AnnaSophia's Birth Story (1 Month Old)

-->

Dear AnnaSophia,

Mommy and Daddy prayed for you and we were so happy to learn that God was forming you in my tummy. We had been told that it would be hard to get pregnant on our own, but God had a plan for you to bring Himself glory and He didn’t care what the doctors said. As soon as we learned of God’s work I was filled with fear. I knew that I could not control what would happen to you and it’s always a little scary to have to completely trust that God will work things together for good. God was so gracious though and He taught me that if I surrendered your wellbeing to Him then He would fill me with peace…and that is just what He did.

 

            Even though I knew that God was in control I wanted to do my part and make my body as healthy as I could. I wanted to prepare a safe place for you that would help you to grow big and strong. I wanted to make sure that the little part that I played in your being would be to the best that I could. I started eating all kinds of good foods, even when I didn’t want to and I continued to exercise to keep my muscles strong so that I could bring into the world completely natural. 

            Through much prayer we decided that we wanted to take the risk of paying for a Birth Center instead of going to a hospital. There was a little more fear in my heart over this decision, because there was no guarantee that we wouldn’t have complications and end up at a hospital anyway. But we felt that this was the best decision for our family and for you. Looking back I now see that God was at work. We developed deep relationships with our Midwives and they played a huge part in making your entrance into the world so special.  We also attended a class to prepare for birth and that is where we met Cathy, our doula who loves the Lord and was there to support mommy while she was in labor. 

Mayanne and Jo Anne our fabulous Midwives!

            After months and months of anxious waiting, mommy found herself starting to fear again. You were getting big and you were “overdue” and even though I had prepared myself for all those things, I began to doubt that you would ever make it here. Again people prayed for me and for you and God worked in my heart, reminding me that He knew you and that He had formed you and that He would bring you out in His time.  I had to accept that if things didn’t go as I had planned, if for some reason at 42 weeks I had to go to a hospital and be induced, then that was okay. I trusted God and His plan, because you are His and we are just stewards of you while we have you. 

            God was faithful and you did come! Exactly 1 week after your “guess date” you made your appearance. It was one of the most beautiful days of my life and the Lord was there beside us as we welcomed you into the world. I had been having light contractions the day before. It was a Saturday and Daddy and I had spent some time at the gym. I mostly walked and rolled around on a yoga ball, hoping to encourage your little noggin to get in just the right place. I had been trying all sorts of natural ways to help you out, though I am sure you would have done just fine on your own. The contractions continued all day Saturday, but they never hurt and they were never consistent. They were just enough of a hint to let me know that you were on your way very soon.  I went to bed as usual and woke up at 6:20 and knew this was the day. The practice contractions had developed into real contractions and they were strong enough to keep me awake and they were coming roughly every 6 minutes. I decided to wake daddy up at 7:00 and we rested on the couch together and watched TV. We didn’t want to get overly excited, because we learned that adrenaline slows down labor and we knew we would need to be rested when things stated to pick up.

             I lost the plug that was keeping you in around 7:50 so I knew that things were progressing. Our friend, and student midwife JoAnne came over around 11:00 and let us know that I was 2 cm dilated, which was encouraging, but I knew there was still a long way to go.  We let our families and close friends know that you were really on your way and everyone started praying again. There were at least two Church Families that prayed for you during their morning worship service.

 Our friend Cortney came over to bring lunch and comfort me after Church and just as I had laid down to get my back massage I had another contraction and this one was accompanied by a Pop! I managed to make it to the bathroom with out making mess all over the floor, but it was clear that my “water had broken.”  

            Jo Anne came back over and said it was time to head to our birth center so she called Mayanne, our midwife, and we started packing. My contractions started to pick up and I wasn’t very excited about the car ride ahead of us, but once again God was gracious and as I labored in the car and hugged my pillow I even managed to get some rest between contractions.

Once we made it to the Birth Center it was time to get down to business. Your Daddy was the best birth coach; he never left my side! I started in the Birth tub, since water birth was my ideal birth situation, but the water was too cold and my contractions and shivering together were too violent. Through the next several hours mommy labored all over our birth room; laying on the bed, on the birth ball, on the birth stool, on the toilet, in the shower and daddy was right there to give me water or food or chapstick. He even squeezed my hips through contractions to take some pain off my back. At one point he shivered in his swim trunks as I hogged all the water in the shower. He was definitely mommy’s hero that day!

