tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23699708352189112162024-03-14T01:18:30.762-07:00birth with confidencekamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-47953317963162104692011-02-16T19:22:00.001-08:002011-02-16T19:22:34.273-08:00Moving....<div style="text-align: center;">I'm going to begin transferring posts over to my natural living blog, <a href="http://kamisniche.blogspot.com/">Finding My Niche</a>, simply because it will be much easier to keep up with only one blog! I hope you'll join me <a href="http://kamisniche.blogspot.com/">over there</a> and continue your lovely comments :) Thanks!</div>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-16350732342677533762011-02-02T12:02:00.000-08:002011-02-02T12:02:23.422-08:00Last Minute Tips for a Natural Birth in a Hospital<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s498.photobucket.com/albums/rr342/koukoukamille/?action=view&current=maternity3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="266" src="http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr342/koukoukamille/maternity3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My good friend is going to be giving birth any day now and is planning a natural birth in a hospital. I've been thinking about her lots and can't wait to hear how everything goes. I thought I'd jot down a quick list of tips she can use as she goes into this transformative experience. In my experience, being in a hospital makes it more difficult to have a natural birth (but by <i>no means</i> impossible - I know many women who have labored with pitocin and have gone on to give birth without pain medication) simply because the option for medication is there...that is why I thought I'd give these tips.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Remember everything you've studied and learned. Remember to trust your body and the process. Remember that the pain will not last and that it will be over before you know it. While you're laboring and it is getting intense, tell yourself you can do <i>anything</i> for one minute. Count to 10 as you have a contraction and tell yourself you can get to 10. Remember to breathe...slow down your breathing to give your body oxygen - feel the energy rush back into you as you become grounded again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. When you feel like giving up or when you feel like the pain is so intense that you want to die (hah!), it'll be over right after. Everyone told me this and I had no comprehension of what they meant until I experienced it myself...I literally could not bear it any longer and in that moment, it was over. And then the joy was indescribable.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Make sure you have support - either your partner, mother, doula, friend, etc. Make sure they will stand by you and help you get through it while reminding you of the type of birth you desire. Make sure they'll stand up for you and be your voice with the nurses and doctor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Enjoy the process. Let go of the fears and savor these moments. Think positive thoughts. I love this quote by Grantly Dick-Read,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">"Many women have described their experiences of childbirth as being associated with a spiritual uplifting, the power of which they have never previously been aware...To such a woman childbirth is a monument of joy within her memory. She turns to it in thought to seek again an ecstasy which <b>passed too soon</b>." Incredibly, after you give birth, you may feel too that it passed to soon. Savor it.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">5. Move around! Change positions. <i>Do not </i>stay flat on your back in the bed. Be upright! It will move your baby down and your pain will be more manageable.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">6. Overall, just be present. Embrace the laboring, the pushing, the delivering. Don't let yourself get down by thoughts of "How much longer is this going to take?" Those thoughts will come, but push them away and fill it with a positive thought instead. Tell yourself it's a beautiful day for your baby's birth and practice patience.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Here's all of the warm wishes and luck in the world to my beautiful friend!</span></span></div>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-69916576202030296662011-02-01T07:01:00.000-08:002011-02-01T07:01:46.991-08:00Embracing Motherhood<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="450" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/11118082?portrait=0" width="600"></iframe></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is a video I put together almost a year ago on a day that was particularly hard for me as a mother. I wanted to look at my beautiful children and count my blessings. I watch this video from time to time and it's a great reminder to me of the wonderful kids I've been given to watch over and care for. I thought I'd post it here for your enjoyment!</div>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-42268817705073428502011-01-15T14:30:00.000-08:002011-01-15T14:46:51.262-08:00Husbands and Out of Hospital BirthI have received a few emails lately asking me about the journey that my husband and I took as we made the decision to have an out of hospital birth. I figure that there are probably more women wondering about this very subject, so I decided to write about it on this blog for the benefit of any who are in a position of thinking about having an out of hospital birth.<br />
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First, I must say, that this decision is going to be different for everyone. Relationships vary greatly, so the journey my husband and I took may look completely different from your individual journey. The most important thing to remember is that education and knowledge are keys to empowerment and good decision-making. Faith and prayer also go a long way with helping to ease fear and find peace.<br />
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When I brought up the idea of having a home birth to my husband, the first thing he said was "Why? What's wrong with just having the baby in the hospital?" I had to think about my answer for awhile and simply told him "Please let me just share the things I've learned with you and after that, tell me how you feel." Over a few weeks of discussion, he gradually realized that a lot of times the complications that happen in hospitals are due to interventions that do not happen at home or in a birth center. He learned that home or birth center births are statistically just as safe, if not safer for mother and baby, than hospital births. He learned that there is a "business of birth" and a lot of money is involved. There's a lot of fear of litigation and malpractice. There are time tables. He realized that birth was a natural process. After learning these things, we discussed birth - a lot. Was a home birth right for us? We prayed, we studied, we read, we learned. I knew, in my heart, that home birth was right, but I had to dispel a lot of fears. I had to deal with negativity from family members and close friends. I had to take a leap of faith and trust the feelings I was having that were driving me towards having an out of hospital birth. My husband had to do the same. Ultimately, he told me that he supported me in whatever I wanted to do. I told him that I needed him behind me 100% on having a home birth, or I would not do it. I needed him behind me. We met with the midwife I was considering using and after our meeting with her, we both felt very excited and better about having a home birth. Meeting with the midwife helped to ease fears we had as we asked questions and found answers. After that meeting, he told me that he supported me 100% and although we both had occasional fears, we had both felt peaceful and excited about the decision. We didn't tell people about our decision to have a home birth until after the fact because we are both very sensitive people and don't handle confrontation or negativity very well. We relied on each other and on the confirmations we had received through prayer to continue on with our decision.<br />
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There will be critics from any side. If you birth in a hospital, you will have a critic somewhere. If you birth at home, there will be a critic. If you go to a birth center, I'm sure you'll find a critic. Ultimately, I've learned, you must find some way to push those critics aside and find your own self. You have to be true to yourself, no matter what area it is in. Even if those critics or negative voices are yourself (aren't we ever so hard on ourselves? I know I am.) you must find a way to silence them and move forward. That doesn't mean ignoring gut feelings - you must always follow your instinct, your guide, The Spirit (if you are religious). For me, in every area of my life, my biggest fault is not getting over what the critics <i>might</i> say. It was a big one for me in my home birth decision, but ultimately, I had to do what I knew was right for me and disregard those negative voices.<br />
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My advice for husbands and an out of hospital birth decision is simple. Talk to him, educate him, tell him your feelings. Tell him how strongly you feel about things and help him to see things from your angle. Then, listen to him. Listen to how he feels. Listen to his concerns. Pray together and study together. Read about birth <i>together</i>. How do you feel at the end of the day? Do you feel happy about things? Excited? Then your out of hospital birth decision is probably right. At the end of the day, do you feel scared or that something's not right? Then it's probably wrong for you. Go with your gut. Branch out - learn new things, try to embrace new concepts (like the fact that hospitals are not the only safe place to give birth) - and then make your decision. Keep an open mind and ask your husband to keep his mind open as well. In the end, I know you'll be able to make the best decision for your personal situation and I hope, whatever decision that is, that you've got your husband 100% behind you.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*I have to say that now, after having had a home birth, my husband actually advocates for natural child birth as well as home birth :) He's been known to talk birth to a few friends and classmates and that has made me very giddy to hear!</span><br />
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<a href="http://thegiftofgivinglife.blogspot.com/search?q=husband">Here's a post</a> on the preparation and decision making for home birth.<br />
<a href="http://bringbirthhome.com/bbh-dad/advice-for-home-birth-moms-when-dad-is-reluctant/">Here's another post</a> about home births and dads.<br />
And, one more <a href="http://bringbirthhome.com/bbh-dad/dads-walk-the-line-in-favor-of-home-birth/">here</a>.kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-55614611160668188282011-01-15T12:07:00.000-08:002011-01-15T12:07:25.660-08:00VBAC linkI've got a friend who is pregnant with her second child and fighting her way towards a VBAC after an unnecessary c-section the first time around. She wrote a great post with some links to information about VBACs that I wanted to share, as I know I have a few readers who are wanting VBACs in the future.<br />
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See the post here on <a href="http://operation-housewife.blogspot.com/2011/01/why-vbac.html">Operation Housewife</a>.kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-64344713264982014592011-01-04T13:04:00.000-08:002011-01-04T13:04:09.840-08:00Stylishness<div style="text-align: center;">Sooooo this definitely fits into birth. Because by birth, we become mothers. And, don't we all inherently forget a little too much about ourselves? I know I have and continue to. But, we don't have to...we can be stylish moms who feel great about ourselves and then, we'll be even better mommas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check me out today on <a href="http://modelmumma.blogspot.com/2011/01/guest-mumma-kami.html">MODELmumma</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">See other Guest Mummas <a href="http://modelmumma.blogspot.com/search/label/guest%20mumma">here</a>.</div>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-73640017406469978892010-12-18T20:34:00.000-08:002010-12-18T20:34:40.663-08:00What are you interested in?So, part of my goal for this blog is to be a sort of "entry-level" blog into natural birth. Once you dive into researching birth, it is amazing the complexity that you'll find. But, I don't necessarily want to dive into complex areas of pregnancy and birth...after all, I'm not a birth professional (yet) so I technically don't have all of the scientific knowledge, etc. I mostly want to educate women on the <i>choices</i> they have. We have a choice in everything we do...<i>everything!</i><br />
