Get Out the Ranch Dressing, Folks...I'm Back to Blogging

You can start breathing again. Its okay. I'm back.

I know you were holding your breath, waiting for my reappearance.

For whatever reason, I just haven't felt like blogging lately. I'm pretty sure God gave Satan the go-ahead to beat the stuffing out of me. And instead of fighting him with my silver-coated Bible, I just sort of laid down and let him wallup me.

Enough, I say!

Plus our camera committed suicide and tried to take down Photoshop with it, so I don't have any nifty-cool images of my perfect...*cough*...family to show you. You will have to be satisfied with my words. Yeah, I know, its like eating a salad without dressing. Perhaps you can choke it down for a few more sentences.

Miss Darlin's birthday is coming up and I've been thinking of her amazing birth a lot lately. I've tried several times to write about what I learned and how I can apply those lessons to other areas of my life. In honor of that, and because I don't want to leave you with dry lettuce in your throat, I'll post the song that helped get me through her labor. To this day, I automatically relax my shoulders and breather slower when I hear this song. Good memories!

Enjoy.

12:39 AM - Sep. 11, 2009 - comments {1} - post comment

How to Turn a Posterior Baby

A baby in the posterior position is one with his head down, but facing the mother's tummy. His back is against her back. This position accounts for many cesareans due to failure to progress and maternal fatigue. Usually a posterior position causes severe back pain during labor, know as 'back labor'. The pain is so intense (believe me, I know) that the mother will beg for intervention or give up.

The top picture show a baby in the posterior position, with his head facing the mother's tummy. The bottom picture shows a baby in the anterior position with his head facing toward the mother' spine. Notice how much smaller the anterior head is? When the baby is in the anterior position, the head fits better into the pelvis, putting more even and adequate pressure on the cervix. This aids the cervix in dialating quickly and effectively. Also, pushing is easier, simply because the portion of the head presenting is smaller in the correct position. It may only be a couple of centimeters, but when the opening is only 10cm large, a few centimeters makes a world of difference.

Here are some more pictures to help you visualize the baby's position.

Anterior position (the ideal position)

 Posterior position

It is best to prevent the baby from getting into a posterior position by practicing good posture. The baby's back and head are the heaviest part of his body. The baby is effected by gravity and the heaviest parts will natually rotate down. When you recline, that heaviest part will roatate toward your back. When you sit straight up and even leaning forwad, the baby's back will turn toward your front.

Once you realize your baby is in the posterior position, here are some things you can do to turn the baby:

• diaphragmatic release
• lunges - put one foot on a stool or chair and lunge foreward, making sure the knee is facing out. Hold fo 5-10 seconds. This widens the pelvis, and gives baby room to rotate.
• Avoid deep squatting
• Use the 'knee to chest' position. When on hands and knees, stick your bottom (butt) in the air, to tip the baby back up out of your pelvis so that there is more room for him to turn around.
• Sway your hips while on hands and knees
• Crawl around on hands and knees. A token 5 minutes on hands and knees is unlikely to do the trick - you need to keep working at this until your baby turns. Try crawling around the carpet for half an hour - while watching TV or listening to music. It is good exercise as well as good for the baby's position!
• Don't put your feet up! Lying back with your feet up encourages posterior presentation.
• Swim belly-down, but avoid kicking with breaststroke legs as this movement is said to encourage the baby to descend in the pelvis [3]. You can still swim breaststroke, but simply kick with straight legs instead of "frogs' legs".
• Try sleeping on your tummy, using lots of pillows and cushions for support.
• Take a warm bath, and get in the tub on all fours, do pelvic tilts while relaxing your tummy.

6:48 AM - May. 28, 2009 - comments {5} - post comment

Birth Story and Photo Montage

Here's my promised birth story. There is also a photo montage on Youtube. Check it out, and leave a comment!

