2nd Trimester! (14 weeks)

I apologize that I haven't been keeping up with the blog.  I've been very busy, and distracted with my husband preparing to leave to BMT for the Air Force.   But this will update you on everything!

I am 14 weeks pregnant this week, which is the start of my second trimester!   Yippee!  The nausea and vomiting are slowly fading, though I do have an episode everyone in a while.  I have started maternity clothes shopping, and although I loathed the idea of having to put on those hideous pants with the  stretchy waists that go up to your boobs, I must say they are VERY comfortable.  I don't feel restricted at all, and it's actually kind of nice.  Speaking of boobs, my boobs are huge, and everyone finds it necessary to let me know that they are.  Thanks guys!  Well lets look at the up side, at least my baby won't go hungry! HA!

Speaking of people telling you things that are unnecessary, why is it that everyone who is or has ever been pregnant feel the need to tell me their horror stories, or things like "I know it's going to be twins because I was that big when I was that far along and I had twins!" and "You have so much to look forward to, like a weak bladder and irritability, and don't forget that you are going to be so uncomfortable during your last weeks that you're going to do anything to want that baby out of you!"  Yes people I've heard it all.  Even when I wasn't pregnant, I heard it all.  Don't get me wrong, I welcome stories, advice and suggestions, but not ones that are condescending, or scary.  I plan to have a natural birth, with the help of a midwife, and I would like the support of everyone I meet and tell that too.  I'm so tired of the rolled eyes, and scoffs when I tell someone I'm going to have a natural birth.  I know it's not the norm, but people look at me weird when I tell them this.  In my opinion I don't think women give enough thought to their labor and birth plan as they should.  It's not like I woke up one morning and thought...Hmmm I think I'll have a non medicated home birth.  Tyler and I have put a lot of thought into this decision, for it is not one to be made lightly.  I know labor and birth are going to hurt like hell!  I know it's not going to be easy.  I'll be pooping a kid out of my vag for christ's sake!  There are tons of risks involved, and I am aware of these risks.  I have given this plenty of thought, and have decided this is what will best for me and my baby.  I have wanted a natural home birth for as long as I can remember.  The horror stories are annoying, but also don't scare me because I know every situation is different and mine will be a beautiful story to tell of it's own.  I trust my body and know it will do what it needs to do when the time is right. 

I've been feeling pretty good at this point in my pregnancy.  It is rather exciting now that I a starting to show a lot more.  My belly is starting to poke out more and more everyday.  I have an appointment with Terri and Jenny, my midwives, on Tuesday the 21st at 2:30pm.  I am very excited since this will be my very first prenatal appointment!  I will tell you all about it on Tuesday.  So stay tuned. 

PS:  Happy Birthday to my wonderful loving Husband!  I miss you dearly and can't wait to see you! 

Midwife or OB? (11 weeks)

Ok so I missed a week.  Yeah yeah yeah, so sue me!  I've been tired and nauseous, and just feeling poopy all the way around.  I just haven't been in the mood to do anything these days, but sleep, and try to take my mind off the nausea.  Last night was the first night I puked in a few weeks.  I thought it was getting better, but alas it was too good to be true.  Will it ever go away?  I'm hanging in there with 3 more weeks to go until the 2nd trimester when all this nonsense is supposed to be gone.  On a happy note, I can feel my bump getting bigger!  No picture yet, you gotta wait until next week.

So back to the topic, I have been pondering this decision for quite some time now, even before I was pregnant.  For years actually.  I have always wanted to see what it was like to have a home birth.  An "out-of-norm" experience in child birth.  I don't have anything to "prove", nor do I want to gloat about how I gave birth naturally and you didn't.  Those that know me, know that's not my character.  However, when I mention this to people they often give me funny looks, or make blunt comments such as "HA! Good luck with that", or "TRUST ME, You're going to want an Epidural!" My response to them now would be, I am preparing my mind, body, and spirit to have a non-medicated natural birth, because you wouldn't run a marathon without training your body first.  Others are terrified about the possibility of something going wrong, or if God forbid an emergency were to arise, and the need for an intervention were necessary what would a midwife be able to do in than?  It's much "safer" to have your baby at the hospital.  Is it really though?  The truth is that for a low-risk pregnancy, a non-medicated vaginal birth is actually safer.  Midwives are becoming more and more popular here in the U.S but once again we fall behind other developed industrial countries in this area.  Birth by a midwife in the U.S. is an astonishingly low 1% where as the UK, New Zealand, and Australia being 10% or more.  These countries also have a far lower infant mortality rate than the US.  

See what most people don't realize is that a Certified Nurse Midwife is someone who is a nurse, and was than certified as a midwife by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.  A Licensed Midwife and Certified Professional Midwives have received years of training as apprentices, and Midwifery School and are certified by the North American Registry of Midwives.

Most midwives use non-medicated birthing techniques, yet still carry IV's, and pain medication.  They also work closely with hospitals in their area in case the need for an intervention were to arise, a transfer to the hospital would be fast and efficient.  They are trained to catch unusual things early, and suggest a transfer to the hospital if they see something is not right, so it won't be too late to get to the hospital.

