BabyT: 39 Weeks

I'm officially 5 days away from my due date and still feeling great. I get the normal aches and pains. The event that is me getting up from the couch gave our friends a good laugh the other night. But all-in-all, I couldn't be happier with the way things have gone, and I haven't reached that "over it" point...yet. For being 39+2, I'm counting my blessings because I know a lot of women have it much worse this far along.

The last few weeks, we've made a major push to get everything finished up. We're such last-minute people, we were really walking a fine line there. But it all came together and pretty much all that's left is to pack our bags.

The nursery is completely done, and I'm so happy with how it turned out!! I'll make a separate post with pictures on that later. The carseat is installed, just need to get it checked out by the state troopers (doing that tomorrow). Thanks to my parents, we've got freezer meals to last us a while (the chicken spaghetti, ham, and tenderloin are already calling my name!).

This is my last week of work, and my boss and my boss's boss will both be in a meeting out of town. So basically all I really plan to do is some last minute training with my replacement and leave early every day. :) I'll work from home on Wednesday, the day of my next appt with Dr. T, and I'm debating just not going back after that except to turn in my computer. It's so weird to think about being off for nearly 3 whole months. I'm hoping there's a way I can keep in contact because no one really knows how to do what I do, and I'm afraid my programs are going get all jacked up and be a nightmare to fix when I get back. Oh well. Job security.

Yesterday, we met with our doula, Pam, for the final time before the big day. Or as my mom calls her, our Paula Abdoula. Or as my dad calls her, our witch doctor. Hey, I get it honest. 

We walked through a couple labor scenarios, and I think it helped us better prepare for what we'll do in early and active labor. She gave me a scenario, then she gave Jason a scenario and we both described what we'd do in early and active labor for those. It helped us kind of see where we were comfortable and where we might need suggestions on what to do. For me, I have a list of things I can do in early labor, but when active labor hits, I wasn't really sure what I should try as far as relaxation and coping techniques, so it really helped to walk through that.

Today was pretty great. Both my parents and Jason's parents came up to visit. It was the first time we've had them over together, and I loved having them both here. We talked a little about what to expect when we go into labor. I think both our moms are worried we're not going to call them when everything starts to go down. I would never keep them in the dark like that. 

But our labor will be completely different than a typical labor. I've only ever been to a few labors but they were all pretty similar - family and friends are in the room, hanging out and visiting until it's go time. Which is great...if you have an epidural. Or if you're not me, an introvert who gets overwhelmed with a lot of people around.

That's not really a possibility for us. By the time we get to the hospital, I'll be in a lot of pain. I'll probably be vocalizing a lot, and hopefully everything will be looking good so I can be up walking around, bouncing on my ball, hands and knees position, maybe in the tub if my membranes are still in tact. Best of all...minimally clothed. Believe me, no one wants to see that. ::shudder:: And I know I'd be highly uncomfortable being observed while in that state, even by my own mom.

I've been really lucky with how supportive our families have been. I know they are worried about me and might even think I'm a bit crazy. I'm okay with that. But none of them have said that to me or have told me horror stories or tried to talk me out of anything. It means a lot to me to not have to worry about being met with negativity and pessimism. So while I'm sure they think I'm out of my gourd, they've shown me nothing but support, both sides of my family, and for that I'm so grateful.

My dad has the utmost confidence in me, and today simply said "You can do it. You'll do fine." It's something he's said to me my whole life because that man believes I can do anything. They're words I'm hanging on to because I know he truly believes in me and believes I can do it, and that gives me so much motivation and encouragement. I know I'll think back to that moment when things are getting tough and I'm wanting to give up. Jason believes in me. My dad believes in me. They know I can do it. I can do it.

Sorry, this whole natural birth thing has been dominating my thoughts lately so that's obviously spilling over into these posts. Let's move on to the usual.

 

How far along: 39 weeks (8/16/13)

Fruit: Watermelon

Symptoms: Nothing new. Heartburn and not the best sleep most nights.

