Natalie's Birth Story of Slade

Hey all! Yes I am surviving, 2 under 2 isn't the 24/7 chaos I expected, but that's only because of my awesome Mother and Mother in Law....seriously...it takes a village....but that's another post for another day. 

I want you to check out my friend Natalie's' birth story of Slade.  Natalie and I were due 5 days apart and we bonded over both being big ol' preggers and mothers of 2 boys.  She ended up giving birth the day after my due date and I gave birth the day after hers....funny how things work out, lol.

Please check out her story and her awesome blog!

http://www.theshadyacre.com/

Toodles,

Kellie

Guest Post from Briggs' Birth Team

When Kellie asked me to write something about her birth this time my response was that it will be short and sweet. That was because she didn’t do much labor time and I wasn’t there but about 26 minutes before Mr. Briggs made his grand appearance. So I thought since Kellie has done such a great job educating you folks about pregnancy, labor and birth I should take some time to go back and make a little history leading up to Briggs birth.

Gina, Midwife in training
Toni, Midwife
Callan & Briggs

For Kellie’s first pregnancy, she decided to use me as her midwife and have a homebirth. She had a healthy good pregnancy, took classes and did everything right. She carried the baby to 41 weeks and 6 days. Then the great day came with a SROM, spontaneous rupture of membranes at 12:30 AM. Contractions started soon after. She labored at home with just Beau for about seven hours and then called me to come. Amazingly this awesome first time mom was 8 cm at 8:00 AM! Whoohoo! We should be having a baby soon! Right! Well from there it was a slow go. Five hours later, she was still at 9 cm and was starting to tire out and contractions were spacing and loosing there ump. We tried, honey, labor tinctures, resting, position changes. Finally got complete about 4:30 PM and started pushing. Tried all positions, toilet, stool, bed, toilet, stool, more tincture ....... About 8:00 PM after 3 1⁄2 hours of pushing and not a real sign that we would be pushing the baby out soon we decided a hospital transport was the best decision. After we transferred to the hospital, took a little rest, got some pitocin, got some good contractions going again and with a little help with the vacuum extraction, the cutest little chunky baby made his appearance and we were all so happy to see this cute little man. Mr. Callan weighed in at 9 lb 8 oz. and was a handsome baby boy! Kellie was so totally amazing to go through this long drawn out end of labor phase that just seem to last forever! But she was brave and strong and hung in there and pushed out her big boy!

I always like to tell my first time mommas that “you never have to have a first baby but once!” So, nine months later ..... next pregnancy. Kellie was so strong and brave again to decide that she was  up to the challenge to do this again. She rocked this pregnancy, being so much wiser and ahead of the game this time around. She gained less weight, had little swelling this time and made great plans for the coming birth! She planned for a photographer, massage therapist, her mother, midwife and birth assistant to all be there for her beautiful water birth! Then as nature would have it she went into labor at 40 weeks and 6 days. She started labor at 7:00 AM with the SROM again, but this time without contractions so she took some castor oil about 8:00 AM. Kellie took a nap and woke to contractions about 10:20 AM. Her text was funny, 10:40 AM – “Getting stronger contractions. Seem to be 5 min apart.”
I replied, “ Are you ready for me to come?”
Kellie, “Not yet”.
Me, “ Ok, I just need to change”.
Kellie, “ Maybe u should come and see”.

 I arrived at 11:17 AM and no one was coming to the door. I decided I better let myself in and as I opened the door, Beau was coming. He was busy with setting up the pool. I went to check on Kellie. She was having a really hard contraction. Once it was over I got vital signs and listened to the baby. Then another strong contraction and as I listened I said, “are you pushing with those?” I don’t think she had realized that yes, she was pushing.

