Our Baby Girl's Natural Birth Story!

I have wanted a natural birth for awhile and had thought about a home birth my last couple of pregnancies. I had two previous successful VBACS. Which you can read about Here and Here. Although I am not sure why I didn't put more details of Carson's birth. Maybe I was taken aback that I actually had a successful VBAC.  

I felt my body was preparing for birth and I did use Raspberry Leaf Tea and Evening Primrose Oil which did seem to enable me to have a natural birth. It was a bit different labor but now I see the big picture of how it worked in my favor. My faith waxed and waned throughout. I had some unexpected pregnancy issues. Mostly varicose veins which are already healing and very sensitive skin. I took White Oak Bark and Butcher's Broom to help during pregnancy. Made sure I rested as much as I could and elevated my feet and laid mostly on my left side. Now I am continuing taking the Primrose oil and Butcher's Broom. I also am learning about the Mayan's knowing how important it is the have the uterus centered when not centered can cause circulation problems, sciatic problems, menstrual problems, infections ect. There are massages you can do to help center it. I will have to wait six weeks to try them. 

I do digress but I did have to mention those things that I took in my pregnancy that did help me obtain a natural birth. My last appointment was on the 13th my doctor checked and I was dilated to 3 cm and 50% effaced at that time. I did notice my plug coming out in tiny bits before that hardly noticeable at first. She asked if I wanted her to strip my membranes and I said sure since with Ethan it progressed that day...... Of course I was already having some contractions at the time and was about 4 to 5 cm.  Well after I did get contractions but they would go away after a bit. This went on the next day especially when I went to bed. October 15th I was thinking this is the day because they seemed to get stronger and including cramping but eventually they would go away and were somewhat irregular. During that day and the next I had seemed lost most of my plug including the bloody show. 

I continued questioning and thinking this feels like real contractions. I also started to get them more in the day. I typically get back labor except with Ethan when I prayed to not have back labor. This went on for the next couple of days. Then the 18th came and my husband and I were feeling that the contractions were getting harder but it was hard to measure them since they would start and stop. At about ten pm I decided to go to bed and see what would happen. My husband told me I probably would have to go in later. I tried to sleep and started getting contractions again and more intense. I kept on saying my water needs to break so I can know what to do. In between my trips to the bathroom I tried to rest. I remember thinking I think my water will break this time. At about 1:30 am I heard a pop and my water broke as I ran to the bathroom and then had to pee again.

I cleaned up as best as I could and told my husband we needed to leave because my water broke and then my contractions came in steady at about 7 minutes apart. at about 2 am we headed to the hospital which is about 30 minutes away. We arrived at about 2:30 am and made our way up to labor and delivery. A couple of people asked if I wanted a wheel chair but I felt like I wouldn't be able to sit down. When I got to the waiting room before they take you to the delivery room I was checked. My water did break and I was already at a 8cm. I had a thought in my mind that if I felt needed the epidural I would get it. My last labors were not spread out like that. I was quickly wheeled over to the delivery room and was ready to push at 3:07 am. Lillian Mae was born at 3:13 am on October 19th , 2016 and weighed 9lb 4 oz and was 22 inches long. A Senior Intern delivered because my doctor didn't make it in time. That was the shortest time I was ever at the hospital in labor a bit less than 45 minutes. I think it was the tea and Evening Primrose Oil. In the end I had a natural birth and somewhat of a home birth since my labor was spread out and I was at home for most of it. Whatever we set our minds to we can and will achieve it. My faith has been grown again.

38 weeks!!!

I am ready and baby is too! I am due October 16th according to LMP. The Ultrasound Technician gave me the 15th which is my almost 9 year old son Nolan's birthday!! I am sore and having some circulation issues.  I am still taking Evening Primrose Oil, drinking Raspberry Leaf tea and I was taking White Oak Bark but am now trying Butcher's Broom. I also ordered some compression thigh highs as well. I don't know if it is because it is that my pregnancies are catching up to me (this is number 7) or my age of 35....... Maybe a combination of both :) I am feeling a bit tired but strangely energetic at the same time trying to get in the last bit of cleaning and organizing done. I am doing homeschooling but doing a couple days a week at this point until baby girl comes and I am on the road to healing from this pregnancy.

The kids are excited and ready to meet their new baby sister and I am ready as well. Two of my kid's were early but the rest where close to being on time or a few days after. Nolan was the only one induced and was 6 days past his due date. I have a feeling she will be the 14th or 15th! We will see. I am trying to get as much rest as possible. I am feeling a bit nauseous and am getting headaches. I am looking forward to meeting our new baby girl soon.

