My New Adventure: Homeopathy, Butter, and Getting Healthy Again

I went to a local dairy farm today. All the dairy comes from grass(not treated with pesticides)-fed Jersey cows that are not given any extra hormones.  It isn't pasteurized or homogenized.  I bought 2 gallons of raw milk, a quart of cream, a quart of yogurt, and a pound of cheddar cheese.

Bella, Balian, and Isaiah got to see a bunch of calves, one of which was very vocal with his mooing.

Before you start getting hysterical on me about how I'm going to end up in the hospital because of diseased milk, let me 'splain.  Just FYI:

In Texas, to sell raw milk, it has to be bought on the primes is of the farm, and the farm has to have a dairy retail permit.  In order to keep their permit to sell raw milk, the milk is tested once a month for any disease that people tend to think would be in unpaseurized milk (TB, etc.).

Now, let me backtrack a bit.

My Doc put me on anti-depressants.  At the time, it was a good move, because I was a wreck. For. Real.

BUT, it wasn't something I was ok with being on long-term, or for LIFE!  I felt better for the first month or so, but then, just as I had suspected, medicating didn't get to the root of the problem, but rather masked symptoms, and my symptoms started coming back.  Not ALL of them, but most of them.

I just kept having this thought that it was a nutrition issue.  Was something I was eating, not eating, etc., causing a lot of my symptoms?

I looked into the gluten thing.  I mean I had something crazy like 14 symptoms associated with gluten intolerance, and so many people seem to be sensitive to wheat, right?  It was worth a shot.  But after trying to go gluten-free for a couple of weeks, I didn't feel any better.

I really wasn't feeling depressed.  I was anxious.  Stressed out to the point that my back was tense ALL the time.  Constant loud noise just sent me through the roof, and with 3 kids noise is inevitable.  Too much going on at once, like during school-time when I was trying to teach Bella and the boys were occupied (but still moving, wiggling, or talking), were the absolute worst times.  I just couldn't handle it.

My time with Jesus- fabulous.  I feel closer to The Lord than I ever have.  Getting into the Word.  Doing prayer-walks, journaling, writing songs, and really the most constant communication I have had with Him, ever.  Actually being able to hear those still small whispers as if they were screams, at times.

I'll admit that I haven't been running lately.  I know that's huge, but seriously.  Anyone that has 3 kids and is a night owl that doesn't like to run at night, and can't get her butt out of bed any earlier...if you are able to find a way to fit it in with little ones and homeschool...along with everything else, then by all means, PLEASE share your wealth of knowledge as to how you fit it in :)

The other thing that I have thought about is that this is the first place I have lived since I started college that I haven't been a part of a small group, or had a close-knit circle of girlfriends.  I have a few girlfriends that I know from all different places, and we also have a home church.  I usually get together (via play dates) with one of my girls every week.  But one-on-one time with these ladies has been rare, if at all.  I am so thankful for carpooling to BSF with my friend, Dani.  That 45-minute drive has been such a blessing, kids in tow and all :)

I won't always be surrounded with community.  And sometimes, even when I am, I go through times of loneliness.  But honestly, right now, I don't feel lonely.  I really think that this is one of those times that God has been teaching me that He is enough.  I can only truly be satisfied in Him anyway.  Friends, fellowship, and true community are amazing Blessings, but we won't always be in a time of plenty, and wealth has many faces.  We always tend to think about money, but sometimes it's simply having a wealth of community.  Right now, my wealth is communion with The Lord. 

Jamie is a new friend of mine.  I met her at church, when she and her family moved back to Granbury from doing missions in Germany.  She is homeschooling her daughter, Victoria, who is Bella's age, and has become Bella's BFF.  She and I seem to be very like-minded, always looking for the most natural way to do things.  Talking to Jamie about the past 3 years, she just kept saying "You need to go see Barbara."

