20 Weeks

I feel baby move ALL the time now. Yesterday I felt my first for sure wiggle not just kick! It was the weirdest feeling. I also put my belly pictures on Facebook on Saturday so everyone who didn't know I was pregnant does now. I figure 20 weeks is as good as any. :D

Birth Plan

We understand that certain emergency or other medical circumstances may not allow for the accommodation of the goals listed below, however we appreciate your consideration of them in all your decision making.

Home Labor Goals

• We would like to labor at home as long as possible before going to the hospital.

Hospital Labor Goals

• We plan to have present at the birth and or labor: Dallas Boyce, Doula
  
• We ask that all other visitors and unnecessary staff be turned away until we (Dallas and Olivia Boyce) have had time alone with our new baby.
• There will be no minimise internal examinations/avoid internal examinations unless deemed necessary.
  
• Please do not break my waters.
  
• I will not have an IV/Heplock administered unless/until deemed medically necessary
  
• I will not have a catheter unless determined to be required for another procedure to facilitate delivery.
• The birth environment is important to us. We ask that lights be kept dim, noise be kept to a minimum, and the door be kept closed for privacy.
• We will bring our own music.
• I will wear my own clothing, although the staff may offer me a hospital gown.
• I will be up out of bed as much as possible during labor, depending on my needs. And in whatever position I find comfortable. Please encourage me to stay off my back!

Birth Goals

• We are attempting to have a natural, un-medicated birth without unnecessary medical or chemical intervention.
• We would like to have a water birth if possible, and would appreciate your support in encouraging me to give birth underwater.
  
• Except in the case of an emergency, we ask that we be given the opportunity to accept or refuse any procedure or medication.
• We request that the least invasive or restricting versions of procedures be used.

Doctor

• Ideally, if all goes smoothly, I hope that the doctor and nursewho attend me in labor will give helpful suggestions, but allow my body to give birth the way it is means to.
  

Induction (if necessary)

• Will only be considered under very dire circumstances or 41 + weeks gestation
  
• We will try non-chemical induction methods first: walking, breast stimulation, sexual intercourse.

Pain Management Goals

• We plan to handle pain with relaxation, aromatherapy, massage and water (shower or tub).
• Please do not offer chemical pain relief.

Delivery Goals

• I will be pushing at my own pace (Mother-Directed Pushing).
• I will not have an episiotomy. I would first like to try perineal massage, support and warm compresses.
• If labor or delivery seems stalled, we would like the opportunity to try different positions (hands and knees, squatting, birth stools, etc.). Please offer suggestions.
• 
  
• I would like to see/feel the baby' head as it crowns, the father will have a hand mirror available to do this.
  
• Either I or the father would like to catch the baby depending on the position I'm in
  
• Please do not announce the baby's sex as I would like to find out for myself/would like for my husband to find out.
  
• I would like to have the baby placed on the my chest with skin-to-skin contact immediately after the birth and for the first 1 to 2 hours following the birth.
• I would like to try to have the baby breastfeed as soon as possible.
• I would like the staff to help me change position if necessary to facilitate breastfeeding.
• I would like a fully natural (psychological) third stage, and to NOT clamp or cut the umbilical cord. I want to allow the placenta to turn up in it's own time. Please do not administer any drugs unless you feel there is a real need. I would appreciate your advice to help me deliver the placenta naturally. ***Please do not pull on the cord or use fundal pressure unless there is a specific indication to do so, as I have read that this is contra-indicated in drug-free third stages.***

Photography

• We would like the father and the doula to be allowed to take photos or video tape parts of the labor and birth.

Umbilical Cord

• Please do not clamp or cut the umbilical cord

Placenta

• I would like to keep the placenta attached to the baby
• We will have a bowl specifically for the placenta
  

Newborn Care Goals

• Please do not separate the baby from the mother for routine procedures until after the initial bonding/breastfeeding
• Please do not administer eye drops to my baby
  
• Please do not administer prophylactic Vitamin K after birth. If the birth is traumatic for the baby or there is some other risk factor for HDN, I will be happy to discuss this with the midwife and allow Vitamin K if we both decide it is appropriate.
• Please do not administer Hepatitis B.
  
