My Natural Hospital Childbirth Plan

As the birth of my little boy approaches I thought I better put all of my thoughts and heartfelt desires for my birth onto paper, to have at the ready when it's time to go to the hospital.

I would ideally like to have a home birth, assisted by a licensed mid-wife. Well, living in New Brunswick,Canada where midwifery is allegal and where currently there are no certified midwives accepting new clients, this ideal cannot be a reality for me. And although I would do a home birth with "just" a doula, Mitch is not comfortable with that. So, we will head to the hospital when labour happens.

So here it is... my plan for a natural hospital childbirth (extended version):

I am planning a natural, intervention-free birth. I have never done this before, and although I'm a little nervous, I am hopeful, prepared, and determined. Please support me in this endeavour.

BEGINNING LABOUR
-I would like to begin labour naturally. I know that artificially induced labour can hurt more than a labour that begins on its own, and I really don't want to have to use pain medicines.
-If my water breaks first, I would like to wait for contractions to begin on their own. I am prepared to try natural ways to augment the start of contractions (walking, nipple stimulation, etc.)
-I know it's a "frivolous" request but I would really feel more comfortable in my own clothes during labour, birth and post-partum.

PEOPLE IN THE ROOM
-I request that I have the fewest number of people in the room as possible (please no extra students, residents etc. Just the doctor, nurse and baby nurse)
-I would like to have no other visitors or guests, etc., before or during labour. It should be just me and my husband.

FIRST STAGE OF LABOUR
-I request that only intermittent fetal monitoring be done and that I not be hooked up to an IV so that I can be mobile throughout this stage of labour.
-I request that vaginal exams be limited (one upon arrival to the hospital and one when I feel the urge to push). I don't want to be disappointed by a low number.
-I am aware that pain medications are available. If I need them I will ask, so please don't ask me if I want them.
-I plan to manage my pain in a variety of ways: changing positions, using an exercise ball, walking, using water (shower/ tub), etc.
- Please do not break my water... I would like that to happen on its own

SECOND STAGE OF LABOUR
-I would like to choose the position in which I push in ( this most likely will not be on my back)
-I would like to push without coaching or "counting to ten". I will push and breathe at my own pace
-As long as my baby and I are healthy I prefer no time limits on pushing
-please use perineal massage and warm compresses on my perineum
-I would rather risk a tear than have an episiotomy... Please get my consent before doing an episiotomy.
-please do not use forceps or a vacuum extractor unless absolutely necessary... Again please get my consent before using them.

BABY'S HEARTBEAT
If the heart rate if my baby becomes a concern I would like to do the following:
-eat and drink something to see if the extra sugars will wake the baby up
-change positions to see if this moves the baby off of his umbilical cord
-after this, I'd like to have the heart rate checked with a handheld Doppler
-please rub the baby's head to see if his positively affects the heart rate

C-SECTION
- I STRONGLY hope to avoid a cesarean section. However, if one becomes necessary I would like my husband to be present at all times of the operation.
-I would like to touch/hold my baby as soon as possible... Before an examination of the baby.
-I would liked husband to be with the baby at all times

POST-BIRTH
-I'd like to hold my baby immediately after birth as I know how important skin to skin is
-I'd like the staff to wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsing before clamping it
-I would like my husband to cut the cord
- I do not want routine Pitocin post-partum. I have confidence that the uterine contractions that occur when breast feeding my baby will help deliver the placenta and stop any hemorrhaging
-I would like to have all routine newborn procedures post-poned until after I have held and breasted my baby. I would especially like to post pone eye ointment
-I would like all newborn procedures to be done in my presence, while I am ( or my husband is) holding/touching the baby.
-NO HepB vaccine! I understand it is important that my baby receive the full gamut of vaccinations as a baby but I would rather delay them and do them on my own schedule.

*If at any time there are complications and the baby has any problems I'd like my husband to be with the baby at all times!*

I am excited to bring my baby into the world naturally, and I am excited to bring him home as soon as possible. I would prefer to be discharged as soon as we can, especially at this time of year where whooping cough and Norwalk virus are around. I understand that I will have to being my baby back for PKU testing within a few days and will definitely do this. I have always struggled with being comfortable in a hospital and would just prefer to be back home with my family and personal support system as soon as possible. This will allow me to rest better, and will allow me to relax and bond better with my baby and will allow my milk to let down more easily as well.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this over and for all of your patience and understanding. This once in a lifetime experience (having my first baby) is something I look forward to with anticipation and joy.

