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Almost after giving birth to Kaia she was breastfeeding like a wee champ. At her birth she was 6 pounds 11 ounces...7 days later she is already 8 pounds!
The home birth was amazing. It was relaxing and made the transistion easy on all of us. We just cozyed up as a little family in our own bed and had a sleep while the midwives, doula , mom anna and Al drank champagne and ate lasagna ;)
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Birthstory Part 4 - An overwhelming moment
Looking at this littel wee person for the first time was amazing. She was perfect. She looked up at me with her puffy little eyes and didn't cry a moment. I was completely overwhelmed by the tears in my husbands eyes, the beauty in the eyes of our daughter and the exhastion leading to that moment. I had never felt such incredible joy.
Birth story Part 3 - Kaia is born
By the time I reached 10 cm the pain started to move into the realm of unbearable. I was out of the tub to sit on the toilet which gave some relief but only momentarily. I needed to get back to the tub. But, at this point the pain and discomfort had reached a level where you don't know what to do with yourself, sit, stand crawl...I got down on the floor on all fours to take the pressure off my low back. It felt as if the baby was going to come out of my arse really and it felt like it was the size of a watermelon! You can't imagine the intense pain and I mean intense...then with a determined push (determined to get myself out of this excruciating pain) she torpedoed into the midwife's hands and into mine. Kaia was born at 2:10 PM July 20th.
Birth Story - Part 2 Before she arrives
The midwife (Claudia) arrived at 5:30 AM. My labor had been progressing well and at that time I was 4 cm dilated. I was so worried that after the many hours of laboring that she would tell me there was a long way to go.
Before she left, she told me that I could do this- just take it one contraction at a time. She really gave me the strength to carry on, so back into the pool I went.
By 10 AM I was 8 cm dilated and because I was so tired, the midwife suggested that we break the waters to move the labor forward. I agreed, but reluctantly. At that point the contractions were so intense that I didn't want to leave the birthing pool for fear gravity would intensify the pain. But, in between contractions I moved to the bed where they broke the waters and then there was a warm gush, but no real intensification of the pain. I moved back into the tub and now the show was about to get on the road - 10 cm was not far now.
Before she left, she told me that I could do this- just take it one contraction at a time. She really gave me the strength to carry on, so back into the pool I went.
By 10 AM I was 8 cm dilated and because I was so tired, the midwife suggested that we break the waters to move the labor forward. I agreed, but reluctantly. At that point the contractions were so intense that I didn't want to leave the birthing pool for fear gravity would intensify the pain. But, in between contractions I moved to the bed where they broke the waters and then there was a warm gush, but no real intensification of the pain. I moved back into the tub and now the show was about to get on the road - 10 cm was not far now.
Bith story - Part 1
So everything has been leading to this big moment. Everthing before this moment was pure speculation - every woman wonders how it will all play out. Will I be able to get through this? How will I cope? How will my husband react? Will it hurt like hell? Can I bear it?
My birth story started 2 days before our baby arrived. I experienced what is called prodromal or prelabor. I experienced contractions all night Monday which tapered off during the day and again all night Tuesday and then tapered off again during the day. But very early on Wednesday my contractions started coming 2 minutes apart. I called the doula immediately.
The contractions at this point were uncomfortable and I was a getting worried about what was coming ahead.
When the doula arrived she suggested that I get inot the birthing pool right away. It was amazing the comfort it brought. We put a few drops of lavander oil into the water, and active labour continued.
My birth story started 2 days before our baby arrived. I experienced what is called prodromal or prelabor. I experienced contractions all night Monday which tapered off during the day and again all night Tuesday and then tapered off again during the day. But very early on Wednesday my contractions started coming 2 minutes apart. I called the doula immediately.
The contractions at this point were uncomfortable and I was a getting worried about what was coming ahead.
When the doula arrived she suggested that I get inot the birthing pool right away. It was amazing the comfort it brought. We put a few drops of lavander oil into the water, and active labour continued.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Pre-labor begins
Monday night at 10:38 PM I went into pre-labor. It is now Tuesday 4 PM and I am still in pre-labor. Pre-labor can last hours or days - I am hoping that it is not the latter. It has been 42 hours and counting.
So what does it feel like? Well, for me it feels like you are being tanglde up in knots na dessentially you kind of are. Your uterus is squeezing down with each contraction...these contractions are definaltey uncomfortable, but not completely unbearable (yet). They feel like very strong menstral cramps.
Unknown fact #1: While you read a great deal about the need for you to relax through contractions what they don't tell you is that when you try to relax through the contraction -it hurts even more, which can make it even harder to relax.
I have had the majority of my contractions through the night. They are most intense and frequent at this time and then they subdside more or less during the day. My mucus plug has begun to "melt" which is a small sign of progress - but maybe tonight will tell all - it l;ooks like we may have a night baby.
So what does it feel like? Well, for me it feels like you are being tanglde up in knots na dessentially you kind of are. Your uterus is squeezing down with each contraction...these contractions are definaltey uncomfortable, but not completely unbearable (yet). They feel like very strong menstral cramps.
Unknown fact #1: While you read a great deal about the need for you to relax through contractions what they don't tell you is that when you try to relax through the contraction -it hurts even more, which can make it even harder to relax.
I have had the majority of my contractions through the night. They are most intense and frequent at this time and then they subdside more or less during the day. My mucus plug has begun to "melt" which is a small sign of progress - but maybe tonight will tell all - it l;ooks like we may have a night baby.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
38 Weeks and 4 days
The Nursery is finally ready - but are we? I have become somewhat accustomed to getting larger by the day and it hardly seems possible that our daughter will soon join us. So to make her a little less imaginary, I have been washing and folding her receiving blankets, her clothes and getting her change table ready. Somwhow it still seems surreal - there is still no baby to receive in the neatly folded and laundered blankets.
We are getting excited to become a family and begin our journey, but I am also savouring each moment that I we have right now. We decided to take some photos while she is still getting ready to join us - I think they turned out nice and I think it captures how happy we are now as well as the anticipation of having her join us...
We are getting excited to become a family and begin our journey, but I am also savouring each moment that I we have right now. We decided to take some photos while she is still getting ready to join us - I think they turned out nice and I think it captures how happy we are now as well as the anticipation of having her join us...
Monday, July 04, 2005
37 weeks 2 Days
We are at the stage now where we are waiting for the arrival of our daughter. It could be anytime, or it could be six weeks. Despite the pending arrival, I atill seem to be in a state of wondering if this is real or not. Despite the big belly, the hiccups and the exhasution, it still seems to be somewhat unreal and I am getting used to my big belly as a familiar part of me.
There are babies born everyday, I tell myself. I am not so extraordinary that this event will be the worst possible trial to come my way. So when I wonder if I can do it, if I have what it takes to make it through, I have to respond with - sure you will - just like everyone else before you...only I wonder to what degree I will shudder at the expereince when I reflect on it afterwards.
I have hired a doula - Cathy - she will hopefully get me through this without an epidural. While excitement wouldn't quite capture the feeling I have about the birth, I ma eager to see how this story begins...
There are babies born everyday, I tell myself. I am not so extraordinary that this event will be the worst possible trial to come my way. So when I wonder if I can do it, if I have what it takes to make it through, I have to respond with - sure you will - just like everyone else before you...only I wonder to what degree I will shudder at the expereince when I reflect on it afterwards.
I have hired a doula - Cathy - she will hopefully get me through this without an epidural. While excitement wouldn't quite capture the feeling I have about the birth, I ma eager to see how this story begins...
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