Weight Gain: It's so funny. I'll gain 2lb one week and none the next. I think right now I'm right at 30lb.

Food cravings/aversions: None this entire pregnancy. I wish I would've gotten some random craving and sent Jason to the store at 2am, but alas, nothing.

Movement: I actually got worried for a day or two there because his movement decreased significantly, but it's back to normal now.

Labor signs: Had a few contractions the other night, but they weren't intense and they went away when I got up.

Nursery status: Done! Whew!!

Rings On/Off: Band on my pinky.

Doctor appointments: Last Tuesday I was 1cm and 60-70% effaced. It wasn't much of a change from the week before. I'm also GBS negative so that is awwwwesome!

Most memorable moment: Definitely having both sets of parents in our home today. It'll be the last time until we see them all at the hospital when Levi is here. The last time to see them before we become parents too. ::sings "The Circle of Life"::

Most anxious moment: Those couple days when I wasn't feeling him move as much. I even whipped out the doppler, which I have done in months probably.

Things purchased for baby: Got a few last-minute items. Bought my K'Tan and I'm sooo excited to use it. I even tried it out on Kitkat. She wasn't quite as excited.

Milestones: I think every day is a milestone now. :)

Next appointment: Dr. T on Wednesday.

Looking forward to: I guess the only thing left is birth. That's kind of a big deal, yeh?

Sandi Goes Granola - Part 2

I wrote about why I decided to switch to a new OB in Part 1. So now let's talk about why I'm attempting to go med-free in the first place.

While we were still trying to conceive, a friend got pregnant and started posting on FB about how she was doing a natural home birth. I recall making a comment to Jason that I thought that was absolutely crazy and that I would gladly be taking my epidural as soon as possible. The friend also recommended a documentary, The Business of Being Born. 

I was bored one day so I streamed it on Netflix, completely skeptical and fully expecting to walk away even more sure of my criticism of the crunchy, granola type women who attempted childbirth without pain medication. I mean, you wouldn't get a root canal without some drugs, why push a kid out of your vagina without them?

Let me just say, I didn't walk away from it screaming that all hospitals and OBs are the devil and that I was going natural, baby!! Umm, no. In fact, I was still pretty confident I'd get an epidural.

What the documentary did, however, was open my eyes to a multitude of issues with modern practices regarding child birth in the US, and it left me with enough curiosity to do more research on my own. 

Then it became painfully obvious how difficult it was going to be for us to even get pregnant, so I just put all that on the back burner. No need to dedicate time and energy to something that may never happen for you.

As you know by now, it did eventually happen for us. Now that we finally had a baby on the way and we got out of the ultra-scary 1st trimester, it was time to consider how I wanted the birth to go down.

I started reading more and more about child birth, or at least about what a typical child birth in the US is like. I read so many birth stories that would start with inductions or early epidurals which would lead to a cascade of interventions and very often c-sections. The statistical data is alarming, especially when compared to other countries or even birth centers and midwifery practices in the US. Nearly half of all first-time moms receive inductions (doubles risk of c-section), and 27% get c-sections. Not to mention, Louisiana has the highest c-section rate in the country. I decided that was NOT the route I wanted to take.

So I started researching natural birth and evidence-based maternity care. It didn't take me long to realize that this was the right method for me. For various reasons. 

Avoiding the unnecessary interventions was a key factor. Unless it's medically necessary, I don't want to be induced before 41 weeks and if my BPPs and NSTs looked good, I would be willing to push it to closer to 42 weeks (ACOG guideline). And I definitely don't want a c-section because I tried to force my baby out before he was ready and was slapped with a failure to progress tag. ACOG also states that suspected fetal macrosomia (big baby) isn't a reason for automatic induction or c-section in women who do not have gestational diabetes or some other medical factor where the baby might be larger. 

I also don't handle pain meds well and the general idea of an epidural is unsettling to me, how it's administered and the effects.

