Wednesday, August 31, 2011

What A Week!!!!!

You know it's always going to be a busy week when it starts off with running errands.  I ran on Monday more errands that I thought and then came home.  My last "Mom" was going in at 7pm to be induced so I was already "on-call" for that.  Well, praise the Lord, she went in on her own.  AWESOME!!!!!!  They called when they were ready for me about 10:30pm.  Off to the hospital!!!!  I'm in "The Zone" and ready.  Baby girl arrived at 12:58pm the next day.  Amazingly I came home and cleaned and the CRASHED at 8pm.  I was PAST tired!!!!!! 

Today was another repeat.  Kaleb and I left this morning at 9am and literally did errands ALL DAY LONG!!!!!Here and there and here and there.  What a day!!!!!  I'm so grateful he was having a good day.  He was PERFECT!!!  We went to the "Dinosaur Store" also known as AC Moore and he got to pick something out. Came home and once again, CRASHED!!!!!!

It has been a very full week!!!!!!!!  So very thankful for what the Lord is doing and seeing Him in EVERY thing!  It just amazes me!

How has your week been?

Friday, August 26, 2011

Friday Five!!!!!

Friday Five!!!!!!! 
Thank you so much Sarah for this idea!!!!!!

So, lets get going!!!!

1. I LOVE my Bible.  There is no other book like it.  It is THE guide on how to live.  It is not just a book.  It is POWER!  Old AND New Testament. 

2. I LOVE that I have a new job.  I haven't started it yet but I am so excited that at times I could bust!!!!


3. I LOVE new running shoes.  It is time for new ones for me and I can't wait to go looking and find the ones I want.  I love trying them all on but usually end up with the same ones, year after year.


4. I LOVE my church.  We are a family.  It amazes me that every time we walk through the doors, there is encouragement, challenge, laughter, prayer, and its just a wonderful place to be!!!!!


5. I LOVE Kaleb's new childcare.  It's at a Triad Baptist Church in Kernersville.  He will hear the Bible Stories, Chapel Time, Art and Music Class.  So excited to have him there!!!!


What have you fallen in LOVE with this week??????


Thursday, August 25, 2011

Just a Quote

Today, I was driving and singing and there wasn't anyone in the car with me.  That was probably a good thing.  Anyway, JD Chandler from K-Love was on and mentioned a quote.  I've heard it a million times but today it was more.

Don't tell God how big your problems are.  Tell your problems how BIG your GOD is!!!!!

That was what I needed today.  There has been so much going on.  So much of this and that and the other.  I don't know if I would call it a "problem" but maybe crisis, decisions, choices, options, stress and million other words come to mind.  I think it is all about how we face them and the choice in how we deal with those "problems".
"Problems" like....
*Losing your job
*Dealing with unemployment
*Returning to school
*Job searching
*Daycare search
*Planning a trip
*Waiting on last "Mom" to deliver
*Finishing last Childbirth Class ( for a little while)
*Planning a last minute run away to the beach
*Praying about what Sunday School class to attend with adults.
All of these things could be seen as potential "problems" but the key for me in the midst of it all, especially since April 29th, is the fact that no matter how hard I tried to fix it all.....He was ahead of me and already knew the plan.  His timing is perfect!  There is no other explanation!!!!!!!

What "problems" are you dealing with?  He IS BIGGER!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

So Now What?

Well, I have accepted a job I think that I am going to love!!!!!
We found a childcare program for Kaleb yesterday that is perfect for the family that has a parent on 3rd Shift.
Kaleb liked it so much, he cried when we left.
Dropping off papers today.
It's 60+ degrees this morning and it is just beautiful!!!!!
Thinking a run is in order for today.

