Welcome my lil acorn (My Birth Story)

I am writing this to my daughter on the day of her birth one year later (her 1st b-day)

A leannan, mo chridhe, 
My darling baby girl, I cannot believe how fast this last year has went. You have brought a joy & light to my life as no one else has. I want you to know how you came into the world. So I thought I'll write it down so I won't ever forget.

One year later is is still fresh in my mind....it was somewhere around 6am Sunday April 20th. We had been waiting for you for a while (I was about a week overdue, but due dates are never right anyway!) & on that Friday I started getting some braxton hicks contractions & the tell tale cleaning out of the body before birth (diarreah/vomiting). My doctor thought you were gonna come SOON so Grandmama came down that Friday so she wouln't miss anything! But you had another plan...Back to Sunday...there it was still dark in the early morning & I was pacing around our room feeling the contractions getting stronger & more regular. As they got stronger I went into my yoga poses to ease the pain. Although the pain was strong it was nothing unbearable.

A little while later Daddy & Grandmama were up & we knew it would be showtime soon. I fixed me some oatmeal & tea because I knew I would need to have strength, then when my contractions got 5 mins apart for 1 hour it was time to go to the hospital. But as we're going out the door we remembered we had to make a payment to make sure my website would continue to be up & running (it was expiring that day!). So I did that & then we we're out. That just shows you that even at that stage in labor, it does not have to be a crazy mad rush to the hospital. In between contractions I was calm & peaceful.

 So there we were in the bright early morning Sunday around 9am, I went with Grandmama & Daddy took his car because we forgot the dog ran out of food, so he went down to the corner store to get that & then met us there. So we check in to the labor & delivery & are put in the triage room to see how far along I am (about 2-3 cm). The lady that is going to be there to help deliver you is a midwife, so I'm thinking yay we'll def be on the same page (and she was the same lady that had checked me the day before when i went in for a blood pressure check)!

Then we're waiting for the room to get set up & the midwife comes to check on me & as she's doing so my water breaks. The pain of labor is still not really that bad. So then we eagerly arrive in our "labor suite" I put out our birth plan & get comfortable. They try to put the fetal monitors on me but I say no I'm good (see why HERE, the 2nd to last paragraph) I wanna be able to move around. Then in comes Daddy piled high with all the goods. He had the birth ball, massage oil, snacks, card games to play in case of a long wait, overnight luggage & about 3 different fits (I couldn't decide which one you would wear!) & supplies for the new bundle of joy! Labor is getting stronger when in comes the nurse trying to get me to read some papers & I'm like "I can't even do this right now I'm in labor!" LOL  Then peoples cell phones are going off & people are chatting, that was my one crazy woman in labor thing. "GET OUT WITH THE CELL PHONES!" I screamed. Then there was peace.

All of a sudden I hear a commotion & look to Daddy, behind his shades, long tears roll down his face as he announces his beloved Granny has just passed away. I go to his side, sit on his lap & comfort him. Then the contractions start getting stronger & closer together, I must return to my relaxation techniques. I'm listening to my music on the ipod, doing my yoga poses (mostly childs pose & cow) on the birthing bed. The pain came in waves that felt like VERY strong cramps. Now I don't know bout you but I thought you know, I would be walking around & using all those goodies your dad brought, but no not me. You were well on your way!

Suddenly I feel a shift in your position (like you're in the birth canal now!) & some more water coming out. I yelled out "Somethings coming out of me!" (to my credit I was in pain & I wasn't sure what the liquid was) but that will go down forever in history as the hilariously obvious moment that I announced to the world that you were about to come out. Well I really did feel like you were about to come out...anyways, Grandmama ran out to get help. Meanwhile I'm still on my hands & knees on the bed. All of a sudden I hear these click clack noises, I look back & they are setting up the stirrups (aaaa!) & they're telling me to turn around. I say "NO, I want the birthing bar!!" They keep telling me I gotta turn around but I refuse & keep repeating that. Then the midwife tells me you're about to come out & they don't have time to set it up. So, reluctantly I turn around.

I guess by "she's about to come out" meant another 30 minutes of pushing to her because that's what happened! Liars! I should have gone with my first instinct (Mama's Intuition) & refused to turn around. Anyways, Daddy was on one side & Grandmama was on the other & they wiped my brow & gave me sips of tea & helped me bring you into the world. The nurses put a mirror up so I could see you when I pushed & it's funny I remember the midwife was playing with your hair, twirling it around her gloved finger. Finally, after only 3 hours in the hospital, you came to us. Slimey, wet & beautiful, you were put in my arms.

Then, you pooped on me. But I didn't care one bit! My baby girl was here after months of waiting & wondering, you were HERE!! All I could do was smile & a feeling of serene joy filled the room. You were so aware & you stared right at me, eyes gleaming. It's funny, I don't know how people get babies mixed up. If they brought me back a different baby I would instantly know. It's like the moment I saw you, you were etched in my heart. A mother knows. That's what they say right? Does this happen to all mamas, I wonder? Then Daddy cut the cord & I, of course, started breastfeeding. For the first hour it was just me you Daddy & Grandmama. Major bonding time! Then Daddy & the nurse gave you a bath & we let everyone else in as they weighed you & took your measurements etc. Then they brought FOOD, heavenly food, so while loved ones were cooing & awwhing over you, I smashed on that feast! Later we were moved to our private room & after lots of visiting from family & friends, we all got to rest. AWWWHH,  just us again, the sacred family bond of man, woman & child.

