Day 5
A few weeks later we began the series of Bradley Classes. Robin and Bill were such great instructors, of course it did help that they too were Christians (which was for us a very big deal). Our class was filled with three couples (we were one of the couples), the other two were also Christians. The first couple was pregnant with their first child, they were such a joy to get to know, the second was pregnant with their second child (also a childhood friend of mine).
When the class began Robin and Bill asked the second couple to share their birth story (for their first child); I was intrigued by the words Home Birth. Truthfully, I had never even heard of one before; although if I really sit back and think about it didn't Hannah have one and the others before her? anyway... (You would have thought that with my research of Bradley classes, something would have stuck in my mind about Home Birthing... so I will just blame the pregnancy... it took some brain cells).
That night while driving home from the class we discussed this Home Birth option. At first we were completely for a Hospital birth, after all we had already gone through enough so why take the chance for a home birth? But after more and more research about home birthing and hearing actual people we knew and trusted talk about the experience we knew we had to take the plunge.
Thus, began our search for a Mid Wife. Living in a very small town, the search for a Mid Wife who was willing to travel to our town was like finding a needle in a hay stack. I literally called about 50 Mid Wives, one of which told me that she did not suggest a Mid Wife as they never make it to the births in time and usually find the mother and child in a pool of blood or dead. I thanked her for her time and went about my search. Of course I could have used the Mid Wife that the second couple was using but we were told that she was not taking any new clients at that time. Then just before I picked up the phone to dial #51 it rang... on the other end was an Angle! Her name... Pam Qualls.
Tomorrows Post "Natural Childbirth... Love the Stuff" Part 5
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
"Natural Childbirth... Love the Stuff" Part 3
Day 4
Finally, the words we were longing to hear from a doctor... Pregnant!
We continued on the path of our monthly visits to Dr. Nelson. We would take the day off work to travel down to Lake Havasu City for our 10-15 minute visit with the doctor. After our visit we would then head over to the London Bridge where they have this wonderful restaurant that serves the best chips and spinach/artichoke dip we have ever had. Then we would walk around the beautiful landmark making plans for our new arrival.
While we dreamt of what was to come we would think ..."we just left the doctors office so why do we feel like we haven't a clue of what is going on?" Don't get me wrong we were always asked if we had questions, however, because we really did not understand the process how could we even ask questions or even know where to begin asking questions. This puzzled us so we began another search for answers and another season of prayer.
Then another breakthrough...
While making a visit to the best chiropractor in the USA I noticed a poster for "Bradley Classes - Husband Coached Childbirth" and immediately became interested. Then turning my head noticed that a high school mate of mine was standing beside me, he turned out to be not only a chiropractor (who by the way actually adjusted me that day) but also part of the team who became our Bradley Class instructors. While adjusting me he would tell me things that we would learn in the class all the while I could just think... I feel more informed with him then I do with my own doctor and he is the chiropractor. I took his number down and rushed to tell my husband about this new idea.
Mark made the call and got us enrolled in Bradley a few days later. Thus began our journey of what we like to call "Informed Pregnancy."
Tomorrows Post: "Natural Childbirth... Love the Stuff" Part 4
Finally, the words we were longing to hear from a doctor... Pregnant!
We continued on the path of our monthly visits to Dr. Nelson. We would take the day off work to travel down to Lake Havasu City for our 10-15 minute visit with the doctor. After our visit we would then head over to the London Bridge where they have this wonderful restaurant that serves the best chips and spinach/artichoke dip we have ever had. Then we would walk around the beautiful landmark making plans for our new arrival.
While we dreamt of what was to come we would think ..."we just left the doctors office so why do we feel like we haven't a clue of what is going on?" Don't get me wrong we were always asked if we had questions, however, because we really did not understand the process how could we even ask questions or even know where to begin asking questions. This puzzled us so we began another search for answers and another season of prayer.
Then another breakthrough...
While making a visit to the best chiropractor in the USA I noticed a poster for "Bradley Classes - Husband Coached Childbirth" and immediately became interested. Then turning my head noticed that a high school mate of mine was standing beside me, he turned out to be not only a chiropractor (who by the way actually adjusted me that day) but also part of the team who became our Bradley Class instructors. While adjusting me he would tell me things that we would learn in the class all the while I could just think... I feel more informed with him then I do with my own doctor and he is the chiropractor. I took his number down and rushed to tell my husband about this new idea.
Mark made the call and got us enrolled in Bradley a few days later. Thus began our journey of what we like to call "Informed Pregnancy."