The contractions were strong, but they never were more than I could handle. God was ministering to my soul the whole time showing me His beautiful plan in childbirth. He had designed my body to grow and bear life. As I would get a contraction my body would adjust to that level of pain and after a while it would get a little stronger, then my body would adjust to that pain and it would go on and on.

The most precious moment during labor happened while mommy was sitting on a birthing stool wrapped in warm towels. The lights were low and there were candles (flameless) light, the fire was glowing and everyone was sitting in a circle. Jesus Paid it all came on the playlist and daddy had them turn it up. The room was filled with praises as we all started to sing. The pain was still there, but the presence of the Lord was overwhelming. 

Cortney came over and started to braid my hair.  I began to cry as I thought back to how we had longed for this day. Before I knew it I was sobbing. Mayanne asked why I was crying, I am sure she thought I was in terrible pain.

“She wasn’t supposed to exist!” I exclaimed through sobs.

“What do you mean she wasn’t supposed to exist?”

“The doctors told us that we wouldn’t be able to have children” I managed to sneak out.

At this point I know Cortney was crying too because she spoke up and shared how we had been praying for you and you were finally here. 

Sometime after that I experienced a shocking contraction in which my body heaved on its own, my contractions were intense and I felt sick to my stomach. I remember our Doula telling me at one point “I know it might not seem like it, but there is a peace here”.  But I felt the flood of fear coming over my body and I decided that I wasn’t going to allow my body to get sick or heave like that again. And on my own will my labor stalled. Mayanne brought me a homeopathic remedy to help give me energy and hopefully cause my contractions to pick back up and I headed back to the shower. Daddy sat outside handing me water and labor aid and I had to face my fears.

As I was alone in the shower battling myself, Mayanne came to check on me. It was the first time I actually admitted that I was afraid. I was afraid that the contractions would get much harder, that I still had to go through transition. I was afraid that the pain would be like what you see on TV and I wouldn’t be able to handle it. Mayanne brought me another homeopathic remedy and said it would help with fear. I remember thinking she was just giving me sugar pills and telling me that they helped. But I knew that what I really needed was to trust the Lord. After all that is what He had been teaching me all through pregnancy. I repeated to myself over and over “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and self-control” I cried out to the Lord and asked him to give me His strength and I told Him that I trusted Him. With the next contraction I let the fear go and I embraced the pain and I knew it was time to push.

I got out of the shower and waddled to the bed with daddy’s help, stopping twice for contractions.  Mayanne said she wanted to check and see that I was completely dilated. Since my last check was at 11am we really had no idea how far along I was. My instincts were right and Mayanne said that I could start pushing whenever I wanted. It was 10 pm. After a few pushes on the bed we decided that it wasn’t the best position and Mayanne had us change things up. Daddy squatted; leaning against the bed and mommy did the same bracing herself against his knees for support. With one push you were crowning. It was amazing how my body would follow my lead as I pushed it would respond with a contraction. Within a few minutes your head was out, followed quickly by the rest of your little body. You were born at 10:15 pm. Words cannot describe those precious moments as daddy and I both wept for joy and you were placed on my chest and the three of us embraced. We spent time loving on you as you took your first breaths, admiring your little hands and toes. You were so alert. We waited for the cord to stop pulsating; giving you the last bit of good blood and then daddy cut the cord. The Lord truly blessed us with you and we thank Him each day for knitting you together in mommy’s tummy, growing you strong and healthy, and bringing you safely into this world. You are a tiny little miracle and the Lord has a plan for you. We love you so much! Happy 1 month baby girl!

Love,

Mommy

The Waiting Game (40 weeks)

I now understand...well at least sympathize with scheduled inductions/c-sections. I have been preparing myself all along that Baby Girl would most likely be "overdue" as is true for most first time moms. But there was something so exciting about hitting 37 weeks and the fact that she COULD be born at any time. The last month is definitely the hardest and the days seem to go by slower! 

Then once your due date comes and goes it can be really discouraging. I found myself thinking this week "what if she never comes?" Every well meaning "when is that baby going to get here?" would make me want to just cry and say "I don't know if she is ever going to come!" Well not quite that dramatic, but you get the point, it was hard. I am so thankful to have midwifery care that is encouraging and doesn't treat me being "overdue" as a concern. Baby girl is healthy and she isn't in any distress so there is no medical need for an induction at this point. I know that if I had an OB pushing me towards induction, it would be so easy to give in when I am so anxious to meet our little girl.
 
