Anyone who works with babies (or had one of their own) for any amount of time has learned that they tend to have a mind of their own. Much as we would like for them to sleep at a certain time, eat at a certain time, fill their diapers at a certain time, and even be born at a certain time, they follow their own schedule and can't be bothered with ours.
That was certainly the case with Baby Ethan! His parents weren't expecting him to make an appearance so soon, but that is exactly what he did. Thinking they were going to have more time, they hadn't quite gotten around to finalizing details for his newborn session, and so they called me, hoping I might possibly be able to squeeze them in in the weeks before Christmas. Luckily I had an opening and we were able to get these amazing, beautiful pictures of him and his family! I had such a great time working with them all, learning about his family's unique story and reminiscing over European country & weather. Ethan will have quite the adventurous life growing up, of that I am sure! Thanks A & M for letting me capture these precious moments of your little boy.
0 Comments
As I started getting ready for baby #2, I was reminiscing over Precious' birth and how it went, what I'd change if I had the opportunity, all that I was thankful for, and how I hope this next labor will go.
In many ways I feel I was more prepared for her birth than I am with this little guy's, and I can't exactly pinpoint why. Maybe because we technically did more to prepare - like attending a Childbirth Education Class - or maybe it's because we had to get EVERYTHING because it was our first, vs. with this one much is already in place. Or maybe it's because I have her to keep me busy now, whereas before I could devote a lot of time to researching and preparing. Either way, he will be here soon enough, and she is most definitely a wonderful part of our lives! I am currently 31 weeks pregnant with a full schedule for the next month & a half. Why is that so important to know? I HAVE LESS THAN TWO MONTHS TO GET EVERYTHING FINISHED BEFORE MY BABY COMES. Needless to say, I'm starting to get a little anxious about it all, and the last couple days it's really hit me that there are certain items I NEED to have on hand before this little girl meets the world!
So today I decided to beat the heat by comparing prices for the most common items needed after a baby is born. And the results were a little shocking! Everyone knows that Amazon is supposed to have the best prices right? But according to my numbers, that isn't always the case as you'll see below. None of these take into account coupons, shipping, tax, or local variances, but they do give a general guideline. It's that time of year again! You know what I'm talking about - the one when all pregnant ladies, regardless of station or age, hide indoors with the A/C on full blast & a glass of ice cold lemonade in hand, lying half naked sprawled out on the bed attempting to stay cool in spite of the rising temperatures outside. Sound familiar? Honestly, that's what I did even when I WASN'T pregnant, not that I'd tell anyone that.
So now, thanks to mini-Mordor growing inside of me, I'm searching for as many ways to keep cool as possible without stripping completely and while maintaining some semblance of a social life. Good luck, right!? Hiring a doula is a big step. Whomever you choose will be a part of one the most special day of your life - the birth of your child. Therefore it's important to choose someone who will give you the support you need, and who's personality will match you well. Here are some questions to ask in your interview that may help you decide if she is a good match for you.
If you’re happy with the answers to the above questions then here are some more ideas for what to ask during your consultation... During labor, different kinds of pain require different forms of treatment. For example, if you tend to have back labor (which is generally caused by posterior babies), using warm compresses and certain positions may help you tremendously. Comfort measures are anything that will help reduce labor pain.Below are some comfort measures your doula might suggest using during your labor, and when they might help.
1. Hydrotherapy - Shower, Jacuzzi or Birthing Tub. *Water during labor can either help or hinder depending on when it's used. Unless planning a water birth, avoid spending too much time in the water, as it can slow down labor if used too soon.* Warm water in the form of a shower stream on your belly or back is great for back labor, or if the mother can't relax. Getting a washcloth wet with either cold or hot water can help a lot too. Not too many people know what a doula is, or why hiring a doula is so important for a quick and not-so-painful birth. Here are 5 reasons why you should hire a doula: 1. Doctors and Nurses Your doctor and the nurses on duty at the time will be in and out of the room as you labor. A doula however will stay with you from the beginning and won’t leave until the baby is born, the placenta is delivered, and, if you’re going to be breastfeeding, the first latch is established. Doulas will also come to your home if you want to labor there for a while before heading to the hospital, while doctors and nurses don't. Nurses generally can't stay in your room for very long, and also won't come back for another hour unless called. So if you need to move, or need something to eat, but don't want to bother the nurses, a doula is there to help. 2. Doulas Complement The Fathers Unless your significant other is a midwife or OB/GYN, he or she isn’t going to know nearly as much about the birth process as your doula. Even if it’s your second or third time having a baby, there will likely come a time when your partner will probably feel overwhelmed. Your doula is there to guide both of you through the process. She can suggest specific ways your partner can help you, while respecting the intimacy of your experience together. 3. Very Affordable The fee for doula services varies widely depending on the location. In cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, seasoned certified doulas charge between $1200 and $2700 for pre-birth discussions and full-time labor and delivery help. In St. Louis, the going rate for an experienced doula is $800 - $1200. If you can't afford that though, there are ways to find an affordable doula. In rural parts of the country the cost is much less. Many doulas are willing to volunteer for low income families, and all doulas-in-training need birth experience, so many are willing to attend births for free or for a nominal fee. 4. They Are A Wealth of Information Expecting moms can lean on their doulas for emotional support and valuable information and advice in the weeks leading up to the birth. This can be particularly helpful for first-time moms, uncertain about how to differentiate between, say, Braxton Hicks contractions and the real thing. A mother shared, "When my water broke, I called my doula first — and then my doctor. She (my doula) suggested I eat and rest before heading to the hospital — a lifesaving suggestion since I had a 24-hour labor and an unplanned c-section ahead of me." 5. She'll Be There Unlike doctors and some midwives, doulas only schedule a few births a month. That means they’re almost guaranteed to be there for the big event. Another mom shared, "I had my son on Christmas Eve, and still, my doula met me at the hospital in 15 minutes flat and never once complained about having to eat Christmas dinner out of a hospital vending machine. My midwife, on the other hand, was vacationing for the holiday and missed my birth." With many doctors and midwives working in group practices, it’s a relief to know there’ll be at least one expert at your birth who you'll have an ongoing relationship with. |
About Caitlin
Doula || Photographer || Small Business Owner || Wife || Mother || Child of God Categories
All
|