Those of you who know me know that my mom and I are extremely close. I am lucky enough to have her be my best friend and at some points she ends up being the only person who really understands my wants and needs. As you know this pregnancy hasn't been an easy one so I am so grateful she was able to be out here this past week.
For the four days she was here she made me food, walked the dog, helped empty out boxes that have been sitting in the basement, took me shopping for maternity clothes, and even did our mountain of laundry. Most importantly she kept me company and helped Jacob and I see how we can both be better towards each other.
The best part of her visit though was when she helped me check out our new midwife.
A week before my mom came to visit I wasn't comfortable with the midwives at Swedish for a number of reasons and really wanted different care. I also was really trying to not have a hospital birth at all and freaked when one of the groups said they were booked for births in October. In swoops mom helping me make calls and even figuring out how to do all this with our health coverage. I was able to book an appointment for when my mom was in town which Jacob enjoyed because he was starting to get sick of first visits and was more than happy to have my mom step in.
The visit to the new midwife ended up being amazing and I'm glad to report I've finally settled. The best moment really was when my mom heard Milo's heart beat. She teared up a little and it was an amazing moment for both of us. This brings me to why this whole thing is such a big deal.
When I first reported to my mom we were going natural and not with and OBGYN she was a bit hesitant about the process, Both my brother and I were very complicated pregnancies and births. I'm beginning to learn that birth is a scary subject for our family. Despite her trauma she has been really supportive of my wishes. It was nice to be able to sit down with the midwife and have my mom really learn why this was so important to me and that it was indeed safe. She was really blown away by the midwife and the birthing center. It was such a wonderful experience and even more I'm happy to report that she has agreed to be my doula during the birth.
I'm so thankful for having such a great mom who really tries to understand me. Love you mom.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Jacob and I
When I talked to my cousin Becky on the phone the other day she asked that I post a picture of Jacob and I. The truth is we don't take many pictures together but I feel this one really captures the playfulness of our relationship. Note: my hair is now much longer.
The Thing No One Tells You About Being Pregnant
Since learning I was pregnant I've had various people tell me about gaining weight, hormones, food cravings, swelling feet, hot flashes, and of course the pains of giving birth. What no one warned me about was the pains of being pregnant.
Sure I'd read about light cramping and was prepared for it but, I wasn't prepared for was round ligament pain and man oh man is it here.
As you know we originally moved up our ultrasound due to pains I'd been having and as you saw every thing is perfect on that end. Our next move was to seek advice from a regular doctor and that ended up happening last Wednesday night after I had to miss work due to sharp pains. Jacob and I ended up going to the ER when he got off work so that he didn't have to miss any more that week. Since I just go to a clinic here for my regular health care it was basically the same thing just a little more of a wait. All of the tests they ran thankfully came back fine also.
So this leaves us where we are now me on my couch with round ligament pain unable to work. I don't mean to write this as some sort of pity party I just feel if I'm going to keep track of this pregnancy I should probably write about the hard times too. The truth is right now is one of those hard times. Luckily I have a lovely boyfriend who is taking care of me (when he's not at work), a dog to keep me company, and a physical therapy appointment scheduled for Friday.
Sure I'd read about light cramping and was prepared for it but, I wasn't prepared for was round ligament pain and man oh man is it here.
As you know we originally moved up our ultrasound due to pains I'd been having and as you saw every thing is perfect on that end. Our next move was to seek advice from a regular doctor and that ended up happening last Wednesday night after I had to miss work due to sharp pains. Jacob and I ended up going to the ER when he got off work so that he didn't have to miss any more that week. Since I just go to a clinic here for my regular health care it was basically the same thing just a little more of a wait. All of the tests they ran thankfully came back fine also.
So this leaves us where we are now me on my couch with round ligament pain unable to work. I don't mean to write this as some sort of pity party I just feel if I'm going to keep track of this pregnancy I should probably write about the hard times too. The truth is right now is one of those hard times. Luckily I have a lovely boyfriend who is taking care of me (when he's not at work), a dog to keep me company, and a physical therapy appointment scheduled for Friday.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
OH BOY!
As I wrote last we headed to Ballard for an early ultrasound today. I am happy to report that both the baby and I are in excellent health. Oh and we're having a boy!
