Why a Home Birth?!?

This is pretty long but I would love for you to read on...several people have asked about Kevin and I deciding to have our baby at home. So I'll post it here for time's sake. When we got married we had already talked about home birth vs hospital. We decided that we would have the first baby in the hospital since it would be the first and we wouldn't really know what to expect. However when we got pregant earlier this year the conversation came up and we decided we wanted to look into home birth with this baby too. So we began researching the pros and cons to both. We also feel God put another couple in our lives at just the right time who were planning to have their second baby at home in the spring. We quickly decided we wanted our baby to be born at home. And thus began a rather unconventional pregnancy. Our friends recommended a doctor and midwife to us and I immediately called. We saw Dr. Dott at 7 weeks and talked to him for a long time about us having a home birth. As a medical advisor he definitely stated the risks of doing such but also was completely ok with us planning for that if I stayed low risk the entire pregnancy. He then recommended a midwife that he has worked indirectly with and said he would follow my prenatal care if we used her. So I called her and we started our prenatal care with her at the beginning of the second trimester. We saw Debbie the most but I would go to Dr. Dott here and there so he would know things were still progressing well. It was amazing for me to see the different even in the prenatal visits with Debbie and Dr. Dott. Don't get me wrong...I loved Dr. Dott. He was so open to our decisions and encouraging that things will be fine. But to go to the office I felt like another number. At Debbie's I felt like I was a something important and that my baby was the best thing in the world.
The pregnancy went extremely well. I stayed low risk and my only complaints were those that are perfectly normal for pregnancy. At 37 weeks I had to have our house ready to go for the birth. Debbie and her two apprentices, Christie and Tia, came to the house and checked everything out. We were officially ready at that point.
And now that we have had the birth at home I can honestly say I would never do it any other way. There were plenty of skeptics that I talked to and told our reasons. Working in the NICU I was definitely given plenty of "Are you crazy?" looks. It was like people thought I should know better. My outlook though was I know too much. I have seen births in the hospital and that was not what I wanted for my baby. Not to say hospitals are bad or to have a baby in the hospital is bad. Every person has different priorities. Kevin and I wanted very certain things with our birth. We wanted our baby to come into the world in a very dim, warm room. We wanted to have the freedom for me to move around and do whatever I wanted during the labor. We wanted the baby to be born into my arms and not leave until I was ready. We didn't want the cord to be cut until it was done pulsating. And the list goes on. Sure I know several of those can be accomplished in the hospital but there is an urgency there to assess the baby on the warmer, clean the baby, etc. Not to get too graphic but our birth went exactly how I wanted it to. Our midwife was planning to let me "catch" the baby but Ayda came a little too fast so she caught her and immediately handed her to me. I also didn't have to have her on my back with my legs up and people screaming push at me. Once she was in my arms Christie checked her heart rate real quick and then left us alone. Ayda came out screaming so we knew the lungs were fine. I then moved to the bed and waited for the cord to stop pulsating. Once it did, Kevin let my mom cut the cord. Then I was able to let Ayda go straight to the breast which she did great. I was with my baby skin to skin for about an hour before they even suggested doing an exam. They were in no hurry since she was bright red/pink, breathing fine, and eating. Kevin was able to do skin to skin as well for a little while until the exam. Then I got up and took a quick shower and Christie helped Kevin get Ayda dressed and when I got back to bed she came straight back to me. And from there we were left to rest as a family. The three of us slept for about an hour but were alone for three. No one checking me, no one coming to ask questions. It was so peaceful. And since it has been wonderful to be home as I recover and Ayda gets used to the world. Breastfeeding is going so wonderful and we got a great night of sleep last night.
I know about complications that can occur but I felt the whole pregnancy and labor that Debbie had so much experience she was watching for everything. I never once worried about what if something goes wrong. We were truly blessed to have a wonderful labor (though extremely painful...I won't deny that) and delivery. So to sum it all up, the whole experience was driven by Kevin and me, not the doctors and nurses. We made decisions as we felt were needed and what was best for me and our baby at that time. We let it be a truly natural process instead of a medical procedure!
Sorry this is so long but in order to fully explain the journey we just took I can't leave out these details. I will gladly tell more as I chat with you but I thought I would put this up to share our experience. I will never forget the moment my precious daughter was born into our room with candles lit and soft music playing. The song playing when she was born was "A Household of Faith" sung by my music minister at the church I grew up in. And as we got situated in bed "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong came on. God was truly in that room as we were introduced to our baby. I would not trade that for anything, especially the fear of "what if" something goes wrong. Our family was well taken care of and I am so thankful!
Those of you who were praying for us we greatly appreciate every one lifted up. The prayers were certainly answered!!!

Pictures!!!

As Promised!!!

Introducing...

Ayda Grace Lin!!!! I'll start first by apologizing for no photos quite yet! I will do my best to get them downloaded tomorrow and up on the website. However I want to let you know our little miracle arrived this morning at 815!!! She weighs 8pounds4ounces and is 21 inches long. A bit bigger than I expected but she is stinking cute! And as I wished the entire pregnancy she has a head full of black hair!!! So far she has shown us quite a personality. Not much warning when she wants something so we quickly try to figure out what it is she wants. She is super cuddly as she is snuggled with Daddy right now. The labor went beautifully and Kevin and I were shown so much about our Lord, community, and each other. I could not have gone through that without him or the Lord. And the prayers of our community meant the world to us and we felt them. So now we have the amazing opportunity to rest in the comforts of our home and recover from a long night. We truly value everyone's support, encouragement, prayers, etc. We can't wait for everyone to meet our little girl! And pics will come soon I promise!!!

An update on...waiting...