Barbara is a classic Homeopath, meaning she practices Homeopathy, or natural healing.  It's not weird.  It's actually quite logical.  Most MDs will look at the symptoms, and when you have a lot of different types of symptoms, they tend to think they are separate things.  Homeopathy looks at the whole person- physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, life events, etc., and they try to get to the root of the problem, and find how the symptoms are somehow connected.  A Homeopath will spend hours pouring over one case, trying to fit all the pieces together.

Barbara is not only a Homeopath, but she also has a background in psychology and nutrition as well.  And she at least believes that God is the Creator, based on our conversation.

She took one look at my symptoms, and said immediately that I had a lot of vitamin deficiencies.

As we dug deeper and got into medical history, life events, diet, etc., she just kept taking notes...and kept shaking her head.  Like she was saying,"this poor girl is so messed up..."

3 years ago, my labor with Balian was pretty traumatic.  Induced with Pitocin, without pain meds. They broke my water.  Fast delivery without pushing. Cord wrapped around his neck.  Body went into shock after.  Had to give me a shot to stop me from hemmoraging.  Insane, really.  For those that don't know labors otherwise, this really isn't normal.  It isn't natural.  My body rebelled.

Because of losing a lot of blood, I became deficient in vitamins and minerals necessary to deal with stress.  Add to that, not only the stress of the labor, and adjusting to a new baby, but also getting out of the Navy, moving twice in 2 months and ending up halfway across the country, the unexpected future because of Neil not having a job lined up yet, finding a home...and you get the picture.  I just couldn't handle it all.

My deficiencies continued.

The ironic part is that Barbara said that I was showing a lot of B-vitamin deficiencies, and my blood work, via the MD, came back normal, and my B12 looked amazing on paper.  Barbara explained to me that it can take up to 30 years for b-vitamin deficiencies to show up in blood work, because the body takes from vitamin stores...meaning the skin, the gums and teeth...other places in the body that need those vitamins as well (think pregnancy gengivitis, for example).  So...when symptoms show up, it is the body's way of saying it needs more nutrients.

Then, we went on a vegan diet.  Healthiest thing you can do, right?  Apparently not.  

I not only left that appointment with 3 raw vitamin supplements (you don't want to know what's in them), and a homeopathic remedy, but I also received a very different lesson on nutrition than what I have ever been taught.

When you hear "if you don't do anything else, please eat coconut oil and REAL, full-fat butter", you kinda do a double-take.

Barbara recommended that Neil and I read this book:

Interesting, huh?

Raw milk.  Culturing your own milk. Soaking flour before using it.  Sprouting grains.  Grass-fed cows.  Organic free-range eggs.  No chocolate.  Only (true) natural sweeteners.  Nothing processed.

And I thought cooking would get easier...

Pretty much the book takes nutrition back to the way that cultures have eaten traditionally, forever.

It goes so much more in depth than I have ever read about nutrition.  And that says a lot.  I've read a lot.

We typically hear that animal fats cause blocked arteries.  But we never hear that the reason behind it is not the animal products themselves, but rather the processing of them, or the way that animals are raised.

In brief, if we just consume things the proper way, the natural way that God created them, and stop mucking everything up, we would all be much, much healthier.

Not just in the way things are processed, but even the processes we use to do our cooking.

Pretty eye-opening.

But so far, I'm feeling pretty good because of the supplements, and hopefully changing my diet will help keep me from being deficient in the vitamins I need.

When I have "accidentally" forgotten to take my Rx, I've felt better, and had much better days than when I have taken it, if that says anything.

Only time will tell.

In the meantime...I've got a quart of pure cream sitting on the counter so it will sour...so I can turn it into butter and buttermilk in the morning.  Butter to cook with, and buttermilk to soak my flour in so my body digests it more easily.

Food for thought, huh?

I'd love to see your comments on this one ;)

Isaiah's Birth Story

Thursday, March 10, 2011

6am - I woke up from a dead sleep to a contraction that hurt so bad I had to breathe through it.  After the next one happened (13 min. later) I called Neil into the room and told him what happened.  Luckily, he hadn't left for work yet.

