***I am NOT a militant breastfeeding activist. If you know me well, you should know that.***
Breastfeeding is amazing. I am sure you are well aware of the health benefits for mother and baby: quicker return to pre-baby figure for most women, immunological boost for baby, relaxing hormones for mom, bonding, portability, etc. I won’t touch that because it’s something anyone can Google and find for themselves. I love breastfeeding for a whole ‘nother set of reasons.
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Today, my Facebook status update said that VBACs always make me a little excited and a little heartsick. I was asked why it made me feel both ways, and had some e-mails inquiries as well.
VBAC is so important to me, first of all. Anytime a mother desires something that may not be “the norm” or what is expected out of the majority, I already root for her for so many reasons. For one, it’s her right to choose. When we feel something is fundamentally right for us, it can be a challenge to continue that pursuit when everyone else around you is telling you that you are wrong. For another thing, if no one went against the grain, we would never learn. That new OB who just finished his residency would never get a chance to see what is possible from a mother, her body, and her baby is no one attempted a VBAC. What a sad skill set to lose to time…
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It’s been a while. I had / have all these great things I want to write about, but never seem to find the time. As of this moment, I have 12 minutes before I have to leave to pick Mega Man up. Let’s see how much I can unload before then…
LRRH had her baby this weekend. At 6:00 PM on Sunday, she welcomed her son, who has yet to be named, into the world. He came complete with 10 fingers and 10 toes, a headful of jet black, curly hair, and chubby little cheeks. It was absolutely amazing.
Words fail to express all that I saw and felt during her birth, but this will have to suffice. If I don't get it out, I may very well explode. If I could take out a billboard for the entire world to see, I would. I want the entire world to see what an amazing woman my best friend truly is. She is astounding. I love her and her son more than words can ever say.
I just checked the E-mail address I set up for the new Birth Matters state blog and birth stories web-site… I have our first submission for the Birth Stories site! OMG OMG OMG!!! The site isn't even up, and I have a queued entry! If this is a sign of things to come, I am totally grateful and only hope that things continue with this momentum!
Woo-hoo!!!
*Day 35: I am grateful for the networking power of the internet. From Grass Roots groups, to the development and furtherment of a blog, it's friggin' awesome!
I got called to another delivery last night. It's sort of nice because now I don't have to worry about conflicts in December – I had due dates falling on the 12th and 14th, and now I've just got my 12th momma. Whew! I am beat!!! The little girl was 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and beautiful as can be! Congrats, mom and dad!
I left my house around 10:00 PM Wednesday night to attend a birth. I didn't get home until about 8:45 last night. It was a long journey, but an incredible one. While I was sad to have missed the holiday with my family, I was proud to be a part of such an amazing experience. To add even more to the birth, this was the first time I had worked with a family who was waiting to meet their baby to know it's gender. It was so neat to see mom react when you she foud out she had a son.
I came home and ate re-heated components of our feast, took a long, hot shower, and after a very nice massage from my husband, crashed. I slept for 12 hours before I even had to get up to pee! (If that isn't something to be thankful for at 18 weeks pregnant, I don't know what is!) I'm till sore and tired, but that's the job!
I will also add to yesterday's list that I am thankful for being able to be a part of so many family's lives and memories, and being able to witness so many miracles. Happy Thanksgiving all over again!
I got home around 3:45 this morning, after having arrived at the hospital around 9 AM the previous day. WHEW! All I can say is that that family is amazing! DH is really the only guy I ever thought of a capable of being a man-doula, but the couple I worked with last name showed me DH might have some competition! What an amazing birth!
I'm off to attend a birth! Wish us all luck!
Around 8 Saturday night, my client called with contractions. She wasn't quite ready to commit to being in labor, since this had happened the night before, but something felt different on my end, and I geared up for a delivery. Sure enough, I was with her by 1 this morning. We were at the hospital by 3 and she was 8 cm's! After a very, very difficult couple of hours, she delivered a healthy 8 pound 14 ounce baby boy – a successful VBAC, with a "large," posterior baby. Mom and dad worked so incredibly well together. I cried, but I think I did pretty well at maintaining my overall composure. They did such a great job working together, and mom worked so hard to bring that baby down and out. I was in complete awe of her awesomeness, and the bond that mom and dad shared. I was completely exhausted after not having slept for 36+ hours and having actually been hands-on with a delivery for 12, but it was totally worth it. I have a fabulous husband after all, so he gave me time to shower, got me something to eat, and I was able to sleep for a good 6 hours because he entertained the boys so well. That birth was totally awesome!!!
