birth babies breasts oh my

Belly Cast for Baby Jacob

2012-01-26T12:45:00.000-08:00

Jacob is a sweet angel baby. His mom wanted to have the cast painted bright and happy. She wanted blue, sunny skies. She said the idea of a rainbow represents healing and peace after a storm. I was so impressed with this mother. It was an honor to paint his cast.

Belly Cast for Baby Ivy

2012-01-26T12:36:00.000-08:00

Ivy was born during October, a beautful autumn month. I picked Ivy leaves off of my vine, painted them, and pressed them on the cast that was painted with beautiful fall colors.

2012 Schedule

2012-01-19T12:16:00.000-08:00

Click to see larger image

2011-08-18T14:36:00.003-07:00

Barbeque cancelled!

2011-08-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

Summer Family Barbeque!

August 19th at 6:oopm

Anjie's backyard

Bring your family. Bring a dish to share. Bring something to grill.

It will be fun! Hope you can come!

Elephant in the Hospital

2011-07-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

This video is making a case for leaving your infant boys intact. I think it is effective in making people think twice about this, which most people in our society don't do. I am not posting this for controversy or to make people feel bad for past decisions. I am hoping to empower parents with good information so that they can make the best choices for them.

Meet the Doulas Night

2011-07-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at Meet the Doulas. It was great to hear first hand accounts from two couples. It was also good for couples to hear more about what a doula is and does. Thanks to al who helped! We held the gathering at Chris Miller's new birth suite. Thanks, Chris!

Meet The Doulas Night

2011-07-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

July 12, 2011 at 7:00pm

Arrivals Birth Suite

(Chris Miller's office)

1190 E. 5325 S. Ogden, UT 84403

Moms and Dads, come meet area doulas. Find out what a doula does and how they can help you have your best birth. Hear first hand accounts. If possible, nursing babies only. (make it a date night)

Doulas, Spread the word!! This will be a great opportunity to meet many potential clients.

Home and Natural Birth Onsies

2011-05-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

These are some onsies I made that are for sale.

labor and postpartum gown

2011-05-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

I designed and sewed this labor and postpartum gown for a friend. We thought about easy access to nursing and postpartum needs. It zips all the way open in the front so there is no stepping in and out of it. It is at the length she requested. She picked the fabric too! If you are interested in one, let me know.

"OVERDUE"

2011-05-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

Our last gathering was all about going "overdue". This is a great article that tells us what is happening to baby during the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Saying No to Induction

Baby Tawney's Belly Cast

2011-04-29T16:38:00.000-07:00

The butterflies are 3-D

This is Pam Udy's pregnant belly with her daughter, Tawney. When I talked to Pam and Tawney about what they wanted on this Tawney said, "Flowers, lady bugs, bumble bees, butterflies, dragon flies, pink, purple..."

I asked Pam about her pregnancy and birth. She told me this was her most peaceful happy pregnancy. During labor she had a moment alone and realized she was not going to be able to breathe the baby down as hoped. She said, "I realized I was going to have to work to get this baby out. There was a gathering of strength."

So my mind went to work. I felt a great positive energy as I thought about and worked on this painting. The blue butterflies represent peace softley landing. I thought a lot about a cocoon. When the work is done inside, a new life emerges. The work is peaceful and happy. The mother evolves and grows as well. I am happy with how it turned out!

Waterbirth

2011-04-05T07:45:00.001-07:00

(written by Twyla Cluster)

Water Birth Resources

The idea of giving birth underwater was pioneered by Igor Tjarkovsky, a Soviet researcher and swimming instructor, in 1960. He has helped hundreds of women give birth underwater in a tank of warm water.

In 1977 a French obstetrician Michel Odent introduced mothers to a pool of warm water so that they could relax in labor and not feel inhibited; this also helped for pain relief. Some women decided to stay in the pool to give birth, and over the next 5-6 years thousands of women used the pool during labor.

By 1983 hundreds of women had given birth in water. In the 1980s water birth had spread across the world from France to America. By 1987 approx. 3,000 babies had been born underwater. At the garden hospital in London, Dr. Yehudi Gordon stopped giving pethidine to women in labor; warm water has taken its place.

Books

Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper

The Water Birth Book by Janet Balaskas

We Are All Water Babies by Jessica Johnson & Michel Odent

Water Birth: A Midwife’s Perspective by Susanna Napierala

Websites

Waterbirth International.org

Anesthesia.com.mx/articulo/waterbrt.html

Homebirth.net.au/

Homebirth.org.uk/water

Waterbirthinfo.com

Facebook

Bring Birth Home

Birthing From Within

Preparing For Birth

Birth Faith

Birth Pools

Birth Pool in a Box

Aquadoula

Blow Up Kid Pools

Own Tub

Childbirth Education Classes

2011-02-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

Sher Anderson

Logan area. Eclectic style.

435-753-7207 nourishingbodymindspirit@gmail.com

Sarah Carter

Salt Lake area. Birthing From Within.

801-638-3328

Sara Forsberg

Layton area. Eclectic style.

1 801.643.2633 More information to come

Amy Irig

Layton area. The Bradley Method.

801-773-2503, (cell)801-425-0072 www.myjoyfulbirth.com joyfulbirth@truevine.net

Certified in: The Bradley Method, DONA, La Leche League, Infant Massage USA, Dancing for Birth, and (not certified) Prenatal/Postpartum Yoga classes.

Melanie Sarao

Layton area. Hypnobirthing. Private and group lessons.

801-389-1919 www.harmoniousbirth.com

Michelle Scharf

Davis County. Hypnobabies

801-499-2095 www.utahdoula.com

Doula and DEM. Group classes and private upon request.

Eryn Snider

Layton area. Hypnobirthing.

801-388-0214 www.serenebeginning.com Eryn_Ann@hotmail.com

Group and private lessons. Can make arrangements for other areas.

If you know other educators who would like to be added to this list, leave a comment with info and I will add it on here.

A Fascinating Birth Story

2011-01-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

This is one of the most fascinating birth stories I have read. Twins, VBAC,water birth, many fears, many hours between babies, and in a different culture than mine. Part one and part two.

It's Free!

2011-01-04T17:31:00.000-08:00

You can now watch "The Business of Being Born" online for free. Check it out!

Beautiful Nativity

2010-12-20T16:18:00.000-08:00

Follow this link to see the painting that inspired the thoughts below much larger. I love it.

A Christmas Birth

2010-12-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

On September 15th, 2010 I gave birth to my sixth baby, my fifth boy. I have kept this birth in a quiet place. It has had a different impression. I feel a reverence for this baby’s arrival. I am a simple woman who was able to deliver a miracle. I was supported by my husband who was concerned for me and the baby, but believed in my body’s ability to birth. I was attended by two gifted women who are blessed with the ability to anchor a mother through labor and birth. I also feel there were angels attending and watching over. Angels who were fully invested in the events. Angels who love my family and I. I gave birth in simple circumstances, and love that. After the birth, I felt an overwhelming responsibility for the new person in my arms. Who is this tiny boy?

It is Christmas time. Pondering the birth of the Savior of the world, the world he created, brought similar feelings as my son’s birth. I am sure Mary had to succumb to the power of her body. She brought forth a true miracle. Joseph was her protector. What were his thoughts as he supported her and the imminent arrival of the babe? I imagine there were women there. Women allowing her to birth the way she needed, providing only what women can do for other women, and bringing a feeling of calmness and safety. I know that angels watched, protected, and rejoiced. The heavens were opened. The Christ child was delivered to the earth in the simplest circumstances. I wonder if Mary was overcome with her calling as a mother. I wonder if she felt a reverence for all that she had experienced. I assume she did as the scriptures tell us that, “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Birth is a powerful miracle. The birth of our Savior was so much more! As I reflect on these two births with their differences and similarities, I am overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed by the feelings I experienced at my own baby’s birth and still now in retrospect. How much more, then, it must have been for our Savior’s birth.

Reflections from a Mother

2010-11-29T14:38:00.000-08:00

Here are some thoughts from a mother thinking back to her first home birth, fifth delivery (sixth baby). Have you ever wondered how home births are different from hospital births?

What I Wish I'd Known

2010-10-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

What happens when you get a room full of women who have given birth, some several times? Experience. Considering each labor and delivery were unique and different, there was a lot learned in those experiences. We opened the question up, “What do you wish you had known before labor and birth?”

Here is a list of the ideas shared:

• I can do it! With the first baby especially, many expecting moms are told they cannot give birth without an epidural.

• I can keep my baby with me.

• Listen to my inner voice, my intuition.

• Don’t fight labor.

• Hire a doula.

• Surround myself with good support during pregnancy .

• Don’t listen to the horror stories.

• Make plans, make a birth plan (review it with doctor).

• I can switch providers mid pregnancy

• It is pain of hard work. It has a purpose.

• The feeling of desperation means my baby will soon be in my arms.

• Skin to skin will keep baby’s temperature up.

• Babies don’t have to cry after birth.

• Due date is a month

We also asked to the moms-to-be what they would like to know before labor.

• Good pregnancy and birth books

• Good classes to take

If you have any other ideas, leave them in the comments. I can add them to the list. Thanks to everyone who came and shared!

Summer Social!!

2010-06-15T20:56:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 18th

6:00 pm

Anjie's house

Bring: your family, a potluck, and whatever you want grilled!

Hope you can come!

April Powerful Birth Group Gathering

2010-04-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

April 15th is tax day! Yuck! But if you want something fun to look forward to that day you need to come to the Powerful Birth Group gathering! It is at 10:00am.

April is Cesarean Awarness month and we will have Pam Udy leading our discussion. She will talk about preventing unnessasary cesareans, preparing for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), and support.