At that point I had to move quickly to get things brought in and set up for the birth. No, I didn’t get things set up. I was looking for pads, gloves, etc..... the plastic wasn’t on the bed. I called to Beau to ditch the pool idea; there would be no time for a water birth. Cheryl the birth assistant walked in as Kellie was pushing again. Baby was coming. No time for set up. No time for a water birth. I think at some point, I don’t remember if it was before Briggs made his grand appearance or just after that I noticed Kellie’s mom and the massage therapist had gotten there.

After arriving at 11:17 baby was born at 11:43 AM! 26 minutes and he was born. Kellie was so amazing and strong to be so far into her labor and just an hour before be telling me she wasn’t ready for me to come! She was amazing!

Briggs came in weighing 10 pounds even! My first look at him I saw Callan’s same little face! These boys could be twins! I know they will change and take on their own looks but no denying they are brothers!It was a great honor to help Kellie and Beau bring these precious boys into the world! I love this work and seeing families grow!

~Toni Kimpel, Midwife

____________

Dear Briggs,

Your birth was incredible. Your mama is amazing. I was so excited when your mom announced her pregnancy and home birth plans with you. You see, your mom and dad were in my Bradley classes when they were pregnant with your big brother and I got to know them pretty well. I was at your house for a long time when she was in labor with Callan. I was so proud of her strength and determination during his birth. I knew she had big plans with you and was proud again of her determination and further educating herself on birth and her options. She started a blog to help other moms learn more about birth and share stories and experiences. She wrote a lot about you. She was pretty smitten by you from the very beginning. Then after much anticipation and excitement, the day that we all were waiting for (mostly your mommy!) finally arrived...

I woke up Saturday morning, June 28^th, to a text message from Mrs. Kimpel and your mom telling me that her water had broken and you were going to make your appearance! So I got ready, set up my babysitting and waited around for updates. Your mom text me and said she was going to take a nap. I thought that was a great idea! Laboring is hard work so a nap would give her lots of energy to be able to bring you into the world. An hour and a half later Mrs. Kimpel sends me another text telling me to head to your house. I got all my kiddos all packed up and just about ready to send to the babysitters when I get another message telling me she's pushing! You are headed out! So I very quickly scoot my people out the door (luckily they were just going across the street!) and hop in the car. I didn't even have my shoes on and forgot my watch that I bought just to wear for your birth! I high-tail it to your house. It is about a 10 minute drive for me. I park, and run into the house. I make it to your room just in time to see your mom in the middle of pushing. I quickly gathered up your blankets, try to get your heart beat but you were already on your way out! You were born about 5 minutes after I walked in the door. You guys work fast! You and your mama made a perfect team. Once you were up on her chest, you cried right away and I cried, too! I had no doubts your mom would have a beautiful home birth. She totally rocked it! You looked just like your brother and quite a chunky little monkey, too!

We took some time to let you nurse and take care of your mom, you met your daddy, and your grandma came to meet you, too. We weighed you and couldn't believe you were a whopping 10 pounds of sweet perfection! When she was ready, we got a bath ready for her and the two of you took an herbal bath, complete with flowers. You mom's friend, Whitney, was there photographing all of the special moments. It was beautiful! You got to meet your brother and take more pictures with your grandparents. You were passed around and loved on by everyone!

You are part of such a sweet family. You will forever have a special place in my heart, little man. Your mom and dad are just so in love with you. You had a gentle, sweet start in life and I wish you many blessings and a long and happy life.

Much, much love,

Cheryl

The Birth of My little Briggs

6-28-14

Once upon a time a 41 week pregnant woman was about to go to bed, she was exhausted and her back was aching terribly. She left the dishes in the sink, the toys all over the living room floor and went to bed leaving her house in total disarray...something she hadn't done in awhile, since she was planning a home birth and wanted to be ready for company (the birth team) at a moments notice.

SO we all know where this is going....yep, the next morning I woke up about 7am and noticed my amniotic fluid was leaking....my water had broke!  I texted Toni my Midwife & the rest of the team just to inform them and let them know that today was the day!