And So We Wait

Well, once again I apologize for being MIA on this blog for the past few months. I really have no excuse. So instead of dwelling on it I am just going to move onwards and upwards and assume most of the people that read this will forgive me :)

I guess the biggest thing to update you on us the fact that I am now 38 and 1/2 weeks pregnant. Yes, I have survived the roller coaster of emotions and physical changes that come with being pregnant for the first time-yahoo!- and now I can truly say I really have loved every minute of it. Sure the morning sickness and the mood swings and the exhaustion is difficult but I believe that it just makes the reward of bring a life into this world that much more meaningful. The Lird has blessed me with the ability to co-create with Him this little boy that is growing inside of me... what an incredible privilege it is!

I have to say that the last 9 months really have brought Mitch and me closer together. We have been together for 8 and 1/2 years now (5 dating and 3 1/2 married) and I can say - with much confidence- that we are ready to be parents together. We aren't naive to think that having a baby is going to be all sunshine and lollipops. We know it's going to change our lives for ever, but we also know that we will be there to support each other through it all. We know that our love brought this life into being and we can trust in that love.

So, now that the 9 months is over, and our little boy is considered to be "full term" we simply get to wait. We'll wait for the last leg of this incredible journey. We'll wait for the real work - the labour - to kick in (I've been sitting at 3cm dilation for the past 2 weeks). And when it does, we will be excited to bring our little "Luke" into our lives. I am nervous but excited for the delivery process but I am able to stay relatively calm about it knowing that I will have my incredible husband by my side, and our ever-present Father watching over us all.

I can't wait to hear that little cry and to hold my baby boy for the first time.

Plum Plump

Well it sure has been a long time since I've updated this ol' blog of mine. I've been feeling so yucky that I haven't really felt like sitting down at the computer and writing after spending full days at work sitting in front of the computer writing.  But, at 12 weeks and 4 days pregnant, I'm happy to say I'm seeing lulls in the 24/7 morning sickness (HALLELUJAH!!!). So here is the long-awaited update:

I have been completely miserable with regards to the morning sickness I've had. It's just been so unpredictable. One day I could feel pretty good (just the usual tiredness and a little nausea when I haven't eaten in a while), but then the next I could be throwing up every hour on the hour. It's been quite hard to deal with.  I know that there are different medicines that you can take that make you  feel better, but I'm a hippie at heart and don't like putting any unnatural substances in my body if I don't have to.... I'd rather deal with the sickness than know that potentially I could be hurting this little baby that's inside of me. So, I suffer willingly :)

Week 10 was by far the worst week... thankfully it was the week that I had off work, so I could stay home and be sick in my own toilet rather than the public ones at the University. It was also the week that we went for our first official prenatal doctor's appointment. To be honest I was a little nervous, as I'd never been to this particular hospital before, and I'd never met that particular doctor before etc. etc. And to make things worse we had a really hard time finding parking so I was getting a little stressed out... not good for the baby I know. But once we finally did find a parking space, and found the clinic, I was able to calm down since everyone there was really nice and welcoming though, which made things better.

The nurse that saw us was so sweet. She was great. But when it came time for her to use the doppler to try to find the baby's heartbeat she couldn't.... which I knew was ok especially this early on, but I was a little disappointed just the same. The nurse told me that my abs were to strong for her to get through, so that made me feel good.  Then we had to wait and wait and wait for the doctor, since the doctor that we had was delivering a baby via emergency c-section. So after about an hour or so of waiting, a really young doctor met with us. She asked a bunch of questions and then gave me my pap. Well OUCH!!! I know this is probably too much information for a blog, but never before did I have a pap hurt like that in my life! When she was inserting the speculum she stabbed me in my vaginal wall and it started to bleed... then she continued with the procedure and asked, "Do you normally bleed when you have a pap?". I wanted to yell "NO!!! Normally I have a doctor who actually knows what they're doing!!!", but this doctor seemed nervous and young and I was trying to be nice. Anyway, finally the REAL doctor came in and she was amazing. Very nice and reassuring. But, because of the bleeding -- which the young doctor told the older one started before she even reached my cervix (which was true because of the stabbing), and because of the fact that I only had 2 regular 28 day cycles before I got pregnant (the 4 before that were irregular... 26 days one time 31 the next etc.), and because the nurse couldn't find my heartbeat, she wanted me to go to getting a "Dating Ultrasound" done. Too say the least I was disappointed again. Again, the hippie in me didn't want to be shooting any extra sound-waves at my little tiny developing baby if I didn't have to.