We know it's unconventional to share the name this early but the truth is we've been sitting on a name for over a month now and can't wait any longer. We will be naming him Milo Snow Mendenhall. No not after Milo and Otis but, after the main character in the book The Phantom Tollbooth.
Jacob and I are ecstatic and can't wait for October so we can hold him. I was also glad that the Tech gave us a CD so we could post some pictures for y'all. The one above was our favorite but here's a few more.
Love,
Jana
Monday, May 9, 2011
Moving Up The Ultrasound Date
Quick update here to let y'all know that we are heading to the doctor tomorrow for our ultrasound visit. We had planned on having the ultrasound in the 20th week so that we could definitely determine the sex but, I've been having a lot of pain in my lower abdomen for the past week.
I know that aches and pains are normal but, these have lasted for a while and the midwife decided we should head in a little early to make sure that every thing is a-okay.
Right now we're hoping for a healthy baby and healthy me but, at the same time we're also hoping that we can still determine the sex even though it is a little early. We will of course keep you posted.
I know that aches and pains are normal but, these have lasted for a while and the midwife decided we should head in a little early to make sure that every thing is a-okay.
Right now we're hoping for a healthy baby and healthy me but, at the same time we're also hoping that we can still determine the sex even though it is a little early. We will of course keep you posted.
The Second Check Up/ First Visit With the Midwife Group
Yesterday was our first visit with the Midwife group. I wish I had tons of new for y'all but it was extremely routine. I guess in the end it's a good thing that there's no news this early. Since we lack any excitement I wanted to take this post to address a few questions/concerns that I've been hearing since letting people know that we plan on doing a natural birth with a midwife.
a) Yes going with a midwife is safe. Trust me if I didn't think it was we wouldn't have even considered it. If you don't trust me simply Google the birthing stats for most other developed countries and you will see that the percentage of women who use midwives (and live!) is extremely high.
b) No we're not doing a home birth. While I think that home birth is an amazing thing and definitely some thing I will consider if I ever get pregnant again Jacob and I have decided that this one will be born in the birthing center. Part of this is due to money reasons and the other part is that we currently live in an apartment that we plan on moving out of in February. We of course like it (on its good days) but we don't quite consider it to be very much of a home. So if you were still worried about my safety please take solace in the fact that we will be close to doctors and all the machinery if we happen to need it.
c) No we're not doing a water birth. I have nothing against water birth and as far as I know neither does Jacob, we just decided that it isn't really what we want to do.
d) And finally, yes I'm aware that giving birth can be very painful. Trust me if I some how didn't think it was I've heard enough horror stories from well meaning women to know how terrible the pain can get. However, I also know that giving birth is beautiful and if done properly can be even more beautiful. I don't want to come across as preachy so I will end here but please believe me I am not going naively in to this birth.
There are tons of books, films, and articles one can read about midwifery and natural birth. I am slowly educating myself by working my way through a few of them. As of right now I highly recommend.
Ina Mays Guide To Childbirth by Ina May Gaskins
This book has become my bible. The birthing stories in the beginning have helped me find much comfort and the whole book in general leaves me with an empowered feeling when I put it down. It can be a bit hippy dippy at some points but it's amazing.
The Business of Being Born
I will warn you right now that this movie clearly has an agenda and is extremely pro- natural birth and to some extent home birth. It does however show some compelling interviews with both OBGYNs and Midwives. Also it spits out some statistics I found very interesting. WARNING: If you don't want to watch women giving birth (including Rikki Lake) don't watch this movie. I was very proud of Jacob for watching it with me and am still in shock that it's how he spent a Thursday night.
a) Yes going with a midwife is safe. Trust me if I didn't think it was we wouldn't have even considered it. If you don't trust me simply Google the birthing stats for most other developed countries and you will see that the percentage of women who use midwives (and live!) is extremely high.
b) No we're not doing a home birth. While I think that home birth is an amazing thing and definitely some thing I will consider if I ever get pregnant again Jacob and I have decided that this one will be born in the birthing center. Part of this is due to money reasons and the other part is that we currently live in an apartment that we plan on moving out of in February. We of course like it (on its good days) but we don't quite consider it to be very much of a home. So if you were still worried about my safety please take solace in the fact that we will be close to doctors and all the machinery if we happen to need it.
c) No we're not doing a water birth. I have nothing against water birth and as far as I know neither does Jacob, we just decided that it isn't really what we want to do.
d) And finally, yes I'm aware that giving birth can be very painful. Trust me if I some how didn't think it was I've heard enough horror stories from well meaning women to know how terrible the pain can get. However, I also know that giving birth is beautiful and if done properly can be even more beautiful. I don't want to come across as preachy so I will end here but please believe me I am not going naively in to this birth.