Despite my bursts of discouragement through the week, I was also really encouraged thinking that God knows my baby and he knows all of her days. He has her birthday already planned, down to the very second. I found myself meditating on scripture like "unless the lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. (Psalm 127:1)" and "'Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?' says the LORD. 'Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?' says your God. (Isaiah 66:9 NASB)" Waiting is so hard, but I know that God is using this time to teach me to depend on him. It's so hard to wait because I can't control it. Pregnancy is so very humbling, as I have learned to walk by faith and trust in the Lord and praise him regardless of the results. 

Things I have done this week to keep busy and distracted

• Devotions 
• Cleaning out the closet
• Packing my bag for the Birth Center
•  Walks around the neighborhood
• Dinner with friends
• Dates with hubby
• Crocheting...I just learned this week!
• Decorating the nursery
• Prepping my cloth diapers
•  Finishing the last season of 24!

    Natural Induction/Encouragement Methods

• Walking
• Swimming
• Dancing
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Herbal labor prep
• Pineapple
• Time with the Hubby ;-)
• Acupressure (ankle and skin between index finger and thumb)
• Acupuncture  (ankles, hands, pinky toes, collar bones)  
• Pelvic Rocks
• Sitting on a yoga/birthing ball    
• Rebozo sifting

   

 
How far along? 40 weeks

Baby size: A Jackfruit (i dont know what that is either)! About 20 inches long and weighing nearly 8lbs.

Total weight gain/loss: 52lbs yikes! That is going to be fun to lose, really thankful that I will be breastfeeding you burn 500 calories a day just sitting there. 
Maternity clothes? I have been wearing sweatpants and slippers all week. I try to wear a nice shirt with my black yoga pants and pretend that I am dressed up.
Stretch marks? I have some tiger stripes (or zebra stripes as my hubby put it!)
Sleep: I love sleep! I have been a little more sleepy this week, taking cat naps here and there. 

Highlights/Best moments this week: Hubby had the whole week off from work...we were hoping baby girl would make her appearance while he had it off, but it was nice to spend time together as a couple. We went to the gym 4 days this week I swam, walked, and Zumba-ed...pretty much anything that would encourage our sweet baby to get in a good position. 

I started acupuncture this week at my chiropractor appointments. I was really nervous about the pain, but surprisingly it didn't hurt at all, with the exception of the needle in my pinky toes.  We decided to do acupuncture because it releases oxytocin  and stimulates contractions...it definitely works! We are just waiting for the contractions to be strong enough to be considered labor. ;-)

We completed the nursery (see Project Nursery part 2) and I cleaned out our closet, put away maternity clothes and summer/spring clothes. Cleaned the house...twice and I think I will do it again haha. Oh and I finally started packing my Birth Center Bag. 

Miss Anything? I am looking forward to having a "normal" sized body again. It's getting too hard to get up and down. I hope I never see 200lbs again, its too much work!
Movement: She is still moving, not crazy big movements, but she is big enough in there that her little movements are noticeable.
Food cravings: ummm... I have been trying to eat salad and protein this week to prepare my body for labor...I may have snuck in a few cookies too
Anything making you queasy or sick: No sickness

Have you started to show yet: yes
Gender : It's a GIRL!!

Symptoms: swollen feet, frequent bathroom breaks, back ache, nesting, braxton hicks contractions, huge bump, colostrum, baby on my pelvic bone.
Belly Button in or out? outie
Wedding rings on or off? off and around my neck.

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy and anxious...sometimes discouraged, but mostly humbled!
Looking forward to:  I AM HAVING A BABY WOOHOOO!

Why We Chose a Natural, Out of Hospital Birth

Disclaimer: I would like to start by saying that I think that hospitals and technology are a blessing from God. I am very thankful that should something be abnormal about my pregnancy or labor, we have the option of going to a hospital. It is however our belief that under normal circumstances a woman’s body is fully capable of delivering a baby without drugs or medical assistance. Pregnancy and delivery are natural physiological processes that are beautifully design by God. We do not judge or look down on anyone who has had medicated births (I was a C-section baby) or choose this option for their family this is simply our conviction on the issue.

