Our Pregnancy....Our Decisions....

Okay, Okay…..So there has been some discussion sent my way regarding this post and why I am trying so hard to maintain as natural a pregnancy and birth as possible.

The only answer I really have is that I believe God created the miracle of life, He is the creator of our bodies; He has created my body to take care of, sustain, and at the end of it all (His timing of course), He has created my body to be able to do the work and “pop” this child out of my womb.

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT completely against the medical community. I do believe that God has given knowledge and information to doctors and nurses; I just don't believe that we should allow the doctors and the drug companies to lead us without our own research being done first. I believe that educating ourselves and making our own decisions for the health of our unborn babies is crucial in the long run. Also, it is my opinion that as Christians, especially, we MUST understand the Great Creator of life and the natural process He created for labor, delivery, birth, and the natural things (such as breastfeeding) that come along with that; without so quickly utilizing the man made remedies simply for ease and comfort; and although, I do say ease and comfort, I know that sometimes these "remedies" are necessary for health and safety and in times like that I am grateful to God for those provisions.

I realize that a Blog is a forum for people to write about their opinions and therefore, I should preface this by saying, that these are simply our opinions. Please understand that I am NOT in anyway saying that if you are a mother who took Tylenol, had an epidural, chose not to breastfeed, or underwent a C-Section that you are a bad mother. A friend of mine who I love dearly had to undergo an emergency C-Section because her baby was too large and got stuck in the birth canal; Of course, this was not her plan and having to have a c-section was a very emotional thing for her to overcome, yet it does not make her in anyway a bad mother. God has a plan and I know that His plan for Sierra’s birth is already set in place; but I continue to maintain that as pregnant women, we need to educate ourselves and be aware of all the things that affect our unborn children. Brian and I just want Sierra and our future children to have the best and healthiest beginning as possible. Agree or disagree with our tactics, you can’t fault us for wanting that!

Here are a few of my other thoughts regarding this topic….

I personally have done some research on many topics. I believe the research that says the "jury is still out" on what is and what isn't okay to put into our bodies during pregnancy. There is no concrete evidence that says Tylenol or any other medications for that matter are safe during pregnancy. I am still confused why people won’t drink caffeine or alcohol, or eat tuna fish, or do drugs during pregnancy, yet they will take cold medicine, anti-nausea meds, etc. Isn’t it one in the same? There is research that suggests that a viral infection carried by the mother (such as a cold or the flu) will not cross the womb. So to take a medication or a drug that has potential to cross the placenta, is not a risk that I am willing to take. In discussion with our midwife (who is a certified Nurse) she does not recommend taking any kind of medication for colds. She did advise me though, that if I come down with a fever, I would have to combat it with something (she suggested Tylenol), because a fever (especially a high fever - which I did not have) can cause problems for an unborn baby.

I am also a strong advocate for taking vitamins during pregnancy. I am not taking prenatal vitamins - I passed on those and got my own vitamins approved by our OB. I am taking a daily multi-vitamin called Double X - the brand is Nutrilite, which is one of the top ranked vitamin companies in the world (they use all organic plants). I am also taking an iron/folic acid supplement (also manufactured by Nutrilite) and a DHA supplement (also by Nutrilite). Recent studies suggest that taking a DHA supplement is as important for pregnant women (especially in later pregnancy when brain development is occurring most rapidly), if not more important than taking a folic acid supplement.

Of course, I can not know whether our decisions will have any effect on Sierra's development in the long run, but I am willing to be as safe as possible and I am willing to suffer through a cold if it means not passing any "medications/drugs" through the placenta to her. I also believe it is extremely important to drink lots of water and eat healthy foods; I do drink LOTS of water (and milk – something I crave!). I will admit that I have struggled with the eating SUPER healthy part. I do eat fruit, yogurt, cereals, proteins, but to be honest, the occasional Chick-fil-a nugget meal is thrown in there! :)

We are praying for a 100% natural childbirth - meaning a labor and delivery without drugs. Also, we are hoping to achieve other things as well, like NOT clamping the cord until it has completely stopped pulsating, providing skin to skin contact between me and the baby for at least the first 60 minutes of life before she is taken away (to help with bonding), breastfeeding exclusively, thoroughly researching vaccinations before Sierra gets them all, etc.

Some may call these things “weird” or “unconventional” but honestly these were the goals of many in years past, before the urging of the doctors to “get this baby out, so I can move onto the next delivery” and the pushing of the drug companies, so they can make a pretty penny.

Again, I will reiterate that I believe God already has a plan for how Sierra will enter this world, and if it is not how Brian and I had hoped, we will grieve together over that and we will cling to the knowledge that God is ALWAYS in control. However, we strongly believe that preparation is KEY and that is what these past 32 weeks (and going forward) have been all about!

These are just things we are passionate about. We understand that not all agree with us or understand our thought processes; if this is the case, I urge you to do your own research and make your own decisions. Ultimately that is the key to success, being strong in your own convictions.

We continue to covet your prayers for our natural childbirth decisions.