There's A New Kid In Town

We are pleased to announce the newest arrival to our family. Benjamin Thomas Raftis was born April 13, 2011 at 2:28 pm. He was a big boy, weighing in at 10.3 lbs and 21.5" long.

Mommy & Benjamin

As most deliveries, our delivery did not go as planned. After several ultrasounds showing his shoulder in the way and the prediction that he was going to be at least 10 pounds (big for my little 5 foot frame), the doctors recommended a c-section. This was also recommended because our first delivery with Isabella ended up with shoulder dystocia, which lead to a rough delivery and lots of blood loss.

In the end, our ultimate goal was to have a healthy mom and baby. So we agreed to the c-section. I was definitely nervous. But I had great doctors and nurses looking after me. They did an exceptional job, and my husband kept me calm through the procedure. I also have an awesome doula named Becky from Birth Roots Doula Collective. She has been such a support for both my husband and I. She has been supportive, kept us calm, kept us informed of our options pre and post delivery, and is still there for us whenever we have questions.

Proud papa!

Surprisingly I've been recovering much better this time around, even though I had a c-section. With our first child, I had a 36 hour delivery and was in recovery for over 8 hours before I even got to see my daughter due to the blood loss. I pretty much had no energy and was on bed rest for over a week. This time around I wasn't tired from a long delivery, they kept my blood loss under control and I never had any nursing issues. He latched right away!  Anyone who's had difficulty with nursing will know how frustrating and emotionally draining this can be.

So even though things didn't go as planned, it all worked out in the end. I have a healthy baby boy who his big sister adores! It's hard to believe it's been a week and a half already. It just seems like yesterday I was counting down the days on the calendar waiting for his arrival.

Big sister Bella visiting her baby brother for the first time.

I'm Ready When You Are

Due date has come and gone. I'm now 8 days overdue. I'm now ready. Psychologically, emotionally, and physically. The baby room is ready. I'm checking off my 'to do' list. But there's just one problem, baby isn't quite ready.

I was really anxious a few weeks back. I wanted him out. I was tired, moody, and disappointed that I was going to have another baby past my due date. But then I realized that this 'attitude' wasn't helping me at all (or those around me). I was fortunate to come across an article in Lamaze Magazine called 'It’s (Not) a Date'. After reading this article I decided to adjust my attitude. I had to stop focusing on the 'date' and more on 'it will happen when we are ready.' I reminded myself that I was anxious with my first pregnancy, took the castor oil, did the sweep, got induced and took the drugs..... and after 36 hours of labour, I saw my daughter for a minute before getting whisked away because of my excessive bleeding, only to see her again 8 hours later. I always had a gut feeling that I rushed something that mother nature probably had a handle on, and if I would have stayed patient I could have had a whole other labour experience.

I post a lot on momstown Winnipeg's Facebook fan page about being pregnant and asked mom's to share their delivery experiences. I love hearing stories from other moms. A few mom's recommended Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. I have been reading up a lot on Ina May but never read the book yet. So I decided to run out and buy the book this past Friday. I figured I had time to read it since it didn't seem like baby was coming any time soon. I highly recommend this book to any expecting mom. Some stories are extreme and not my 'style' but overall the message is about making childbirth a positive, natural and joyous experience. This book has reassured my decision to let nature take it's course, and is really helping me to see labour as a positive experience. Not the dreaded, painful labour that we Westerners have come to expect.

Ina May Gaskin

I also have a Doula this time around.  She's wonderful. She is already helping me stay calm, reminding me to relax and enjoy the pregnancy and my time with the little baby inside me. Between her and my wonderful, supportive, patient husband I think we have a handle on things.

I have had a lot of people comment on how relaxed I am. I'm not complaining about the pain, I'm not as moody, not full of anxiety about being overdue, and I look and feel great. I wasn't like this a few weeks ago. I'm a strong believer that your mind and attitude are more in control of your body then we give ourselves credit for. I'm happy, healthy, excited for delivery, more full of energy, and ready whenever he is.

Wordless Wednesday - Prepping for Labour with a Pedi