Topic Archive: epidural

August 24, 2010

Sunny’s Birthing Story

Sunny’s birthing story. Her birth plan, epidurals and recuperation after a 9.2 lb baby. How did she know she was in labor and where was she? The importance of packing your bags in advance; you won’t believe what she accidentally left behind! Plus, not all is well post birth, and why she’s vowed to become the spokesperson for epidurals. (more…)

August 20, 2010

Things That Make You Go… Ewwwww!

In a society, as we get older we form opinions and judgments on things. They are based on our experiences, our beliefs and common thought amongst our peers groups. We make our assessments and do what we think is best (or normal) for us.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. As our society has grown and changed, the things that were once taboo and sometimes used to be frowned upon, we have now opened our mind to accept and therefore adapt. Thereby, making it now normal. These range from cleaning products (What? Baking soda is not just for cooking?) to tampons (Can you imagine our grandmother’s first thoughts… you wanna stick that where?!).

Pregnancy and the upcoming birth of our child have made me do just that. The things that were once ‘gross’ to me, I am now having an open mind about; some of the options considered bizarre, I am now looking into. There are some choices in pregnancy and childbirth that are starting to cross lines. More and more people are doing it so they are becoming more and more popular and moms are inquiring about them. Including me.

My life thus far has always been extreme. With pregnancy it has just taken a sharp turn that make friends politely go, “Hmmm….”

Starting with our choice of birth. Once upon a time, I was all for a hospital, medicated birth. That was our hope and desire! I used to joke with people to give me an epidural as soon as I got pregnant! My husband agreed saying he wanted one, too. However, since getting pregnant we have decided on almost the complete opposite… a water birth at a birthing center. I have now become un‐normal amongst my peer group and get a lot of funny looks and questions from concerned people (and not just friends!)

Then the baby shower came. After spending 10 years on and off in childcare I decided I didn’t want anything new, I want to cloth diaper, and make my own baby food. Friends don’t know how to go about buying shower gifts for us. I now have a big sign on my forehead that says, “WEIRDO!”

Now, the stuff I am afraid to admit because it might ostracize me from those near and dear…. I’ve considered placenta encapsulation and breast milk donation. There! I’ve said it aloud! You might as well stick me in the bush to make friends with the animals, cause I’m off in the woods!

Honestly, my first thought was, “Ewwww. Really?! People do that?” I saw my dog give birth once, and her natural instinct was to eat every puppy’s placenta. I’ve also seen a cat suck a dog’s teats for milk. Now, I’ve also seen a dog eat poop, so I’m not necessarily going the route of the animal kingdom.

But it’s made me think, why not these options for my baby? I’m willing to eat the oil from a fish, algae, cod liver to name a few and whatever else that will help me and grow my baby to be a genius, yet I can’t even consider the strongest vitamins that helped grow the life inside of me because it sounds gross? We are also the only creatures that will give our babies milk that was meant for calves, but yet we find other woman’s breast milk disturbing.

What is ‘normal’ and who classifies it? Do we stand to be out‐casted from playgroups if we chose one way or another? Do we need to get a celebrity on board so our absurd becomes hip? Or our hip becomes absurd? If we claim to have open‐minds then why aren’t people talking about it and sharing? I think that’s why I like PregTASTIC so much. The subject is pregnancy and childbirth so everything goes. We talk about things with guests whom I would never have sought advice from before and I find myself intrigued with what they have to say.

I know the judgment only gets worse from here on out as we try to rear our children in a ‘normal’ society. I might have to go live in the woods with my animal friends and reemerge for my placenta capsules; or just grin and bear it with a smile on my face and a secret in my heart while pretending to be ‘normal’ while we all figure this parenthood thing out.

Now, I still haven’t wrapped my brain around a placenta teddy bear but let’s just say I’m trying to be open about all things…

August 10, 2010

Sayer’s Birth Story

I gave birth to my son, Sayer Ryan Gault, nearly two weeks ago. And I can honestly say it was the best moment of my life.

It’s strange. You have nine months to prepare for this moment, and still nothing can quite compare to seeing your child’s face for the first time. The overwhelming sense of pride and awe is almost too much to bare. That combined with all the extra hormones racing through your body makes for one roller coaster of an emotional ride.

And in my case, it was all caught on video.

See, this is what happens when you become obsessed with TLC’s A Baby Story…

For all the details, be sure to check out my birth story on PregTASTIC. My mom (who was there during the delivery) and I also shot a video where we discuss the birth story. You can watch it here.

Episode 145 | July 6, 2009

Everything Epidurals

Epidurals: 75% of women have one. What is the process? What is the epidural space? Does it affect the baby? The best position to make the insertion easier, epidural myths, patient controlled epidurals, and possible side affects. PregTASTIC welcomes back Obstetric Anesthesiologist and author Dr. William Camann.    SHOW NOTES

PregTASTIC Pregnancy Podcast #145

Episode 135 | April 20, 2009

Mindy’s Birthing Story and Win a PregTASTIC Prize!

Mindy’s four-week early birth, epidural bliss, dealing with pressure to feed her newborn, must haves at the hospital and what’s with the weird toe comment from the nurse? Plus, your chance to win!

Episode 132 | March 30, 2009

Sarah’s Birthing Story

Sarah is back to share her birthing story. We’ll find out if she was induced, hear about her surprise rupture of membranes, and the pros and cons of the epidural wearing off a little too early. Plus, the winner of the $100 shopping spree at AmonMaternity.com

Click below to listen to this week’s episode of PregTASTIC Pregnancy Podcast

Episode 130 | March 18, 2009

Maggie’s Birthing Story

Maggie shares her surprise birth, 4-weeks early, no bag packed, no name picked, car seat drama at the special care nursery and breastfeeding: “udderly intense”. Maggie’s sense of humor pulls her through! And, win a $100 shopping spree from Amon Maternity! NEXT WEEK: Preparing for Baby #2.

Episode 75 | November 28, 2007

Maritza’s Birthing Story

Maritza, her husband Bryan and Baby join the crew to share the ups and downs of her birth. When did she finally go to the hospital? Did she get the epidural or was she too far along? What was the one scare with the baby? Plus, a very hands-on husband.

Episode 27 | November 27, 2006

Technology and your Childbirth

How have birthing practices changed? Cesarean trends, epidural effects on labor and some financial, medical and sociological changes you can make to improve the outcome of childbirth. Dr. Thomas Moore returns for another fantastic PregTASTIC show!