Tomorrows Post: "Natural Childbirth... Love the Stuff" Part 4
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
"Natural Childbirth... Love the Stuff" Part 2
Day 3
Lying in the ER was brutal. Many tests were conducted and many questions were asked and answered, finally a result came 6 hours later... "Mam' it appears that you are experiencing a miscarriage, nothing can be done, except to let nature take it's course" How's that for bed side manor? Followed shortly with a nurse who held in her hand a needle filled with RhoGAM and her voice of authority saying "turn over please."
Not even having a chance to let the news sink in to my head I did as she asked but as soon as I did I saw my husbands face then I began to break down. I don't do well with needles (in fact I have been known to faint at the sight of them) and the news devastated me. Asking the nurse to wait a few minutes while I tried to compose myself she answered in one fail swoop and what my husband tells me took the shoot of RhoGAM and with a military like thrust jammed the shoot into my left back side check. I only remember feeling like I had been thrown to the ground from an explosion and turning my head to see in a blur the nurse preparing the dismissal papers.
We left the hospital that day feeling devastated and violated. How is it that we could be so happy about defeating the odds one day and so sad about this turn of events the next day. We answered our own questions with a season of prayer and began pouring our hearts out to God asking for His peace.
The following week began a series of doctors appointments and more blood tests, still heavy bleeding with no cramps would continue. This was answered with the second doctor telling me that "if you don't pass this thing by tomorrow you will need to take a pill to get rid of it or have a DNC done." None of these two options sat right with me, in fact I saw them as not an option. (I do not believe in abortion even if it means the life of the mother, I believe that Gods will be done in all aspects of ones life.) I left the doctor with the final words of thank you but no thank you and returned home that day and began calling my friends who had medical connections. Cassie, my best friend, suggested that I see a specialist that she knew and he even traveled to our town. Hope in my eye, I quickly made the appointment. He conducted another ultra sound, evaluated all the charts and tests and looked at both my husband and I and said, "you are pregnant with twins however, they will not survive they are unhealthy and it apears your body is in the process of a miscarriage." We took the doctors words and thanked him for seeing us then returned home to continue the search for a doctor that was willing to help.
Then finally a break through.
Two months and four doctors later (four months into the pregnancy) we finally found a doctor to confirm that I was indeed pregnant. Up until this time all the doctors would treat me as if I was miscarrying never as if I was pregnant. Dr. Nelson, the same doctor who delivered me, said the words I was longing to hear "your pregnant with one healthy baby boy." My husband and I looked at each other with starry eyes then back at the screen that showed the proof and for the first time we saw our beautiful, precious gift... Elijah.
Looking back at my story up till this point I wonder... If Hannah had the technology that we have now what would she have said or even had done? For she like I had now been blessed by God with the gift... the gift of Motherhood.
Tomorrows Post: "Natural Childbirth... Love the Stuff" Part 3
Lying in the ER was brutal. Many tests were conducted and many questions were asked and answered, finally a result came 6 hours later... "Mam' it appears that you are experiencing a miscarriage, nothing can be done, except to let nature take it's course" How's that for bed side manor? Followed shortly with a nurse who held in her hand a needle filled with RhoGAM and her voice of authority saying "turn over please."
Not even having a chance to let the news sink in to my head I did as she asked but as soon as I did I saw my husbands face then I began to break down. I don't do well with needles (in fact I have been known to faint at the sight of them) and the news devastated me. Asking the nurse to wait a few minutes while I tried to compose myself she answered in one fail swoop and what my husband tells me took the shoot of RhoGAM and with a military like thrust jammed the shoot into my left back side check. I only remember feeling like I had been thrown to the ground from an explosion and turning my head to see in a blur the nurse preparing the dismissal papers.
We left the hospital that day feeling devastated and violated. How is it that we could be so happy about defeating the odds one day and so sad about this turn of events the next day. We answered our own questions with a season of prayer and began pouring our hearts out to God asking for His peace.
The following week began a series of doctors appointments and more blood tests, still heavy bleeding with no cramps would continue. This was answered with the second doctor telling me that "if you don't pass this thing by tomorrow you will need to take a pill to get rid of it or have a DNC done." None of these two options sat right with me, in fact I saw them as not an option. (I do not believe in abortion even if it means the life of the mother, I believe that Gods will be done in all aspects of ones life.) I left the doctor with the final words of thank you but no thank you and returned home that day and began calling my friends who had medical connections. Cassie, my best friend, suggested that I see a specialist that she knew and he even traveled to our town. Hope in my eye, I quickly made the appointment. He conducted another ultra sound, evaluated all the charts and tests and looked at both my husband and I and said, "you are pregnant with twins however, they will not survive they are unhealthy and it apears your body is in the process of a miscarriage." We took the doctors words and thanked him for seeing us then returned home to continue the search for a doctor that was willing to help.