Te Amo,
Mama

PS So, even though I was on my back when I did the pushing (I know this is the reason why I ripped, yes OUCH!!!) I was so proud of the fact that I did it all with no drugs or pictocin & got you off to the best start in life possible!!  And yes you have your great Granny's spirit! I came to find out later, that Granny passed around that same time my contractions started (this was told to me by Grandma M. as she woke up at the same time w/ stomach cramps that morning).

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DID YOU KNOW....the United States has the 2nd worst newborn death rate in the developed world?? How horrible! Here's a MUST WATCH vid!! (see trailer below for The Business of Being Born movie)
"A MUST watch for all pregnant women & men and any one who's ever thought of having a child: The Business of Being Born.
Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system."
Watch the trailer here: http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/trailer.php& my post about it HERE:

http://rootsmamas.blogspot.com/2008/07/roots-mama-recommendsbooksdvds-more.html

Did u Know?

Fantastic Facts that just might blow

your mind.....MORE COMING SOON!

DID U KNOW...
The U.S is one of only 4 countries that doesn't offer paid leave to new mothers -- the others are Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, and Lesotho.
(here in CA we do but out of all 50 states there are only 3 states that have paid leave!)

check this out to see a chart of all countries leaves:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_leave

Bulgaria seems to have the best: Provides mothers with 135 days 100% paid maternity leave & 2 years paid parental leave, and 1 additional year of unpaid parental leave. The employer is obliged to restore the mother to the same position upon return to work. In addition, pregnant women and single mothers cannot be fired!
Sweden & Canada also have some really good coverages

DID U KNOW... Every country in the world with maternal and infant mortality rates  lower than the U.S. has universal health care AND midwives attending the majority of births.  And where do we (the USA) rank you ask?? According to the Mother's Index 2010: The United States is at the bottom of the developed world, primarily because its rate of maternal mortality – 1 in 4,800. Compare that with Bosnia, Herzegovina, Greece and Italy: the risk of maternal death is less than 1 in 25,000 and in Ireland it is less than 1 in 47,600. And these countries aren't even in the top 10 rankings! Go HERE to see full report & click on "Executive Summary "

DID U KNOW...
Paid family leave has been shown to reduce infant mortality by as much as 20% (and the U.S. ranks a low 29th of all 37 modern countries in infant mortality).

DID U KNOW...American Academy of Pediatrics endorses breastfeeding for more than a year: "It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired." ref#104


DID U KNOW...
Selma Hayek breastfed another woman's child.
Yes folks I know, it sounds unbeliavable that they would put such an incredible story promoting not just breastfeeding but even cross breatfeeding! Way to go Nightline & network TV!

Salma Hayek, UNICEF spokesperson, was in Sierra Leone to promote a tetanus vaccine program in a country where one in five children die before the age of five. 21% of those deaths are due to tetanus. Another reason for the high mortality rate is lack of breastfeeding.

In one scene, Salma nurses a little baby (her own is now over a year). She then tells the story of her great grandmother in Mexico nursing the baby of a stranger who didn't have enough milk. thx breastfeeding.blog.motherwear.com

DID U KNOW...

DID U KNOW...
They also recommend against TV viewing for children under the age of 2.
Like my ECE Art teacher says "Experience is the best teacher." There is no experience children get while watching TV. Think about this...which would you prefer....your friend came back from Paris & told you all about it or you were handed a passport & ticket to Paris?

DID U KNOW...
86% of the brain growth that occurs after birth transpires within the first five years of life?

Yes amazing! Read on..."[A] newborn's brain is only about one-quarter the size of an adult's. It grows to about 80 percent of adult size by three years of age and 90 percent by age five. This growth is largely due to changes in individual neurons, which are structured much like trees. Thus, each brain cell begins as a tiny sapling and only gradually sprouts its hundreds of long, branching dendrites. Brain growth (measured as either weight or volume) is largely due to the growth of these dendrites, which serve as the receiving point for synaptic input from other neurons." -thx    Essential Questions & ZerotoThree

DID U KNOW...
The rate of cesarean births in the US has risen to 31% in the last 10 years.
That's a more than a 50% jump! The cesarean rate in the United States in 1970 was only 6%. This meant that about 94% of women were giving birth vaginally in this country. Think the increase might have anything to do with the increase in malpractice lawsuits

against Drs? And the convenience for Drs who can just schedule you in to fit their schedules?!

DID U KNOW...
Hospital-based midwives have a documented 10% cesarean rate in comparison. Unnecessary cesarean sections increase health care costs and contribute toward increased maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.

DID U KNOW...
Attachment Parenting can reduce the risk of SIDS.