Pam has been a member of ICAN’s (International Cesarean Awarness Network) Board of Directors since 1999, and served as president. Pam has experience supporting, educating, and encouraging moms; those who are seeking to avoid a cesarean, those recovering from cesarean, and those who are searching a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Pam is a personal experience expert, having had two cesareans followed by three vaginal births. She believes women have the right to divine inspiration regarding their pregnancies and births.

Pam is well published and has been quoted in national newspapers. She have been interviewed on radio programs. She has done presentations all over the country. People pay money to listen to what she has to offer them. This is a GREAT opportunity to sit with her in my living room for free and hear her words inspire and help you to achieve a normal, vaginal birth. I am so excited!

Please tell your friends! Comment if you have an idea of numbers that are coming so I can be prepared. Comment, also, if you have a question you would like answered. Thanks!

2010-03-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

2010-03-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

This story had me balling. Having given birth to a special needs child, the mother's thoughts echoed many I had had. A place few understand. I honestly could not read every word. The pictures are profound.

Meeting at the Department of Health / Health Committee Meeting

2010-02-10T19:00:00.001-08:00

Today I attended a meeting at the Health Department. I was late but I can assure you, not late enough!

The meeting was to discuss the one room exemption for birth suites. Some licensed midwives, two certified nurse midwives and some direct entry midwives have opened natalocs based on the exemption.

The "State" (health committee) is worried about the reason that women would choose this option for giving birth and are concerned about the "blood on their hands" because women may believe these centers are state regulated. One of the committee members said, "Maybe it is as easy as, we simply make you have a sign stating the centers are not state regulated". Many public members said, "Yes, Yes, Let's do that!"

The woman presenting the information to the committee on the behalf of the State was very anti-midwifery, home birth and VBAC, especially in an unregulated setting. While producing her own presentation she left out a lot of information showing statistical information on the safety and the precedence of care in out of hospital settings. She also incorrectly implied that LDEM's where only licensed to practice in the home, when it clearly states that they are out of hospital providers in the LDEM laws.

She also presented information on Suzanne Smith's website and pointed out that her website was very professionally created and that professionalism translates into competency and therefor is problematic. (Because being competent is a problem...for who? The State or the hospital's competing for a buck? Because it's not a problem for mothers, right?!)

All in all, it was blood pressure rising and grossly misrepresentation of qualified woman caring for their clients in the setting most comfortable for the woman. The biggest problem we face is the lack of understanding that midwives are "with women" where they need to be on their terms and in the environment they deem most comfortable to them. We support women in any position they want, we check them when they ask, or not at all if they never ask. We hold the role of support and guardian and we help sustain the measure of safety as best we can. We also understand and as do our clients that birth is as safe as life gets. There are no guarantees, We are careful cautious and we listen to our mothers. Our mothers are the ones with the most information about themselves and their babies and that is why we offer the best care available.

Medical care is so clinical and so disconnected from the woman and that is a difference that no hospital no matter how cute the paint can compete with and it isn't a model of care that fits with the medical machine.

Sadly, it looks like once again, we are headed to the state legislature. To protect the practice and lively hoods of midwives and to stop trade infringement. We need to make sure these centers can remain open and protect the midwives so they may offer their clients options for their birthing needs.

Baby Spring Fling

2010-02-05T14:06:00.000-08:00

If you live in East Idaho, this might interest you. If you don't live in East Idaho this still might interest you. It is a Baby Spring Fling.

You can advertise an online business, or other services.
You can have a booth to promote your business.
You can attend!

Check it out and contact them for more information.

High Mortality Rate in California

2010-02-03T19:13:00.001-08:00

I thought this article was very interesting. I am sure this is a problem that is spreading across the nation. Why are the pregnancy related deaths rising? This article takes a closer look and searches for answers instead of continuing to blow this off and assuming this country couldn't be doing something wrong, we just have more high risk women (or whatever other excuses I've heard.)

Excerpt:
"In 2002, Dr. David Lagrew, the medical director of the Women’s Hospital at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Orange County, noticed that a lot of women were having their labor induced before term without a medical reason. And he knew that having an induction doubled the chances of a C-section.

So he set a rule: no elective inductions before 41 weeks of pregnancy, with only a few exceptions. As a result, Lagrew said, the operating room schedules opened up, and the hospital saw fewer babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, fewer hemorrhages and fewer hysterectomies.

All this, however, came at a cost: The hospital had to take a cut in revenue for reducing the procedures it performed. Lagrew doubts that any hospital has increased its C-section rate in pursuit of profit, but he does note that the first hospitals to adopt controls on early elective inductions have been nonprofits.

According to a report issued by the advocacy group Childbirth Connection, “Six of the 10 most common procedures billed to Medicaid and to private insurers in 2005 were maternity related.” On average, a C-section brings in twice the revenue of a vaginal birth. Today, the C-section is the single most common surgical procedure performed in the United States.

“If all these guys were losing money on every C-section, well, what’s the old saying? Whenever they tell you it’s not about the money, it’s about the money,” Lagrew said.

Birth Story of Baby Harrison

2010-02-02T10:24:00.000-08:00

Sara was kind enough to share her birth story with us. THANK YOU!!

I folded up the purple towels yesterday. Buried in the Moses basket was a baby blanket and my birth bag. All that was left in it was a single plastic drop cloth and two packets of Emergen - C. My corner of the neatly prepared birth supplies lay in a tangle on the floor - four weeks of stepping around it and glancing at what remained. I couldn’t pick it up and put everything away. It was like dismantling an altar - sacrilege. It meant moving on from the birth. It meant taking another step away from the miracle. It meant fading memories and sensations. It meant loss and grief and mourning for what was gone.

I love to cradle Harrison’s head and his little round bum. I know those same shapes - I held them inside of me and my body wrote the details of them on my soul. I knew at 39 weeks that we were close, 40 weeks closer, any day now. My body was stretched and tight and sore. I was ready to meet this baby. Even though we danced and talked together I needed more and the waiting to see this baby’s face and hear it’s cries and feel it’s breath on my cheek made me anxious.

Memories from my last birth had stayed with me. I was afraid of the pain and pushing and recovering. I thought of screams and blood and even at 41 weeks I didn’t feel ready. I expected the baby to come on the weekend. We inflated the pool, sorted through supplies again, and prepared my birth space. I made this birth space a shrine. I wanted to be surrounded by beauty and love.

My sweet friends held a mother’s blessing for me. Surrounded by candlelight they made charms and beads for me. I had a silhouette drawn and they decorated it with birth wishes and blessings. We feasted and laughed and the support I received that night stayed with my until my baby was in my arms. I placed their candles around my room along with tokens from previous pregnancies and births. A photo of a great grandmother, a belly cast from my pregnancy with Elliot, necklaces and bracelets adorned with beads from previous mothers blessings. I was ready.

Waiting is hard. Waiting to look into those new eyes and see that sweet spirit. Waiting to confirm whether it was a boy or girl. Wondering if that painful contraction meant something was happening. Hoping my husband would be home when labor started. Praying I would find the challenge and meet it and be refined.

After a few false alarms I resigned myself to surrender to the unknown. Labor would start eventually. There was certainty in a birth and a baby. And there was probably no way I was making it through another week so the certainty was soon.

I was just concerned about Jay working so far away and going to a conference in the mountains. He was too far away and a storm was coming and I was worried. He called as soon as he was done with his presentation and on his way. I was counting the minutes but at that point I knew it would all be fine. I have had short labors in the past but never under an hour and he would be home soon. I relaxed and took my heavy body off the couch where I had been quietly taking it easy all day. I went outside and watched my children play while the sky got darker. I chatted with neighbors and was relieved to see my husband pull up safely. Life was good! It was even better when Jay suggested Chinese food. He joked he would ask to get it extra spicy but I didn’t want heartburn so he picked up our regulars. I devoured the Mongolian beef and almost choked when the first bite went down - I guess we didn’t have to ask for extra spicy. The stars must have aligned because this was the spiciest we had ever had - and it was delicious.

We spent the evening relaxing and went to bed around 10. I woke up around midnight with a painful contraction. Another false alarm so I went back to sleep. There was another one, and another. I took nothing seriously because in the groggy semi-sleep state I was in time meant nothing. Had it been seconds between them? Or hours? I woke Jay up and told him to tell me how far apart the contractions were. He said they were about 4 minutes apart. I decided to stay in bed until I absolutely couldn’t deal with them anymore. That was pretty immediately though. Jay got up to get the birth pool ready and I got out of bed to wander around our dark quiet house.

I ended up in the dining room where I leaned on the counter and rocked back and forth with each contraction. They were very intense but I was still having a nice break in between them. I called to my baby and told him to come. I prayed and closed my eyes and tried to see the burning inside myself.

I went back into our bedroom to check on the progress of the pool. It wasn’t ready yet to I sat on the toilet to wait. Immediately contractions started coming stronger. Jay chatted with me through the open door and I leaned my head on our cold bathroom counter to moan through another contraction. These were strong and with every sensation I tried to look forward to the next. I knew each one was bringing me closer to the end. I felt deep pressure and reached in to feel how close my baby was. I could feel almost half of his head. I knew it wouldn’t be long until he was here. The pressure of the toilet was strong - too strong I thought. Even though I knew that position was helping I had to move.

I got up to check on the progress of the pool. The room was hot and I went to Jay’s arms for comfort. He whispered to me that it would be over soon and reassured me that I was doing a great job. He turned on some of my favorite music while I made sure the candles were glowing throughout the room and paced around the pool watching it fill up with steaming water.

Elliot woke up around this time and sat on the end of the bed just watching. He put his head in his hands and I looked into his big chocolate eyes and told him the baby was coming. He didn’t seem to concerned - he just smiled. I took him into my arms and enjoyed our last few moments with him as the baby of our family. I was worried now that he was awake. I didn’t want to be bothered while I was in the water but we were blessed and he just wanted to watch. He was quiet and helpful. He brought me cold drinks and rubbed my head.

