So, to give credit where credit is due…
My sweet as pie husband didn’t say a word when I bought a new set of nectar-scented candles for the upcoming home birth.
He didn’t bat an eye when I spent hours one evening downloading music for my Music to Birth By playlist.
And he didn’t even question the purchase of my gorgeous new labor nightgown.
He did none of these things even though he knows well that:
- I can’t stand having scented and/or flickering things around me while in labor.
- That anyone who dares to even whisper (much less plays music!) while I’m contracting will be severely punished.
- And that all sense of modesty flies out window once transition hits so my new labor and delivery outfit probably won’t get the play I imagine it will.
It’s true. I know, and he knows, that all this extra prep is probably unnecessary but I also know, and he also knows, that if I don’t do it (because what if?!?) I’ll be a mess for the next three weeks. (‘Cause as it is, I am completely chill.)
But anyway, apparently I crossed the line when I pulled out my brand spankin’ new essential oils the other night.
Which is just crazy. Who doesn’t need a fine set of essential oils to see them through to delivery?
Lavender for calming?
Peppermint for energy?
Clary Sage for stronger contractions?
Obviously must-haves.
Dan’s response? (And I paraphrase…)
“Really, sweetie? This sounds like a good idea to you?
- Here, honey, you seem a little uptight, sniff this lavender!
- Also, you’re not really bringing forth the energy I’d hoped to see from you, try this peppermint!
- And gosh. Those contractions just aren’t quite strong enough. Here! This Clary Sage will fix you right up!
Never going to happen.”
We’ll just see about that. ;)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Happy Sunday, girls!
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Ha! This sounds like me getting ready for my birth center delivery. I SO wanted essential oils, dim lighting, the works. Will was very sweet, but ultimately I think he knew (and I knew) that the thing I would want most from him was a hug, if I asked, sips of Gatorade with ice and help moving from point A to point B. And, above all, NO helpful suggestions. I have a feeling if I had heard “Honey, you seem a little uptight” I would have lost my ****, lavendar oil or no. .
Lydia recently posted..Seven Quick Takes-Weddings and Plagues
Don’t you just hate it when they’re right? ;)
Ha! This is me too-labor playlists for both births that I never used but they HAD to be done before I got to 37 weeks. I will say, however, that our doula used peppermint on a cold washcloth and waved it in front of my nose when I was nauseous. It worked almost immediately!
Kaitlin @ More Like Mary recently posted..Five Days with Paul
Thank you so very, very much, Kaitin! I am currently printing your comment out so that I can deliver it into the hands of my loving husband with a gentle, “I told you so!!!” ;)
This post was awesomely hilarious. And, if I know the Moxie Wife at all, I know a gorgeous nightgown, some scented oils, and a new candle will never go to waste.
Well, you have a point there. ;)
Tell you husband he needs to just sorta wave the essential oils in your face at the right time…and not actually *say* anything..just soak a cloth and kinda wave it there. When I hit hard labor/transition…the less said, the better. And,the lavender could be very useful afterwards for relaxing during breastfeeding. Peppermint and Sage have also been know to lower milk supply, so they could be useful if you ever suffer from oversupply or engorgement in the beginning (but not so good, if you are trying to build up a milk supply.)
Amelia recently posted..7 Quick Takes Friday..I’m Traumatized
Thanks for the tips, Amelia!
Lavender essential oil was amazing for me during labor and recovery. I used it while in pre-labor, in a bath, and then with a glass of wine was able to relax enough to sleep for seven hours, wake up and give birth three hours after that. I went through a whole bottle within two weeks after the birth – of essential oils, not wine. At the very least it smells good and helps me relax through a placebo effect, but I suspect it is something more. I hope they work well for you!
Sounds heavenly! I did add a few drops to my bath last night. Unfortunately, I didn’t wake up and give birth but now that you’ve told me this, you’d better believe I’m going to keep this routine up! ;)
I always get myself something new and lovely to put on after that first shower ~ just save it for then.
LOVE this idea! :)
My doula laid gauze pads soaked in clary sage oil around the tub while I was in labor (along with LED tealights) and it was HEAVENLY.
