LENA'S HOME BIRTH STORY

 

I know there are at least a few people who think I'm kinda crazy for having a home birth.  I know this because people told me I was crazy for having a natural birth with Violet.  To be fair though, I did tell people that I was bringing a hot-plate to the hospital so I could cook up my placenta afterwards and never mentioned I was joking.

It wasn't until we moved to Texas that I even considered having a home birth.  Our home in Louisiana was just a little too far from a hospital to feel comfortable about giving birth at our house, but our new home is less than 5 minutes away, so I decided to start researching the possibility.  It really didn't take much convincing though, because I hate hospitals.  There were a few months during my pregnancy where I was under the care of a high-risk OB because of a low-lying placenta and I feared that not only would I have to deliver in a hospital, but I might need to be induced, or worse have a c-section.  Thankfully though, my placenta moved to where it needed to go and I was cleared for a home birth.  Hooray!

Two weeks before my due date, I got a call from my midwife.  She needed some unexpected surgery and wouldn't be able to deliver my baby.  Had this been my first pregnancy, this is probably where I would have freaked out.  Being my second though, I really didn't care who delivered my baby, as long as they knew what they were doing. 

A week before my due date, I woke up around 1:00 a.m. with mild contractions that felt like menstrual cramps.  The day before, I had my 39 week appointment and we were trying to guesstimate when I might go into labor because my in-laws were coming in town in a few days to help with Violet.  I was only dilated 1 cm and my midwife said, "Well, I don't think you'll go into labor tonight or even tomorrow."  That's called irony, folks.

I tried to sleep through contractions until I went into active labor, which was about five hours later.  Contractions during this time felt stronger, longer, and more painful, but definitely bearable.  One thing I learned during my labor with Violet was the more you tense up during contractions, the longer labor will last.  When the contractions got to the point where I needed to brace myself, I tried to calmly breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth until it had passed.

At 6:00 a.m., I called my midwife, or rather my back-up midwife, and let her know it was game time. Also at this time, Jon started getting the inflatable birthing pool ready.  It took about five minutes to inflate.  While it was inflating, Jon removed the shower head and connected a long hose to it that fed the water into the pool.  In total, it took a little over an hour to fill the birthing pool.  Jon also laid down some plastic sheets on the floor and a canvas drop-cloth on the bed to protect it from water and possibly blood.

At about 7:30 a.m., I was finally able to get into the birthing pool.  I'm not sure why, but it just feels more comfortable to be in labor in warm water, so it was a relief to finally get in.  I knew that I had about two hours until Violet would be waking up, and since there was no way Jon's mom would make it in time, I felt an urgency to deliver before she woke up.

At about 8:30 a.m., I started to go into the transition phase of labor.  Contractions were long, intense and definitely painful (though not as painful as I remembered them being with Violet), with about a minute's break between them.  While I tried to find a comfortable position to labor in, my midwife told me that if I could bear it, kneeling in a lunge position would speed things up.  This position was definitely more painful.  I could feel Lena squirming and it caused some intense pressure in my pelvic region.  My midwife showed Jon how he could help relieve some of this pain by hold my hips with an inward pressure while I rocked side-to-side slightly as I went into a contraction.  Despite the intensity of this position, I chose to be in it because I knew I couldn't delay the inevitable.  I've been through a 12 hour labor before, and if I could do anything to speed things up this time, I was all for it.  I'd say that this part of labor was the most painful.  In fact, I may have dropped the f-bomb a few times.

At 9:29 a.m., after eight hours of labor, I began pushing.  I don't really remember much about this time because it all happened so quickly.  As Lena was crowning, my midwife asked if I wanted to feel her head.  I said no, because I wanted to just get this over with.  As Lena's head was coming out, my midwife told me to try to push very gently, allowing my contraction to push her out, which prevents tearing.  Once her head was born, my midwife told me to give one more big push for her body.  I remember thinking, "This is going to hurt," and I pushed with every ounce of energy left in me.  After only six minutes of pushing, Lena Rose emerged, and I reached down and pulled her onto my chest.