Around 1am the contractions got much stronger and much closer together. I knew I would need the pool soon. It was almost full so I jumped in and it was instant sweet relief. I closed my eyes and relaxed my body. My arms were draped over the side of the pool. Elliot held one of my hands and Jay sat with his head next to mine. I took a deep breath at the start of each contraction, closed my eyes, and hummed along with my music. It was the same music Elliot was born to and I thought of each song and wondered which would be playing when this baby was born.

Jay offered counter pressure for my back but I wasn’t desperate for it yet. I wanted to wait until I felt it was absolutely necessary. I knew how exhausting for Jay it would be and I really needed him present. I didn’t want to waste it. I knew no measure of time. I didn’t know how long I had been working. I had no idea how long the contractions were or how close together they were. I was lost inside myself feeling a sense of warmth and peace deep within and knew I was close to that place where my baby was coming from. Was he ready? Was I ready? Who was he? Would I know him? I rubbed my big belly and breathed into another contraction. I hung on to Jay and buried my face into his neck. He was warm and familiar and whispered to me about our plans and hopes and thoughts for this birth and this baby. Elliot sat quietly just holding my hand. The breaks between my contractions got smaller and smaller and soon it seemed like I had no time to recover. Jay decided to call our friend Michelle at this point. She was coming to photograph the birth.

I was trying to think about the baby during these intense moments with the contractions coming on top of each other. I concentrated on his movements and my breathing, imagining I was sending him life and love with each breath. I talked to him and I felt like we were working together and conscious of each other. It was amazing. I could feel a lot more pressure and reached inside and I could feel his whole head with my bag of waters in front of his head pooling up like a limp water balloon. I had a lot of anxiety about the upcoming pushing stage and I was trying to stay positive. I prayed that I would have confidence and strength and health. I talked to the baby and in between contractions I would sit back and lean against Jay and smile to think of how close we were.

I started to put a little bit of pressure into a contraction to see how it would feel. I held my breath a few times with each contraction, not really pushing but putting a little bit of pressure into each sensation. I didn’t really feel any progress but the slight pushing eased the intensity of each contraction. It was around this time (1:45) that Michelle got there. The contractions were coming with very few seconds in between them. They were intense and I decided I was having this baby. I started pushing with intention and it didn’t feel like I was making much progress. I reached inside to feel the baby’s head come down but my bag of waters was still intact and when I pushed it just filled up with more water, creating more pressure, but not doing much to help the baby move down. While I gave some light pushes with the next contraction I broke the bag of waters and immediately the baby started moving a little bit. I felt his head and I could feel lots of hair. This was so exciting to me after a bunch of bald babies and I made Jay feel it. I could feel the baby working with me and slowly moving out. His head was right behind my pubic bone and it would slip back it would come down but slip back with each push. I had my hand on his head which felt so much better for some reason. I decided that it would be more effective if I moved to a squatting position. I apparently announced this to everyone and Jay tried to help me up but it felt horrible. I couldn’t move during the contractions and I wasn’t really getting a break between them and it felt all wrong. I told Jay no - no I wasn’t doing that and went back to my previous position.

I reclined on to my side again and braced my feet against the other side of the pool. Jay was holding me and trying to press on my back and I was being quite loud. Elliot started to get a little bit worried so Michelle went to grab Anicka to come sit with him. I told myself this was it. I needed to keep the pushing up. I couldn’t stop when I felt intense pressure. I thought of my mothers blessing and the strength my friends had shared with me. I thought of my previous births and I looked at the poster my friends had made. There was my big bellied silhouette and loving and powerful messages decorated it. We had talked about my birth fears - namely pushing. My friend had counseled me to just surrender and she had added that to my poster. I kept my eyes on the poster and told myself to surrender. Jay said I was whispering it while I was pushing. This gave me the strength and courage to really do it. I thought of my birth with Elliot and my midwife telling me to just use all my energy and push through it. I knew this was the only way out of course so I did. I gave in. I surrendered and I worked up all my energy and I pushed and he slid right down. I held his head in my hands as it was born. I stroked his hair with my fingers and started to say that I needed another contraction so I could push the rest of him out. It was so intense I didn’t feel like I could wait. Luckily I didn’t have to wait long because before I could really finish the thought another contraction was coming and I was pushing my baby out into my hands.

I held him in my hands as he came towards me with his arms outreached. I pulled him right up into my arms. He was here and he was beautiful. Michelle and I said, almost at the same time, “he looks just like Jay!” while Jay was telling us it was a boy - something I hadn’t noticed or even thought to check. I immediately felt better. I was launched into a birth high by my flooding hormones and emotions. I was completely unaware of everything else in the room except for my husband’s arms around me and his tears and my sweet pink baby snuggling into my arms. It was thrilling and exciting and I felt amazing.

The placenta was birthed soon and it was intact and healthy and perfect. The room was warm and smelled like cinnamon from a candle a friend had given me. I felt surrounded my love and warmth from my friends and family and the candle seemed to symbolize that. I wrapped the baby up and passed him to Jay so I could have a quick shower. It felt so good to stand up and see my feet and stretch out. I got dry and warm and snuggled up with my new little guy in bed. He had been trying to eat his little fist so I nursed him and he ate for about an hour. I was eager to see how big he was so when he was done we weighed him 8lbs 9.5 ounces. We measured him the next day and he was 20inches long. A couple hours after he was born we cut his cord and dressed him and snuggled him up for bed. Blessedly the kids all went back to sleep and our first night was filled with rest for all.

Avoiding Unnecessary Interventions

2010-01-21T16:01:00.001-08:00

Today we discussed how to avoid unnecessary interventions.

Individually we know what interventions we are okay with. We all start with a plan in our head. According to how labor goes, those plans may change. Some of the changes in our labor can be avoided by knowing the risks with choices. All interventions CAN have risks. They also can be used for good. We need to understand how these can effect our labor and birth.

Some helpful questions:
*Is it necessary?
*What is it for?
*How will it change the outcome?
*What are the risks?
*What are the benefits?
*Can we wait?

Frank Breech Birth Video

2010-01-13T11:34:00.000-08:00

Amazing video of a frank breech birth can be seen HERE.

C-sections are a global problem

2010-01-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

The c-section rates are rising around the globe. Read here.

Birth Story of Baby Marie

2010-01-12T14:31:00.000-08:00

This is the story of my high school friend, April. Thanks for sharing it with us!

12:30 am. I got out of bed, sure this was it, wary I could also be making a mistake, knowing people would have to be notified and the decision to call them rested upon my ability to “know”.

I filled the bathtub with hot water and bubbles, tried to time the contractions, continued to debate the moment in my mind, easily breathing through each contraction, praying the Lord would let me know when it was time to call, finally deciding to call Andrew, knowing he'd never make it on time, knowing there was nothing he could do for me but come quickly and safe. No answer. Left a message. I knew this was it, this was labor, this was now. I called Amy.

I got out of the tub and put on a black t-shirt and a bathrobe. I went downstairs to get the bedroom ready with towels, sheets, drop-cloth and other things I was to have prepared for my delivery but I was finding it hard to work through contractions, and I was alone. I called Andrew again. Not panicking, just needing to know that he knew. I sat on the stairs and thought about who to call. Sharon came to mind and stayed. I knew she'd take care of me. I knew she'd be/do for me what I could not be/do for myself. I called, woke her up, at 2:30am. She came right over looking put together as usual and went right to work making beds, warming hand towels, massaging and encouraging through contractions, calling Amy to tell her it was time; calling Andrew, still no answer.

I got back in the tub. Sharon drained the water and refilled it for me, continued to give massages, applied pressure to my lower back. We told stories. We laughed. We woke up Preston and told him to go back to sleep. He told us not too laugh so loud.

3:30am. Amy arrived. Karin arrived. Amy, calm, full of positive empowering energy. Quiet. Busied herself about the home or sat on the toilet seat and observed. I was asked if I wanted to get out of the tub. No. I was in my happy place. The tub was drained, the bubbles rinsed out, clean water added. Luke warm. Bummer.

4:35am. The contractions became more intense. They were close together. Closer then I'd ever had them. My body wanted to push. I'd never experienced that before. That feeling of rippling muscle, urgent more than painful. I could see my belly willing. I'd never been so aware of myself. So aware of my body. I told Amy I felt like pushing. She said to go ahead. I asked Amy to check me, I told her she'd need to break the bag. She seemed hesitant but did so and replied that I should withhold pushing, that the baby was not engaged yet. I told her again to break the bag. Why wouldn't she break the bag, I asked. I was surrounded by people but nobody was doing anything. Nobody was checking my charts. Nobody was watching the monitors. Nobody was finding veins to poke or checking for dilation. Nobody was getting ready. Nobody was telling me what to do, when to push, how to hold onto my legs, how to breathe, how and when to have this baby, and I panicked. All of a sudden, I didn't know what to do. I knew it was time but I was all alone. It was just me and my body and I could see Amy sitting on the toilet seat and I could sense Karin taking notes and I could feel Sharon's hands supporting my head and could hear her praying for angels to be with me and telling me she loved me and that I was doing a good job and I trusted those angels to be there and heard Andrew saying that he loved me and felt that he was there as I tried to push with my body and work with my body and was afraid and scared and naive and I cried and I've never cried during labor before and I've never panicked before or lost control and it scared me. It scared me.

And then the bag was delivered and I told Amy to break it and I could feel the thickness of the bag and I was aware of it breaking and then my baby crowned, and then my baby was delivered and then she was placed with me and it was all over and the pain was gone and the fear was gone and I was not alone but was completely grateful and at peace. And Marie gave a little cry and fell asleep in my arms and it was perfect. And I had done it. Me and my angels. And they say you have to reach that rock and a hard place - that point of no return - and I thought I'd reached it before, like three times before, but I'd always had options, options such as an epidural for the pain or somebody else getting that baby here if you can't, and when you choose to have a baby at home, you don't have any options. You are it. And you come to realize that you can, and that you make it a beautiful, awesome thing. At least that's how it was for me, anyway. Beautiful, and awesome. Marie Millward, born 4:51 am, May 12th, 2009.

