I suck at multi tasking, so, sorry for the lateness!
I delivered our little Leah at home on Thursday, Nov 20th at 10:33am. She weighed 8.5 lbs, 22.25 inches long and is by FAR the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me.
I have to start by saying I had major fears about the pain of childbirth, the fear of doing it at home, no hospital, no pain meds, nothing but the power of thought and guidance of my amazing husband to see us thru it. I would not of been able to go thru 14 hours of natural labor with out him. This is the first time in my life that I have gone completely thru with an incredibly difficult event, and I can honestly say I feel like a completely new woman. Confident and strong. Now on with the fun details!
I started having mild contractions on Tuesday, continuing onto Wednesday, and I wrote each one down and they MAJORLY kickstarted after we popped in the movie "Tropic Thunder" and had our midwife come over and check my cervix to see what it was at; 3 cm 50% effaced. Wew hew. So she went home and came back after she had some supper. By then the contractions were reeeeally kicking in, and coming about every 3 mins. And they got worse and worse, and more and more on top of each other. We walked, we swayed, layed down, stood up, you name it, I tried it...to relieve some pain. About 3am we went outside and walked around and I could actually get thru the contractions by leaning on Jason's shoulders. It was about oh...50 degree's or so outside and I was not cold by any means. I took about 5 hot showers, and by this time I could not eat, and began throwing up. I threw up thru a contraction, that was fun! That actually broke my water, and the contractions continued. By 7am (12 hours later) I was dehydrated, fatigued, beyond pissed that it was taking my body SO long to progress...and then...8 cm....9cm...into the birthing tub I go! My midwife checks me again, and resets the remainder of the cervix around Leah's head and I start to push. I was on my hands and knees making very um...demonic...sounds while pushing but thats all I could do to feel any progress. I pushed and her head would come out, I would breath, it would go back in. Finally I pushed a good one to where her head was completly out and then within a flash they had me stand up, waddle over to the foam pad in the hall on my back and push again to get past the shoulders. It took one push and our beatuiful baby was up ontop of my stomach wide eyed and bewildered. My midwife had to suck fluids out of her lungs with some tubing as she had passed merconium in the womb. We got her warmed up and I got to our bed and fell in love.
View pics here :)
http://www.ourleah.shutterfly.com
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
5 days overdue; guess its time for my mind to get settled in what's about to happen [eventually]
I came across this statement today
I instantly imagined the hardest part of labor, the intense pressure, the painful contractions, and the fear of it all trying to engulf me...and making this statement a prominate thing I think about could help me. Might help me re-establish the "your body was made for this, the instant you have her it will all be worth it" thought that I'm going for. I am going at this knowing there is no epidural, nothing to "take the edge off". My pain relief will come from my brain, my breath, and the love of my life guiding me thru it all. I am nervous, but only curiously nervous. Of what my body and mind are capable of. I can't wait to experience it, and to finally meet our Leah.
You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have left
I instantly imagined the hardest part of labor, the intense pressure, the painful contractions, and the fear of it all trying to engulf me...and making this statement a prominate thing I think about could help me. Might help me re-establish the "your body was made for this, the instant you have her it will all be worth it" thought that I'm going for. I am going at this knowing there is no epidural, nothing to "take the edge off". My pain relief will come from my brain, my breath, and the love of my life guiding me thru it all. I am nervous, but only curiously nervous. Of what my body and mind are capable of. I can't wait to experience it, and to finally meet our Leah.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Something wonderful...change.
This was fowarded to me, too good not to post.
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Friends,
Who among us is not at a loss for words? Tears pour out. Tears of joy. Tears of relief. A stunning, whopping landslide of hope in a time of deep despair.
In a nation that was founded on genocide and then built on the backs of slaves, it was an unexpected moment, shocking in its simplicity: Barack Obama, a good man, a black man, said he would bring change to Washington, and the majority of the country liked that idea. The racists were present throughout the campaign and in the voting booth. But they are no longer the majority, and we will see their flame of hate fizzle out in our lifetime.
There was another important "first" last night. Never before in our history has an avowed anti-war candidate been elected president during a time of war. I hope President-elect Obama remembers that as he considers expanding the war in Afghanistan. The faith we now have will be lost if he forgets the main issue on which he beat his fellow Dems in the primaries and then a great war hero in the general election: The people of America are tired of war. Sick and tired. And their voice was loud and clear yesterday.
