childbirth birth story..a memorial day birth

It was memorial day  a few years ago when the phone call came that her water broke.  It was my first year not running the Bolder Boulder because I knew I was on call . I just finished running my own 10K  , so perfect timing  for my cell phone to ring at 8:00am   My advise was to let the doctor know that her water broke, that the fluid was clear and that at this time there were no contractions.  On the call back the doc said OK to stay at home for 4- 6 hours and to come into the hospital if no contractions by noon.. I had them  do some walking , eat  some food  and take a relaxing bath.

By noon with no contractions they called the doc and was told to come on in . Once admitted it was found her cervix was closed with 50% effacement, baby was doing well.   The suggestion was Pitocin, the doctor  discouraged using Prostoglandin because her water broke and thought it would just leak out.   Paula looked at me concerned , she was hoping to avoid IV induction if at all possible.  I talked to the doctor on what would be the downfall if we tried the Prostoglandin , gave it 4 hours and then go to Pitocin if no results , it was early  in the day after all.  Good idea she said.  Prostoglandin inserted at 1:00pm .  resting in bed for that hour she took a little nap. Then up and walking around , by 3:00 we were in active labor, sitting on the ball , walking  and using the labor bath. At 5:00 came transition , “OK I want the epidural now” she screeched, as her husband helped her out of  the tub.

I told her I would find the nurse  to let her know that we might be needing an IV started if the baby was not born in the next 30 minutes  As I was leaving the room I heard her say, “fire her” I chuckled to myself and went to get the birthing stool and alert the nurse.

When I returned she held me tight and made the sounds of  starting to  push.  She  sat on the birthing stool, the nurse came in and checked her  cervix which was 10 cm . Thirty minutes of pushing and beautiful wide eyed Aiden was born.

To this day Paula just laughs when we share this story.  She does not recall that she wanted to fire me .. she just remembers how empowered she was  and always will be by the birth of her son.

I will  cherish this memorial day birth story always, it was an honor to be there.ist2_4240119-mother-s-love

in joy

dee*

May 28th, 2010 | Birth Stories, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Pregnancy and Prenatal Massage

ist1_4583681-young-pregnant-woman-against-a-blue-skyIn my childbirth education video my back up doula and certified  prenatal massage therapist Cara Sanders  talks about the benefits of massage while you are pregnant. I include this therapy along with others for you to be informed of as many resources that you can benefit from while pregnant. Prenatal massage not only can decrease normal pregnancy discomforts, it will  enhance your pregnancy experience.

  • reduces swelling
  • reduces back and joint pain
  • improves your circulation
  • helps you sleep better
  • decreases stress

Cara and other massage therapists note woman who have  regular prenatal  massage have a better labor experience .

Be sure to have a massage therapist specially trained  in prenatal massage. If you have any concerns if massage is safe for your pregnancy it is  always OK to ask your doctor or midwife.

So go ahead book a massage..you deserve it!

in joy

dee*

May 19th, 2010 | Alternative Medicine, Video | No Comments »

early labor signs

For many days before labor to onset of true labor many woman experience:

1. nesting instinct..  innate urge to get things done

2. warm up contractions- tightening of the uterus , cramping with no real pattern

3. feeling heaviness in pelvis- baby drops into pelvis

4. loose bowels- natures way to cleanse and make more room for the baby to come down

5.weight loss- not uncommon to lose a few pounds before labor

6.increased vaginal discharge

7.loss of mucous plug- plug that is at end of cervix gets released as cervix may start to dilate and efface, It can be expelled  after vaginal exam, intercourse, exercise, etc. You can  Is egg white or snot consistency and can have  some brown or pink spots . Normal  event before or at start of labor

What you can do:

REST- take this opportunity to rest now

Eat - light comfort food, carbohydrates are best

Take a walk after you have rested walk, helps with alignment and can help bring on labor

Ignore it/ Relax- watch  a movie , read , take a bath ,sleep take your mind off it Labor will come on when you are most relaxed mentally and physically and  most importantly in the perfect time!

Now that you know what to  expect ..relax,  because all is well

in joy

dee*

April 30th, 2010 | Labor, early labor | No Comments »

labor and birth support

While teaching a childbirth class, one couple told me that their parents were going to be coming in from out of state to be at the birth.  As  always we discuss what is the best choices  for   having people attend your birth. She was confident that her mom would be a great support but worried that  she would not be up to date on how they were preparing for their birth. Since her mom  could not attend her classes locally the Small Wonders Childbirth Education  video  would  be a perfect tool for having her mom to basically be  taking the classes with them.

Through the weeks they were able to discuss her upcoming labor,  birth wishes and getting ready for the baby.

When labor began , her mom was an awesome help . Knowing her daughters wishes and being able to support her without worrying was so important.  This  especially  showed through  while in the  transition stage . The nurse came into the room and asked if she wanted  drugs. “I think I do”, she answered. ( Classic response in transiton)

Her mom calmly  said,” How about we wait an hour and see if you still want them , lets walk around a little and see if  this baby is coming soon. You are doing  great.” . Confident in her daughter ’s ability , honoring  her wishes,  and most of all she knowing  everything was going perfectly  she was able to support her through the transition. Wow great job  mom!

Sure enough 30 minutes later Tara started pushing, and 30 minutes  after that her beautiful 10 pound baby girl was placed in her arms.

Empowering for all .

in joy

dee*

April 21st, 2010 | Birth Stories, Classes, Video | No Comments »

pregnancy and childbirth/ positive quote

I remember looking into my newborns eyes and hearing  the volumes of  information that  they spoke to me.  I will always remember that.  Now I get to  look and  listen to all the newborns I get to hold and oh , they have so much to say.

For any of you  familiar with Abraham I hope you enjoy this and  for those not familiar I hope you can find  delight in this quote

Children coming forth today have a greater capacity to deal with the greater variety of information that is coming forward than you did. They deliberately are coming forth into this environment where there is more to contemplate. This generation gap that you are talking about, it has ever been thus. Each new generation, every new individual, that comes forth, is coming with you having prepared a different platform for them to proceed from. There is this thing that gets in the way of that that says, “I’m the parent. I got here first. I know more than you do.” From the children’s perspective, and from the purity of their Nonphysical Perspective, what they are saying is, “You’re the parent. You got here first. You prepared a platform that I am leaping off from — and my leap will be beyond anything that you have ever known.”

— Abraham

April 9th, 2010 | Information | No Comments »
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