Q&A "Do You Sleep Train?"

I don't pretend to have all the answers, or that I would repeat everything I've done, but to date---I do have 4 children who sleep 11/12 hours through the night now and did as infants. Now...toddlers and naps [that's a whole other post!]

If you want to know "how I do it" continue reading...

EAT PLAY SLEEP

They all have different personalities, and levels of difficulty, but somehow they all sleep from about 8 pm till 7 or 8 am most days. It isn't normal for them to get in bed with us, or wake up super early, although the early wake ups do happen on occasion. Either way, we do try to enforce a pretty tight routine so that a) Charles and I can have personal quiet time together and b) we can slept 7-8 hours a night so that we can properly [and patiently] attend to them every day. Especially me.

Right after I had Nation [my oldest], someone handed me Baby Wise. I was too exhausted to read it all the way through [and still haven't], but I skimmed over it and feel like I gleaned the main points. Eat Play Sleep. Which, I do agree, is the way most babies [and children] function.

EAT-As far as I understand it, if you want to schedule [strictly or loosely] your child it starts with feeding times. For example, my 3 month old eats about every 3-4 hours. So If I nurse her at 7:30am, she will eat for a half hour, then "play" for a half hour, going down at 8:30am then sleep for 2-3 hours, waking up to eat around 11:30am. More or less. I did nurse to sleep [few minutes] some of my kids, but some, like Heaven can just be happily laid down and fall asleep on their own within a few minutes. Feedings were more frequent when she was younger and I'm willing to feed slightly more often, but not every few minutes.

PLAY-I am purposeful in my "play" part to properly wear them out both mentally and physically. As infants I will try to make a lot of eye contact, talk to them a lot, provide toys for them to play with, and carry them around. I don't know if baby wearing [or holding] has anything to do with it, but I do attempt to hold my infants as much as possible since their season for needing [and wanting] to be held is really short in the scheme of things. I do put them down if I have to attend to something, but I do try to wear [or hold] them as much as I can.When they start to fuss or whine I know "it's time".

SLEEP-I use a box fan for noise, shades for darkness, a sleep sack for safety, and a light up toy in bed for noise and entertainment while they fall asleep. Usually I just lay them down and they will fall asleep on their own within a few minutes. Obviously a child who sucks their fingers or thumb [Heaven] is easier than a child [Nation & Moses] who used a passey and they can't keep it in or it keeps falling out until they are older.

CRYING IT OUT

The big question right? When Nation was born, we let him sleep with us and next to us in the bassinet. When he outgrew it [started rolling over!], we moved him over to his crib [around a month]. So, you go lay them down and what do they do? They cry. Someone told us to just let them "cry it out". So, we did. I sat, also crying, by the baby monitor for a longer period of time than I care to share, and then he fell asleep. He was clean, full and only wanted me to hold him while he slept. I think he did this two or three nights and then rarely ever again, especially for any real length of time. He seemed to have quickly "trained" himself to realize he wasn't getting picked up. My other three children we did the same thing with, but all of them trained even quicker and with a shorter cry time. I chalk this up to personality and stamina.

NIGHT FEEDINGS

I suppose I should clarify, that I do allow breast feedings through the night when they wake for them [as long as they are spread out and not every few minutes]. For example, if my baby [teething/sick/healthy] wanted to nurse at 12, 3, 6, and 9 am. I would. Honestly, it didn't bother me. I would nurse laying down and then go put them back in their bed and hardly miss a wink of sleep. I didn't feel comfortable letting them "cry it out" if I thought they were actually hungry. If it was just to be held I didn't feel as guilty. Obviously the younger they are the more likely they were to wake up more often, the older they got the less likely they "needed" another feeding. And when they did I figured it was because they were sick, teething or growing.

The first two kids probably would have slept all night, but I used the nightly nursings also to help me from ovulating for 12 months. The last two kids I didn't wake them up at night to nurse them, and they slept all night most nights and some nights they woke for one, or several feedings. Even now, Heaven at 3 months, will sleep 12 hours straight some nights [ouch breasts!] and others nurse a time or two. For me it works. As long as they will nurse laying down while I sleep and I can go put them back in their bed afterwards and they go right back to sleep it's a win-win for both of us. Changing diapers, fussing, or rustling next to me in bed don't work for our family middle of the night [unless they are newborns].

