Starting A Natural Plan

Thursday, 18 July 2013, we had the privilege of meeting this awesome couple.

That's Krystyna & Bruss Bowman. They have 4 children. They came and spoke at our OB Family Circle about natural child birth. They introduced us to The Bradley Method.

They were on our level. They shared a lot of information but didn't push or hard sell. They ultimately wanted to convey a sense of empowerment to the couples in attendance to own their labor, delivery and experiences beyond birth by having a plan, being informed and being strong together. Sounds like us, doesn't it? :)

Truth is, Audrey's been really interested in natural child birth all along. We both have a liking for wholesome organic foods and ways of living when reasonable and possible. This was our first real introduction to what a natural child birth experience would be all about. We learned about pain and techniques to address that. That's pretty important because pain is not exactly a friend of Audrey's. We learned about my role as a supportive coach and advocate. I think I'm up for the challenge. We learned about medical interventions and complications. Appears that one intervention can lead to another pretty easy. Also nice to know that having a plan is good but being flexible and adaptable for the unknown is equally good. At points it sounded almost like our journey to get pregnant. Ha!

Krystyna & Bruss shared some of their favorite literature as well. Two of which we'll probably end up buying and reading. 

The Hartman book is an easy read that explains in great detail what we were introduced to during the presentation. The Goer book is a very in depth look at all of the possible experiences that a pregnant woman and newborn infant can experience during labor, delivery and after. 

So, we're all in. We will be reading, attending some classes and planning. It's not the plan, it's the planning that matters. Stronger couple through the process. We'll be expecting the unexpected while better prepared. 

The Expansion Project

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

This post was supposed to be periodic updates of Audrey's growing belly. Progress has halted due to ongoing negotiations :-) 

House Full Of Little Mamas

I am a very blessed man to be a father to daughters. It's tender moments like tonight and the everyday enthusiasm of Hannah, Hailey and Hayden for Audrey's pregnancy with Avery Jane that remind me to thank God for the love of family.

Hannah drew the picture. That's the sign language gesture for "I love you." Hayden and Hailey gave us the monkey "lovie" gift. The girl's cousin Carter gave that to Hayden. She loves it and slept with it every night. Gifts from the heart...something valued passed on to someone loved.

20 Week Ultrasound

After seeing Baby Avery almost every two weeks from week 6-14, waiting 6 weeks for our 20 week ultrasound felt like forever.  What amazing changes and developments take place in just these 6 weeks!  We knew this was a big appointment where we would not only find out gender, but they would check up on all of her major organs to make sure she is developing well.

Here's what we learned...

• Baby Cox is a girl:)
• She has all four chambers of the heart and it's working properly.  Her heartbeat was 147.
• She has two kidneys that are working properly as we could see the fluid being processed in both of them
• She is swallowing amniotic fluid the way she is supposed to because we saw her stomach and her bladder(which was full).
• We saw her femur and the ultrasound tech measured it
• We saw her brain and cerebellum
• She has two legs and two arms
• We saw her little nose and her lips which are forming well
• We had an amazing view of her spine

The consensus?  She is developing well and everything looked great at this ultrasound...thanks be to God.

Here are a couple pictures from this visit:

Baby Avery's spine - amazing picture!

Baby Avery's beautiful face(and yes, that is her eyeball!)

Cute little baby foot

And Avery's little arm:)

Is Baby Cox A Boy Or A Girl?

We went to our 17 week appointment expecting to have an ultrasound and find out if baby Cox is a boy or girl, but when we arrived, no ultrasound had been ordered and we were told we had to wait 3 more weeks.  "3 more weeks?" Hailey said when we gave her the update.  It was a long wait for us but even longer for big sisters...

Finally we got our answer at this week's ultrasound...watch the video to find out if baby Cox is a boy or girl!

When Clinical Becomes Care & Concern

It doesn't need much explanation knowing the two of us, but it is worth noting that after our very rough first trimester seeing a traditional OB doctor is not for us! Fortunately the clinic we go to, Valley Women For Women, has a Midwifery Service. Not having any experience with a midwife we were pleasantly surprised to find another area of the clinic with rooms decorated and lit in a way that brings about peaceful thoughts and happiness. We were even more surprised to meet the first midwife, Diane, who for the first time showed compassion and care for all that we'd been through. She gave Audrey and baby blessing a strong vote of confidence and affirmation that it was time to move on from the bed rest. The problems resolved themselves. We finally found what we were always looking for in prenatal care. 

Since that first appointment we've met two other midwives and will meet them all before it's time for labor/delivery. We joined a family circle led by the midwives. We meet monthly with other expecting couples who are due around the same time we are. We learn together and have opportunities to bond with others in a group setting. We've only gone to our first session but already learned a lot...including how to "try" and find baby blessings heartbeat on our own. Little wiggle worm wouldn't allow for it the first time and the staff had to find it for us. I'll get better as Audrey's belly gets bigger they say. Ha! 

We're happy and at peace with the midwife's approach to Audrey's care and look forward to learning more and being with one of the midwives when baby blessing is born.