JoAnna recently posted..7 Quick Takes Friday – March 8, 2013
You gotta love doulas! And all joking aside, I do think my midwife, her assistant, and her apprentice will handle the dispensing of essential oils. If only to protect Dan. ;)
I had read Ina May’s book on natural birth and I had told my husband that she suggested mooing like a cow to help relieve tension during labor. He raised his eyebrows and asked if I was sure that I wanted him to moo to help me “relax” and I assured him that this would be the answer to all my labor pain problems. So during the first big contraction, he moos and I immediately respond, “Why are you doing that? Please don’t ever moo like a cow ever again!’ Sometimes poor husbands have to deal with the crazy! Hope you have a great birth!
Kathleen recently posted..Alive with Five…
Haha hallie!!!! That’s so funny! And you just might use those oils??? It might not be until after the birth to soothe but they’ll come on handy :)
All the oils I tried (which I was using to relax because I wasn’t supposed to go into labor with my transverse breech babies because I was supposed to have scheduled c-sections…but they decided to risk their own lives and come a day early) made me throw up. Jeff was trying to relax me so I wouldn’t do something stupid like try pushing in the car (and end up with a prolapsed cord or worse). So after the lavender made me retch, the peppermint to help me stop, gave me dry heaves. Poor guy, he was doing EXACTLY what I told him too.
Kristen @ St Monica’s Bridge recently posted..Small Things Making a Huge Difference
Oh! Can I just add my two cents?!
I DID use my labor playlist (hypnobirthing tracks) but didn’t use a gosh darn thing other than that this last time. I DID scream (to myself): “Turn this this off!!” I WOULD have screamed it to my husband. Except he was busy driving. And my sweet Amélie was born in the back seat of our car. *sigh* so much for birthplans!!! ;)
Maia recently posted..(Lack of) Perseverance
I’m still wondering, with home births, what you do with the other kids at home??? Do you quickly ship them off so they’re not traumatized by the screaming? I’ve often thought of it, and since our local hospital doesn’t deliver babies anymore, I might consider it, but… !
Martha I just had my baby last week, in the hospital, and four of my other kiddos (ages 6 through 9) were present for the birth. (Natural, no drugs, so they did see me in pain and in the throes of labor.) It really was not traumatizing for them, and they were thrilled to be there. I know not all kids are the same, and I admit I was a little nervous as to how it would go, but I am SO incredibly glad we took a chance and had them there to welcome their little sister into the world.
Brianna @ Just Showing Up recently posted..Checking in
ROFL!!!! Oh my goodness, you two are so funny. Thank you for this post. I needed a good laugh today. I just love your sense of humor (and your husband’s too).
That’s so funny!! My guilty pleasure approaching delivery was always numerous new white towels…’for the baby’ of course!! Best of luck xx
This made me laugh so hard!! Praying for you (and your husband)!
Amy Caroline recently posted..FF: 0.3 and some Salad Dressings
I remember being as Type A about my packing list and never touching a single item I had deemed essential. But it’s all part of the fun of nesting.
I’m excited for you! Keep your feet up!
Kelly @ In the Sheepfold recently posted..The Catholic Faith: This Is the Air I Breathe.
AHH! I’m so excited to hear about your homebirth! We delivered at the hospital for our last babe, but will seriously consider staying at home for our next, if God wills it. Luckily our hospital is extremely obliging toward momma’s birth plans, and I got to wear my birthing robe, sans hep-lock! It made a huge difference to be able to stay in my own clothes- it was a knee-length nursing tank with a matching light-weight cotton robe, which I took off during transition. Whatever may sound trivial to you now, may be just the thing that gives you enough oomph for the ol’ heave ho!
Carolyn @ 4life4life recently posted..5 Favorites Link-up #1
LOVE this! Heehee! I am one of those people who cannot STAND to be touched or spoken to while contracting, or after transition begins. And I remember our childbirth classes before our oldest was born, all the massage techniques they talked about, encouraging things for the support person to say etc.–suffice it to say Kevin found out real quick that, well, apparently not everyone wants those things. :) So excited about your sweet baby!!!
Brianna @ Just Showing Up recently posted..Checking in