You Did What With Your Placenta???

That's right... I did something with that lovely piece of gold. As soon as that placenta was out of me, I went ahead and took a big huge bite at that sweet gushy-ness and ate it.

Just kidding..... ew. I had my placenta encapsulated.

Why? Because... well... I didn't want to cook it up and eat it... so to save myself the gore of said dinner, I decided that encapsulation was my best option to reap the wonderful hormone benefits of getting that placenta consumed.

Why consume it? What are the benefits, you ask? Let me quote Pleasant Postpartums site information: (www.pleasantpostpartums.com)
"Placenta consumption allows you to have a pleasant postpartum by: 
-Gently weaning off your pregnancy hormones
-Avoiding the "baby blues" and postpartum depression
-Increasing energy
-Replenishing depleted iron levels
-Boosting milk production
-Speeding up healing
-Decreasing pain
-Reducing post-natal bleeding
-Helping your uterus more quickly return to pre-pregnancy size "

I actually had my placenta encapsulated with my last 2 babies now and I'm grieving the fact that I let the hospital just throw away the first 4. :( Not only do they work, but I even took a pill, as needed, during my crazy contraction nights during bedrest, just to help calm things down and it would work. The proof that the hormones are present in these pills, for me, is that if I take too much of it, I will get almost instant headaches. So for me, I have to take them a little slower than others, and I still reap the benefits listed above.

Wanna know/see how it's done?? :D Let's begin!

First, you play with it!

Laura, from Pleasant Postpartums, comes to my home and in my kitchen plays with my placenta. :) It's actually very neat when she spreads it out and examines it. She's able to tell me things about my placenta, like the bright red spot on it is actually an area where there is an interruption of blood supply causing it's cells to die. She said, small infarctions are normal, but that mine was a bigger-sized one.

Did you know that the placenta's nickname is "Tree of Life" ? It's no wonder. It looks like a tree. And for the life that it gives, making it the most essential part of an infant's survival, Tree of Life is very appropriate.

Next: You steam it!  (sorry, these next couple photos are not for the faint of heart... er stomach)

Yummo!!!....

......

Next: You dehydrate it! 

She slices all that goodness into little pieces and lays them in a dehydrator, concluding her efforts for the day. She leaves this in my kitchen, and comes back in 24 hours to finish the process. This is extremely fun when we have visitors at this time the dehydrator is running... little do they know they are standing next to my placenta! :)               ((insert evil laugh here))

And Finally: You crush it and encapsulate!

She used some kind of grinder thingy, making into powder form. Then used this encapsulation tool to actually put the powder into either tasteless capsules or berry flavored capsules... You get to pick! :) I had the berry flavored ones the first time, then wanted to do the tasteless ones this second time. It's a toss up.

tasteless vs. berried

Of course, to cap it off, Laura had a little helper that wanted to get his hands on the process, so she let him dust the capsules off with napkins and place them into the container. :) Eve joined in later. 

 And for you umbilical cord keepers.... why keep that yucky dried up little stub that falls off your babies belly button, when you can have something like this? :) A dehydrated umbilical cord shaped like a heart!

So if you've ever considered doing this or have never even heard of something like this being done, I would strongly recommend it. If you live in the Des Moines area (or surrounding) then Laura at Pleasant Postpartums would love to be of service! (www.pleasantpostpartums.com) Or if you don't live in Iowa, search it out and see if there's someone in your area that does this. 

Meanwhile.... Bon Appetit!  hahaha

My postpartum healing has been very pleasant, indeed! :D

Ruth's HBAC Story: in Pictures "From An Eight Year Old's Perspective" :)

All these pictures (except for this first one, of course) were taken by my 8 yr. old son Isaiah. I let him take pictures of anything he wanted to during this process. So enjoy these pictures, from an 8 yr old's perspective. 

Isaiah and I adopted the My Little Pony phrase, "nervouscited!" 

Ruth's (Home Birth After Cesarean) Story!

Starting Wednesday, Nov. 13th. I started having contractions that were 10 minutes apart. They weren't painful, but they were intense. I knew that this could be the start of my pre-labor/early labor journey.

