Top Reasons to Choose a Midwife Over an Obstetrician

Having a baby is an exciting time for new moms. However, there is a lot of care you and the baby need during this time. While the most obvious choice for your prenatal care may be an obstetrician, there are many reasons to choose a midwife.

Longer Visits

Choosing a midwife San Antonio moms can expect longer visits. You have an opportunity to really get to know the person caring for you during this time. You don’t have to worry about leaving the appointment with unanswered questions because the doctor rushes to see the next patient. The midwife spends quality time with you to help calm your fears and increase your understanding.

Location Options

The vast majority of doctors only want to deliver in a hospital. This limits the locations you can give birth to your baby and the manner in which you labor. A midwife may work in a hospital, birth center or even your home. This gives you multiple options to choose from, allowing you to find the one that works best for you.

Natural Birth

If having an intervention scares you, a midwife may offer a better chance of having a natural birth. They can help you avoid medications during delivery by offering other coping mechanisms. They avoid intervening unless absolutely necessary. Unlike most doctors, a midwife is more likely to be there throughout the labor, helping and guiding you.

Style Preference

Some moms simply like the style of midwife care over that of an obstetrician. You have a higher chance of having the pregnancy and birth you want with their diligent care. They work with you rather than dictating the best things for you.

Low-Risk Mom

A midwife is not the best choice for every mom. Women with low-risk pregnancies can benefit from the care they provide. The midwife helps you stay healthy throughout the pregnancy. You must choose the right practitioner for your pregnancy and health.

Zoe's Milestone

I was quite busy awhile ago putting placing alphabets on the wall. That's what I did when Chloe was a baby. This time, I'm doing it for baby Zoe. I always believed that if you help your child, the more their young minds are practiced at an early age. I've exposed Chloe to reading alphabets, books and pictures suitable for babies and now I'm applying it to Zoe. Young as she is, her mind is already working. At 4 months, baby Zoe knew how to flip pages of the book and now, it has become her hobby. Sometimes, I don't mind if she tears some of the pages for I made sure to give her old books anyway ;-) But there are some instances where she can get a new book and oh well, I can't do anything about it but repair it afterward.

Baby Zoe is already 1 year old and 1 month now. She learns how to balance and can walk up to 4 steps only. Some of the babies may learn how to walk before they turn 1 but am not so worried about this for every child has a different developmental stages. I will only be worried if she doesn't know how to talk when she reaches the age of 3!

Zoe is a happy baby and am glad she's not that hard to take care unlike my first, hehe. If not feeling cranky, baby Zoe will sleep in her crib by herself. But of course I check on her from time to time to make sure she's safe. And oh, she's quite big for her age, perhaps because she's not a picky eater. She loves to drink water also, which I'm glad for she's not a constipated baby unlike my eldest.

I'm just posting here the latest update on Zoe. Her favorite playmate is her big sister and I really like see them play. I don't mind the shrieking, at least I know my baby is healthy, happy and okay (",)

Baby Girl Zoe at 1 yr & 1 month

Zoe's Progress

When baby Zoe turned 6 months old, she made a lot of progress in her milestone. She's now starting to crawl by trying to slide her tummy and use her knees to push herself forward. But most of the time, she pushed herself backward :D :D And I don't let Zoe sleeps beside me at bed at night anymore. She's safe on her crib, safe from mosquito bites and safe from fall especially now that she rolls so fast.

She still wakes up at night to ask for milk but at times, she sleeps thru the night and wakes up at 5 am. This is where Chloe and Zoe differ for I remember Chloe slept thru the night when she turned 4 months old and woke up only to ask milk the following morning. But every child is unique so I'll just enjoy every moment of it.

Zoe is starting to eat her solid food, too. Starting last Monday, she ate Cerelac Rice and Soya flavor 2x a day and so far she loved it! I'll be feeding her this flavor for the whole week and next week, I'll let her try another flavor.

But what I am happy about her in new development is that I don't carry her most often these days. Before, I used to carry her until she's asleep but right now, she sleeps by herself in her crib. But there were times when she wanted me to carry her for awhile until she's contented, then I put her back on her crib and then she sleeps. I am so glad for this progress!