My VBA3C Story

               After three cesareans, one of which was a failed vbac attempt, I was determined to have a VBA3C for this birth. The entire pregnancy was spent praying and seeking what God wanted for me. I sensed that He was leading toward a VBA3C, but everywhere I turned there were obstacles. Finally, in my 36^th week, I switched to a doctor that was 2 hours away. I had so much going against me: three past cesareans, being over 300 lbs at birth, and being 2 hours from the doctor. In the last weeks, I almost gave up so many times. But I kept praying, and believing, and I threw out the doubts whenever they crept up. 

         Sunday was a busy day for us, with our normal activities of church in the morning and hubby’s afternoon praise band practice. I planned on going to my mom’s while hubby was at practice so I could use her big tub to take a bath and try to get the baby rotated into a better position.

             Throughout the pregnancy, I obsessed about the baby’s position. My past three babies were posterior, and I knew that the malposition had played a part in the cesareans. For a few days prior to Sunday, I’d had some light prodromal labor, which I knew was my body’s way of trying to rotate the baby into a more favorable position.

            The prodromal labor had been showing itself as contractions that I could only feel in my lower abdomen. It was such an intense feeling located near the incision that I called Dr.T the day before to make sure I wasn’t feeling anything that indicated rupture. Finally after doing some research on the internet using the term “false labor” instead of ‘prodromal labor’, I found that it often presents itself only in the lower abdomen.

            The boys and I were dropping hubby off at practice when I began to feel contractions. It was around 3pm. They felt the same as the previous contractions, with tightness and minor pain only in my lower abdomen plus they had no pattern. I knew that if I wanted “real” labor to start that I should get the baby rotated.

            When I got to mom’s house I took a great big bubble bath and tried to coax my stubborn baby into tuning anterior by getting on my hands and knees and letting my belly hang in the warm water. The bath was so relaxing, but the baby didn’t rotate. The contractions completely stopped after I got into the bath. But, I expected that, and tried to stop worrying about the baby’s position.

            The boys and I went to pick up hubby and he automatically asked about the contractions. I told him they had stopped, and he knew I was disappointed.  We went home, fixed dinner, bathed the boys, and got everyone off to bed. At some point, I went to the bathroom and noticed that I had lost my mucus plug. I was so excited.      

             I began feeling contractions again around 9 pm. They seemed more intense than the earlier contractions, but after timing for a bit, I could tell they had no pattern. The contractions started picking up, and I was considering calling Dr.T, but I was still uncertain. They were about 8 minutes apart,  but they still weren’t completely reliable. I would have three or four at 8 minutes apart, and then have another at 2 minutes apart. I was sure it was prodromal labor again, and I didn’t want to waste a trip just to be wrong. 

            Hubby and I didn’t really know what to do, but we started to prepare like we would be going to the hospital that night. We straightened up the house and packed a few things. Around 11:30pm, the contractions were coming 5 minutes apart. They were slightly more intense, but I could talk and walk through them. At the peaks, I had to stop what I was doing. Finally, after a lot of discussion, we decided to call Dr.T.

             Dr.T asked how long the contractions had been going and I told him 3 hours. When he found out they were five minutes apart, he told me to come to the hospital. I said “I don’t think this is real labor.” He told me to come anyway, even if it meant a wasted trip.

             After I called and we made the decision to go ahead, it seemed like the contractions went into to super speed. I was waddling around trying to finish packing and my husband was trying to get the house ready. He called his dad to come stay with the kids, and he was moving way too slow for me. As the contractions started picking up, I kept saying “We’ve got to go. We’ve got to go.”

             In a matter of a few minutes I had gone from wondering whether it was real labor to knowing it was real labor. Now I was really concerned that we might not make it to the hospital, which was an hour and a half away.   As soon as we got onto the highway, I started shaking uncontrollably. In my mind I thought “Shaking means transition.” The contractions were now coming 3-4 minutes apart, and I didn’t feel like I was in transition, but I could feel a huge sense of urgency. I started praying and telling my body to slow down and not dilate until we were at the hospital.