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Doctors and midwives have so much knowledge, thankfully, but ultimately, our care rests in our hands. It is so important to be educated and to work with your care provider so that you attain the best care possible. Many care providers are very busy and unfortunately, that may mean that you are not always in their best interest. That doesn't mean they don't care about you, or that you aren't important to them, but it may mean that often times, things are done simply as a routine. This is where <i>choices</i> come in. Research things and educate yourself so that you know when you have a choice about something and when you don't. For example, you might discuss IV placement (if birthing in a hospital) with your doctor or midwife. IV's are not medically necessary for birth, but they are routine. If you do not wish to have an IV, you do not have to have one (based on the discussion with your doctor). Obviously, if you are planning to have an epidural or other pain medication, you will need that IV. If you are desiring a natural, intervention free birth, you don't need that IV. Many doctors say you need at least a Hep Lock, in case of an emergency situation, but to that I say: if there is an emergency situation, I think you could put an IV in my arm fast enough that everything would be just fine (after all, if an EMT can place an IV in someone injured in a car wreck in the dark, one will most likely be able to be placed in me in a brightly lit room). That is one area where you do have a choice. Again, you research it, you weigh the pros and cons, and then you make a choice. If you feel more comfortable having an IV in your arm, by all means, have that IV. If you feel it would interfere with your ability to cope with the intensity of a natural birth, then decline the IV placement. Doctors and midwives vary on this practice. My second OB (before I switched to a home birth midwife) told me that I did not have to have an IV, but that she would prefer that I have a Hep Lock. When I told her I'd rather not have either, she was supportive of that. She is a great doctor who is understanding of how natural birth differs from medicalized births, so for me, she was a great choice as a care provider. The most important thing to remember is that you do have a choice in care providers, so if you are not happy with the way your doctor or midwife handles things or if you do not agree with the way they view birth, then you are <i>free</i> to make the <i>choice</i> to switch. You are the one paying them, so you are free to find someone who is a good fit for you. If you are not satisfied with their care, by all means, switch! It is your health, your birth, and you need to be with someone who will work with you, support you, and include you as part of your care. Informed consent...means you are educated, you work with your care provider to make decisions, and <i>you</i> make <i>choices </i>based on the information you have been given <i>and</i> learned.<br />
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So my question is, what things are you interested in learning about on this blog? What things would you like to know more about? Is there any particular aspect of pregnancy and/or birth that you would like to broaden your knowledge on?kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-62164392274541005062010-12-16T07:20:00.000-08:002010-12-16T07:20:22.373-08:00ThoughtsI have to apologize for my lack of posts lately on this blog (if anyone's even reading!) but between a husband, two kids, a house, and life in general, i haven't found the time to share my thoughts about birth.<br />
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I've had lots of thoughts and ideas running through my head lately about birth but since I happen to be short on time, I'll share only one of those thoughts.<br />
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Each month, I attend a birth circle in Queen Creek, Arizona. It is a place where like-minded women meet to discuss pregnancy and birth. It is an awesome group! For one thing, it is nice to have conversations about birth where you can literally finish the other person's sentence. There is such a tangible feeling their of true concern and love for each other...it is just wonderful.<br />
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So, at our last meeting, two nurses came from a local hospital because they were feeling very frustrated with what they see every day at Labor and Delivery and were looking to find support for their ideas and feelings (they are the "black sheep" where they work because *gasp* they support natural birth!!!). It was quite shocking to hear what they had to say about the things they're seeing at work. Obviously no personal information was shared, so as to not break any laws, but they explained to us the kinds of things they're seeing; the kinds of things I've been reading and hearing about! It was sad to me to realize that all of the issues we're facing in birth right now aren't simply things I've read about on the internet...they are actually happening right in my back yard. That particular day at work, those ladies had 16 births. How many of those births do you think were cesarean sections? Seven. Seven out of sixteen births! Born by c-section. We asked what the reasons for the c-sections were and the majority would be considered unnecessary, meaning they were failure to progress/failed induction, etc. Hearing this made me so sad. That is almost a 50% c-section rate for that day. Astounding! That particular hospital's rate is between 33-34% overall...much, much too high. Unfortunately, extremely common.<br />
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What I came away with, however, was not overwhelming sadness and disgust for the way birth is at this point in time...I came away with a renewed desire to continue educating and inspiring women so that they do not have to go through traumatic births (vaginal or surgical). I want to help women see that birth can be something that doesn't have to be feared. I want to help women have the type of birth they want and know how to achieve that in any setting whether that is a hospital, a birth center, or at home. I want to make a difference...even if it is one woman at a time. Right now, my scope of influence is very small, but I hope someday to have more opportunities to educate and inspire by becoming a doula and a childbirth educator. I've pondered those things a lot lately and have come to realize that as badly as I want to do those things right now, it is not the right time. That makes me sad, but I also know that my most important job is to take care of my family first. I know someday I'll be able to work with women and help them achieve the births they desire. Until then, this blog will continue to be a wonderful outlet for me and my small way of making a difference.<br />
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More posts to come (soon, hopefully)!<br />
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<i>What things have you been thinking about lately, in regards to pregnancy or birth?</i>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-17138297936833213752010-10-08T13:46:00.000-07:002010-10-08T13:46:50.424-07:00Guest postThis isn't too related to birth but I was privileged to do a guest post on one of my favorite real food blogs, <a href="http://goodlookingcook.blogspot.com/">Taste Is Trump</a>. Kara posts delicious, real food recipes on her blog. She has a knack for creating delicious dishes and she uses all sorts of creative combinations. Go visit her <a href="http://goodlookingcook.blogspot.com/">blog</a>...I think you'll love it as much as I do!<br />
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Here's my first post, <a href="http://goodlookingcook.blogspot.com/2010/09/roasted-vegetable-and-garlic-quinoa.html">Roasted Vegetable and Garlic Quinoa</a>.<br />
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And, my second post, <a href="http://goodlookingcook.blogspot.com/2010/10/6-tips-for-your-real-food-journey.html">6 Tips for your Real-Food Journey</a>.<br />
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I can sort of thank much of my journey towards real food to my journey towards natural childbirth. These two journeys have gone hand-in-hand for me, so maybe this post is applicable after all?<br />
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Enjoy!kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-67469861924002412322010-10-04T21:02:00.000-07:002010-11-16T21:49:44.212-08:00My response to TiannaTianna commented on the post below about my breastfeeding story. She had some questions for me, and my response was too long to post in the comments section. If anyone else has any other advice to offer on this subject (the logistics of nursing an older baby), please do contribute!<br />
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Tianna, thank you :) I have been inspired by many, many women, so I am so happy to do the same.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BoRVZ5tSApY/TONszxPmmQI/AAAAAAAAEPo/jRDPvxLa19g/s1600/nursing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BoRVZ5tSApY/TONszxPmmQI/AAAAAAAAEPo/jRDPvxLa19g/s400/nursing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Nursing my two month old at the Grand Canyon...can't even tell, right?)</div><br />
I do not, regularly, use a breastfeeding cover. I have gotten good enough at it where I can nurse very discreetly. I always have on a tank top underneath my shirt, so I will pull up my shirt and then pull my tank top down underneath my breast. I'll cover my breast with my hand while the baby latches on, then my shirt will cover the rest of it while she nurses (I realize that I am a small-chested woman, so this works for me, but it may not work if you have a large chest...I don't know about that because I don't have a large chest!). When she gets distracted and pulls off, I quickly pull my shirt down. That means I am always very self aware and never show anything. Most people don't even realize I'm nursing. There are times when I do use a cover. Often it is in a social situation where I feel uncomfortable because I know others feel uncomfortable with me nursing, like around lots of guy friends, etc. Sometimes, I do leave and go to another room because being around people is just too distracting. When the baby was small, I would nurse in Sacrament meeting without a problem. More often now, I go to the lounge because it is less distracting for her.<br />
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I am not perfect at nursing on demand. She still uses a binky and I like that. But I have tried to be more aware this time and offer her my breast when she cries, rather than offering her a binky. She will nurse anywhere and in any position. She nurses while I chase the toddler around, getting him off tables, etc. She nurses while I clean up toys. She nurses while I hold her brother. She is really adaptable because she loves it so much.<br />
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Max was not difficult to wean, but I think it is because I never really, really nursed him for more than just feedings. By the end, he was nursing three times a day. Gradually, we stopped nursing before his nap - I just would lay him down with his binky instead of nursing him. Then, instead of nursing him in the morning, I'd take him right out of his crib and we'd go eat breakfast. At night, I just didn't nurse him one night and that was that. It was really easy to wean him (easy logistically but not easy emotionally), but again, I feel that it is probably because I never really nursed him for much more than nourishment. I do not know how it will be with Maude, since I've approached the whole thing much differently this time around. However, I'm not worried about it. I am quite comfortable with nursing her as long as she needs it. Yes, even if she is 2 years old. I know that is not culturally acceptable, but it feels right to me and I believe that relationship is very important...even past one year old.<br />
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Max never drank milk. He doesn't like it. I don't like milk either. At first, I was concerned about it. But after a lot of research and prayer, I decided it wasn't a big deal. We are made to think that dairy is where we get all of our nourishment, but that's simply not true. In fact, too much dairy can cause problems like inflammation and over-production of mucous. He eats a very well balanced diet and he eats other dairy products like cheese and yogurt very well. If you are concerned about liquid intake, you could offer almond milk, whole milk or raw cow's milk, or rice milk. I don't recommend soy milk.<br />
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As for the babysitter goes...here are my thoughts, and I realize that this may not be how everyone thinks, but it is how I feel. When I am a nursing mother, I try to remember what a privilege and blessing it is to be a nursing mother and to be the only one who can provide that nourishment for my baby. That means that I may have to sacrifice things while I am nursing. For example, I cannot leave my baby overnight or for more than a few hours at a time. But, to me, that never feels like a sacrifice, because honestly, I do not wish to be away from my baby or toddler for that amount of time. For me personally, if I need to get away and have time to myself, an hour or two is enough for me to feel rejuvenated. If we go on a date, that is trickier. I will make sure to nurse the baby right before we leave, and we will go on a short date. Or, if needed, we'll come home and feed the baby, then go back out. I have not had success with pumping after the first few weeks of the baby's birth. I don't pump more than just an ounce or so, so I don't even try. I just realize that a bottle is not an option for me, and leaving them for a long time is not an option either. As long as I realize that it isn't an option for me, it doesn't feel hard or annoying. Honestly, it doesn't bother me, though I know, for some women, it is very important for them to be able to not feel "attached" in that way. Or for others, who work, it is a necessity to be away. I don't have any advice on that front because I have not been in the situation where I've had to leave my baby for work.<br />
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When the baby is older, they can go longer between feedings. I find that it is much easier to leave the baby as they get older. Before the baby is 6 months old, I rarely leave. If I do, it is for only an hour and a half. Or else, I am rushing home feeling stressed that the baby is hungry. Once they can eat solids, you can distract them with that until you return.<br />
