Anyway, I just visited the OB, and he says everything looks great. He then went on to tell me that I have about 3 more weeks of feeling "comfortable". Huh? I'm supposed to be comfortable now? Michael and I had a great laugh at that one! While my headaches aren't as frequent (thanks to those who suggested they might be caused by grinding my teeth), I do always seem to feel uncomfortable. My entire abdomen hurts- especially in the evenings. The doctor says I need to buy one of those maternity support belts. Hmmm... the kitten only weighs 1 1/2 pounds now. How is it going to feel when she is 7 pounds? Yikes! But the doctor also said something so sweet that it made me cry. Perhaps they are some of the sweetest words I've ever heard. He said, "You are 25 weeks now. If your baby were to be born today, she would live." She would live. She would live! I wasn't expecting to hear those precious words for a few more weeks, but I'm so thankful to be comforted by them a bit early!
So, about our special reunion... here's a little background. I was born in 1968 (yes, I'm old-lol), and shortly before I was born, my mom got involved in the natural, husband-coached childbirth revolution of the late 60's. My parents studied Dr. Bradley's method, and they agreed to have my birth filmed and included in a Bradley birth compilation film to be shown at childbirth classes, etc. Well, after I was born, my mom became the very 1st certificated Bradley instructor, and the film & the movement got a lot of press. My parents and I were asked to appear on several TV shows in which the clip of me being born was shown. These included "The Boutique Show", "The Tempo Show", and another show which Regis Philbin hosted. Here is the page from my baby book (so 70's) in which my mom lists a couple of the shows we were on:
Well, a few weeks ago in Florida, we were sitting in a little restaurant on the river when my mom whispered in my ear, "Shana, see that woman at the table in the corner? That's Maria Cole!!! Maria Cole: wife of Nat King Cole, mother of Natalie Cole, and host of "The Tempo Show" that we appeared on over 39 years ago!!!" I could NOT believe it- what are the odds? And there I sat, 20 weeks pregnant myself! We were so excited- we just had to meet her! (Now keep in mind, that I live in LA and see celebrities all the time and am never star-struck or impressed... but this was different, just such an amazing coincidence!) So when we got the opportunity, we approached her and told her who we were; and she remembered us! She couldn't believe it had been that many years, and she even remembered crying & calling for a commercial due to how emotional watching my birth made her (they showed my birth on her show). She was gracious and sweet- just what I had expected. It was so special to meet & get a hug from this amazing woman!
But for the first time ever, I didn't have a camera with me! So here is the only photo we were able to get of the three of us- it was taken with my cell phone & it's awful- but I'm so glad to have it! Too bad I don't have the clip from her show! But here is the detailed description from my baby book...
My mom is still involved in everything relating to childbirth & maternity care, which has been very helpful to me in my pregnancy. She is a wealth of knowledge and is very well known and respected in the field. She currently trains doulas (we've already hired one- more on that later) and travels around the world speaking about breastfeeding, natural childbirth, and improving maternity services. I'm so lucky to have her!
22 comments:
What a sweet comment from your OB!
That is such a neat story about you reunion. And I would agree that your mother is an AMAZING woman with a heart of gold in helping women to see birth as a natural and beautiful milestone in a woman's life. She touched my life in so many ways and I am honored to know her. Because of the guidance and training I received while doing her doula training, I was able to have a natural childbirth and my baby never left my side. So, thanks Shana's mom! I love you.
Shana, thanks again for sharing your story with us.
Dear Shana,
I've never commented before (I've been reading since before you left for China to get Sophie) but I had to chime in and say I've seen your birth film! Your mom was my doula trainer 8 years ago and I LOVE her!
She is my hero!
Enjoy this amazing time!
Holly
that's so cool, Shana. And yay for hitting 20 weeks!
Hi Shana,
I have heard about your mother, Rae Davies. I read her blog "The Birth Company". And I just learn that the video "Child birth for the joy of it" includes your birth. Do you think you can share your birth with us. That would be fun!
:)
Mireya
my husband and i took a bradley's class before my daughter was born- we were raring to go, even had a doula s instead-- but my little girl was breech, and refused to turn- so i've had 2 c-sections (which turned out wonderful both times--)
http://www.thebirthcompany.com/about.htm
I found this while following your story and it is so interesting. I have followed your family and bringing home your two beautiful children from the beginning.