Zoe At 4 months

My baby Zoe turned 4 months last November 12 and boy she's getting heavier! I've been following doctor's order to reduce the scoop of her milk during nighttime coz she's way above her ideal weight. I hope she won't get that fat but I don't want her to look thin, too. Some times, she's such a good girl and it's easy for me to put her down to sleep. But there were times that she's so cranky that my shoulder ached after carrying her for several times for several minutes. Sometimes, I thought I might get paralyzed, hehe...kidding, though ;-)

But no matter how tired and messed up I've been after carrying her, my heart would just melt everytime she looked and smiled at me. It's hard to resist her. I really treasure this moment but still, I look forward for her to grow a little bigger where I won't be carrying her that much, hehe. I guess you moms out there understand how I feel :-p

Baby Zoe @ 4 mos with her cake bought by her grandma

Music Is Good For Babies

As I am writing this blog, my baby Zoe is fast asleep while listening to my classical music collection. I always believed that music has a good influence on babies and has a powerful effect on their emotions and intellect. I have researched before that music can affect the way a person thinks and it's possible that babies grow up to be musically-inclined. I've read, too, that when a child is exposed to music earlier, it can help improve their reasoning thus they are good in solving a puzzle. I find it quite true because this is what I've experienced with my eldest daughter, Chloe, who is now 7 years old and is very musically-inclined and not to brag, but quite an achiever at school.

But of course, I don't rely in music only. Encouragement and follow-up matters. We have to motivate our kids so that they will continue in excelling where they're good at. Once we know that they are good in that certain aspect, we don't stop but continue to check on them, praise them and guide them if needed. Music may influenced them but if it's combined with our love, care and understanding, then our kids will have a balance or stable emotions, reasoning and inter-relationship skills.

I am sharing this hoping that other parents or parents-to-be will get something out from my experience. Even when I was pregnant with Chloe and Zoe, I listened to music because I believe babies can hear it while they were still in my tummy. Sometimes, I placed a headphone in my tummy for them to really hear the music that I wanted them to listen.

Just make sure that you don't let your babies listen to noisy or loud music because it might damage their hearing. You can also sing lullabies to the babies because it can somehow soothe them. I also let my kids listen to Psalty's Praise and Worship songs. It's really great for them and they will learn a lot of good things out from that collection since it's a Christian music. I've noticed that Zoe stopped being cranky if 'Amen, Praise the Lord' is being played. Perhaps it's her favorite song =)

Cranky Zoe

Zoe was quite cranky yesterday. After I fed her milk, she was still crying. I tried giving her more but her tongue pushed it out. I thought she might be a colic baby but she had burped and even released some air *><* I decided to rock her coz she was a little bit sleepy but she was restless. I kept changing to different positions until I, myself, got tired. I decided to put her on her crib, but her cries became louder. I transferred her to our bed, still she cried. I let her be... at the same time, I tried talking to her... And she listened and looked at me. Then, she smiled...

It was like magic, because her smile released all my stress. I got energized again. I felt for my baby as she was so helpless for I don't know what she wanted me to do with her. She was responding to me, as if she understood what I was trying to say. She do like this for several weeks already, talking something to me and I answered as if we were conversing. After that, my most awaited part finally came - she fell asleep!

I guess she was just feeling cranky before going to sleep. Babies (or even bigger kids!) are like that so we, parents, should be more understanding and patient about it. I am just thankful that she's fine and healthy and nothing serious has been noted.

Zoe's 2nd Month

Ate Chloe and Baby Zoe

My baby Zoe Ysabella turned 2 months old last Sunday, September 12, 2010. Well, she's getting bigger and a bit heavier now. She can see us from afar, and slowly turns her head to look for us. She's very attentive when we talk to her and she usually responds, as if she understands what we are talking about (she sounds like a cat purring, hehe). She still wakes up at dawn but so far, she sleeps a little bit longer now compared before. Her pediatrician said that about 3months, she will sleep at night for a long time and I can hardly wait for that to come!

