I wasn't at a birth last night. So why didn't I sleep? Why did I get three hours of sleep? I was thinking and praying for one, two, three, four of the next mommies that I will be with when they give birth. They are amazing women. Each one with a story that makes me feel like a child sitting hand on chin waiting for the next story, the next chapter, the next word that she will speak. I want nothing more than for her to know she is strong. Okay I also want her to know she is healthy, her baby is healthy, her body that grew her baby's ears, eyes, hair, toe nails, that body knows how to birth her baby. Given the respect, the time, the nurturing it needs, it can do anything!
The Doula calling is a blessing...if you don't care about time, if you believe in magic and miracles; if you see the humor and the beauty in the mundane everyday things; and if you can be bored and not frustrated.
I've always acknowledged childbirth, birth in any form, as a miracle. Today, as I attend mostly births in hospitals, I am grateful for the miracle of a busy hospital, or a respectful nurse, so that mom is left to labor in peace and she is given the time this baby needs, the miracle when the nurses believe with us for a VBAC and the miracle of a good on-call doctor.
The magic is not that babies come out our vagina's. The magic is the transformation of a woman into a mommy, a man into a daddy, the world shifting as a perfect and smart new baby enters the room, enters our hearts; when Mom knows her hormonal cocktail is stewing, her baby is molding, her spirit is calm and her loved ones BELIEVE she can do this ~ perfectly ~ her way ~ making herstory.
If you care more about the way that a baby comes into the world, without regard for the time, care more for this new baby's birth day and this new mommy's labor than your own birthday dinner or that Christmas Eve brunch then you are a doula already. The premise of the Doula profession is that "The day a woman gives birth is a day she will never forget." Therefore we want to make it a positive, sweet memory. You know that this baby's birth is also a memory for him, a memory he'll carry in his psyche, on a cellular level, for life, subconsciously effecting his behaviors, decisions. You know that being born in peace and joy and safe calmness can effect not only the babies life but heal the mother or the father, even the stranger that is present, and your time is worth it ~ you are a doula. ♥
I will be present, in my feet, on this ground, on the planet, in my spirit today. And I will be present in the middle of the night, when the quietness wraps me like a blanket and I have time to send you loving thoughts and time to talk to my God. And I will be present when you call me in the middle of the night in labor...or just with a question.
I'm reminded of nights with nurslings, how I loved the one on one time in the semi dark, nursing. That 'present' still nurtures me today.
I hope to be present with you soon. I hope to spend face-to-face, one-on-one time with you soon.
Let's talk about what nurtures you.
Love you madly, Rosie
Showing posts with label patience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label patience. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Lie of the EDD: Why Your Due Date Isn't when You Think
The Lie of the EDD: Why Your Due Date Isn't when You Think
How the 40 week pregnancy myth came about and why it's totally wrong.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1047180/the_lie_of_the_edd_why_your_due_date.html
The method for calulating Estimated Due Date or EDD originated in 1744! Read this good article to find out why women should not induce at 40 weeks, why the birthing community, OBGYN's, Docs, Midwife's and You should rethink your due date. Print the linked article out and give it to your medical care person if you feel pressured to induce. Every day that your baby is in your womb he is doing something important. Shhh Do Not Disturb!
The Lie of the EDD: Why Your Due Date Isn't when You ThinkHow the 40 week pregnancy myth came about and why it's totally wrong.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1047180/the_lie_of_the_edd_why_your_due_date.html
The method for calulating Estimated Due Date or EDD originated in 1744! Read this good article to find out why women should not induce at 40 weeks, why the birthing community, OBGYN's, Docs, Midwife's and You should rethink your due date. Print the linked article out and give it to your medical care person if you feel pressured to induce. Every day that your baby is in your womb he is doing something important. Shhh Do Not Disturb!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
A study was done at UCSF which showed that waiting at least 2 hours if a mom is not dilating during active labor can help prevent about 1/3 of the cesareans done for “failure to progress"
...This link to the Enjoy Birth Blog is one which I suscribe to (RSS Feed) and recommend. There's lots of good information here. If you get a chance also read December 24th blog, Extra babies in December? explaining the high rate of induction and the concequences and why every week of pregnancy is important! Enjoy In Joy, Rosie
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Due Dates
“Late preterm infants are a growing concern,” said Nancy Green, M.D., medical director of the March of Dimes. “Some babies born just a few weeks early need medical and nursing attention beyond that given to full term newborns. They have a greater likelihood of breathing problems like respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), feeding difficulties, temperature instability (hypothermia), jaundice and reduced brain development than full-term babies.”
