Baby "Nudges"

I've been feeling little baby "nudges" (as I like to call them) or "flutters" for about a week now. Very reassuring that baby is well... Go baby!! :-)

Pregnancy & Lactation Tea

My midwife requires use of this "NORA" tea for all her clients and believes in its benefits strongly for the health of mama, baby, and to help prevent potential problems during labor.

I prepare it each night and drink a quart of it each day! I am new to tea infusions, the taste took some getting used to, but now it is becoming habit and I am starting to actually enjoy the taste.

If you would like to ask her more questions about it or purchase the tea mixture (1 lb for $12.00), please contact her directly at the phone number or address at the end of the document.

Study - Homebirth is Safe & Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Midwives in VA

My midwife gave me two documents I will share with you if you are interested. The first one I found to be quite an interesting read, the study from the British Medical Journal "Outcomes of Planned Home Births with Certified Professional Midwives: Large Prospective Study in NA."

The second was a copy of the "Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Midwives" from the Virginia Board of Medicine. Download it from this page. Kind of dry, but a brief read.

First Midwife Appointment

... was Wednesday.
Baby: hr 148 bmp via Doppler; fundal height on target. That "thump thump" sound of the heartbeat is one of the best sounds ever!
Me: BP 110/76; weight up about 7 lb

One of Vickie's assistants did my physical. I am in great health! Yay! :o)

We also discussed the financial agreement and she went over all the rest of the mountain of documents she gave me. She mentioned she was going to drop her billing service but can keep it for me if I want it... What all does submitting your own claims entail? That would be new territory for us. I am crossing my fingers that Southern Health is going to cover part of this birth expense and not just labs and office visits... I have heard different results.

Next appt: in 2 weeks. Need to finalize financial agreement and return my health history and nutritional profile forms.

Baby Movements

I think I felt those amazing "flutters" earlier today of the baby moving. I think.

Of course, a pregnant lady is pretty darn gassy, too. :o)

Home Birth Plan

That is, home birth is our birth plan at this time. Jason and I are each in a consensus about the choice, and feel it is safe. I still have somewhat a reservation about it, but when I think of another dozen reservations against another hospital birth. If you recall, I actually did have a relatively good birth experience with Z. However, I was constantly anxious over the strangers coming in and out of my birth room, and I hated the equipment hooked up to me. I know first labors can be very long and tedious--which mine certainly was--but in the back of my mind I still wonder how much more progress I could have made in the comfort of my own home. After all, I arrived at the hospital around 2300 at 8.5 cm dilated and he was born at 1021 the next day... eek!

Many studies have proven it safe. If you feel so inclined and are at all interested in birth issues, please see The Business of Being Born by Ricki Lake. Truly an enlightening documentary about toady's culture and business of childbirth. I found it at my library. It's a very well done film and has been in the press a good deal.

Certainly lots of details to work out... The first of which was choosing a home birth midwife. (I really wish I could hire Z's midwife who was on rotation that night, but alas, as a busy CNM in the hospital setting, I do not see how that could be an option for her.) I was thorough and interviewed all the surrounding licensed CPMs who would see me. I wanted someone I connected with, obviously. But one particular question I asked each one was if she is Christian. I found only one who was both Christian and I felt that connection. After much prayer and discernment, I have chosen Vickie Ligouri of McGaheysville. (Her link may be broken as she is still working out the fun details of getting the site going.) Since we should be keeping God at the center of our lives, I felt it an important question to ask. What better place to begin the Walk than while under prenatal care in the womb? Vickie is experienced but just beginning to get her business off the ground.

I would like to speak with my previous provider (the team of now six CNM's at Rockingham Memorial Hospital) and see if they would see me should we choose to transfer. I would feel most comfortable going to RMH in a non-emergent situation. However, if we are in an emergency, we are only ten minutes from another good hospital, Augusta Health.

Please comment here on the blog (or Facebook, email, etc.) about any feedback you can share or just any info in general. We appreciate all your prayers and good thoughts for our family!

~ Shalom ~

Headaches

Early 2nd trimester... I have been fighting a horrible headache today. This morning at work the meeting I sat in on was difficult to focus. It actually helped to wear my glasses though. I called my midwife and she thought it was most likely I did not have enough protein yesterday. Interesting! I was watching my protein intake well for the first several weeks but have slacked. Headaches were inconsistent and annoying but had stopped for the last couple of weeks until today. I will try to do better and see if I notice a consistent improvement. Aren't our bodies amazing? Usually there is some sort of message they are sending us -- but sometimes the challenge is interpreting that message!

Priming for a New Role - Pregnancy & "Baby Brain"

A friend brought me this article that clearly explains "baby" or "Mommy" brain as we mamas are all too familiar!

Pregnant women and animals experience slight decreases in learning and memory—changes that appear to pave the way for cognitive benefits in motherhood and may even advantage mothers as they age. 

A couple of weeks ago I thought maybe I was totally losing it. Well, not exactly, but I did know well enough to know my memory problems were related to the pregnancy. I couldn't remember to get Z's prescription for days, which was very unlike me, among countless other silly things I did or didn't do which for the life of me now, I cannot remember! 

So have no fear, my fellow preggos. We are normal. We are not crazy after all!

Announcement

Here's our latest family announcement!

Reducing Infant Mortality

An excellent short film on the factors surrounding a big problem our families face in the U.S.

Reducing Infant Mortality from Debby Takikawa on Vimeo.

