My third trimester started yesterday. Right on cue, I have started thinking about things like the birth plan, what to pack for the hospital, and "holy moly, my body is going to do What?". I'm getting really excited about meeting the little critter. I feel like I know Baby DB so well already but I still don't have a clue. It's like internet dating for nine months. I mean, I guess it is... I never did internet dating. Wesley has been stuck with me for a long time now. Anyways, back on track.
I've been having Braxton-Hicks contractions here and there. I started getting them at the beginning of the second trimester but now I have them at least once every couple of days it seems. My body is gearing up. I know I'm petite but I really have a feeling that I am going to be able to do this without induction or c-section. In spite of ME feeling crummy, my body has done a great job taking care of this kiddo so far. The baby has grown right on schedule, has all signs of good health and is very active. The hormones that make me pukey and my nose stuffy and runny 24/7 (which is maddening) are protecting Critter from possible dangers. I used to think my body was horrible at being pregnant but now I think maybe it's really, really good at it- albeit at the expense of my own comfort, but so what?
I've also started working out on a regular basis. Nothing too strenuous, mind you. I ride a stationary bike at the lowest setting for 15-30 minutes, do some time on the elliptical to build up my stamina and try to do 50 squats a day to strengthen and tone important muscles for the upcoming task. All of the cardio equipment has heart rate monitors so I can keep an eye on the ticker and make sure I don't overdo it. It feels good to exercise and I can already see the benefits in energy and mood.
Ladies, did you have a birth plan? What was most important to you? Was it honored to the best of the staff's ability? Any suggestions? And what random item should I make sure to pack in the hospital bag?
No birth plan here - I left it all in the hands of my doctor, who I trusted 300%. I didn't care how the baby got here, I just wanted her to get here safely and for me to be equally safe. It ended up being a non-issue anyway, since I had a scheduled C. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and the random item? A treat for you. I packed a bar of the most delicious dark chocolate. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to enjoy it while at the hospital. But it was an AWESOME FIND at home a week later when unpacking my bag. :)
ReplyDeleteBecky- I'm glad you trusted your doc 300%. I had to switch practices recently and don't have enough of a relationship to trust the doctors like that. It's something I'm not too happy about. I know things don't always go according to plan but I want my wishes to be in writing so there won't be any confusion.
ReplyDeleteAs for the treat- great idea! I also read that someone brought honey to snack on for energy during labor and I love that idea. Yummy!
Birth plan? What is a birth plan??? LOL and by the way this is your mother...;-)
ReplyDeleteEryn - I had a birth plan, and was very vocal with all of the doctors in my practice about what we wanted. I also told every nurse who came into our room, the person who came in to take out the trash, etc. Things went as we wanted them to because I had done a lot of research, because we were very vocal about our plans, because we had great support, and because the stars just happened to align that way for us. Luck is important, and planning is, too. We wanted the minimum level of intervention and that's what we ended up getting. We had a beautiful and amazing natural birth - let me know if you'd like to talk more about it. Your body is amazing - you will be amazed at what it can do.
ReplyDeleteThe item you should be sure to have with you is a doula! My doula was amazing, and helped both of us so much. Investing in having her with us was one of the best decisions we made.
Good luck, and congrats!
Carrie - from the photo group and 9 am service at All Soul's
Wow Carrie! Thanks for the encouragement. I'm not quite ready to give up my epidural but otherwise I want my body to lead the way- no unnecessary induction or surgery, pushing when my body tells me to push, spending time with my baby before s/he is taken away for shots and eye ointment... those kinds of things. I need to be encouraged to speak up. I can be quite bossy when I want to be (no comments from you, Mom (-; ) but worry I will be too overwhelmed to speak up.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, I trust Wesley to speak for me and we have already talked extensively about what we want. I considered a doula but my OB told me that since I was planning on having an epidural Wesley would be a good support person and a doula might interrupt that bond for us. I thought he made a good point, though I do understand the value of a doula, especially if one is going to give birth without medical pain intervention.
I would love to talk more about it with you. Sounds like the perfect reason to head to a coffee shop to me!