 

During this pregnancy, one of my biggest concerns was what to do with Violet when I went into labor.  We'd recently moved to Texas and our closest family was six hours away.  We had friends who could help with Violet if there was an emergency, but at the time Violet seemed to be going through separation anxiety.  I was really worried about how traumatic it could be for her if she had to go with people she didn't really know well.  I tried to put these worries at the back of my mind though, and just pray for the best.  And really, things could not have happened more perfectly.  I went into labor in the middle of the night while Violet was sleeping and literally while I was pushing, she woke up and I could hear her singing her ABC's.  I'm so thankful things went so smoothly, but I'm mostly thankful to be able to have given birth in my own home, in my own room, while my daughter slept soundly in hers.

P.S.  I always get excited when I hear someone wants to have a natural birth, so if anyone has any questions, feel free to comment or e-mail!

MISS LENA ROSE

Miss Lena Rose arrived a week ahead of schedule.  She was born at home on Wednesday, November 18th at 9:27 a.m. weighing 6 pounds, 9.5 ounces, 20 inches long, and she is just perfect with all ten fingers and ten toes.

Violet has been a pretty super big sister.  She calls Lena "Nee-na" or just refers to her as "Baby".  She is very gentle when she holds her, gives her sweet kisses, and tries to rock her when she's in her Rock 'n Play.  Most of the time though, she's off doing her own thing, trying to get away with way more mischief than before.

 

As for me, I've just been trying to adjust to much less sleep, which sometimes feels kind of like I'm collapsing into myself like a dying star.  So until my girls are teenagers and sleeping in, I just gotta drink some coffee and say kumbaya.

36 WEEK BUMP

How far along: 36 weeks

Due: Thanksgiving 2015

Gender: Don't know, won't know.  

Weight gain: about 35 pounds...good thing I don't have much more time left!

Bellybutton in or out: What bellybutton?

Sleep: Bleh.  My hips have been super sore in the evening and early morning.    

Movement: Big belly-moving shifts that feel pretty uncomfortable for me.  Poor baby must be getting cramped in there.  

Cravings: Macintosh apples
Food aversion: Red beans and rice.  I can't.  I just can't.  I got sick after eating it during my second trimester and didn't realize I had such an aversion to it until I made it again the other day for Jon's work.  It was so bad, I had to wear gloves.    

Feeling: Physically, I don't feel much different than I did three weeks ago.  Mentally though, I feel like I have a math exam coming up that I haven't been studying for.  It's coming!

Fun fact: Baby Polk weighs a little over 5 1/2 pounds and is about the size of a head of romaine lettuce!

Birth plan update:   I met with my high-risk doctor last week and he said my placenta moved where it needed to be, so I'm cleared for a home birth!  And a couple of days ago, my midwife came for our home visit to go over the details of what to expect and how to prepare.  I'll share more on that in a few days.  

Violet update:  Violet turned TWO!  And she's getting her two-year molars right on time!  So, that's awesome.  

33 WEEK BUMP

How far along: 33 weeks

Due: Thanksgiving 2015

Gender: Don't know, won't know.  

Weight gain: about 30 lbs...my midwife says, "maybe it's genetic," and I just nod my head and pretend it's not the chocolate milk. 

Belly button in or out: Just flat

Sleep: Not great.  It's probably just the universe preparing me for the months of sleepless nights ahead.    

Movement: Lots of dancing on my bladder.  All day.  Every day. 

Cravings: Macintosh apples, chicken pot pies, chocolate milk.
Food aversion: None that I can think of.  

Feeling: Large and not in charge.  Besides the throat burning acid reflux, I've been having sciatica nerve pain that could make a grown man week at the knees.  

Fun fact: Baby Polk weighs over 4 pounds and is the size of a pineapple.  And BabyCenter says our baby no longer looks like a "winkled alien," so that's a plus!

