I know I’ve not done well at keeping this blog up the past while…it’s been a busy summer! I had a baby of my own in June, which I will have to post about sometime soon. Being a mom has been a blessing and a challenge! But I came across this article, and wanted to share it:
http://erinmidwife.com/2011/03/31/if-i-were-at-home-i-would-have-died/
Enjoy!
I thought some of you readers might be interested in looking at the following links….
Here’s an excellent article by ABC news that gives some good statistics about home birth and birthing options:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/cdc-home-births-rise-us/story?id=9998349
And here is an interesting video regarding the development of the new idea of a “family-centered Cesarean”. If you had to have a C-section, it would be lovely to have it happen this way! Just a note, it does show details of the C-sec surgery:
Enjoy!
I realize that I have not written any posts for a very long time….and for those of you who have contacted me the past while, I feel like it’s about time to let you all know what has been going on in my life. It’s been an eventful past few months, to say the least!
On September 11, 2010, I had the special privilege of becoming the wife to Joel Martin, who is from PA. God had brought our paths together a little more than a year before then, and through an amazing journey led us to marriage after a courtship that began in January of 2010.
For the first few months after our wedding, we felt God’s leading to stay in Kansas for awhile in order for Joel to learn to know my family better, and to help ease some of the new adjustments for me. God answered some specific prayers concerning work and housing, and we enjoyed the time of connection with friends and family in my home area. In November, I had the fun opportunity to be a doula for a friend, and thus be able to participate in another birth.
Welcome to little Isaac!
Later in the fall, we we all excited to find out that a little one of our own is on the way…followed by many weeks of severe nausea and vomiting. Not exactly the most enjoyable way to spend our last few months in KS, but yet it makes one thankful for days in which I actually feel good. 
The end of December found us packing up and preparing to move cross-country. We arrived in Joel’s home area of Juniata Co, PA just in time to see the new year come in, and are continuing to unpack, settle in, and adjust to our new surroundings. We have a sweet little home, and Joel is busy teaching 6th-8th grade at the nearby Christian school. The adjustments haven’t been easy, but the longer we are here the more it feels like home. I miss all of my dear friends, family and former clients from the mid-west, but we look forward to seeing what God has in store for our future together.
I still plan to continue posting, though since I don’t have a practice up and going here yet I hope to post helpful links and information as I come across articles and things. I’ve updated my contact info, and we are now hooked up with internet and phone service again, so if you’ve wondered why I’ve been hard to reach, you know why.
Blessings on each of you in this new year!
Okay, I know it’s been forever since I’ve actually posted on this site, so my attempt now is to try to bring you all up to date with what has been going on in my life these past months. It would probably be easiest to do it in several shorter posts, so I’ll start with photos of some of the summer babies….
Kyler Maine
Sweet little Kyler was born in June, and after giving us quite a scare by her reluctance to breathe on her own, she is doing quite well. Her older siblings were delighted to have a baby in the house again!
Isabelle
Isabelle arrived in July-her mama was a real trooper! She has continued to grow into a beautiful girl, and I so enjoyed the time spent with her parents.
Jazmin
Little Jazmin came in August, being cooperative enough to wait until AFTER I had major wisdom tooth surgery and took a quick trip to PA. We were grateful for God’s timing in her delivery, and it was extra special to deliver this sweet bundle, as I had delivered her big brother close to two years before.
Here are Brandon & Jazmin & myself, when she was two days old.
Well, that should bring folks up to date with babies….and future posts will contain some other interesting, updated information about my life!
Alright, I finally have more detailed information regarding this summer’s childbirth education seminar. This all-day class will cover topics such as prenatal nutrition, exercise, explanation of the childbirth process, tips for couples on how to work together during labor, positions and comfort measures for labor and birth, suggestions on writing a birth plan, and much more! There will be opportunity for you to ask questions, meet other couples who are sharing similar experiences, and learn together about the miracle of birth. Designed especially to help those planning a natural childbirth, this class will help you to better understand and prepare for your upcoming birth from a Christian perspective. I strongly encourage couples to attend together, as well as any other support people who are planning to be present at your birth.
In order to enable the best concentration and involvement, please make other arrangements for your children, with the exception of nursing babies.
When: Saturday, July 10th, 2010
Schedule: 10am-Noon, break for lunch-we suggest you bring your own, as there aren’t many restaurants close by, 1pm-3pm
Location: the home of Heidi Nisly, cpm ~ 9101
W. Red Rock Road, Partridge, KS 67566
Cost: $75/couple (note: for those using Gentle Delivery Childbirth Services, this class is included in your total fee)
A workbook, drinks and snacks will be provided for your enjoyment!
Taught by Kelsey Hobbs, CPM
Please register by July 5th in order to ensure availability of materials. Feel free to call if you need more information or have questions. Email: gentlemidwife@gmail.com ~or~ phone: 316-253-0099 Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might be interested!
Just wanted to let you all know….I’m planning to teach another childbirth class seminar on Saturday, July 10th. There are a few more details that are in the process of being figured out before I give you all more info, but go ahead and mark your calendars and let me know if you are interested!! Feel free to let others know, as well! email: gentlemidwife@gmail.com
Greetings from Kansas once again! I had fully intended to do better at keeping this blog updated over the past few weeks, but due to a variety of reasons that didn’t happen. It was one of the most exciting Central America trips I have taken…and I am so grateful for God’s protection, care, and faithfulness. There’s too much to say in one post, so I’ll try to write more about it in a later post as well.
