Frontier Dreams: Raw

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Raw

All Souls Day

All Souls Day

$fraction work$ Here I sit staring at my computer screen, trying to focus on photographs and words but my mind just won't let me do it. All I can seem to think about is a rather horrid appointment I had today with the base hospital/OB department. It was a real wake up call and reminder to me that I personally just can NOT have a base hospital birth if I want to truly be relaxed and able to enjoy this special time. Now, I am not saying hospital births are a bad thing, I had a good enough one in the past and have many friends that prefer it. But birth is such a personal decision and as mothers we all know what would be best for ourselves and our children and what environment/situation would put us the most at ease. Birth is such a raw and vulnerable time, the last thing I would want is to feel anxious and completely stressed out over the people I am trusting to help me bring my miracle baby into this world.

Thankfully we are in the process of switching over to some amazing midwives that my family and I completely fell in love with located an hour away. We just have to deal with our insurance company and the reality of a slightly steep (for us) copay. The cost held us back but after thinking it over we decided - the price we would have to pay out of pocket is worth the nurturing, stress free environment, and peace of mind we would all have at such an important time in our lives.

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Alin · 491 weeks ago

YES! I am all for educated birth choices. I had a birth center birth with my first one and then the last two were home births with a midwife 20+ years experience. I checked out our local hospital with my third pregnancy because I thought it would be fun seeing what I am "missing". I was 100 percent sure after the tour that homebirth even with the cost it had attached was better for me. Sure it is pricey, but that was priority that year and I regret nothing. You will be in such loving hands and find a way of making it work. Be blessed Mama Bear, I cannot wait for your Baby to be here !!!
By the way my sister had her 2nd baby 4 weeks ago, my twin sister is having her 2nd baby in January and my babe is almost 11 months old) ... Cuteness all around.

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megnewhall 11p · 491 weeks ago

I've had two home births thus far---sadly, neither of them were as calm and tranquil as I'd envisioned--but I think that's just because giving birth is hard!! I have been thinking about touring my local hospital for the next time around, but now I'm re-thinking that plan! Maybe it's best just to stick with home-birthing. I certainly wouldn't want a medical professional what to do if it wasn't dire.
Wishing you peace, and an easy birth. <3

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megnewhall 11p · 491 weeks ago

medical professional *telling me what to do* if it wasn't a dire situation.

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Joy · 491 weeks ago

I totally agree. I chose home birth for my 5, and so thankful I was able to do that. The out-of-pocket expense was great, but it was so worth it to me!

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heathermama · 491 weeks ago

Oh I'm so sorry your had to go thru that. You are right this time should be for focusing on yourself and the baby, making a nest, feeling safe and cared for. I hope you find what you need with the midwives. I had 5 of my 7 at home. Truly magical. Much love and peaceful thoughts to all of you.

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caffeinegirl 34p · 490 weeks ago

I'm one of those people who wanted a hospital birth and was happy with both of mine, but I would never tell someone else how to have their baby. I think you are right to take the path which feels right for you.

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Carolyn · 490 weeks ago

Can you please tell me where you purchased your fraction manipulatives? A quick Google search didn't produce any results.... Thank you, always!

1 reply · active 490 weeks ago

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FrontierDreams 111p · 490 weeks ago

My mom bought it for the girls last Christmas :) We just started really using it and it has really helped with grasping fractions. It's this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CNA1TO/ref=a...

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Joy · 490 weeks ago

I know how you feel about hospital birth and i'm a practising nurse! Its just that that sort of environment can be stressy and risk averse and slow down natural processes when theres a normal labour going on. We are lucky here in the UK that its all free (although you can pay for private if you want). I had community midwives who were great and managed to complete a home birth 3rd time lucky on Xmas Day (bless the midwife who had to stop mid lunch to come out). Makes childcare a lot easier and the recovery more relaxing in your own space. All good things!

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Bonnie · 490 weeks ago

We decided on a home birth for my second birth, and even though the extra cost was difficult for us (our midwife allowed us to pay in installments), it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I knew that if I went back to the same place I had my first daughter, the fear and mixed emotions I felt would only make it more difficult to labor. I'm glad I trusted my gut because I was so lucky to have an amazing birth experience at home right in my living room, and a quick one, too. I shared that experience here: http://www.littlewhitepaw.blogspot.com/search?upd... And I totally agree that a mother should always try to find the birthing situation that is best for them, not anyone else, because your comfort and trust are so important to the birthing process.

1 reply · active 490 weeks ago

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Bonnie · 490 weeks ago

oops... wrong link.... http://www.littlewhitepaw.blogspot.com/2013/05/we...

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FrontierDreams 111p · 490 weeks ago

Thank you all, truly, for your support and kindness!! It was just what I needed at such a time!

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erineshriver 4p · 490 weeks ago

I have to comment! We are military too and so I totally understand what you are saying and feeling. I have never had a baby in a military hospital -- no way -- and my husband would agree whole-heartedly that that is no place for a birth, he being an Army Hospital Chaplain. He has seen horrible things happen to women and babies. Those hospitals are only excellent for trauma care -- particularly combat-related, in my opinion. I have always gone on Tricare standard for my births. My first homebirth Tricare Prime paid in FULL which was unbelievable, I know-- Those used to be the rules back in 2010 but then they changed them, so now you have to go on Standard, which honestly, is better overall (because of the freedom to choose), regardless of the very huge co-pay. One of my homebirths we had to pay completely out of pocket (5000$) and that was a shock to us -- I cannot explain why here (it is a long story!) -- and yes, we went into debt -- but the outcome was worth it! Debt can be paid and will be paid! There need not be a rush when it comes to these precious things. We also have all of our children on standard as well as we couldn't get proper care for my toddler and have found that the price of health -- both emotionally and physically -- is priceless and that somehow God would work it out in the end. My midwife here (I am also expecting my fourth baby) tells me that Tricare pays the worst when it comes to homebirth, and that if we had the choice as military families to purchase our own insurance or if we were on Medicaid, the cost would be completely covered. I don't know why military women are left out in the cold when homebirths are a fraction of the cost of a hospital birth and with much better outcomes overall-- But I will get off my soap box now and tell you Well Done! You will be so thankful you chose another path!

1 reply · active 490 weeks ago

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erineshriver 4p · 490 weeks ago

I also want to thank you so much for your beautiful blog and the encouragement I have found here-- This lifestyle (military, waldorf, homeschooling, homebirthing) can be a lonely one when all combined (and while moving all the time) and so I find much solace and peace in knowing I am not alone in this endeavor. Thank you for being so generous. You and your family are beautiful.

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Elisa · 490 weeks ago

Good for you! With my last baby (born in February), I initially chose to birth in a hospital after 2 homebirths because I was 44 at the time and a bit concerned about possible complications. As the date grew closer and the midwives (well, 1 in particular) was pushing tests on me solely bc of my age despite a completely low risk pregnancy, I began to have second thoughts. Fortunately, my baby girl went along with what her mama was feeling and came in the car on the way to the hospital - plus, it turns out I have really fast labors and she was here in only 2 hours. All that to say, go with your gut. I hated being in the hospital afterwards. We should have just turned around and gone home!

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Thank you for joining me here. My name is Nicole Spring AKA wife, Waldorf homeschooling Mama to four sweet little ones, homemaker of the radical kind, knitter, cook, seamstress, student of life as well as my children, crafter, girl of all trades... and always with a camera in hand to document our days so we may look back at these glorious yet exhausting times.

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