In September 2020 I was due with in my second child, I am also 36 years old which means I am considered a "geriatric" pregnancy. With my first pregnancy (Click Here to Read my 2018 Birth Story) I drank the red raspberry leaf tea, ate the dates, and took primrose evening oil when I turned 37 weeks. On the day I turned 39 weeks I did acupuncture and the next day I went into labor and had a fast labor being my first (7 Hours Total) with no medical intervention at UCSD La Jolla Jacobs Center. In the second pregnancy, I waited till I was 38 weeks to drink the red raspberry leaf tea, eat the dates, and took primrose evening oil and had my first acupuncture session at 39 weeks and 2 days. Baby's head was down and I had my amniotic fluid checked and everything is giving me the green light to go about another non medical intervention labor. I am by all means no medical professional, but I do know based on the advice of my midwives that I should wait to have acupuncture till I was full term and 39 weeks. I had acupuncture 3 times during my 39 weeks and on the third time, Friday September 25, 2020 I went into labor!  

I went for my acupuncture appointment on Friday September 25 in the afternoon and my labor started that evening. Right before I went to bed around 11pm, I felt the need to go to the bathroom really bad but I couldn't go and my husband smelled a weird odor (.... and no it wasn't gas!!!). I went to bed to relax as it was already hard to go to sleep with the extra weight. Thankfully my mom was here at the house already as she helps out on Fridays to take care of my 2 year old. My water broke in bed at around 11:20pm, it was a big pop and gush just like how my first labor started with Kenna. I was wearing depends, so thankfully that saved the mattress. I ran to the bathroom to check my PH strip to verify it was indeed my water and not pee. It wasn't soon after my water broke that my contractions started and they were coming in strong and fast! I was tracking my contractions on the app I had downloaded on my phone and they were about 3 minutes and 30 second a part. I called the midwifes at UCSD to let them know I was coming in. Thankfully our bags were packed and ready to go, my contractions were getting intense very quickly and I had to time myself to get down the stairs.  We got in the car and were on the road at 11:40pm, being so late in the night there wasn't any traffic and we live about 20 minutes from the hospital. We got to the hospital at midnight, and because of the covid pandemic we had to check in for a quick screening before entering the hospital. My contractions were getting closer and I was ready to get into the tub at the birth center. By the time I was checked in and I entered the birth center room (I was in the room next to the one I had with the first baby) they had to do a rapid COVID test and had to swab my nostrils which was very unpleasant and a bit painful and unfortunately I also had to wear a mask during and throughout my labor. As the tub was filling up, I was having a very hard time coping with the pain, and because of COVID the hospital wasn't providing nitrous oxide (laughing gas) which really helped take my mind off the pain during the first labor. At this time it was about 12:30pm, my husband just got back from parking the car, my midwife asked me if I wanted to be checked before I got into the tub, and I agreed. I laid on the bed, and my midwife told me that I was 9cm and in transition. There was no need for me to go into the tub at this point, I turned around on the bed and a few minutes later I felt the urge and need to push. At 12:40am Kira Genevieve was born, my labor was an hour and 20 minutes from when my water broke at home. I am glad we left right away because if I didn't I am pretty sure I would have delivered the baby in the car. My umbilical cord was very short, in fact, when I went to put the baby on my chest the cord snapped and blood got everywhere! Thankfully we are all healthy and safe. We weren't able to save the cord blood like we wanted but we did manage to keep some of the cord tissue to grow stem cells (Click Here for information on CBR and Cord Blood Banking). 

In Western medicine, it is common to have membranes sweep to help induce labor.  Stripping the membranes involves the doctor or midwife sweep their gloved finger between the membranes of the amniotic sac to separate from the uterus which stimulates prostaglandins. I did not want to go this route so I researched ways to induce labor naturally.

I want to give a big thank you shout out to Tao Suk Oh at Mission Valley Modern Acupuncture for jump starting my labor. 

If you are in San Diego and looking to do Acupuncture, Modern Acupuncture is located in Mission Valley and Del Mar. Its $29 for your first initial Session. 

Photo Credits: Michelle Mattox Photography & Design

The primary regulator of newborn sleep is frequent nourishment. Infant Sleep Cycles: Lots of light sleep & wake easily between cycles. In the few weeks of life baby will sleep 15-18 Hours per Day. Baby sleeps in utero 20 out of 24 hours. Babies who typically have long stretches of awake time during the day (3+ hours consecutive) appear to have more disjointed sleep and short  sleep stretches. Babies who sleep beside their breastfeeding mothers wake up more often through the night but mothers get more overall sleep. 

Professional Views on Bed Sharing:

• http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/e200
• https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/t0112-safe-sleep-babies.html
• https://cosleeping.nd.edu/
• http://www.attachmentparenting.org/infantsleepsafety/

These are my favorite go to items for newborn sleep based on this book and sleep training philosophy:

Arms Reach Clear Vue Co Sleeper sits next to my bed side so baby has a designated area to sleep in. Plus it has tons of storage to store diapers, burp cloths, breast pump and other items that make it easy to access next to me keeping baby in that sleepy state for middle of the night feedings and diaper changes.

Sound Bub White Noise Machine provides a handful of relaxing white noise sounds such as ocean waves, and rainfall, and also acts as a bluetooth speaker to play music such as Nuryl  a high information music app that promotes brain development.

Night Nursing Light is a dim soft glow night light that clips to your nursing bra for nighttime feedings. Also has a vibration timer for 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes that will keep you alert so you don't fall asleep during late night feedings and keeps track of how long you were nursing. 

Owlet Smart Sock 2  tracks your baby's heart rate and oxygen levels while they sleep using clinically-proven pulse oximetry, and be notified if something appears to be wrong. The Smart Sock connects to a base station that glows green letting you know everything is okay, but uses lights, sounds and app notifications if heart rate or oxygen levels are too high or too low. Parents can sleep better and have less anxiety knowing they’ll be made aware if levels go outside of preset zones.

Coconut Water is great for hydrating and for breastfeeding. Keep some in a water bottle on your nightstand to keep hydrated and is packed with potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, vitamin B, and phosphorus. It’s known for its soothing effect on the digestive system and its active support of a well-functioning immune system. 

Lactation Cookie Bites this recipe from The Baker Mama are no-bake and are perfect for a nursing mom or anyone who needs a healthy, hearty, handy boost of energy. Making a batch of these cookies and keeping a couple next to the nightstand for night time feedings are a good idea too. 

Tranquilo Mat  soothes baby in the crib, stroller, or on the go by vibrations.  The large mat provides hands-free soothing when placed under a baby on top of a mattress, hard surface, or activity gym. 

Swaddle Blankets that are adjustable for girls or boys to create a womb-like feeling for newborns and prevents startle reflex. 
These adjustable sleep sacks have soft fabric wings that fasten securely with hook and loop attachments to create perfect fit for summer or winter. 100% Premium cotton that are lightweight and breathable. 
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