Last moments as a only child

Since I wasn't having any contractions I thought I would put on some make up and have a nice breakfast. Beau was picking up the house...I called my mom and told her the news so she came to pick up our son.  Beau inflated the pool I wanted to birth in and then we both decided to take a nap... it took 24 hours last time to get that first baby out so we wanted to be ready for the long haul again if need be.

I woke up at 10:20 with a pretty strong contraction, so I went in the living room and sat on my birth ball while timing my contractions but they weren't consistent, ranging from 3-5 min apart.  Beau asked me a question and I realized I couldn't focus on him and answer him during a contraction...I knew things were getting serious but I still didn't think we were close to "go time" since I just starting having contractions.  I texted Toni at 10:40 and told her what was going on, she asked if I wanted her to head over...I said no, not yet....and then after another really strong contraction I texted her again saying "well, maybe you should come and see".  I tried to stand up to move to the bedroom and my belly looked like it was at my knees it was so low...Beau had to help me get back there.

Once in the bedroom I tried to get in the zone, like I did for Callans birth, but it just wasn't happening.  I couldn't relax.  I started sweating and got real hot, I asked Beau for a cold compress....to which my college-degree-holding, corporate-accountant-intelligent husband could not figure out what the hell a cold compress was.....seriously...he looked at me baffled, he walked out of the room and then right back in and said "whats a cold compress?" and all I could do was try my best to give him a "are you really asking me that right now?" look on my face as I was having a killer contraction....he managed to use some context clues and a few moments I had my cold compress. 

Toni arrived at 11:10am, she took a look at me and realized we were closer than I had thought.  After that things started happening really fast.  Beau was trying to fill up the birth pool and Toni said don't bother...lol, we don't have time.  I was laboring on my side and I remember trying so hard to relax, but my toes were curling and my lips were pursed, and I kept telling Beau, "I cant relax".  He was trying to coach me but it all felt very erratic.  I even said at one point " I don't think I can do this".  All I knew was I couldnt last 20 hours like this....

I kept hearing from Beau, Toni and Cheryl about how great I was doing...and I remember looking at them all wide-eyed and crazy-like...at least that's how I visualize it in my head, lol...Toni wanted me to roll on my back to check me to see how far dilated I was...and when I did I immediately had a strong urge to push...so I did.  I remember everyone scrambling to get whatever it was they needed, because this baby was coming out!


 At one point I felt the baby moving and I remember the image that popped in my head was like a soldier doing an army crawl.  Briggs was certainly working with me!  Another thing that got my attention in all this chaos was my babybelly...while I would have a contraction to push, my belly would basically stand straight up...it was the weirdest thing I had ever seen! It reminded me of a skyscraper...

So back to the story....
So there I was a-pushin' and Beau was at my side, holding my hand cheering me on...I remember saying "It stings, it stings" , lol and then Toni said for me to push on the next contraction to get his head out...to which I replied "no", to which she replied "Don't tell me no!"....a few pushes later he was born! They immediately placed him on my chest and I think we all took a moment to catch our breath.  He was born at 11:43am, a little over an hour after I had my first contraction!

I think my Mom, Alisa the massage therapist, and Whitney the photographer, arrived just moments after he was born.  Its funny because earlier that week I had highlighted a quote from a book I was reading, it said "stay committed to your decisions, but flexible in your approach."- Tony Robbins.  I thought this would be good to remember because as much as you can plan something, you really can never know how it will actually turn out.  I always knew, in all these blog posts I did about planning the birth, that it would happen how it was gonna happen and I really didn't have control of that....but it was fun fantasizing, visualizing and planning it out anyway. 

So there you have it.... Briggs Kyle Hinze, 10lbs, 21.5 inches....Born in the comfort of our home, and it was a quick, but great experience!