Then after that was all said and done, I had to go down to get blood work done, which is never fun. So, to say the least I went home crying and crying. What a horrible day. Approximately 2 hours later I  got a call from the Ultrasound department, scheduling me in for the next day. So, after a night filled with horrible sleep and tears, I got up the next day trying to be excited about it all... which was REALLY hard because I had horrible morning sickness and I had to drink a lot of water which only ever makes me feel worse. In fact, on the way out of the house to leave for the hospital I had to turn around and run inside to be sick one more time before I left. 

So, we find our way to the ultrasound place... and they called my name and gave me one of those ugly blue gowns that you know a gazillion people have worn before (YUCK) and then tell you to go sit in the main waiting room  until they're ready for you. Well, it's not fun to have people walk up and down the hall and see you in that blue gown thinking you're sick or that something's wrong with you. So again, a rough start to a day I was trying to be optimistic at.

Well, finally they called Mitch and I back to the ultrasound room. "Here we go... " I thought to myself. We get to the room, and actually it was quite nice... all the lights were out except for the lights on the machine, which actually made it cozy. Mitch sat right beside me holding my hand, making me feel like no matter what everything was going to be ok. The Ultrasound Technician was SO sweet and friendly which made things much easier. So, up comes the gown to expose my flat belly, and I prepared myself for the cold gel.... which ended up just coming out of the warmer so it wasn't cold at all :) As soon as she put the transducer on me there appeared the little baby. The heart was beating at 176 bpm just as healthy as could be :). The technician moved it all around and took lots of pictures. Then did an internal ultrasound since the baby was still just the size of a prune. We could see the baby even more clearly, and  we even saw it moving it's little leg. Mitch was SO excited, shocked and emotional about this. Anyway, after about a half hour  of looking at our baby we finally were ready to leave the hospital. I left in a much better mood than I came in, even despite still feeling sick.

Anyway, those are the most significant things to note in this update. Until next time :)

How far along?: 12 Weeks 4 days

 
Total weight gain/loss: A little gained... back to my regular 155lbs.

 
How big is baby: The baby is now the size of a plum.

Maternity clothes?:Still no need but it's definitely getting closer... I can't wear my pants without doing the old elastic trick. I'm definitely feeling more "plum"p :)

 
Stretch Marks: Not yet. And from what I've read, they're a genetic thing in the way that if your mom had lots of stretch marks then you'll have lots.... well mom barely had any so I think I'm going to be ok.

Sleep: This is still my favourite word ever. I love sleep. It is my life saver these days.

Best moment this week: Having more and more breaks from morning sickness YAY!!! And, probably waking up this morning to Mitch rubbing my belly and saying, "I love your little bump... look it even hangs when you're laying on your side!"

 
Movement: Nope none yet.

Food cravings: Junk food... I am happy to say  I haven't caved in yet, but I've been craving pizza, a big mac and french fries from Mc. D's... and OOOOoooo Chinese food... those noodles and veggies, fried rice, egg rolls and plum sauce, and of course chicken balls with sweet and sour sauce. MmMMmMm.

Food aversions: Not really at this point... I still do better with cold foods than I do with hot foods, but that's slowly changing :)

Gender: I have no idea yet. I want a girl, Mitch wants a boy, but we'll both be happy with whatever we end up with as long as he/she is healthy. (Ditto from last week)

Labor signs: No, thank the Lord.

 

Belly Button in or out? Innie

What I miss: Feeling capable... for the last little while I've felt incapable of doing even the most menial household tasks.

What I am looking forward to: Seeing the new stroller and car seat that got delivered this morning (it's at home, and I'm at work).... and then the 2nd, and hopefully final, ultrasound appointment on October 19th.... that's when we get to find out if it's a boy or a girl, and we can finally stop calling this baby "The grape" or "The plum" etc.

 
Weekly wisdom: Continue to eat, eat, eat :)

Milestones: The bump is showing a little

Baby Blueberry Update

Well, it's been a few weeks since I've had a chance to update this blog with baby fun. So, today, during my lunch break at work I'll do it.  For the last 2 weeks the "morning sickness" or the 24/7 sickness as I like to call it, has really set in. I have been lucky in the sense that I haven't thrown up very much, but unlucky in that I feel like I could every minute of every day.

 

Poor Mitch says that I'm like a ghost that haunts the house that he lives in with Jack and Holly. He has been amazing. I am so lucky to have a husband like him. He has done the laundry, made meals, done the dishes, cleaned the floors,  gotten groceries. Wow. I sure am lucky. 

 

We both are getting more and more excited for this little sprout that growing inside of me. We have been tossing names around, and looking at clothes and nursery ideas. All of the expensive but fun parts of being soon-to-be parents. 

