This is the first picture we have taken as an official family. All week the doctors needed to monitor Sol's birth weight, so we were not able to see him except for occasional visits. This was hard.... but now we are all together for good.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Labor and Birth Day
Now that one week has passed, I figure it time to post this story for our blogger goers:
March 19, 5:30am, awake to water breaking... This is what my belly looked like then!!
At 10am March 20th, they administer small doses of oxytocin to increase natural contractions. By 1pm, I am in full labor.
First touch: they honored us by placing the babies directly on my chest after the birth. But after delivering Sophie, there was still a baby to go! The emotions involved in this were unexplainable...
This experience has been more than we could have ever asked or prayed for. Seeing the Lord come through this to BLESS us has been overwhelming. To think that we didn't even have a doctor or hospital up until the Monday prior to delivery! Amazing...
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I count it pure joy...
Just a short update:
I just returned from a two hour "baby" class at my new hospital. Obviously most of the information was much of what I've already heard and have begun to prepare for, so I'm feeling ready and excited for when the day comes to deliver these little ones. After the class the midwife took us on a tour of the labor and delivery area, showing us the rooms and the facility. Needless to say, despite it being a city hospital, the accommodations are small but clean and relaxing. At the end of the tour, I was introduced to the head nurse and again saw my doctor, Dr. Yokota. She told me that even though natural births of twins are very uncommon in Japan, she is excited that we have decided to choose to have one and has a huge team of doctors and nurses on call for the "event". She also assured me that she lives close to the hospital and is ready at any time for my phone call, day or night. The head nurse told me that during her generation, natural twin births were common and now they are not. She thanked me, because this will give the younger generations of nurses and doctors an opportunity to see one. All I could do was smile as we left the hospital. Everything is lining up more perfect than I could ever imagine. But isn't that just like our God??
Monday, March 15, 2010
Protecting our values...
So much to tell about this week.... this crazy week of emotions and unknowns. Please forgive me for what could be a lengthy entry...
Our previous blog post was of the clinic that we have been attending for the past three months here in Japan. Before coming to this country, Ray and I were specific about our birth plan: without judgement on any other's choice of childbearing, we passionately wanted a natural deliver, no drugs, strictly breastfed, etc... We wrote these requests out in Ray's contract, knowing that the Japanese culture is very different in their birth approach, but the Lake Stars assured us that all of our wishes would be granted. For the past three months, we have met with the doctor of the clinic in the last blog post. He also confirmed our wishes, but each appointment he would remind us that there was always a possibility that we would have to use medicine or have a planned c-section. We headed his warning because we trusted his word and his experience.
About a month ago during a routine appointment, Ray and I were looking at the ultrasound and we clearly saw our two babies heads down. When the doctor took the ultrasound monitor off, he stated to us that our babies were not well placed for a natural delivery, that one of them was transverse (sideways), and he would need to recommend a c-section. Ray and I asked him to show us what he was talking about, because we had seen something different from him, but he told us to just wait for the next appointment.
Our next appointment we met with one of the "midwives" on staff to go over any questions we may have and to plan out the next month or so. A midwife here is very different from back home: they basically are nurses that have no ability to make decisions apart from the doctor, and thus follow any order the doctor gives. During this appointment, the nurse handed us a plan for a possible c-section, but didn't offer any plan for a natural delivery. She also stated that we would be looking at a scheduled c-section at the beginning of April if the babies did not both go head down. She also said the doctor had suggested that I get put on medication that would prevent me from going into pre-term labor. Finally, she said that it was routine to supplement the babies with milk (not breast milk) and glucose during the first few days because they risk losing weight and getting dehydrated. We told her that a slight loss in weight was normal, and that we would like to have the babies latch on directly after birth. We literally firmly discussed this with her for over 10 minutes before she backed down. Needless to say, this entire appointment rubbed Ray and I wrong, so we decided to write out an amendment to our birth plan that we would not compromise on:
1. Natural labor and delivery, unless a medical emergency
2. No medication of any kind, unless medical emergency
3. Strictly breast feeding, no supplements of any kind given to babies
4. Ray can attend the birth and stay in my room, and any and all changes to this plan MUST be passed through him or I.
To make this very long story shorter, last week we met with a staff member of Lake Stars and went over our concerns and new plan. He supported us wholly in our desires to make this what we wanted it to be, and met with the doctor the following day. After the meeting, he said the doctor was on board with our plan. Which leads me to this past Friday...