Nursing Secretary/Monitor Tech.....what in the world????  Well, the Nursing Secretary is the one who is at the nurses station that will answer the phone, answer you if you are the patient in the room trying to find your nurse, assist the MD's with orders, answer questions, work on charts...you name it, we do it.
Monitor Tech is the one watching the heart monitors of the patients.  If you are on a monitor in your room, it is linked to the nurses station.  There is someone there to watch to make sure all is well.  If something changes or a lead is loose, I would notify your nurse and she would come and check on you. 
The very cool thing is that I get to float.  Float all over the hospital.  Neuro, Cardio, Med/Surg, ICU, CCU, Stepdown....everywhere.  VERY excited about all of it. 

So thankful we have somewhere for Kaleb.  That was going to be hard but He had it planned and of course, worked beautifully. I will be the one having a hard time once work starts.  Being at home for these last months has been really wonderful with Kaleb and with Kyle (when he is at home).  Going back will be harder for me than for him but he is excited about his "new school".  That makes it so much easier!!!!!

 I am just amazed at how He works all things.  It's been a roller coaster ride for sure but not one thing would I change.  Pastor Forrest preached a few weeks ago about being desperate for the Lord.  For me, part of being desperate is being dependent. 
I am one who wants to be "In-Control". 
I like to know the plan.
What is next?
Where are we going?
What are we doing?
Why are we doing this?
What is the quickest way to get it done?
Do it right or don't do it at all! (that came from my Daddy). 
Well, let's just say, that since April 29, 2011 I have learned to be desperate and dependent.  There is no other way to describe it.  It has NOTHING to do with weakness.  It has EVERYTHING to do with being a follower of His!!!!!! 

Hope you have a wonderful day!!!!  Thanks for stopping by!!!!!!

