The text story is here – Who is in that belly

[See post to watch Flash video]

.

P.S. Lets see if you can guess why the song was what I would listen blasting in my car the last month of the pregnancy. Loved it! Now every time I hear it, it reminds me of this birth. And I grin.

©Snaps & Blabs, 2009. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Pregnancy&Birth Post tags: birth no pushing, calm birth, home birth, water birth

…I was simply bored waiting for yet another recalcitrant fetus to
negotiate its way down yet another marginal pelvis.

This is our cesarean section room.
C/Section: AKA “vaginal bypass surgery”….

From his page – found here

Or click here for my screenshot:

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Pregnancy&Birth Post tags:

I am writing to voice my objection to the proposed changes and their un/intended consequences instituting a medical model monopoly over the birthing options of Australian women.

Background

You may not be aware, but at the moment women can choose to give birth in a hospital, in a birth centre or at home. The latter being a less known option and thus used by very few women, as it is never given as one by medical practitioners. It is available never the less for those that actively search it out. In most states the woman has the option to hire, at her own expense, a fully qualified independent midwife to attend her birth and provide the support she may need.

From a woman’s perspective the current situation is not perfect as it essentially reserves the option of an independent midwife for a certain class of women who can afford the $4000-$5000 cost of this personalized service. And it is just that, high quality, one on one care – appointments at the expectant mother’s house throughout the pregnancy, monitoring progress and health not only with scales and machines, but through extended conversations and discussions, which reveal more than any quick check up can. The woman is then supported throughout her labour in the comfort of her own home by the same person she has built a trusting relationship with in the past several months. The support is continuous and there is no change of shift that can disturb this comfort and familiarity. After the birth, the midwife can assess both the mother’s and the newborn condition in her position of a qualified medical professional and ensure their health and well being is not in any danger and if needed can make the call with the woman for any needed transfer to a hospital. The care doesn’t stop here, as she continues with the home visits past the birth of the child to ensure the safe transition for both mother and child. This is a service that cannot be given by any other form of medical care. That is why when the Maternity Services Review asked for suggestions from us as to how things can be improved in the area, many responded and more than half of the submissions (53%) asking for more support and recognition of homebirth.

We were not heard.

Proposed Changes

Not only were we not heard, the resulting changes to the law will have the effect of making independent midwives and their services illegal.

Clauses from the draft legislation Health Practitioner Regulation Law 2009:

The government steps in and ensures indemnity insurance for all other medical professionals, but it will not extend the same curtesy to independent midwives, which will leave them unable to fulfil the requirements for registration and thus become unable to practice, despite being fully qualified and trained to do the job.

After the initial shock, women from all over Australia followed up and made close to 2000 submissions to the senate enquiry.

We were not heard.

This issue is not about whether homebirth is safe. There are enough studies to show that whether slightly safer or slightly riskier, the choice to birth at home is not a reckless one. Certainly no more than getting in our cars every day.

The issue is freedom for women to choose how and with whom to give birth. Who can have access to our bodies in this quite vulnerable process. We already accept that no woman should be made to birth if she doesn’t want to and support the elective surgery of cesarean section as a viable option of delivery. The government funds it, even though it carries more risks to the mother and baby and despite being a lot more expensive than normal birth.

And yet, if these changes are passed, if a woman doesn’t want to give birth in a institutionalised medical environment, but still wants to be supported by a qualified professional in the face of an independent midwife, she will be denied her choice.

I am quite gutted by this prospect, even more so that this draconian, anti-women law is being pushed by a government I have voted for; a government that prides itself on defending the rights of the vulnerable, the rights of the minorities in our community. But then Minister Roxon light-heartedly dismisses our concerns as we are such a “tiny group” and its too hard to figure out how to fit us and our choice in with the proposed changes.

I am off to Canberra with women from across Australia and will be outside Parliament house fighting for our rights. I hope someone inside will actually finally hear us.

And since you, Minister, are my representative in there, I am letting you know and hope you will do that – represent me and give voice to my very real concerns and opposition to the proposed changes.