Ok so it has been awhile since I last posted. Perhaps because I was hoping there would be a little one to introduce you to. But the little one has decided my uterus is a perfectly fine home and is staying put. I hit the 39 week mark yesterday so really I have one more week to go before officially being able to complain. BUT the 38th week proved to be quite uncomfortable and the 39th has not been any better. I am just praying the baby comes before the due date for my sanity but I am losing hope with each passing day.
So on a different note, Kevin and I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving here in Altanta. My brother's family came into town and it was so nice to have so much time with them. Usually our time with them and the kids is a quick day trip to Biringham or they come here for a visit and kevin and I are busy with previous obligations and can grab dinner. This weekend we had two full days with them. My youngest niece even let us play with her which was such a treat (she is usually glued to my sister-in-law's hip)! We followed tradition on Friday and mom, allison and I hit the mall at 5AM for some Black Friday festivities. Yes, at 39 weeks pregnant and no sleep I let the tradition live on. There was some hidden motivation that maybe all the walking would send me into labor, but instead I was completely exhausted and had swollen ankles at the end of the day!!! We had fun regardless! Then Saturday Kevin whipped up another one of his famous Turkeys!!! It was so yummy! So overall the weekend was wonderful and we are truly thankful for so much this year! Hopefully soon I will have pictures of our latest addition to the family!

A Day in the Life...

So I have been thinking about Baby Lin's daily activities. Also more than that getting to know the little personality in there. Working where I do I know for a fact babies have personalities VERY early in utero. Ours has already shown his/hers to Kevin and I. And it is funny to see a couple different traits resemble those of Kevin and I's.
Like Daddy: HARD sleeper and laid back
Like Mommy: Um...stubborn (ie. Baby pushes his/her foot out and I push back...baby will pull it in till I take my hand away and then push that foot right back out. We have gone back and forth several times!) and quite obedient (trust me)

So a day in the life of baby Lin is as follows...
Most awake time is in the morning. However if I am going to work the baby kicks a couple times first thing, more in protest, and then goes back to sleep for a couple hours. So he/she flips and flops for the morning. Then right after lunch Baby takes another nap (BUT can easily wake up if someone touches my tummy or I rub my tummy). Then in the evening is Daddy time most nights. He/she loves to hear Kevin talk and have his hand on my tummy! It is quite entertaining to see my stomach move like crazy. I swear he/she knows when he is around!!! And then around 10 or 11 we both head to bed. Once I get settled in the baby takes a few minutes to do the same by moving all around. And then, like Daddy, there is no waking this child up. Hence the fetal scope! I can get up to go to the bathroom and change positions a million times and not a single movement from within. Before the fetal scope I could even poke and prod and still nothing. Until around 6 or 7, then I feel the little foot that loves my liver kick out to announce all is well in there! So as I enjoy these last few weeks of our daily routine I am also anxious to see the personality shine when Baby comes on out! I fully believe there will be similarities!

Just Waiting...

Well Kevin and I feel like we are just waiting for our little one's birthday! I am 36weeks which meaans as of next weekend we can deliver at home!!! It's hard to believe that I am "full term" in one week. Time has actually gone by pretty fast. I am very ready to have the baby though and finally meet him/her! And I have the count down to no more work going as well...6 MORE DAYS!!!! I have decided I have nested all I can at this point as well. And I even caught my yearly cold this week so hopefully that will be behind me when the baby comes! I must say it is not fun being sick and pregnant at the same time. My energy is zapped! In the meantime Kevin and I have enjoyed fall so far. We went to the pumpkin patch, carved our pumpkin, picked apples, and are enjoying the cooler weather (me especially!)
The first picture had to be included because it is my new favorite toy!!! Our baby is a good baby...sleeps great at night. However, he/she was freaking me out everynight because nothing I did would wake him/her up. I would poke, pat, wiggle, etc. So of course at 4 in the morning I am a little worried. Finally I might get a little thud...probably saying "mom I'm fine...let me sleep!". I told our sweet midwife and she was gracious enough to lend me her fetal-scope to listen to the heart beat! Perfect fix!!! So now if I go several hours without feeling anything I can just listen for the sweet sound. In the meantime Kevin just rolls his eyes and says "let the child sleep. we want the baby to sleep at night don't we?!?!". Anyway so there is my new toy!!! And the last picture is of the nursery! It's ready for baby!!!!

Been Awhile

Well things at the Lin house have been pretty busy as usual. Kevin started 13th Quarter a couple weeks ago. His class load is not bad but the hours are weird. I can't keep up with where he is each day. We are so excited though that he is so close to being done! We met when he was in 2nd quarter...time has flown! I have been working extra at work. Figured might as well while I can. My energy is slowing slipping away again though, but NOTHING like that beloved first trimester! Baby Lin seems to be doing great as well. Always twisting and turning. Our midwife told us a couple weeks ago he/she is head down as well! Relief for me! And the nesting has begun! I am anxious to get everything clean and ready for the baby. Our apartment complex was nice enough to even clean our carpets this week for free!!!! That was amazing to a 32 week pregnant woman! And I'm getting ALL the stuff necessary for our home birth. Boy the list is lengthy but will be SO worth it when we welcome our precious one into the world in the comforts of our home! So we are chugging along!
I also picked up a new hobby...knitting! Although my mother and husband think I am WAY too young to be doing such a thing, I beg to differ! There are tons of people at work close to my age and younger that knit. It is a great outlet and I'm making a blanket for our baby. It is looking good so far. Pics to come when it is done!
Below are some pics of Kevin and I picking apples in North Ga. We went up with some friends and had a great time picking them! And the others are us with my best friend's baby! Nathan was born 4 weeks early but is doing great. Kevin and I love him so much and can't wait for Nathan to meet his cousin!!! So this is long enough...I'll check out for now!