• We request that the baby only be bathed with warm water. No soap.

In the event our baby is unwell
•Any procedures must be explained in full and informed, written consent must be obtained before any intervention is performed.
•A parent will remain with the baby at all times - no exceptions.
•The baby will only be fed breast milk. Absolutely no formula feeding or dummy without our written consent. We will use a donor for EBM if none is available and our baby requires more than colostrum until my milk comes in.
•Even if our baby is premature, there will be no period in the nursery. Rooming in will be immediate and continuous unless there is a genuine problem with the baby and informed, written consent is obtained from the parents for treatment of the baby.
•Kangaroo care and as much skin to skin contact with parents as possible while our baby is unwell.

Footprints

• We would like to have a set of footprints stamped into our scrapbook when footprints are done.

Circumcision (if boy)

• We will not be circumcising

Cesarean Section (if necessary)

• The mother would like to be conscious
• The father and support person will remain with the mother at all times
• We would like to photograph or film the operation as the baby comes out
  
• The mother will hold the baby while the incision is being closed and has the assistance of the father if required. One arm must be left free.
  
• The baby will be placed straight on the mother’s skin, unwashed. A blanket can go over both of them. Apgar and well baby checks will only be done by observation while the baby is on the mother.
• The baby will breastfeed immediately or as soon as possible afterward in the recovery room.
• There will be no period in the nursery. Rooming in will be immediate and continuous. Parents and baby will be in the recovery room after delivery.
• A lotus birth is required. We can explain this to any staff who are curious but it is not optional for us. We will supply the bag to contain the placenta with us once out of theatre. In theatre an appropriately sized dish is fine. *neither clamp nor cut the umbilical cord*
• There will be no unnecessary speaking please, this is a birth for us, not an everyday working event.
• There will be no separation of mother and baby unless one or other is genuinely seriously ill or unconscious.
• If the mother is ill the baby will be carried in kangaroo care style by the father only. There will be no use of plastic boxes with wheels.

Birth Recovery Goals

• We prefer to have a private room, if available, and that the father and baby be allowed to room-in.
• We prefer that our stay at the hospital be as short as possible and that the mother may fully recover at home.

Breastfeeding Goals

• If not rooming-in, we would like the baby brought to the mother to meet it's on-demand feeding needs.
• We would like to establish breastfeeding. Please do not offer any bottles or soothers to the baby without parents' notification of a medical need.

We will be having postpartum care done by our midwife.

Thank you for taking the time to help us achieve a natural childbirth for our first baby!

My Ratties

Roxy and Star

Belly Photos!!

From newest to oldest...

21 Weeks - My View

21 Weeks - Mariposas

17 Weeks

14 weeks

10 weeks

Baby Blog ~ 17 weeks

Hey, just thought I would update on how my pregnancy is going. I can feel the baby move quite regularly now in the evenings a few times when I'm sitting still.
The other night I was reading in bed and Brandy got the hiccups so bad she was shaking the bed. Immediately baby started jumping around and going crazy! I don't think she appreciated being woken up lol.

Scriptures for Pregnancy and Childbirth

Psalm 100:3 Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Isaiah 49:1 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth He has made mention of my name.

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

-Jesus formed my baby, therefore it has to be positioned properly inside of me

Psalm 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him.

Ezekiel 18:4 For every living soul belongs to Me, the father as well as the son — both alike belong to Me.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.

-God gave us 9 months to prepare on purpose, Rats birth in one month and dogs in only half a year. We have the longest preparation time, so use it. You need to prepare for the fruit of your womb by taking care of the seed within you.
Water it with the Word and by praying and praising. Take precautions against anything harming your seed. Do not let doubt, fear, hatred, or any other evil tool of Satan's come in. Nourish and fertilize your seed with Gods words and your words of life.

-The Lord has some things he;d like to show you while you are pregnant, ask him about it!

Psalm 139

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

.