 

So until next week, here's the update: 

 

How far along?: 7 Weeks

 
Total weight gain/loss: A little lost... down from 155 to 152 lbs, although I don't know how since I'm exercising less and eating more. Maybe it's muscle loss.

 
How big is baby: The baby is now the size of a blueberry.

Maternity clothes?:Still no need.... but still majorly bloated. Yuck.

 
Stretch Marks: Not yet. I'm still putting lots of cream on my belly, hoping to keep them away.

Sleep: This is my favourite word ever. I love sleep. It is my life saver these days.

Best moment this week: Having a break from morning sickness so far today. On a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being not sick at all and 10 being puking like crazy) I'm about a 5 today... the lowest I've been in 2 weeks!

 
Movement: Nope none yet.

Food cravings: Um I was craving apple juice the other day... but I think that's because I was thirsty and a commercial for apple juice was on TV. And actually, Mitch went out and got me some and I love it! It settles my queezy belly :)

Food aversions: Well I think I had my first one on Monday. I lived on homemade chicken noodle soup last week, and then Monday I opened up my thermos to have my lunch, and I couldn't because one smell of it and I was ready to hurl. EWWW.  Oh yeah, and bananas.... I was working at a youth supper on Friday, and I had to hand out apples and bananas... well it was a 40 degree Celsius day and the bananas had been left out all day, and they stunk SO bad. Now, one look at a banana and I'm running to the bathroom. Gross.

Gender: I have no idea yet. I want a girl, Mitch wants a boy, but we'll both be happy with whatever we end up with as long as he/she is healthy. (Ditto from last week)

Labor signs: No, thank the Lord.

 

Belly Button in or out? Innie

What I miss: Feeling energetic and feeling like I'm not going to be sick every minute of every day.

What I am looking forward to: Again, the first OB/GYN appointment... August 17... only 3 more weeks away. And of course for the morning sickness to go away.

 
Weekly wisdom: Eat before going to bed.... eat when you get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and eat before you get out of bed in the morning.

Milestones: Our little sprout is making mommy sick.... I now have a whole new respect for the thousands of moms who have gone through morning sickness before.

The Lord Gives and The Lord Takes Away

Well, we didn't end up getting the farm house that I previously blogged about. We went and had the inspection and all things considered it went pretty well. However, there were some major issues. When I heard words like : black mold, asbestos, illegal plumbing, knob and tube wiring, and many more, I just couldn't do it. So, we're back to square one.... which we are ok with because.....

We're pregnant!!! We found out and couldn't be happier. We started trying in mid June, thinking it would take at least a few months to get pregnant, but, first time is the charm! I was lucky to find out early, at the four week mark when our baby or, "Sprout" as we affectionately call it, was just the size of a grain of rice.

We couldn't be happier. I am now 5 weeks along, my due date is March 15th, 2 days after my Mom's birthday, and 2 days before Mitch's birthday. I figure it'll come much later than that anyway, since most people say your first is always late. I found the following template on a friend's blog... check her out: The Rookie Wife. So, I stole it and will use it to track the fun of the next few months too.

How far along?: 5 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: So far, nothing... I'm a steady 155lbs.
How big is baby: The size of an appleseed now.  (S)He doubles in size every week! 
Maternity clothes?: I don't need them yet... but I'm excited to go shopping for some :) I have had a lot of pregnancy bloat though, that has made my pants a little tighter than usual. 
Stretch Marks: Not yet, and I'm trying my best not to get them.... lots of creaming up my belly.

Sleep: This is all I want to do ALL the time!!!!!! I'm exhausted. I've been taking naps every day after work. As for night time... I'm still doing ok... I do have to get up to pee more than usual though which is annoying since it takes me a little while to fall back to sleep after I do get up.

Best moment this week: Sharing the exciting news with family and close friends! It's so neat to watch their reactions.
Movement: Nope, just lots of gas haha.
Food cravings: None really. I've been trying my best to eat as healthy as possible so I'm glad I haven't had any cravings yet.
Food aversions: I have aversions to some things, mainly because of the  smells.... I was making homemade pizza the other night, and the smell of the spaghetti sauce nearly made me throw up. And at work yesterday the smell of the hallway outside of the staff room did quite a number on me too. Oh, and yummy Timothy's coffee... a guy at work made some the other day and I had to get up and close my door and open my window because I got so nauseous.

Gender: I have no idea yet. I want a girl, Mitch wants a boy, but we'll both be happy with whatever we end up with as long as he/she is healthy.

