The Birthday I Almost Didn't Celebrate

The Birthday I Almost Didn't Celebrate

What I thought to be a simple vacation last February would prove to change my life. My family and I were at a resort with an indoor water park. The uh, water park, not too good at handling their chemicals. 

What did that mean for me?  Respiratory failure from Chemical Pnuemonitis.

I always thought I was one of those people ready to meet God. I still would say I am ready in the fact that I have no fear of where I will go or Who I will meet. Most of us have had that seemingly near death experience in a car, on a bike, Black Friday shopping, etc. I learned it's completely different to have that moment turn into days, then weeks, and months.

I have never had a birthday in which I felt happier or more grateful. I am thankful not just for my life, but for the people God placed in it.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned about friendship is this: your real friends love you at your worst, when you have nothing to give. They don't keep score, they need nothing in return, they accept you... all of you. That my friend, IS a friend for life!

The following picture is a breakfast tray that my 6 year old, Bella brought me one morning. Her smiles, hugs, kisses, cuddles in bed, home-made cards, "I hope you feel better, Mommy" was an ointment to my wounds. 

My 11 year old daughter, Ivy proved herself to be a very competent young lady who helped manage the household while her mom could not. She was my right hand in duties and never ceased to keep me in an endless supply of... everything. "I'll take it care of it, Mom" seemed to be her mantra. My pride in her warmed my heart.

My Mom and Step-dad, Bob helped in every way they could too. My mom stayed and took care of the house, meals, my family... Most of all, I know they prayed for me. I thank God for such a loving mom. I'm so glad God gave her such a wonderful husband in Bob. I have told her many times, that I don't know how she was able to snag such two wonderful husbands in her lifetime (the first being my dad who passed away... she isn't a polygamist!) I'm so thankful that God brought Bob into all of our lives!

I would never try to recall those who visited, called, sent cards, etc. during that time in my life. I do especially recall people from church around my hospital bed, praying for my healing, friends from work who visited and gave kisses on my forhead during the night, little treats, and messages... 

My friend Polly proved again to be so amazing. Between she and my husband, I was never alone at the hospital. She stepped in and homeschooled my girls, took them to doctor's appointments, activities, picked up groceries, made phone calls, drove me to every physical therapy appointment, cried with me, laughed with me, encouraged me... I can't say enough. She is better than my sister, she shares a part of my heart. I know her sweet family sacrificed their own needs so that she could help care for my family. All my love to Shane, Katelyn, Ben, Jacob and Lexi.

There is no greater person in my life, than my husband, Bo. We have been married just a little over 20 years. All of his family was so supportive: cooking meals, cleaning, and helping with the kids. God, as my Creator gave me a husband who would be my rock. There have been times in my life when I didn't know up from down, but Bo was right there with me. He makes me laugh, cry, yell... I trust him with every secret, every wish, every dream. I trust him with my whole heart. One day after my discharge home, I was having a really hard time and felt completely hopeless. He snuggled with me on the bed and just said, "I'm right here with you, and you can do this." The he played a song for me, I Won't Let Go by Rascal Flatts. It was just what I needed, I will never forget that moment or that song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5gBxKEgZqM

Life can change in an instant. To be honest, I never thought "life" would mean my health. One day, I'm running on the beach, weeks later, I couldn't walk to the bathroom. Today, I have what seems to be irreversible asthma.

 I've learned so much in the past 9 months. Now, what to do with it. I hope the story doesn't end here.  



Horrific Birth Stories... the Worst!

Horrific Birth Stories... the Worst!

Gotcha! You thought I was going to tell horrible birthing stories. Oh, I could but that is what annoys me. So, I ask this:

Why do some women find the need to tell PREGGERS some horrible birthing story?

If you've been pregnant, are pregnant  or plan to be pregnant, you will encounter this woman. The interaction sounds something like this:

"Oh honey, how far along are you? Oh really, have they checked you for twins yet? Oh, you're feet are so swollen. You better be careful, my niece had that 'crampsia' something or another and they took her baby early. I was in labor for 12 days and no one would help me. I thought that baby would never come. When my baby came out, I thought I would just die. No matter how loud I screamed, no body would shoot me. I begged for that epidural, but they told me I was too late. Oh honey, I hope that doesn't happen to you. I just thought that baby would rip me wide open all the way to my belly button. The doctor had to stand up on a chair and just pull and pull. Then I almost died because I had 'the hemorragica.' Little Roger's head was so deformed and he wasn't breathing either. Well, honey you have a good day and enjoy that little baby!"

I mean really... really! I don't know how may times I've been in a labor room listening to women tell these stories. It makes me so angry. Who are these support people this mother has chosen? Believe it or not, it's often a sister or friend, not just the strange lady on the street who is rubbing all over your belly while she tells you this rubbish.

So, what can we do to support a pregnant mother? Encourage her for starters! Some mothers are very sick during pregnancy and/or delivery. For many, it's the best time of their life. Either way, support and encourage her.

