Hubbys idea of how to put me in labor heheh anddd mothers day!!

so ive been drinking red raspberry leaf tea, going on walks, and will be starting to take evening primrose oil (all natural things that help soften and strengthen the cervix) hoping i go ON my due date, and that i have her the minute she is ready and not a minute later =)
well josh gave me a list of things were going to do the day before to make sure i dont go over and i added in a few old wives tales hahah so heres his list
eat lots of spicey food
drink a lot of my raspberry leaf tea
"the deed"
eat pineapple
go for a hike
foot massage/pedicure
tell baby to get ready and tell my body to prepare haha
PRAY!! OF COURSE =)
and a few other randoms
hehe i love how involved he is! what a great husband and amazing daddy =)


oh yes and mothers day!! my first mothers day (im allowed to celebrate, i eat healthy i exorcise,  i take procautions and grow this baby hehe)
well josh wrote me this amazing song and sang it to me while playing guitar after he filled the bath tub for me and sprayed some of his cologne and got me this sweet card and this photo editing tool that ive been wanting =D hes sooo amazing!!!

BABY SHOWER!!!

my first baby shower was saturday and it turned out GREAT! lots of good food, tons of friends and family (a little over 30 not including kids) great games and presents, i had such a wonderful time! here are some pictures =)

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea!!!

History of Red Raspberry Leaf:

Red Raspberry Leaf (RRL) is a pale green leaf produced by the Raspberry plant. The use of Red Raspberry Leaves dates back to ancient Greeks and Romans and has a rich history of being used to treat a wide variety of ailments. Some of the illnesses that they used RRL to treat include: the flu, gum disease, rubella, upset stomach, hangover, diarrhea, fevers, vomiting, menstrual problems, inflammation, etc. The most popular use of Red Raspberry leaves is for pregnancy.

Red Raspberry Leaf Use in Pregnancy:

Many of the complications during pregnancy can be traced back to the mother’s diet, which typically lacks in vital nutrients and minerals that she so desperately needs during pregnancy. Women wise to these needs have recommended herbal tonics during the childbearing years for thousands of years to help both mother and baby experience a healthy, normal pregnancy and birth. Herbal tonics are both safe and effective and they help to improve overall health and prevent any major problems from developing. They also boost the supply of vital minerals and vitamins, increase energy and improve uterine tone. It is important that herbal tonics (teas) be used regularly. Like exercise, they provide far less benefit when used sporadically. That is not to say that it won’t provide benefit if taken on occasion but to reap the full benefits herbal tonics should be taken at least 5 days a week.

One of the most important herbal tonics to take during pregnancy is Red Raspberry Leaf. This is not tea made from raspberries. It is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the raspberry plant. Red Raspberry is the best known, most widely used and safest of all uterine and pregnancy herbs. Most of the benefits that are attributed to Red Raspberry Leaf tea are traced to the nourishing source of vitamins and minerals found in the plant and to fragrine (an alkaloid which gives tone to muscles of the pelvic region and the uterus itself).

Beneficial Vitamins and Minerals Found in Red Raspberry Leaf:

-Rich concentrations of vitamin C

-Vitamin E

-Easily assimilated calcium and iron

-Manganese and magnesium

-Vitamin A

-Vitamin B complex

-Many minerals including phosphorous and potassium

How Red Raspberry Leaf Helps the Pregnant Mother & Baby:

The increased vitamin A intake, in the form of carotenoids of RRL can aid the women’s immune system as well as facilitate healthy skin and bone development for the baby. The Vitamin E helps to promote better circulation in the mother whose blood volume dramatically increases during pregnancy. RRL contains an easily assimilated form of calcium. An increased availability of calcium is necessary in controlling nerve response to pain during childbirth and in aiding bone development in the baby. The presence of fragrine allows the uterus to contract more powerfully and effectively during labor. The high vitamin and mineral content helps to replace those that are lost via blood loss in delivery. The alkaloids that are present will also aid in toning the uterus after birth as it returns back to its usual size.

Other Pregnancy Related Benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea:

-It increases fertility in both men and women (drink for a few months while trying to conceive).

-Prevents miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage by helping to tone the uterus thus creating a relaxed (atonic) uterus.

-Eases morning sickness

-Reduces pain during labor and after birth: By toning the muscles used during labor and delivery RRL eliminates many of the reasons for a painful delivery and prolonged recovery. It does not, however, counter the pain of pelvic dilation.

-Assists in the production of plentiful breast milk

-Can help make labor faster: RRL works to encourage the uterus to let go and function without tension. It doesn’t strengthen contractions but it does allow the uterus to work more efficiently

-Studies show that women taking RRL have a reduced incidence of artificial rupture of membranes, forceps delivery or cesarean

Other Uses for Red Raspberry Leaf:

-Treating the common cold or flu (Treat with a RRL fast. Drink only the tea while your symptoms persist. Once your symptoms are gone return to eating fresh fruits/vegetables.)

-Treating sore throat

-Treating diarrhea (Drink 6 cups a day to treat diarrhea)

-Regulating a menstrual period and decreasing heavy periods (Drink 2-3 cups per day. After 2-3 months you should obtain a regular cycle.)

-Treating Acne: It can act as an astringent on irritated skin by tightening the top layers of skin which effectively reduces secretions, relieves irritation and improves tissue firmness.