Regards,

S.B.
Hoping to never give birth in a hospital again

______________________________

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©Snaps & Blabs, 2009. | Permalink | Still a monologue | Add to del.icio.us
Health, Pregnancy&Birth Post tags:

This same story repeated with my subsequent kids with some slight improvement with each. Baby Blab managed to keep one breast reasonably good and I had to pump and heal only one nipple.

This is the sucinct version of my breastfeeding woes. So having in mind that I have gone through hell and back just to continue feeding my babies breastmilk, you would be excused to assume that I think its “best” and that is why I did it. I guess I could take that and go on my way patting myself on the back for doing so exceptionally well, but I wont, because I dont agree with the ‘Breast is Best’ slogan.

The word ‘best’ is a superlative and using it in relation to breastfeeding turns this normal function into a fairy land achievement, something women ‘try’ to do. I am sure it was used with good intentions in an attempt to inform mothers of the difference between it and formula (after the false marketing of the latter as comparable to breastmilk). It probably relied on the belief that mothers have an innate desire to give their kids “the best”. Unfortunately the reality is that very few people in life are prepared to put the effort into getting/doing it and settle for ‘good enough’. Yes, think about it. We all know its best to get As in school/university; to eat fresh veggies; to exercise regularly; to avoid junk food etc. but how many of us actually do it? How many people we know that do it?

So instead of exposing the shortcomings of formula, the “Breast is Best” campaign upped the position of breastfeeding in the hard to reach superlative land and left formula in the good enough bracket. It is not that nursing has all these benefits and extra special bonus ingredients.  Rather it is artificial milk that lacks a large portion of the substances that are standard for infant feeding. It basically,  doesnt measure up to the baseline.

Yes, the baseline. The same way as the uterus is the way to grow babies, the milk we make is the way to continue nurturing those same babies. Those are the norms.
If a woman decides to birth her child 2 months earlier and finish its growth in an incubator (which is ‘good enough’), because advanced pregnancy is too hard, too painful or just because it will ruin her skin, we would seriously question her thinking. And yet, when milk is replaced with artificial form of feeding for the same reasons, we dont blink an eye… just nod in agreement with compassion and understand her inability to reach the illusive untouchabe perfection of the Best Feeding.

The slogan sucks!

Still, for those that are perfectionists and genuinely seek “the best” – move to a deserted place away from pollutants/plastics/normal furniture and… all chemicals really, grow and eat your own fresh organic food and consume a wide range of wild meat and fish to achieve this illusive milk.

For the rest of us, just breastfeeding should be sufficient

©Snaps & Blabs, 2008. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Health, Pregnancy&Birth, Thoughts Post tags: breast is best, breast is not best, breastfeeding best

The Birth Story – in translation

Това са последните ни снимки като четиричленно семейство и като кралиците в Кралството на Блаб.

Повечето от вас знаят, ние планувахме раждане във вода и в къщи и повечето подготовки за това бяха приключили. Така де, поне всичко което беше важно, беше направено.

Басейнът беше в готовна позиция в хола вече около две седмици и останалите дреболии чакаха да бъдат подготвени бързичко като им дойде времето.

9 Септември

Падна малко от тапата. Обикновенно при мен това е знак, че нещо ще се случи скоро.

10 Септември

Болна като куче.

Щерките бяха болни с кашлица и простуда около седмица, но аз се надявах че това е вируса с който се борих преди две седмици и няма да ме хване…Е, не ми се отвори парашута.

Паднах на фронта с ужасна настинка/грип. Доста неприятна като миналата, но този път с бонус – раздираща кашлица, да не ми е мъчно.

11 Септември

Все още болна – кашляне, запушен нос, червени мокри очи…чувствам се ужасно и само се местя от едно място за лягане на друго. Нямам сили за нищо друго. Говоря на дребният и го моля да не идва сега. Само мисълта да раждам в това състояние е достатъчно да ме доведе до рев.

12 Септември

Вече ребрата ме болят от кашляне. Направо съм изумена, че водите не са ми се спукали от цялото това напрежение. Приличам на смъртта и се чувствам точно така.

Следобедът имам някаква надежда, че може би скоро ще се излекувам и решавам, че това е – утре ще съм по-добре и това ще е края.