The contractions were separated like this:  13 min., 8 min, 7.5 min, 7 min, 6 min, 5 min - one right after the other.  And I was stopping to breathe through all of them.  At this point, Neil checked me, and said I was dilated to a 5 without stretching at all. 

7am - I called Melody and told her "I think I'm going to be having a baby today."  Everything just felt different about these contractions, and with them getting significantly closer together with each contraction, I just knew.  She said to keep monitoring them and call back in 30 min, unless something changed.

About 10 min. later, the contractions started going about 2.5 min. apart, and more painful.  I called Melody back and she and the team were on their way.

In the meantime, I got into the bathtub, but it was helping so well with the pain that I was having trouble timing the contractions.  So I got out, and they started right back up where they left off - 2.5 min. apart. 

8 am? - My friend Tricia came by to pick up the kids and take them to her house.  As she was leaving with the kids, Melody showed up. 

As I was having contractions, I was showing Melody where everything was as far as the birth supplies, and just talking to her about random stuff.  The rest of the team showed up at about 8:15 or 8:30, and started to get everything set out and ready for the delivery.  Melody guided me through rocking my hips during contractions to help the baby descend.

At this point, all of the midwives (Melody - midwife, Rosetta, Rosemary, and Sarah - apprentices) gathered around me and prayed over me, the baby, the labor, and delivery.

Not too long after this, I was starting to hurt pretty bad, so I decided to get back into the tub for some pain relief.   I was in there for a while, in different positions, still rocking my hips during contractions.  And all during labor, people kept reminding me to drink water, to empty my bladder, and even fed me bites of a cliff bar.  With how painful the contractions were, and with them still being 2.5 min. apart, we figured we'd have a baby within an hour or so...but then after a while, I was still at the same place - painful contractions 2.5 min. apart.  Melody and the others were so good about speaking encouraging words, and giving gentle touches when needed.  They were my encouragers.  Neil was my comforter and teammate.

At some point while I was in the tub my Dad and my friend Maryann showed up.  Maryann just happened to be on vacation and had gotten into town the day before...They hung out in the living room while I labored.

Melody started to get concerned about not continuing to progress.  She told me to get out of the tub and walk around or whatever I wanted to do, but that we needed to use gravity to our advantage.  So I got out...and gravity was definitely working (or maybe I should say that the tub was working...) The contractions immediately got stronger.

During contractions, I continued to rock my hips, and Neil pushed my hips together or massaged my lower back - both for pain relief and trying to help the baby descend.

After a while, Melody said that she wanted to check the baby's position.
She said I was dilated to an 8, and about 90% effaced.  She was having trouble finding the baby's position.  She finally realized that the baby's head was kinked to the side a bit, which is why I wasn't continuing to progress as she expected.

Rosemary (one of the apprentices) used pressure/massage both in my lower back and hip/pelvic area to try to get the baby to move.  He definitely moved some, and I started having much harder contractions.  I decided that I didn't want to move, so I stayed on the bed...

Not too long after this, I started feeling the urge to push during my contractions.  This went on for a while, and my water still hadn't broken.  I'm thinking "seriously?  why hasn't my water broken yet?  Why is this baby not here yet?"  It was just so different than the other two.  Instead of hitting transition, getting no break between contractions, but having a kid in no time - I hit transition, the contractions were really painful, but they were still far enough apart that I was able to get breaks in between them.  The pain was seriously bad though...I felt like at any moment my water would break...I kept pushing and pushing...but nothing.  Just pain...feeling the baby descending, and lots of screaming :)  During the pushing, the midwives were applying warm compresses to the perineum.

Neil got into position to deliver the baby.

After pushing for close to 20 min., my water finally broke with a gush - All over Neil! ha.
A couple minutes later, Isaiah's head popped out, and was turning as he was coming out.  The cord was wrapped behind his neck, over his shoulders, and under his arms.  Melody and Neil got him unwrapped, and guided him out the rest of the way.  Total pushing time: 22minutes.
Total labor time: just shy of 7 hours.