COMFORT

Here's where I might be changing what I think. I'm currently reading a book How We Love and although it's on marriage, it talks in depth about the comfort [or lack there of] we received as a child and how that ends up affecting the rest of our adulthood relationships. I haven't really made up my mind yet, but I'm beginning to lean towards maybe feeling slightly more guilty for letting them "cry it out" so much. I don't think the concept is entirely bad, but maybe in need of a more balanced approach. Maybe we are putting an unnatural pressure on the babies [and ourselves] to have them sleep a certain cookie-cutter-way. Maybe.

I believe "fetuses", infants and children are all 100% persons. I don't think they start feeling the spiritual, emotional and physical affects of this world at some point in adolescents, I believe it starts earlier than we want to believe. Thus, I believe the way we treat those in our womb, or in our arms, can make great impressions upon them later in life.

So, I'm questioning... did those, although, few times, of letting them "cry it out" hurt them in any way? I'd like to think it didn't much, but I wonder.

BALANCE

For me, I want to leave you with one word at the end of this post, it's...balance. Like I said before, I never followed Baby Wise to a T and if I felt like I needed to go in and pick them up mid "crying it out" and comfort them, then I did. So my advice to you is...

1-Hear from the Lord because every child, parent and family is different. What worked for one family, or child may or may not work for you.

2-Comfort them when you hear the Holy Spirit telling you to. Just now even, I laid Heaven down and she would normally go right to sleep watching her sea horse light up and sing to her, but she didn't. I waited a few minutes, and then went up held her spoke to her, and reassured her for just a few minutes and I can now hear that she's asleep. Tell them [even if they don't understand it] "You are safe" "You are loved" You are not abandoned" Etc

3-Pray for them when you lay them down. Pray things like "Peace" "Security" "Angels all around you" Etc

4-I suggest finding something that helps you sleep. I know that I will probably never chose to "comfort" [stay awake with all night] one child for months at the expense of not sleeping at night. Regardless, my other 3 will be up at 7 am, so if my infant and I hang out all night for months and months and never get on any schedule or common compromise no one is winning. Mommy will be nice to one child, while being mean to all the rest of them, and ruining her marriage.

5-Don't be afraid to do something for the greater good. If it's a few minutes of crying it out, or a few mintues of singing, or a few minutes of nursing, or a few hours of co-sleeping. Be willing to do whatever it takes. Because not sleeping has a domino affect on my marriage and relationships and responsibilities to the other children. Don't ignore this truth.

SLEEP IS IMPORTANT FOR THE MOMMY!

I don't know about you, but I feel crazy, impatient and hate the world when I don't sleep [for long periods of time]. So read, ask, pray, try, but most importantly find something that helps you sleep and makes your child healthy. Children need sleep. If your child thinks they don't, ask God for wisdom to show you how to help them do so. He will answer you. Specifically for your child.

Breastfeeding -Part 5- Nursing A Newborn

Nursing A Newborn

Those first few days and weeks, don't plan on doing much more than nursing because newborns nurse...a lot. You're a milk machine. Period. Eventually you'll be allowed a shower & change of clothes, but until then keep nursing and reading your facebook newsfeed.

Seems trivial to rewrite what's already been wonderfully outlined for you over at kellymom.com [educate yourself!], but here are some of my odds & ends suggestions...

1. Frequency: I prefer to nurse a newborn on demand, after a few weeks I will become more scheduled [2-4 hours], but to help my supply get [and stay] going I nurse as often as they like and if they don't wake up [very common] I wake them up every 1.5-3 hours]. Use the timer on your cell phone. Remember these numbers are based on the start of your last feeding...for example, if you nursed at 12, you nurse again at 3. Not, you started nursing at 12, finished nursing at 12:45, so you nurse at 3:45. That's really making the child go longer than 3 hours. I don't personally think you can nurse a newborn too much.