Г-н Блаб ми прави прекрасен масаж на краката, защото това стоене в легнало положение ме е направо атрофирало. Не съм свикнала да не се движа толкова време. Взех си горещ душ и се понамачках добре след това. Даже скочих на лентата и походих малко за да раздвижа кръвчицата малко и си легнах около 11:30-12:00.

13 Септември

1:45 – Събужда ме болезнена контракция – даже трябва да си масажирам гърба докато свърши. Обърнах се на другата страна и след малко още една контракциа…уф, боли си. Тази ми притискаше мехура и станах за да отида до тоалетната.

Докато бях в тоалетната видях, че имам кървавото течение. Не много, но достатъчно за да ме ядоса – не бях готова да раждам.

Още една контракция.

Отидох на компютъра да следя на колко време идват тези ми ти свивки, но страницата която имах не искаше да се отваря. Прекрасно!

Проследих една контракция – 80сек дълга.

След 6 мин, друга – 90сек.

Фактът, че не исках да седя на стола докато засичах контракциите ме накара да си помисля, че това са си действителни родилни болки. И след това докато отивах до кухнята усетих, че се чувствах доста пълна с енергия и здрава, което пак ме убеди, че тялото ми се подготвя да ражда.

Още няколко контракции и те са доста силни.

2:10 – светнах лампата в спалнята и Г-н Блаб ме поглежда.
Аз: Мисля че е време за партито
Той: Да?
Аз: Ми да
Той: ….добре…имаш ли контракции?
Аз: Да, доста. Мисля, че би било добре да приготвим нещата.

Казах му да оправи басейна и отидох да събера няколко хавлиени кърпи. През цялото време си имам болезнени контракции и трябва да спра и да ги изчакам да свършат.
Г-н Блаб започва да забива пирони над входа от хола към кухнята. Това беше идеята, за да се отделя от кухнята, където акушерките ще чакат докато раждам и за да не ме дразни лампата от там. И все пак, малко се ядосах, защото му повторих няколко пъти да напълни басейна. Просто чувствах някакси, че намаме време да се бавим.
Та той стигна до басейна. Сега пък връзката от чешмата в кухнята не е хубава и той не може да я използва, и сега се опитва да закачи мъркуча от банята.

Аз: От там няма да стигне, вече пробвахме.
Той: Сигурна ли си?
Аз:…..
Та дръпнах мъркуча до басейна и не стига…както казах.
Конгракциите си продължават. Аз не съм доволна, че басейна не е пълен вече. Нахвърлих завивките кото бяхме подготвили около басейна и на канапето. Не ми се занимава да ги подреждам прилично.

Затоплих в микровълновата билковата торбичка и си я сложих на гърба. Беше прекрасно.

Сега мъжот решава, че ще придържа маркуча на чишмата докато се пълни басейна. Хубуу, аз виждам вода тече и съм щастлива. Попита ме тали искам да засича контракциите и аз неохотно се съгласявам и му казвам като дойде следващата.

2:32  – 78сек

2:36 -  97сек

Не ми се играеше “засичай контракциите” вече. Те си боляха и аз трябваше да се съсредоточавам и да ги преживявам – стоях до канапето и дърпах топлата торбичка на гърба ми.

Казах му да се обади на акушерката. Те си говориха за малко и аз поех телефона. Тя ме попита какво става и аз и казах, че акшъна току що е започнал, но тъй като контракциите са болезнени си мисля, че бебока е определено на път. Тя каза, че тръгва.

В хола е тъмно. Само високата хартиена лампа свети, но тя е много мека светлина. Малко е хладно и аз си мисля как ще трябва да включим печката по-късно.

Разхождам се и спирам преведена над канапето за всяка контракция. Доста са силни. Дишам и се отпускам с всяка, за да не преча на отварянето, но става все по трудно.

Басейнът е пълен. Г-н Блаб ходи наоколо и се оправя с видеокамерата, сладура. Има някакъв проблем с колко е тъмно и как не се виждало нищо…мене въобще не ме вълнува в този момент. Аз само се чудя дали да не се цопна вече във водата.