-Can be used as a mouth wash to soothe mouth and throat irritations

-Can lower blood sugar in those suffering with diabetes (Those with diabetes must take care not to take RRL in too high of doses or it could actually cause their blood sugar to drop too low).

SunBaby Cloth Diapers Came!!!

the different designs =D

adjustable sizes!

this is the micro fleece inside and i love how stretchy but soft the elastic part is and has elastic in the back for a better fit and to keep the poops in =D

the insert, you can add as many as youd like usually 1 for the day and 2 at night (if youve got a heavy wetter)

this is how the inserts go in =D

june pleeeaaase get here soon!

man I've been feeling more and more uncomfortable lately and more and more grouchy to my porr hubby! he took me out yesterday to the new olice garden that just opened up and more than half of our lovely lunch day was spent with me just sitting there wondering when i can go home and take a bath or a nap! this big ole belly has been pulling on my back for waay to long and its about time June get here! not to mention if i stand up too quick...i pee, if i couch, sneeze, laugh...i pee, or if im just simply sitting down and i feel this quick punch to my bladder...I PEEE!!! Not all that fun when i feel like all i smell like is friggen pee!

Ok so my rant is over, my 1st baby shower is this saturday!! WOOHOO I'm getting so excited!!! Oh and yesterday I recieved my organic unbleached flannel cloth wipes and they feel awesome! cant wait to start wiping poops with these! lol and also got the big wall sticker i ordered for ellies room, since we cant paint im plastering her wall with pretty stickers hehehe a lot like this one 

 theres some other cuter ones im getting with pink and green in them to match her room, but this one was cheapest heheh. My mom is getting her crib and dresser/changing table this week so that makes me ecstatic! I finally am going to have some thing for Luella!! Josh hasnt let me buy ANYTHING for her until AFTER the baby shower....wellll except the cloth diapers and wall sticker and little things hehehe ooh ill have to post what the diapers look like i forgot to mention i got those in the mail the other day too!!!

few maternity pics...more to come!

Dr apt today!! and Birth Plan!

so my dr appt today went really well =D ellie is in fact head down as i suspected, shes doing great, ive gained a total of 28 lbs which my dr said is really good and mainly water retention I passed my diabetes glucose test with a 124 (they try to keep it under 140) dr said i get another sono at 38ish weeks =D i wish it was more like 35 but oh well
also went over my birth plan and she said they already do most of what was on it anyways so im sooo excited and feel so much more comfortable!'


here is my birth plan for anyone who is curious =) my dr said its all very reasonable things and nothing too crazy, i was afraid shed think i was being too demanding and un open to any interventions, which i REALLY dont want any medical interventions but im prepared if i end up needing any because things do happen and God made drs for a reason =)



Birth Plan for Cassandra Bailey & Baby
I am due on July 2nd 2011. This will be my first labor/delivery.  Thank you for being an active participant in this wonderful occasion!

Support and Labor Coach: My husband, Josh.

Labor
- No IV port put in unless deemed necessary by my doctor.
- No IV for fluid unless absolutely necessary.

Pain Medication
- Do not offer any pain medications unless deemed necessary by my doctor.
- Appreciate being assigned a nurse who would support us in natural child birthing.

Monitoring
-No continuous fetal monitoring or internal monitoring unless it is required by my doctor.

Labor Augmentation/Induction
Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming the baby is not in distress, I would like to try to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase.
- If there’s failure to progress, I would like to thoroughly exhaust all natural methods of labor stimulation (walking, nipple stimulation, breast pump, hot shower, etc.) before having pitocin administered.
- I don’t want my membranes ruptured unless fairly progressed (at least 5-6cm), & then after consent by Josh  and/or myself.

Episiotomy
- Please coach on when to push & when to stop pushing so my perineum can stretch slowly to avoid tearing.
- I am hoping to protect the perineum. I am practicing ahead of time by doing squatting & Kegel exercises.
- If possible, I would like to use perineal massage to help avoid the need for an episiotomy.
- Episiotomy only if absolutely necessary for the health of the baby & only after consent by Josh and/or myself.

Delivery
- Appreciate use of a mirror so I can see the baby's head when it crowns.
- We would like Josh (husband/Dad) to help catch the baby.

Cesarean
- If Cesarean delivery is indicated, we want to be fully informed as to why and, if there is time, we would like to participate in the decision making process.
- Please get consent from my husband and/or I before administering any/all pre- and post-op meds.
- I would like my husband to be present at all times.
- If baby is not in distress, he/she should be given to my husband immediately after cesarean birth.

Immediately After Birth
- I do not want routine pitocin or misoprostal administered.
- Prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before cut.
- My husband would like to cut the cord when it is time.
- Breastfeeding immediately after delivery.
- Hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
- Baby bathed in my presence.
- Evaluation of the baby can be done with the baby on my abdomen, unless there is an unusual situation.
- I do not want the baby to be given the Hepatitis B shot

Postpartum
- No pacifier or a bottle given without my consent.
- Appreciate the earliest discharge possible – preferably within 24 hrs of delivery.

Medical Problems with the Baby
- I plan on breastfeeding my baby and would like to pump if breastfeeding is not possible due to medical difficulties.
- Should the baby need to be separated from me for any reason, my husband will accompany the baby at all times.