Guest Post Lindsey: Natural Necessities

  1.RedRaspberry Leaf Tea-- You should drink red raspberry leaf throughout your pregnancy after the first trimester.  It tones the uterus and helps with a faster labor, and who doesn’t want that?!  You can buy the teabags at a health food store.   I would brew 5 at a time and make a pitcher to drink everyday.  You can also drink it after delivery for a few weeks to help shrink the uterus and stop bleeding.  I personally swear by this stuff.  My first child was born in 6 hours, from very first contraction.  My second was face –up, which makes for a more difficult labor, and it was 4 hours.  My third was also face-up and born 1.5 hrs.  And those times are from very first contraction to finish!  There’s tons of research out there that show labor is greatly shortened.  You can also drink a very concentrated form during labor.   Kellie took a capsule form of it during her pregnancy.  

2.     Golden Seal—you need this post- delivery for your baby’s cord.   It comes in a capsule form, so you open the capsule and sprinkle it on and around your baby’s cord.  It will dry it up in no time.  Alcohol can burn really bad.  Golden seal is great for no pain, rapid drying, and prevention of infection of your baby's cord.  

3.     Chiropractic care--  I am a HUGE believer in chiropractic care! It does wonders for a pregnant body, and also for a newborn baby and child.  Think of it this way:  the spinal cord innervates every single organ and tissue in the body.  So when the spine is out of whack, whatever that particular region is innervating, will also be out of whack.  Chiropractic care can do wonders for a colicky baby, gas problems, sleep problems etc.  Do some research and ask around and find a chiropractor that specializes in pregnancy and small children.  I took my babies the same day or next after birth.  Those little bodies go through a little “shock” coming out the canal!  An adjustment on a newborn is very subtle—they use the first two fingers and barely move along the back.  For a 6^th month old, it looks like they are simply picking the child up, and as they are “holding” them, they are adjusting them.  The baby doesn’t even know it.  And the coolest thing is how the baby will be all smiles right after!  Their bowel movements will be better and they will sleep better!  Being in a carrier or car seat often is not good for the baby.  A weekly adjustment will do him/her good!  Also, after an adjustment, the immune system  is instantly boosted some 400%!   Statistics show and I have personally experienced that children who get frequent adjustments are far less sick, i.e. fewer ear infections etc, than children not.  

4.     Essential Oils—I use Young Living Essential Oils.  They are therapeutic grade, pure, certified, and most are edible.  There is an oil that can help with any ailment you or your baby/child may have.  Headaches, fever, coughing, runny nose, fungus, diaper rash, insect bites…..the list goes on and on.  You can diffuse them, inhale them, rub them on your body (specifically on the soles of the feet since there are more pores there than any other place on the body) or inject them, depending on the oil .  For a great resource with lots of info, click here.  

5.     Raw milk—If you have never had raw, unpasteurized milk, you have no idea what you are missing.  Raw milk is full of antioxidants, antibacterial/antiviral enzymes, all of which are killed off during the pasteurization process.  Contrary to popular belief, raw milk dairies undergo much stricter inspections that are much more frequent.  Pasteurized milk, even if organic, is basically dead white liquid.  There’s essentially no nutritive value.  And if you saw the cows the milk on the store shelves came from, you would know why it HAS to be pasteurized.  The cows are sick and diseased, the utters usually oozing pus and blood.  Visit a commercial dairy and you would never drink milk again.  Raw milk, on the other hand, has LOADS of benefits.  And the cows it comes from are healthy.  No hormones, no antibiotics, allowed to freely roam.  AND IT IS DELICIOUS.  Most dairies have whole, 1% and 2%, as well as heavy cream, which is great for making your own butter or ice cream!

For a list of resources, click here:

There are several local raw milk farms in Texas: around the Brenham area, there's one in Schulenburg  and one in La Grange , both with websites.   Several co-ops make delivery easily accessible, no matter where you may live.  Raw milk is good for about 10 days, and the colder your fridge, the better.  The cream will separate at the top, just shake and pour! When your baby turns a year and can have cow’s milk, go for the raw!!!

