Scripture of the Week : February 23, 2014

Psalms 61:2
     "From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
                           when my heart is overwhelmed;
                                              lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Chidbirth Prep: Pregnancy and exercise

        So the second trimester is moving along and I am realizing that I am behind in the exercise department. I have a pretty physical job as a nurses assistant so I had it in my mind that my job would keep me in shape while I am pregnant. Romantic thinking. Being healthy and fit while pregnant is slightly different than when you are not carrying a baby.
        You're back hurts more, you have to squat more carefully, doing anything on your belly is out of the question, and you can get out of breath really fast. I'm not kidding. I get winded just going up the 3 flights of stairs to my apartment, let alone going to the gym. Not only is staying in shape and watching excess weight gain important but it is also connected with how smoothly your labor will go barring any medical complications. I've said before that labor and delivery is like a race you have to train for and that's how exercising fits in. Preparing your body and stretching those muscles is SUPER important.

Exercises to try:

• Butterfly sit: sit on the ground against the couch or the wall. bring your feet together like a butterfly and gently press down on both knees to help you pelvis open and stretch
• Hip Sway: either while standing or on all fours, sway your hips back and fourth
• Squats
• Stretching towards the sky:extend your arms and whole body upwards, as if you are reaching for something on the top shelf. 
• Prenatal Yoga: either find a gym that offers it or you can find plenty at your local library
• Cat stretch: get down on your hands and knees and arch your back towards the ceiling. Then do the opposite and a cat as though you are trying to touch the floor with your belly. DO NOT LAY DOWN FLAT ON YOUR BELLY! 

         Currently I am walking when the weather permits and getting outside with the dog is fun too :) As I have past the halfway mark it is progressively getting harder and harder to do things but the goal is to keep pressing on and always remembering to rest when I need to. Rest is as important as exercise during pregnancy. Because when that baby comes sleep will become an after thought.... or at least that's what I'm told. :)   

Childbirth Prep: "You're planning on what?!"

 When talking about wants and desires for childbirth it's always important to remember not everyone has the same views as you do. Every person you talk to has a different experience, scary stories, and why it was the hardest thing they've ever done.

I have started reading a book by Robert A. Bradley, M.D. called Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth. In the world of natural childbirth this method is widely spoken on and referred to as a go to guide. From checklists for each stage of labor to Dad’s role in coaching thru contractions and labor pain, everything is covered and discussed in detail.

“Building better, deeper, and more trusting communication skills with your partner in preparation for a drug-free childbirth.” (Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth)

                The first few chapters have been talking about how animals, when giving birth are instinctual in knowing how to give birth. Why would there be any reason that, as Human Beings, we cannot learn to be instinctual and birth our babies in the way God created our bodies to; to treat birth as a normal physical process and not a medical emergency.  He also heavily touches on the point that being prepared in all aspects of birth is essential. You do not run a marathon without ever warming up, or training. It is the same with giving birth. You must train your body in preparation for the huge job it is going to do in birth your baby into this world. And that is exactly what birth is: A Job. Not an emergency. Birthing my baby boy has become significantly less scary to me once I grasped this concept.  It makes so much more sense now as I am researching and learning more about it.

                This book is written so well it is hard to put down once you start getting into it. This is great information that is presented in a realistic and factual standpoint. Dr. Bradley gives you all the tools you and your support team (mainly my Husband) need to approach the birthing experience with a more calm and insightful outlook.  I can’t wait to share as I learn on my journey to achieve a more natural birth.

Scripture of the Week: February 9, 2014

Becoming Parents is not something God wants us to fear or be anxious over. It is a privilege and a gift that should be celebrated! I only pray I am up for the task God has presented in front of me. This verse reminds me that HE is prepping me for this new journey.

“For God has not

given us a spirit of fear,

but of power and of love

and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7

Scripture of the Week : February 2, 2014

My Scripture this week comes from Psalms 29:11

"The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace."

This past week, while hectic and busy with church, work, and other activities, has had me pondering on the fact that God will never give us what we can not handle, nor will He give us strife when it is His will. He provides a peace when we are given an answer that is different than we expected.

The View From My Hook: The Start of Another Journey

We are having a BOY!  
                 Ayden Lee Barker
My Best friend Jess is helping me document my Pregnancy and the journey through photography. Come check out the pics she took today!


The View From My Hook: The Start of Another Journey: 

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." - Henry David Thoreau I love pictures. I love taking the...