Welcome, Lottie Elisabeth Brundage

Not too much has changed between my sister and I over the 28 years we've been together. I remember our biggest day to get into trouble was always Sundays... our parents usually took a nap & we couldn't watch T.V., which left us with a lot of unsupervised time on our hands. Eating whole 'chocolate bars' of Ex-lax or potpurri because we had a sweet tooth that needed fixing were just a few of the not-so-bright ideas we had. When our parents would wake up, they were greeted by two sick girls more than once.

My sister came to visit las month and had a set amount of days that she was given as her time-off (she's a traveling nurse). With her she brought a a great Sunday activity- a recipe for a milkshake** that supposedly induced any 'ripe' uterus. It contained: two cups of ice cream, 2 oz. of castor oil and 2 raw eggs. I wanted her to meet Lottie before she left, so I downed it and pretty quickly started to feel the burn. Within 6 hours of the initial contractions starting, I was at the hospital measuring at a 10 with my sister, Kirk and doula by my side.

I pushed for an hour but I apparently have an odd shaped pelvic bone that I was not aware of (I should have learned after Monroe's birth). So Lottie was delivered by c-section. Nothing too traumatic or overwhelming and one healthy baby girl and mama!

Miss Lottie Elisabeth Brundage was born into our family April 15th, 2013... Tax Day.

A few quick facts about Lottie:
• She was born 7 lbs. 15 oz., 21 inches long- same as her brother Monroe (hopefully these weight and height similarities don't carry on into or past puberty)

• She is the first 'Brundage' girl to be born of her cousins

• She came into the world with her little mouth wide open, looking for food. Every nurse at the hospital kept telling me how hungry she was!

• Her one physical attribute that everyone comments on are her cute cheeks. She gets them from her daddy.

Monroe has been such a cute big brother to her. The one thing that bothers him is watching her nurse. He tells her, "No Lottie! No bite mami's chi-chi's!". It makes Kirk and I laugh every time (thanks for watching out for me Roe-Roe)!

**side-note- the milkshake really worked, but only drink it if you're past 39 weeks and ready for a baby. If you're uterus isn't ripe, it may just end in a prolonged trip to the bathroom. 

Third Tri

I am now in my third trimester. Time seems to be spinning by, especially when I'm not sick. I have had a lot of questions, advice and puzzlement on how I'm planning to birth the baby into the world. I figured I'd explain a little so that there is some clarity. (And also to maybe help anyone out that may have questions or is looking for birthing options).

I guess it all started when I was born, haha. Seriously though... my mom had both my sister and I cesarean section. Her mother had all 5 of her children at home naturally. Pretty big difference. The recovery from the cesarean and the complications that have risen after convinced my mom that it was a method to be avoided. So being raised with my mom's insight and experience, I always grew up thinking/knowing that natural was the best way if possible. And that staying away from intervention is the best way to achieve the birth that I envision/want and also stay in control.

When I explained this to my OBGYN he stared a little blankly at me and didn't really offer up other options other than the standard epidural, pitocin, episiotomy experience. This was not the route that I had envisioned in my mind and I knew that there was a possibility of something else. It was hard for me to understand that with so many different body types, cultures, needs and wants how are we funneled into one birthing option? At least that's what 98% of our hospital's (Logan, UT) patients were categorized under.

We found Hypnobabies through the experience of our sister, Jasi. Its' course outline actually includes trusting and listening to our bodies, and how to work with our bodies. Our teacher, Amy Ellis was excellent (and is actually starting another 6-week session Sept. 15th if you're here in Logan). With the class we decided to set up our support team with a doula, midwife and a doctor. These are the roles that they'll each play:

• Doula-
Alexis Montrone is the doula that we chose. The easiest way for me to explain her role is she will be our birthing coach. She is Hypnobabies certified and will come to our home when I start the birthing process. If Kirk gets tired she is there to take over and also help him to know what to do next. She brings all types of fun toys such as a birthing ball, laborade, a reboso scarf, and snacks for me to keep my strength up. But she does not deliver the baby.

• Midwife-
we chose a midwife over a doctor for the delivery of the baby for two reasons. One, she is more experienced and comfortable in natural births. She explained it to me this way. Her and the doctor both have the same end-goal in mind, healthy mom and baby, but she will take different routes to get there. Doctor's have protocol they have to follow b/c of liability and malpractice, and they can't deviate from them. Where a midwife is more willing to listen to your needs and trust you as the patient. Two, she will be there the entire time, as soon as we arrive at the hospital she will be our bosom buddy.

• Doctor-
our doctor is reserved for what he does best. If there are any complications and a surgery is needed, he will be there to produce the best outcome- delivering a healthy baby.

In my mind, a cesarean is the last thing that I would like. So if I prepare myself to be as far away from it on a spectrum, the lower the chances are of it becoming a reality. We have also prepared a birth plan that will be posted on the hospital door. This way the hospital staff is aware of our needs and the outcome that we want. I know there can always be hiccups, but I also believe in mind over matter. I'm so excited to give birth and place complete trust in my body. And finally be able to meet the little dancer (just like his daddy) that is inside of me . Let me know if you have any questions, and sorry about the long-a post.

Amazing!

This last week at our hypnobabies class we were able to watch four births. They were the most amazing births I've ever seen. It's definitely not like the movies or traumatic, but peaceful, natural and controlled. I'm placing a link below, obviously watch at your own discretion, but it's not graphic at all. Her name is Tanya and she has her toddler daughter in the room with her. It's beautiful to watch how her daughter helps to keep her calm and at peace. I think it's a great way to instill that childbirth is natural and not something to hide. How do you feel about it? Would you allow your toddler to witness a sibling's birth?



There is also this amazing hospital birth if you just can't get enough!

*Sorry about the lack of posts in the last week. We were at a family reunion, living life up with the wonderful Williams family.