This is a small series of things I miss. There are so many I couldn’t possibly get it all into one article so here’s the first thing that I miss.
There are some things you find that you miss when your little one is no longer a baby. When they are little and learning new things like learning to roll over, sit up on their own, crawling and eventually walking, you encourage them to learn more and more and it’s exciting. You want them to progress in ways that makes them more mobile and independent. But in doing so you are losing things you never thought you would miss.
One thing I really miss is being able to go to the bathroom by myself. Now there is an activity I never thought I would have to share with anyone. As soon as my son was crawling he would immediately follow me into the bathroom. Now that he is walking I can no longer be by myself in there. The same goes for taking a shower. I can’t remember the last time I was able to take a shower in peace. Seeing the door slam open and a little face pressed against the outside of the shower door glass tends to make you sigh and long for a, “Calgon, take me away” moment.
Closing the door is of no help. To a toddler that is just an invitation to show off their skill of being able to turn the doorknob. If I have someone home with me who can watch him while I go into the bathroom and I am allowed the rare opportunity of being able to not only shut the door, but to lock it, I feel like it’s my birthday or some other special occasion. I love my son, but boy is it nice to be able to be by yourself, even if only for a moment. My solitude usually lasts no more than 10 seconds which is about the time my son realizes I have entered the bathroom without him. It doesn’t matter what part of the house he is in. He has a built in radar that goes off as soon as the flick of the bathroom light switch goes on. If I have forgotten to lock the door, then he opens the door with such a force that the slamming door makes the walls vibrate. Hollering at him to close the door only seems to bring more people to the scene to help. This is of course the last thing I want as I am trying to stop midstream so I can hurriedly get up and shuffle across the floor with my pants around my ankles to slam the door shut before another person comes down the hall to get him. I have been able at times to get him to close the door himself with him in the bathroom with me of course. He then proceeds to try and climb on my lap, beg for me to read him a book or does some other activity to get my attention. Lately though, he has been slamming the door open and then running out, laughing and screaming down the hall as he goes. This of course once again draws more attention from others causing me to yet once again do the pants around your ankles shuffle.
When I do get the rare chance to go in and use the bathroom or take a shower and be able to lock the door, the background noise from all the hollering tends to dampen the mood. It’s bad enough that the toddler is hollering and whimpering, but hearing his dad hollering at him to leave mommy alone and then two minutes later hearing him ask, “Honey, are you OK? Are you coming out soon?” makes me wish for a bathroom with an escape window. They haven’t made a bathroom vent fan loud enough to drown out a screaming toddler hell bent on getting in and a dad wishing he could.
Sometimes I just like to sit in there and meditate. The bathroom really is a great place to meditate, though the seating could use a little more comfort built in. Sometimes I think of nothing and just let my thoughts drain out my ears. Sometimes I look around the bathroom and notice the areas I missed while cleaning it the last time which really irks me, but not enough to always get up and clean it. Sometimes I look at the areas that need to be fixed, like the tub needing re-caulking and tile grout getting bad which I make a mental note to add it to the list that never gets done. Sometimes I picture how I would like to redo the bathroom, what color I would like to paint it, what pictures I would like to hang. I then start to think to myself that I bet other mothers never let their bathrooms get this bad and I bet their bathrooms always look like the ones in magazines. I then proceed to sigh deeply which is good because I need to take deep breaths often since my thoughts are usually interrupted with a loud bang of a toy against the door and a scream from a little banshee trying to get in.
I am also trying to slowly teach him to use the potty and without much success I might add. I figure since he’s in there with me all the time anyway he might as well learn why and start using it himself. Talking about pee pee and poo poo has become a constant topic of conversation, more often than I care to admit. I wonder if my mother and I had as many conversations about it as my son and I are now.
Since I drink a lot of water I tend to have to “go” often, so this little ritual my son does with me with the bathroom happens a lot. Enough so that I have been thinking about dehydrating myself on purpose. On second thought, I better not, that may backfire on me.
I do so long for time alone on the throne like my husband gets, but hearing the cries and seeing little fingers sliding under the door causes me to feel a little guilty, like a good mother would never wish for time alone. So does wanting some time alone in the bathroom make me a bad mother? Maybe, but when you “gotta go”, at that moment you really don’t care.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Save Money With Fabric Softener
Want to know how to save even more money with fabric softener? Try this.
Get a small container with a lid that will hold at least two cups of liquid.
Now take a measuring cup and pour ½ cup of this Soft Fabric Concentrate into your container.
Next take the same measuring cup and add 1 cup of water to your container.
Now take a washrag that you will dedicate to your laundry as your “laundry sheet”. Dip the rag in the mixture and squeeze out the extra.
It doesn’t have to be squeezed dry – it can drip a little. You just don’t want it running out of the cloth – that would be wasting it.
Now toss it in your dryer with your clothes.
