Mom Bloggers For Social Good. Stella's Birth Story

What a wondrous ability we have been bestowed with. We woman, we mothers, we earthly beings. This miracle of creation. I remain in awe of myself,  my children and of the men and women that devote there lives to helping nurture and care for mothers and babies around the world. As part of Save The Children's Annual State Of The Worlds Mothers (SOWM) report I am honored to recall the births of my two children this month. 

From the first fluttering deep in my belly to the nursing of my sweet babes the first and every time. We are miraculous beings. Never have I felt more purpose on earth and connection with my body then during my pregnancies and during the labor and delivery of my children. I first shared Stellita's birth story here a week after she was born. Joaquin's birth story was written in a journal, before I started blogging and I have yet to share it here. Both days I remember with immeasurable joy and amazement. As different as my two children are so too are their birth stories. My labor was incredibly short with Stella, my second child. Four hours from when I woke with the pinch of contractions to her actual arrival qualifies as quick I think, no? I hesitate to say it was "easy" because giving birth just isn't, you mothers know. Frankly though once my water broke Stella was born within seven minutes and two pushes. And so goes the story of Stella Anita's birth. 

 via Save The Children

I woke with moderate contractions at 3 am. They were not contractions I could ignore and already about 5 to 7 minutes apart. Mr. and I quietly packed up a very asleep baby Joaquin and dropped him at my parents house a few minutes away. It was a week before my due date. My Mom and Dad met us in the night air in front of there house with smiles and wide eyes. Today would be the day! We left them with Joaquin and  headed up the hill to Feather River Hospital 30 minutes away. It was 3:45 am. My midwife, whom I like very much had gently lectured me that this labor could go very fast and to be "prepared". She mentioned that I may not have enough time to make the 30 minute drive to Paradise hospital where the midwives deliver babies. I may have to go directly to Enloe Hospital just a few minutes from my home where a Doctor would be overseeing my labor and delivery. Having had an extremely positive experience  with the midwife during my sons labor and delivery I convinced myself we had enough time to make the drive. We arrived at just about 4 am and I was bracing and breathing through now with every contraction. Although I new I was getting close and my contractions were getting really intense at about 3 minutes apart I had no idea how close. We got into a room and the nurse checked me stating I was 8 centimeters dilated. Everyone started scattering and darting and my Mr. seemed to disappear for a few minutes perhaps to spread the news? I tried to make myself comfortable. The quick feet and rustling about from the nurses did not effect my calm. I was going to meet my baby girl soon! Walking around the room and letting my belly hang down as I held the side of the bed, rocking side to side proved helpful. The midwife arrived and promptly checked me and asked if I felt the need to push. Um, really? No. I was fully dilated but had no urge to push.  While I wanted a natural child birth at this point and with my previous birthing experience I asked the midwife if I could have a pain killer of some sort. I was still experiencing an manageable pain level but was thinking ahead of what I was sure to come. She quickly told me that there was "no time" for it. "The baby was coming". I panicked just a bit. My son being only 17 months old at the time the memory of his rather painful and drawn out labor and delivery was fresh in my mind. After a few more contractions and moving to lie on the bed I asked her again if there was anyway they could give me something for the pain. Her reply was the same and this time she addressed my Mr. as well. Perhaps he had panic on his face too? Or rather she was looking for him to reassure? She was kind and yet direct and having complete confidence in my midwife I accepted her answer. I would do this completely natural and it would be okay, I told myself. I was scared.  Nauseous at this point I thought I was going to get sick. Maybe I even did get sick, my husband would most definitely remember that bit of detail. The pressure of the baby was very uncomfortable (like she was pressing down on my tail bone).Reaching the unbearable I announced I was going to sit up or stand to try and relieve the pressure I was feeling. Standing proved very helpful with my sons delivery as did walking around. There was a quick glance between nurse and midwife (the only other people in the room aside from Mr. and I). Just then as I turned my body to the side to get lift myself up my water broke and the pressure was instantly gone. I laid back down and as the midwife took her post an enormous contraction came over me. I had read and heard about the "need" to push but hadn't experienced it with my first labor and delivery. I never once had the "need" to push when delivering my son. I pushed when I was told to, with a contraction. Whammo! There was no way I wasn't going to push with what I was feeling this time. It was as if my entire body was working to push the baby out without me. The midwife was ready and with another overwhelming contraction Stellita was born. It was 7:12 am. She was tiny and pink and nursed within minutes. My eyes scanned over her admiring every detail. She had trouble staying warm for the first few hours so I held her skin to skin as much as I could and she spent some time in the Isolette under heat lamps near my bedside. I was immediately grateful for the attention and care she received from the nurses. I was in complete awe and remain so to this day. Stella is asleep a few inches away from me now as I write this. My almost three year old baby girl. She remains true to her birth story. Fiery and quick and I love her.I plan to share Joaquin's birth story, a very different experience and one that sealed my faith in midwifery and the care given in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), on Mother's Day as he is the one that made me a mother. Come back if you wish and please share with me your birthing stories.