2. Pacifiers: I like them personally and try to get my kids to take them, but usually my children don't like them till after they are one month old. Two of my three kids have kept them. I think if your supply is low or struggling you should steer clear for the time being. They can cause nipple confusion. 

3. Positions: I started out with my first nursing only in my recliner chair with my Boppy. However, I became very crazy due to my sleep deprivation & one too many episodes of Law & Order at 3am. By the time I had my second and third, I loved side lying to nurse them those first few weeks. If you're larger chested this may or may not work as well. I found a way to lay on my side and nurse while still snoozing. Some call this unsafe, but it worked for me. I always kept my arm in a way so that I'd roll onto my arm before the baby. I also put a body pillow behind the baby so it wouldn't fall off the bed and faced the baby away from my husband so he couldn't roll on him either. I liked the nurse in the cradle hold, but would use football hold sometimes if my nipple became too sore on one side [also great when they get their teeth in to rotate positions]. 

4. Latch: I think this is probably also one of the biggest reasons people quit nursing. That darn latch. I'm not going to lie, it's a tricky deal. Sometimes more so than others. I think people exaggerate how important it is to the point where they stress moms out. I know I was. The fact is, if you have a bad latch, yes you're going to be more sore than if you didn't, but you can keep working at it and eventually they will be a few days older/wiser/less sleepy and fix their latch with some help from you. I think it's something better demonstrated than read about though. If you don't have a friend who will show you, go over to YouTube and do some homework. Something that worked for me was to have the baby completely naked except diaper & for me to be topless and put us skin to skin sitting up. Obviously teaching them to latch a few times doesn't require you both stay nudist, but it did help my first son "get it". Another trick I like is, like in this video, where you "tease" the baby with your nipple on the roof of their mouth and then usually they will go for it...and that's when you "shove" your nipple in their mouth. Sometimes I'll use my pinky finger to do this first and then try to nurse. Finally, I think it's always important to remember to drop your breast into their mouth verses laying the baby on top of your breast, just makes it difficult for them to breath and neither of you is comfortable.

5. Eating: I already wrote about on my feelings about taking care of yourself in the eating department, but another tip I have for you is...oatmeal! Real oatmeal [not instant], is a great milk-supply booster, my personal favorite is McCann's Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal. I took this along with Mother's Milk Tea. Don't be too shy to try some herbs either. Also, don't make the mistake of thinking that what you eat won't effect your baby. Not every mommy or baby is the same so don't think just because it didn't bother your friend's baby it won't bother yours. For example, I can eat spicy foods, but I can't have any milk products that first month unless I want a very-fussy-gassy-won't-nurse-well baby. 

List to consider avoiding at first:

1. Coffee [or caffeine drinks, cruel right?]

2. Chocolate [no chocolate cover strawberries for me]

3. Citrus Fruits [strawberries, oranges, you name it]

4. Broccoli [what makes you have gas makes them have gas]

5. Alcohol [wine totally makes my babies unhappy]

6. Spicy Foods [for the most part I seem to be okay with this]

7. Garlic [semi-notice this]

8. Peanuts [did notice pb&j made baby a little unhappy]

9. Wheat [I was fine with this]

10. Dairy [the worst, no ice cream for 30 days!]

11. Corn [didn't notice]

12. Shellfish [for allergy reasons]

13. Eggs [didn't effect us]

14. Soy [don't use]

15. Fish [just like pregnancy, the mercury ain't so good to have a lot]

16. Peppermint [used for weaning, actually reverses supply]

17. Parsley [also reduces supply]

Trust me, a fussy baby won't be worth the coffee or milk shake *speaking from experience*. Remember to send this list to those bringing you meals too---otherwise you'll just be watching your husband eat it all.

What was your experience?

Breastfeeding -Part 4- Your Milk Supply

2 Things That Will Help Your Supply:

1. Understand Boobonomics: 

The law of nursing is similar to that of economics, it's all about supply & demand. If you remember one thing about your milk supply, please remember that. When you put a baby to your nipple [even if they just play around or pacify] they are triggering your amazing body, sending a "hey let's make more milk for this kid" message. Your body literally relies on you to tell it how much and how often to make milk. So...if you let that baby sleep---give it a pacifier [too much]---keep supplementing with a bottle---please don't blame your body...you told it to only make so much milk.

