The Birth Plan: Readers Questions Answered

Many of you have had questions about how I am planning my birth; and so in today's post I will answer a few of them. I guess the first thing I will say is that these are just my vision for my ideal labor and birth. I am keeping a very open mind, knowing that things often don't go according to plan, AND these are just my preferences. If you chose to or plan to birth differently, I am not passing judgement. We are all unique and so are our choices and experiences. Now to the questions.

1. By far the most frequent question I get is whether we are doing a hospital or home birth. We put a     lot of thought into this decision and even interviewed a midwife, but ultimately we chose a hospital birth. Our doctor was a major reason for that choice. She is the best! I know she will take great care of us and I'm happy with our decision. 

2. I think the next question I get is if I plan to do a natural birth. The answer is a big YES! Honestly, I am terrified of a c-section or epidural! I have never had a broken bone or a surgery so yeah, I'm a big baby when it comes to medical interventions. I'm also a realistic person, so if I feel like pain medication is necessary of course I will use it. I'm not trying to win any medals! I just want to have the best birth experience for me, and right now that means a natural non-medicated birth. 

3. Did we hire a doula? Yes! She is kind and down to earth and very supportive. Her name is Kirsten Sengupta and for anyone in the Springfield area who needs a doula, she comes highly recommended by me! You can contact her at Shanti Birth Services. For those of you who don't know, a doula is a birth assistant. Someone who has gone through formal training and is with you through the labor and birth process to offer support that ranges from massage and other natural methods of pain management, coaching you through breathing and visualizations, bringing you water, food or chap stick, help with breastfeeding etc. etc. etc. For us, one of the main reasons we hired Kirsten is for Mark. Now he has someone there to support him and give him breaks and help him to help me. Having a doula is definitely a luxury, but I like knowing we will have someone outside of the hospital staff with us who is well aware of our birth plan.

4. Will we do a water birth? I really wanted to have a birthing tub available, but our hospital doesn't allow them. We do plan to labor at home as long as possible and I will use my own bathtub. It's kind of a bummer but it wasn't a big enough issue to sway me from birthing at the hospital. 

5. Will I breastfeed? Yes. 

6. Will I keep the placenta? No. But we will do delayed cord clamping, skin to skin right after birth and no bathing, eye ointment etc. until baby has had his first feed, rooming in (that means no nursery in the hospital, the baby stays with us at all times) and we will go home as soon as we can! 

I think that about covers it. I am always happy to answer any questions you have. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by! 

~ Love & Light ~

Fox Medicine

Three times this summer/fall a gray fox has crossed paths with me. He lives in the forest behind the houses across the street. Having started my pregnancy with the daily visits of the bald eagle pair who winter on the river, it feels special to have this magical time draw to a close with the presence of this fox nearby. I, of course, believe that when animals make an appearance for us, that we can learn lessons or harness spiritual medicine from them. Here is what I've learned from this fox.

The following information is taken from birdclan.org.

"Fox is a master at the art of camouflage. Like all members of the canine family, they make exceptional parents. The fox's keen sight and hearing make it an excellent predator. Its tail serves as a balancing device when it stands on its hind legs to peer over the tall grass in search of a mouse, gopher, or field rat. It is a survivor, able to exist in the unpopulated countryside. Its ability to be unseen makes it a superb family protector.

Fox medicine involves adaptablility, cunning, observation, integration, and swiftness of thought and action. These traits may also include quick decisiveness, and sure-footedness in the physical world.

The Fox's ability to meld into one's surroundings and be unnotices is a powerful gift when one is observing the activities of others. This allows it to be the protector of the family unit. If danger arises, Fox is johnny-on-the-spot. Great Spirit has honored Fox with the duty of keeping the family together and safe. Fox accomplishes this through the ability to observe undetected, without making others self-conscious. Fox is always concerned with the safety of family members and is an excellent tailsman for those who travel.

Its keen eyesight also has the ability to see movement and objects on the very edges of the field of vision. Those with active fox medicine can often see Spirit, and the beings "between worlds". If this is an ability that you'd like to develop, practice at twilight and call upon fox energy to help you. With fox's super-sensitive hearing, you may also be able to hear Spirit.

With Fox medicine you know instantly what will happen next. After observing for a while, you will become aware of a certain predictability in given situations and be able to quickly make your move. Fox medicine teaches the art of Oneness through its understanding of camouflage.

