Books I read in preparation for Cleo (in order of helpfulness and good reading)
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin - Actually started this AFTER having Cleo, but I am really loving it.
Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block - LOVED!
Journey into Motherhood: Inspirational Stories of Natural Birth by Sheri L. Menelli - Interesting to see which stories I identified with.
Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by Pam England and Rob Horowitz
The Birth Partner, Third Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions by Penny Simkin - An extremely comprehensive read.
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method: A natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing by Marie F. Mongan
Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley
Choosing Waterbirth: Reclaiming the Sacred Power of Birth by Lakshmi Bertram, Sandra Amrita McLanahan and Michel Odent
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Cleo
Well my friends, we did it. The "Marathon of Labor" is over for a few years. Here is a little glimpse into how we spent our Sabbath yesterday.
4:13am - Contraction woke me up.
4:20am - Another contraction that woke me up.
4:46am - Chris called our midwife, Heather Johnson, to report.
5:06am - Needed counter pressure through contractions. Poor Chris was frantically moving furniture out of the living room, trying to set up the birth pool, and be there for me when I needed him. He was getting a workout for sure.
5:49am - We were hoping Cam would sleep straight through the morning, but the pump for the pool woke him up. He was wanting attention that we couldn't really focus on him at that moment, so we called my Mom and she came to play with him.
6:00am - Heather arrived and put an IV of antibiotics in me, for Group B Strep.
At some point I got in the birth pool. It was much needed relief. Labor is such a mental game. I was trying to stay on top of it, but towards the end kept asking how much longer it would be. I was extremely thankful to have pretty good breaks/rests between contractions even right up to the end. Using voice really helped me with labor, so it was a little cacophonous in our house.
The midwives broke my water upon my request and it was maybe 3 contractions afterwards that I said, "I'm getting her out in one push." The midwives kind of advised against that, as it would increase my likelihood of tearing, they said if we ask you to slow down you should slow down. But when the next one came, I pushed, and then I stopped, and it didn't feel better, so OUT SHE CAME! What an amazing, beautiful, relief to finally have her in our arms. (I did tear, but that was something I was willing to deal with at the moment. Later when I was getting stitched up I thought maybe I could have been more patient.)
The midwives stayed, helped, cleaned up, did the newborn exam and everything until after 11:00am. Cleo nursed, Chris slept, I was in and out of sleep but kept getting woken up by afterbirth pains. Chris made me oatmeal, cantaloupe, and applesauce. We watched Return to Me, sobbed and laughed then got up and moved around for a bit.
Camden went to church with my mom and played all day over there. Actually he slept from 2 - 7pm, he's not used to being up at 5am!
It was nice having some time for Chris and I. We talked and laughed about Cleo's birth, played Phase 10, and just caught up. We don't get to talk much with me working days and Chris working nights.
One thing I had wanted when she was born was for it to be in the night/early morning and then all of a sudden we could just announce she was here safe and sound! And with the exception of my mother knowing and being here, that is what happened! It was wonderful. Nobody had to be worrying about how it was going or anything.
She weighed 8 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches long, born at 7:26am.
Taking care of a newborn again is crazy. They need you in such a different way than a 3 year old. She looks so much like Camden, it is like deja vu. So thankful for loving friends and family who are so supportive and loving.
4:13am - Contraction woke me up.
4:20am - Another contraction that woke me up.
4:46am - Chris called our midwife, Heather Johnson, to report.
5:06am - Needed counter pressure through contractions. Poor Chris was frantically moving furniture out of the living room, trying to set up the birth pool, and be there for me when I needed him. He was getting a workout for sure.
5:49am - We were hoping Cam would sleep straight through the morning, but the pump for the pool woke him up. He was wanting attention that we couldn't really focus on him at that moment, so we called my Mom and she came to play with him.
6:00am - Heather arrived and put an IV of antibiotics in me, for Group B Strep.
