De Methode Bradley

Greetings! Things are going well here. I had an appointment with the vruchtvrouw (midwife) yesterday. It went well. Because 'natural childbirth' is the default option here I think I expected things to be a certain way last time. In other words, I expected the midwives to know about the Bradley Method and the home birth was actually much more medical than I imagined it would be. It is not that they are ignorant of the Method, but more that they don't call it such. They are of course familiar with just about everything in the world of birthing. Anyway, last time I ended up pushing while on my back, which was exactly what I did not want. I'd requested a birth stool, but the midwife forgot to bring it. At that point, it wasn't exactly a good time for her to dash off and pick it up. When the labor was happening I sort of went into the zone and just got the job done, but I would much prefer to communicate more with my midwives this time. I saw Mylene, one of the six women in the practice. She has been there since James was born, but we didn't see her much last time. I think she said she herself was having a baby for part of my last pregnancy.

She said all looks great with the little bean. Head down, with his/her back on my left side and the feet on my right. She listened for the heart and checked by blood pressure and weight. I am a little worried the baby may be low weight because I am now riding my bike several times a day and taking at least two 45 minute walks with the dogs (albeit not at a fast pace). However, she said for now it is perfect, growing well, and that is good enough for me. In the interest of the baby I decided to just buy some Ben and Jerry's ice cream yesterday. It is the least I can do.

I decided that after my trip home I would start explaining at every visit exactly what I wanted for this birth. It is important to me that I not only let them know what I want, but also let them know that I have been actively working and practicing to give birth in this way. Part of the Bradley Method involves relaxing your body while in the early stages of labor. Last time, the midwife saw me "lying around" and suggested I get up and get things going. In fact, by that time I had worked so hard at relaxing my body that I was fully dilated, effaced and ready to push. I had her check me and she realized this. But at that moment, with so much going on, it is not a good time to describe what you are doing and why; I literally could not explain anything at that point, so I would like to avoid that this time.

For this week's visit I took my Bradley Method book and spoke with her about my plans/ desires for the birth. She was great, understood immediately what I was talking about, and was completely supportive. Hooray! It made me feel much better about making the communication clear this time.

So, in that vein I have been actively practicing all the suggested Bradley Method exercises so that I feel confident on the day. With only about 6 weeks to go I did not mean to leave it so late, but working on your goofy birth stretching exercises is not exactly conducive to being a guest in other people's houses. Now I have been working on it all daily and feeling really good about it. The absolutely most difficult part is making your body relax without falling asleep. Of course in labor it is not hard to stay awake, but on a normal day it is difficult to relax to that level (when already tired and overworked) and not completely crash out. I try to hold on as long as possible, then just go with the sleepy flow.

Otherwise I have been organizing anything that will sit still inside this house. Knowing this is probably my best chance (time wise) before our end of the year move + the nesting instinct have made me totally out of control. I hope Mike recognizes the place. I am considerate enough that I would never throw anything that isn't mine away, but I have certainly made some executive decisions about arranging things. It is addictive and exponential. The moment you get down on the floor to rearrange the cabinets you get way too close a view of some other disorganized item or see something in need of cleaning. I am enjoying myself, and it is probably better that Mike is not here to view the manic whirlwind.

James just keeps talking and talking and talking. He is sprinkling a little Dutch in with the English. After just three mornings back at school I know he has gotten an earful.

He has a way of repeating just the highlights from any given sentence.
For example if I say:
James is a very brave boy (because he fell down on his face, bit his lip and got a mouthful of dirt at the playground).
He says:
Mames. Brave. Boy.

If I say :
Let's go outside and take a ride on the bike
He says:
Outside. Ride. Bike.

Or if I say:
Ghost and Keska have issues.
He says: Ghost. Kesksa. Issues.

I have also noticed him doing things that I then realize I must do-- it is hilarious. Today we were playing upstairs and he left my bedroom to walk to his bedroom to pick up more books. The whole time he was walking around he muttered under his breath:
"Right back. Right back. Right back."
It was pretty endearing, because I am always saying that to him when I leave the room for a minute.

I have been practicing my dutch, too-- the ladies at the kinderopvang (daycare) just speak Dutch, which is great for me. I found out this AM that one of the kids upstairs in an older group has chicken pocks (waterpokken, which I had to ask about in English)-- but they said it is just a formality to inform everyone. Or I think that is what they said!

That is about it on this front. We are well-- tired at the end of each day, but doing just fine.

And now, on to the photos of James! This is his plumbing repair viewing station, and a shot of him outside on the bike-- this was almost bedtime, as you can see from his quite tired eyes.