Neil announced the birth of a baby Boy - a surprise to all of us.  Even the midwives were all convinced that it was going to be a girl - because they said that boys typically have a harder time during labor, but Isaiah's heart rate never dropped at all - and he did wonderfully the entire delivery.

For the first time ever - No tearing during delivery.  Not one - probably because it took him so long to come out.

They immediately put him skin to skin with me, and (this is a bit different) once the placenta was delivered, Neil cut the cord.

We were all laughing and celebrating for a while, as the midwives were all checking vitals, etc. while Isaiah was still on my tummy.  He wasn't quite ready to nurse yet.  Once vitals were done, Isaiah and I got into the bathtub for an herbal bath, to promote healing for me and the umbilical cord for him.  While we were in there, Isaiah nursed, and Neil sat by us, next to the tub, so we could both get to know our new baby boy.  He also fed me a turkey sandwich.  love him.

After the bath, I got cleaned up and dressed, and went back to the bed, where the linens had already been removed and put into the wash, to check vitals again.  Then, my Dad and Maryann were able to come in and meet Isaiah as well - and share the story from their point of view.

Isaiah Ethan Jones was born at 12:47 pm, weighing 6 lbs. 8 oz. and 20 inches long.

Welcome to the world, Isaiah!!

Would I have a home birth again?  Most definitely.  If I had been in a hospital, they may have broken my water, but that could have caused more complications.  I could have even ended up in a c-section because of his position.  The difference is how proactive everyone was.  Melody and the team knew what to do to help me through the pain, and the awkward positioning so that Isaiah could come.  And I was so much more comfortable than I would have been in a hospital.  And really, you can't beat knowing that every single person surrounding you is a believer - praying for you - encouraging you - serving you - loving you - and wanting the absolute best for you.  Neil sums it up like this: In a hospital, it's about what the doctors and nurses do (they break the water, they give medicine, they do this or that...), but this labor was all about me and what I was doing.  The others were simply there to support, encourage, and direct the course of labor...letting me do what my body needed to do to deliver Isaiah.

What do I think about the birth?  It was definitely longer and definitely harder than my other two.  The length didn't bother me - It actually helped me out to not have a labor so fast and furious.  Because of the length, I not only didn't tear, but my body also didn't go into shock right after delivering like it usually does.  No shaking at all this time.
The hardest part was the pain.  There was definitely reason for it, and it was definitely less than it could have been if his position hadn't been changed at all during the course of labor.  I'm just thankful that God gave me breaks during the course of the pain to be able to take a breather and get through it.
No, I still wouldn't get an epidural or any other drugs, even with the pain.  Having anything could have hindered the whole process as well - and by golly, I loved not being strapped down or having an IV.  It was fabulous!

Highly recommend a home birth and midwifery care to anyone and everyone (that isn't super high-risk) that is expecting a baby.  SO worth everything!

38 weeks

Well, we made it to 38 weeks.  I wasn't sure that was going to happen.
I know that not only are WE getting antsy, but I know everyone else is as well.  
It was funny to see people at church yesterday and all of them were like "umm...that baby still isn't out yet?"  Especially because a lot of them saw me on Friday night - when I was having regular contractions at about 6.5 minutes apart - standing, sitting, whatever.  Too bad they fizzled out when we got home.
And that is the story of my life right now.
Cramps start.  contractions go into gear.  They'll be consistently apart for a while.  They may even increase in strength and get closer together after a bit.  I feel them in the front AND back...and really low too.  Random sharp pains in the pelvis happen.  Then, after about an hour or two of this consistency...instead of continuing to increase in strength or getting closer together they just fizzle out.
Apparently God has a very specific day he wants this baby to be born...and it obviously hasn't happened yet.