Pam

Monday, August 22, 2011

Get a Cup of Cofffee....this could take a while

Well, I have hinted for about a week that something was up.  The road was twisting and turning and going in directions that I didn't see coming.  So, it is now time to share.  I just didn't feel that it was time to share until I got a phone call on Friday.  It has taken me 2 days to get my thoughts together and figure out how in the world to put all of this into words and I may not do a very good job. 
As you all know, I was let go from a job that I was in back at the end of April.  It was a shocker that we didn't see coming but chose to see what would happen and where we would go. That began a journey.  Being on unemployment in NC requires that you apply each week for at least 2 jobs via the Internet, e-mail, snail mail etc.  Then you have to keep track of where you have sent your resume and what the results were from the e-mail etc..  I was doing exactly what I was suppose to do.  I submitted and kept track.  Of course going back to school is exactly where I was headed and doing what was required.  Of course when I got done with school, Bo and I had discussed numerous times that I wanted to work a Baylor Shift.  Third shift on weekends that would free me up during the week for school activities and such.  Cone Hospital would be my choice and see what would happen.  In my brain, that is where I was suppose to go and what I was to be doing. 
Applying at such a place as Cone Hospital, I just kind of took the approach of...."I am doing what I am suppose to and I don't have a chance at getting my foot in the door there."  Of course to help that along, I always got the e-mail that said...."Please don't respond to this e-mail"...."We receive over 1000 resumes a week.  We will contact you."  I can't tell you how many of those I have in my "Cone" file in my e-mail.  Anyway, out of no-where my phone rang about 10 days ago.  It was a hospital number and I thought....."Who in the world is calling me from the hospital?".  To my total shock....it was a RECRUITER from the hospital.  OH YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!!!!! 
"Lord, Hello......I thought we were going to school?  I thought I was doing what you wanted.  I thought I was going to finally be what You wanted me to be." This was the conversation that we had on a daily basis and sometimes on an hourly basis.  It was so very confusing but I thought that I would just go with the flow and see what happens.  I went to meet with this Recruiter.  I never dreamed this would be happening.  I walked in and was asked to do a Data Entry Test.  Passed with flying colors.  Then had an hour long interview.  Walked out and thought that I probably wouldn't hear from them.  Well, I was wrong.  Got an e-mail and someone would be calling me.  No sooner that the e-mail arrived, the phone was ringing.  Another interview.  "Lord....have I totally missed the boat?" "Did I completely misunderstand?"  I was so very confused.
The interview with the Supervisor went well.  I just didn't know what to do.  I have always been taught to do my best, be myself and tell the truth.  It was exciting I will confess!!!!!!!  At the end of the interview, she asked me if I would come in and "shadow" someone for 2 hours.  "OK"  I walked out overwhelmed and in tears. 
In the midst of these appointments and phone calls and emails, we had numerous conversations with the NC Employment Security Commission.  Conversations that I didn't like.  While on unemployment, even if you are in school, and you are offered a job, YOU MUST TAKE IT and DROP OUT of school. I was angry and hurt and really questioned what was happening but just kept claiming Jer. 29:11. So, let's see what this is all about. 
I went to breakfast with a good friend on Wednesday.  Explained what was going on.  She took me back to scripture.  Book of Joshua talks about the Israelites crossing the Jordan.  The Jordan River at this point is at flood stage.  Waters are high and rushing.  The blessings lie on the other side of this river but how to get across it.  The Lord says to cross over it.  From the human stand point, we would want a boat, a raft, a rope and a million other things.  The Lord wanted them to put total faith and trust in Him and step in the water.  Well, when you think about stepping in to rushing waters, you would step in with your toes first...right?  Yes, just put your toe in and watch what He can do!!!!!  Part the waters, for miles, the ground is DRY, you walk across to the blessings!!!!!!  I totally understood and knew what was coming.
I went and shadowed.  LOVED IT!!!!!!!  It was wonderful!!!!  I loved who I was working with. I loved what the job was about and what you get to do. It was something that I was familiar with. I knew the terminology.  There is a ladder to climb. It was just incredible.  Now the problem in this.  This is Thursday before I am suppose to start school on Monday.  I had explained my dilemma to the Recruiter and the Supervisor.  I had worked myself into such a mess for the last 2 weeks that I thought I would just be physically sick.  The "River" was raging and I was just standing there waiting for the signal. 
Friday was a waiting day.  I got myself into such a tizzy that morning that if I didn't go to the gym, I was going to eat everything in the house.  I worked myself really hard at the gym.  Just waiting for the phone to ring.  It was so difficult.  I cried. I prayed. I worked. I went to the gym. I cried and prayed more. 
THEN THE PHONE RANG!!!!  It was the Supervisor.  I was a nervous wreck.  She explained that she understood about school and wanted to let me know that the Recruiter would be calling with an official offer.  I almost dropped the phone.  I was just in awe.  Sure enough, 2 hours later I got the official offer.  It was a wonderful conversation.  It was a moment that I don't ever think I will forget . I stood there after hanging up the phone and shouted, cried, danced, you name it and I was doing it.  I was not just stepping in with a toe, I jumped in.  The water parted. We are moving on!!!!!!  It was incredible!!!!!! 
So, what about school?  Well, I will be returning to school in January for the Spring Semester for on-line classes.  Will also be pursuing my CNA 1 which will be great for work and for school. 
I can only just stand amazed.  I'm trusting Him to work out all of the other details that we are looking at.  He is the one in control. NOT ME!!!!!!!!  All of that to say......I am now a member of the Cone Health System as a Nursing Secretary/Monitor Tech. for Flexible Resources.  AWESOME!!!!!!!!  I will change the blog a little so be watching for that.  Some of the sidebars will change.
Thank you so much for stopping by.  Thank you for coming a long on this journey.  Oh what a journey this is!!!!!!

Pam

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

What Can Possibly Be Next?????

