At 5 days “overdue” – overdue is a strong word because the average pregnancy length is 38-42 weeks…. and the average first time mom (without induction) will deliver at 41 weeks and 1 day – BUT, anyways at 5 days overdue I woke up with contractions at about 3am. They felt very productive and continued to wake me up. So, I got up and walked around…. they kept going….. but never progressed in intensity. I got tired of that really fast and decided that I wasn’t into having a long drawn out labor like last time. So, I went to bed and ignored them. It worked – I slept until 7am! But, the mild productive contractions continued through out the day. My friend offered to go to Walmart with me to get out of the house (i.e. away from our little kids) and walk around for a while. We spent two hours in Walmart, something I had never done before.

While with Marie all day she was timing my contractions without me knowing. Driving home she started telling me when I was going to have my contraction – ha! Being on the stubborn side I thought “Nobody is going to tell me when I’m having a contraction.” So, the contractions stopped. HAHA!

The next day I went into my midwife’s office for a stress test. The baby looked fabulous, and my cervix was high and posterior, so labor did not seem imminent. The rest of the day there was no activity. Then, around 5pm he felt really really really low. I was using the restroom every 10-15 minutes and I thought “I cannot do this for the next couple of days.” At 7:00pm or so my sister-in-law called to see if I had had the baby yet, I talked to her for about 20 minutes and then said “Oh – I have to go, a contraction is coming.” Labor had begun.

Around 10:30pm we decided it was the real deal and time to head to the birth center. We had decided to ask for help from my friend Rochelle, if, we needed it. I was hoping to have my husband help me all the way, but he’s not very into birthing or laboring women – so he had to decide if he wanted to be my assistant (haha!). He said that “yes” he could do it, so we went to the birth center without her.

When Jared called the office line to tell the midwife to meet us at the birth center, we had to go through 2 or 3 phone people. They kept asking him hilarious questions like “Does your wife seem to be mentally stable?” We both cracked up laughing…. and thought “NO! She’s NOT right now!” Then they asked “Is the baby hanging out of the vagina?” And he about flipped out – he kept saying “No, I just need to speak to the midwife.” But, they had their list of questions they had to ask. So funny and ridiculous!

Having back labor on a 45 minute drive is not fun. I don’t know if you’ve ever had back labor before, but it is almost impossible to be in a sitting or lying position. All I wanted to do was lean over or stand up. I decided on the drive that I did not want anymore children. We arrived about 11:45pm – 5 minutes ahead of the midwife.

At the birth center there is a HUGE tub, so I immediately got in that and labored there for about 2 hours. It was nice because I could sit up and then when I felt a contraction coming I leaned over the edge of the tub. Seemed to take the edge off and support my body. But, at that point I was SOOO tired. I kept thinking about the clean, white sheets in the next room. What misery! I wanted to sleep so bad.

So, I asked for some Stadol to see if I could sleep. In my head, I was going to have another 2 or 3 day labor so I had to get some sleep in. The Stadol worked for me (again) and I was able to labor in the bed and sleep between the contractions. Only waking up during the peak. Oh, I forgot to tell you – these contractions were CLOSE and HARD. I had many many double peaking contractions. It was no more of this every 6-7 minutes and 45 seconds long like last time- it was every 2-3 minutes and I don’t even know how long. Didn’t have the mind to notice.

Anyways, so I took some Stadol about 1:30am and was able to sleep on and off for about 30 minutes. When I came out of it at 2am- it was with a bang! The midwife checked me and I was at 7cm dilated. So, she called the pediatric nurse to come. For the next 45 minutes I crawled up and down the hallways of the birth center. It was the only thing that felt right.

Suddenly my body did that push thing again and I couldn’t help but push. The midwife checked me again and I was at about 9.5cm (I think I remember her saying I had a small lip that I could just push through). My water broke during one of those early pushes. Very soon I screamed “He’s coming!” and they got stuff under me and ready for a delivery. After that he came out in about 3 pushes. I was on all fours, on the floor. Seemed right at the time! He was born at 3:00am sharp.

The pediatric nurse did not make it for the birth, but helped out a lot as soon as she got there. Ethan weighed 8’14 and was 21inches long – and he was perfect! I was exactly one week “late”.

Overall, my birth was healthy and happy and I am blessed with a son. My husband was supportive and my birth atmosphere was quiet and safe. My midwife was skilled and calm and I couldn’t ask for more. Birth centers and midwives are great!

And yes, there is something quite special about baby boys and their Momma’s. I hear it lasts until they get married

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In July 2005 I was 9 months pregnant with my first daughter. I knew nothing about normal pregnancy and delivery. I thought just like most OBGYN’s do now: Birth is guilty until proven innocent (or complicated until proven uncomplicated). I read all the mainstream books and watched the mainstream TV shows about birth…..