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Do you have any other questions? Did I answer everything you were wondering?kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-89239184732548263342010-10-04T20:29:00.000-07:002010-10-04T21:11:47.078-07:00My storyI have been lucky to have a fairly easy time breastfeeding my babies. After my first baby was born in the hospital (with an epidural), he was not very interested in nursing until a few hours after his birth. I tried within 30-45 minutes of his birth, but he was really sleepy. Once he nursed, though, he did amazing. A lactation consultant helped me nurse him the day after his evening birth, and her help really solidified his latch. She helped me understand what a good latch was. I was lucky to never get too sore or cracked. My engorgement was even tolerable, only lasting maybe an evening. My son was a slow nurser. He would nurse for about 45 minutes total, and would often fall asleep at the breast...so peaceful. Around 6 weeks postpartum, I decided to go on a birth control pill. Within days of doing this, I began to lose my milk. I was frantic about this and stopped the birth control and have not gone back on it since (for many more reasons). Luckily, I regained my milk supply and nursed my first until he was 15 1/2 months old, only weaning because I was pregnant and the pregnancy hormones made me extremely sore. I wanted to continue nursing so badly, but I couldn't push through it, so reluctantly, we weaned. The hardest part of nursing my first came when he was about 8 or 9 months old. I became really cracked and sore, due to his teething. I spoke with a WIC lactation consultant, who advised me to get some Soothie gel pads (a friend also recommended these) and within a couple of days, I felt better! I had tried Lanolin, but that wasn't doing anything. Once we got past that, I realized...this is why women quit. It was horrible! I am so glad I persisted and made it through that time because we were able to spend over a year nursing and it was a beautiful relationship.<br />
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My second baby's breastfeeding story started out very much like my first. She was born at home without medication, but was also not extremely interested in nursing right away, though I tried. I think she finally decided to nurse about an hour or two after she was born and she latched right on! Then, she nursed for over an hour! She has been much different in the way she nurses, however. I don't know if it is my approach to breastfeeding this time around, using it for comfort and food, or if it is her personality, but she loves to nurse for comfort and often. I try to let her nurse whenever she wants. When my milk came in, I was engorged beyond belief. It was incredibly painful. I had so much milk that when I pumped, I got 4 ounces in about one minute...from <i>one</i> side. My engorgement lasted about a week and was honestly, very, very painful. I could hardly move. I'd sit in the bathtub and try to release the pressure, sleep with bags of peas covering my chest and my arms resting on pillows to support my gigantic chest. I couldn't get enough of nursing at that stage. I think I nursed every few minutes because I needed that release...and yet, I seemed to never be empty! While I was so engorged, one of my breasts got a clogged milk duct. It was extremely painful...extremely. I am glad it did not turn into mastitis. It cleared up after a few days of using heat packs, massage, and feeding in different positions (laying on top of the baby, supporting myself with my arms, seemed to help release that particular duct very well). It came back in the same location a few weeks later, but luckily cleared up shortly after. Eventually, my milk supply did regulate which was a welcome change. At the beginning, when my milk would let down, my little baby would choke and cough because it was so powerful. Luckily, she would latch right back on and continue eating. She only had to nurse for about 5 minutes on one side at the beginning, due to my over abundance of milk. Little by little, as my supply regulated, she nursed longer on one side and then eventually nursed (and continues to nurse) on both sides. I have so enjoyed nursing this baby and hope to continue nursing for as long as she needs.<br />
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I think one of the most beautiful things about nursing is looking down and realizing that I am their nourishment. I am their comforter, their pacifier. I am the one who carried them, grew them, helped to create them and birth them. And now, I am the one helping them to grow outside the womb. Helping them to learn to trust and to love. It is a role I take very seriously and a responsibility I cherish greatly.<br />
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I really enjoyed hearing everyone's experiences. I am so impressed by the desire you had to breastfeed and that you persisted, despite the challenges you faced. It is my hope that we can all be examples to the women around us. That we can show them that breastfeeding is beautiful, it is normal, it is the best for our babies. But we can also help them to understand that it isn't always easy, it can be painful, and that it doesn't always feel natural in the beginning. There may be hurdles to jump, but if you can persist, it will give your baby so much more than just optimal nourishment...it will give you both a beautiful relationship, a special bond of trust, and a satisfaction in knowing that there is nobody or nothing else in this world that is helping your baby grow...it is all you! What a privilege and honor, we as women, have!kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-8588759003865602172010-09-20T12:41:00.000-07:002010-09-20T12:41:47.146-07:00What's your story?A reader of mine shared this on her blog and was kind enough to let me share it on here. I should have shared it awhile ago, but you know how life is. It gets busy.<br />
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These are <a href="http://modelmumma.blogspot.com/2010/08/on-topic-of-breastfeeding.html">her words</a>:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The past few days has brought some attention to a particular interview with new mother, known for her modelling career. (She also has a shoe range, used to date Leo Di Caprio and her name rhymes with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>Fisele Fundchen</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">You can find the article on the net but one part I read was she only breastfed for</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>3 weeks</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and thought she perhaps</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>could have</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">pursued it a bit longer. Hmm... well, why didn't you?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Anyway, these are my personal thoughts and experiences with breastfeeding. I have been wanting to share them and now seems like the perfect time.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">My own mother did not breastfeed me. She tried for two weeks and had issues so switched to the bottle. My younger sibling was bottle fed from the start.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">My maternal grandmother did</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>not</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">breastfeed her five children.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I don't recall anyone in my extended family or acquaintances breastfeeding or talking about it openly.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I was told that my aunty breastfed her three children, so I went to her for help two weeks after I had started breastfeeding my first child.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I had a very painful experience... I almost quit on several occasions.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">During my pregnancy I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I made that decision because I believe it is the best thing for my children. I was under the assumption that it was a natural, beautiful thing to do.... I don't recall anyone mentioning anything about</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>pain</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">or</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>learning</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">how to breastfeed... I thought it just</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em>happened</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I mean c'mon, all you hear about is how painful labour and childbirth is.... geez, that is nothing compared to learning how to breastfeed! At least you know the labour will end.... this breastfeeding thing can be painful for weeks!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">From the start I had no idea what I was doing. Yes that was my fault for not learning. She attached incorrectly, gave me blister upon blister and I cried and curled my toes up in pain. The thought of feeding her made me cringe. I would count down the minutes to the next feed.... in fear of more pain.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The midwives in the hospital all tried to help and offer assistance but it didn't change a thing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Pumping was worse. The part that really hurt was the thought of failing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I wanted to break the cycle and actually breastfeed my daughter. It was hard not being able to go to my own mother and ask for help when I needed her. It made me sad to know that my grandmother didn't breastfeed her daughter either. I set my mind to do this and I wanted to succeed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It took about 2 - 3 weeks before the pain subsided and I could start to enjoy my newborn and stop feeling the pain. I am glad I pushed through it and was able to nurse her for ten months.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Those moments were amazing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Now with my second daughter, I made sure I reviewed and re-learnt how to breastfeed again before she was born. This time I prayed not only for a healthy baby and a safe delivery, but for a good breastfeeding experience. From the first feed, she latched on correctly and although initially painful, I knew it was nothing compared to the first time round.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">A few days ago as I was feeding, I looked down at my 5 month old and realised that all of her little life was due to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><strong>me</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">. I have been the only one keeping her alive, healthy and growing every day. It was such a satisfying moment. I felt amazing!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I want to be a positive role model for my daughters.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">My two year old came to me today asking "milkies?"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">She had her toy Ducky with her.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I thought she was referring to her sister who had just finished a feed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">She stood holding Ducky and lifted up her top. Ducky was given a 'feed.' Then burped.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I was the proudest mother.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We learn by watching others.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I'm glad my daughters are watching me and learning.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">I thought this was a beautiful, real experience of breastfeeding. It made me stop and examine my own "Breastfeeding Story." I'm going to post mine in a few days. Until then, I thought I'd ask...what's YOUR story? Was it easy for you to breastfeed? Was it challenging? If you stuck with it, how did you make it through? How has breastfeeding changed your life? What motivated you to breastfeed your baby?</span></span>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-61095258097659701852010-09-09T16:53:00.000-07:002010-09-09T16:53:27.098-07:00InspirationSo last night, I attended the Queen Creek Birth Circle for the first time. I've been meaning to go since my daughter was born, but each month I either forgot or had other commitments. I had such a wonderful time being in a group where we all had the same interests and thoughts about childbirth. Many of us had babies the same age and nursed them freely, some covered, some not. It was so wonderful to be in that setting and have no qualms about nursing. Sometimes, depending on the place or the people that are around, nursing can be embarrassing or it can be uncomfortable because the other people seem to feel uncomfortable. But, last night, it wasn't like that at all and I really appreciated it. It was just really refreshing. I talked to two women who are currently doulas and it reminded me how much I want to become a doula, so I am even more committed to finding a way to do that.<div><br />
</div><div>The reason I wanted to post though was because of some inspiration I found last night at the birth circle. The topic was Birth Stories. There was a woman there who was 1 week post emergency c-section and she told her story. It was so full of raw emotion, as her feelings are obviously so new and she is still processing the whole thing. What happened was that at 38 weeks (I think) her baby was discovered to be breech. She was going to the doctor who I originally started with before planning my home birth with a midwife (her doctor is a great OB who is very, very supportive of birth as a natural process and not a medical event). They tried everything for two weeks to turn the baby: acupuncture, swimming, crazy positions, etc. The mother even drove 56 miles one way to see a chiropractor who was especially good at turning babies. At her last appointment, the baby had not moved an inch. He didn't budge! It was so heartbreaking for this mother. They decided to do an external version in the hospital, realizing that it could very well turn into a c-section if the baby did not respond well. She said the version was the most painful thing she's ever been through and would never do it again. During the procedure, the baby's heart rate dropped to 60 and was very unstable. The doctor said "You are having a baby today!" and preparations were made for the c-section. It was an emergency and she said several doctors and nurses were coming in, because they couldn't find a heartbeat and when they did find it, it was very low and unstable. When the baby was born, the umbilical cord was only 6 inches long. The baby was a slow starter, but is healthy and doing well now. </div><div><br />
