bury & discover

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Anna Clementine and Florence Willow

Hello lovely readers! My babes are 10.5 weeks and I am finally writing a post about their birth.

... On Thursday morning we found out the babes were coming tomorrow, 26 July. They were ready to meet us and enter the world. Those 24 hours were an emotional journey and I see them as a labouring of sorts. You see, my babes were born via C-section. It was difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that I would not be able to deliver them naturally as my heart was set on birthing naturally since I was aware that I would one day have babies. To me, it was a fundamental part of my being a woman.

During my pregnancy I embarked on a journey (or mission?) of the possibility of birthing twins naturally by speaking to many experts, doctors, and mid wives. As it was both a first time pregnancy and twins the general consensus was that it is not possible. I initially resisted, convinced that it was just the default response in South Africa, a nation with a high rate of elective Caesar Sections. However through my journey I learned a lot and came to accept that the safest way to bring my twins into the world in this context, was by an elective Caesar. As it turns out, both babies were breech which gave me added faith that this was exactly how they were meant to be born.

Their birth experience was still pretty magical. Although there is a lot of inspirational content out there on natural birthing, I could not not find much on C sections. However, I read about the fulcrum on The littlest blog and was inspired by the mindset which she had drawn from a book on hypnobirthing, that made her birth such a wonderful experience (read her full birth story here).

"soon it will be time for the baby to become it's own separate person. one cycle is ending and, immediately, another is beginning. what has been called 'labor' is that in-between experience...the fulcrum...that small, short period of time and space between the baby's two worlds.

with your mind's eye and your inner senses, mentally and emotionally feel yourself joyfully, totally aware and participating. see it as already accomplished. listen with your mind's ear to that first sound of new life.

the life force of nature is working in harmony with you. now more than at any moment in your life, it is within you and with you. you are a part of the greatest celebration of life."

With these thoughts in mind I was ready and full of excitement as the sun rose on their birth day. I think of that day and fill with emotion and wonder. My husband and mom were right by side supporting me. Meeting my babies, and finding out we had two little girls, was the most incredible moment of my life. We were so blessed that the babes were a good weight so they came straight to me and never left my side. The three days in hospital were a blur of new mama love and getting to know our two new family members.

And now I can't believe they are 10 weeks already. I am looking forward to sharing tales of mamahood and twins with you.

xoxo

Happy weekend. If you are South African then you will know the world stops on Saturday at 5pm for the all important rugby, I am going to have some twin girl time during the game, jealous? I know you are! What are your weekend plans? I am counting down until the husband gets home, 3 more weekends, which means I am fully embracing Cheska-time at the moment. Nails, nieces and other nice things. Have a good one.