On her second month, we just did the same thing as before - picture taking :D My MIL bought a cake because Chloe called her to buy it for her baby sister :-) See pics & video below:

Morning of September 12, 2010

short video of Zoe

Baby Update

Hi guys! Was missing in action again :p Actually, I've been visiting my blog almost everyday and I have so many things to share in this blog until everything's mixed up in my head and in the end, I don't have anything to write, hehe. Well, I'm quite busy doing the mommy thing. My baby, Zoe, is already past her first month and she's really keeping me busy. I've to wake up about 3x from midnight til morn to feed her and put her down to sleep. I'm trying to catch up with my sleep, too, and that's why I rarely do blogging or surfing in the evening coz I'm very sleepy when the clock strikes at 8 or 9 o'clock --- I easily dozed off... However, taking care of the baby for the 2nd time is manageable unlike my experience with Chloe that I ended up looking like a zombie. This time, it's easier but I now have a problem with my weight especially on how to get rid on my flabby tummy :-( My doctor says I've to wait for about 3mos to return to my pre-pregnancy form but I'm doubting it... Guess I need to back it up with exercise and lessen my food intake because I really love to eat these days, hehe.

Sharing to you some pictures of my little ones:

Chloe with newborn Zoe

Zoe's 1st month (Taken last August 12, 2010)

Safe At Home

There's no class and work today because it's National Heroes Day. But we just stayed home. We have not yet bring Zoe anywhere apart from her appointment with her pediatrician. Same with Chloe, I don't bring the baby out if she's not yet baptized and less than 3 months. It's just our practice. I discourage bringing the baby to the mall because she is still susceptible to any illness. She still has plenty of vaccines to receive. I can only bring her when we go to church then go home. Perhaps when she's about 4 or 6 months old, we can bring her anywhere with us as long as we don't stay out for long.

Ready For Birth

(From Chat Time With Mommy Cookie)

I have already packed most of the things needed at the hospital. I am now set for a C/S operation this coming Monday, July 12. I pray I will not get sick so that my schedule will proceed as is. My first pregnancy was okay until on the date of my delivery. I had a terrible labor which lasted for several hours and I had no sleep at night at all. Obviously, I don't have that power and strength to deliver my baby naturally. It turned out that the baby was too big for me and I only progressed up to 2 cm only. My bag of water did not even break and I had only spotting for a few days before my due date.

This time, I have already conditioned my mind that I will be on C/S again. The advantage for this is that I can choose which date I want to give birth and I will not undergo another terrible labor again. Besides, my pregnancy this time was quite different from the first. I had placenta previa on my 5th-7th months so, natural delivery is not anymore my option. The disadvantage is, C/S is much expensive and will take me a few days at the hospital before I can come home. Plus, I have to endure the pain and take care of the scar again...

Well, this is it! I have barely 3 days left and I'm gonna be back at the operation table. Pray for me then, for my safe delivery and for a normal and healthy baby. Oh, the doctor still stick to her findings. The gender of the baby is a girl and that made my big girl, Chloe, to be very happy...

Few More Days To Go...

I have few more days left before I am sked for C/S. Currently, I've experienced Braxton Hicks contraction, a mild cramping. It's actually a false labor but quite a discomfort. My husband, who was away for more than 3 weeks now for his training in Manila, will arrive on July 10 and I will be admitted to the hospital on Monday, July 12. I have also prepared things that I needed to bring at the hospital and I hope everything is in place now... I'm on the nesting stage, too. I love to sleep anytime of the day... except during hot, humid afternoon! But other than that, I love sleeping :) I guess it's just a natural phase for any pregnant women to experience this especially on the last trimester. I guess this is it for now. I hope to post pictures of the baby in here after I give birth.

Just a favor: please include me and the baby in your prayers, will yah? Thanks a million for that ;-)

My Last Prenatal Checkup

Re-post from my other blog

Since I was not able to see my OB-Gyne last week, I had my prenatal checkup today. My father-in-law drove me to the hospital and as usual, my daughter Chloe tagged along with me. My daughter was always present in my entire checkup and I'm also happy that my doctor tried her best to answer my daughter's questions. It seemed that today is my last prenatal checkup with her and we will see each other on July 12, my schedule for CS. I'm glad that my cough and cold subsided but I was warned still not to drink anything cold (darn! - can't take that) so that I won't be coughing or get sick during my operation. The baby's heartbeat was good and the gender of the baby was still the same - a girl :D. The baby's position was cephalic but lies oblique that's why I find the baby heavier on my left side than on my right.

