Showing posts with label homebirth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homebirth. Show all posts
Thursday, August 16, 2012
a lovely homebirth story
http://celebritybabies.people.com/2012/08/15/josie-maran-blog-homebirth-backyard/
Check out the link above for a beautiful homebirth story. My favorite part is when she tells how she was wearing her necklace that was made for her by the ladies in her life at her shower. A necklace with blessings for her birth. This is my favorite part of a baby shower :)
Here is how I do it:
-Include a little note in the invitation for each lady to bring a bead of her choice along with a story, prayer or blessing about pregnancy, birth or mothering (or you can specify birth wishes only, its up to you)
-At the shower, gather all the ladies together and go around the room to have each lady present her bead with her story/prayer/blessing to the mother-to-be
-Have someone designated to create the necklace as you go
Voila! A beautiful momento for the mother to take home
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, September 26, 2010
“I can handle anything that comes my way”
I have been eager to attend a homebirth since even before I was a doula. The idea of birthing your baby in your own home seemed somehow magical to me because all I had ever hear about was hospital births. But two years into being a doula I still hadn’t attended a homebirth! I knew I would eventually but I never knew it would be as amazing as I pictured it.
I met Lily and Robert through the local doula network. After meeting them once, they graciously invited me to attend their upcoming homebirth. When we met, I could tell Lily really knew what she wanted. She was excited to birth this baby! She was confident and instinctively believed in her natural abilities to give birth. I felt excited and lucky to be working with Lily and Robert.
The day Lily went into labor was the one day Robert absolutely had to be at work. He had asked the baby to wait until this day was over to be born. So I went to their home that morning and hung out with Lily while Robert finished his project at work. She was in early labor, and was managing the contractions very well. We talked, walked, ate, and relaxed. She showed me her daily affirmation which read: “I can handle anything that comes my way.”
When Robert arrived home around 1pm, Lily’s labor progressed into active and she was on her way! The midwife arrived at about 4:30pm to assess the situation. She determined that Lily was 4-5 centimeters and definitely going to have the baby sooner than later. I was proud of her, she had worked hard all day so it was nice to hear that it was paying off. She and Robert went into the shower and did some good work. She was breathing and making beautiful labor sounds. The midwife and I let them do their thing. After the shower, Lily walked a bit more and then decided it was time to get into the tub.
Her contractions were picking up. She was powerful – taking each contraction as it came – talking to her baby, asking him gently to come down so that she could meet him. Robert anticipated the arrival of his son. We all comforted Lily, letting her know she was doing exactly what she needed to. A few times I reminded her of her affirmation: “I can handle anything that comes my way.” That seemed to help her get back into her body and focus on what she was doing.
At 8:20pm, Charles Timothy was born in the bath tub. He seemed so content right away, relaxing in his mommy’s arms – staring into her eyes. Mommy and daddy inspected their son and were in awe of the miracle that just took place in their very own home. It was truly an honor to be a part of something so natural yet so extraordinary.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Gisele's Birth in the news
This article is about Gisele's home, water birth and how she describes it as an amazing empowering experience. It "made headlines for its reported lack of pain." Interesting...
Read it here
Even though there are many amazing, empowering, homebirths, the celeb ones are usually the only ones that make the news. At least its good press about birth!
Read it here
Even though there are many amazing, empowering, homebirths, the celeb ones are usually the only ones that make the news. At least its good press about birth!
Friday, February 19, 2010
"Nothing else in the world..."
By Danielle H.
My son was 21 Months old (Natural Hospital birth) and we were planning on a Home birth from day one of pregnancy #2 and so excited for the experience. I had everything ready for the birth for weeks since I had Braxton hicks so bad that I was convinced I would have my daughter early (Never count on having a baby early or on time even when your other children were early). 5 days over due On September 4th 2008 at 10:30 pm, my little Noah was sound asleep and My husband and I were watching television and just winding down for the night when I felt at cramp. I got so excited and I just knew it was time but not more excited then Adam, He was ready to call everyone! After telling him to relax and that I was not sure another one came. My contractions STARTED 4 Minutes apart. As Adam called my midwife and Mother (who has had 4 home births) I went onto my bed to wait for everyone to arrive.
