July 1, 2009 {Krista & Chico: A long, long labor…} My birthing journey began late in the night on Sunday the 28th of June. I remember waking up with slight cramping that I had never quite experienced throughout my pregnancy thus far. A slight anticipation came over me wondering if this could possibly be the … Continue reading “Birth Story: Riley”
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Birth Story: Oliver
May 7, 2009 {Ellen & Tony: roaring like a crazy lion viking warrior} I’ve been meaning to email you but you know how crazy things get! So Oliver was born at 8:53 am on Wednesday morning and weighed exactly 7 lbs. On Tuesday morning at 3:30 am I had gotten up to pee and water … Continue reading “Birth Story: Oliver”
Birth Story: Eveley Gene
April 8, 2009 {Michelle & Danny welcome a little girl at home much to the joy of the new big brother!} When we found out we were expecting our second child, Danny and I were both ecstatic. I knew I wanted this birth experience to be different than the first time with the birth of … Continue reading “Birth Story: Eveley Gene”
Birth Story: Jason Andrew
October 2, 2008 {Jamie & Luke welcome another son.} This birth was definitely different than Paul’s in many ways. I’ve decided that birth is more mental (in a way) than physical. At least the laboring part is. We moved back last summer an extra hour (2 total) from Christina. Because Paul’s birth was only 4 hours … Continue reading “Birth Story: Jason Andrew”
Birth Story: Lucy Elise
September 21, 2008 {Daniela & Jason: Homebirth despite insurance worries!} After months of fretting about having Lucy in the hospital, we made a last minute switch back to the midwife, Christina, to have Lucy at home. All along I hated the idea of going to the hospital, but chose to do this just because my … Continue reading “Birth Story: Lucy Elise”
Birth Story: EliYah
July 28, 2008 {Stephanie & Michael: A wonderful home birth experience!} Labor started Friday night at midnight, July 26th 2008. I had learned in The Bradley Method class that you have 3 emotional signs you go through during labor. Excitement, Seriousness and Discouragement. I started labor with the third emotion. Discouragement. I was suddenly very … Continue reading “Birth Story: EliYah”
Birth Story: Cora Elizabeth
December 26, 2007 {Michelle & Dan: home waterbirth of third child} This was my 3rd homebirth, but in a new state, with a new midwife. I labored in the water with my first 2 children, but my midwife had me get out to push both times. I was convinced that I could not push effectively … Continue reading “Birth Story: Cora Elizabeth”
Birth Story: Olivia Tulip
June 30, 2008 {Jennifer & John welcome a girl in a birth center waterbirth.} I truly had a wonderful L&D experience. From start to finish the whole thing lasted only 13 hours. I’m so glad that I took the time to prepare and educate myself so that I could have the delivery that I wanted. … Continue reading “Birth Story: Olivia Tulip”
Birth Story: Zia Nakya Grai
May 31, 2008 {Amanda & Chris: An intended homebirth turned hospital birth.} Homebirths were introduced to me at a young age. So young, that it never really made anything BUT sense. At fifteen, I envisioned the birth of my first child. Surrounded by candles, in a gorgeous tub, with soft lighting and a loving man … Continue reading “Birth Story: Zia Nakya Grai”
Mochi for More Milk
Mochi is a heavy rice cake made from cooked, pounded sweet brown rice. It is especially good for lactating mothers, as it promotes the production of breast milk. Mochi is found in the refrigerated section of your local organic and whole food stores. Mochi should be thawed (if purchased frozen) and cut into 1-2 inch squares … Continue reading “Mochi for More Milk”
Lactation Boosting Oatmeal Cookies
This recipe for delicious lactation boosting cookies was shared by a student who brought a batch to our childbirth class reunion. Everyone will love these, they’re yummy! Ingredients: 1 Cup butter (or I use 1 ¼ C unsweetened applesauce and 2 Tbs olive oil for less fat/calories) 1 Cup sugar 1 Cup brown sugar 4 … Continue reading “Lactation Boosting Oatmeal Cookies”
Birth Quotes
I find inspiration in many of these quotes so I wanted to share them and hope you enjoy them too. What are your favorite birth quotes? Natural childbirth isn’t when you do nothing to prepare for the birth; on the contrary, it only happens when you do many things to prepare. ~ Dawn … Continue reading “Birth Quotes”
Possible Consequences of Poor Prenatal Nutrition
A reality check about how nutrition affects your unborn child You are what you eat – and so is your baby! Over the years, I’ve learned that some women have a hard time adopting a regimen of good prenatal nutrition. They know they should eat well, they know a balanced diet does not mean varying … Continue reading “Possible Consequences of Poor Prenatal Nutrition”
Advice From New Parents: A Common Thread
One of the many things I enjoy about our childbirth class reunions is giving each parent a bit of paper and asking them to write down one piece of advice that they would offer to newly expectant parents. (I then scrapbook these along with our class reunion photos.) Perhaps predictably, much of the advice falls … Continue reading “Advice From New Parents: A Common Thread”