Status check #2....

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another."
~ Walter Elliott 

Well, it's Friday again...time to check in with Dr. Francois.  I would have thought that by this time (my second full week home and second check-in) I would be more relaxed about my appointments and less anxious about what could happen.  I have done everything I am supposed to, despite what my selfish wants are, have still been getting adjusted, and eating the way I should, so I should expect good results, right?  One would think.  For some reason, however, the night before an appointment and the morning of I'm a nervous, anxious ball of tension....not exactly good for the blood pressure.

Hubby and I headed to the appointment, and he could tell I was nervous.  I started chuckling as he "demonstrated" how he's going to help me relax while in labor.  That gives me something to look forward to.....(only slight sarcasm in the tone).  When we arrived, I checked in and went back to leave my "sample".  I had been guzzling water down all morning because I had gone to the bathroom when I woke up and needed a better output than my last appointment.  :-/   As I came out, Hubby was already in the ultrasound room and the tech was ready for me.  Everything looked GREAT!!!  My fluids were perfect, the baby's heart looked and sounded amazing (they are really checking because of the ibuprofen I'm on right now to hold off the contractions), and we I felt a huge sense of relief come over me.  Baby check down...now to see the Doc to check on mommy.

I went back into her exam room (basic vitals and consult was all that was going on today), got weighed (yuck), and my BP was taken.  Perfect blood pressure! Another relief considering the anxiety I was feeling all morning.  Consult went great, too!!  Here's the scoop now....tomorrow I reach 32 weeks (my Doc is ECSTATIC!!)...at 34 weeks I'm off the Ibuprofen...at 35 weeks I'm off all "stop the labor" meds so I'm only on the meds to keep my blood sugars in check, and if I go into labor at that point, she's not stopping it...GAME ON!  She also stated that she isn't going to do anything to HELP labor along, so it will be a natural process.  LOVE HER!!  So here I am...again, status quo...sitting on the couch, on the computer, with the TV on.  Tomorrow....I think I'm going to stay upstairs and read more....it's a "Zen" kinda day.

Surprises and Preparation

"A grand adventure is about to begin."

~ Winnie the Pooh

We are now in the month that I "Need to get through".  I'm just glad it's the shortest month of the year...of course hubby has to be the comedian and point out that it's a leap year, so there is one extra day!!  I have another weekly appointment with my Doc tomorrow...including an ultrasound.  Another opportunity to find out the sex of the baby, but we are standing strong and keeping it a surprise!!  A really good friend is expecting her third child.  When I originally told her that we were going to keep the sex of the baby a secret, she pretty much laughed and couldn't believe I could handle not knowing.  She and I are soul mates when it comes to organizing, preparation, etc.  She knows my A++ side real well.  I have pretty much shocked her up to this point.  Now that she is coming to the time when she can find out the sex of her munchkin, she's wanting to keep it a surprise, too.  She and her hubby are trying to come to an agreement on what to do (he wants to know).  Why am I discussing her situation in my blog?  Well, I have received a few questions about why we just won't bite the bullet and find out the sex of the baby.


One of the things I'm looking forward to is the sound of Hubby's voice telling me what we have been blessed with.  We have two girls and a boy in the house right now, so honestly, we just want this baby healthy.  I also have to admit, it is kind of funny to see some friends and family members go crazy by not knowing...they complain about not knowing what to buy...what colors to get things in...what theme to have for the shower....etc.  One of the other "concerns" people have expressed to me is my possibly not being able to bond with the baby without knowing if it's a boy or a girl.  That's something I'm not having difficulty with AT ALL.  As I'm sure you could pick up from the blog, Taz and I have definitely connected, and I'm learning more and more about his/her in-utero personality.  I love it!!!  The BIGGEST argument I have gotten from others is that by not knowing, how am I going to prepare for the baby?


Well....first of all, preparation right now for me is not necessarily focused on the "stuff" needed for when the baby arrives, but being prepared for the actual delivery of the baby.  As far as the "stuff" the baby needs, food is covered (I WILL be exclusively breastfeeding), crib and bedding isn't necessary quite yet (we will be using a co-sleeper), diapers...no problem (mom and sister are holding a "diaper raffle" at the baby shower next weekend -- for every pack / cloth diaper brought there is an entry into the raffle)...and clothes, well, there are PLENTY of absolutely adorable gender-neutral onesies and other clothing I have found.  Also, if this turns out to be a boy, my sister has PLENTY of clothes from my nephew and gift cards allow for mommy to go on a clothing shopping spree!!!


What do I mean by being prepared for the actual delivery of the baby?  I mean understanding the phases of labor in detail...working with my coach (Hubby) on understanding the signs of the changes of phase in labor, coming up with our "Action plan" for the timing of when we decide to go to the hospital...who we are having in the delivery room and why...what food/drink we are packing in our "Birthing bag"...and at this point I'm reading "Husband Coached Childbirth" (The Bradley Method) for natural childbirth.  I realized while in the hospital that though this might not be the home birth I originally wanted, it can still be as natural as I wanted it.  It is about my physical and mental preparation for the delivery as well as Hubby's.  Choreographing our moves so we there is a seamless dance that goes on between us as labor progresses, decreasing stress and anxiety, and improving the likelihood of a peaceful entry into this world for little Taz.  THAT is preparation that does not require knowing the gender of my little one.