At some point I got in the birth pool. It was much needed relief. Labor is such a mental game. I was trying to stay on top of it, but towards the end kept asking how much longer it would be. I was extremely thankful to have pretty good breaks/rests between contractions even right up to the end. Using voice really helped me with labor, so it was a little cacophonous in our house.
The midwives broke my water upon my request and it was maybe 3 contractions afterwards that I said, "I'm getting her out in one push." The midwives kind of advised against that, as it would increase my likelihood of tearing, they said if we ask you to slow down you should slow down. But when the next one came, I pushed, and then I stopped, and it didn't feel better, so OUT SHE CAME! What an amazing, beautiful, relief to finally have her in our arms. (I did tear, but that was something I was willing to deal with at the moment. Later when I was getting stitched up I thought maybe I could have been more patient.)
The midwives stayed, helped, cleaned up, did the newborn exam and everything until after 11:00am. Cleo nursed, Chris slept, I was in and out of sleep but kept getting woken up by afterbirth pains. Chris made me oatmeal, cantaloupe, and applesauce. We watched Return to Me, sobbed and laughed then got up and moved around for a bit.
Camden went to church with my mom and played all day over there. Actually he slept from 2 - 7pm, he's not used to being up at 5am!
It was nice having some time for Chris and I. We talked and laughed about Cleo's birth, played Phase 10, and just caught up. We don't get to talk much with me working days and Chris working nights.
One thing I had wanted when she was born was for it to be in the night/early morning and then all of a sudden we could just announce she was here safe and sound! And with the exception of my mother knowing and being here, that is what happened! It was wonderful. Nobody had to be worrying about how it was going or anything.
She weighed 8 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches long, born at 7:26am.
Monday, August 20, 2012
How to NOT have a baby
How to NOT have a baby that may or may not be "due" in the next 2-4 weeks-ish.
Step 1 - Kayak the Provo River on Monday
Chris got this ideer from Travelzoo, discount vouchers to use on the Provo River. It was GREAT! Not long enough, that is for sure. Chris, Cam and I in an inflatable Kayak floatin down the river. (Had I realized how mild it would be I probably could have brought my camera and got a pic of us ON the kayak, but it was too late by the time I realized.)
Step 2 - Work every day the rest of the week.
Phew. Should be baby-less until at least Sunday.
Don't get the wrong idea, I am PSYCHED for her to come but I am trying to mentally prepare for her to arrive on the later end of 38-42 weeks in gestation. People act like once you are past 37 weeks your baby should be popping out any second. I, however, believe that thought process is flawed. At least for me. I can be patient and let her come when she's ready. At least through this week while I have a plan. :)
Step 1 - Kayak the Provo River on Monday
Chris got this ideer from Travelzoo, discount vouchers to use on the Provo River. It was GREAT! Not long enough, that is for sure. Chris, Cam and I in an inflatable Kayak floatin down the river. (Had I realized how mild it would be I probably could have brought my camera and got a pic of us ON the kayak, but it was too late by the time I realized.)
Step 2 - Work every day the rest of the week.
Phew. Should be baby-less until at least Sunday.
Don't get the wrong idea, I am PSYCHED for her to come but I am trying to mentally prepare for her to arrive on the later end of 38-42 weeks in gestation. People act like once you are past 37 weeks your baby should be popping out any second. I, however, believe that thought process is flawed. At least for me. I can be patient and let her come when she's ready. At least through this week while I have a plan. :)
S & S Shoreline Train
A few weeks ago Mom had one of her good ideas. She dragged us all to the S & S Shoreline Train Park in Farmington, Ut. I only say she dragged us, because I have felt quite LAZY lately and the idea of going anywhere, in clothes, in the heat of the day, makes me need to close my eyes and go to my happy place. It was so fun though. This man has made an unbelievable park/train station. It started small just for his family I'm sure, and has grown into a museum, park, multiple different trains to ride, and he appears to be adding on! They do train rides on the first Saturday of the month through the summer, so Sept 1st we'll be there ready to ride.
 |
| Probably yelling/singing "Casey Jr." |
All pics credit to Gug.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)