6. Making your own baby food--  It may sound overwhelming, but trust me, it’s not.  Take one night and make up a big batch, pour into ice trays, and voila,  you have several meals for your bay.  First, you can use organic , fresh foods.  It’s cheaper and much healthier.  A wonderful book with lots of info is “Top 100 Baby Purees “ by Annabel Karmel.  She explains why you should use cinnamon and butter, and why even organic foods that have been pasteurized in order to have a shelf life are devoid of crucial nutrients (similar to milk).  And remember, when you microwave something, you are killing every nutrient in that food.  Reheating on a stove is the way to go hands down.  Save the store bought squeeze pouches for when you are on the go! 

What are some things you believe should be added to the list?  Please, post your comments! And remember our disclaimer, this is NOT intended as medical advice!-- Lindsay

Baby has been BORN!

Welcome to the world Briggs !!!

6-28-14

10lbs even, 21.5 inches!

A quick recap of this mornings events:

7am- I noticed my amniotic fluid was leaking so I texted my team, had breakfast and starting picking up around the house.

9:30am-  Decided to try to take a nap, not having any contractions

10:20am- woke up to a pretty strong contraction, started timing them and texted my midwife, she asked if I was ready for her to come over I said no.

10.40am I texted her again and said

"well maybe you should come"

Baby Briggs was born an hour later! 11:43am

It was an intense hour and I was thinking there was no way I could survive several hours of these type of contractions! I will admit I questioned my ability...But the urge to push came quick, and after about 8 (give or take) pushes my chunker was out! I think my recovery will be speedy, as there was no damage...amazing to say for pushing out a 10 pounder!

Dear Friend, Birth Doesn’t Have to Suck

I wish I had the cojones to send this to all my newly pregnant friends with their first baby...but I dont...cause I dont want to be annoying...and be that friend...so I will put it on my blog and hope they will read it...

I copied this post from improvingbirth.org

Dear Friend, Birth Doesn’t Have to Suck

Posted by Cristen Pascucci on Jun 4, 2014 in Articles | 37 comments

Dear Friend,

If you’re reading this, it’s because I care about you, and I want you to rock your birth.  I believe you deserve the best.  If “rocking your birth” sounds like something other people do, and you just want to “get through it” with a healthy baby—girl, raise your expectations.  You’re both too valuable to whiff on this one.  If this is your first baby, it’s even more important, because it will set the tone for your future births and may determine your options for the rest of your life.

Please don’t feel judged that I’m sending this to you, or like I’m trying to tell you how to do things.  In fact, I don’t care how you give birth–that’s your business.  But because I care about you and this incredible journey you are on, you have to know you’re facing a system where great maternity care is a gamble for most women.  Nine in ten women lose that gamble.

I’m not trying to scare you—I’m trying to power you up.  I want you to learn from my experience, and from what I’ve picked up from other women who have gone through this—good, bad, and ugly.  I don’t ever, ever want you to say, “If only I’d known….!” about your pregnancy and birth.

I’m going to lay it out for you here, so get ready.

#1 You are in Charge

Now is not the time to “wing it” or let anyone else take over–including your care provider.  This is Step #1 to becoming a mother, when you will be making all kinds of decisions and will be asked to do all kinds of things that are outside your comfort zone and that you may feel completely unprepared or unqualified for.  That’s okay.  Put on your Game Face, because this is one of life’s all-time best learning and growing opportunities.

When I switched care providers at 41 weeks, 6 days pregnant, I believe that’s when I became a mother.  Until then, I’d been floating along, doing my best to advocate for myself while also getting along with my care provider, who I actually really liked.  When I decided to switch from her to someone else, I was choosing my baby over everyone else: over that provider, who had been so sweet and nice to me; over my family, who would surely call me “high maintenance” behind my back; and over my friends, who already thought I was crazy for wanting a natural birth.  But I didn’t feel 100% safe with her, and I knew that’s what my baby and I deserved.

