International Midwifery Day

Today is International Midwifery Day! You all know that two of our littles were born at home using a midwife team. These ladies are like a part of the family now, so I wanted to dedicate a special post to them. I'm so thankful for the support they give to families. If you are interested in having a midwife I HIGHLY suggest you get their information from me. Choosing to use a midwife was a big step of faith for me, but it was one of the best decisions we ever made! There care was spectacular, and they put our entire family at ease. Thanks to my "dream team!" Love you SO much!!

Holly, Kim, and Mary on Eli's birthday.

Here they are doing their thing and walking me through delivery.

Inspecting Eli. Can you tell they love their job?

Love this picture of Kim, and I love how she cherishes every moment of doing what she does!

This lady is a rock star! One of the most amazing people I know.

If you ever get to be under her care you'll agree!

Mary has so much experience and wisdom in child birthing.

Thank you, ladies for being AMAZING at what you do.

Here's to many more babies born into the world under your care!

Love you!

 

 

(Thanks to Paula Bean Photography for these wonderful pictures from Eli's birth.)

Home Brewed Smittle: The Rest of the Story

Did you and/or your parents ever listen to Paul Harvey on the radio? I remember sitting in the truck with my family listening to Paul Harvey stories. I used to love when he'd say, "and now you know the rest of the story." So, I'd like to share "the rest of the story" about our homebirth with you. Now, I've been holding off telling you about it mostly because I was both skeptical and a little afraid of what some of my readers would think. However, I promised to share my entire homebirth story with you, so here you go.
When we had our first homebirth I was a bit uneducated about most things "birthy." I simply wanted to do a homebirth because we'd had several rough goes at delivery in the hospital, and I wanted to be in charge of the way my delivery went. Mia's birth was fantastic, but there was a lot that we didn't know about the first time around. Including placenta encapsulation.
After Mia was born we got the question I was not prepared for, "What do you want us to do with your placenta?" My response was simple, "Uhh. Throw it away!" Scotty was completely disgusted with the thought of a little piece of me being in the trash with yesterday's junk mail. I remember thinking what in the world else was there to do with that "medical waste" besides chunk it! I gave it no more thought until about half way through my pregnancy with Eli.
At one of my prenatal visits, Kim asked me if I had ever heard of placenta encapsulation. After I gave her a funny look she gave me a book and told me I might want to at least read about the benefits of ingesting my own placenta. Still at odds with the thought, the book sat on my bedside table(covered with the latest eddition of Martha Stewart Living) for weeks before I even cracked the cover. Meanwhile, I entered a birth photo contest with our local birth expert. The prize? 50% off a birth service. In my mind, I intended to use the prize(if I won) to get child birth classes. We had never attended classes, and I thought it would be fun to do classes for our last time around.
Well, I WON! I was so excited! When it came time to go to the classes there was just NO WAY we could make it work with Scotty's current work schedule and having to find a sitter for several weeks. SO, we didn't go and I was really bummed thinking my prize was going to go to waste. That's when Nicolle asked if I'd ever considered encapsulation. Ha! I thought to myself, "OH! I need to get that book back to KIM!" But what happened next would change a lot of things in the future! I picked up the book and READ IT!
After that I started to do a lot of research on encapsulation. All I could find were story after story on what great things came from encapsulation. I sat in my room reading about how encapsulation helped with PPD, milk production, and energy levels. When I looked for the BAD effects of encapsulation I found NOTHING.
Now, I should stop here to say that did not change the thought in my mind of it being completely disgusting to ingest part of myself. I know there are lots of people out there who are able to do it without a second thought, but for me it was imposible to think about grinding up a body part and serving it in my latest recipe. I COULD, however, think about taking it like I would any other supplement-in a capsule.
So, I asked Nicolle to encapsulate my placenta! After Eli was born, and the placenta was delivered, Mary(the midwife who assisted Kim) prepared it for Nicolle to come and get it. She placed it in a ziplock bag, and Nicolle came to our house and picked it up. 48 hours later she brought me this cute little jar of capsules that looked like vitamins.

Picture by birth by designs

I simply placed the container in the freezer, where it can literally keep for years if I wanted. Nicolle gave me loose directions to try, but told me to simply play it by ear and take as many as I felt like I needed. When I took the first few capsules I have to admit it was a little strange, but I saw the immediate benefits with a much calmer mood, great milk supply, and a much more even energy level. It would usually take only about a half hour to start feeling the benefits of the capsules. I called them my "placenta pills," but Scotty refers to them as my "chill pills!" Hysterical because they are indeed cold(from being in the freezer), and make me feel "chill." Ha! He said he didn't know what he'd do if I hadn't had them.
I've been using them lately to help with my milk supply while on my cycle. I've always really had a hard time producing milk while on my cycle. The capsules really help keep my milk supply up. I've also really noticed a difference in my hormone levels when I take them. If I start feeling like I'm getting a little nutso I'll just take one or two and in a few minutes I'll start to feel better.
I highly recommend encapsulation to all my friends and family. I know most of you reading this will think it's a little strange, but I promise the benefits will totally outweigh the stigma of giving it a try. I'm happy to try to answer any questions you might have about placenta encapsulation or anything else birthy. I know it may seem really strange.

