Mandala Mom ~MotherBaby Services~ is offering prenatal yoga classes two times a week at Sage Hills. First class is free!
From the Facebook page, MandalaMom ~MotherBaby Services~:
Prenatal yoga is offered two times per week at Sage Hills: Tuesday at 6 pm and Saturday at 10:45 am. Please arrive a few minutes early to your first class, wear comfortable clothes, and bring a bottle of water and a yoga mat. Mats are also available for rent for $1/class. Your introductory prenatal class is free.
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
From Home Birth to Interventions?
My heart drops into a big ball into my stomach when I hear of women allowing unnecessary intervention in pregnancy - but especially more so when I hear that they allow it from a home birth midwife. Women seem to want to trust birth, and want a safe and healthy birth for their baby, but then allow some of the most arbitrary and unnecessary intervention, not realizing that it can completely shape and transform the rest of their pregnancy.
What are the top two interventions I see with homebirthers?
Routine Vaginal Exams
Why is this done, especially by home birth midwives, starting as early as 36 weeks? Does it make the baby come sooner? Does the body not know what to do unless a midwife has a hand inside of her client's vagina and cervix? Do these midwives explain the risk of infection, accidental ( or purposeful, sadly ) membrane strip or artificial rupture of membranes, disappointment when mom "hasn't made any progress", false hope of a labor soon to come? If the midwife is not explaining these risks, then her clients are NOT giving informed consent. It blows me away when women allow this. It saddens me. It makes me wonder just what their midwife is telling them, or why a mom requests this.
"Natural" Induction
Ladies, there is NO such thing as a natural induction. Either you are trying to force labor to begin before it is happening naturally, or you are not. There's really no in between. Having a healthy sex life in the end of pregnancy is wonderful! But if the goal is to get it done as many times as possible in hopes of causing the cervix to ripen...you may be sorely disappointed. A ripening cervix does NOT guarantee a close labor day. It simply means that it is ripening. There is a lot more to the hormonal dance of labor preparation than a ripening cervix. Doing spicy foods may do nothing more than irritate your uterus, cause you to have diarrhea and heartburn. Pineapple needs to be *fresh* pineapple. You have no idea how many women try the out of the can stuff. LOL And even then, it does *nothing* unless your body is ready anyway....so why not wait until labor starts naturally? Nipple stimulation does indeed release oxytocin in the body, but so does some good love from your spouse. A nice massage, a cuddle and nice long kiss. This releases oxytocin as well. Why aren't more couples cuddling, instead of playing with nipples? Evening Primrose Oil *can* help to soften the cervix, but nothing more.
The problem with trying to do things to induce labor, is that it often will not work. When it doesn't work, you've wasted precious last days/weeks of your pregnancy that you could have been simply enjoying with your partner, instead of stressing out over trying to get labor to begin. Or even if not stressing, *thinking* about getting labor going. Your body knows what to do, and knows exactly the right time to do it in. I won't even go into castor oil induction, as I believe this is highly irresponsible and a waste of time unless it's a true last ditch effort. Inducing labor, no matter what label you want to put on it, is putting yourself before the safety and health of your baby...unless of course it is a TRUE medically warranted induction ( example - pre eclampsia, PIH, etc ).
Women, if you've chosen a home birth, you are in a low-risk pregnancy. If you are in a low-risk, normal pregnancy...why are you allowing intervention? It drove me crazy when I watched Pregnant In America, and saw them advocate for normalcy in pregnancy, believing in birth and trusting the body...and then the producer's wife having her midwife strip her membranes at a mere few days after 40 weeks. I was BAFFLED! How can you claim to be a NATURAL pregnancy and labor advocate, if you allow unnecessary induction techniques? There was no problem. She was simply a few days past 40 weeks. Not even to the high end of the normal gestation period, but smack dab in the middle! It was her first baby, and statistically first time moms will go about 8 days past their EDD, IF ALLOWED TO. :sigh:
In our society, we rush through so many things. We want to rush to get to the end of pregnancy, we want to rush to get into labor, we want to rush to birth the baby. We want to rush to see the baby sit up, eat solid food, crawl, talk, walk...
And when you get to the point of understanding how quickly it all goes by, it's too late to take it back.
Choose wisely, for some decisions are irreversible.
