Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Caroline and the baby
My friend had a baby on Saturday, and we went to see her today and give her a present (which would be a mei tai from Divas N Babes). Caroline was absolutely in love with the baby. She'd crawl over, look at him, then turn and smile at us. She was a bit confused by the socks on his hands to keep him from scratching his face, and kept trying to pull them off. She looked so big with him!! I told her that he was her future husband so she better be nice!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Deep thoughts from Amy
WARNING: Infant loss mentioned (in this entry and the link posted). Figured you'd want to know ahead of time.
Anyways, I read the blog little birdie, little bunny... - it's one of the blogs over there in my blog list. It's written by a mom who had planned a homebirth with her first child, birdie, who unfortunately passed away during labor. She transported during labor, had an emergency cesarean, but her baby had passed away. She just had another child, bunny, in September I believe... he's right around Caroline's age. Anyways, she just posted a couple of posts over the last couple of days which got me thinking, namely this one and this one. As you probably known, I'm a huge proponent of homebirth. Henry and Caroline were both born at home, and I truly believe that in most cases it is a safe option for healthy, low risk pregnant moms. When I first read her post, I wanted to comment, but I know that nothing I say will change her mind about homebirth. And I don't think it should be changed! I'm 99.99999% sure that if one of my children had passed away during labor at home, I'd be having any future children in a hospital. Unfortunately, not all hospitals are like the one she delivered her children in. For many women, it's not only a choice about location, it's a choice about having control. It's a choice about having what the research has shown to be best for baby in most cases - a labor which starts naturally. A labor which is not augmented with pitocin. Freedom to move around. Intermittent versus continuous fetal monitoring. A labor which is not dependent on the clock. Freedom to eat and drink during labor. In some hospitals, you can get all that, but not many hospitals, at least around here. The US has a cesarean rate of over 30%. One in three women have their babies via major abdominal surgery. No one can look me in the eye and tell me that one out of three women honestly cannot have a baby the old fashioned way. If that's so, it's a wonder the human race hasn't fallen off of the face of the planet. Anyways, I digress. It happens when I start talking about pregnancy and childbirth lol. So back to my thoughts about the posts. I kind of agree with her, to a point. I think women need to know ALL of the pros and cons of homebirth before they make a decision to have their baby at home. Usually, everything goes fine. Usually. Sometimes, it doesn't. Usually, when it doesn't go fine, there is a competent, trained midwife, like the midwife who caught Caroline and Henry, who can either deal with the problem, or knows that it is outside her scope and it is time to transport. Sometimes, there isn't. Women need to research their options, and decide what is best for them. For some, it's homebirth. For others, it's a hospital. I think my only problem with her posts is that it sounds like she's saying homebirth is never a safe option. I think what she's actually saying is that she wishes women who chose homebirth realize that things can go horribly, tragically wrong, and she's living proof. And it sounds callous when you face that reality head on and say "I know that babies die, but I'm still going to have mine at home." That sounds like you're cheapening her loss in a way. Like you want the experience more than the result. While I can't speak for everyone in the world who has a homebirth, I can speak for me. I said that. I know that babies die. I still wanted to have mine at home. I wrecked a car, in a big way, and STILL wanted to have my baby at home. When I write it out like that, it sounds really selfish. It wasn't, however. I wanted to have my baby at home because I had done all the research. I'd read everything I could get my hands on about homebirth, and hospital birth, and what could go wrong where. I knew that there was a chance, no matter how small it was, that my baby could die, but that small chance would be present at the hospital as well as home. I chose a midwife who I trust with my life, who is extremely knowledgeable, and who wouldn't hesitate to transport if it was necessary. And in the end, I felt in my heart that having my baby at home would be safer for both of us. And, I was one of the many women who had a safe, uneventful birth at home. I guess I'm lucky because of that. I don't think I could ever forgive myself if something had gone wrong and Caroline wasn't with us, but I think I'd feel that way if I had chosen a hospital birth, too. Anyways, I'm off on a tangent again. Someone said "Birth is as safe as life gets." I believe that, but I also believe that life isn't all that safe all the time. And the same goes for birth. I think I just hope that Birdie's mom understands that women who birth at home aren't doing it to be selfish, and they're not denying the fact that they could be in her shoes. They do it because they believe it's what is best for their baby. After all, isn't that what moms do? What is best for their children? I know I do, no matter how many times I joke about drugging them or duct taping them to the wall! My heart just breaks for Birdie's mom, and I wish no one, her included, would ever have to lose a child. So, if you're thinking about having a homebirth, make sure you do your research. Read her story. Read the statistics. Read about hospitals. Talk to other moms. Talk to midwives. Educate, educate, and educate yourself. And then do whatever it is that you feel is best for your child. And yes, a very pro homebirth mom is saying that! I'm the first to admit that if we all did the same thing the world would be a very boring place lol. And while I wish everyone would have a homebirth, or at the VERY least honestly consider it (I mean beyond the "oh, you can have a baby at home? huh, I didn't know that" consideration), I really think I'm on the same page as Birdie's mom when I say make an educated, informed decision.