One of the largest complaints I hear from moms trying to nurse, or those that stopped is "I didn't have enough milk" or "I dried up". Followed by comments about how fussy their baby was, or how when they pumped it was only a few ounces came out, etc. Before I launch into my recommendations let me be clear...I am not a Dr., or even a certified lactation consultant, so please by all means do not trust my advice alone. Especially if your baby is loosing weight or not gaining weight. I do think my advice can help, but since we're talking about keeping a person alive here---let's not do any experiments, mmmkay?

kellymom.com is a professional and she has a wonderful post on supply

2. Take Care Of Yourself

Personally, I think this is the #1 reason why moms have to stop. Your supply is very sensitive, make no mistake about that. If you're overly tired or stressed out or very ill, it will effect your supply. Do whatever possible to get some sleep,  calm down and get healthy. Ask for help! Every time I nurse [those first few weeks and months] I sit down with a glass of water & a small healthy snack [cheese stick, piece of fruit, granola bar, nuts]. Your body needs two things to make milk: water & calories! If you're low on either, so will your supply. 

Did you know a [exclusively] nursing mom needs

more calories than she did during pregnancy?

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times...this is not the time to diet! I mean, do what you want, but if your goal is really to nurse AND you're having trouble with your supply---cut back your intensive exercising and start averaging more calories until you notice your baby is gaining weight and happy with your supply. Now, if you're a genetic anomaly and you can starve yourself, run a million miles a day and your baby is healthily growing---more power to you. But, in general, I find a lot of moms are torn between getting their pre-pregnancy body back and putting their kid's health first.

Ask Yourself:

Am I drinking enough water?

Am I eating enough food?

Am I sleeping enough?

Am I stressed out?

Am I dieting when I shouldn't be?

Am I burning too many calories exercising too hard?

***

And remember, nursing isn't everything, so please never feel judgment from this post if you choose to stop, or never start. Totally your business and not anyone else's.

***

Breastfeeding -Part 3- Nursing Gear

If you've read my post on the only thing a newborn really needs, you know that what I'm about to tell you is similar...all you really need to breastfeed is your breasts. Yes, there are a few items that might make nursing run a little smoother, but they aren't required. Without further ado...

My 5 Personal Recommendations

1. Lanolin A total lifesaver when it came to pain those first few days of nursing a newborn. I applied before and after each nursing until I stopped hurting. It's safe for the baby to "eat". 

2. Nursing cover The first time I saw them I thought they were silly, it took me 12 months of nursing with heavy blankets and toting around a large diaper bag to realize that that simple and small "device" was the perfect tool for nursing in public [or around family and friends who linger around long enough for it to be feeding time again]. 

3. Nursing stool There is nothing worse than sitting down to nurse with my 5'4'' self legs dangling over the ground falling asleep ever so slowly and painfully. The nursing stool turns any chair or couch into the perfect nursing station. 

4. Mother's milk tea I had a lot of trouble with  my supply with  my first child. You can buy this at your local grocery store---really helps increase your milk supply. Although I did notice on occasion it caused the babies tummy to be a bit gassy. See Herbs below.

5. Nursing bras I like Motherhood Maternity's bras the best. First, because they are only about $20, second, their comfy, and third because I find them to be as cute as nursing bras get [as much as that is an oxymoron]. I LOVE their sports bra and their overnight bra. I only use a nursing bra consistently those first 0-9 months, and then go back to my regular bras as the feedings decrease. 

5 More Breastfeeding Suggestions from others...

1. Nursing pads I personally never needed nursing pads, but I hear these are some good ones.

2. Herbs I never tried any of these, but trust they work.

3. My Breast Friend I'd like to give this a try with baby #4. Seems to work for Mrs. Duggar for walking around and nursing. I do own a Boppy, but find I only use when they are a few weeks old and then I toss back into storage. We go out a lot and I don't bring with me so I just learn to nurse without it at home too. If you do buy one, I recommend buying a protective cover as well as slipcover.