The March of Dimes analysis suggests that increasing rates of Cesarean section deliveries and induced labor have probably contributed to, but do not completely explain these shifts in deliveries, said Michael Davidoff, Manager of Informatics, Research and Development at the March of Dimes and the paper's lead author.
In the end...Have fun!
Your baby is almost here! How exciting? Frustrating? Scary? Waiting for labor, hoping and praying for it and then it's time to clean again or a special family occasion is coming up....argh! I've been there myself and have waited with many women and here is some of what I've learned. I hope it helps and encourages you.
Get in water
I love a warm bath after a stressful day (or morning). I love a swim in the ocean. More than we think, we are drawn to water; waterfalls, splashing in puddles, paddling in my kayak. It is such a comforting and therapeutic thing to do for yourself in your last trimester and in labor. Of course your baby was swimming and now is floating in warm water. Join her. Put yourself in a warm bath (≤100 degrees), light candles, put on your iPod and some relaxing music. Read. Just be. Uninterrupted. Just you and your baby. Visualize your birth.
Hint: if your tub has a overflow drain plug it up with a wash cloth so you can get the water up to the tippy top of the tub and you can get immersed even if you have a little tub.
Side bar: Get a massage or go to your chiropractor.
Wait
Yup, it is hard. But oh so worth it! I can tell you from experience. My first born was two weeks early and my second born was two weeks late. I thought that I’d be early of course so I waited four weeks. It was one of the most difficult things to do – wait. I walked straight up the continental divide every morning (I lived in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains in Buena Vista, Colorado). I tried to walk and talk this baby out! Then I resorted to praying. It was a spiritual experience. In the end I had a three hour labor woke at 3AM and birthed my baby at 6AM Like I said – So worth it! I can tell you many more stories like this. There are many care providers (docs) who will tell you various scary things like “your baby is getting too big” – hump! My “late” baby was my biggest (8lbs14oz) and by far my easiest to birth!
In our fast food society we have instant everything. Don't rush your baby. The 38-42+ weeks that your baby is inutero is such an important time. Your baby needs every day of that gestating experience. Nope, it’s not a mistake if he comes at 41 weeks plus 5 days. The day before he was born he was doing something important. Don't judge your body or your baby. Just trust. Please wait. When your baby is in your arms you will trust him to let you know when he is hungry or uncomfortable. Trust him now to know when he needs to come out and be born. Let the baby decide.
Do your homework:
The EDD was just that, estimated. If you get in too big of a hurry you may find you have a premature baby. There are many tragedies surrounding premature birth one of them being Mom goes home while baby stays in NICU. Waiting for labor will ensure you go home with your baby in your arms!
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| My body will open like a flower when my baby is ready |
Get in water
I love a warm bath after a stressful day (or morning). I love a swim in the ocean. More than we think, we are drawn to water; waterfalls, splashing in puddles, paddling in my kayak. It is such a comforting and therapeutic thing to do for yourself in your last trimester and in labor. Of course your baby was swimming and now is floating in warm water. Join her. Put yourself in a warm bath (≤100 degrees), light candles, put on your iPod and some relaxing music. Read. Just be. Uninterrupted. Just you and your baby. Visualize your birth.
Hint: if your tub has a overflow drain plug it up with a wash cloth so you can get the water up to the tippy top of the tub and you can get immersed even if you have a little tub.
