My Birthing Choices

Throughout my pregnancy I have avoided questions from especially strangers such as "Where are you giving birth?" or "Who's your doctor?" Why you may ask? Well, in the beginning of my pregnancy when I was open about the choices I was making I was inundated with negative energy from people who would make different choices. This negative energy was not healthy for me or for my baby, so I just started to answer these questions vaguely, and changing the subject. But now that I am "overdue" as many people call it and once again am being asked all kinds of what I think are quite personal questions about my feminine areas, as well as when I will be induced? I feel it is time to stand up for my choices and views and share with you why I am making my choices. Some people may not like this entry, but it is my blog so all well.

I have chosen to give birth naturally with a Licensed Midwife at a stand alone birthing suite called Bella Natal (if you would like a tour go to http://www.bellanatal.com/). My plan is to have a water birth, or at least spend most of my labor in the large whirl pool tub which is known to be a natural epidural. I will not be taking any "pain medications" and am very excited to experience childbirth. My midwife has delivered hundreds of babies and believes that it is a natural thing that women's bodies know how to do, if we will just let them. My husband will be my birth coach and even hopes to catch the baby. Though I am now 4 days "late" at my appointment yesterday my midwife was not at all worried. She stated :

"Due dates are ambiguous and babies grow at different rates. Your babies heart beat is strong, you are measuring well, and you won't even be post due for another 11 days. Go home relax, eat, sleep, and drink and let your baby come when she is ready."

Now I will tell you that I am uncomfortable and would love for this baby to be born NOW! But at the same time it gave me confidance to know that my body is doing what it needs to. I am having contractions every few nights, I can feel my body preparing. God made me as he made almost every other woman with the ability to give birth, I just need to have faith.

Those of you who have given birth in a hospital with a regular OB-GYN or even a nurse midwife will be surprised to find out that through all of my visits I have yet to have a vaginal exam by my midwife. I look at this as a PLUS++++ since most of the information extracted from such an exam is unnecessary not to mention completely invasive. It is my own personal belief (which many would probably disagree with)that regular doctors do these exams to get their patients used to being in the stirrups, baring all to the world before they actually give birth, so that the day of childbirth this is not as embarrassing and they are used to being in such an awkward position (giving birth uphill, I will never understand how that became standard). It is well known (at least in every child birth book I read and I have read quite a few)that how effaced or dialated you are in an exam gives very little proof of how soon or how long you will wait for your baby to arrive.

I have many friends and family members with children who have given birth in various settings. Hospital, home, with a doctor, midwife, or even unassisted. Some have had cesareans, others ephiderals, and some have done as I have chosen and given birth naturally. I believe that all of these woman had the right to give birth where they were comfortable, and I hope that their experience left them feeling empowered and amazing at the miracle they achieved by bringing a new life into the world. I have never walked into a hospital and scolded a woman for having an epideral or told a woman she was wrong to have a cesarean.. so my question is why do others feel it is okay to tell me that I am wrong? I really don't want a response to that. I am just putting it out there. I am grateful for the freedom to choose and I am very comfortable with the choices I am making for myself for my baby and my family.

Stroller Giveaway!

There is an very high tech stroller being given away at supermom central. http://supermomcentral.blogspot.com/2009/02/bumbleride-giveaway.html
you just have to review the product and tell your favorite special feature to be entered. I would love to win this, though I plan on babywearing most of the time, it would be nice to have a sturdy light weight stroller for certain times.

The Tooth Fairy

My son who is in first grade has lost 3 teeth this month. Both of his front teeth and one bottom tooth. Now, at our home the tooth fairy leaves a quarter for a tooth. My son informed me that a kid in his class got $10 when he lost his front teeth. mmmm... I don't know if I believe it or not, but how do you respond. My son basically knows that I am the actual tooth fairy, so I just said. Well if our tooth fairy gave out that much money, she wouldn't beable to afford groceries. He
didn't say anything back.

One of my sons front teeth had been loose, and then not loose for a long time. I kept wondering when it was going to fall out. It turned out the new big tooth was coming in over the top of it. I tried to pull it with floss and my fingers with no luck. Finally, I called my husband in with the pliers. My son was quite scared, but after two quick tugs the tooth was out and now his big tooth can come in without the competition. He was so proud of his bravery, and his toothless grin is pretty darn cute. He informs me everyday of all the things that are hard to eat now that he has so few teeth.

Still Pregnant!

Well, my due date has come and gone and I am still great with child. I realize that this date is only really a guess date, but it is still a little discouraging. The baby is still very active and I have a midwife appointment tomorrow which will hopefully give some answers. Maybe she wants to be a March baby. It is amazing all of the advice people have on how to start labor. My husband laughs and thinks that they are all pretty much just coincidences. The baby will come when it is ready. He is probably right. Hopefully it won't be too much longer. I am trying to take advantage of this time and rest, eat, sleep, and even pamper myself a bit. Since once the baby is here I won't be thinking about myself too much. As a wise person once wrote "A woman has never stayed pregnant forever." Comforting words!

Welcome to My Blog!

Hello I am Nutrition Momma (at least on this blog), I am a recreation therapist and wellness coordinator. I am also a Mom. I have a 7 year old boy and am expecting a baby girl. I am currently 2 days from my due date. I feel huge! I was at the La Leche Meeting last night and met two women that both had their baby girls late. One was 8 days late the other 10. I am hoping for ontime, but I guess my baby girl will come when she is ready. Attached is a picture of me in the Nursery.

I have gained 28 pounds this pregnancy which is exactly what I and my midwife aimed for (between 25-30) I weigh more than my husband for the first time in our 10 years of marriage. (He is my exact height and this is my first pregnancy, our older son is adopted.) I am eating lots of protein, veggies, and fruit, (craving chocolate and icecream!) and hoping that in a very short period of time I will be holding a little pink angel.