Status: 36 weeks, 3 days
I'm sure I won't win an award for "Most Indecisive About Care Providers", but it seems to be a theme for me. I have done a lot of bouncing around during this pregnancy. Back at the beginning, you'll remember that Joel and I decided we would like to have the most control over this pregnancy and birth as we possibly can (since when is that NOT the way I want something, right?) and we left the practice that had helped us to achieve our pretty awesome VBAC last year. Well, around 20 weeks (and this is how behind I am in updating - sorry!), something happened. I had my regular appointment with Brenda (our midwife at the time), and it was fine, but there was something in my gut telling me that there was a better fit for me out there. I know that feeling very well, as I have experienced it a few times with pediatricians.
I was panicked. I thought I knew what all my options were. I knew I could have a good birth back in the hospital (I even went to an appointment - and I cried), but my gut was still telling me that wasn't the right answer either (which is good, because I didn't want it to be). So I did what any good person does - I talked to my doula. We discussed the other midwives that might take on a VBAC, and she suggested I try talking to some that I had thought would have completely turned me down. In a matter of hours, I had two different midwives agree that they could take me on. One of them would be out of town immediately around my due date, but the other one (who would be out of town with the first midwife) worked with a second midwife and they were available! Seriously, I felt like I had won the lottery when they told me they would be happy to meet with me! It's not often, as a VBAC, that you feel treated like any other mom. A lot of the time it's almost as if you are a second-class birther. You have "SCARRED" tattooed across your forehead, and that's the first thing anyone thinks about without actually talking to you. Things are a little more lenient when you have a "proven scar" (ie. you've already had one or more VBACs), but there are still barriers.
Enter Debbie Pulley & Kay Johnson of Atlanta Birth Care. They had just (well, Kay) attended the birth of one of my doulas' babies, and it sounded awesome! I had a consult with them on June 12. It was a great appointment. I had already had a long talk with Debbie over the phone, but it was nice to be able to really sit down and chat with them and their two apprentices (Whitney & Kim) and learn more about the way things would go. I went home after that appointment feeling like I had found my place. Debbie "got" what I was looking for, and the team felt like I was sitting down with a group of friends.
I talked it over with Joel, and we decided to make the switch! I'm very happy we did, as I have been EXTREMELY pleased with my care so far. They have complete faith in my ability to birth my baby any which way I want, and they really put me in charge of my care. I love going to visit them every few weeks!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Picture-palooza!
Status: 33 Weeks, 3 Days
Every time I sit down to come update, there's always something calling me away. I have a ton to say, so I will probably break it into smaller posts, but here are some pictures to tide you over while you continue to wait patiently!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Listening in - I finally found it!
Status: 28 weeks, 3 days
Very early in my pregnancy, I decided I wanted to be able to hear my baby's heartbeat whenever I felt like it. Most people would have turned to a fetal doppler - the kind used at an OB or midwife's office to take a quick listen to the baby.
A fetal doppler uses ultrasound waves to amplify the baby's heartbeat so it can be heard. Sometimes this can be loud to the baby. All three of my kids have not enjoyed the experience and when they get checked they become really active and move away from it. Talia and Eli did the same thing with the continuous fetal monitoring in the hospital at their births. I knew that as much as I wanted to be able to hear my baby, I didn't want to stress him out either. Instead, I decided to go for the good ol' fashioned fetoscope.
A fetoscope is special kind of stethoscope with a longer bell that allows you to hear the baby's heartbeat, usually by about 18 weeks. I have been trying every few weeks to find it, without success. This morning, I was really able to feel his positioning (ROA) and easily found his heartbeat!!!! It is such a soothing sound, and I look forward to being able to sneak a little listen whenever I want - without disturbing him.
Very early in my pregnancy, I decided I wanted to be able to hear my baby's heartbeat whenever I felt like it. Most people would have turned to a fetal doppler - the kind used at an OB or midwife's office to take a quick listen to the baby.
| Fetal Doppler |
A fetal doppler uses ultrasound waves to amplify the baby's heartbeat so it can be heard. Sometimes this can be loud to the baby. All three of my kids have not enjoyed the experience and when they get checked they become really active and move away from it. Talia and Eli did the same thing with the continuous fetal monitoring in the hospital at their births. I knew that as much as I wanted to be able to hear my baby, I didn't want to stress him out either. Instead, I decided to go for the good ol' fashioned fetoscope.
