With baby number 5, I went to my first prenatal appointment around 13 weeks, after waiting for my referral and then another month for the next available appointment. 
 
I was thrilled to get that first peak at baby on the dating ultrasound, and it was equally exciting to see a much more developed ultrasound image than the typical first ones that look like an abstract bean- a lovely bean, don't get me wrong...
 
Nearing the end, the tech was taking some notes and making some marks. then, I went to see the midwife and do the rest of the appointment. 
 
The midwife mentioned the placenta was circumvallate, which was an "irregularity." I left, feeling great, though still nauseous, and went about my day.
 
Later, I remembered that strange word the midwife mentioned and decided to google it to learn more. That was a bad idea...
 
When searching for "circumvallate placenta" across the internet, you'll learn that it's a rare condition where the placenta curls away from the baby, which can lead to poor nutrient transfer, preterm birth, excessive bleeding/hemorrhaging, placental abruption and potential death to mom and baby. 
 
I was paralyzed with fear! Was my doctor doing enough? What could actually be done? If something went wrong before 20 weeks, then there was nothing to do to save the baby, but should I be preparing for a preterm baby? Birth defects due to lack of nutrients? 
 
I just wanted to scream:
SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO!

I decided to not announce my pregnancy until 20 weeks, in case something happened, I didn't want to be bombarded with questions, and I waited in pins and needles for my next appointment.
 
I finally had another ultrasound at 23 weeks, and guess what? Placenta looks great. The tech didn't think it was circumvallate anymore, but the ultrasound needed to be reviewed by a doctor. Baby is doing well, though on the smaller 35th percentile (uncommon for me). 
 
The reason for this post is essentially this: if you've been diagnosed with a circumvallate placenta, take a deep breath and let those worries go.
 
I wish I didn't worry so much about something I had no control over. I spent so much time fretting about potential complications that haven't happened, and reading through forums of other moms, it seems most people are diagnosed, read WebMD, totally panic, then eventually realize their worry isn't needed.
 
The midwife's term of "irregularity" sums it up the best. The placenta is different, or appears different in shape. For me, it seems to have adjusted- though medical personnel will say it doesn't do that and was falsely diagnosed. I'm not sure what the actual deal was, I just know that I was totally panicked for months about every little ache or pain, kick, or lack of kick, and it was simply fruitless and ducked the joy out of the beginning of this pregnancy- so my advice is to not do the same but embrace the irregularity, and your precious bundle of joy growing within you!
 
Have you been diagnosed with a circumvallate placenta? I'd love to hear your story in the comment section!

Learning to correctly form letters and practice penmanship can be one of the most tedious parts of the early learning process. Inspiring children to want to practice their handwriting is half the battle! We recently checked out a unique handwriting practice book that offers some creative ways make writing fun! Handwriting Practice: Reusable Letter & Number Tracing Workbook features a spiral bound book with letters etched into each page for easy tracing and comes with a disappearing pen to make this product fun and reusable with multiple children! 




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My [almost] 5 year old loved tracing the letters and then waiting for the ink to disappear, it made her writing time exciting and the etched letters made the task simple while muscle memory was being built!

Similar products could be found on apps like Wish, but the shipping time took weeks and many complained the product was too small. This handwriting practice book solved those problems, bringing the book to your door swiftly and at a reasonable price!

On top of covering the traditional upper case and lower case ABC’s, the book features number practice and tips on how to implement proper posture for your students.  It’s colorfully illustrated, thorough, and easy to use for your smallest learners!

My daughter completed this page multiple times, and there is no ink residue left over!

​If you have a student who is in need of a fresh and fun approach to handwriting, consider checking out Handwriting Practice: Reusable Letter & Number Tracing Workbook on Amazon, and let the fun begin!
 