Birth plan update:   I go in for another ultrasound next week to check out what's going on with my placenta.  

HOW TO CURE ITCHINESS DURING PREGNANCY

Several weeks ago, my belly started itching.  I didn't have a rash and my skin wasn't really stretched yet, so it wasn't just a normal itchy pregnant belly (if there is such a thing).  This was crazy itchy.  I couldn't stop itching.  Scratching was not offering relief.  I couldn't sleep for two days.  Two days of no sleep + itchy, itchy, itchy skin + wild toddler = slightly crazy mom.  On the second night of no sleep, I found myself googling my situation and realized it might actually be my liver causing this insane itchiness.  So, after waiting until a more respectable hour, I texted my midwife.  She sent me a magical recipe for a liver detox that changed. my. life.

Ingredients:

2 cups of white grape juice

2 cups of apple juice

2 cups of cranberry juice

1/4 cup of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar with the 'Mother'

Make sure and use juice with NO ADDED SUGAR.

Directions:

1.  Mix ingredients together.

2.  Take 2-3 tablespoons every 3 hours, for a minimum of 4 times a day (ideally with meals).

Within a couple of days, the itchiness was completely gone.  Shut the front door!  After a couple of weeks, I stopped taking the detox.  If I noticed any itching starting up again, I resumed taking 3 tablespoons and it would again, quickly disappear.

I wanted to share this because a lot of pregnant women are prescribed medications, which always carry a risk.  Some women are even induced because the itchiness is so bad, which I totally get.  I probably would have started pulling my hair out if I had to go another night without sleep!

Hopefully this helps some other poor, itchy mamas out there desperate for relief!

Disclaimer:  This is not medical advice, just my personal experience.  You should still consult with your doctor or midwife about any pregnancy concerns.  

29 WEEK BUMP

ASOS Skater Dress in Leopard Print

How far along: 29 weeks

Due: Thanksgiving 2015

Gender: Don't know, won't know.  

Weight gain: about 25 lb.

Belly button in or out: Just flat

Sleep: Meh.  It definitely would be better if I wasn't waking up constantly to pee.  

Movement: Lots of partying is going on from bedtime until the early morning hours.  Hopefully this changes when the baby's born.   

Cravings: Pears.  I love pears.  And honey mustard, which is totally new because I've never been a fan.
Food aversion: None that I can think of.  

Feeling: Pretty good!

Fun fact: Baby Polk weighs a little over 3 pounds and is the size of a butternut squash!

Birth plan update: A couple of months ago I started having some spotting, which was nerve-racking, to say the least.  Though I'm still seeing my midwife regularly, I've also met with a high-risk OB (one who's natural birth friendly) to monitor things.  Turns out my placenta is low, but the good news is 90-95% of the time it moves where it's supposed to as the uterus grows.  If it moves where it's supposed to, I'm good to go with the home birth.  If it doesn't move, it's a total game changer.  I'll have to have a hospital birth, possibly even a C-section.  We'll know more in about a month, so in the meantime, prayers are appreciated.  

Violet update: Ever since Violet started talking a lot more, she hasn't been napping.  This is week three of mutiny no naps.  

Naps used to look like this----I'd lay her down and say, "I love you.  Night, night," and Violet would say, "Nigh, nighhhhhh," then fall asleep within about 15 minutes.  

Here's what naps look like now----I'll lay her down and say, "I love you.  Night, night," and Violet says, "Nigh, nighhhhh," then after about 3 minutes, she'll escape out of her sleep sack and and jump up ad down in her crib singing "Twinkle, Twinkle" or to her "Cinco, Cinco" for like an hour until she wants out and starts yelling, "Maaaammmmaaaaaa!"  

I've reached out to some other moms and it seems my chances are about 50/50 that she'll resume her naps.  I'm not really likin' those odds.   

