Hi everyone, my name is Helly, and I'm a Naturopath, who is preggie with my first child! Although my husband sometimes calls me a "darn hippy", (hee hee) he agrees with me that as a low risk candidate, home birthing is the best alternative! I mean, if I'm sick, I'll go to the hospital, but otherwise, I'd rather be at home! I've been lucky enough to find a midwife who is willing to assist (in my small town - no mean feat) who recently helped my best friend give birth.

I plan to be a sling-wearing, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, cloth nappy using, au'naturel mother!

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Your Name: Helen (or just Helly!)
Age: 27
Height: Um, in cm? 165cm.
Pre-pregnancy weight: No idea - don't own scales!

Partners Name: Tim
Age: 31
Height: Y'know - I'm not sure! I fit under his chin nicely. :)
Are you still together: A-yup!

Is this your first pregnancy: First
When did you find out you were pregnant: Um, what day did I join this site? Mid January. 15th, I think.
Was it planned: For sure
What was your first reaction: Disbelieving, actually. I hadn't thought we were in with a snowflakes chance that month.
Who was with you when you found out: I was home alone - took the test as a joke, because I was bored!
Who was the first person you told: My hubby - I waited about 20 seconds before I called him... lol
How did your parents react: Absolutely stoked - I sent them a bunch of flowers with a little card from "their grandchild," saying, I can't wait to meet you!
How far along are you: 17 weeks
What was your first symptom: Sore BB's, from the day I O'd, which I why I thought there was no way.
What is your due date: September 26 (approx, of course) I hope it's a Libran, we've already got a bunch of Virgo's in the fam!
Do you know the sex of the baby: Nope! And don't plan to find out.
If so, what is it:
Have you picked out names: I have a few, we haven't gone into earnest name picking yet.
If so, what are they: I like Una for a girl, and Eamon for a boy
How much weight have you gained: No idea!
Do you have stretch marks: No, at hopefully not if I can combat it!
Have you felt the baby move: In the last week - in fact, as I started writing this, I'm sure I felt it again!
Have you heard the heartbeat: Nope, but I know my baby is fine!

Will you keep the baby: Ha ha - depends! (J/K!!!) Absolutely.
Home or hospital birth: Hoooome - yay! I'm excited
Natural or medicated birth: All natural, baby.
Who will be in the delivery room with you: My MW Sandy, my mum, and my hubby (if he chooses to be there - I've let him know he can leave at any time and I won't be offended. I dont want to force him to stay. He reckons he'll be ok though!)
Will you breastfeed: There is no other way. *wink*
Do you think you'll need a c-section: I don't believe so - technically, only 3-5% of women in Australia genuinely need a C-section, (although the rate of actual c-sections performed currently hovers around 40%, MUCH higher than it should be), I am not in a high risk group.
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time: Knowing me, Weepy McWeepypants, probably!!!
What's the first thing you might say to him/her: Probably too busy weeping! lol
Would you let someone videotape the birth: LOL... if they really want to, I'm not phased. I can't promise I'll always stay in the cameras view!
Are you excited about the birth, or scared: I don't mind being excited, and a little bit of fear is natural, but the more we educate ourselves, the less we have to be frightened of!

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April 18, 2008 - So, it's taken me a whole 17 weeks to actually put anything on here! Starting to feel kicks now, and I've had to abandon sleeping on my tummy (sob!) People who saw me last week are surprised that I seem to have suddenly popped out! I look big from up above, but when I check the mirror, it's not really that dramatic. We went out for dinner last night, and I grabbed one of my belly bands, unbuttoned the top two buttons of my jeans, and put that over the top! Lol, I think I'm gonna have to abandon the regular jeans soon. They're fine as long as I don't sit down for ages or eat! Good thing about hipsters though, they last longer than high-waisted! Anyhoo, time to get ready for work - my thoughtful bosses have provided a stool for me to sit on, so my legs don't ache anymore! Yay!

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May 6th, 2008 - Creeping up towards the half way point already! Had another visit from my midwife last night - she's very pleased with how things are progressing! My uterus is just below my bellybutton at the moment, and I'm getting kicked daily! Things are looking on track for now. Feeling really good, have been keeping up my vitamins as much as possible, and moderate excercise. I think the reason I never add things to this journal is because there isn't much happening! Just my body doing its thing making a baby!

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May 22 , 2008 - passed half way and onto 22 weeks tomorrow! This little one has been kicking like a champion! Tim can feel some of the kicks now (the ones that make me go "oof!") which is exciting for him. I've done some sewing lately and made myself a maternity dress for the winter, which I've made sure is useable as a nursing dress for next year as well. Still feeling great - when I walk for a while I get a little bit of an ache in one side, like there are ligaments still stretching a little, but it goes after about 10 minutes. Other than that, feelin' fine!

I had a bit of a disagreement with the doctor who is overseeing everything, he insisted that I have at least one ultrasound to see what's going on, and I didn't see why I had to have one at all. After all, it's entirely my choice! Nonetheless, I crumbled and agreed to one only, which was today. It took forever and the girl did a billion measurements, but it's OVER now and that's the last of them! I mean, if things are going well, I won't even have to see the doctor - he's only in place if something goes wrong and I have to go to hospital. So onwards to the next milestone!