Baby Shower

My mom and sisters threw me a baby shower on June 13th. The theme was "Ready to Pop" and boy do I look ready to pop in these pictures. I was 1 day shy of 34 weeks.  

The banner my mom made

The cake with the baby's initials since we are keeping the name a secret until she is here

This picture and the one below are of a game. You take a paper plate and have to draw a baby with a crayon on top of your head. Then I got to choose the winner. 

As people came in they wrote notes on diapers and as we change her we will have some funny things to read

Rachel being Rachel

The following four pictures are of a game where you had a straw in your mouth and you had to pass the pacifier down the line. It was rather difficult.

My sister made this wreath, which is also on her nursery door.

Peyton helped me open presents

The quilt my Nana made for her

Bobby's family

My cousins and aunt

Katy

Ashley & Katy

Katy's Family

My grandma

Shari and Kay

My sister-in-law and her Mom

Emily

Birth Boot Camp: Class 8

Class 8 – The Fog of War: Keeping a Clear Head in Labor Fog of War: phrase – term used to describe the uncertainty and disorientation experienced in the thick of battle. The Fog of War is about all the things you can do to avoid a cesarean section and when they are actually necessary. You will also be prepared for unexpected circumstances that may come up during labor or birth.

Legitimate Reasons for a C-Section:

1. Placenta Previa

2. Placental Abruption

3. Prolapsed Cord

4. True Fetal Distress

5. Transverse Baby

6. True CPD

7. Bicornuate Uterus

Situations that are Commonly C-Section but are not always necessary:

1. Twins

2. Breech Baby

3. Transverse (often turn last minute)

4. Herpes

5. CPD

6. Previous c-section

Notes from our instructor:

The focus of class 8 is learning the reasons for C-sections and ways you can avoid them. As your instructor made clear, carefully choosing a care provider is one of the most important things you can do.

Let’s look at some research on some common things that can lead to C-section.

This article, written by a midwife, offers research links and lots of valuable information concerning the “measure of progress” in labor. She talks about a common diagnosis for C-section: failure to progress.

This article, by the same midwife, discusses real safety and risk of waters breaking and waiting for baby to be born. Don’t forget that for most women, water breaks towards the end of labor.

Here you can learn about the amazing ways that the bag of water protects the baby and why you might want to avoid breaking it for no reason.

Here is a great article on the posterior baby. Though we often fear this happening, sometimes there is a reason. Women do often naturally birth their posterior babies, but sometimes their labor patterns look a little different than those of anterior babies. This is still a normal position, just less common.

Sometimes babies DO pass meconium (their first stool) while still in utero. This article covers meconium, what to do, and what not to do.

(All of the above mentioned articles have footnotes to research if you are feeling adventurous enough to do some additional reading).

C-sections ARE sometimes necessary, but being knowledgeable will help you navigate avoiding one and knowing if one is necessary for you.

Relaxation Exercise: Visualizing Birth

“The Fog of War: Keeping a Clear Head in Labor” dealt with a variety of situations you may (or may not) encounter during labor or birth. File this information away and retrieve it if it becomes necessary. The mind is very powerful. “Visualizing Birth” will help fine-tune the vision of what you hope for in your own birth.

Prodromal labor: http://birthbootcamp.com/prodromal-labor-what-is-it-and-what-can-you-do-about-it/

Birth Boot Camp: Class 7

Class 7 – Cadence: The Sights and Sounds of Natural Childbirth Cadence: noun – a work song sung during physical activity or training. The moment you’ve been waiting for – the birth of your baby! Cadence: the Sights and Sounds of Birth will tie together the birth videos viewed throughout the class series, giving you a clear picture of birth. Water birth and optimal positioning for mom and baby will be covered. Replace fear with joy and anticipation of meeting your baby for the very first time.

Pushing Positions:

1. Sitting upright, leaning on partner: makes resting between contractions easier
2. Pushing w/one leg raised: help release baby shoulder, mom could catch baby
3. Birthing Stool: mom may feel more in control
4. Side-lying: allows for rest, less likely to tear, mom may feel less in control
5. Squatting: widens pelvis by 30%, uses gravity
6. Sitting upright, leaning on partner: birth tub, great for short women,
7. Hands and knees: good for shoulder dystocia or larger baby, relives back pressure, less likely to tear

Notes from our instructor: 

The pushing part of labor is often what people imagine when they think of birth. In reality, pushing comes at the end of the intense LABOR of labor and is often longer and quite different than you may see portrayed on television. As with pregnancy, labor sensations, and due dates, everybody experiences this stage a little differently.

This article gives some helpful tips and answers to frequently asked questions concerning this very exciting time of birth when you are so close to meeting your baby.

