Birthing Center

Orientation at the birthing center was last night. We are required to go if we want to schedule an appointment with one of the midwives. So, we drove the hour and 15 minutes it takes to get there.

The midwife covered all the ins and outs of the center. They don't want your first appointment being about the center, they want it to be about you and your health. So, she answered any questions we had and gave us a tour (along with another 20 or so couples). She was very nice, experienced and informative.

We took the kids, so that was interesting... Jackson was in a mood so keeping him quiet while she was talking was a task. Luckily I read most everything she was talking about on their web site so I wasn't missing much.

The tour was what I was really looking forward to. They had 3 birthing rooms ranging in size and style. They were very homey and had a relaxing feel to them. All come prepped with an aqua doula tub. The most interesting thing I am excited about is these slings they have hanging from the ceiling. I wish I had one of those when I had MJ! And they have their own little shop with herbs and oils that they recommend. The thing I probably disliked about it was the rooms seemed cramped and the center had a musty old smell to it. It would probably be a smell that would remind me of my child's birth forever (not a bad thing). Smells really trigger memories for me! It could be just that my sense of smell is in over drive as is always when I'm pregnant.

One thing we did learn about the runnings of the center is that there are 6 midwives that we would get to know over my pregnancy. And it would all depend on who is on call the day/night I go into labor as to who would be my delivering midwife. Josh and I am not too thrilled about that detail. The midwife speaking did mention that she is aware people will probablly have a favorite midwife but ultimatly their favorite will be who ever delivers their baby (OK, maybe true). BUT, what if we happen to really dislike one of the midwives and she was the one on call that day. Not something I will be too thrilled about showing up in labor to.

To be honest, right now I am having a hard time feeling things out. Part of it is hormones. I have not really been feeling like myself lately. Little things get on my nerves! I'm sick to my stomach, some foods and smells really turn me off, I'm tired, my boobs hurt and are already growing, I pee more than I ever have (even in past pregnancies), I'm bloated, and my RLS is acting up as always when I'm pregnant. I'm just very unmotivated. Working out and the demands of being a mommy and wife are the only things keeping me on my feet right now. Josh has been very helpful as always! :) We have both decided to eat better and keep the junk out of the house. There is no way I am letting myself go and giving in to my cravings (not that I've really had any, yet). I worked too hard to get back to where I am in my health! That got a little off topic but it all plays into my scattered brain.

I know how I want this birth to go from experience. But I am having the hardest time getting past the fact Josh might not be here when the time comes. So I will have to have a plan B (I can't drive myself and all the kids to the center). I am sure I can get my mom to come stay with me for a while but that puts added stress on her responsibilities at home. It would be wonderful if I could get her and my sister to come hang out regardless if Josh is here or not though!

So, there's the distance... That is a long drive, especially when my appointments get to be a week or days apart. So we will have to make sure gas can be afforded on top of the costs (if any) for the birth. Not to mention being in labor in a car for even 10 minutes is too long! We would have to consider the possibility of having to stay in a hotel if I am getting close to delivering. Each of my labors have been shorter. I was only in active labor with MJ for 4 hours. And I'd really prefer not to have a baby in the car. So as soon as I started to feel contractions I'd wanna leave. What if it wasn't quite time yet, I don't wanna have to turn around and go home to just come back later that night or the next day or 2. so, distance is our biggest concern right now. Plus driving in Denver is a nightmare! And I want Josh to know that I am OK if he is gone.

As I am writing this it has made me think into what I REALLY want in our whole birthing experience. And wondering how I could bring my stress level down and still do what is best for me and baby. I am going to look into speaking to a local midwife that would come to our home to do a home birth... I know people who are not as excited about non intervention birth as I am and they will protest, but right now my goal is to just get educated. I'm not deciding on anything just yet. I would never do anything that I am not completely comfortable with. A question one of the expecting mothers at the center asked last night was what the benefits are of having the baby in a place like the center as apposed to at home. She didn't have anything to say that made one better than the other besides the fact that the midwife would not have to travel along with all her supplies. Everything is already there in one place ready to go. If I were to deliver at home and a hospital were needed they are only 10 minutes away from our door to theirs. I am also very confident in my body and it's ability. I am well aware of the risks. But there is still a lot to learn.