Yesterday I talked about Hairpin turns. Today it's a mole hill that seems to be a giant mountain at one minute and then the next it's not. 
Emotions are nuts.
Stress is getting me.
Overwhelmed.
What's next?
What if?
Why now?
What is YOUR plan?
Have you ever had this kind of day or days or week?  I can't say a lot publicly but there is just a lot coming at us at once. 
There is a reason.
There is a plan. 
What are you up to Lord? is what I keep asking. 
Maybe I should stop asking and rest. 
Rest in the fact that He already knows. 
Rest in the fact that His plan is better than mine.  He will see us through.  He has in the past and He will do it again. 
He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and forever! 
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jerm. 29:11-13.  This is my hearts cry.  I will post as I can but just know that, prayerfully, come Friday, all will be resolved and we will see HIS plan unfolding!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Twisting and Winding

No where in scripture are we ever promised that our "road" of life will be smooth, comfortable and straight.  I have learned that more since April 29th than I ever wanted to. Goes back to the "Word for 2011" and my head is just spinning when I try to think through it all.
Today is no different. 
Today at 2pm will be another curve in the road.  This one feels like a one of the many "Hairpin" turns that I have ridden on in India. This is one I didn't see coming.  Not in a million years.
School starts next Monday/
I will post this afternoon and give a bit more detail. 

The weekend was busy, running here and there and had Childbirth Education Class here in the home.  It was great and a great group of Mom's and Dad's.  I only have this group for 3 weeks.  Tonight is the last night for a different group.  So funny how we get attached when we have only known them for so long. 

Still running, although this weekend didn't have much in the way of running because of being busy and the weather.  However, this morning, I enjoyed a great run and the weather is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!  It was 72 when I got out of the car!!!!!  LOVED IT!!!!!!

Off to get some other things done and will chat soon. 

Friday, August 12, 2011

Copy-Cat

I have a friend named Sarah who has a blog that I LOVE.  So, I thought I would try to do something like she does.  I am sure that mine will not match hers.  She has such a way with words and pictures but let's give it a shot.  You can see her blog here.

I LOVE the Friday Five!!

1.I LOVE Running!!!!!!!  This is one of my biggest passions.  Of course it doesn't compare to Christ!!!!  I love running because it is a stress release for me.  There is something about getting a good sweat and exercising that just does it for me.  It is absolutely amazing to consider where I was and where I am headed.  I love seeing other people jump on board and go for it.  I am NOT FAST!!!!  I run/walk.  It is for sure something that I LOVE!
2. I LOVE teaching Childbirth Classes and being a Doula.  This is one LOVE that I don't see me getting rid of anytime.  I am putting it on the sidelines for right now for school but I am sure that it will come back for sure.  I had a difficult time with my first child (yes, that was 22+ years ago) but I am passionate that women are educated, encouraged and empowered.  That is what I want every Mom to be.

3.I LOVE great friends.  I love it when I get to spend time with them and share, talk, cry, pray, encourage, laugh, giggle, and just plane have a good time.  That is what we are to do.  I'm sorry to say because life has been so busy, we have not done that much but my prayer is to change that.  I LOVE my friends and it's time!!!!!!
4. I LOVE my boys!!!!!!  I don't have many pictures of the 3 of them together and this was a couple of years ago at the beach.  They don't have a clue how much I love them.  I just hope they realize it!!!!!

5. I LOVE my parents!!!!!  THEY ARE THE BEST!!!!  They have walked beside me through it all!!!!  I am so very gratefull for them!!!!!!!
So this is my Friday Five!!!! What have you fallen in LOVE with?

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Calm Down!!!!

Why you ask?
Several things actually.......
So excited because the Lord is moving and working.  He is SOOO a Mountain Mover
So excited to be going to Ga. for 2 different weekends in Sept.  I am so excited.  Our schedule has been so nuts this summer but will be so GREAT!!!!!!! 
So excited to be going to Myrtle for a long weekend in October during Fall Break which I think will be right after Mid-Terms so that will be good.
So excited because I have purchased school supplies for ME!!  How weird is that!!!!??!!!!
So excited to go and see a GREAT friend who has been offered an awesome job and she will be leaving the place that I once worked and going on a new adventure and they are having a "lunch" for her tomorrow.
So excited that I am planning on returning to Myrtle in February for the Dasani Half Marathon
So excited because I got to go and run 4 miles on the road today...(even though it took 2 hours to stop sweating)
So excited that I found out this morning that Michelle and Nick will be going to. (they are much faster than me but that is OK)
So excited because school schedule is complete.
So excited because Long Run schedule is planned and written on my calendar for February.  28 weeks just in case you were wondering....hahaha
What are you so excited about??????