Much like the clowns in the rodeo, Fox can keep the raging bull from stampeding a friend or family member. Fox can use silly tactics as a brilliant comouflage move. No one could guess the sly power behind such ingenious maneuvers.

Fox is considered to be persistent, yet is gentler and less aggressive than the wolf. Fox teaches us about feminine magic, but this does not imply that it is a totem for women. Rather, both men and women who have the fox as a totem are being told to stay in touch with the feminine side of their personality and character.

If fox shows up in your life it is a sign that you are to be aware of the actions of the world around you. The world is shape shifting and growing into new patterns all the time. Use the art of camouflage and keep cunningly silent about who and what you are observing. After observing for a while you will become aware of certain patterns of predictability in situations and you will know what to do. Fox's medicine of camouflage teaches Oneness with all."

I love all the mentions of fox being a family protector as Mark and I embark on a new chapter as parents. I also appreciate that fox teaches us about feminine magic, the ability to see spirit, and adaptability; all things I will be drawing on as a new mother. 

Below is a photo (although not the greatest) of the fox that visits me. He finally held my gaze long enough to allow me to snap him. The first time I saw him I thought that he was a very dirty red fox, but after seeing him a few more times I realized that he is definitely a gray. 

One of the best things about our decision to move home to the Ozarks has been the abundance of animal life that we encounter regularly. I always take the opportunity to learn about the animals spiritual aspects and reflect on what that means to my life at that time. Nature offers us so many gifts.

~ Love & Light ~

Iron Mama Tonic

Last month the results from my iron/hemoglobin blood test showed that my iron level was slightly low. I mean, really just slightly. My hospital likes your number to be 11 or higher. I was 10.8. Still, they recommended I take an iron supplement in case of hemorrhaging during delivery. Just to be safe. 

Now, I know a thing or two about iron supplements, and I know they can be hard on your stomach and can cause constipation. Two things I am not willing to deal with during pregnancy! I did what comes natural to a witch, and turned to my herbal allies. 

After a little bit of research, I settled on the suggestion by my favorite herbalist mentor, Susun Weed, to take yellow dock root. I didn't want to just buy the tincture, so I found a recipe for a tonic that included other iron rich supplements like molasses and nettles. The recipe is posted on yoginimomma.com and is actually an adapted version of Susun's recipe. This one is alcohol free and perfect for a pregnant woman. After drinking the tonic nightly for a month the hospital retested me and my levels are now where they should be. The nurse encouraged me to continue whatever it is I am doing. I'm happy I followed my instincts to take the natural route and I wanted to share this recipe with you too. Beyond pregnancy anemia, this tonic serves well as a supplement during your menstrual cycle to replenish lost iron, or for anyone needing to increase iron levels. Of course, if you have a medical condition, run it past your doctor first, but this gentle blend is nourishing and will not harm the system. The following is the recipe as listed on the Yogini Momma page. 

"IRON MAMA TONIC

Ingredients:

4 quarts purified water

8 oz yellow dock root

2 oz red raspberry leaf

2 oz nettles

6 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons molasses

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 

Add water to pot. Bring to a boil, then turn off burner. After the water has stopped boiling, add all the herbs, and stir them in well. Cover and let infuse for at least 8 hours, or overnight.

Strain herbs and discard. Over very low heat, steam liquid until it is reduced by half, to concentrate the tonic. This takes 2-3 hours for me. You should end up with about 4 cups of liquid, give or take. Get your clean quart jar ready, and turn the heat up, adding the honey and molasses, and bring to a quick boil before pouring it into the quart jar, topping it off with the apple cider vinegar, and sealing shut. If you pour the liquid all the way to the top while boiling hot it creates a nice vacuum seal and you can store it without refrigeration for a while. 

Dosage is 1-2 ounces a day for anemia prevention during pregnancy, it's best to continue to take this while breastfeeding, but I've read that it can be upsetting to some newborn's stomachs, so watch out for that. For anemia curing, drink 1/4-1/2 cup a day until symptoms improve."

I halved the recipe to keep smaller and fresher batches. Just half of the recipe makes a big batch and I felt like the amount the recipe calls for would be sitting in the fridge for too long. I personally am taking 1/4 cup every evening and will move to the prevention dose while I am breastfeeding. 

I hope this recipe finds you if you are in need! 

~ Love & Light ~