And THAT would be Amy's random thoughts for the month. Don't expect another mega long blog post anytime soon!
Anyways, I read the blog little birdie, little bunny... - it's one of the blogs over there in my blog list. It's written by a mom who had planned a homebirth with her first child, birdie, who unfortunately passed away during labor. She transported during labor, had an emergency cesarean, but her baby had passed away. She just had another child, bunny, in September I believe... he's right around Caroline's age. Anyways, she just posted a couple of posts over the last couple of days which got me thinking, namely this one and this one. As you probably known, I'm a huge proponent of homebirth. Henry and Caroline were both born at home, and I truly believe that in most cases it is a safe option for healthy, low risk pregnant moms. When I first read her post, I wanted to comment, but I know that nothing I say will change her mind about homebirth. And I don't think it should be changed! I'm 99.99999% sure that if one of my children had passed away during labor at home, I'd be having any future children in a hospital. Unfortunately, not all hospitals are like the one she delivered her children in. For many women, it's not only a choice about location, it's a choice about having control. It's a choice about having what the research has shown to be best for baby in most cases - a labor which starts naturally. A labor which is not augmented with pitocin. Freedom to move around. Intermittent versus continuous fetal monitoring. A labor which is not dependent on the clock. Freedom to eat and drink during labor. In some hospitals, you can get all that, but not many hospitals, at least around here. The US has a cesarean rate of over 30%. One in three women have their babies via major abdominal surgery. No one can look me in the eye and tell me that one out of three women honestly cannot have a baby the old fashioned way. If that's so, it's a wonder the human race hasn't fallen off of the face of the planet. Anyways, I digress. It happens when I start talking about pregnancy and childbirth lol. So back to my thoughts about the posts. I kind of agree with her, to a point. I think women need to know ALL of the pros and cons of homebirth before they make a decision to have their baby at home. Usually, everything goes fine. Usually. Sometimes, it doesn't. Usually, when it doesn't go fine, there is a competent, trained midwife, like the midwife who caught Caroline and Henry, who can either deal with the problem, or knows that it is outside her scope and it is time to transport. Sometimes, there isn't. Women need to research their options, and decide what is best for them. For some, it's homebirth. For others, it's a hospital. I think my only problem with her posts is that it sounds like she's saying homebirth is never a safe option. I think what she's actually saying is that she wishes women who chose homebirth realize that things can go horribly, tragically wrong, and she's living proof. And it sounds callous when you face that reality head on and say "I know that babies die, but I'm still going to have mine at home." That sounds like you're cheapening her loss in a way. Like you want the experience more than the result. While I can't speak for everyone in the world who has a homebirth, I can speak for me. I said that. I know that babies die. I still wanted to have mine at home. I wrecked a car, in a big way, and STILL wanted to have my baby at home. When I write it out like that, it sounds really selfish. It wasn't, however. I wanted to have my baby at home because I had done all the research. I'd read everything I could get my hands on about homebirth, and hospital birth, and what could go wrong where. I knew that there was a chance, no matter how small it was, that my baby could die, but that small chance would be present at the hospital as well as home. I chose a midwife who I trust with my life, who is extremely knowledgeable, and who wouldn't hesitate to transport if it was necessary. And in the end, I felt in my heart that having my baby at home would be safer for both of us. And, I was one of the many women who had a safe, uneventful birth at home. I guess I'm lucky because of that. I don't think I could ever forgive myself if something had gone wrong and Caroline wasn't with us, but I think I'd feel that way if I had chosen a hospital birth, too. Anyways, I'm off on a tangent again. Someone said "Birth is as safe as life gets." I believe that, but I also believe that life isn't all that safe all the time. And the same goes for birth. I think I just hope that Birdie's mom understands that women who birth at home aren't doing it to be selfish, and they're not denying the fact that they could be in her shoes. They do it because they believe it's what is best for their baby. After all, isn't that what moms do? What is best for their children? I know I do, no matter how many times I joke about drugging them or duct taping them to the wall! My heart just breaks for Birdie's mom, and I wish no one, her included, would ever have to lose a child. So, if you're thinking about having a homebirth, make sure you do your research. Read her story. Read the statistics. Read about hospitals. Talk to other moms. Talk to midwives. Educate, educate, and educate yourself. And then do whatever it is that you feel is best for your child. And yes, a very pro homebirth mom is saying that! I'm the first to admit that if we all did the same thing the world would be a very boring place lol. And while I wish everyone would have a homebirth, or at the VERY least honestly consider it (I mean beyond the "oh, you can have a baby at home? huh, I didn't know that" consideration), I really think I'm on the same page as Birdie's mom when I say make an educated, informed decision.