This article looks at the practice of episiotomy and if it is merited. (Hint, it usually isn’t!) It also offers links at the bottom of the page if you would prefer to read the research yourself. The illustrations are helpful in comprehending what is really happening to a woman’s vagina in this often discussed cut. The likelihood of episiotomy varies greatly regionally and from one provider to another. Find out what is common with yours. You won’t regret it.

Many women are concerned with tearing of the perineum. This article has some information regarding things that can help prevent that.

Relaxation Exercise: Rainbow

This is a favorite of many couples. Easy to remember, the imagery is beautiful, inviting, and peaceful. Try practicing relaxation in a variety of positions this week: reclining in a chair, in the bathtub, sitting on a birth ball. 

You will want to be moving around in labor and will need to be able to relax in a number of different positions.

Birthing video:  https://www.facebook.com/circulofloreser/videos/744147002368203/

Birth Boot Camp: Class 6

Class 6 – Supporting Arms: Mom’s Most Important Ally Supporting Arms: noun – weapons systems employed to support forces. Dad is mom’s most important ally. By Week 6, Birth Boot Camp has given you both a good foundation. You have been working together week by week. In Supporting Arms, Dad will learn very practical ways to help Mom during labor. This is his most important class! Moms will also learn some very effective – and unique — techniques in coping with the challenges of labor. Anyone who is part of your birth team is encouraged to sit in on this class as well.
We actually skipped this class and had to make it up online. This was the last week of school and Bobby and I were both exhausted and frustrated, it was just a rough day. So we decided to spend some time together instead of going to the class.

This is a class for Dads to help them be as supportive as possible.

The Top 10 Tools for Dad:

1. Remind her to eat/drink water
2. Observe her muscles, is she relaxing or tensing up
3. Pay attention to her "rhythm"
4. Does she sound 11 months or 7 months pregnant
5. Help her keep her "sound" low
6. Get her in the water
7. Keep it interesting: different positions, movement
8. Baby steps
9. Talk her through contractions if needed
10. Be aware of the laboring environment

Laboring Positions and Their Benefits this link has good information about laboring positions.

Notes from our instructor: 

Class six covers some of the helpful things mom and her birth team can do in order to have a more joyous labor and birth. Silly though it may seem, birth affirmations are a wonderful and confidence building drill you can do to prepare for a terrific birth!

This is a list of 12 affirmations to help prepare for a great birth.

This link has 10 ways to think positively about your natural birth.

One of the partner’s most important roles is preserving the space around mom so that she feels safe and able to labor.  This brief article talks about how to do that.

 Relaxation Exercise: The Beach

Incorporating all the senses in your relaxation exercises will make them that much more enjoyable. The imagery of the waves is comforting to many laboring women as they often compare contractions to riding a wave. While the beach is a warm and peaceful place to many couples, feel free to get creative with your relaxation exercises. Make it your own. You might enjoy talking about hiking in the cool, crisp mountains or sitting around a crackling, warm, glowing campfire.

10 Questions to Ask When You Are Interviewing a Doula
1. Why did you become a doula?
2. What training or certification do you have?
3. What backup arrangements do you have in place in the event that you could not attend my birth?
4. How long have your been a doula and about how many births have you attended?
5. Discuss the type of birth you are planning then ask the doula if she has experience in helping couples achieve this goal.
6. How often will we be in touch during my pregnancy?
7. How many times do you recommend that we meet prenatally?
8. Have you previously worked with my hospital or care provider?
9. How do you involve my partner in the birth experience?
10. Do you have training in lactation and will you assist in breastfeeding?

34 Weeks Pregnant and Midwife Appointment!

I was 34 weeks pregnant on June 15th.

According to thebump.com she is the size of a butternut squash.

The Baby

She reacts to simple songs, she loves music and can be guaranteed to move if she hears it. 

She is also urinating about a pint a day. 

She is around 18 in long and weighs around 5 lbs. 

She is very strong, the other night I was laying on my left side on the couch and Bobby had is hand on her because she was wiggling a little bit and all of sudden she kicked me so hard I'm surprised I didn't cry, then she did it again. Bobby could even tell that she kicked really hard, We were both very surprised. 

The Mama

My ankles and feet are still normally swollen by the end of the day, but my blood pressure has been great so still no worries there. 

The chiropractor has really helped my lower back and pelvis so I rarely have pain which is awesome.

She moved her position the other day and all of a sudden got very heavy to the point where it hurt my abdomen to stand unless I was literally holding her up with my hands. It was very uncomfortable, but luckily she moved again and it no longer feels like the baby bump is going to fall off. 

As I said above she has gotten really strong and wiggles almost constantly. Fortunately, she hasn't kicked me that hard again. 

I finally got all the baby stuff we currently have organized and her nursery is almost done. We still have to put up the crib and do a few other things, but hoping to be able to reveal it in a few weeks.