John 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold children are a heritage from the LORD. The fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

John 16:21 A woman, when she is in labor, is emotional because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the pressure or the pushing, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

Exodus 23 25 Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, 26 and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.

Rev 4 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
-God created your baby for His pleasure, do not dwell on the thought that you might have a miscarriage, once the thought is implanted in your mind it can become a stronghold for the Devil to use. Immediately cast out those thoughts so that the Lord can do what he says he will. the thief has come to steal kill and destroy, but God comes to bring life abundant (John 10:10)

Genesis 25:24 And when her (Rebekah;s) days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

-Gods timing is always perfect, your due date is mans prediction of when you will give birth, God already had a date set before you conceived.

Psalm 22:9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.

-God delivers your baby, not the doctor

Psalm 71:6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.

Isaiah 66:9 Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God.

Isaiah 46:3-4 "Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all you who remain of the house of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since you were conceived,
and have carried since your birth.

4 Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

-You do not need to tear, no matter what size your baby is, Jesus carries us from the womb. My baby is the perfect size for my body.

Isaiah 40:11 He gently leads those that are with young.

- Every woman in the Bible who became pregnant also gave birth.


Genesis 49:25 because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb.

-no sore, dry, or cracked nipples and no engorgement

Deuteronomy 7:13 He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you.

Deuteronomy 28:4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.


Isaiah 44:24 "This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself

Isaiah 54:13 All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.

Galatians 1:15 God set me apart from birth and called me by his grace

1 Timothy 2:15 But women will be restored through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Daily Confessions

1. We have a perfect, healthy, normal baby

2. I have a perfect pregnancy

3. I have a perfect, short, easy, painless delivery with no complications

4. The baby is positioned properly and will come out properly – head first, face down, and will rotate as it should.

5. I cover my placenta, uterus, and umbilical cord with the blood of Jesus

6. Nothing from my body can filter into my baby unless Jesus says it can.

7. The blood of Jesus purifies everything that goes into the baby to keep it perfect

8. I claim Psalms 91 for the protection of the baby

   He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

   If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

9. The cord is the perfect length and is positioned right where the Lord wants it

10. The baby is going to come precisely when the Lord has foreordained

11. We have a good baby that is easy to take care of

12. We have a happy, smiling, pleasant-natured baby

13. I am not going to tear at all or have any other adverse effects from the labor or delivery

14. I am not going to get any stretch marks, varicose veins, broken blood vessels, dry, peeling skin, puffy, or swollen legs or ankles, or any other negative symptoms of pregnancy

15. I am going to have a perfect figure after the baby is born

16. I have perfect, healthy blood and perfect circulation

17. We are scriptural parents, and we know how to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord

18. I am not going to gain more than 35 pounds during pregnancy

19. As soon as the Devil brings fear to my mind, I immediately cast it out and replace it with the Word

20. I put all my trust in Jesus – not in flesh

21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, therefore we speak life to our baby with our tongues. We command it to live

22. The baby and I get the proper amount of rest each day

*Taken from Childbirth Gods Way by Brenday Willis - some additions made by me

Natural Birth

I am trying to make my birth natural in every way and an easy transition for baby from womb to world.

~A few of the things I am doing are:

Lotus Birth - not cutting or clamping the cord, cord and placenta will fall off in a few days.

Water Labor/Birth - depending on my mood at the time

No Hep B - however your child will need this vaccination at some point in their life if they ever want to go into the medical field. Getting it in the first day of life is not necessary *as long as the mother has been recently tested*

No eye drops

Vitamin K - should be given but it doesn't have to be given in a shot, the shot itself can be given orally but I think you need double the amount because it doesn't get immediately absorbed or something? I don't remember exactly

No bath with soap

Kangaroo Care - skin to skin

Breastfeeding



~For Relaxation I am using:

Birth Ball

Lower Back Massage

Clitoral Massage - Woo! Orgasmic Birth...Look it up it sounds fantastic!