You now have a very inexpensive dryer sheet. It saves you money and the environment because this Soft Fabric Concentrate is non toxic and contains no phosphates.
It will not stain your clothes unlike other fabric softeners. And it’s gentle enough even for those who have sensitive skin. Great for baby’s clothes or people with allergies.
It will not stain your clothes unlike other fabric softeners. And it’s gentle enough even for those who have sensitive skin. Great for baby’s clothes or people with allergies.
You can use a larger container. Just measure one part of fabric softener to two parts of water.
Hope you found this tip helpful. Don’t forget to share this with others.
Soak The Impossible
Think you have a stain on your clothes that is impossible to come out?
Try this solution:
Take the hottest water your garment can handle and in a small tub mix in the following:
¼ cup of this laundry detergent Fresh Laundry Concentrate
¼ cup of this all fabric brightener Nature Bright
Scrub stain and let soak
The amount of soaking needed to remove the stain may take an hour or hours or it may take days. If it is set in, it may take days of soaking. Every day swish the solution around, scrub the stain and change the water and detergent mixture after three days.
I have let some items soak for more than a week before. These were stains that got by me unnoticed and were set in by the dryer. I just let it soak for as long as it needed and over time the stain lifted!
Try it, I have never had a stain that didn’t come out using this method.
These detergents are biodegradable, contain no phosphates and are great for those who have allergies and sensitive skin. I wash my baby’s clothes in them! And they are so concentrated, they actually save you money!
Try this solution:
Take the hottest water your garment can handle and in a small tub mix in the following:
¼ cup of this laundry detergent Fresh Laundry Concentrate
¼ cup of this all fabric brightener Nature Bright
Scrub stain and let soak
The amount of soaking needed to remove the stain may take an hour or hours or it may take days. If it is set in, it may take days of soaking. Every day swish the solution around, scrub the stain and change the water and detergent mixture after three days.
I have let some items soak for more than a week before. These were stains that got by me unnoticed and were set in by the dryer. I just let it soak for as long as it needed and over time the stain lifted!
Try it, I have never had a stain that didn’t come out using this method.
These detergents are biodegradable, contain no phosphates and are great for those who have allergies and sensitive skin. I wash my baby’s clothes in them! And they are so concentrated, they actually save you money!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Latest Recalls
Here are a few of the latest recalls for children’s items.
To view the complete list vistit CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
Target Recalls Circo Booster Seats Due to Fall Hazard
Jump ‘n Jive Doorway Jumpers Recalled by Graco Due to Choking Hazard
Dorel Juvenile Group Expands Recall of Safety 1st Stair Gates Due to Fall Hazard
Little Tikes™ Recalls Children’s Toy Workshop Sets and Trucks Due to Choking Hazard
To view the complete list vistit CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
Target Recalls Circo Booster Seats Due to Fall Hazard
Jump ‘n Jive Doorway Jumpers Recalled by Graco Due to Choking Hazard
Dorel Juvenile Group Expands Recall of Safety 1st Stair Gates Due to Fall Hazard
Little Tikes™ Recalls Children’s Toy Workshop Sets and Trucks Due to Choking Hazard
Walgreens Week of 8/23/09
Below are just some of the deals you can get when grocery shopping at Walgreens this week. This is just a few of the items on sale or for free. There are plenty more on sale this week.
Be sure to visit the Grocery Game and see what you can get for FREE or on the cheap! They do all the work for you – tell you when the item is at its cheapest and when the coupon you need came out. They are cheap to use and the cost of membership is saved with one trip to the store! Some of the stores they list are Kroger, Meier, Walgreens, CVS, WalMart and more!
Just use imnotasupermom@yahoo.com for your referral and get a 4 week trial for FREE!
For free items, if you can’t use the item – give it away! Helping others is pure joy especially when you can give them items that didn’t break your budget!
Code: SS = Smart Source RP = Red Plum
Be sure to check for online printable coupons on my sidebar > as well before you go!
ACCU-CHEK AVIVA BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITOR 1 CT- 9.99
-10.00 SS 8/23
Final Price – FREE
Listerine Agent Cool Blue or Smart Rinse Mouthwash 16.9 oz - Buy 2 – 2/$8
Buy 1 get 1 free (-4.00)SS 8/2
- 3.00/2 in RR Limit 1
Final Price .50 ea
Scotch Transparent Tape 1/2 x 450 in - Buy 3 – 1.49 ea
-1.00/3 RP 7/12
- 2/$1 Buy 3 (WG 8/23) Limit 4
Final Price .17 ea
Reach Prevent Toothbrush 1 ct – 2.99
-.50 SS 8/2
- .99 (WG 8/23) Limit 3
Final Price - .49
Extra Strength Tylenol 24 ct - Buy 2 – Buy 1 get 1 free
- 2.00/1 SS 6/21
Final Price – 1.25 ea
Sales may differ depending on region, so check your flyer. Remember, check out the Grocery Game to make your grocery list of savings this week and use me, imnotasupermom@yahoo.com as your referral to get 4 weeks free!