An OB Collaborating with Midwives

I thought this guy is compelling enough to promote. I sent him a small donation for his legal fight for women's rights to informed consent! Go Doc! http://supportdrfischbein.blogspot.com/2009/08/summary-of-what-is-happening-now.html

Weaning... Another Milestone

Zyler is 19 months old! Can you believe it?

I think I may have nursed Zyler for the last time on Tuesday evening. Or at least the last time for a while... We had gotten down to just a.m. and p.m. sessions when he was cutting the morning one short a few weeks back. But he hung onto the evening session for a few more weeks, even if the sessions were short and sweet. I've always had trouble off and on getting him to not use me as a teething toy when he has teeth coming in, so I have had mixed feelings on weaning anyway... But I think it was this Wednesday when I went into his room when Daddy was reading him books, and he just wanted to go into bed instead of asking for milk. That has never happened before in my presence! I was miffed in a way but fine with it at the same time. Today I was kneeling down with him and he was looking at my nursing tank top at the clasps and said "milk," not in a request way but just observing, and proceeded to look down my shirt at the source. :) I didn't offer and it was fine.... We'll see if he might request any comfort nursing or such.

Update 8/24: He has started asking for milk again at bedtime for the past several nights... Ah, what a journey. I do have to admit that I was enjoying having my body back...! :o) But I certainly enjoy our BF bond we have...

This is Why I'm Walking on May 2

Sponsor my walk! I thank you so much!

Sponsor Me at March for Babies

Please help me reach my goal! It's easy to donate online or mail a check to me. Thanks so much!

Thinking of Topics, & Books

I have wondered what direction to take this blog. Motherhood is certainly not a boring subject, by any means. But, I feel at this point this is "just another parenting blog." I may journal about a few random subjects while I ponder this. Please comment or email me if you have topic suggestions!

My first more "random" post is to share a starting list of books on my hopeful "to read 1 day" list. The first book -- How to Read the Bible -- is recommended by a friend. I look forward to hearing more about it. I would like to delve more into my spiritual growth by studying more about scripture and being a faithful steward of the reading the Word regularly.

I know my worship should take first priority. But realistically, how does a working Mom find time? Please, offer me some suggestions for taking this leap.

Zyler is a Half-Year Old Today

I will take a posting lead from a friend and post my life's briefest highlights.

• I turned 30 on June 16. There were presents. There was red velvet yummy cake. (Thanks, M-I-L!)
• I had my womanly physical last week with the midwife, Ann, who delivered Zyler. She is awesome... All is well. She gave me some other birth control options to consider. I am not considering anything hormonal.
  
• I finally feel like a "Mom."
  
• I love motherhood.
  
• I hate working 40 hours and seeing so little of Zy during the week. Would love to work less, but keep working.
  
• Zyler is doing great. Not an illness to speak of. Still 100% Mommy Milk.
• I still pump while away from Zyler. Pumping still sucks. :) But I can't stop.
• Zyler is awake once or sometimes none at nights. It's wonderful. I'm still tired, but feel human again!
  
• I cannot believe it's been 6 months. I can remember those days of labor and the birth vividly. My just-about-natural birth = totally empowering.
  

Sleep 2

Sleep... it's overrated... right?

I figured out he's not getting enough to eat before Jason and I are in bed. I've tried the "dream feeds" in the past and they didn't seem to help--he would still wake at least twice over night. So, last night I decided it was worth a try again and had Jason give him a full 4 oz bottle of Mommy Milk. He only woke again at 3 AM to eat. Score! Jason gave him another bottle but I was so engorged I had to go downstairs to pump! Doh!

I appreciate the concept and have no basic problem with co-sleeping, but somehow I end up getting even less sleep trying that. Zyler tends to kick and wiggle in the early morning, keeping me awake. I may give it another go during/after that early morning feed, though, and see if it helps me/us get more rest. That way I don't have to use so much energy sitting up to feed him and get him back into bed.

I am certainly open to discussion and comments on the sleep subject!

Sleep?

Well, on second thought... He isn't quite back to 1 waking per night every night. I am still very tired as he is waking at least twice a night most nights. But I just tell myself that it does get better, and I do remember to cherish those night feedings and cuddles as much as possible. After all, they are tiny for such a short time.

Zyler is 4 Months Old!

I can't believe it's been 4 months! We just got our bill from the hospital for each of us! And it's already been 4 MONTHS! Zyler is thriving on exclusive Mommy Milk and doing splendidly. Just this week he started rolling to the left a lot in his crib. We often find him sleeping on his tummy or on his tummy and his side. He has finally gotten back down to 1 waking at night. He was waking 2 and 3 times for several weeks. I think a lot had to do with his trying to figure out the rolling over. I am worn out but starting to feel somewhat normal again! He is taking better naps, and he also plays with his rattles and loves to talk and coo to us. He holds his head up well, and likes to play with his feet. No toe sucking yet though. :o)

I am going to attempt going back to work full time this week. I am tired... and also sad to not be with him as much during the day, but hopefully I will find a groove that I will be able to be happy with. He stays with our cousin and his grandmothers while I'm working. That way, he can't wear out just 1 of them. :o)

Beautiful "Angel Mommy" Video

Yet again, so touching that I couldn't not share! Grab your tissues!

It is hard to imagine life without our Zyler. I know now that he is 1 of the main reasons for my miscarriage. But, you can't help but wonder - what would life be today had we been blessed with that baby? It is hard to believe that he/she would have been around 14 months old already.