The funny thing is that I was perfectly content to have this baby inside of me until the full 40 weeks... I was even expecting it to go longer...
...that is, until I started progressing so much.
There's just something about being 5cm, or there-about, and having the baby continuing to descend into the pelvic bone...and effacing happening...and having off and on contractions...that just makes you say "ok, seriously, what's the deal?  Why isn't this baby coming out?"

I had a dream Saturday night that really got to me too.  It wasn't a bad dream by any means.  But in my dream, I had been having contractions, so I called my midwife.  Then the whole midwife staff, and tons of other people were at my house, and once they got there, my contractions fizzled out.  When that happend, everyone just got up and left.  I appologized to my midwife for calling her to the house, and explained that I was just so scared that I was going to be delivering the baby by myself!
I woke up sobbing, and even after waking up fully, I couldn't stop sobbing for a while.
I didn't think that I was fearful.  But I think God gave me that dream to show me that I, in fact, was!  It brought everything out to the open.  I just sat there praying for a while, confessing my fears, and repenting for being fearful.  Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of a passage that we went over in BSF only a couple weeks ago from Isaiah 43:1-2 :

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when  you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze."

The Lord was encouraging me, saying "You know, it doesn't really matter what happens - how this baby is born - or even if you have to do it by yourself.  You will NOT be alone.  I will be with you.  I will guide and direct you.  And even if this doesn't go as YOU plan, my plans are for your GOOD.   It will produce character that I otherwise would not be able to cultivate in you.  You will depend fully on me and my strength and my power, rather than your own.   So FEAR NOT.  This baby will come in my time, in my will.  I will give you what you need, when you need it - if you will just rely on me."

That pretty much sums it up.
No matter how much I'm dilated or effaced.  No matter what symptoms of labor I've already had.  No matter how many times I have contractions, or how much the baby continues to descend...
God is totally in control of this whole thing.  His timing is the best.
When we were considering homebirth in the first place, I remember struggling with the thought a bit.  Then the Lord just said "Don't fear.  Trust me."  It's like he's really wanting to teach me something through all of this.  Perhaps it's simply to trust.  Perhaps it's how to wait on him for his perfect timing.  Perhaps he wants to teach me to rely on His strength.  Or perhaps it's all of the above, and more.
Whatever the case, He's wanting to teach me something, and I have to be willing and open to his instruction and direction.

37 weeks (part 2)

So, here's an update:
Tuesday, after my appointment, the "bloody show" tapered off.  Then, that evening I had a lot more.  I called the midwife and she said it was probably a sign that I may be dilating some more...but that no matter what, it was definitely just another sign that my body was gearing up for labor even more.

Wednesday, I went to Ft.Worth for BSF, because nothing was going on.  About halfway through, at about 10:30, I started having some light contractions.  On the way home, I started feeling them in my back as well, and there seemed to be more of them.
When we got home, I got the kids in the stroller and went for an "easy" walk around the block (really, about a mile).
Then, I took a nap when the kids did.  I was actually able to sleep some, but I woke up because I was having some more contractions.  And the way I figured it, if they were strong enough to wake me up from a deep sleep, then I should really start paying attention to them.
I started timing them, and they were pretty inconsistent (anywhere from 4-8 min. apart), and not very strong, but they were definitely being felt from the back to the front, and then down to the pelvic bone.  Neil checked me when he got home from work and I had dilated to about a 4.5.  Called the midwife, just to tell  her what was going on, and she said to call her again when they increased in strength.
They seemed to be getting more consitent (4-6 min. apart) and a little bit stronger (but still able to talk through them, etc.) after dinner.  When the kids went to bed at 8, Neil checked me again, and I was more like a 5, and he said he thought I effaced just a bit too - but he's not good with figuring out percentages...he just knows that there was a change.
We got really excited and started getting stuff ready, but they started to fizzle out at about 9pm.  so sad :(

Last night I definitely had some contractions while sleeping, and a couple of them woke me up.
So far today, I've had some contractions, but nothing strong at all...I'd say even lighter than yesterday so far.  I may go for a long walk today...
We'll just have to see what happens.
At 5 cm, I'm thinking it could seriously be anytime.  I'm actually a little curious as to how in the world labor didn't start last night...
But my biggest concern is that I'm already halfway dilated...
My labors are usually pretty quick without being dilated much, if any...
Good thing we're doing a homebirth, and we have the birthing supplies here, at the house!

