Play Structure April 2, 2007

Outside is still a bit chilly and the ground is wet – especially at the park. Let’s face it, April around here has been quite rude and unweatherly. However our biggest dilemma for Mad is that Baz naps through her free time, often restricting her from doing much in the afternoon.

Figuring it was well worthwhile for a kid who adores the outdoors, I sought the advice of Grandpa to put together something for the backyard.

With limited space and resources we thought up and small would be the best idea.

With a free slide, stray logs and left over deck screws I went to work. A few afternoons later and a little extra help from Grandpa to get it straight, we even had a sandbox underneath for whenever Sebastian woke up.

Woman on life support gives birth to healthy baby girl by cesarean. August 8, 2005

“Her passing is a testament to the truth that human life is a gift from God and that children are always to be fought for, even if life requires — as it did of Susan — the last full measure of devotion.”
- Justin Torres

Although in the past 25 years there have been at least a dozen similar stories of brain dead women still delivering healthy babies, this one really shook me. It caught my attention and hasn’t left my thoughts since hearing it. So young, such a waste, what devotion… life and death intertwined.

As I watch my own face begin to wrinkle, I gaze at my first born, who’s now three. How was she ever the size of my newborn and how fast will he catch up to her? I’ve seen my parents become grandparents and yet I could still feel like a teenager around them until I held my daughters hand as we went to get a wheelchair for my aging mother. It’s tough to grasp some times and I feel caught in the middle of a beginning and the end.

My children are my responsibility. It is up to us to nourture the world’s future, come what may.
I would give my life for my children and I know that their father would do the same.
Saying that, birth was such a lesson in mortality for us. Somehow the day I gave birth for the first time I suddenly felt thrusted closer to my end. It seems that time moves faster, I know that it doesn’t, it’s just that it finally has an absolute measurement – a life. An ever changing, ever growing life.

I remember talking to J in the early weeks of new parenthood and we’d discovered how our time was quickly coming to an end as it was now our job to prepare our daughter (and now son) for their time. The past three years have been consumed by feeding, teaching potty, new words, manners and mindfulness, just to name a few. I’ve reached the point where I hope I’ve picked up some half decent traits from humanity, can add a few more interpretations and pass them along.

Here’s where I can’t help but keep thinking about this family who’s lost so much yet received so much potential in return. A terrible loss of a woman obviously taken too soon lying there still able to give life. Such an impression this new and tiny being will receive one day knowing the story of her time and how it came to be.

Checking in May 1, 2005

My midwife, Mary just called. She’s planning her day and wanted to check in to see if anything was progressing. That and she reminded my to actually call her if things did pick up. (I guess she was listening when I commented on the idea I had about birthing in a closet like a cat.)
Anyways, it’s 2:30pm now and my parents are going to take Mad for an outing to break up the day. I’ve now decided that I want this baby today – even if I have to be pushing my heart out at 11:59, I just can have this go on for days.

Lunch was good. I ate a lot. It reminded me of some lady at the turn of the century who stop to eat between scrubbing the floors and squatting for an emerging baby. The homeopathic remedy is working — or I am… I’m now having what I would call contractions although they’re not that hard to handle but they are starting to occaisionally show a pattern of about 7 minutes (sometimes I skip one, but it comes back.)

J and I have an empty house so we took a break to have a shower. I had one good contraction when my parents left but boy oh boy I had some doozies in the shower. Good thing J was in there with me. They are about 5 minutes apart now and I have to breathe and grip a hand or a table…

Things are happening. I’m calling Mary.

I think it’s time…. May 1, 2005

I woke up early with a cramp. Not like this is new, I’ve been having them for almost two weeks. I went back to sleep, but this time I was awoken by my dog Griffin who needed to go outside. Seeing he was sniffing for a good spot, I decided to kill two birds and pee for myself- lord knows how many times I wake up for that in the night. Running up the stairs I felt a little trickle I only thought I should just run faster…Back down to get the dog in and back up to bed.
Cramp.
Hmmm.
Could be baby… but that would be early and I’m late for everything.

Not three hours later Griffin needed to go out again. (Poor dog, I think I need to call the vet.)
Back up to pee for myself. My undies are wet. this will be the second change, so I decide to turn on the light.
There’s a drip on the floor, it’s pink – I think I’ve sprung a leak.
J woke up. I told him that I thought today was the day – but I still wasn’t totally sure.
We’ve been through this before…Back down to get the dog in and back up to bed.
I just fall asleep.
Cramp
& Madeleine decides to crawl in for the night. She wants to sleep on my head.
She’s three, she’s heavy. Not tonight dear, I’m outta here.
Off to the “Big Girl Bed” to catch some more zzz’s. If this is it my 24 hour labour with Madeleine and my doula senses tell me I could be in this for a while. IF this is really it.
Cramp.
Hmmm.

It’s 7am, the sun is shining Madeleine is up and it’s pancake day.
Flapjacks and strawberries all around. I must be in labour. I craved the same thing the day of Mad’s arrival.

J and I discussed strategy. Thankfully it’s Sunday but even still if this is the big day he’s going to be on a sudden vacation. He needs to settle up with work for a smooth departure AND then there’s the issue of the rental car.

I’m feeling a bit paranoid and I think that J is too. We’re not taking any chances this labour, I want my homebirth that I didn’t end up with it with Mad. I got an ambulance ride in a pair of slippers and holy pants – now we know that anytihing can happen during and we don’t want to get stuck. J is taking Mad to upgrade the car so it’ll fit two car seats properly (don’t get a PT Cruiser with two kids:) and I’m getting a mid-morning nap.

