Let's hear your birth traditions

[Betty Rage]

So, we've got four more weeks left till the little moto rider comes into our lives. I'm planning on doing an all natural water birth in a birth center. The midwives pretty much let you do whatever you want when it comes to your own birth (i.e. turning lights off, lighting candles, playing music, whatever you feel you need)

I would like this moment to be very special to us and I'd like to hear about cool stuff your parents did or that you did for your babies when they were born. One example I heard of is someone's great great grandpa made some wine a hundred years ago, and when they did the naming ceremony, everyone present dabbed a little on their lips and dabbed a little on baby's lips, just like their family had done for generations since the wine was made.

I'm not looking to steal anyone's traditions, just get a little creative inspiration for our own.

Peace.

[Doctor Woodrow]

Order a poster of a Monster and paste it on the wall during delivery.

The Doc

[spolic]

I brought my son home is the same outfit that I was brought home in. 

I once saw a series of pictures, the parents had a pair of jeans and put the child in them every birthday until he was 18.

[Pakhan]

All the women in my family have traditionally screamed profanities during child birth.

We all turned out make the beast with two backsing great.

[Betty Rage]

All the women in my family have traditionally screamed profanities during child birth.

We all turned out make the beast with two backsing great.

I will probably be doing that as well

[bryant8]

Hey, I was wondering how you were doing

No real traditions that I can think of in my family.  Probably much of the same as Pakhan.

[bulldogs2k]

When boys turn to men we get tattoo'd using a shark tooth attached to a stick (used to be a tattoo for every battle won).  Soot or coal is used as ink.  With that said....I need to get my tattoo done, but I dont want to grow up!    

[Jaman]

Take a picture of the little one in your or dad's shoes (or moto boots), don't ever throw those shoes/boots away, then take a pic each year in same shoes/boots.  Give 'em the montage framed or in a picture book when they're 18, or leave the nest...

Hope it's a quick and easy one... practice that brrreeeeeaaathinnnnngggg!

&  to a happy, healthy mom & little one! 

[cyrus buelton]

kind of off topic, but is there a doctor on call at a midwiving facility?

[Betty Rage]

The midwives are all licensed in Oregon, there will also be a Nurse Practitioner Midwife present. In the case of emergency I can be transported to the hospital and they have a protocol for that too. They are also trained in infant resuscitation and stitching for tears as well as anesthetics. They can't get their licenses without that knowledge.

[herm]

stitching for tears...........

.............sorry

[Buckethead]

stitching for tears...........

.............sorry

Kinda par for the course, dude.

As far as traditions, I dunno. My family kept "baby books" but it was pretty obvious that by the time I showed up (youngest of three) the novelty had worn off that idea. Mine had like the first 5 pages filled in, as opposed to my sister's which was full to bursting.

[rgramjet]

Dont forget the tape in the video recorder!!     Heck of a way to start off those home movie nights when friends are over! 

[ducsix]

Congrats on choosing to have your child in a birthing center.  My wife did the same for both of our kids.  For #1 she had to go to the hospital after 10 loooong hours (that was a car ride I'll never forget) but #2 was a bit smoother and she was able to stick it out.  The experience for #2, with no hospital involved, was infinitely more enjoyable for both of us.  Having to stay with your newborn in the hospital for the first night sucks.  Just nasty.  Not being allowed to hold your child until the docs give the thumbs up is also silly.  It's just a very impersonal environment.  Besides, our midwives inspired more confidence than the docs at the hospital, who were very mechanistic in their approach to the birth.

Traditions?  No ideas here, sorry.  The birthing experience by itself is memorable enough without adding any more complexity in my opinion!

[ducsix]

Dont forget the tape in the video recorder!!     Heck of a way to start off those home movie nights when friends are over! 

My wife banned the use of any recording device from the delivery room