I make mistakes all the time, so not responsible for errors.
Be sure to visit the Grocery Game and see what you can get for FREE or on the cheap! They do all the work for you – tell you when the item is at its cheapest and when the coupon you need came out. They are cheap to use and the cost of membership is saved with one trip to the store! Some of the stores they list are Kroger, Meier, Walgreens, CVS, WalMart and more!
Just use imnotasupermom@yahoo.com for your referral and get a 4 week trial for FREE!
For free items, if you can’t use the item – give it away! Helping others is pure joy especially when you can give them items that didn’t break your budget!
Code: SS = Smart Source RP = Red Plum
Be sure to check for online printable coupons on my sidebar > as well before you go!
ACCU-CHEK AVIVA BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITOR 1 CT- 9.99
-10.00 SS 8/23
Final Price – FREE
Listerine Agent Cool Blue or Smart Rinse Mouthwash 16.9 oz - Buy 2 – 2/$8
Buy 1 get 1 free (-4.00)SS 8/2
- 3.00/2 in RR Limit 1
Final Price .50 ea
Scotch Transparent Tape 1/2 x 450 in - Buy 3 – 1.49 ea
-1.00/3 RP 7/12
- 2/$1 Buy 3 (WG 8/23) Limit 4
Final Price .17 ea
Reach Prevent Toothbrush 1 ct – 2.99
-.50 SS 8/2
- .99 (WG 8/23) Limit 3
Final Price - .49
Extra Strength Tylenol 24 ct - Buy 2 – Buy 1 get 1 free
- 2.00/1 SS 6/21
Final Price – 1.25 ea
Sales may differ depending on region, so check your flyer. Remember, check out the Grocery Game to make your grocery list of savings this week and use me, imnotasupermom@yahoo.com as your referral to get 4 weeks free!
I make mistakes all the time, so not responsible for errors.
CVS Week of 8/23/09
Below are just some of the deals you can get when grocery shopping at CVS this week. This is just a few of the items on sale or for free. There are plenty more on sale this week.
Be sure to visit the Grocery Game and see what you can get for FREE or on the cheap! They do all the work for you – tell you when the item is at its cheapest and when the coupon you need came out. They are cheap to use and the cost of membership is saved with one trip to the store! Some of the stores they list are Kroger, Meier, Walgreens, CVS, WalMart and more!
Just use imnotasupermom@yahoo.com for your referral and get a 4 week trial for FREE!
For free items, if you can’t use the item – give it away! Helping others is pure joy especially when you can give them items that didn’t break your budget!
Code: SS = Smart Source RP = Red Plum
Be sure to visit the Grocery Game and see what you can get for FREE or on the cheap! They do all the work for you – tell you when the item is at its cheapest and when the coupon you need came out. They are cheap to use and the cost of membership is saved with one trip to the store! Some of the stores they list are Kroger, Meier, Walgreens, CVS, WalMart and more!
Just use imnotasupermom@yahoo.com for your referral and get a 4 week trial for FREE!
For free items, if you can’t use the item – give it away! Helping others is pure joy especially when you can give them items that didn’t break your budget!
Code: SS = Smart Source RP = Red Plum
Be sure to check for online printable coupons on my sidebar > as well before you go!
Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners 16 ct – 3.79
$3.79 ECB w/ purchase of featured Carefree Limit 4
Final Price – FREE
SCHICK QUATTRO TITANIUM RAZOR OR TRIMMER – 8.99
- 4.00 SS 7/26; SS 8/23
-$2 ECB w/ purchase of featured Schick OPC
Final Price - 2.99
SCHICK QUATTRO FOR WOMEN OR INTUITION PLUS RAZOR- 8.99
-4.00 SS 7/26; SS 8/23
$2 ECB w/ purchase of featured Schick OPC
Final Price- 2.99
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner 7.25 oz - Buy 4/$4
-$2 ECB w/ purchase of 4 boxes Kraft Macaroni & Cheese OPC
Final Price - .50 ea
Welch's 100% Grape Juice 64 oz – 2/$6 Buy 1
- .75 SS 8/16
Final Price – 2.25
Sales may differ depending on region, so check your flyer. Remember, check out the Grocery Game to make your grocery list of savings this week and use me, imnotasupermom@yahoo.com as your referral to get 4 weeks free!
I make mistakes all the time, so not responsible for errors.
Meier Week of 8/23/09
Below are just some of the deals you can get when grocery shopping at Meier this week. This is just a few of the items on sale or for free. There are plenty more on sale this week.
Be sure to visit the Grocery Game and see what you can get for FREE or on the cheap! They do all the work for you – tell you when the item is at its cheapest and when the coupon you need came out. They are cheap to use and the cost of membership is saved with one trip to the store! Some of the stores they list are Kroger, Meier, Walgreens, CVS, WalMart and more!