This post will be shared on The Gates Foundation Blog as well as Babble.com as part of my association with Mom Bloggers For Social Good. To close I'd like to share lovely Save The Children video featuring Jennifer Garner, Rachel Zoe, Alyson Hannigan and Jennifer Connelly reflecting on some first moments with baby.

Growing Babies

Becoming a mother has been the most amazing, life changing event in my life. Both pregnancy and child birth were positive experiences for me. Yup! The good far outweighed the bad in BOTH instances.
I enjoyed being pregnant. You might be thinking " oh she so got lucky",  no morning sickness, no absurd weight gain, no heartburn. Nope, I had them all! Yes I was lucky in the sense that I remained healthy throughout both pregnancies and I am extremely thankful for that. In both pregnancies I gained more (much more) than our US standardized 25-30 pounds. Yes, I had heartburn and swelling, morning sickness and cravings. But I also got to feel a baby move inside me, feel the baby get the hiccups and hear it's heartbeat. I grew a baby.

Giving birth was, yeah painful, but absolutely amazing too. Again you might be thinking, "oh this chick has no idea!" And in many ways I don't. My son was over 9 pounds and 22 inches long when he was born. He was turned to the side for most of my 14 hour labor and his shoulders were harder to deliver than his head. For a moment, just a moment, I thought I couldn't do it. I am thankful to have had my brave husband and knowledgeable midwife at my side. Again, ...perhaps I got lucky.

My sweet baby girl came fast, 4 hours beginning to end sort of fast.  Now there I know I did get lucky! No time for pain medication, barely enough time to make the 30 minute drive to the hospital. And still... an amazing and beautiful experience. Yes, beautiful, ...just like my sweet Stellita.

So where am I going with this?
Well. With two pregnancies, two deliveries, two glorious children to love and care for and a handsome husband to boot,... I am done growing & having babies of my own.  With friends and family members trying to get pregnant, fussing over newborns or planning for kiddo number 2 or 3 it seems an odd realization but one I feel confident in.
  What there will be more of?
More firsts, more memories, more mistakes. More time together as a family of four, more kisses & hugs. More band aides and time outs. More birthdays, holidays & just,,, every days. There will be so, so, so much more and I am going to do my best to cherish every bit of it.

@6 months pregnant with Stella, (Baltimore, MD)

34 Weeks

It is hard to believe I am 34 weeks pregnant on Friday. Where has the time gone? Chasing after Joaquin and traveling has made the past eight months fly by, too fast I would say. I have started my bi-weekly visits to the midwife, hospital orientation and registration is scheduled next month,baby shower this weekend ...wow, we are getting close. A friend gave me a generous bag of baby girl hand-me-downs and as I was folding and putting them away they seemed so small! She is really coming and just thinking about it makes me smile. How precious babies are...

I have neglected to take as many pictures of my growing belly this time around, but have a few. This pregnancy i a bit different from that with Joaquin. I have been sick pretty much the entire time, the heartburn started much later and the baby hasn't seemed to make me as uncomfortable,..possibly due to its size? (I hope, I hope!!) I also did not get the linea nigre this pregnancy which I find very interesting. Lastly the residual effects of carrying and delivering a 9lb baby has taken its toll on my body(I will spare the details). If it seems like complaining I don't mean it to be... I am very happy and cannot wait to meet this precious angel, hold her and look at her little face, hands, tummy. ( I am getting teary eyed!) 6 weeks or so to go and there is plenty to do...

Hiding Baby

So I had my first bi-weekly midwife appointment today and all is well. I am measuring 32 weeks and my weight gain (this time) is textbook, at least according to the nurse. Babies heartbeat was good, my blood pressure, protein and glucose levels,...all right on track. Today was also the day I met one of the new midwives that could potently deliver this baby. In reviewing my chart she was highly surprised at the size of my last baby, Joaquin, at birth. UMMM weren't we all highly surprised???!! I know I was! My pregnancy with Joaquin was much like this one measurement wise, so she stated that I must "hide my babies somewhere." This sounded funny to me and even as I drove away from the appointment I was thinking about it...smiling. Where exactly would I be hiding the baby and what, my belly isn't big enough?? HA HA. The likelihood of this baby being as large as sweet Joaquin is slim. Regardless I am ready to meet this little one that has been kicking and punching and giving me plenty of heartburn!! So, Come out, Come out where ever you are baby girl!!! We want to meet you.

Mi Sciatica

Pregnancy for me has been an adventure, and a relatively pleasant one at that. Why else would I choose to do it again if it weren't, right!!!??? Yes I had morning sickness well into my second trimester, yes I am tired and have heartburn and oh yes have I gained weight. In all honestly though...I really don't mind these pregnancy induced  changes...except for one, Sciatica. Prior to my pregnancy I was familiar with this nerve issue and pain only because my husband had experienced it. I had never had sciatica except for in this pregnancy and it is terribly painful. For me it starts in my back/buttocks on my left side and shots down my leg, then gradually my foot will start to tingle as if to fall asleep. No matter if I sit, stand or lye down the pain doesnt stop. My lifeestyle is an active one especially with a 15 month old to chase after so this is bothersome along with painful. The good news? ...I expect for it to go away after the baby is born. For now I am stretching and taking warm baths after an active day which both seem to help. There are numerous Yoga poaitions that seem to help as well. With this past weekend in New York with much walking and adventure, today was nothing but rest for Joaquin and I (an my sciatic nerve!). Tomorrow we will be back to the usual routine which includes a three mile walk to the park.

