Teatopia

I LOOOOOVE my midwife!!!

Today was like a breath of fresh air. I've been kind of nervous about my midwife appointment, just because it's something unfamiliar from what I did last time. At first, I didn't like the long line to check in (I've heard this practice is busy, busy!), but once I got checked in, successfully peed in a cup (which is a triumph in itself), I relaxed a bit as I waited in the tiny waiting room for the midwife. There's a separate area for midwife patients, and another for OB/GYN patients.

A nurse called me back, and as I answered her questions and waited for her to create my new chart, I glanced around the room. Wow! Already, everything seemed better than the other office! I saw several books on her shelf with titles like, "Mothering Your Nursing Toddler" (I have this book!), "How to Avoid a C-Section", and another about involving your husband/partner in the process. I noticed all the pictures on the wall of new babies being held by the smiling midwives that delivered them, and I got a really cozy, familiar feeling. Everything felt so personal!

Then, when my midwife Melissa came in, I was excited because she remembered seeing me at the viewing of "The Business of Being Born" where we had met briefly. She talked to me about what I wanted-- my preferences, what I didn't like last time, any concerns I had. It wasn't an in and out kind of visit. She was so kind and she made me feel special. She asked tons of questions about my life: what my husband did, what I did for a living-- she was even interested in what I had taught and where. I told her my sister was an L&D nurse, and she actually had worked with my sister just this morning. I feel so excited about this process now. I was excited the first time, but also scared because I'd never been through pregnancy before. I just kind of followed whatever the OBGYN said and it was kind of a no-brainer. This time, I get to make decisions, create a birth plan, and make a personal connection with the woman delivering my baby. I'm not sure I would've been ready for all this the last time. This second time around, I have a confidence I didn't have the first time, which is probably very common.

I feel really good about my decision. Another thing to note is that she said she wants me to gain about a 1/2 pound per week, which means I have about 10/12 to go. I couldn't tell her exactly what I weighed pre-pregnancy because I never weigh myself (out of fear) and didn't get weighed with my former OBGYN until I was already 2 months along. I recently learned what I weigh, and I almost had a heart attack. Note to self: NEVER abstain from weighing myself again. It's much worse to find out later when it's a lot more than you thought! I need to hit the gym after this boy is born. Although I don't think I've gained more than a few pounds so far this time (based on what I weighed at the OBGYN last year), I started out pre-pregnancy weighing pretty much what I weighed with Olivia at the end of my pregnancy. I'm seriously going to cry if I write any more about this. I just know I need to get serious and my very careful about what I eat. I had slightly high blood sugar last time (although no GD) so I need to watch it. I ate very healthy today, so I'm off to a good start. I think I'm going to start writing down what I eat every day. That'll give me a reality check!

Well, we're off to TGI Friday's to meet my parents. We already ate dinner, but my parents wanted to see Olivia and buy us dessert. DESSERT! Ugh, I hope I can fight the temptation and order decaf coffee or something instead. Maybe it won't be too bad if I share something with James and Olivia???

UPDATE: I seriously have NO willpower. I ended up ordering a brownie a la mode, but after a few bites, I decided I'd be good and gave it to my dad, so I guess that counts for something, right?

Posted by Hannah at January 14, 2008 06:54 PM