What are the top two interventions I see with homebirthers?
Routine Vaginal Exams
Why is this done, especially by home birth midwives, starting as early as 36 weeks? Does it make the baby come sooner? Does the body not know what to do unless a midwife has a hand inside of her client's vagina and cervix? Do these midwives explain the risk of infection, accidental ( or purposeful, sadly ) membrane strip or artificial rupture of membranes, disappointment when mom "hasn't made any progress", false hope of a labor soon to come? If the midwife is not explaining these risks, then her clients are NOT giving informed consent. It blows me away when women allow this. It saddens me. It makes me wonder just what their midwife is telling them, or why a mom requests this.
"Natural" Induction
Ladies, there is NO such thing as a natural induction. Either you are trying to force labor to begin before it is happening naturally, or you are not. There's really no in between. Having a healthy sex life in the end of pregnancy is wonderful! But if the goal is to get it done as many times as possible in hopes of causing the cervix to ripen...you may be sorely disappointed. A ripening cervix does NOT guarantee a close labor day. It simply means that it is ripening. There is a lot more to the hormonal dance of labor preparation than a ripening cervix. Doing spicy foods may do nothing more than irritate your uterus, cause you to have diarrhea and heartburn. Pineapple needs to be *fresh* pineapple. You have no idea how many women try the out of the can stuff. LOL And even then, it does *nothing* unless your body is ready anyway....so why not wait until labor starts naturally? Nipple stimulation does indeed release oxytocin in the body, but so does some good love from your spouse. A nice massage, a cuddle and nice long kiss. This releases oxytocin as well. Why aren't more couples cuddling, instead of playing with nipples? Evening Primrose Oil *can* help to soften the cervix, but nothing more.
The problem with trying to do things to induce labor, is that it often will not work. When it doesn't work, you've wasted precious last days/weeks of your pregnancy that you could have been simply enjoying with your partner, instead of stressing out over trying to get labor to begin. Or even if not stressing, *thinking* about getting labor going. Your body knows what to do, and knows exactly the right time to do it in. I won't even go into castor oil induction, as I believe this is highly irresponsible and a waste of time unless it's a true last ditch effort. Inducing labor, no matter what label you want to put on it, is putting yourself before the safety and health of your baby...unless of course it is a TRUE medically warranted induction ( example - pre eclampsia, PIH, etc ).
Women, if you've chosen a home birth, you are in a low-risk pregnancy. If you are in a low-risk, normal pregnancy...why are you allowing intervention? It drove me crazy when I watched Pregnant In America, and saw them advocate for normalcy in pregnancy, believing in birth and trusting the body...and then the producer's wife having her midwife strip her membranes at a mere few days after 40 weeks. I was BAFFLED! How can you claim to be a NATURAL pregnancy and labor advocate, if you allow unnecessary induction techniques? There was no problem. She was simply a few days past 40 weeks. Not even to the high end of the normal gestation period, but smack dab in the middle! It was her first baby, and statistically first time moms will go about 8 days past their EDD, IF ALLOWED TO. :sigh:
In our society, we rush through so many things. We want to rush to get to the end of pregnancy, we want to rush to get into labor, we want to rush to birth the baby. We want to rush to see the baby sit up, eat solid food, crawl, talk, walk...
And when you get to the point of understanding how quickly it all goes by, it's too late to take it back.
Choose wisely, for some decisions are irreversible.
Cesarean Awareness
There are people who might look at this title, and think "What is there to be aware of?". So often now people view cesareans as just another way to have a baby. Rarely are the true risks of a cesarean told to expecting couples, and those are usually the immediate risks that are mentioned ( most often in passing ), nevermind the long-term risks that a cesarean can create.
I am involved in a new organization called BirthAction. The site is still in progress, but we very much hope for it to be a hub for pregnant women to come and receive well-rounded information on everything pregnancy. Kind of like What To Expect When You're Expecting, just with accurate information. ;) We'd like it to be a place where women can come and find information about routine pregnancy screenings ( like ultrasound, afp testing, gestational diabetes testing, Rh sensitization, gbs, etc ) and make informed decisions about their prenatal care. It also offers tips on how to avoid a primary cesarean, tips on how to optimize the chance of a successful VBAC, information on home birthing, unassisted birthing, water birth...and everything in between.
