The Cornered Cat

I forget every time!!
1st trimester: excitement of having a new life inside me!
2nd trimester: waking up from the nausea and "brain fog"
3rd trimester: the cornered cat

I dunno what it is, but I end up enjoying my isolation! No, not self-pity.
Isolation: being far away from furtive eyes and uninvited opinions.
I say cornered cat because I seem to strike with claws first-ask questions of intent later. Though I don't mean to offend anyone, I know that I don't have to put up with being cornered with the why's and wherefore's of our life.
I get a bit upset at having to explain that we are a different couple, a different family, a different life with different morals and convictions. I tend to pray alot for others and learn to completely forgive at this time.

Having trusted others for information or support, and like any human, having that information hurt us more than help us, I like to just go to my corner and talk to the Lord more than anyone else (except my dh=my best friend!) I have no obligations to anyone else and trying to do as others suggest is not how God made me for my husband!

So, that's my outlook on the Cornered Cat. Ok, that's pretty much my outlook in all areas, but I'm a bit more opinionated when expecting & I just say it as it is.

Birth Story's Comparisons

Child #/Weight/Length

*Date/Time Latent & Active *Transition/Pushing & Birth *Date/Time Delivery

*Afterbirth **Where Birth ***Attending


#1 - F 6 lbs 15 oz , 19 1/2"

*7.20.01 7:00 p.m. *???(pushed for 21 hours)??? *7.21.01 1:20 p.m

*transferred/surgery at 7p.m. **at home ***4 midwives
**"dry land" ***my husband


#2 - M 8 lbs, 20"

*11.7.02 approx. 2 p.m. *??? ??? *11.7.01 6:40 p.m.

*immediately after birth (5 mins.) **hospital ***CNM & 2-4 nurses
*I think midwife pulled it **"tub/water" ***my husband & #1


#3 - M 9 lbs 4 oz, 21"

*6.15.04 11:00 p.m. *20 mins. *6.16.04 1:05 a.m.

*20 mins. **at home ***my husband
**"dry land" ***#1 & #2 awake


#4 - F 8 lbs 2 oz, 20"

*9.9.05 10:20 p.m. *15 mins. *9.10.05 1:00 a.m.

*5 mins. **at home ***my husband
**pool/water" ***# 1 & #3 awake


#5 - F 8 lbs 3 oz, 20 1/2"

*10.25.06 3:20 a.m. *3-5 mins. *10.25.06 4:20 a.m.

*5-10 mins. **at home ***my husband
**"dry land" ***#1 (then all awake)


*My children DO NOT attend the birth. They are nearby and may be during actual delivery, but modesty is maintained!!

**When I have all birth stories posted, I will link for more information.

(~ I tried aligning, but it won't! :( )

What Are Your Thoughts?

Are there any topics - related to this site - that you'd like me to write about?

Leave a comment!

If you'd like to share an experience or a what-to-do, let me know, if appropriate, I will at least link to your site.

Waking Up

I think I've made it through. I am just amazed at how my body shuts down critical function in the first trimester. Though I've learned and have beaten the morning sickness in the last 7 pregnancies, I've had to work hard to remember, while in the throws of evening sickness, what to do to beat the nausea, fatigue and general brain fog. I have found others that have written out the information or sites (links given here for varicose vein info, but they have lots more) that give herb safety lists and now know (for myself and my body, my regime) what to do. I am just so thankful when this time comes around. Almost 6 months until I actually feel normal, with a volleyball under my shirt. Then I only have 3-4 more months as the volleyball grows to almost beachball size and I'm waddling from the inconvenient pelvic expansion, but putting that all aside I usually feel great, have too much backlogged work and so begins "nesting". I push myself knowing that once I have the baby I will be out again for at least 2 weeks-closer to 2 months before everything starts going through spring cleaning again, no matter the season! So, you can see what I've been doing on my other sites, but more importantly, if you, too, are expecting, there is a time when things seem to get back on track. Look forward, not back, and keep taking care of yourself and your precious baby!!

I find that I skip the sites that do not have personal knowledge or are not trained in herbs and natural healing. I know that is a broad spectrum as well, since, for example, there are many great sites/people that advocate the use of castor oil to initiate labor. There are other herbs that I would not use to initiate labor, either. Remember there are those who say Red Raspberry Leaf and Nettle Leaf are not to be taken during pregnancy and then advocate the use of medications instead of healthy living, eating and that's straight bologna!! SO, inform YOURSELF! It's your body, your baby, your health - that's ultimately YOUR CHOICE and your responsibility!!

*please leave your thoughts and comments.

Links, Blogs and General Information

I am updating my list of links. I have so many that I have accumulated, that it will take a while to put them up and organize them!!
The links are for women, not children...so some may have pictures of bellies and some have their own "graphic content" information. (it's not usually on the opening page.)
I have gathered SOOO much from these sites, from what to do if... to fetal positioning, which immensly helped in my #5's delivery (#3 and #4 were sunny-side up, and it made it more painful as they turned, etc.).
I do not agree 100% with everything in every site, but it they are the sites I look up when I need information.

Herbs

"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart."

Psalms 104:14-15

I find this verse to be as calming as chamomile or lavender; as sweet as basil and as "fiery" as garlic. I finished a batch of whole wheat (with millet and flax and oats) bread today and have been looking at teas (herbal) for my malady. I have varicose veins that are, shall we say, bad. I seem to re-look up herb safety for my different situations:

1. regular me

2. pregnant me

3. nursing

4. pregnant and nursing

I like to read many, many opinions and facts. After I've gathered my information, then I factor in my own body and its needs and come to a conclusion. I need to take/drink many herbs for my health. I am seeing the benefits of a good milk supply (fennel, oat straw, red clover in particular) and the benefits of iron rich nettle. Calming effects of chamomile and lavender and the stomach-soothing effects of ginger.

Right now I am looking (for my veins) into Horse Chestnut and Butcher's Broom. I have such wonderful results with teas, moreso than with supplements. I guess I'm just looking for the tea to take away my veins, LOL. I have been exercising (need to walk more), eating right, taking supplements, drinking teas (always need more) and therefore have been a more peaceful mama.

Basically, I wanted to share this link I found (in my list, but hidden in the strange way I outline). It has a mountain of information under "Tri-Light Pregnancy Formula Guide". It has information on herbs appropriate for 1. Infertility 2.Early Miscarriage 3.Labor 4. After Labor "things" 5.Nursing and that's just to name a few!!

I hope this helps someone and let me know, too!! I just love comments!! :)

Review and Thoughts

I will be adding my birth stories as soon as I find them. I already see that there is a bit of information missing from the one I posted. We'll see what will be pertinent to add. As far as no urge to push, Running to the Cross, I found that there is where I have no problem, so the only thing I can think it might be is your position. Letting gravity help you by standing or walking would benefit. Possibly deep squats. Also you might be a bit dehydrated by that time. If you have someone helping, then they can remember for you to have diluted juice, more herb tea or just plain water with a little salt. Only sea salt or "Real Salt" to replenish minerals.

I read an article about 6 years ago called "Waiting to Push". It said that women who didn't push were more relaxed and baby was also. I am reminded of the verse that encourages me,

"By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee." Psalm 71:6