Apr
2013

Packing the Hospital Bag(s) for Birth

categories: baby, birth, medical, pregnancy

Packing the hospital bag for baby’s birth can be a stressful undertaking, so I thought I’d share our checklist with y’all.   This is our second go round, and we learned a few things last time.  You can read some of my other pregnancy posts here.  We are also at a different hospital this time so what they provide will be a bit different.  The first thing any mama should do is get the list from your birthing center or hospital so you know what they will give you.  Be forewarned though that nothing is free at the hospital and you will be billed for pretty much everything.  My hospital does provide each mama with a birth ball for labor, which is handy since they are super awkward to tote around.  I’ve found that the trickiest part of packing the hospital bag is that my wardrobe is pretty limited at this point, so there are things I can’t pack til the last minute.  Our solution is to have a copy of our checklist on top of the suitcase so we can add those last minute items on our way out the door.  I’m a chronic overpacker so I have to try hard to keep it under control for this situation.

For Mama:
Comfy Clothes – lounge pants, nursing tanks, soft cardigans
Nursing Bras
Giant Cotton Undies (in case they don’t have the giant stretchy ones)
Hair Dryer (didn’t use it last time, but I’m an eternal optimist)
Bathrobe (institutional towels – enough said)
Warm Fuzzy Socks (hospitals are cold)
Loose Fitting Shoes (last time my right foot looked like the Elephant Man)
Clothes to Wear Home (don’t overthink it – all eyes are on the baby)
Phone + Charger
iPad + Charger
Camera + Charger + Lenses
Makeup (see the hair dryer explanation)
Ponytail Holders
Headbands
Snacks (vending machines are expensive)
Boppy Nursing Pillow
Favorite Pillow (I’m a pillow snob.)
Cloth Nursing Pads (for chafing, not leaking)
Lanolin (see above)
Rice Socks (tube sock full of rice for heat/cold pack during labor & postpartum)
Tennis Ball Socks (tube sock with 2-3 tennis balls inside for massage during labor)

For Baby:
Going Home Outfit
Car Seat (installing it beforehand saves headaches)
Socks (are on our hospital’s check list)
Woombie Swaddler + Summer Infant SwaddlePod (so much easier than a hospital blanket)
Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddle Blanket (mostly for the drive home)
Headbands (purely for the cute factor)
Hats (again, hospitals are cold)

For Daddy:
Hooded Sweatshirt or Comfy Jacket (he froze last time)
Warm Socks (see above)
3 Changes of Comfy Clothes
Snacks (he gets hangry if not fed often, a combination of hungry/angry at the world)
Drinks (to avoid vending machines)

What was/is your must have item for the hospital bag?  How far in advance did you pack?

Shopping for your hospital bag?  Check out the prices on some of our favorite items on Amazon:


Apr
2013

Pregnancy 2.0 Update: 38 Weeks

categories: baby, birth, pregnancy
This is what happens when I forget to ask Jed to take a picture.

I can’t believe we are really almost there.  From here on out I’ll do weekly updates until our sweet girl arrives.  Because we are trying for a VBAC and lots of people have lots of questions about what that entails, we’ll be live tweeting as much as we can during the birth.  You can follow along on Twitter or on the Bare Feet on the Dashboard Facebook page for those updates when labor begins.  You can read my other pregnancy 2.0 updates here, and read all my pregnancy posts here. This sweet baby could come any day now, and we are so ready to meet her.

