|
We had the house set up ready for the homebirth early on Wed, Jan 13,1999.
The pool was blown up, the living room floor covered with a tarp to
protect the carpet, and plastic put on the couch.
|
|
At 8:30am, Gretchen and her assistant came to check up on us. Everyone
was getting excited. Gretchen is shown here with Lana.
|
|
Gretchen told us that since our water had already broken, our primary
goals were: 1. prevent infection, and 2. get the labor going.
|
|
During early labor, Lana spent much of the time in the kitchen or kneeling
by the pool. I would often rub her back during the contractions. She took
vitamins and herbs to get things moving. We ate a light lunch and kept
drinking fruit juices in the afternoon.
|
|
By 5pm, Gretchen said Lana could get in the warm pool. Here Lana is
resting between contractions with Barbara, a friend, providing moral
support.
|
|
Next contraction. The cool wet washcloth on the side of the pool also
felt good to Lana.
|
|
Once again, Lana rested between contractions. God really helped her to
relax completely at times.
|
|
Holding Lana's hands and pouring water down her back helped distract her.
|
|
Several times, Lana got out of the pool to walk around. Here, Gretchen
is listening to the fetal heart rate. Throughout the birth, it typically
ranged from 120-140. An old wive's tale says low heart rates are signs
of a boy. We didn't know for sure.
|
|
Gretchen faithfully recorded all the details as the birth progressed.
|
|
Ouch, that one was a bit strong.
|
|
Several times we had prayer asking for a safe birth and that God would
give Lana the strength she needed.
|
|
John & Gretchen watching the baby's head start appearing.
|
|
This was everyone on the team except for Barbara who was behind the camera.
|
|
All the necessary emergency instruments, and other medical things were
readied and placed on our kitchen table. The birth was getting close.
|
|
Gretchen and her assistant doing last minute planning and preparations.
Everything looks great!
|
|
It's a BOY! John W. Ash, V takes his first trip to his mother's
waiting arms! Boy is everyone GLAD to see him (especially Lana)!
Time was 9:10 pm PST on Wed, 1/13/99.
|
|
He was covered with white, waxy vernix which gradually absorbed into his
skin.
|
|
The lights were a bit bright for his little eyes, so we turned them down.
|
|
Look at his funny shaped head. It wasn't long before it rounded out.
|
|
When he came out, he just calmly looked around at everyone. No crying
at all.
|
|
He had to be rubbed a bit and have his mouth suctioned out before he
started breathing on his own. No worries. He was still attached to mom
by the cord.
|
|
Fifteen minutes after birth, Dad gets the honors of cutting the cord.
The placenta had already come out and was in the silver bowl.
|
|
While Dad held the new baby, mom got out of the pool, dried off, and
climbed into bed.
|
|
Now the little guy is looking better. Most of the vernix is absorbed,
and he's starting to look pink.
|
|
8 lb, 4 oz. A nice healthy weight.
|
|
Dad needed training on how to dress and diaper the baby.
|
|
"Hmmm. This isn't so bad out here."
|
|
"(Yawn) What took you guys so long to get me out?"
|
|
"Where's the milk? I'll just suck my fingers while I wait."
|
|
"Yoohoo! Where's the milk?!"
|
|
"No milk over there."
|
|
"No milk over there either."
|
|
"Well, back to sucking the fingers til we get some real milk."
|
|
THERE's the milk! Mom, getting her first lessons on how to breast-feed
a baby.
|
|
Mom was EXHAUSTED and glad to be done and in bed with the baby. Gretchen
stayed around for several hours, telling us what to expect as new
parents and how to deal with the baby.
|
|
Final shot. We did it! (With God's help and everyone else's)!
|
|
|
