Favorite Pictures of My Girls ~ Mommy Monday Link Up

Picking out my favorite pictures is easy.  I love them all.  They showcase personality, appearance, and all the little details that make up memories.  But this post would take hours to look through so I narrowed it down.  

Eleanor:

Mallory:

Mallory was a whole lot easier because at only a month old I don't have many 

My hope for labor

Welcome to the October 2013 Carnival of Natural Mothering! 

This article is a part of the Carnival of Natural Mothering hosted by GrowingSlower, Every Breath I Take, I Thought I Knew Mama, African Babies Don't Cry, and Adventures of Captain Destructo. This month's topic is Natural Birth Choices. Be sure to check out all of the participants' posts through the links at the bottom of this page.

I'm sure I'm not alone in saying this, but the term natural child birth bugs me when used in reference to not using drugs to ease pain.  To me the term that should be used, and the one that I do use, is un-medicated.  

The term natural childbirth to me means a vaginal delivery.

Baby isn't here yet (as of the time I'm writing this I am 39 weeks & 6 days), and while I wish she would be here when this post goes live, it's not going to be happening. 

I'd love to be able to go into labor on my own, without an induction and I'd love to be able to complete the process and delivery her vaginally without using medicine.  I don't like the idea of being stuck in a bed if I choose an epidural.  I want to be able to have the freedom to move around and labor in the way that works best for me. 

I'd prefer to use alternative pain management techniques such as a tub or hot shower, massage, walking around or using a birthing ball. 

From what I've heard, recovery goes a little better when you have an un-medicated vaginal delivery and as a first time mom already unsure what to expect I'd welcome any sort of relief I can get. 

So going into the (hopefully) final few days of this pregnancy, my goal is to go into labor on my own and deliver her without intervention.  Each day that passes though I get more nervous that scenario is less likely. 

As always though the ultimate goal is a healthy baby and if that means my plans change, I'm prepared for that as well.  I don't want to wind up disappointed that the birth didn't go the way I hoped. 

Bloggers, visit GrowingSlower to sign up to be a part of next month's carnival.