We did it! Gideon and I took our first flight and I'm happy to report almost everything went well. Watch my video and see what I learned about flying with a newborn. Read more...
Note: The safest way for babies to travel on an airplane is in a car seat, strapped to the plane seat belt (just as you would in your car). Of course, to do this, you'll have to buy your baby a ticket but some airlines will offer you a discount on that seat.
Guest post by Kristen Mucci Who knew? For those of you thinking of a natural birth, either at home or at a birthing center, you might be interested in this fascinating film. As a childbirth educator in training, I had the pleasure of attending the New York premier last night and was quite surprised at the documentary-style stories. The film is really about the sensual, intimate nature of birth and how it can be reframed from the way it is often viewed today. Christiane Northrup, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist and New York Times best-selling author explains that on TV shows women come screaming into the ER as if having a baby is a big disaster, and that image stays with viewers. Orgasmic birth depicts a variety of different couples experiencing a birth that is pleasurable, and for a few, even orgasmic. Read more...
Ina May Gaskin, MA, CPM, well-known and respected certified professional midwife and author polled 151 women with varying birth environments (hospitals, birthing centers, home births) and found that a surprising 21 percent actually experienced an orgasm at some point in labor and birth. Northrup says, "It makes neurological sense," explaining that the same pathos are involved in birthing a baby as are in making a baby. So for those of you who have experienced this, don't worry, it's completely normal. And for the rest of you, I know, you think it sounds crazy, I did too-that is until I saw this film.
This Friday evening I'm flying from NYC to Ft. Lauderdale to introduce my sweet Gideon to my oldest brother, my sister-in-law, and my two nieces. I'm so excited to see them and for them to meet my little guy but I'm really nervous about flying alone with a newborn. What are my biggest fears? I have more than a few.
Not being allowed to bring formula through security, being given a hard time (or nasty looks) if/when I breastfeed him during the flight, managing all our baggage, soothing him through a potential meltdown... the list goes on and on... Read more... Got any advice for me? Any stories to share? Help!
Two weeks before my due date I got a pedicure and, before I left for the hospital, I took 20 minutes to wash and blow dry my hair - yes, during contractions! Was it vanity? Or was I making an effort to look and feel my best for the most important day of my life? Read more...
I prefer to think I was focusing on the importance of the day and not the inevitable photos but, if I'm honest with myself (and you, dear reader), I'm not so sure...
Am I alone? Has anyone else primped before pushing?
For two weeks before I delivered, I kept thinking my water broke. I called every Mom I know to ask if my water could break and I not know it. I was really nervous I wouldn't realize it and fearful I would continue to go about my business endangering my baby and myself. Statistically speaking, about half of pregnant women have their water break before going to the hospital, but only two of my friends had that experience. Everyone else (myself included) had their water broken by their OB in the hospital. Read more... I've been told it can feel like you've sprung a small leak and that it trickles between your legs as if you were tinkling. My experience was more like a big water balloon popping. Water gushed out of me. It was warm, it was wet, it was weird... and messy. The good news is that it is doesn't hurt at all.
Unfortunately, Meconium was present so I was told I couldn't immediately hold the baby after delivery - something I decided long ago I wanted to do. He would instead be taken away, aspirated, checked over, and then placed on my chest. This stressed me out because everything I had read said to immediately have skin-to-skin contact while leaving the umbilical cord attached. Sigh. Looking back on it now, it was not a big deal and I was/am relieved the medical team was there to take care of him. Was our future bonding affected? I don't think so.
Don't worry, you'll know when your water breaks and, when it does, it's time to call your doctor, prepare to go to the hospital, and get excited because you're about to have your baby!
Giving birth was truly a life-changing experience. Don't hate me but I had a pretty easy delivery. Labor began Saturday night around 10PM, and thanks to my childbirth classes, I knew I had lots of time before the big event. I stuck it out at home as long as I could and we left for the hospital at 6AM the next day. I knew my labor was real but I couldn't help but worry they would determine I wasn't ready and send me home. Fortunately, I was already 6cm dilated (yippee!) and they began to prepare my room. I called my Mom and told her to get on the next flight and my DH called everyone else in the family. Read more...
After they attached monitors to my belly and chest we were able to monitor the baby's heart rate and oxygen levels and my contractions. I watched those monitors even closer than I've watched the season finales of my favorite TV show, Project Runway. I was totally captivated.
I was asked several times if I wanted an epidural. I had assumed all along I would but now I wasn't so sure. Around 1PM I confessed the main reason I didn't want the epidural was because I didn't want to be immobilized from the waist down. When they explained we could start with a low dose, I decided it was the right thing to do.
The anesthesiologist was wonderful. She so deftly administered the epidural I barely felt a thing. I was still able to move my legs and feel the contractions, which made me feel more in control and aware of what was going on within me. It was such a relief. I am now officially a huge fan of the epidural.
By 3:50PM my doctor told me it was time to push. I don't think I've ever been more scared. Secretly I had been hoping they would tell me I needed a C-Section so I wouldn't have to deliver vaginally. Crazy, I know, but during a C-Section it would be entirely up to the highly trained doctors to ensure my baby's safe arrival. I worried that if any of the important work was left to me, I wouldn't be able to push hard enough or I would panic or freeze out of fear.
Terrified I asked them to move the large mirror from the corner so that I might be able to watch the delivery. I wasn't sure I would want to look but I knew I wanted the option. Best decision ever.
After a few "test pushes" I looked in the mirror and was amazed. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw: My baby boy was already crowning! My doctor smiled and told me it wouldn't be long before he was in my arms. I started to cry. I was so excited, so scared and so in love with everyone around me.
My OB instructed me to push as hard as I could for a count of ten and relax. 1 one hundred, 2 one hundred, 3 one hundred, 4 one hundred, 5 one hundred, 6 one hundred, 7 one hundred, 8 one hundred, 9 one hundred, 10. Relax. I bore down and pushed like I never knew I could. It was really difficult but, knowing he was so close, made it strangely effortless. Within 21 minutes he was born. It seemed as though he flew out and landed in my OB's arms. My Mom and Paula (who had front row seats of the action below) say it wasn't nearly as quick as I think, but I suppose we all experienced the moment differently.
I've never been particularly Mother Earthy but I finally understand why people have called childbirth a miracle. It was truly miraculous.
As I write this, my little man is snoozing away. When I look at him today, all I feel is joy and unimaginable, unconditional love. The first six weeks? Not so much... More on that later.
