This is Part II. You definitely want to start with Part I to hear about how I was sent home from the hospital and told I was "not in labor." Back at home I laid on the couch with one leg over a couch pillow while Daniel dozed on a yoga mat on the floor next to me, holding my hand through contractions. The contractions were becoming unbearable and I started to feel overheated during them and … [Read more...]
Hildie’s Birth Story: Part I, “You’re Not in Labor”
To arrive at our sweet girl’s absolutely wild birth story, the stage must be set. It was a rough pregnancy. 25 weeks of debilitating nausea due to HG followed by a third trimester of lightheadedness and the other perks that come with anemia. Then my midwife mentioned, “Hmmmm, looks like she’s breech. But don’t freak out because she has plenty of time to turn.” I did start to freak out and … [Read more...]
A Hospital Bag Checklist for the Catholic Mom
I am 38 weeks tomorrow. My baby girl continues to stubbornly stay breech and transverse in there so this week is chock full of chiropractor visits, more handstands at the pool, acupuncture, moxibustion, and if all that fails (as it has been) an external version at the hospital on Friday. I am feeling very not in control of much right now. But I can pack my hospital bag (and I plan to take it … [Read more...]
Mystery and Motherhood: Is This Not Where Love Dwells?
The thought has crossed my mind lately that while I love the idea of pregnancy, the practical aspects feel nightmarish right now. At 36 weeks pregnant with my fourth baby, all the pregnancy discomforts are here in full force: the aches, extreme fatigue, pressure, acid reflux, feeling that I can’t take a real breath because baby is pushing up against my lungs, lightheadedness in the July Texas … [Read more...]
“So Are You Done Having Kids?”
“So are you done having kids? Is this your last pregnancy?” I’ve been asked this after each one of my pregnancies. And until this one (my 4th), I have always responded with a resounding “no!” (with the caveat that none of us are entitled to a baby and we can’t always predict secondary infertility). But keep the babies coming! No plans to stop! Enough for a quidditch team! But this time my … [Read more...]
This Is My Body, Broken for You
I was staring up at the crucifix during Mass. I was too sick to kneel, so I was just sitting in the pew while everyone knelt around me. I was desperately trying not to throw up, the pregnancy nausea coming in waves, impossible to ignore. It was my first Mass in a month. I had been too sick with hyperemesis gravidarum to leave the house for weeks. The previous week I had tried to get out of bed … [Read more...]
Finding the Value in Needing Each Other: Notes from an HG Pregnancy
“Any woman who knows she will have an HG pregnancy and chooses to get pregnant again is nothing but selfish. If she knows she can’t take care of herself and will burden others, she has no right to put her family and friends through that.” I blinked at the words on the screen. Battling extreme morning sickness for the fourth time led me to online support groups for my condition, hyperemesis … [Read more...]
Pregnancy Fashion: Surviving the First Trimester (with Stitch Fix)
Every so often, we chat fashion at Carrots. I hope it feels like going shopping with a friend, but not having to try on jeans….or leave your couch. Ah, the first trimester. When you are always glowing and life is full of just the blissful joy of impending motherhood! Well maybe the first trimester is when YOU are glowing. I on the other hand am in bed or on the couch, popping Zofran to … [Read more...]
Links for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
image source Today, October 15th, is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It's a difficult day for so many families because miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss are not uncommon. For most of my life I pushed the possibility of these painful events far to the edges of my mind. Probably out of fear because losing a chid is every parent's worst nightmare. But after walking with so many … [Read more...]
8 Ways to Help a Mom Struggling with Severe Morning Sickness
Give a warm welcome to Rachel of Efficient Mama who's sharing about supporting women with severe morning sickness or hyperemisis gravidarum. Since I've had HG for two out of three pregnancies, I say YES to all of Rachel's advice! - Haley I've gone through two pregnancies now that had pretty severe morning sickness, the first being the worst. When I tell you it was severe, I'm talking puking … [Read more...]