Just use imnotasupermom@yahoo.com for your referral and get a 4 week trial for FREE!
For free items, if you can’t use the item – give it away! Helping others is pure joy especially when you can give them items that didn’t break your budget!
Code: SS = Smart Source RP = Red Plum
Be sure to check for online printable coupons on my sidebar > as well before you go!
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter 8-15 oz – 3/$4
-1.25 RP 6/28
Final Price .08
Aunt Millie's Healthy Goodness Bread 24 oz - 1.29(Aunt Millie's Breads also on sale)
-.35 RP 8/16
Final Price .59
Suave Shampoo or Conditioner 15 oz - Buy 2 - .88 ea
- 1.00/2 RP 8/2
Final Price - .38 ea
Kraft Chunk Cheese 6-8 oz - Buy 2 - 3/$5 Buy 2
1.00/2 RP 8/9
Final Price – 1.17 ea
Sales may differ depending on region, so check your flyer. Remember, check out the Grocery Game to make your grocery list of savings this week and use me, imnotasupermom@yahoo.com as your referral to get 4 weeks free!
I make mistakes all the time, so not responsible for errors.
Be sure to visit the Grocery Game and see what you can get for FREE or on the cheap! They do all the work for you – tell you when the item is at its cheapest and when the coupon you need came out. They are cheap to use and the cost of membership is saved with one trip to the store! Some of the stores they list are Kroger, Meier, Walgreens, CVS, WalMart and more!
Just use imnotasupermom@yahoo.com for your referral and get a 4 week trial for FREE!
For free items, if you can’t use the item – give it away! Helping others is pure joy especially when you can give them items that didn’t break your budget!
Code: SS = Smart Source RP = Red Plum
Be sure to check for online printable coupons on my sidebar > as well before you go!
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter 8-15 oz – 3/$4
-1.25 RP 6/28
Final Price .08
Aunt Millie's Healthy Goodness Bread 24 oz - 1.29(Aunt Millie's Breads also on sale)
-.35 RP 8/16
Final Price .59
Suave Shampoo or Conditioner 15 oz - Buy 2 - .88 ea
- 1.00/2 RP 8/2
Final Price - .38 ea
Kraft Chunk Cheese 6-8 oz - Buy 2 - 3/$5 Buy 2
1.00/2 RP 8/9
Final Price – 1.17 ea
Sales may differ depending on region, so check your flyer. Remember, check out the Grocery Game to make your grocery list of savings this week and use me, imnotasupermom@yahoo.com as your referral to get 4 weeks free!
I make mistakes all the time, so not responsible for errors.
Kroger Week of 8/23/09
Below are just some of the deals you can get when grocery shopping at Kroger this week. This is just a few of the items on sale or for free. There are plenty more on sale this week.
Be sure to visit the Grocery Game and see what you can get for FREE or on the cheap! They do all the work for you – tell you when the item is at its cheapest and when the coupon you need came out. They are cheap to use and the cost of membership is saved with one trip to the store! Some of the stores they list are Kroger, Meier, Walgreens, CVS, WalMart and more!
Just use imnotasupermom@yahoo.com for your referral and get a 4 week trial for FREE!
For free items, if you can’t use the item – give it away! Helping others is pure joy especially when you can give them items that didn’t break your budget!
Code: SS = Smart Source RP = Red Plum
Be sure to visit the Grocery Game and see what you can get for FREE or on the cheap! They do all the work for you – tell you when the item is at its cheapest and when the coupon you need came out. They are cheap to use and the cost of membership is saved with one trip to the store! Some of the stores they list are Kroger, Meier, Walgreens, CVS, WalMart and more!
Just use imnotasupermom@yahoo.com for your referral and get a 4 week trial for FREE!
For free items, if you can’t use the item – give it away! Helping others is pure joy especially when you can give them items that didn’t break your budget!
Code: SS = Smart Source RP = Red Plum
Be sure to check for online printable coupons on my sidebar > as well before you go!
Kroger’s is offering another mega sale weekend.
Purchase 10 participating items, and receive $5 off your order instantly at checkout. All 10 items must be purchased in the same transaction, and there is no limit on the number of rewards per transaction. You can mix and match the items you purchase.
The final prices assume that you've purchased 10 participating items, thereby deducting $5 off your total order, or $0.50 off per item. The best bargains are listed below (check your local ad for the complete listing): MSP=Mega Sale Promotion
Pepsi 2-liters - $1.29
- $0.50 MSP
- Final price - $0.79
Pillsbury Grands, biscuits, crescents, or rolls - $1.49
Pillsbury Grands, biscuits, crescents, or rolls - $1.49
- $0.50 MSP
- $1/3 SS 8/9/09
- Final price - as low as $0.49 each
Betty Crocker Hamburger or Tuna Helper - $1.34
Betty Crocker Hamburger or Tuna Helper - $1.34
- $0.50 MSP
- $0.75/3 SS 8/9/09
- Final price - $0.51 each
General Mills cereal - $1.99
General Mills cereal - $1.99
- $0.50 MSP
- $1/2 SS 8/16/09
- Final price - as low as $0.49 each
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel - $1.99
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel - $1.99
- $0.50 MSP
- $0.55/2 SS 8/9/09
- $0.55/2 printable coupon here
- Final price - $0.99 each
Sales may differ depending on region, so check your flyer. Remember, check out the Grocery Game to make your grocery list of savings this week and use me, imnotasupermom@yahoo.com as your referral to get 4 weeks free!