</div><div>It is such an amazing thing to realize that this baby knew exactly how he needed to be born. There would have been great difficulties if this baby would have been born vaginally and who knows what the outcome would have been. It is a testament to me of trusting our bodies and being open to what may happen. We may have plans for our birth, and those plans are very important, but ultimately we also have to know that everything that happens in this life has a purpose and there's reason for it. This mother, although extremely sad and still traumatized from the birth, realizes what a tremendous blessing it was for her baby to be breech. It is a reminder to me that no matter what my birth plans may be for future babies, that I need to listen to my inner spirit and trust in the process of giving birth, even when that process is not what I have in mind. I left feeling very inspired and grateful for the lesson I learned!</div>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-31960981548440337612010-08-04T21:27:00.000-07:002010-08-04T21:27:07.466-07:00My second birth storyThis is the birth of my daughter, Maude Violet, who was born at home.<br />
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wow...where to begin?<br />
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it seems crazy that just a little over 24 hours ago, our sweet little girl was inside my tummy and now she is here! i am falling in love with her even more every second...she is so darling!<br />
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maude's birth story really begins with max's birth - in short, although max's birth was a beautiful and amazing experience, i knew i wanted to do it differently this time. i knew i for sure wanted to give birth naturally, without any drugs. when i first found out i was pregnant again, i decided to hire a doula to help me with the natural birth in a hospital. however, as my pregnancy progressed, i started researching more and more, and ultimately decided at 32 weeks (after months of research and prayer) to have her at home. it felt like such a right decision and i felt so peaceful about making it. everything totally fell into place. i knew everything would be okay.<br />
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on saturday morning, december 26th, i woke up with lots of crampy contractions that were about 10 minutes apart. by midday i was thinking that surely this was labor...because when i went into labor with max, that is <span style="font-style: italic;">exactly</span> how it felt! we went for a long walk and i called my parents to let them know that i was maybe in labor. i kept them updated throughout the day and although my contractions were not really getting stronger, they decided to hop in the car and drive down so as to hopefully not miss her birth. they even drove straight through the night (17 hours) from boise to mesa to get here. we were very touched that they would do that! my midwife met me at target on saturday night and gave me some herbs to take that would help my body get going (if it was time). i took them about 4 times (and man they were disgusting!) and my contractions picked up around 10:30 pm. i labored until about 2:00 am and then, since they weren't getting stronger, i just decided to go to bed. we had the house all prepared - nice and spotless, and everything ready, in case it was time. i was a bit disappointed to wake up at 6:30 am on sunday morning and realize that nothing had changed...and actually, that my contractions were gone! i was really trying not to get my hopes up but after laboring that night, i felt like it was for sure the real deal.<br />
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we went on a nice walk sunday morning but still not many contractions. we also went to church, but then i came home early because i was so tired and just wanted to rest. i didn't get a nap though because max wouldn't go down for a nap! so, instead, i just hung out with my parents and waited for trav to come home. my midwife came over to check me because i sort of felt like i could feel something bulging into my vagina - we just wanted to be careful, especially because the baby was sooooo low (her bum was half way down my tummy - she was super engaged and just ready to come!). her heart tones looked good and my cervix was at 4.5 centimeters and basically completely effaced. my midwife said the only reason i was not going anywhere was because my cervix was still really high up (posterior) and needed to move down (anterior). she helped pull it forward but it went right back up...darn it! she stripped some of my membranes then left and we hoped that maybe that would get things going finally.<br />
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about an hour after she left, i began to have very regular and painful contractions that were about 5-6 minutes apart. after timing them for an hour or so, we decided to call the midwives to come over because we all thought my labor would go pretty fast considering how low she was. oh how we were so wrong!! i labored all night long (until 5 am) with contractions 4-5 minutes apart and then when things were just not picking up at all (and in fact, they were even slowing down!!), we decided to just go to bed (i was only dilated barely to a 6 after 12 hours of labor...such a different story than with max!). i was so tired of the laboring! it was really not that bad since i had so much time to rest between, but i was mostly just tired of the mental game. i was just ready to have the baby and i started to feel so hopeless...like how long was i going to have to labor all night long before she came? we didn't really want another night after 2 nights of laboring. the midwives went to eat at about 5 am and when they came back at 6:30 am, i was still sleeping and we just decided that they could go home and we would call them when my contractions got closer together and were really going somewhere. we were all basically in amazement that i didn't have a baby in my arms at that point.<br />
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i didn't really have any more contractions between when they left until 8:30 (just a few but not terribly close together or painful) but at about 8:45 am on monday morning (december 28th), i woke up to a LOUD pop and i was like...oh crap...my water just broke! i hopped out of bed and ran to the toilet and told travis to call alison right away! i knew inside that things were going to go so fast and i was so not prepared for an unassisted birth. it took about 15 minutes for my contractions to really start coming but once they started coming, they were incredibly painful. the midwives were on their way but i knew it'd be about 25 minutes. i started to feel pressure almost right away and i started to get really scared. i wasn't scared that anything was wrong, i just was scared that my body wouldn't hold out long enough for alison and sally to arrive. i had travis say a prayer and that gave me some comfort. i was laboring on my hands and knees (that was the position that felt the best to me during my whole labor) and alison told travis over the phone to have me lay on my side - hands and knees was too effective of a position! if i would have stayed on my hands and knees, she definitely would not have waited to come! laboring on my side was incredibly painful but i only had about 4 or 5 contractions that were right on top of each other so it didn't last very long. i was definitely losing the ability to cope however and i am sure the pain was stronger since i had a lot of fear inside. the moment i heard sally and alison come in and throw their bags down, it was like my body took over and i immediately felt maude's head shove down against my perineum. i cried out "i have to push! i need to get on my hands and knees...can i move???" i felt so paralyzed by the pain but they helped me move and my body started pushing. i said "it's burning!" and i was so suprised by that because when i imagined pushing, i imagined having to push for awhile before i would feel the burn. feeling it on my first push, i knew that she was almost here and that i could do it. pushing was such a relief! i could no longer feel the contractions and my body was just taking over. even though i felt the "ring of fire" it was not as bad as everyone has said it was - i just wanted the baby to be out! sally asked me if i wanted to change positions so as to slow it down so i wouldn't tear but i said "no! i just want to push! i want her out!" i pushed a few more times and she was out! oh it was such a relief! i couldn't believe it was over!! they helped me lay down on my side and i reached through my legs and grabbed my beautiful baby. she was bigger than any of us thought! i held her down by my belly until her cord stopped pulsating and we cut it (only 4 or 5 minutes probably). the cord was short so i couldn't hold her up by my breasts. once we cut the cord, i delivered the placenta and just laid there on the bathroom floor (don't worry, we've got a big bathroom!) holding my baby. she cried and cried but once i put her by my breast, she calmed right down. her apgar was a 10 both times! she was very healthy and so beautiful. i also only tore a tiny bit, but not even enough to need to stich up.<br />
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*side story: the midwives got pulled over on there way to me after my water broke!! thank goodness they still made it in time (well...like they made it with only 4 minutes to spare!)<br />
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we brought max in just after she was delivered (he was playing with grampy in his bedroom) and he was very in awe of everything. he was very excited and rolled all over the ground on the pillows making crying sounds just like the baby. we laid there for awhile then we went to the bed and i tried to breastfeed her but she was really not interested. during that time max was just playing around and then he went into the bathroom and started rolling around on the pillows again, this time moaning! it was hilarious because he was totally copying me giving birth! i said to travis "go look at him...he is pretending he's having a baby!" he was rolling on the ground, making moaning sounds just like i had been doing. it was the cutest thing in the world. he is so observant! and obviously none of it phased him...he handled it very well (which i knew he would).<br />
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the midwives got everything cleaned up, helped me get a shower, and did a newborn exam on maude and then after about 3 hours, they left and we were able to spend time as our little family. everything surrounding her birth was so incredibly peaceful. even though i was in labor for such a long time, it was so do-able. i felt so relaxed and comfortable - i walked around, talked, ate, laughed, etc. it made it so easy. even though my contractions were painful i was very lucky and really only felt them at their peak, so i only had to breathe about 4 deep breaths to get through them. then i had a long time to rest before i had to do it again. i only had about 30 minutes of super intense contractions (the ones right after my water broke) and even though they were intense, i would do it again in a heartbeat. i loved giving birth naturally and will definitely have the rest of my children the same way. i feel such a sense of accomplishment. knowing the power that my body has is incredible. it is such a divine power and i really felt my divinity as i labored and made such a sacrifice for this baby. i have never felt anything so rewarding in my life. I am so grateful for Sally and Alison and the amazing job they did. They went above and beyond and made this birth such an incredibly good, positive, and spiritual experience. Their expertise and experience helped me so much.<br />
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i feel so good. i told my mom that right now i feel about how i felt 6 or 7 days post partum with max. i am hardly sore at all and have a lot more energy, even though i haven't gotten very much sleep. maude is breastfeeding so well and i am so grateful for that!<br />
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as travis wrote below, maude is a big beautiful healthy baby! 8 pounds 13 ounces...21 inches long. she is so beautiful! we are giving her a bath today so i will post more pictures later but she has beautiful dark hair and lots of it! AND she looks just like max! her cheeks are definitely chubbier than his were but when i look at her, i see my little baby boy! i need to get a head band on her to help me remember that it's not max :) jk.<br />
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max is really loving his little sister and is being so soft! he came in from his nap yesterday and i was surprised when the first thing he said as he came up to me was "baby!" (he couldn't even see her and had remembered she was there!). he is going to be a great big brother!<br />
