AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Baby Doogal DATE: 7/07/2007 09:04:00 PM ----- BODY:

With the reassuring swish swish nightly, I have found myself actually thinking about what kind of birth would be best for the Little Bird. How is this Bird going to hatch?

Guy feels strongly that it should happen in a hospital, so at least that much is settled. Beyond that though, there seem to be so many decisions to make. So much information. And so many opportunities to doubt myself.

I've bought a book. One book. It's about natural childbirth. I haven't started reading it yet.

I've contacted a doula. A few doulas. One that I like as much as you can like a person through their emails. I haven't met with her yet.

There is plenty of time. Of course, when I look back in January and review my archives, I will laugh at that statement I'm sure. There is plenty of time.

I have a sneaking suspicion that yoga is going to take a strong role in labor and delivery. This comforts me as it took a strong role in my healing this year too. The suggestion to try yoga came from my friend Girl.

Speaking of Girl the Great, on July 5, at 11:29 PM, Girl gave birth to Doogal. He is beautiful little boy. He is my July baby, and I cannot wait to watch him grow up.

You see, back in January, there was a mom, a pregnant mom, who was not scared to reach out to me. She didn't worry that she would say the wrong thing. She didn't worry that she wouldn't know what to say. She warned me that she was crazy, and I said that crazy didn't scare me. She isn't, by the way. I wanted Doogal to be the baby I would wait for in July. She welcomed me along for the ride and has been a wonderful friend ever since.

So it is with a very full heart that I welcome little Doogal. A healthy, happy, July baby boy. Thank you for sharing, Girl.

Now, can you teach me how to give birth?

Labels: Baby Lust, Blogging Babes, Friends, Try Try Again, Warm Fuzzies

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

MB DATE:Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 10:15:00 PM EDT Lots of people will tell you lots of stories about their labors. Some will scare you. All I will say is I had no idea that I would enjoy that day so much. Not just when the baby was finally here, but the actual process.

Find people that support you, especially a caring OB or midwife, and I hope you too will be pleasantly surprised. I would do it all over again tomorrow (if I could somehow skip the 9 months of constant vomitting leading up to it.) Good luck to you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

MB DATE:Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 10:16:00 PM EDT PS Also - stand up for what you want and how you want your labor to proceed. (A doula can help.) Don't let yourself be bullied into anything just because it's easier on someone else. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

katy DATE:Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 11:43:00 AM EDT I agree with mb in that you have to stand up for what you want and make them at least let you try the way you want to. You also have to be prepared to listen to a doctor and change your plans if he/she thinks it is in the best interest of the baby.
I was in my early 20's when I had both of my children and I just did whatever doctors and nurses told me to because I was young and unprepared. During my first labor I let them make me go through labor for 22 hours even though my doctor told me I would probably have to have a c-section. I knew after 10 or 12 hours that my doctor, who was out of town, was right but no one would listen to me. We almost had a tragedy but thankfully the doctor called a team from PICU to be ready when they got my son out and he was ok after they spent a few minutes working on him. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Mamma DATE:Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 12:41:00 PM EDT I agree with mb. Stand up for what you want, but be prepared to change your plan.

I was particularly fond of Dr. Sears Birthing Book. I felt that it provided a discussion of the full spectrum of options so you could be prepared for anything.

The hospital will want to hook you up to monitors and such when you first get in, but you don't have to.

Most importantly remember there are no merit badges for birth. Whatever works best for you and the baby is the best.

Besides, you'll be so ready to meet that kiddo that you won't care if they pull it out of your nose with a chain and a pick-up truck. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Tiffany DATE:Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 1:26:00 PM EDT I'm very excited for you! A natural birth is a scary thing for myself personally, but I have so many friends who have done that and have had such great experiences!

I have zero advice to give you but lots and lots of support no matter which road you decide to take. Can't wait to follow your journey! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Lindsay DATE:Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 3:12:00 PM EDT It's funny that you talked about this. Just the other day I had the thought, that if this pregnancy continues..the baby is going to have to come out some way. I never really considered that part before. I think about the baby. And cribs. And college tuition. Will I breastfeed? But never, ever..did I once think about how. it's. going. to. get. out. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

WhyMommy DATE:Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 3:28:00 PM EDT It will happen. It will be fine. You will read, and think, and write about your options, and maybe even prepare a birth plan (don't panic, but I'm sure you've seen them on BabyCenter), and then... the baby will have her own ideas about how she wants to be birthed, and maybe there will only be one way to get her out when the time comes. And that's okay too.

My first came after 30 hours of labor -- 24+ unmedicated -- and it was a hard birth. Scary and all that. My second was induced, with all the interventions, and it was a pleasant, happy day.

You really can't predict what will happen.

But learning about your options and choosing your ideal situation will empower you and make you ready to tackle this new and wonderful experience, and come out the other side just fine.

I was so happy to see Baby Doogal's arrival this week too. I know he will be loved. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

girl DATE:Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 10:14:00 PM EDT I can't even gather words. Thank you. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Anth DATE:Monday, July 9, 2007 at 12:47:00 AM EDT I heard that yoga is really helpful for natural childbirth. My friend used it to prep for her second, natural labor (her first being drug-assisted). Me, I went for an epidural. Because the pain was kicking my butt and it was only going to get worse.

Lots of people will tell you to do it the way they did. Ignore them. One thing I've learned is every woman feels labor differently so you just have to do what feels right for you and screw anyone who tells you otherwise. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

FENICLE DATE:Monday, July 9, 2007 at 2:34:00 PM EDT The best birth for me was very drug induced!!!!!

You do what you feel is right for you! ----- --------