I make mistakes all the time, so not responsible for errors.
Sales may differ depending on region, so check your flyer. Remember, check out the Grocery Game to make your grocery list of savings this week and use me, imnotasupermom@yahoo.com as your referral to get 4 weeks free!
I make mistakes all the time, so not responsible for errors.
Thanks to CincinnatiCents
Saturday, August 22, 2009
My Son's Birth Story & Using Hypnobirthing
My son is almost 18 months old. He is such a joy to my husband and I and a true miracle. Born to a mom who wasn't supposed to be able to have children and a dad who wasn't supposed to be able to have any more (long story), he is truly a miracle from God.
Many have asked how the birthing went and I have shared my story of having a natural birth using Hypnobirthing. If you are planning on having a baby I highly recommend looking into Hypnobirthing as a way to experience having a baby without all the medications, pain and fear that can come with it.
My birth story didn't go the way I planned, but it ended up the way I wanted. It just took a lot of detours. My Hypnobirthing instructor asked for me to share my story shortly after with her so she could pass it on to her students as a way to show that things don't always go as planned and what to do.
I had a wonderful doula who helped me tremendously and of course a wonderful husband who stayed with me the whole time.
I am sharing this story here after all this time since many have asked about it. I hope it inspires you to look into natural birthing methods.
For information on Hypnobirthing visit their site hypnobirthing.com
You can also check your local listings and hospitals for Hypnobirthing instructors and doulas.
Note: I keep referring to the word "surges". Surges are what others may call labor pain. But surges (labor) are not meant to be painful if you know what to do. That is what the Hypnobirthing teaches you - how to handle labor and birth without the pain. Sounds unbelievable? It's not, it's real and how it was meant to be. Check it out, you won't be disappointed. You have nothing to lose but pain and fear.
Here's my story as told to my instructor back in February 2008:
Hi Sharon,
Hope all is well with you. Below is my birth story, but it may not necessarily be one you will want to share with the class unless you are using it to make the point of what to do when things don’t go as planned. That and how strong the mind can be when you really want something bad enough.
Sorry about the extreme length, but laboring for 4 days tends to add quite a bit to the story.
My son was born on Thursday - 8.6 lbs – 22 ½ in.
We didn’t get to come home till Sunday.
I worked Friday and had been having surges erratically off and on for the last week or so. The following Sunday night they got more intense and were regular at about 10 minutes apart going down to about 6 minutes apart. We called Eileen, our Doula just to give her a heads up it may be tonight and she might want to get some rest in case we need her later. She said to call her when they reach 3-4 minutes apart. They never did.
The surges really didn’t hurt as they were mostly felt as pressure, but what really did hurt extremely bad was my back. See, I have bad discs in my lower back and that is where the extreme pain set in. I was able to use the hypnobirthing breathing to get through each surge, but it had to be done while standing up. I could not lie down or sit due to the severe pain in my back I assume from muscle spasms.
Monday, same thing. The surges from Sunday spaced out to about 20 minutes apart, then to 10, then to 6 and the same thing for Monday. We called Eileen to keep her updated and alert her to the issue with the back pain and how I was having to labor the entire time on my feet leaning over the kitchen counter. My husband would apply very strong pressure to my lower back with the surges.
Tuesday, more of the same. Surges hovered around 5 minutes apart. I was exhausted due to lack of sleep and all the hours of laboring on my feet. Five or ten minutes sitting or laying down is all I could handle before my back would spasm so bad I was in tears and struggle to get to my feet. Eileen came and brought a labor/birthing tub that you inflate. They filled it with warm water and oh did it feel good to get in it. She also suggested castor oil to help induce labor. I had tried everything else. Let me tell you, castor oil is really nasty to get down and you definitely need a “chaser” of some type. It pretty much tastes how it looks – like motor oil. Well, back to the tub. It felt good for the first 20 minutes or so, then the back spasms hit again, this time with even more intensity. They were so bad I couldn’t help but cry out loud and at times was paralyzed unable to move. With their help I was able to get out of the tub and back into my standing position to ride out the surges.
Eileen said we need to go to the hospital, this isn’t good.