My Mother, Father and sister came first at 11:00. My Mom asked me questions and was wondering how far apart my contractions were and she could tell without my answer that they were close enough where there would be no communicating on my part. My Dad got settled in my living room thinking he would spend the night and wake up to a granddaughter as my sister rubbed my feet to try to get my mind off the pain. My midwife arrived at 11:20 very surprised at my progress. The nurse started my tub with warm water and by 11:30 I had made my way only by the grace of God into that warm tub. Many of my contraction wound together never giving me a break at that ripping pain. My midwife not once checked to see how far I was dilated but knew somehow in her experience by watching my expressions that it would not be long. As I came up from taking a refreshing sip from a Gatorade (very recommended during labor) I asked how much longer because I knew I couldn't keep this up for long. My midwife's response was "You are very close to seeing your daughter". In hearing that I got a second wind and felt the pressure as my water broke. A different type of pain started and it was all pressure and I knew then that I was almost done. I started wanting to push at 11:45 and knowing that it is very crucial to pay attention your body during the pushing stage so you don't tear I slowly pushed out the head. It was so wonderful to see her and know that I was that much closer to meeting our new edition.
I finally gave one last push as my daughter slid out and Adam caught her only to lie her on my chest feeling as if it were an Olympic trophy I had Won. Grace Lanee' was born at 11:57 and we finally got to meet our little girl. I walked to bed after 5 minutes and got settled in as comfortable as I could. She weighed in at 8 Lbs 8 Oz and 19 Inches long. 
Grace nursed after 10 minutes acting like it was what she was born to do. As the midwife and nurses did laundry, cleaned my tub, picked up their stuff and did paper work Noah had woke from his slumber to join in on greeting his new sister. After pictures and kisses everyone seemed to make there way to the door and into their own beds. Adam, Noah, Grace and I had just our family and nothing else in the world to worry about at that moment. 
It was the sweetest moment to fall asleep in my own bed next to my husband and know that I just birthed my healthy happy daughter and had a lifetime to cherish with her. My Birth ended up being an hour and a half and that included the 13 minute pushing stage.
My son was 21 Months old (Natural Hospital birth) and we were planning on a Home birth from day one of pregnancy #2 and so excited for the experience. I had everything ready for the birth for weeks since I had Braxton hicks so bad that I was convinced I would have my daughter early (Never count on having a baby early or on time even when your other children were early). 5 days over due On September 4th 2008 at 10:30 pm, my little Noah was sound asleep and My husband and I were watching television and just winding down for the night when I felt at cramp. I got so excited and I just knew it was time but not more excited then Adam, He was ready to call everyone! After telling him to relax and that I was not sure another one came. My contractions STARTED 4 Minutes apart. As Adam called my midwife and Mother (who has had 4 home births) I went onto my bed to wait for everyone to arrive.
My Mother, Father and sister came first at 11:00. My Mom asked me questions and was wondering how far apart my contractions were and she could tell without my answer that they were close enough where there would be no communicating on my part. My Dad got settled in my living room thinking he would spend the night and wake up to a granddaughter as my sister rubbed my feet to try to get my mind off the pain. My midwife arrived at 11:20 very surprised at my progress. The nurse started my tub with warm water and by 11:30 I had made my way only by the grace of God into that warm tub. Many of my contraction wound together never giving me a break at that ripping pain. My midwife not once checked to see how far I was dilated but knew somehow in her experience by watching my expressions that it would not be long. As I came up from taking a refreshing sip from a Gatorade (very recommended during labor) I asked how much longer because I knew I couldn't keep this up for long. My midwife's response was "You are very close to seeing your daughter". In hearing that I got a second wind and felt the pressure as my water broke. A different type of pain started and it was all pressure and I knew then that I was almost done. I started wanting to push at 11:45 and knowing that it is very crucial to pay attention your body during the pushing stage so you don't tear I slowly pushed out the head. It was so wonderful to see her and know that I was that much closer to meeting our new edition.
I finally gave one last push as my daughter slid out and Adam caught her only to lie her on my chest feeling as if it were an Olympic trophy I had Won. Grace Lanee' was born at 11:57 and we finally got to meet our little girl. I walked to bed after 5 minutes and got settled in as comfortable as I could. She weighed in at 8 Lbs 8 Oz and 19 Inches long. 
Grace nursed after 10 minutes acting like it was what she was born to do. As the midwife and nurses did laundry, cleaned my tub, picked up their stuff and did paper work Noah had woke from his slumber to join in on greeting his new sister. After pictures and kisses everyone seemed to make there way to the door and into their own beds. Adam, Noah, Grace and I had just our family and nothing else in the world to worry about at that moment. 
It was the sweetest moment to fall asleep in my own bed next to my husband and know that I just birthed my healthy happy daughter and had a lifetime to cherish with her. My Birth ended up being an hour and a half and that included the 13 minute pushing stage.
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