4. Nipple Shields I also never needed these, but would suggest trying these out if you run into problems with latching or inverted nipples.

5. Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bra If you do buy a breast pump, I can imagine this makes it easier to change the channel or update your facebook status hands free. I'd like to eventually invest in this.

Continue your shopping at... Motherhood Maternity's nursing checklist or shop around a bit in cottonbabies.com's breastfeeding section.

Breastfeeding -Part 2- How To Not Quit

i remember when Charles took this in San Fran [thinks he is so funny]

Assuming you read Part 1 [Why Breastfeed] and are now considering it---let's talk about how to avoid quitting...before you start. Right now I know you're probably preparing to be kicked off a plane, asked to leave a store, or spend the rest of your church going days in the nursing moms room---just breathe. I'm going to walk you thru my suggestions on "how to" make it through at least 12 months.

How To Not Quit Breastfeeding

I think a lot of mommies don't continue to breastfeed for lack of support & knowledge. It's simple, but yet it can be very complicated. Especially if it's your first time or you run into any of the zillion of hurdles there are out there. I'm not going to sugar coat this for you, most likely you will run into issues or trying times, but the good news is...there's help!

So not if, but when you run into trouble...Read, Google, Ask, Show

1. Read You read the owners manual for your iPod don't you? Or for your food processor? Don't you think feeding an infant is a wee bit more of the life or death importance? Although, I think we all could agree it would be hard to live without our iPods. So, if you're pregnant, do some research. Read a book! Please don't wait till the baby is out to start figuring it out. *Speaking from experience* I did buy the book, unfortunately I didn't open it until after I was pulling my hair out trying to figure out to feed my newest human. 

2. Google I'm not joking, nothing irritates me more than when someone asks me something they haven't first googled. I mean, in this age, if you have access, there really is no excuse. You'd be so surprised what sage advice is out there if you do your research. All I'm going to do is google and then text you, so save yourself the text. I'm only kidding...sort of. Google is the shorter version of reading a book you probably don't have time for. Type in exactly what's going on... "breastfeeding my supple is low" or "breastfeeding baby won't latch"

Here is my favorite go-to site.

3. Ask Go ahead...[after you google] Call, Txt, Email, Facebook, Twitter...your mom friends who have successfully breastfeed. Did you catch the successful part? It's important, you don't get financial advice from someone who is in debt...do you? So why would you ask your friend who hated it/complained about it/discouraged you against it? I'm not suggesting all people who didn't breastfeed, or stopped, disliked it---surely there are physical & private reasons for not breastfeeding that are none of our darn business. I'm only suggesting you find those friends who have done it well...and pick their brains. Politely thank the breastfeeding haters for their useless discouragement...I mean "advice".

4. Show That's right, show your best friends [or a local lactation consultant] your ta-ta's. I'm a extremely modest person, I'd probably never shown anyone of my ta-ta's before nursing. Now, three birth videos & 3 nursed babies later---I'm afraid there isn't one who hasn't seen my upstairs & downstairs. Ha. Nevertheless, after that baby comes out and the book, google, and foggy remembrance of all their advice isn't working---call their butts over to your house and pop those girls out and say Help! I've done it---I've been that friend too. It works. Someone somewhere can and will have that right trick or secret that will get them latched, feed, and sleeping. I promise.

***

Again, the last thing I want to do is discourage anyone, so remember nursing isn't motherhood. If you "failed" or just don't want to, that's your business and please don't let me or anyone make you feel any less than the wonderful mother you are.

***

Breastfeeding -Part 1- Why?

the only modest photo of me nursing [naturally i look very sleep]

Why Breastfeed

It's pretty simple. Newborns eat milk. The decision you have to make is whether it will be your milk or another milk [formula]. The decision was pretty easy for us to make as we were already taking a natural approach to pregnancy & birth, but regardless of your style of delivery breastfeeding is always a wonderful option available to your baby.

So, Why breastfeed?