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<i>Maude's birth transformed me. There is no other way to say it. I am a completely different person after having her. The process of making the decision to have a home birth and her birth itself were two very important things in my life that taught me a lot about myself. Her birth gave me confidence. Confidence in myself, my body, my intuition. Her birth taught me how God speaks to me. I learned how to release my fears as I prepared for her birth. I came closer to my husband. More importantly, I came closer to God. Her birth makes me crave more births. Her birth makes me want to experience that miracle over and over again. Every decision I make in my life now, whether it is the food I eat, the places I go or the way I take care of my family, is done with a consciousness that I did not previously have. I am now a conscientious person, a conscientious parent. I question things and I research. I follow my heart. Her birth empowered me. And for that, I am so grateful.</i><br />
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<i>(There are a few things I would change about her birth: First, my midwives would be there, hehe. I got very fearful at the end because they were not there. I truly believe that if I can release that fear at the end of the birth, I can have a painless birth. Her birth was not painful up until the end, and that coincidentally, was when I had the most fear. I am interested to see how it plays out next time around! Second, I would do more skin-to-skin time with her. It seems like there were so many visitors that I always wanted to be covered up and modest. Next time I will do skin-to-skin time and have that be my first priority, and modesty my second priority. Meaning, I will be with her and then if someone wants to come in, I will cover up. But I will not stay covered up just for the sake of being covered up. Third, I would maybe have left the cord attached longer. We did wait to cut it until it was done pulsating but I may wait longer next time to detach it from the placenta. Truly, there are not many things I'd change about her birth. It was pretty close to perfect for me!)</i>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-92177102155662779142010-08-04T21:11:00.000-07:002010-08-04T21:11:44.562-07:00My first birth storyI recently made my family blog private, so I am moving my birth stories over to this blog.<br />
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Here is the story of my first birth. I added some commentary in italics of things I would have done differently, if I had the knowledge I have now.<br />
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max is here! he is such a sweet sweet baby and we are so in love with him. he's absolutely beautiful.<br />
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he weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz. (the exact same as me when i was born!) and was 19 1/2 inches long...a pretty healthy size, i'd say!! he was born last night (april 20th) at 8:16 pm. the best part is that he is not bald! he has tons of hair and it's actually way darker than i expected!<br />
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<i>He was actually 7 lbs. 12 oz. We found out his "real" weight the next day. Someone just shouted out the wrong weight when they weighed him!</i><br />
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i started having contractions at about midnight on the 20th and they became more regular at about 4:30 am. i woke travis up and said "hey...i think i'm in labor!" he got teary eyed cuz he was so excited. i wasn't sure i was really in labor though. the contractions were about 10 minutes apart and were hurting pretty bad, but i figured it had to be false labor...i didn't want to get my hopes up! we skipped church (hey, i was in labor!) and went for a walk, but my contractions subsided from that. they came back though, pretty strong, and around 2:30 pm i decided that i really wanted to go to the hospital because the pain was getting so intense. i still was wondering if i was "really" in labor, but i figured, the worst they could do was send me home, right? we got to the hospital at about 4:00 and when the nurse checked me, i was dilated to 6 cm!!! i was NOT expecting that...but i was so happy to hear that i was really in labor and that we would have a baby shortly! at about 5:00 i was dilated to 8 and decided i was really wanting an epidural...i was teeter-tottering between getting an epidural and going natural, but the pain was getting so unbearable that i decided to have the epidural. i am glad i got it because i was able to relax after not being able to relax since midnight, but i am proud of myself that i labored so long naturally. so, i sorta got both of the things i was wanting (to experience labor but to also be able to enjoy it and relax). the doctor broke my water at about 7:25 and i began pushing around 7:45. i am grateful i only had to push for about 30 minutes because it was so much harder than i thought it would be! it didn't hurt a single bit (thank you epidural!) but i just had the hardest time finding enough breath to push for 10 seconds, 3 times in a row. it was a lot of work. it was pretty funny because the doctor guessed that max would weigh about 7 1/2 pounds and he also said he was definitely face down (in the right position). well, we sure fooled him! max was a lot bigger than that and he was also face up! that's right everyone...i quickly and successfully delivered a large, posterior baby! everyone was really surprised.<br />
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<i>I would have definitely labored in different positions rather than just on my back in the hospital bed. I really think that if I would have had more support (a doula) I would have been able to birth naturally. I got scared when I got to the hospital and had the thoughts "how much longer will this last?" Now that I think of it, I was probably in transition when I was asking myself that. I would have requested no IV, or just a hep lock, and I would have made myself more comfortable. I did not realize that I had choices...I just did as I was told. If I could re-do it, I would be the one in charge, and I would do anything I needed to relieve the pain (showering, birth ball, walking, hands and knees, etc). I also hated the controlled pushing and if I could have changed that and pushed as I needed to, I definitely would have.</i><br />
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i am so happy that everything went well. i didn't end up needing an episiotomy, which i really didn't want to get in the first place. i also had a very quick labor. it was only 4 hours from the time we got to the hospital to the time i delivered! it was such a surreal experience and really, it was marvelous. it couldn't have gone better and that makes me so happy.<br />
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<i>Right when Max was born, he was taken to the side and given oxygen because he didn't pink up immediately. I had asked to have him placed on my belly immediately if nothing was wrong with him. Looking back, nothing was wrong with him, he was just slow to start breathing. Many hospitals and most midwives still put the baby with the mother during this time, as the evidence shows this to be beneficial. It was about 15 minutes before I even got to hold him and when they finally gave him to me, he was all wrapped up in a blanket, with a hat on. I could hardly see him. Looking back, I would have unwrapped him and done skin-to-skin time with him. I did try to breastfeed him at that time but he was not interested. No wonder! He was all wrapped up, super comfortable, and sleepy! After that, they took him and my husband down to the nursery to do whatever they do in the nursery, while I was taken to my postpartum room. I waited in my room for two hours before he was brought back to me. I asked the nurse two different times where my baby was and if he was okay. I was worried sick! If I could re-do it, I would demand to go to the nursery and see him, or to go with him to the nursery in the first place. I hated that separation, it was almost barbaric. He had been with me constantly for nine months, and then to be away from him all of the sudden was really hard for me. I can imagine that it was probably really hard for him too. I am grateful that he breastfed really well from the beginning despite the separation that happened between us at birth. And, I am grateful that our bond was so strong.</i><br />
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we love this baby so much. he is so perfect. he was awesome last night. i didn't sleep a wink because i was pretty uncomfortable after the epidural for reasons i won't explain and then max woke up at 4:30 to eat and then was wide awake. but, seriously, he doesn't cry! he is such a wonderful baby...let's hope he keeps this calm personality up!<br />
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<i>The complication I had from the epidural was this: Afterwards, I could not urinate. It was so hard and I tried and tried, and just couldn't. Finally, at 3 am, the nurse said she would put a catheter in so I could have some relief. Usually about 200 cc of urine is held in the bladder, but the nurse got 1500 cc out of me. I was pretty darn uncomfortable to say the least! I was so happy to have that catheter to have the relief, but they left it in the entire two days I was in the hospital. That made it so I couldn't get up and walk around without being scared I'd rip it out. It made it really uncomfortable. I was sore where the catheter was inserted for about four months afterwards.</i><br />
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<i>All in all, my son's birth was a beautiful experience. He made me a mother, and that was marvelous. But sometimes, I can't help but feel sad when I look back on the experience. I wish that things would have been different. But I am working on realizing that the past cannot be changed and all that can be changed is the future. His birth is what drove me to have the type of birth I had with my second baby. There were so many things about his birth I would have changed, and I am proud of myself to say that through my hard work studying and researching and learning and praying, I was able to have the type of birth I so desired. </i><br />
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<i>Stay tuned for my second birth! </i>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-73978990754912338782010-08-02T07:36:00.000-07:002010-08-02T07:46:15.167-07:00World Breastfeeding Week<div style="text-align: center;">It's world breastfeeding week!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Give your baby the best.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.yummybubby.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/rocket_breastfeeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.yummybubby.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/rocket_breastfeeding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span class="UIStory_Message">"A newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of <br />
its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her <br />
presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three."</span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span class="UIStory_Message">- Grantly Dick-Read</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Here is a fact about formula...I just learned this and was astonished.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is an obesity epidemic in 6 month olds. Why? What is causing this?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sugar. Plain and simple.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM">this lecture</a> given by Endocrinologist Dr. Lustig. It will change your life. It's an hour and a half but so worth your time. Schedule a date night with your husband and watch it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Babies drinking formula are essentially getting a "baby milkshake" as Dr. Lustig puts it. Formula is <b>43.2% corn syrup solids and 10.3% sugar (fructose)</b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't get me wrong...I am not against formula in the case that a mother cannot truly breastfeed, but I am against formula being used when a mother can breastfeed (ie, just to "supplement" or because you want to get away for a day). A mother should make every effort to breastfeed, although it may be hard, painful, tiring, etc. The only way to do this is to offer support and to educate and empower women, so they know that their bodies are capable. There is a small percentage of women who may not breastfeed due to medical reasons or a truly low milk supply, but the majority of women, with proper education and support, can successfully breastfeed. Of course, the longer a baby is breastfed, the better, but a minimum of 6 months is essential. Now that I know this, I would say breastfeeding for a year is essential so as to avoid the sugar content of formula. I suppose you might wonder...so what? Is sugar that bad? Well, watch the lecture and then you'll understand why it is so bad. Sugar and alcohol are metabolized in the liver exactly the same way. It is extremely bad for your body. It is a toxin, a poison. Yes, really, it is. After learning about the sugar content of formula, I am even more dedicated to helping women succeed in breastfeeding their babies. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a couple of really wonderful links with information about milk supply. I had so many questions answered, even though I am nursing my second child. Take a look at them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html#supply">Is your milk supply really low?</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/babyselfwean.html">Do babies under 12 months self-wean?</a></div>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-5371966212647559042010-07-19T22:30:00.000-07:002010-07-19T22:30:53.878-07:00Melissa's Natural VBACMelissa shared her natural VBAC story with me and I am so excited to share it with you. It is powerful and inspiring. Thanks Melissa!<br />
<br />
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<br />
First, here are a few thoughts on having a VBAC:<br />
<br />