I'm so thankful for Nicolle and her willingness to educate the community on not just placenta encapsulation, but all things birth related. I'd love for you to contact her with any questions. She's there to help!
And that, my friends, is the REST of the story.
In my best Paul Harvey voice, "Leslie Smittle.....Good day!"

Home Brewed Smittle: On the News!!

We were asked to take part in an interview on homebirth that aired last night on our local news station! We were honored to be asked and feel blessed to be sharing our sweet homebirth story with others. While a lot of what we said was edited down for a 90 second story, it's still a really sweet news story with lots of our amazing birth photos! We were pleased with the way it turned out.
I can't get it on my blog, but you can go watch it here! Thanks so much to our community for the support and for cheering us on in this chapter of our life. We feel so much love from you guys!

Home Brewed Smittle: Birth Story

*************BEFORE YOU READ, PLEASE BE ADVISED************

This is a birth story with birth photography. While none of it is explicit, it is very personal and might be too much information(skin) for some readers. I'm posting this not because I want to show myself off, but because I want to share my story not only with you, but to keep for myself. PLEASE know that I don't wish to offend anyone, so if you think you might be offended STOP READING NOW!

 

When I woke up Friday, March 8, 2013 I was really sad. I was now 41 weeks, which meant that I'd have to begin plans to seek outside medical care for my pregnancy. I'd need a Biophysical Profile and an NST to be sure that everything was still OK with Eli and that it was OK to continue carrying him and deliver him at home as planned. While I'm not against seeking medical advice in the least I was just a little sad that we'd have a higher chance of not being able to deliver at home with our midwife.
I kept putting off the call and praying that I'd just go into labor that morning. I gave myself until noon to make the call. I went ahead with our regular life and we did morning chores, school, and started getting lunch ready. Before we ate lunch I turned on our "kids folk music" station on Pandora and the kids and I had a dance party. I danced all around with the kids in hopes to get something started. I'd had a few small contractions throughout the day, but nothing worthy of getting that baby OUT. Once I got the kids fed I had them head upstairs for nap. I helped them get settled for their nap, then came downstairs, got my lunch together, and headed into my room to make the call(just a little late. At this point it was about 12:40).
Before I made the call I sat on the end of my bed and prayed about it. I gave my pregnancy and Eli(once again) over to the Lord. I REALLY wanted to have the baby at home and get all the things I wanted as far as his delivery went, but the Lord knew those things, and I needed to be OK if he had other plans ahead for us. SO, I gave it ALL over to the Lord and dialed the number to set up the appointment. As the phone rang I gulped back tears and when I heard the lady on the other end of the phone I was confident when I told her what I needed. As I hung up the phone I'm telling you, I went into labor. At first I was in denial, but I had several really strong contractions that were about 3 minutes apart. I was still thinking that they might fizzle out, so I got up and walked around for a while.
I called Manly as he was heading in with a client at 1 to let him know I was having contractions, but didn't really know for sure if I was in labor. I called my midwife at about 1:30 to let her know that I thought I might be in labor and that she should probably go ahead and come. I called my mom and let her know it was time, but asked her to stop and get me a gown because I only had one. She was already heading our way for the afternoon anyway(to help me with the kids and keep my mind off of not having a baby), so it was good timing for her. I also called Paula so she could get ready to come. After making the calls I decided to go ahead and ask Manly to come home because I was starting to think that things were really moving along and I was starting to be in a LOT of pain. By the time he got home(about 10 minutes later) I had him calling the midwife telling her she needed to come NOW because I was pretty sure Eli was about to come. A few minutes later Mary(my midwife from when Mia was born, and Kim's helper) came as well as Paula. I was thinking it was getting really close to time, but because I'd only been having contractions for about an hour I thought it'd still be a while. A few minutes later Kim came and checked me and I was complete! I was in TOTAL shock! I guess once Eli decided to come he was in a hurry!

This was right after Paula got here and I was still focused and calm.

Since Scotty was in the middle of a very busy day he was making sure all of his appointments were canceled. I was a beast about his phone making noise though, so he quickly turned if off and returned to his duties.

 

 

No matter how many babies I have I still love to hear the chugging away of the baby heart.

