My Birth Bundle- Birthing From Within

Walking the labrynth.

We had our last Birthing From Within class this week. It was a wonderful experience that I believe better prepared me for the birth of this sweet baby and also brought me closer to my husband. Forget those classes that the hospital offers. I highly recommend this class to anybody expecting a baby whether your first or tenth.

On the last day of class, the ladies were asked to bring a birth bundle. It should contain at least three objects. One that represents the mother, one that represents the father, and one that represents the baby. It should be wrapped in a cloth of some sort that has meaning and is all bundled up but can easily be opened. We sat on the floor in a circle and shared out bundles with everyone.

For the motherly object, I chose my birth candle. It is very special to me because it was lit during the birth of two of my friends that I am incredibly inspired by. When I think of motherhood, I think of being lit up. Like being on fire. Motherhood has made me radiate with passion like the flame of a candle so I felt the candle was perfect and it is a sisterhood of support.

For the fatherly object, I chose a tree. A strong oak tree. When I think of Dru, I think of stability, reliability, safety. We got married at eighteen and twenty and are about to celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary. His roots are deep and he is always there to provide comfort and I believe he always will be. He is an introvert that needs to analyze things before diving right in. He is always changing and growing but sometimes it is not noticeable until you look back, similar to when you see a picture of the tree in your back yard from a few years ago and it looks so tiny even though you never noticed it growing. He is my tree and I feel most at home being wrapped in his branches.

For the object to symbolize the baby, I chose sunshine. When I began bleeding this pregnancy after recently miscarrying a baby, I was devastated. We all were. I would sit and cry and sing to my baby. Ila would comfort me and sing with me. We would sing, “You are my sunshine.” I would always bawl my eyes out at “please don't take my sunshine away.” We found out we had lost a twin which was really hard but we also found out we had a healthy baby whose heart was beating away. This baby is our sunshine and we are so aware of how blessed we are.

Funny story on how I got the actual object. I couldn't find anything at home that represented sunshine so I headed to the store. I asked Ila if she wanted anything and she said, “bowling”. During our four week class, our friends graciously watched Ila for us so we could get this experience. Ila played bowling there so I decided it was a good gift for me to pick up for her. While walking the ENTIRE store, I couldn't find anything to represent sunshine. I was about to leave and I looked down at the bowling set box and right on it was a picture of a sun that said, “My Sunshine” right on it. Just a moment that I felt that I was exactly where I was supposed to be doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing.

I added one more object to my bundle. The moonstone I wore while I was in labor with Ila. My mom gave it to me and I will wear it or at least bring it to this birth. I just felt it needed to be included.

For the cloth that bundled it all together, I used a sleeve from my great grandmother's robe and a scarf that belonged to my other great grandmother. Two very special pieces.

It was emotional to share my bundle but I'm so glad that I got the opportunity. The guys had surprises for us to end the class but I'll keep that a secret in case you are going to be attending. It was wonderful!

Did you take a birth class?

If you are in the Charleston, SC and interested in Birthing From Within classes, please check out http://www.boygirlbirthsupport.com.


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Hospital, Birth Center, or Homebirth

Ila was born in a hospital and although it was a beautiful experience, I know it could have been better. I feel like I spent a lot of my time saying no. No, I don't want an epidural, no, I don't want pitocin, no, don't take my baby yet, no, we don't want any shots, no, I don't want my baby to sleep in the nursery so I can get more sleep. Most of the nurses were very supported although they didn't understand why we wouldn't want to do some of these things. The worst part was being stuck in the hospital for thirty some hours after giving birth. I just know I could be in a more supportive, encouraging atmosphere.

We explored our options and thought about doing a homebirth. For one thing, we do not know where our home is going to be. Our house is on the market (shoot me) so we don't know if we will still be living here, an in between apartment, or a new house. Another thing is the price. Although a homebirth is the cheapest option, most insurances don't cover it. Our insurance isn't the best and I have had trouble figuring out exactly what they would cover. I have friends that had to pay for it out of their own pockets and their insurance companies have taken up to a year to reimburse them. I would love to be in the comfort of my own home and completely believe in the benefits of a homebirth, it's just not going to happen this time. Maybe someday.

The birth center is a wonderful option when you want a natural experience but homebirth is not an option. When I experienced my miscarriage, they were very supportive and I felt very comfortable there. With this pregnancy, they have been very supportive and understanding. They are very natural minded and there is not even an option for an epidural. What surprised me, were all of the natural pain relief options. The hospital has narcotics and an epidural. The birth center has many options that don't have side effects. One of these options is what really sold us on the birth center. The birth tub. It is a big beautiful tub with candles and soft lights all around it. They say the baby should enter the world in the same loving atmosphere in which it was conceived.

Dru can't wait to get into the tub and be more involved in the labor and delivery. He has the option to catch the baby and place him/her on my chest or he can be behind me and the first thing the baby sees are both of the people that love him/her more than anything. We'll see what happens in the moment.

Another great thing is that we can leave within hours after the birth. Dru won't have to sleep on some pathetic chair-turned-bed and Ila won't have to be away from us for days. We can all sleep in our bed at our home.

I know what you're thinking. What if something bad happens? For one thing, in a healthy, normal pregnancy the hospital is actually one of the most dangerous places you can go. When you go against nature and try to intervene constantly, you are way more likely to end up with a c-section or just a terrible, traumatic birth experience. The hospital is where people go that are sick. The birth center doesn't have emergency situations. They know well ahead of time if a trip to the hospital is needed and head over there. The hospital is only about a mile away and the hospital works with the birth center to make sure everything goes well. The midwife doesn't just drop you off and leave. She stays with you at the hospital for support.

I am very much looking forward to the birth of our sweet baby. I am not afraid of birth. It is a beautiful, amazing, empowering experience. I am so glad we found a place that is not only supportive of the experience we want but actually encourages it. Pin It