Do a simple google search and you will find oodles of reasons why it's wonderful for baby [and mommy!]...here are just a few:

1. Colostrum [also known as liquid gold people! They don't sell that in a can.]

2. Easiest milk for a baby to digest [shocker right? God's so smart]

3. Fights disease [non-breast feed babies are at higher risks for everything]

4. Fights allergies [pass the peanut butter please]

5. Optimal growth [for eyesight, jaw, mouth, speech, and brain]

6. Easy access [no diaper baby, sanitation station or warming up needed]

7. Saves money [average savings are $1500 a year...go buy you a new iMac]

8. Bonding [provides mom-baby-only bonding & lots of happy hormones]

9. Mommies health [linked to lower risk for diabetes, cancer & depression]

10. Potentially delays periods [enough said!]

READ MORE HERE:

[KellyMom.Com]
[La Leche League]
[WomensHealth.Gov]

[World Health Organization]

[American Association of Pediatrics]

Popularity of breastfeeding goes back in forth in culture, but the decision for me came down to...How did God create me to feed my infant? What's the healthiest? What's best for them---not just what's most "convenient" for me? I tried to think about the long term benefits for my babies...overlooking the temporary discomfort or time expense. 

I didn't say it was always easy, but great parenting isn't about what's easy. But what's best. And personally, if you're able...I think breast is best! Don't get me wrong though...no judgement here...mothering is much more than nursing.

Why did or didn't you breastfeed?

Nation's [Home] Birth Story

This year on Moses' & Solomon's birthdays I wrote out their birth stories, so it only seemed fitting that today when my Nation turned 5, I write out this...

Nation Alexander Georgi

July 5th, 2006

I was 5 days "late" with my first child on July 4th. I remember I sat in a lawn chair near my moms pool holding an umbrella over me and letting the sprinkler spray me from under the chair to keep me cool. I forget why I didn't get in the pool---maybe because we were concerned I'd been leaking a little fluid. Either way, I was hot and overcooked.

We left my moms house late that night and arrived home only to crawl into bed and start contractions---I let Charles sleep a little to see if it was really what it was. I was so excited to finally say the words "It's time". He clocked my contractions while I was in the shower. I was letting the water beat down on my lower back. He was getting so excited that they were getting closer together, I think I shared this excitement with him by telling him to hush it up and stop telling me the minutes. Shortly after, my midwife arrived.

I threw up five times throughout birth. No nausea, just intense cramping that caused vomiting. I did not eat during labor because I did not want to throw anything besides liquids up. Everyone made sure I kept well hydrated though. 

I tried to stay vertical all day to increase the contractions and speed up the process. I would say my labor overall was very textbook---progressing through all the stages that we had learned about in our 12 week Bradley course. I was a very quiet laborer, just breathing loudly during contractions. I would take in a breath and just blow it out slowly, concentrating on emptying my lungs and then repeated. I kept my palms facing up to keep me from grabbing onto anything. I also kept my mouth open to kept from tensing up. I labored with my eyes closed and didn’t like anyone to speak to me or encourage me during contractions. In between contractions I talked with Charles, April and the midwives. I think people commented on how funny I was...just sayin'.

My contractions felt like very intense menstrual cramps. They came and went like a bell curve. I was not able to sleep because my contractions were strong and increasing, but I was able to rest deeply in between contractions. We kept my house dark and quiet. I originally planned on laboring with music and in the water, but enjoyed just squatting or sitting on the yoga ball the most.

April, my best friend, and Charles, my husband, usually sat in the room with me wherever I was and quietly prayed for me all day long [Charles might have been praying so deeply he was snoring]. The midwives would come in every half hour or so and quietly take the babies heart rate and check on me. They often went unnoticed. I also enjoyed laboring in different positions and changing them to keep my mind busy. I even labored on the toilet with Charles sitting on the floor in front me. I would lean on his back and rock his shoulders. The rhythm was soothing to me. Towards the end, she encouraged me to lay on my side as it wouldn't slow the labor down because I was "at the end" and I needed to rest my legs for pushing.

The entire labor was supernatural. I never felt like “I can’t do this”. All of my “pain” was manageable (like my normal bad period cramps) and I felt completely confident in the Lord that I could finish. Transition was not scary like I thought it would be. It was simply contractions quickly following one another. 

