Over the weekend I threw Laura a bachelorette party - it was fun! My feet were killing me by the end of the night b/c I insisted on wearing my LB's.. They hurt for two days, haha.
Steve and I have gone back to thinking about a possible home birth this past week. We made it out of the question after hearing about a water birth leading to a baby's death in TX. Of course my studious husband looked more into it and found that they had used tap water instead of distilled or purified -- big NO-NO. I have quite a list of questions for my midwife appointment on Monday, and Tuesday we have set up an appointment to interview a doula regarding home birth/water birth and a variety of other questions. I already feel confident we will end up going with this doula (given who recommended her and her online ratings/reviews) but I am looking forward to picking her brain about home births that she has done and recommendations.
Here's my thoughts about having a baby in a hospital... I want my baby when she's born unless there is a medical reason they need her. It is ridiculous for a child to be taken from their mother and lay in a warmer. That's what I'm for. I want my baby at all times. I don't want pressure b/c I'm on a time clock the moment I check-in to the hospital. It may take a while to labor. That's natural. I don't want pressure from nurses, midwives, drs, etc., to resort to medications to speed along the process. I also question my ability to relax in a hospital. Staff will be coming in and out to check on the baby and I, and I'm not sure at this point how much that will bother me during painful contractions. I'm also not excited about having to stay in the hospital simply because I had a baby. I want to find out how long I "have" to stay and why. I'm 100% positive unless there is something actually WRONG that I will get better sleep and rest in my own home, leading to recovery. I'm not thrilled about the idea that just because I love my midwife and entrust her to deliver my baby and help me get the experience I want, she may not be the one to deliver my baby. She may not be on call. When I get there, she may have been there for 48 hours and legit need to go home and rest. Really not liking the idea of not knowing who will actually deliver my baby and how they will feel about my wishes during delivery. Then there is the fact that I KNOW I will be tempted to have an epidural if I am in the hospital and have the option. My will power is strong sometimes, but I question my ability to stick to my guns during labor - I have nothing to compare it to, I can't possibly know what I'll do in that much pain. If I'm at home, I don't have the option. ;)
I do feel confident that I've chosen the best hospital in the area for me, though. We will see!
How far along: 26 Weeks
Total weight gain: 18lbs :( I started counting calories. I do not want to gain over 30lbs.
Maternity clothes: Some
Stretch marks: No
Sleep: Not well, but I will say that we started using our humidifier and that has helped a ton!
Best moment of this week: Yesterday we had a Perfect Day in regards to weather. It was incredible. We sat outside and enjoyed every second. It's hot again today, but it was a nice break! I'm so looking forward to fall.
Miss anything: I'm a bridesmaid in Laura's wedding in a week and a half, so I'm trying to not eat all the crap I had been eating.. so I miss junk food. lol THAT is why I've gained so much weight - it is not "just the baby" (BTW, she's around 2 pounds this week <3 ) Also still missing the energy/motivation to eat well, keep up with house work, actual work, etc.. :/
Movement: a LOT.
Food cravings: Braum's banana split. Pizza & beer.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: Yes.
Gender: GIRL! <3
Labor signs: braxton hicks
Belly button in or out: In
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or moody most of the time: Moody
Looking forward to: Not really sure. I'm anxious about so much right now! Normally I would look forward to better looking arms after a couple of weeks heavy training & eating well, but my body doesn't respond during pregnancy like before so I don't know what to expect haha!
Exercise: cardio + weights 45 minutes a day. Sometimes I go a little over.
Additional Symptoms: still yellow or white mucus-like discharge, occasional back pain, stomach itches like crazy, as I mentioned above... Still having a hard time pooping, but it is noticeably better when I eat less and healthier foods. Extra gassy. Breasts still huge. I have noticed I've been extra itchy the last week or so, all over.
