My First Visit

I have a co-worker who recently had a natural water birth and who recommended that I watch Rikki Lake's documentary, "The Business of Being Born."  After watching that movie, I really find myself questioning my birth plan.  I always thought that I would be getting an epidural, but now I worry about the drug domino effect that may ensue if I chose to get one.  In the past, drugs that have been used in delivery were found to cause terrible side effects like babies being born without limbs.  Although popular delivery drugs of today do not have this kind of obviously terrible side effects, how do we know those drugs aren't part of the reason why autism is on the rise?  Looks like I may be in for some serious pain.

You should watch this if you are considering natural birth.  It will either get you more
excited about it or send you running in the other direction.

After waiting for 2 weeks, I had my first visit today!  I had a hard time falling asleep last night and found myself counting down each hour at school.  When Eric and I finally got to the OB/GYN, we found ourselves waiting for half an hour.  Then finally I had my weight and blood pressure taken, got some prenatal vitamin samples, and asked the OB and a nurse some questions.  They confirmed that I should gain 25-35 pounds (I am going to feel like such a cow).  I learned that I will have both a midwife and an OB, and that the practice supports natural birth.  However, I cannot have a water birth becuase the hospital does not have those facilities.  The nurse mentioned that water births are being phased out due to a risk of infection.  Have any of you heard this before?  I clearly have some more research to do.  I was really hoping to have an ultrasound today, but I have to wait 2 more weeks for that.  I feel like seeing that heartbeat on the monitor is going to make this feel so much more real. 

Today is my mom's birthday.  It was so hard to call and wish her happy birthday without talking about my visit.  Eric and I will be telling my mom, my brother, his parents, and my grandparents about the baby this weekend.  I can't wait to get everyone in on our little secret!

Wanting to Tell the World

My husband and I decided we were no longer going to prevent getting pregnant, and two short months later we are on our way to becoming parents. 

We found out about our bundle of joy on Valentine's Day.  I stopped by a Walgreen's on the way home from work to grab some of Eric's favorite chocolates.  I decided to go ahead and grab a pregnancy test even though my period was only one day late.  When I got home, I took the test before I took the dogs outside (we have two terrier mixes who we love like children).  Before I even finished washing my hands, I could see that second little line forming.  The feeling that rushed over me was beyond words.  I put the test inside of his card and added a little note that said, "We may be expanding our party of two.  I love you!"  He was so excited.  It was the perfect time to discover that we would soon have another person to love.

I scheduled my first OB appointment as soon as I could.  Unfortunately, the earliest that I could see my doctor was February 28th.  It seems like every day since I found out has been dragging by.  In three more days, I will finally get to see my doctor.  Here are the questions I have thought of to ask so far:

1. How much weight should I expect to gain and at what rate?
2. What types of excercise can I do and what should I aviod?
3. What types of foods should I aviod?
4. What types of fragrances/odors should I aviod?

Those are the big ones for me right now.  I have a pregnancy book that I am reading called Your Pregnancy Week by Week and I have also been reading some things on thebump.com.  I keep finding conflicting information about caffine and running specifically, so I want to hear it straight from the doctor.  I'll let you know how it goes!