Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The Second Birth Story

OK, sister, I can take a hint.  I am glad that your friends liked my first birth story.  I love birth stories, too.  And, I can't wait for yours!  But, I will (wait)!  Love you.  Enjoy!

When I was pregnant with my second son, I saw the same midwife for all my prenatal care.  And, one day (after I told her I was quitting my job to stay at home), she asked me if I had any friends with babies.  Ummm...I said, I have one friend who is adopting a baby from Ethiopia and another who is planning a surrogate birth.  She said, "I know someone who gets together with other moms and kids for playdates and such, would you be interested in meeting her?  I can give her your phone number, if you like."  I said, "Sure!"

That was the best thing she could have done for my prenatal care.  The "someone" (my now very good friend) called me right away and left a message (and, I couldn't call her back for a couple of months because it was around that time that my dad had a stroke and I was overwhelmed with his care).  When I took the time to call, she still remembered me and invited pregnant me and my first son to their playdate.  I am so grateful that they liked me as much as I liked them!  Phew.

They even threw me a blessingway (an American Indian tradition that was super-special in every way).  They prepared me so much better for my second homebirth (the first one did not turn out at home!). 

And, so, I went into labor on Mother's Day...  We called our midwife and told her, "Happy Mother's Day! and, when can you come?"  She and her daughter (her assistant) came in the evening.  My sister came at some point that night to stay with my oldest (he was up very late, watching videos and checking on me all the time...very concerned).  I told him I was going to be just fine.  I had my candle lit (and, I felt the strength of all my friends combined).  I had my bracelet that my friends (and sister) created with all the beads that held special meanings (and secret powers.  kidding.  just kidding).  I felt able.  I felt capable.  I felt ready.  My midwife and her daughter were taking turns napping (had that much time gone by?)

I was calm; but, I had a lot of back pain again; so, my husband and my midwife were trying to make me comfortable with massage.  I was mostly on all fours.

Soon after my son went to sleep, I felt the "transition" and it was getting much harder to be comfortable anywhere.  I asked to go in the bed first.  Nope, not quite.  Very uncomfortable.  Very intense.

I asked if I could try getting into the bath.  As soon as I got into the bath, I told my now very tired husband (who probably could have used some coffee) that "it was time".  He was confused.  I told him to call Bernice (my midwife).  lol (but, not at the time), he was still confused.  I yelled, "Bernice!"  She came right away and after a few pushes, she and Helio delivered my second son in our bathtub.  He was sleeping when he came out and his ears were folded down (I said, "oh, his ears, I folded his ears").  He stole my (now triple) heart and never gave it back.  Love grows.  And, grows.  And grows.  I love my beautiful family.  And, I adored this birth.  Makes me want to do it again...

Friday, May 3, 2013

28 weeks...a week ago.






...and this is my belly compared to a 3 ft. balloon. Little Caterpillar should be weighing in at 2 1/2 lbs and is about half the length of that balloon.

Swimming is perhaps the most wonderful, liberating thing a pregnant woman can do. You feel weightless. You feel at peace...and then you step out of the water and it feels like you have cement blocks tied to your legs.

Again...people are so kind. I told Jon that I should be pregnant more often, if only for this single reason.

I've been trying to avoid buying maternity clothes. I love me some new clothes...but I'd like to be able to wear them when I'm NOT pregnant. My favorite maternity lines thus far are Topshop and Gap (for the essentials, such as jeans and tees)


I went with Jon to Milwaukee this week. It was really nice to be able to have dinner with him and spend a little time together. On Monday night, he took me to a gastropub in the third ward, Hinterland...it was so so good. It felt as if I was eating inside of a Restoration Hardware. Everything was very clean and grand and simple and beautiful, including the food.

I didn't venture far from the hotel. I read. (Bringing Up Bébé is brilliant, by the way) I swam. I watched HGTV. We don't have cable, so it's kind of a treat. And most importantly, I spent my nights with my husband.

I did walk around town on Tuesday...probably a good 4 miles, but I got blisters all over my feet. It was 80 degrees and I was wearing leather loafers...that's when I realized I was maybe due for a new pair of sneakers...ones that weren't my running shoes. So, I got these lovelies and they are super comfy! If they weren't so darned expensive, I would get them in more colors.





I really enjoyed my time in Milwaukee, but I am so happy to be home. Chicago is and always will be home to me.