Is A Water Birth For You?

When you think about labor and your birth plan it can lead you to a fork in the road. This fork has the potential to lead you down two routes, natural or medical.

For me I loved the idea of a natural birth, I didn’t want the epidural if I could help it and I really didn’t want to be drugged to the nines when my baby entered the world.  

With a natural birth emblazoned in my mind I set my sights on alternative pain relief. Water births started popping up on my Google searches, and the more I read about them the more that I craved one.

I loved the idea of floating around the pool and being able to change into the positions with ease, I read about people not tearing or tearing as badly during birth and these points were big selling points for me in making my decision.

For me a water birth was the very best choice, it allowed me to keep control and gave me my own little space away from prodding hands and internal examinations. 

It provided me with the space that I needed in a time that I needed it.

Being in the water can slow down labor and I was warned when I got into the pool that the contractions may slow down or could even stop altogether. This luckily didn't happen and I was able to labor in the pool before delivering my baby boy into the water. 

I then stayed in the pool in our own little space while we waited for the placenta to deliver. They even allowed Leo to stay attached to the placenta until it had been delivered. 

The whole water birth experience is a beautiful option to be able to have, it gives you space, comfort and for me security. Of course it won’t be for everybody and so many people will have experienced a completely different scenario to me, but for me personally it made the whole experience unforgettable. 

But what are the advantages to water birth and do I agree?

- The water alone can provide excellent pain relief without additional measures such as gas and air. 

- Getting into the pool really did offer a sense of relief, the water cushions you and takes away the edge. The heat of the water is comforting and relaxing, being deep enough to encase your entire bump. The water itself is a pain relief factor but admittedly I did huff and puff relentlessly at times on the gas and air. 

- You can still use gas and air (enthanox) should you wish.

- Some research has suggested that a water birth is less likely to lead to medical intervention such as forceps, ventouse  delivery, episiotomy, or tearing.

My whole water birth experience was amazing. I was left to my own devices, and told go with what my body was telling me. Every so often the midwife would ask me to raise my bump out of the water so that she could monitor the fetal heartbeat just to keep a check on how baby was doing. When I began pushing, within 10/15 minutes I had a baby on my chest. I had a small tear but nothing that required stitches and I felt that I got away so lightly because of the water. 

A water birth will be on my birthing plan for any additional babies I go on to have, not only is it a fantastic way to labor and give birth to a baby but I found those first moments with Leo magical.

Of course there are possible downsides to a water birth that you have to take into consideration when writing your birth plan or considering your options:

- Not every hospital or maternity unit has the facilities to offer a water birth.

- If you need medical intervention you won’t be able to continue in the pool and it can take time to get you into a situation where you can be better attended to.

- No TENS machine.

- In some cases it can slow down labor.

- No Pethidine or epidurals can be used in the pool.

- Water births are not advised if your baby is breech, being induced, have preeclampsia or are overdue/pre-term (there are other medical reasons that can prevent you having a water birth)

Do you have an experience of water birth that you would like to share?

Expectations...

When I was pregnant with Leo I never really gave much thought to what would happen, but when I did think about going into labor and my little man making an appearance I always thought it would be in the middle of the night. I expected everything to be rushed and crazy and that the contractions would be coming so thick and so fast that I wouldn't be able to breathe. 

I never actually expected to get such a perfect birth, I never expected everything to be so calm and so relaxed. I didn't expect to get the water birth I had so coveted and I thought that despite my claims of not wanting an epidural, that I would sure as hell end up having one anyway.

I went into labor on the Friday, or at least I think I did. Not noticeably so, it wasn't painful by any means, I was merely aware that I was experiencing waves in the very pit of my stomach. But I didn’t say anything, or if I did no one took any notice. Luke was very good at ignoring my pregnancy ramblings and he was adamant that I was going to go overdue and the idea of me going into labor a week early was laughable to him.

Of course by the Sunday after Luke had paraded me around in the warm sticky June heat that had decided to grace us with its presence, I decided that I was confining myself to a dark room with a high power fan, a foot spa and a film while I sent Luke off to his Mum’s. 