I left KS for Guatemala back on May 8, a bit earlier than planned, as the baby that I was going for was making signs of appearing sooner than expected. Usually, when going to that spot in Guatemala, I would need to fly into Guate City, take an overnight bus up to the northern Petén area of the country, catch another bus to head 4 hours to the town of El Naranjo, and from there catch a ferry across the river and drive another half hour or so, or take a boat from that spot….alot of traveling, to say the least! But since we felt time was crucial, I had the fun privilege of getting flown up to the town of El Naranjo by James, a pilot who works for the mission. This eliminated hours of travel, and after leaving KS at 6:30 am, I arrived at the destination that afternoon around 4 pm.
View of Guatemala City from the small plane's window
The plane on the small runway in El Naranjo
It was lovely to be back in Guatemala with some of my dear friends there! As we waited on baby’s arrival, I enjoyed time catching up with them, and getting a further glimpse of their life. A few days later, we headed out to a small town about 4 hours away, where we stayed awaiting the birth. This allowed us to be within half an hour of a hospital should complications occur. Little Alex José arrived on May 19, after a lovely first-time labor. One of my good friends, Ashley, who works as a nurse in a nearby clinic, was my assistant for the birth, and it was a special treat to get to work with her!
Little Alex a few days after birth
His first Sunday!
I ended up staying with Alex’s family for about a week after his birth, going with them back to the little village where they live….then when I tried to return home, things got interesting, as a result of several natural disasters that occured the weekend I tried to travel….but more pictures and those stories will come later!!
In closing, a big thank you to all of you who were praying for me, and kept in touch. It was an incredible opportunity, and dream come true to spend the time in Guatemala helping with a delivery!
Well, after several weeks with no posts, I have decided it’s time to sit down and actually write something to let you all know I’ve not dropped off the face of the world! Life has been speeding along at a rapid pace, as I know it has been for many people, and I keep thinking that I will write…
Yesterday finally saw the arrival of a very big boy that we have been waiting on for several weeks. That is one reason I’ve not written-I kept thinking that we would have a baby announcement to post! But this little fellow wanted to take his good ol’ time. We are grateful for his safe arrival, and glad to be able to see him on the “outside” at last.
At the moment, I am busily trying to wrap things up around here in order to be ready to take off for Guatemala this weekend. My intention in going is to help a missionary family with the birth of their baby. I’d appreciate your prayers for safe travels, and for God’s hand to be over us as we anticipate the arrival of this new little one! I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone…could be two weeks, or up to five…so it’s a bit challenging to have things taken care of back home for an unknown amount of time. It makes me grateful yet again for for wonderful midwives in the area who help me by covering and providing quality care for my clients that are left behind in my absence. So, if you contact me this month by phone, and wonder why I’m not answering, know you will know what’s up!
I know this is a rather interesting conglomeration of topics, but I figure I might as well catch you all up on several different areas. However, the best and biggest event going on in my life right now will be announced soon, so stay posted for another new announcement within a week or so.
Alright, in closing, I have to let you know that my friend and fellow midwife, Heidi, has started her own blog. It’s beautiful, and will give you more information about the services and care she offers. Check it out! www.createdforpraise.blogspot.com
While I’m giving you other links, if you are looking for a midwife in the Tulsa, OK area, you might want to check out the website of another friend of mine, Faith Morie. She has spent the past 8 months or so working for a midwife in Isreal, and is now back in OK getting her practice started. Pass her information on to anyone you think might be interested! www.borntobelovedbirth.blogspot.com
May you enjoy this beautiful day to the fullest!
First, I have to mention that I am still excited about the special birth I had the honor of assisting with early yesterday morning. It was one of Heidi’s clients, and after much prayer and anticipation, we were thrilled to witness a lovely VBAC-it was a beautiful birth anyway, but the fact that it was her first vaginal birth following a c-section with her first pregnancy added an extra-special dimension. I barely made it, with only 20 minutes or so to spare!
Now, I’m excited to finally have pictures to post of a birth that occurred back in January. This mama had a photographer there, and has generously allowed me to use some of the photos in order to share her experience with others. Thanks, Kristina!
So, for those of you who enjoy pictures, or are just curious to know a little more about what a home birth looks like, here you go….
Mom was laboring in the tub as the birth was getting closer, with her support people and myself surrounding her
Doppler and other supplies sitting nearby
My dear assitant, Heidi, stands ready to lend a hand when needed, as an aunt peeks in to check on progress
Heidi charting progress as the labor continues
This mama worked beautifully with her contractions, allowing her body to relax and open
Baby Z in mom's arms just moments after birth
All snuggled up and meeting various family members
I begin the newborn exam, while Heidi charts in the background
Footprints
Heidi and I after everything is finished
Mom and baby enjoying some time together
We had a lovely first-time birth yesterday…8 1/2 lb. baby boy born after only 2 hrs. and 45 min. of labor! I’m grateful my assistant Heidi made it in time, as she walked in the door with only 10 minutes to spare. Praise the Lord for His answered prayer, and for a safe delivery!
Aren't newborn feet just adorable?!?
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