So, pray for wisdom for me - that everything goes smoothly - and that this baby would come at God's perfect time!

37 weeks

Another appointment today...

* Dilated to about a 3.5.  She said the cervix is open more at the bottom (about a 4) than the top (3.5).
* Effaced the same - about 70%
* Baby is at a -1 station (so, starting to enter into the pelvic bone).  First thing Melody said to me when she saw me today was "You look lower!"  I hadn't really noticed...then I thought about it...maybe I have been walking a little bit differently...but nothing like feeling like I have a basketball between my legs, like some people describe it.  But, during the exam it was confirmed...it's definitely lower.
* Mucus plug is gone.  There was definitely some bloody show when they checked me today.  Apparently the mucus plug has a way of continuing to replenish itself...so you can continue to lose bits of it until you go into labor...welcome to my life - yeah...gross.
* I got my burst of energy (nesting) yesterday.  I started cleaning the entire house.  Vacuumed the entire house, did the dishes, did ALL of the laundry (about 6 loads) and it was all folded and put away before Neil got home, cleaned all 2.5 bathrooms, cooked, picked up clutter, did school-time with Bella, AND had time to spend with the Lord (which was difficult, because I didn't want to sit still!)  I think it was the most productive day I've had in my entire life!  And am I tired today? no!  First thing this morning, I decided to vacuum out the van (who does that?) and I've been cleaning windows, dusting, cleaning out the refrigerator, and trying to figure out what else I can do...sewing isn't active enough!
* Saw the pregnancy chiropractor again today.  She adjusted my hips and pelvic bone again.  She's been working on my lower back, because I've had some pain on the left side of my tailbone - apparently it's because the right side was off, so the I was feeling grinding on the left side.  Today I left feeling the best I have thus far - no pain at all on that left side!  yeah!  She also worked on my sinuses again, which makes me happy - it seems to really be helping.  The chiropractor warned me that because my body seems to be already gearing up for labor, that adjusting me could put me over the edge (aka get labor started).  So far nothing, other than some braxton-hicks and some sharp pelvic/cervical pains.  But you never know...
The kids also got adjustments again - and both of their pelvic bones were out of line on the same side as mine.  so weird.  She said that it was an indicator of stress - that the kids may be picking up on my stress or whatever - seeing the big change coming of a new baby.  So crazy. 

Anyway...so now we play the waiting game...and I'm trying to not go crazy in the meantime.

36 weeks (part 3)

Not trying to gross anyone out, but the mucus plug is officially gone.  Lost it this morning.  I called Melody (midwife) to ask about it -and she confirmed that it was indeed my mucus plug.  Gross.
I know this doesn't mean that labor is necessarily imminent.  Just like dilation, it could still be weeks.  But it tells us that my body is definitely getting ready for labor.

This is yet another way that this pregnancy is different than the last two.  I've never lost my plug before labor started.  So...dilating and effacing more...lost the plug...I'm seeing now that I really shouldn't have any expectations as far as how this labor is going to progress.
We'll see what happens...

36 weeks

I'll be 36 weeks TOMORROW!!  So crazy to think about.

We had our home-visit yesterday with our 2 midwives, Melody and Joni, and one of the new apprintices/assistant midwives, Sarah.  Pretty much they just did a walk-through of the house to get used to the layout, and see what resources we had available for the birth. 
* They confirmed that our bathtub would definitely be good enough to use for a waterbirth, if we so desired - just to make sure the bath and jets are cleaned out well with bleach-water, and to turn up the water heater when labor starts :)
* They instructed us on how to make our bed (when labor starts).  Good sheets on the bottom, a fitted vinyl sheet on top of that, then a set of sheets on top that we don't mind getting soiled.
* They saw that I had all my birthing supplies together in a Rubbermaid container - so we're good to go.