And THAT would be Amy's random thoughts for the month. Don't expect another mega long blog post anytime soon!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to the newest addition to my friend Heather's family! Her new baby boy was born yesterday - can't wait to hear the details! Congratulations Heather, and I hope Eric likes being a big brother!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Well, I'm still pregnant...
Fortunately! I must be the only 41+ week pregnant woman who ever walked OUT of Labor & Delivery! I went to the chiropractor yesterday morning and was coming home when a car made a left turn in front of me. I didn't even have a chance to swerve. So I hit her head on (hit her passenger side) going about 50mph. Both the boys were with me, so we all went to the hospital. I had an ultrasound, there's a baby in there, and it has the cutest face lol. It was a regular old black & white u/s but you could see its cheeks perfectly lol. Baby looked great, placenta looked great, baby was reactive.... OB on call was chomping at the bit to induce me but couldn't give me a reason other than I was REALLY pregnant, so in the end after talking to the midwife and her talking to the OB I went home. I'm REALLY sore, but other than that pretty good considering. I pulled some ligaments in my pelvis and can barely walk which REALLY SUCKS seeing as I should have a baby one of these days, but I'm thoroughly convinced I will be pregnant forever now, since a freaking car accident didn't even put me into labor!!!! The boys were both fine - a bit shaken up and they both have marks from the carseats, but nothing major.
And now for my PSA: CARSEATS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT!!!!! Even if your kids are on the bigger side and could get by with not being in a carseat, err on the side of caution. Everything that was in the backseat (ie cups, toys, random kid crap) hit the windshield, but the carseats kept the kids exactly where they needed to be. And remember, they expire after a certain amount of time (around 5 years). And, they need to be install correctly (for those of you in the area - the state troopers at Avondale Barracks will check your carseat installation for free). So, if you have kids, check your carseats :) And when you wreck, you need to go buy NEW ones. Fortunately we have a couple extra ones in the basement!
And now for my PSA: CARSEATS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT!!!!! Even if your kids are on the bigger side and could get by with not being in a carseat, err on the side of caution. Everything that was in the backseat (ie cups, toys, random kid crap) hit the windshield, but the carseats kept the kids exactly where they needed to be. And remember, they expire after a certain amount of time (around 5 years). And, they need to be install correctly (for those of you in the area - the state troopers at Avondale Barracks will check your carseat installation for free). So, if you have kids, check your carseats :) And when you wreck, you need to go buy NEW ones. Fortunately we have a couple extra ones in the basement!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
I had a baby!
HA! Did I scare you? Well, *I* didn't have a baby, actually - one of my doula clients did. Born at 3:15 this morning, two hours after I got there. Wonderful, calm homebirth. After attending (and having!) homebirths, I don't understand why healthy women with healthy pregnancies choose to have their babies in the hospital. Anyways, bright and early this morning my last baby was born - I'm not on call anymore! I am free to relax, turn my cell phone off, not have gas in my tank... you name it. And wait. For a couple more months until I REALLY have a baby.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
I think it finally hit me
I'm pregnant. Scratch that, I'm REALLY pregnant. In a couple months or so, I'm going to be having a baby! Do you know what I've done for this impending arrival? You got it - zilch. Nada, nothing, not a thing. Heck, all of our baby crap is still in the attic at the old house. Maybe I should get my act together so I don't pull a "well, I think the diapers are in the attic still" when the midwife asks like I did the last time. Hmm.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Me!
Yup that's me! With one of my doula babies! Isn't she just a cutie? I'm talking about the baby :)
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