IT'S A GIRL!!!

This is baby #1 for us. I seem to be a bit older than some of the other women on this site but I don't feel old and pregnancy has been pretty easy so far. Over the last few years I have had two miscarriages - I was tested for pretty much everything and no one could find anything wrong with me so we decided to try again and it looks like this one is a keeper. : ) Assuming all goes well and we get the healthy baby we are hoping for we plan to try again at the end of next summer for #2.

Initially I thought I wanted a heavily medicated birth - I was really afraid. The more I resesarch, however, the more confident I am becoming that I can do this. I am going to attempt natural childbirth in a hospital setting but I am going to keep my options open - I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.

I have been really inspired by the work of midwife Ina May Gaskin and highly recommend her book "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth". I also enjoyed the movie "The Business of Being Born". Even though I don't think a home birth is right for me it was great to see so many normal, uneventful births in that film. It was one of the things that really helped to ease some of my fear.

July 8, 2008

We just hired a doula that is going to help us labor at home as long as possible and then will go to the hospital with us when it is time and stay with us through the birth. I am actually getting excited about delivery and am trying to think about it like I am preparing to run a big, long race. I have run 3 marathons and my runner friends that have given birth have told me that the marathon is more difficult so I am hoping that my experience is similar.

Tomorrow is my 28 week check up. I have the glocuse test and another ultrasound. My blood pressure has been high throughout the pregnancy and they need to make sure the baby is growing okay. Based on the size of my growing belly I think she is fine - possibly even TOO big. : )

July 9, 2008

28 week appointment went really well. I passed my glucose test, and my blood pressure was normal for the first time this entire pregnancy. : ) Ultrasound showed that the baby is growing as it should - current weight is estimated at 2 pounds 8 oz putting it at 56% according to the doctor. Here's hoping the next 12 weeks are as average as this appointment was.