След няколко минути просто си махнах дрехите, сложих си специалното избрано потниче и скочих вътре. Водата беше много приятна, но като че направи контракциите по силни. Не можех да се отпусна…в съзнанието си:

Не можех да си намеря подходяща позиция. Чувствах се прекалено много като в транзиция, но беше доста скоро. Аз току що започнах да раждам.

Контракция ме хваща и като че ме хвърля в някакъв хаос. Почувствах, че не мога да се контролирам…посредата и, тялото ми пое работата и започна избутва малкият! Ооооо…какво? Време ли е?

Въпреки, че ме първо ме изненада, даде обяснение за това което чувствах в последните минути – транзиция – и защо не можех да си намеря място. Застанах на колене и се подготвих за следващата контракция, като си отпуснах главата на страната на басейна. Като дойде вече ми беше ясно, че да, бебо пристига. Натиска беше огромен, повече отколкото си го спомнях. Аз не се напъвам, просто позволявам на тялото ми да си върши работата и аз следвам.

Аз (високо): Той пристига!

Не исках таткото да пропусне първите снимки.

3:15 – чувам гласове и разбирам, че акушерката е пристигнала.

Той: Тя каза, че той пристига и както я познавам, бих я послушал.

Двамата бързо донасят нейните оборудвания.

При следващата контракция посягам долу, защото чувствам главата се придвижва надолу. Чувствам тъканта се е подула, но няма още глава. Обичам “напъните”. Този етап се чувства много по-продуктивен и близкият край го прави даже по-сладък. Болките изчезват и са заменени с една невероятна сила която ме поема и ми помага да доведа детето си на бял свят.

Следващата контракция чувствам хлъзгавата глава с пръстите си. Много лигава ми се стори. По късно разбирам, че той най-вероятно е бил още в мехура си до края.

Главата излиза…дишам…дишам…не искам да се разкъсам…повече от главата изпълва ръката ми.

Чувствам цялата му главичка в ръката ми. Кръгла и хлъзгава. След това тя започва да се завърта на дясно. Чувствам тялото му се мърда бавно. Очите ми са затворени и аз само го чувствам и го пипам нежно.
След малко лицето му е към мен и той излиза. Аз го поддържам от към вратлето  и го водя напред. Когато почти целият е навън, го прихващам под мекичките мишници и го виждам прекрасен под водата…сядам назад и го посрещам вкъщи:

3:20am

Слагам топлото му, влажно тяло на гърдите си и поемам дълбоk дъх. Той плаче нежно, като че да ми покаже че е добре. Масажирам го и той е толкова мекичък и гладък от верникса, от който малки парченца сега плуват в басейна. Той има малко петно кръв на главата и аз го избърсвам и се оглеждам. Това е, няма никаква друга кръв.

Татко снима и идва да ни погледне отблизо, с огромна усмивка на лицето и ме целува.

По-късно го чувам:
- Това беше невероятно!
Акушерката “Грижа” ми дава кърпа за да покрия новият мъж в семейството.

Аз преливам от щастие…това е толкова прекрасно.

Татко отива да събуди сестричките. Само голямата се появява и тя се влюбва от пръв поглед…

Останахме в басейна за следващите около 1.5 часа. Пих вода и чайче от малинови листа.

Бебо Блоб пийна и той.

Болеста ми се завърна скоро след раждането. Почти си загубих гласа и шепнех. Едвам говорих с бабата в Щатите и тайно се зарадвах като не можахме да се свържим с баба в България. Не ми се говореше изобщо.

Стаята беше още доста тъмна. Ето тука се вижда по-добре.

Плацентата се беше отделила и се опитах да я избутам, но истината е, че хич не ми се напъваше. Не съм добра с напъните насила
“Грижа” предложи да одрежем пъпната връв и да отидем до тоалетната, за да излезе плацентата. Това по ми хареса.
Сестричката не искаше да я одреже, та татко се погрижи. Това са нашите ръце:

И на татко времето му дойде:

“Грижа” сложи една специална паница да хване плацентата на тоалетната и седнах…след няколко секунди получих контракция и тялото я избута. Всеки път съм изумена колко олекващо се чувства като излезе плацентата.