In our goal to create awareness about the risks of cesarean sections, I designed the poster that I am putting on this page. Women need to think long and hard before agreeing to a cesarean for reasons that are not life threatening, and to elective ( or coerced ) repeat cesareans.
I am five years out from my one and only cesarean, and I have what will probably be life-long side effects. For the first time in my menstrual history, I have irregular periods, endometriosis, and PCOS. This did not occur until *after* my cesarean. I have had hormonal problems, weight gain, and much pain as a result. It breaks my heart when I hear of women resigning to a cesarean for a "large" baby, for a breech baby, or for twins. It breaks my heart and makes me want to throttle doctors when I hear of elective inductions, inductions for "large baby", inductions because mom hits 40/41/42 weeks. It makes my stomach drop when I hear women count down to their due dates, because they obviously are unaware that a due date is simply an estimation, NOT a guaranteed date of arrival. It makes me cringe when women call themselves "overdue" when they are a few days past 40 weeks. They do not know that they are not a bit "overdue" until after 42 weeks. Technically, according to medical literature, not even until after 43 weeks. It's 42 *completed* weeks.
So many cesareans can be avoided. If women would come back to the knowledge that their bodies are strong. That they are capable. That pregnancy is not a condition or disease or pathology. That they do not need drugs to begin, or to get through their labor. That their baby is healthier when they allow labor to begin, and to occur naturally. I wish that women would stop believing that there is something wrong with their body, or that they are not strong enough to endure labor without the blasted epidural.
Women need to wake up and realize what is being done to their babies.
I am involved in a new organization called BirthAction. The site is still in progress, but we very much hope for it to be a hub for pregnant women to come and receive well-rounded information on everything pregnancy. Kind of like What To Expect When You're Expecting, just with accurate information. ;) We'd like it to be a place where women can come and find information about routine pregnancy screenings ( like ultrasound, afp testing, gestational diabetes testing, Rh sensitization, gbs, etc ) and make informed decisions about their prenatal care. It also offers tips on how to avoid a primary cesarean, tips on how to optimize the chance of a successful VBAC, information on home birthing, unassisted birthing, water birth...and everything in between.
In our goal to create awareness about the risks of cesarean sections, I designed the poster that I am putting on this page. Women need to think long and hard before agreeing to a cesarean for reasons that are not life threatening, and to elective ( or coerced ) repeat cesareans.
I am five years out from my one and only cesarean, and I have what will probably be life-long side effects. For the first time in my menstrual history, I have irregular periods, endometriosis, and PCOS. This did not occur until *after* my cesarean. I have had hormonal problems, weight gain, and much pain as a result. It breaks my heart when I hear of women resigning to a cesarean for a "large" baby, for a breech baby, or for twins. It breaks my heart and makes me want to throttle doctors when I hear of elective inductions, inductions for "large baby", inductions because mom hits 40/41/42 weeks. It makes my stomach drop when I hear women count down to their due dates, because they obviously are unaware that a due date is simply an estimation, NOT a guaranteed date of arrival. It makes me cringe when women call themselves "overdue" when they are a few days past 40 weeks. They do not know that they are not a bit "overdue" until after 42 weeks. Technically, according to medical literature, not even until after 43 weeks. It's 42 *completed* weeks.
So many cesareans can be avoided. If women would come back to the knowledge that their bodies are strong. That they are capable. That pregnancy is not a condition or disease or pathology. That they do not need drugs to begin, or to get through their labor. That their baby is healthier when they allow labor to begin, and to occur naturally. I wish that women would stop believing that there is something wrong with their body, or that they are not strong enough to endure labor without the blasted epidural.
Women need to wake up and realize what is being done to their babies.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Dear Doctor,
Dear Doctor,
Why is the exact duration of a woman's pregnancy unknown?
Because I have no way to know when exactly a woman conceived.
Fear not, for I induce labor by 41 weeks if you have not gone into labor on your own by then.
Why is the end of pregnancy often restless, uncomfortable, and emotional?
It is often restless because of the size of the belly, and the hormones in the body.
It is uncomfortable because of the added weight, the weight of the baby, and the size of the belly.
It is emotional due to the many hormones that your body is producing in this time.