38 Weeks Update
Feeling: like a manatee – wishing I could float all day
Wearing: Muumuus, basically. And sandals.  There is a reason that ladies used to go into “confinement” those last weeks of pregnancy.  It ain’t pretty.  
Weight Gain: not telling, but significantly less than last time
Pregnancy Side Effects: waking up 18 times each night to pee, lots of Braxton Hicks contractions
Progression: My cervix is 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced and in the mid position.
Craving: nothing really
Baby:  Weighs about 7 pounds and is fattening up for birth.  She has moved down into a -3 station.
Gender: Girl!  (We sure hope that ultrasound was right or we’ll have a lot of pink stuff going to waste.)
Name: We still haven’t decided and are open to suggestions.  
Nursery: I have a sweet little set up for her in our room with our bassinet, cloth diapers, clothes, and hair accessories, decorated with a banner made by a friend. 
Preparations: The bag is packed.  Our on call people for Bear are ready. I want to freeze a few more meals this week.  I’m heading to the chiropractor for an adjustment to help baby girl get into a good position.  We are trying for a VBAC.  
To-Do List: freeze more meals, bounce on the birth ball, make more headbands and bows, practice relaxation techniques for labor

What’s on your to-do list?


Apr
2013

Trying for a VBAC: Our Birth Plan

categories: birth, pregnancy, trying for a vbac, vbac

Our second baby is due at the end of April, and we are hoping and trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section).  This is one of a series of posts about Trying for a VBAC.  There are many reasons why we are heading this direction and I hope to share them with y’all over the next few months.  You can read the Bear’s full birth story here to see what our first child’s birth entailed.  If you read that story you will get a little glimpse into why we are now on this journey to VBAC and a normal birth.  This process has been all consuming for me and this blog is my space to express the way I feel about the whole situation.  Many folks have strong opinions about VBAC vs. repeat cesarean, and I hope that whatever your opinion might be you will respect mine.  VBAC is not the right decision for every c-mama, and it doesn’t always work out no matter how you prepare.  Our hope and prayer is that we can have the best birth possible for our little girl.

Because we are trying for a VBAC and lots of people have lots of questions about what that entails, we’ll be live tweeting as much as we can during the birth.  You can read my other pregnancy 2.0 updates here, and read all my pregnancy posts here. *UPDATE* We successful had a VBAC with our daughter, and you can read our full birth story here.

This week I’m sharing our birth plan with you.  We worked out the details with the help of our doula, Erica Sosa.  She has attended many VBACs and has worked with our OB on a number of occasions.  We know that every birth is different and things rarely go according to plan.  We still think it is best to have a plan and to share that plan with our birth team so that everyone is on the same page.

Birth Preferences for our VBAC Birth
Becca and Jed Eby
Due Date: 4/24/13
Before Labor Begins 
– As long as my baby and I are healthy, I want to reach as close to 42 weeks as possible.

– If some induction method is needed, I prefer to try these first: natural induction methods

– If my water breaks before I go into labor, I want to wait as long as possible before coming in to allow labor to start on it’s own.
– I would like to labor at home as long as possible.
– I wish to have spontaneous rupture of membranes.
Upon Arrival / Admittance 
– If I am less than four centimeters dilated, I would like the option of going home to continue laboring there.
– Upon arrival at the hospital, I prefer to have my husband Jed Eby and my doula, Erica Sosa with me at all times.
– As long as my baby and I are fine, I want my movement during my delivery and stay to be completely unrestricted.
– I want to remain IV free unless it becomes medically necessary to start one and am fine with a saline heplock.
– I prefer to limit vaginal exams unless I request one.
– I am aware that pain meds are available and will ask if I feel the need. PLEASE do NOT mention or ask otherwise.
– If a situation arises and we need to make a medical decision, please allow my husband and I time alone to discuss it.
– I may be wearing my own clothing to labor and birth in.
– I understand that upon arrival I need to be monitored, I ask that I be able to do this in the position that I am most comfortable in as I am wanting this birth to be unmedicated. Thank you.
– I would like as much intermittent monitoring as possible.
– I will use a heating pad, massage, and lavender essential oil aromatherapy as needed.
Delivery
– Please do not allow any other visitors into my room without my consent.
– I want to have my door closed, lights dimmed and I prefer for people entering the room to speak softly.  I appreciate your cooperation in helping make this the birth experience we want.
– I want the freedom to use different positions and equipment during my labor such as: birthing ball, squat bar, shower etc.

