Birth Faith

Archive for the ‘Labor Tips’ Category

Four centimeters

By Buscando la luz on Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 | 5 Comments

On April 19, I awoke from a bizarre (disturbing) dream. It had been a short dream, or at least there weren’t many details that I could remember. I had been in labor. My husband was there. And then my deceased brother Steven appeared. (Click over to read more)

Enduring a mile (or a centimeter)

By Buscando la luz on Monday, March 26th, 2012 | 2 Comments

After finishing a mile-long run, I recognized that the same things that helped me to navigate the journey of childbirth also helped me to get through that mile (and would probably help me get through a marathon as well, if I ever actually get around to running one). Here’s a play-by-play…

Doula ripples

By Buscando la luz on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 | No Comments

Did you know that the benefits of having a doula’s assistance don’t end at birth? There are significant ripples that impact a woman, her baby, and her relationship with her baby’s father.

A Moment

By Buscando la luz on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 | 5 Comments

We need not feel as though we’re somehow broken for not instantly switching from laborland to enraptured-with-my-baby-land. Each of us will process those big events in different ways. Some women are instantly enraptured, and I love watching those moments in their birth videos when they weep for joy as soon as their babies are in their arms. But if you need a moment, there’s nothing wrong with you. (Click over to read the full post.)

God takes the pain away?

By Buscando la luz on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 | 5 Comments

Women’s minds and spirits are more open during pregnancy than perhaps at any other time. As I’ve pondered the power of spiritual meditation over the past few weeks, I have come to feel more and more strongly that it is precisely this type of preparation that most modern women are lacking as they approach childbirth. We read magazines and books about the logistics of pregnancy and childbirth, we may take classes on how to cope with labor through a variety of means, but it is rare to find books or resources for spiritual childbirth preparation. Spiritual meditation far surpasses relaxation and non-spiritual meditation in studies of pain, stress, and anxiety. What a powerful tool most of us are missing! (Click over to read the full post…)

Cervical scar tissue and cesareans

By Buscando la luz on Monday, September 12th, 2011 | 30 Comments

And now I’m even more convinced than ever that a large percentage of today’s cesareans and “failed” VBACs are happening as a result of cervical scar tissue. (click over to read the full post)

Baby shower basket essentials

By Buscando la luz on Friday, August 26th, 2011 | 4 Comments

After nearly eight years as a momma, I’ve learned a thing or two. For instance, I’ve learned that a lot of the things on most soon-to-be parents’ baby registries (and in some of their carefully decorated baby nurseries) are non-essential. There are really very few things most new parents/babies need, and some of the best essentials aren’t really available for baby shower presents (boobs, for instance). It has been a while since I attended a baby shower for a first-time momma, but next time I’m invited, here’s what I wish I could afford to load into a pretty basket for her, though I’ll probably settle for just one or two items from the list…

Old school Birth Faith

By Buscando la luz on Thursday, August 25th, 2011 | 1 Comment

I was just scanning through some posts on my old blog, reliving blogging memories… sigh. Maybe you’re new here and didn’t know I used to post over in Blogger (2007-2010). It’s sort of crazy to me that I’ve been blogging for longer than I spent in college. And, honestly, I’ve learned and grown more since I started blogging than I think I learned and grew in all those years of higher education! Ha. Starting my blog was, most definitely, one of the best things I ever did for myself, my family, and (I hope) for all you wonderful readers who think that reading what I have to say is worth your time. I love you!

Here are some fun old Blogger posts (and excerpts to entice you), if you’ve got some time to kill and want a peek into my blogging past. From more recent to oldest…

Reducing childbirth pain?

By Buscando la luz on Thursday, June 30th, 2011 | 3 Comments

It has never been easier getting from 0 to 9 centimeters as it was for me during my fourth birth. I couldn’t believe how comfortable I was at 7, 8, 9 centimeters. I’ve thought a lot about that fact over the past four months, wondering… what made the difference? I can really only speculate, but these changes might at least partially explain the reduction of labor pain I experienced… (click over to read the full post).

You are what you think

By Buscando la luz on Saturday, April 23rd, 2011 | 3 Comments

Our thoughts can create almost instantaneous physical reactions! How amazing is that?! And how frightening too. It all depends on what you are thinking about. (Click over to read the full post…)

Surrender, part 2

By Buscando la luz on Saturday, March 12th, 2011 | 5 Comments

As I mentioned in part 1, much of the magic and spiritual richness of my daughter’s birth happened in the cushion of time surrounding the actual birth experience, particularly the weeks leading up to her birth. While all my other children came 5 to 10 days early, this baby chose to make her appearance 5 days “late.” As we waited, wondering when our baby would be born, we were once again called upon to “surrender.” (Click over to read the full post…)

I’m ready now

By Buscando la luz on Sunday, February 13th, 2011 | 10 Comments

For weeks whenever anyone has asked me, “Are you so ready for this baby to come?” my immediate response has been an adamant, “No! I wish I had two more months! I’m not ready!” I’ve been nesting for quite awhile and crossing things off my before-the-baby-comes to-do list every day (only to think of more things to add and then cross off), but, beyond the physical preparations for the birth and postpartum period, I haven’t felt an ounce of readiness. Each night as I have gone to bed, wondering whether a birth would be waking me soon, I have felt an overwhelming lack of surety… a feeling that not everything was in place… a yearning for something to bolster me and give me the foundation I need to give birth in peace in confidence. Today it came. (Click over to read the full post…)

False alarm

By Buscando la luz on Monday, February 7th, 2011 | 5 Comments

I had a few labor-like twinges (which feel completely and totally different from braxton-hicks contractions <— I have those all day every day) that got my attention while trying to fall asleep last night. Boy did my heart start pounding. (Click over to read the full post.)

Busca’s birthing brew

By Buscando la luz on Saturday, February 5th, 2011 | 9 Comments

As I’ve brainstormed what I wanted to consume in labor over the last few months, I determined that I wanted to include things that would…

* Provide a nutritious energy source
* Help me stay hydrated
* Promote labor progress
* Protect me from hemorrhage

It’s also my plan to drink this concoction every day for the remainder of my pregnancy to prime myself and my baby for the birth process. So I’ve known all along that I also wanted to include ingredients that would help prepare my body and my baby for the journey ahead. (Click over to read the full post.)

Improving your epidural birth

By Buscando la luz on Thursday, November 18th, 2010 | 1 Comment

Tips for improving your epidural birth, gleaned from my blog (and other helpful sites) over the years.

Archive for the ‘Labor Tips’ Category

Four centimeters

Enduring a mile (or a centimeter)

Doula ripples

A Moment

God takes the pain away?

Cervical scar tissue and cesareans

Baby shower basket essentials

Old school Birth Faith

Reducing childbirth pain?

You are what you think

Surrender, part 2

I’m ready now

False alarm

Busca’s birthing brew

Improving your epidural birth

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