Fear not, for I have medications for the restlessness. I will tell you to not lift a finger if pregnancy becomes too uncomfortable, and promise an induction as soon as you're past term. I have medications for the emotions, and as soon as you rid your body of that fetus, your hormones will regulate.
Why is labor gradually more painful as time goes on?
It is increasingly more painful because the body is opening for baby. If your bones are too small, then the pain will be harder, and often pointless. If the baby is not in a good position, it will make it harder and more painful, and the baby may not come out on his own.
Fear not, for I have drugs and anesthesia to numb you from the pain. If the baby is too big or in a bad position, I will cut him out so that you will not suffer. Fear not, for I will not allow you to go too long in labor.
Are there risks with these drugs?
Very little. You need not worry about them, because you will need them to get through the pains of labor. Why should you have to suffer, when I can relieve the pain? Do not worry about the risk to your baby, because you need to be comfortable so that you can enjoy baby after the birth. Yes, there is a risk that the labor will slow, that the baby will become distressed, or that you may not be able to push the baby out effectively...
But fear not, because if the labor slows, I have drugs to make labor come back faster. Fear not, because if the baby becomes distress, I will cut him out so that he does not suffer. Fear not, because if you cannot push him out, I will use forceps or I will cut him out of your body.
Why is the urge to push said to be unbearable?
The urge to push is only felt if you do not have drugs or anesthesia in your body. This is not necessary, as I will tell you when your cervix is fully dilated, and when you will be allowed to push. I will tell you when your baby is ready.
Fear not, for I will not allow you to suffer by pushing for too long. If you cannot push the baby out, I will rescue him with forceps or a cesarean.
What is the purpose of the 'ring of fire' when pushing?
You need not worry about this if you have epidural anesthesia. You need not feel this painful sensation at all, and I do not like my patients to suffer. I will tell you when your baby's head is emerging, and if the baby's head is slow to come, I will simply cut your flesh. If I need to cut it, I will repair it with sutures.
Fear not, for I am skilled with the scissors and repair techniques.
Why do women's nipples darken during pregnancy?
They darken due to hormones. No need to worry, as they will return to normal within the months after birth, if you bottle feed.
Fear not, for they will be pretty again.
Why will my breasts leak milk after giving birth?
This is the body's normal reaction to birth. Don't worry though, as the milk will dry off and you will be rid of the heaviness within a few weeks of birth, if you bottle feed. Yes, breastmilk is best, but no one should expect a mother to feed a baby from the breast if she does not like the idea. The formula companies are always improving their design, to make it more like breastmilk. And don't worry about the chemicals in formula, as they are in such small amounts that they will surely not affect your baby.
Fear not, for you do not have to cause your breasts to be saggy...I will send you home with free samples of the second best nutrition for your baby.
Why is the exact duration of a woman's pregnancy unknown?
Because I have no way to know when exactly a woman conceived.
Fear not, for I induce labor by 41 weeks if you have not gone into labor on your own by then.
Why is the end of pregnancy often restless, uncomfortable, and emotional?
It is often restless because of the size of the belly, and the hormones in the body.
It is uncomfortable because of the added weight, the weight of the baby, and the size of the belly.
It is emotional due to the many hormones that your body is producing in this time.
Fear not, for I have medications for the restlessness. I will tell you to not lift a finger if pregnancy becomes too uncomfortable, and promise an induction as soon as you're past term. I have medications for the emotions, and as soon as you rid your body of that fetus, your hormones will regulate.
Why is labor gradually more painful as time goes on?
It is increasingly more painful because the body is opening for baby. If your bones are too small, then the pain will be harder, and often pointless. If the baby is not in a good position, it will make it harder and more painful, and the baby may not come out on his own.
Fear not, for I have drugs and anesthesia to numb you from the pain. If the baby is too big or in a bad position, I will cut him out so that you will not suffer. Fear not, for I will not allow you to go too long in labor.
Are there risks with these drugs?
Very little. You need not worry about them, because you will need them to get through the pains of labor. Why should you have to suffer, when I can relieve the pain? Do not worry about the risk to your baby, because you need to be comfortable so that you can enjoy baby after the birth. Yes, there is a risk that the labor will slow, that the baby will become distressed, or that you may not be able to push the baby out effectively...
