200th post - What could be better??

I have always loved birth stories and Whitaker's is no different. For my past births, I've done my best to describe in words what my labors and deliveries were like and usually add a few snapshots.

This time I talked Simon into having a professional photographer come and well, now, I don't think words will do it justice...

Whitaker's Birth Story

October 21, 2009

37 Weeks

Yea! I've made it to 37 weeks!! My home visit appointment went great. My midwife brought the birth pool and checked the items in my birth kit. Her assistant came as well and they went over a few last questions with me.

"Who did I want at the birth?"
"Is there anything I do or don't like while laboring?"
"What was my favorite birthing position?"
"Who did I want to catch the baby? myself, Simon, etc.?"

I posted emergency info on the fridge along with a list of contacts to be called.
I photocopied my medical chart and will send it to my ob who will have it so he is up to date with my latest info should a transport be necessary.

Now, the wait begins....

To be honest, don't expect any big announcements until 41 weeks. I'm sure not holding my breath! :)

35 Week Checkup

Wow! I can't believe that I'm already at 35 weeks! My appointment went very well today according to midwifery assistant Bennett (He's measuring my belly.) and I'm right on track for homebirth #4.

The next appointment (37 weeks) is a biggie and a major milestone when planning a homebirth. It's the visit typically known as the "home visit". Of course, I've been blessed to have all of my visits at my house but if your midwife is local, you travel to her office/home for your appointments and it's at 37 weeks when she comes to your home to make sure you have everything ready and all supplies on hand.

The reason that 37 weeks is an important milestone is that if you go into labor any time before that, you risk out of a homebirth for the health of the mother and baby. So far, I've had no risk factors for pre-term labor, great blood pressure, and appropriate weight gain which is also taken into consideration so I'll be excited when I officially pass into my 37th week.

At the home visit, here's what my midwife will be checking to make sure I have ready:

• Birth Kit (to be ordered from Baby, Birth & Beyond- kinda sounds like Bed, Bath and Beyond don't you think?)- contains about 20 different items including gloves, peri bottle, cord clamp, thermometer, chux pads, etc.)


• Phone Numbers and Emergency Birth Instructions posted - phone numbers of my ob/gyn and hospital should a transfer be needed, as well as a copy of my records


• Infant Car Seat - oh yeah, I've got to get that out of the attic! Safety guidelines state using one not older than 5 years old- surely my six year old one will do, right???


• For Mom- 2 sets of clean sheets and pillowcases, 6 bath towels and washcltohs, Nursing gowns/tank tops


• For Baby- receiving blandkets/baby blankets, 2 newborn hats, baby's first outfit, newborn diapers


• Supplies- 2 rolls paper towels, 1 box drawstring trashbags, 4- 30 gal. trash bags, 2 plastic dropcloths, 2 large bowls, 1 flashlight w/ new batteries, 1 package overnight pads, lysol wipes, one new package toilet paper, small bottle of olive oil, 1 package waterproof underpads, 1 package moist toilet wipes, 1 bottle alcohol


• Car with gas tank at least 1/2 full


• Extra person for sibling care


• Birth tub with hoses


• Food and Drink- Light food: yogurt, eggs, toast, grapes, chicken broth, 2 qt. clear juice, mother's favorite hearty meal for after the birth, Emergen-C packs


• Ice Options- Lots of ice cubes for drinks and cold packs, reusable gelpacks or Ziploc bags with crushed ice


• Optional Items- Coffee for midwives and helpers, honey for energy, favorite music, camera batteries, video camera battery and someone to film, candles, birth ball, rice or flax sock for heat/cold, crockpot for warm compresses, large handheld mirror

Seriously, they have thought of everything!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all. I wanted to start the year by reflecting on '08. It's in my head, but I haven't made time to sit and write it yet.

So, I'll just start the year with one of my favorite topics - birth. A friend sent this slideshow my way.

http://www.lifeinmotionphotography.com/slideshows/amerlyn/

Contrast that with the lady giving birth on the airplane this week. You just know I have to pick on this story and had to laugh at the doctor's comment - “She was almost fainting,” said Thakker, referring to the mother who was in “lots of pain.”