Christmas Evie

2010-01-09T08:22:00.000-08:00

I check this design blog frequently. I was happy to read this birth story!

I'm so Happy She Got Her VBAC!

2009-12-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

Read here.

6. Keep Your Baby With You After Your Birth

2009-11-16T12:32:00.000-08:00

5. Get Upright and Follow Urges to Push

2009-11-16T12:31:00.000-08:00

4. Avoid Unnecessary Interventions

2009-11-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

3. Have Continuous Support

2009-11-16T12:29:00.000-08:00

2. Walk, Move, and Change Position During Labor

2009-11-16T12:27:00.000-08:00

1. Let Labor Begin on it's Own

2009-11-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

Introduction to the 6 Healthy Birth Practices

2009-11-16T12:18:00.000-08:00

At the Powerful Birth Gatherings we have been discussing the six Healthy Birth Practices. This video is an introduction to them.

Here is a link of "Tools and Tips" for expectant parents who are trying to apply these Healthy Birth Practices.

NO Choice????

2009-10-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

It is ironic that my last post is titled "You have a choice" because apparently this woman does not.

You Have a Choice

2009-08-27T08:15:00.001-07:00

Actively involved in your birth verses Passive and Submissive

Doula

2009-08-27T08:02:00.001-07:00

Birth Story of Clarissa

2009-08-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

This birth story can teach women so many things, like not rushing to the hospital, not staying in the bed, trying new positions, and using other comfort measures for pain relief. It also shows the power of having support and immediate mother/baby bonding.

It is my sister's story and I am so happy for her. The baby is so cute! Thank you, Kristel, for sharing your story!!

Clarissa was born Saturday, August 15th at 7:37pm.
She weighed 6lb 10oz and was 20.5 inches long.

I woke up Saturday morning with contractions, I tried to ignore them. I was afraid I was having false labor because I was two weeks early. Meanwhile, I was hoping and praying that I would have the baby. Collin let me sleep in and made a big breakfast, which was the only thing I ate all day. Then he headed out the door for the day. All I had told him, was that my Braxton Hicks were getting stronger. I cleaned the house, ironed, did laundry, dishes, took a bath... anything I could think of to pass the time.

By 2, I tried to take a nap. I could not sleep because the contractions were consistently every 10 min. I finally started packing. Collin got home around 4:30. I told him I thought I was going to have the baby today. He looked at me a little puzzled, but just said 'sounds good to me'. By 5, my pains were getting much more intense and were every 5 minutes or so. I had to stop what I was doing and focus on breathing. Collin would put counter pressure on my hips, which helped a lot. After feeding the girls dinner, we finally called a neighbor. She came and got the girls about 6:15.

We headed to the hospital. I was so afraid they would tell me to go home. As Collin turned into the parking lot I said, 'no, I don't want to go!' So he turned the car around. Just then, I had another contraction and quickly changed my mind saying, 'okay, we better get in there!' By the time they got me settled and checked in, I was already at 7 or 8 centimeters dilated. I was so relieved. They immediately set things up for the baby to be born. We called mom and dad to come get the girls.
My doctor was gone, so I had requested the midwife to come. My nurse was actually studying to be a midwife too, so I was pleasantly surprised with the help and support they gave me. I spent most of the last 30 minutes standing up and on the birthing ball. (The first 30 minutes was laying on the bed answering all the questions.) Collin was supporting me and the nurse was doing counter pressure on my hips. It was actually very comfortable. When I was ready to push, I climbed in the bed on my hands and knees and delivered the baby that way.

It was the first time I have been able to immediately hold the baby to my skin. She was so quiet and content, no screaming. They did not take her away for a couple hours. I just nursed her.

My parents had driven down, picked up the girls, their bags, and car seats then come to the hospital and baby had already been born. The girls each had a turn holding their new baby sister. Then they headed home with Grandma and Grandpa until Thursday. (Thanks a million mom and dad!!) Collin has also worked from home all week. It has been nice having so much time with Collin and the baby. I am not sure I am ready to take care of four kids on my own!!!

A Step in the Wrong Direction

2009-08-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

Tina Cassidy asks the question "Why do OBs like induction so much?"

Pregnancy Related Book List

2009-08-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

This was the list of book titles gathered at our August 20, 2009 meeting. If you can think of any of your favorite books, please share.

Education

Shiela Kitzinger “Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth”

“Homebirth”

“Birth Your Way”

Pam England “Birthing From Within”

Ricki Lake “Your Best Birth”

Barbara Harper “Gentle Birth Choices”

Henci Goer “A Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth”

Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer “A Good Birth, A Safe Birth”

Penny Simkin “The Birth Partner”

Diana Korte “The VBAC Companion”

Klaus, Kennell, Klaus “The Doula Book”

“Mothering the Mother”

Janet Balaskas “Active Birth”

Comfort

Elaine Stillerman “Mother Massage”

Fun

Landrom Shettles “How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby”

Novels

Ami McKay “The Birth House”

Anita Diamant “The Red Tent”

Childrens

Jenni Overend “Welcome With Love”

Video on Reducing Infant Mortality

2009-08-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

http://vimeo.com/6182741

Reducing Infant Mortality from Debby Takikawa on Vimeo.

Be creative!

2009-08-19T12:01:00.000-07:00

Being the cheap-aholic that I am, I loved this:

Coping with Postpartum Depression

2009-08-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a great article on coping with postpartum depression. If you have suffered from this, please share your thoughts and ideas of what helped you get through in the comments.

2009-08-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

2009-08-05T09:44:00.001-07:00

What a DIFFERENCE!!!

2009-07-31T21:34:00.001-07:00

Cesarean vs. VBAC: A Dramatic Difference from Alexandra Orchard on Vimeo.

Want to Cut Costs?

2009-07-31T20:55:00.001-07:00

Jennifer Block wrote this. It seems so obvious.

Labor of Birth

2009-07-18T10:05:00.001-07:00

Labor of Birth

Squeezing the pride from my womb,

filling my head with impending doom.

I try to escape to a happy place,

but the reality of pain I have to face.

The pressure, the pain won’t let me be,

regular and timely waves wash over me.

Earthly angels take their place,

at my back and at my face.

“You are doing good” they tell me, but inside my

head a voice shouts out I’m not okay I want out.

Fear gives way to despair,

burning lungs in need of air.

I’m falling, falling sinking down,

darkness, darkness all around.

A search light finds me in the night,

giving me courage to fight.

Priesthood hands upon my head,

hope and faith replaces dread;

And love flows into me.

The fight, the battle is almost won,

my work and labor almost done.

Grunting and pushing with all my might,

my primal scream into the night.

In the room shouts of joy,

“It’s a beautiful, perfect baby boy.”

My child is laid to rest,

warm and wet upon my breast.

I am powerful, I am strong,

and I will know it from now on!

Michael Cluster

This poem is dedicated to my wife, Twyla, who gave birth to or son at home July 3, 2009

Pregnant Robot

2009-07-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

I am not sure what to think about this. It is interesting. I think that these students will be in for the shock of their lives when they attend a birth with a REAL woman. Especially when the mother doesn't cooperate with what they dictate.

Baby Boden's Birth Video

2009-07-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

Cervix Ed 101

2009-07-12T16:18:00.000-07:00

Check out this cool site.
Thanks, Jess, for the link.

Consent

2009-07-08T11:03:00.001-07:00

I liked this.

Sling Along Baby Slings

2009-06-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share my neighbors sling business with you. Slings are such a great way to carry your baby. Keeps baby close and happy and instills security within the newborn, so much better than lugging around those bulky car seats.

C-Section

2009-06-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

Cesareans DO have risks. Thanks for sharing, Pam.

Click HERE
Be sure to click on the art work in the article. It is profound.

Birth Story of Milo

2009-05-12T19:24:00.000-07:00

I've had a difficult time wanting to write this story - or knowing HOW to write it. I don't even know WHEN the "birth" story started. I felt like I'd been in labor for at least a week before Milo was born, and by the time I knew for certain that it was the "real deal," it felt like a bad joke. That said, everything went well once things really began to happen, and I shouldn't have any complaints. I had a list of things that I wanted in my birth:

a healthy baby
a natural birth (no IV or drugs)
John
my doctor
to make it to the hospital in good time (not too early or too late)
I got all of those things!

I've gone back and forth about what to include in this birth story, and I've decided to error on the side of telling too much, rather than to pick and choose what to include. So this will be long (it's already long!),but it felt long at the time, so maybe it's appropriate. Today I'm going to post the preliminary stuff, and then later, I'll post the actual BIRTH story. :) Feel free to skip all of it if you want to. :)

With this being my 5th baby, I felt a lot of braxton hicks contractions - starting back in November, and getting progressively worse until in March I was going a little nuts. After 36 weeks, the contractions got a lot stronger, more often, and more regular. On Friday, April 3rd, the contractions were strong and 3 minutes apart. I felt awful - nauseous, light headed, sick . . . after agonizing about what to do, John and I decided to go to the hospital to find out what was going on. It didn't seem too likely that I was in active labor, but with contractions that close together, we didn't want to risk having the baby in the car or something.

Greg came up to stay with our kids,and we arrived at the hospital around 11:30 pm. Once I was in bed and hooked up to the monitors, the contractions slowed down in both frequency and intensity. After an hours' observation, the nurse said we could go home, or walk around, shower, etc. to try to get things to pick up again. We were tired, so we went home, fully expecting to be back soon. (My cervix hadn't dilated during that hour, but it had gotten much softer, so our nurse was optimistic that we'd be back in the next day or two at most. Although I know these things are unpredictable,I held onto the hope that she was right.)

She wasn't. I continued to have fairly regular and strong contractions (up to my due date), but they didn't progress.