There are tons of books, films, and articles one can read about midwifery and natural birth. I am slowly educating myself by working my way through a few of them. As of right now I highly recommend.
Ina Mays Guide To Childbirth by Ina May Gaskins
This book has become my bible. The birthing stories in the beginning have helped me find much comfort and the whole book in general leaves me with an empowered feeling when I put it down. It can be a bit hippy dippy at some points but it's amazing.
The Business of Being Born
I will warn you right now that this movie clearly has an agenda and is extremely pro- natural birth and to some extent home birth. It does however show some compelling interviews with both OBGYNs and Midwives. Also it spits out some statistics I found very interesting. WARNING: If you don't want to watch women giving birth (including Rikki Lake) don't watch this movie. I was very proud of Jacob for watching it with me and am still in shock that it's how he spent a Thursday night.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The First Doctors Visit
We had our first visit with an OBGYN on March 24th. What was supposed to be a routine first visit ended up being quite a trip.
Jacob and I headed off to the doctor that afternoon both nervous and excited. Going to the doctor really made it more concrete that we were indeed going to have a baby together. That morning I had been having some sharp pains to that only added to how nervous we were.
Once we got to the doctor (late of course) we answered the usual questions and I underwent the usual exams. After Jacob mentioned that I had been having some sharp pains the doctor immediately scheduled an ultrasound to make sure the pregnancy wasn't ectopic. This of course sent me in to quite a worrying spiral but, also excitement because I hadn't been expecting a chance for an ultrasound.
As you could have clearly guessed by now the baby was in wonderful health and it ended up being an extra treat to get the ultrasound. It was much bigger than I had expected and the ultrasound tech told me that I was actually twelve weeks along and not the 11 every one had thought. Jacob and I really enjoyed that bit of news because it meant we could start sharing about the baby with every one.
I think the highlight of the visit was when we were doing the ultrasound and in order to get a better profile view (the baby was curled up in a ball) the tech poked at my stomach with the wand. She was positive this would cause the baby to uncurl a little but instead he/she just turned over. Jacob and I both laughed and explained to tech that this was clearly my child. It seems both of us are stubborn and hate being bothered while sleeping.
Our next appointment is today actually (May 3) but we won't be returning to the OBGYN. Now that we know the baby and I are all good and after much research we have decided to transfer our care to a Nurse Midwife center. I have always wanted a natural birth and feel this is the best way to go to make sure my wishes are followed through. I will update y'all with how it went when I have a moment.
Jacob and I headed off to the doctor that afternoon both nervous and excited. Going to the doctor really made it more concrete that we were indeed going to have a baby together. That morning I had been having some sharp pains to that only added to how nervous we were.
Once we got to the doctor (late of course) we answered the usual questions and I underwent the usual exams. After Jacob mentioned that I had been having some sharp pains the doctor immediately scheduled an ultrasound to make sure the pregnancy wasn't ectopic. This of course sent me in to quite a worrying spiral but, also excitement because I hadn't been expecting a chance for an ultrasound.
As you could have clearly guessed by now the baby was in wonderful health and it ended up being an extra treat to get the ultrasound. It was much bigger than I had expected and the ultrasound tech told me that I was actually twelve weeks along and not the 11 every one had thought. Jacob and I really enjoyed that bit of news because it meant we could start sharing about the baby with every one.
I think the highlight of the visit was when we were doing the ultrasound and in order to get a better profile view (the baby was curled up in a ball) the tech poked at my stomach with the wand. She was positive this would cause the baby to uncurl a little but instead he/she just turned over. Jacob and I both laughed and explained to tech that this was clearly my child. It seems both of us are stubborn and hate being bothered while sleeping.
Our next appointment is today actually (May 3) but we won't be returning to the OBGYN. Now that we know the baby and I are all good and after much research we have decided to transfer our care to a Nurse Midwife center. I have always wanted a natural birth and feel this is the best way to go to make sure my wishes are followed through. I will update y'all with how it went when I have a moment.
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