Bobby and I got our Tdap vaccine this week. It is currently on day 3 since we got it and our arms are still sore and mine is still red at the injection point, fun stuff.

I am going to stir crazy at the house by myself all the time, even though I get out at least once a day for chiropractor or midwife appointments. My sister is coming next week to help shop for the rest of the stuff we need for the nursery and baby so I'm looking forward to that.

Bobby and I are also going on a short weekend baby-moon next weekend to Lake Whitney, and I'm pretty excited about that. My cousin lent me some books of one of my favorite authors, Dee Henderson, and I am hoping to get through a couple of those while Bobby fishes. Which makes me think I should get a big sun hat for Target instead of just using my baseball cap.

The Midwife Appointment

The appointment went well, I didn't gain any weight since my last appointment so I have still only gained 28 lbs total. My blood pressure was really high at the beginning again, but when they took it at the end if was perfect. She is measuring right on track and her heart beat was good, in the high 140s/low 150s. My next appointment is July 1st, at 36 weeks. We will go over the birth plan, I will get tested for GBS and we will talk about delivery and such. It is getting so close, can't wait to meet our little girl.

33 Weeks Pregnant!

I was 33 weeks pregnant on June 8th.

According to thebump.com the Traffic Cone is the size of a Durian.

The Baby

She keeps her eyes open while she is awake so she can see light if it is during the day and bright enough.

She can coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.

Her bones are hardening and she is going through more major brain development. 

She is around 18 in long and 4.5 lbs.

She still moves all the time, especially when I lay on my right side.

The Mama

I get really hot very fast and it will last forever. At the chiropractor they have me do several exercises such as squats and some other stretches. Yesterday, when I was there, I was sweating in seconds and it took me forever to cool back down. The Texas heat does not bode well for a pregnant woman in the summer. 

I still don't breath very well since she is high, I can't wait for her to drop. Every time someone asks me when I'm due and I say July 27th, they say really, you look so much bigger to have that far to go. I am measuring right on track and that drives me crazy. 

On Monday after my chiropractor appointment I felt really sick, I don't know if it was the adjustment or the over heating or all the braxton hicks contractions but it took me several hours to get over whatever was wrong and that was not fun. 

This is the first week that school is out and I have yet to get anything done on my to do list. I find myself just enjoying sleeping in and staying in my pajamas these first few days.

We had my big family and friends baby shower this weekend which will be a post all on its own once I get the pictures from my sister-in-law, Emily.

I got to go swimming for the first time this summer and it was amazing on my back and just getting to float. Bobby and I are planning a short weekend babymoon to Lake Whitney in a couple weeks and I am pretty excited about that. I will be almost 36 weeks pregnant though so I'm worried about the heat getting to me, shorts tank tops and swimming is what I see in my future for that weekend, and naps in the air conditioning. 

Birth Boot Camp: Class 5

Class 5 is all about the stages of birth.

Deployment: transitive verb – to place in formation or appropriate positions, to arrange for a deliberate purpose, to move. Baby has decided to move out! Knowing what to expect takes the fear out of labor – for moms and their partners! Learn about the different phases of labor and what you can most likely expect to physically take place.

We learned that there are three stages of labor and delivery.

1st Stage: Pre-labor 

1st Stage: Early Labor

1st Stage: Active Labor

1st Stage: Transition

2nd Stage: Pushing Phase

3rd Stage: Delivery of the Placenta

Notes from our insturctor:

"The First Stage of Labor is the time when the uterus is contracting in order to open the cervix and let the baby descend. The basic mechanics of birth are virtually the same for all women. How everything plays out, in terms of duration, sensation, pain, time of onset of labor and virtually everything else varies greatly.

For this reason, part of class five is reading birth stories. You can find a link with over 100 birth stories here. Though the majority are positive, notice how very differently the women labor. Also notice the different choices they make from birth place to birth attendant, to natural birth or narcotic pain relief.

No matter how much we try to map and explain and predict labor, it simply can’t be done. Enjoy the beauty in the individual labor that you and your baby are given. Try to read a few birth stories a day to help prepare your mind for what happens in labor.

This link has a video showing what happens internally when the mother and baby labor together.

Relaxation Exercise: Flower Visualization

In “Deployment: Baby on the Move,” you learned about the process of labor. The image of a flower opening is very effective for a laboring woman. Focus on your breathing as you practice relaxation. The breath should come from deep in your abdomen. Women tend to be shallow, or chest, breathers. Breathing from your abdomen will influence how easily and effectively you are able to relax. Become aware of your breath this week, even in your daily activities.

Recipes that incorporate leafy green vegetables:

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/ingredient/green_vegetables/

Breathing and relaxation exercises/Mindfulness Exercises:

http://www.giftedguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Every-Mindfulness-Exercise-I-Know.pdf"