Then, we just spent some time talking about what our thoughts are about how we want the birth to go - our "birth plan" so to speak.  Of course, Neil and I are just so excited to be having this baby born at home, knowing how much more comfortable we'll be, that we don't really have a birth plan.  It's not like going to the hospital, and wanting to do things as natural as possible, and having to be a big-time advocate for that.  I don't have to have this long list of things I don't want (like not wanting an IV, not wanting monitors or asking for occassional monitoring, not wanting them to break my water, and no drugs - and Don't ask me!) or the things I do want (like holding the baby and feeding ASAP).  All of these things are just a given with a homebirth...so really, we're totally ok with just going with the flow...
ahhh....laboring in a nice warm bathtub (and birthing in there, if I so desire)....not being attatched to monitors or IVs...being able to move around and do whatever I want, in any position I want...being able to (and encouraged to) eat snacks and drink water throughout labor so I have some good energy for that workload...having contact with the baby right after birth, and feeding...having an herbal bath with my baby to help healing along, while the midwives and assistants gather up the soiled linens and put them in the wash for me...a home-cooked meal (either pre-made, frozen, and heated or made fresh by mom) ready to eat to replenish all that energy I used...I'm definitely looking forward to this one.

Then, I had my regular appointment, here, at the house.
* Somehow I lost about 2 lbs.  Not really sure how that happened.  I feel like I've been eating more the past week or so, and I've been getting the water and protein I need.  I would think my muscle mass should be long gone by now...  So, as of now, I've gained a total of 20 lbs. 
* Everything else looked good.  Urine was good, baby is measuring right on, and the heartbeat is going strong.  When Melody was checking the baby's positioning, her words were "Wow, that baby's low!" ha.  The head isn't engaged into the pelvic bone yet, but it's about as low as it can be without being engaged.  She also said that the baby seemed to be as far back as it could be  (toward my spine).  I suppose that may be one of the reasons I've been having a lot of back pain lately.  Melody also gave a rough estimate (based on feeling the baby's size) that she thinks the baby is right at about 5 lbs. right now.  I know it's a very rough estimate, but still neat.
* I did the GBS test.  I've been taking a pretty kickin' probiotic formula everyday for the past couple of weeks...I guess I'll find out this week what the results are, and if the probiotics helped at all.  I've tested positive while pregnant with both of the other kiddos.  But don't worry!  There is a non-IV way of treating GBS during labor.  So if I test positive, that doesn't mean I can't have a homebirth.  Actually, if I test positive, they may up my probiotics, and test me again in about 2 weeks to see if it's cleared up.

ok, so now the fun part - If you want to, now is your time to guess when this baby will be here!
Date, weight, length...and...boy or girl?
Due date is March 20.

Pics from a poud Popop, but I'll have to say I think he looks like Poppy.

2:15 pm - Nurse came in to check Pam and she was dialated to 8cm. Nurse went to get another nurse and call the Doctor in and when the nurse came back in Pam had rolled to her side to relieve some pressure and Balian's head was out, before the nurse could get a second glove on he was here:


2:22 pm
7lbs 5oz
20 1/2 inches long

Happy Birthday Balian!!!!

I will post pics as soon as I get them.

Well, they just broke her water and she is at 4cm dialated and 80% effaced. Position is still the same.

So Pam called just shortly after 7:30 am EST to give the first update:

all hooked up to monitors
3 cm Dialated
60% effaced
-2 position

Pam called again at 8 am:

started Pitocin at the lowest dose. She is hoping that is all she needs.

Inducing Today!!

It's about 5:45 am, and I'm anxiously waiting 15 more minutes before we leave for the hospital. I'm set to be induced at 6:30am.

