#bringbackbreech

[loveinasoul]

For #BREECHWEEK, you can watch Heads Up the film on Reelhouse.org for only $3 this week only! Use code: BREECHWEEK * "Why are most physicians no longer offering vaginal breech delivery? Is it a fear of liability? Peer pressure? Bullying by insurance companies? Or were they just never taught how to? * The documentary film Heads Up: The Disappearing Art of Vaginal Breech Delivery (produced by Dr. Elliot Berlin, DC) answers these questions. * As aging doctors skilled in vaginal breech delivery cease to practice, the vaginal option for breech birth is disappearing at a rapid rate. Will doctors who don’t have these skills explain the benefits and risks of both vaginal breech birth and cesarean breech birth to their patients? * The way you birth is your choice. It’s your right. Do not allow a physician to take that away. Research your options so that you can make informed decisions and consents based on facts and evidence." * #BringBackBreech #BreechBirth #BreechIsNormal #BirthWithoutFear #EmpoweredBirth #InformedPregnancy #HeadsUpFilm #HeadsUp #VaginalBreechBirth

[loveinasoul]

It's #BREECHWEEK! November 5-11, 2017. I'm so excited to participate in this online effort to raise awareness & bring back vaginal breech birth. Follow me to become educated & empowered with breech birth stories & info this week!!! * #BringBackBreech #BreechBirth #VaginalBreechBirth #BreechIsNormal #EmpoweredBirth #BirthWithoutFear #ImprovingBirth

[loveinasoul]

Happy National Midwifery Week to my midwife Maeve Northcross. On March 1st, when I was 39 weeks along in my pregnancy, we learned that the baby was breech (head up, feet down). Because of my then limited knowledge and exposure to breech births, I honestly feared that my choices would be taken from me and I'd be left with no power over my birth experience. While I was given tools to try flipping the baby first, Maeve also sat down with me and we considered all birth options along with my physical background in case the baby didn't turn in time. She did not take my choice away from me. Even better, she reassured me that it was still possible for me to have the birth I wanted. * I dug through information and resources, learning as much as I could, and mentally prepared myself for what is only a different kind of birth (vaginal breech births are really normal and a disappearing art!). At 41 weeks and 3 days, I finally went into labor, around noon time on a Saturday. It started out slow, I spent time walking around the house, swaying and dancing through each contraction. I even took the time to clean out toys and clutter from the bedroom knowing I'd give birth there. After some cuddling and kissing with Jeff, the baby's dad, things started to speed up. The more we kissed and connected, the longer and stronger the next contraction was! Whenever he left the room, my contractions slowed down. For a minute I was relieved that they slowed down, I needed a time-out and be able to recollect myself. Yet I knew longer and stronger waves meant I was opening up, and we didn't want my body to stop progressing along. So we cuddled and kissed some more, bringing on intense waves. When the contractions became so strong I felt like I couldn't leave the bed and walk anymore, it was almost time. * Candles lit, glass of water filled, texts sent. Within the hour, my midwife and the rest of the birth team were there in the room with me. Including my mom, and my firstborn Logan who was hugging, kissing and caressing me in between his prances around the bedroom. Soon I was in transition, and I found myself on all fours on the bed. My body began to bear down, like it had an urgency to push all on its own. I couldn't help but go with the feeling. In midst of one long push, I felt a pop, we realized that my water just broke. Things started to get even more real! Maeve showed Jeff how to squeeze on my hips with his hands. They helped open my pelvis more, and take pressure off during contractions. Now we were physically working hard and sweating together, me and Jeff, getting into a certain rhythm. Contraction-- squeeze and push, end of contraction-- I take a breath and recollect myself, next contraction-- repeat. The waiting in between pushes was so intense because I had to search within, find and hold that balance between watching my own breathing AND allowing my body to take the lead. Talk about being pulled in all directions. Everything was happening at once (at least it felt like that in my body). There was no turning back, I had nowhere else to go but forward. With each push, I felt my baby's body squirm and emerge. She came feet and butt first! It took a few pushes to let her slip out slowly and carefully: legs, then chest, shoulders, and finally the head. "The baby's out!" I couldn't believe she was finally here. We did it, I did it. After 9 hours, my breech baby Irene Sage was born vaginally at home. Successfully, safely, perfectly. * Thank you, Maeve and your team partner April Pierce, for believing in me. It simply and truly empowered me to give birth the way I didn't know I needed to. Throughout the entire pregnancy and especially the birth process, I was given the space and support to choose for myself and my baby. Maeve calmly and easily placed her trust in me, supported whatever decision I made, and gathered her resources and tools to see us through. Ultimately, I was shown that I had more power than I ever imagined. I decided to share my birth story here and now, because, really, the story unfolded the way it did only because my midwife honored me. I'm proud of myself and grateful for my decision in choosing you, Maeve! {Sacred Path Midwifery} First photo: Jeff doing a hip squeeze on me with Maeve and Logan on the side. Second photo: my birth team, from l to r: midwife April, student midwife Becky, midwife Maeve, myself + baby, Logan, Jeff, & Sarah the interpreter in front :)