I know I’ve not done well at keeping this blog up the past while…it’s been a busy summer! I had a baby of my own in June, which I will have to post about sometime soon. Being a mom has been a blessing and a challenge! But I came across this article, and wanted to share it:
http://erinmidwife.com/2011/03/31/if-i-were-at-home-i-would-have-died/
Enjoy!
I thought some of you readers might be interested in looking at the following links….
Here’s an excellent article by ABC news that gives some good statistics about home birth and birthing options:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/cdc-home-births-rise-us/story?id=9998349
And here is an interesting video regarding the development of the new idea of a “family-centered Cesarean”. If you had to have a C-section, it would be lovely to have it happen this way! Just a note, it does show details of the C-sec surgery:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5RIcaK98Yg
Enjoy!
Alright, I finally have more detailed information regarding this summer’s childbirth education seminar. This all-day class will cover topics such as prenatal nutrition, exercise, explanation of the childbirth process, tips for couples on how to work together during labor, positions and comfort measures for labor and birth, suggestions on writing a birth plan, and much more! There will be opportunity for you to ask questions, meet other couples who are sharing similar experiences, and learn together about the miracle of birth. Designed especially to help those planning a natural childbirth, this class will help you to better understand and prepare for your upcoming birth from a Christian perspective. I strongly encourage couples to attend together, as well as any other support people who are planning to be present at your birth.
In order to enable the best concentration and involvement, please make other arrangements for your children, with the exception of nursing babies.
When: Saturday, July 10th, 2010
Schedule: 10am-Noon, break for lunch-we suggest you bring your own, as there aren’t many restaurants close by, 1pm-3pm
Location: the home of Heidi Nisly, cpm ~ 9101
W. Red Rock Road, Partridge, KS 67566
Cost: $75/couple (note: for those using Gentle Delivery Childbirth Services, this class is included in your total fee)
A workbook, drinks and snacks will be provided for your enjoyment!
Taught by Kelsey Hobbs, CPM
Please register by July 5th in order to ensure availability of materials. Feel free to call if you need more information or have questions. Email: gentlemidwife@gmail.com ~or~ phone: 316-253-0099 Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might be interested!
Greetings from Kansas once again! I had fully intended to do better at keeping this blog updated over the past few weeks, but due to a variety of reasons that didn’t happen. It was one of the most exciting Central America trips I have taken…and I am so grateful for God’s protection, care, and faithfulness. There’s too much to say in one post, so I’ll try to write more about it in a later post as well.
I left KS for Guatemala back on May 8, a bit earlier than planned, as the baby that I was going for was making signs of appearing sooner than expected. Usually, when going to that spot in Guatemala, I would need to fly into Guate City, take an overnight bus up to the northern Petén area of the country, catch another bus to head 4 hours to the town of El Naranjo, and from there catch a ferry across the river and drive another half hour or so, or take a boat from that spot….alot of traveling, to say the least! But since we felt time was crucial, I had the fun privilege of getting flown up to the town of El Naranjo by James, a pilot who works for the mission. This eliminated hours of travel, and after leaving KS at 6:30 am, I arrived at the destination that afternoon around 4 pm.
View of Guatemala City from the small plane's window
The plane on the small runway in El Naranjo
It was lovely to be back in Guatemala with some of my dear friends there! As we waited on baby’s arrival, I enjoyed time catching up with them, and getting a further glimpse of their life. A few days later, we headed out to a small town about 4 hours away, where we stayed awaiting the birth. This allowed us to be within half an hour of a hospital should complications occur. Little Alex José arrived on May 19, after a lovely first-time labor. One of my good friends, Ashley, who works as a nurse in a nearby clinic, was my assistant for the birth, and it was a special treat to get to work with her!
Little Alex a few days after birth
His first Sunday!
I ended up staying with Alex’s family for about a week after his birth, going with them back to the little village where they live….then when I tried to return home, things got interesting, as a result of several natural disasters that occured the weekend I tried to travel….but more pictures and those stories will come later!!