The next Wednesday (April 8th) was my due date, and I had my 40 week appointment that morning. My doctor was leaving for spring break with her family early in the morning on the 10th, so I knew I had less than 48 hours to have my baby if I wanted her there. And I did. I'm generally opposed to induction, and I really like to just let things happen, but the previous weeks' fake-outs/practice and the desire to have the baby before my doctor left won out, so I asked her to strip my membranes. The theory is that if your body is ready,stripping the membranes can help start labor - that's what happened with Ruby, so I was hopeful that it would once again get things moving. If my body was not ready to have the baby, stripping the membranes wouldn't do anything.It seemed like a safe move.

I came home from my appointment and took Ruby and Jonah on a nice long walk. During our walk, the contractions were really intense, and 5 minutes apart. We came home for a break, and the contractions slowed down and got weaker. We walked to the school to get Maxwell. Once again, the contractions kicked in. And once again, after we got home,they slowed way down.

After lunch, Ruby and I went out to walk, AGAIN. This time the contractions were quite painful,and at least 5 minutes apart - many coming closer together. The wind was blowing, it was cold, and I was tired, so we came home - only to have things slow down again!

That afternoon, I helped the kids practice piano and do their reading. We walked to piano lessons and back a couple of times (with strong contractions each time). We made popcorn balls. I sewed four burp cloths and made dinner. Finally,around 6 pm, my contractions seemed to stay strong when I was not walking, but by this point, it seemed like a cruel joke.

After dinner, I sat down and read a book while John put the kids to bed, I took a shower, and then watched a movie with John. The entire time I was wondering if I should be paying attention to the contractions, or if it was another false alarm. At 10 pm, we started to get ready for bed, and debated whether or not to call Greg. Eventually, I gave him a call. I explained that I wasn't too optimistic, but there was a chance that labor would get serious that night and we'd need him to watch the kids. I asked if he'd rather spend the night, or just come up in the unlikely chance that John and I decided to go to the hospital. Greg said he'd just come up and spend the night. Shortly after I got off the phone with Greg, my contractions became more painful, and I started to feel sick. By the time Greg arrived, I'd decided that we'd better go to the hospital. I gathered my things together, and we'd set out - just like we had almost a week earlier.

When we got to the hospital (at about 11:30 pm), they quickly got us into a room (my reputation for quick births preceded us because a nurse we'd had before was working). Our doctor was called, and she told them to do a 20 minute test strip, to let me move around after that, and that she would be over soon. When she arrived, she had the nurse set the room up so they'd be ready when I was. Ruby, Jonah, and Maxwell were all born less than 2 hours after we arrived at the hospital, and my doctor seemed confident that this labor would follow the pattern set by my last two births. On the other hand, I was worried that we'd spend the night with everyone waiting and waiting for me to have the baby, and that he wouldn't be born for HOURS.

At about 12:45, I asked to be checked because the contractions were very strong. I'm always hesitant to be checked because the news can either be encouraging, or very depressing. Luckily, I had progressed to a 7, so I was encouraged, although still not confident that things would move quickly. My doctor and a nursing student stayed in the room with John and I after that. It was nice to have people to visit with between contractions, although it was kind of strange to have everyone quiet down while I was having a contraction. A little while later, I began to feel pressure (not quite an urge to push, but close to it) during contractions. After a few contractions like that, I asked to be checked again, and was found to be complete. The urge to push was still not overwhelming, and I was worn out emotionally, if not physically, so I asked my doctor to break my bag of waters to speed things up a little. After a few more contractions, she broke my water, and said I could push whenever I felt like it. I pushed on the next contraction, but it was so weak no one could tell I'd done it! Argh!

I pushed harder on the next contraction, and the next,and the next, and I started to wonder what was going on! The last 3 babies had all been born in just a couple of pushes, and I couldn't figure out what was taking so long.It turns out that Milo wasn't in the right position,so as I pushed, he was rotating into position before he could be born. (I wonder if breaking the bag of water made him drop down before he rotated all the way. If so, it was my own fault that I had to push so much longer.) The pushing was really hard and really scary. I always forget how painful and scary pushing is for me.

It's so strange to be the one in labor. No one else can feel what you're feeling, and even though John and my doctor are there, I feel pretty alone.Birthing my baby is something I have to do - no one can do it for me, and besides the baby, everyone else is mostly spectating. This time, the difference between the experience that the others had was markedly different from what I was experiencing. I managed to not scream out loud, so the nurses, my doctor, and even John thought that I was doing really well. I LOOKED calm, in control, and focused as I pushed. What I remember is totally different. I was scared silly, in a ton of pain, and felt like I was freaking out. It just hurt too badly to open my mouth to yell or scream or cry or even to open my eyes to see the birth (I always plan to watch the birth, and I've never been able to keep my eyes open). I remember thinking of how much it hurt, and how long it was taking, and just wanting it to be over and for him to be OUT. It felt more like chaos than calm to me.

Eventually, my pushing and his rotating did their job,and Milo was born! John helped to catch, and I managed to open my eyes to see my baby (and to ask for my camera so I could get a picture of John holding our newborn).

Once the cord stopped pulsing, John cut it, and I got a chance to hold our baby. He was hungry! Milo was basically born rooting. :) He was quickly cleaned up and weighed

(we were all a little shocked at his size - my biggest baby), and then I got to hold and feed him while the doctor finished taking care of me.
Milo hardly cried at all, which worried me, but his color was good and no one else was concerned. He was born at 1:17 am. Great timing. Just as my doctor finished with me, she headed over to another hospital to deliver another baby. :)
To read Jenny's blog and see beautiful pictures of Milo click HERE.

How to Make a Belly Cast

2009-04-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Supplies needed:
Rigid Wrap. (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=gc0027) You can buy this at most craft stores. I would buy 3 packs, maybe 4. They should cost about $4 a pack.
Vasaline.
Old bra
scissors
bowl of warm water

Directions:
Wear the old bra. Wear grubby pants down low under your belly.
Slather your belly and breasts with the Vaseline. Make sure you cover every area you plan on casting. This will allow the cast to come off easily.
Cut the rigid wrap into smaller pieces. Some about 8 inches, some 12 inches, some 18 inches.
Dip the larger pieces in the warm water and lay on your belly. Smooth it out.
Do that all over and in different directions. Smothing as you go. Use smaller pieces in touch up areas.
Do a few layers.
Try to make a nice edge.
It will harden quickly and you can lift it off.
Shower off and wash all the Vaseline off.

I've also heard of women using plastic wrap (like saran wrap) instead of Vaseline. I've never done that.

I hope it works for you.

Blessing Ways

2009-04-24T14:32:00.000-07:00

What is a blessing way? It is a celebration of the mother and her journey to motherhood. It is an event to fill the mother with positive energy for her upcoming labor and delivery. It is a time to boost the mother’s confidence in her ability to birth her baby. It is also a time to support her and surround her with love.

Introductions

At the beginning of the blessing way it is fun to go around the room and do introductions, even if everybody knows each other. Some fun ways of doing introductions are to:

Have each woman introduce herself by saying, “My name is Jane. I am the granddaughter of Esther and Emily. Daughter of Karen. Mother to Megan and Tyler.”

Have the guests each light a candle.

Have the guests pass a ball of yarn around. Continue through the evening. Let the “web” created show the support circle for the mother. After the evening is over, everyone can cut a piece of the yard and tie it around her wrist as a reminder. They can wear it until the baby is born.

Pamper Mom

There are many things you can do to pamper the mother at the blessing way. Here are some ideas:

Foot rub

Belly cast

Henna

Belly silhouette (trace mom’s shadow on a large paper or poster hung on the wall while a lamp shines on mom’s side profile. Can decorate it)

Pedicure

Hand massage

Facial

Take photographs

Massage

Rose petals

Clean her house

Blessings

The blessing is a well-wish or an uplifting thought. Here are some ideas:

Poems

Songs

Scripture

Thoughts

Quotes

Balloon release

Birth art/ postpartum art

Gifts

Gifts at a blessing way are not traditional like a baby shower. They are centered around the mother and usually go along with the blessing given. Here are some ideas:

Soaps

Lotions

Beads (usually they go with the blessings and the mother can make a necklace or bracelet with the beads from all the guests)

Poster (this is something everyone could draw birth art on or write on for the mother to hang and look at during labor. You could do this with the silhouette.)

Coupons for postpartum service, complete with date, time, and what you will do. (example: June 4^th, 1:00 I’m coming to fold laundry and hold baby while you take a nap.)

Scrapbook. This could easily incorporate the blessings. If everyone knows before coming the size of the book, they could prepare their blessing on the correct size paper and then the blessings could all be kept together. The mother could look at the book during labor for encouragement. This would be ideal if the mother plans to birth outside her home. It is easy to transport. Even if she plans to birth at home she could neatly hang these on her wall and put them away when she is done with them. Then it is an easy way to store them forever.

Candles. These could also be tied into the blessings given.

Piece of fabric. Then later they could be sewn together to make a blanket.

Tokens, figurines, cards, or anything symbolic of the blessing.

Music. Is there a song with special meaning?

Food. What new mother doesn’t love a frozen casserole?! Or better yet, chocolate.

Sometimes the mother will prepare a gift for her guests to take home. Here are some thoughts:

A candle. The mother can ask someone to call the women when she is in labor and the women all light their candles to remember the laboring mother and say a prayer for her.

Music. The mother can prepare a disc of music and give it to her guests to have them play and remember her during labor.

Lotion or soap. Maybe the women could wear the lotion when they find out that the mother is in labor. As they smell the lotion, they will remember her and think of her during her labor.

Bracelet or something the women could wear during the mother’s labor.

Flowers, flower bulbs, or seeds.

Other things to consider are invitations (just a phone call? Email? Or something mailed?), food (are you bringing dinner, fruit, desserts? What ever it is don’t leave it up to the mother to prepare.), decorations, and entertainment (a video, song, or maybe even a belly dance?)

