Dooce’s third part of her labor story is up. Just in case you read my post about labor stories and want to finish reading her story.
Archive for the ‘pregnancy’ Category
labor stories, part 2
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009labor stories
Monday, August 3rd, 2009Before I was pregnant, I loved to hear labor stories. I read every Ina May Gaskin book I could get my hands on, but my favorite collection of stories was Baby Catcher, by Peggy Vincent. While I was pregnant, I took in more birth stories than prenatal vitamins. As a new mom, everybody shared their stories with me. Whether I liked it or not. It’s part of the initiation process of motherhood. But, honestly, I can never get enough of them.
We all have stories to tell and they are all so special, but it’s always a joy to find a story that speaks to you, your experience or your heart, and this one speaks to me, loud and clear. And, when Heather B. Armstrong (aka dooce) blogs, you gotta believe people listen (see here). I can’t tell you how THRILLED I am that she is telling her story…knowing her audience reaches millions of people…while my post might have reached, oh, two people?
And, by the way, she posted the second part of her labor story, too.
your best birth
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
In January of 2008, while I was pregnant, we began reconsidering where to give birth. We weren’t happy with the practice I was with…we wanted to find a practice that truly understood our birthing needs and wants. In the end, we found such a place with Loudoun Community Midwives. Yes, it required an hour long trip to get to them which frightened my grandmother. But, in the end it worked out and we are convinced had Haven been born at any other hospital, with any other practice, we would have been labeled “failure to progress” and whisked off for a Cesarean.
Ricki Lake’s “Business of Being Born” was a driving force in the switch in providers when I was 30 weeks pregnant. Her new book, “Your Best Birth” lets women know they have options when it comes to birthing their children. It’s reassuring that we are not alone in this intense force of women (and men) determined to let women know their birthing options and (hopefully) making doctors, hospitals and insurance companies rethink how they are operating.
Knowledge is power, ladies. Know your options.
consumer reports gone bad?
Saturday, May 2nd, 2009While we are talking about attachment parenting and babywearing, Consumer Reports just published an article, “Five Products Not To Buy For Your Baby“. Included in the list are bassinets or co-sleepers, baby bath seats, sleep positioners, crib bumper pads and sling carriers.
Read the article closely. Look how many deaths were associated with slings. FOUR deaths in FIVE years. Baby bath seats? An average of TEN deaths a YEAR. And, the article states that “Nearly all of those deaths occurred when a parent or caregiver left the baby unattended momentarily”. So, why should we blame the product?
We personally used a bassinet until Haven was around four months old. Having her right beside our bed was not only reassuring, but incredibly convenient whenever she needed to nurse or have her diaper changed in the middle of the night. (For the record, having your baby in the same room is considered co-sleeping. Having your baby in bed with you is called bedsharing. So, technically, you could have your baby in her crib in your room and safely co-sleep). And, as you are probably already aware, we have several slings we use (and will continue to use). If you interview most any new parent, many will tell you that one, or both, of these items helped make naps and/or nighttime sleep possible. In my non-professional opinion, a well rested baby and parent make for a safer environment, regardless of what “dangerous” contraptions lurk in your house.
I am a huge fan of Consumer Reports. I have an online subscription and check their ratings for everything from car seats to laundry detergent. But, those are all products they can put through vigorous testing. They wouldn’t dare say such things about Lysol (or another flammable cleaning product) knowing full well it can be inhaled or used at a pyrotechnic show* in college dorm room, would they? Or, Ziploc bags, knowing full well that infants can suffocate on them? Or, hot dogs, because some kid choked on them? I could go on and on.
When I was pregnant, I wanted to get the safest products available for my child. However, even the top car seat manufacturers have had a recall of some sort, and they are still safe car seats. There’s a 46% increase risk of asthma in babies who take acetaminophen. Some researchers are linking childhood leukemia with paint use. In other words, we just need to be diligent. As a parent, I think it is best to stay informed and routinely check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) and Juvenile Product Manufacturer’s Association (JPMA) when making purchases.
