Categories
Curious

Baby Slings

I am so interested in baby slings. I think that they are just an amazing way to keep your baby close and connected. I have been researching different patterns/ designs because I would like to try to make my one (or more), myself. A few great sites are Mammas Milk, The Baby Wearer, and Wear Your Baby. Will keep you posted on this project.

Categories
Pregnant

The Expounding Begins

I attempt to approach life with my eyes wide open. So, naturally (no pun intended), I began reading and digging about as soon as Adam and I found out that we were going to be parents. I knew that we would have to look outside the local hospital system to find practitioners that were on the same page as us. So, we contacted the birthing center at Dartmouth to find out what they had to offer. We found that they have a team of nurse-midwives whose approach to pregnancy and childbirth is a welcome change from the typical, sterile, inhospitable, profit-driven American hospital. They sum up their approach by saying that they view a normal pregnancy and childbirth as a natural part of a woman’s life, not a medical situation.  

Categories
Amused

Tap That Bump

The pictures really say it all…

Categories
Pregnant

The Plan

My birthing plan is to not have one. What’ s the adage? Plans are made to be broken? That being said, I do have some strong opinions that will not change. I do not want to be given an epidural. I do not want to be induced, artificially with Pitocen. I want an active labor, not tied down with tubes and monitors. I do not want to attempt to birth laying on my back. I want Adam to be by my side, as involved as he wants to be. I want to use natural, time tested methods; a birthing stool, chair, squatting, kneeling, walking about, a birthing chair, ball, and tub. I will expound on these thoughts in my next post.

Categories
Animal Loving

The Dog

Adam and I now share our home with a 2 year old, spayed, black lab mix named Coco. We found her through a posting on craigslist. What a joy! She is very smart and playful. And, although she was described a shy with men, has already formed a strong bond with Adam. Coco is adjusting to our life so well. We bought a Gentle Leader to walk her with, instead of the traditional collar. What an incredible difference! Walking her on a leash was a painful experience before, with Coco pulling like an Iditarod champion. I am so glad to have her with us!

Categories
Pregnant

The Business of Being Born

Adam and I just watched the docufilm, The Business of Being Born. What a powerful movie. I think that it is a must see for any future (expecting, hopeful, or just fertile human) parent.

The fact that women are herded about and misled by the AMA is not some shocking news item, for me. But, the facts presented in this movie are unavoidable. We should be enraged, yes enraged, at the way that we are just expected to just take it laying down, as American women. It is time to educate ourselves on what the real options are! It is time to stand up the insurance companies and our doctors and remind them that the power lies within us, that we do not need them to tell us the right way to give birth.

Anyway…that is a must larger subject. I will continue on this rant on another date.

Categories
Pregnant

A Scare

We had a scare yesterday afternoon/ evening. Contractions with cramps and backache began at about 1530. I drank two or three glasses of water and laid down on my left side (as instructed by my mid-wife at my last appointment), and tried to wait it out for the recommended hour. They did not subside. I thought that the “drink 24 oz. of water and lay down” instructions were particularly humorous…What I really did was drink the water, lay down, get up, go the bathroom, lay down, get up, go the bathroom, etc…for about three and a half hours. We finally decided to call in and get some advice at around 1930. The on-call doctor asked how the contractions were spaced. I told her they were about 20 minutes apart. She explained Braxton Hicks contractions to me. She told me that if there was no bleeding or uncommon discharge, that if I could rest/sleep, and that if the contractions were not more than six per hour, that all was normal. So, I am normal (in this department)!