My Natural Childbirth Experience

Ever since I got married, I had a niggling fear that when I had a baby, it would end in a c-section. While I understand the importance of the medical procedure, I had no desire to be cut open! So, when I found out I was expecting Little K, I began researching how to avoid a c-section. My findings led to a home birth-which I knew my husband wouldn't go for. However, I thought I might be able to convince him to let me go to a birth center.

So, I shared all the information I had gathered on the medicalization of birth. I pointed out that I dislike hospitals. I emphatically stated that I wanted to recover in my own bed. After briefly trotting out the idea of home birth, I put that horse in its stall and suggested the birth center. My husband graciously told me I could decide where I wanted to give birth (as long as it wasn't at home). That settled it. I was going to the Topeka Birth and Women's Center.

The center is in an old Victorian home. I loved the pictures of the exterior and interior immediately. My house was built in 1900, so the center would be the next best thing to being at home. I knew I would be able to relax in such comforting surroundings. This also helped convince my husband, because he loves old homes as much as I do.


In the weeks leading up to Little K's birth, we got to know the ladies at the Birth Center and respect their incredible knowledge. After the first required childbirth class (which for me was a review of what I had read online about the dangers of medicalizing birth), my husband really understood why I had been so emphatic about avoiding a hospital birth. This information did not imply that you can't have a natural birth in a hospital, but just pointed out that it's much more difficult to do so.

I was encouraged to labor at home as long as possible. This ended up being about half the day. I labored on the bed at the center for several long hours. Then I moved to the tub. That was heavenly! I relaxed in the water....until it was time to push. I moved to the bed and my husband said the midwife did a great job of having me change positions to help move things along. (I just did what I was told at that point.)


After Little K arrived that evening, we had some quiet cuddles. My husband and I snuggled with her on the bed for quite a while. Then, four hours later, we got to go home! I was so excited to be headed back to my own, comfy bed. Although, to be fair, I didn't have any complaints about the bed at the birth center.

Even though I'll be the first to admit I didn't handle the pain of labor well, I will be going back to the birth center for my next birth. I felt like the midwives cared about our family as people, not patients. Bonus: no c-section needed!

Traveling with Baby: Avoiding Screaming Serenades

I never really worried about traveling in the car with baby. Everyone said things like, "Babies always sleep in the car. They love riding in the car. We always take our baby for a drive to put him to sleep."

They are some lucky ducks. My baby was only like that until about 4 weeks old. Then we were rudely thrust into a world where the baby screamed in the car seat. Oh, things would start out well. She would lay quietly. Then she would scream her head off until we reached our destination and took her out. So, aside from buying some earplugs, we came up with some solutions to content the baby.

1. Start with a full tummy and clean diaper. Whenever possible, change the baby's diaper and nurse her immediately before placing her in the car seat. If she doesn't fall asleep while nursing, being full will at least help her be more comfortable on the ride.

2. Give baby a comfort object. For Little K, we give her a lightweight or fluffy blanket, depending on the weather. It helps her relax when she has something to grasp. If your baby gets quiet, be sure to glance back and made sure she hasn't pulled the blanket over her face. Little K has never done this, but it's better to check just in case.

3. When the baby starts to show interest in toys, find a favorite one for car rides. Little K loves her turtle. It rattles, makes crinkly noises, and has a mirror on the bottom.

4. Give baby something interesting to look at.  We put one of those car mirrors at the base of Kaylee's seat so she can admire herself. Sometimes it also works well to have someone sitting back there to amuse her







5. Make sure baby is comfortable. Little K gets the sun in her eyes in the mornings and evenings, so we hang a light blanket over the bar of the seat to provide some shade.

6. Have a pacifier handy. We keep a pacifier clipped to the head support in the seat. Sometimes Little K needs a few minutes of sucking to tip her over into dreamland....








7. Sympathize with baby. Think of how you feel after riding in the car for hours on end. Your rear starts tingling and you just want to stretch out. Babies get the same way! Whenever possible, take your baby out for a stretch. Put her in the carrier or sling while you're in the grocery store. Let her nap in your arms over lunch. Giving your baby a break from the car seat will do wonders.

Good luck to fellow suffering parents...you have my deepest sympathies for your hearing. My final tip is to drive fast and don't take the scenic route! The sooner you reach your destination, the sooner your baby can be comforted.

Aren't Cloth Diaper Babies Exempt from Diaper Rash?

I was disappointed to discover Little K was developing a diaper rash even with 100% cloth diaper usage. In the past, she's gotten a little red, but always cleared up after a diaper change or two. If she started appearing irritated, I would use a Charlie Banana diaper with its soft microsuede to soothe it. That usually did the trick. Until....I used natural fibers for several diapers in a row.

The advantage to natural fibers is their absorbency. A thin bamboo layer will absorb much more than a microsuede or microfiber layer of the same size. However, the natural fibers don't wick moisture away from the baby's skin. This is an advantage for older babies, because it provides an incentive for potty training. Little babies, on the other hand, can suffer from horrendous rashes from rubbing against a wet diaper.

One way to handle the situation is to use a diaper liner. This seems like an annoying extra step...so I decided to try to heal the diaper rash. I investigated creams that were cloth diaper friendly, noticing two common ingredients-witch hazel and olive oil. Within 18 hours of patting Little K with witch hazel and following it with an olive oil massage, her skin looked much better.

To cut down on the mess, I try to pour the witch hazel on while the soiled diaper is still under Little K. That way the diaper catches any extra drips. (Sometimes she's too wiggly for this!) Then, to get just the right amount of olive oil, pour a bit into the cap. Dip your fingers in the cap and rub the oil into baby's bum. This is Little K's favorite part-she loves her olive oil massage.

So, if you want to invest in a cloth diaper friendly rash cream, there are some great options out there. But while you're waiting on your chosen treatment to arrive, pull out the olive oil. Your baby will appreciate the care.