Neil hasn't been feeling up to par the past couple of days, so pray that they don't kick him out of the delivery room!

All I know is that when I show up, they're going to get me hooked up to the monitors, etc... and eventually start giving me Pitocin.
I'm hoping for the lowest dosage possible...and hoping that's all I need. we'll see how stubborn this little one is...

My sister, Jessica, will be updating my blog throughout the day - even possibly posting Balian's first picture - so stay tuned!!

Doctor Update

so...this afternoon was a pretty interesting/stressful doctor's visit.

1. I'm 38 weeks and 3 days at this point.
2. no change...still 2 cm and 50% effaced.

3. Inducing Update: The earliest they can do it is next Tuesday, Sept. 15. Apparently, according to "Standard of Care" they can't do an induction even a day earlier than 39 weeks...then, the hospital has regulations that they can't do one on the weekend...and guess what? they're booked for Monday...so, that leaves us with Tuesday.
So...we'll see what happens between now and then.

4. The Good news: My doctor is on call this weekend, should I go into labor :)

5. Now, for the bad news: The flu and the swine flu have been pretty bad here. I already knew this, because Neil had told me about reported cases on base...and some of those have been on HIS BOAT! Anyway, because of this, and because of updated statistics that have shown that there have been infant, new mama, and pregnant mama deaths because of the craziness (they are some of the highest at-risk for mortality due to the flu/ swine flu).

what this means:
a. No children are allowed in the maternity ward (meaning, Bella can't come see her baby brother in the hospital)
b. I won't be able to have any visitors other than Neil, and MAYBE ONE other person.
c. they may release us after 24 hours, rather than the 48 that is usually governed by GA state law - so that the baby can be in a less risky environment.
d. they are suggesting limited people come to the house once released, and they don't want moms and babies to leave the house for 6 weeks! no walmart, no church, no nothing.
e. I need to get a flu shot.

Neil's main concern is the fact that there are cases on the boat. He's not really sure what to do about it.

so...
1. Pray for the labor to go smoothly, and that it happens in God's right timing - even if that right timing is Tuesday for an induction.
2. Pray for protection over Neil, myself, and our little one when he comes.

I know that God has us covered. I know that He is our Protector, our Shelter, our Refuge, and our Strength.
I feel like everyday I'm fighting more and more to not be anxious about anything, but I'm trying to give it to the Lord every time my thoughts are consumed by the "what ifs."
May He give us PEACE which passes every bit of our understanding.
I know He will. And I'm standing on those promises!

Hospital update

ok, so we took our first trip to the hospital...and got sent home! :(

About 12am, I woke up because I was hurting. After changing positions, and timing for a while, I called the doctor.
contractions were 5 min. apart, and position change didn't change anything. It was the same whether I was sitting, standing, or lying on my left side. I felt them low and in my back...and my pain level was at about a 5-6 at the height of the contractions. All the ingredients for labor, right?
Doc said to come in, especially given my risk for precipitous labor.
Once at the hospital, the contractions started getting worse. 2.5-3 minutes apart, and were getting harder too - definitely about a 6 in pain. I wouldn't give it any more than that though, because labor with Bella was insane as far as pain goes...and that's what I'm comparing it to.

the nurse checked me, and I was "definitely a 2" but I hadn't effaced any more since my appointment Tuesday. They didn't let me go right away, given the circumstances and risks, so we stayed there for an hour, and after no progression after that hour (even though contractions continued), they sent me home.

Yes, I'd rather be safe than sorry...I'd rather be at the hospital with contractions that aren't doing anything than be at home having a baby because I didn't make it in time...
It's still just frustrating though.
Hopefully, the next time we go to the hospital, it's the real deal.
Who knows when that will be...

update from Jessica (Pam's sister)

Dad received a call about 1am today (Friday, Aug 28th) that Neil was getting Pam admitted to the hospital...will update as we know something.