Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Our new baby, installment #31
I still have a fair amount to say about my home VBAC. For starters, a faithful reader of this blog asked me if I was worried about having a placenta issue, since a prior cesarean can cause the placenta to adhere to the scar or even implant through the uterus -- both serious problems. The short answer is no. Despite having researched such problems while writing my book, a sort of haze effected my brain while I was pregnant and I thought nothing but positive thoughts, perhaps reinforced by my ever positive midwife. So, even when she seemed slightly concerned that the placenta was not coming out quickly, and told me to get on the bed and push, I was not worried. And sure enough, it all came out smoothly, in one piece. And when the weather turns nice, it will be taken from the freezer (it's wrapped in a towel in a Ziploc bag beneath some ice cream sandwiches the boys love) and buried in the backyard. Mom, are you rolling your eyes?
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15 comments:
I completely believe in the power of your mind and how positive words can affect you.
I kept saying over and over and believed I was having an average sized baby. So when I pushed out an "above average" 9lb-er, he didn't even feel 9lbs at all! I didn't even tear!
No, Tina, I'm not rolling my eyes. I knew it was there behind the ice cream in the freezer. I do check from time to time to make sure you haven't mixed it in some meatloaf concoction, however! (kidding). Seems that would have been the thing to do after reading your book. Your last couple of posts have been a joy for me to read. I'm not quite ready to share my feelings about all that you (we) went through during your pregnancy. All I can say is that we can laugh about it now - It wasn't funny while we were living it. But I would love to share how dad and I found out Harrison was born.
The telephone rang sometime after 3:00am and both of us jumped out of bed to reach the phone only to hear the answering machine pick up. We both stood there listening to the voice on the other end so sweet, so softly saying "Helllllo?" Kind of in a singsongy way. "Is anybody there?" Dad and I stared at the phone and then at eachother. Then the phone hung up. I grabbed his arm - "She had the baby" I screamed - "Listen" he's squeeking. Don't ask why neither of us picked up the phone. I don't think we wanted to ruin the moment by pressing the wrong button in the somewhat dark room. Dad said "I didn't hear him" so we both grabbed our glasses, fumbled with the recording and replayed the message. The baby was squeeking. I hurridly dialed your phone and it was busy - you calling me - and then I tried again. When you answered I really didn't have to ask many questions because once again I heard a very soft, very sweet, brand new mother say "Mom, it's a boy". Everything went beautifully and we're all ok. Can you come now?" Somewhere between laughter and tears I said to dad "she was so lucky". He said "Luck didn't have anything to do with this. She knew exactly what she was doing". He was right. And it was ok not to call us before Harrison was born. You and I both know you did the right thing.
such a sweet installment for mom!
How wonderful! I'm so happy for you!
And reading what mom just wrote made me get teary eyed:
He said "Luck didn't have anything to do with this. She knew exactly what she was doing". He was right. And it was ok not to call us before Harrison was born. You and I both know you did the right thing.
It's so hard for so many women I encounter to get that kind of hard-won affirmation.
Congratulations all around!
That is awesome. What your mom wrote in her comment, totally made me cry! :)
About the risk of the placenta adhering to the previous cesarean scar: yes, it's a concern, but most placentas naturally "stick" to the posterior of the uterus, far away from the scar tissue. (Maybe it has something to do with the way moms sleep while pregnant - on their backs? No one really knows...) Anyway, it is easy enough to determine placental placement while in pregnancy - you just look via ultrasound.
Kristina, you are right about the placenta normally adhering toward the back. It's funny, during one of the first meetings with the midwife, she made a remark about the placenta often being posterior, perhaps as a way of protecting it should a mother fall. She never said another word about it. And I did not have an ultrasound besides the one at 12 weeks, when there was no remarking about the placenta.
Mom, your post brought tears to my eyes. What a sweet way to welcome your new grandson. :*)
I've really enjoyed reading these installments.
We also kept my placenta in the freezer till warmer weather permitted burying it in my in-laws yard. They didn't say much.
You know, I think I'm missing something with the placenta being burried. Why would anyone keep it and then bury it when the ground thaws? Actually, why would anyone keep it at all? Although I am not horrified by it - it's a bit unconventional don't you think? Is there a purpose? Dad's grossed out by the whole idea. I would think a lot of people would be.
Oh, Tina's mom! You don't know the half of it.
Some people eat the placenta. Some cook it up and eat it that way. Some dry it out, grind it and put it into capsules and take it that way.
I've read that a piece of placenta under the tongue can help with postpartum hemorrhage.
yes- some think that eating it helps post partum depression.
Mom, this is why we decided to keep our last two:
When I was pregnant with my third child, I was planning my first home birth. During that time I read a story from another home birthing mother. She said, years ago, she gave birth and planted her son's placenta. A few years later, she planted a rose bush over it (you have to wait for a bit because it's so rich in nutrients that I will actually kill a new plant). 16 years later, he cut roses from that very bush to give to his prom date. :*) Can you imagine his wedding? It was too poetic too me. We have two pots. One with my third and fourth children's placentas and one awaiting the twins.
We were in an apartment with our first home birth, and being acclimated to the idea of keeping it since a research paper on midwives in high school, I kept it in the freezer . My childhood home needed a new tree, and my parents let us plant a redbud with the placenta as fertilizer. It blooms at the same time as my daughter's birthday every year. My mom loves that, especially since we live so far away now.
(Now, my mom has had placentas in her freezer since my sister was a midwife apprentice. that helped.)
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