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Hello Again!!

Well, I hope that you enjoyed this week and reading all of the homebirth stories and being inspired by them.  It was a blessing to be able to have them sent to me and read them.  They are empowering and encouraging.  If you missed any of them, feel free to scroll down and take a look and take some time to read them. 

Lots has been happening in the past week.  Because I was running the "special" I didn't want to interrupt and have 2 or 3 postings in a day. 
So, let me catch you up just a little bit.

Class Schedule for School- I went in to the "Meeting/Registration" and rec'd more information than I wanted and listened to somewhat arrogant people and then some that made me feel like I was older than dirt.  I went in and met with an Advisor from the Nursing Dept. and she was able to get me registered with  ALL of the classes that I wanted and needed.  I was about to bust a gut when I left.  I have a VERY full and VERY demanding schedule but WHEN (not if) I can get through this semester, I can do anything.  So on the plate we have........Math (more of a refresher than anything), English, Psych, and Biology.  I have 2 on line and 2 in class.  I am VERY excited and VERY nervous and VERY excited and VERY overwhelmed. It's been 20+ years.  That is a VERY long time and now diving back into this is just......WOW is all I know to say. 

Facebook- I joined a Facebook Group from a previous Mom that I had and from what I can tell, we are all Christians (what a blessing!) and we are all on a Fitness journey of some sort.  It is so encouraging.  There is never a time that you post something that someone doesn't respond with encouragement or a WHOOHOOO!!!! or just a simple, "praying for you". 

Childcare Grant- This week checking on my e-mail at school and the Website that we use as students, it popped up for the possibility of Childcare Grant.  Well, this was very exciting and I for sure didn't want to pass that up.  We printed the form and I have dropped it off.  Now we wait.  This is the part that is the hardest for me.  I want to turn something in and know something right a way.  I am learning more about patience than I ever wanted to know.  We will see!!!!  It's on the sidebar, so we will keep you posted. 

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT--Time is ticking down.  I have a "Mom" due at the end of August.  She will be my last one for a while.  Now, if I have been your Doula in the past, and you need me again, I Can Be There For You!!!!!!  I have just chosen after MUCH prayer to put the Doula business on hold.  It is so hard for me to let that go but I just have to right now with school.  I want to nail school with A's and B's.  Getting into the nursing program, C's are really not acceptable.  Lots of study and lots of computer, books and learning.  Being a Doula has opened so many doors and for those I am most grateful.  I may resume this adventure in January but will have to see how this semester goes.  I am also putting my Childbirth Education Classes on hold until the Spring Semester for the same reason.  I need to get into the swing of how this is all going to work and get re-oriented to school AND family.

Well, that about catches you up with the goings on around here.  Off to see my "Mom" that is due in 20 days and then off to church and reception to wish a VERY close friend farewell in their families journey to the mission field of Spain.  Check in with me tomorrow.  I will share the message this morning from Pastor Jim.  Very Powerful and Very Convicting!!!!

Doula Mama Pam

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Homebirth Story-Day 6

Choosing to homebirth was just seemed natural to me. (no pun intended). My first child was born at a birth center about 20 minutes from us and we had a great natural birth experience. It didn't turn out to be the negative torturous experience I'd anticipated at all, not pleasant, but totally normal!