I can’t say this enough: this is your show.  It’s your body.  It’s your baby.  You are responsible for the decisions you make, and you will bear the consequences–good or bad–for any decisions made about your care.  There are a few ways this can go: it can be traumatic and life-changing in a bad way; you can “get through it” just to get to the other side with some minor complications; or you can grab the bull by the horns and do everything possible to make it the safest, most positive, most life-affirming experience you’ve ever had, and something that will make you love and respect your own body in a profound new way.

Childbirth is unpredictable, but that is all the more reason to prepare for it and embrace it.  You will never have another chance to give birth to this child.

 #2 Education

“Unlearning” about birth is almost as important as learning about it.  There’s so much inaccurate, outdated information and so many negative messages out there, you kind of have to start from scratch.  Accept that a lot of what you think you know is simply not true.  We live in a country where 1 out of 3 births is by surgery, and many of those surgeries are “emergency,” even though optimal care says that the majority of women could give birth safely without medical interventions and without complications.  We create a lot of emergencies in the U.S.  (How many of your friends have had unplanned C-sections?)

Do not waste your time on What to Expect and websites like BabyCenter.com.  Don’t even think about taking the “childbirth class” at the hospital.

Do start with Birth Book by Steve and Sarah Blight.  It’s easy to read and high quality.

Do get over and watch The Business of Being Born.  Today.  Right now.  (It’s on Netflix, too.)

Here is a list of great, evidence-based, websites and other resources.

Finally, get in a good, reputable childbirth class outside of a hospital.  This is an amazing process and the more you know, the less there is to fear.  Education is power.

#3 The Thing About Routine Birth

I’m going to skip you ahead a few steps here.  When you start researching and really learning how awesome birth can be–and not some emergency horror show like you see in the movies–and when you start formulating a plan for how to make birth the safest it can be, you’re going to find that what most places provide for care doesn’t match up to what your research shows as most beneficial and least risky for you and your baby.

Here’s a (really long) example:

>  Evidence-based care for you means freedom of movement, freedom to eat and drink as you like, intermittent auscultation to monitor your baby’s heart rate during labor, one-to-one continuous support by someone who is educated in childbirth, water immersion for pain management, privacy so you can focus, no vaginal exams during labor unless there is a specific reason for it or you want to know your dilation, and freedom to push in whatever position feels comfortable to you.  It includes interventions when medically necessary and not before, and, if medical interventions are recommended, full and accurate information on their risks, benefits, and alternatives, and support of whatever decision you make.  It also means that labor and pushing go as long as you feel comfortable and you and baby are doing fine.

>  BUT Routine hospital care usually looks more like: strapped into bed with belts for continuous monitoring of your baby (this kind of monitoring has an over 99% false positive rate), no food or drink allowed (they might give you ice chips), no one-to-one support, maybe a tub for water immersion, but you can’t get in if you’re on monitoring belts, an automatic IV into your hand that hurts and makes it hard to move, lots of interruptions by people wanting to give you vaginal exams (that serve absolutely no medical purpose, but increase your odds of infection down there), and constant pressure to “hurry things along” with medication or “give you a break” with an epidural.  It’s unlikely that anyone will tell you the significant risks of medications that speed things up (Pitocin causes fetal distress, which is a #2 cause of C-sections) or the downsides of an epidural (primarily, that you won’t be able to move around to get baby positioned better, which makes it much harder for him or her to descend through the birth canal and can result in a need for episiotomy/forceps or vacuum or even surgery!).

You are free to choose any of these things!  There is no judgment here.  The thing is that most women don’t choose these things–they’re just done to them–or they “consent” without all the information about what’s being done.  I don’t want that to happen to you.

So what’s a girl to do?

#4 Get a Damn Doula

Have you ever cut your hair yourself?  It might turn out okay, but then you get it done at the salon with the hypnotizing head massage and the mysterious, magical products and the blow-out-you-can-never-replicate and you realize, yeah, that was better with professionals.  That’s kind of what doulas are to birth.

