Early elective births... NOT such a great idea...

As early elective births increase so do health risks for mother, child

Shortening a pregnancy could affect a baby’s lung development, vision,weight, and some fine-tuning of the brain, experts say... At 35 weeks, the brain is only two-thirds of what it will weigh at 40 weeks...

Source :: Early-elective births increase health risks mother child

[almost] Wordless Wednseday: My New Nephew!

 

September 15, 2010 @ 12:37pm

Conlan James born at home with love

8.5 lbs ~ 20.5inches

A birthday we'll never forget!!

Exactly three years ago, this very moment -- August 11, 2007 @ 11:36pm -- my baby girl finally made her way into this world... just a mere 24mins before her daddy's 24th birthday. I am pretty sure he'd agree, that she was the best & most blessed birthday present a person could ever receive!! -- Happy birthday baby girl... and happy birthday, my love! ♥ ♥

Beyond Myself: KB's homebirth

I am pleased to note that KB's birth story is now being shared one more place among the world wide web! This time on A Much Better Cafe - a collaborative, user created resource for all aspects of attachment parenting and natural family living.

Support your midwife

In honor of International Midwives Day, today... I couldn't help but share this funny (but all too true) video called The Obstetrician Song" - enjoy! 

Do you know what you're signing?

This was way too good to pass up! ~
Copied from my sister's Facebook....

Birth Story...

Molly of MommaMolly.com is currently running a series of posts all about natural childbirth.... and asked me if I would be willing to guest post / share my homebirth story... which, of course, I was thrilled to do.

Happy International Midwifes Day!!!

“Many Western doctors hold the belief that we can improve everything, even natural childbirth in a healthy woman. This philosophy is the philosophy of people who think it deplorable that they were not consulted at the creation of Eve, because they would have done a better job.”

Kloosterman

“The experience profoundly changed my perspective. In the hospital, I hadn't perceived the anxiety and foreboding that permeated birth until I experienced the impact of its absence among the midwives. The peace, wonder, and intimacy were infinitely greater. What a compelling difference!”

~Heidi Rinehart

Thank you Harmony... and ALL our local and international midwives, for all that you do, each day in order to turn birth experiences into the most wonderful, magical, and special days of our lives!!!!! My peaceful pregnancy and amazing birth would never have happened, if it wasn't for YOU! ♥ Our family's life is forever changed because of you... and we are SO grateful!

Bryce Eric II --- update @ 11:54pm: HE'S HERE!!

He's here!! I'm an auntie!!! I am SO excited!!!

11:54 pm - The little guy just couldn't wait any longer, and decided to make his entrance a little early. Bryce Eric Reckner II was born today, March 10th, 2009, at just barely 37 weeks gestation. He weighed a tiny 6lbs 14 oz and is 19 inches long. Both mommy and baby are doing well!! ::happy sigh:: -- Welcome to the world, Bryce Bryce! I am SO happy you are here!! I cannot *wait* to meet you, and pray it will be very soon! I love you little man!!

10:46 - Still waiting.... Bryce says she's resting well between heavy contractions.... (meanwhile, Marmee is in W.Virginia)

7:50 - She's at 9 cm!! I should be a auntie within the next hour or two!!! Praying for you, H!!! (and for Marmee as she rushes to get there!!)

7:00 - Talked to mom again. Contractions are strengthening and coming closer together. They are at the birthing center.

3:30 - Talked to mom. They left co-op early, threw their bags together and are on the road. It's hard for her to think of not being there for the actual birth, we know God has everything planned out exactly as it needs to be. Please pray for their safety - they have a long 11½ hour drive ahead of them! !

3:30 - Just heard from Heather! She met with her midwife, and she is already dilated to 5 cm and is 90-100% effaced! Heather says she feels really drained between each contraction. Her voice sounded tired. By the way things have progressed/are progressing, I am expecting to be an aunt before the day is over!! ~ Praying for you, H!!! I love you!!!

1:30pm - I just talked to Heather, and it sounds like she is in the beginning stages of labor!! She started having mild contractions last night (approx 10 mins apart), but thankfully was able to get some rest! She was up again at 4am.... and now, despite laying down, drinking water or taking a hot shower, they are coming steadily at 3-5 minutes apart!!