But fear not, because if the labor slows, I have drugs to make labor come back faster. Fear not, because if the baby becomes distress, I will cut him out so that he does not suffer. Fear not, because if you cannot push him out, I will use forceps or I will cut him out of your body.
Why is the urge to push said to be unbearable?
The urge to push is only felt if you do not have drugs or anesthesia in your body. This is not necessary, as I will tell you when your cervix is fully dilated, and when you will be allowed to push. I will tell you when your baby is ready.
Fear not, for I will not allow you to suffer by pushing for too long. If you cannot push the baby out, I will rescue him with forceps or a cesarean.
What is the purpose of the 'ring of fire' when pushing?
You need not worry about this if you have epidural anesthesia. You need not feel this painful sensation at all, and I do not like my patients to suffer. I will tell you when your baby's head is emerging, and if the baby's head is slow to come, I will simply cut your flesh. If I need to cut it, I will repair it with sutures.
Fear not, for I am skilled with the scissors and repair techniques.
Why do women's nipples darken during pregnancy?
They darken due to hormones. No need to worry, as they will return to normal within the months after birth, if you bottle feed.
Fear not, for they will be pretty again.
Why will my breasts leak milk after giving birth?
This is the body's normal reaction to birth. Don't worry though, as the milk will dry off and you will be rid of the heaviness within a few weeks of birth, if you bottle feed. Yes, breastmilk is best, but no one should expect a mother to feed a baby from the breast if she does not like the idea. The formula companies are always improving their design, to make it more like breastmilk. And don't worry about the chemicals in formula, as they are in such small amounts that they will surely not affect your baby.
Fear not, for you do not have to cause your breasts to be saggy...I will send you home with free samples of the second best nutrition for your baby.
Dear God,
Dear God,
Why is the exact duration of a woman's pregnancy unknown to her?
Because each baby develops at a different pace in the womb, and is ready to be born only in their own time.
Fear not, and have patience, for I have a perfect Birth Day for every baby.
Why did You make it so that the end of pregnancy is often restless, uncomfortable, and emotional?
I made it restless so that your body will be ready for the night feedings with your baby.
I made it uncomfortable so that you will be ready to face the sensations of birth, that will bring forth your baby.
I made it emotional so that you will be prepared for the many emotions that come in the moment you see the fruit of your womb for the first time, and in the months of adjustment to motherhood after.
Fear not, for I created you to have strength and endurance.
Why did You make labor to be increasingly strong and painful?
So that you may learn to work through the birth pangs in each stage, and take them one at a time, rejoicing in the increasing strength and knowing that your baby is near. I made it so that the contractions grow in strength and intensity so that each one may bring the baby lower, and direct baby to be in the best position. I made labor sensations so that you may respond to your body with each need, and in knowing when baby is ready for you to begin pushing.
Fear not, for I created you to be strong and able.
Why did You make the urge to push so unbearable?
So that you would begin to push, only at the perfect time. If you begin to push before this unbearable urge, you will likely push much longer than you need to. I created this urge so that you would know, without doubt, when the baby is ready to emerge from the womb.
Fear not, for I created it this way so that you would not exhaust your body in pushing before your body and your baby are ready.
Why did You create the 'ring of fire' when pushing?
So that you would feel clearly when the baby's head is ready to emerge, and push slowly, so as to not tear your flesh.
Fear not, for I created your skin to stretch slowly, allowing for baby's head. I created your tissue to tear along only the weakest spots, if a tear is necessary. These tears will heal well on their own.
Why did You create labor and birth to be so hard for most women?
Labor and birth will not be painful for every woman, but every woman will have hard work in labor. This is a part of the curse of Adam and Eve, a part of your entry into motherhood. Just as the men are called upon to work hard to provide for their family, women are called upon to work hard to bring forth the life of their womb. Hard work in labor and birth will prepare you for the task and honor of being a mother. With motherhood comes hard work. Physically, mentally, emotionally hard work. Labor and birth open the door for the task you will be faced with.
Fear not, for I also created birth to have a reward. I created your body to release the highest amount of endorphins that will ever be known to your body, if you leave labor and birth to My design. Hindering the process will not bring this release though, so know that the hard work of labor serves a purpose, and is not without reward.
Why do women's nipples darken during pregnancy?