             I had made prayer cards for each stage of labor and hubby, the consummate worship leader, had planned a playlist of uplifting praise songs for my labor. I read and reread the prayers for early and active labor as he played the songs on the truck’s cd player. Both helped me to realize that I wasn’t alone and that I could rely on God through this, which was what I really wanted, to know that I had clung to God and not myself.

            The shaking didn't let up. It really scared me and made it hard to relax. I would shake between contractions, but during a contraction it would stop. I didn’t know if I was relaxing enough to stop the shaking or if it was my body acknowledging the intensity of the contraction. Either way, I began to look forward to the contractions because they meant a break from shaking.

             On the drive to the hospital I was able to really zone out. I watched the white lines pass by during contractions and it was almost hypnotic. The worship music filled the car and I would often stare at the moon during contractions to help me relax. As we finally passed the airport, I relaxed even more. I told my body to start dilating because we were close enough to be safe.

             Around 2 am, we got parked in front of the ER and I found a wheelchair so I could ride up to the third floor. The wheelchair felt small and unable to hold my weight. I kept asking hubby if it was okay, and he reassured me that it was.

             Once we got to the third floor we had to wait for all the administrative stuff. We weren’t used to that at our local hospital, and it was really kind of annoying. Finally, we made it to the triage room, where the nurse was very accommodating and allowed us to do whatever we needed. She checked my cervix, and I was only dilated 3cms. I had told myself that if I wasn’t at 5 cms, I would leave and go labor in a nearby hotel. But, I couldn’t bear the thought of walking. I told the nurse that we would probably leave. She told us to just hang out and see how it went, while she got her initial fetal heart strip. It took awhile to get comfortable and to get the monitors situated. The nurse was so pleasant and patient. She let me stand or sit or lie, whichever was the most comfortable.

             When she told me that I was only dilated 3cms, I felt a surge of disappointment. I knew that that meant early labor, and I didn’t want to be admitted until active labor. However, the moment passed quickly when I logically assessed the situation. I had told my body to stop dilating, and I knew that had to account for something. My contractions were too intense and close together to be early labor.

             My mom and dad showed up around 3 am, which was a surprise. We had called them to tell them we were on our way, but to wait until we knew more before they came. I am so glad my mom didn’t listen to me. As soon as she got there, I just wanted her to touch me. Her hands were so small and light, and they felt cool on my arms, shoulders and face. My hubby’s hands were big and heavy felt better massaging my feet or back.

             I got into the shower for a little while, but it didn’t really help.  I tried to get comfortable. I tried standing, leaning, and sitting. I finally got comfortable in the rocking chair. I felt a definite pop and it took me a few seconds to realize what it was. In a shaky voice, I said “I think my water broke.” I stood up, just to be sure. Yep. Water gushed down my legs. 

            At that point, we finally realized that we would be admitted. It was around 3:30 am. The nurse began to look at my veins for an IV. She looked for several minutes, but couldn’t find any, so she called the anathesiologist. By this time, I was curled up in bed, still shaking on and off.  My husband would cover me with blankets to stop the shaking, then I’d get hot and throw them off.

            My mom’s phone kept ringing, and she would take her hands off of me to answer. It was always my dad or my sister, checking my progress. I told my mom to stop taking calls, because I needed her to touch me. My sister was on the line at the time and said to my mom “She’s getting snappy, she must be in transition.”

             The contractions were very intense now. I could feel them building and coming one after another. I told myself that I was in transition. I knew from my failed vbac attempt that my worst enemy was myself. I HAD to keep control of my thoughts. I would not allow myself to think thoughts like “This is horrible. I can’t do this. I’m going to die.” I told myself over and over, “Amy will be here soon. One more contraction. You can do this.”

             The anathesiologist finally showed up around 4: 15. Dr.T also came by and told him that he’d be down the hall with another patient, and would check back after the IV was in. The doctor tried and tried to get a vein, but couldn’t find one. He was so sweet and gentle. I was able to relax and not let him get in my way. After more than five sticks (I lost count), he finally found one and got me hooked up to the antibiotics for group B strep.