След това се захващаме да я оглеждаме, като група вещици

Аз обичам и уважавам плацентите. Те са част от моите деца, която се е грижила за тях и ги е пазила. Те са си направо чудо като си помисли човек.

Тази е одобрена и започваме с орпечатъците. Бях планирала да ги правя сама, но когато “Грижа” ме попита дали искам тя да ги направи, доволно се съгласих. Не ми беше до това сега на мене.

Проверка на бебо Блоб. В неговата си хавлия, на пода в дома му.

Прегръдка от най-прекрасната “Грижа”.

Аз имах чувството че мога да се доверя на тази жена още от самото начало. Тя излъчваше разбиране и страст и най-вече уважение за този момент, който е много важен за нашето семейство.

Тя знаеше, че аз исках много лично и водено от мене раждане и не се поколеба никога. Беше ме предупредила, че като пристигне ще ми провери кръвното и ще чуе тоновете на бебо, но като видя че той пристига, не ме тормози с тези процедури, за което съм и много благодарна. В един момент сутринта тя ме попита:
- това беше ли достатъчно “без намеси” за теб?
- Абсолютно! Благодаря ти!
Забелязах, че даже си сложи ръкавици през първите минути когато Бебо Блоб се роди, защото аз и бях казала че искам той да се колонизира с нашите семейни бактерии първо.

И още и още..Благодаря на тази жена за всичко!

Взех си душ и пийнахме от специалното за случая вино на пода в хола. През това време голямата сестра гушкаше брат си на канапето.

След това тя избра какво да му облечем и го нахраних пак. Акушерката се увери, че всички сме добре и си тръгна.

Щерката си легна.

Татко, аз и новото ни съкровище отидохме в спалнята. Щастливи и изморени.

Една прекрасна , магическа, невероятна нощ…и все пак, напълно нормална.

Добре дошъл, малкият.

©Snaps & Blabs, 2008. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Pregnancy&Birth Post tags: раждане вкъщи, активно раждане, водно раждане, нормално раждане, естествено раждане

Come in and find out!

These are our last pictures as a family of four and as undisputed queens of the kingdom of Blab.

As most of you know we had planned a home birth in a pool and most of the preparations for that were done. Well…I think we were ready with everything that was important.

The pool has been in an armed and ready position in the living room since about 2 weeks ago and the rest was waiting to be set up in a hurry when the time came.

9 Sept

I lost some of the plug in the evening. Usually a sign for me that things will be happening within a few days.

10 Sept

Sick as a dog.

The girls had been battling this cough and cold for a week or so, but I was secretly hoping that it was what I already had 2 weeks ago. Not so.

I was knocked down with a horrific cold. Pretty bad as the last one, but with a bonus gut ripping cough for good measure.

11 Sept

Still K.O. – coughing, blocked nose, red leaking eyes…feeling dreadful and just move from one laying down position to another. Hope and talk to the little one that he cant come out now. The thought of giving birth in this condition was enough to make me cry.

12 Sept

By now my ribs hurt from coughing. I am surprised that the waters havent broken from all that pressure. Look like death and feel like it too.

In the afternoon I feel a slight chance that I might be turning a corner and decide that this is it – tomorrow I will be better and done with this.

Mr. Blab gives me a wonderful massage on the legs, as the lack of movement has made them quite painful. I take another extra hot shower and give myself a good overall rub. Jumped on the treadmill for a few minutes to get the blood moving  and we went to bed at about 11:30-12:00.

13 Sept

( This has been my birth song in my head, so I thought you may want to listen to it too if you chose to – just press this and it will play in the background – )

1:45 – I am awaken by a painful contraction -  I have to even rub my back to get through it. Turned to the other side and a little while later, another contraction…ouch, this one was pushing on my bladder and I decided to go to the loo when its finished.

While in the toilet I see I have a bloody show. Not much, but enough to make me a bit mad. I was not ready to be in labour.

Had another contraction.

Went online to see if I can time those dreadful things, but the webpage was not working. Great!

Timed one of the contractions – about 80sec long.

6 min later – another one – about 90 sec long.