 

– IF I request pain relief, I would appreciate some private time to think about which pain management technique or medication I would like to use.

– I would like to use a mirror when I am pushing and may touch my baby’s head when crowning.

– I would like to be in the position for delivery that is most comfortable to me at the time. I.E. Squatting or on my side
– I would like my Dr. to guide my breathing and pushing for slower crowning.
– I would like olive oil/coconut oil that I will provide, used and gentle perineal massage at crowning.
– Please allow the umbilical cord to pulsate 1.5 to 2 minutes before it is clamped.
– We will be taking our placenta with us.
– As long as my baby and I are healthy, I want to maintain skin-to-skin contact until after my baby has successfully breastfed on both breasts. (at least 2 hours and all routine procedures done ON me)
– If a tear occurs and repair is needed, please use local anesthetic for repair.
Postpartum 
– As long as my baby and I are healthy, I want to maintain skin-to-skin contact and do not wish to have baby removed from me unless medically necessary.

 

– AFTER 2 hours has passed I DO consent to all routine newborn procedures such as weighing etc. I wish to waive the Hepatitis B vaccine.

– I would like a pulse ox screening after for our baby girl when she is 24 hours old to rule out congenital heart defects.
– If my baby’s health is in jeopardy, I want to be present with our baby at all times, breastfeed or express my milk for my baby and have as much bodily contact with my baby as soon as possible.
– My baby is to be exclusively breastfed; please do not offer my baby any formula, pacifiers etc without my consent.
– I am aware that there is guidance available for nursing and would like to consult with a lactation consultant to ensure there are no breastfeeding issues.
– I prefer that my baby’s first bath be done at my bedside and I may want to help with her bath.
– I want the shortest hospital stay possible.

What was/will be most important to you during the birthing process?  How did you communicate your desires to your birth team?


Apr
2013

Frugal Friday: Our Top 3 Cheap Babysitting Solutions

categories: budget, dining out, family, frugal, parenting

As parents on a tight budget, we are always looking for a cheap babysitting solutions so we can have date nights, go to social events, and spend time with friends.  We don’t have any family near us, so that’s not an option.  In Dallas the going rate for babysitting one child is around $10-15 per hour.  PER HOUR, people.  That means if we want to go out to dinner and a movie we are shelling out an additional $40 to the babysitter, minimum.  There is no room in our budget for that kind of expense, unfortunately.  Our whole dining out and entertainment budget for an entire month is $95.  Yep, that’s it.  We are on one income and prioritize saving for retirement and other things above dining out and entertainment.  So, we’ve had to get creative when it comes to babysitting solutions.  We’ve found a few things that work well, and one we really want to try.

Cheap Babysitting Solutions:
1) Parents’ Night Out – Several churches and local kid businesses (YMCA, etc) host Parents’ Night Out evenings a few times a year.  We sign up for every one we come across.  In our area these are typically a 4-5 hour window where you drop your child off and pay a fee to help the church youth group raise money.  Most churches are well equipped to care for children because they do it on a regular basis, and we feel good about helping out a local church.  Usually you don’t have to be a member, and most in our area charge $10 for the first child for the whole time slot, and $5 for each additional child.  This is a steal!  To find a Parents’ Night Out in your area, just do a google search or call local churches or kid friendly organizations.

2) The Swap – Trade babysitting nights with another family.  We’ve done this a few times and hope to schedule more in the future.  Most kids Bear’s age go to bed around 7 pm like he does, so we put him to bed and then have 1 parent from another family come over and watch tv, read in peace, etc on our couch while we go out for a few hours.  Then one of us goes over to that family’s house on another night to relax and watch the baby monitor while they go out.  Everybody wins.  This doesn’t work as well for single parents unless you can take your child to the other house and put them to bed there, then transport them home when the parents return.