Aromatherapy - in the water and in the form of a spritzer for my face



~Prepping for birth I am doing:

Perineum massage starting from 6 weeks prior to my due date

Visualization of my birth

**These are all my opinions and should not be considered as medical advice. **

My Not-So- Home Birth

So there has been a huge swing in my birth plan because of the GD. I had to transfter care from my midwife to an ob. Which means my homebirth might have to be cancelled. However I am working on fighting for it. First thing, the College of Midwives has to be in agreement, then all the midwives at my practice need to be ok with it (there's 6, and none have ever done this before), and finally I need to find an ob who would be ok with it. My midwife is working on the college and the other midwives and is all for me having a homebirth despite the risks involved. The last one is proving the most tricky as I live in a very conservative city. We have 4 obs, 3 of which are very much in agreement with c-sectioning.

Sigh, which leaves the last one, Dr. Sutter. I had a very unpleasant experience with her and my first miscarriage which she was convinced I needed some sort of medical intervention for. Either something to speed it up or a D and C to clean me out. I declined and miscarried naturally the next day. However, my midwife says that she works the best with the midwives and is very much for vaginal births. Though she does perform abortions which I am very much against. And her people skills could use some work. But apparently she's brilliant, so we'll see.

I just really want to go to my first appointment with her prepared to present my case for everything, especially my homebirth in a very well layed out fashion. Meaning documented records, testimonies, medical information and such. This means alot of extra work for me, but this is something I am really willing to fight for. Most of all I don't want to go to the hospital in labor and have all these things thrown at me when I have said specifically I don't want them, I don't want to go in preparing for a fight. I don't trust doctors to ask before they do anything.

Home and BC Pictures

Toby and Brandy pile on top of mommy's lap!




My belly at 14 weeks and Toby posing in the background


Me and Anthony, me owning him up at Guitar Hero. He thought he was so sweet...



Anthony, Mom, Me and Sean about to play mini golf in Abbotsford BC. It was the coolest mini golf I've ever been on.




My brothers in BC I went and visited the first week of February.

Sylvia's Ribs

*From me

For the original recipe please go here:

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/sylvias-ribs/Detail.aspx

1 pkg pork side ribs
1 1/2 c ketchup
1/2 c bbq sauce
2 Tbsp brown sugar
6 drops Stevia
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp Soya sauce
1 garlic clove minced

Boil ribs in stockpot for 50 min. Mix together sauce. Preheat oven to 350. Cut ribs apart between the bone and toss in casserole dish. Smother in sauce and bake for 20 min.

Mexican Ceviche with Texturized Soya

Ok if you have stumble upon this recipe you have no choice. You have to make it. If you've ever had fish ceviche you would eat it the same way, on top of big nachos with hot sauce and mayo.
This recipe if from my Mexican neighbor Julia (hoo-lia).

Boil soya for 30 min. Let cool. Sprinkle lime and salt. Stir. Leave for 10-15 min. Stir in chopped tomato, onion, avacado, cucumber. Add clamato juice and chicken bouillon to taste.

Texturized Soya gets huge when it's cooked so dont use too much. I think I normally use 1-2 cups.

Enjoy!

Spinach Dip

1 package cream cheese
1/2 package chopped frozen spinach
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
1 garlic clove minced
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 c grated mozza cheese

Preheat oven to 350.
Soften cream cheese. Cream together w everything except mozza cheese. Pour into greased serving dish or into Little Dipper. Top with mozza cheese. Bake 25 min or until top is browned. In Little Dipper just until heated through.

Serve with toasted bread or nachos!

Blueberry Rhubarb Crisp

Filling

2 c blueberries
1 c rhubarb
(thawed and drained if using frozen)


Topping

1/2 c old fashioned rolled oats
1/4 c flour
3 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
6 drops stevia

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix filling and dump in 9 x 9 pan.
Mix topping and sprinkle over top.
I also threw some blueberry juice in the topping to wet it a bit more.

Bake 30 min.


Note: When you double the topping it turns out smoother

I just made a crisp with 5 c rhubarb and 1 apple used double the topping recipe but would use more stevia with that much rhubarb next time, it was a little sour.