Then finally a break through.
Two months and four doctors later (four months into the pregnancy) we finally found a doctor to confirm that I was indeed pregnant. Up until this time all the doctors would treat me as if I was miscarrying never as if I was pregnant. Dr. Nelson, the same doctor who delivered me, said the words I was longing to hear "your pregnant with one healthy baby boy." My husband and I looked at each other with starry eyes then back at the screen that showed the proof and for the first time we saw our beautiful, precious gift... Elijah.
Looking back at my story up till this point I wonder... If Hannah had the technology that we have now what would she have said or even had done? For she like I had now been blessed by God with the gift... the gift of Motherhood.
Tomorrows Post: "Natural Childbirth... Love the Stuff" Part 3
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
"Natural Childbirth ... Love the stuff." Part 1
Day 2
After many years of trying to become pregnant we finally resorted to seeking the help of a fertility doctor. Many tests later it was discovered that we were not going to be able to conceive a child.
Each Mothers Day was especially hard on me; going to church on that Sunday was the absolute worst. Don't get me wrong, I had no problem with the actual Mothers or the mass amount of children the church would seem to pull from the wood work. The problem was the bright loving faces of the children who were asked to pass out single long stem roses to each Mother in attendance followed by a loving hug and a "Thanks Mom." Thus would bring about almost instantaneously my sobs... and the realization of another year that I was not a mother.
On the way home from Church I would vow to my husband that I would do everything in my power to come to the realization that God was not punishing me and that He had a plan for me, one that would blow my socks off... following closely with the "Honey, next year I won't be so emotional" speech. The rest of the day would be spent in a silent room holding each other for comfort. I would usually end the day reading about Hannah in the Bible, and how she prayed to become a mother, how she would seek the understanding of why God had forgotten about her, I watched her battle with the emotions of coming to the realization that she was never to bear children, however, that did not mean God did not love her or even that He had forgotten about her. I would pray that God would work in me the same way He worked in Hannah... that He would bring a peace on me that only He could give. Yet, like every other human being I would take the struggle back and try to deal with it on my own.
Eventually, God through the story of Hannah spoke to me and softly said my child I am here... I will never leave you or forsake you... just be patient I have great things in store for you.
May 2007.
While working two jobs, I figured my fatigue was just the stress of a lack of sleep, that if I just slowed down and took a day off I would start to feel more like myself.
The morning of May 3: on my way to Wal-Mart for the monthly office supplies I had this nagging feeling that I should get a pregnancy test. Just the thought of the test made my heart leap... I was so excited that I literally had to tell myself that the test would come out negative and that I should not get my hopes up. That the test was just to get this nagging feeling to go away. However, I still rushed home to take the test. Three minutes later I saw the words
not the words NOT Pregnant but actually Pregnant!!! I sat on the commode in utter shock. I had no idea if I should cry, call my husband or take another test. I realized shortly thereafter, that I was shaking and with tears streaming down my face I shouted "Praise you Father... Thank you for answered prayer!"
That night while folding laundry and getting ready for a busy night of waitressing at the local Mexican Food Restaurant I sat my husband down and gave him a gift box. Tired from his long day at work, he looked at the box and said oh so who is this for. I stated it's something I picked up for your mom for mothers day, open it and see if she would like it. He opened it and found one blue baby shoe and on pink baby shoe; then looking up at me said something to the effect of your pregnant? with a look of confusion on his face. He was very happy, however, extremely shocked.
It took a night for him to let it sink in.
May 4: What every woman fears... happened to me... I began to bleed. It was worse then a regular cycle, however, I never had any cramping. We rushed to the ER where I was admitted and the pregnancy roller coaster began.
Tomorrows post: "Natural Childbirth... Love the Stuff" Part 2
After many years of trying to become pregnant we finally resorted to seeking the help of a fertility doctor. Many tests later it was discovered that we were not going to be able to conceive a child.
Each Mothers Day was especially hard on me; going to church on that Sunday was the absolute worst. Don't get me wrong, I had no problem with the actual Mothers or the mass amount of children the church would seem to pull from the wood work. The problem was the bright loving faces of the children who were asked to pass out single long stem roses to each Mother in attendance followed by a loving hug and a "Thanks Mom." Thus would bring about almost instantaneously my sobs... and the realization of another year that I was not a mother.