However, I cannot figure out why the mother did not hold the baby until about 15 minutes after he was born and why the mother is all wrapped up like that as she's leaving the plane. She wasn't rescued from Mount Everest, she just had a baby.

Woman Gives Birth on Boston-bound Plane

I guess to most people both of these scenerios are strange, but you know me, I love birth stories.

My Favorite Christmas

On Thursday, the Graham Family will not only be celebrating the birth of Jesus, but Haviland's 4th birthday as well - our very own Christmas Day baby. In honor of such an amazing day, I dug up her birth story to share.

Jackson was just 10 months old when we found out we were expecting baby #2. Since we were going to have the same midwife and doula that was at Jackson's birth, I was able to enjoy this pregnancy all the more being so comfortable with those we had chosen for care. The pregnancy flew along until my due date came and went with no baby. Antsy as I was, I knew Jackson was five days past his due date so as the days crept by, I waited. Then it happened...

On Christmas morning at 3am I awoke with contractions that were 10 minutes apart. I called my midwife apologetically and told her it was time. My doula made her way over as well and as the early morning hours turned to daylight- we all sat by the fireplace eating a breakfast casserole and watching 19 month old Jackson play with his new train track he found under the Christmas tree.

As my contractions picked up around 7am, I started getting that restless feeling and could not sit still even between contractions, so decided I wanted to go for a walk with Simon. We bundled up for the freezing NY weather and headed out the door. My contractions were beginning to really pick up in intensity, but I vividly remember the cold, calm air on my face as we walked and while I leaned on Simon during contractions. I also can recall seeing lights come on in people's houses as we passed and I imagined children tearing into their presents and for the first time that day it hit me- I was going to have the best present of all by day's end!

After about 30 minutes, we headed back to the house and called a friend of mine (Jamie) and 2 of her daughters - the oldest (who is a midwife herself) as well her youngest daughter who wanted to see a birth. As they made their way over, my contractions were consistently five minutes apart and I was 7cm dilated. I then took my midwife's advice and started upstairs to the warm birthtub that was set up. Not having had the birthtub for Jackson's birth I was not sure what to expect ,but as I got in I was immediately relaxed and understood why water is called "nature's epidural". Even though I was entering transition, I don't think many of us realized it because I was so relaxed, calm and even smiling between contractions that were by now only a minute or so apart. Even my friends who had arrived by this point were doubting how close I was to delivering since their own labors were much longer and intense.

Believe it or not, this picture was taken at 11:47am (48 minutes before Haviland was born).

As I leaned on the pool float for support, my midwife checked the baby's heart rate and I remember my doula and Simon bringing me liquids to drink and wiping my head with a cool washcloth when I needed it. Since I did not experience back labor as I had with Jackson I was glad to give my doula "light duty" this time around as she had used tons of energy giving counter pressure on my back when I was in labor with him.

It only seemed like a few moments later and I heard my midwife whisper in my ear, "I can feel the baby's head. On the next contraction, reach down, put your hand on the baby's head and push gently." It was sort of an odd thought to me as she had caught Jackson and I did not anticipate the fact that I would be the one to catch my own baby.

At the next contraction, I pushed out her head and did not expect to know so much control being able to push from the inside and feel the progress from the outside- knowing when to push, knowing when to stop - all instinctively. With the very next contraction she was out completely and I lifted her out of the water at 12:35pm.

Not knowing her sex, I tried bring her up closer to me, but I could not get her up further than my belly button due to her short cord. Having had lost my eyeglasses in the last 30 minutes, someone found them for me and I was able to announce that we had a baby GIRL!

After delivering the placenta, having a shower, and nursing Haviland we all snuggled down and had the most beautiful Christmas to date.

I knew joy and peace on earth that day and even now, Christmas Day holds a little something extra personal for me.

Happy Birthday my sweet Haviland!

You entered the world on what many people view as a most inconvenient day for a birthday, but I hope you will never question the Lord's perfect timing in your arrival. My wish for you is that no gift you ever receive on your birthday will shine brighter than His gift of love for you as He came to dwell among us on that very special day.

Love, Mommy

Thank you Father for your perfect love and gifts from above. A Savior and a daughter! I'm sure I don't have words to explain what my heart holds on such a day. I stand in awe. -Amen