So thankful during labor for:
- Hubby, who knows and reads me better than anyone else in the world. After so many labors, I hardly have to ask for anything. He seems to know instinctively when I need a back rub, when I need a gentle hand or an encouraging word, and when I just need some privacy.
- Liquid calcium, still my drug of choice for labor pains and after pains.
- Birthing pool, filled to the brim with very warm water. The deck ended up being a great place, as we didn’t have to think twice about spilling and sloshing. As the water cooled, we just turned on the hose (hooked up to the hot washer valve in the house) and let it overflow, slowly heating the water.
- The shade that Hubby set up, using stepladders and a blanket.
- My frozen frapuccinos to sip – they sit so nicely in a nervous, laboring tummy!
- The fact that the computer was right between the pool and the bathroom. This certainly made blogging easier!
- A beautiful south Texas day. Warm and dry, but not blistering hot – perfect for an outdoor delivery.
Wish I had thought of:
- A tennis ball for massaging that same spot in my back that (as Hubby reminded me) has plagued me with every labor.
- Something to sit on in the pool during the actual delivery. The cushioned bottom was comfy for laboring, but a low underwater stool of some sort might have been more practical for pushing and delivery.
- More practical pool attire. I wore a short gown of cotton/polyester. This worked, but a lighter fabric would have held far less water. Mom joked that I should wear a negligee next time.
- A birthing ball. The more I think about this, the better it sounds. There were several times during labor when it seemed like the perfect idea. I want to remember to have one on hand next time around.
- The acoustics of our hilly neighborhood. Sound can sometimes carry in amazing ways here. I wonder how many neighbors heard me yelling during the last moments of delivery? And how many of them didn’t assume it was just our girls playing loud girly games? Gulp.
Related posts:
1. Why wear clothes at all while birthing? or 2. why not just a simple black nursing bra from Bravada?
What a magical day! A son! I so enjoyed checking back periodically, thanks for being so thoughtful to post updates for everyone.
Congrats Kim and Perry and Big Sisters!!
I’m so excited for you! I KNOW full well all the comments you’ll get for having a wee boy! BECAUSE…I have seven sisters and ONE brother!
Congratulations! And also thanks for the ideas to make labour easier, since I’m expecting my second child and it will be my first home birth… And good luck with all your kids!
Wow! And I read again… That was a lenghty labour! Is it always this way for you? If so, it makes you even braver to go through it so many times!
Congratulations Kim! What a blessing to have your first son. He is just precious and I really get a kick out of reading your blog!
Smocklady,
I know many ladies do (esp. with water births) but I just wasn’t comfortable with that. The short gown covered the basics while leaving things easily accessible.
Yofed,
My labors are usually shorter and steadier, but this really wasn’t bad. It was long and slow and easy, with only a few hours of real discomfort. There were probably only 15-20 contractions that *really* hurt.
i have called my son The Boy since he was born. he has two older sisters. i laughed when i saw you had written that.
CONGRATS on your BOY!!! We are expecting our 5th boy in August. We have one girl, who is the oldest, so she is THE GIRL around here.
I was joking with some friends tonight that I need to blog live when I am in labor! It’s funny that I read your post when I got home.
Enjoy these newborn days!
Have a blessed day! Tami
When we had Guenna, I ended up using the birthing ball to sit next to Jenni and hold her hand, that way I could streach my back and still have hand in the same place. Jenni wants me right by her side during labor.
Kim, I’m just so happy for you and your family. May God bless you and keep you and give you the strength and love to be the best mommy in the world to this little guy(and his sisters!).
Your family gives me hope and courage to let God control my fertility. You are such and inspiration. I wish everyone could read about your family!