Side bar: Get a massage or go to your chiropractor.
Wait
Yup, it is hard. But oh so worth it! I can tell you from experience. My first born was two weeks early and my second born was two weeks late. I thought that I’d be early of course so I waited four weeks. It was one of the most difficult things to do – wait. I walked straight up the continental divide every morning (I lived in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains in Buena Vista, Colorado). I tried to walk and talk this baby out! Then I resorted to praying. It was a spiritual experience. In the end I had a three hour labor woke at 3AM and birthed my baby at 6AM Like I said – So worth it! I can tell you many more stories like this. There are many care providers (docs) who will tell you various scary things like “your baby is getting too big” – hump! My “late” baby was my biggest (8lbs14oz) and by far my easiest to birth!
In our fast food society we have instant everything. Don't rush your baby. The 38-42+ weeks that your baby is inutero is such an important time. Your baby needs every day of that gestating experience. Nope, it’s not a mistake if he comes at 41 weeks plus 5 days. The day before he was born he was doing something important. Don't judge your body or your baby. Just trust. Please wait. When your baby is in your arms you will trust him to let you know when he is hungry or uncomfortable. Trust him now to know when he needs to come out and be born. Let the baby decide.
Do your homework:
The EDD was just that, estimated. If you get in too big of a hurry you may find you have a premature baby. There are many tragedies surrounding premature birth one of them being Mom goes home while baby stays in NICU. Waiting for labor will ensure you go home with your baby in your arms!
“Late preterm infants are a growing concern,” said Nancy Green, M.D., medical director of the March of Dimes. “Some babies born just a few weeks early need medical and nursing attention beyond that given to full term newborns. They have a greater likelihood of breathing problems like respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), feeding difficulties, temperature instability (hypothermia), jaundice and reduced brain development than full-term babies.”
The March of Dimes analysis suggests that increasing rates of Cesarean section deliveries and induced labor have probably contributed to, but do not completely explain these shifts in deliveries, said Michael Davidoff, Manager of Informatics, Research and Development at the March of Dimes and the paper's lead author.
In the end...Have fun!
"Time's Fun when you're having Flies"attributed to Kermit the FrogHave fun with friends and THE DADDY! Yes, it seems you are the one who is doing all the work! Growing a baby is hard… sleeping at all is rough...and all the choices are really up to you the MOM! Picking a baby catcher, a place to birth, a Pediatrician and arranging postpartum help, all up to you! But stop and think. In your heart of hearts who is your best friend, your lover, the person who made this journey possible? Yes, the journey is not always easy but it is a fantastic, amazing, thrilling ride! And your partner, the daddy of your baby is in it with you. He’s made it all possible.
Take him out for a date! Rub his back. Massage his feet. The dividends will be great. Maybe labor will start! The love hormone, oxytocin, is one of the labor hormones. Think of all the new friends, young friends and old friends that could use a ‘kind deed’. Get out of the house. This may be your last chance to bless them for awhile. Soon you will be a mommy and you will need to accept their help and let others bless you. So spend these last few days blessing your neighbors and friends but mostly your partner!
How fast those babies grow and when he’s off to college who will be crying by your side? The daddy! Love him up! Oh btw toe curling sex started my first labor (wink).
Let me know how it goes. Love, Rosie
Take him out for a date! Rub his back. Massage his feet. The dividends will be great. Maybe labor will start! The love hormone, oxytocin, is one of the labor hormones. Think of all the new friends, young friends and old friends that could use a ‘kind deed’. Get out of the house. This may be your last chance to bless them for awhile. Soon you will be a mommy and you will need to accept their help and let others bless you. So spend these last few days blessing your neighbors and friends but mostly your partner!
How fast those babies grow and when he’s off to college who will be crying by your side? The daddy! Love him up! Oh btw toe curling sex started my first labor (wink).
Let me know how it goes. Love, Rosie
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