Contractions

I thought maybe I could get through this pregnancy without any complications, but alas, I was wrong. I was at work the other day and it happened to be a little stressful at the time and I couldn't really take a full lunch break (welcome to my work life) and I started to get some contractions. I have been having them on and off for weeks now, but nothing out of the ordinary Braxton-Hicks. They never lasted more than 30 seconds or so. But then I got a strong one that wouldn't go away. This freaked me out a bit. I laid down for 15 minutes (which was really hard to do with all the things I needed to do at the time, but I thought I have to put my baby before my patients-total mind trip) and it went away almost right away when I laid down. Then I got up and it returned. So I called my doc and she wanted me to go to L&D for a non-stress test. When she came and talked to me, she said she may have to give me some medication to stop the contractions, but they stopped on their own. She sent me home with instructions to keep my feet up until I have to work in 2 days.
Two days later I went to work and I started having contractions pretty often, so back to L&D I go. I was wheeled into the high risk OB and that made me start to cry. I realized this might be something more that we are looking for. They did an US of my cervix to measure the length and praise God it was nice and long. These contractions were not changing my cervix. So I was advised to change my work schedule from 12 hour shifts to 8 hour shifts and they said if they started to become regular and with a pattern I could follow, then I need to let them know. I will have to see the OB weekly now and take it easy on my day offs.
I have decided that I am not going to freak out about this and view it as my uterus getting strong for the work ahead, and maybe it will equal a shorter labor, and I'm all for that! I just have to listen to my body and drink lots of water. It has been hard to stop doing a lot at home, but I find if I'm not taking it easy, they return pretty frequently. So I have to rely on JJ for a lot of things and that can be difficult. I can't believe this baby is already slowing me down, but I guess I better get used to it!

Our Common Thread

It's amazing to me how open I am about my infertility sometimes. But I am so glad sometimes that I pipe up about it and share my struggles. Even being pregnant, I still have opportunities to share what I went through. Today I had a patient who was asking about my pregnancy and I shared about our struggles to get this blessing and she opened up about her DIL who was having problems. She has had 3 miscarriages already and is afraid of her chances dwindling because of her age. I was shocked to see the pain and concern on my patient's face as she shared how hard it has been for her DIL. I guess family members share in the pain too. I never thought of that before. I felt the freedom to share how hard it is when you want a baby so bad and it seems like everyone else is getting pregnant around you and the pain that you feel when that's happening. Even with my baby kicking inside me, I felt that pain again. I felt it for her and her DIL and I wanted to take it away because I know it, and I don't want anyone else to know it. I want them to know the joy of expecting a miracle. I will pray she gets her miracle, as we have.

The Doula Dilemma

I have been researching having a natural birth for years now. I just have been drawn to the fact that women for thousands of years have been giving birth, and their bodies are specifically designed for that purpose and who are we to interfere with that unless absolutely necessary? But now that I am faced with the prospect of having to actually deliver this human out of my body, the thought freaks me out a bit. I think its because the only exposure to it was in school and TV, and those weren't the type of experiences that I want to have. I recently have found testimonials of women who have had wonderful natural birth experiences, some of whom have had actual orgasms during birth. My question is-how is that possible? How can a woman go through what traditionally has been the most pain a woman ever goes through, but yet have these amazing feelings and feel totally fulfilled? That's what I want-a birth experience that is calm, fulfilling and joyous. I don't ever want to say, "I don't ever want to go through that again."

I am not pretending like it won't hurt. I am pretty sure it will. But what can I do to help my body do what it is supposed to do and increase those natural pain killers my body can make? I don't know. I want to know. There are so many options out there, but I don't know which will be right for me. Lamaze, Bradley method, hypnobirth? This causes some anxiety to say the least. Will I pick the right one, and will it work?
I have decided that I want to hire a doula, a birthing coach. She is right next to you during your labor and delivery and she helps you reach your goal of unmedicated birth with tips, labor coping methods, and coaching both the mother and father. I know full well that my doctor and my nurse will not be there the whole time, and I want that support with me because I want an unmedicated birth and frankly these days, that is not supported so much. With a doula though, it is supported and they will be my advocate in the labor room to which I am stuck giving birth in (insurance won't cover any other kind or any other hospital.)

I have been interviewing doulas in my area and decided it is definitely the route I want to take. I just have to come up with the money for it somehow. The most expensive one is $800 just for the doula services, not to mention the childbirth class that is $350. Ouch. But I think it will be worth it to have the birth experience I am after. I just have to find the right one that will fit our budget and personalities. I am definitely praying about this, praying for wisdom and that God shows me the right woman for the job. I am also praying that the baby comes when they are available (all of them interviewed are going on vacation within 2 weeks of my due date!!! That's a little unnerving!) Maybe you can pray too?

Nursery Update

These are the wall hangings I am going to put up in the room. Aren't they so cute? They make me smile, and I love decorating with that goal in mind! I just found some large safari animal appliques for the wall too that are going to top it off I think. (Not happy about the $9 of shipping I had to pay for it though! Jeesh, it's not even heavy!)
JJ spent a lot of time the other day clearing out the room, and my worry about the room not being done vanished in one night. I was really grateful. It looks so much bigger now! I decided I wanted the crib on the opposite side of the door so I can peek in on him without opening the door more than a crack. We will keep the bookshelves in there too since we have nowhere else to put them and they aren't too much in the way. I spent some time in there today dusting and vacuuming, as well as putting the swing together. That made me feel like we are really getting ready for him now, where as before it was just clearing things out. Now we have to get the glider from our friend's place. They were storing it for us until we made room. My sister is lending us some of those wonderful items, and I can't say enough how grateful I am for that! It makes me cry to think of it-some of this stuff is so expensive!
There are real moments that I can't believe that I am actually decorating a nursery or researching vaccines or breast pumps! It really hits me when he gives me a good kick-I AM PREGNANT. It's not just that I am dreaming it, it is a reality. By the grace of God, I am going to have a son. I am so grateful and humbled for this gift. I can't wait to meet him.