So that the newborn at birth, whose eyesight is yet blurry, may find the breast and be well nourished.
Fear not, for I created it so that baby may always find his way to his mother's breast, and find comfort and health.
Why do my breasts leak milk after giving birth?
So that you may provide your baby with the perfect nutrition. Colostrum so thick with fat and protein, perfect for the newly birthed baby. Breastmilk that comes in at the perfect time, in two parts. First, thinner to quench the baby's thirst. Second, thick hindmilk to fill baby's belly. Each feeding is filled with different tastes, and different textures. This prepares baby for toddler hood, when he will begin to taste the first solid foods of his life. Through nursing at the breast, a baby develops a strong, healthy jaw, and is filled with antibodies, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. A baby also receives the warmth of his mother's breast, the smell of her skin, and the sound of her heart.
Fear not, for I created breastmilk to be the most perfect food for your baby.
Why is the exact duration of a woman's pregnancy unknown to her?
Because each baby develops at a different pace in the womb, and is ready to be born only in their own time.
Fear not, and have patience, for I have a perfect Birth Day for every baby.
Why did You make it so that the end of pregnancy is often restless, uncomfortable, and emotional?
I made it restless so that your body will be ready for the night feedings with your baby.
I made it uncomfortable so that you will be ready to face the sensations of birth, that will bring forth your baby.
I made it emotional so that you will be prepared for the many emotions that come in the moment you see the fruit of your womb for the first time, and in the months of adjustment to motherhood after.
Fear not, for I created you to have strength and endurance.
Why did You make labor to be increasingly strong and painful?
So that you may learn to work through the birth pangs in each stage, and take them one at a time, rejoicing in the increasing strength and knowing that your baby is near. I made it so that the contractions grow in strength and intensity so that each one may bring the baby lower, and direct baby to be in the best position. I made labor sensations so that you may respond to your body with each need, and in knowing when baby is ready for you to begin pushing.
Fear not, for I created you to be strong and able.
Why did You make the urge to push so unbearable?
So that you would begin to push, only at the perfect time. If you begin to push before this unbearable urge, you will likely push much longer than you need to. I created this urge so that you would know, without doubt, when the baby is ready to emerge from the womb.
Fear not, for I created it this way so that you would not exhaust your body in pushing before your body and your baby are ready.
Why did You create the 'ring of fire' when pushing?
So that you would feel clearly when the baby's head is ready to emerge, and push slowly, so as to not tear your flesh.
Fear not, for I created your skin to stretch slowly, allowing for baby's head. I created your tissue to tear along only the weakest spots, if a tear is necessary. These tears will heal well on their own.
Why did You create labor and birth to be so hard for most women?
Labor and birth will not be painful for every woman, but every woman will have hard work in labor. This is a part of the curse of Adam and Eve, a part of your entry into motherhood. Just as the men are called upon to work hard to provide for their family, women are called upon to work hard to bring forth the life of their womb. Hard work in labor and birth will prepare you for the task and honor of being a mother. With motherhood comes hard work. Physically, mentally, emotionally hard work. Labor and birth open the door for the task you will be faced with.
Fear not, for I also created birth to have a reward. I created your body to release the highest amount of endorphins that will ever be known to your body, if you leave labor and birth to My design. Hindering the process will not bring this release though, so know that the hard work of labor serves a purpose, and is not without reward.
Why do women's nipples darken during pregnancy?
So that the newborn at birth, whose eyesight is yet blurry, may find the breast and be well nourished.
Fear not, for I created it so that baby may always find his way to his mother's breast, and find comfort and health.
Why do my breasts leak milk after giving birth?
So that you may provide your baby with the perfect nutrition. Colostrum so thick with fat and protein, perfect for the newly birthed baby. Breastmilk that comes in at the perfect time, in two parts. First, thinner to quench the baby's thirst. Second, thick hindmilk to fill baby's belly. Each feeding is filled with different tastes, and different textures. This prepares baby for toddler hood, when he will begin to taste the first solid foods of his life. Through nursing at the breast, a baby develops a strong, healthy jaw, and is filled with antibodies, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. A baby also receives the warmth of his mother's breast, the smell of her skin, and the sound of her heart.
Fear not, for I created breastmilk to be the most perfect food for your baby.
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