An amazing speech!

A 12 year old speaks out against abortion in a speech she prepared and delivered for her grade 7 class....

It's so great to hear such a young person, not only take such an active interest on defining issues... but have the courage & boldness articulate her opinion in such a clear & concise manner! wow! She has such a wonderful talent for speaking.... and I only hope she continues to use it it's full potential! What an huge impact she could make on this world! Awesome!

Mama survey: First born

Here you go mamas - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born! Just copy and paste it in a new note for yourself! Let's see how much you remember! Once you've been tagged, you must share.

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
Not planned, but certainly hoped & prayed for...

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?

Yes - We found out on our 20-month anniversary - and had her on our 2 years 4 month anniversary! ~ But, God timing is perfect, so I can't complain!

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?

We were Thrilled! -- DH could hardly believe it! We hugged for long time, and both cried with joy! (alas, the wait had come to an end! Thank you Lord for this wonderful gift!)

(the night we found out!)

4. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
22

5. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?

Suddenly realized I was on day 43 of my cycle... and had no signs of "it" coming. So I took a test.

6. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
B - by way of a baby-themed scavenger hunt....

Then, we waited until Christmas (2 weeks later) to tell anyone else.

7. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
I was on the fence - DH really wanted to... so we did!

8. DUE DATE?

Depends on who you ask... midwife said August 07, 2007... but I don't think I was due till more like the 12th

9. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?

A tiny bit of nausea.. but otherwise, no

10. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?

Grilled hamburgers!! (homemade or BK!!)

and at the beginning, cheese... but then after 12 weeks, I couldn't stand anything about it!

11. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
naysayers & busybodies

12. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?
a girl!

13. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
No way! ~ I was thrilled she was a girl!

14. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
heh... 42ish(?)

http://xea.xanga.com/0268373747018130090073/m94714123.jpg

15. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
three of them!

One by my in-laws church...

On in KY (my mom & sisters)...

and one at my church.

16. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?

KY was a surprise... i knew about rest.

17. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR DELIVERY?

She was in a posterior position (presented face up), with a nuchal hand (hand was up by opposite side of the face).... plus I have a malformed tailbone (it's shaped like a "j".... so she kinda got tied up... causing me to me in labor for over 25 hours, transition for 12 hours, and pushing for 5. i had lots back labor... and was really sick (couldn't keep anything down!). they estimate posterior births are 10X more painful than anterior ones, and they typically progress much slower too, which is why they often wind up as c-sections if they take place in a hospital.

18. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?

at home, hanging from my mom's arms (trying to get every ounce of gravity we could get on our side!), in the kitchen no less (believe it or not).... hee,hee ;)

19. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?

25 from when we realized the contractions were not lessening and began counting them. Everyone was sure she'd be born by noon, easy.... heh.

20. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
i didn't go to the hospital

21. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?

Midwife, her birth assistant, my mom & my middle sister (my doulas)
Oh.... and camera! - we LOVE pictures (you could say we're shutter bugs), and knowing how important photos are to us, our midwife took many, many awesome pictures throughout my labor!

(Harmony, my midwife with KB at two days)

22. WAS IT VAGINAL OR C-SECTION?
fully natural vaginal birth.

23. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?

nope. the midwife gave me some homeopathic stuff & one IV (I was getting dehydrated)... otherwise I soaked in the hot water in the birth tub.... prayed.... laughed... cried.... screamed.... relaxed... sung... walked.... rested (between contractions - I was exhausted!)... breathed deeply.... .... and vomited. alot. it was nasty! - But all SO worth it!!

24. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
8lbs 7oz

25. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ?

August 11, 2007 - 11:36pm (24 mins before her daddy's 24th b-day!)

26. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? Almost 18 mos!

28. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
KB - Our "Precious Promise of God"

I was just re watching some bookmarked YouTube clips.... and came across what is probably one of the most beautiful videos I have ever seen in my life.

During the homebirth of her 10lbs son, this woman & her husband sing a gorgeous version of the 23rd Psalm.