Beginning of my 30th Week
OB appointment was somewhat anticlimactic. SuperstarOB dopplered Thor’s heart just long enough to tell that he was alive, prodded my belly – trying to get a feel for what position Thor was lying in, I think. Then he asked how I was feeling, & told me to come back in two weeks.
For this I waited for over an hour?
Not really complaining. I get my hospital U/S next week, and that’ll be a more comprehensive exam than this one, but it still felt a bit odd.
Reading The Big Book of Birth and rather enjoying it. Far and away the best book I’ve found on the subject of actually giving birth, and a very non-attacking attitude about different pain controlling methods that women choose for various reasons. I’m studying the Hypnobabies coursework, and hoping for a non-epidural, non-induced, non-C-section birth, but I’m also trying not to get too attached to any of those scenarios. I’m also waffling back & forth on the idea of a doula – I don’t like being told what to do, but I’m also quite sure that not relying on the Boy for all my logistical support during labor might be a good thing.
And I’ve heard it both ways – people who hired doulas and were sorely disappointed in their services, and people who cannot imagine going through natural childbirth without them.
We’re taking the hospital tour in about 3 weeks, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things are done at this hospital. It’s supposedly known as a natural-birth-friendly hospital, but their website kinda sucks, and I want a very clear picture of what to expect from the nurses, other staff, and the rooms themselves.
Yesterday, I got to hold my friend’s 7-week-old baby – probably the youngest baby I’ve ever spent any time with.
I want one.
I dreamed of babies last night. Cooing, giggling babies.
This is really happening, folks. For the first time, it’s really starting to feel like this is going to end up with a baby in arms instead of in dreams.
3/4 of the way through this part. Only 10 weeks – or less – to go.
Wow.
Congrats on 30 weeks!! That is such a big milestone in my mind. And I love to hear about the wine rec from your doctor – that is good to know!
I LOVED this part of being pregnant. Everyone complains about the third trimester but it felt so good to me (though I could barely walk at time b/c of the pain in my lower back/sciatica/hips!). This is REAL:-) Definitely read all you can and then don’t get attached to the kind of birth you want. I really wanted natural and DID NOT want to be induced but in the end, I was induced on 41 weeks, 3 days and was glad I didn’t wait longer because of merconium in the fluid. I didn’t want an epidural but begged for one after 23 hours, lol. But, like I said yesterday, all that lower back pain made it so I could push her out in 3 pushes!!!!
Enjoy it! Its totally happening. I still miss all that movement inside, even though I get the cute wiggly movement outside now! Also – my SIL had 2 prior c-sections and finally hired a doula for #3, she was able to have a v-bac but also had to give in to the epidural. I looked into doulas but didn’t do it b/c I don’t like to be touched much when I am in pain and they can be very touchy feely, so I just coached and taught DH to be my support and he did great!
Have chills for you. The excitement of this time! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
Here’s why I think you should consider a doula. About a day into my induction, I started really losing steam. I was exhausted from the contractions, starving and needed a break. The night shift nurse that night was a lifesaver. She saw the look on my face and sprang into action: filled the tub, got faux candles and quiet music and made a spa out of my sterile hospital room bathroom. It saved me, and I just thought to myself, what if I had someone like this the whole time? Someone to anticipate my needs and articulate things I couldn’t, who could ask for things that would make me feel better even if I didn’t know what they were. I think a good doula would do this for you and more.
Also? If you do end up with a c-section — and I really hope you do not; I hope you get the birth experience of your dreams — a doula can help you there too. She can talk you through the procedure and — this is really key — stay with you when your hubby and all the nurses are tending to the baby. The baby comes after just a few minutes and then the rest of the time you’re being sewn up and people are less interested in you than the baby. That’s the time when many people (myself included) start to kind of lose their shit. The time when you could need someone to stay with you and talk to you about random things to keep your mind off of it. If — IF — I ever do this again I am definitely, definitely going to hire a doula for my c/s (VBAC will not be an option for me given that my fibroids will likely return and be a problem once again).
My $.02 for your consideration!
WOW 30 weeks already??? WOOO HOOOOO!!!! Can’t wait to hear all about your hospital ultrasound. Seeing the scans still makes me tear up whenever the tech immediately points out the heartbeats.
You are making me want to get pregnant all over again. I am so thrilled for you.
Yay for you!
wow… 10 more weeks… The time has flown by!
Such an exciting time. Enjoy all that lovely baby movement, it’s amazing and for such a short time.
yes, cont me in on the “hire a doula” team. if you find one you really mesh well with (and i recommend you interview several) then you will want her to offer suggestions to you.. you will really appreciate it. the good ones don’t say things like, “breathe, sprogblogger!”, they are more gentle and say “remember your breath,” or focus on your breath.. or even better, they coach your husband to breathe with you and you will start breathing slower, deeper, or whatever. actually the doula can be a great help to the Boy, too.
If he is like freaking out, wondering if you are okay (even though we know he has been through this before) the doula can assure him that you are okay, and offer suggestions on how to make things better. if you are one that might not want ot be alone, the Boy can get something to eat and the doula will not leave you.
ALSO, if you think you woule be intersted in pictures of the birth (and you seem like someone you *might*), let me tell you, i just saw the pictures of my babies’ birth, and ohmigosh, the pictures alone are worth the cost of th edoula. Hubby was at my head (he didn’t want to see down there and i wanted him near me anyway) and my doula was taking pictures from the doctors vantage point. THEY are awesome!!!
Anyway, can’t wait to hear what you decide and hear all about her.. and your birth story.. i cannot wait for that. I better get busy writing mine before I forget everything.