Luckily the hospital is only about 10 minutes away. I was able to get out of the car and walk by myself into emergency (it was close to midnight). I actually felt great at that point other than being a little tired. The funny part was the guy at the front desk getting nervous as I breathed through my surges and smiled and joked at the same time. He hurriedly asked for a wheelchair and stared in disbelief when I said no, I can walk just fine. I then proceeded to walk briskly to the elevator. Remember, surges (labor pains) are not meant to hurt and they really don’t if you know how to handle them. ‘
So again the surges I could handle with breathing no problem, but when the back spasms would hit, it was all I could do to get through them, but I did with very intense concentration and breathing. I really thought it would be over soon and probably wouldn’t get much worse. I was wrong.
Once admitted and in the bed of course it wasn’t long before I was out of bed holding on to the sides trying to ride out the surges with the back spasms. They were getting worse, I was exhausted from laboring on my feet for the past few days and everyone kept saying they couldn’t believe I was still standing. I just did not want to spoil my plans of a beautiful hypnobirth without any meds. I was just determined that as long as the baby’s heartbeat was good and he wasn’t stressed I could I get through this. Well, I will fast forward to the worse part.
After laboring for all day Wednesday and late into the night, I reluctantly made the decision to go with an option to help me with the back spasms. I accepted a dose of Nubain (sp?) This allowed me to lie down for a while and sleep for about an hour. I thought ok, I can still do this, but the spasms returned. After trying to ride them out again on my feet I finally made the decision I didn’t want to make - get an epidural. Now no one ever pressured me into it, or kept offering it. This was a decision I made on my own based on what I felt was best for the baby and for me as I knew labor wasn’t progressing and it was only a matter of time before I would have to have a C-section. A C-section was something I felt was a worse failure than an epidural.
My heart and mind wanted to go totally without meds, but my poor body just couldn’t do it anymore and I knew it. Much to the relief of my husband, my doctor and the nurses I asked to see the Anesthesiologist. I told her I only wanted enough to relieve the spasms in my back. The labor surges were nothing to handle, it was just my back. I asked if I could have a “light” version as I wanted to feel all of the birth. I was told I would be very numb at first, but it would wear off in time. I reluctantly agreed. Though I must admit, it was such a relief to lie down and rest.
I wasn’t prepared for the numbness. I cried when they told me my water broke on its own and my surges were now 2-3 minutes apart. I couldn’t feel anything. I was so depressed as I felt I was watching my dream of a beautiful hypnobirth go down the drain. I cursed my back injury. But the epidural allowed my back spasms to receded and allow the uterus to do its job of pushing down the baby. Part of my pain was the uterus was pushing down, but the back muscles spasms were stopping the baby from descending. He was very high until the epidural.
After a short nap I noticed feeling beginning to return rapidly to my legs and once again I could feel my surges, but not much back pain. I breathed my baby down and amazed the nurses at how fast I did so. They frantically called the doctor and asked me not to push till he got here. I wasn’t concerned, I felt I could once again do this as hypnobirthing mom. I pushed lightly a couple of times and when the doctor got there I had all the feeling back in my legs and abdomen and was ready to really breathe down and I did have to do some pushing as he was big boy with what I think was a big noggin! LOL!
I ignored whatever nurse was counting for me and directed my breathing where it was needed and for the length of time that was needed trying to work in harmony with the surges. At times I noticed it in my face and would immediately stop and redirect it properly. Eileen said she was pleased I was self directing and didn’t even give her the chance to help correct it. She said I caught it and corrected myself before she could say anything.
A few good pushes and his head was out. The doctor removed the cord that wrapped around his neck and the rest just slipped out. I did tear a little requiring stitches, but not much. He was shocked when he started and I said, “Ow! I can feel that needle.” He said, you can feel that?! I’m like, yeah, the epidural wore off before the baby even dropped down. Everyone seemed amazed.
I was thrilled that I got to experience my natural birth after all and felt everything. It just took a longer and harder time than expected to get there. I had many congratulations and words of amazement as I somehow ended up with a roomful of observers, but I was too into my breathing and concentrating to notice all the people till afterwards. Apparently my determination and story had passed around the halls and it seemed every available nurse wanted to witness it!
The baby’s heartbeat the whole time remained strong and he was very alert and very hungry right away! He crawled up to the breast and nursed. (Yes, newborns can crawl! A special trait they have in order to be able to nurse.) I was ecstatic and relieved! Oh, and I got up soon afterwards and walked to the restroom without much problem. I was very weak from the extra long labor, but it wasn’t from the meds luckily.
Later that day my son developed some breathing problems due to possible inhaled fluid and required a stay in the NICU till Sunday, but he’s fine now. None of his problems came from the prolonged birth I was told.
I highly recommend Eileen to anyone especially first time moms. She was a big help to my husband as well. Poor Eileen, she spent a lot of hours with me helping me through the agony and deserves way more than I could pay her. I also recommend my doctor who never pushed me. He knew how badly I wanted a natural birth. But later he told me he was getting ready to do a C-section and I wasn’t far from it when I made my decision because the baby couldn’t drop.