I was induced at 39 weeks because I wanted to be …… I was SOOOO ready to meet my baby! And the doctor “was going to be working at the hospital on Saturday anyways”. On a Friday night I checked into the hospital and was given prostaglandins on my cervix. In the AM I was given Pitocin. The baby’s heart rate dropped when given Pitocin but came right back up to normal, which I now know is quite normal. A that point, I was 2 cm dilated and 0% effaced and the baby had not dropped.

At around noon I was given an epidural. It was suggested to me from the nurses because if an emergency happened I did not want to have to be ‘under’ (general anesthia) for the c-section. I consented and the baby’s heart rate briefly dropped again, which again know now is pretty normal.

After 2 quick drops in the heart rate and no progression from the induction I was told it would be better to have a c-section, and my husband and I consented without reservation. Our sweet daughter was born at 2:21pm! So exciting! Looking back, my body probably just needed another week or two, but alas….. we had a healthy baby and I was HAPPY!!!

The only problem I seemed to have from major surgery was breast feeding. I think it was all the drugs in our systems and the fact I was not able to nurse for the first few days. Being incredibly stubborn about nursing successfully I started asking A LOT of questions and reading a lot about breast feeding. After about 6-8 weeks I was able to nurse her exclusively and without having latch troubles.

That nursing quest got me on the road to natural health! I will never forget the day the Nurse Lactation Specialist at the Pediatrician’s office said “Go to a health food store and get Fennel tea. It will help increase your milk supply.” I was shocked that a health professional was suggesting something outside the realms of FDA drugs.

That simple statement led me to where I am now. I realized doctors are not Gods (though useful in certain situations) and that the medical establishment does not have all the answers….. and neither does mainstream the mainstream “normal” thinking. My views on parenting, nutrition, healing, birth, marriage, and God were all challenged and ultimately radically altered. Even though this first birth had so many things that went “wrong” I am incredibly thankful for my four year old daughter, and the experience that was a catalyst for so much of what we hold dear now.

Next I’ll tell you about my second birth – A great hospital birth and VBAC!

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As with almost all store bought baby products…. there is a cheaper, natural, and healthier alternative. Baby powder is no exception.

Here is a recipe for natural, homemade baby powder that my friend mailed to me. I LOVE the scent and how soft it can make our skin!

Baby Powder
1 1/2 C arrowroot
1/2 C. baking soda
1/2 cup calendula, chamomile, elder, or lavender flowers, finely powdered
1/2 cup rice flour
20 drops(or more if desired) chamomile, lavender, sweet orange, and or TTO essential oils

Combine all ingredients well except oils. Stir in essential oils a few drops at a time, until well mixed. Put in a container with a tight lid. Use within one year.
My sister enjoyed it when I used an empty plastic salt container (Redmond sea salt), because she could “sprinkle” the powder on.

One thing I always want to know is: What’s wrong with the product I could just buy? Well, for baby powder it’s all the chemicals. Talcum powder is a common ingredient in baby powder (but not all), and Talc is NOT something you want getting in your lungs as it can cause pneumonia and/or cancer.
So, check the ingredients on your makeups and powders around the house! And even if it doesn’t have Talcum Powder… why not try something that smells a little better and is homemade!? It also makes great gifts – I know first hand.

For more information about Talc.

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Skin, it’s your bodies largest organ! But did you know that what goes ON your skin goes IN your body? So, I check all ingredients for anything we would rub into our skin and not wash off, that goes for Baby Wipes too.

Not only are Baby Wipes expensive to purchase, they also contain a number of questionable ingredients. So, I am sharing my homemade recipe. It’s cheap and my babies love it!

Kristen’s Natural Baby Wipe Recipe
Ingredients:
Water- to wet
Paper Towels- to wipe
Olive Oil- to moisturize skin
Lavendar Essential Oil- For a pleasant smell AND it has anti-bacterial agents
Grape Fruit Seed Crush- To kill bacteria (always dilute)

Instructions:
For regular size (store bought) diaper wipe box:
Step 1: Put dry paper towels (folded) in box
Step 2: Mix in separate bowl:
About 1/1/2 cups of warm water
2-3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
About 1.0 ml of Grape Fruit Seed Extract
Step 3: Pour liquid mix over paper towels and use as needed.
Note: I need to make this mixture every three days, if it sits longer than that wet, it will grow mold.

Anti-Fungal Recipe:
Omit vinegar if baby has a raw rash.
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon calendula oil
A few drops lavender oil
A few drops tea tree oil
1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
1 cup water
Combine together and store in spray bottle. Spray on baby’s bum or wipe cloth, and use as necessary!

For more cheap and non-disposable Baby Wipe recipes, click here (you’ll just be doing more laundry)

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