The fact that I didnt want to sit on the chair while timing those, made me think this is most likely the true thing. And then while walking into the kitchen I realized I felt energetic and quite well, which again made me suspicious my body is getting me ready for labor.

Few more contractions and they feel strong.

2:10 – I turn the lights on in the bedroom and Mr. Blab looks at me.
Me: I think its party time
Him: Yeah?
Me: Yeah
Him: ….ok…you are having contractions?
Me: Yes, a bunch. I think its a good idea to get some stuff prepared.

I told him to get the pool sorted and went to get some towels. All the while having those rather painful contractions through which I have to stop and deal with.
Mr.Blab starts to knock some nails over the door frame from the living room to the kitchen. We had talked about how I would like that closed off, so I have some privacy if the midwives decide to stay there and the light will bug me. Still, it made me a bit mad, as I did repeat to him a few times to sort out the pool. I felt we didnt have heaps of time to dilly dally.

He gets to the pool. Now it seems the connection with the kitchen tap is not great and he cant just turn it on from there, so he is trying from the bathroom.

Me: It wont work from there, we tried it.
HIm: You sure?
Me:…..
So I pull the hose to the pool and….it doesnt quite reach. Doh!

Contractions throughout. I am not happy the pool is not getting filled quick or at all. I loosely put the covers around the couch and floor. Cant be bothered to do a neater job.

I warm a herbal heat pad in the microwave and walk around with it on my back. Feels good.

Now he is going to hold the hose to the kitchen tap. Fine. I see the water flowing through and I am happy.  He asks if I want him to time the contractions and I let him know when the next one goes

2:32  – 78sec

2:36 -  97sec

I didnt feel like playing the time the contractions game anymore. They hurt and I had to deal with them – standing over the couch and pulling the heat pad on my back.

Asked Mr.Blab to call the midwife. They talk shortly and then I take the phone. She asks me what going on and I let her know things just started, but since the contractions are so painful, I think this is it and we are definitely on the way. She says she will be on her way.

Its dark in the living room, other than the standing paper lamp. A bit cool and I think to myself we will have to put the heater on.

I walk around and freeze with a lean over the couch with each contraction. These are strong. I breathe and relax with each, but its getting hard.

The pool is filled. Mr. Blabs walks around now sorting the video, bless his heart. There is some issue with how its dark and cant see much…I couldnt be stuffed at this point. All I am thinking is whether its time to plop in the pool.

At some point I just took my clothes off, put my top on and dived in. It felt nice, but it seemed to make the contractions stronger. I was uneasy… in my mind:

I couldnt find a position that gave me relief. This felt too much like transition, but its too soon. I have barely been in labour.

A contraction comes in that sends me up and then down in the pool, I felt out of control with this one…half way through it my body takes over and starts to bear down! Oooooh….ahhh….what?! Already?

Surprising at first, it explains the whole thing and why I was feeling that way minutes ago. I kneel ready for the next contraction and sure enough, the pushing had come. The urge was huge, bigger than I remembered it. I dont push consiously with my births, just let my body do its job and follow. Leaning over the side of the pool, relaxed my head on it and just feel the urges and go with them.

Me (louder): He is coming!

I didnt want Mr.Blab to miss the first pictures.

3:15 – I hear chatter in the background and figure the midwife is here.

Mr.Blab: She said he is coming and knowing her, he probably is.

They quickly bring the equipment in.

Next contraction I reach down, as I feel the head descending lower. I feel the tissues bulging, but no head yet.
I like “pushing”. This stage feels much more productive and the imminent end makes it even sweeter. The pain is gone and in its place is this overpowering strength and force that has taken over to bring the baby out.

During the contraction I feel the slimy head with my fingers. Very slimy. Later on I discover its probably because he was still with intact waters at this stage.

Crowning…I breathe…breathe…dont want to tear…more head in my hand. At some point at this stage the waters break.

I can feel his whole head in my hand. Round and slippery. A little while after that the head starts to turn clockwise. I feel his body moving slowly. My eyes are closed and I am just feeling and touching him.
Soon his face is towards me and he is coming out. I reach behind his neck and guide him forward. When most of him is out I put both my hands under his soft armpits and see him beautiful under the water…sit back and welcome him home:

3:20am

Plop his warm, juicy body on my chest and take a deep breath. He is crying softly, as though to let me know he is alright. I rub his body, which feels so soft and moisturized by the vernix, bits of which are now floating in the water. He has one spot of blood cloth on top of his head and I wipe that and have a quick look around. Not a drop of other blood in sight.

