journey of life

Last week I took a trip to Southwest Virginia, in what may be my last solo trip for a while.  I visited with family, met up with my (also pregnant) friend Amanda for lunch, helped with food preparations for an impromptu family reunion, attended a small baby shower in my honor and met up with my friend Gwen who graciously brought a ton (literally) of baby loot for us.  Although I was overwhelmed and exhausted by the end of it all, I was very glad I went.  I did, however, learn the importance of pacing yourself and what my limitations are, which will be incredibly helpful when the time comes to prepare for our Anniversary party in August.  A big thanks goes out to my cousin, Alison, who helped me comprise a party menu that should be relatively easy to put together.

Also, this week I reconnected with a couple of old friends.  I had dinner one evening with a college accquantance that lives in the area.  She just happens to be pregnant also, and I think it’s been over ten years since we had seen each other.  I also learned that a high school classmate of mine chose to have a homebirth with a midwife and have spent the last week picking her brain and swapping resources and information.  Finding a kindred spirit about birthing is exhilirating, especially someone who gave serious thought to the process and made a concious decision to choose a path less traveled.

I’m anxiously awaiting my first appointment with the new practice next week and hoping that all goes well!

Last weekend there was a super small gathering of my family for an impromptu baby shower.  My cousin, Alison and her mom, my aunt Sissy, hosted wonderful low-key brunch for me, which couldn’t have been more perfect.

I also met up with a friend who gave me a TON of baby accessories.  I owe her a BIG HUG for delivering the goods AND for not being overwhelmed by the massive Montgomery clan who just happened to be gathered from all over the country during her visit.  I have been so blessed to have such great friends and family providing hand-me-down maternity clothes, bras, clothes, blankets, diapers, bouncer seats, swings…you name it.  I’m delighted to find/receive gently used items whenever possible, since most baby accoutrements are used for such a short period of time.

Our Bradley Method class is starting to get a little more interesting, and we are gradually getting into the good stuff.  We watched some videos this week and I’m eager to really dig into the meat and potatoes of the class (stages of labor, how to cope, partner’s role, etc.) which seem to be just around the corner.

I’m still a little worn out, but I’m wondering how much of that is related to the hot weather and how much is actually pregnancy.  Lucky for me, my grandmother found a maternity bathing suit (what a find for 50 cents!) so I can find some cool relaxation at a pool or in the ocean.  Look for me at your neighborhood swimming hole.  I’ll be the pregnant broad in hot pink (not my first choice, but, hey, how many times will I actually wear the thing?)!

Being pregnant, everyday you learn that there’s something else you need to avoid. Recently, I was informed that I should also avoid which of the following?

a. steak sauce
b. Tylenol
c. avocados
d. Tums

This week is my last visit with the providers I am currently with.  After waiting almost 45 minutes for my appointment, I am confident that I have made the right decision to switch.  By the time I was shuttled in an examination room, I had mere minutes with the midwife before needing to have my blood drawn for my glucose test.  Who knows what the reason was that they were running so late, and honestly, who cares.  Ten minutes is one thing, but this was ridiculous.

Fortunately, I passed my glucose test, which means I am not high-risk and don’t have gestational diabetes, a huge relief in moving forward in the pregnancy.  My blood pressure and urine look good, the baby’s heart rate is within normal range and my fundal height is measuring on target.  All good signs.  Now that we have entered the third trimester, I am seen every two weeks, up until my last month of pregnancy where I will be seen weekly.

As a side note, I have started to notice some swelling in my feet, but fortunately for me, it’s the summer and sandals allow for plenty of growing room.  My hands are swelling slightly, but not as much as my feet.  I’ve begun to get fatigued easily, especially mid-morning, which has always been a time when my body wants to nap, even when in high school.  Heartburn comes and goes, and I’ve not been able to identify trigger foods, but it isn’t an everyday occurrence and somedays aren’t bad at all.

In the meantime, I am trying my best to stay hydrated, drinking what water I can choke down and living off Luzianne decaffeinated iced tea.  Needless to say, it’s going to be a long, hot summer ahead!

Things are kind of hectic ’round here. June is full of celebrations and it just so happens that Father’s day, Matt’s birthday, Margie’s birthday, Ella’s birthday and my aunt Sissy’s birthday all fall on the same week. So, here’s a belated happy birthday to them all, and don’t worry, Margie, I won’t let anybody know you turned the big 6-0.

However, I realized my limitations as a pregnant lady last week, while whipping up a special birthday dinner for Matt. What’s the one thing I made on his birthday that pooped me out?

a. fondue
b. souffle
c. coconut cake
d. peach pie

This week was the first week of our Bradley Method childbirthing class.  I went solo, since Matt was out-of-town on business, but because it was the very first class, it was mainly introductions, how far along in our pregnancies we were, and why we chose the Bradley Method.  The group is pretty diverse, we run the gamut when it comes to where we will be delivering, but ultimately, we all share a common goal.  To have the best birthing experience possible.

Throughout this pregnancy, I have become obsessed with spreading the word when it comes to childbirthing, as most of you know.  I truly believe that unless women become more educated about their options, our society is going to dictate how birthing is done.  The same applies for a variety of issues: contraception, breastfeeding, pop culture…our decisions are constantly influenced by our peers and the world around us.  It is up to us to “be the change we wish to see in the world”.  And, I feel it is our mission to spread the gospel.  We need to save women from unnecessary procedures, including Cesareans.