I think I dreamt about contractions. I know i had a few more cramps. Either way I awoke refreshed. I was on my own and able to reflect upon this new beginning. It’s nice to feel relaxed. My mom called, they’re coming down to get Griffin – he’s going to “The Spa”. that’s what we call their place since he can get away with e v e r y t h i n g.

J’s on his way back. He’s been struggling with Mad’s car seat & the new rental.

I just referenced my Susun Weed’ Chilbearing Year book and Cauliphilium is 3 for 3 in a slow to start labour. My midwife and naturopath had also recommended it and I’m really starting to get paranoid with only having these little and sporatic cramps that this kid isn’t going to come out until mid week. It’s 11:30, I should take one dose every half hour for the next two hours… we’ll see.

Until then I have time to kill, call it a nesting urge, but I have some dandalions I need to tear out of my lawn…

Two, That’s all I managed to bend and get before I FINALLY got one! Something that I can almost call a contraction.
Maybe that stuff is working? Don’t want to waste my energy on weeds then…

My parents are here. They’ve come bearing gifts and lunch! So I will keep you all posted.

38 Weeks and 3 days… time to induce labour? April 23, 2005

No way! I’m certainly not in any hurry for that! I’ve been through labour once before why would I line up to do it again- early.

I had my weekly appointment with my midwife and since I was 2 weeks past the estimated due date with my daughter, I should apparently already be getting things going.

I don’t understand this thinking. Not only am I with a midwife and expect a very “au natural” experience but if I’m not even at the due date?

Deciding that I would wait, I still took it upon myself to do a bit of research. Some of this is so old wives tale I’m sure. I’m not about to test it out… maybe in a couple of weeks but here are my options:

Walking. Ok, I do that already… but I’m 9 months pregnant, it’s tough enough tying my shoes.

Eat a whole pineapple in one sitting – sounds like the heartburn and hairy boy theory. Pass.

Spicy food – what’s with all this eating. The last meal I want is spicy, just in case it does work. I’ve heard of women getting ill during labour. No thanks.

Evening Primrose Oil. Taking capsules orally as well as inserting them vaginally to kick start a lazy cervix. I think there will be enough activity there soon enough. So, no.

Castor Oil. Taken scheduled spoonfuls is supposed to cause “expulsion”. Perhaps there hoping a baby will come out too? Seriously, all that diarrhea causes contractions which should continue onto with real ones. As one woman described it to me as “A shitty way to get a baby.” Agreed.

Caulophyllum, black and blue cohosh. Homeopathic remedies which if taken regularly will cause the uterus to contract. The cohoshes are often used after miscarriages to expel the contents of the uterus. Sounds probable. Also sounds a bit complicated, scary, and the need of a homeopathic doctor…

Nipple Stimulation. It’s supposed to replicate breastfeeding and release the hormone oxytocin, which causes a uterus to contract, ultimately putting a woman into labour. Makes enough sense. Methods include self stimulation, using a breast pump or “borrowing a baby”… Huh?

Oh and SEX… Apparently sperm has prostiglandins, which contains the same hormone that is active during labour. If anything else, it’s also said to help soften a cervix and get it ready for dilation. Maybe I will try that one. It might be a bit before I’m up for that again once I’m reminded what it’s really intended for.

Maybe it’s just me. I like being pregnant. It’s not like I do it all the time and after this time around I doubt I’m going to do it again.

I’m really in no rush.

Grace Elisabeth is her name…. April 7, 2005

& she’s being breastfed – hurray for her!
Her name was just announced on The View, as expected. Nicely, Elisabeth did indeed try for a natural birth but after experienceing back labor she opted for some pain relief.
After repeatedly counting baby Grace’s fingers and toes, Elisabeth did admit that it did help in the “crotch on fire”… as well as Tucks Pads.

Another SURVIVOR of childbirth! April 6, 2005

Congratulations to Elisabeth Hasselbeck, previous Survivor Outback contestant and co-host of the view had a baby girl.
Hopefully the physician guided hospital tour she had earlier last month was helpful during the actual event as, during the tour, forceps were introduced as a helpful tool, as “usually the sight of them makes women push better”.
That aside we are very happy to hear that mom and baby are doing well and all hope that regardless of the opportunity Elisabeth and The View had to segment birth as a normal, non-evasive event that her experience was indeed a positive one.
The baby, who shares her birthday with her dad, Tim Hassleback of the Washington Redskins, weighed in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Her name will be announced tomorrow on the show.
We wish this new family all the very best.
USATODAY.com – ‘View’ co-host Hasselbeck has baby girl

Childbirth isn’t painful – it’s just in your head March 10, 2005

Here’s something that I’d like to believe. I mean think about it… we all hear about the women in the rice field who moans, squats, kisses her newborn baby then straps him to her back so she can continue working.
Are we just sucks about birth or are we told to be that way?
The media and our society have had tendency to focus on the negative of many things- especially childbirth and scared everything but the baby out of us. Studies show that fear and anxiety can raise endorphins and heighten the feeling of pain. Here’s something that may help moms to be relax and gain a few more positive sensations out of our inevitable child birthing experiences.
Hopefully this will be more catching than a cold.

First Sponsored Birth March 10, 2005

Historic Event: First Sponsored Birth March 9 /PRNewswire/ — GoldenPalace.com, the Internet casino famous for eccentric and sometimes outrageous buys on eBay became the official sponsors of the birth of Amber Rainey’s bouncing baby boy, Parker.
Apparently the birthing space and the nursery at home was well stocked by Golden Palace – right down to the pastel poker chips.
Here’s hoping that Mommy Amber makes a good return on that 10K she’s collected from them so far for that son of hers.