Baby Musings
Although Baby Blessing will be our third, in many ways I am going through what many women probably go through with their #2. Nick is just SO much older (almost 11 years) that a lot of the “two kids” things didn’t apply when Jewel was on the way.
Now I wonder…
- Can I get her potty trained, so I don’t have to deal with two in diapers?
- What will tandem nursing be like?
- How do you really make sure your toddler gets enough attention, with all you have to do for baby?
- What on earth will we do with her during the birth?!
Of course I have some concerns about the birth, as it is. I’m totally a natural childbirth person - I even got certified as a Bradley Method instructor after Nick was born. [Birth Story Altert! Please skip the next paragraph if you’re uncomfortable with such things].
We planned to have Jewel at home, and I got my care from a midwife. Everything seemed to be going well, and quickly, until we hit transition. I labored in intense transition for 6 hours, at 9 cm. We tried everything any of us could think of. Finally the midwife said it was time, and we hit the road - 45 miles to the hospital (want to talk about a miserable drive!). We were so blessed that her backup ob (with whom we had met and consulted twice) was on the floor when we arrived. He’s a Christian and natrual childbirth advocate as well, so he didn’t cop out with “prep for C-section” (not that we would have allowed it, but…). We had an epidural and pitocin (things I could never DREAM I would have accepted just hours earlier!), and finally it was time. Unfortunately, doc said my uterus wasn’t doing the job, and if I was going to push her out it was going to be all conscious effort with my abdominal muscles! I did, and for a week afterward thought I was going to pass out from the pain everytime I moved…
I expect we will face similar hurdles again - not likely that all of that somehow improved in the last 2.5 years, eh? I’m hoping that going in prepared we can handle it better. Nick was so easy, the problems just came as a total surprise.
In Other News:
The house hunt continues - we’re going out today with a Realtor to look at some places just West of Dayton. Every time our “last hope” falls through (That guy who was willing to carry? Bad neighborhood. Foreclosure auctions? They went for Big Money!), God opens a window…
A once-and-future full-time RV family shares their adventures - homeschooling, home business, life in an RV, Christian living, interesting travel and dining experiences, you name it...
(MUST have the Extended Edition and Widescreen!)
(fried hot dogs! Mmmm)
August 20th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Hi, I found you through Homeschool Blog Buzz.
I read your post with interest since I’m currently drawing the comic strip adaptation of my third child’s homebirth. I just wanted to offer my support about your birthing choice and some hope. Every birth is different. For me every birth experience was different-my first was in a hospital, the second in a birthing center and the third at home. Of the three, I’d say the middle child was easiest. Just because you had a hard time with your second doesn’t guarantee a difficult third time. I hope you can have the third exactly as you want to!
As for keeping the toddler occupied, my oldest was a toddler when her brother was born. I let her help with him as much as she was able. She would sing to him, talk to him, hold him on her lap on the floor and feed him when he was older. Under your guidance, your toddler can help take care of the baby and still feel like she’s getting quality mom time!
Good Luck!