Thursday, June 28, 2012

30 weeks!

29 1/2 weeks and feeling great!
30 weeks down, 10 to go!  That means we're 3/4 (or 75%) of the way done!  That's crazy!  These last 10 weeks are going to fly by I'm sure too. 

I am sooooo thankful I have continued to feel amazing!  I think a large part of it is forcing myself to drink a lot of water (100-128oz per day) and move every day.  That and I must have some pretty good genes in my line.  My only complaints as of late are sore hips.  Swelling hasn't been bad and I've been sleeping great still.  I'm feeling Braxton Hicks contractions every day.  I'm hoping they really are 'warm up' contractions and my body is learning what it needs to do come labor and delivery time.

I've decided to officially 'retire' my skates for a while.  I noticed a few weeks ago that I was having more Braxton Hicks contractions when I would go for a walk.  Our doctor thought this may be because I was dehydrated, but I'm really not sure how that's possible.  Either way, I don't want to push myself too hard, so my work outs have changed from skating, yoga, and walking to just yoga and walking.  Didn't quite make it through all of June with skating once a week, but that's OK. Yoga has felt AMAZING.  The dogs love the walks too...it's just been too hot this week to take them on walks.  100 degree days and humidity so high you can see it in the air isn't good for me or fur covered animals. 

Marveling at how tiny newborn diapers are
Rowan is doing exactly what he should.  Good strong heart beat at each appointment, growing, and regular movements...though he likes to push up into the right side of my rib cage which isn't the most comfortable.  Ian says each night when he comes to bed (and I've already been asleep for a couple of hours), he can feel Rowan having a party and moving all over the place.  We may have another night owl in our house come September.


We're getting more and more things ready in the house and in Rowan's room.  We have our stroller and car seat sitting in his room waiting to be put together and  installed in the car.  Clothes are starting to appear in his closet.  Diapers are appearing on the changing table.  There's going to be a baby living in there soon!  Every day a bit more excitement replaces a bit of anxiety. 

Thursday, June 7, 2012

reality check

The weeks keep moving on.  That means each day I wake up is one day closer to meeting our little Rowan.  That also means I'm one day closer to experiencing something that scares the crap out of me: labor and delivery.

I'm not afraid to admit that I'm scared of giving birth.  I know it's a natural process and women have been doing it for thousands of years...but I've never done it!  I have no idea what it's going to be like...how long it's going to take us...if we're going to have any complications...if things are going to go to plan.  I'm glad there are lots of women in my life who have experienced giving birth recently that can share their stories with me.  I'm also very glad we are taking a 10 week child birth class at our hospital to help prepare us.  It's a longer class because it's geared towards women who want natural child labor.  My plan involves no medication and Rowan coming out in a textbook perfect delivery on September 3rd so his birthday will be 09/03/12 (because 9+3=12...and that's labor day...ironic no?).  OH...and my plan is to have labors like my mother...between and hour and a half (me) and three hours (my brother)...TOTAL.  Realistic?  Nope...but one can always dream right?

I honestly don't know how I'm going to handle the pain or the waiting.  I remember the contractions I felt when we had our miscarriage and my body started contracting.  They certainly weren't comfortable, but they also weren't working to push out a fully developed baby.  Not quite sure how I'm going to adjust to the differences there, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Right now, I have to say that my biggest fear is having to be induced.  What happens if Rowan doesn't come out?  What happens if September 6th...10th...14th..comes and goes, and he's making no movements towards the door?  What then?  Do we wait? Do we induce?  That waiting game is going to be hard.  And then there's the waiting game of being at home or at the hospital waiting through the contractions that are just there to get us ready for delivery.  Some people may not know this about me, but I'm not always a patient person when it comes to waiting for things I want.  Just ask Ian...he knows that part of my personality all too well...

I know that no matter how the story goes, the ending is the same: Rowan is delivered.  I know that I have the ability to give birth naturally.  I also know that I'm not a 'failure' or did something 'wrong' if I can't give birth naturally (either by using medication or having a C-Section).  I know I have a husband that completely supports the plan that we have for getting Rowan out into this world.  I also know that Ian is a smart guy who's going to work with me in making the healthiest choices for our son's delivery.  I know I'm going to have lots of support and encouragement from friends and family on D-Day (delivery day) for whatever fear I'm facing that moment.  I also know I'll have an equal amount of encouragement from the same friends and family that it's OK if things can't go according to my plan.

Do all these assurances I have ease my fears?  A little...but not much.  Labor and delivery is going to be something COMPLETELY different than ANYTHING I've ever experienced before.  But, I still have time to prepare and time to wait.