Yes, We're Pregnant!!!

Feeling so extremely blessed to be expecting! And so quick too! I removed my birth control just about a month and a half ago. We officially got the clarification that I am in fact pregnant 2 days ago. Josh was ecstatic, I was in shock. The past few weeks I have been back and forth on whether or not I thought I was crazy that I was feeling symptoms. Then I didn't want to be disappointed if I wasn't so I had almost convinced myself I wasn't even when I knew I was almost positive I was after getting a very faint line on a test a week ago. So now I'm just working on believing it. ;) My due date will be around Sept 11th I believe.

I've already switched to the prenatal vitamins and finding out has motivated me to start going to the gym. After all, I can get in on post for free now (yay). We've already researched insurance coverage and I'm pretty sure we have decided where I am going to deliver if everything pans out as hoped. Orientation is next Friday.

Crazy to think I'm going to do this again. I'm so excited for the whole experience (I've been baby hungry for over a year now). But at the same time really nervous...

One worry I have is if whether or not Josh will get to be here through the pregnancy and be present for the birth. But that is life in the military. And if we waited till the "right time" that time would never come. Now seemed as good a time as any. Keeping our fingers crossed!

After I had MJ, like literally RIGHT after I had her. I said, "I am never doing that again!" Here I am... pregnant, talking about having the baby natural in a birthing center. I refuse if at all possible to stay in the hospital. I wouldn't say my experience with the boys births were horrible but they weren't great. I was happy to have my baby boy but there is a lot I would change! I was nervous to have MaryJane but I was going into unknown territory, even with already having 2 babies and all the research I did. Now that I know what to expect... I'm nervous. lol. Everything was so perfect with her birth it just hurt! But I think I'll be able to power through it even better this time! :)

I can't wait to see what cute little we can make!! :) We thought we would make it fun and have decided to not find out what we are having. It might be tempting at times but we both love surprises. It will make that moment even more magical! I would love it if I could give Josh a boy to pass on his name to but a girl would be just fine! :) You figure we already have 2 of each so what's the difference. The crappy part is I wasn't planning on having more kids so I've given away pretty much everything baby, so we will be starting over regardless. That goes for everything maternity as well.

The kids are all very curious as to how everything works. Especially Jack and MJ. We have been watching animated videos on how the baby grows and what it looks like at different stages. They have been requesting to see pictures of themselves as babies and what I looked like pregnant with each of them. They keep asking when the baby is going to come out. I'm thinking they will have the hardest time waiting. Especially not knowing if it's a girl or a boy. Gage and Jack want a boy, MJ wants a girl, Kensey just wants a baby. At first when we asked the kids how they would feel about having a baby Jackson said, "no way!" When I told them I thought I might be pregnant about a week ago Gage and MJ were excited but the look on Jackson's face was priceless. I wish I had it on video! He's always been excepting yet apposed to the idea. When I ask why he says I dunno. I asked him if he is afraid the baby will take away his attention and it seems as though that just might be it.

I've always wanted my kids really close together so that they could grow up together. Having a sister myself that is 13 years older than me I don't have many memories of her as a small child, then she was married and moved out before I was out of grade school. My 3 kids are all less than 2 years apart. MJ is lucky to have Kensey who is 9 months younger than her. This baby will be almost 4 years younger than our youngest and over 8 years younger than our oldest so it will be a bit different for me. But I'm beginning to understand why parents sometimes wait to have more kids. To see the excitement in the kids over a new baby is something I will never forget. Gage isn't quite old enough for us to benefit from a live in baby sitter ;) but I can already tell he will be so helpful. MJ and Kensey are such little mommies (MJ talks about carrying the baby around all the time). Jackson probably won't ever leave the baby alone talking to him/her in his little soft baby voice he does. I'm so excited to see all the kids together fighting over who gets to push the stroller. ;)

Josh is always having new experiences being he wasn't in my kids lives till MJ was almost 2 and not a full time parent till just 5 months ago. And Kensey moved when she was only 6 months old. But I gotta say how well he has done adjusting. He's a great parent and roll model! All the kids just love him to pieces! He's a natural! ;) I love him more every day. He's an amazing father and husband! This baby just ties our family together. Makes me feel so much more complete! <3