Those weren't the only reasons though. It also boiled down to how our entire process to get pregnant was so....clinical. It was one intervention after the next with so many doctors and nurses and medical procedures and invasions of privacy involved. It wasn't "natural" in the sense that it wasn't how I ever dreamed of it being. That intimacy in creating life together was taken from us and replaced with speculums, catheters, and ultrasounds. It wasn't how it was supposed to be. 

So this birth, the birth of the son we tried so hard to conceive, a son we waited so long to meet, this birth will be just about us. Jason and I, together. Me being in the moment and focused on my body, him coaching me and supporting me as we experience this incredible, momentous event in our lives and welcome our son into the world.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those people who say epidurals are horrible and natural is the only way to go. I don't side-eye any woman for wanting as little pain as possible during what will likely be the most pain she's ever experienced. (Medically unnecessary inductions before 40w or planned c-sections for convenience may get a side-eye.) I absolutely believe medical interventions can be necessary and life-saving in certain situations. If those types of complications arise in our labor and intervention becomes necessary, then interventions will be had. Or if I'm at hour 34 and I'm completely exhausted with no energy or will left, bring on the epidural.

I'm not trying to be a wonder woman or prove anything. I just believe this is the best way for us. And I believe we will succeed. I'm so lucky to have Jason by my side, who has not only agreed to my nontraditional notions, but has come to embrace them and want them as badly as I do. I know that having him there to coach me and give me encouragement and love me no matter what the outcome, that is the most important thing that will help me when I feel like giving up. 

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that Levi arrives healthy. If I get my perfect birth in the process, that'll be icing on the cake.

Sandi Goes Granola - Part 1

I mentioned last week that I decided to pull my OB late in the game and blindly go with another one I had never met before. Here's the skinny on that.

We, yes I say we because Jason plays a huge role in my success or failure, want to have an unmedicated, "natural" birth ideally with as little medical intervention as possible. This means no induction, no epidural, just me, Jason, and the uterus+vag doing our thing. Nice, huh?

I brought this up to Dr. G around 20 weeks or so, and she was very encouraging. To my fault and her credit, I didn't really lay out exactly what I had in mind. To be honest, at that time I didn't really know what I wanted or didn't want.

After more research and deciding on the things that were important to me, I talked with Dr. G about it again, this time in more detail. I asked about a heplock instead of an IV. She squirmed. I asked to be monitored intermittently so I can have free reign to move about the room. She was concerned. I asked when she likes to induce if I go over my due date. 40w4d. I was thinking closer to ACOG's guideline of 42 weeks, especially since first-time moms tend to go past their due dates anyway. If my water broke, do I have to come in immediately? Yes, for fear of a prolapsed cord. If they checked me at the hospital and confirmed the cord wasn't prolapsed, could I be released to labor at home then come back? I'd have to sign a waiver stating I was released against medical advice.

She was very open and honest with her answers, and even though it wasn't what I was hoping for, I was very glad she wasn't giving me lip service and just telling me what I wanted to hear only to go against that during crunch time. She even told me I'd probably be better off at the birth center in the next state (about an hour away), and she wouldn't be offended at all if I decided to go in another direction.

I walked away pretty bummed because I really liked her, but I knew I wouldn't be able to even attempt the birth experience I hoped for if I stayed under her care. So I started looking elsewhere. A couple doulas in town and friends who had gone natural gave me recommendations. One doctor's name seemed to continue popping up.

Dr. Tynes. 

I googled her and found a lot of NB-friendly comments about her. By this time, I was 31 weeks and didn't have time to dilly dally so I set up an appointment with her, transferred my records (which was a nightmare), and now have a new OB! She does a lot of natural births and is very comfortable with every I want. Even the new hospital I'll be delivering at is NB-friendly and they have tubs which is awwwesome. Although, I'm really hoping to labor at home so long I won't have much time to use the tub there.

It was a little bit of a whirlwind at first, and a little unsettling trying to find a new provider so late in the game, but I know it was the right decision in the long run. Just knowing that the L&D nurses and my OB are on board is such a weight lifted off my shoulders and I already feel like it gives me a little extra push to succeed.

So how did I come to the decision to go med-free? That's a whole other story...See Part 2.