Have a great week!
Alex

It's been quiet around the blog for a few weeks, which is normally a sign of exciting things brewing! One portion has been the decision to launch a "birth with faith" zoom call for mom's curious or looking forward to a supernatural childbirth (see some beautiful supernatural childbirth testimonies here!) !  Inspired by Jackie Mize's book, Supernatural Childbirth, expecting mom's curious about the concept of supernatural childbirth can learn about the premise of birth being redeemed by the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross. 

Since writing Re:Birth in 2017, I've been blessed to  pray for expecting mom's who are looking for God to do more in their births, from birth without pain to quick and peaceful births, I've kept a prayer calendar of due dates to surround them in prayer as their delivery approaches!

Prayer requests have increased and I've noticed groups of moms, all anticipating supernatural births with due dates close to one another, so I wanted to invite them to join in a time of fellowship, prayer, and testimonies to encourage each other! The calls will be a time of questions, encouragement, prayer and testimonies and organized based on one's due date! ​

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If you'd like to join in, please fill out the form below with your contact info and due date!

     While writing Birth in Blantyre, I was able to connect with so many wonderful people and hear their stories, concerns, and victories. One mom took the time to share her three birth stories with me after learning about Re:Birth and felt that God had given her miraculously short labors. I love her birth stories because they break a "birth stereotype," where women feel like labor will be long... because it's labor!

     That simply doesn't have to be the case. I've shared before about praying for a three hour labor with my first baby, and being 9 1/2 cm dilated after three hours! During my last birth, I only experienced 40 minutes of regular, peaceful, contractions!

     Martha shared: On my first birth it took me about 6 hours after signs of labour. And the other 2 just within 5 minutes of going to the hospital. 
 
    "[In Malawi,] whenever we are at home we feel that we are in labour pains. We go to the maternity ward reception whereby the midwife gets our details and checks on the cervix. If they see that you are in the first level of your labour they admit you and they keep on checking you till you get to stage number 8 whereby they know that you are in the last stage of your labour. That is if you find a good midwife. Sometimes you find a midwife who is inconsiderate when she sees that you are on the early stages of your labour she can even ask you to go back home and come back when  you are going to the last stage of labour.

     I don't know what actually happened to me. It just happened that these two kids I feel it was by God's grace. I just felt my back sore around 7am and when I went to the toilet only to see that I am in labour. I told my husband that i was not feeling alright and he said ok as.he was getting prepared I could feel that It started to be very painful  By the time he finished it was around 7:30am he took me to the hospital and while I was in the car I felt that the baby was already on its way.

     I remembered the moment he stopped the car I was the first person to.get out of the car and I run to the maternity ward and get straight to  bed.  The midwife asked me to go.to the reception I told her that I feel the baby is on its way. She immediately got her gloves and checked me only to see that the bay was coming. And she just asked me to push then the baby was born by 8am.

     And my last born daughters birth was also a very quick one. It was also in the morning around past 7 when my husband was getting ready to drop my boy at creche.  I told him that I could feel a slight pain and he asked me if he could drop me to the hospital first I said no he can drop the boy to school. The moment he left I felt the pain was unbearable. I asked my sister to go to my neighbours house and ask if the neighbour can take me to the hospital. By then I was expecting my husband to come back from creche after an hour. The neighbour came and take me in his car. That time I couldn't sit upright because I could feel the baby was very close. When my husband came back he was told that we already  left for the hospital. He just followed us to the hospital  When we get to the hospital the hospital attendants run with the stretcher and let me lay there. The midwife asked me to sit upright when we got in the hospital i told her that I lt  won't be possible since the baby is close Then she rushed to get the gloves to check only to see that the baby was really coming.  She asked me to push again and immediately the baby was born. Thats how I experienced the labour. "

     I love how Martha knew her births were "by Gods grace."  Her words remind me of Eve's when she remarks, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man." (Gen. 4:1). God is with us at every moment during labor and delivery. He already knows the next moment- so there's no reason to fear! 

If you're looking for more positive birth stories of God's goodness, check out Re:Birth!

Blessings, my friends!