Another day passed with little change. They would be anywhere from 10-20 minutes apart. However, Day 3 was a little different. The contractions finally started to move just a little closer at 7-10 minutes apart but they came with pain.This confused me, especially being so early in labor. After some investigation and consulting with my midwife, we agreed that the pain was from my scar adhesion's from my c-section, 4 years ago, 2 deliveries ago. The pain was sharp with cramping in the incision area up the bottom of my belly. This made me very nervous for what labor would be like as I was in the throws of active labor. I had not had ANY of this pain during Naomi's birth. (previous VBAC)

I sent Josh to work in the morning, not wanting to stir panic of "IT's TIME!" just yet. I remember, hugging him good-bye saying, "I want to have a baby today." Noon rolled around and I became very anxious, being alone with all 4 kids, having painful contractions that still remained too far for active labor. He came home early, making me a priority since he felt that this was indeed real labor anyway.

When he came home to me the contractions started getting a little closer. The kids started getting very excited and hyper.... which didn't set well with me at the time since the contractions were painful already, so I stowed away in the bathroom and soaked in hot water while Josh started readying the birth pool for me in the living room. Isaiah sat with me, writing down the times of my contractions. Eve helped tidy the house, keeping Naomi (our 20 month old) away from me. Tesh was in her own little world, I'm not even really all that sure what she was doing at that time.

We started calling family members that wanted to witness the birth. I kept my midwife in the loop of how I was doing by texting. There was a point where she came around 2pm when contractions were 4-5 minutes apart. It seemed to me things were, all of the sudden, moving pretty quickly. When she came, she checked me, and said I was dilated to 5/6 cm. I was relieved at that news, but knew I may have a ways to go, concerning my history of longer active labors.

I got in my pool, and she sat on my couch, pulling a novel out to read while she let me labor the way I wanted to, but staying close for any need I may have. (my sister in law just informed me the book she was reading was completely in German! haha "nothing like a light read while waiting to deliver a baby!)

The pool felt faithfully great, easing some of that pain I was having, but it didn't take it away. That pain was beyond what the buoyancy of the water could do. However, I had the greatest relief being on my hands and knees during contractions so with the work of both, I made it at least bearable.

People started piling in the house; moms, sisters, nieces, a cousin, a friend. The house became full for this "Birthday Party". My sister in law's started making the birthday cake that would be used to celebrate once the baby was born. Our homemade beef stew was thawing on the kitchen counter, waiting for some extra cooking in case I grew hungry during labor or if I wanted to wait till afterwards.

Although I did start to get a little hungry, labor was moving so fast, that I felt I didn't have a good chance to really eat, but I did keep sipping on some water. I started feeling some good pressure and the midwife and I agreed that it would help me to go ahead and have her break my water if I was near the end. I was dilated to 8, so she went ahead and broke my water at about 4pm.

As the contractions grew more intense, so did the pain. I stayed in my pool, and my husband never left my face. With each contraction, his gentle voice was there to remind me to relax my face, to breathe slowly. There was a point where he knew I needed some extra comfort and he started reading the scriptures I had put on the walls. My eyes were closed most of labor at this point, so he read what I couldn't see, out loud to me. It made me want to cry as I remembered the One who has not left me at all and who has remained faithful, seeing me through this pregnancy.

Still being on my hands and knees, the pressure was too great, so I flipped over in a recline as I labored those last few contractions that were bringing baby down, readying my time to push. I remembered my husband and his desire to help deliver this one, so I let him go and ordered my mother in law, who I knew was right behind him, to take his place holding my hands, so he could move to a favorable place to catch the baby.

My body started pushing, so I joined in, encouraging the end result. :) In just 2 or 3 contractions, baby's head was out, and Josh (along with the midwife) grabbed our daughter's body as she shot out of me into the water, and brought her to my chest. I opened my eyes for the first time in a while when I felt that little girl's warm body on top of mine. She was beautiful with lots of dark hair. The room broke into an excited roar as I took those first few breaths of relief that it was over and she was in my arms. I checked to make sure she was still a girl :) It was 4:46pm, November 15th.

Ruth Michael Wing is her name. She stayed calm and quiet almost the whole time. Her cord pulsated for quite a while, so the midwife got to work right away in sucking her out since she wasn't taking those first few breaths and cries yet. I remained calm as I knew this was normal with waiting to cut the cord, so the midwife worked on her while she remained on my chest, as I also held the cord, keeping her updated on whether or not it was still pulsating.

Ruth was just too happy in my arms. I held her in disbelief. She was finally here and she looked so healthy. I looked around the room, realizing all 4 of my children were staring at me and Ruth. Their eyes spoke it all. Amazement. Love. Awe. They couldn't wait to touch her. They all came near, reaching over the water to touch her head or her belly.