Blessing ways are wonderful and uplifting for all who attend. And so much fun! Please add comments if you think of any other great ideas or things you have seen done at blessing ways. Or just tell me what you think of blessing ways, especially if you have never heard of them before.

Good Article

2009-04-18T13:39:00.001-07:00

Look here.

Pregnancy and Birth Memorabilia

2009-03-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

Pam

Belly casts

Pam, Twyla, Kristina, Becky

Dannika,Pam

Twyla, Kristina, Becky

Emilee

Michelle, Sara

The topic for the gathering today was pregnancy and birth keepsakes. We enjoyed sharing some of the following:

-Birth videos
-Belly casts
-Pregnancy Photos
-Birth Photos
-Birth stories
-Poems
-Artwork
-Placenta Prints
-Scrapbook, baby book

Preparations for Home Birth

2009-02-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

In the gathering today we talked about planning for home births. We often talk about birth plans for hospital births, but it was nice to shift that to home births and see where the discussion led. Preparing for a home birth is a bit different than preparing for a hospital birth. At home we are not trying to avoid interventions but we often tend to think people are going to know what we want. But there are still many things to consider. It may help to write them all down. It is important that those who will be at the birth are aware of your wishes before hand. Here is the rough list of things we discussed.
1. Supplies. where are they?
2. Specific wants and are they ready/charged? Camera, music, smells.
3. Notes of important phone numbers.
4. Emergency transfer notes. Important things that husband (who most likely would be frazzled in that circumstance) and hospital staff need to know. For example, no vitamin K shot, no eye ointment, etc.
5. Rolls for those who will be there. Is someone to make a cake? Do you want each child do have a job?
6. Please do not’s. Are there things you do not want people to say to you or places you don’t want touched? Do you have quirks?
7. What to wear.
8. Who is in charge of older children?
9. Foods you want.
10. What to do with the placenta.
11. Reminders of what you like. What you want to hear or where you like to be rubbed. Or do you need to be reminded to use the bathroom?
12. Cord clamping. Who and when or if.
13. Place you plan to birth. Are you setting up a pool? Does anything need special prep? Do you need certain things out or put away?
14. Affirmation poster or art to help inspire you. Do you want it hung up somewhere? Do you have thoughts or scriptures to help you?
15. What procedures do you want done to baby? When?
16. Are there special things to have handy? Like a flashlight or desk lamp. Maybe a fan?

We had our first man attend the gathering, which I really enjoyed. I love to hear a man’s point of view on these things. My husband has been at all the meetings, but he is downstairs saving children’s lives. Men are always welcome. “Proper prior planning prevents poor performance,” was a quote that Jamie Mosser memorized August 22, 1991! He shared it with us today as we talked about preparing for birth. We all know we can’t plan everything, but what a difference to be ready as much as possible for the situation.

After the discussion we listened to two recent birth stories. We had a great time!

Woman Gives Birth to Eight Babies!

2009-01-28T15:35:00.001-08:00

A lady gave birth to EIGHT babies! She is planning to breastfeed them. I'm just wondering if she has a special time machine to make her day longer. I have ONE baby and feel like I spend all day nursing. Is it possible to nurse 8 newborns in a 24 hour period and still have time to use the bathroom, or better yet sleep?

Overcoming Fears

2009-01-22T19:54:00.001-08:00

The discussion on overcoming fear at today’s gathering was great! First, we talked about what fears, struggles, and issues we have now or have had. Here is the rough list we came up with.

Multiple kids (as in, can I handle another one?!)
Transfer to hospital
Fear of judgment
Losing it in the middle of labor
What if I don’t know I am in labor
Sick baby
Baby dies
Pain
Huge baby
Long, difficult labor
Baby’s position
Hemorrhage
Cord prolapsed
Wrapped cord
Over confident in my ability
Not being able to do it
Breastfeeding trouble

We discussed these fears. We asked why we have them and where they stemmed from. Then we brainstormed some ways of coping and/or solutions. Some of these are just distractions from the real problem. But, at times, that is what it takes.

Prayer.
Take a walk.
Meditation, visualization.
Shopping.
Discussing with close friend, care provider, religious leader
Eating- chocolate
Give it six weeks (with nursing problems) But with many issues, time can usually help. Patience.
Journaling.
Birth art (We did this at the gathering!)
Educate ourselves.
Find the root of the fear. Why is this an issue for me?
Relaxing. (bath, breathing, read)
Music.
Focus on the good. Especially, with pregnancy. There is GOOD in it!
Take it slow. If you are overwhelmed, take it as you can. Bit by bit.
Do all we can for our health.

This was an uplifting discussion. I felt it could apply to struggles other than what we face in pregnancy and the delivery.

There is power in conquering or surviving hard challenges. After triumphing a natural delivery one mom at the gathering this morning said, “I no longer doubt my ability to do anything!” How big of a statement is that?! We are strong! When we face something hard and get through it, we are STRONGER!

Choosing a Doula

2009-01-13T13:04:00.000-08:00

You have decided you want a doula’s help. Now what? How do you go about finding the right one for you and your husband?

I think it is important to interview more than one. Ask around for references. Look online. You can call them on the phone and get a feel for them, narrow your list, then interview them in person. Here are some questions to consider:

1. How much do you charge?
2. What do your fees include? What do I get for my money? (Do they do prenatal visits? Postpartum visits? Birth photography? Classes?)
3. What do you feel your role is at my birth?
4. What is your philosophy about birth?
5. What is your experience?
6. What do you feel the father’s role is at birth?
7. Do you try to be a voice for the couple, or let them speak to the nurse and doctor for themselves? (I feel it is NOT the doula’s job to tell nurses and doctors what they want. They can offer their knowledge, but the decisions and voicing them is the couple’s responsibility.)
8. What are the benefits to hiring you?
9. Do you have back-up? Have you missed many births?
10. Are you available for answering questions before delivery and postpartum?
11. When do you come to help and how long do you stay? Will you come to my house?

These are just a few that I can think of right now. Please comment if you have gone through this process and have helpful advice. Likewise, please comment if you are a doula and have helpful advice for couples searching for the right one.

Gathering

2008-12-11T19:02:00.000-08:00

The gathering was fun! Thanks to those who came. I enjoyed hearing your powerful birth moments and stories. Thanks for sharing. It is insightful to hear the reasons we strive for unmedicated births. It is not easy, but that makes it more rewarding. It helps us all to feel the positive energy of these stories. It gives us encouragment. Thanks again!

Any ideas for a topic next month? Any feedback is welcome.

Doula support

2008-11-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Great Article

I have had a doula at all 5 of my births, so I don't know what a birth would be like without one. And after her help, I don't want to know. What a huge help and support! My husband and I have found her to be valuable enough to hire her for each delivery.

These six care practices also mention the value of having a doula.

What is a doula? Learn here. And more reasons to hire one? Read here.

Amazing Photo

2008-11-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

It is amazing to see, and a little hard. This baby's mother was killed in an accident.

Rising Cesarean Rate in the U.S.

2008-11-16T14:36:00.000-08:00

I thought this was a great article about the rising cesarean rate in the United States.

Get Together

2008-11-12T12:54:00.001-08:00

I had fun at the get together this morning. Thanks to all of you who came! Is there interest for a meeting in December or should we plan the next one in January? Also, is morning the best time? Would you like husbands to come? I'll post the next date as soon as we know. Thanks!!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

2008-11-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

It is nice to see my daughter copy me doing something good!

Sad Day

2008-11-05T08:20:00.000-08:00

If you have ever struggled with getting pregnant, then you know what "sad day" is.

Breech Birth Video

2008-11-03T07:51:00.000-08:00

This is an amazing video!

Celebs and Cesareans

2008-10-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

What is with SO MANY celebrities choosing to have their babies “via c-section”? I started looking around online and was surprised at how many I found! I noticed that a majority delivered at the same hospital in L.A. I only found a few that had their babies the “old fashioned way”. Why would they choose this? They have lots of money and resources, right? Isn't a cesarean usually the last resort? The wheels in my head began to turn and I think I may have figured some of it out, maybe. I thought about some of the risks or set backs to having a c-section and then thought about why a celeb might not be bothered by it.

The scar. What do they care? They will have plastic surgery.
The longer recovery. What do they care? The nanny is there to take care of the baby.
The pain. What do they care? They can go to rehab again when they get addicted to the painkillers.
The lack of labor. Oh, you mean the lack of sweating and not looking ready for a photo shoot?
More breastfeeding challenges. Come on. Who does that any more?
Possible premature baby. Really, I don’t want my baby to be “fat”.
Missing the last week or two of your pregnancy. Do you mean missing the last week or two of getting more stretch marks?

Another Possible Bad Side Effect of C-section?

2008-10-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

Read here.

Birth Plans

2008-10-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting opinion about birth plans. Some things I think are important when writing a birth plan are:

Be brief. If a nurse sees a 6 page plan, she can't spend the time to read it.
Go over it with your provider long before your due date and have them sign it as approved. Then when something becomes an issue and you're in no mood to argue for what you want, you can say, "my doctor approved it." I had a nurse call my doctor once about something I had on my plan because she didn't believe me. He told her over the phone that he indeed had okayed it. She quit talking to me about it.
Organize it simply. As in, labor; delivery;in case of c-section...etc.
Be kind, not demanding. I have learned that becoming friendly with nurses, treating them with respect for what they do, and complimenting them for the good things they do for you helps them want to HELP YOU MORE! Do you go out of your way for someone who is bossing you around or talking down to you? There are many great nurses. Treat them kindly.
Bring several copies. Also, I have found that having it copied on a different color paper helps make it easier to find. Really, who has time to be sifting through the bag.
Be practical. Like the referred to article points out, you can't ask for no IV and an epidural.
Remember where you are. Understand that hospitals have a lot of liability. If you want a home birth, it is HARD to attain that in the hospital.
Do your research. Educate yourself. Know your options. Knowledge is power. Ignorance is not bliss.