             Dr.T came in and was ready to check me around 5 am. When he checked, I was more than 9cms dilated, and he manually dilated me the rest of the way. I told him that I was ready for a paracervical block. He said “You don’t have any cervix for me to give you one.”

            “Okay, so give me some narcotics.” I said. I had told myself going into this that it would be okay to take meds if I needed them. The ******l birth was more important to me than it being unmedicated. An epidural was out, because I hate those since they always have to dig around. But, I knew that a bit of narcotics could get me calmed down.

          Dr.T said “If I give you narcotics, your baby will be born drugged. I’m not giving you narcotics. You are about to deliver this baby.”

         After that was a rush of movement. Dr.T started telling everybody to hurry up. I was still in the triage room, I hadn’t even been admitted yet. He kept saying “We have to get her to a room, unless you want her to deliver here.”

 I told Dr.T , “I can’t walk to a room!”

 “Okay, hon, we’ll roll you there.” He said.

             They rolled the bed through the hallway at racecar speed. I could feel a breeze and it was nice and calming. I watched the beige ceiling tiles pass above my head, and I couldn’t believe that I was going to have a baby.

             When we got into the delivery room, the nurses kept trying to get Dr.T to stick an internal monitor onto the baby’s head. He told them to back off, that we were able to get good sounds from the external and that we didn’t need it. He told me to hold my knees close to my ears, and I moaned, “I can’t do it!” He said “Yes! You can.”

             I got my knees up and held on. I kept remembering what other moms told me. Everything hurt, but the pain would be over if I just pushed this baby out. It took a few tries to get the hang of it. Dr.T was going perineal massage, and that hurt like heck, but it helped me focus on where to push.

             I don’t remember much about pushing, other than I was totally in my own world. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I wanted it to stop. I think someone mentioned that they saw the head, but I wasn’t paying attention. I was pushing, pushing, pushing. Finally, I felt the ring of fire and I gave a huge push. The baby came out in one quick motion, all slippery and gushy. Dr.T didn’t even have to deliver the shoulders, they delivered themselves!

            I collapsed back onto the bed in a complete daze. My husband had the biggest grin on his face and kept saying “You did it! You did it!” I would reply “No, I didn’t!” because none of it seemed real. I was so tired. More tired and overwhelmed than with any of the c-sections. I laid there and wondered if it was worth it. I didn’t feel proud or ecstatic. I just felt tired.

             Dr.T cleaned up the baby, but I couldn’t hold her because of the meconium. He told me to kiss her before he gave her to nurses, but she was all gooey, so I just made a kissy face instead. The nurses were taking forever, and I kept begging for my baby. Finally Dr.T went over to them and told them to give me the baby. The nurses were so belligerent and I was not in the mood to deal with power trips. I told my husband to go over and take the baby. He started walking over there, and the nurse handed me the baby. She was so heavy, 10lbs 2oz.

             The birth was amazing. But at the time, I was so tired and completely, physically exhausted that I really didn’t think it was worth it. It took 24 hours before I truly got excited about what had happened. I, a big fat woman of 300lbs, had given birth to a 10lb2oz baby who was born in a posterior position, after three c-sections. YEAH!!

             It wasn’t me. God was with me the whole time, and I knew that it was His work and not mine.

1:21 PM - Nov. 17, 2008 - comments {16} - post comment

Getting Back to Normal

We've been home a couple of days now, and we're trying to get back to normal. I don't know how many times my husband and I have looked at each other and said 'Do you think we can do this?" We're referring to sucessfully raising five Godly children. Sometimes we just don't know if can do, but I guess that's normal.

I've got some more great pics from today, but I'll post them tomorrow. Thank you for all the prayers and wonderful comments.

8:32 PM - Sep. 25, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Baby Girl Pictures

We are still in the hospital, as the baby is being treated with antiobiotics for GBS. I was GBS + and because everything went so quickly, I didn't have time to recieve the necessary antibiotics. So, as a precaution, the docs are treating Miss Darlin and we're waiting on a culture to see if she has GBS bacteria.