I also would say the hospital has the best staff. For the 5 days we stayed there I never met a nurse I didn’t like. I have no complaints and am very grateful to them all. They took excellent care of me and my son when he needed them. They understood my wish for the birth I wanted, supported me when I needed them and helped through the scary times of his condition afterwards. They are the best. And the anesthesiologist, who gave just enough pain relief to get me past that point and let me have the natural birth after all.
To you Sharon, I say thank you for your classes and encouragement. I am so very grateful for finding them and you.
Most of all my thanks and extreme gratitude goes to husband, my best friend. I could never have done this without him. I know it had to be so hard to watch me go through the agony I did, but never once did he falter. He supported me through it all. He caught the baby, cut the cord and laid him on me. A moment we will cherish forever. He told me I must be the strongest woman in the world to go through all that. I just think my love for my baby and wanting him to have the best is where it came from. That and from God of course. I am so blessed. Remember, we were supposed to not be able to have children to begin with! Now we have a perfect little blessing.
Sorry about the extended length of this story. I’m sure Eileen and my husband would say I left a lot out, but hey, there’s nothing like labor amnesia!
Feel free to edit and share anything you might find useful.
Take care.
Julie
Hope all is well with you. Below is my birth story, but it may not necessarily be one you will want to share with the class unless you are using it to make the point of what to do when things don’t go as planned. That and how strong the mind can be when you really want something bad enough.
Sorry about the extreme length, but laboring for 4 days tends to add quite a bit to the story.
My son was born on Thursday - 8.6 lbs – 22 ½ in.
We didn’t get to come home till Sunday.
I worked Friday and had been having surges erratically off and on for the last week or so. The following Sunday night they got more intense and were regular at about 10 minutes apart going down to about 6 minutes apart. We called Eileen, our Doula just to give her a heads up it may be tonight and she might want to get some rest in case we need her later. She said to call her when they reach 3-4 minutes apart. They never did.
The surges really didn’t hurt as they were mostly felt as pressure, but what really did hurt extremely bad was my back. See, I have bad discs in my lower back and that is where the extreme pain set in. I was able to use the hypnobirthing breathing to get through each surge, but it had to be done while standing up. I could not lie down or sit due to the severe pain in my back I assume from muscle spasms.
Monday, same thing. The surges from Sunday spaced out to about 20 minutes apart, then to 10, then to 6 and the same thing for Monday. We called Eileen to keep her updated and alert her to the issue with the back pain and how I was having to labor the entire time on my feet leaning over the kitchen counter. My husband would apply very strong pressure to my lower back with the surges.
Tuesday, more of the same. Surges hovered around 5 minutes apart. I was exhausted due to lack of sleep and all the hours of laboring on my feet. Five or ten minutes sitting or laying down is all I could handle before my back would spasm so bad I was in tears and struggle to get to my feet. Eileen came and brought a labor/birthing tub that you inflate. They filled it with warm water and oh did it feel good to get in it. She also suggested castor oil to help induce labor. I had tried everything else. Let me tell you, castor oil is really nasty to get down and you definitely need a “chaser” of some type. It pretty much tastes how it looks – like motor oil. Well, back to the tub. It felt good for the first 20 minutes or so, then the back spasms hit again, this time with even more intensity. They were so bad I couldn’t help but cry out loud and at times was paralyzed unable to move. With their help I was able to get out of the tub and back into my standing position to ride out the surges.
Eileen said we need to go to the hospital, this isn’t good.
Luckily the hospital is only about 10 minutes away. I was able to get out of the car and walk by myself into emergency (it was close to midnight). I actually felt great at that point other than being a little tired. The funny part was the guy at the front desk getting nervous as I breathed through my surges and smiled and joked at the same time. He hurriedly asked for a wheelchair and stared in disbelief when I said no, I can walk just fine. I then proceeded to walk briskly to the elevator. Remember, surges (labor pains) are not meant to hurt and they really don’t if you know how to handle them. ‘
So again the surges I could handle with breathing no problem, but when the back spasms would hit, it was all I could do to get through them, but I did with very intense concentration and breathing. I really thought it would be over soon and probably wouldn’t get much worse. I was wrong.
Once admitted and in the bed of course it wasn’t long before I was out of bed holding on to the sides trying to ride out the surges with the back spasms. They were getting worse, I was exhausted from laboring on my feet for the past few days and everyone kept saying they couldn’t believe I was still standing. I just did not want to spoil my plans of a beautiful hypnobirth without any meds. I was just determined that as long as the baby’s heartbeat was good and he wasn’t stressed I could I get through this. Well, I will fast forward to the worse part.