A little laugh

2008-10-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a long clip of Kevin James on the Late Show with David Letterman. Around 2 minutes in he talks about his new one month old baby and breastfeeding. Made me laugh. Check it out.

CESAREAN SECTION QUADRUPLES THE RISK OF MATERNAL DEATH

2008-10-24T08:38:00.001-07:00

Contact: Rae Davies, Executive Director Phone:
(888) 282-CIMS Fax: (904) 285-2120 E-mail: info@motherfriendly.org

The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services views with alarm a recent study showing that U.S. women having cesarean sections are four times more likely to die compared with women having vaginal births.1 Investigators reported a maternal death rate of 36 per 100,000 cesarean operations versus 9 per 100,000 vaginal births. This is the difference attributable to the surgery itself, not any complications that might have led to the need for surgery. Based on calculations of what constitutes a reasonable cesarean rate versus the actual U.S. cesarean rate,* 135 women die every year as a result of having surgery they did not need.
Moreover, the difference in mortality rates between cesarean section and vaginal birth is almost certainly larger than it appears. Investigators only considered deaths occurring up to 1 year after delivery. Some surgically-related deathsâ€”scar tissue causing a twisted bowel, for exampleâ€”may occur after the 1-year cut-off.
In a press release entitled â€œWeighing the Pros and Cons of Cesarean Delivery,â€ the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offered the theory that cesarean section benefits mothers by protecting against pelvic floor prolapse as a counterbalance to the fact that it was associated with an increased maternal death rate.2 The research, however, does not support this theory. While some studies do report a short-term benefit with cesarean section for a few women,3 none find long-term differences in symptoms resulting from pelvic floor weakness or injury to maternal tissues.3-7 Other studies report considerable percentages of women with urinary or bowel problems in the early weeks and months after cesarean surgery.8-9
The finding that cesarean section offers no long-term advantages holds true even without taking into account that many features of standard obstetric management cause or contribute to weakness or damage, and the use of these features could be greatly reduced or eliminated. These include episiotomy, fundal pressure (pushing down on the womanâ€™s belly to expel the baby), vacuum extraction, forceps delivery, and how and in what positions women are directed to push.10 Indeed, the ACOG press release acknowledges that vaginal instrumental delivery produces the worst results. Epidural analgesia also contributes indirectly by increasing the need for vaginal instrumental delivery and episiotomy.11-12 Had women birthing vaginally received optimal care, the incidence of pelvic floor laxity and genital injury would likely have been much smaller.
CIMS contends that reducing the use of injurious practices would do far more to improve maternal health and well-being than substituting major abdominal surgery. Increased risk of maternal death is but one of the many hazards of cesarean section. (See CIMS fact sheet, The Risks of Cesarean Delivery to Mother and Baby.)

*The 2002 cesarean rate was 26%. This means that about one million of the 4 million U.S. women giving birth every year have cesarean sections.13 The World Health Organization recommends no more than a 10% to 15% cesarean rate.14 If the U.S. cesarean rate were halved, 500,000 fewer women annually would have had cesarean sections. The death rate among them would have been 9 per 100,000 (45 women) rather than 36 per 100,000 (180 women) â€“ a difference of 135 lives. {the present cesarean rate in the US is 33.1%}"

When am I due?

2008-10-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

Try this due date calculator. Instead of giving you one day, it gives you a range of a month.

Australia gets it!

2008-10-21T13:41:00.000-07:00

Breech?

2008-10-21T07:48:00.001-07:00

I thought this was interesting. A c-section was done for a breech baby, that "turned" out not to be breech. Click here.

Belly Cast of Baby Aubryn

2008-10-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

This was an intensely emotional pregnancy for me. I found out I was pregnant shortly after my son had died. I was in a grievous and mourning state. I was full of hard, raw, angry, scared emotions. So I started painting it red because I felt that color represented those feelings best. But amidst those intense feelings I was holding something beautiful growing inside me. Even though this was a difficult pregnancy, something wonderful emerged. I was holding it the entire time.

Belly Cast of Baby Kylie

2008-10-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

I casted my sister's belly near the end of her first pregnancy. I felt this was a learning time for her as she prepared for her firstborn. As it is for all of us. She started this pregnancy like a small rose bud. She bloomed and grew. I felt this blooming rose was also very symbolic of what our body goes through during labor and delivery. We have to let our body open. The result is beautiful.

When I asked her for her thoughts she wrote, "Blooming rose, blooming belly, blooming baby... Growing bigger everyday... beautiful rose, beautiful birth, beautiful baby."

Belly Cast of Baby Isaac

2008-09-30T13:27:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to feature some belly casts and write a bit about the artwork.

This is the first cast I ever painted. I painted this before he was born. I knew I was having a boy, so I started with blue. But as I got to my tummy I knew there was warmth there. I felt the warmth and awe of this baby before he was born. I felt something was stirring or creating inside me. I felt the coolness and calmness of this pregnancy surrounding something exciting.

Rylan's Birth Video

2008-09-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

2008-09-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Write Dr. Phil

2008-09-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

Dr. Phil is doing a show on bad home births. Want to write in?? Go HERE! Let him hear the good home experiences. Maybe some bad hospital experiences too. Click over to "The Birth Book Blog" on the right. She brought this to my attention. I'm thinking of sending in my post, "Home Birth and the What If's," but really don't want my story twisted and misinterpreted.

Sub Comitte Meeting - Birth Centers

2008-08-28T14:21:00.001-07:00

This morning not that I had any business or time to do so, I went to a committee meeting for Birthing Centers. In Utah, we only have one free standing center with one very busy and tired CNM who delivers there. (I think they actually hired another recently, actually-still, she is busy)We only have one birth center in Utah, because in order to open a birth center there are strict and restrictive to the point of financial inability to do so.

There really are three reasons that need to get hammered out as to why this just doesn't make sense for anyone to do it. I am copying a letter posted on the utahfriendsofmidwives yahoogroups.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many of you are already aware of this, but I wanted to post to make sure
everyone is.

Those of us involved in birthing centers in the state are working to change the laws so that more birthing centers can serve the birthing public. I discovered just how bad our birthing center laws are more than five years ago when I first started working seriously on the idea of opening one. It didn't take long to figure out it was impossible.

There are three main barriers that need to be removed:

Barrier #1: Construction Requirements
Current law requires birthing centers to be built like hospitals. It costs $200 just to get the over 800-page book of special requirements, and it's completely unnecessary. Where other states (and national birth center standards organizations) advocate ordinary commercial or residential construction standards for birthing centers, Utah goes way overboard. It requires things like 5-foot-wide hallways and extra plumbing and a million other things that together make establishing a birthing center economically non-viable. Birth centers are low profit-margin businesses, and a birth center owner would never be able to make enough off the business to cover the start up construction costs as things stand now.

Barrier #2: Provider Restrictions
Current law only allows certified nurse-midwives and physicians to deliver in birthing centers. Naturally, these laws were written before licensure of LDEMs, so no slight was intended. Nevertheless, the consequences of this restriction are devastating. We all know there are no physicians who want to deliver in birthing centers. And there are precious few CNMs who want to (but we love you!). The providers, as a group, who are most aligned with the out-of-hospital birth model are LDEMs (well, all DEMs, but it's not likely to be possible to get acceptance of unlicensed DEMs as birth center providers). If a birthing center can't find providers to deliver there, they can't operate. Again with the fiscal non-viability. So in order to have a big enough pool of willing providers to staff birthing centers, we need to broaden it to include LDEMs (and others, such as naturopathic physicians if we can find 'em).

Barrier #3: Hospital/Doctor Agreements
Current law requires birthing centers to have agreements with hospitals to receive transferring patients. While on the surface this sounds like a good idea, it is the single most potent killer of birthing centers. Hospitals make a full 20% of their income off their labor and delivery units. It is easily the most profitable sector of their business. Hospitals have no interest whatsoever in seeing birthing centers flourish, since they represent direct competition for their most important customers. Since a birthing center can't exist without an agreement with at least one hospital, all the hospitals have to do to prevent birthing centers from existing is refuse to enter into agreements. Which they do. Everyone who has tried to open a birthing center has run into this brick wall. And it's worse. Even if a hospital does sign an agreement with a birthing center, they can withdraw at any time and immediately put the birthing center out of business because it can no long operate legally. So I ask you...what business person would invest money in such a risky venture, where your competition can prevent you from existing or wipe you out with the stroke (or non-stroke) of a pen? No one.

It's no accident that there are almost no birthing centers in Utah. The barriers are too great. I was able to find a way around these barriers when I opened BellaNatal Birthing Suites, but very few seem willing to follow my path. And my path does have what I consider to be needless restrictions...such as the inability to have insurance cover. So, Holly, Heather and I, along with Becky McInnis and Susan Rugg from Birth and Family Place, and a few others (Krista Black and LDEM/CNM Cyndi Johnson) who are interested in making birthing centers available to Utah's families have come together to try to change things.

Fortunately, the laws regarding birthing centers are not in statute, they are in rule. That means we can change them without going to the legislature. The agency responsible is the Health Facilities Committee under the auspices of Health Facility Licensing, Certification and Resident Assessment (think of it as the facility equivalent to DOPL). We have met with the whole committee, and thrillingly, they have assigned a sub-committee to study this issue and see what changes should be made. We have met with the sub-committee once, and, well, it was a bit firey, to say the least. We have a long road ahead of us, but I have great confidence that we can succeed.

I believe in birthing choices. I know many of you love homebirth. I love homebirth. But I also know there are many families out there who, for whatever reason, won't choose homebirth. I want them to have other options besides standard hospital birth and a 30% c-section rate. I support choices for Utah's midwives, too. Why shouldn't LDEMs be able to choose birthing centers as their venue for providing care to mothers and babies?