You can go natural and still have an IV and even internal fetal monitoring. I had a mental list of the things I did and did not want... that didn't happen and I felt like the choice wasn't mine. I did have an IV and internal monitoring because my Nurse Midwife said it was necessary. I still wish I didn't have to have the internal monitor, but I am so grateful for the IV that I "didn't want". It provided the liquids I needed. I had been sick to my stomach (everything coming out both ends, eeewww) all day, so I hadn't eaten since the night before! After 22 hours of labor and not eating for over 24 hours I need that IV.<br />
<br />
Don't under estimate the power of positive thinking. I worked diligently on my Hypnobabies program and during labor I didn't even turn on the CD. I just listened to the Positive Affirmations CD. Over and over again I listened to someone tell me that birth was wonderful, natural, and that I could do it. I loved it! The days and weeks before my birth I would read positive birth experiences and talked to woman who believed in me. If I had a moment of self doubt, I would call the people that supported me and believed in me, just so that they could give me a pep talk.<br />
<br />
You'll never do anything more rewarding. Natural birth has given me a confidence in my self and in my body that I didn't know I could have.<br />
<br />
Lastly, birth is powerful and spiritual if you'll let it be. I prayed from the day that I found out I was pregnant that I could have a natural birth. I hated my c-section. It was miserable and a second would limit the number of babies I could have. I want to choose that... I chose a natural birth because I felt an epidural would put me one step closer to a c-section. My natural birth was a blessing because of prayer and preparation. I feel like it is something the Lord intends and wants us to experience and I know that great power and holy helpers attend every birth.<br />
<br />
My birth story:<br />
<br />
I was due today! October 25th was the big day and I already have a 2 week old! I thought it was an appropriate day to share the story of Henry's birth.<br />
<br />
I woke up at 2:30am on Saturday, October 10th with contractions! I figured it was false labor, but it was exciting to have contractions that were coming and going... around 5am I woke up Thomas and asked him to time a few to see how we were doing. Contractions were coming 7-10 mins apart and were about 30 seconds long. I was also leaking amniotic fluid every time I stood up or moved... a slow leak if you will.<br />
<br />
Thomas went to play basketball that morning and came home around 10 am and I was still timing my contractions - still 7-8 mins apart.<br />
<br />
Thomas' work planned a fall party at HeeHaw farms and pumpkin patch that I really wanted to go to! So I took a shower and we got ready to go. I thought it would be a good distraction and either my false labor would go away or we would know it was the real deal. At this point the contractions were still not super close together but I still needed to stop and take a moment when they came. I was also throwing up and feeling sick to my stomach. Why we went to the work party I am still not sure... all I know is I really wanted to go and so we did. Macey had a great time! We picked out a pumpkin, petted sheep, had a nice lunch (which I didn't dare eat...). By this time contractions were about 45 seconds long and 5-7 mins apart. On the way home from the party I called my sister Sarah to tell her I thought we would go to the hospital sometime soon, so keep her busy schedule open.<br />
<br />
We went home, put Macey down for a nap. By this time I couldn't walk or talk during contractions but they still weren't super close together, so I got into my zone. I've been doing a "Hypnobabies" home study course for the last 4 months or so. It sounds odd but I really liked it. It is just very positive deep relaxation and visualization techniques that I practiced almost daily for most of the summer. So I got out the "positive affirmations" cd and just listened to it and focused on relaxing through my contractions instead of just dealing with them. This helped a ton! Macey woke up, Sarah came and got her, I still wasn't ready for the hospital - I wanted to labor at home for a long time. Sarah brought Macey home around 7:30pm and we got her ready for bed.<br />
<br />
We left for American Fork Hospital at 8:30pm - contractions were finally 3-5 mins apart and had been for over 2 hours! That was when were told was the appropriate time to go to the hospital. So 18 hours into labor we go to the hospital. They check me when we first get there and I am 4.5 cm dialated and my water has broke, no going home for me (every mom's fear when going to the hospital... being too early)!<br />
<br />
So we get to the room where you labor and get all set up. I get back in my zone with my cd going. I have to have an IV and continuous fetal monitoring because of the the C-section I had with Macey. VBAC's or "vaginal birth after cesarean" have higher risks than normal vaginal births so extra precautions have to be used. I didn't really want anything extra but I didn't have a choice... the IV we used a lot though. By this time it had been over 24 hours since I had eaten anything or been able to keep much water down, so they started me on sugar water to help with my fatigue.<br />
<br />
The external fetal monitoring wasn't working very well because I liked to move during contractions... rocking mostly, so after a while my midwife decided I needed internal monitoring. Let's just say "ouch" and "yuck". I'm sure it's not a huge deal if you have an epidural but I didn't... and it hurt! It is this huge probe that they put inside the womb to monitor the baby and they but an electrode on the baby's head. It wasn't super fun having it put in and I felt more restricted once it was all in place.<br />
<br />
The next while is all super fuzzy to me. I took off my glasses so that I couldn't watch the clock and I had Thomas turn the lights in the room off. I labored on my own at this point. It was me and my contractions. I didn't want Thomas near me, I didn't want my midwife around... I had do it alone.<br />
<br />
I had a midwife, but I was still under a doctor's supervision because of the VBAC, so sometime around 11pm the Dr. makes an appearance... not a good sign. He is only there in case we need him. He tells us that Henry's heart rate is "too steady" and that things need to change or I will have a c-section. He gave us a 15 minute window to see the baby's heart rate change. At this point I had done what I could to have a natural delivery and if the c-section was still going to happen I didn't feel like it was in my control anymore. I left it up to the Lord... he knew my heart's desires but he also knew what the baby needed more than I did. I was ok with whatever happened at this point.<br />
<br />
This is where Thomas really stepped up to the plate. I was exhausted and just managing my pain, not in a position to think tons about other options. He was the key to my success at this point. He said that we needed to do something different, so why don't I try standing up. He also asked the midwife if we could change the IV fluids from just watery stuff to sugar water again to wake the baby up. This was key. I started laboring in different positions (on my sides, standing up...) and after 15 minutes of moving and sugar water the Dr. came in a said that the change was minimal but if it didn't go down again he would continue to let me labor!!! Thomas saved me from another c-section which would have been my second - which would have meant that all of my births after that would be c-setions - which limits the number of kids you can have! All things we wanted to avoid...<br />
<br />
So at this point I am at an 8, I continue to labor until around 1:30am Sunday morning when I am finally at 10... I start pushing then. Pushing was a lot harder physically than I thought it would be, enough details on that! So after an hour of pushing they plop a sticky white thing on my tummy and I just stare at him. I didn't cry, I was just so glad that he was here, safe, and I was done. He didn't cry even then. Thomas cut the umbilical cord and we had a baby to call our own! I never felt so proud of an accomplishment in all of my life.<br />
<br />
I loved the unmedicated birth! I know people think it is crazy, but they haven't tried it. It was an incredibly spiritual experience. The pain was a very natural pain that ebbed and flowed, it never got to a point where it was intense pain all the time... you have time to regroup during contractions even when pushing.<br />
<br />
All in all, I would do it again in a heartbeat!kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-14599399477180803612010-07-07T13:59:00.000-07:002010-07-07T13:59:34.440-07:00Good quote.<div style="text-align: center;">"Many women have described their experiences of childbirth as being associated with a spiritual uplifting, the power of which they have never previously been aware...To such a woman childbirth is a monument of joy within her memory. She turns to it in thought to seek again an ecstasy which passed too soon."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Grantly Dick-Read</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I just love this quote. I find myself pondering my most recent birth (already six months ago!) several times daily. As I look back on it, and ponder it, I see how much I grew and it makes me realize how soon that ecstasy passed. Amazing...how childbirth can be so full of both pain and ecstasy. It is truly amazing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm currently researching becoming a doula...I want to work with pregnant women so badly. I want to help others receive the fulfillment that comes through birthing children without intervention. I want to help change people's lives for the better. We'll see...I don't know if it is the time yet, as I have two small children of my own, and more to come in the next years. Lots of research and prayer are coming my way...</div>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-10184646879014430202010-06-16T08:50:00.000-07:002010-06-16T08:57:49.772-07:00The wonder of natural childbirth<a href="http://blog.cjanerun.com/2010/06/rad-all-about-babies.html">Cjane</a> posted this today on her blog:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3. Would you do another non-medicated birth? And if so, WHY???</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
<br />
Here is the deal about that whole deal.<br />
<br />
Now that I look back on Ever's birth I see things a little more clearly.<br />
<br />
The pain? Hmm. Yes it hurt. It was pounding and brutal. Then there was the part when I felt my body split in two . . .<br />
<br />
But.<br />
<br />
But it wasn't the physical pain that astounded me about that experience. For me, the pain? Meh. It was shortly lived and gone the second the baby left the (fleshy) building.<br />
<br />
But.<br />
<br />
The pain coupled with the metaphysical?<br />
<br />
Holy.<br />
<br />
It was the stretching of my spirit that really shook my core. The psychological impact that comes from going to a place where earth meets heaven and tiptoeing along that blurry line of life and death. It was the part where I felt the weight of something so huge, so much bigger and more fantastic than anything I could have ever imagined. It was closing my eyes and seeing a checkerboard sphere rolling around like I was viewing pure energy at a molecular level. It was completely psychedelic and strange and completely awe-some.<br />
<br />
And when I think the physical feeling of my body splitting open I also think my spirit was doing the same. In that process, my spirit made more of </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">me</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> to be able to contain all of that experience. Like a hand inside a latex glove, I was filled with humanity, expanding, extending, magnifying. I was more. And I will never get over the residual memories--they still astound me.<br />
<br />
Are you kidding me?<br />
<br />
I can't wait to do it again.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I LOVED her description of natural childbirth. It is exactly how I feel about my experience. It was so completely overwhelming and intense, yet I honestly cannot wait to do it again. The feeling of being "more" than you thought you ever were was astounding. I, of course, cannot put it into such beautiful words, like Cjane does, but I completely echo her sentiments. It is something so incredible, something so much more rewarding than I can even explain. </span></span></span></span>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-31901790828480938002010-06-14T22:26:00.000-07:002010-06-14T22:26:59.272-07:00How to have a natural birth in a hospitalI asked my friend, Rachel, who blogs at <a href="http://thebeginningofmotherhood.blogspot.com/">The Beginning of Motherhood</a>, to share some thoughts about how to achieve a natural birth in a hospital setting. Rachel has a lot of experience with this, as she has had five children naturally and works as a nurse in Labor and Delivery. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful tips!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I have seen all sorts of births and all sorts of birth plans. I have seen women do fabulous going natural on pitocin, laying in bed, and in all sorts of other situations. I have also seen some women who have been doing great soaking in a tub, but ask for an epidural. I have seen some who I would have thought regretted not getting an epidural, but when asked, said they appreciated the experience. Any way it happens, a natural birth(going without pain medication) is something that you need to have a reason for wanting. To me, that has been the key ingredient. Also, your desire may change further down the road through labor, and that's OK. So, I would say the first step in having a natural birth in the hospital, is to decide if you really want to and why. These are not questions that anyone can really give you an answer too, but yourself, but I'll attempt to start you on your path.<br />