Mi Pancita

Joaquin has undoubtedly noticed my growing baby belly and coincidently everyone elses. In the evening or early morning he has taken to pulling my shirt up to expose mi pancita, rubbing it and giving it hugs. He also gentley pokes my belly button which sticks out too!! I tell him "that is our baby in there" and he smiles and laughs at me...I think it is adorable. I show him his own belly and belly button and we go back and forth. I hope to get a photo of this or some video. All too soon there will be no more belly,...and just our sweet baby girl!

This One Will Have To Wait

 Spring fashion I am loving you right now. Some of the looks can be worked into my pregnancy wardrobe...others will just have to wait until I have a waist again. Like this great dress from Ruche. I love the ruffle and the colors. This could be dressed up for the city with a great crop jacket and heel or dressed down as shown with a wedge sandal and accessories. Ahhh...I can't wait to go shopping!

Maternity?

I walk by this Boutigue everyday. They have some really great pieces for spring and summer. I love this casual outfit(everything but the ripped jeans). I think it is the casual, dressed look I am looking for right now AND this could totally work for my pregnant belly! Infact with just a fab pair of maternity jeans Whammo!! The styles right now really work for pregnancy and THANK GOODNESS for that people. I just could not handle floral print, boxy cut sheaths right now. So.... great flat sandals, big bright accessories, tunic lenght tank and jeans, thats what I am covering the belly with for now.

Morning Sick

Dear Mr. Compode.

When planning my second pregnancy I must admit I did not take into account the amount of time you and I would be spending together. No doubt I was aware that there would be a period when we would be seeing a lot of one another but that was supposed to end almost two months ago!!

I hope this is not taken the wrong way but...we need to spend some serious time apart. Infact I am hoping for a permanent seperation. Whats more is that I have had to start eplaining to Joaquin why it is I go running to your side in the morning. He just doesnt get why I cling to your cold white rim.

Sincerely Yours,

Tiffany

Naming Baby

My husband and I are having a heck of a time deciding on a name for the new baby. Deciding on my sons name was not that hard, suprisingly. We had put it on the list in the very beginning and slowly chipped away at the others until only Joaquin was left. It is a family name of mine and Henry is my husbands middle name, hence Joaquin Henry.
Girls names have proven much more difficult. We have both thought of and suggested names that we 'liked" but not totally loved. Unfortunantly the other person was not crazy about it so our list has quickly come and gone,...a few times.
So if there are any of you out there that have suggestions...please, please send them our way. Thankfully we have a few more months to decide. Until then we have our ears and minds open...

Baby Belly Round Two

It is a Girl!!
A few weeks back we found out we are having a girl. Now as my due date is getting closer and the weather is getting warmer the excitment for me is growing...along with my belly. A date has been set for the baby shower and the weeks remaining until my sweet girl arrives are less than the number of weeks pregnant I am. Horray!!!

I have gained weight...as I did with my son. No surprise there except that this time I will be my roundest, most glowing self during summer when people are exposing arms and legs, right and left. The thought of this does not appeal to me but I know it is well worth it. Besides I am not fat,...I am pregnant. So for now all thoughts have turned to pink, tangerine, ruffles and birds (my baby girl inspirations).

Dressing The Belly

I was so excited in the first weeks of pregnancy this time around about all the fun, stylish maternity clothes I was going to find. Of course with my last pregnancy I soon found out that there is a major style factor missing with most maternity clothes, but alas this time I was determined! Afterall I would be my biggest, roundest, pregtastic self during the spring and early summer so there is bound to be cute stuff out there right?? Ugh!
I am 22 weeks now and full blown into my maternity bottoms. The weather here still calls for pants and I have a plethora of preggo jeans left from my last pregnancy so no worries there. However I have been doing some web browsing for springish, summery maternity stuff and am SO not impressed. It is not ALL doom and gloom though. I am happy to report I have found a new (to me) website with decently priced stylish clothes. Asos is a British (of course) online store and they have a fab maternity line. http://www.asos.com
Aside from this I am going to go the Tori Spelling route I think and try to avoid Maternity clothes all together and just buy a size (or three) larger than normal. Afterall the tunic tops and summer dresses aren't that figure hugging this season. Wish me luck ya'll and happy shopping!!

July Baby on The Way

I had the first sonogram today for this, my second pregnancy. I am 14 weeks 6 days but the midwife felt that I was measuring at closer to 16 weeks so a sonogram was needed to verify. The technician was fairly certain that it is a little girl although these things are not as accurate this early on. We are so excited!! In this clip ( just a few moments of the 14 minutes of video we received.) the baby is actually fussing with the cord. It is so amazing... And after all I am only 14 weeks 6 days, just carrying the baby high. July 9Th is the estimated due date and I can not wait to meet Joaquin's little sister.