Doulas are trained to support women in continuous, one-to-one support throughout pregnancy and childbirth, and their use is strongly supported by science, including new guidelines from the nation’s obstetricians that call doulas “one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes.”  They will answer your questions if you’re having heartburn at 28 weeks or refer you to a great chiropractor if your hips hurt, and help you create a birth plan; during labor, they will gently help you get in different positions, encourage you, inform you about what is going on, bring you snacks, and let your partner have bathroom breaks so he can stay comfortably by your side when you want him.  If you or your partner is wondering what a doula does,read this.

But they are so much more than just a luxury.  They really, truly, are a safety measure. Look at these stats!  Look at the decrease in the risk of C-section!

More at: http://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/

Doulas can also help you with #5 “Best Provider Ever” because they work together with many different providers and see how they practice!  They know if Dr. A tends to be more patient with first-time moms, or Dr. B’s bedside manner sucks during birth even after being so laid-back during pregnancy, or that the nurses at Hospital C are exceptional.  Hospital cultures are VERY different, and doulas can help you figure out where you’ll have the best shot at the safest, best birth possible.

#5 Best Provider Ever

Every provider is different, and research shows that the #1 determinant of whether or not you end up with a C-section isn’t you–it’s your provider!  That’s saying something.

Know that your options include obstetricians, family doctors, and midwives.  This is significant, because the U.S. is unusual in that we send low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancies to surgeons rather than normal childbirth experts: midwives.  Midwives specialize in preventing complications, including surgery.  Speaking of, don’t be shy about vetting your provider.  What is his or her rate for Cesarean section?  What about episiotomy and other common but usually unnecessary interventions?  This is your vagina we’re talking about.  You have a right to know.

Know that whomever you pick owes you the best.  If you’ve done your research, you have an idea of what to look for.  If you hear things like, “You’re not allowed” or “We can’t let you,”–if you are getting any of these “red flags”–please, take your business elsewhere, to someone who will treat you like a competent adult.

#6 You don’t have to go to a hospital

If you’re a healthy, low-risk woman, birth centers are a stellar option: comfortable, high-quality, family-centered care with a Cesarean rate of approximately 6% and a less-than-2% urgent transfer rate (for either mother or baby) with no adverse health consequences compared to hospitals.  More here.

Home birth is another option that more and more women are taking advantage of, as they recognize the benefits of truly supportive one-to-one, individualized care and avoiding the routine risks of a hospital.  The acceptance of home birth as a legitimate health choice makes it more safe in some places than others.  If you’re open to this possibility, do some homework and see if it’s a fit!

#7 Know Your Rights

Most women are totally unaware about what their rights are or why they’d ever need to know them.  Pregnant women have the same rights as everyone else, but women are very often treated as if they’re in a special category because they’re pregnant.  Legally, you are entitled to informed consent and refusal: a full discussion with your care provider about the risks and potential benefits of anything they are suggesting, and about your alternatives, with the right to say “no” to anything.  You’ve got to know your rights if you’re going to use them!

Once again…

Birth doesn’t have to suck.  Keep your expectations high and do the work to have those expectations met.  Don’t let anybody convince you that you need to step aside for your baby.  You need to step up for your baby.  

I’m rooting for you in this once-in-a-lifetime process.  I know you can rock this thing.

---

Share this article with a friend:  http://www.improvingbirth.org/2014/06/dear-friend/
More articles by Cristen about rocking it out: http://www.improvingbirth.org/author/cristen/

Author Cristen Pascucci is vice president of Improving Birth and founder of Birth Monopoly (BMP on Facebook).  She is co-founder of a soon-to-launch U.S. legal network created to support women in their rights in childbirth, and speaks to parents and birth workers around the country with Stand on Your Rights: Demystifying Legal Rights in Childbirth & How to Use Them (this June, in Syracuse, Albany, Manhattan and New Jersey).