3) The Co-op – My parents were part of a babysitting co-op in our neighborhood growing up, and my mom has encouraged me to start one here with our friends.  A babysitting co-op is a group of families who organize themselves to trade off babysitting using a point or voucher system.  You earn points by babysitting for others, and then cash them in when you need a sitter.  I haven’t gotten around to starting or joining one, but hope to soon.

What’s your best cheap babysitting solution?  

 


Mar
2013

Pregnancy 2.0 Update: 36 Weeks

categories: baby, pregnancy

Woohoo, three pregnancy updates in a row!  We are on a roll, people.  You can read my other pregnancy 2.0 updates here, and read all my pregnancy posts here.  We are now entering the home stretch, and are sooo ready to meet our daughter.  Because we are trying for a VBAC and lots of people have lots of questions about what that entails, we’ll be live tweeting as much as we can during the birth.  You can follow along on Twitter or on the Bare Feet on the Dashboard Facebook page for those updates when labor begins.

36 Weeks Update
Feeling:   Great!  I have lots of energy so far this week, which is a big change.  
Wearing: Muumuus, basically. And sandals.  There is a reason that ladies used to go into “confinement” those last weeks of pregnancy.  It ain’t pretty.  
Weight Gain: not telling, but significantly less than last time
Pregnancy Side Effects: waking up 18 times each night to pee, lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, hip pain, swollen feet and cankles
Belly Button: Still in.  It never popped with Bear so I’m assuming that it won’t this time either.
Craving: raw carrots and Cadbury Eggs 
Baby:  She has officially moved down and is engaged in my pelvis. Her head is putting pressure on my cervix, so it is 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and at the mid position. She weighs about 6 pounds and is fattening up for birth, and is about the size of a bowling ball.   
Gender: Girl!  (We sure hope that ultrasound was right or we’ll have a lot of pink stuff to sell on Craigslist.)
Name: We still haven’t decided and are open to suggestions.  
Nursery: We have the paint, but haven’t painted.  Bear will continue to live in there until he is ready to move to a big boy room this summer.  Mini Bear will room with us for the first few months for convenient night time breastfeeding and mommy’s paranoia.  
Preparations: This week we are packing the bag and preparing the house for her arrival.  Next week I plan to freeze some meals.  Some friends are throwing me a little sprinkle this week, too.  So fun.  We are trying for a VBAC.  
To-Do List: pack hospital bag, prep a changing station for our bedroom, work on decorations for the nursery, make headbands and bows, practice relaxation techniques for labor

What is one thing you wished you had packed/plan to pack in your hospital bag?


Mar
2013

Pregnancy 2.0 Update: 34 Weeks

categories: baby, birth, family, pregnancy, recipes
I’m really trying to update every two weeks from here on out, so I’ll have it for Mini Bear’s baby book and for the 7 of you who want to know how the pregnancy is going.  You can read my other pregnancy 2.0 updates here, and read all my pregnancy posts here.  

34 Weeks Update
Feeling: Sick – I’ve been fighting a cold/cough scenario for the whole week.  
Wearing: anything that fits, lots of flowy skirts, wide shoes – even my super wide Keens are tight now
It might be time to bust out the old Birkenstocks from college, much to Jed’s horror.  
Weight Gain: not telling, but significantly less than last time
Pregnancy Side Effects: I still have ankles, but my feet are super puffy. I’m having Braxton Hicks contractions all day long.
Belly Button: Still in.  It never popped with Bear so I’m assuming that it won’t this time either.
Craving: Sweets and sushi.  I eat vegetarian sushi while pregnant, but I’m longing for the real stuff.  
Baby: She is head down and has moved down significantly.  Yay, I can breathe again!  She is now over 4 pounds and is about 18 inches long, the size of a small pumpkin, opening and closing her eyes and reacting to light.
Gender: Girl!  (We sure hope that ultrasound was right or we’ll have a lot of pink stuff going to waste.)
Name: We still haven’t decided and are open to suggestions.  
Nursery: We have the paint, but haven’t painted.  Bear will continue to live in there until he is ready to move to a big boy room this summer.  Mini Bear will room with us for the first few months for convenient night time breastfeeding and mommy’s paranoia.  
Preparations: We created our birth plan with our doula, and I’ll share it with y’all soon.  We are trying for a VBAC.  We pretty much have all the necessary items for our sweet girl, with a few more things to check off the list.    
To-Do List: work on decorations for the nursery, make headbands and bows, practice relaxation techniques for labor

When did you start packing your hospital bag? 


