A Birth Story of Twins {IVF} The first week was hospital bed rest and I begged to go home. Around then is when my husband was able to feel the boys kick, so it was then more early tracking to be told that the hospital doubted I would be carrying them past 22 weeks. Well, they sent me home on…
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Overcoming Placenta Previa, NICU, & Hospital Policies to Birth a Beautiful, Healthy Baby Boy
I was 16 weeks pregnant when I thought I was miscarrying. It would be my second miscarriage. I was on a business trip in Minneapolis, 750 miles from my home in NE Ohio. Seven hundred fifty miles from my husband and family. As soon as my plane landed, I realized I was bleeding more heavily than the light spotting I…
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Laughing Gas, a Cesarean, and a Double-Edged Sword
Saturday morning, June 1, 2015, I wake up with this crazy urge to pee. I get up, or rather I roll out of bed and head to the bathroom (I am on my 38th week of pregnancy). Everything goes as normal, so I head back to bed. Check the time… it’s 3:30 am. I’m lying there WIDE awake at this…
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27 ways to Support Pregnant, Laboring, and/or Postpartum Mama
There are so many different ways for a partner to support mama. Some are obvious, some are not. Read on for some ideas on what to ask for from your partner. If you are the partner, here are some examples for you take note of. “Because he is interested in knowing my birth plan, my wishes and needs, and willing…
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Dealing With Cesarean Scars
Rebecca shares a beautiful reflection on her c-section scarring. I don’t actively go out of my way to look at my scar. I don’t hide its existence, but I just don’t fuss over it either. It is there, under a little flap on my tummy, hiding until I straighten myself out to peer at it in the mirror. I didn’t…
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Proud of My Scar
When I posted this picture last week, I had no idea that it would have had the impact it has. I never thought I would share the picture but something made me post it. Little did I know that one picture on my Instagram (with only 200 or so followers may I add) would have been liked and shared thousands…
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Oh, That Smile – From Preeclampsia to Emergency C-Section to NICU
It’s that feeling you get as a pregnant woman. The one that’s like, “Holy crap, this is finally happening. I’m finally going to have this baby.” However, for me, I experienced those feelings more than once with my first daughter. I was starting to show signs of preeclampsia in the 28th week of my pregnancy. My feet and ankles started…
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Breastfeeding After a C-Section
There is a general trending increase in C-sections. Some women are choosing to while others have to through necessity. Whatever the reason, childbirth is an amazing experience and should be celebrated whether it is a vaginal birth or a C-section. Can a woman breastfeed after a C-section? The short answer is yes she can. We have come up with a few…
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These Two Beings of My Being
The day was July 6th, 2016. The day before I was in the delivery triage because of a blood pressure spike. Yet, there I was again except and this time my husband was in tow. They strapped me up to the monitor and the echo of two little heart beats were heard in our tiny section of the room. I went into…