DID U KNOW...
The World Health Organization has recognized the importance of midwives, noting that women who give birth with a midwife often have shorter labor times and usually don't need as much medication.


DID U KNOW...
Having a Midwife:
-Reduces the Risk of Miscarriage or Stillbirth Prior to 24 Weeks
-Reduces the Use of an Epidural (Regional Anesthesia)
-Reduces Incidence of Episiotomies When Midwives Attend the Labor
-Reduces Chances of Forceps or Vacuum Extractors When Midwife is Present
-Increases the Chances of Vaginal Birth and Lower the Cesarean Rate
-Breastfeeding is More Likely to be Initiated

DID U KNOW...
Inducing labor (with pictocin) can set off a domino effect & lead to "emergen

cy c-section".
Your body releases natural labor inducer (oxytocin) that starts labor when your body is ready. Oxytocin also has natural pain relievers (that are secreted in bursts), so if you get induced into labor your body does not release those. Pitocin is released in a steady flow. This leads to:

-more painful contractions
-continuous electronic fetal monitoring
-confined to bed (IV, electric fetal monitor)
-more likely to need pain medication (such as an epidural)
-increased likelihood of c-section (complications with pictocin & epidural use, false fetal stress due to electronic fetal monitoring)

DID U KNOW...Formula commercials have a disclaimer, if you look closely you will see the caption "Breastfeeding is recommended", don't believe me just see the Similac website here!

DID U KNOW...
There are around 400 nutrients in breast milk that are not present in formula.
And they still haven't found them all yet!!

DID U KNOW...
Wearing your baby in a sling (or pack) makes them smarter. They also cry less, grow & talk better! Also great for breastfeeding & putting baby to sleep. Plus it makes life easier for you & daddy as you can wear your baby & get things done! (try wearing your baby while going out to eat, doing chores, shopping etc) A centuries old tradition makes a comeback yay! Get a sling HERE @ www.CarryMeAway.com

DID U KNOW...
Breastfeeding mamas lose weight faster. click here to see my post on more benefits of breastfeeding!

DID U KNOW...
It is important bonding time in the first hour after birth.
"The first few hours after birth are called the "maternal sensitive period." The mother becomes deeply involved, on an emotional level, with her newborn. The first hour after birth is also a time of quiet alertness for the newborn. Later the baby goes into a deep resting stage for several hours, during which it is difficult to rouse him. The mother who holds and communicates with her baby immediately receives a sense of fulfillment and gratification."-from Gentle Birth Choices
This works especially well if you & your baby are drug free! All I could do after I gave birth, to my beautiful baby girl, was smile & hold her, she looked right at me. Complete JOY! Newborn baby checks (like height, weight, bathing, vitamin K & eye ointment) can wait till after that first hour (as long as your baby is well). It was just me, daddy & my mom there the first hour to welcome her to the world. It was the best!! Don't forget to start breast feeding then too!

DID U KNOW...
Epidurals have been shown to:
-Slow labor
-Lead to increased use of Pitocin (to induce labor)
-Lead to increased use of foreceps or vacuum
-Increase the likelihood of cesareans, especially in first-time mothers
-Increase the mothers temperature, resulting in her & the baby receiving antibiotics & invasive tests
-Cause a host of complications including long-term chronic problems & even maternal death

Epidurals do cross through the placenta & cause these effects in newborns:
-Reduced muscle tone
-Decreased sucking
-Lowered neurobehavioral scores
-Increased incidence of jaundice

(info from Gentle Birth Choices also see The Business of Being Born)


DID U KNOW...
The hospital is NOT necessarily the safest place to have a baby.
"The United States has consistently high maternal & perinatal mortality and morbidity rates compared to other industrialized countries." In 2003 the US ranked 32nd. "This means that there are 31 countries where it is safer for women to give birth than in the United States."
Who was top ranked? "Those where midwifery is an integral part of obstetric care & where births more commonly take place outside large hospitals." Singapore, Sweden & Japan where the top 3 for 2003.
-quotes from from Gentle Birth Choices

DID U KNOW...
The benefits of having a doula are:
50% reduction in cesarean rate
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% in use of pitocin
25% shorter labor
30% in use of analgesia
40% reduction in forceps use

-from from Gentle Birth Choices

DID U KNOW...
Electric Fetal Monitors (the thing they strap around your belly while in labor) "had a 74 percent false positive rate. That means that 74 out of 100 times the monitor tracings indicated distress when there was none." Just another excuse for a Dr. to perform an "emergency" c-section! No thank you! Those things only tie you down to the bed on your back (the worst position for labor). Trust your body, it knows what to do.
-quotes from from Gentle Birth Choices

DID U KNOW...There really is a mind-body connection. (positive thoughts=positive outcome)
Author of Childbirth Without Fear, Grantly Dick-Read, noted "that when a woman experiences fear (an emotion), her body tightens (a physical response), which causes pain. When she experiences the pain the level of fear increases, causing more tension & thus more pain. A cycle of fear, tension, and pain becomes established and often leads to a prolonged birth process. "
-quotes from from Gentle Birth Choices
also see The Secret