Mar
2013

Baby Bloom: Minted Review and Giveaway ~ Win a $50 Credit to Minted.com

categories: baby, giveaway, pregnancy
I am so thrilled to share with you a review and $50 giveaway to Minted that you can use for birth announcements, wedding invitations, party invitations, art prints, greeting cards or anything of their other products!  Have you been to Minted.com yet?  Minted has been around since 2007 and strives to bring the  best in stationary design and paper goods to the world.  From Minted.com:

“Minted is a global community of independent graphic designers and an online store that prints and sells the best of their designs in the form of paper goods.”

Minted’s independent designers come from 43 different countries, so the variety of designs is unparalleled.  I found so many birth announcements I loved, then found myself looking at children’s and nursery prints, and birthday party invitations.  There are thousands of fun options.  Pricing is competitive, and if you subscribe to Minted’s email newsletter they often send out discounts and deals.  One thing that really sets Minted apart is the quality of the paper.  Maybe that sounds silly if you aren’t into paper goods, but my sister and I were discussing this and agreed that out of all the printing companies we’ve used, Minted has the highest quality products.  She actually brought it up when I told her I was reviewing the company.  

Baby Bloom - Bare Feet on the Dashboard by Becca, see more birth announcements

I created 2 inspiration boards for you to check out a few of the options I’m considering for Mini Bear.  These are five of my favorite birth announcements, and 3 of my favorite art prints.  I can’t decide which I like the best.

Baby Bloom II ~ Bare Feet on the Dashboard by Becca, see more kids art prints

I ordered Christmas cards from Minted, and fell in love with their free addressing service.  You enter your recipients’ addresses and choose the font, and your envelopes arrive addressed for you.  Genius.  I’m excited to check this off the list before Mini Bear arrives so that all I’ll have to do is add her photo and birth stats.

Head over to Minted and pick out your favorite products and enter to win a $50 credit on the Rafflecopter form below.  You don’t need to have a blog or a Facebook profile to enter, just an email address.    
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is the first post in my Baby Bloom Blog Event series.  Stay tuned for more reviews, giveaways, and baby themed good times here on Bare Feet on the Dashboard.

**I was not paid for this review and all opinions are my own.  I did receive products in exchange for a review.


Mar
2013

Meal Planning: Chicken and Peppers with Minute Rice

categories: meal planning, recipes

 Ok, everyone remembers that I’m not a food blogger for several very good reasons, right?  Be that as it may, I like to share my favorite recipes with y’all from time to time.  Lately we’ve been on a meal planning jaunt, and it has been good to us.  We are seriously only going to the grocery store once a week, and staying under our $380 a month food budget.  Yay!  This is one of our favorite recipes, and I recently made the switch to using Minute Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice in place of white rice.  We try to buy chicken when it is on sale, and freeze it in serving sized baggies for later use.  We also try to keep veggies and whole grains on hand all the time for easy meal planning.  Fresh veggies – check.  Whole grains – check.  Lean protein – check.

