Trust.....say no more.

We just recently experienced a wonderful birth with a mom having her 4th baby......a woman who I had the privilege of helping her birth her second baby when I had a hospital based practice. It is always nice to have a woman seek you out when she is pregnant again. Best compliment.....
Well, this labor, like alot of labors was unique for her and nice but different. During the process she said to me......"I really trust you guys." Wow..a great compliment. Really.

Also it speaks to what is oh so important in completing a totally natural birth. TRUST.
Trust:

Your body.
Your mind.
Your spirit.
Your love of God, family , self.
Your instincts. ( yes you chose the right path for you.)
Your precious little baby. ( He/she knows just what to do to make his way into the world)
Your ability to do the job......just like God intended for you.
Your ability to endure as long as the process is unfolding like He intended.
Persevere, continue. Breathe. Love. Anticipate. Wait.

Trust the process. they always say. But it is so true. Like I have said before...your body, the best machinery. The ultimate design. You will be amazed at what you can do! Unbelievable strength, grace, power. Unbelievable. Don't sell yourself too short. Believe in yourself. TRUST in the power within....you know you have it. We believe in you. Believe. Please. You will not regret it. For now........Janet

All that .....and a cookie too!

I love this picture........for several reasons. This is one great birthing woman! Was always fun to see in the office for her prenatal care and a joy to labor. Isn't it cool, that smack dab in the middle of active labor, she would ask for a cookie! We had some at the birth center that evening and she looked up from the end of one of her contractions and stated..."I would love a cookie!" So, here she is, breathing through a contraction, in the tub, holding on to that cookie!

I don't have anything against ice chips ( you know ladies.....the delicious nibbles you get at the hospital) but sometimes a girl just craves a little sweetness! Even when she's working on helping out her own little "sweet one" into this world. For now....Janet

Birthing machinery...........

Oh yeah........that's right! Birthing Machinery........Best Technology I know and have been privy to witness.
Comes with 2 arms, 2 legs, big round belly, huge heart, and enormous will and strength.
Runs on love. Love of God, Love of Life, Love of Family and Love for Unborn babe.
Will never be duplicated...........scientists please don't even try........best work of God yet.

Most efficient when left alone.....I mean don't mess with it. Really.

For now...Janet

Birth - Reunion Birthing Center

Birth Photography Slideshow: Reunion Birthing Center

Natural birth...TOO HARD! Who says....?

Had a a great comment on my last post....Thanks ( you know who u r!) Again, a smart independent woman discusses with her OB the desire to birth her baby "naturally, pain med free." The response????


Well, he described it as "Too Hard". No one does it.....at least not in "his or her" practice.

Once again, another great woman sprinting out of an obstetrical office.......she found her way to a place that worked with her and she did exactly as she desired and knew she was capable of!

Well, I have seen the environment in many hospitals, and it is so unfortunate that it is difficult to accomplish a drug-free birth. Well, maybe if it is your 2nd or 3rd baby.....but your first takes so much guidance and love and support from women who are there totally for you! A great midwife or OB or OB nurse is someone who when they step into that birth environment is completely and utterly there for you and you only.......ego has to stay behind, way behind.

So, I guess in some cases that OB is right.....it is too hard when you are not supported and guided through the process. When you are made to believe that induction of your labor is right and the best thing for you and your baby when you hit your due date ( unless there is a true medical indication for it and sometimes there really is.......)

And, please believe me when I say that I know that all this I speak and preach about natural birth is only in the realm of the "machinery working the way it was planned". Sometimes it doesn't. When that happens there are not too many women who could get through rough, difficult " dysfunctional" labors. They are extremely hard...........and sometimes mommies need help. I always say there is the "pain of labor" and then there is suffering........never a need to suffer. Ever. Let's get help and move on to the birth of your baby, however the little one is supposed to be born. And you know what? It always seems to work out exactly how it was supposed to unfold. We just have to be flexible, listen well, feel our instincts down deep in our bellies and do the best we all can. For now.........Janet

Birth Team vs Birth Dictator

OB office in my neighborhood : Woman says to her OB, " What about a birth plan?"

OB says, " Oh, 'WE' don't do those here. We have you go to the hospital and start the Pitocin."

Woman says, "Well, what if I really want to try to do without Pitocin. What if I want to try
things like standing up, walking, ( etc- you know what she's asking.....)

OB says, "Well, if you are not going to do what we say, you cannot be a patient of ours...." (Take that!) Team mindset, or dictatorship mindset..........?

Well, what that OB didn't know was she was speaking with a smart, independent woman who knows that the best thing for her was to run, not walk, out of that office and find someone who will listen to her desires and work "WITH" her ( Team philospophy).

I certainly know that the Midwife route is not for all women, as much as it should be for all healthy women! However, what I would love to see in my lifetime is all women demanding more from their OBs. If you are healthy, having a "perfectly" healthy pregnancy, it "ain't rocket science". By that I mean your birth day should not be so over managed, unless that is what you want. If your desire is to be a passive participant, go for it. However, do your research, really think about how you would like your birth to go. It is really a remarkably spiritual time in your life......one where you should be an active participant, don't let it be diminished down to the same level as say.......having your tooth pulled, setting a broken arm, rhinoplasty, boob job, brain surgery, or hysterectomy. When you need or want those things, yea, you look for the best, most skilled surgeon and let him or her have at it! "Wake me when it's over..." is all you're thinking!

At least start out on your journey with a partner (provider) who is interested in what you want. I get it to all you naysayers! It goes without saying............all in the realm of safety. I don't think you could find midwives, or OBs who are anymore concerned and safety driven as we are at Reunion. And I know that not all women are destined to have a natural birth......some desperately need assistance and interventions.....and we are so blessed as midwives to have such a great team of collaborative OBs who support fully what we do. They sponsor us for our privileges at Kingwood hospital so that when our moms need epidural, help with their power ( ie Pitocin), or need a cesarean section we are able to provide those things with a "wink of an eye" .

The scenario I presented in the beginning was one that someone told me about yesterday. It happened to her, and she could not get out of that office fast enough. It wasn't just about what was said to her, but "HOW" it was said. No respect.

I ask, how do they get away with it! What makes a female OB feel so completely OK with speaking to another woman like that? In essence, you have no say over what is going to happen.....I am in charge! Deal with it. Well, guess what? She did. She did her research, got reccomendations, and is putting her team together! Go momma. You just started your journey on the road of motherhood!

For now......Janet