* For those inquiring minds who want to know…in college, I attended an impromptu pyrotechnic show in a dorm room, which involved Lysol, a lighter and (drum roll, please) an oscilating fan for special effects. How we all lived to tell about it, is beyond me.
babywearing
Friday, May 1st, 2009While I was pregnant I read several articles about attachment parenting and fully embraced the concept of babywearing. In preparation, I attended an informal babywearing session where I was able to view several different types of slings, pouches and wraps that allow you to easily carry your child along with you.
Unlike the traditional Baby Bjorn or the Evenflo Snugli carrier, there are options that are more supportive and/or ergonomic for baby and parent AND allow you to carry into toddlerhood. Unfortunately, most of these carriers aren’t available in mainstream department stores (yet), so in order to see them in action, you must either seek out a store that carries them, order blindly online, or know someone who has a carrier you can try on for size and see in action.
I really liked the Kangaroo Korner’s Adjustable Pouch and felt it would be great in the beginning. Available in fleece or cotton (and even mesh) with a row of adjustable snaps, it is the simplest design I have seen and allows for skin-to-skin contact as well as easy access for breastfeeding. I didn’t imagine it would be terribly comfortable as the baby gets heavier, but for those first few months, it seemed to be the most dummy proof. You can buy them new for around $50 – $60.
The Moby Wrap is basically a large piece of fabric that can be tied in a variety of ways to hold an infant or a toddler. It is a favorite of many babywearers because of it’s versatility and that if you make one yourself (Matt’s mom made one for us), it is one of the most affordable options, however you can purchase one new for $40. I really liked this when Haven was smaller, but haven’t used it now that she is bigger. One drawback is putting it on…it drags the ground, so you don’t want to be putting it on in a parking lot or out in nasty weather. A tip from another mama: put it on before you leave the house, so it’s already on you when you get to the grocery store.
The Maya Wrap is another simple babywearing option AND it can also be made. For a new sling, the cost is around $60, however, on their website they even give you directions on how to make your own. How super cool is that? A couple of moms I have spoken to prefer the Maya wrap earlier on before transitioning to the Moby Wrap when the infant gets heavier. Oddly enough, this has been Matt’s favorite way to carry Haven and was great to have around when she was little. Several “daddy naps” were taken and was a lifesaver when Haven needed a nap and we were out and about. As she has gotten bigger I can imagine it will be nicer to have when she can sit on our hip, but I’m beginning to think that we might be close to done with this one.
The Ergo Carrier (or Becco Baby Carrier) is by far the most ergonomic (hence the name) and manly carriers out there. They both get high scores from babywearers. It’s comfortable, you can wear the baby in the front, hip or the back and one size fits all. You might think it looks like your standard baby carrier, but look closely at how the baby’s butt is being cradled, not just the crotch, which makes not only baby more comfortable, but less strain on your back as well. If you are going to plunk down $100 for a baby carrier, might as well go for one that is more versatile. This has been my favorite carrier, hands down.
bag it
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
Finding the right diaper bag has been a tedius task. I have looked at a zillion, but haven’t been able to find exactly what I am looking for. I was pretty dead set on a couple of things, though. I wanted:
A light interior, so that I could find stuff. Or at least have an edge on finding stuff.
A zippered place to keep my wallet, keys, cell phone and small camera. I really prefer not to tote around a purse AND a diaper bag.
Compartments that made sense.
Easily able to attach to the stroller handles.
Option to carry across the chest.
Manly enough that Matt could carry.