In the 4 years it took me to get pregnant again the birth center had closed, I'd had friends that had homebirthed and we'd lost the ability to qualify for Medicaid, while still unable to afford insurance. Being short on cash, I researched and studied and found that homebirth was not only a viable option, and cheaper, it wouldn't be much different than the experience I'd had at the Birth Center--only we wouldn't have to get up hours after the process to go home and settle, we'd be there!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Homebirth-Day 5

I never wanted children. Until I did want them, then I really wanted them! I was working as a middle school teacher at that time and it seemed that every time I turned around, one of my coworkers was being induced, having an episiotomy, vacuum extraction, c-section, etc. Having witnessed the birth of my sister in 1998, fast and unmedicated, and knowing that I myself was born at home (though accidentally!) I just couldn't bring myself to believe all these things were as "necessary" as they are being made out to be.

Then I met read the blog of a fellow alum from my college who had just had a home birth. I was positive from that moment that is what I wanted. That was three months before I was even pregnant.
As soon as I had a positive pregnancy test in February, I was on the phone with a CPM who came recommended to me by another home birth mama in my church. We met for the first time at 9 weeks. I loved our hour or more long monthly appointments where her focus was reserved for only me! I loved that I had the responsibility to research and decide which tests and procedures were right for me during this pregnancy.
At 5 months I started taking Bradley Method classes and was faithful to do the exercises and relaxation practice.
Just before 8 months I started to have some bleeding. Not a ton, but concerning. The midwife and her apprentice (who was almost completed with her CPM certification as well) came for our home visit. She didn't want to check me but rather asked for me to come the following week to her office to be checked out due to the bleeding. That would have been Monday, October 6. On Thursday, I was at a LLL meeting with my best friend who was two weeks behind me in her pregnancy. I remember telling her I was going to sit in a chair rather than the floor because I was feeling some low "pressure."
On Friday, October 3 at 3am, I thought my baby kicked me super hard on my pubic symphasis.
Except I knew that his head was down there. That got me up. I walked, lay on the couch, got a drink, then decided around 4 to get into the tub. The tub just annoyed me because our bath is small and it wouldn't reach my belly.
When I got out around 5 my husband called the midwive. I heard her say "Oh. OH!" She was on vacation for the first time in 3 years! But she sent her apprentice. She arrived around 7am. I was already sidelying in bed, vocalizing and practicing relaxation between rather intense contractions.
The apprentice said, "Girl, we have to talk." According to everything I was only 35.5 weeks. Everything except one ultrasound I had done at 20 weeks (twins run in both families. I NEEDED to know there was one baby in there) It had me dated at 37 weeks! Hooray for that u/s or I would have been on my way to the hospital. Well, maybe. I was already 7cm (the ONE VE I allowed) and by 8am I was pushing!!! Mother led pushing. No one screaming at me to P-U-S-H or counting or any of that.
At 9:36 am I was holding my 7lb, 15oz, 20.5in baby boy in my arms. As soon as he heard me talking to him, he quieted down and just started to take it in. I had a short cord, so he couldn't reach to nurse until the placenta came out. I don't even remember how long that was.
The apprentice and a midwife from a neighboring town who came to supervise (but arrived after the birth because it was so fast) took care of all the clean up while I took a nice long herbal bath with my baby. My doula took care of making a meal and I spent the remainder of the day in bed with my baby and my husband, now a family of three.
For the record, I was so impressed with how well the Bradley Method worked that a year later, I certified to teach it. I've been doing so for nearly 2 years now.

Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!!!!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Homebirth Story- Day 4

When my husband and I found out we were expecting we decided to go to a Birthing Center rather than a hospital. I was excited about the birthing center because it had more of a home feeling then a hospital does but was glad that it was close to a hospital. In case something didn’t go as planned we could get there in no time. That’s why I was nervous about having a home birth to begin with. I have heard all these horror stories about child birth and I just felt more comfortable knowing that I could get somewhere fast.

