Every precious baby has their own story about entering this world. This blog is about my journey to becoming a mother to Matilda. I have so much admiration for the healing and therapeutic powers of essential oils, they have been incredible for supporting me through my pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery. Armed with the right mix of oils to help me emotionally, physically, and mentally, this is my story.
I looked back at the delivery suite as I was being wheeled out, it’s a scene I’ll never forget. Being a small country hospital, I knew the clean-up was left for my midwife Amanda. I felt for her, it was Friday night, she had been on her feet for hours, and I knew she was already working overtime.
My husband dutifully helped me clean myself up. He added 4 precious drops of Lavender and Frankincense, two beautiful healing oils into the diffuser. The ability of these oils never ceases to amaze me. Within minutes I was calm and relaxed as I fed Matilda for the first time. I also had a wonderful mix of adrenaline and excitement for getting to know our new baby girl.
I attended to my newborn through the night. I was so exhausted from the birth. I slept so well that when I awoke to Matilda’s cry’s, it took a few seconds to remember that I had a new baby. I gingerly got out of bed in the morning. I applied Balance to my feet and self-administered 2 drops of Copaiba under my tongue, I was in pain. I fed Matilda and gave myself a few minutes admiring her before preparing myself for my first little visitor, the new big sister Maisie!
The day was spent learning how to breast feed again. I had forgotten the challenges that come with teaching a new baby how to feed. I pondered that for something so natural, how could it be this hard? I had forgotten about the after pains of my uterus contracting with each feed. I had Clary Sage in the diffuser to help me regulate my hormones and to encourage my body to start milk production.
Our visitors that day were mostly family, and they all delighted in meeting Matilda. It was such a special time of celebration. It took my mind away from my battle wounds. It was so beautiful to see our baby bring so much joy.
The next few days I was well looked after. My doctors talked me through the events that had unfolded. As it had turned out, having an epidural was a blessing in disguise. A manual placenta removal wouldn’t have been possible without one. I was blessed to have the fast actions of the right doctor and anaesthetist. I was grateful for the time they all took to debrief with me and offer support. I had 4 nights in hospital.
Amanda was on duty when I was discharged. This midwife had led me through my labour, delivered my baby, and even taken our first family photo. She embraced me as we walked out the back door. And that was it. Tears consumed me as I said goodbye to this beautiful woman. And they continued as we headed for home. Was it those crazy hormones kicking in, or the baby blues perhaps? I felt silly. Saying good bye to my midwife was hard.
A woman, as long as she lives, will remember how she was made to feel at birth. Anna Verwaal
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