Congradulations on your pregnacy. Will be looking forward to following Kittens journey with her big sister and big brother.
A foster mom from Canada.
That is so cool! Now I want to go see the video! I remember our doc telling me that and what peace it brought as I had pre-term labor and bedrest and all that goes with that. It will be so exciting to see how it all goes in September. I had better be on that hospital call list when Miss Annalisa is welcomed into this beautiful world!!!
Love,
Kim
I remember being pregnant with my son and trying to picture what he looked like, what position he was in, etc. I remember right after he was born - looking at him and thinking "he was really in there?" - he was 8 pounds and over 21 inches - it was hard to imagine that he fit! I also remember being so glad that he was finally here and he was healthy - but I was also a little sad that I was no longer pregnant. (Don't get me wrong, when I was pregnant I was uncomfortable and ready to be done at the end!) Enjoy this special time of having the kitten all to yourself!
What a great story and reunion with Mrs. Cole!
Wow what a wonderful reunion!
Your not old, I was born in 1963 and here I am with children ranging from 25 to 3 and logged in to China for another one. Somedays I think maybe I'm getting too old for this LOL
My husband and I took a Bradley class. My little guys never made it to their due dates and they were all born early and C-section. The Bradley class was wonderful!
Enjoy this most amazing time in your life!
I'd never heard of a doula...had to Google it. My mom had 8 kids and thought she had the stomach flu when she went into labor with the first one (47 years ago). No one talked about birth, labor, etc in those days. My aunt (dad's sister) had to tell her she was in labor and to get her butt to the hospital. She could have used your mom or a doula! My have times changed:)
Shana,
Unfortunately my mother can't remember what her Bradley instructors' names were, since it was 1976, and she's at a meeting in Vegas right now, but there is a possibility that your mother was my mother's Bradley instructor. I hadn't ever even heard that anyone else in my age range was a Bradley baby. But since my mother's experiences were so good with Bradley, now that my friends are starting to have babies I'm recommending it to them as an option instead of Lamaze.
I also wanted to say congratulation on reaching 25 weeks. The kitten is going to be a very lucky little sister, with Sophie Lu and Ollie to love and protect her.
LIfe is so full of suprises. It was just kismet that you ran into her. By the way, you look younger than your age which in reality is still young. Great message from your doctor.
How Cool! I can't believe I've been following the blog of a famous Bradley baby!
I have two biological sons and an adorable little girl we adopted from China almost a year ago. My boys were "Bradley babies." The Bradley method really worked for us--in fact, I was so relaxed I almost had my oldest son at home!
I wish you ALL the best in your final trimester!
Mary
Wow Shana, your mom is awesome!
P.S.
I remember my OB saying those same words to me at some point and from then on I didn't worry nearly as much ("nearly" being the key word - lol)
It is great to hear the news from your OB and how you feel the Kitten!! I loved that feeling! That is also so cool to hear about your "reunion"!! What a great post!!!
Debbie
You are so blessed Shana. I love your spirit!!
Dina NY
How awesome for you! And I love that your mom is still so involved... what a tremendous support system you have!
Shanna, I am so impressed with your mom and dad and what they did to make sure you were born safely. I'm super glad that you've got your mom and that you're also hiring a doula. You're a great mom and I can see that you have a great role model. Your children will surely pass it on by becoming great parents themselves.
Your doctor's advice about the maternity support belt is questionable, though. Your mom might also tell you this. According to Elizabeth Noble, the premier physical therapist of pregrant and post partum women worldwide, says they cause more harm by doing the work of the muscles. Once the muscles don't have to work, they get more and more out of shape. I highly recommend her book, Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year. As a doula, I've recommended this book many, many times (I even used it not pregnant and it healed back pain I'd had for over ten years) and every person I recommended it to found it extremely helpful. It's easily found online.
That is simply amazing!
I am so glad you got to meet her again!
You're Mom sounds awesome! I am a Doula, and I love everything Baby, Belly and Breastfeeding!!
Who does she work under? DONA?
You look absolutely STUNNING!
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