c-section

Birth & Parenting Series (6): First-Time Mother Bravely Faces Transverse Baby & C-Section

February 27, 2012

This is part 6 of our Birth & Parenting Series. Part 1 (Thoughts From a Mother of Four) is here, part 2 (Mother of Seven Shares Her Empowering Birth Stories) is here, part 3 (First-Time Mother of Twins) is here, part 4 (How First-Time Parents Braved a Placental Abruption) is here, and part 5 (Childbirth Collective Doula Film Premiere) is here.  This first-time mama shares her story about how she approached natural labor, how she and her husband worked hard through incredibly difficult environmental circumstances, and how she knew to trust her body (maternal instincts win out!). I am blown away by what she endured at the hospital, and really inspired by her positivity and honesty. We all think we can “handle” things, but it takes a real woman to know what she can and cannot control. Great example, great article.  I am no expert when it comes to giving birth. Unlike many of the other impressive women who have shared their story on this blog, I have only done it one time. And other than the fact that it resulted in a healthy baby, the labor and delivery process wasn’t exactly a smashing success for me. To be brutally honest, I went into the birthing experience a little overconfidently. I assumed that giving birth would be difficult, but manageable. After all, I had: (a) read a lot of birthing books; (b) taken all of the recommended labor workshops; (c) compiled a killer I-Pod mix; and (d) had diligently maintained an active pregnancy, replete with…

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Birth & Parenting Series (3): A First-Time Mother of Twins Shares Her Birth Story

February 6, 2012

This is part 3 in our Birth & Parenting Series. Part 1 (Thoughts From a Mother of Four) is here and part 2 (Mother of Seven Shares Her Empowering Birth Stories) is here. As a first-time mother, Anna G. shares about going through pregnancy, labor, and delivery with twins! She provides insight into preparing for the birth of twins, and sheds light on some of the myths and concerns about both caloric intake and birth. Her birth story is powerful, but most powerful is how she handled her particularly difficult immediate recovery. This is one tough mama whose story is both inspirational and moving.  1. Tell me a little bit about your beautiful children. I have two children, ages 3 and a half months.  Yes, that means twins–a girl (Leah) and a boy (Lucas).  Leah is older by 2 minutes.  2. When you first started to think about labor & delivery for your babies, how did you envision it going? Before I really knew anything, I envisioned it like this: A few days before my due date, I would be home late in the evening with my husband and suddenly it would happen–the first contraction.  I would know with absolute certainty that the baby was coming.  I would look at my husband and tell him, “Honey, it’s time.”  Why that phrase?  I have no idea–it is just what I think you say when you are in labor.  My husband would then frantically call the doctor while simultaneously trying to change out…

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