27 WEEK BUMP

How far along: 27 weeks---the last week of my second trimester!
Due: Thanksgiving 2015

Gender: Don't know, won't know.  

Weight gain: ...like almost 25 lbs (insert wide-eyed emoji) which leads me to believe my scale was wrong last time and that I must have a 20 pound baby in my belly

Belly button in or out: Not really in or out---more like it's flush with the rest of my stomach

Sleep: You know, not so great.  It could be our super uncomfortable prison mattress.  Jon and I recently ordered a new mattress and I'm pretty psyched about it.  

Movement: There's been a lot of kicking on my right side.   

Cravings: Strawberry kefir and cottage cheese have been pretty tasty lately.
Food aversion: I don't really have any aversions at the moment.  When I was pregnant with Violet, and for like a year after, there were a bunch of foods I couldn't even say without shuddering.     

Feeling: Pretty great most of the time.  I get some lower back pains occasionally and some unpleasant reflux at night sometimes.  Nothing really compares to how horrible I felt during my first trimester with Violet though, so all this stuff is just a walk in the park.  

Fun fact: Baby Polk weighs about 2 pounds and is about as long a head of cauliflower! 

24 WEEK BUMP

How far along: 24 weeks
Due: Thanksgiving 2015

Gender: Don't know, won't know.  

Weight gain: about 15 lbs 

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: Sleep is good!  

Movement: Baby does a lot of late night dancing!    

Cravings: My weakness is definitely sweets.  I can hear the mint chocolate chip ice cream (or "eye pea" as Violet says) in my freezer calling my name right now.
Food aversion: Ugh.  Sweet tea.  Sweet tea used to be my meth.  I could not say no.  However, it doesn't taste quite as good coming up as it does going down.  So, I think sweet tea and I are gonna take a little break.  

Feeling: 98% of the time I feel totally normal---minus the alien movement going on inside my belly.  The other 2% of the time I am having random nausea/throwing up and sciatic nerve pains shooting down into my hip. 

Fun fact: Baby Polk weighs more than a pound and is about as long as an ear of corn! 

Other news: We finally had an ultrasound done a couple of weeks ago.  Only Baby Polk knows his or her gender.  He or she was sitting up and even the ultrasound technician wasn't able to see.  It was so exciting to see the baby's fingers moving around and little baby feet kicking.  Sweet Violet wasn't too keen on what was going on though and was pushing the ultrasound tech's hand away!

20 WEEK BUMP

How far along: 20 weeks---We're halfway there!  (Holy crap.)
Due: Thanksgiving 2015

Gender: Don't know, won't know.  

Weight gain: about 12 lbs 

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: We're all finally recovered from sinus infections/colds, which means Violet is sleeping through the night again, which means I'm sleeping more than 4 consecutive hours at a time!  Wahoo!  

Movement: I can feel the baby moving around daily.  

Cravings: I am having a serious sweet tooth---specifically pumpkin flavored foods.  This week alone I've purchased pumpkin waffles and a pumpkin pie.  I would have also gotten some pumpkin snaps that appealed to my pregnant heart, but I already purchased a pie that day...and some cookies...and some chocolate peanut butter cups.
Food aversion: None.  Pretty much all food is appealing.  

Feeling: I think this is the part where I get to eat my words, and then throw them up.  Earlier in the week I was having some morning sickness again.  What the eff.  Thankfully it only lasted a few days.  Girl, bye.

Fun fact: Baby Polk is the size of a banana and is producing meconium!  If you don't know what meconium is, consider yourself lucky.  

Other news: We met with our new midwife this week.  Our home is less than 5 minutes from the closest hospital, so, assuming my pregnancy continues to be a healthy one, the plan is to have a home birth.  I'll share more as the pregnancy progresses.  