Here are some cutie pics, just for the fun of it.

10:33 AM - Sep. 23, 2008 - comments {13} - post comment

Plus Size VBA3C

The Lord is good. This morning I gave birth to our fifth child, our first little girl, via vba3c. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But the Lord never left me. He got me through each contraction and the 1 1/2 hour ride to the hospital, where I was praying that my cervix would not dialate because I could feel things were picking up. 

Amy was born at 5:42am. She weighed 10lbs 2oz, 20 1/2 inches long. She looks like her brothers, of course.

I'll post a birth story later, but the amazing thing was that she was so big, and in  a posterior position. She was delivered without forceps or vacuum extractions and completely without meds. Okay, granted, I was begging for drugs like a hardup heroin addict. But I was too far along by the time the doc got to me for anything. I had no shame, ladies, no shame.

But its over, and I'm recovering. I'm more exhausted than with any of the c-section deliveries, of course we didn't get any sleep last night.

One more thing...my husband and mom made a great labor team. They helped me get through the contractions just by being there. My husband had to get in my face when necessary and my mommy just touched me when I needed her to. It was really amazing.

Here's her linebacker face. Very feminine. I'd be scowling too, if I had just endured being born!

2:50 PM - Sep. 22, 2008 - comments {10} - post comment

No Baby Yet

I'm a week away from my due date, and there's no baby yet. I'm a bit anxious, but I guess that's normal. Sometimes its hard to believe that there is a real live baby in there. I sure would like to meet her.

THe house is clean, the bags are packed, and we are very ready for her to come.

Just keep waiting.

Just keep waiting.

Just keep waiting.

9:15 PM - Sep. 16, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

New Day

Its 5am. I've been up for a few hours. Don't you just love late pregnancy insomnia? I decided to type up a bunch of prayers for labor and delivery onto index cards. I also have tips for my 'labor team' - my husband and my sister. I'm excited and ready. Continue to pray that God will work his perfect will in my body and with this baby.

5:15 AM - Sep. 15, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

10 Days to Due Date

I've been very agitated all day today. We went out early and had a mad grocery shopping spree, which left me tired and achey. Yesterday I did a lot of cleaning and that has also left me a bit achey as well.  I'm getting impatient and I keep taking it to God, but I'm having a hard time truly letting go of when this baby will be born and trusting Him. I don't think I've ever dealt with this attitude in another pregnancy. Before I've felt physically poor and wanted the baby to come for comfort reasons, but not just emotionally agitated and anxious.

My husband is leading morning and evening worship at a friend's church tomorow, which is 45 minutes away. I know that tomorrow will be a long day, so I'm trying to prepare for that as well. I'm excited for my husband, just a bit weary.

Pray that I will not be anxious for anything, but in everything with prayer and petition, bring my requests before the Lord.

10:58 PM - Sep. 13, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

The Downsides of the ProLife Movement

Here's a very interesting letter to Sarah Palin by National Advocates for Pregnant Women. It shows the flipside of the prolife debate. Read it and tell me what you think.

http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/97457/an_open_letter_to_gov._sarah_palin_on_women%27s_rights/

11:52 AM - Sep. 6, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Wait for the Lord

For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
         It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail
         Though it tarries, wait for it;
         For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

Habakuk 2:3

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 8 I have set the LORD always before me.
       Because he is at my right hand,
       I will not be shaken.

 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
       my body also will rest secure,

 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, 
       nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

 Psalm 16:8-10

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

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5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

2 Peter 1:5-9

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If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5

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6:24 AM - Sep. 6, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Things To Do While Waiting for Baby

Things To Do While Waiting for Baby to Arrive

1. Get a piercing in a sensitive area from a dirty-looking tattoo parlor. With the best of luck, you'll get an infection and that will keep you busy until the baby gets here.

2. Bathe in raw meat and then take a trip to the dog park. The running might put you into labor. Either way, you'll get a trip to the hospital.

3. Install an outdoor pond and fill it with piranhas. Let them nibble your toes three times a day for an intense pedicure. That way your feet will look posh when propped in those metal stirrups.

