Archive for the ‘third trimester’ Category
status update : week 33
Friday, July 25th, 2008status update : week 32
Friday, July 18th, 2008
Today we met with the second midwife and I believe we like her even more than the first one. Not that we didn’t like the first one, it’s just her personality matches ours a little better. I also found out that through my urine culture I am Group B Strep positive. Nothing to be afraid of, but preferably I will need to get two doses of antibiotics within hours of delivery through an IV.
status update : week 31
Friday, July 11th, 2008I have finally started to enjoy being pregnant. Not that I didn’t enjoy it previously, but with concerns about hCg numbers, miscarriage, ill-fitting care providers (among other things) I had a hard time feeling good about being pregnant. Now that I have battled most (if not all) of my delivery demons, I am looking forward to childbirth and being a mother. Yes, there are still things that scare me, including the realizing the fact that I’m going to be a mother shortly,
status update : week 30
Friday, July 4th, 2008It’s Independence Day and I am completely zonked. This baby is on the move (possibly as a result of a growth spurt, see below for details) and hasn’t stopped tumbling for two days now. I’m reluctant to get into crowds to see fireworks, so instead I think we will just stay home, listen to the rumbles and watch movies.
Last weekend Matt’s dad surprised Matt’s mom and we took her out to eat and to a small venue for a concert. The food was magnificent, however, I ate too much, and we had great fun at the concert. I seriously think Matt might want to go on tour, he’s practicing several of the songs! 
Our appointment went very well. We met with the first of the midwives, Wendy, and really clicked with her. Although changing practices this late in the game is not ideal, I am ever so relieved to have made the decision. Matt and I are both anxious to meet with the remaining midwives (there are a total of four with the practice, but only three who currently deliver). To those of you who are afraid to look into other options and are uncomfortable with your current provider, my advice, is that it is never too late to switch. If you don’t trust the people attending your delivery, you might not have the birth you want.
Speaking of birthing the way you want to, over the past week or so I’ve reconnected with an old high school classmate who chose to have a midwife assisted homebirth. It is SO exciting to see women taking back the power of birth in their own hands. I’m finding it exhilarating to talk to educated, smart women doing their research so that they know their options and can come to their own decisions about what is best for them and their baby, regardless of what the mainstream public thinks. But, I believe that it is a hard road to take. Family and friends may not support your decision to choose a midwife over a physician or completely understand why a homebirth would be preferable over a hospital birth. Going against the grain isn’t easy. But, going into all of this is a topic for another day!
In the meantime, let’s celebrate Independence Day and be thankful that we DO have the freedom to choose!
status update : week 29
Friday, June 27th, 2008Last 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!
status update : week 29
Friday, June 27th, 2008Last 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?)!
status update : week 28
Friday, June 20th, 2008This 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!