After laboring for all day Wednesday and late into the night, I reluctantly made the decision to go with an option to help me with the back spasms. I accepted a dose of Nubain (sp?) This allowed me to lie down for a while and sleep for about an hour. I thought ok, I can still do this, but the spasms returned. After trying to ride them out again on my feet I finally made the decision I didn’t want to make - get an epidural. Now no one ever pressured me into it, or kept offering it. This was a decision I made on my own based on what I felt was best for the baby and for me as I knew labor wasn’t progressing and it was only a matter of time before I would have to have a C-section. A C-section was something I felt was a worse failure than an epidural.
My heart and mind wanted to go totally without meds, but my poor body just couldn’t do it anymore and I knew it. Much to the relief of my husband, my doctor and the nurses I asked to see the Anesthesiologist. I told her I only wanted enough to relieve the spasms in my back. The labor surges were nothing to handle, it was just my back. I asked if I could have a “light” version as I wanted to feel all of the birth. I was told I would be very numb at first, but it would wear off in time. I reluctantly agreed. Though I must admit, it was such a relief to lie down and rest.
I wasn’t prepared for the numbness. I cried when they told me my water broke on its own and my surges were now 2-3 minutes apart. I couldn’t feel anything. I was so depressed as I felt I was watching my dream of a beautiful hypnobirth go down the drain. I cursed my back injury. But the epidural allowed my back spasms to receded and allow the uterus to do its job of pushing down the baby. Part of my pain was the uterus was pushing down, but the back muscles spasms were stopping the baby from descending. He was very high until the epidural.
After a short nap I noticed feeling beginning to return rapidly to my legs and once again I could feel my surges, but not much back pain. I breathed my baby down and amazed the nurses at how fast I did so. They frantically called the doctor and asked me not to push till he got here. I wasn’t concerned, I felt I could once again do this as hypnobirthing mom. I pushed lightly a couple of times and when the doctor got there I had all the feeling back in my legs and abdomen and was ready to really breathe down and I did have to do some pushing as he was big boy with what I think was a big noggin! LOL!
I ignored whatever nurse was counting for me and directed my breathing where it was needed and for the length of time that was needed trying to work in harmony with the surges. At times I noticed it in my face and would immediately stop and redirect it properly. Eileen said she was pleased I was self directing and didn’t even give her the chance to help correct it. She said I caught it and corrected myself before she could say anything.
A few good pushes and his head was out. The doctor removed the cord that wrapped around his neck and the rest just slipped out. I did tear a little requiring stitches, but not much. He was shocked when he started and I said, “Ow! I can feel that needle.” He said, you can feel that?! I’m like, yeah, the epidural wore off before the baby even dropped down. Everyone seemed amazed.
I was thrilled that I got to experience my natural birth after all and felt everything. It just took a longer and harder time than expected to get there. I had many congratulations and words of amazement as I somehow ended up with a roomful of observers, but I was too into my breathing and concentrating to notice all the people till afterwards. Apparently my determination and story had passed around the halls and it seemed every available nurse wanted to witness it!
The baby’s heartbeat the whole time remained strong and he was very alert and very hungry right away! He crawled up to the breast and nursed. (Yes, newborns can crawl! A special trait they have in order to be able to nurse.) I was ecstatic and relieved! Oh, and I got up soon afterwards and walked to the restroom without much problem. I was very weak from the extra long labor, but it wasn’t from the meds luckily.
Later that day my son developed some breathing problems due to possible inhaled fluid and required a stay in the NICU till Sunday, but he’s fine now. None of his problems came from the prolonged birth I was told.
I highly recommend Eileen to anyone especially first time moms. She was a big help to my husband as well. Poor Eileen, she spent a lot of hours with me helping me through the agony and deserves way more than I could pay her. I also recommend my doctor who never pushed me. He knew how badly I wanted a natural birth. But later he told me he was getting ready to do a C-section and I wasn’t far from it when I made my decision because the baby couldn’t drop.
I also would say the hospital has the best staff. For the 5 days we stayed there I never met a nurse I didn’t like. I have no complaints and am very grateful to them all. They took excellent care of me and my son when he needed them. They understood my wish for the birth I wanted, supported me when I needed them and helped through the scary times of his condition afterwards. They are the best. And the anesthesiologist, who gave just enough pain relief to get me past that point and let me have the natural birth after all.
To you Sharon, I say thank you for your classes and encouragement. I am so very grateful for finding them and you.
Most of all my thanks and extreme gratitude goes to husband, my best friend. I could never have done this without him. I know it had to be so hard to watch me go through the agony I did, but never once did he falter. He supported me through it all. He caught the baby, cut the cord and laid him on me. A moment we will cherish forever. He told me I must be the strongest woman in the world to go through all that. I just think my love for my baby and wanting him to have the best is where it came from. That and from God of course. I am so blessed. Remember, we were supposed to not be able to have children to begin with! Now we have a perfect little blessing.
Sorry about the extended length of this story. I’m sure Eileen and my husband would say I left a lot out, but hey, there’s nothing like labor amnesia!
Feel free to edit and share anything you might find useful.
Take care.
Julie
Friday, August 21, 2009
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