The cord finally calmed down so Daddy could cut it and shortly after that I delivered my placenta. (I'll blog shortly about what I did with said placenta :) heh)

Ruth was given to her Daddy shortly after that, so I could get out of the pool and get my small tear repaired. That was fun.... So once that was done, I got my diaper on and sat myself on the rocking chair, watching the midwife measure Ruth. I was given my beef stew and was oblivious to that fact that I had my feet propped up on the side of the pool that still held my "wonderful" water as I scarfed down my awesome stew.

Ruth weighed 8lb 3oz!!!! ( I normally spit out 6 pounders, so this was a miracle) She was 21 inches long. She still remained this quiet little thing. By the time she was done measuring, I was done scarfing down my food, she gave Ruth to me so I could start nursing her. What a champ! She did great and has remained a great nurser. Another blessing. I sat and nursed her, the midwife left with her instructions for the next few days, and the cake was brought out and everyone starting singing the birthday song. :)

I LOVED being home and in this comfortable place with such love all around me, and my own God-given esteem taking care of my brand new baby.

Ruth and I, just a few hours after she was born! 

Next post will be pictures!!! :)
---"From An Eight Year Old's Perspective"  :) He did a really good job!

Preggo Update: 38 weeks!!!!

Praise be to God, I've made it to 38 weeks!

I am so thankful and excited to report this. Usually I go from bedrest to labor, so having this lull of time where I can reconnect with my kids, get some housework done on my own steam, and just live life being big pregnant and enjoying my belly are all things I'm not used to. I am exhausted, always tired and have no brain, but overall, I'm not too miserable so it makes these last couple weeks seem not so bad.

I saw the midwife today. I'm dilated between a 2 and 3, same effacement as last time. (so not much change at all from 2 weeks ago) There was some "plug" coming out and I've lost a pound which are all indications that labor could start up any day soon. Baby sounds healthy and things are looking normal and great.






The kids are getting antsy and hate to let me leave for various things (like meetings or appointments) without them because they fear I won't make it home in time for them to see the baby be born. haha... I told them that's almost not possible, but alas, the tears come from my 6 year old's eyes as I leave for all of my hour away. All to come back home, still pregnant. :) This is the same little girl that kisses my belly every night before bed so she can be the baby's favorite.

The 6 yr old so excited to have a little baby, now that she's old enough to take care of her.

Everything is ready though. Pool is blown up and in place. Birth Bin is complete. House is clean... enough ;) So now we just wait! Of course, I'm doing little projects here and there that I've wanted to get done before winter hit, so I've been getting some of that done too.

It all seems so surreal. It doesn't matter how many times one gives birth to babies. Every time is supernatural, suspenseful, there is nerves and excitement all bundled into one.

Antsy antsy children!! 

When Did You Suffer?

One of my favorite theologian authors had a recent interview where he discussed his newest book out. ("What We Talk About When We Talk About God"--- I haven't read it yet) When the conversation turned to this "awareness" of God being everywhere, he said that when he meets someone who is so "aware", their eyes are "open", he said the first thing he wants to ask them is...

 "When did you suffer?"   - Rob Bell

As I sat and watched him say that, it sent instant tears to my eyes. I looked over at my husband who was just as baffled. I've always loved his perspective and this is one reason why. 

It's true though. It's amazing how much suffering can lift this veil of ignorance. It takes the perseverance of that suffering to walk in this "eyes wide open" state where you can't help but feel God and see God in so many things that you never saw before. To be able to take a tough situation and see past it enough to say, "I know we will still be ok." Being able to find blessings among hardships. 

When did you suffer? 

Sometimes I look at my life and all it's events, some so painful with all it's loss, and some so joyful with all it's finding. The joyful times, I'm reminded of what I have. But the painful times, remind me not only of what I don't have, but that why I have what I have is that much greater. 

Yes, I've suffered. And I will continue to be put in situations or receive certain consequences that will make me suffer again and again. 

James 1:2-4

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials [or temptations], 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance [steadfastness]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result [work], so that you may be perfect [mature] and complete, lacking in nothing.

Wouldn't it be cool if one of God's ultimate goals in our lives is to simply see Him? Like really see Him? What if the perfection that He calls us to is simply being aware of His presence at all times?

When I look at my thought process now, and then remember my thought process 10/15 years ago... I see this scripture coming into fruition in my life. I'll admit it here.... ((deep sigh)).. I'm not perfect.. BUT I know that my suffering is not for nothing.