Baby update: one month to go!
We just had our 35-week appointment today and as it’s the 23rd, we’re at the one-month countdown. Our doctor said that generally first-time moms tend to deliver late but that he had just delivered a 35-week old baby this morning and so to try to get projects finished up. My weight and blood pressure are all fine and I’m not having too many Braxton Hicks contractions — at least they’re not painful. Our lovely little boy was also still head-down and his heartbeat was very loud and fast (around 150 bpm). When I woke up this morning he seemed like he wasn’t in his normal head-down position, so I resorted to the ironing board in case he was breech. I didn’t feel him move between then and the appointment, so he must’ve simply been turned a slightly different way or perhaps is beginning to get more comfy in my pelvis.
We don’t have too much of interest to look forward to in terms of our doctor appointments. I simply get to pee in a cup, get weighed, take my blood pressure, hear the heartbeat and ask questions of the doctor. I imagine I’ll be tested for Group B Strep next appointment and we’ll probably have an ultrasound to check the baby’s position sometime. Other than that, it’s probably more of the same. Today we went over our birth plan and he was supportive of all of it, which is absolutely wonderful. He also thought we’d have an “average-sized” baby, about 7.5 pounds or so. That sounds just peachy.
We finished up our Bradley childbirth classes last night and it was kind of sad. We’ve been with the same group of people for 10 weeks every Sunday night and now we’re sort of being shuffled off into the great unknown and have to put all that we’ve learned into practice. We did get to practice some contractions again and some pushing positions and it makes me feel much more comfortable for the real deal. Now Bryce and I will need to commit to practicing regularly so that we know all the positions available and pain-coping techniques.
For those not in the know, the Bradley method is a childbirth method that advocates natural childbirth (i.e., drug free). So, yes, we’ll be declining the epidural and narcotics and pitocin and plan to birth like women have for centuries. I’m nervous of course but really excited to see what my body can do and how Bryce and I will work together as a team to bring our child into the world.
July 23rd, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Glad to hear that everything is going well!
A low key pregnancy is a good thing… 
Good luck with everything! In doing both ways during labor… epidural and no drugs, I will say … no drugs is *very* painful (to put it nicely) but, you recover faster when there is no epidural involved. After having Zoe naturally, I was out of the hospital 5 hours after birth and heading to the hospital to see her. (She was transferred to a new hospital). Good luck either way!
July 23rd, 2007 at 5:31 pm
What do they check your pee for? (Sorry, curious…)
I will be interested to hear how the Bradley method works out – I don’t really know much about it. I wish we had taken some natural childbirth classes, instead of trying to figure it all out on our own. Maybe you can form a playgroup with the others from your class!
I think you will be AMAZED at what your body can do.
July 23rd, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Thanks Sarah for the encouragement. It helps to hear that others have succeeded so well at it before me, too. Our classes were really great and even though that they seemed pretty pricey at first, now, having been through them, it has been completely worth it already. BTW, they check pee for protein (which signals toxemia). They probably check it for other stuff, but that’s the main one.
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Oooh hello ladies! Yup I am hoping as Sarah says that our bodies will amaze us – mine certainly has thus far
! Also they test your pee for glucose to see if you are developing gestational diabetes – I only know because I was looking at my notes yesterday for something else and say it.
Lots of love to you three and keep head down baby Hales!!!
July 23rd, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Ash, Sorry if my comment was discouraging. I kinda got the drift that it may have been.
I do believe in you, and do think that you definitely will be amazed at how the Lord makes our bodies work during child birth. Any pain felt is definitely worth it, especially once you are holding your new bundle of joy. 
One month… can’t believe how fast it has gone.
July 24th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Shey, nope it wasn’t discouraging at all! I just was around when Sarah gave birth and even though the birth was hard and long, she did it; so that’s why it’s encouraging to know she’s done it and you’ve done it too — well done!
July 27th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Ashley – I’ve heard lots of positive things about the Bradley method and am sure you’ll do so well. Can’t wait for just another month to pass!