A family member bought us the Stork Tools Daddy Diaper Bag, which worked great for the first few months. I liked it, except for the fact, it was a messenger bag with the flap needing to be buckled and unbuckled in order to enter the bag, which frustrated me when I was desperate for a burp cloth. Before we went to Key West, I wanted a larger bag to carry on with us on the plane, so I purchased an Eddie Bauer Duffel Diaper Bag. While it is great for airline travel because it has such a large capacity, it is really bulky to haul around on a regular basis. Also, with us transitioning to a “big girl” stroller, we wouldn’t have a place to store the behemoth of a bag in or on the stroller. I am hoping third time is a charm…I have purchased the Skip Hop Duo Deluxe. Actually, I have purchased it twice, returning the first one after I found out the bag doesn’t fully zip up, something I felt was important during airline travel. I mean, who wants to find crinkly toys underneath their feet when landing and what parent wants their baby chomping on a toy that rolled around on the airplane floor? But, for everyday use, friends and family rave about the Skip Hop Duo Deluxe and I found it for a steal online, so I’m giving it a whirl. For real this time.
haven’s arrival
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
It’s been a crazy ride (we will fill you in on the details later), but for the most part things have finally calmed down. In the meantime, here’s a link to the pictures that were taken during the first few days.
home is where the heart is
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
We are home, recouperating nicely (finally) and are in love with our baby girl. We will work on getting things together and have some more pictures soon!
status update : week 39 + 5 days
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008And, I’m still pregnant. I know that there will be a day where I will completely forget the emotions, the experience of being pregnant, which in some ways will be wonderful, but I’m trying to savor the last little bit of pre-mommyhood that I have. Unfortunately, fatigue, sleepless nights, rapid body temperature changes, backaches, annoying practice contractions, heartburn, irritability, swollen/numb hands and general uncomfortableness is hard to overlook right now.
Every morning this week when I wake up, I assess the situation. Yep, I am still pregnant. Will today be THE day? Will I wake up tomorrow morning and have a newborn. Yes, indeedy it is exciting, but I have reached a point where I am anxious to get the show on the road. Although there are a ton of simple tasks I could tackle, I don’t want to. I know I will wear myself out, which can just compound one, two or ALL of my symptoms. So, instead I am just trying to muck through these last days. But, honestly, what am I complaining about. People do this ALL the time, some with multiple kids, absent husbands, high powered full-time jobs…the list goes on and on. I’ve just come to the conclusion that I’ve been a complete weenie these last two weeks. I held up really well until now.
So, I’m going to do some dusting, maybe clean the bathroom and take a shower. I’ve actually had somewhat of an appetite these past few days…craving big breakfasts (anybody up for a breakfast buffet?) and Macaroni Grill’s Shrimp Portofino.
Meanwhile, a big congrats to all of my friends who have recently become bonafide first-time moms. Welcome to the world Eliana! I can’t wait to meet you! Tell your mama she needs to do some labor dancing for me!
status update : week 39 + 2 days
Sunday, September 7th, 2008I have gone back and made sure that I published all of my status updates. With less than a week to go before my due date, I thought it would be wise to play catch up.
I do apologize that the updates weren’t more consistent. Typing with swollen, numb and tingly fingers is quite a challenge, not to mention painful, and writing letters, signing checks, cooking, cleaning, handling knives, along with most other simple tasks, can be next to impossible when your digits don’t work properly. Unfortunately, the only remedy is to have this baby and I’m just waiting on that day to come.
Over the weekend, we managed to go through piles of receipts and miscellaenous paperwork that was screaming to be filed. Fortunately, we didn’t suffer through any papercuts (mainly me, since I wouldn’t be able to feel if I got cut) and I believe we can now fit our important documents in two filing bins. Call it nesting, but it desperately needed to get done, that is for sure.
Hurricane Hanna passed through with rain, some wind, and taking our cable/internet services for the afternoon/evening. I had hoped that the change in barometric pressure might start labor, but we didn’t get that lucky. Instead, we watched several movies while organizing and shredding, then topped off the evening with chicken and dumplings. I am so looking forward to one-pot fall meals that require less time in the kitchen…
We will definitely let you know if and when anything happens. Check back here for details!