<br />
First off, you can do a natural birth. Women have been doing them forever. So the real question is do you want to. The main reason for getting an epidural is the obvious: pain relief. Labor is hard work, and can be very painful. But, pain tolerance is not really an indicator of whether or not you will want an epidural. What you need to decide is if your reason for wanting one is greater than your reason for not wanting one. A few case examples. Many women are afraid of the needle in an epidural, or the pain of the epidural itself. I have had one woman tell me that when her contractions are so intense that she no longer is afraid of the needle then she gets the epidural. She always gets them. Therefore, for her, the labor is worse than the epidural. On the other hand, another woman I took care of felt like her fear of the epidural was greater than her fear of labor. Therefore, she always went natural. Some other factors to think about when it comes to reasons for/against getting epidurals: 1)you ability to move is greatly reduced when you have an epidural. Once you have one you are in bed, with a tube to drain your urine, and the nurses have to help with movement of the legs. This may be OK with you, and may be worth it, but again, it's just something to think about. Many people are worried about drugs being introduced. From what I have researched, the drugs given in epidurals will not cross into your babies body, but it does effect immediate breastfeeding(though not long term). It does tend to slow down labor, and there is an increased use of forceps or vacuums with them. For those who are experiencing exhaustion or can not relax, though, it may be useful. These are just some of the factors involved, and I would suggest thoroughly researching them.<br />
<br />
So onto how to work through a natural labor in the hospital.<br />
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Request a hep-lock(where the iv is in you, but not connected to any tubing), or no iv at all if you feel comfortable with that. If you are not receiving iv fluids, make sure you are eating and drinking. If your hospital only allows ice chips, eat as many ice chips as possible and add sugar:) I would even bring some Gatorade pre frozen just for you to suck on. As long as it's ice, it fits in the policy. Some research I have read suggests that a woman needs at least 125-250 ml of water and hour. That's 1L of fluids every 4-8 hours. If you have to have an iv, you are still capable of moving. Request that you have an iv pole for the fluids to hang on so that you can walk around with it. If you do have any fluids running in, keep in mind that you can also get too much. Especially if you are on pitocin as that tends to increase water retention. One bag of iv fluid equals a liter, so keep that in mind when gaging how much you are drinking. Make sure you are going to the bathroom often, at least every one or two hours. An empty bladder will facilitate labor. Sitting on the toilet is also a comfortable position:) An iv pole can actually be very useful to hold onto during contractions. When you are feeling weaker, but still want to stand, an iv pole makes a good brace to pull down on. It is also useful during pushing. If you are wanting to squat, the pole can be used to hold onto.<br />
<br />
Request intermittent monitoring. Keep in mind that this may only be possible if the nurses aren't busy, and your babies heart rate is looking OK. Intermittent monitoring has been shown to be safe and effective in monitoring the heart beat of the baby. ACOG guidelines suggest listening to the babies heart beat every 15-30 m while in active labor. This also needs to be done during a contraction and immediately after. This allows the nurse to check the heart rate while you are in different positions or different places. If you have to be connected to the monitors, you can still sit up and move around. You can stand, squat and walk. The difficulty in this comes from making sure that the heart rate stays on the monitor. It is helpful to have someone hold it on tighter during contractions, while sitting up, or squatting. Anyone can do this, it doesn't have to be a nurse. If you notice that the babies heart rate isn't picking up at different times during your labor, try having someone hand hold it. While I normally, don't like internal monitors, for someone who is going natural and having to be on the monitor, they can be useful. With internal monitors, the babies heart rate is picked up much easier and movement is not restricted as much. This would be something that I personally would like at on a case by case basis, and only if the mothers bag of water is already broken.<br />
<br />
Which leads me to the bag of water. I would suggest not getting it broken as a matter of policy. Research shows that it does tend to decrease labor time, but only by about 20m. Once your water is broken, contractions tend to be stronger and harder. If you want to shave off time in labor, I would suggest having your water broken during transition or after(around8-10cm). At this point, your labor is already pretty intense, and shaving off time at this point is usually very welcomed. This really is just my opinion. Also, once the water is broken, it allows for germs to be introduced. So often the water is just broken, without a thought as to the individuals preference. Just make sure you at least think about it.<br />
<br />
The bed in the hospital can actually be very useful. There are a lot of different positions that it can help you obtain. If you want to kneel, you can kneel over the top, bring the bottom down and kneel on that, or just be on your hands and knees on something soft. During pushing, you can bring the head all the way up and the feet all the way down to simulate a squat or birthing chair. I would play around with it and see how you might find it the most useful. It is also useful to use to kneel on, or put a birthing ball on and lean on.<br />
<br />
Water....this has been shown to be one of the most effective pain relief measures for those who are going natural. If you find yourself getting tired, afraid you can't go on, or just needing to try something different, try a hot bath. Some hospitals do not allow this. If this is the case, bring a heating pad that you can use to sit on on the birthing ball, use with counter pressure, or just relax muscles and tension.<br />
<br />
If you need to have pitocin, don't sell your selves short and feel like it's impossible to have a natural birht. I have seen many women do fantastic with pitocin. Some key things to remember...you can do it. You have to have a reason for wanting to do it, but it's OK if you don't want to. Ask your provider if you can do low dose pitocin. This will add the pitocin more gradually. You can also request that your pitocin be turned off once you have reached active labor. At this point, your body will sometimes take over and you will no longer need pitocin.<br />
<br />
For some it is useful to try not to think about the contractions in terms of pain, but just intensity. If you prefer this, make sure you ask your nurse not to ask you your what level your pain is at. But let her know whether or not it is getting more intense. This is an important indicator of how your labor is progressing and how well a woman is coping.<br />
<br />
One last point, when you first arrive at the hospital there is a whole admittance procedure. If you are not in too much pain, it's not that big of a deal. But if you are having to work hard through contractions, appoint someone else to answer the questions that are needed.</span>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-50098952129836301222010-06-03T20:16:00.000-07:002010-06-03T20:59:08.093-07:00Home birth, part 1I have been wanting to do some posts about home birth, because while it is not the right decision for every one, with my last pregnancy, it was the right decision for me. It is near and dear to my heart and was one of the most empowering, transformative experiences I've ever had.<br />
<br />
I thought to start out my posts on home birth, I would begin with my personal experience - how I was guided to choosing a home birth. I mostly want to record this for my own sake, and I don't mind sharing the journey with others.<br />
<br />
When I found out I was pregnant with my second daughter, I was so excited. I knew that I wanted to have a natural birth, without medication. This is because I had had an epidural with my son, and was not too impressed by it. I desired a natural birth with him, but I was not prepared enough and decided to get an epidural when I was dilated to 6 cm. I felt let down after his birth and told myself I would go naturally the next time.<br />
<br />
So, the next time came, and I was determined. When I was pregnant with my son, I had so many people tell me I couldn't have a natural birth, especially members of my family. They said, "Oh, you have no idea how hard it is. Just wait, you'll want the drugs." I wanted to have a natural birth for myself, but it didn't hurt to have someone in mind I wanted to prove wrong.<br />
<br />
I called my insurance to see if midwives were covered. They weren't. So next, I researched and found a doctor who was very supportive of natural birth. I enjoyed going to this doctor, but it still felt like just a doctor. Nothing special about the relationship. I felt very confident, however, that I would be able to have a natural birth and knew that this doctor would be supportive.<br />
<br />
My next step was finding a doula. I talked to a few doulas, and settled on one, who happened to be apprenticing with a local home birth midwife. I hadn't really considered home birth before. And, I didn't consider it at first either. Not for any particular reason, I just didn't really think about it. I was very happy to have a doula and knew that I would have the support I needed to birth naturally in a hospital.<br />
<br />
As my pregnancy progressed, I researched and read all I could about pregnancy, labor, and birth. I wanted to be prepared. I talked to people who birthed naturally. I read birth blogs. Incidentally, I read a lot about home birth. My mind was opened to that possibility, little by little. I had known a few people who had had home births right around the time my first was born but other than that, I hadn't had any experience with home birth.<br />
<br />
I was due right in the midst of the whole "Swine Flu/H1N1" thing (I would call it an epidemic...but, well...it didn't turn out to be an epidemic at all). Because of this, the hospitals became very, very strict regarding visitors in the Mother/Baby unit. I found out when I was around 26 weeks pregnant that the hospital I was delivering at would not allow children under 12 in to visit their mother's or sibilings. This made me so sad. I couldn't imagine being away from my little boy (who would be only 20 months old when I delivered) for two whole days, let alone not being able to show him his sweet little sister. I wanted him to be a part of the experience. I didn't know what to do about it. I knew it sounded stupid to people, but it hurt me to the core. I just couldn't imagine it.<br />
<br />
Then, I found out that if a mother was suspected of having H1N1, that in some cases, the baby would be taken away so as to not become infected. This enraged me and I felt it was wrong. I do not want newborns to get sick, but I didn't believe it was the hospital's right to separate the mother and baby, against a mother's will. If it were me (and it very well could have been me) - I would want the choice. Choices. Those are important. And, we as mother's should have a choice. I wanted a choice. And, if I wasn't able to have that choice in a hospital, then I would find a way to have that choice.<br />
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I also felt that the hospital was a very germy place, with the whole H1N1 thing, and I didn't feel comfortable with that. I felt that our home was a much safer place for my baby to enter this world.<br />
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Incidentally, like I mentioned before, my doula was an apprentice midwife. I called her up one day, just to see how much a home birth would cost. Finances were my main concern. If it wouldn't be expensive, I was almost positive I needed to talk to my husband about doing a home birth. She told me that they were just starting a program for low-income families to be able to do home birth. By having part of the appointments occur in group settings, with a moment for individual check-ups, they could charge less, but still let women have the birth experience they wanted. It also provided a great system of support for pregnant women and new mothers. What an amazing blessing for us.<br />
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I spoke to my husband about having a home birth. I had already done all my research and I had felt that it was very safe and that it was something we should consider. At first, he didn't really see the need for a home birth. He thought I could have the birth I wanted in a hospital. I knew that would be his reaction, and definitely understood it. I felt the same way - "Why can't I just be satisfied with a hospital birth?" I couldn't understand why I felt so driven to have a home birth. I was being led and guided...and even pulled at times. But why? I didn't really know, but I knew I had to do what I was being guided to do.<br />
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I continued to research, and of course, pray and think about the decision. I educated my husband, and as he researched and learned, he saw that it would be a good thing too. He supported me and told me that we would birth wherever I felt it would be best. I knew he was behind me 100%. I had a lot of negativity from my family surrounding my decision. I had decided on birthing at home, but with all of the negativity, I had lots of thoughts inside about not doing it. I thought to myself, "It'd be so much easier just to give birth in the hospital...nobody would ask me questions...nobody would be saying bad things about me." But, again, that would be going against what I felt so driven to do. It would be going against something inside telling me it was the right decision.<br />