 

With all of this going on the little kids were still sleeping soundly, and the two big girls were in the living room watching a show to mask the commotion going on in the house. Aunt Stephanie came to help with the kids. I probably should have sent the big kids to the park with Steph or something, because I'm pretty sure they were a little scared. This was the first time I've gone into labor in the daytime, so it was the first time they had seen me in pain at all. Poor Olivia was so worried.

Pressing through the pain. Love the sweet look on Manly's face.

Speaking of pain, I was in MUCH more pain this time! My water still hadn't broken, so I had a TON of really terrible pressure each time I'd have a contraction. I kept hollering, "I WISH MY WATER WOULD BRRRRREAK!" Ha! The people in the room probably thought I was going nuts! I was begging for him to come or for someone to break my water! I'd like to say I was great at breathing through the contractions and staying focused, but the pain was so great that I was really having a hard time. Between contractions I was laughing and fine, but when they would come I thought I was going to DIE! I was totally embarrassed after it was over. Especially since my friend, Di had come to observe for the first time in hopes to gain experience in birthing babies. She probably changed her mind after being here for me! Ha!

 

I love this picture. I had no idea Di was praying while I was in labor, but I appreciate it so much. Such a great friend.

 

My "dream team" helping me push through the pain.

Love this picture of Holly. She's such an amazing support.

You can hire her as your Doula through Birthworks.

Mary is such an amazing midwife. I'm thrilled that she was a part of two of my births.

 

Amidst all the pain I had a moment of tears and sadness about this being my last time to have a baby. I know to so many reading this you'd think how crazy I must be to feel like that after having SIX babies, but the sadness of being finished with this chapter of our life was real, and it was good to take a moment and give in to the emotion and let myself cry.

Manly talking with me while I was having my moment.

 

 

Manly was so helpful this time. I had hoped we'd be able to go to some birth education classes so that he'd feel he had more of a part this time and not feel like he was in the way. He gets really nervous and wants to help wherever he can. This time I gave him a job. He sat behind me in the bed and gave me support in my back wherever I needed it. He also held my hand and kissed my head. Sweet man.

My mom waiting. She was with me all six times. Such a blessing.

Finally, mid contraction, as Eli was starting to crown my water broke. I cried out, "THANK YOU, LORD!" You would have thought he had been born because it relieved so much pressure. After my water broke it was only a few minutes before he was born. All of this happened within about 30 minutes, because at 3:05PM Elias York Smittle came roaring into our life! I was only in real labor for about an hour and a half! Such an amazing blessing for that to be my last experience of having a baby.

After he was here we let the two big girls come in and see him first. After that my parents spent time loving on him, and once the little kids were up our completed family had a few moments together. It was such an amazing time together. All the kids were so excited to have such a cool surprise when they woke up from nap! After everyone had a chance to love on him Kim weighed and measured him. 9lbs 12 oz and 21 inches long explained the crazy pain. I knew all along that he seemed like a big baby!! He was my biggest baby by a POUND. 

Love this picture of Eli. He's so alert and looks so peaceful.

My sweet Chubby Bubby!

I think this might have been the first time Scotty got to hold him.

LOVE this picture.

 

Love this man. He's such an amazing dad and husband.

Everyone having a look.

Momma and her gaggle.

The Completed Smittle Family

Love this one. I just love squishing me some babies!

Holly checking Eli's stats.

My dad showing Aunt Steph Eli.

After most everyone cleared out we had some special time together just me and Eli. He did great with nursing, and is the picture of health. He has red hair and at the moment dark blue eyes. He also has a reddish tint to his skin. He has peach fuzz all over his sweet little back, cheeks, and even on his ears. He's got really long feet and huge hands. That makes me think he'll probably be a big boy as he grows, but we'll see. So far he's been pretty laid back, but he rarely gets laid down, so he doesn't have much of a chance to cry. Yes, that's mostly my fault, but you better believe I'm soaking up EVERY last second of having a newborn for the last time. He's lucky I put him down to sleep! 

 We've had such amazing support from my parents, our friends, and church family! I haven't had to make a meal yet, and I've gotten so many flowers and goodies over the last week and a half. It makes me so happy to be part of such a great community. God has really blessed us with a great support system.

SO thankful for my "dream team." Love these ladies oh so much!

Can you tell they love what they do?

Thanks for walking with me through this journey. I'm so glad to have Eli's pregnancy, labor, and delivery all recorded. Please always feel free to ask any questions about my birth experience. I love to share about it, and would love to answer any questions you may have. Even if birthing at home isn't something you think you'd want to do!

I want to give Paula Bean Photography credit for these beautiful photos. We are so thankful to have these precious pictures! She did such a great job and obviously loves what she does. If you are ever in need of a photographer I highly recommend her! She does all sorts of photography from birth to weddings and everything in between. You can get in touch with her here or here.