Labor signs: No, thankfully it's too soon for that!
Belly Button in or out? Innie
What I miss: I do miss a cold beer on a hot summer's day *sigh*

What I am looking forward to: Everything! Going to my first appointment at the OB/GYN, hearing the heartbeat for the first time, first ultrasound, finding out if it's a boy or girl, shopping for baby and me.... and of course bringing baby home for the first time.
Weekly wisdom: I've learned to rest when you feel tired... you are much easier to live with if you do.

Milestones: Our little sprout is making mommy sore... light period-like cramping, bloating, headaches, stabbing pain of ligaments stretching. But I know these are all good signs :)

So, Mitch and I are thrilled. But, the Lord gives and the Lord takes away.... I got a call last night from Dad saying that my great uncle, Red, passed away early yesterday evening from a heart attack. I know that he had a great life, and that he's been "living on borrowed time" for the last 25 years or so (he had a massive heart attack before, and he had a quadruple bipass, and has only had 23% usage of his heart since then), but it doesn't make it any less heartbreaking. Mom told Aunt Audey about our little Sprout last night, so that she could have a "reason" for Uncle Red's death. It's nice that there is some happy news to balance out the sad. So, Mitch and I are going to celebrate the happy news on a camping trip with the Martins, and then head to Miramichi to mourn the loss of a life on Sunday and Monday. 

Thank you Lord for your many blessings, and watch over us all through the trials and tribulations of life. Let us know that we are yours, and every day is a gift from you.

~L 

Garden Update

Me trying to add some more sheep manure to my yucky clay soil.

My first garden ever has definitely been A LOT of work to get started. After turning over the sod, and making the drills, and realizing that the soil is a hard, mucky, red clay I've spent hours - and  a lot of money - trying to get the soil enriched with nutrients, and air. Sheep manure, peat moss, compost, compost-tea.... it's never ending. I have planted all of my transplants and seeds.

 I'm happy to report, despite the less-than-marvelous soil conditions, everything is growing!!!!

-corn is thriving and I planted my pole bean seeds around each corn stock on Saturday

-peas are about 8 inches tall now and really starting to fill out

-my carrots and turnips are coming along.... I hate having to thin the little carrot sprouts out.. I feel like I'm killing them, and I get a little guilty feeling :)

-my spinach, lettuce and cabbage are all up

-beets are just showing themselves

-my onions and garlic are just taking over.... they really are shaping up and I'll be getting a good harvest from them

-potatoes are getting stronger each day.... and my compost pile has 15 potato plants growing in there that are the healthiest things. I'm going to try to keep them in their and harvest from there at the end of the summer

-and many seeds are just planted and should be sprouting up this time next week

There is something so satisfying about planting a garden and watching it actually grow. I feel like it's my therapy... even though it's a lot of work, I find it relaxing, and a great time to pray. Happy gardening everyone :)

Meet Jack - My 1 Year Old Flatcoated Retriever

The 2nd pee break on the 14 hour drive from Ottawa to Moncton, on the first day we got him.

 It's hard to believe that Jack has been with us for almost 8 whole months! He has grown so much (as you can see from these pictures). From the day we picked him up from Knightcastle in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, to watching him sleep soundly beside me on the floor as I type this now. He sure has come a LONG way! He has captured our hearts and really has made us a family. I love you Jack :)

Jack's first swim at the Enclosure in Miramichi, NB at 9 1/2 weeks. 

Jack's first trip to the Sackville Fall Fair. He loved the cows :)

Our little Jack-O-Lantern

An autumn walk on the Dobson Trail.

November on the Dobson Trail.... 4 1/2 months.

He plays hard and sleeps harder. Oh... and he's like his dad... he LOVES Mickey Mouse.

Jack loves the snow... when he gets all covered in snowballs we call him Jack Frost

Snow-shoeing is his favourite winter activity

Jack sure loves his dad. March = 7 1/2 months

An early spring trip to Richie's Wharf. 8 months.

Walking along Moncton's boardwalk beside the Petticodiac River in the rain... 10 months.

Finally back in the water. He loves the little creek in behind our subdivision... especially when he gets to chase sticks. My little Lumber Jack.

I grew up with a beautiful Golden Retriever, Abby, who lived 16 years. When it came to get another dog I knew I needed another Retriever. I love their spunk and energy. So, we got a Flatcoat. Flatcoats are definitely a lot more energy and a totally different type of dog than Goldens. They are affectionately known as the "Peter Pan" of the dog world... forever young. I love them, especially my Jack.