I love this picture that was featured in National Geographic. Look at her face... It's physical pain mixed with pure exhilaration, it's an endorphin rush that jumping out of a plane or riding on a roller coaster can't match.  It's a spiritual elation of thankfulness and joy. It's an emotional connection of love at first sight. In this instant, she knows there is nothing she won't do to protect this baby. It's a physical bond to this child, that she carried, nourished, protected and felt move inside of her. It's a bond to the father that she didn't even know existed. It's holding skin to skin her every hope, dream, and fear for the rest of this baby's life. 

It is birth, it is undeniably a life changing experience. 

Mothers, make wise choices of who will share that moment with you.

It's out of your hands, until it's out of your uterus... Birth Plan vs. Birth Wish

Birth Plan vs. Birth Wish

I recently had a patient who instead of a Birth Plan had a Birth Wish. I instantly considered her quite astute. Here is why and what most Obstetricians and Labor Nurses would say if given the chance:

YOU CAN'T CONTROL BIRTH! 

For those of you control freaks, I know this is a hard concept to grasp. So, let me say it in gentler way, 

                                    YOU, MY FRIEND, CAN NOT CONTROL BIRTH!

Now, don't go getting all extra granola chewy on me just yet. Yes, Mommy, YOU are having a baby. YOU have wishes and desires of what YOU want your birth to be. Hopefully, you will get all of them. The difficulty is, whether you are having a home birth or hospital birth, many things will be "out of your hands" until it's "out of your uterus." 

From the moment of conception, you lost control of your uterus. You will soon have no control of your breasts, hormones, maybe even your skin, joints, ligaments, bowels or bladder. Shall I go on, dear?  Most of us considered it a wonderful life changing experience, so chin up! Yes, birth is a natural process, it has happened since the beginning of time, and even those mothers would tell you, YOU CAN'T CONTROL BIRTH!

So why do I like the term, "Birth Wish" more than "Birth Plan?"

Simply put, you can't plan what you can't control.

I often tell my mommies and daddies this:

Imagine the game 52 Card Pick up. It's basically a trick. If you don't know how to play, here's the deal. Usually your obnoxious brother or uncle asks you if you want to play. You say, "SURE!" They throw a deck of 52 cards in air and say, "Ok, pick 'em up!" So, here are some things that might be thrown up into the air during the labor and birth.

Un-medicated Birth

Medicated Birth

"Heck yeah, I want an epidural!"

Sorry, you're too late for an epidural!

"No matter what I say honey, remind me I don't want an epidural."

IV

No IV

No Inductions

"Please doctor, I want this baby out, please induce me!"

Meconium (baby poops in utero)

No Meconium

No augmentation, (Oxytocin, "breaking water")

"Whatever you have to do to get this baby out of me, do it."

Vaginal Birth

Vacuum Assisted Vaginal Birth 

C-section

Delayed Cord Clamping

Baby on the breast, immediately after delivery. 

Baby needs some interventions after delivery.

Seriously, I could go on all day; but what is the number one end result that everyone wants? Well of course, it's a healthy mom and healthy baby.

A mommy who has a very definite, "it must be this way" plan is often very disappointed when she deviates from that plan. A mommy who has definite wishes, but realizes she is NOT in control is obviously already realistic and intuitive to her body. Chances are she will be more relaxed and able to enjoy the birth. You know, the birth she can't control. 

Happy Birthing, Amber

**Disclaimer: these are my opinions and no medical advice should be considered implied or given. If you need medical advice, go see a doctor.**

What's up with the name, Waist Deep in Amniotic Fluid?

So, what's up with the name, Waist Deep in Amniotic Fluid? I had to capture your attention with something, because I'm actually pretty boring. I mean did you really want to read a blog called, "Amber's World" or "Everyday with Amber?"

So, back to the name. I'm obviously an undiagnosed ADHD adult. Anyone who knows me well enough will attest to that. To know why the name, Waist Deep in Amniotic Fluid, you first need to know what I do to throw some extra food on the table. I'm a Registered Nurse, actively laboring in Labor & Delivery. Amniotic fluid is one of the many body fluids that gets thrown my way on any given shift. If my oldest brother is reading this, he will hit the X button right about... now.

Due to the ADHD of this adult, this blog will be totally random in posts, I can assure you. Between birthing, breastfeeding, birth plans, birth plan disasters, my kids, homeschooling, other people's kids, Christianity, politics, food, food, and some more food, photography, asthma, working out, working out... with asthma, planes, trains, and automobiles... BEWARE!

So, instead of giving you what I think the meaning of life is, or isn't, or starting some debate on this first post. How about I tell you the most complex things about myself:
Seeing wet toilet paper (you know like at the hospital) is about the only thing that makes me heave.

I do have Flight of Ideas, but I'm sure I'm not Bi-Polar. Just the ADHD I mentioned earlier, mixed with a little OCD. It's all good, really.

I'm an 80's music junkie.

I'm completely un-pc, and proud of it.

I'm not afraid of dead bodies.

I love the smell of puppy breath.

Seriously, you should be bored by now, even I'm bored!

Love God, love each other,
Amber

Disclaimer:

 Although, I fully believe in free speech, I don't on this blog.

 Keep it clean,

and NO mention of "said" hospital, doctors, patients, etc.