It's been an inexcusable 44 years since a Democrat running for president has received even just 51% of the vote. That's because most Americans haven't really liked the Democrats. They see them as rarely having the guts to get the job done or stand up for the working people they say they support. Well, here's their chance. It has been handed to them, via the voting public, in the form of a man who is not a party hack, not a set-for-life Beltway bureaucrat. Will he now become one of them, or will he force them to be more like him? We pray for the latter.
But today we celebrate this triumph of decency over personal attack, of peace over war, of intelligence over a belief that Adam and Eve rode around on dinosaurs just 6,000 years ago. What will it be like to have a smart president? Science, banished for eight years, will return. Imagine supporting our country's greatest minds as they seek to cure illness, discover new forms of energy, and work to save the planet. I know, pinch me.
We may, just possibly, also see a time of refreshing openness, enlightenment and creativity. The arts and the artists will not be seen as the enemy. Perhaps art will be explored in order to discover the greater truths. When FDR was ushered in with his landslide in 1932, what followed was Frank Capra and Preston Sturgis, Woody Guthrie and John Steinbeck, Dorothea Lange and Orson Welles. All week long I have been inundated with media asking me, "gee, Mike, what will you do now that Bush is gone?" Are they kidding? What will it be like to work and create in an environment that nurtures and supports film and the arts, science and invention, and the freedom to be whatever you want to be? Watch a thousand flowers bloom! We've entered a new era, and if I could sum up our collective first thought of this new era, it is this: Anything Is Possible.
An African American has been elected President of the United States! Anything is possible! We can wrestle our economy out of the hands of the reckless rich and return it to the people. Anything is possible! Every citizen can be guaranteed health care. Anything is possible! We can stop melting the polar ice caps. Anything is possible! Those who have committed war crimes will be brought to justice. Anything is possible.
We really don't have much time. There is big work to do. But this is the week for all of us to revel in this great moment. Be humble about it. Do not treat the Republicans in your life the way they have treated you the past eight years. Show them the grace and goodness that Barack Obama exuded throughout the campaign. Though called every name in the book, he refused to lower himself to the gutter and sling the mud back. Can we follow his example? I know, it will be hard.
I want to thank everyone who gave of their time and resources to make this victory happen. It's been a long road, and huge damage has been done to this great country, not to mention to many of you who have lost your jobs, gone bankrupt from medical bills, or suffered through a loved one being shipped off to Iraq. We will now work to repair this damage, and it won't be easy.
But what a way to start! Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States. Wow. Seriously, wow.
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Friends,
Who among us is not at a loss for words? Tears pour out. Tears of joy. Tears of relief. A stunning, whopping landslide of hope in a time of deep despair.
In a nation that was founded on genocide and then built on the backs of slaves, it was an unexpected moment, shocking in its simplicity: Barack Obama, a good man, a black man, said he would bring change to Washington, and the majority of the country liked that idea. The racists were present throughout the campaign and in the voting booth. But they are no longer the majority, and we will see their flame of hate fizzle out in our lifetime.
There was another important "first" last night. Never before in our history has an avowed anti-war candidate been elected president during a time of war. I hope President-elect Obama remembers that as he considers expanding the war in Afghanistan. The faith we now have will be lost if he forgets the main issue on which he beat his fellow Dems in the primaries and then a great war hero in the general election: The people of America are tired of war. Sick and tired. And their voice was loud and clear yesterday.
It's been an inexcusable 44 years since a Democrat running for president has received even just 51% of the vote. That's because most Americans haven't really liked the Democrats. They see them as rarely having the guts to get the job done or stand up for the working people they say they support. Well, here's their chance. It has been handed to them, via the voting public, in the form of a man who is not a party hack, not a set-for-life Beltway bureaucrat. Will he now become one of them, or will he force them to be more like him? We pray for the latter.
But today we celebrate this triumph of decency over personal attack, of peace over war, of intelligence over a belief that Adam and Eve rode around on dinosaurs just 6,000 years ago. What will it be like to have a smart president? Science, banished for eight years, will return. Imagine supporting our country's greatest minds as they seek to cure illness, discover new forms of energy, and work to save the planet. I know, pinch me.