A fetoscope is special kind of stethoscope with a longer bell that allows you to hear the baby's heartbeat, usually by about 18 weeks. I have been trying every few weeks to find it, without success. This morning, I was really able to feel his positioning (ROA) and easily found his heartbeat!!!! It is such a soothing sound, and I look forward to being able to sneak a little listen whenever I want - without disturbing him.
28 Weeks!
Spending the weekend in Florida, just me and "Bucky"! We visited my friend Sarah and threw her a Mother's Blessing party and went to her baby shower. Also getting a chance to visit with my grandma. It's been tons of fun, but we miss our family.
Since we didn't get to take our picture before we left, Sarah was kind enough to take it for us!
 |
| 28 weeks, 1 Day |
Monday, July 2, 2012
Picture Palooza!
Status: 27 Weeks, 4 days
I am super behind with posting pictures, so here they are. Still have much to write about, but I haven't had the chance. Enjoy!
I am super behind with posting pictures, so here they are. Still have much to write about, but I haven't had the chance. Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
My First Yoga Experience
Status: 26w6d
I have lots to update, but will have to save it for another day because I don't have a lot of time (a few pictures, too!). I just wanted to pop in and talk about a prenatal yoga class I went to last night.
Although this is my third baby, this is the first time I have ever taken a prenatal exercise class. Come to think of it, this is the first time I think I've EVER taken an exercise class. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was a really good experience. I went to a yoga studio that is pretty well recommended, and pretty popular (especially for pregnancy) - Pierce Yoga. I had looked at the studio during my second pregnancy, but just didn't think I had the time to do something like that. Something I have learned since is the importance of taking care of yourself - mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically (especially during pregnancy).
Anyway, last night I went to my first class. Before the class I had to fill out a form and spent a few minutes talking with the instructor about my births, my pregnancy, and any physical limitations I might have. Then we got right to work. We started with laying on the floor and doing different things, then moved to cat poses, then did some standing and light lunging poses. I don't know any technical terms except for cat and downward dog. We did those, that's about the extent of my ability to explain what we did. It was nice to not feel completely out of shape, and I could definitely feel the stretching so that was awesome!
After we did all the actual yoga, there was tea and the instructor shared a birth story and answered that the other women had. It was very strange for me to be among first time moms and not my usual ICAN of Atlanta and other birthy crowds. It was interesting to see how far I've come since I was in their shoes three years ago.
I signed up for 5 weeks of classes, so I will definitely be going back (I liked it, so I would go back anyway), and I may even try to drop in to some extra classes if my schedule permits. My rating? B+
I have lots to update, but will have to save it for another day because I don't have a lot of time (a few pictures, too!). I just wanted to pop in and talk about a prenatal yoga class I went to last night.
Although this is my third baby, this is the first time I have ever taken a prenatal exercise class. Come to think of it, this is the first time I think I've EVER taken an exercise class. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was a really good experience. I went to a yoga studio that is pretty well recommended, and pretty popular (especially for pregnancy) - Pierce Yoga. I had looked at the studio during my second pregnancy, but just didn't think I had the time to do something like that. Something I have learned since is the importance of taking care of yourself - mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically (especially during pregnancy).
Anyway, last night I went to my first class. Before the class I had to fill out a form and spent a few minutes talking with the instructor about my births, my pregnancy, and any physical limitations I might have. Then we got right to work. We started with laying on the floor and doing different things, then moved to cat poses, then did some standing and light lunging poses. I don't know any technical terms except for cat and downward dog. We did those, that's about the extent of my ability to explain what we did. It was nice to not feel completely out of shape, and I could definitely feel the stretching so that was awesome!
After we did all the actual yoga, there was tea and the instructor shared a birth story and answered that the other women had. It was very strange for me to be among first time moms and not my usual ICAN of Atlanta and other birthy crowds. It was interesting to see how far I've come since I was in their shoes three years ago.
I signed up for 5 weeks of classes, so I will definitely be going back (I liked it, so I would go back anyway), and I may even try to drop in to some extra classes if my schedule permits. My rating? B+
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