Brenda’s Pregnancy Journal

Our childbirth instructor is a Christian - and not afraid to talk about it. I noticed at the beginning of class that she was wearing a wordless book bracelet, so I knew she believed, but as class went on she talked about her relationship with the Lord, using examples of how she prayed to Him in labor. And it wasn’t an “Oh God Help Me!” prayer, but a sincere one to the Lord, asking Him to move her baby. Then after class, she passed out a quote from Chuck Swindoll about attitude, another couple began a conversation with her about church. It was meaningful to me because sometimes I feel like many protestants seem to believe in this country & the western way of doing things, especially medical care - more than they believe in natural methods of doing things, when to me, believing in the God who created everything ‘natural’ can go hand and hand with a more natural way of doing things. Anyway, each time we go she impresses me with her obvious conviction for natural childbirth, however I feel she gives a great balance between natural childbirthing and a confidence in the medical establishment. She’s made me feel better about my delivery taking place in a hospital, but still being able to do it “naturally”

Once again the class was great fun. The other couples are very friendly & we all laugh alot. It was our turn to bring snacks & the crackers & cheese & fruit was a hit. I’m thrilled that it’s turning out to be exactly what I’d hoped it would be. We watched some graphic videos of birth & it was good for Charlie to see, it gave him more confidence, instead of dealing with fear of the unkown. He’s going to make a great coach. He did an awesome job in the practice breathing session, keeping me relaxed.

I think one of the biggest keys we learned, and the one we need to make sure to do is to move around during active labor - out of the bed! Even if I end up w/ pitocin & an IV, it’s important to get up & around, changing positions often. I expect it will be one of the best ways to avoid meds.

Ugh, I didn’t do anything on my day off last Wednesday but lay on the couch, I stayed home sick Thursday and Friday also. This was a killer cold - and it’s still lingering. I could hardly breath, constantly sneezing, watery eyes, and overall miserableness. I ended up taking medication b/c after calling the doctors office I realized it was better to get it cleared up than let it develop into an infection & end up on antibiotics. I just don’t remember having a cold this bad before. I did read that the hormones in pregnancy can increase cold symptoms & make them worse - now I know it’s true. Wednesday I watched Anne of Green Gables & Anne of Avonlea, those are great sick-day movies, Thursday & Friday I kept the TV off - I feel like the day is such a waste when it is on all the time. Its been over a week & I’m finally feeling better but the congestion is hanging on. I can at least sleep now, there were a couple nights when I only slept about 3 hours & even those weren’t consecutive. Fortunetly from what I understand Elliot was in no danger from my being sick. The fun thing about laying down all day was that I got to pay attention to all his movements, he’s such a little wiggle worm.

Wow! I am definetly feeling the pressure now…Elliot is going to be here before I know it. If we weren’t dealing w/ the furniture & leak issues I’d feel a lot better right now. Elliot will be in our bedroom in a cradle to begin with, so while it’s important to get it done in time, it won’t be the end of the world if things are delayed.

I started finishing up a few sewing projects last night that I’ve been putting off. I am making some nursing pads, a couple birth cloths from extra fabric from when I made them for Becky, and I’m going to make a couple slings.

Tonight is our hospital tour! I am very excited to go, and have my list of questions prepared…They may think I’m a freak when I start asking if they will allow things that are probably not the norm. Asking for squatting bar, birth ball, showering during labor (they don’t have tubs), asking for the hospitals c-section statistics & epidural rates….should be interesting!

We had our doctor appointment yesterday - I’m up another 5 lbs in 3 weeks so the 1.5 lb per week is maintaining. I’m up 25 lbs overall so far - which is pretty on track. The doc did tell me that he’ll only let his patients go one week over-due before inducing. When I asked him if it was negotiable, he lectured me on the risks of going past-due - but I reminded him of the risks of inducing. He said I’m the only one he knows of that would not be anxious for the baby to come. I’m sure if I go that long I will be ready for Elliot to arrive, but I doubt I’ll want to choose induction over waiting…so I’ll just have to really pray that he arrives before May 19.

Seeing as that would be the last day he could arrive I’m deciding for sure that April 29 will be my last day of work - that’s less than 2 months away. Wow! 

We got more boxes of clothes from cousin Myles this week. I have no idea what is ‘enough’ and what exactly I’ll need, but we have been blessed with plenty. I guess it will be trial & error as we go, figuring out how often we’ll be changing clothes & doing laundry. I’m sure over the summer he’ll be in a onsie and/or just a diaper for a lot of the time.

I had a dream last night that I gave birth to Elliot - the great part was that it was painless! The bad part was that he weighed 8.5 lbs but looked like a 2 year old! That and…as the dream progressed we found out he was actually a girl! So we had to change his name to Elizabeth… I guess reading labor books before bed is not such a great idea. I’m just glad I can watch our ultrasound video any time & be able to see that he is a HE!

without any back pain. Maybe this is a good introduction to the interupted sleep I’ll be getting when Elliot arrives. Last night I woke up in pain, it seemed no matter what position I was in, it hurt badly enough for me to catch my breath. I finally ended up sitting indian style, facing my headboard, with pillows on my tummy, stacked high enough to rest my arms & head on. After an hour or so of sleeping like that the pain was gone & I returned to sleeping sitting up, facing forward. When my alarm whent off I was so happy to not be in pain that I ignored it…and went to work a little late. I dont’ even mind getting up several times to use the restroom anymore, it’s just part of the routine. I definetly have compassion for those that deal with back pain all the time - I am fortunate to have mine go away for the most part when I am up and about. I just pray it goes away after Elliot arrives.

We started a new childbirth book last night, it’s called An Easier Childbirth. I think we both learned some new stuff, it had great advice for understanding and handeling early labor as opposed to active labor. This book is neat because it’s like a workbook, there are lots of questions for us to answer & write out.

Tonight is my weekly bath night! I’ve started taking them on tuesdays when I’m at my In-Law’s home because they have a lovely jacuzzi tub. It is at least a little bit of relief for my back before bedtime. How I wish my hospital offered them for labor.