4.  Spend an afternoon looking at pictures of yourself before you got pregnant. When it hits you that will never look that good again, drown your sorrows in a couple pints of Ben and Jerry's.

5. Try knitting baby booties. When you can't those stinkin needles to produce anything baby-worthy, stab them into your eyes and you won't have another thought about how much longer until the baby comes.

6. Shave your legs and other areas. You don't want unruly hair to offend the doc when he assumes the position. If you can't reach around your huge prenatal orb, attach a long handle made of wire coat hanger to your razor. Invest in bandaids.

7. Make a belly cast to commorate the one time in your life that its okay to be totally fat. When you can't unstick the plaster of paris mold from your tummy, call the fire department. That should kill a few hours.

8. Write a list of all the things you love about your husband. Keep the list by your bed for everytime he sleeps through the baby's crying. Do not keep aforementioned knitting needles by your bedside.

9. Get addicted to the tv show Jericho, then watch every episode online, in bed.

10. Go to the local movie complex and watch the teenagers milling around. Make nasty, judgemental comments to yourself such as "What are her parents thinking?" "How could her dad let her out of the house in THAT?" "Look at that punk...uh huh...if my son did that..."   Welcome to parenthood!

3:10 PM - Sep. 5, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Preparing for Birth

Preparing for the birth of this baby has been difficult. Anger, frustration, and plain ole' hurt have been constant when thinking back to my other births. I know I've come across to the people I am close to as an angry and bitter woman. And I was.

But I think I'm over it. It is hard carrying around that kind of weight, and I'm tired. The more and more I hear of the pain that other women are carrying around due to their birth experiences, the more I realize that I don't want to carry it anymore.

I don't want the births of my babies to be marred by pain and anger. What precious moments wasted.

I still am sickened by the state of birth in our county, the ignorance of most pregnant women, and the scare tactics that doctors use to take advantage of that ignorance. But, I am no longer a dogmatic, in-your-face-crusader against the medical community. I have more important things to do.

I have a birth to get ready for. Only God knows how and where this baby will come into this world. He is, in His loving and gentle manner, showing me that all I need to do is trust Him and He will lead me to the moment where I hold my baby girl in my arms. God wants to be at her birth. In fact, He has great plans for this birth (and every birth). Think of how birth draws us closer to our heavenly father. What other situation requires so much faith?

The conception, carrying, birthing, and raising of a child will bring any woman to her knees in a deep realization that everything she has doesn't even begin to be enough to complete the task He has given her. And I think He planned it that way. What better way to show us that we need Him? What better way to show us how He feels about us?

So, I think I'm done discussing c-sections and vbacs and the business of birth. I'm going to focus on being a daughter of the Heavenly father, so one day I can lead my daughter to Him as well.

11:23 PM - Aug. 24, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Funny VBAC Comic

Here's a great comic about doctors use 'bait and switch' to trick moms who want a vbac. It was written by one of the state's ICAN chapter leaders...funny!!  (and true).

"Hi! I'm newly pregnant and want a VBAC. Do you
support VBACs?

"Yes we do, we looooove VBACs. Come on board!"

DOC AT 25 WEEKS: "Just want to tell you about some of the restrictions we have for VBACs:

You may not remain pregnant a day over 38 weeks, we require continuous electronic fetal monitoring, an epidural will be placed in case your uterus explodes, you can't have eaten for 2 days prior to going into labor, and the moon can't be full."

DOC AT 30 WEEKS: "Oooo, this baby is getting big! We don't allow our moms to VBAC babies over 5 lbs. Moms who VBAC with babies over 5 lbs have a 96% risk of their uterus exploding all over the place. Besides, your pelvis is really small and you aren't capable of birthing a baby over 3.6 lbs anyway"

DOC AT 34 WEEKS: "I just checked your cervix and it isn't dilated at all, which means that there is something wrong with your body and you are never going to go into labor. I can tell your baby is going to be at least 7 lbs and you probably aren't going to deliver before 38 weeks. Let's schedule your repeat CS. After all, you don't want to die do you? You don't want your baby to get brain damage or die do you? New studies have come out that show that the rate of uterine rupture in VBACs is actually 56%. Just remember, in the end all that matters is a healthy baby."