We may, just possibly, also see a time of refreshing openness, enlightenment and creativity. The arts and the artists will not be seen as the enemy. Perhaps art will be explored in order to discover the greater truths. When FDR was ushered in with his landslide in 1932, what followed was Frank Capra and Preston Sturgis, Woody Guthrie and John Steinbeck, Dorothea Lange and Orson Welles. All week long I have been inundated with media asking me, "gee, Mike, what will you do now that Bush is gone?" Are they kidding? What will it be like to work and create in an environment that nurtures and supports film and the arts, science and invention, and the freedom to be whatever you want to be? Watch a thousand flowers bloom! We've entered a new era, and if I could sum up our collective first thought of this new era, it is this: Anything Is Possible.
An African American has been elected President of the United States! Anything is possible! We can wrestle our economy out of the hands of the reckless rich and return it to the people. Anything is possible! Every citizen can be guaranteed health care. Anything is possible! We can stop melting the polar ice caps. Anything is possible! Those who have committed war crimes will be brought to justice. Anything is possible.
We really don't have much time. There is big work to do. But this is the week for all of us to revel in this great moment. Be humble about it. Do not treat the Republicans in your life the way they have treated you the past eight years. Show them the grace and goodness that Barack Obama exuded throughout the campaign. Though called every name in the book, he refused to lower himself to the gutter and sling the mud back. Can we follow his example? I know, it will be hard.
I want to thank everyone who gave of their time and resources to make this victory happen. It's been a long road, and huge damage has been done to this great country, not to mention to many of you who have lost your jobs, gone bankrupt from medical bills, or suffered through a loved one being shipped off to Iraq. We will now work to repair this damage, and it won't be easy.
But what a way to start! Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States. Wow. Seriously, wow.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
39 weeks tommorow
And tommorow we find out who will change the future of the US.
Big day on both fronts I dare say!
So, I've been thinking of all the things to come. How my life has already changed in the past year, how much change I want to happen, and how AMAZING it is going to be to experience it all.
I have to admit, the whole "economic crisis" thing has been a bit of a downer. Sadly, it put my husband out of a job. I was FREAKING OUT for a good little bit, but as of late...I've figured out that it's going to work out and it's not worth the wasted energy. All I need is love and support from my amazing husband and we'll make it thru.
So onto the upcoming labor. I don't know if i've mentioned it on this blog or not, but we are planning on having Leah at home with our midwife. We already have the birthing tub set up in Leah's room and we're just waiting on her to arrive. I have to admit, I was scared of the pain of it all. Scared that I couldn't do it. What i've realized...is that this is what my (and all women's bodies) are designed for. I am blessed to be able to experience it. I'm reading a interesting book on natural labor and she makes a great point in saying "every other pain you experience in your life is non productive, and you tend to run away or take something to ease it (epidural etc) but what you dont realize...is that your body is doing what it is supposed to, and that you are not being harmed. If you just let yourself go with it, it will be one of the most powerful experiences in your life"
I'll have to make a post after I experience it all and see if I still feel the same way lol!
So, here's to upcoming changes and positive thoughts. I'll update as new news comes.
Big day on both fronts I dare say!
So, I've been thinking of all the things to come. How my life has already changed in the past year, how much change I want to happen, and how AMAZING it is going to be to experience it all.
I have to admit, the whole "economic crisis" thing has been a bit of a downer. Sadly, it put my husband out of a job. I was FREAKING OUT for a good little bit, but as of late...I've figured out that it's going to work out and it's not worth the wasted energy. All I need is love and support from my amazing husband and we'll make it thru.
So onto the upcoming labor. I don't know if i've mentioned it on this blog or not, but we are planning on having Leah at home with our midwife. We already have the birthing tub set up in Leah's room and we're just waiting on her to arrive. I have to admit, I was scared of the pain of it all. Scared that I couldn't do it. What i've realized...is that this is what my (and all women's bodies) are designed for. I am blessed to be able to experience it. I'm reading a interesting book on natural labor and she makes a great point in saying "every other pain you experience in your life is non productive, and you tend to run away or take something to ease it (epidural etc) but what you dont realize...is that your body is doing what it is supposed to, and that you are not being harmed. If you just let yourself go with it, it will be one of the most powerful experiences in your life"
I'll have to make a post after I experience it all and see if I still feel the same way lol!
So, here's to upcoming changes and positive thoughts. I'll update as new news comes.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