I'd like to know what you all think about this new project. Do you support it?
Would you be willing to help?

Suzanne Smith, LDEM
www.BetterBirth.com
www.BellaNatal.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I arrived a little late but this is what my account and feelings for the day look like.....

I walked in to a guy (a Hospital Administer) saying it only takes one normal birth to change in an instant and then you have a mess, and we (hospitals) in Utah have a really good job of cleaning up and saving the day in that situation, making it as safe as possible.

I flipped.... I told him that was inaccurate information that non of the Davis county hospitals are staffed by OB 24-7 and they don't have emergency anesthesia readily available after 5. So that was inaccurate to say the least! What I didn't say is, women who choose to give birth in a birth center setting aren't afraid of not having that immediately available and are willing to take the chance as little as it may be. None of us ever said birth was without risk. But so is swimming, or walking on the beach a sneaker wave could take you. Life isn't safe and they don't get it they get sued because they guarantee that which is NOT in their control! GRRR

It was amazing the representative for Utah Hospitals (lawyer/lobbyist) said, basically, I'm paraphrasing... NO WAY, if you want in on the money then your going to have to pay the same expenses that we do. Gee now. That would mean we would have to charge their prices, too.

They brought up the fact that surgical centers that charge less for their surgery fees than a hospitals, have been popping up and they don't want that but the public does and they can't stop it. Hospitals are feeling the crunch. (They actually brought this up!)

Birth is a financial money maker for hospitals and not only do they not want to give up their 1%, they are afraid that women will go to theses in flocks. In fact, the same guy said, what we don't want is a franchise of these opening up all over the state. They must know that women want this option.

The guy asked what are we really doing this for? (sarcasm-No one can be actually spending their time for the good of women.)Then asked, "Where are the people that want this where are they?". We offered to have you show up. He then retracted and took that back, saying, "Oh no, we've played that game before." (Yes, and they lose at it.)

Women do you hear it? They are controlling your choices to fatten their pocketbooks. Who's safety and concern is really being watched, I don't think it is the woman's or the baby's when it comes to these fat cat lobbyists!

Hope that you will join us at the next meeting....NOVEMBER 6, 9am -11am Room #336

for laughs

2008-08-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

Funny comedian talking about breastfeeding. Click here.

Real Girl Power

2008-08-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

I have had many interesting comments in the last little while in regards to me "going natural".

"You are brave." Is one of the most common. I'm not sure how to respond. What exactly does that mean? I don't feel "brave". I have a hard time explaining it. Many really don't understand where I am coming from, what I am thinking.

Do I like pain? Am I trying to be tough? Do I just want to stick it to the companies that make pitocin? Hardly! (except for maybe that last one.)

There is so much to birth. More than machines can monitor. More than medicine can control. It is an experience of emotions. It is an experience of challenge. It is an experience of succumbing. It is an experience of power! It is an experience of intimacy. It is an experience of bonding. It is an experience of beauty! It is an experience of strength! It is an experience of great accomplishment! It is an experience of a life time. It is an experience from God. Who would not want to experience all of that?

Falling in Love, again.

2008-08-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

This may sound weird to some, but mentally I did not allow myself to bond with the unborn child. I knew he was in there. After heartache of the past, I kind of ignored below my chest as much as that is possible to do.
When I had my first baby 8 years ago, I instantly bonded. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on (except my husband, of course. he he) The thought of ever paying a babysitter to watch him was absurd to me. They should pay me to hold him!
But through different birth and newborn experiences, and heart break, that changed. I was unsure how this postpartum would unfold. I knew a newborn would be a lot of work. I knew my other children would go through their jealous phase. I knew I would miss sleep. I knew my body would have to heal. I knew we would have to figure out nursing together. But all those concerns have dissolved. I am truly loving this newborn! I can't stop kissing and snuggling him. He is so sweet! I love his squeaks and grunts. I love his smell. I love his softness. I love his little diapers. I love him needing my milk. I love his little features. I love his newborn cry. I love the white fuzz on his head. I love his sleepy eyes. I love it! I had forgotten that part.

Rylan's birth, August 12, 2008.

2008-08-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

As I have looked at the pictures of Rylan's birth over and over today, my heart swells more and more. It swells up my throat and I want to cry. I am so incredibly grateful today. I am so in love with my awesome husband. (and I don't use that word lightly, Twyla) He was just what I needed in this birth. This was an awesome birth. A healing birth. A powerful birth. A calm birth. An intimate birth. A spiritual birth. A perfect birth.

I'm not sure where in time I should start with this birth story. This was an emotional pregnancy for me. I had fears to work through. I cried many nights. I prayed many nights. I wanted to do everything right. I wanted the very best. My husband seemed to know right away. It took me more time, but with his encouraging words and support we came to the same place.

When I woke up early Tuesday morning, August 12, about 5:30 a.m., my hips and lower back were killing me! I was so stiff and it was work to get out of bed. After using the bathroom and feeling the lower back contractions consistently - I knew today was the day. At 8:00 a.m. I called my doula and midwife. I gave them the heads up that I was in early labor. With the contractions in my lower back, I knew the baby was posterior. I tried the knee-chest position to see if it would help the baby rotate. I felt him move. The contractions were now low in front, right where they should be. But then they slowed down, way down. For most of the day they had sizzeled. I got discouraged. I wondered if things would pick up again. I decided to try to rest and take advantage of the break. I would go for a long walk later when it cooled off.

At around 4:30 p.m. my husband left to pick up some barbecue chicken pizza. Yum. By the time he came back, the contractions had picked up the pace and intensity again. I had called the midwife and doula. They were on their way. I ate some pizza and we fed the kids. My husband walked the kids to the neighbors house to play.

The contractions continued steadily. They slowly increased in intensity. I had nice breaks between them. I was coping and breathing through them well. I felt very aware through this labor. I wasn't overwhelmed. I was calm. Those around me were calm. The mood was right.

As time went on the contractions were stronger. I got in the tub. Brian sat on the edge and pushed down on my lower back through the contractions. That felt good to me. At times he would rest his head on my shoulders as he rubbed. I liked having him close and involved. He would quietly encourage me, tell me I was doing great, and kiss my head.

The time was getting close for the baby to come. I could feel him coming down. I felt very aware of where he was as he moved down. I never felt an uncontrollable urge to push. I felt like I could if I wanted or I could breathe him down and out. I did a bit of both. I noticed that I would have a longer, stronger contraction and then a shorter, less intense one. That seemed to be the pattern. I had long breaks between. It was easier to cope and remain focused and aware.

Right before the baby emerged the bag of waters ruptured. Side note: my husband thought that looked pretty cool in the water, like a jet. Then the baby came. 7:25 p.m. The midwife caught him and Brian reached down with one hand and helped him up a bit. He was supporting my back and that was as close as he could get to catching. He said later, "I'm not a good catch." when asked if he caught the baby. I beg to differ! There was such joy and peace and calm in the room as the baby was placed on my chest. No commotion. No noise. No strangers. No fear. Just happiness, love, and excitement.

Brian called the neighbor and she began walking the kids home. Brad said he ran and jumped on his bike. He got home a good 10 minutes before the others. He was standing outside of the bathroom trying to peek a view in the reflection of the mirror. We let him in. He was all smiles. He snipped through the umbilical cord with the scissors, but only cut half of it. He didn't want to cut the rest, so Brian did. They took the baby out to meet the other two siblings while I birthed the placenta and rinsed off. I came out and got in bed and nursed the baby. He latched right on! What a relief it was to me when he nursed so vigorously. A sign of good health! After he nursed they took him and did all the newborn "stuff". They weighed him, measured him, listened to him, and looked him over thoroughly. All was well! He looked great!

The midwife checked me and I tore a tiny bit. While she stitched me, Brian and the kids were in the other room with the new baby. When I was done they brought him back to me for more nursing. We offered a family prayer. Brad said it. Brian asked him to remember to thank Heavenly Father for the safe arrival of Rylan. Brad never mentioned the baby. He thanked Heavely Father for the fun day and prayed he'd have fun tomorrow. Then Brian and my doula, Twyla, put the kids to bed. Brian helped Twyla and Chris, the midwife, pack their things to their cars. After some tender hugs and thank yous, they left.

It was just Brian and I with our new baby. It was a special and spiritual time together before going to sleep for the night in our own bed, in our own home with our children all asleep down the hall from us. Everyone was safe, happy, and together. It was a perfect day.

Birth track interview

2008-08-11T13:37:00.000-07:00

After reading about the Birth Track new technology this gal had the opportunity to talk with the manufacturer and ask her many questions. It is interesting to read. Read here.

Rural China and birth

2008-08-11T11:43:00.000-07:00

entire ARTICLE

"Get out of the house!

When the project launched in 1999, it was one thing to convince rural-dwellers about the benefits of giving birth in hospital rather than at home, and quite another thing to get them out of their homes, into the hospitals and receiving the treatment they needed and deserved.

As well as raising awareness of the greater safety of hospital deliveries - which was achieved through the use of local media, community champions and group learning activities - it also introduced new schemes to ensure that obstetric services were, in the first place, actually affordable."

I certainly understand that these women may need more resources and education, but making sure they all get out of their homes and into the hospital is not exactly the way to go. Why can't they educate midwives and lean on the hospitals for emergency care only.

"Under the project, local health centres received a substantial investment to make them places that people would want to visit. A flurry of building and renovating followed, which saw rooms being heated for the first time, new toilets installed, and patients' concerns about privacy incorporated into designs. Up-to-date equipment, selected with local needs or demands in mind, was also introduced. "

And wouldn't you know money would be involved to get the hospitals to take on these new patients.

What do you think? Is this the way to improve births. The government had a big role in this program. Do we want the government in our free country taking this kind of role here?

Ouch!

2008-08-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

How can this mom take care of her newborn? What a horrible recovery.