Quick and Easy Chicken and Peppers with Minute Rice
Ingredients: 
3 Bell Peppers (I prefer to use one red, one yellow, and one orange.)
1 Onion ( I like Vidalias best.)
2 Chicken Breasts (about 13 oz)
2 servings Minute Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice
Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning
Cavender’s All Purpose Greek Seasoning
Olive Oil (about 2 tbsp)
2 cloves minced garlic

Directions:
Boil your chicken til it hits 165 degrees and then shred it.  If you have a Kitchen Aid Mixer, throw your chicken in there and shred it with the paddle in about 30 seconds.  Pure magic.  I’ll spare you the raw and shredded chicken pics.  No one wants to see that.
While the chicken is boiling, chop your onion and peppers.  Saute the onion and garlic in 1 tbsp of the olive oil until your onions are well cooked.  Then toss the peppers in with the their friends.  Liberally sprinkle the Cavender’s and Tony C’s all over the onion/pepper mixture, and stir in the other tbsp of olive oil.  Sprinkle on more seasoning for good measure.

Now would be a good time to start the rice.  It only takes 10 minutes, so no worries.  Follow the directions on the box and you’ll be good to go.
Once the chicken is shredded and the peppers are cooked, toss the shredded chicken in with the peppers and onions.  Feel free to sprinkle on more seasoning.  Once the Minute Rice is ready, toss it in, too.  And you’re done.  Woohoo!

What’s your favorite go-to weeknight meal?  Do you meal plan? 

Minute® Rice is so quick and easy to prepare and is great pantry staple. When meal time seems like a hassle, Minute® Rice is a go-to ingredient your whole family will love and allows you to have more quality time doing what your want with your loved ones.
Leftover rotisserie chicken or veggies from a meal earlier in the week? Minute® Rice can easily be paired with some of your leftover ingredients to make a quick, easy and wholesome meal your whole family will love in just a matter of minutes.
Visit http://www.minuterice.com/ to create a great main meal or side dish for your next family get-together or potluck.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Minute® Rice.


Mar
2013

Trying for a VBAC: Preparing

categories: baby, birth, medical, pregnancy, vbac
Our second baby is due at the end of April, and we are hoping and trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section).  This is one of a series of posts about Trying for a VBAC.  There are many reasons why we are heading this direction and I hope to share them with y’all over the next few months.  You can read the Bear’s full birth story here to see what our first child’s birth entailed.  If you read that story you will get a little glimpse into why we are now on this journey to VBAC and a normal birth.  This process has been all consuming for me and this blog is my space to express the way I feel about the whole situation.  Many folks have strong opinions about VBAC vs. repeat cesarean, and I hope that whatever your opinion might be you will respect mine.  VBAC is not the right decision for every c-mama, and it doesn’t always work out no matter how you prepare.  Our hope and prayer is that we can have the best birth possible for our little girl. *UPDATE* We had a successful VBAC with our daughter and you can read her full birth story here.
This week I’m sharing what we’ve done to prepare so far for a VBAC.  I’m not an expert by any means, but I’d love for others who are on this path to one example of how to prepare.
 