DOC 36 WEEKS: "I can't believe you haven't scheduled your repeat CS yet. Hmmm. Welll, let's just do an ultrasound to check on baby's weight. Won't that be fun? Uh oh... while we did the ultrasound we found out that your amniotic fluid is low, you have bursitis in your elbow and your placenta is made of ham. Your baby will die if you attempt VBAC.

I'm sorry but you have run out of options.

We will need to schedule a CS. Which is too bad because I *really* support VBACs. Oh well - all that matters is a healthy baby!"

4:54 AM - Aug. 23, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

Should Homebirths be Legal?

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Story?id=5340949&page=1

Should homebirth be legal? I mean, think of all the bad things that could happen? Babies could get sick or die, women could suffer serious postpartum hemorrage and possible death. Why should homebirth be legal when we have perfectly good facilities in every town to deliver babies in a quick and effecient fashion?

Oh, but I forgot to mention that in the same facilities, babies and women still die. The end result is not always good, even though this facility is teeming with experts.

The fact that the AMA is against homebirths shouldn't surprise anyone. They are losing money when people give birth at home. Plus,  every person who has a sucessful and happy homebirth talks to a pregnant mama and tickles her ear with her homebirth experience. Homebirth is gaining in popularity, and the AMA doesn't want to lose any more money. Add that to that fact that many women have traumatic birth experiences in hospital, and the AMA just can't stand to lose anymore ground.

The other side is that the medical field is established based upon expertise. People go to doctors, even ones they don't know or trust, because they are supposed to experts.. Afterall, the went to years of schooling, so they must know everything.  Women no longer have any birthing common sense, so we have to trust the doctors to do our thinking for us. Homebirth is going mainstream, and doctors are scared silly. THey are scared that women will realize that birthing is natural and can even be easy. They are scared that women will learn how to use their bodies again.

Why all this firestorm?  Because of one simple documentary called The Business of Being Born. A few months ago I linked to a place where you could watch it for free, but that site has been taken down. I encourage EVERY woman or man who is pregnant or will ever be pregnant to watch this video. Make the $20 investment and see this movie.

What really ticks me off about this proposed legislation is the belief that women shouldn't have the right to choose where to birth, because of the suspected danger to the child. However, we all have the right to kill that same child up until it is born and breathes. Where's the logic?

8:05 PM - Aug. 3, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Birth Rape

Very good articles about 'birth rape' or traumatic birth. I think these feelings hit home for so many women, yet we can't say how we feel because we seem crazy. After all, we have a healthy baby...what else should we hope for?

http://birthrape.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/not-a-happy-birthday/

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/127116/birth_trauma_can_cause_women_to_develope.html?cat=52

Please read this if you know someone who is angry about her birth and you can't understand why. She is not crazy.

If you've had a traumatic birth experience, please comment or email me. I found a great blog post about the stages of healing after a traumatic birth. However, due to a very graphic picture on the blog, I will not post the link in public. If you would like to avoid the picture for purity reasons, I can email the text of the blog post to you.

10:12 PM - Jul. 25, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Birthing

Momofsix, I have to apologize for misleading you. I have never had a homebirth. I would love to, but my hubby isn't too fond of the idea and after three cesareans, there aren't many mdiwives who will take us. I think the research is clear that homebirths can be incredibly safe in most situations. Here's a link to a great documentary called "The Business of Being Born". It gives a history of birth and a lot of great experiences and statistics that show how wonderful homebirth can be. Ricki Lake produced it.

http://quicksilverscreen.com/watch?video=45525

My birthing experiences have all been very diffferent. I'll summarize below, you can read more about them in the archives.