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It was not an easy decision to decide to have a home birth. It was not hard because I felt it was unsafe - through research and prayer, I felt totally confident that it would be safe. I knew God was in control and I knew that the outcome depended on His plans for me. I knew my midwife had the knowledge and experience needed to have a good outcome. I knew I was healthy and low-risk. It was hard because it was going against the grain. Home birth is not common, although it is becoming increasingly more well-known. It was hard because I had such little support, outside God, my husband, my midwife, a friend, and the natural birthing community online. It was hard because I was making an uncommon choice.<br />
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I ultimately decided to have a home birth when I was 32 weeks pregnant. From the moment I made my decision, I felt so excited. That told me it was the right decision to make. I couldn't stop thinking about it and planning for it. I felt sad that I didn't have many people to share that excitement with. I kept it to myself because I had opened up to my family about wanting a home birth and had had such negativity, that I decided it was best to just keep it to ourselves so I wouldn't have to deal with what other people think. I decided I would let people know about Maude's home birth after she was born. It was easier that way for me because the negativity put a damper on my excitement. <br />
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I firmly believe that the harder the choices are that we make, the more rewarding they are. That doesn't mean that we should make choices that are wrong. That is not what I am saying at all. What I am saying is that we should make choices that are right, even if they are HARD. Even if they are the hardest thing you'll ever do. If it is right and your heart is telling you to do it, you have to do it, no matter what. Having a home birth took so much courage. But it is a decision I will never regret. I came away from that experience with so much growth. I grew spiritually as I made the decision and I grew spiritually as I birthed. My testimony of God grew. I knew He was aware of me and I knew He was guiding my life. I also knew that He knows all things. He knew when Maude would come. My labor lasted a long while and I felt so hopeless. The apprentice midwife said to me, "Kami, God knows when Maude will be born. You just have to trust in Him. He already knows how this will end! Have faith!" I realized that I was not in control - God was. He already knew when she'd be born and I had to trust in him. I did trust in Him and I turned my will over to His.<br />
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In the end, I know why I was led and guided to this choice. No experience has changed me the way my home birth changed me. I felt empowered. I felt transformed. I learned how to listen to God's voice guiding my life. I came closer to my husband. I learned to trust in my body. My confidence grew. I also gained two wonderful friends - my midwife and apprentice midwife. I'm forever changed by them. If I would have taken the "easy" route (in this case, for me, it would have been the easy way out, but I do not mean that if you choose to birth in the hospital, that you are taking the easy way out), I would not have become the person I am today. My decision, although very difficult, changed my life for the better and I am so thankful I did something hard. Now I know "I can do hard things."kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-4395133159007788362010-05-27T21:27:00.000-07:002010-05-27T21:28:16.357-07:00healthy birth practices and spirituality<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">new data shows that there is a connection between childbirth and spirituality. you can see what i've said about spirituality <a href="http://birthwithconfidence.blogspot.com/2010/02/spirituality-of-birth.html">here</a>.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“'Childbirth and motherhood provide many women with an ideal context in which to recognize the spiritual aspect of their lives,” said Lynn Clark Callister, R.N., Ph.D., FAAN, a professor of nursing at the Brigham Young University College of Nursing and study co-author. “Our research illustrates that for most women, childbirth is a deeply spiritual experience. As healthcare providers, we need to recognize and support this evidence, and listen to women’s voices to guide their care.'”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The themes that emerged in the study included: childbirth as a time to grow closer to God, the use of religious beliefs and rituals as powerful coping mechanisms, childbirth as a time to make religiosity more meaningful, the significance of a Higher Power in influencing birth outcomes and childbirth as a spiritually transforming experience."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">read the summary </span><a href="http://www.prlog.org/10702384-new-data-show-connection-between-childbirth-and-spirituality.html."><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">at the end of the article, it lists Lamaze International's <a href="http://www.lamaze.org/Default.aspx?tabid=251">"Six Healthy Birth Practices"</a> so i wanted to list them here. i truly believe that following these six practices will almost always lead to a wonderful outcome for mother and baby.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">1. let labor begin on its own</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">2. walk, move around, and change positions during labor</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">3. bring a loved one, friend, or doula for continuous support</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">4. avoid interventions that are not medically necessary</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">5. avoid giving birth on your back and follow your body's urges to push</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">6. keep mother and baby together; it's best for mother, baby, and breastfeeding</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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</span></div>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-68856483143878867552010-05-20T11:31:00.000-07:002010-05-20T11:31:24.455-07:00two great postsi love stephanie's birth blog. she is a midwife here in Arizona and she has a nice writing style. two of her most recent posts were great and i can just say "amen" to everything she wrote!<br />
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check them out:<br />
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<a href="http://www.nurturingheartsbirthservices.com/blog/?p=831">big babies</a><br />
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here's a quote i liked from "big babies"<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: georgia, times; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"> “Big babies cause tears.” – I just don’t believe this! Big babies don’t cause tears as much as impatient care providers, rough perineal massage, epidurals, lithotomy position, coached pushing, poor diet in pregnancy, dehydration…! The two largest babies I’ve ever seen born were 11 lbs 8 ounces (this weekend), and 13 pounds 5 ounces (many years ago). Neither mom tore at all. (see #2 analogy of smoke detectors)</span><br />
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i second that!! my second baby was a pound bigger than my first - with my first i tore very badly (had an epidural and rough perineal massage by the doctor, which i thought was supposed to help not tear...but have found out that increases the chances of tearing...great!) - with my second...slight tear...like a papercut that didn't even need stitches. it healed on its own...i felt normal the second i gave birth (i am not kidding). there was no recovery. sooooo. i agree with the fact that big babies do not necessarily mean "big tearing."<br />
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<a href="http://www.nurturingheartsbirthservices.com/blog/?p=826">what bugs me...</a><br />
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here's a quote i liked from "what bugs me..." it's something to think about...really! (emphasis added)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: georgia, times; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">When I am talking to someone who finds out that I’m a midwife and their response is, “Oh, I LOVE my epidurals!!” (wait – I’m not to what bugs me yet! That’s fine and dandy with me, I totally get that and I’m glad that they had positive experiences with an epidural!) But as we continue the conversation and they start telling me about how they have horrible heartburn and their doctor gave them some prescription but they don’t want to take it because they don’t want the drugs to get to the baby….that they won’t even take Tylenol because they are pregnant….they are M-O-R-T-I-F-I-E-D if they see someone pregnant take a sip of wine!! But on the day in which their baby will go through the largest physical transformation they will ever have, the ONE day in which drugs will have the biggest possible impact on that baby….on that day they almost proudly declare, <b>“Load me up!” <i>(i've totally heard that before)</i></b></span><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em;">Let me make this clear….no, it is not just that your baby’s lungs start breathing, it’s so much more than that. Let’s look at just your baby’s heart! What happens IMMEDIATELY at birth…<br />
… As soon as the baby is born, the foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus ductus venosus and umbilical vessels are no longer needed.<br />
… The sphincter in the ductus venosus constricts, so that all blood entering the liver passes through the hepatic sinusoids.<br />
… Occlusion of the placental circulation causes an immediate fall of blood pressure in the IVC and right atrium.<br />
- Increasing uptake of oxygen by lungs (first and subsequent breaths) induces a vasoconstriction of ductus venosus and ductus arteriosis</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: georgia, times; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">It’s socially unacceptable to take a sip of wine when you are 28 weeks pregnant…but totally okay to do Stadol and get an epidural with Fentanyl in it (Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than Morphine) – in fact, it’s weird if you don’t do that. I don’t get it.</span><br />
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</span></span>kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-48715527853699945722010-05-14T21:56:00.000-07:002010-05-14T21:56:54.555-07:00what i wish i would have knowni found out recently that a friend of mine is pregnant with her first child. i am so excited for her! it got me thinking about the things i wish i would have known before i had my first baby...so i thought i'd brainstorm a little list just for fun. this is by no means all inclusive, but it's a start.<br />
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1. i wish i would have taken the time or known how valuable it is to select a care provider who honored my feelings about birth. i chose a doctor based on other people's recommendations and unfortunately, that practice was a very typical OB practice who had about 95% of their patients getting epidurals...which was not conducive to my desire to go naturally.<br />
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2. i wish i would have known that i had choices. any of the routine tests, etc...i had a choice. i blindly "obeyed" and did exactly as my doctor said. that is not necessarily a bad thing, but i just wish i would have been more informed and made decisions based on knowledge rather than just blind faith (i know we need to trust doctors because they do have knowledge and expertise, but i also feel it is very important to be knowledgeable as a patient - you have a right to informed consent).<br />
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3. i wish i would have known that i could have made it through labor without an epidural. i wanted to go naturally but i did not have enough confidence in myself to follow through with that desire - hence the title of this blog.<br />
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4. i wish i would have known how important it was to practice my breathing techniques!! hehe.<br />
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5. i wish i would have known the value of delayed cord clamping.<br />
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i could probably think up more "i wishes..." but the important thing is that i took what i wished i would have known/or done the first time around, and i applied those "wishes" as best i could to the second time around. i already have more "wishes" for next time. i think that is the beauty in having children...you really do learn as you go, and hopefully because of your increased knowledge, you make improvements!<br />
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what do YOU wish you would have known before giving birth to your first child?kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369970835218911216.post-16171059746814135082010-05-14T21:37:00.000-07:002010-05-14T21:37:04.042-07:00join me on FACEBOOK!come join my new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/birth-with-confidence/121705967855558"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">"birth with confidence" facebook page</span></a>. i'll be posting updates of the blog as well as any interesting facts, articles, or stories i come across having to do with pregnancy and birth. let's be friends!!kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01036681846580798894noreply@blogger.com0