Ray was out of town on a road trip. Before he left we prayed specifically that the Lord would give me strength as I went to my appointment Friday night. We thanked the Lord for the confidence that He has given both of us that we are indeed okay in fighting for something like this. We prayed that both heads of the babies would be down- that the doctor wouldnt have any excuse. When Ray left of Friday, I was prepared.
Friday night I went to my appointment. I am now 35 weeks and feeling like these babies could come at any point. He did a routine ultrasound, and what I saw was two heads down. Again, however, the doctor said that BOTH my babies were transverse, and he also said that the weights of the babies were so different that he could only do a planned c-section. (He wanted to plan the c-section because he could then plan to have more people on staff. He is the only doctor of the facility, and if there were an emergency, they would have to transfer one of the babies to the nearest hospital.) He also tried to again put me on pre-term labor meds. But my confidence kicked in.
For the first time I asked him if there was any chance of having these babies delivered naturally. As he avoided my question deliberately for nearly an hour, it finally came down to him being unable to tell us that he was too nervous of the possible risks involved with a natural birth, that the only thing he would be able to do is a c-section. I thank the Lord that my heart found mercy, because all I wanted to do was scream as to why he hadn't admitted that to us earlier...
SO, I left the clinic in tears, wishing Ray were closer and wishing I were in the USA, but also with utter confidence that something would present itself. I spent that night and all day Saturday making phone calls to the women I know around here, presenting them my case. Nearly 15 clinics and hospitals were called on Saturday, all with the same information: they couldn't intake me at the late date of 35 weeks (the cutoff was 34!!), or they couldn't deliver twins naturally (I came to the conclusion that natural twin births are not taught in medical schools. The only procedure that is taught is cesarean). The only lead that came from Saturday was a possible hospital here in our city. They told us that I must come in on Monday or they couldn't take me.
Monday: Ray arrived home late last night and we headed to the hospital with my friend and incredible translator, Nozomu. She's particularly amazing because she is Japanese American, raised in New York, and doesn't have any accent of any kind. This makes things SO much easier! Sunday I sent out a prayer email to a few friends, and this morning, Ray and I again prayed with confidence that the babies would present head down, that everything we had heard from our previous doctor would be erased, and that this door would be our door of hope. When we left for the hospital, we were literally bathed in that hope.
We arrived the enormous hospital and after a bunch of tests, the doctor sat me down for an ultrasound. Firstly, this was a woman doctor, and she speaks English! Secondly, both of our babies were CLEARLY head down in perfect position, their weights are only 200 grams different, and she agreed that under these circumstances, a natural delivery is perfectly fine. HALLELUJAH!!!! Ray and I didn't even know how to respond. We just grabbed each other's hands and let our eyes fill with tears. A PERFECT answer to our prayers. We told our new doctor how eager we are to have her deliver our babies. She smiled and said the same in return.
Some of you may be wondering why we would go to such lengths to fight for something like this. Again, this battle has been a personal preference for Ray and I and doesn't lay judgement on any other person's choice for delivery. For us, however, we mourn this lost art of childbearing. Six of Ray's siblings were delivered without issue in his home in Alaska by his Dad. I have dreamed of allowing the natural course of my body to invite my babies into this world. I have literally rehearsed and dreamed of this, and shared this wish with Ray. It became something so real to us, that it was worth the fight. It didn't feel right to have this natural thing taken away from us. More than anything, we wanted to see the Lord do what He does best: prove his love for us through our faith and confidence in HIM. No matter the outcome at this point (we are still open for cesarean or other if medically necessary), we know we have not gone through this in vain, and are SO excited to face the next step of actually inviting our children into this world, and teaching them about their own story.
