, I was absolutely convinced I'd need a scheduled C-section.
Then my OB sent me to see a psychologist who specializes in childbirth anxiety—seeing how many other women struggle with the exact same thing really helped me get my head straight, and luckily, I ended up having a natural birth. I'm not defending paid C-sections, but those might be some of the reasons behind why people try to order them.
I don't have to imagine—I've lived it. My mom works in healthcare, and she’s always been strictly against bribes. That was the rule in our house growing up. But honestly? In my case, it wasn't about cash—it was about who you know. Mom came to the hospital with me, the department head recognized her, and suddenly those tests I’d been waiting six months for were done in just a few days. 🙄 I could list the specific tests, but that's probably too boring for this thread.
So, how am I supposed to report him? I didn't bribe him; he did us a favor because of the connection. We actually had a favorite painter, so when I was discharged, I gave him a monograph from that artist. I truly don't see it as a bribe—it was a thank-you gift for a service he provided for free, and he had no idea it was coming. Look, I don't judge people who pay bribes—desperate people do much worse things than that. What I judge are the doctors who solicit them and demand them.👎
I should probably tell you what that same department head said to me as I was leaving the hospital... nothing pleasant, but that's a whole different story.
Nicole Sanchez45 said:Have you ever offered an "envelope" to a doctor or some medical staff—or maybe they were the ones asking for it? Did they take it or turn it down? Would you actually report a doctor if they asked you for a bribe? What’s been your experience with bribery in the American healthcare system?
1. No. 2. See above. 3. Yeah, I would. 4. My experiences have been fine—I don't hand out cash—but I know some doctors definitely earn that "medical mafia" reputation for a reason.
Melissa Cruz2 said:Wouldn't it be better, cheaper, and healthier to just grab two or three slices of fresh cheese and some bread instead of a shake? Or maybe a boiled egg and a salad, or...
Sure, they could have—😉 but honestly, when was anyone ever excited about reinventing the wheel when they already had perfectly good hot water at home?
And look, electrictinker18—skipping meals entirely (even if it's just once in a while) isn't healthy. And neither is any supplement that forces you into that position.
If you want the best diet food, just head to your local farmer's market—it costs way less, and I'm pretty sure it's a lot better for you than any processed shake.
Kenneth Miller79 said:They’re way overpriced, and their whole lineup is just focused on weight loss. I have much better variety—not to mention way more reasonable prices. 😉
I really can't stand it when people trash one brand just to smear the competition—all so they can peddle their own similar crap instead. 👎
Hey everyone—for those dealing with allergies to standard detergents or fabric softeners, some people swear by the stuff you find at Whole Foods Market.
To be honest, that kind of detergent is way out of my budget (it’s about $45 a box, whereas I can grab four packs of Tide or Dash for that much)—but I know someone whose life was totally transformed by switching.
If I were dealing with the same skin issues she was, I'd definitely pull the trigger on it. She actually let me borrow some for a load once, and it honestly cleans incredibly well.
The giveaway was these coarse little corn granules and some other ingredients I can't quite recall. I think I have a link to the brand saved somewhere.
Around here, you still see grandmas happily buying the same bar soap they used forty years ago—just a big, plain block wrapped in simple paper for maybe a buck, claiming it gets everything spotless. My grandma used to get hers from my grandpa back when he was working in town. I recognized the scent immediately 😁
But hey, maybe all that scrubbing and rinsing with bar soap is just too much work for you—an "organic" powder might be a better move.
That’s all I’m saying—I am totally here for this trend from the main thread. Honestly, if we could just get more "trends" like this one, life would be a whole lot better.👍
Richard Murphy6 said:What do you mean "Level 1"? This isn't some introductory German class at a community college—give me a break. What’s the final level supposed to be? 4, 7, or 18? People seriously need better leadership training just to use a restroom properly. Look, everything feels weird when it's new—there's resistance and a bit of fear, which makes sense if you're dealing with anxiety symptoms (if I'm reading you right)... my only regret is not stumbling upon this book much sooner. But hey, it is what it is. I know I can be a bit blunt, but I won't sit by while people talk about things they barely understand. I've noticed placidjackal97 constantly chiming in on every autogenic training thread, warning everyone not to "mess with your psyche." There's a tiny grain of truth there, but the way she writes it drives me nuts—I end up having to go practice AT immediately just to calm down, haha, damn. And another thing... the people who claim to be regular AT practitioners were busy tearing each other apart in previous threads, calling it a "blessing." The whole point is tolerance, detachment, and emotional control... blah, blah, blah... enjoy yourselves, no offense intended, and PEACE—TOTAL PEACE.😎
I'm just quoting you here.
damn.
Because that's all I can say about someone who just picked up a few theories from a book and now wants to trash qualified psychiatrists who spent years studying this—stuff I'm still studying today, by the way—calling them "superficial."
As for how successful AT actually is—given your limited perspective—I won't go there. I could be really harsh, but I don't want to ruin the thread because of it.
Alex Foster6, those types stopped showing up once they realized there was nothing left to gain.
Every single thread on this subject ends up exactly like this one.
Back when I was wearing lipstick every single day, I didn't feel like I needed anything else—mostly because lipsticks protect against wind, whereas most modern formulas focus on UV rays and stuff like that.
So, my lips were already pretty much covered.
Once I moved away from that heavy makeup look, I switched over to Chapstick or some similar balm.
Lately, I've been into lip glosses, and I finally stumbled upon one that doesn't leave my lips feeling totally parched.
I currently have about three or four different Chapsticks from various brands sitting at home. They're at least a year and a half old—does anyone actually know how long these things stay good before they go bad?
(And honestly, I’m probably the only person who’s even used them)
Alex Foster6 said:I get that at an advanced level things can get sketchy since you're digging into the subconscious... but I don't see the risk with the basic stuff—to me, it just feels like relaxation exercises, not some mystical ritual or whatever.🙄 😕Can someone walk me through this?
I’ve never seen the book you're talking about, but the first stage of autogenic training is all about clearing out the mental clutter. Those little drills—heavy limbs, warmth, steady heartbeat, soft stomach—are really just one tiny slice of what you cover in an introductory course.
Think of it like calling a single magic wand "the entire wizarding world." It's just one tool in the kit.
It feels like you've already decided you have all the answers, and anything else I say is just me trying to push my agenda on you—which doesn't make much sense.
The info is right there. You'll have to make up your own mind.
As for wanting someone to explain it to you here—you won't find those answers in a random internet thread. It's not that simple to explain via text; you actually need to take a class.
I'm not going to keep trying to convince you—it wouldn't be responsible of me. Not toward you, anyway.