Birth Thoughts

So I was thinking about my labor experience...a crazy one, but one that I would not take back. I learned a lot from it. Like...

Low-pitch groans and sounds do so much more than high-pitched shrills and shreaks. I did some of both, and Ina May knows best. I also kept my jaw very loose by blowing 'raspberries' or that stuff that horses do, letting the lips do a flapping thing.

Being confined a bed would NOT have worked for me had I been in a hospital. I was moving around quite a bit, was in the shower and tub a lot before the real pool was filled, and I was down on all fours when a contraction hit (if I was walking around or whatever). I found that was the best position for me. That and then I either hugged Nathan or buried my face in the ground or in the mattress if I was next to the bed.

The water is amazing. Unfortunately I ended up having to get out, but boy, when I was either in the shower, tub or the pool, there was such relief. It was almost instant. Sure, the contractions were still there, but there was something about the water that was just pure relaxation. Too much for me we found out. Hopefully the next one won't be that way.

Good midwives are simply my heroes. Yes, I believe that had another midwife been taking care of us, we would've ended up at the hospital needlessly. In fact, the midwife assisting MY midwife was ready for us to go. She had asked Rose Marie if she was ready to take me. It was a thought, but thankfully a fleeting one for Rose Marie. She told me later that she did consider it. She took a couple of minutes away from it all and literally asked God for wisdom on what to do. We weren't in any danger, and because baby was literally just a couple of inches away, she was determined to see this through with my wishes in mind. I love my midwife. Oh, and great midwives will also 'threaten' you :) Yes, after Xander was born and we had done the bath thing and all that, all I wanted to do was eat, hold my baby and sleep. Well, not so easy. In blunt terms, she made me sit in the toilet as long as it took for me to pee. When I tried to get up and get into bed, she threatened me with, "You need to go or I'll have to cath you." Huh??? Cath, like catheter? Yes, like catheter. Apparently you have to do that or be catheterized (sp?). It took a few minutes, but her threat was enough to keep me there a little longer when all I wanted was to eat some pancakes. Thank God for amazing midwives.

Those are just thoughts I had today.

And with those thoughts, a few more recent pics. I can't get enough of him.


He LIKES time at the changing table. Let's hope it stays this way.


Sweetness


No boobie there, kiddo.


With Auntie Resa. I love this picture.


Playing with phone from Abuelita. This was his first time to actually hold it...couldn't catch the whole thing on camera.


With Daddy...who hasn't approved the posting of this shot...


Laughing with Abuelita


He holds his toys now