• #1 - I was 20 years old, single and stupid. I was induced due to high blood pressure and had the complete and typical hospital experience. I was fortunate to have a ******l birth, but I still felt empty and like something was wrong.
• #2 - I was 26 and I knew that I wanted a more natural birth. I did a lot of reading and my husband and I attended childbirth classes. My water broke at 36 weeks, plus I was GBS +. I was induced when I got to the hospital, even though I didn't want to be. The nurse informed me that it wasn't optional. I still didn't know enough to realize I could refuse. I labored for 8 hours with pitocin-contractions (which hurt worse than natural) and then had an epideral. After another 4 hours, I hadn't progressed at all. My doc called for a c-section, and I didn't know enough to say no. The c-section left me angry and bitter.
• #3 - I was 28 and determined to have a VBAC (******l birth after cesarean) in a hospital. I started seeing a certified-nurse-midwife and I learned everything I thought I would need. I even made my husband read the Bradley childbirth book. I went into labor two days before my due date. I labored at home for almost 24 hours. It was wonderful. I really have great memories of my labor up to that point. I got to the hospital at 7 cms and everything went wrong. I didn't progress, I couldn't relax, I got dehydrated, they couldn't find a vein for an iv and had to use my jugular. I ended up with another c-section after I wasn't progressing. The baby ended up being 10lbs10oz and in the anterior position (which is why I slowed down.)
• #4 - I was 28 (they are 10 1/2 months apart) and still incredibly bitter and upset over my failed vbac. I was mad at my husband, at the midwife, at the nurses...everyone. I didn't have the strength to try for another vbac, even though the research on having a ******l birth after 2 cesareans is pretty good. My blood pressure shot up in the last trimester, and I didn't want to fight, so we scheduled a c-section.

A homebirth is not in my future. Unless God intervenes in a miraculous way, I will have to have any remaining children by c-section.  I know where I failed with each birth, but I can't change any of it. I am stuck with a uterus that has been cut three times and living in a community that doesn't think highly of VBACS. But, I know the truth about birth. I know more than so many women who are being fooled by the doctors and pushed into ridiculous interventions that aren't necessary.

My favorite birth resources:

www.birthingnaturally.net - Christian natural birth site

www.plus-size-pregnancy.org - good info even for people of normal size

The Lord of Birth by Jennifer Vanderlaan

40 Weeks by Jennifer Vanderlaan

Christ Centered Childbrith by Kelly Townsend

2:22 PM - Jul. 2, 2008 - comments {7} - post comment

Brain Fog

Anybody else feel totally stupid when pregnant? I actually feel like my neurons are incapable of making the proper connections. What is up with that?

Perhaps the baby is stealing all my brain food. At least its going to a good cause.

8:16 PM - Feb. 19, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

Fat and Pregnant

Here's a study (done by actual doctors) that shows obese women can actually lose weight during pregnancy without harming the baby.

Nuff said.

11:30 PM - Jan. 25, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment

Misdiagnosed Miscarriage

My prayer is that anyone who needs to read this post will be led here by God. 

One of the most awesome testimonies that I have in my life is my second son, Samuel.  After trying for a few years to get pregnant, we finally were.  The doctor told us that the pregnancy was just a blighted ovum.  He ran tests, did ultrasounds, and took blood for several days.  He kept pushing us to get a D&C, saying that it could take "months" to miscarry naturally.

We wouldn't do it.  And the doctor was wrong.  There was a baby and HE WAS WRONG!

Doctors aren't always right.  There are so many stories of women being told that their babies were dead, and they weren't.  Check out this site.  www.misdiagnosedmiscarriage.com  Also, if your baby does die in the womb, please consider miscarrying naturally.  That way, there is NO risk of your killing a baby that is really alive.  I've had many women talk about their natural miscarriages, and how healing it was to hold their tiny little babies (like the size of a dime to even two inches long).  Miscarriage is a painful aspect of life, and I'm sorry for any woman who has to go through it.  But don't let one ultrasound tell you that your baby is dead. 

3:35 PM - Mar. 19, 2007 - comments {1} - post comment