Mr. Blab is taking pictures and comes over to look at Baby Blob, grinning from ear to ear. Gives me a kiss.

Later on I hear him saying:
- That was amazing!

Midwife “Care” gives me a towel to put over the new man.

I am so relieved…this is so good and so right.

Daddy goes to see if he can wake up the big sisters. Only the biggest one shows up and she is in love…

I stayed in the pool for about the next 1.5 hours. Had glasses of water and sipped on a cup of raspberry leaf tea, made by the backup midwife.

Baby Blob sipped too

My sick was back soon after the birth. My voice was almost gone and I was just about whispering. I barely talked when we called US Grandma to tell her the news.

Then I was relieved we couldnt find BG Grandma, cause I didnt feel like talking at all.

The room was still quite dark. This is a better feel of it:

The placenta had separated and I tried to push it out, but truth be told I really didnt feel like pushing much. I am not that good at it anyway

So Care suggested we cut the cord and go sit on the toilet to birth the placenta. I liked that idea better.

Big Sister didnt want to cut it, so Daddy got the honors, those are my and his hands only:

Daddy time:

A plastic tub is put on the toilet and I sit…few seconds later my body has a mini contraction and pushes the placenta out. This is such a relief every time!

Then we are off to look at it, like a bunch of witches

I love and respect placentas. They are a part of my babies, what cared for them and kept them safe and secure. They are a miracle in themselves.

This one is given the tick of approval and we move on to placenta prints. I had planned on doing it myself, but when Care asked me if I want prints, I took the offer happily. Didnt really feel like doing it by myself.

Check up time for Baby Blob. In his own towel, on the floor of his home.

Hug from the most wonderful Care.

I had a feeling I can trust this woman from the very beginning I met her. She exhumed understanding and passion and most of all respect for what was essentially a very important moment for our family.

She knew I was after a very private and self directed birth and she didnt waver. Even though she had let me know that when she arrives she will have to do a quick blood pressure and listen to the tones of the baby, she saw the baby was coming and didnt bug me with these procedures, for which I am very grateful .At some point in the night she asked me:
- Was that “hands off” enough for you?
- Perfect! Thank you!

I noticed she put on gloves for those first minutes of approaching Baby Blob, as I had mentioned that I wanted him to have contact with only me and his family, so his gut and skin is colonized with our bacteria.

And on and on…Thank you!

I had a shower. And we sipped on a glass of good red wine on the floor, while Big Sister was enjoying holding her little brother.

The day was here.

Baby Blob was dressed in an outfit of his sister’s choice and fed again. Midwife Care made sure we are well and set off home.

Big Sister went to bed.

Daddy, I and our new member went to bed too. Happy and exhausted.

A wonderful, magical, incredible night…and yet, so utterly normal.

Welcome Home.

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Hello everyone,

I know I have been missing in action, but I have good excuse, as usual. I have been battling the most terrible cold for the last week. I look like something has beat me up, pulled me out of my bloody expanding spot and beat me up again. And feel like it too.

So, I decided to share some bump pictures with you this time. Maybe make me feel better.

Those were done about one and a half weeks ago – I was in the 35th week – end of the 8th month. Those of you that have seen me pregnant before would see that this little guy is making me look pretty big. I wonder how much more would I have to grow to make him comfortable – little stinker.

Most of those were done with the self timer, but for some I have to thank Mr.Blab. He was a wonderful apprentice and after the initial shock of being allowed to handle my camera, he did pretty well.

Yes, I am pretty proud of my backbend

Can you see! I still have a six pack! Ha ha haha

Other than that the preparations for the arrival of the new addition are on the way. Cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning with some sorting in between. The nesting stage has definitely got to me. Right now I am washing the couch cushions and the stroller covers in the machine. No sickness can stop my madness.

I really hope I feel better soon, because there is not much left.

3 weeks and counting…

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