My Water Baby :: Children and Parenting

> Children and Parenting > Pregnancy and Labour

My Water Baby
by author Lauren Plaviak

I was squatting for four hours in what I consider "hard labour." Suddenly something gave way. A curly little head burst into the water and I looked down to gently stroke the tiny tranquil face. With a sigh of relief, I gave one last push and my son’s body gracefully emerged into the full tub of warm water. No part of his skin was exposed to trigger the breath reflex.

According to research, a "water baby" may not even realize it’s been born and can continue a peaceful existence underwater for up to 10 minutes. I had planned to embrace such a moment, but excitement overwhelmed me. I scooped my baby up and held him in my arms as he cried with all the strength he had. My mother (a licensed practical nurse) and sister-in-law, the only two present, were both in tears as we stared at this wondrous gift of life. He quickly settled, nestled softly in my arms–Kyro Alexander!

After my mother and I checked for normal colour and reflexes, I gave my son his first pellet of homeopathic Arnica 30X (and decided to take a dose myself). This would rapidly alleviate any bruising and muscle strain that may have occurred during the labour and birth. I checked the cord, which was still vibrating with life-giving blood, then carefully reclined back in the tub with my new son relaxing peacefully on my chest. My mom put his little cap on, lay a light receiving blanket over us, and turned down the lights.

Thinking back, the many years of optimal nutrition and the aid of herbs and homeopathy throughout pre-conception, pregnancy and birth were well worth it.

My story began while I was living and working in Kenya. The rewards involved with teaching children made me realize the emptiness in my own life: I was 31 years old with an incredible career life–nothing more, nothing less. My partner was a Kenyan man who knew how much I wanted a child. I had been preparing myself unknowingly for over a decade. Health does not simply begin at conception and end at birth. It’s a lifelong process.

Preparing the Body

1 2

Next Page >>>

Lauren Plaviak has been a researcher, writer and health and wellness consultant for the health industry since 1989. She lives in Regina, SK.

Source: alive #227, September 2001

Post-Delivery Pick-Me-Ups
When you give birth, you'll probably find that along with joy, your little bundle brings a few months worth of fatigue with him or her! Remember to keep taking the same high potency multivitamin and minerals that you were taking during pregnancy--with breastfeeding, you need them more than ever.

Healthy Pregnancies Naturally
It's the last month of waiting for our mums-to-be! As the anticipation builds, our mums are feeling tired--but ready. Here's our bi-monthly check-i.

Victory Over the Baby Blues
Victory Over the Baby Blues Despite the joy felt by the birth of a precious little one, many women experience a period of despondency within days of this wondrous event.

Making Better Babies
Once couples learn the good news--they're pregnant-they usually scramble to make sure their lifestyle is as healthy it can be for the baby.

Homeopathy When You're Pregnant
Pregnancy, is a time of transformation. It is reassuring to know that, because the goal of homeopathy is to bring about balance and equilibrium, homeopathic remedies can be used safely throughout pregnancy.

Starting Life With A Midwife
I am a registered midwife and just a few hours ago I returned from a beautiful homebirth in a semi-rural home amidst the mountain landscape of the Fraser Valley, 20 minutes from a level two obstetrical unit.

Safe Homeopathic Solutions for Pregnancy's Problems
High quality prenatal care is the foundation for the good health of both mother and baby. This is achieved by combining the best of both orthodox and complementary therapie.

Optimal Nutritional Supplementation for Pregnancy
Pregnancy obviously results in an increased need for vitamins and minerals. Deficiency or excess of any of a number of nutrients can lead to birth defects and/or complications during pregnancy.

Midwifery
More and more women are having their babies by cesarean section. Is something wrong, and can midwives fix it? In Canada, overall cesarean section rates are close to 20 percent. In the United States, they are over 25 per cent.

Essential Supplements During Pregnancy
The preventive value of supplementation begins before a woman becomes pregnant. Deficiency in specific nutrients is known to put a baby at risk for birth defects. The best example of this is the B vitamin folic acid.

Nine Radiant Months
Whether it's your first child or your tenth, the worries of pregnancy can definitely affect your stress level. To assure your baby's well-being - and your own - it's important to take care of yourself to reduce stress. Stress affects the body negatively by building up toxins, lowering energy levels, and weakening the immune system..

A Father-To-Be's Guide to Pregnancy

Ease the Discomforts of Pregnancy

The Joy of Home Births
I can't lie-my family was nervous. When my sister announced her plans to have a home birth, we all had our own feelings about the situation. Will her baby be safe? What if an emergency situation occurs? What if the baby is too big?

A Naturopathic Foundation for Your Unborn Baby
It's exciting news: your progeny is percolating. Most women, upon learning of their pending motherhood, naturally become protective and pay more attention to providing their unborn child with a safe and healthy beginning.

The Copper Connection
Copper is at the core of normal body function. Without copper, we cannot form superoxide dismutase, the superpower of all antioxidants. Copper also helps our bodies create collagen, the protein that forms healthy joints and supple, young skin. And it has a role in helping our bodies store iron, a critical component of the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Eating Well-For Two
The earliest weeks of pregnancy are a critical time for fetal development. In fact, you'll need to start taking care of yourself before you even conceive in order to have the healthiest pregnancy possible. Nutrition will be key to helping you keep your growing baby healthy and safe while inside the womb.

Fish oil for eye health

Risk in pregnancy after dieting

Talking turkey safety

Enjoy the Ride
Pregnancy is a physical and emotional rollercoaster. In addition to weight gain, pregnant women commonly experience nausea, hemorrhoids, and heartburn. Natural treatment options can help ameliorate or even prevent these unpleasant symptoms.

Hale and Hearty
A beautiful bouncing baby is every mother's dream. With a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, you're on your way to fulfilling that dream.

Hanging Down Diabeties
This month's Research Watch examines the growing body of research linking a mother's weight before, during, and after pregnancy to the rising rates of type 2 diabetes.

Fertility
You've been trying and trying, but your dream of having a child just hasn't come true. Along with the longing to hold your own little one in your arms come some nagging questions.

Warm and Invigorating Cloves
Underutilized in the West, cloves have been used in Southeast Asia for thousands of years, and their powerful antiviral and antiseptic qualities are still regarded as a panacea for countless ills, including malaria, cholera, tuberculosis, and parasites such as scabies.

Supplemental Iron
Adequate iron is needed for optimum fertility, proper placental development, efficient oxygen delivery to the baby, brain development in the baby, and formation of iron stores for the baby’s first six months of life.