Weird and Spooky, But More Weird Than Spooky

Last night I had a nightmare about changing the sheets of the family bed.

Our family bed is a large waterbed. When the Guppy was born we took the water mattress out and put in a nice firm conventional mattress in order to co-sleep safely. So with this odd configuration, and the fact that the bed is up against the wall, changing the sheets is no easy feat, and something I do not look forward at all to doing every week.

In my nightmare, every time I changed the sheets, as soon as I would go to put the comforter back on, I would look down and the sheets would be dirty. So I would have to change them again. Then again. And again. Then the pillowcases began to wrestle with me when I began to change them, as if they were alive and were trying to eat me.

It seems like a silly dream now, but at the time it was very scary and frustrating. I remember thinking, "What kind of mother am I where I can't provide my family clean sheets to sleep in?". It was absurd.

When I woke up, the bottom sheet on my half of the bed had been undone at the top corner. Also, my pillowcase was completely off my pillow.

Weird.

Anyways, it is probably due to the fact that I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately because I haven't been getting anything done, mostly because the Guppy is teething and extremely clingy. Then it hit me: I had slowly begun to stop wearing her as she had begun to get more mobile. In fact, I basically forgot for a while that I even had this nice collection of baby carriers sitting in my closet, waiting to be used.

Duh.

So, today the Guppy was still teething and still clingy, but I dug out my Mai Tei and threw her on my back. I am amazed at how much I was able to get done so far today, all the while attending to the needs of my child.

So, what kind of mother am I? A friggin' awesome one, thank you very much!

Weird and Spooky, But More Weird Than Spooky

Who Needs Sleep?

Who needs sleep?

You know you're never gonna get it.

Who needs sleep?

Now tell me what's that for.

Who needs sleep?

Oh be thankful for what you're getting

There's a guy who's been awake since the second world war.

(Barenaked Ladies).

The Guppy is teething. Again. I feel like she's been teething since she was born. She is cranky, angry, and extremely clingy. Now, I know she is in pain. I get it. I have no problem holding her all day, nursing her, etc. But when she stops crying only if I hold her in a certain specific way, and only if I am holding her in that specific way while standing (as in, as soon as I try to walk or sit down she screams), then my nerves get a little rattled.


Twice this week I've had to put her down and walk out of the room to save my sanity.

She isn't sleeping, either. Last night she woke up four times to nurse. This was an improvement, as lately she's been waking up six times.

I am literally a walking zombie.


This too shall pass, this too shall pass, this too shall pass....

Who Needs Sleep?

This is Labor Without Fear.

I wish every pregnant woman out there could watch this video. I wish they could all realize that this is what labor has the potential to be like: without fear, without intervention. Just pure heart and soul.



This woman is about to give birth to her ten pound son. She is having contractions while she is singing. Amazing.

I found this video through another birthing blog, but for the life of me I can't remember which one. I haven't been sleeping much.

This is Labor Without Fear.

Delurking Week: Better Late Than Never

I know I'm late with this, but I am insanely curious. Make me feel loved, people, and leave a comment! :o)

p.s the great graphic is from here.

Delurking Week: Better Late Than Never

Prenatal Workshop

My favorite part of being a Doula? Having the ability to reach out the community.

Remember how I mentioned that a dear friend of mine and I were planning a prenatal workshop? Well, it's all set up. Now we just have to get women to sign up. So, feel free to spread the word ;o)

Presenting the Buddhaful Movements for Pregnancy and Birth Workshop Join us for a day of relaxation and movement!

· Explore techniques for deep breathing and relaxation tailored towards pregnancy.

· Experience yoga techniques proven to help you relax and relieve muscle soreness and common discomforts during your pregnancy.

· Learn positions and movements to help make your labor a shorter and smoother process.

No matter what type of birth you are planning, these techniques will help keep you relaxed, flexible, and toned throughout your pregnancy and focused during your labor. The cost for this workshop is $35.00. Light refreshments will be served.

Childbirth experts and recent research agree that positioning and movement can result in a more comfortable pregnancy. Research also agrees that positioning and movement can result in a smoother and more comfortable labor, and can even help to shorten the labor process.

For more information, feel free to email me or contact me through my website.

Prenatal Workshop

Unassisted Childbirth on Good Morning America

Good Morning America recently did a story on Unassisted Childbirth.

You can read the article here. I'll keep my opinion of the "expert doctor" to myself, but I'm wondering what you think of his statement. The article also states:

The baby could be born in a breach position, or with the umbilical cord wrapped around its neck. The mother could suffer from significant tearing or from a maternal hemorrhage and bleed to death in as little as five minutes.

As for the baby being born in a breech position, the fact is that doctors nowadays are not really taught how to vaginally deliver breech babies. Only in certain situations is it not possible to vaginally deliver a breech baby. Many women give birth to breech babies at home, without any complications. As for having the cord wrapped around the baby's neck, in some situations that can present a problem. But in most....just unwrap it.

Rixa wrote a great post with a response from Gloria Lemay concerning the doctor's concern that women "could bleed to death in as little as five minutes".

There's also a video available to watch.

I believe I've stated my own personal opinion concerning Unassisted Childbirth before, but I'll state it again. Unassisted Childbirth is not for me, however I understand why a woman would choose to go that route. When I was planning my homebirth with the Guppy, the Knight and I very briefly considered doing a UC before deciding that we felt more comfortable with a midwife present. Personally, I love having a midwife, an experienced woman, at my side. I am definitely not a lone birther, I love to be surrounded by loving and supportive people. While I do feel that it is a little more "risky" giving birth without at least a midwife there, I do acknowledge and respect the fact that most women who choose Unassisted Childbirth are not taking their decision lightly: they are serious about educating themselves about the risks and how to act if an emergency does come up.

I'm interested in hearing what your views on Unassisted Childbirth are.

Unassisted Childbirth on Good Morning America

Belly Dancing During Pregnancy

Good Morning America recently did a great story on the benefits of belly dancing during pregnancy.

I think belly dancing is a great way to stay fit while you are pregnant. Not only does it work the core muscles and prepare muscles that you will be using during labor, but it is fun! And like the article says, many of the dance moves can help to make labor a smoother and shorter process.

The article states:

According to one anthropologist, belly dancing actually originated as a ritual of childbirth as well as seduction.
One doctor said the sway of belly dancing actually can aid during childbirth by helping to position the baby.

You can watch the video for the story here.

So, if you are carrying a belly bean, look into taking a local belly dancing class.

Belly Dancing During Pregnancy