1) Do your research.  Read, read, and read some more.  Talk to your OB.  Talk to another OB.  Talk to the ladies in your local ICAN chapter or online.  Talk to your partner and get on the same page.  Watch The Business of Being Born together. If you come to the conclusion that you want to try for a VBAC, go for it!  The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has come out recently in favor of most c-section moms having a trial of labor after cesarean.  If your doctor says anything to the contrary they are going against their own governing body.  That being said, there is a small percentage of women who do not qualify for VBAC.  If you have found a doctor who is known for supporting trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) and she says you are not a candidate for a particular reason, that is important.
2) Find a supportive OB or Midwife.  My former OB is awesome and I love her as a person, but she just doesn’t do VBACs.  She told me that I was a good candidate but that she just didn’t do them.  I started looking for a new doctor soon after that appointment, long before I was even pregnant again.  My first choice was a midwife run birth center, but the one I like only does 2VBACs, not first time VBACs.  They recommended my new OB, as did my ICAN chapter.  The first time I met her I knew she was a great fit.  She loves natural labor and backs up the birth center I researched.  She read through my records and told me I should have at least an 80% chance of successful VBAC and she would be happy to support my birth choices.  Such a relief.  She doesn’t induce without medical reason, and won’t talk about induction for a VBAC mama until I hit almost 42 weeks.  Yay!  She even recommended I hire a doula, and gave me several cards of doulas she likes to work with.  This is not normal for OBs, but is sure does rock.
3) Hire a Doula.  A doula is a birth assistant.  They don’t take the place of your partner or your OB/midwife, but they can help coach you through labor and achieve your birthing goals.  Rates of VBAC drastically increase when a doula is part of a birth team.  Doulas cost anywhere from $250-over $1000, depending on the experience of the doula and the rates in your area.   I interviewed several doulas until I found the right one.  She will meet with us to create our birth plan and also work with us to teach us natural child birth techniques.
4) Take a Natural Child Birth Class. We took the natural childbirth class offered by our former hospital, and it was a joke.  This time I’ve taken some classes online, read several books, listened to Hypnobabies cds, and will have a private refresher course with our doula.  There are Lamaze, Bradley, Hypnobabies and Hypnobirthing classes in most metro areas.  If you live far outside a city, get yourself on Amazon and order some books.
5) Practice Relaxation Techniques and Positioning Exercises.  If you want to use a certain technique for labor, practice it now.  I’ve been working on my breathing, relaxing tense muscles, and repeating my positive birth affirmations (cheesy, I know, but people swear by them).  Bear was in a poor birthing position, so I’ve been practicing the exercises from Spinning Babies and using my birth ball instead of slumping on the couch. I prepared a DIY heating pad using rice and a sock, and scented with lavender essential oil for calming and relaxation.
6) Create a Birth Plan and Share It with Your Team.  I’ve worked on mine and have it narrowed down to what I want and don’t want for the most part.  I’ll flesh it out with Jed and my doula next week, then discuss it with my OB.  Last time I had a birth plan but I’m pretty sure none of the doctors or nurses ever looked at it.  I was so wishy-washy about what I wanted that I ended up with none of it.  This time around it may still go off course, but at least I will have made informed choices about my preferences.  I think this step would be especially important if your mom or other family members will be in the room.  They may get totally thrown off by delayed cord clamping or the squatting bar. You can read our complete birth plan here.
7) Make Sure Your Birth Location Lines Up with Your Plan.  If you plan to birth at home, this one is a little easier.  Most birthing centers and hospitals have policies in place that aren’t flexible.  You need to know what those are before you are there in labor.  Can you move around during labor?  Will you have access to a shower or birth tub?  Are birth balls provided? Can you eat or drink? Can you wear your own clothes? Can your baby stay with you for several hours after birth?  Whatever it is that is important to you, make sure you have peace of mind about it long before labor starts.  We were so relieved after our hospital tour because so many of the things we thought we might have to fight for are normal practice there.  Yay!
8) Trust Your Body and Your Instincts.  Your body was MADE by your Creator to do this.  You were given all the instincts you need to birth without assistance.  Technology is great, but it can also convince us that we are helpless without it.  You are not helpless.  You are an amazing woman who is carrying a life inside her and trying to do what is best for that baby and your own body.  Trust that.
More on Resources for VBAC Preparation:
From Growing Slower
Hiring a Doula
Find a Doula in Your Area
Find a Lamaze Class
Birth Boot Camp Classes
Spinning Babies
Click here to read all of my Trying for a VBAC Series.
Looking for resources and information about VBAC and cesarean recovery?  Try these:
International Cesarean Awareness Network
VBAC.com
Birth Without Fear
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Mar
2013

The Neighborhood Geese are NOT Our Friends

categories: toddlers
The Bear and I love to walk down the creek to see all the ducks, geese, and turtles.  Sometimes we feed them, sometimes we just watch.  The other day Bear decided to chase them.  It did not end well.  I had to fight off a goose who nipped Bear’s jeans, which is what’s going on at the end of the video.  What I didn’t know was that Jed pulled up in the car after work and was watching the whole thing go down.  He was pretty entertained.  We now steer clear of the geese.  They are mean and loud and most definitely not our friends.