Still even at this point I still didn’t think I was in labor, not even after a show. 

Although I wasn’t in pain, I was far from comfortable and sitting down had become a thing of the past and laying down in bed seemed to have followed suit. I spent the night walking around the house and wishing away the hours, all I longed to do was close my eyes for a little while, but that wave in my tummy was so much worse when I lay down. 

Luke however was tucked up asleep in bed, fast asleep in the land of nod. I had always thought that if I was in labor it would be incredibly obvious and I would most likely be kicking and screaming. But I wasn't. I was silent.

When Luke awoke the next morning he called up triage and so began our mission to get me into hospital. They didn't want me in, they told me that while I was talking through the contractions like I was that I was fine at home and was nowhere near ready to go in.

By this point though I was beginning to think I should go in, there was an ever growing pressure building up and so I decided to reward the hospital with screaming if that is what they so wished for. I was soon in Worcester hospital and having an internal examination. My heart began sinking when I half expected to be told to go back home again, but they were rather impressed.

I was already 9.5cm dilated and apparently doing exceptionally well with the contractions. The contractions that were never in any particular rhythm, they were just there. 

Everything was going as I had secretly hoped it would, but not as I had really expected it to go. 

The midwife was impressed that I was still walking around and had really thought that I would be going home before I was ready to be admitted. They quickly got the pool ready as the daylight poured into the room.

With the pool ready I was left to my own devices, just as I had wanted. I feared medical intervention and multiple examinations. The freedom experienced in a pool while you are the size of a beached whale is pain relief in itself and as I could not sit down, floating was my salvation. 

With lunch time upon us now was the time I chose to push out my 7lbs 15oz baby boy into the world. Pushing was by far the most painful experience but in minutes I had my baby in my arms, and was left feeling shocked at how quickly it had all happened.

The experience still blows me away. It was the most amazing, fantastic and magical moment of my life. 

My experience of labor and giving birth has given me such a positive glow, and I can quite honestly say that one day I cannot wait to do it all again. 

As crazy as it may sound, I absolutely loved labor but the active stage for me was the bomb! Now it is all but a distant memory I am kicking myself for not having Luke video record it (tastefully). 

When I eventually do get round to having another baby one day, I will be asking Luke to take lot’s more photos and even record as much as he can. I would so love to be able to go back and re-live the moment that Leo came into the world. 

Now who thinks I am mad!?

Mothers Day Giveaway! Win a Gummigem Pendant!

Mothers Day is this Sunday and it is about time we got to treat ourselves right!?

Here is the chance to win a fabulous Gumigem Pepper Raindrop Pendant worth £14.45!

GUMIGEM® is a UK based family run business who produce silicone jewellery, aimed to provide mummy with a stylish accessory that baby can also entertain their hands with. With a variety of stylish designs, and a full range of colours to choose from, your certain to find a GUMIGEM ® to suit you in their online shop. The jewellery is made from silicone (like what you would find a dummy teat, teething toy or baby spood to be made of), so is soft and flexible. The silicone meets the required standards and is BPA, PVC, Lead, Latex and Phthalate free.

You can follow Gumigem on Twitter and Facebook.

Good Luck!

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Mothers Day Giveaway! Funky Giraffe Dribble Bibs!

With Mothers Day being this Sunday I thought it was the perfect chance to offer you the chance to win a set of 3  Funky Giraffe Bibs!

Funky Giraffe was set up back in 2009 by Yasmin Drury, having worked for a major retailer she was all too aware of the cost of production and the massive mark up charged by companies. As a mum herself, she knew what she wanted for her baby son and set out to produce funky designs at a reasonable price.

Funky Giraffe only use fabric made to OEKO-TEX standard 100 for baby garments. They print their own items and only use water based inks, (while solvent based inks are legal, they come in big tins marked with a big X and Harmful, as bibs get chewed this did not seem right). The company only use inks that are completely non toxic.

So for your chance to win a funky set of your own just fill in the Rafflecopter form below!

You can follow Funky Giraffe Bibs on Facebook and Twitter.