After going to the birthing center for a while we realized that maybe that wasn’t the best thing. We realized even though it was the more natural approach to child birth they still didn’t see eye to eye with what we wanted. That is when my husband and I started discussing having a home birth again and I didn’t feel so nervous about doing a home birth anymore. I felt like God was telling me that this is what we should do..
After we had made our decision we emailed a few midwifes and found one that was available and set up a time to meet. After meeting with her we had someone that we liked and that we could trust with our pregnancy and our baby.. Now that I had found a midwife I feel like this is what was meant to be. Instead of driving to appointments to a doctor’s office, everything is done in the privacy of our own home.
When I went into labor I wasn’t even sure that it was labor at the time. I progressed so fast that I was only in labor for 5 hours and my midwife barely made it there in time. After having my beautiful baby boy I was able to just get into bed and stay there. I didn’t have to think about getting home and settled in. When I was in labor I was more comfortable being at home than I would have ever been at a hospital. I didn’t have any one pressuring me into taking any kind of medicine or having a bunch of nurses and doctors coming in and out of the room. I was in my own home, in a more intimate setting with just my husband and midwife. I also feel like that is why my labor was so quick, because I didn’t have all that stress.
After all that said and done, I am so glad I had a home birth. I would definitely do a home birth again, not question about it.

Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Homebirth Story-Day 3

It wasn't until half way through my pregnancy of my first child that we even looked into a home birth. I had never really considered one or for that matter really heard much about it. I have a medical background in EMS and so I was very familiar of everything that could go wrong. My mom was also in nursing school and was studying, none other than, pregnancy and childbirth. Even still, we started doing A LOT of research of all types to figure out what the best choices for our family would be. We explored all the options and why people do what they do now as opposed to how they used to do things.. We strongly believe that a woman's body was designed to have children and it knows how to do it, whether we do in our heads or not.
So, here I am over 20 weeks pregnant and I was getting information overload! To be honest, it stressed me out a little. We decided at that point we would stick with our OB and a hospital delivery for that pregnancy, but we still continued our research for our future deliveries.
At 39 weeks, I went into labor with my baby girl. I had already prepared myself ahead of time for a natural hospital birth. I planned on staying home as long as possible and my OB and doula were all on the same page with us. After being in labor for roughly 18 hours we decided to go in. Knowing that they wouldn't let me eat after I got checked in, we grabbed something first even though I wasn't that hungry. When we got settled in my temporary admitting room, we thought it would be a short time and we'd be whisked away to my private room upstairs. There was a lot of commotion going on and a lot of woman who were screaming for drugs (probably just as they've seen in the movies). This was a temporary set up so I was litteraly surrounded by curtains and couldn't really focus on my birth. After 5 hours and a threat from my husband they finally brought us upstairs to our labor room. Once there they have to re-do everything that was done downstairs. More monitoring, more checking, more questions, less focused laboring... Isn't that what I was there for? I pushed for 3 hours and during that time there was a lot of attempted fetal monitoring, but I kept pushing it away. I came away with a beautiful baby girl and I did do it all naturally but only after 29 hours and many unecessary hurdles.
I don't remember ever having to go over the things on my birth plan with the nurses, they didn't force drugs on me or tell me if I didn't hurry up I'd have to have a c-section. Although my husband says differently. I had a wonderful OB who was with me all the way even though I'm sure his doubts were in his head. My doula was there to help me with anything I asked for and a lot of things I didn't know to ask for. My husband was my supporter through and through... But would we do it this way for our next? No.
We are now expecting our second child. They'll be 20 months apart so the birthing process is still fresh in my head. We decided to call up a midwife this go round for multiple reasons. You've already seen some of the struggles we went through at the hospital that no doubt slowed my progress. Our midwife comes to our home for the visits and is very flexible with the time so my husband can easily be there. She's always on-call for all of our questions or concerns. She respects our decisions and makes us feel like we're her only patient. I'm planning a water birth this time and would like to have candles lit, both of which we're no-no's at the hospital. There won't be any fetal monitoring if I don't want it and the cervical checks will be very limited if at all. Best part is, I won't have to struggle with when to leave the comfort of my home to go to a place of a lot of unknowns. I know that everyone present at my birth will know going into it exactly what we want.. There won't be any fights to expect, papers to sign, and we can eat drink and be merry if that what we choose to do.
For us, homebirth is our choice because we have faith that everything is going to go right. We want our birth to be as natural as possible to allow my body to do what it was designed to do... Give life.

Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Homebirth Story-Day 2

I had a hospital birth with many interventions with my first child, so I knew I wanted something different the next time. After he was born I started reading about all the dangers of the interventions and things some doctors and hospitals do, things the doctors never told me about, or how risky they could have been. While Rylan was perfect, I felt bad that I didn't have the birthing process I had hoped for and they did unnecessary things to me and my baby that could have turned out badly.



I knew I wanted nothing to do with the interventions when I got pregnant again, and started looking for ways to help me avoid them and have a beautiful natural birthing process. I found out about homebirths and someone helped me get in touch with a Midwife. It was wonderful! The prenatal appointments were so much more personal, no cold waiting room and someone who actually cared and didn't try to rush and get me out quickly. I didn't have to leave my home while in labor and talk to a bunch of strangers. My midwife and her assistance were there for me and didn't have to run next door for another patient. Very importantly Rylan was able to be there with me and watch his baby brother come into the world, which he would not have been able to do at any of the hospitals I would have had to go to otherwise. Also my husband, who was very nervous about the idea, was happy that we had a home birth, he was able to relax and help me while taking care of our son instead of being pushed aside by doctors and nurses and medical equipment.


But still the very best benefit to having a homebirth was getting my natural, drug free, intervention free, empowering, loving birth I had dreamed of. My baby, Altyn was born at home, in our bathtub, just a few hours after our midwife arrived. He was perfect and the birth was beautiful. I know this is how I want to birth any future children and I want to educate other people about their options.


Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!!!!!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Homebirth Week-Day 1

Well, I have always wanted to do this and this seemed like a good time to do it.  Homebirth has become something that we see and read a lot about in the news and on the Internet.  I know here in Greensboro, it was even in the paper last week and got front page of the Life section.  She was not a local homebirth mother but the article was awesome!!!! 
If you had asked me 10 years ago what I thought about homebirth I would have told you that you were nuts.  Well, lets just say that time, education, reading, research and listening and hearing, I have completely changed my mind.  So much so that if NC would approve the practice of CPM's in this state, I would probably be going to school for that.  It is actually in the legislature now but as we know, the government takes there time. 
I have a video that I use for my childbirth class and out of all the "stories" on the video, only 2 are hospital or birth center.  The rest are homebirths.  There is something to be said about that.  Listening to the people during the video talk about C-Section rates, epidural, and interventions would really make you think.  For me as a Doula and Childbirth Educator, I try very hard to educate, encourage and empower the moms that I teach and that are my clients.  THIS IS YOUR BIRTH!! Unless there is a medical emergency or other medical conditions that come up, you should be able to have what you want. 
I have several homebirth stories to share this week with you and so excited to be able to share them.  These are women that I know personally or have become friends with through work, Facebook and through other people and networks.  I so appreciate all of them. 
I have not had the opportunity to attend a homebirth and would love to do that at some point in time in my career.  It just amazes me every time that I do attend a birth.  It is absolutely amazing!!!!!!! 
If you are in another state other than NC, what are the laws in your state?  Have you had a homebirth that you would like to share?  Please let me know.  Maybe you have had a hospital birth and you are thinking and considering your options for your next baby.  I hope that these stories will encourage and educate you and empower you.  Special thank you again to all of these women that shared this week!!!!!!!!!

Doula Mama Pam