On the way home from Church I would vow to my husband that I would do everything in my power to come to the realization that God was not punishing me and that He had a plan for me, one that would blow my socks off... following closely with the "Honey, next year I won't be so emotional" speech. The rest of the day would be spent in a silent room holding each other for comfort. I would usually end the day reading about Hannah in the Bible, and how she prayed to become a mother, how she would seek the understanding of why God had forgotten about her, I watched her battle with the emotions of coming to the realization that she was never to bear children, however, that did not mean God did not love her or even that He had forgotten about her. I would pray that God would work in me the same way He worked in Hannah... that He would bring a peace on me that only He could give. Yet, like every other human being I would take the struggle back and try to deal with it on my own.
Eventually, God through the story of Hannah spoke to me and softly said my child I am here... I will never leave you or forsake you... just be patient I have great things in store for you.
May 2007.
While working two jobs, I figured my fatigue was just the stress of a lack of sleep, that if I just slowed down and took a day off I would start to feel more like myself.
The morning of May 3: on my way to Wal-Mart for the monthly office supplies I had this nagging feeling that I should get a pregnancy test. Just the thought of the test made my heart leap... I was so excited that I literally had to tell myself that the test would come out negative and that I should not get my hopes up. That the test was just to get this nagging feeling to go away. However, I still rushed home to take the test. Three minutes later I saw the words
"Pregnant"
not the words NOT Pregnant but actually Pregnant!!! I sat on the commode in utter shock. I had no idea if I should cry, call my husband or take another test. I realized shortly thereafter, that I was shaking and with tears streaming down my face I shouted "Praise you Father... Thank you for answered prayer!"
That night while folding laundry and getting ready for a busy night of waitressing at the local Mexican Food Restaurant I sat my husband down and gave him a gift box. Tired from his long day at work, he looked at the box and said oh so who is this for. I stated it's something I picked up for your mom for mothers day, open it and see if she would like it. He opened it and found one blue baby shoe and on pink baby shoe; then looking up at me said something to the effect of your pregnant? with a look of confusion on his face. He was very happy, however, extremely shocked.
It took a night for him to let it sink in.
May 4: What every woman fears... happened to me... I began to bleed. It was worse then a regular cycle, however, I never had any cramping. We rushed to the ER where I was admitted and the pregnancy roller coaster began.
Tomorrows post: "Natural Childbirth... Love the Stuff" Part 2
Being a wife and a mother and working a full time job is not only rewarding but a blessing.
Rewarding in the fact that my hubby of nearly 6 years still takes my breath away... makes me blush every time he enters the room and showers me with unconditional love every moment of the day.
Rewarding that almost 3 years ago the Lord blessed us with a beautiful, happy, healthy, thriving little boy who is the smartest 2 1/2 year old that I have ever known.
Rewarding that everyday when I return home from work he is standing at the door with the biggest smile on his face jumping up and down yelling "Mommy.. Mommy.. Mommy's home" all while running into my arms to give me a kiss and telling me about the days activities.
Rewarding that life as I know it is not always the easiest yet it is my life and my life is GREAT.
Thus begins day 1 of my new blog. I can't promise much in this blog except for honesty, and respect. I will promise that my posts will be filled with truth, love and humor. So if you are interested follow along with me on this road called life... I guarantee that Life as you know it will never be the same.
Tomorrows post: "Natural Childbirth ... Love the stuff."
Rewarding in the fact that my hubby of nearly 6 years still takes my breath away... makes me blush every time he enters the room and showers me with unconditional love every moment of the day.
Rewarding that almost 3 years ago the Lord blessed us with a beautiful, happy, healthy, thriving little boy who is the smartest 2 1/2 year old that I have ever known.
Rewarding that everyday when I return home from work he is standing at the door with the biggest smile on his face jumping up and down yelling "Mommy.. Mommy.. Mommy's home" all while running into my arms to give me a kiss and telling me about the days activities.
Rewarding that life as I know it is not always the easiest yet it is my life and my life is GREAT.
Thus begins day 1 of my new blog. I can't promise much in this blog except for honesty, and respect. I will promise that my posts will be filled with truth, love and humor. So if you are interested follow along with me on this road called life... I guarantee that Life as you know it will never be the same.
Tomorrows post: "Natural Childbirth ... Love the stuff."
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