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.