Name: Shawna PREGNANCY
InSeason Mom: How long were you trying to get pregnant?
Shawna: 2 months
InSeason Mom: What did you do or not do to increase your chances of getting pregnant after 35?
Shawna: I ate really healthy. Lots of raw foods: tahini, celery, lots of water and I did my best to cut out my then habit of drinking coffee. I've since kicked the addiction all together. I educated myself by reading the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility so I really understood my fertility signs. I also created a vision board of me with my baby and family and did affirmations and visualizations pretty much every spare moment I had!
SUPPORT
The Medical Community
InSeason Mom: How supportive were your doctors during your pregnancy?
Shawna: They were all very supportive.
InSeason Mom: Did you change doctors or would like to have changed doctors?
Shawna: Initially I started with a group of midwives at a local hospital because it was important to me to have my regular baby/mommy check-ups. I knew,however, that I was going to change "doctors" because I wanted a home-birth with home-birth midwives.
I was upfront with the hospital midwives and they were mostly supportive. They weren't so concerned about my age, but more so about my desire to home-birth. I did plan on using this group of midwives as a hospital back-up should my home-birth require a hospital intervention. I had a very good plan.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
InSeason Mom: Who was the first person you told about your pregnancy and why? What was the reaction of friends and family when you told me about your pregnancy?
Shawna: I told a group of LDS missionaries because they were friends of mine and they happened to come to my home right after I had taken the pregnancy test. I was so excited I had to share. I probably would have told the mailman if he would have been my first contact :). They were all very excited for me as they knew I wanted a baby very badly at this point in my life.
LABOR AND DELIVERY
InSeason Mom: Did you take any childbirth classes? Why or why not?
Shawna: Yes, I took a Birthing from Within Class. I took this class because one of the doulas that worked with my home-birth midwives was holding the class. I also wanted the opportunity to interact with other home-birthing moms and dads.
InSeason Mom: Where did you give birth?
Shawna: At home.
InSeason Mom: What do you remember most about the birth experience?
Shawna: The moment I held my daughter. Still brings tears of joy to my eyes. That was the most awesome moment of my life!
I AM A MOM
InSeason Mom: What concerns you most about being a mom over 35 and how do you compensate for this fear?
Shawna: I don't have any fears about being a mom over 35. I do however have concerns of "doing a good job" and raising a healthy sovereign child.
InSeason Mom: What do you enjoy most about being an older mom?
Shawna: I enjoy being an older mom because I have had a good amount of life experience and feel like my child will benefit from the my life-long commitment to my personal & spiritual growth.
InSeaon Mom: How has becoming a mom changed you?
Shawna: How could it not? Wow - where do I start....being a mom has opened my heart. I have loved unconditionally for the first time. I took a quantum leap in my spiritual growth since becoming a mother. I am more patient, communicate better, listen more intently, am more focused.
I have become more organized and therefore more productive in all areas of my life. I know my daughter learns by watching my example, so being a mom has given me a good reason to step-up even more in life!
InSeason Mom: What advice do you have for women considering motherhood after 35?
Shawna: Go for it! Honor your inspired thoughts, take that inspiration and put it into action. Listen to doctors, educators & specialists without ego, but in the end do not fear, trust yourself and your body.
InSeason Mom: Any additional comments?
Shawna: I highly recommend the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility byToni Weschler for any women interested in knowing her body intimately, but especially for women over 35 who desire pregnancy.
I believe this education will assist women in becoming an expert over their own body & fertility signs, thus shortening the length of time it takes one to become pregnant. I, personally, felt very much in control and empowered upon learning this information.