Like I said, my apologies for the length of this entry and if you've made it this far, Amen. We should be seeing a couple little Schafers here in the next week or two, and look forward to introducing them to all of you. Until then, believe with all your heart, and He is eager to bless us!
We love you guys!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Our Birthing Center...
This is a photo of a photo, of Katsuragawa Ladies Clinic where I will give birth. It was raining out so I didn't get a good photo from the outside, but it's really a beautiful place, set overlooking the lake...
This is Ray in the meeting room with Kamabuchi san ("Buchi"), his wife Akane and their son Minari. I introduce them because Buchi is the Lakestars staff who is taking care of all the relations pertaining to the birth. Akane and I have spent a lot of time together recently too, as she is about 6 weeks pregnant with her second child!
Papa decorates the nest...
At nearly 35 weeks (Thursday) I feel like these little guys are so close to making their debut. As a result, I feel that need to get everything clean and prepared.
And Papa Ray has certainly been a help. He definitely added some color to these drab walls in our apartment by surprising me with a "safari" scene of sorts. He cut out these giraffes and built an impressive monkey tree above our door. He always just makes me laugh with his many talents. I think Papa's pretty excited too!!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
34 WEEKS!!
A dear friend came over today. Though we met last year, she is a God-send to me this year. Her husband plays on a neighboring basketball team in Osaka, which makes the train ride relatively close. Her name is Dana, and she is studying to be a midwife, has three kids of her own, and is a wealth of resources about Japan and pregnancy. This is matched with an uncanny ability to take beautiful photographs. I feel overwhelmingly grateful that she would come to spend the day with me, to capture my 34th week of pregnancy...
Solomon (Sol) Levi : meaning "peaceful". He was also a man of wisdom and Godliness in the bible. Sol means sunshine in Spanish, and this is what we think of our little boy already...
Sophia (Sophie) Lee : meaning "wise". We hadn't intended for our little ones to carry the same initials, but the names were thought of and they have stuck. Both of them will take Ray's and my middle names which have been passed down- mine from my great grandmother.
We think they may be here soon... we are SO excited!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
A victory weekend...
This weekend was a good step forward for the Lake Stars. Besides coming out with two wins to make their record 50%, they played as a team, and played hard.
Ray played two of the best games I've seen him play. His stats are good, but don't do justice to great defensive play, blocks, assists and team play. He had 16 points and 13 rebounds on Saturday (with 3 HUGE dunks to boot!), and 18 points with 10 rebounds on Sunday (adding another couple dunks!). The crowd loved it, and he humbly accepted a great response from the packed home arena.
This sign says "Ray" in kanji, which is the latter part of the Japanese world "quirei", or "beautiful". Isn't the kanji writing incredible?
Ray won MVP of the game on Sunday. He was awarded an iphone from the president of the phone company here in Japan. Quite a cool honor!
Also, the Lakes sent another American home this week, teammate Bobby Nash, who Ray played with last year. They are replacing him with a great player from Texas Tech, who will fill the needed role of a scoring guard. It's always tough to watch a player being sent home, but I guess that's the name of the game here. I am excited to know that the new player, Mikie, is a family man with two kids and a wife. Although his wife and kids will not be joining him for the remaining two months, it is reassuring that he's a good man. Those are hard to come by in this field, and I'm grateful...
Getting Crafty...
Now on official "bed rest", I have more than enough time for creative endeavors. I have just begun compiling baby journals for the peas that has allowed me an awesome artistic outlet (will post photos later), and also have had quite fun making jewelry and crocheting. Here are some of my most recent...
These birdy leg warmers were sent to some dear friends who just had a baby girl!!
The littlest birds...
...sing the prettiest songs...
We love the birds here. They are a constant source of entertainment, peace and music. And they teach us to slow our days down, and use our senses to capture the moment.
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