Oh, Baby

Last Friday, I noticed I've been incredibly tired and hungry for the past few weeks. Well, I realized that after I figured out that my stomach was NOT receding from the position it was in- noticably a little rounder. Not big at all, but it was a small convex curve. Three pregnancy tests later, I am embracing the transition of pregnancy- the journey from maiden to mother, the switch from crunchy granola girl to...crunchy granola mama. By the autumnal equinox, I'll be carrying my own kid on the outside!

Being pregnant is awesome! Well, so far...which is only about six weeks (at the most). I contacted my prospective midwife, and I need to have an ultrasound to determine my due date. That will be done before the end of January. That will hopefully be my last ultrasound; we don't plan to find out the baby's gender until he/she gets here.

As most people who know me would guess, I am planning a homebirth. I know I need to give birth in a place where I feel comfortable, safe, and uninhibited...e.g. NOT A HOSPITAL. In fact, I would personally feel UNSAFE giving birth at a hospital. That isn't to say that it is sometimes necessary, and I completely honor anyone who has given birth...anywhere and under any circumstances! That includes the hospital. As a student doula, I have seen some wonderful maternity care in (some) hospitals. It's just not right for ME. Statistics show that for low-risk pregnancies (NOT ALL...but LOW-RISK), homebirth with a skilled midwife is as safe or even safer than hospital birth. Homebirth precludes the use of unnecessary interventions which could lead to medically-induced fetal distress. Plus, midwives are taught to read warning signs well before they become a serious danger to mother and baby, so there is time to transport if need be. And midwives carry things like oxygen and pitocin...just in case. I feel very confident and secure in birthing at home with a midwife.

My midwife is actually the doula who was with me at my very first birth as a student doula. She totally saved the day! She was kind and compassionate through the whole birth, and when there was a complication (and no doctor to be found), she jumped right into midwife mode and delivered a shoulder dystocia like it was just a walk in the park. Even before that, I knew that this sweet woman just had to be my midwife.

Now, before I can go completely through with hiring my midwife and planning my birth, I need to have a risk assessment. (I'll also have to have one at the end of my pregnancy). This is usually done by a doctor or at a health clinic. Mine will be done by a doctor. If I have any health conditions, I will most likely have to birth in a hospital. I've been doing my best to be super healthy, though, but not really because I don't want a hospital birth...it's more for the little grain of rice jumping around in my tummy. Heh.

As far as nutrition, I'm trying to cut back on meat. I am only buying organic dairy products. I've been doing my darndest to avoid white sugar and sodas (though I gave in once to sweet tea). I've been drinking a lot more water and eating more fruits and veggies (way more, actually!). I'm also drinking red raspberry leaf tea, which is a great tonic for the uterus. After all that tea, it'll be toned and ready to pop this baby out in seven or eight months! It is great for pregnancy and helps to prevent a host of possible complications. And, of course, I'm taking prenatal vitamins everyday.

Doing work in the field (for school) is keeping me very, very active. I hiked for hours today! I am wiped out! Still, I want to keep up my yoga. I just hope I can find a good prenatal yoga class once my belly gets really round. I'm also planning to go to some cardio classes at UCA- I emailed an instructor today asking for recommendations regarding the most appropriate classes for pregnant women (please say belly dancing...please say belly dancing...)

Things left on my to do list:
- Give in to my yogurt craving.
- Give in to my pretzel and cheese craving.
- Start taking fish oil (apparently it will help with neurological growth and development!)
- Look into seeing a chiropractor (apparently it reduces average labor time! I am all for that!)
- Rent or buy an AquaDoula. Yep, waterbirth, folks. It's the natural birthers epidural!
- Continue reading Mothering magazine online. :P I read this even before I found out. I just love it!
- Read Dr. Sears' pregnancy book, Birthing from Within, books on waterbirth, anything I can find on orgasmic birth, and Spiritual Midwifery. I'm sure I'll add more. I'll probably have to wait until summer for some of these...school is going to be crazy! Luckily, I've read several great ones already for doula class.

Many more updates to come.