Now, don’t misunderstand me.  There are VALID reasons for medical intervention when it comes to childbirth.  Ultimately, we all want a healthy baby and healthy mom.  But, many women don’t understand that having an epidural significantly increases the likelihood of a C-section.  Maybe if women knew more, they would be reluctant to have an epidural.  Unfortunately, breech babies are one-way tickets to a Cesarean birth these days.  Partly, due to it being safer, but also due to the fact that doctors no longer know how to deliver breech babies, or attempt external versions.  And, with some doctors flat out refusing to perform vaginal births after Cesarean (VBACs), women are either driving long distances to find a willing provider or laboring at home (and even in hospital parking lots) until the last minute to ensure a vaginal birth.  There’s got to be an easier way, and a better way.

Which, brings me back to our class.  Many, actually about half, of the couples in our class have chosen to have a homebirth with a midwife, by choice.  If you have conjured up pictures of ponytailed hippies and broom skirts, you can quickly erase that image right now.  Our class is not full of hippies.  Rather, far from it.  One woman is a research analyst for the government.  Another, a lobbyist on Capital Hill.  We even have a Labor & Delivery nurse who has CHOSEN to have a homebirth, and if anybody knows about birthing in a hospital, SHE does.

I know that as time goes on this class will become more and more tiring.  A two-hour class for twelve weeks is going to be tiresome, but I believe that the more information we have going into the delivery room, the better the odds are that I will be able to do what women for generations before me have done.

This is just one of several controversial questions will be addressed and potentially discussed in further detail. Feel free to respond, but before you do, read the fine print.

Last week we did something we haven’t done since we moved from Richmond.  What was it?

a.  Went to the movies.
b.  Ordered takeout pizza.
c.  Washed the car.
d.  Hung out at a pool.

It seems rather inappropriate to post about my various pregnancy symptoms and ailments this week, with what all has happened. Minor heartburn and uncomfortableness pales in comparison to Lindsay’s death, and the death of the infant she was carrying. Hearing of yet another loss heightens my awareness of how fragile life is and how often we take that for granted.

Last night while reading The Pregnancy Book by Dr. William Sears I discovered that the numbness in my upper left leg is probably due to the uterus pressing on the femoral nerve.  I guess I shouldn’t read so much…otherwise I wouldn’t have FOUND THIS OUT!  I’m going to call around, possibly make an appointment with a neurologist just to make sure everything is fine.  I’m reading that many pregnant women experience this (obviously, since I found out about it in a pregnancy book), but want to double check.  My feet are also starting to swell ever so slightly and just be uncomfortable.  I’m off to bed shortly and plan on elevating them to see if that helps.

Moving around can be uncomfortable at times, but bending over is the worst.  I soaked my feet earlier this week and attempted a pedicure, which was a disaster because of how uncomfortable it made me.  I’m taking Tums on an almost daily basis to combat heartburn, but (knock on wood) the past couple of days haven’t been so bad, maybe because I have been trying to squat instead of bend over?

It feels so tacky posting this, but I’m just going ahead and doing it.  It’s the easiest way to get the information out there for all to see.

To make things simple, we registered at two places, Target and Abby’s Lane.  Target is really close to us, which makes exchanges/returns easier, since Wal-Mart is farther down the road. Abby’s Lane is an online boutique that offers specific items not easily found in mainstream department stores.  For personal reasons, we chose not to register at any baby superstore (i.e. Babies”R”Us).

The majority of the items listed on the registries are somewhat brand specific, chosen after reading reviews and such.  However, if you can find the item used and in good shape that’s great. Also, colors don’t matter, so if you can find a discontinued color on sale for cheaper, go for it. If you have any questions about a product, just email or call me.

Yes, our registry is sparse. Reasons why:

a. My friend, Gwen, is giving me a pile of baby loot.  Bless her soul.  
b. We have gathered several items through freecycle.  Gotta love freecycle.
c. We are planning on using cloth diapers and breastfeeding.
d. We don’t know the sex of the baby, which makes it hard to register because there aren’t many gender neutral items out there.
e. We highly encourage people to buy used items through ebay/yard sales/thrift stores and the like.

There are several items not included on the registries.

Clothes: We actually prefer to have used clothes. It’s ridiculous to pay for new onesies/sleepers/undershirts/you name it when you can perfectly fine ones used. We won’t be offended in the least to find used baby clothes (washed and in presentable condition, of course!) wrapped up.

Books: Again, used is preferred.

Toiletries: Baby soaps, lotions and the like. Controversy has been swarming over the past year about baby toiletries. Phthalates are found in most products, so we are considering using products that are phthalate-free.  The most mainstream line of products that has phthalate-free baby stuff is Burt’s Bees. We are hopeful that our little one doesn’t have sensitive skin or allergies, but unfortunately, the odds are against that being the case. If for some reason, we need to choose something less harsh, California Baby is a highly recommended line of products.

As time goes on, I am sure we will add more items, but this at least gives people something to work with.