I just want to point out…

…that had the Lord not laid it on our hearts to have an unassisted home birth, we would have had the unassisted home birth completely unprepared and uneducated; and probably while completely terrified.  My contractions before my water broke were still several minutes apart and sporadic (between 4 and 20 minutes) and had we been planning to go to the hospital, we would not have gone until they were at least consistently 3-5 minutes apart (we live only moments from the hospital and we did this with both of our daughters).

Our fun, blessed, exciting, and completely amazing experience could have easily been one filled with fear, chaos, desperation, and danger had we not had the proper education and faith that we did.

Because of this I encourage all of you to educate yourselves on what to do should you not make it to your desired destination of birth and to encourage those around you to do the same.  This could have been the experience of any pregnant woman, not just one who planned to be home alone.  I say this, not to instill fear into women to rush to the hospital at the first sign of contractions; not to spend more time and money on visits and ultrasounds to ensure you make it to the hospital.  I say this to encourage you to learn about what is safe; what is necessary; what is smart.  And what is not.

From the moment my water broke, my contractions went from 4-20 minutes apart to literally continual.  From the moment I realized that I was no longer just going to the bathroom but was giving birth to my baby, I had 5 maybe 10 minutes to prepare.  Not everyone will have an experience like this, but had I not been prepared, I could have easily become very afraid and could have hurt myself or my baby.  Instead, as I said, our experience was one to enjoy and has left a special imprint on our minds and hearts.

God is truly an awesome God who should be trusted, even when it may not make sense to a single person around us.  We knew that this was what we were to do, and now we see, God had us prepare for what was to happen anyway.  He is faithful and true.  Praise His Mighty name that He loves, protects, and covers us.  He does not leave us to figure this all out on our own.  If we’ll just listen, we’ll know just what to do.  Maybe not why, but we’ll be safe. That’s what Daddy’s do.

Take from our experience what you can to have the safest, most incredible birthing experience possible.

God bless!

We Are So Blessed.

Picture of DS (dear son):

This whole experience has been such a wonderful journey!  It was so touching to share my story with all those around me and to hear the words of encouragement and celebration throughout.  Thank you all for your love and support, encouragement and reminding.  God knows how to bless and we are very blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives!  May the Lord bless you in return for all you’ve given to our family.

I’m so glad I shared the birth story as early as I did, because it has already begun to feel surreal.  I have my moments that I check and make sure that I really have a son.  LOL  Wow… truly an amazing experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world and I look forward to experiencing again should that be the Lord’s plan for us someday.  We are so blessed… God is so good; words just can’t describe how awesome He is.

Trust Him, lean on Him, and give your life to Him… there is truly no greater joy than knowing the Mighty Father in Heaven. Thank you all again and God bless!

A Much Anticipated Update…

Hello, Kayley’s sister here with an update!  Tonight, Kayley gave birth to a beautiful baby boy!  Kayley and baby are doing well and currently spending time with  a very excited Daddy and two very ecstatic big sisters.  When things have settled down and she is feeling up to it, I’m sure that she will log on and share with you all the details!

Another TMI Post!!

Dh and I decided yesterday to “encourage” labor by using a tempered version of an induction recipe with Castor Oil (shared by a friend at www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com).  Her recipe called for 1-2 tSp of Castor Oil chased by cola or orange juice, then 2-4 hours later another dose, and following that at least 4-6 so that it doesn’t bring on hard labor and helps in avoiding the risks that are associated with the midwife recipe.  We didn’t want hard labor, nor premature ruptured membranes and the like so we decided I’d take the smallest dose over the longest amount of time and if for no other reason than to *eh hem* “clean me out”.

I started at 3:30pm with 1 tSp with a grape Pedialyte chaser, had a second tSp 4 hours later at 7:30pm, and another at 1am.  I just took my fourth and last dose this morning at 8am with 2 tSp of Castor Oil with orange juice (much better than the Pedialyte, but still icky nonetheless! haha).

It’s promoted great contractions between 6 and 15 minutes apart.  I still have not had a bowel movement but have been good with my fiber up to this point so I’m assuming I’m just not in terrible need.  I checked just now and I am approximately 4 cm dilated and I’ve passed the mucuous plug!!  No more just bloody show, I’ve got bloody FLOW!  We’re getting closer!  Woohoo!  Praise God!

This wasn’t an easy decision for me, especially with my last experience, but we concurred that taking it the way I have been would encourage baby if s/he’s ready and not force him or her to come like the raw licorice did with DD#2.  We are trusting that this was to benefit the experience and not hinder!  Please agree with me in that!

I appreciate all of your support; it’s getting a bit intimidating now that it is getting closer but I am not allowing fear to replace my faith.  I am trusting that God will continue to communicate with me and that He will bring this baby at the perfect moment.  I know He’s prepared and educated us for this and He is steadfast in His provision!  Oh I’m so excited!  What an experience I missed out on with my older children even with having my amazing experience with DD#1.  I will never go back to reliance on doctors, not that I could with what I know now, but I am in such awe of my Great, Mighty, and Glorious Father in Heaven!  He is so Magnificent!  No word can even begin to express His Perfection.

To Him be all honor and glory on earth and in heaven for the work He’s doing in me and through me!!  Amen!

Update On My Growth

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14

9 Weeks

11 Weeks

12 Weeks

13 Weeks

14 Weeks

15 Weeks

16 weeks

20 weeks

24 weeks

28 weeks

29 weeks

31 weeks

32 weeks

33 weeks

35 weeks

37 weeks

38 weeks

Home Stretch:  Due any day!

Comparison Photos…

I just had to share these… am I huge with this baby OR WHAT! LOL  I love it!

8½ months pregnant with DD#1

8 or 9 months pregnant with DD#2

9 months pregnant with DC#3