OUR MOVE TO TEXAS & 19 WEEK BUMP

Well, we moved to Texas two and a half weeks ago.  It has been a seriously hectic month.  We're finally getting settled (sorta----boxes are still everywhere).  Nothing is toddler proofed so we have giant boxes barricading the fireplace and stairs.  And it's literally taken two weeks to get internet set up.  (I just want to take this brief moment to say Comcast SUUUUCCCKKKKSSSS.  Okay, done.)

Here's what I've learned so far about the land of Texas:

1. Stars are to Texas what fleur de lis are to Louisiana.
2. I need GPS.  I've gotten lost practically every time I've gone anywhere.
3. Food's cheaper.  Prrretttyyy exciting, especially since I'm eating for two.
4. The cowboy boots and hat thing are a total stereotype.

There's a lot we have to do around the house to make this place a home.  We've got a lot of painting to do---we have to un-brown the house.  Practically every room is painted brown.  We want to update the fixtures and hang some photos and artwork.  Simple enough, right?  (Right????)

19 WEEKS BUMP

ASOS Maternity Leopard Top 

How far along: 19 weeks
Due: Thanksgiving 2015

Gender: Don't know, won't know.   

Weight gain: about 10 lbs 

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: Meh.  I can no longer sleep on my stomach and can't seem to get comfortable at night.  I used a Snoogle pillow when pregnant with Violet, but it's just not getting the job done this time around.  

Movement: Big kicks!  Even Jon's been able to feel the baby moving around. 

Cravings: Whole milk (We're up to 3 gallons a week between Violet and me.)
Food aversion: Not really an aversion, but I've noticed tomato-y foods are giving me acid reflux. 

Feeling: Honestly, besides weeks 6 through 11 where I wanted to curl up in the shower and die, this pregnancy has been a breeze compared to the my apocalyptic pregnancy with Violet.
Fun fact: Baby Polk is the size of an heirloom tomato.  Baby can hear our voices and is growing hair!

15 WEEKS

 

How far along: 15 weeks
Due: Thanksgiving 2015

Gender: Don't know, won't know.   

Weight gain: about 7 lbs

Maternity clothes: I'm living in maternity leggings.  I want to wear them forever.  

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: Pretty good

Movement: No major kicking, just the occasional flutter.  

Cravings: Whole milk & pickles (typical, huh?)
Food aversion: Not really grossed out by anything anymore.  

Feeling: Pretty good.  Still getting a couple of annoying headaches every so often.
Fun fact: Baby Polk is the size of an apple.  Baby is able to move all his/her joints and limbs!

Violet Update: Well it took a few days of trial and error, but I finally figured out Violet's nap cannot be longer than one hour or things go from pudding to poop real quick.

POLK, PARTY OF FOUR!

We are SUPER excited to announce that Violet is going to be a big sister!

How far along: 14 weeks
Due: Thanksgiving 2015

Gender: Don't know, won't know.   

Weight gain: about 5 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes, I started breaking out those bad boys around 6 weeks.  

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: Pretty good

Movement: I've felt some flutters these past couple of weeks.

Cravings: Whole milk (!!!!!....like I drink a half a gallon a day.), sardines on saltine crackers, and spring salad with sun dried tomatoes, feta, croutons, and Greek vinaigrette.  I'm hoping all the super foods I've been eating this week will cancel out all the Oreos I inhaled ate a few weeks ago.
Food aversion: I am not feeling cilantro.  Stay away.

Feeling: I feel pretty tired by the end of the day.  Besides the occasional headache (thanks hormones), I've been free of all the other icky pregnant side effects these past few weeks.
Fun fact: Baby Polk is the size of a lemon.  Baby is now squinting, peeing, and maybe even sucking his/her thumb!

Violet Update: We told Violet I was pregnant several weeks ago.  Obviously she doesn't grasp how much this is going to rock her world yet, but she sometimes pokes my belly and said, "baby."  We've been trying to figure out a better sleep schedule for her because it's obvious she still needs a nap, but if it's too long, she takes forever to go to bed.  Hopefully we'll have all this hashed out very soon because me.need.sleep.