Shortly after noon, when I began feeling ready to push, we encountered a small stall. Apparently Nation was ready to come out, but his head hadn’t quite cleared that last centimeter. The midwives tried adjusting him, but it wasn’t until I threw up the last time when I believe that caused my water to break. I will admit for those two hours or so after I thought I was just about to have a baby I began to feel the intensity of a baby wanting to come out and my water not being broken yet. We were about to let them break my water when it broke on it’s own. He came minutes later. 

IT'S A BOY!

[we don't find out the sex]

Pushing was different that I had expected. I don’t remember feeling any pain, but I do remember feeling like I had a baby coming out of a small place! Strong stretching and pressure was what I was feeling. Like I was going to the bathroom. Margaret helped with massage, olive oil and hot compresses to help me not tear. We had not planned to use a mirror, but did at the last minute and it really helped me to see what I was doing. I would simply wait for the contraction and push with it. I had trouble pushing hard enough so I used the bed frame to grab onto and Margaret encouraged me to grunt or yell. I did these things to help bring out the baby, not because I was in agonizing pain. I remember her telling me to keep my chin down and bear down while still keeping my legs spread. It was just a few minutes of pushing in the bed before he came out.

I remember thinking I'd have another baby tomorrow with no hesitation. Laboring in my home, with my husband and best friend, without any pressure or rushing was incredibly relaxing. I share my story and my pictures to encourage all women that they can have a natural [home] birth just like me, or even better!

The Medical Account Overview 
[for anyone overly interested...]

Due: June 30^th, 2006

Delivered: July 5^th, 2006 3:35 PM

Duration of stages:

                1^st stage: 11 hours 38 minutes

2^nd stage: 1 hour 7 minutes

3^rd stage: 25 minutes

Water broke spontaneously at 3:00 PM. Water was clear.

Cord cut: 3:43 PM

Delivery position: sitting

Blood loss: slight

Nation Alexander Georgi:   8 lbs. 2 oz. (weight)   20.5 in. (length)   13.5 cm (head)

Apgar: 8 (1 min.) 9 (5 min.)

Heart Rate: 140 Color: Good Suction: 3 times, lots of mucus

Latch: initial trouble latching because of mucus

Labor Record

July 4^th, 2006

12:00 PM Bloody show (no other labor signs)

July 5^th, 2006

 3:00 AM Contractions begin (no sleep previous to contractions)

 4:00 AM Contractions 3 minutes apart, lasting for 1 minute (Midwife on the way)

 5:00 AM Hot shower on lower back for 1 hour

 5:00 AM Threw up

 5:30 AM 5 cm. dilated, 80 % effaced, baby heart rate 140, prepare bed & room

 6:00 AM B.h.r. 150, drinking water & sports drink, a few pieces of fruit

 6:30 AM B.h.r. 140, Charles makes bread [his birth ritual] 

 7:00 AM Labor by walking, standing, leaning over kitchen table

 7:40 AM Labor on ball, contractions are long & hard

 8:00 AM B.h.r. 136, labors on birth chair, April gets Starbucks for everyone

 8:30 AM B.h.r. 140

 9:00 AM Contractions 2 minute apart, lasting 1 minute, labor by walking & squatting

 9:30 AM Squatting, one contraction after the other

10:00 AM Contractions lasting 1.5 minutes long

10:30 AM Contractions hard, labor by leaning & walking

10:45 AM Labor on toilet

11:40 AM 9 cm. dilated, baby head at +1, legs shaky

12:00 PM B.h.r. 140, laid in bed on left side, desire to push, lots of pressure

  1:30 PM Hardest part of labor, babies head has not cleared the lip of cervix (last cm)

  2:14 PM B.h.r. 136, threw up, still laboring on left side or on all 4’s

  2:28 PM B.h.r. 140, baby coming down, debate if midwifes should break the water

  3:00 PM Water breaks while squatting & pushing beside bed, contractions hard

  3:15 PM Pushing well in bed sitting up, Charles excited

  3:35 PM Birth

  3:43 PM Cord cut by dad

  4:00 PM Placenta delivered, looks good, 3 vessels