34 weeks Update

I am getting closer!! Yeah! I am ready!! I had some swelling and vein issues. The swelling was mostly due to the humid weather causing extra water retention. I started taking Evening Primrose oil and White Oak Bark which helped tremendously. Along with some witch hazel and apple cider Vinegar.  Also had some rashes, I am using Coconut oil to heal. I am a bit fatigued and am trying to not stand or sit for too long. We are excited to meet our new baby girl. We are back into our structured learning. Easing back in is helping with implementing some fun field trips like a trip to the Country Mill and our town's Frontier days that comes every September. I can't remember if I mentioned we joined a homeschooling group and so far it is very supportive and has plenty of fun learning opportunities. That is all I have for now as we continuing to get our family and home ready for our new addition due October 15, 2016!! Here are updated photos of my growing baby belly and a picture of my kiddos at the Country Mill. My oldest wasn't with us this time :)

30 WEEKS and Update!

Here I am at 30 weeks. I look a little scared for some reason :) I have a hard time taking pregnant belly pictures of myself :) I feel a bit tired and my right side doesn't have as good of circulation as my left but I feel fairly good! Heartburn is happening more frequently ( I think baby girl will have a lot of hair) and for some reason many foods don't sound very good. I am enjoying fruit and starchy type foods like potato salad. I have about 2 months and 1 week left until we meet our new baby girl!  The second picture is of our youngest boy, Ethan. He will be 2 in January!

I am working on homeschool planning and finishing up organizing our learning area and materials.  
We joined a local homeschooling group this year as well. I get a question from moms quite often about how sending your kids to school helps you get a break. That didn't work for me. Eight hours a day was too much of a break I missed my school aged children a lot and felt overwhelmed at them being in public school.  I did attend public school but I just felt like I would like to be with them more.I am a tired mom at times and no I am not perfect with perfect patience. I really do like educating most of my kids at home and I have felt that it really has helped me grow not only as a mom and wife but as a person. I actually find I am able to do more if that makes sense :) I don't feel as rushed and a bit more flexible. I was one that thought homeschooling was a great concept but not for me for awhile. I didn't think I could do it. As I started to have more children I changed my thinking and thought why not? It took some convincing of my other half as well. He came around and agreed that we could try it out. Last year we DE-schooled a bit since we didn't the first year. I feel we have a fresher start now. Many stories of homeschooling moms have started out this way and they have learned to adjust and improve things along the way.

If I had started homeschooling sooner I would have also had my oldest son at home as well. Everything works out for a reason and everyone's journey is different. I am thankful to be able to live out some of my and my families goals and dreams :) This is our third year of home education and we are really excited. My oldest will be in tenth grade. He attends public high school. I will have a 3rd and 4th grader, Kindergartner and two little ones along with a baby. 

I also am due on my 8 year old's birthday :) which is October 15th! He says he hopes he shares a birthday with his baby sister. He is a sweet guy!!! I told him I might be in the hospital but we could either have a celebration for him before or after. The bottom picture is my sweet youngest boy, Ethan. He will be 2 in January! I hope everyone has a great rest of the summer and a great start to a new school year!!! Whether is is done at home or another building:) I am getting back on track with drinking my Raspberry Leaf Tee and  plan on doing some prenatal yoga stretching. We are all excited to meet our new addition in a few months.

Homemade Sunblock

We finally made our own sunblock on Friday and used it at the swimming park! It worked pretty well.

I made a double batch of this:

1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup Coconut butter
2 TBS of Zinc Oxide Powder


I have heard you can also use carrot seed oil for SPF as well. We don't have that oil on hand. This seemed to work pretty good on myself and the kids. I purchased the Zinc Oxide powder from Ebay. I would recommend using a protective examining mask while mixing it to ensure not to inhale the powder. We applied it before going swimming and used it for about 2 hours. We didn't get to the park until about a quarter to six but it really seemed to help me to not feel so sick and hot from the sun's intense rays and we     didn't burn. I will have to try it at a earlier time and see how it works then.

25 weeks

I am now 25 weeks! The top picture is a photo of my youngest child and I, Ethan :) He is about 18 months. A very loving, smiley little guy!! I am feeling pretty good. Most of the nausea has subsided and other than a few aches here and there I am doing pretty good. I have to be careful about stretching my legs out too much when in bed because I get muscle cramps in my legs. I am trying to stay fairly active, healthy and happy! 

We are excited to add another girl to our growing family! I am going through our house nesting away. De cluttering and trying to keep track of anything I need for the household, kids and baby girl!  I have a few things around to take to Once Upon A Child to sell as well. My sister in law had a baby girl last December and past on her baby girl's outgrown clothes that her sister had given to her. So we are set on 0-3 months clothes. I found a great bath tub sling the other day. Still yard sale season here!  The kids and I are enjoying learning and growing and having summer fun; swimming and going to park and other fun and frugal activities close to us. I hope everyone is having a great summer! Please pray for rain and maybe do a native rain dance. We really need it here in Michigan :)

20 Weeks and we have a baby....... on the way

The kids and I went to the 20 week ultrasound. It was a great learning experience for them and the all did very well :) I wasn't sure if this pregnancy was any different than my others and tried to compare it to our daughter ten years ago :) Of  course I had some trouble remembering. All I know is that I felt I was getting more headaches and feeling a little nauseous again. My daughter and I were nervous I think. Even though we had dreams about another girl we were looking at the ultrasound thoroughly :) In the end we found out as you can tell by my daughter's wonderfully pin she made...... We are in fact having a girl due October 16th of this year!!! We are very delighted for adding another girl to our family. I think we were both in shock and excited at the same time. It had been awhile since we have had a baby girl in the family :) We celebrated by having the pizza hut buffet for lunch :) My OBGYN is closing down by August. I know my doctor will find another office to join and I will follow her there :) That is about it that is going on. We also went swimming yesterday at a local beach and bought the $20 yearly pass to enjoy for the summer. :)