Education:

            I knew I wanted to have a natural birth from the beginning even though I wasn’t really sure why. I think I probably liked the idea of having the option of pain medication in case it got too difficult, but once I started educating myself about the birthing process my desire for the option was completely quenched. I was determined to learn as much as I could about birth, the process and the interventions.

Here are a few things I learned in my studying. 

·      I learned that the politics of birth are absurd in our country and insurance only likes to cover births done in a hospital that most likely costs between $15,000-30,000. But they wont cover a Birth Center birth performed by a professional midwife (the only certification that requires actual experience) which costs only $6, 000.

·      I learned that most doctors have never even witnessed a “normal” birth and that it’s much more common for the doctors to treat you like an ill patient in need of a remedy than a mother giving birth to a child.

·      I learned the term “cascade of interventions” and the effects that the interventions would not only have on me, but on our baby and I was shocked.

·      Most of all I learned that I, along with the rest of the American female population, had been very misinformed about pregnancy and birth. And we are all terrified! We watch sitcoms about women in excruciating pain as they are being rushed to the hospital and we cringe at the thought of giving birth. No wonder we are all screaming for the drugs and C-sections, no one is telling us that labor is normal and natural and that our bodies are made to accomplish this beautiful challenge that results in bringing a new life into the world.  I am not saying that labor isn’t painful; God promises that we will experience pain. Genesis 3:16a says, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.” The pain is to be expected, but in a normal, healthy pregnancy it isn’t unbearable.

Cascade of Interventions:

            The question a lot of women ask is “why should I put up with the pain if I don’t have to?”  Which, I think is very valid, the best way I can answer is by giving a common example. You are 40 weeks pregnant and you go in for a prenatal checkup. The doctor will say “wow your baby is 10 pounds we need to get him out!”  Even though it is completely possible to deliver a 10 lb. baby the thought is scary and not knowing that it is normal and that most first time pregnancies are 41 weeks or even later, you agree to an induction. You go in and they start by giving you a prostaglandin cream or more commonly now Cervidil (I wont even tell you what this was originally made of) to soften your cervix, then they give you Pitocin (which acts like your body’s natural hormone oxytocin….only not) to speed up your laboring process, it also causes your contractions to be much stronger and more frequent so the pain is intensified. You will most likely then ask for an epidural which numbs your pain and confines you to laying on your back (the worst position to actually give birth). Then the epidural slows down your labor so they increase your Pitocin to speed it back up and your contractions get worse, only you can’t feel it, but your baby can. These drugs have been given at a dosage that is safe for a woman your size and weight but a 160lb woman’s dosage is not the same as an 8lb baby’s, who is also being delivered the drugs through your blood stream. Not to mention that the FDA deems NO drug safe for a pregnant woman. All the drugs cause the baby to go into distress (the heart rate drops) and an emergency C-section is needed. And everyone screams “thank goodness for C-sections!” without realizing that all the previous interventions caused the need for a C-section. For me, the risks of the drugs outweigh the benefit and I prefer the pain.

            Some of the main reasons that we chose the Birth Center:

·      No IVs (once an IV is in it is much easier to administer other drugs such as Pitocin)

·      No hospital gown or hospital bed (we have a big plush queen size bed and can wear our own clothes)

·      No epidural, episiotomies, forceps, or vacuums

·      The option to deliver in water (a natural way to help with pain and prevent tearing)

·      Freedom of position, birthing ball, showers, and tub

·      A staff that really gets to know us. They care about our health and our baby and we aren’t treated like just another number.

·      A caregiver who shares a common view on pregnancy  

The place of interventions

There is still a chance that I could have a high risk pregnancy and need to be in a hospital for safety reasons. In this case we would come up with a strict birth plan and attempt to follow it in the most natural way that is still safe. There should be no shame for someone who hopes to deliver naturally, but ends up needing assistance. Hospitals and medical interventions have their place and they are a blessing when something goes wrong and if that should be the case for us we will gladly do what is best for our baby.

Some Resources:

The Business of Being Born  (You can also watch this on Netflix)

http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth

http://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156

The Bradley Method

http://www.bradleybirth.com/

NOVA Natural Birth Center http://www.novabirthcenter.com/Birth/NaturalBirth/CascadeOfInterventions.aspx

The Humbled Homemaker: This is one of my favorite blogs to follow and she has been doing a series on Natural Birth

http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2012/08/why-we-chose-not-to-induce-labor.html