Good Luck and have a lovely Mothers Day!

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Megson - When I Was A Lad

I have been on the hunt for some children's music for Leo, that doesn't make me want to open up the car window and throw it out into the big wide world, for me to never ever hear from again.

I was recently sent a wonderful album that is tailored for kid's and grown up's alike. Megson are husband and wife (Stu Hanna and Debbie Hanna). They have been nominated in the BBC 2 Radio Folk Awards and are double winners of the 2011 Spiral Earth Awards.

Megson don't primarily sing children's songs and it was only after they welcomed their baby daughter into the world back in 2011, that they became inspired to bring their new roles as parent's into their music.

Megson did just that and gave us 'When I was a Lad'.

When I first switched on their new album 'When I was a Lad', I was instantly impressed. The vocals and harmonies are soft and endearing, the songs are all different and after a few plays you will find yourself singing along in unison with them.

Unlike other children's albums I have had the dis-pleasure of enduring, I have found myself enjoying the Megson's take on the original compositions and children's folk songs. I even have a few favourites on the disk, and find myself listening to them when I am on my way to work...without Leo.

A few of my favourite songs just to name a few are 'All The Shops Have Fallen Down', 'Dance To Your Daddy' and my absolute favourite has to be 'A Frog He Would A Woooing Go'

The little Frog meets some interesting characters along his merry way but unfortunately for the little frog and his friends... they all meet a pretty sticky end. But despite this you will have it playing over and over in your head.

This is a really lovely collection of songs for both parent and child. Leo particularly loves '5 Little Ducks' and is forever quacking along with it, I can see it being a firm fixture in the car for many months ahead. As I haven't even yet been tempted to switch it back to an alternative CD.

You can purchase your own copy of 'When I Was A Lad' from the Megson website for £10.00.

Disclaimer: I was sent this music album for the purpose of this review, however all views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own. 

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Leo Feeds The Ducks

Leo and I have always been and fed the ducks together. 

But until recently I had fed the ducks and Leo has fed himself. Leo has sat there munching on the ducks bread and point blank refused to throw any of it into the river for the ducks.

Then all of a sudden last month on one of our visits to feed the ducks, Leo decided that he would throw it to the ducks instead. I do think he may have been aiming for the ducks...but the fact is he was actually throwing the bread!

He laughed so hard and even harder when he actually managed to hit the duck with the bread...

The ducks, seagulls and geese all gathered around, some getting a little to close for comfort. But with the river banks still being swollen and the water being right up to the steps it meant I could let Leo stand next to me as he threw in the bread, well away from the water. Safe and sound.

It gave him that freedom he craves and he is now loving feeding the ducks more than ever.

Preperation for Mothers Day

Mothers Day is fast approaching. 

My second ever Mothers Day.

My Mother's umpteenth and my Grandmother's...Well I couldn't even call it if I tried!

I am looking at gifts that I can put together, special gifts to make the day as special as I can for them. 

My Grandparent's are dotted in Birmingham and Coventry, and in all honesty I cannot foresee me getting the chance to pop over before Mothers Day comes knocking on my front door. This means that I am going to have to find another way of getting their gifts over to them. 

I have been thinking creatively, but I don't think sending the gifts out by pigeon will be the most effective way of getting them there in one piece. I am now also re-considering my initial thoughts of sending an Owl out with them. Just because it works wonders for Harry Potter it does not mean that it will work for me...

I think the most effective thing for me to do is to send the gifts by Parcelforce, so that I know they will get there in time. I also like that I will be able to track the parcels progress and know where they are at all times right up until they are signed for. 

So I guess all that I have to do now is pick out the gifts.... And I have a feeling that this may be the hard part!

I am trying to look for something that is not commercial, I don't want to gift something that has been purposely released for Mothers Day and even has 'For Mothers Day' written on the front. I do want to send something more unusual and thoughtful. Something that they will actually appreciate.

For me though, I will be happy as long as I get to spend the day with my beautiful boy. And that is exactly what I intend to do.

What are your plans this Mothers Day?

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