I was already given an order or admission slip, and I was asked thoroughly this time about my previous experience with CS. They will be the one to notify my pediatrician, too, so I think all is set now. I'll just wait for another week and I'll finally get to see our new addition to our family. Chloe is very excited to see her baby sibling, too. She's been choosing names for her sister and we highly considered it. My husband and I both knew that we should give attention to our eldest daughter considering that she's been an only child for almost 7 years! We expected that she will somehow regress when she sees her baby sibling but we want her to feel that she is still loved and cared by us even when the baby comes out. I know this is quite a big challenge on my part, to be able to provide equal attention to both my kids. But as long as I'll show them how much they mean to me and how important they are, I guess everything will be alright.

Chloe will turn 7 comes July 18 and I was asked if I want the baby to be born on that day but I declined. I thought about their feelings in the future. I want them to enjoy their own day and to celebrate it in a special way. Some may say it's costly in celebrating 2 birthdays in a week but who said I will celebrate it that way? I can still have a joint celebration for them (if I'm saving :D) but what is important is that I have their birth dates separated. As I've said, I want them to enjoy their day :D

Malling Is Tiresome...

We went to the mall today and bought Chloe school shoes. It was quite difficult to find her size because her size is big for her age. Finally, we settled for Gibi shoes. I hope her feet won't grow that fast so that her shoes will last until next year. We bought few things for the baby, too. I would have love to stay a little bit longer there and bought more things but my bulging tummy was too heavy to carry that I ended up sitting at the bench whenever possible. Malling/shopping is very tiresome for me these days...

My Current Status :-)

The reason why I am a bit lazy in blogging and bloghopping these days is this:

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This is my current status right now and I'm on my 4th month already ;) Hope you'll bear with me because I prefer sleeping and reading, hehehe.

Whatta Week!

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those who dropped by and left comments on my site. Thanks also for your warm wishes on my birthday and on our wedding anniversary. Despite the fact that the weather was rather bad this week (it rained non-stop and parts of the town were flooded), it was really nice to hear from friends and your greetings were one of the best gifts I received that day. After I did my 8-hour duty at the hospital on Monday, I had a terrible migraine. When I arrived home, I took a shower and went straight to bed to rest. My mom bought me a cake (because Chloe was expecting a cake since she knew it was my birthday!) and my husband bought additional viands and we had a typical dinner at home. Actually, my husband and I decided to celebrate it on a weekend with both our families. But when Saturday came, due to some circumstances, we ended up having dinner in some restaurant with only the 3 of us ;)

A bouquet of flowers from hubby; A Birthday Cake from Chloe (courtesy of my mom ;p) & Chloe's greeting to her mom & dad

Chloe sang a Birthday Song to me! I love you very much, Chloe!

And here's the week-ender, the birth of my nephew, Clark Ken. It's my older brother Kenneth's 1st baby. I posted last December that my sister-in-law, Anna, was hospitalized but, thank God, she and the baby were safe. Last January 16, Anna gave birth via C/S since the amniotic fluid was already about 5cc. Anyway, what's important was they were both safe and the baby was perfectly healthy. Welcome to the world, baby Clark!

Chloe Alexandra

I married at exactly 27 years old & gave birth at 28…For me, it was just the right time. And my bundle of joy came just at the right moment! Some of you moms would agree with me that pregnancy is not that easy, but at the same time, it’s a wonderful experience. The craving & the morning sickness (though I’m very lucky not to have experienced those!), the back aches, the changes in your tummy, the Braxton hicks..oh! I love those kicks my little one gave me when she was inside my tummy.

But the most beautiful of all was when I finally got to see her! Although my labor pain was really terrible…and in the end, I delivered her via caesarian. But it didn't matter, 'coz what’s more important was that I got to meet her.. and I could really say that my labor was way more painful than with the surgical procedure I went thru, or maybe I was just too excited to see her.

My baby girl was born at last! She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. After being given a dose of anesthesia for me not to feel pain & for me to sleep, my doctor was surprised to see me still awake. She let me see my kiddo, even as I was still lying in the operating table…She was such a beautiful sight to see. She was already asleep & was kept warm, I took note of her pinkish cheeks and counted her little fingers & toes. Thank God they were complete, hehe. She’s truly God’s greatest gift to me! I couldn’t hide my tears, I just couldn't believe I was finally seeing her. She was really a sight to behold!

Chloe Alexandra Teves Orteza…my daughter, my life and my love. I’ll always be here for you.