A Birth Room .....of sorts

I was out shooting some photos playing with my husbands camera and I came upon this birds nest in an old bird feeder on my fence......and I thought " a birth room" of sorts!

Like all birthing "moms" even birds understand the inherent need for quiet, privacy and safety.

Nestled in the dark safe place of her nest, she feels courage to go about her task. Most likely, she labors in the evening hours when the day is winding down and things that she may fear are quiet and still.

For now.....Janet

memories.......

We are entering our third year here at REUNION! We have been blessed with so many wonderful moms, dads and BABIES. I remember each and every labor and hope that all our moms know that I am in awe of thier strength, power, love and courage. REUNION moms ROCK! Janet and I love to reflect on all our labors and births.................some short, some loooooong (you know who you are :), the music that was played, verbal and nonverbal exchanges between mom and dad (some we can't publish!!!), the look of sheer joy when the little one arrives....WOW! All GREAT memories!!! And many, many more to come.....Polly

TRUST

How relaxed and wonderful do you think this little guy is, just moments after his momma pushed him out into the world? Floating in warm water being supported by his momma and midwife. GENTLE, SAFE, LOVING.........
Doesn't this look so much more peaceful than what most moms experience in the majority of our cities hospitals? So many strangers rubbing them and sticking a bulb syringe in their mouth and nose ........did God really intend for it to be THAT way? I think not.
I believe birth was meant to be honored and revered....birthing women RESPECTED for their strength and loveliness.
Birth......you don't get to rewind the footage and start over, you don't get a second chance for a better experience....please women-research your options...know what is best for you-only you know that-gather information-think about what is important to you and your partner. Do you want to be the ones who care for that baby from the moment it arrives, all shiny and new- smelling so sweet and looking so innocent? We know babies don't come with an instruction booklet....but I am here to tell you that when babies are perfectly healthy coming from a perfectly healthy momma, having a perfectly healthy labor and birth, you don't need anything but the innate love and protectiveness you posess the instant your baby emerges from your body. You know how to care for this being......trust your body and trust yourself. End of story. For now......Janet

Laboring........on Labor Day.

On this day, we celebrate "laborers" who work diligently to produce a product, provide a service to help make the world a better place.

One of the most "awesome" laborer is the laboring mother.......she needs no tools, punches no clock, takes no breaks, has no boss. Her body, mind and spirit work together to produce one of the most precious commodities.......her baby.

Today at Reunion we have a first-time mom, doing the job of birth. We watch as she goes about her task with ease and grace. We offer words of encouragement, guidance, suggestions. She is a fearless, tireless, hardworker. She is here to complete a job God has assigned her.

We wait, we anticipate...............we'll write an update.

For now.....Janet & Polly

BIRTH. the play.....

BIRTH is a play by Karen Brody. It is the true stories of eight powerful women giving birth today. It is amazingly wonderful! You will cry, laugh and be inspired! All women, regardless of age or how they became mothers should see this play. Please see the link for BOLD website. This play is done throughout the world in many different cultures during Labor Day......(get it "labor" day---------BIRTH on Labor day!)

This play will be shown in Houston at the Barnevelder Movement/Art Complex at 2201 Preston Street ( near Minute Maid ) on September 11, 12th and 13th. You can go to http://www.houbirth.org/ for more info or call us! 281-359-2229.

I have seen this play twice and I cannot wait to see it again! Grab a friend and come have a great time! For now......Janet

Mama Lions........

Today I was reminded that we women all have a "Mama Lion" in us. And "she" emerges as our precious little babe is first placed in our arms. Instinctively, we become the protector....and Daddy the Great Protector.....the strong "Papa Lion".

God has blessed us with our child and also, along with that blessing comes the ever-present responsibility of being the guardian, the watcher-over, the "Mama Lion". As our birthing mom said today, "As soon as my first little baby was placed in my arms, I remember thinking.....I could kill with my bare hands to protect her......". And we would. Or die trying.

Love, it's a great thing. Enormous Mama Love. Mama Lions proclaim! "This is my child, I will protect what God has so graciously given me....." For now.......Janet

Cesarean Sections......

This week we have had some trying times.......and have had two necessary c-sections. Really. With all the hype about the high rate of c-sections in our country, I must say that when you have a mom (or two) who really need to have that intervention to allow for the birth (safely, I might add) of their baby, you become grateful for a skilled surgeon, and a great anesthesiologist!

We were waiting for both of these first time moms to go into labor! Day after day, we all waited... we knew that there would be "the day" when either we would have to start the process or the baby would start the process. But it seemed for these moms endless waiting was in their future! We kept a close eye <;> on these babes and waited. they both were about 42 weeks.....yikes and no closer to birthing than when they were 38wks! Well, eventually both moms went into labor, ( one with a little help from us...) and neither were destined to birth from "below".

Our first mom labored so well at the birth center....she swayed, rocked her hips, breathed and did a great job....her baby just would not "come down" well enough to push hard on that cervix to dilate it fully. And she got tired.....it's hard work that labor business. So off we went to Kingwood hospital for some needed pain relief and to try alittle more power with Pitocin....we were really

committed to helping her get a vaginal birth. But after many hours it was evident that this little babe was not positioned right, she persisted and stayed "OP" and off to the OR mom went. Her prise came in the gift of a 7# 15 oz baby girl! Mom and baby are great and mom said to me "I would do it 10 times over to have this precious girl!" No bad outcome in my book.

Our other mom tried her best too, needed the power of pitocin to accomplish bringing down her baby and laboring that cervix open. However, after over 3 hours of hard pushing.....no baby, no descent, no birth. One thing I will never do is "force" a baby out that is trying to tell us "No can do"... you might get the head out, but where's the rest of the body....Shoulder dystocia is not a thing to laugh at.......Well, off to the OR we went and out came a strapping healthy screaming bulldog of a baby boy! 9#10 oz !!!! Mom and baby are doing well!!

So, yes sometimes c-sections are necessary, and they are not the evil worse thing in the world. I always say that as a midwife you have to "listen to your baby". They may not speak words that we can hear, but from their comfy, warm little space inside your belly they do and can communicate. You just have to be open to listening.....

So, for Polly and I this was our week of c-sections. But one thing we experienced, was the way the system worked for us all. Having privileges at the hospital helped everyone. We could be in "charge" of our moms and the transition from the birth center to the Labor unit was smooth and easy, with a bed waiting for our moms. And we get to see that we are not "in charge". sometimes fate and a higher plan is in order. We just have to try our very best, stay focused and maintain the highest of clinincal standards and always, I mean always keep our eyes on the "True North"........safety above all else and healthy mom, healthy baby, and beyond that there are no "Bad Outcomes". When mom is holding her precious little one, then we know we have done well and our job is done.

For now......Janet