Feb. 27, 2008 - Feeling a bit quiet...laboring thoughts
There are a lot of different things going on around us right now. One big change is that our church has been going through a lot of changes. Our pastor's wife is needing prayer and her family has been suffering much. Our church has been going through a transformation as well with new needs and spiritual growth essential. I have been praying for the entire situation as there is really nothing else that I can do aside from praying at this point.
I am really feeling ready for spring of course our baby will be here in a few months and will be taking up a lot of our time and that is a good thing. Baby is measuring right on target. My blood sugar levels came back normal. I praise the Lord for that!
I've felt a real need for direction in this past month regarding how to deal with labor and delivery. I've taken Lamaze but it wasn't for me nor was the basic natural birthing classes offered by our local hospital. Neither helped me. So, I've been reading a few different books on the topic. There is a lot of chaff out there when you delve into the topic. I have one by Dick-Read that is so far 75% off but the 25% is good and I need to hear it. I say off because he goes into evolution, animal reaction and doesn't see things from a Godly perspective. Sort of like most Dr's. They have a lot of info from secular books that support these same theories. But they still have some good. I have received a nugget of good from this book basically he says that a woman won't relax or go into labor on her own...needing drugs/interaction to start labor if she doesn't have a mother figure present. (Or so that's what I think the book was saying) my interpretation. It made me stop and think. Yes, that has been true for me. I have always felt like I wanted to run away from my pain. Once, my best labor with our 3rd child I had a motherly and understanding midwife who came into the room at one point when I was suffering and looked me in the eyes and reminded me to relax and that everything was going to be okay. She had confidence in me that I didn't have. I hated the pain but I relaxed after that and had an EASY labor. Who would think that something so simple actually has an effect on you? But I think it just might. I know my body can labor and have a baby. But it's when I come to the point of labor (transition?) when it gets very difficult for me and when I need a labor partner. My dear husband is great support physically he holds me up during the delivery and is there for emotional support but he can't calm me. So I am thinking that I need to find an alternative to a mother in the delivery room. I am praying for wisdom in this area as I only have 12 +/- wks to go. I have only once went into labor on my own and even then I had my water broken...but I've had that with all 4. I hope that if I fill in this void in my labor that maybe I can go into labor on my own. It's hard when you've been raised to rely on yourself and not to ask anything from others and have learned not to ask...not to inconvenience anyone. So now I am going to look for a birthing doula who can hold my hand and be the mother figure during labor that I need. I am not going to expect a "pain-free" labor as I don't know how realistic it is as the Bible is clear on the topic of Birth equating to pain but I do hope to reduce the level of fear/anxiety and pain in the end.
Comments
Feb. 29, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by melissal89
Hmm, I never thought about the need for a "motherly figure" to be present, but that actually makes perfect sense to me. With my two biological children, I had to have help both times. And neither time did I feel relaxed or comforted at all. And yes, our hubby's just can't seem to fill that void. Interesting thoughts, thanks for sharing. Praying that you find peace with this.
Blessings, Melissa
Mar. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by crysnrod
Enjoyed reading over your blog!!
Blessings,
Crystal
Mar. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Kelly in PA
I really gained a lot from reading "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way". It goes into so much detail about how the muscles are working and how to relax. I did not do all the exercises. Just understanding what was going on inside was enough for me to relax. I was so relaxed the last time that I did not push at all. I can honestly say I had very little pain and none of it was terrible, just dull. Maybe that's just the kind of births I have, I don't know. I really think it's being able to understand, and then feel, what's going on because in the beginning, when I'm still walking around, the pain is worse. It's when I lay down and totally focus on the feelings during contractions that the pain lessens.
Glad to hear your healthy!!!