---

Have you seen what Improving Birth is up to?  We’re supporting women all over the country, as well as working with mothers, providers, and policy makers to lead change in various communities.  We need your support today!  Please give here and plan to attend or organize a gathering for the 2014 Rally to Improve Birth this Labor Day, September 1–the only national event of its kind, where consumers come together to raise awareness about the maternity care crisis and demand change.  We’ll see you there!

Vernix

My Husband and I took a Birth Bootcamp Re-Boot Class the other evening.  It was a great refresher class on the different stages of labor, the Hubs' role as my coach and how he can help me relax.  We talked about lessons our previous birth experience taught us and what each of our expectations are this time around.  It was a great way to get the conversation going between us, and get our heads in the game....like, this is really about to go down!!  I really appreciated having the instructor there to bring up points and considerations that we hadn't though of. Even though birth can go 100 different ways, it does feel comforting to be as prepared as you are able to be in situations like this.

We also watched some home birth videos, which really reminds you of the work that you put into having a baby!  It was funny, one of the babies in the video was covered in the white creamy vernix...which of course grossed out my husband....but there are so many benefits of the Vernix...

"The power of vernix is truly astounding.  Its main benefits are its various antimicrobial properties, which help protect a newborn against a wide variety of infections.  A secondary benefit is that vernix is highly moisturizing.  To such a degree that many cosmetic companies have researched it."   via birthbliss.wordpress.com

 You can read more and see all the sciency stuff about vernix at the link above....its recommended to delay your baby's bath just after birth and rubbing in the vernix...like lotion so your baby benefits from all the good stuff.

I wonder if I can steal some vernix to put on all these stretch marks, lol....

Hugs & Dates

Wow, time has really flown by so fast....yet, sometimes not fast enough, lol  

The end of a pregnancy can be so grueling, uncomfortable, and just plain exhausting!  I only sleep 2 hours at a time right now because my body is equipped with a timer that goes off when my bladder accumulates approx 2 tablespoons. So then I hoist this tank-like body out of my bed to sleepwalk to the bathroom, step on a kid toy or a husbands shoe, curse a little...eliminate the 2 tablespoons and roll my eyes and go back to bed....oh wait, my body has realized I am trying to go back to sleep...cue the acid reflux...

In 2 hours I will do it all over again....I wish I could talk myself into just wearing an adult diaper, lol...but I just cant bring myself to do it.

2 times in the past week I've revisited the morning sickness stage (if you know what I mean) and I've also had a pulled muscle in my neck for the past 5 days....its been rough, I need a hug.

All of this has put me in a negative and depressive mental state and I want to turn that around asap... so for starters I will be reducing my hours at work to part time for the next 2 weeks and on maternity leave after that to get ready for the baby. Part time starts today and that has already lifted my mood tremendously....I can nap! Its time to take care of ME!

Oh yeah,  to get ready for birth i've been eating 6 dates every day...whaaa? I know it sounds weird but read this....

" a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology which concludes that eating 6 dates daily during the last four weeks of pregnancy “significantly reduced the need for induction and augmentation of labor, and produced a more favorable, but non-significant, delivery outcome”.  Some significant findings:

• Cervical dilation was significantly greater in the date-eating mamas upon arrival at the hospital

• 83% of mothers who consumed dates had their membranes intact upon admission at the hospital 

• 96% of the women who ate dates went into labor on their own

• Use of Pitocin (synthetic Oxytocin) was significantly lower in women who consumed dates (28%), compared with the non-date fruit mothers (47%)

• The latent phase of the first stage of labor was almost 7 hours shorter in the date-eating mothers compared with the non-date fruit eaters (510 min vs 906 min). Not bad for eating a few dates!
•  the study demonstrates a significant reduction in the amount of postpartum bleeding experienced by women who consumed date fruit compared to women who received synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin). 

So I thought...why not?