In closing, a big thank you to all of you who were praying for me, and kept in touch. It was an incredible opportunity, and dream come true to spend the time in Guatemala helping with a delivery!
First, I have to mention that I am still excited about the special birth I had the honor of assisting with early yesterday morning. It was one of Heidi’s clients, and after much prayer and anticipation, we were thrilled to witness a lovely VBAC-it was a beautiful birth anyway, but the fact that it was her first vaginal birth following a c-section with her first pregnancy added an extra-special dimension. I barely made it, with only 20 minutes or so to spare!
Now, I’m excited to finally have pictures to post of a birth that occurred back in January. This mama had a photographer there, and has generously allowed me to use some of the photos in order to share her experience with others. Thanks, Kristina!
So, for those of you who enjoy pictures, or are just curious to know a little more about what a home birth looks like, here you go….
Mom was laboring in the tub as the birth was getting closer, with her support people and myself surrounding her
Doppler and other supplies sitting nearby
My dear assitant, Heidi, stands ready to lend a hand when needed, as an aunt peeks in to check on progress
Heidi charting progress as the labor continues
This mama worked beautifully with her contractions, allowing her body to relax and open
Baby Z in mom's arms just moments after birth
All snuggled up and meeting various family members
I begin the newborn exam, while Heidi charts in the background
Footprints
Heidi and I after everything is finished
Mom and baby enjoying some time together
We had a lovely first-time birth yesterday…8 1/2 lb. baby boy born after only 2 hrs. and 45 min. of labor! I’m grateful my assistant Heidi made it in time, as she walked in the door with only 10 minutes to spare. Praise the Lord for His answered prayer, and for a safe delivery!
Aren't newborn feet just adorable?!?
Had a sweet baby girl born yesterday…and we were very grateful for her safe birth. God is good, and it’s always a miracle to witness the arrival of a new life into this world, especially one as intense as this one. Thanks, too, to Heidi for her awesome job as an assistant. It’s a joy to get to work with her, and I’m grateful for the opportunity!!
Recently I’ve been contacted by several people interested in finding out more about having a VBAC homebirth, checking out their VBAC options in this area, and in general seeking more information. I thought some of you may be interested in the following links to articles on the Midwifery Today site.
Along those same lines, a midwife friend of mine just sent me this quote from a prominent midwifery textbook, which sheds some light on the commonly recognized risk in attempting a vagina birth after cesarean:
“Rupture of a low transverse uterine incision, if it occurs, is not generally catastrophic or life threatening to either the mother or the baby. Such a rupture is usually no more than a dehiscence of the old scar and an incidental finding during uterine exploration following a vaginal birth or during an elected repeat cesarean section. To be life threatening, rupture of a uterine scar either extends into the rich blood supply found in the uterine corpus and fundus or disrupts the placenta, which is normally located in the uterine fundus. Because of these possibilities, VBAC is not recommended for women with classical upper uterine segment vertical scars.” (from Varney’s Midwifery, Helen Varney)
If any of you would have VBAC stories to share, I would love to hear them! It is always encouraging for those facing a new situation to hear from those who have successfully done it before.
Homebirth after Cesarean: The Myth and the Reality – by Amy V. Haas
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/homebirthaftercesarean.asp
VBAC and Choice: Many Questions and a Few Answers – by Nancy Wainer
Susanna, Kelsey and Heidi
A sweet little girl arrived safely this past weekend. Here pictured is the great birth team I worked with-it’s wonderful to have such helpful assistants that are a joy to work with!
This post is to bring to your attention two new pages that have been added recently. The first is a short History of Midwifery article, which may help to explain some of the differences between the midwifery care model, and other forms of midwifery care. The second page provides you with more information about some of my assistants, and the people you may meet throughout your pregnancy. Enjoy!
Gentle Delivery Midwifery Services (Centre Co. PA) 