I’m taking a small detour today from handmade goodness to talk about something that I am passionate about– Healthy Mothers and Babies. Did you know that very 90 seconds a woman needlessly loses her life in pregnancy or childbirth?? And 80% of these deaths are preventable.
I am proud to be a part of ABC News’ Million Moms Challenge. If we find 100,000 people who sign on to the Million Moms Challenge, Johnson & Johnson will donate a total of $100,000 to several of the biggest NGOs helping moms and babies throughout the world. I think that is worth talking about!!
Last month I shared the premature birth of my daughter due to Preeclampsia and she was able to meet her grandpa. I know that without the great medical care I received that I would not have survived that pregnancy. This month I am sharing the over-due delivery of my oldest daughter and how my perfect birth plan did not happen at all the way I expected!
Here’s a little excerpt:
My second pregnancy was going perfectly as planned and I was thrilled when I discovered I was having a girl. I had made a birth plan, my mother was coming out two days before I was to be induced to help with the new baby and to help care for our almost two-year-old son. Plus my husband had asked for time off from work.
I went into my last doctor’s appointment confident that everything was turning out exactly as I had envisioned. My mom was scheduled to fly out the next day and I would have a baby within the week. Then things started to go off the grid. My doctor informed me that he didn’t think my dates were right and he wondered if the baby was ready to be born. I had a strep test and it came back positive for Strep B which meant I needed to have antibiotics before the baby came. And I also needed an amniocentesis to find out if my baby’s lungs were developed. What???
Hop on over to Million Moms Challenge and read what happened next. And while you are over there — I’d love to know what went through your mind when you held your baby for the first time? By replying over at the Million Moms site, you will be entered to win an exclusive Million Moms Challenge Gift Pack, which includes an iPad2, a custom-made Million Moms Challenge pendant and a $50 donation in your name to Global Giving.
xoxo
My birthplan was to have a 100% natural childbirth. That all changed at 27 weeks when I had an ultrasound with my new doctor and he told me that my amnio levels were dangerously low and I was to be on bedrest ASAP. Goal #1 was to make it to 29 weeks. My daughter was delivered prematurely via emergency c-section when her heart rate dropped DANGEROUSLY low. The thought that if I had continued to stay with my midwife and not getting by 3rd ultrasound until 33 weeks like originally planned turns my stomach. Thank God for modern medicine.
Jen I am so glad you did this! I thought it was over with! I’m going to share my birth story too! I love your sweet down-to-earth ways. Always a good spirit and vibes when I come here! You are amazing!
Such a great cause to bring attention to! Knowledge and education are such valuable resources to share with pregnant women on these risks that CAN be prevented.
Thanks for bringing attention to this cause. I almost died when I had my son. I spent a week in Intensive Care, completely separated from my son. It was the scariest week of my life. Unfortunately, in my case, it was doctor error, but even with amazing doctors out there, people don’t realize how often things can go wrong in childbirth. Even in today’s day and age. Thanks again for this post!
Lindsey from babiesbooksandsigns.com
Thanks for your comment Lindsey! I’m glad everything worked out for you, but it sounds like it was a scary time. We are so lucky to live where we have modern medicine. I’m glad you and your son are ok!!
xoxoxo
Jen
So scary!
I guess neither of my deliveries went like I thought they would. The first one was scary.
I had no idea that every 90 seconds a woman dies like that! 🙁
I know, I didn’t realize that women and children still die in such high numbers and it’s so sad that most of the deaths are preventable.
Love you girl!
xoxo
Jen