Obstetricians go to medical school and are mostly taught interventions.  Most people don't realize that an OB is a surgeon.  They are trained to find complications and do something about it.  They are trained to use medication, not just when necessary, but all the time.  If a birth isn't going quickly enough for them, they start a Pitocin drip.  Pitocin serves as a substitute for the hormone Oxytocin.  Oxytocin is the body's natural hormone that stimulates uterine contractions.  Pitocin increases those contractions unnaturally.  If a woman has received an Epidural, she can't feel the strength of the contractions.  If too much Pitocin is administered, and Mom can't feel the contractions, it puts the baby at risk creating a stressful birth for the baby.  A lot of times this puts the baby in fetal distress ie. causing the baby's blood pressure to drop, and proceeding with an unnecessary intervention that could have been avoided in the first place.

I am not knocking OB's by any means, nor am I saying doctors are jerks or assholes.  I am merely saying,  the hospital experience is not what want.  I personally want an intimate setting, with minimal interruptions, and the intimate personal care a midwife.  I trust my body and know that it will not let me down.  It is a spiritual experience that I want to have with my family, close friends, my husband and my baby, without the chaos that usually goes on in a hospital

So, that being said, Tyer and I had a meeting with a couple of midwives yesterday.  We asked them all sorts of questions, they reviewed my medical history, and also asked me questions.  They were very sweet ladies.  I encourage you to go to their website and read their bios, and look around their website.
Seven Cities Midwifery Care

9 Weeks

Although it seems like I just found out yesterday, it feels as though this first trimester is just crawling by (pardon the pun). I think it may have something to do with the morning sickness and me wishing I was 14 weeks already to be rid of this constant nausea! :( My belly hasn't really changed at all, but I do feel bloated. Ooo I also gained a pound! In weighing 127lbs. I know it doesn't seem like much, but considering I've been sick and weighed about 123lbs prior the pregnancy. That's my update, not much to report this week, everything's about the same as last week. Stay tuned for any more interesting news!

I feel "Pukey" :/

Welp...I thought I was going to get off easy!  I should have known it was too good to be true!

I feel "Pukey"!

 These past couple days, the nausea has hit me pretty hard.  Nothing seems appetizing, not even those infamous "saltines" everyone raves about.  Today was the very first day I had to run to the bathroom and hug the toilet.  Nothing came out, I was just heaving and spitting up, but hugging nonetheless...oh no, excuse me while I go hug some more!  This time there was puke, YAY!  I'm sorry, but I have warned you I would go into extreme detail!

If there is any feeling I hate most in the world it's feeling nauseous, and if there is any act I hate most, it's puking.  So I'm sure you can imagine what a time I'm having!  The only thing that seems to settle my stomach is ice cold water.  I've tried ginger, that helps a bit, but the relief only seems to last a few minutes, than I feel it again.  I've been craving mostly proteins which is good.  Trying to limit those carbs however.  No gestational diabetes for me...no thank you! 

Another symptoms that's hit me pretty hard is exhaustion.  I seem to be tired all the time.  I slept until 1:30pm yesterday.  I don't think I've done that since I was a teenager.  Taking Stanley for walks does help, not to mention the occasional nap.  Speaking of naps, I think I'll go take one now. :)

8 Weeks and counting!

Today I'm 8 weeks, so I guess that makes it 2 months?  I don't really know if my belly looks any different, being as though I always thought of myself as having a skinny person belly.  When I tell people that they just roll their eyes and say "Oh Please!"  But it's true!  I have a belly that pops out over my belt, I swear!  It may not be as big as some other belly's from "bigger" folk, but it's there nonetheless.  OK so Since I didn't take a picture of my first month.  I'm starting with this month.  I will take one every month to show you my belly's progress, as well as my chubby cheeks that I foresee in the very near future.

I've been feeling pretty good so far.  Pretty tired all the time, but that doesn't seem to be any different from pre-pregnancy.  As I believe I mentioned in a previous post, my sense of smell has increased tremendously.  This is causing me to have food aversions.  I know pretty crazy huh?  We were on vacation last week and the family was steaming Shrimp.  If any one knows me, they know I LOVE Shrimp!  Not this time however! YUCK!!  "Have you ever smelled anything more rancid in your entire life?" I thought.  It took everything in me not to toss my dinner in the toilet.  If there's one feeling I hate most, it's the feeling of nausea.  It just makes everything miserable!  Ok I gotta stop talking about it because talking about it is making me nauseous.

Let's talk about craving, yummy.  I was craving cream soda last night, and my sweet sweet husband went to the store and got some for me.  He did however, have an ulterior motive...beer. 

My boobs are getting bigger.  I mistakenly bought a 34D bra, instead of a 34C, and the D fits great now!   I think it's the only one I can wear with out them popping out all over the place.

So far so good people!  More updates to come next week!  Until then, happy baby shopping! :)